epitomized vnto your considerations the theorems rules and policies of this inforced vsurpation I will also make manifest vnto you by true booke cases how they haue practised vpon these Theorems throughout all the kingdoms of Christendome In Spaine vpon suspition of heresie they so ouer-awed the conscience of Philip the second that they caused the vncompassionate father in a bath to open the veines of Charles his eldest sonne a Prince of admirable expectation there to bleede out his deerest life Now to explane vnto you what heresie this noble yong Prince had committed let me report vnto you if fame say truth that it arose forsooth vpon his hard vsage towards the Clergie In dismounting them riding vpon their pleasures from their excellent Ienets and stately Mules and sending them home to their studies bestowing these beasts vpon some of his more worthy followers Or peraduenture vpon iealousie that manifesting too much of the Grandfathers spirit in future times He might call them to account as did Charles the fifth Herman once Archbishop of Colein to say for himselfe what he could against the accusations libelled against Him by his Clergie and the Vniuersitie I assure you farre lesse sinnes then these are able to cast the best man liuing into the bottomlesse pit of their fierie Inquisition Vnde nulla redemptio Who were of Councell vnto Sebastian the last of house of Portugal to vndertake that wofull but as they termed it that most meritorious iourney into Africa To vnderstand the true motiues whereof I will say no more but referre you ouer to the Iesuits Cata. fo 709. Who but the same brood of Iesuits made away Iohn of Albret Queene Dowager of Nauarre the very eye of the French Protestants by impoisoned Pills which an Italian the Kings Apothecary at Paris prepared for her Who but the brochets of such impieties were the instruments of that most infernall resolution vnder the colour of so solemne and Prince-like a marriage to contriue the death of the Nauarrois and the massacre of so many braue Princes and Gentlemen of the Religion through the whole territories of Fraunce And that without any regard or touch of conscience in abusing and violating the oath of safe conduct religiously swore vnto by the King himselfe By what sort of men I pray you was Peter Barr. suborned and obliged by Sacrament trayterously to haue murdered Henry the fourth And by whom let me aske you is the Auditory at this day admonished but to make vse of some small patience For within few dayes God himselfe is to make his personall appearance amongst vs to worke I know not what miracles to the confusion of Heretiques Was not Iohn Chastelius a yong man of nineteene yeers of age and a nouice in Claremount Colledge fully satisfied thinke you by the resolutions and incouragements of these persons and vpon the foresaid positions before he would hazard his portion in heauen to vndertake the slaughter of the said king of France Nauar But as God would he missed his throat by the wauering of his hand strooke out but one of his teeth affirming that he was but as another Ehud apointed to murder Eglon the wicked king of the Moabites By whome were so many and so often treacheries plotted not only to haue beene executed by strangers against Queene Elizabeth but also by her owne seruants namely Parry Squier Lopez Yorke Williams and Patrike Cullen By whome was her sacred Maiesty excommunicated her peace disturbed her subiects assayled her Realme betrayed and her life set at sale to bee taken away by any meanes by poyson by massiue rewards or any other kind of violence what euer I will not stand to dilate hereupon The world I hope is againe and againe satisfied with the proofe hereof It yet freshly remembreth what ouertures were made euen but yesterday and by whome vnto the Spanish king for a second Inuasion And as yet Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt For it is as cleere as day that none but men moulded and sold ouer to the worst of wickednesse would euer haue imagined or consented to haue blowen vp a State-house And that vpon the first day and first sitting when in certainty they knew that of necessity the King and Prince would be present the assembly fullest and the massacre bloodiest Who were the instruments that Sigismund K. of Polonia and Sweland after the death of his father returned into Sweland there against the tenor of his oath to root out the Lutheran Religion as they terme it who were the authors of the vnseasonable commotions in Liuonia who accouncelled him by surprise to inuade the kingdome and almost to haue lost his life as he hath now at last the kingdome And by whose seducements hath hee attempted so many innouations in Polonia To what shall we attribute but to their daungerous instigations that Demetrius beeing returned out of Poland into Moscouie in attempting to alter the receiued Religion of the Moscouits was himself in one day depriued of life and Empire with an infinit number of his nobles and followers Whom should we accuse but these furies for the murder of the worthy Prince of Orange shot to death by Balthasar Gonhard before prepared for blood by the assurance of these cunning Garnets What should I dull your eares with these vnpleasant discourses If you list your selues may reade at leysure the examinations of Peter de Pennes Michael Renicher and Peter de Four against the life of Graue Maurice the aforesaid Prince his Son for maintaining the cause of Religion I could also bring you presidents from Transiluania 1607. from Bohemia 1608. from Austria 1609. Bauaria 1592. Argentina 1698. Aquisgran 1607 Donauerd and Venice 1606. but that I am very vnwilling to tire your patience with the desperate resolutions of these irregular and faithlesse men Faithlesse to God for they vow religion and humility but worke treachery and affect superiority And irregular amongst men for they preach faith and administer oathes and yet if any thing displease them they send soules to desperation and make port-sale of periury And therefore to conclude I will for your perpetuall remembrance in the person of one describe the very genius of the whole fraternity in these short remembrances following Seductor Sweco Gallo Sicarius Anglo Proditor Imperio Explorator Dauus Ibero Italo Adulator Dixi teres ore suitam He that hath oft the Sweth-land-Pole seduced Murdred the French And Englands-King abused A spie for Austria A cunning knaue for Spaine And sooths th' Italian States to Popish gaine Is All one Man and Iesuit is his name And what yee read of Henry Frederick Of Otho Great and their Succession Gainst Philip Faire and the twelfe Lodowic French Kings Gainst Henry th' eight of Albion And his diuinest child Eliza Queene With many more of Nations far and wide Be bold to say Like measure to haue
THE ROMANE CONCLAVE Wherein by way of HISTORY exemplified vpon the Liues of the Romane Emperours from CHARLES the Great to RODVLPH now Reigning The forcible Entries and Vsurpations of the Iesuited Statists successiuely practised against the sacred Maiestie of the said EMPIRE And so by Application against the Residue of the CHRISTIAN KINGS and FREE-STATES are liuely Acted and truely Reported By IO. VRSINVS Ante-Iesuite Io. de Turre-cremat de Illicitis dispensat Ecclesia iuribus legibus regitur siue debet regi Non talibus actibus siue exemplis D. AND. Fol. 46. Dum enim Henrici Frederici Lodouici pugnant Sultani Chami Ottomani miserâ nostrâ magni sunt ditiones suas perditione nostra dilatârunt LONDON Printed for Iohn Iagger and are to be sold at his Shop in Fleetestreete within Temple Barre 1609. ¶ The Names of the Authours out of whose Records these memorials are Collected Auentine Bartolus Barnus de vitis Pontif. Benno Blondus Catal. testium verit Collenutius Cuspinian The Decretals Aeneas Siluius Feronius Functius Gunther Guicciardine Hub. Goltz Helmoldius Hutenus Ioan. de Cremona Iouius Krantzius Gerard Moringus Munster Mutius Nauclerus Otho Frisingensis Pandulfus Paral. Vrsperg Petrus de Vineis Platina Radauicus Sleydan Ia. Spigelij Annot. Theodore de Nyem Tritemnius Ab. Vrspergensis Wimphelinagus Ger. Zeigl de vir illust German ¶ To the vnresolued Reader Peace and Profit IN Disputations words multiply words In tedious Discourses for the most part groūded vpon the sole Authority of running reason small satisfaction is afforded to weake consciences In this Argument I must confesse matters of weightie consequence are debated The Romish Prelates are accused of Intrusion and Vsurpation And they againe as stiffely maintaine faire and filiall vsage with successiue diuolution To what purpose were it then for any man how learned or zealous soeuer to inforce his vtmost indeuours to put end to a Controuersied question If when all hath beene said that Truth and Learning can alleadge Euery passionate and discontented Humorist may take vpon him with colours and cunning distinctions to oppose and contradict his opposites Assertions In this case what conscience can but remaine distracted in vtramque partem The Disputants on either side are men of admirable reputation for their learning Both of them bring warrant or at least seeme to bring warrant to maintaine their partie Yet oftentimes vpon priuate passion so impertinently and maliciously that either they seeme not to haue read the Authours whome they quote Or hauing read them they doe not vnderstand them or vnderstanding them they doe of purpose misconster them Vpon which conceite it should seeme that this our Ante-Iesuite in assured hope to worke more by Example then Discourse hath purposely declined these ambiguous Disputations And in liew therof hath brought vpon the stage of Iudgement Time and Testimonie Veritatis parentes to pleade nothing for themselues but matter on Record A course that hath seldome in so doubtfull a Controuersie beene presented to Audience The Remembrancers were men without Exception and some of them by testimonies on either side Genere pietate eruditione Nobilissimi atque harum rerum Testes pene oculati Their names and credits you are acquainted with your vnderstandings will informe you of their Maners and the Times wherein and vnder whome they flourished Nothing then remaineth but a rectified conscience to make true vse of the Application Which to effect behold our Ante-jesuite hath not onely runne the truest and plainest Path-way to confidence but also in old and auncient fashion hath of purpose thus attired his Actors that the busiest-headed Iesuite that euer put pen to Paper may rather with impudencie cauill at Antiquitie then with his fierie wit become a stumbling-blocke to the wauering by Excepting to his Pen or Person You your selues sit Iudges and as vnpreiudicated Arbitrators examine the Pleas Both parties are at the Barre and shall produce their best Titles euen Titles of prescription Whereunto how-euer Paul plant or Apollo water Let that great God who searcheth the reines and loueth nothing but Trueth giue a plentifull increase to the restauration of his reformed kingdome Amen Thine in Assurance C. H. A TRVE RELATION BY WAY OF HISTORIE DISCOVRSING VPON THE TRECHERIES INSOLENCIES AND Tyrannies which the Romane Popes from time to time haue practised vpon and against the sacred Maiestie of the GERMAINE Empire And so by insinuation vpon all Christian Kings Princes and free Common-weales AMongst the manifolde and infinite choyce of Precedents arguing and prouing God himselfe to bee both the Parent and Protector of Order Herein especially appeareth the most euident and remarkeable Confirmation thereof In that all those godly and goodly Conformities whereby from euerlasting Religion and the vnfained zeale thereof together with the mutuall references of Humane life and Ciuill societie haue beene by due and orderly proceedings maintained and perfected haue tended euen from the prime-birth of Mankind by admirable prouidence to aduance the Priesthood to gouerne the Church and the Temporall Magistrate to take care of the Commonwealth and Both distinguished by their peculiar Orders and Dignities without intermedling one in anothers Office For albeit the fathers of the Old Testament Abel Seth Noah Abraham and Iacob who liued before the promulgation of the written Law are registred to be sole Gouernours aswell of Religion as of Lay-matters and that in succeeding ages both amongst the Egyptians and many other Nations the presidents no doubt being taken from the examples of the foresaid Patriarkes none by the authoritie of Plato were chosen to be Kings but such as formerly had beene interessed in the administration of their Religious ceremonies yet by the written Law of Moses God manifested his determinate pleasure in distinguishment of eithers Authoritie The Priests to Teach to Sacrifice to Pray The Princes with the people to sit in iudgement to obserue Discipline to procure Peace and that according to Order and Equitie In the new Priesthood in the New Testament being the very institution of Christ the Sonne of God and the Sauiour of the world Himselfe being ordained by the will of his Father a Prince and a Priest for euer vtterly refusing to intermeddle in Temporall gouernement tooke vpon him the charge of Spirituall matters onely For that his Kingdome was from eternitie and celestiall not transitorie and politicall For he knew That in his Kingdome worldly matters temporarie vaine and passeable were not to be managed but blessings heauenly and euerlasting to be distributed Whereupon he gaue Pilate demaunding him as concerning his Temporalitie this sweete answere That His kingdome was not of this world Neither that he came to be ministred vnto but to minister Yea to lay down his life for the saluation of many And when the multitude would haue created him a King hee auoyded it The iudgement or portion of an offered inheritance he refused And not onely commanded to giue vnto Caesar that which was Caesars but where the tribute money
reduced to their pristinate forme and integrity then no longer should wee behold the Christian people turmoyled in discords no Princes murdered no oaths of allegeance impugned no equiuocation iustified nor Turkish inuasions so powerfully maintained But of these abuses and many more mentioned by mine Author and still maintained but not with auncient obstinacie for want of this implored reformation let him that hath a stomach to bee informed read the Apology brought out of Spaine and printed at Antwarp in the yeare 1527. There in order shall hee finde as much as followeth the summe whereof drawen into heads shall suffice for this present 1 The Breues of Clement the seuenth wherein hee loadeth Caesar with as many calumniations as his witte could deuise and those most false and forged 2 The aunswere of the Emperour Charles the fifth vnto these forgeries 3 The second Breues of the Pope wherein vppon repentance that hee had falsly accused Caesar hee sendeth vnto his Nuncio to forbid him the deliuery of the former Breues 4 The answer of Caesar to these second Breues 5 An Epistle of Charles Caesar vnto the Colledge of Cardinalls desiring them that in case his Holinesse did continue either to denie or differ a generall Councell that they themselues would proclaime it Now that wee haue fully informed you how this halfe-deplumed Estritch hath notwithstanding opposed against the two last Emperours Ferdinand and Maximilian and not at this day feareth not to bee troublesome vnto their successour Rodolph As also how his patience hath beene nettled by the transaction of Passauia and the Edicts of peace deuised ratified and proclaimed by these three late worthy Emperours It shall not for a perclous vnto your wearied mindes I hope proue a loathing seruice if I shall in order recite vnto you at what warde his Holinesse at this day lieth considering that hee is not able any longer to set father against sonne and sonne against father in open action Prince against Prince and people against Prince and Prince against people These practises are reuealed and absolute now must they erect and but once erect an order to purpose An order that must commit all villanies and his Popeship not seene therein an order that must studie Matchiauell entertaine intelligence and able in it selfe to negotiat in Princes affaires without posting and reposting to the view of the world for their dispatches to Rome an order of all orders that euer were deuised the most cruell and truly bestial the bane of mankinde and the fire-brands of Christendome Of whom if any worthy pen would take the paines to indict a Legend the world should soone perceiue that they to the vnderpropping of this declining sea within these few yeares haue committed as many forgeries villanies and seducements to warre and murder as their Masters before them haue done in many Ages So furious are their humours so irregular their consciences to worke pleasing seruices to their politique Monarch Bound they are to auert whatsoeuer they shall thinke or know preiudiciall to the Romish sea Bound they are as much as in them lieth to hinder the propagation of the Gospel Then their calling being such their seruice such and such their vowes let vs learne amongst many of their actions by some few what peace in religion is to be expected from such persons that hereafter we may be able to discerne the man by his speech as the Lion by his clawes Notes of priuate passion HE that playeth the Prologue is Conradus Brunus attired in his third booke cap. 1. pag 305. oppugning railing and annihilating the Transaction of Passauia and the peace granted thereupon a peace so religiously ratified by such and so many hand-writings and so solemnly sworne vnto by such iust honourable and worthy personages At his first entrance you shall know him by his brazen face and now you shall heare him speake The Edict saith hee is friuolous void and at no hand to be obserued His reason because a Catholique ought not liue peaceably with such Heretiques for so should they neuer be offended nor abolished Yea so much the rather were the association so ordered to be abhorred and abominable for that a Catholique meeting one of them should be adiudged to haue assented to the peace But to offend them with whom there is no communion can be no breach of peace as whom the Lawes of the Empire doe subiect vnder a curse and expose to offence without punishment Finally whom all diuine and humane constitutions would haue to be vtterly extirpated The next that presenteth himselfe is Paul Windich in his booke de Haereticis extirpandis pag. 324. And hee termeth this religious peace to be nothing but a breathing a delay or a toleration pag. 327. He saith that in his minde he can but wonder at the madnesse of the Sectaries For foolishly auouching and so often babling out the Decrees of the Diets for the free exercise of their religion If I should stand to present you with Melchion Hosius and Posserinus who wrote whole discourses vnto Henry and Stephan Kings of Polonia to take into their serious cogitations the extirpation of the Euangelicall professors I should but weary you with words Two lines shall suffice With the Protestant Polonians the assurance giuen vpon Faith is at no hand to be obserued for that an oath ought not to be the bond of iniquitie Iames Menochius the Lawyer Consil 100. Num. 225. excuseth the Romane Emperor Sigismund in that he violated his safe conduct As concerning the which ouersight the impudent assertions of the Iesuits of Treuers are worthy the relation published in a certaine booke intituled The Concertation of the Catholicke Church Printed 1583. pag. 4. Husse did require safe conduct of Sigismund Sigismund signed it but the Christian world viz. the fathers of the Councel of Constance being Sigismunds superiors did disalow it Simanch a Bishop of Pacia that lying spirit blushed not to affirme in his Catholique Institution Cap. 46. Num. 52. That at no hand faith was to bee kept towards Heretiques no not vpon oath And therefore it was iustly decreed That against the tenor of the oath Husse and Ierome of Prage were burned and a Canon prouided That an oath made towards an Heretique was not to be regarded And at last concludeth That as warning thereof ought often to bee giuen so is it very necessary that it be often re-iterated and at no time to be silenced as often as any mention of this peace is obiected O! Why should I offend the chast cares of any good Christian with such infernall stuffe Smally hath he profited in the schoole of Gods word that in his owne conscience is not able to decide controuersies of much more cunning cariage then any of these In regard whereof I will here cease and affirme That in knowing of one you know all such is their malice in seruice of the Romish sea towards Emperor Kings Princes and free States Let him that hath a mind to bee further
two and fiftith yeere of his raigne which being most true that he began his raigne at sixteen yeeres and dyed at sixty eight what testimony is obiected in the course of his life whereby we may gather that he was either deposed or depriued from his legall inheritance That during the time of his visitation his sonne was but his deputy we will prooue anon directly as it is accustomed to be done vnto them who in like cases are not able to attend their affaires themselues For no lesse doth the same Text auerre Ioatham the Kings Sonne was Ouer-seer of the Kings Pallace and gouerned the Kings House and iudged the people of the Land Here obserue that Ioatham is stiled but the Kings sonne in the life time and sicknesse of his father Gouernour of the Court and as I may properly speake Lord steward of his Fathers house And why did hee sit in iudgement amongst the people because their complaints could not with conueniency be brought vnto the kings iudicature by reason of his infirmity and his separation thereupon by the prescript commaundement of Gods Law Leuit. 13. 3. For confirmation of which last point heare what the Text sayth And Ozias slept with his Fathers and they buried him in the field of the Regall Sepulchres because he was a leaper And Ioatham his sonne raigned in his stead Here again obserue how plainly the scripture leadeth vs in the way of truth Euen now It termes Ioatham the Kings sonne the kings steward or seruant But now after the decease of his father and not before It saith Regnare caepit He began to raigne Yet Ozias was separated by the commaund of the high Priest True but that was also commanded by the liuely voice of the Diuine Law But that he was deposed or depriued from his legall inheritance his kingly authority or inforced to resigne his estate to his sonne before his death No man will auouch it vnlesse a bloody and passionate Romanist The simple know that Soueraignety and Gouernement are of no lesse difference then proprietas and possession or as I may speake an estate determinable and an estate in Fee Soueraignety is alwaies incorporated vnto the person of the King is as it were the soule of a kingdome and inseparable from the right thereto But Gouernment Lieutenancy or procuration may bee diuested vppon deputies As in the nonage of kings or in times of daungerous sicknesses those who are assigned to take care of the waighty affaires of the kingdome are stiled Deputies Protectors Tutors Lieutenants Viceroyes or Gouernors neither propounding dispatching nor negotiating any publique businesse in their owne names but vnder the stile and seale of the yong or diseased Soueraigne His second authority is taken from the second of Chronicles the 23. Chapter which because in truth it is but impertinent though most maliciously framed I will recite in our vulgar tongue only At what time Athalia gouerned the kingdome by tyranny and maintained the worship of Baal Ioada the High Priest called vnto him the Centurions and souldiers and commaunded them to slay Athalia And in her stead they crowned Ioas king That the Priest perswaded not but commanded it is apparant by those words in the fourth of Kings and eleuenth Chapter And the men of warre did according vnto all that Ioada the High priest commanded them Againe by those in the second of Chronicles the three and twentith Chapter But Ioada the high Priest going out vnto the Centurions leaders of the Army said vnto them Bring her forth Athalia the Queene from the precinct of the Temple and let her be slaine without by the sword That the cause of the deposition and killing of Athalia was not onely her tyrannie but also her maintenance of the worship of Baal It is proued by the words immediatly placed after her slaughter Whereupon saith the Scripture All the people entred into the house of Baal and destroyed it and broke downe the Altars and the images thereof They also slew Mathan the Priest of Baal before the Altar That this example of Ioada and Athalia do nothing concerne the marke whereat they so preposterously and maliciously leuel or the moderne controuersie of Papal intrusion ouer Kings and Princes we wil resolue you forthwith For the Example of Athalia is of a party who vsurped vpon a Kingdome without any lawfull pretension saue meere and barbarous tyrannie by force by wickednesse and the cruell murder of the royall Progenie In which case the President was so abominable that euen without the commandement of Ioada it might haue beene lawfull for euery priuate Magistrate to haue iustified her death but for that such a designment seemed dangerous and difficult to be executed vpon her who was mother to the deceased King Ahaziah therefore was it needfull to haue vsed the counsell and assistance of Ioada the high Priest Or at least of some such eminent person who for the Honour of his place or the reputation of vprightnesse was of power to assemble and stirre vp the souldiers and people to so iustifiable an action But that the Act was executed as well by perswasion as commaund It appeareth by that which was spoken Ioada the high Priest sent and tooke the Centurions and men of warre vnto him and caused them to come into the Temple Pepigitque cum eis faedus And he couenanted with them Now I hope that so absolute a Commander as our Romanists will make this high Priest to be would haue scorned to haue capitulated if hee could haue commanded Besides the words we will or command are accustomably vsed by those who in faction or in any other publique businesse obtaine the prime-place of imployment What then may be found in this example to inforce Ioadas or the Popes omnipotency for innouation of States or Kingdoms What is brought to proue so dangerous an assertion This is a true president to be inforced against a Tirannesse or an vsurper But there is a great dissimilitude betweene legal Lords or true proprietaries and theeues or the inuaders of another mans possession If there were any cause besides tyrannie materiall to depose or sley Athalia what is that to vs. Let it be inforced against people guilty of like offences viz. those that worship and defend the worship of Baal and the hoast of Heauen It is sufficient that shee was a Tyrannesse and an iniurious Vsurper vppon an other mans Kingdome without that that vpon her part there remained any obstacle or impediment of Lawe but that shee might bee deposed from her throane and slaine The like whereof I hope no good Christian will affirme concerning any lawfull King whose sacred person although blemished by many humane infirmities the Right of Inheritance the Maiestie of his Place and the capacity of his calling ought alwaies and that for conscience sake to protect defend from iniurie infamie and humane controlement To which let all true Christians say Amen Now to their practique NOw that I haue
by the French called in against Astulphus King of the Lombards for calling vpon Steuen the second for his Subsidy money Euery man that is any thing seene in Historie knoweth the Romane Empire being by the prowes of Charles the Great transferred from the Grecians to the Germanes how the Emperours of Germanie haue beene harried by the incredible subtilties and combinations of the Romane Bishops wearied with most lamentable warres and lastly the goodly and most flourishing forces of the Empire by their vngodlinesse disvnited impouerished and wasted Surely the remembrance of these times are so distastfull and lamentable that I had rather wash them out with teares then aggrauate them by speech But fithence our Pen is fallen into repetition thereof I perswade my selfe that it shall proue neither a digression from my proiect neither impertinent from the point of our Argument to Paint out in most liuely colours what hath beene the humilitie obseruancie loyaltie obedience of the Roman Bishops manifested throughout all Ages sithence the dayes of the aforesaid Charles towards the most worthy Germane Emperors their very good Lords and especiall benefactors ⧠Charles the Great TO begin therefore with the Frenchmen who first transferred the Empire from the Grecians to the Germanes who liueth so ignorant that knoweth not with what immunities and honourable indowments they adorned the Romane Clergie First Charles surnamed the Great to his eternall renowne deliuered that Sea being most grieuously laide vnto by Desiderius King of the Lombards to the vtter confusion of his Armie Against Herisigus Duke of Benouent he likewise defended his frontiers And presently after that hee restored Leo the third to his Sea at Baryona being expulsed from Rome by the faction of his aduersaries ⧠Lewes surnamed Pius This man was Emperour in the yeere of Christ eight hundred and fourteene at what time Egbright gouerned the West Saxons and first called our Countrey Anglia LEWES succeeding his father Charles as the Romane Chronicles record with no lesse liberalitie granted vnto the Romane Bishops and his successours the Citie of Rome together with his Dukedome and defended the iurisdiction and dignitie thereof euen to the imputation of superstition Notwithstanding neither the remembrance of the good seruices of the father nor the vertues of the sonne could so farre foorth wey with Gregorie the third as to suppresse much lesse to mitigate his diuelish intendments once conceiued against this Lewes For the Warre being on foote betweene Lewes and his sonnes He as it behoued an Apostolicall Bishop sought not to quench the fire of this vnkindnesse betweene father and child but being sent by Lewes into the Campe of his sonnes to capitulate the Peace with condition to returne againe vnto the Emperour reuolting from Lewes he remained with his sonnes and like a true Apostata abetted and complotted this vnnaturall dissension so farre foorth that the father was taken and being committed to most seuere imprisonment with his yonger sonne was finally thrust into the Monasterie of Suessons Behold here a most strange precedent of ingratitude in children against their dearest Parents and the detestable impietie of a Bishop against a most innocent Emperour both equally gilty of like periurie and disloyaltie From that time although the Royal Diademe continued for some certaine Ages in the posteritie of Lewes neuerthelesse their hellish humors did no more spare the issue then in former time it compassionated the Parent And no maruaile for this was the onely marke that they shotte at that hauing once shaken off the right which the Emperour pretended in the confirmation of Bishops they might with more securitie euer after haue meanes to ouertop them in greatnesse Which their most prouident proiect was long a hatching neither could it bee deliuered to discouerie before the yeere eight hundred ninetie fiue At what time Charles the Grosse departing out of Italy to warre vpon the Normans who at that time miserably infested the Sea coasts of France Hadrian the third layed hold vpon this opportunitie and in the very beginning of his Pontificie made his complaint vnto the Senate and people of Rome That in the Election of Bishops the Imperiall authoritie was not to be stood vpon but that the Suffrages of the Clergie and the people ought alwayes to be free By this Decree he disseysed the Emperours of their whole right which but lately they possessed both vpon the Bishops and the Citie Thereby pointing out to his successors a course how to attempt proiects of higher nature in future ages And surely from those times what vpon the deficiencie of the issue of Charles the Great which had most fortunately Gouerned the Empire for the space of one hundred and odde yeeres and what in regard of that most horrible Schisme proceeding from that Chaire of pestilence managed betweene the Bishops themselues by mutuall Murders Poysenings and all other kind of enormities their continued machinations against the Emperours some-deale ceased vntill they reassumed a new occasion of plotting reiterating their former courses against Otho the first Emperour of Germanie ⧠Otho the Great He was chosen Emperour in the yeere nine hundred thirtie and sixe In England reigned Adelstan FOr at what time in the Reigne of Otho Iohn the thirteenth Noble in trueth by Birth but most base in conuersation Gouerned the Romish Sea and polluted Peters Chaire with ryot gaming pandarisme and Women c. At that very same instant likewise Berengarius Duke of Lombardie amongst many other Cities forbore not to presse hard vpon the Citie of Rome also The Cardinals grew discontented aswell at the Popes Epicurisme as at Berengarius his Tyrannie Two of them more agrieued then the rest whether vpon scruple of conscience or in remembrance of the greatnesse of the Romane name or in hatred of the Pope resolued to pray in aide of Otho a Prince of that time much celebrated for his vertues amongst the Loraners the French the Hungarish the Danes and all the other barbarous people vnder his obedience throughout that part of the world Whereupon calling some others to Councell by letters and messages they solicite Otho that he would vouchsafe to assist the declining estate of the Church and Common-wealth That hee would represse the Tyrannie of Berengarius cruelly raging vpon the Christian people And that he would not let to deliuer the Church from so fell and impure a beast The Bishop comming to the knowledge of these passages first cut off three of his fingers that indited the Letters and then slit his Chancellors nose for giuing approbation thereunto But Otho who thought it not fitte to leaue the Church succourlesse in times of danger hauing amassed all necessaries for warfare marcheth into Italy with fiftie thousand Souldiers Expelleth both Berengarius and his sonne Adelbert then speedeth towards Rome Where arriued although the inhumane cruelties of the Bishoppe were not vnknowne to his Maiestie Yet in reuerence of the Apostolicke Sea at first hee decreed no hard or vnbeseeming censure
distinct 6. c. in Synodo And Otho having in this maner marshalled his affaires returned into Germanie taking Benedict with him who not long after through griefe of mind being committed to the safe custody of Adaldag Othoes Chancellor and Archbishop of Hanburg died at Hamburg and there lieth buried in the Cathedrall Church ⧠Otho the third He raigned in the yeere of Christ 984. about the dayes of Etheldred SOme few yeeres after as Otho succeeded his Grandfather in the Empire so did hee likewise in the contentions of the Bishops For when as Iohn the xvij being dead by the right of Election inuested vpon him by the donation of Leo the viij to his predecessor Otho the great hee had chosen Gregorie the v. for Pope Crescentius and the people stomacking that a man of the German nation should be aduanced to be their Bishop and him also chosen by the sole authority of the Emperor they resolued to depose him and in his place they substituted Iohn the xviij of that name first Bishop of Placentia a man well stored with coyn and a great Scholler Gregorie maketh his repaire into Germanie to the Emperor and there vnfolding his hard vsage so prouoked the Emperor that he besiegeth the City and pressed it so closely that the people almost hunger starued opened their Gates and receiued his Maiesty Being now in possession and vnderstanding that like power by warrant of Gods word was bequeathed him ouer a wicked Bishop as ouer a common theefe at first he gaue commandement that the eies of the captiue Bishop should be put out the fingers of both his hands to be cut off and then clothed in vile attire with his stumps and feet manacled to be set vpon an Asse so to be conueyed through the City and finally to be thrown headlong from the rocke Tarpeia Crescentius the Consul hee also caused to be mounted vpon a base Beast his face towards his taile his nose and eares to be cut off so to be a common spectacle to all beholders and lastly to be hanged vpon the common Gallowes in sight of the City walles Thus hauing wrecked his iust indignation vpon his aduersaries he not only restored Gregorie the xj moneth after his deposall to his pristinate dignity But also this good and most excellent Emperor left an example to his successors that these proud Churchmen were not to be managed by lenity and mildnesse but to be curbed by roughnesse and seuerity For it was the receiued opinion of that age that looke which of the Caesars shewed himselfe to be of more milde disposition then some others so much the more wantonlike would they dally with his lenity and more basely prosecute him with railings foule-mouthed reproches As by that which followeth I will clearely make manifest vnto you ⧠Henricus Niger Hee ruled Anno Christi 1039. In England Harold Harefoot THis seuerity of Otho last before spoken off in punishing the treason of Iohn for some certaine time so terrified the Bishops that vntill the smart was forgotten openly they attempted nothing against the Maiesty of the sacred Empire But no sooner had Benedict the xj by Satanicall and magicall Inchantmentes leaped into the place but by how much his skil and confidence in that profession was remarqueable by so much the more insolent was his cariage in the Popedome For no sooner was Conradus a most faithfull steward of the Law and Religion Emperor of Romans alwaies Augustus gathered to his fathers but this firebrand going to counsell with his minion Laurentius and other his fauorits bendeth his studies how hee might dispossesse Henrie the sonne of Conrade from his hereditary succession to the Crowne of the Empire and disturbe the peace of the Church with Schisme and dissension To the effecting of which stratageme hee sendeth the Crowne of the Romane Empire vnto Peter King of Hungarie with this Motto vnder written Petra dedit Romam Petro tibi Papa Coronam The Rocke gaue Peter Rome to thee the Pope this Crowne But the Emperour vnder the leading of Godfrey Duke of Lorain a most excellent Souldier and faithfull seruitor confronted Peter tooke him Prisoner and further meaning to repay Theophilact the ringleader vnto so dangerous a Schisme according to his deserts set forward for Rome Vpon brute whereof Theophilact alias Benedict the ninth stroken in remorse of conscience and amazed with terrour bartered the Papacie to one of his Companions the Archpriest of Saint Iohns de Porta latina the Master of Hildebrand for the Summe of one thousand and fiue hundred pounds Who ascending the Seate by the staires of such abominable iniquitie by changing his Name was thenceforth stiled Gregorie the sixt Now is the Cup brimfull and the Papacie so managed that all good men being either reiected or oppressed euery other party as he was caried away by ambition or inabled for briberie cast to lay hold-fast vpon this so high a step of Dignitie more entring like theeues and robbers by the windowe then by the doore So that in these dayes besides the Archpriest Iohn Gratian ascended also into this Seate of iniquities Iohn Bishop of Sauoy who changing his Name was otherwise nominated Siluester the third Thus was the Roman Church ren tinto diuers factions Three Popes appeared at one instant viz. Benedict the ninth Siluester the third and Gregorie the sixt and euery one claimeth lawfull succession in Peters Chaire and pleadeth possession Where is now the Church Who is this head Who shall now stand vp to arbitrate so difficult a controuersie None is now to be seene but the Emperour And him without question surnamed Niger God himselfe stirred vp hauing set Germanie in good order with an Armie to trauaile into Italy where calling a Councell he inforceth Theophilact to flie Hee imprisoned Gregorie and afterward with Hildebrand exiled him into Germanie The Bishop of Sauoy he dispatched to his charge and in their places consecrated Syndoger Bishop of Bamberg otherwise called Clement the second Of whom he receiued the inauguration of the Imperiall Crowne and then inforced the Romans to take an Oath That thereafter they should neuer presume to meddle with the Election of a Romane Bishop without expresse Commission first obtained from the Emperour For his most excellent Maiestie did well foresee that in those times the world was giuen to so much licentious libertie that euery factious and Potent companion though most ignoble would not sticke to arrogate vnto himselfe that so eminent a dignitie by corruption and vnderhand-courses which by the strict commandement of God was not to be bestowed vpon any liuing creature saue him who for learning and sanctitie of life ought worthily to bee preferred therevnto This vsage now grew vnto so inueterate a custome that euery sedicious and wicked varlet presumed that hee might without scruple of conscience vsurpe vpon Saint Peters Chaire As did Damasus the second by birth a Bauarian This man hauing gotten poyson for his purpose slue Clement and laboured by
He is denied At three daies end instancing admittance with greater importunacie It is answered That his Holinesse is not yet at leysure to attend his suit Henrie by patience making a vertue of necessity In that he could not be admitted into the City contenteth himself to abide in the Suburbs but not without many incommodious greeuances For the wether was sharpe and all places appeared hoary with frost At last after his incessant three-daies petitioning and deniall at the instance of Maud the Countesse of Adelaus Earle of Sauoie and the Abbot of Clunois he is admitted vnto presence Vpon the fourth day in signe of vnfained penitency he resigned his Crowne and imperiall Ensignes and maketh a protestation that hee were vnworthy to enioy the Title of an Emperor if he should againe commit the like offences against the Roman Sea as formerly he had done For all this this inexorable Prelat would neither pardon nor absolue him vnlesse he would put in good securitie that according vnto his Popish pleasure he would expiate the offence in a Councell and be forth comming at euerie day and place appointed there the Pope being Iudge to answer vnto all accusations without once plotting in his thoughts anie scruple of reuenge 2. Yea after his purgation and reconciliation either to retain or forsake his kingdom if the Pope thought it so fitting 3. Thirdlie that before the Examination of his Cause he should not presume to weare anie Kinglie habit neither haue borne before him anie Imperiall ensignes That hee should not meddle in state gouernment nor exact anie oth of allegiance vpon his vassalls Vpon promise of performance and future obedience the attonement is now at length confirmed aswell by Oth as Indenture and Henrie absolued Now obserue I beseech you the restlesse humours of attainted consciences The Court of shauelings deep polititians men of profound reaches and admirable well seen in the principles of Machiuell and carefull aswell to preuent future blowes as to oppose against present perils either reuoluing in their far reaching wits or suspecting in their seared consciences that Henrie beeing sure seated in a peaceable estate could not possibly disgest so vilanous an indignity nor the world allow of so base a tiranny fall againe to their old plots but a new-Counsell viz. how they might vtterly dispossesse Henrie of his Empire Rodulph Duke of Sweuia Henries brother in law is presented with a golden Crowne thus inscribed Petra dedit Petro Petrus diadema Rodulpho And withall the Bishops of Magunce and Colen are commanded that rebelling against Henrie they shold set it vpon Rodulphs head and assist him therin to the vtmost of their forces Was it for Loue or Honor may the world dispute that the Pope became thus bountifull of an other mans patrimony to bestow it vpon Rodulph Or doth any History make mention that Rodulph was a more kinde Son to the Church then Henrie Beleeue me the Pope did neither vpon any such respects it was far from his imagination But this was the windlace of all if Henrie must liue in peace Henrie must seek reuenge but if the Duke of Sweuia find him play on one side Romandiola shall be secured on the other side Let Rodulph or Henrie sinke or swim meane while res nostrae tutiores redduntur that is the Court of Rome may securely swagger If Henrie haue the better yet shall he be much the weaker if Henrie haue the worse then all the care is taken for Rodulph is infinitly beholding vnto vs. And be it as be may nether party being potent Princes shall haue cause to laugh at their bargain let time try the sequell and so it hapned O the blind folly of ambition For albeit that Rodulph was the Emperors sworne liege-man his brother in law by mariage indowed with the Dukedom of Sweuia after his decease and honored with many other fauours notwithstanding being seduced by the faire and false protestations of the Bishops and borne out by his own greatnesse and the succours of Saxonie he inuadeth the Empire and rebelliously to his vtmost power moueth war against his Soueraigne master Caesar by the admonishment of the Bishop of Argentine seeing the danger arising from all parts leuieth his people affronteth Rodolph and setteth all vpon the hazard of a battell The issue whereof was this That the Pope vpon mistrust of the worst commanded both parties to Peace and that Henrie should expect his sentence at the Synode which shortly hee would proclaime to be held in Germanie Which limitation when Henrie stomacked vpon protestation that hee would suffer no Assembly to bee holden in Germanie vnlesse Rodolph were first remooued The Pope rather then hee would disharten Rodolph by finall Peace renueth the Excommunication and sendeth foorth his Mandates full stuffed with hellish furie Henrie is nothing abashed but the third time giueth the battell at Elistrum of Misia and there ouerthroweth his enemy This came to passe in the yeere 1080. the Ides of October Rodolph being grieuously wounded and from the field conueied to Merseburg intreateth the Bishops and the Leaders of his people to compeere before him Where being assembled Rodolph feeling death seazing vpon him stretched forth his right hand and said My Lords this is the hand with which I plighted my faith to my Lord Henrie At your intreaties thus and thus many times hath it vnfortunately fought against him Returne yee and make good your first Othes to the King I am to depart to my fathers Rodolph being vanquished and Germanie by his death resonably well quieted Henrie neither forgetting Hildebrands iniuries neither hauing his spirits so peaceably affected but that hee could call to remembrance how the Pope had twise Excommunicated him how for three dayes space being a most suppliant Petitioner in a very cold season he could attaine no reconciliation As also that cunningly hee had assisted his enemie euen the competitor of his Kingdome proclaimeth a Synod of the Bishops of Italy Lombardy and Germanie to bee celebrated at Brixia a Citie of Norica Where being assembled and the Acts of Hildebrand examined with one consent they promulge this suffrage For that it is apparently knowne that Hildebrand was not Elected of God but most impudently by fraud and briberie made his owne way to the Papall dignitie And therein being seated hath subuerted all the Orders of the Church disquieted the whole Christian world intended the death both of body and soule to a most peaceable and Catholicke King defended a periurd Prince and amongst the peaceable sowed seedes of discord c. Wee here Congregated by the Grace of God and assisted by the Legats and letters of nineteene Bishops assembled against the foresaid Hildebrand at Mognuce the eight day of Pentecost doe canonically giue iudgement against the said Hildebrand That he is to bee deposed and expelled for vnaduisedly Preaching of Sacriledges and factions defending Periuries and Scandals Abclieuer of Dreames and diuinations a notorious Necromancer a man possessed
publique oth of safe conduct was taken by his Sonne Henrie then being degraded most vnwillingly of all imperiall ensignes as also of his Crowne by the Bishops of Mogunce Colen and Wormes hee was committed to prison in the towne of Leyge where pining to death through griefe he finished his troublesome daies in this most lamentable maner Notwithstanding such was the irreconcilable rancor of these charity-preaching fathers that they not contented with these their most cruell turmoiles practised against his life Hyena-like with as barbarous bestiality they also preyed vpon his liuelesse carkasse For the body being already buried in the monastery of Leyge they inforced the Bishop of the place to dig it vp againe and without either honor to so great a personage or reuerence to holy sepulture they commanded it to bee cast amongst other carcases into a prophane place The reason was grounded vpon one of their owne Canons Quibus viris ecclesia non communicat illis etiam nec mortuis communicare possit Repentance etiam in nouissima hora and the reward of him that came into the vineyard at the cloze of the day equalized to his that began to worke in the dawning is of no force with them It is scripture and scripture you know is not sufficient for saluation I quake in writing Councels may controll It the Church The Councels and who is the Church the Pope For otherwise it were folly to broche so many positions as it doth against law conscience and sound diuinity if it lay not in their fulnesse of power to doe and vndoe say and vnsay To conclude at last the body is conueyed in a coffin of stone from Leyge to Spire and there also for fiue yeeres space it remained without the duties of Christian buriall ⧠Henrie the fift NOw let vs see if Henrie the fift seduced by the witchcraft of the false Pope to vsurpe vpon the Empire of his father experimented any other allowance of loue and fidelity from the Bishops then did his ancestor Comming vnto Rome to be crowned with the imperiall Dyadem he thought it much to concerne his honor to demand restitution of his right in the confirmation of Bishops Abbots and Prelates The Pope forgetfull of all former fauours doth stoutly deny the motion From request they fall to blowes insomuch that the Pope with certaine of his seruants was taken prisoner and conueied to Mount Soracte now called Mount Siluester Paschal seeing no remedy sent vnto the City for Notaries and at length confirmeth and reuiueth to the vse of the Empire the auncient prerogatiues claymed by the EMPEROVRS in the Creation and Inuestiture of Popes and Bishops and in requitall is honoured againe by the Emperour with many rich presents But such was the iust iudgement of God towards this Henrie that as he obserued not faith towards his father no more did others keep towards him For euen those men who for his sake had forsaken his father rise now in rebellion against the Son For presently vpon his returne in the yeere 1116. into Germanie the Pope congregateth a full Councell of his owne creatures and there bewailing his sinne which he had committed in surrendring his priuileges after long and solemne debating of the case vndoeth all he had done before confirmeth the Decrees of Gregorie the seuenth and vpon the custome lately taken vp Excommunicateth Henrie Hereupon many the Princes of Germanie and especially the Bishop of Mogunce fall into rebellion Caesar sendeth vnto the Pope to treat a peace but by his death that businesse was determined After his decease the Cardinalls create Gelasius Pope neither calling Caesar to Councell nor once acquainting him with their determinations Whereat Caesar being agreeued flyeth to Rome consecrateth Mauritius Archbishop of Brachar for Pope Gelasius being deposed and Maurice confirmed they both conspire with ioynt consent to curse the Emperor in his retrait from Rome dispersing their Ministers through Germanie after the precedents of their predecessors to incite the Subiects of the Emperor to rebellion Henrie fearing the sequell hastneth into Germany Gelasius being dead Calixtus the second being his successor warreth vpon the Antipope whom as wee told you the Emperour had consecrated Henrie perceiuing the Pope vnderborne by the Armes of the Normans to bee too strong for him and that he began to meate the same measure towards him as his predecessors had towards his father In the yeere 1122. by the speciall mediation of the Apostolicke Legat Lampert afterward Pope and called Honorius he became so deuote a Conuert to Papacie that hee resigned his whole right of Inuestiture concerning the Ring and the Staffe granted a free Election and Consecration to be thenceforth vsed in all Churches and couenanted to restore or at least to cause to be restored all Regalities formerly renounced or at least as many as remained in his dispose The Pope againe couenanted that the Election of Bishops and Abbots should be done in the Emperors presence without violence so farre foorth that the Elect should receiue his Regalities by the Scepter from the Emperour This Concord bore date at Wormes Nono Cal. Octob. Anno Dom. M.C.XXII But albeit this Henrie vtterly discouraged with the Thunder-bolts of curses gaue way to all Popish vsurpations and to the euerlasting staine and impouerishment of the Germane Empire thrust his necke vnder the yoke of the Romish tyrannie yet in regard of new tumults and rebellions practised in Belgia and the higher Germanie he could not liue out the remainder of his daies in affected peace For appeazement wherof as he trauelled towards Vtrick he fell sicke and died without issue This accident and not iniustly men argued to haue proceeded from the iudgement of God for that contrary to his commandement he had behaued himselfe so vngraciously towards a father that had so well deserued of him his sonne ⧠Lotharius Saxo. Hee raigned in the yeere 1125. about the fiue and twentie yeere of Henry the first HENRIE being gone and Germanie still reeking in blood and ciuill war The greatest care that the Bishops tooke was to prouide that the people should not reunite their forces and take time to breath from these inhumane and vnnaturall murders Whereupon after the death of Henrie when as Cunrade Duke of Sweuia Henrie the fift sisters sonne laied claime to the Empire against him by the cunning of Albert Archbishop of Mogunce they set vp Lotharius Duke of Saxonie the man in truth whose infidelity they had vsed in the miscarriage of Henrie the fifth Cunrade is now in march and hauing ouertopped mount Septim is honorably receiued of the Millanois and crowned by the Archbishop Anselme at Modoecia the chiefe Sea of the Kingdome of Italie Honorius in fauour of Lotharius and in despight of the House of Henrie which he thirsted vtterly to extinguish deposeth Anselme and by the terror of his Curses inforceth Cunrade to post out of Italie Who finally in despaire of the Germane aide by reason of
Emperor or euer after made vse pretending that the cause of his so and so doing took originall from these saucy and malepert speeches of the Popish ministers And thereupon causing the Legats to be safe conducted to their lodging at break of day hee commaunded them to be packing with especiall caution that they should not rome hether and thether vpon the liuings of the Bishops Abbots but that they should keepe the high way towards the Citie without declining therefrom either to the right hand or the left The especiall reason was that according vnto the accustomed dog-trick of the Romanists they should not disperse their conceiued poyson of discontent ouer all the Churches and Parishes of the Kingdome neither strip the Altars nor carie away the vtensils of Gods house nor fliece the crosses And because that no man should imagine that this intimation was inflicted aboue desert nor any commotion should thereupon arise Caesar by the councell of the wise men of his Kingdome sendeth his letters through the whole Empire shewing the tenour of the cause And thereunto adioyneth his most passionate complaints vpon the diminution of the honor of the Empire with a declaration That by the election of the Princes vnder God onely the Empire had deuolued to him and his successours Against which if any man presumed to affirme that the Emperour ought to hold of the Pope in fee he was to suffer punishment as a person guilty of an vntruth one that maintained an opinion contrarie to the diuine institution the doctrine of Saint Peter The Legats ariue at Rome where in most calumnious manner aggrauating their wrongs and iniuries in the presence of Hadrian by adding flame to fire they so incense his holinesse already transported with furie and reuenge but to thinke that Frederick had done what his auncestors durst not haue dreamed of for of which of the Romane Emperours is it read of that euer interdicted the Romanists Germanie That forthwith hee addresseth his minitory letters vnto Caesar wherein most bitterly and papally hee expostulateth with his Maiestie of these and all fore-passed greeuances The transcript whereof because they are worth the reading and animaduersion for the benefit of the Reader I will here insert Adrian Bishop seruant vnto the seruants of God sendeth greeting and apostolicall benediction vnto Frederick Emperour of Romanes As the Diuine Law assureth long life vnto those that render due obedience vnto their parents So vnto him that disobeyeth his father or mother it inflicteth the sentence of death and damnation The voice of veritie doth teach vs that euery soule that exalteth it selfe shall be humbled Whereupon beloued sonne in the Lord according vnto your wisedome we are not a little amazed that you shew not that measure of reuerence towards Saint Peter and the Romane Church as you are bound to doe In your letters dated to our Holinesse you insert your stile before Ours Wherein you incurre the scandall of presumption I will not say of Arrogancie As concerning your fealtie auowed and sworne to Saint Peter and vs how is it kept when you require Homage exact fealty and hold the holy hands of those betweene yours who are duly dedicated to God being his most glorious children viz. the Bishops shewing your selfe manifestly rebellious vnto vs in denying our Cardinals directed vnto you from our side not onelie entrance into the Churches but also into the Cities of your Kingdome Repent repent therefore wee aduise you least that in seeking to deserue a Crowne and coronation at our hands in affecting things vngranted you lose not what is alreadie granted We tender your noblenesse What inference of humility or apostolicall lenitie appeareth I beseech you in these letters nay rather may not a good Christian without offence terme such a pride to be truly Luciferian that taketh so great a scorne to haue the papall stile placed behinde the Imperiall as if other Emperours in their letters to His Holinesse had not before times done the like See 97. dist c. victor 63. distinct c. tibi After the receite of these blunt and proud-papall mandats the Emperour according to his excellent sufficiencie in Christian sapience requiteth him and as the prouerb is driuing out one naile with another he payeth his holinesse home in this manner Frederick by the grace of God Emperour of Romanes alwaies Augustus vnto Adrian Bishop of the Catholique congregation Whatsoeuer Iesus began to doe and to teach in all things ought wee that to follow The Law of Iustice distributeth vnto euerie man his owne Wee derogate not from our parents as long as in this Kingdome we vouchsafe them due Honour from whom viz. our progenitours wee haue receaued the dignitie and Crowne of the Kingdome I pray you in the time of Cōstantine was Siluester known to haue anie interest in the Regalties By his Pietie the Church obtained libertie and peace and what euer iura regalia your Papacie can claime they accrewed vnto you by the bountie of Princes Turne ouer the Cronicles and if you please not to belieue what I write there shall you finde as much as we affirme What should then let vs that we should not exact homage and oathes of allegeance from them which are Gods by adoption yet hold of vs in regaltie sithence that He who was ours and your Master taking nothing from the King but distributing all his goods indifferentlie amongst all persons paying tribute to Caesar for himselfe and Peter and leauing the example behinde him for you to follow hath warranted the president by saying Learne you of me for I am meeke and humble of heart Wherefore let them either resigne their regalties viz. their temporalities or in the name of God if they shall iudge them profitable let them giue vnto God the things that are Gods and vnto Caesar what belongeth to Caesar The reason wherefore we interdicted your Cardinals the Churches and forbad them our Cities was because we finde them not Preachers but robbers not peace-makers but money masters not conuerters of the people but heapers of insatiable treasure Yet when we shall finde them such as the Church ordaineth them messengers of peace lights to their Countrie and impartiall assistants to the cause of the Humble then will we not deferre to relieue them with competent stipends and necessarie prouisions meane time you wrong humilitie the Princesse of vertues and mightilie scandalize your submissiuenesse by terrifying the consciences of secular persons with positions wholy impertinent to religion Let your fatherhood therefore take heede lest while you motion points of such nature whereof we make light account that you offend not those who would otherwise euen in hast open their eares as willingly vnto the words of your mouth as vnto a presage of a ioyfull accident These things we can not but aunswere sithence so detestable a beast of pride hath crept into S. Peters Chaire Fare you well alwaies and God at all times make you carefull for the peace of
yours not so at leastwise in such worldly maner as you vse it For being nouell and conuersant in pompeous habiliments in Lordlie appellations in rich patrimonies in commerce in treaties inuestiture of Princes in maintaining of garrisons in rigging of gallies in entertaining of noble men and captaines for seruice how can it chuse but by plots and deuises to maintaine these worldly charges and titulary honors cleane contrary to the example of Christ the doctrine of the Apostles and the modesty of the Primitiue Church you shall bee constrained to mingle the leuen of the Lord with the abomination of Baal and in stead of preaching and praier your sole function to spend your times in perfecting and preuenting your own imaginations and your enemies designements For I know the kingdome of heauen is not of this world neither will flesh and blood respect you as they ought if as you say you should carry lowly shewes and truely practise Christian humilitie but you know where your reward is laid vp Imitate this good Emperor and thinke with your selues that in this he followed your sayings and not your doings Imitate you your sayings but saie and doe and then will the world turne their bitter reprehensions to sweetest Sonnets in praise and admiration of your liues Embassies And here I craue pardon for digression Againe to the History Albeit most of the Princes of Germanie Ecclesiasticall and secular namely Eberhard of Salisburg Seyfrid of Ratisbone Sibot of Augusta Bishops Leopold of Austria Otho of Merouia and Barnard of Carinthia Dukes with many other Nobles did to their vtmost labour with the Pope to reconcile his displeasure against Caesar then residing at Capua yet could not his Maiesty obtaine promise of pardon vntill he had giuen assurance to pay into the Churches exchequer by the hands of the Master of the Teutonick order the summe of one hundred and twenty thousand ounces of gold Is this to forgiue thy brother seauenty times seuen Or can sinne and trespasses be washed away by Masses of mony O impudent merchant Antichristian impostor The price being made pardon followeth and the Emperor inuited to a riotous feast where amongst many dishes simulata Amicitia I assure you is carried vp for a seruice For the Emperor was scarce vpon his way towards Germanie to represse the sonne of Henrie who with the Lombards and Thuscians had rebelled against him but he is openly giuen to vnderstand by the Princes that by messengers in the name of the Bishop they haue strict commandement not to acknowledge any man of the Emperors family for King and moreouer that hee had conspired with the states of Italie to disgrade him of all imperiall iurisdiction Whereat Caesar being full of discontent hauing tamed his rebells hee plagueth the mutinous Cities of Hetruria and Lombardie The Pope is now become more then mad and to disgorge melancholy for otherwise it will stifle him againe the third time he curseth the Emperor with book bell and candle And to be sure at this blow to tumble him quite downe from the height of all Imperiall dignity first hee treateth a league with the Venetians Then by the counsel of the Kings of France and England hee summoneth a councell to be celebrated at Rome in the Lateran wherein is a great dispute about the vtter abolishment of the regall authority of Fredericke Before the first sitting the heads of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul with due solemnity are carried round about the City And lastly in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Peter he maketh a sermon full of Commiseration proclaimeth the Croisado and promiseth life euerlasting to as many as shall take vp armes against his Maiestie Frederick being giuen to vnderstand that the Croisado was now proclaimed against him which was neuer from the daies of Adam heard of to be divulged against any but Turks and Infidels waxeth exceeding angry and directeth his forces to the walls of Rome combatteth with the Romanes rowteth them with a miserable slaughter and spareth not a man marked with the Crosse To some crosse-wayes he commanded foure words to be giuen Others had their heads clouen a crosse and the Clergie-men hee willed to be shauen to the quick and the signe of the crosse to be imprinted vpon their bald pates that so they who were but said to be signed with the Crosse might be so signed indeed Afterward by a long and tedious siege hauing forced Furentia and hearing that the Pope had sent forth his Legats to summon the English and French Prelats to the Councell he shutteth vp by sea and by land all passages and by the seruice of the Pisans taketh some Cardinals and many Prelates passing by sea and committeth them to prison Two Cardinals hee drowneth and assigneth to the gallowes some Abbots and Bishops but especially the Popes brother for their vnpardonable treasons Whereupon this good holy father sorrowing to see so many of the Lords annointed for treason to be so sharply vsed by Frederick became so moued and distempered at the indignity that falling into sicknesse through griefe of minde hee departed the same way which his beloued Sons had but lately foregone Celestine the fourth succeedeth and intendeth to proceed in the steps of his predecessor against Frederick had not death summoned him to attend another businesse in a fitter place For hee sate Bishop but eighteene daies and then was poisoned in drinking Innocentius the third succeeded whilom the Emperours deuotest friend but now his most bitter enemy persecuting his Maiesty with more furie then any of his deceased predecessors And thus it fell out Baldwin the Grecian Emperor hoping to play the part of a good Christian in supplying the office of him who was vtterly degenerated from all remembraunce of his owne function and calling laboured what hee could to set vnity betweene these two mighty monarchs for so is all Popery in truth though not in shew But the Bishop hauing no mind to hearken to so Christian-like a motion dealeth with the Geneois hauing a Nauie at that time riding at anchor in the Port of Centumcellae to transport him vnto Lyons in France and there illuding both Princes for their kindnesse and paines-taking proclaimeth a concionable causeth Fredericke to bee cited yea himselfe in the end of his Homely citeth him and for default of appearance although his sufficient substitute Thadeus Suessanus a most famous Lawyer humbly desired his Furiousnesse but to allow him a sufficient returne whereby hee might haue conuenable time for his repaire to Lyons he denieth him respit accurseth him depriueth him of al Imperial honors absolueth his subiects abetteth them in despight of Frederick to make choice of some other Most impudently alleadging so did euer the Pharisies by Christ because otherwise they could not effect their wills very vile false and forged suggestions against him as blasphemies periuries sacrilege and such like stuffe which see in C. Apostol de sent re iudicata lib. 6. The
during the short time of his Papacy As a good schoolemaster hee persisted constant in good will towards Caesar And against the French he assisted him with treasure and conioyned him in league with the Florentines the Siennois the Luquois the Roytelets of Italy the Apostolique sea with Henry of England and Lewes of Hungary But Adrian in the second yeere of his Papacy being departed not without suspition of poyson the fatall practises of the Bishops by so much the more eagernesse outflamed by how much they had gathered materialls to worke vpon during the time of the former respiration For Iulius of Medices otherwise Clement the seuenth after much wrangling being elected Pope before his installation was no man more esteemed of Caesar From the Church of Toledo by his bounty he receiued an annuity of ten thousand duckats He reconciled him so throughly into the fauour of Adrian from whence he was fallen that in all affaires of importance Adrian made him only of his counsell But no sooner Pope no sooner traitor Against his Lord hee complotteth league vpon league discharging his bills of account with acquittances of this nature For Francis the French king being in Italy and after the taking of Millan dispersing his forces throughout Lombardy Clement worketh the dis-union of the Hadrian confederacy and forbiddeth the Florentins the Syennois and the Luccois to pay the money which by the conuention they ought to haue sent vnto Caesar By Albert Pius Prince of Carpi he concluded a Clandestine league with king Francis meane time cunningly treating with the Imperialists by way of sequestration and Indifferency to impledge the territory of Millan into his discretion But the deuise being vtterly disliked and fortune against all imagination so crossing his designements that in a memorable defeature Francis was taken prisoner at Paruie and carried captiue into Spaine then to his perpetuall reproch of leuity and inconstancy to flater with Caesar he parted with an infinit masse of mony for his souldiers arrerages yet during these passages in iealouzy that Charles would turne his thoughts to the conquest of Millan which of all his Italian pretendācies was only left vnconquered he goeth to counsel with Loyesse the Queen mother Henry king of England the Venetians and some other Potentates how to expulse the Imperialists out of Italie and redeeme Francis To set forward the execution whereof he dealeth with Ferdinand Dauila a man of eminent place souldiery in Caesars Campe assaieth to draw him to the party and for a bait offereth him the title of the kingdom of Naples Dauila being of a subtill close disposition accepteth learneth the secrets of the enemies proiects and acquainteth his master therewith Caesar laugheth at the mans periury who being the principall architect of all iniurious preiudiciall proceedings against him had notwithstanding himselfe made his enemy priuy to counsels giuen him very serious cautions in future how to proceede in his affaires and how to prouide for his owne security with an intimation to become carefull to bind the loyalties of his men of warre with greater deuotion to his seruice Wherby finding himselfe ouer-reacht by Dauila he giueth not ouer but trieth another way to the wood And thus it was Francis being set at liberty by Caesar and vnwilling to make good these conuentions wherunto by the treaty of Madril he stood obliged he takes hold of the occasion absolueth him of his oath confederateth anew with the French and some others and proclaimeth the confederacy by the name of the Most holy League Inserting amongst the Articles that Caesar also might be cōprehended therin So that he would first re-deliuer vpon a competent ransome the children of France as yet in hostage for their father restore Millan to Sforza and enter Italie for his Coronation with no greater troops then should seeme requisite to the discretions of the Pope and the Venetians What indifferent Reader weighing the originall of this league the time wherein it was concluded and the occasions wherupon it was broched can make any other construction to his vprightest censure but that his Holinesse had small intention by these iniurious breaches of concluded articles to further the publique peace but rather to administer matter of implacable heart-burnings and assured wars between the Princes For by one Apostaticall Breue first the conditions of the peace are prescribed to so high and mighty an Emperor by his subiect and Vassall Sforza of Milan secondly the oath of the French King duely and solemnly taken is pardoned and frustrated thirdly Caesar is commanded to re-deliuer the children of France as if it were not enough by the releasement of the fathers oath to be once deluded Fourthly He is commanded not to winke at but to perpetuate the tyranny of the Italian Kinglings Fiftly he is commanded to forbeare to come vnto Italy vnlesse he proportioned his troops to the shape of the Papal and Venetian limitations Sixtly He is commanded to giue pardon to Traitors and for conclusion in case of not-performance warre is denounced by sea and by land Amidst which dishonorable limitations what could Caesar doe but in true acknowledgement of the vprightnes of his cause reiect these base conditions with as great courage on the one side as they were insolently propounded by the other reposing more hope in his innocency then in the multitude of Horse or shipping And surely God almighty the vnpartiall Iudge of humane actions so moderated the execution of his diuine iustice that whatsoeuer complots this architect of euill counsell meant to haue throwne downe vpon the head of Caesar the very same befell his own person euen when he thought himselfe to stand vpon so sure a ground as to be an onely Spectator of the ensuing troubles For Caesar beeing awakened at the Report of so famous a Confederacie dispatched into Italy the Duke of Burbon Fronsperg Captaines of admirable reputation for their cariage in the last warres with warrant to defend Naples now by the tenor of the league giuen in prey to warre and dis-vnion These Leaders pretending as if they meant to passe by Florence now growen proud by the continuance of peace their mighty Citizen the Pope and the late league at last bending their course by the mountaines and rocks vpon the sixt day of May they solemnly entred Rome droue Clement into the Bastil of Adrian and vpon want of all necessaries his Bulls his Breues and execrations thicke and threefold breathed out against the Germanes and Spaniards standing him in no stead compelled him to yeeld but with so seruile and base conditions as vpon the like neuer did Souldier to this day giue vp his fort The insolency of the Spaniard and the inhumanity of the Germane I am not able in apt words to display See Guicoiardine and the Histories of those times For besides their horrible pillagings their spoiles their rauishments and their wasts no kinde of scorne was left vnpractised against the Pope
violated their faith and broken their leagues That against all right and equitie their words are of no validity nor their oathes of force And therefore hereafter neuer to be captiuated with security He was created Emperour in the yeare of our Lord 1564. A Prince of a sincere disposition especially in matters of religion which when hee perceiued to be sorely shaken and rent with diuersity of opinions hee greeued in minde but shewed himselfe indifferent to the professors thereof neuer hindering the course with any seuere edict Which his godly moderation caused the Romanists to offer him some hard measure surely not to be said to haue vtterly washt away the contagion of their ancient treacherie and malice in esse diuolued vpon them from the successiue discent of so many their predecessors But this worthy Prince was nothing mooued thereat neither started one iot from his accustomed lenitie Crato Craftheim his Councellor and Physition a man beyond all exception shall witnesse it in his funerall Oration The Emperor Maximilian neuer entred into iudgement of another mans Conscience but alwaies in controuersie of Religion forbore by force to settle mens minds For he confessed in the hearing of many men ten yeeres agoe vnto William Prelate of Olomuch That no sinne was more greeuous then the forcing of Consciences Many are also aliue who remember what hee said to a Prince flying his kingdome and in his flight resorting vnto him for succour Surely those that arrogate power ouer mens consciences inuade the bulwarkes of Heauen and oftentimes loose that Authority which God here hath giuen them vpon earth Such care and study as Father Ferdinand vsed in obseruing the Pacification of Passania the same the sonne Maximilian emulated and defended permitting vnto the Austrian Nobility the doctrine of the confession of Ausburg by edict dated the 18. August 1568. For when as many noble men of Austria vnder the gouernment of Ferdinand had presented vnto Charles the fift certaine Euangelicall ministers professing the Confession of Ausburg and amongst these many turbulent spirits dismissed vppon many occasions from many parts of Germanie had resorted vnto his gouernment as to a place of security And vnder blinde pretences of Euangelicall liberty had inconsiderately innouated and tumultuously preached many things concerning Church-gouernement This Maximilian after the example of his father thought it not meet to prohibit his subiects the confession of Ausburg and yet forbore not to restraine that anarchiall temerity of such hot spirits throughout euery seuerall village of the Prouince almost teaching and instituting a peculiar forme of Doctrine and Ceremonies At last at the earnest entreaty and humble petitions of the Austrian Nobility he permitted them the free exercise of the Augustan confession both in Churches and families so that they would assure him to obserue that certaine order of doctrine and celebration of the Lords supper throughout all their Churches which as then was already vsed and imbraced by the residue of the Protestant Churches according to the prescript of order of the said confession For reformation whereof he emploied Ioachim Camerarius and Dauid Chytreus and the promise once granted being afterwards Emperor he obserued most religiously Of whose faith and integrity although to his neuer dying honour much may be spoken yet here will we cease and fall to discourse vpon the succession of his Sonne Rodolph What further matter the good and well minded Reader may expect I will leaue to his own discretion to be exemplified by the application of these old verses Tempora mutantur Papa mutatur in illis Felix quem faciunt Romana pericula cautum ⧠Rodolph the second RODOLPH now onely remaineth Here whether I should admire at the busie but now out-worne fury tyranny and ambition of these selfe-wild Bishops or reioice at the restored magnanimity fortitude and constancy of our Emperour Rodolph I confesse my selfe grauelled But to affirme nothing of mine owne braine here behold a witnesse acting his own part A man aboue exception auouching He is the same who was Author of the Commentary vpon the Coloin Businesse These are his words What saith hee should I speake of the inuincible Emperour Rodolph who now raigneth I haue seene his Embassadours at Rome the most noble and valiant Lord Flacchus Prior of the Order of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem in Germany and Ierome Turner of his Maiesties Councell A man of exquisit learning of high wisedom faithfull and honest I soiourned with them in the same house For they lodged with Cardinall Mandrutius whome for honours sake I name my very honourable good Master and a man of excellent vertues He for acquaintance sake intertained them kindly and vsed them royally they stayed with vs almost one whole summer of which delay this was the cause The Pope Gregorie the thirteenth was wonderfull desirous to haue the Emperour performe his obedience to his Popeship For that it ought so to be he pleaded prescription The Ambassadors to doe more then their Commission warranted resolutely refused And their Commission stretched no further then to promise Obsequium his humble seruice to the Pope but obedience vnto the Church Letters hereof were sent vnto his Maiesty and meane while Turner was eagerly assaulted by the Cardinals to change opinion but he was constant At last vntill the Emperors Maiesty could be wrought to relinquish that forme of words which the worthy and laudable Caesars Ferdinand his grandfather and Maximilian his father had vsed the Embassador was accepted to do what he was commanded And so in a full assembly of the Cardinals the Pope being mounted vpon an high Seig Hee promised his Holinesse his seruice and the Church his obedience In action whereof he gaue good proofes of his learning wisedome and admirable boldnesse To many in the City this seemed a ridiculous contention sithence the words obsequium and obedientia doe so little differ in substance but let them laugh The Popes rites well vnderstand the meaning thereof otherwise let them bee assured that his wisedome would not so stifly haue insisted vppon the bare word of obedience As for the Emperour the world knoweth that here he made it manifest that hee was not bound to giue obedience vnto a Bishop his subiect from whome hee expected subiection and fealtie At leastwise he layde an excellent foundation towards the restitution of the decayed Honour of the Empire by others to be perfected as God and time shall offer occasion For what a greater blessing can a Christian man wish then to see a Bishop praying and preaching and abhorring to prescribe lawes vnto a temporall Emperour What other thing more necessarie for peace and humane society can the Councel of State deuise then to bridle seditious mindes from taking aduantage to disquiet the State vpon euery sinister seducement of an vnconscionable Iesuite Which if they once effect then shall the Emperours giue them their due fauours that is acknowledge the Lateran Bishops to be venerable fathers If these passages I say were