not been driven from its Walls by the great Rains which sell so violently and incessantly and made such an Inundation that men look'd upon it as a second Noah's Floud This was the only cause why Pelagius was made Bishop of Rome without the consent of the Emperour the City being so closely besieged that none could pass to know his pleasure therein For at this time the Roman Clergie's Election of a Bishop was not valid unless they had the Emperour's Approbation Hereupon Gregory a Deacon a man of great Piety and Learning was sent to Constantinople to appease the Emperour where having effected what he came for he neglected not to employ his time and parts but both wrote Books of Morals upon Job and also at a Disputation in the presence of the Emperour himself he so basfled Eutychius Bishop of Constantinople that he was forced to retract what he had written in a Book of his concerning the Resurrection in which he asserted that our Bodies in that glory of the Resurrection should become more thin and subtile than the Wind or Air and so not tangible Which is contrary to that of our Saviour Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have As for Pelagius having at the request of the Citizens of Rome recalled Gregory turned his Fathers House into an Hospital for poor old men and entirely built the Coemetery of Hermes the Martyr and the Church of Laurence the Martyr he died of the Pestilence which at that time was very epidemical throughout Europe after he had been in the Chair ten years two months ten days and was buried in S. Peter's in the 〈◊〉 The See was then vacant six months twenty eight days GREGORY I. GREGORT a Roman Son of Gordianus one of the Senato rian Order was against his will unanimously chosen Bishop of Rome Anno Dom. 590. Now because as I have already said the consent of the Emperour was required herein he dispatches Messengers with Letters 〈◊〉 Mauritius that he would not suffer this Election of the Clergy and People of Rome to stand good These Letters were intercepted and torn by the 〈◊〉 and others written by which the Emperour was requested to confirm him who was by universal suffrage thus chosen There could nothing be more pleasing and acceptable to the Emperour than the News of this Choice for the conversation of Gregory while he was at Constantinople had been very grateful to him and moreover he had Christned his Son Mauritius therefore speedily sends word back to Rome that he did confirm the Election of Gregory and that in such a 〈◊〉 state of things they should compel that holy man to undertake the Government of the Church He therefore not consulting his own inclination but the 〈◊〉 of Mankind and the honour of God which as he was a most devout and religious man he had ever preferred before all other things without any regard to Riches or Pleasures or Ambition or Power takes the burden of the Pontificate upon him And he behaved himself so well in it that no one of his Successours down to our times has been his Equal much less Superiour either for Sanctity of Life or for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in managing Affairs or for his Learning and Writings He composed a Book of the Sacraments wrote Commentaries upon 〈◊〉 and as I have already said upon Job and Homilies upon the Gospels four Books in Dialogue and that which he called the Pastoral to 〈◊〉 Bishop of Ravenna concerning the way of governing the Church Moreover he introduced several Rites and made several Additions to the Offices of the Roman Church and particularly he first instituted the greater Litanies or 〈◊〉 and appointed a great part of the Stations And that the good man might not in any thing be wanting to the Church he held in S. Peter's a Synod of twenty four Bishops wherein he took away many things which might prove pernicious and added many which might be beneficial to Religion He also 〈◊〉 into England Auguscine Melitus and John and with these divers other Monks all persons of approved lives by whose Preaching the 〈◊〉 were then first entirely converted to Christianity By his means likewise the Goths returned to the Union of the Catholick Church We are told by some Writers that Gregory sent his Dialogues concerning Morals to Theudelinda Queen of the Lombards by the reading of which she might smooth and polish the rugged temper of her Husband 〈◊〉 and bring him to a better sense of Religion and Morality She was an excellent Lady and a zealous Christian and not only built the Church of S. John Baptist at Monza a Town ten miles distant from Milain but also furnished it with Vessels of Gold and liberally endowed it T is said that at the time when 〈◊〉 was put to death by his Father Levigild King of the Goths because he professed the Catholick Faith the 〈◊〉 Coat of Christ which fell by Lot to one of the Soldiers was found in the City Zaphat laid up in a Marble Chest there Thomas being then Bishop of Jerusalem John Bishop of Constantinople and Gregory Bishop of Antioch In the mean time Mauritius having in 〈◊〉 and Terra di Lavoro by his General Romanus the Exarch gain'd the better of the Lombards who from a confidence grounded upon their former successes were now degenerated into all manner of Vice makes a Law that no person who had listed himself in the Roman Army should be at liberty to withdraw and take upon him a Religious life till either the War were ended or the man himself 〈◊〉 or disabled Gregory being moved hereat admonishes him not to oppose the Religion of that God by whose bounty he had been raised from a very mean condition to the highest Degree of Dignity Moreover John Bishop of Constantinople having in a Synod which he held procured himself to be styled the Oecumenical i. e. Universal Bishop and Mauritius hereupon requiring Gregory to yield obedience to John He being a person of great Courage and Constancy returns answer That the Power of binding and loosing was committed to Peter and his Successours not to the Bishops of Constantinople and therefore warns him to desist from provoking the wrath of God against himself by being too 〈◊〉 in sowing Dissention in the Church But Mauritius not content with the mischief he had done already re-calls his Soldiers which were in Italy and encourages the Lombards to assault the Romans without any regard to the League they had entred into with them Hereupon Agilulphus moving from Lombardy and laying waste all Tuscany through which he passed invests and very much annoys the City of Rome one whole year in which time Severus Bishop of Aquileia becoming Heretical was the occasion of many Evils For after his Death the Patriarchate of Aquileia was divided into two Agilulphus King of the Lombards constituting John of Aquileia and our Gregory Candianus of Grado Bishops to the people of Friuli But Agilulphus
Father Zeno. In the mean time Odoacer invading Italy with a great Army of his Heruli and Turingians conquers and takes Prisoner Orestes a Noble Roman near Pavia and then causes him to be put to death in the sight of his whole Army at Placentia Hereupon Zeno pitying the calamitous state of Italy speedily sends Theodoric King of the Goths a man whom he had before very much esteem'd with a mighty force to oppose him who having in a pitch'd Battel not far from Aquileia near the River Sontio overcome Odoacer's Captains and having oftentimes the like success against Odoacer himself at length he besieg'd him three years together in Ravenna and reduc'd him to that extremity that with the advice of John the Bishop of that City he consented to admit Theodoric as his Partner in the Empire But the day following both Odoacer and his Son were contrary to promise and agreement slain by which means Theodorick possess'd himself of the Government of all Italy without any opposition In the mean time Simplicius dedicated the Churches of S. Stephen the Protomartyr on Mons Caolius and that of S. Andrew the Apostle not far from S. Maries the Great in which there appear to this day some footsteps of Antiquity which I have many a time beheld with sorrow for their neglect to whose charge such noble piles of building now ready to fall are committed That this Church was of his founding appears by certain Verses wrought in Mosaick work which I have seen in it He dedicated also another Church to S. Stephen near the Licinian Palace where the Virgins body had been buried He also appointed the Weekly-waitings of the Presbyters in their turns at the Churches of S. Peter S. Paul and S. Laurence the Martyr for the receiving of Penitents and baptizing of Proselytes Moreover he divided the City among the Presbyters into five Precincts or Regions the first of S. Peter 2. S. Paul 3. S. Laurence 4. S. John Lateran 5. S. Maria Maggiore He also ordained that no Clergy-man should hold a Benefice of any Lay-man a Constitution which was afterwards confirm'd by Gregory and other Popes At this time the Bishop of Rome's Primacy was countenanced by the Letters of Acacius Bishop of Constantinople and Timothy a learned man in which they beg him to censure Peter Mog Bishop of Alexandria an assertour of the Eutychian Heresie Which was accordingly done but with Proviso that he should be receiv'd into the Communion of the Church again if within a certain time prefix'd he retracted his Errours Some say that during his Pontificate lived Remigius Bishop of Reims who as History tells us baptized Clodoveus the French King Now also Theodorus Bishop 〈◊〉 Syria wrote largely against Eutyches and compiled ten Books of 〈◊〉 History in imitation of Eusebius Coesariensis At this time almost all Egypt was infected with the heretical Doctrine of Dioscorus concerning whom we have already spoken and Huneric King of the Vandals a Zealot 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Faction raised a Persecution against the Orthodox Christians in Afrique Upon this Eudocia Niece to Theodosius a Catholick Lady and Wife to Huneric left her heretical Husband upon pretence of a Pilgrimage to Hierusalem to perform a Vow which she had made but upon so long a Journey the effect of which prov'd intolerable to the tenderness of her sex she there soon died 'T is said that at this time were found the bones of the Prophet Elisha which were carried into Alexandria as also the body of S. Barnabas the Apostle together with the Gospel of S. Matthew written with his own hand As for Simplicius himself having by his Constitutions and Donations very muchpromoted the interest of the Church of Rome and having at several Ordinations made fifty eight Presbyters eleven Deacons eighty six Bishops he died and was buried in S. Peter's Church on the second day of March He was inthe Chair fifteen years one month seven days and by his death the See was vacant twenty six days FELIX III. FELIX by birth a Roman Son of Felix a Presbyter was Bishop from the time of Odoacer whose power in Italy lasted fourteen years till the Reign of Theodoric Who though he made Ravenna the seat of the Empire yet the City of Rome was much indebted to his Bounty For he re-built the Sepulchre of Octavius exhibited shews to the people according to ancient custom repaired the publick Buildings and Churches and indeed neglected nothing that became a good and generous Prince And to confirm and establish the Empire he married Andefleda Daughter of Clodoveus King of France and gave in marriage his Sister to Huneric King of the Vandals and one of his Daughters to Alaric King of the Visigoths and the other to King Gondibate Felix now fully understanding that Peter Mog the Eutychian who had been banished for his heretical Opinions upon the complaint and at the desire of Acacius was by the same Acacius recall'd from Exile suspected that there was a private Agreement between them and therefore excommunicated them both by the authority of the Apostolick See which was confirm'd in a Synod of the Orthodox But three years after the Emperour Zeno testifying that they were penitent Felix sends two Bishops Messenus and Vitalis with full power upon enquiry into the truth of their repentance to absolve them These Legates arriving at the City Heraclea were soon corrupted with bribes and neglected to act according to their Commission Whereupon Felix out of a just indignation having first called a Council upon that occasion excommunicates them too as Simoniacks and betrayers of the trust reposed in them Though Messenus who confess'd his fault and begg'd time to evince the sincerity of his repentance had it accordingly granted him The same Felix also built the Church of S. Agapetus near that of S. Laurence and ordained that Churches should be consecrated by none but Bishops 'T is said that at this time Theodorus a Greek Presbyter wrote against the Hereticks a Book of the Harmony of the Old and new Testament and some reckon among the men of Note in this Age the Learned and famous Divine John Damascene who wrote the Book of Sentences imitating therein Gregory Nazianzene Gregory Nyssene and Didymus of Alexandria and compiled also certain Treatises of Medicin in which he gives an account of the Causes and Cure of Diseases Our Felix having at two Decembrian Ordinations made twenty eight Presbyters five Deacons thirty Bishops died and was buried in the Church of S. Paul He sat in the Chair eight years eleven months seventeen days and by his death the See was vacant five days GELASIUS I. GELASIUS an African Son of Valerius was Bishop of Rome at the time when Theodoric made War upon his Wives Father Clodoveus the French King for that he had slain his Daughter's Husband Alaric King of the Visigoths and seiz'd Gascoigne They were both allied to him by marriage but the cause of Alaric seem'd to him the more just
and therefore he preferr'd his Son-in-law before his Father-in-law And gaining the Victory over the French in a very important Battel he recovers Gascoigne and undertakes the present Government of it till Almaric the son of Alaric should come to Age. The same Theodoric to his Conquest of Italy added that of Sicily Dalmatia Liburnia Illyricum Gallia Narbonensis and Burgundy He also walled round the City of Trent and to secure Italy from a forein Invasion upon the Frontiers of it near Aost placed the Heruli whose King being yet a Minor he made his adopted Son Gelasius in the mean time condemns to banishment all the Manichees that should be found in the City and causes their books to be publickly burnt near S. Mary's Church And being satisfied of the repentance of Messenus who had given in his Retractation in Writing at the request of the Synod he absolved him and restored him to his Bishoprick But having intelligence that several murthers and other notorious outrages were committed in the Greek Churches by the factious followers of Peter Mog and Acacius he forthwith sends his Legates thither with Commission to Excommunicate for ever all those who did not immediately recant their Errours a new and unusual severity whereas the Primitive Church was wont to wait long in hopes that Separatists would at length return to her Bosom At this time John Bishop of Alexandria an Orthodox Prelate and who had been very much persecuted by these seditious people fled for resuge to the Bishop of Rome who very kindly and courteously received him The Churches which Gelasius consecrated were that of S. Euphemia the Martyr in Tivoli that of S. Nicander and Eleutherius in the Via Labicana and that of S. Mary in the Via Laurentina twenty miles from Rome He had a great love and honour for the Clergy and was very liberal and charitable to the poor He delivered the City of Rome from many dangers and particularly from that of dearth and scarcity He composed Hymns in imitation of S. Ambrose published five Books against Eutyches and Nestorius and two against Arius made very elegant and grave Orations and wrote weighty and learned Epistles to his Friends of the houshold of Faith all which Works of his are at this time to be seen in the publick Libraries Some tell us that he Excommunicated Anastasius successour to Zeno in the Eastern Empire for favouring Acacius and other Hereticks which is an argument as clear as the Sun that the Bishop of Rome has power to Excommunicate any Prince who is erroneous in the Faith if he continue refractary after Admonition The same course likewise he took with the Vandals and their King who being infected with the Arian Heresie proved now very cruel and barbarous persecutours of the Orthodox At the beginning of his Pontificate lived Germanus and Epiphanius the latter Bishop of Pavia the former of Capua men who by the authority which the Sanctity of their Lives had gain'd them and by their humble and obliging deportment wrought so much upon the minds of the barbarous Invadors that afflicted Italy fared the better for their sakes At the same time also Lannociatus Abbat of Chartres with Aurelianus and Mezentius of Poictiers persons of great Piety and Learning gain'd so much ground in Gaul that they persuaded Clodoveus the French King and his Queen Crocildis to become Christians and to undertake the protection of the Catholick Faith throughout their Dominions though some attribute this honour to Remigius as hath been already said Gelasius having ordained thirty two Presbyters two Deacons sixty seven Bishops died and was buried in S. Peter's Church November 21. He was in the Chair four years eight months seventeen days and by his death the See was vacant seven days ANASTASIUS II. ANASTASIUS the second a Roman Son of Fortunatus was Contemporary with the Emperour Anastasius At which time Transamund King of the Vandals shut up the Churches of the Orthodox Clergy and banished one hundred and twenty Bishops into the Island of Sardinia 'T is reported also that one Olympius an Arian Bishop having publickly in the Baths at Carthage declared his detestation of the Doctrine of the Trinity was immediately smitten and his body burnt with three flashes of Lightning And when Barbas another Bishop of the same Faction was going to baptize a certain person in this form of words Barbas baptizeth thee in the name of the Father by the Son and in the Holy Ghost 't is said the Water disappeared which Miracle so wrought upon the man who was to be baptized that he immediately came over to the Orthodox It was this Bishop Anastasius as some Writers tell us who Excommunicated the Emperour Anastasius for favouring Acacius though afterwards being himself seduced by the same Heretick and endeavouring privately to recall him from Exile he thereby very much alienated the minds of his Clergy who for that reason and also because without the consent of the Catholicks he communicated with Photinus a Deacon of Thessalonica and an assertour of the Acacian 〈◊〉 withdrew themselves from him 'T is generally reported that the divine vengeance pursuing him for this Apostacy he died suddenly and some say that the particular manner of his death was that going to ease Nature he purg'd out his Bowels into the Privy In his time Fulgentius an African Bishop of Ruspoe though he were among the other Orthodox Bishops of Africa banish'd into Sardinia by Transamund yet neglected nothing that might contribute to the propagating of the Catholick Faith whether by Exhortation Preaching or Admonition He likewise published several Books of the Trinity of Free-will and the Rule of Faith and besides the several elegant and grave Homilies he made to the people he wrote against the Pelagian Heresie The Learned Egesippus also who composed Monastical Constitutions and in an elegant style wrote the Life of S. Severinus the Abbat was at this time very serviceable to the Church Moreover Faustus a Gallican Bishop was now a considerable Writer but among all his Works the most in esteem was his Tract against Arius wherein he maintains the persons in the Trinity to be Co-essential He wrote also against those who asserted any created Being to be incorporeal demonstrating both by the Judgment of the Fathers and from the Testimonies of holy Writ that God only is purely and properly incorporeal But I shall here conclude the Pontificate of Anastasius who at one Decembrian Ordination having made twelve Presbyters and sixteen Bishops was buried in S. Peter's Church November 19. He sat in the Chair one year ten months twenty four days and by his death the See was vacant four days SYMMACHUS I. SYMMACHUS a Sardinian Son of Fortunatus succeeded Anastasius though not without great Controversie and after a long bandying of two contrary Factions For while one part of the Clergy chuse Symmachus in the Church of S. John 〈◊〉 another part of them in S. Maria Maggiore make choice of one Laurence
order to Rome where he publickly interdicted Gregory from doing any thing for the future that belong'd to the Office of a Pope commanding the Cardinals to leave Gregory and come to him for they were like to have another Pope Gregory not able to endure such an affront upon God and the Church deprived Sigifred and the rest of the Clergy that took Henry's part of all their dignities and preferments and likewise laid a Curse upon the Emperour himself after he had degraded him from his Imperial Honour And of this Degradation or Deprivation the form was as followeth Blessed Peter Prince of the Apostles I beseech thee hearken unto me and heat thy servant whom thou hast educated from my infancy and preserved to this day from the hands of wicked men that hate and persecute me for the faith I have in Thee Thou art my best Witness Thou and the holy Mother of Jesus Christ together with Paul thy fellow Martyr that I did 〈◊〉 enter upon the Papacy without reluctance not that I thought it robbery lawfully to rise into thy Chair but I was more willing to spend my days in Pilgrimage than at that time to supply thy place for ostentation and vain-glory I must needs confess that it was thy goodness and not my deserts that brought me to the Cure of Christendom and gave me the power of loosing and binding and therefore in confidence of that and for the honour and safety of the Church I do deprive King Henry son to Henry who was formerly Emperour of all Imperial Power in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost for that He so boldly and rashly laid violent hands upon thy Church and I absolve all his Christian Subjects from their Oaths that bind 'em to pay Allegiance to true and lawful Kings For it is fit that he should lose his honour who would diminish the Honour of the Church And furthermore because he has contemn'd mine or rather thy admonitions concerning his own and his peoples salvation and separated himself from the Church of God which he would fain destroy I set him under a Curse as being well assured that thou art Peter upon whose Rock as a true foundation Christ Jesus our King has built his Church There were at that time a great many that talk'd of Peace when the Execration was past to whom Gregory made answer that he did not 〈◊〉 conditions of Peace if Henry would first make his peace with God You said he must needs know what injury he has done the Church and how often I have admonished him to reform his life and conversation And this I did in respect to Henry his Father's memory who was my very good Friend but to no purpose he having entertain'd principles quite contrary to his Father's Nevertheless some of those that were present continu'd to urge him and persuade him that a King ought not to have been anathematiz'd so hastily To whom the Pope reply'd When said he Christ committed his Church to Peter and said Feed my sheep did he except Kings No when he gave Peter the power to bind and loose he excepted none nor exempted any man from his Authority Wherefore he that says He cannot be bound by the Churches power must needs confess he cannot any more be absolved by it now whosoever is so impudent as to affirm this makes himself a perfect Separatist from Christ and his Church When Henry heard what Gregory had done he wrote many Letters to several Nations complaining that he was condemn'd by the Pope against all Law and Reason 〈◊〉 Gregory on the other hand demonstrated not only by words and Letters but also by Reason and Witnesses in the face of the World that he had done nothing but what was just and right But in the mean time part of the Kingdom revolted from Henry and the Saxons prepared for a War against him upon which the German Princes fearing some misfortune might 〈◊〉 their Country decreed in a publick Assembly that if Gregory would come into Germany Henry should humbly beg his pardon and the King swore he would do it Thereupon the Pope who was induced by the promises and prayers of the Arch-bishop of Treves Henry's Embassadour was going on his journey toward Augst but when he came to Vercelli was privately inform'd by the Bishop of that place who is Chancellour of all Italy that Henry was coming against him with an Army At which the Pope forbare to go any further but went to Canosso a Town near Rheggio under the Countess Matilda Henry also made thither as fast as he could with his whole Army and laying aside his regal Habit he went barefoot to the gate of the Town to move the Townsmens pity and desired to be let in But he was deny'd entrance and took it very patiently or at least seemed so to do though it were a sharp Winter and all things bound up in frost Notwithstanding he tarried in the Suburbs three days and begg'd pardon continually till at last by the intercession of Maude and Adelaus an Earl of Savoy together with the Abbat of Clugny he was introduced absolved and reconciled to the Church having sworn to a Peace and promised future obedience The form of the Kings Oath was this I King Henry do affirm that I will keep all the conditions and engagements that are in the Peace which our Lord Gregory the Seventh has drawn up according to his mind and will take care that the said Pope shall go where he pleases without the least molestation either to Him or his Attendants especially through all our Dominions and that I will be no hinderance to him in the exercise of his Pontifical authority in any place whatsoever and this I swear I will observe Done at Canosso January the 28. Indiction the 15th But when he had succeeded according to his wish and all people were gone to their several homes Henry moved toward Pavia but lost Cincius by the way who dy'd of a Fever and yet Henry though that Villain was gone did not desist from innovation For he broke the Peace and thereby vexed the German Princes to such a degree that they declared Rodolphus Duke of Saxony King and rejected Henry That moved Henry to petition the Pope that he would disposses Rodolphus of the Kingdom by Excommunication But seeing he could not obtain so great a favour he betook himself to his Arms and engaged him in a bloody Battel where the Victory was uncertain on both sides And then they each sent Embassadours to the Pope to beg of him that he would assist 'em to which he made no other answer but that he would have 'em quit their Arms. But notwithstanding Henry and Rodolphus fought a second time without any odds and therefore when they had engaged the third time and kill'd a great many men on both sides Henry who seemed to have a little the better of it would not hear Rodolphus's Embassadours that came to him for Peace but wrote to the
long for they soon altered their minds and clap'd him in Prison This affront gave great offence to the Bononians who seizing several Romans protested they would never release them but upon the delivery of their Brancaleon which so wrought upon the cautious Romans that they not onely released him but restor'd him to his former dignity setting up also another Court of men chosen out of every Ward in the City whom they called Banderese to whom they committed the Power of life and death The Pope plainly found the reason of this insolence of the Romans to be that they observ'd how Manfredus had plagu'd him and that he was not able to help himself That he might therefore at last free the Church from the tyranny of these men he sent Legates to Lewis King of France to exhort him that he would assoon as possible send his Cousin and Son-in-law Charles Earl of Provence and Anjou with an Army into Italy he intending upon the expulsion of Manfredus to create him King of both Sicilies And this no doubt he had done so high were his resentments of the Ingratitude of Manfredus if sickness had not taken him off from business Which yet was brought to pass as is supposed by the following Pope To the times of this Pope is ascribed Albertus a High German of the Order of Friers Predicant who for the vastness of his learning got the Surname of Magnus He Commented upon all the Works of Aristotle and explain'd the Christian Religion with great acuteness beside he wrought very accurately concerning the secrets of Nature He also put forth a Book de Coaequaevis wherein he endeavours to shew the little difference that is between Theology and Natural Philosophy He expounded a great part of the Holy Bible and illustrated the Gospels and S. Paul's Epistles with excellent Notes He began also a Body of Divinity but liv'd not to perfect it He was a man so modest and so much given to Study that he refused the Bishoprick of Ratisbon because it could not be manag'd without trouble and force of Arms sometimes as the Bishops of Germany are wont to do He liv'd therefore in private at Cologn reading onely some publick Lectures At length he died there in the eightieth year of his age leaving behind him many Scholars for the good of Posterity especially Thomas Aquinas who leaving his Countrey and his noble kinred for he deriv'd his pedigree from the Counts of Apulia and going to Cologn he made such progress in learning that after a few years he was made Professor at Paris where he published four Books upon the Sentences and wrote a Book against William de St. Amour a pernicious Fellow Beside he put forth two Books one de qualitate essentiis the other de principiis naturae At last he was sent for to Rome by Vrban but refusing those promotions that were offered him he gave himself wholly to Reading and Writing He set up a School at Rome and at the desire of Vrban he wrote several Pieces and ran through almost all Natural and Moral Philosophy with Commentaries and set forth a Book contra Gentiles He expounded the Book of Job and compiled the Catena aurea He composed also an Office for the Sacrament in which most of the Types of the old Testament are explained But to return to Vrban he died at Perugia in the third year first month and fourth day of his Pontificate and was buried in the Cathedral Church The Sea then was vacant five months CLEMENT IV. CLEMENT the fourth formerly called Guidodi Fulcodio a Narbonnese of S. Giles's deserv'd to be made Pope upon the account of his Holiness and Learning For he being without question the best Lawyer in France and pleading with great integrity in the Kings Court was created after the death of his Wife by whom he had several Children first of all Bishop of Pois and then of Harbonne and last of all a Cardinal by universal consent and afterward was chosen out as the onely Person whose sincerity and Authority had qualified him to compose the Differences between Henry King of England and Simon Earl of Montford As soon as he was chosen Pope some say he put on the Habit of a Religious Mendicant and went incognito to Perugia Thither immediately went the Cardinals who having chosen him Pope though in his absence attended upon him pompously to Viterbo In the mean time Charles whom we said Pope Vrban sent for to bestow a Kingdom upon him set out from Marseilles with thirty Ships and coming up the Tiber arriv'd at Rome Where he lived as a Senator so long by the Popes order till certain Cardinals sent from his Holiness came and declared him King of Jerusalem and Sicily in the Palace of St. Giovanni Laterano upon this condition that Charles should take an Oath to pay the Sea of Rome a yearly acknowledgment of forty thousand Crowns and should not accept of the Roman Empire though it were freely offer'd to him For there was at that time a great contest for the Empire between Alphonsus King of Castile who sought to procure it by Power and bribery too and the Earl of Corâ—wall the King of Englands Brother whom the Electors had no great thoughts of Therefore lest Manfred should hope to make use of any quarrels between Alphonsus and Charles to whom many people said the Empire was justly due though he could not challenge it the Pope animated Charles against Manfred as one that stood in Contempt of the Roman Church For Charles's Army was already gotten over the Alpes into Italy and marching through Romagnia had brought all the Soldiers of the Guelphs Party as far as Rome From whence Charles removed and took not onely Ceperane having beaten out Manfred's men but posted himself in a Forest near Cassino which Manfred himself had undertaken to defend although his mind was soon alter'd and he resolv'd to march for Benevento to expect the Enemy in plain and spacious places because his forces consisted most of Cavalry Thither also did Charles move and assoon as he had an opportunity to fight did not decline it though his Soldiers were very weary with travelling Each of them encouraged their men to engage But Charles coming to relieve a Troop of his Soldiers that were like to be worsted more eagerly than usually as in such cases Military Men will do he was knock'd down from his Horse at which the Enemy was so transported that Manfred fought carelesly out of rank and file and was kill'd which when Charles appeared again straight turn'd the fortune of the Day For many of his men that ran away were kill'd and a great many others taken Prisoners Charles having obtain'd so great a Victory removes to Benevento and marches into it upon a voluntary surrender of the Citizens From thence he went to storm Nocera de Pagani where both the modern and the ancient Saracens lived but sent his Mareschal into Tuscany with five hundred Horse to restore
generally to adhere unto Monti to which also Cardinal Farnese assenting laboured with all his power to reconcile Ghisa and Monti which after some words and secret conferences together being happily concluded all parties concurred in the Election and on the ninth of February 1550. Monti being accompanied by 42 Cardinals descended into the Church of S. Peter where being seated in the Chappel of S. Andrew all the Cardinals paid their respects and obedience to him which they testified as was usual by kissing his feet which being finished he called himself by the name of Julius III. in memory of Julius II. from whom he derived the beginning of his greatness He was afterwards crowned by Cardinal Cibo on the 21. of the same month of February His Reign began with the year of Jubilee 1550. the which in its regular course ought to have commenced the Christmas before but in regard the Chair was then vacant that solemnity was deferred until the 24th of February being the Festival of S. Matthias when the four Gates were opened according to the accustomed manner and great numbers of people flocked from all parts of Italy who having visited the four principal Churches namely S. John of Lateran S. Peter's S. Pauls and S. Maries the Great received the Indulgences Privileges and Absolutions which are the fruits and rewards of that Devotion with which this Holy Year ended on the day of the Epiphany of the year following Amongst the other Pilgrims which were but few in number from the Western parts by reason of the Wars and confusions about Religion Stephen the Patriarch of the greater Armenia in company with an Arch-Bishop and two other Bishops came to Rome to gain the Jubilee This people who had been always of the Eastern Church and submitted to their own Supreme Patriarch called were persuaded by the Missionaries from Rome in the time of Paul III. to submit to the Roman Church upon promises of Preferments and increase of their Revenue in which Faith they have ever since continued adhering to all Points of that Church tho perhaps little regard hath been had to an augmentation of their Benefices for I have been acquainted with one of their Patriarchs accompanied with two Dominican Friars who were so poor that in their Travels to Rome they have begged Alms to defray their charges During this year of Jubilee and the first of his Reign the Pope Indicted the Council which Paul III. had transferred to Bologna to be held at Trent and to begin in May following Charles V. was then at the Diet of Augsburg when this Bull of the Pope was delivered to his hands which he caused to be promulged in the hearing of all the Princes who were present at the Diet. In obedience to these summons some of the Bishops of Germany Spain and Italy attended and made their personal appearance to which place also the Pope sent Cardinal Crescentio to reside as his Legate assisted by the Arch-Bishop of Sipontino and the Bishop of Verona and being desirous to perform acts of Favour and Grace soon after his Inauguration he bestowed twenty Cardinals Hats amongst which he gave one to a Youth of thirteen years of age called Innocent de Monte born at Piacenza one of poor and mean Parentage whom he received and adopted by that name into his Family none knowing the ground or reason for it which gave a large and copious Theme to the Pasquils at Rome About that time George Martinuno who governed the Affairs of Transilvania during the minority of that King was at the instance and request of Ferdinand created Cardinal by this Pope Julius but he afterwards secretly plotting and conspiring with the Turks against the Prince who was under his charge and tuition upon discovery and proof made of his treacherous designs was justly put to death This Pope who was of a pacifick temper and naturally inclined to peace had also farther inducements thereunto by the long experience he had in the affairs of the Church which he had observed to thrive and prosper most with the lenitives of peace rather than by Arms and Slaughter which were incongruous and dissentaneous to those principles on which the Church was originally founded howsoever the Pope contrary to these principles was unhappily forced and engaged in a War on this occasion which we shall here relate with as much brevity as we are able Paul the Third after Piacenza was lost and his Son Pier-luigi slain committed the charge and defence of Parma to Camillo Orsino who was reputed a great Soldier in his time to keep and defend that City in the name and behalf of the Church strictly commanding him not to resign or entrust that care into any other hands without express and positive Commission Paul being dead and Julius III. being in treaty for the Succession promised Cardinal Farnese who as we have said was Chief of a powerful Party to deliver Parma into the hands of his Brother Ottavio in case he would favour him with his Vote and Interest which he assenting unto and Julius being made Pope the conditions were complied with the Commission of Camillo being vacated and the Government of the City surrendred to Ottavio provided notwithstanding that it should not be in the power of Ottavio to consign the City into the hands of any Prince whatsoever without the knowledg license and consent of the Pope and that Ottavio might be the better enabled to maintain the Garrison against the force and temptation of the Imperialists a stipend was allowed him of 2000 Crowns a month In a short time Ottavio finding that the Imperialists were pressing upon him and that he was not able to defend the City against Charles V. without greater supplies both of men and mony desired the Pope that he would either augment his Allowance or else give him the liberty to joyn and enter into Alliance with some other Prince that was able to secure and defend him against the artifices and violences of the Emperor The Pope not penetrating the depth of the matter without due and mature consideration answered that confiding in his prudence he gave him license to provide for his safety in such manner as he thought most expedient Ottavio taking these words in the largest sense and supposing he had obtained license to do and act as he pleased agreed privately with Henry II. King of France to receive a French Garrison into Parma which being done and the Pope too late complaining thereof as a matter concluded without his knowledg or permission and also apprehending that the Emperor would certainly believe that this was acted by his assent and concurrence that he might disabuse the world and persuade the Emperor to the contrary he banished Cardinal Alexander Farnese to Florence and calling the Emperors Forces to his assistance made War upon Duke Ottavio so that all Italy on a sudden began to be embroiled and enflamed with War For Parma was presently besieged by Fernando Gonzaga who was Governour of Milan
THE LIVES OF THE POPES From the time of our Saviour Jesus Christ TO THE REIGN OF SIXTUS IV. Written Originally in Latine by BAPTISTA PLATINA Native of Cremona And Translated into ENGLISH And the same History continued from the Year 1471. to this present time wherein the most remarkable Passages of Christendom both in Church and State are Treated of and Described By PAUL RYCAUT Esq LONDON Printed for Christopher Wilkinson at the Black Boy over against S. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet 1685. TO THE READER THE History of Platina of the Lives of the Popes being rendred into English by an unknown hand was delivered to me by the Bookseller and considering that Platina was an Author of good Reputation and Authority in the World I often wished that he had lived in that Age in which he might have deduced his History from ancient to the present times or that some other of our learned men would have continued the same in the Language of our own Country for since our Tongue is so well refined and so copious it ought justly to comprehend all those Histories Sciences and Arts which are related and made known in forreign Languages But observing that this Work was neglected and not thought worthy the labour of better Pens I essayed to do it in my own rude and plain Style without affectation or ornament more than what the simplicity of naked truth would afford me in search of which I have always had recourse to the best and to the most impartial Authors who have neither disguised the Vices of Men by flattery nor out of prejudice branded those Actions with shame and obloquy which might have admitted of a fairer character Nor have I mixed any thing of Religion in this History but where the nature of the relation could not subsist without it for in regard the Court and not the Church of Rome is the subject on which I treat I have made the Points of Religion accidental only to the following Discourses But as to Platina himself Trithemius in his Treatise of Ecclesiastical Writers gives him this Character He was born sayes he at Cremona was Breviary to the Pope and a man learned in all Sciences he was an excellent Philosopher and a famous Orator of an acute and ready wit and perswasive eloquence he was couragious and so constant to his principles that under Pope Paul II. he was deprived of his Estate and Preferments and after having endured the wrack or torture he was cruelly cast into Prison where he remained during the Reign of this Paul II. afterwards he was set at liberty by Sixtus IV. to whom he dedicated this following History of the Popes He died at Rome of the Plague Aged 60 years A. D. 1481. Frederick III. being Emperour and Sixtus IV. being Pope AN INTRODUCTION To the following HISTORY THIS continuation of Plaetina the subject of which is the Lives and Reigns of the Popes is a Treatise purely historical collected from feveral Latin French and Italian Authors whose design being solely to transmit matter of Fact to posterity did not intermeddle with points of Religion but as they accidentally occurred in the connexion of History there being a vast difference between the Church of Rome and the Court of Rome To this latter Notion which consists of a Pope who is Sovereign and of seventy Cardinals or more who are his Counsellours besides a great number of Prelats we shall confine our Discourse And whereas the Pope is a Prince who hath a Temporal Dominion under his Government and Jurisdiction it is no wonder if he and the Creatures and Confidents who attend him in all his Counsels should act by Maximes purely civil and political whence it is that Popes are approached with so much more awe and profound Reverence than is performed towards Kings and Emperours because the Spiritual comes in to maintain and uphold the Authority of the Temporal and both being united do mutually support each other hence proceed all the flatteries used in that Court all the contrivances which Ambition can suggest to raise Families and make those great who are in Authority And in short nothing is omitted which the Wit of Man and the Artifices of the most refined Heads in the World such as those are at Rome can devise to conserve and exalt the Interest and Authority of that Court. The Original of this Jurisdiction which is encreased to such a degree of Power and Greatness as is become suspected by Kings and formidable to its people sprang at first from those words of our Saviour to his Apostles Whose sins ye shall forgive on Earth shall be forgiven in Heaven and whose sins ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven the which large and extensive priviledg was attended with a Commission to feed Christs Flock to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments and with an exhortation to all the faithful to love one the other and to pardon and forgive each other their offences The Primitive Church which was always zealous to reconcile the Brethren and procure pardon of the Offender from the person offended did ordain according to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians that the Saints or Christians should not maintain a process of Law one against the other at the Bar or Tribunals of Infidels but that they should rather appoint and constitute some of the Faithful who were Men of approved wisdom and integrity to hear and examine and determine all their differences This manner of trial was certainly submitted unto with great charity of the both parties and with an unbiassed sentence of the Judg for the first had no power over them to enforce execution unless the constraint of their own Consciences which bore witness that the adjudgment was from God Nor did the Ecclesiastical Judg pronounce sentence without regret sorrow and grief for the Delinquent as appears by the words of St. Paul 2 Cor. chap. 2. where the sorrow of the Offender is said to be so great as to require comfort and that the Judg also did partake in the like affliction and anguish of heart with him This dispensation of the Ecclesiastical Censures being a work of great Charity was an Office onely proper for such as had attained to a good esteem for piety and to the degree and dignity of a Bishop But as the Faithful encreased and the Churches became numerous so the deliberations on Causes were too heavy and burdensom for the Bishop alone and therefore though the Bills and Processes at Law were received by the hands of the Bishop they were yet afterwards transferred to the consideration of the Ancients who were called Presbyters which being digested by them received their ultimate determination and sentence from the General Assembly of the Church the which practice was in use in the year of our Lord 250. as appears by the Epistles of St. Cyprian wherein he writes to the Presbyters of his Diocese of Carthage that he intended not
to act in any thing without the counsel and advice of them and consent of the people and that he would examine the Causes and the merits thereof in their presence and moreover he reproves certain Priests for their irregular proceedings in cases of judgment threatning to give an account thereof unto the people This charity and plain dealings of the Bishops gained them such reputation that their advice and sentence was almost in all matters followed and admitted by the people whose charity in after-Ages growing cold and careless of the mutual good and benefit each of other came by degrees to cast off this burdensom Office of Judgment and to remit it solely to the Incumbence of the Bishop who also degenerating from the primitive humility easily gave way to the allurements of ambition and under the disguise of Charity and Vertue embraced the Authority of passing sentence without the assistance or consultation with co-ordinate Judges So soon as the persecutions ceased great loads of business Cases and Trials at Law devolved upon the Bishop so that then he was forced to erect a Tribunal of Justice and contrive Methods and rules for Judicial proceedings howsoever in those times of simplicity and innocence things were not so wholly corrupted but that though the antient Discipline of remitting matters to the determination of the Church did cease yet sincerity and uprightness in passing Sentence still continued The which when Constantine the Emperour observed and considered the great difference there was between the captious and litigious proceedings of secular Advocats and Proctors who made Law-suits and wranglings their benefit and Trade and the honest and conscientious Methods and determinations of the Clergy he ordained that the Sentence of the Bishop should be definitive and without appeal with power to grant an injunction to all proceedings at Common Law in case the party agrieved should desire to have recourse to the Episcopal judgment and jurisdiction in his case Hence it came to pass that the Sentence of the Bishop was made a judgment of Court and put in execution by the hands of the secular Magistrate and this jurisdiction was farther amplified and increased in the year 365. by the Decree of the Emperour Valens But the extent of this Authority established by the Law of Constantine being afterwards abused by the corruption of succeeding Bishops was recalled by the Emperours Arcadius and Honorius and confined to causes purely religious without Courts or formal processes of Law and without power to intermeddle in civil differences unless the parties concerned should on both sides agree to remit their case by way of Arbitration or compromise to the Sentence of the Bishop But in regard the Bishops of Rome had for a long time been powerful in that City little notice was taken of this Injunction until in the year 452. it was again enforced and renewed by Valentinian the Emperour But not long afterwards the succeeding Emperours restored part of that Authority which had been taken from them and Justinian again erected their Courts of Judicature to which he assigned all Causes about Religion complaints and differences between the Clergy Ecclesiastical Fines and forfeitures with power to determine Cases between Lay-persons who should by way of Umpirage or Arbitration refer themselves to the Episcopal Court and in this manner did that charitable correction and that plain and sincere way of ending and composing differences between Brethren instituted by Christ Jesus begin to degenerate into that Dominion which our Saviour had forbidden to his Apostles And farther to strengthen and confirm this Episcopal Authority so soon as the Empire was divided and that the Western Provinces were separated from the Eastern Dominions then were many of the Bishops taken into the Councils of Princes whereby the Secular Power being annexed to their Spiritual capacity served much to advance and raise the reputation and Authority of the Episcopal Dignity so that two hundred years had not passed in this manner before the Bishops arrogated to themselves a Power to judg the Clergy in all Cases both Criminal and Civil And to extend their Jurisdiction farther they framed a Term called Mixed Actions in which the Bishop as well as the Secular Magistrate might grant Process that is in matters where the Judg had not been diligent or cold and remiss or dilatory in his proceedings then the Bishop might take the Causes out of his hands by which pretence and usurpation little business remained for the Secular Courts And farther by vertue hereof they established a general standing Rule as unalterable as a fundamental of Faith that in Cases where the Magistrate was remiss or delayed to do Justice those Causes did ipso facto devolve to the cognizance of the Bishop Had the Prelats stuck at this point and not proceeded farther it had been pretty tolerable for then a Power might have remained still in the hands of the Civil Magistrate to moderate and retrench the excesses of Ecclesiastical encroachments as occasion served but those who had imposed this yoak on the people thought fit for their own security to rivet it in such manner about their necks that it could never be shaken off again having to that purpose forged a principle in their own Shops under the Title of a fundamental point of Faith That the Bishops power of judging in Causes as well temporal as spiritual took not its Original and Authority from the Decrees or connivence of Emperours or from the will and pleasure of the people or by custom or prescription but from a right inherent in the Episcopal Dignity and conferred thereupon by the institution of Christ himself As appears in the History of the Council of Trent wrote by Father Paul Sarpi This was certainly a bold and a hardy Assertion which could so easily have been refuted by those who had read the Codes of Theodosius and Justinian with the Capitularies of Charles the Great and Concessions and Ordinances of succeeding Princes both of the Eastern and Western Empire in reading and considering which a Man must be strangely blind or stupid who cannot observe by what ways and Methods the excess and exorbitance of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction was introduced into the World And indeed it is strange to consider that on the bare foundation of that Spiritual Power to bind and loose given by Christ to his Church and by that Ordinance of St. Paul to compose differences between the Brethren and prevent their going to Law before Infidels should by a long tract of time and by several Artifices and subtil contrivances be erected a Temporal Tribunal the most extensive and most considerable of any that ever was in the World and that in the midst of divers Kingdoms and Principalities of Europe there should be an other State established independent on the Publick which is such a Model and form of Political Government as never any of the Antient Legislators could ever fansie or imagine to be consistent with the Sovereignty of a Temporal Prince
But such a Government as this was long in growing and required much time to bring it to a maturity because many difficulties interposed in the way For in the first place the very foundation of Christianity which was humility was diametrically opposite to Grandeur and Dominion then the Popes were chosen by the People to whom they were accountable for all their administrations and to the Clergy for their soundness in Faith and Orthodox Doctrine for which reason Pope Eugenius the first was Interdicted by the Clergy from celebrating Divine Service in Santa Maria Maggiore until he had disclaimed publickly the Heresie he held of one Operation or Will in Christ the Assertors of which were called Monothelites and this Choice of the People required a confirmation from the Emperour before the Pope could be legally invested in his Authority the which is apparent in all History and in regard the Seat of the Emperours was far distant a Power was delegated to the Exarch of Ravenna to confirm the suffrages of the people in case the person they had chosen was not obnoxious or displeasing to the Emperour and so it was when Severinus was made Pope that Isaacius the Exarch of Italy made a journey to Rome to confirm him though before his departure he plundered the Lateran of its Treasures in which attempt though he was opposed by some of the Clergy yet his Soldiers being too strong for them he carried away his prize upon a pretence that it was unreasonable the Clergy should grow rich and the State poor and that they should amass vast sums into their Coffers when the Soldiers who were their defence and guard were miserably necessitous and in a starving condition Nor had the See of Rome less difficulty in its advancement by reason of the long disputes and contentions between that and the Church of Constantinople for precedency to which several Princes gave encouragement who asserted that the Supremacy ought to be lodged at that place which was accounted and esteemed the Capital Seat of the Empire On the other side the Roman Bishops termed Constantinople but a Colony of Rome since the Greeks themselves stiled their Prince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Emperour of the Romans and the Constantinopolitans themselves even in that age were called Romans and not Greeks the which Controversie remained undecided until the time of Boniface the third who by great intercession and a powerful interest obtain'd of the Emperour Phocas that the See of Rome should be acknowledged and stiled the Head of all the Churches But notwithstanding this priviledg given to the See of Rome the Popes continued still in their dependence on the Emperor's confirmation without which their Election was not valid And though in the time of Mauritius the Emperour Pelagius the 2d was made Bishop of Rome without the Imperial consent and confirmation and though the same was excused by a cause of necessity occasioned by the Siege which the Lombards had laid to the City yet the Emperour was much displeased with this encroachment upon his Prerogative until such time as Gregory a Deacon a Person of great Piety and Learning was sent to Constantinople to appease his anger In this manner the Popes depended on the Emperours pleasure for their confirmation until about the year 705. when Benedict the second was created Pope a Person of so much piety and vertue and of compassion towards the poor that he gained an esteem aud veneration from all people of what degree soever and so great was his renown that the report of his Vertue and Devotion reaching the Ears of the Emperour he conceived such a high Opinion of his Sanctity that he sent him a Decree whereby he ordained and established that for the time to come He whom the Clergy and people of Rome should choose Pope should be immediately acknowledged without recourse to the Authority of the Emperour or his Exarchs according to former custom when the confirmation of the Emperour or his Lieutenant in Italy was esteemed necessary to the establishment of a Pope But whence this Temporal Power was derived in its first Original to the Popes hath been an enquiry of divers Authors There are those who pretend a Donation from the Emperour Constantine by which the City of Rome it self most part of Italy Africa and all the Islands of the Mediterranean Seas were conferred upon them But this Opinion is exploded by Guicciardin an Author without exception in this case And moreover in all History these particulars are very clear and apparent as namely That during the Exarchate the Popes had nothing to do with the Temporal Sword but lived as Subjects to the Emperour That after the overthrow of the Exarchate the Emperours neglecting Italy the Romans began to be governed by the advice and power of the Popes That Pepin of France having subdued the Kingdom of the Lombards gave unto Pope Gregory the 3d. and his Successours Ravenna Urbin Ancona Spoleto with many other Towns and Territories about Rome in testimony and remembrance of which there remains unto this day a Marble Stone ingraven in Latin with this Inscription thereupon and Englished thus Pepin the most pious King of France was the first who gave example to Posterity how and in what manner the Power and Authority of Holy Church was to be amplified and increased After which Charlemagne or Charles the Great the Son of Pepin having made his entrance into Rome in the time of Pope Adrian the first confirmed by Oath and amply enlarged the Donation which his Father Pepin had made to Gregory the 3d. which as our Platina saith contained in Liguria all that reaches from the long since demolished City Luna to the Alps the Isle of Corsica and the whole Tract between Luca and Parma together with Friuli the Exarchate of Ravenna and the Dukedoms of Spoleto and Beneventum And though the Popes having this Temporal Power began to set up for themselves maintaining That the Pontifical Dignity was to give Laws to the Emperours and not to receive them yet this Doctrine was not openly asserted during the Reign of Charlemagne who challenged and exercised the antient and original power to govern the Church to call Councils and to order the Papal Election The which Power continued for a long time in his posterity and so afterwards remained so long as wise and valiant Princes ruled but when weak Princes who were distracted with great and dangerous Wars governed then the Popes prevailed who were strong in their Councils being for the most part composed of subtil and designing Men Howsoever these turns of Fortune were carried in succeeding times with various changes and successes the Emperour sometimes tugging and plucking from the Pope and the Pope from the Emperour winning or losing ground as they were endued with abilities courage and understanding or as the circumstances of the World were ordered and disposed in different times So Hadrian the 3d. was a Man of so great a Spirit that
by Adoration the first is when every Cardinal writes in a Scroll of paper the name of that person whom he designs to be elected folding it into five several pages or columns On the first of which he writes these words Ego eligo in summum Pontificem Reverendissimum Dominum meum Cardinalem the which is written by the hand of the Conclavist that the Cardinal may not be discovered by his own writing On this fold two others are doubled down and some Wax dropped thereupon and sealed with some private Seal made for that purpose on the 4th page the Cardinal writes his own name and covers the same with the 5th folding Then all the Cardinals sitting in their Order on Benches in the Chappel with the Scrolls they have prepared in their hands take their turns to ascend unto the altar before which a Table is placed covered with a purple Cloth and a Chalice with a Patina or plate set thereupon On the right side of which sits the first Cardinal Bishop and on the left the first Cardinal Deacon then every one kneeling makes a short Prayer and arising puts his Scroll into the Chalice which being done and all the Cardinals returned to their places the first Cardinal Bishop takes the Chalice with his right hand and turns out all the Scrolls upon the Patina or plate which he holds in his left then setting the Chalice again on the Altar he takes the Scroll which comes first to hand and gives it to the Deacon Cardinal who reads it with an audible Voice the Cardinals noting with their pen and ink or Table-book how many Voices every person hath and the Papers being read the Master of the Ceremonies comes in with a pan of coals and burns all the papers or Scrolls so that no Man is known for which person he hath given his Vote In case any person hath gained two thirds of the number there present the election is good and he is presently declared Pope And this is the way of Scrutiny which is the most commonly used and practised in the election of Popes When the choice is not determined by Scrutiny it is then tried and proved by Access or Accessus which is performed in this manner All the Cardinals sitting in their Places one arises and goes to the Cardinal whom he designs to have elected and says Ego accedo ad Reverendissimum Dominum meum talem the which is noted by the other Cardinals as are the names of those who make the Access and those to whom they are made If two thirds agree in their Access to one person the election is determined by Access if not the next day they proceed again to the Scrutiny for it cannot be made twice in a day This way of Access seems to resemble the antient manner of giving Votes in the Senate of Rome when those that concurred in the same Opinion with an other went from his place to that side where the motion was first made whence came that saying Ire in sententiam and something we have like it in our Parliaments when the House divides it self The third way by Adoration is performed almost in the same manner as that by Access the Cardinal approaching him whom he desires to have created Pope with a profound reverence and lowly bowing but both the Access and the Adoration are to be proved and confirmed by the Scrutiny There was antiently another way of Election which was called by Compromise which was when the divisions were high and scarce determinable by the Conclave that then the Cardinals with common consent referred all their Votes to the choice of three or five Cardinals giving them power to elect any person whom all or the major part should chuse promising and obliging themselves to rest and remain satisfied with such choice by them made provided that the said election were concluded and determined within the time that a Candle lighted by the common consent of all the Conclave did last and continue Hereupon if any election were made during such time the person so chosen was acknowledged for Pope and Universal Bishop Moreover there is another way of election called by Inspiration that is when the Cardinals are Assembled in the Chappel and that every one hath taken his place according to his degree and order Then the first Bishop arises and in a short Speech exhorts the Fathers to provide such a person for Government of the Church as by his Wisdom and Sanctity may be capable to sustain so great a burden Then he demands of them the manner by which they are pleased to proceed whether by Compromise or by Scrutiny telling them that if his Opinion and Vote might prevail he would chuse no other than and accordingly did elect him for Supreme Bishop and Head of the Universal Church If in case all then present or at least two thirds of the number did concur in such person so nominated he was then without farther process or Scrutiny canonically elected Pope Which manner of election was frequently practised amongst the Antients and was called by Inspiration or designation of the Holy Ghost The Pope being legally chosen by any of the foregoing Methods he is conducted into the Sacristia or Vestry where being disrobed by the Cardinal-Deacons of his own Habit he is clothed in his Pontificalibus or Papal Vestments and being thence brought forth with his Mitre on his Head adorned with Gold and Jewels into the Chappel he is seated on the Altar where the Cardinals perform the ceremony of Adoration to him every one in his order kissing his feet hands and mouth Whilst these Ceremonies are performing all the doors and gates of the Conclave are opened at which a multitude of people appearing the Pope shews himself and blesses them And then the first Deacon Cardinal proclaims with a loud Voice to the people in these words Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum Papam habemus Reverendissimus Dominus Cardinalis electus est in Summum Pontificem elegit sibi nomen This being said the Pope descends into St. Peter's Church the Cardinals leading the way with a Cross carried before them and going directly to the High Altar he takes off his Mitre kneels and prays a while and returns thanks to God and the Blessed Apostles and then arising sits upon the Altar and the first Bishop kneels and sings Te Deum and then again the Cardinals perform their Act of Adoration kissing the feet hand and mouth of the Pope Which and the short Office being finished the Pope blesses the people again and then in the same order returns to his Apartment to take his repose and the Cardinals to their respective Lodgings The Pope being chosen for the most part changes his Name it having been an antient custom so to do and observed unfortunate to those Popes who have retained their own baptismal Names without alteration Our Platina saith That the first who began this Form was Sergius the Second who came to the
the Cardinals the Hymn is sung He hath put down the mighty from their Seats and hath exalted the humble and meek he hath raised the needy from the dust that he may set him amongst the Princes of his People After which several other Ceremonies being performed and the Pope receiving again the Adoration of the Cardinals and Prelats returns towards the Evening to his Palace of Monte-cavallo This is in short the sum of those Ceremonies practised at the Coronation of Popes which we have extracted from the Book entitled the Sacred Ceremonies used in the Roman Church The Popes Elected and Crowned as we have said are for the most part old and decrepit with age or of a weak and tender constitution that so they may not live long to the disappointment of others who live and breath passionate desires after this Sublime exaltation and being thus decayed with years and unable to support the weight of Government have commonly called to their aid some Nephew or near Relation with the Title of Cardinal-Nephew or Cardinal-Patron on whose Wit and dexterous management of Affairs the fortune and success of the Papal Dominion doth depend And indeed a person under such circumstances had need to be qualified with great endowments of Mind and Body for being always obliged to afford his personal attendance on the Pope who is to see and hear with his Eyes and Ears he can never be at leisure or free from thoughts and business either relating to the Palace within or direction of Affairs without He is ever the Chief or President of Councils he assists at all Congregations he appoints the days for Consistories of Chappels Visits Audiences and regulates every thing which relates to the Spiritual or Temporal Government The Pope being established in his Throne begins at first to cast about by what way and means to raise and establish his Family by strong Alliances with Princes and Noble Houses He also divides the great Offices of the Church amongst his Kindred one is made Governour in one place and an other in another The chief Favourite is made General of the Forces of the Church an other General of the Gallies a third Governour of the Castle of St. Angelo and in like manner all the preferments are dispensed amongst the Relations according to that degree and quality that every one possesses in the good will and esteem of the Pope But the great Atlas of State is the Cardinal-Nephew whofe Wisdom is most exerted in his comportment towards the Ministers of forein Princes and especially in taking true measures of Interest between France and Spain which is of such great concernment that in a Book called il Livello Politico it is affirmed That the Glory and happiness of the Popedom the security and honour of the Cardinal-Nephew the Grandieur and prosperity of the City of Rome consists in this one point of a happy correspondence with forein Ambassadours the failure in which hath produced many unhappy Events witness the Government of the Barberini who for not knowing the true means and Methods how and in what manner to maintain a right and good understanding with Christian Princes and especially with those of Italy reduced as is notorious to all the World the Church unto a most unhappy and turbulent Estate And farther in case we reflect with serious thoughts on the Reigns of divers Popes in these latter Ages we shall find the truth of this assertion proved by plain and manifest experience We shall find the Reigns of some Popes full of Lustre and Glory as those of Paul the 2d and Clement the 8th others buried in obscurity and abased with sordid meanness as those of Adrian the 6th and Gregory the 13th Others have passed away in a quiet silent and smooth currant of affairs as those of Celestine and Clement the 9th Others have been engulfed in a thousand troubles and intrigues as were the Reigns of Alexander the 6th Clement the 7th of Paul the 3d and 4th and Urban the 8th And if we will search into the depth hereof we shall find that the Ambition covetousness and exorbitances of the Cardinal-Nephews to be the original cause of all the troubles and misfortunes which have rendered the Lives of some Popes inglorious or perhaps infamous Though indeed to speak true it is almost impossible for a Cardinal-Nephew to hold the ballance of his deportment towards foreign Representatives residing in the Court of Rome so equal as not to give a cause or occasion of offence to some one or other considering that what is pleasing and acceptable to one dissatisfies and interferes with the interest of an other Howsoever there are some Men so dexterous and happy in their Negotiations that they carry all with a good Air and if they are enforced to disoblige some it is done with such circumstances and in such manner as takes off much of the anger and acrimony of the person offended Most Princes of Christendom who are of the Roman Religion maintain their Ambassadours Residents or Agents at the Court of Rome and though many of these Princes have no great zeal or kindness for that Court being disobliged perhaps by some action of the Cardinal-Nephew or some other prejudice taken against the Pope yet it may be that on some score of Interest of State or of their Clergy or for the sake or support of Monasteries or for the determination of differences which arise between them and their Subjects which are to be decided at the Spiritual Judicatures it is necessary for them to conserve an Agent or Resident at Rome The Emperour hath seldom maintained an Ambassadour at that Court because he ordinarily makes use of a Protector of the German Nation to manage his Affairs and in case any matter of great importance occurs which is to be addressed unto the Pope it is performed by some Cardinal in whom his Imperial Majesty reposes a great confidence unless he dispatches an Express The King of Poland follows almost the same Maxim but yet professes a profound Obedience to the Papal See and exercises the power and interest he hath there with such modesty and caution that though like other Kings he might pretend to a Right of nominating Cardinals of his own Nation yet he seldom imposes any but such as the Pope shall offer of his own accord unto him Portugal for the most part maintains a Resident at Rome The State of Venice and the G. Duke of Tuscany make greater applications than the other Princes of Italy to that Court perhaps from a sence of the Pope's temporal power whose Dominions border upon theirs rather than out of an affection to his Spiritual capacity But it is certain that amongst all the Christian Princes none so warmly interest themselves in the Affairs of the Roman Court as France and Spain the Kings of which do always maintain and keep up the honour of their respective Embassies with splendid Equipage And yet these two Kings do
in a different manner depend on the Court France hath no great Obligation or dependency upon Rome unless it be in some respects to the privileges of the Gallican Church But Spain is engaged in a kind of Partnership with Rome in Government and Jurisdiction and is beholden thereunto for a great part of its Revenue The Income of the Crusada granted by the Popes to the Kings of Spain is one of the chief branches of the Royal Revenue The Tribunals of the Inquisition are absolutely constituted by the Ecclesiastical Authority which gives such an unlimited power to the Nuntios Judges and Officers of the Pope within the Catholick Dominions as doth very much eclipse and diminish the greatness of that Monarch whereunto when we add the Tribute yearly paid by that King to the Pope for the Kingdom of Naples it seems as if they two held the reins of Government in partnership together onely with this difference that though the Pope hath intermixt his power with the Temporal yet the King dares not interpose in matters Ecclesiastical Hence we may see how dangerous it is for Kings to admit Partners with them in their Thrones Never was the Monarchy of Spain more abased and rendered inglorious than when the Inquisition was set up and an other power introduced to allay and attemper the Sovereign Authority wherefore France having no need of such dependencies hath always kept up and asserted the Right of Monarchy not suffering it to be debased by the Concessions of Regalia or other mean Compliances And indeed how much more happy now is the Crown of Great Britain than in the time of King John who was forced to yield that of England to the Pope and his Successours and how considerable and flourishing hath it been since it hath disowned all dependencies on forein power either in Church or State in defence of which may His Sacred Majesty King James the Second who is the Supreme Moderator and Governour thereof upon Earth live long and Reign happily and when it shall please the King of Kings to translate Him from a fading to an Immortal Crown there may never fail one of his Royal Line to sit upon His Throne and defend His Loyal People against all the Encroachments and Usurpations of forein Jurisdiction An Alphabetical TABLE OF THE POPES Whose Lives were written by B. Platina A ADeodatus Pag. 114 Adrian I. 145 II. 169 III. 172 IV. 240 V. 281 Agapetus I. 90 II. 183 Agatho 117 Alexander I. 15 II. 206 III. 242 IV. 269 V. 341 Anacletus 12 Anastasius I. 66 II. 83 III. 179 IV. 240 Anicetus 21 Anterus 33 B Benedict I. 97 II. 120 III. 166 IV. 177 V. 186 VI. 188 VII 189 VIII 196 IX 199 X. 204 XI 298 XII 310 Boniface I. 72 II. 89 III. 102 IV. 103 V. 105 VI. 174 VII 189 VIII 294 IX 330 C Caius 43 Calistus I. 28 II. 231 III. 383 Celestine I. 73 II. 236 III. 252 IV. 265 V. 293 Christopher 178 Clemens I. 11 II. 201 III. 251 IV. 275 V. 299 VI. 312 Cletus 9 Conon 122 Constans Constantine 128 Cornelius 35 D Damasus I. 61 II. 201 Deus-dedit 104 Dionysius 40 Donus I. 115 II. 188 E Eleutherius 24 Euaristus 14 Eugenius I. 112 II. 155 III. 238 IV. 357 Eusebius 48 Eutychianus 42 F Fabianus 34 Felix I. 41 II. 59 III. 80 Formosus 173 G Gelasius I. 81 II. 228 Gregory I. 99 II. 130 III. 134 IV. 157 V. 192 VI. 200 VII 207 VIII 250 IX 260 X. 278 XI 320 XII 339 H Hadrian V. Adrian  Hilarius 78 Honorius I. 196 II. 233 III. 258 IV. 288 Hormisda 85 Hyginus 19 I Innocent I. 68 II. 234 III. 254 IV. 265 V. 280 VI. 315 VII 336 John I. 86 II. 90 III. 95 IV. 109 V. 121 VI. 125 VII 127 VIII 165 IX 170 X. 176 XI 180 XII 182 XIII 184 XIV 187 XV. 190 XVI 191 XVII ibid. XVIII 193 XIX 195 XX. ibib XXI 198 XXII 282 XXIII 305 XXIV 343 Julius I. 56 L Landus 179 Leo I. 76 II. 119 III. 149 IV. 162 V. 177 VI. 181 VII 182 VIII 186 IX 202 Liberius 56 Linus 7 Lucius I. 37 II. 237 III. 247 M Marcellinus 44 Marcellus 47 Marcus 55 Martin I. 111 II. 171 III. 183 IV. 285 V. 347 Miltiades 49 N Nicolas I. 167 II. 205 III. 283 IV. 290 V. 373 P Paschal I. 154 II. 220 Paul I. 141 II. 401 Pelagius I. 94 II. 98 S. Peter 1 Pius I. 20 II. 389 Pontianus 31 R Romanus 175 S Sabinianus 101 Sergius I. 123 II. 160 III. 178 IV. 196 Severinus 108 Simplicius 79 Sisinnius 128 Sixtus I. 16 II. 39 III. 74 Soter 23 Stephen I. 38 II. 138 III. 142 IV. 153 V. 172 VI. 174 VII 181 VIII 183 IX 204 Sylverius 91 Sylvester I. 50 II. 194 III. 199 Symmachus 84 Syricius 64 T Telesphorus 18 Theodore I. 110 II. 175 U Valentine 157 Victor I. 25 II. 203 III. 215 Vigilius 92 Vitalianus 113 Vrban I. 30 II. 216 III. 248 IV. 273 V. 319 VI. 323 X Xistus V. Sixtus Z Zacharias 136 Zephyrinus 26 Zozimus 70 A TABLE Of those POPES Names whose Lives are written in the Continuation A A Drian VI. created Pope Jan. 9. 1522. Page 40 Alexander VI. created Pope August 11. 1492. p. 12. Alexander VII created Pope April 7. 1655. p. 320 C Clement VII created Pope November 19. 1523. p. 46 Clement VIII created Pope January 30. 1592. p. 211 Clement IX created Pope June 20. 1667. p. 344 Clement X. created Pope April 29 1670. p. 357 G Gregory XIII created Pope May 13. 1572. p. 163 Gregory XIV created Pope December 15. 1590. p. 207 Gregory XV. created Pope Feb. 21. 1621. p. 267 I Innocent VIII created Pope August 29. 1684. p. 8 Innocent IX created Pope October 29. 1591. p. 210 Innocent X. created Pope September 15. 1644. p. 293 Innocent XI created Pope September 21. 1676. p. 376 Julius II. created Pope November 1. 1503. p. 20 Julius III. created Pope Febr. 17. 1550. p. 88 L Leo X. created Pope March 11. 1513. p. 29 Leo XI created Pope April 1. 1605. p. 225 M Marcellus II. created Pope April 9. 1555. p. 107 P Paul III. created Pope October 12. 1534. p. 67 Paul IV. created Pope May 23. 1555. p. 109 Paul V. created Pope May 16. 1605. p. 227 Pius III. created Pope Septemb. 22. 1503. p. 19 Pius V. created Pope Decemb. 24. 1559. being Christmas Eve p. 119 Pius IV. created Pope January 7. 1566. p. 157 S Sixtus IV. created Pope August 9. 1471. p. 1. Sixtus V. created Pope April 24. 1585. p. 172 U Urban VII created Pope September 15. 1590. p. 205 Urban VIII created Pope August 6. 1623. p. 271 THE LIVES OF THE BISHOPS and POPES OF ROME S. PETER the Apostle AFTER the Death and Resurrection of Christ and the Completion of the days of Pentecost the Disciples received the Holy Ghost and being filled with the Spirit they published the wonderful works of God in divers Tongues though most of them
Barnabas having travelled through divers Cities upon his return to Jerusalem was by Peter John and James chosen an Apostle of the Gentiles In the twenty fifth year after the death of Christ which was the second of the Emperor Nero and the time when Festus succeeded Felix in the Procuratorship of Judoea he with his fellow-captive Aristarchus was as a free Denizon sent bound to Rome where continuing the space of two years under very little confinement he was daily engaged in disputation with the Jews Being at length set at liberty by Nero he both preached and wrote many things We have at this day fourteen of his Epistles one to the Romans two to the Corinthians one to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians two to the Thessalonians two to Timothy one to Titus and one to Philemon that to the Hebrews is generally said to be his though because of the difference of style and phrase from the rest it be uncertain whether it were so or no and there have been anciently divers who have entituled it some to Luke some to Barnabas some to Clemens St. Peter also wrote two general Epistles though the latter be by many denied to be his for the same reason of the difference of style But being so taken up with Prayer and Preaching that he could not attend any other great variety of business he constituted two Bishops viz. Linus and Cletus who might exercise the sacerdotal Ministery to the Romans and other Christians The holy man applying himself entirely to these things gained thereby so great and universal a Reputation that men were ready to worship him as a God The Emperor Nero being displeased hereat began to contrive his death whereupon St. Peter with the advice of his Friends that he might avoid the Emperours envy and rage departed out of the City by the Via Appia and at the end of the first mile he travelled to use the words of Egesippus meeting with Christ in the way and falling down and worshipping him he said Lord whither goest thou to whom Christ replied I go to Rome to be crucified again There is yet remaining a Chappel built on the same place where these words were spoken Now St. Peter believing this saying of our Saviour to relate to his own martyrdom because Christ might seem to be ready to suffer again in him went back to the City and forth with consecrated Clemens a Bishop and in these words recommended to him his Chair and the Church of God I deliver to thee the same power of binding and loosing which Christ lest to me do thou as becomes a good Pastor promote the salvation of men both by Prayer and Preaching without regard to any hazard of Life or Fortune Having set these things thus in order at the Command of Nero in the last year of his Empire He was put to death together with St. Paul though the kinds of their Punishment were different For St. Peter was crucified with his Head towards the ground and his Feet upwards for so he desired it might be saying That he was unworthy to undergo the same kind of death with his Saviour He was buried in the Vatican in the Via Aurelia near Nero's Gardens not far from the Via Triumphalis which leads to the Temple of Apollo He continued in the See 25 years But St. Paul being on the same day beheaded was interred in the Via Ostiensis in the 37th year after the death of Christ. This is confirmed by the testimony of Caius the Historian who in a Disputation against one Proculus a Montanist has these words I says he can shew you the Victorious Ensigns of the Apostles for you cannot pass the Via Regalis that leads to the Vatican nor the Via Ostiensis but you will find the Trophies of those Hero's that established this Church where certainly he refers to these two St. Peter and St. Paul In the fore-mentioned Gardens of Nero were reposited the ashes of a multitude of holy Martyrs For a Fire happening in the time of Nero which raging for six days together had wasted a great part of the City and devoured the substance of many wealthy Citizens the blame of all which was laid upon the Emperour He as Tacitus tells us being very desirous to quell the rumour suborn'd false Witnesses to accuse and lay all the blame of that Calamity upon the Christians Whereupon so great a number of them were seiz'd and put to death that it is said the flame of their empaled bodies supplied the room of lights for some nights together There are those who say this Fire was kindled by Nero either that he might have before his Eyes the Resemblance of burning Troy or else because he had taken offence at the irregularity of the old Houses and the narrowness and windings of the streets neither of which are improbable of such a man as he who was profligately self-will'd intemperate and cruel and in all respects more lewd and wicked than his Uncle Caligula For he both put to death a great part of the Senate and also without any regard to Decency would in the fight of the People sing and dance in the publique Theatre His dissolute Luxury was such that he made use of perfum'd cold Baths and fished with golden Nets which were drag'd with Purple Cords Yet he took such care to conceal all these Vices in the beginning of his Empire that men had generally great hopes of him For being put in mind to sign a Warrant according to Custom for the Execution of one that was condemn'd to die How glad says he should I be that I had never learnt to write Howas very sumptuous in his Buildings both in the City and elsewhere for the Baths called by his Name and the Aurea Domus and the Portico three miles long were finish'd by him with with wondrous magnificence besides which he was at a vast expence to make the Haven at Antium at the sight of which I my self not long since was wonderfully pleased I return to his Cruelty which he exercised towards his Master Seneca towards M. Annoeus Lucanus the famous Poet towards his Mother Agrippina and his Wife Octavia towards Cornutus the Philosopher Perfius's Master whom he banish'd towards Piso and in a word towards all those who were in any reputation among the Citizens In the end he so highly provok'd the rage and hatred of the people against him that most diligent search was made after him to bring him to condign punishment Which punishment was that being bound he should be led up and down with a Gallows upon his neck and being whipped with Rods to Death his body should be thrown into the River Tyber But he making his escape four miles out of the City laid violent hands upon himself in the Countrey-house of one of his Freemen between the Via Salaria and Nomentana in the thirty second year of his Age and of his Reign the fourteenth S.
LINUS LINUS by Nation a Tuscan his Father's name Herculeanus was in the Chair from the last year of Nero to the times of Vespasian and from the Consulship of Saturninus and Scipio to that of Capito and Rufus In this space of time there were no less than three Emperours Galba Otho and Vitellius each of them reigning but a very little while Galba a Person descended of the most ancient Nobility being created Emperour by the Soldiers in Spain assoon as he heard of the death of Nero came immediatey to Rome But rendring himself obnoxious to all men by his Avarice and Sloth through the treachery of Otho he was slain at Rome near Curtius's Lake in the seventh month of his Reign together with Piso a Noble Youth whom he had adopted for his Son He was doubtless a man who before he came to the Empire was very eminent in the management both of Military and Civil affairs being often Consul often Proconsul and several times General in the most important Wars That which makes me speak this in his praise is the Learning of M. Fabius Quintilianus whom Galba brought with him out of Spain to Rome Otho a man of better extraction by his Mother 's than by his Father's side who while he led a private life was very loose and effeminate as being a great and intimate Friend of Nero's in the midst of tumults and slaughters as I hinted before invaded the Empire But being ingaged in a Civil War against Vitellius who had been created Emperour in Germany though he got the better in three small Skirmishes one at the Alps another at Placentia the third at Castor yet losing the day in the last and most considerable which was at Bebriacum he thereupon fell into so deep a melancholly that in the third month of his Empire he stab'd himself Vitellius concerning whose Extraction there are different Opinions coming to Rome and obtaining the Empire soon degenerated into all manner of lewdness cruelty and gluttony being used to make several Meals in a day and some of them to such an height of Luxury that there have been at one Supper no less than two thousand Fishes and seven thousand Fowl serv'd up to his Table But having intelligence that Vespasian who had been created Emperour by the Army in Judoea was advancing with his Legions he at first determin'd to quit the Empire yet being afterwards encouraged by those about him he took up Arms and forc'd Sabinus Vespasian's Brother with his Flavian Soldiers into the Capitol which being set on fire they were all burnt Hereupon being surpriz'd by Vespasian and having no hope of pardon left him he hid himself in a private Chamber in the Palace from whence he was most ignominiously drag'd and carried naked through the Via Sacra to the Scaloe Gemonioe where being quartered he was thrown into the River Tyber During this time Linus was Successor to St. Peter though there are some who place Clemens here and wholly leave out Linus and Cletus who yet are sufficiently confuted not only by History but also by the authority of S. Hierom who tells us that Clemens was the fourth Bishop of Rome after Peter for Linus was accounted the second and Cletus the third notwithstanding that most of the Romans immediately after Peter reckon Clemens To whom though St. Peter had as it were by Will bequeath'd the Right of Succession yet his modesty was so great that he compelled Linus and Cletus to take upon them the Pontifical Dignity before him lest any ambition of preheminence might be of ill example to after Ages This Linus by Commission from St. Peter ordained that no Woman should enter the Church but with her Head veiled Moreover at two Ordinations which he held in the City he made eighteen Presbyters and eleven Bishops He wrote also the Memoirs of St. Peter and particularly the Contention he had with Sinion Magus In his time lived Philo a Jew by Nation of Alexandria in whose Writings there is so much Wit and Judgment that from the likeness there appears between them he deserv'd to have it proverbially said Either Plato does Philonize or Philo does Platonize By his Learning and Eloquence he corrected the rashness of Appion who had been sent Ambassadour from the Alexandrians with Complaints against the Jews While he was at Rome in Claudius his time he contracted an acquaintance with St. Peter and thereupon wrote several things in praise of the Christians Josephus also the son of Matathias a Priest at Hierusalem being taken Prisoner by Vespasian and committed to the custody of his son Titus till that City was taken coming to Rome during the Pontificate of Linus presented to the Father and the Son seven Books of the Jewish War which were laid up in the publick Library and the Author himself as a reward for that performance had most deservedly a Statue erected to him He wrote likewise twenty four other Books of Antiquities from the beginning of the World to the fourteenth year of the Emperour Domitian As for Linus himself though he had gain'd a mighty reputation by the sanctity of his Life by his Power of casting out Devils and raising the Dead yet was he put to Death by Saturninus the Consul whose very Daughter he had dispossess'd and was buried in the Vatican near the Body of St. Peter on the twenty first day of September when he had sat in the Pontifical See eleven years three months and twelve days There are some who affirm that Gregory Bishop of Ostia did according to a Vow which he had made remove the Body of this holy Bishop to that place and solemnly interr it in the Church of St. Laurence S. CLETUS CLETUS born in Rome in the Vicopatrician Region Son of Aemilianus through the persuasion of Clemens unwillingly took upon him the burden of the Pontificate though for his Learning Life and Quality he was a Person of very great esteem and Authority among all that knew him He lived in the time of Vespasian and Titus from the seventh Consulship of Vespasian and the fifth of Domitian to Domitian and Rufus Coss according to Damasus Vespasian as I said before succeeding Vitellius committed the management of the Jewish War which had been carrying on two years before to his Son Titus which he within two years after with great resolution finished For all Judoea being conquer'd the City Hierusalem destroyed and the Temple levelled to the ground it is reported that no less than six hundred thousand Jews were slain nay Josephus a Jew who was a Captive in that War and had his life given him because he foretold the death of Nero and that Vespasian should in a short time be Emperor relates that eleven hundred thousand perished therein by sword and famine and that a hundred thousand were taken Prisoners and publickly exposed to sale Nor will it seem improbable if we consider that he tells us this happened at the time
Convert from the Cerinthian Heresie should at his reception into the Church be baptized At the request of Praxedes a devout Woman he dedicated a Church at the Baths of Novatus to her Sister S. Pudentiana to which himself made several donations oftentimes celebrated Mass in it and built a Font which he blessed and consecrated and at which he baptized a great number of Proselytes He also appointed a punishment upon those who were negligent in handling the body and blood of Christ. If through the Priests carelesness any of the Cup had fallen upon the ground he was to undergo a Penance of forty days if it fell upon the Altar of three days if upon the Altar-cloth of four days it upon any other Cloth of nine days Whithersoever it fell he was to lick it up if he could if not the board or stone to be wash'd or scraped and what of it could be recovered thereby either burnt or laid up in the Sacrary In his time Apollinaris Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia was much esteem'd who wrote an excellent Apology for Christianity and presented it to Antoninus the second He wrote also against the Montanists who with their two fanatick Prophetesses Priscillia and Maximilla pretended that the descent of the Holy Ghost was not upon the Apostles but themselves an opinion which they had learn'd from their Leader Montanus At this time also the learned Tatianus was in good reputation so long as he swerved not from the Doctrine of his Master Justin Martyr but afterwards being puff'd up with a great conceit of himself he became the Author of a new Heresie which being propagated by one Severus the followers of it were from him called Severians They drank no Wine ate no Flesh rejected the Old Testament and believed not the Resurrection Moreover Philip Bishop of Crete now published an excellent book against Marcion and his followers whose Errours were the same with those of Cerdo Musanus also wrote a book against the Hereticks called Encratitoe or the Abstemious who agreed in opinion with the Severians looking upon all carnal copulation as filthy and unclean and condemning those Meats which God hath given for the use of mankind But to return to Pius having at five Decembrian Ordinations made nineteen Presbyters twenty one Deacons ten Bishops he died and was buried in the Vatican near S. Peter July 11. He was in the Chair eleven years four months three days and by his death the See was vacant thirteen days S. ANICETUS ANICETUS a Syrian the son of one John de Vicomurco lived in the time of Antoninus Verus concerning whom we have spoken in the Life of Pius Which Antoninus though he were a great Phisopher yet neglected not the pursuit of Military glory For together with his Son Commodus Antoninus he did with great courage and success gain a Victory and a Triumph over the Germans Marcomanni Quadi and Sarmatoe At his first enterprizing this War his Exchequer being so low that he had not money to pay his Soldiers he expos'd to publick sale in the Forum Trajani all the furniture of his Palace and all the Jewels of his Empress But afterwards returning home victoriously to those who were willing to restore the Goods they had bought he refunded what they paid for them but used no force against those who refus'd to relinquish their bargains Upon this Victory he was very liberal to all who had done any good service to the publick to some Provinces he remitted their accustomed Tribute he caused to be publickly burnt in the Forum the Writings by which any man was made a Debtor to the Exchequer and by new Constitutions moderated the severity of the old Laws By this means he became so much the darling of the People that any man had a particular brand of infamy set upon him who had not Antoninus his Effigies in his House Anicetus that the reputation of the Church might not suffer by the extravagancy of a few men ordained that no Clergyman should upon any pretence wear long hair and that no Bishop should be consecrated by fewer than three of the same Order a Constitution which was afterwards confirmed by the Council of Nice and that at the Consecration of a Metropolitan all the Bishops of the Province should be present Moreover he ordained as Ptolomy tells us that no Bishop should implead his Metropolitan but before the Primate or the See Apostolick this being also a Constitution which was afterwards confirm'd by the Council of Nice and several succeeding Bishops of Rome and that all Arch-bishops should not be called Primates but only those of them who have a particular title to that denomination the Primates having also the 〈…〉 of Patriarchs whereas the others are simply Arch-bishops or Metropolitans In his time Egestippus was a great propugner of the Christian 〈…〉 who as an imitator of their manner of speaking of whose lives he had been a diligent observer in a very plain unaffected style wrote a History of Ecclesiastical affairs from the Passion of our Lord to the Age in which he lived He says of himself that he came to Rome in the time of Anicetus whom he calls the tenth Bishop from St. Peter and that he staid there to the time of Ele 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who had been Deacon to Anicetus He inveighed much against Idolators for building sumptuous Monuments and Temples to the Dead as particularly Adrian the Emperour who in honour to his darling Antinous had instituted solemn Games and Prizes at the City which he built and called by his name Antinoe and also erected a Temple and appointed priests for his Worship Some say that Dionysius lived in the Pontificat of Anicetus but Writers are in this place very confused in their Chronology some placing Pius first others Anicetus and so they are in their 〈…〉 too However in an History of things so remote and of which through the negligence of the Ancients we have so slender an account it will be better to say something of the matters themselves though it be some time before or after they were transacted than altogether to pass them by in silence As for Anicetus having at five Decembrian Ordinations made nineteen Presbyters four Deacons nine Bishops he received a Crown of Martyrdom and was buried in the Sepulchre of 〈◊〉 in the Via Appia April the seventeenth He was in the Chair eleven years four months and three days and by his Death the See was vacant seventeen days S. SOTER SOTER a Campanian of Fundi Son of Concordius lived in the time of L. Antoninus Commodus This Commodus was as Lampridius plays upon his name very 〈◊〉 and hurtful to all his Subjects being in nothing like his Father save that he also thanks to the Christian Soldiers for it fought successfully against the Germans In that War when the Army of Commodus was in great straits for want of Water 't is said that at the Prayers of the Christian Legion God supplied and refreshed
the Romans with rain from Heaven and at the same time destroyed the Germans with Thundershot The truth of which the Emperour himself testified by his Letters But at his return to Rome he utterly renounced all Virtue and goodness and shamefully gave himself up to all manner of Luxury and uncleanness He used in imitation of Nero to combat with the Gladiators and oftentimes encountred with wild beasts in the Amphitheatre many of the Senatours he put to death and those especially whom he observed to be more conspicuous for extraction or merit Soter diverting his mind from the contemplation of this wretched Scene of things to the care of Ecclesiastical affairs decreed That no Deaconess should touch the Altar-cloth or put the Incense upon the Censer at the time of celebration There is extant an Epistle of his concerning that matter written to the Bishops of Italy He ordained likewise that no Woman should be accounted a lawful Wife but she whom the Priest had formally blessed and whom her Parents had with the usual Christian solemnities given to her Husband This Constitution he made to remove the danger and scandal that was incident to new-married persons from the jugling Magical tricks of lewd Fellows Indeed Gratian ascribes this Decree to Euaristus but whose due it is I leave the Reader to judg for it matters not much whether it be attributed to the one or the other During the Pontificat of Soter as Eusebius tells us lived Dionysius Bishop of Corinth a person of so great parts and Industry that he instructed not only the people of his own City and Province but also by his Epistles the Bishops of other Cities and Provinces For being throughly acquainted with the Writings of St. Paul he could the more easily keep others within the bounds of their duty by the Authority which his Learning and Sanctity had gained him 〈◊〉 also an Asian Scholar to Tatianus wrote several things in defence of our Religion and in particular he very handsomly exposed Apelles the Heretick for worshipping a God whom he professed he did not know for he denied Christ to be truly a God and affirmed him to be only in appearance a Man Some say that the Cataphrygian Heresie was at this time set on foot by Montanus Moreover Clemens a Presbyter of Alexandria and Master to Origen was now a great Writer among other things he was Author of Strom. lib. 9. 〈◊〉 lib. 8. and one book against the Gentiles There are some who make Pinytus a person of admirable Eloquence 〈◊〉 a famous Poet who wrote the Halieutics or books concerning Fishes and Herodian the Grammarian Contemporaries to our Bishop Soter who having at five Decembrian Ordinations made eight Presbyters nine Deacons eleven Bishops he died and was buried in the Via Appia in the Sepulchre of Calistus He was in the Chair nine years three months twenty one days And the See was vacant twenty one days S. ELEUTHERIUS ELEUTHERIUS a Grecian of Nicopolis Son of Habundius lived also in the Reign of L. Antoninus Commodus For whose flagitious Life the City of Rome smarted sorely for in his time the Capitol being fired with Lightning together with the famous Library which had cost the Ancients so much care in collecting were consumed nor did the Neighbouring Houses escape the same calamity Not long after another Fire brake forth in which the Temple of Vesta the Palace and a good part of the City were burnt to the ground He was of so rash and freakish a humour that he caused the Head of a vast Colosse to be taken off and that of his own Statue to be placed in the room of it and in imitation of Augustus he would needs have a month of his own name ordering December to be called Commodus But these things were soon changed after his Death and himself adjudged an Enemy to mankind such an hatred and detestation did all men entertain of his Villanies He was strangled in the twelfth year and seventh month of his Reign Eleutherius soon after his entrance upon the Pontificate received a Message from Lucius King of Britain wherein he expressed a desire that 〈◊〉 and his Subjects might become Christians Hereupon Eleutherius sends Fugatius and Damianus two very religious men to that Island to baptize the King and his People there were at that time in Britain twenty five Heathen Priests called Flamens and among them three styled Arch-flamens in the place of which as Ptolomy says were constituted three Arch-bishops the ancient Church being wont to fix Patriarchs there where in the time of Gentilism Proto-flamens had been seated Furthermore Eleutherius ordained that no person should superstitiously abstain from any sort of meat which was commonly eaten and that no Clergy-man should be degraded before he were legally found guilty of the Crime laid to his Charge following herein the Example of our Saviour who so patiently bore the fault of Judas being not yet convicted though really guilty that whatsoever he acted in the mean time by virtue of his Apostleship remained firm and valid He also prohibited the passing sentence against any person accused unless he were present to make his defence which was afterwards confirmed by Damasus and the Pontifical Laws In his Pontificate the Church enjoy'd peace and tranquility and Christianity was wonderfully propagated in the World but especially at Rome where many of the best quality with their Wives and Children received the Faith and were baptized Only Apollonius a great Oratour was now a Martyr having first in the Senate made an excellent Speech in favour of Christianity the doing of which was then a capital Crime Apollonius being dead several Heresies very much prevailed For the Sect of the Marcionites was divided into several Parties some of them owning but one Principle or God others two others three thereby utterly undermining the credit of the Prophets and other discoverers of revealed Religion Moreover Florinus and Blastus set up new Figments against the Truth asserting God to be the Author of all kinds of evil in contradiction to that Text that every thing which God made was good Opposite to these were the Quotiliani who denied God to be the author of any kind of evil in equal contradiction to that other Text I the Lord create evil Some are of Opinion that Galen of Pergamus the famous Physician and Julian the great Lawyer and Fronto the Rhetorician lived at this time though whether they did or no in so great a confusion of time and Story I shall neither affirm nor deny But I dare be confident concerning Modestus and Bardesanes the former of which wrote against Marcion the latter against Valentinus being now as strenuous an opposer as he had been formerly a zealous follower of that Heretick S. 〈◊〉 upon the perusal of his books translated out of the Syriack language into Greek affirms this Bardesanes to have been a wonderfully brisk ingenious Writer And if says he there be
Forum a place of greatest Concourse and the most publick thorow-fare he should be suffocated with smoak the common Cryer in the mean time proclaiming these words He that sold smoak is punish'd with smoak Though his Mother Mammoea as she was a Woman had a great love for Money yet he was altogether above it and for Jewels he slighted them as feminine Trifles being often wont to say that in Virgil whom he called the Plato of the Poets there were more and more precious Gems to be found The Revenue which arose from Bawds and Whores and Catamites he forbad to be laid up in the sacred Treasury and judg'd it more fit to be assign'd to the defraying some publick Charge as the repairing of the Theatre the Cirque the Amphitheatre and the Stadium Having after great search gotten a Collection of the Images of Famous Men he caus'd them to be set up in the Transitory Forum and likewise finish'd and beautified those which are at this time call'd the Antonian Baths having been begun by Antoninus Caracalla He had it in his design to acknowledg our Saviour to be a God and build a Temple to him and did actually set up the Effigies of Christ and Abraham and Orpheus in his Domestick Chappel Being renowned for so many excellent qualities and created Emperour while he was very young he immediately engag'd in a War against the Persians and bravely vanquish'd their King Xerxes In reforming the Military Discipline he was so strict that he cashier'd some whole Legions at once which severity of his was the occasion of his being slain in a tumult of the Soldiers at Mentz Pontianus being now Bishop of Rome at the instigation of the Idol-Priests both he and Philip a Presbyter were at the Emperours Command transported from the City of Rome to the Island Sardinia much about that time when Germanus a Presbyter of Antioch and Beryllus a Bishop of Arabia were converted to the Truth by Origen The Heresie of Beryllus was his denial that Christ had any Being before his Incarnation He wrote some small Pieces and particularly certain Epistles in which he returns thanks to Origen for his sound Doctrine There is extant likewise a Dialogue between them wherein Origen convicts Beryllus of Heresie As for Origen himself he was a Person of so great Wit and Learning that seven Amanuenses taking their turns were scarce sufficient for him He had also as many Transcribers and young Women well-skill'd in Writing all which he wearied out with the copiousness and fertility of his Inventions Being sent for from Antioch to Rome by Mammoea the pious Emperours Mother he was in great esteem with her and having fully instructed her in the Christian Faith he returned to Antioch But Pontianus having suffered divers calamities and severe Torments for the Faith of Christ at length died in Sardinia his body being afterward at the request of the whole Clergy brought back with great Veneration to Rome by Bishop Fabian and interred in the Via Appia in the Coemetery of Calistus At the Ordinations which he held twice in the Month of December he made six Presbyters five Deacons and six Bishops He was in the Chair nine years five months two days and from his Martyrdom the See was vacant ten days S. ANTERUS ANTERUS a Grecian the Son of Romulus was made Bishop of Rome in the time of Maximine who Anno U. C. 987. having fortunately managed the War in Germany was elected 〈◊〉 by the Army without any Authority of the Senate He was a Man of a mighty Stature being above eight foot high and had a Foot of such a magnitude that it is since become Proverbial when men speak of a tall Silly Fellow to say he needs Maximine's Hose His Wives Bracelet served him only for a Ring and his Appetite was so large that he would drink a Rundlet of nine Gallons of Wine at a Sitting He raised the sixth Persecution against the Christians but in the third year of his Reign himself together with his Son Maximine was slain by Pupienus at Aquileia a City which he besieged and so an end was put to his Life and that Persecution together by which means Mammea a Christian Lady and the famous Origene the blood of both which he very much thirsted for escaped his Cruelty 'T is reported that during this Siege of Aquileia when their bowstrings failed the Women of the City supplied that want with their hair for which reason in honour to those Matrons the Senate dedicated a Temple to Venus the Bald. Anterus was the first who for the sake of one Maximus a Martyr ordained that the Acts of the Martyrs diligently search'd after should be committed to Writing by certain Notaries appointed to that purpose and being written should be reposited in the Treasury of the Church that so the memory of good men might not perish with their Lives He ordered likewise that no Bishop should be translated from his first Bishoprick to another for his private Need or Benefit but only for the sake of the Flock committed to him and by the leave of the Supreme Bishop A Constitution which at this day is made void by common Practice for now the Prelates being intent upon their own Profit and Pleasure are always looking out for a fatter Not that they are at all inquisitive how they may feed a larger Flock but the great Enquiry is how much any See may be made worth yearly There is very little discourse among them concerning the care of Souls but very much concerning the encrease of their Revenues that thereby they may be able to keep more Horses and have a greater Retinue of useless lubberly Servants In his time flourished Julius Africanus an eminent Writer who as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tells us founded a famous Library at Coesarea This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Reign of M. Aurelius Antoninus undertook an Embassie for the rebuilding the City of Emmaus which as I have already said was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nicopolis He wrote also an Epistle to Origen shewing that the story of Susanna was not received among the Jews against whom Origen afterwards penn'd a large Epistle upon that Argument At this time likewise flourished Geminus a Presbyter of the Church of Antioch and Heraclas Patriarch of the Church of Alexandria As for Anterus himself having consecrated only one Bishop he suffered Martyrdom and was interr'd in the Coemetery of Calistus in the Via Appia on the third of January He was in the Chair eleven years one month twelve days and the See was then vacant thirteen days S. FABIANUS FABIANUS a Roman the Son of Fabius continued from the Reign of Gordianus and Philip to that of the Emperour Decius Gordianus getting the Empire and having given a mighty Defeat to the Parthians that made head against him in his return home to Triumph was slain by the two Philips His chief commendation was that he is reported to have had sixty two thousand books in his Library Philip Anno U.
C. 997. having brought home his Army out of Syria into Italy reigned together with his Son whom he joyned to him as a Partner in the Empire five years He was the first Christian Emperour and 't is said of him that he never presumed to go to the holy Mysteries before he had confessed After the third year of his Reign the thousandth year from the building of the City being compleated he caused to be celebrated the Secular Games which were wont to be repeated every hundredth year They were first instituted by Valerius 〈◊〉 after the expulsion of the Kings and had their name from the Latin word seculum which signifies the space of an hundred years But by the fraud of Decius both the Philips were slain though in divers places the Father being put to death at Verona the Son at Rome Fabianus distributed the several Regions of the City among the seven Deacons by whom the Acts of the Martyrs written by the Notaries were to be collected and digested for the example of others who professed the Faith of Christ. He also built Monuments in the Coemeteries for the honour of the Martyrs Further he ordained that every year at some Sacrament the Chrism or holy Oyl should be new consecrated and the old burnt in the Church In his time sprang up the Novatian Heresie For Novatianus a Presbyter of the City of Rome out of an eager desire of being Bishop put all things into a great disorder that the Pontificate might not come into the hands of Cornelius who was Successor to Fabianus Having separated himself from the Church he gave to himself and his Followers the Denomination of the Pure and denied that Apostates though truly penitent ought to be received into the Church Upon this occasion a Council of sixty Bishops as many Presbyters and several Deacons was held at Rome in which the opinion of Novatianus was condemned as false for that according to the example of our Saviour Pardon is to be denied to no man that repents At the same time Origen opposed the heretical Doctrine of certain persons who affirmed that the Souls of men died with their bodies and were both together to be raised again at the Resurrection as also that of the Helchesaites who altogether rejected the Apostle S. Paul and asserted that though a man in his Torments should outwardly deny Christ yet he might be free from Guilt provided his heart were upright The same Author wrote against Celsus an Epicurean who opposed the Christians and sent Letters concerning Religion to the Emperour Philip and his Wife Severa and wrote also many things concerning the order of Faith to Fabianus Alexander Bishop of Cappadocia having from a desire to see the holy Places made a Journey to Jerusalem was there compell'd by Narcissus Bishop of that City and now grown old to be his Assistant in the Administration of that Bishoprick But the Persecution under Decius growing hot at the same that Babylas suffered Martyrdom at Antioch he being carried to Coesarea was there put to death for the faith of Christ. As for Fabianus concerning whom it is commonly believed that when enquiry was made for a Successour to Anterus a Dove lighted upon his head in the same shape with that which descended upon the head of Jesus at Jordan he received a Crown of Martyrdom after that at five Ordinations which he held in the month of December he had ordained twenty two Presbyters seven Deacons eleven Bishops and was interr'd in the Coemetery of Calistus in the Via Appia Jan. the 19th He was in the Chair fourteen years eleven months eleven days and by his death the See was vacant six days S. CORNELIUS CORNELIUS a Romam the Son of Castinus lived in the times of the Emperour Decius Who being born at Buda in Hungary upon the death of the two Philips assumed the Empire proving a bitter Enemy to the Christians because those Philips had been favourers of their Religion But having with his Son Caesar reigned only two years he was so suddenly cut off by the Goths that not so much as his dead body was ever found A just Judgment upon him who raising the seventh Persecution had put to death a multitude of most holy Men. During the Pontificate of Cornelius whose Judgment was that Apostates upon their Repentance ought to be received Novatus irregularly ordained Novatianus and Nicostratus upon which occasion the Confessour's who had fallen off from Cornelius being of the same opinion with Maximus the Presbyter and Moyses reconciled themselves to the Church again and thereby gained the name of Confessours indeed But not long after these Hereticks pressing hard upon him Cornelius is banished to Centumcelioe to him Cyprian Bishop of Carthage being himself imprison'd wrote Letters by which he came to understand both the calamity of his Friend and the confirmation of his own Exile There are extant 〈◊〉 other Epistles of Cyprian to Cornelius full of Religion and Piety but the choicest of them is accounted to be that wherein he accuses and condemns Novatus a certain Disciple of his Concerning the same Heresie Dionysius B. of Alexandria who had once been Scholar to Origen wrote to Cornelius and in another Epislle reproves Novatianus for having deserted the Communion of the Roman Church and pretending that he was forced against his will to take the 〈◊〉 upon him to whom he thus replies That thou wert says he O Novatian chosen to that Dignity against thy Will will appear when thou dost voluntarily leave it Cornelius before he went into banishment at the Instance of Lucina a holy 〈◊〉 by night removed the bodies of S. 〈◊〉 and S. 〈◊〉 out 〈◊〉 the publick burial places where they seemed to be less secure that of S. Paul was by Lucina her self reposited in ground of her own in the 〈◊〉 Oxiensis near the place where he suffer'd and that of Peter was by 〈◊〉 laid near the place where he also was Martyr'd not far 〈◊〉 the Temple of Apollo But when Decius came to understand that 〈◊〉 had received Leters from Cyprian he caused him to be brought from Ceutumcelioe to Rome and in the Temple of Tellus the 〈◊〉 Praefect being 〈◊〉 he thus 〈◊〉 with him Are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 thus 〈◊〉 that neither regarding the gods nor fearing the commands and threatning of Princes you keep a 〈◊〉 tending to endanger the publick Weal To whom Cornelius replied That the Letters which he receiv'd and return'd were only concerning the Praises of Christ and the Design of the Redemption of Souls lut contain'd nothing in them tending to the Diminution of the Empire At this Decius being enraged gave order that the holy man should first be scourged with a kind of Whips that had small globes of Lead 〈◊〉 to the end of them that afterwards he should be carried to the Temple of Mars to pay Adoration to his Image and upon his refusal so to do that he should be put to death The good man
as they were leading him to Punishment disposed of what he had to Stephen the Arch-deacon and afterwards upon the fifth of May was beheaded Lucina with some of the Clergy buried his body by night in a Grotto of hers in the Via Appia nor far from the Coemetery of Calistus There are some who write that the Bishop suffered under Gallus and Volusianus but I rather give credit to Damasus who affirms Decius to have been the Author of his Martyrdom Cornelius held two Ordinations in the Month of December in which he made four Presbyters four Deacons seven Bishops He sat in the Chair two years three days and by his death the See was vacant thirty five days S. LUCIUS I. LUCIUS by birth a Roman his Father's Name Porphyrius was chosen Bishop when Gallus Hostilianus was Emperour Gallus associated to himself in the Government his Son Volusianus in whose times there arose so great a Plague to revenge the cause of Christianity that there were few Families much less Cities and Provinces which had not their share in the publick Calamity But while Gallus and Volusianus were engaging in a Civil War against Aemilianus who had attempted an alteration of the Government they were both kill'd at 〈◊〉 before they had compleated the second year of their Empire Aemilianus a person of obscure birth was slain e're he had possess'd his usurped Power three months and soon after Valerianus and Gallienus were chosen Emperours the former by the Army in Rhetia and Noricum the latter at Rome by the Senate Their Government proved very pernicious to the Roman State by the means of their own Pusillanimity and the 〈◊〉 they exercised against the Christians For both the Germans had marched forward as far as Ravenna laying all 〈◊〉 where ever they came with Fire and Sword and also Valerianus himself making War in Mesopotamia was taken Prisoner by the Parthians and forced to live in the most ignominious servitude for Sapores King of Persia made use of him for a Footstool when he got up on Horseback A Punishment which justly 〈◊〉 him for this reason that as soon as he was seiz'd of the Empire he was the eighth from Nero who commanded that the Christians should be put to Tortures be made to worship Idols or upon their refusal be put to death Gallienus being terrisied by this manifest Judgment of God suffered the Christians to live quietly But it was now too late for by the Divine Permission the Barbarians had already made Inroads upon the Roman borders and certain pernicious Tyrants arose who overthrew at home what was left undestroyed by the forein Enemy 〈◊〉 hereupon leaves the care of the Publick and spending his time very dissolutely at 〈◊〉 was there slain Lucius upon the death of Volusianus being released from banishment at his return to Rome ordained that every Bishop 〈◊〉 be accompanied where-ever he went with two Presbyters and three Deacons as witnesses of his Life and Actions In his time suffered Saint Cyprian who was first a Professor of Rhetorick and afterward as St. Hierem tells us at the persuasion of Coecilius the Presbyter from whom he took his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 becoming a Christian he gave his Estate to the Poor Having 〈◊〉 first ordained a Presbyter and then Bishop of Carthage he was 〈◊〉 to death under 〈◊〉 and Volusianus His Life and Martyrdom were 〈◊〉 well written by Pontius a Presbyter and his Companion in 〈◊〉 And it ought not to be forgotten that Cyprian before he 〈◊〉 was reconciled to the Opinion of the Church of Rome that 〈◊〉 were not to be re-baptized but to be receiv'd without any further Ceremony than that of Imposition of Hands a matter about which there had been formerly a great Controversie between him and Cornelius But to return to Lucius before his Martyrdom which he suffered at the command of Valerianus he delivered up his Ecclesiastical Power to 〈◊〉 the Arch-deacon He conferred holy Orders thrice in the month of December ordaining four Presbyters four Deacons seven Bishops He was interred in the Coemetery of Calistus in the Via Appia Aug. the 25th He was in the Chair three years three months three days and by his death the See was vacant thirty five days S. STEPHANUS I. STEPHANUS a Roman the Son of Julius was chosen Bishop when the Roman Empire seem'd to be utterly ruin'd and particularly at the time when Posthumus 〈◊〉 his Usurped Power in Gallia though not without great advantage to the Publick For he governed very well ten years together freed the Countrey from Hostility and restored that Province to its ancient Form But being afterwards kill'd at Mentz in a tumult of the Soldiers Victorinus succeeded him who was indeed an excellent Soldier but being exces ssively incontinent and adulterous was slain at Cologne Stephanus applying himself to the Regulation of the Church ordained that the Priests and other Ministers should not use their sacred Vestments any where but in the Church and during the performance of Divine Offices lest otherwise they should incur the Punishment of Belshazzar King of Babylon for touching the holy Vessels with prophane hands Concerning the Re-baptization of those who returned to the Faith he was of the same Judgment with Cornelius his Predecessor and thought it by no means lawful to communicate with those who re-baptized them Whereupon Dionysius who had formerly concurred in opinion about the matter with those of Carthage and the East both his and their Sentiments of it being now altered writes to Stephen and encourages him from the assurance that both the Asian and African Churches were now reconciled to the Judgment of the Roman See concerning it About the same time Malchion a Presbyter of Antioch a person of extraordinary Eloquence became very useful to the Church of God in writing against Paulus Samosatenus the Bishop of that place who endeavoured to revive the Opinion of Artemon affirming Christ to have been a meer man and that he had no Existence till he was conceived by the Virgin Mary An Opinion which being afterwards condemned in the Council of Antioch by general consent this Malchion in the name of the Synod wrote a large Epistle to the Christians concerning it As for Stephanus when he had by his Example and Persuasion converted a multitude of Gentiles to Christianity being seized by Gallienus as some say or else by those who upon the Edict of Decius were appointed to persecute the Christians he himself together with many others his Proselytes was hurried away to Martyrdom and having suffered he was interred in the Coemetery of Calistus in the Via Appia August the 2d after that he had at two Decembrian Ordinations made six Presbyters five Deacons three Bishops He was in the Chair seven years five months two days and the See was vacant two and twenty days S. SIXTUS II. SIXTUS an Athenian of a Philosopher became a Christian the Decian and Valerian Persecution yet continuing But it
reflections on his guilt at last laid violent hands on himself It is the judgment of 〈◊〉 that this Calamity befell the Christians by Gods permission as a just punishment for the great corruption of manners which the liberty and indulgence which they before enjoy'd had occasion'd among them all in general but especially among the Clergy to the hypocrisie of whose Looks the fraud of their Words and the deceit of their Hearts the divine Justice design'd to give a check by this Persecution Indeed the Envy Pride Animosity and Hatred with which they strove among themselves was grown to 〈◊〉 an heighth that it seemed rather a Centention between haughty Tyrants than humble Churchmen and having forgotten all true Christian Piety they did not so much perform as prophane the Divine Offices But what Calamity shall our presaging minds prompt us to expect in our Age in which our Vices have encreas'd to such a magnitude that they have 〈◊〉 left us any room for Gods mercy It would be to no purpose for me to mention the great Covetousness of the Clergy especially of those who are in Authority their Lust their Ambition their Pomp their Pride their Idleness their Ignorance of themselves and of the Doctrine of Christianity their little Piety and that rather seign'd than true and their great Debauchery so great that it would be abominable even in the prophane for so they superciliously call the Laicks this I say it would be to no purpose for me to tell since they themselves do avow their sins so openly that one would think they judg'd Vice to be a laudable quality and expected to gain Reputation by it The Turk believe me though I wish I may prove a false Prophet the Turk is coming whom we shall find a more violent Enemy to Christianity than Diocletian or Maximian He is already at the gates of Italy while we idly and supinely wait the common ruin every one consulting rather his one private pleasure than the publick Defence I come now again to Marcellinus whom I would to God we might at last imitate and return to a better mind For he as I said before finding his Errour in falling away from his Profession came to himself and did with great constancy sufter Martyrdom for the Faith of Christ after that at two Decembrian Ordinations he had made four Presbyters two Deacons five Bishops He was in the Chair nine years two months sixteen days and by his death the See was vacant twenty five days S. MARCELLUS MARCELLUS a Roman of the Region called Via lata the Son of Benedict was in the Chair from the time of Constantius and Galerius to Maxentius For Diocletian and Maximian having laid down their Authority Constantius and Galerius undertake the Government and divide the Provinces between them Illyricum Asia and the East fell to the share of Galerius but Constantius being a person of very moderate desires was contented with only Gallia and Spain though Italy also was his by Lot Hereupon Galerius created two Coesars Maximinus whom he made Governour of the 〈◊〉 and Severus to whom he intrusted Italy he himself holding Illyricum as apprehending that the most formidable Enemies of the Roman State would attempt their passage that way Constantius a man of singular meekness and clemency soon gain'd the universal love of the Gauls and the rather for that now they had escaped the danger they had been in before from the craft of Diocletian and the cruelty of Maximian But in the thirteenth year of his Reign he died at 〈◊〉 in England and by general consent of all men was placed in the number of the Gods Marcellus being intent upon the affairs of the Church and having persuaded Priscilla a Roman Matron to build at her own charge a Coemetery in the Via Salaria constituted twenty five Titles or Parishes in the City of Rome for the more advantageous and convenient administration of Baptism to those Gentiles who daily in great numbers were converted to the Faith having a regard likewise to the better provision which was thereby made for the Sepultures of the Martyrs But Maxentius understanding that Lucina a Roman Lady had made the Church her Heir was so incensed thereat that he banished her for a time and seizing Marcellus endeavoured by menaces to prevail with him to lay aside his Episcopal Dignity and renounce Christianity but finding his Commands despis'd and slighted by the good man he ordered him to be confined to a Stable and made to look after the Emperours Camels and Horses Yet this ignominious usage did not so discourage the good Bishop but that he kept constantly to stated times of Prayer and Fasting and though he was now disabled in person yet he neglected not by Epistle to take due care for the regulating of the Churches But before he had been there nine months his Clergy by night rescued him from this loathsom restraint whereupon Maxentius being yet more enraged secured him the second time and condemned him to the same filthy drudgery again the stench and nastiness of which at length occasioned his death His body was buried by Lucina in the Coemetery of Priscilla in the Via Salaria on the sixteenth of January In time following when Christianity flourished a Church was built upon the ground where this Stable stood and dedicated to S. Marcellus which is to be seen at this day We read moreover that Mauritius together with his whole Legion of Christian Soldiers suffered themselves to be tamely cut off near the River Rhone to whom may be added Marcus Sergius 〈◊〉 Damianus with multitudes more who were slain in all places Marcellus being in the Chair five years six months twenty one days at several Decembrian Ordinations made twenty six Presbyters two Deacons twenty one Bishops and by his death the See was vacant twenty days S. EUSEBIUS EUSEBIUS a Grecian Son of a Physician entred upon the Pontisicate when Constantinus and Maxentius were Emperours For Constantius Grandson to Claudius dying Constantine his Son by Helena whom yet he afterwards divorced to gratifie Herculeus was with universal consent made Emperour of the West But in the mean time the Praetorian Guards at Rome in a tumultuary manner declare for Maxentius Son to Maximian Herculeus and give him the Title of Augustus Hereupon Maximian himself being raised to some hopes of recovering the Empire leaves his Retirement in Lucania and comes to Rome having by Letter endeavoured to persuade Diocletian to do the same To suppress these Tumults Galerius sends Severus with his Army who besieged the City but being deserted by the treachery of some of his Soldiers who favoured Maxentius his pretensions was forced to sly to Ravenna and there slain And indeed Maximian himself did very narrowly escape the revenge of his Son Maxentius who eagerly sought his Fathers life for endeavouring by promises and bribes to gain the good will of the Soldiers for himself But going into Gallia to his Son-in-law Constantine he there laid a
When his other great Affairs permitted he took very much delight in the study of the Arts by his Bounty and Goodness he gained the love of all men many good Laws he enacted repeal'd those that were superfluous and moderated those that were too rigorous Upon the Ruines of Byzantium he built a City of his own Name and endeavouring to make it equal in stateliness of buildings to Rome her self he ordered it to be called New Rome as appears from the Inscription under his Statue on Horse-back This great Prince well weighing and considering all things when he came to understand the Excellency of the Christian Religion how it obliges men to be moderate in their Enjoyments to rejoyce in poverty to be gentle and peaceable sincere and constant c. he thereupon heartily imbraced it and when he undertook any War bore no other Figure on his Standard but that of the Cross the form of which he had seen in the Air as he was advancing with his Forces against Maxentius and had heard the Angels near it saying to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by this do thou overcome which accordingly he did freeing the necks of the people of Rome and the Christians from the Yoke of Tyranny and particularly defeating Licinius who had expell'd the Christians from City and Camp and persecuted them with banishment Imprisonment and Death it self exposing some of them to the Lions and causing others to be hung up and cut to pieces limb by limb like dead Swine Sylvester having so potent and propitious a Prince on his side leaves the Mountain Soracte whither he had been banished by the Tyrants or as some say had voluntarily retired and comes to Rome where he soon prevailed with Constantine who was before well enclined towards the Christians to be now very zealous in deserving well of the Church For as a particular testimony of the honour he had for the Clergy he allowed to the Bishops of Rome the use of a Diadem of Gold set with precious Stones But this Sylvester declined as not suiting a person devoted to Religion and therefore contented himself with a white Phrygian Mitre Constantine being highly affected with Sylvesters Sanctity built a Church in the City of Rome in the Gardens of Equitius not far from Domitians Baths which bore the name of Equitius till the time of Damasus Upon this Church the munificent Emperour conferr'd several donations of Vessels both of Gold and Silver and likewise very plentifully endowed it While these things were transacting at Rome at Alexandria a certain Presbyter named Arius a man more remarkable for his Person than the inward qualifications of his mind and who sought more eagerly after Fame and vain-glory than after Truth began to sow dissention in the Church For he endeavoured to separate the Son from the Eternal and ineffable Substance of God the Father by affirming that there was a time when he was not not understanding that the Son was Co-eternal with the Father and of the same substance with him according to that assertion of his in the Gospel I and my Father are one Now Alexander Bishop of Alexandria having in vain attempted to reclaim Arius from this his Errour by Constantines Appointment and at his great Charge a General Council was called at Nicoea a City of Bithynia at which three hundred and eighteen Bishops were present The Debates on either side were long and warm For divers persons subtil at Arguing were favourers of Arius and opposers of the simplicity of the Gospel though one of these a very learned Philosopher being inwardly touched by the Divine Spirit all on a sudden changed his opinion and immediately embraced the sound and Orthodox Doctrine which before he had pleaded against At length the matter being throughly discuss'd in the Council it was concluded that the Son should be styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. acknowledg'd to be of the same substance with the Father Of those who were of Arius's Opinion affirming the Son of God to be created not begotten of the very Divinity of the Father there were seventeen But Constantine coming to understand the truth of the Controversie confirmed the Decree of the Council and denounc'd the punishment of Exile to those who contradicted it Hereupon Arius with only six more wer banish'd the rest of his Party coming over to the Orthodox Opinion In this Council the Photinians were condemned who had their name from Photinus a Bishop of Gallogroecia who taking up the Heresie of the Ebionites held that Christ was conceived of Mary by the ordinary way of generation as were likewise the Sabellians who affirmed that the Father Son and holy Ghost were but one Person In this Council also the Bishops according to Custom gave in Bills of Complaint to Constantine wherein they accused each other and desired Justice from him but the good Emperour burnt all their Accusations and told them that they must stand or fall by the Judgment of God only and not of men In this Council moreover it was decreed That no person who upon pretence of allaying the heat of his Lust had castrated himself should be admitted into Orders that no new Proselyte without a very strict Examination should be ordained and being so that it should not be lawful for him to co-habit with any other Women than his Mother or Sister or Aunt that none should be promoted to the Order of a Bishop unless by all or at least by three Bishops of the Province and that one Bishop should not receive any person whether Clerk or Laick who stood excommunicated by another It was decreed likewise and that very sacredly to prevent all oppression that there should be a Provincial Synod held every year whither any who thought themselves injured by the Bishop might appeal and I cannot see why this wholsom Institution should be abolished by the Prelates of our Age unless it be because they dread the Censures of the pious and Orthodox It was decreed also that they who in time of Persecution fell away before they were brought to the Torture should from thenceforward continue five years among the Catechumens Finally it was decreed that no Bishop should upon the account of Ambition or Covetousness leave a smaller Church for a greater a Canon which is quite laid aside in our days wherein with eager Appetites like hungry Wolves they all gape after fatter Bishopricks using all importunities promises and bribes to get them The Constitutions of Sylvester himself were reckon'd these that follow viz. That the holy Oyl should be consecrated by the Bishop only that none but Bishops should have the power of Confirmation but a Presbyter might anoint any person baptized upon the occasion of imminent death That no Laick should commence a Suit against a Clergyman that a Deacon while he was doing his Office in the Church should use a Cope with Sleeves that no Clergyman should plead for others or himself before a Secular Judg. That a
Presbyter should not consecrate the Elements upon a Pall of Silk or dyed Cloth but only upon white Linnen for the nearer resemblance of the fine white Linnen in which the Body of Christ was buried He also fix'd the several degrees in the Orders of the Church that every one might act in his own sphere and be the Husband of one Wife But Constantine being desirous to promote the Christian Religion built the Constantinian Church called the Lateran which he beautified and enriched with several great Donations the Ornaments and Endowments which he conferred upon it being of a vast value Among other things he set up in it a Font of Porphyry-stone that part of it which contains the Water being all Silver in the middle of the Font was placed a Pillar of Porphyry on the top of which stood a golden Lamp full of the most precious Oyl which was wont to burn in the night during the Easter Solemnities On the edge or brink of it stood a Lamb of pure Gold through which the Water was conveyed into it not far from the Lamb was the Statue of our Saviour of most pure Silver On the other side stood the Image of John Baptist of Silver likewise with an Inscription of these words Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World There were besides seven Harts placed round about it and pouring Water into it For the maitenance of this Font he gave several Estates in Land and Houses Moreover Constantine at the motion of Sylvester built and dedicated a Church to S. Peter the chief of the Apostles in the Vatican not far from the Temple of Apollo where he very splendidly reposited the body of that Apostle and covered his Tomb over with Brass and Copper This Church likewise he magnificently adorn'd and 〈◊〉 largely endow'd The same Emperour also at the instance of Sylvester built a Church which he enriched and endowed as he had done the former in the Via Ostiensis in honour to S. Paul whose body he entomb'd after the same manner with that of S. Peter By his order also a Church was built in the Sessorian Atrium by the name of S. Cross of Jerusalem wherein he reposited a part of the holy Cross which was found out by his Mother Helena a Lady of ineomparable Piety and Devotion Who being promted thereto partly by the greatness of her own mind and partly by Visions in the Night went to Jerusalem to seek after the Cross upon which Christ was crucified To find it was a very difficult task because the ancient Persecutors had set up the Image of Venus in the same place that so the Christians might by mistake worship her in stead of their Saviour But Helena being animated with Zeal proceeded on to dig and remove the rubbish till at last she found three Crosses lying confusedly one among another on one of which was this Inscription in three Languages Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews Macarius the Bishop of that City was at first mistaken in his opinion which was the right but at length all doubt concerning it was removed by an Experiment upon the body of a dead Woman who was raised to life at the application of the true one From the sense of so great a Miracle Constantine publish'd an Edict forbidding any Malefactor to be from thenceforward punish'd by Crucifiction Helena having first built a Church upon the ground where this Cross was found return'd and brought the Nails with which our Saviours body was fastned to it as a present to her Son Of one of those Nails he caused to be made the bit of the bridle with which he manag'd the Horse he us'd in War the other he wore on the Crest of his Helmet and the third he threw into the Adriatick Sea to suppress the rage and tempestuousness of it That part of the Cross which the devout Lady brought along with her in a Silver Case set with Gold and precious Stones was placed in this Sessorian Church To which Constantine was very liberal and munificent Some tell us that the Church of S. Agnes was built at Constantin's Command upon the request of his Daughter Constantia and a Font set up in it where both his Daughter and his Sister of the same name were baptized and which in like manner he largely presented and endowed The same Emperour built also the Church of S. Laurence without the Walls towards which he was not wanting to express his usual Beneficence 〈◊〉 in the Via Lavicana he built a Church to the two Martyrs 〈◊〉 the Presbyter and Peter the Exorcist not far from which he built a stately Monument in honour to his Mother whom he buried in a Sepuichre of Porphyry This Church also received signal Testimonies of his exemplary Bounty Besides these Churches in the City of Rome he built several others also elsewhere At Ostia not far from the Port he built a Church in honour to S. Peter and Paul the blessed Apostles and John Baptist near Alba he built a Church peculiarly dedicated to 〈◊〉 Baptist at Capua also he built in honour to the Apostles that which the called the Constantinian Church all which he enriched as he had done the former At Naples he built another as Damasus tells us but it is uncertain to whom he dedicated it And that the Clergy of New Rome also might be sharers in the Emperours 〈◊〉 he built likewise two Churches at Constantinople one dedicated to Irene the other to 〈◊〉 Apostles having first quite destroy'd the Delphick Tripods which had been the occasion of a great deal of mischief to superstitious People and either demolished the Pagan Temples or else transferr'd them to the use and benefit of the Christians Besides all the foregoing instances of Constantine's Munificence he distributed moreover among the Provincial Churches and the Clergy a certain Tribute or Custom due to him from the several Cities which Donation he made valid and perpetuated by an Imperial Edict And that Virgins and those who continued in Celibacy might be enabled to make Wills and so to bequeath by Testament something to the Clergy from whence I believe the Patrimony of the Church to have received a great encrease he repealed a Law which had been made for the propagating of mankind by which any Person was rendred uncapable of entring upon an Estate who had lived unmarried till five and twenty years of Age a Law upon which the Princes had founded their Jus trium liberorum the Right or Priviledg of having three Children of which they often took advantage against those who had no Issue All these things are exactly and fully delivered to us by Socrates and Zozomen the Historians In the time of Sylvester flourished several persons of extraordinary Note by whose labour and industry many Countreys and Nations were converted to Christianity and particularly by the preaching of Julianus Frumentius and Edisius whom certain Philosophers of Alexandria had carried thither The Iberi also
discovered by a certain Servant 〈◊〉 when his Enemies were just ready to seize him by Divine Admonition he 〈◊〉 to the Emperour Constans who by Menaces compelled his Brother Constantius to receive him again In the mean time Arius as he was going along in the streets attended with several Bishops and multitudes of people stepping aside to a place of Easement he voided his Entrails into the Privy and immediately died undergoing a Death agreeable to the filthiness of his Life Our Bishop Iulius having been very uneasie amidst this confusion of things at length after ten months banishment returns to Rome especially having receiv'd the news of the death of Constantine the younger who making War upon his Brother Constans and fighting unwarily near Aquileia was there slain But notwithstanding the present face of things Iulius desisted not from censuring the Oriental Bishops and especially the 〈◊〉 for calling a Council at Antioch without the command of the Bishop of Rome pretending it ought not to have been done without his Authority for the preheminence of the Roman above all other Churches To which they of the East returned this Ironical Answer That since the Christian Princes came from them to the West for this reason their Church ought to have the preference as being the fountain and spring from whence so great a blessing flowed But Iulius laying aside that Controversie built two Churches one near the Forum Romanum the other in that part of the City beyond Tyber He erected also three Coemeteries one in the Via Flaminia another in the Via Aurelia the third in the Via Portuensis He constituted likewise that no Clergyman should plead before any but an Ecclesiastical Judg. He appointed likewise that all matters belonging to the Church should be penned by the Notaries or the Protonotary whose Office it was to commit to writing all memorable Occurrences But in our age most of them not to say all are so ignorant that they are scarce able to write their own Names in Latin much less to transmit the actions of others Concerning their Morals I am ashamed to say any thing since Pandars and Parasites have been sometimes preferr'd to that Office During the Reign of Constantine and Constantius Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra was a man of considerable Note and wrote several things particularly against the Arians Asterius and Apollinarius wrote against him and accused him of the Sabellian Heresie as did likewise Hilarius whom while Marcellus is confuting his very Defence shews him to be of a different Opinion from Iulius and Athanasius He was opposed likewise by Basilius Bishop of Ancyra in his Book de Virginitate which Basilius together with Eustathius Bishop of Sebastia were the principal men of the Macedonian Party About this time also Theodorus Bishop of Heraclea in Thrace a person of terse and copious Elequence was a considerable Writer as particularly appears by his Commentaries upon S. Matthew S. John the Psalms and Epistles As for Iulius himself having at three Decembrian Ordinations made eighteen Presbyters three Deacons nine Bishops he died and was buried in the Via Aurelia in the Coemetery of Calepodius three miles from the City Aug. the 12th He sat in the Chair fifteen years two months six days and by his death the See was vacant twenty five days LIBERIUS I. LIBERIUS a Roman the Son of Augustus lived in the times of Constantius and Constans For Constantine as I said before engaging unadvisedly in a War against his Brother Constans was therein slain And Constans himself having fought with various success against the Persians being forced by a Tumult in the Army to joyn Battel at midnight was at last routed and designing afterwards to make an example of his seditious Soldiers he was by the fraud and treachery of Magnentius slain at a Town called Helena in the seventeenth year of his Reign and the thirtieth of his Age. Constans being dead the old Boutefeaus of the Arian Heresie began afresh to make head against Athanasius For in a Council held at Milain all those that favoured Athanasius were banish'd Moreover at the Council of Ariminum because the subtil 〈◊〉 Eastern Prelates were too hard at Argument and 〈◊〉 for the honest well-meaning Bishops of the West it was thought good to let fall the Debate for a time the Orientalist denied Christ to be of the same substance with the Father This because Bishop Liberius did at first oppose and because he refused to condemn Athanasius at the Emperours Command he was banish'd by the Arians and forced to absent from the City for the space of three years In which time the Clergy being assembled in a Synod in the place of Liberius made choice of Felix a Presbyter an excellent person and who immediately after his choice did in a Convention of forty eight Bishops excommunicate Ursatius and Valens two Presbyters for being of the Emperours opinion in Religion Hereupon at their request and importunity Constans recalls Liberius from Exile who being wrought upon by the kindness of the Emperour though he became as some tell us in all other things heretical yet in this particular Tenent he was on the Orthodox side that Hereticks returning to the Church ought not to be re-baptized 'T is said that Liberius did for some time live in the Coemetery of S. Agnes with Constantia the Emperour's Sister that so through her assistance and intercession he might procure a safe return to the City but she being a Catholick and apprehending he might have some ill design utterly refused to engage in it At length Constantius at the Instance of Usatius and Valens deposed Felix and restor'd Liberius Upon which there arose so fierce a Persecution that the 〈◊〉 and other Clergy were in many places murthered in their very Churches Some tell us that they were the Roman Ladies at a Cirque-shew who by their intreaties obtained of the Emperour this Restauration of Liberius Who though he were of the Arian opinion yet was very diligent in beautifying consecrated places and particularly the Coemetery of S. Agnes and the Church which he built and called by his own Name near the Market place of Livia During these calamitous times lived Eusebius Bishop of Emissa who wrote very learnedly and elegantly against the Jews Gentiles and Novatians Triphyllius also Bishop of Ledra or Leutheon in Cyprus wrote a large and exact Commentary upon the Canticles Moreover Donatus an African from whom the Sect of the Donatists are denominated was so industrious in writing against the Catholick Doctrine that he infected almost all Africa and 〈◊〉 with his false Opinions He affirmed the Son to be inferiour to the Father and the holy Spirit inferiour to the Son and rebaptized all those whom he could pervert to his own Sect. Several of his heretical Writings were extant in the time of S. Hierom and particularly one Book of the Holy Spirit agreeing exactly with the Arian Doctrine And that the Arians might neglect no ill Arts of promoting their
soon rivall'd in that Dignity by Ursicinus a Deacon whose Party having assembled themselves in a Church thither also Damasus's Friends resorted where the Competition being manag'd not only by Vote but by force and Arms several persons on both sides were slain in the very Church But not long after the matter was compromis'd and by the consent both of the Clergy and People Damasus was confirmed in the Bishoprick of Rome and Ursicinus was made Bishop of Naples But Damasus being afterwards accused of Adultery he made his Defence in a publick Council wherein he was acquitted and pronounced innocent and Concordius and Calistus two Deacons his false Accusers were condemn'd and excommunicated Upon which a Law was made That if any man did bear false Witness against another he was to undergo the same punishment that the person accused should have done if he had been guilty The affairs of the Church being at length setled Damasus taking great delight in study wrote the Lives of all the Bishops of Rome that had been before him and sent them to S. Hierom. Notwithstanding which he neglected not to encrease the number of Churches and to add to the Ornaments of Divine Worship For he built two Churches one near Pompey's Theatre the other at the Tombs in the 〈◊〉 Ardeatina and in elegant Verse wrote the Epitaphs of those Martyrs whose Bodies had been there buried to perpetuate their names to Posterity He also dedicated a Marble Table with an Inscription to the Memory of S. Peter and S. Paul at the place where their Bodies had once lain Moreover he enriched the Church which he had built in honour to S. Laurence not far from Pompeys Theatre with very large donations He ordained likewise that the Psalms should be sung alternately in the Church and that at the end of every Psalm the Gloria Patri should be added And whereas formerly the Septuagint only had been in vogue Damasus first gave Authority to 〈◊〉 Translation of the Bible which began to be read publickly as also his Psalter faithfully rendred from the Hebrew which before especially among the Gauls had been very much depraved He commanded also that at the beginning of the Mass the Confession should be used as it is at this day But having at sive Ordinations made thirty one Presbyters eleven Deacons sixty two Bishops he died and was buried with his Mother and Sister in the Via Ardeatina in the Church built by himself December the 11th He sat in the Chair nineteen years three months eleven days and by his death the See was vacant twenty one days SIRICIUS I. SIRICIUS a Roman Son of Tiburtius lived in the time of Valentinian Who for his being a Christian had been very unjustly dealt withall and cashier'd from a considerable Command in the Army by Julian But upon the Death of Jovinian being by the universal consent of the Soldiers elected Emperour he admitted his Brother Valens his Collegue in the Empire and assign'd to him the Government of the East Afterwards in the third year of his Reign at the persuasion of his 〈◊〉 and her Mother he created his young Son Gratian Augustus And whereas one 〈◊〉 had rais'd a 〈◊〉 and set up for himself at Constantinople him with his Adherents the Emperour very suddenly overthrew and put to death But Valens having been baptized by Eudoxius an Arian Bishop and becoming a bigotted 〈◊〉 presently fell to persecuting and banishing the Orthodox especially after the death of Athanasius who while he lived was a mighty support to the Christian State for forty six years to gether Lucius also another Heretical Bishop was extreamly violent and outragious against the Orthodox Christians nor did he spare so much as the Anchorets and Eremites but sent parties of Soldiers to invade their Solitudes who either put them to death or else sent them into Exile Amongst this sort of men they who at that time had the greatest esteem and authority were the two Macarii in Syria the Disciples of Anthony one of which lived in the upper the other in the lower Desert as also 〈◊〉 Panucius Pambus Moses Benjamin Paulus 〈◊〉 Paulus Phocensis and Joseph in Egypt While Lucius was intent upon the banishment of these men a certain inspired Woman went about crying aloud that those good Men those Men of God ought by no means to be sent into the Islands Moreover Mauvia Queen of the Saracens having by frequent Battels very much impaired the Roman Forces and harrassed their Towns on the borders of Palestine and Arabia refused to grant the Peace which they desired at her hands unless Moses a man of most exemplary Piety were consecrated and appointed Bishop to her People This Lucius willingly assented to but when Moses was brought to him he plainly told him that the multitudes of Christians condemn'd to the Mines banish'd to the Islands and imprison'd through his cruelty did cry 〈◊〉 against him 〈◊〉 that therefore he would never 〈◊〉 the imposition of his polluted hands 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to consecrate him he was presented to the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 concluded But 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 still to 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 against the Orthodox though 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more favourable towards 〈◊〉 by the Letters of 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his people which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for their 〈◊〉 In 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by his Valour 〈◊〉 Conduct 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 But while he was making 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a War 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 who had spread 〈◊〉 through the two 〈◊〉 he died at a little Town called 〈◊〉 through a sudden 〈◊〉 of Blood At this time the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their own 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 themselves of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 too 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Monks and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Army 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An overthrow which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dignity it 〈◊〉 That the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not be conferred at once but at certain distances 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 in the City the 〈◊〉 of the faithful but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and return to the Orthodox Faith they should be 〈◊〉 into the Church upon condition they would undertake a 〈◊〉 course of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 themselves to Fasting and Prayer all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 that their Conversion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 approach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but a Bishop should have power to 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whosoever married a Widow or second 〈◊〉 should be degraded from his Office in the Church and that 〈◊〉 upon their Repentance should be received with only the Imposition of Hands
In his time lived 〈◊〉 Bishop of 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 twelve Books 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and one against 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not long 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also an 〈◊〉 who had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 old Age so great a Proficient in those Arts which most require the assistance of sight particularly in Logick and Geometry that he wrote some excellent Treatises in the Mathematicks He published also Commentaries on the Psalms and the Gospels of Matthew and John and was a great opposer of the Arians Moreover Optatus an African Bishop of Mela compiled six Books against the 〈◊〉 and Severus Aquilius a Spaniard who was kinsman to that Severus to whom Lactantius penn'd two Books of Epistles wrote one Volume called 〈◊〉 As for our Siricius having setled the Affairs of the Church and at five Ordinations made twenty six Presbyters sixteen Deacons thirty two Bishops he died and was buried in the Coemetery of Priscilla in the Via Salaria Febr. 22. He was in the Chair fifteen years eleven months twenty days and by his death the See was vacant twenty days ANASTASIUS I. ANASTASIUS a Roman the Son of Maximus was made Bishop of Rome in the time of Gratian. This Gratian was a young Prince of eminent Piety and so good a Soldier that in an Expedition against the Germans that were now harrassing the Roman Borders he did in one Battel at Argentaria cut off thirty thousand of them with very little loss on his own side Returning from thence to Italy he expelled all those of the Arian Faction and admitted none but the Orthodox to the execution of any Ecclesiastical Office But apprehending the Publick-weal to be in great danger from the attempts of the Goths he associated to himself as a Partner in the Government Theodosius a Spaniard a person eminent for his Valour and Conduct who vanquishing the Alans Hunns and Goths re-establish'd the Empire of the East and entred into a League with Athanaricus King of the Goths after whose Death and magnificent Burial at Constantinople his whole Army repaired to Theodosius and declared they would serve under no other Commander but that good Emperour In the mean time Maximus usurped the Empire in Britain and passing over into Gaul slew Gratian at Lions whose death so 〈◊〉 his younger Brother Valentinian that he forthwith fled for refuge to Theodosius in the East Some are of opinion that those two Brethren owed the Calamities which befell them to their Mother Justina whose great Zeal for the Arian Heresie made her a fierce Persecutor of the Orthodox and especially of S. Ambrose whom against his will the people of Milain had at this time chosen their Bishop For Auxentius an Arian their late Bishop being dead a great Sedition arose in the City about chusing his Successour Now Ambrose who was a man of Consular dignity and their Governour endeavouring all he could to quell that disorder and to that end going into the Church where the people were in a tumultuary manner assembled he there makes an excellent Speech tending to persuade them to Peace and Unity among themselves which so wrought upon them that they all with one consent cryed out that they would have no other Bishop but Ambrose himself And the event answered their desires for being as yet but a Catechumen he was forthwith baptized and then admitted into holy Orders and constituted Bishop 〈◊〉 Milain That he was a person of great Learning and extraordinary Sanctity the account which we have of his Life and the many excellent Books which he wrote do abundantly testifie Our Anastasius decreed that the Clergy should by no means sit at the singing or reading of the holy Gospel in the Church but stand bowed and in a posture of 〈◊〉 and that no Strangers especially those that came from the parts beyond the Seas should be receiv'd into holy Orders unless they could produce Testimonials under the hands of five Bishops Which latter Ordinance is suppos'd to have been occasioned by the practice of the Manichees who having gained a great esteem and Authority in Africa were wont to send their Missionaries abroad into all parts to corrupt the Orthodox Doctrine by the infusion of their Errours He ordained likewise that no person 〈◊〉 of body or maimed or defective of any Limb or Member should be admitted into holy Orders Moreover he dedicated the Crescentian Church which stands in the second Region of the City in the Via Marurtina The Pontificate of this Anastasius as also that of Damasus and Siricius his Predecessors were signaliz'd not only by those excellent Emperours Jovinian 〈◊〉 Gratian and Theodosius but also by those many holy and worthy Doctors both Greek and Latin that were famous in all kinds of Learning Cappadocia as Eusebius tells us brought forth 〈◊〉 Nazianzen and Bazil the Great both extraordinary Persons and both brought up at Athens Basil was a Bishop of 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 a City formerly called Mazaca He wrote divers excellent Books against Eunomius one concerning the Holy Ghost and the Orders of a Monastick life He had two Brethren Gregory and Peter both very learned Men of the former of which some Books were extant in the time of Eusebius Gregory Nazianzen who was Master to S. Hierom wrote also many things particularly in praise of Cyprian Athanasius and Maximus the Philosopher two Books against Eunomius and one against the Emperour Julian besides an Encomium of Marriage and single Life in Hexameter Verse By the strength of his reasoning and the power of his Rhetorick in which he was an imitatour of Polemon a man of admirable Eloquence he brought off the Citizens of Constantinople from the Errours with which they had been infected At length being very aged he chose his own Successour and led a private life in the Countrey Basil died in the Reign of Gratian Gregory of Theodosius About the same time 〈◊〉 Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus a strenuous oppugner of all kinds of Heresies as did also Ephrem a Deacon of the Church of Edessa who composed divers Treatises in the 〈◊〉 Language which gained him so great a Veneration that in some Churches his Books were publickly read after the Holy Scriptures 〈◊〉 having at two Decembrian Ordinations made eight Presbyters five Deacons ten Bishops died and was buried April 28. He was in the Chair three years ten days and by his death the See was vacant twenty one days INNOCENTIUS I. INNOCENTIUS an Alban Son of Innocentius was Bishop in part of the Reign of Theodosius Who with great Conduct and singular Dispatch overcame the Usurper Maximus and at Aquileia whither he had fled retaliated upon him the Death of Gratian. A
followers to inhabit had disturbance given him by one Saul an Hebrew by birth and Religion whom Stilico to the foul breach of Articles had sent with a Party for that purpose It was an easie matter to surprize and disorder the Goths who little suspected any such Practices and were peaceably celebrating the Feast of Easter But the day following Alaricus engaging with them slew Saul and made an universal slaughter of his men and then changing his former course towards Gaul moves against Stilico and the Roman Army These he overcame and then after a long and grievous Siege takes the City of Rome it self Anno U. C. MCLXIIII A. C. CCCCXII Notwithstanding this Success Alaricus exercised so much Moderation and Clemency that he commanded his Soldiers to put as few to the Sword as might be and particularly to spare all that should fly for refuge to the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul After three days Plunder he leaves the City which had suffered less damage than was thought for very little of it being burnt and marches against the Lucani and Bruti and having taken and sacked Cosenza he there dies Whereupon the Goths with one consent made his kinsman Athaulphus his Successour who returning to Rome with his Army was so wrought upon by the Emperour Honorius's Sister Galla Placidia whom he had married that he restrained his Soldiers from committing any farther outrages and left the City to its own Government He had it certainly once in his purpose to have razed to the ground the then City of Rome and to have built a new one which he would have called Gotthia and have left to the ensuing Emperours his own Name so that they should not any longer have had the Title of Augusti but Athaulphi But Placidia not only brought his mind off from that project but also prevailed with him to enter into a League with Honorius and Theodosius the second the Son of Arcadius deceased Zosimus notwithstanding all these disturbances made several Ecclesiastical Constitutions allowed the blessing of Wax-Tapers on the Saturday before Easter in the several Parishes forbad the Clergy to frequent publick Drinking-houses though allowing them all innocent liberty among themselves or any Servant to be made a Clergy-man because that Order ought to consist of none but free and ingenuous persons Whereas now not only Servants and Bastards but the vile off-spring of the most flagitious Parents are admitted to that Dignity whose Enormities will certainly at long-run prove fatal to the Church 'T is said that Zosimus at this time sent Faustinus a Bishop and two Presbyters of the City to the Council of Carthage by them declaring that no Debates concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs ought to be managed any where without permission of the Church of Rome During his Pontificate lived Lucius a Bishop of the Arian Faction who wrote certain Books upon several Subjects Diodorus also Bishop of Tarsus during his being a Presbyter of Antioch was a great Writer following the sense of Eusebius but not able to reach his style for want of skill in secular Learning Tiberianus likewise who had been accused together with Priscillian wrote an Apology to free himself from the suspicion of Heresie Euagrius a man of smart and brisk parts translated into Latin the Life of S. Anthony written in Greek by Athanasius Ambrosius of Alexandria a Scholar of Didymus wrote a large Volume against Apollinarius At this time flourished those two famous Bishops Theophilus of Alexandria and John of Constantinople for the greatness of his Eloquence deservedly surnamed Chrysostom who so far prevailed upon Theodorus and Maximus two Condisciples of his that they left their Masters Libanius the Rhetorician and Andragatius the Philosopher and became Proselytes to Christianity This Libanius lying now at the point of death being asked whom he would leave sucsessour in his School made answer that he desired no other than Chrysosiom were he not a Christian. At this time the Decrees of the Council of Carthage being sent to Zosimus were by him confirmed and thereby the Pelagian Heresie condemned throughout the World Some tell us that Petronius Bishop of Bononia and Possidonius an African Bishop had now gain'd a mighty reputation for Sanctity that Primasius wrote largely against the Heresies to Bishop Fortunatus and that Proba Wife to Adelphus the Proconsul composed an Historical Poem of our Saviours Life consisting wholly of Virgilian Verse though others attribute the honour of this performance to Eudocia Empress of Theodosius the younger But certainly the most learned person of the Age he lived in was Augustinus Saint Ambrose his Convert Bishop of Hippo in Africa a most strenuous Defender of the Christian Faith both in Discourse and Writing As for Zosimus having ordained ten Presbyters three Deacons eight Bishops he died and was buried in the Via Tiburtina near the body of Saint Laurence the Martyr December 26th He sat in the Chair one year three months twelve days and by his death the See was vacant eleven days BONIFACIUS I. BONIFACE a Roman Son of Jucundus a Presbyter was Bishop in the time of Honorius At this time a great dissention 〈◊〉 among the Clergy for though Boniface was chosen Bishop in one Church of the City 〈◊〉 one Party yet Eulalius was elected and set up against him by a contrary Faction in another This when Honorius who was now at Milain came to understand at the Solicitation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Placidia and her Son Valentiman they were both banish'd the City But about seven months after 〈◊〉 was re-call'd and confirmed in the Pontifical Dignity In the mean time Athaulphus dying Vallias was made King of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being terrified by the Judgments inflicted on his People restored Placidia whom he had always used very honourably to her Brother 〈◊〉 and entred into a League with him giving very good Hostages for the confirmation of it as did also the Alanes Vandals and 〈◊〉 This I lacidia Henorius gave in marriage to Constantius whom he had declared 〈◊〉 who had by her a Son named Valentinian but she being afterwards banish'd by her Brother went into the East with her Sons 〈◊〉 and Valentinian Our Bonisace ordained that no Woman though a Nun should touch the consecrated Pall or Incense and that no Servant or Debtor should be admitted into the Clergy Moreover he built an Oratory upon the ground where S. Felicitas the Martyr was buried and very much adorned her Tomb. During his Pontificate flourished divers famous men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Presbyter Son of Eusebius born at a Town called 〈◊〉 seated in the Confines of Dalmatia and Hungaria but demolished by the Goths It is not to my purpose to rehearse how great benefit the Church of God reaped from his Life and Writings since he is known to have been a person of extraordinary 〈◊〉 and his Works are had in so great honour and esteem that no Author is more read by learned Men than he He died at Bethlehem on the last day of
Soon after his growing ambition prompts him to endeavour the gaining of the Western Empire and therefore getting together in a very little time a great Army he begins his March upon that Design This Aetius having intelligence of forthwith sends Ambassadours to Tholouse to King Theodorick to strike up a Peace with whom so strict a League was concluded that they both jointly engage in the War against Attila at a common charge and with equal Forces The Romans and Theodorick had for their Auxiliaries the Alanes Burgundians Franks Saxons and indeed almost all the people of the West At length Attila comes upon them in the Fields of Catalaunia and Battel is joyn'd with great Valour and Resolution on either side The Fight was long and sharp a Voice being over-heard none knowing from whence it came was the occasion of putting an end to the Dispute In this Engagement were slain on both sides eighteen thousand men neither Army flying or giving ground And yet 't is said that Theodorick Father of King Thurismond was killed in this Action Sixtus had not long enjoyed the Pontificate before he was publickly accused by one Bassus but in a Synod of fifty seven Bishops he made such a Defence of himself that he was by them all with one consent acquitted Bassus his false Accuser was with the consent of Valentinian and his Mother Placidia excommunicated and condemn'd to banishment but with this compassionate provision that at the point of death the Viaticum of the Blessed Sacrament should be denied him the forfeiture of his Estate was adjudged not to the Emperour but the Church 'T is said that in the third month of his Exile he died and that our Bishop Sixtus did with his own hands wrap up and embalm his Corps and then bury it in S. Peters Church Moreover Sixtus repaired and enlarged the Church of the Blessed Virgin which was anciently called by the name of Liberius near the Market place of Livia then had the name of S. Mary at the Manger and last of all was called S. Maries the Geeat That Sixtus did very much beautifie and make great additions to it appears from the Inscription on the front of the first Arch in these words Xystus Episcopus Plebi Dei for according to the Greek Orthography the name begins with X and y though by Custom it is now written Sixtus with S and i. To this Church that Bishop was very liberal and munificent among other instances adorning with Porphyry stone the Ambo or Desk where the Gospel and Epistles are read Besides what he did himself at his persuasion the Emperour Valentinian also was very liberal in works of this nature For over the Confessory of S. Peter which he richly adorned he placed the Image of 〈◊〉 Saviour of Gold set with Jewels and renewed those Silver Ornaments in the Cupola of the Lateran Church which the Goths had taken away Some are of an Opinion that in his time one Peter a Roman Presbyter by Nation a Sclavonian built the Church of S. Sabina upon the Aventine not far from the Monastery of S. Boniface where S. Alexius is interred 〈◊〉 I rather think this to have been done in the Pontificate of Coelestine the first as appears from an Inscription in Heroick Verse yet remaining which expresses as much 'T is said also that at this time 〈◊〉 Eusebius of Cremona and Philip two Scholars of S. Hierom both very elegant Writers as also Eucherius Bishop of Lyons a man of great Learning and Eloquence and Hilarius Bishop of Arles a pious Man and of no mean parts Our Sixtus having employed all his Estate in the building and adorning of Churches and relieving the poor and having made twenty eight Presbyters twelve Deacons fifty two Bishops died and was buried in a Vault in the Via Tiburtina near the body of S. Laurence He was in the Chair eight years nine days and by his death the See was vacant twenty two days LEO I. LEO a Tuscan Son of Quintianus lived at the time when Attila having return'd into Hungary from the Fight of Catalonia and there recruited his Army invaded Italy and first set down before Aquileia a Frontier City of that Province which held out a Siege 〈◊〉 three years Despairing hereupon of success he was just about to raise the Leaguer when observing the Storks to carry their young ones out of the City into the Fields being encouraged by this Omen he renews his Batteries and making a fierce assault at length takes the miserable City sacks and burns it sparing neither Age nor Sex but acting agreeably to the Title he assum'd to himself of being God's Scourge The Huns having hereby gain'd an Inlet into Italy over-run all the Countrey about Venice possessing themselves of the Cities and demolishing Milain and Pavia From hence Attila marching towards Rome and being come to the place where the Menzo runs into the Po ready to pass the River the holy Bishop Leo out of a tender sense of the calamitous state of Italy and of the City of Rome and with the advice of Valentinian goes forth and meets him persuading him not to proceed any farther but to take warning by Alaricus who soon after his taking that City was by the Judgment of God removed out of the World Attila takes the good Bishops Counsel being moved thereunto by a Vision which he saw while they were discoursing together of two men supposed to be S. Peter and S. Paul brandishing their naked swords over his head and threatning him with death if he were refractory Desisting therefore from his design he returns into Hungary where not long after he was choaked with his own bloud violently breaking out at his Nostrils through excess of drinking Leo returning to the City applyes himself wholly to the defence of the 〈◊〉 Faith which was now violently opposed by several kinds of Hereticks but especially by the Nestorians and Eutychians Nestorius 〈◊〉 of Constantinople affirmed the Blessed Virgin to be Mother not of God but of Man only that so he might make the Humanity and Divinity of Christ to be two distinct persons one the Son of God the other the Son of Man But Eutyches Abbot of Constantinople that he might broach an Heresie in contradiction to the former utterly confounded the divine and humane Nature of Christ asserting them to be one and not at all to be distinguished This Heresie being condemned by Flavianus Bishop of Constantinople with the consent of Theodosius a Synod is called at Ephesus in which Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria being President Eutyches was restored and Flavianus censured But Theodosius dying and his successour Marcianus proving a Friend to the Orthodox Doctrine Leo calls a Council at Chalcedon wherein by the authority of six hundred and thirty Bishops it was decreed as an Article of Faith that there are two Natures in Christ and that one and the same Christ is God and Man by which consequently both Nestorius and Eutyches the pestilent Patron of the
Manichees were condemned Moreover the Books of the Manichees were publickly burnt and the pride and heretical Opinions of Dioscorus discountenanced and suppress'd In the mean time Valentinian being treacherously murdered Maximus usurps the Empire and against her will marries Eudoxia the Widow of Valentinian Upon this occasion the Vandals being called out of Afric Genseric being their Leader force their entrance into the City of Rome throw the Body of Maximus who had been kill'd in the Tumult by one Ursus a Roman Soldier into the River Tyber plunder and burn the City pillage the Churches and refuse to hearken to Bishop Leo begging them what ever spoils they carried away only to spare the City it self and the Temples However on the fourteenth day from their entrance into Rome they left it and taking away with them Eudoxia and her Daughter with a great number of other Captives they return'd into Africa Leo being now very intent upon making good the damages sustain'd from this People prevailed upon Demetria a pious Virgin to build upon her own ground in the Via Latina three miles from the City a Church to S. Stephen and did the same himself in the Via Appia in honour to S. Cornelius The Churches which had been in any part ruined he repaired and those of the sacred Vessels belonging to them which had been bruised and broken he caused to be mended and those which had been taken away to be made anew Moreover he built three Apartments in the Churches of S. John S. Peter and S. Paul appointed certain of the Roman Clergy whom he called Cubicularii to keep and take charge of the Sepulchres of the Apostles built a Monastery near S. Peters introduced into the Canon of the Mass the Clause Hoc sanctum sacrificium this holy Sacrifice c. and ordained that no Recluse should be capable of receiving the Consecrated Veils unless it did appear that she had preserv'd her Chastity spotless for the space of forty years But while the good man was employed in these things there started up of a sudden the Heresie of the Acephali so called because they were a company of foolish undisciplin'd Schismaticks or if it be not a quibble because they wanted both Brains and Head These men decried the Council of Chalcedon denied the propriety of two Substances in Christ and asserted that there could be but one Nature in one Person But our Leo abundantly confuted their absurd Doctrines in his elegant and learned Epistles written to the Faithful upon that Argument Men of Note in his time were Paulinus Bishop of Nola Prosper of Aquitain a learned man and Mamercus Bishop of Vienne who as 't is said was the first that appointed processionary Supplications or Litanies upon the occasion of the frequent Earthquakes with which Gaul was at that time very much afflicted To conclude Leo having ordained eighty one Presbyters thirty one Deacons and eighty one Bishops died and was buried in the Vatican near S. Peter April the 10th He sat in the Chair twenty one years one month thirteen days and by his death the See was vacant eight days HILARIUS I. HILARIUS a Sardinian the Son of Crispinus continued in the Chair till the time of the Emperour Leo Who being chosen Emperour upon the death of Marcianus creates his Son of his own name Augustus During his Reign the Roman State suffered very much by reason of certain Ambitious men who endeavoured to get the Government into their own hands And Genseric the Vandal King being tempted with so fair an opportunity sails out of Afrique into Italy with design to gain the Empire for himself Leo having intelligence hereof sends Basilicus a Patrician with a mighty Fleet to the Assistance of Anthemius the Emperour of the West These two with joint force and courage meet Genseric near Populonia and force him to an Engagement at Sea in which being routed with a great slaughter of his men he was glad to make an inglorious flight into Africa again In the mean time Ricimer a Patrician having on the Mountains of Trent conquer'd Biorgus King of the Alanes and being puff'd up with that Victory was purposed to attempt the City of Rome had not 〈◊〉 Bishop of Pavia made him and Anthemius Friends Hilary notwithstanding this confused state of things did not neglect the care of Ecclesiastical Affairs For he ordained that no Bishop should chuse his own Successour a Constitution which belongs as well to all other Ecclesiastical Degrees as that of Episcopacy he also made a Decretal which he dispersed throughout Christendom and wrote certain Epistles concerning the Catholick Faith by which the three Synods of Nice Ephesus and Chalcedon were confirmed and the Hereticks Eutyches Nestorius and Dioscorus with their Adherents condemned In the Baptistery of the Lateran Church he built three Oratories which were adorned with Gold and precious Stones their Gates of Brass covered with wrought Silver those he dedicated to S. John Baptist S. John Evangelist and S. Cross. In the last of these was reposited some of the wood of the Cross nclosed in Gold and set with Jewels and a Golden Agnus upon a Pillar of Onyx He added moreover the Oratory of S. Stephen built two Libraries adjoyning and founded a Monastery I shall not here recite the almost numberless Donations which he made to several Churches of Gold Silver Marble and Jewels Some tell us that Germanus Bishop of Auxerre and Lupus Bishop of Troyes lived in his time both great supporters of the Christian cause which was now very much undermined by the endeavours of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Pelagians Gennadius also Bishop of Constantinople did great service to the Church by the integrity of his Life and the excellency of his Parts and Learning During the Pontificate of our Hilary Victorinus of Aquitain a famous Arithmetician reduced the Easter account to the course of the Moon far out-doing Eusebius and Theophilus who had attempted it before him And among those that flourished at this time by some is reckoned Merline the famous English Bard concerning whom we are told more than enough As for Hilary himself having performed the duty of a good Bishop both in building and adorning of Churches and also in Teaching Admonishing Censuring and giving Alms where need required and having also ordained twenty five Presbyters five Deacons twenty two Bishops he died and was buried in the Sepulchre of S. Laurence near the body of Bishop Sixtus He sat in the Chair seven years three months ten days and by his death the See was vacant ten days SIMPICIUS I. SIMPLICIUS Son of Castinus born at Tivoli was Bishop during the Reigns of Leo the second and Zeno. For Leo the first falling sick makes choice of Leo the second Son of Zeno Isauricus and his own Nephew by Ariadne his Sister to be his Successour who not long after being seiz'd by a violent Distemper and apprehending himself to be at the point of death leaves the Empire to his
whereupon the Senate and people of Rome being divided into two Parties the dissention rose to such an heighth that to compromise the business a Council was by mutual consent called at Ravenna where the whole matter being discuss'd in the presence of Theodoric he at length determined on the side of Symmachus and confirmed him in the Pontificate who by a singular act of Grace made his very Competitour Laurence Bishop of Nocera Yet about four years after some busie and factious Clergy-men being countenanced and assisted by Festus and Probinus two of the Senatorian Order set up for Laurence again upon which King Theodoric was so highly displeas'd that he sends Peter Bishop of 〈◊〉 to Rome to depose them both and possess himself of the Chair But Symmachus called a Synod of an hundred and twenty Bishops wherein with great presence of mind he purg'd himself of all things 〈◊〉 to his Charge and by a general suffrage obtained the banishment of Laurence and Peter who had occasion'd all this mischief Hereupon so great a 〈◊〉 arose in the City that multitudes both of the Clergy and Laity were slain in all parts not so much as the Monastick Virgins escaping In this Tumult Gordianus a Presbyter and a very good man was kill'd in the Church of S. Peter ad Vincula nor had an end been put to slaughter here had not Faustus the Consul in compassion to the Clergy appear'd in Arms against Probinus the Author of so great a Calamity After this the Christians having some small respite Clodoveus banishing the Arian Hereticks restores the Orthodox and Constitutes Paris the Capital City of his Kingdom Symmachus at this time expell'd the Manichees out of the City and caused their Books to be burn'd before the Gates of S. John Lateran Several Churches he built from the ground and several others he repair'd and beautifi'd That of S. Andrew the Apostle near S. Peters he entirely built enriching it with divers Ornaments of Silver and Gold and he adorn'd S. Peters it self and its Portico with chequer'd Marble making the steps of Ascent into it more and larger than they were before Moreover he erected Episcopal Palaces He built also the Church of S. Agatha the Martyr in the Via Aurelia and that of S. Pancrace He repaired and adorn'd with painting the Cupola of S. Pauls and built from the foundations the Church of SS Silvester and Martin the Altars of which he very richly adorned He made also the steps that lead into the Church of S. John and S. Paul and enlarged S. Michaels He built from the ground the Oratories of Cosmus and Damianus being assisted in that work by Albinus and Glaphyras two men of principal Note Besides this near the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul he builded two Hospitals making provision of all things necessary for the poor who should dwell in them For he was in all respects very charitable and sent supplies of Money and Cloaths to the Bishops and other Clergy in Africa and Sardinia who had suffered banishment for the profession of the true Religion He repaired the Church of S. Felicitas and the Cupola of that of S. Agnes which was decay'd and almost ready to fall He also at his own charge redeemed multitudes of Captives in several Provinces He ordained that on Sundays and the Birth-days of the Martyrs the Hymn Glory be to God on High should be sung and indeed left nothing undone which he thought might tend to the Glory of Almighty God In his time Gennadius Bishop of Marseille a great imitatour of S. Augustine did good service to the Church He wrote one Book against Heresies wherein he shews what is necessary to every man in order to his Salvation and another de viris illustribus in imitation of S. Hierom. As for Symmachus having at several Ordinations made ninety Presbyters sixteen Deacons one hundred twenty two Bishops he died and was buried in S. Peters Church July the 19th He sat in the Chair fifteen years six months twenty two days and by his death the See was vacant seven days HORMISDA I. HORMISDA the Son of Justus born at 〈◊〉 lived in the time of Theodoric and Anastasius as far as to the Consulship of Boethius and Symmachus These two upon suspicion of designing against his Government were by Theodoric at first banish'd and afterwards imprisoned Boethius during his confinement wrote several things extant to this day and translated and made Commentaries upon the greatest part of Aristotles Works He was throughly skill'd in the Mathematicks as his Books of Musick and Arithmetick clearly demonstrate But at length both he and Symmachus were put to death by the order of Theodoric Some tell us that the cause of Boethius his sufferings was the zeal he shewed in opposing the Arians who were favoured by Theodoric but I think the former Opinion to be more probable Hormisda with the advice of Theodoric held now a Provincial Synod at Rome in which the Eutychians were again condemn'd by universal consent He also sent Letters and Messengers to John Bishop of Constantinople admonishing him to renounce that Heresie and to believe there are two Natures in Christ the Divine and Humane But John continued refractory trusting to the interest he had with the Emperour Anastasius who not long after was struck dead by a Thunderbolt which was believ'd to be a just Judgment upon him both for his patronizing so pernicious an Heresie and especially for his ill usage of the Legates sent to him by Hormisda whom contrary to the Law of Nations he treated very contumeliously and sent them home in a shattered leaky Vessel ordering them to return directly into Italy without touching at any shore in Greece 'T is said that he bid them tell the Bishop that he must know it to be the part of an Emperour to Command not to obey the Dictates of the Bishop of Rome or any other These Legates were Euodius Bishop of Pavia Fortunatus Bishop of Catina Venantius a Presbyter of Rome and Vitalis a Deacon Anastasius dying in the twenty seventh year of his Reign Justine a Patron of the Catholick Faith succeeds him who forthwith sends Ambassadours to the Bishop of Rome to acknowledge the Authority of the Apostolick See and to desire the Bishop to interpose his Ecclesiastical Power for the setling the peace of the Church Whereupon Hormisda with the consent of Theodoric sends Germanus Bishop of Capua John and Blandus Presbyters and Felix and 〈◊〉 Deacons his Legates to Justine by whom they were receiv'd with all imaginable expressions and testimonies of Honour 〈◊〉 Respect John the Bishop of Constantinople with multitudes of the Orthodox Clergy and other Persons of principal Note going forth in Complement to meet them and congratulate their Arrival But the followers of Acacius dreading their coming had shut themselves up in a very strong Church and upon Consultation what to do sent Messengers to the Emperour declaring that they would by no means subscribe to
died and was buried in S. Peter's Church October the 12th He was in the Chair four years two months thirteen days and by his death the See was vacant three days BONIFACE II. BONIFACE the second a Roman Son of Sigismund was also in the time of Justinian A Prince whose vast Parts and Learning qualified him for that great Work which for the publick Good he undertook of collecting and methodizing the scattered Roman Laws and retrenching those which were useless and superfluous Yet herein he made use of the Advice and assistance of John a Patrician Trebonianus Theophilus and Dorotheus men of great Learning and Authority With their help an immense number of near two thousand Volumes of Decrees made from the building of the City to this time confusedly heaped together were digested under their respective Titles into fifty Books which are sometimes called Digests and sometimes Pandects because they contain the whole Civil Law He made also an Epitome of the Laws in four Books which go under the name of Institutes or Justinian's Code Moreover some tell us that Justinian wrote certain Books concerning the Incarnation of our Lord and that at his own charge he built the Temple of S. Sophia than which there is not a more noble and magnificent Pile of Buildings in the World In his Reign 〈◊〉 was made Bishop of Rome though not without some opposition for the Clergy being divided one Party of them chose Dioscorus into the place of Felix deceased The Contention about this matter lasted twenty eight days but the death of Dioscorus put an end to the Controversie Things being quiet Boniface applyed himself to the setling of the Church and decreed that no Bishop should appoint his own successour which was afterwards confirm'd by several following Bishops of Rome He decreed also that upon the decease of any Bishop of Rome another should be chosen to succeed him if it might be within three days to prevent any bandying or dissention which might be occasioned by delay He ordained likewise that the Clergy should be seperated and placed distinct from the Laity at the time of Celebration At the same time many of the Roman Nobility were so wrought upon by the Sanctity of Benedict that they retired to Mount Cassino and became Monks there among whom the more eminent were Maurus and Placidius Other men of Note and esteem were Dionysius the Abbat famous for the extraordinary Skill and Judgment which he shewed in his Paschal Cycle Famundus whose writings against certain Eutychians then springing up were very much commended and Martin who by his Preaching and Writings converted the People of Soissons from the Arian Heresie to the Truth But Boniface having sat in the Pontifical Chair two years two days died and was buried in S. Peter's Church The See was then vacant two months JOHN II. 〈◊〉 the second a Roman Son of Projectus lived in the time of Justinian and soon after his entrance upon the Pontificate condemned Anthemius an Arian Bishop some say that he had been Bishop of Constantinople Justinian to shew his 〈◊〉 to the Roman See sent Hypatius and Demetrius two Bishops to 〈◊〉 both to complement John in his name and to make to S. Peter's Church several rich Presents During this Embassie Mundus Justinian's General took the strong City of Salona and gain'd a Victory over the Goths though not without great loss on the Conquering side For Mundus himself together with his Son a Valiant and brave young Gentleman was slain in that Engagement the news of which misforfortune was extreamly laid to heart by Justinian he having always had a great value for that Leaders Courage and Fidelity Our Bishop John of whom Historians say very little having at one Ordination made 〈◊〉 Presbyters twenty one Bishops died and was buried in S. Peter's Church May 27. He sat in the Chair two years four months and by his death the See was vacant six days AGAPETUS I. AGAPETUS a Roman Son of Gordianus a Presbyter of the Church of S. John and S. Paul being created Bishop by Theodatus who was by him forthwith sent to the Emperour Justinian was highly incens'd against that King for his having first banish'd Amalasuntha the Mother of Athalaric into the Island of the Lake of Bolsena and afterwards caused her to be put to death there For she was a Woman so well acquainted with Greek and Latin Learning that she durst engage in Disputation with any profess'd Scholar Moreover she was so throughly skilled in the Languages of all the barbarous Invadors of the Roman Empire that she could discourse any of them without an Interpreter Her Death Justinian so highly resented that he threatned to make War upon Theodatus for that reason Hereupon Agapetus was sent to him who being receiv'd with great honour and affection and having obtain'd the peace he was sent to sue for he was then practis'd with to confirm the Eutychian Opinions But Justinian finding that the good man utterly detested any such proposal from desiring and 〈◊〉 he fell to Threats and Menaces Upon which Agapetus told him that he should have been glad to be sent to Justinian a Christian Prince but that he found a Diocletian an Enemy and Persecutor of Christians By this boldness of Speech and Gods appointment Justinian was so wrought upon that he embraced the Catholick Faith and having despos'd Anthemius Bishop of Constantinople who patroniz'd the Eutychian Heresie put into his place Menas one of the Orthodox who was consecrated by Agapetus himself But not long after Agapetus died at Constantinople and his body being wrap'd up in Lead was convey'd to Rome and buried in S. Peter's Church He sat in the Chair eleven months twenty one days and by his death the See was vacant one month twenty nine days SYLVERIUS SYLVERIUS a Campanian Son of Bishop Hormisda was chosen Bishop of Rome at the command of Theodatus though till this time the Emperours only not the Kings had interposed their Authority in that matter But the Menaces of Theodatus prevailed who had threatned to put to death every man of the Clergy who would not subscribe his name to the choice of Sylverius For this reason and that he might also revenge the death of Amala suntha Justinian sends Belisarius a Patrician with an Army into Italy In his passage thither he first put in at Sicily and brought that Island to the Emperours devotion In the mean time Theodatus dying and the Goths having chosen themselves a King against the will of Justinian Belisarius quits Sicily that he might deliver Italy from the Tyranny of the Goths Coming into Campania and the City of Naples refusing to obey the Emperours Summons he took it by Storm and plundered it putting to the Sword all the Goths that were in Garrison there and a great part of the Citizens carrying away their Children and what other spoil they could lay their hands on The Soldiers pillaged the very Churches violated the chastity of Cloystered Virgins
and committed all the outrages which are wont to be acted by an enraged victorious Enemy Marching hastily from thence with his Army to Rome and entring the City by night he struck such a terrour into the Goths who defended it that they all left the Gates and the Walls and fled to Ravenna But Belisarius apprehending that Vitiges might surprize him with a mighty Force which he should not be able to fight in open Field with all possible dispatch fortified the City with Trenches and Bulwarks where occasion was for them Soon after Vitiges according to his expectation coming towards him with a mighty Army for it consisted of an hundred thousand men Belisarius who had not above five thousand thought it best to keep within the City Vitiges encamped between two Aqueducts the one of which ran towards the Via Latina the other towards the Via Proenestina and both met five miles from the City And that the City might not be supplied with Water he cut off all the Conduits and conveyances which were fourteen Moreover he sent part of his Army who possessed themselves of the Port and thereby reduced the Romans to the double Calamity of War and Famine In the mean time at the motion of Vigilius a Deacon and Surrogate of Rome the Empress Theodora laid her Commands joined with Threatnings upon Sylverius to banish Menas from Constantinople and to restore Anthemius who as we have said had been depos'd for patronizing the Eutychian Heresie Which when he refus'd to do she writes to Belisarius ordering him to depose Sylverius and to put Vigilius into his place But Belisarius being wholly taken up with the defence of the City left that affair to the management of his Wife Antonina who upon the depositions of certain Witnesses suborn'd by Vigilius attesting that Sylverius had a design to betray the City into the hands of the Goths not only compell'd him to quit the Pontificate and to enter into a Monastick life but also banish'd him to the Island Pontia where he died not without the reputation of having been a very holy man T is said that at this time the Gauls dispatch'd Messengers to Benedict desiring him to send to them any one of his Disciples to instruct them in the Rules of the Monastick life Upon which Benedict sent Maurus who by his own Example instructed them in a good and happy course of living and also set up several Monasteries among them Vigilius at the desire of the Roman Clergy in pursuance of Antonina's determination was created Bishop of Rome Sylverius after his possession of the Chair one year five months and twelve days died as we have already said in Pontia and was buried June the 20th Upon his death the See was vacant six days VIGILIUS I. VIGILIUS a Roman his Father a man of consular Dignity was likewise in Justinian's Reign created Bishop of Rome in whose time a fifth Synod was held at Constantinople against Theodorus and other Hereticks who held that the Blessed Virgin brought forth Man only not God-man in this Synod therefore it was decreed that the Blessed Virgin should be styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. the Mother of God Belisarius had now defended the City one whole year and nine days and having in this time received fresh supplies of Men he resolved to march out and to engage the Enemy in a pitch'd Battel But Vitiges distrusting his own Force sets fire to his Tents and hastens by great Marches to Ravenna Belisarius with all possible speed follows him and entring the City takes Vitiges himself Prisoner with all his Family and a great part of his Nobles and having recovered almost all Italy in the fifth year from his arrival there he carries them with him to Constantinople The same Belisarius with incredible expedition quell'd the Moors who were harassing Africa and out of the spoils of that Victory he made two very rich Presents to S. Peter's Church in Rome He built also two Hospitals for Strangers at his own charge one in the Via Lata the other in the Via Flaminia and founded the Monastery of S. Juvenalis at a Town called Orta endowing it with an Estate in Land for the maintenance of the Monks in it At this time Theodora was earnest with Vigilius to come to Constantinople and according to his Promise to restore Anthemius But Vigilius denies the doing it for that unjust Promises are not to be performed and he was of Opinion that the proceedings of Agapetus and Sylverius against that Heretick were legal and that therefore their Acts were by no means to be made void by him Theodora being hereat enraged with the assistance of some of her Creatures at Rome causes Vigilius to be impleaded upon two Accusations one that he had fraudulently procur'd the banishment of Sylverius the other that by his Order a certain Youth had been beaten to death by his Nephew Vigilius Son of Asterius the Consul And that he might not escape with impunity she sends one Anthemius to Rome with instructions to bring Vigilius by force to her if he refused to make his appearance He coming to Rome in pursuance of his Commission feiz'd the Bishop in the Church of S. 〈◊〉 as he was according to custom distributing Gifts to the People upon his Birth-day and being assisted by some Romans conveys him to Constantinople 'T is said that at Vigilius his passage down the River Tyber the People followed him with Curses pelting him with sticks and stones and particularly using this exprobration Mischievous hast thou been to the City of Rome and may mischief go along with thee Being arrived at Sicily by the permission of those who had him in custody he ordained several Persons and among them Ampliatus a Priest and Valentinus a Bishop who were to have the inspection of the Clergy and Church of Rome in his absence Coming near Constantinople Justinian with a great Retinue went out to meet him and they both entred the City together the Clergy going before them as far as the Temple of S. Sophia Theodora had now opportunity to tamper with Vigilius and persuade him to the performance of his Promise But he told her that he had rather suffer the greatest punishment in the World than change his Resolution in the Case She therefore and her Attendants beginning to menace him and he saying that he was come to a Diocletian not as he thought to Justinian he was thereupon so roughly handled and beaten that it almost cost him his life And flying from their rage to the Church of S. Euphemia not far distant he was from thence drag'd by certain rude People who put an Halter about his Neck and led him like a common Rogue publickly through the City till the Evening After this he was imprison'd and forc'd for some time to live upon nothing but Bread and Water which yet he bore with so much patience and temper that he would often say that he had deserved worse than all this
and was not yet punish'd according to his Demerits Those of the Clergy who had accompanied him from Rome were some of them banish'd others condemn'd to dig in the Mines But at the request of the Romans who had now a better Opinion of him and upon the importunity of Narses whom Justinian had sent to Rome to oppose the Goths Vigilius and all the others who were confin'd had liberty granted them to return into Italy But in their passage thither being come as far as Syracuse in 〈◊〉 Vigilius who had out-liv'd so many Calamities and Troubles died there of the Stone and his body was carried to Rome and buried in the Church of S. Marcellus in the Via Salaria He lived in the Pontificate at Rome and elsewhere seventeen years six months twenty six days and by his death the See was vacant three months five days PELAGIUS I. PELAGIUS a Roman lived in the time when Totilas King of the Goths advancing with a great Army from Treviso over-run and spoiled Italy in such a manner that from his salvage Cruelty he was called God's Scourge Coming as far as Mount Cassino in his way to Campania though he were in the habit of a common Soldier yet he was discovered by S. Benedict who spared not by threatning of divine Vengeance to terrifie him from raging so furiously against the Christians Moving thence towards Abruzzo he dismantled 〈◊〉 besieged Naples took Cumoe where yet he exercised an extraordinary Respect and Civility towards the Roman Women whom he found in it permitting them to go to Rome to their Friends without any violence or rudeness offered to them After this having taken Naples and made himself Master of all that part of Italy which lies towards Sicily he marches to Rome and having first seized the Port by which 〈◊〉 should come to the City he reduced them to such extremity for want of Provisions that some were forced to feed upon Mans-flesh At length forcing his entrance at the Gate which leads to Ostia he possessed himself of the City which having plundered he set on fire Some tell us that Totilas designed to save the Buildings of the City and sent Messengers about by Night to publish his pleasure in that particular but his Orders therein were not obeyed Justinian having Intelligence of these proceedings speedily dispatches Narses the Eunuch with a great Army into Italy 'T is said that this Narses was at first a Bookseller but being advanced to an Office near the Emperour's Person Justinian finding him to be a man of great merit raised him to the Dignity of a Patrician And indeed in all the accomplishments of Religion and Vertue and Clemency and Generosity and sweetness of temper he was a most exemplary and extraordinary Person Narses with the addition of some Auxiliary Forces from Alboinus King of the Lombards advances against the Goths routs them and makes a great slaughter in the pursuit of them Totilas lost his life ingloriously at Brissello and Theias who was chosen King in his stead though he behaved himself bravely yet was slain by Narses not far from Nocera And thus both the Name and Power of the Goths were extinct together in the seventy second year after that their King Theodoric first entred Italy Not long after died Justinian in the fortieth year of his Reign a Prince worthy to have his memory perpetuated to all Posterity and who according to the custom of preceding Emperours deserves the additional Titles of Alemanicus Gotthicus Wandalicus Persicus Africanus though he only advised but did not act in the successful Expeditions made against those Nations Pelagius in the midst of these disturbances not neglecting the Affairs of the Church ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks might be suppressed by the Secular Power when they would not be reclaim'd by Reason and Argument Being accused that he was the occasion of the Calamities that befell Vigilius as having a greater interest with Justinian than Vigilius had in the sight of the Clergy and People he laid his hand upon the Cross and the Gospel and by a solemn Oath purged himself from that Charge Narses coming to Rome made a Procession from the Church of S. Pancras to S. Peter's with Thanksgiving for his late success and set himself with all possible application to repair the Damage which the City had receiv'd by the Goths In conjunction with Pelagius he ordained that no Person should be admitted to any holy Orders or Ecclesiastical Dignity by the way of canvassing or Birbery Pelagius making his Notary Valentinus a very religious person Treasurer of the Church begins the building of the Church of SS Philip and James Some tell us that the learned Monk Cassiodorus who had been first Consul then a Senator and afterwards renouncing all human Greatness embraced a Monastick life lived to this time and that Victor Bishop of Capua now wrote a Book concerning Easter in which he particularly discovered the mistakes of Dionysius the Roman Abbat who had with little care and skill composed a Paschal Cycle Moreover Sabinus Bishop of Canosa and Gregory Bishop of Langres and Vedastus a Scholar of S. Remigius and Bishop of Arras were Ornaments to the Pontificate of Pelagius and Herculanus Bishop of Perugia who had been put to Death by Totylas was Canonized Pelagius having at two Decembrian Ordinations made twenty six Presbyters eleven Deacons thirty nine Bishops died and was buried in S. Peter's He was in the Chair eleven years ten months twenty eight days The See was then vacant twenty six days JOHN III. JOHN the third the Son of Anastasius descended of a Noble Family lived in the time of Justine who succeeded Justinian but was in nothing like him For he was Covetous lewd rapacious a contemner of God and Men to such a degree that his Vices made him srantick so that his Wife Sophia managed all affairs till the time of Tiberius the second This Woman being prompted thereto by some envious persons who hated Narses recalls him out of Italy in these reproachful words That she would have the Eunuch come home and spin This he very highly resenting as well he might returns answer That he would spin such a Web as none of his Enemies should ever be able to unweave And he was as good as word For he presently sends and invites Alboinus King of the Lombards with all his people then possessed of Pannonia to come and seat themselves in the more plentiful Countrey of Italy Alboinus complying with the proposal of Narses and entring Italy with a vast number of men with their Wives and Children first possesses himself of Friuli and Marca Trivigiana thence passing into Insubria he takes and sacks Milain and at length makes himself Master of Pavia after it had held out a Siege of three years Being thus slush'd with Victory he goes to Verona which he constitutes the the Capital City of his Kingdom where being once at an Entertainment over-heated with Wine he compelled his Wife
Popedom or any other Bishoprick should undergo the same Penalty He decreed likewise that the choice of any Bishop should be by the Clergy and People and that the Election should then stand good when it were approved by the Civil Magistrate and when the Pope had interposed his Authority in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Command An Institution in part very necessary for our times especially so many corruptions daily creeping in For it is probable that the Election being free the Clergy and People will chuse and the Magistrate approve of no other than such an one as deserves and is fit to be Governour in the Church Though if I may speak it without offence to any that are good the truth is multitudes do now aspire to the Dignity of Bishops not as they ought to do for the sake of the publick good but that they may satisfie their own Covetousness and Ambition For the great Question is what any Bishoprick is worth not how great a Flock there is to take the charge of But enough of this I return to Boniface whose Decrees as it appears were extinct with his Life He died in the ninth month of his Pontificate and was buried in the Church of S. Peter The See was then vacant one month six days BONIFACE IV. BONIFACE the fourth born in Valeria a City of the Marsi the Son of John a Physician obtained of the Emperour Phocas the Pantheon a Temple so called because it was dedicated to Cybele and all the Gods and having cast out all the Heathen Images that were in it he consecrated it on May the 12th in honour to the Blessed Virgin and all the Martyrs 〈◊〉 it was afterwards called S. Maria Rotunda and Virgo ad Martyres At this time the Persians under the Conduct of their King 〈◊〉 making an irruption into the Roman Provinces and having routed Phocas's Army possess themselves of Jerusalem prophane and pillage the Churches of the Christians carry away the Wood of our Saviour's Cross and take Captive Zacharias the holy Patriarch of that City Hereupon Phocas falling into contempt with all men but especially the Senate was deprived of his Empire and Life by Heraclius General of the Forces and Governour of the Province of Afrique Now also Caganus King of the Avares forcing his entrance through Pannonia and Illyricum into Italy was so much too hard for the Lombards that he was very near making himself Master of the Province it self and through the treachery of Romilda who was enamour'd of him he did actually take Friuli and sack'd it in such a manner that scarce any footsteps of it were left remaining While things went thus in Italy John Bishop of Girone proved a great Defence to Christianity both by his Preaching and Writings He being a Goth born in Portugal so soon as he came to the years of discretion travelled to Constantinople and parted thence so well skill'd in Greek and Latin Learning that at his return into Portugal he was able easily to 〈◊〉 the Arian Heresie which very much prevailed there For this reason he was by the Hereticks confined in Barcellona But afterwards upon the death of King Lemungildus who countenanced those Hereticks he came back into his own Countrey and both wrote very much concerning the Christian Religioon and also founded a Monastery and prescribed Rules of living which the Monks thereof were to guide themselves by Eutropius also Bishop of Valentia was now by his Learning and Example very instrumental to keep the Spaniards sound in the Faith Moreover Columbanus an Abbat a very holy man by descent a Goth coming first out of Scotland into Burgundy built there the stately Monastery of Luxevil and thence passing into Italy built another fair one at Bobio Pope Boniface that he might not be behind-hand in this matter with either of them converted his Father's House into a Monastery and gave his Estate for the maintenance of the Monks in it But not long after he died having been in the Chair six years eight months seventeen days and was buried in the Church of S. Peter in a time of Dearth Pestilence and great Innundation of Waters By his Death the See was vacant seven months twenty 〈◊〉 days DEUS-DEDIT I. DEUS-DEDIT a Roman Son of Stephen a Sub-deacon being unanimously chosen to the Pontificate proved a great Lover and Encourager of the Clergy 'T is reported that he was a person of so great Sanctity that meeting with a man who had a Leprosie he cured him of that Disease with a Kiss He ordained that the Son should not marry any Woman to whom his Father had been Godfather At this time Heraclius with a great Army recovered several Provinces which the Persians had possess'd themselves of dismounted and slew their General in a single Combat vanquish'd their King Chosdroës and took his Son Prisoner whom having first Christned he released and sent home again Entring Persia he took a strong Tower in which 〈◊〉 's Treasure lay part of which he distributed among his Soldiers and assign'd another part for the repairing of the Churches which the Persians had pillaged and spoil'd Returning to Jerusalem with seven Elephants loaded with other great Booty he brought along with him the Cross of our Blessed Saviour which the Persians had taken away and laid it up in the place where it was before Those of the Persians whom he had taken Prisoners he suffered to return into their own Countrey After this being arrived at Constantinople and taking delight in study he applied himself to Astrology But yet this great Emperour against all Law both Divine and Humane married his own Sister's Daughter and to add one Crime to another as is usual when men once become guilty he falls off to the Eutychian Heresie This happened at the time when Anastasius a Persian being converted to Christianity and having entred upon a Monastick Life was seized by his own Countrey-men and suffered Martyrdom for the sake of his Religion whose body was afterwards conveyed to Rome and reposited in the Monastery of S. Paul 'T is said that at this time Sisebute King of the Goths reduced several Cities of Spain which had revolted to the Romans and that by Torment he forced all the Jews which he discovered in his Kingdom to profess the belief of Christianity This it is reported he did at the request of Heraclius who had been fore-warn'd to beware of the Circumcised but yet afterwards he being not sufficiently careful to prevent his Fate was crush'd by the Saracens who observed Circumcision Thus things went in the East nor did the West want it's Assertours of the Christian Faith For Arnulphus Bishop of Metz by his Piety and Prudence kept Dagobert the French King within the bounds of his Duty being therein assisted by Amandus an excellent person and a vigorous defender of the Christian Religion Among the Spaniards Isidore Bishop of Sevil successour to Leander wrote several things very beneficial to the State of Christianity particularly of the
only in Christ. But these Seducers at the Instance of Honorius who was very diligent to reclaim Heraclius were afterwards banished And Honorius having now some respite from other cares by his Learning and Example proved a great Reformer of the Clergy The Church of S. Peter he covered with Brass taken out of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus repaired that of S. Agnes in the Via Nomentana as appears by an Inscription in Verse therein and likewise that of S. Pancras in the Via Aurelia built those of S. Anastasius S. Cyriacus seven miles from Rome in the Via Ostiensis and S. Severinus in Tivoli all which he made very stately and adorn'd with Gold Silver Porphyry Marble and all manner of Ornamental workmanship He repaired also the Coemetery of SS Marcellinus and Peter in the Via Labicana and was at the charge of building other Churches besides those before-mentioned Moreover he ordained that every Saturday a Procession with Litanies should be made from S. Apollinaris to S. Peter's But having been in the Chair twelve years eleven months seventeen days he died and was buried in the Church of S. Peter October the 12th By his death the See was vacant one year seven months eighteen days SEVERINUS I. SEVERINUS a Roman Son of Labienus being chosen in the place of Honorius deceased was confirmed therein by Isaacius Exarch of Italy the Election of the Clergy and People being at this time reckoned null and void without the Assent of the Emperours or their Exarchs Now Isaacius having made a Journey to Rome upon the occasion of confirming this Pope that he might not lose his labour fairly sets himself to plunder the Lateran Treasury being assisted in that attempt by several Citizens though he were resisted for a time but in vain by the Clergy of that Church the principal of which he afterwards banished The ground of this Action was Isaacius's Resentment that the Clergy alone should grow rich without contributing to the Charge of the Wars especially at a time when the Soldiers were reduc'd to the greatest want and extremity Part of the spoil he distributed among the Soldiers part he carried away with him to Ravenna and of the rest he made a Present to the Emperour Those of the Saracens who had been listed by Heraclius being discontented for want of Pay march'd into Syria and made themselves Masters of Damascus a City subject to the Empire Then joyning with the other Arabians and being furnished with Provisions and Arms and heated by Mahomet's Zeal they over-run Phoenicia and Egypt and put to the Sword all those who refused to subscribe to their Government and Mahomet's Religion Advancing thence against the Persians and having slain Hormisda the Persian King they ceased not to commit all manner of outrages upon that People till they had entirely reduced them to subjection But Heraclius having intelligence of what work these Saracens made especially upon their taking of Antioch and searing that they might possess themselves of Jerusalem it self which they not long after did took care to have the Cross of our Saviour conveyed to Constantinople that it might not again come into the hands of the Agarens for so the Greeks in contempt call the Arabians as descending from Agar Abraham's Servant But Mahomet as we are told dying at Mecha was succeeded in the Command by Calipha and he by Hali who being laid aside for his being too superstitious the Egyptians make another Calipha their Commander 'T is said also that to complete the Calamities of the Roman Empire Sisebute King of the Goths did at this time recover out of the hands of the Romans all the Cities of Spain and so a period was put to the Roman Government in that Countrey As for 〈◊〉 who was a person of extraordinary Piety and Religion a Lover of the Poor kind to those in affliction liberal to all and in adorning of Churches very munificent having been in the Chair one year two months he died and was buried in S. Peter's Church August the 2d The See was then vacant four months twenty days JOHN IV. JOHN the fourth a Dalmatian Son of Venantius entring upon the Pontificate forthwith expressed a wonderful Compassion in employing the remainder of the Treasury of the Church which Isaacius had left behind him for the redemption of a multitude of Istrians and Dalmatians who had been taken Captive In the mean time Rhotaris who succeeded Arioaldus in the Kingdom of Lombardy though he were a person eminent for Justice and Piety yet became a Favourer of the Arians and permitted that in every City of his Kingdom there should be at the same time two Bishops of equal Authority the one a Catholick and the other an Arian He was a Prince of great Parts and reduc'd the Laws which Memory and Use alone had before retain'd methodically into a Book which he ordered to be called the Edict His Excellency in Military Skill appear'd in that he made himself Master of all Tuscany and Liguria with the Sea-coast as far as Marseille But in the sixth year of his Reign he died and 〈◊〉 the Kingdom to his Son Rhodoaldus 'T is reported that a certain Priest entring by night into the Church of S. John Baptist and there opening the Tomb in which the Body of Rhotaris lay rob'd it of all the things of value with which the Bodies of Kings are wont to be interred Hereupon John Baptist a Saint to whom Rhotaris had been in his life-time very much devoted appear'd to the Priest and threatned him with Death if he ever entred his Church again The like happened even in our times to Cardinal Luigi Patriarch of Aquileia whose Sepulchre was broke open and pillaged by those very men whom he himself had enriched and raised from a mean condition to the Sacerdotal Dignity Rhodoaldus entring upon the Government of the Kingdom marries Gundiberga the Daughter of Queen Theudelinda who imitating her Mother's Devotion built and richly adorned a Church in Honour to S. John Baptist at Terracina in like manner as Theudelinda had done at Monza But Rhodoaldus being taken in Adultery was slain by the Husband of the Adulteress Successour to him was Aripertus Son of Gudualdus and Brother of Queen Theudelinda he built our Saviour's Chappel at Pavia and very much beautified and plentifully endowed it Pope John fearing now lest the Bodies of Vincentius and Anastasius might sometime or other be violated by the barbarous Nations took care to have them safely conveyed to Rome and with great Solemnity reposited them in the Oratory of S. John Baptist near the Baptistery of the Lateran We are told that in his Pontificate Vincentius Bishop of Beauvais and Muardus Arch-bishop of Reims were in great esteem for their Learning and Sanctity Moreover Reginulpha a French Lady was very eminent for Piety and Renaldus Bishop of Trajetto famous for his Life and Miracles Jodocus also was not inferiour to any of these who though he were the Son of a King of the
Britains yet despising worldly Greatness he became for some time an Hermit and died at length in an obscure Village Pope John having been in the Chair one year nine months nine days died and was buried in the Church of S. Peter October the 12th The See was then vacant one month thirteen days THEODORUS I. THEODORUS a Grecian Son of Theodorus a Bishop born at Jerusalem was no sooner in the Chair but he applyed himself like a good Bishop to all those things which he thought might tend to the advancement of the Christian Religion being a person obliging to all men but extraordinarily bountiful to the poor At this time Heraclius died of a Dropsie in the thirtieth year of his Reign having a little before made Theodorus surnamed Calliopa his Exarch in Italy in the place of Isaacius deceased Heraclius was succeeded by his Son Constantine who in the fourth month after his coming to the Empire was poisoned by the procurement of his Step-mother Martina and her Son Heracleon whom it is said Pyrrhus the Patriarch prompted to commit that Villany Heracleon upon the Death of his Brother takes upon him the Government at that time particularly when Cyrus Sergius and Pyrrhus reviving the Heresie of the Acephali maintained the Opinion of one only Nature in Christ one Operation and one Will. Among these Pyrrhus hearing of the Death of Heraclius and being very desirous to return out of Asrica whither he had been banished into his own Countrey coming to Rome and making an hypocritical Retractation of his Errours was restored by Theodorus and received from him a Form of Belief But he lost his Life before he could accomplish the end which he sought to compass by such ill means For the Senate and people of Constantinople being acquainted with the cause of Constantine's Death first seize Martina and Heracleon and having cut off his Nose and cut out her Tongue banish them both then apprehending Pyrrhus who endeavoured to make his escape they put him to Death Constantius the Son of Constantine who had been thus treacherously murdered they create Emperour and instead of Pyrrhus make Paul their Bishop whom yet Theodorus deprived for being in the like kind Heretical his pertinacy therein being favoured by Constantius who was unadvisedly fallen into the same Heresie But the Pope laying aside this Controversie and applying himself to other cares caused the bones of the Martyrs Primus and Felicianus to be removed out of a sandy Grotto in the Via Nomentana to Rome where he reposited them in the Church of S. Stephen the Proto-martyr sparing no cost in Ornaments both of Silver and Gold upon their Tomb. He also built and adorn'd a Church in the Via Flaminia as likewise two Oratories one near the Lateran Church dedicated to S. Sebastian the other in the Via Ostiensis to Eupolus the Martyr Having finished these things and been in the Chair six years five months eighteen days he died and was buried in S. Peter's May the 14th The See was then vacant fifty two days MARTINUS I. MARTINUS the first born at Todi Son of Fabricius succeeding Theodorus forthwith dispatches his Legates to Constantinople to admonish Paul to quit his Errours and at length to return into the way of Truth But he not only disobeyed the Popes Commands but also being countenanced therein by Constantius offered great indignities to these Legates and then banish'd them into several Islands Martinus highly resenting this usage calls a Synod of an hundred and fifty Bishops at Rome wherein he renews the Condemnation of Cyrus of Alexandria Sergius and Pyrrhus and excommunicates and deprives Paul the Patriarch with the bitterest Anathemas imaginable While these things were transacting the Peace of Italy which had lasted between the Romans and the Lombards thirty years began now to be disturbed For the Lombards took mightily upon them and imposed such unjust conditions upon the Romans as they could not submit to particularly Rhotaris being himself an Arian had scarce any City over which he did not set up an Arian as well as a Catholick Bishop This was an Evil which both Theodorus and Martine had often endeavoured to remedy but in vain For this reason and also at the instance of Theodorus the Exarch a War was proclaimed with the Lombards whereupon they take up Arms and near Scultenna a River of Modena a sharp Engagement there was on both sides But in the end Theodorus was vanquish'd and routed and lost in the fight near seven thousand of his Men. Rhotaris being flush'd with this Victory in a short time easily made himself Master of all Liguria Now Constantius hoping that the change of his General might change his Fortune too recalls Theodorus and sends Olympuis his Exarch into Italy with Instructions both to propagate the Sect of the Monothelites throughout Italy and also either to put Pope Martine to Death or else to take care to have him sent Prisoner to Constantinople Olympius coming to Rome where there had been already a Synod held against this and other the Errours of the Oriental Church and finding that he could not disperse the Contagion as he thought to do sends one of his Officers to seize Martine in the Church of S. Maria Maggiore and either to bring him to him or else to kill him if he refus'd and made resistance The Officer being just ready to execute this Order was by Miracle suddenly struck with blindness and so by divine Providence Martine escaped the danger The Saracens taking heart upon this great dissention between the Eastern and Western Church set sail from Alexandria with a great Fleet and arriving at Rhodes and taking the City they destroyed the famous and celebrated Coloss there with the Brass of which it 's said they loaded nine hundred Camels this Coloss being seventy foot high the Workmanship of Chares the Scholar of Lysippus Afterwards having possessed themselves of several Islands in the Archipelago and thence sailing to Sicily they very much infested the Inhabitants of that Island Hereupon Olympius at the entreaty of Pope Martine makes an Expedition and forces them thence though not without the loss of many of his Ships and Men and even that of his own Life too for he fell sick in Sicily and died there But Constantius who was not in the least bettered by all these Calamities commands Theodorus Calliopa again into Italy with express Order that he should forthwith send Pope Martine bound to him and to assist him in that Affair he joins Paulus Pellarius with him who was to take care to see it done Theodorus having been honourably received by the Romans and going upon pretence of making a Visit to the Pope seizes and puts him in Fetters and so sends him to Constantinople from whence he was afterwards banish'd to the Chersonese the place where Clemens Romanus had formerly been an Exile Now Martine being thus compassed with Calamities and pinch'd with extreme want at length dies in Banishment after he had been in the
Chair six years one month twenty six days And because it was long before there came certain intelligence of his Death the See was vacant fourteen months EUGENIUS I. EUGENIUS a Roman Son of Ruffinianus succeeded Martine about the time that in the place of Paul the Heretick Peter was made Patriarch of Constantinople Who though he were a little more Orthodox than Paul yet did not in all things agree in Doctrine with the Roman Church His Letters sent to Rome in which he denied two Operations and Wills in Christ were so exploded that the Clergy took upon them to interdict the Pope's celebrating Mass in S. Maria Maggiore till he had first publickly declared his dislike of them In the mean time Grimoaldus Duke of Beneventum leaving his Son to govern at home and marching with a great Army into Lombardy forced Pertheri and Gundibert the two Sons of Aripertus to quit Pavia and Milain Of which Clodoveus the French King having intelligence he out of compassion to the young Princes immediately sends a considerable Force into Italy to recover their Right for them Beyond the Po Battel is joyn'd and the Dispute managed very briskly on both sides the young Princes being eager to retrieve their paternal possessions and he endeavouring as much to keep what he had gain'd by War At length Fortune inclin'd to Grimoaldus his side and the French were routed and driven out of Italy We are told by some that the French were out-witted by the Enemy after this manner The Lombards dissembled a Flight leaving their Tents furnished with plenty of all manner of Provisions and especially of Wine but not far off they made a halt watching their opportunity the French entring their Tents and thinking they had been really fled fall to feasting and eat and drink to such excess that the Enemy coming upon them and finding them dead asleep and lying about like beasts they made such a slaughter of them that there was scarce one left alive to carry the News to Clodoveus Grimoaldus growing confident upon this Victory quickly makes himself Master of the whole Province As for Pope Eugenius who was a person of very great Piety Religion Meekness Humanity and Munificence having been in the Chair two years nine months he died and was buried in the Church of S. Peter June the 2d The See was then vacant one month twenty eight days VITALIANUS I. VITALIANUS born at Segna a Town of the Volsci the Son of Anastasius entred upon the Pontificate at the time when Caesarea the Persian Queen attended only with a few of her Confidents and without the knowledg of her Husband came to Constantinople in the year 683. She was very honourably received by the Emperour and not long after baptized for the sake of which it was that she came thither The Persian King having intelligence hereof forthwith sends Ambassadours to Constantinople to demand his Wife of the Emperour To them the Emperour answered That it was in the Queen's choice to stay or go and therefore they should enquire of her pleasure The Queen being ask'd made Answer That she would never return into her Countrey unless the King would become a Christian Who being acquainted herewith comes forthwith in a peaceable manner with forty thousand men to Constantinople where being received by the Emperour with all expressions of kindness he together with his Soldiers were baptized and then he returned with his Queen into his own Kingdom After this Constantius having associated to himself in the Government his Son Constantine and prepared a great Fleet setting sail from Constantinople arrives at Tarentum bringing with him in Ships of burden a great Force of Land-Soldiers From thence he advanced by Land into Abruzzo with design to besiege Beneventum But understanding that that City was very strongly Garison'd and plentifully furnished with Provisions by the care of Rhomoaldus he marched to Lucera which he took and plundered and then levell'd with the ground Passing from hence to Acherontia and not being not able to make himself Master of so well fortified a place he again attempts the Siege of Beneventum but soon raises it upon intelligence that Grimoaldus would suddenly be there with a great Army to assist his Son Rhomoaldus Hereupon Constantius moving first towards Naples though very much incommoded in his passage and having left 〈◊〉 a Roman Citizen with twenty thousand men at Formiae to oppose the Enemy at length he comes to Rome the Pope and Clergy and People in honour to him going six miles out of the City to meet him And being conducted through the City with great Acclamations to the Church of S. Peter he there made a very rich Present In the mean time Rhomoaldus presuming upon the Supplies he receiv'd from his Father joins Battel with Saburrus conquers him and puts to the Sword a great number of the Greeks Constantius being enraged and growing almost desperate upon this misfortune on the fifth day after his entrance into the City falls a plundering takes away all the Statues of Brass and Marble set up in the principal parts of the City and the rich Ornaments of the Churches and lades his Ships with them and in seven days did more damage to Rome than the barbarous Nations had done before in two hundred and fifty eight years so that ill men ignorant of History have no reason to say that the Statues and Monuments of Antiquity were demolished by Pope Gregorie's Order On the twelfth day the vile and perfidious paultry Greek 〈◊〉 Rome with a vengeance to him goes towards Naples thence to Sicily being so severe in his exaction of Tribute wherever he came as to take away Children out of the embraces of their Parents who could not pay him But the covetous wretch staying some time in Sicily as he was bathing for pleasure at Syracuse was slain and Mezentius who is thought to have been the contriver of his Death was by the Soldiers made Emperour in his stead This Constantius was a person of a strange 〈◊〉 and inconstancy of Mind For at first hearing that Vitalianus was chosen Pope he sent his Ambassadours to congratulate him and to make a Present of the Gospels written in letters of Gold and set with Jewels to S. Peter Whereas afterwards his mind being changed he cast off all regard to God and Man and turned all things both divine and humane topsy-turvy But Vitalianus being intent upon sacred things composed Ecclesiastical Canons and regulated singing in the Church introducing Organs to be used with the Vocal Musick He also sent with ample Power of binding and loosing Theodorus an Arch-bishop and Adrian an Abbat two very learned and pious men into England that by their Preaching and Example they might keep that people stedfast in the Faith which the good men did what they could to perform This Theodorus also wrote a Book shewing by what Pennance every sin may be wash'd off though some ascribe that Work to Pope Theodorus Now Vitalianus having govern'd the Church
kiss He was a man of so obliging a temper that no person went away sad out of his Presence And being so happy as to have a Contemporary Emperour like himself he designed to hold a Council vpon the account of the Monothelites Only he waited the time till Constantine should return from the War who had vanquish'd the Saracens and made them tributary to the Roman Empire But the Bulgarians advancing out of Scythia into Thrace and the Emperour endeavouring to put a check to their motion he was with great loss routed between Hungary and Moesia Hereupon he found himself obliged to strike up a peace with them upon disadvantageous terms permitting them to inhabit Hungary and Moesia though that Concession in the event proved a great benefit to the State of Christianity For these are the men who for this seven hundred and seventy years since have maintained a continual War and been the Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks Well a Peace being upon these Conditions concluded Pope Agatho sends to Constantinople his Legates John Bishop of Porto and John a Deacon of Rome Them Constantine receiv'd with all expressions of respect and very affectionately advised them to lay aside all Cavils and sophistical wranglings and Controversies and sincerely to endeavour the uniting the two Churches There were present at this Synod two hundred and eighty nine Bishops and by the Command of the Emperour there were brought out of the Library of Constantinople those Books from whence the Opinions and Determinations of the Ancients might be collected Gregory Patriarch of Constantinople and Macarius Bishop of Antioch perverting the sense of the Fathers maintain'd only one Will and Operation in Christ. But the Orthodox pressing hard with their Reasons and Authorities they thereby reclaimed Gregory and Macarius adhering obstinately to his Opinion they 〈◊〉 him and his Followers and made Theophanes an Orthodox Abbat Bishop of Antioch in his stead This Affair being thus successfully managed that thanks might be return'd to God for this Union of the two Churches in heart and mind John Bishop of Porto on the Octave of Easter in the presence of the Emperour Patriarch and the People of Constantinople in the Church of S. Sophia celebrates the Mass in Latin all that were present approving that way and condemning those that thought otherwise This was the sixth General Council consisting of two hundred and eighty nine Bishops held at Constantinople wherein upon the Authority of Cyril Athanasius Basil Gregory Dionysius Hilary Ambrose Augustine and Hierom it was concluded that there were two Wills and Operations in Christ and their pertinacy was exploded who asserted one Will only from whence they were called Monothelites The first General Council of three hundred and eighteen Bishops was as we have already said held at Nice in the Pontificate of Julius and the Reign of Constantine against Arius who asserted several Substances in the Trinity The second at Constantinople of an hundred and fifty Bishops in the Reign of Gratian and the Pontificate of Damasus against Macedonius and Eudoxus who denied the Holy Ghost to be God The third in Ephesus of two hundred Bishops in the Reign of Theodosius the second and the Pontificate of 〈◊〉 against Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople who denied the Blessed Virgin to be the Mother of God and made Christs Humanity and Divinity two Persons asserting separately one to be the Son of God the other the son of Man The fourth at Chalcedon a City over against Constantinople of six hundred and thirty Prelates in the Pontificate of Leo and the Reign of Martian against Eutyches Abbat of Constantinople who durst affirm that our Saviour after his Incarnation had but one Nature The fifth at Constantinople against Theodorus and all other Hereticks who asserted the Virgin Mary to have brought forth Man only not God-man in which Synod it was concluded that the Blessed Virgin should be styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Mother of God Concerning the sixth Synod we have spoken already in which the Letters of Damianus Bishop of Pavia and Mansuetus Arch-bishop of Milain were very prevalent the principal Contents of them these viz. The true Faith concerning Christ God and Man is that we believe two Wills and two Operations in him Our Saviour says with respect to his Divinity I and my Father are one but with relation to his Humanity My Father is greater than I. Moreover as Man he was found asleep in the Ship as God he commanded the Winds and the Sea As for our Agatho in whose time after two Ecclipses one of the Moon another of the Sun there followed a grievous Pestilence having been in the Chair two years six months sifteen days he died and was buried in S. Peter's January the 10th The See was then vacant one year five months LEO II. LEO the second a Sicilian Son of Paul was as appears by his Writings a person throughly learned in the Latin and Greek Languages Having also good skill in Musick he composed Notes upon the Psalms and very much improved all Church Musick He ordained likewise that at the Celebration of the Mass the Pax should be given to the people Moreover he so vigorously maintained and asserted the sixth Synod of which we have spoken in the Life of Agatho that he Excommunicated all those whom in the presence of Constantine that Synod had condemned He also repress'd the pride of the Bishops of Ravenna a matter before attempted by Pope Agatho and ordained that the Election of the Clergy of Ravenna should be invalid unless it were confirmed by the Authority of the Roman See whereas before they presuming upon the power of their Exarchs managed all things arbitrarily owning no subjection to any but mating even the Popes themselves He likewise solemnly decreed that no person promoted to the dignity of an Archbishop should pay any thing for the use of the Pall or upon any other score a Decree which I could wish it were observed at this day seeing how many Evils have arisen through Bribery While Leo was busied in these matters Rhomoaldus Duke of Beneventum having raised a great Army possess'd himself of Taranto Brindisi and all Puglia and his Wife Theodata a devout Lady out of the spoils of the War built a Church in honour to S. Peter not far from Beneventum and a Nunnery Rhomoaldus dying was succeeded by his Son Grimoaldus who deceasing without Issue male left the Dukedom to his Brother Gisulphus Our Leo who besides his great Learning and Eloquence was also an extraordinary person for Devotion and Charity and by his Doctrine and Example very much promoted Justice Fortitude Clemency and Good Will among all men having been in the Chair only ten months died and June the 28th was accompanied to his burial in the Church of S. Peter with the tears of all men who deplored the loss of him as of a Common Father After his Death the See was vacant eleven months twenty one days The time
of his Pontificate was short but the Reputation he gain'd therein so great that one would think he had lived longer than he did by the celebrated Name which he had deservedly acquired in so little time BENEDICT II. BENEDICT the second a Roman his Father's Name John being from his Youth brought up to the Clergy was so intent upon the study of Holy Writ that he became an extraordinary Proficient in Divinity He was likewise a person of great Compassion Charity and good Will towards all espcially the Poor Virtues by which he so won the Hearts of men that he was pitch'd upon as the only person who by general consent was fit to succeed in the Place of Leo deceased The Emperour Constantine out of the Veneration he had for this mans Sanctity sent him a Decree in which it was established that for the time to come He whom the Clergy and People of Rome should chuse Pope should be forthwith acknowledged Christ's true Vicar without expecting the Authority of the Emperour or his Exarchs according to former usage when the confirmation of the Emperour or his Vicegerent in Italy was necessary to the creation of a Pope Pertheris now King of the Lombards in imitation of the Religion and Charity of Benedict built a Monastery in honour to S. Agatha at Pavia and his Wife Rhodelinda prompted by the Example of her Husband built the Church of S. Mary ad Perticas without the Walls of Pavia This they did out of a Principle of Emulation understanding that Pope Benedict had with vast expence repaired beautified and enriched the Churches of S. Peter at Rome that of S. Laurence in Lucina that of S. Valentine in the Via Flaminia and that of S. Mary ad Martyres Pertheris had designed greater things of this Nature but he was diverted by Alalchis Duke of Trent who being pust'd up by a great Victory which he had gain'd over the Bavarians turns his Arms against his King But Pertheris raising an Army at the first Engagement routs him besieges Trent whither he had fled for Refuge and though Alalchis had first made his escape thence by night takes the City However Pertheris was a Prince of so great Clemency as to receive him again into favour upon his submission and to make him Duke of Brescia Some tell us that in Benedict's time an extraordinary Star was seen near the Vergiliae several Nights together in a clear Sky between Christmas and Epiphany I deny not but that a Comet then appeared and portended something but it 's Neighbourhood to this Constellation is incoherent unless we make that prodigious too For the Vergiliae rise at the Vernal Equinox when the Sun enters the Sign Aries about the twenty fourth of March and begin to set at the Autumnal Equinox But that out of Vesuvius a Mountain in Campania so great a 〈◊〉 did at this time burst forth that it burnt up all the places round about it may seem less wonderful considering that Pliny the Natural Historian leaving the Ships which he commanded under Trajan and approaching too near it out of curiosity to find out the causes of it's burning lost his life by that means However 't is certain that not long after these things there followed Slaughters Rapines Fires the Death of great Men and particularly of Pope Benedict who as he was universally beloved in his life-time so after his Death he was famous for his Piety and the good Offices he had done to mankind He was in the Chair only ten months twelve days and was buried in S Peter's May the 15th By his Death the See was vacant two months fifteen days JOHN V. JOHN the fifth by Nation a Syrian born at Antioch his Father's Name Cyriacus was created Pope about the time when the Emperour Constantine died in the seventeenth year of his Reign and left the Empire to his Son Justinian the second The Saracens now invaded Lybia and Africa and possess'd themselves easily of all the places that lay towards the Sea But Justinian having in some measure setled the affairs of his Empire and raised a competent Army advancing against these Saracens struck such a terrour into Abimelech their Chief that without engaging he sued for a Peace and was glad to restore all his Acquests in Africa And a Peace it is said by some was granted them for ten years but upon Condition that they should pay a thousand pieces of Gold and a Slave of their own Nation on Horseback every day to the Emperour At this time John a person of great Piety and Goodness being by general suffrage chosen Pope in the Constantinian Church was consecrated in the same manner with Leo the second by the three Bishops of Ostia Porto and Veletri a Precedent which so obtained that it was afterwards constantly practised His Pontificate was rendred remarkable by two extraordinary persons Felix the Uncle of Flavianus and John Bishop of Bergamo men of such eminent Learning and Sanctity that they received from Princes themselves marks of the highest respect and Veneration Pope John who both before and during his Pontificate was a sickly man having written a Book concerning the Dignity of the Pall died in the first year after his coming to the Chair and was buried in S. Peter's August the 2d By his Death the See was vacant two months nineteen days CONON I. CONON by birth a Thracian educated in Sicily and thence entring into Orders at Rome was of a Presbyter made Pope For there happening a Controversie about the Election the Citizens being for Peter an Arch-bishop and the Soldiers for one Theodorus a Priest at length after a long Contention both Parties agreed in the Choice of Conon And indeed he did every way deserve so great a Dignity being a man of great Learning and very good Life pious and devout of a comely Person and most Venerable or as some called it Angelical Aspect of wonderful Simplicity and Sincerity Modesty and Justice Resolution and Prudence For these excellent Endowments of his all persons concern'd with mighty acclamations of Applause immediately confirm'd his Election as did also Theodorus Exarch of Ravenna who being deceased was not long after succeeded in the Exarchate by John Platina whom I believe to have given the name to the place of my Nativity called Platina within the Territory of Cremona For there being frequent Wars between the Exarchs and the Kings of Lombardy it is not improbable considering that that place was scituated almost in the mid-way between Ravenna and Pavia one of which was the Seat of the Lombard Kings the other of the Exarchs there might at some time be a Battel fought or a Camp pitched there from whence we know that names are oftentimes given to places as particularly in the same Countrey there is Vitelliana a Town so called from Vitellius his encamping there and Bebrignano not far from Bebriacum famous for the defeat which Otho there received I return to Conon who presently after his entrance upon
the Pontificate falling sick Paschal an Arch-deacon and manager of the Church-stock endeavours to bribe John the Exarch to procure him to be chosen Pope upon the Death of Conon The Exarch took the Money though he afterwards performed none of the promises he had made upon that account And indeed such a covetous and ambitious wretch deserv'd to be frustrated in his designs who made a Bribe of that Treasure of the Church which according to Conon's Will should have been laid out in relieving the poor and repairing of Churches A Crime to be abhorred in all men but most detestable in an Ecclesiastick Such a breach of trust would not have been committed by Hubert who was now a Bishop in Bretagne of great Note for his Learning and Piety nor Leodegarius the Martyr Bishop of Autun who was put to Death by Theodoric King of France for his frequent and free reproofs nor by Audoenus Bishop of Roan a man who was second to none for Knowledg and Sanctity These were men remov'd from Ambition and Avarice fixing all their trust in God and Religion and gaining thereby Reputation among men in this World and eternal happiness from God in the other As for Conon having been in the Chair only eleven months and three days he died and was buried in S. Peter's September the 21st The See was then vacant two months twenty three days SERGIUS I. SERGIUS a Syrian born at Antioch son of Tiberius coming to Rome in the time of Pope Adeodatus was admitted into the number of the Reman Clergy Afterwards through his Industry and Improvements in divine Knowledg advancing gradually he was ordained Parish-Priest of the Church of S. Susanna He thereupon beginning more and more to frequent the Coemeteries and there to perform sacred Offices by this means he gain'd so great a reputation that upon the Decease of Conon he was chosen his Successour though indeed after a long debate For the People being divided into two Parties one stood up for Theodorus and the other for Paschal the Arch deacon Theodorus with his Party had forced his entrance into the inner part of the Lateran Palace the outer from the Oratory of S. Sylvester to the Church of the house of Julia was possessed by Paschal But the Contention and debate growing so high that every one thought they would come to blows each Party resolving not to give place to the other unless by force compelled thereunto the principal of the Citizens Clergy and Soldiery assembled together to consult what were best to be done to lay this Tumult At length having duly considered the whole matter and judging it not fit to commit the Popedom to either of those who to 〈◊〉 their own ambition had been the cause of so great disorders by divine direction they make choice of Sergius without the least opposition and taking him out of the midst of the croud upon their shoulders they carry him first into the Oratory of S. Caesarius the Martyr then into the Lateran Palace breaking open the doors by force and driving out those who were in it before Theodorus seeing how all agreed in the choice salutes Sergius by the name of Pope and kisses him Paschal the other Competitour did the same though sorely against his Will and being only aw'd thereinto by the armed multitude For secretly and under-hand he did by Letters Messengers and Promises so strongly sollicite John Exarch of Ravenna to perform at length what he had promis'd him for his Money that the said John comes forthwith to Rome without sending any advice before that so he might have the advantage of coming upon them unprovided and while they were off their guard But when he understood that Sergius was by universal consent declared Pope and urg'd the performance of what Paschal had promis'd him upon Sergius's expressing a high dislike and detestation of any such bribery he violently seizes and carries away several things of value from the Church of S. Peter As for Paschal the occasion of this mischief he being accused and convicted of Sorcery was deprived of his Arch-Deaconry and for Pennance was confined to a Monastery whereing after his having continued obstinate for five years he died In the mean time Justinian being strangely inconstant towards God and Men both attaques the Saracens and Bulgarians contrary to the Articles of Peace he had concluded with them from whom yet it is certain he receiv'd more damage than he did to them and also returning to Constantinople being generally hated by the Citizens for his not restraining the cruelty of the City-prefect he held a Synod wherein some Decrees pass'd not agreeing with the Orthodox Faith which also Sergius his Apocrisiary or Nuntio then residing at Constantinople very foolishly confirmed by his Subscription But these Decrees being afterwards brought to Rome and there exploded by Sergius who held that there were two Natures in Christ and that the Blessed Virgin was the Mother of God Justinian enraged thereat sends Zacharias Protospatharius which we may render the Captain of the Guards to Rome to bring Sergius bound to him Which when the Soldiers of the Exarchate of Italy understood they immediately took up their Arms and not only defended the Pope from violence but were very near having slain Zachary had he not saved himself by flying for refuge to the Pope who kept him for some time in his Bed-chamber and afterwards sent him back privately to the Emperour While these things were transacted at Rome Leontius encouraged by 〈◊〉 the Patriarch having excited the People of Constantinople to take up Arms and broke open all the Prisons of the City whereby multitudes of Prisoners were set at liberty deposes Justinian and cutting off his Nose banishes him to the Chersonese of Pontus Abimelech Admiral of the Saracens having intelligence hereof and hoping to make his advantage of these Tumults presently invades Africa whither Leontius with all expedition sends his Army to check their motion But not long after a mutiny arising among the Soldiers they create one Tiberius a Citizen of Constantinople Emperour who immediately returning with the Army to Constantinople seizes Leontius and having retaliated upon him what we have said he did to Justinian throws him into Prison reserving him there for future greater ignominy Moreover he banished Philip the son of Nicephorus a Patrician and one who had been assistant to him in getting the Empire only because he had told his Companions how he dreamt that he saw an Eagle covering his head with her Wings which Tiberius fear'd might be a presage of the young man's coming to the Empire While things went thus at Constantinople Pipin Duke of Austrasia laid the foundation of gaining the Kingdom of France For understanding that one Bertarius a mean fellow whom King Theodoric made use of as his chief Minister was generally hated by all People he marches with a vast Army into France and being encountred in his passage by Theodoric and Bertarius he engages in Battel with them
and defeats them Bertarius saved himself by flight but Theodoric retreating by agreement upon a Truce constitutes the victorious Pipin Mayre of the Palace and principal Administratour of his Kingdom After this Pipin returned to Austrasia upon intelligence that the Germans and Sueves infested his People and having quell'd them he sets forward towards France again upon the News that Theodoric being dead the Kingdom had fallen to his Brother Childepert Arriving there and being very kindly received by the King after he had put his son into the place of Mayre of the Palace he again returns enraged at the Sueves and Germans who were now the second time in Arms. At this time Sergius having 〈◊〉 the banishment of Justinian enjoyed Peace and Tranquility repaired the Church of S. Peter and restored to it its antient beauty The Front of it he adorn'd with Mosaick work made the Candlesticks and other Ornaments of it of Gold and Silver found a part of our Saviours Cross in a little brass Coffer and because the body of S. Leo had hitherto lain less regarded than his merits required he reposited it in a more honourable and celebrated place The Statues of the Apostles defaced with Age he renew'd and either repaired or made wholly new the Ornaments of many Churches which it would be tedious to enumerate Moreover he ordained that at the breaking of the body of our Lord should be sung O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the World have mercy upon us and that on the day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and of S. Simon there should be yearly a Procession with Litanies through the City setting out at S. Hadrian He made Damianus Arch-Bishop of Ravenna and Berslauardus Arch-Bishop of Britain By his Learning and Authority he brought over to the Truth the Church of Aquileia which before consented not wholly to the fifth Synod Some tell us that at this time Lambertus a Person of great Sanctity suffered Martyrdom at Liege because he was so hardy as to reprove Pipin for slighting his Wive's Bed and keeping Alpais a Whore The author of his Death is said to have been her own Brother who afterwards died of the lousy Disease 'T is written also that by the exemplary Sanctity of Sergius the Saxons were now first wrought upon to embrace Christianity The good man having by these means gained a great reputation and having been in the Chair thirteen years eight months twenty three days he died and was with the lamentation of all men who wept as at the loss of a common Father with great Solemnity buried in the Church of S. Peter September the 8th The See was then vacant one month twenty days JOHN VI. JOHN the sixth a Grecian was elected Pope at the time when Theophylact the Exarch in his passage to Italy arrived first at Sicily Which being known to the Italian Soldiers who having of late times usually sided more with the Popes than the Emperours were afraid that his coming might betoken some ill they resolved to kill him at his entrance into Rome But by the Authority of Pope John who made himself Umpire between them Theophylact was protected and all things being made up and accommodated he goes for Ravenna In the mean time Gisulphus Duke of Beneventum taking heart upon this disagreement of the Exarch and Soldiers invades Terra di Lavoro possesses himself of Sora and Arpino burns Villages makes the Villagers his Prisoners and drives away their Cattel The Pope being deeply sensible of this Calamity sends his Ambassadours to Gisulphus to admonish him to quit those places which he had no Right to and to return into Abruzzo which if he refus'd to do he should soon feel the vengeance of Almighty God upon him Gisulphus being terrified hereby restores the Towns he had taken and returns to Beneventum Of those which were carried away Captive Pope John redeemed all he could sind out as 〈◊〉 as the Treasure of the Church would reach for their ransom At this time 〈◊〉 who as we have said had been banish'd by Leontius to the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 making his escape thence comes to Cacanus King of the Avares who at first treated him with the greatest respect and kindness and promised him his Daughter in marriage but afterwards being corrupted with bribes by Tiberius he design'd to betray his Guest and Son-in-law into his hands Justinian having notice hereof flees to Trebellius Prince of the Bulgarians by whose aid he was in a little time after restored to the Empire While 〈◊〉 things were transacted in Europe the 〈◊〉 being possessed of Libya and Africa set sail from Septa and passing over into Spain made themselves Masters of it all except that part inhabited by the Asturians and Biscains who as they had been the last People of Spain who were subdued to the Roman Empire and the last who revolted from it and the only People who shook off the Yoke of the Visigoths so now having received the Christian Faith they were the men who continued stedfastly with the greatest resolution to defend themselves by Arms against the perfidious Saracens So then Africa which being recovered by Belisarius General to Justinian the first had been subject to the Roman Empire an hundred and seventy years and also Granada in Hispania 〈◊〉 being at this time seiz'd by the Saracens have been obedient to their Laws and Customs now this seven hundred and forty years to the great reproach of Christianity the Spaniards who are wont to boast of their Wit and Valour not being able to drive them out of Europe Some tell us that Bede who lived in these times by Letters written to several Christian Princes did very much bewail this Calamity that thereby he might excite them to enter into a War against these Enemies of God and Men. This 〈◊〉 was not only extraordinarily well skill'd in the Greek and Latin Tongues but also for his eminent Piety and Modesty gain'd the surname of 〈◊〉 He wrote many things upon the Acts of the Apostles and upon S. Luke he published a Book of Chronology and several Homilies which are much used by the Gallican 〈◊〉 Moreover of Strabo and Haymo two very learned men said to be Bede's Brethren one composed divers elegant Homilies and the other commented upon Genesis As for Pope John having repaired the Church of S. Andrew in the Vatican and the roof of that of S. Mark and adorn'd with Pillars on each hand the Altar of S. Peter's in the third year and third month of his Pontificate he died as some think a Martyr but by whom he suffered Martyrdom does not sufficiently appear 'T is said he was buried in the Coemetery of S. Sebastian in the Via Appia By his Death the See was vacant one month nineteen days JOHN VII JOHN the seventh a Grecian Son of Plato enter'd upon the Pontificate at the time when Justinian being return'd to 〈◊〉 caused Tiberius and Leontius by whom he had been deposed to be
name John was unammously elected Pope in the Year seven hundred fifty nine He was a Person of singular Learning very well skill'd in the Greek and Latin Tongues and of such an Insight into the Sense of Holy Writ that no man was more ready at the expounding of the abstruse and difficult places in it Nor 〈◊〉 he work upon the People merely by his Preaching and Eloquence but in all respects he gave them such a prevailing Example that it is difficult to determine whether he spake or lived better He was so valiant a 〈◊〉 of the Catholick Faith that he thereby contracted the displeasure and hatred of the greatest Princes but by no Force or Power or Menace was removed one step from his Resolution Finally his good-will towards all men was such that he cherished and relieved the Poor redeemed Captives releas'd insolvent Debtours and asserted the Cause of Widows and Orphans against potent Oppressours in such a manner that he deserved the Name of a common Father and 〈◊〉 Soon after his entrance upon the Pontificate with the Consent of the Clergy of Rome he excommunicated and deposed the Emperour Leo for his having rased the Pictures of the Saints out of the Churches and destroyed their Images and also for not being Orthodox in Opinion concerning the Consubstantiality of the Son with the Father In the mean time Luithprandus King of the Lombards from an ambitious desire of enlarging his Dominions having possess'd himself of all the Towns round about lays Siege to Rome it self whereupon Gregory forthwith dispatches Messengers by Sea it not being safe for them to pass by Land to Charles Prince of the French to pray him that he would speedily aid the distressed City and Church of Rome Indeed formerly the Popes when they were in any great Danger from abroad had been wont to seek for succour from the Emperour of Constantinople but Gregory now declined it both for the Causes we have just before mentioned and also especially because Leo was now hard put to it to defend Constantinople it self against the Saracens and therefore little able to protect others By which means it came to pass that the Constantinopolitan Emperours being for the time to come unapplied to the Protection of the Church was from henceforward put into other hands Upon Gregorie's Request Charles undertaking the Church's Patronage desires Luithprandus as his Friend and particularly upon the account of his Son Pipin his near Allie to quit his Enterprize and not give the Pope any disturbance whereupon Luithprandus raises the Siege The 〈◊〉 of Italy being thus composed Charles turns his Army with success against the Burgundians crushes the Idolatrous Prison's takes Lions Arles and Marseilles from the 〈◊〉 who thereupon invite to their Aid Athimus the King of the Saracens Who passing the Rhone takes Avignon by Storm intending to make use of the convenience of that place for a Citadel But Charles upon Intelligence hereof hastens thither with his Army and re-takes Avignon putting to the Sword all the Saracens who were in Garrison in it From thence he marched to Narbonne whither he understood that Athimus had fled But having advice that Amoreus another Saracen King of Spain was coming with a great Army to the Aid of Athimus he quitted the Siege of Narbonne and march'd to the Valley of Corbiere not far off wherein there was a fair Plain very commodious to joyn Battel in Amoreus thinking that Charles having been routed had fled thither enters the Valley and prepares to engage which Charles did not decline though the number of the Adversaries Army was incredibly great The 〈◊〉 having continued for some time very warm and Amoreus himself having been slain at the beginning of the Engagement at length the Saracens were forced to betake themselves to slight and a great part of them were kill'd in the Fens and 〈◊〉 thereabouts Athimus as good luck would have it making his Escape by Sea towards the farther part of Spain in Rage and Despair lay'd 〈◊〉 by Fire and Sword all the Islands which he arrived at in his passage Much about this time the Body of S. Augustine which two hundred and fifty years before when the Vandals wasted Africa had been carried away from Hippo into Sardinia was by the care of Luithprandus translated thence to Pavia and reposited in a very honourable place of Interrment The Saracens being now pretty well tamed kept themselves within the Pyrenean Hills upon which all the Visigoths who possessed the hither parts of Spain and part of France being not able to defend themselves were subdued by Charles and so that People who had domineer'd for almost three hundred years were utterly extinguished except some few who were saved by the People of Barcelona Some write that Charles was in this War assisted by Luithprandus with Men who after the Victory returned home laden with Booty In the mean while Pope Gregory not neglecting to improve the time of Peace he now enjoyed applyed himself to Church-work The Altar of S. Peter's he made more stately by erecting a Row of six Pillars of Onyx on each hand of it where as many of the same magnitude and figure had formerly stood but were now decayed through 〈◊〉 Upon these Pillars were Architraves gilt with Silver on which he set up the Images of our Saviour and the Apostles at equal distances He built also an Oratory in the same Church in which he reposited some of the Reliques of almost all the Saints and ordered Mass to be therein daily performed in the Canon of which he added these words which were engraven upon the Marble round the Oratory Quorum Solennitas in conspectu tuoe Majeslatis celebratur Domine Deus noster toto in Orbe terrarum c. i. e. Whose Anniversaries are celebrated in the sight of thy Majesty O Lord our God throughout all the World c. which Clause is not in the general Canon now used Moreover he gave to this Church several Vessels of Silver and caused to be made at his own Charge the Image of the Blessed Virgin with our Saviour in her Arms of Gold which he placed in the Church of S. Mary ad Proesepe He also repaired the Roof of the Church of S. Chrysogonus appointing Monks for the daily performance of divine Service therein and setling an Estate for their Maintenance Several Monasteries he either repaired or built from the ground to the Recluses whereof he prescribed Rules of strict and holy living He re-built also the ruined Walls of the City of Rome and in like manner those of the almost desolate Civita Vecchia Furthermore he ordained the Celebration of Mass in the Church of S Peter almost without Intermission both by the Priests in Weekly Attendance and by the Monks upon which account we may observe the Cells of the Monks and the Houses of the Secular Priests to be in several places contiguous each of them striving to out do the other in diligence at their Devotion Our
Brother who had before as we have already said taken the habit of a Monk and indeed the Lombards generally except those of Tuscany were on his side But Desiderius by making large Promises to the Pope and the Romans wrought them into a favour of his Pretensions and accordingly they with all speed sent Ambassadours and among them Holcadus the Abbat to Rachis to require him to lay down his Arms and submit to Desiderius And so Faenza and Ferrara were at last delivered to the Pope and the name of the Exarchate which had continued from the time of Narses to the taking of Ravenna by Aistulphus an hundred and seventy years was extinguished Things being now peaceably setled and the Jurisdiction of the Church greatly encreased Stephen holding a Synod takes an account of his several Flocks and their Pastors gently chastises those who had offended directs such as had gone astray teaches and instructs the ignorant and finally sets before them the Duty of a Bishop of a Presbyter and of all Orders in the Clergy Moreover he appointed Litanies for the appeasing of the Divine Anger the Procession on the first Saturday to be to S. Marie's ad Proesepe on the second to S. Peter's in the Vatican on the third to S. Paul's in the Via Ostiensis He also repaired several Churches which had been damaged by Aistulphus while he layed Siege to the City yet he did not recover the Reliques of the Saints which that King had carried with him to Pavia and there reposited not dishonourably in divers Churches The good man having by these means proved serviceable to God his Countrey and the Church died in the fifth year and first month of his Pontificate and was buried April the 26th with general lamentation as for the loss of a Common Father The See was then vacant thirty two days PAUL I. PAUL a Roman son of 〈◊〉 Brother of Stephen the second became well skill'd and practiced in all things belonging to a Churchman by his having been educated in the Lateran Palace under Pope Gregory the second and Pope Zachay by which latter he was together with his Brother ordained Deacon and when upon the Vacancy of the Popedom by the Death of Stephen some persons proposed Theophylact the Arch-Deacon for his Successour yet others stood for Paul as one who both for the Integrity of his Life and great Learning deserved to succeed his Brother in that Dignity After a long Dispute therefore Theophylact was rejected and Paul by general suffrage chosen in the time of Constantine and Leo. This Paul was a person of an extraordinary meek and merciful Temper and who in Imitation of our Saviour never returned to any man evil for evil but on the contrary by doing good to them he overcame those ill men that had oftentimes injur'd him He was of so kind and compassionate a Nature as that he would go about by night with only two or three Attendants to the Houses of poor sick people assisting them with his Counsel and relieving them with his Alms. He also frequently visited the Prisons and paying their Creditors discharged thence multitudes of poor Debtours The Fatherless and Widows that were over-reach'd by the tricks of Lawyers he defended by his Authority and supported by his Charity Moreover having assembled the Clergy and People of Rome he did with great solemnity translate the Body of S. Petronilla S. Peter's Daughter with her Tomb of Marble upon which was this Inscription Petronilloe Filioe dulcissimoe from the Via Appia into the Vatican and placed it at the upper end of the Church dedicated to her Father At this time the Emperour Constantine having in all places plucked down the Images and put to death Constantine Patriarch of Constantinople for opposing him therein and made Nicetas an Eunuch his Abettour in the Sacriledg Patriach in his stead the Pope consulting by all means the Interest of Religion sends Nuntios to Constantinople to advise the Emperour to restore and set up again the Images he had taken away or upon his refusal so to do to threaten him with the Censure of Excommunication But Constantine persisting obstinately in what he had done not only despised this good Counsel but also granted Peace to Sabinus King of the Bulgarians because he also made the like havock of Images with himself though he were before engaged in a War against him Having also associated to himself into part of the Empire his Son Leo the fourth whom he had married to the most beautiful Athenian Lady Irene he enters into a League with the Saracens thereby to despite and provoke the Orthodox Christians In the mean time Pipin entirely subdues Taxillo Duke of the Bojarians and admits of a League with the Saxons but upon this Condition that they should be obliged to send three hundred Horsemen to his Assistance as often as he should have occasion to make an Expedition Against the Aquitains he maintained a tedious War which at length he committed to the management of his young Son Charles himself being so worn out with Age that he could not be present at it This War being ended Charles takes by Storm Bourbon Clermont and several other Towns of Auvergne But Pipin who as we have said was now very old not long after dies leaving in the Kingdom his two Sons Charles and Caroloman Some tell us that Aistulphus King of the Lombards who as is above declared had carried away the Bodies of divers Saints from Rome to Pavia died at this time and that he had built Chappels to those Saints aud also a Cloister for Virgins in which his own Daughters became Nuns He was an extraordinary Lover of the Monks and died in their Arms in the sixth year and fifth month of his Reign At the beginning of his Government he was fierce and rash in the end moderate and a person of such Learning that he reduc'd and form'd the Edicts of the Lombards into Laws He was as has been said succeeded by Duke Desiderius the Valour of the Lombards beginning now to dissolve and lose it self in Luxury Our Paul having repaired some old decayed Churches died in S. Paul's in the Via Ostiensis in the tenth year and first month of his Pontificate and his Body was with very great Solemnity carried into the Vatican The See was then vacant one year one month STEPHEN III. STEPHEN the third a Sicilian Son of Olibrius entred upon the Pontificate A. D. 768. a learned man and in the management of Affairs especially those belonging to the Church very active and steddy Coming to Rome very young by appointment of Pope Gregory III. he took Orders and became a Monk in the Monastery of S. Chrysogonus where he was inured to the stricter way of living and instructed in Ecclesiastical Learning Being afterwards called by Pope Zachary into the Lateran Palace and his Life and Learning generally approved of he was constituted Parish-Priest of S. Caetilia and for his great Integrity and readiness in Business both
Zachary and his Successours Stephen and Paul would always have him near their Persons But upon the Death of Paul whom our Stephen never deserted to his last Breath Desiderius who as we have said was by the Assistance of Stephen II. made King of Lombardy being by Pipin's Death rid of all fear encourages Toto Duke of Nepi to promote his Brother Constantine to the Pontificate by force of Arms if he could not compass it by canvassing and bribery He accordingly marches to Rome with an Army and with the Assistance of some whom he had corrupted and made his Friends by Gifts and Promises gets Constantine to be elected Pope Indeed there were those who set up one Philip against him but he was presently forced to quit his Pretensions and Gregory Bishop of Praeneste compelled to initiate Constantine who at the time of his choice was a Laick into holy Orders and then to consecrate him Bishop the hands of which Gregory are said thereupon by Miracle to have so withered that he could not reach them to his Mouth But Constantine having persisted to exercise the Papal Function for one year was at length in great Rage and Disdain deposed by the People of Rome and Stephen unanimously chosen in his stead Upon which Constantine being brought into S. Saviour's Church and the sacred Canons read he was publickly and solemnly divested of the Pontifical Habit and commanded to lead a private life in a Monastery After this Stephen being consecrated by three Bishops in the Church of S. Adrian and saluted as the true Pope by all the Clergy and People of Rome applied himself to the censuring and suppressing of the Practices of some ill men who endeavoured to break the Unity of the Roman Church Therefore calling a Council he writes to Charles desiring him to send to Rome as soon as might be some Bishops of France by their Learning and Integrity well qualified for the Affair The same also he writes to the other Christian Princes who all complying with him therein a Council is held in the Lateran Church where the Fathers having discoursed among themselves divers things tending to the setling of the Church they ordered Constantine to be brought before them For the underhand-dealings of Desiderius King of the Lombards and Paul Aphiarta having occasioned frequent tumults among the People Desiderius endeavouring all he could to alienate the Affections of the Romans from Charles to the Emperour hereupon several were killed on both sides and Constantine the occasion of all the mischief had his Eyes put out by the contrary Faction though Stephen declared against it and did what he could to prevent it but there is no opposing a furious enraged Multitude Constantine appearing before the Council and being accused that he had usurped the Apostolick See not being in any holy Orders lays all the fault upon the People and especially upon some particular Persons who forced him against his Will to take the Pontificate upon him Then prostrating himself upon the floor and humbly begging Pardon the persons present moved with Compassion ordered him to be dismissed and put off the Debate of his whole Case to the next day intending then more maturely to deliberate what ought to be done in the matter But the next day Constantine returning to the Council was quite of another mind and remonstrated that he had Precedents of former Prelates for what he had done that Sergius Arch-Bishop of Ravenna and Stephen of Naples had been of Laicks consecrated Bishops The Fathers resenting this Impudence caused him to be cast out with Disgrace and having nulled his Decrees applied themselves to the setling of the State of Christianity Among other things it was unanimously decreed by them That no Laick but such only as had pass'd through the several Degrees in the Clergy should presume to take the Popedom upon pain of Excommunication It was ordained likewise that those who had attained to the Episcopal Dignity in the time of Constantine should renounce that Character and fall back into the same Rank and Order which they were of before but with this Reserve that if their Life and Doctrine were approved by the People it then pleased the Council that upon their application to the Apostolick See they might be consecrated anew The same was judged meet concerning Presbyters and Deacons yet it was forbidden that any of them should arrive to the greater Degrees upon a Jealousie as I believe lest some Errour or Sect might thence arise as from a Seminary of Discord and Sedition Moreover it was decreed that all the sacred Offices which Constantine had performed should be deemed null except only Baptism and Confirmation Finally having made void the Constantinian Synod in which the Greek Prelates had decreed that the Pictures and Statues of the Saints should be defaced and thrown out of Churches it was ordained that those Images should be in all places 〈◊〉 and an Anathema pass'd upon that execrable and pernicious Synod by which the condition of the Immortal God was rendred worse than that of Men it being allowed us to erect the Statues of men who have deserved well of the Publick both for the expressing of our Gratitude and the raising our Emulation of their brave Deeds but forbidden to set up the Image of our Saviour whom we ought if it were possible to have always before our Eyes whether we consider the mighty Obligations he has laid upon Mankind or the Dignity of his Divine Nature These things having thus pass'd according to the Popes mind it was Decreed that on the following day there should be a Solemn Procession both to return thanks to God and also in order to the averting of his Displeasure This Procession was made from the Lateran Church to S. Peter's with universal great Devotion the Pope himself with all that were present walking Bare-foot But in our times Piety and Devotion are grown so cold that such Expressions of Humility are not only laid aside but men are so proud as 〈◊〉 to vouchsale to pray at all Even the more eminent and dignisied persons instead of weeping at Procession or at Mass as these holy Fathers were wont to do are employed in indecent and shameless laughter 〈◊〉 of singing Hymns which they disdain as a servile thing they are breaking 〈◊〉 and telling Stories among themselves to make each other merry What should I say further the more petulant and full of Buffoonry any one is the more he is commended in such a corrupt Age. Our present Clergy does dread severe and grave Men as being more desirous to live thus licentiously than 〈◊〉 be obedient to good Admonitions and subject to wholesom Restraints by which means the 〈◊〉 Religion does daily suffer and decline I return to Stephen who when the Procession was over forthwith caused the Acts of the Council to be first openly pronounced by his Commissary and then published in Writing threatning Excommunication against any who should presume to oppose what the Holy Synod
Salutations and Respects having pass'd on both sides they entred the Church and being come up to the Altar Charles and the Pope the Romans and the French took a mutual Oath to maintain a perpetual Friendship and to be Enemies to the Enemies of each other After which Charles making his Entrance into the City devoutly visited all the Churches and made several Presents to them Four days after his being there he by Oath confirmed and amply enlarged the Donation of his Father Pipin to Gregory the third containing according to Anastasius in 〈◊〉 all that reaches from the long since demolished City Luna to the Alpes the Isle of Corfica and the whole Tract between Luca and Parma together with Friuli the Exarchate of Ravenna and the Dukedoms of Spoleto and Benevent These Affairs being thus setled Charles taking his leave of Adrian returns into Lombardy and becomes Master of Pavia on the sixth month after the investing of it Towards Desiderius however he was so favourable as that though he berest him of his Kingdom yet he spared his Life and only confined him with his Wife and Children to Lyons Advancing thence again Arachis Duke of Benevent who was Son-in-law to Desiderius and had been an Abettour of his rash Proceedings he soon forced him to sue for a Peace and received his two Sons for Hostages After this in his Passage farther he religiously visited Mount Cassino and confirmed all the Grants which had been made by other Princes to the Monastery of S. Benedict And so the Affairs of all Italy being composed and strong Guards left in the most important places of Lombardy he returns with great Spoil and mighty Glory into his Kingdom or France carrying with him his Brother Caroloman's Relict and Sons whom he always treated with Respect and Honour and also Paul a Deacon of the Church of Aquileia a Person for his Parts and Learning highly belov'd by Desiderius to whom he gave his Freedom and had for some time a great Esteem for him But understanding afterwards that the man was assisting to a Design of Desiderius's his Flight he banish'd him into the Island of Tremiti from whence after some years making his Escape and coming to Arachis at the Request of Adelperga Daughter to Desiderius and the Wife of Arachis he added two Books to the History of Eutropius giving an account of what passed from the time of the Emperour Julian to that of Justinian the first After the Death of Arachis he betook himself to the Monastery of Cassino where leading the remainder of his life very devoutly he oftentimes wrote elegant and obliging Letters to Charles and received again the like from that King who had preserved him for the sake of his Learning Thus ended the Kingdom of the Lombards in the two hundred and fourth year after their coming into Italy and in the year of our Lord seven hundred seventy six Charles now without any delay marches against the idolatrous Saxons who during his absence in Italy had rebelled uttterly subdues that People with whom he had been engaged in War for thirty years before and compells them to receive Christianity Then turning his Army against the Spaniards who were also fallen away from the Faith he took the Cities of Pampelona and Saragoza and permitted his Souldiers to plunder them not granting a Peace to these Spaniards but upon condition they would entirely embrace the Christian Doctrine After this returning into France matters having went according to his mind as he passed the Pyrenean Hills he fell into an Ambuscade of the Gascons in engaging with whom though he gallantly defended himself yet he lost Anselmus and Egibardus two brave Commanders Some tell us that in this Encounter Rolandus Charles's Sister's Son perished after he had made a great slaughter of the Enemy though whether he died of Thirst as is commonly said or of the wounds he received is uncertain At length these Gascons were vanquished by Charles and received from him the deserved Punishment of their Revolt and Perfidy At this time Taxillo Duke of Bojaria Desiderius's Son-in-law having gained the Huns to be on his side made an Attempt of War against the French which yet Charles by his great Expedition almost made an end of before it was quite begun and to him also upon Hostages given he granted a Peace While these things were transacting in France Constantine Emperour of the East was seized with a Leprosy from whence perhaps arose the groundless Opinion of the Leprosy of Constantine the Great through the confusion of their Names and dying left Leo the fourth his Successour who so strangely doated upon precious Stones that robbing the Church of S. Sophia of its Jewels he made with them a Crown of a vast weight and value which he wore so often that either through the Weight or from the coldness of the Stones in it he shortly fell sick and died The same I believe to have happened in our Time to Paul the Second who so effeminately prided himself in such Ornaments almost exhausting the Treasury of the 〈◊〉 to purchase Jewels at any rate that as often as he appeared publickly instead of wearing a plain Mitre he looked like the Picture of Cybele with Turrets on her Head from whence what with the weight of the Jewels and the sweat of his gross Body I am apt to think arose that Apoplexy of which he died suddenly After the Death of Leo his Relict Irene and his Son Constantine managing the Empire in a Council of three 〈◊〉 and fifty Bishops held the second time at Nice it was 〈◊〉 that whosoever mantained that the Images of the Saints were to be destroyed should be censured with perpetual Excommunication But young Constantine through the persuasion of some ill men about him treading in the Footsteps of his Father soon after revoked this Constitution and wholly deprived his Mother of any share in the Administration of Affairs Then putting away his Wife he received to his Bed and caused to be crowned Empress Theodora one of her Maids Moreover he gave Order to those Commanders he had in Italy to give disturbance to their Neighbours but they were at the first Message terrified from any Attempts by the prevailing Authority of Charles who at this time was advancing with his Forces against the Sclaves and Hunns or we may call them Hungarians because by their Incursions they had molested all the Countrey about the Danow whom having vanquished he marched into Franconia the Countrey of his Ancestours from whence the Franks or French derive their Name which Province he having with ease brought to his Devotion two years after Theophylact and Stephen two Bishops of great Note held a Synod of Frank and German Bishops wherein that which the Greeks called the Seventh Synod and the Felician Heresie touching the Destruction of Images was condemned Adrian being now by the Interest and Power of Charles secured from the fear of any warlike Incursions applies himself to the repairing the City
beautifying the Churches restoring the Aqueducts and such like publick Works which I need not particularly enumerate performed at his vast Expence But while he was employed in these matters there happened such an Inundation of the River Tyber as bore down a principal Gate and Bridg and several Buildings of the City and did otherwise great Damage In this Extremity Adrian took care to send Boats to convey Provisions to such as while the Waters were so high could not stir out of their Houses And afterwards he comforted with his Advice and supported with his Charity the principal sufferers in that Calamity nor did he spare any Cost in repairing the publick Loss In short Adrian left nothing undone that became a good Prince and excellent Pope defending the Christian Religion maintaining the Roman Liberty and asserting the Cause of the Poor the Orphans and Widows After he had held the Chair with great honour twenty three years ten months he died and was buried in S. Peters December the 27th LEO III. LEO the third a Roman Son of Azzupius was upon the account of Merit advanced to the Pontificate having been from his Youth so throughly educated and instructed in Ecclesiastical Learning that he deserved to be preferred before all others A modest upright and well-spoken Person and such a Favourer of learned Men that he encouraged them by the Proposal of generous Rewards to resort from all Parts to him and was wonderfully pleased with their Conversation Moreover to visit and exhort the sick to relieve the Poor to comfort the dejected and to reduce the erroneous by his Preaching and Admonition in which through his Art and Eloquence he had gained a great Perfection was his peculiar Providence He was naturally of a meek Temper a Lover of all Mankind slow to Anger ready to commiserate eminent for Piety and a vigorous Promoter and Defender of the Honour of God and his Church Hereupon he was as I have said unanimously elected to the Papal See on S. Stephen's day and the day following with general Acclamations seated in S. Peter's Chair At this time Irene Mother of Constantine the Emperour not being able to bear her Son 's ill Courses and being instigated thereto by certain of the Citizens returns to Constantinople puts out his Eyes and throws him into Prison where as an undutiful Son he miserably ended his days In the mean time Charles having Disturbance given him on many sides sends his Son Pipin against the Hungarians whom having worsted in several Engagements he at length totally subdued Adelphonsus likewise King of Asturia and Gallicia having received Auxiliary Forces from Charles vanquished the Saracens and took Lisbon upon the hearing of which Victory of his the Garrison of Barcelona forthwith yielded up to Charles Moreover the Bavarians who made Inroads upon the Inhabitants of Friuli were now overcome by Henry Charle's Lieutenant there At this time Leo with the Clergy and People being employed in the Solcmn Procession 〈◊〉 by Pope Gregory he was through the treachery of Paschal and Campulus two of the principal Clergy seized near the Church of S. Sylvester stripped of his Pontifical Habit so cruelly beaten and misused that it was thought he had been deprived both of his Sight and Speech and then closely imprisoned in the Monastery of S. Erasmus From whence yet soon after by the diligence of Albinus one belonging to his Bed-chamber he made his Escape and was secretly conveyed to the Vatican where he lay concealed till Vinigisius Duke of Spoleto being privately invited thereunto came and with a 〈◊〉 Guard of Soldiers to secure him on his way from any Violence which his Enemies might offer to him carried him off safely to Spoleto The Factious being not now able to wreak their malice upon the Persons of Leo and Albinus express their Rage in pulling down their Houses nay so hardy and daring were they as to go to Charles who was now making War upon the Saxons and to whom they understood Leo had repaired on purpose to complain of and accuse the Pope But Charles deferring the debate of the matter to another time sends the Pope to Rome with an honourable Retinue promising that himself would be there in a little time in order to the composing of the Affairs of Italy Leo in his passage being come as far as Ponte Molle was there in Honour met by the Clergy and People of Rome who congratulated his Return and introduced him into the City And Charles without making any long stay passing through Mentz and Noremberg into Friuli severely chastises the Citizens of Treviso for having put to Death Henry their Governour and having constituted another to succeed him in that Office he thence goes first to Ravenna and presently after to Rome where his Presence was earnestly desired and expected At his Entrance into the City all imaginable expressions of Honour as good reason was were made to him On the eighth day of his being there in the presence of the People and Clergy assembled in S. Peter's Church he asked all the Bishops who had come thither out of all the parts of Italy and France what their Opinion was concerning the Life aud Conversation of the Pope But Answer was made by all with one Voice that the Apostolick See the Head of all Churches ought to be judged by none especially not by a Laick Hereupon Charles laying aside any farther Enquiry into the matter Pope Leo who extreamly wished that he might be put upon that way of purging himself going up into the Pulpit and holding the Gospels in his hands declared upon his Oath that he was innocent of all those things which were laid to his Charge This was done on the thirteenth day of December A. D. 800. While things went thus at Rome Pipin by his Fathers Order advancing against the Beneventans who under Grimoald's Conduct made Inroads upon their Neighbours and having given them so many Defeats that at length they were scarce able to defend themselves within the Walls of their City he left the farther management of that War to Vinigisius Duke of Spoleto and returned to his Father who was now in a short time to be crowned Emperour For the Pope that he might make some Requital to Charles who had deserved so well of the Church and also because he saw that the Emperours of Constantinople were hardly able to maintain that Title upon which account Rome and all Italy had suffered great Calamities after Mass in S. Peter's Church with the Consent and at the Request of the People of Rome declares with a loud Voice the said Charles to be Emperour and put the Imperial Diadem upon his Head the People repeating thrice this Acclamation Long Life and Victory to Charles Augustus whom God has Crowned the Great and Pacifick Emperour Then the Pope annointed him and his Son Pipin whom in like manner he pronounced King of Italy Charles being now invested with Imperial Power gave Order that Campulus and Paschal the
Conspiratours against the Pope should be put to Death but the Pope who was all Clemency obtained a Pardon of their Lives and they were only banished into France After this there were some who would have persuaded Charles to ex pell all the Lombards out of Italy But that not appearing to be a safe course because they had mingled in Bloud and Affinity with multitudes of Families in Italy it was determined both by Charles and Leo that the Name of Lombard should remain there only where that Nation had chiefly had their Seat Pipin being now returned to Bonevent and having continued the Siege of that place for several months without success he turns his Arms against the City Chieti of which having after some Opposition made himself Master by Force he plunder'd and burnt it Upon the terrour whereof at his marching thence he had the Cities of Ortona and Luceria surrendred to him and in the latter he took Grimoald Duke of Benevent who not long after died of Grief In the mean time the Empress of Constantinople sending Ambassadours into Italy enters into a League with Charles their several Pretensions to Italy being thus adjusted viz. Irene was to have that Part which beginning on the one side from Naples and from Siponto a City now called Manfredonia on the other lies extended between the two Seas Eastward together with Sicily all Italy beside only excepting always those places which were under the Jurisdiction of the Church were by the Articles of Peace adjudged to be Charle's own But Nicephorus a Patrician stomaching to submit to the Dominion of a Woman having craftily seized Irene and banished her into Lesbos by his Ambassadours renews the League before entred into with Charles Which Charles at this time compelled the Saxons who had so often revolted to remove with their Wives and Children into France following them close in their Passage with his Army to prevent their committing any Disorders as they went along Pope Leo being perpetually disturbed by one Sedition after another leaving Rome goes to Mantua to see the Bloud of Christ which was now in great esteem for the Miracles said to be wrought there by it Having been received with great Respect and Affection by the Mantuans and approved it to be indeed Christ's Blood upon frequent Trial of the miraculous Effects of it he makes a Journey to Charles who was very desirous to know the Truth of this matter that he might certifie him concerning it and also that he might discourse with him about setling the Affairs of Italy Returning then to Rome and being assisted by King Pipin who had his Father's Order therein he proceeded to a gentle punishment of some of the chief Plotters and movers of Sedition Charles being now very aged having intelligence that Pipin was dead at Milain declares Lous his younger Son King of Aquitain and his Successour in the Empire and Bernard his Nephew King of Italy to whom he gave Charge that he should in all things be obedient to Louis To the Extent of the Empire he set these bounds in Gallia the Rhine and the Loyre in Germany the Danow and the Saw and to these Provinces he added Aquitain Gascoigne a great part of Spain Lombardy Saxony both the Pannonia's Istria Croatia and Dalmatia excepting only those parts of it scituate on the Sea-coast which were subject to the Emperour of Constantinople Having thus setled Affairs while he was at Aken for the recovery of his Health by the use of the hot Baths there he died of a Feaver and Pleurisie in the seventy second year of his Age January the 28. An. Dom. 815. His Body was with all imaginable Pomp and Solemnity interred in the Church of S. Mary which himself had built at Aken with this Inscription on his Tomb MAGNI CAROLI REGIS CHRISTIANISSIMI ROMANORVMQVE IMPERATORIS CORPVS HOC SEPVLCHRO CONDITUM JACET He was indeed whether we regard his management of Civil or Military matters so illustrious and excellent an Emperour that none of his Successours have either excelled or equalled him Moreover when leisure from other weighty Affairs permitted him he took such delight in the study of Learning that it was he who at the persuasion of Alcuinus first made Paris an University Of three Tables of Silver which he had one on which was engraven the City of Constantinople he gave to the Church of S. Peter another on which the City of Rome was described to the Church of Ravenna the third which some tell us was of Gold on which was a Map of the whole World he left to his Sons As for Pope Leo having repaired the Roof of S. Paul's which had fallen down in an Earthquake built from the ground a very capacious Hospital for Strangers near S. Peters's and ordained Litanies on the three days before Ascension-day on the first of which the Procession was to be from S Marie's ad Proesepe to the Lateran Chruch on the second from the Church of S. Sabina to S. Paul's and on the third from S. Cross to S. Laurence's without the Walls in the twenty first year of his Pontificate he died which year there appear'd a Comet thought by some to have been a Presage of so great a calamity He was buried in S. Peter's June the 12th and the See was vacant ten days STEPHEN IV. STEPHEN the fourth a Roman Son of Julius in the third Month of his Pontificate went into France to the Emperour Lewis though the reason of his Journey is not certainly known Some conjecture that it was to secure himself from the Reliques of the Faction and Conspiracy of Campulus which upon the Death of Leo prevailed afresh The Emperour Lewis surnamed the Godly was now at Orleans who assoon as he had intelligence of the Popes coming forthwith sends all the Persons of principal Quality to meet him and among others particularly Theudolphus Bishop of Orleans with the Clergy and a great part of the People And Louis Himself going forth a whole Mile for the same purpose assoon as he saw him alighted off his Horse and after mutual Salutations had passed between them introduced him very honourably into the City the Clergy going before and after repeating the Hymn called Te Deum Laudamus For Stephen was not only a Person of Noble Extraction but of such Learning and Integrity that he easily gain'd a general Veneration for Sanctity having been well instructed by an advantageous Education under those two pious Popes Adrian and Leo. Being entred into the City supported by the Emperour because of the croud of the People who press'd out of a desire to see him he was conducted to the Apartment appointed for him in the Palace where he often had Conferences with the Emperour about the composure of the Affairs of Italy besides the other frequent mutual Entertainments and Civilities that pass'd between them 〈◊〉 would have detained the Pope longer with him had he not now been engaged in such important Wars that it was
necessary he should oppose the Enemy in Person For both the Gascons had revolted whom in a short time he reduc'd and those of Bretaigne began to endeavour a change of Government whom in like manner by his Arms he kept in Obedience and moreover at an Assembly held at Aken he granted Peace to the Ambassadours sent from the Saracens inhabiting Saragosa Stephen being now upon his departure in Imitation of our Saviour who spared even his Enemies obtained of Louis that all those whom Charles had punished with Banishment or Imprisonment for their Conspiracy against Leo might have their Liberty He also carried with him a Cross of great Weight and Value made at the Charge of Louis and by him dedicated to S. Peter But returning to Rome he died in the seventh month of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peter's and by his Death the See was vacant eleven days PASCHAL I. PASCHAL a Roman Son of Bonosus was created Pope without any Interposition of the Emperours Authority Whereupon at his first Investiture in that Office he forthwith sends Nuntio's to Louis excusing himself and laying all the blame upon the Clergy and People of Rome who had forcibly compell'd him to undertake it Louis accepting this for Satisfaction from Paschal sends to the Clergy and People admonishing them to observe the ancient Constitution and to beware how they presum'd for time to come to infringe the Rights of the Emperour Also in the Assembly held at Aken he associated to himself in the Empire his eldest Son Lotharius and declared Pipin his second Son King of Aquitain and Louis his third Son King of Bavaria But Bernardus King of Italy having upon the Instigation of certain Bishops and seditious Citizens revolted from the Empire and compelled some Cities and States to swear Allegiance to himself Louis being hereat incensed sends a strong Army into Italy whose Passage over the Alpes Bernardus endeavouring to oppose he was vanquished The Heads of the Rebellion being taken were presently cut off and Bernardus himself though he very submissively begg'd forgiveness was put to Death at Aken Those Bishops who had been Authors of the mischief were by a Decree of Synod confined into several Monasteries This Tumult for so it was rather than a War being thus composed Louis moves with his Army against the Saxons rebelling now afresh and overcomes and slays Viromarchus their hardy Chief who aspired to the Kingdom After this he sends his Son Lotharius whom he had declared King of Italy to the Pope by whom he was anointed in the Church of S. Peter's with the Title of Augustus But there arising great Commotions in Italy and Lotharius seeing himself unable to withstand them he goes to his Father in order to provide greater Force Upon which Theodorus the Primicerius and Leo the Nomenclator having had their Eyes first pull'd out were murdered in a Tumult in the Lateran Palace There was some who laid the blame of this Disorder upon Paschal himself but he in a Synod of thirty Bishops did both by Conjectures and by Reasons and by his Oath purge himself of it Louis rested himself satisfied herewith and as Anastasius tells us that no future Disturbance might arise from uncertain Pretensions writing to Paschal he declared in his Letters what Cities of Tuscany were subject to the Empire viz. Arezzo Volterra Chiusi Florence which had been repaired and enlarged by his Father Charles the Great Pistoia Luca Pisa Peragia and Orvieto the others he allowed to be under the Jurisdiction of the Church of Rome He added moreover Todi in Umbria and Romagna beyond the Appennine with the Exarchate of Ravenna The same Anastasius says that Louis granted to Paschal a free Power the same which he also tells us was given by Charles to Pope Adrian of chusing Bishops whereas before the Emperours were wont to be advised and their consent and Confirmation desired in the Case Our Paschal who for his Piety and Learning had been by Pope Stephen made Prior of the Monastery of S. Stephen in the Vatican being now in the Chair both caused the Bodies of several Saints which before lay neglectedly to be conveyed into the City with great Solemnity and honourably interred and also by paying their Creditors procured the Release of divers poor Prisoners He also built from the ground the Church of S. Praxedes the B. Martyr not far from the old one which through Age and the Clergy's neglect was run to Ruin This Church having consecrated he oftentimes celebrated Mass in it and also reposited therein the Bodies of many Saints which lay about unregarded in the Coemeteries In the same Church was an Oratory dedicated to S. Agnes which he made very stately and ornamental Moreover he built the Church of S. Cecily as appears still by an Inscription on the Nave of it in which he in like manner reposited the Bodies of that Virgin her self and her affianced Husband Valerianus as also of Tiburtius and Maximus Martyrs and Urban and Lucius Bishops of Rome adorning it with all kinds of Marble and enriching it with Presents of Gold and Silver He also repaired the Church of S. Mary ad Praesepe that had been decayed by Age and alter'd the Nave of it to advantage In fine having been very exemplary for Religion and Piety Good Nature and Bounty after he had been in the Chair seven years two months seven days he died and was buried in S. Peter's The See was then vacant only four days EUGENIUS II. EUGENIUS the second a Roman Son of Boemundus was for his Sanctity Learning Humanity and Eloquence unanimously chosen into the Pontificate at that time particularly when Lotharius coming into Italy made choice of a Magistrate for the Administration of Justice and Execution of the Laws among the People of Rome who after a long and heavy Servitude had enjoyed some Liberty under the Emperour Charles and his Sons In the mean time Louis after he had for forty days been spoiling and laying waste the Countrey of Bretagne with Fire and Sword having received Hostages he goes to Roan and there gives Audience to the Ambassadours of 〈◊〉 Emperour of Constantinople who came to consult what his Opinion was concerning the Images of the Saints whether they were to be utterly abolished and destroyed or kept up and restored again But 〈◊〉 referred them to the Pope who was principally concerned to determine in the Matter After this he marched against the Bulgarians who were now making Inrodes into the Pannonia's and at first repelled them but Haydo Governour of Aquitain upon confidence of 〈◊〉 Forces from Abderamann King of the Saracens having rebelled he was obliged to quit this War and so the Bulgarians in an hostile manner march'd without controll through the middle of the hostile manner march'd without controll through the 〈◊〉 of the Pannonia's into Dalmatia But before Louis advanced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great part of Spain had revolted to Haydo who sent out a 〈◊〉 which annoyed the Sea-port Towns all
about Only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Barcelona though he had disturbance given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Land yet continued firm to the Emperour Our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Gifts of Body and Mind and despising the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fortune applyed himself to Works of Bounty and 〈◊〉 and particularly took so much care in the matter of Provision 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sorts of it and especially Grain was no where cheaper than at 〈◊〉 Moreover he supported the Lives and defended the Cause of the Poor the Fatherless and Widow in such a manner that he deservedly gain'd the name of the Father of the Poor The same course 〈◊〉 living he also took before his Pontificate both while he was a 〈◊〉 of S. Sabina in the Aventine which Church when he came to be Pope he beautified and also while he was Arch-Priest of the Lateran Church from which place he was afterwards for his great Merit by an unanimous Choice advanced to the Papal Chair By his Procurement and Intercession likewise all the Prisoners and Exiles in France returned at 〈◊〉 to Rome who being strip'd of all they 〈◊〉 were relieved and supported by his Charity Nor was it his fault that Sico Duke of Benevent did not quit the Siege of 〈◊〉 which he at this time reduced to great Straits and carried from thence the Body of S. Ianuarius to Benevent where he honourably 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Great Church with Desiderius and 〈◊〉 For the Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voured to persuade Sico to undertake an Expedition against the Sara cens who had already possess'd themselves of Palermo in Sicily 〈◊〉 good Man having after this manner continued four years in the 〈◊〉 died lamented of all who grieved for themselves rather 〈◊〉 for him to whom Death was a welcom Passage into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was buried in S. Peter's VALENTINE I. VALENTINE a Roman son of Leontius being only a Deacon not a Priest was yet for his extraordinary Sanctity deservedly preferred to the Pontificate Nor will it appear strange if we consider that having from his Youth upwards been instructed in Learning and Piety by chose good Popes Paschal and 〈◊〉 he did not give his Mind to Pleasures and Sports as most young men are wont to do but applied himself to the acquiring of knowledg by the reading of the Antients and the Rule of good living from the Example of holy Bishops He was moreover a Person of such ready Parts and prevailing Eloquence that he had a great Facility in persuading to or against what he pleased without offering any thing that was not found learned and decent Finally both in his private Station and while he was Pope he came 〈◊〉 none of his Predecessours in Devotion Mercy and Charity For these Reasons he was unanimously elected to the Chair but 〈◊〉 as a punishment upon the sins of that Age he died on the fortieth day of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peter's all People lamenting that they were bereft of such a Man who if he had lived would have been an almost impregnable Support to the Roman Liberty and the Christian Religion While the See was vacant Sicardus Duke of 〈◊〉 who after his Father's Death ruled tyrannically for the want of a Bride which he expected cast Deus-dedit Abbot of Monte Cassino into Prison where he died with the Reputation of being a Holy Man GREGORY IV. GREGORY the fourth a Roman Son of John and Cardinal of S. Mark entred upon the Pontificate at the time when the Saracens possess'd of Asia shut up the Passage to the Holy Land from the Christians and the Moors passing with their Fleet into 〈◊〉 wasted a great part of that Island having as is already said made themselves Masters of Palermo Nor could the Venetians though at the Desire of Michael Emperour of Constantinople they sailed thither check their Proceedings the Moors having more Ships and Men than they The State of Venice was now in its Increase having had it 's Original from the Veneti at the time when Attila with his 〈◊〉 took and destroyed Aquileia Concordia Altino with other Cities of the Province anciently called Venetia that People having no other 〈◊〉 against the Cruelty of the 〈◊〉 but only the Fens and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Patricius was now Duke of Venice whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chuse to mention because in his time the Body of S. Mark was by some Venetian Merchants brought from Alexandria to Venice where that Saint is now had in great Veneration a most magnificent Church being in the principal part of the City built and dedicated to him and adorned and enriched with very great Donations And srom hence it was that the Venetians first bore upon their Standards and Banners the Picture of S. Mark as the Patron of their City But Gregory understanding that the Venetians were not able to expel these Barbarians out of the Island sends to Louis and Lotharius desiring them to send Aid to the Sicilians at the first Opportunity They were very shy of the Business allcdging that that War belonged to Michael Emperour of Constantinople but yet declared themselves ready to 〈◊〉 their share of Men and Moneys for the undertaking of it But in the mean time while Ambassadours were sent srom one to the other about that Assair Boniface Earl of Corsica with his Brother Bertarius and the Assistance of some of the People of Tuscany sailing into Asrica engaged four times with the Enemy between Vtica and Carthage where he made so great a Slaughter that the Moors were forced as formerly in Scipio's time to re-call their Forces from Sicily to the Succour of their own Countrey in Distress and by this means Sicily was delivered from them Boniface then returns with his victorious Fleet laden with vast Spoils from Africa into Corsica Some there are that write that during this 〈◊〉 in Italy the Emperour Lotharius envying the preference that his 〈◊〉 Louis did in all matters give to his youngest Brother Charles afterwards surnam'd the Bald he put him in Prison but soon after set him sree and that the Barbarians taking hold of the opportunity embark'd in a great Fleet from Asrica for Italy and arriv'd at Centum Celloe which City since call'd Civilavecchia some will have to be demolish'd by 'em and that from 〈◊〉 marching to Rome they took that City but this is not probable What is said concerning Centum-Celloe I shall not deny and I doubt not but that they attempted the taking of Rome it self but Guy Marquess of Lombardy defended it so stoutly that having burnt the Suburbs and the Churches of SS Peter and Paul in the Via Latina they withdrew to Monte-Cassino where they destroy'd the Town of S. German and the Monastery of S. Benet which slood on the Hill and going down to the Sea-side near the River Garigliano whither their Fleet was brought from Ostia they invaded Tarentum and Sicily and as I said before were recalled home by their own Countrey-men at that time broken in War by the Valour of Boniface I take it to be
about this time that the Body of the Apostle S. Bartholomew was translated from Lipari in Sicily to Beneventum by Sicardus Prince of that place who was personally present in this great War lest the Body of the Holy Apostle should fall into the hands of the Enemies of the name of Christ. But to return to Gregory He was a person of so much Modesty that though he were chosen as well by the Clergy as People of Rome yet he would not take upon him the Office of Pope till he was confirmed by those Ambassadours of the Emperour Louis who had been dispatch'd by him to Rome that they might 〈◊〉 an Election of so great moment This was not done by Louis out of Pride but with respect to the Preservation of the Imperial Prerogative he being naturally very kind and gracious and one that always took care of the Dignity and Privileges of the Church For he ordain'd that they who should take upon 'em a Religious Life should be exempt from all secular services and that every Church should be endowed with such a certain income as that the Priests might live without being forced for want of necessaries to forsake the Divine Service or to take up any Trade Beside in the Year 830. he held a Synod of a great many Bishops designed for the honour of God and the advantage of the Church wherein it was ordained that noither Bishops nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 degree soever should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sumptuous and gaudy Apparel 〈◊〉 Silk 〈◊〉 or embroidered nor that they should wear on their Fingers any precious stones except Prelates at Mass nor that Gold or 〈◊〉 should be used on their Girdles Shooes or Pantosles which 〈◊〉 is far from all Religion and a manifest sign of great 〈◊〉 and vanity Would to God Lewis thou mightest live in our times Thy holy Institutions thy Censures are wanting in the Church at this present when the Clergy let themselves loose to all manner of luxury and pleasure You may see now not only the Men in Scarlet and Purple which perhaps would be no great matter but even their Horses and Beasts of Carriage and when they march in State a number of Footmen must go before them and they must be follow'd by another retinue of Priests not riding upon Asses as Christ did who was the Author of our Religion and the only pattern of well living on earth but upon Steeds pamper'd add betrapped as if they came in triumph 〈◊〉 a vanquish'd Enemy 'T would be to no purpose to speak of their Silver Vessels their choice Houshold-stuss and Dishes of Meat when in comparison of them the dainties of Sicily the most magnificent Apparel and the Plate of Corinth would be thought of no value What will be the effect of this Exorbitance I shall not determine here lest I should seem to pry into the decrees of Heaven I return to Lewis who by these means taking care as well for Religion as the Public 〈◊〉 died in the 36. year of his Empire and lies buried in the Church of S. 〈◊〉 He was not long after follow'd by our Pope Gregory remarkable for his birth famous for his sanctity notable for Learning and Eloquence and worthy of admiration for his care and diligence in both Spiritual and Civil affairs For he did after an extraordinary manner consult the good of the People by containing the wealthy in their duty by feeding the poor comforting the hopeless and reducing those that went astray into the right way by wholesom admonitions he also restor'd many Churches which time had ruined Those that were 〈◊〉 to H. Orders he kept to their duty as long as he liv'd by his advice and example This holy Pope translated the Body of S. Gregory and very much adorning it he placed it where now it lies where many people in those times either out of devotion or for the sake of some Vow were wont to keep watch 〈◊〉 said that the Bodies of S. Sebastian and Tiburtius were also translated by him from the Cemeteries in which they lay before to the Church of S. Peter Some Authors say that Gregory at the request of Lewis instituted the Feast of All-Saints on the first day of November which act of his was much commended both in Prose and Verse by Rabanus a Monk a famous Divine for in both those ways of writing that learned Man was excellent especially considering the Age he liv'd in The same 〈◊〉 also wrote Commentaries on the Books of Chronicles and 〈◊〉 He made eloquent Sermons to the people but that of his is chiefly celebrated which he made upon All-Saints day Gregory died in the 16. year of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peter's Church after which the See was void 15. days SERGIUS SERGIUS the second a Roman whose Father was nam'd Sergius of the fourth Ward came to the Popedom at the same time that Michael Emperour of Constantinople died 'T is said that this Sergius was surnamed Bocca di Porco or Hogs-mouth which for shame of it he changed for Sergius and that from thence came the Custom down to our times that when any one is made Pope he laid by his own name and took one of some of his Predecessours though all have not observ'd it However it was 't is certain 〈◊〉 Sergius came of a noble Family and degenerated not from his Ancestors being assisted in his good Inclinations by Leo III. Stephen IV. Eugenius II. and Gregory IV. under whose tuition he lived so well that upon the Death of Gregory he alone was thought worthy of the Pontifical Dignity At that time there was so great a feud between the Sons of Lewis about the division of the Empire that Lewis and Charles gave their Brother Lotharius Battel in the Countrey of Auxerre near Fontenay where many on both sides were slain Lotharius losing the day fled first to Aken but being forc'd from thence by the pursuing Enemy he convey'd himself with his Wife and Children to Vienna Hither also he was follow'd by his Brother with their Army to whom not only many of the great men of the Empire came but several also were sent by Pope Sergius to endeavour to make Peace between them the chief of whom was George Arch-Bishop of Ravenna who having been before to make up the matter was present with Lotharius in the second Battel and the Victory inclining to 〈◊〉 and Lewis he lost all his Train there of 300 Horsemen and hardly escap'd alone from the slaughter But these men at last looking with pity upon the misery and ruin under which the whole Empire lay procur'd a Peace upon these terms viz. That the Western part of the Empire which reach'd from the British Ocean to the Maese should be subject to Charles and the name of Franks should continue to the Inhabitants That all Germany as far as the River Rhine and so much on the other side of it as his Father had been possess'd of should be allotted to Lewis and that Lotharius
should with the title of Emperour hold the City of Rome with Italy and that part of France which was formerly call'd Gallia Narbonensis now Provence To this they added that Countrey lying between the Rivers Scheld and Roan which as I suppose now took the name of Lotharingia Lorain from Lotharius Matters being thus composed Lotharius sends his Son Lewis whom he had taken into a Partnership in the Empire into Italy with a mighty Army giving him for Companions Drogon Bishop of Metz and others of the Clergy eminent for Prudence and Gravity by whose advice he was to govern himself But the young man being puss'd up with his great fortune wheresoever he march'd sill'd the Countrey with slaughter rapine and destruction Yet when he approach'd the City and the Citizens of Rome came out of respect to meet him laying by his Gaulish sierceness he grew more mild because contrary to his expectation he found that he might enter the City without force of Arms. The Religious also came a mile out of the City to meet him with their Crucifixes singing Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the Highest Thus they accompanied him as far as the steps of S. Peter's Church where meeting the Pope they reciprocally kissed and greeted each other and went together to the Silver Gates which were not opened Then said the Pope If thou comest hither with peaceable and friendly intentions and if thou hast more regard to the advantage of Christianity than to the pleasure of exercising cruelty and rapine then with my good will thou mayest enter if thou art otherwise minded touch not these Gates for over thy head hangs a Sword which will certainly avenge any such wickedness But when he had given the Pope assurance immediately the doors were thrown open Hereupon a multitude of Romans and Franks entring pel-mel as soon as they came to the Altar of S. Peter they all kneeling down together gave thanks to God Almighty and to the Prince of the Apostles that matters had been carried according to their minds without hurt to any body this was done upon the Monday after Whitson-day But soon after the Suburbs were sack'd by the Soldiers and it wanted little but that they had got into the City for the same end so that the eighth day aster their coming the Pope anointed Lewis with the holy Oil crown'd him and declar'd him King of Italy Soon after came Siconolfus Prince of Beneventum to congratulate him and then the multitude was such that the Trees were lopt the Beasts driven away and even the standing-Corn cut down that their Horses might not want Provender The Pope therefore easily agreed to all their requests if they were reasonable that he might the sooner rid the City of them and the Romans being now delivered from the fear of their tyrannical Barbarity celebrated their Pope as the true Vicar of Christ and the only Father of his Countrey He betaking himself to the beautifying of Churches reslor'd that of SS Sylvester and Martin which time had ruin'd and in it together with those of the two Confessors he plac'd the Bodies of Fabianus Stephanus Sotherius Asterius Cyriacus Maurus Smaragdus Anastasius Innocentius Quirinus Leo Arthemius Theodorus and Nicander He built also near that Church from the foundation a Monaslery dedicated to SS Peter and Paul where Mass was incessantly sung But at last this holy Pope having manag'd the assairs of the Church with great integrity and success in the third year of his Pontisicate died and was buried in S. Peter's Church The Sea was vacant upon his death fifteen days LEO IV. LEO the fourth a Roman son of Radulphus was in the year 848. by a general consent elected Pope and very deservedly for he was one that whilst he liv'd a private life was very eminent for Religion Innocence Piety Good Nature Liberality and especially for Ecclesiastical Learning He was a person of so much Prudence and Courage that as the Gospel directs he could when it was necessary imitate either the Wisdom of the Serpent or the Innocence of the Dove So general was the good Report of him that Pope Sergius II. was persuaded to create this pattern of Virtue a Priest from a Sub-deacon and to give him the Title and Church Sanctorum quatuor Coronatorum from whence upon the death of Sergius he was brought to the Lateran Church and plac'd in S. Peter's Chair being universaily saluted as Pope all that were present according to ancient Custom kissing his feet There are some of opinion that by the prayers of this good man it was that God was mov'd to repress the rage of the Saracens by drowning their Fleet as they were returning home laden with Spoil For they having overcome Theodotius Admiral to the Emperor Michael in a Sea-fight near Tarentum they ravag'd far and near through Italy without opposition and having taken and sack'd Ancona and harass'd the Coast of Dalmatia when they were returning triumphantly to their own Countrey it pleased God they were cast away at Sea by storm So that Leo being free from his fear of the Saracens betook himself to publick works and caused Benches of Marble to be plac'd in the entrance to the Lateran Cloister and finish'd the Gallery which Leo III. had begun This good Prelate ordain'd that yearly in the Church of S. Paul on the Birth-day of that Apostle Vesper's should be said by all the Clergy He prohibited all Lay-men entrance into the Chancel during Divine Service About this time at his command solemn Supplications were made to avert Gods anger which the frequent Earthquakes seem'd to threaten He adorn'd after an extraordinary manner the Cross which Charles the Emperor had given to the Basilica Constantiniana which had been pilfer'd of the precious stones that belong'd to it 'T is sure he was a man of so great sanctity that by his Prayers he drove away out of an Arch in S. Lucie's Church a Basilise call'd by the Latins Regulus which with its breath and poison had kill'd many and by the sign of the Cross he stop'd a great fire which had burn'd down the quarter where the Saxons and Lombards liv'd and reach'd very near S. Peter's Church This happened the eighth day after the Assumption of our Lady which day was afterward kept as a Festival without the walls not far from S. Laurence's Church where stood a Church dedicated to the B. Virgin to which this munificent Pope had made many donaries of Gold and Silver Beside this he finished the Mosaic work in the Churches of SS Martin and Silvester in montibus and the Pargetting which Scrgius had begun as the Inscription shews which is all that is lest the painting being long since perish'd either for want of care or by time and rottenness He took care also that the Cross of Gold which uses to be born before the Pope was deck'd with precious stones and neglected no manner of Ornament that might contribute to the honour
of the Christian name He re-edified the City-Walls and Gates that had suffer'd by Age and raised from the Ground fifteen Forts 〈◊〉 the defence of the City of which two were very necessary one 〈◊〉 the right 〈◊〉 other on the left hand of the Tiber below the Hills Janiculus and Aventinus to hinder the Ships of any Enemy from entring the Town He by his diligence found out the Bodies of the Sancti quatuor coronati and built a Church to them after a magnificent manner and reposited their bodies under the Altar viz. Sempronianus Claudius Nicostratus Castorius to which he added those of Severus Severianus Carpophorus Victorinus Marius Felicissimus Agapetus Hippolytus Aquila Priscus Aquinus Narcissus Marcellinus Felix Apollos Benedict Venantius Diogenes Liberalis Festus Marcellus the head of S. Protus Cecilia Alexander Sixtus Sebastian Praxedes But while he was diligently intent upon these Affairs as became so holy a man news was brought that the Saracens were coming with a huge Fleet to sack the City and that the Neapolitans and the Inhabitants upon that shore would come to his assistance whereupon with what forces he could raise he march'd to Ostia and summon'd thither the Auxiliaries designing upon the first opportunity to fight the Enemy But first this holy Pope exhorted his Souldiers to receive the Sacrament which being devoutly perform'd he prayed to God thus O God whose right hand did support the blessed Peter when he walk'd upon the Waves and sav'd him from drowning and delivered from the deep his fellow-Apostle Paul when he was thrice shipwrack'd hear us mercifully and grant that for their merits the hands of these thy faithful ones fighting against the Enemies of thy holy Church may by thy almighty arm be confirm'd and strengthened that thy holy Name may appear glorious before all Nations in the Victory that shall be gained Having pronounc'd this by making the sign of the Cross he gave the signal for Battel and the onset was made by his Souldiers with great briskness as if they had been sure of Victory which after a tedious Dispute was theirs the Enemies being put to flight many of them perish'd in the fight but most were taken alive and brought to Rome where the Citizens would have some of them hang'd without the City for a 〈◊〉 to the rest very much against the mind of Leo who was very remarkable for Gentleness and Clemency but it was not for him to oppose the rage of a multitude Those that were taken alive Leo made use of in 〈◊〉 those Churches which the Saracens had heretofore ruin'd and burnt and in building the Wall about the Vatican which from his own name he call'd 〈◊〉 Leonina This he did lest the Enemy should with one slight assault take and sack the Church of S. Peter as heretofore they were wont The Gates also had his Prayers for upon that which leads to S. Peregrin this was graven in Marble O God who by giving to thy Apostle S. Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven didst 〈◊〉 upon him the Pontifical Authority of binding and loosing grant that by the help of his intercession we may be delivered from all mischievous Attempts and that this City which now with thy assistance I have newly founded may be free or ever from thine anger and may have many and great Victories over those Enemies against whom it is built And on the second Gate near S. Angelo that leads into the fields were these words O God who from the beginning of the World didst vouchsafe to preserve and establish this holy Catholick and Apostolical Church of Rome mercifully blot 〈◊〉 the hand-writing of our iniquity and grant that this City which we assisted by the Intercession of the Apostles Peter and Paul have newly dedicated to thy holy name may remain secure from the evil machinations of its Enemies The third was on the front of the Gate by which we go to the Saxons School in these words Grant we beseech thee almighty and merciful God that crying to thee with our whole heart and the blessed Apostle Peter interceding for us we may obtain thy favour We continually beg of thy mercy that the City which I thy servant Leo IV. Bishop of Rome have dedicated anew and called Leonina from my own name may continue safe and prosperous This City he began in the first year of his Pontificate and finish'd in his sixth and gave it to be a habitation for the men of Corsica who had been driven out of that Island by the Saracens to each of whom also he assign'd a piece of ground for his maintenance But I wonder now that another Inscription is to be read on these Gates in dull Hexameter Verse which I cannot by any means think to be Leo's though it go under his name Of the Spoils of the Saracens he made several donations of Gold and Silver to the Churches of Rome Some write that 't was by his command that S. Mary's Church in the new street and the Tower in the Vatican next S. Peter's now to be seen were built Beside he restor'd the Silver-door of S. Peter which had been pillag'd by the Saracens He held a Synod of 47. Bishops wherein Anastasius Presbyter Cardinal of S. Marcellus was by the Papal Canons convict of several Crimes upon which he was condemned and excommunicate the chief allegation being that for five years he had not resided in his Parish Moreover he brought Colonies from Sardinia and Corsica which now upon the repulse of the 〈◊〉 had some respite and planted them in Hostia which partly by reason of the unhealthiness of the Air and partly by being so often 〈◊〉 was left without Inhabitants Lastly he fully satisfied Lotharius who having been inform'd that Leo was upon a design of translating the Empire to the Constantinopolitans came himself to Rome But the Informers being caught in Lies received condign punishment and the friendship was on both sides renewed 'T is said that Johannes Scotus a learned Divine liv'd at this time who coming into France by the command of K. Lewis translated S. Dionysius's Book de Hierarchia out of Greek into Latin but was soon after as they say stab'd with a Bodkin by some of his Scholars but the occasion of this villanous act is not any where recorded 'T is said too that now Ethelwolph K. of England out of devotion made his Countrey tributary to the Church of Rome by charging a penny yearly upon every house Our holy Pope Leo having deserv'd well of the Church of God of the City of Rome and of the whole Christian name for his Wisdom Gravity Diligence Learning and the Magnificence of his works died in the eighth year third month and sixth day of his Pontificate on the 17. day of July and was buried in S. Peter's Church The Sea was then void two months and fifteen days JOHN VIII JOHN of English Extraction but born at Mentz is said to have arriv'd at the Popedom by evil Arts for disguising
her self like a Man whereas she was a Woman she went when young with her Paramour a learned man to Athens and made such progress in Learning under the Professors there that coming to Rome she met with few that could equal much less go beyond her even in the knowledge of Scriptures and by her learned and ingenious readings and disputations she acquir'd so great respect and authority that upon the death of Leo as Martin says by common consent she was chosen Pope in his room But suffering afterward one of her Domesticks to lie with her she hid her big-belly a while till as she was going to the Lateran Church between the Colossean Theatre so call'd from Nero's Coloss and S. Clement's her travail came upon her and she died upon the place having sat two years one month and four days and was buried there without any pomp Some say the Pope for shame of the thing does purposely decline going through that street when he goes to the Lateran and that to avoid the like Error when any Pope is first plac'd in the Porphyry Chair which has a hole made for the purpose his Genitals are handled by the youngest Deacon As for the first I deny it not but for the second I take the reason of it to be that he who is plac'd in so great authority may be minded that he is not a God but a man and obnoxious to necessities of Nature as of easing his body whence that Seat hath the name of Sedes stercoraria This story is vulgarly told but by very uncertain and obscure Authors and therefore I have related it barely and in short lest I should seem obstinate and pertinacious if I had omitted what is so generally talk'd I had better mistake with the rest of the World though it be certain that what I have related may be thought not altogether incredible Some say that at this time the Body of S. Vincent was brought by a Monk from Valentia in Spain to a Village in Albigeois in France They say too that Lotharius being now aged taking on him a Monastic habit 〈◊〉 the Empire to his Son Lewis who passing into Germany by his presence composed matters there which otherwise threatned a War BENEDICT III. BENEDICT the third by birth a Roman Son of Peter he was deservedly called Benedictus for the Sanctity of his Life and his knowledg in Divinity For while he lived under Gregory he was made by him Sub-Deacon and thenceforward led so exemplary a life that upon the death of Leo he onely was thought worthy to succeed so great a Pope To him therefore they address themselves as to a kind Angel by God sent down to them and presently declare him Pope He weeping and calling God and his holy Saints to witness profess'd himself utterly unworthy of so high a dignity But the Election being universally lik'd and applauded he at last unwillingly accepted of the Office was brought to the Lateran and plac'd in S. Peter's Chair whence he was led upon a white Horse to the Church of S. Mary maggiore where he spent three days in Fasting and Prayer begging God to grant that he might govern his Church with integrity and holiness The third day past the People came thither again and according to custom kissed his feet especially those of the faction of Rhodoardus Bishop of Porto who the day before had attempted to set up instead of Benedict one Anastasius an obscure man who had been turned out of his Bishoprick by Leo but now finding their error they asked pardon and becoming of the right opinion they also made the usual adoration to this holy man As likewise did the Embassadours sent to Rome by the Emperor Lewis to confirm the Election of the Clergy and Laity The next day he was attended by the People to S. Peter's Church where being according to custom and ancient tradition publickly consecrated he received the insignia of his Office with unanimous shouts and acclamations For he was a man of so sweet a temper and so great modesty both in his mind and aspect that as well in his publick managements as in his private station he gain'd the love and respect of all men And now setting his mind on the service of God he repair'd many Churches almost tottering with age and increased their Treasures He ordain'd that the Pope and Clergy should accompany the funerals of Bishops Priests and Deacons as well to honour their Corps as to pray for their Souls and that the Clergy should in like manner attend the Funerals of Popes and what he had thus ordain'd himself observ'd punctually as long as he liv'd for he was always present at the burials of the Priests He was a frequent visiter of the sick a nursing Father to the poor a comforter of the miserable and hopeless a zealous patron of the Widow and Fatherless And in thus doing having spent a most holy life late enough for himself but too soon for the people of Rome he died having sate two years six months and nine days and was buried before S. Peter's Church-doors The Sea then was vacant fifteen days NICOLAS I. NICOLAS the first a Roman born Son of Theodosius was ingenuously and religiously educated from his Childhood and made first Sub-deacon by Sergius then Deacon by Leo. In which Order he stood when with great piety and many tears he laid the body of Benedict in the Grave whose Exequies being perform'd it was necessary to think of a Successor and the People hereupon press'd the Divine Majesty with prayers watchings and fastings that he would vouchsafe them as good a Pope as him they had lost After a long consultation in the Church of S. Denys Pope and Confessor where they convened for this purpose they chose this Nicolas Pope but he was absent and upon hearing the news fled into the Vatican and there hid himself to avoid the Dignity where at length they found him brought him to the Lateran and plac'd him however unwilling in the Apostolical Chair Being consecrated in S. Peter's Church and agreeably to custom having put on the Pontifical Mitre he concerted several affairs with the Emperor Lewis relating to the Popedom and to the Empire Lewis afterwards leaving Rome staid at a place the Romans call Quinto whether 't is said Nicolas went attended by the great men of the City and was honourably received for the Emperor came a mile to meet him and alighting took his Horse-bridle in his hand and led him into the Camp And indeed he was a man of so great veneration and majesty and of so much learning and eloquence that like the Deity he 〈◊〉 respect from all men After some repast they held a long and private Conference and then having kiss'd each other the Pope return'd to Rome which he found so overflow'd by an extraordinary rise of the Tiber that there was no passing from street to street but in boats S. Laurence's Church and the Monastery of S. Sylvester
with all the low part between Via lata Campidoglio and the Aventine was so much under water that another deluge was feared many houses were born down by it Trees forc'd up by the roots and Corn that was sown was quite wash'd away and the same happened again the same year in December To make up these losses or to make them more tolerable the Pope omitted no manner of good Office or kindness to the Citizens At this time Michael Son of Theophilus Emperor of Constantinople sent Embassadors with Presents to Rome to visit the Apostolick Sea and his Holiness The Presents were a large Paten and Chalice of Gold with precious stones of great value This was that Michael who having taken Basilius to be his Partner in the Empire was murdered by him that he might reign alone His Embassadors were kindly received and sent home with Presents Nicolas being earnestly intent upon the Conservation of the Pontifical Dignity deprived John Arch Bishop of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 to obey a Citation from the Apostolic Chair to answer some accusations Whereupon he goes to Pavia and procures of the Emperor Lewis commendatory Letters to the Pope and to his Embassadors that they should get leave that Arch-bishop John should have a safe conduct to come to Rome and plead his own Cause which the Pope readily granted And John in a great Convention of Prelates being allow'd liberty of Speech onely confess'd himself guilty and beg'd pardon of the Pope and of all that were present By which Confession and the Intercession of the Auditors the Pope was persuaded to receive him into favour upon these Conditions That he should 〈◊〉 his Error before the Synod that he should promise to come to Rome once a year if possible that he should not be capable of consecrating any Bishop in Romagna however canonically elected without leave first obtain'd from the Sea Apostolick and that he should not hinder any of those Bishops from coming to Rome as often as they pleased that he should not introduce any exaction custom or usage contrary to the sacred Canons and lastly that under the penalty of Anathema he should not alter or meddle with the treasure of holy Church without the consent of the Pope nor should without the same allowance receive any thing secular These holy Institutions were so highly approved by the whole Synod that thrice they all shouted Righteous is the judgment of the supreme Prelate just is the decree of the Universal Bishop All Christians agree to this wholsom Institution We all say think and judg the same thing Then John in the sight of them all took his Oath and gave it under his hand that he would observe the Articles Thus the Convocation was dissolved and John return'd to Ravenna The Pope having overcome this trouble rebuilt the Church of our Lady then call'd the Old afterwards the New Church and adorned it with excellent Paintings He by Letters and good Admonitions converted the King of Bulgaria to the Christian Faith with all his Realm to whom he sent Bishops and Priests to confirm the young 〈◊〉 driving out Photinus who had craftily disseminated erroneous Opinions among them He procured a Peace between Lewis the Emperor and Andalisio Duke of Benevent and repelled the Saracens who had made an Incursion as far as the same Benevent Lastly with the consent of the Emperor he decreed that no Emperor or other Lay-man should thrust himself into any Convocation of the Clergy except the debate was concerning matters of Faith and then his Opinion was that they might reasonably be present 'T is said that at this time S. Cyril brought the body of S. Clement from the Chersonese in Pontus to Rome and plac'd it in the Church now called S. Clement's where a little while after himself also was buried Nicolas now who was a great exemplar of all the Virtues one man could be endued with died the seventh year ninth month and thirteenth day of his 〈◊〉 and was buried according to his last Will in S. Peter's Church porch Some Authors say that the Sea was then vacant eight years seven months and nine days HADRIAN II. HADRIAN the second a Roman Son of Talarus a Bishop was a familiar friend of Pope Sergius who having once given him forty Julio's when he came home he gave them to his Steward to give to the Beggers and poor strangers that were at his door which the Steward going to do saw the number was so great that 't would not serve a quarter of them and so he return'd and told Hadrian Who hereupon takes the money and coming to the poor folks gave every one three Julio's and reserv'd to himself as many for his own use at which Miracle the Steward being astonish'd Dost thou see says Hadrian how good and bountiful the Lord is to those that are liberal and charitable to the Poor By this and other Virtues he grew into so high estimation with all men that when the Consultation was held for making a new Pope they unanimously elected him and brought him against his will from the Church of S. Mary ad Proesepe to the Lateran and immediately created him Pope nor regarding the consent of any person in a proceeding so tumultuary which gave great offence to the Embassadors of the Emperor who came on purpose upon this occasion but could not as they ought interpose the Imperial Authority in this Election But satisfaction was made to them by remonstrating that it was impossible in so great a tumult to moderate the violent inclinations of the multitude they were desired therefore to concur with the Clergy and People and according to custom to congratulate as Pope this excellent man whom they had chosen This at last the Embassadors did though they saw plainly that the Clergy and People did arrogate to themselves the full power of creating a Pope without expecting the consent of any Temporal Prince and this perhaps in order to enlarge the Liberties of holy Church by making it a Custom Soon after arriv'd Letters from Lewis highly applauding this action of the Romans and commending them that they had proceeded so religiously and sincerely in this Affair without waiting for the approbation of any one whose ignorance of the fitness of the Canditates might render them incompetent Judges in the case For how said he can it be that one that is a Foreiner and a Stranger should be able in another Countrey to distinguish who is most worthy To the Citizens therefore does it properly belong and to those who have had familiarity with and knowledg of the Competitors Hadrian then being made Pope took diligent care of all matters relating to Religion and by word example and authority both of himself and his Predecessors exhorted all men to good and holy lives particularly he shew'd himself a strenuous desender of those that had been oppressed by Injustice and the power of great men He caused a Council to be called at Constantinople where Photius a seditious
this time as I said before Lewis the Son of Arnulphus endeavouring to recover his Fathers Empire was taken and kill'd at Verona by Berengarius and then the posterity of Charles the Great first lost their Titles to France and the Empire of Germany So true it is that which Salust says Every rising hath its setting and every increase its wane The Empire which had arrived to so great a height lost its splendor by the sluggishness of the great men and people of Rome when they once grew remiss in the exercises of Virtue and emasculated their bodies with Luxury and with studied softnesses And this we may say was the case of the Papacy for at first the Pontifical Dignity without Wealth and among Enemies and furious Persecutors of Christianity was illustrious with a holiness and learning not to be attain'd without great pains and a consummate Virtue but now the Church of God was grown wanton with its Riches and the Clergy quitted severity of manners for lasciviousness so that there being no Prince to punish their excesses such a Licentiousness of sinning obtain'd in the World as brought forth these Monsters these Prodigies of wickedness by whom the Chair of S. Peter was rather seiz'd than rightfully possess'd Yet this may be said for Benedict that in this debauch'd Age he carried himself with gravity and constancy and died in the third year and fourth month of his Pontificate after which the Sea was vacant six days LEO V. LEO the fifth whose native Countrey Historians mention not succeeded him but was soon taken and thrown into Prison by one Christopher a Chaplain of his own who aspir'd to the Popedom which was not done without great tumults and the loss of many mens lives How lightly the Papal Authority was now esteem'd by fault of former Popes may be seen in this that a private person should in a moment be able to seize so great a Dignity But that saying is certainly true that great places receive more honour than they confer upon the persons that supply them as appears in the Roman Censorship which at first was slighted as a mean Office but when several of the Nobility had once condescended to execute it the Office became so honourable that the Nobleman who had not once in his life been Censor was look'd upon as very unfortunate Leo had sate but forty days when Christopher got into the Chair which Indignity he laid so to heart that in a little while after he died for grief deeply resenting it that he should be rob'd of his Dignity by one that had eat of his bread according to that of Theocritus Nurse up a Wolf and he 'l devour you CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER whose Countrey and Family is because of the meanness of his extraction not known having got the Popedom by ill means lost it as ill for after seven months he was justly deposed and forc'd to take on him a Monastic life the onely refuge of men in trouble for at that time Clergy-men that had deserv'd ill were as it were banish'd into Monasteries by way of punishment There are those that say Christopher was deposed in the Reign of Lewis III. while others ascribe him to the times of Berengarius who we told you was from Duke of Friuli created Emperor as descending from the Longobardian Kings of Italy and as being the onely man in whom for his valour and nobility they could place any hopes of seeing the honour of the Empire retriev'd And that I should suppose Berengarius to have reign'd at this time I am persuaded by considering the short lives of the Popes before-going who as Monsters were soon snatch'd away by a divine Power and 〈◊〉 length of the Reign of that Emperor who having vanquish'd Guido Duke of Spoleto and slain Ambrose Count of Bergomo who were his first Adversaries was crown'd Emperor by Formosus and liv'd nine years after What became of Christopher after his being deposed shall be spoken in the Life of Sergius SERGIUS III. SERGIUS the third a Roman Son of Benedict entring upon the Pontificate re edified the Lateran Church which was then ruined and taking Christopher out of his Monastery put him in Prison and then setling his Affairs he took a Journey to France after his return from whence being now strengthen'd with the favour and friendship of the French King Lotharius he totally abolish'd all that Pope Formosus had done before so that Priests who had been by him admitted to Holy Orders were forc'd to take new Ordination Nor was he content with thus dishonouring the dead Pope but he drags his Carcase again out of the Grave beheads it as if it had been alive and then throws it into the Tiber as unworthy the honour of humane Burial 'T is said that some Fishermen finding his Body as they were fishing brought it to S. Peter's Church and while the Funeral Rites were performing the Images of the Saints which stood in the Church bow'd in veneration of his Body which gave them occasion to believe that Formosus was not justly prosecuted with so great ignominy But whether the Fishermen did thus or no is a great question especially it is not likely to have been done in Sergius's life-time who was a sierce Persecutor of the favourers of Formosus because he had hindered him before of obtaining the Pontificate And now Reader pray observe how very much these Popes had degenerated from their Predecessors they good men refused this dignity when it was freely offered them chusing rather to spend their time in Study and in Prayer these on the contrary sought the Papacy with ambition and bribery and when they were got in slighting the Worship of God 〈◊〉 animosities among themselves with the violence of the fiercest Tyrants to the end that when no one should be left to animadvert upon their Vices they might the more securely immerse themselves in pleasures 'T is my opinion that Sergius acted thus by the instigation of Lotharius 〈◊〉 't was by Formosus's means that the Empire was translated from the French to the Lombards Sergius leading his life after this rate died in the seventh year fourth month and sixteenth day of his Papacy several fiery Apparitions and blazing Stars with unusual motions having been seen in the Heavens a little before Soon after the Hungari invaded Italy with an Army and several defeats were on both sides given and taken ANASTASIUS III. ANASTASIUS the third a Roman came to the Chair at the time when Landulphus Prince of Benevent fought a fierce Battel with the Greeks and defeated them in Apulia For Patricius General of Leo Emperor of Constantinople had invaded Italy and threatned a general ruin if they did not immediately acknowledg Subjection to Leo but as was said by the valour of Landulphus his 〈◊〉 and his rage came to nothing though Berengarius also was bringing an Army together to meet him but they made rather a terrible shew than were truly of force But Anastasius not acting any thing
worth mention died after he had been Pope two years and was buried in S. Peter's Church This Pope we may commend in this one instance that he did not persecute with ignominy and scandal the memory of any of his Predecessors for he lived quietly and soberly and had nothing chargeable upon him that was blame-worthy LANDUS LANDUS a Roman succeeded Anastasius but his life was so obscure that some do not reckon him for a Pope especially Vincentius the Historian But Martin and Cusentinus are of another mind together with Gothifredus who writes that this Landus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Authority hindred a Battel between Berengarius and 〈◊〉 Son of Count Guido though others say that Rodulphus overcame Berengarius near Verona and enjoy'd the Empire three years There was indeed at this time a great contention for the Empire between the Italians Germans and French which was the cause of many cruel Wars which were not ended without great destruction of men and mischief to each Countrey The Romans and Italians labour'd might and main to preserve the Empire in their own Countrey against the Power of those barbarous people but they wanted some man that could lead them on in so great an Enterprise for those noble Spirits who had rendred the name of Italy famous through the World were now not onely extinct but even those virtuous Inclinations were quite stisled which gave life to such glorious actions Landus died in the sixth month and twenty first day of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peters's Church JOHN XI JOHN the eleventh a Roman natural Son to Pope Sergius in the year 909. succeeded He was before Arch-bishop of Ravenna and had been deposed by the people in a Tumult but upon the death of Landus he obtain'd the Papal Chair and shew'd more of the Spirit of a Soldier than of a Clergy-man Indeed the Church and all Italy had then need of such a Pope For the Greeks as we said before being vanquish'd by Landulphus had call'd the Saracens into Italy who marching through Calabria and Apulia into Lucaia and Campania threaten'd sudden destruction to the City of Rome The nearness of the danger alarm'd Pope John who taking Albericus Marquess of Tuscany to his assistance musters up an Army fights the Saracens and gets the better and beats them out of the territories of the City but not looking upon his Victory as considerable except he follow'd the pursuit he attaques them at Minturnoe upon the shore of the River Garigliano and conquers them with so great a slaughter that they resolv'd to leave Italy onely burning first all those places on that shore which were in their hands But they alter'd their minds afterward and fortifying Mount Gargano they harass'd the Countrey thereabout with their Incursions Mean while John taking all the honour of this action to himself makes his entrance into Rome after the manner of a Triumph which gave so great distast to Albericus that a Tumult arose upon it in which Albericus was repulsed and flying to Orta fortified the Town and Castle and enticed the Hungari into Italy who brought more destruction and ruin upon the Countrey than the Saracens had done before for they carried away the Youth of both Sexes killing all that were stricken in years nor did they spare the very Tuscans for whose indemnity Albericus had agreed in the Treaty with them nay they were more cruel to them than to other Italians for they burnt and demolish'd all the Towns they had possess'd 'T is my Opinion that Berengarius who then held Lombardy onely gave them liberty of passage into Tuscany upon condition they march'd quietly through his Countrey without hurting his Subjects But the Hungari having once tasted the sweet Spoils of Italy did frequently visit it afterward which Calamities so much enraged the Romans that not being able to wreak their spite upon the Enemy who was too mighty and fierce for them they took Albericus and beheaded him John also in a Mutiny of the Soldiers was by the followers of Count Guido taken and put in Prison In his room another John was put up but because he seiz'd the Chair by force and was soon deposed he deserves not to be among the Popes LEO VI. LEO the sixth a Roman was canonically elected Pope acted nothing tyrannically in his whole life but liv'd soberly and modestly taking care of Religion as far as an Age of so corrupt manners would bear For he made it his endeavour to quiet the minds of the Citizens who through the rashness and folly of former Popes were inclining to Tumults to compose the Affairs of Italy to make Peace with forein Enemies and to drive the Barbarians from the skirts of his Countrey than which nothing could be done to better purpose or more commendably in so short a time for in the seventh month and fifteenth day of his Pontificate he died and was buried in S. Peters's Church to the great grief of the Citizens of Rome STEPHEN VII STEPHEN the seventh a Roman according to some Authors came to be Pope at the time when the Hungari who were over-running Germany and Saxony were by Henry King of Germany overcome with a great slaughter near Merspurg 'T is said also that at this time Rodulphus King of Burgundy made his descent into Italy with a great Army against Berengarius II. who by the treachery of his own men was driven out of his Kingdom and fled to the Hungarians for refuge who taking up Arms in his cause the third year after his expulsion under the conduct of one Salardus invade Italy with huge forces and take Pavia by storm destroying the greatest part of it with fire and sword The Italians hereupon finding Rodulphus to want strength and courage call in Hugh Count of Arles It was not without contention that Rodulphus gave place to him but his Enemies bearing hard upon him he retreated into Burgundy After this 〈◊〉 finding occasion to mistrust those Persons that call'd him in banish'd many of them who fled to Arnoldus Duke of Bavaria a man 〈◊〉 of Rule and persuade him to make War upon Italy He passes the Alpes and is immediately receiv'd within the Walls of Verona by the Citizens with great kindness and friendship but Hugh marching against him beats him in a pitch'd Battel and soon re-takes Verona Mean while Berengarius dies in Bavaria or as others say in 〈◊〉 and Berengarius III. Grand-son of Berengarius I. by his Daughter comes into Italy and in the year 935. gets the Empire Some there are that ascribe these Actions I have mention'd to the time of this Pope but I would rather assign them to some of those Popes that preceded and succeeded because though I have set them down in short yet they must needs require a long time to be brought about But in so great a diversity of opinions concerning times I chose rather to place them somewhere than utterly to omit things which were certainly once done for the uncertainty
of Writers For the sake of Posterity we would not be so superstitious as to disbelieve that which various Authors have here or there thought good to record To the times of this Pope may justly also be ascribed S. Ugibert a Nobleman of Lorain who in a short time at his own charge built the Monastery of Gemblours after a magnificent manner At this time also 't is said that Spireneus Duke of Bohemia first received the Christian faith Those that were then call'd Dukes being now upon the encrease of their wealth and strength entitled Kings of Bohemia But Stephen having led a peaceable and a religious life died in the second year first month and twelfth day of his Popedom and was buried in S. Peter's Church JOHN XII JOHN the twelfth a Roman Son as some say of Pope Sergius came to be Pope when a Fountain at Genoa streamed blood in great quantities as Vincentius and Martinus relate a sure presage of the ensuing Calamities for soon after Genoa was taken and sack'd by the Saracens who came from Afric and the Hungarians entring Italy utterly destroy'd all things far and near but as they passed laden with Prey by the Confines of Sulmona the people of Tagliacozzo on a sudden taking Arms they were routed by them and lost their lives and plunder together Racherius who of a Monk had been made Bishop of Verona was now a great Writer but was banish'd to Pavia by King Hugh because he inveigh'd against his manner of living with too great freedom John died after he had been Pope four years ten months and fifteen days The Sea was vacant twelve days LEO VII LEO the seventh a Roman was created Pope during the reigns of Hugh and Lotharius in Italy but did nothing worthy 〈◊〉 mentioning But his time was made famous by the Lives of Spireneus according to Martinus Duke of Bohemia a man of signal Devotion and Justice and of his Son Wenceslaus who degenerated not at all from his Father killed by his Brother 〈◊〉 who desired to reign This Wenceslaus was afterwards justly canonized for a Saint upon proof made of the holiness of his Life and of Miracles wrought by him both while he liv'd and after his death Leo after he had sate three years six months and ten days died and was buried in S. Peter's Church The Sea was then vacant 3 days STEPHEN VIII STEPHEN the eighth a German coming to the Papacy was so molested by the Romans with Factions that he could do nothing remarkable nay as Martinus relates they wounded him so foully in one Tumult that he was asham'd to appear abroad King Hugh prepared to avenge his quarrel but died in the mean time to whom succeeded his Son Lotharius but he made no mention of the matter either because he had a kindness for the Citizens of Rome or because his Reign was short for he out-liv'd his Father but two years Otho King of Germany did now undertake to revenge the murther of Winceslaus King of Bohemia upon Boleslaus his Brother who had killed him and marching against him after several Battels won and lost at last took him Captive Stephen died when he had been Pope three years four months and twelve days The Sea was vacant ten days MARTIN III. MARTIN the third a Roman imitated the meekness and peaceable carriage of Stephen for being made Pope he laid aside thoughts of War and employ'd his mind in religious matters repairing Churches that were ready to fall with age and relieving the poor with his Charity Not but that in his time Europe was very much torn with cruel Wars For Otho attempting to enter Italy against the will of Lotharius much blood was spilt on both sides but Pope Martin persuaded them to lay down their Arms because among other reasons there was a great famine in the Land by reason the Trees were felled the standing Corn trodden down and even the Husbandmen with their Cattel were in this grievous War taken away At Constantinople also were great Tumults the Citizens making their Emperor a Prisoner and shaving his head banish'd him to a certain Island but soon after Constantine Son of Leo getting the Empire punish'd these sactious Citizens after the same shameful manner and banish'd them to the same Island Martin died in the third year sixth month and tenth day of his Popedom and was buried in S. Peter's Church the Roman Sea was vacant twelve days AGAPETUS II. AGAPETUS the second a Roman was created Pope at a time when Italy was full of Warlike hurly-burly for the Hungarians having invaded Italy with a 〈◊〉 Force had over-run all the Countrey beyond the River Po Henry Duke of Bavaria takes up Arms immediately and getting an Army together marches against them and in two fierce Battels routs them though not without great damage to the Inhabitants thereabouts and seizes all the Country from Aquileia to Pavia from whence yet he soon departed into Austria when he heard that Berengarius was coming against him with a great Army Berengarius being therefore now Master of Italy takes to himself the name of Emperor and calls his Son Albertus King of Italy casting into Prison Alunda Lotharius's Brothers Daughter lest she should lay claim to the City of Pavia which was her Dowry Pope Agapetus and the great men of Italy observing the arrogance of Berengarius and that he made pretensions to every thing without regard to right and justice sent for Otho King of Germany into Italy who entring by the way of Friuli with fifty thousand men quickly dethron'd Berengarius and Albertus and taking Alunda out of Prison married her of whom he had a Son afterwards succeeding him by the name of Otho II. And now Otho leaving Italy shew'd a great deal of moderation by permitting to Berengarius and his Son the Government of a Province and making Peace between him and the Pope This Otho assisted Lewis King of France with a great Army against Hugh Earl of Paris though his Brother-in-law who with the help of some of the great men of that Countrey had well-nigh outed him of his Kingdom But Albertus Son of Berengarius who then was Governour of Ravenna aided with some Forces and Ships from Comachio pirated upon the Merchants of Venice much against the mind of Pope Agapetus at which the Venetians were so enraged that they immediately rigg'd out a Navy and took Comachio and burnt it Whilst these things were doing Pope Agapetus a harmless man and a great lover of the Church died in the ninth year seventh month and tenth day of his Pontificate about the same time that Otho Abbot of Clugny also slept in the Lord whose Disciple Do maielus is supposed to be that wonderfully holy man and great restorer of Monastic Discipline JOHN XIII JOHN the thirteenth a Roman by the power of his Father Albericus of the Via lata gets into the Chair His name was before Octavian he was one that from his youth up had been debauch'd with
into Prison in order to a Trial for their Treason who being by torture forced to confess the Consuls were banish'd into Germany the Decarchons were hang'd up and Peter the Praetor the cause and Ring-leader of all the mischief was several times drag'd most ignominiously and whipt with Rods through the most publick places of the City and then sent Prisoner to Germany Others say his Punishment was thus Being delivered to suffer at the will of the Pope his Beard was first shav'd off then he was hang'd by his hair upon the head of the Statue of Constantine's Horse for the terror of all such ill Men from whence being taken he was set upon an Ass with his face backward and his hands tied under his tail and so led through the City being as he went whipt almost to death with Rods and then banish'd into Germany The like severity for examples sake was used by the Emperor against Count Geffrey and his Son who were kill'd as I said before by John Prince of Capua their carcasses being drag'd out of their Graves and denied Christian burial At this time the Selavi who when Hadrian III. was Pope under Sueropylus Prince of Dalmatia had received the Christian Faith cross'd the Sea into Italy gave the Saracens a great rout at Monte Gargano and drove them thence and the Hungarians by their example so broke their remaining force by recovering Cosenza out of their hands that it became easie for Otho Son of the great Otho who came for that purpose with his Army to make a perfect Conquest of them nor was he content to have vanquish'd the Saracens but he subdued too the Greeks who had made a League with the Moors and drove them out of almost all Apulia and Calabria Some say indeed that 〈◊〉 made this War upon the Greeks because Nicephorus Emperor of Constantinople had denied to give him to Wife his Daughter who had been espoused to him before This is certain that Otho who was a generous young Man deposed Nicephorus and made his Son John Emperor himself marrying his Sister Theophania who together with her Husband were crown'd by this Pope in the Lateran Church with an Imperial Diadem by the consent of Otho the Father who had made his Son his Partner in the Empire During the great and universal rejoycing upon this occasion Pope John raised the Church of Capua to a Metropolitan Sea But Otho 〈◊〉 worn with old Age returning into Germany died at Vienna whom John also follow'd not long after he dying after he had sate six years eleven months and five days after which the Sea was vacant thirteen days BENEDICT VI. BENEDICT the Sixth a Roman succeeded John in his Office and in his troubles for being taken Prisoner by Cincio a potent Citizen he was put into Castle S. Angelo a Jail for Malefactors or rather for innocent persons where in a little while he was strangled or as Cusentinus says famish'd I cannot but admire that the actors of so great an outrage were never punish'd neither by the Citizens of the adverse Party nor by the Emperor Otho who was reputed an excellent Man and a stout defender of the Church of Rome But I am afraid Cincius did not worse by him than he deserv'd not but that how faulty soever Benedict might be it was ill done of Cincius to lay violent hands upon the Pope since the censure of him did not belong to a private Man But see the turn of humane affairs The Popes of our times make nothing to clap up Citizens into the same place and there starve 'em whether they deserve it or are onely a little too powerful than they desire I believe Otho was too much taken up with other business so that he could not help him He died when he had been Pope one year and six months DONUS II. DONUS the Second a Roman a Man of great moderation and though there were nothing done by him worthy of high commendation yet he was never charg'd with any injustice or dishonourable action There were however many memorable actions of great of holy Men which render his times not altogether obscure For in his time Baianus a great Magician Prince of the Bulgarians so harrass'd with War Basilius and his Son Constantine Emperor of Constantinople that he narrowly miss'd of taking the Town which by the negligence of the Greeks was left almost empty but at last upon hard terms a Peace was concluded between ' em Adalbertus also a Bohemian Bishop of Prague flourish'd now who was a Man of so great Sanctity that he by the impulse of the Divine Spirit travell'd into Hungary and baptiz'd the King thereof and by his good life and godly example taught the Bishops of the Country to seek the grace of God from whence passing into Prussia preaching the Gospel of Christ with great diligence he was there crown'd with Martyrdom At this time too S. Edward King of England was for his Sanctity in great honour but was murthered by the fraud and villany of his Stepmother Richardus the Historian adds to these S. Maiolus Abbot of Clugni who left a great Name behind him for his Miracles and holy life Donus died in the first year of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peter's Church whereupon the Sea was vacant two days BONIFACE VII BONIFACE the Seventh whose Family and Country I suppose because of their baseness Writers mention not got the Popedom by ill arts and lost it as ill for he was no sooner got into the Chair but the honest part of the Citizens confederating he was forc'd out of the City taking with him the most precious things out of the Church of S. Peter and fled to Constantinople where he onely tarried till by the sale of what he had so sacrilegiously got he had amass'd vast sums of Mony with which he returns to Rome not doubting but by the help of that to retrieve his dignity by bribing the Citizens He met yet with great opposition from all good Men but especially from John a Deacon Cardinal whom by the assistance of some wicked Bravo's he caught and put out his Eyes But his Enemies encreasing about him whether for fear or remorse for his great wickedness this Author of so many mischiefs miserably ended his life Observe I beseech you how these Popes did degenerate from their Predecessors who left the Church so ample and magnificent at the expence of their blood The Pope of Rome the Father and Protector of things sacred does himself steal 'em away and he that should punish sacriledg is the Author of it but thus it must needs fall out in any Government where the Pride and Covetousness of ill Men shall prevail over the Virtue and Wisdom of the good To great benefices none of the Clergy ought to be chosen but such of whose Life and Learning there is a certainty not those who having nothing of Virtue or Religion seek by Ambition and Simony to get into places of Power
Boniface lived seven months and five days in his Pontificate and then the Sea was vacant twenty days BENEDICT VII BENEDICT the Seventh a Roman as soon as he was made Pope he call'd a Council in which he restored Arnulphus Bishop of Rhemes who had been expell'd in a Sedition At this time Otho II. having conquer'd Henry Duke of Bavaria who had endeavoured some Alterations in the State march'd against Lotharius who had possess'd himself of Lorain a Province of the Empire and laid waste the Territory of Aken and gaining a Victory over him he over-ran the Country of Soissons and set fire to the Suburbs of Paris but upon his retreat with his Forces he received some damage near the River Aisne After this raising a greater Army he brought it into Italy against Basilius and Constantine the Greek Emperors who had seiz'd Calabria and that part of Italy that lies toward Sicily but receiving a defeat at Basanello he was forced to make his escape by Sea where he was by chance taken by Pirates and carried into Sicily The Sicilians paid his Ransom and sent him to Rome and soon after caught the Pirates and put them to death Otho now gets his Army together again and design'd to chastise severely the Romans and Beneventans because they occasion'd the loss of the Battel at Basanello by flying first but it was not thought safe to begin with the Romans and therefore he turns against Benevent which he takes and consumes with fire translating from thence the body of S. Bartholomew and placing it at Rome in an Island of the Tiber formerly called Hostia Jovis Lycaonia which was of the shape of the poop of a Galley Nay even to this day as you view it from Tivertino the Island resembles a Galley so made I suppose to represent that which brought Aesculapius to Rome there is also to be seen engraven in stone the Serpent in the form whereof that God is said to have arriv'd and the Ribs of the Galley so studious were the excellent Men of those times to bring Nature to Art as well as Art to Nature But to return to Otho he soon after the aforesaid translation of the Body of S. Bartholomew died at Rome and was honourably buried in a Porphyry Tomb still to be seen on the left hand as you go in in the Portico of S. Peter's Church call'd Paradise Whilst Consultations were held about chusing a new Emperor some insisting upon Otho III. Son of Otho II. Others standing up for Henry Duke of Bavaria Otho's Nephew by his Brother the Italians being earnest for one Crescentius of Lamentana an eminent Man the Germans on the sudden of whom there were many then at Rome chose Otho III. The Pope good man all the while urging them that in their Election they would have a regard to the Church of Christ which needed a Governour of great ability and diligence but at last to prevent tumults he approv'd of what the Germans had done He died after he had been Pope eight years and six months upon which the Sea was vacant five days In his time Valdericus Bishop of Hamburg was famous for his great Learning and Sanctity JOHN XV. JOHN the Fifteenth a Roman or as some will have it a Pavian had not been Pope three months but he was taken by the Romans and put into the publick Jail of Castle S. Angelo where he pin'd away so long with the stink of the Prison want of necessaries and trouble of mind that he died Some write that he was made away by Ferruccio Father of Boniface VII a Man of great Power because he had been an Enemy to his Son in his Pontificate However that be 't is certain he died in Prison and was buried in S. Peter's Church Whether he was deposed for his Tyranny and Arrogance or by the malice and envy of seditious people is not certain so confused are the Accounts we have of those times In his time lived Odo Abbot of Clugnis and Berengarius of Tours Men famous for Learning and holy Lives though 't is said of Berengarius that through his confidence in his vast Learning he err'd in the Faith holding a wrong Opinion of the Eucharist which in a General Council holden at Rome he afterward recanted and leaving off his study of controversial matters though he were Arch-Deacon of Anjou he gave all that he had to the poor and got his living by the labour of his hands JOHN XVI JOHN the Sixteenth a Roman Son of Leo a Priest born in the Ward of Gallina bianca being got into the Popedom hated the Clergy strangely and was deservedly for the same mutually hated of them and more especially because whatever he could get either of things sacred or profane he gave to his Kinred and Relations without any regard to the glory of God or the honour of the Church and this evil humour has descended to his Successors even to our own times than which naughty custom nothing can be more pernicious when our Clergy seem not to seek the Popedom for the sake of Religion and the Worship of God but that they may with the profits of it satisfie the luxury and avarice of their Brethren Nephews or Domesticks They write that a Comet appeared about this time portending the coming Calamity for there follow'd a long Pestilence and Famine and both Benevent and Capua suffered much by an Earth quake and these were generally look'd upon as judgments for the Pride and rapacious temper of the Pope and his contempt of God and Man But it pleased God that after a Pontificate of eight months he died and was buried in S. Peter's Church JOHN XVII JOHN the Seventeenth a Roman succeeded when Otho was Emperor but had not yet been Crown'd He was a Man of great Learning and as Martinus Writes was the Author of several elegant things He was so teiz'd with Seditions by Crescentius the Consul of Rome who claim'd to himself an absolute Power in the City that he gave place to the Mans Ambition and withdrew into Tuscany But Crescentius understanding that John was so extreamly enrag'd that he had sent for Otho and his Army into Italy he dispatch'd all the Pope's Kinsmen and Friends that were left in Rome to him to desire him to lay by all thoughts of bringing Otho to his assistance but to come to the City there to exercise his most ample Power promising perfect obedience in all matters John being mov'd with the intreaties of his Friends and partly fearing lest if Otho should enter Italy with his Army he might do more hurt than good went to Rome where Crescentius with all the Magistrates and a multitude of Citizens meeting him he was brought to the Palace of Lateran in the Porch whereof Crescentius and all the heads of the Faction kiss'd his feet and begg'd his Pardon and thus matters being composed they afterward lived quietly together At this time Henry Abbat of Loby in Lorain Adolfus Bishop of Utrecht who
had by intervals held S. Peter's Chair ten years four months and nine days he died upon which the Sea cannot be said to have been vacant at all because he sold it Historians write that at this time Gerard a Venetian Bishop of the Hungarians an excellent Man and of great Learning chearfully suffer'd Martyrdom by the Enemies to the name of Christ being bound to a Cart and from a high Hill let down upon a Precipice and torn to pieces SYLVESTER III. SYLVESTER the Third a Roman Son of one Laurence was substituted into the room of Benedict when he was expell'd but held it not long for after nine and forty days Benedict was restor'd by his own Faction The Popedom was now brought to that pass that he who was most ambitious and would give most for it not he who was most religious and learned surely obtain'd this high Office to the great oppression and discouragement of all good Men a naughty custom which I wish were laid by even in our own times and yet this mischief is not so great but that I fear except God avert we shall see much worse I return to Sylvester who being Cardinal of Sabina was made Pope not by the College of Cardinals for that had been tolerable but meerly by Simony as some write and soon after justly deposed having entred like a Thief and a Robber not by the Gate but by the back door Benedict indeed was restor'd but the City continued in a hubbub sometimes desiring this Man and then another to be put up which uses to be the case of a Mobile who wanting a Governour to steer their giddy humours generally prefer the worse to the better Men. GREGORY VI. GREGORY the Sixth Arch-deacon of S. John at Port-Latin receiv'd as we said the Chair of Benedict But the Emperor Henry II. hearing of these miscarriages with a great Army enters Italy and calling a Council causes Benedict IX Sylvester III. and Gregory VI. all to be deposed for so many wretched Monsters and creates Syndegerus Bishop of Bamberg Pope by the name of Clement II. Yet Gilbertus the Historian affirms this Gregory to have deserv'd very well of the Church having by his Authority and great Spirit in a short time reasserted the dignity of the Sea Apostolick which had been much weakned in its Powers by the negligence of some of his Predecessors for he recovered the Patrimony of the Church and first with Excommunications and Curses and when they avail'd not with downright force of Arms he destroy'd the Banditi who lurking near the City would cruelly murther Pilgrims as they came to Rome for devotion sake For this reason some wicked Rogues slander'd him commonly with the names of Murtherer Simoniac and Blood-thirsty nay even some Cardinals would say so too which so mov'd Gregory that whilst he lay ill of that sickness of which afterward he died he sent for those Cardinals and rebuk'd them sharply for finding fault with that which was done with so much justice and honesty And that you may know says he whether I have done that which is right or no when I am dead carry my Corps to the Church-doors which first let be lock'd up and if they do miraculously open then think that I am an honest Man and worthy of Christian burial if not that both Soul and Body is damn'd and you may cast out my Corps where you please The Cardinals did accordingly and the doors were thrown open by a strong Wind that rose on a sudden and the Body brought in to the admiration of all Men and to the great reputation of his Sanctity This is the substance of what various Authors write of Gregory who sate in the Chair two years and seven months during the Schism CLEMENT II. CLEMENT the Second before call'd Syndegerus Bishop of Bamberg was made Pope in the Council by the consent or rather Authority and Command of Henry II. who having received at this Popes hands the Imperial Crown caused the Romans to take an Oath after a form he prescribed not to meddle in the Election of any Pope except by a command from him for the Emperor saw things to be come to such a height of Licentiousness that any factious and potent fellow however ignoble could arrive at that Dignity by purchasing the suffrages of the Electors which ought not to be conferr'd but by the Spirit of God upon those that excell'd in Learning and a holy life From hence he went to 〈◊〉 where he settled all things and having listed those Soldiers who had so stoutly resisted the Saracens he return'd by Rome for Germany He was no sooner gone as some write but the Romans contriv'd to poison the Pope because made so without their assent in the ninth month of his Popedom nay some Authors say the venemous Potion was prepared for him by that Stephen who by the name of Damasus II. succeeded him at the time when Odo Abbat of Clugny a Man of extraordinary holiness dying Hugo was made Abbat after him a noble Personage pious devout affable and learned Henry II. at this time reigning in France Alphonsos in Spain and Michael with his Son Constantine being Emperors of Constantinople which Empire was now in great weakness and distress DAMASUS II. DAMASUS the Second a Bavarian surnam'd Bagnario or Pepone as some say seiz'd the Papal Chair by force without any consent of the Clergy and People So deep root had this licentious custom taken that any ambitious fellow durst invade the Seat of S. Peter But the just God avenged himself upon this Villain that he might be an example to the rest who should seek by ambition and Simony that which ought to be the reward of Virtue for on the 29th day of his Pontificate he died Some would not have this Man put in the Catalogue of Popes because he came not regularly to that Dignity and admire that the Romans were not mov'd with the villany of the action contrary to their Oath to Henry to compel him to lay down his Office but because he liv'd so short a time that the Citizens could not so soon bethink themselves what to do I think they are not to be blam'd We shall then pass to Leo. LEO IX LEO the Ninth a German An. Dom. 1049. was made Pope after this manner The Romans having sent Embassadours to the 〈◊〉 to intreat him to send them a good Pope he immediately nominated to them Baunon Bishop of Toul a good Man and of great integrity Who taking his journey towards Rome in his Pontifical habit was met by the Abbat of 〈◊〉 and Hildebrand a Monk born at Soana who persuaded him to lay by his Pontifical habit and to enter Rome for that Henry had no power from God to create a Pope but it belonged of right to the Clergy and People of Rome With these words Leo was so mov'd and because as he came along he had heard a Voice saying Ego cogito pacis cogitationes non afflictionis that he
laid by his habit and entred Rome as a private Man accusing himself that he had chosen to obey the Emperor rather than God The Roman Clergy then by the persuasion of Hildebrand elected Baunon Pope and so much the more readily because he had prosess'd the right of electing Popes ought not to be in the Emperor but in the Clergy And yet the Vices of several Popes were as we have said so great that it seem'd to be done by the judgment of God that this Power should be taken from the Clergy that they might amend their flagitious lives and sinful inclinations and that the Church of Christ might not suffer ruin in the hands of such evil Prelates Thus Baunon having got the Papacy and having chang'd his name to Leo IX he immediately created Hildebrand a Cardinal-Deacon and gave him the Government of S. Paul's Church so that it seem'd as if they had divided the Pontifical charge between them one ruling the Church of S. Peter the other that of S. Paul In the mean time Drogo Chieftain of the Normans in Apulia dying his Brother Gisulphus succeeded him and possess'd himself by force of the City of Benevent which was the Popes by surrender for when the Emperor Henry having built a Church at Bamberg to the honour of S. George and had a great mind it should be made a Cathedral Benedict VIII consented upon condition the said Church should pay yearly as a kind of Tribute a hundred Marks of Silver and a white Horse with his caparisons which yearly payment Leo IX remitted to the Church of Bamberg receiving of the Emperor in lieu thereof the City of Benevent Leo therefore strengthened with the justice of his Title and the Emperor's Forces marches against Gisulphus with an undisciplin'd Army and is by him defeated and taken Prisoner but was soon remitted to Rome with an honourable retinue T is storied that in his time Robert Guiscardi bringing an Army out of France into Italy and driving the Greeks and Saracens before him possess'd himself of Apulia where he chanc'd to find a Statue with these words engraven in a brass Circle round the head The first day of May at Sun-rising I shall have a golden head which words being well considered by a certain Saracen who was Robert's Prisoner a skilful Magician he mark'd how far the shadow of the Statue extended and on the first day of May at Sun-rise having dug up the place he found a great Treasure with which he bought his liberty of Robert But to return to Leo who was certainly a Man of great devotion innocence benignity and religion particularly so eminent sor hospitality that his Palace was always free for Pilgrims and poor People nay once when he found a poor Leper at his door he with pity ordered him to be taken in and laid in his own bed but in the Morning when the Door-keeper opened the door the Leper being not to be found it was thought that it was Christ himself that lay there as a poor Man In matters relating to the Faith he used great diligence and industry for in a Council holden at Vercelli he condemned Berengarius for a Heretick and by his Monitories put the Emperor of Constantinople upon repairing the holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem which had been spoil'd by the Barbarians At this same time lived Theobald a noble French-man famous for his holy life at Vicenza and Vincentius Bishop of Liege a person remarkable for Learning and Piety wrote many things skilfully and acutely concerning the Quadrature of the Circle to Hermannus a Man of an excellent Wit Leo died when he had been Pope five years two months and six days VICTOR II. VICTOR the Second before called Glaberdus a Bavarian succeeded Leo rather by the favour of the Emperor Henry than by a free Election For the Clergy and People of Rome stood in great fear of the Power of Henry whom they had before offended by putting up new Popes and therefore lest contrary to their Oath they should seem to make any Innovations they propose this Victor and by Hildebrand their Embassadour to Henry all things were managed to both their satisfactions Victor being by universal consent plac'd in the Chair with the approbation of the Emperour he called a Council at Florence where he depriv'd a multitude of Bishops of their Bishopricks for Simony and for Fornication and admonish'd the Clergy of their duty threatning severity against those that should transgress the Canons Some write that Victor made a Visit to Henry and that he was splendidly entertain'd by him but I am of opinion that Hildebrand onely went thither who by vertue of his Legantine power created Henry III. the Son of Henry Coesar Capua was now besieg'd by the Saracens which strook terror into all the neighbouring Cities but Robert Guiscardi taking up Arms set upon the Saracens and defeated them thereby delivering at once Capua from a Siege and their Neighbours from their fears Of what extraction this Robert was is not certain some accounting him a French-man others a Norman however it be 't is sure he was a person of a noble Spirit and an excellent understanding so that he deserv'd the Crown he held of Apulia Pope Victor whose life we are upon died in the second year third month and fourteenth day of his Pontificate after which the Sea was vacant eleven days STEPHEN IX STEPHEN the Ninth before nam'd Frederick a Lorainer Abbat of Monte-Cassino was no sooner made Pope but he took care that the Church of Milan which for almost two hundred years had withdrawn its subjection to that of Rome was now at length reduc'd to obedience thereto as to the Mother and Nurse of all Churches which obedience she has since persevered in as becomes true Daughters to do to a pious Mother Near about this time Henry III. succeeded his Father deceased and Alexius succeeded Nicephorus Emperor of Constantinople Robert Guiscardi also in a mighty Battel overthrew the Greeks and drove them out of Calabria leaving none but Greek Priests who even to our times kept their own Language and Customs Indeed the Constantinopolitan Empire was now so broken by the Saracens that they had much ado to preserve Thrace Galatia Pontus Thessaly Macedon and Achaia and even out of these either the Turks or Saracens every day cantled out one place or other But Stephen when he had been Pope seven months and eight days died at Florence where he was honourably buried as Martinus writes Some say that Pope Stephen accused the Emperor Henry of Heresie for endeavouring to diminish the Papal Authority without regard to Religion and the immortal God BENEDICT X. BENEDICT the Tenth a Capuan before named Nuntius Bishop of Veletri was by a faction of Noblemen created Pope at the same time that Agnes Mother of Henry III. constituted Gilbert of Parma a Man of great abilities Viceroy of Italy There was then in Italy also Godfrey the Husband of the Countess Mathild a most noble Lady who was
very powerful for Beatrix the Mother of Mathild had been Sister to the Emperor Henry II. and had married one Boniface a potent Man and of an honourable Family of the City of Lucca in Tuscany upon whose death all his Estates fell first to Beatrix and after her decease were devolv'd upon Mathild and her Husband Godfrey so that they stood possess'd of Lucca Parma Reggio Mantua and that part of Tuscany now call'd S. Peter's Patrimony But to return to Benedict he was deposed by Hildebrand because he came not in by the right way but by force and Simony for the generality of the Clergy had pass'd their words to Arch-deacon Hildebrand when he went to Florence that they would not proceed upon any Election of a new Pope till his return to the City When he was come back therefore together with Gerard Bishop of Florence he inveigh'd most bitterly against them all especially against those who had promised to stay till his return But there arising great contention upon this matter many approving of Benedict as a very good and prudent Man though they disallow'd that Election of him with great clamours that it was irregularly and illegally done yet at last by the persuasion of Hildebrand Gerard a Man worthy indeed of so high a Dignity was by a majority of Votes created Pope and Benedict turn'd out Some will have this Election to have been made at Siena because a free choice could not be had at Rome by reason of the partialities of some Men in Power there Benedict was deposed after he had sate nine months and twenty days and then was confined to Veletri NICOLAS II. NICOLAS the Second a Provençal at first nam'd Gerard Bishop of Florence for his Virtue and excellent spirit upon the expulsion of Benedict who was not regularly so created was made Pope at Sienna and immediately thereupon withdrew to Sutri where An. Dom. 1059. he called a Council whither came not onely the Bishops but many of the Noblemen of Italy where he forc'd Benedict to resign the Office and Habit of Pope and to retire to Veletri from hence he went to Rome where in the second Lateran Council he procur'd a Law to be enacted very wholesom for the Church of Rome which is to be seen among the 〈◊〉 to this purpose That if any one either by Simony or by the favour of any powerful Man or by any tumult either of the People or Soldiery shall be placed in S. Peter's Chair he shall be reputed not Apostolical but an Apostate one that transgresses the rules even of common Reason and that it shall be lawful for the Cardinals Clergy and devout Laity with Weapons both spiritual and material by Anathema's and by any humane aid him to drive out and depose and that Catholicks may assemble for this end in any place whatsoever if they cannot do it in the City In the same Council Berengarius Deacon of the Church of Anjou was reclaim'd from his Error concerning the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Bread and Wine whereof he affirm'd the true and intire Body and Blood of Christ was not present but onely by a sign figure or mystery which Error at the instance and persuasion of Nicolas and Albericus a Deacon a very learned Man he recanted affirming the Eucharist to be the true and intire Body and Blood of Christ. We have said that this Error was condemned by Leo IX but never amended the praise of which belongs wholly to Nicolas as Lanfranc writes a Man at that time very learned who in an excellent Work of his confuted the Tenets of Berengarius While these things were acted at Rome by Pope Nicolas Godfrey the Norman who succeeded his Brother Drogo in the Earldom of Apulia and Calabria dying left his Son Bagelardus his Heir which Robert Guiscardi his Brother as some will have it not liking he drove out his Nephew and seiz'd upon the Earldom taking in Troia also which had long been Subject to the Sea of Rome At this the Pope was not a little enraged at Robert till by his invitation taking a journey into Apulia whatsoever the Church had lost was return'd again and then he not onely took Robert into favour but making him a feudatary of the Church he was constituted Duke of Calabria and Apulia After this receiving of him a great assistance of Forces and returning to the City he subdued the Prenestines Tusculans and Nomentans who had revolted from the Church and crossing the Tiber he sacked Galese and took in other Castles of Count Gerard as far as Sutri rendring the territories of Rome hereby much more secure T is written also that Henry III. was crown'd by Nicolas with the Imperial Diadem and out of gratitude for it all his time never attempted any thing against holy Church But Nicolas having concluded this life with great praise of all Men died when he had been Pope three years six months and twenty six days The Sea was then vacant twelve days ALEXANDER II. ALEXANDER the Second whose name at first was Anselm a Milanese Bishop of Lucca upon the death of Nicolas though absent was for his good temper affability and Learning elected Pope But the Bishops of Lombardy thinking for the honour of their Country that it was just a Pope should be chosen out of their number Gilbert of Parma at that 〈◊〉 very powerful taking their parts vigorously they obtain'd of the Emperor Henry against the mind of his Wife Agnes that they might set up an other Pope Whereupon the Bishops holding a consult made one Cadolus Pope who was Bishop of Parma to whom all Lombardy straightway submitted except Mathild a noble Lady who had great reverence for the Roman Sea Cadolus being soon after called to Rome by the Adversaries of Alexander both Parties engag'd in Battel in the Prati di Nerone at the foot of the Hill Montorio in which fight many were slain on both sides Alexander and Godfrey the Husband of Mathild staid in the Lateran Palace not knowing where to trust themselves all places were so full of treachery though some say that Alexander to avoid the bloody sight did before the Battel retire to Lucca and lived there securely for some time which kind Protection from the Luccheses he gratefully acknowledged by granting both to their Church and City very notable Priviledges Cadolus was repulsed at Rome but rested not long at quiet in his Country being invited again by some Citizens who found that to satisfie their Avarice it was their Interest that the City should be kept in confusion and getting together a greater Army than before he comes to Rome and by force seizes the Citta Leonina and S. Peter's Church But the Romans with the Forces of Godfrey falling forth strook such a sudden terror into the Enemy that they betook themselves to their heels and Cadolus narrowly miss'd being taken having been forsaken by his Friends but Cincius Son to the Prefect of Rome with a strong Squadron carried him
safe through the whole adverse Army with great disficulty into Castle S. Angelo where being besieged for some time and seeing little hope of getting out free he corrupted the Besiegers with three hundred pounds in Silver and mounting a lean Horse he escaped all alone In the mean while Otho Arch bishop of Cologn before Henry the young Emperor charg'd his Mother Agnes with meddling too much with the affairs of State in Christendom to the great dishonour of the Empire whereupon a Commission was given to him to compose the Church-divisions according to his discretion and he coming to Rome at first rebuk'd Alexander with very hard words for entring upon the Papacy without the consent of the Emperor contrary to Law and Custom but Arch-deacon Hildebrand took him up and stiffly defended what the Pope had done proving that both by Law and antient Usage the Election of Popes belong'd to the Clergy and convinc'd Otho so far that the Emperor Henry being also at last conscious of his Error desir'd Alexander to call a Council and promised to come thither himself The City of 〈◊〉 was pitch'd upon as most fit and thither every one came who was concern'd for the safety and protection of the Church where all things being settled the Emperor himself not onely got the favour of the Pope but begg'd and obtain'd of him a Pardon for Cadolus who submitted to him and for Gilbert the Author as we said of all this mischief the Arch-bishoprick of 〈◊〉 The first of these the Pope easily agreed to by the example of our Saviour who even pray'd for his Persecutors but the second he granted much against his will and not till tir'd with the importunity of Henry fearing what fell out afterward that it would be very pernicious to the Church of Rome The Pope departing from Mantua and passing through Lucca consecrated the great Church there of which he had been Bishop with great solemnity intending to stay there till Arch-deacon Hildebrand had settled matters a little in Apulia who having received some auxiliary Forces of the Countess 〈◊〉 not only opposed the Power of Richard and William but forced them to restore what they had taken from the Church And then Alexander came to the City and after a Pontificate of eleven years and six months he died and was buried in the Church of S. John in the Lateran no manner of Pomp being spared that could be at the funeral of a Pope either by the Clergy or People In his time flourish'd John Gualbertus a Monk of 〈◊〉 and first of the Order a most holy Man and famous for Miracles GREGORY VII GREGORT the Seventh formerly called Hildebrand a Florentine of Soane whose Father's name was Bonicius was chosen Pope by consent of all good Men The words of the Election are these We the Cardinals Clerks Acolytes Sub-deacons and Priests with the Bishops Abbats and many others both of the Laity and Clergy do chuse this day April 22. at the Church of S. Peter in chains in the year 1472. as Christ's true Vicar Arch-deacon Hildebrand a Man of much learning piery prudence justice constancy religion modesty sobriety and contincncy who governs his Family very well is hospitable to the poor having been ingenuously brought up in the bosom of our holy Mother the Church whom we think sit to govern the Church with the same Authority as St. Peter by God's commandment formerly did And when he had gotten the Popedom he immediately admonished Henry the Emperour that he should not for the time to come take any bribes and 〈◊〉 Bishopricks or Benefices in a Simoniacal manner for if he did he and those that bought them should suffer the severity of Ecclesiastical Censures But Henry was so far from obeying his Admonitions though they were very grave that he deprived Agnes the Empress of all her share in the Government for telling him soberly what ought to be done in point of Religion And she upon that went to 〈◊〉 where she lived not long ere she died for grief At last after many Embassies to and fro the Emperour and Gregory were reconcil'd and Gregory was by him confirm'd in his Pontificate as then it was the custom for Emperours to do But when Henry who was fickle in good and obstinate in ill resolutions persisted in his Simony though often admonished the Pope laid an Anathema upon all those who had gain'd Bishopricks and Benefices by bribery And that he might not seem to have done it in an heat he called a Council in the Lateran at which many Bishops were present particularly Gilbert Arch-Bishop of Parma born at Ravenna where he gave a reason why he laid such Censures upon Simoniacks and said He would do the same to the Emperour unless he alter'd his mind Gilbert when the Council was dismiss'd having gotten a fair occasion to accuse Gregory and withal being ambitious of the Popedom incensed Cincius a Roman Citizen Son to Stephen who was Governour of the City no less rash than seditious against the Pope and promised him great things in the Emperour's name if he would do as he would have him Thereupon Cincius laid wait for the Pope and whilst he was saying Mass upon Christmas day at midnight in St. Maries the Great he broke in upon him with others of his gang took him as he was just administring the Eucharist haled him away and shut him up in a well fortified Tower The next day the people of Rome when they knew of it took up Arms against Cincius set the Pope at liberty demolish'd his House and the Tower and expell'd all his Family out of the City with their Noses cut But Cincius himself who was the Author of all that Roguery escaped and got through by ways to the Emperor in Germany Gilbert who was the contriver of that Stratagem seeing his Design frustrated dissembling his 〈◊〉 to him got leave of the Pope to retire to Ravenna meaning there to set on foot much worse intrigues For he induced Theobald Arch Bishop of Millain and many other Prelates of Lombardy to conspire against Gregory besides Hugo Candidus a Cardinal who though he had done the same before and was reconciled too yet at this time he seemed to be ill affected For he endeavour'd all he could to instigate the Emperour and the Normans who were at variance about the Empire to make a Peace with one another and joyn against the Pope Which when Gregory understood he called a Synod in the Lateran and giving his reason for so doing deprived Gilbert and Hugo of their Dignities and laid a Curse upon them Whilst these things were transacted at Rome Henry who had fought with his Enemies the Saxons very successfully was so puss'd up with his good fortune that he call'd an Assembly at Wormes of which Sigifred Arch-Bishop of Mentz was President where he was so bold as to prohibit all people from obeying the Pope in any case whatever And from that Assembly came Romandus a Clerk of Parma by Henry's
Pope again that he would please to Anathematize Rodolphus who endeavour'd to get possession of his Kingdom Which Gregory refusing to do Henry was so angry that he studied day and night to ruin the Pope In the mean while lest Sedition should be wanting in Christendom Michael and Andronicus his Son who had been by force depriv'd of the Empire of Constantinople by Nicephorus Bucamor came for refuge to Gregory who not only excommunicated Nicephorus but employ'd Rogerius a feudatary of the Roman Church to restore Michael with whom he discours'd at Ceperano to the Empire In pursuance of which command he got a Navy and leaving his younger Son Rogerius in Italy he took Boëmund his other Son along with him and sailed first to Valona but pitch'd his Camp near Durazzo resolving to make sure of that City which was so convenient for the carrying on of the War But Dominick Sylvius Duke of Venice who was of Nicephorus's party beat Rogerius from the Siege with great loss on both sides But not long after Nicephorus was betray'd by Alexius Mega General of his Forces and made a Prisoner the City being given up for three days to be plunder'd by the Soldiers according to compact Nicephorus himself was taken in the Church of Sancta Sophia but his life 〈◊〉 upon condition that he would take upon him the habit of a Monk for as long as he lived Gregory seeing that Henry was incited against the Church by some seditious Bishops called a great Synod and forbad Gilbert Arch-bishop of Ravenna for his pride and malice the exercise of his Episcopal or Priestly function under pain of an Anathema or Curse For when he was summon'd to appear before the Sea Apostolick being conscious of his crimes he would not obey the Citation for which alone he deserv'd the penalty of an Anathema He likewise censured Roland of Treviso for that when he was Legat in order to a Peace between him and Henry he sowed the seeds of discord and not unity to get a Bishoprick by the bargain 〈◊〉 did he spare Hugo Cardinal of St. Clements who had seditiously and heretically conspired with Cadolus Bishop of Parma In fine he chose three at the same Assembly to wit Bernard the Deacon the other Bernard Abbat of Marseilles and Odo Arch-bishop of Treves to go Legates à Latere from the Sea Apostolick to compose all differences between Henry and Rodolphus For the wise Pope saw that such a quarrel unless it were timely ended would occasion great calamities one time or other to Christendon But because he well knew that there would not be lacking such mischievous men as would endeavour to hinder it because it was their interest to foment rather than remove the dissention he gave the Legates Letters Apostolical to the several Princes and States written after this manner We taking notice of the weakness covetousness and ambition of mankind do charge all manner of persons whether Kings Arch-bishops Bishops Dukes Counts Marquesses or Knights that either out of pride cunning or covetousness they give no hindrance to our Legats whilst they negotiate the Peace And whosoever shall be so rash as to contravene this Order which I hope none will and shall hinder our Legats from composing a Peace I bind him under an Anathema both in Spirituals and Temporals by Apostolick Power and take away from him the advantage of any Victory he has gain'd that he may at least be confounded and be converted by a double penance He likewise commanded the Legates to call a Diet in Germany and deliberately examine who of the two Kings had the right and accordingly by the consent of all good Men to assign him the Kingdom whose cause was justest and that He when he should hear what they had determin'd would confirm it by the authority of God and S. Peter than which there cannot be greater But in the mean while Gregory lest the Church of Rome should suffer by Simony called a Council and therein confirm'd the Decrees of his Predecessors made to put a stop to that evil in these words We following the example of our Predecessors as we have formerly in other Councils do decree and ordain by the authority of Almighty God that whoever for the future accepts of a Bishoprick an Abbacy or any other Ecclesiastical preferment from a Layman shall not by any means be esteemed a Bishop an Abbat or a Clergy man nor let the same person dare to approach the Apostolical Sea before he has repented and left the place that he gain'd by ambition and contumacy which is the sin of Idolatry And under the same Censures we bind Kings Dukes and Princes who shall dare to confer Bishopricks or other Ecclesiastical Dignities upon any person against Law and Reason Furthermore we confirm the sentence of Anathema which was justly given against Theobald Archbishop of Milan and Gilbert Arch-bishop of Ravenna as also against Roland Arch-bishop of Treviso and we lay the same Censure upon Peter who was formerly Bishop of Redona but is now an Usurper in the Church 〈◊〉 Narbonne Moreover we deny S. Peter's favour and entrance into the Church to all such till they have repented and satisfied for their offences be they Normans Italians or any other Nation who have in the least injured or violated the Marcha di Termo in Ancona the Dutchy of Spoleto Campagna di Roma Sabina Tivoli Palestrina Frascati or Alba or the parts that lie toward the Tuscan Sea Add to these the Monastery of St. Benedict and all the Country of Cassino as also Benevent in Abruzzo But if any one pretends a just cause for taking what he has not yet restored let him demand justice of us or our Officers and if they are not satisfied we grant them leave to take back as much as will satisfie them not excessively like Robbers but as becomes Christians and such Men who only retake what is their own and desire not other mens goods fearing the anger of God and the Curse of S. Peter After that he confirmed the Curse against Henry afresh in these words Blessed Peter and thou Paul Doctor of the Gentiles I beseech you to hearken unto me a little and hear me in mercy for you are Disciples and Lovers of Truth and what I say is true I undertake this cause for Truths sake that my Brethren whose salvation I desire may obey me more willingly and that they may know how I rely upon your assistance next to that of Christ and his Virgin Mother whilst I resist the wicked and am a present guard continually to the faithful For I did not ascend this Sea willingly but against my inclinations even with tears in my eyes that they should think such a worthless Man as me fit to sit in such a lofty Throne But this I say because I did not chuse you but you me and imposed this heavy burden upon my shoulders But the Sons of Belial are risen up against me since I have ascended the Mount
had not the like fortune who retreated to the Sittizonio di Severo and wanting courage to defend it basely deliver'd it up But Henry hearing that Guiscard Duke of Puglia was coming to assist Gregory he thought it no time to dally and therefore contrived this stratagem He sent the Bishop of Clugny to Gregory in the Castle to offer him that if he would crown him in the Lateran he would return into Germany with his Army immediately and the Roman people requested him to do it too Gregory answer'd he would do it if Henry would amend his errors and beg pardon This he not only refused to do but hearing that Guiscard was near with his Army he crown'd Clement the Anti-Pope with the Pontifical Crown publickly in the Lateran the Bishops of Bologna of Cervia and Modena attending at the 〈◊〉 After which he went to Siena and took Clement along with him But Guiscard breaking in at the Porta del popolo burnt the City all along to Domitian's Triumphal Arch though the people did what they could to resist him The Citizens had fortified the Capitol and defended themselves briskly against Guiscard who had already taken the Lateran From whence there were a great many skirmishes and sallies made on both sides and that part of the City which lies between the Lateran and the Capitol was demolish'd and the Capitol it self at length taken by storm and laid almost even with the ground Having thus made himself Master of Rome and given the Citizens goods as plunder to his Soldiers he march'd to Castle St. Angelo where the Pope lay besieged and freeing the miserable man at last from all his foes he carried him along to Cassino and Salerno with him Where in a short time after he made a godly Exit after he had sate in S. Peter's Chair twelve years one month and three days He was a Man no question that God loved prudent just merciful a Patron of the poor the Widows and the fatherless and the only Champion of the Church against Hereticks and wicked Princes who strove to make themselves Masters of the Churches patrimony by Violence VICTOR III. VICTOR the Third before called Defiderius Abbat of Mount Cassino being chosen Pope immediately took example by Gregory And therefore I suppose it was that Henry and he were Enemies by whose contrivance he was taken off with Poison conveigh'd into the Chalice as he was administring the Eucharist as St. Martin writes though Vincentius says on the contrary that he died of a Dysentery which may possibly seem not altogether unlike poysoning since those that are poison'd do sometimes fall into a Dysentery by the corruption and relaxation of the Intestines But Guiscard would have revenged so great a Villany if he had not chanced to die too soon for when he had subdued the Greeks he went to Corfu and died to whom because Boemund was absent Roger his younger Son succeeded in the Dutchy of Puglia At that time there was a famine throughout most part of the World by means whereof the King of Gallitia took 〈◊〉 from the Saracens after he had besieged it many years and gave it to the Christians But Henry had ill success against the Saxons in Germany being defeated with the loss of four thousand Soldiers God permitting this calamity that he might at last desist from harassing the Church There are who say that there appeared a great many Prodigies at that time as that the domestick birds as Hens Geese Pigeons and Peacocks fled into the Mountains and grew wild that Fishes in general both in Rivers and in the Sea died and that some Cities were so shaken with Earth-quakes that the great Church at Syracuse fell down at Vespers and kill'd all those that were in it saving only the Deacon and Sub 〈◊〉 who were miraculously saved 'T is said the body of St Nicolas was translated to Bari by the Merchants about this time and there much honour'd as Martin Scotus a Man of great Learning and singular Morals tells us in his History But Victor by whose procurement Deusdedit reduced the book of Canons into method died in the first year and fourth month of his Pontificate not without suspicion of being poison'd URBAN II. URBAN the Second before called Otho or Oddo at first a Monk of Eboina and after that Cardinal of Ostia was at last deservedly made Pope about five months after Victor's death For he was a very learned and an holy Man and fit for any great Employment At that time Roger took his opportunity now Gregory was dead and a new Successor come into the place to take Capua and all places that belong'd to them betwixt that and Tiber from the Pope and the Romans Thereupon Urban who could hardly trust the Romans by reason of their former inclinations to Novelty went to Melfi Where being resolv'd to call a Synod it was convenient to secure all people in their passage to it and therefore he commanded Roger and Boemund who were at variance about the Dutchy of Puglia to quit their Arms upon this condition that Roger should let Boemund have part of Puglia and himself enjoy all the rest of his Father's Dominion And when he had thus settled the Italian affairs to his mind and put the Church in a good condition as far as was possible in such an hurry he went to Toia to enquire what the Clergy of that place did and to correct the errors of some ill-livers among ' em But in the mean time Boemund whilst his Brother Roger made War in Sicily against the Saracens took Melfi by surprise Whereupon Roger returning from Sicily besieged his Brother Boemund at Melfi with twenty thousand Saracens which he hired to come along with him though those within the City defended it very stoutly The Pope seeing he could have no quiet in Italy design'd a Journey into France but first held a Council at Piacenza in which he wonderfully curb'd the licentiousness of some Clergymen From thence he went into France and began a thing very memorable For he call'd a Council at Cleremont wherein he so far animated the Princes of France toward the retaking of Jerusalem which had been so long in the hands of the Sarazens that in the year 1484. three hundred thousand Men enrolled themselves as Soldiers under Christ's Banner After which he returned to Rome with an intention that when he had composed things in Italy he would excite the Italians also to the same end In the mean time King Henry wicked man ceased not to affront Robert Earl of Flanders and provoke him to Battel that he might divert him from the holy Expedition Notwithstanding many followed one Peter an Eremite who was a man of incomparable sanctity and travelling through Germany and Hungary arrived at Constantinople then the common Seat of War And they were not long after followed by Eustathius and Baldwin surnamed of Bulloign men famous for feats of Arms. But besides these there was the Bishop of Pois Raymund Earl
of St. Giles Hugo Magnus King Philip of France's Brother and the two Roberts whereof one was Earl of Normandy and the other of Flanders together with Stephen Earl of Chartres who passing over the Alps into Italy came first to Rome Where when they had visited the SSts Tombs and Shrines and received the Pope's Benediction they went to Brundusium with an intent to go from thence into Albania But because one Port would not hold 'em all some went to Bari and some to Otranto But Boemund who we told you had taken Melfi being desirous of glory left Melfi and went upon the same Expedition with twelve thousand choice and young Italians And this his Valour so prevail'd with his Brother Roger that he laid down his Arms and promised that for the future all things betwixt him and his Brother should be equally shared and presently sent his Son Tancred who was desirous to go into the War along with his Brother By this time Peter the Eremite was come to Constantinople and pitching his Camp in the Suburbs did so much damage to the Citizens not voluntarily but through the licentiousness of his Soldiers that the Greeks wish'd 'em all cut off Alexius the Emperour was very much concerned for the injuries which his Subjects suffer'd and therefore forced Peter for want of forage to pass the Bosphorus before he was willing However being compelled to it Peter and his Men went over and first going to Nicodemia and then to Nicopoli attaqued that City though it was well guarded by the Saracens But they wanting provisions to maintain the Siege and the Christian Soldiers dying apace they were worsted by the Sarazens and forced to raise their Siege but besides that received such damage in their flight that Reginald General of the Germans renounced the Christian faith and surrender'd himself to them and Peter went as it were back like an Ambassadour to Constantinople without any Soldiers to attend him This was welcome news to Alexius who hoped that the Christians upon such a discomfiture would quit that Expedition But in the mean while other supplies came in and Alexius finding that he could not beat 'em back with open force he set upon 'em in the Night time as they were pitching their Camp in the Suburbs of Constantinople but to no purpose for they that were posted there maintain'd their Camp with great courage till the rest of the Soldiers awaked got to their Arms. They fought too the next day with small damage on either side Then Boemund was sent to Alexius in the name of the Army and partly by Menaces partly by Promises induced him to enter into a League upon these terms That they should not onely pass through his Territories with safety but have all necessaries supply'd and that whatever they took from the Saracens should be his except Jerusalem When he had so done he repassed the Bosphorus and arrived first at Nicomedia and then at Nicopolis which was briskly defended by the Turks within Both Saracens and Turks being Allies at that time in the War against the Christians sixty thousand Turks who lay upon the adjacent Mountains made signs to the Townsmen to sally out while they set upon the Christian Camp but were so briskly repulsed that they return'd to the Mountains without doing any execution Yet it was difficult to take the City because all kind of Provisions were carried into it by a Lake that joins to it till the Lake being fill'd with small Vessels from Constantinople the Townsmen were so streightned for want of necessaries that fifty two days after the beginning of the Siege they surrender'd the Turks who were in Garrison there being permitted to march out with their Arms and Baggage After which the Christians fortified Nicopoli and then left it and being forced to travel through Deserts they divided their Army into two parts But it so happen'd that Boemund sound out a 〈◊〉 place near a certain River where designing to stay and refresh his Men who were weary of travelling on a sudden the Turks and Saracens under the conduct of Soliman set upon him and had certainly overpower'd him with multitudes had not Hugo and Godfrey with forty thousand Horse come to his aid 〈◊〉 as they heard of it They fought very smartly and a great while on both sides nor could the Battel be ended but by the Night coming upon them and in that fight it was found next day that there were forty thousand men slain either Turks Medes Syrians Chaldeans Saracens or Arabians But nevertheless Soliman made all the haste possible from thence and bragging in all places that he was Victor he met ten thousand Arabs who were acoming to the Army whom he carried with him into Lycaonia to intercept the Christians passage and hinder Provisions from being carry'd thither But the Christians being supply'd by the Corn then almost ripe upon the ground arrived first at Iconium the chief City of that Country and having taken that by surrender possess'd themselves of Heraclea and Tarsos with the same success Then Baldwin a Man of great Courage and Wit first got a Signiory in Asia for he had Tarso and all that he took in that Country bestowed upon him and not long after made himself Master of Edessa and Manista From thence the bigger Army went into Cilicia now called Armenia minor which submitting upon the first Onset they made Palinurus an Armenian who had fought on the Christian side Governour of it Afterward they took Coesarea in Cappadocia and then march'd on toward Antioch over the high Mountains At that time Cassianus was King of Antioch formerly called Reblata but that same King who formerly govern'd all Asia double wall'd it and called it by his own name and built about it four hundred and sixty Towers Here was also once St. Peter's Sea and here were born Luke the Evangelist and that Theophilus to whom Luke directs his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles and here Men that were regenerate by Baptism were first called Christians and lived there a thousand years under Christian Government Moreover it appears that there were one hundred and sixty Bishops under the Patriarch of Antioch before the Barbarians took it and that there were in it three hundred and sixty Parish Churches In the year therefore of our Redemption 1491. Antioch began to be besieged with great application At which time Urban who was vexed with tumultuous insurrections shut himself up for two years in the House of one Peter Leo a noble Citizen near St. Nicolas's Church But when John Paganus a most seditious Fellow was dead he was a little more at liberty and then he applied himself to settle the State of the Church For he received into favour the Arch-bishop of Millain before deposed because he had been consecrated by one Bishop against the Canon and custom of Holy Church he having by way of penance changed his habit and lived in a Monastery voluntarily and holily upon that account And
nenew'd and quarter given to all that desired and would lay down their Arms. But the Christians after such a Victory when they had rested eight days from the toil of War and had visited the holy places of the City and our Lord's Sepulchre took Godfrey upon their shoulders and carry'd him into the Palace where by universal consent they chose him King And he though he did not refuse the Title of King yet he would not have a golden Crown because he thought it unseemly for any one to wear a golden Diadem where Christ the King of Kings wore one of Thorns when he redeemed mankind Then also was Arnulphus the Priest made Patriarch and consecrated by the Bishops that were there present The Citizens of Neapolis in Assyria were so frighted at this Victory that they sent Ambassadours to Godfrey to surrender themselves and all they had Soon after news came that a mighty Army of Soliman King of Babylon was come to Ascalon a City twenty miles from Jerusalem was always in 〈◊〉 with the People of it Godfrey resolv'd to meet 'em and therefore left Peter the Hermit to guard the City and recall'd Eustace and Tancred whom he had sent to Neapoli with two Legions As he march'd against the Enemy he was inform'd by the Prisoners he took that Clement was Soliman's General and had fifty thousand Men under him and a Navy laden with Provision and Artillery but notwithstanding was resolv'd to fight him which he did and Godfrey who had the day kill'd thirty thousand of his Men as the story goes But Clement who led the Enemy escaped away The Ascalonites having received such a blow deliver'd up their City streight to Godfrey in which he found as much Gold and Silver as ever was seen together before Jerusalem being thus retaken many of the Princes who had perform'd their Vow and had their desire began to take their journeys home into Europe among the rest the Earls of S. Giles and Troyes But Godfrey and his Brothers who had great success took Joppa a Sea-port Town and Rama which hinder'd the Christians passage from Ascalon to Jerusalem He also besieged Cassa otherwise called Porfiria at tho foot of Mount Carmel four miles from Acon But whilest the Siege lasted Tiberias a Town of Galilee surrender'd of their own accord and Caffa was not long after yielded upon terms But nothing that Men call Happiness is very lasting For a year after the taking of Jerusalem which cost so much labour and pains Godfrey died of a Fever and the Christians to prevent any damage that might happen by an Interregnum 〈◊〉 Brother Baldwin in his room A. D. 1101. But to return to Paschal whom Gregory the Seventh made Cardinal Priest of S. Clements for his Learning and Vertue He was chosen Pope by the Clergy after Urban's death though he could have been well satisfied with a private life for he was formerly a Monk and made Pope against his will denying himself to be capable of so great a Charge but yet at the desire of the People because the Clergy chose him unanimously and the College of Cardinals approved of it he did take upon him the Pontificate but not till they had thrice repeated these words with acclamations St. Peter has chosen Rainerius a very good Man Pope and the Secretaries and Clerks after that gave him the Title of Paschal Then he put on his Scarlet Cloak or Robe with a Mitre on his Head and was attended to the Lateran by the Clergy and People upon a white Horse until he came to the South Portico that leads to St. Saviours Where when he had sate some time in a Seat made on purpose as the custom is he went up into the Court of the Lateran and put on a Girdle upon which hung seven Keyes and seven Seals to let him know that according to the seven fold grace of the Holy Ghost he had Power to govern the Church under God and to bind loose open or shut Then with a Papal Scepter in his hand he visited those places which are to be enter'd onely to 〈◊〉 and the day following he received his Consecration at St. Peter's where Oddo Bishop of Ostia Maurice of Porto Gualter of Alba Bono of Lavico Milo of Palestrina and Offo of Nepeso anointed him with Chrism at which Ceremony the Bishop of Ostia had the chief Place which continues so till this day After his Unction he return'd into the City and took his Crown according to the Custom That this would so happen Albert Bishop of Alatri had formerly foretold For being ask'd by a Friend of his who he thought would succeed Urban God said he will choose Rainerius for his faith and constancy Nay they say that the same Albert foretold also the exact time that he should live in his Pontificate But Paschal who consulted the good of the Church then like to be ruin'd by seditious Men sent out his Forces against Gibert the Anti-Pope the Ring leader of all the mischief And to render himself sufficient for so great a War he borrowed several Troops of Roger Earl of Sicily and a thousand ounces of Gold Gibert that Villain lived then at Abba de Marsi and when he understood that the Enemy was coming he durst not trust to his own strength which he had procured of Richard Count of Capua but left Alba and went with all speed into the Mountains near Aquila where not long after he died suddenly and paid for all his iniquities But notwithstandstanding his being taken off the Church of God did not rest altogether from troubles For Richard who we told you supply'd him with Men and Mony put up in his room one Albert a Citizen of Aversa between 〈◊〉 and Capua who was compelled immediately by the well-affected Party to quit the place and go into banishment But the People of Cava near Palestrina following the Example of Richard's solly and arrogance made one Frederick Pope But they also repented of what they had done and one hundred and five days after turn'd him out of his Pontificate compelled him to take upon him the habit of an Anchorite and lead a private life Besides these there was a Third also one Maginulphus a Roman who was so bold as to usurp the Title of Pope at Ravenna But the Romans banish'd him and those of Ravenna when he had no Friend left expelled him their City The Roman Church being thus settled Paschal who was a Man of great Wit and Courage diverted his Mind from Religion to Arms and by the help of Roger retook Castellana and Benevento from the Enemies But in the mean time Peter Columna a Roman Citizen by the advice of Richard Count of Capua whose main design was to divide the Pope's Army seiz'd upon Cava a Town in the Pope's Dominions Thereupon the Pope marched against him and not only retook Cava but also took from him Zangarola and Columna two Castles of his paternal Inheritance from whence the Family of
the Columneses took their Title There was another Family at Rome called the Corsi very powerful and so true to Gregory VII that their Houses which were under the Capitol were burnt by Henry down to the ground yet afterward Stephen the chief of that Family chang'd sides and in Paschal's absence surpriz'd St. Paul's Church and the Castle hard by from whence he continually teazed the City of Rome with inroads very strangely For this reason the Pope omitted all forein Affairs and return'd with all speed to the City from whence he drove Stephen who went safely off disguised in a Monks Habit and so deceived those that came to take him At that time many Authors say there appeared a great many Prodigies as that the 〈◊〉 gain'd in some places full twenty paces into the Land more than ordinary and on the other side in some places retired from the shore an hundred And the like I saw at Pozzuoli the last year by some old weather beaten Marble Pillars that were wasted to three Cubits though the Inhabitants told me that three years before they were wash'd by the Sea They tell you likewise that a Comet appeared of a vast bigness that was seen at Sun-setting Paschal however was not disturb'd at any of these things because he knew 'em to be natural But when he heard the Bishop of Florence should say that Antichrist was born he went immediately thither and calling a Council who discussed the matter very nicely he perceived the Bishop was onely ambitious of being the Author of some great matter and therefore when he had chid him he sent him away and went himself into Lombardy where he called an Assembly at Guardastallo of many Princes and Bishops and held a long debate about Homages Fees and the Oaths of Bishops that had been or should be administred to Laymen And hearing of the scandalous lives of the French Priests he went into France and at Troyes he called a Synod in which having taken order for the more decent adorning of Churches and partly expelled partly chastised their Incumbents he returned in haste into Italy because he heard all things were there in an uproar For Stephen Corsus had taken Montalto and Pontechio from that part of Toscany which now they call St. Peter's Patrimony and had fortified them with Castles from whence he pillaged the whole Country with frequent inroads but the Pope fell upon him and beat him out of one of his Castles though he could not storm the other by reason of its situation and the Winter season which was at hand Going therefore into Puglia to compose the differences of those parts he committed the care of the Church to the Bishop of Lavico to Peter the Son of Leo and to Leo the Son of Fregepan the City and all its concerns and to Ptolemy Lord of Subiaco the territories adjacent leaving his Nephew Godfrey General to assist them in the defence of the Churches jurisdiction But in the Pope's absence Ptolemy the reputed Author of all that mischief threatned he should never return to the City any more and all these revolted from the Church to wit Peter Columna whom the Pope had taken into favour the Abbat of Farfa together with those of Anagni Palestrina Tivoli Frascati and Sabina The same Ptolemy also raised an Army and besieged Alba in Campagna di Roma which the Citizens very stoutly defended But when the Pope and the Prince of Cajetta came up together with Richard of Aquila two excellent Commanders they drove out these Usurpers that would have possessed themselves of the Church Revenues and freeing Alba from the Siege he also had the other revolting Towns surrender'd up to him except that he was fain to storm Tivoli which stood out very obstinately and occasion'd much damage on both sides though he took Montalto and turned out Stephen and quieted the whole Patrimony in a short time Assoon as he had made Peace here he apply'd himself to the War in Asia and to that end wrote Letters and sent Nuntios to all Christian Princes to exhort and animate 'em to it as much as possible because he heard that 〈◊〉 the death of Godfrey the Saracens brought great Armies to Jerusalem designing to re-take it as also that the Christians had received a great overthrow that the Earl of Burgundy was slain in the fight that Boëmund was taken alive and that Baldwin himself Godfrey's Brother then King had made a narrow escape so that the City was well-nigh taken But the Barbarians though they had gotten such a Victory yet they durst not attempt Jerusalem For Tancred who had defended Antioch very valiantly did also take Laodicea which belong'd to the Emperour of Constantinople by storm because he heard that Alexius was pleased to hear that so many Christians were killed and hinder'd our Men from passing out of Europe into Asia Baldwin the King encouraged by the good fortune and resolution of Tancred raised an Army as fast as he could he resolv'd to march against 〈◊〉 having sent to Genoua and Venice for Auxiliaries from whence he had eighty Ships of War besides many Galleys that were sent to the place insomuch that the City was besieged both by Land and Sea very closely and in twenty days was taken and the Saracens that came to defend it utterly routed and defeated Tancred shew'd great piety towards his Uncle Boëmund who had been kept in Prison by the Enemies for three years and restored him to the Principality of Antioch after he had redeemed him with a great Ransom of Silver and Gold After that 〈◊〉 committed the care of Antioch to Tancred and went first into Italy and then into France and married Constantine King Philip of France's Daughter but hearing that Alexius Emperour of Constantinople infested the Seaport Towns near Antioch he return'd into Italy and getting a Navy 〈◊〉 sailed into Dalmatia where he besieged Durazzo that he might divert Alexius from the War in Asia as he soon did and Alexius desiring a Peace Boëmund granted it upon condition that he should put an end to the War against Antioch and let the French Soldiers pass through his Country into Asia without any hindrance Peace thus made Boemund sail'd for Asia with the Navy which he had provided against Alexius and did so recruit and chear the spirits of the Christians that King Baldwin storm'd and took Baruti a Maritime Town of Phaenicia between Sidon and Biblos whose Metropolis is Tyre after he had besieged it two months but not without great loss of Men so that he was very severe with 'em and gave the City as a Colony to the Christians At the same time was Sidon also taken But amidst these successes of the Christians Boemund that famous Prince died which caused an 〈◊〉 sorrow and left his little Son Boemund whom he had by his Wife Constantia and who was to be his Successor in the Principality of Antioch under Tancred's Tuition till he grew up In the mean time Henry the
Fourth when his Father was dead whom he had defeated at Liege in a pitch'd Battel having composed all things in Germany came into Italy but tarry'd at Sutri knowing he should scarce be welcom to Paschal because he had demolish'd many Churches in the Wars and given Bishopricks as he pleased to any body against Law and Reason But when Ambassadours had been sent from one to the other and the Emperour had sworn that he would come peaceably into the City and force all the Bishops that were possest of Bishopricks either by bribery or violence to quit their preferments immediately it was agreed he should enter the City Then Henry removed from Sutri to Monte Guadio or as some will have it to Monte Malo by others called Monte aureo and pitch'd his Camp there and from thence by consent of the People and attended by all the Nobility he march'd first into the Borgo di Santo Pietro the Priests leading the way in their Vestments and carrying the reliques of Saints along with 'em from St. Angelo for he went that way into the Borgo di Santo Pietro as far as St. Peter's Church and upon the steps that ascend to it he kiss'd the Pope's feet who came so far with the Cardinals to meet him And when he had quarter'd his Soldiers according to his mind he went into the Church upon the Pope's right hand where when he had said his Prayers at the Altar he desired the Pope to confirm the Bishops that he had made though he had sworn that he never would ask it which Paschal denying he gave the signal and in came his Soldiers who presently took Paschal and all the Cardinals and carry'd him and a great many of the Clergy whom they had plunder'd before into their Camp The People of Rome were so incensed at this affront that they rose in Arms and beat the Germans out of the Borgo and shut all the Gates Thereupon the Emperour went to M. di Santo Silvestro and put the Pope and Cardinals in streight Prison with Guards round about lest they should escape which done he went back with the rest of his Men to attaque the City and came as far as the River Aniene From whence when he had first made himself Master of Ponte Mammolo which takes its name from Mammea the Mother of Alexander the Emperour who founded it he burnt all the Villages round about and made continual incursions upon the Romans At which the Pope who was concern'd for the calamity of the Citizens and wearied with their intreaties desired to be brought as he was to Ponte Salaro where he sent for Notaries out of the City to write down the Contract and though he was unwilling yet did confirm all the Bishops that Henry had chosen Things being thus composed and Prisoners on both sides dismissed the Emperor was Crown'd by the Pope in S. Peters but the City Gates were first shut lest the People should break out and the very Church had a Guard set upon it by Henry's Order By this means he had what he wish'd for and so return'd into Germany not long after But the Pope when Italy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little settled exhorted the Pisans who were skilful Seamen to leave the Baleares two Islands called Majorca and Minorca which they had in their possession for some time before and sail against the Saracens who infested our Seas and all the shores of Christendom The Pisans were desirous of Honour and provided a great Navy mann'd with most of their young Men and went against the Enemy But whilst they staid at Volterra for a Wind the Luccheses invaded their City which had no body to defend it and had taken it had not the Florentines at the request of the Pisans beat back the Luccheses and manfully maintained it For which kindness the Pisans when they came back victorious over the Saracens presented the Florentines with two Prophyry Pillars still to be seen at the Gate of St. John Baptist's Chappel In the mean time Paschal held a Council at the Lateran and revok'd all that he had promised to Henry because he was forc'd to do what he did either out of fear of Henry or in pity to the Cardinals that were in bonds or to the People of Rome whom Henry harass'd after an hostile manner to make a Peace upon any terms He therefore thought it better to retract what he had done amiss since he was compelled than to let other Princes take that for a Precedent and think that lawful for them to do which Henry onely extorted from him against his will At that time Maude the Countess died of age and left the Church of Rome in her Will all that tract of ground that lies betwixt the River Pissia and Santo Quirico in Sienois to Ceperano between the Apennine and the Sea as also Ferrara which is still tributary to the Church of Rome There are some Authors of which Vencentius is one of the best who write that this Lady died at Florence in a great Fire that burnt down most of the City and destroyed two thousand Persons and that her Body was carry'd thence afterward into 〈◊〉 and buried in a Monastery of St. Benedict twelve miles from Mantoa My Opinion is that she died at Mantua and was carry'd to St. Benedict's which she built by her own Order and Anselm's care who was a very holy Man and the cause of her building that stately Edifice And I am sure Anselm himself who was Bishop of Lucca was buried there too but translated afterward to the Cathedral of Mantua lest the neighbourhood should have stollen him out of his grave because he was every day more and more famous for Miracles The Lucceses say that they have Maud's body which I cannot believe because Guido Gonzaga whilst he repaired the Monastery of St. Benedict found and removed the body as he ought to a better place Some Authors also write that there was another Anselm at the same time a very learned Man and of such esteem in England that he was in a short time from a Monk made an Abbat and then Arch-bishop of Canterbury the same Person who wrote several Books of Meditations Why God should be made Man of free Will of Parables of the Cross and of St. John Baptist. These happy times produced Sigebert the Monk of Gemblours a Man of excellent Learning and Bernard of Castillon in 〈◊〉 a Man of a noble Family He when he was twenty two years of age took upon him the habit of a Monk under Stephen the Abbat who was the third after the Order of Cistercians was erected with thirty Fellows more and was so much commended for his Learning and Piety that in a short time he was made Abbat of Clarevalle a Monastery built by one Robert a Nobleman of great honour and there he lived and govern'd with great reputation for thirty six years And when he that is Bernard died he left besides the same of his sanctity a great many
strong place in Syria and fortified it that it might be a receptacle for the Christians in their War against the Infidels Boemund also the younger dying Tancred who was his Uncle and Guardian was by all the Christians declar'd Prince of Antioch which Principality having setled he was sent for by Baldwin King of Jerusalem to come with all his force to aid him against the Turks Saracens and Arabs who with a great Army had invaded his Kingdom Tancred arriving there and observing the small forces of the Christians dissuaded Baldwin from joyning Battel with the Enemy by that means putting the whole affair of Christendom under a great hazard but all in vain for Baldwin giving them an opportunity of fighting was overcome with great slaughter himself and a few Men retreating with great difficulty to Jerusalem and Tancred by several by-ways escaping to Antioch The Enemies puff'd up with this great Victory seiz'd Mount Tabor and pulling down the Monestery there put all the Monks to the sword Gelasius in the mean time could not be at rest from a forein Enemy for the Emperor Henry had entred Italy with his Army wasting all as he march'd was just about to enter Rome in a hostile manner to escape whom the Pope at first retir'd to the House of Volcamino a noble Citizen but not deeming that altogether safe he went with his Attendants aboard a couple of Gallies prepar'd for that purpose and sail'd down the Tiber to Ostia the German Soldiers pursuing him and shooting at him with Darts and Arrows Coming to Ostia he dared not venture any whither by Sea it was so stormy but he travell'd hy Land to Ardea accompanied still wherever he went by Hugh Cardinal of the Twelve Apostles an illustrious Prelate Soon after the Sea growing more calm he return'd to 〈◊〉 from whence he sail'd first to Terracina and then to Gaeta where he was very kindly entertain'd by his Countrymen Hither came to meet him William Duke of Puglia Robert Prince of Capua and Richard of Aquila who all promised him their utmost service as became loyal Feudataries of the Church of God Henry hearing these Princes were raising an Army against him set up for an Anti pope Maurice Archbishop of Braga by the name of Gregory to oppose Gelasius and recommended him to the Family of Frangipani and not content to have acted so pernicious a thing he entred the Country of Anagni and plunder'd and ruin'd all before him he had just laid Siege to Turricolo a strong place when on a sudden news was brought that Gelasius with the Princes of Puglia approach'd with a great Army whereupon he decamp'd and as he retreated out of Italy he sill'd all places with slaughter and rapine 〈◊〉 upon his retreat dismiss'd the 〈◊〉 Princes supposing now that Henry was gone all things would be in a peaceable condition at Rome hereafter but he was very much deceiv'd in his opinion for he was soon after inform'd that the Anti-pope upheld by the power of the Frangipani continued still at Rome out of fear of which Family he staid privately a while in the House of a Friend but afterward as he was saying Mass in the Church of Praxede his Enemies with their Party rush'd in and he had much ado to escape out of their hands by flight some of the Corsi and Normanni two great Families with his Nephew Crescentius fighting briskly in his defence The next day guarded by his Retinue and Friends in Arms he return'd to the City from S. Paul's whither he had fled and consulting with his Cardinals he resolv'd to leave the City lest the Uproars every day encreasing some great mischief might ensue Having therefore left to Peter Bishop of Porto the Vicegerency in Ecclesiastical affairs at Rome and to Hugo Cardinal of the Twelve Apostles the care of Benevento he sail'd first to Pisa not conceiving the way by Land to be secure for himself and the Cardinals who accompanied him where he in the audience of the whole City related the causes of his departure from Rome and was received with great kindness by the Pisans thence setting sail for France he arrived at S. Giles's and was there entertain'd by the Abbat of Clugni and his Monks with many others who came for that purpose very magnificently and splendidly Then he cross'd the middle of France with a venerable rather than sumptuous attendance which now adays is the fashion by the way dedicating the Churches of S. Cecily in Stagello S. Sylvester in Burgundy and S. Stephen in Tornay and with Stones determining the Bounds of each Church Coming at last to the Monastery of Clugni he was taken with a Plurisie and died having been Pope one year and five days He was a most holy Man and very praise-worthy both for his life and doctrin so that I cannot doubt considering the integrity of his life and his religious constancy amidst the many storms and troubles he underwent but that he now enjoys Eternity among the blessed in Heaven He was buried in the Porch of the said Monastery Some write that in his time the Order of Knights Templers first began who living not far from the Holy Sepulcre entertain'd Pilgrims and accompanied them in Arms in their journeys to and from the holy Places which by their means might be visited with all safety These Knights Cusentinus commends highly for their holy Christian Lives CALISTUS II. CALISTUS the Second first named Guy a Burgundian Arch-bishop of Vienna descended of the Blood Royal of France was chosen Pope by those Cardinals who were at Clugni at the death of Gelasius but he would not take upon him the 〈◊〉 till he heard the Election was approv'd by those Cardinals also who were left at Rome and elsewhere in Italy which being certified to him by Letters and Messengers he went to Rome and the Nobility and People meeting him congratulated his Promotion and their own good fortune not doubting but he would be a restorer of peace and tranquillity to the City of Rome Here he settled matters to his mind and went to Benevento where all the Princes thereabout were met to salute him according to custom of whom the principal were William Duke of Puglia Jordan Count of 〈◊〉 Arnulphus Count of Ariano and Robert Count of Lauretello all Men of great honour and without doubt the most powerful Lords of that part of Italy who took their Oath of fealty to the Pope But Calistus having nothing more in his thoughts than the holy War where it was much fear'd the Christian Cause would not be able to sustain it self against so many barbarous Nations returning to Rome dispatch'd away Lambert Bishop of Ostia a Saxon Cardinal of S. Stephen in monte Celio and Gregory Cardinal of S. Angelo to the Emperour to treat of a Peace which having procured without much difficulty they hang'd up a Table of the Articles thereof in the Lateran Church to the incredible joy of all People But this lasted not long for Roger Count
of Sicily in the absence of Count William had seiz'd upon Calabria and Puglia the charge of both which Countries William going to Constantinople to espouse the Daughter of Alexius the Emperour had committed to the care of the Pope Upon this therefore the Pope left Rome and went to Benevento from whence he sent Cardinal Hugo to Roger as he was besieging the Rocca di Niceforo to persuade him to lay down his Arms and quit the Siege but he little regarded the Pope's Order rather pursuing the War more vigorously fearing lest if his Cosen William should arrive before he had possest himself of those two Countries it might render his design unfeasible The Pope then began to raise an Army when on a sudden both himself and many of the Cardinals were taken ill of Fevers which forc'd him to return to Rome without performing any thing so that Roger not meeting any resistance easily made himself Master of Calabria and Puglia Thus was William 〈◊〉 of his Country and of the Wife he expected and being forc'd to betake himself to live in the Court of the Prince of Salerno he died a little while after without Heirs and Roger having lost so considerable an Enemy arrogates to himself the Title of King of Italy Calistus as soon as he recover'd his health held a Council in the Lateran of nine hundred Fathers where it was consulted how with the first opportunity they might send Recruits to the Christian Army in Asia then much weakned the news whereof gave such courage to Baldwin King of Jerusalem that he set upon Gazis a King of the Turks that inhabited Asia minor who was coming against him with a great Army vanquish'd him and took him Prisoner and with like success he encountred the King of Damascus who was marching against Jerusalem whom he defeated having kill'd two thousand of the Enemy and taken a thousand But Balahac King of the Persians coming on with numerous sorces and Baldwin not staying till the Auxiliaries could arrive he rashly adventur'd to fight him and was totally routed and himself and many of his Nobles made Captives This made Pope Calistus hasten their assistance lest the remainder of the Christians should be destroy'd having no King and by the mediation of Veramundus Patriarch of Jerusalem a learned and a good Mam he animated the Venetians with hopes of glory and reward to man out a stout Fleet upon the service in the year 1121. Dominico Michiele being Duke which arriving at Joppa then streightly besieged both by Sea and Land by the Saracens they overcame them with great slaughter and raised the Siege Hence they went to Tyre which after a long and bloody Siege they took having first made it their bargain that half Ascalon and Tyre should be theirs if by their means they happened to be taken But Emanuel Emperour of the Greeks Successour to Calo-Joannes enving these great successes to the Latines or those of the Roman Communion commanded the Venetians to recall their Admiral which they did and he obey'd but he was so inrag'd that in his return he sack'd Rhodes Chios from whence he translated to Venice the body of S. Theodore the Martyr Samos Mitilene and Andros Islands belonging to the Emperour He took Modone and 〈◊〉 it and subjected the Island Trau before in the hands of the Hungarians to the Venetian Commonwealth He brought also along with him to Venice the Stone upon which at Tyre Christ is said to have sate In the mean time Baldwin who we said was taken Prisoner being ransom'd return'd to Jerusalem and for a while kept up the Christian Cause so that Calistus having now a little leisure from forein troubles creates twelve Cardinals rebuilds several Churches that were ruin'd with age repairs the City Walls makes Conduits 〈◊〉 Castles belonging to the Church and distributes great Donaries of Silver and Gold to several Churches purchases several pieces of ground to augment S. Peter's Revenue and within the Court builds the Church of S. Nicolas But so great felicity cannot long be enjoy'd on Earth without interruption for Gregory the Anti-Pope before nam'd Bordino attempting to usurp the Papacy kept at Sutri where with the assistance of some Roytelets thereabout he did great damage to the Romans by his incursions and plunder'd all the Strangers he could meet with that travel'd to Rome either out of devotion or about business Calistus therefore gets together an Army on a sudden and sending before John de Crema Cardinal of S Chrysogon with the most expedite part of Soldiery himself follows and defeating the Enemy takes Sutri and sets Bordino upon a Camel leading him so in triumph to Rome and then forgave him his life but thrust him into the Monastery of Cave At last Calistus having deserv'd well both of God and Man died in the Lord after he had been Pope five years ten months and six days The Sea was then vacant eight days HONORIUS II. HONORIUS the Second at first named Lambert born in the Country of Imola was made Pope about the time that Baldwin being ransom'd from his imprisonment added the Principality of Antioch to the Kingdom of Jerusalem all the Heirs being dead to whom of right it belong'd But so great a Province not being to be govern'd without a Lieutenant he made Raymund Son to William Duke of Austria their Governour whose Wife was the Daughter of Boemund the elder and having thus setled matters he went against the King of Ascalon who being assisted with forces from Aegypt infested the 〈◊〉 of Jerusalem and him he utterly routed in one Battel Afterward Baldequan a petit King of Damascus attempting the same thing but with greater forces he overthrew him in three fierce Battels his men in their flight being kill'd up and down like sheep To return to Honorius though his Parentage was mean yet for his excellent Learning and conversation he was every way worthy of so high a Dignity not but that the methods by which he obtain'd it were not altogether commendable the Election having been procur'd rather by the ambition of some private Men than by unanimous consent For when upon the death of Calistus the Consultation was held about chusing a new Pope Leo Frangipane imposed upon the Conclave that the Election should be deferred for three days under pretence of more mature deliberation and a stricter search into the Ecclesiastical Canons though neither of these were part of his design but it was craftily and politickly done by him to gain time in which Votes might be procur'd for the choice of Lambert The People were extreamly desirous to have had the Cardinal of S. Stephen which Frangipane also pretended that so he might by this trick draw over the People and the unwary Fathers which some of the Cardinals observing because they would not have a Pope according to his mind they set aside the Cardinal of S. Stephen and chose Theobald Cardinal of S. Anastasio Pope by the name of Coelestine Leo now thought it
the Pope Hereupon the Emperour Lotharius having repress'd his own Rebels once more advances towards Rome with his Army and the Pisans on the Pope's behalf fit out a powerful Fleet and with these Forces they not onely quell'd the Sedition at Rome but attack'd Roger so stoutly both by Sea and Land that they stripp'd him of all that he held in Italy and drove him to his own Sicily in a short time John Emperour of Constantinople who had no kindness for Roger hearing of these great successes sent Ambassadours to congratulate Lotharius upon that occasion one of which Embassie was a Sophister who would undertake to prove that the Latin Church profess'd a great Error in declaring contrary as he said to the opinion of the Nicene Council which was that the Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father that the said Holy Ghost did proceed from the Father and the Son But among those who manag'd the Controversie was one Peter a Deacon a learned Man and a great Disputant who replied thus If the Latins says he are to be condemn'd because they add that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son also why are not the Greeks much more to be condemn'd who say the H.G. proceeds from the Father alone whereas the Council said no more than that it proceeded from the Father The bold man was so gravel'd with this acute Answer that he laid down the Controversie and disputed no more The Emperour Lotharius being about to depart and Innocent fearing that when he was gone Roger would attempt to regain what he had lost in Italy he created Raino one of Lotharius's Commanders left by him to secure the Country with some Troops Duke of Puglia The Anti-Pope soon after died and was buried privately by his Friends and the Cardinals who had been his Sectators were reconcil'd to the Pope so that the Church seem'd to be in a likelihood of enjoying a little Tranquillity when on a sudden some Citizens of Rome seeking to enlarge their Power by tumults set up several Senators of their own to take into their hands the whole Government of the affairs and territories of the City Whilst the Pope withstood these attempts he holding a Council in the Lateran wherein it was ordain'd that no Lay-man should lay violent hands on a Clergy-man he died having been Pope fourteen years seven months and thirteen days A.D. 1114. At which time were in great esteem Gilbert an English Man a Person of so great knowledg that he was call'd the universal Scholar and Ambert Arch-bishop of Rhemes not inferiour to his Master Gilbert for parts and learning That piece of Mosaic work which is still to be seen in the Vault of S. Mary in Trastevere was done by this Pope CELESTINE II. CELESTINE the Second at first nam'd Guido Cardinal Priest of S. Mark a Tuscan born at Citta di Castello called by the Antients Tiphernum was by universal consent chosen Pope in the room of the deceased Innocent at the time when Baldwin King of Jerusalem dying Fulk Earl of Anjou his Son-in-law succeeded him in that Kingdom which with the help of his two valiant Sons he defended stoutly for some time For when the Turks who inhabited near the Persian Gulph had made incursions into the territories of Antioch he not onely defeated them but slew three thousand of their number and took as many Prisoners Which loss so enrag'd Alaph the Turk that with some Babylonian Auxiliaries he sate down before Edessa a City of Mesopotamia called by Jews Arach which we told you Baldwin had beg'd of his Brother Godfrey and took it the Barbarians plundering and spoiling all without mercy putting all those Christians to the sword who would not deny the Faith and ravishing the principal Women even upon S. John Baptist's Altar because they knew it was had in high reverence by the Christians But while an Army was raising King Fulk I know not by what ill luck fell from his Horse as he was riding too rashly after a Hare and died of his fall to whom Baldwin the third of that name succeeded in the Throne And Celestine after he had sate five months died and was buried in the Lateran He was happy in one thing that he was not pestered with any Seditions in his Pontificate which yet perhaps is to be attributed to the shortness of his time LVCIVS II. LVCIVS the Second a Bononian his Father's name was Albert came to the Popedom at that time when the news of the taking of Edessa was brought to Italy This Edessa was the City to which Holy Scripture says Tobias sent his Son and which the Apostle Thaddaeus converted to the faith of Christ being since honoured with the reliques of S. Thomas and hence it was that Agbarus King of the place sent a Letter to our Saviour to which he vouchsafed to write an Answer with his own hand Upon the tidings of this great loss Bernard Abbat of Clairvaux a personage famous for Sanctity and Learning as I have said before took to heart the defence of Christianity and by Letters and Messengers animated all Christian Princes to take upon them the Cross and Banner of Christ against the Saracens and prevailed upon Conrade of Schwaben who had succeeded Lotharius in the Empire to engage in the Expedition While provision was thus made for the defence of the Christian Religion in France and Germany Roger by the Pope's negligence returns into Italy and regains all that he had lost without meeting any resistance which success gave him so much courage and strength that passing with a Fleet into Africa he so plagu'd the King of Tunis that to buy his peace he made him promise him a yearly tribute which he paid for thirty years afterward Conrade having in the mean while got together a great Army under the Cross march'd to Constantinople where Emanuel II. Emperour of the Greeks over-persuaded him to take his journey straight on to Iconium without taking care of provision assuring him that himself would supply the Army with whatsoever should be necessary Whereupon that City well fortified both by Art and Nature was closely besieg'd a great while but the wicked Emperour shew'd them a Greek Trick and mix'd Lime with their Meal with which the bread was made for the whole Army of the Christians and this kill'd so many of the Soldiers that they were forc'd to raise the Siege and return into France without having done any thing Some advantage yet this Expedition may be said to have given the Christians because King Baldwin IV. of Jerusalem took such courage upon it as to besiege and take by storm the City of Ascalon having also a little before rebuilt the antient City Gaza then almost deserted by the Enemy giving it for a dwelling place to the Knights Templars Beside the same Baldwin gave a bold repulse to some Turkish Chieftains who infested the Inhabitants of Jericho of whom in one single Battel he is said to have kill'd five thousand Moreover Noradine Governour
of Damascus invading the territories of Jerusalem was met withal by Baldwin and totally routed so that in the pursuit the Christians were with much ado kept off from entring the City of Damascus pel-mel with the Enemy But to return to Pope Lucius he omitted no care nor pains in promoting that so considerable and necessary Expedition and I suppose he was much the more concern'd in his mind for it because before he was Pope he was Cardinal Priest of S. Cross in Jerusalem the Church whereof he almost wholly re-built By his approbation a national Council was held in France of several Bishops and Abbats against Peter Abelardus a Peripatetic Philosopher and a very learned Man who had maintain'd some heterodox Opinions but was in the presence of King Lewis so effectually convinc'd that he not only chang'd his mind but took upon him the life and order of a Monk and afterward together with some of his Scholars led a most holy life secluded from the World in a desert place Lucius after he had been Pope eleven months and four days died and was buried in the Lateran EVGENIVS III. EVGENIVS the Third a Pisan Abbat of S. Anastasius having been chosen a Monk by that holy Man Bernard was created Pope in the Church of S. Caesarius for when the Cardinals could not well agree whom to chuse out of their own number mov'd by an impulse from above they pitch'd upon this most religious Man Eugenius He finding the Romans would be urgent upon him with threats to procure his confirmation of their Senators he fled by night to Sabina accompanied by the College of Cardinals and was consecrated in the Monastery of Farfara and despising not onely the big words of the Romans but defying the worst they could do he drove those Senators to such a straight that he forc'd them to resign their Offices Hereupon he return'd to Rome but perceiving the Citizens were reconcil'd to him only out of design and not heartily and being afraid lest some trap should be laid for him he escap'd to Tivoli the Romans throwing at him Darts and other missile Weapons as he departed After this he went to Pisa and from thence by Sea to France where he persuaded King Lewis to engage in the holy War against the Turks and Saracens who arriving at Constantinople was no better used by the Emperour Emanuel than Conrade of Schwaben had been before him for Lewis taking his advice to pass through the deserts of Syria at a very unseasonable time was reduc'd to such extream necessity that he was compell'd to march his Army harrass'd with the bad way and want of all things to Antioch without entring upon any action This falsity of Emanuel procur'd him the enmity of Roger King of Sicily who mans out a Navy for Greece and seizes from him the Island of Corfu Corinth Thebes and Euboea and had gone up to Constantinople it self if the Venetians had not equipp'd a Fleet of sixty Gallies to hinder his design Roger therefore as God would have it turns to the coast of Asia where the Saracens Fleet had block'd up Lewis King of France then intending to set sail for Palestine from Porto di S. Simon and having got them at an advantage sets upon 'em and routs 'em delivering by this means this Christian King and his Army from destruction In the mean time the Venetian Fleet which was altogether on Emanuel's side retakes all those places which Roger had possest himself of but had been left by him unfortified and without Garisons Roger then leaving King Lewis at Joppa sets sail directly for Constantinople where he burnt the Suburbs in the very sight of the Emperour and carried his Victory so far that for some time he besieged even his Palace and with his own hand gather'd fruit out of his Garden But having got his Fleet together in order to return into Sicily he fell unawares upon the Venetian Navy which was ready prepar'd for a Battel and was by them defeated with the loss of twenty of his Gallies himself hardly escaping by flight While these things were doing Conrade Lewis and Baldwin with joint forces and courages attack'd Damascus which City was built by the Servants of Abraham in a Champain Country and naturally subject to drought but by Art rendred fertile and plentiful for the ground is watered by Channels and guts dug in the Earth and by that means made to abound with all things There is but one small River in that Country which running not far from the City Walls makes a little tongue of Land in which their Camp was pitch'd whereby they easily could hinder the Citizens from fetching Water but a certain Assyrian to whom in difficult matters Baldwin was wont to give great credit over-persuaded him to remove his Camp to the other side of the Town pretending that it might with more ease be there expugnable because the Walls were not so strong which was no sooner done but those of Damascus possess'd themselves of the place where our Men had encamp'd and having entrench'd themselves stop'd all the Water and Provisions that the Christians wanted So that being press'd with hunger and thirst they were forc'd dishonourably to raise the Siege from which Baldwin went to Jerusalem and Lewis and Conrade took their march to Europe whither they return'd An. Dom. 1152. with their Armies which by several accidents were very much shattered Eugenius after having as aforesaid stir'd up the Christians to this Expedition return'd to Rome where he was pompously and heartily entertain'd by the Citizens but having recover'd Terracina Sezza Norba and Rocca di Fumone places which had been seiz'd from the Church by several Lords of the adjacent Country he retir'd to Tivoli for his diversion where soon after he died having sate in the Papal Chair eight years four months and twenty days His body was carry'd to Rome and buried with great state as reason good in St. Peter's Church By his Order and at his charge the Portico of S. Mary Maggiore was built or rather re-edified as appears by the Inscription ANASTASIVS IV. ANASTASIVS the Fourth a Roman Son of Benedict was before Abbat of S. Ruffo in Velitro and now of a Cardinal was made Pope at that time when Alphonso K. of Spain died in his return from the Holy War to whom succeeded his Son Sanctius who soon after being slain in the Christian quarrel in a Battel in Arabia his Brother Ferdinand succeeded him in the Throne Anastasius having obtain'd the Popedom gave a Chalice of most excellent workmanship and vast price to the Lateran Church and in a short time raised a noble structure near the Pantheon now called S. Marca rotunda and many other things he design'd for the honour of the Church and the Ornament of the City if he had lived a little longer Great expectations Men had entertain'd concerning him and hopes that his goodness together with the learning of Richard de S. Victore his Cotemporary would
vindicate those times from obscurity and ignominy for Richard was then a famous Doctor and wrote many things gravely and copiously particularly a Book concerning the Trinity beside that he was an eloquent as well as profound Preacher At this time almost all Europe was afflicted with Famine which put our Pope upon acts of Charity which he perform'd liberally both openly and in secret but he died when he had been Pope one year four months and twenty four days and was buried in the Lateran in a Tomb of Porphyry HADRIAN IV. HADRIAN the Fourth an English man born near S. Albans in Hertfordshire having been sent into Norway to preach the Gospel he converted that Nation to the Christian faith and was therefore by Pope Eugenius made Bishop of Alba and Cardinal Upon the death of Anastasius being elected Pope he was applied to by the Romans both with Prayers and threats for an investiture of their Consuls in the absolute administration of the Government of the City but he positively refused and the Clergy of Rome desiring him to go to the Lateran to be consecrated he also denied so to do unless Arnold of Brescia who had been condemn'd for a Heretick by Eugenius were first expell'd the City This so enrag'd the People that they set upon the Cardinal of S. Pudentiana in the Via Sacra as he was going to the Pope and gave him a wound or two This the Pope took so ill that he set them under Excommunication till at last they chang'd their minds and both banish'd Arnold and forc'd their Consuls to lay down their Offices leaving to the Pope the absolute Power of governing the City Mean time William King of Sicily who succeeded Roger takes the Subburbs of Benevent and both Ceperano and Bauco from the Church which so enrag'd the Pope that he Anathematiz'd him and absolv'd all his Subjects of their Allegiance that so they might be at liberty to rebel But at this time the Emperour Frederick I. of Schwaben was entred into Lombardy with an Army and besieging Tortona which had revolted from the Empire he took it by force and thence with great speed he continued his march towards Rome The Pope was then at Viterbo from whence he went to visit Orvieto and Civita Castellana places belonging to the Church to confirm them in their Allegiance but finding himself unable to cope with the Imperial Army by his Nuntio's he struck up a Peace and met the Emperor near Sutri who alighting from his Horse address'd to him with all that Ceremony which was due to the true Vicar of Christ From hence they went to Rome where Frederick was to be Crown'd by the Pope in S. Peter's Church but the Gates being shut lest any tumult should happen between the Citizens and the Soldiers the Romans yet broke forth by Ponte S. Angelo and set upon the Germans whom they look'd upon as of the Pope's side and kill'd many This unsufferable riot angred the Emperour so that having brought his Army which was encamp'd in the prati di Nerone into the City he drove the Romans from the Vatican and slew and took Prisoners multitudes of them till being appeased by the intercession of the Pope he let those he had taken go free But when afterward according to custom the Pope and Emperour were to go together to the Lateran and found it would be unsafe because of the seditious humour of the Citizens they went first to Magliana and there crossing the River they pass'd by the way of Sabina and Ponte Lucano to the Lateran and perform'd the Coronation with the usual Solemnity While matters went thus at Rome those of Tivoli surrendred themselves to Frederick professing a perfect submission but when he understood that it was a part of S. Peter's Patrimony he restor'd it to Hadrian and without any long stay return'd into Germany The Pope also at the request of the great men of Puglia remov'd to Benevent where by his presence alone he regain'd from William to the Church a great part of his Kingdom In the mean time Paloeologus an illustrious personage came Ambassadour from Emanuel II. Emperour of Constantinople first by Sea to Ancona and then by Land to Benevent with an offer to the Pope of fifty thousand pounds in Gold and a Promise to chase William out of Sicily if upon the good success of the Expedition three maritime Cities of Puglia might be put into his possession which no sooner came to William's Ear but he sued for the Pope's mercy promising not onely to restore what he had taken from the Church but to add somewhat more and that he would employ his Force to constrain the rebellious Romans to their duty if he might be honour'd with the Title of King of both Sicilies The Pope could not grant this because several Cardinals opposed it Wherefore William getting a good Army together enters Puglia after an hostile manner destroying all with fire and sword and setting upon the Greeks and Apulians who were encamp'd near Brundusium he easily overcame them upon which those of Otranto and Puglia immediately made their submissions to him The Pope then was very angry with those Cardinals who had opposed the Peace before and took William into favour and gave him the Title of both Kingdoms he having first taken an Oath thereafter not to attempt to do any thing which might be a detriment to the Church of Rome Matters being thus composed to his mind the Pope taking his journey through the Countries of Cassino Marsi Reati Narin and Todi came at last to Orvieto which place he was the first Pope that made his habitation and beautified He was afterward by the earnest intreaties of the Romans persuaded to go to Rome but being here teiz'd by the Consuls who would be setting up for liberty he went to Arignano where not long after he died having been Pope four years and ten months leaving the Estates of the Church in a very good condition for he had built several Castles on the lake of S Christina and so fortified Radifano with a Wall and Citadel that it was almost inexpugnable The History of these times was written in an elegant style by Richard a Monk of Glugni much quoted by other Writers The body of Pope Hadrian being brought to Rome was buried in S. Peter's Church near the Sepulcre of Pope Eugenius ALEXANDER III. ALEXANDER the Third born at Siena his Father's name Ranuccio upon the death of Hadrian was by the suffrages of twenty two Cardinals chosen Pope though other three Cardinals set up Octavian a Roman Cardinal of S. Clement by the name of Victor which gave beginning to a Schism But Alexander lest the Church of Rome should suffer by the continuance thereof dispatch'd Legats to Frederick the Emperour then laying Siege to Cremona to desire him to interpose his Imperial Authority in extinguishing the Sedition He return'd for Answer that both Popes should betake themselves to Pavia whither he would come and hear their Case
came in good time for Frederick having promised Peace to the Romans was very urgent with them of the two Popes to chuse the more worthy and to depose and reject the other which when Alexander knew must be done as the Emperour should please he embark'd in the Gallies and escap'd first to Gaieta and from thence to Benevent Frederick afterward was driven from the City by a Plague of which both Citizens and Soldiers died like Sheep and as he march'd back through Lombardy the Army of the Confederate Cities met him and urg'd him to a Battel which he carefully declin'd and arriv'd in Germany When he was departed the Associates built a City at their common charge near Roueretto upon the River Taro which from the name of the Pope they call'd Alexandria to inhabit which from all the Cities they sent fifteen thousand Men dividing the ground equally among 'em and setting out the dimensions of their Streets and Houses The Romans yet regretted the slaughter made among 'em by the Tusculans and their Friends and therefore upon the departure of Frederick they took Alba and demolish'd it and had done the like by Tusculum if the Pope had not terrified them with Threats and Anathema's from doing so great a mischief At this time Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople sent other Ambassadours with greater Promises than before if the Pope could be brought to comply with his desire to whom Alexander gave this Answer that he was not willing to unite what his Predecessors had thought good industriously to disjoin In the mean time Guy the Anti-Pope died in S. Peter's Church which was still strongly garrison'd by Frederick in whose room the seditious substituted John a Hungarian Abbat of Sirmio who had before the repute of a Thief to him Raino who was afraid of the Romans upon account of the mischief he had formerly done them deliver'd up Tusculum upon condition that he should have Monte-fiascone in lieu of it but when Raino went to take possession of it the Inhabitants would not receive him neither would the Tusculans submit to the Anti-Pope upon which he return'd to Tusculum but was forbidden entrance From thence therefore he went to Alexius who was then at Veruli and surrendred to him all his Title to the place which when the Tusculans heard upon mature deliberation by a publick Decree they acknowledg'd their subjection to the Pope and receiv'd him Here it was that the Ambassadours of Henry King of England were heard when they came to clear their King of the false Accusation of having conspir'd the death of S. Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury But the Pope not easily giving credit to the King's Ambassadours sent two Cardinals into England with plenary Power to examine the matter to whom Henry paid so great respect that though he was engag'd in a War with Ireland yet he came as far as Normandy to meet ' em Upon debating the case it came to this end that Henry should by an Oath because the matter of fact was not clear purge himself and promise to do Penance for the murther of that holy Man of which though he were not guilty nor conscious yet it seem'd that the great spite and grudg he bore him in his life-time had given some occasion to the assassination and moreover that he should raise and maintain two hundred Soldiers for a year to assist the Christians in the Holy Land that he should within three years himself with what force he could raise undertake an Expedition to the same purpose that he should conserve the Ecclesiastical immunities in his Realm and not oppose any Appeals that might be made by his Subjects to the Court of Rome All these Conditions he having sworn to perform he had and he deserv'd it the right and Title to the Crown of England confer'd upon him and his Heirs with the Pope's consent Hence it may be observ'd that all the English Kings acknowledg themselves to have receiv'd the Title to their Realms of the Pope of Rome But Alexander having long strugled with the Romans offered them if they would admit him into the City to leave the whole Civil Government to their own managery and to intermeddle onely in religious matters but this would not be granted by them so he retir'd to Segna and there being inform'd by the English Ambassadours of the Miracles wrought by S. Thomas Becket he canoniz'd him Frederick now returning into Italy by Moncenisi took Seculia by treachery and demolish'd it he took also Asti which surrendered for fear and laid close Siege four months to Alexandria but receiv'd so much loss from the Sallies of the besieged that he grew weary of it and on Easter day rose up from before it and went to Pavia where a Treaty for the peace of Italy was carried on by the mediation of the Pope which the Venetians were willing to embrace who though they had been favourers of Emanuel before yet had receiv'd from him a horrid affront contrary to the Law of Nations for he had with red hot plates of Brass blinded their Ambassadour Henry Dandalo by holding them before his Eyes Mean time Almeric King of Jerusalem raised his Siege from before Cairo though he was not without hopes of carrying the place but was bought off with a great sum of Money and afterward march'd against Ascalon but was forc'd to quit that Expedition being in great want of provisions and finding his Soldiers to be very much tired and broken with the great and tedious toils of War they had undergone He did not long outlive his return but died and left his Kingdom to his Son Baldwin who though he labour'd with a dangerous Leprosie yet he manag'd his Government with great constancy and Wisdom Alexander thinking now to enjoy a perfect Peace made the new City of Alexandria a Bishops Sea An. Dom. 1177. but soon after Frederick re-enters Italy with great Forces and put all into confusion till the Milaneses with the joint forces of the Confederates so broke his Troops with frequent Onsets that in one of them Frederick's Horse was kill'd under him and he narrowly scap'd with life himself many of those of Pavia and Como being on his side were lost The Bishop of Pavia also because he took the Emperour's part was by the Pope deprived of his Pall and the honour of bearing the Cross Frederic's great Men thought these mischiefs happen'd to 'em because they persecuted the Church of God and openly threatned to return into their own Country and leave that wicked Warfare except he would be reconcil'd to the Pope speedily A Treaty then was begun for the Peace of Italy when Saladine a Person of great courage succeeded Noradine then deceased in the Empire of the Saracens who having taken and slain the King of Egypt added that Country and Syria to his Dominion not that his success was alike when he fought with the Christians being defeated by Baldwin in two Battels one at Ascalon and another at Tiberias but
soon after gathering his forces together he march'd into Cilicia to meet with Emanuel whose Army by a feigned flight he drew into narrow and difficult ways where he set upon 'em and vanquish'd 'em taking the Emperour Prisoner whom he set at large again upon condition that he should quit whatsoever he had taken in Asia At this time Alexander was met at Venice by Frederic there to treat of a Peace where in S. Mark 's Porch the Emperour kiss'd the Pope's feet and from thence they went together to the high Altar and having perform'd the mutual Ceremonies of Civility they discours'd a great while upon the Articles of the Peace which the next day was concluded Hence the Emperour with the good leave of the Pope departed first to Ravenna and then to Bertinoro which Town he design'd to keep in his hands because of the commodiousness of its situation but the Pope at last persuaded him to restore it to the Church Alexander also left Venice having first made several Presents and conferr'd many honours upon that State for the services they had done him and with thirteen Gallies of William King of Sicily and four of the Venetians he sail'd first to Siponto and from thence to Troia and Benevent and then passing S. Germano he went to Anagni where he staid not long but came to Tusculum to treat with the Romans about deposing the Consuls they had set up before a Peace should be concluded but because the Consuls had been so chosen for fifty years it was found to be a difficult thing to alter the custom wherefore they agreed that thereafter no one that was chosen Consul should enter upon his Office till he had taken an Oath to be dictated by the Pope that he would be true to the Church of Rome and never attempt any thing that should be a violation of the Pontifical Dignity Thus all matters being settled the Pope went the third time to Rome all the great Men of the City coming forth to attend and congratulate him soon after he held a Council in the Lateran partly to find a way to reform the great licentiousness of that Court but chiefly that it might be decreed that no Man under pain of an Anathema should furnish the Infidels with Iron Wood or any sort of Arms. At this time died Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople leaving his Son Alexius heir of his Empire under the Guardianship of Andronicus one of the blood Royal who for some years shew'd great prudence and fidelity in his publick Administrations and by his consent the young Emperour was married to Agnes Daughter to Philip King of France Baldwin IV. also King of Jerusalem to strengthen himself by the Alliance married his Sister Sibyl to William surnam'd Long-sword Marquess of Montferrat an excellent Soldier not doubting but that upon occasion William and other Princes of Christendom would come to his assistance if his affairs were in any danger Mean time Alexander after having undergone so many and continual labours when now he seem'd to be at rest from all his troubles died at Rome when he had been Pope twenty one years nineteen days having yet liv'd to see four Anti-Popes go before him who with their factions had almost destroy'd the Church of Rome LVCIVS III. LVCIVS the Third a Tuscan of a noble Family of the City of Lucca was made Pope by general consent at the time when Andronicus who we told you was Guardian to Alexius having driven out the Latins who favour'd the young Emperour and drown'd him in the Sea where he was wont for his recreation carelesly sometimes to venture in a little Bark usurp'd the Empire of Constantinople and to secure his Empire thus unjustly gotten he added another great wickedness for in a short time he cut off all the Nobility whose Virtue rendred them suspected to him Now also William surnamed Long-sword dying at Jerusalem King Baldwin taking care of his Nephew married his Sister Sibyl again to Guy of Lusignan a Picard upon condition that after his own decease Guy should enjoy the Kingdom during the nonage of his Nephew Baldwin after which he should resign it to him All which was confirm'd by the Pope's Authority who thought it very necessary for the Christian Cause that the Princes of Asia should be knit together with the strictest bonds of Amity and Friendship to enable them the better to resist the insults of the Turks and Saracens but he was quickly after expell'd the City of Rome while by the favour of some Citizens he attempted to abolish the Office of the Consuls and his Friends in that affair being taken had their Eyes put out Upon this horrid affront the Pope betook himself to Verona and call'd a Council where the exorbitant pride and licentiousness of the Romans was condemned and all Christian Princes were exhorted to afford assistance to the holy War especially because Saladine had entred and wasted the Territories of Jerusalem encouraged by the dissension among the Christian Commanders who had turn'd out Guy of Lusignan for his Arrogance from the Government and had substituted Bertrand Count of Tripoli Protector in his room so that all things seem'd to threaten a Civil War But the Pope incessantly persuaded them by Letters and Ambassadours to lay by their Animosities and with one heart and the same mind to oppose the common Enemy at least so long as till fresh Auxiliary forces could be sent to ' em For by the instance of Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem who came for that purpose first to Verona and thence went to Philip King of France upon the same Errand a good number of Soldiers under the Cross were listed and sent away But William King of Sicily in an ill time designing to revenge the wrongs offered to the Latins by Andronicus Emperour of Constantinople passing into Greece with his Army confounded all things for he took Thessalonica the chief City of Macedonia by storm and harassing many other of his Territories he took and plundered several Cities Adronicus not appearing against him being hated of God and Man for the many murthers and banishments he had been the Author of The Constantinopolitans were hereby reduc'd to necessity and forc'd to fetch from Pelopennesus and to set up for Emperour one Isaac who was of the blood Royal and he overthrew Andronicus in Battel took him and with various Tortures put him to death Upon which it became easie for Pope Lucius to persuade King William to make Peace with Isaac and with Promises and Rewards to prevail with him to turn his Arms against the Asians but while this matter was transacting by Internuntio's this excellent Pope died in the fourth year second month and eighteenth day of his Papacy at Verona and was buried with great Pomp before the Altar of the Cathedral Church This Pope had a great regard for his own Country and conser'd upon it many advantages both Civil and Spiritual before he died particularly he obtain'd of Frederick the Emperour with
whom he all his time kept a peaceable correspondence that the Mony of Lucca onely should be current in Tuscany as that of Pavia with the Imperial stamp went onely among the Lombards which People by the means of this Pope were reconcil'd to the Emperour Ptolomy of Lucca writes that there flourish'd at this time Peter Comestor who wrote the History of both Testaments and Joachim an Abbat of a Monastery which himself built at Calabria famous for his Learning and for his skill in Divination which he used to practise in doubtful and enigmatical terms VRBAN III. URBAN the Third a Milanese his Father's name was John of the Family of Crivellis was made Pope applied himself to compose the differences between the Christian Princes lest they should be destroy'd by the Infidels who would make use of that opportunity For Baldwin IV. dying of a Leprosie the Count of Tripoli who was made Guardian to Baldwin V. could not enter upon his charge because Sibyl the Child's Mother and Guy of Lusignan her second Husband opposed him The Child however did not long outlive his Uncle but died within eight months after him whose death his Mother kept secret so long as till what with gifts and what with good words she had brought over the Patriarch and the chief Men to her side to make Guy their King This Raimund Count of Tripoli highly resented and that he might the more easily work his revenge he made a Truce with Saladine by which means the Provinces of Tripoli Tiberias and Galilee were torn from the Christians for they were then subject to Raimund in right of his Wife whom he had newly married and lest a pretence for making War which Saladine earnestly sought should be wanting to him the Prince of Monreal a Christian in whose Dominion was a great part of the Country beyond Jordan and who was wont to supply in great abundance Jerusalem with Corn inconsiderately broke the Truce with him Saladine looking upon the time to be come at last which he had so long desired raised a great Army of Horse and Foot and stoutly assaulted Ptolemais then garison'd by the Templers In this Action the Templers got the better but with the loss of their choicest Men for their grand Master and many other of their most skilful and couragious Soldiers were slain Saladine hereupon reinforces his Army and taking courage from their distress presses more hardly upon them Raymund observing this and not thinking good to give too much credit to Saladine leaves his Wife at Tiberias and returning to Tripoli renews his friendship with King Guy slighting his Treaty before had with the Barbarians so that Saladine having a fair occasion to make War upon him draws off from Ptolemais and marches towards Tiberias All the Christians then but especially the Templers urging that their Army might march against Saladine King Guy accordingly sets upon him in his Camp which was pitch'd in a pleasant place and well-watered but was repulsed after which he encamping in an incommodious and extream dry ground where the Christians suffered much by thirst himself was forc'd to fight and was defeated with great slaughter In this unfortunate Battel most of the Christian Commanders were taken Prisoners as was also King Guy and the Master of the Templers many of whom were afterwards beheaded Saladine having gain'd this Victory marches to Acon which was immediately surrendred by the Christians who were permitted to depart onely with their Clothes and thence following his good fortune he takes Berylus Byblos and all the Towns upon the Sea-coast those of Ascalon onely trusting to the strength of their fortifications told him they would not yield to him except he were first possess'd of Jerusalem But the excellent temper and faithfulness of Saladine did the Christians much harm for he was so affable to every one that Subjection to him was a desireable condition He notwithstanding the big words of the Ascalonites invests the place and after a Siege of ten days had it deliver'd up to him upon condition that he would set at liberty King Guy and the Master of the Templers who were then his Prisoners That which made Saladine thus hasten the Surrender of this place was he heard that Conrade Marquess of Montferrat was arriv'd at Tyre with the Fleet of Isaac Emperor of Constantinople whose Sister he had lately married under his Command and that William King of Sicily was expected in a short time with forty Gallies The tidings of these glorious successes of Saladine against the Christians coming to the Turks in the lesser Asia so fill'd 'em with emulation that they march'd against Laodicea and took it and from thence they invaded the Territories of Antioch but they were there vanquish'd by the Christians with as great loss on their side as the Christians suffered from Saladine At this time Saladine had invested Jerusalem and carried on the Siege with so great diligence that those who were in Garison being out of hopes of succour after the taking of it by the Christians under Godfrey eighty eight years deliver'd it up on condition that whosoever should be minded to leave the City should go freely with so much and no more than they could carry on their shoulders The Christians who came forth of it went some to Tyre some to Antioch and some to Alexandria from whence many sail'd with the Sicilian Fleet into Italy Saladine having entred Jerusalem first threw down the Bells out of the Steeples and then profan'd all the Churches but Solomon's Temple which 't is said he caused to be washt with Rose-Water before he would enter it The Asiatic Syrian Armenian Jacobite Georgian and Greek Christians staid in Jerusalem by the permission of Saladine who leaving there a strong Garison took his way with great speed towards Tyre the defence whereof by common consent and with the joint Forces was entrusted with William who with the help of the Sicilian Fleet gave Saladine a repulse but when the news came that that valiant Prince was going to lay Siege to Antioch the Pope who had labour'd with his utmost might to hinder the loss of Jerusalem going to Venice to take care to get a Fleet together for the relief of it died in his Journey at Ferrara of grief for the calamity of the Christians having sate in S. Peter's Chair one year ten months and twenty five days GREGORY VIII GREGORY the Eight a Beneventan was created Pope by universal consent and immediately dispatch'd away Nuntio's and sent Letters to all Christian Princes exhorting them to join with him with their utmost Power to raise forces both by Sea and Land to attempt the recovery of Jerusalem out of the hands of the Enemy which great end the better to carry on he went to Pisa there to compose some differences between the Pisans and Genoeses with design to excite them both being powerful by Sea to that holy Expedition But whilst this good Man perplex'd himself with overmuch care in this
matter he died at Pisa the fifty seventh day of his Pontificate CLEMENT III. CLEMENT the Third a Roman Son of John surnam'd the Scholar as soon as he was made Pope sent forth a Bull to encourage Men to go to the Holy War for Saladine following the course of his Victories had taken twenty five Towns in the Principality of Antioch and at last had by bribing the Patriarch rendred himself Master of Antioch it self This gave the alarm to the Christian Princes so that now complying with the Pope's exhortations they raised Men the chief of those who engaged in the Expedition were the Emperour Frederic Philip King of France Richard King of England and Otho Duke of Burgundy beside many Arch-bishops and Bishops who accompanied them The Venetians and Pisans set forth their several Fleets well equip'd that of Venice was under the command of the Arch-bishop of Ravenna and that of Pisa under their own Arch-bishop And William King of Sicily having clear'd the Sea of Pirates took care to supply them by the way out of Puglia and Sicily with all sorts of Provisions Beside these the Friselanders Danes and Flemings with a Fleet of fifty Gallies landing on the African shore did the Saracens much mischief taking and plundering Siluma one of their Cities Bela also King of Poland out of good will to the Christian Cause made Peace with the Hungarians that so the passage through that Country might be more easie and safe for those who were to take their way through it to this great Expedition At last they all arriv'd at Tyre and from thence they march'd unanimously to Ptolemais and besieg'd it where Saladine with a great Army came and beat up their quarters so that having the Enemy before them and behind they were forc'd to fight The Battel was long and bloody and the Victory inclin'd to the Christians side when the mischance of a Horse slipping out of the hand of a common Soldier gave them an occasion of flight our Men thinking that the Saracens had got the better but Geoffrey of Lusignan who was left to guard the Camp in the nick of time giving a brisk Onset shock'd their pursuit and gave the Christians an opportunity to rally However 't is certain the Christians lost two thousand men that day beside that the Master of the Templers and Andrew Earl of Bremen died afterward of their wounds In the mean time the Siege lasting long the Christians were reduc'd to so great a want of all things that they were forc'd to procure Victuals of the Enemy which Saladine having notice of laid hold on the opportunity and deserted his Camp which he left without any Guard but furnish'd with all manner of necessaries which when the Christians altogether in disorder enter'd and fell to plundering Saladine return'd and kill'd many of them ere they were aware or prepared to receive him Yet did not the Christians quit this tedious and toilsom Siege though to their other distresses this was added that a Dysentery rag'd in their Camp of which Disease Sibyl the Wife of Guy with four Sons which she had by him all died While matters went thus in Asia William King of Sicily died at Palermo not leaving behind him any lawful Heir so that that Kingdom fell to the Church but the Noblemen of the Island set up Tancred in his room natural Son of Roger the Norman by a Concubine a Man of so great cowardize and sloth that William would not believe him to be Roger's Bastard Pope Clement not willing to lose his right sends away an Army thither with all speed between whom and Tancred who opposed them the Country was fill'd with slaughters and outrages Frederic the Emperour was now by the way of Hungary and Thrace march'd with his Army as far as Constantinople in order to advance against the Enemies of Christ where Isaac the Emperour of the Greeks fearing his Power persuaded him to cross the Bosporus which he did and Clement still hastening him on by Letters and Nuntio's he sate down before Philomena a City of the Turks and took it then he wasted the Country about Iconium and possess'd himself of all Armenia minor but going one time into a rapid stream to wash himself without regarding the depth he was drown'd and his Soldiers retreating towards Antioch either were lost or died so that his Army came to nothing The two Kings Philip and Richard having pass'd the Gallic and Tyrrhene Seas arriv'd together at Messina after which they met with different fortune for Philip had a good Voyage and coming safe to Ptolemais brought great strength and courage to the Christian forces but Richard being born by contrary Winds to the coast of Cyprus and being by the Greeks denied the liberty of landing he entred the Island by force and conquering it he plac'd therein Garisons of his own and then went to Ptolemais That City was then stoutly attack'd but Saladine had put in it so strong a Garison that with their frequent Sallies they did the Christians much damage Pope Clement now thought good to defer his Controversie with Tancred till the Christians should have more success against the Saracens and betook himself to regulate some Ecclesiastical Affairs and with great severity animadverted upon the scandalous lives of Clergy-men Moreover he built the Monastery of S. Laurence without the Walls and with great expence repair'd the Lateran Palace and adorn'd the Church there with excellent Mosaic work not long after dying when he had been Pope three years and five months and was buried in the Lateran Church with great Funeral Pomp. CELESTINE III. CELESTINE the Third a Roman Son of Peter surnam'd Bubo succeeded to the Chair who grudging that Tancred should enjoy the Kingdom of Sicily secretly gets away Constantia Daughter to the late King Roger out of a Nunnery at Palermo and though she was under the Vow of Chastity yet granting her the Apostostical Dispensation gives her to Wife to Henry VI. Son of Frederic Barbarossa upon these terms that he should be empowered to attempt the recovery of both the Sicilies which he should enjoy in the name of a Dowry with his said Wife paying a yearly tribute to the Pope as Feudatary of the Church Henry was so sensible of this extraordinary kindness of the Pope that he restor'd to him Tusculum which he had before strengthen'd with a good Garison which Celestine immediately bestowing upon the Romans they so spoil'd and ruin'd it that the very stones of the demolish'd City were brought to Rome and many of them were for a long time to be seen in the Campidoglio as Monuments of this great devastation Henry and his Wife Constantia laying Siege to Naples were forc'd to raise it by reason of a Plague which rag'd in their Army but the Christians who had now for two years besieg'd Ptolemais had it surrendred to them upon condition that they restoring that piece of our Lord's Cross which we before told you was lost should march
out freely every Man with his own Clothes but when they could not make good the agreement because the piece of the Cross was not to be found Richard put many of the Barbarians to death Saladine was so dismay'd at these losses that despairing of being able to defend them all he dismantled several Cities in that Region and was upon the point of delivering up Jerusalem itself if it had not been for a difference which arose between Philip and Richard concerning Precedency upon which Philip pretending himself sick departed home from Asia Richard then apply'd himself more vigorously to the War though at this time Conrade of Montferrat was assassinated in the Market-place of Tyre by two Saracen Ruffians who had bound themselves under an Oath and Vow to destroy all the Enemies of their Religion after the same manner but as they ran away they were caught and put to death with the most exquisite Torments and Henry Earl of Champagne taking Queen Isabel to Wife entred upon the Dominion of Tyre Richard giving some fair words to Guy of Lusignan persuaded him to pass over to him his Kingdom of Jerusalem which the Kings of England still put among their Titles and herewith taking courage he march'd his Army to beleaguer the City of Jerusalem but Saladine in his Journey falling in with his Rear forc'd him to a Battel in a very disadvantageous place in which though he at last came off Conqueror yet it was with great loss of men Saladine after this encamp'd not far from Bethlehem in a commodious place to intercept any manner of Provisions that might be sent from Egypt to the Christian Army as they should lie before Jerusalem wherefore and because the Winter was coming on Richard puts off his designs for this so necessary Siege the Pope yet urging him and continually supplying him with Money and retreats to Ascalon which as well as Gaza he fortifies again they having before been slighted by Saladine In the mean time the Sea-forces by degrees leave him and the Pisans sailing into the Adriatic seiz'd Pola with intent to Winter there but the Venetians reinforcing their own Fleet set upon 'em took the Place and sack'd it and drove out the Pisans and had pursued them to extremity if Celestine out of care for the good of Christendom had not mediated between them Spring now came on and Richard was preparing for the Siege of Jerusalem when on a sudden news was brought him that King Philip had invaded Normandy and intended to pass into England to procure that Kingdom for his Brother John Richard then laid by those thoughts and strook up a Peace with Saladine upon these Articles That Saladine should enjoy all but Tyre and Ptolemais to which with their Territories remaining in the hands of the Christians he should give no molestation Richard having thus settled Affairs there returning into Europe was taken by his Enemies from whom he was ransom'd with a vast sum of Money and at last arriving in England he had many a Battel with the King of France much against the Pope's mind who was griev'd that so fierce a War should be raised among Christians at so unseasonable a time when Saladine being now dead it was thought to have been a very fit time to have recovered Jerusalem It is reported of that illustrious Prince that one Ceremony at his Funeral was this His Shirt was hung upon the end of a Pike and carried before the Corps and one with a loud Voice cryed Behold Saladine the mighty Lord of Asia of all his Realms and of all his Wealth takes no more than this along with him A spectacle well befitting so great a Man to whom nothing was wanting but the Character of a Christian to have rendred him a most consummate Prince Upon the death of Saladine as was said before Celestine had fresh hopes that Jerusalem might be regain'd and so urg'd the Emperour Henry who Tancred being dead succeeded to the Kingdom of Sicily to undertake the Enterprize that though he could not go in person yet he sent thither with great speed a good Army under the Arch-bishop of Mentz and the Duke of Saxony The King of France would have gone too but that the Saracens who inhabited Mauritania now the Moors had cross'd the Streights and having taken the King of Castile Prisoner had possess'd themselves of that part of Spain now call'd Granado where the French fear'd they would hardly continue long quiet but go near to infest the neighbouring Nations and therefore would not draw their forces out of Europe The Germans however arriving in Asia fortified Berylus which had been deserted by the Saracens and rais'd their Siege from before Joppa from whence when they were about to go to Jerusalem Celestine this most holy Pope who never let slip any opportunity for the recovery of the Holy Land died upon which they desisted Notwithstanding all these troubles and these great charges of War our Pope built two Palaces one near S. Peter's the other near S. John in the Lateran fit for the reception of Popes The brasen Gates yet remaining in the Lateran over against the Sancta Sanctorum which were made by his Order and at his charge Moreover he made Viterbo a City raising the Church there to a Bishops Sea to which Diocese he added Toscanella and Centum-cellae Celestine died when he had been Pope six years seven months and eleven days to the great grief of all good Men and was buried in St. Peter's Church INNOCENT III. INNOCENT the Third born in Anagni Son of Trasimund of the Family of the Conti was for his great Learning and many Virtues made a Cardinal by Celestine and upon his death was by general consent chosen Pope Which he had no sooner arriv'd to but he applied his thoughts to the Holy War and by Letters Messengers large Promises and Largesses endeavour'd to contain the Germans within the bounds of their duty who after the decease of their Emperour Henry were all in a mutiny but 't was to no purpose for they disdaining any Commander left Asia and to the extream damage of the Christian Cause return'd to Europe whereby those of Joppa especially suffered most for being destitute of help the Turks and Saracens came upon 'em and while they were about to yield they took the City by force and cut them all off rasing it to the ground In Germany also all things seem'd to threaten confusion some of the Electors stickling hard for Otho Duke of Saxony others standing resolutely for Philip a German Duke of Tuscany who was left by Henry upon his death bed Guardian to his young Son And to improve this mischief to the height the King of France took part with Philip and the King of England was for Otho Innocent then to obviate the impending miseries that must follow upon such a state of Affairs confirms Otho in the Empire as duly elected by those who had just suffrage Philip notwithstanding would not lay down his
Cubit in depth This so terrified the Christians that they were glad to accept of Peace upon condition that Damiata should be re deliver'd to the Egyptians the Prisoners on both sides be discharg'd and the piece of the Holy Cross then in the hands of those Barbarians should be restor'd to the Christians and they suffer'd to retire quietly to Acon and Tyre Thus was Damiata which was begun to be inhabited by the Christians upon the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin deliver'd up according to the Articles on the Birth-day of the same An. Dom. 1221. In which year the Tartars a Nation of Scythia or as others will have it of the mountainous parts of India leaving their own Country ravag'd through Parthia Media Persia Assyria and came as far as Sarmatia where not far from Palus Meotis driving out the old Inhabitants they seated themselves The Christian Commanders finding at this time that nothing was to be attempted in Asia the Enemy being too powerful they together with John Colonna return'd into Italy and were soon follow'd by John King of Jerusalem who came to Rome and was by the Pope kindly entertain'd and had large Presents made to him Afterward he gave his Daughter which he had by his Wife Jole in marriage to the Emperor Frederic though he was under the Pope's Anathema and pass'd over all the Title he had by hereditary right to the Kingdom of Jerusalem to him by way of Dowry Hence it is that all the succeeding Kings of Sicily and Naples use the Title of that Kingdom also though they make their claim to it with words only and not with Arms. John then took a Journey into France where he had better luck than he was wont to have for Philip King of France bequeath'd in his last Will forty thousand pounds in Silver to him and as much to the grand Master of the Templers and with the help of this Money he went into Spain to perform a Vow he had made to S. James of Compostella where he took to Wife Berengaria Sister to the King of Spain This year died S. Dominic that holy Man at Bononia and Frederic declar'd his Son Henry a Boy but of ten years old King of Germany Our Honorius being a little quiet from forein troubles repair'd the Church of S. Laurence without the Walls that is call'd Sancta Sanctorum and the Church of S. Vivian beside he built a Palace at Casa Marii and adorn'd the Cibory Altar-Canopy or Covering of S. Peter with excellent workmanship He also compil'd the Decretal Epistles and confirm'd the Order of S. Francis who within two years after was canoniz'd by Pope Gregory After this blessed manner did Honorius lead his life and as became a careful and a good Shepherd and dying when he had been Pope ten years seven months and thirteen days he was buried in the Church of S. Mary Maggiore After his death there happened so great Earthquakes that in the Monti Salvii five thousand persons were slain by the falls of Houses and by the Stones that were thrown into the Vales from the tops of the Mountains GREGORY IX GREGORY the Ninth born at Anagni a City of Campania of the Family of the Conti and Nephew to Innocent III. was created Pope at the Settizonio a place in Rome so call'd from seven rows of Pillars there plac'd by the Emperour Severus Which was no sooner done but he dispatch'd away monitory Letters to require Frederic the Emperour under pain of an Anathema that he should with the first opportunity march with his Army into Asia there to endeavour the recovery of the holy City Frederic receiv'd the Admonition and indeed promised so to do accordingly giving out Orders that all who had entred themselves of the Crusado should by a day appointed repair to Brundusium with their Arms. Great numbers met there from all Countries particularly from Germany came the Lantgrave of Hesse who waiting there for the arrival of Frederic out of Sicily where he staid and prolong'd the time feigning himself sick died himself and a great number of his Soldiers and as soon as the news of his death was brought to Frederic he then immediately set sail for Brundusium and seiz'd into his hands whatsoever the Lantgrave had left of value which act plainly detected the fraudulence of his pretence However he continued to make the World believe that he was really intent upon the holy Expedition and after the rapacious action aforesaid upon the goods of the Lantgrave he hoisted Sail and commanded the rest that were there to follow him but in a little while after return'd to Brundusium forc'd as he pretended by the tempestuous weather 1. The noise of this Expedition mov'd John King of Jerusalem and Berengaria his Wife knowing well that they did what would be very acceptable to the Pope to take a journey to Bononia meaning to make use of some Shipping of the Venetians to carry him to Asia but the Pope understood well enough the tricks of Ferdinand and what little credit was to be given him and lest John should quite lose his labour and come for nothing he confer'd upon him the Government of the Exarchate of Ravenna and ratified the Sentence of Excommunication which was pronounc'd by his Predecessor Honorius III. against the Emperour Frederic and had done worse things against him if himself had not been under some fearful apprehensions of an Invasion from the Moors who were then out at Sea with a powerful Fleet but were afterwards vanquish'd by Ferdinand of Aragon with so great loss on their side that in a short time he possess'd himself of Majorca one of the Islands call'd the Baleares and took the City Valentia driving out the Saracens and compelling the Inhabitants to receive the Christian Religion At last yet Frederic was what by the intreaties of his Friends and the threats of the Pope wrought upon to begin his Voyage sailing first to Cyprus which afforded some hopes to the Christian Soldiers that were in Asia whom he had so often deceiv'd But while he staid there sending out Spies to bring him an account of the strength of the Soldan's Forces his General Rainaldo whom he had left in Sicily invades the Pope's Territories and takes several Towns in the Marca di Ancona The Pope was then at Perugia designing to go to Assisi there in person to examine the truth of those reports which had been of Miracles wrought by that holy Man S. Francis and when he found what he had heard concerning him to be really true he canoniz'd him with great solemnity in the presence of great numbers of Christian People who came together for that end While these things were acting by the Pope another Commander of the Emperours by siding with a Faction seizes Fuligno but was quickly expell'd by the Power of some good Men who stood up for the holy Church By this time Frederic was got to Acon and from thence solicited the Pope earnestly by Letters
much out of hopes of success that upon hearing this ill news of the misfortune of his Friends and Allies he began to think of retiring to Rome though his coming thither was opposed by one John Cincio a potent Citizen and Senator whose intolerable arrogance yet was so curb'd by James Capocio another Roman Citizen that the Pope was received into Rome with great splendor magnificence This was that James whose name is yet to be seen and read in the little Chappel of Mosaic Work which was built at his charge in the Church of S. Mary Maggiore in which also was buried Peter Capocio who was a Cardinal of the Church of Rome and while he liv'd a bitter Enemy of this Schismatical Emperour Frederic at whose expence the Hospital of S. Anthony not far from the aforesaid Church and the College for Scholars at Perugia now call'd la Sapientia was also erected Gregory having quieted the minds of Men in the City again pronounces an Anathema against Frederic and declares him to have forfeited his right to the Empire and deprives him of it then he sends for the Ambassadours of the States of Venice and Genoa between whom there was so great a quarrel as it was fear'd a War would ensue to mediate their differences which he did so effectually as that he procur'd an Agreement between 'em to a Peace upon condition that without mutual consent neither of the two States should make Peace with the Emperor of Constantinople that they should be Enemies to the Enemies of each other and join their Forces upon every occasion for the common defence and this Treaty to be in force and complied withal for nine years by them both under pain of Excommunication to be denounc'd by the Pope upon the Infractor About this time died Baldwin who upon the Death of John had succeeded to the Empire of Greece and made shift to hold it for two years but with so great difficulty by reason of his poor Treasury that he could hardly defend himself from his Enemies being forc'd to deliver his Son for a Pledg to the Venetian Merchants for Money that he had borrow'd of 'em and to make Money of the Lead that belong'd to the Churches beside he sold to the Venetians who were wealthy and able to purchase 'em the Spear with which our Saviour Christ's Body was pierc'd and the Sponge which was reach'd to him to drink out of Frederic had a great spight at these Venetians because they were on the Pope's side and drove them into their Marishes where their City stands for security and did them great damage but in the mean while happened a general revolt of the Cities of Lombardy by the Procurement and instigation of Gregory Monte-longo who was Legat at Bononia and Ferrara which had revolted before from the Pope to the Emperour was retaken by them though Salinguerra a valiant Commander was in it and made a brave defence As soon as it was taken it was put into the hands of Azo of the House of Este who was a considerable Person in this Enterprize to be govern'd by him in the name of the Church An. Dom. 1240. This so alarm'd the Emperour who was then at Pisa that being under great uncertainty whom to look upon as Friends to himself or Wellwishers to the Pope he divided first the Cities of Italy into two Factions giving the name of Guelphs to those who were for the Pope's Interest and that of Gibellines to them that were for the Imperial These most pernicious names of distinction invented surely for the mischief of mankind were first made use of at Pistoia where when the Magistrates expell'd the Panzatichi who were Gibellines out of the City there chanc'd to be two Brothers Germans the one of which whose name was Guelph was for the Pope the other for the Emperour and his name was Gibel from which these two Parties were discriminated by those different appellations On the other side those of Arezzo and Sienna drive out the Guelphs whose example being follow'd by many other Cities of Italy gave occasion and rise to a worse than Civil War Several Cities after this revolted from the Pope as well in Vmbria as in Tuscany and particularly the Citizens of Viterbo threw off their obedience The Romans also would fain have been doing the same thing but that the Pope carrying the heads of the Apostles SS Peter and Paul through the City in Procession moved the People to commiserate the State of the Church and then making a most excellent Oration in S. Peters Church he had the power and good fortune by it to persuade even the Seditious who were ready to mutiny to take his part and to list themselves under the holy Cross for the defence of the Church of God These when some time after Frederic came in hostile manner before the Walls of Rome gave him a repulse which so enrag'd him that whatsoever Prisoners he had taken he put to death with divers tortures and retir'd towards Beneventum which City he took by force sack'd and dismantled it Then returning by the Via Latina with his heart full of fury toward the City by the way he plunder'd the Monastery of Monte-Cassino and turn'd out the Monks he destroy'd also with fire and sword the City of Sora formerly belonging to the Samnites situate at the head of the River Garigliano and pillag'd any thing that belong'd to the Templers wherever he could meet with it He was so great a Lover of the Saracens that he made use of them rather than any other People in his Wars made Magistrates of them and gave them a City for themselves which is call'd to this day Nocera di Pagani He threaten'd the Brother of the King of Tunis because he was come as far as Palermo to receive the Sacrament of Baptism By a sudden Onset he also made himself Master of Ravenna which appertain'd to the Church All which Gregory well considering he appointed a Council to be holden in the Lateran there to find out means to depose Frederic but the Emperour had so beset all the ways that with the help of the Pisans he took several Cardinals and Prelates as they were travelling both by Sea and Land and cast them into Prison Which so griev'd the good Pope that he liv'd not long after dying when he had been Pope fourteen years and three months There happen'd an Eclipse of the Sun a little before his death greater than ever was seen Raymund of Barcelona flourish'd in his time and assisted him in compiling his Book of Decretals whom many Authors so commend that nothing can be added to his Praise CELESTINE IV. CELESTINE the Fourth a Milanese of the Family of the Castiglioni Bishop of Sabina famous in his time for his exemplary life and great Learning being very old and sickly was yet chosen Pope in the room of Gregory but died on the eighteenth day of his Pontificate and was buried in S. Peter's Church to the great
manner of filthiness The tidings of which mov'd Innocent to urge King Lewis to hasten his march towards Asia with those Forces he had already got together for that intent He complied and arriv'd at Cyprus but it was at so unseasonable a time of the year that he was forc'd to take up his Winter quarters there but as soon as Spring came on he sail'd to Damiata where he got the better of the Soldan's Navy and defeated his Land-forces who would have hindred his coming on Shore where he pitch'd his Camp for so long as till the rest of his Troops could arrive from Italy But these were very much retarded by the fury of Frederic who weaning himself after a while from the pleasures in which he had been immers'd takes up his Arms again and fills the whole Country with confusion and compells several Cities in which were many factious Persons to throw off their subjection to the Pope the chief of which were the Inhabitants of Forli Arimino Vrbin and all the Marca di Ancona In Vmbria none stood to their Allegiance but those of Todi Perugia and Assisi and in Tuscany onely the Florentines were on the Pope's side who therefore were so harass'd by the Army of Frederic that they were forc'd at last to banish so many of their fellow-Citizens as were of the Guelphs Faction The Bologneses had better luck for giving Battel to Henry one of Frederic's Generals they overthrew him and cut him to pieces Some write that 't was at this time that Frederic passing into Sicily died at Palermo while others affirm that he was taken desperately sick in Puglia and when he began to recover he was smother'd to death with a Pillow by one Manfred who was his natural Son begotten upon a Noble-Woman his Concubine Howsoever this was 't is certain that some time before his death he had made Manfred Prince of Tarento and had bestow'd upon him beside that Principality many other Towns and Territories He left Conrade whom he had by his Wife Jole Daughter to John King of Jerusalem Heir of all his Estates but he was afterwards taken off by Poison as was manifest by the means of Manfred having before seiz'd upon Naples and Aquino and sack'd them much against the mind of the Pope who vigorously opposed these proceedings though in vain in order to procure the peace of Italy that he might have liberty to transport the Italian Soldiers to recruit the Army of King Lewis then lying before Damiata But Damiata was now taken and Robert Earl of Poitiers coming with fresh supplies from France he marches from thence with his Army towards the City of Pharamia whither the Soldan apprehending his design was already come with great Forces There happen'd to be a River betwixt the two Armies by reason whereof they could not join Battel but they had frequent light Skirmishes both Generals keeping themselves within their Camps in one of which Robert rashly venturing too far was taken Prisoner by the Enemy By this time Innocent had almost extinguish'd those flames of War with which Italy had so long been consum'd and intended to have return'd to Rome having first canoniz'd Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury but when he came to Perugia he thought good to decline his journey to Rome understanding the Senate there arrogated to themselves more Power than stood with the dignity of the Pope and Court of Rome and there he canoniz'd and enroll'd among the holy Martyrs Peter of Verona a preaching Frier who had been murthered by some Hereticks between Milan and Como and the same honour he gave to S. Stanislaus Bishop of Cracow who in his life-time was very famous for working Miracles Hence he was invited by the Noblemen of the Kingdom of Sicily and immediately departed for Naples then newly repair'd where he died and was buried in S. Laurence's Church when he had been Pope fourteen years six months twelve days just in the nick of time when he had hopes to have brought into his possession all that Kingdom It was by the Decree of this excellent Pope Innocent that the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin was commanded to be observ'd yearly in the Church of God as a Festival He with good advice fill'd up the places in the College of Cardinals which had long been vacant with very worthy personages and ordain'd that when they rode abroad they should always wear a red Hat for an honourable distinction of the degree they held Moreover this learned Pope though raised to the highest dignity in the Church compil'd and publish'd several things for he composed the Apparatus or Glosses to the Decretals which are of great use to the Canonists because they contain many nice disquisitions which render the Text wonderfully plain and he put forth another upon the Councils which Hostiensis in his Summa calls the Authenticks He wrote also a Book concerning the Jurisdiction of the Emperour and the Authority of the Pope in answer to one Peter surnam'd Vinea who asserted that the Empire and every person and thing thereunto belonging were absolutely subject to the Emperour to which Book Innocent afterwards gave the Title of his Apologetick He was extremely delighted with the conversation of learned Men whom also he remembred to prefer to dignities in the Church particularly one Hugo who wrote Comments and Concordances upon the holy Bible a Person famous for his learning and good life he advanc'd to be Cardinal of S. Sabina which great promotion yet did not make him leave his former course of life being a Frier of the Order of S. Dominic In this Pope's Reign and by his Order Alexander of the Order of Friers Minors who was well in years when he took upon him a religious Habit wrote a very copious sum of Theology by the procurement also of this Pope and enabled by his bounty Bernardus Parmensis and Compostellanus two very learned Men at this time made publick their Works upon the Decretals which they call'd Apparatus Innocent had not long been dead when he was follow'd by his Nephew William whose Tomb is yet to be seen in the Church of S. Laurence without the Walls ALEXANDER IV. ALEXANDER the Fourth a Campanian born at Anagni was chosen Pope in the room of Innocent and streight sends monitory Letters to Manfred that he should not at his peril attempt any thing that might be a diminution of the honour of holy Church for he calling to his aid the Saracens from Nocera had surprised the Church-Forces utterly unprepared that were in Foggia and either put 'em to the Sword or took 'em Prisoners and pretending that Conradine was dead and that himself was his rightful Heir he had taken upon him to rule as King In the mean while the Christians who we told you had encamp'd near the City of Pharamia were very much visited with sickness and press'd with want of Provisions that part of Nile being prepossess'd by the Enemy by which they were wont to be
their blow at the same time make themselves Masters of the Monastery of S. Saba which they demolish'd The Genoeses rather enrag'd than terrified at this disaster fit out another Fleet to encounter the Venetians at Tyre but they industriously avoiding a Battel sail towards the Euxine and take Selymbria from the Saracens and plunder it after which both Nations recruiting their Forces they steer for Tyre the common Seat of War The Pope fearful of the fatal consequences of this Contention sends for the Ambassadours of both Countries and makes himself a Mediator of Peace which was welnigh agreed to when news comes that the Venetians with their Allies the Pisans had between Tyre and Ptolemais routed the Genoeses taking and sinking twenty five of their Ships that thereupon the Victors were retreated to Ptolemais and the vanquish'd were sled to Tyre that all the Edifices of the Genoeses at Ptolemais were pull'd down all their Merchandizes seiz'd as spoil and the Citizens of that Nation expell'd the place This havock made by the Venetians so highly displeased the Pope that he would not admit their Ambassadour to Audience till they had set free all the Genoese Prisoners they had taken Neither did this Calamity come alone to be the subject of the Pope's care for Baldwin Emperour of Constantinople during whose prosperity there seem'd yet to be some hopes left of recovering the holy Land was about to quit that City for Michael Palaeologus who by the last Will of Theodore Lascari was left Guardian to his two Sons did the Latins all the mischief that lay in his power driving out of Achaia William a Frenchman and teizing Baldwin with Seditions at home and open War abroad who afterward going toward the Euxine Shore in order to secure it from the Enemy the Citizens of Constantinople in the mean time at midnight let Michael Palaeologus into the City upon news whereof Baldwin and the Patriarch Pantaleo retire from Pontus into Europe and lay by all thoughts of War Palaeologus having thus rid himself of his Competitor and Enemy murders his two Pupils and assumes the Empire which after having been possess'd by the Latins forty eight years now was transferred to the Greeks In the mean time Octavian Cardinal Vbaldino return'd to the Pope without having had any great luck in his negotiation at Naples and the Pope having first at Anagni canoniz'd S. Clara a Franciscan Nun went to Viterbo to endeavour a Peace between the Venetians and Genoeses in which Affair he met so much trouble and so many delays that he died for grief in the seventh year of his Pontificate and was honourably interred in St. Laurence's Church The Sea was then vacant three months and four days The life of this Pope is certainly much commended by all Writers he being said to have been bountiful and kind to all but especially to the poor Religious to whom the great love he bore caus'd him to comdemn by a perpetual Edict some Books written by William de sancto Amore against that sort of Poverty wherein the wicked Fellow asserted that those who took upon them religious Habits to live by the Alms of other Men were not capable of Salvation He also publickly burnt another abominable Book in which the Author affirm'd that a State of Grace was not to be obtain'd by the Law of the Gospel but by the Law of the Spirit which Opinion he said was taken out of the Writings of Abbat Joachim This Book was call'd by those of that Sect the Eternal Gospel It was Alexander's custom when he got leisure from publick Affairs to busie himself about somewhat that savour'd of Learning for he compil'd Decretal Epistles and gave such countenance to learned Men that he promoted several of them to Cardinalates particularly Henry Cardinal of Ostia a good Divine and an excellent Lawyer He was also very liberal and munificent to Bartholomew a Canonist of Brescia who wrote much upon the Decretals by which and by his extraordinary abilities and sanctity he got great renown By this means moreover the vaulted Church near that of S. Agnes which had in old time been dedicated to Bacchus was made capable of Divine Worship and the Inscription in the Porch of the Church of S. Constance shews that the Altar there was consecrated by him VRBAN IV. URBAN the fourth born at Troyes in France Patriarch of Jerusalem was made Pope and immediately listed French Soldiers to assist him against Manfredus who infested the Patrimony of S. Peter for fear of whom Jordanes General of Manfredus his forces in Tuscany against the Guelphs was recall'd to Naples which gave some breathing time to the Guelphs especially those of Florence and Lucca who had been by the Gibellines mark'd out for destruction Lombardy was also plagu'd with the like Seditions Hubert Pallavicino carrying on now the Interests of the Gibelline faction and persecuting the adverse party though before by his Policy and moderate behaviour to both sides he had got the Command of Brescia by an universal consent But the Citizens of Modena and Reggio instigated by those of Ferrara and Bononia fearing lest Pallavicino should over-pour them all at last revolted to the Popes side and turn'd the Gibellines out of their Cities giving their goods and effects to the Florentines who had been banish'd for Guelphism by this means adding great strength to their faction And thus went matters in Lombardy the Pope still earnestly endeavouring a Peace At Constantinople the Venetians attempted to dethrone Palaeologus and had done it but for his Friends and Associates the Genoese this gave him the greater Power so that having taken Malvasia he easily made resistance against the Venetians and William Prince of Achaia The Pope was now intent upon sending a Legate to procure a Peace betwixt the Venetians and Genoese when Manfredus with a new body of Saracens seizes la Marca the Inhabitants being before inclin'd to a Rebellion The Pope therefore sends the same Legate to France with order to make use of all manner of Promises and Intreaties to persuade those French who had taken upon them the Croisado who had been inform'd of the thing before-hand to hasten their march thither they presently under the conduct of Guy Bishop of Auxerre descend into Italy and vanquishing Pallavicino at Brescia without meeting any resistance they come to Viterbo from whence a little while after having first receiv'd the Popes blessing continuing their march through Vmbria and the Countrey of Tagliacozzo they beat the Saracens who had fled thither and pursu'd them as far as the Garigliano At the same time the Romans though they medled not with the Patrimony of the Church yet they threw off obedience to the Pope making what Magistrates they pleased particularly contrary to custom by which they were to chuse for Senator a Roman onely they elected one Brancaleon of Bononia a man of a great spirit and very politick to this high dignity and promised him great advantages but this humour held not
to their Countrey by Gregory as he went into France At which the Pope was so angry that he interdicted them from all benefit of the Law and was very near doing the same thing by the Bologneses who had ejected the Lambertescii and the Asinelli Gibellins of noble Families but they suffer'd for it not long after For when they went to fight against the Forleses that had kindly entertain'd some persons whom they had banish'd 't is said eight thousand of the Bologneses were slain at one Sally from the Town Upon which misfortune some Cities of Romagna grew confident and immediately revolted from the Bologneses themselves Especially Cervia from whence they received a great Revenue out of Salt But Gregory when he had dismissed the Council at Lyons in which many Decrees were made relating to the choice of Popes the expedition against the Saracens the union of the Greek and Latin Churches and the peace of Christendom as he was going into Italy he met Alphonso King of Castile at Bellocadoro complaining grievously that he had given the Empire to Rodulphus But when the Pope had satisfied him he resign'd all his right to Rodulphus The Pope was very kindly receiv'd by all the Italians as he travell'd through Tuscany but shunn'd the Florentines on purpose and went to Arezzo lest they should have prevailed with him to take off his Interdiction At Arezzo he died in the fourth year second month and tenth day of his Pontificate and there he was buried He was a Man of an extraordinary Reputation through his whole Life for Prudence in the conduct of his Affairs for Courage and greatness of Mind that made him contemn Money and all mean things for humanity clemency bounty to poor Christians and those especially that fled for refuge into the bosom of the Apostolick Sea INNOCENT V. INNOCENT the fifth formerly called Peter of Tarantaise a Burgundian a Dominican a man very learned in holy Writ was created Pope at Arezzo in the year of our Lord 1275. From thence not long after he went to Rome where he was crown'd in S. Peter's Church and from that time immediately apply'd himself to compose the Affairs of Italy To this end he sent Legats men of great Authority to command not onely the people of Tuscany who conspir'd the ruin of those of Pisa but also the Genoeses and Venetians who were mortal Enemies to quit their Arms. Assistant to them were the Embassadors of Charles the King by whose Awe over them he hoped to have his business done more to his mind The People of Tuscany did as he commanded them but especially the Florentines whom the Pope absolv'd from Gregory's Interdiction upon that very score But the Genoeses and Venetians whose hatred was more inveterate were still in Arms perpetually butchering each other and yet Innocent if he had lived a little longer had brought them over to his Opinion so zealous he was in that matter But he died in the sixth month and second day of his Pontificate and was buried in the Lateran Church Now the secular Priests had no great reason to lament his death by reason of a Sentence which he gave just before he dy'd For when there arose a Dispute between the Priests of the Cathedral Church and the Friers Preachers concerning the body of Clement the fourth for each Order desired to have the disposing of it he gave judgment that it ought to be committed to the Friers for he said his Holiness had order'd it so whilst he was alive Upon this account Innocent was a little maligned but was otherwise a very good Man and such a Person from whom those of his time might have expected all the good imaginable ADRIAN V. ADRIAN the fifth a Genoese of the Family of the Flisci before called Othobon was made Pope at Rome in the Court of the Lateran He was Innocent the fourth's Nephew by whom he was created Cardinal Deacon of S. Adrian and sent Legat into England with plenary Power to compose the differences between that King and his Barons Assoon as he was made Pope he presently went to Viterbo and invites Rodulphus the Emperor into Italy to lessen the Power of Charles who at that time did what he pleas'd at Rome But Rodulphus being ingaged in the Bohemian War could not comply with Adrian In the mean time Charles was very cautious to avoid the envy of the World and turn'd all the stress of the War upon Achaia so to make his way toward the Empire of Constantinople But Adrian dying in the fortieth day of his Pontificate he came back into Italy This Pope died at Viterbo before his consecration and was buried in a Convent of Freres Minors He had an intention not onely more and more to secure the Churches Patrimony from Tyrants but also to reduce Gregory's Decree for the Choice of a Pope into a better method not totally to abolish it But Death obstructed his endeavours and withstood the greatness of his Mind The Sea at that time was vacant twenty eight days JOHN XXII JOHN the Twenty-Second a Spaniard born at Lisbon and formerly call'd Peter was made Pope being then Bishop of Frascati Who though he were reckon'd a very learned man yet by his ignorance in business and the unevenness of his Conversation he did the Popedom more injury than Honour or kindness For he did many things that argued him to be guilty of Folly and Levity and does not deserve commendations unless it be for one thing and that was that he assisted young Scholars especially the poorer sort with money and preferments At that time the Venetians infested those of Ancona for Merchandizing in Dalmatia without paying any custom to the Venetians and yet the Pope himself to whom they were tributary did not protect them as he should have done but onely seemed ready with his Tongue to say what he was too much a Coward ever to do Nevertheless the Anconeses though the Pope would not aid them took courage and made a Sally so briskly that they rais'd the Siege and drave the Venetians from the Town a good way not without considerable damage to them By the advice of John Cajetan who govern'd all things at that time for that he was made Pope by his assistance and the Votes he procured he sent Legats to Paleologus and all the Western Kings to exhort 'em in his name that they would make Peace with one another and bend their Forces against the Saracens and other Enemies of Christianity The Man was a Fool to promise himself a long Life and to tell every body he should live a great while because every body knew his life and Conversation he was so immodest and so sottish But behold as he was betraying his Folly to all that were about him a certain new Apartment that he had built in the Palace at Viterbo fell down all of the sudden and he was found among the Wood and the stones seven days after the fall of it but he
receiv'd the Sacraments of the Church and then died in the eighth month of his Pontificate and was buried at Viterbo He was a Man as I said before of great Learning but little Prudence For he wrote many Tracts in his life especially certain Rules relating to Physick for he was counted a very good Physician He wrote also another Book and called it Thesaurus Pauperum or the Poors Treasure and set out Problems in imitation of Aristotle But 't is certain however it comes to be so that many very learned Men are not at all fit for business Yet I need not doubt how it comes to pass but take it rather for a greater Wonder if he that takes pleasure in Contemplation should apply his mind to Wordly Affairs too NICOLAS III. NICOLAS the Third a Roman of the Family of the Vrsini formerly called John Cajetan was made Pope at last after the Election had been six months in suspence by reason of a great Contest that was among the Cardinals Now the King of Sicily as Senator had the guard of the Conclave at that time and was very urgent with 'em to chuse a French-man But Nicolas assoon as he began his Reign in the year 1278 resolv'd to restrain Charles's Power and took from him the Lieutenancy of Tuscany because he said that Rodulphus took it ill and would not perform his promise of going upon the Expedition into the holy Land upon any other terms since Tuscany was reckon'd to belong to the jurisdiction of the Empire Though the Pope gain'd this point yet he reduced Romagna and Bologna it self together with the Exarchate of Ravenna which at that time were under the Emperor and made 'em subject to himself And thither he sent Bertholdus his Nephew who was declared Earl of Romagna He sent also another Nephew of his that was a Cardinal called Latinus Legat into Tuscany who restored the Gibellins in all places and imposed what Officers he pleased upon the Citizens at Florence and in other parts of Tuscany But the Office of Senator which used to be granted or committed to Kings and Princes he discharg'd himself alone He would not see the Embassadors from the Venetians who at that time harass'd the Anconeses with War and so they departed But he called 'em back and chid 'em severely nay he threaten'd to ruin their City if they did not desist from besieging or storming Ancona At length when both parties had suffer'd great inconveniencies they made a Peace upon equal terms But this Pope had a mind to create two Kings both of the Vrsini one of Tuscany and the other of Lombardy to keep those Germans on the one side that inhabit part of the Alps and the French on the other side that lived in Sicily and Naples within their bounds And to bring it about he persuaded Peter King of Aragon to endeavour the recovery of the Kingdom of Sicily upon the title of his Wife Constantia who was heir to it And he took the Honour of Senator from Charles and conferr'd it upon himself and made an everlasting Edict that no King or Prince should dare to sue for or bear that Office This Nicolas as Authors say was a man of great courage and conduct and so perfect in his life and conversation that in Italian he was commonly called il Composto or Composto He was a lover and admirer of learned men especially of those who had Learning mingled with prudence and Religion But he was reckon'd impartial to all in the distribution of honours and dignities For at his first Ordination he chose a Bishop for Alba out of the Order of Minors for Ostia and Porto out of the Preachers The Bishops of Palestrina and Trescat were Seculars He created besides these two Cardinal-Priests that is to say Gerard with the Title of the Twelve Apostles and Jerome of the Order of Minors with the Title of S. Pudentiana To them he added two Deacons that is to say Jordan his Brother Cardinal of S. Eustachius a man of much Learning and innocence and James Colonna of S. Maries in Via lata a person of great Religion and gravity He adorn'd and enlarged the Papal Palace with other Buildings which he added For he built a convenient house nigh S Peters part of which is yet to be seen which Nicolas the fifth afterward repair'd to his great cost and charge He also walled S. Peter's Garden which now they call Belvedere Then he repair'd S. Peter's Church when it was ready to fall with age and adorn'd it with the Pictures of the Popes The same he did in S. Pauls More than all this he advanced divine Worship most wonderfully by encreasing the number of Canons and the provision that had been made for those who serv'd in Churches Again he divided the Ecclesiastick Orders and appointed to each their Offices He likewise assigned every one his Lodging that even Strangers might know where every Officer especially the chief Officer was to be found He finish'd the Lateran Palace which was begun before by Adrian the fifth He built the Sancta Sanctorum from the ground after the first Chappel was ruin'd with age and beautified the Church it self with Mosaic work as it is now to be seen and with plaister of Marble And thither he removed the Apostles heads till he had reqair'd St. John's Church at his own Charge But when it was finish'd he presently brought 'em back again in Silver Cases made by his Order and attended by all the People he laid 'em up in the Chappel which was built for the purpose The same day he consecrated the Church that is upon the eighth of July Some Historians say that no one ever said Mass with more Devotion than he for during the performance of that Divine Office he constantly wept He was very godly and such a Lover of the Friers Minors for that they contemn'd the World that he has explain'd many doubts relating to that Order in a decretal Epistle When Churches were void there never was a Pope that took care sooner or more deliberately giving them to the best and the fittest Men he could find For he first look'd into a mans life and his Learning and then gave immediately the vacant Seas to those that he thought worthy For he used to say Delays were dangerous because there were such men in the World as would commit Sacriledg with all their hearts He could not endure Proctors and Attornies because they liv'd upon the bloud of the Poor and those that went to Law but hated them as a Plague in which he imitated Gregory X. and John XXI But because there were great corruptions among Magistrates in all places he ordain'd that all Offices should be annual only and if any one durst to hold 'em longer he was liable to an Anathema from which he could not be absolv'd but by the Pope himself Besides these things he did a great many more for the good of the Clergy and all Christian People as it
have sâ—lâ—ied out one Guido Bonatus an excellent Astrologer exhored his fellow Citizens to wait till such time as the Stars should promise good luck and make their Sally when he gave 'em the Signal They did as he would have them and breaking forth in the very nick of time they kill'd Guido and almost all his French men Thus was that City freed from a great Siege But Charles when he heard how the Sicilians had revolted and of their cruelty too went over into Sicily with a very considerable Army And first he besieged Messina which he had certainly taken by Surrender but that the French desirous of Revenge had threaten'd to raze the City Besides Peter of Aragon who expected as I told you such commotions no sooner heard of it but he comes over with all speed from Sardinia into Sicily and arriving at Palermo he was very kindly received by the Citizens and all the other Sicilians who also saluted him by the name of King whilst all the Rabble flock'd about him Charles was frighted at this and therefore leaving Messina he went immediately into Calabria to stay for his Son the Prince of Salerno who he knew would come very shortly out of the Province of Narbonne with some Recruits Charles expostulated with Peter of Aragon that he who was his Relation nay of the same bloud too should dare to invade his Kingdom To which he reply'd that he was so compassionate as that he could not deny his assistance to a miserable people that were so hardly used though he said too that the Kingdom belong'd to him by right of inheritance as he was Husband to Constantia Monford's Daughter and Corradins Niece At last when words grew high on both sides it came to a Duel upon this condition though that each King should have an hundred men along with him as being to engage in such a weighty Combat and the place where they were to fight was to be Bourdeaux For both these Kings were akin to the King of England who with the assistance of Pope Martin at length made up the difference But when Peter for all that made War upon Charles Martin sent Gerard Cardinal of Parma his Legat to Naples not onely to keep the People in Allegiance to him but to assist him who was but a youth with good counsel and the awe of his presence But when Peter had sent Rogeris Lorias his Admiral to Naples Charles moved toward the Enemy and not far from Naples was conquer'd with the loss of a great many men nor onely so but he was taken and carry'd first into Sicily and then into Aragon But this without question had never happen'd if he would but have hearken'd to the Legat as he should have done who was of a contrary opinion who dissuaded him and told him that such a mighty Kingdom as that was ought not to be hazarded at that rate For not long after his Father Charles came with a great Navy which would have made him able to have coped with the Enemy before he was a Conqueror But Martin being concern'd very much for Charles's misfortune excommunicates Peter of Aragon and gives his Kingdom for a prey to any one that can or will take possession of it absolving his Subjects from their Oath of Allegiance to him and exciting all Christians against him as an Usurper of the Churches Patrimony according to his opinion Nay he would have sent the Church-Militia to help Charles but that he was fain to wage War in Romagna himself against the Forleses who by the aid of Guido Earl of Monford were so bold as to revolt from the Church and attaque some Forts thereabouts But when Guido himself repented of what he had done and had made Peace with the Pope he not onely demolish'd the Walls of Forli in revenge to Guido Appius but he recover'd a great part of Romagna in a short time He had also taken Vrbino as sure as he attempted it but that Rubeus Anguillarius Earl of Tuscany died in the action There were at that time two Generals that commanded the Camp one of which was sent into Tuscany to defend that part of the Countrey that lies toward the Soane and the other whom they call Earl of Giovenazzo continu'd the Siege by the Popes Order whilst Guido Montefeltranus supplied the very Townsmen with necessaries under-hand But in the mean time when Martin was at a loss from which of the two States Pisa or Genoa he should desire Auxiliaries against Peter of Aragon there arose immediately such a quarrel between them about the possession of Corsica that they themselves were fain to beg assistance one against another Then the Pope sent word to the Apostolical Legat that he should keep the people in order till Charles came with a supply After which Charles went into Naples and having setled the peoples minds sailed into Africa where he died of a Fever upon which occasion all the weight of the Government devolv'd upon the Legat. At that time there was a rumour and almost a currant Report that Philip Son of the French King and Earl of Artois was coming to receive that Kingdom But that did not frighten Peter from spoiling the Country because he was sure he came with a small number For his Father Philip was going into Aragon with a great Army to take possession of Peter's Kingdom which Martin the Pope by heavy Censures first laid upon him had exposed as a booty to any one that could get it But the Pope being surrounded with so many cares and those increased too by new tumults at Orvieto for the Gibellins had banish'd the Guelphs he went to Perugia where not long after he died of an hectick Fever in the fourth year and first month of his Pontificate and was buried in the Cathedral At whose Tomb many sick blind deaf and lame people that are brought thither recover from God their former health by the merits of this most holy Pope HONORIVS IV. HONORIVS the fourth a Roman of the Race of the Sabini a very noble Family formerly called James a Cardinal Deacon was made Pope at Perugia and came to Rome in the year 1285. when his Brother Pandulphus was Senator For Pandulphus was esteemed a Person of so much severity and Justice that whenever the Citizens of Rome had a mind to purge the City of Robbers Ruffians Thieves and Parricides of which at that time there were great numbers in Rome among the Seditious they desired no other Senator than Pandulphus And he though mightily tormented with the Gout both in his feet and his hands yet in courage and constancy of mind he was inferiour to none of those that had their health Honorius also was sometimes troubled with the same Distemper insomuch that he was forced to make use of certain Instruments made for the purpose to support him when he performed the Priestly Office But he was a Man of that Conduct and Prudence that he did not seem much deficient
in corporal strength for he himself could discern rather more of the Affairs of the City than those that were in it besides put 'em all together He lived in the Mount di S. Sabina and built him a curious Palace there whose ruins are yet to be seen which drew many of the Romans to live by him so that the Mount began from his time to be very full of Inhabitants He was resolved to injure no Man whilst he was Pope but on the contrary to do what good he could to all and therefore being provoked by the indignities which Peter King of Aragon offer'd to him by endeavouring to get the Kingdom of Sicily he confirmed Martin's Interdictions against Peter But Rodulphus the Emperor having a great mind to raise money sent his Chancellour one of the Family of the Flisci into Tuscany to make all the Country free especially those who would buy their Liberty Those of Lucca paid upon that account 12000 l. The Florentines six thousand and as soon as they were made perfectly free they created a certain kind of Officers which they call Arts-masters with a Sword-Bearer This Sale did not displease Honorius though it look'd too mean for such a great Prince because by that means the Patrimony of the Church would be more secure he thought when the Emperor had no more power to oppress those free Cities But whilst the King of France besieged Girona and Peter of Aragon was sollicitous how to hinder the carriage of Provisions from Narbonne into the Enemies Camp he was engaged in a sharp Conflict where he received a deadly Wound of which not long after he dy'd for want of looking to So that Girona was surrender'd upon Terms and submitted to the King of France though he did not long survive the Conquest For he died of a Fever which he caught in the Camp as he was besieging Perpignano His Navy too not long after that was taken and burnt in the Port of Narbonne by Roger Loria Peter of Aragon had two Sons Ferdinand and James whereof he left Ferdinand his eldest Son King of Aragon by his Will and James King of Sicily But when the old Kings were dead in that manner as I have told you the Wars devolved upon the young ones who attempted on both sides to make those of Pisa and the Genoeses who were excellent Seamen of their Party But these two States heing incens'd and arm'd against each other engaged so furiously at Malora an Island near the Port of Pisa that those of Pisa lost forty Ships or Gallies and twelve thousand men which were partly slain and partly taken Honorius took this misfortune of theirs so much to heart that he had like to have interdicted the Genoeses who pursu'd the men of Pisa with too much animosity And that unhappy day gave such a shock to those of Pisa that they never retrieved themselves since But Edward King of England went at that time into Gascoigne to make peace between Charles a Youth Son to the King of France who I told you was taken in War and Ferdinand King of Aragon The business went as he would have it and they treated about Charles's freedom when at the same time the Apostolical Legate and the Earl of Arras with the assistance of the Earl of Avellino possess themselves of the City Catina and send over thither an Army raised out of Tuscany For this reason Edward return'd home without success But Roger Loria advanced King Ferdinand's fortune by taking the French Fleet as it came back out of Sicily Honorius could not engage in this War because he was invaded in Romagna by Guido Feltrini But at length when he had conquer'd Guido he recover'd all Romagna in a short time and not long after dy'd two years and a day after he was made Pope His body was carried in great State from S. Sabina to S. Peter's and buried in a Marble Tomb which is yet extant among those that Pope Pius collected as the Arms of his Family and the Inscription declare And indeed he deserv'd all the honour paid to his dead Corps because he was a very upright Man and a great lover of Christian Piety For he confirm'd not onely the Order of the Carmelites which was not very well approved of in some Councils and chang'd their black Cloaks for white ones but he did the same also by the order of Eremites which was disapproved on at Paris But the onely Cardinal he made during his Pontificate was John Boccamatius Bishop of Frascati for he would say that none but good and learned men ought to be taken into so great a Society not those that were illiterate and ignorant in the manage of humane Affairs He loved Courtiers so as that he would go every year especially in the Summer to Tivoli on purpose to avoid the Heat of the Town which causes many Diseases When Honorius was dead the Sea was vacant ten months For the Conclave being summon'd to meet at St. Sabina a great many of the Cardinals were taken sick of a sudden Out of whom there died Jordan Vrsin Earl of Millain Hugh an English man Gervase of Anjou Dean of Paris and Antherius an excellent Person For this reason they dismiss'd the Conclave and deferr'd the matter till a more seasonable time especially because of the Earthquakes which were then so great that they thought Heaven it self would be angry with 'em if they did it at that time NICOLAS IV. NICOLAS the fourth of Principato-citra an Ascolese formerly called Jerome a Brother and General of the Order of Friers Minors and after that a Cardinal Priest was made Pope at St. Sabina the tenth month after Honorius's death and placed not onely in Peter's Sea but in the Saint's own Chair After that he went to Rieti to avoid some Tumults at Rome and there he created Cardinals of almost all Religions For he loved all men alike nor did he think that he ow'd more to his Relations than to any good man The difference between Virtue and Vice caused him to incline more to one man than another Some of those that he made Cardinals were called Neapolio Petrus Columna Hugo Colionius a famous Doctor of the Order of Preachers Matthaeus Aquasparta General of the Minors and Bishop of Porto About a year after he came back to Rome when City broils were somewhat appeased and lived at S. Maries the Great which Church he and James Columna repaired as appears upon the great Portico where the Image of our Saviour the Pope and James the Cardinal are yet to be seen The same Pope repaired the front and the back-part of the Lateran and adorn'd it with Fret-work as the Inscription tells us In the mean time the Kings of Aragon and Sicily conclude a Peace upon these terms That King Charles should be set at Liberty and settle James of Aragon in the Kingdom of Sicily at his own charge And if he did not do so in three years time he promised to
return to Prison giving his two Sons for Hostages one of which was named Charles who was afterward created King of Hungary and called Marcellus and the other Lewis who when he had lived a good life in the Order of S. Francis was canoniz'd for a Saint Whilst these things were transacted in Europe the Great Turk made use of that occasion and whilst the Christians quarrell'd among themselves thought himself secure Wherefore he goes with fire and sword and razes Tripoli a famous City in Asia killing all the Christians that were there in Garison Said and Baruâ—i suffer'd the like Calamity having no body to assist ' em Aca of old called Ptolemaâ—s stood because they made a truce with the Sultan for two years And to defend it for time to come Nicolas the Pope did all he could to get Soldiers under Christ's Banner and paid them with his own money They were about one thousand five hundred but there were a great many more that follow'd 'em without being inrolled without Colours or any body to conduct ' em Who when they were come to Aca they did the Christians as much hurt as they did the Saracens But the Sultan demanded what was his due as he pretended which when the Christians refused to restore he threaten'd utter ruin to 'em all Then there arose a great question among the Christians who should have possession of Aca for the Patriarch of Constantinople the Templars of Germany the King of Cyprus and Charles King of Sicily did all lay claim to it Those also of Pisa had a mind to demand Aca and lawfully as they said themselves but that a War which brake out in Tuscany diverted them from such an ill design For they starv'd Earl Vgulinus in Prison where they kept him his two Sons and two Nieces and after that did so far animate the Gibellins against the Guelphs that they threaten'd equal destruction to 'em all They fell first upon those of Arezzo because the banish'd Gibellins desir'd it when William Petramala was Bishop of that place who was aided by Earl Feltri the Florentine But the Florentines did not think themselves strong enough and therefore they sent Charles the Second also thither with some forces as he was going through their Country to wait upon the Pope Their Camps were pitched near one another in the Country of Tipherno by which name they now call the City having alter'd the name of the Castle Immediately as the Battel was just begun there were a great many Florentines kill'd but not long after the case was alter'd and though William the Bishop and Earl Feltri were slain yet there fell of the Gibellini three thousand and two thousand were taken The Neighbours call the place where they fought Campaldino Charles having obtain'd so great a Victory goes straight to Nicolas and gets the favour to hold of him in Fee the Crown of both the Sicilies Which when James of Aragon understood he presently goes and attaques Cajetta But lest any thing should be wanting that might disturb the quiet of Christendom a fatal War broke out between Philip of France and Edward King of England which did not onely trouble the Christians in Asia very much but also gave our Enemies great confidence and hopes that they should totally obliterate the Christian Name throughout all Asia For the Sultan who at that time was sick had sent an hundred and fifty thousand men to Acra under the Command of his Son But the Siege continuing for two months the Father died in that time and the Son succeeded him who attaqued the Town with much greater resolution For he filled the Trenches and promised all the plunder to the Soldiers But when he had fought his way to the very Walls he was beaten back by the Christians who made a Sally upon him even to his Camp and had a great many of his men hurt in the Action Whilst they were thus employ'd in Asia Nicolas the Pope sends two Legats à Latere as they call 'em i. e. Benedictus Cajetanus and Gerard of Parma with all speed into France to make a Peace between the two Kings and animate 'em against the Saracens who then besieged Acra For he had made a Peace between James of Aragon and Charles who was a Captive upon those Conditions that I told you before that they might all be the more free to go against the common Enemy Nay he had begun to provide a Navy as thinking himself almost sure of a Peace but to no purpose For the Kings did not obey him when he gave 'em good advice nor did they that were in Garison at Ptolemais agree so well among themselves as to keep out the Enemy according to their power For having daily lost a great many of their men there were at that time but twelve thousand left who afterward made their escape in a Corsaire or a swift sailing Frigot kept for that purpose along with the Patriarch of Jerusalem And though at first they had good shipping yet at last they were Shipwreck'd near Cyprus But the Sultan enter'd the City when the Inhabitants had left it and destroy'd it immediately with fire and sword in the 196th year after Godfry had taken it But amidst so many Calamities the Island of Cyprus and Armenia the less formerly called Cilicia continued Christian At that time Nicolas was very urgent with Rodulphus the Emperor to send his Army into Asia for fear the Enemy should get the remaining part of it But Rodulphus soon after died and Adolphus Hasso was chosen to be his Successor who demanding the Rights of the Empire was kill'd in a fight at Spire by Albertus Son to Rodulphus He was indeed a brave Man but had neither men nor money enough and that was the reason that they said he was rather overpower'd by multitude than fairly Conquer'd But Nicolas the Pope through discontent as some suppose to see all things go cross to his expectation and being conscious that he had favour'd Parties more than became a Pope died at Rome in the fourth year first month and eighth day of his Pontificate near S. Maries the Great and is there buried at the upper end of the Church by Cardinal Columna as you may see upon the Pavement where his Picture is in Porphyry But after his death the Cardinals went to Perugia that they might choose a Pope with greater freedom but protracted the business by quarrels among themselves two years and three months In the mean while Michael Palaeologus Emperor of Constantinople dies but the Priests and the Monks would not suffer his body to be buried in an holy place because he joyned with the Western Church in the Council of Lions And indeed Andronicus Michael's Son would have declared himself of the same opinion as the Latins if he had been assisted by our Party But when the Sea was vacant Andronicus was destitute of Friends and so at last apostarized from the faith But Charles the Second King of Naples
seeing what would come of it made a journey from Narbonne to Perugia and exhorted the Cardinals several times to agree and perfect their Election And would have continu'd his importunity had he not been severely rebuked by Benedict Cajetan of Anagni who told him that he was too urgent and thereby seemed to lay a kind of restraint upon the Cardinals whose Votes ought to be free CAELESTIN V. CAELESTIN the fifth formerly called Petrus Moroneus by profession an Anchorite of Sergna who dwelt in an Abby two miles from Sulmona was made Pope at the request of King Charles and Cardinal Latinus A thing which all people wondred at so much the more because his holy retirement had voluntarily removed him out of the prospect of any such Grandeur After his Creation he went to Aquila and thither he summon'd all the Cardinals to him from Perugia But they were very importunate with him both by Letters and Messengers that he would come to Perugia which was a City more agreeable to the Dignity of a Pope Notwithstanding Caelestin's Will was at last obey'd who would needs have it so because he understood that King Charles was of the same mind Thereupon they went all thither and paid such homage to Caelestin as became a Pope Now Ptolomy says there were two hundred thousand men at his Coronation and that he himself was there too I suppose the people were taken with the newness of the thing and the holiness of the Person that a man that was an Eremite should come to such Honour as if he had been preferr'd by Heaven it self after so long a Contest between the Electors As soon as he enter'd upon the Popedom he made twelve Cardinals men of the greatest integrity of whom two were Eremites But because he did not alter his former way of living and take upon him the Grandeur of a Pope he was so kind and accessible to all that made suit to him as that he granted the same things to several persons which brought not onely a Contempt upon his Dignity but was a lessening to the Majesty of a Pope For indeed he was unfit for publick business by reason of the obscure life which he had led in the Wilderness Hereupon they talk'd of deposing him especially after the death of Latinus the Cardinal a good man by whose assistance Caelestin had hitherto made shift to support himself under so vast a burthen But some of the Cardinals being very instant especially Benedict Cajetan a cunning man and well skill'd in the Civil and Canon Law who was a great favourite of the Popes that he would remove himself from the Pontificate lest the Church of God should be endanger'd by the unskilfulness of its Governour he began to think of laying down his Papal Office But King Charles was so much concern'd at his levity and superstition that he takes the good man to Naples and endeavours to convert him from such base thoughts whilst the people cry'd out in all places that they would have no other Pope but Caelestin and heartily beseech'd his Holiness that so it might be To whom the Pope made answer That he would do nothing but what God would have him do and what he thought might be for the good of Christendom At that the Cardinals that desired he would leave the Papacy were very urgent with him to do it as soon as he could telling him the danger all Christendom was in by his ignorance and that all the mischiefs that then befell the Church would be put to his Account at Dooms-day The holy simple Man was moved with what they said and told 'em he would do as they 'd have him if it might lawfully be done Whereupon there was an Order made by unanimous consent that the Pope should have liberty to depose himself Which Constitution Boniface the eighth his Successor afterward confirm'd as appears in the sixth Book of the Decretals Then Caelestin return'd to his private life again and gave the Cardinals power to put another Pope in his place in the sixth month of his Pontificate And Benedict Cajetan by that means having most Votes was chosen Pope who seised upon Caelestin by the way as he was going into his Hermitage committing him to the custody of the Governor of a certain Castle called Fumo in Campagna di Roma For which he said his reason was lest the Authors of Sedition should one time or other bring some calamity upon the Church of God under his conduct although he really admired the Sanctity of the Man However this is certain that Boniface was very ungrateful as well as subtil first to chouse a good man out of his Dignity to satisfie his own ambition and then to take him when he would have retired again to his solitude and keep him in Prison till he dy'd for very grief before his time in seventeen months after he first came to the Pontificate There are some that say this Caelestin was so famous for Miracles after his death that there were frequent Discourses in Councils about his Canonization and that many people worship'd him as a Saint and put him in the Catalogue of Confessors His Anniversary is kept every year on the 17th of July which was the Day of his death by an Order of Clement the fifth made at Avignon BONIFACE VIII BONIFACE the eighth born at Anagni in Campagna di Roma formerly called Benedict Cajetan was made Pope at Naples upon Christmas Eve in the year 1294. He was a man of great Learning and Experience as having lived long in Publick and risen to the Popedom by all the degrees of Honour though not without some imputation of Pride and Ambition For whilst he was Cardinal-Priest of S. Martins in the Mount he was so desirous of the Papal Dignity that he omitted no fraudulent or other indirect means that might in his opinion conduce to his obtaining of it Besides he was a man of that arrogance that he contemn'd every body and recalled some Indulgences granted by Nicolas the fourth and Caelestin the fifth He also persecuted the Gibellines extreamly from whence arose that quarrel between the Pope and the Gibellines of Columna who also maintained their party against the Pope at Anagni Thereupon he began to calumniate and traduce them in general but especially two Cardinals Peter and James two famous Men of the same Family that upon the death of several Popes they had wasted the Churches Treasure and spread abroad scandalous Pamphlets against his own Person For after he had done 'em Injury they did indeed write to several Kings Princes and States concerning Boniface's Arrogance and Ambition how he had possessed himself of the Papal Sea against all right and reason after he cheated Caelestin out of it and then put him in Prison For there are some that write how Boniface sent some cunning Rogues privately in the Night-time to speak in a strange Tone through Caelestins Chamber-Wall and tell the poor simple man as it were by a
again in an uproar for the banish'd of all places met near Bologna resolving immediately to enter Florence and thereupon in the Night getting over the Walls which were not then finish'd near the Gate that leads to Bologna they advanced as far as the Church of S. Separata that was begun to be built a little before But whilst they look'd too eagerly after the plunder and consulted their friends what they had best to do they gave their Enemies time to take courage and raise Arms insomuch that they quickly drave 'em out and killed a great many of their men Then they got Robert Duke of Calabria to be their General and were grown confident they had strength enough not onely to defend their own but to attaque their Neighbours too Hereupon they besiege Pistoia which those within it did so bravely defend that with one Sally they beat Robert and all his Army back to Prato Benedict who was a very good and holy Man resolv'd when he had quieted Italy to assist against the Tartars who were fallen into Syria and Palestine having been sollicited to it by frequent Messages But dying at Perugia where he and all the Court were in the eighth month and seventeenth day of his Pontificate he missed his Design He was buried with due pomp in the Church of the Freres Preachers the fifth of June in the year 1303. Now the Miracles which he did after his death shew him to have been an excellent holy Man for he cured the sick and cast out Devils The Sea was then vacant from the fifth of June to the seventh of July in the year ensuing although the Cardinals that were kept in the Conclave for that purpose were importun'd and sometimes threaten'd to make choice of a Pope CLEMENT V. CLEMENT the fifth a Gascon Bishop of Bourdeaux formerly called Bertrandus Gottho was made Pope in his absence at Perugia though the College of Cardinals had a long debate about the Election But he approving of their choice went from Bourdeaux to Lyons and called all the Cardinals thither to him who obey'd him without any scruple so that the Court of Rome was translated into France in the year 1305. And there it remained for seventy four years to the great damage of all Christendom but especially of Rome where the Churches great part of 'em fell to ruin for want of use whilst they were absent that ought to have taken care to repair ' em There were present at the Coronation of this Pope Philip King of France and his Brother Charles lately return'd from Italy John Duke of Britaigne who together with some others was kill'd by a Wall that fell upon him whilst the Coronation pomp was going as is usual through the City Philip also was a little hurt by the same accident But the Pope though he was in such a consternation that he fell from his Horse yet he lost nothing but one Carbuncle out of his Crown that some say was valued at 6000 l. When the Solemnity was over and all things in order Clement made a great many French Cardinals but none out of Italy though indeed he did restore John and James of Columna to their entire Dignity of Cardinalate which they formerly enjoy'd Besides that he sent three Cardinals to Rome with the character of Senators to govern not onely the City but all Italy by their Conduct But when he saw the Genoeses and those of Pisa involv'd in a bloody War one against the other and that Sardinia in the mean time was taken by the Saracens he gave that Island to Frederick King of Sicily upon condition that he should beat out the Enemy and recover it as soon as possible the Venetians making a League with Charles the Second against the Emperor of Constantinople induced King Rassianus to come and desire of the Pope to be instructed in the Orthodox Faith in the year 1307. But the Venetians and Charles falling out again they alter'd Rassianus's mind by their ill example In the mean time a new Heresie was broached at Novara by Dulcinus and Margaret which allowed Men and Women who lived together freely to exercise all acts of uncleanness and the professors of it were called the Brotherhood Clement endeavour'd to suppress them and immediately sent thither a party of Soldiers with a Legat Apostolical who partly with cold and hunger partly with force of Arms routed 'em from the Alps where they harbour'd But Dulcinus and Margaret were taken alive torn in pieces and their bones burnt and scattered into the Air. About that time Intelligence was brought that the Templers who were formerly Christ's Soldiers had revolted to the Saracens For this reason all of 'em that could be apprehended were kill'd and their goods given partly to the Rhodian Knights who had possess'd themselves of that Island a little before and partly to Religious uses Philip also King of France turn'd all the Jews out of his Territories confiscating their goods for their Rogueries and their covetousness Not long after Albert the Emperor being kill'd by his Nephew John almost all the Cities of Lombardy chose their Captains or Governors to be their Sovereign Lords as at Verona the Scaligeri at Mantua the Bonacossi at Padua the Carraresi The House of Este had been Masters of Ferrara a long time before but now they reduced Modena also Nor did Charles the Second King of Naples think it below him to marry his Daughter Beatrice to Azo Marquis d' Este But Friscus his Son seeing he had gotten a Step-mother put his Father in Prison and there murther'd him and then possessed himself of Ferrara by the assistance of the Venetians who lent him aid to storm a Castle called Thedaldo Then the Cardinal Pelagura was sent to Bologna from Clement to forbid the Venetians from medling with Ferrara under the pain of a Curse those of Ferrara desiring to be under the Church Wherefore the Venetians thinking it their best way to make haste attaqued the Castle Night and Day till at last they took it Which when they had done Friscus himself greedy of Revenge set fire on half Ferrara especially their Houses who seemed to desire a Change The Citizens now not able to endure so great an injury any longer taking up Arms turn'd Friscus out of his usurp'd Sovereignty and surrender'd themselves to the Venetians who in all probability might be able to defend them At which Pelagura was very much incensed and muster'd up all the Church forces immediately against the Venetians and those of Ferrara But Clement understanding how obstinate and how desirous of Dominion the Venetians were laid a Curse upon them with an Interdiction commanding all persons wherever to look upon them as no better than Slaves and to take away whatever they had from them by which that trading Nation suffer'd great damage both in England and France After this the Pope sent other Cardinals into Tuscany which was all one Scene of War to command Robert Duke of Calabria the
he went into France The Pope understanding that the Guelphs were generally oppress'd after Robert's departure sent Charles Earl of Valois the Son of Philip King of France into Italy to protect the Guelphs and those especially that were at Vercelli with the Turrianoes who were Lords of that City But Viscount Galeatius by command from Lewis the Emperor prevented Charles and expelled the Turrianoes out of Vercelli before he came upon which that City became subject to the Viscounts Not long after Castruccio gets into Pistoia as Guido Petramala a little before had into Tipherno though the Florentines withstood him But Castruccio relying upon the aid of Viscount Galeatius for he had sent his Son Accio with one thousand five hundred Soldiers to assist him pursu'd and beat the Florentines back to the very Walls killing a great many men The Pope seeing the Bavarian resolv'd to embroil all things interdicted him with the usual Ceremonies and degraded Guido Petramala from the Priesthood after he had got possession of Tipherno He also separated Cortona from the Bishoprick of Arezzo and made it a City of it self making John of Viterbo Bishop of it In the mean time Nicolas d' Este Lord of Ferrara storm'd and took Argenta a Town belonging to the Church of Ravenna by the assistance of Passerino Bonacossio Lord of Mantua who a little before had married Nicolas's Sister These two also joyn'd their Forces and attempted Bologna but went off with great loss being defeated by Beltrando who commanded the Church-forces and not long after cursed by the Pope Ferraria too was interdicted till they restored Argenta But Castruccio at that time did torment the Florentines after he had taken Segna from whence he made frequent Sallies upon them insomuch that despairing of their Affairs they called in Charles the Son of Robert to be their Covernour At that time Pope John sent John Vrsin into Italy with all speed to animate the Florentines and the Guelphs against the Bavarian who was then coming over the Alps with a mighty Army But he in his way to Rome went first to Millain at the earnest request of the Gibellins Where having received his Iron Crown he wanted Money and was forced to raise some upon the people which Galeatius their Governour making some scruple of he put all the Viconti in Prison and chose four and twenty Citizens to manage the publick Affairs with a chief Officer of his own Family Afterward the Bavarian at the request of Castruccio set all the Viconti at liberty whilst they were at Lucca where the Emperor was entertain'd with great respect and kindness And when he went from thence he was attended to Rome by Castruccio with one thousand five hundred Horse where in the Palace of S. Giovanni Laterano he was Crown'd by Stephano Columna at the command of the Clergy and People At that time there were two chief Officers in the City chosen out of the Nobility which they called the Emperors Lieutenants and one of 'em called Nicolas di Conti being then absent it fell to Stephano's lot to do that Office Being Crown'd Emperor he presently made Peter of Corbiere of the Order of Minors born near Rieti Pope to Rival John the twenty third who was a man of mean Birth but a learned Man and very fit for business This Person had a Wife formerly against whose desire and inclination he enter'd into the Order of S. Francis So being made a mock-Pope and called by the name of Nicolas the fifth he was saluted by the Emperor and all that were there along with him as the true Vicar of Christ who likewise made Cardinals and Bishops of men like himself In the mean time the French Horse that were left in Garison at Florence having surprised Pistoia in the Night they forc'd Castruccio to depart immediately from Rome Who having first joyned the Viconti's forces came to Lucca and Pisa and thence moving toward Pistoia he besieged it a long time and at last compelled it to surrender for want of Provisions But the Bavarian followed Castruccio with an Army and left the Anti-Pope at Viterbo having a Design to storm Florence And perhaps he had taken it if Castruccio had not happen'd to die of a Disease which he contracted by the excessive pains that he took Yet the Bavarian forgot his great kindness to him and banish'd his Sons from Pisa and Lucca as they were disposing of Soldiers to guard the several Cities and took possession of the Towns At the same time Galeatius also dying his Sons sled to the Bavarian desiring him that he would restore 'em to their Countrey for such a sum as they promised him He thereupon being very greedy of Money sent Accio home but kept his Brother Marco for an hostage till the whole Money was paid And then leaving the Anti-Pope at Pisa with Viscount Marco he went to Millain in order to go for Germany but could not be received into the City by Accio who too well remember'd the injuries done to his Father But the German Soldiers who kept Marco in Tuscany for an Hostage when they knew his good temper swore Allegiance to him and made him of their Prisoner their Captain so that he was straightway Master of Lucca by the surrender of Castruccio's Soldiers who gave up the Castle into his hands And yet not long after the Germans in Marco's absence changed their mind and sold the City of Lucca to a certain Genoese of the Family of Spinola a great Seaman So that after all the Bavarian return'd to Germany without having perform'd any thing to the advantage of the Empire and Boniface Earl of Pisa to gratifie Pope John brought the Anti-Pope to Avignion where he died in Prison And now the Pope being freed of his two greatest cares to wit the Anti-Pope being dead and the Bavarian gone out of Italy into to Germany he declared an Expedition against the Saracens and imposed new Tenths to be paid to Philip upon the account of that Voyage The Florentines were then in Lucca but were driven out immediately by the Bohemians whom the people of Brescia had invited into Italy against the Bergameses and by whose assistance also the Popes Legat had taken Parma Rheggio and Modena But he making an Alliance with John King of Bohemia quickly changed all the Measures of the Italian Factions For whosoever the Pope and King of Bohemia were Confederates with Robert and the Florentines were certainly against without any distinction of Guelphs or Gibellins For Mastino Scala Lord of Verona Philippino Gonzaga of Mantua the Carrarieses Lords of Padua the Esteses of Ferrara enter'd into Alliance and League with Robert by whom the Florentines also were assisted and took Pistoia by surrender from some of the Citizens without opposition In the mean while the Marquesses of Este were not absolv'd from the Ecclesiastical Interdiction before they were tired by the Petitions of those of Ferrara and restored Argenta which they were possessed of to the Church
thousand pounds every year to the Church of Rome This Pope in all his Reign made but six Cardinal-Presbyters and that at one time who were excellent Persons not of his own kindred as 't is usual now a days but men called forth to receive such a Dignity out of several Nations Yet I do not disapprove of them that are preferr'd to honour because they are related to the person who confers it if they are deserving Besides he was a Man of such constancy that he could not be induced to do an injury either by force by importunity or promises of gain For he loved good Men and on the contrary was an open Enemy to all evil and â—lagitious persons He likewise often attempted by his Legats to make Peace between Philip of France and Edward of England but to no purpose since they were such foes as to have fought many bloody Battels one with another For Edwards Navy engaged with the French above Selusas near Flanders so fiercely that he overcame them and kill'd they say full thirty three thousand French in that one fight But the Pope having tried to effect that business so often at last desisted and betook himself to building a Palace for succeeding Popes with several Towers and making of Orchards which he finished He also repaired the Roof of S. Peter's Church at his own charge as the Inscription under his Statute there shews He died in the seventh year third month and seventeenth day of his Pontificate and left a great quantity of Gold behind him not to his Relations but to the Church He had a Design to have Zoto a famous Painter of that Age to draw the Histories of the Martyrs in the House that he built but was prevented by Death At which every body was grieved he was so good and so learned a Man and shewed their sorrow by their Tears and Sighs whilst they attended at his Funeral CLEMENT VI. CLEMENT the sixth a Limousin formerly called Peter at first a Monk and then Arch-Bishop of Rouen was at last made Pope at Avignion He was a Man of great Learning and exact Eloquence liberal to all men affable and very humane elected Pope the seventh of May and Crowned the sixteenth of June in the year 1342. In the first year of his Pontificate and the Ember-week after his Coronation he created eight Cardinal-Priests and two Deacons that is to say his Brother who was a Monk of Tulle and William his Sisters Son Of those Priests also which he made one was his Relation by Marriage and the following year he made two more of which one was his Nephew by another Sister This Pope when the Romans petition'd and told him that whereas Boniface the eighth had formerly granted a full Remission of sins to all that visited the Shrines of the Apostles Peter and Paul every hundredth year which space of time the Romans anciently called Saeculum an Age and thence their Games once in an hundred years Ludi Saeculares they thought it more convenient the time should be contracted because men seldom lived so long he freely consented that the Jubilee should be kept every fiftieth year But when he sound that all Italy was in an uproar he confirmed onely Luchinus and John two Viscounts his Lieutenants in the Dutchy of Millain without mentioning the other Princes of Italy For he thought that they alone were able to resist the Bavarian who as he gave out himself was coming down into Italy and to requite the Pope confirm'd many Lieutenants in the Towns and places belonging to the Church by his Imperial Authority For he continued John of Vicourles at Viterbo Galeot Malatesia and his Brethren at Rimini Pesaro and Fano Antonio Feletrario at Vrbino Nâ—lphus and Gallasius two Brothers at Callio Allegretus Clavellus at Farriano Bulgarutius at Matelâ—ca Ismedutius at Sancto Severino Gentilis Varraneus at Camerino Michael at Mount Milon Pongonius at Cingoli Nicolas Boscaretus at Esio Guido Polentensis at Ravenna Francis and Synebald at Forli and Caesena John Manfred at Faenza though before some of these men had gotten the same places under them partly by force and partly by the good will of the Inhabitants as I said in the life of Benedict But in the mean time the Frescobaldi who were eminent Citizens of Florence were banish'd by their fellow-Citizens and would have instigated the Pisanes to War but it was at an ill time For the Florentines at that time were just upon buying Parma of the Scaligeri and to that end had sent some of their Sons to Ferrara as Hostages promising to give 'em for it 500000 l. For there were two Arbitrators one chosen by each party out of Ferrara But the Florentines having engaged in several bloody fights one upon the neck of another were extreamly weaken'd both by the Pisanes and their Allies and at last even forced to slip the opportunity of such a bargain Yet they did not neglect to send aids to the people of Lucca when they were besieged by the Pisanes besides that their Allies helped 'em too under the conduct of Malatesta of Rimini surnamed Vngarus who forced the Pisanes from Lucca At that time Robert who was an Ally of the Florentines being moved with the calamities of his Confederates sent one Gualter a French man that they called Governor of Athens with a small party of Horse into Tuscany who having by mere stratagem defeated Malatesta who was but an unskilful Captain he gain'd so cunningly upon the favour of the Florentines that in a short time he was both General of their Forces and Governour of their City and turn'd out all the other Officers in it Those of Arezzo also if Pisâ—oia and Volaterra promoted his success by surrendering themselves immediately to him But when Accio Corrigienses had deliver'd up Parma which he could not keep to Obicio d' Este Philippino Gonzaga provoked to War by Obicio got an Army together and near to Reggio engaged with him so furiously that he routed and pursu'd him as far as Ferrara Then Obicio finding his condition desperate put Parma which he could not defend under the protection of Luchino in the year 1366. But when the Florentines could no longer endure the Tyranny of Gualter and many were put to death every day for conspiring against him how to get their Liberty Angelo Acciaiolo Bishop of the City sends away for the Citizens ready armed into his Bishoprick with a resolution to recover the liberty of his Country At which the Tyrant seeing himself too weak for the Citizens made the Bishop himself Umpire concerning the Terms of Peace and so march'd off in safety with what he had in the tenth month of his Reign But the Rabble of the City shewed themselves ungrateful as indeed they always do and banish'd the Nobility by whose conduct and courage they had gain'd their Liberty spoiling their Goods and demolishing their Houses And lest any thing should be lacking that might disturb all Italy there were great
Rome and his own Nephew who after got the Papacy and was called Gregory the Eleventh Some say this Pope canonized Ivo a Britain Priest and Confessor He died in the â—enth year sixth month and twenty eight day of his Pontificate in the year 1352. and was decently buried at Avignion by the Cardinals that were then upon the place INNOCENT VI. INNOCENT the sixth a Limousin formerly called Stephen a man very well skill'd in the Canon and Civil Law first Procurator then Bishop of Cleremont and afterward Cardinal was at first made Pope in the year 1352. upon the fifteenth of December He was a Man of an exact Life of great constancy and severity and bestowed Ecclesiastical preferments upon none but men of good lives and Learning Immediately after his Coronation he suspended many Indulgences which Clement had granted commanding all Prelates and others that had Ecclesiastical Benefices to repair to their Churches under the pain of Anathema saying Flocks ought to be kept by their own Shepherds and not by Hirelings He also retrench'd his Houshold expences and reduced his Family to a convenient number and would have none but honest men about him He strictly commanded the Cardinals to do so too for he would often tell 'em that both his own life and that of all Church-Men ought to be an Example to the Laity in imitation of our Saviour whose whole life was a pattern to all mankind He likewise appointed certain Salaries for the Auâ—â—tors of the Holy Palais lest through want they should be tempted to give judgment for bribery For he would say that those who are ready to starve can hardly keep their hands from other peoples meat if they have any opportunity to get it He was sparing in his Dâ—et but in his Warlike preparations very expensive whilst he endeavour'd to recover that by Arms which formerly Usurpers had taken away from the Church For he sent Giles Carillo a Spaniard Cardinal of S. Sabina an excellent Person his Legate à latere into Italy to make War upon the Usurpers and secure the Church Patrimony At this time the Emperor of Constantinople the King of Aragon and the Venetians enter'd into a League against the Genoeses and having gotten a great Navy together superiour to the Genoeses both in the number of Ships and Men set upon them between Constantinople and Chalcedon in a place very disadvantageous for the Genoeses and when the Wind was against ' em They fought from Morning till Night till at length the Grecians ran away but the Venetians and Catalonians were most of 'em slain together with their Admiral under the command of Pagano Auria But the Venetians were so enrag'd at this Defeat and disgrace that they and the Catalonians recruited their Navy and under the conduct of Nicolas a Pisan routed the Genoeses the year following not far from the Island of Corsica and sunk forty of their Galleys with their Men. The Genoeses terrified at this overthrow deliver'd up their City and all they had to the Arch-Bishop of Millain who by attaquing the Venetians alarm'd the Lords of Padua Verona Ferrara Mantua and the Florentines too to oppose him they fearing lest when he had conquer'd the Venetians he would set upon them also The War was carried on by Land and Sea but the Genoeses Pagano Auria being their Admiral had wonderful fortune at Sea and at Sapientia a Promontory of Morea defeated the Venetians taking their Admiral Nicolas the Pisane with five thousand men whom they brought to Genoa in the year 1354. But the following year the Arch-Bishop of Millain died which freed the Venetians and their Allies from a great deal of care Bernabos and Galeatius his Brother Luchinus's Sons were his Heirs No place but Genoa relinquish'd them these two making a peace with the Venetians which had been first proposed by Bernabos and Galeatius at the instance of the Pope and Giles his Legate In the mean while Calo-Johannes Emperor of Constantinople was restor'd having vanquish'd Cahtacusenus who had usurped the Empire against all right and reason But that action was perform'd by means of Francis Catalusius a Genoese a great Seaman on whom he bestow'd Mitylen and all Lesbos for a Reward which the Turk afterwards took from the Gatalusii when he had gotten Constantinople and all Thrace in his power Nor was there less uproar at Rome than was then at Constantinople For Francisco Baroncello a Roman Citizen and a great man having degraded John Vrsin and Peter of Columna from the dignity of Senators usurp'd to himself the dignity of a Tribune with these Titles that is to say Francisco Baroncello Secretary to the Senate by the grace of God second Tribune of our Mother this City and Consul of Rome When the Pope heard of it he had a mind to rebate the audacious spirit of the Man and sent Nicolas de Gencio a person full as ambitious as he out of the Goal at Avignion to Rome to recover the Tribuneship He when he came into the City being assisted by the Nobility and great part of the Commons threw Boroncello out of the Capitol and kill'd him so that he enjoy'd the Tribuneship alone But not long after forgetting his former condition he persecuted the Nobility and especially the Columneses who were going out at the Exquiline Gate into Campagna di Roma with a Petition but was repelled so much to his disadvantage that he betook himself into the Capitol and from thence endeavour'd to escape but the Enemy follow'd him at the heels and though he were disguised yet the Citizens of Rome discover'd him and cut off his Head Then was Guido Jordan made sole Senator for a year by Apostolical Authority About that time the Emperor who was Son to the King of Bohemia was very kindly entertain'd by the Carrariens the Gonziacks and Viconti and receiv'd his Iron Crown as the custom is at Millain And going from thence to Pisa was met by Embassadors from the Sieneses from those of Volaterra and almost all Tuscany who told him they were ready to obey his Commands The Florentines would have done the same but that they had first bought themselves out of his Dominion with a great sum of money After that he went to Rome and was crowned by two Cardinals who were sent on purpose upon condition that he should not stay any longer either at Rome or in Italy This made him depart the sooner and when he was gone Giles the Legate quickly recover'd almost all the Towns which the Usurpers had gotten by the instigation of the Bavarian either in Romagna Marca d' Ancona or S. Peter's Patrimony But he confirm'd all those Lieutenans of Towns whom he saw obedient to the Church of Rome as Galiot Malatesta and Guido Poletanus in Romagna and the Vatraneses in the Dutchy of Millain But the Oâ—delaphi who were disobedient to the Church he persecuted with two years Wars and at length quite routed them out of Forli For impopili and Cesena These
indeed might have retein'd some part of their Dominion by the assistance of James the Cardinal of Columna a man who was a great friend to their Family but they chose rather to lose the whole like men than save any part of it sneakingly But Giles having quieted Romagna was so pleased at Forli that he laid up not onely the Treasure of the Church but also all the money which was sent from Avignion into Italy to build Castles in that Town and made some Ordinances which the Province uses to this Day But when Giles had setled Italy and built a great many very necessary Forts in the Church Dominions and reduced all the Italian Princes and States to Obedience he had a Successor in the fifth year of his Embassy called Arduinus a Burgundian Abbot of Cisteaux a man not at all fit for business Wherefore when Giles was gone all the Princes and States of Italy took up Arms. For the Pisans did so molest the Florentines that seeing no body durst oppose 'em they plunder'd all the Country of Florence and took Figino a Castle lying up the River Arno burning all the Villages which were built thereabout At that time Pandulphus Malatesta was Captain General of the Florentine Army whom the people forced to relinquish his civil Government because he had never shewn that he had courage enough to engage with an Enemy But the Pisans were then much higher than before not so much out of any hope they had of taking the City as that they should bring a scandal upon it and therefore after some light Skirmishes before the Gates they return'd home with great spoils about the beginning of Autumn And Bernabos also demolished many Castles in Bologna which was now harass'd with War though the Abbot of Clugny defended it stoutly Bologna as I told you before was subject to the Viconti but Aulegianus betray'd it to the Abbot of Clugny and was to have Fermo as the reward of his Treachery But whilst that Bernabos made War upon Bologna and Reggio the Apostolical Legate makes an Alliance with Philippino Gonzaga Canes of Verona and Nicolas d' Este to go against the Brescians Then Bernabos being concern'd for the danger which those of Brescia were in left Bologna and Reggio and march'd toward the Enemy but was so defeated at Montclere that afterwards he could hardly defend the very Walls of the City About the same time the Florentines overcame the Pisans under the command of Galeot Malatesta by corrupting their Soldiers to come over to their Party For this reason the Pisans laid all the fault upon the Cambacurti who were eminent Citizens there because they paid the Soldiers covetously and stingily and therefore recall'd John Agnellus who was banish'd as being a friend to Bernabos and against the Cambacurti and he in a little time reduced the City and made it acknowledg him for their Governour having removed all the friends of the adverse faction But when the Pope had made a Peace between the Pisans and the Florentines one John Haucut who had been used to fight under the Pisans got together all the Soldiers in Italy and gave all people occasion to fear especially since Rome was in such an uproar at the choosing of Senators But Innocent easily appeased their Discords by sending a forein Senator to 'em called Raimund Ptolomy a Citizen of Siena who bore that Office a whole year and that was in the year 1359. But though things were setled in this manner yet the Romans could not be quiet For they turn'd out their Senator and created seven Citizens with Sovereign Power whom they called the Reformers of the whole Republick Upon this account Innocent made Hugo Lusignaneus King of Cyprus who was going then to War against the Turks Senator and commanded totally to abolish that Society of Reformers But he at that time was very intent upon making an end of the War betwixt England and France that all might go against the Turk But when the English had overcome the French in Poictou and had taken their King with Philip his Son they were thought to have done a great exploit yet at the same time Edward out of his Princely generosity gives all the Captives their Liberty upon condition that they would never fight against him more But they soon after broke those terms of Peace and forced Edward to resume his Arms and besiege Paris Innocent design'd also to prepare a Navy against the Infidels when at the same time the Pisans who were excellent Seamen and the Venetiano that had a great Navy were at War the former with the Florentines and the latter with Lewis King of Hungary For that King did then besiege Treviso with a great Army besides that the Venetians were at variance among themselves For Marino their General being accused as if he aspired to Sovereignty was beheaded Innocent being thus discomposed in his mind he died in the ninth year eighth month and sixth day of his Pontificate just about the same time with Bartholus Saxoferratus the wisest man in all that Age. But before the Popes death there was such an Eclipse of the Sun as never was before wherefore all people thought that such a great Man could not die but even the Planets would give some presages of his departure VRBAN V. URBAN the fifth of Lymosin formery called Will. Grisant Abbot of S. Victor at Marseilles was made Pope in his absence by universal consent For at that time he was gone into Italy as Legate to the Viconti but being called to Avignion he enter'd upon the Popedom And no sooner was he got into the Chair but being a person of singular Virtue great Courage and very innocent in his Conversation he immediately apply'd himself to vindicate the Churches Liberty and made use of such Instruments as were zealous for the business For he sent Giles a Spaniard of whom we said something before into Italy with full Power and Authority who so far animated and engaged Lewis Gonzaga Nicolas d' Este and Francisco Carrario against Bernabos that he was overcome by them and lost his Son in the Battel and being wounded hardly escaped with his life Nor was that all but the Enemy took Andrew Pepulo a Bolognian Banditto Synebald Ordelaphus Paulus Mirandula Guido Foliano Azo of Corrigia William Cavalcabos the most Signal Commanders of the Army But the Kings of England France and Cyprus were concern'd at the misfortune of the Viconti and sent Embassadours to Giles to desire him that he would make Peace with them Which Embassadours were not sent in vain for a Peace was concluded though it were of no long continuance For John Hawkwood on the behalf of the Viconti having engaged the Florentines routed their Army at S. Miniato which caused Giles the Legate to send Thomas Obicio an excellent Commander with three thousand Horse and a competent number of Foot to help the Florentines They fought betwixt Arezzo and Cortona four hours together stoutly but at length
Thomas chiefly with the assistance of his Infantry gave the Enemy such a blow that of six thousand Horse which fought under Hawkwood few escaped and the Captain himself yielded Those that had revolted from the Church when they heard of this great Victory immediately surrender'd Vrban then came into Italy in the fourth year of his Pontificate to settle things and Giles the Legate met him at Corneto and rendring an account of what he had done was discharg'd from his Legateship and the Pope going on his way from Corneto to Rome he retired quietly in his old Age at Viterbo where he died in three months after He was a Man of singular Virtue and Courage and preserv'd the Honour of the Church whilst he lived most wonderfully His Body was carried to Assisi and buried in the Church of S. Francis in a Tomb that he built himself whilst he was living When Charles the Emperor understood that Vrban was gone to Rome he went thither too as fast as he could with his Wife and Children but by the way took Lucca from the Pisanes and Sancto Miniato from the Florentines Whether he went to Rome or no is not certain because 't is said he received his Imperial Crown from Pope Innocent the Sixth who sent the Cardinal of Ostia to Rome for that purpose But having received a great sum of mony of the Florentines to buy their own peace he march'd out of Italy the third month after he came thither in the year 1368. Vrban had sought a long time for the Heads of SS Peter and Paul which through the ignorance of the times had long been neglected and having light upon them at Sancta Sanctorum he put 'em up in Silver Cases next the great Altar of the Lateran where they were highly honourâ—d by a great concourse of all the Clergy and People of Rome The same Pope built one Palace in the old City and another in Montefiascone that he and other Popes might retire thither to avoid the Heat and bustle of the Town But resolving to go back shortly into France he made John Hawkwood an excellent Commander whom he released out of Prison General of all those Forces that had serv'd under Giles to guard the Church Patrimony till he return'd again For he design'd to return for Italy But going into France he died at Marseilies in the eighth year and the fourth month of his Pontificate or as others will have it he dy'd at Avignion just about the time when Briget a devout Woman who was a Princess of Switzerland came to Rome upon a Vow she had made There were at the same time some Commotions in Puglia after the death of Nicolas Acciolo who was Governour of that Province and a Stout Wise Man GREGORY XI GREGORY the Eleventh of Lymosin formerly call'd Peter Belford and Cardinal-Deacon of New S. Maries was made Pope at Avignion by a general consent Clement VI. his Uncle made him Cardinal when he was scarce seventeen years of age But that he might not seem to consult the good of his Kindred more than that of the Church he sent him to the best Masters he could find for breeding and especially to Baldus who at that time was a Professor at Perugia Under whom he made such progress in all sorts of Learning that Baldus often used his Authority to clear a Doubt And then he was a Man of such innocence good nature affability and piety that he was generally beloved At his entrance upon the Pontificate this was the state of things in Italy at Rome the Courts of Justice were held by Senators whom the Pope appointed for every six months but the Guard of the City and all the management of publick Affairs were in the hands of the Banderesii so named from their Banners a Teutonic word which they used in War by which every Decuria now called Capo di Regione or Head of a Ward was distinguish'd In Lombardy those Nobles who as I said before conspired against the Viconti surprised the City of Reggio by treachery which was before in their possession but the Castle holding out Bernabos entring the City that way at the first Onset overthrew the Enemy and driving away Lucius the German Commander repossess'd himself of the place Thus went matters in Italy when Perinus King of Cyprus who succeeded his Father Peter was the cause of great animosities between the Genoeses and the Venetians For when he was Crown'd at Famagosta and two Bailiffs as the Merchants call their Residents one from Genoa and the other from Venice were there attending they strove who should walk on the right hand the King which raised such a Tumult that the Genoeses were beaten and wounded basely the King favouring the Venetians The Genoeses hereupon got a Navy of 40 Ships together under the command of Peter Fregoso Brother to Dominick Fregoso and invaded Cyprus and landed fourteen thousand men to destroy all the Island with fire and sword for violating the Law of Nations The King being deserted on all sides submitted to their mercy and surrendering Famagosta promised the Genoeses to give them 40000. per annum to purchase his Peace The Popes Legate was now come into Italy and had setled the state of the Church he made a Peace with the Viconti when a new Tumult arose at Prato which was the original of great confusion For the Inhabitants of Prato endeavouring to vindicate themselves from the Dominion of the Florentines called the Church Forces into Tuscany by permission from the Legate But the Florentines so far corrupted them with money that they enter'd Prato by their assistance put the Conspirators to death and sent a great many Banners with Liberty written upon them by several Troops to several Towns exhorting the People as their Lords that they would remember the Liberty of the Church and cast off the yoke of Servitude The first that revolted from the Church were the Castellani then the Perugians those of Todi Spoleto Gubio Viterbo Forli and Ascoli follow'd their Example At that time too Astorgius Manfred under the Bavarian having tasted the sweetness of absolute Dominion had possess'd himself of Granariolo a Castle near Faenza against whom the Legate sent John Hawkwood with some Troops out of Bologna The Florentines and those of Bologna defended Astorgius and keeping out Hawkwood with all his men asserted their Liberty But Hawkwood seeing the Faenzeses ready to rebel he not onely plunder'd the City severely and kill'd all that his Soldiers met but he sold the very ground on which it stood to Nicolas and Albert d' Este two Brothers for 20000 l. reserving onely Bagnacavallo to himself where the Carriages of his Army lay The Pope hearing of such great Revolutions sent Cardinal Cevennes as his Legate with six thousand British Horse ito Italy who coming down through Piedmont march'd as far as the very Gates of Bologna without doing any hurt designing to besiege the City But when the Legate heard the Florentines were come to
the assistance of the Bolognians under the conduct of Rodolphus Varraneo he went with his Army to Winter in Cesena In which City there was such an upooar by reason of the pride of the French that six hundred Britains were slain and the rest turn'd out of Town But they got in again afterward by way of the Tower and being increased in their number they fill'd all places with bloud and rapine not sparing even those whose very age made their excuse onely young Women and Maids were kept alive to be abused But those of Forli fearing lest for want of advice and one to Govern them they might be oppress'd by the Legate they took Synebald Pyne John and Theobald Ordelaphi as their Lords into the City and were bravely defended by them from the fury of the Britains But Pope Gregory conceiving that all the mischiefs of Italy proceeded from his being absent and that the long shipwrack of Affairs there happen'd because the Pilot was out of the way the good Man was very intent a good while upon a Journey into Italy But he was mightily concerned at a certain Bishops words who being asked by the Pope as they were walking together why he did not return to his Church which he ought not to have left so long without a Pastor He reply'd Why do not you that are the greatest Bishop give a good Example and go to your own Bishoprick at Rome The Pope was disturb'd at these words and therefore he got ready one and twenty Ships in the Rhoan under pretence of going elsewhere that he might not be stop'd by the French as he would have been if they had understood he had been going to Rome because it was their Interest to keep the Court in France Thereupon he went first to Genoa and then to Corneto from whence he went by Land for he was weary of sailing in the Winter especially to Rome and arrived there in the year 1376. about the 11. of January in the seventh year of his Pontificate and the 70th year after the Court went out of Rome into France But what preparations the people of Rome made and with what incredible joy they received him 't is needless to relate for all the Nobility went to meet him with their countenances gestures and acclamations expressing all kind of pleasure as Children do that see their dear Father return'd from a strange Country And indeed all things lacked his presence there For both the Walls the Churches and all buildings in general publick or private threatened nothing but ruin till he repaired most part of them as the Tower which he built at S. Maries the Great does testifie The morality also of the City was so decay'd that they seemed to have nothing about 'em which look'd like a Citizen but appeared as if they ought to go and learn manners who formerly had reduced the whole to urbanity and good behaviour So then the Pope having seated himself in Rome as a good Pastor should do began to look about him and think of a cure for the Wounds of Italy And whilst he was a ruminating of it he consider'd that nothing but a Peace could do the feat Thereupon he sent his Legate first to the Florentines who inclin'd to War and persuades 'em not to slight or refuse any fair Conditions of Peace They suspecting the Popes power and fearing lest they should be compell'd to make a Peace enter into Alliance and Confederacy with Bernabos their old Enemy After that they corrupted Haucut with money and fair promises to come over from the Church to their Party at which they were so triumphant and so proud that they omitted no sort of injury or Affront that they could do the Pope For which they were anathematized and yet were so insolent that they forced their Priests notwithstanding the Interdiction to perform the Divine Offices against Law and Reason The Pope therefore weary at last of intreating took up Arms and having reconciled Bologna which was to be govern'd in his Name he like the Florentines before made Varraneo his stipendiary and gave him the command of the Church Army to go against Florence But a quarrel arose between the Genoeses and the Venetians which put a stop to his Designs he fearing lest any forein force should invade Italy if he ingaged with the Florentines himself For whilst Andronicus by the Genoeses assistance to whom he had given Tenedo as the reward of the Exploit had dethroned Charles's Father who was John Emperor of Constantinople the Venetians restored him again to his Country and had the Island Tenedo given to them by him At which the Genoeses were angry though they deferr'd their revenge till another occasion for fear of the Pope's Curse who threaten'd it to both parties if they did not quit their Arms not holding it fit for either of them to meddle in that War But whilst this holy Man did all things with that diligence that became a Pope he dy'd of that intolerable pain the stone in the Bladder in the seventh year and fifth month of his Pontificate the sixteenth of April in the year 1378. and was buried in S. Maries in the New Street in a Marble Tomb which is yet to be seen and so much lamented as never man was before him For all people thought themselves deprived of a Father in him and did bewail not onely the present but their future Calamity into which they were faln by the loss of so good a Pope and the Discords that arose among the chief Citizens VRBAN VI. GREGORY being dead and the making a new Pope being under debate the Clergy and People of Rome address'd themselves to the Cardinals and desired 'em that they would choose some worthy Person an Italian to govern the Church and State of Rome with integrity and piety for that unless an extraordinary Pastor were then elected Christianity as it stood at that time must needs fall to decay And they desired an Italian Pope lest if he were a French man the Court of Rome must remove again beyond the Mountains to the great disadvantage and damage of the City of Rome and all Italy besides Alledging that when the Pope was absent all the Country and City were continually embroil'd with Usurpations and Seditions and that the Churches in Rome were so neglected and thereby grown so much out of order that they were most of 'em ready to fall And that upon this account the people who came continually to Rome were not so zealous as they used to be when they saw the Papal Sea the Cardinals Churches and Monasteries nay the holy places where the Martyrs lie without a Roof and the Walls falling down to let in sheep and other Cattel That it was fit the Pope should live where Peter had placed the Pontifical Chair by the Will of God out of his own Country and Nation and advanced the honour of it by the ashes and the blood of Martyrs Confessors and holy Popes Hence might the
Pastors of the Church if they were circumspect and mindful of Christs Command or incited by Example of those whose Martyrdoms and Actions they had before their Eyes consult the Salvation of Mankind and at the same time recover S. Peter's Patrimony which had been seised by several Usurpers in Tuscany Sabina Campagna di Roma Ombria Millain and Romagna whilst the Popes were absent That they would not say for the present how the piety of people was diminish'd and that their Pilgrimages to Rome or to see the Bodies or Reliques of the Saints were much rarer than formerly by reason of the Popes absence but that all these things might still be restored if an Italian were chosen Pope The Cardinals made Answer that they would take care to choose an excellent Man to govern the Church of God without any respect to Persons or Nations in imitation of our Saviour who chose Apostles out of all Nations That they might go and be satisfied that they would do nothing but what should promote the glory of God the good of the Church and of all Christendom So they appointed a Conclave at S. Peter's and order'd a certain number of Guards to be in the Vatican lest any Tumult might hinder so important an Election But when they came to Vote there was a great debate all of a sudden For there were thirteen French Cardinals who would have had a Pope chosen out of them and four Italians among whom one that was of the Vrsin Family did most aspire to the Popedom The French seem'd to have the better of it because they had the Majority but there hapning a quarrel betwixt those of Limosin and the other French Men each side contending for the choice of a Pope out of their party they chose Bartholomew Arch-Bishop of Bari a Neapolitan or as others say a Pisan not of the Colledg of Cardinals and in his absence by the name of Vrban the Sixth But before they appear'd abroad or that it was known that Vrban was made Pope the French scandalized the Election as extorted by fraud and fear whilst the Romans urged them with force and Arms to chuse an Italian So that the Cardinals when they came out of the Conclave fled partly into Castel S. Angelo and partly into other secure places to avoid the fury of the enraged people Cardinal Vrsin also went to Vicovaro having great hopes of getting the Pontificate in a time of such Discord But not long after the Cardinals repented and came to the City where they confirm'd Vrban whom they had formerly chosen saluting him according to the dignity of a true Pope Three months after the French Party pretended the City was too hot for 'em and desired of the Pope that he would give 'em leave to go to Anagni for change of Air which in the City was pestilent especially in the Summer and to French Constitutions though they indeed were affraid of his severity and so were desirous to get out of the way For he had often called 'em to him and admonished them to keep their hands clean and receive no bribes nor rewards for pleading in behalf of others or doing any man a kindness that should ask it And told 'em that he would punish them severely that he found guilty of Simony or promoting unjust Suits Besides he told 'em that he should be pleased and was very desirous that they would omit some of their State and such a train of Servants and Horses for what they spent in such vanity was really due to the Poor or ought to have been employ'd toward the repairs of tottering Churches He told 'em that he would chuse good men to be about his own person and that he would make the wicked suffer for their offences unless they mended their manners And because he heard that the French Cardinals did talk once as if the Court of Rome would go back into their Countrey he told 'em publickly that he would stay at Rome and would not hearken to any one that should persuade him to remove from it because as he said the foundation of the universal Church and of Christian Faith was laid at Rome and all the superstructure raised in the same place The French Cardinals were moved with these Reasons and especially those who had robbed the Church Treasury upon the Death of several Popes and done what they pleased they fled first to Anagni next to Fondi where they inveigh'd against Vrban as a false Pope and said he was made by force and received his Crown by force because that Election and Coronation was not in a place at all safe where peoples Wills and Votes might be free but that on the contrary they were forced to chuse an Italian rather than a French man For these Reasons the Sea as they said being vacant they who were eight in all by the permission and favour of Queen Joan chose Cardinal Cevennes who had been Legate in Italy and called him Clement the Seventh Hence arose a great and a long quarrel in the Church of God which they call a Schism when part of the Christian Princes favour'd Vrban and part favour'd Cevennes Nor were these seditious Cardinals content with that but sent the Britains who had plunder'd and taken many Castles Villages and Forts against the Pope and people of Rome who meeting the Enemy at Ponte Salaro in a confused manner were conquer'd and kill'd But after that they fought another Battel at Sancto Marino with such courage and intention that they beat the Britains and kill'd so many of 'em that there was hardly a Messenger left to carry the news Those that were in the Castles defended themselves for some time but especially the Governour of the Castle of Surio who after many years surrender'd it to Pope Martin In the mean time the Genoeses begin to shew the malice which they had conceiv'd in their hearts against the Venetians and took Lewis King of Hungary into their Alliance with Francis of Carrara Lord of Padua the Duke of Austria and the Patriarch of Aquilegia On the part of the Venetians were Perinus of Lusignan King of Cyprus and so was Bernabos Viconti In the first Engagement at Sea the Venetians had the better of it upon the Coast of Antio under the Command of Victor a Pisan of ten Genoese Ships five being lost At that time also the Marchesi of Carreto by the assistance of Bernabos took Albenga Noli and Castel Franco from the Genoeses but not long after they made a Peace with 'em and restored all After this the Genoeses put Dominick Fregoso their Duke into Prison with his Brother Peter and made Nicolas Gualch their Governour by Land and Lucian Auria their Admiral by Sea But Bernabos that had married his Daughter to the King of Cyprus sent her very honourably into Cyprus to her Husband with twelve Galleys six Catalonian and six Venetian Perinus thus strengthened attaqued Famagosta both by Sea and Land but in vain for the Soldiers within
in Humanity and Divinity that he soon became a publick Reader and wrote very acutely and learnedly upon the Books of the Sentences He was also reckon'd a great Orator and a great Preacher And therefore he was sent for by John Galeatius Duke of Millain and made his chief Counsellor After that at Galeatius's request he was made Bishop of Vincenza then translated to Novara and last of all being made Arch-Bishop of Millain he was created Cardinal of the Twelve Apostles by Innocent VII From which step he rose to the Pontifical Dignity and was deservedly stiled Alexander because he might compare with any Prince for liberality and greatness of mind For he was so munificent to the poor and all that deserved his bounty that in a short time he left himself nothing That made him use to say in a joke that he was a rich Bishop a poor Cardinal and a beggarly Pope For he was free from that desire of getting which increaseth usually with a Mans Estate and his Age. But it is a Vice that cannot be found among good Men that contemn the World who the older they grow the less Viaticum or provision they know they shall want for their Journey and therefore they restrain their Desires bridle their Covetousness and extinquish all evil lusts Nay Alexander was a Person of that Courage as to depose that powerful King Ladislaus who in the absence of several Popes had for a long time much spoil'd and harass'd the Church Dominions and taken some Towns by force at Pisa in the Council there by approbation of all that were present and declared his Kingdom to belong to Lewis Duke of Anjou But when the Council of Pisa brake up the Pope went to Bologna of which Baldesar Cossa Cardinal of S. Eustachius was Governour Him Alexander confirm'd in his Office because by his industry and conduct the Council was held at Pisa and because he was a Man fit to oppose Usurpers or such as encroached upon the Church Revenues Yet there was more of rusticity boldness and worldliness in him than his profession required He led a military Life and his manners were Soldier-like and he took the liberty of doing many things not fit to be named But when Alexander was very sick and knew his death was very near he exhorted the Cardinals that visited him to Concord and Peace and to defend the Honour of the Church And swore by that Death he was just now about to undergo and by the Conscience of his well-acted Life that he did not think or believe that any thing was Decreed in the Pisan Council but with all justice and integrity without any deceit or fraud This said and the People weeping that stood by he repeated that saying of our Saviour with much ado My peace I give unto you my peace I leave with you and immediately dy'd in the eighth month of his Pontificate and was buried at Bologna in the Church of the Friers Minors in which year there was a Famine and a Plague JOHN XXIV JOHN the Twenty Fourth a Noble Neapolitan formerly called Cossa Baldesar was chosen Pope at Bologna by general consent though some say the Election was carried by force because he was not only Legate of Bologna but had Soldiers in the City and Country planted for the purpose so that if he could not get it by fair means he would by foul However it was it is most certain that he was made Pope and always aspired to that Dignity For when he was a Youth and studied Civil Law at Bologna for some years he took his Degree there according to Custom and then went to Rome And being ask'd by some Friends whether he was going he answer'd To the Pontificate When he came to Rome he was entertain'd by Boniface IX and made one of his Privy Chamber Then he was made Cardinal of S. Eustachius's and sent as Legate à Latere to Bologna which he in a short space subjected to the Church together with a great part of Romagna beating aut some Usurpers and putting others to death But after nine years when he had enlarged the City of Bologna in a wonderful manner by a long Peace and gotten a great deal of Money Alexander died and then he used Bribery especially to the Cardinals that Gregory had made who were yet poor and so was made Pope Thereupon he sent Agents to the Electors of the Empire to desire of 'em that they would choose Sigismund of Lucenburg King of Hungary and Bohemia Emperor as being a person very stout and fit as he said for all brave Actions For this was his way to get into Sigismunds's favour And that succeeding according to his mind he told 'em before-hand that whereas it had been order'd in an Assembly at Pisa that a Council should be call'd at such a certain time he would hold it at Rome and no where else And that all might have the freer access thither he endeavour'd to settle Italy especially that part near the Alps in which the War did daily encrease by the instigation of Fazinus Canis who could not keep his mercenary Soldiers under his Command without employment For he used to maintain them by rapine and plunder At that juncture it happen'd that the Pavians whom Philip could not contain in awe by reason of his Minority were grown factious and took up Arms. Then the Gibellins under the conduct of the Beccarian Family brought Fazinus and his Army into the City and were to have the Guelphs Estates for doing it But Fazinus entering the Town with his Soldiers spared neither one nor the other but plunder'd both And when the Gibellins complain'd that their goods too were plunder'd against his Promise he reply'd The Gibellins in their Persons should be safe but their Goods were Guelphs which he would give as Spoil to the Soldiers deriding the folly and covetousness of both Factions When he went from thence he left a good Garison both at the Gates and in the Fort pretending to be Philips Protector till he grew of Age and so went against Pandulphus Malatesta where he teazed the Brescians and the Bergameses with frequent inroads and ravagings nor did he spare those of Cremona at that time govern'd by Cabrinus Fundulus During these transactions the King of Hungary who was going as he pretended to Rome freely to receive the Imperial Crown sent twelve thousand Horse and eight thousand Foot against the Venetians and seizing Friuli he set upon Treviso Against this great Army the Venetians sent Charles Malatesta to keep them off not so much by fighting as by protracting of the time The Venetians had like also to have lost Verona the same year by treachery of some of the Citizens who had more mind to try what they could get by violence than to preserve their Liberty But those that were guilty were punish'd and there was an end of that Fazinus Canis died the same year after which several persons conspiring together kill'd John Maria
Duke of Millain and took Bernabos's Son and Nephews into the City Then Philip by the persuasions of his Friends married Beatrice Fazinus's Widow who was very Rich and had Authority with the Soldiers that had fought under her Husband Fazinus By this means he had all the Cities that paid homage to Fazinus presently surrender'd to him and drew Carmignola and Siccus Montagnanus who had seditiously divided the Legion between them after Fazinus's death to come to fight under his Colours by the perswasions of Beatrice Which two Commanders Philip made use of afterward and by their assistance drave Bernabos's Son Astorgius out of Millain but kill'd him at the taking of Monza Things went thus in Millain and thereabouts when John Francis Gonzaga Son to Francis that was deceased went with a competent Army of Horse and Foot to guard Bologna at the command of Pope John under whose Banner he then fought For Malatesta of Rimini stipendiary to King Ladislaus laid close Siege to the City at that time He therefore by the aid of the Bolognians fought several sharp Battels with the Enemies in which he had the better and defended the City most gloriously The Winter following Pope John was invaded by Ladislaus which made him remove from Rome to Florence and thence to Bologna Nor did he stay there long but he went to Mantoua where he was splendidly entertain'd by John Francis Gonzaga whom he took along with him at his departure thence together with great part of his Forces to Lodi whither he knew the King of Hungary would come For he trusted much to that Prince whose faithfulness and integrity he had such experience of in the Bolognian Wars though he had been tempted by Malatesta with gifts and promises to revolt to the Kings party But after when the Pope and the King did not think themselves sufficiently safe at Lauden they sent John Francis to Mantoua whether they said they 'd go with all speed to prepare for their coming and for the reception of such a multitude He went and quickly made all things ready and then returned to Cremona where he heard the Pope and the King by that time were arrived After that he conducted them to Mantoua where all the people came thronging out to meet them and they were much more kindly receiv'd than was expected Now in these several meetings at Lodi Cremona and Mantoua it was consider'd how they should remove Ladislaus out of Campagna di Roma Ombria and Tuscany for he had taken Rome and many other Towns belonging to the Church They saw that Italy could not be freed from the distractions of War by any other means and therefore they thought it convenient to advise concerning a supply to carry on the Affair not at Mantoua but Bologna when they were come thither But they had greater concerns still upon them For John being urged to call a Council by consent of all Nations for the removal of the Schism immediately sent two Cardinals into Germany to advise with the Princes of France and Germany and choose a convenient place for a Council to be held at Upon enquiry Constance a City within the Province of Mentze seemed to be most commodious for the purpose Thereupon they all went thither by a certain Day according to Order so likewise did Pope John himself though some advised him to the contrary because they told him they fear'd if he went thither as Pope he would return thence as a private person and so it fell out For going thither with certain Men that were excellent in all sorts of Learning he puzled the Germans so long with tedious Disputations that they could not tell what to Decree But Sigismund came up who gave every body leave to say what they pleased and then great and grievous Crimes were laid to the Popes charge upon which he went privately in disguise from Constance to Scaphusa for fear some dangerous Plot might be contrived against him Scaphusa was a City belonging to the Duke of Austria whither several Cardinals also that he had created betook themselves But they being called again by Authority of the Council John fled from Scaphusa to Friburgh designing to go if possibly he could with safety to the Duke of Burgundy But by the care of the Council John was taken and imprison'd near Constance in the Isle of S. Mark in the fourth year of his Pontificate and the tenth month Then the Council began to enquire the reason of his flight and choose several persons of great gravity and Learning as Delegates to examine and weigh the Objections made against John and make an orderly report of it to the Council There were above forty Articles proved against him of which some contain'd faults which he was so habituated to that he could not avoid them and therefore they were judged contrary to the Faith and some of them were likely to bring a scandal upon Christianity in general if they were not condemned in him Wherefore since they all agreed in the same Opinion John who was deservedly and justly deposed approved of their Sentence though pronounced against him And thereupon he was presenty sent to Lewis the Bavarian who was Gregory the 12th's Friend to be kept in custody till further Order from the Council Accordingly he was block'd up in the Castle of Haldeberg which was a very well fortified place for three years without any Chamberlain or Servant to attend him that was an Italian All his keepers were Germans with whom he was fain to talk by Nods and Signs because he neither understood the Teutonick Language nor they the Italian They say John was deposed by those very Men and them alone that were formerly his Friends For those that were of Gregory and Benedict's Party were not yet come to the Council These Men therefore that they might make their Deprivation of him just and perfect with one accord publish'd a Synodical Decree wherein they affirm'd that a general Council lawfully called was the Supream Authority next to Christ Grant but this fundamental Point and the Pope himself is inferiour to a Council Whereupon Gregory was forced by the persuasions of the Emperor Sigismund to send some Person to the Council because he would not go himself to approve of their proceedings in his Name So he sent Charles Malatesta an excellent Man who seeing them all agree to make Gregory also lay down all claim to the Papacy he stood forth before 'em all and sitting down in a Chair that was made as stately as if Gregory himself had been there he read the Instrument of Renunciation over and presently deposed Gregory for which free act of his he was made Legate of Millain by all the Council But this Person not long after dy'd at Recanati of grief as some say for his so sudden Deprivation before the time appointed For he was clearly for deferring the business as long as he could as placing some hope in delay But he died before Martin came to be Pope
Sedition into a safe Port. He therefore having obtained this great Dignity and seeing the Hydras head which might grow out again and multiply was still left that is Benedict formerly called Peter Luna who kept with some few Cardinals and Prelates in a place that might be called the very Fort of Schism Whilst some People of Aragon were at a stand which way to incline He by approbation of the Council sent Alemannus Ademarius a very learned Man whose Tomb is still to be seen in new S. Maries a Florentine and Cardinal of S. Eusebius as Legate à Latere into Aragon to admonish Peter upon Ecclesiastical Penalties and Censures to resign the Pontificate Nay even the Cardinals that were on Peter's side when they heard this ultimate resolution of the Pope and Council went to Peter and desired him at last to remove all Schism out of the Church of God with which Christendom had been for so many years afflicted and told him that John and Gregory had done the same in order to save the Church from ruin Peter gave 'em some slight answer and told 'em he could not do it but he would agree with Martin if all were true which people said of his integrity and humanity and bid 'em let him alone to manage the business and trouble themselves no more about it But of the four Cardinals who went to him two observing his obstinacy immediately revolted from him to Martin And those two that continued on his side were presently counted Anti-Cardinals one of which was a Carthusian and the other called Julian Dobla Upon this all Spain acknowledged Martins Authority and so did the Scots and those of Armagnac not long after And so all Christendom except one Peninsula owned the Authority of Martin This great Affair thus setled by the pains and industry of the Ecclesiastick and secular Princes especially of Sigismund the Emperor they began to talk of reforming the manners of both the Laiety and Clergy which were debauched with too much Licence But because the Council of Constance had lasted already four years to the great inconvenience of Prelates and their Churches it was Martin's pleasure and the Opinion of the Council that weighty Affair should be deferred till some more seasonable opportunity it being he said a work that would require much time and deliberation because as Jerome says every Country has its peculiar Manners and Customs which cannot be easily remov'd without great disturbance Now because the Schism from a small beginning had lasted a long time to the great disadvantage of Christendom upon notice that John XXIII was escaped out of custody fearing lest he should call another Council he publish'd a Decree concerning the calling of Councils That from the end of the Council at Constance no other Council should be held within five years and after that within seven and from thence it was drawn out to ten years and was made a Law That every ten years a General Council should be held in some convenient place to treat of matters of Faith and the common good of Christendom In confirmation whereof by the approbation of the Council Martin publish'd his Bulls But he abrogated all Decrees that were made during the Schism before his Pontificate except such as were made to promote faith or good manners That all Men might know he intended to call a Council he publickly advised concerning a commodious place for it and at last chose Pavia by general approbation and gave out his Breves to this purpose Martin Bishop and Servant of Gods Servants for the future remembrance of the thing being desirous to have Obedience paid to the Decree of this General Council upon a Debate had concerning a Place where the next Council shall be holden we do with the approbation and consent of the said Council and by the Authority of these presents appoint the City of Pavia for that purpose And let no man contravene this our Decree upon pein of the displeasure of God Almighty and of his Apostles SS Peter and Paul Given and enacted at Constance in the publick Council-House April 18. in the first year of our Pontificate And now he was willing the Council should be dissolv'd wherefore calling a full Assembly with the good liking of the Emperor and of all the rest he commanded Ibaldo Cardinal of S. Vitus to dismiss them which he did by saying Sirs Depart in peace Every one now having leave to be gone the Pope was desired on the one side by the Emperor and the Germans that he would tarry some time in their Country and by the French Princes on the other side to go into France but he told 'em he could not do it by any means because he said the Churches Patrimony was torn and spoiled by Usurpers in Italy whilst the Pope was absent and that the City of Rome which was the Metropolis of Christendom was almost ruin'd for want of the presence of its Governour so much it had suffer'd by Plague Famine Sword Fire and Sedition beside that the Churches and Chappels of the holy Martyrs by the Pope's absence were either in ruins or ready to fall and therefore he must be gone thither He desired 'em to take that kindly which reason and necessity forced him to and that they would let him sit in Peter's Chair since they had unanimously chosen him Pope That the Church of Rome was the Mother and the Head of all other Churches and therefore the Pope ought to reside there lest the true Pilot should be displaced from the Stern to the Stem to the great hazard and detriment of both Passengers and Sailers i.e. all Christian Men. So he went from Constance through Savoy into Italy and arrived at Millain where he was very kindly received by Duke Philip and all his People who gave him all the respect imaginable Philip was at that time in Arms endeavouring to recover his paternal inheritance which the Usurpers kept from him with great bravery and courage for having once tasted how pleasant it was to govern they were not easily turn'd out of possession However Carmignola Philip's chief Commander press'd Pandulphus Malatesta very hard who having taken Pergamo by bribing the Governour to betray the Castle moved toward Brescia and would have quickly strip'd him of all his Dominions had he not been aided by the Venetians with great sums of Money and stout Cavalry or had not Pope Martin persuaded Philip to make a Peace with Pandulphus which was accordingly afterward composed and agreed upon at Mantoua in the presence of Martin and by the Umpirage of John Francisco upon these terms to wit That Pandulphus paying a yearly Tribute should keep Brescia so long as he lived but should not have Power to give it away by Will because at his Death it naturally devolv'd upon Philip. But the next year Pandulphus broke his Peace by endeavouring by Men and Money to keep Cabrinus Fundulus in the possession of Cremona For Philip made War against him
Montonius an excellent Soldier had so far got possession of Perugia the Dutchy of Spoleto and great part of the Churches Patrimony by help of the Usurpers round about that he could not get safe to Rome But when Brachius upon Admonition would not comply the Pope used first of all spiritual Weapons that is Censures against him and interdicted all his Adherents nor were the Priests allowed to do their Office in the usual places At which misfortune of their Friend Brachius the Florentines were concern'd and treated with Martin for Peace upon Condition that Brachius should throw himself at the Popes feet and ask pardon which he did And that he should restore some Towns to the Church and fight under the Pope till he had reduced Bologna which was then in Rebellion and made it subject to Martin In which War Gabriel Condelmer Cardinal-Priest of S. Clements and Legate was General who by his industry and Brachius's Valour subdu'd Bologna in a short time and made it tributary to the Church Whilst these things were transacted in Bologna the four Cardinals formerly of Peter Luna's party the Anti-Pope came to Martin at Florence where they were receiv'd most honourably by the whole Consistory and retein'd their former Dignities Three were Cardinal-Deacons but the fourth who was formerly a Canon Regular was a Cardinal-Priest Baldesar Cossa being still a Prisoner at Heidelberg in Germany under the Count Palatine some Citizens of Florence of which Cosmus was one were urgent with Pope Martin to set him at liberty The Pope promised he would but whilst his Legate went thither to perform it Baldesar being impatient of staying any longer gave the Count Palatine thirty thousand pounds to free him And coming into Italy he went directly toward Florence but call'd upon Peter Rubeus a Baron of Parma and an old Friend of his where he understood that there was wait laid for him Thereupon he fled by Night along with the Legate whom he met by the way to Thomas Fregosos another old Friend of his and gave people a suspition that the Schism would be renew'd For he was a Man of great Courage and very cunning nor could he endure a private life Besides there were not wanting such as would incite the bold Man to innovations they were generally at that time so much affected with Novelties But God Almighty took pity on his Church and put Baldesar upon a resolution of going to Martin at Florence without any Articles of Agreement or any Caution between them When he came thither and had kiss'd the Popes foot to the admiration of all that saw it he saluted him in the presence and hearing of all the Company by the name of Christ's true Vicar and a true Pope canonically elected This was strange to all that saw it and brought to pass it should seem rather by Gods providence than any humane skill That a Man covetous of Dominion and in such an high Station before should be so supple in a place where he might be free because he was loved by all But it made every body cry for joy especially those Cardinals that had acknowledged him as the true Pope But Martin considering the vicissitude or changeableness of humane Affairs made him a Cardinal in few days and then Bishop of Frascati after which he shew'd him as much respect as any other Cardinal both in publick and private But Baldesar some think died of grief in a few months after at Florence as being unable to endure a private life and was buried most honourably in S. Johns Church nor far from the Cathedral at the great cost and charges of Cosmo di Medices who grew so rich with Baldesars Money that he was look'd upon as the chief Man in Florence of a Citizen nay perhaps the richest in Italy or the World Upon his Tomb were written these words BALDESARIS COSSAE JOHANNIS XXIII QVONDAM PAPAE CORPVS HOC TVMVLO CONDITVM During these Actions at Florence the Emperor of Constantinople's Agents came to the Pope and promised that the Greeks would come over to the Latins in all points of Faith upon reasonable terms The Pope receiv'd them very kindly and splendidly and made Peter Fontesiccus a Spaniard Cardinal of S. Angelo and a very learned Man Legate à Latere to go to Constantinople and settle matters there But before he sent the good Man away he dispatch'd Frier Anthony Massanus thither who was General of the Minors to find how the Emperor and the Greeks were affected and tell him what he might trust to Now the Romans were urgent to have him come to Rome and therefore taking his leave very kindly of the Florentines he made their City a Metropolis For though before even from its foundation almost it had only had the honour of a Bishoprick he made it an Arch-Bishoprick and the Mother-Church to Volaterra Pistoia and Fiesola He also gave a bigger Altar to S. Mary the New belonging to the Order of Preachers where he lived all the while he was at Florence that Convent being very commodious for his reception At last parting from Florence he came to Rome where all the people met him and the Nobility look'd upon him as the good Genius or Father of their Country And that day the Romans put in their Calendar as a lucky one When he came he found the City of Rome so ruinated that it look'd nothing like a City You might have seen the Houses ready to totter the Churches fallen down the Streets empty the City full of Dirt and Mire and in exteam want of all sorts of provisions What should I say more There was neither the face of a City nor any sign of civility there the Citizens seeming rather Sojourners and Vagabonds The good Pope was troubled to see it and apply'd himself to adorning of the City and reforming the Citizens manners so that in a short time it looked much better than before For this reason he was called by the People not onely the True Pope but Father of his Country But lest that publick joy should last too long without interruption the year following in November on St. Andrews Eve the Tiber swell'd so high that it came in at the Porta del popolo overflow'd the whole City which lies upon a level and filled the Church of S. Mary the round as far as the great Altar Two days after it fell but took much Cattel along with it and did great damage to the Citizens who sailed about the Streets as upon the Tiber. Now King Lewis Son to Lewis came to Rome and obtain'd of Martin to be invested King of Naples by general consent of the Cardinals For he having been invited thither and adopted by Queen Joan Sister to Ladislaus expected by this means to get the Kingdom without fighting but was driven out of Naples by a contrary Faction and retired to Calabria And now the time for the Council drawing near according to the Decree at Constance Martin was pleased by consent of
Church should be at quiet those two Anti-Cardinals that I told you of were persuaded by Alphonso who was Martin's Enemy to choose Giles Munio a Canon of Barselona and a Nobleman Pope and call'd him Clement VIII He was no sooner chosen but he made Cardinals and acted as Pope But when Martin and Alphonso were friends again he sent Peter de Fuso a Cardinal as Legate from the Sea Apostolick thither to whom Giles resign'd his Title to the Popedom at the command of Alphonso For which Martin was so kind to him afterward that he made him Bishop of Majorca And the Cardinals also that were made by Giles did voluntarily lay down their Dignity But those two that Peter Luna made remain'd still obstinate and therefore because they would not obey the Pope the Legate put them in Prison Thus Martin's industry and prudence removed the Schism from all parts and when the Church was setled he used as much skill and discretion in conferring of Benefices For he did not bestow 'em upon every one that ask'd him but consider'd who was fittest to receive them and to take such a charge upon him And if he did not know any body in the Country where Benefices fell he used to send and enquire of those that knew the place who was qualified with Learning Birth or breeding fit for any Office And thus did he advance the Church and deserving Men at the same time to his great Honour In fine so couragious and resolute he was that though he had two Brothers the elder of which Jordanus Prince of Salerno died of the Plague and the other Lorenzo was burn'd to death in a Turret which was casually set on fire he was not known to say or do any thing that argued Impatience or lowness of mind But this same Person so exactly good in the whole course of his life died at Rome of an Apoplexy in the fourteenth year and the third month of his Pontificate and the sixty third year of his Age and was by his own Order buried in S. Johns Church near the Heads of the Apostles in a brazen Tomb and attended by all the people of Rome and the Clergy weeping as if the Church of God and the City of Rome had been bereft of their onely and their best Parent The Sea at that time was vacant twelve days EVGENIVS IV. EVGENIVS the Fourth a Venetian of the Family of Condelmero a common but ancient name whose Fathers name was Angelo arrived at the Pontificate after this manner When Gregory XII was made Pope who was of the Family of Coraro and a Venetian Anthony Corar Gregory's Nephew a Canon of S. Georges in Alga going to Rome took Gabriel Condelmero who was of the same profession and had lived with him from his Childhood along with him somewhat against his will Gregory was so taken with his Wit and Parts that he first made him his Treasurer and then Bishop of Siena having made his Nephew Anthony Bishop of Bologna The Sieneses refused Gabriel at first and would not have him for their Bishop alledging that a Foreiner ought not to be set over them in that high Function but one that knew the customs and usages of their City But when Gregory afterward upon a distrust of his condition left Rome for Lucca and encreased the number of Cardinals he made Anthony his Nephew and Gabriel Condelmero two who was made use of by Gregory after that and when he was turn'd out by Martin in many great Affairs especially in the Embassy to the Marcha d' Ancona in which he not only confirm'd the Inhabitants in their Allegiance to the Church by punishing some seditious Conspirators but also repaired the Church of S. Agnes at Ancona which was decay'd and the Port of the same City which was Weather-beaten very old and ruinous so as to make it like Trajans And afterward when Martin understood that the Bolognians were set upon innovations he sent Gabriel from Ancona thither who suppress'd the Sedition as soon as he came Where coming to Rome and Martin soon after dying he alone was thought fit to be made Pope out of eighteen Cardinals who at that time were in the Conclave and changing his name to Eugenius was brought immediatey to S. Peters attended by all the People and Clergy in the year 1431. March 3d. And having received the Papal Crown he went to the Lateran and from thence to the Vatican where he set a day for a general Consistory to be held At which there was such a Concourse of People that the Timber of the building where they met and where the publick Consistory now stands gave way and put the people into such a consternation that the Bishop of Sinigaglia a Citizen of Rome of the Family of Mella was trodden to death in the throng For the Popes House was not built at that time as it is now When the Consistory was dismiss'd Eugenius took all care to avoid Tumults But some Sycophants persuading him that Martin who was very covetous had left somewhere a great Treasure behind him of which he might be inform'd by Martin's Friends and Relations they made the Man so mad that he commanded Oddo Poccio Martin's Vice-Chamberlain to be laid hold on and gave the charge of the business to Stephen Colonna his General the onely person of his Party among the Colonna's Cardinal Vrsin and Cardinal Comitum egging him on by whose contrivance 't is thought all these things were done against the Colonneses out of an old grudg between the two Factions Eugenius however commanded that Oddo should be brought to him quietly and civily which was quite contrarily executed by Stephen For not onely his goods were plunder'd by the Soldiers but he was carried by force or rather dragg'd like a Robber publickly into the Pope's presence Eugenius was very angry at this rude usage of him and checked Stephen for it nay threaten'd to punish him severely for bringing not onely Oddo but the Bishop of Tivoli who was formerly Martin's Chamberlain before him after such an unworthy manner Hereupon Stephen fearing the Popes displeasure fled to Palestrina to Prince Colonna and desired him to join with him to drive Eugenius from the City because he said Eugenius had a Design to extinguish the whole Family of Colonna And that he knew that to be so for he was privy to it himself and that he ran away from the City because he knew that he also must bear a part in that common Calamity unless they all avoided it together The Prince moved with what he said and with the misfortunes of such as had been Martin's Friends took up Arms and immediately resolv'd to set upon the Pope staying onely a little till his Brother Prosper a Cardinal Deacon whom he had forewarn'd of the business could get out of the City And as soon as he saw him he march'd from Palestrina to Marino and thence to Rome against Eugenius and having the Gate di Sancto Sebastiano deliver'd
the Council in or else they threaten'd to oppose him as a prevaricating and an obstinate person Eugenius was moved at their words and confirmed the Council at Basil by a new Breve giving every one leave to go thither for he was so tormented with Wars on all sides of him that he had hardly time to breath But having recover'd Rome he sent John Viteleschus thither immediately who was a Man indeed very fit for business but savage and severe who marching against the Colonneses the Sabelli and all the Gibellin faction he sack'd and razed the Castle of Gandulpho standing on the Lago Albano as also Savello and Borgeto He likewise took Alba Civita Lapuvina Palestrina and Zagatolo and sent all the Inhabitants that were alive to Rome Then turning his course into Campagna di Roma he brought 'em all over to the Church and having taken Anthony Pontadera he hang'd him upon an Olive-Tree at Fraselone Then coming back to Rome he put 'em all in a fear and pull'd down several Houses of Conspirators that had taken possession of the Porta Maggiore in a tumult and declared them Enemies to the Church Among the rest he took one Pulcellus and tortur'd him with red hot Pincers and then hang'd him in Campo Fiore When the Roman people complain'd that the covetousness of some rich Men had brought a Famine upon the Country there was so much Wheat immediately brought into the Market by his Order that there ensued great plenty of all things in a short time so readily were his Commands obey'd When he had thus setled Affairs he went into the Kingdom of Naples which Alphonso had lately got possession of and which he said belonged to the Pope and the Church and there he took the Prince of Tarento with two thousand Horse and invaded the Dominion of the Earl of Nola. He also had like to have taken Alphonso by fraud rather than force when they had made a Truce and a Peace was as good as concluded When he had taken the Towns belonging to the Church he freed the Prince And going back to Rome he demolish'd Palestrina which was ready to rebel by the persuasion of Lorenzo Colonna and turned out the Inhabitants in great numbers to roam about the Country in the year 1435. In which year Eugenius went from Florence having first consecrated the Cathedral Church there and going to Bologna he built a Fort near that Gate which leads towards Ferrara and fortified the House where the Legate now resides with a good high and broad Wall behind especially and with Turrets The year after he in a publick Consistory translated the Council of Basil though he had approved of that place from thence to Ferrara and said that the Greeks who had a mind to join with the Church of Rome had chosen that City to meet in Then the Presidents of the Council at Basil were very urgent with the Greeks and did exhort them with Prayers and Promises that they would leave Eugenius and come to them Nor were they content to do so onely but they bragg'd that they would depose Eugenius too if he would not come thither also Eugenius could not tell for some time what to do but yet he sent thither as Legate one John Francis Capitelista a Lawyer and a Knight of Padua to plead his cause But when Sigismund the Emperor was dead by whose favour the Council of Basil flourish'd and Albert Duke of Austria was chosen in his room the Cardinal of S. Crosses began the Council of Ferrara in the name of Eugenius Eugenius also went thither when he heard the Emperor of Constantinople whose name was John Paleologus was coming with a great many Gallies of his own as well as what the Venetians for Eugenius's sake sent to meet the Emperor lest any violence should have been offer'd him because he had an account that certain French Gallies were sent by the Council into the Archipelago with Orders either to bring the Emperor to them or if they could not do so that at least they should keep him from going to Ferrara But Eugenius so far corrupted the Admiral of those Galleys with Money that he left the Council at Basil and came over to his Party When the Emperour came to Ferrara he was entertain'd by Eugenius as the Roman Emperours used to be treated But Viteleschus when he had quieted the Church Dominions and punish'd several Priests that had pilfer'd certain Jewels out of the Heads of Peter and Paul the Apostles in the Lateran Church to which they belong'd and after that had put James Galesius and his Accomplices to death for attempting to make Innovations upon the Government he went to Ferrara where in a publick Consistory he was receiv'd into the number of Cardinals with great Honour For he had been made Cardinal six months before at Bologna and then returning with greater Authority he put the Governour of Vetralla and the Lord of Fuligno after he had expell'd him from his usurp'd Dominion to death in the Castle of Surio But Eugenius desiring to unite the two Churches that were so long of different Opinions in the year 1438 having made solemn Prayers and celebrated the Mass of the Holy Ghost he went to the Council along with the Emperour and Patriarch of Constantinople where the Emperour being seated on a Throne suitable to his Dignity and the other Greeks in a place opposite to the Pope the question was first ask'd Whether the Latins and the Greeks who had been so long of different Opinions were willing to be united into one Church At which they all cry'd out They would very willingly provided that their differences were first reconciled by Reason In order to which there were Disputations every day between those that the Latins and Greeks had chosen to debate those weighty Points But there happening a Plague at Ferrara which continued a good while it was not safe staying there and therefore the Council was removed to Florence And as soon as they came thither Picenninus presently took possession of Forli Imola Ravenna and Bologna by command from Philip with a design to thwart Eugenius's intentions who was a Friend to the Florentines and Venetians his Enemies After that he came back into Parma and raising a great body of Horse he passed the Po and took in a short time the greater Casal and Platina my native Country and all that the Venetians had about Cremona Then he routed Gattamelata General of the Venetian Army at Calvatoni and with the Prince of Mantoua his Ally he besieged Brescia for some months which was stoutly defended by the Citizens and one Francis Barbar a very learned Man and their chief Magistrate Whereupon he pass'd from thence to seize several Castles thereabout and hinder provisions from being brought into the City plundering and destroying all the Country as far as Verona and Vincenza so that he left the Venetians nothing to live upon but yet all this was not accomplish'd without great damage to
his Men especially in the dead of Winter which was the time they took to do it He likewise secured great part of the Rivers Menzo Adige Lago di Garda and Lago d' Iseo that nothing might be carried that way by Water to the needy Inhabitants But the fitting up of some Ships that were removed out of the Adige into the Lago di S. Andreas and careened below in the Lago di Garda near Forboli gave the Venetians some respite Then seeing nevertheless that Picenninus press'd those of Verona and Vincenza very hard the Venetians thought themselves quite lost if they did not get a good Commander and therefore they sent James Donatus to Florence then in League with 'em to desire that if the Florentines had any regard to the Republick of Venice or the safety and Liberty of Italy in general that they would send Francis Sfortia immediately with all his Forces to Venice now almost ruined by the Arms of Philip and the Mantuan The Florentines being concern'd for their own danger as well as that of their Allies persuade Francis to take up Arms for the Venetians and promised him in the name of the City to defend all the Towns that he had which belong'd to the Church of Rome which was his greatest desire They also got Letters Apostolical from Eugenius with much ado to declare Francis Marquis and Lord of Ancona but with these words Let him take it and the Devil give him luck with it Francis going with his Cavalry along the Coast of the Adriatick Sea fell into Ferrara and passing the Po in Boats and having augmented his Army in Padua for he is said to have had twelve thousand Horse and five thousand Foot he met the Enemy first at Suave near Verona where they fought very smartly for some time and neither had the better on 't Afterward Picenninus by reason of his indisposition and want of Men gave way to his Power and then Francis having recover'd all the Castles from them of Vincenza and Verona he was about to raise the Siege from before Brescia but seeing all other Avenues stopp'd he passed the Adige and marching into the parts about Trent he went to Archo a Town he had a mind to take because the Earl of Archo was an Ally of Philip. Picenninus also came thither to assist the Earl but fighting more eagerly than cautiously as he used to do he was deserted by the rest of the Army and receiving great damage was fain to fly into the neighbouring Vallies where he had been taken by the Enemy if Charles Gonzaga son to John Francis had not come between him and them and so saved him from that imminent danger and yet for all that he was taken afterward the Foe gathering strength and carried Prisoner to Verona There are that write how Picenninus was so weaken'd in one side with Wounds which he receiv'd in the several Battels that he was not able to ride back to his Army but was wrapp'd in a Sack as if he had been dead and so carried upon a lusty Fellows shoulders even through the Enemies Camp Whilst these things were transacted in Venice Philip taking it ill that the Florentines by the help and persuasion of Eugenius had sent Francis Sfortia to aid the Venetians he treated with those that were at the Council of Basil to cite Eugenius before 'em which they did twice or thrice But when it did not answer his expectation he so far infatuated them as that they deposed Eugenius and chose Amadeus Duke of Savoy his Father-in-law who lived like an Hermit at Ripalia with some other Noblemen Pope and called him Felix Hence arose great Seditions in the Church of God for Christendom was divided into three parts and some follow'd Eugenius some Felix and the rest were Neuters For all that Eugenius was not dejected but held frequent Assemblies and Disputations between the Greeks and Latins till at last it came to this result that the Greeks were convinc'd that the Holy Ghost did proceed from the Father and the Son and that he was homusius that is of the same substance and did not come forth from the Father onely as they formerly believ'd and that they ought to consecrate the Body of Christ with unleaven'd bread made of Wheat and to believe a Purgatory Lastly That the Pope of Rome was Christ's true Vicar and the lawful Successor of Saint Peter to whom all the Eastern as well as Western Churches ought to submit as being the universal Patriarch The business thus setled the Greeks went away and then the Armenians also agreed with us in Faith their Errors being confuted and Eugenius's Letters to that purpose promulgated to shew the reason why they accorded with this Inscription Given at the Holy General Council held at Florence in the Cathedral there Novemb. 22. 1439. When that was done he contrived how to strengthen himself and at the same time weaken the Council of Basil and that was by making eighteen Cardinals at once in the publick Consistory of which number two were Greeks to wit Rutenus and Nicenus that the Greeks might be kept in the Faith by their example and Authority and yet that Nation fell back in a little time to its old State Others were Peter Barbo his Sisters Son and Alouisius Patavinus whom he afterward made Patriarch of Aquilegia and Chamberlain having advanced Francis Condelmerius to the Vicechancelourship Whilst these things were acted near Trent and People thought that Picenninus and the Prince of Mantoua would yield at last having received such damage they removed thence with all speed to Verona and took it by the help of Ladders wherewith they scal'd the Walls and enter'd in at the Cittadelle unknown to any of the Sentinels who to avoid the extream cold of the North Wind which that Night was very boisterous had quitted their Posts and were got into the Tents But Francis Sfortia when he heard that Verona was taken by the Enemy march'd thither presently with all his Army to recover it knowing that the Venetians had still possession of the old Castle and the Fort of S. Felix in the Mount And therefore he enter'd the City that way with his Army and ran upon the Enemy with a mighty shout Philip's Men met him with a few Horse for all his Forces were not yet come up and they fought very sharply in that part of the City which they call the Island At last the few were fain to yield to the many and Picenninus and the Mantuans betook themselves to the new Bridg as they call it where for some time they bore the shock of their Enemies There as the Horse were engaging and a great many crowded in a little room the Draw-bridg broke with the weight of Men and Horses and almost all that fell into the River were drown'd because they were tired with fasting so long and sunk by the very weight of their Arms. Thereupon Francis flying to a Bridg of Boats put over
Francis whom he had left behind him in Ancona when Cardinal Firmanus was Legat was vanquish'd by Francis Sfortia But the year after Philip took courage and advised Eugenius to endeavour the recovery of Bologna promising to supply him with Men and bear his share in the charge of the War By which the Pope was so wrought upon that he made a League with Alphonso and sent Sigismund Malatesta with a great body of Horse into Ancona against Francis that when the Florentines were otherwise imploy'd Bologna might be forced to surrender Now Philip had sent William Montferrat and Charles Gonzaga before with a great Army who entering the Territory of Bologna in an Hostile manner plunder'd all before ' em But the Florentines who were concern'd for the danger of their Allies dispatch'd Astorgius Faventinus with one thousand five hundred Horse and two hundred Foot to aid the Bolognians till farther order from them and the Venetians Things stood thus in Romagna when Philip on the sudden sent for Francis Picenninus from Ancona and gave him order to go with a great Army upon May Day against the Cremoneses who apprehended no such thing He went as he was commanded and took a great many of the Country Fellows and strook such terrour into the Citizens by battering their Walls both Night and Day that he had very near taken the City But the Venetians and Florentines were troubled at the danger which Francis and their Friends were in and resolv'd to defend Cremona and Bologna at the same time and sent Tibertus Brandolinus a very active Commander who taking along with him the Bologneses and the Auxiliaries from Florence march'd toward the Enemy who did not well agree among themselves and were encamp'd at a Town call'd St. John's and when he had brought William Monferrat over to the Bolognians by Promises and Presents and easily routed Charles he quickly retrieved all the Towns which the Enemy had in their hands Bologna being thus quieted and the Auxiliaries of Florence and Venice divided by order into two parts the one half were sent to avoid Francis Sfortia whom Eugenius and Alphonso had beaten as far as the Walls of Vrbino and the other half to the Cremoneses who were hard put to it by Francis Picenninus The Venetians resolving upon an open rupture with Philip sent Embassadours to him to denounce War unless he would desist from the Siege of Cremona But they were answer'd by a Messenger for they could not speak with Philip himself that they might be safer any where than at Millain At which the Venetians were very angry and commanded Michelot Cotignola their General who was then at Brescia to march forthwith into Cremona which Philip had got most part of and engage the Enemy wherever he met them He readily obey'd their Commands and passing the River Oglio at Casale with all expedition found the Enemy encamped upon the Po in an Island which having forded he attack'd them in their Camp and soon routed them taking a great part of their Cavalry After that he recover'd all the Towns and freed Cremona from the Siege and having augmented his Army by Lewis Gonzaga's additional Forces who had reduced Platina and some Castles in Cremona to the Venetians they march'd toward Geradada and left nothing for Philip but Crema Then crossing the River they entred Millain filling all places with fire and rapine And when they had taken Monte di Briausa and Brevio where there is a Bridg over the Adda they attaqued Leco which those within stoutly defended and batter'd their Ships so severely that whole Men might have got in at the sides of 'em so that having lost many Men and being in great want of Forage they were fain to depart without accomplishing their Design for fear of Francis Sfortia who they heard was privately gone over to Philip's Party Mean time Aloisius Patavinus the Pope's Legat General of the Forces which went against Francis Sfortia into Ancona hearing that Italiano and James Gatuano who had fought partly under Philip and partly under Eugenius were revolting to Francis he commanded them to be taken before they could arrive there and put to Death for both of 'em had one thousand five hundred Horse under them Francis Sfortia was much concern'd at that and finding himself not able to sustein the shock of his Enemies any longer being set upon by so many at a time and assisted by no body by the persuasions of Eugenius and Alphonso who envied the Venetians success he left Ancona and went into Philip's Army over which he was made General Eugenius now lest he should seem to mind nothing but War made Nicolas Tolentinas of the Order of S. Austin who was famous for Miracles a Saint and went personally in Procession from S. Peter to S. Austin's attended by all the Clergy the Roman People and the Cardinals After that he expelled the Canons Secular from the Lateran and admitted onely the Regulars He also built the Portico that goes from that Church to the Sancta Sanctorum and repaired the Cloister for the Priests to live in He also augmented the painting of the Church which Martin had formerly begun and carried the Mitre of S. Sylvester which was brought to Rome from Avignion in his own hands from the Vatican to the Lateran with great veneration of all the Priests and People of Rome Afterward King Alphonso came to Tivoli and would have treated with Eugenius about the management of the War but he heard he was sick and so-stay'd for some time there Eugenius had a great mind to have plagu'd the Florentines for helping his Enemies and doubted not but if he attaqued them with his own the King 's and Philip's Forces all together he might bring that City to what he pleased But all his Designs were frustrated by his Death for he dy'd in the sixteenth year of his Pontificate February 23. 1446. He was a Man of great inconstancy at the beginning of his Reign he was led away by ill Counsels and disturb'd all things to that degree that he incited the Roman People to War and gave Authority to the Council of Basil which was the original of much mischief by approving of their Decrees in Letters Apostolical But in process of time when he came to himself he acted very prudently and with good resolution He had a very venerable aspect but was rather grave than eloquent in his Speech an indifferent Scholar though a knowing Man especially in History He was bountiful to all more especially Learned Men whose company he loved For he admitted Leonard Aretinus Charles Poggius Aurispa Trapezuntius and Blondus very learned Men to be his Secretaries He was not easily provoked to anger for injuries done him or by the Calumnies jibes or scoffs of any He was a great Patron of all Schools especially that at Rome where he had all kind of Learning taught He loved the Religious wonderfully and gave 'em many Priviledges besides Revenues which he added to
their foundations But he loved War so much which a Man would admire in a Pope that besides what I have told you of his Actions in Italy he instigated the Dolphin Son to Charles the French King having first made Peace between that King and the Duke of Burgundy to go with a great body of Horse against those of Basil He did so and routed the Assembly And afterward he sent Vladislaus King of Poland along with Julian Caesarinus against the Turks of whom thirty thousand were slain in one Battel between Adrianople and the Danube though the King indeed himself and the Cardinal too was kill'd at the same time He was accounted very strict to his word unless when he had promised a thing which it was better revoke than perform He kept a very good House and yet lived on a spare Diet himself and was so great a stranger to Wine that he was properly called the Abstemious He had but very few familiar Friends but they were all learned Men whose Counsel he made use of in great matters and used to admit into his Chamber at Supper-time to be as witnesses of his sober Conversation And then he would ask 'em what news in the City what People thought of his Government since he had been Pope that he might correct any Errour if ought were amiss either in his own Person or any body else He endeavoured to adorn the Church with Buildings and Chappels as appears by the Pope's Chappel and the brazen Door of S. Peter's Church But he dy'd as I told you after he had done many great Actions in the sixty fourth year of his age and was buried in S. Peter's Church under a Marble Tomb upon which there are these Verses Eugenius jacet hic Quartas Cor nobile cujas Testantur vitae splendida facta suae Istius ante sacros se praebuit alter ab ortu Alter ab occasa Caesar uterque pedes Alter ut accipiat Fidei documenta Latinae Alter ut aurato cingat honore caput Quo duce Armenii Graiorum exempla fecuti Romanam agnorunt Aethiopesque fidem Inde Siri ac Arabes mundique è finibus Indi Magna sed haec animo câ—ncta minora suâ— Nam valida rursum Teucros jam classe petebat Dum petit ast illâ—m sustulit atra Dies Qui semper vanos tumuli contempâ—it honores Atque hac impressa condita dixit humo Sed non quem rubro decoraverat ille galero Non hoc Franciscus stirps sua clara tulit Susceptique memor meriti tà m nobile quod nunc Cernis tà m praestans surgere jussit opus After his Death the Seat was vacant twelve days NICOLAS V. NICOLAS the Fifth formerly called Thomas Sarzana a Town in the Territory of Lucca was chosen Pope by general consent March 6. 1447. Who though he were a Man but of mean extract his Mothers name was Andreola and his Father 's Bartholomew a Physician yet he was worthy of the Pontificate for his Virtue Learning Courtesie good Nature Liberality and Magnificence notwithstanding all which he was so modest that he thought himself undeserving of so great an Honour and desired the Cardinals to take better care for the Church of God But when the Cardinal of Tarento exhorted him not to resist the Holy Ghost he submitted his shoulders to the burthen and took it upon him The Cardinal of Portugal being ask'd as 't is usual coming out of the Conclave Who they had made Pope He answer'd We did not choose Nicolas but God has There are who say that this Thomas was born at Pisa brought up at Lucca and made a Scholar at Bologna especially in Philosophy and Divinity which he learn'd under Nicolas Albergate Cardinal of S. Cross who was extreamly pleased with the Youths ingenuity and parts For which reason he in his Popedom assumed the name of Nicolas because it was the name of one who had deserv'd very well of him Having gain'd his Degree in the University by a probation in the most acute Controversies the Cardinal of S. Cross made him Steward of his Houshold and of the Clerks of the Penitentiary till he got a Pontifical Sub-Deaconship by his good Life and Conversation which all People admired and then he began to think of greater matters For Eugenius who knew his Learning and integrity especially by the Disputations that he had with the Greeks at Florence and Ferrara had at that time design'd him for a Cardinal But that he might do it with better pretensions he sent him into Germany along with John Carvagialla who was afterward Cardinal of S. Angelo to dissolve the Council of Basil and the neutrality For the Germans were called Neuters because they would obey neither Felix nor Eugenius by which means the Church of God suffer'd greatly and the Papacy lost something of its grandieur There were frequent meetings to dispute that Point before Frederick King of the Romans by the persuasions of Aeneas Picolhomineus who was afterward Pope but at that time only Secretary to the King And indeed they found it hard to remove the Germans from their Opinion though it was altogether false as on the other side it was difficult to induce Eugenius's Agents to comply with the German Proposals At last the Agents being mollified and the requests of the Germans moderated they had certainly put an end to the Schism and Neutrality which was so pernicious to the Sea of Rome if the Germans would have stood to their Promise So that the Legats went back to Eugenius with that Opinion and were made Cardinals by general agreement to whom Eugenius sent their Hats whilst they were yet at the Porta del popolo that they might come with greater honour into the City Thus in one and the same year Thomas got to be Bishop of Bologna Cardinal and Pope to the great satisfaction of the Clergy and People of Rome And yet when the Cardinals were in the Conclave there was a small bustle in the City by the instigation of Stephen Porcaro a Roman Knight and an eloquent ingenious Man who calling his Companions about him into the Church called Ara Coeli encouraged 'em to assert their Liberty for he said that every petit Town when the Lord of it was dead was us'd to talk of Liberty or at least of limiting the Power of their Governours But nothing was done to that purpose because the Arch-Bishop of Benevento then Vice-Chamberlain was against it The Romans also feared King Alphonso who stay'd at Tivoli after Eugenius was dead and was in doubt with himself whether he should go back or make War against the Florentines as he Eugenius and Philip had formerly a design to do And whilst he deliberated two Sieneses that got their livings by setting People together by the ears persuaded him to attempt the Government of Tuscany which he might easily obtain if he were once Master of Siena which would surrender it self upon his arrival there The King commended the
retire to Casal thither also he follow'd it and with his Cannon disabled all their Ships as they lay in the Harbour driving the Admiral of Venice to such despair that he burn'd his Navy which he could not keep and ran into the Town as fast as he could Francis then went from thence and took no farther care about Cremona having destroy'd the Enemies Navy but march'd toward Geradada and encamp'd before Caravagio which was well fortified by the Enemies The Venetians moved thither too fearing they should lose their reputation if the Millaineses took the Town and therefore they lay about a mile off the Enemy and shew'd the Townsmen that if occasion were they would come in and assist them They had Skirmishes every day they were so near one another but when they came to joyn Battel it happen'd to be in a narrow way surrounded with Fens where the Vanguard of the Venetians was so straighten'd that they could not give back as sometimes in War it may be convenient to do nor yet fight the Enemy came so thick upon them insomuch that they must of necessity have perish'd if the Reer had not begun to run away Francis pursu'd 'em as they gave ground and not onely made himself Master of their wealthy Camp but took about five thousand Horse and Foot After that the Brachians were without Francis his consent ordered by the Millaineses to attaque Lodi and he moved toward Brescia with his Army and besieged it Which so alarm'd the Venetians that they concluded themselves lost if they did not make Peace with Francis now he had a quarrel with the Millaineses and a Peace they did make upon condition That joyning their Forces against the Millaineses all that they should take beyond the River Adda and Po should be Francis's and that on this side the Adda should be the Venetians that they should allow him the Florentines and the Venetians betwixt 'em sixteen thousand pounds a month and send him in aid still till he got possession of Millain Having made this League and drawn what Commanders he could to his side by Promises and Presents he turn'd toward the Millaineses and took most of their Cities by surrender At this success of his the Venetians were so concern'd when they saw his fortune much better than they expected that they took Crema according to agreement and recalling all their Soldiers they made Peace with the Millaineses as fearing the power of Francis if he once got into Millain But Francis pretended a kindness to the Venetians and being assisted and supply'd more out of Cosmo di Medices's private Pocket than out of the Treasury of Florence after a long and tedious Siege and many bloody Skirmishes in the middle of Winter though some of his Men forsook him and joined with the Enemy and Alphonso was against him who claimed Millain as his Birthright and therefore kept Lewis Gonzaga in pay whom he sent against the Bolognians that his Men might pass with more safety into Lombardy he at last took Millain in the year 1449. 'T is true the Venetians did assist the Millaineses under the conduct of Sigismund Malatesta who was to join with Picenninus that fought under the Millaineses but after such a lame rate that they were famish'd and yielded up the City rather to the Venetians than to Francis Wherefore the Venetians seeing the thing went quite contrary to their expectation they treated with Alphonso who was an utter Enemy to Francis and made a League with him to rout the ambitious Man out of Millain before he grew too strong They also sollicited the Florentines to do the same who said they would never be against Francis and therefore the Venetians banish'd their Merchants out of their Dominions and prevailed with Alphonso to do the like Nicolas the Pope seeing all Italy in Arms did often interpose his Authority to make a Peace that all people might come the next year freely out of all Europe to the Jubilee for the fiftieth year was acoming wherein the Jubilee was to be celebrated after the usual manner Besides he made six Cardinals of which number were Latinus Vrsinus and his own Brother by the Mothers side called Philip Cardinal of S. Laurence in Lucina a very good Man and of a generous disposition Mean time Frederick the Emperour at the Pope's request forced Felix to renounce the Popedom because he saw how pernicious and destructive so much Sedition had been to the Church of Rome Yet Nicolas was so civil and kind to Amadeus that he sent him a Cardinals Hat with Legantine Power in Germany that he might not live without some Honour at least And those Cardinals also which Amadeus had made submitted This agreement of theirs did so rejoyce not onely all the Clergy but the people of Rome that the Night after they heard of it April 23. 1449. they rode about the City with Flambeaus in their Hands and cry'd out Long live Nicolas The Pope that he might not seem unthankful to God for so extraordinary a benefit went publickly to Prayers in the Vatican along with the Clergy and the people The like was done all Italy over when they saw the Church of God freed from such a pernicious Sedition Nay the Pope's Authority and esteem was so great that he restrain'd even Princes for some time when they had a mind to make War For James Picenninus Sigismund Malatesta and Charles Gonzaga who were Francis Sfortia's bitter mortal Enemies incited the Venetians to that War The Venetians also had drawn the Duke of Savoy into their Alliance together with the Marquis of Montferrat and the Lords of Corregio and try'd to bring over the Bolognians and those of Perugia but in vain for the Pope was against it and threaten'd 'em with his displeasure if they offer'd to do it They likewise indented with Alphonso that whilst they attaqued Francis he should engage the Florentines But Francis relying upon the friendship and power of the Florentines and having taken Lewis Gonzaga Prince of Mantoua into his Alliance he prepared himself with courage for the War Hence arose great Animosities between Charles and Lewis that Lewis should court his Alliance who was Charles's Enemy and because he had kept some Towns from him which his Father left him by his Will For Lewis was his Brother's security when he was once arrested for eighty thousand pounds and Charles having no mind to part with his Land he chose rather to pay the Money to Francis who was for Money or Towns either and keep the Towns in his own hands as being near and conveniently situated For this reason Charles blamed his Brother and accused him as a Robber not onely to the Venetians on whose side he was but to the Emperour by whose assistance he expected to have right done him And now the Year of Jubilee was come when such a multitude of people flock'd to Rome as never were seen there before So that when they came from seeing our Saviours
it as he said There was also left a good pretence for a War either by the neglect or design of the Embassadours which Alphonso made use of afterward against Sigismund Malatesta that he should receive Money of Alphonso as a Soldiers pay and yet fight under the Florentines against him But Nicolas the Pope whether for grief at Constantinoples being taken or whether of a Fever and the Gout wherewithal he was very much tormented died in the eighth year of his Pontificate 1455. and was buried in S. Peter's very honourably upon whose Tombstone this Epitaph is deservedly inscribed Hic sita sunt quinti Nicolai antistitis ossa Aurea qui dederat secula Roma tibi Consilio illustris virtute illustrior omni Excoluit Doctos doctior ipse Viros Abstulit errorem quo Schisma infecerat urbem Restituit mores moenia templa domos Tum Bernardino statuit sua sacra Senensi Sancta Jubilei tempora dùm celebrat Cinxit honore caput Frederici conjugis aureo Res Italas icto foedere composuit Attica Romanae complura volumina linguae Prodidit en tumulo fundite thura sacro He was commendable for his Liberality toward all especially Learned Men whom he advanced with Money Court-preferments and Benefices whom he would sometimes put upon reading publick Lectures sometimes upon writing some new thing and sometimes upon translating Greek Authors into Latin insomuch that the Greek and Latin Tongues which had lain hid for six hundred years at last regain'd their splendour to some considerable degree He also sent those Learned Men all over Europe to find out such Books as had been lost either by the negligence of Antiquity or the brutal fury of the barbarous Nations So that Poggius found out Quintilian and Enoch Asculanus Marcus Caelius Appicius as also Pomponius Porphyrio a famous Writer upon Horace Besides he erected most stately Buildings in the City and the Vatican in the City a noble House for Popes near S. Marie the Greater and repaired S. Stephen's Church that stands in the Mount di S. Giovanni but built S. Theodores that stands upon the Plain between the Palazzo Maggiore and the Campidoglio from the ground He likewise covered the roof of S. Mary the Round which stands in the middle of the City an ancient Temple built by Agrippa with Lead And in the Vatican he not onely beautified the Pope's House after that manner which we see but he began the Walls of the Vatican very large and high laying foundations for Towers and a vast Superstructure whereby to keep the Enemy from plundering the Pope's House or St. Peter's Church as formerly was often used Furthermore at the upper end of S. Peter's he began a great Gallery to make the Church more glorious and hold more People He also repaired Ponte Melle and built a fine House at Viterbo near the Baths Nor onely so but he lent many others Money who were a building in the City and by his order the Streets were paved He was very Charitable especially to Persons of Quality if they happen'd to be reduced to poverty and gave poor Maids a competent Portion when they were married He always received forein Embassadours very honourably and freely He was easily anger'd to say the truth being a cholerick Man but he was easily pleased again and that gave some ill-natur'd People the occasion to carp at him though he deserved extreamly well of God and Man Then he was so far from Covetousness that he never sold any Place nor ever was guilty of Simony He was kind to them who had deserved well of himself and the Church of God a lover of Justice the Author and preserver of Peace merciful to Offenders a diligent observer of Ceremonies and would omit nothing belonging to Divine Worship The Vessels of Gold and Silver Crosses set with Jewels Priestly Robes adorn'd with Gold and Pearls the Arras Hangings interwoven with Gold and Silver and a Papal Crown are yet to be seen as Monuments of his Munificence I do not mention the many holy Books that were transcribed by his Order and embossed with Gold and Silver but you may see the Pope's Library which was wonderfully augmented by his care and at his charge He was so kind to the Religious that he gave 'em a great deal of Money and Ecclesiastical Benefices besides and Canonized S. Bernardine of Siena a Frier Minor because by his Preaching Admonitions and Reproofs he had almost extinguish'd the Factions of Italy that is to say the Guelphs and the Gibelline Faction and shew'd Christians the way to live well and happily whose Body is now to be seen and daily visited with great veneration at Aquila CALIXTVS III. CALIXTVS the Third first called Alphonso Borgia a Spaniard born at Sativa in the Diocese of Valenza whose Father and Mother were called John and Francis of a Gentile Family and gave him good Education was made Pope by consent of the Cardinals April 8. 1455. First for his Education he was but fourteen years old when having laid the foundations of Learning elsewhere he went to the University of Lerida where he attained to such perfection that in a short time he commenced Doctor in Civil and Canon Law and made very learned Readings to those that came to hear him So that Peter Luna called Benedict the XIII on his own accord and without asking gave him a Canonship of the Church of Lerida And now becoming famous for his Learning he went to Alphonso King of Aragon and was made his Secretary and one of his Privy Council Afterward he was made Governour of the Church of Majorca and his Friends persuaded him to be Parson of that Church he refused it and said he expected to be Bishop of Valenza as not long after he deservedly came to be For when Benedict the XIII was dead and those two Anti-Cardinals which I told you of in the life of Martin had made one Giles a Canon of Barcelona Pope in the room of the other that dy'd at Panischola whom they called Clement the eighth Alphonso Boria was presently sent thither by King Alphonso who was now agreed with Martin not without apparent danger of his own life as well as those that attended on him So tyrannically was Panischola kept and govern'd by those chiefly whose interest it was to breed discord This Alphonso then made Giles so sensible of his Errour by his Reason and Authority that upon the arrival of Peter the Pope's Legat he quitted the Popedom and submitted to the Papal jurisdiction Upon this account Martin made Giles Bishop of Majorca and Alphonso Bishop of Valenza After that when Wars arose between Alphonso of Aragon and James King of Castile Alphonso Borgia was thought the onely fit Man to go and exhort the two Kings to peace and amity which after seven years Wars he procured and made such a lasting Peace by conjugal Alliances as well as other means that some Conditions of that League are observed even to this day But when
civil Animosities and have pursu'd that great Conquest by Land and Sea as Calixtus advis'd But the Turk recovering strength took Trabisond killing the Emperour and then Bossina where he took and slew the King All wise Men perceiving as from a Watch-Tower and advertising the Christians of the Calamities that were like to befal Calixtus especially never desisted from exhorting the Christian Princes by Letters and Messengers to open their eyes at last amidst such great dangers for that they would seek a remedy in vain when the Enemy was recruited But whilst the good Man was thinking and talking of these things James Picenninus revolted from the Venetians and march'd into the Territories of Siena with a numerous body of Horse and Foot to demand of the Sieneses some thousands of pounds which he said they ow'd him upon his Father Nicolas's account who had formerly fought under their Commission The Sieneses fearing the worst sent to the Princes of Italy to assist 'em as they were bound by Contract especially the Pope who first advised 'em not to give James one farthing and then sent his Forces against him and admonish'd the Princes of Italy to do the same lest a flame should break out in Italy which might be too fierce for them to quench The Italians fearing the Pope's words would prove too true sent speedy succours to the Sieneses onely Alphonso favoured James and sent for him to his House as being mindful of the Friendship he had formerly contracted with Nicolas Picenninus his Father nor would he assist the Sieneses as he ought to have done nay he so far animated Count Petilian against them that he seemed to be the chief cause of all the mischief But when the Auxiliaries came in not onely from Francis Sfortia but the Venetians also Picenninus was reduced to that pass in some few Battles that if he were not routed he was mightily weaken'd especially at Orbitello insomuch that he was fain to take shipping in Alphonso's Gallies that were sent to him in his distress and sail into his own Country without any success in that great Attempt Thus by the assistance of Calixtus and his Allies were the Sieneses freed from great danger though they were still troubled with intestine and domestick as well as forein broils by reason of some Citizens that contemn'd their present Liberty and follow'd Alphonso's Faction by whom also 't is thought that great War was first raised But the honest Citizens turn'd out or kill'd the rest and do to this day retain that Liberty which they purchased at so dear a rate Nor did they omit to punish the licentiousness of the Soldiers or those that fled from their Colours as Gilbert Corrigia whom they put to death and gave his Men for a common prey to the rest Sigismund Malatesta had like to have been serv'd in the same sauce who at that time fought under them for protracting the War and driving away their Cattel out of their grounds as if he had been an Enemy That year there happen'd such an Earthquake in the Kingdom of Naples upon the seventh of December that many Churches and Houses fell down to the great destruction of Man and Beast especially at Naples Capua Cajetta Aversa and other Cities in old Campania whose ruines I since have seen with great astonishment when I went thither to look after Antiquities Then also did Alphonso often repeat his Vow which he had made against the Turks and said he would shortly perform it but he could never be brought to the Holy War for all that so mightily was he taken with the delights of Naples But Calixtus when he had setled the Affairs of Italy created nine Cardinals of whom two were his Nephews by two Sisters of his to wit Roderick Borgia and John Miliano his Sisters Son He also made Aeneas Bishop of Siena a Cardinal and made use of him to procure the peace of Italy whilst the Sieneses were teazed with War The Earl Tagliacocius being dead whom the Pope had made Governour of the City the year before there rose a Controversie between Neapolio Vrsin and the Count Aversus for that the later had possession of Monticello not far from Tivoli he pretending it belong'd to his Daughter-in-law who was the Count's Daughter and Neapolio urg'd on the other side that it ought to be his himself being reckon'd to be of the Vrsine Family Whilst these two contended thus for their Patrimony and that with Arms too the Roman people suffer'd very greatly But when this Controversie also was over and both sides commanded to lay down their Arms Calixtus made his Nephew Borgia not onely Governour of the City in the room of the Count deceased but made him General of the Church-Forces that he might keep the great Men of the City the better in order Alphonso not long after dying without a lawful Heir Calixtus had the courage to demand that Kingdom and said it belong'd to the Sea Apostolick as an Escheat Whereupon Armies were raised on both sides and Ferdinand Alphonso's Heir fear'd Calixtus's resolution for he knew his nature and the greatness of his Soul But his death also put all things into confusion and freed Ferdinand from great consternation of mind Calixtus died in the third year the third month and sixteenth day of his Pontificate and was buried in the Vatican on the left hand of St. Peter's in the Round Church dedicated to St. Marie del Febri which was formerly repaired by Nicolas Borgia also his Nephew died not long after at Civita Vechia whither he had fled to save himself from the Vrsins whom he had disobliged by favouring the opposite Faction But to give you a short Character of Calixtus He was a very upright Man and is to be commended for one thing above all That when he was Bishop or Cardinal he would never keep any Benefice in Commendam but said he was content with one Wife and that a Virgin i.e. the Church of Valenza as the Canon Law ordains Besides he was very charitable to poor Christians both in publick and private and gave portions to several poor Virgins when they married kept indigent Noblemen at his own charge and when occasion was he was munificent to Princes especially those that could assist the Church of Christ He likewise sent Lewis of Bologna of the Order of St. Francis Vsun-Cassanus Prince of Persia and Armenia and to the King of the Tartars with many great Presents to animate them against the Turk and by his persuasion they did the Enemy great damage and sent their Embassadours that were design'd to come to Calixtus after he dy'd to Pope Pius which was an admirable Rarity to us not onely upon account of the distant Countries from whence they came but their habit which was unusual and very strange to our eyes They say that Vsun-Cassanus after many Victories over the Enemy wrote to the Pope that he had conquer'd the Foe by the Pope's prayers and that he would one day
Furthermore he exterminated some Tyrants who studied innovations out of the Church Dominions but never medled with any one till he had first sent an Embassadour or Legate to 'em to reduce 'em if it were possible by fair means After that he sent Frederick of Vrbino his General with Alexander Sfortia to Tagliacozzo to stop James Picennenus who fought under Renatus from going into Puglia to assist the French against Ferdinand And besides he succour'd Ferdinand at Sarno when he had like to have lost his Kingdom for fear the French when they had once gotten that Kingdom would make use of their Victory to subvert the Liberty of Italy He slighted the Threat and Promises of the French Embassadours that endeavour'd to bring him over from Ferdinand to Renatus and by his Censures as well as Arms he tamed the fury of Sigismund Malatesta who was a Feudatary of the Church and yet contemning the League which the Pope had made between him and Ferdinand storm'd and took all the Castles which he had given for caution against Law and Reason and having driven the Churches Legate as far as Nulasture he made War upon the Anconeses But his extravagance was corrected the year after at Sinigaglia under the conduct of Frederick of Vrbino and Neapolio Vrsin in a sharp engagement wherein they retook Sinigaglia the Town called Fortunae Fanum was taken by Nicolas of Pistoia Cardinal Legate of St. Cecilys and great part of Rimini taken from him lest he should rebel any more Ferdinand also had the same happy success not long after at Troja a Town in Puglia by which the Prince of Tarento and many others who being desirous of change were on the French side were so consternated that they came all upon their knees to the King and begg'd pardon of him but some few continued obstinate whom the King afterward prosecuted so severely that he either drove 'em out of the Kingdom or brought 'em to know themselves When this was over Pius now freed from two great and troublesom Wars renew'd the thoughts of his Expedition into Asia which had been so long omitted from the time of the Mantuan Council through the ambition and avarice of the several Kings and Princes and makes the King of Hungary the Duke of Burgundy and the Venetians his Confederates because they seemed more inclined to it than any body else He likewise sent Nuncioes with Letters Apostolick to the several Nations of Christendom to exhort the Princes and people to so great and necessary a War Himself in the mean time went to Siena with a design to go as soon as the Season permitted to the Baths at Petriolana that seemed best for his Distemper And there he heard the Duke of Burgundy who had vowed to come with a Navy well Man'd had desisted from his resolution as also that many other Princes and people not onely Foreiners but of Italy led by ambition and envy endeavour'd to frustrate that great Design because they saw that they were likely to have the richest spoils and rewards that underwent the greatest brunt of that War Thereupon as it became a Pope to do he try'd to persuade 'em by kind words at a distance and soon after leaving the Bath he went to Rome where he lay sick for some days of the Gout and a Fever and therefore could not be at Ancona upon the seventh of June as he had publickly declared he would But when his distemper was somewhat asswaged he gave Audience to certain Embassadours that came from the King of France and Duke of Burgundy to excuse their delay And then calling all the Cardinals before him he appointed a day to hear the charge against the King of Bohemia who was said to be heretically inclined and when he had done he was carried in a Litter through Sabina Ombria and the Marcha till he came to the City of Ancona By the way be found great numbers of Men that came out of Germany Spain and France intending for the War against the Turks of whom he sent a great part especially of the Germans having absolv'd 'em back into their own Country because he thought 'em unfit for the toil of War and because they had not brought their pay along with 'em as he had order'd in the Letters Apostolical But in the mean time whilst he waited at Ancona for the Navy that was a building in the several Ports of the Tyrrhene and Adriatick Seas and also for the Duke of Venice his Ally he was afflicted with a tedious Fever and dy'd in the year 1464. upon the 13th of August about three of the Clock in the Night six years wanting six days after he was made Pope He was a Man of such constancy and courage of mind that in all his sickness which was long and painful he never omitted any business that concern'd his understanding onely whether it were to hear the causes of several Nations to inhibit to decree to judg to sign to admonish to chastise or correct And that day whereon he dy'd about two hours before he expired he call'd the Cardinals about him and with a resolute Heart and a good audible Voice exhorted 'em to Unity in the choice of a new Pope commending to their care in a grave Speech the honour of God the dignity of the Church the War which he had undertaken against the Turks the salvation of his Soul all his Family and especially his Nephews if they proved worthy of commendations He desired all the Sacraments of his own accord and shew'd great tokens of a true Christian But besides that he dispued very acutely with Laurentius Roverella Bishop of Ferrara a learned Divine whether it were lawful for him to receive the Extreme Unction again having been anointed once before at Basil when he was sick of the Plague Nor could he be entreated by all his domestick Servants to forbear saying the Canonical Prayers though he were in such an Agony He repeated the Athanasian Creed with great strength and Emphasis and when he had done he said it was most true and most holy He was not affraid to die nor did he shew any sign of trouble or inconstancy to his last breath But indeed he may be said rather to have been kill'd than to have died he was so tortur'd with tedious Diseases He commanded his Friends to carry his Body to Rome where those that embalm'd him affirmed that his heart was very sound and vivid His funeral pomp from Ancona to Rome was made up of his Family who were all in mourning and in tears And when that was over he was buried in St. Peter's at the Altar of St. Andrew in a Tomb which was built at the charge of Francis Cardinal of Siena with this Epitaph Pius II. Pont. Max. natione Tuscus patriâ Senensis gente Pocolhominea He enjoy'd the Sea onely six years But though his Pontificate were short yet it was full of great Actions He held a Council at Mantua to maintain the Faith resisted all
be receiv'd upon its own credit though it had never been back'd with Miracles That there were three Persons in the Godhead not proved to be so by Reason but by considering who said so That those Men who pretended to measure the Heavens and the Earth were rather bold than certain what they did was right That to find out the motion of the Stars had more pleasure in it than proâ—it That God's Friends enjoy'd both this Life and that to come That without Vertue there was no true Joy That as a covetous Man is never satisfied with Money so a Learned Man should not be with Knowledg But that he who knew never so much might yet find somewhat to be studied That common Men should value Learning as Silver Noblemen as Gold and Princes as Jewels That good Physitians did not seek the Money but the health of the party diseas'd That a florid Speech did not move wise Men but Fools That those Laws are Sacred which restrain Licentiousness That the Laws had Power over the Commonalty but were feeble to the greater sort That great Controversies were decided by the Sword and not by the Laws A Citizen should look upon his Family as subject to the City the City to his Country his Country to the World and the World to God That the chief place with Kings was slippery That as all Rivers run into the Sea so do all Vices into Courts That Flatterers draw Kings whether they please That Kings hearken to none more easily than to Sycophants That the tongue of a Flatterer was a King's greatest Plague That a King who would trust no body was good for nothing and he that believed every body was no better That it is necessary he that governs many should himself be rul'd by many That he deserv'd not the name of a King who measur'd the Publick by his private abvantage That he who neglected holy Duties did not deserve the Church Revenue nor a King his Taxes that did not constant Justice He said those that went to Law were the Birds the Court the Field the Judg the Net and the Lawyers the Fowlers That Men ought to be presented to Dignities and not Dignities to the Men. That some Men had Offices and did not deserve 'em whilst others deserv'd 'em and had 'em not That the burthen of a Pope was heavy but he was happy who bore it stoutly That an illiterate Bishop was like an Ass That ill Physicians kill'd the body and ignorant Priests the Soul That a wandring Monk was the Devil's Bondslave That Virtue had enriched the Clergy but Vice made 'em poor That there was great reason for the prohibiting of Priests to marry but greater for allowing it again That no Treasure was preferrable to a faithful Friend That Life was like a Friend and Envy like Death That he cherishes an Enemy who pardons his Son too often That a covetous Man never pleases any body but by his Death That Mens faults are conceal'd by Liberality and discover'd by Avarice That it was a slavish Vice to tell Lyes That the Use of Wine had augmented the Cares and the Distempers of mankind That a Man ought to take as much Wine as would raise and not overwhelm his Soul That Lust did fully and stain every age of Man but quite extinguish old Age. That Gold it self and Jewels could not purchase Content That it was pleasant to the good but terrible to the bad to die That a noble Death was to be preferr'd before a dishonourable Life in the Opinion of all Philosophers And this is all or most that can be written of Pius except I add that he canonized St. Catharine of Siena and laid up St. Andrew's head that was sent from Morea to Rome in St. Peter's Church with great Veneration and Processions perform'd by the Clergy and People in a Chappel built on purpose after he had clear'd the Church in that place especially and removed the Sepulchres of some Popes and Cardinals that took up too much room PAVL II. PAVL the Second formerly called Peter Barbo a Venetian whose Father 's Name was Nicolas and his Mothers Polyxena Cardinal Priest of St. Marks was made Pope August 30. 1664. being Pope Eugenius's Nephew by his Sister he was just going as a Merchant to Sea an Employment not ungentile among the Venetians and not disapproved of by Solon and having carry'd his Scritore and other Implements on Board he heard that his Uncle Gabriel Condelmerius was chosen Pope Whereupon he stay'd ashore and at the request of his Friends and his elder Brother Paul Barbo apply'd himself to his Book though he was pretty well in years under the Discipline and tutelage of James Ricionius who used to commend his Diligence He had also other Masters but made no great proficency considering his Age however he preferr'd 'em all when he came to be Pope excepting only Ricion to shew that it was none of their faults he was not made a Scholar But Paul Barbo who was a stout and a wise Man and knew his Brother's nature inclined him rather to ease than business intreated Eugenius whom he went to visit at Florence to send for Peter and give him some Ecclesiastical preferment He did so and Peter was made first Arch-Deacon of Bologna with which not long after he held the Bishoprick of Cervia in Commendam and was made a Protonotary one of that Rank who receive the greatest Fees In this condition he lived for some years till at last he was made a Cardinal at the same time with Alouisius a Physician of Padua whom they afterward call'd Patriarch and Chamberlain which was done at the request of some Friends of Eugenius's who desired to have a Man that might thwart Alouisius upon occasion And indeed it happened afterward that they grew such Enemies as never were known by the insinuations of others especially whose interest it was to foment the Quarrel For Peter was vexed that he should be inferiour to any Man about Eugenius since he was his Nephew and of a Patrician Family in Venice Upon this account he fell out most grievously with Francis Condelmerius the Vice-Chancellour who was Eugenius's Cousin-german and when he died he turn'd all his fury upon the Patriarch though they two had been often seemingly reconcil'd by the intercession of Friends Hereupon they were such Enemies to one another in several Popes Reigns that they did not spare each others either Estate or honour but mutually reviled each other in words which I will not relate lest I should seem to believe ' em But when Eugenius was dead and Nicolas the Fifth in his place he prevailed so far upon him by his kindness and flattery that he not onely got the uppermost place of all his Nation in Nicolas's Court but by assistance of Nicolas's Brother did so animate him against Alouisius that he retrenched the Chamberlain's Office For Peter Barbo was naturally fair spoken and could feign good nature when occasion serv'd But he was
withal he bids me not stir from the City For says he if you go into India Paul will fetch you back I obey'd his Commands and stayed three years in the City hoping to find some remedy for my misfortunes But Paul when he was Crown'd according to custom remembring that the Canons Regular were formerly turn'd out of St. Giovanni Laterano by Calixtus though Eugenius had placed 'em there he recall'd 'em to perform Divine Service apart from the Canons Secular And because he had a mind to extirpate the name of Seculars from that place if any one of 'em died he put no body into his place or if any Benefice were vacant he made them renounce their Canonships and so translated 'em to other Churches till at length the profits of that Church being reduced into one body might satisfie the Canons Regular without any charge to him he being before forc'd to keep 'em they were so poor But by this means Paul did much estrange the Citizens minds and affections from him because as they said he gave those Revenues which their Forefathers had setled instead of Citizens to foreiners Nor was Paul content to do so but he spoke to some Canons by themselves and threaten'd 'em till they quitted their Canonries Some indeed contemn'd his Menaces and expected an opportunity of vindicating their Liberty which happen'd not till he was dead It was now reported that the Turks had taken most part of Epirus and were coming into Sclavonia he therefore sent Nuncio's immediately to all Kings and Princes to advise 'em to compose their civil Discords and make War against the Turk the common Enemy but there was nothing done in it because they were up to the ears in blood one among another the Germans in one part and the English in an other some of whom desired a new King others would retain their old one And then the Spanish and French Princes fear'd their King's Power who attempted to bring them to a total subjection But more than this the King of Bohemia's Apostacy vexed Paul very much in that he withdrew himself from the Church of Christ by little and little and therefore he design'd to send the King of Hungary with an Army against him if the War which he had undertaken against the Turks would give him leisure and that he could compose the difference between the King and the Emperour For when Ladislaus King of Hungary and his Nephew was dead without issue the Emperour himself pretended a right to that Kingdom which Matthias Son to the Vaivod was in possession of Thereupon Paul thought it best to defer that matter till another time and apply'd himself to make up some breaches between certain Citizens of Rome For there was a quarrel between James Son to John Alberinus and Felix Nephew to Anthony Capharellus and therefore he sent for the two old Gentlemen the Father and Uncle of 'em and caused 'em to put in Sureties that they would be friends though they stood out a good while But James Son to Alberinus who could not endure that any Affront should be put upon his Father attempted soon after to murther Anthony Capharellus and gave him several such grievous wounds that he left him for dead At which Paul was very angry that Alberinus's Son had broken his Father's Oath and therefore he demolish'd their Houses confiscated all their goods and banished them from the City but he afterward recalled 'em and took 'em into favour restoring all their goods and made Peace between the parties after they had been both sometime in Prison In the year 1465. Alouisius Patavinus the Pope's Chamberlain dy'd He was Cardinal-Priest of St. Laurence a very rich Man and prudent in the management of business but not so wise towards his later end in that he left most of his Estate to his two Brothers who were call'd Scarampi Men that were good Gentlemen but yet not worthy of such a vast fortune as he had got out of the Church Revenues I know what People thought whereupon Paul who had given him free leave to make a Will and bequeath it to whom he pleased seized upon the Estate took the Scarampi who had fled and kept 'em though in no scandalous place till he had those things brought him which were carried away to Florence which done he freed the Scarampi to whom he gave a good share and was more liberal to the other Legatees than the Testator himself had been And thus Alouisius's Estate which he got with great industry and preserv'd with greater as if in the strength of so much Wealth he could have lived Mathusalem's Age was seized and distributed by one with whom he had had so many quarrels ill words and Animosities and before whom he would have chosen the Turk for his Executor Nor was Divine Providence thus satisfied but was pleased that his body also which was already buried should be made a prey for the Grave was open'd in the Night-time by those to whom he had given the Revenues of St. Laurence in Damaso and he stript of a Ring and all his Cloths But indeed Paul when he knew of it was very angry at them About that time Frederick a fine Youth Son to Ferdinand who passing to Millain to fetch Francis Sforza's Daughter his Brother's Wife to Naples arrived at Rome where he was met by the Nobility and Rhoderick the Vicechancelour and kindly entertain'd by the Pope himself who presented him with a Rose which the Popes use to give to some Christian Prince every year Ferdinand now minding to punish those of his own Kingdom who had revolted from him when he was engaged with the French sent some Forces to set upon the Duke of Sora but the Pope was desirous to divert that War and therefore sent the Arch-Bishop of Millain thither with all speed to pray him that he would send those Men to him as he was obliged by his Tenure to do because he had a Design to destroy and take off the Count Aversa's Sons that had denied Obedience to the Church For about that time the Count Aversa died when Paul was made Pope and his body was brought to Rome where it was buried in St. Maries the Great The King who was Deiphobus's bitter Enemy as having been attempted by him with Plots Poison and open force in the late War gave Order to the Captains of his Army cited to go where the Pope bad them upon the first Summons He had Deiphobus and Francis to him before and given 'em charge to clear the Road of Thieves who used to rob Travellers at the very Gates of Rome as it were and that they should restore Caprarola a Town so called to the Son of Securanza the greatest part of whose Estate they had possest themselves of they not onely refused to do either but threaten'd him and brag'd that they were Count Aversa's Sons nor would they spare any one that gave 'em a provocation Paul therefore having privately prepared all things that were
necessary for a War with assistance of the King's Forces he surprised and subdued 'em within fourteen days after he attaqued 'em reducing nine Castles under the jurisdiction of the Church of which some were so well fortified both by Art and Nature that they seemed impregnable Deiphobus fearing lest if he were taken he should be sent to the King made his escape But Francis his Brother and his Son were taken and kept five years in Castel St. Angelo till upon the Creation of Sixtus they were freed And hence afterward arose great enmity between the Pope and the King when Ferdinand demanded that Paul would remit the Tribute which he was to pay the Church as a reward for his great merits and would retrench or take off part of it for the future seeing his Uncle enjoy'd the Kingdom of Sicily though he paid Tribute for that and Naples too and told him That he ought to consider his Deserts and what might happen for that he had always some Batalions in Arms not more upon his own than upon the Pope's account as he found in the late War against the Aversans Paul on the other hand recounted the Churches merits toward Ferdinand and so they spun out the Debate a long time by these kind of wranglings each of 'em seeking an opportunity to recover their Right In the mean time the King was very cautious how he caused any new Commotions because he fear'd James Picenninus's Power who had Sulmona in Abruzzo and some other Towns in his possession whom afterward his Father-in-law Francis Sfortia sent to the King who gave him his word that he should come and go in safety when he pleased But all things did not go according to James's expectation for he was taken at Naples by Ferdinand as so was his Son and there thrown into Prison and not long after put to Death though there was a false report given out that he fell down in the Prison and broke his Leg as he was inconsiderately staring through the Window to see the King's Galleys that came from Ischia with Victory over the French There were who thought him still alive which I can never believe because there was no Man in all Italy more fit if you look upon him as a Soldier to subvert the Government of King Ferdinand The Duke of Millain's Daughter when she heard of it tarry'd by the way at Siena as she was going to her Husband at Naples to persuade the World that her Father was not any way concern'd with Ferdinand in contriving the Death of Picenninus But what People thought of it we very well know There were likewise some that said the Pope knew of it before hand because at that time the Arch-Bishop of Millain went often from the Pope to the King and from the King back again and because Paul said when he heard of his Imprisonment that the Judg of Appeals was taken off But that of Virgil is too true Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurae Little do Men their future Fortune know For Paul could not have made use of any one to fit to curb Ferdinand as James Picenninus was if he had been alive when their Debate arose about the Tribute for which a War was like to have been proclaimed For when he had kept his Daughter-in-laws and his Son's Wedding and that thereby and by the death of James his Kingdom was setled Ferdinand was instant with the Pope that he would retrench the Tribute and give him back certain Towns which belong'd to the Kingdom but were in possession of the Church Thereupon Paul sent to him Bartholomew Roverella Cardinal Priest of St. Clements as Legate who did in some measure satisfie the King And at that time I believe they both fear'd lest the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon which all Men were then astonish'd at might portend some changes in Government Nor can you think the heavenly Bodies have no efficacy for the year after Francis Sfortia Duke of Millain and Genoua died For he had gotten Genoua two years before being after a long War surrender'd by the Citizens For they having rejected the French Government which they had formerly courted kill'd six thousand of the French under the Nose of King Renatus who came with some Galleys well arm'd to retrieve the City that had now revolted from the French When Francis Sfortia Duke of Millain was dead Paul summon'd the Cardinals to consult what was to be done They all concluded that he must send Letters and Nuncioes to all the Princes of Italy and to all States to persuade 'em against Innovations and to maintain the establish'd Peace especially at that unhappy time when we were so threatned by the Turk the common Enemy And afterward he sent the Bishop of Conca to Millain to persuade that State to have regard to the Allegiance they had sworn to Galeatius Francis's Son At that time Galeatius was absent in France whither his Father had sent him with an Army to assist King Lewis against the Princes of his Kingdom that acknowledg'd not his Authority For Francis was bound by the League he made with him when he possest himself of Genoa to supply him with some Auxiliaries Besides the Allegiance which they had contracted obliged him to it for he had married the Sister of the Queen and the Duke of Savoy When he heard of his Father's Death he relinquish'd the War which he engaged in upon the King's account against the Duke of Burgundy and going from Lions return'd with a small Retinue and in a disguise to his own Country where he peaceably possess'd himself of his paternal inheritance by the help of his Mother who kept the people in Obedience till he came But Paul when the Affairs of Italy were thus composed hearing that the Rhodian Soldiers were ready to starve he summon'd the Grand Master and the great Clergymen to Rome to consider of a Relief who after frequent meetings in St. Peters died for grief and Age and was buried in that Church not far from St. Andrew's Chappel in whose room Charles Vrsin was chosen and sent immediately to defend the Island In the mean time when Paul heard that there were a great many Hereticks in Tagliacozzo he having heard their cause severely branded the Lord of the place eight Men and six Women which were caught and brought before him being those that were most obstinate but dealt more favourably with those that confessed their Error and begg'd pardon They were of those perverse sort of Hereticks who say there never was any true Vicar of Christ since St. Peter but who had imitated Christ's Poverty Then he encreased the number of Cardinals and made ten at one time of which number were Francis of Savona General of the Order of Minors M. Barbo Bishop of Vincenza whose Advice he always took in great Affairs Oliver Arch-Bishop of Naples Amicus Bishop of Aquila and Theodore Montferrat and the rest were partly French Hungarians and English Having thus
augmented the College he apply'd himself wholly to settle the peace of Italy For certain Florentines who were banish'd by Peter Medices's Faction in a civil Tumult as Detesalvus Neronius Angelus Accioiolus and Nicolas Soderinus had persuaded Bartholomew of Bergamo who had a good Army of Horse and Foot to march into Tuscany and restore them and all the other banish'd Persons to their Country the Venetians under-hand lending their assistance these seem'd to be able and to design to overthrow the State of Italy at first dash But Galeatius D. of Milan with the Forces of the King and of the Florentine people posting himself in his way he slacken'd his march and endeavour'd to get the better rather by protracting the War than by fighting One fierce Battel however under the conduct of the Count of Vrbin they fought in the Territories of Bologna near a Town call'd Ricardina where no doubt the Bergamese had been utterly ruin'd if Galeatius had been there but he was gone to Florence a little before to settle matters relating to the War Those that were present at this Battel say that it was fought with the greatest obstinacy and the most numerous slaughters of any in our Age. But now the Venetians bethink themselves for their own safety rather than that of the Bergamese and though they sent some Forces to his assistance yet they sought earnestly a Peace and referr'd the whole matter to the Pope who also lying under great apprehensions if the King of Naples and Duke of Millain should obtain a compleat Victory urg'd on the Peace too It was indeed the Opinion of many Men of Understanding that the Pope was not altogether against Bartholomew's Design knowing that if an alteration were made in the Government of Florence he might with greater facility make War upon Ferdinand whom he so hated that he endeavour'd to raise him up more Enemies in Italy Having hereupon called together the Embassadours of the several Princes he mediated a Peace upon these terms That each Party should restore what they had taken in the War That Bartholomew should retire with his Forces into Lombardy and That for the rest the Conditions of that Peace should be observed which had been made at Lodi between Francis Sforza and the Venetians One Point was yet to be Disputed Whether the Duke of Savoy and his Brother Philip should be included in this Peace who that year taking pay of the Venetians had ravag'd Galeatius's Country with their Forces Galeatius denied to yield to it professing no Man should ever be his Ally and Friend who was an Enemy to the King of France But Paul with Promises and fair words made shift to get Galeatius's Embassador to sign it contrary to his Master's order which so enrag'd Galeatius that he banish'd the said Embassador Lorenzo da Pesaro and so infested the Savoyards that they were forced to sue for Peace which by the intercession of the Queen of France and Duchess of Milan both Sisters to the Duke of Savoy they at last procur'd upon conditions proposed by the King of France Affairs thus setled Paul had a little leisure and instituted sumptuous Plays and made noble Feasts after the ancient manner for the people of Rome Vianesius of Bologna Vice-Chamberlain to his Holiness taking care of them He proposed eight Cloaks to be run for each day in the Carneval old Men middle-ag'd young Men nay Jews took their fortune in the Races as also did even Horses Mares Asses Buffals to the incredible pleasure of the Spectators The Race was from Domitian's Arch to St. Mark 's Church where the Pope himself stood to behold it with great satisfaction who after the sport was over gave to every Boy that ran daub'd all over with Dirt a Carlin a piece of Money But Paul amidst all this publick Jollity was on a sudden seiz'd with a terrour unexpected for news was brought him that several young Men whose Ring-leader was one Callimaco had form'd a Plot against him and the Narrative of it was no sooner made out to him when he being already almost dead with fear comes a Fellow that call'd himself the Philosopher a sad Wretch and a banish'd Man who first begging pardon for his life and liberty to live in his Country shams a Story upon him that he saw in the Wood of Velitre one Luca Tozzo a Citizen of Rome but banish'd with a great number of other Banditi and that they were just coming upon him This made Paul tremble for fear apprehending that now being attack'd both without and within he should surely be undone and therefore he clapt up a great many both Citizens and Courtiers Vianesius gave him occasions of fear and so did any one about him who from a turn of Affairs could probably expect an augmentation either of Dignity or Estate They broke up Mens Houses without distinction and drag'd to Prison any body they suspected and lest I should have miss'd my share in so great a calamity they came by Night and set a Guard about my House broke open the Windows and Doors and seiz'd my Servant Demetrius a Lucchese who told them I sup'd that Night with the Cardinal of Mantua hither then they fly and taking me in his Chamber they bring me before Paul who as soon as he saw me Are you too says he in the Plot with Callimaco against me But I conscious of my Innocence answer'd him so fearlesly that no sign of guilt appear'd in me He being negligently drest and looking pale urg'd me still and sometimes threatned me with Torments and sometimes with Death unless I would confess I seeing all places full of outrage and tumults and fearing lest we should suffer mischief by reason of the terrour and rage that I saw had possess'd them shew'd many reasons why I could not believe Callimaco would attempt nor so much as to think of any such Design being without cunning an ill speaker unactive regardless without Wealth wanting Forces Dependents Ammunition and beside being almost blind more drowsie than P. Lentulus and more unfit for action by means of his corpulence than L. Crassus Moreover he was no Citizen of Rome that he should concern himself for the liberty of his Country nor was he a Prelate that upon the taking off of Paul he should expect the Papacy What could Callimaco do What dare he do Was he good either at Discourse or Action Had he listed any Men to assist him in bringing about so important a Design unless you will make Glaucus and Petreius the Companions of his flight to be other Gabinii and Statilii At this Paul turns him to Vianesius and looking sternly upon me says he this Man is to be forced with the Rack to confess the truth for he understands the true Art of Plotting Would to God Paul had dealt more considerately with me he had not then applyed tortures to me For when the Truth is to be gathered from circumstances the matter of fact not being sufficiently
reason disposed his affairs for a second War in order whereunto he in the first place Excommunicated Ferdinand absolved his Subjects from their Obedience and deprived him of his Kingdom but because this would prove insignificant unless it were made good by some more effectual means he sent to the King of France for the aid he had formerly promised and having raised a considerable Army of Switzers and Italians under the command of Francis Cibo and having also the countenance of all Italy in detestation of this false treatment Ferdinand being terrified therewith inclined to a Peace and really to accept with unfeigned devotion and obedience such conditions as the Pope should be pleased to impose upon him and in farther pursuance of this Peace the Vrsini were induced to prostrate themselves at the feet of the Pope in which humble posture he generously granted to them all those Petitions and requests which they submissively offered to him and at the same time bestowed the like favours in the pardon of Cardinal Baldri a Frenchman who had treacherously conspired against him And farther to evidence his natural inclinations to Peace he reconciled the enmities of Colonna and Vrsini two potent Families in Rome who by their Dissentions and Wars had miserably spoiled and vexed each other This Peace produced a League between the King the Venetians the Florentines and the Duke of Milan and in short begat a general peace in all Christendom which continued for the space of five years during which time great preparations were made against the Turk which had in all probability happily succeeded had not that honorable and glorious design been unhappily interrupted by the Death of this Pope Yet some time before his decease being in the year 1488. he had the honor to have Zizimé the Brother of Bajazet Emperor of the Turks to be his Prisoner being taken and sent to Rome by the Knights of Rhodes And tho this Sultan was splendidly received and treated yet he could not be induced either by fair persuasions or ruder menaces to prostrate or humble himself at the feet of the Pope wherefore being remanded back to safe custody in the Vatican he lived there for all the time of this Pope during which his Brother Bajazet Emperor of the Turks sent yearly to Rome forty thousand Crowns for his maintainance and to render his Brother more acceptable there he sent with an honorable Embassy the Key of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem to the Pope together with the Lance with which Longinus pierced the side of our Saviour both which he received with great humility and devotion lodging the Key in a Chappel in S. Peter's Church where it is to be seen unto this day and laid the Spear in a Marble Chest which he purposely erected in a Chappel within the Church of the Vatican In the time of this Pope Innocent there was but one Creation of Cardinals at which eight only were made amongst which Laurence Cibo the natural Son of his Brother was one In the year 1489. he permitted that the Mass might be celebrated in Norway without Wine because that the Country being cold and the distance far the Wine was either frozen or turned Vinegar before it could be brought thither This Pope as we have said was generous and magnificent in all his actions performing many things at his own cost and charge for the honor and adornment of the City For he built a house of pleasure and delight for recreation of the Popes called the Belvedere he re-built the Deanry of S. Narcis from the foundation he made many Galleries in the Palace of the Vatican he erected a Fountain in the front before S. Peters and adorned many other places in the City and having disposed all things in order to the quiet and happiness of Italy he ended his days and died the 25th day of July 1491. being about the age of sixty years He was buried in a Sepulchre of Brass near the Altar which he had lately made for the Spear Lionel Bishop of Concordia Preached his Funeral Sermon wherein he recounted the most memorable passages of his life Over his Tomb this Epitaph was Engraven Ego autem in Innocentia mea Ingressus sum Redime me Domine miserere mei ALEXANDER VI. INNOCENT being deceased Roderigo who was made a Bishop and afterwards Cardinal Albano and Porto by Sixtus was elected Pope calling himself by the name of Alexander the Sixth and fate in the Papal Chair for the space of eleven years and upwards he was born at Valentia in Spain his Father was Geoffery Lenzola a rich and noble Gentleman and his Mother was the Sister of Pope Calixtus the Fourth by the favour of which Uncle he was designed from his Youth to be created Arch-Bishop of Valentia and in the year 1456. was actually made Cardinal-Deacon of S. Nicolas and Chancellor of the Roman Church and was afterwards by Sixtus the Fourth employed upon many important Affairs and Embassies for the Church and particularly to intercede and mediate in the differences between the Kings of Spain Portugal and Aragon who had all pretensions to the Kingdom of Castile by which Offices and places having gained great honor and interest he was by the suffrages of two and twenty Cardinals elected Pope But several Writers such as Guicciardin Onufrius and others brand the Election of this Pope with the infamy of Simonaical corruption for reporting that most of the Cardinals were bribed by sums of Mony and promises of Offices and high Preferments to give their Votes in his favour those who were most active and had taken the greatest Bribes for this promotion were the Cardinal Ascagnus who in reward had the Office of Chancellor conferred upon him likewise Julian Bishop of Ostia and Raphael Riario who were busie and talking Cardinals But Alexander who was an excellent dissembler until his turn was served and who loved the Treason but not the Traytor or the Office but not the corrupt ways to it hated this abominable practice in his heart so that by violent deaths by Banishment and other various calamities he found means to bring all those unto ruine who had thus basely conspired to his promotion and particularly Baptista Orsino to whom was given the magnificent Palace of Borgia and John Michael on whom was conferred the Bishoprick of Porto with all the Wardrobe of the Pope which was of inestimable value were both put to death one being publickly executed in the Castle and the other secretly made away by Poison This sort of treatment towards his Friends induced Guichardin in his History of this Pope to represent him under the notion of a person without Truth without Faith or Religion of an unsatiable avarice and insuperable pride and passionate in the raising and advancement of his Bastard Sons which were many in number to places of dignity and profit the which character is farther confirmed by all the Italian Poets and Historians of those times who ascribe strange
without any appearance of outward force over-awing their Election or practices of Simony and corruption or other bad Arts by which it was manifest that the two former Popes had acquired their Dignity and so on the 11th of March being the seventh day after the Cardinals entered the Conclave John de Medicis of that great and illustrious Family in Florence now Dukes of Tuscany was by the common Suffrages of 23 Cardinals elected Pope taking upon himself the name of Leo X. At the age of 13 years he was made a Cardinal by Innocent VIII and now was about the age of 37 years when he was created Pope a thing rare and unusual to have a Pope so young and which had not otherwise been practicable but by the concurrence of the young Cardinals such as the Cardinal of Aragon Gonzaga Cornaro Petrucci c. the Conclave before they came to this Election proposed and with many warm Debates considered of the ways how the Secular Power which the late Popes had exercised in a disorderly manner sacrificing all to their lust and ambition might be restrained within some limits and bounds of moderation but those rules and terms agreed upon were speedily relaxed and dispensed with so soon as a new Lord or Governor appeared whom every one courted being desirous with humble obsequiousness to gratifie and freeing him from all the clogs and limits to his power endeavoured to testifie the confidence they had in him Being thus chosen on the 11th of March he was crowned on the 19th and on the 11th of April following in a most pompous and solemn manner he went to visit the Church of S. John Lateran and with such magnificence and State as was never equalled by former Popes The world conceived great joy and expectations of good at the first news of his Election for being a person of unspotted Chastity of exemplary Piety and unblemished in his manners and the Papal Dignity obtained fairly by him without Simony Corruption or evil Arts it was reasonable to expect and presage from such happy beginnings times of more calmness and blessings to the Church than under the turbulent Reigns of the two former Popes The exiled Cardinals of which those of greatest note were S. Croia and S. Severin hearing of the death of Julius II. began their Journey towards Rome and being landed at Livorn they went to Pisa and thence had safe conduct to Florence The Pope having received intelligence of their arrival in that City sent the Bishop of Orvietto to advise them not to proceed farther until such time as it should be determined in what manner they should be received at Rome For considering they had been judicially deprived and their deprivation confirmed in the Council of Lateran that they should forbear to go in the habit of Cardinals but present and offer themselves in some other modest and penitential dress whereby they might testifie their repentance and humility which would be the best motive and arguments to restore them again to their pristine condition the which being accordingly agreed the Cardinals renouncing their late Schism with all submission and humility returned to Rome and kissed the feet of the Pope Notwithstanding which it was judged fit that the Council of Lateran should still be continued until many disorders which had crept lately into the Church were wholly redressed And now Leo being setled in the Papal Chair shewed himself desirous to continue and conserve the Peace of Christendom which he thought would be most easily effected by persuading the warlike and martial spirits of those times to spend their fury upon the Turk and in the mean time endeavoured to accommodate and compose the differences between Maximilian the Emperor and the Venetians touching Verona and Piacenza by an amicable agreement At the same time also he hired the Switzers with a great sum of mony to assist Sforza Duke of Milan against the French for notwithstanding his inclinations in the general were towards a peace yet his dislikes to that Nation and the displeasures he had taken on many accounts against Charles the 12th moved him with earnest desires to chase the French out of Italy To perform which the Switzers were esteemed the only instruments capable for this exploit and to engage them therein a largess was sent them of 42 thousand Ducats with pretence in case the matter should come to light that twenty thousand of them were upon account of their yearly Pensions and that the other twenty two thousand were due on Arrear by preceding Popes to the three Cantons The Switzers being satisfied and animated with this payment resolved to accept of no conditions with the French who being now in Lombardy had forced Milan to surrender with all other Cities belonging to that Dutchy except Novaro and Coma which being defended by the Switzers held out as yet in the name of Maximilian Sforza Wherefore the French having no other work remaining besieged Novaro and had so battered the Walls and made such breaches that they were ready to enter their men Howsoever fearing the Resolution of the Besieged who all the time of the Siege had not so much as shut their Gates against the Enemy and understanding that Relief was coming to the Town and an Army under the command of that renowned Captain Altosasso they retired at two miles distance from the Walls of Novaro with which the Switzers were so encouraged that not staying for the Relief expected they made a Sally on the Enemy and gave them a total Defeat taking all their Baggage with two and twenty pieces of Artillery remaining a prey to the Conquerors After which the City of Milan with all the places belonging to it returned again into the possession and power of their Duke the people of Milan giving two hundred thousand Ducats as a Reward to the Switzers for the restoration of their Liberty All things now putting on a face of Liberty and Peace in Italy the French King seemed willing to demonstrate a filial obedience and submission to the Church and declared himself well pleased with the Pope for receiving the Dissenting and Schismatical Cardinals to pardon and Grace The Pope was also in like manner successful in his Negotiations of Peace between the Emperor and the Venetians for both Parties having referred the determination of their case to his Arbitration and compromise a Peace ensued tho the Sentence and Determination was not Pronounced and Published until the year following Lewis likewise the French King at the persuasions and instigation of the Clergy was very desirous to come in and be reconciled to the Papal See and to that end sent the Bishop of Marseilles his Embassador to Rome to treat and conclude all matters in dispute either relating to Spiritual or Temporal Affairs At the arrival of this Embassador the Pope by a Decree of the Lateran Council which still continued gave Licence to the Bishop of France and other Prelates against whom his Predecessor Pope Julius had proceeded
by censure of Excommunication to come in and in the space of one years time to purge themselves of the contumacy with which they stood charged In pursuance of which Decree the Embassador and other Agents from France did in the name of the King abjure all the Acts and Decrees made and ordained by the Conventicle at Pisa promising to acknowledg and hold for true and sacred all those Acts and conclusions which should be declared by the Council of Lateran and that six of those Prelates which were present at the Convention of Pisa should repair to Rome and in the name and behalf of all the Gallican Church renounce and disown that Convention and promise to submit and hold and esteem for Sacred and Obligatory whatsoever should be determined in their case or in any other matter by the Lateran Council and that then upon such submission the Council should grant a full and plenary Pardon and Absolution for all those Crimes committed by them against the Church of Rome But whilst these things were in Treaty Lewis XII being surprized by a Fever died the first day of January 1515. at Paris in whose place Francis de Valois the first of that name Duke of Angolesme succeeded Francis having made a Peace with the King of England assumed the Title of Duke of Milan as appertaining to him not only by the ancient right of the Dukes of Orleans but also as comprehended in the Investiture made by the Emperor in the Treaty of Cambray to recover which he made a League with the Venetians and passing into Italy with a powerful Army declared War against Maximilian Sforza Duke of Milan who on the other side had made an Alliance with the Emperor the Switzers and the King of Spain The Pope being jealous of the French believing that so soon as they were become Masters of Milan they would also design upon Piacenza and Parma favoured the cause of Duke Sforza and encouraged the Switzers by his Legate the Cardinal of Sedan to continue firm and constant in defence of Italy against the French Arms that so their ancient glory which had been in former years crowned with so much success might be maintained by them and the Title of Restorers of the Italian Liberty be for ever continued to their Honor. The Switzers having their valour provoked by such incitements as these encountred the French Army which under the auspicious Conduct of King Francis was passed into Italy near Marignan where after a sharp conflict the Venetians coming in to the assistance of the French the Switzers were overthrown and forced to retreat into Milan which afterwards was surrendred and Duke Sforza being taken Prisoner was sent into France with an allowance of five and thirty thousand Crowns a year which he agreed to receive in lieu of his Dukedom After this success Parma and Piacenza which had been annexed to the Church by the Arms of Julius II. fell into the possession of the French for Leo not having the courage to defend them made them a Sacrifice to the Conqueror and the price of his Peace with France the which was concluded at Bologna where an interview was appointed between the King and Pope Leo. The Pope entered the City on the 8th of December 1515. and the King two days after having been received on the Confines of the Country of Reggia by the Cardinals of Fieschi and Medicis whom the Pope had appointed to be his Legates Apostolical to him The King so soon as he entered was immediately conducted into the Consistory where before the Pope by a Speech delivered by his Chancellor he professed all Obedience to the Papal Chair and afterwards was lodged three days in the same Palace with the Pope during which time all the signs of good will and amity interceded between them and all matters agreed which had relation to Naples Modena and other controversies and thus all things being amicably concluded the King returned to Milan and in a short time after into France leaving the Duke of Bourbon Lieutenant in his place The Pope also went to Florence where having passed the Winter he in the Spring returned to Rome And now Pope Leo being a little at repose designed the assistance of Maximilian the Emperor with whom he was in League to make his Brother Julian Lord of Siena and Lucca and thereunto to adjoyn the Dukedoms of Vrbin and Ferrara but Julian unexpectedly dying the same fortune was intended for Laurence his Nephew Son of his Brother Peter de Medicis and in the mean time until this design could be ripened and put in practice the Pope committed to him the Government of Florence with condition that he should act nothing without the privity and consent of the Citizens And now to prepare a way for taking the Dutchy of Vrbin from Francisco Maria de la Rovere the Pope began with his Church Censures causing the Accusations against him to be published wherein he expressed that being in Pay and under a Sallary from the Church he had denied him the Service of those Regiments for which he had received Pay and had secretly compounded with the Enemy That he had killed the Cardinal of Pavia for which he was alsolved by Grace and not by Justice as also for many other Murders committed by him These and other were the Crimes which were alledged against him but yet nothing animated the Pope so much with anger and disdain against him as that he had denied unto his Brother Julian his aid and assistance to return to Florence The success of the War was this So soon as Renzo di Cere the Popes General with a considerable Army showed himself upon the Frontiers of the Dutchy the City of Vrbin with other Towns belonging to it surrendred to the Pope the Duke himself retiring to Pesaro which also yielded together with Sinigaglia and in the space of four days all submitted to the obedience of the Pope and then the Duke with all his Family saved himself in Mantua These successes were followed by new designs upon Siena from whence by force of Arms he compelled the Prince Borghese and Cardinal Alfonso his Brother both Sons of Pandolfo Petrucci to retire and make place for Raphael Petrucci his old Friend and Companion in his Exile at which the Cardinal was so enraged and excited beyond all patience that he conspired against the life of the Pope which not succeeding proved afterwards the cause of his own destruction For this Alfonso Cardinal of Siena revolving often in his mind the ingratitude of this Pope who by the labors and dangers of Pandolfo Petrucci his Father was with all his Family restored to the Government of Florence and yet had in recompense of these benefits caused him and his Brother Borghese to be thrust out of Siena the which thoughts boiling in his mind he resolved once with his own hand to stab the Pope but being diverted from that intention by the danger of the Fact and by the ill
fame of a wickedness without example to have a Pope killed by the hand of a Cardinal he changed the Plot of the Dagger to Poison which by the help of Baptista Vercelli a famous Chirurgeon and his familiar Confident he hoped to effect in this manner The Pope being greatly afflicted with an old Fistula in his Fundament this Baptista was to be preferred as an able man for this work and then in dressing of the Wound he was to have injected Poison into it but Baptista being long in getting admission to the Popes privacy Alfonso grew impatient of delays and not being able to contain himself continually uttered something of passion which gave the Pope just cause of suspicion that this Alfonso was practising something against his life at length by some Letters which were intercepted the Conspiracy was detected which the Pope dissembling invited Alfonso to Rome with promises of Reconciliation and Preferment and for his encouragement thereunto he gave him Letters of safe conduct and his promise to the Spanish Embassador not to violate the same But so soon as Alfonso arrived the Pope so little esteemed the Faith he had given that he caused him to be Arrested with his Friend Cardinal De Sauli a Genoese one so familiar and intimate with him that it was believed that one could not be guilty or designing any action without the privity and consent of the other These two Cardinals being committed to Prison in the Castle of S. Angelo the Spanish Embassador complained of the breach of Faith which being given to the Kings Embassador ought to have been observed with the same sacred fidelity as given to the King himself Whereunto the Pope made answer that in matters of a Conspiracy designing against the life of the Pope no safe conduct was sufficient unless in some clause of it the Crime it self had been specified with a peculiar Proviso and that in cases of Poisoning which is detestable to God and man no sufficient provision can be made for security of the Offender unless the Crime it self be first mentioned and pardoned The matter being fully examined and Alfonso and Bandinello in a full Consistory being found guilty they were by publick sentence of the Consistory deprived of the Dignity of Cardinals and delivered over to the Secular Power which being done the night following Alfonso was Strangled but the Sentence of Bandinello was changed to a perpetual Imprisonment from which afterwards for a certain sum of money he gained a release The success which the Pope had against the Duke of Vrbin was different to that which he had against Alfonso Duke of Ferrara for he being a watchful man and a good Soldier defended himself against all the contrivances and attempts of the Pope Towards the end of the year 1517. the King of Spain died leaving his Nephew Charles of Austria sole Heir of all his Kingdoms and Dominions in Naples Sicily and Spain between whom and the French King there passed as yet a fair and amicable correspondence Notwithstanding which things were troublesom in Italy and 〈◊〉 â—espight of all the endeavours of the Pope who desired nothing so much 〈◊〉 peace all things were unquiet and tended to War for the Switzers 〈◊〉 â—hose minds were rather inflamed with indignation in remembrance of their late Defeat at Marignan than abated or humbled entered into a League with Maximilian the Emperor to drive the French out of all their Possessions in Italy in opposition whereunto the French joyning with the Venetians recovered Brescia out of the hands of the Spaniards and Verona from the Emperor and the Venetians by the support of this Alliance made no account of any amity with others nor offered their Obedience to the Pope notwithstanding the endeavours of Altobello Bishop of Pola whom he had commissionated to be his Legate at Venice not without some just reflections as a matter unworthy the Pontificial Majesty Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin continued still his War against the Pope for recovery of his State but his success was ill both against the City of Osimo and also before the Town of Corinaldo from whence with great blemish of honor he was forced to raise his Siege Nor was he more fortunate in his attempt to recover Pesaro for having put to Sea several Ships to cut off all Provisions from the Town they were encountred by another Fleet set out by those of Rimini consisting of sixteen Sail with Barks and Brigantines which going in convoy with Vessels laden with Provisions to Pesaro met the Navy of Francisco Maria and engaging with them sunk the Admiral and destroyed their whole Fleet with which ill success Francisco Maria despairing of his enterprize departed thence At Rimini he also was worsted and forced to return with his Army into Tuscany where being in great want of Provisions and the Soldiers without Pay lived by Prey and Pillage whereby they began to be no less terrible to their friends than to their enemies and to grow weary of the War having no hope to better their condition either by a Battel or protraction of time The Pope also on the other side became poor having exhausted his Treasury and doubtful of the Faith of his Allies especially of the King of France who was slow and backward in the payment of those monies agreed by Articles so that Peace being the best expedient for good to both parties propositions were made for a Peace between the Legate and Francisco Maria which by the Mediation of Monsieur D'Escut General of the French Forces in Italy and Don Hugo de Monaco Vice-King of Sicily was accorded on these conditions That the Pope should pay to the Spanish Footmen five and forty thousand Ducats and to the Gascoins and Germans threescore thousand and that upon such payment they should all depart within eight days out of the State of the Church the Jurisdiction of Florence and the Territories of Vrbin That Francisco Maria should leave and abandon all his Possessions in that State within the term aforesaid with Licence to carry with him all his moveables and Artillery with his famous Library which with great charge and diligence had been collected by Frederick his Grandfather by the Mothers side That the Pope should absolve him of all Censures and pardon all the Subjects of the State of Vrbin and those who had been enemies in this War the Spaniards Gascoins and Germans having received their monies marched to the Kingdom of Naples and Francisco Maria abandoned of all his Allies returned to Mantua accompanied only with one hundred Horse and six hundred Footmen In this manner ended the War with Vrbin which tho it continued but eight months yet had exhausted the Coffers of the Pope of eight hundred thousand Ducats the greatest part of which he had drawn from the Commonwealth of Florence on the score of his great interest in that City and indeed his Charges were the greater because that with much ignominy he was forced to purchase his
able to render a reason why amidst so many dangers and troubles of the Ecclesiastical State they had chosen a stranger for Pope of a remote Country who had never seen Italy and perhaps might never have seen it but upon this occasion and who had neither been acquainted with the customs of the Court of Rome nor yet had entertained such conversation with the Cardinals as to have hoped by their interest or his own merit to have attained to the Election of which the Cardinals not being able to render any solid reason gave out in excuse of themselves that it was an impulse of the Holy Ghost which did often inspire the hearts of Cardinals in Election of Popes The news of this Election was brought to Adrian then residing at Victoria a Town on the Confines of Biscay upon advice whereof taking no other name than his own he caused himself to be called Adrian the sixth He was born at Vtrecht a City in Holland his Father's name was Florent one that by Profession made Tapestry Hangings and this his Son being a Youth of an ingenious lively spirit was sent to Study in the University of Lovain where afterwards being a great proficient in Learning Margaret the Daughter of Maximilian then Governess of the Low-Countries receiving information of his Virtues and Abilities made him Curate of a Parish-Church in Holland afterwards he was preferred to be Dean of the Cathedral in Lovain and then made Vice-Chancellor of that University During this time Philip Arch-Duke of Austria Son of Maximilian the Emperor died leaving a Son of seven years of age named Charles for whose Education and Instruction a Tutor and School-master being sought in all parts none was esteemed more proper either for his Virtue or Learning than this Adrian Having for some time honorably acquitted himself in this Office he was sent Embassador to Ferdinand King of Spain with whom he acquired so much favour and interest that in a short time he was made Bishop of Tortosa and afterwards Chief Counsellor of State to the Emperor Charles V. Likewise by the recommendation of the Emperor Maximilian and on account of the great esteem and reputation he had acquired he was created Cardinal by Pope Leo X with the Title of S. John and S. Paul in the year 1519. And Charles his Scholar being chosen Emperor he committed to his care and charge the whole and entire Government of Spain in which Country Adrian resided when the news was brought him of his Election to the Popedom Charles the Emperor having about that time passed by Sea into Spain sent an Express to congratulate his Promotion desiring him that he would be pleased to make some little stay at Barcelona that so he might have opportunity to pay his Respects in person to him and perform that Reverence and Obedience which he owed to the Apostolical Sea but Adrian was in so much hast fearing some Revolutions in Rome and Italy that he would make no stay at Barcelona but Embarking at Taragona on the 11th of August he soon after with a placid Navigation arrived at Genoua where he was visited by the Prelates of France thence proceeding to Ligorn he was there received by Cardinal De Medicis and five other Cardinals as also by the Embassadors sent from several Princes of Italy and by Francis de Gonzaga who was General of the Army belonging to the Church At Pyrgos he was met by Pompey Colonna and Francis Vrsino who were Cardinals delegated by the Senate of Rome and thence proceeding to Ostia he was carried up the River to the Monastery of S. Paul where he lodged for one night And lastly on the 29. of August the people of Rome with the several Orders of the Clergy accompanied him with great pomp to the Palace of the Vatican and the next day he was solemnly Crowned in the Portico of S. Peter's Church Pope Adrian being now seated in his Throne employed his whole time at first to hear and understand the Affairs of Rome for as yet he was altogether ignorant of the State of Italy the which in such an exigency in which things at that time were was a great trouble to considering men who thought it a miserable disadvantage to have at that time a Pope a stranger and altogether unexperienced in the Affairs of Italy and of the Court when the Pestilence grievously afflicted the City a matter which was interpreted for an ill Prognostication and omen of his future success The Treasury also by the Wars Disorders and Luxury of preceding Popes exhausted and drained to a farthing and all the Jewels and Ornaments of the Pontifical Dignity pawned and placed in the hands of Usurers first by Leo and afterwards more monies raised upon them by the College to supply the necessities and exigencies of the Church Arimino also was seized and possessed by Sigismund Malatesta And news was come that Soliman the Great Turk had invested Rhodes and put it into great danger and prepared with a great Army to invade Hungary all which being matters of great difficulty did much puzzle and distract the mind of Adrian who was as yet raw and unexperienced in the Affairs of Rome the which troubles were soon followed by the unhappy news of the loss of Rhodes having been surrendred up on conditions after a six months Siege And now Adrian being warm in his Seat began in the first place to design the recovery of Rimini which was seized and possessed by Sigismund and Pandolfo Malatesta and next to compose those differences which the Duke of Ferrara had continued with his two late Predecessors for the more effectual performance whereof he sent 1500 Spanish Infantry which he had brought with him out of Spain for security of his passage on the Sea into Romagna the which with addition of other Forces so affrighted Sigismond and Malatesta that by the mediation of the Duke of Vrbin they surrendred Rimini to the Pope upon hopes that the Pope would in lieu thereof assign them some other honorable support and maintenance Afterwards the Duke of Vrbin went himself to Rome where the memory of Pope Julian was still so precious as to entitle him to some kindness from this present Pope on which motive the Ecclesiastical Censures which were issued out against him by Leo were reversed Plenary Absolution given him and he again restored to the Dutchy of Vrbin by Adrian howsoever with this clause salvo jure c. that it might be without prejudice to that Grant made to the Florentines of the Country of Montfeltra in considerarion of the sum of 350000 Crowns which they had lent to Pope Leo for defence of that Country With the like frank generosity Adrian received Alfonso Duke of Ferrara into his favour and not only invested him in the Dukedom of Ferrara and in all those Lands which depended on the Church before the War which Pope Leo â—ade against the French but also in the Towns of Felix and Final which he had
taken from the Church during the time of the last Sede Vacante on conditions that he should hold those Lands of the Church with obligation of assisting the Pope with a certain number of men to be ready at his command when his occasions should require and in case at any time he acted any thing to the damage and prejudice of the Church that then he should incur severe Forfeitures and Penalties and lose his Investiture and be actually deprived of all those Liberties Immunities and Rights to which he pretended and laid a claim After these Affairs the Pope re-assumed the thoughts so often meditated by his Predecessors of driving the French out of Italy the which was also greatly desired by the Emperor Charles on supposition that the matter was practicable and easie in case they could induce the Venetians to separate from the French King to incline them hereunto Embassadors were dispatched from the Emperor and the King of England who at the same time sent a Herald to denounce War against the French King in case he would not make a Truce with the Emperor in all parts of the world for three years in which also the Pope the Duke of Milan and the Florentines were to be comprehended The pretence of this Truce was grounded on agreement of all Christian Princes to turn their Forces against the Turk who was now grown formidable in Hungary to which place Cardinal Cajetan war sent his Legate with a supply of fifty thousand Crowns to carry on that War But this design was disappointed by a discovery made by some Letters intercepted by Cardinal Julio de Medicis wrote from Francis Soderino one of the old Cardinals and much trusted by the Pope in all his secrets to Francis the first King of France wherein he persuaded him to invade the Kingdom of Sicily laying down the Plot and Design as easie and hopeful The Pope being greatly moved and enraged against Soderino who was Cardinal of Volterra for this perfidious disturbance of the quiet of Italy and disappointment of the Holy War greatly inveighed against him in a full Assembly of the Cardinals and afterwards committed him Prisoner to the Castle Soderino's Letters were then produced and read being full of reflections on the Pope saying That he was a person to whom no Faith or Credence could be given for tho he pretended the quiet and peace of Italy and the benefit of the Church yet he designed it no farther than was consistent with the advancement of his own Charles the Emperor to whose concernmentr all other considerations were to yield and give place The Pope took measures of the affections of all the other Cardinals by this character which Soderino had given of him and believing them to be all of the same humor entertained a like jealousie and suspicion of the Cardinals in general so that he made Confidents of none but of such men only as were of his own Country his Secretaries that were most intimate with him and privy to all his designs and secrets were William Eikenwort whom he had made Chief Datary and Bishop of Tortosa and the only Cardinal created by him and Theodorick Hetius both Dutch-men and John Rufus who had been his old Acquaintants and Creatures by whose counsels and advice he contrived and acted all matters which had relation to the Government and seldom communicated his Counsels and designs to the College but only to his Dutch-men whom he often praised for their sincere and real intentions without â—â—aud or artifice and for being truly faithful to the Church and loyal to him This ill correspondence between the Pope and his Cardinals was augmented by the offence he gave to the College by disanulling all the Acts and Ordinances they had made during the vacancy of the See and before he came to Rome which being made in favour to themselves and for their own benefit he made void for the greater good and emolument of the Church revoking and taking into his hands those Benefices which the Cardinals had out of favour and courtesie voted and bestowed on each other and such Offices as Pope Leo the tenth had conferred on able and good men in reward of their Learning and Virtue he took away to raise mony wherewith to supply and satisfie the urgent necessities of the Church This manner of proceeding added to the fuel of the last discontents made Adrian appear not only distrustful but covetous in a high degree and every day seem more odious and wearisome to the Clergy and Grandees of Rome of which the Pope being sensible would often say that the happy conjuncture of Affairs was greatly conducing to a Prince who desired to illustrate his Virtues and Actions to the most advantage witness the happy state of affairs in the time of the late Pope Leo which were so flourishing and chearful that they seemed to be the golden days which afterwards by that licentiousness which was crept into Rome during the long vacancy of the Sea and absence of this Pope were changed and altered by a total corruption of manners to which a contagion of Pestilence supervening joyned with Famine and War which greatly afflicted Italy the miseries of men caused them to retort their remembrances on the late more chearful days of Leo and by such unreasonable comparisons to pass a judgment between the Wisdom and Worth of Leo and Adrian making the unavoidable miseries of those times a matter and subject of odium and detestation of the present Pope tho in reality he was a person of a severe life of great temperance and desirous to reform abuses which were crept into the Church and correct and severely chastise the dissolute manners in the City such as Simony Extortion and Sodomy to which end he called to his assistance Caraffa Arch-Bishop of Chieti and Marcello Gazella of Gaeta both persons of gravity and sobriety and of singular Wisdom and Learning with whom he consulted touching a reformation of manners and amendment of abuses and to set by his own example rules of moderation and temperance he appeared extremely severe towards his own Relations and Kindred an instance whereof he gave in his deportment towards a Cousin of his whom he having setled in his Studies at Siena came one time from thence to Rom without the order or command of the Pope at which he conceived so much anger that he presently returned him back again on a hired Horse reproving and telling him that he should learn modesty and temperance by his example several Relations also of his being in a mean condition travelled afoot through Germany and came to Rome in expectation of arising to some considerable Preferments but he disappointed them of their hopes and returned them back again with no greater largess than a plain Suit of Cloth to each and with so much mony as might serve to bear their charges and expences back into their own Country And in this manner whilst Adrian was intent to introduce honesty of life and
manners into the world and bring Virtue into fashion and employed in perfecting the League and Confederacy between the Emperor and the Venetians and other Allies in order to the main design of expelling the French out of Italy It happened that he was seized by a Fever which affecting him at first in a gentle manner was lightly esteemed by the Physicians but the disease afterwards increasing he summoned the College of Cardinals to him recommending to them the care of the Church and the welfare of Christendom He bestowed his own Cardinals Hat with his Title on his great Friend and Confident Eikenwort in gratitude for his faithful services performed towards him After which he died in the Vatican on the 14th of September 1523 having held the Papal Dignity no longer than one year eight months and six days and having lived 64 years three months and 13 days he departed this life and was buried in the Church of S. Peter with this Epitaph Adrianus Papa VI. hic situs est Qui nihil sibi infelicius in vitâ Quam quod imperaret duxit But afterwards Cardinal Eikenwort in grateful remembrance of the benefits he had received from him erected a fair Monument of Alablaster over him with this Inscription Adrianus VI. Pont. Max. ex Trajecto insigni Inferioris Germaniae Vrbe Qui dum rerum humanarum Maxime aversatur splendorem ultrò à Proceribus ob Incomparabilem Sacrarum disciplinarum scientiam Ac prope divinam castissimi animi moderationem Carolo V. Caesari Augusto Praeceptor Ecclesiae Derthusensi Antistes Sacri Senatus Patrium Collega Hispaniarum Regnis Praeses Reipub. denique Christianae divinitus Pontifex absens adscitus Vixit annos 64 menses 6 dies 13 decessit 18 Cal. Octobris Anno à partu Virginis 1523. Pontificatus sui Anno secuna◠In this manner Pope Adrian died to the great disappointment of the Confederates to whom not only the benefit of the Papal Authority failed by his death but also the Contribution of that mony to which he had obliged himself by the capitulations of Confederacy He left behind him a mean esteem and opinion in the world of his Wisdom or abilities of mind either because in that short time of his Reign he was not able to give better proof or else because he wanted experience in Affairs howsoever he departed this life to the incredible joy of all the Court who desired to see an Italian in that Seat or one at least who had been trained up and practised in the Affairs of Italy CLEMENT VII POPE Adrian the sixth being dead and his Funeral Obsequies performed the Cardinals to the number of thirty entered into the Conclave for Election of a new Pope The two which were chiefly in nomination and which stood most fair for the Election were the Cardinals Medici and Colonna the first supported by the Faction of the Emperor and the other of France but that which made most against Colonna was the inveterate enmity which Cardinal Vrsino bore to him on account of that ancient hatred and quarrel which was hereditary between the two Families who therefore opposed him with all his power and interest And farther upon promise given by Medici to Vrsino to confer on him the Office of Vice-Chancellor the contest was no longer doubtful every one pressing to give his voice that he might not seem the last to appear in favour of Medici by which means two thirds giving their suffrages for him which is necessary to the Election of every Pope an end was put to this Controversie which had lasted two months and four days Thus Julio Medici being declared Pope was conducted by all the Cardinals together with great numbers of Prelates and Clergy-men to the Church of S. Peter where being seated upon the High-Altar ad limina Apostolorum he was there worshipped and reverenced by all the Clergy who presented themselves before him to pay him rheir respects and obedience and receive his blessing He there took upon himself the name of Clement VII and was afterwards conducted and attended with a numerous train to his Lodgings in the Vatican This Julio now Clement VII was the natural Son of Juliano de Medici who was murdered by the Pazzi and other Conspirators as before declared in the life of Sixtus IV. He was born a month after the death of his Father whom he greatly resembling in all the lineaments of his face and vivacity of his spirit was committed to the charge and care of his Uncle Lorenzo who educated him in all sorts of Liberal Sciences and elegancy of manners which might serve to render a person of his quality and condition accomplished His Family being afterwards expelled out of Florence by the power of Charles the Eighth King of France he continued in exile from his own Country for the space of 18 years during which time he was created Knight of Rhodes and Grand Prior of Capua and afterwards advanced by his Kinsman Leo X. to the Arch-Bishoprick of Florence and the year following was created Cardinal of S. Clement and then instituted Chancellor of the Roman Church which is the supreme Office in the Popes Court and lastly being ascended to the high dignity of Pope he was crowned on the 25th of November 1523. with the common joy and satisfaction of all in general who were pleased with the promotion of a person of his great Authority and Sobriety wholly addicted to business and counsel without mixtures of pleasures or divertisements for which reason the world expected great and extraordinary matters from him Howsoever all these excellencies in a person of his high condition could not hinder or prevent the evils of an insuing War nor could the Pope when the Emperor Charles the Fifth and Francis the French King sent their Embassadors to Rome to complement him upon his late Election please them both by keeping that even hand of moderation and temperance which became his Office when Christian Princes are at variance for the Emperor expected the same strictness of Alliance as was between him and Pope Leo his Predecessor and challenged his favour and partiality on his side for being assistant and instrumental in his promotion Howsoever the Election of a person of his Authority and Interest had a considerable Ascendant over the Affairs of the Church For the Duke of Ferrara who during the vacancy of the Sea had seized upon Reggia having understood that a Pope of so much reputation in the world was Elected desisted from prosecution of his design of taking Modena and so retired peaceably to Ferrara and John de Sassatello who had for some time vexed and harassed Romagna from whence he had been expulsed by the Gibelines under the Reign of Adrian did now retire with his contrary Faction of Guelfs being appeased by the Authority and influence of this new Pope But the spirits of mightier and more puissant Princes were not so easily allayed by the charms of mediation or the force of reason for tho Clement being
to the French interest yet now upon the change of Affairs he sided with them against the Emperor Thus the Pope being distracted between the different Councils of these bosom Friends he that was irresolute in his own nature suffering himself to be guided by the last advice of different judgments seemed always so tottering and wavering that he rendred himself contemptible and ridiculous to all that knew him The Arguments used by Scomberg to dissuade the League were that according to observation Leagues and Alliances of several Princes had seldom or never any good effect for that the conjunction of the Armies and the due provisions for them do seldom arrive in season or at convenient times that where so many minds and opinions are to concur and divers interests are carried on there distrusts and discontentments do easily happen whereby the favour of fortune and benign occasions are disappointed howsoever at length being over-born by Giberto he inclined to go through with the League and in company with the other Confederates to begin a War against the Emperor For Francis the French King being now at liberty and holding himself not obliged to the terms he had made encouraged and gave life to the League and the people of the Dutchy of Milan being greatly oppressed by the Imperialists were ready on all occasions to make insurrections and mutinies in the City against the Soldiery and Collectors of the Contributions so that the Pope being well settled and confirmed in his opinion of the necessity of a War readily entered into confederacy with the French King and the Venetians making the subject and ground of the War to be the re-possession of Francis Sforza into the Dutchy of Milan and the restoring to liberty the Kings Children which were given for Hostages so that the Forces of these Princes being united together a most cruel War was again renewed in Italy the success of which in short was this Lodi was at the beginning of all taken and then the Confederate Forces joyning with the Switzers took also Cremona and besieging the Castle of Milan forced it to surrender upon Articles and then resigned it into the possession of Sforza the Pope also sending some Forces against Arimino which was seized and possessed by Sigismondo Malatesta he recovered the City and expelled the Usurper but all these successes received some alloys by the ill news arrived from the King of Hungary who being overcome and slain in battel the City of Buda yielded to the Turk the which being grievously resented by the Pope he called the Cardinals into the Consistory where having complained of the great ignominy and damage to the Christian Cause by this late disgrace he with great gravity proposed that for the common good of Christendom it was necessary to surcease the Wars in Italy and that in order thereunto laying aside all the considerations of incommodity danger and dignity of his person he resolved to meet the Christian Princes in some convenient place where he would with Tears and Prayers incline them to an universal Peace and unite them in a Holy League and Confederacy against the common Enemy of Christendom But whilst these things were meditating all the design was diverted by the treason and conspiracy of the Family of Colonna which succeeded in this manner The Family of Colonna which was always favourable to the Imperial interest observing the proceedings of the Pope was desirous to act some thing in prejudice to the Allies and of advantage to the Emperor and therefore Cardinal Pompeo a near Kinsman of that Family retiring from Rome to Frescate with pretence of remaining there to watch against any attempts that might be made upon the Kingdom of Naples made great levies of men to be ready at any time to execute his designs The Pope growing jealous hereof increased his own Forces and commanded the Colonnians to depart and withdraw their Soldiers out of the Dominion of the Church the which being effected at the instance of the Cardinal De la Valle who persuaded them to quit the Ecclesiastical State which they could not disturb without great scandal the Pope thereby judged himself secure and trusting to the power and protection of the League did against the common advice and persuasion of all his Friends for the cause only of saving charges disband his Forces The Colonnians observing now the Pope deprived of all his Guards and exposed as it were naked to their pleasure assembled their Forces being about 3000 Foot and 800 Horse near Anagnia assuming to their society Caesar Filettin their Confederate and taking a compass to Rome to be the less suspected they surprised three Gates of the City making their entry by that of S. John de Lateran and having passed the Bridg of Sistus with their Battalions orderly drawn up they entered some Forces by the Burg of S. Spirito At this action there were present Don Hugo de Moncada Ascanio Colonna and Vespasian Colonna which last had been instrumental in soliciting the late accord and given his Faith to the Pope as well for himself as for the residue of his Companions Likewise Cardinal Pompeo was there being so far transported with ambition that he not only conspired and resolved to put the Pope to death but to constrain the Cardinals by force of Arms to elect him to the Papal Chair The Pope surprised with the unexpected arrival of these Guests who by break of day on the 20th of September entered Rome resolved once after the example of Pope Boniface VIII to seat himself in his Pontifical Chair and there receive the utmost violence of these Traitors but being dissuaded from that resolution by his Friends he retired to the Castle of S. Angelo where he in vain called for the assistance and succor of his friends For Clement notwithstanding the great opinion which at his first Inauguration the world conceived of his worth and merit was now fallen so low in the esteem of the people by his avarice and mean practices that there was not one man who seeing him betrayed and contrary to Religious Oaths and the common Faith of mankind falsly treated conceived any kind remorse or compassion of his fate But on the contrary they began to enumerate the many miscarriages of his Government That he had laden the Benefices of the Clergy with new and unusual decimations That he had taken away the Revenues belonging to certain Colleges made void the Stipends which were given to the Professors and Readers of Diverse Sciences Nor was the Commonalty less disgusted against the Pope than others of greater note for by reason of the Monopolies he had granted upon Corn to increase the benefit and income of his Exchequer Bread was risen to that excessive price that it seemed as if a Famin had been in the City He had also destroyed and plucked down several houses for making the Streets more large and beautiful without consideration given to the Proprietors tho to the enriching of his own Creatures
they reversed and defac'd through the City the Arms of that Family they brake the Images of Leo and Clement which were rare pieces of Sculpture and famous through the world and in short they omitted nothing which might affect the Pope with indignity and dishonor and nourish division and discord in the City At Rome the Army was very disorderly and tumultuous governing themselves rather than obeying the command of their General the Prince of Aurange for they were wholly disposed to prey and violence to get Ransoms and receive the mony promised them by the Pope no care being had of the interest of the Emperor nor was there any resolution taken to remove the Army from Rome where the Pestilence raged and was entered into the Castle of S. Angelo to the great hazard of the Pope's life many being dead thereof who served about his person during which time as the Imperial Army yielded little obedience to their Captains so they made no great disturbances nor gave fears to their enemies for the Spaniards and Italians flying from the infection of the Plague lay dispersed about the Confines of Rome and the Prince of Aurange was gone to Siena to avoid the Plague and keep that City in Devotion and Obedience to the Emperor Wherefore all matters of action at that time were quiet and in repose until Monsieur De Lautrec who was Captain General of the League made between Henry the Eighth of England and Francis King of France for setting the Pope and all Italy at liberty appeared in Piedmont whose success was so fortunate that he took Genoua compelled Alexandria de la Paglia to surrender and having for four days battered Pavia he forced it to yield at discretion giving it up to the plunder and cruelty of his Soldiery and lastly ended that years Champaign with glory wintering his Army in the City of Bologna The Imperialists being a little mortified and abased with this success of Lautrec were desirous to make the best bargain they could with the Pope before he were forced from them and agreed upon the payment of 60000 Ducats to the Germans and 30000 to the Spaniards with engagement to pay the residue at a certain time to set the Pope and Cardinals at liberty and afford them safe conduct to Orvieto which was nominated and chosen by the Pope for the place of his security and retreat Upon this accord the Pope being guarded by the Imperialists with less caution than before gave him opportunity in the disguise and habit of a Merchant to make his escape which he rather determined to do and recover his freedom in that manner than to expect the formal conduct of the Imperial Guards suspecting that Don Hugo de Moncada who was Vice Roy of Naples in the place of Lanoia dead of the Plague and who had no good will towards him would play him some trick and baffle with him at the conclusion of all The Pope being now at liberty in Orvieto after seven months imprisonment was instantly congratulated by the Duke of Vrbin the Marquiss of Salutta and other Captains of the League to whom having returned thanks for their kind and obliging Offices he desired them to withdraw their Forces out of the Dominions of the Church assuring them that the Imperialists had promised to depart thence in case the Confederates would shew them the first example He wrote also Letters to Monsieur Lautrec giving him to understand that he with great sence acknowledged the influence which his appearance in Italy had contributed towards his liberty having much facilitated and eased the conditions on which he was to receive it and that the reason why he did not expect the glorious time in which he was to have been delivered by his powerful hand was because his necessities compelled him to procure his liberty with the greatest speed for he observed that the conditions imposed on him always changed from bad to worse that in the mean time the Church was oppressed his Authority contemned and he rendred uncapable of being that happy instrument of mediation which was now required to settle peace among Christian Princes Thus far were excellent words and such as became a Bishop under his mortifying circumstances but his words and answers in other things according to his natural temper were in substance different at one time to what they were at an other For when Gregory Castle the King of Englands Embassador came to him about the beginning of the year 1528. desiring him to continue firm to the Confederates he would some time give him hopes and then again excuse himself as being so unfortunate as to have neither Men Mony nor Authority remaining to him The Pope having now abandoned Rome and Monsieur Lautrec upon his march towards Naples the Imperialists on the 17. of February left the City in a naked and poor condition despoiled of all its Ornaments and Riches and applyed themselves to Counsels in what manner they might give a stop to the proceedings of Lautrec who departed from Bologna the 9th of January No sooner were the Imperialists departed than the Vrsins with their Tenants and Paisants entered to complete the spoil and desolation of that City of which not only the Houses were ruined and the Riches carried away but all the Statues Columns and curious pieces remained a prey to these Locusts Lautrec in his march towards Naples took not the nearest way but rather for the more commodious carriage of his Cannon and for the benefit of Forrage and other Provisions fetched a compass by the way of Puglia his Army consisted of 400 Lances 6000 Footmen old and Veterane Soldiers besides the Forces of the Marquiss of Salutta who marched in the Van and the Regiments of the Venetians and the Black Bands of Florence which were in much esteem and reputation with Monsieur Lautrec In short at the first appearance of Lautrec within this Kingdom Capua Nola Acerra Aversa and all places yielded to him but Naples endured a long Siege at which Monsieur Lautrec dying of a Fever and most of the Captains and Soldiers dead of the Plague caused by the Contagion of those that were privately sent out of the City to infect the Camp the enterprise upon that Kingdom had an end In the mean time whilst these things were in action Sassatello rendred to the Pope the Rock of Imola and Sigismond Malatesta upon some conditions resigned Rimini into his hands and the Pope having a great desire to re-instate his Friends and Relations and advance his own Interest and Power again in Florence he seemed inclining to the party of the Emperor in whose power only it was to settle the Affairs of his Family in their pristine state and therefore perceiving the Affairs of the French and the other Confederates to decline in Italy he forgot all the former injuries done to him by the Emperor and entered into a perfect friendship and fair correspondence with him And farther to advance himself in the good
opinion of the Emperor he called for a review of the cause of Divorce between Henry VIII of England and Catharine his Queen and Aunt to the Emperor for which having at the time of those great oppressions he lay under from the Emperor granted a Bull did now on terms of reconciliation cause the same to be revoked And now the Pope following his resolution and closely attending a fair conclusion with the Emperor a Peace was concluded between them at Barcelona much to the advantage of the Pope proceeding perhaps as may be believed from a sense the Emperor might have conceived of the unjust and hard usage he had exercised towards him and because the urgency of his Affairs did call him into Italy he might imagin that the countenance and favor of the Pope might be useful and for these reasons it was accorded and agreed That a perpetual Peace and Confederation be made between the Emperor and the Pope That the Pope should grant free passage to the Emperors Army through the Ecclesiastical State in case it should depart out of the Kingdom of Naples That the Emperor should re-instate the Son of Laurence de Medicis in the same condition of greatness and power at Florence as they had been in before their expulsion thence or their Predecessors had enjoyed at any time before That the Emperor should by such ways and terms as were most convenient either by force of Arms or otherwise cause the possession of Cervia Modena Reggio and Rubiera to be restored to the Pope That these particulars being performed the Pope should in consideration thereof yield unto the Emperor the whole and absolute Investitute of the Kingdom of Naples with the Tribute only of a White Horse yearly to be given in acknowledgment of Fealty together with the nomination of four and twenty Cathedral Churches which had formerly been in dispute but now were determined to belong to the Emperor the Churches only which were not under Patronage to be reserved to the Pope That when the Emperor should have passed into Italy that the Pope and he should have an interview and meet at Bologna or some other convenient place to consult about their Affairs and matters relating to the Peace and settlement of the Church And that the Emperor and his Brother Ferdinand should exercise their Temporal Arms against the Lutherans and others who had revolted from the Roman Church and second the Spiritual Weapons of Excommunications and Ecclesiastical censures which were issued against them That the Pope should grant Plenary Absolution to all those who had lately been injurious to the Apostolical Sea or had by any violent or hostile acts committed outrages against it And lastly to confirm and consummate all these Articles by the more endearing terms of Alliance the Emperor was to give Margaret of Austria his natural Daughter in Marriage to Alexander de Medicis Son of Laurence late Duke of Vrbin with twenty thousand Ducats of yearly Revenue on whom the Pope intended to establish the temporal greatness of his Family having not long since created Hippolito Cardinal who was the Son of Julian This Peace was soon afterwards followed by another between the Emperor and the French King treated at Cambray of which the Pope was the chief Mediator by the Arch-Bishop of Capua who was sent thither as Legate The conclusion of this grand Affair did much facilitate the Emperors design upon Florence which he committed to the charge and management of the Prince of Orange who in pursuance of those commands having mustered his Forces about Aquila he was desired by the Pope to come to Rome that he might the better consult and resolve with him upon the provisions and ways of carrying on the War The Prince of Orange accordingly coming was received by the Pope with great respect to whom towards payment of the Army thirty thousand Ducats were issued out of the Popes Treasury and soon after forty thousand more with which and with three pieces of Cannon taken out of the Castle S. Angelo the Prince departing he encamped before Perusa which was in the first place to be reduced to the obedience of the Church This place being held by Malatesta Baillon was surrendred upon composition and thence the Prince entering on the Lands and Country belonging to the Florentines encamped before Spella which was in a short time delivered to him Whilst these things were acting the Emperor departed from Barcelona with a great Fleet wherein were a thousand Horsemen and nine thousand Foot with which he arrived at Genoua to the great terror of all Italy and especially of the Florentines who thereupon made choice of four Embassadors to congratulate his arrival and endeavour to make some agreement with them for composition of their Affairs When these Embassadors were admitted to the presence of the Emperor and that the Ceremonies of Congratulation were past they declared That their City was not ambitious or desirous of great enlargements or extents of jurisdictions but only to conserve their own with their Rights and liberties being willing to be beholding to the power of any mighty Monarch who would be pleased to take them into his protection That they had associated and entered into Confederacy with France it was no matter of their own choice but in obedience and compliance with the Pope who at that time commanded them but that now they had thrown off all considerations of his Temporal Power or his Families over them and that their Commission extending no farther than to a Treaty with the Emperor they could not give ear to any thing which had reference to the Pope This answer being unpleasing to the Emperor the Embassadors were refused farther Audience at Piacenza tho they had followed the Court of the Emperor with that expectation from Genoua to that place so that their Negotiation was at an end for that time By this time being about the beginning of the year 1530. the Pope arrived first at Bologna and the Emperor soon after came to him where he was received by the Pope with great honor and lodged in the same Palace with him and such signs of familiarity and friendship passed as if there had never happened any of those disgusts and violent actions between them which we have formerly mentioned or at least that they had with a real and unfeigned pardon been entirely forgotten Thus matters appearing fair and clear between them the Emperor intended to pass some time in Italy in regard his Affairs in other parts seemed not much to require his presence for that Soliman the Magnificent who was then Grand Signior and had besieged Vienna was forced to raise his Camp and return to Constantinople and the Peace being newly concluded with France nothing seemed in outward appearance which might give him cause of avocation or diversion from the Affairs of Italy Wherefore it was resolved that the Emperor should proceed to Rome and there be Crowned taking Siena in his way for better dispatch
and expedition in the design upon Florence but whilst these things were meditating Letters came from the Electoral College to the Emperor earnestly intreating him that he would be pleased speedily to return into Germany to consider about the matter of Summoning a General Council for Reformation of Religion and Election of his Brother Ferdinand to be King of the Romans and also to prepare matters for resistance of the Turk who had sworn to return thither again in a short time These matters seeming of considerable importance were the cause that the Emperor changed his resolution of proceeding to Rome and was Crowned at Bologna by the hand of the Pope at which there was a great confluence of people tho not that magnificence and pomp as had been usual at the Inauguration of other Emperors The day of his Coronation was the Feast of S. Matthias a day thrice auspicious to him being the day of his Nativity the day on which he took the French King Prisoner and the day on which he was invested in the Imperial Dignity This Solemnity being past the Emperor prepared for his Journey into Germany howsoever before his departure the Pope having setled his own business with him touching the subjection of Florence other matters of difference relating to the Venetians to the Investiture of Francis Sforza into the Dutchy of Milan and Alfonso d' Este Duke of Ferrara were referred by compromise to the sentence and determination of the Emperor the expectation of which judgment gave for some time quiet and repose to the Affairs of Italy After which the Emperor proceeded to Germany and the Pope returned to Rome where after some short time he received the joyful news of the surrender of Florence which having endured a long Siege by the Emperors Army under the command of the Prince of Aurange and after his death of Don Ferrand de Gonzaga yielded it self by common consent of the people to the government of twelve Citizens who being of the Faction of the Medices did without attending the Declaration of the Emperor leave Florence entirely to the pleasure and disposal of the Pope at whose instance and persuasion the Emperor declared Alexander de Medicis Prince and Duke of Florence and the same right of Honor and Dignity to descend from him to his Heirs for ever the which power and title hath since that time continued in that Illustrious Family Whilst these things were acted in Italy a Diet was assembled at Ausbourg at which Ferdinand the Emperors Brother was elected King of the Romans where also notice being taken of the great increase of the Lutheran Doctrin which had spread it self in all parts of Germany and had taken root in the greatest and most Princely Families it was concluded by all sides and parties as well Lutherans as others that the only means to reform Affairs and confirm those Doctrins which were sound and Orthodox was only in the Power and Authority of a General Council for the moderate Party which was inclined to the Papal Interest considering the many abuses crept into the Church and the exorbitant power of the Clergy hoped that a Council would reduce matters to more equal terms The Lutherans on the other side having formed a great and numerous Party did apprehend that many of the dignified Clergy that were to be Members of that Council would prove well inclined and affected to them where matters being debated with freedom and candor the nakedness of the Church of Rome would be exposed and its Corruptions discovered This being the general sense of all Germany which the Emperor was willing to satisfie he sent to the Pope urging him to summon a Council to persuade him whereunto he desired him to recal unto his memory the personal Conferences they had entertained at Bologna and the assurances he had there given him of faithfulness and adherence to the Church promising him that neither his Authority nor Dignity should be brought into any danger for that he would be there present in person to over-awe any contrivances which might be designed against either Nothing could come more ungrateful than this Proposition to the Pope and Cardinals who were not willing to expose the excessive abuses and exactions of the Court of Rome to the test of a Council where perhaps the authority of Indulgences the largeness of Dispensations and other Errors being discussed would give admission into those secrets which were not to be touched or opened The Pope also had some secret reserves of his own which he would not have committed to the scrutiny of a a Council he was not willing perhaps to have it debated that he was born Illigitimate which incapacitates him of being a Cardinal and consequently of being Pope Nor would he have the suspicion of Simony with which he practised with Cardinal Colonna called into question besides many other particulars of which he feared to be censured by the Council upon consideration of all which after consultations had with the Cardinals deputed to the discussion of that matter many reasons were given to the Emperor against the present Assembling of such a Council but when the time should appear more seasonable that then the Indictions might be regulated with many proper and cautious circumstances as that the Council should be celebrated in Italy and that the Pope should be personally present at it and that the Lutherans should promise to submit the determination and decision of their Controversies and Opinions to the judgment and sentence of a Council and in the mean time desist from the declaration or propagation of their Doctrins the which being a matter difficult and unpracticable the proposition for a Council became ineffectual and the thoughts thereof laid aside until the Reign of another Pope Tho the Pope did not think fit to gratifie the desires of the Emperor and all Germany with a General Council yet the Emperor not unmindful of the Arbitration he had accepted for settlement of the Affairs of Italy did about the beginning of the year 1531. reassume the consideration of those matters In the first place therefore he decreed that the City of Florence should be governed by the same Magistrates and by the same model and form of rule as it had formerly been in the time of the Medices that Alexander the Popes Nephew should be chief in the Government and so successively his Heirs for ever all the ancient Privileges and Immunities formerly granted by him or his Predecessors were again restored and confirmed with condition notwithstanding of forfeiture in case the Magistrates or People of that City should attempt any thing against the authority and greatness of the Medices the which Sentence he pronounced with a Despotick power not by virtue of a compromise or reference to him by the parties concerned but by an Authority inherent in the Imperial Dignity And tho this determination was pleasing to the Pope yet by the other relating to the Duke of Ferrara he was much offended for
to that King And whereas the former Pope was always averse to the instances which the Emperor and French King and other Princes made to him for a General Council to be held for reforming abuses crept into the Church and suppressing the Opinions of Luther which they called heretical and which began to dilate and spread themselves in all parts of Christendom Now this Paul the Third was of such a different sense herein to his Predecessor that he freely declared for a Council shewing himself willing to meet the desires of the Princes and promised in a short space to appoint the time and place where such a Council should be held and celebrated And farther to confirm and improve this good correspondence with the Christian Courts he dispeeded his Emissaries and Legates into all parts whose care it was as well to advance the private interests of his Family as the common benefit of the Church and particularly to solicit and promote such a good correspondence and peace between the Emperor and the King of France that uniting their Forces for the common safety of Christendom might joyntly make War upon the Turk and other enemies to the Christian Faith but herein his desires found little success for the French being beaten out of Italy could not support the prosperity of the Emperor against whom breathing nothing but revenge could never be induced to unite their Arms in a common Cause or joyn in a design then preparing by the Emperor against the Kingdom of Tunis which one Barbarosso had usurped who having by the help of Soldiers and a strong Fleet furnished and equipped at the expence of Soliman Emperor of the Turks droven Mulcasses King of Tunis out of his own Country did with the pyracies he committed very much infest the Coasts of Spain and Sicily and being arrived to a considerable power threatned to invade the Kingdom of Naples This growing greatness of Barbarosso and the daily Pyracies he committed were sufficient provocation to Charles the Fifth to wage War against him and being a Tyrant and an Infidel the Pope also became concerned in this Holy Cause to concur with the Emperor for whose assistance he furnished out nine Gallies which were fitted at Genoua besides three others which were the usual Guard of the Coast over this Fleet Virginio Orsinio a person of great quality was constituted Admiral to whom was joyned Paulo Giustiniano a Noble Venetian and one of great experience in Sea Affairs The preparations of the Emperor also were very great his Fleet was commanded by Prince Doria who was made Commander in Chief at Sea to whom the Pope made a present of a short Sword or Poniard with a Hilt set with Jewels and the Scabbard rarely Engraved and consecrated with the usual Ceremonies likewise a Cap of Velvet Embroidered with Pearls which were the accustomary Donatives which Popes made to Generals that were employed in a Holy War against Infidels The Marquiss Del Vasso was created General of the Italian and German Infantry and being on his Voyage towards Tunis he touched in his way thither at Civita Vecchia to which place the Pope went in person to bless the Army that he might evidence to the world the great zeal he had for the Christian cause the which office of Benediction he performed on the top of a high Tower from whence surveying the Fleet of Ships and Gallies he solemnly prayed with a Choire of Priests for the happy success of this enterprise making thousands of Crosses on the empty Air and then descending into the Church he delivered the Banner and Scepter of the Christian Religion into the hands of Viâ—ginio Orsino his General The success of this Expedition was that the Emperor having landed a great Army on the Coast of Tunis defeated Barbarosso and put his Forces to flight took the City of Tunis and restored Mulcasses the vanquished Prince to his Kingdom on conditions of Homage and Tribute for better security of which payment and performance he built two Castles at the Goleta which being Garrisoned with Spaniards served for Block Houses to that Port and having released twenty thousand Christians from Captivity which Barbarossa had by his depredations at Sea and Land taken and enslaved he returned with his Fleet to Sicily and then to Naples where he solemnly entered in a triumphant manner with such joy and festivals as are due to such successes Nor was this good news less welcome to Rome where Processions of Thanksgivings were made and Te Deum sang in the most solemn manner and farther to â—estifie the great joy which the Pope conceived for this success John Piccolomini and Alexander Cesarini were sent from him to congratulate with the Emperor for this glorious and happy Victory Whilst the Emperor was in his passage between Sicily and Naples advices were brought him of the decease of Francis Sforza who was the last Duke of Milan by whose death that Dutchy devolved to the Empire being afterwards governed by Antonio de Levae in form of a Province howsoever the Title thereunto was not so clear on the Emperors side but that the King of France laid his claim unto it not only by right of inheritance as descended from his Great-Grand-Mother Valentina but by virtue also of a concession granted by publick Act from Maximilian the Emperor to King Lewis XII of France on a valuable consideration of mony paid for it after Lodowick Sforza had been taken and droven from thence But this pretence seemed of little moment to the Emperor who judging this Dukedom of great importance to his State came from Naples to Rome with intent to persuade the Pope to joyn with him in a League against the French that so Italy might be more in repose and quiet by expulsion of the French who were always esteemed great disturbers of the peace of it On the 5th of April 1536. the Emperor came to Rome where being received by the Cardinals Bishops and all the Orders of the Clergy with the Citizens he was conducted to the Church of S. Peter where the Pope attended him on the steps of the Porch and the usual Ceremonies being passed he was lodged in that apartment of the Vatican Palace which was built by Innocent VIII During the residence which the Emperor made at Rome he entertained frequent Conferences with the Pope concerning a League to be entered into between them and the other Princes of Italy for expelling the French out of that Country who having been always known under the character and notion of the disturbers of their peace they could neyer hope or expect quietness whilst that restless people had any hold or possession in their Quarters And farther the Emperor in a publick Assembly of the Pope and all the Cardinals and Forein Ministers did most severely inveigh against Francis the French King as the most ungratetul and faithless of all the Princes of the Universe but being sharply answered and replied upon by Monsieur Bellay the Embassador of France
Clement VII how he had sacked Rome and imprisoned the Pope and at the same time in a most hypocritical manner illuding God Almighty had made Processions at Madrid for the Pope's deliverance when he himself was the sole Author of his confinement farther purging himself of being any impediment or hinderance to the proceedings of a Council or giving an interruption to the quiet and settlement of Religion Hereupon the Pope that he might shew himself the common Father of Christian Princes on which title he laid the great stress of his Authority desired to interpose himself as Mediator of their differences and to that end dispatched Cardinal Contarini to the Emperor and Cardinal Sadoler to the French King but Contarini dying in his journey Cardinal Viseo was constituted in his place who being a person not very acceptable to the Emperor was not a proper instrument to effect the Pacification intended Howsoever tho the War proceeded and that acts of Hostility were committed in divers places yet the Pope prosecuted the design of a Council judging it his honor to be now positive as to the time and place and accordingly towards the beginning of November he sent three Cardinals viz. Peter Paul Parisio John Morone and Reginal le Poole an Englishman to be his Legates for preparing matters in order to the Council which was appointed to be holden at Trent besides whom many other Bishops were sent who were all men of excellent Learning and subtil Disputants but the Protestants refusing to meet at that place by virtue of the Pope's Authority these learned Doctors became all of one side and finding none to make opposition against them they might with much facility have confirmed and established what Fundamentals and conclusions they had pleased But as yet things were not prepared for any publick Act nor had the Legates Instructions as yet to conclude any thing but only entertain the Prelates and Embassadors which were sent thither The appearance at first was very thin and few Princes had sent their Ministers to Trent howsoever the Emperor tho he entertained little hopes of a good issue of these proceedings yet he resolved for prevention of Plots or Designs against him to send Don Diego de Mendoza and Cardinal Granvel to be his Embassadors at that place who being arrived pressed the Pope's Legates to proceed to the business that their time might not be there consumed to no purpose which the Legates endeavouring to evade and still to put delays and impediments in the way it was so displeasing to the Emperor's Ministers that they protested against those delatory excuses to which the Legates giving no answer Granvel was recalled and sent to reside at the Diet at Noremberg which was opened about the beginning of the year 1543. so that nothing moved forward in this Council by reason of the many obstructions and especially of the fierce War which now grew very hot between the Emperor and the French King and of the Plague which was begun at so that after some few Sessions to little purpose the Council was by order of the Pope adjourned to Bologna The Pope having advice that the Emperor who had now entered into a League with Henry VIII King of England against France intended to pass into Flanders by way of Italy he resolved to meet and speak with him pretending that his Errand was no other than like a Father and Spiritual Pastor to persuade and exhort him to Peace and Unity and to impart some things to him relating to the Council of Trent tho in reallity he had a more secret and peculiar design under the covert of these publick interests which was to procure the Dukedom of Milan for one of his Nephews and for an inducement thereunto intended to make offer of a good sum of mony which he supposed might be very prevalent with the Emperor at a time when his Wars in Flanders were pressing and expensive And therefore departing from Rome on the 26th of February and not regarding the coldness of the season which was inconvenient to one of his age he travelled through the Dominions of the Church and taking Modena Reggio Parma Ferrara Ancona Perugia and Viterbo in his way he at length came to Bologna where he remained until the middle of Summer when Charles V. arrived at Genoua where he was received into the Palace of Prince D'Oria prepared for him in all Royal and sumptuous manner he was there complemented by several Princes of Italy and particularly by Pier luigi Farnese whom the Pope had expresly sent to the Emperor intreating him to assign a time and place where the Pope might have discourse with him in order to some matters of great concernment The Emperor who was pressed to make all the speed possible into Flanders and had resentment of things which he took unkindly from the Pope made several excuses pretending that his Affairs would not permit him the leisure for such a meeting and that in case the Pope's business were exhortations to Peace and Reconciliation with France the matter was too far gone for him to afford any ear thereunto until he had first received some revenge and compensation for the injuries which had been offered him Pierluigi not succeeding in this request the Cardinal Farnese was immediately dispatched in post to Genoua to urge the Emperor with more pressing instances and being a person very eloquent and importunate he prevailed with the Emperor to meet and discourse with the Pope at Busetto a place between Vicenza and Cremona provided that this interview should not retard him in his journey for above the space of three days Accordingly the Pope came to Busetto on the 20th of June and the next day also the Emperor arrived when falling immediately upon business the Emperor would by no means hearken to the proposition which was made him for investing his Nephew Ottavio in the State of Milan and tho a sum of mony was offered for it which the present necessities did greatly require yet being supplied with two hundred thousand Crowns by agreement with Cormo de Medicis whereby he released to him all the Fortresses of the State of Florence he would upon no terms give ear to the proposition concerning Milan which when the Pope perceived and that his arguments and importunities for it were all insignificant he turned his discourse to matters of more publick concernment desiring him to consider the present state of the Church which was torn in pieces by diversity of Sects in Religion which took their advantage of those confusions which the Wars between him and France had caused and farther he represented to him the great danger in which his Brother Ferdinand was engaged by the formidable forces of the Turk which threatned Hungary in consideration of all which he begged of him to put an end to his Wars against Christians that he might repress and give a stop to the violent incursions of the common enemy all which discourse had no other effect than
only that hereupon Julio Orâ—â—no was dispeeded with thirty Companies of Foot to Guard and defend the Confines of Hungary and thus the Pope having spent five days at Busetto with no other advantage to his Affairs he returned again to Bologna where he celebrated the Feast of S. Peter the Apostle About this time Barbarosso who had been instigated by the French to do all the damage they were able to the Emperor had coasted along the shore by Naples and having slaid some time before the Isle of 〈…〉 they at length appeared near Civita Vecchia at the mouth of the 〈…〉 which gave such an alarm to Rome that the Inhabitants had certainly abandoned the City and fled to the Mountains had not Poline the French Envoy aboard the Fleet of Barbarosso written a Letter to Cardinal Rodolfo giving him assurance that there was no design upon Rome with which the tumult was quieted and their fears dissipated Now began the year 1544. which was very remarkable for the unexpected Peace concluded between the Emperor and the French King on the 18th of September at Crespy a Castle in Valois after the bloody Battel of Cerisoles the which was received with extreme joy by all the Christian Princes and especially by Pope Paul who being returned from Bologna to Rome had lately made solemn Processions for the Peace and quiet of Christendom the which unexpected news surprising the Pope was interpreted by him as a return of those Prayers and Supplications he had made for Peace tho inwardly he conceived some secret resentments that he had not been concerned as Mediator in it Upon this news of Peace the Pope thought it seasonable to publish an other Sessions of the Council to Commence in March following which had on occasion of the late Wars been prorogued but this hasty indiction of a Council was not pleasing to the Emperor who expected to have been first consulted esteeming that it had been more agreeable to his Authority and more acceptable to the humor of Germany had he been made the principal Author of this Council Howsoever that he might seem to be the first mover of the work and the Pope only to act in the second place he issued out many Commissions to the Prelates of Spain and of the Low-Countries and to many Divines at Lovain to meet together and consider of several Theses and Propositions which were to be debated in the Council which being reduced to six and thirty Heads he required their solution of them positively without any proofs or references to Holy Scripture All which solutions being made were confirmed by the Emperor 's Magisterial Authority and Edicts requiring all people to yield entire faith and belief thereunto And farther the Emperor not being able to conceal the displeasure he had conceived against the Pope vented his choler frequently to the Nuntio in very severe and sharp terms and whereas the Pope in the month of December had created thirteen Cardinals those three which were Spaniards amongst them were forbidden by the Emperor to accept the Dignity or to take the Title or wear the Habit. Tho the Emperor had testified this open displeasure against the Pope yet he so far complied with him as to send Don Diego de Mendoza who had lately been his Embassador at Venice with ample Commission to the Council of Trent as did also the other Princes who were in amity with the Pope but the Protestants who had sent their Commissioners to the Diet at Worms over which Ferdinand presided in the place of the Emperor refused to send their Embassadors to Trent alledging that the Assembly held at that place was not legitimate nor could be termed with the quality and character of a General Council The Pope being highly incensed at this refusal and separation of the Protestants which he esteemed an affront to the Papal Authority dispatched his Nephew the Cardinal Farnese in quality of Legate with ample instructions to the Emperor wherein besides some other particular interests he encharged him most especially to incite the Emperor to make a War of Religion against the Protestant Princes of which he conceived the greater hopes in regard that by frequent advices from his Nuntio he was assured of the displeasure and disdain the Emperor had of the Protestant Cause and that he willingly gave ear to those suggestions which advised him to compel their Assents and Compliance by force of Arms. To this Proposition the Emperor made answer that he acknowledged this Counsel which the Pope gave him to be good and almost necessary and which he resolved to follow but howsoever that it was to be executed with its due caution and that a Truce was first to be concluded with the Turk which was secretly treating and then that some discords and dissentions were to be sowed amongst the Protestant Princes for that being united together their numbers were so formidable and great that instead of maintaining the Catholick Religion he should put it into apparent danger and hazard which a doubtful state of War may produce This Treaty tho secretly carried was yet suspected by the Protestant Princes who took a most sensible alarm from the Sermon of a Cordelier Frier that preached one day before the Emperor King Ferdinand and the Legate and used many invective Speeches against the Lutherans he told the Emperor plainly that it was his duty to defend the Church by force of Arms and that God had put the Sword into his hands for extirpation of this Heresie and destruction of this pest of mankind which he ought not to suffer to live in this world This Sermon and discourse made great noise being interpreted for the sense of the Legate and to be an effect of the Treaty which he secretly held with the Pope and that the Frier Preached in that manner by his order wherefore to abate and surcease those reports the Cardinal departed secretly by night and with all expedition returned into Italy In the mean time the Debates at the Diet at Worms proceeded where the Emperor in person endeavoured to persuade the Princes to contribute towards a War against the Turk which they absolutely refused to do until assurance were given them that the Peace between them and the Emperor should be continued and maintained without any respect to the determinations and conclusions at Trent which they could not esteem a General Council or to have any Power and Authority to oblige them to an observation of those Decrees and Canons which were formed therein to which the Emperor replied that he could not assure them of Peace or observation of any Articles which should exempt them from the determination of that Council to which all Christians were obliged to submit and that he should not know how to to excuse himself to other Kings and Princes in case he should endeavour to procure that exemption for Germany only from obedience to the Council which was chiefly convened in respect and in order to the settlement of their
intreaties he could use This and other matters raising and exalting these feuds the Pope applied himself to the French King intending to joyn in League with him and other Princes of that party and the Emperor finding no effects or issue of Affairs at Trent repaired to the Diet at Ausburg The Diet there began on the first of September where the Emperor presiding in person laboured with all the earnestness and with all the art and endeavours he was able to compose the differences and settle a Peace in Germany but in regard the point of Religion was the cause of all their Troubles whensoever that came into question it occasioned great Commotions For the Ecclesiastical Electors or such as belonged to the Church did desire and urge that an entire and absolute reference of all things should be given to the Council at Trent without any reserve or condition The Secular Electors who adhered to the Doctrin of Luther were contented also to refer the matters in dispute to the Council provided that neither the Pope nor any other deputed from him should preside thereat and that the Council should be free and holy and that what Bishop soever was thereunto admitted should be absolved from any Oath he had taken which might render him partial to the Papal Sea During the time of this Diet at Ausbourg the Pope remained in a continual trouble of spirit not knowing what those Sessions might produce During which on the 10th of September advice was brought him that his Son Pier-luigi Duke of Piacenza was murdered in his own Palace by certain Gentlemen who had conspired against him and who in an ignominious manner had thrown his Body into the Streets to be a spectacle to the people and in a few hours after several Troops arrived from Milan by order of Ferrand Gonzaga Governor to take possession of the City The which unhappy fate and violent death of a Son as it sensibly touched the Pope with natural grief so the loss of so fair a City did serve to augment the sence of this mischief which by all the circumstances of it did appear to have been perpetrated by the knowledg and contrivance of the Emperor This unexpected outrage caused great consternation at Bologna and gave interruption to the proceedings of the Council at that place for the Pope in his great affliction could not bend his thoughts to any transactions there only he forced his mind to read the particulars of what was debated and concluded at Ausbourg which were twice a week dispatched thence by an express the which Diet being held until the year 1548. with various discourses and arguments and nothing as yet concluded But being the general sense of all that it was necessary for the common quiet of Germany to center at length in some resolutions and that such resolutions tending to a composure could not be expected from the Council which was now transferred from Trent to Bologna at least during the Reign of this Pope wherefore it was proposed to make choice of some few persons to whom the care of this work should be committed but not being able to agree in the persons to be elected the choice was remitted solely to the Emperor who at length pitched upon three persons namely Julius â—flug Michael S. don and John Islebe to be the Compilers of a Formulary of Religion the which after several consultations being reduced to a method it was reviewed and examined so often by such different Heads and Judgments with additions and retrenchments puttings out and in that at length being finished it looked like a patched piece compounded by men of dissenting Judgments and differing designs Howsoever being compleated it contained five and thirty Chapters or Heads a Copy of which was delivered to the Legat by order of the Emperor to be sent to Rome to receive the Pope's Opinion and Approbation thereunto But lest this Formulary of Religion should give scandal to the Pope and Cardinals as if the Emperor in a Diet had given new forms of Faith and Religion the Title Page of this Book was qualified by an Interim that is that the same Heads and Points contained in that Book should be no longer Authentick or esteemed Catholick or obliging Doctrins than until such time as the same should be altered and changed by the more unerring determinations of a General Council to whose judgment they were submitted When this Book came to Rome where the Pope was now retired it caused great consternation and noise The Clergy exclaimed highly That a Temporal Prince in an Assembly composed only of Seculars should adventure to handle all matters and Points of Religion upon which the Learned Men and such as were read in Histories called to mind the Henoticon in the time of Zenon the Ecthesis in the time of Heraclius and the Typus of Constance who were Emperors and the Schisms and Divisions in the Church caused by the Imperial Constitutions relating to Religion with which they compared and adjoyned this Interim of Charles V. And farther that which gave the greatest cause of fear was lest this Interim should be an Introduction to a greater Change and that the Emperor intended this compliance with the Protestant Doctrins to be a prelude or a preparative to a total defection from the Church of Rome after the manner and example of Henry VIII King of England The Pope who was wise and accustomed to dissemble matters until such time as he was able to remedy or revenge them reflecting with mature consideration on this present emergency did make an other judgment thereof than appeared to ordinary understandings for he concluded that this new Formulary did tend more to the prejudice of the Emperor than to the Ecclesiastical State wondering greatly that a Prince of so much Prudence should so far be elated with his late Successes as to believe himself able to be the Arbitrator and Moderator of all mankind or to be in a capacity by his single Interest to oppose both the great and prevailing parties in the world It was possible for a Prince adhering to one of them to suppress the other but to oppose both at the same time would be a match unequal For the Pope wisely foresaw that these Doctrins for the most part would be as displeasing to all Catholicks in general as to the Court of Rome and would be no less contradicted by the Protestants so that being oppugned on all sides it would consequently fall by the contrariety of Factions To which end the Pope seeming in himself little concerned did yet under-hand suggest jealousies in the minds of the German Prelates the which being dexterously insinuated by the Cardinal Sfodrato the Popes Legate who according to his Instructions gave in a memorial to the Emperor representing the ill foundation and consequences of this new Formulary of Doctrins and then took his leave and departed that he might not be present when the same was published In short this matter succeeded according to the
judgment of the Pope for tho the Emperor did most strictly forbid and inhibit any person to oppugn the Doctrins contained in this Book of Interim either by Practice Writings or Preaching yet notwithstanding the Protestants on one side did not forbear to refute this Confession of Ausbourg by their publick Writings and Disputations and on the other Francis Romeo General of the Dominican Friers did by command from the Pope appoint several Learned men of that Order to refute that Formulary of the Interim In France also many wrote against it and in a short time great numbers both of Catholicks and Protestants oppugned it with heat of argument it having hapned in this matter as in others of the like nature that where middle terms or moderate expedients have been proposed between the extremes of opposite Factions for accommodating or reconciling their differences there the event hath been no other than that the contrary parties have impugned the expedients and both have been hardned and confirmed in their own Tenents and Opinions These debates and troubles gave a stop to the proceedings of the Council at Bologna for the space of two years and until almost the end of the year 1549. when at the beginning of November news came to the Pope then at Rome that the Duke Ottavio Farnese his Nephew who having against his own inclinations been detained by the Pope at Rome out of tenderness to his life lest he should incur the same fate as Pier-luigi had done was privately escaped out of the City and was then actually dealing with Ferdinand Gonzaga the Governor of Milan to instate him in Parma in despight of Camillo Orsino who was to keep and defend the Town in right of the Ecclesiastical State The which news so surprised the mind of the Pope with sensible grief and commotion of spirit who was not as yet recovered of the sorrow he had conceived for the fate of his Son Pierluigi that he presently fell into a swound or Leipothymie from which being revived was seized by so violent a Fever that in three days he died thereof being the 10th of November at his Palace of Monte Cavallo where he usually resided because it was esteemed a place of the best Air in Rome He had held the Papal Sea 15 years and 28 days and was arrived to the age of 81 years eight months and 10 days He was buried in S. Peter's Church without any great pomp or State and afterwards the Sea was vacant two months and 29 days JVLIVS III. THE Cardinals having as accustomary celebrated the Funeral Obsequies of the Pope deceased for the space of nine days did on the tenth enter into the Conclave but then considering the small appearance of Cardinals few being then present the formal recess and retirement into the Conclave was deferred for some time And here it is to be observed that the Cardinals were divided into three Factions the first favoured the Emperor the second was inclined to the French King and a third consisted of such Cardinals as had been the creatures of the late Pope deceased and by him promoted to several Benefices and Dignities the Cape or chief of which was Cardinal Farnese Nephew to Paul the Third who tho young was yet active subtil and of a judgment solid and of as good experience in the Court as could be expected in a person of his years This last party as it was numerous so it was composed of ancient Cardinals men of great authority and knowledg in the world and such as were able to bear down the ballance in favour of any person to which they inclined for which reason great courtship was made to Cardinal Farnese both by the Imperial and French Ministers whose arguments on both sides were so forcible to draw him to their party that being doubtful unto which he should incline resolved on a neutrality as the safest course whereby to steer tho in reality he seemed on occasions to lean most to the French party This was the state of affairs at Rome when about the beginning of the month of December 1549. the Cardinals entered into the Conclave Farnese in the first place proposed to his own Party the choice of Cardinal Poole an English man a person against whom for the nobility of his extraction his godliness and exemplary life nothing could be objected and being also acceptable to the Imperialists and displeasing to no party he found many friends ready to give their Votes for him amongst which the most considerable were the Cardinals of Trent Sforza and Crescentio who had drawn also Morone and Maffei to their Party who being all men of considerable interest did agree immediately to present him in the Conclave and assume him to the Papal Dignity But some of the old Cardinals who seemingly assented thereunto yet being inwardly envious to see a younger man preferred over their heads did advise to delay the time for a while lest the Election which ought to be mature and grave should seem to have been over-hasty and precipitate tho in reality this delay was caused by that hopes which every one entertained of being himself the person that should be elected by which means the choice of Poole being until the next day suspended the contrary party such as Monti Cesis and Gaddi who were all Pretenders and Candidates had time to make their Parties Cardinal Salviati labouring all the night for the exclusion of Poole The next day the Cardinals being assembled in the Chappel to the number of 49. Cardinal Fortone one of the French Faction publickly accused Poole of Heresie and for that reason protested against his choice Howsoever his Friends esteeming his report false and scandalous pressed forward the scrutiny in pursuance of which the Votes being put into a Chalice 26 were found in favour of Poole but in regard that 33 at least out of 49 were required to make the Election legitimate Poole was excluded to the great disappointment of himself and the Imperial Party who esteemed the choice to have been secure and certain In relation hereof I have been the more large because it concerned one of our Country-men and may have reference to some particulars which are to follow After which several other Cardinals experienced their fortunes but to no effect the Factions being every day more heated and embroiled so that they could not come to any agreement at length they resolved to nominate nine persons out of which the Imperialists might choose one that was most acceptable to them The persons proposed were three French men viz. Lorene Tornon and Bellai three Italians Salviati Ridolfi and Trani and three Imperialists Theatino Monti and San Marcello against whom nothing was objected excepting Monti whom Cardinal Ghisa accused of a wicked life publishing many Vices of which he was guilty and rendering him unworthy of the Priesthood and Holy Orders into which he was entered Howsoever at length the Cardinals growing weary with so long a continuation of the Conclave resolved
attend the Summons of the Holy Council it was resolved in expectation thereof to adjourn for the space of forty days that is from the first of September to the eleventh of October At which time these particular Articles would be then treated and discussed First of the Sacraments in general and next of Baptism the Eucharist and confirmation in particular After which the Count de Monfort made a Speech in behalf of his Master the Emperour and several Commissions and Letters of Credence from divers Princes were publickly read by the Secretary of the Council After which Amiot Abbot of Bellosane presented a Letter from Henry the French King directed to the Council and delivered to be read by the Secretary the Superscription whereof was this Sanctissimis in Christo Patribus Conventus Tridentini Against which the Spanish Prelats took great exception cryed out with a loud Voice That that Letter was not directed to them who were a General Council and not an Assembly as that Superscription would insinuate and therefore desired that the Letter might not be read but that in case the Bearer had any thing to propose from his Master he might be heard by a Committee or at some private House the word Conventus gave great Scandal and an occasion of much noise and disturbance until such time as the Arch-Bishop of Metz rising from his Seat asked them how they would be able to admit audience to the Protestants who stiled them Conventum Malignantium when they so ill relished the title of Sanctissimum Conventum howsoever the Spaniards continued their Exclamations until the Legat and his Assistants together with the Emperours Ambassadors retiring a while into secret Conference returned again and gave their assent to have the Letter read being willing to have the word Conventus taken in the largest and most favourable sense The Contents and substance of which Letter dated the 13th of August was to this effect That the King out of due respect to that Council and according to the custom of his Ancestors had thought fit to signifie to them the reasons why he had not sent any of his Bishops to that Assembly convened by Pope Julius the 3d. under the title of a General Council the which was caused by the Obligation he had upon him both in justice and honour to assist the Duke of Parma for which cause there being a necessity laid upon him of making War against the Pope and the Ecclesiastical State there could be no security or safety either to his Ambassadours or Bishops in any Dominions of the Church whilest this misunderstanding between him and the Pope remained and therefore he hoped they would accept this as a just reason and excuse to whom he appealed as favourable and impartial Judges in the case c. After the Letter a Protest was read containing all the Particulars of which Mounsieur de Termes Ambassadour for France complained at Rome to the Pope in name of the King the substance whereof was this That having taken upon him the protection of Parma he had endeavoured to represent his Reasons for it to the Pope and Cardinals giving them to understand that his principal Motives thereunto were reasonable pious and Royal and such as had no mixture of interest but purely respected the welfare and benefit of the Church as might appear by the Articles of agreement with Parma which onely respected the Church and the peace and liberty of Italy of which having informed the Pope his Holiness seemed not willing to understand the same seeming more inclinable to gratifie his own humour than prevent those mischiefs which would embroil all Europe and interrupt the proceedings of the present Council which he could not esteem or stile with the Character of General but of a particular Convention assembled onely to serve a turn and promote private interests so long as he who was the most Christian King and the eldest Son of the Church was excluded thence not being able to send his Ambassadours or Bishops thither with that security to their Persons and freedom in their Votes as was required in a General Council c. This Protest being read the Answer thereunto was deferred until the eleventh of October In the mean time this Protest afforded matter of Discourse to all Christendom some were of Opinion that the Pope hereupon would be induced to dissolve the Council which could have no Authority or be termed General so long as the French Nation which was a principal Member was excluded from it But the Pope was of another Opinion pretending that his sincere endeavours of persuading that Nation to join themselves to it was sufficient and the Imperialists who cared not much for their Company judged that scruple immaterial since that being cited and required to appear thereat as members of the Catholick Church their causeless and obstinate absence ought not to prejudice the proceedings of the Council for in regard the greater part include the Minor the whole body of France was obliged to own those Acts of the Council to be Canonical and Obligatory having by their absence when they might have been present or by their silence assented thereunto Howsoever the Parliament of Paris was of an other Judgment for tho it be true that the greater number carries the point in those Assemblies where is a common concurrence in Votes But where one part absents it self and refuses to joyn the Acts of the other cannot oblige the dissenting Party and in that case that Rule takes place Prohibentis potior est conditio of which nature are all such Ecclesiastical Assemblies which how numerous soever they may be their Acts have onely an Authority to oblige their own Countries but not such as have dissented or are not concurring with them which was the sense and Opinion of ancient times as we may read in the Treatises wrote by S. Hilarius Athanasius Theodoret and Victorinus expresly upon this Point for which reasons certains Canons have been received in some Churches which have been rejected in others and as St. Gregory testifies that upon the same account the Canons of the second Council of Constantinople and of the first of Ephesus were not received by the Church of Rome But lest the French King should by this manner of Nonconformity seem Schismatical or be suspected of an intention to alienate the minds of his People from the Catholick Religion he published divers severe Edicts against the Protestants promising rewards to such who should detect and accuse them Now according to the Promise made to the Abbot of Bellozare that an Answer should be given to the Letters and Protest of the French King his Master on the eleventh of October following the Cryer of the Council at the Church-gate made Proclamation that in case any were there present for the most Christian King he should then appear But the Abbot knowing well that no Answer would be given him but such as was forged at Rome by the Spanish Party had by Order
quiet of Christendom availed little resolved to enjoy and give himself up to Buildings and other divertisements so that placing all his thoughts on a Country-house Gardens and Vineyards which he had erected and made without the Porta del popolo at Rome he was so enamoured of his new Paradise where he continually made Feasts and Banquets that he seemed wholly to have cast off all care of the Church and sense of the miseries of Christendom and what was most undecent and misbecoming a Person of above seventy years of age and of his gravity and function he immersed himself in pleasures as if there had been no other Life to the great scandal of the World and damage and greater danger of Rome In this year 1554. Edward the Sixth King of England died and the Queen Mary succeeding immediately sent her Ambassadours to Rome to signifie to the Pope the conversion of her whole Kingdom from Heresie to the Catholick Church and to acknowledg and Vow all Obedience to the Papal Sea desiring to have the Excommunication taken off and a general Pardon and Absolution given to her Catholick Subjects on which grateful Message the Ambassadours coming were recieved with great kindness and solemn Processions of Thanksgiving celebrated at which the Pope assisted in Person The same year Philip Son of the Emperor Charles the Fifth was married to Queen Mary the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples being setled upon him together with Milan Flanders and some other of the United Provinces with which news Philip dispatched his Ambassadour the Marquis de Pescara to the Pope to acquaint him therewith and according to the custom of former Kings to do homage for the Kingdom of Naples which he held in Fee from the Pope And now Pope Julius the Third being by reason of his great age and the torment of the Gout which miserably afflicted him become very infirm was persuaded by the Physitians to change his Diet and his usual regimen of living the which ill agreeing with his habit of Body brought him to a Fever with which taking his Bed in the month of February 1555. he lingred therewith until the 23d of March and then died at his Palace being aged seventy seven years six months and fourteen days he was afterwards carried without any great Pomp or State to the Church of S. Peter where his Corps having been publickly exposed for three days to the view of the People he was afterwards buried in an ordinary Sepulcre of Bricks near the Altar of S. Andrew After which the Sea was vacant seventeen days This Julius was tall of Stature of a plain Country Visage his Nose great his Eyes shewed him to be Cholerick and hasty but soon pleased his Diet was gross and plain being much pleased with a sort of large Onions which were sent him from Gaeta the alteration of which Diet hastned his Death When he was first Pope he so strangely favoured a young Boy whom he called Innocentius that without any apparent motive for it he bestowed upon him a Cardinals Hat which when the reason was asked He replied What reason had you to choose me Pope Fortune favours whom she pleases He was very facetious in his Discourse but more familiar in his Conversation than was decent for without respect to the Majesty of his Office and gravity of his Function He would often shoot such Bolts and use such Expressions as were unseemly and which those that heard pitied and blushed for him MARCELLVS II. JULIVS the Third dying on the 23d of March and his Funeral Obsequies being performed after the accustomed manner the Cardinals to the number of thirty seven entred the Conclave and without much faction or dispute chose Marcellus Cervinus Cardinal of St. Cross at Jerusalem to be Pope of which publication was made with the usual Ceremonies on the 9th of April 1555. the Sea having been vacant for the space onely of eighteen days His Father was Robert or as some call him Richard Treasurer of the Marquisat of Ancona and the place of his birth was Montfano his Father pretended to great Skill or knowledg in Astrology by which Art calculating the Nativity of his Son at the time of his birth it appeared that the Stars under which he was born would be very propitious to him in his promotion to Ecclesiastical preferments for which reason Marcellus being first sent to have his Education in the University of Siena he came from thence to Rome where he dwelt with Felix the Datary of Clement the 7th afterwards he obtained the Office of Secretary to Paul the Third and by him created Cardinal of St. Cross of Jerusalem and lastly as we have said elected Pope on the 9th of April The day following he was consecrated Bishop by the Cardinal of Naples and the very same day without much Pomp or Solemnity was Crowned with the Pontifical Miter by the Cardinal of Pisa who was Arch-Deacon And as he refused to change his Name calling himself no other than Marcellus the Second in imitation of Adrian the Sixth so he survived a much less time than he having possessed the Papal Chair not above twenty one days after his Election so that there remains little more observable of him than that after his Choice he would give no invitation or encouragement to his Kindred or Relations of coming to Rome in hopes of benefit and preferment by his greatness howsoever his intentions were good and his Designs great having drawn a Scheme and method whereby to restore Peace and Unity in the Church and the Papal Power to its antient lustre This Design of his he communicated to the Cardinal of Mantoua maintaining that there was no other way to reconcile differences in Religion but onely by a General Council and that the reason why hitherto that means had been ineffectual was no other than because they began at the wrong end and proceeded not with the due method for that first they should begin with an entire reformation of Manners which would supersede and quiet all superficial Debates and disputations about words and reduce Controversies to such a substantial issue as would be easily determinable by a Council That for want hereof his five immediate Predecessors had much erred for that they abhorred the name of Reformation not out of a dislike to that desirable State but from a belief that it would be a means to abate and diminish the Papal Authority whereas on the contrary he was really persuaded that a Reformation was the onely means to render it more Glorious and powerful as most plainly appeared and was proved by the Histories of past-times in which those Popes onely were famous and renowned who had supported their Papal Chair by an exactness in Manners and purity of Life that Reformation respected the entrinsecal and circumstantial appendages of Religion and served onely to retrench the luxury and superfluous pomp of the Clergy which made the Prelats envied and contemptible when as a modest train and decent comportment
of Rome he behaved himself with great respect enlarging their Power and Authority adjoyning thereunto the jurisdiction of Tivoli which belonged to the Cardinal of Ferrara and to the People he enlarged their Priviledges and confirmed all their former Immunities by a new Charter But all this indulgence and kindness towards the Citizens was but in order to some Design of a higher nature which soon after discovered it self for whilest he was thus busied in matters of Government and things laudable enough in themselves he suffered some reports of a Plot against his Life to take impression in his mind which being suggested by many probable circumstances he immediately seized on the Persons of as many as were suspected to be guilty thereof and committed them to Prison and then joyning with the French and Switzers he commenced a War against Philip King of Spain by which those antient Feuds and Animosities between those Kings which had for some time been extinguished or as it were raked up in the Embers began again to revive and be enflamed The original and cause whereof was this Ever since the time that Rome had been sacked by the Spaniards who had plundered and sequestred the Estate and Rents of the Family of Caraffa this Pope Paul the 4th conceived an implacable anger and an inveterate hatred against that whole Nation the which also was encreased by that ill treatment and injustice which the Vice-King of Naples once used towards his own Person for he being created by Paul III. Arch bishop of Naples was debarred from the possession and benefits thereof by the Vice-King on no other pretence than that he was suspected to favour the French Party the which so enraged his impetuous spirit that with all the arguments which subtilty and malice could draw from the Topicks of Religion and publick good to the Church he endeavoured to persuade Paul III to a War against Naples promising him to assist him with the whole Estate of his Family and with all the interest he had which he pretended to be very great in that Kingdom but Paul III. being too prudent to give ear to his persuasions and Discourses commended his Piety and zeal towards the Church but refused to engage himself in that hazardous War So that the anger and fury of this Paul IV. being suppressed until he became Pope did then burst forth and vent it self so that then with thoughts full of disdain against the Spaniards and with imagination that the Napolitans would gladly shake off their yoke and be eased of the Spanish Servitude and that France would enter into the Alliance with him he positively resolved on a War swallowing already into his thoughts the enjoyment and addition of that Rich Kingdom to the Dominions of the Church This Design was promoted by a stricter Union with France occasioned in this manner Henry King of France had taken from Charles Sforza Prior of Lombardy two Gallies the which coming afterwards into the Port of Civita Vecchia Alexander the Brother of Charles and Chief Clark of the Camera or Chamberlain made seizure of them and without any respect to that Protection under which they were within the Pope's Harbour he carried them away by force to Gaeta of which the French Ministers at Rome complaining to the Pope he conceived not onely anger and indignation against Alexander but suspecting that such an action could not be contrived without the privity of his Brother the Cardinal he loudly exclaimed against him and clapt his Secretary Lotini into Prison who was lately returned with some secret Negotiations from the Emperour Charles V. the which serving to encrease and heighten the differences between them many Cabals and Consults were formed amongst the Cardinals of the Imperial Faction at which the Pope being alarm'd he reinforced his Guards and levied Soldiers and to break the seditious Meetings clapt the Cardinal and Camilla Colonna and the Abbot of Brisegna who was a Spaniard into Prison Mark Anthony Colonna who upon these stories was fled from Rome was cited to appear there and give answer to the Accusations charged against him but afterwards the Gallies being again restored to the French King Cardinal Sforza and Camillo Colonna upon Bail given were freed from Imprisonment but Alexander Sforza who was Chamberlain not appearing upon the Summons was deprived of his Office and because Mark Anthony Colonna did not appear at the time prefixed by the Summons all his Estate within the Territories of the Church was sequestred and seized to the use of the Pope with which Joan of Aragon the Mother of Colonna being greatly affrighted escaped secretly from Rome about the beginning of the year 1556. contrary to the Command and Injunction of the Pope with which he was so incensed that he then resolved to act and put all those mischiefs into practice against the House of Colonna which he had before onely meditated and contrived in his thoughts and in pursuance thereof he in the first place excommunicated Mark Anthony and his Father Ascanio Colonna and having confiscated all their Estate within the Dominions of the Church he bestowed it on his Nephew John Count of Montorio whom he created Duke of Paliano and not long after he declared Anthony Carafa an other Nephew to be Marquis of Montebello having lately dispossessed Count Bagno of that Marquisate for having converted those Moneys which the King of France sent to the Pope for carrying on the War in Italy to his own use All which served to incense the spirits of a great and powerful Faction and raise those Wars which ended in miserable desolation of Italy But the Pope who was of Opinion and often said that a happy Peace was onely to be procured by a calamitous War did in Order thereunto fortifie Paliano with all provisions requisite thereunto for that being a place situate on the frontiers of Naples was of great importance in that conjuncture And lest the Truce which was made for five years between the Emperor and France should be an obstruction to this War he dispatched Charles Caraffa his Legat to Henry II. pretending that his Message was in order to a farther accommodation and to convert the Truce into an everlasting Peace but the Negotiations of Caraffa being of an other nature he possessed Henry with great hopes and expectation of success by a War with Naples wherefore though at first he sent but two thousand Men for assistance of the Pope seeming to reserve some little respect to the Truce so lately concluded yet afterwards the Popes forces not being able to withstand the Power of the Imperialists a greater Army of twelve thousand Foot and two thousand Horse were sent to Naples under the conduct of Francis Duke of Guise With these Auxiliary aids the spirit of the Pope being highly swelled and become implacable he imprisoned Juliano Sesarini Camillo Colonna with his Bother the Arch-Bishop of Taranto and divers others whom he suspected to be in any manner affected and inclinable to the
Imperial Faction Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva then Vice-King of Naples being alarmed by these proceedings resolved not to attend the assaults of the Enemy but rather that he might be beforehand with them made Incursions into the State of the Church and without much resistance took Pontecorvo Frosolone Anagna Marino Valmontone Palestrina Tivoli Ostia Gave Genazzano Nettuno Albano Vicovaro Monte Fortino and in short made himself Master of all the Campania of Rome the Pope on the other side with the aid and assistance of the French and Switzers recovered several of those places again but the War being continued for the space of a whole year with great fury and resolution on both sides that Country became most miserably harassed and laid desolate by fire and sword By the vast expences of this War the Pope's Treasury being much exhausted many exorbitant ways were contrived to replenish it again as namely the Tithes upon all Benefices were doubled the Gabelles and Customs were raised to an intolerable degree half a years Revenue was exacted from all Offices and the Debts which particular Persons owed to their Creditors were required to be paid into the Treasury upon which the Debtors being discharged Debentures were given from the Pope to the Creditors and the same charged as a Debt upon the Church He farther seized on all the Horses in Rome to serve in the War and compelled all the Friers of what order soever to labour on the Works and carry Earth to the Fortifications many of the Churches he converted into Granaries and Store-houses wherein to lay Provisions besides many other Exactions and agrievances which he imposed on the People who were by this time possessed with a detestable hatred against his Person and his Actions Howsoever neither the Cries nor Exclamations of his Subjects nor the miseries of his Country were able to incline the fierce and resolute Spirit of the Pope to any terms of Peace whilst he found himself seconded by the French and Switzers Howsoever in the Month of August following the French having received a Defeat at the Battel of St. Quintin in which a great part of the Nobility of France were taken Prisoners and thereby also the expectation of the Pope being in some measure defeated his haughty Spirit began to abate and hearken to some terms and proposals of Accommodation for then the sad Spectacle of Italy laid wast with fire and sword appeared before him and the dreadful apprehension of Treason against his Person which was plotted to betray Rome into the hands of Mark Anthony Colonna and Ascanio della Corona who at the beginning of the War revolted to the Spanish Party did much affright him so that as I say the Pope's mind being become more flexible a Peace was concluded on the thirteenth of September 1557. by the mediation of the Venetians the Duke of Florence and Cardinal Sforza and signed by the Cardinal Caraffa in behalf of the Pope and by the Duke of Alva in the name of Philip King of Spain Which being concluded the Duke of Alva coming to Rome with Christian humility kissed the feet of the Pope and received absolution and being treated with high honour obtained the freedom of all those who had been imprisoned on account of the late War Matters being by these means reduced to some tolerable quiet the Pope dispatched his Legats both to Spain and France to labour a cementing of that Peace which he himself of late had been an Instrument to break recommending more particularly in their Instructions the confirmation of the Dukedom of Paliano on his Nephew So that now being wearied with War the fatigues and expence and unquietudes of which he had never before been acquainted with the Pope betook himself to his more agreeable trade of regulating the Manners of Men and the corruptions and abuses crept into the Church but in regard the particulars hereof were various and burthensom he committed the greatest part of that trouble to the Conduct of Cardinal Caraffa Attending himself with sedulity and attention to the Court of Inquisition as the sole Tribunal then capable to suppress Heresies and the present distempers of the Age and therefore to the cognisance of that Court he reduced several Crimes triable at other Bars of Judicature so that the Prisons of the Inquisition were filled with Malefactors and in this way of Judicial proceedings he was the more passionate because he had been the first that persuaded Paul III. to erect that Court and had contrived the Methods and Rules for the proceedings thereof and therefore coming now himself to the Popedom he put all those Orders into practice which he had formerly meditated constituting Cardinal Alessandrino Inquisitor General together with sixteen Cardinals who were made Judges of the Court whose first work was to publish an Index Expurgatorius of all Books in the least manner suspected or attainted of Heresie forbidding all Persons under pain of Excommunication to read them or have them in their possession He recalled Cardinal Poole from his Office of Legat in England on account as some believe of an old Pique that had been between them and having accused Cardinal Morone of Heresie by reason as some believe of his friendship to Poole he imprisoned him in the Castle together with the Bishop of Cava and had as was certainly believed deprived them of all their Revenue and Dignities had not his malice against them been interrupted by his Death acting in every thing with a bitterness agreeable to the virulency of his nature About this time the Emperor Charles V. being wearied with the turmoils and troubles of this World renounced his Imperial Crown to his Brother Ferdinand of Austria who was already elected King of the Romans and his Kingdom of Spain and other Dominions to his Son Philip II. But this Abdication the Pope would not understand not admitting on the score of old grudges which he owed to Charles that according to antient Canons an Emperor could make such a renunciation without consulting first and taking the advice and consent of the Pope and for that reason he would never acknowledg Ferdinand for Emperour nor under that Notion and Character receive Ambassadours from him In this manner with a froward severity acting all his Affairs he would admit of no excuses that any Man made for a failure in his Duty and particularly having commanded all Monks Friers Abbots and Priors to return to their Monasteries he would not admit an Excuse from any Non-Residentiary unless he had obtained a License on occasion of some publick Service for the Church and for discovery of such Trespassers he employed Officers or Visitors as severe as himself who upon strict enquiry having found any Non-Residentaries they immediately proceeded against them as Disobedient and Delinquents committing some of them to Chains and others to the Gallies This Severity howsoever was much applauded when after an unknown and unpractised manner of Justice he spared not the Crimes of his Nephews
into whose hands he had committed the most important Government of the Ecclesiastical State for they having misbehaved themselves the Pope in a publick Consistory discharged Cardinal Caraffa of his Government and Legantine Power in Bologna the Duke of Palvano he dismissed from being General of the Ecclesiastical Army and Admiral of the Gallies belonging to the Church and the Marquis of Montebello from being Captain of his Guards which Sentence against them the Pope thundring with impetuous Rage certain Cardinals would have offered something to mitigate his fury and extenuate the faults of his Nephews but those Lenitives adding more flame to his Fury he instantly charged the Cardinal Caraffa without farther delay to depart from Rome and remain confined to the City Indivina and the other two unto their respective Castles in places of these he constituted other grave Prelats whom he esteemed able and worthy to bear that share of Government which by reason of the infirmity of his old age he was uncapable to support And having thus disposed the Affairs of his Temporal Government he returned his thoughts to perfect that Reformation which he had then projected when he first came to the Papal Chair believing that the accomplishment thereof would be the greatest Ornament of the Apostolical Sea and give it a reputation over all the World In pursuance whereof he erected a Congregation composed of twenty four Cardinals and forty five Prelats and other Persons of the most wise and learned of all the Court to the number of one hundred and fifty These he divided into three Classes or Chambers to each of which he allotted eight Cardinals and fifteen Bishops and as many others as made up the number of fifty the chief incumbence and business of whom was to examine and enquire into the several degrees and natures of Simony the which being stated and concluded by this Congregation Coppies thereof were taken and published and sent to all Universities and Schools of learned Men requiring them to take notice of the particular Cases stated and concluded by the Holy Sea which was the Chief Doctor and Cathedratical Casuist in all Points of Religion and Conscience And though he himself as he affirmed had no need of such Regulations being well acquainted with the mind of Christ and versed in the Duty of that Office to which he was called yet that he might in all his endeavours for Reformation forestall the Objection which might be made him of Physitian cure thy self he resolved to begin at home and reform the Crimes of Simony which were objected as the crying sins of the Court of Rome and that when he had gone so far he would then remonstrate unto other Princes the Simony of their own Courts which was more rife and more intolerable in them than was ever allowed or practised at Rome But when the particular Cases of Simony came distinctly to be handled instancing in what manner Money might be taken and in what not there arose such diversities of Opinions that at length the conclusions came to be laid before the Pope as the ultimate Moderator of all Differences the which he having with some perplexity considered he finally resolved That it was not lawful to receive any Price Money Alms or any reward whatsoever for conferring any spiritual Graces or Benefices Ecclesiastical and that as to the Dispensations in cases of Matrimony though it had been the custom to receive Money for them he resolved that the same should never be again brought into practice by himself Howsoever so many scruples and Objections arose in many particular matters that nothing could ever be drawn to general Heads and so being environed by difficulties which procured delays nothing came to a full resolution the which a certain Cardinal having observed proposed to have these Questions reserved for a General Council at which the Pope being moved with extreme Choler replied That he had no need of any Council being the supreme Head and above it but the Cardinal being desirous to mollifie and appease his anger with some qualifications of his Speech said that though it was true that a Council was not necessary for giving force and Authority to the Pope's Determinations yet it might be convenient to have a Council for settlement of that Uniformity of Worship which was necessary in all Christian Churches to which the Pope assenting farther added That in case he should at any time call a Council that the same should be held at Rome and not at Trent which was in the midst and almost the Nest of the Lutherans Moreover in case he should at any time call a Council it should be composed of none but Catholicks for that they might with as much reason admit a Turk to those Debates and Consults of Religion as a Lutheran or any other Heretick and that it was unreasonable and preposterous to send sixty able and learned Bishops and forty Doctors to a Town within the Mountains as had been done twice already on supposition that they were better able to govern the World than the Vicar of Jesus Christ joined to the wisdom of his College of Cardinals who were selected out of the most wise religious and excellent personages of the Chistian Church During his time this Pope at four several Ordinations created nineteen Cardinals and changed the Festival of St. Peter which by antient Canons was celebrated on the 18th of January to the end of June supposing that season of the year most convenient for that Solemnity It is certain that this Pope intended well and designed with the strictest severity the reformation of Manners but his way of acting therein was so fierce and with those disobliging circumstances having a motion with his Head which spoke anger and spight that he could perform nothing though never so holy and laudable but what was ill censured by evil Tongues and indeed he was generally hated and that even by good Men. And though all the good actions which this Pope performed were done with so ill a meen as made them appear bad yet he had the good Conduct and fortune to prove a successful Instrument in making that memorable Peace between Philip King of Spain and Henry King of France for which happiness and Rejoycing Tilts and Tornaments being appointed at the French Court King Henry himself acting a part in it was unfortunately slain and his Son Francis II. being then a Youth succeeded in his Throne About which time the Pope being fallen into a Dropsie with which finding himself to decay and his end approach he summoned all the Cardinals to his Chamber desiring them to cast their thoughts upon some Person excellently qualified both for holiness of Life and Wisdom whom they might judg worthy to succeed him in the Apostolical Chair but in an especial manner he recommended to them the continuance of the Inquisition to which he gave the Epithet of most Holy declaring to have by good experience proved that the same had been the support of his
the Laiety in both kinds the Imperial and French Ambassadours contended for it as did also the Minister of the Duke of Bavaria and on that subject joyned together in a Memorial in which they represented and produced the Writings of the Popes Paul and Julius wherein they had acknowledged the necessity of yielding the Cup to such of the Laiety as should demand it it being the only means whereby to conserve the Kingdom of Bohemia in obedience to the Sea of Rome That already in the Kingdom of Hungary the People did force the Priests to administer the Sacrament to them in both kinds threatning for want thereof to seize their Estates and take away their lives After many Debates on divers Subjects at several Congregations at length the day of Session came being the 16th of July at which the Decrees were read and four Canons confirmed with Anathemas thereunto annexed First That the faithful Laiety are not obliged by any Command to communicate in both kinds Secondly That the Church upon very good grounds and reasons had taken away the Cup from the Laiety Thirdly That whosoever receives the Bread onely receives Jesus Christ as fully and intirely to all ends and purposes of spiritual Grace and Salvation Fourthly That the Communion is not necessary for Infants All which was impertinent to the question demanded namely whether such as were not satisfied herewith might not receive the Sacrament in both kinds if desired by them wherefore to please the Germans who made great noise about this Point the determination thereof was referred to the following Session likewise many other matters were enacted and decreed for Reformation of abuses committed by the Questors who were a sort of Rascals and Caterpillers who under the pretence of recommendatory Letters to all Good People exhorting them to contribute their Alms to pious Works such as the building of Hospitals for the sick and for maintenance of Orphans framed a thousand damnable Artifices to extort Money from the People in which for the more formality they disguised themselves in strange Habits and by sound of Bell carried before them assembled the People and offered their Indulgences to sale terrifying those who refused to buy them with a thousand Curses and Maledictions the which Money by agreement with Officers at Rome was appropriated to their own use and a part to the benefit of those who had procured the Authority for raising these Collections So that this abuse was condemned and wholly abolished Likewise other Decrees passed for regulation of Dioceses Parishes and Non-Residencies And in the mean time Posts ran continually from Trent to Rome and back again with Treaties and Negotiations between the Ambassadours of several Princes and the Legats besides a thousand other Intrigues formed by the Prelats who were encreased to a number four times greater than in the time of the two preceding Councils under Julius and Paul III. All which in the conclusion produced so little that we may well apply that saying Parturiunt montes nascetur ridiculus mus The French Ambassadours attended all this time in the Council without any reasonable satisfaction for they observed that the most material Points of Religion were debated and determined in the absence of their Bishops all being carried by the Vogue and suffrages of Spaniards Portugueses and Italians Wherefore they earnestly wrote to the King to hasten his Bishops who might maintain and support the Points they had to propose for a Reformation for want of whom and that nothing could be proposed in the Council but by the Legats that clause availing in the Method agreed Proponentibus Legatis the Court of Rome became absolute Moderator in all Disputes carrying every thing at pleasure by the great numbers of their Pensionary Bishops and in short that there was very little hopes of any good result from the determination of this Council After this Session matters were preparing at several Congregations against the next which was appointed to be held on the 17th of September for confirmation of the Sacrifice of the Mass in discussing of which Point an unlucky question was started Whether Jesus Christ did then offer and sacrifice himself when he first instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist for if he did not at that time sacrifice himself then the Mass which is founded on this Institution Do this in remembrance of me is no Sacrifice and if he did sacrifice himself it must have been propitiatory and then the Sacrifice on the Cross had been unprofitable and unnecessary for it is said He Offered himself but once and then the sins of mankind had been expiated by the Sacrifice of the Eucharist the which created so much doubt and Dispute that some were of Opinion that it were best to leave the ceremonies of the Roman Mass free and undetermined by any particular Decree or Canon of the Church the which Opinion though displeasing to the generality of the Council was yet seconded by the Bishop of quinque Ecclesiae the Emperor's Ambassador who moved that Germany might not be obliged to any uniformity of Ceremonies and particularly might have the Cup granted to their Laiety in the Sacrament and not be obliged to have their Service in the Latin Tongue The which he represented in the name of his Master to be so agreeable and necessary to the present State of that Country that without such a Dispensation it was impossible to contain his people under any obedience to the Church or oblige them to make resistance against the Turk whose violences they less feared than the impositions and tyrannies of the Papal Sea This matter being argued with great heat on both sides and without any determination it was moved that this Proposal of the Germans should be remitted to the Pope but this also was opposed by the Bishop of Lavaur who argued that it was very improper to remit that to the Pope which he had referred to the judgment of that Assembly and that it might reasonably be questioned whether that reference were made to him under the notion of being Superiour or Inferiour to the Council and then in that case that question was first to be determined Howsoever at length it was carried in the Affirmative and the question referred to the judgment of the Pope to consider and determine under what restrictions and circumstances the Cup might be granted to the Laiety In this manner with a thousand Disputes and difficulties an other Session was held on the 17th of September At which after the usual Ceremonies were performed they immediately fell upon the particulars treated in the preceding Congregation containing nine several Articles all which were confirmed and strengthned with Anathemas the contents of which were to establish the Doctrine of the necessity of a perpetual Sacrifice to verifie the Sacrifice of the Mass and that the same was truly and really propitiatory The Ceremonies also of this Sacrifice and the purity of the Canon of the Mass and the celebration of it in the Latin
imaginations which Men conceive of Reliques Pilgrimages and Indulgences That the Doctrine and practice of Penance should be again renewed and established according to the custom of the Primitive Church All or most of which Articles were ungrateful to the Legats both for the substance of them and circumstances with which they were delivered the Ambassadours at the same time declaring that in case they were not granted such provisions would be made in France by a National Council as were agreeable to the State of their Affairs Howsoever the Legats seemed favourably to accept them and dispatched them to the Pope by the Bishops of Viterbo And now by this time the Pope was ready to make a return of the conclusions he had made in the Point about Residencies dispatched from Trent by the Bishop of Ventimille the matter of which though couched with great Art and in such ambiguous terms as might admit of various interpretations yet that artificial fraud could not pass on such subtil Heads who for their Learning and experience were chosen out of the wisest Men of Europe for they easily discovered the Pope's intent to advance himself above an Universal Council they could have been contented to have admitted him the Chief super Ecclesias Vniversas but not super Ecclesiam Vniversalem that is over all Churches in particular but not over the Universal Church as it was aggregated into one body in a General Council Hereupon great Contests arose the Pensioners of Rome produced in favour of the Pope's Authority a Canon made by the Council of Florence which having been received by the Spaniards gave them some trouble in what manner to make an Answer thereunto But the French who had never received the Articles of that Council for Canonical opposed the Councils of Constance and Basil against it which had determined that General Councils were superiour to the Pope but the Italians who maintained that the Council of Basil was Schismatical and that the Canons of Constance were partly received and partly rejected so heated their French Opponents that Reasons and Arguments being on both sides declined the Dispute ended with high words and reproaches of one against the other Which the Legats well observing and that there could be no good issue of such high Contests desired time to remit these matters to the Pope's Censures and so proceeded again to the Point about Residencies the which having already caused inextricable difficulties for the Pope's words did not please the Council the Cardinal of Lorain proposed something by way of Accommodation putting in some gentler terms which might serve the turn of both Parties but the Legats penetrating with their accustomary Acuteness into the words found that the sense would bear an Interpretation which might be expounded in favour of the Opinion that Residencies were constituted by Divine Right Wherefore slighting or laying aside the words which the Cardinal had projected they framed another according to their own humour and presented it to the Congregation the which so incensed the Cardinal of Lorain that from thence forward he began to deal plainly and express himself in free and high terms protesting that for the future he would meddle no farther for that he observed a secret Combination which in Cabinet Consults assumed to its self an Authority to dispose matters differing from the Sentiments of the General Council That the Legats sought nothing more than occasions to break up the Council in discontent That nothing was acted but according to the will of the Legats who moved by such measures only as they received from the Pope whose resolution in every thing they expected from Rome according to that old saying That the Holy Ghost was brought every week from Rome to Trent in the Courriers Portmantle That he for his part was resolved to have patience until the next Session at which if matters were not managed with more fair proceedings he was resolved to retire into France with his French Nation then at the Council where renouncing all farther applications to Rome or Trent they were resolved to assemble a National Council by which they would establish such a form of Concordat as should be agreeable to the present state of their Country and which might secure the safety of the King and the quiet of his People To the same purpose the French Ambassadour expressed himself at Rome but the Pope who had been long used to such kind of Menaces and a noise about National Councils little regarded their Censures or Threats but briskly answered That the Council was free even to a licentiousness that if there were Parties and Factions they were unknown to him and were only made by the Vltramontane Bishops whose design was to trample on the Authority of the Papal Chair And in this manner such distractions and Disputes arose at Trent occasioned by the Power and Interest which the Cardinal of Lorain had there with the greatest part of the Clergy that the Congregations were for some time suspended until the Cardinal of Ventimille returned from Rome freighted with abundance of Complements and Salutes and especially with supplies of Mony for the Pope's Pensioners and then the Congregations being again commenced and with them the Discords renewed it was agreed that the next Session should be deferred until the 22th of April which was presently after Easter The Cardinal of Lorain though he seemed outwardly to consent hereunto with some reluctancy and onely in compliance with the rest of the Council yet in reality he was well enough pleased hoping that a short time would put an end to the life of this Pope who was very aged and infirm when he imagined that his Greatness and Authority would be very instrumental in promoting such a Person to the Papacy as would be facil and easie in granting every thing agreeable to his desires And now to allay a little the heats about the Divine Right of Episcopacy and Residencies the Council diverted their thoughts and Discourse to eight several Points relating to Marriage During which time and the Interval between that and the next Session the Cardinal of Lorain took the opportunity to visit the Emperor's Court at Inspruck which administred great cause of jealousie to the Pope who not onely observed the Cardinal's dissaffection from his proceedings in the Council but likewise from his Letter wherein complaining of the many Factions and Intrigues which his Italian Bishops had caused he concludes that if matters were carried on with the same Measures there would remain nothing more for him either to consider or act than onely to pray unto God to direct the Council with his Holy Inspiration The Cardinal of Lorain being arrived at Inspruck where he remained five days had frequent Conferences with the Emperor and his Son the King of the Romans touching the many disorders and corruptions of the Council at Trent as also of the means how and in what manner the Cup might be restored to the Laiety how Marriage might be granted and dispensed
inclined as was said to have granted all the Points demanded which did not intrench upon the Papal Authority and voluntarily have yielded a License for Priests to marry and to the Laiety the Communion in both kinds but then considering that these concessions would open a gate to other Demands and to such a croud of Novelties which pressing in at this breach might ruine and over-run all the constitutions and Canons of the Church he therefore resolved to keep himself firm to the present State of Principles and Governments which he doubted not but to maintain in case he could work off the Emperor from the French Party to which end he ordered the Cardinal of Moron who was to succeed into the place of one of the deceased Legats to pass from Trent to Inspruck there to treat with the Emperor and representing to him how fatal such Novelties would be to the Church endeavour to persuade him not to insist farther on those Points but leaving the French to their own Opinions to take part with the Pope and the King of Spain whose friendship was more stable and secure than that of France At this time news came to Trent that the King had concluded a Peace at Orleans with his Protestant Subjects and it was suggested at Rome that this Peace was made by contrivance of the French Bishops who secretly and in their hearts were tainted with Heresie at which the Pope was so incensed that at a Congregation of Cardinals convened the 31. of March he ordered the Judges of the Court of Inquisition to proceed against such Persons as were Instrumental in that Peace and accordingly Coligny Cardinal of Chatillon St. Romain Arch-Bishop of Axi John de Monlue Bishop of Valence the Bishop of Troye the Bishop of Pamiers and the Bishop of Chartres were all accused of Heresie and cited to appear at Rome before the Tribunal of the Inquisition By these Accidents the quarrels of France encreasing both at Trent and at Rome the French Divines being displeased both with their ill treatment and with the long delays in all matters at Trent resolved to take their leave of the Council which the Legats easily granted and to which the French Ambassadours so readily assented that they even forced them to retire by denying to them their Pensions in case they continued in that station against the pleasure of the King howsoever three Friers who were Pensioners of Rome continued still there at the Pope's charge resolving to see the utmost issue of all those Affairs The 22. of April having been the day formerly appointed for the Session a general Congregation was held the day before at which the Legats declaring that matters were not prepared for a Session did propose that it might be again deferred until the 3d. of June following to which the Cardinal of Lorain replyed that it seemed derogatory to the wisdom and gravity of that Council so often to appoint times for a Session and then again to subject them to farther delays wherefore it would be much more advisable to prefix the 21th of May following for the time when a day should precisely be appointed for holding a Session This Proposition so generally pleased the Council that with a common Voice they assented thereunto and though this unanimous concurrence with the Cardinal in this matter of small importance administred subject both of jealousie and envy to the Legats yet they could well enough rellish any thing of delay in hopes that the most violent and hot spirits being wearied with long expectation would either abate of their mettle or else retire in despair or discontent The Cardinal Moron was detained at Inspruck for a longer time than he expected by reason that the Emperor suffered all his Papers and Memorials to be inspected and examined by certain of his own Divines which the Cardinal highly resented as an indignity to the Pope whose Proposals were more sacred than to be exposed to the censures of a few silly Priests and indeed it was believed that this manner of treatment proceeded from the dictates of the Cardinal of Lorain who at that time had dispatched one of his Gentlemen to the Emperor desiring him to speak plainly to the Cardinal Moron giving him to understand that the Council ought to be free and not to be translated from Trent unto any other place as some had contrived out of no good intent to the publick welfare In the mean time the Pope was dealing with those Ambassadours who resided with him at Rome to prevail with their Masters to refer all Disputes about Reformation to himself rather than to the Council for that the abuses in Discipline were never esteemed the causes of Heresies as plainly appeared in the Primitive Church where Heresies were very importunate and troublesom notwithstanding the purity of their Government and the incorruption of their Manners That it was impossible to extract a Reformation from the common consent of such different Interests most of which being guided by a zeal without prudence served onely to discover the nakedness of the Church and make it manifest to all the World that her Evils were incurable After a long vacation for some weeks a Congregation was held on the 14th of May when the Cardinal of Lorain made a long and Eloquent Oration about Bishops and the means how to prevent the abuses in their Election he first began with those of France which was onely an Introduction to his Satyr against the Court of Rome which he termed the source and original of all the abuses and corruptions in the Church he inveyed chiefly against those Cardinals who held Pluralities of Bishopricks shewing that all the tricks and contrivances for holding several Benefices in Commendam and the like were only Artifices to delude that wise God who would neither be mocked nor deceived Which Discourse might proceed well enough from the mouth of another though it became not the Cardinal who was known to possess a Revenue from the Church of a million of Livers per annum to all which the Cardidinal Moron who was newly returned from the Emperor replyed with great sharpness nor sparing the Cardinal himself in the least which served to enflame those Feuds which had taken their Original from former causes And now upon return of Cardinal Moron from the Emperor every one began to discourse of the issue which his Negotiations had produced on which Subject the common report was that the Emperor had promised to defend the Authority of the Pope against the opposition and resistance of Hereticks That he would not pass beyond Inspruck nor consent to have the Council removed from Trent to Bologna nor could he accept the Proposition of coming to Bologna and there be crowned by the hands of the Pope without the advice and consent of a Diet. This as we said was what appeared above-board and the more common Discourse of the Town but the truth and the secret of it was this That the Cardinal Moron had persuaded
had formerly been done to the great dis-reputation of the Council and scandal of its Enemies The great difficulties in the questions so often discussed about Residences and Institution of Bishops were still undecided and therefore the great care then incumbent on the Legats was to frame and pen those Points in such words as might please at least the Plurality or major part of the Congregation which being tired out and wearied with the frequent recital of those Arguments Pro and Con were willing to accept of indifferent terms or such as might bear a dubious Interpretation or such perhaps as contained no sense at all and others were for having those Articles buried in silence only the Spaniards remained unchangeable and unwearied being still constant to their first Principles Howsoever the Legats were resolved to exhibit their Decree about Residences in the manner they had already penned namely That all those who have a Cure of Souls were obliged by the Commandment of God to have a particular knowledg and acquaintance with every Member of their Flock which not being to be performed but by a continuance in the Parish or Diocese it was thence inferred and interpreted that Residences were by Divine Right The second Point about Episcopal Institution was concluded in general terms that the Hierarchy of Bishops was an Ordinance of God Howsoever these terms did not please the subtle and hot-headed wits of neither side The Spaniards did not think the words plain and explicite enough and the Bishop of Tarante and the other Favourers of Rome who were jealous of the least shadow of that which might infringe or abate the Papal Authority were apprehensive that such consequences might be deduced from those words as might plainly infer that the Orders of that Hierarchy were rather by Divine than Papal Institution but these People were more jealous of the Pope's Authority than the Pope himself for though this very form of words had been debated above a hundred times at Rome and approved and proposed by the Legats yet these Canonists and zealous favourers of Papirius were violent sticklers against and opposers of the Decree howsoever the Assembly by plurality of Voices passed the Decree and ordered that they should remain in the same form and words delivered In fine the 15th of July which was the day of the Session being come which had been so often adjourned and with such impatience expected all the points of Doctrine were reduced to four Chapters and eight Canons with Anathemas The first established that Ecclesiastical Ordination is a Sacrament That under the New Testament there is but one visible Order of Men which can offer the Sacrifice of the true and real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ That there are several degrees higher and lower of this Order That Priesthood hath a character impressed upon it and inspires with it the Holy Ghost That Unction is necessary at the institution of a Priest That the Hierarchy of Priests is by Divine Right That Bishops are superiour to Priests That the Bishops and Priests who are established by the Pope or by Authority derived from him are onely true and Evangelical in their Orders Then proceeding to the eight Canons which respect Reformation the first was that about Residence which had made so much noise and disturbance the words of which obliged every Pastor to be acquainted with and to feed his Flock in explanation of which this Canon forbad all long absence from their charge under severe penalties howsoever that clause was moderated with a Dispensation for three months and with a proviso unless the benefit and service of the Church and State should require it The other Canons had respect onely to the collation and regulation of Orders and that they were not to be conferred upon debauched persons or such as were unworthy of them and directed the manner and government of Seminaries in which Priests were educated with several other matters of little importance all which passed and were enacted in the Council without any opposition or disturbance though the Spaniards would never more be reconciled to the Cardinal of Lorain for deserting their party in the point of Residencies to which he had so often promised and assured them of his constancy but what he lost on one side he gained on the other the Legats and favourers of Rome crying up his wisdom and conduct and true zeal to the Church and the Apostolical Sea All Europe in the mean time was in great expectation of the issue of this Session which had been preparing for the space of ten months and with the wit and contrivance of two or three hundred Prelats and Divines At the end of which nothing could be more surprizing to the World than to find their expectations so wholly defeated and the product of this mighty Machine or Engine to be so inconsiderable as not to have yielded matter sufficient to have employed the brains of one intelligent person for the space onely of a single Week the contradictions which appeared in their Canons and the weak preambles to all their conclusions were the common talk and subject of sport and derision in all places and administred matter and discourse for the Protestants to treat and rally upon in their Sermons particularly Vergere who had once been the Pope's Nuncio in Germany but now become a preaching Minister in the Valtoline which is a Country of the Grisons did with great perspicuity and strength of reason lay before his Flock the many false reasonings and vain contestations amongst the Bishops and the scandalous proceedings of the whole Council the reports of which with all the particular passages he dispatched to all places where the most Eminent Divines and Preachers of the Protestants resided for he being a near Neighbour to Trent was in a better capacity to receive true and constant information of all passages than those who resided at farther distances for which the Pope and the Cardinal Moron were so offended at him that they endeavoured by menaces to affright and drive him to more remote parts but he resolved still to continue his Station notwithstanding several attempts that were made upon his life The Session being in this manner ended the Legats designed to hasten all remaining Points and contract them in such a compass as might tend towards a speedy end and conclusion of the Council The points of Indulgences Invocation of Saints Images and Purgatory were gathered all into a bundle requiring no great examination in regard that being matters which intrenched on the Interest of no Party administred little cause of Dispute or opposition onely a Controversie arose about Clandestine Marriages or such as were contracted without the consent of Parents which the French would have to be declared in themselves void and null by reason of the inconvenience and ruins which such sort of Marriages have proved to certain Families in that Kingdom but herein a difficulty arose for that Marriage which is one of the seven Sacraments
Conferences that the Pope seemed to refuse nothing which might engage and oblige the Cardinal having at his instance granted an alienation from the Church of three hundred thousand Livers a year to the King of France which Bene had formerly been demanded and sollicited with great importunity but could never be obtained until this endearment happened between the Cardinal and the Pope For now their mutual intimacy and friendship began to be so great that the Pope opened his bosom and heart to him giving him to understand that the Council being become a burden to him which he could not support he had therefore sent a private Bull to his Legats either to prorogue or adjourn it to some other place as should be most agreeable to the state of Affairs but the Cardinal who professed to have the same Interest for that his occasions required his presence in France yet could not concur in Opinion either to have the Council prorogued or adjourned to an other place but rather to dispose matters in order to a Conclusion which might easily be effected by laying aside all those Points which might administer matter or cause of Dispute promising to contribute to this Design all the Power and Interest he had with the Ambassadours and Bishops that so every thing might terminate happily and to the satisfaction of the Court of Rome The Pope being overjoyed with these Promises was comforted in the highest degree by the consolatory expressions of the Cardinal in return for which he promised to use all his endeavours to create him his Successour by engaging such a number of Cardinals in his favour as should secure his Election promising in the mean time to make him the chief Instrument of all his grand Designs Thus was the one elevated in his hopes and expectations of high preferments and the other encouraged against the refractory opposition of the French Prelats who were now grown mutinous and the Papal Authority rendered contemptible to them For at that time Chatillion had voluntarily renounced his character of Cardinal and called himself by the title of Count de Beauvais and in contempt of that Dignity was married in the habit of a Cardinal as if he intended by that action to have rendered that Honour ridiculous The French Prelats also being disgusted five of them retired from Trent having easily obtained their license from the Legats whose chief endeavours and labour was now to appease the Sedition and mutinies of the Bishops who were come to that unbridled usurpation and entrenchments on the temporal jurisdiction of Princes and Magistrates that they constrained the Legats to read in the Congregation that Model of a Decree which they had projected for Reformation of Secular Magistrates the particulars of which were so licentious and extravagant as deserve to be noted for discovery of that Pride which reigned amongst the Clergy of those days the contents of which were these That a Clergy-man was not liable to the Sentence of a Secular Court nor could he be tryed at that Bar though he himself should consent thereunto that the Secular Judges should not intermedle with causes relating to Matrimony to Heresie to Tenths Advowsons or rights of Patronage nor with any other causes whether civil or criminal wherein the Ecclesiastical Censure was or might be concerned That no Injunction be issued out of a Secular Court to hinder the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical in points of Excommunication though taken out against the Emperor himself or against Kings Nor shall the Civil Law contradict or interfere with the Ecclesiastical in matters which relate to the Affairs Goods or possessions of the Church which is endued with a Power of constituting its own Courts and Officers of several degrees ranks and qualities That the Clergy shall be exempt from Taxes Imposts Tithes or Subsidies whatsoever That Princes or Magistrates shall not have Power to quarter Soldiers Officers or Horse within the Houses or on the possessions of the Clergy with several other Articles of like tenure which were so repugnant to the Power of Kings that is seemed to shake their Authority and set up an other Soveraignty within their own Kingdoms independant of the Regal Jurisdiction for which reason the French Ambassadours having made their Protest against these Articles in the space of fifteen days afterwards retired from Trent to Venice according to the Orders which they had received from France The news of this retreat of the Ambassadours was very unwelcome to the Court of Rome and especially to the Cardinal of Lorain who apprehended that this unexpected accident would much eclipse his Credit and Reputation with the Pope and defeat the hopes he had conceived of his new preferment which that he might still keep up he promised the Pope to write and accordingly did write unto the King in such terms as plainly evidenced how far he had abandoned the Principles he brought from France and sacrificed them to a new aad strange Interest which he had acquired at Rome After which the Pope wrote to the Legats to prepare for the following Session according to the time appointed and to commence immediately after the return of the Cardinal to Trent and then speedily to wind all things up so as to put a final conclusion to the Council in which there seemed no great difficulty for that the French and Germans being drawn off they had none to deal with but onely with the Spaniards Howsoever the Pope resenting highly the retirement of the five French Bishops accused them of Heresie and cited them to make their defence before the Tribunal of Inquisition at Rome in like manner he issued out Process against Jane Queen of Navarre Widow of Anthony of Bourbon upon an accusation of Heresie in order to depose her from her Crown and Dignity the which Decrees were divulged and affixed on all publick places And though the Cardinal did in dislike thereof represent unto the Pope that this manner of proceeding was contrary to the received Maxims of France and the liberties of the Gallican Church and that it was not seasonable to proceed with such rigour against a Queen who was an Ally of France and the Relict of one lately slain in Battel against the Hugenots and that it was too early to summon Bishops to receive judgment at Rome against which the Council of France had so lately protested yet the Cardinal having performed this Office in a cold and perfunctory manner as if he intended rather to acquit himself with his Master than gain his Point gave no satisfaction to the Government of France which therefore making use of the Ambassadour Monsieur d' Oisel in this Negotiation his endeavours succeeded so well that the Process against the Queen of Navarre and the five Bishops was superseded and the whole matter buried in silence And that the King might shew how little he regarded the Decrees of the Council he proceeded actually to alienate the Lands of the Church before the License and Grant of the Pope
occasions of this King with Money he gave license to sell and alienate so much of the Church Lands in France as might suffice for the carrying on of this War in which Trust of Sales the Cardinals of Lorain and Bourbon being made Commissioners the Lands belonging to the Church which were then sold amounted to the value of one hundred and fifty thousand Crowns of yearly Revenue In the next place it was this Pope Pius V. who out of his great zeal excommunicated Elizabeth Queen of England with all her Subjects of the same profession And in the year 1569. conferred on Cosmo de Medicis Duke of Florence the Title of Great Duke of Tuscany in Gratitude for which the Duke coming to Rome to acknowledg the honour done him was there crowned with a Ducal Crown by the hands of the Pope about the Circle of which this Motto was engraven Pius quintus Pont. Max. ob eximiam Dilectionem ac Catholicae Religionis Zelum praecipuumque Justitiae studium donavit Then to demonstrate his zeal against the Turks the prevailing Enemies over Christianity under the conduct of Solyman the Magnificent who at that time was entered into Hungary with an Army of two hundred thousand fighting Men He instantly desired and exhorted the Christian Princes unto Unity amongst themselves that they might repulse the common Enemy of the Christian Faith and to shew that he would not persuade others to that performance in which he did not readily offer himself to be an Example he freely sent unto the Emperour a Present of ninety thousand Ducats with promise to furnish fifty thousand Crowns more every year so long as the Wars should continue And indeed at that time there needed Counsel and Arms and Money to resist Solyman who had besieged the strong Fortress of Segeth which was then commanded by Count Serini whose Family like that of Hanibal against the Romans had ever sworn enmity and irreconcileable hatred to the Turks It happened that though Solyman died in the Siege against this City yet the assaults and force were continued by Mahomet the Grand Visier who concealed the death of Solyman until he had first advised the news thereof unto his Successour Sultan Selim the Second during which time he plied the Town with such continual storms as reduced the Defendants to the last extremity and to a resolution of selling their Lives at the dearest rate which they accordingly performed by a Sally of five hundred Men in which all of them being slain with their Leader Count Serini the Town was soon after surrendered into the hands of the Turk It was now the year 1570. when Sultan Selim succeeding his Father the Great Solyman and being a Prince as ambitious and as desirous to enlarge his Empire as was his Predecessour resolved upon the Conquest of Cyprus then belonging to the Venetian Dominions But that he might not seem to attempt the Countries of his Neighbour before he had first denounced War he dispatched a Chiaus to Venice demanding the surrender of the Kingdom of Cyprus as a dependance on the City of Constantinople and a Member of the Grecian Empire to which he had gained a Title by the power of his Sword This Message or Summons being delivered in full Senate was seconded by many Incursions made into Dalmatia and Sclavonia and great preparations for transporting Soldiers into Cyprus The Venetians being thus assaulted by the potent Enemy of Christendom applyed themselves to the Pope desiring him that he would be pleased out of his paternal commiseration to the Christian Cause to administer some effectual help from his own hand and exhort all other Christian Princes to enter into a League and unite their Forces against the common Enemy of the Christian Faith In compliance with this Request the Pope prevailed with the King of Spain to furnish the Venetians with fifty Sail of Galleys under the Command of John Andrew d' Oria a valiant and experienced General requiring him to obey Mark Anthony Colonna Commander in Chief of the Pope's Gallies and accordingly in the Month of August 1570. a very considerable Force met at the Rendezvouz in Candia consisting of one hundred and eighty Gallies eleven Galeasses and six Ships of War But the Turks being more forward in this Expedition had a Month before that time landed a formidable Army in the Island of Cyprus where after having taken the Cities of Nicosia and Famagosta with great effusion of blood they made themselves Masters of the whole Island whilest in the mean time the two great Commanders Colonna and D' Oria being at variance for D' Oria refused to yield to Colonna the design was frustrated and the Fleets returned home without any Action considerable in that Voyage which verified the truth of that saying of Livy Quam plurium imperium bello inutile However â—his ill success did not discourage these Allies from making farther trial of their fortune for being all concerned to resist the Turk they renewed their League again for the succeeding year which was An. 1571. And that they might prevent the misunderstandings which the year before had happened between the two Generals it was agreed that Don John d' Austria who was natural Brother to the King of Spain should be Commander or Generalissimo of the whole Navy that Mark Anthony Colonna General of the Pope's Gallies should be his Lieutenant and accordingly preparations being made Messina in the Island of Sicily was appointed for the place of Rendezvouz where about the Month of August the whole Fleet joined together consisting of one hundred Venetian light Gallies 6 Galleasses two Ships besides Brigantines Felucas and other smaller Vessels under Dominico a Nobleman of Venice The Pope's Gallies were twelve commanded by Mark Anthony Colonna and the Fleet or Spain commanded by Don John d' Austria consisted of eighty one Gallies amongst which the three Gallies of Malta were comprehended and twenty two Sail of Ships With this Force this mighty Fleet departed from Messina on the 16th of September 1571. and sailed to Corfu a safe Port belonging to the Venetians in the Adriatick Sea where having advice that the Turks Armata was in the Gulf of Lepanto they weighed Anchor and stood directly for that place where on the 3d of October they joined Battel with the Turks and gave them that memorable overthrow which hath ever since disabled them from forming any considerable Force at Sea against the Christians for in that fight the which continued not above five hours the most formidable Fleet that was ever equipped or set out from Constantinople was destroyed for they lost one hundred and seventeen Gallies eighty Brigantines or smaller Vessels which were sunk or burn'd or put ashoar forty Sail of Gallies or thereabouts were taken in the pursuit Of the Turks were killed thirty two thousand Men amongst which were many Bashaws and Beglerbeges and three thousand five hundred Captives were taken and fifteen thousand poor Christians were released who had been chained to
the Oar in the Gallies of the Turks Of the Christians after the fight was ended upon the numbers wanting in every Vessel the account of the slain amounted to seven thousand six hundred fifty six This signal Victory was attributed as much to the devout Prayers and Benediction of the Pope as to the valour of the Soldiers and conduct of the Captains the report of which as it filled all Europe with joy so it made way for the glories of Don John who was received into Messina with all the Triumphs and Festivals which that City could express also Antonio Colonna was with the like honour and triumph received at Rome Nor did the Venetian General want such encouragements and honours as that Republick commonly bestows in reward of Valour and Merit In memory of which signal Victory they stamped divers Medals with this Inscription Anno Magnae Navalis Victoriae Dei gratiâ contra Turcas This memorable Victory was obtained in the time of this Pius V. who was certainly one of the best of the Popes and therefore I know not why we may not say without offence to any that this happy success might be given in reward of the Devotion and Piety of this Pope for I am persuaded that God hath a particular care of godly Kings and Princes for whose sake as he often blesseth their people so he bestows some memorable blessings on them of signal Remark in their Reign On which persuasion I am apt to believe that as God bestowed this Victory on the Christians in the time of this Pius V. against that great Sultan Selim II. So now in these our days he hath given Victory and unexpected success to the Christians before the Walls of Vienna against Mahomet IV. in reward of the great Piety and Devotion of Leopold the Emperour whose Devotion and Prayers joyned to the Arms of the King of Poland and of other Princes have operated Miracles and delivered Germany in a wonderful manner from the power of the Turk And yet notwithstanding the religious temper of this Pope we find that he excommunicated Queen Elizabeth as far as his Bull would operate he deposed her from Royal Dignities and conferred her Crown on Mary Queen of Scots and persuaded Philip King of Spain to seize on the effects of the English Merchants at Antwerp and other parts of the Low-Countries and to assist the Catholick Subjects in England in their godly and religious Conspiracies as Gabutius calls them against the Queen their natural Sovereign Pius oblatam occasionem haud contemnendam esse ratus efflatigabat ab Rege ut Anglorum in Elizabetham pie conspirantium studia foveret Thus we see how far a mistaken zeal may transport good Men which though it may in some measure excuse from the aggravation of a Crime yet it cannot prove sufficient to set Men entirely upright at the great day of the just Ballance This Pope added also to his other Excellencies the Virtue of loving wife and learned Men and such as were endued with a vivacity and acuteness of parts for he scarce preferred any to considerable Dignity but such as were excellent in some degree or other and of the twenty one Cardinals which he created at three several times there were five of them at least who were Men of extraordinary Abilities and famous in their Generation He founded certain publick places for Learning and Piety amongst which he endowed a College in the University of Pavia for the Education of Youth and affixed over it the Arms of the Ghislers at Boschi the place of his Birth he built a Monastery for Dominican Friers and endowed it with a competent Revenue and to demonstrate his gratitude to his Antient Benefactors he created a Magnificent Sepulcre in memory of Paul V. by whom he was created Cardinal and in short he made many new Buildings and repaired several that were decayed in the Vatican and both within and without the City of Rome After all which about the middle of March 1572. he became indisposed by a stoppage of Urin of which he commonly had a fit in that Month the which illness encreasing upon him gave him notice that his end approached from which time converting all his thoughts to holy and pious meditations he spent the short remainder of his time in the preparation of his Soul for death which happened on the first of May following the same day he died his Body was embowel'd and three little stones found at the neck of his bladder which the Physitians declared to be the cause of his death He was generally lamented by all and especially by vertuous Men for considering his principles his Enemies had nothing worse to object than that he gave a Dispensation to Philip King of Spain to marry with the Daughter of his Sister and of Maximilian his near Kinsman and yet would never be induced to consent unto the Marriage of Margaret of Valois Sister of the King of France with Henry King of Navarre making the difference of Religion a greater bar to Marriage than the degrees of consanguinity forbidden by the Levitical Law The day after his death his Body being clothed in the habit of a Jacobin was carried into the Church of St. Peter where the people assembled in great numbers to render him Honour and Veneration every one touching their Beads and Rosaries at his Body in the same manner as was their practice at the Reliques of Saints and afterwards he was honourably buried in the same Church where his Body lay deposited until afterwards Sixtus V. in grateful remembrance of the benefits he had received from him transported it to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and erected a stately Monument over it in a Chappel built for that purpose with this Epitaph inscribed upon it Pio V. Pont. Max ex Ordine Praedicatorum Sixtus V. Pont. Max. ex Ordine Minorum grati animi monumentum posuit GREGORY XIII PIVS the Fifth being dead and his Funeral Rites after the accustomed manner being performed the Cardinals entred the Conclave and with common consent elected Hugo Buoncompagno who was Priest and Cardinal of S. Sixtus to the dignity of Pope he was born at Bologna of the antient Family of the Buoncompagni his Father was called Christopher and his Mother Agnola Marascalchi by whom he was at first educated in the Studies of the Civil Law in which having made great proficiency he took his degree of Doctor in the University of Bologna at the age of twenty eight years and in a short time was made Judg of the Court of Trade erected in that City for tryal of Mercantile Causes afterwards in hopes of better preferment he went to Rome where he was constituted an Assistant to the Senator who was Judg of the Court held in the Capitol and the year following he was made Clerk of the Signet for Dispensasations and other Beneficences In the time of Paul III. he was employed at the Council of Trent and made Vice-Auditor of the
Papal Chair In the year 1576. a grievous Pestilence afflicted most parts of Italy especially Trent Milan and Venice it is recorded of Cardinal Borromeo who was Arch-Bishop of Milan that he was in a most pious manner charitable to the Poor and others of his City at that time of common Calamity to whom he not onely contributed a maintenance for their food and Medicines for their sickness but in person visited such as were afflicted with the Pestilence and administred to them the Sacraments of the Church and other spiritual comforts for which and other works of like piety he was afterwards canonized for a Saint Nor was Venice less afflicted with this spreading Contagion of which most of the Friers and other Religious whose duty it was to visit the sick died of the same Disease for which reason the Pope sent his Indulgences into the aforementioned places that all such who died with a sorrow for their sins should obtain the same pardon as if they had confessed and communicated and received the other Sacraments of the Church required for dying persons It will not be very pertinent to this History to relate the Troubles which happened in Portugal in the days of this Pope which in reality were very great caused by the rashness of Sebastian King of that Country who suffering himself to be persuaded by Mahomet King of the Moors who was expelled his Kingdom transported an Army of thirty thousand Men into Africa to restore again the expelled King to his Government But as this Design was commenced against the Opinion and counsel of the King of Spain and the other Friends of King Sebastian so accordingly the success was unfortunate for his whole Army was defeated near the City of Alquivir and himself slain in the year 1578. Sebastian dying in this manner without Issue Cardinal Henriquez Uncle to the deceased and Son of King Emanuel was Crowned King but he being at that time Aged and infirm and unfit for Matrimony convened an Assembly of eleven Barons of the Land to consider of a Successour that so future Contests and civil Wars for the Crown might if possible be avoided Whilst this matter was under consideration the Cardinal King died and then all things were in confusion the Commonalty cryed up for Don Antonio who was the bastard Son of Don Alvize Brother to the Cardinal but the Nobility declared for King Philip of Spain to whom the right of succession to the Crown did legally appertain according to the Opinion of all the Doctors of the Civil Law this Controversie came at length to be decided by the Sword in which King Philip having the advantage sent an Army of thirty thousand Men under the Command of the Duke of Alva into Portugal where having taken several Towns at length made himself Master of Lisbon where Philip soon after arriving was acknowledged King and Fealty paid him by all the Nobles and Commonalty of the Land and having remained some short time at Lisbon returned in peace to his Court at Madrid Whilst these things were in action the Pope sent Cardinal Riario to accommodate differences and moderate between both Parties but coming too late after the Controversie was decided he changed his Office of Mediation to Complements and joy for the successes of the Conquerour About this time Pope Gregory confirmed the Excommunication which Pius V. had published against Elizabeth Queen of England and outed Gilbert Truckhesius Bishop of Cologna of his Arch-Bishoprick for marrying and for adhering to the Confession of Augsbourg He also rectified the Kalendar which we call the New Stile or Gregorian Account differing ten days from that which we use in England called the Julian Account the which was to commence in all places where they would receive it in the year 1583. About this time also there happened an irreconcileable difference between the Grand Master of Malta and the chief Knights of that Order which arose to that degree and height that the Knights deposed their Master put him into Prison and having accused him of many enormous Crimes they created Marturin Romagasso a Gascon to succeed him in his place On the other side the Grand Master appealed to the Pope and complaining of the many injuries he had susteined desired that he might be removed to Rome and his cause heard before the Apostolical Tribunal The Pope highly resenting this insolence and indignity which the Knights had exercised towards their Master dispatched his Legat to Malta who by virtue of a Writ from the Pope brought the Grand Master to Rome and with him came three hundred Knights on three Gallies where being arrived the Pope favoured the Cause of the Master and in evidence thereof sent eight hundred Horse to meet him which with great pomp and triumph conducted him to the Palace of Cardinal d' Este where he was lodged with much honour After a few days allotted for his refreshment he was admitted to Audience with the Pope and having in humble manner kissed his feet he repeated the Hymn of Nunc dimittis or Lord lettest thou now thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation Which piece of flattery so pleased the Pope that he would give no credence to the Calumnies and charge of his Accusers but dismissed his Cause and returned him back to his Lodging with honour and entire satisfaction After which Romagasso his Rival coming to Rome to hear and see how matters were carried and finding himself discountenanced both by the Clergy and by the Princes conceived so sad a resentment of this miscarriage that falling sick with grief he soon after departed this life about the beginning of November 1581. Two Months after which the Grand Master being also transported with a different passion died at Rome both which accidents so happily concurring obviated all the difficulties which might offer about a new Election Hugh de Verdal a Gascon being chosen by common consent without trouble or other tumult The year 1583. began with two unfortunate Calamities which much afflicted the Pope and the City of Rome the first was Famine and want of Bread-corn which so miserably pinched the poor for the space of two Months that many of them were starved to death The other was a sad and doleful Tragedy which began at Rome and ended at Padoua the cause and matter thereof in short was this The Head Bayliff of Rome with his Followers understanding that a certain Bandito was come for a Spy to Rome and for Sanctuary was fled to the Palace of the Orsini by one means or other he seized and brought him from that place but it happened that as he was carrying him from thence Raimond Orsini Savillo and Rustici being on Horse-back with their Servants unhappily met the Bayliff and commanded him to release the Prisoner who was illegally seized within the priviledges of the Orsini The Bayliff refusing so to do Rustici strook him over the Head with his Cane which so incensed the Bayliff that
pillaged all the Cities round nor were the Lives nor Estates of honest Men safe nor secure within the Cities It is incredible to relate what numbers they murthered in divers places and what Robberies they committed and though this Gregory sent many Troops of armed Soldiers against them yet he was not able to extirpate those bands of villanous Men that work being reserved for Sixtus Quintus whose Life is the next which offers it self to our Pen. SIXTVS V. GREGORY being dead the Cardinals to the number of thirty nine entered the Conclave on Easter day being the eleventh of April which were all that were then present at Rome to which in a short time afterwards three more were added namely the Cardinals of Austria Madrucci and Vercelli The Conclave being divided into no less than six Factions prolonged the choice by the many Scrutinies that were made but at length all things seemed to favour Cardinal Montalto and the minds of the Conclave to encline towards him for he was considered as a Person learned peaceable pleasant in his Conversation and one who was free of dependancies or Relations for he had onely some Nephews by a Sister who were all so young and of that tender age that they were never likely to put him to expence or intrude into the management of Affairs besides he had been always obliging in his carriage and given demonstrations of due honour and respect to all the Cardinals he was also of a quiet behahaviour living in a modest retirement and having at any time entertained a Dispute or controversie with any Cardinal in the Consistory he would rather gently yield the question than seem obstinate in any impertinent adherence to his own Opinion When at any time he had been reviled as once he was in the Consistory where one of the Cardinals called him the Ass of la Marca he laughed and took it for a jest and as an effect of that intimacy and familiarity which was between them In short his plausible carriage made him acceptable to all and opened a way to his Election which happened the 24th day of April the Sea having been vacant fourteen days onely This Pope was named Felix or Felice born of poor and obscure Parents at Montalto in the Marches of Ancona at the age of fourteen years he took the habit of St. Francis and became a Cordelior Frier in a Convent at Ascoli not far distant from the place of his birth As he grew forward in years he became a good proficient in his Studies and so subtil a Disputant that he was always challenging and provoking his fellow Students to Disputations which moved them to that anger and envy against him as made them often to fly into passions and revile him with the meanness of his birth terming him with the reproach of being the Son of a Hog-driver or the Boy of a Swineherd all which he took very mildly and without displeasure to be accounted of mean Parentage for he would often in jest say that he was born of an Illustrious House which was so conspicuous that the very Sun-beams darted through it But when he had passed from his Sophistry to more substantial Learning he took his Degree of Doctor of Divinity in the City of Fermo and soon after in company with certain other learned Fathers he went to a publick Disputation held at Asciti where in presence of Cardinal Carpi who was then Protectour of the Franciscan Order he shewed so much subtlety and acuteness of Wit in defending certain conclusions that he acquired the esteem both of a learned Disputant and an elegant Oratour In the year 1551. he was ordained Preacher at Siena and the year following at Camerino and afterwards by order of his General he was appointed one of the Lent Preachers in the Church of the Holy Apostles at Rome and therein acquitted himself with great honour and applause Afterwards he was made one of the Council of the Inquisition and constituted by Pope Pius IV. Vicar General of his Order and together with Cardinal Buon-compagno made Legat Apostolical in Italy Pius V. created him Bishop of St. Agatha and Cardinal with title of St. Jerome And lastly as we have said he was on the 11th of April 1585. chosen Pope giving himself the name of Sixtus V. though desired by others to assume the name of Nicholas in honour to Nicholas IV. whose memory he was observed much to affect as appears by a stately Monument which he at his own charge when Cardinal erected over the Sepulcre of that Pope in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore at Rome But the name of Sixtus prevailed with him both in Complement to Cardinal St. Sixtus as also in honour to the memory of Sixtus IV. who was a Frier likewise of the same Order Sixtus being thus Elected he contrived to be crowned on Wednesday the first of May which day had often proved auspicious to him for on a Wednesday he was first initiated into the habit of St. Francis and on a Wednesday he was created Vicar General Cardinal and Pope on Sunday following he went to St. John of Lateran according to usual custom to take possession of his sublime Office But before we proceed to the particular Affairs which occurred in his Government it may not be unpleasant to the Reader to recite some delightful passages which happened upon his Election For when the Scrutiny was past and that Montalto thought himself secure of his Election he immediately began to cast off his disguise of Humility with which he had for above fifteen years cloaked his Ambition for no sooner were half the Votes recited in his favour by which he found himself secure of his Election but being impatient to enjoy the honours of the Papal Throne he arose on his Feet before the Scrutiny was wholly finished and placing himself in the middle of the Hall he threw away his little Staff which he usually carried for a support of his crooked old Age and then strutting and stretching himself bolt upright he seemed a foot higher than before that all wondered to see the Pope grown in a moment so much taller than when he was Cardinal and with that he began to hum and spit with as much force as any young Man of thirty years of Age and of sound Lungs was able to do At which the Cardinals looking one upon the other wondred at this strange Metamorphosis shewing some kind of dissatisfaction at their Choice and therewith the Cardinal Deacon cryed aloud Hold fair and softly here is an Errour in the Votes the Scrutiny is not good But Montalto would by no means be so put off but boldly replyed It is good it is good and began to sing Te Deum Laudamus with such a clear and Audible Voice that he made the whole Hall ring again though an hour or two before he did not speak a word without Coughing or spitting three or four times And therewith placing himself before the Altar with his Eyes
on a Crucifix he said a short mental Prayer as was accustomary and then the Master of the Ceremonies asked him Whether he was pleased to accept of the Papal Office At which turning about with a Majestick and grave Countenance he replyed We are not now to receive that which we have already accepted but if you had another Popedom to confer we were capable also to receive that for by the Grace of God we are well assured that we have force and vigour sufficient to Rule and govern two Worlds with as much facility as we can do this one Popedom When the Masters of the Ceremonies vested him in his Pontifical Habit they observe d with what marvellous vigour he extended his Arms to cloth himself with his Robes which he performed with such haste and agility as if he feared to lose his Office and honour by appearing slow and unactive which Cardinal Rusticucci attentively observing said to him Most Holy Father the Papal Dignity is a most admirable Medicine for it turns old Cardinals into young Men and sickly and unfirm Persons it makes sound and robustious To which the Pope replyed That it was very true for he found it so by good experience But what was most remarkable in this Pope was that no sooner was the Scrutiny past than immediately the Scene was changed with him for he was now no longer the humble modest and infirm Cardinal Montalto but the haughty Majestick and grave Pope Sixtus he was now no longer familiar and jocular with the Cardinals but severe and morose disdaining to maintain an easie conversation with any nay even with those who had promoted him to the Papal Dignity Being thus habited in his Pontificalibus and conducted to St. Peter's Church where was a great concourse of People from all parts of the City to behold the new Pope and being come to the Portico he was met by the Canons of that Church singing that Antiphona Ecce Sacerdos Magnus qui in diebus suis placuit Deo inventus est Justus which is Behold the High Priest who in his days was pleasing unto God and was found just As he passed forward into the Church he went making Crosses and scattering his Benedictions on the People with such firmness of Hand and strength of Arm that they all wondered at the change and as if they could not give credit to their Eyes they cryed aloud which is the Pope which is the Pope Others also running to one and other said is this the Cardinal who the other day was so feeble and decrepit that he seemed ready to fall at every step is this he who walked always stooping with his Head hanging down and awry towards one shoulder but how is he now changed with what vigour and Majesty doth he now walk like another Aaron It is reported when his Physitians came to pay him their respects and adoration as he sat in his Throne in St. Peter's Church that one of them should say to him Your Holiness seems to have another garb and meen than when you were Cardinal to which the Pope replyed 'T is true indeed for when we were Cardinal we went always stooping and poring on the ground to find the Keys of Heaven gate but now having found them we need not to look so low but rather cast our Eyes aloft towards Heaven having need of no other matter now upon Earth The Ceremonies in S. Peter's being over he was conducted by the Cardinals to the usual Lodgings of the Pope where having left him alone he refreshed himself onely with a little Bisket passing the whole day with great abstinence and being alone his Servants observed him to walk in his Chamber quick and fast but in a thinking and pensive manner at which they much wondered because they never knew him before to move from his Chair to walk in that manner and being in this melancholly motion the Steward of his House came to him as usually to know what he was pleased to order for his Supper whereunto the Pope replyed with his Eyes fixed on him and with a stern countenance It is not accustomary to demand of great Princes what it is that they are pleased to eat but prepare us such a Supper as is Royal and then we shall choose that Dish which is most agreeable to our Palate Then he commanded that the Cardinals Alessandrino Medici Rusticucci Este San-Sisto and Altemps should be invited with him to Supper which being accepted by them they all appeared except onely Este who for some reasons excused himself and being sat down at the Table the Pope began a Discourse of the great honour which was due to the Papal Dignity and of the high favour which Christ had bestowed on the Pope in making him his supreme Vicar on Earth repeating often those words Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church And then with vehemence of Speech he proceeded O said he how profound are the Judgments of God Christ would not ordain on Earth more than one Peter one high Priest one Vicar one Head To one single Person onely he gave Authority to govern his Flock and to feed his Sheep Tu es Petrus Thou Thou onely art High Priest To thee will I give the Keys of Heaven To thee onely do I give the Keys to open and shut and to bind and loose To thee to Thee onely do I give Authority to sustain and govern my Flock to Thee only who art my Vicar and not to others who are Servants and simple Ministers of thine The Cardinals had all this while wit enough to understand that this whole Discourse was levelled onely at them and at the beginning to take them off of all expectation of governing or managing Affairs for him For he was willing to eradicate that Opinion out of their minds which they had conceived of him that being a weak and an infirm person he would easily have submitted to the management and direction of his Cardinals which was true enough and which doubtless was the chief motive at his Election And to evidence farther his resolution to rule alone he would scarce suffer any of them to interpose a word but he would take them short and still repeat that saying That in the Church there ought to be but one Commander With this satisfaction the Cardinals after Supper returned to their own Lodgings discoursing as they went of the Complement the Pope had passed on them and of the manner how he had unfolded his mind and thoughts but above all Cardinal Medici seemed to be most concerned having had the fairest game in all appearance at the Election and therefore could not contain himself from saying I see a great storm coming towards us but who is to be saved shall be saved The day following or some short time afterwards the Pope called before him the Governour of Rome and all the Judges of civil and criminal Causes to whom he recommended with great fervour and zeal of spirit an
humbly to beseech his Holiness to pardon what was past and as a testimony and evidence of his reconciliation to send him his Blessing But Sixtus having neither by these reasons nor yet by the gentle and submissive terms of the Ambassadours abated the fury and anger which appeared in his countenance Replyed with a loud Voice That he was well assured that Gondi was dispatched on an other Errand than this and that by any thing they had said there was no judgment to be made of sorrow or repentance in the King for the Crimes he had committed or of such obedience which they professed to the Apostolical Sea so long as contrary to the priviledges thereof he detained the Prelates in Prison and that in case he expected absolution he was to seek it with tears and by a Person express and employed to no other purpose and that there ought to be a Session of Prelates thereupon to consider whether such repentance were real and unfeigned And at last concluded with these sharp words You said he think you have to do with some poor simple Frier that is unacquainted with Men and the World but you shall find that you have to do with Sixtus who is ready to expend blood in defence of the Dignity of the Holy See After which he dismissed the two Ambassadours and the next day called a Consistory in which he appeared with a countenance full of Choler which boiled in his breast and then began to exclaim against his Legat Morosini residing at Paris as if he had consented to the death of the Cardinal or at least might have prevented both that and the imprisonment of the Prelats in case he had vigorously appeared against such indirect Counsels In the next place he railed against some Cardinals who had the boldness to excuse the murther which the King had committed wondering that Cardinals should so little esteem their Dignity and degree as to expose the sanctity of their purple to be profaned by the unhallowed violences of an usurped jurisdiction As to us said he it concerns little what affronts are put on the Cardinals dignity but we are sure that it is of a high consequence to you for we cannot believe that you would readily consent to be dispoiled of their Authority your liberties prerogatives and other priviledges with which you are adorned of which you will certainly be if this murther of a Cardinal be connived at or passed by without any resentment We therefore are resolved to perform our duty and do that which God and his Laws require at Our hands and if from thence as you may possibly object ill consequences ensue to the Kingdom of France we shall remain acquitted in the sight of God for justice must be done though the World should be ruined and dissolved thereby The Cardinals remaining all silent none daring to make a Reply The Pope proceeded and said We shall depute a Congregation of Cardinals to examine this case and search farther into this matter and accordingly the persons nominated were Anthony Sorbellone the Arch bishop of Santa Severina Facchinetto Lancilotto Sastagna and others the which Deputation was now the common Discourse and filled all the World with high expectation of the success and issue thereof The King being informed of these proceedings redoubled his Guards and cautions in the Court of Rome to which place he dispatched the Bishop of Mans a person of singular probity and eloquence to make his defence and having received his Instructions and being fully informed of all the reasons and arguments which might be produced in behalf of the King he arrived at Rome where having first consulted the Ambassadours he was with them admitted unto Audience with the Pope to whom he began with most profound humility to argue and plead That the King had not incurred the punishment of any Ecclesiastical Censure having in no manner violated or infringed the Liberties or Immunities of the Church For that the Cardinal having been found guilty of high Treason against the King was by the fundamental Laws and constitutions of France subjected to the Secular Power and in regard he was a Peer of that Realm his Cause was more immediately triable in the Parliament of Paris and in a grand Assembly of all the Princes and Officers of the Crown so that if the King had trespassed against any Laws it was against the priviledges of his own Parliaments and not against the jurisdiction of the Ecclesiastical State In the next place he argued that a King of France according to the priviledges of the Gallican Church could not incur the Censure of Excommunication But these Arguments and ways of reasonings were in no wise pleasing to the humour of Sixtus being against the Idea and Scheme that he had figured to himself of the Power of the Church and Keys but rather served to inflame his passion and therefore setting aside all those Arguments as not worth an Answer he declared and sentenced That in case within a certain time limited the King did not free and set at liberty the Cardinal of Bourbon and the Arch-bishop of Lions and that in case within the space of sixty days after such releasement the assurance thereof were not intimated to himself and the Apostolical See by writings under the King 's own hand and the Royal Signet That then in such case the King remained actually Excommunicated and incurred all the Ecclesiastical Censures as expressed in the Sacred Canons and Constitutions of the Church Farther The Pope cited the King to appear at Rome either in person or by his Proxy within the space of sixty days after intimation of these Summons should be given him to render an account and to give answer to the accusation charged upon him for having murthered the Cardinal of Guise and imprisoned the Cardinal of Bourbon and the Arch-bishop of Lions and for default of such appearance that then the King did actually incur the pain of Excommunication from which he could not be absolved by any other person whatsoever than onely by the Pope himself unless at the point of death nor then neither unless upon a confident and faithful assurance and Vows to act and obey all matters and Injunctions whatsoever which should be enjoyned and commanded by the Holy Church Two Months and some few days after the Pope had issued out this Excommunication it happened that the King being at the Head of a great Army near St. Clou about two Leagues from Paris was on the first day of August 1589. stabbed in the Belly by a Dominican Frier who was a youth of about twenty three years of age and with him ended his quarrel with the Pope Such being the fate of Henry III. the news thereof flew speedily to Rome where the Spaniards caused a report to be spread that the Affairs of the King of Navarre were reduced to a mean and a low condition and almost desperate and that not onely those of the League but also the whole Kingdom
Epistles to all Patriarchs Arch-bishops and Primates giving them advice of his promotion to the Papal Dignity exhorting them within their respective Jurisdictions to make Prayers for him that God would inspire him in such manner with his heavenly grace as might enable him to support the great and important burthen of Ecclesiastical Government The 29th of this Month of November the Duke of Mantoua arrived at Rome to do him homage and was received with a chearful welcome being lodged in the Pope's Palace in the Apartment belonging to his Nephews On the 11th of November he issued forth a regulation of the prices of all Provisions which were mounted to an excessive rate On the 18th he created two Cardinals namely Segas Bishop of Piacenza and Anthony Fachinetti his great Nephew whom he also constituted Referendary of both the Seals On the 21th he began to find himself indisposed in his health which encreasing to a high degree did on the 23th give indications of a malignant Fever which in eight days time put an end to his life and dying on the 29th of December 1591 his Body was buried in the Church of St. Peter having reigned only two Months and the Sea was vacant a month and a day And now to shew the frailty of humane condition and the uncertainty of great Places one year four months and three days made an end of four Popes CLEMENT VIII IN the place of Innocent Cardinal Hippolito Aldebrandino was elected Pope and possessed the Chair thirteen years or thereabouts He was descended from an antient Family of Florence which had continued from the Langobards for the space of a thousand years originally called Hildebrando or Hildebrandino and so by corruption Aldebrandino his Ancestours had held the chief Offices and Dignities in that City having the honour to have had the chief and supreme Magistracy of Gonfaloniere twenty three times in their Family of which great promotions and Dignities in that City none can boast so much as this unless the House of the Medici who in this Age are Dukes of that City and Country This Hippolito was the Son of Silvester Aldobrandino born at Florence where and at Pisa having studied the Law he gained considerable knowledg therein to which having added an excellency in the gift of Eloquence and a just and upright mind he became fit and qualified for Government and for management of the most important Trusts and charges of State After many honours and Places which he had obtained as well at Florence as with the Dukes of Ferrara and Vrbin he was at Rome made Auditor of the Rota and Datary under Sixtus V. who afterwards created him Cardinal and sent him under Character of his Legat into Poland He afterwards was employed in matters of great importance under Vrban VII Gregory XIV and Innocent IX in all which acquitting himself with singular Justice and Wisdom he prepared his way to the attainment of that supreme Dignity after which the Cardinals so much thirst and languish The Funeral Obsequies of Innocent being performed the Cardinals having celebrated the Mass of the Holy Ghost and heard an Oration pronounced by the Bishop of Traw de eligendo Summo Pontifice they entered the Conclave on the 10th of January to the number of fifty two singing the Hymn of Veni Creator Spiritus Many and various were the endeavours and practices amongst the Cardinals during the time of this Conclave Montalto who was the great stickler and promoter of Elections designed the choice for Cardinal Santa Severina being a person much esteemed for his Vertues and Learning but such opposition appearing against him as could not be withstood divers others were put into the predicament as Como Paleotto and others Colonna had a fair prospect of success and so also had Madruccio but were all excluded by contrary factions so at length Montalto proposed Cardinal Aldobrandino who being nominated was generally acceptable and esteemed for his rare qualities and the excellency of his Vertue and Piety and disquisition or trial of Votes being made there soon appeared a unanimous consent and concurrence to create him Pope which was accordingly effected on the 30th of January 1592. and publication made in the Conclave that Aldobrandino was chosen whereupon Madruccio Montalto and others assembling together went in company to his Cell to congratulate his Election which he received without any alteration or change of countenance and being conducted thence to the Chappel Paolina he was there by publick Scrutiny of all the Cardinals and with their common and unanimous Vote Elected Pope It is said that after his Choice he kneeled down before the Altar and instead of shewing that joy which Sixtus V. and others had betrayed he let full abundance of tears seeming to be filled with great fear and confusion and when according to the usual formality it was inquired of him by the Masters of the Ceremonies whether he accepted of his Election to the Popedom he remained silent without returning any Answer so that the Cardinals who were standing near his Person made Answer for him that he did accept it but the Masters not accepting this assent from the mouth of others told him That his consent could not be recorded from the words of others but onely from his own wherefore being thus urged he with abundance of tears expressed himself in this manner O Lord God who seest the hearts of all Men and from whom no secrets are hid and knowest what is present and what is to come if this Election which thou hast made of me to be thy Vicar on Earth shall not be to thy glory and service and good of thy faithful people Grant I beseech Thee that my Tongue may cleave to the root of my Mouth Vt lingua mea adhaereat faucibus meis but if thou by thy Providence dost foresee that I shall be useful and serviceable to thy Holy Church then do I in vertue of thy Divine Assistance accept of this Office and be it unto thy Servant according to thy Will And thus being as accustomary vested in his Habit and placed in the Chair he was with great joy of all the Cardinals adored by them calling himself by the name of Clement VIII he was afterwards conducted to St. Peters where he was met by the Canons singing the usual Antiphona Ecce Sacerdos Magnus qui in diebus suis placuit Deo Inventus est Justus All the Ceremonies of his Election and Inauguration being compleated he immediately applyed his mind to the Affairs of Government And in the first place after the Example of Sixtus V. he resolved to destroy and extirpate that vile and abominable sort of Men called Banditi who were Vagabonds and Robbers and committed most execrable Murthers and spoils in all parts of the Roman Territories to effect which he sent several Troops of armed Men against them who cut them in pieces and destroyed them without any remorse or compassion as the Enemies and pest of humane Society But
that which was of greatest importance to him was the success of the League against Henry King of Navarre to support and strengthen which he dispatched the Bishop of Viterbo into France with Instructions and Money to favour the Party and Interest of the Allies against the King and his Protestant Party who stood Excommunicated by Pope Sixtus Iâ— is not our part here to relate all the passages and successes of that War being that which appertains to the History of France we can onely say that Henry IV. being victorious in all the Battels which he fought and having entered all the Provinces of that Kingdom with Triumph we may imagine that France stood at that time on its vertical point of becoming all Protestant But certainly that wise King considering that Victory in War is not sufficient to settle a Prince quiet and secure in his Throne unless his inauguration be attended with the affection of his People and a concurrence or conformity with the professed and established Religion of the Country did suffer himself to be overborn by those arguments which were produced in favour of the Church of Rome whose greatest weight consisted in those considerations which had respect to the Union and peace of the Kingdom And thereupon all the pretences of opposition to their lawful Sovereign being taken off from the people Meaux Lion Orleans and Bourges with other places which stood in Rebellion against him submitted to his pleasure and the King was received into Paris with all joy and triumph imaginable The King having made profession of the Roman Catholick Faith was absolved by the Arch-bishop of Bourges in the Church at St. Denys at which the Pope was highly displeased in regard the absolution of Monarchs in cases of Heresie could not be performed but by the Pope himself in Person or by immediate Deputation from him Howsoever the Duke of Nevers being sent Ambassadour to Rome carrying with him from the Nuntio Attestations of the King 's sincere conversion which was confirmed not long afterwards by the Sieur du Perron the Excommunication was taken off which Pope Sixtus had thundred against him and having received him for the eldest Son of the Church the Pope solemnly gave him his Absolution and blessing in the year 1595. In this year Pope Clement restrained the liberal Grants of Indulgences which having for Money been issued to every Chapman they became common even to contempt for remedy of which he imposed a greater difficulty on the concessions of them He also at that time relieved the people of Rome by abatements on the price of Corn having caused great quantities to be imported from Sicily he likewise suppressed by his Naval Force the many Pirats which infested the Mediterranean Sea and concluded a League between himself the Emperor the Prince of Transilvania and the Princes of Germany against the Turk for the effectual prosecution of which he afterwards in the year 1597. sent ten thousand Men into Hungary paid at his own charge under the conduct of Francis Aldebrandino which being joyned with six thousand which the Emperour sent into Transilvania and other Forces raised and paid by the circles of the Empire composed a strong and formidable Army against the Turk Howsoever the Wars between France and Spain still continuing without any probable appearance of accommodation the Turk availed himself of those unhappy divisions and forced the Emperor to raise the Siege of Raab and shamefully caused the Transilvanians to retreat from Temeswar and being victorious in all parts of Hungary threatned to enter Germany by force of Arms with which the Pope being greatly alarm'd and fearing the success of the common Enemy of Christendom bended all his thoughts towards making a Peace between Spain and France which he hoped to effect in that juncture of time when the circumstances of Christendom made it almost necessary to put an end unto the War In this grand Affair he employed Cardinal Alexander de Medicis who was afterwards his Successour to be his Legat to Henry IV. of France and by his Nuntio who resided with Philip II. in the Court of Spain he used many instances and warm Exhortations persuading both of them that laying aside the hatred and animosities which were between them they would seriously apply themselves to embrace such Conditions which might produce Amity and a Christian peace between them that so they might join in a League against the Turk who was now victorious and breathed out ruin and destruction to all Christendom but because these two Princes were high spirited and haughty as not to be the first to condescend and ask a peace the General of the Cordelier Friers was employed by the Pope to carry the Offers and proposals of mediation between one and the other in which he had such success that labouring with the Legat and Monsieur de Sillery who was aftewards made Chancellour of France they agreed at St. Quintin on the most difficult and disputable Points and Conditions which were afterwards perfected and concluded at Vervins in the year 1598. But that which had like to have interrupted and spoiled all this Treaty was the restitution of the Marquisat of Salluces which the French King demanded of the Duke of Savoy but lest this pretension should frustrate and defeat the former Agreement the King was contented to constitute the Pope sole Arbitrator and Judg of this difference promising to stand to his Umpirage and Award provided that his Sentence were published in one year after the Date of this present Peace But this Peace did not produce that union of Arms against the common Enemy as the Pope expected the Kings resolving to make use of this Peace for the quiet and repose of their Subjects and therefore taking no notice of any preparations against the Turk they dispatched their respective Letters to the Pope freighted with Salutes and Thanks for the good Offices he had performed towards the happy establishment and conclusion of a Peace But before this Peace was agreed in the Month of October 1599. Alfonso d' Este the second of that Name Duke of Ferrara died without issue Male by which the City of Ferrara and the Territory thereunto belonging devolved to the Papal Chair which the Pope made known to the Cardinals in a full Consistory with his Claim thereunto according to antient Articles agreed between the Ancestors of the Duke of Ferrara and the Sea of Rome But news coming afterwards that Cesare d' Este Bastard brother of the Duke deceased had made seisure and taken possession of the Dukedom by vertue of his Brother's Testament resolving to defend his Title thereunto by force of Arms the Pope was greatly troubled and incensed and immediately gave Orders to raise an Army of twenty five thousand Foot and three thousand Horse to march under the Command of his Nephew Cardinal Aldobrandino John Francis Aldobrandino being as we have said at that time in Hungary and to make these temporal Arms the more available he accompanied
The same Evening that she arrived she made her visit to the Pope and being admitted to his presence she kissed his feet and then his Holiness vouchsafed to arise and bow to her and give her his blessing after her the Arch-Dutchess presented her self who was received with the like forms of blessing On the Sunday following which was the day appointed for the Marriage the Queen appeared richly adorned like a Bride and being conducted into the Cathedral which was magnificently prepared she was there by the hand of the Pope espoused to Philip the third King of Spain the Arch-Duke Albert representing the person of the said King and then the Arch-Duke himself espoused the Infanta of Spain the Ambassadour of Spain standing in her stead and in representation of her person After all which Ceremonies and Festivals were ended at which there was a concourse of almost all the great personages of Italy the Queen took her journey by way of Mantoua into Spain where she was splendidly treated by that Duke And the Pope also having resided for the space of eight Months at Ferrara to the great satisfaction of his new Subjects who were not used to such sights not to such plenty of Mony as the concourse of such great Personages had brought them were highly pleased with the Ecclesiastical Government At length the Pope intending for Rome departed from Ferrara with many expressions and evidences of love and affection towards his people recommending them to the care of Cardinal St. Clement whom he had made Governour of that City and jurisdiction belonging to it On the 20th of December the Pope arrived at Rome full of joy and triumph for the happy acquisition of his new Dukedom but this contentment was much allayed by the sudden irruption of the Tybur which overflowing all its banks made such an inundation as drowned all the City and the Country round about which was not onely of damage to many in their Estates and ruin of their Houses but divers persons were drowned with all their substance and Estate never did Rome endure such desolation for on Christmas Day the Churches being filled with Water there was neither Mass nor Prayers nor Priest that was heard or seen within those Walls and the Pope himself was forced to pray on the tops of the Hills of Rome the poor that had saved themselves were yet in great misery and want and though spared by the Waters might have perished by Famine had not the charity of the Pope and Cardinals administred a relief to them and herein especially Cardinal Aldobrandino was signally useful for he visited the Houses of the poor in Boats and supplied them with Bread and other Victuals as their occasions required The like almost we read of in the Life of Adrian I. And now the year of 1599. being entered the Pope began to make preparations for the following year which was called and appointed for the year of Jubilee and in order thereunto he exhorted all Christian Princes to peace and unity especially his labours were more intent and concerned for peace and good correspondence in Italy inviting all Sovereign Princes by his Apostolical Letters as they called them to Rome to gain the Jubilee promising all those Blessings Indulgences and Pardons which are of as high moment as the Salvation of their Souls And because I am of Opinion that the form of this general Letter may be curious and pleasing to the Reader I have undertaken to transcribe the same as translated from the Latin the words are these Clement the Bishop Servant of the Servants of God to all the Faithful in Christ who shall read these present Letters be Health and the Apostolical Benediction Since that by the Grace of God beloved Children in Christ the acceptable year of our Lord which is the year of Remission and Pardon doth approach and the day is come of Eternal Salvation and redemption from your sins Now that we are come to the year so much desired by all Christian people which is the most Holy Jubilee and which since the birth of Christ born of the blessed Virgin Mary is the year 1600. and which is now according to the usual custom to be celebrated with so much the greater joy and concourse of people by how much it is to be represented without corruption in the pure Original and primary Institution thereof for in regard we have by antient Tradition and testimony of our Forefathers received assurance that it was accustomary for the Church of Rome to grant Indulgences and remission of sins to all such who in every Age that is in the term of every hundred years came to Rome to visit the Churches of the Holy Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul and because that this Custom should not be esteemed by the World as a vain and superstitious rite of Gentilism Boniface VIII our Predecessour thought fit to confirm the same by his Apostolical Decree to all Ages howsoever other Popes who were our Predecessours have undertaken to reduce the same to a shorter term of years And indeed it hath not without the Divine and mysterious Ordination been enacted and decreed that within the Age and memory of Man this great benefit of God to mankind should be celebrated and remembred who when like the Sun of Righteousness he arose from the Inclosures of the Virgins Womb to bestow eternal Salvation on all the World he was pleased to appoint that the remembrance of this Benefit should be celebrated in no other place than this of Rome which is the Rock and the receptacle of the Christian Religion where all the Subjects as Sons of one Father and Sheep of one Shepherd resort to the Chair of St. Peter and to the firm Rock of Faith which shall never by the continued Course of Ages nor variety of times be altered or changed that the World may see one Sheep-fold and one Shepherd and the true splendour of one Faith and all the members thereof joyned and cemented together under one Head with the bonds of Love and Charity and lastly that they may see with what unity in the Roman Church the religious Solemnity of this year is observed in its due course which we may truly stile the Holy year This year therefore we may reasonably call the Holy year of Our Lord and the acceptable year because that Jesus Christ himself who is the Author of our Salvation the Son of God who was sent by the Eternal Father in the fulness of Grace and of the Holy Ghost hath so named it To heal the contrite in heart to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them who are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of our Lord. And whereas we though unworthy do sit in the Seat of Christ upon Earth and are stated in this sublime Place watching as a Centinel and a Guard Apostolical do declare publish and preach to all you who are the faithful in Christ this year of Jubilee
oblige the King referred the disquisition and examination of the Marriage to the Cardinal Joyeuse the Bishop of Modena who was Nuntio for the Pope in France and the Arch-bishop of Arles whom he delegated to consider of those reasons which were offered to invalidate the legality of the Marriage In the mean time Henry treating a Contract of marriage with his Mistris Gabriele d' Estrees God disposed otherwise of that intention and the Delegates who were willing to comply with the desires of the King declared the Marriage Null having been in the third degree of consanguinity by which both parties were set at liberty and put in the same estate and condition as before their Matrimony Of which the King having received information from his Ambassadour Monsieur de Sillery then residing at Rome he immediately dispatched the Sieur d' Alincourt Governour of Pontois to render his humble thanks to the Pope for his obliging determination and to demand his Counsel concerning the Alliance which he intended to make with the House de Medicis having placed his affections on the Princess Mary Niece to the Grand Duke of Florence The Sieur de Sillery taking Post upon this Errand arrived at Rome the 6th of February being Ash-wednesday in the year 1600. and the year of Jubilee which made that Lent the more Solemn and devout than that of common years for it was commanded that Prayers of forty hours continuance should be made in the Churches of the Jesuits the Pope himself with the Colledg of Cardinals began the first hour and every hour afterwards was employed in Prayers and ended with an Exhortation made by some Cardinal or Learned Prelat To gain the Indulgences of this Jubilee though many personages of great quality did resort to Rome yet none was of higher dignity than the Duke de Bar who Incognito and with a small train and equipage travelled to Rome to gain a Dispensation for his Marriage which he had celebrated between himself and the Princess Catharine the Onely Sister of the French King for having performed the same within the degrees of consanguinity forbidden by the Church the Bishop of Lorain and others had refused to admit him to the Sacrament and Communion of the Church Thus we see whilest the King sues for a Divorce the Duke desires a confirmation and dispensation of his Marriage and both were granted though the same reasons and considerations were in both cases the same ground which might dissolve the one might null the other and the same salve might serve for both Cures In short the Duke de Bar applyed himself with all the humility and submission imaginable to the Papal Chair and carrying with him the King 's recommendatory Letters to the Cardinals Aldobrandino Ossac and his Ambassadour he obtained as much favour in his Cause as he could expect or desire On the other side in pursuance of the late Divorce the Sieurs de Sillery and Alincourt went to Florence to treat a new Marriage between the King and the Princess Mary de Medicis As the Duke of Florence received the honour of this Match with great readiness it being an addition to the grandeur of his House so the Pope to forward the same contributed on his part a hundred thousand Crowns with many Jewels by way of Dowry or Portion which was agreed to be six hundred thousand Crowns in ready Mony So soon as the Articles were signed the Duke of Florence published the intended Marriage and the King to bring it to a consummation being then at Lions in order to his Journey to Grenoble deputed Bellegarde his Grand Escuyer with Commission to the Grand Duke to espouse Mary de Medicis in his name and the Pope to have a farther hand in this work deputed his Nephew Cardinal Aldobrandino to be his Legat at Florence and to be present at the Nuptials which he accordingly performed and bestowed the Benediction in the Pope's Name The Cardinal having performed this piece of service hastned away by order of the Pope to Tortona there to find the Duke and stipulate with him the conditions of a firm Peace for the King had already commenced a War and taken several places both in Savoy and Bresse The Cardinal representing before the Duke the danger and inequality of a War with France persuaded him to resign his pretensions and interest to the Marquisat of Saluses and having obtained this promise he proceeded to Lions where managing this Affair with the King a Peace was concluded and published in the year 1601. on Conditions that the Duke should quit all claim to the Marquisat of Saluces in exchange for Bresse and some other Countries In the mean time the Queen embarqued at Ligorne with seventeen Gallies arrived happily at Marseille and thence was conducted with great honour and pomp to Lions where meeting with the King the marriage was consummated and the Nuptial Benediction given by Cardinal Aldobrandino the Pope's Legat before the great Altar of St. John's Church in the City of Lions All these kindnesses passed between the Pope and the King the Pope resolved to make use of this good Correspondence to intercede in behalf of the Jesuits whose whole Order having for certain reasons been banished and exterminated from the Dominions of France was now at the instance and desire of the King restored again under certain Conditions to their possessions and habitations in that Kingdom And in regard the Emperor was at the same time hardly pressed by the Turk the Pope as at other times furnished him with a hundred thousand Crowns which was a seasonable Recruit and supply in those exegencies of the Empire And now it was about the year 1603. that Elizabeth Queen of England dying and James VI. King of Scotland succeeding to the Crown when the Pope conceived great hopes and expectations that by means of this King whom he fancied to be a favourer of the Roman Church the Kingdoms of Great Britain would submit unto and acknowledg the Papal Authority but what ground or reasons there were for such an Opinion or why the Roman Catholicks in England had conceived and for forty years together had framed such a fancy to themselves no rational account can be given but this conceit soon vanishing by the contrary effects which appeared the Papists of England made two Remonstrances to the new King in favour of their Religion desiring at least that a liberty of Conscience might be granted to them but these had no more effect than the Declaration which the Protestants made the same year in favour of their Religion in France The Cardinals Bonvisi and Ossac dying this year at Rome Henry the French King did greatly urge the Pope for a promotion of Cardinals recommending several of his own Creatures and Friends to that Dignity And though the Pope was very desirous to have reduced the Order of Cardinals to their ancient number yet being overcome by the instances of some Friends he bestowed a Cardinals Cap on the
manner altered or transported conserving still a Majesty becoming the gravity and seriousness of the Papal Chair unto which he was promoted Nor did he ascend unto this height on a sudden but by degrees and previous dispositions for besides the advantages of his birth being the Son of Octaviano de Medicis Cousin of Cosmo Great Duke of Tuscany he had exercised many honourable and important Offices for in the first place he had been Arch-bishop of Florence and Francis the Great Duke of Florence had sent him his Ambassadour at Rome Gregory XIII created him Cardinal under the Title of St. John and St. Paul and the 13th of December 1593. Clement VIII deputed him his Legat to Henry IV. King of France and Navarre in which Office he was a good Instrument in making the Peace between this Henry and Philip II. King of Spain in recompence of which and to evidence the respect he had for him King Henry presented him with a Jewel of ten thousand Crowns and finally being chosen Pope to the general satisfaction of all Rome he was on the 2d of April carried with the usual pomp to the Church of St. Peters where Te Deum was solemnly sang after which the people of Rome coming to salute him he promised to abate their Subsidies and Taxes to adorn the City to treat the Nobility with favour and respect and conserve and maintain the priviledges of all People respectively according to their qualities and conditions On the 10th of April being Easter day he was solemnly Crowned but the day of Procession to St. John de Lateran where the Pope takes the possession was deferred until the seventeenth instant when the Florentines and the several Orders of the City did endeavour to outvy each other in such demonstrations as might evidence the satisfaction and contentment they received by this Election amongst which the Florentines erected a Triumphal Arch with this Inscription on the one side thereof Leoni XI Florentino P.O.M. Florentini ad declarandam fidem laetitiam animi alacritatem And on the other side Dignus est Leo in virtute Agni accipere librum solvere septem signacula ejus But this joy and contentment did not continue long for the Pope being wearied with the tedious length of these Ceremonies and over-heated with the Weather and weight of his Vestments took an extream cold which turned to a Fever which encreasing daily on him he expired his last breath on the 25th day after his Election and in the seventieth year of his age the same Evening his Body was carried to the Chappel of Sixtus and the next day being the 28th of April to the Church of St. Peters where according to the usual custom great numbers of people thronged to kiss his feet The sadness at Rome for this sudden accident was certainly very great but none had so much reason to lament this loss as his own Family who had not time to receive the honours designed for them and particularly his great Nephew Octaviano on whom he intended to bestow his own Cardinals Hat After which the Papal Sea was vacant for nineteen days PAVL V. LEO the Eleventh being deceased the same Cardinals who had elected the preceding Pope to the number of sixty one entered the Conclave on the 8th of May where the day following the first Scrutiny was made but without effect by reason of the diversity of Votes and divisions amongst the Cardinals Sauli was then proposed but excluded Bellarmine was then next who in all probability might have carried the Prize had not the Scrutiny been deferred after the Pratica was made for him Camerino and Clemente were also put to the Votes but excluded only Cardinal Tosco had gained so great a Party being assisted by Aldobrandino Montalto and others of the best Interest that his Election had certainly been perfected had not Baronius and Farugio crossed the matter which caused a loud cry for Baronius but by a like accident of contradiction as well Baronius as Tosco was excluded at length after diversity of Successes Cardinal Borghese being nominated such unanimous consent appeared in all the Conclave that every one seemed to assent having no other objection against him than the small number of his years having scarce attained to the age of fifty three but that scruple not availing he was conducted to the Chappel of Paolino where he was elected and having vested himself in his Pontifical garments was worshiped as Pope on the 16th of May which being performed he took on himself the name of Paul V. This Camillo for so was his Christian Name was born at Rome his Father was Antonio Borghese of Siena but his Mother was a Roman Lady His Studies were chiefly in the Civil Law in which having taken his degree of Doctor he became so famous that he was made Referendary both of one and the other Signet In the year 1588. he was constituted Vice Legat of Bologna Gregory IV. made him Auditor of the Chamber which is an Office that requires great dexterity and experience in Affairs Clement VIII created him Cardinal with the title of St. Chrusogono and afterwards made him his Vicar which is one of the four principal Dignities of Rome In this manner he still advanced in greatness and honour until he came to the height of the Papal Dignity seeming to have arisen thereunto rather by the force of his own merits and Virtue than by fortune or the favour and recommendation of Friends or Patrons On the 29th of May being Whit-sunday he was Crowned with all the usual Ceremonies and then he bestowed freely his general Indulgences exhorting all people to pray for the encrease of God's Church the tranquillity and peace of the Christian State and extirpation of Heresie He abated or took off some of the Taxes which lay most heavy on the People moderated the price of Provisions at Rome and contrived a great abundance of all things necessary or convenient for humane life And to give some indication to the World of his magnificence and generous Mind he built a Chappel in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore just opposite to that of Sixtus V. which he enriched and adorned with Porphiry and Marble and endowed afterwards with a considerable Revenue Paul V. being thus setled in the Papal Chair and invested with all the Power attendant on that supreme degree made it the scope and chief end of all his designs and Counsel to scrue up the Ecclesiastical Authority to the sublime pitch of greatness or to use his own words to restore it to that State from which his Predecessours and particularly Clement VIII had by their remissness or want of care suffered it to elapse and decay And indeed his own natural disposition and the course of his life seemed to have fitted him for such a work as this for having been educated a Lawyer and made Auditor of the Chamber whose title is Sententiarum censurarum intus extra latarum universalis Executor he made
case or to find out the truth of the matter under debate For Popes in the Consistory are always sure to find the Cardinals pliant and ready to yield assent unto whatsoever they propose that is Assentiri in Assentari The Consistory being risen the Monitory was affixed in all the publick places of Rome of which a multitude of Copies both in Latin and Italian were printed and dispatched into all the Cities of Italy especially into the Dominions of Venice and dispersed into all parts by the Jesuits accompanied with seditious Letters and Pamphlets derogatory to the honour of the Republick The Monitory was directed to the Patriarchs Arch-bishops Bishops Vicars and all Ecclesiastics either Secular or Regular who held any Dignities and preferments of the Church within the Dominion of Venice and therein it was exposed That whereas some Months past he was given to understand that is the Pope how that the Doge and Senate of Venice had for many years past made several Decrees in prejudice of the Apostolical Sea and priviledges of the Church notwithstanding that the same were repugnant to the General Councils and to the antient Canons and Constitutions of the Popes of Rome and now more lately a Law was made in the year 1602. whereby Ecclesiastical persons are incapacitated to appropriate to themselves any Lands or Estates Secondly He mentioned the Law made in the year 1603. which restrains and prohibits the erecting or building any Churches or religious Houses without the leave or license of the Senate Thirdly He mentioned the Law in 1605. which extends these Laws over all the Dominions of the Republick which formerly were terminated to the City of Venice onely and lastly the imprisonment of the Canon of Vicenza and the Abbot of Nervesa by which particular offences the Ecclesiastical liberty being infringed the Doge and Senate of Venice have to the danger of their own Souls and scandal of the World incurred the Ecclesiastical Censures to the forfeiture of their Lands and Jurisdiction from which they cannot be absolved but by the Pope himself who being satisfied with their repentance demonstrated by a repeal of those Laws and restauration of all things to their pristine condition hath the sole power to receive them again into the bosom of the Church And whereas the Doge and Senate after many fatherly Admonitions have not repealed those Laws nor released the Prisoners he could in no wise suffer that the liberties and immunities of the Church and the Authority of the Apostolical Sea should be violated and infringed And though those Laws are in themselves void and of none effect yet by the example of ten Popes and more his Predecessours in confirmation hereof and by and with the consent and counsel of the Cardinals with whom he had advised hereupon he doth farther declare those Laws to be null and cancelled and doth farther declare and denounce Excommunication against the Doge and Senate in general in such manner as if they had been particularly named and against their Successours Councellours Adherents and Abettors in case the said Doge and Senate shall not within the space of twenty four days after the publication hereof assigning eight days for each term of Admonition repeal cancel and make void the aforesaid Decrees with all Writs and Orders proceeding thereupon and without farther delay or Excuse shall not restore all things to their former and original condition with promise never to do or perform the like again And shall not consign into the hands of his Nuntio both the Canon and the Abbot giving advice and notice of all unto the Pope himself and for default thereof the Excommunication to remain in force from whence no Absolution can be granted but by the Pope himself unless at the point of death from which State in case the person so absolved shall recover and still continue and persist in the same obstinacy he shall again be liable to the same Excommunication as before and in case he die his body notwithstanding shall not be interred in any consecrated place until obedience be yielded unto these Commands by all others concerned And in case after the expiration of twenty four days the Doge and Senate shall still persist in their contumacy for other three days then he did Interdict all their Dominion forbidding all Masses and divine Offices to be performed therein unless in such places manner and cases as are granted by the Common Law And farther he did deprive the Doge and Senate of all their Revenue and possessions which they hold of the Roman Church or other Churches and of all the priviledges granted them in favour thereof reserving still unto himself and his Successours a Power to aggravate and encrease the Censures and penalties against them their Adherents and Abettors therein c. And to proceed unto farther punishments and Remedies in case of continuance in such like contumacy Notwithstanding c. Commanding all Patriarchs Arch-bishops and Bishops and other Inferiour Clergy upon penalty c. That after the receipt of these Letters or notice thereof given that they publish the same in the respective Churches at such times as when the greatest concourse of people is present and to affix the same at the Church doors c. After publication was made of this severe Excommunication thundered out against a Republick of such greatness and esteem in the World all the Ambassadours and Ministers of foreign Princes residing at Rome were greatly troubled and concerned considering that an Act of this nature had some oblique reflection on every Prince that professed obedience or devotion for the Papal Sea Wherefore every one of those Ministers residing at Rome made their applications and addresses to the Pope desiring him to moderate and prorogue the Sentence until the matter were examined and considered by the Republick and ways or means contrived for an accommodation To whom the Pope returned this general Answer That the way to compose and accommodate these differences were to incline the Republick to a resolution of becoming obedient but that word Obedient would not well pass with the Ministers who made some reflections thereon as unbeseeming the degree of Sovereign Princes and therefore persuaded the Pope rather to use some more moderate and gentle terms and enlarge the time allotted for termination of the Sentence The news hereof being come to Venice the Senate immediately and in the first place ordered that Prayers should be made in all Churches and Chappels imploring the Divine assistance in that great emergency of Affairs and in the next place they resolved to recall their Ambassadour Extraordinary from Rome leaving Nani to reside there lest they should seem to despise and stand in open defiance against the Apostolical Sea Sir Henry Wotton was at that time Resident for the King of England at Venice when the Senate thought fit to communicate to him the rigour of the Pope's Sentence for until then they had never mentioned any thing with him of their Controversie
indifferency between the Pope and the Republick serving God and Mammon or otherwise should have intimation to depart The which Order was signified to them by the Patriarchal Vicar with positive Orders immediately to depart and to consign into his hands all the Plate Vestments and goods belonging to their Church and in like manner Orders were given to all Governours to execute the same Decree in their respective jurisdictions This Command being signified to the Jesuits they assembled all their Votaries into their Church and gathered great Contributions from them and persuaded the Capucins that when they departed they should march two and two in a rank as in Procession with a Crucifix on the breast of every one which perhaps might move some disturbance in the minds of the Commonalty who beholding so many Crucifixes departing from them might apprehend also that Christ himself and the light of the Gospel was leaving their City which Opinion might be the beginning of some happy Sedition The Jesuits themselves were hastned away and forced to depart about two hours in the Night every one carrying his Christ as they called it about his Neck the People flocked in great numbers to see their departure and accompanied them to the Boats shouting and crying aloud Let them go to the Devil In divers parts of the City they had concealed and hid away the Vessels and pretious Ornaments of their Church and their best Houshold-stuff with their Library leaving their College empty and void of all Furniture whatsoever or of any thing of moment unless the Library given to them by the late Arch-bishop Lewis Molino with an other Library of prohibited Books And though the Jesuits of Venice had burnt many of their Papers yet at Padoua they left divers Copies of a certain Book containing eighteen Rules with this title Regulae aliquot servandae ut cum Orthodoxâ Ecclesiâ verè sentiamus In the seventeenth Rule of which they were commanded not to insist overmuch in their Sermons on the force and energy of the grace of God And in the third Rule they were enjoyned to believe according as the Hierarchy of the Church believed that is if the Church determined any thing to be white they should believe it so to be though the colour appeared black to the sight of their own eyes And lastly they left unto their Disciples and Votaries certain Rules whereby to govern themselves during this Interdict But though the Jesuits Capuchins and other Orders of St. Francis Reformed had abandoned Venice and were retired to other Convents in Milan Mantoua Bologna and Ferrara yet the Capuchins of Brescia and Bergamo where were no Jesuits to seduce them remained in excellent Concord and Obedience and securing themselves with that Protection which they received from the Senate remained resolute and constant to their Principles against all the Censures of Excommunication and other Spiritual penalties issued against them by their Superiours and in regard many of them were sober and learned Men they retorted all those Spiritual Arms with great force and power of argument and reason It was certainly believed at Rome that this Monitory would have produced three notable Effects First it was given for granted that all the Religious Orders would immediately abandon the Dominions of Venice by which the Interdict must of necessity have been observed Secondly That the City and People finding themselves deprived of all the Divine Offices would rise in a mutiny against the Government and compel them to give satisfaction to the Pope Thirdly That it would beget a misunderstanding amongst the Nobility and cause them to divide into several Factions towards which the Jesuits though absent did labour with all the Art and industry imaginable But the Court of Rome against their expectations finding that all matters had a contrary effect that Mass and other Offices of the Church were Celebrated without interruption that the people frequented the Churches with greater Devotion than before that the Senate were unanimous in their Counsels and the Commonalty quiet and obedient they began to repent them of this proceeding and many severely blamed the Pope for being over-rash and hasty for that though there might be reason in the merit of his Cause yet the prosecution of it was of that importance as ought to have been attempered with prudence and the consequences well weighed before matters were screwed up to that Degree as admitted of no indifferent terms or accommodation Wherefore now it concerned the Pope and Clergy to labour with Art and power of the Spiritual Arms in vindication of their Cause in order whereunto the Cardinals were set at work to prevail with the refractory Friers and Monks to leave their Dwellings and Party and come over to them promising in reward of that good Service honours and preferments in the Church and on the contrary threatned them with Censures and punishments both Spiritual and Temporal Howsoever they observed a different manner in treating with the rich Friers and the poor Mendicants For to the Poor they said that if they could not observe the Inderdict they should then depart and leave all they had for sake of the Gospel and if that were not permitted they should then seek after the glorious Crown of Martyrdom But to the Rich they thought better than to use this hard saying Durus est hic sermo for though they were commanded to observe the Interdict yet were advised not to leave or abandon their Monasteries and Revenues and the better to inculcate these persuasions Commissaries were appointed out of the same Orders privately to convey themselves into the Dominions of Venice to instil and foment this Doctrine in the minds of the Regulars but the ways were so obstructed by the diligence and watchfulness of the Governours in their respective Dominions that not a Frier durst adventure to steal in and engage in that Errand Seeing therefore that this course would not take the next expedient was to raise a dust and disturbance in the Court of forein Princes And in the first place the Jesuits who were and still are very prevalent in Poland laboured to put an affront on Foscarini Ambassadour for the Republick to that King causing two of the Gentlemen belonging to his Retinue to be disturbed at Mass and expelled the Church And the Nuntio made very warm Instances to the King that the Monitory against Venice might be affixed in all publick places of his Dominions but the King on the contrary did not onely refuse to grant this request but highly resented the late Affront offered to the two Venetian Gentlemen in satisfaction for which by the King's Order the Marshal of the Court and the Cardinal of Cracow having assembled the Friers together and duly reprehended their insolence commanding them the next day to sing High Mass in their Church to which having invited the Ambassadour they obliged the Friers to ask his Pardon for the affront offered to his Servants And farther the King with approbation of his Council
the which practice though endeavoured for the space of above five hundred years to be introduced is yet contrary to the Scriptures and the Example of Christ and his Saints That the Doctrine which teaches that in case of Controversie between the Pope and a Prince it may be lawful to persecute such a Prince either by open War or secret Treason and that Dispensations may be given to Subjects to rebel against such a Prince is a damnable seditious and sacrilegious Position That by Divine Law the Clergy are not exempted from subjection to the Secular Power either as to their Persons or Estates though by many immunities and priviledges granted to them by the favour of pious Princes from Constantine to Frederick II. several exemptions have been granted according to the exigence of times and convenience of places That the Exemptions which Popes have given to the Clergy from the Secular Power have not been received in many places and where they have been received the Concessions and Grants are no farther obligatory to the Prince than whilest they are consistent with the present state and convenience of the Publick Another Point insisted upon was this That the Pope was not Infallible but onely in such matters wherein God had promised him his Divine assistance which according to the Doctrine of some Modern Divines was onely in necessary points of Faith And that the Power of binding and loosing was onely Clave non Errante That according to the Doctrine of St. Austin An Excommunication against a multitude or against any one who Commands in Chief is dangerous and sacrilegious That the new name of Blind Obedience invented by Ignatius Loyola was unknown to the antient Church and every good Divine the which as it takes away our Election and desire of knowledg in every good work so it exposes Men to the danger of offending God and hath been the cause of those many Seditions which have arisen in the World for the space of forty years past The Popish Party on the other side proceeded on these Maxims That the temporal Power of Princes is subject to the Ecclesiastical on which ground the Pope hath Power to depose Princes from their Authority for Errours committed in their Government when the Pope judges it may be beneficial to the Church That the Pope hath Power to absolve Subjects from Allegiance to their Prince the which some moderate and modest Men explaining said not that Christ had given this temporal Power absolutely to the Pope but indirectly as it was necessary to the better Government of the Spiritual but others who were more bold did not think it worth the while to mince the matter but confidently wrote That the Pope was endued with all Authority both in Heaven and Earth and made Supreme over all Princes of the World who were his Vassals and may punish them for their faults and errours that he is the Supreme Temporal Monarch over all the World and appeals may be made to the Pope from all Temporal Princes That he can give Laws to all Princes and annull theirs As to the Exemption of the Clergy they all denied that they were subject to the temporal Law and that this priviledg was not given them by the favour of Princes but as some would have it Jure Divino others by the Constitutions and Decrees of Councils and Popes but in this they all agreed that they were not subject to the Prince not so much as in cases of Treason and that they were not obliged to obey the Laws of the Land wherein they lived but onely Vi Directivâ And some were so bold as to proceed so far as to say that the Clergy were Judges whether the Laws of Princes were just or not and whether the people were obliged to obey them That in regard the Pope who hath the Spirit of God cannot err his Sentences are to be observed whether they be just or unjust That so powerful and authentick is the Opinion of the Pope that it ought to prevail against all other determinations of the World That the Pope is God upon Earth the Sun of â—â—stice and light of Religion that the sentence of God and of thâ— Pope are the same and their Tribunal the same but it is very observable what Bellarmine asserted That to restrain obedience due to the Pope unto matters appertaining onely to the Soul is to reduce it to nothing that St. Paul appealed unto Caesar who was not his Judg and not to St. Peter was because he would not make himself in those days ridiculous That the antient Popes professed subjection to the Emperours was to comply with the humour and affection of those times Others also have added That the Empire of the Pope was to be introduced by degrees and insisted upon with some moderation out of respect to the infirmities of Princes who were lately become Proselytes to the Church But to return now to the matter of Treaty Towards the end of August an other Overture was made which was the summary of all this Negotiation though various things were afterwards treated without any effect For about the 17th of August Monsieur de Fresnes the French Minister at Venice did in the name of his Master propose as entrance to an Accommodation That the Senate should suspend the Execution of those Laws which gave offence to the Pope conditionally that the Pope suspend the Censures of his Monitory for the space of four or six Months but if this Expedient would not be accepted then it was proposed That the Prisoners should be consigned into the hands of the Pope at the instance and desire of the King without prejudice to the Right and Reason of the Senate for that it was necessary to give some colour of submission and condescention to the demands of the Pope there being no President that any Pope did ever recal his Boles unless that which by Authority of the Council of Constance was repealed These Proposals being debated in the Senate it was in the first place concluded and agreed That the liberty of the Publick was to be conserved and preferred before all other worldly respects whatsoever That the Prisoners indeed might be resigned into the hands of the Pope at the instance and request of the French King without being made a precedent in like cases or be a prejudice to the Liberty in times to come but that to suspend the force of the Laws was a certain violation of it and a shake of the Foundation of that Government which had for many hundreds of years been rooted and established for that every suspension of a Law doth argue either weakness in the Authority or in the Council which being the substance of this Consult it was given for Answer to Monsieur de Fresnes the French Ambassadour as also to the Spanish Ambassadour de Cardenas who insisted on the like Terms Whilest these things were negotiating by the forein Ministers and that the Senate was resolved to adhere to that
that which at that present seemed impossible upon which Advice the Pope was contented to leave that matter wholly to the management of the Cardinal with Instructions to perform the best he could therein but not to break off upon the refusal of it The Cardinal having agreed all matters with the Pope and received Instructions how to manage his Interest for he confided more in the Cardinal than in any other of the Ministers he in the first place gave account to the King his Master of his success and then taking Post rode very hard to Ancona from whence taking a Boat he arrived in hast at Venice hoping in the Holydays of Easter to operate better in favour of the Pope and prevail on the minds of the Senate which he expected to find more gently disposed in the days preparatory to that Festival The next day after his arrival the Cardinal had Audience of the Senate to whom he declared the substance of his Negotiations but did not yet so far open himself as to specifie the particulars which were contained in the Pope's Breviate though the Senate was well advised that the Cardinal had no other Writing than certain Instructions subscribed by the Pope's own hand but yet the reputation which the Cardinal had of being one of the first Degree in the Court of Rome forbad all farther enquiry into his Power or Authority The Cardinal therefore in the first place enlarged himself in a Rhetorical Speech concerning the good will and intention of the Pope which was directed to no other end than the good and welfare of the Christian Church being desirous to support and maintain the Papal Dignity with a constancy becoming the Apostolical Chair and though the Pope had long since endeavoured to accommodate his differences with the Serene Republick yet the conclusion had been often interrupted by the ill Offices and contrivances of Men not well inclined to the publick Peace Howsoever his Holiness being willing to surmount all Controversie the difficulties were reduced unto two Heads The first Point was that an Ambassadour should be designed unto Rome before the Censures were taken off and the second that the Jesuits should be restored howsoever since the Senate had made so much difficulty on the first Point he had received Instructions to yield it unto them and in the first place to take off the Censures but as to that concerning the Jesuits it admitted of longer Dispute of which he desired to be heard at a more private Audience In conclusion after that matters were debated for three or four days in the Senate all came to be resolved in this manner That the Cardinal should publickly in the Palace of St. Mark and in the face of the whole Senate declare that the Censures were taken off or that he did then make them void and null For though the Senate did still insist on their Innocence and that they had never justly incurred the penalty of the Ecclesiastical Censure yet however it being judged an Act of no prejudice to their Cause the Cardinal's Declaration was admitted though the Senate would not consent to accompany the Cardinal to St. Mark 's Church and there after Mass was ended to receive a Benediction from him lest it should appear to the People as if the Censures were taken off by that Benediction which would be a tacite Confession that the State was guilty of some fault which they in no wise yielding unto would not admit of the least colour or appearance of Absolution Secondly That at the same time when the Cardinal declared the Censures taken off the Doge should deliver to his hand a revocation of the Protest which the Senate had made when the Censures were published Thirdly The manner and form was agreed for delivery of the Prisoners Fourthly It was agreed that all Friers and other Religious should be restored again to their Monasteries and Convents excepting onely the Jesuits and fourteen other Friers who were fled for their Crimes and not on account of the Pope's quarrel Fifthly It was agreed that an Ambassadour should be immediately chosen and with all convenient speed sent to the Pope The Articles being thus agreed and confirmed the 21th of April was the day appointed for putting matters in Execution which were performed in this manner The Cardinal being lodged in the Palace of the Duke of Ferrara Monsieur de Fresnes early attended him at that House where Mark Ottobon the Secretary accompanied with two Notaries belonging to the Ducal Office of Chancery and with other Officers of the Prison brought before the Ambassadour the two Prisoners viz. the Abbot of Nervesa and Scipio Saraceno Canon of Vicenza and then the Secretary having made his Obeysance to the Ambassadour said These are my Lord the Prisoners which our most Serene Prince according to a late agreement hath sent to be consigned to your Excellency Protesting howsoever that the same was done with intent and design onely to gratifie his most Christian Majesty without prejudice or infringment of that Authority and Right which the Republick hath to pass Judgment on Ecclesiastical Persons and to cite them before their Secular Tribunals of Justice To which the Ambassadour replyed That he understood it so and in that manner he received them Of which the Ducal Notaries taking notice entered the same in their publick Registers This being done the Prisoners recommended themselves to the Ambassadour's protection who promised them his favour and causing them to follow him into a withdrawing Room where the Cardinal was seated He said to him These are the Prisoners which are to be delivered into the hands of the Pope Then said the Cardinal consign them into the hands of this Person pointing to the Officer who was Claudio Montano the Pope's Commissary sent to that end and purpose who having touched them in token of seizure and possession he desired the Ministers of Justice that they would be pleased to take the care and custody of them This matter being past the Cardinal with the Ambassadour went to the Doge who after Mass returned to the College attended with the Signory and the Savii and having there taken their Seats the Cardinal entered and declared himself in these words I rejoyce much to see this most happy day greatly desired by me in which I declare to your Serene Highness That all the Censures of the Church are taken off from you as in reality they are and hereof I cannot but testifie a most sensible satisfaction in respect to that great benefit which all Christendom and Italy in particular will receive thereby Then the Doge delivered into the hands of the Cardinal the revocation of the Protest which was in this form directed to all the Prelats to whom the Protest was sent and was to this purpose That whereas expedients and means have been found to make the Pope sensible of the true candour of mind and the sincere actions of this Republick so that all Causes are removed of the present
until these days there are several Bishops of the Roman rite in Armenia and Monasteries of Dominican Friers In the year 1610. this Pope beatified Ignatius Loyola who was the first Founder and Institutor of the Order of Jesuits giving them leave and permission amongst themselves and publickly in their own Churches to invoke him as a Saint or as one of those happy Souls who live and reign in Heaven with God but not to be prayed unto or invoked by the Universal Church But with more Ceremony and joy he canonized the same year Charles Borromeo the Arch-bishop of Milan In the time of Clement VIII the people of Milan had earnestly desired this grace and had begun the methods and rules of proceedings observed in that case the which being continued until the time of this Paul V. were then at the desire and request of the Kings of Spain Poland and Sweden as also of the College of Cardinals and Bishops of the Province of Milan consummated and finished with great pomp and expence In the Month of May of this year 1610. Henry IV. King of France was wickedly and traiterously assassinated by Ravillac the particulars of which are specified in the French History the which diabolical Act as it astonished the whole World so it sadly affected Pope Paul who had received many Obligations from that King being endeared to him by many late circumstances in the Controversie with Venice and upon this score he deeply lamented this unhappy fate which he said was a loss to all Christendom and the Universal Church and understanding that some young French Men then at Rome rejoyced at the fact and stiled the villanous Assassinate The Deliverer of their Country he caused them to be seized and upon Process made against them he condemned them to the Gallies And though Popes do seldom assist at the Obsequies of deceased Princes yet he was resolved to be present at these which were celebrated at Rome with great solemnity where one Sequier preaching the funeral Sermon of this great Prince he bestowed on him these Titles of Praise and Dignity calling him The Protectour of the publick Peace the Ornament of the Catholick Apostolick and Roman Church the sole Arbitrator between Christian Kings and Princes and the delight of the Universe with which the Pope was so well affected that he acknowledged all that was said of him to have been true but yet that this Elogium came far short of the merit of this great Prince Besides these honours performed to the three forementioned Parties he beatified Phillippus Nerius Founder of the Order of the Fathers of the Oratory called in French Les peres d' Oratoire and in Spain known by the name of Observantes Minores as also the Virgin Teresa who for it instituted the Order of descalced Carmelites with divers others But now to enumerate the many publick works done by this Pope we shall find none to have exceeded him in Magnificent Structures For in the first place he highly beautified the Vatican Basilicon called by us the Church of S. Peter which being begun by Julius II. and amplified and encreased by Gregory XIII and Sixtus V. was not yet perfected until the time of this Pope who by the help and contrivance of Michael Angelo de Bonarora caused the old Building of Constantine to be demolished and began a most stupendous work erecting from the very foundation the whole body of the Church from the Chappel of Gregory to the farthest end building the Quire Chancel and both the lower and upper Portico from whence the Pope on certain days blessed the People and in remembrance whereof this Inscription is engraven within the Church Paulus V. Pont. Max. Vaticanum Templum a Julio II. Inchoatum Et usque ad Gregorii Clementis Sacella Assiduo Centum Annorum Opificio Productum Tantae Molis Accessione Vniversum Constantinianae Basilicae Ambitum includens Confecit Confessionem Beati Petri Exornavit Frontem Orientalem Porticum Extruxit But besides this foregoing work of great Magnificence and charge bestowed on St. Peter's Church he enlarged the Vatican Palace adding several convenient Stairs and passages into the Garden called the Bel vedere by which in a more direct way he might pass into it for that Palace is said to be so great as to contain five thousand six hundred and fifty Chambers He also enlarged the Vatican Library and adorned it with the Pictures of many Men famous in their Ages made and drawn by excellent hands to this Library he added a place to keep the Records of the secret transactions of the Roman Sea which he called Archivium Apostolicum Nor did his Munificence end with this work but with more State and charge he erected a Chappel called the Chappel of Burghese in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore dedicated to the Blessed Virgin the outside of which though built of Stone digged from Quarries on the banks of the Tybur yet the inside was enriched with Numidian and Carian Marble and with Granite Marble and Alabaster fetched from Chios and Phrygia the High Altar was supported with four lofty Pillars of Jasper-stone beset with Topaces Rubies Emeralds Chrysolites Onyx Amethysts and divers other pretious Stones from Persia and India and dressed up the Image of our Lady upon it with rich embroidered Cloths with Chains of Gold and Pearl and the rarest Gems To this Chappel he gave a Cross of Silver weighing one hundred twenty eight pounds costing two thousand one hundred and fifty Ducats He also erected the Statues of the Twelve Apostles in Silver which cost six thousand Ducats of Gold with six silver Candlesticks gilded which cost three thousand Crowns also two massy Candlesticks of Silver which were placed at the foot of the high Altar weighing one hundred and fourteen pounds and cost one thousand four hundred Ducats of Gold Moreover he gave the heads of six Saints in Silver which cost two thousand and thirty Ducats and the Arms of six Saints which cost one thousand two hundred Ducats and also two Silver Basons weighing twenty three pounds and which cost five hundred pieces of Eight the Crown which he bestowed on the Image studded with precious Stones was valued at twelve thousand Ducats of Gold before which was hanged a Lamp of Silver weighing thirty one pounds with many other rare and rich gifts which amounted in all to 31725 Ducats of Gold I remember my self to have seen and observed this Chappel with great admiration and particularly noted the four Pillars of Jaspar and Bases of Brass and that the back of the Altar was all of Lapis Lazuli and the Cupolo of the Chappel was painted by Guido Rheni of Bologna this Chappel is just opposite to another built by Sixtus V. the chief Architect of which was Domenico Fontana and cost seven hundred thousand Crowns they are both additions to the Sancta Maria Maggiore which is one of the greatest Churches in Rome it is seated on Mons Esquilinus and by some is
nam'd Sancta Maria ad Nives because that in the heats of the month of August it was revealed in a Vision to those who first founded this Church that they should build it in that place where at that season they found Snow which it seems appeared within the compass of that Church and gave measures for all the dimensions of it there being no Snow in any other part of all the City or Country And in regard the Vatican Palace was esteemed to be situate in an unhealthy Air and almost pestilential in the heats of the Summer it was accustomary for the Popes in the hot season of the year to remove themselves to a small House on the Mons Quirinus hiring to the great inconvenience of the Inhabitants several Houses for accommodation of the Servants and followers of the Court But this Pope Paul who was of a great and large Soul not enduring to be confin'd within so narrow a compass bought several Houses belonging to the Neighbourhood the which having pulled down he in the place thereof erected that large and stately Palace now called Monte Cavallo from the two Horses which are erected on a Pedestal before this Palace in memory of which Building on the Eastern side thereof there is this Inscription engraved Paulus Quintus Pont. Max. Anno Salutis MDCXI Pont. Sui VII There was no Pope that was ever more magnificent in Building than this or who delighted more in publick Works which tended to the common benefit of the City either for use or Ornament for he enlarged the ways on the Mount Quirinus leading to this Palace which were before very narrow and inconvenient and brought several Aqueducts to it with plentiful streams many streets of the City which were before crooked he made direct and streight with much Beauty and Ornament All that part of the City which is situate on the other side of the Tybur called at present Frastevere suffering much for want of Water he refreshed with admirable Streams flowing in great abundance Ex Agro Braccianensi which he brought by Aqueducts at thirty five miles distance partly under ground and part with arched Work which was divided into four Fountains or rather Rivers of Water falling from the top of that Hill where is now a Church and Monastery of Franiscan Friers and there they shewed us a Chappel built over that place where St. Peter as they said was crucified and the very hole where his Cross was fixed On the high Altar of this Church was that excellent and famed Piece of our Saviour's Ascension made by Raphael Vrbin he was himself so pleased with it and so much admired it that he ordered it should be carried next to his Coffin when he went to be buried Besides all these and many other publick Works which this Pope performed he was much to be commended for his charitable Gifts and Alms to the Poor amongst which it was none of his least acts of Charity that he established a Revenue out of which every month there was raised a convenient Portion whereby to bestow an honest and vertuous Maid in Marriage He was greatly pleased with Frescati a Village about ten miles distant from Rome called anciently Villa Tusculana where Cicero was much delighted and made it the place of his retirement and Studies and for that reason this Pope enlarged the Papal Palace there and brought it into great reputation with the Cardinals and Nobles of Rome During the Wars between the Emperour and the Count Palatine of the Rhine which happened in the Reign of this Pope he laid a Tax on all the Clergy towards the maintenance and support of the Catholick Cause and a new Order of Knighthood was created under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin St. Michael and St. Francis who entered into a Vow to make War against the Hereticks and extirpate them and the Heresies they professed And about this time began that great Controversie between the Jesuits and the Dominicans concerning the immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin which was rather smothered than decided Thus did this Pope Paul V. pass his time in Peace for the quarrel he had with the Venetians having given him some taste of the inquietudes of War he ever afterwards attended to a pacifick and reposed Life which produced those excellent effects of Peace such as great Structures and munificence towards the Poor which by unquiet Spirits are always diverted by the expences of War And thus having consumed his days he departed this life on the 24th of January 1621. and in the seventieth year of his Age having reigned fifteen years eight months and thirteen days he was buried for a while in the Church of St. Peter but his Body was in a short time after removed from thence to his Chappel which he had erected and added to the great Church of Santa Maria Maggiore During his Reign he created sixty Cardinals The Epitaph on his Monument is as followeth Paulus V. Pont. Max. Patria Romanus ex Burgesia Familia Cui perpetua Vitae innocentia sectata Virtus Bononiae Prolegato praefuit mox à Gregorio XIV Causarum Cam. Apost Auditor Creatus à Clemente VIII Ad Philippum II. Hispaniarum Regem de gravissimis rebus Legatus In Amplissimum Ordinem cooptatus inter Generales Inquisitores Adscriptus Et Vrbis Vicarius Electus cum omnes tantorum Munerum Partes Summa cum laude obivisset Ad Summum Pontificatum Leone XI è Vivis Erepto Florens Adhuc Aetate Incredibili Patrum Consensu Evectus Est Cumque Vigili Solicitudini Securitatem Annonae Copiam Justitiam Et Quietem Populis Ecclesiasticae Ditionis Concordiam Vero Et Pacem Vniverso Christiano Orbi Semper Praestitisset Religionem Summa Pietate Coluissit Vrbem Magnificentissimis Adificiis Ornasset Atque Gregoriis Omnium Virtutum Officiis Aditum Sibi Ad Immortalitatem Aperuisset E Mortalibus Raptus Grave Cunctis Sui Desiderium Reliquit Sedit in Potificatu Annos XV. Menses VIII Dies XIII Obiit Anno Sal. MDCXXI Die XXII Januarii GREGORY XV. THE Funeral Obsequies of Paul V. having been celebrated for the space of nine days according to the usual Form and Custom the Cardinals on the tenth day being the eighth of February entered the Conclave to the number of fifty to which two others were added who arrived at Rome a few days after the death of the Pope one of which was Cardinal Alexander Ludovisio Arch-bishop of Bologna who after many and various Factions and diversity of Opinions in the Conclave was chosen Pope the first and most antient Party was that of Montalto the second of Aldobrandino the third of Borghese the fourth was that of the Spanish Faction the fifth was of the French besides which were Bonti Sforza Farnese Medici and Este all which stood on their own bottoms and formed distinct Parties of their own When the first Scrutiny was made Bellarmine had far the greater number of Votes but falling short of two Thirds he
sent the Library antiently belonging to the Princes Palatines to Rome which by this Pope was transmitted into the Vatican with this Inscription Sum De Bibliotheca Quam Heidelberga Capta Spolium Fecit Et Pont. Max. Greg. XV. Trophaeum Misit Maximilianus Vtriusque Bavariae Dux S.R. Imperii Archi-Dapifer Et Princeps Elector Anno M.DCXXIII Besides which several Standards taken at the Battel of Prague were sent to Rome and there by the Pope's order hanged up in the Church of Sancta Maria de Victoria The success of the Catholick Princes being to the great comfort of the Pope thus fortunate he encouraged the Duke of Savoy to make War upon Geneva and render himself Master of that place whereby he would not only do justice to his own Right and Title but also overthrow the capital Seat of Heresie and Calvinism With the like zeal did the Pope require of the four Venetian Ambassadours sent according to custom to congratulate his promotion to the Papal Chair that the Republick would again admit into their State those Religious People of the Society of Jesus which had been banished from thence in the time of his Predecessor Paul V. But this request being repugnant to many Laws and formalities and the indissoluble bonds of Government could not be obtained though it was pressed more home by the Marquis de Coevre who passed from Rome to Venice in the name of his Master King Lewis III. and seconded with earnest importunity by the Bishop of Monte Fiascorie the Pope's Nuntio and the powerful Letters of the Cardinal Ludovisio For the Senate declared that they could not depart from their first resolution which being founded on Decrees and solid considerations could in no wise be altered and therefore Princes in Amity with them ought not to press them unto that which was neither permitted to them to grant nor could they deny without doing a displeasure to themselves In this year Osman the Emperour of the Turks invaded Poland with a powerful Army but King Sigismond III. being assisted with Mony from the Pope made a vigorous resistance and gained a signal Victory against the Enemy In this year also Antonius de Dominis who was Arch-bishop of Spalato in Dalmatia deserting his Bishoprick and all his Ecclesiastical Preferments for the sake of the Gospel and the true Protestant Religion went into England where he wrote a Book against the Ecclesiastical State but being unconstant and wavering in his Principles he returned to Rome where he renounced all the Principles of the Protestant Faith and yet afterwards in the year 1624. in the time of Vrban VIII being troubled in Conscience for his Apostacy and reassuming again the Profession he made in opposition to the Roman Church he was imprisoned in the Castle of St. Angelo where he died after which his Body was burn'd together with his Writings The Congregation de Propaganda Fide was first instituted by this Gregory V. as appears by his Letters Patents for the same dated the 10th of July 1622. and for maintenance thereof he setled a certain Revenue to support such as employed themselves in that important work In the same year also he canonized Ignatius Loyola first Founder of the Jesuits who was formerly beatified likewise Philip Neri Founder of the Oratorians called in French les Peres d' Oratoire with Isidore a Spaniard who had been a Husbandman Teresia a Nun that reformed the Order of the Carmelites and Francis Xaverius a Jesuit whom they call Apostle of the Indies Moreover this Pope at the instance and desire of King Lewis XIII advanced the Bishoprick of Paris to be an Arch-bishoprick But what is more observable in his time was a Diploma which he made for the more orderly and easie Election of Popes by way of secret Suffrages which divers had attempted to perform but could never be perfected until this Pope wrote and published the same the which Rule was afterwards practised at the Election of Vrban VIII the succeeding Pope This Pope had created eleven Cardinals during the time of his Reign which lasted only two years five months and twenty nine days he departing this life on the 8th of July 1623. after which the Sea was vacant twenty eight days his Body was carried to the Church of S. Peter where it was deposited only for some time and afterwards translated to the Roman College of Jesuits where it was buried in a most magnificent Chappel erected by his Nephew Cardinal Ludovisio with this Epitaph inscribed thereupon Gregorius XV. Pontifex Ter Maximus Terrarum Orbis bene-merentissimus Multa brevi jaculatus Imperio Quot Mensium tot Lustrorum aequavit Annos Immortali dignus Nomine Rebus praeclare Gestis Romae pro Româ Pietatem auxit novo Cultu Religionis Religioni Aras extruxit Nova Sanctorum Apotheosi Inter quos Ignatium Societatis Jesu Fundatorem Franciscum Xaverium Antesignanum Gemellum Numen Coeli Albo Vtriusque Orbis gemellum veluti Castorem Festa Omnium Acclamatione intulit Fecisset plura ni Eato abreptus praepropero Objisset Lugendus semper quod imperasset parum An. Sal. MDCXXIII VRBAN VIII GREGORY XV. being dead and his Funeral Rites according to Custom being performed on the 19th of July early in the morning the Cardinals to the number of fifty four entered the Conclave It was the common Opinion of most people that the Election would be long and take up much time before it were determined because that as the Rules and Methods prescribed by the Bull of Gregory V. for Election of Popes which as yet had not been put in practice might increase the difficulty so also it was observed that the Cardinals were much divided in their Opinions and Votes there being many persons at that time who for their Age Vertues and Services formerly rendered to the Ecclesiastical State stood Candidates and esteemed themselves worthy of the Papal Dignity namely four Princes viz. Farnese Este Savoy and Medici and four Nephews of Popes Bourghese Ludovisio Buoncompagno and Aldobrandino howsoever contrary to common Opinion and beyond expectation of all the Cardinals agreed and on the 6th of August being Sunday and the day of the Festival observed in remembrance of the Transfiguration of Christ they all concurred with common Voice in the Election of Maffeo Barberini who was the fourth Pope which the City of Florence had given to the Church namely three of the House of Medicis Aldobrandino and this Barberini who was the fifth This Pope was of the age of fifty six years when he was chosen much to the wonder of the Electors themselves who were amazed to have deceived their own hopes by promoting a Person who for his complexion and vigour might out live the greater part of them This Family of Barberini had flourished for the space of five hundred years in the little Republick of Simi-Fontana which was situated between Florence and Siena and not above two miles distant from the Town of Barberini but this Republick being afterwards
of St. Angelo At his arrival in the Suburbs of Paris he was visited in the name of the King and Queen by the Duke of Nemours and other chief Peers of France and at his entry he was accompanied by the Duke of Orleans the King 's only Brother with a great train of Nobility of the first rank and Order in that Kingdom This Legat who was young and but lately admitted into the Order of Priesthood reserved his first Mass wherewith to treat the King and Queen which he offered to them as the first fruits of his Sarifices celebrating it at Fontainbleau on the 15th of August which is the day of the Festival of the Assumption of our Lady Being returned afterwards to Rome his presence was desired by Philip III. King of Spain under the same quality and character at his Court to be Godfather in place of the Pope to the Daughter of the King who was afterwards baptized with the name of Maria Clara Eugenia But not to confer all the stock of honour on one single person of his Kinred the Pope called Anthony Barberini his other Nephew Son of another Brother from his Capuchin's Cell to rank him together with the Cardinals it was he who was called for a long time Cardinal Antonio he was esteemed a very upright Man and one who observed the rules of S. Francis notwithstanding that his degree of Cardinal excused him in a great measure from the severity of them During the absence of Francisco Barberino in France Antonio was Chief Minister with the Pope in his stead which at his return he did most voluntarily resign into the hands of Francisco in the execution of which it is reported of him that he would never be present at the consultations of War which at that time infested Italy upon a Dispute concerning the Valteline saying that his Order obliged him to the exercise of Peace and works of Charity the affairs of War being incompatible with his Vow and his Profession In the year 1626. this Pope had the honour to consecrate the great Basilicon of St. Peter's Church which having been created by Constantine the Great was afterwards enlarged and adorned by the munificence of many other Popes and now being compleatly finished by this he with great Pomp in presence and with the assistance of twenty two Cardinals of which three were Bishops performed all the Ceremonies and rites of consecration in memory of which this Inscription was engraven over the Walls Vrbanus VIII Pontif. Max. Vaticanam Basilicam A Constantino Magno Extructam A Beato Silvestro Dedicatam In Amplissimi Templi Formam Religiosâ multorum Pontificum Magnificentiâ Redactam Solemni ritu consecravit Sepulcrum Apostolicum Area Mole Decoravit O Deum Aras Et Sacella Statuis Ac Multiplicibus Operibus Ornavit And indeed that Area Moles or the Corinthian Brass with which he made the high Altar was fetched from the roof of the Pantheon called now the Rotunda from the form of it built by Agrippina the which Brass not only served for the high Altar for out of the surplusage of it there was founded a great Cannon now in the Castle of St. Angelo which gave occasion to that Libell which was put into the hands of Pasquin Quod non fecerunt Barbari fecerunt Barberini And indeed it seems strange that the Romans who are so curious should destroy such a piece of Antiquity for as I remember I took off this Inscription from the Architrave of the Portico M. Agrippa L.F. Cos. Tertium fecit And undeneath in lesser Letters Imp. Caes. L. Septimius Severius Pius Pertinax Arabicus Adiabenicus Parthicus Maximus Pont. Max. Trib. Pop. XI Cos. III. P.P. PROCos Imp. Caes. M. Aurelius Antoninus Pius Faelix Aug Trib. Potest V. Cos. PROCos Pantheum vetustate corruptum cum omni cultu restituêrunt This Temple formerly dedicated to all the Gods was now dedicated to all Saints Now as to matters of political Government and his management thereof the Pope found himself much engaged by Gregory his Predecessour who as we have said in his life had accepted the Valteline in Deposite which bringing an unseasonable charge upon him he complained thereof but found no way to get out for Ludovisio had strongly tied the knot both of business and decency And though Vrban by reason of employments exercised in France was judged inclinable and in a manner partial to that Court yet it was fit that he should appear serviceable at least in name to the designs of Spain and indeed he was so in reality for though the Deposite of the Valteline was said to be in the hands of the Pope yet Leopold continued in possession and enjoyed the conveniencies and advantages and the Grisons groaned under the burden to remedy which the Pope proposed divers expedients but the preliminary to all and his chief condition was a reimbursement of the Money which he had expended before he would quit or part with his Trust The Confederates readily accepted the proffer and willingly would have reimbursed the Pope provided the Valley were put into their hands and rendred to the first Owner when the Forts were razed and Religion restored But the Pope being fearful to offend Spain proposed that a strong body of Soldiery belonging to the Valteline should be razed and united either to the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia or as a fourth League to the three Cantons of the Grisons But the Confederates proposing to themselves the end of restoring things to their former state judged that by these means they should be wanting to the protection which they had promised to the Grisons and that the Spaniards should still enjoy the predominancy and liberty of passage to the exclusion of all others upon which considerations and several others the Dispute still continued until the year 1627 when the Pope acquainted the Cardinals in a full Consistory that the Disputes and Wars arisen about the Valteline were composed and ended on the conditions that the Fortifications of those places which were committed to his Trust were by consent of the Kings of France and Spain to be ruined and demolished To which he added these words At length said he we have attained that which we much wished and desired for by mutual consent of both Kings the Peace is concluded and established we have omitted nothing which might conduce to the good of the Church and it hath been our principal care that the Catholick Religion should suffer no detriment the Kings themselves are witnesses hereof and God himself knows that we have always had his glory and honour before our eyes And now that the Grandeur of the Apostolical Chair be advanced and the Consistory gratified and pleased Vrban in the year 1631. bestowed the Title of Eminence upon the Cardinals forbidding them to receive any other distinction of honour and for establishment thereof a Decree was made and entred into the Records of the Congregation of Ceremonies that the Titles of Cardinals should be the
the success soon quieted their minds and the Great Duke to shew a confidence in his people put Arms into their hands which had not been accustomary for many years past Thus did matters pass with various successes but most commonly in favour of the Confederates until the season proper for action ended when the Winter approaching the Treaties interrupted by the War were again reassumed And indeed Vrban discovered not only an inclination but a desire of Peace for being burthened with years and weary of the cares which War carries with it was desirous to end his days in calmness and quiet and though his Nephews endeavoured to disguise matters which were the most tragical and sad yet the clamours of the people which had suffered under the devastations and pressures of War had come to his Ears wherefore he consented to a Treaty with the restitution of Castro entreating the Cardinal Bichi who was sent by the Court of France for the Office of Mediation to hasten the Peace that the short residue of his life might terminate in quietness The Congregation of State erected purposely for direction of the Military Affairs concurred in their desires with the Pope to which Cardinal Barberin though much against his will was forced to condescend knowing that with the restitution of Castro a dishonourable Peace was to be the consequence of an unhappy War With these dispositions towards a Peace Cardinal Bichi departed from Rome and in his way to Venice passed through Florence where in Discourse he understood from the Great Duke that saving his own Rights and Interests the Confederates would be satisfied with the full restoration of the Duke of Parma The Cardinal being arrived at Venice was followed by the Dukes of Modena and Parma Gondi and Testi were already there debating with Nani and Gussoni whom the Senate had deputed for that purpose It was now the beginning of the year 1644. when the Cardinal Bichi proposed That Absolution and Pardon should be demanded by France for Duke Edward and that Castro should be restored to him and that the rights of the Montists should remain as before and that the Confederates should restore that which they possessed belonging to the Church And to take off the diffidence which the Confederates conceived of non-performance of Articles by the Barberins he proposed the word of France for Guarantie upon declaration and promise that their Arms should be employed against him that should fail in execution of the Agreement Vrban falling extreamly sick whilst matters were in Treaty Bichi hastned the conclusion considering that his death would cause great alteration in the Treaty and as a preparation thereunto proposed a cessation of Arms to which the Confederates assented being sensible that such an accident could not happen without great revolutions in the Dominions of the Church and that with the death of the Pope the Authority of the Nephews ceasing those motives would vanish which had been the Original and cause of the War but the Pope's recovery altered all those Counsels which were contrived in case of his death and induced them to hasten a conclusion of the Peace The Articles therefore proposed by the Cardinal being debated in several Assemblies were at last concluded and agreed and subscribed at Venice by Cardinal Bichi for France by Giovanni Nani for Venice by Battista Gondi for the Great Duke and by the Marquis Fassoni for Modena and though the Duke of Parma refused to subscribe upon certain difficulties he made yet being over-ruled by the Confederates he was forced to concur The Cardinal with this Agreement posted in all hast to Rome being entertained in all places of the Ecclesiastical State with the Acclamations and Prayers of the People longing for Peace The Articles subscribed by the Confederates began with a Preamble and Declaration That they had entered into this War with no other Design than for the restoration of Prince Edward reserving in all other matters their most constant Obedience to the Pope and the Holy See That all acts of Hostility be suspended and that the Confederate Princes withdraw their Forces into their own Dominions That all Fortifications raised during this present War shall be demolished on one side and the other To the Persons and Places which had served or rendred themselves to any other Party Pardon was granted Prisoners were set at liberty the Religious Persons who had withdrawn themselves were permitted to return and the Sequestration was taken off from the Rents of the Knights of Malta and all Rights were clearly reserved to the Parties as aforesaid For execution of all which Hostages were given to the French King and the King for satisfaction of both Parties declared that he having become Guarantie for the Peace his Arms should be employed against those who observed not the Articles and in favour of those who executed the Accord Thus Castro was rendered and the Accord on all sides executed and Peace ensued to the satisfaction of the Pope and quiet of Italy but Vrban did not long enjoy the happiness of this Peace for being entered into the seventy seventh year of his age he died on the 29th of July in the year 1644. having reigned twenty one years wanting eight days He was certainly a Person of high prudence generosity and fit for Business in his youth he was esteemed a great Poet and excellently well versed in all the Books of Antient Poesie He was very munificent in his publick Buildings and in his own private Concernments he was no less splendid having in his life-time erected a stately Monument for himself in a corner of St. Peter's Church near the Sepulchre of Paul III. and adorned it with pillars of Marbles according to the contrivance and direction of Cavalier Bernini with this Inscription Vrbani VIII Barberini Florent Pont. Max. In Vaticano Tumulum Excitavit Ornavit Johannes Laurentius Berninus Eques His greatest fault was Nepotisme or too great a fondness for his Nephews and indulgence to his whole Family which he was resolved to make Rich and Great and indeed he had opportunity so to do in the long time of his Pontificate having reigned almost twenty one years during which at nine several Creations he made seventy four Cardinals of which number of seventy four three were his own Nephews viz. Francisco Barberino Antonio Barberino the Capuchin commonly known by the name of Cardinal Barberino to distinguish him from the other Cardinal Antonio the younger Brother of Cardinal Francisco who was Prior of the Order of Jerusalem and a Knight of the Great Cross of Malta and made General of the Ecclesiastical Army in the place of Taddeo Barberino the Prefect who for his cowardise and ill success was recalled from that Charge INNOCENT X. URBAN VIII having as is said breathed his last on the 29th of July the Cardinals then residing in Rome to the number of thirty nine assembled at a Congregation in order to dispose and settle matters for the more quiet and
punish his Nephew for having directed his love to a Princess of equal quality with himself whilest he himself was so besotted as to be given up to the extravagancy of an aspiring Woman permitting her to govern his Person Church State and Court with an Imperious hand and yet at the same time not to indulge his Nephew the love of a young Noble and beautiful Lady who brought a considerable Patrimony to the House of Pamfilio Nor was Donna Olympia more kind or less jealous of Nicolo Ludovisio Prince of Piombino who was married to her second Daughter on hopes that as Nephew to the Pope he should enter into Offices and Affairs for this Prince having been Nephew to Gregory XV. and Brother to that Cardinal Patron who since the time of his Uncle absolutely disposed of all the Affairs of the Church did now hope to find the same fortune and reap the same benefit under this Innocent X. But Donna Olympia was too wise to admit a Nephew into the privacies of the Pope or a Partner with her in business for she entirely bestowed all Benefices whether great or small the Officers of the Datary being charged to keep them in hand till she had fully informed herself of the value whatsoever Bishoprick fell void they that pretended to it were to address themselves to her Abbeys Canons and all other Dignities and Governments Ecclesiastical or Civil were all conferred at the pleasure and command of Donna Olympia there was no appearing with empty hands before her The Rates of all Places were set an Office of one thousand Crowns a year for three years was valued at one years Revenue and for six years at double and so proportionably if for life then it was valued at twelve years and the moiety thereof to be paid in hand Cardinal Panzirolo who was then the great Favourite of the Pope and who transacted all Affairs durst yet act nothing without the consent of this Lady for such an absolute Ascendant she had over the Pope that his Soul seemed to be animated with hers and his Will subservient to her dictates and strange it was to see her sit in Council with the Pope with bundles of Memorials in her hands to receive his Assent for formally onely unto that which she had already determined so that it is believed she had charmed him with some strange diabolical Arts Histories having never given us an Example of the like nature And now to give farther instances and miracles of her Power she introduced into the place of Cardinal Pamfilio who had laid aside his Scarlet to marry with the Princess Rosana a certain Nephew of hers Son to her Brother a youth of about eighteen years of age who was afterwards called Cardinal Maldochino Olympia intended once to have made him Cardinal Patron but he was so great a Sot and so stupid a Fool that he was uncapable of Business abhorred by the Pope and a shame to the College and Dignity of Cardinals The Office of Cardinal Patron was ever esteemed of great Honour and importance and when managed by a Wise and dexterous Person was of great ease and relief to him who sate in the Papal Chair for if the Pope were sick or absent he gave Audience to Ambassadours and presided in the Council subscribed Letters to the Nuntios Legats and Governours of Provinces But this help being as yet wanting to Innocent for want of a Cardinal Nephew endued with some tolerable understanding Olympia contrived to adopt Camillo Astalli Brother of Marquis Astalli who had married her Niece into the Family of the Pope with whom she so prevailed that he created him Cardinal Patron and gave him the name of Pamfilio though not of the bloud nor allied to his Family It was wonderful to the Court to see a young Man of twenty seven years of age raised on a sudden to so important a preferment 'T was true he was endued with a gentile behaviour and good address and with qualities of mind sufficient to make himself acceptable but yet neither his years nor his practice in Affairs enabled him to support the great burden of Church and State In making of this Creature as well Panzirolo as Olympia was believed to concur she with a design to advance the Brother of him that had married her Niece but he to have an influence over all his actions being well assured that this young Man would act nothing without his direction But whilest Olympia thus governed all Affairs the Court of Rome became scandalous nothing but libellous Jests to the disparagement of the Pope were daily put into the hands of Pasquin at Rome In the Courts of the Emperour of France and Spain the Nuntios seemed to lose much of that Reverence which was formerly given them and when any of those Princes were refused the demands they made and expected from the Pope it was often said with raillery That if Donna Olympia had made the request it would readily have been granted It was the common Discourse in the Pulpits of Geneva that a Woman was Head of the Church and the Universal Bishop and that now the mystery of the Whore of Babylon was plainly discovered In the Protestant Countries the Comedies and Farces represented the Loves and Intrigues of Innocent X. and Donna Olympia upon the Stage all which the young Cardinal Patron at the instigation of Panzirolo made known to the Pope who being conscious of the truth thereof and inwardly ashamed resolved often to forbid Olympia the Court and all concernment or intermedling in Affairs but knowing not how to come out with it his inward grief suppressed his words but at length taking courage and resolution he burst out into tears and therewith into words Interdicting Olympia all farther communication with the Court. After this Cardinal Astalli I should have said Pamfilio gained ground in the affections of the Pope and being guided by Panzirolo took daily deeper root in his esteem Panzirolo likewise himself kept in great credit and unshaken by his Adversaries but being tired with the burden of business and continual watches until after midnight in consultations with the Pope he fell sick and died Nature effecting that which his Enemies endeavoured The Cardinal Patron above all lamented his loss presaging thereby the mischief which afterwards ensued for now Donna Olympia began though Incognita to frequent the Court and by degrees to repossess her first Station But we shall for a while leave this Lady weaving her Webbs and managing Intrigues and return again to the Barberins whose Cause was taken into the defence and protection of France In the month therefore of January 1746. Cardinal Barberin and Taddeo the Prefect in compliance with the Pope's Brief presented their accounts having had but fifteen days time allotted to bring them in and in failure thereof were to forfeit five hundred Crowns a day for every day until they were delivered The Accounts being given the Pope cast his eyes upon them with much indignation
and prejudice not allowing them for true and legal excepting against the sum with which they had charged themselves which the Auditors would have to be eight Millions But Counsel pleading in behalf of the Barberins desired for justification of them it might be permitted to examine the Books of Accounts which were remaining in the Apostolical Chamber to which for their own discharge they referred themselves But this Demand gave no satisfaction or stop to the proceedings of Court whereby in an extraordinary manner and without form of Law the Estate belonging to the Barberins in the Monte was sequestred with all the other Rents belonging to them within the City of Rome or any other place within the Ecclesiastical Dominions wherefore the Barberins being apprehensive of farther proceedings against their Persons after consideration held with their Friends both Cardinal Francisco and Taddeo the Prefect retired from Rome and other parts within the Dominions of the Church to places of Sanctuary and Refuge In the mean time proceedings of Court against them were carried on with greater rigour and severity so that the news of their arrival in France was the common Discourse of all Rome and their resolution therein greatly applauded by all indifferent persons to be prudent and agreeable to their present circumstances considering that the French King had espoused their quarrel and taken them into his care and protection But the little esteem and great neglect which the Pope seemed to shew to those instances which the King made in behalf of the Barberins were so highly resented by his Majesty that both the Senate of Venice and the Great Duke though an Enemy to them greatly fearing that this Cause might introduce the French Arms into Italy interceded with the Pope to moderate the anger he had conceived against the Barberins and to allow of some Conditions and expedients of Reconciliation but all their good Offices were not able to give any stop or arrest of judgment seisure being made of their Estates and Revenue without any other reason than quia hic placet The news hereof being extreamly ill resented at the Court of France it was judged fit to send the Bishop of Angiers to Rome to confer with Cardinal Grimaldi upon this matter that so a greater Authority might be given to his Negotiations The Ambassadour of Venice being recalled from Rome by the Senate before his departure thence consulted with Cardinal Grimaldi and the Bishop of Angiers in what manner to govern his Discourse at his last Audience and having taken his directions from them he warmly applied himself to the Pope representing the danger of a War with France and that it was not prudent for the Cause of a private Family and to gratifie some particular grudges to engage the Church and all Italy in publick calamities but the Pope seeming regardless of all those considerations replied That it became not his greatness to capitulate with his Subjects but in case the Barberins would voluntarily come in and throw themselves at the feet of his mercy he would shew them such favour as the World might take notice how much the instances of his most Christian Majesty and the Republick of Venice in their behalf had prevailed upon him But these general terms and uncertain expressions giving no satisfaction to the French Court the King wrote to his Ambassadours at Munster where the general Peace of Christendom was then in Treaty Ordering them to give that Assembly to understand the Passion he conceived for the Cause of the Barberins was such as would obstruct all proceedings unless some Expedients were contrived and some Conditions provided for their security and restoration by which the Pope was made sensible that the King resolved to carry these matters to the highest extremity The Abbot of St. Nicolas having now for some time remained at Rome and informed himself of the true state of the Controversie with the Barberins he demanded Audience and being thereunto admitted he presented his Letters of Credence which the Pope received with many obliging expressions letting fall a few tears from his Eyes when he declared how much he loved the French Interest and how affectionate he had shewed himself thereunto even to a Passion of which his Christian Majesty was so sensible that had the whole Power of the Conclave been in the King he was persuaded he would have created him Pope in exclusion of all others in the World But the Abbat was little surprised with those tears esteeming them no indications of his mind but his usual preparations to important Treaties proceeded to discourse in favour of the Barberins whom he beseeched to receive again into his grace and good will which though his Master might expect from him as a point of Justice yet he would take it as an act of kindness and Obligation to himself That the Barberins should make their submission in such humble terms as he should require and direct and all things ordered to the greater reputation and glory of his Holiness that the refusal hereof would disturb the quiet of Christendom obstruct the general Peace in Treaty at Munster and hinder the succours which were then preparing to give the Catholicks in England and in fine would be the cause of great confusion and disturbance in Europe In answer hereunto the Pope desired the Abbat to represent unto the Queen Regent how much the Barberins had ruined the Church by the expence of more than twenty Millions which they had charged upon the People by unsupportable Impositions to maintain a War against the Duke of Parma for which no justifiable account could be given that they had so abused the Authority and Government of the Church in the last years of their Uncle's Pontificate that all the World cryed out for justice and vengeance against them and if now after all these mischiefs they should find refuge and protection for their crimes in France the Nephews of Popes would for the future become licentious and not fear what they acted or designed when after the example of the Barberins they might hope to find a Sanctuary and impunity for their crimes if not in France yet at least in Spain or Germany or some other Prince where they were able to make an Interest or a friendship That the Avarice and ambition of the Barberins was beyond all example having purchased a Revenue of above two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns a year besides their many Benefices and immense Riches which they had concealed and the magnificent furniture of their Palaces which out of respect to their Majesties of France he had suffered to remain without seisure or confiscation With these and the like Arguments was the cause of the Barberins debated between the Pope and the Abbat without any effect and the Audience ending without satisfaction to either side the Cardinals of the French Interest concluded that nothing would be done until such time as that the success of the Siege of Orbetello were known and the Fate of
that place determined For now the Faction of the Barberins and particularly Cardinal Grimaldi being sensible that nothing would operate so easily with the Pope as the near approach of the French Arms to the Dominions of the Church prevailed with Cardinal Mazarine to send a Fleet to the Siege of Orbetello In pursuance of this design which was kept with great secrecy the French Fleet commanded by the Duke de Breze and assisted with some Troopes by Prince Thomas of Savoy landed their Forces at the Port of St. Steffano of which they easily made themselves Masters as also of the Lands of Talamone which the Spaniard had guarded with a very inconsiderable Garrison and afterwards the Duke de Breze came to an Anchor before the Port of Orbetello The news of the French Arms before Orbetello alarm'd the City of Rome with great terrour and so sensibly affrighted the Pope himself that he evidently discovered a mind much more flexible to the Cause of the Barberins than formerly moderating his Sentence and granting many things in their favour which he had lately refused The other Princes also of Italy who were their implacable Enemies growing sensible of the near approach of danger became earnest Intercessours with the Pope to give all the satisfaction he was able to the Crown of France to which the Pope lending a gentle Ear was contented that the surrender which Cardinal Antonio should make of himself at his City of Avignon should be esteemed as a point of submission and from thence receiving Letters from him he ordered the Commissioners of the Chamber to take off the Sequestrations which were laid on their Revenue and Estate for which first step of Grace Cardinal Grimaldi returned thanks to the Pope in a full Consistory But no sooner was Orbetello succoured by the Marquis of Torrecuso who was dispeeded with a considerable body of Men by the Vice-King of Naples and the French forced to raise their Siege and return to Tolon with the loss of the Duke of Breze their Admiral but the Pope reassuming again his antient displeasure and hatred against the Barberins retracted all the favours and concessions he had lately granted to them and inveighing against Cardinal Mazarine with bitter words called him a Betrayer of his Country and unworthy the Purple with which the Church had cloathed him having for the sake of his own ambitious desires and envy to the flourishing Estate of the House of Pamfilio endeavoured to involve Italy in a most ruinous and dangerous War But these invectives which the Papal party used against the Cardinal served to no other end than to provoke his choler and whet his desires of revenge so that having fitted out another Fleet not inferiour in number and strength to the former commanded by the Mareschals de Milliarey and Plessis Praslin they quitted the design against Orbetello and Portohercole and sailed to Piombino and Portolongone in the Island of Elba the first being a place bordering on Tuscany and opening a passage into the Dominions of the Pope was esteemed convenient and advantageous against the Princes of Italy and such as might curb the Pope and render him more respectful to the Interest of France the other being situate between Naples and Milan was judged of great importance for intercepting succours and correspondencies between one and the other Territory The first attempt therefore was made upon Piombino which being defended by some few Troops of Spanish Horse and a weak Garrison within upon appearance of a Battery of five Pieces of Cannon raised against it capitulated and surrendered itself The success of Piombino strook a terrour into the Defendants of Portolongone which notwithstanding was for some time defended by the Garrison but the French having prepared some Mines and being ready to make a general storm the Defendants demanded a Parly and surrendered upon honourable Conditions the which places the French looked upon as so considerable as might be worth the labour and charge of stronger Fortifications The news hereof being brought to Rome did immediately silence the Party opposite to Mazarine and again mollifie the mind of the Pope in such manner that he began to give favourable Audiences to the French Ministers and to hearken again with some gentleness to those Proposals which were made in behalf of the Barberins howsoever he could not frame his mind to the promotion of Frier Michael Mazarin to the degree of Cardinal for his heart was so full of distance against his Brother the Chief Minister of France that he could not contain his resentments but ever vented them so often as he had occasion to discourse with any of the French Nation It happened at that time that the Duke of Guise being at Rome was admitted to Audience with the Pope and received with all the expressions of joy and tenderness imaginable it being the custom of Innocent to abound in his excessive demonstrations of love towards that Nation which he inwardly abhorred and detested The Duke having this opportunity took the liberty to lay before Innocent the present State of all Europe and particularly that of France which was now governed entirely by Cardinal Mazarin a Person so wedded to the Interest of that Crown that it were injustice to separate one from the other and that indeed he was so riveted in the favour of the Queen Regent and of all the great Men of that Court some few persons only excepted that his Holiness could not exercise effects of his displeasure against the person of the Cardinal without disobliging the noble Court and Nation of France That the Cardinal desired nothing more than the favour of his Holiness and to live in peace and amity with the Court of Rome on which condition and upon the least demonstration of kindness the Cardinal would be ready to yield all obsequious submission to his most Holy Person and would adore and reverence him with highest esteem But to make the first step herein he told him that it was necessary to call Frier Mazarin from Aix where he was Arch-bishop unto Rome and freely and generously to confer upon him the Dignity of Cardinal for that by this means obliging the Arch-bishop and detaining him by preferments near his Person he would easily become his Creature and probably so influence his Brother that all misunderstandings and disgusts between the Courts of France and Rome being reconciled a happy correspondence and peace would ensue for the future The Pope approving this Discourse and proposal of the Duke immediately gave order to call Frier Mazarin then residing at his Arch-bishoprick of Aix unto Rome with promises of advancement of which the Duke gave advice to Cardinal Mazarin his Brother but this Expedient was so little satisfactory to the Cardinal who was ever suspicious of the Pope's good inclinations to himself and Family that he endeavoured to dissuade his Brother from the danger of an affront being perhaps unwilling to receive any Obligations from the Pope whom he believed
punish those Crimes in them which savoured of partiality or corruption Examples hereof we have in many kinds and particularly it is not to be forgotten that a certain Nobleman of Rome having been guilty of many enormous Crimes could not be protected from his Justice by the Power and Interest of his Friends and Relations for having threatned one of the Judges to be revenged one day upon him in the vacancy of the Sea he was apprehended and accused upon those words which though they would bear no action in rigour yet they were so severely interpreted against him being aggravated by his former Offences that he was condemned to die and accordingly suffered in the publick face of all the City Another instance we have of his fortitude in the punishment of a Judg of the Court for Bribery whom he committed to Prison and afterwards condemned to the Gallies With the like impartiality and resolution he punished the people of Firma for having in a Mutiny and Sedition killed Viscount Vbert their Governour in prosecution of which justice he sent Count Vidman his chief Captain with some Troops against the City that those who were the principal leaders in this Sedition might without fear or favour be brought to condign punishment and accordingly some were imprisoned others banished others fined or sent to the Gallies or put to death and that he might attemper in some measure Clemency with his Justice he enclined a favourable Ear to the submissive petitions of that People and received them into his gracious favour and mercy Nor was his justice less eminent in the punishment of Mascambruno who was Sub datary of the Apostolical Chamber in which Office having behaved himself without regard to the faith and integrity required he forged many false Writings affixing the Pope's Seal to them and counterfeited his Hand besides many other accusations of bribery and corruption all which being proved against him he was devested of his Office and dignity of Priesthood and publickly executed in the face of the whole City It is also farther to be added in commendation of this Pope that he restored the Elogy which Alexander III had inscribed in the great Hall of the Vatican in memory of the assistances which the Venetians had given to the Church and which Vrban VIII without any just cause or reason had blotted out and defaced He was also munificent in publick Buildings and adornments of the City and according to the generous temper of his nature had been much more had not his Moneys been intercepted by Olympia Howsoever he enlarged the common Prisons of the City and built others which were before so narrow and streight as to be noisom and unhealthy to the Prisoners He also finished the Walls of the City on the other side of the Tyber which were begun by his Predecessour Vrban VIII He farther repaired and adorned the Church of St. John Lateran being much decayed since the time of Constantine the Great who had built it for a Chappel to his Palace and had been neglected by former Popes But more especially munificent was he towards the great Church of St. Peter for that a Memorial might remain of his Beneficence amongst other Popes to that place he added many and various Works and beautified those places which wanted Ornament but what the particulars were will best appear by this following Inscription which was engraven over the great Gate of this Church Basilicam Principis Apostolorum In hanc molis Amplitudinem Multiplici Romanorum Pontificum Aedificatione perductam Innocentius X. Pont. Max. Novo Caelaturae Opere Ornatis Sacellis Interjectis in utraque Templi Ala Marmoreis Columnis Strato è Vario lapide Pavimento Magnificentius Terminavit Besides all which publick Works many others are recorded of him by Ciconius in the life of this Pope to whom the Reader may be referred In the beginning of 1649. the year of Jubily approaching he caused great provisions to be made for entertainment of Pilgrims and that there should be no want of Bread and Wine in the City he sent Ofcers and Purveyors into all the neighbouring Countries to buy up the Corn and fill up the granaries of the City and lest in so general a concourse of people who flocked to enjoy the Indulgences and Pardons granted at that season Provisions should be raised to excessive Rates care was taken to moderate the prices and render every thing cheap and commodious for Pilgrims On the 24th of December 1649. the year of Jubily began when the Pope in presence of all the Cardinals Ambassadours and Magistrates of the City opened the Holy Gate which being again shut by him at the end of the following year this Inscription was engraven upon a Cross of stone over the portal of the Gate Innocentius X. Pont. Max. Portam Hanc Sanctam Reseratam Clausam AB Vrbano VIII Pont. Max. Anno Jubilei MDCXXV Aperuit Clausit Anno Jubilei MD.C.L. About this time a Book was published in France written by an unknown Author which aimed to subvert the Pope's Authority by proving that there was an equality in Order and Government between the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul or that the Authority of St. Paul was not subordinate to that of St. Peter This Book falling under the examination and scrutiny of the Inquisition was condemned as heretical and the same Censure was passed thereupon by the Pope who caused a Brief against it to be affixed in all publick places of Rome But the Opinions of Jansenius Bishop of Ypres more successfully prevailed in France and Flanders for prevention whereof and to give a stop to the farther spreading of those Tenents which were five in number a Congregation composed of Cardinals and Divines was appointed by Innocent to examine the several Articles and to give their Opinion upon the same And to quicken the Pope and make him more zealous in the Work both the King of France and Queen Regent sent their Letters to the Pope desiring him in a matter of such importance the determination whereof would tend to the settlement and quiet of Mens minds and Consciences to interpose with the final Sentence of his Infallibility and Apostolical Doctrine In like manner most of the Bishops of France desired the Pope's distinct determination of every one of those five Propositions for though Vrban VIII of happy memory had in general terms published a Bull against the Book of Jansenius and had confirmed the Decrees of Pius V. and Gregory XIII against Michael Baius whose Doctrines concurred with those of Jansenius yet were not convincing to the multitude for want of a distinct explication and particular Sentence against every one of those five Propositions wherefore the Pope after discussion of all those Points by the aforesaid Congregation at which he was for the most part personally present he promulged these his determinations thereupon and affixed these distinct Notes and Censures to every Proposition which we have thought fit to deliver in Latin
any who complained against his justice but was esteemed by all for a just and an impartial Judg. Being returned to Rome it was not long before he was dispatched to Cologn in quality of Nuntio which employment may serve for an evident proof of the great esteem which the Court of Rome conceived of him when in that conjuncture of affairs all the World being disunited and at variance there required a Minister of more than ordinary conduct and dexterity to manage the difficulty of Treaties then in action for having to deal between the Catholicks and Protestants he could not act with due Equity towards the latter without giving scandal to the former and granting that which was detrimental and derogatory to the Power of the Roman Church And though the Negotiations of Chigi for the Interest and in favour of his Master the Pope were such as rather obstructed than forwarded the conclusion of the Treaty yet the Emperour and King of Spain Hollanders and French growing weary with the troubles of a bloudy War agreed of themselves without being obliged to the Pope for his Offices of Mediation for on the contrary the Articles agreed were so detrimental to the Ecclesiastical State that the Pope was so far from having a hand in the making of them that he wholly disowned and protested against them by his Nuntio Ghigi who in that dexterous and discreet manner so well represented his Master's complaints to the Imperial and Spanish Ministers that they could not but allow the resentments of the Pope to be just for which they had no excuse but the unhappy state and urgency of their affairs but as to the person of Ghigi and his conduct every one remained satisfied giving him the character of a prudent wise and an able Minister These Negotiations at Cologne rendered him more capable to serve the Papal Interest at Munster in quality of the Pope's Legat in which he behaved himself with such equality of mind and good temper towards the Protestants without offence to the opposite party that with general satisfaction he acquitted himself in this great charge all which being observed and known to Innocent X. he was in reward of his many Services promoted to the degree of Cardinal and afterwards was made Secretary in the place of Cardinal Panzirolo deceased a person of that judgment and quickness of parts fit for business that his equal perhaps was not again to be found in any part of the World And yet Ghigi pleased the Pope as well or perhaps better than Panzirolo for Innocent being on his death-bed where Men commonly put off all disguises of dissimulation declared that of all the Cardinals there was none more fit to succeed him than Chigi Howsoever in the Conclave there was scarce any task or discourse of Chigi for the first three months until at length being named the whole Colledg concurred with unanimous Votes in his Election the news of which was received in the City of Rome with extraordinary joy and satisfaction of the People The first ten days after his promotion he spent in ordering the state of his publick and private Affairs giving Audience to Ambassadours and receiving Visits and Complements from Cardinals and Civil Magistrates And on the 18th of April he was Crowned after the manner of other Popes in the great Portico of St. Peter's Church after which Ceremony was ended he was publickly heard to use this saying Vivo Ego jam non Ego vivit verò in me Christus I live but not I but Christ who liveth in me which was the Motto he commonly inscribed over the Chambers of his private retirements In the next place he wrote his Letters to the Kings of France and Spain acquainting them with his promotion to the Apostolical Chair and having given them the paternal Benediction he persuaded them to Peace and Concord amongst themselves and so turn their Forces against the Turks for assistance of the Venetians who were a match unequal to contend with so mighty an Emperour But before we proceed farther it is to be expected that we should make an end of the Story of Donna Olympia who remained all this while between hope and fear in what manner Alexander would deal with her Prince Pamfilio was one of the first who went to congratulate with him and her Ladyship that she might not be the last to express her joy sent her Maggiordomo or Steward to pay her Respects declaring the great joy she conceived to see one created Pope to whom her Kinsman had opened the way by making him Cardinal and her joys were consummate in that she had always represented him to Innocent as a Person of extraordinary Abilities so that she could not but share with him in the advance of his fortunes The Pope answered little and in ambiguous terms so that to discover his more deep and real thoughts Cardinal Azzolini was employed who making great professions in her behalf endeavoured to draw from the Pope something of his intentions towards her But Alexander who professed always to do things leisurely was not very open in declaring himself which gave Olympia the first occasion of distrust and indeed she had very much reason for every day made new discoveries of the corruptions and abuses she had exercised both in Civil and Ecclesiastical matters The Datary was wholly corrupted by the Simonies she had introduced all Places sold no Treasure left besides a thousand other Villanies and mischiefs she had committed There was not a day passed but the Pope had his hands filled with Memorials against her so that his zeal for the Church could not without scandal fit still and let slip such horrid Crimes without Punishment At the report hereof the Lady trembling with fear sent Cardinal Barberino to discourse the Pope before matters were gone too far but the Pope was too zealous and wife to hearken to any smooth and eloquent Speeches in her behalf and therefore positive in his resolutions sent his express Commands to Olympia to leave Rome in three days and in eight to be at Orvieto which is a City about thirty miles distant from Rome from whence she was not to remove without new Orders from the Pope There was no opposing these positive Commands which were neither to be questioned nor delayed so that her Ladyship privately departed the City for fear of being affronted by the Rabble who every where made Songs and Jests of her the same day that her Ladyship quitted Rome the Pope began to take the examination of Witnesses for drawing up the Process but the work was too tedious to be speedily finished for so many several Charges and Impeachments came daily against her that there was no end nor could the Books be shut up though swelled to incredible Volumes Wherefore to make short work the Pope commanded ten of the most material Points to be filed against her to which she was in the first place to give answer before a subsequent Charge was to be formed and
Plenipotentiaries to be nominated and appointed by both sides and the place for Treaty to be Lions So on the twentieth of February an Instrument was signed by the Ambassadour Grimani and the Duke of Crequi and subscribed also by Monsieur Tellier Secretary of State and War whereby it was concerted and agreed to enter upon a Treaty at the place aforesaid and that Plenipotentiaries should be sent thither with Commissions from his Majesty Thus for some time whilest the troubles were a little appeased and quieted the Court of France passed the Carneval with their usual jollity and entertained it self with celebration of the marriage between Madmoiselle de Valois and the Duke of Savoy the Count de Soissons representing the person of the Duke at the ceremony of Espousals The which few days after was followed by the marriage of Madmoiselle Mariana Mancini Niece of Cardinal Mazarini with the Duke of Buglion great Chamberlain of France And now the Plenipotentiaries preparing for their meeting at Lions Aloisé Sagredo arrived at Paris in quality of Ambassadour for the Venetians and to succeed in the place of Grimani who was to be assisting in the Office of Mediation at Lions Grimani and Monsignor Rasponi Plenipotentiary from the Pope met at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Crequi on pretence of the Queen Mother's sickness or rather because he desired to be waited and attended for came not to Lions till towards the middle of May where entering on their Conference matters were proceeded to a hopeful condition of agreement when on a sudden they were unhappily interrupted by the Title which the Pope sent to Rasponi to be his Nuntio Extraordinary to all Christian Princes for whereas the French King had absolutely determined not to receive any person from the Pope with Title of Nuntio until the differences were accommodated between himself and Rome the Treaty was by Order of the King broken off upon that punctilio but afterwards was by Order renewed again at Bonvicino a place situate on the Frontiers of Savoy the Parochial Church of which is in the Dominions of France and on the other side of the Bridg which is the Territory of Savoy is an antient and famous Monastery of Carmelite Friers thither as we have said the Treaty was transferred where besides Crequi Rasponi and Grimani there were present the Agents for Modena and Parma and the twelve Consuls of Avigion Rasponi took his quarters on the side of Savoy and the other on that of France Here the particulars were again debated and the Pope was persuaded to condescend to all the pretensions of France excepting onely to the restitution of Castro on which the King peremptorily insisted because he had engaged his Honour and Authority therein by the Articles of Peace made at the Pyreneans The Pope on the other side insisted That it was not in his Power to pass an Act so prejudicial to the Apostolical Chair and contrary to the many Bulls of his Predecessours And thus whilest both sides insisted resolutely on this Point with many delays and punctilios which obstructed a conclusion the King dispatched an express to Rome to know the ultimate resolution of the Pope on that Point and when answer was returned that by reason of the Sentences passed by the Tribunals of Justice and that Castro was in the Camera annexed to the triple Crown and incorporated into the Dominions of the Church he could not assent to have it dismembred from St. Peter's Patrimony so soon I say as this news came the Treaty broke off every one returning to his Place and Country During this Treaty at Buonvicinio great preparations were making at Rome for a War and when it broke up without agreement then contrary to all expectation the Troops were disbanded and the Officers Reformed though in the mean time the French Troops began to march into Italy which was the occasion of a witty saying That at Rome they armed when they knew not with whom they were to have War and disarmed when they knew not with whom they should have Peace And yet it is probable and by most believed that there was never any real design of Rupture by either side but that the pretensions and preparations for this War were onely in appearance and made subservient to other Projects though to make it appear real the Duke of Beaufort was sent with a Fleet of Ships on the Coast of Italy the approach of which gave an Allarm at the very Gates of Rome but afterwards disappeared and stood off again into the Sea pretending to be driven to Calari in Sardinia by Tempests and contrary Winds And though neither the Pope nor King as was believed were in earnest in matter of a War yet the ill correspondence between them was judged prejudicial to Christendom and obstructive to those succours which were intended against the Turk who had then lately made himself Master of Newhausell and was triumphant in Hungary Wherefore the Venetians with more warm instances than ever laboured to renew the Treaty in which Office the Spaniards also judged themselves obliged to join because they desired to keep the Arms of France distant from Italy and both one and the other used their endeavours so effectually with the Pope and the King that they both consented to enter into another Treaty and accordingly the French King constituted Monsignore Bourlemont then at Florence to be his Plenipotentiary and the Pope ordained Rasponi with a like Power from him Pisa being the place appointed for the Treaty where after some few days of debate all matters came to be concluded and agreed in form and manner following That his Holiness to please the most Christian King had assented to dismember Castro from the Patrimony of the Church conditionally that the Duke of Parma within the space of eight years pay the sum of eight millions six hundred and nineteen Crowns to the Camera Of which sum having paid one half he shall be invested and restored into one half of the Principality And in case that any dispute shall arise touching the division of the moiety the same shall be determined by two Arbitrators indifferently chosen and they not agreeing the difference shall be referred to the Umpirage of a third Person Or otherwise the Camera making the division the Duke shall have Power to chuse or otherwise if the Duke makes the division then the choice shall be in the Power of the Camera That the Duke of Modena shall renounce all his pretensions to Comacchio And the Pope at the instance of the King shall in lieu thereof give and surrender unto the said Duke Mount d' Este which was valued at two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns or thereabouts and shall remit to him the Interest which he owes to the Montists which was estimated at fifty thousand Crowns together with a donative of forty thousand Crowns or in lieu thereof some Palace in Rome to the Duke's satisfaction And that the Pope shall
censure and condemn two Books the one of James Vernant who asserts the Pope's Power and Infallibility of the Pope in derogation of Councils Kings and Bishops and the other of Amadeus Guimenius who defends the Morals of the Jesuits the Pope being displeased with this confidence of the Sorbonists who being but a Colledg only should presume to determine Cases of such high nature complained to the King who in compliance with his Holiness assembled a Congregation of Bishops at Pontoise the which being met passed a Censure on the Sorbonists not condemning their Opinion but their presumption for that being but a private Colledg they should usurp a Power which appertained to the Congregation and not unto them The Pope not satisfied with these imperfect proceedings amends them at Rome and by a Bull condemns the Opinions of the Sorbonists under penalty of Excommunication But this Doctrine of the Pope's could not be digested by the Parliament of Paris who appeared Favourers of the Sorbonists howsoever lest these questions should engender discords and cause great trouble in the State they were silenced and by the King's Authority suppressed every one being under severe penalties forbidden to dispute or handle questions of this dangerous consequence Wherefore these Points being laid asleep rather than eradicated are sometimes revived and suffered to be started whensoever they are seasonable and judged commodious for the welfare of the State The same year likewise the Pope condemned the five Propositions of Cornelius Jansenius Bishop of Ypres concerning Grace and Free-Will and confirmed the Edict which Innocent X. had made against them Notwithstanding which so little regard was had thereunto that those Opinions are still maintained and defended both by words and Writings But now to proceed to his Acts and publick Works That Alexander VII might not appear less splendid in his publick Monuments than other Popes he repaired many Ruins enlarged and adorned many Streets much to the Ornament of the City and convenience of the Inhabitants The Pantheon which was a famous Temple of Old Rome built by M. Agrippa and afterwards by Boniface IV. dedicated to the Blessed Virgin he repaired and altered with much advantage for whereas formerly they descended unto it by steps he filled the low places with rubbish so that an entrance was made thereunto upon a level and having raised the Pillars which were almost buried in the Earth he therewith erected a stately Portico making it a magnificent structure which before was filled up with dirt and rubbish cast thereunto by the neighbouring Market The Forum or Market-place where the Columna Antoniana stands he cleansed and removed all rubbish from it and so beautified it on all sides that it is now a pleasant and convenient part of the City The Archigymnasium Romanum which was begun by Leo X. he finished and adorned with a sumptuous Library the Chamber for which he erected at his own charge and supplied it with excellent Books for the common use of learned Men. He also designed to build a Colledg wherein to entertain the most learned and famous Men of the Age invited thereunto from all parts of the World So that where any one was esteemed excellent and famous in any Science and especially if he were learned and an acute Disputant in Divinity he might be here entertained with a convenient subsistence to support which and make a Revenue for this Colledg he designed the desolation of some Monasteries which having formerly been ordained with holy Discipline and to a good end were now fallen from their original and primary Institution but whilest he was contemplating and contriving this design he became infirm and afflicted with a Chronical Distemper which abated the heat of his proceedings which afterwards ended and were wholly laid aside by his death He erected a noble and magnificent Hall adjoyning to the Vatican which he called an Archivium or a place to lodge all Papers and Writings relating to the Apostolical Sea that is all Papers rendering an account of the Negotiations of Nuntios in the Courts of forein Princes Likewise the Letters written to Popes from the Governours and Ministers of Provinces belonging to the Church such Letters also as had been written concerning the Rights and Priviledges of the Papal Chair for which there having formerly been no certain place allotted wherein to conserve them they were dispersed and scattered in divers places and many of them in the hands of such whose Uncles or Relations had been Popes The Vatican Library he encreased with an addition of all the Books of the Dukes of Vrbin both Manuscripts and Books printed And lest whilest he was intent to the adornment of Rome he should seem forgetful of his own City he beautified the Cathedral Church of Siena which by demolishing the Houses which stood near it he made a large and open Area to it removing all impediments which obscured or obstructed the Prospect The barbarous Latin which is written about the outside of this Church is very observable the words are these Omnis centenus Romae semper est Jubilenus Crimina laxantur cui paenitet ista donantur Et confirmavit Bonifacius roboravit Whilest Alexander was employed in these and other greater Works he was esteemed to have neglected those assistances which former Popes have usually given and contributed for support of those Princes which have been borderers and in War with the Turk who is the grand Enemy of Christendom Wherefore that he might give some instances to the contrary in the year 1666. he equipped his Fleet of Gallies under command of Bichi and having joined them with the Gallies of Malta which by their Institution are obliged to serve under the Standard of the Church they entered the Archipelago and committed some spoils on the Maritime Towns or places under Dominion of the Turk in which having passed that Summer without any action very memorable they returned towards the end of the year to their Winter quarters and this year the Pope recruited the Regiment which he maintained in Dalmatia with two hundred Soldiers During the twelve years of this Pope's Reign he created thirty eight Cardinals of which eight were made in the last year of his life namely Roberti his Nuntio in France Visconti his Nuntio in Spain Julio Spinola his Nuntio to the Emperour Caracciolo Auditor of the Camera likewise John Dolfino Patriarch of Aquileia was made Cardinal at the instance of the Venetians Ghidobald de Thun Arch-bishop of Saltzburg at the desire of the Emperour the Duke of Vendosme in compliance with France and the Duke of Montalto to please Spain And farther to exalt and dignifie the degree of Cardinals he appointed a Congregation of the Sacred Colledg to consider and direct some Formulary or Rules which might serve to augment the Prerogatives of Cardinals in opposition to the pretences of the Roman Barons one amongst which was that the little Bell which was carried and sounded before the Cardinals should be no more in use for that
the lustre of their Purple was so evident as needed no such mean Signal to make them known In fine Pope Alexander having reigned twelve years with frequent fits and agonies of the Stone at length being worn out with business and extremity of his Disease he died on the twelfth day of May 1667. in the sixty ninth year of his Age having reigned twelve years one month and sixteen days Some time before his departure out of this World he made a short Discourse to the Cardinals concerning the frailties of humane life from which the greatness of Popes was not exempted and which was more demonstrable in him by reason of the Chronical distemper under which he had for many years laboured concluding at the last with exhortations to elect such a Pope who might correct and make amends for those Infirmities to which he had been subject This Pope was naturally of a good habit of body but much weakned by a dissection which was made for the stone in his Bladder when he was at Colen he was lean and not very robust in his limbs but howsoever had such strength in the gripe of his hands that scarce any one could quit himself from him whom he had seized He was of a middle stature of a pleasant Air in his Countenance and of excellent grace in Elocution which was not much altered by the loss of his teeth which were loosened and falled out by a continual defluxion of rheum upon his gums He was very facetious and pleasant in his Conversation and delighted himself very much in reading the antient Latin Poets Wherefore when the Cardinals came to congratulate his Election to the Pontificate he made use of that Verse out of Virgil Dies quem semper acerbum Semper honoratum sic vos voluistis habebo This Pope was endued with natural parts in an extraordinary manner and was very polite in his dress and in his way of living howsover in the course of his years he gave an instance and example to the World what difference there is in those qualifications which are required to make up the virtues of a Prince and of a private Person or of a Pope and a Prelate For whilest he onely wore the Purple of a Cardinal he governed himself in such a mean between the defects blamed in the Pope that Reigned and the Virtues desired and expected in a Successour that he appeared the onely desireable Person in the World to whom with most confidence the Keys of St. Peter might be delivered But being arrived at the top and summary point of his Ambition of his desires and designs he lived with much less caution and industry than before and giving way to that vanity of Genius which he had formerly suppressed or disguised he so amused himself in the ostentation of Buildings that he neglected both the concernments of Princes and the care of his People And whilest he laboured to exalt and enrich his Nephews and Kindred he died unlamented and much abated in that reputation with which he entered into the Papal Chair CLEMENT IX THE Funeral Rites of Alexander VII being performed according to the solemn customs of former Popes and the Cardinals having held several Congregations at which Audience was given to the Ambassadours of forein Princes and the Chigi with other Officers of the Church and City being confirmed in their several places the Cardinals entered the Conclave on the second day of June 1667. But first and before they entered a great Dispute arose concerning the place where the Conclave was to be held for that the Vatican being seated in a bad Air was at that season of the year reputed almost contagious at least so incommodious by reason of the excessive heats of the Summer that it was judged pernicious to the health of all the Colledg and therefore Monte Cavallo was proposed as a situation more secure and which with the expence of two thousand Crowns might be rendered as commodious as the Vatican The Persons appointed to oversee this Work were the Cardinals Barberino Orsino and Este who having considered thereof made their report that the House of Monte Cavallo was not capable of being made convenient to receive the Conclave in such form as in the Vatican where after the manner of Conclaves the Cells of the Cardinals are all on the same floor the which and many other inconveniencies rendered that and all other places in Rome uncapable to receive the Conclave in such form as was ever practised at the Vatican and therefore it was the place chosen and appointed as formerly Notwithstanding the badness of the Air and the heat of the season which served to hasten the Election for though the Cardinals were divided into many Parties and adhered to their several Interests yet being wise Men they knew to prefer health and long life before other considerations whatsoever Wherefore the Cardinals entering the Vatican the third of June was the first day of the Conclave which was divided into five several Parties or Factions the first was that of the Chigi which was the most numerous of any consisting of thirty four Votes the second was that of the Barberini composed of sixteen the Spaniards of nine and the French of seven and lastly the Flying Squadron made up of the Pamfilians and other male-contents formed a party of about ten Voices of which Imperiale and Azzolini were the chief who joyning themselves to the Spanish Cardinals opposed at the first Scrutiny the election of Farnese in such manner that he seemed excluded from all possibility of being Pope howsoever his Party had certainly prevailed had not Barberino with his Associates opposed the Choice for though Farnese was a Person qualified with all the knowledg of Political Laws and Ecclesiastical Canons yet the memory of what had passed between his Uncle Vrban and the Dukes of Parma was too fresh to be in a few years so well reconciled as to engage the Barberini to that Interest Wherefore Barbarino casting his Eye on an other Person assembled all the Creatures of his Uncle Vrban VIII to favour the Election which he designed And having hereunto joined the Cardinals of the Flying Squadron with several others he went to the Apartment of Cardinal Chigi to whom in the name of his Party he gave him to understand that they were sufficiently sensible that the Power of his Enemy in the Conclave was such that none was in a possibility of being created Pope without his assent and concurrence and therefore they were come to know which of his Creatures he judged worthy of his suffrage To which Chigi after having returned thanks to Barberino made this Reply That all his Friends were beloved and esteemed by him with that equality of affection that he knew not how to prefer one before another or by the nomination of one to disoblige others Whereunto Barberino made Answer That since his Eminence was not pleased to name any he would propose Rospigliosi which Chigi seemed readily to accept
but in reality his mind was contrary as appeared by the Scrutiny in which his Vote was otherwise disposed And indeed Chigi had no great affection for the person of Rospigliosi having not only taken some disgust against him in the time that he served in quality of Secretary to his Uncle Alexander VII but also had discovered the bad inclination which many others of the Chigian Party had to him at which Barbarino did not openly demonstrate any great resentment hoping that by such delays and Controversies he might spin a Clue so fine as would lead and conduct him to the heighth of his desires and indeed he had improved his interest so well that he had attained to nineteen Votes In the mean time endeavours were made for the Cardinals Brancacci Spinola Elci and others which prolonged the issue of Affairs which every Cardinal by reason of the heats and ill Air desired to conclude that so they might be enlarged from their confinement which began to be so unhealthful that many of the Cardinals fell sick as also their Conclavists who attended them and Cardinal Sforsa Palavicino died the which gave such an allarm to the whole Conclave that the Cardinals resolved on a dispatch which in all probability appeared most easie in the Person of Rospigliosi The interest which most opposed it was that of Chigi against which the other Cardinals uniting their Power induced Chigi to concur lest a Pope should be chosen in despight of his opposition and against his consent wherefore Chigi and Barbarino agreeing upon the matter concerted with the factions of France and Spain though the Cardinal Vandorme was not well pleased with the Choise In fine all Parties agreeing the Cardinals hastned into the Chappel where Barbarino and Azzolino having procured thirty one Votes for Rospigliosi Chigi and his Party came in and concurred with the rest so that of sixty four Cardinals then in the Conclave Rospigliosi was elected and created Pope by sixty one Thus after eighteen days that this Conclave had continued Rospigliosi was on the twentieth of June proclaimed Pope by Cardinal d' Este with these words which are according to the usual form Annuncio vobis Gaudium magnum Habemus Eminentissimum Reverendissimum Dominum Cardinalem Julium Rospigliosum in Summum Pontificem qui vocatur Clemens Nonus After which the usual Adoration followed which was performed by the Cardinals and the Pope being habited in his Pontifical Vestments was carried in procession with attendance of all the Cardinals to St. Peter's Church And on the 26th of June he was there Crowned according to all the Rites and Ceremonies of Popes Julio Rospigliosi was born at Pistoia a City in the Dominions of the Great Duke of Toscany his Family was Noble and much more illustrated by his own Vertues and Fortune For being naturally of a quick and lively understanding he plentifully answered the expectation of his Parents rendering abundant fruits in return of that care and expence they had employed in his Education and being arrived at some maturity of age Vrban VIII then reigning observed a genius in him fit and proper for business so that the first step he made to preferment was by the favour of Vrban who made him Auditor to his Nephew Cardinal Barberin when he sent him in a solemn manner with the Character of his Legat into France and then into Spain with Instructions to compose the differences about the Valteline and establish a happy Peace between the two Kings in which Employment he so well discharged and acquitted himself that Vrban made him his Nuntio in Ordinary to the Court of Spain the which Office though commonly conferred but for three years yet Rospigliosi made himself so pleasing unto and esteemed by his Catholick Majesty and so useful to the Interest of Rome that his Commission was continued for the full space of eleven years to the intire and plenary satisfaction both of the Pope and the King After the death of Vrban VIII those who had taken the Government into their hands under Innocent X. beholding Rospigliosi with an Eye of envy and emulation caused him to be recalled from his residence of Nuntio to make room for some other Favourite After which returning to Rome he lived in a private manner without other preferment than of one of the Canons of Santa Maria Maggiore until the death of this Pope when during the vacancy of the Sea he was by the unanimous consent of the Colledg of Cardinals constituted Governour of Rome which at that time is always so licentious that it requires a sober severe and vigilant Officer to restrain the abuses and outrages which are daily committed in the City Afterwards Alexander VII being elected Pope to whom the Abilities and Vertues of Rospigliosi were sufficiently known he chose him for his Secretary of State and to render him the more considerable in that Office he conferred on him the honour of the Cardinals Hat in which employment he gave such testimonies of his abilities and integrity that Alexander would usually say That he was served by a Secretary after his own heart on whom he could confidently rely and repose all his cares And indeed his Services were not onely pleasing to his Master but in such manner conspicuous to the whole Colledg of Cardinals and to all Rome as served him for a step to that high promotion to which he succeeded And now Rospigliosi being Elected Crowned and established in the Papal Chair as we have said under the name of Clement IX he in the first place rendered thanks to every Cardinal in particular for the suffrage he had given him and then to them all in general in a full Consistory where he delivered himself with such eloquent expressions and with such excellency of Speech as gave sufficient proof of the gift of Rhetorick with which he was naturally endued and which with an admirable elocution adorned all the Speeches which he made in publick It hath been the custom of Popes to perform some Act after their Coronation which may reconcile the minds of the people to them and accordingly this Pope that he might give some Essay of his liberal and generous inclinations towards the Publick he in the first place took care that Provisions might be cheap and plentiful at Rome and eased the People of some Taxes with which they were burdened and on this occasion he caused certain Medals of Gold and Silver to be stamped with the impression of a Pelican and with this Motto Non sibi sed aliis Clemens Moreover To give some indications of his Mind to the World concerning those resolutions which he had taken to govern with Prudence Wisdom and severe adherence to Righteousness and Judgment he stamped this Motto on the first Money he coined Constantia Silverii ad imitandum proposita For he himself being elected Pope on Silverius or St. Sylvesters's day who was a Pope firm and steady to his resolutions and unmoveable in matters
which related to the welfare of the Church he took this Omen for an Admonition obliging him to govern with the same Spirit which animated his Predecessour Sylverius Wherefore attending to the welfare of his Subjects and to the advancement of the Christian Cause he eased as we have said his People of several Taxes and in lieu thereof charged himself with a Debt of a million of Crowns to extinguish which and to make that provision which the Venetians required against the Turk who that year hardly pressed the City of Candia he assented to the dissolution of certain Religious Houses which seemed superfluous and of little benefit or concernment to the Church namely the Canons of St. George in Alga the Gesuati the Jeronimites of Fiesole which being places remote and of no great use were formerly under the consideration of Innocent X. and Alexander VII and by both marked out with design to be reduced when the emergent pressures of the Republick should require a supply And now that time being come for the Vizier Kuperlee had for above the space of a whole year besieged the City of Candia had strongly intrenched himself and being daily re inforced with new supplies was in a probable and fair way to gain the Town and therewith to become Master of all the Island of Candia Wherefore the Pope issued his Bull granting licence to the Venetian Republick to sell the Lands and Revenues belonging to those places afore-mentioned within their Dominions and to make use of the Money to carry on their War and expel the Turks from the Kingdom of Candia In this conjuncture the Pope intended to avail himself of the urgencies and necessities of the Republick and to induce them thereby to consent to the abolition of certain Laws which were and had been very derogatory to the Power of the Court of Rome but the wise Republick adhering to the same principles which influenced them in the time of Paul V. declared their unshaken constancy and resolution to admit no innovation of such a nature as was demanded of which the Pope being well advised relinquished his pretensions it seeming unseasonable to take an advantage on the present emergencies of the Republick to obtain that from them which could not be granted without unhinging the whole frame of the publick Liberty And though the suppression of these Convents proceeded currently within the Dominions of the Republick yet on this occasion great difficulties and Disputes arose between the Court of Rome and the Governments of Milan and Naples For at Milan they pretended that these Convents being of Royal foundation could not be dissolved without the King's consent and at Naples they refused to admit that the Money arising from the dissolved Convents should be disposed according to the will and pleasure of the Court of Rome denying all Power to the Archbishop to intermeddle therein as Delegate to the Pope by vertue of his Ecclesiastical Authority and this Controversie was maintained with that heat that the Provost of Naples opposed the Arch bishop with armed Bands when he came to execute the Decrees of Rome on which the Pope made use of his thundering Excommunications howsoever they availed little for the heats were blown into a flame and the matters become so intriguesom as not to be composed until the time of Clement X. the succeeding Pope Howsoever this Pope being in an extraordinary manner zealous for the success of the Christian Cause against the Turk and sollicitous for the preservation of Candia omitted no means which might conduce to the safety of it And therefore after the example of his Predecessours he laboured to engage the Christian Princes in a holy League against the Turk but in regard that it could not possibly be performed until such time as a Peace was concluded between France and Spain the Pope recalled his Nephew Cardinal Rospigliosi from Bruxels where for the space of three years he had resided in quality of Internuntio by Commission from Alexander VII ordering him in his return home to pass through Paris and in a private manner to complement the King endeavouring to discover the inclinations of his Majesty to a Peace with Spain and how he was disposed to yield those succours which were necessarily required for the preservation of Candia In pursuance hereof Rospigliosi performed the Offices enjoined him by his Uncle so well that he inclined the mind of his Majesty to succour Candia which was languishing and almost ready to expire and to yield itself to the prevailing Arms of the Turk and hence it was that Count S. Paul the Duke of Beaufort and Monsieur la Fenillade with many other Cavaliers adventuring themselves in this generous Enterprise at least prolonged the fate though not able to divert it or rescue Candia from the subjection of it's unchristian Enemies Moreover Rospigliosi made those impressions of kindness and good correspondence between the King and the Pope as continued during the whole term of his Uncle's Reign and as an evidence of this friendship the Pope upon return of his Nephew at Rome dispatched the Arch-bishop of Thebes in quality of Legat in Extraordinary into France and Frederick Borromeo with a like Character into Spain which Legats finding a disposition in both Kings towards a Peace so well negotiated in behalf of the interest of Rome that Lewis XIV of France and the Queen Regent of Spain her Son being in his minority appointed Aquisgrane for the place to treat a Peace of which the Pope was by mutual consent of both Kings ordained the sole Umpire and Moderator The zeal which affected the Pope for the succour and relief of Candia was so great that he laboured with all his Power to bring the Peace between the two Crowns to a speedy issue but the French King proceeding in a prosperous course of his Arms concluded that his successes did merit and require the grant of such conditions from his Catholick Majesty as were not consistent with the honour and welfare of that Crown and therefore resolved to make an entire Conquest of the Franch Compte before he entered into farther Treaties or restrain himself within any narrower bounds or limits than those he designed Whereupon the Prince of Conde being declared General for this Expedition in the beginning of the year 1668. he marched to Digion in Burgundy to prepare military Affairs in a readiness to begin early the ensuing Campaign the King also notwithstanding the inconvenience of the Winter season thought fit to be there present in Person which gave that life to action that neither cold or rains or shortness of the days interrupted the progress of the War the Officers and Soldiers issuing from their Winter quarters with the same chearfulness as in the Summer readily invested the most considerable places of the Franch Compte which in a few days surrendred themselves to the victorious Arms of the French leaving the World to wonder at those effects of fear which a sudden surprize had
himself and instantly commanded the Chains of the City to be drawn the Gates of the Palace to be shut and Guards placed at all Avenues to hinder and obstruct the passage of the Ambassadours who being in this manner disappointed of their Audience returned home full of anger and indignation resolving in revenge of this Affront never more to acknowledg the Cardinal for Nephew of the Pope or treat with him under those circumstances or give him the name of Altieri but of Paluzzi and in the mean time they caused a relation and state of the whole matter to be drawn up in writing subscribed by the hands of all the Ambassadours and forein Ministers the which was dispatched by every one of them to his respective Prince Notwithstanding the late Obstructions given them by Altieri the Ambassadours found a way to obtain Audience of the Pope to whom having gained admittance they represented That the cause and subject of their discontent was the exorbitant and irregular Government of his Nephew who to the prejudice of their honour had laid those impositions upon them from which they were exempted by the priviledg of their Character and though both their Masters and themselves were well-affected and zealous towards the Apostolical Sea yet they could not but make a great difference between the duty they owed to his Holiness and their submission to the Cardinal Altieri in all his indirect proceedings For Answer hereunto the Pope who was of a mild and gentle temper replied with his usual softness in justification of his Edict that the Debts which lay on the Apostolical Chamber were vast amounting to many Millions of Gold for ease of which he was enforced to intrench for a short time on their priviledges which should not longer continue than until the end of the Jubily which would be terminated at the expiration of the following year during which the Chamber being obliged to more than ordinary charges and expence was enforced to exercise unusual means for its reimbursments and therefore he hoped that they would become such charitable Benefactors to the Church as for its better support and subsistence to part with something of their own rights for advancement of so great a good especially considering that during the time of his Pontificate the Ecclesiastical State had not been charged with any new Taxes or Impositions These and the like discourses used by the Pope in favour of his Nephew and his proceedings gave no satisfaction to the forein Ministers who therewith displeased returned immediately from their Audience to their own dwellings without the least notice taken of the Cardinal Nephew which neglect was intended as an affront to him it being the custom for Ambassadours after they came from Audience with the Pope to visit the Nephew and communicate their Affairs to him craving his assistance and furtherance in their business but now the Ambassadours to evidence their farther resentments judged it not only fit to disown Altieri by omission of this Ceremony but even as far as they were able to divest him of his Adoption vouchsafing no other name to him than that of Paluzzi This neglect and ill correspondence with Altieri continued for the space of several months which much abated the respect of the people towards the Cardinal and caused him to fall low in the esteem of the Court and as a consequence thereof Kings and Princes returned no Answer to his Letters though accompanied with the Pope's Briefs and worded with all the terms of submission and humility that could be expressed Altieri considering the circumstances of his condition and the age of the Pope who according to the course of Nature could not last long endeavoured by all means possible to procure a good understanding between himself and the Ambassadours and especially to set himself right with France in order hereunto a Congregation of Cardinals was deputed consisting as was believed of Men disinteressed and unbiassed by any faction whose incumbence it was to propose and contrive middle and indifferent terms towards an accommodation In like cases as well as in this it hath been the practice to ordain a Congregation of this nature which being composed for the most part of aged and unactive Men such as had given over the World moved slowly in all their determinations and with that phlegm that their Consults and Proposals commonly concluded in nothing the like success this Deputation found the meeting and debates of the Cardinals being delayed from day to day without other issue or effect and in the mean time the execution of the Edict seemed to be suspended or to die of it self the Customers and Collectors of the Taxes not daring to exercise their power in virtue of this Edict Altieri also had given them some intimation not to insist with too much resolution and rigour thereupon with promises of abatements on their Farm supposing that time would compose the differences and allay the indignation which the Ambassadours had conceived against him but finding to the contrary that their anger was kept alive with scorn and disrespect to his Person and Office and that though the Kings of France and Spain were engaged in Wars one against the other and that their Ambassadours at Rome were on that score at odds and unfriendly one with the other yet they agreed and entertained a good understanding together in what concerned the quadruple knot which they had sealed against him Altieri fearing the consequences of these matters resolved to cast himself into the hands of France but the Duke d' Estreé refused to accept of any terms or Conditions with him wherefore he applied himself to the other Ambassadours with design to break the Combination but encountring the same difficulties he applied himself to the Court of Spain where the Counsels and considerations being of a different nature regarding the quiet of Italy rather than animosity to the person of Altieri Orders were dispatched to Cardinal Nitardi to close with him and to enter again into a good correspondence with the Court of Rome The Emperour taking the same measures gave Orders to the Cardinal Landgrave to acknowledg Altieri as formerly for the Pope's Nephew and to retain a good correspondence with him the Senate of Venice following the example of these two great Monarchs ordered their Minister also to accept terms of reconciliation by which means Altieri stood fair again with all the Ambassadours excepting onely the Duke d' Estreé who had other scores to reckon with him When the news came to Rome that the Court of Spain had given Order to their Ambassadour to reconcile himself with Altieri those who in that City have little more to do than to discourse of the Politicks and make their reflections on the Acts of Princes were of Opinion that Altieri had made some offers to assist the Spaniards in regaining the City of Messina from the French which the Duke d' Estreé having discovered adjoined that quarrel to other matters of discontent but such
also the French Cardinals agreed and by additional Votes strengthened his Party but in regard his most Christian Majesty carried at that time a mighty stroak in the Conclave as he did in all the Councils of Europe it was judged convenient not to conclude on this important matter without the assent and approbation of his Majesty To this end Corriers or Posts were expresly dispatched with advices and informations from the French Cardinals and in the mean time as is very observable and never before practised the whole Conclave fixed their Eyes on Odescalchi as the person designed and marked out for this eminent employment and from that very time paid him the same honour duty and reverence as if he had been already promoted to the Papal Throne And now the Cardinals had little more to do than to quarrel amongst themselves Colonna and Maldachino had a Dispute with very sharp words reviling each other with Fool and Beast but the most considerable was that between Cardinal Howard of Norfolk and the Cardinal Buglion for that the latter had not returned the Visit which the former had made to him in excuse for which Buglion freely declared that it was his King's positive Command to him not to acknowledg the Cardinals of the last promotion either by Ceremony or Complement or any Treaty or Negotiation whatsoever But the Cardinal of Norfolk would not allow of this Excuse insisting on the King's good will and gracious favours towards his Person when in his journey and passage through France from London to Rome he was pleased to honour him with his own Coaches and to give Orders to the Governours of all Cities through which he was to pass to treat him with a respect due to the Character of a Cardinal and to the dignity of his Illustrious Family the which favours his Majesty would never have bestowed in that gracious manner had his intentions been different and not incliclined to allow him for a Cardinal under which notion he was treated and received in all parts of France But this was not the private or single case of the Cardinal of Norfolk for all that promotion was concerned in the quarrel which the Conclave considering as dangerous and such as might cause great disorder and confusion they immediately dispatched a Letter to his Majesty subscribed also by the French Cardinals beseeching his Majesty that he would be pleased to order his Ambassadour the Duke de Estreé the French Cardinals and all his other Officers and Ministers at Rome to own and visit the six Cardinals of the last promotion created by the late Pope Clement X. which would avoid many inconveniences and disturbances in the Conclave to the great prejudice and hindrance of that important Affair now incumbent upon them until answers were returned to the foregoing dispatches The Conclave not to be idle employed themselves upon several Scrutinies in favour of Massimi Cerri Fachinetti and others but none of them arising to that number of Votes which on all occasions appeared for Odescalchi all other trials became faint and insignificant So that the general inclination of the Conclave seemed in despight of Altieri and the endeavours of his Adherents to the contrary to be entirely fixed and setled on the person of Odescalchi to whose promotion nothing was now wanting but the concurrence and approbation of his most Christian Majesty In short on the 19th of September the Corrier returned from France of which secret intelligence was given to the French Cardinals in the Conclave and that the answers were highly in favour of Odescalchi as a Person grateful and in every kind acceptable to his Majesty On the twentieth the Duke d' Estreé Ambassadour of France was introduced into the Conclave where he presented the Letters from his most Christian Majesty to the College of Cardinals in answer to those lately sent by them and then in a most eloquent Speech he represented unto them the necessity there was to proceed to the speedy election of a Pope whose Government was now more than necessary to the Christian World That in the College of Cardinals there was so many persons of Vertue that they had an ample Field for their Election yet considering that the Vicar of Christ was to be of the number of those who did transcend in all the Vertues and Graces of Religion and such as would reform the abuses and corruptions which to the scandal of the Christian Church were crept into the Court of Rome he would recommend unto them one who was of a publick Spirit sincere and disinterested deciphering unto them thereby though without naming the very person of Odescalchi and having praised and applauded Cardinal Barberino and giving God thanks for the great piety and zeal of that Man he retired leaving the Conclave to their free Election in which now there appeared no farther difficulty in regard the major part had received a plenary inspiration from France And here on this occasion it would be no impertinent Query whether the Court at Paris was not as much concerned in the choice of a Pope as the Conclave was at Rome But this will not be strange or new for Hadrian the first and Leo the 3d. gave a power to approve or disallow the election of the Pope unto Charles the Great and Leo the 8th confirmed the same priviledg to Otho And when the Church hath been powerful it hath made Emperours and when Emperours have been victorious and prosperous they have made Popes But to proceed that Evening a great number of Cardinals went to the Cell of Odescalchi and kissed his hand which was the irretractable assurance and engagement of their Votes for him but the good man shewed some unwillingness and reluctance thereunto desiring them with tears in his Eyes to chuse some other Subject more able to support the great load and burden of so mighty a weight Howsoever being at length overcome by the Arguments and persuasions of his Friends he consented thereunto upon condition that they would assent unto and subscribe certain Articles for reformation of the Ecclesiastical Government which he then proposed to them which the Cardinals approving a great part of them subscribed that Night and swore to maintain them as did the others in like manner the day following And now Altieri finding that it was to no purpose to struggle and contend longer and fearing lest the Election should be made without him he became the most forward of any to make the Scrutiny being followed by all his Creatures who were nineteen in number so then the Choice was immediately determined by the Access and on the 21th of September 1676. the whole Conclave with one Voice and Mind declared Odescalchi to be the Pope of Rome the Vicar of Christ and the true and undoubted Successour of St. Peter and then Cardinal Barberino who was Dean of the College was the first by the duty of his place to lead the others to Adoration and was afterwards followed by all one after
the other according to their Offices and Seniority The Adoration being performed he was vested in his Pontifical Habit taking the name of Innocent XI in remembrance of his Benefactor who had assumed him into the Degree and Order of Cardinals after which he was conducted into the Chappel with the accustomed Ceremonies and being placed by the Altar he there received the second Adoration which being finished the Master of Ceremonies demanded whether it was the pleasure of His Holiness that the Nobility then attending without desirous to kiss his feet should be admitted in to pay the duty and devotion which they owed to the Successour of St. Peter which being granted the Queen of Sweden was the first introduced to perform that Complement after her followed the Ambassadours and Ministers of the crowned Heads after whom came the Princes Prelates and Nobles all which having kissed the feet of the Pope testified the excess of joy they conceived for the promotion of a Person so worthy of all honour unto the Papal Chair After which a Door was opened over the Great Portico of St. Peter's Church into which the Master of the Ceremonies led the way carrying a Cross before the Pope and Cardinals which the people with great reverence adored at a distance and the Cardinal Maldachino who was first Deacon presenting the Pope before them pronounced with a loud Voice these following words after the accustomed manner Annuncio Vobis gaudium magnum habemus Pontificem Eminentissimum Reverendissimum Dominum Cardinalem Benedictum Odescalcum qui sibi Nomen imposuit Innocentius XI It is not to be expressed with what joy the common people and the City entertained the news of this Pope's advancement the Bells were rung and all the Cannon of the City were fired and the Soldiers discharged many Vollies of their Musquets with sounds of Drums and Trumpets and seized on the Coach and Horses and the very Coachman's Cloak which they challenged to themselves for their fees During which Solemnity and whilest Te Deum was sung no alteration appeared in the countenance of the Pope unless it were a more than usual pensiveness and mortification not discovering the least vanity or loftiness in his looks which other Popes were never able to conceal but blessed and crossed the People with a floud of tears which fell from his Eyes Some persons may weep for joy but tears from what passion soever they proceed are always the Indications of a soft and gentle temper when men of a more hardy nature evidence the swellings and elations of their Heart by a proud and a supercilious countenance Benedictus Odescalchi was born at Como a City in the Dukedom of Milan in the year of our Lord 1611. hi Father was called Livio and his Mother Paula Castella and both of Noble and Patrician Families in Como with a Revenue of thirty thousand Crowns a year belonging to the House of Odescalchi In his youth he was educated by the Jesuits and by them instructed in Grammar and humane learning He aftewards studied the Civil and the Canon Laws partly at Rome and partly at Naples and though he was never esteemed for a Polemical Divine yet he had the reputation of one who knew the World well and practised in the nature of Mankind and the Art of Government In the time of Vrban VIII he was made one of the Prothonotaries of the Apostolical Chamber and afterwards was created President of the same he was also made Chief Commissary for gathering the Taxes and Duties arising in the Province of Marchio which were laid on the people at the time of Wars in Italy After this business was over he was constituted Governour of Macerata and the Province thereunto adjoyning By Innocent X. he was made one of the Clarks of his Chamber and not long after in the year 1645. he was assumed into the College of Cardinals having the Deaconry bestowed on him of the Saints Cosma and Damianus and being afterwards translated into the Order of Priests he had the Title conferred on him of St. Onuphrius and by the same Innocent sent to Ferrara with the Title of Legat in which Office having acquitted himself with great honour he was made Bishop of Novarese where he resided for some years but afterwards was removed from thence at his own desire by reason of the heaviness of the Air in that place which did not well agree with the constitution of his body Being at Rome he was employed in many Affairs of the Church and called to serve in diverse Congregations of Cardinals on which occasion he was made Protectour of several Colleges and Monasteries and in all he behaved himself with singular prudence modesty and vertue until he was assumed into the Supreme degree of the Papal Throne to which having as we have said been elected on the 21th of September he was Crowned with the usual Ceremonies on the 4th of October following After the Election and Coronation of the Pope were finished the French Cardinals prepared for their return to France but before their departure they paid their Visits to the Cardinals of the last promotion who had not hitherto been acknowledged by the King for the reasons before mentioned But those quarrels being now vanished by the change of Affairs in the Court of Rome the Visits were returned and a good correspondence again renewed and established So soon as this Pope had taken the Government of Affairs into his own hands he began a reformation in several particulars and in the first place considering that Nepotism or the advancement of Nephews both in Riches and Power was odious to the People and of great damage to the Church of which examples had been given by those Popes who having been over tender and indulgent to their own Families had suffered their Nephews to blemish the honour of the Church by Simoniacal corruptions and by their Avarice and Ambition to exhaust the Treasure of the Apostolical Chamber this Pope therefore as we say considering these matters resolved to give the first Example hereof in his own Family and accordingly refused to receive his Nephew Don Livio into any part of the Government forbidding him to receive or return Visits under the Notion of Nephew to the Pope But that this Nephew might not complain of the severity of his Uncle or judge his Estate nothing improved by this fortune of his Family he relinquished unto him all his Temporal Estate amounting unto thirty thousand Crowns of yearly Revenue But in regard that Princes are not able to support the whole burthen of their Government on their own shoulders the Pope not having respect to his own Relations but to such as were fit and adequate to these great undertakings made choice of Cardinal Cibo for his Secretary of State being a person endued with a great and generous Soul and a clear understanding zealous for the welfare of the Church and dexterous in the management of politick Affairs This beginning gave encouragement to good
and wise Men who conceived hopes by an instance of this nature that Vertue and wisdom would return again into use and fashion and the Court of Rome in general rejoyced to find themselves freed from the pride insolence and covetousness of Nephews Howsoever the Family of Altieri was continued in their Military Employments and others confirmed in their respective Offices but because War was extrinsecal and not the Trade or profession of the Church which was now in peace with all the World he retrenched the pay or Pension belonging to the Officers of the Papal Army causing them to remain satisfied with the Name and Dignity without the benefit or profits of their respective Commands which proved of great ease to the Apostolical Chamber Howsoever knowing that Authority is not to be maintained without Power and force and resolving to become Master of Rome he encreased the number of his Archers in the listing of which he took not every fellow that came to offer his service but such onely as were sober Men not given to quarrels or to commit such insolences as the Corsi who were the cause of great disturbance to Alexander VII Howsoever on the other side not to receive insults from Ambassadours or other Representatives of Kings or Nobles and Princes of Rome in prejudice to Justice and the rules of severe Government he absolutely denied to them the priviledg to protect Miscreants and Criminals within the Precincts or certain limits assigned by themselves to be Sanctuaries for all Villains and Murtherers that should fly for refuge to those quarters and in pursuance of this resolution he seized a certain famous Bandito at Riccia where the Prince and Princess Chigi have a Seat and possession the which was admitted without any opposition made thereunto Farther the Pope confirmed the seventeen Articles which were signed as we have said in the Conclave by all the Cardinals being such as for the most part tended to a Reformation of manners and to an amendment of those abuses which were crept into the Church And farther to demonstrate his great zeal for the welfare and reputation of the Papal See he openly reproved the vanity of those Cardinals who pleased themselves with fine Coaches and rich Liveries giving them to understand the incongruity there was between those worldly Gayeties and the profession of those who had devoted themselves to that sober and serious life which becomes the gravity of a good and a holy Prelat And in regard that in times of preceding Popes many unworthy persons by the force of Money and Simonaical dealings were arisen to Episcopal Dignities the Pope appointed four Cardinals and four other Clergymen to examine the lives and manners of such who aspired to the degree of Bishops ordering them to admit none thereunto suspected or in the least blemished with an ill fame or taxed of ignorance as well as of a debauched conversation And in order to a thorough reformation the Pope drove out all the Courtesans and Strumpets from Rome and persons openly scandalous and dissolute in their manners and amongst others he banished a Gentleman of quality into Germany for having made a violent attempt on the chastity of a Lady of approved modesty All Houses of Play or gaming for Money were put down and all leud and unlawful Assemblies were fobridden And in regard the Barons of Rome had by the priviledg of their Nobility raised themselves above the reach of their Creditors The Pope ordered Cardinal Cibo to make a narrow inspection thereinto and to pay the Debts of the Barons out of the Money of the Chamber by which means these Debts being assigned over to the Chamber a payment of the same might more easily be forced by vigour of that Law which enforces the proceedings of the Exchequer To these Acts of Justice the Pope added one of great generosity towards Christina Queen of Sweden who having by the late Wars lost the greatest part of her Revenue in Sweden in recompence thereof he allowed unto her a Pension of twelve thousand Crowns a year And having laid these first foundations and beginnings of good Government the Pope's next work was to labour in the promotion of a Peace between the two Crowns and all other Christian Princes that laying aside all differences and quarrels amongst themselves they might unite their forces for the good and welfare of Christendom against the common Enemy the Turk to this effect he wrote Letters to the Emperour and to the Kings of France and Spain exhorting them to Peace and Concord of which he offered himself to be the Mediator and to be assistant thereunto in Person provided that the place appointed for the Treaty were assigned in some City of the Catholick Religion On the other side he animated the King of Poland to continue his War against the Turk and not to lay down his Arms until he had recovered Kaminiec and revenged himself of the Affront put upon him by the late Visier Kuperlee who had taken Contribution under the notion of Tribute from his City of Leopolis and to enable and encourage him thereunto he remitted to him the sum of fifty thousand Crowns But whilst the Pope laboured for Peace abroad he was not able to keep himself nor his Court free from disturbances at home for the Marquis del Carpio who resided at Rome in quality of Ambassadour for his Catholick Majesty being informed of the great want his Master had of Soldiers to send into Sicily adventured to make some levies of men in Rome pretending that the French on some occasions had practised the like but the People not being ignorant of the bad pay and ill treatment of the Spaniards came very slowly to enroll their names and moreover a report was rumoured abroad that many people were wanting who were hid in Cellars by the Spaniards till an opportunity presented to transport them into Sicily This report whether it were true or false yet served the turn of such who delighted in troubles and Seditions for being entertained with some malice in the minds of the people they conceived such an abhorrence of the Spanish Nation that they affronted them in all places which sometimes proceeded to fightings and scuffles in which several were killed and wounded but the Spaniards being few in number and the weaker side were at last forced to keep within their quarters for fear of the multitude The Pope to suppress these tumults and prevent disorders punished several persons who were guilty of the Riots with just severity but the Spanish Ambassadour not contented herewith pretended some higher and more exemplary satisfaction at which the Pope grew angry declaring that the Ambassadour was in arrear to him and obliged rather to give than to demand satisfaction upon which the Ambassadour to shew his resentment refused to appear at Court and at the same time the Vice-King of Naples without any cause or reason denied Audience to the Pope's Nuntio at that City This manner of proceeding was highly
displeasing to Innocent whose anger was the more encreased on the score of other abuses introduced into Rome by pretended priviledges of forein Ministers who assumed to themselves a jurisdiction as we have said within certain limits which they chalked out to themselves to make a Sanctuary or place of refuge for Criminals and out-lawed persons And considering by how much more the Franchises and priviledges of publick Representatives encreased in Rome by so much was the Pope's Authority diminished and abated he therefore grievously took occasion to complain in the Consistory of the ill use which Ambassadours and other Ministers made of their priviledges to the great scandal and reproach of the Government that he had long expected that the Princes themselves should have renounced such irregular pretences and out of love to justice have become instrumental to bring wicked men to punishment rather than to be Protectours of Assassinates and out-lawed persons but seeing that his expectations and patience was all in vain he was now resolved for discharge of his Duty and Conscience to provide for the security of his own People Howsoever he could not without some sad reflections on the indiscreet and unreasonable importunities of some forein Ministers find himself constrained to take such measures in his Affairs as would prove displeasing to them for that it was unreasonable whilst his mind was employed in cares and contrivances for the propagation of the faith for reformation of the Ecclesiastical Discipline for the establishment of Peace and Concord between Christian Princes and other matters conducing to the good and benefit of the Commonweal of all Christendom he should be disturbed and interrupted in these proceedings by the very Ministers of those Princes for whose welfare and for the peace of whose People he was in continual care and labour wherefore not being able longer to support such impertinences he was resolved to become Master in Rome as other Princes were in their own Dominions and in pursuance thereof he published an Edict forbidding all persons whatsoever to affix the Arms of any great personage over his Shop it being a mark that that Family had renounced the Authority of their Prince the Pope and put themselves under the protection of that Ambassadour or Prince or Nobleman whose Arms they had affixed over the Portal of the House or entrance to the Shop This resolute Act much surprized the minds of those whom it concerned and especially the Spaniards who made a false judgment of the temper of Odescalchi conceiving him to be so wary and cautious in his actions that he would never engulf himself in the same circumstances of Affairs which had given a disturbance to his Predecessour during the whole course of his Pontificate Howsoever the Pope continuing firm and constant in his resolution the Spaniards remitted something of the stiffness of their pride for considering that the circumstances of their present Affairs would not admit of a disunion with Rome the Ambassadour desired to have Audience of the Pope the which was refused to him until the Nuntio had received Audience at Naples and that the King of Spain by special Letters under his own hand had desired that his Ambassadour might be heard on some emergencies and urgent occasions upon which and at the persuasions of the Cardinals Barberino and Cibo the Ambassadour was admitted to Audience which having produced a true and right understanding between both Parties the Ambassadour departed with ample satisfaction acquiescing in the late proceedings of the Court The Thorns which have ever been most prickly and pungent in the sides of Popes were their Contests with Kings or crowned Heads or when the Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Authority contended with the Temporal as may appear by that notable Controversie between Paul V. and the Republick of Venice and in other matters of smaller moment between Kings and Popes both before and since that time The point of the Regalia hath been an antient Dispute for many Ages in France the which was in some sort determined in the year 1431. by the Council of Basil where it was ordained that Cathedral Churches and others should have a freedom of Elections This afterwards was confirmed by a great Assembly of French Clergy gathered at Bourges and addressed to the King Charles the 7th desiring him to undertake the protection of that Council At that time the Council of Basil sent to the King an abstract of their Decrees consisting of thirty seven Articles by which Decennial Councils and the Authority of Councils above the Pope was established c. together with an abstract of the Decree they had made concerning Elections All which were considered at that Assembly where the Dauphin and the chief Nobility of France were present and by their advice the famous Pragmatick Sanction was made in confirmation of those Articles which was observed during the Reign of Charles the 7th but Lewis the eleventh esteeming it the Interest of France to maintain a good correspondence with the Papacy was inclinable to wave the advantage of this Sanction In the beginning of the Reign of Charles the 8th an Assembly of States being called at Tours the third Estate petitioned that the Pragmatick Sanction might be again renewed and confirmed calling those who were preferred by the Court to be Court-Bishops so it was again put into force and practice much to the displeasure of the Pope notwithstanding which Lewis the 12th made a perpetual Edict in confirmation of it Francis the first succeeding to the Crown and having vast designs in Italy thought it not his interest to stand at a distance with the Pope and therefore was willing to treat with him about the abolition of the Pragmatick Sanction on such terms as might reconcile his own prerogative with the Pope's Authority This design occasioned an Interview between the King and the Pope at Bologna and thence the Concordat was produced which was afterwards put into the form of a Bull and confirmed by the Council at Lateran The sum of which was this the King and the Pope agreed to divide the Promotions to all Prelacies between them for the King was to nominate the Person within six months after a vacancy and the Pope was to confirm him if no lawful exception did lie against him All which is so fully and learnedly treated by Dr. Burnet in his History of the Regale or Rights of Princes in disposing of Ecclesiastical Benefices and Church Lands and deduced down to this present time that there is no place left for our enlargement thereupon unless we add some few and short remarks on the behaviour of this Innocent XI towards his most Christian Majesty on this occasion It is manifest by History that when the Emperours flourished with great Power and Riches they created Popes or at least they had the confirmation of them and when Emperours were low and were oppressed by adverse Fortune the Popes forced them to be beholding to the extensive reach of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction
which by some side-wind or far-fetched notion of Spiritual Concernment reduced almost every thing under cognisance of the Church According to this natural course of worldly affairs Lewis the 14th the most Christian King being high and prosperous in his fortune resolved to put a period to the process for the Regale which had continued near thirty years and at last in the year 1673. came to a conclusion and Declaration was made That the King had Right of Regale in all his Dominions without distinction except onely in those Sees that had purchased their exemption from it And therefore all Bishops who had not yet registred their Oaths of Fidelity in the Chambers of Accounts were required to do it and to take out a Writ upon it for closing the Regale otherwise rheir Bishopricks were still to be looked on as under it All the Bishops of France unwilling to incurr the displeasure of their successful Monarch submitted excepting the Bishops of Alet and Pamiers It was now under the Reign of Clement X. an old doating Pope who having his parts and understanding enfeebled by old Age he committed the management of the Pontificate to the sole direction of Cardinal Paluzzi afterwards adopted by the Pope and called Altieri a Person who from his first beginning was distastful to the Court of France and not until this time well reconciled unto it as we have at large declared in the foregoing Life This was the time I say when open Claim to the Regale was renewed in favour of the King and when the Pope himself was scarce able to distinguish his Interest and Altieri was so thwarted and opposed by the Court of France that he had enough to do to conserve his own personal Interest much less to vindicate and contend for the Rights of the Church in a case so litigious as this In January 1676. the King 's Right was claimed in disposal of the Deanry of Alet the Dispute of which was left unto the Bishop to maintain for the Pope being under the foregoing Circumstances took little cognisance thereof either by himself or his Cardinal But this good Pope dying in the month of August next following the Controversie fell to the lot of Innocent the 11th to maintain and to dispute in opposition to the eldest Son of the Church This quarrel was increased by a Contest at Pamiers where one Paucet was provided in Right of the Regale to be Arch-deacon of Pamiers but was rejected by the Bishop and Chapter howsoever the Regale prevailed for the Arch-Bishop of Tholouse was on their side and gave judgment in favour of the Regalist But on the contrary the Bishop of Pamiers acquiesced not with this Sentence but made his appeal to the Pope who was now engaged in the Controversie and the matter lodged in his hands Wherefore the Pope in the year 1678 wrote his Brief to the French King and in soft and yet pressing terms complained of the Innovasions made on the Liberties of the Church and the Authority of the Council of Lions and after several Arguments to persuade him to desist from this Enterprise he concludes that he cannot forget those Popes his Predecessours who upon the like occasions had endured long and great afflictions But these Allegations satisfied not the King who pretended that the Rights of the Regale were inherent in the Crown and had been enjoyed by his Ancestors and by them derived down to himself The Pope on the other side affirmed that the Secular Powers had no right to things sacred but as it was derived to them by the Authority of the Church and that the Church had not granted any such Right having expresly limited it by the Council of Lions which hath now been observed four hundred years This Controversie seemed to lie dormant from September 1678. to December 1679. until it was again revived and stirred in the See of Pamiers in that point which concerned the vacant Benefices and the mean Profits for the King's Officers seized on them likewise so that the good old Bishop had nothing to live on the last twenty months of his life but the Oblations and Charities of his People On this occasion the Pope wrote to the Cardinal d' Estreé to interpose in this Affair as being a Person more than ordinarily concerned in the dignity of the Apostolical See To which the Cardinal made answer in the style of a Court-Bishop extolling the King's merit his zeal for the Faith and respect for the Apostolical Chair what he had done for the suppression of Calvinism and Heresie within his Dominions and how bravely he had defended the Christian Cause against the Turks and in fine he laid down the dangers which would follow if any dissention should arise between the King and the Church At length Cardinal d' Estreé was dispatched to Rome with a Letter of Credence and Orders to treat immediately with the Pope himself but it seems his Negotiations produced little alteration for the Pope continued steddy and constant to his Principles And on the other side the Parliament of Paris became as zealous for the King 's Right and Authority for which the King's Attorney General pleading made little esteem of the Pope's Censures which were passed for Obedience to the King's Orders The Church said he may indeed have an Authority to punish Men for Heresie and an ill life but the World was now too well enlightned not to discern that the Thunders of Rome had been for several Ages vainly employed for extending its Authority beyond all due bounds the limits of which were to be found in the Canons of the Church by which the Pope as well as others ought to govern himself And therefore desired that the last Brief sent by the Pope might be suppressed which was accordingly done by a Judgment of the Court of Parliament on the last of March 1681. And to give a farther Authority to this Judgment an Extraordinary Assembly was called of all the Bishops then residing at Paris where were present six Arch-Bishops twenty six Bishops and six that were named to Bishopricks to whom the Agents of the Clergy represented the Invasions made on the Liberties of the Gallican Church by the Pope's Briefs both in general concerning the Regale and in particular in the Affair at Pamiers and the Nunneries and concerning a Book of Gerbais a Dr. of Sorbonne De causis Majoribus which were equally contrary both to Church and State to the Canons and the Concordate by which the Pope upon a simple Complaint without any Appeal did by the plenitude of his Power judg at Rome concerning the validity of Elections and the Authority of Arch-Bishops and Primats c. The issue of which Assembly was this They asserted the Authority of National Churches for judging of all matters both of Faith and Manners and in the conclusion agreed to make an Address to the King praying him to give leave either for a National Council or an Assembly General the latter
Consultations held upon the point of the Regale At length by the Arch-bishop of Paris they offered these several Proposals by way of accommodation between his Majesty and the Pope That those on whom the King in Right of his Regality bestows any Ecclesiastical Benefices shall in the vacancy of the Sees have their approbation and Mission from the Vicars General That the Chapters which are in possession of bestowing Prebends and other Dignities shall continue to dispose of them whilst the See is vacant That in the Churches where the collation is alternative between the Bishops and the Chapters the same shall be observed during the vacancy of the Sees that are under the Regality the King having the turn which the Bishop should have had That where the Bishops dispose of the Prebends jointly with the Chapter the King shall in the vacancy of the See appoint a Commissioner who shall have the same power and place in the Chapter as the Bishop had Howsoever no farther proceedings were made in this matter because the Pope appeared resolute to maintain his priviledg and jurisdiction and the Cardinal d' Estrée who had ever since the beginning of this year been at Rome to try and bend the mind of the Pope gave little hopes to prevail with him wherefore it was thought fit that the Controversie should remain in suspence rather than be farther pressed to the breach of that amity which interceded between the common Father and the eldest Son of his Church so the King holds his Right and the Pope hath not relinquished his Claim but remains still in a capacity to reassume the same when either he or his Successours are strengthened with circumstances of time and force to make good their Demands It is known to all the World that in the Church of Rome vain and superstitious Opinions have been ever growing for divers Centuries of years some of the most wild and extravagant of which certain Popes have been weeding out but with that negligence and inattention that where one hath been destroyed twenty have arisen Hereof the present Pope Innocent the XI being sensible who is certainly one of the most understanding and most worthy of those that ever sate in the Papal Chair hath suppressed an Office called The Office of the Immaculate conception of the most Holy Virgin approved by Paul V. who granted unto whosoever should devoutly recite the same an hundred days Indulgence as may appear by his Bull of July 10th 1615. printed at Milan This Office he entirely abolished Decreeing That no person of what Order Degree or Condition soever should dare to keep read print or cause to be printed the said Book and requiring that whosoever should have the said Office in his keeping should forthwith deliver the same to the Ordinary or to the Inquisitors of the place The which Decree was published Feb. 19. 1678. Moreover this Pope in his Wisdom hath suppressed a multitude of idle and foolish Indulgences which many cheating Priests carried into remote Countries and raised Money thereupon from the ignorant people Of which kind were those Indulgences granted by John II. and Sixtus IV. to those who should recite the Prayer of Charity of our Lord Jesus Christ By Eugenius the 3d. to the Revelation made to St. Bernard of a blow or stroak on the shoulder of our Lord Jesus Christ By John the 22th to those who kiss the measure of the Soal of the foot of the Blessed Virgin By Leo the 10th to those who wear the Cord of St. Francis printted first at Rome and then at Milan Anno 1665. To them that shall say the Angelical Prayer when the Clock strikes to the Image of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary printed in a Circle with the Moon under her feet By Paul V. and Gregory XV. to those who say Blessed be the Holy Sacrament Likewise those Indulgences for fourscore thousand years copied out of the Antient Table which is said to be kept in the Lateran Church to those who say this truly pious Prayer O God who for the Redemption of the World c. Besides which this Pope suppressed a multitude of other Indulgences as vain and idle as the foregoing and declared that though according to the Doctrine of the Council of Trent the use of Indulgences may be useful to the people and doth Anathematize such as shall deny that there is not a power in the Church to grant them yet he is desirous that the Doctrine thereof be rightly understood and a moderation used in the granting of them lest by a too great facility or easiness the discipline of the Church be corrupted and enfeebled This Doctrine of Indulgences hath been a prickly and a contentious point and the Original cause of the present divisions and separations amongst Christians for from thence Luther began his quarrel and took the first rise and ground for a Reformation and indeed the matter on the part of the Church of Rome was so scandalous and abusive that the very common people in all their ignorance were able to discover the fraud and Cheat that was in them so that the wise and Learned Men at the Council of Trent knowing that this Doctrine was not solid and would not hold water they slightly touched thereupon and though it was the chief matter for which that Council was assembled yet nothing was farther determined therein than onely that Indulgences be used with such moderation as was approved by the Antient Custom of the Church of God Now it is a most certain and an undeniable truth that Indulgences were never in use with any Nation of the Eastern Churches either in the Primitive times or afterwards And indeed neither were they in practice in the Western Churches from times of Ancient date that is from before the time of Vrban II which was about the year of Christ 1095. and then also they were not very common and granted onely to remit the rigour and severity of Penance enjoined by the Confessour which reasons this Pope Innocent XI wisely considering and the many abuses of this Doctrine did attempt the means to regulate the extravagance thereof Besides the suppression of these Indulgences this Pope condemned sixty five Propositions about Cases of Morality which were scandalous and divers of them maintained by the subtle distinctions of the Jesuits the preamble to which condemnation saith that this present Innocent XI in pursuance of the same work commenced by his Predecessour Alexander VII did by and with the advice concurrence and assistance of the most Reverend and Eminent the Cardinals as also of the Inquisitors General and many other Divines gather and weed out from several Books Theses and other Papers lately written a great number of scandalous and pernicious Doctrines in Morality tending to the debauchery of Manners and to the encouragement of a loose and a dissolute life in Mankind But in nothing more hath the Vertue Piety and care of this Pope been conspicuous than in those large
the Papal Power 106. her Ambassadours how receiv'd at Rome ibid. and 111. Matthias King of Hungary 3 Maurice Duke of Saxony 104 Medicis the Family disoblig'd by Sixtus IV. 4. a Plot against 'em 4.5 one of 'em murther'd ibid. John of that House made Pope with the name of Leo X. 29. Julio another Pope with the name of Clement VII 46. the Family driven out of Florence 57. Alexander made first Hereditary Duke of Florence 62. John Angelo de Medicis Pope by the name of Pius IV. 119. Cosmo de Medicis made Great Duke of Tuscany 159. Alexander chosen Pope and call'd Leo XI 205 Messina seized by the French 374 Milan its various fortune 15.27.30.31.39.49.52.71 Modena taken by the Pope's Forces 24 Monasteries suppress'd by the Pope's permission 328.348 Montalto Cardinal chosen Pope with the name of Sixtus V. 172 Monti Cardinal chosen Pope by the name of Julius III. 90 Munster the Treaty of Peace there 307 N Naples besieged by the French 59 Nepotism declar'd against by Alexander VII 325. but practis'd ib. Nerius Philip Canoniz'd 263.270 Nitardo Inquisitor General of Spain made a Cardinal 368 Novaro its stout resistance of the French 30 Nuntio's from the Popes denied admittance by several Princes 126.180 O Obelisc raised by Sixtus V. 186 Odescalchi Cardinal chosen Pope and call'd Innocent XI 380 Donna Olympia her Character 298. and managements 299.300.301.310.311.312.313.319 confined to Orvieto 324. dies of the Plague ibid. Orsini see Vrsini Osnaburg a Peace concluded there 308 Otranto seiz'd by the Turks 6 P Palace of the Farnese 68 Palatine of the Rhine despoil'd of his Dominions 269 Pamfilio Cardinal made Pope and call'd Innocent X. 594 Paris made an Arch-Bishoprick 270 Parma Edward Duke thereof his Contest with Vrban VIII 284 to 292. Pasquil upon Sixtus V. 191 Pavia the Cardinal thereof assassinated 24. the City besieged by French King 48. taken by Lautrec 56. Persia an Embassie from thence to the Pope 262 Pescara the Marquess a noble Commander 48 Peter-pence the paying of 'em a great Duty 111 Philip de Comines sent with succours to the Florentines 5 Piccolomini Francis chosen Pope with the name of Pius III. 20 Pinarolo Tutor to Sixtus IV. 1 Pius V. Canoniz'd 368 Plague in Italy 168.324.326 Plot of Sixtus IV. against the lives of the Medici 4.5 Of some Villains against Pius IV. 156 Poland great Contests there about chusing a King 167.195.369 Pool Reginald made a Cardinal 68. sent Legat to the Council at Trent 80. almost chosen Pope 89. recall'd from his Office of Legat in England 116 Portugal great troubles there 168 Priests Secular and Mendicant Friers a long Dispute between 'em determin'd by the Pope 4 Progress of Clement VIII from Rome to Ferrara 216 Protest of the King of France to the Pope 94 Protestants routed by the Imperialists 84 Q Queens of Cyprus and Bosna entertain'd by the Pope 7 R Ravenna taken by the French 26 Ravillac murthers Henry IV. of France 263 Reformation design'd by Adrian VI. 44. by Marcellus II. 108. by Marcellus II. 108. by Paul IV. 117. by Pius V. 158 Relations See Kinred Rhodes taken by the Turks 42 Rome taken and sack'd by the Imperial Army 56. and spoil'd by the Vrsins 59 Rospigliosi Cardinal created Pope with the name of Clement IX 346 Rovere Francis created Pope with the name of Sixtus IV. 1 Rovere Julian made Cardinal 2. and Pope with the name of Julius II. 20 S Salvian Arch-bishop of Pisa in a Plot with the Pope against the lives of the Medici 5. hang'd ib. Saraceno Prebendary of Vicenza occasion of the quarrel of Paul V. with the Venetians 230 Saxony the Duke excommunicated 38 Sebastian K. of Portugal slain 168 Sfondrati Nicolas created Pope and call'd Gregory XIV 207 Sforza D. of Milan taken and sent into France 31. his Heir restor'd to his Dukedom 52. dies 71 Shoomaker of Macerata a Story of him 183 Siena revolts from the Emperour 104. recover'd 105 Simony practised and punished by the Pope 12. Debate about its qualifications 117 Sobietzki John chosen King of Poland 369 Soliman the Magnificent 42.52.61 Spalato A. de Dominis the Archbishop thereof 270 Spain the Kings thereof when first honour'd with the Title of Catholick 13 Statue of Paul IV. ignominiously used by the People 119 Strozzi General for the French in Tuscany defeated 105 Stuart John D. of Albany of the Scotch Bloud-Royal General of the French in Naples 48 Swiss-Cantons their Embassie to the Pope 187 Switzers their actions in the Pope's Cause 27.30.31 T Teresa the Virgin Canoniz'd 203.270 Theatines the Order when first instituted 110 Title of Catholick given to the King of Spain 13. of Defender of the Faith to the King of England 37 Treaty at Munster 307. at Osnaburg 308. of the Pyreneans 329. at Aix la Chappelle 352 Trent a General Council appointed there 78. begun 80 Trivulse General of the French takes Bologna 24 Tunis taken by Charles V. 71 Turks seize Otranto 6. alarm Christendom 35. take Rhodes 42. and Buda 52. besiege Vienna 61. invade Dalmatia 75.160 demand Cyprus of the Venetians 160 take it 161. receive a great overthrow at Lepanto 161. successful in Hungary 214. invading Poland are defeated 270 U Vanoccia Harlot to Alexander IV. 16 Vatican Library much improv'd by Sixtus IV. 7. much more by Sixtus V. 186. by Paul V. 265. by the addition of the Palatine Library 269. by Alexander VII 344 Venetians bandy against the Pope 5. are excommunicated by him 7. absolv'd 9. a formidable League against them 22. strip'd of all their Acquisitions in Italy 23. regain some Towns 27. their Victory at Lepanto 162. make Peace with the Turks 166. kind to the Nuntio of Sixtus V. 190. they are quarrel'd with by Paul V. 230 to 261. disoblig'd by Vrban VIII 283 Vienna besieg'd by the Turks 61 Vitelli Count of Tiferno against the Pope 4 Vladislaus King of Bohemia excommunicated 4 Vrbin the Dutchy seiz'd into the Pope's hands 32.35 restor'd 42. devolves to the Church 281 Vrsini and Colonneses a Discord between the two Families 9. are reconcil'd 10. both spoil'd by Caesar Borgia 16. Vrsini cause a great tumult at Rome 170 W Wednesdays auspicious to Sixtus V 137. X Xaverius Francis a Jesuite Canoniz'd 270 Z Zizime Brother to the Grand Signior brought to Rome 11. dies 14 Zuinglius opposes the Pope 37 FINIS Div. S. The Original of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 1 Cor. cap. 6. The degrees by which the greatness of the Clergy did arise The difficulties which the Clergy met in making themselves great The Popes depended on the Emperor How the Temporal Power was derived to the Popes Charles the Bald resigns the power of Election of the Emperour to the Pope How the Election of Emperours was transferred to the seven Electors Presbyters called Cardinals and when Election of Popes by Cardinals and when begun The form and manner of Electing Popes The several ways by which Popes are Elected and the methods and forms thereof The
and was buried in the Church of Recanati Now though two Popes were removed there remained a third who gave 'em more trouble than the other two and that was Peter Luna called Benedict XIII as I told you before But to force him to resign Sigismund went personally with some Agents of the Council to the Kings of England and France and perswaded them for the sake of Christianity so much endanger'd by the Schism to assist him now that the other two had laid down in the removal of Benedict who answering him to his mind he went straight to Ferdinand King of Aragon whose Subjects generally stood for Benedict who agreed among other Articles either to persuade Benedict to resign or to cause his People to withdraw their subjection to him as Gregory and John had done in the Council and to submit to the Council But Benedict kept in his strong Castle and would not comply persisting that he was Christ's true Vicar and that the City of Constance where Pope John had been forc'd even by his own Friends to exauctorate himself was not a place of Freedom requisite for a General Council The Spanish Nobility seeing Benedicts obstinacy followed the Order of the Council and came over to the rest Now things were carried in the Council by the Suffrages of five Nations Italy France Germany Spain and England And whatsoever was Decreed by their Votes was confirm'd and publish'd by a Beadle publick Notary before the Court as a general Act. By this Authority Benedict when the matter had been bandied for some time was deprived of the Popedom the Nations that were of his side being either absent or rejected especially the Scots and the Earl of Armagnac In the same Council the Heresie of John Wickliffe was condemned and two of his followers to wit John Hus and Jerome his disciple as heads of the Heresie were burnt because they affirm'd among other Errors That Ecclesiastical Men ought to be poor for that all People were offended at their great wealth and Luxury Matters being thus composed and mention made concerning Reforming the Church and manners of the Clergy they thought that could not be done whilst the Sea was vacant Then they Discours'd about electing a new Pope that the Decrees of that Council might have the more Authority And in order to it they resolv'd to choose six good Men out of every Nation who together with the Cardinals should go into the Conclave and choose a new Pope Novemb. 8. 1417. they went into the Conclave and by consent of 32 Cardinals and all the several Nations contrary to the expectation of all Men in the presence of many of the Schismaticks Otho Columna a Nobleman of Rome and Cardinal Deacon of S. George was made Pope upon S. Martins day Novem. 11. when the Sea had been without a true Pope for four years And this was done so much to the satisfaction of all Men that the joy was inexpressible The Emperor was so mightily pleased at it that he went into the Conclave and gave 'em thanks without any respect to his own Dignity for choosing so good a Man and one so fit to support Christianity which was almost decay'd And then falling down prostrate before the Pope he kiss'd his feet with great Veneration whilst the Pope on the contrary embraced him and valued him as a Brother and gave him thanks that by his means and industry Peace was restored once more to the Church of God But the reason why he would be called Pope Martin was because the Election was upon S. Martins day Whilst these things were transacted at Constance Ladislaus dying as he was going against the Florentines the cry at Rome was To Arms and for Liberty Whereupon Peter Mattheucii was forced against his Will to assume the Government of the City though afterward he relinquish'd the Office when he understood that a Legate whom Pope John had design'd to send thither would shortly come with a Senator of Bologna As soon as they were come they put Paul Palonius and John Cincius two seditious Citizens to death The year following Brachius Montonius came with an Army to Rome and getting into the City began to storm the Castle S. Angelo which was defended by a strong Garison of Queen Joans who succeeded her Brother Ladislaus in the Kingdom But when Sfortia the Queens General came up he not onely raised the Siege but beat Brachius out of the City the Romans siding with neither Party John Columna was kill'd in that fight by a private Soldier that formerly had fought under Paul Vrsin whom Lewis Columna in Brachius's Army had formerly kill'd at Fuligno Now the Soldier had a mind to kill Lewis to revenge Pauls death but John who was innocent died for it as he was going to save Lewis Whilst Rome was in this tempestuous condition rowing to and fro it conceived at length some hope of quiet upon Martin's being chosen MARTIN V. MARTIN the Fifth a Roman formerly called Otho Columna was made Pope in the Council by the general consent of all the Nations and Cardinals at a time when he as well as the Church was in a declining condition For he had been well educated by his Parents care from his Childhood and when he grew up he studied the Canon Law at Perugia from whence he return'd to the City and for his integrity and learning was made Referendary by Pope Vrban VI. Which place he acquitted with so much humanity justice and mildness that he was created Cardinal Deacon by Innocent VII Nor did that make him forego his natural Disposition For he was more courteous than before and lent his assistance to all that wanted it yet so as not to meddle much in publick matters So that when there were many Debates in the Council of Constance by reason of the Factions he took the middle way and seemed to incline to neither Party but always studied the general good Being therefore beloved by the Emperor the Cardinals and indeed by all Men he was chosen Pope In which Office he was not idle but active and careful hearing refuting and approving persuading disuading exhorting or deterring those that came before him according to reason and the merits of the Cause For he was very accessible and never denied a reasonable request besides that he was a Man of great prudence in Debates For he would tell what ought to be done as soon as a thing was proposed to him He was short in his Speeches and wary in his Actions insomuch that people saw a thing effected before they could imagine he had thought of it His Discourse was full of Sentences nor did any word come from him so often as Justice frequently turning to his Attendants and Familiars especially them that govern'd Cities and Provinces and saying Love Justice ye that judg the Earth Indeed the Church of God wanted such a Pope at that time to sit at the Helm and steer S. Peter's Boat then batter'd with Waves of Schism and
though one Prince may possibly keep peace with another yet there always is an immortal jealousie between Prince and People So that he thought it better for him to agree with the Pope than give way to their desires whose minds are led by Appetite and Fancy not by Reason The Emperour was persuaded and slighting the peoples petition sent Aeneas to Calixtus He when he came to Rome and had given Frederick's Oath to the Pope as the custom is commended them both in an Oration whereof the greatest part inforced a War against the Turks so mighty zealous he was for it For he was a wise Man and foresaw what afterward came to pass That the Barbarians would not be quiet when they had gotten all Greece they were so puft up with their Victory For that reason he apply'd himself to make peace in Italy before he made War with the Turk and so exhorted the Pope to do the same with all earnestness At that time the Sieneses were hard put to it by Count Petilian and James Picenninus who carry'd on that War more upon Alphonso's account than their own Wherefore Aeneas to make a final conclusion of it went by command from the Pope and at the request of his Fellow-Citizens and Countrymen to Alphonso at Naples where almost all the Embassadours of Italy were met to treat of Peace but had done nothing in it to that time But when Aeneas came he said he would agree to a Peace then without any more ado since that person was arrived whom he loved above all mankind Having obtein'd a Peace and freed his Country from the Enemy he stay'd with Alphonso some months because he loved his Conversation and in that time took his opportunity to make an elegant and a large Discourse to him by which he induced him to engage by Sea against the Turk And having so done he went for Rome with a design to go into his own Country but was stopp'd by the Pope and not long after made a Cardinal Now he was in such favour with Calixtus and bore such a sway that he persuaded him to send Embassadours to Siena which was all in an uproar among themselves to exhort the People to peace and unity But whilst he was at the Bath at Viterbo upon account of his health and had begun the History of Bohemia Calixtus died and then he return'd to Rome where he was so much desired that great part of the people ran out to meet him and saluted him prophetically by the name of Pope For indeed he was chosen Pope by universal consent not onely of the people but the Cardinals and having received the Papal Crown upon the fifth of September he went into St. Peter's Church in his pontifical Robes where he gave thanks to Almighty God and immediatly betook himself first to settle the Churches Patrimony and then to endeavour the advantage of all Christendom in general For he ended the War in Ombria which broke out before his Pontificate under the command of that seditious Innovator James Picenninus as soon as he was Pope and took back Assisi and Nocera from the Enemy He likewise made a Truce which seemed a difficult thing to do between Sigismund Malatesta and King Ferdinand that all might safely pass to Mantua where he had order'd a general Council And having made the Prince of Columna Governour of the City in the room of Borgia who was dead and left Nicolas Cusa Cardinal of St. Peter's in vinculis his Legate at Rome he departed the City in the midst of Winter and pass'd through those Cities which seemed more inclining to War than Peace exhorting the People to unity and concord In fine they met at Mantua from all quarters where there was a great number of Princes and Embassadours For of all Europe there was no Nation but sent either Princes or Embassadours thither and in that famous Assembly it was enacted by Pius who made an Oration himself that a War should be proclaimed against the Turks which they all agreed to He proposed Methods for carrying it on and shew'd the danger of Christendom nor could they forbear to weep when they heard the calamities laid open to which poor Christians were exposed who lay under the bondage of Barbarians Beside he moved them to consider that the Turks having already possessed themselves of Greece and Schlavonia would shortly get into the innermost parts of Europe And indeed he omitted nothing that might excite their resolutions for he was an excellent Orator and seemed to draw his Arguments from new Topicks still though he spake of the same thing such an elegant and copious faculty he had He confuted the complaints of the French and the calumnies of King Renatus for his having confirm'd Ferdinand Alphonso's Son in the Kingdom of Naples in three several Speeches These things were transacted in the Council at Mantua whilst almost all Europe employ'd their thoughts and Weapons in civil Discords and neglected the forein War The Germans arose partly against one another and partly against the Hungarians by whose assistance that great and necessary War might have been in a great measure managed and ended England also was divided into two Factions whereof the one would keep their old King whilst the other strove to banish him and set up a new one In like manner did the Spaniards rise to help those of Barcellona whom the King of Aragon assisted by the French oppress'd And lest any thing should be lacking to disturb the World Italy the chief of Europe laid by all thoughts of forein War and bent all its strength upon intestine quarrels For at that time there was a War in Puglia John Renatus's Son endeavouring to drive Ferdinand out of his Kingdom which occasion'd a double Faction through all the Province whilst some favour'd Ferdinand and others Renatus Pius therefore to allay these heats dismiss'd the Council at Mantua and came back into Tuscany where he easily regain'd Viterbo which was in the possession of the adverse Party Those of Ancona who had harass'd one another miserably about their bounds and limits he quieted partly by fear and partly by reason as likewise the Ombrians who had embru'd their hands in each others blood upon the like account He also setled the State of Siena which had been engaged in great tumults for three years before and restored several worthy Persons who had been banish'd thence giving the Government of that Republick as formerly to the Nobility But he was very severe upon the Sabini for their falshood in supplying a common Enemy with provisions and letting him pass through their Country At Rome he suppress'd the shameful Riots of Ruffian-like Men and imprison'd Tiburtius Son to Angelus Massianus who we told you was put to death by Nicolas for a Conspiracy and hang'd up by the Capitol and his Accomplices who possessing themselves of the Church of St. Maria Rotunda would sally from thence as from a Castle and commit outrages upon the Citizens
could never be heartily reconciled to his Person and Interest but the Arch-bishop was so ambitious of the Scarlet that contrary to the persuasions of his Brother he posted to Rome where after some few months he was created Cardinal to the great satisfaction and joy of the Duke of Guise and of all the French Party who expected from thence the happy fruits of Peace and of a perfect understanding between France and the Papal Sea Howsoever the mind of the Pope was not yet quieted nor could he forget his quarrel to the Barberins though he seemed to be so far appeased as to admit of the return of Cardinal Barberin to Rome which grant was obtained by the Marquis de Fontena who succeeded the Abbat of St. Nicholas in the Agency for France but howsoever he could not so far prevail as to obtain the like favour for Cardinal Antonio whom the Pope detested and would not hear of his admission until he had given in his Accounts and answered the Crimes of which he was legally accused as his Brother had already performed Nor would the Pope admit the Son of Taddeo the Prefect a youth of about eighteen years of age to execute that Office during the absence of his Father retired as we have said to the Court of France though pressed with the most warm instances imaginable by the Marquis de Fontena the Pope positively refusing it as a judged case already by the College of Cardinals in the time of Sixtus IV. when the Son of Antonio Colonna though in joint commission with his Brother was declared uncapable to exercise that charge in the time of his Minority For indeed the Pope did not much consider the applications made from France in any Affair nor was he greatly concerned to satisfie their Ministers knowing that the Civil Wars at that time had so employed the hearts and hands of that Kingdom that no mischief could be derived from thence Nor did Innocent shew himself much more favourable to any Nation for the Emperour could obtain no other help in his Wars against Sweden than a few Indulgences so that he was forced to patch up a Peace to the disadvantage of the Empire and the Roman Religion The Spaniards received nothing but flat denials to all demands as the Conte d' Ognate and the Duke dell ' Infantado who were then Ambassadours did often complain The French required nothing besides the restoration of the Barberins for if the Spaniards could obtain nothing who had been chief Instruments in the Pope's Election what could the French expect who remained as out-lawed people and as Enemies to himself and party Nor did Innocent after the Example of other Popes interest and concern himself much in the quarrels between the Christian Princes or like those who esteeming themselves the universal Fathers interposed by their Agents in the Offices of Peace and Mediation but Innocent casting off those cares and by the advice and counsel of Donna Olympia being desirous to excuse the charge and expence of Nuntios in forein Courts as useless and unnecessary took up new Maxims and grounds of State having an Opinion that the intercessions of Popes availed little with Princes until their own conveniences and pressures by War inclined them to a Peace It is reported that Innocent looking out one day at his Window saw two Porters at Fifty-cuffs some that were standers by would have parted them but the Pope forbad it giving Order that they should fight it out They after half an hours scuffle being weary and out of breath gave over of themselves and without other mediation parted which when the Pope saw he turned to Panâ—irolo who was then living So said he will the French and Spaniards do for when they are well wearied with beating one another they will part and agree of themselves without the mediation of others But Innocent was not so wholly averse from sending Nuntios into forein parts but that with concurrence and approbation of his Olympia he was ready to spend Money in Negotiations which were judged beneficial and necessary for the welfare of the Ecclesiastical State in pursuance of which aim considering it of absolute necessity to have a Minister at the Treaty of Munster where the general peace of Christendom was in debate he appointed Fabio Chigi a Senese to be present at that Meeting who with Aloisio Contareni a Senator of Venice and both Men of experience were by general consent admitted Mediators The Emperour's Commissioners were Lodowick Count of Nassau and Isaac Volmar Doctor of the Civil Law to them afterwards Count Trotmansdorff a person of extraordinary Abilites was superadded Avossie and Servient appeared in behalf of France Count Pignoranda and one Antonio â Sequanis who with his two Pages in a slashed Suit and a tattered Coach was of greater importance to the Work than half the Meeting besides were Commissioners for the Spaniard and Count Oxensterne and John Sauge Osnabrugge for the Swede who being Protestants had a Seat appointed for them apart that they might not mingle with the Catholicks Paw of Amsterdam and Knute the Zelander Commissioners for Holland were of greater eminency than those from the other Provinces to Avossie and Servient Longueville of the bloud Royal of France was afterwards added entering Munster with a train like an Emperour These were the chief Ministers which graced the Meeting at Munster besides several Accessories sent by their respective Princes Fabio Chigi being of a mild and patient temper did diligently remove all such things as he judged might obstruct or retard the business of Peace but Contareni though a Man of able parts yet being passionate did sometimes proceed with more violence than wariness It will not be pertinent to this History to relate the particulars of this Treaty what jugling and what Sophistry was practised How much Money how much time was idly thrown away how many Letters were written in Ciphers and how many deciphered what insisting upon Punctilios never did an Assembly more gloriously play the Mad-men as if this Serious Meeting had been held about the place of Princes not for the peace of Christendom In short therefore as to what concerns our purpose The Hollanders impatient for a peace looking on the French successes with a jealous Eye resolved to improve the present opportunity and without the advice and consent of the French to strike up a perpetual Peace with Spain The French resenting this manner of proceeding by the Hollanders sent to the Hague to complain but without any effect that people after their usual custom preferring their quiet and ease from War before the Leagues and faith and promises made with and given to their Allies And thus this Assembly the most famous next to that of Trent for the resort of divers Nations was dissolved without any effect Chigi the Pope's Nuntio labouring much toward the general Peace had still in his Eye the design of conserving the Revenue and immunities of the Church free and entire
but finding that by the Articles of this hasty Peace a great part of the Ecclesiastical Revenue was remitted and many Benefices of the Church abandoned to the disposal and possession of Enemies to the Roman Sea did in a solemn manner protest against this Peace remonstrating all the damages and losses which did thereby accrue to the Apostolical Chair And so well and with such Art did Chigi manage this and other Affairs that at his return to Rome he was promoted by this Pope to the degree of Cardinal and afterwards had the good fortune to succeed him in the Papal Throne At Osnaburgh almost at the same time was the agreement of the German Peace concluded without the intervention of the Spaniards by which means the Swedes gained the French Assent to the Capitulations but the Princes and Free-States of the Empire having little to ask besides the exercise of their Religion rested satisfied with the enjoyment thereof and liberty of Conscience to serve God after their own fashion which so angred Chigi the Nuntio that he tore the papers about the Peace resolving never more to interpose therein During these transactions abroad the Pope continued in his persecutions against the Barberins to the utmost severity and yet being in conversation with Cardinal Barberin he would with much tenderness weep and lament the unhappy fate of their House terming his tears effects of compassion which he had always ready to vent which others called tears of joy to see the poor Cardinal at his feet reduced by him to the utmost extremity of Fortune All which ill treatment was against the former pretensions and Promises of the Pope who had given faithful assurances to the Marquis de Fontenay Ambassadour of France that in case this Cardinal would return to Rome so as that he might have one hours discourse with him he would forget and pardon all the late quarrels and would enter into as strict Friendship with him and his Family as he had ever entertained with them before he was Pope but contrary to this faith given the Cardinal was entertained with all the contempt and scorn imaginable notwithstanding that France had declared it self engaged in the quarrel and resented all the Affronts given to that House in the same manner as offered to their own natural Subjects or to any Family of highest quality and esteem with that Court. Notwithstanding which it had been the ultimate consummation of all the joys which could have happened to the Pope could he have onely allured the Cardinal Antonio by promises and persuasions to Rome for then in despight of all his Vows and Engagements he would have sacrificed his Family his Reputation and his very triple Crown in satisfaction of his Revenge and for destruction of that person whom Cardinal Mazarine excepted he hated above all things in the World Never was the Interest of France in that low ebb in Rome as it was in this year when the Civil Wars and distractions of that Kingdom rendered its Power less formidable abroad And so the Pope presuming on the ill state of those Affairs little esteemed the character of Ambassadour which the Bailly of Valency maintained at Rome for the Crown of France suffering him to receive many Affronts from his Soldiers without redress or satisfaction for which cause the Ambassadour retired to Tivoli whilest the Pope contrived to dispossess him of the Palace of the Barberins which he inhabited at Rome telling the Ambassadour of Venice that whensoever a reconciliation should be made between him and France the first Article should be that the French Ambassadour should quit that Palace The Bailly of Valency being sensible of all these matters made his complaints to the King his Master upon which he received Orders to expose and lay before the Pope all the ill usage and scornful treatment which his Majesty had received from him since his assumption to the Papal Chair and accordingly being admitted to Audience he represented That all those Cardinals whom Lewis XIII his Father of glorious memory had gained to his Party and allied by his friendship were now become the only mortal Enemies of his Holiness some of which he had exiled from Rome and others whom he had permitted to remain in the City he had rendered so uneasie in their Habitations that banishment was much more desireable than the liberty he gave them to reside and breath within the precincts and air of his Court. Witness the Cardinals Brichi Grimaldi Antonio and Mazarine all which received such daily affronts and discountenances for devoting themselves to the Crown of France that it was a capital crime so much as to own a concernment for that Party That he had made Medicis the Protectour of Spain but Barberin retained no more than a shadow of it for France In short he omitted no instances whereby he might make known the injustices done to the House of Barberin and the Affronts offered to the King and particularly by the succours given to Naples and Portolongone to the prejudice of France But the Pope returned no solid Answer hereunto but broke out into passion and a hundred exclamations which after his manner he accompanied with tears and in fine complained of the Cardinals devoted to the French Interest to be persons in whom he could not confide nor receive satisfaction in their Society or correspondence The Pope being in this manner disturbed and tormented with the continual importunities of the French in behalf of the Barberins entered into consultation with his most intimate Confidents of the Spanish Faction concerning the means whereby he might ease himself and throw off these daily vexations This matter being considered an Expedient was projected to draw off the Barberins totally from the French Interest and having joined them by the Pamfilian and Spanish Party the Faction of France would be inconsiderable in the Conclave and to give a beginning hereunto the Pope would often smile and cast a gratious Eye on Cardinal Barberin so often as he saw him in the Consistory seeming as it were to entertain some thoughts of entire reconciliation with his Family The Spaniards also to instil this Opinion and make it to be swallowed more glibly down offered some advantageous Propositions of Marriage for the Princess Palestrina with a considerable Person of their Country not that the Spaniards had any such real intentions but onely by this Overture to give occasion unto Barberin to write unto Cardinal Mazarine and Cardinal Antonio giving them to understand that since the Spaniards had offered a convenient Match for his Niece it was not reasonable to neglect that Proposal unless they resolved to provide more honourably for her in France where she was deposited as a Pawn for the fidelity of her Family with the Queen Regent The Ambassadour at Rome observing by these passages that Barberin was staggering in his adherence to the French Interest signified his thoughts thereupon to the Count de Brienne principal Secretary advising it as absolutely necessary