Greeke is p 2. Thess 2. named Apollyon namely that Angel or false Prophets whom the Hebrewes and Greekes doe call the sonne of perdition that is Antichrist The ende of the fourth period and of the second battell on earth and of a cap. 9.12 the first Woe to the inhabitants thereof CHAP V. Of the corruption and delusion which Sathan wrought in others in the time of these two last battels IN the two last Chapters hath beene shewed howe the Dragon by his b cap. 7.1 Angels did staie the windes that they blew c Sozo 1. 2. 7. not on the third part of the d Theod. 2. 22 Christian or Romane word e Theod. 5. 6. For onely the East was pestered with the pestilence of the Arians Now are we to proceed to shew what became of the f cap. 9.20 remnant that is the other two thirds of the Empire For euen amongst them also was the g cap. 7.3 earth hurt after the seruants of God were sealed That which is here to be considered is the h cap. 13.11 storie of another beast or kingdome or principalitie which is said to arise out of the earth into which i cap 12.9 the Dragon was cast and where he deceiueth k cap. 20.3 the world In the storie hereof is set down the rising of the beast the opposition of the Saints and the successe This beast though in many things it bee like the other beast yet in some doth it differ from that which presented the Romane Empire corrupted with heresie First whereas that beast arose l cap. 13.1.11 out of the water to wit from amongst many nations this other ariseth out of the earth Now they are said to bee of the earth which are so m earthie as earthly is opposed to heauenly So that this beast ariseth out of earthly aduancements c. For the West by the protection of Constantine was freed from the persecution of Licinius and also honoured by him For first hee n Ruff. 1. 2. refused to cenâ—ure them esteeming them as gods And o Geneb p. â—5 after enriched the Church with siluer and gold departed to Constantinople and as some say gaue the citie of Rome c. and princely ornaments to Pope Siluester and his successors Which amongst other testimonies Genebrard doeth prooue by two Rabbines The p Jdem p. 555. first Abraham Leuita thus He vz. Constantine weÌ„t out of Rome gaue it to the Iduâ—â—ean Priests meaning the Popes The other is Aben Ezra who testifieth thus Hee vz. Constantine beautified Rome which was the place of his seate and left it to that iniquitie which now is called Peter It seemeth somewhat was done this way but nothing so much as is pretended For besides that Valla a a Valla contra den Const man of singular knowledge writeth against that treatise which beareth the name of The Donation of Constantine Volateran the b Volat. 23. f. 270. keeper of the Vatican librarie and so best acquainted with the antiquities of the citie of Rome doth denie any such donation to be made by Constantine shewing that it is to be found in no old author but only in the Decrees that not in their ancient copies Crantzius c Crantz Met. l. 11. c. 24. p 772 saith the Pope was great not by the forged donation of Constantine which neuer was made but by the bountie of other Princes But such as it was the humanitie of d Eus vit Con. 4. 5â— Constantine was abused by the vnsatiable couetousnes and vnspeakable dissimulation of such as pretended themselues to bee Christians e Polychr 4.26 f. 171. From that time forward because of the great riches that the Church of Rome had it was made the more secular and had more secular businesse than spirituall deuotion and more pompe and boast outward than holines within as it is supposed It is written that when Constantine had made this gift to the Church the olde enemie cried openly in the aire This day is venome powred into the holy Church Therefore Ierome in vitis Patrum saith since the holie Church increased in possessions it is decreased in vertues And so the beast riseth out of the earth He is also said to rise out of the earth for his vnsensible manner of growing For the things which grow out of the earth are well discerned to haue growen but the manner how no man seeth And this is it that the scripture calleth priuily f 2. Pet. 2.1 bringing of damnable heresies contrarie to the declaring of the Gospel which is seene vpon an instant not onely like a swift horseman but like g Math. 24.27 lightning c. Secondly hee differeth from the other monster by his hornes which are not ten but h cap. 13.1.11 cap. 5.6 two and those like the Lamb which had eies arrogating to himselfe to be like vnto Christ representing i N.D. Warne-word En. 1. c. 2. 11. 6. 7. 8. his power and wisdome vpon earth as his Vicar or Viceroy So that in matters of iurisdiction and spiritual authoritie for gouernment of his Church vpon earth hee presumeth that Christ hath left so great power vnto his substitutes Peters successor the Pope of Rome as he may doe thereby and in his name and vertue in a certaine sort whatsoeuer his master and Lord might doe in his Church if hee were now conuersant amongst vs vpon earth Thirdly hee differeth in voice a cap. 13.11 For he speaketh like the Dragon whereas the other did roare but as a Beare or Pantheresse or Lyon He is said to speake like the Dragon for his terror For it is reported that about the b Gesu lib. 5. tower of Babel there dwell great Dragons whose voice and yelling doeth terrifie men And when Alexander went into India a Dragon with his terrible noise and hissing did terrifie his whole armie By this is meant that the Church of Rome or the Pope should from henceforth labour to rule by c 2. Tim. 3.2 cursed speaking and execrations as also by as bloodie and cruell lawes and interdictions as euer the heathen persecutors did tyrannize with For in Nero the d Aug. de Ciu. Dei 20. 19. facts of Antichrist were seene So that by those courses he should not onely fright other men but also be terrible to Monarchs and their valiant armies He is also said to speake like the Dragon because by the spirit of error he e 1. Tim. 4.1.3 bringeth in doctrines of diuels forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates c. and diuers superstitions telling men that they f Gen. 3.4 shall not die if they transgresse Gods commandements and haue his pardon That for their skinne g Iob. 2.4 men will blaspheme God h Mat. 4.9 Offering to giue preferments to such as will fall downe and worship him beeing a i 1. Kin. 22.22 lying spirit in the mouthes of the
14.3 the throne and before the foure beastes before the Elders that is in the Church before God the father the sonne and the holy Ghost before the glorious Cherubins and before the faithfull and holy gouernors of the Church This doth signifie the good and most Christian Councels which were held before the Lord and his Angels by the authority of godly and religious Princes and by the assistance of the faithfull Bishops and Ministers of the word For g Caranza vnder Theodosius was held a Councel against the Nestorians And also the Carthaginian Mileuitan and Aurasican Councels were held against the Pelagians The Affrican h Melan. 3. Epist Aug. Councel wrote vnto Innocentius the Bishop of Rome and exhorted him that he would also disallow the errors sprung vp at Rome and would not suffer them to spread any further Vnder Martianus was held a Councell at Chalcedonia against the Eutychians i Geneb p. 64â— In the yeare of Christ 552. was held a Councell at Constantinople against certaine heretickes and to confirme the foure generall Councels A heauenly harmonie of holy harpers The song which those Fathers and Councels did sing is somewhat darke to be vnderstood For no man a cap. 14.3 could learne the song but the 144,000 which were bought froÌ„ the earth to wit those faithfull witnesses which are not earthly minded For as it is said of some of Augustines latter bookes that he hath sometimes vnproper b Melan. 3. de Eccl post Vol. 3. speeches but if they be wel fauourably iudged of they containe the very truth so may it be said of the rest because the iniquitie of the time enforced them to speake with as little offence to the impietie of men as possibly might be c. The flight of the woman in these troublesome times was by flying to carrie her selfe cleane out of the c cap. 12.14 sight of the Serpent For the countries now d Geneb p. 5â—â— made newely kingdomes were conuerted afterwards e Sabel In Affrica in the time of Gensericus the Church was cleane extinguished the Bishops which maintained the trueth beeing fledde and banished for euer and so by other tyrants in other places From hence the Church is fledde from the presence of the Serpent and is mingled for a time times and halfe a time that is 1260. yeares there beeing many godly men amongst the diuellish tyrants and hereticks which they doe not see not know of yet there is the Church The successe is diuers in the Church and Empire and also concerning these strangers By this inundation of these barbarous f cap. 13.3 nations that one head of the beast was as wounded to death by the sword that is the Romane Empire in the West was cleane ouerthrowne rent and torne g Geneb p. 609 Germanie Dacia Sarmatia Spaine Britaine and France doe altogether fall away from the Empire to the vtter h Melan. 3. ruine of the Empire The office also of i Sabel E. 8. l. 1 Consuls ceased in Rome in the yeare 560. k Geneb p. 641. In the space of 142. or rather 150 yeares l 642. Rome the tamer of mankinde and castle of all nations did sustaine many casualties by the iudgement of God that it might seriously slide to the hands of the Church whose head as some thinke it ought to be and to that vse should be built againe from the foundation For after that Rome was spoiled by Alaricus armie in the age of Augustine and Hierome anon it was wasted by the Vandals within 44. yeares After that 22. yeares by Odoacer and his Heruli Againe after 14. yeares by Theodoricus and his Ostrogothes Furthermore after 50. yeares it was taken by Belifarius At last it came into extreame miserie by Totilas the reliques of the Gothes after 12. yeares And a Hist an t ex Egna p. 426. the maiestie of the Romane name * cum p. 468. ex Paul Diaco 6. qu. Buchol Ann. 476. by the flight of Augustulus the last of the Caesars of the * Vid hist anti ex Paulo Diac. p. 468. Romane nation renowned for the seruice of the gods did fall and was cleane ouerthrowne that as shee was wont to triumph ouer the whole world so now there is no nation so fierce and barbarous which doth not repaie the iniurie done to them or their auncestrie For in Augustulus b Carion f. 143. the Empire of the Augusti in Italie perished and ended They lost their c Sab. E. 8. l. 5. language at Rome The Romane ciuill lawes were as exiles d Geneb p. 914 from hence for the space of 600. yeares c. But the earth helpe the woman and the earth e cap. 12.16 opened her mouth and swallowed vp the flood which the Dragon had cast out of his mouth that is the countries into which these strangers made incursion swallowed them vs. For these strangers did content themselues to be mixed with the naturall inhabitants f Saâ—el â—n â— l. 5. of the countries into which they came The Gothes which remained in Italie degenerating into the name of Italians in Spaine into Spaniards leauing onely in diuers places some places of their names which keepe their memory And of them arose certaine kingdomes bearing the names of the places where they were for the most part The successe that these strangers found was first that their power was limited For * cap. 9.5 â— their power was to hurt fiue months that is an hundred and fiftie yeare For a moneth g Erasm Remâ— in tab Prâ—t according to the account of the Hebrewes Aegyptians and Astronomers containeth 30. daies and so fiue moneths amount to 150. daies which counting a h Ezech. 4.6 day for a yeare after the maner of the scripture commeth to 150. yeare For from the time that Rhadagasus first entred which was in i Carion the yeare 405. vnto the k Sabel death of Teias the last of these strangers that afflicted the Empire which was l Geneb p. 643 in the yeare 555. is precisely 150. yeare And though the people did still continue yet the kingdome name power and Empire of the Gothes were rooted out of Italie And so in other places this number of 150. yeares is in a manner a fatall limit to such as make incursions into the countries of others Secondly they that for 150. yeare could be brought vnder no mans power were in the ende afterwards made the subiects of Antichrist m Strab. 7. And as before they came they were subiect vnto their Priest which liued in an inaccessible cell as an angel of the bottomlesse pit who did euer set them to make incursion vpon their neighbours as Abaddon or Apollyon a destroyer so n cap. 9.11 now they had a King set ouer them which is that Angel of the bottomlesse pit whose o Dan. 7. name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in
Prophets of Kings c. * cap. 19.20 And for these such like causes he is called The false prophet that prophesieth lies c. But he is like vnto the first monstrous beast in this that he doth k cap. 13.12 exercise the power of the first beast before him taking vpon him as an Emperor in the time presence of the Emperour labouring to be as absolute ouer the Clergie as the Emperour is ouer the temporaltie exempting his Clergie from ciuill iurisdiction * 2. Thess 5.2 Yea exalting himselfe aboue all Yea he proposeth to himselfe to be Monarch of all and therefore what euer be his pretext hee in his priuate drift causeth the l cap. 13.12 earth and them that dwell therein to worshippe the first beast whose deadly wound was healed that is to worshippe an Ecclesiasticall Monarch which he laboureth to establish in the roome of the former ciuill Monarchie which was ouerthrowen in the West by the former incursions of strangers and onely healed by the Popes The a cap. 13.13.14 meanes which he vseth to further these ambitions are great wonders and deceiptfull in the fight of men and of the beast that is seeming miracles to the Prince and people howeuer there may be a better and truer construction made of them to be deceipts These his miracles therefore are b cap. 18.23 called inchauntments wherewith all nations are deceiued c 2. Thes 2.9.10 And this is that of which S. Paul speaketh when he saith of the aduersarie of Christ Whose comming is by the effectuall working of Sathan with all power and signes of lying wonders and in all d Aug. Ciu. Dei 20. 19. deceiuablenes of vnrighteousnes Which are wonders either so seeming when they be but impostures or else if true they be the workes of the diuell to gaine credit to the great enemie of the Gospel Particularly for instance it is said that he e cap. 13.13 caused fire to come downe from heauen on the earth in the sight of men that is he seemeth to men to cause God f Isa 9.5 37 36. to send downe vengeance from heauen vpon men that doe not respect him applying all the calamities that befall them that loue him not to be iudgements of God to reuenge the contempt offered to this beast The Popes were famous far g Chro. Chr. miracles when they had once gotten purple The opposition of the Saints is something though very small contenting themselues that h cap. 14.3 they were bought from the earth hauing nothing to doe with the ambition of this beast that onely minded how to possesse the earth wincking at much corruption when they saw it About i Fasc Tem. f. 47 b. Frising Chro. 4. cap. 3. the possessions of the Church which the Prelates at this time began to haue there was often a great contention among the Doctors Some said it was iust and profitable that the Church should abound in temporalties and haue earthly honours others thought not But the Bishops of Rome accepted of these honours And they of that Church doe thinke that k Geneb p. 552 553. it much concerned God in some place to haue a visible Ecclesiasticall Monarchie which by diuine authoritie by causing fire to come downe from heauen vpon men might restraine terrifie smite with lightning and bring into obedience tyrants hereticks schismaticks c. Wherefore the Bishops of Rome which was the chiefe citie in the world endeauoured to attaine vnto that dignitie and to inrich the Church by all meanes possible These things will appeare more particularly in the stories of the Popes wherof doe follow some briefe collections The complement Siluester I. * Ann 315. admirable for l Fasc Temp. f 47 a. miracles or great wonders For he is reported to a Pet. de Nat. haue clensed Constantine of a leprosie But b Volat. 23. f. 270. the booke of that miracle is Apocrypha manifestly dissenting from the Doctors and altogether to be reiected as a c 2. Thes 2.9 cap. 13.14 lying signe He is said to haue reuiued a dead d Pet de Nat. Ball to binde a Dragon that killed men with his breath a false miracle e Gesn l. 5. For Dragons doe not hurt with their breath hereby he laboured to gaine reputation to his profession He forbad f Caranz f. 4â— 37. a. Subdeacons to marrie heare the voice of the Dragon Hee deuised the Chrisme with which the Bishops should signe them that were baptized to confirme them against the perswasion of Heretickes The manner is this g Poly. inuent 5. 3. the Bishop maketh the signe of the crosse in the forehead of the partie to be confirmed and saith I signe thee with the character or token of the crosse and confirme thee with the chrisme of saluation i Berg. 9. He commanded that no laie man should presume to cal a Clergie man into a ciuill court nor that any Clergie man should sue before a secular Iudge and decreed that k Caranz f. 46. a. neither Emperour nor Kings nor all the Clergie may iudge the Pope exercising the power of the first beast euen before him c. Marcus appointed l Berg. 9. that no Clergie man might by any meanes be drawne vnto secular businesse Ann. 334. Hee built two Churches in Rome Constantine enriched him with many gifts The beast doth rise out of the earth Iulius reprehended the m Anno 341. Chr. Chro. Arians especially that they called a Councel at Antiochia without the authoritie of the Pope of Rome when as without his authority he said it neither ought nor could be He decreed that whosoeuer suspected his iudge might appeale to the seat of Rome the Pope Liberius was o Poâ—â—â—r banished for standing against the Arians Ann. 35â— in the meane while by his Counsell the Clergie of Rome ordained Felix Pope This Felix proceeded seuerely against the Arians Wherefore Constantius the Emperor reconciled Liberius for he seemed more easie to the Arians Liberius then being ouercome with the griefe of exile and glad that he was Pope againe assented and fell into heresie and subscribed p Massaus 11. thereto But Felix and the q Fasc Temp. s 48. b. Catholikes hauing admonished him and finding him to bee contumacious cast him out of the Church as an heretike wherefore Liberius cast Felix out of the Papacie held the Churches violently and by strength so that there was a great persecution of the faithfull and the Clergie and priests that fauored Felix were slaine in the Churches and Liberius forbad it not a Vol. 22. And Felix himselfe was slaine as defending the truth This Felix was b Geneb p. 574. also reported guiltie of heresie But such is the force of the Apostolicall chaire saith Genebrard that it would rather make a martyr than heare an heretike Here wanteth some helpe to reconcile these popish Chronologers
Caranz f. 137. This Sixtus required that euery Bishop accused and appealing to the Apostolike seate all men should stand to that which that seate should determine In his time it was l Idem Con. Agath c. 38. decreed that if the lay people did not come to the citie to applaude the Bishops in great solemnities they are to be excommunicated The beast riseth out of the earth Leo the first was of such reputation Anno 442. that what he m Fasc Tem. f. 51. spake was so approued that it was not lawfull for any to dissent in the least thing He first n Geneb p. 558. brought in auricular confession as he writeth in an Epistle viz. It shall be sufficient henceforth to shew by secret confession vnto the priest the guilt of the conscience Thus riseth the beast He decreed that reuerence o Caranz f. 143. a. should be giuen to the images or statues of the Saints in paine of a curse making way to idolatrie He much furthered his affaires by supposed miracles for which he was famous It is said that to p Pe. de Nat. further the credit of his letters which he sent to the Councell of Calcedon Saint Peter corrected them in al places by the prayer and fasting of the Pope contrary to the commaundement of God which very seuerely forbiddeth and condemneth consultation with the dead He is also said to cut off his owne hand because when a woman kissed it as he was ministring he fell into temptation But the virgin Mary at his prayers brought it againe and recured him as he himselfe did often report He also miraculously terrified Attilas with his fierce Hunnes vnder him Rome a Mass 12. p. 164. Anno 463. was taken and spoyled by the Vandals Hilarius decreed that no b Caranz f. 168. b. Anno 470. Bishop should chuse his successor and that no Bishop should be ordained without the consent of the Metropolitane Bishop Simplicius decreed that no Clerke should receiue a benefice at a lay mans hand c Polychr Mass 12. p. 166. In his time Odoacer wonne Italy and possessed Rome Then Augustulus cast away his purple and fled fearefully In him the glorious name of Augusti and Caesars of the Romane nation ended d Buchlo for 324. yeeres c. And the Empire of the Romanes in the West was extinguished Anno 485. Felix decreed that onely Bishops should consecrate e Bergom 9. Churches they f Mass 12. Chro. Chro. fable that Michael the Archangel appeared and dedicated a place in a mountaine for his worship contrarie to Saint Iohns g cap. 19.10 22.8 Anno 492. Angel who refused to be worshipped Gelasius decreed that no h De Cons dist 1. Omnes Church should be consecrated but by the authoritie of the sea Apostolike He held i Sab. En. 8. 2. Caranz f. 171. 172. that Councels are subiect to the Pope a point not yet decided amongst the Papists and that all should appeale to him but none from him And shewed that Emperors ought to put their neckes vnder the feete of the Prelates So greedy is Gratian the Canonist to shew that in this Gelasius was to be seene how the Pope the beast was risen vp to greatnes that he bringeth in Gelasius in his letters to * Caâ—s 159. 6. Alius Anastasius the Emperor to cite the story of one of his successors that liued after him neere 249. yeeres as if he had been his predecessor Either Gratian lyeth or this Pope wrought a wonderous miracle herein It appeareth that about this time some would haue brought in the communion vnder one kinde For Gelasius writeth against such in these words in a manner We haue k De cons d 2. comperimus found that some taking onely the portion of the holy body doe abstaine from the cup of the hallowed blood who without all doubt because I know not by what superstition they are taught to be thralled either let them receiue the whole sacraments or be put from the whole In his l Massaus 12. time Theodoricus with the Osirogothes possessed Italy and Rome Anastasius the second communicated m D. 19. Anast Volat c. with Phâ—tinus and Acacius heretikes Anno 498. wherefore he was smitten by the hand of God so that his bowels ranne from him as he was at seege where was then the holines of the Chaire The French n Mass 12. Genebrard King becommeth a Christian and sendeth a crowne to Saint Peter at Rome a Genebrard Symachus entred by schisme b Vrs p. 125. Anno 500. In these times was great dissention at Rome some chose Paurentius others this Symachus to be Pope By reason whereof were committed murthers and rapines at Rome of the Citisens Clergie and Priests for about three yeeres long together Paschasius a c Greg. dial lib. 4. principall Deacon and a godly man tooke part with Laurentius But it is fabled that he was seene after his death by the Bishop of Capua in the paine of purgatorie for that cause a lying wonder to deceiue d cap. 9. q. 3. Aliorum This Symachus decreed that the Pope is subiect to none but God thus riseth the beast He held a Synod at Rome against e Caranz f. 174. such as inuaded the Church goods He decreed that those woundes are to be f 169. 1. In Canonibus cut off with yron which feele not the benefit of fomentations making way for Abaddon Anno 515. Hormisda was very much enriched by the Kings of France and of the Gothes He sent g Bergm hist an t Ex Paul Diac. Ambassadors to Anastasius the Emperor admonishing him to depart from the heresie of Acacius The Emperor being angrie presently thrust the Popes Legats out of the citie saying he would commaund the Pope and others and not be commaunded And as it is vnderstoode therefore a little after all his Princes standing by that he might be plagued for his wickednesse and pride he was killed with a stroake of lightening thus the beast maketh fire to come downe from heauen in the seeming of men Anno 524. Iohn the first was sent by h Pet. de Nat. Theodoricus King of the Gothes to Iustine the Emperor to perswade him to restore the Arians whom Iustine had remoued for their heresie In his way to Constantinople lie rode vpon a Ladyes horse which was gentle and easie of pace but after so great a Bishop had sate vpon him he would neuer endure a woman vpon his backe a foolish miracle When he came to Constantinople at the gate in the presence of the Emperor and people he is said to haue restored sight to a blinde man that begged Wherefore the Emperor and people receiued him with great reuerence The Pope i Ab. vrs p. 109. with many teares craued the Emperor to restore the Arians The Emperor moued with his teares graunted
lib. 12. f. 235. Rome such as vsed a sweete and delightsome modulation of the voyce at Masse which Gregory forbad vnder the paine of a curse Some thinke that the manner to account from d Geneb p. 562. Christ began to be of force onely about the yeere 600. Anno 604. Sabinianus an vtter e Lib. 22. Volat enemie to the proceedings of Gregory whom he blamed for spending the patrimonie of the Church to get the peoples fauour This Pope f Geneb p. 664. did nothing worth the marking but that he deuised belles and sance-belles The Greeke tongue is altogether corrupted in his time and so the tongue of the new Testament is become barbarous to these builders of their new Babylon Anno 607. g Sab. Eu. 8. lib. 6. Boniface the third hardly and with much contention obtained of Phocas the murtherer that the Church of Rome should be head as mother and lady of all other Churches that one might be set ouer the rest and haue chiefe authoritie as it was among the h Caesar belli Gal. 6. p. 138. Druides And as i Soz. 7. 2. Eulalius the Arian entreated the Arian Councell at Antiochia Cariae that he might haue the primacie for keeping vnitie Thus Phocas k Vesp p. 150. Blandi Epit. made Rome the mother of Churches and so he worshipped the beast This l Sab. 8.6 Pope opening his mouth first vsed the termes of Volumus and Iuhomus we will and command as words of the Popes approbation In Suenia m Geneb p. 662. are Churches planted Bonifacius the fourth obtained n Frisi 5. 8. Poly. Inue 6. 6. of Phocas Anno 608. the Temple built by Domician called Pantheon because is was dedicated to all the Romane gods and turned it into the Church of Saint Mary and all the Saints A fine o Fasc Temp. f. 58. similitude of euill institutions of the Paganes the supposed holy spirit knew to chuse a holy armie where the heathen worshipped diuels there the Christians worshipped all the Saints as making a medicine of a poyson so is one art deluded with another but rather this Pope declareth that Church to be the mother of abhominations that conceiueth by the Paganes The first Angel at Euphrates In his p Curiâ— lib. 1. time Cosdroe king of Persia who had maried Mary the daughter of Mauritius and for her sake was baptised detesting the disloyal falsehood and treachery of them which had elected so wicked a man as Phocas to bee their Prince seeing he was polluted with the bloudie murther of his soueraigne reputing them as accessarie to the same horrible and bloudy fact and conspiracie prepared a great armie at the instigation of his wife to reuenge the death of his father in law That in her that is Rome might be found all the bloud that is shed This Phocas a Hist an t Ex Pom. Lat. pag. 528. disposed al things in secret by his Courtiers after the Persian manner They heard Ambassadors suspended iustice gaue offices which is the worst and most miserable course that he which ruleth can take For the court smoakes are wont to hurt very grieuously They were most in his fauour which most vexed the people with vnsatiable rapine and couetousnes He was b Geneb 669. also guiltie of many rapes murthers and adulteries c. In his time c Frisin 5. â— Geneb p. 667. therefore Cosdroe soundeth an alarme entred and spoiled many of the Romane prouinces Syria Palestina Phoenicia Cappadocia Paphlagonia in the East And pursuing his crueltie with incredible successe he would not bee entreated by d Melanct. Gobel aet 6. c. 31. p. 177. Heraclius to peace except the Christians would cease to worship Christ crucified and worship the sunne as the Persians did for their tailes e cap. 9.19 Anno 615. are like vnto Serpents c Deus-dedit a Subdeacons sonne The f Blond Epit. Gobelinus Romanes are at discord for the choyce of the Pope he is said to haue clensed a leaper g Fasc Temp. with a kisse and authorised harlots and wicked persons to be witnesse in causes of Simonie The h Geneb p. 671. Duke of Bauaria the Duke Boson with his armie in Austria are baptised Anno 618. Bonifacius the fifth commaunded i Geneb p. 672. Platina Altars and Churches to be sanctuaries for murtherers c. whence they might not be drawne by force in imitation of the k Poly. Inue 3. 8. Temple of Mercy which was made in Athens by the nephewes of Hercules He required sacriledge to be punished with a curse and first commaunded l Pantaleon that Monkes being priests might binde and loose Mahomet m Geneb p. 672. maketh his first expedition for his religion and began to giue lawes Anno 623. Honorius tooke the n Geneb Blondi Epit. brasse tiles from Romulus Temple to couer Saint Peters Church o Fasc Temp. He inriched many Churches with siluer and golde he instituted the feast of the exaltation of the crosse by the example of the East Him p Geneb p. 675. Pope Adrian reporteth to haue been an heretike wherefore he was condemned in the sixth Councell of Constantinople Act. 12. 13. For defence of whom Genebrard saith it is one thing for the Pope of Rome to bee an heretike in his owne person and whatsoeuer is worse he may be or haue been and another thing in the iudgement of faith and promulgation thereof to define against the faith This last he cannot doe for the force of the chaire as he dreameth is such that it constraineth them that thinke and doe euill things to speake those things which are good and true Thus followeth be the beast As though to write letters in the approbation of a capitall heresie which Honorius did be not a definitue promulgation against the faith Ghent is conuerted Heraclius a Melanct. Saâ—â— E. 8 6. the Emperor married his neece of whom he had children incestuously and gaue himselfe to diuelish artes Mahomet b The second Angel at Euphrates Curio lib. 1. and his Saracens being robbed of their pay by the Emperors paymasters and reuiled as dogs that in Rome might be found the blood of all that were slaine gathered head and by force and doctrine by head and tayle cruelly troubled the Christians and vnto the Emperor and other Princes he sent letters sealed with this inscription Mahomet the messenger of God requiring them to submit themselues to his religion and to esteeme him the highest Bishop Which when the Emperor refused to doe hee c Fris 5. 9. Genff de Orig. 3. p. 121. Geneb spoyled the Empire slew 150,000 of the Emperors souldiers tooke Arabia Damascus Phaenicia Syria Mesopotamia Aegypt Africa and after that Persia Against whom Heraclius loosed most fierce and barbarous nations from the Caspian mountaines and seas whom Alexander the Great shut vp d Blondi Epit. Seuerus
his possessions is sure and because these pillars be of fire he h Zach. 12.6 consumeth them as stubble that will offer to take any thing from vnder his feete Secondly he i cap. 10.3 cryed with a loud voyce as when a Lyon roareth that is indignation doth proclaime and decree seuere lawes to bring all both the people and the Popes into obedience and to keep them in subiection k Pro. 19 1â— 20.2 Hol. 11. 10. For the wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon And in this phrase doth Fredericke the second expresse l Gebel aâ— 6â— cap. 64. his conceiued displeasure against the Pope that would not onely exempt himselfe from subiection to the Emperor but â—â—sult as Lord ouer the ciuill authoritie The opposition of Christ in his witnesses is as before to prophecie m cap. 11.4 in sackecloth like poore professors to accompanie the n cap. 14.1.3.4 Lambe on mount Sion following Iesus Christ in the true worship of God c. being bought from the earth not partaking with the ambitions of the beast c. Gregorius the fourth would not receiue o Plat. f. 127. the seate till he was confirmed by Ambassadors from the Emperor who in Christs stead had set his right foote on the sea and his left foote on the earth For the Emperor would not loose the right of the Empire This seemeth to prooue the graunt p Dist 63 Ego Ludouicus of Ludouicus to be a meete forgerie Now idolatry being established in Rome the q Wolph Saracens spoyled Asia Ierusalem Sicilia a great part of Italy euen the Churches of Peter and Paul and made r Epit. Blâ—â—d d. 2. l. 2. a stable of Saint Peters Church Å¿ Mass 15. Gebel â—t 6. c. 45. The Pope fortified the ruined city of Ostia against the Saracens and commaunded the name thereof to be Gregoriopolis but after the Popes death it lost this new name The Emperor Ludouicus held t Plat. f. 127. a Councell of many Bishops to the honor of God and profit of the Ecclesiasticall dignitie In which was decreed that neither the Bishop nor the Clergie of any degree should weare any precious and costly garments silkes scarlets or embroderies nor any golde or siluer on their girdles or slippers nor vse u Fox Marâ—y pag. 138. diceing nor keepe harlots nor great horses The Nobles especially the Bishops to reuenge themselues for the reformation which Ludouicus made by a * Peuce 4. pag. 99. Massae 15. p. 209. Councell had stirred vp the Emperor Ludouicus Pius his sonnes to depriue their father of his Empire c. Thus the beast blasphemeth the Prince whom the Scripture calleth God and that for his worship of God Anno 844. Swines snowte for a Carain f. 334. alij the deformitie of his name changed it to Sergius the second Hence the Popes began the custome to change their names As if he b Poly. Jri. 4. 7. be a malefactor he may call himselfe Bonifacius if a coward he may be called Leo for a carter Vrbanus for a cruell man Clemens This Pope was created c Gobel ae 6. cap. 45. p. 197. without the consent of the Emperor but the Emperor sending a mightie armie against Rome setting his fiery feete on the sea and land and roring as a Lyon compelled the Romanes to sweare alleagance vnto the Emperor And after vpon diuers conditions confirmed Pope Sergius In this Popes time the brother of this Pope vsurped Ecclesiasticall authoritie being a lay man Simonie was so common that euen Bishoprickes were solde to him that would giue most And because there was no Christian that would correct these euils God sent his whip the Paganes to reuenge the sinnes of the Christians The Saracens came and killed innumerable people and burned many cities A horrible d Fasc Temp. f. 66. a. plague is vpon Rome and all Italy For certaine perfidious Christians sent priuily and called in the Saracens Rome is taken and the Church of the Apostles is made a Swine flie Anno 847. Leo the fourth c Platina praying blasphemously through the merits of Peter and Paul fought in person against the Saracens and miraculously drowned them in the sea He decreed that a f 2 q. 5. Nullam Bishop should not be condemned vnder seauentie two witnesses He forbad g Geneb p. 776. the laytie to come into the quire while the Priest was at Masse In his time the Arabians raised three persecutions against the Christians in Spaine Theodora the Empresse of Constantinople commaunded images to be set vp againe The nauie of the Arabians ouercame the nauies of Venice and Constantinople inuaded Dalmatâ—a tooke the iland Lipara and doe much hurt to the Empire wasting the Cyclades c. Methodius gathering Churches among the Moraui Scla and Polonians inuented the Vandale letters and turned many holy writings into the vulgar tongue As yet the little booke is open After Leo h Mass 15. pag. 211. Plat. Sab. Fasc Temp. Volat Caranza Berg. Chro. Chro. c. succeeded Iohn the eight a woman Anno 854. who because she went alwayes in mans apparell and studied very diligently was thought a most learned man and held the seate almost two yeeres In the meane space she conceiued and was deliuered as she went in procession where she died Hereupon they say it was decreed that the Popes priuities should be handled Benedictus the third Anno 855. against i Geneb p. 781. Gobelinus him did sit Anastasius the third Nicholas k Platin. f. 136. the first was reuerenced as a God Anno 858. For now they that are called Christians doe to the Pope as * Strabo 7. p. 206. the barbarous Gothes did to their Priests who first were esteemed by them the Priests of that god whom they especially serued but after they got the reputation or appellation of gods This l Geneb p. 783. Pope is also called the Elias of the Popes he reigned ouer Princes as the Lord of the whole earth So now m Frising 6.3 the kingdome or Empire decreasing by much diuision the Church became of so great authoritie that it iudged euen Kings He openeth his mouth to blasphemie and absolueth n 15. q. 6. Authoritatem from their othes such as sweare by constraint and alloweth the Clergie with the spirituall and temporall sworde to recouer the Church goods by any meanes taken away He a D. 21. Nolite D. 28. Confulendum D. 96. fâ— script decreed that no lay man either Prince or people may iudge or lightly accuse a Bishop or Priest much lesse the Popes of Rome who are as gods in the world Hee b Caran f. 336 b. accurseth all that doe despise the commandements or interdictions of the Popes because their decrees as he exalteth himselfe are to be preferred before all writings whatsoeuer c 4. q. 2
the generall argument of these times we will passe ouer many things and onely insist vpon some particulars of the stories following Iohn the tenth Ann. 899. it e G.p. 802. 803 N.B. was concluded betweene the Bishops of Constantinople and Rome that he should be called vniuersall Patriarke because he was more worthy than the rest this was called vniuersall Pope because the name of Pope seemed to be more excellent and so was the question of the Primacie compounded that had long depended Benedict the fourth f Geneb p. 750 805. 806. 807. N B. The Greekes Hebrewes Ann. 900. and Arabians flourish in learning and discipline Latine lieth in obscurity Greece aboundeth with learned men because that Leo the Emperour gaue himselfe to philosophie c. But amongst the Latines it was a most vnhappy age without good wits or learning In a manner without any good Pope or famous Councel In this one thing vnhappie that for 150. yeares about 50. Popes from Iohn the 8. to Leo the 9. who was said to be another Aaron did altogether fall from the vertue of their ancestours beeing rather ciphers and Apostataes g Geneb p. 811 than Apostolicall h Plat. in Iob. 13. prodigious monsters Wherefore it is reported that there i Fasc Temp. f. 68. b. was found a monster with a dogs head and the rest of the bodie like a man liuely representing the times when as men without a head did wander vp and downe barking like dogges Yet in some k Ann. 949. Frith Hirs p. 38. 39. 40. Monasteries were the scriptures diligently and learnedly taught though in some other places the Monkes were of a most dissolute life Ann. 955. l Geneb p. 824 Iohn the thirteenth tooke to himselfe the Papacie trusting vpon the power of his father Here Genebrard sheweth that hee wilfully forgat himselfe when hee said that m p. 811. the Popes were prodigious because they were intruded by the Emperours This Pope liued in his Papacie worse than a priuate man He n Trith Hirs p. 42. Gobel aet 6. c. 48.51 p. 203. 207. openly and incestuously kept harlots and made the holy Palace a very filthy stues Hee sold spiritualities gaue orders in his stable made a boy of ten yeares olde a Bishop Hee opening his mouth to blasphemie in loue dranke wine to the diuell and called vpon Iupiter and Venus and other Gentile gods for lucke at dice and bestowed the crosses and other ornaments of the Church vpon his harlots c. The Cardinals and o Epit. Blond other Princes write to the Emperour Otho to deliuer the Church and people of Rome from the tyrannie of him and Berengarius The Emperour came to Rome and as some report was crowned by this Pope but some thinke otherwise to him the Pope voweth allegeance and as some say the Emperour a Dist 63. tibi Domino sware obedience to the Pope The Emperor departing the Pope breaketh his faith giuen to the Emperor waxeth euery day worse and gathereth forces against the Emperour VVas this the Vicar of Christ and Peters successor Otho returneth to Rome and crying as when a Lyon roareth in a great Synode by the consent of the Clergie Nobles and people of Rome deposeth the Pope as a monster and bondslaue of the diuell and placed Leo the eight in his stead causing the Romans to sweare that they would neuer depart from the obedience of Leo nor choose any Pope without the consent of the Emperour and his sonne The Emperour dischargeth his armie Iohn promiseth the Romanes that if they would kill the Emperour and the Pope Leo he would giue them all the Church treasurie The Romanes rise against the Emperour and are killed without mercie or number The Emperour taketh hostages of the rest which at the petition of the Pope Leo were restored againe When the Emperour was departed the women many in number and not altogether vnnoble who had bene harlots to this Pope Iohn perswade the Romanes to recall Iohn who vpon his returne committed many outrages While the Emperour returneth to reuenge his disorder Iohn taken in adulterie was wounded on the temples by the diuell and so died beeing taken b Mass 15. p. 216. by the diuell to hell When he was dead the Romans chose Benedict The Emperour returneth besiegeth Rome so straitly that a bushell of branne was worth 3. crownes The Romanes yield and receiue Leo c Dist 63. in Synodo who in a Councel at Rome together with the Clergie and people of Rome gaue authoritie to the Emperour and to his successors to choose the Popes accursing any that should attempt to alter that decree This decree was made because d Fasc Temp. f. 70. a. of the wickednesse of the Romanes who intruded their friends And euery mighty e Crantz M. 51. p. 301. person by ambition did striue to obtaine that dignitie Many Popes were soone murthered not without suspition of poyson Note that they were f Fasc Temp. ibid. killed as in the Primitiue Church but they bee not martyrs as they were the punishment was like but the cause farre vnlike The g histor omnes Saracens Hungarians c. doe exceedingly trouble the world especially Italie Holinesse h Fasc Temp. 691. left the Popes and very cleerely went to the Emperours Ann. 965. Iohn the foureteenth in recompence i Geneb p. 830 of a benefit bestowed on him by Otho the Emperour hee called his sonne Otho Augustus The Duke of Poland and king of Denmarke are baptized There was a great k Trith Hirs p. 44. Geneb p. 832. famine in Germanie at what time Hatto Archbishop of Ments burned in a barne a great multitude of poore men that begged willing hereby to prouide for their pouertie and the common good But hee was after killed and eaten with mice which neither by land or water could be beate from him Anno 985. Iohn the seauenteenth in l Geneb p. 838. 840. his time and his predecessors was fearefull pestilence and famine Odilo an Abbot vpon the report of a m Trith Hirs p. 51. Clicton Hom. omnium animarum Poly. Inuent 6. c. 7. monke which came from an Ermite in Sicilia supposing that he heard great lamentations of diuels at Aetna for the losse of the soules which were got from them by the praiers and oblations of their well disposed friends that liued perswaded his couent to make a general Obite of All soules our father 's receiued it as a godly institution Thus of this monkes supposition grew much superstition c. Ann. 995. Gregorius the fift a Geneb crowned Otho the third At b Fasc Temp. whose instance he was made Pope Crescentius c Crantz Met. 5. 1. a Romane set vp an Antipope but he and his Pope were taken by the Emperour and executed By d Geneb p. 840 the consent of Otho in a Synode at Rome he
Missae 17. p. 235. foure hundred of them were burned fourescore beheaded their chiefe Prince Aimericus was hanged and his Lady was cast in a pit and stones vpon her The o Trith p. 222. Pope bringeth forth Fridericus and opposeth him openly to Otho the Emperor because he labored not for absolution and peace commaunded the Princes to chuse Fridericus and to cleaue vnto him which they did The Pope also sent his a Abb. Vrsp p. 314. 315. letters to the Clergie and Princes for ayde against the Saracens in the holy land His chiefe argument to perswade by was this The Saracens from the time of Gregorius the first when they began haue continued 666. yeeres almost which time according to the b cap. 13. vlt. ReuelatioÌ„ they should certainly be rooted out So foolishly did this false Prophet vnderstand that place c Vrsp p. 319. Betweene Otho and Fridericus were warres and Otho because his friends forsooke him was constrained to giue ground awhile Fridericus pursued him and vexed his fauorites yet did Otho gather vp himselfe to fight both with Fridericus and the French King But by the French King he was put to the worse Anno 1214. d Trith Hirs p. 223. Conradus de Marpurge was by the Apostolike sea made Generall inquisitor for heresies This Dominican Frier continued nineteene yeeres and caused many to be burned as heretikes no man forbidding him For the beast hath power giuen vnto him to do what he list Aâ—no 1215. The e Geneb p. 955. Pope also held the Lateran Councell at Rome maketh the fiue bookes of Decretals consisting for the most part of the decrees of this Councell and epistles of this Pope In this volume are diuers things for the aduancement of the Church of Rome in authoritie and doctrine For the woman sitteth on the scarlet coloured beast As f 5. Decret tit 33. cap. 23. the Church of Rome hath the principalitie of ordinarie power aboue all other Churches as the Mother and Mistris of all faithfull people for she saith in her heart I sit a Queene and am no Widow g 1. Decr. tit 7. cap. 23. That the authoritie of the Pope is as the authoritie of God For he exalteth himselfe c. shewing himselfe that he is God h 3. Decr. tit 41. cap. 6. He brought transubstantiation into the Sacrament and decreed that the words in the Canon of the Masse are to bee beleeued as the holy euangelists Thus he blasphemeth the tabernacle of God i 1. Decr. tit 6. cap. 34. He decreeth that it is in the Popes power to approue that Emperour which he thinketh worthie and to reiect him whom he thinketh vnworthie They are there also made heretikes k 5. Decr. tit 7. de haresibus that teach or thinke any other thing then the Church of Rome doth teach and obserue and so maketh the Church of Rome a right Cataphrygian And generally whom so euer the Church of Rome or popish Clergie shall so iudge Such may not be suffered to haue house substance fauour reliefe counsell credit nor may buy or sell nor liue And when they be dead they deale with them l Eus 5. 1. Theod. 4. 22. 2. 14. Soc. 2. 23. as the heathen Emperors and bloody Arians did with the Christians and Catholikes for they will not suffer them to be put in graues or Monuments So that his tyrannie is worse then that of m Eus 10. Licinius Yea he also decreed n 3. Decr. tit 28. cap. 12. that the bones of excommunicated persons if they may be discerned should be cast out of their graues from Christian communion He also giueth the lands and goods of such as he calleth heretikes their fauorers or complices c. to such papists as can get them And that this beast might appeare to be the image of the Dragon the heathen Empire of whom it is said o cap. 12. 4. He stoode before the woman c. to deuoure her childe when she had brought it forth p 5. Decr. tit 7. it was decreed that the beleeuers receiuers defenders and fauorers of such whom they called heretikes should likewise be excommunicated This kinde of excommunication was taken from the q Caesar bell Gallico lib. 6. Druides For such as stoode not to their decree were interdicted from sacrifices and hereupon accounted amongst the wicked All flie their company and speech they receiue no benefit of law nor are admitted to honors r 5. Decr. tit 6. cap. 7. 8. But Saracens and Iewes may haue houses and synagogs and exercise marchandise by the Popes warrant In this Councell a 1. D.T. 31. c. 14. See N. D. Warneword was decreed that where were people of diuers rites and languages the Bishops should prouide them fit men which should celebrate diuine seruice and minister the Sacraments and preach vnto them according to the diuersitie of their rites tongues So that yet it was not concluded that the seruice of God should be in a strange tongue as the papists would perswade This Councell ended the Pope preacheth the crosse b Mat. Paris p. 263. Vrs 315. and pardon of all sinnes for aide of the holy land and c 5. D.T. 7. de haeresib against heretikes promising to those catholikes that take the crosse to roote out heretikes as large priuiledges as were graunted to them that fight against the infidels and now doe the Popes teach as d Curio 1. p. 28. Mahomet did that who died for his religion should goe to paradise Hereupon many tooke the crosse to goe against the Saracens And many orders of souldiers arose the crosse-bearing souldiers were aduanced In e Volat. 21. f. 244. Arragon were two orders of souldiers the first Saint Mary for the redemption of captiues whose colours were white a crosse blacke The other Monlesiae with a red crosse these were to defend the countrie from the irruptions of the Saracens There were also the Dominicans or preaching Friers aduanced In f Trith p. 224. those dayes were many called heretikes men and women which spread their opinions in Almania France and Italy In the citie of Argentine were more then fourescore apprehended whom Conrade the inquisitor thus examined He caused an iron to to be made red hot and whom the hot iron did hurt hee condemned for heretikes and deliuered them to be burned for the beast hath teeth of yron and nailes of brasse many beleeued he condemned many innocents In g Geneb p. 958. Alsatia many held against the Pope and the Grecians against transubstantiation So did Almericus a very learned man his bones and the bones of diuers that followed him were digged vp againe and burned at Paris for the beast suffereth not their carcasses to be put in graues h Fasc Temp. l. 80. As the Pope preached the crosse so did the diuell 20 000 boyes c. in Almania tooke the signe of the crosse to goe
p. 3â—3 wrote to the French king that himselfe was Lord of all spirituall and temporall estates through the world Thus he exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God And said that because the French king would not take his kingdom of him hee deserued to bee depriued The French king burned his letters and despised his Legates In a Councell at Paris calleth the Pope a schismaticke hereticke and inuader of the state by the pragmatical sanctier diminisheth the Popes authoritie in France c Par. Vrsp 344. The Pope confirmeth the election of Albert vnder condition that he would take vpon him the kingdomes of Romanes and France d Fox Flores hist The king of England also couragiously withstood the Pope in the title of Scotland e Bergo 13. Trith p. 268. The French king caused him to be apprehended in his bedde and carried prisoner to Rome where hee died with sorrow c. In f Geneb p. 1004 1007. 1008. his time Ottoman the first Emperour of the Turkes arose a great plague to the professors of Christ Now the Church of Rome leaueth to reckon from the passion of Christ as before and accounteth from his Natiuitie The Mariners compasse is found out A fit instrument to spread the name of Christ where it was vnknown Clement the fifth g Mass 17. p. 244. was consecrated in France at Lugdunum going to the pallace the people thronged a wall fell Ann. 1305. and hurt many the Popes crowne fell from his head and out of it a Carbuncle esteemed worth 6000. florens An euill presage For h Trith 269. Geneb 1009. he translated the Popes seate from Rome to Auinion to the great damage of Italie Rome and all Christians i Trith 271. The Princes elected Henrie the seauenth Emperour a good man and valiant worthy the imperiall seate He k Par. Vrsp 349. sent his Orators to the Pope for his imperiall crowne And l Bergo 13. in Henr. the Pope confirmed his election vnder condition he would go into Italie to receiue his crowne according to the manner of the Emperors passing through a Par. Vrsp 349. 350. Italie he found and subdued many rebels came to Rome and is crowned and gaue out lawes concerning traitors and rebels which Rome as the head of the world and saieth in her head I sit as Queene adorned and confirmed in these words I the crown of crowns confirme vnto my Prince his power c. doe subiect vnto him cities nations of countries Eagles defend my glorie behold the Gentiles Departing from Rome he had more rebels that opposed themselues against him ouer most of whom he triumphed Then came newes to him to come into Apulia where he should finde Rupertus king of Apulia depriued and deliuered to him The Emperour went towards Apulia The b Clemen 2. tit 9. de iureiurando Pope sendeth to him to make peace with Rupertus vpon his oath of fidelitie and obedience which hee made to the Pope But the Emperour by publike instruments declareth he made no such oath Then c Par. Vrsp 350 came there a d Geneb p. 1011 Dominican Frier vnto the Emperour promising to reconcile vnto him certaine cities that stood out against him desiring to minister the Eucharist to him with which he poysoned the Emperour as e Berg. 13. in Henr. he was hired by the Florentines For that which was execrable in the Saracens f Mat. Paris p. 769. namely to poyson their prisoners is now practised by Friers against Emperours and that like the children of the mother of abhominations euen in the sacrament His death was the safetie of Rupertus and the Florentines For this murther at the place and time of the worship of God according to his word there was euery where a famine after which followed a very great pestilence The Pope in a Councell openly declareth the oath of the Emperour now murthered to bee an oath of fidelitie and obedience and requireth it alwaies so to be vnderstood g Clem. 2 tit 9. in gloss verb. futur Out of which decree is gathered that the Emperour is not Emperour before he be crowned by the Pope He h Clem. 5 tit 3. de haeres c. 1. also prouided that the walles and lockes might bee sure and that the Keepers should bee sworne where heretickes were imprisoned Hee i Clem. 3 tit 16 de vener sanct confirmed Corpus Christi day and gaue large indulgences to them that were present at the solemnitie There were at this time diuers that held many things against the church of Rome as the followers k Mass 17. p. 244. Berg. 13. f. 207. a. of Dulcinus of whom were 6000. and of them were apprehended more than 400. who were of the reliques of those whom Bernard writeth of in the Canticles vz. Petrus Abailardus c. There l Clem. 5. tit 3. c. 3. were also certaine called Begnardes that held against adoration of the Eucharist at the eleuation Moreouer very m Trith 274. 275. many euen to the number of 80,000 were of the opinion of Lolliardus who held against Transubstantiation extreame vnction c. that the Church of Rome was not the Church of Christ but of the infidel Gentiles and despised the prelates authoritie they held also against distinction of meates Of them many were burned by the inquisition The same time was a most extreame famine Buchel Anâ— 1315. Trith p. 273. that the parents restrained not themselues from the most filthie carkasses of their children and after that followed a great pestilence euery where so that in a manner the third part of mankinde was consumed Thus Michael fighteth for the word of God Many wicked things are obiected to these of Dulcinus the Begnardes and Lolliards opinion But because in the time of the heathen Emperours the diuell did accuse the brethren and in this time of Antichrist the beast doth blaspheme them that dwell in heauen their accusation may iustly be suspected to be slanderous Especially seeing they confesse that the Boemians in the time of Hus were of their sect who are very well known to maintaine none of these impieties a Paral. Vrsp 351. Arnoldus de noua villa attempted to prooue by Daniel and Sibyllaes prophecies that Antichrist and the persecution of the Church should bee betweene the yeares 1300. and 1400. b 345. 346. This Pope also put downe the Templars for their horrible wickednesse contempt of Christ and abhominable idolatrie and that they betraied Ludouicus king of France into the hands of the Soldan when he was in the holy land Hee c Berg. 13. f. 207. interdicted Venice for taking Ferrara Wherefore d Sab. En. 9. l. 7 Franciscus Dandalus a Noble man of Venice laie bound in a chaine at the Popes feete to batter his anger against Venice and to procure him to free it from interdiction The Knights of the Rhodes began Anno 1315. Iohn the twentith two
were slaine his cariages lost and his horsemen drowned vnder the yee After this f 1424. Par. Vrsp 385. Zisca who eleuen times ioyned battaile with the enemies of the Hussites and ouercame them died of the plague But after the Hussites now calling themselues orphans still standing for their liues * Fox Mart. p. 625. c. against the Popes most cruell bulles and their fierce enemies g 1426. Buch. the Misnenses were ouerthrowne by the Hussites in battell h 1427. Buch. The Electors of the Empire entred Boem against the Hussites with an armie which they thought sufficient to ouercome all Boem But vpon the rumor that the Hussites were comming so great feare came vpon them that all that numbersome armie of Almaines and English before they saw any enemie tooke themselues to flight in stead of fighting as did the tyrant i Soc. 5. 14. Maximus the Arian when he fled from before Theodosius But the enemies of the Hussites would not thus rest For a 1431. Peuce 5. f. 170. Buch. the Cardinal Iulian had the leading of a very great army with which the Princes secular and spirituall furnished him When he entred Boem the Hussites few in number were comming against him But before the enemie came in sight the whoâ—â— armie of the Cardinall was stroken with such a feare that they most shamefully fled leauing the Hussites rich with the spoyle The b Fox Mart. p. 633. c. Cardinall with a lamentable oration sought to slay his armie but all in vaine Thus Boemia the tenth part or kingdome of the city of popish policie fell away * Pag. 645. Pope Martine called a Councell where he appointed for president his Legate Iulian to roote out heresie meaning the Hussites but presently the Pope died Ann. 1431. Eugenius c Geneb 1065. the fourth assembled a Councell at Basil for the reformation of the Church and amendment of the manners of the laytie and Clergie As also against the Hussites d Fox Mart. p. 665. 666. c. Here the Fathers seemed to make great conscience to prouide for the good of the Church In which course they were confirmed by the hand of God who visited them with a horrible pestilence For hereupon came a suddaine feare vpon the fathers yea there was great feare and trembling throughout the whole Councell which gaue glory to God swearing they would seeke nothing but the onely saluation of Christian people c. In this Councell was acknowledged that the preaching of the Gospell ought to bee free and faithfull Sinne ought to be punished The Boemians might receiue the Sacrament of the Supper in both kindes Throughout the Church apt and meete Ministers ought to be appointed which might shine in vertue and knowledge to the glory of Christ and healthfull edification of the Christian people In e Geneb 1067. this Councell was againe published the booke called Pragmatica sanctio for abridging the Popes authoritie and gaine f Mass 19. p. 262. Of which booke it is said The Pragmaticall sanction was instituted in the Councell of Constances confirmed by the Councell of Basil by Engenius Nicholaus and Calistus to the honour of God the strengthening of the Church and the prouision for good schooles That the ordinary conferrers of dignities might not be defrauded that those which were ondered might not be compelled to goe to Rome that the French mony might not serue the Italians a Par. Vrsp p. 396. The Turkes did send great presents to the Emperor now at the Councell with Oration desirous to conclude an eternall peace Thither also sent the Emperor of Constantinople his Orators wishing there might he made a perfect vnion At this Councell Eugenius the Pope was deposed because he laboured to remoue the Councell from thence and another was chosen in his stead b Geneb 106â— Bucholcerus Ann. 1438. 1439. Peucâ—â— 5. f. 118. but Eugenius held another Councell at Florence Here the Emperor of Constantinople vpon hope to get aide against the Turkes receiued the communion of the Church of Rome in the matter of the Popes supremacie purgarory confirmation c. but not transubstantiation c Caran f. 589. There presently of a sudden died Ioseph the Patriarch of Constantinople trembling and languishing as he was writing an instrument of his consent to the Pope The Grecians returning home finding the Pope to faile of his promise dissented againe from the Church of Rome more then at the first d Par. Vrsp p. 399. Buchol Ann. 1439. Synderonia formerly called Singidunum e Socrat. 1. 20. the seate of Vrsacius the Arian Bishop is taken by the Turkes f Geneb 1069. the Popesent Isidorus who againe vnited the Grecians to the Pope who attempting to vnite the Moscâ—nites to the Church of Rome was miserably slaine by the people g Buchol Ann. 1443. 1444. The Turkes now broken by the Christians make peace where to the Christians sweare on the Euangelists the Turke on his Alcaron This peace grieued Cardinall Iulian wherefore vpon the Popes letters that no peace was effectuall without his consent Iulian absolueth the Princes from their oath and that in her might bee found all the blood that is shed they fought against the Turkes at Varna Where the Christians by a miserable slaughter suffered vnspeakable losse Here also Cardinall Iulian dishonorably finished his life Nicholaus h Volatâ—â—â—â— the fifth kept a Iubile at Rome Anno 1447 where thousands were killed with horse feete and very many were drowned The Emperor of Constantinople was scâ—â—t returned againe from vniting himselfe and his Grecians to the Church of Rome but i Peucerus 5. Par. Vrs p. 405. Ann. 1553. Constantinople was taken by the Turkes who vsed there more violence then can be expressed with tongue For partaking of her sinnes they receiue of her plagues k Geneb 1073. Vpon the ruine of the Empire of Constantinople the knowledge of the Greeke tongue is brought and spread all ouer the Latin Europe from whence it had exiled 700. yeeres l Pag. 1071. About this time was perfected the late inuented laudable art of printing m Pasc Tem. f. 89. b. the art of arts and science of sciences a treasure of wisdome and knowledge to be desired This leaping as it were out of the dennes of darkenes doth enrich and enlighten the world vertue contained in infinit bookes onely found at Paris and Athens knowne to very few was by this art manifested to all nations and kindreds and tongues and people Whereupon is fulfilled that in the Prouerbes wisedome crieth in the streetes This n Bucho Volat. 22. Geneb p. 1071. Pope reuiued humaine learning seeking bookes giuing stipends to Readers students and translators entertained the learned and spread many learned men abroade in diuers places o Buchol Ann. 1454. Ladislaus being crowned King of Boem it was granted to euery one that at his pleasure he might receiue the
Lanquet Ferdinandus sent a nauie from Spaine into Italy which chased slew and vanquished the Frenchmen out of Naples Å¿ Geneb pag. 1097. 1098. Lapidanus taught the Hebrew tongue in Paris Renchulinus in Germony Galatinus in Italy and now it began to spread among Christians The Hebrew Bible called the editio complutensis with the Chaldie Greeke and Latin translations was printed by the meanes of the Archbishop of Toletum Thus the word of God rideth forward t Peuce 5. f. 253. The Emperor beginneth his warres in Bauaria in which were very many excellent men imprisoned killed and burned a Nouus Orb. Cadmustus discouereth new countries b Peuce 5. f. 259. The Duke of Gelders afflicteth the Brabanders against his oath the Brabanders suffer great losse and many of them are killed c Lanquet Ann. 1507. There began a long and cruell warre betweene the Emperor and the Venetians in which were fought many bloudy battailes and diuers mutations chanced thereupon Thou hast giuen them bloud to drinke The French King ouercommeth the Venetians d Geneb 1099. There was a Councell held in France either to prouoke the Pope to peace or to appeale to a generall Councell e Mass 20. p. 271. In that Councell were proposed and concluded these propositions First it is not lawfull for the Pope to make warre against any Prince without iust cause Secondly the Prince in defending his right against the Pope may inuade the Pope assayling him and subduce himselfe from his obedience Thirdly the Pragmaticall sanction is to be kept throughout all France Fourthly no care is to be taken for the Popes vniust censures if he happen to thunder * Peuc 5. f. 256 The Pope enraged with the report of the losse of Bononia stirred vp all Europe to armes and excommunicated the French King but the King despised his excommunication and retorted the curse vpon the Pope c. f Peuc 5. f. 257 The French armie ouerthrow the Venetians at the riuer Atlasis slew the garison of the Venetians at Brixia and tooke it fought with the Popes armie at Rauenna where the Popes forces were ouerthrowen and of them 16,000 were lost Henry g Lanquet An. 1512. the eight King of England sent an armie of 13,000 into Spaine and a nauie to sea h Mass 20. p. 271. Of this Pope Massauâ— hath this Epitaph Genna cui patrem genetricem Gracia partum Pontus vnda dedit num bonus esse potest Fallaces ligures mendax Gracia Ponto Nulla fides in te singula solus habes Leo the tenth i Mass 20. p. 271 in his first yeare was a great fight at sea Ann. 1513. betweene the French and the English and many perished on both sides k Peuc 5. f. 255. b. There was also fought a cruell and bloodie battell betweene the Emperour and the Venetians at the riuer Bachilion where the Venetians lost 9000. men some were cast headlong into the riuer that they might haue blood to drinke others were scattered beaten and killed a Peuc 5. f. 261. b. The Polonians ouercame and slue about 40,000 Mosconites at the riuer Boristhenes b 259. b. c. The Cardinall of Strigonium mooueth the people to take the crosse and to warre vpon the Turkes The people following in great multitudes robbed tooke townes and fields and tormented the Nobles and Clergie to the great horror of all these were ouercome at the riuer Temesus c 258. a. A great cruell bloodie and long battell was fought at Millaine where the French ouercame the Heluctians so that of 25,000 not halfe remained d Par. Vrsp p. 446. Ann. 1517. Leo holding the Lateran Councell Picus Earle of Mirandula made an Oration vnto the Pope and Councell that lawes should bee made and kept against lust and couetousnesse for vertue and godlinesse complaining that vice was honoured for vertue and vertue was counted vice He terrified the Pope with the example of Eli whom God most grieuously punished because hee corrected not his sonnes requiring sincere discipline for the carefull studie of both the testaments e 447. Erasmus publisheth the new testament in Greeke and Latine Thus the hostes that are in heauen follow the word of God For contempt whereof is powred out the fourth Phiall The fourth Phiall Now vnto the former three plagues is the fourth added f cap. 16.8 And is that the fourth Angell powred out his Phiall on the Sunne and it was giuen to him to torment men with heate as of fire Hereupon g 9. many times men boyled in great heate by the distemper of the Sunne and aire and fierie meteors Howbeit they stil blasphemed the name of god which hath power ouer these plagues to send them vpon the wicked And they repented not to giue him glorie but continued in their wickednesse to the dishonour of God and magnifying of themselues The Complement h Orig. praefat Ephem This sommer was exceeding much burning and drie in which many riuers were dried vp i Mass 20. p. 274. And fierie hostes were seene throughout Italie to fight in the aire Howbeit these signes wrought no repentance a Mass 20. p. 273. cum Guiec 13. p. 772. For the French king vpon reconciliation betweene the Pope and him receiued a Iubile to be published through France Yea the Pope abused too licentiously the authoritie of the Apostolicke sea to draw money from men For he dispersed throughout the world without distinction of places or times most ample indulgences with power to deliuer soules out of purgatorie Which money was so impudently demanded that the Commissioners perswaded the people that whosoeuer would giue ten shillings should deliuer the soule for which he gaue it out of purgatorie Hereby blaspheming God who teacheth vs * 1. Pet. 1.18 to know that we are not redeemed with corruptible things as siluer gold But if it were lesse than ten shillings it would profit nothing Yet were many of the Popes Ministers detected selling for a small price or set vpon a game at tables in a tauerne the power to redeeme mens soules out of purgatorie The money b Mass ibid. 8. Geneb though the shadow were to make warre vpon the Turke was notoriously knowne not to be paid to the Pope or the Apostolike chamber but was transferred indirectly to satisfie the infinite couetousnes of Magdalen the Popes sister a fraile woman This gaine displeased the holy sonnes of the Church And vnder this occasion Luther that followed the word of God began to preach against indulgences and to reprehend the authoritie of the Pope And thus is fulfilled the scripture c cap. 18.2.3 She is fallen she is fallen for the Marchants of the earth were made rich c. d Buchol ex Suriâ— For hence began that great alteration of religion which followed wihich many amongst the Papists did foresee whereof one Hilteniuâ— is reported to haue assigned the
word of God and against his armie that followeth him e Lanquet f. 232. b. 233. a. But the seuenth of August at Mechlin the Emperors pallace was set on fire by lightning the plague of heate and by that meanes were burned 600. vessels of gunpowder which were prepared for these warres against the Protestants and with the same were burned 800. houses and 18,000 men women and children f Sleid. 17. Sleidan doth report it somewhat otherwise g Buchol Ann. 1547. Apr. 24. In these warres the Emperor tooke the Duke of Saxony prisoner and also the Duke of Brunswick Wherefore in the h Apr. 27. principall Church of Misna publike thankes were giuen The same day was the same Church by a phiall of the wrath of God consumed with fire from heauen Hermannus the Archbishop of Colen who had reformed his diocesse by the commandement of the Pope and Emperor was remoued from his place l Specul Traâ— p. 61. For he refusing the pleasures of sinne and following the Lambe was content to leade a priuate life rather then that his Churches should not be reformed m Geneb 1128 Edward the sixth King of England abolished the sixe articles which his father made against the Lutherans and abrogated the Masse n Fox alij and the Gospel was againe restored in England that the kingdome might be our Lords o Buchol Ann. 1548. The Emperor made a booke to reconcile the Papists and Protestants in some sorts intituled Interiâ—a which like the sixe articles of Henry the eight bread much trouble Hereupon arose a schisme amongst the Ministers of the Gospel called the warre for indifferent things by their deliberations whether and how the booke of Interim was to be receiued or refused Vergerius who had been the Popes Legate going about to confute the Protestants became a Protestant Iulius the third a p Fox Mart. p. 1477. monster for blasphemie Anno 1550. in a rage calling for porke he said he would haue it in despite of God and defended his like rage for a Peacocke by the example of God that was angry with Adam for eating the forbidden fruite a Geneb pag. 1134. 1137. In this time the warres were hot against the Protestants There came a Nestorian out of Syria c. to be admitted by the Pope The Nestorians are reported to ascribe to the Pope many high and great titles that they also might be knowen in some sort to follow the beast b Concil Trid. This Pope continued the Councell of Trent c Geneb 1136. 1552. Sleid. lib. 22. At this time also the Protestants contend very egarly about the question of Iustification for the arke of the couenant is seene d Buchol Ann. 1552. Mauritius Duke of Saxony made warre against the Emperor for religion and for the Landgraue in these warres the Councell of Trent was scattered peace giuen to the religion and the Princes are set at libertie which had been prisoners for the beast is taken and with him the false prophet Paulus the fourth c 1553. Geneb p. 1133. Queene Mary recalled papistry into England and a grieuous persecution was moued by her against such as professed the Gospel f 1555. Fox Marty There were also most strange and cruell persecutions and warres raised vp against the Waldenses in Angroine Lucerne Saint Martin Perouse and Piedmont And g Lanquet f. 367. in England was made an act for the punishing of such as they called heretikes and for the confirmation of the Popes power From this time to the end of her raigne were burned in a manner an infinit number of godly learned constant and faithfull martyres h Bucholcer In two yeeres about eight hundred men died by diuers kinds of punishment in England for the Gospell i Lanquet f. 377. a. In August the last yeere of this Queene after the dangerous feuers which began a yeere or two before was so great a pestilence through out England that three quarters of the people were consumed in it k Buchol Ann. 1557. At Wormes was a conference betweene the catholike Clergie and the Ministers of the Gospel In the beginning they disputed learnedly of the rule which the Church was to keepe cap. 13.15 in iudging of controuersies The Catholikes as they be called said the perpetuall consent of the time was the rule for the image of the beast is permitted to speake The Ministers affirmed the writings of the Prophets and Apostles with the Creedes to be the onely rule of iudgement For the word of God hath the crowne set vpon his head and iudgeth righteously l Ex Com. Gall. lib. 1. The same time in Salâ—e Iames streete in Paris 120. faithfull Christians following the word of God were assembled in the night for diuine exercise of preaching and Sacraments where being discouered they were by the beast and false prophets most cruelly persecuted here there were many warres for religion in France the faithfull standing vpon their garde m 155â— There raigned in England the most gracious mighty and most Christian Queene Elizabeth who abolished popery called home exiles gaue reward to the prophets reduced the feare of God and by her continuall opposition against the enemies of the Gospel declared her selfe the most sincere defender of the faith a Fox Mâ—â—t p. 911 a. One Mâ—lius a gray Frier interpreting and defending in Italy by Lecture and disputations the doctrine of Saint Paul to the Romans was answered by certaine Cardinals that it was true which he affirmed but the same was not meete for the present time because it could not bee taught nor published without the detriment of the Apostolike seate that had giuen it selfe to deceiue Pius the fourth b Geneb 1156. entring the Scots receaue the Gospell Anno 15â—â— c Hunij Labyriâ— Iâ—iriti Clauis Scriptura At this time were diuerse bookes in estimation amongst the Papists which were published against the authoritie of the scriptures As the writings of Cusanus that said that the scriptures are to bee fitted to the times and diuersly to bee vnderstood So that at one time it is to bee interpreted according as the vniuersall state of the time shall runne and when the rite of the time is chaunged the sense of the scripture is also changed for these men hold not that Gospell to bee eternall the commandeeÌ„nt Search the scriptures to iudge the time is turned into Search the time to iudge the scripture Ludouicus also maketh an oration to the Councell of Trente in which he affirmeth that the Pope the traditions customes and antient fathers of the Church haue authoritie aboue the scriptures or al that is called God Verrâ—â—â—i â—â—iteth to the Pope that the Pope and Councels are aboue the scriptures and blasphemeth that hee may determine without aboue and contrary to the scriptures * cap. 13.15 for the image of the beast must speake Peresius in the court
and Mâ—gog of which I purpose not to speâ—kâ— in thâ— treatise FINIS TO AS MANY AS CALL THEMSELVES CATHOLIKES AND FOLLOW THE Church of Rome and yet doe desire to know and embrace the truth WE see and lament that the multitude of those which doe beare the name of Christians is distracted into many different and contrary opinions yeâ—â—is there none of the factions which pretendeth not that he hath the onely right way Against this multiplicity ariseth the word of God which doth constantly affirme that Ephes 4 4.5.6 there is but one God one faith c. So that though 1. Cor. 9.24 many runne at the price yet but one obtaineth it The great Question is among vs all which side hath the true God and true faith and who shall get the price In this contention none are so feruent as they who call themselues Catholikes and follow the Church of Rome and they who are called Protestants and haue departed from the Church of Rome In so great opposition it is certaine both parties are not right Wherefore you that follow Rome yet loue the truth consider with me a little how we may be satisfied which of vs is out of the way and thinke no scorne to turne into the right path when we haue found it As for the rest whom Antichrist hath deluded to stoppe their eares like deafe Adders against good counsaile and to open their mouthes to blasphemie so that they crie all is but lyes before they heare or reade a letter as God hath prouided no sacrifice for their wilfull sinne so I leaue them to him that â— Cor. 5.13 iudgeth them that are without It is confessed of vs all that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had the truth and that he sent his Apostles abroad to preach the same which they did in their sermone and deliuered in their writings Now it remaineth to be required whether the Doctrine by them taught and recorded in the scriptures be the onely eternal and immutable truth or no Or that the Church may in time deuise more to bee added thereto other differing from it or some contrary vnto it of like authoritie and reuerence As for the Protestants they bind themselues to the written Word as a sufficient Canon to walke by acknowledging it to be Reuel 19.16 the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Church of Rome will not be so straighted nor so subiect but wil assume she goeth right when she walketh by her Traditions which change with the times as appeareth by their seueral and opposite decrees and institutions So that she thinketh her selfe neuer out whatsoeuer she doth in abolishing the former and in deuising and inioyning such new articles as the godly in the primitiue Church neuer knew nor their fathers before them vnto which also she holdeth all men are to be subiect on paine of damnation For the decision of this great question because it is obiected to the parties themselues that they doe not pursue their arguments with that patience as is required at the hands of Christians let vs commit the moderation to such as we all agree were both truly Christians which was the Act. first name that the Disciples were called by and truelie Catholikes which was the next title they tooke Namely Athanasius and his fellowes who though they spake in another case yet it appeareth by the waight of their arguments they would speake of our Question were they at our Conference in the same sort as they did at Ariâ—â—â—â— Let vs see to which of our parties their censure were most proper if the names of the persons which they speake of were changed into the persons of our Question Their speech is recorded by Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 29. When Vrsacius and Valent had read a confession of the faith dissenting from the Nicâ—â—â— Creede as the Papists doe from the faith and doctrine of the word of God published in the raigne of Constantius Flauius and Eusebius being Consuls as that of the Papists is instituted by diuers Popes the Catholikes that disliked it rose vp and said as we also say to the Papists We came not together with you because we were destitute of faith for wee keepe that wholy which wee receiued from the beginning but that if any did attempt any new thing of that matter we might resist him AThanasius who especially disliked this innouation wrote vnto his friends almost in these words which with changing but the names of the persons whom hee nameth and are put in the margent to the Papists will be thus What I pray you was wanting in the Catholike Church vnto the doctrine of godlines that now they should enquire of the faith and should by name prefix the Consuls Popes and Councels Which were in this present time before the words which forsooth they haue set downe of the faith For the Vrsatius Valens Germanius Popish writers haue done that which was neuer done nor heard among christians For where they wrote the things which they thought were to be beleeued they haue written Consuls the Popes Councels and places moneth and lastly the day that it might be manifest to all wise men that their faith had no beginning before the beginning of the raigne of Constantius such Popes and Councels yea that which is more all of them hauing regard vnto their owne heresie haue committed their owne sentences to writing Moreouer when they pretend to write of the doctrine of the Lord they haue named another for their Lord namely Constantius the Pope For he hath opened vnto them a window vnto all their impiety And when as they did denie the word of the Sonne of God to be eternall for so farre were these enemies of Christ cast into wickednesse they haue named the Emperor decrees of the Popes to be eternall But perchance they catch an occasion to name the Consuls Popes and Councels by the example of the holy Prophets who do set downe the time in which they liued But if they shall dare to affirme so they shall exceedingly bewray their folly For albeit there be mention of the times in the prophecies of holy men as in Esaiah and Hosea which were in the daies of Ozias and Ioatham Achaz and Ezechias as in the prophecie of Ieremie who liued in the dayes of Iesias as in the prophecies of Ezechiel and Daniel who flourished when Cyrus and Darius did raigne and lastly as in other Prophets which prophecied in other times yet doe none of them lay any first foundation of pietie and holy religion For it was before their times and alwaies and before the framing of the world which God by Christ hath prepared for vs. And as for the times in which their faith began they did not designe for before those times themselues were faithfull but those were the times of the promise pronounced by them And the promise doth especially concerne the incarnation of our Sauiour That which was annexed thereunto did clearely demonstrate those things which should befall