c. 6. Malmesb. lib. 1. Reg. lib. 2. Pont. Huntingt l. 3. Marian. A. 693. al. 617. VVestman 616. who thereupon returned to the Chaistian faith recorded by S. Beda aboue eight huÌ„dred yeares agoe who wrote nothing but what he knew him selfe or receaued from credible men whose history was approued by the King of his dayes by the Protestants Godvvin in life of Tatvvin Cambd. in Britania p. 12. now and finallie it is contested deliuered by our best Chroniclers Not long before when the King had built a Monasterie and Church in honor of S. Peter where now westminster standeth S. Peter came from heauen and consecrated as by miracle he confirmed the same church promising that there he would heare the prayers of the faithful VVherupoÌ„ King Edward Conss reedified that church of new chose it for the place of his sepulture whom the most of his successors haue imitated and bene there also crowned Authors of this are Abbat Ealred Malmesburiensis In vit S. Eduardi Malmesbur l. 1. de Pont. See Sauil ep ad Reg. Elizab ante Malmesbur Epist ad Eduard R. apud Sur. Baron An. 610. a man highlie esteemed of Protestants P. Nicolas 2. and others In like maner when England was sore oppressed by the Danes S. Peter was seene of Brithwald a holie B of winchester in a vision to anoint S. Edward Conss King of England and to foretel the yeares of his raigne and the end of the Danish fury adding withal these most comfortable words The kingdome of England is the kingdome of Loc. cit Malmesb lib. 2. reg cap. 13. p. 91. lib. 8. histor Angl. God This testifie the foresaid Ealred Malmesbury Polidor and others If ProtestaÌ„ts obiect against my Authors that they were Papists I must confesse but to their shame that I finde no protestaÌ„t writer before K. Henry 8. his time yet such papists they are as protestants account some of them the singular Cambden in Britan. p. 12. in Durham Stovv A-726 Bel in dovvnefal p. 54. of S Beda Sauil of Masmesbur Hunting and Hoveden epist. ante Malmesbur ornameÌ„ts of England especial friends of truth and renowmed through Christendom for vertue and learning and others they cal faithful recorders of things done good and diligent Authors and most true guides of the times past Such also they are as wrote long before protestants were therefore not vpon any splene against them and finallie such they are as vpon their authority principallie dependeth al the credit of our English Chronicles Others perhaps wil say that the foresaid histories are not in scripture True nor almost any thing els in al our Chronicles Shal we therefote beleue nothing but what God reporteth I request no more but that the foresaid matters be as wel credited as other things are which the same Authors report This affection and loue towards England was not proper to S. Peter alone but descended vnto his successors For when the sweet sound of the Ghospel first preached here by him had so increased as it came to the eares of Lucius then King of this land he sending to Rome for preachers P. Eleutherius about the yeare 156. sent P. Eleutherius A. 156. S. Beda lib. 1. c. 4. Martyr Rom. 26. Ado Marian in chronic VVestmon A. 188. Stovv 179. hither S. Fugatius and S. Damian who baptized the King Queene and almost al his people VVhereby our Country became the first that publikely professed the faith of Christ and there vpon is called Primogenita Ecclesiae The like charitable office performed also P. Victor vnto Scotland P. Victor 203. Boet. lib. 6. histor Scot. Genebr chron in Victore about the yeare 203. sending thither his legates at the request of King Donaldus who conuerted the King together with the Q. and nobility And about the yeare 324. Pope Siluester P. Siluester 324. Constant in edicto Menolag Graecor cal Ion. Huntingt l. 1. hist p. 306. Acta liberij vita Siluestri hauing perfectlie instructed our great Emperor Constantin baptized him and miraculouslie cured him of his leprosie as the said Emp. and many others testifie Afterward when the Christian faith in Britany began to be infected with heresie P. Celestin about P. Celestin A. 432. Prosper in chron An. 432. Baron 429. Prosper An. 434. Beda l. 1. c. 13. Plat. in Celestino Baron Ann. 429. Cambden in Hibernia Marian. in chron Cambd. in Hibern the yeare 432. sent hither S. S. German and Lupus for to expel and confute the heresies which they accoÌ„plished And the same P. in the yeare 434. consecrated Palladius a Bishop and sent him to Scotland where as yet was no B not forgetful of Ireland sent thither S. Patrick who with miracles coÌ„uerted the Iland deserued saith Cambdin the title of Apostle thereof Thus coÌ„tinued the loue of the Sea Apostolicke towards our CouÌ„trey al the time that the BritoÌ„s possessed it But towards our English nation after they had conquered this Iland Beda lib. 1. â— 22. it was far greater For whereas not only the Britons refused but the French also and other Christian nations Gregor lib. 5. epist 58. 59. Gadvvin us life of S. Austin neglected to preach vnto our English aunciters who euer vntil that time had bene Pagans bondslaues saith S. Beda of Idols only Rome lib. 2. c. 1. put forth hir helping hand to draw theÌ„ out of that darcknes miserie of Infidelity For no sooner that blessed holie father S. Gregory as Gadwin P. Gregory An. 596. loc cit calleth him vnderstood that the Angles or English whom for their bewtie and his tender affection he called Angels were Pagans but forthwith he Beda lib. 2. c. 1. Malmesb. l. 1. Reg. went to the P being him selfe yet a monke and desired him to send Preachers into England and offering him selfe to be one And obtaining Ioan. Diâ—â— in vit Gregor licence came on his voyadge towards England three daies Iourney but was recalled at the importunity of the Romanes who were vnwilling to forgoe soe worthie a man neuertheles he forgot not his holie enterprise For as soone saith S. Beda l. 1. cap. 1. as he was high Bishop ouer the vvhole vvorlde he made our nation the Church of Christ vvhich had bene euer vntil that time the bondslaue of Idols And in the yeare 596. Beda sup Stovv An. 596. Godvvin sup sent hither S. Augustin with almost forty Moncks more to preach who being receaued of K Ethelbert in short time conuerted both him his CouÌ„try And that they preached the true faith and religion of Christ appeared by the miracles they wrought in testimony thereof which were so great and many as it seemed saith S. Gregory lib. 7. epist 30. that they imitated the vertues of the Apostles by the miracles they wrought and are withal so certaine as they are not only testified by the said S. Gregory lib. 9. ep 56.
In the yeare 1160. P. Adrian 4. gaue vnto King P. Adrian 4. 1160. Stovv An. 1160. Henrie 2. the dominion and regiment of Ireland and sent vnto him the Bul of his graunt with a ring of golde in VVestmon token of the inuestiture which grauÌ„t at the request of the said K. P. Alexander 3. P. Alexander 3. An. 1171. Houeden p. 1. Annal. p. 528. Polid. lib. 13. P. Lucius 3. 1185. Houed p. 2. p. 628. coÌ„firmed to him his heyres And as for P. Lucius 3. successor to the said Alexander his good wil appeareth by the great praise which he giueth to our English kings whom he writeth to haue far exceeded the rest of ChristiaÌ„ Princes in warlike prowes and noblenes of minde VVhich affection continued also in his successor P. Vrban 3. of whom as Houeden P. Vrban 3. An. 1185. part 2. p. 631. writeth K Henry 2. obtained many things whereof one was that he might crowne which of his sonnes he would of the kingdome of Ireland which he Stovv Ann. 1185. confirmed by a bul and in token of his good wil confirmation sent to him a crowne And lastlie P. Clement the P. Clement 3. An. 1189. Hovved p. 2. pag. 652. VVestmonast A. 1189. third in the yeare 1189. when not only the French king but also his sonnes and Nobles had conspired against the said K inuaded his dominions with a far greater power then he was able to resist sent a Cardinal to exhort them to peace who excommunicated the hinderers of the peace and threatned to interdict the French kings countrey vnles he made peace with England Likewise in the yeare 1193. when K Richard Ceur de lyon was taken prisoner as he came from the holie land by the Duke of Austria P. Celestin 3. P. Celestin 3. A. 1193. VVestmon Ann. 1193. Stovv 1195. Polid. l. 14. at the K request excommunicated the D and enioyned him to release the couenants which he had constrayned the K to make and to send home the pledges who not obeying the Pope he soone after died miserablie and was left vnburied vntil his sonne had sent home the pledges and sworne to stand to the iudgemeÌ„t of the Church And in the yeare 1207. P. Innocent 3. P. Innocent 3. An. 1207. Stovv Ann. 1207. sent to K Iohn an eloquent Epistle and diuers pretious Iewels And in the yeare 1215. when the Barons had extorted from the said king certaine charters and liberties the P. at the Kings request disanulled them and Stovv 1195. 1296. 1297. Gadvvin in vit Steph. Langton Polid. lib. 15. 16. excoÌ„municated the Barons which had rebelled against him when the said Barons had called in Lewis the Prince of France chosen him their King and yeelded the chiefest Citties holdes into his hands soe that England was in euident danger to be lost the P. sent his Legate to assist kinge Iohn and to forbid the French vpon paine of excoÌ„munication to enter into England which he stoutlie performed Also in the yeare 1253. P. Innocent 4. P. Innocent 4. An. 1253. Comin ventura nella relat de Napoli Polid. lib. 16. Stovv A. 1254. bestowed the Royal title and right of the kingdomes of Naples and Sicily vpon Edmond sonne to K Henry 3 and sent by a Cardinal the inuestiture thereof And 1257. P. Alexander 4. P. Alexander 4. Ann. 1257. VVestmon An. 1259. sent Messengers vnto Richard brother to the said king for to assure him of the Imperial dignity and to exhorte him to goe into Germany to receaue it which he did and was crowned king of Romans at Aquisgran And in the yeare 1292. when the Barons had wrested out of the said K. hands certaine liberties P. Vrban 4. at the P. Vrban A. 1262. Stovv Ann. 1262. 1264. kings suite sent a Legate to accurse the Barons that had rebelled in defence of the said liberties Againe in the yeare 1272. at the request of king Edward 1. P. Gregory P. Gregory 10. An. 1272. VVestmon An. 1272. Polid lib. 17. 10. excommunicated Guy of Monfort for killing the kings Coosin German in a church at Viterbo and condemned him of wilful and priuy murder of Sacriledge and treason declared him to be infamous and incapable of any office in the commonwealth and disherited his posterity vnto the fourth generation and excommunicated al those that intertained him and interdicted their dominions And in the same kings time was Cambridge of a Cambden in descript Cantabrig p. 435. ex Remington p. Clement 5. 1311. Clement â—it de Magâ—st c. 1. schoole made an vniuersity by the P. soone after in the yeare 1311. vnder king Edward the second P. Clement 5. appointed that in Oxford should be read two lectures of the Hebrew Arabick and Caldaick tongue and authorized it for one of the famousest vniuersities in Christendome Also in P. Ihon. 22. An. 1316. Polid. lib. 17. Stovv An. 2316. the yeare 1316. P. Iohn 22. at K Edward 2. his request sent two Legates to make peace betwixt England and Scotland and to reconcile Thomas Earle of Lancaster to the King who excommunicated the Scots because they would not agree to peace And in the same yeare at the kings petitioÌ„ the P. confirmed al the ancient priuiledges of the vniuersity of Cambridge which of long time they had enioyed by the benefit writeth Stow of the Stovv 1317. Popes predecessors Moreouer in the yeare 1489. Pope P. Innocent 8. A. 1489. Stovv Ann. 1486. Innocent the eight sent a Nuntio to take vp the variance betwixt the King of Scotland and his people but before his arriual the King was slaine And about the yeare 1504. When there arose a contention betwene K Henry 7. Ferdinand King of Spaine about the precedence P. Iulius 2. hauing P. Iulio 2. A. 1504. Valaterran Comin ventura Stovv ib. heard both their Embassadors gaue sentence for the King of England And in the yeare 1505. sent to the said King a sword Cap of maintenance as to a defendor of the Church But as no King of EnglaÌ„d deserued better of the Sea Apostolick then K Henry 8. did for a long time so none receaued more honor from thence then he did For he receaued not only from P. Iulius 2. in the yeare 1514. a sword and Stovv 1514. Cap of maintenance for defending him against the French king But also of Pope Leo 10. in the yeare 1521. P. Leo 10. A. 1521. Stovv A. 1521 Onuphr chron 1520. the most honourable title of Defendor of the faith for defendig by writing the Catholique faith against Luther VVhich title as it is more honorable then the titles of most Christian or Catholique giuen likewise by Popes to the French K and K. of Spaine so was it euer highlie estiemed of K. Henry and by him caused to be engrauen Stovv did see it An. 1547. on his tombe where he left the title out of his Supremacie And
the Citty Tociacum K. Richard Ceur de Lion at the exhortation of the P. went in person to the holy land with an army of 30. thowsand foote and fiue thowsand horse in which voiage he conquered the kingdome of Ciprus citty of Ptolemais and ouerthrew the Souldan in a great battel and the like enterprise afterward vndertooke K. Edward the K. Henry 2. An. 1241. Stovv An. 1241. first in the yeare 1241. King Henry 3. placed the Popes Legate in the most honourable roome of the table at a publique banquet in Christ-masse betwixt him selfe and the Archebishop of yorke And afterward vvith great pompe saith Stowe and innumerable company of Nobles and trumpets sounding before brought him to the Sea How deuout K. Richard 2. and Englishmen K. Richard 2. Stovv An. 1407. in his time were to the Sea of Rome appeareth by their building an hospital there for receit of English Pilgrims insteed of the foresaid Seminary which as it seemeth was destroyed in that great burning of Rome in the yeare 1084 in the place where S. Thomas of Canturbury had before built a chappel in honor of the B. Trinity This hospital was afterward in the raigne of K. Henry 6. and Henry 7. reedified and much encreased and lastlie in the yeare 1570 was much bewtifyed and augmented both in buildings and reuenews by P. Gregory 13. and by him conuerted to the auncient vse of a Seminary retayning stil the obligation of an hospital The affection of K. Henry 4. appeareth K. Henry 4. A. 1409. Stovv Ann. 1409. by his letter to the Pope A. 1409. which he beginneth thus Most holy father our humble recommendations in filial vvise premised And afterward hauing taken vvith our said sonne and also vvith our Prelats and Nobles mature deliberation vve beseech vvith al humility require your clemency vvhose state and honor vpon diuers causes as a deuout sonne of the Church so far as vve might vvith God vve haue euer embraced and do embrace by the expresse and vvhole assent of the estates aforesaid c. And as for King Henry 5. he in the yeare 1416. sent his K. Henry 5. An. 1416. Stovv Ann. 1416. Embassadors to the general Councel at Constance at whose procurement it vvas there ordained that England saith Note this Stowe should obtaine the name of a nation be said one of the fiue Nations that ovve their deuotiō to the Church of Rome vvhich thing vntil that time men of other Nations for enuie had letted Behould what an honor K. Henry 5. the Alexander of England and Conqueror of France and England in his most florishing triumphant time accounted it to owe deuotion to the Church of Rome VVhich now Ministers would accoūt so dishonourable And as for K. Henry K. Henry 7. An. 1505. 7. your Maiesties great grandfather his affection is euident by the sword and cup of maintenance sent to him from the Pope spoken of before But none of the kings of the Norman bloud euer shewed so great signes of loue affection to the Sea Apostolike as K. Henry 8. did for a long time K. Heury 8. A. 1511. 1521. Stovv 1511. 1512. 1513. Onuphr in Iul. 2. for first in the yeare 1511. he wrate to the French K. to desist from molesting Pope Iulius 2. and in the next yeare sent an army of ten thousand men into France for the Popes defence And in the yeare 1513. wēt him selfe in person with a royal army conquered Turwin and Turnay And not content to defend the Pope with his sword in the yeare 1521. wrate an excellēt booke Stovv An. 1521. in his defence against Luther And againe in the yeare 1527. when Pope Clement 7. was taken prisoner by the Emperors souldiers he gaue monethlie Stovv An. 1532. 60. thowsand Angels to the maintenance of an armie for the Popes deliuery And in this singular affection towards the Sea Apostolik continewed he vntil the 22. yeare of his raigne Stovv 1530. deinceps An. 1530. when not vpon any iniury offered by the P. or dislike of his religion which except the matter of supremacy he defended to his death and persecuted the Protestants but only vpon occasion of delaie saith Stowe made by the Pope in his controuersie of deuorcement and through displeasure of such reports as he he ard had bene made of him to the court of Rome and thirdlie pricked forvvards by such counsellers to follovv the example of the Germanes he first forbad the procurement of any thing from Rome and soone after prohibited al payments and appeales to Rome and lastlie tooke vpon him that supremacy which al his Christian predecessors had acknowledged to be in the Pope Thus your Maiestie seeth how long how honourablie and how profitablie also vnto both parties hath the mutual amity and league of friendship betwixt the Sea Apost and the Princes of al the foure Nations that haue swaied the Scepter of England continewed and flourished how of late it was broken by one Prince vpon meere passion contrary to the example of al his Predecessors and Successors also except one childe and a woeman VVhat dangers and troubles he and his kingdome incurred thereby and how his progeny according as Frier Poeto did then foretel him is now consumed and his Crowne translated to an other Royal lyne against which in his time he made sharpe war I need not here declare Only I wil say that him selfe being after more free from passion laboured to be reconciled to the Sea Apostolike and employed therein B. Gardener as he professed in a sermon at Paules Crosse and had easelie obtained it if he would haue acknowledged his fault and done penance VVhat remaineth for me to conclude this long epistle but prostrate at your Maiesties feet humblie to beseech you for your owne good and in the name of the foresaid Christian Princes that as you are the head of the fieft Nation which according to Gods prouidence foretolde by a holy man Hunting l. 6. p. 359. many hundred years agoe hath attained to the rule of this land so you would continew that most auncient honourable and proffitable league of friendship which was betwixt them al and the Sea Apostolicke who I beseech your grace wil giue you more faithful councel then your owne Progenitors and forefathers who can giue you more safe and secure directiō in gouernement of your kingdome then your owne Predecessors who soe happily and so long time gouerned it who are so worthie to giue you example or whom can you with so much honor imitate as so many so valiant so prudent Princes and yet they al with one voice counsel and request you to follow in this so importāt a matter not so much them selues as the councel of the wisest King that euer was yea of God himselfe in these words Thine ovvne Prouerb 27. friend and thy fathers friend see thou forsake not especiallie such a one as hath euer
Controuersies handled in this booke 1. Of the Popes supremacie Article 1. through out 2. Of the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Alter Article 2. chap. 1. 2. 3. Of the Sacrifice of Masse Art 2. chap. 3. 4. 5. 6. 4. Of the Popes dispensations Article 3. through out 5. Of Original sinne concupiscence Article 4. through out 6. Of merit of good workes Art 8. through out 7. Of the distinction of mortal and venial sinns Art 6. through out 8. Of the sufficiencie of the holy Scripture Art 7. cap. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. Of the difficultie of Scripture Ibid. chap. 6. 10. Of the vulgar peoples reading of scripture in vulgar tonges Ibid. c. 7. 11. Of the translating of holy Scripture into vulgar tonges Ibid. c. 8. 12. Of Traditions Art 7. chap. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Of the authority of late general counsayles ibid. chap. 13. 14. Of the oathes of Bishops Ibid. chap. 14. 15. Of the possibility of keeping Gods commandments Art 8. through out TO THE MOST HIGHE AND MIGHTIE PRINCE IAMES By the grace of God King of great Britanie France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith YF S. Paul Most Gratious Soueraigne being accused of the whole Synagog of the Iewes by their Orator Tertullus of diuers heynous crimes both against Gods and the Princes lawes found notwithstanding such equitie in the heathen President Festus as that he answered his aduersaries that it was not the Romans custome to coÌ„demne Act. 2â— any man before he haue his accusers present and place to make his answer and also such fauour at the The like reporteth Plutarch of K. Alexan. the great Act. 26. Iewish King Agrippa his hands as he both licenced him to speake for him selfe afforded him fauorable audience Much more cause haue your Maiesties Catholique Subiects being accused of the ministers by a hyred spokesman Bel to expect the like yea greater fauor equitie at your Graces handes For if the Romans though Heathens thought it iniustice to condemne any particular man at the clamors of a whole nation before his accusers were present and his defence were heard And if King Agrippa albeit He killed S. Iames and emprisoned S. Peter Act. 12. a Iew persecutor of Christians deemed it notwithstanding a Princes part to geueÌ„ audience to one accused of that Religion which he both hated and persecuted How much more wil a Christian Prince forbeare to condemne the vniuersal cause of his Catholique subiects at the slaunders and outcries of ministers one hyred Proctor before their accusers be brought face to face and they haue time and place graunted to answer for them selues wherein we shal account our selues more happy then S. Paul because we shal plead our cause not before a Iewish but a Christian King such a one as better knowerh the questions and customes of the Christians then King Agrippa did of the Iewes VVherfore seeing that of late Thomas Bel a fugitiue once from Protestants religion as he is now from Catholiques hath not only accused but also malitiously slaÌ„dered the vniuersal Catholique cause in a booke which he hath dedicated to your Maiestie termed it the Dovvnefall of Poperie and withal challengeth dareth yea adiureth in which case our B. Sauiour Matth. 26. though with danger of his life made answer al English Iesuits Seminary Priests and as he speaketh Iesuited Papists to answer him I haue presumed vpon your Gratious fauour to accept his chaleng and am ready to performe it hand to hand if your Maiestie graunt licence and in the meane time to dedicate to your Name this my confutation of his arguments and slaunders VVherin I speake not for my selfe as S. Paul did before King Agrippa but for the religion of your owne Progenitors and Predecessors for the faith of our Forefathers for the cause of al Catholiques and for the good I dare say of your Maiesties owne person kingdoms For though Bel calumniate Christian Kinges and pag. 17. Emperors with opening the window to al Antichristian tyranny and Catholiques generally with thinking p. 1. 22. Christ to be killed a thousand times a day and the like yet especially he slandereth the Popes with vsurping power proper to God and to depose Princes and dispose of their kingdomes at his pleasure therby to alienate your mind from the Sea Apostolike wherin he not onely abuseth your patieÌ„ce with telling you vntruths but greatly harmeth and endamageth your selfe and Realme by endeuoring through Vir Apostata prauo corde machinatur maluÌ„ omni tempore iurgia Seminat â—ouer c. 6. his false slanders to auert your minde from the Popes who haue bene the most ancient most assured and most beneficial frends which the Kinges Realme of England euer had VVhich thing that I may make manifest vnto your Grace I humbly beseech you geue me leaue to set downe some praticular examples of the mutual amitie kind offices benifites which haue euer bene betwixt the Popes and the Princes of this land VVherein if I be somewhat longer then men in Epistles The loue benefits of Popes to England and Kings therof S. Peter P. vse to be I hope that the varietie and profit of the matter wil make requital Not long after the Apostolike Seat was settled in Rome S. Peter the first Pope about the 63. yeare of Christ came hither as not only Gretians but Metaphrast tract de Pet. Paul apud Lippoman Cambden in descrip Britanâ—â— p. 52. And Nicephor as he saieth Protestants also confesse stayed here a long time conuerted many Nations to Christs faith erected Churches ordered Bishops and Priests and being admonished of an Angel returned from hence to Rome to suffer Martyrdome Neither was this loue to our Countrie extinguished by death but as he promised to some so he had it 2. Pet. 1. also in mind after his death and miraculously assisted it in the greatest distresses So that truly wrote S. Sergius Malmesbur lib. 1. Pont. Angl. p. 209. 1. Pope vnto our Kings of England almost a thousand yeares agoe that S. Peter was mindful of them Pope Alexander 3. to King Henry 2. â—ugubin de donat CoÌ„st that England was vnder S. Peters protection euer since Christs name was glorified there For when our country about the yeare 611. began to Apostatate from the faith of Christ and the Bishops were determined to forsake the land S. Perer appearing to Sainct Laurence Arch-bishop of Canturbury did seuerly rebuke and scourge him because he would abandon the flocke which I said S. Peter coÌ„mitted vnto thee This miracle is so certaine as some ProtestaÌ„ts confesse it though Gadvvin in the life of S. Laurence some others wil not beleue it because they haue neither seene nor put their singers into S. Laurence his wounds yet it may suffice any indifferent man that it was auouched by S. Laurence beleeued by King Edbald his people lib. 2. hist
â—8 Beda lib. 1. c. 31. l. 2. c. 2. Apud Godvvin in vit August Godvvin sup Stovv An. 603. Cambd. in Britan. p. 104. in diuers places S. Beda other ancient writers and by the Epitaph of S. Augustins tombe but coÌ„fessed also by diuers Protestants Againe in the yeare 601. he sent more Preachers and with them al things necessary for the furniture and seruice of the Church as holie vessels saith S. Beda Aultar Beda lib. 1. c. 29. clothes apparel for priests and Clarcks reliques of holie Apostles and Martirs and many bookes and a Palle to S. Augustin to vse only writeth S. Gregory at Masse Apud Bed sup appointed also him to be ouer al the Bishops and Priests of Britany and gaue him licence to institute 24. Bishopricks whereof 12. should be vnder his prouince and 12. vnder yorke Besides he sent rich presents of Bed lib. 1. c. 32. Gregor lib. 9. epist 59. 60. diuers sorts and letters vnto the King and Queene for to confirme them in their faith and sent order also into Gregor lib. 5. epist 10. France to buy such English youths as were there slaues and to send them vp to Rome there to be brought vp in vertue learning VVherein he gaue the example of the English Seminary which not long after our English Kings founded in Rome This was the exceeding loue of this B. Pope towards our Nation vvhom vve may vvel and must saith S. Beda lib. 2. c. 1. cal our Apostle and may lavvfullie pronounce of him that saying of the Apostle 1. Cor. â— Although he vvere not an Apostle to others yet he vvas vnto vs For the signe of his Apostleship vve are in our Lord. Neither was this great good so happilie begun and planted in our nation by S. Gregorie and his Legates neglected by the Popes his successors but rather diligentlie watered and furdered by them as appeareth by the letters Bed lib. 2. c. 10. 11. Huntingt l. 3. Bed lib. 2. c. 17. Hunting sup Bed lib. 4. c. 18. Hunt l. 4. p. 335. Malmesbur l. 1. Pontif. p. 197. VVestm onast A. 789. Malmesb. l. 2. Reg. p. 47. A. 804. P. Honorlus An. 635. Bed l. 3. c. 7. Gadvv in vit Birini P. Vitalian 668. Bed lib. 4. c. 1. 2. Gadvv in vit Theodori Antonin tit 14. c. 4. paragr 14. Lazius l. 3. de Cimmeriâ—s Ramus Poeta German apud CaÌ„bd in Britan. p. 105. Polid. lib. 5. Messages of diuers of them sent vnto our Princes and Bishops to that purpose as of P. Boniface 5. in the yeare 618. of P. Honorius in 633. of P. Agatho 679. P. Zacharie about 746. P. Adrian 789. P. Formosus 894. and others But most of al it was increased by P. Honorius his sending hither in the yeare 635. that Apostolical man S. Birin who conuerted the west Saxons and by P. Vitalian who in 668. sent hither those holie and great learned men S. Theodor and Adrian by whose teaching Englishmen in short time became the rarest men and best learned of their age and the first founders of the vniuersities in Paris and Pauia and consequentlie the chiefest fountaines of the learning which hath bene since in the west After this time Eardulf King of Northumberland being driuen out of his kingdome countrey P. Leo 3. in the yeare 808. P. Leo 3. An. 808. Amoinus l. 4. c. 94. Regino in chron Baron 808. sent Card Adalph his legate into England who with the helpe of Charles the greats Embassadors restored the King peaceablie vnto his kingdome Not long after P. Leo 4. dispensed P. Leo 4. 855. Gathezelin in vit S. Suithuni apud Sut. Baron 855. with King Ethelwal for to marry which he being a Subdeacon could not do lawfullie at the same kings request crowned his sonne Alfred VVestmonast 855. Baron sup King and adopted him for his sonne who afterward for his worthie deeds both in warre peace was surnamed the great and for al things became the rarest Prince that England and perhaps Christendom euer had Soone after in the yeare 883. at the suite of the King Alfred the great P. Martin P. Martin 1. 883. VVestmonast Baron A. 883. Gadvvin in vit Pleg 1. released the tribute which the English schoole or Seminary then in Rome paide sent to the King many guifts among which was a good piece of the holie Crosse In the yeare 990 when Richard Marques of Normandie had purposed to inuade England and make warre vpon king Ethelred P. Iohn 15. sent P. Ihon. 15. An. 990. Epist apud Malmesb. l. 2. Reg. c. 10. Baron An. 990. his Nuntio and letters to take vp the matter who happilie brought them to agreement and about the yeare 1059. P. Nicolas the second granted to king P. Nicolas 2. 1059. Epist ad Eduard R. apud Sur. in cit Eduardi Edward Conss and his successors aduocationem tuitionem omniuÌ„ totius Angliae Ecclesiarum the aduouzon protection of al the Churches in EnglaÌ„d And in the yeare 1094. P. Vrban 2. in P. Vrban 2. 1094. Malmesbur l. 1. Pontif. p. 223. Gadvvin in vit Anselmi a councel at Bari appointed that S. Anselme Archbishop of Canterburie and his successors should sit in Councels besides the Archdeacon of Rome who sitteth before the P. adding these honourable words Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam alterius orbis Papam wheras before it was vnknowne saith Malmesbury what place belonged to our Archibishop the same place did P. Paschal 2. confirme in a councel at Rome about the yeare 1102. But besids this diuers other dignities haue bene graunted to the Sea of Canturb Malmesbur sup p. 208. 209. by the Popes as that it should be Primate ouer al Britany and the B legatinati Polid. lib. 13. Gadvvin in vit Theobaldi and other like dignities Moreouer in the yeare 1098. the Scottish men saith Genebrard out of Genebrard chron in Vrban 2. Pascali 2. Leone 9. Maior Boethius two Scottish Chroniclers obtained of P. Vrban 2. for their Prince that he might haue the name title and anointment of a king which the Hungarians and Polonians Baron An. 1000. had obtained for their Princes about the yeare 1000. whereupon Edgar was then first anointed King of Scotland And about 1107. P. Pascal P. Pascal 2. 1107. Malmesbur lib. 5. Reg. p. 163. 2. writing to king Henry 1. among other things promiseth so to fauor him and his sonne as vvho saith he hurteth you or him may seeme to haue hurt the Church of Rome And in the yeare 1152. when K. Steephen hauing vsurped the Crowne of England would haue caused the Bishops to Crowne his soÌ„ne Eustace thereby to exclude for euer the right heyre Henry 2. Pope Eugenius P. Eugenius 3. An. 1152. Stovv Aâ— 1152. Gadvvin in vit Theobaldi 3. sent commaundement to the Cleargie not to medle in that matter whereby it was hindered
shott sighted or starcke blinde For what Sigebert writeth of Pipin he meaneth not of Pipin Carolus his father and giuer of the exarchate who died 768. but of Pipin Carolus his sonne and neither his possessing Italy 801. nor his sonne Bernards kingdome therof 812. doth preiudice the Popes regality ouer the exarchate and Coctian Alpes giuen him before by King Pipin Aripert any more then it doth preiudice the regality and dominion which the greeke Emperours had at the same time Naucletus general 27. Platina in Leone 3. Bland Dec. 1. l. 1. ouer a great parte of Italie vz. From Naples and Manfredonia to the sea of Sicily 7. For besides that Lombardy whereof Pipin and Bernard were kings was then called Italie as is euident out of Charles his Nauclerus general 18. testament where he saith Itali which is also called Lombardy because they alone in Italy were then called Kings and possessed the best parte thereof they were intitled of the whole as the Kings of England were before the vnion of Scotland by straungers called in latin Kings of Britanny And as for Charles the great he was soe far from taking from the Pope what his father Pipin had giuen as he added thereto saith Nauclerus the I le of Corsica and what is from Luna to the Alpes confines of Italy and what betwixt Leo Ostiensis lib. 1. chron Cassinen Parma and Luca together with the Dukedomes of Spoleto and Beneuent 8. But yet far greater blindenes it is not to be able to see how the Pope can be now any Kinge at al if others were Kings of Italie 800. years agoe can he not se how kingdomes may be altered not only to different families but euen to diuers nations in lesse then eight hindred years are not the Normans and their discent Kings of England because they were not 800. nay 600 years agoe are not Spaniards Kings in Italie because they were not 400. yeares agoe could not the Popes in eight hundred years space come to a kingdome either by guifte of Princes or by iust ware or at least by prescription of time which they had not before 9. As for the Popes besides the guifts of Constantine Aricthpert Pipin and Carolus Magnus before mentioned Ludouic Pius Emperour and sonne to Carolus Magnus Gratian. d. 63. can ego Ludouicus confirmed the donation of his grandfather Pipin and afterward Countesse Leo lib. 3. chron c. 48. Maud gaue to the Pope Liguria and Tuscia in the yeare 1079. of which guifts the authentical euidences saith Bellarmin Bellarm. de Rom. Pont. c. 9. are extant in Rome which suffiseth to let Bel see how the Pope may be now a King though he were none in the yeare 812. besides that pag 17. he could see how some Christian Kings and Emperours haue yeelded vp their soueraigne rights to the Pope and pag 11. how Pipin gaue vp the gouernment of Italie into his hand and is he stricken blinde in the midest so that pag 14. he could not see how the Pope is now any King at al. Thus much of Bels blindnes out of his owne confession Now let vs see as much of his smal credit by the like confession 10. Bellarmin saith he must be credited at Bel pag. 14. Bellar. sup leisure when he telleth vs that Pipin gaue Rauenna and Pentapolis to S. Peter S. Paul meaning Ex Adone loc cit lib. 3. c. 3. ex regione Sigebert â—â— chron Bland Dec. 1. lib. 10. Magdeburg cent 8. c. 10. the Pope and yet him selfe telleth vs pag 11. that Pipin gaue vp the gouernement of Italie into the Popes hands If Bellarmin must be credited at leisure for saying Pipin gaue to the Pope a smal parte of Italie though he proue it by many witnesses and Bel confesse it to be so apparant that it can not be denied Surelie Bel p. 12. Bel not to be credited him selfe must not be credited at al for saying without al testimony yea contrary to his owne testimony pag 13. that he gaue Italie to the Pope I omit a petit vntruth of his saying that Meroueus was the first christian King of France So blinde he is that he Anual Gall. Claude Paradin des Alliances Gnealogiques Bel pag. 12. can not discerne the grand-father from the grand-childe Meroueus from Clodoueus a heathen from a christian 11. The sixt steppe Bel maketh the translation of the Empire by Pope Leo 3. from the Greekes to the French or Germans in the person of Charles the great of this translation we haue spoken before and it is rather a notorious act of the Popes superiority ouer Emperours then a steppe thereunto But because Sigebert in recounting Sigeb chronic 801. it saith Romani animo desciuerant ab Imperatore Constantinopoli Which Bel Englisheth pag. 13. reuolted from the Emperour he inferreth diuers vntruths first that Popes were subiect to 23 vntruth Emperours 800. yeares after Christ Secondly that the translation of the Empire implied flat treason 24 vntruth in the Pope and Romans Thirdlie that Sigebert 25 vntruth saith they surrendered the right of their soueraigne to an othor 12. To disproue the two first vntruths Bel disproued by him selfe I need no other witnes then Bel him selfe who pag 8. affirmed that from the yeare 471. vntil Carolus Magnus which was 801. Barbarians possessed al Italie If from 471. vntil 801. Barbarians possessed al Italie how Contradict 7. Contradict 8. were Popes 800. yeares vnder Emperours how committed they treason against Emperours in making Carolus Emperour if at that time aboue 300. yeares before they were not vnder Emperours but vnder Barbarians 13. The truth is that Barbarians possessed Baron in annal Italie from the yeare 476. for more then 80. yeares after which time the Grecian Emperour in the yeare 553. recouered al Italie and albeit they lost shortly after in the yeare 568 a great part therof yet they kept Rome vntil about the yeare 726. Onuph saith 731 when both Rome and Onuphr in chron Baron in annal Italie reuolted from Leo 3. Emperour of Constantinople for his heresie against Images and would then haue chosen an other Emperour against him if Gregory the second then Pope had not disswaded them Since which time Rome was neuer vnder the Emperours of Constantinople And therefore neither were the Popes subiect to Emperours 800. yeares after Christ nor did Pope Leo commit any treason against the Grecian Emperors by creating Charles Emperour in the yeare 801. which was almost a hundred yeares after the reuolt of Italy from the greekes As for the third vntruth it is euident because Sigebert doth not cal the grecian Emperour soueraigne to to the Romans And the word desciuerant signifieth any for saking or leauing of one whether he be his soueraigne or no. 14. But Bel goeth on in erring the Pope Bel pag. 13. not to be true King of Italie because writers agree not
though Q. Elizabeth had vtterly cast of the Popes friendship yet he forsooke not hir For Pius 4. supposing P. Pius 4. A. 1560. that she had reuolted from that Sea rather for feare lest her title to the crowne might be called in question because one P. had before declared her birth to be vnlawful then for dislike of the religion which in her father and sisters daies she had professed sent a Nuntio to promise her al fauor touching her title to the crowne And soone after an other to request her to send her diuines to the Councel of Trent with promise of al security and liberty Neither may I leaue your Maiestie out of the number of the Princes of this land who haue tasted the loue frindship of the Sea Apostolike Because P. Clement 8. 1603. out of your owne grateful mind you haue publiquely professed your Proclamat â—â— 1. â—egni selfe behoulding vnto P. Clement 8. for his temporal carriadge and diuers kinde offices towards your Maiestie Besides he hath as it is reported censured al such as shal molest your grace and hath often times professed that he would willinglie giue his life for the eternal good of our countrey VVhich is the greatest loue that one can beare as our Sauiour testifieth vnto his friend Oh how great enimies are they vnto England who seeke by false slaunders to make such friends odious vnto vs. By this which hath bene said omitting much more for breuity your Maiestie clearlie seeth how greatlie and how continally the Sea Apostolique hath euer fauored the Christian Princes of this land how many and how great benefits both spiritual and temporal Popes haue bestowed vpon them and in their dangers and distresses according to their power assisted them VVeigh I beseech your grace in the ballance of your Princely wisdome the forsaid benefits with such as your selfe or Auncitors haue receaued from the rest of Christendom and Popes haue benefited Engl. more then al Christendome besyds you shal finde that the Sea Apostolicke alone hath more benifyted England then al Christendom besides and consequentlie that the forsaking of the Popes friendship hath more endammaged your Realme then if it had forsaken the rest of Christendom But especiallie I humblie beseech your Maiestie weigh them with such as Bel or any minister can shew you to haue receaued from their two seats of pestilence in witenberge and Geneua VVhat kingdomes haue they bestowed vpon you vnto what imperial or Royal dignity haue they exalted you from what Paganisme haue they conuerted your land what enimies haue they appeased what assistance haue they afforded you in any need what good litle or great haue they brought to this land Now what mischeefe haue they not brought That Bel in his ovvne iudgemeÌ„t vvas both an Apostata and Traiter vvhiles he vvas Preist one Apostata and fierbrand of seditioÌ„ Knox sent from Geneua brought more mischiefe to your Grandmother your B. mother to your father and Kingdom of Scotland then I can rehearse or your Maiestie without great griefe can remember Ministers pretend the loue of the Ghospel as the cause of persuading you from friendship with the Pope But yet disswade not from friendship with the Turke They pretend also your graces See Conser at Hampton Court p. 80. 81. security But the true cause indeed your Maiestie descried discouered in Knox to wit their owne security aduauÌ„cement which they fear would be endangered if you kept your ancient and surest friend and therefore with your losse as your maiestie perceaued in your Grandmothers case they worke their owne wealth and security And thus much of the Popes The laue benefits of the British Kings to the Sea Apostolik Note this As for the Christian Princes of this land though they haue bene of foure different and most opposite nations to wit Britons English Danes and Normans yet haue they al agreed in keeping the league of friendship with the Pope being officious vnto him accouÌ„ting him their especial friend Of the British kings of this land first K. Lucius A. 156. Beda lib. 1. c. 4. is King Lucius whose particular affection towards the Sea Apostolick is euident by that he neglecting other Christian Churches neare vnto him he sent so far as to Rome for Preachers As for Constantin the great Constantin Mag. 324. the immortal glory of the British kings his extraordinary loue and affection vnto the Sea of Rome is more notorious then I need rechearse For he not only gaue vnto the Pope the gouernment of Rome and of a good parte of the west as besides him selfe and Latin historiographers Constant in edicto Isidor Eugubin de donat ConstaÌ„t Grat. d. 69. Iuo Genebr in chron Photius seu Balsam in nomoran R. Abraham in Zikron Dibre Romi Abben Estra 11. Daniel Cadualader Polid. lib. 3. both Greecks and Iewes professed enimies to the Pope do testifie but also serued him as a lackey houlding his stirrop and leading his horse by the bridle Cadwallader also the last British king in England hauing lefte his countrey went no whither but to Rome and there ended his daies And if the histories of those ancieÌ„t times were more perfect or the Britons had raigned longer in this Iland no doubt but we should haue more examples of their deuotion to the Sea of Rome as appeareth by Salomon A. 869. Argenteus histor Brit. lib. 2. c. 27. Baron An. â—â—9 Salomon their King in litle Britany after they had bene driuen hence by the Saxons who writing to Pope Adrian the second beginneth his letter thus Domino ac beatissimo Apost sedis Rom Hadriano Salomon Britanorum Rex flexis genibus inclinatoque capite And sendeth him his statua in gold with diuers rich guifts and money promiseth a yearlie pension and acknowledgeth his Royal title to haue bene giuen to him by Popes This was the loue of the British kings vnto the Sea Apostolike To the British kings succeeded the The loue benefits of the English Kings K. Ethelbert An. 596. Beda lib. â— c. 25. Saxons or English as wel in their loue and reuerence to the Sea of Rome as in their kingdome For king Ethelbert at the very first receaued S. Gregory his Legats very courteouslie prouided them of al things necessary and freelie licensed them to preach vsing these gratious words worthie to be imitated of your Maiestie in the like case For so much as you are come so far to impart vnto vs such knovvledge as you take to be true vve vvil not trouble you but rather vvithal courtesie receaue you After him king Ofwin hauing K. Osvvin A. 665. perfectly learned that the Church of Rome saith S. Beda was the Catholique Lib. 3. c. 29. and Apostolicke Church sent thither in the yeare 665. a Priest to be consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury And in a conference about the obseruation of Easter hearing that the keies of heauen were giuen to S. Peter
concluded thus I vvil not gaine Bed lib. 3. c. 25. Bar. An. 664. say such a Porter as this is but as far as I knovv and am able I vvil couet in al points to obey his ordinance And in the yeare 670 he bare saith S. Bede such loue and affection lib. 4. cap. 5. to the Apostolike Sea of Rome as if he might haue eskaped his sicknes he purposed to goe to Rome and to end his life in those holie places there But what he could not through death performe the valiant Prince King Cedwalla did in the very flour K. Cedualla An. 689. of his age and prosperity For in the yeare 689. forsaking his kingdome saith S. Beda he vvent to Rome thinking it to Beda lib. 5. c. 7. be a singular glory and renovvme for him to be regenerated vvith the Sacrament of Baptisme at the Sea Apostolicke And vvithal conceaued hope that as soone as by baptisme he vvas cleansed from sinne he should depart from this vvorld to immortal ioy VVhich by Gods prouidence was perfourmed and he honourablie buried by the Pope in S. Peters Church Not long after him to wit in the year 709. two English Kings Coenred and K. Coenred and Offa. 709. Offa forsooke their kingdomes went to Rome and there became Moncks Lib. 5. cap. 10. Baron 709. Huntingt l. 4. p. 337. Malmesb 1. reg c. 6. Marian. chro VVestmonast 710. Sigeb 707. Polid. lib. 4. Fox l. 2. K. Ina. An. 726. Lib. 5. cap. 7. Baron 726. Ethelvvead l. 2. c. 13. Huntingt l. 4. p. 338. Malmefbur l. 1. Marian chron Stovv 685. Fox l. 2. VVestmon An. 727. Geneb 741. Polid lib. 4. Stovvv in Ina. continuing saith S. Beda at the Apostles tombes in praying fasting dealing almes vntil their dying day Ina al. Hun successor to K. Cedwal in his kingdome succeeded him also in his deuotion to the Sea Apostolike for after he had raigned saith S. Beda 37. years he gaue ouer his kingdome vvent him selfe to the tombs and monuments of the Apostles in Rome as in those daies many English both of the Nobility and Commons spiritual and temporal men and vvoemen vvere vvont to doe vvith great emulation Neither went he only to Rome but became there a Monke and was the first that paied the Peter pence appointing that euery householder of his kingdome who English Seminary in Rome almost 900. years agoe had thirty peny worth of Cattel of one sort should pay yearlie one penny to Rome which money was partlie for the P. partlie for the maintenance of an English schoole or Seminary which VVestmon A. 727. 794. he then built in Rome for bringing vp of English youths there in vertue and learning Not long after about the 750. yeare S. Richard K. forsooke his kingdome S. Richard K. A. 750. Sur. 7. Februar Baron 750. leauing his two sonnes in Germany with S. Boniface an Englishman the Popes Legate there went him selfe in Pilgrimage to R. but dying in the way at Luca is there honourablie buried And the yeare 775. King Offa though K. Offa. An. 775. Fox l. z. Martyr a warlike Prince gaue ouer his kingdome went to Rome and there became a Monke and imitating the example of King Ina increased the English See Malmesbur l. 2. reg c. 2. p. 38. VVestmon An. 794. Bar. 775. Polid. l. 4 Hunting l. 4. p. 342. Greg. 7. l. 8. epâ—st vlt. Baron A. 782. Seminary begun by him and imposed the like pension of Peter pence vpon his kingdome of Mercia as Charles the great about the same time imposed vpon France the like tribute to be paid to Rome The loue and affection of King Kenulph a worthie K. Kenulph An. 808. Annal. Fran. Baron 808. Malmesbur 1. Reg. c. 4. p. 30. 33. Prince and successor to King Offa appeareth by his redeeming the Popes Legate taken of Pirats in the yeare 808. and by his submissiue letter to the Pope wherin he humblie craueth his blessing as al his predecessors had desireth to be adopted for his sonne as I saith the King loue you like a father embrace you vvith al obedience And protested to be willing to spend his life for the Pope After him King Ethelwolph in the K. Ethelvvolph An. 855. VVestmon Baron 855. Ethelvverd lib. 3. cap. 3. Srovv Ingulphus yeare 855. went to Rome tooke with him his best beloued sonne Alfred for to be instructed saith westmonaster of the Pope in manners and religion where he abode a whole yeare and procured his sonne to be crowned of the Pope and adopted of him for his sonne he also notablie repaired the English Seminary Malmesb. l. 2. cap. 2. p. 38. Stovv Ann. 839. at Rome which had bene burnt a litle before and confirming guifts of K. Ina and Offa imposed Malmesbur sup Marian. 877. Platina in Leone 4. the pension of Peter pence vpon al England which was afterward paid vntil the later end of K Henry 8. About the same time King Burdred leauing K. Burdred Ethelvvead l. 4. c. 3. Malmesb l. 1. c. 4. p. 33. Ingulph Stovv 875. K. Ganute a Dane 1032. Malmesb. l. 2. cap. 1. Ingulph Polid l 7. Huntingt lib 6. Stovv in Canute Marian A. 1033. his kingdome went to Rome and was there buried in the English schoole Neither would King Canute though a Dane be found vngrateful to the Sea Apost but went to Rome in the yeare 1032. confirmed the payment of the Peter pence gaue great guifts of golde siluer and pretious things to S. Peter obtayned of Pope Iohn immunity for the English Seminary And finally K. Edward Conf the last but K. Eduard Conf. An. 1056. Ealted in vit eius one of the Saxon bloud would haue gone to Rome in Pilgrimage had not his people vpon feare of the Danes inuasion hindred him yet sent he Embassadors to the Pope with great presents and confirmed al the dueties customes belonging to him in England And thus continewed the English Kings al the time of their raigne in singular affection and deuotion to The loue benefits of the NormaÌ„ Kings the Sea Apostolicke To whom as the Norman Princes succeeded so they followed them in their piety and religion For beside that they paid the Peeter pence in particular K. william Conqueror hauing K. VV. Conqueror An. 1066. Stovv in Herald subdued England and slaine K. Herald in the yeare 1066. sent straight his standard to the Pope as to his peculiar K. Henry 1. Malmesb. l. 1. Pont. p. 226. friend And K. Henry 1. professed by his Embassadour to P. Paschal 2. that England was a peculiar prouince of the Church of Rome and paid vnto her yearlie tribute King Henry 2. about the yeare K. Henry 2. An. 1180. Genebr in chron 1180. 1180. together with Lewis King of France ledde P. Alexanders horse and with great pompe conducted him K. Richard 1. Polid. lib. 14. Genebr 118. Stovv through
aduersary enter the field and like Vergils Bul. A Eneid 12. beates the winde withal his might And casting sand doth florish to the sight it is admirable For omitting particuler coÌ„tradictions almost in euery Article he flingeth down the very main point which he wold establish As art 1. he wold proue that the Pope hath no superiority ouer Princes nor power to depose them and yet affirmeth that some Kings and Emperors haue humbled pag. 17. them selues yeelded their soueraign rights to him and that Popes liued in duetiful obedience pag 2. vnder Emperors vntil the year 603. which he proueth by S. Gregory and yet no les then S. Fabian S. Innocent 1. Symmachus S. Felix 2. Anastasius 2. Vigilius six Popes did in that tyme excommunicate their Emperors S. Gregory was the first that decreed the deposition of Kings and Princes In the second article after he had talked long against the real presence and sacrifice of the Masse he falleth to cal the sacrificing of Christs flesh with Preists hands p. 26. 27. golden words and to say that if we wold be iudged by a doctrin of Bellarmins which a litle before he had said was the Popes doctrin the controuersy about the real presence wold be at an end In the fourth article after he had long labored to proue inuoluntary motions of the flesh to be formal sin and called the contrary damnable doctrin he both affirmeth and proueth such inuoluntary motioÌ„s in S. Paul to haue bene no sin because they pag. 48. were against his wil. In the fift Article after he had spent many leaues to fling down condigne merit at the last he auoucheth that if we wold be iudged by Bellarmins p. 78. 79. others doctrin published in print that controuersy wold be ended yet immediatly before he had affirmed that Bellarm. taught his doctrin of merit which is the very some which commonly al Catholiks hold after mature deliberation and graue consultation with al the best learned Iesuits in the world and with the Pope him self What is this but to confesse that in vain he impugneth the Popes doctrin of merit Such is the force of truth saith S. Austin that it is more forceable to Lib. cont Donat. post collat c. 24. pag. 81. wring out confession then any rack or torment In the sixt Article he admitteth the distinction of mortal and venial sin in a godly sense as he saith and yet streight after concludeth absolutly that al sins are mortal and saith that we flatter our selfs in our cursed deformed venials In the seuenth article after he had spent 27. leaues to fel down Traditions called them falshoods and vanities p. 93. and pronounced them accursed of S. Paul who receaue them at last him self p. p. 134. 135. 134. and 135. accepteth one Tradition about the Bible whither it be Gods word or no wherby he beateth down whatsoeuer before he had set vp against the Traditions of the Church In the last he graunteth that Gods commandements are possible to be kept in a godly sense and yet afterward absolutly concludeth that we can not possibly keep them Thus we see this silly fellow p. 149. as he hath bene of opposit religions and professions so playing ambedexter now the minister now the Priest now the Protestant now the Catholik what aduersary need such a challenger who is so great an aduersary to him self what successe is he like to haue of a mean aduersary who hath this euil euent of his own brauado He promiseth to subscribe if one argument pag. 31. Preface to Iesuits Seminary Preistes which he maketh vpon S. Austins words be answered or if any could conuince him ether to haue alleadged any writer corruptly or to haue quoted any place guilfully or to haue charged any other falsly But al this is fraudulently done only to gain credit with the simple and ignorant Reader of a sincere and inuincible challenger For himself wel knoweth how often that argument out of S. Austin hath bene solued by Catholiks against which solution because Bel cold not reply he wold quite dissemble it And his allegations of See S. Hilary lib. ad Constant S. Hierom cont lucifer vincent lyrin cont hereses Authors is too too shamful as shal appeare in the processe of this answer Scripture he alleadgeth but as the Diuel did when he brought it against our Sauiour corrupting ether the words or meaning Fathers he bringeth but quite against their wil and meaning and no maruel for he forbeareth not his professed aduersaries such as in our daies haue written against Protestants and wil make them wil they nil they turne Protestants as he hath done like the spider suck poison out of sweet flowers And I doubt nothing more then that if he find this answere to strong for him to impugne he wil ether proclaime me a Protestant as Daue of Recusancy pag. 22. his breethren do Bellarmin or procure him self as his Father Iewel did to be quit by proclamation against my book But Bel if thou didst meane sincerely to repent if thou beest conuinced remember whence thou Apoc. 13. art fallen and do penance or if thou intendest obstinatly to fight it out harken to S. Hierome Hieron apolog cont Ruffinum and take some shame becoming a man if thou wilst haue none belonging to a Christian and deale plainly set downe the Catholike doctrin truly alleadg Authors incorruptly cite the places rightly answer directly yea or no to euery thing obiected and then in Gods name verte omnes tete in facies contrahe A Eneid 12. quicquid siue animo sine arte vâ—les and I dare warrant thee it shal be answered But thee my dear Countryman seduced by Bel such like who walking in craftines adulterate Gods worde for whose sake al this 2. Cor. 4. v. 2. pain is taken I beseech for Christs sake haue some care of thy saluation consider how of late your Church seruice and discipline hath bene condemned by more then Petition exhibited in April 1603. a thowsand ministers of enormities abuses not agreable to Scripture and want of vniformity of doctrin al your English Bibles the very foundation of your faith adiudged to be il translated and some to contein very partial See Conference at Hampton Court vntrue and seditious notes and too much sauoring of dangerous and traiterous conceits and order taken to make a new translation Alas pag. 45. 46. 47. what certainty can you haue of that religion which more then a thowsand of your Ministers professe to haue no vniformity of doctrin and abuses contrary to Scripture what goodnes can there be in that faith which is builded of an euil foundation as by your owne iudgmeÌ„ts your Bibles hitherto haue bene yea what faith at al can there be in this mean tyme whiles the old Bibles are condemned as naught and a new not yet made If these Ministers
downe titles of books which he would after publish whereof the p 78. third is this If the people haue rashly preferred one manifestly wicked or ignoraÌ„tly chosen such a one who afterward sheweth him selfe vnworthy of gouernment ouer Christian people for such are al Idolaters and cruel persecutors the same people may most iustly depose and punish him 5. Finally in England if we had asked England our ministers of what minde they were while the Septer and sword was in Catholique hands Goodman in his booke intituled Goodman c. 9. p. 118. how we ought to obey superior Magistrats telleth vs But if they Prince Magistrats do boldly transgresse Gods lawes and See Couel of Church gouernment cap. 4 p. 35. hovv this doctrin vas Caluins the learne lâ—st Protestants of that tyme. c. 13. p. 180. 181. 184. command the same to others then haue they lost that honor and obedience which otherwise subiects were bound to giue them nor are hereafter to be accounted Magistrats but to be punished as priuat men But who must punish them he answereth the common people If the Prince and al Magistrats do resist Gods law you people haue expresse testimony of Gods vvord for your part and God him selfe wil be your Captaine leader vvho commandeth not only Peers and Magistrats to take euery euil from them selues whither idolatry blasphemy or open iniury but requireth this of the whole multitude to vvhome the svvord of iustice is in part committed VVherfore if al Magistrats together vvil despise iustice and Gods lavves it is your part o coÌ„mon people to defend and conserue them vvith as much violence and strife as you can against Magistrats and al others For this God requireth of you Exod 17. this burden lieth vpon the vvhole people to punish euery idolater vvhatsoeuer none is excepted vvhither Princes must be haÌ„ged according to Goodman King Queene or Emperor And a litle after That fact is recounted number 25 it is a perpetual example for al eternity and a certayne and sure denouncement to the people that in like reuoult from the vvorship of God they do carry to the gallous and hang their gouernors vvho lead them from God 6. And in particular touching Wyats rebellion l. 14 p. 203. he saith None but Papists can accuse VVyat of treason or disobedieÌ„ce it vvas the duty of Protestants duty to rebel according to Goodman VVyat al others that amongst you professe Cbrists Gospel to take in hand that vvarre and they vvere true traytors vvho ether kept not promise to him or ayded not his part O most noble VVyat thou novv liuest vvith God and these noble men vvho dyed vvith thee in that cause Yea noble men and Counsellers Traiters vvho do not rebel according to Goodman did not you condemne your selues as manifest and base minded traytors not only to VVyat but euen to God him selfe O Gospellers is this the loue of Gods vvord you pretend haue you so learned the Gospel 7. And albeit ministers hauing now gotten the Prince on their side do in words coÌ„demne Goodman yet that their minde abhorreth not from this opinion may appeare by the partial vertue and seditions notes to much fauoringe of dangerous and trayterous conceipts Conference p. 47. as of allovving disobedience to Kings and taxing Asa for deposing his mother and not killing her which his Majesty obserued in their English Bybles And thus I hope the Reader seeth that Bel had litle cause to charge Papists alone with deposition of Princes but much better wil he see it if we compare Papists and Protestants opinions herein together 8. Catholiques say Kings may be deposed Knox Good man sup Protestants say they may be deposed and hanged Catholiques say it should be done after due tyme and admonition giuen the Lateran Councel prescribeth a years Lateran â—3 c. 3. de Haerâ— Knox sup respit Proetstants say so soone as they begin to suppresse Christs Gospel Catholikes say it must be done by the Pope the Kings spiritual Pastor and Father who as a Father louingly and as a Prince aduisedly and as a stranger dispassionatly wil proceed in so weighty a matter Protestants say it may Goodman sup be done by coÌ„mon people the Kings owne subiects who as common people rashly and headely and as subiects insolently and passionatly are like to behaue them selues in controuling and correcting their Princeâ— as the lamentable examples herefter touched can testify Besides what Catholiques say of Kings the same they say of the Pope that he may as wel be deposed for heresy or infidelity as Princes and what they say vnder Note this in differency of Catholiques and partiality of Protestants an heretical Prince they defend vnder a Catholique Whereas Protestants change their tune according as the Prince fauoreth or disfauoreth their religion Now let vs see the practise of Protestants CHAP. IIII. The practise of Protestants touching deposition of Princes CONFORMABLE to their doctrin haue bene the practises of Protestants For in Germany vnder pretence of religion Germany first the common people being Protestants Sleidon l. 4. 17. 19. Sur An 1522. 1525. rose against the nobles in which insurrection there were an hundred thousand of the common people slayne many castles and towares spoyled and burnt And soone Sur An 1530. 1534. after the nobles rose against their Emperor gathered an army of eighty thousand foote Apud Sleid. Et sur 1526. ten thousand horse and 130. feeld peces And George Duke of Saxony wrote to Luther that there was neuer more rebellions against Magistrats then through his Gospel Erasmus l. 3. de lib arbit And Erasmus a holy Confessor in Foxes calender giueth this testimony of them Many disciples of Luther are so vnapt to publike quiet as the Turk is said to detest the name of Luthereans for sedition Testimonium hoc verum est 2. In Swiserland Zwinglius togeather Svviserland Sur. An 1531. with Protestantisme sowed sedition and brought his country to three pitcht battels in one moneth and was him selfe slayne in one of them In Denmark Protestantisme Denmark was no sooner settled then the Commons Staphil apol art 3. rose against the nobles the nobles against their King whom they deposed and after Sur. An. 1532. long banishment cast into prison whereas it is reported they poysned him In Sweuland Svveuland Mercur. Gallobelg An. 1603. the Protestants haue lately excluded their natural lawful and crowned Prince the present King of Pole-land and chosen his vncle In Flanders they elected Francis Holland Duke of Alanson for their Prince and haue depriued two of their lawful Princes from a great part of the Low countries made warre against them almost 40. yeares 3. In France Protestants haue rebelled France against three of their natural and anoynted Kings Francis 2 Charles 9. Henry 3. they Genebrard chron Sur. An. 1563. Furores Gallici
Michael Fabritius in epist de Beza tooke by treason or force many of their cheefest cities Roane Orleans Lyons and others made league with the enimies of France and giuen townes into their hands they haue leuied great armies of subiects brought in great bands of Strangers and fought foure mayne battels against their King they deposed their King and chose an other and coyned money in his name with title of the first Christian King of France They Sur. An 1560. opened the tombs of two of their Kings burnt their bones They conspired to murder the King two Queenes his wife and his mother with his brethren nobility and had executed their designments if they had not bene preuented by their massacre They slew the King of Nauar Father to the Fabritius sup fol. 61. 66. French King now regnant And their horrible outrages in al kinde of dishonesties cruâ—â—ties and Sacrileges are vnspeakable 4. In Scotland the Protestants first took Scotland arme against the Queene dawager Grand Sur. An. 1560. mother to his Majesty then regent of Scotland and by their rebellions and tumults hastened her death which his Majesty great Conference p. 81. ly lamented in the conference Likwise after infinit indignities and perils they driue Queene Mary of blessed memory his Majesties Mother their natural and lawful Prince oâ—â— of her kingdome and country forced her to surrender her crowne and Scepter to a bastard murthered her husband his Maiestes Father and therof infamed her wrongfully as was proued at her iudgment in England had murdred both her selfe and his Maiestie then in her womb if a charged pistole put to her womb would haue giuen fyer And at last by Protestants she was put to death against law of nations And his Maiesty coÌ„fesseth of him selfe that in Scotland he vvas a King vvithout state vvithout Conser p. 4. and 20. honor vvithout order vvhere beardles boyes vvould braue him to his face and keept for the most part as a vvard And in what present danger he was of being murdered by the Protestant Earle Gowry and his brethren no man is ignorant And otherwhere gratiously acknowlegeth Basilicon doron That he found none more faithfil to him selfe then such as had bene faithful to his mother who were Papists and them he foâ—nd faithles to him selfe vvho had bene such to his mother and an honorable person yet liuinâ— and Q. Elizab. vvoords confidence of Catholiks worthy of credit and hard it can testify that Queene Eelizabeth did oftenâ—ymes say to my Lord MouÌ„tague a famous Catholique of worthy memory That if she â—el into danger she vvould sooner put her life into his hands and others of his profession theâ— of any other subiect she had And if Queene Elizabeth though she were far more seuere towards her Catholique subiects thâ—n al Protestant Princes together haue hiâ—erto bene towards theirs did neuertheles put more affiance and trust in them euen after she had bene deposed of the Pope then in any Protestant what assurance may that Prince His Maiesties speech to the Parlament 19 Mart. 1603. England haue of the loyalty and fidelity of Catholiques who hath vsed great lenity towards them and nether is nor like to be deposed of the Pope 5. Finally in England Protestants rebelled twise that in one yeare against their Queene Mary once vnder the conduct of the Dukes of Northumberland Suffolk erecting a false Queene so excluding as much as lay in them the Succession of his Maiesty And againe vnder wyat and at both times she was defended by Catholiks The things I rather touch then relate because they are fresh in memory of many or to be found in many histories 6. Now let vs compare the practise of Protestants and Catholiques practise compared 1 Carolus 5. 2 Francis 2. 3 Carolus 9. 4 Henricus 3. 5 Philippus 2. 6 Philippus 3. 7 Christiernus 8 Sigismundus 9 Maria Ang. 10 Maria Scot. Protestants touching the deposition of Princes with the practise of the Pope since the tyme that Protestants began They haue within this 70. yeares partely deposed partly attempted as far as lay in thir power one Emperor three French Kings two Kings of Spaine one of Denmarke one of Pole-land one Queene of England and one of Scotland They haue slayne one King of Nauar one of Denmarke one Queene of Scotland one Queenes husband and burnt the bodies of two other Kings atteÌ„pted to murder one French King two French Queenes one King of Scotland Whereas the Popes neuer slew any Prince at al but haue saued the liues kingdomes of many since ProtestaÌ„ts began haue deposed one onely King Henry 8. and one Queene Elizabeth and spared both King Edward the 6 many Kings of DeÌ„mark Sweâ—land besids a great number of German Princes And his Maiestie is so far from danger of being deposed by him as he hath already censueed See D. Giffords commission and Mons Bethunes letters Proclamation 22. Februar anno 1. Note this al those that moleste or disturbe his maiesty and his maiesty gratefully acknowledgeth him selfe beholden to the Pope for his temporal cariage and diuers kind offices towards him euen then when ther was lesse cause of such kindnes then now is Yea which is a point worthy of consideration Neuer did any Pope depose any King or Prince merely for not professing the Catholique religion if he had not before embraced it If any obiect that the Pope hath beside King Henry and Queene Elizabeth deposed the present French King I answer that it was before he had the Crowne of France and was onely titulo tenus King of Nauar besids that the Pope vpon his amendment hath both restored him to his dignity and shewed him many great and extraordinary fouors And thus much of Bels dissembling the opinion and practise of Protestants touching the Supremacy or deposition of Princes Now let vs come to his proofs of his Assumption CHAP. V. Bells proofes of his Assumption answered BELLS proofs of his Assumption I might let passe as nothing pertayning to vs seeing we teach no such doctrin as he therin affirmeth to be false Neuertheles because the Reader may iudge whither he be a more fond disputor or false reportor I wil set them downe and answer them seuerally His first proofe is out of their famous Bel p. 2. saith he Pope Gregory the great lib 2. epist 61. where writing to the Emperor Mauritius he calleth him Soueraigne Lord and professeth him selfe subiect to his command and to owe him obedience Whereupon Bel inferreth that for 600. years after Christ Popes liued vnder Emperors in al dutiful obedience that is as he vnderstandeth in al causes Ecclesiastical and ciuil 2. Marke good Reader how many and how grosse errors he committeth in this one silly proofe First he sheweth smal skil in chusing Authors for his purpose because none make more against him in this matter then S. Gregory For he
not rather to fal 5. Euident it is out of histories of those times that Popes in that vacancy were sometime vnder Barbares sometime vnder Emperours of the East according as the one preuailed against the other for false it is that Barbares possessed al Italy vntil Carolus Magnus yea Bel before said that Popes liued vnder Emperours vntil the yeare 603. and pag. 2. ◠betwixt both liued in great daunger subiection and misery Three of them died in Siluerius Iohannes 1. Martinus 1. Leo 3. Sergius Gregorius 2. vid. Platinam in vit Pont. banishment or prison one pitifullie mangled and beaten others should haue bene imprisoned and murdered and diuers were straictlie besieged of their enimies And for a long time none could be freelie elected without consent of the Barbares or Emperours And can we thinke that this was a time for Popes to climbe to greater authority I omit that before Bel said Popes liued in duetiful obedience vnder Emperours vntil the 5. Contradict yeare 603. how doth he now saie that they climbe to tiranny from the yeare 471. 6. The 3. steppe saith Bel vvas the volūtarie pag. 8. 9. Charter vvhich Constantin the Emperour of Constantinople made to Pope Benedict 2. vz. that vvhosoeuer the Cleargie people and Romane souldires should choose to be Bishoppe al men should beleeue him to be the true vicar of Christ vvithout any tarying for any authority of the Emperour of Constantinople or the deputy of Italie as 16. vntruth the custome and manner vvas euer before that day Thus saith he writeth Platina And the Platina in Benedict 2. Popes almost for the space of 700. yeares could haue no iurisdiction nor be reputed true Bishoppes of Rome vvithout the letter pattēts of the Vbicunque est impudentia ibi est vltio Chrisosto hom 4. in illud Esai vidi Dominū Emperour 7. Behould the impudencie of this fellow Platina saith vt antea fieri consueuerat Bel affirmeth him to say it vvas the custome euer before that daie where is in Platina the worde euer where til that daie Nay doth not Platina saie that Pelagius the second Platin. in pelagio in Siluerio Nauclerus general 18. Bland De◠1. l. 3. was created iniussu principis without commaund of the Prince that Siluerius was made Pope iubente Theodohato at the commaund of Theodate a Gothishe King Did not Bel him selfe tel vs that Barbarians ruled pag. 8. in Rome and possessed al Italie for 330 yeares vntil Charles the great How then could it be that before Benet the second neuer Popes could haue iurisdiction and be accompted true Bishops of Rome without letter patents of Emperours who were professed enimies and made warre vpon most of these Barbarians or is Bel so mad euen to imagine that Pope Anaclete to omit S. Peters want of Neroes letter patents could haue no iurisdiction or be reputed true Bishoppe of Rome without letter patents of Domitian the Emperour Clement without Traianus Cornelius without Decius Caius without Diocletian or the other holie Popes that were martyred vnder heathen Emperours without their letter patents 8. What therefore Platina saieth had bene wont to be done before about expecting the confirmation of the Emperour or his deputie in Italy he vnderstood of the time since Pope Vigilius excepting Pelagius 2. vntil Benedict the second for Iustinian the Emperour hauing in the yeare 553. quite subdued the Gothes and recouered Rome and Italie which had bene lost to the Barbares in the yeare 475. or 476. Bel wronglie saith 471. imitating the tiranny pag. 8. of the Gothish Kings who being Arians much oppressed the Popes appointed that they after their election should expect the Emperour or his deputies confirmation before they were consecrated or vsed their function And this order endured from Pope Vigilius his time vntil Benedicte the second for more then one hundred years at what time Constantine the fifth in the Platin. sup yeare 684. moued saie the writers at the holines of Benedicte 2. abrogated the said order permitting as wel the consecration as the election of Popes vnto the Romane Cleargie and people 9. Hereby wee see that the creation of Popes without Emperours consent was no new thing begun first in Benedict 2. but an auncient libertie begun euen with the Popedome it selfe and continued vnder Papistry aboue a thovvsand years ould yet nevv vvith Bel. pag. 2. Constantine the great and other Christian Emperours vntil the time of the barbarous Gothish Kings restored againe by Constantine the fifth but marke good reader how Bel before confessed Gregory the great who died about the yeare 604. to haue The same declared Iustinian about the year 532. epist ad Ioā P. and Valentinian ep ad Theodosium lōg before pag. 83. 2. Pet. 3. v. 8. bene a Papist and here acknowledgeth the Emperour Phocas in the yeare 607. to haue declared Rome to be the head of al Churches likewise Constantine the fifth in the yeare 984. to haue declared the Pope to bee Christs true vicar yet neuertheles wil haue Papistrie and Popes supremacie to be new things So to him a thowsand yeares are as one daie 10. The fourth steppe Bel maketh the deposition of Childrick King of France by Pope Zacharie which he saith the Pope did for hope of aduauncemēt But as for the deposition it was most iust for it was done not only with the consent of the whole This Childrick vvas surnamed the Idiot or sensles Claud. Paradin Annal. Frāc Naucler general 25. Platin. in Gregor 3. realme of France no man reclaiming but at their request as testifieth Sabellius aeneid 8. Blandus Dec 1. lib 10. out of Alcuin Paule and others at what time the Sarazins possessing al Egipt Siria Affrick Spaine had not long before inuaded France with many hundred thousands of men Childrick being extreamlie slouthful careles of the commonwealth not only France but al Christendome was in great daunger to be ouerrunne with those Sarazins 11. And that Pope Zacharies intention was iuste appeareth by his great holines of life who as Anastasius and others write was so good as he would not requite euil with euil and much lesse for his owne aduauncement wrongfullie depose a King as Bel vpon meare malice without al proofe doth calumniate him taking vpon him to know the secrets of harts and Iudge an others seruant 2. Paralip 6. Roman 14. Besides that neither was he any way aduaunced by Pipin nor can it be iustlie presumed that he expected to be But for what end soeuer it had bene done it could be no steppe to the Popes superiority ouer Princes but an act of such authority already gotten 12. Whereupon Bellarmin out of this so Bellarm. lib. 5. de Rom. Pontif. c. 8. auncient example aboue eight hundred yeares agoe proueth Popes to haue such authority whereat Bel so stormeth that he pag 10. 17 vntruth 18 vntruth saith Iesuits teach that the Pope
can set vp and pul downe Kings at his pleasure and that they are grand maisters and Architects of seditions rebellious and bloudie treasons which are but false slaunders of his owne Et quis innocens erit si accusasse sufficiat And aduiseth Christian Princes pag. 11. that if the Pope send any into their dominions vvith his Buls and excommunications they deale vvith them as Phillip the faire dealt vvith Boniface the eights Nuncio vvhom he imprisoned and burned their buls and as Charles the sixt vvho gaue sentence that the buls of Benedic 13. should be rent in pieces the bearer set on the pillarie and traduced in the pulpit But withal he forgot to tel what befel to Phillip for his euil dealing with Boniface vz. That he him selfe was Genelrard in chron Antonin 3. part art 20. paragr 20. killed with a fal of his horse his three sonnes vntimelie died their wiues shamefullie taken in adultery and the crowne translated from his Issue to an other line Of Benedic 13. no meruaile if he and his messenger were so handled because he was no true but a false Pope and thus much of Bels first oure steppes now let vs se the rest CHAP. IX The rest of Bels false steps and slaunderous vntruths in this article disproued THE first steppe saith Bel vvas the decaie Bel pag. 11. of the Empire in the East about the yeare 756 at vvhat time Pipin being called into Italie by Pope Steeuen 2. to deliuer Rome from the siedge of Lombards and ouercomming them gaue vp the gouernement 19 vntruth of Italie into the Popes handes Here Bel hudleth vp store of vntruths That the empire decaied in the East about the yeare 756. For it decaied long before about the yeare 635. vnder Onuphr in chron Platin. in Honorio 1. art 623. Balmerin in chron 639. Onuphr in chron the heretical Emperour Heraclius when the Sarazens conquered Palestin Siria and Egipt and about the yeare 697. al Affrick went more more decaying according as it reuolted from the faith and obedience of the Romane Sea vntil in the yeare 1452. it was vtterly extinguished Constantinople being taken by Turks and the Emperour slaine And about 756. whereof Bel speaketh the Easterne Empire lost litle or nothing except a verie smal piece of Italie called the exarchate which the Lombards had conquered in the yeare 751. 2. That Pipin gaue vp Italy into the Popes hands Whereas Pipin subdued only that part of Italie which the Lombards held that in Pipins conquest ended the vvhole povver of the Emperours 21 vntruth Lieutenants in Italy This is doubly vntrue First because Pipin conquered nothing from the Emperour but from the Lombards who foure or fiue years before had taken the exarchate of Reuenna from the Empire Secondly because besides that which Pipin then conquered or the Lombards had before taken from the Empire the Emperours had both then and long Naucler general 27. Platin. in Leone 3. Bland Dec. 2. lib. 1. after great dominion in Italy vz almost al the kingedome of Naples which he gouerned by Lieutenants 3. But what was the end of this vntruth forsooth that we should Imagine that in Pipins time the Pope became Antechrist For novv saith Bel vvas he taken avvay vvho pag. 12. 2. Thess 2. as the Apostle teacheth vs hindred the comming of Antechrist meaninge the Emperours dominion in Italie Marke good reader in the yeare 476. or as Bel saith 471. not only al Baron annal Onuphr in chron Italie was taken from the Emperour by the Herules but he also deposed and the weasterne Empire vtterlie dissolued And albeit in the yeare 553. the Grecian Emperours recouered Italy againe yet soone after in the yeare 568. they lost a great parte therof to the Lombards which they neuer Onuphr in chron Palmer in chron 572. recouered And in neither of these times Bel thinketh the hinderance of Antichrists comming whereof S. Paul spake to haue bene taken away because then he findeth no coulour to make the Pope a new Antechrist 4. But when the Grecian Emperours lost to the Lōbards the exarchate of Reuenna a Naucler general 26. petit dominion of fiue Citties one shire called Emilia though they helde stil a good part of Italie then the hindrance of Antechriste was taken away because forsooth soone after that exarchate being taken by Pipin from the Lombards it was by him giuen to the Pope who therby became Antechrist as if Bishops become Antechrists by temporal liuings a reason smelling ranckely of a puritan spirit which would pul downe Bishopricks but if temporal dominion made the Pope Antechrist he was long before Pipin for in the yeare 699. Aripert King of Lombardy gaue to him the Coctian Alpes where Geneua is which Ado in chronic Bland Dec. 1. lib. 10. Magdeburg cent 8. c. 10. Regino Ado Sigebert in chron Magdeburg supra donation confirmed King Luithprand in the yeare 714. as the Magdeburgians confesse and King Pipin in the yeare 755. added the exarchate and a good piece of Italy which he had conquered from the Lombards 5. As for the hindrance of Antechrists comming whereof S. Paule speaketh it was not the petit dominion which the Emperours had in the exarchate of Reuenna but the Romane Empire it selfe as testifie S. Chrisostome and others vpon that place S. Chrisost S. Ciril S. Hierom. S. August tom 5. S. Ciril Catech. 15. S. Hierom q. 11. ad Algasiam S. Augustin lib. 20. de ciuit c. 19. and other fathers who out of that place affirme that Antechrist shal not come vntil the Romane Empire be quite taken away which is not yet I let passe a contradiction of Bel saying p. 8. that Barbarians possessed al Contradict Italy vnto Carolus Magnus and pag. 11. that in Pipins time vvhoe vvas Carolus his father ended the power of the Emperours Lieutenants in Italy For how could the Emperours haue Lieutenants in Italy vntil Pipin if Barbarians possessed al Italy vnto his sonnes time 6. But the quicke sight of this fellowe whoe before called so many Kings Emperours blinde I can not let passe He writeth pag. 11. that Pipin gaue vppe the gouernment of Italy into the Popes hands a thing saith he so apparant as it can not be denied and yet pag. 14. confesseth that he can not see how the Pope vvas King in Pipins time So blinde he is that he can not see that to giue vp the gouernment of a Kingdome into ones hands is to make him King Againe he can not see pag. 14. His brother vvillet controuers 4. q. 10. p. 7. pag. 178. saith that the imperial authority is in the Pope Naucler general 26. Palmerius in chronic Paradin des alliances Genealogiques hovv if Pipin as Sigebert vvriteth had Italie in his possession in the yeare 801. and Bernard made King thereof by Carolus Magnus 812. that the Pope vvas either then or novv any King at al. Surelie Bel is either
about the Pope to whom or time when this regality was first graunted Marke good reader him selfe before affirmed that King Pipin gaue vp the gouernement pag. 12. 13. of Italie into Pope Steeuens hands and that this truth is apparant by the testemony of many renowmed Bel denieth vvhat him selfe saieth cannot be denied Onuphr in chron Nauclerus general 25. An. 750. Claudius Parad. des alliances Genealogiques Ado Regino Sigebert in chron Blond Dec. 1 l. 10. Mag deburgens cent 8. c. 10. Leo Ostien lib. 1. chron c. 9. Onuph sup Cronographes and can not be denied and now in the next page denieth both the fact and contestation of historiographers What wil he not deny who denieth that which him selfe saith can not be denied 15. The truth is that Pipin gaue not the exarchate to Greg. 3 who died in the yeare 741 or as other write 740 fourteene yeares before Pipins entrance into Italie neither was Pipin then a King but made afterward by Zachary successor to Gregory as Bel testifieth page 19. but to Pope Steeuen 2. as is apparant to vse Bels words by the testimony of many renowmed Cronographers though some cal him Steeuen 3. because they reckon his predecessour whom others omit because he liued but foure daies likewise al writers agree that Lewes pius confirmed the donation of his grandfather Pipin Apud Gratian dist 63. can ego Ludouicus Leo Ostien lib. 3. chron c. 48. vnto Paschal 1. and his name is in the donation as also that Countesse Maud gaue Liguria and Tuscia vnto Gregory the seauenth 16. And Bels prouing the historiographers Bel pag. 13. to disagree because Blondus and Platina saith he write that Pipin gaue the exarchate to Gregory the third Regino referreth it to Steeuen and Sigebert saith Pipin had Italy in his owne possession in the yeare 801. is like the rest of his proceedings For that of Platina is a manifest vntruth for he saith Platina in Stephan 2. Naucler general 26. Palmerius in chronic Claud. Paradi in Pepin paragr 6. 7. 8. 9. Pipin gaue the exarchate in Pope Steeuen the second his time and Sigebert meaneth not of King Pipin the giuer of the exarchate who died 768 but of his grandchild sonne to Carolus Magnus and how his possession of Italy doth not preiudicate the Pope is before explicated Regino saith that which is truth for best authors agree that Pipin gaue the exarchate in the yeare 755. at What time Steeuen 2. al. 3. was Pope 17. But suppose writers did not agree about the Pope to whome and time when Pipin made his guift of the exarchate must we therefore needs deny the guift in which they al agree So wee might deny that Christ Was borne because writers agree not about the time is it not vsual for historiographers to agree in the substance of the narration and yet differ in some circumstance of the person or time 18. Last of al least we should thinke the Grecian Emperors acknowledged Charles made by the Pope to be true Emperour Bel pag. 14. Sigebert An. 805. he telleth vs out of Sigebert that they had indignation against Charles and therefore he with often Embassages procured their friendshipes yea Blandus and Platina saith he affirme constantlie that Charles agreed with Irene and afterward with Niccphoras that with their fauors the might rule ouer the west Behould the drift of Bel to make vs thinke that Charles became Emperour not by creation of the Pope but by graunt of Grecian Emperors so loath he is to confesse the Pope had so great authority aboue 800. years agoe Wherein the silly foole ouerthroweth what he before said For if the Pope did not translate the Empire then was it no steppe to his tiranny as he imagineth 19. But let vs heare how he proueth that the Grecian Emperours did not achnowledge Charles the great for true Emperour first forsooth because Sigebert saith they had indignation against Charles what then are neuer Emperours offended for any thing lawfullie done especiallie if they thinke it preiudice their estate dignity and albeit Sigebert affirme that some Grecian Emperours who them selues came vnlawfullie and by tiranny to the Empire and that after Charles was crowned Emperour had indignation against Charles yet none write that Irene who was the only lawful Empresse at that time when Charles was created was offended with his creation but rather content as may be gathered by hir purpose which as Zonoras and Cedrenus write she had to marry him Yea Nauclerus saith she was deposed for Naucler general 28. the fauor she bore to Charles besides the indignation of those Emperours vz. Nicephorus Michael and Leo was not so much for the Imperial dignity taken by Charles as because as writeth Eginhart Charles Eginhart in vita Caroli his secretary they greatlie suspected least he should take the Empire from them which they might iustlie feare because by tirany and deposition of their predecessors they had gotten it and yet notwithstanding their indignation of their owne accord they sent Embassadours to Charles and made league and friendshippe with him as the same Eginhart Ado and others testifie Yea the Magdeburgians adde that the Grecians in a manner consented to Charles his Empire 20. His other proofe out of Platina containeth an vntruth for Platina writeth that Platina in Ieone 3. Charles being made Emperour Irene sent Embassadours to make peace and league with him to deuide Italie betwixt them which league Nicephorus renued but he hath no word of Charles his ruling the west with their fouours more then of their ruling the East with his And the like saith Blondus Blond Dec. 2. l. 1. Bel pag. 14. 21. The seauenth steppe saith Bel was the constitution of the seauen Princes electors of the future Emperour by Pope Gregory 5. by the fauour and free graunt af Otho then Emperour But this was rather an act of superiority in the Pope ouer Emperours then a steppe vntil it And seing this constitution hath euer since bene inuiolablie obserued and the Emperours so elected accompted as true Emperours throughout al Christendome a signe it is that Christians thinke the Pope hath authority to appoint Electors who may choose what Emperour they please by the authority giuen them from the Pope Wherfore I would Bel answered me this dilemma The seauen Electors haue authority to choose an Emperour or not If they haue then the Pope who gaue them that authority had the same because none can giue what he hath not him selfe if not Bel deposeth at once more Emperours and Princes then al Popes haue done 22. The eight and highest steppe of this ladder Bel pag. 15. saith Bel dâ—d reach vp euen to the highest heauen and to the verie throne of our lord Iesus here is a great cry now let vs see quid dignum tanto fert hic promissor hiatâ— because saiâ—h he Extrauag Bonif. 8. vtiam sanctam de maioritate obedientia vntruth
they challenge the royal right of both swords throughout the Christian world and haue made thereof a flat decree But first I deny that the Pope as Pope challengeth royal right of either sword For his right to the spiritual sword is not royal but of a different nature as is euident shal be declared hereafter and his royal right to the material sword is neither ouer al christendome as Bel vntruelie auoucheth but only ouer the Popedome nor he challendgeth it by his Papacie yea as Pope Gelasius wrote Popes Gelasius de vincul anathematis Nicol. 1. dec 96. can cum ad vetum pag. 17. Bernard lib. 4. de consideratione haue not challendged royal soueraigntie but by the guifte of Princes who as Bel saith haue giuen their rights to them And albeit the decree doe after S. Bernard giue to the Pope right of the material sword yet neither hath it the word royal nor meaneth of Royal right as is euident because it teacheth that this sword is not to be drawne or vsed by the Popes hand as no doubt it might if he had royal right vnto it but by the hand of the souldier at the commaundement of the Emperour and becke of the Pope Whereby we see that the decree attributeth royal right of the material sword only to the Emperour who is to commaund the souldier to draw and vse it and to the Pope only authority to direct the Emperour in his commaund and vse of his sword 23. But suppose that Popes did challenge royal right of both swords throughout the christian world is this to climbe to the highest heauen and to Christes throne doth the christian world reach to the highest heauen or yet to the bounds of the earth doth Christes throne rule no more then the christian worlde or doth royal authority vnder him reach to his throne surelie Bel hath a base conceipt of Christes kingdome if he imagine that Popes or Princes by their authorities reach to his throne who as S. Paul saith is aboue al powers and princedomes Ad Ephes c. 1. v 21. Bel condemneth that in the Pope for blasphemie vvhich he iudgeth treason to deny to Princes thrones and dominations and aboue euerie name which is named either in this world or in the next but marke good reader how Bel condemneth that for horrible blasphemie in the Pope which him selfe accoumpteth as highe treason to deny to other Princes For what is supremacie in both ecclesiastical ciuil causes but as he speaketh royal right of both swords and to deny this to temporal Princes he deemeth no lesse then highe treason 24. Secondlie he proueth his foresaid pag. 14. Dist 22. can omnes slaunder out of Pope Nicholas 1. his words Christ committed to S. Peter the right both of heauenlie and earthlie empire which Bel seemeth to vnderstand of spiritual and temporal power Answer Suppose the words were meant of spiritual temporal power they make nothing for royal right but may be wel expounded according to the meanig of the foresaid decree That S. Peter had from Christ right to both empires vz. to gouerne the one and to direct the other but of royal right there is no word in P Nicholas Nicol. 1. ep ad Michael Imper. yea he prosesseth that Christ distinguished eclesiastical and imperial power by distinct acts and dignities that in spiritual matters the Emperour should need Bishops in temporal Bishops vse Emperourrs But indeed Pope Nicholas meaneth not of temporal power at al but only of spiritual giuen to S. Peter Which he calleth both earthlie and heauenlie dominion because according to our Sauiours Words Math 16. to which he alludeth what he looseth in earth is loosed in heauen 25. I omit a glose cited by Bel because it Glossa F. Câ—lestis only saith that the Pope hath both swords vz in the sense before explicated But what he bringeth out of an obscure appendix of P. Boniface his making a constitution Appendix Fuldeâ—â—s wherein he affimed him selfe to be spiritual and temporal Lorde in the whole worlde is vntrue as is euident by the constitution and words before cited out of it And Pope Clement 5. declared extrauag Clemens 5. meruit Charissimi de priuilegijâ— that Pope Boniface his constitution did nothing preiudice the kingdome of France But what the appendix saith of Boniface his sending to Phillip King of France to haue him acknowledge he helde the kingdome of him may wel be expounded by that Platina writeth Platin. in Bonifac. 8. vz. That Phillip hauing against the law of nations imprisoned a Bishop whom Boniface sent vnto him to perswade him to make ware against Infidels the Pope sent the Archedeacon of Narbo to procure the Bishops libertie and othervvise to denounce that the kingdome of France vvas fallen to the churches disposition for the offence of the Kinge 26. But let vs goe on with Bel. Since this â—el pag. 16. ladder saith he was thus framed Popes haue tiranized aboue measure deposed Kings and Kingdomes and taken vpon them authority pertaining to God alone Omitting Bels straunge phrase of deposing Kingdomes if to depose Kings for neuer so iust cause be to tiranize Protestants haue tiranized far more in the space of 70. years then the Pope hath in these 300. years since that decree was made For in al these 300. yeares besids one or two Kings of Naples who were his liege men I finde deposed by the Hovv many deposed by Popes in 300. years Clemens 5. extrauag ad Certitudinem Pope one Schismatical and heretical Emperour of Greece Andronicus Paleologus and one other doubtful Emperour Ludouick the Bauarian two French Kings Philip 4. and Ludouick 12. and one King of Bemeland George and one King of Nauarre besides King Henry 8. and Queene Elizabeth and these al for heynous crimes whereas Protestants in 70. years setting Hovvmany by Protestants in 70. years aside the iniustice of their quarrel haue as much as laie them deposed one Emperour six or seauen Kings two absolute Queenes slaine two Kings one Queene and one Queenes husband as before hath bene tolde c. 4. paragr 6. 27. And Bel who so much obserueth Sacerdotes nunquam tyranni fuerunt sed tyrannos saepe sunt passi Amb. ep 33. the deposition of Emperours and Kings by the Pope and omitteth both their iniuries to him and his benefits done to them sheweth him selfe to be no indifferent man For omitting almost 33. Popes put to death by heathen Emperours Christian Emperours vid. Platinam in vit Pont. Six Popes murdered Princes and others haue murdered six Popes vz. Felix 2. Iohannes 11. Iohannes 15. Benedictus 6. Clement 2. Victor 3. besides Gregory 2. and diuers other whome they haue attempted to murder They haue banished foure vz. Liberius Sieuerius Vigilius Martin I Foure banished besides many others whom for feare of their liues they droue into banishment they haue imprisoned six vz. Iohannes 1.