I would aske Whether all they who in anie Councell heretofore were the Popes Legats had this title themselues and deriued it to their successors How manie simple Bishops should since that time haue had this title if that were true That the Monke wrote in the same stile to the Patriarch of Antioch Baronius himselfe confesseth but will you see what he wrote to him of Ierusalem to whom Baronius doth not affoord this title he concealeth the subscription and for anie thing we know it may be the same with the other but what sayth he towards the foot of the letter Thou saith he art Prince of the Apostles though thou be reckoned the fift in order and so by his reckoning the Pope of Rome is a Patriarch as others were but he of Ierusalem was the chiefe in regard of those holie deuotions done vnder him as is there said And he addeth farther a reason of this prioritie and preheminence For sayth he where that Bishop of Soules and High Priest Christ Iesus was borne and wrought his heauenly miracles where he suffered and was buried where he was raised againe to life and liued and thence taken into heauen there also must needs be the supreame or soueraigne dignitie and honour viz. of the Church See good reader what light and friuolous arguments these men are faine to hunt for in euerie idle flatterie of a Monke to exalt and magnifie that See of Rome 29. PROGRESSION Of Sergius the second and of the open Simonie vsed in his time AFter the death of the Emperor Lewis his sonnes who so well agreed against him fell to variance among themselues and saith Sigonius as the dignitie of the French by occasion of these diuisions diminished so that of the Italians meaning of the Popes encreased Charles sumamed the Bauld Carolus Caluus Sigibert en 844. Platinae in Sergio Sigon de Reg. Ital. lib. 5. had for his partage the kingdome of France Lewis all Germanie Eastward of the Rhine Lotharius all the Low Countries Burgundie Prouence Italie and Rome with the Title of the Empire So that of all the children the Pope had especially to deale with Lotharius and his eldest sonne Lewis whom he associated in the Empire in the yeare 844 and proclaimed king of Italie An. 844. In this yeare died Gregorie the fourth who had alreadie begun to make his profit of their dissentions The Clergie and Senat of Rome immediatly after his death elected Sergius the second consecrated him without expecting the Mandat of the Emperour Though Anastasius their owne Historian Anastas in Leo. 4. in the life of Leo the fourth successor vnto Sergius saith in expresse tearmes That the Romans durst not consecrate a Pope without authoritie from the Emperour Which he would neuer haue written if that pretended Renunciation of Lewis the first Emperor had taken place But Sergius making his hay in the Sun-shine of their diuision went through with it This is he as Platina reporteth that first altered his name though Onuphrius attributeth it to Iohn the twelfth also who first ordained That no Bishop might be conuicted but in the mouth of seuentie two witnesses and yet himselfe put to death a certaine Cardinall Priest and an enemie of his called Athanasius vpon the testimonie of farre fewer witnesses Also this is he whose raigne is so foulely stained and blotted with detestable simonie Author Coaetaneus apud Vignerium pa. 214. 215. He had saith a certaine Author of that time a brother called Benedict and surnamed Brute being indeed of brute behauiour who growing vpon the weakenesse of the Pope vsurped the execution and administration of all affaires as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuile and had by briberie and corruption obtained of the Emperour Primatum dominium Romae that is as we interpret the chiefe place and gouernement of Rome Shortly after he seised into his hands the Bishopricke of Alba marring all in euery place by his auarice and vaine behauiours Aboue all vnder this Pope and his brother Simonie grew monstrous Bishoprickes were openly set to sale and they carried them who could giue most for them Neither was there any Bishop or other who led with the zeale of God would deale with the Emperour for the restraint and reformation of this horrible abuse And this was the cause why seeing no Christian sought to redresse this sinne God sent in Pagans to punish their transgressions The Sarasens comming suddenly and vnawares vpon them slew infinit multitudes of men set fire on townes and castles And the Histories from hence forward are full of these calamities But let vs looke backe and see what the Emperour Lotharius did OPPOSITION So soone as Lotharius vnderstood of the consecration of the Pope made without his priuitie and in prejudice of the Empire he presently sent his sonne Lewis into Italie with an armie Baron vol. 10. an 844. art 5. Sigebert saith he sent to confirme him Baronius speaketh all saue good of him for so saying But what euer the cause was he gaue him his vncle Drogo Archbishop of Mets for a guide and conductor in this voyage They lay to his charge That he passed with great terrour and crueltie through Italie And the truth is that he chastised with some rigour the citie of Boulogne for not receiuing him as they ought borne out as it should seeme by the Pope But when he came to Rome he entred the Vatican Palace where the Pope attended his comming and receiued him according to the custome Sigonius will needs report Osculum sancto pedi infixit Anastas in Sergio 2. Plat. ib. That he kissed his holie foot but the world was not yet come to that Anastasius who vseth not to loose any of the Popes prerogatiues saith onely That the Emperour and the Pope embraced each other And Platina That they entertained each other with a mutuall kisse And then the Pope vsing his Church power and standing at S. Peters Church doore which was shut If thou art come said he for the good of this Church and Citie then enter by my commaund if otherwise by my good will they shall not be opened vnto thee And when Lewis had graciously assured him of his good meaning he caused the doores to be set open to him and to the great ones that were about him Yet did the whole armie also rush into the citie to see it and to visit the Churches So much had the Clergie of Rome alreadie preuailed by their dissentions The issue of all was That Sergius ancled crowned and proclaimed Lewis Anastasius saith King of Lombards Ado and Leo Hostiensis say Ado Viennen in Chron. Leo Hostien King of Italie and Emperour with a joyfull acclamation of the people and both Platina and Sigonius speake after the same manner And Anastasius saith farther That the Pope would not suffer the Romans to sweare fealtie to Lewis but only to the Emperor Lotharius whereof other Authors make no difference And a certaine Author of that time
attempts his fortitude in the middest of dangers his incredible courage patience in labours counsell answerable to his magnanimitie and his diligence as farre forth as his age is capable in militarie affaires his knowledge of diuine and humane lawes an euerlasting desire of peace care of religion bountie towards the poore clemencie towards the vanquished benignitie towards his friends beneuolence towards souldiers in all which he hath excelled all the German and Roman Princes that euer were And if he had beene a wicked tyran yet it had beene our dueties to haue obeyed him not to rebell against him and all humane lawes and the decrees of our forefathers doe forbid a mans aduersaries his enemies to be his accusers witnesses and Iudges The Emperour made peace with Hildebrand in Italie whilest by the perfidious treacherie of a few Saxonie fell from him A traiterous tyran who receiued due punishment for his treacherie contemning all oathes and promises and all affinitie and kindred inuaded him At the last he concludeth No man may proceed or pronounce sentence against a man that is depriued vntill he be restored to his former estate See the booke and read the law and so he deliuered it to Wesilus Archbishop of Mence Guebhard Bishop of Saltzbourge being for his age eloquence and learning chosen Prolocutor by the Bishops that tooke part with Hildebrand was mute and answered not a word From that time forward many of the Bishops and Princes of Saxonie abiure the sect of Hildebrand that name they retained in the time of Vrban and repenting themselues of what they had done came to the Emperour Onely foureteene persist obstinat therein who being assigned to appeare the moneth following at Mence at their day of appearance came not There the rest of the Bishops of Germanie being present with the Legats of the Bishops of France and Italie by the common consent of all the sect of Hildebrand is judged to be contrarie to Christian pietie Otho called Vrban being conuicted of sacriledge and irreligion was excommunicated and those foureteene being condemned of rebellion periurie murder were deposed Moreouer Historiographers doe obserue that in one yeare all the Bishops and Princes died that had kindled those ciuile warres wherewith the whole Empire for the space of seuenteene yeares had beene set on fire and they recite them by name which was in the yeare 1090. An. 1090. Waltram in Epist ad Ludouic Comitem It was at this time that Waltram Bishop of Magdeburge writ an Epistle to the Earle Lodowick whom hee calls a glorious Prince wherein he proues out of the Scriptures that obedience is due to lawfull Kings and Princes to the end he might arme him against the imposters of that age who to women and the vulgar sort of people preached contrary doctrines setting likewise before his eyes the judgements of God vpon Rodolph Hildebrand the Marquesse Egbert and diuers other Princes who bare armes for the Pope against the Emperour Sigebert in Chron. At which time likewise Sigebert speaking of Vrban chosen against Clement and of those things that followed thereupon From hence saith he grew scandalls in the Church and diuisions in the State the one disagreeing from the other the Kingdom from the Priesthood one excommunicating another the one contemning the excommunications of the other either out of a preiudicat opinion of the cause or the person and whilest the one abuseth the authoritie of excommunicating against the other by doing it rather according to his owne lusts than with any respect of iustice he that gaue the power of binding and loossing is altogether contemned Doubtlesse this noueltie that I may not say heresie did not till now appeare in the world That his Priests who causeth the hypocrite to raigne for the sinnes of the people should teach the people That they owe no subiection to wicked Kings and though by oath they bind themselues vnto him yet they owe him no fidelitie neither are they to be accounted periured persons who resist the King but rather to be accounted an excommunicat person that obeyes the King and that man to be absolued from all iniustice and periurie that opposeth himselfe against him Others speake more confidently Then did there arise false Prophets Apostles Priests who deceiued the people with a false religion doing great signes and wonders and of some he makes instance who began to sit in the Temple of God and to be extolled aboue all that is worshipped and whilest they goe about to establish their owne power they extinguish all charitie and Christian simplicitie c. As if the decree of the immortall God kept not alwayes one course That no periured persons shall inherit the kingdome of heauen The most part of the best sort of men such as were iust and honest and ingenuous and simple haue left in writing That at that time they foresaw the Empire of Antichrist to be beginning and those things to come to passe that our Sauiour Christ Iesus had long before foretold Sigebert and Auentine after diuers others doe note Auent l. 5. That the prodigious wonders that were obserued in those times did astonish the minds of most men The heauens saith he seene many times to burne the Sunne and Moone to lose their light the starres to fall from heauen to the earth burning torches fierie darts flying through the ayre new starres neuer seene before Sigebert in Chron. Auent l. 5. pitched pauillions and armies in the ayre encountring one another and innumerable the like whereby the people were confirmed in their opininion But especially when they saw the sonne to conspire against the state and life of his father Conrade against Henrie who had appointed him to be his successor An. 1095. and that by the persuasion compulsion and approbation of Pope Vrban instigated or rather bewitched by the cunning of Mathilda his father in the meane time leauing nothing vndone that might regaine him to his duetie obedience who preuailing nothing by his just gentle exhortations was enforced in the Councels and solemne assemblies of the Empire to beg vengeance from heauen and earth euen with teares in his eyes All this in the meane time was couered vnder a pretence of that sacred and plausible expedition to Hierusalem the mysterie whereof William of Malmesburie opened before vnto vs That by that meanes Vrban might recouer his authoritie at Rome or rather diuert the minds of men imployed about remote affaires from those more necessarie businesses that touched them more neerely at home That whilest they bended all their endeuors abroad to persecute the Infidels they might neglect Antichrist freely wasting all at home in the Church Neither wanted he in that impure and darke world a bait whereby to win and allure the simple people to that war which was an absolute absolution from all their sinnes without any penance What greater encitement could there be to men who were to inuade a countrey wherein all things were left to the
others but Frederick verie easily repressed him He also fostred incited against him the rebellions of Lombardie but these same also in the yeare 1237 An. 1237. Frederick hauing ouercome in battel at Corte noua brought them to that extremitie that he cōstrained almost al to yeeld themselues to his discretion Gregory til then could find no cause to manifest himselfe an open enemie against Frederick who onely sought but his owne But behold an occasion offered Frederick by force of armes recouered a part of Sardinia called Galura Gregorie pretendeth that all Sardinia belongeth to the Church therefore that this portion ought to be restored vnto him and we haue seene before vpon what friuolous title Contrariwise Frederick went carefully about to retaine it as being the auncient demaine of the Roman Empire and hereupon Gregorie being obstinatly bent he gaue the kinglie title thereof to Hentius his bastard Then was the Pope resolued on the day of Coena Domini to excommunicat him heaping vp together many vaine and friuolous causes which before he had not spoken of to strengthen the same Which Frederick vnderstanding being then at Padua sitting on his throne of justice declared and made his Apologie by Peter de Vineis his Chancellor who forgat nothing of the abuses and corruptions of the Pope and of the Court of Rome To the same end wrot the Emperour to the Romans and to all the other Princes cleering the equitie of his cause against all the obiections of the Pope and to shew how little account hee made of his Anathemaes he sent vnto him these verses Roma diu titubans longis erroribus acta Corruet mundi desinet esse caput Rome in great errours long time tost and shaken Head of the world no more shall fall forsaken But on the other part Gregorie openly professed himselfe head of the rebels of Lombardie stirred vp new commotions in Apulia joyning to himselfe in league the Genowayes and Venetians so that daily appeared some new treasons against Frederick some new rebellions still arose notwithstanding Frederick who lost no time passed into Tuscane and drew neere vnto Rome Now was it time for Gregorie to haue recourse to Precessions in shew for to mollifie the hearts of the people but in effect to trie all extreame meanes to publish the same indulgences pardons and absolutions from all enormities to such as should crosse themselues against Frederick as were woont to be granted to them that crossed themselues for the Holie Land against the Saracens So that an armie of Croysadoes issued forth of Rome and met him in the field but were by him in the first encounter ouerthrowne with a great slaughter With like faith and deuotion Gregorie conuerted against him the money that he had exacted throughout all Christendome namely in Germanie France and England vnder colour for the Holie Land and the Friers Preachers and Minors had none other theame of their sermons but this That there was greater merit in ruinating Frederick and his than in exterminating the Saracens than whom they were farre worse This rage passeth yet further Gregorie writeth to king S. Lewis requesting that his letters might be read coram toto Baronagio Franciae Before all the Barons of France That he had deposed Frederic and set Robert his brother in his place being resolued to assist him to this effect with all the forces of the Church Whereunto answered in full Councell Circumspecta Francorum prudentia saith the Author the circumspect prudence of the Frenchmen the words deserue to be written at length By what spirit or with what bold timerity hath the Pope disinherited and cast downe from the top of the Empire so great a Prince than whom none greater neither equall among Christians being not conuicted neither confessing the crimes obiected against him And if he were to be deposed for his demerits yet he could not be iudged but by a generall Councell Of his faults his enemies ought not to be beleeued of which number the Pope was knowne to be the chiefe For our parts hee hath beene vnto vs hitherto innocent yea rather a good neighbour neither haue we seene any hurtfull thing in him in secular faithfulnesse nor in the Catholike faith Wee know that he hath faithfully made warre for our Lord Iesus Christ valiantly exposed himselfe to the dangers of the sea and of battels We haue not found so much religion in the Pope but contrariwise he which ought to haue aduanced and protected him fighting the battels of God hath endeuoured wickedly in his absence to ruinat and supplant him The prodigall effusion of our bloud against him the Romans little regard so they may satisfie their wrath And when he shall haue by vs or others ouercome him he will trample vnder feet all the Princes of the world and lift vp his hornes of boasting and pride because he hath oppressed Frederick a great Emperour But least wee should seeme to haue receiued the Popes message in vayne though it he apparent to vs that the Church of Rome hath not done it for loue of vs but for hatred of the Emperour we will send prudent embassadours vnto him which may diligently enquire of his faith and certifie vs of it and if they find nothing but sound and good wherefore should we molest him But if he or any other bee it the Pope himselfe should hold an euill opinion concerning God we will persecute him to the death which the Popes embassadours hearing departed confounded There went then solemne French embassadours to the Emperour who rehearsed to him from poynt to poynt that which they had heard from the Pope Which when the Emperour vnderstood he was astonished at so vnmeasurable an hatred and answered I am a Catholike Christian rightly beleeuing all the articles of the Orthodoxall faith my Lord Iesus Christ forbid that I should euer depart from the faith of my noble fathers and predecessors for to follow the steps of vile cast-awayes The Lord iudge betweene me and him who hath so wickedly defamed me through the world and lifting vp his hands vnto heauen with teares and sighes he cried out The Lord God of reuenges render vnto him his reward Thus writeth the Monke Mathew Paris an English Chronicler And let the Reader judge what opinion France and S. Lewis had of this Pope In the meane time the affaires of Syria waxed daily worse and worse and the Christians that last passed thither had ill successe in Damascus which gaue pretext to Gregorie to call a Councell at Lateran An. 1240. in the yeare 1240 in which Frederick consented to be present hauing made truce with him But when he heard that he had sent his Legats Iames Cardinall of Prenest and Otho of S. Nicholas beyond the Alpes vnder colour to exhort the Princes to send to the Councell but indeed to make him odious to exact money of the Churches and to abuse the Councell against him hee intreated the Princes his confederats not to send
a greater and more diuine power granted vnto them from aboue for further edification and not for destruction they were the deepelier engaged to exclude and extirpate such bloud-suckers out of the Church of God And so inferring that his commaundements were of this nature and therefore not Apostolicall For this saith he would be but either a manifest defect corruption or abuse of his sacred and absolute power or an absolute recession from the glorious throne of our Lord Iesus Christ and a present accession to the pestilentiall chaire of infernall torments intimated in the two forementioned Princes of darkenesse Neither can any subiect or faithfull one vnto that seat in immaculat and incontaminat obedience and no wayes by schisme disseuered nor rent from the same bodie of Christ and the same holie seat obey the same precepts commaundements or iniunctions from whence soeuer they come yea though it were from the highest order of Angels but of necessitie he must needs with his whole power contradict oppose them For the sanctitie of the See Apostolicall can enioyne nothing but that which tends to edification and not destruction for herein consists the fulnesse of power That all things may be done to edification and these things which are tearmed Prouisions tend no way to edification but to manifest destruction Wherefore the blessed seat Apostolicall may no wayes entertaine them because flesh and bloud which shall not inherit the kingdome of heauen hath reuealed these things and not the father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is in heauen Vpon the receit of these letters Innocent so stormed as he vowed by Peter and Paul That if a certaine naturall clemencie did not dissuade me I would bring him to such a confusion that he should be an example terrour prodigie and a verie fable to all the world Is not the king of England our vassall nay and to say more our bondchild who at a becke of our finger can imprison and impose vpon him any reproach or shame And the Cardinals could hardly assuage his furie by saying How it was not conuenient to denounce any hard Decree against the Bishop for to confesse but truth said they these things are most true which he inferreth Condemne him we cannot he is a Catholike nay and a most holie one more holy more religious and more excellent than our selues and of a farre better life so as it may hardly be beleeued that amongst all the Prelats there is any one better or equall to him This the whole French and English Clergie know and therefore our contradictions would but little auaile and so the truth of this Epistle which peraduenture is well knowne to many may excite and stirre vp many against vs For he is reputed a great Phylosopher absolutely learned in the Geeeke and Latine tongues a louer of iustice a publike Reader in Diuinitie Scholes a Preacher to the people a louer of chastitie and a persecutor of Symoniacks This was vttered by the Lord Aegidius a Spanish Cardinall and others who seemed to be touched euen in their owne consciences And so they aduised our Lord the Pope conniuently with dissimulation to passe ouer all these matters not raising any stirre or tumult thereupon But obserue the reason which he annexed to all the former allegations Especially saith he because it is knowne that a departure must one day happen That departure foretold by the Apostle in the second to the Thessalonians cap. 2. Antichrist himselfe being to be the author hereof whom they expected and looked for not as they would haue it beleeued from Babylon but euen out of the heart of the Church from Rome it selfe And hereupon grew Innocents mortall hatred to Lincolne But this verie yeare he fell sicke in his house at Buckdon where speaking to Frier Iohn of S. Giles one of the Predicant Order he both sharply reprehended him others of his institution vowing pouertie That they did not reprehend the sinnes of great men with whom they were familiar yea though it were of the Pope himselfe who committed the care of soules to his owne vnworthie kinsmen that were both ignorant and greene in yeares this being a true heresie contrarie to sacred Scripture which commaunds vs to ordaine fit and conuenient Pastors and therefore the Pope was an heretike in doing so and they in conniuing thereat being both worthie of eternall punishment Then calling about him his Clergie and mourning for those soules which perished through the auarice of the Court of Rome Christ said he came into the world that he might gaine soules and therefore whosoeuer feares not to loose soules he may not worthily be tearmed an Antichrist God in six dayes created the whole world but for mans redemption he trauelled and suffered therein more than thirtie yeares may not therefore a destroyer of soules be thought to be the enemie of God and Antichrist The Pope impudently annihilates the priuiledges of the holie Roman Bishops his predecessors with this Prouiso Non obstante c. Grant that any of those Popes were saued and God forbid the contrarie doth not our Sauiour say He that is least in the kingdome of heauen is greater than Iohn Baptist a greater than whom there was neuer any amongst the sonnes of women Is not then such a Pope who was a giuer and confirmer of priuiledges greater than this man liuing Wherefore doe they then that follow root vp the foundations laid by their predecessors Many Apostolicall persons confirmed diuers priuiledges which had formerly in pietie beene granted Are not many alreadie saued through diuine grace of farre greater authoritie than one who yet hangs in danger From whence then proceeds this iniurious temeritie to frustrat the priuiledges of so many auncient Saints And here hee spake liberally against the rapines and simonies of the Roman Church which enioyned the Friers Mendicants to be alwayes neere at hand to those who were departing the world to the end to persuade them to bequeath a part of their goods by Will and Testament for the aid of the Holie Land or if they recouered health to vow a journey thither They sold the Croisado to lay persons euen as they were woont to sell oxen and sheepe in the Temple they sold many things and these peraduenture to be appropriated to their owne vses And we also viewed the Popes letter wherin we found written That they which made such Testaments tooke vpon them the crosse or affoorded any aid or succour to the Holie Land the more money they bestowed the more plenarie Indulgence they should receiue In briefe Eius auariciae totus non sufficit orbis Eius luxuriae meretrix non sufficit omnis The whole world not suffic'd his auarice to content Nor harlots all his lust so ill his mind was bent And it was in this that he did manifest by what meanes the Roman Court like as Behemoth in Iob promised to swallow vp all Iordan in his throat might vsurpe vnto her selfe the goods of all intestates and
gotten or come by But after this just judgement he fell into such a desperation and madnesse as some thirtie dayes after he yeelded vp his life giuing occasion of a prouerbe which did as it were epitomize his whole Popedome He entred like a Foxe liued like a Lyon and dyed like a Dog Some say thus much was presaged vnto him by Celestine in these words Ascendisti vt Vulpes Ranulph in Policronico l. 7. c. 39. Walsingham in histor Angl. thou didst ascend like a Foxe The Tuscan storie questionlesse deliuers it written That in the election of Popes it ranne by way of prophesie Intrabit vt Vulpes which the historie called Fasciculos Temporum notes to haue beene fulfilled in euerie respect This Pope grew to such an height of arrogancie as he would stile himselfe to be the Lord of all the world as well things temporall as spirituall and many things he did out of magnificence which at last failed most miserably Concerning matters of doctrine there flourished at this time in France one Robertus Gallus a man verie famous who of a Prelat became a Dominican and as it seemed he did not approue of the manners and customes of that Order There is a booke of his extant at Paris comming forth together with the prophesies of Hildegard wherein comprehending certaine visions of his owne in the fift chapter he calls the Pope Idolum an Idoll and he brings in God speaking in these words Who set this Idoll on my throne to command ouer my flocke he hath eares yet doth he not heare the clamor and crie of those that lament and descend downe into hell though their howlings drowne the sound of trumpets and the fearefull claps and reports of the thunder Eyes he hath and yet he sees not the abhominations of his people nor the exorbitancies of their pleasures what wickednes does his people performe daily in my presence yet he will not looke into it except he may gather money and coyne thereby A mouth he hath and yet speakes nothing for it is enough for him to say I haue appointed those shall speake good things to them it sufficeth that either by my selfe or others I doe good Accursed bee that ydoll and woe be to him that set it there for who can bee equall to this ydoll vpon earth For hee hath magnified his name vpon earth one sayd who shall bring me vnder Is not my familie linked with the most Noble of the earth I exceed them in all my sumptuous fare Knights and Nobles serue me that which was neuer done to my Fathers is done vnto me Behold my house is paued with siluer and gold and gemmes are the ornaments thereof Could that place of Zacharie be more fitly applied to the Pope O Pastor idolum O ydoll Shepheard In the first and twelfth Chapters in the figure of the Serpent he describes the Pope or Antichrist who extols himselfe aboue measure oppressing the godlie though they be but of a verie small number and beeing enuironed with many false Prophets who in contempt of God and Christ onely preach and magnifie him contrariwise obscuring and defacing the name of Iesus In conclusion deciphering the Roman Church I did pray saith he on my knees with my face towards heauen nere to the Altar of S. Iames at Paris on the right hand and I saw in the ayre before me the bodie of the onely high Priest clad in white silken Roabes and his backe was towards the East and his hands lifted vp towards the West Priests doe vsually stand while they say Masse I did not see head and beholding wistly whether he were altogether without an head or no I saw his head leane withered and as if it had beene all of wood and the spirit of the Lord sayd This signifies the state of the Roman Church that is to say wherein there is no bloud nor humour of life remayning That it might also signifie what maner of bread she distributed to her children Againe saith he intending the same worke another day I saw in the spirit And behold a man of the same habit went about bearing on his shoulders delicat bread and excellent wine and the bread and wine hung downe on his sides but he in his hands held a long hard stone gnawing it with his teeth as an hungrie man would doe bread but effecting nothing at all out of the stone came two Serpents heads and the spirit of the Lord instructed me saying Curious and vnprofitable questions are this stone on which the hungrie chew and gnaw omitting points substantiall for the saluation of soules And I sayd And what meanes those heads And he answered The name of one of them is Vayne glorie and of the other Difference of religion Was it possible in more significant words to expresse the Sophistries cauilations of these times which hauing the word of God readie at hand to distribute vnto the people for their nourishment they rejected this though this was a burthen layed vpon their shoulders continually liuing and dying in chewing and eating of idle and contentious questions The which in like manner the Prophet objects to the Iewes Esay 55. v. 2. Why lay you out your money for no sustenance and bestow your labour in a thing that affords no repletion As also in the vision before he thought that he saw the Church reformed I saw saith he a certaine cleare bright Crosse of siluer like the Crosse the Armes of the Counts of Toulouse but those twelue Apples which are in the extents of the Crosse were like certaine rotten corrupt Apples cast vp by the Sea and I sayd Lord Iesus what meanes this and the spirit sayd vnto me This Crosse which thou seest is the Church which through puritie and cleanenesse of lyfe shall be bright and resonant through the shrill voyce of the preaching of veritie and being inquisitiue I said What is meant by these rotten and corrupt apples and he sayd The future humiliation and digression of the Church The which crosse vndoubtedly did truely decipher the Church in that the crosse of Christ is the Churches saluation the true preaching of this crosse the exact reformation of diuine worship inuolued in humane traditions which doe but obscure the glorie of the Crosse and euen cast a blacke cloud ouer the Church Posseuinus in Apparatu tom 2. An. 1302. And yet Posseuine the Iesuite calls this Author An excellent preacher of the word of God Neither need we to doubt but that in such a general coherence of the French Clergie against Boniface there were many more who together with Robert discerned both the Popes tyrannie and the Churches deformitie For king Philip in the yeare 1302 when hee made his progresse through the Prouince of Narbon heard many complaints made to him against the Inquisitors of the Faith who participating in all forfeitures and confiscations they apprehended whom they thought good without due proofe condemning them whereupon the Vidame of Piquigni was constrained
chaires and forsaking their flockes to goe a gadding and roming into other countries haunting Marts and Faires for filthie lucres sake and little caring to feed and releeue their hungrie and staruing brethren so that themselues might haue money at their will getting lands by fraud and money by griping vsurie and what did we not An. 253. saith he deserue for these ill doings This was after the yeare 253. And as bad weeds grow apace in the Church if God from time to time crop them not so Eusebius imputeth that succeeding persecution of Dioclesian to the same causes as before An. 302. Euseb lib. 8. c. 1. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There was saith he among vs nought else but cursed speakings and continualliarres of Prelats falling out with Prelats and congregations with congregations They also which seemed to be Pastors casting off the law and rule of pietie kindled contentions betweene themselues seeking onely to encrease debates threats iealousies heart-burnings and reuenge with an immoderat desire to commaund and sway as in a Tyrannie And therefore lesse wonder is it if afterward taking their ease vnder Constantine the Great many of them became fit instruments some more some lesse to aduance the Mysterie whereof we speake An. 310. 2 Constantine therefore affecting the Christian religion about the yeare 310 set himselfe to bestow huge largesses vpon the Christian Churches especially vpon that of Rome as chiefe citie of the Empire and the place where his person most vsually resided largesses I say and heritages of great reuenewes with sumptuous ornaments all inuentaried in the life of Syluester Lib. 4. de Episc Cler. in Co. Theod. Damasus Anastas in Syluestro written by Damasus Bishop of Rome and by Anastasius surnamed Bibliothecarius and his greatest princes becomming conuerts after his example did the like both by deeds of gift and legacies which Constantine ratified and authorised by law expresse And the more to win credit and to inure his people to Christianitie about the yeare 330 as he pulled downe Idolatry so he applied the reuenewes of their temples to the maintenance of the Christian Churches so that in short time the Roman Church grew exceeding rich All which and euerie particular thereof appeareth in the said life of Syluester and by Cedrenus in his historie where he saith Cedrenus pag. 243. That in the 26 and 27 yeares of his Empire Constantine laboured to pull downe the Idols with their Temples and to conuey their rents and reuenewes to the Churches of God And herewithall went forward still and encreased that pretence of the Bishops of Rome vnto the Primacie whereof we find too many markes in their Epistles euen in those of Syluester himselfe but I make a conscience to alledge them because the more learned sort and Cardinall Casanus himselfe hold them all or the most part for counterfeit vntill the time of Pope Syricius which was the yere 400 as we haue elsewhere declared 3 Neither doe we here speake of that pretended donation of Constantine made vnto the Church of Rome in the person of Syluester as well of the citie of Rome as of a great part of Italie as being a thing contrarie and repugnant to the whole course of histories for that we find no fourth Consulship of Constantine the son and Gallicanus which yet is the date of that donation Because Damasus Bishop of Rome in the life of Syluester so particularly by him described maketh no such mention and Anastasius as little Because all Italie and Rome it selfe came afterwards in partage among the sonnes of Constantine as Eusebius Victor Zozimus Euseb lib. 4. c. 51 Idem de vita Constant lib. 4. c. 49. 50. 51. Zozimus lib. 2. Victor in Constantin Zonaras to 3. Agaâ—â—n Epist ad â—â—â—stant Pogâ—â—â—t in Actis 6. Synod and Zonaras report Because Isidore Burchard and Iuo judging it Apocryphal haue omitted it in their seuerall Collections of decrees Because Pope Agatho himselfe writing many yeares after to Constantine Pogonatus calleth Rome Vrbem Imperatoris seruilem i. The seruile towne or citie of the Emperour Because the most reputed men of the Roman Church haue refuted and reiected it namely a Anton. Archiep part 1. tit 8. c. 2. § sic inquit Antonine Archbishop of Florence b Volaterra in vita Constantin Raphael Volaterranus c Hieron Catalan in practica Cancella Apostol Hieronimus Catalanus Chamberlaine to Pope Alexander the sixt d Otho Frisingens in Annal. Otho Frisingensis e Cardin. Cusanus in concord Cathol lib. 3. Cardinall Casanus f Laurent Valla de ficta donatione Laurentius Valla Senator of Rome g Franciscus Guicciard in locis duobus de Papa Francis Guicciardine and others euerie one of them famous in their seuerall generations Aeneas Syluius himselfe afterward Pope Pius the second in a particular treatise cited by the foresaid Catalanus Because Platina the Popes Historian is ashamed to mention it to be short Because that in the pretended originall it selfe kept in the Vatican and written in letters of gold the scribe which wrot it hath added at the foot thereof in false Latine Quam fabulam longi temporis mendacia finxit i. Which fable a lye of long continuance hath forged And forged indeed with monstrous impudencie when it is there said That Constantine the fourth day after his baptisme gaue this priuiledge also to the Bishop of Rome That all the Priests throughout the Empire should acknowledge him for their head as Iudges acknowledge their King Surely it should seeme that this good Emperour was not well instructed by Syluester in the rights and priuiledges of the Bishops of Rome since it appeareth that he knew not that they came from heauen nor Syluester himselfe well learned in this point since he chose to hold them as from the Emperour rather than from Saint Peter And againe it is there said That Constantine gaue to Syluester and to his successors the Primacy ouer the Sees of Alexandria Antioch Hierusalem Constantinople and all other Churches of the world Doubtlesse Syluester had neuer gone to schoole with the Iesuites where he might haue learned That it belonged properly to him to haue giuen the Empire vnto Constantine as for himselfe that this Primacie and preheminence ouer all other Churches was giuen him in the Gospell And farther it is there said That of purpose to make roome for the Pope the Emperour built Constantinople It being vnfit as it is there said that where the Empire of Priests should be there the earthlie Emperour should intermeddle or haue any thing to doe Yet is it euident that afterward Constantine allotted Rome to one of his sonnes and that many Emperours after him made that their ordinarie dwelling And to conclude this priuiledge was to endure to the end of the world with Crowne and Mantle and other Imperiall robes and he by Constantine damned to the pit of hell without hope of remission that should offer
to be preferred he maketh them worthie so soone as they are preferred Gregorie in our time tooke the paine to reuiew the Canon Law and taking especiall notice of this Canon is bold to equall it with the Apostolike Decrees And I feare that ere it be long a man may more truly say that this See hath this especiall prerogatiue and priuiledge That either it admitteth of none but knaues or maketh them such so soone as they are admitted But what will Symmachus say to Gratian who speaking of Anastasius the second D. 19. c. Anastasius his predecessor saith of him That he was strucken by the iudgement of God because he communicated with Photinus the Deacon a disciple of that master heretike Acatius Anastas Biblioth in Pontific which is auerred also by Anastasius Bibliothecarius in his life OPPOSITION An. 472. Odoacer therefore Captaine of the Rugians hauing made himselfe King of all Italie about the yeare 472 for preuention of tumults which might ensue if Simplicius should happen to die made a Law and published it by Basilius in the open Vatican and before the Bishops there assembled That in case Simplicius should happen to die for the auoidance of trouble and hurt both in Church and Citie none should be elected without his priuitie Baron vol. 6. an 476. art 1 2 3. Which Odoacer hath at least this commendation from Antiquitie That he was neuer offensiue or troublesome to the Catholike Church in matters belonging to Religion though himselfe were a professed Arrian Cassiodor in Chron. and farther is reported to haue beene of so good a temper that in thirteene yeares space which he held Italie vnder his commaund he neuer tooke vnto him either the title or the robe of the Emperour who all barbarian as he was shall yet one day rise in judgement against these mens insolencie and pride True it is that Sigonius reporteth that this law was made by the aduise of Simplicius himselfe Sigon de Occident Imperio l. 15. 16. Synod Roma 3. sub Symmacho an 498. but what author hath he for it For the third Synod of Rome which was held vnder Symmachus sayth no such thing but tearmeth it in precise tearmes The Law of Odoacer And there was good vse to be made of this Law about the yeare 498 at the election of a Bishop after the death of Anastasius the second For by reason that Anastasius the Emperour had filled the fists of a great part of the Clergie of Rome to this end that he might haue alwaies a Pope at his owne deuotion it came to passe that one part set vp and named Symmachus Theodor. Collectan l. 2. and the other Lawrence and each faction kept quarter apart vntill in the end some being wiser than some the matter was referred to Theodoric King of the Ostrogothes who at that time reigned in Italie and he preferred Symmachus who not long after in a Synod at Rome abrogated this verie law as Sigonius reporteth And we doubt not of the mans good will but yet we find that this Law stood in force vntill the time of Benedict the second whom the Emperour Constantine Pâ—goratus Synod Roma 3. sub Symmach about the yeare 68â— absolued from the obseruance of this Law as Onuphrius himselfe acknowledgeth But these matters stayed not here For foure yeares after this wound began to bleed afresh Lawrence was called home to Rome where the factions fairely â—â—ll to blowes whereat Theodoric tooke great offence and deposing them both he placed Peter Paul Diacon l. 15. Nicephor l. 16. c. 35. Bishop of Alâ—in in the roome Paulus Diaconus and Nicephorus speaking of this accident report That there were infinit spoiles and murders committed by either partie the greater part of the Priests manie Clerkes and a multitude of the Citizens were there slaine Sabell Eun. 8. l. 2. and the holie virgins themselues as Sabellicus writeth were not spared in those seditions Yet must all this passe for zeale towards the Church Ennod. in Epist ad Faustum insomuch that one Ennodius a Writer of that time maketh them all Martyrs who died in the cause of Symmachus Their bloud there shed sayth he enrolled them in the Register Booke of the Court of Heauen And Baronius is of the same opinion and for proofe he voucheth a saying of that great Denis Bishop of Alexandria but see his honestie for the case standeth thus Denis wrote to the schismatike Nouatus who would haue made him beleeue that he was taken by force and made Bishop whether he would or no whereupon Denis told him That it had beene better for him to haue suffered anie mischiefe Euseb Histor Eccles l. 6. c. 37. than to haue broken the vnitie of the Church and that it had beene as glorious a martyrdome vnto him as if he suffered for not offering vnto Idols True if rather than thou wouldest be made a Bishop in a Schisme thou wouldest suffer thy selfe to be killed But the case is altered if thou puttest thy selfe in danger or causest either thy selfe or others to be slaine not to auoid but to obtaine a Bishopricke And such was the case of those which died in Symmachus his quarrell And we must remember that the fourth Synod which was held at Rome vnder Symmachus Iornandes de Robus Gothicis Synod Roma 4. sub Symmacho where the greatest part of the Bishops of all Italie were assembled was called by Theodoric True it is that at the first the Bishops began to remonstrate to him That the calling of the Synod belonged to the Pope but Theodoric produced Symmachus his owne letters wherein he requested him to assigne the place and Symmachus himselfe in open Synod gaue him humbly thankes for so assigning it Here Baronius putteth on his brazen face Vol. 6. an 501. art 2. He knew well saith he that to assemble a Synod of Orthodox Bishops appertained not to him and therefore treading the steps of his predecessors he assembled it by the authoritie of Pope Symmachus and the verie Acts of the Councell testifie as much And then falleth he to his accustomed acclamations A memorable matter saith he that a Prince a Barbarian a Goth by nation a stranger an heretike and an Arrian do the schismatikes what they could by importuning him to the contrarie should yet yeeld such respect and reuerence to the See Apostolike But what if the whole proceedings and the Acts themselues of this Synod shew the contrarie It is therefore to be vnderstood that the yeare before Theodoric at the instance of the aduerse part had sent Peter Bishop of Altin to Rome in qualitie of a Visitor to informe himselfe of the crimes which were layed to Symmachus his charge And so it seemeth that Theodoric and Ennodius were not both of the same mind when Ennodius saith That the Pope is accountable to none but vnto Heauen Afterward Theodoric gaue order that this difference should be taken vp Ennod.
the old fashion that he shall be deposed for a whole yeare if the Prince be cause of his so liuing that he be excommunicated for two yeares And the 17 Canon forbiddeth Princes and Emperours to be present at Synods vnlesse it be at generall Councels And the 22 disableth them and all Laies whomsoeuer to be present at the election or promotion of anie Patriarch Metropolitan or Bishop vnder paine of excommunication whereby no doubt the Popes Legats thought they had shut the Emperours of the West cleane out of their Conclaues vsing one Emperour as a rod alwaies to scourge the other As for the point of Appeales to Rome they could not effect it for the 26 Canon is plaine That who so findeth himselfe aggrieued with his Bishop shall appeale to his Metropolitan and from the Metropolitan to the Patriarch à quo litibus finis imponatur who shall make a full end of the controuersie and therefore meant not to run to Rome as Nicholas would haue had them And it was euen at the instant when the Articles were offered them to subscribe that they made their protestation against them In this Synod there appeared yet another notable ambition of the Popes for the Bulgarians being formerly Painims receiued Christianitie in the time of Nicholas who sent them Bishops for their instruction Michael their Prince sent his embassadors to the Synod who comming before them That we may not say they seeme to erre in our owne opinions we desire to be informed by you which supplie the places of the Great Patriarches to what Church we are to belong The Popes Legats replied presently That they ought to belong to the Roman Church The Bulgarians requested That the matter might be resolued and agreed vpon with the Legats of other Patriarches there present The Romanists replied That there was no more to be done with them and therefore without euer putting it to the Synod pronounced absolutely That they must belong to Rome The Easterne Bishops put this question to the Bulgarians When you first tooke the countrey said they from whom tooke ye it and the Priests which you found there were they Greekes or Latines They answered That they tooke the countrey from the Grecians and that they found there none but Greeke Bishops Whereuppn the Easterne Bishops inferred That they were doubtlesse ordained at Constantinople and so consequently should belong to that Church Thereupon the Legats replied That Churches were not bounded by the diuersitie of tongues That kingdomes and Sees differed in their jurisdictions That they had the presumption on their side who had giuen them their first Bishops That all Epirus Thassalie and Dardania had bin euer belonging to their jurisdiction The Easterne Bishops on the contrarie demaunded vpon which of these they would principally stand In the end the violence and pride of the Roman Legats ouerswayed who told the Synod That the Church of Rome held not that Councel for a competent Iudge of her controuersies who was her selfe by speciall prerogatiue to iudge of all other Churches That decree they what them lusted it should be as little regarded as it was lightly enacted That from this present time they by the authoritie of the holie Ghost pronounced a nullitie in whatsoeuer they should decree vntill the See of Rome had determined thereof And so the holie Ghost who was to Preside in the Councell Resided onely in their persons And they farther adiured the Patriarch Ignatius by the authoritie of the Apostles and of Adrian who had restored him to his See not to suffer Bulgaria to be taken from them Who made them a doubtfull answer telling them That he was neither so young as to be lightly deceiued neither yet so verie a dotard as to do that himselfe which he found fault withall in others And there rested this contestation betweene them being questionlesse a great scandall to the consciences of these poore conuerts who saw at first that these men sought not the enlargement of Christs kingdome but of their owne jurisdiction and iniurious to the Emperour who offended with these proceedings though dissembling it tooke no order for their passe and safe-conduct into their countrey So that hauing been certaine dayes at sea they fell into the hands of the Sclauons who stript them of all that euer they had took away the original of the Councell with the subscriptions of the Bishops and left them nothing but the copie of Athanasius and had peraduenture lost their liues but that some of their companie escaping the Sclauons feared the matter might come to light and they one day receiue the like measure The issue of all was That doe Adrian what he could the Bulgarians put out the Latine Priests and sent for others in their roomes to Constantinople and so remained they in obedience to that Church Whereupon they grew so odious to the Popes that they called that sinne condemned from heauen after their name Bulgarie thereby to make them odious and abhominable to all men And this was the end of Adrians enterprises in the East 33. PROGRESSION Of the attempts of Pope Adrian both vpon the Clergie and also vpon the kings of France LEt vs now see whether he sped any better in the West Hincmar Bishop of Laon nephew vnto Hincmar Archbishop of Reimes the most learned Bishop of France had surrendred certaine Church goods into the hands of Charles the Bauld to bestow them vpon a certaine Norman captaine Aimon li. 5. c. 24 from whom he would needs shortly after take them away againe and because the Norman would not resigne them but into the hands of the king from whom he had them therefore Hincmar excommunicated him for which in a Synod held at Vernons he was reproued and sharpely censured he thereupon appealed to Rome but they refused to grant him any letters dimissorie yet he continued still in his stubbornnesse vntill at length there was assembled another Councel at Attigni consisting often Prouinces where he was againe condemned and thereupon promised to submit himselfe to the good pleasure of the king and of Hincmar his Metropolitan and vncle and yet vnder hand signified the matter vnto the Pope procuring him to euocate the whole cause to Rome and himselfe to be serued with Processe to appeare there at a day making the best of his owne cause to Adrian Whereupon Adrian wrot vnto king Charles who yet would not license the other to goe to Rome and then did Adrian write him that bloudie letter calling him Tyran periured perfidious and a spoyler of the Church goods and what not And for conclusion as well to him as to Hincmar the Metropolitan We saith he by authoritie Apostolike will and commaund That thou cause Hincmar of Laon and his accusers to come before our Clemencie to the end that we may pronounce our sentence of his cause And wee shall see anone how well he was obeyed But not long after he made a farre more violent attempt vpon him The Emperour Lewis hauing as
and Doctors that reprehended the pluralitie of benefices and the pompe of the Clergie vntill occasion was giuen them to part stakes with them and to tast the benefit of such pluralities and then couetousnesse blinded them too It is written of a great learned Master that solemnely disputed against the riches and pride of Prelats as being altogether vnlawfull to liue in such a fashion Which the Pope being giuen to vnderstand merily answered Let vs bestow vpon him some good Priorie and such and such benefices and he will be quiet ynough which was speedily done and so presently he changed his opinion saying Vntill now I neuer vnderstood this matter c. But he compareth the state of the Church in these times to those of Hieroboam when he set vp the golden calues in Israel Many holie men saith he did commonly affirme that the same was to be feared in the Ecclesiasticall State and now we see it performed in many parts of the world The Clergie who should possesse nothing but that which in reason was competent for them nor intermeddle with the affaires of the Temporaltie will take vpon them to possesse and to gouerne all things and therefore as S. Bernard saith such as obserue no order hasten thither where dwelleth eternall horror c. Good Reader take heed thou follow not this dangerous custome neither excuse thy selfe with the Popes dispensation but follow the counsell of those that are in the heauens aboue with God least with the golden calues thou burne in hell fire An. 1046. In the meane time in the yeare 1046 the Emperour Henrie the second taketh his journey into Italie partly to take possession of the Empire partly at the persuasion of diuers to procure some remedie against those confusions which had beene brought into the Church by three Popes Benedict Siluester and Gregorie the one troubling and contending with the other and within the walls of Rome making barricadoes one against the other Siluester at S. Maria major Benedict at the palace of S. Lateran and Gregorie at S. Peters whereupon these verses were sent by a Hermit to Henrie Otho Frisingens l. 6. c. 31. Gregor Hemburg in admonitione de vsurpat Paparum Roman Imperator Henrice Omnipotentis vice Vnica Sunamitis Nupsit tribus maritis Dissolue connubium Et triforme dubium An. 1461. Herman contract Carthusian Sigibert in Chron. Platina in Gregor 6. Siluest 3. Great Emperour Henrie who in Gods stead must be The Church who is but one is maried to three Dissolue thou the knot and the doubt trebled will be Platina calls them three wicked monsters and in his historie of Siluester the third saith We are like to see worse matters than all these if God preuent them not since the good being opprest he onely riseth to promotion that excels in bountie and ambition not in learning and sanctitie of life They vse not saith he in these dayes to enter by the doore but the window like theeues and robbers and of diuers others in this Age hee affirmes as much Now by this onely disorder how many other may we imagine He therefore being receiued King in Lombardie before he came to Rome held a Councell of many Bishops at Sutri wherein Gregorie the sixt being conuicted for obtaining the Popedome with money by consent of them all was deposed and in like sort were the other two reiected being deposed saith Martine Canonica imperiali censura by a Canonicall and Imperiall censure And the Romans being altogether ignorant whom vpon the sudden they might nominat to bee Pope the Emperour proposed vnto them Suitger Bishop of Bamberge one of his owne followers and a man for his honestie and learning well spoken of whom he compelled them to approue This is he that was called Clement the second Sigon l. 8. de regno Ital. Martinus in Chron. The Church saith Sigonius hauing beene now sicke for the space almost of two hundred yeres the disease grew so desperat that it required violent remedies yea sword and fire medicines that belong to diseases incurable Whereupon saith Martin per vim substituit he gaue them a successor by force the Romans promising vnto him and swearing That they would neuer chuse Pope without his consent Leo Ostiens c. 80 Leo the Cardinall of Ostia speaking in his Chronicle of these disorders more briefely saith Pope Benedict hauing held the See at Rome twelue yeares was deposed by the Romans and Iohn Bishop of Sabins who was called Siluester substituted in his place non tamen gratis but yet not freely But three moneths after this Benedict with the aid of the Tusculans his kinsfolke draue away Siluester and by force repossessed the See of Rome But neuerthelesse perceiuing himselfe to be odious to all he deliuered the Popedome to Iohn the Archpriest who was accounted as it were the more religious and retired himselfe to his fathers house that there with better libertie he might fulfill his owne lusts and practise his wickednesse He could not in better words haue affirmed That he that of the three was accounted the best was starke naught But Henrie the Emperour saith he the sonne of Conrade his nefandis auditis hearing of these execrable things in the Apostolike See inspired from heauen in the yeare 1047 comming into Italie went to Rome desirous to purge the Apostolike See of these spots Whereupon he stayed at Sutri where deliberating vpon this great and necessarie businesse statuit he appointed there a general Councell to be called of all Bishops There being therefore gathered together at his commaund a great multitude of Bishops Abbots and other religious men he likewise inuited thither the Pope of Rome to be chiefe in that Councell What should I say more The Councell being held Gregorie being by their Synodall Canons and sentence conuicted of simonie of his owne accord rising from his seat and putting off his Pontificall habit humbly and prostrat vpon the ground asked pardon for that he had prophaned that dignitie Leo therefore we see agreeth not in opinion with Baronius who saith That it is not lawfull for an Emperour to intermeddle with the affaires of the See of Rome for he saith quite contrarie That he came inspired by God to that end yea and he addeth withall That he procured vnto him a successor And because these things were done with so prosperous and good successe Sigon l. 8. de regno Italiae the Romans gaue vnto the sayd Henrie the honour of a Patriciat as they did sometimes to Charles the Great and decreed that besides the Crowne of the Empire he should weare a Chaine This selfesame yeare in hope or rather vnder some shew of a reformation of the Church a Synod was held where first a question was made concerning simonie which sin was then growne to such a height saith Sigonius the Popes either winking at it or no way hindering the course thereof that it was a vsuall thing for Bishops to sel
as a mother but as a stepdame The Scribes and Pharases sit in the same lading mens shoulders with burthens heauie to be borne which they themselues touch not with a finger They haue dominion ouer the Clergie and yet are not an example to the flocke leading the right way to life They heape vp pretious moueables load their Tables with gold and siluer beeing sparing to themselues through ouermuch couetousnesse For the poore they are neuer or verie seldome receiued and then not so much for the loue of Christ as for vayne glorie By force of terrour they wrest from the Churches the stir vp contentions incite the Clergie and people the one against the other haue no compassion of the paynes miseries of the afflicted they delight in the spoyles of Churches and doe all account gayne for godlinesse They do iustice not for the truths sake but for gaine All things to day are done for money but tomorrow thou shalt obtayne nothing without reward They often hurt wherein they imitate Diuels and they are thought then to doe good when they cease from hurting some few excepted who fulfill the name and office of Pastour Yea the Pope of Rome himselfe is burthenous to all and almost intollerable Moreouer we see that although the Churches which the deuotition of our Fathers haue builded goe to ruine and altars to be without ornament yet in the meane time he buildeth for himselfe Palaces and goeth not onely in purple but all couered ouer with gold The Palaces of Churchmen glitter in beautie but in their hands the Church of Christ is foule and without furniture They take by violence the spoyles of Prouinces as if they purposed to repaire the treasuries of Craesus But the most high handleth them well giuing them as a prey vnto others and often vnto most vile persons and as I thinke whiles they wander out of the way the scourge of God will not depart from them for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it that with what iudgement they iudge they shall be iudged and their owne measure shall be measured to them againe This is it say I ô Father which the people say seeing you will haue me shew you their opinions And surely he sufficiently also declared thereby his owne opinion when he sayd as I thinke But Adrian putteth him vpon the racke And thou saith he what is thine opinion I am in a strait euerie way sayd I for I feare I shall incurre the blame of lying and flatterie if I alone doe contradict the people and if otherwise I feare to be accused of high treason and be thought to deserue the gibbet for opening my mouth against heauen Yet seeing that Guido Clemens Priest Cardinall of S. Potenciana witnesteth vnto the people I presume not in any sort to contradict him for he saith that in the Church of Rome there is a certaine root duplicitatis of doublenesse which is contrarie to the simplicitie of a Doue which is so much commended to Christians A nourishing also of all couetousnesse which is the head and root of all euils And this he publiquely protested not in a corner but to the Cardinalls his brethren sitting in Consistorie before Eugenius when the Ferentines were hot against my innocencie Yet I boldly say my conscience bearing me witnesse that I haue now here seene more honest Clergie men than in the Church of Rome And here he nameth vnto him Bernard of Redon Cardinall Deacon and the Bishop of Prenest without doubt that he might prepare a way to that which he had to say Because therefore that you instantly vrge and commaund me and that it is not lawfull to lye vnto the holie Ghost I confesse what you command must be done and yet all are not to imitate you in all workes for he which dissenteth from the true doctrine is either an heretike or a schismatike but through Gods mercie there bee some which imitate not the workes of all of vs c. But I feare least in continuing to enquire of me what you will you heare of an imprudent friend that which you would not What is this Father that thou examinest the life of others and doest in no wise search into thy selfe All men applaud thee all men call thee Lord and Father and the whole oyle of a sinner is poured on thy head If then thou art a Father why doest thou expect gifts and retributions from thy children If a Lord why strikest thou not a feare in thy Romans and repressing their temeritie why doest thou not call them backe to the faith For he had said a little before That God tooke away godlie men from Rome because being corrupt it was found with God vnworthie of such men But thou wilt preserue the Citie to the Church by thy gifts did Siluester obtaine it by gifts In inuio Pater es non in via Father thou art out of the way and not in the way It is to be preserued by the same gifts whereby it was gotten That which you haue receiued freely giue freely Iustice is the Queene of all vertues and blusheth to be changed for any price whatsoeuer for to be gracious it must be freely bestowed Let not her by any meanes be prostituted to price of money which cannot be corrupted Iustice is entire and euer vncorrupt In oppressing others thou shalt be more grieuously oppressed The Pope saith he laugheth at it and congratulateth my libertie But what saith the Pope to this surely he telleth him that fable of Aesop of the members of one that sometime mutined against the stomacke for it receiued all and did nothing and when they had determined to send no more any thing into it after some few dayes the whole bodie pined away thereupon concluding that euen so would it be with all Christendome if from all parts they sent not riches to Rome But whence would he haue proued vnto him that Rome as the stomacke holdeth little or nothing to it selfe but digesteth and distributeth whatsoeuer is put into it for the good of the whole bodie of euerie part thereof Thus spake this good Bishop to the Pope hauing doubtlesse more in his mind than hee durst expresse for he purposely set forth a treatise the title whereof was Obiurgatorium Cleri Idem l. 7. c. 17.18.19 wherein he grieuously reprehended the whole Clergie and likewise in many places of his Polycraticon more stoutly and in another place saith One hoping in the multitude of his riches entreth into the Church Simon leading him by the hand that is to say Magus and findeth not there any to say vnto him Thy money perish with thee Another feareth to come neere S. Peter with gifts and neuerthelesse priuily as sometime Iupiter did into the lap of Dance so this incestuous suitor by a golden showre slideth himselfe into the lap of the Church c. Alreadie all things are openly bought vnlesse the modestie of the seller hinder it A prophane heat of couetousnesse doth so houer
past holie religious and learned the holie Ghost working with them and inspiring them were vnwillingly drawne into the Chaires which now are violently occupied per fas nefas by courtyers wranglers in law and barbarous All the houses of which the election pertaineth to the Pope are thereby destroyed Patronage is now a burden not an honour a damage not a profit O Pope Father of fathers why sufferest thou the climats of Christians to be defiled with such persons Worthily therefore worthily being chased from thine owne citie and seat as another vagabond Cain thou art forced to banishment thine enemies prosper thou fliest before the partakers of Frederick and they which persecute thee are swift and mightie Euerie where thy Bulls do shine as lightening against them that obey thee and is of no esteeme with such as rebell Prelats are euery where suspended that others may he prouided of their benefices which are vnworthie barbarous and vnknown who seeke the milke of the sheepe of the Lords fold sheere them flea them and plucke out their bowels O Lord God of vengeances when wilt thou sharpen thy sword as lightning and make it drunke with the bloud of such men In France vnder the raigne of S. Lewis Innocent spared vs not the more although he soiourned there heare what the same Author saith Hee is no sooner come to Lyons but without the consent of the Chapiter he would giue away the vacant Prebends the Canons resist him to his face threaten those to whom he giues them That if they came thither the Archbishop should not bee able to hinder them from casting them headlong into the riuer Rhosne But as the matter passed further others more entermedled in it For saith he all and euerie one saw and perceiued that the Pope did insatiably gape after money and spoyle to the dammage and impouerishment of many And many alreadie did not beleeue that he had the same power of binding and loossing as was granted from heauen to S. Peter being knowne to be altogether vnlike to S. Peter In France many noblemen conspired against the Pope and the Church which we neuer remember to haue happened before as may bee seene in this Charter written in the French tongue which is there at large expressed the summe of it is this All the confederats whose seales did hang at that writing vnite themselues together for to defend their rights and prerogatiues against the Court of Rome and there was named for heads of the league the Duke of Bourgondie the Earle Perron of Britaine and the Earles of Angolesme and of S. Paul who if any of the league haue need are to helpe them with necessarie forces and that say they because the Clergie made them of worse condition than the Heathens of whom God said Giue vnto Caesar the things that are Caesars and vnto God the things that are Gods and by these new customs abolished their ancient priuiledges whereas indeed the kingdome had not beene gotten by the pride of the Clergie but by the souldiers and men of warre Which when the Pope vnderstood fearing least that were done by intelligence with Frederick he thought it his wisest course to content them in their grieuances and to appease the chiefest by giuing them store of benefices yet neuerthelesse he sendeth the Friers Preachers and Minors to all the Prelats of France who require of them to lend him money promising to restore it them so soone as he should be able to take his breath But king Lewis suspecting the couetousnesse of the Court of Rome forbad all the Prelats of his kingdome vnder paine of loosing all their goods that none should in any such sort impouerish his land And so these sophisticall Legats of the Pope departed out of the kingdome hissed at and derided of all men Yet true it is saith the Author that after infinit extortions in France worthie of eternall silence the Pope consented to king Lewis in fauour of his voyage to the Holie land that he might collect a tenth for three yeares on condition that himselfe might also for other three yeares following receiue the like which was with such rigour extorted that the Churchman that had yearely but twenty shillings comming in and was readie to perish for hunger was constrained without all pitie to pay two of them and of this crueltie he bringeth many examples And for that king S. Lewis did permit or tollerate the Pope to make these extortions in his kingdome it was vndoubtedly beleeued that his voiage to the Holie Land tooke such vnfortunat successe Now of all these as wee haue abouesaid these new Friers Preachers and Minorites were the executors being the Popes ordinarie Publicans or Toll-gatherers who in the meane time also deuoured one another And which is terrible and of vnluckie presage saith he no Monasticke Order in the space of three or foure hundred yeares or vpwards hath growne so much and so soone neere a downefall as is their Order in twentie foure yeres that their mansions were first founded in England When any great and rich men lye at point of death they come diligently about them to draw profit and riches from them not without the hurt and hinderance of the Ordinaries and wrest from them confessions and secret testaments onely recommending vnto them their Order and preferring it before all others So that no faithfull man beleeues to be saued vnlesse he be gouerned by the counsels of the Preachers and Minorites who are carefull of getting priuiledges are Counsellors Chamberlaines and Treasurers in the Courts of Kings and Potentates Paranymphes and mariage-makers executors of the Popes extortions in their preachings either flatterers or most biting reprouers and in confessions either disclosers or vndiscreet reprehenders Who doth not here perceiue the true picture of the Iesuites And there he further setteth downe the great priuiledges giuen by the Pope for to bee serued of them which in this and other places may be read Mathew noteth That when they had discouered that the king of Norway was deuout with great industrie they prouided a certaine stone of white marble which they said they had bought for a great price wherein they fained was printed the sole of the foot of our Lord ascending vp into heauen That others of them shewed some of the bloud of Christ and milke of the Virgine Marie In those first ages of the Church gentle Reader when all things were fresher how commeth it that there is no speech of any such things And in the mean time this good Monk addeth In these dayes multi generati per incubos many children were begotten by spirits which seeing it followeth together in the same place there is none but may vnderstand what is meant thereby Gregorie attempteth to stretch forth his hands vnto the East parts and behold with what successe By reason of the conquest made of Constantinople by the Westerne people the Emperour Baldwin had submitted the Church of Constantinople to that of Rome in hope to
Legats of the other Easterne Patriarches of the Archbishops and Prelats euerie one in his order And hence may the Reader discerne what the Patriarch might judge of the pride of the Latine Bishop But what may we say of Baronius who in diuers places contesteth That the left hand in Councels was euer the more honourable As touching the matter it selfe for the concluding of the controuersies of the Latine and Greeke Churches is made an instrument of a vnion Laetentur coeli wherein they agree on both sides That the holie Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne That the Sacrament may be indifferently made of leauened or vnleauened bread That the soules of the faithfull that haue not yet satisfied for their sinnes goe to Purgatorie That the Pope of Rome is Head of the vniuersall Christian Church All which articles the Greeke Emperor causeth to be approued by the most part of his hoping he should haue assistance against the Turkes But Michael Bishop of Ephesus with some others doth euer withstand the same reiecting especially the two later Which is more when Ioseph Archbishop of Constantinople was dead Eugenius would haue them proceed before him to the chusing of another promising against his disposition to ordaine him without money yea to giue them some if need were and to depose him that did obtaine with him the place of Patriarch which he would not doe if they deferred his election till they came into their countrey The Greekes perceiuing whereto he tended namely that he might enter possession of the supreme power in the Church by that meanes and that with their consent answer him with one accord That their Patriarch cannot bee by their laws chosen any where else than at Constantinople That it is their custom he should be chosen and consecrated in his owne Church That the Emperour who was not ignorant of these ceremonies would not suffer it to bee otherwise Which the Pope vnderstanding Concisium Florent Sess vltim though much against his mind with gracious words he let them depart Now they were no sooner returned into their countrey but they were reiected of their Churches in this especially that they had admitted the supreme authoritie of the Pope of Rome whose pride being more neerely looked into they at last refute it in their writings published notwithstanding that he had endeuoured to bind vnto him some of the best learned as Isidore Bishop of Russia and Bessarion Bishop of Nicea to whom he had giuen a Cardinalls hat which he chose rather to weare in Italie than in Greece And from that time forth were by the Popes neglected the affaires of Greece and abandoned to the furie of Infidels But it is in no wise here to be omitted That during the time that Eugenius held his Councell partly at Ferrara and partly at Florence hee published diuers writings against that Decree of Basil That a Councell is aboue the Pope in which he did not sticke to affirme That so farre was it off that he ought to obey generall Councels that then he most merited when he contemned the Decrees of the Councell and which is more he declareth this proposition to be hereticall The Councell is aboue the Pope although both then and euer since it was held and affirmed by all the Vniuersities of Christendome Whence it came that whilest the Roman Church sayd she is superior to all other Churches and the Roman Bishop to all other bishops by this decree of Eugenius should the Bishop of Rome be made superiour or of higher authoritie than the Vniuersall Church and consequently that pretended infallibilitie of the Church shold be deriued not now to the Romish Church but to one onely man which is the highest degree of Antichrist in the Church according to that of S. Augustine in his booke of the citie of God August de Ciuitate Dei l. 18. cap. 2. That Antichrist should not onely sit in Templo Dei in the Temple of God but as Saint Paule hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Templum into the Temple as if he himselfe were the Temple it selfe he alone the Church In the meane time let the Reader judge of that Infallabilitie of the Church represented in a Councel by these Councels which at one same time and in one same matter doe decree things directly contrarie As touching the affaires of the Bohemians for which particularly the Empeperour Sigismund had so instantly requested the Councell the most part of the Churches terrified with the perfidious treacherie vsed towards Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague refused to send any one thither but the principall of the Nobilitie ouer-ruled the matter that some should appeare for to render a reason of the innouation in religion imputed vnto them So soone as they came thither they were receiued verie curteously by Cardinall Iulian the Legat who was not yet called backe Then in the Councell he maketh an Oration wherein he bringing in the Church of Rome speaking to them in his words and attributing to it selfe alone all that is spoken in holie Scripture concerning the Church the Spouse of Christ and presupposing that which is chiefely in question flattereth himselfe in this perpetual Elenche Sheweth that in her power are the keyes of the kingdome of heauen That she is without spot or wrinkle That whosoeuer departed from her was an Heathen and a Publican That the decrees of Councels are her decrees which are no lesse to be beleeued than the Gospels seeing they giue authoritie to the Scriptures To this the Bohemians in few words That they despised neither the Church nor Councels that they had beene condemned at Constance without being heard Oratio Iulian. Cardinal Legati in Append. Concilij Basiliens notwithstanding that they affirmed nothing but by the holie Scriptures and then they propound their Articles And on both sides were chosen such as shold enter into conference The disputation lasted fiftie dayes and after many spent on this side and on that it was thought best to leaue Theologicall questions and prouide for the Common wealth and to send some thither who hauing made search how matters stood might compound with them Here was the policie To permit the Communiō vnder both kinds to such as in other things would submit themselues to the Councell and proceeded with all rigour to the rest that embraced not the same condition These were the auntient Waldenses and their Disciples who requested that the Church might be reformed in most of the Articles which are conteined in their and our confessions who for this cause suffered much both by the warres that Sigismund made vpon them and by the diuision and back-sliding of their companions Yet doe we see their Churches outliue so many miseries vntill these times consist and continue most flourishing and largely propagated As touching the Fathers of the Councell of Basill they seeme to be somewhat ashamed of that Decreee of Constance concerning the Communion vnder both kinds And whereas they of
letters which he had written to them of Norimberg Our Sauiour said Pius substituted Peter Prince of the Apostles to the gouernement of the Church Who knoweth not answered Heimburg That Iesus commaunded all the Apostles That they should goe to preach faith baptisme and saluation through the world Who knoweth not That the promise was made to all That whatsoeuer they did bind on earth shuold be in heauen In which words he plainely taketh away the Popes Primacie Insomuch saith he that to this day the Catholike Church prayeth to be kept by the continual protection of the Apostles whom our Sauiour himselfe hath appointed to rule Pastours and Vicars of so great a worke And therefore who doubteth but that the holie Councels represent the place of Christ which haue succeeded the assemblie of the Appostles seeing that the world is greater than a citie Pius said againe That it is a vaine thing to appeale to a Councell which is not and which cannot bee aboue the Pope To which hee replieth The assemblie of the Apostles was aboue S. Peter and like as appeale may bee made to the Apostolike seat vacant so to a Councell not yet gathered c. This is a slauish seruice which he exacteth of vs and not a filiall reuerence c. He calleth me heretike because I say That a Councell of all Christendome is aboue the Pope but I say The Pope is an heretike who holdeth the contrarie c. He commaundeth my goods to be confiscat and giueth them to whosoeuer will enter vpon them willing them therein to doe the worke of Catholike men This word were verie daungerous but that the Popes fond trifling is before alreadie well knowne vnto vs when he made at Mantua so large and so loud a discourse in the behalfe of incestuous embracements and vices enemies to publique honestie Lastly Pius sayd That the Church is not assembled Hee aunswereth It is he that hindereth and distrubeth it by his factions in me is no let not any fault c. One Theodore bishop of Feltre aunswered him in the behalfe of the Pope heaping together all the places and reasons whereby the Canonists are woont to defend that fulnesse of power which Popes doe arrogate to themselues And this againe Gregorie de Heimburg confuted from point to point in an Apologie made expresly against the detractions and blasphemies of Theodore In this particularly he reproached him That Pius after he had exhausted Christendome by his Iubilie would in the Councell of Mantua wring out the verie last drop by forging new exactions vnder colour of making warre against the Turkes And that he and his Cardinals laughed at it when he propounded vnto them what great prouisions were needfull for such a warre because hee had another thing in his mind And hence is that wrath of Pius which hee now vomiteth forth against him Wherefore saith he Your money vnder colour of a militarie expedition against the Turke shall be conuerted into a wicked and damnable vse in succour of Ferdinand conceiued by the damnable embracement of Alphonsus sometime king of Arragon against Renatus lawfull heire of the kingdome of Sicilie and that noble Duke of Calabria the ornament and inimitable patterne of Christian nobilitie and of militarie glorie And therefore saith the Pope that Gregorie de Heimburg was borne of the Diuell because hee is not of the damnable seed but lawfully begotten for the Pope is a hater of such a fauourer of bastards in whose fauour he made a verie large Oration almost three houres long and made all Mantua ring with the praises of the bastard Ferdinand But as touching the question of the Popes Primacie I entreat the Reader to peruse the Apologie it selfe Gregor Heimburg in tractat de Primatu excuso Magdeburgi in Antilogia Basil 1555. Item Francofurti apud Wolfang Richesterum an 1607. In another Treatise of his also against the Primacie he calleth the Roman Synagogue Babylon and the Harlot And after he had proued that it hath no ground in sacred Scripture nor in the writings of the Fathers yea that all these things are of meere vsurpation contrarie to the institution of Christ and against the commoditie of the Church he pronounceth that such tyrannie is not to be endured and exhorteth euerie one as it is commaunded in the Apocalyps to depart from it Which that it might be more easily be discerned he framed a most exquisit antithesis of Christ and the Pope whereby he manifestly sheweth him to be Antichrist He accuseth also the Doctours who either for hope or feare not daring to contradict his errours confirme him the more by their silence At last he bursteth forth into this Thas for these many yeares it is more free for a man to dispute and call into doubt the power of God than of the Pope For men saith he are drunken with the wine of the said harlot and inspired with the sweetnesse of this woman they flatteringly expounded the Scriptures wresting it for confirmation of errour And because that Emperours and Kings either through ignorance for want of accustoming themselues to studies and sciences or by reason of too much worldlie vanitie that possesseth them haue not beene able to see it they haue beene brought to so great a seruitude that they are compelled to beleeue for a point of farth necessarie to saluation That Christ hath giuen the Pope such a fulnesse of power that he may dispose of all things which are on the earth after the pleasure of his owne will neither shall any dare to say vnto him why doest thou so seeing that the Pope himselfe hath power to commaund the Angels In this our age there could hardly be said any thing more cleerely But the controuersie of Diether of Mentz troubled all the Empire hee had beene chosen Canonically by the Canons yea his election confirmed by Pope Pius himselfe but he was not sound verie readie in buying his Pall or in paying his Annates but the principall clause was That he opposed himselfe against the Popes exactions of money vnder colour of the holie warres whereupon being vexed by Pius he appealed to a Councell saying he loued better the wealth of the Germans than the defence of the Faith Further he refused to sweare to the Pope That he should neuer assemble the Estates nor the Electors of the Empire without consulting first his intention either for the election of a new Emperour or for to obtaine a Councell or for any other affaire of importance He therefore reuoked his confirmation and transferred his Bishopricke to Adolfe of Nassau his competitor and excommunicated Diether and Frederick the Palatine his fauourer Hereupon the friends of both parties take armes Frederick surnamed the Victorious and Lewis Duke of Bauaria for Diether Albert Marquesse of Brandeburg Charles Marquesse of Baden Iohn Bishop of Metz his brother Vlric Earle of Wirtemburg and Lewis Niger of Bauaria for Adolfe The battell was fought wherein Diethers part had the victorie most of the
prostituteth setteth to sale and vttereth his Indulgences At his will and pleasure moreouer hee openeth heauen curseth the earth quencheth Purgatorie shutteth hell as if he were God he maketh Saints bindeth diuels commaundeth Angels maketh himselfe President in generall Councells Head of the Catholike Church yea Spouse thereof which Titles are due vnto none but to Iesus Christ alone incommunicable to any creature God on earth made out of earth commaunding in heauen he ordaineth a god to be worshipped on earth which he will haue to be beleeued and doth beleeue to be God whom he causeth to be carried about on horsebacke before him for to get to himselfe the greater reuerence euen for the most part among his vilest carriage among scullions and lackeys And all these things vnder the name of Christ and vnder pretence of his Vicarship Because sayth he after Christs glorious resurrection all power was giuen him from the Father in heauen and in earth In so much that in the Masse which the Seat being vacant is celebrated for obtaining a new Pope Cerem Roman l. 1. Sect. 15. de officio Missae Astol sede vacāte this Tractus of the Prophet is sung The Head thereof shall proceed out of it to wit of Israel and a Prince shall come from the middest of it which was spoken of our Lord Iesus Christ There is also that of Saint Iohn in the Gospell applied to the future election I will not leaue you orphans I will aske the Father and he shal giue you another Comforter which was spoken of the holie Ghost so that now there is nothing so blasphemous that they are ashamed or dare not vse Further so soone as hee is elected and hath put on red hose and shooes he is carried and set vpon an Altar the seat of their God and there worshipped consequently with religious worship due to God What need more Cerem Rom. l. 1. sect 1. c. 6. Erasm in 1. ad Tim. c. 1. In the verie Scholes Leo the tenth being Pope they feared not to dispute Note Reader how farre they extended his Vicarship Whether the Pope might abrogate that which is decreed in the writings of the Apostles Whether he might ordaine any thing contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospell Whether he might add to the Creed a new article of Faith Whether he haue greater power than S. Peter or but equall Whether hee may commaund the Angells or can take purgatorie quite away Whether he bee but meere man or as it were God Whether with Christ he partake of two natures Diuine and humane How many enormities are committed in these words yea in the least of them How manifoldly they offend the Diuine Majestie When therefore wee call to mind all these things how can wee otherwise applie or expound that propheticall place of S. Paule 2. Thess 2. v. 4. He exalteth himselfe against all that is called God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or that is worshipped For let them shew vs in all these sixteene ages any other so that he sitteth as God in the Temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God In the Church it selfe so that wee must not seeke him among the Turkes in Assyria yea if we beleeue him hee himselfe is the whole Church which he contracteth into his own person the Head and the bodie the Bridegroom and the Spouse both together And to whom againe besides may we applie the Reuelation of S. Iohn Of the beast ascending out of the earth Apocal. c. 13. v. 11. 17. v. 3. which had two hornes like the Lambe but spake like the Dragon of the woman sitting vpon a Scarlet coloured beast full of names of blasphemie For where is there more speech of Christ and lesse beleeuing him where more giuing him kisses together with buffetings where so monstrous so outragious blasphemies vnder that most holie name Is not this properly to put on Iesus a purple garment to put a reed in his hand and to say vnto him in mockerie as if he saw nothing in humane affaires especially in the gouernement of the Church Which of vs was it that smote thee And thus much for his spirituall domination Now of the temporall Wee found the Bishops of Rome vnder persecution had learned by the Testament of our Sauiour not to affect worldlie power but to be readie contrariwise to suffer cruelties from earthlie Princes By the Epistles of S. Paule and S. Peter and also by their examples to honor the kings and powers of the world to obey the froward and those that were hard to be pleased not to rule as Lords ne quidem in Domini cleros from whence came the name of Clergie And surely till the time of Constantine and some time after they had not any temporall jurisdiction yea and after that by the gifts of Christian Princes they were enriched for many ages they spake and liued submissiuely after the manner of vassals and seruants and as other subjects suffered both generall and prouinciall Councels to be called and assembled without contradiction by Christian Emperours and Princes and submitted themselues vnto them and their ordinances and at their commaundements came and went without complaining without so much as muttering of these their documents or pretensions But if it were a thing so important to the honour of Christ and the safetie of the Church as they would make men beleeue that this Vicar of Christ should be acknowledged through all the world girded and armed with two swords where was now their zeale that they suffered with such negligence their rights of so great moment to perish to be withheld to the manifest damage of S. Peter to be prescribed and to be vsurped from him the monarchie of the whole world without any gain-saying interpellation or any declaration of those rights But the Roman Empire now falling to ruine by reason both of the inward diseases of the same and the sundrie irruptions of the Northerne people the Bishops of Rome began to build on those ruines and to abuse the absence and weakenesse of the Emperours whom they expelled out of Italie by the armes of the Lombards and confined them to Greece and vnder colour that they would not admit Images into their Temples cut them off from the Church absolued their subjects from their oaths of fidelitie and withdrawing them from obedience to their Princes bound them at last to themselues In Italie the Lombards waxing too strong they supplanted them by the Frenchmen and after that the Frenchmen by the Germans opposing euer them that were farthest off against them that were nearer and so soon as any had gotten credit and authoritie with the people they cast him out by intruding another which could not but necessarily depend on their fauour And when the Germans went about to settle and establish their Empire in Italie they stirred vp factions against them in Germanie and caused the sonnes by breaking the bond of duetie both diuine and humane naturall and ciuile to rise
vp against their fathers And these things euer vnder pretence of heresie For to permit them not the absolute power to dispose of all Bishopricks or diligently to watch ouer their discipline or to maintain the elections according to the antient canons or to hinder their continuall exactions and rapines or but endeauor to do it was accounted with them horrible heresie Simonie Vntill that by the manifold conspiracies which they raised against them they by degrees obtained to be absolued from the oath of fidelitie Cerem Roman Charta 21. ad quaecunque fidelitatis iuramenta Cerem Roman Charta 21. l. 5. which they were woont to yeeld to the emperors And at length constrained the Emperours themselues before they were receiued into Rome that is into their house and auntient seat of the Empire in conceiued words to sweare vnto them quamcunque fidelitatem all kind of fidelitie and truely and openly to declare that they had no right in Rome and that they would stay there at Rome but so many dayes as it pleased the Pope and to ratifie and confirme all their pretended donations meerely friuolous Yea moreouer they compelled them by these meanes in all humilitie to request that they might be crowned by them Insomuch that they maintained and affirmed both by the authoritie of their Decrees and by open force of armes That they were superious to the Emperours who were their vassals and held their Empire by fealtie and liege homage from them That they were Monarches of the whole Vniuerse and direct Lords of all the world By which right so soone as any countries of the new found world were discouered they blushed not to giue them in feoffe and diuide them among kings as the patrimonie of S. Peter As witnesse also these words which they are woont to vse in the inuestiture of Popes Cerem Roman l. 1. c. 2. I inuest thee with the Popedome vt praesis vrbi orbi to commaund ouer the Citie the whole world Lastly That of right it belonged vnto them to inuest and degradth to ordaine and depose Emperours and Kings at their pleasure That it belongeth vnto them to dispose of the Empire vacant and in case the Electors bee through discord diuided themselues to elect the Emperour All which things are by them vsurped to the prejudice of all Estates and Policies yea to the contumelie of God himselfe by whom kings doe raigne and who alone both giueth and translateth Empires which neuer any in the world Sathan onely excepted durst or will dare to arrogate to himselfe And yet by this meanes he maketh himselfe to be adored by Emperours causeth them to hold his stirrop when he mounteth or lighteth from his horse and being gotten vp suffereth them to lead his horse some steps by the bridle not vouchsafing scarcely for fashion sake to let slip from him one word of refusall of this kind of seruice done him and if the Prince be not readie ynough in it it is an haynous crime vnpardonable as wee haue seene in some And when the Emperour is elected yea created hee maketh him basely demaund the Imperiall Crowne of him Cerem Rom. l. 1. Charta 21. 22. 26. 65. 59. 87. and in signe of tribute the suitor to cast a masse of gold at his feet What remaineth there more but as the Wise men to Christ Incence and Myrrhe Moreouer in all Acts both Ecclesiasticall and Ciuile hee is seated in a degree higher and more eminent and that of such a certaine height Cerem Rom. l 1. charta 21. 22. 26. 54 59 87. that the place where the Emperour sitteth is no higher than where the Pope setteth his feet his chaire also not so high nor so large and a lesse foot-stoole whether it bee in Church or in Chappell or in Councell And hee giueth him water when hee washeth his hands and in the Masse beareth vp his traine and in collation presenteth vnto him the napkin For this is with him a generall Maxime Nemini omnino mortalium reuerentiam facit Cerem Rom. l. 3. sect 1. fol. 120. The Pope doth no reuerence to any man in the world neither by rising manifestly nor by bowing of the head nor by vncouering himselfe onely to the Emperour of the Romans the Pope being set after he hath kissed his foot and his hand hee riseth a little and receiueth him to kisse with the mutuall embracement of charitie Yea the greatest Kings ought by his Statutes when hee enters into any of their cities to lead the Popes horse by the bridle or if the Pope bee carried in a chayre to put his shoulders vnderneath to carrie it Sellam subire Others of the chiefest of his Nobles afterwards submitting their neckes thereunto to ease him The Cardinalls which come to meet him presently so soone as they espie him must light downe from their horses afarre off and runne to kisse his foot and his hand and presently a little ladder prepared of purpose is set whereby they are admitted to kisse his mouth What is an Idoll or Idolatrie if this be not And yet of these rules is made an art digested as it were into a Codex of Lawes which without crime of high treason against God and man it is not lawfull to omit or transgresse Whereas Christ our Lord whose Vicar hee calleth himselfe being in the forme of God made himselfe of no reputation and tooke vpon him the forme of a seruant c. Phil. 2. v. 6.7.8 9. Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him But what kind of seruant is this who arrogateth to himselfe the title of the Master and Prince and what doe wee else expect but that in his appoynted time hee cast him headlong from that height of pride And seeing Christ for to bring vs vnto him into heauen humbled himselfe Phil. 2. v. 8. became obedient euen vnto the death of the Crosse whither doth this man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which exalteth himselfe aboue God draw with him his followers and obeyers but into hell And for as much as we see him arise of the declining of the Roman Empire and from the ruines thereof raised to that height doth it not put vs in mind of the words of the Apostle and the interpretation of the Fathers thereupon 2. Thess 2. v. 6.7 and now yee know what withholdeth that he might be reuealed which should be after his comming 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely he which now withholdeth shall let till he be taken out of the way that is the Roman Empire must needs bee abolished before he be reuealed Wee may remember also these words of S. Iohn Apoc. 13. v. 12. The second Beast the Papacie did all that the first Beast the Roman State could doe before him that is to his teeth and in his sight and he caused the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first Beast Rome whose deadlie wound was healed being restored by the substitution of the Popes authoritie in