doughter choaked the mother and engendred the mōster ambition who also like the cursed impe of the bastard her morher did in the ende deuoure her grandmother Religion THE PRELATES or Archebishops of Rome 1. Marcus MArcus a Romaine bestowed a pall vpon the bishop of Hostia who had consecrate the bishop of Rome before other He also cōmaunded that the people and the clergie should on Sondayes after the Gospell were redde singe the Nicean Crede He builded churches and gaue many giftes vnto them died a confessour in the yere 335. 2. Iulius the first IVlius the first a Romaine appointed that a priest shoulde as they forge of him not aunswer his cause any where but before an ecclesiasticall iudge and he reprehended the bishops of the east onlesse they slaunder him because they had helde counsels without his authoritie but they scorned him for his pride he caused churcheyardes to be made and at the lenghth died a confessour in peace Anno. 351. Platina sayth that this Pope appointed certaine notaries to wryte the actes of other men the whiche office sayth he is yet about the Pope remaining But these notaries of our time saith he are such doultes for the moste parte that for wante of learning they can not wryte their owne name in Latin of their maners I will not speake because these offices are bestowed on bawdes and flatterers vnmete to wryte the actes of other men 3. Liberius LIberius a Romaine for ambition as Hierome witnesseth falling into the Arrian heresie forsooke the trew faith and subscribed to Arrius articles And yet this man died a confessour also Anno. 366. though in dede taynted with damnable heresie 4. Foelix the seconde Foelix the seconde a Romaine was preferred by the Arrians who thrust out Liberius and aduaunced him because they hoped he agreed with them in opinion But in the seconde yeare after he was driuen from his seate and Liberius restored And in the yeare of our Lorde 359. He with other spirituall persones was slayne in a tumulte This man sayth Isidorus made lawes for the defense of the Clergie Also Sozomenus lib. 4. ca. 10. Eccle. histor saith that he being bishop did both admitte Arrian heretikes to the ministery and also vsed their communiō though els he yelded to the counsell of Nice 5. Damasus DAmasus a Spanyarde being made Pope in a certaine faction and vehemently accused of adultery did condemne Liberius his dedes he builded temples and beawtified them with iewels he gaue landes and bathes to the Clergie he encreased strange seruice in the churche he added Confiteor to the seruice he appointed the singing of the Psalmes and allowed Hieroms translation of the Bible For then the myndes of the Prelates began to bee more puft vp with ambition Afterward ▪ Damasus as they saye being a diligent gatherer of thinges doone in times past wrote the lyues and decrees of his predecessours the byshops of Rome enterlacing them with many open and manifest vntruthes And in the yere 384. died a confessour Socrates in the eight booke of his ecclesiasticall history and the 24. chapter sayth that when this Damasus was chosen bishop one Vrsinus a Deacon of the same churche did stande in suite against Damasus but whē he sawe that Damasus was preferred for anger he began by all endeuour to gather congregations to him selfe seuered from the churche Also he perswaded certaine obscure and abiect byshops to chose him bishop secretly in a corner And so he was created not in the churche but in a close place of the pallaice called Sicona Whiche being done the people began to wrangle And hereof arose a bitter contention and deadly sedicion not touching religion ▪ but whether of these two Prelates should be bishop Of this grewe so many assemblies and so often brawlinges that in the end the tumulte was so great that many were slayne about it And therfore Maximinus then liuetenant of the citie did punishe sharpely a great numbre both the Clergie and layetie so suppressed Vrsinus and his faction Thus it appeareth that bloudy ambition is not a newe thing in Rome 6. Siricius SIricius a Romaine medling and making decrees in many matters remoued those from saying seruice that had bene twyse maried was the firste that admitted monkes into orders for pretence of single life who before were neuer reckened to be as clarkes He mingled y Antiphones with the Psalmes and appointed that orders should be geuen some at one time some at an other he died a confessour Anno 399. 7. Anastasius ANastasius a Romaine appointed that whyle the Gospel was reading they should stand not sitte He exempted from the ministery those that were lame impotēt or diseased persons and slept with his forefathers in peace being a confessour Anno. 404. 8. Innocentius INnocentius borne in Albania aduaūced the sea of Rome aboue all other and would haue it to be iudged by none He commaunded the faithfull to faste on the Saturday to bewayle with Mary Magdalene our sauiour Christe that was buried ▪ euen as on that daye He deuised that at masse time the Pax should be geuen about in the church and cōmaunded that the church a wayghty matter being ones consecrate should neuer be consecrate any more He made certayne decrees concerning Iewes Pagans Monkes and made the anoyling of the sick to be a sacrament And is counted among the dead confessours Anno. 416. The yeare before being the yeare 415. Alaricus king of Gothes ouerranne Italy wan Rome wasted spoyled and burnt it miserably And sone after him his cosen Athoulfus came thether againe and spoyled all that he had left 9. Sozymus SOzymus a Greke appointed that tapers should be blessed on the holydaye and that the Deacons in saying seruice should haue their lefthandes couered He forbad that clarkes should vse tipling in opē place or haunte tauernes and that no bondmen should be admitted to be of the Clergie And died a confessour Anno. 420. Also this Sozymus suppressed the Nouacian heretikes whiche in time past had borne great swaye in Rome But nowe they were kept vnder for sayth Isocrates the byshop of Rome as well as the byshop of Alexandria had stretched his power beyond the limittes of priesthood stepping into temporall authoritie Socrat. histor eccle lib. 7. cap. 11. 10. Bonifacius BOnifacius a Romaine the sonne of one Iucundus a priest was chosen Pope at suche time as there was great sedition among the Clergie He made decrees that were very necessary God graunte they proue so as that a woman yet though she were a hoodded noonne should not openly touche the altar cloth nor the holy vessels nor smell to the incense And that none should be made priest till he were thirty yeres olde After he had decreed that sainctes eueninges should be kept he died a confessour Anno. 426. 11. Coelestinus Caelestinus borne in Campania patched the Popishe masse vp with these thinges Introitum Graduale Responsorium Tractum Offertorium as his owne deuices And gaue
saith that there wer fiue thousand Christians martyred euery daye in the yeare sauing the first daye of Ianuary For they were persecuted by Nero his commaundement in all places with diuerse straunge kinde of tormeÌ„tes and reprochefull villanies not to be mencioned The seconde persecution was moued by the Emperoure Domician Anno. 96. who was a man so much delighted in killing murthering that as the prouerbe went of him he would not haue a flye aliue with him for being as he coueted moste solitary by him selfe in his pallaice he vsed to catche and kill all the flies that came in his waye Againe he was so hawty aboue measure that he woulde nedes be counted a God and therefore it may easely be iudged what rest the Christians had in his time The thirde persecution was raysed by Traianus Anno 100. so bloudely that euen the Heathen Pliny moued with pitie bewayled it vnto the Emperoure The fourth persecution was styrred Anno. 167. by the Emperour Marcus Antonius lasting long vnder sondrie Emperours vnmercifully The fift persecution was caused by Seuerus the Emperour with all seueritie forbidding that any more should be baptized purposing so to roote out the name of ChristiaÌ„s Anno. 205. The sixth persecutioÌ„ was enkindled by Maximinê° 237. The seuenth was enflamed by Decius the Emperoure Anno. 250. as terrible as the rest The eight was broched by diuerse parsones in diuerse places As by Galerius Maximus and Paternus proconsuls in Aphrica by Emilianus Liuetenaunt in Egypt beside diuers other great magistrates in Rome els where Anno. 259. The ninth by the Emperour Aurelianus Anno. 278. The tenth and last as the last acte of a tragedy was brought vpon the churche with all kinde of saueige cruelty without pity or compassion by the bloudy tyrant Dioclesian and continued by other till the comming of the noble Constantine And this was the state of the churche vnder the Emperours of Rome for these yeares Nowe let the reader iudge of what maiestie and countenaunce the prelates in this time were like to be of what wealth abilitie to maintaine a poÌ„pous estate Or what it was that might moue them to make any suche ambicious decrees as haue bene falsely forged on them And hereby discerne the after age in the Romaine churche to this daye howe farre they differ from this as shall appeare THE FIRST COMPANIE OF ROMAINE BISHOPS being in nomber to Syluester the first xxxij all whiche were godly and faithfull pastours farre from all wordly pompe and glory either in pride of attier as miter and pall or of hawty and ambicious title of Christes generall vicar but paynfull preachers of the Gospell with all humilitie and constant martyrs in the ende 1. Linus the first bishop of Rome as some thinke THe first bishop was one Linus a Thuscane borne a man of pure and godly life according to the example of the Apostles who for preaching the Gospell suffered martyrdome vnder Saturninus the Consull while Vespasian raigned Diuerse fansies are fathered vpon this man as that he decreed by the commaundement of Peter being dead that no woman should enter into the temple bareheaded whiche cannot be for there were no temples in Rome til the time of Constantine the Emperour for Christian Congregations And Manâ—uan Fastor 1. testifieth that they were fayne for feare of the tyrantes to forsake towne and City and to lyue in these dayes in desertes woodes and mountaynes whiche maye bewraye the dotage of Platina and other who charge these first godly martyrs with diuerse supersticions diuised by other long after 2. Anacletus the first ANacletus borne at Athens by Irenaeus is placed next after Linus He was of an excellent and feruent spirite and of great learning planted the churche of God with daily labour He was put to death by DomitiaÌ„ Anno. 94. Certaine epistles and decrees stuffed full of falsehoode and vntruthes ioyned with ambicion touching the ordering primacie of bishops are counterfaited in his name But Flaccus Illyricus in the first Centurie doth so rip the seames of them that euery man may perceiue what botched stuffe it is Beside Mantuan saith that he liued long not in any suche estate to haue occasion to wryte of suche matters but in caues and dennes among woodes 3. Clement the first THe next was Clement a Romaine who aduaunced the Gospell by continuall preaching and good dedes They forge of him that he did deuide Rome into parishe churches who had scant a lodging in it Againe they slaunder him that he made orders in Rome for confirmation of children for masses apparell vestures and popishe ceremonies and yet he sylly man was of so smale power and authoritie to establishe these thinges in Rome that he was a long tyme banished by the Emperour to hewe marble stones and at the length with an anchour about his necke was cast into the sea Anno. 102. so writeth Mantuan Fasto 11. 4. Euaristus the first EVaristus a Grecian was especially endewed with the grace of God whereby in the time of persecutioÌ„ he ceased not to encrease the churche of Christe by his diligent preaching till he was martyred vnder Traian An. 110. 5. Alexander the first ALexander a Romaine did trauayle painfully both to preache and baptize He suffered great tormentes till he died thereof vnder one Aurelianus president to the Emperoure Anno. 121. 6. Sixtus the first SIxtus a Romaine did both preache diligently and did many good workes He beautified the churche with godly deedes being euer vigilant and carefull for his flocke and died for it Anno. 129. These three good byshops are slaundered with certaine popishe decrees as touching consecrating of the Clergy holy water and holy vessels but olde verses made of these times do testifie that they were not at suche leasure to furnishe or rather disguise the churche with these supersticious ceremonies Thus do some wryte of these tymes Vrbibus antiqui patres fugiere relictis c. The tyrantes did our auncetours compell To flye to woodes and not in townes to dwell 7. Telesphorus the first TElesphorus a Grecian was a worthy man for learning and godly life He bare witnesse of Christe moste faythfully both by his wordes and death vnder the Emperoure Antoninus who executed him Anno. 140. He is slaundered to haue decreed that thre masses should be sayde on Christmas daye And yet at this time the masse was vnhatched yea the dame thereof except Sathan the bell sier was as a man maye saye not yet an egge in the neaste of that vncleane byrde Neyther was the superstitioÌ„ of making difference of dayes yet crepte into the churche being contrary to the doctrine of Paule Galath 4. But suche supersticious fasting as afterward choked the churches was not diuised by this bishop but rather by Montanus the heretike who beside this made it lawfull to breake wedlocke and to dissolue the band of matrimony 8. Higinus the first HIginus borne in Athens being of a Christian philosopher made a byshop discharged the dutie of
the Popedome it selfe and what crafte the deuill wrought in them before the great Antechriste came and was reuealed to the full So that as ye see the bishops of Rome Here againe altered their name the seconde tyme to title of greater dignitie that is froÌ„ Archbishops to Patriarkes and so the rest folowing for a season were called 21. Iohn the first IOhn the firste a Thuscane whome Theodoricus kyng of Italy sent for then they were subiect to Princes as his oratour with certaine other vnto Iustinus the Emperoure This bishop being the worthiest man of all this latter company gaue a testimonie of his pure life by suftring paciently vndeserued death He decreed and that very godly that if any man were robbed of any thing he should haue all restored againe But I take it to be false that he should restore three churcheyardes enriched the churches with giftes or decked the altars with golde syluer or precious stones as Platina and other wryte least he should seeme nothing to haue encreased the kingdome of Antichriste There is to be seene comfortable Epistles of his to the byshops of Italy whereby he warneth them that they should not shrinke from their purpose but stande to it stoutly although that the said king Theodoricus fowly tainted with the Arrian heresy had threatened to destroye them and all Italy For the whiche at the tyrannous commaundement of Theodoricus Anno 527. hee perished at Rauenna through famine stinke noysomnes in the pryson As touching Arrius thus Mantuan writeth of him This Arrius euen the deadly bayne infecting mankinde And borne to breake Gods lawe and quenche the faithe of Christian minde Had venomd sondry nacions infecting all the world 22. Foelix the fourth Foelix the fourth was borne in Samia being not verye carefull in his pastorall charge and casting of the office of preaching builded the churche of Cosma and Damianus he restored Saturninus temple and repaired other temples of the dead He commaunded that masse should be said only in halowed places He made a partition betwene the Clergie and the people in the churche He excommunicated the Patriarke of Constantinople misdemed of heresy he commaunded that if a priest died another should succeade him twoo dayes after and commaunded precisely that they that lye a bying should be annoynted with hallowed oyle and died a confessour Anno. 530. 23. Boniface the seconde BOniface the seconde a Romaine was made bishop wheÌ„ the Clergie were at great iarre ready to go together by the eares He made canons especially this one that within three dayes after one bishop were dead another should be appointed in his rowme He following Foelix did seuer the Clergie froÌ„ the layetie by making the quier in the church and that for double pollicie the one was that by this meanes he might at length take froÌ„ the people both their place and their voyce whiche they had in chusing the bishops that it might not be lawefull for any of them to sewe a byshop or any of the Clergie in any cause ciuill or criminall before a temporall magistrate But marke what happened these wretches through their pryde as I thinke Whyle euen like the Pharisies they wil be counted holier then other with their shauen heades their annoynted fingers seuered chauncelles deuiding them selues from the faythfull that were redemed with the bloud of Christe It is to be feared least hereby they become the Goates that in the last day shal be deuided froÌ„ the lambes Math. 25 as not pertaining to the misticall body of Christe It is easy to iudge howe muche these men swarue from Peter the Apostle of whome they boaste so muche to whome it was not lawefull in the tenth of the Actes to decree of Cornelius that he should be either a layeman or a prophane persone Boniface died a confessour Anno. 532. 24. Iohn the seconde IOhn the seconde was a Romaine who otherwyse for his eloquencie was called Mercurie or Iuppiter his embassadour Iustinianus the Emperoure sent vnto this man a cup of gold of sixe pound waighte beset with precious stones and two syluer cuppes of seuen pounde weight and twoo syluer chalices waying fiftene poundes for a present from Constantinople after he had condemned Athenius the Patriarke of heresie and the sayde Emperoure commaunded his bishops as Crantzius witnesseth to talke with the byshop in his name moste friendly vnder benediction this byshop died a confessour Anno. 534. And as VVicelius saith he did nothing of any valewe 25. Agapetus the firste AGapetus the first a Romaine sonne of a priest called Cardinall Gordian was sent by Theodatus kyng of the Gothes as his Embassadour to pacifie Iustinianus the Emperour for the cruell murther of Amalasimitha a noble queene and an excellent learned woman whose worthy vertues the same Emperour reuerenced highly who also procured his peace with spending saint Peters treasure He decreed that on the sonday they should go in procession in the churches And died a confessour Anno. 535. 26. Syluerius SYluerius borne in CaÌ„pania sonne of Hormisda a bishop of Rome when Agapetus was dead as he went on his voyage to the Emperoure this man by the commaundement of Theodatus kyng of Gothes was placed in his steade without the Emperours consent Therefore by the prouocation of Vigilius a Dâ—acon who also did accuse him that he would betraye Rome to the Gothes he was banished into the Isle Pontus by Theodora the Empresse and Antonina the wife of duke Bellisarius So that it appeareth the Popedome at that time was a thing but of small countenaunce when they were sent as Embassadours at the commaundement of inferiour princes could be depriued of their authoritie put from their seate by women At length Syluerius died miserably in his banyshement being an hooded confessour Anno. 537. 27. Vigilius VIgilius a Romaine the crafty accuser of the sayd Syluerius compassing the bishoprike by subtiltie was aduaunced into the sayde place by the forenamed women Whereby Rome had then twoo bishops one made by the Gothes another by the Grekes or rather by those Grekishe dames And were vsed vngently but not vnworthely of them for either of them receiued the reward of his rashnesse for the one attayned the Popedome by crafte the other by might and yet the Papistes will haue them bothe reckened among martyrs Theodora did sue Vigilius because he brake promisse with her and caused him first to be brought to Constantinople there to be reuiled and beaten and afterwarde with an halter about his necke to be draweÌ„ through the streate and last of all bee driuen into banishement This man made certaine lessons of his owne for the holydayes to be redde in the churche He woulde haue the church of Rome to be taken for the mother of other churches He appointed Candelmas daye to be kept holy daye and that the masse should be sayde the priest standing with his face into the East He died a confessour in the yere 554. in Cicilia In these dayes was one Maurus who
which time it is manifest to all the world that Rome had the soueraignitye and Empyre of all the world and that it was then the great Cittie and none but it of whom this might be said neither is it knowen that anye other Cittye is or hath bene built vppon seuen hilles And that Rome is so it appeareth by diuers writers Romaines and other that report it as they haue seene it Amonge other Munster in his Topographie doth not only in the descriptioÌ„ of Rome testifie that there are seuen hilles but also sheweth the names of them euerye one which are these Auentinus Capitolinus Palatinus Caelâ—us Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis hill Properâ—ius the Poet confirmeth it briefely in a verse saying thus of Rome Septem vrbs alta iugis toti quae presidet orbi the like hath Virgil in hys Georgicks Septem quae vno sibi muro circundedit arces speakinge it of Rome Mantuan in his Fast. li. 2. doth in like maner describe Rome calling it RomuleaÌ„ septem cuÌ„ Collibus vrbem So of the Grekes it is called Heptalophos wherin Hepâ—a signifieth 7. and lophoâ— an hil head or top This Vitellianus commaunded shauings and annointings of the clergye to be vsed geuing vnder these markes liceâ—s to buy and sell pardons in the Churche as was prophesyed of Antichrist after he had choaked the Church with much palcry he dyed At this time at the fulnesse of Antichrist moÌ„kery grew into superstitious estimation At this time also these two straunge thinges were wrought Abbeis were first founded for monkes kinges were shaued and made monkes 12. Theodatus the second THeodatus the second a Romaine borne was made Pope beinge but a monke He bestowed great cost to make a sumptuous abbey of that from whence he came He gaue licence to moÌ„kes to transport Benedict Nursin patriarcke of his own order with a scholesister of theirs from Cassim mount into Fraunce At this time were manye straunge thinges as a blasinge starre appearing 3. monethes continually with great raine often thonders with a strauÌ„ge Rainbowe and earthquakes suche as the like were neuer heard of And some say that the corne being beaten downe with these strauÌ„ge tempests of raine did spring vp againe and grew to ripenesse For these thinges Theodatus caused prayers often to be said and dyed Anno 675. 13. Donus the first DOnus the firste was made Pope in a miserable tyme when the fieldes and the corne were burnt vp with thoÌ„der lightninges and showers He as Popes vse beautified S. Peters porche with pillers And after he had punished certaine Nestoria heretikes he scattered theÌ„ in diuers abbeis in Italy He restored certayne olde churches he deuided the Clergie into diuers orders and aduaunced them with seuerall kindes of honour and dignitie After muche controuersie he made subiect to Rome Rauennas churche Theodorus the Archebishop therof agreing to it through the Popes flattery whiche churche before was called Alliocephalis After he had done many â—uche dedes he died Anno. 679. 14. Agathon the first AGathon the first as Gratian writeth Distinct. 19. being a Monke of Sicill coÌ„maunded that the Popes decrees should be taken for as canonicall and authenticall as the Apostles wrytings So he gaue as great auctoritie to the masse whiche was clouted together by sondry Popes But wickedly he coÌ„demned the mariage of ministers of the Latine churche He sent one Iohn a Monke and Archedeacon of Rome into Englande Anno 679. to teache them here the manner of their reading singing ceremonies in their churches And the better to vtter his knackes of celebrations and sacrifices as Beda wryteth in his fourth booke 18. chapter de Gestis Anglorum He â—ent his Oratours Iohn bishop of Portua and Iohn Deacon of the Romaine churche to the sixt Sinode of Constantinople and against the Monothelites he sent one Agathus In the whiche Sinode the Clergie of the Greke churche were allowed mariage and the Latin churche forbidden it Also among other thinges then done the eight daye after Easter Anno 681. the said Iohn of Portua did first of al say the Latin masse openly before the Prince and the Patriarke and people of Constantinople all men allowing it for nouelties sake as a newe founde thing whiche taking roote hereupon was receiued in all churches whiche helde vpon the Pope In this Popes time after straunge Eclipses both of Sunne and Moone was a Pestilence so contagious in Rome that the Pope him selfe died thereof The seate then was vâ—yde a yeare and a halfe 15. Leo the second LEo the seconde was a Monke very learned as well in Greke as in Latin and so skilfull in Musick that hee brought the notes of the Psalmes and Hymnes to better harmonie He coÌ„firmed the sixt Synode partly to establishe the masse partly because by it also the Clergie of the West churche were forbidden mariage He translated into Latin the ordinaunce of mariage He appointed that the Pax shoulde be borne aboute and be kissed of the people while masse was saying Also that if neede did require there shoulde be Christening euery daye He would haue for their sake of Rauenna no election of any bishop to stande in force vnlesse hee were first confirmed by the bishop of Rome But sayth VVicelius without payinge for his pall or anye other money which saith Platina I would it were kept still in Rome for out of this bribing at this day many mischieues aryse For as yet they durst not enterprise wholly such polling as they did afterwarde aboute 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yeares after Christe for in time past the vi Princes of Italye did confirme the bishops of Italy yea and the Pope him selfe Afterwarde the Emperour Constantine the fourth agreing thereunto the election was againe ratified in the handes of the Clergie and the Laitie But the Prelates of Rauenna being emboldened because that the court of the sixe states was among theÌ„ would not obey the churche of Rome but auouched that they were egall in dignitie And thus Foelix being their bishop after Theodorus went about to shake of the Popes yoke and to recouer their lost libertie But the Emperour that was then Iustinian sonne of the sayde Constantinus being set on by Leo with standeth the purpose of Foelix and after he had by assaulte wonne the towne he boared out the byshops eyes with a whot burning iron Leo before the ende of his tenne monethes died Anno. 685. in which time the moone was in a moÌ„sterous and straunge Eclipse appearing as redde as bloud all the night long diuers nightes together 16 Benedictus the second BEnedict the second whose holinesse they said moued the Emperour Constantine the fourth if they father not a falsehode on him after his death to decree that henceforth the Pope of Rome should haue authoritie ouer the people without the licence of the Emperoure or the sixe states of Italy whiche lasted not long He reedified diuers temples enriching them with vessels of golde syluer and guilt with coapes of
honoured much the body of one Petronilla the daughter of S. Peter and toke her karkasse out of the grounde remouinge it to another place and enlarged and repayred diuers Churches adding manye ceremonies to them At length he dyed through the extremity of the heate of sommer Anno 767. In his time as Peter Premonstratensis sayth starres fell from heauen to the earth accordinge to the 6. of the Apocalips And immediatly after this Charles the great begaÌ„ to raigne who builded 24. monasteries 29. Constantine the second COnstantine the seconde being but a layman by strong hand was made Pope though manye other stoode for it through the doinges of his brother Desiderius kinge of Lomberdye and through Totho duke of Nepesia but this hastines at leÌ„gth is brought to none effect because CoÌ„stantine had not taken Ecclesiastical orders Herevppon arose great discord amoÌ„g the clergye in which tumult one Philip was chosen but because he wanted artilary power to mayntaine his parte hee was forced to depose himselfe againe Constantine obtayned the Popedome a yeare and that pontificallye but in the ende a councell beinge gathered of Italian and Frenche bishops in their great rage furye they put him out and with great reproch clapte him in an abbey as in a perpetuall prisoÌ„ hauing both the Popedome taken from him and his eyes put out Anno. 708. Some do not count him among the Popes because he was a laye man and disalowe all his doing sauinge Baptisme and Chrisme But the next yeare after his brother Desiderius comminge to Rome vnder pretence of prayinge got those that put his brothers eyes and rewarded them with the like punishment 30. Steuen the thirde STeuen the thirde is commended to be a stout maintayner of Romishe traditions and auctoritye for in a Synode in Lateran hee did disanull all that his predecessour Constantine had done The bishops by him created were disgraded if they had no absolution hee commaunded that vppon paine of excommunication no laye man should presume to be Pope wythoute ecclesiasticall orders Hee condemned the seuenth councell of Constantinople as hereticall And did againe establishe setting vppe of Images which by that counsell was condemned He taughte that images shoulde be worshipped and encreased the worshipping of them and commaunded that they should be hallowed wyth Frankinsence Hee broughte to his subiection Mediolan Church which euer before had beene free Hee sued to Charles the Emperour obtayned to depose Desiderius of his kingdome Hee appointed those that brake theyr Canons to sing Gloria in excelsis on SoÌ„dayes and that in the solemnitye of the masses it should be song on S. Peters altar by seuen bishops being Cardinals He went one time to counterfaict Christ in his doings barefooted in procession He dyed Anno 772. 31. Hadrian the first HAdrian the first was a meete champion to maintaine the dignitye which his predecessours had encroched Hee bestowed cost on altars dead mâ—ns tombes dead mens bones and Churches Hee attributed more worship to images then euer any did and wrote a booke of the honour and profite of them and pointed them in steede of Scriptures to be layemens bookes He condemned in a couÌ„saile those that detested images as one Foelix other By the ayde of Charles the Emperour he delyuered the Sea of Rome from the perill of all other Princes He was the first that with his leaden Bull did honour theyr decrees dispensations and priuiledges Hee forbad that anye infamous parson should be promoted to priesthoode that the clergye should not be sued oute of theyr owne court Charlemaine kinge of Fraunce and brother to Charles the Emperour being deade his wyfe Bertha came wyth her two sonnes vnto this Hadrian suinge to him that he would annoint and establish these her sonnes in theyr fathers kingdome But this holye sier least he should offende theyr vncle themperour cast of the orphanes despised theyr sute refused to do it finally committed to perpetual slauerye both the children and theyr mother w t Desiderius king of Lombardye his wyfe his children and his kingdom whoÌ„ Charles caryed into Fraunce wyth hym where they liued long in care and miserye vntil they dyed And thus Gods vicar vseth orphanes wydowes and poore Princes To cloake all this hee fedde in the porche of Lateran pallaice a hundreth poore folke euerye daye But Charles in recompence hereof after he had kissed the Popes feete coÌ„firmeth to the Pope his fathers gift that is the townes pertayniÌ„g to the DominioÌ„ of Rauenna and like an vniust pyrate he added to the Popes possessions Venice Histria the dukedome of Fotriiulenia the dukedome of Spolet BeneueÌ„t and other lands Also he made Hadrian PriÌ„ce of Rome of Italy ratifyed the Popes Empyre by spoyling the kingdom of Lombardy and ioyning so in league w t the Pope that who so delt wyth the one shoulde be ennemye to both Agayne Adrian caused Charles and his successors the kings of FrauÌ„ce to haue the title of most Christian king and like a subtill fox hee gaue him power to chuse the Pope and to make bishoppes through all his dominions but that lasted not long and so vsed him that in deede he had but the bare name of the Romaine Emperour This Hadrian cloathed the bodye of S. Peter all in siluer and couered the Altar of S. Paule with a pall of gould He dyed Anno 796. 32. Leo the thirde LEo the thirde as sone as he cought the Popedome by by sent S. Peters keyes and the banner of Rome with other giftes to Charles the Emperour desyringe him to binde the Romaines by an oath to become subiecte to the bishop of Rome Charles to pleasure him sent one Agilbert an Abbot who compelled the Romaines by his commaundement to sweare allegeaunce vnto the Pope Hereupon the Pope purchased such deadly hate among the people that as he was ones going on procession certaine furious parsones fell vpoÌ„ him and beate him from his horse and stripping him starke naked out of his poÌ„tificall roabes whipped him very sore But at length when Charles came they knowyng his good will towarde the Pope turned their former hatred into loue and fauour and durst not auouche the faultes layde against him Therefore when he asked of his conuersation they aunswered with one voyce that the sea Apostolicall ought to be iudged by no layman After the whiche aunswere the Pope affirming and swearing him selfe to be giltlesse the Emperoure being pacified doth absolue him and pronounced him innocent For with curtesie the Pope desirous to be thankefull with a great voyce proclaimed Charles Emperoure ioyned him with himself set the Diademe on his head that Romaines in the meane time cried God grauÌ„t life successe to Charles our mighty Emperoure Thus was the name of the Romaine Emperoure restored so as the Popes aucthoritie should not be empaired Hereof the custome continued that he who should receaue the scepter of the Empire shoulde be ioyned in auctoritie in Rome by
Italy hee began to consider howe he might aduaunce the dignitie of the Popedome whiche before that the Emperour might counte him holy he refused He put downe Iohn Archebishop of Rauenna for maintaining the olde libertie of his byshoprike and brought that churche into perpetuall bondage Among many decrees he concluded that no seculer prince no not the Emperour him selfe should be so hardye as to come in among the Prelates in their counsayle onlesse they were debaiting matters of beliefe then the Emperour should execute those whome the Pope iudged to be heretikes Also he decreed that the layetie should not take vpon them to iudge the life of the Clergie neither to dispute of the Popes auctoritie power Also he decreed that Christian magistrates should haue no auctoritie ouer a prelate because saith he the pope is called God Auton Tit. 16. He coÌ„maunded that the Clergie should not be warriours but study howe to talke and perswade He commaunded agayne that diuine seruice should be sayde in Latin But yet graunted the Sclauonian and Polonians to haue it in their owne tongue by dispensation He added the Sequencias to the masse He added Gloria in excelsis to be songe to the masse on Maundy thursday He added the terme of Apostolicall auctoritie to the Popes decrees He commauÌ„ded mariage to be openly soleÌ„nised he allowed that the sacramentes might be receiued of euill ministers He firste bounde the Clergie to single life But Huldericus bishop of Augusta controlled his wickednesse herein by a sharpe epistle he died Anno. 867. 43 Hadrian the second HAdrian the seconde the sonne of Talaris a bishop was by the people and the Clergie made Pope before the Emperours Embassadours could come thether For then the Romaines did by force take vpon them the election of the Pope whiche when the Embassadours tooke in euill part they were thus aunswered that the wyll of the multitude could not be brideled in such a tumult But yet they had done happely because they had appointed such a good man The Embassadours euen of compulsion seing there was no remedie to abrogate the election did against their willes pronounce him Pope being confirmed he bestowed muche on the poore He sent three Legates bishops all Leopart Syluester and Dominicus that were bredde and brought vp in his kitchin to kepe the Bulgarians and Dalmacians within his dominion whom Nicolas had brought to the yoke before But the Bulgarians hauing had proofe of his tyranny draue out the Italian priestes and receiued the priestes of the Greke churche This enkindled hotte coales betwene the Latins and the Grecians Hadrian died Anno 873. Before whose death it rayned bloud three dayes at Brixia and all Fraunce was miserably troubled with Locusts Alfredus king of England toke his crowne of this Pope and was anoynted whiche neuer any king of Englande did before But afterwarde he was called the Popes adopted sonne 44 Iohn the ninth IOhn the ninth was excellently learned bothe in Latine and in Greke He in his soueraintie crowned three Emperours Charle the baald Charles Balbus and Charles Crassus Carolus Caluus vnderstanding that the Emperour was dead hied him to Rome to Pope Iohn whome with his bribes he allured to satisfie his desire and so was made Emperour by him and receiued the crowne Emperiall But about a yeare after he was poysoned at Mantua by one Sedechias a Iewishe phisition an enchauÌ„ter Iohn hearing of his death beÌ„t al his force to make Charles Balbus to succede his father but the Romaine Lordes withstoode him and made Charles Crassus Emperour The Pope standing obstinatly in his frowarde purpose was taken of the citezens put in prison because he would not relent but being released by his friendes helpe he fled into Fraunce And bestowing the imperiall crowne on Balbus saluteth him Emperour In the meane time Crassus hauing gotten the citie of Rome causeth Iohn with terrour to retourne from Fraunce Who returning to Rome willeth the Emperour to let him returne in safetie maketh him Emperour and setteth the crowne on his head Iohn at his being in Fraunce sommoned a counsell at Treca wherein he condemned certaine contentious persones and made many lawes to the aduauncement of Popery Afterwarde he wrote to Lewis Balbus that the priuiledges of the Church of Rome could not be abrogate without a prescription of an hundreth yeares Also he made it sacrilege to take any holy thing of any vnholy persone or any vnholy thing of an holy persone He excommunicated these that were gilty of sacrilege but in suche sorte that for money they might be dispensed withall Hee gaue to many men sainctes reliques for great iewels He confyrmed the liberties belonging to ecclesiastical persones cloysters church goodes monasteries and clarkes He prepared an army against the Saracenes and droue theÌ„ out of Italy and Sicil. He died Anno. 883. At this time the Empier was translated from the Frenchemen to the Germaines by Carolus Crassus 45 Martin the second MArtin the second was a Frencheman whose father was a Necromancier and coniuring prieste he gate to be Pope not by honest meanes but by crafte ill artes They saye that by this mans subtell enticement the foresayde Iohn was apprehended and layde in pryson and so constrayned by his frendes ayde to flye into Fraunce to saue his life At the electioÌ„ of this Martin the Emperours auctoritie was not loked for nor demaunded to his admission Thus proudly by little and little the Popes shooke of the Emperours power whereby they might the better treade them vnder their feete But he raigned not longe about a yeare and certaine monethes he died Anno. 884. 46 Hadrian the third HAdriaÌ„ the third was of such a proude stomake hawty courage that as sone as he had gotten into the Popedome he made a decree that the Emperours auctoritie should no more take place in creating of Popes but that the voyces of the people and Clergie of Rome should be euer free to do it The Emperour at that time warred against the Normans Thus saith Cranzius these Prelates and the lewdenesse of the Romaines durst contemne their Empier vntill the force and strengthe thereof decayed Whereby this one Pope was now deliuered and brought to bedde of that monster at ones trauelling wherof so many of his auncetours had traueled that is to cut cleane of the Emperours auctoritie For Nicolas the fâ—irst had attempted it but brought it not to effecte Lo here good reader howe by this decree all the Emperours right and title whiche they had ouer the Pope and citie of Rome is wrest from them whereby the Pope with great triumphe hath gotten the victory and vpperhande Thou shalt se him yet creepe hier and attempte greater matters ceasing not vntill he haue aduaunced him selfe aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped 2. Tit. 2. Whereby his flatterers may saye Who is like the beaste or who is able to fight with it Apoc. 13. But after this he lyued not longe he died
Popes chayre But when as Otho should returne into Germany he sent Benedict to Hambrough to his Chauncelour Adaldag the Archebyshop thereof where he liued in exile and for very thought and anguishe of minde died and was buried in the Cathedrall churche Anno. 964. 70 Leo the eight LEo the eight citizen of Rome and chiefe secretary of Lateran churche was made Pope by Otho the Emperour in steade of Iohn deposed for his vilany Who being established in his Popedome Benedict deposed because he perceiued the leudnes of the Romaynes how that with threatninges with bribes and euill meanes they were still aduauncing their owne He crowned Otho and made hym vniuersall Emperour Afterward by decree of a Synode he bestowed on Otho the whole and absolute aucthoritie to electe the Pope taking it from the people and Clergie of Rome whiche saith Gratian Charles the great had geuen vnto them This he did to auoyde those seditioÌ„s which vsed to arise in the elections Otho desirous to be thankefull for this curtesie restored to the sea of Rome all whiche they forge that Constantine gaue them or that Charles or Pipin toke from the Lombardes And had bestowed on them He restored sayth Barnes those thinges whiche hee neither possessed nor was able to defende But Leo after he had raigned a yeare and three monethes died Anno. 966. 71 Iohn the. xiiij IOhn the xiiii sonne of one Iohn a bishop or as some saye of Pope Iohn the xii obtained the Popedome as it wer by his fathers righte This Pope was quietlye chosen whiche was a rare thinge and yet Peter the Liuetenaunt of Rome with the twoo consuls and twelue senatours coÌ„spired against him because he fauoured the Emperoure they apprehended him in Lateran churche and kepte him prysoner in Angel castell the space of eleuen monethes This being knowen the Emperoure hasted to Rome with his armie and dealt sharpely with the offendours some he banished some he made to forfaite their goods â–ª some he haÌ„ged on the gallowes But the Pope hauing Peter the president yelded to his will deliuered him to the hangeman who according to the Popes coÌ„maundement stripped him out of his apparell shaued his bearde and hong him vp by the hayre of the head for the space of an whole daye Afterwarde he commaunded that he should be set vppon an asse with his face to the tayle and his handes tied vnder the Asse tayle and to make him a laughing stock to all men to leade him thus about the citie and withall to scourge him with roddes this being done to dryue him out to be banished into Germany This Pope Iohn allured the kingdome of Poleland to Popery and sent thether Giles Cardinall of Thusculan to confirme the people therein to deuide dioceses to annoynte bishops and consecrate them and to accompte the Pope as supreme head of all churches After this he died Anno. 973. At this time they began to Christen belles and to geue them proper names For this Pope called the great bell of Lateran after his name 72 Benedict the sixt BEnedict the sixte succeded Iohn as well in misery as in place for he was cast into Angell castel as prisoner for certaine offences by Cynthius a Romaine a man of great power And within a while after he was strangled to death with a roape in the same pryson or as some saye pyned to death I cannot but maruell saith Platina that his death was not reuenged neither by the Romaines nor by Otho the Emperour who so tendered the estate of the church of Rome but I feare saith hee that Benedict deserued as Cynthius rewarded him seing no maÌ„ reuenged his death 73 Donus the second DOnus the seconde succeding Benedict learned by him to be more wyse and therefore did nothing at al worthy to be written Only this is mencioned that when the Polonians desyred they might be made a kingdome and haue a crowne graunted to them he denied their sute Crantzius sayth he gouerned indifferently deseruing neither great prayse nor disprayse for a yeare and sixe monethes he died Anno. 975. 74 Boniface the seuenth BOniface the seuenth was of so base birth that neither the name of his stocke nor of his countrey was knowen he getting to be Pope by leud meanes loste it leudly again For hauing obtained the seate the magistrates conspired against him whereby he was compelled to hide him selfe But perceiuing he could not tary at Rome safely hee filched and robbed Saint Peters Pallaice of the moste precious and richest treasure and iewels and so by stelth fled to Constantinople where after a whyle selling them all he made a great somme of money and returned to Rome knowyng that mony could obtaine anything But in his absence the Romaines made one Iohn the fifteth Pope in his steade But he returning enriched the citezins with money and allured to him euery rascall whereby he toke Iohn and thrust out his eyes put him in pryson pined him to death and so gat his place againe wherein shortly after he died wretchedly of y falling sickenes Whereuppon his body hauing a roape tied about his beles was haled through the streates and despitefully stabde in with daggers pikestaues iauelinges and suche like thinges and at length commaunded by the Clergie to be buried in a common place 75 Iohn the fiftene IOhn the fiftene a Lombarde was made Pope by the citezins and the Clergie while the former Boniface robbing the treasurie fled to Constantinople secretly This Iohn was a Deacon Cardinall and of great auctoritie fauoured not Boniface but as Platina saith he with certaine other honest citizens stoode against Boniface his doinges whereupon as is aboue mencioned he was made Pope the other being fled and so coÌ„tinued eight monâ—ths till the other returning did put out his eies imprysoned him and murthered him there with the â—aÌ„ke stinke of the pryson and famin and griefe of mynde together Yet some thinke that Ferrucius the father of Boniface slewe him because he withstode his sonne to be Pope so saith Anselmus 76 Benedict the seuenth BEnedict the seuenth after these was made Pope by the Layetie and Clergie He by the Emperours ayde dyd apprehende a great company of conspiratours in the citie and for their haynous offence he put them in pryson and punished them cruelly â–ª He helde a couÌ„sell at Remes against Lothariê° king of FrauÌ„ce wherin he restored Archebyshop Arnulphus who was violently deposed and he deposed condemned of heresie one Gilbert a Monke being a coniurer whome the king for his money and sorcerie had aduaunced to be Archbishop This Gilbert notwithstanding did yet afterwarde obtaine of the Emperoure Otho the thirde whome he had taughte to coniure that he might be Archebishop of Rauenna and afterwarde he was promised by the Diuell that he should at length be Pope of Rome Whereupon saith Polidor Virgill in his sixt booke of his storie of Englande Monkes and priestes at this tyme declining from the trade of their elders in all places begaÌ„