sometimes is not onely tyrannical wicked and debauched but a simple Boy too and some think also a whorish b See Alexand Cook 's Pope Joan and les sieur Congnard traite contre Bâ—ondel Woman to boot So that it is no wonder that there is such striving canvassing bribery and underhand-dealing to be made Pope if their so being instantly invest them with such an unlimited Authority over all the world and that by Divine right too but of such a Nature that none can see into this Milstone but themselves or favourites And that there may not be any objection against this Authority of the Pope Bozius undertakes to demonstrate it by Examples which you shall have as he gives us them and then judge either of the Heresie or Authority of the Popes Thus he tells us that Baldwin II was lawful Successor to the Eastern Empire yet Michael Palaeologus by force of Arms and wickedness took the Empire from him However for all this injury as he saith did Pope Gregory X allow so much of it that he gave the Empire to the Invador and excluded the lawful Inheritor Another instance he giveth concerning the Western Empire viz. that Richard Duke of Cornwal Son to King John and Brother to Henry III of England being by one part of the Electors of Germany viz. by the Bishops of Mentz Colen and the Palsgrave chosen Emperour And Alonso X King of Castile being by another part viz. Archbishop of Trevers King of Bohemia Duke of Saxony and Marquiss of Brandeburg also chosen Emperour And so by consequence as he saith it must of necessity belong to one of these two Yet such was the pleasure of the aforesaid Gregory X that he threw them both by and commanded the Electors to pitch upon another by which means Rodulph Earl of Habspurgh and Hessia came to be Emperour And the same power Bozius saith the Pope hath over Infidels and to prove this by Example he hints to us the Donation of America by Alexander VI and his huge Authority divided between the Castilian and Portugal And I wonder that before this time he hath not given the World in the Moon to some of his Favourites And as Pope a H. Estiene Apol. pour Herodot p. 465 466. Clement VI commanded the Angels to carry such Souls into Paradise so might some of his Successors command some pretty vehicles or other to carry his friends beyond the Earths attraction and so into the Dominions of the Lunary World where by a zealous Croisade and a furious Inquisition those pretty people might be taught Rebellion THE REBELLIOUS AND Treasonable Practises Of the ROMANISTS From the Year DC to the Year M. With a Blow at Constantines Donation The Popes absolute Temporal Authority and Legality of his Being BOOK III. CHAP. I. The Tale of Constantines Donation proved a meer Cheat and Forgery I Shall not here ingage my self in the Dispute whether S. Peter was ever Bishop of Rome or no nor with the time of his presiding there a De Rom. Pont. l. 1. c. 6. Bellarmine their famous b Addit ad Platin. viz. S. Petri. Onuphrius and some others not agreeing about the manner and several Learned Men have imployed themselves on both parties in this Controversie Nor by what means the Popes came to that greatness they are now in and pretend of right to have Christ said c Joh. 18. 36. his Kingdom was not of this world nor did S. Peter or any of the rest of the Apostles endeavour to obtain either any such Temporal Government or upon the account of their Spiritual to lord it with a coercive Power over Secular Authority And if any of their Successors plead such Prerogatives they can draw no Arguments either from the Precept or Example of the Apostles Not but that the Clergy are as capable of Temporal Imployments as any if the Supreme Magistrate so order it without whose appointment the Lay-man himself cannot pretend to Office What jurisdiction the Bishops of Rome exercised over Princes for the first Ages as History is altogether silent so cannot we imagine that they did considering in what Persecutions they themselves lived being for their own preservation forced to sculk and lurk about here and there and that in poverty too insomuch that if we consult their own Histories we shall finde that the first XXXIII Bishops of Rome suffer'd Martyrdom till a An. 314. Sylvester in the days of Constantine the Great In whose time by the Emperours declaring himself a Christian Christianity began to appear more publick being thus countenanced by Authority whereby those who formerly lurk'd in Caves and Forrests wandred about Mountains and dissembled their Profession for fear of persecution now boldly shewed and declared themselves and had places of Trust and Authority conferred upon them whereby they became more formidable to the Pagans and Religion daily gained more Proselytes Splendour and Jurisdiction By this Emperour Constantine they say that the Popes of Rome had not onely many Priviledges but God knows how much Land too given them viz. not onely Rome it self but also all the Provinces Places and Cities of all Italy and the Western Region and that he might be more glorious and powerful in all the World than the Emperour himself And thus we see them set on Cock horse and whence many of them plead a Prerogative And for proof of this they not onely say that they can shew you the Decree it self but from it and other Authors tell the Reason of such a Donation which because the Storie is pretty and miraculous take as followeth in short Constance they say being a wicked Tyrant and an Heathen murthering his own Son Crispus the Consul c. at last was sorry Baron anno 324. § 16 17. for his own wickedness and desired to be clensed therefrom but his Pagan Priests told him That they had no means of purging such heinous Offences In the mean time one Aegyptius supposed by b Anno 324. § 27. Baronius to be Osius Bishop of Corduba a Christian told the Emperour That the Christians had a way to clense a man from any guilt To which Constantine lent a willing ear though upon that did not forsake his Idolatry but persecuted the Christians insomuch that Pope Slyvester with some others for their own safety stole from Rome and hid themselvs in the Mountain Soractes now call'd c Or M. St. Oresto Baron § 33. Monte S. Tresto corrupted as they say from Monte di S. Silvestro North from Rome upon the Westside of Tiber. For these crimes and oppressions they say he was as by a judgement strangely infected with the Leprosie or Meselry according to the old Translation of d Translat of Ranulphus of Chesters Polycron fol. 212. John Trevisa Vicar of Barckley almost CCC years ago to be cured of this disease he applyeth himself to his Physitians but with no benefit then the Pagan Priests of the Capitol advised him
Bernard though f Anno 1131. Sect. 4. Baronius himself cannot believe that he was the Author of it Yet good Bernard knew not all things nor in some things could he see any farther than that blinde Age in which he lived would allow him nor will I take upon me to censure him of flattery for his thus complementing with his Holiness g Beâ—nard de Considerat ad Eugenium sib 2. cap. 8. Thou art the Prime of all Bishops the Heir of the Apostles an Abel for Primacy a Noah for Government an Abraham by Patriarchship a Melchisedech by Order Aaron by Dignity Moses by Authority Samuel by Judicature Peter by Power Christ by Vnction c. And this piece of canting Courtship was taken up by the Arch-bishop h Vid Abrah Bzov. Rom. Pent. c. 6. p. 56. Stephanus Tigliatius and bestowed upon Innocent the Eighth with some Additions But we might go higher yet and see what goodly Priviledges Gregory the Seventh got an Assembly at Rome to bestow upon him as that i Bâ—oâ— Anno 1076. Sect 31 3â— 33. onely the Pope of Rome can depose Bishops That he onely according to the Times may make Laws That he onely may use the Imperial Ensigns That all the Princes are to kiss his feet That he can depose Emperours and Translate Bishops That no Synod can be held without his command nor any Book is Canonical without his Authority That he is undoubtedly made k Vid. Dist 40. â— Noa nos Holy by the Merits of St. Peter That there is but one name in the World i. e. the Pope Nor can such Extravagances as these seem strange to any who is acquainted with their writings and stories the Popes themselves not a little delighting in these Flatteries and accordingly they never want such complying Pick-thanks Thus Fernando de Velasco in behalf of his Master John the Second King of Vid. Bzov. de Rom. Pont. c. 6. p. 56 57 58 66. Portugal applyed that to Innocent the Eighth which the Apostle speaks of Christ viz. That he is a Ephes 1. 21. far above all Principality and Power and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come and that he is the Sun and Light of the World Thus Scala the Florentine Ambassador told the same Pope That his Dignity was so great that a more Excellent could not be invented or fancyed on Earth Nay that to dispute or doubt of his Power is no less than Sacriledge as Cheurer flattered him from the Duke of Savoy Julius the Second was told by Diego Pacettus Envoy from Emanuel King of Portugal That he was the Door-keeper of Heaven and held the Keys of eternal Life And Bernardus Justinianus Agent from the Venetians assured Pope Paul the Second that b Cui claudere Coelos aperire detrudere ad Inferos eruere quoscunque velit concessum he could damn and save whom he pleased Which was also affirm'd to Julius the Second by Michael Risius from Lewis the Twelfth of France with this Addition that the Necks of all Kings and Princes must submit to him Narius Bandinaeus Ambassador from Sienna fob'd up Pope Paul the Third with the Epithites of The Father of Godliness Day-star of Justice Prince of Faith Chiestain of Religion Arbitrator of all things Saviour of Christians and Image of Divinity And as if the Princes of Italy strove in the magnifying of his Holiness the Ambassadors of Genoa Sienna Lucca Venice Florence Parma Milan and Ferrara humbly told Leo the Tenth That he excell'd all Kings as much as the Sun doth the Moon And well might these petit Potentates thus tumble themselves before their Infallible Chair when the great French Monarch Francis the Second by his Deputy Johannes Babo à Burdaesia did creenge to Pius the Fourth in the acknowledgement that all Laws depended upon his pleasure that Kings threw themselves down at his feet and Heaven opens at his will and that his pleasure did stand for a Law as his voice for an Oracle Pope Pius the Fifth was once told that the whole world lay at his Feet And Sixtus the Fifth that Princes Kings and Emperours were so much subject to him that they should not onely attend upon him but worship and adore him Which if true then Aquinas was not amiss when as they say he told the world That * Vid. Bzov. pag. 53 55. our Kings ought to be as much subject to him as to Christ himself Nor those others who with the German have declared that all must be obedient to him upon pain of Salvation according to the Decree of d Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Uâ—am sanctam Boniface the Eighth Their Canon-Law tells us that Christ received St. Peter into the e Sext. de Electione cap. Fundamenta Fellowship of his undivided Vnity Informs us that as f Dist 12. c. Non decet Christ did the Will of his Father so we should do the will of the Church of Rome That g Dist 19. c. Sic omnes all the Orders of that Church ought to be held as if St. Peter himself had proposed them to us And therefore are h Ib. c. Enimvero perpetually and inviolably to be observed And so are the Papal decretal Letters which they say are to be i Ib. c. In Canonicis numbred amongst the Canonical Scriptures Nor is any man k Caus 17. Q. 4. Dist 81. c. Si qui sunt c. Nemini est to judge or revoke the Popes sentence For the l Paul Lancelottus Institut juris Can. l. 1. Tit. 3. c. Decreta Decrees of the Popes are of equal force and authority with the Canons of Councils And good Reason since they Decree that every one is to be m Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Unam sanctam obedient to the Pope upon pain of damnation and so must we believe that n Extra Com. Tit. 1. c. Super Gentes all Nations and Kingdoms are under the Popes jurisdiction And that o Extra Joh. XXII Tit. 5. Dist 22. c. Omnes Gloss God hath delivered over to him the Power and Rule of Heaven and Earth And well may he thus triumph over Principalities Powers since the Glossaries have the confidence to assure us that he a Naturam rerum immutat substantialia unius rei applicando aliis de nihilo aliquid facere potâ—st sententiam quae nulla est facit aliquam In his quae vult ei est pro ratione voluntas Nec est qui ei dicat Cur ita facis Ipse enim potest supra jus dispensare de injustitia potest facerc justitiam corrigendo jura mutando Decret Greg. lib. 1. Tit. 7. c. Quanto perjonam Gloss Sect. Veri Dei vicâ—m can change the Nature of Things make or rather create something out of nothing since his will must stand for a Law nor must any man
to make a Cistern or Bathing-place in the Capitol and therein wash his body with the warm bloud of Edict Constant Rich. Broughton Eccles Hist Age 4. cap. 5. little Children and to effect this upon his consent the Flamens prepared a great number of Infants some write a Pet de Natal l. 2. c. 22. Jac. de Vorag Hist 12. Jo. Trevisa Policron fol. 212. Alonso de Villigas Flos Sanctorum 31 Decemb. la vida de San. Silvâ—stre three thousand and was going to kill them to fill the Bath with their bloud but Constantine being moved to compassion by the cries and lamentations of their Mothers abhorred such cruelty and wickedness causing the Children to be restored to their Parents with rewards and means to carry them to their dwelling places The night following the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul appear to him saying Because thou hast hindred this wickedness and hast detested to shed the blood of Innocents we are sent to thee by Christ our Lord and God to tell thee how to be cured Hear us therefore and do what we admonish thee Sylvester the Bishop of this City flying thy Persecutions with some others of his Clergy are hid in the Cliffs of Mount Soracte send for him and he will provide an holy Bath in which thou shalt be wash'd and so clensed from thy disease Constantine the next morning sends to finde out Sylvester to whom being come he told the storie of his Vision and asked him what Gods Peter and Paul were and desired to see their Pictures which being shewed him he declared that they were the very same who appeared to him the night before Upon this he was Baptized by Sylvester and so clensed from his Leprosie an hand from Heaven at the same time touching him as he himself saw Upon this the Emperour became hugely Munificent to the Church of Rome by his Decree ordering that she shall be above the IV Patriarchal Seats Antioch Alexandria b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Constantinople and Hierusalem and that the Bishops of Rome shall be above all others in the world all things belonging to Christianity to be govern'd by them In proof of this he built a Church in the Lateran where to maintain lights he gave Lands and Possessions in Asia Thracia Graecia Africa Italy and several Islands he gave his Palace also in the Lateran with his Crown and all his other imperial Habiliments Badges and Authority and the more to exalt him the Emperour himself like a Foot-boy led the Popes Horse about by the Bridle and bestowed upon him and his Successors the City of Rome with the c Provincias loca Civitatis Edict Constant Places Cities and Provinces of Italy and the Western Countries and then in a solemn manner curst and damn'd to the pit of Hell all those whether his succeeding Emperours or any others who any ways opposed or violated this his Donation And this Edict or Donation of Constantine is dated at Rome Constantine and Gallicanus being Consuls Thus we have the storie and the Imperial Decree of Donation which have made such a noise in the World and all as true as the Tale of this Sylvester's d Guil. Gazet Hist des Saincts Tom. 2. 31 Decemb. Pet. de Natal l. 2. c. 22. tying up and there to remain till the day of Judgement a huge Dragon in a Den which every day onely with its breath slew above e Jac. de Vorag Hist 12. three hundred men which quite puts down the storie of Sir Eglomore Now the better to batter down the imaginary Castle of the Popes Temporal Authority and that the Cheat and Forgerie may appear more visible we shall shew that the Foundation of all is a meer lye the occasion of such a Donation viz. the storie to be false and then the Decree it self as a consequence must vanish also However the Edict it self shall also be proved a Counterfeit by such Arguments and Authorities as Hottoman Dr. Crakinthorpe Laurentius Valla du Plessis our Country-man Cook c. affords us but with as much brevity as can be That the storie and occasion of such a Donation is false appears plainly I. Valerius Crispus was alive after this supposed Baptism and so his murther could no way intitle Constantine to the Leprosie and for Sozom. l. 1. c. 5. Trip. Hist Cassiodor lib. 1. cap. 6. Evagr. l. 3. c. 40 41. Nâ—ceph l. 7. c. 35. Platina vit Marci Broughton's Hist Eccles pag. 476. § 2. Id. pag. 494. § 9. Jo. Mariana de rebus Hispan l. 4. c. 16. truth of this we need go no further than this that they cannot deny but both their Ancient and their Modern Authors declare this Crispus to have been Baptized with Constantine and alive after the Synod supposed to be held at Rome upon this christning of the Emperour Nor was Constantine a Tyrant II. The Leprosie it self is confest by their a Viâ— Marci vit Hadrian I. Canus loc Theol. l. 11. c. 5. § 5. Naucler generat 11. Platina and others to be a meer forgery not mentioned by Eutropius Orosius and such-like ancient Writers nor was there any cause for such a Disease Constantine being a good Emperour III. Constantine did not persecute the Christians till this supposed Leprosie Euseb vit Constant l. 1. c. 5. l. â— c. 1 4 12 13 14. l. 10. c. 16. Cedren Hist Sozom. l. 1. c. 8. but on the contrary hugely favoured them in somuch that Licinius the Heathen Consul accused him to his Souldiers for so doing And which is more he did not onely countenance them but was a profest Christian himself his Father Constantius favouring that way and his Son Constantine instructed in it and some say in Britain at b Broughton's Eccles Hist p. 460 461. § 5 6 7. Abington in Barkshire but of the latter I say nothing IV. Being thus a Christian he could not be ignorant what S. Peter and S. Paul were in that time of Sylvester and so not to suppose them to be Gods after an Heathenish manner And if he were ignorant how came he to know what they were for in his supposed Decree where the storie is he doth not tell us that they told him If they did 't is probable that they would not leave him a supposed Pagan in the dark but also declare what they were besides telling their names nor doth he say they told him that V. Again being thus a Christian he would not make use of Heathen Priests either to clense him from his iniquities nor need Aegyptius or Osius upon that supposed infidelity inform him of the Efficacie of Christ and his Religion Neither would he consent to the wicked advise of the Pagan Flamens for his Cure by the bloud of so many Innocent Children VI. If Constantine had consented to this cruelty yet 't is not probably that he need either have such a number slain as some say three thousand nor would he have had it
since But let us proceed this Julius the Second it may be being troubled at the clamours against the Simoniacal election of Alexander the Sixth a Pope composed of wickedness with the consent of his Cardinals in Consistory made a notable Bull to prevent these inconveniencies part of which take as followeth Nos de fratrum nostrum S. R. E. Cardinalium concilio unanimt concensu hac nostra perpetuo valitura Constitutione Apostolica authoritate de potestatis nostra plenitudine Statuimus Ordinamus Decernimus Definimus Quod si quod Deus sua Clementia ineffabili bonitate avertat contigerit postquam nos vel successores nostros successivè ipse Deus ab hujusmodi universali Ecclesiae Regimine absolverit humani generis inimico procurante Ambitione vel cupiditate ad hoc inclinate seu impellente electionem Rom. Pontificis ab eo quem eligi contigerit vel ab aliquo seu aliquibus de Coetu Cardinalium quomodo libet votum dantibus per Simoniacam haeresim in dando promittendo vel recipiendo Pecunias Bona cujusque generis Castra Officia vel Beneficia seu promissiones obligationes commissam per se vel per alium seu alios quomodocunque qualitercunque etiam in duorum partium vel omnium Cardinalium unanimi concordia quomodo libet etiam per viam Assumptionis unanimiter nemine discrepante etiam sine Scrutinio facto celebrari vel fieri Non solum hujusmodi Electio vel Assumptio eo ipso nulla existat nullam eidem sic electo vel Assumpto administrandi in spiritualibus Temporalibus facultatem tribuat sed etiam contra dictum sic Electum vel Assumptuus de Simoniaca labe à quocunque Cardinali qui eidem Electioni interfuerit apponi excipi possit sicut de vera indubitata Haeresi ita quod à nullo pro Rom. Pontifice habeatur Quinimo ipso sic Electus à priori suo Cardinalatus alio quocunque honore Ecclesiis Cathedralibus etiam Metropolitanis Patriarchalibus Monasteriis Dignitatibus aliis quibuscunque Beneficiis Peasionibus quae tunc obtinebat in Titulum vel in Commendam aut alias quomodocunque eo ipso absque alia declaratione privatus existat Et Idem Electus non Apostolicus sed Apostaticus tanquam Simoniacus Haeresiarcha ad praedicta omnia singula perpetuo inhabilis habeatur sit Nec hujusmodi Simoniaca Electio per subsequentem ipsius Inthronizationem seu temporis cursum aut etiam omnium Cardinalium Adorationem seu Obedientiam ullo unquam tempore convolescat c. Datum Romae aput S. Petrum 1505. With the advice and unanimous consent of our Brothers the Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome By this our perpetual Constitution Apostolical Authority and fulness of our power We do Appoint Ordain Decree and Determine That if it shall hereafter fall out which God of his mercy and goodness prevent that when we or our Successors shall by Gods appointment be removed from the Government of this Universal Church that then through the Devils malice the Enemy of Maâ—kinde or the Ambition or Coverouâ—ess of the Chusers the Election of the new Pope be made and done either by him who is so chosen or by any other or more of the Colledge of Cardinals by the Heresie of Simoniacal Compact by giving promising or receiving monies or goods of any kind or Lands or Castles or Offices or Benefices or by making any other Promise or Obligation whatsoever whether it be by themselves or any other or others or what other way soever it be and whether that Election be accomplish'd by two parts or unanimous consent of all the Cardinals and whether it be by Assumption or Adoration all agreeing though without Writing or Scrutiny yet that the Election or Assumption so made shall be from that very moment Void and of none Effect And that no power or faculty shall accrew thereby to him so thrust in of any Administration Government or Jurisdiction in matters Spiritual or Temporal But also that it shall and may be lawful to any Cardinal present at the same Election to except against the same Elected or Intruder to call him in Question for the crime of Simony as of a true and undoubted Heresie that so he may be accounted and held of all men as no Pope or Bishop Rome And moreover that he thus Elected shall hereby from that time forward though without a Declaration remain deprived of his Cardinalship and any other honour whatsoever whether Cathedral Metropolitan or Patriarchal Churches Monasteries Dignities and all other Benefices and Pensions which then he either held by Title or in Commendam And that he thus Elected shall not be held as Apostolical but as an Apostate one guilty of Simony and an Arch-heretick and never to be capable to enjoy or have all or any of the aforesaid Benefits Neither shall such Simoniacal Election be any time afterwards made good or be in force by any subsequent Inthronization Adoration or Obedience or homage done to him by the Cardinals or by any Continuance or Course of time c. Given at Rome 1505. Having thus seen the severe Bull for the avoiding and annihilating of Elections obtain'd by Simony or suchlike illegal means let us now see whether it hath been observed or no and if not according to their own Law down falleth succession Pope Gregory the Thirteenth being a An. 1585. dead the Cardinals in the Conclave according to custom fell into several Factions about the Election some being for de la Terre some for Tarnesius some approved Savellius others favour'd Sertettus Castagneus wanted not Friends Paleotto had hopes and others were now and then thought on Fernesius headed one party Altemps another Alexandrino a third S. Sixtus by his Authority carryed a great stroke there de Medici ruled some and Aloysius de Este Son to the Duke of Ferrara had a great party of Cardinals at his Devotion These heads of interest drawing several ways inlarged the Faction at last Cardinal Montalto had some hopes finding Alexandrino and de Medici his Friends and at last to stand really for him but these with their dependants not being strong enough to carry it he gets some to tamper with S. Sixtus whilst himself feels the pulse of Aloysius de Este with whom at last he strikes up a Bargain the Condition of which was this That whereas there was one Hieronymus Matthaeus a Roman Bishop of great esteem in the Court but one that de Este above all men hated that if Montalto would promise never to make this Matthaeus Cardinal Aloysius would give his own voyce and the suffrages of all those Cardinals who were many depending on him to make the said Montalto Pope this was agreed on between them to which Montalto did not onely give him his promise by mouth but by open writing subscribed and ratified under his own hand and so he carryed
bidding him remember how Becket dyed for the Church and writes to the Bishops of London Ely and Worcester to interdict the whole Kingdom if they found the King c Contumacem Rebellâ—m disobedient and rebellious They acquaint the King with this Mandate who is willing to condescend with the Salvo's d Prâ—ns Hist of Popes intol uâ—uâ—pat boâ—k 3. c. 1. p. 251. that his rights liberties and dignities may not be violated But the Bishops would allow none of these conditions and yet we must think it hard that Becket might not have the liberty of Salvo's which provoked the King so much thus to be trod upon by his own subjects that he swore per dentes Domini that if they or any other of his subjects should presume to interdict his Dominions he would send them with the rest of their fraternity to their friend the Pope and confiscate their goods and so warn'd them from his presence Stephen Langton had in England a Brother call'd Simon who also came in the presence of the Bishops to desire the admittance of his brother to Canterbury to whom the King proffer'd to do so e Pryn p. 252 saving only his right and dignity But no sooner began the King to mention this Salvo but Simon replyed in an insolent manner He would do nought for the King therein unless he would wholly refer himself into his hands without any such saving The Bishops seeing the King would not dance after their pipe without fear or wit interdict the whole Kingdom which continued almost six years by which means there was no use of divine service only Christening of Children and giving the Sacrament to the dying insomuch that the Church-doors were shut up some say wall'd up and the bodies of the dead carried out into the fields and thrown into ditches or high-ways like f Corpora defunctorum decivitatibus villis â—fferebantur mora canum in bivâ—is fossatis sine orationibus sacerâ—oâ—â—n ministerio sepeliebaâ—tur Paris p 226. Dogs without any prayers or Christian offices An excellent sign of the meekness and charity of him that glories to be Christs Vicar to unchristen as I may say a whole Kingdom for one mans fault supposing him an offender though the case being truly stated the contrary will appear or at least not meriting so grand a punishment For if the Pope hath power to nominate to all Bishopricks he must have it either by divine right and so unalterable and therefore the now Roman Catholick Kings who deny such power are guilty and the Popes too for allowing or winking at it or by the Kings concessions which is of no validity no Monarch having authority to transfer his Prerogatives to a forraign power and if they doe so of no force to bind their successors besides story tells us that a little before this the Bishops of England rejected the designs of the Bishop of St. Davids meerly because he was elected at g â—â—rus Hist of Popes usurpat l. â— c. 1. p. 236. Rome whereby we may judge Pope Innocent to have been more faulty and extravagant than King John The Bishops aforesaid perceiving to what inconveniency and danger being Subjects they had run themselves into by opposing their Soveraign in behalf of a Forreign Power stole out of the Kingdom Excommunicating those who obey'd the King The King seeing himself and Nation thus trampled upon seized upon all the Church-mens Lands that obey'd this Interdiction and refused to celebrate Divine-Service yet was so favourable as to allow the Dissenters and Rebels to sell their Corn for their better provisions And the white Monks in obedience to God the King and their Duty continuing to say Divine-Service for the benefit of Christian people were again suspended by the Pope and for their compliance to their duty they were not after allowed the same Priviledge as others who right or wrong obeyed the Pope and his Forreign Authority The King weary of these troubles was willing to comply with 121â— the admission of Langton and the restauration of others whom he had exiled for their disobedience But give a little take an Ell if he condescended so far they doubted not to make him grant more and therefore they would have him refund the Treasures of the vacant Churches by reason of the banishment of the turbulent spirits This he refus'd as an impossibility having imploy'd them for the security of his Dominions in these tulbulent times Being not satisfied in this trifle they scorn to agree with him which made many leave their Flocks here and go beyond Seas to the Kings Enemies Upon which the King wisely and bravely by Proclamation orders all to return to their respective Churches by such a day or to forfeit their incomes and that all should be seiz'd upon who brought any Order or Bull from the Pope into his Dominions for that time knowing such things could then bring no peace to him or his Kingdom The Pope seeing King John stand so resolutely for his Prerogative year 1212 and Freedom of his Subjects from Forreign yoaks goeth to his last refuge pulls out his Nut-cracker and Louse-trap by which he deprives the King of his Dominions absolves his Subjects from their Allegiance curseth all those who take the Kings part And because this of it self hath no more power then a Dogs barking over the Moon he sends to the King of France Pâ—â—is p. â—31 desiring him to seize upon the Kingdom of England for he liberal man had given it to him and his Heirs he might as well have given the Moon and to carry this the more clearly he commanded all the Nobles Knights and other Warriors in several Countries to assist the King of France and cross themselvâ—s a Military Badge appointed for those who went against the Infidels in the Holy-land for this enterprise and they need not doubt of a reward he having order'd that their souls in this warfare shall have the same benefit as those who visit the sacred Sepulchre which we may suppose to be no less than the a In remissionem suoâ—um peccaminum Pari p. 233 238. Paris p. 232. â—ryn p. 266. pardon of all their sins And the better to withdraw Englishmen observed to be apt to give credit to tatling Prophecies from their obedience they had thrust up one b Peter of Prontfract Stow. p. 169. Peter Wakefield of Poiz to Prophesie the death or downfal of the King by such a day to which a great many idle people gave too much credit but being found a false cheating knave according to his deserts he was hang'd The King to preserve himself and people from the French had year 1213 got to the Sea-Coasts a mighty Army and Navy but a composition hindred their action For Pandolphus who had been in England once before the Popes Legate landed at Dover tells King John with what a great force the French were coming against him with whom joyn'd many of the
that to be of no force and do revoke them as null And we think all to be z z Some copâ—es read fatuos others Haereticos Fools or Hereticks who think otherwise Dated at the Lateran c. To which was returned this following answer Philip by the Grace of God King of the French to Boniface bearing himself a Pope little health or none at all Let your great a a Sciat tua maxima fatuitas Foolship understand that in Temporal affairs we are subject to no man That the Collation of Churches and Prebendaries belong to us by Royal Prerogative and the fruits thereof during their vacancy That the Collations already made or hereafter to be made are of good force and validity and that we will defend the possessors thereof against all men reputing all to be fools and madmen who think otherwise Given at Paris c. The Pope seeing the King resolute for the priviledges of his Kingdom goeth another way to work b Jo de Bussieres Tom. 2. p. 220 221. Jo â—uâ—â—us p. 211. Spondan an â—â—03 §. 11 stirs the people of Flanders to rebell against him desires the King of England to fall upon him curses excommunicates interdicts and by his fond censures deposeth the King absolves his subjects from their Allegiance perswades them to rise against their Soveraign intreats Albert Emperour of Germany to invade and seise upon his Dominions which he giveth to the said Albert for winning and keeping And because the Vniversity at Paris stood for their King he declared them to be no University nulling all their priviledges prohibiting all exercises c. The King seeing the Pope thus madly to run on against him summons a Parliament where the King is vindicated and the Pope accused of Heresie Nigromancy Simony Sodomy Murther Vsury Vncleanness c. all which Articles being too long for this place I shall refer you to a Acts and Mon tom 1. p. 448 449 450 451 452 453. Fox and the two late Volumes of the b Traites des droit libertes de l'eglise Gallicane Tom. 2. pag. 140 141 14â— liberties of the Gallican Church collected and set forth by the learned Frenchman Mons de Pais Puteanus But for all this the next Pope but one clears him and makes him a good man In this Parliament the King appeals from the Pope to the next Council But this trouble ended by the suddain death of the Pope though after what manner Authors will not agree some say by a Feaver others grief and many affirm by despair if not madness yet c Fuâ—enti similis Spond an 130◠§ 13. Marian hist Hispan l. 15. c. 6. next door to it However it was considering with what subtlety he attain'd the Popedome with what pride and arrogancy he domineer'd and his talked-of strange death he procured this Proverb to be fastned upon him d Intra vit ut vulpes regnavit ut leo mortuâ—s est ut canis He entred like a Fox ruled like a Lyon and dyed like a Dog Lucretius describes the Poetical Monster thus Prima leo postrema draco media ipsa Chimaera And of this Pope thus another alludes Ingreditur vulpes leo pontificat canis exit Jo. Rubeus p. 258. Et sic revera nova dicitur illa Chimaera I have formerly given you the Character of this Pope according to the Romanists themselves and for farther proof you shall hear Platina himself speak Pope Boniface e Qui imperatoribus â—egibus principibus nationibus populis terrorem potius quam Religionem injicere conabatur quique dare regna â—â—auferre pellerehomines reducere pro arbit â—â— animi conabatur aurum undique conquisitum plus quam dici potest sitiens Platina vit Bonifacii VIII rather endeavour'd and studied how to terrifie Emperours Kings Princes Nations and People then to promote Religion he strived and endeavoured to give and take away Kingdoms to trample upon all men according to his pleasure being covetous of wealth beyond all report This judgement of Platina is also confirm'd by f Gener. 44. p. 870. Nauclerus and his own actions will testifie as much for having appointed a Jubilee the first day he appears in his Pontificalibus but the next day he shews himself in an g Krantz Saxon. l. 8. c. 36. Cusâ— nian vit Albert Imperial habit with a Crown on having a naked sword carried before him crying out h Luke 22 3â— Behold two swords childishly alluding to his own blockish i Extra Commun de major obed c. unam sanctam comment upon the Apostles and our Saviours words as if the two Swords there mentioned implyed the Pope of Rome to have spiritual and temporal authority over all men Another story they tell of him Jacobus de Voragine Arch-bishop of Genoa that great writer of pretty miracles dying Porchetto Spinola succeeded and being at Rome on an Ash-Wednesday he amongst others fell down at the Popes Feet to be signed on the Fore-head with a Cross of holy Ashes Boniface thinking him to be his Enemy alters the Platina Nauclerus Coquaeus Tom. 2. pag. 178. Spond anno 1296. § 11. Scripture telling him thus Remember that thou art a Gibellin and with the Gibellins thou shalt return to Ashes and so cast the Ashes in his eyes and deprived him of his Archbishoprick but gave it him again when he heard that he was mistaken in the man At this action a Pag. 1005. Coeffeteau is a little troubled and doth confess that if it be true as there is no reason to doubt of it that it was a kinde of Sacriledge that cannot be excused Of this Boniface who before his Popedom was call'd Benedict one made these Verses Nomina bina bona tibi sunt praeclarus amictus Eberhardi Annal. an 1303. apud Hen. Caâ—â—s Anâ—â—que lecâ—â—on Tom. 1. Papa Bonifacius modo sed quondam Benedictus Ex re nomen habe Benefac Benedic Benedicte Aut cito perverte Malefac Maledic Maledicte But for diversion sake you may here peruse the Rimes of John Lydgate the old Monk of St. Edmondsbury Among these wofull Princys thre The fall of Pâ—â—nces lib. 9 Which shewyd theym so uggly of their chere Pope Boniface by great adversite The VIII of that name gan to approach nere A thousand IIIC accompted was the yere Fro Cryst's birth by computation Whan that he made his lamentacion This same Pope caught occasion Which undre Petre kept governaunce To Interdict all the Region Time of King Philip regnynge tho in France Direct Bulls down into Constaunce To a Nicholaus Benefractus Archdeacon of Constance in lower Normandy being sent by the Pope to carry the Orders to Interdict the King was seized up on at Tryers and imprisonâ—d Nicolas made by Boneface Archdeacon of the same place Of holy Church the Prelates nygh ech on Busshoppys of Fraunce felly have declared Prevynge by b Of these Articles against him I spake before
Worth and Quality attempted through the Undertaking spirits of some more fiery and turbulent than zealous aâ—d dis-passionate Catholicks hath made the general state of our Catholique Cause so scandalous in the eye of such whose corrupted Judgments are not able to fan away and sever the fault of the Professor from the Profession it self as that who now is found to be of that Religion is perswaded at least in mind to allow though God knoweth as much abhorring as any Puritan whatsoever the said former most inhuman and barbarous Project And whereas some of his Majesties Council but especially your Lordship as being known to be as the Philosopher termeth it a Primus Motor in such uncharitable proceedings are determined as it is feared by taking advantage of so foul a scandal to root out all the Memory of Catholique Religion either by sudden Banishment Massacre Imprisonment or some such unsupportable Vexations and Pressures and perhaps by decreeing in this next Parliament some more cruel and horrible Laws against Catholiques than already are made In regard of these Premises there are some good men who through Good men and Roman Catholiques their earnest desire for the continuing the Catholique Religion and for saving many souls both of this present and of all future posterity are resolved to prevent so great a mischief though with a full assurance aforehand of the loss of their dearest lives You are therefore hereby to be admonished that at this present mayâ— murther Privy-Councellors there are Five which have severally undertaken your Death and have vowed the performance thereof by taking already the Blessed Sacrament if you continue your daily plotting of so Tragical Stratagems aginst Recusants It is so ordered that none of these Five knoweth who the other Four be for the better preventing the discovery of the rest if so any one by attempting and not performing should be apprehended It is also already agreed who shall first attempt it by shot and so who in order shall follow In accomplishing of it there is expected no other than assurance of death yet it will willingly be embraced for the preventing of those general Calamities which by this your transcendant Authority and grace with his Majesty are threatned unto us And indeed the Difficulties herein are more easily to be digested since two of the intended Attempters are in that weak state of body that they cannot live above three or four Months The other Three are so distressed in themselves and their Friends as that their present Griefs for being only Recusants do much dull all apprehension of Death None is to be blamed in the true censuring of Matters for the Nor are they to be blamed for it undertaking hereof For we protest before God We know no other means left us in the World since it is manifest that you serve but as a Match to give fire unto his Majesty to whom the worst that we wish is That he may be as great a Saint in Heaven as he is King on Earth for intending all Mischiefs against the poor distressed Catholicks Thus giving your Lordship this Charitable Admonition the which may perhaps be necessary hereafter for some others your Inferiors at least in Grace and Favour if so they run on in their former Inhuman and Unchristian Rage against us I cease putting you in mind That where once True and Spiritual Resolution is there notwithstanding For 't is a True and Spiritual Resolution all dangers whatsoever the Weak may take sufficient Revenge of the Great Your Lordship 's well-admonishing Friends c. A. B. Câ— c. It may be your Lordship will take this but as some forged Letter of some Puritans thereby to incense you more against Recusants But we protest upon our Salvation It is not so Neither can any thing in human likelihood prevent the effecting thereof but the change of your course towards Recusants This Letter at the beginning offers fair seeming to detest the Gunpowder-Plot but little of truth and sincerity may be expected from it when we consider that the design of it is to Apologize for Murther to which it appears there is a Club or number of them consenting and attempting and they are not ashamed to assert That though they murther Privy-Councellors yet the Murtherers may be good men nor are they to be blamed for it for 't is a True and Spiritual Resolution But enough of this Letter to which the Earl himself was pleased to give an Answer The Oath of Allegiance was prudently drawn up and confirmed by Act of Parliament which Oath being the Foundation and Sum of this Treatise take as followeth word for word and for distinction sake divided into several Branches or Articles The Oath of Allegiance Anno Tertio Jacobi I A. B. do truly and sincerely Acknowledg Profess Testifie and Declare in my Conscience before God and the World That our Soveraign Lord King is Lawful and Rightful King of this Realm and of all other his Majesty's Dominions and Countreys And that the Pope neither of himself nor by any Authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any Power or Authority to Depose the King Or to dispose any of his Majesties Kingdoms or Dominions Or to Authorize any Forreign Prince to Invade or Annoy him or his Countreys Or to Discharge any of his Subjects of their Allegiance and Obedience to his Majesty Or to give License or Leave to any of them to bear Arms raise Tumults c. Or to offer any violence or hurt to his Majesties Royal Person State or Government or to any of his Majesties Subjects within his Majesties Dominions Also I do swear from my heart That notwithstanding any Declaration or Sentence of Excommunication or Deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Successors or by any Authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his See against the said King his Heirs or Successors or any Absolution of the said Subjects from their Obedience I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors And him and them will defend to the uttermost of my Power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against his or their Persons their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration or otherwise And will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto his Majesty his Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Trayterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them And I do further swear That I do from my heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this Damnable Doctrine and Position That Princes which be Excommunicated or Deprived by the Pope may be Deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in Conscience am resolved That neither the Pope nor any Person whatsoever hath