of Corp. Christi Jo. Naucler He multiplied the number of canonized Saints adding Edmund an English Minorite and Vincentius a Spanish Minorite c. When the before named Bessarion heard of this enrolling he said These new Saints make me doubt of the old He ordained a general Letany and procession the first Sunday of every moneth and that every one observing it shall have indulgence for seven years He added unto the Mass a prayer for victory against the Infidels which whosoever shall say shall have three years indulgence If he had minded sincerely to aid the Christians he had a fair occasion for at the same time John Hunniades or Vaivoda overcame Mahumet at Alba saith Naucler or as others write Belgrad and was not able to pursue his victory his Army was so sore weakened Antonin par 3. tit 22. cap. 14. Shortly thereafter the valiant Hunniades died at Zemplen An. 1456. But Callistus was more desirous to have his Son or Nephew Lignius Borgias to attain the Crown of Sicilies for Alfonso King of Arragon died and his base Son Ferdinand succeeded in all his Kingdoms but the Pope proclaimed the Kingdom of Sicilies to be vacant and fallen again unto St. Peter and so the Pope may dispose of it at his pleasure he commanded Ferdinand under pain of his curse that he call not himself King of Sicilies but if any can pretend any right unto it it should be examined at Rome and he dissolved all oath of obedience unto Ferdinand Anton. ibid. cap. 16. They were levying on both sides and in the mean time Callistus died when he had sate three years 9. PIUS the II. was before Aeneas Sylvius with the change of his name he changed his manners He had been Scribe at the Councel of Basil and was one of the twelve Censores Concilii when any thing was done by Deputies of Nations Aeneas was one for Italy when Eugenius was deposed and Felix was chosen Aeneas was sent by the Councel unto the Emperour to declare the equity of the election and the Emperour admiring the dexterity of his wit chose him to be his Secretary In his first book Degestis Conc. Basil he hath a large discourse proving that the Pope is subject unto the Councel there he saith The Church is the Spouse of Christ and the Pope is but his Vicar now saith he the Spouse is above a Vicar neither will will any man subject his Wife unto his Vicar There he proves that these passages of Scripture Thou shalt be called Cephas and I will give thee the keys and I have praied for thee and feed my sheep give no priviledge unto Peter but are wrested by flatterers contrary to the mind of Christ and exposition of the Fathers There also he saith Christ is the head of the Church and the Pope is not the head unless one will say that he is the Ministerial head or Vicar of the Head for edification and not the harm of the Church and therefore as an offending member may be cut off so the Pope may be deposed And that a Councel may be assembled without the consent of the Pope he proves both by reason and practice But when Aeneas was made Pope he sent abroad a Bull with the Title of Retractations revoking what he had written against other Popes and praising them In another beginning Execrabilis and dated in the second year of his Papacy he condemneth all appellations unto a future Councel as execrable and pestiferous and he condemns all Universities and favourers of such appellations In another that beginneth In minoribus agentes and directed unto the University of Colen An. 1463. he professeth repentance for writing the Dialogue and other books for authority of a Councel and saith He had persecuted the Church ignorantly as Paul did and he would prove the authority of a Pope above a Councel from the same passages of Scripture which he had brought to the contrary In the end he saith he doth reverence the Councel of Constance and yet that Councel had decreed that a Councel is above the Pope And so Pius verifieth what Pope Gregory on Iob lib. 11. cap. 10. saith A Doctor neglecting to practice what he hath taught and will not do the good that he hath averred beginneth to teach the lewd things that he loveth and in the just judgment of God now he shall not have for good who refuseth a good conversation because when the heart is inflamed with the love of earthly things it speaks alwaies of earthly things as truth saith in the Gospel Out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth speaketh This Pope absolved Ferdinand King of Arragon from the curse of Pope Callistus yet so that he gave his wifes sister in marriage unto the Pope's Nephew and also gave him the Dutchy of Maldeburg and Celan Platina saith This Pope's sister had four sons and the King made the two youngest both Knights and unto one of them he gave his daughter with the Dutchy of Amalphis Pius was an enemy to Lewis the II. King of France because he confirmed the Pragmatica Sanctio and he caused him to annul it He menaced Borsius Duke of Mutina because he favoured the affairs of France He pursued with most grievous censures Sigismund Duke of Austria because he had imprisoned Card. Nicol. Cusanus unto whom the Pope had given a Bishoprick in Tirolis without the Duke's consent He deprived Diether Bishop of Mentz because he would not consent that the Pope should exact the Annats in Germany nor give his Oath that he would never sollicite for a Councel and Pius gave that See unto Adolph of Nassow Crantz in Saxon. lib. 12. cap. 1. saith The Pope's confirmation was not regarded therefore Adolph levied an Army and by the aid of the Palatine of Rhine he prevailed against Diether and spoiled the City pitifully and brought it into miserable bondage and all trading decaied there Fascic rer expeten fol. 164. Edit An. 1535. saith Pius sighed so oft as he heard the name of Mentz because he had done so great harm unto that City and thereafter he restored Diether Pius brought unto the Patrimony of the Church Tarracino Benevento Sora Arpino and a great part of Campania and was alwaies carefull to inlarge the Papal authority He was so intangled with wars that he seemed not to favour learning saith Platina In the year 1460. he assembled a Councel at Mantua for levying an Army against the Turks The Orator of France came thither and complained that the Kingdom of Naples was taken from the right heir and given unto the King of Arragon but the Pope pleaded for Arragon and would have no business to be treated there but only preparation against the Turk and he sent Bessurion into Germany and Hungary for the same effect But their private jars hindred the common cause saith Laon. Chalcocon lib. 8. Io. Naucler saith Many Souldiers came from Germany France and Spain unto Ancona the Pope gave them all his blessing and
of Monuments amongst other things he saith of the Roman Church This is proper unto the Romans to infer calumnies to defer persons to bring menaces and carry away riches Such are they whose business thou mayest hear to be commended in ease whose prey is in peace whose fighting is in fleeing and victory in cups they regard no man nor order nor time they are in judgement Scythians in chamber vipers at feasts Peasants in understanding stones in discerning pratling daws to anger fire to forgive iron in friendship pards in deceit foxes in pride bulls to devour minotaurs c. He wrote to Honorius II. refuting the appellations to Rome because it was a novelty contrary unto the Scriptures and very hurtful unto the Church He sheweth the condition of Rome briefly in two verses Vrbs felix si vel dominis urbs illa careret Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide He was apprehended and imprisoned at Rome Mornay in Myster 7. Honorius Augustodunensis was famous for his learning and godliness about the year 1110. Gesner testifieth of many of his books as yet extant he wrote one De Papa Imperatore against the Pope In Dialog de praedesti libe arbit he writeth of the Roman Church in this maner Turn thee to the Citizens of Babylon and behold what they are and how they walk behold come to the top of the mountain that thou mayest see all the houses of the damned City Look to the Princes and Judges of it that is the Cardinals and Bishops amongst them is the seat of the Beast at all times they are prone to ill and ever insationably intangled with the things of iniquity they not onely practice wickedly but teach others to do the like they sell holy things and buy wickedness by all means they endeavor that they go not alone to hell Turn thee to the Clergy and among them thou shalt see the pavilion of the Beast they neglect divine service but they are busie in the service of gain they defile the Priesthood with filthiness and deceive the people with hypocrisie by their wicked deeds they deny God they cast aside the Scriptures and how can they who are blinde lead blinde people unto salvation Behold the Convents of the Monks and among them thou shalt see the tabernacle of the Beast by seigned profession they scorn God and provoke his wrath with their habit they deceive the world Look to the habitations of the Nuns and amongst them thou shalt see a bed strawed for the Beast from their tender years they learn luxury they are more shameless then any bordeller and she will have the palm of victory who exceedeth others in wickedness c. In the same dialogue he saith Because some are predestinated the grace of God preveeneth them that they have a will and it followeth them that they may do but seeing predestination is unchangeable the wicked being justly forsaken neither will nor can do good they hear admonitions with deaf ears because none cometh unto the Father unless the son by grace that is by the holy Ghost drawing them and in his mercy he loveth whom he willeth and in his justice he reprobateth whom he willeth neither can they say Why doest thou so The kingdom of heaven is not according to merits but of grace for what deserveth man but ill In the same dialogue he had said Degrees of glory shall be according to the diversity of merits but then he addeth We receive grace for grace we receive grace when God preveeneth us that we have will and followeth us that we may do according to this grace he giveth another grace when he rewardeth with glory In Ps 6. Save me according to thy mercy and not according to my merits In Ser. de Natal Dom. All men before and under the Law and under Grace are saved by the nativity of Christ 8. Rupert Tuitiensis was Abbot of that Monastery near to Colein about the year 1112. Gesner hath a large Catalogue of his works In his Commentary upon John lib. 1. cap. 1. he saith By onely grace are we brought into the Kingdom of Heaven which we can conquess not by merits of our own works Ibid. lib. 2. cap. 2. Christ buildeth his Church on a sure rock to wit on himself Cephas had his name changed and was called Peter from this rock whereby is signified that upon all which are built on that foundation which is Christ shall be named a new name as the Prophet saith which the mouth of the Lord hath named Ibid. lib. 12. cap. 15. The Church of the elect sojourning in this world abideth not always in one estate but sometimes shineth with the graces of the Spirit sometimes it is obscure and shineth less being under oppression until the mutability of this world be finished And cap. 16. It is the rule of the Catholique Church to direct her prayers unto God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord because there is no other door nor way but by him his name onely is the necessary chariot of all prayer And De Vict. Verbi lib. 12. cap. 11. What and how many are the chief Sacraments of our salvation the holy Baptism and the Eucharist of the body and blood of our Lord these both are the gifts of our Lord the one for remission of sins and the other for distribution of many graces In Prolog in Apocalyp he saith Blessed are the meek saith the Lord for they shall inherit the earth both of them who shall enjoy and who shall not enjoy we have a remarkable example in the spies for among those Joshua and Caleb were meek that is they acknowledged the truth and were not repugnant unto it What is the holy Scripture but the very Land of promise and what it was to them to go bodily out of the Land of Egypt and to enter into the Land of promise is unto us to go out of the land of darkness or ignorance and to enter into the knowledge of God by the truth of the Scriptures When we read or hear the Scriptures we see not God face to face but the vision of God which certainly will be perfected is begun here by the Scriptures Ibid. lib. 2. cap. 2. Neither do they promote the sons of the Church for their vertues but the daughters that is the effeminate and vicious persons for their gifts unto the offices of the Church Do not they who are so promoted hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans for Clemens reporteth that Nicolaus was rebuked for his jealousie towards his wife and that he answered Let any man have her who listeth And from this answer the unbelievers inferred that the Apostles permitted unto all men the common use of women Is not this like unto that doctrine that they will not have lawful marriage because it is forbidden by the laws of the Church and nevertheless they live incontinently yea they do worse imitating the married when they please and though they have not a lawful bed
Christ The same night he was taken with a whore It was so notorious that it could not be denied saith the same Author 2. DAVID the third Son of Malcolm Cammore did erect four Alterations in the Church of Scotland Bishopricks and seven Abbeys and other religious places as they called them and repaired sundry decayed Monasteries therefore the Clergy called him Saint David but his Successor called him a good Saint to the Church and an ill Saint to the Crown The fruit of so large donations saith Buchan Hist lib. 7. was As the use of the members faileth in them who stuff their bellies with too much meat so from thenceforth the small sparks of wit being oppressed with luxury did dayly decay the study of learning failed piety was turned into a formality and superstition and as in untilled land the seeds of all weeds and vices sprang up And the Prelates shook off the care of preaching as a work not beseeming their Dignity and because the Monks had the favor of the people for preaching the Prelates gave unto them liberty above the Parish Priests to the end that the Monks might the more recommend them in their preachings 3. When HENRY I. King of England died without a Son Steven Earl of Bolonia and his Sisters Son usurpeth the Crown about the year 1133. His Brother Henry Bishop of Winchester procured the first Law that ever was in England for appealations to Rome Ia. Vsser de stat succes eccle Appeals to Rome cap. 8. ex Hen. Hunting Hist but Steven reserveth to himself the right and power of bestowing Benefices and investing Prelates In the beginning of his reign William Dean of London Ralph Longford Richard Belmeys and others of the Chapter did elect a Bishop without the King's recommendation wherefore he causeth to be imprisoned not their persons but their wives until they had satisfied for their contempt Io. Bale ex Rad. de Dicet Whence it appeareth that as yet the Priests had wives notwithstanding all former Acts. Thereafter Albericus Bishop of Ostia was sent by Pope Innocentius II. and in a Synod at Westminster condemned the marriage of Priests again and ordained that Christ's body as they spoke should not be kept above eight days lest it become hoary and rot At that time Robert Pully deserved commendation for restoring or erecting the University of Oxford and was Rector thereof 4. HENRY II. Nephew of Henry I. by his Daughter Maude disclaimed â—â— forbidden all the Authority of the Pope refused to pay Peter-pence and interdicted all appealation to Rome At that time Philip de Brok a Canon of Bedford was questioned for murther he used reproachful speeches to the King's Justices for which he was censured and the Judges complained unto the King that there were many robberies and rapes and murthers to the number of an hundred committed within the Realm by Church-men The King commanded that justice should be executed upon all men alike in his Courts But Thomas Becket Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would have the Clergy so offending judged in the Spiritual Court and by men of their own coat who if they were convicted should at first be deprived of their Benefice and it they were found guilty again they should be judged at the King's pleasure The King stood for the ancient Laws and Customs and in a Ancient Laws are restored general Assembly at Clarendon in the year 1164. with consent of the Arch-Bishop Bishops Abbots Priors Earls Barons and great men was a rehearsal and acknowledgement of some ancient Customs and Laws among which that were authorised being sixteen in number were these 1. If between a Lay-man and a Clark were any strife for Church-goods the plea should be in the King 's Court. 2. No Bishop nor Clark should go forth of the Realm without the King's licence and then he shall swear upon the Book that he shall procure no hurt to the King nor any of his Subjects 3. None who holdeth of the King in chief or in service shall be accursed without the King's licence 4. All the Bishopricks and Abbeys when they be vacant should be in the King's hands until a Prelate be chosen and he should be chosen out of the King's Chappels and before he be confirmed he should do his homage unto the King 5. If any plea were brought to the Consistory a party might appeal unto the Arch-Deacon and from him to the Bishops Court and thence unto the Arch-Bishop and from him to the King and no further 6. All debts that were owing of truth-plight should not be pleaded in Spiritual but Temporal Courts 7. The Peter-pence which were gathered for the Pope should be collected for the King 8. If any Clark were taken for felony and it were so proved he shall first be degraded and then after judgement be hanged or if he were a traitor he shall be drawn in sunder They did all sweâ—r and by word of mouth faithfully promise to observe these Laws unto the King and his Heirs simply and without fraud Mat. Parisi calleth them wicked and detestable Acts But Tho. Becket's testimony is the stronger de facto Tho. Becket sent unto the Court of Rome to signifie the grief of the Church and his own for consenting unto these Laws and asked absolution from the bond which he had unwisely entered into and he obtained it The same year the King required to have punishment of some misdoings among the Clergy The Arch-Bishop would not permit and when he saw in his judgement the liberties of the Church troden under foot he without the King's knowledge took ship and intended toward Rome but by a contrary winde he was brought back Then he was called to account for his receipts that came to his hand while he was high Chancellor He appealeth to the See of Rome and under pain of excommunication forbad both Bishops and Nobles to give sentence against him seeing he was both their Father and their Judge Nevertheless they without his confession gave sentence against him Then he seeing himself forsaken of all the other Bishops lifted the cross which he held in his hand aloft and went away from the Court and the next day got him over into Flanders and so to the Pope Matth. Parisien hath many Letters betwixt the Pope and this King and the King of France and sundry Bishops of France and England for reconciliation betwixt the King and this proud Prelate but all to no purpose till Henry of his own accord did cause his Son Henry III. to be crowned and then he being in Normandy was content by the mediation of the French King to accept the Prelate Thomas returning into England excommunicateth all the Bishops which had been at the Coronation of the yong King because it appertained unto him forsooth to inaugurate the King The King sent unto him and required to absolve them seeing what was done unto them was done for his cause The Prelate refuseth On Christmas day he solemnly excommunicateth
things of the world that the Prince of this world may not finde any thing that is his in thee c. He did oft call the Clergy Syria Edom the calves of Bethel Idols of Egypt Priests of Baal c. In his other Epistles he saith If thou hadst once tasted the sweetness of wisdom i. e. of the holy Scripture thou wouldest loath all other things in comparison for this giveth abundantly the incomparable treasures of pleasure and the grace of all gifts And again It is necessary to read the Scriptures for that is the table of the tabernacle that is the food by which we breath and live Certainly Christ did use the onely testimony of the word against all the tentations of Satan in the wilderness if therefore an host should come against you guard your self with the buckler of a good conscience and with the sword of the Spirit Again The exhortation of man without the grace of God is but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal he onely can give a mouth and wisdom which saith Without me you can do nothing Lord take thou away my stony heart and give a new humble contrite and a heart of flesh In the last of his Epistles he reckoneth the Books of Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdras III. and IV. Judeth Tobias Maccabees among the Apocrypha Catol test ver lib. 14. 10. Richard de St. Victor a Scot was held for a learned and good man about the year 1140. He wrote much On Cant. c. 2. The reading and meditation of the Scriptures do strengthen the minde and weaken the enemy so long as they keep this in minde and do it they are hereby most expert to encounter with the enemy De statu hom inter cap. 12. How justly is frâ—ewill said to be dead seeing by it self it is never moved unto any good for what good can it do of it self seeing it cannot say Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost and indeed it is often moved unto good but never accept by the holy Ghost De sacrif Abrah Mariae If the grace and protection of God be withheld man is thrown down at every suggestion of the enemy and into whatsoever evil and being once thrown down he can never rise by his own power A man can bring forth no bud of good work of himself without working grace and when he hath begun to work he can no way continue without its cooperation Par. 2. in explanat aliquot locor Apost The Law teacheth onely what we should do and addeth not how we may obey and therefore it can justifie none the Gospel teacheth what should be done how it may be done and how that which is not done may be supplied In Apocaly lib. 3. Onely that prayer is acceptable in heaven which the Son offereth unto the Father Catol test ver lib 15. He was the first which taught that the Virgin Mary was born without original sin Io. Maior in gest Scot. lib. 3. cap. 12. 11. Malcolm IV. King of Scots did command Roger Arch-Bishop of The Pope's Legate is forbidden to come into Scotland York and Roman Legate to depart out of the Realm and said It was not reason that the Land should be oppressed by ungodly men bearing glorious names He. Boet. Hist lib. 13. Again in the year 1188. Pope Clement sent another and he had not better success for all did refuse him except John Bishop of St. Andrews and therefore he was banished and he had refuge unto the Pope who by and by sent unto Henry King of England and gave unto him the right of the Crown of Scotland Io. Bale Cent. 3. § 26. in Appen 12. It is recorded that one Fulco came and said unto the English King King Richard's three daughters Richard with great boldness O King thou hast three very bad daughters take good heed unto them and provide unto them good husbands lest by inconvenient bestowing of them thou run not into damage onely but utter perdition unto thy self The King said Thou art mad foolish hypocrite I have no daughter Fulco replieth I do not lye O mighty King for you have three daughters continually in your Court and wholly possess your person and such whores are they that the like hath not been heard I mean mischievous pride greedy covetousness and filthy letchery therefore I say again beware of them and out of hand provide marriages for them The King then took his words in good part by and by calling his Nobles declared unto them them the words of Fulco whose counsel said he I intend to follow not doubting of your consents my Lords thereunto wherefore here before you all I give my eldest daughter swelling pride to wife unto the proud Templars my greedy daughter avarice unto the Cistertian Monks and filthy luxury unto the riotous Prelates of the Church so severally agreeing with all their natures that the like match is not to be found unto them This was about the year 1198. saith I. Fox in Act. 13. Here it shall not be amiss to remember the example of Simon Thurvey Simon Thurvey an English man of Cornwal for a warning to temerarious Students He was a subtil Logician and expert in all Liberal Sciences he left his own Countrey and was a Doctor in Paris many years and trusting to his Philosophy he vaunted that he knew all Christ's Law and by force of disputation he could disprove it all on a suddain he became forgetful of all learning and could not say the Lord's Prayer nor knew the a b c. Mat. Paris reporteth that when he was writing his History Nicola epi. Danelm told him this and had seen this Simon learning to read from his own bastard son as if he had been a childe of six years onely 14. King William went into England to congratulate the safe arrival of Richard from Judea in the year 1199. at that time Harald Earl of Orknay and Caitnes took the Bishop of the Countrey prisoner because he had stopped some suit he had demanded of the King and bereft him of his eyes and tongue William at his returning would revenge this inhumanity and Harald would defend himself by force but his forces were scattered and he was apprehended it was done unto him by the hangman as he had unto the Bishop and then strangled all his male-children were gelded and many of his friends as accessories were fined in money Buchan lib. 7. When this was reported unto Pope Innocentius III. he sent his Legate John Cardinal de monte Celio with a sword richly set with precious stones a purple hat in form of a diadem and a Bull of large priviledges exempting the Church of Scotland from all censures except onely of the Pope or Legate sent by the Conclave the Bull was dated in the year 1209. H. Boeth Hist lib. 13. cap. 8. THE FOURTH AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church lurking and of Anti-Christ reigning containing the space of 300. years from the year
of our Lord 1000. until the year 1300. CENTURY XIII CHAP. I. Of POPES I Begin this Century at the Popes because the times are changed and I must change with the times in the former Century the Popes were first exalted above the Emperors 1. INNOCENTIUS the III. being thirty years old was chosen Pope Ian. 3. 1198. In his time the Empire was weak and a great Schism in Germany as followeth whereupon the Pope made his More advantages for the Pope advantage and the Authority of the Papal Chair and errors in doctrine waxed then wonderously Frederick was yong Kings and Princes every where were at variance so that there was none to stay the ambition of Innocentius From the Empire he took Romandiola Ravenna and other Lands pretending that these did belong unto St. Peter Io. Naucler At that time he obtained two Decrees which did much serve unto the advancement of the man of sin one So oft as Princes are at variance or shall endammage one another the cognisance of their cause shall appertain unto the high Priest of Rome Another So oft as the suffrages of whatsoever Electors shall be equal and no greater agreement interveening the Pope may determine as he pleaseth These two were registred in the Decretals lib. 1. tit 6. de elect c. Venerabilem The former was made upon occasion of variance betwixt France and England and the other in favor of Otho Duke of Brunswick P. Mornay in Myster Unto these a third may well be joyned When the Imperial seat is vacant the Roman high Priest shall have the administration and exercise the Imperial power until another Emperor be chosen Clement Pastoral de sent re judic near the end Out of these the Canonists do conclude that the Pope is Lord of Christendom But the Jesuits say Not so for the Pope succeedeth not into the Empire in all things but only in discerning in such causes as appertain unto the Emperor and may not be delayed Bellarm. de Rom. Pont. lib. 5. cap. 5. The works and writings of Innocentius shew yet more of his pride In his first Sermon on the feast of St. Silvester he saith The Roman high Priest in token of Empire weareth a Globe and in token of Priesthood a Mitre but he weareth the Mitre at all times and every where but not so the Globe because the Priestly Dignity is first and worthiest and largest for the Priesthood went before the Kingdom among the people of God as Aaron was before Saul God speaking of Priests and Kings calleth the Priests gods and the Kings Princes saying Thou shalt not rail on the gods nor speak evil of the ruler of the people Exod. 22. And whereas he saith of the King Be subject unto all ordinance of man whether the King c. he saith of Priests unto Jeremiah I have set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to pull up and to cast down to plant and to build and unto Peter in the singular number Thou art Cephas that is Thou art the HEAD in which are all the senses The deep Sea of which Christ said to Peter Lanch into the Sea is Rome which had and hath the primacy of all the world as if he had said Go to Rome On the anniversary day of his Coronation Sermon III. speaking on these He is the Bridegroom who hath the Bride and speaking unto his Cardinals saith Am not I the Bridegroom and each one of you the Bridegroom's friend certainly I am the Bridegroom for I have a noble rich high comely chaste lovely and sacred Bride the Roman Church which as God hath ordained is the Mother and Mistress of all believers She is older then Sara wiser then Rebeca more fertile then Lea more aimable then Rachel more devout then Anna more chaste then Susanna more couragious then Judith and fairer then Edissa many daughters have purchased riches but she surmounteth them all with her is my sacramental marriage Have ye not read that Abraham had a wife Sara and she brought in her maid Agar unto him nor did he for that commit adultery but discharged his duty so the Pope hath his wife the Roman Church which bringeth unto him other Churches that are subject unto her that they may receive from him due provision because how much is paid the more is owed but this is done in the spirit and the other was done in the flesh because the spirit quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing c. In another place he saith The Church of Rome should give the debt of reverence unto none but unto the Priest of Rome who under God hath none above him Behold the Beast and the Roman distinguished The high Priest of Rome hath the Roman Church for his Spouse who bringeth unto him other Churches that are subject unto her Thus of all the Popes Innocentius would be the first corrival of Christ Bellarmin would excuse this blasphemy by a distinction of the principal and the subaltern husband De Ro. Pon. lib. 2. cap. 31. But he considered not what Thomas de Corsellis as Ae. Sylvius reporteth de Concil Basil said publickly in that Councel We call the Church the Spouse of Christ and the Pope his Vicar but none appointeth such a Vicar that he will subject his Spouse unto his Vicar And the Author of the Book De squalore Ro. Curiae Oraeus calleth him Lurgius printed with Petrus de Alliaco at Basil An. 1551. saith The Church hath not two heads but one and this is Christ and not his Vicar whom Christ hath appointed to be an attendant on his Spouse and not the husband Vsser de Eccles statu cap. 9. Behold yet the novations of his doctrine In the year 1215. he assembled a Councel at Lateran there were as Garanza saith the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Jerusalem Metropolitans 70 Bishops 400 Abbots 12 Priors 800 the Ambassadors of the Greek and Roman Empires Orators of Spain England and Cyprus Here the Pope intended to establish many particulars some good and some bad but saith Platina nothing could be openly established because when the Canons were read some called them tolerable and others called them grievous Mat. Parisien who was living as that time saith The general Councel which at the first had great shew after the Papal maner ended in laughter and derision and all that came thither were deluded These Canons were inserted among the Decrees of the five Books of Decretals after they had been reformed by himself as Jo Cochleus testifieth in his Epistle before the Acts of this Councel he collected them and first sent them to be printed by P. Quintel An. 1537. as if they had been the Acts of the Councel but there he sheweth that these Acts were framed or at least reformed after the Councel which saith he any man of judgement may perceive by the XXIX XXXIII and LXI Chapters where is a reference unto the Lateran Councel We have seen that under Pope Nicolaus the II. it was decreed that the body of Christ is
Lords as they would be called had the precedency 14. The Jews lived then in England and waxed both in number and wealth The Iews in England An. 1235. they obtained from Pope Gregory the IX that they should not be taxed by Christian Kings and that they might have Christian servants and nurses An. 1257. they murthered a young boy in Lincoln therefore King Henry imprisoned seventy one of them at London The Minorites being hired for money procured their liberty for saith I. Bale Henry did not so much reign as bear the image of the Romish Beast but after that time the name of a Minorite was odious in the ears of English men Edward the I. banished all the Jews and escheated all their goods allowing them only a viaticum One good thing God wrought by them they left many Bibles in England whereby sundry of the learned were stirred to learn the Hebrew language as Gregory Huntington c. This Edward began to restrain the wealth of Monks and the power of Bishops When Lands were given to Monasteries or a Monastery bought any Land they did not acknowledge the Superior of those Lands so the King and Noble men were prejudiced of Wards Reliefs Knight-Service and such other things Edward made a Law that no person religious or any other should buy or sell Lands that might any way come under Mortmain that is in prejudice of the Superior under pain of forfeiture of the same At that time was confusion of Courts the Civil Judges and Bishops endeavoring to enlarge their own and contract their Rivals Authority Edward fixed boundaries unto them both as is more particularly in T. Fuller's Church-History lib. 3. He discharged the Abbot of Waltham and the Dean of Pauls to crave the tithe of any mans goods for the charges of Jerusalems wars albeit the Pope had given them this Commission in three several Bulls The Abbot died and the Dean appeared before the King and his Councel and promised to obey He also summoned the Dean of Wolverhampton because against the priviledges of the Realm he had given a Prebend of his Chappel unto a stranger at the Pope's command The Dean appeared and confessed his fault submitting himself unto the King's clemency K. Iames VI. in Monitio ex archivis Regni 15. Alexander the III. King of Scots fell with his horse over the rocks on the West side of Kingron March 18. An. 1285. His life was remarkable and his death lamentable He had divided the Realm into four parts and abode a quarter of the year in each part giving justice unto all men so he knew his subjects and they knew and loved him The Judges of each part waited upon him within their jurisdiction and when he removed the Judges of the other part received him so his Court was never populous His children died young except one Daughter who was married to Erik King of Norway and she had one Daughter After his much bewailed death a Parliament at Scone named six persons to govern the Country for the time three for the part on the North side of Forth and three for the South The King's Daughter was dead and Edward the I. sent unto this Parliament suing the marriage of their young Queen unto his Son So the Estates consented very readily provision being made that Scotland should be governed by their own Laws and Magistrates In the mean while Margaret died Then competition followed between Robert Bruce Earl of Hastings in England and of Carrict and Garioch in Scotland and John Baliol Earl of Galloway The ground of this plea flowed by their genealogy from King David who died in the year 1153. He had one Son Henry Earl of Huntington he died before his Father leaving three Sons Malcolm William and David So Malcolm surnamed the Maiden succeeded his Grandfather and after him his Brother William the Father of Alexander the II. and Grandfather of this Alexander the III. David the third Son of Henry had three Daughters Margaret Countess of Galloway Isobel married to Robert Bruce surnamed The Noble Earl of Hastings and the third or youngest was Countess of Huntington Margaret had no Sons but three Daughters Dornagilla the Mother of John Baliol and Mary the Wife of John Cumin c. Robert the Noble had a Son Robert the Competitor who married the heretrix of Carrict and had two Sons Robert the King afterwards and Edward Then Dornagilla pleaded first for the Crown but Robert Earl of Carrict alledged that he being of equal degree with her the male should be preferred in the inheritance of Lands and rather of Kingdoms as it hath been lately practised in Burgundy and is usual among Brethren and Sisters as for her Son he is a degree further off and therefore not to be heard in that cause The parties did so increase that no Authority could command either of them and intestin wars were thought dangerous wherefore by common consent Edward the I. was chosen Umpire At the first he omitted no point of formality he called unto Berwick the Competitors John and Robert and the Governors of the Realm he protesteth that he calleth them not as Subjects before their Magistrate but as his Friends before their chosen Arbiter he caused them all to swear that they will stand to his decreet and receive one of the two whom he should name He chose twelve Scots and so many English as his Councellors in that matter and caused them to swear that they shall give their advice uprightly according to their knowledge The mean while he thinketh upon his own advantage and considering that Scotland was divided into two powerful factions it seemed the more easie unto him to work his own point in shew he sendeth for Jurists in other Nations not doubting as that sort is seldom of one opinion but to finde some response conducing to his own end which may appear by his altering the state of the question which he propounded in this maner A King who is not wont to be crowned nor anointed but only set in a chair and be proclaimed King yet not so free that he is not under another King and himself acknowledged so dying without children two of his Cousins and Nephews of his Granduncle Sempronius seek the inheritance c. The most part answered The custom of the Realm is a Law in such a case and if there be not a precedent they should stand at the will of the Superior King Then in another meeting at Norain Edward required acknowledgement of subjection from all the Scotch Commissioners They did all refuse in one voice In a third meeting at Berwick he sent privily for Robert and proferred him the Kingdom if he would swear fealty unto him Robert answered I will never prejudice the liberty of that Realm John Baliol was sent for and accepted the condition So he was proclaimed King six years after the death of Alexander and all the Scots swear Allegiance unto him Afterwards both the King and Nobles gave their
be offended to be deprived of that title Alexander gave the title of The Catholick King unto Ferdinand Ibid. lib. 5. Then Alexander being delivered from the fear of Charls began to enrich his kinsmen by all manner of ways saith Onuph If at any time he was not taken up with publick affairs he gave himself unto all maner of pleasures being altogether given unto women he had four Sons and two Daughters above all women he loved Vannocia whom he kept almost as a wife Idem Other Popes did not avow their children but he openly honored them It is offensive to godly ears to hear and vile to repeat the incest of his family which Onuphrius toucheth Guicciardin hath at large lib. 1 3. and Iulian. Pontan tumul lib. 2. hath summarily in his Daughters Epitaph Hoc jacet in tumulo Lucretia nomine sed re Thais Alexandri filia nupta nurus He kept the seventh Jubile An. 1500. and by his Bulls sent pardons unto all men who could not go to Rome or were careless to go saith Onuph but Pol. Virgil. saith He proclaimed to keep the Jubile not at Rome only but in all Provinces both for his own gain and ease of all Christians that who would might buy plenary Indulgences as if they were in Rome Of this Jubile Sannazarius saith Pollicitus coelum Romanus astra Sacerdos Per scelera coedes ad Styga pandit iter He professed a great expedition against the Turks and that he would go personally as General Gasper a Spaniard was sent into England who within few moneths amassed vast sums of money which the Pope received but forgot the expedition Fr. Mason in Antiq. Brit. lib. 4. c. 13. he made many Cardinals for money Onuph he killed every rich Priest at Court and some Cardinals that their riches might be brought into his treasury he had uttered his cruelty against more for hope of their inheritance if he who was born for the ruine of Italy had not been the cause of his own death by error of his Cup-bearer for when he had invited some rich Senators and prepared a poisoned bottle of wine for them the Cup-bearer gave the wine to the Pope and his Son Caesar Borgias the young man fell into a sharp feaver yet escaped but the old Pope could not overcome the poison Idem He sate 11. years and died An. 1503. Onuphrius who can commend the worst Popes saith He had vertues with his vices deep judgement singular memory and eloquence that was hurtfull to many none could propound a thing more craftily defend it more sharply or bring to pass more readily what he once attempted These gifts he defiled with monstrous vices and with falshood more than Punike horrible cruelty unmeasurable avarice infinite lust c. This gives credit unto his Epitaph made by Ia. Sannazarius Fortasse nescis cujus hic tumulus siet Asta viator ni piget Titulum quem Alexandri vides haud illius Magni est sed hujus qui modò Libidinosa sanguinis captus siti Tot civitates inclytas Tot regna vertit duces leto dedit Natos ut impleret suos Humanajura nec minùs Coelestia Ipsosque sustulit Deos. Vt scilicet liceret heu scelus Patri Natae sinum permingere I nunc Nerones vel Caligulas nomina Turpes vel Heliogabulos Hoc sat viator reliqua non sinit pudor Tu suspicare ambula Who hearing or reading these things written not by adversaries of his See but by Popish writers will not think That the Pope is the man of sin CHAP. II. Of EMPEROURS 1. ROBERT Count Palatine of Rhine was Emperour An. 1400. with universal consent but not with such reverence as his Ancestours because of the alienations granted by Charls the IV. and the late contempt of Wenceslaus Robert was prudent and calmed all the jars within the Empire When he had brought Germany into tranquillity he went to be crowned in Italy and to protect Florence against the potent warriour John Galeacius Duke of Millain as the Florentines had invited him with large promises but they fled in the day of battel so his expedition was unprofitable and dishonourable Neither could he be moved to stay in Italy although the Gibelines and the Pope made larger promises unto him When he returned he was no less troubled with the factions of the Anti-Popes and schism in the Church He indeavoured to assemble a Councel but the Anti-Popes would not consent He died An. 1410. 2. SIGISMUND King of Hungary and brother of Wenceslaus as yet alive for his valour in fighting against the Turks was judged worthiest of the Empire Both the Popes did seek his favour and pretending the authority of confirmation sent and confirmed his election Platin. He spared no travel to remove the schism and went personally unto both the Popes and seeing no other remedy he went unto the Kings of France Spain and England for assembling the Councel at Constance It was once appointed to be held An. 1412. but it was delaied because Ladislaus King of Naples standing up for Gregory the XII had taken Rome and kept it as Lord thereof he died the same year and the Romans returned to the obedience of Pope John Then the Councel was proclaimed every where to begin at Constance Novemb. 1. An. 1414. We will speak of it by it self The Bohemians were offended for burning their Preachers John Huss and Jerom of Prague and they feared not to assemble in the fields to the number of 30000. and communicated in both kinds upon three hundred Tables erected for that use then they rushed into several Churches and Monasteries and broke down the Images Io. Cochl Hist lib. 4. Their King Wenceslaus died An. 1420. without children Then wars waxed in Bohemia for Sigismund as nearest heir sent Governours to rule it untill he returned from the Wars against the Turk in Hungary there he was unfortunate In the mean time arose John Trosnovius commonly called Zisca or Cisca that is one-eyed a man of good Parentage and brought up in the King's Court and a couragious Souldier the Hussits chose him to be their Captain their Army was reckoned to consist of 40000. they possessed the Fortresses of Prague and were Masters of other Cities and Castles every where they broke down Images in the Churches Aene. Sylvius Hist Bohem. Cap. 38. At that time one coming from Picardy perswaded many Bohemians both men and women to walk naked and besides other fond errours they defiled themselves with promiscuous lusts and called themselves Adamites Cisca abhorred them and although they proffered to join with him yet he scattered them and killed some of them Io. Naucler Before the Governours were arrived from the Emperour Cisca was grown so strong that they were glad to seek peace Pope Martin thought to affright them with his curse but the Hussits did not fear his thunder When the wars of Hungary ceased the Emperour intended to march into Bohemia if he had gone thither suddenly it seems
40000. horse and not so many foot went against Bohemia The Cardinal went along with them Where they came they spared neither age nor sex and no man considering their number and apparent power doubted of their victory But when the Bohemians came near them a voice went among the Imperialists that they should stay no longer none knew whence the voice was a suddain fear caused them to flie Julian ran unto the Dukes and Commanders exhorting them to fight not for possessions or worldly glory but for Religion Christ's honor and the salvation of souls Aen. Sylv. ibid. but fear was more perswasive that they left their colours weapons and all that they had An. 1431. At that time the Emperor was at Noremberg and determined to deal no more with them by Arms but would provide against them in the Councel at Basil and the Legate Julian went thither Many other broils were in the Churches of Germany at that time as Crantz in Saxo. lib. 11. cap. 25. sheweth For the Bishop of Magdeburg and his Clergy were exiled the Church of Trevers was divided between two Competitors fighting and both accursed and both in contempt of the keys did their office the Church of Mentz had controversie with the Citizens casting out their former Senate and chusing another so that the Clergy were forced to leave the City the Church of Bamberg was in the same condition the Church of Utrecht after Sweder's death had contention for a new Bishop nor could Pope Eugenius and his Cardinals go safely from Rome to Basil but were all plundered by the way even to the skin ibid. The next year Sigismund went to Rome to be crowned but not with such equipage nor so looked upon as others were before The Bohemians sent Procopius the elder and some others to Basil but the Nobles would not be content to be ruled by the two Procopii for they were suspicious of them as hearkning too much unto the Councel nor was their opinion vain saith Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. Mainard was the Author of this mutiny They assembled in Parliament and chose Alscio a Nobleman of small estate to be their Governor but all was done as Mainard would Sigismund after his coronation came to Basil where he heard some controversies decided then he came to Ulme where he understood that a battel had been fought in Bohemia and the old Commanders were slain and the faction of the Nobility were prevailing then Sigismund sent unto Bohemia requiring them in a quiet manner to accept him their King according to his right Mainard had privy correspondence with Sigismund he called all the Soldiers into hovels or barns whereof many are there pretending that he was to march against the Lands of the Emperor and he would give them in these barns wages for the expedition but he shut the doors upon them and burnt them all and then he brought the rest of the Countrey under the Emperor's command Aen. Sylv. cap. 51. The Emperor entered into Bohemia An. 1436. with great solemnity then Images were restored Altars were repaired and Monks returned into their Cloisters some Hussites fled out of the Countrey a time of recantation was granted unto others and the most bold among them were punished But Sigismund could not prevail as he would for they preached against the Monks and doctrine of Rome and followed their former order in their Churches and were rising in Arms against Sigismund ibid. cap. 52. But he died the next year leaving only one Daughter which was married to Albert Marquess of Moravia and now by marriage Successor of the Kingdom of Hungary Sigismund had dealt with John Paleologus Emperor of the Greeks to make an union with the Latines in matters of Religion and thereby he might have aid against the Turks and likewise through weakness of German Princes he might be chosen Emperor such motives were prevalent but when he was upon his way he heard that the Emperor was dead and he began even then to repent of his voyage When the Princes Electors did conveen Pope Eugenius and the Councel of Basil sent their Legates craving to delay the election until the affairs of the Church were setled The Electors said The condition of the Empire cannot permit a delay Therefore the Orators of both parties did threaten the Electors with their curse The Electors did appeal from them and their curse unto the general Councel that should be next and lawfully called so they went on 3. ALBERT the II. Marquess of Moravia was chosen unanimously and was gracious unto all Germany for he was learned wise and stout The Bohemians which before had fought for Religion sent unto Casimire Brother of the King of Poland and he was willing to accept the Kingdom but was hindered by Albert nevertheless the Bohemians and Silesians continued in a warlike posture Aen. Sylv. cap. 55. Albert punished the Jews for pertinacy in their Rites He heard that Amurathes the II. was entered into Servia and was intending to invade Hungary therefore when he had dealt with the two Anti-Councels for unity he went against the Turks Amurathes hearing of his preparation returned into Macedonia and Thessalie subduing all where he came Albert dismissed his Army and died in Hungary An. 1439. John Emperor of the Greeks conceived hopes of aid in Italy and arriving at Venice made choise to seek the aid of the Pope rather then of the Councel at Basil but at last his experience taught him that the Pope was seeking but to inlarge his own power and so having almost begged his bread in Italy the space of two years he returned with no satisfaction and having heard the scoffings of some by the way he had no grace among his people and was forced to quit his Crown in favor of his Brother Constantine 4. FREDERICK the III. Duke of Austria was chosen Ianuary 1. An. 1440. in the 25. year of his age and reigned 53. years Albert had two Daughters and left his Wife big with childe The Hungarians sent unto Vladislaus King of Poland to accept their Crown but when their Queen brought forth a Son Ladislaus they crowned him in the fourth moneth of his age His Mother sent him unto his Uncle the Emperor to be brought up by him The Hungarians thought it not expedient to want a King in time of such danger therefore they followed their first purpose and brought in Vladislaus He once put Amurathes to flight that Amurathes sought peace and the King mistrusting his own strength consented unto peace for ten years They both confirmed the peace and conditions by solemn oath after their several maner but as it is said of Eugenius the oath was violated and the King was killed in the fourth year by the Turks Then the Bohemians would chuse another King The Queen did advertise them of the birth and title of her Son and some did accord But in open Parliament by consent of the most Albert Duke of Bavier was chosen King Albert refused saying He would not
the Danube near unto Frioli in Italy and on the North he marcheth with Poland and Muscovy In Affrick his ditions are for the most part barren except most fertile Aegypt This Empire is now governed by twenty Bassaws of which three are in Europe the most potent is in Greece another in Hungary and the third in Temisnara in Asia are thirteen three in Affriâ—k and one in Cyprus Cumin Ventura in Relatio de Vrbe Constantinop Wheresoever they prevailed they either slue all the inhabitants or led them away in such misery that they lived so that death had been more tolerable Bathol Georgueviz lived amongst them the space of 13. years about the year 1540. and returning writ a book Deploratio Christianorum which was printed at Wittemberg An. 1560. there he saith If any man had foreknown that calamity they would rather have chosen to have died a thousand times if in any place death be mixed with life or if life be prolonged that men may be long a dying it is under the Turks the bondage in Aegypt the captivity in Assyria and exile in Babylon are light in comparison of this most grievous oppression for whether Christians do submit unto them or not it is all one if these prevail as in their promises is no fidelity so is no mercy in their victory they kill all the Nobility and scarcely spare any of the Clergy they throw down all the Churches or turn them to their blasphemous superstition leaving unto Christians old Chappels which when they decay it is permitted to rebuild for a great sum of money neither are Christians permitted to have any audible sign of assembling but only as it were by stealth to exercize their religion neither may a Christian bear Office in any Province or City nor carry a weapon if any blasphemy be spoken against Christ or contumely against a Christian he must hold his peace but if thou speak against their Mahumet the punishment is fire or if against their religion thou shalt be circumcized If a Christian on horseback do meet a Turkish Priest he must come down and with low courtesie salute the Priest Every Christian now must pay the fourth part of all his increase as well of their Corns and Bestial as of their handy-work and every Master of a family paieth a ducate yearly for every person of his family if the Parents have it not to pay they must sell their children and others are compelled to beg it or they are condemned to perpetual prison and still it is free unto the Turk to take the most handsom of the Christian children and circumcize and bring them in their Cloisters to be Seminaries of his Janizaries or guard and of his Souldiers so that they hear not of Christ nor Parents yet many of these Janizaries carry under their arm pits a New-Testament in Greek or Arabick From amongst the fairest of the Christian daughters the great Turks hath his Wives and Concubines and it is religion unto them to do otherwise So that by custom or contempt of the old Turkish blood the present Emperours and Janizaries and Bassaws are descended of the Christians Both the Christians and the Janizaries in these Provinces do heartily wish the revenging Sword of Christians to deliver them from their wofull thraldom and the Turks stand in fear of it because of such a prophesie amongst them Georgieviz de affectione Christianor The multitude of the Turks are base minded being destitute of all learning for their Laws forbid Schools and they live most by Pasturage Euphorm in Icon. animor cap. 9. This brief glance of the power and tyranny of the Turks is usefull for understanding some passages of the Scriptures as also to move others unto compassion and praiers for the Christians whose troubles we know not and to make us the more thankfull for our tranquility and liberty and more patiently to bear sickness a little penury or if it were banishment for Christ's sake c. which light things many do impatiently undergo because they know not the heavy crosses of other Christians Yea and for cleering the justice of God in all these heavy burthens of Christians it may be marked out of Nicep Gregoras and Chalcocondylas their Histories that though these Greeks were very constant both in the Doctrine and Rites of their Antients yet amongst their Nobility were manifold divisions and strifes amongst their Clergy great ambition and contention and especially they complain of the wretchlessness of the Emperours and the infinite Taxes which they exacted of the people so that many did even before the loss of Constantinople chuse to live under the Turks and the rather because at that time the Turks dealt fairly with the Christians that would come and dwell in their Towns and proffered them liberties and it was upon occasion of these grievances that some Greeks came into Italy and Germany in the beginning of that Century CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. WHilest King Richard was living in prison Henry the IV. was Crowned King of England An. 2. chap. 3. he ordained that if any person should obtain from the Bishop of Rome any provision to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary or to have any Office perpetual in any house of Religion he should incur the pains of Praemunire And chap. 15. He gave authority unto Bishops and their Ordinaries to imprison and fine Civil power of coaction gâ—ven to Bishops who exerce it cruelly all Subjects who refuse the Oath ex Officio Here by the way I add that in the Parliament of King James An. 1610. Stat. 1. it is said Whereas the Temporal Sword was never in the Prelates power untill the 2. of Henry the IV. and then usurped by them without consent of the Commons for say They were truly Ecclesiastical yet it is against the Laws of God and of the Land that they should meddle with civil jurisdiction therefore is an Act past against it and the Oath Ex Officio In the same Parliament of Henry the IV. it was ordained that all Lollards that is who professed the doctriue which Wickliff had taught should be apprehended and if they should remain obstinate they should be delivered to the Bishop of the Diocy and by him unto the correction of the Secular Magistrate to be burnt This Act was the first in this Island for burning in case of Religion and began to be put in execution the same year 1401. and Thomas Arundel Arch Bishop of Canterbury swore that he would not leave a slip of the Lollards in the Land At that time did suffer William Sawtree a Priest William Swinderby Richard White William Thorp Reinold Peacock once Bishop of Saint Aâ—â—ph and then of Chicester Io. Fox in Acts Mon. Many errours were imputed unto them maliciously but as Ph. Morn in Myster pag. 495. shews ex Walsing in Hypodeig they held no other doctrine but of the Waldenses George Abbot contra Hill in answer to the first reason sec 25. shews that