Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	false_a	true_a	worship_n	4,780	5	7.8086	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07768	The mysterie of iniquitie: that is to say, The historie of the papacie Declaring by what degrees it is now mounted to this height, and what oppositions the better sort from time to time haue made against it. Where is also defended the right of emperours, kings, and Christian princes, against the assertions of the cardinals, Bellarmine and Baronius. By Philip Morney, knight, Lord du Plessis, &c. Englished by Samson Lennard.; Mystère d'iniquité. English	Mornay, Philippe de, seigneur du Plessis-Marly, 1549-1623.; Lennard, Samson, d. 1633.	1612 (1612)	STC 18147; ESTC S115092	954,645	704

reserued vnto my self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seuen thousand men who haue not bowed their knees to Baal Rom. 11. v. 2. To my selfe saith he They stand to their Lord and master insomuch that thou needest not doubt of them Much lesse it is to be doubted that there are seuen times seuentie thousand yea innumerable numbers in the whole world since tyrannie and corruption grew more slowly in some places than in other and Eliah alone in Israell withstood the false worship of God That there were so many in so many kingdomes and Countries though we had no other witnesses to proue it than our aduersaries than the Popes slaues who either concealed or disguised whatsoeuer might be noted in the errors of true religion as appeares by the example of the Iesuits in these dayes let no man doubt And these things fell out in the seuenth eight and ninth ages in which the East Church was directly opposite against the West the West at variance with it selfe their Councells wauering and in one and the same Councell voices diuided different opinions we call these times the twilight of the Church growing by little and little into an obscure and darke night A moonelesse night wherein there are few starres and those that twinckle most for the most part wandring not fastened in the firmament the word of God In such sort that whither you respect doctrine or manners this night seemed to be the last night of the Church her brest yea her heart being pierst and her throat cut The doctrine of the onely mediator redeemer sauiour of mankind Christ Iesus of his onely propitiatorie sacrifice almost extinct and reserued if we looke into the outward face of things amongst a few This no doubt was that time wherein that Woman Deut. 32. v. 11. the true Church being put to flight by the Dragon and borne vpon the wings of that great Eagle was enforced to retire her selfe to the wildernesse Of that Eagle the eternall omnipotent Iehoua who when there is neede knoweth how to carrie and keepe his Church as the Eagle doth her young This likewise was that time Apoc. 12.15 wherein that Dragon cast out of his mouth water after the woman like a floud that shee might be carried away of the floud But shee whom thou seekest and persecutest to the death being got out of thy sight cutteth the ayre with her wings seekes the steepie tops of the mountaines where shee resteth and hideth her selfe vnder the wings of the Almighty And shee whom thou like a wretch thinkest to be perished in the beginning of the twelfth age tooke her flight towards the plaine God mouing and leading her the way into Dauphin Prouince Languedock Guyenne the plains of Italie filling all from the Pirenei hills to the Alpes from the Alpes to the Appenine with the preaching of the Gospell At the last her enemies the Popes exercising their furie against her after many bloudie slaughters and massacres being rather sowed than scattered she springs vp takes root in Germanie Slauonia Hungary England it selfe there hath founded extended her Colonies No otherwise than that first Apostolike Church driuen from Hierusalem by the furious priests dispersed it selfe by the great prouidence of God into all parts of the world publishing the Gospell which otherwise had been included within a little circuit in all the corners therof Read my good friend the Histories of this time set downe by your owne writers we produce our witnesses out of thine owne bosome we haue no other either for you or against you It shall be easie for thee thereto note her foot-steps Heere some by flocks are massacred there others by multitudes are consumed with fire For feare least thou shouldest loose thy way and go astray he hath marked it out for thee with these euerlasting cinders the bloud of these Saints other foot-steps others to shew thee the way thou needest not But thou contemnest this poore and ragged Church though not so full of wrinkles and proudly disdainest her natural colour though it be white louing rather delicious and delicat as thou art a Church proud and glorious in her vestments of scarlet painted with colours more glittering though borrowed wantonly lusting after nouelties It is therefore no maruell if thou haue embraced that Babylonian Whore beautified with false and counterfeit colours The chosen vinyard of the Lord like a negligent husbandman thou sufferest to grow vnto a tree to be ouer ranke with leaues and little care thou takest whether it yeeld weeds or grapes But the eternall God the true husbandman doth not so but humble and lowly as his vinyard is the better to continue it in that humilitie hee pruines it and affoords now and then an eye vnto it and that bedewed with tears that it might yeeld the more and the better fruit yea and sometimes hee pluckes away the leaues that it may lye more open to the beames of the Sunne and so ripen the better that when they come to the presse they may yeeld a more excellent wine And now thou knowest where our Church was in all this time Thou rude and simple as thou art thinkest perhaps when thou seest the Sunne to set in the West that it is swallowed vp in the Ocean and quite extinguished wherein indeed when it sets to thee it riseth to others and returnes againe to thee in his due time and misseth not a minute The riuer Rosne when it entreth into the lake of Lozanna thou thinkest it is quite deuoured but that liuelie and running water cutteth and diuideth that dead and standing poole making way through her swallowing depthes Our Church in like manner hath made her way through many ages hath runne into the lake yet not ouerwhelmed but hath past through the bottomelesse gulfes thereof with glorie and triumph and many riuers meeting her she passeth through many countries and at the last falls into her Ocean the Church of Christ into God the bottomelesse sea of all goodnesse and there is drowned loosing her selfe to find her selfe in him Remember Ionas a figure of the bodie of Christ in the Sepulchre and therefore of his Church Thou seest him swallowed by the Whale and thou thinkest him deuoured Ionas c. 2. 3. and thou hast reason to beleeue too for he saith The waters compassed me about vnto the soule the depth closed me roundabout and the weeds were wrapt about my head in as much that I said I am cast away out of thy sight out of the sight of God himselfe if we may so say not of men not of his aduersaries But I saith he will yet looke againe toward thy holie Temple Out of the bellie of hell it selfe the bowels of that beast I cried and thou heardest my voyce At the verie becke of the omnipotent God this monster cast out Ionas vpon the drie land to be sent as an Herauld to preach repentance vnto the Niniuites a people seperated from the Church What maruell then

Rome in the new And that Whore there spoken of what is she but the Pope in whom all that abhomination is comprised and as it were incorporated who holdeth the cup in his hand presenting it to Kings and vnto Peoples and making them drunke therewith And as S. Paule describeth that Man of sinne 2. Thess cap. 2. vers 4. Apocal. 17. vers 3. by saying that it is he which opposeth and lifteth himselfe vp aboue all that is called God so that Whore in S. Iohn is described sitting vpon a scarlet coloured Beast full of names of blasphemies and her cup full of abhominations filthinesse and whoredome Now what greater blasphemie than to call himselfe God and to make himselfe aboue his Word or what greater whoredome than Idolatrie stiled by this verie name in the holie Scriptures All which yet must passe vnder a colour of pietie and religion and couered with a maske of the worship of the liuing God And so farre forth must this hypocrisie preuaile that as S. Paule sayth This man of sinne shall sit as God in the Temple of God 2. Thess cap. 2. and shall haue as S. Iohn speaketh two hornes like a Lambe thereby to make at least some shew and apparance of the doctrine of Christ Apocal. 13. vers 11. yet speaking sayth he like a Dragon and teaching the doctrine of the deuill as doe the Pope and Papacie at this day Thus then you see what the person of Antichrist is As touching the place where he shall haue his Seat for that is the terme which they properly vse the case is cleere 2. Thess cap. 2. vers 4. S. Paule telleth vs That he shall sit in the Temple of God that is in the most eminent place of this visible Church and S. Iohn more plainely Vpon seuen Hils Apocal. 17. vers 9. vers 1. vers 15. i. at Rome aunciently surnamed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. a Citie built vpon seuen hils by vertue of which Seat he shall beare rule ouer manie nations for the great whore sayth he sitteth vpon manie Waters and the Angell expoundeth these words in this manner The Waters which thou hast seene on which the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues As for the Time which is the maine doubt of all S. Paule telleth vs And now sayth he you know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which withholdeth him to the end he may be reuealed in his due time to wit the Romane Empire whose place Antichrist was to possesse which also was of necessitie first to be dissolued before that other could openly appeare wherefore also it is said in the verse next following 2. Thess cap. 2. vers 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Onely vntill he which now withholdeth be taken out of the way or abolished because that the one must build and raise it selfe vpon the ruines of the other in which place by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which withholdeth or hindereth is meant the Romane State and by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he which withholdeth or hindereth their forme of gouernment which was Monarchicall as before by the Apostasie was signified the Romane Church by that man of sinne the head and gouernour thereof was prefigured And S. Iohn speaketh yet more plainely as one that saw Antichrist at a lesser distance and sayth Apocal. 13. vers 3. 12. 15. That this second Beast exerciseth the power of the first Beast in his presence that is that he arrogateth this power to himselfe in the face of the Empire and setleth it in himselfe in such sort that the deadlie wound of the first Beast seemed to be healed to whom also he giueth life and speech making the old estate of Rome to quicken againe and to reuiue in the new All which could not possibly be done by one man not yet in the life of one man certaine ages sometimes passing betweene the first decline and the finall ruine of great Empires but in long continuance of time and succession of manie yeres as the manner of one State is in long time to raise it selfe out of the corruption and ashes of another And so much appeareth by that which followeth in S. Paule for sayth he that mysterie of iniquitie now worketh this thred of Sathan is alreadie set into the loome not by open force but as it is there added According to the effectuall working of Sathan in all power 2. Thess ca. 2. 7 vers 9. 10. Apocal. 13.14 and cap. 14. vers 8. in signes and miracles of lies and in all deceitfulnesse of iniquitie and as S. Iohn sayth seducing the inhabitants of the earth by her signes and wonders which she had power giuen her to doe before the Beast and making all nations to drinke of the wine of her fornications and ensorceling them with idolatrous superstitions And indeed this pestilent Estate and Empire enemie to God and to his Christ is not now as in some measure we see alreadie come to passe begun to be destroyed by force of armes but as S. Paule sayth By the spirit of the Lords mouth 2. Thess cap. 2. vers 8. and by the brightnesse of his comming by the preaching of his Word and cleare light of his doctrine which is to shine in these later dayes which are opposed to the darknesse and mists of Sathan as the comming of Christ in brightnesse i. in truth is opposed to the comming of that man of sinne in all power of lying the Lord proclaiming by his Angell euen by the ministerie of his true seruants with a loud voice vnto all the world If anie one adore the Beast and his Image Apocal. 14. vers 9. 10. and take his marke vpon his forehead and vpon his hand he also shall drinke of the pure wine poured out of the cup of his wrath and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holie Angels and before the Lambe But sayth S. Iohn Here is the patience of the Saints as also S. Paule sayth in the verie beginning of that second chapter to the Thessalonians Be not yee troubled neither by spirit neither yet by word neither by Epistle as if that day were neere at hand his meaning is that this mysterie alreadie set on foot must run on and hold his course and that in the meane time the Saints of God haue much to suffer euen betweene that day wherein that Whore glorying in her wantonnesse should say I sit a Queene and cannot be a widow and that day Apocal. 18. vers 7. 8. cap. 2. vers 10. euen that instant of time when her wounds shall come vpon her that she shall be burned in the fire that the Angell shall crie out saying She is fallen She is fallen Wherefore againe I say that this cannot be meant of one man or of one age but of manie of the waxing and waining of some temporall Monarchie of the infancie youth perfect age decline and finall destruction

rate set downe in the Code of Theodosius But grant we that Regiones Suburbicariae and Vrbicariae were all one what getteth hee for Constantine in the third law de Annona Tributo sheweth plainely that by Regiones Suburbicariae were meant onely those which lay within Italie and were neere adjoyning vnto Rome where he speaketh in this manner Anatolius late Consul certified vs that he hath taken away the frauds of the a Tabulariorum Lib. 8. de Annon Tribut l. 3. 11. in Cod. Theodos Collectors per suburbicarias Regiones Which course saith he we commaund also to be held throughout all the other Regions of Italie so that the more remote regions of Italie it selfe are not comprised vnder this name of Suburbicariae Regiones but commaund giuen that these should be ordered after their example So likewise would Baronius faine comprise Sicilie and Afrike vnder the appellation of Vrbicariae Regiones Lib. 11. de Extraord sord muner But the words of Constantine and Constantius in the same Code giue him the lye where it is said That lands of inheritance and fee farme throughout Italie shall be free from all extraordinarie taxes paying only their customarie rates as the lands in Afrike doe The reason followeth For not onely in Italie but also in vrbicarijs Regionibus and in Sicilie lands of inheritance and lands held in fee farme must be rated according to their abilities Whereby it appeareth that Italie was to be eased after the example of Afrike and both Italie and Afrike and Sicilie it selfe distinguished from those which were properly called Vrbicariae Regiones So likewise in that law of Gratian Valentinian and Theodosius it is said by the Emperours vnto Probus Grand Master of the houshould in this manner Let thy sinceritie and vprightnesse obserue an equalitie throughout Italie Tit. Si per obreptionē l. vnic Cod. Theodos as likewise in the Regions of Afrike and those which are called Vrbicariae and throughout all Illyria where again he distinguisheth them both from Italie and also from Afrike Now if he will aske what those Suburbe cities were that law of Gratian Theodosius teacheth vs L. 1. de Indulgent debit in Cod. Theodos We commaund say they that Picenum and Thuscia now called La Marca d'Ancona and Tuscanie and yet not all Tuscanie neither being the suburbe Regions shall beare the seuenth part of the tribute not comprising therein so much as Campania now a parcell of the kingdome of Naples nor other Regions of like distance And now let Baronius cast vp his reckonings and see what hee hath gotten by quarelling that place of Ruffinus But be this what he will can he denie that the Bishop of Rome was here ordered and confined as well as the rest As for that Canon which he would put vpon vs Art 57. sequent That from all Churches a man might appeale vnto Rome besides that there is no historie that reporteth it no not Gelasius Cyzicenus himselfe I would aske Whether this sixt Canon be not vtterly repugnant thereunto And farther let him say when men were long after this time sent of purpose to search the Archiues of the Churches of Constantinople Alexandria and Antioch to decide the controuersie betweene the Churches of Carthage and of Rome whether there were any such Canon there found or can he produce any one appeale made to Rome in all that time As for that goodlie Canon of the Councell of Rome which he would thrust vpon vs in these words The first See let no man iudge Baron to 3. an 324. art 130. because all other Sees seeke for equitie at her hands as of the chiefe neither may the Iudge be iudged by any Clergie Emperour or King or people whatsoeuer who is so ill aduised as to beleeue them in their owne cause or who seeth not that this is a meere tricke and g●llerie put vpon the reader For what kings could they meane if Pagans what can be more ridiculous if Christians where were any in those dayes and consequently what more vaine moreouer doe we not see the contrarie practised in the Nicene Councell immediatly ensuing And why is he not then ashamed to cousen the world with a false coyne so apparently discouered and bored thorough by all Historians and writers It is said in the acts of that Synod That there were 139 Bishops ex vrbe Roma aut non longè ab illa i. out of the citie of Rome or not farre from thence What were there more Bishops than one at Rome and where I pray you should a man find so many Bishops so neere to Rome It is also there said That Helena the mother of Constantine was there and subscribed to the acts And what had they so soone forgotten the saying of the Apostle That it is not permitted to a woman to speake in the Church Constantine also is there called Domnus which is meerely Gothish and joyned in Consulship with Priscus which was neuer heard of He should not for shame haue alledged this Synod seeing that the verie barbarousnesse of the stile is ynough to conuince it of open forgerie Last of all he saith That the Fathers of the Nicene Councell wrot to Syluester to craue his confirmation of their acts and decrees alledging for proofe hereof the acts of Pope Syluester and not remembring how oft himselfe in other places hath condemned them as false and counterfeit The truth is this that vpon any question arising about religion the Fathers assembled in Councel were wont to send their Synodal Epistle throughout all parts of Christendome Ruffin l. 1. c. 13. and some particulars among them to write their priuat letters to some chiefe and principal Bishops of other countries to acquaint them with the tenor of their acts and to request them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. to giue their suffrage and approbation thereunto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So also were they wont to addresse another Epistle to the Emperour to entreat him to confirme and ratifie their acts and to cause them to be receiued of both which sorts we haue examples in this very Synod of the one in that Synodall Epistle which they wrot to the Church of Alexandria and the rest in Aegypt in which manner they wrot also another Epistle to all Churches in generall without attending any leaue from the Bishop of Rome of the other among the patents of Constantine who was present at this Councell which Epistle we haue in Eusebius Socrates Gelasius Theodoret Euseb de vita Constant lib. 13. Socrat. lib. 1. and others whereby he ordained That Easter day should be kept vpon the day which they appointed and that the bookes of Arrius should bee burnt in all places Which decree was published onely to authorise and to put in execution the Canons agreed vpon and enacted in the Councell And those patents of the Emperour were directed sometimes to the Bishops and people and sometimes to the Churches

of the Pope and inuestiture of the Bishops and declare his children to be no successors of his by right of inheritance for that he had euer in his mind And shortly after he sent vnto him in signe of his confirmation the Imperiall Crowne with this inscription Petra dedit Petro Petrus Diadema Rodolpho This change neuerthelesse was so odious that Sigefridus Bishop of Mence annoynting him the citizens rose in armes against them as traitors to their countrey and faith-breakers to their Prince and after much effusion of bloud on both sides Rodolph and his followers were compelled to saue themselues by flight in the night time and to retire themselues into Saxonie In the meane time Henrie partly instigated by this great dishonour the Pope had done vnto him and partly by those his followers whom to purchase his own grace he had left as a prey to the Pope resolues with himselfe to shake off this yoke calls his friends about him and by all the meanes he could reconciled himselfe to his c●●●●●●s and by the indignitie of the fact stirres vp all that had good minds and co●●●gious hearts to indignation and so shortly after brings his armie into the field ●●●ets Rodolph giues him battell puts him to flight and with a great slaughter of his men giues him the ouerthrow There dyed in the field amongst others Bernard Archbishop of Magdeburg the author of the ciuile warre the great Duke of Saxonie and Herman his vncle Sigefride the Bishop of Mence who consecrated Rodolph and Warnerus of Me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being dragged to the gallowes by the souldiers were fre●d from their 〈◊〉 Henrie not suffering any man in so just a warre to be slaine the battell being ended From thence forward Rodolph not know● 〈◊〉 to renew his forces vpon the sudden Henrie is not idle in vsing his 〈…〉 welcome this newes was to Gregorie let the Reader judge who 〈◊〉 ●ing the Crowne to Rodolph vsed these words In our name of Saint Peter and Saint Paul I giue to all those that shall keepe faith and loyaltie to Rodolph remission and pardon of all their sins both in this life and in the life to come And as I haue deposed Henrie from his royall dignitie for his pride so I haue placed Rodolph for his humilitie and obedience in his throne And with this assurance he expressed his law in harder tearmes If any hereafter shall receiue a Bishopricke or an Abbotship or other Ecclesiastical dignitie of any lay man let him not be numbred among the Bishops or Abbots neither let any doe obedience vnto them as to a Bishop or Abbot and let him be interdicted the grace of Saint Peter and entrie into his house And if any Emperor King Duke Marquesse Earle or other secular power or person shall bestow any Bishopricke or other Ecclesiasticall dignitie let him be subiect to the same sentence At the humble intreatie therefore of Rodolph he excommunicateth Henrie againe vnder pretence That against his oath he had taken into his hands the ornaments or marks of the Empire All those that follow Rodolph he freeth from hell and placeth in heauen and whatsoeuer may make for the strengthening of their warres as fire and sword and the like he assureth vnto them but all that take part with Henrie and refuse to fall from him and to ioyne with his enemie he accurseth to hell and damnation c. But all this saith Auentinus to most of the Bishops and all learned and honest simple people except those that were of the conspiracie seemed a new doctrine and the most dangerous heresie that euer troubled the Christian Church On the other side there assembled together in the yeare 1080 the Bishops of Italie Germanie France An. 1080. at Brixen in Bauaria and condemne Hildebrand againe of ambition heresie impietie sacriledge Because say they he is a false Monke a Magitian a Diuiner an expounder of dreames and prodigious wonders hauing an ill opinion of Christian religion he hath bought the Popedome against the order of his auncestors and the wills of all good men and in despight of vs and as the Lord of the whole earth endeuoreth to keepe it c. He is a sworne enemie to the Commonwealth Empire and Emperour who hath oftentimes offered peace to him and his followers He lyeth in wait for the bodies and soules of men Diuine and humane lawes he peruerteth For truth he teacheth lyes allowes for good periurie falsehood homicide yea and commends them and giues incouragement thereunto According to his manner he defends a perfidious tyran sowes discord among brethren friends kindred Procures diuorcements betwixt maried couples Denies those Priests that are lawfully maried to chast and sober matrons to sacrifice and admits whoremasters adulterers and incestuous persons to the Altar We therefore by the authoritie of Almightie God pronounce him deposed and remoued from his Popedome And if whensoeuer he shall heare hereof he shall not willingly depart but refuse to obey this our Decree we iudge him excluded and withstand his entrance Sigonius reciting this Decree addeth He was a manifest Negromancer possessed with a Pythonicall spirit which is worth the noting because of that which shall hereafter be spoken of his 〈◊〉 But being famous in the art of Diuination the better to giue heart to 〈…〉 the Saxons he tels nay assures them as saith Sigebert Histor Saxon. that he knew by reuel●●●●● That the false King must this yeare dye whom he interpreted to be Henrie which 〈◊〉 it proue not to be true saith he and that this my prophesie haue not effect before the ●●●st aforesaid account not me for Pope Rodolph trusting to this Oracle makes warre the second time and the third and euer 〈◊〉 happie successe and the fourth time resoluing to trie the vtmost he is not onely ouerthrowne but his right hand by which hee had plighted his faith to the Emperour being cut off he 〈◊〉 his life Gregorie presently thinkes of a successor like vnto him and thereof 〈◊〉 writes to the Bishop of Passaw and the Abbot of Hirtzaugen his faithfull friends That they should with mature deliberation prouide that there should be no Prince chosen that was not true and faithfull to the Church of Rome An. 1081. or lesse true than he that was lately dead and withall sends the forme of an oath as followeth which they should enforce him to take From this houre and euer after Gregor li. 5. Epist 3. I will be faithfull in all true loyaltie to Saint Peter the Apostle and his Vicar Saint Gregorie who now liues and sits in his chaire and whatsoeuer he shall commaund me vnder these words Per veram obedientiam By true obedience I will faithfully as becomes a Christian obserue As touching the ordination of the Churches and the lands and reuenues which either Constantine the Emperor or Charles gaue to Saint Peter and all the Churches and lands that haue beene at any time offered or granted by any men or women

attempts his fortitude in the middest of dangers his incredible courage patience in labours counsell answerable to his magnanimitie and his diligence as farre forth as his age is capable in militarie affaires his knowledge of diuine and humane lawes an euerlasting desire of peace care of religion bountie towards the poore clemencie towards the vanquished benignitie towards his friends beneuolence towards souldiers in all which he hath excelled all the German and Roman Princes that euer were And if he had beene a wicked tyran yet it had beene our dueties to haue obeyed him not to rebell against him and all humane lawes and the decrees of our forefathers doe forbid a mans aduersaries his enemies to be his accusers witnesses and Iudges The Emperour made peace with Hildebrand in Italie whilest by the perfidious treacherie of a few Saxonie fell from him A traiterous tyran who receiued due punishment for his treacherie contemning all oathes and promises and all affinitie and kindred inuaded him At the last he concludeth No man may proceed or pronounce sentence against a man that is depriued vntill he be restored to his former estate See the booke and read the law and so he deliuered it to Wesilus Archbishop of Mence Guebhard Bishop of Saltzbourge being for his age eloquence and learning chosen Prolocutor by the Bishops that tooke part with Hildebrand was mute and answered not a word From that time forward many of the Bishops and Princes of Saxonie abiure the sect of Hildebrand that name they retained in the time of Vrban and repenting themselues of what they had done came to the Emperour Onely foureteene persist obstinat therein who being assigned to appeare the moneth following at Mence at their day of appearance came not There the rest of the Bishops of Germanie being present with the Legats of the Bishops of France and Italie by the common consent of all the sect of Hildebrand is judged to be contrarie to Christian pietie Otho called Vrban being conuicted of sacriledge and irreligion was excommunicated and those foureteene being condemned of rebellion periurie murder were deposed Moreouer Historiographers doe obserue that in one yeare all the Bishops and Princes died that had kindled those ciuile warres wherewith the whole Empire for the space of seuenteene yeares had beene set on fire and they recite them by name which was in the yeare 1090. An. 1090. Waltram in Epist ad Ludouic Comitem It was at this time that Waltram Bishop of Magdeburge writ an Epistle to the Earle Lodowick whom hee calls a glorious Prince wherein he proues out of the Scriptures that obedience is due to lawfull Kings and Princes to the end he might arme him against the imposters of that age who to women and the vulgar sort of people preached contrary doctrines setting likewise before his eyes the judgements of God vpon Rodolph Hildebrand the Marquesse Egbert and diuers other Princes who bare armes for the Pope against the Emperour Sigebert in Chron. At which time likewise Sigebert speaking of Vrban chosen against Clement and of those things that followed thereupon From hence saith he grew scandalls in the Church and diuisions in the State the one disagreeing from the other the Kingdom from the Priesthood one excommunicating another the one contemning the excommunications of the other either out of a preiudicat opinion of the cause or the person and whilest the one abuseth the authoritie of excommunicating against the other by doing it rather according to his owne lusts than with any respect of iustice he that gaue the power of binding and loossing is altogether contemned Doubtlesse this noueltie that I may not say heresie did not till now appeare in the world That his Priests who causeth the hypocrite to raigne for the sinnes of the people should teach the people That they owe no subiection to wicked Kings and though by oath they bind themselues vnto him yet they owe him no fidelitie neither are they to be accounted periured persons who resist the King but rather to be accounted an excommunicat person that obeyes the King and that man to be absolued from all iniustice and periurie that opposeth himselfe against him Others speake more confidently Then did there arise false Prophets Apostles Priests who deceiued the people with a false religion doing great signes and wonders and of some he makes instance who began to sit in the Temple of God and to be extolled aboue all that is worshipped and whilest they goe about to establish their owne power they extinguish all charitie and Christian simplicitie c. As if the decree of the immortall God kept not alwayes one course That no periured persons shall inherit the kingdome of heauen The most part of the best sort of men such as were iust and honest and ingenuous and simple haue left in writing That at that time they foresaw the Empire of Antichrist to be beginning and those things to come to passe that our Sauiour Christ Iesus had long before foretold Sigebert and Auentine after diuers others doe note Auent l. 5. That the prodigious wonders that were obserued in those times did astonish the minds of most men The heauens saith he seene many times to burne the Sunne and Moone to lose their light the starres to fall from heauen to the earth burning torches fierie darts flying through the ayre new starres neuer seene before Sigebert in Chron. Auent l. 5. pitched pauillions and armies in the ayre encountring one another and innumerable the like whereby the people were confirmed in their opininion But especially when they saw the sonne to conspire against the state and life of his father Conrade against Henrie who had appointed him to be his successor An. 1095. and that by the persuasion compulsion and approbation of Pope Vrban instigated or rather bewitched by the cunning of Mathilda his father in the meane time leauing nothing vndone that might regaine him to his duetie obedience who preuailing nothing by his just gentle exhortations was enforced in the Councels and solemne assemblies of the Empire to beg vengeance from heauen and earth euen with teares in his eyes All this in the meane time was couered vnder a pretence of that sacred and plausible expedition to Hierusalem the mysterie whereof William of Malmesburie opened before vnto vs That by that meanes Vrban might recouer his authoritie at Rome or rather diuert the minds of men imployed about remote affaires from those more necessarie businesses that touched them more neerely at home That whilest they bended all their endeuors abroad to persecute the Infidels they might neglect Antichrist freely wasting all at home in the Church Neither wanted he in that impure and darke world a bait whereby to win and allure the simple people to that war which was an absolute absolution from all their sinnes without any penance What greater encitement could there be to men who were to inuade a countrey wherein all things were left to the

forbeare all gouernment publike adminstrations and managing of affaires disanulling all things formerly by him acted and neuer hereafter to reassume the dignitie except by our expresse iniunction and commaund But if he delay any wayes in this case to obey Wee commaund all Patriarches Bishops Priests Princes and immunified cities to fall from him and forcibly to vrge him to submission Dated and published in Auignion the eighth of the Ides of October in the eighth yeare of our Pontificall dignitie and in that of Christ 1321. And that wee may aggrauat nothing out of our owne constructions let the Reader but onely obserue this forme of speaking which retaines with it a certaine similitude of that which hee sayes in one of his Extrauagants where without any ambiguitie God hath cōmitted to me saith he the prerogatiue of Emperor both celestiall and earthlie When this Bull came to Lodouikes hands prudent as he was he seriously consulted with all the famous Diuines and Ciuilians both of Italie Extrauag ne sede vacante C. si fratrum Germanie and France but especially with those of Bologna and Paris and all their opinions agreed in this conclusion That Iohns Decrees and promulgations against Caesar were altogether repugnant to Christian integritie and diuine Philosophie These resolutions of the Diuines saith Auentine are yet extant in Libraries written in parchment Many renowmed men also of whom some were Ciuilians and some Diuines writ stifly against Iohn whom they sharpely refuted out of the holie Scriptures and the auncient lawes and Canons And amongst others some Minorites of greater note forsooke Iohn to cleaue vnto Lewis summoning Iohn as it were to a day of hearing Lodouike in the meane while being constituted published a solemne Diet to be held at Ratisbone whither all the greatest Princes and Bishops of Germanie had recourse Amongst these there assisted Iohn king of Bohemia Mathew Henrie and Baldwine of Magunce and the two Archbishops of Collen and Treuers Where it was decreed That Lodouike the Emperour should be prouident to preuent the bringing of the German libertie into seruitude and that the Maiestie Imperiall might be freed from tyrannicall talons and therefore by the Acts of this Diet all the Decrees of Iohn the two and twentieth were declared void and inualidious and whosoeuer stood in defence of them hee was to be reputed an enemie to the Commonwealth and his goods to be confiscated By the force of these Acts Otho Bishop of Carinthia and Lambert of Tolouse the Popes Legats were expelled out of Germanie and all the Bishops Prelats Priests Monks yea and the Franciscans themselues obeyed this Decree only the Dominicans hung neutrall bending sometimes to Iohn and sometimes to Lewis as their owne interests moued them one while obseruing Iohns interdict another time for feare of being expelled celebrating and discharging sacred functions as also by the high authoritie of this Diet an Act was published which is to be read absolute and entire in Auentine whose principall heads to auoyd tedious prolixitie it may suffice here to insert Christ the Sauiour our Lord and God Auentine l. 7. and his chiefe Legats Peter Paule Iames and Iohn ascending into heauen told vs of verie dangerous times imminent and hanging ouer our heads but aboue all they instantly admonished vs That being subtile in some sort as serpents we should take heed of the leauen of the Pharisies and auoid false Christs false Apostles and false Prophets being so tearmed by reason of the lying and hollow hypocrisie of their religion who call themselues Christs Priests when they are the verie messengers of Antichrist They may be discerned by their vnquenchable thirst of honour power and worldlie treasure and their excesse auarice and pride is growne to a prouerbe We cannot denie but must cleerely confesse that our times can abide no strict examination or censure For now manners being wholly corrupted Christian sinceritie is troden vnder foot inured customes more preualent than truth ouercome but yet indignation cannot but breake silence and being placed in a most high watch tower of discouerie of humane proceedings we must not hold our peace least as the holie Prophet sayes we shew our selues like to dumbe dogs that cannot barke And though we be not able vtterly to expell such Wolues clad in sheepes skinnes yet it is our parts and dueties to resist and in some sort to discouer them For though we cannot doe as we would yet our mere good will when we can attaine no further is both honourable and commendable At last he applies this theame to Pope Iohn declaring how many sundrie waies he wasted and spoiled the Christian Church as he that prouoked Christians to draw their swords against their owne bowels and stirred vp nations to periurie treacherie rebellion and conspiracie And this Antichrist saith he will not suffer vs to keep that peace recommended to vs by God so great is the peruersenesse of that man or rather of Sathan as in publike sermons he sets forth his owne flagitions for singular benefits When Christian Princes are at discord then the Roman Priest raignes In briefe the Pope is then of greatest authoritie and power when all others being weakened and pluckt downe by discords seditions and mutuall hatreds his thunderings grow terrible euerie becke of his obeyed and wee obserue euen his verie spittings c. And questionlesse it was by this policie that both of vs were created to the dignitie whom a verie briefe letter from him might easily haue reconciled or at least haue persuaded vs to determine our right rather by iuridicall proceedings than by armes But contrariwise he no wayes laboured to procure peace betwixt vs but rather to nourish discord enclining one while to mee and then another while to my aduersarie of Austria Now he would be on Fredericks side and then on Lodouikes partie and which of them grew weaker him would hee alwayes fortifie with his aydes and supplies First of his owne accord hee inuited vs secretly to communicate giuing faire and equiuocall speeches to vs both and being almost come to agreement he would then againe persuade vs to reassume armes All this he did politically that while we thus ruine one another with domestical and intestine wars he might racke the Empire demolish castles and cities and inuade and spoyle both the people and the Common-wealth whose destruction he hath conspired reduce Christs flocke into seruitude and fight against the Saints and holie ones of God He boasts that he may presently without all delay denounce sentence against vs before we are condemned Being our capitall aduersarie and publique enemie yet in his owne cause he sayes he is both sutor witnesse and Iudge The which we neuer red of amongst the Turkes Iewes Saracens nor Sarmatians Those that hold their loyaltie to Caesar obseruing herein Christ our Sauiours commandement he for no other cause condemnes of heresie What is his will he thinkes to be lawfull wealth purchaseth authoritie for all things c. 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