taken from him 3. That no man should reuenge the wrongs done to his blood and kindred 4. That men should be compelled to pardon them who smote them 5. That euery Friday a fasting shall bee kept with bread and water 6. That on Saturday there should be an abstinence from flesh and fat things 7. That men should content themselues with this kinde of fasting for remission of all their sinnes so that they neede none other kind of repentance That all men should be bound by an oath to obserue these new lawes they who refused to sweare obedience to these ordinances should be separated from the Church and they should neither be visited when they were sicke nor buried when they were dead These new lawes which came not from heauen but from the instinct of an euill spirit many were content to receaue Others who were of more sound iudgement specially the B. of Cambry reiected them as repugnaÌ„t most part to the word of God to the coÌ„stitutions of the Church to the peace of wel-ordered common-wealths to charitie Alwayes consider that this was a time of horrible darknesse and ignorance wherein any durst affirme in face of a Councell that such lawes came from heauen as were flatlie repugnant to the written word of God IN the yeere of our Lord 1046. and vnder the raigne of the Emperour Henry the third an assemblie was gathered by the Emperour at Sutrium a towne of Italie for pacefying an horrible schisme in the Roman Church for three Popes contended for the Popedome to wit Benedict the ninth Silvester the third and Gregorie the sixt when the fathers had conueened at Sutrium and the Emperour had considered the causes of the scisme and the ambition of Prelats striuing for superioritie they thought expedient to remoue all these three monsters and to choose one Sindigerus Bishop of Bamberg to be Pope whom they called Clemens the second Moreouer the Emperour did bind the Romans with an oath that they shuld in time to come abstaine from the electioÌ„ of the Pope ABout the yeere of our Lord 1050. Leo the ninth assembled a Councell at Rome against Berengarius Deacon at Angiers vpon this occasion was the Councell gathered Berengarius saw that the opinion of Transubstantiation was ouerspred in his time to wit that after the words of coÌ„secration the substance of bread evanished and the substance of the body and blood of Christ was in the Sacrament vnder the accidents of bread and wine which opinion he disaproued and followed rather the opinion of Augustine Ioannes Scotus about the Sacrament of the supper He writ also letters to Lanfrancus B. of Canterbury about this question The Messenger who carried the letters did not find Lanfrancus in Normandie whether he was directed Therefore he deliuethe letters to some of the Clergie who opened the letters of Berengarius and sent them to Pope Leo the ninth After the sight whereof he assembled a Councell at Rome and read the letters of Berengarius and condemned him though absent as an heretike LEo the ninth assembled another Councell at Vercellis against Berengarius in the moneth of September of the yeere of our Lord 1050 so that both these Councels were holden in one yeere against Berengarius Berengarius was warned to bee present at the Councell Lanfrancus Bishop of Canterbury was also present In Berengarius name compeared two of the Clergie who were taken and cast into prison The issue of the Councell was this The Bookes of Ioannes Melrosius Scotus de eucharistia were read in the Councell and condemned Leo likewise appointed in many Prouinces Synods to be assembled against Berengarius notwithstanding he persisted constantly in his opinion vntill the dayes of Pope Nicolaus the second IN the yeere of our Lord 1055. Pope Victor the second assembled a Councell at Towrs against Berengarius The Popes Ambassadours were present at the Councel and Berengarius answered that hee adhered to no particular opinion of his owne but he followed the Common doctrine of the vniversall Church and that hee would not be contentious This gentle answere mitigated the kindled affections of his Adversaries yet he persisted in his own opinion for this cause Lanfrancus obiected against him that he deluded the Councel of Towrs with general doubtsome words IN the yeere of our Lord 1059. Pope Nicolaus 2. assembled a great Councel at Rome of 100. 13. B. Berengarius was present at the Councel Berengarius through infirmitie submitted himselfe to be corrected by Pope Nicolaus 2. and the Councel They prescribed to him a forme of renounciatioÌ„ of his error as they called it which Berengarius accepted recaÌ„ted Notwithstanding afterward he published in writing a refutatioÌ„ of the doctrine of Transubstantiation damned his owne recantation Manie other constitutions were made in this Councel such as that the election of the Pope should belong to the Colledge of Cardinals that no man should heare a Masse sayd by a married Priest that no Laick person should be iudge to a man in a spirituall office that no person should marrie any of his owne consanguinitie vntill the seventh generation with many other foolish constitutions IN the yeere of our Lord 1060. as appeareth Pope Nicholaus the second sent Petrus Damianus to hold a Councell in his name at Millan The questions disputed in the Councell were two chiefly to wit about Simonie and the errour of the Nicolaitans It was accounted Simonie to receiue investment by staffe and ringe from a secular man It was counted the errour of the Nicolaitans when Priests married wiues And Damianus to bring such mariages vnder the Compasse of Heresie hee said that faults in manners if they were obstinatlie deâ—â—nded they became Heresies But suppose this was true as it is a false definition how can it bee called the heresie of the Nicolaitans seeing that Nicolaitans were not called Heretikes in respect they had wiues but in respect they made their wiues common as I haue declared in the first Centurie The issue of this Councell was that the whole Towne of Millan both Clergie and people was in an vprore complaining that the Towne wherein Ambrose was Bishop should be brought in subiection to the Ordinances of any other Church Damianus was in great feare to bee rent in pieces albeit the Archbishop of Millan was sitting at his one side and the Bishoppe of Luca at his other After that the tumult was pacified Damianus did speake vnto the Clergie and people manie things concerning the prerogatiue of the Chaire of Rome and the Bishop of Millan standing before the Altar did sweare that hee should bee obedient to the ordinances of the Roman Church in extirping the heresie of Simonie and of the Nicolaitans and many of the Clergie following his example did the like and were content like inconstant fooles to receaue penance for cohabitation with their owne lawfull wifes IN the yeere of our Lord 1066.
not distribute the Lords bodie indiscreetly to children and to all persons who happen to be present who if they be entangled with great sinnes they procure vnto themselues rather damnation then any remedie to their soules according to the saying of the Apostle Whosoeuer eateth this Bread and drinketh this Cup unworthily hee shall be guilty of the bodie and blood of the Lord Let a man therefore try himselfe and so let him eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup. By this let the iudicious Reader marke that even in the dayes of Carolus Magnus priuate masses had no place but they who were duly prepared did communicate with the Priest 20. Presbyters shall not suffer the holy Chrisme to be touched by every man 21. Presbyters shall not resort to Tavernes to eate or drinke 22. Bishops and Presbyters shall prescribe to sinners who haue confessed their sinnes penance discreetly according to the waightinesse of their fault 23. Chanons who dwell in Cities let them eate in one Cloyster and sleepe vnder one roofe to the end they may bee ready to celebrate their Canonicall houres From the 24. Canon vnto the 32. are contained constitutions concerning Monkes and Nunnes which I ouer-passe with silence fearing to be prolix Canon 32. All men should studie to peace and concord but especially Christians forsaking hatred discord and envie 33. Lords and Iudges should be obedient to the wholsome admonitions of their Bishops and Bishops on the other part should reverently regard them to the end they may be mutually supported every one with the consolations one of another 34. Lords and Iudges are to bee admonished that they admit not vile and naughty persons to beare witnesse in their iudicatories because there are many who for a contemptible price are ready to make shipwracke of a good conscience 35. Let no man for his decreet receiue a reward For divine Scripture in many places forbiddeth this as a thing that blindeth the eyes of the blind 36. Let euery man be carefull to support indigent persons of his owne family and kindred for it is an impious and abominable thing in the sight of God that men abounding in riches should neglect their owne 37. Christians when they make supplications to God let them in humble manner bow downe their knees following the example of the Martyr Steven and of the Apostle Paul Except vpon the Lords day and other solemne dayes on the which the vniversall Church keepeth a memoriall of the Lords resurrection and at such times they are accustomed to stand and pray 38. Faithfull people must be admonished not to enter into the Church with tumult and noyse and in time of prayer and celebration of the masse not to be occupied in vaine confabulations and idle speeches but even to abstain from wicked cogitations 39. Let not the Consistories and Iudgement-seates of secular Iudges be in the Church or portches thereof in any time to come because the house of God should bee an house of Prayer as our Lord Iesus Christ saith 40. Let it be forbidden that Merchandize be vsed vpon the Lords day or Iustice-Courts because all men should abstaine from servile labours to the end this day may be spent in praising and thanking God from morning till evening 41. Incestuous persons parracides and murtherers are found who will not hearken to the wholsome admonitions of Church-men but persevere in their vitious conversation who must be reduced to order by the discipline of the secular power 42. Let the people be admonished to abstaine from Magicall Arts which can bring no support and helpe to the infirmities of men and beasts but they are the deceitfull snares of the Divell whereby he deceiveth man-kinde 43. A frequent custome of swearing is forbidden wherein men vpon euery light occasion willing to purchase credit to that which they speake they take God to be witnesse of the verity of their speeches 44. Many free subiects by the oppression of their Masters are redacted to extreame pouerty whose causes if our element Soveraigne please to examine hee shall finde that they are vniustly redacted to extreame indigence 45. A false measure and a false ballance is an abomination vnto the Lord as Salomon recordeth The 46. Canon containeth a regrate that tythes were not duly payed to the Church notwithstanding that the Church had giuen in their complaint to the civil Magistrate whereby it came to passe that not only lights in the Church and stipends to the Clergie began to inlacke but also the very parish Churches became ruinous 47. When generall Fastings are appointed for any impendent calamity let man neglect the fellowship of the humble Church for desire to feed his belly with delicate foode 48. Drunkennes and surfeiting are forbidden as offensiue both to soule and bodie and the ground of many other sinnes 49. Lords and Masters are to be admonished not to deale cruelly and vnmercifully with their subiects yea and not to seeke that which is due vnto themselues with excessiue rigour 50. Let Laicke people communicate at least thrise in a yeere vnlesse they be hindred by some grivous sinnes committed by them 51. In the last Canon mention is made that they diligently examined the cause of them who complained to the Emperour that they were dis-inherited by thâ— donation of lands which their Fathers and friends had bestowed vpon the Church and in their bounds they found no man who did complaine Alwaies in that matter if any thing was done amisse they humbly submitted themselues to be corrected by their Soveraigne Lord and King THe Councell of Chalons was the fourth Councell convened in the yeere of our Lord 813. by the commandement of Charles the Great for the reformation of the Ecclesiasticall Estate Many of the Canons of this Councell are coincident with the Canons of the former therefore I shall be the shorter in the commemoration thereof 1. That Bishops acquaint themselues diligently with reading the bookes of holy Scripture and the Bookes of ancient Fathers together with the Pastorall bookes of Gregorius 2. Let Bishops practice in their workes the knowledge which they haue attained vnto by by reading 3. Let them also constitute Schooles wherein learning may be increased and men brought vp in them that may be like to the salt of the earth to season the corrupt manners of the people and to stop the mouthes of Heretiques according as it is said to the commendation of the Church A thousand Targes are hung vp in it even all the Armour of the strong Cant. chap. 4 vers 4. â— 4. Let Church-men shew humility in word deed countenance and habite 5. Let Priests bee vnreproueable adorned with good manners and not given to filthy lucre 6. The blame of filthy lucre wherewith many Church-men were charged for this that they allured secular men to renounce the world and to bring their goods to the Church they endeuour with multiplyed number of words to remoue 7. Bishops and Abbots who with deceitfull speeches haue circumvened
his rigour and through the intercession of the Bishop of Mentz and the Palsgraue granted peace to the Protestants so that they should ayde the Emperour against the Turks and on the other part the action of the Chamber-court should cease in all sutes of Religion against the Protestants About the same time that all this businesse was in Germanie for the Doctrine of Martin Luther Vlricus Zuinglius Preached the Word at Zurik detested the abuse of pardons of other corruptions then reigning in the Church but see great offence begun to rise and diverse stepped out on the contrary side to Preach and inveigh against him Vpon this the Magistrates and Senate of Zurik sent forth their commandement to all Priests Ministers within their Dominion to repaire to the Citie of Zurik against the 29. of Ianuarie next ensuing there euery one to speake freely and to be heard quietly touching those Controversies of Religion This disputation was appointed in the yeare of our Lord 1523. Zuinglius had contriued all his doctrine in a certaine ordâ—â— of places to the number of 77. Articles which he had published also abroad before to the end that they who were disposed might resort thither better prepared for disputation The Bishop of Constance sent thither Iohannes Faber Stapulensis his Vicegerent who in stead of disputation reasoned that this was no convenient place for disputation but rather the handling of Controversies in Religion belonged to a generall Councell which he said was alreadie appointed and nigh at hand Wherevpon the Senate of Zurik caused incontinent to be proclaimed through all their Dominions and Territories that the traditions of men should be displaced and abandoned and the Gospell of Christ purely taught out of the old and new Testament When the Gospell begun thus to flourish in Zurik the yeare next following Anno 1524. another assemblie of the Helvetians was convented at Lucerna where Decrees were made on the contrary part that no man should deride the Masse that no mention should be made of Luther or any new doctrine that Pictures and Images of Saints in euery place should be kept inviolate and finally that all the lawes and decrees set forth by the Bishop of Constance should be obserued After these things thus concluded at Lucerna the Cantones of Helvetia together direct their publique Letter to the Tygurines or men of Zurik complaining that they had receiued a new Doctrine which would be the seed of discord whereas before time all things were in quiet Wherevnto the Tigurines answered that at the first this Doctrine seemed strange to themselues but after they vnderstood it directed them onely to Christ as the pillar and onely rocke of their saluation they could no otherwise doe but with ardent affection receiue so wholesome and ioyfull message And like as faithfull Christians in former times after they had receiued the Gospell did not by and by fall out in debate with their neighbours So lâ—kewise they trusted God willing to keepe peace with all men Neuerthelesse the rest of the Cantons grew in hatred against the men of Zurike and for suppressing of the doctrine of Zuinglius appointed a disputation to be holden at Baden which was kept in the moneth of Iune Anno 1525. where were present amongst other Divines Iohannes Faber Eccius and Murnerus The Bishops also of Lucerna Basile Curiak and Lawsanna The conclusions there propounded were these 1. That the true body and blood of Christ is in the Sacrament 2. That the Masse is a Sacrifice for the quicke and the dead 3. That the blessed Virgin and other Saints are to be invocated as Mediators and Intercessors 4. That Images ought not to be abolished 5. That there is a Purgatorie Which Conclusions or assertions Eccius tooke vpon him soundly to defend Against him reasoned Oecolampadius Preacher at Basile with other moe Zuinglius at that time was not there present but by writing confuted the doctrine of Eccius declaring withall the causes of his absence which were for that he durst not for feare of his life commit himselfe to the hands of Lucernates Vrbani Suitij Vnternaldi and Tugiani his enemies and that he refused not to dispute but onely the place of disputation excusing moreouer that he was not permitted of the Senate to come Neverthelesse if they would assigne the place of disputation either at Zurik Berna or Sangallum thither he would not refuse to come The conclusion of this disputation was this that all should remaine in that Religion which hitherto they had kept and should follow the authoritie of the Councell neither should admit any other new Doctrine within their dominions In the yeare of our Lord 1527. the Senate and people of Berne whose power amongst all the Helvetians chiefely excelled considering how neither they could haue the acts of the disputation of Baden committed vnto them and that the variance about Religion still more and more increased assigned another disputation within their owne Cittie and sending forth writings thereof called vnto the same all the Bishops bordering about them as the Bishops of Constance Basile Sedune Lusanna determining also the whole disputation to be decided only by the authority of the old new Testament To all that would come thither they graunted safe conduct And to the end men might come thither better prepared before they proposed in publique writing ten conclusions in the said disputation to be defended by their Ministers by the Scriptures which Ministers were Franciscus Colbus and Bertholdus Hallerus The Theames or Conclusions were these 1. That the true Church whereof Christ is the head riseth out of Gods Word and persisteth in the same and heareth not the voyce of any other 2. That the same Church maketh no lawes without Gods Word 3. That traditions ordained in the name of the Church doe not binde but so farre forth as they be consonant to Gods Word 4. That Christ onely hath made satisfaction for the sins of the world and therefore if any man say there is another way of saluation or meane to put away sinne he denieth Christ. 5. That the body and blood of Christ cannot be receiued really and corporally by the testimonie of the Scripture 6. That the vse of the Masse wherein Christ is presented and offered vp to his heauenly Father for the quicke and the dead is against the Scripture and contumelious to the Sacrifice which Christ made for vs. 7. That Christ onely is to be invocated as the Mediatour and Advocate of Mankinde to God â—he Father 8. That there is no place to be found â—y the holy Scripture wherein soules are purged after this life and therefore all those prayers and ceremonies yeerely dirges and obiles which are bestowed on the dead also Lampes Tapers and such other things profit nothing at all 9. That to set vp any Picture or Image to be worshipped is repugnant to the holy Scripture and therefore if any such be
mindes as evidently appeared so soone as the King of Navarre and Prince of Condie came to Orleance and had saluted the King the Captaine of the Kings guard layd hands on the Prince of Condie and the King was informed that the Prince of Condie had conspired against his honour and life Thus by the craft and deceitfull practises of the Guisians was the Prince of Condie brought into great danger and hazard of his life and had assuredly died if the mercy of God had not provided timely reliefe But the Lord pitying the estate of his owne poore Church in France shortned the life of Francis the second who dyed of a putrefaction of his eares And thus was the second high attempt of the Guisians against the Gospell marvailously disappoynted by the sudden and vnexpected death of Francis the second After whose death the innocency of the Prince of Condie was declared by a decree of the Parliament at Paris and the government of the young King Charles the ninth was devolued in the hands of the Queen mother and the King of Navarre Those Gouernours with advice of the States of the Realme thought meet that a free disputation should be appointed at Poyssie a towne in France neere to Saint Germane wherein the controversies of religion should bee freely reasoned in presence of the young King the Queene mother the King of Navarre and other Princes of the royall blood This disputation began the ninth of September anno 1561. For the Protestants part were appointed Theodorus Beza Minister at Geneva Peter Martyr professor of Divinity in Zuricke Nicholas Gelasius Augustinus Marloratus Iohannes Merlinus Franciscus Morellus Iohannes Malo and Espineus a man of great learning who had lately forsaken the Romane Church and embraced the true reformed religion On the other part the Cardinall of Loraine with many other Cardinalls Archbishops and Bishops to the number of fifty Prelates besides many other Divines and Doctors were ready to pleade the cause of the Romish Church In this disputation after that Theodorus Beza had at length declared the summe of the Protestants faith and the Cardinall of Loraine had answered In the end the Romane Prelats devised a pretty shift to cut off all further reasoning for the Cardinall of Loraine produced the opinion of the Germans about the matter of the Sacrament extracted out of the cōfession of Ausbrugh Jemanded of the Protestants whether they would subscribe to it or no to the end that if they consented to subscribe they might seem to haue convicted themselues of errour in the matter of the Sacrament and if they refused to subscribe then it might bee knowne to the Princes that were present that the Protestants agreed not amongst themselues To this it was answered by Theodorus Beza in the next meeting that if the confession of Ausbrough should be subscribed then it was good reason to require a subscription of the whole confession and not of one line thereof onely also if they vrged the Protestants to subscribe that confession of Ausbrough then let themselues first begin to subscribe the same and when they haue yeelded to the whole confession of Ausbrugh it will be more easie to finde out any way of agreement in matters of religion After this the forme of disputation was changed and a few in number to wit fiue onely on either side were chosen to conferre in quiet and peaceable manner who beginning at the matter of the Sacrament seemed all to agree in this forme that Iesus Christ by the operation of the holy Spirit offereth and exhibiteth vnto vs the very substance of his body blood and wee doe receiue and eate spiritually and by faith that same body which dyed for vs to the end we may be flesh of his flesh and bone of his bones and that we may be quickned by him and receiue all things that are needfull to our salvation And because faith leaning to the word of God maketh those things that are received to be present by this faith indeed we receiue truely and effectually the very naturall body and blood of Iesus Christ through the power of the holy Spirit In this respect wee acknowledge the presence of the body and blood in the Supper The article of the Sacrament being conceiued in this forme was presented to both the parties and many of the Romane Prelates condiscended to the article aboue specified but when they had conferred with the Doctors of Sorbon they all with one consent refused the same and finding that the communers that were chosen for their part did persevere in their opinion they cryed out against them and would giue no further power to them to reason in that cause Thus the disputation of Poyssie broke vp the 25. of November without any agreement of the controversies in religion but rather leaving in the harts of men a seed of greater contention and cruell wars which afterward ensued But before we speak of the warres in France for religion somewhat is to bee spoken of the cruell persecution that the faithfull suffered in Piemont in which countrey certaine townes had received the Gospell and abolished the masse namely the townes of Angrona Lucerne Perose Tallaret with divers others in the convalles of Piemont all which townes are subiect to the dominion of the Duke of Savoy who hearing of the reformation that was made in the foresayd bounds of his dominion sent out his Captaine Triniteus with an army of 500. men against them to sack and vtterly destroy them except they would receiue the masse againe and put away from them their ministers The towne of Angrona was first assaulted and the people fled to the mountaines but being strictly pursued they turned themselues and with slings stones defended their liues and put their enemies to the worse in so much that Triniteus the Dukes Captaine was to deale with them by subtilty and craft rather then by open force and therefore promised vnto the Convallenses that if they layd downe their armour and sent messengers to the Duke to cuane his pardon and would pay to him the summe of sixteene thousand crownes then vpon those conditions they should haue peace The poore people glad to accept conditions of peace performed all that was required but no peace could be obtained of the Duke except they would put away their Ministers and receiue the masse againe Therefore being spoiled both of money and armour by the craft of their enemies and a new army also sent against them they were compelled in time of winter to flie with their wiues and children to the mountaines all over-layd and covered with snow and from thence to behold the pitifull spectacles of the burning of their houses and spoyling of their goods But necessity compelling them to make some shift for their liues they tooke the strict passage of the mountains and resisted their enemies committing the successe to God who so prospered this poore vnarmed people that in few
could be partakers of so foule a treacherie But when they saw the Heluetian souldiers making hast by boates and shippes to crosse the water and to come ouer to the Fobers of S. Germane to cut them off they made hast and fled The Duke of Guise with Duke De Aumald and the Count of Angolesme pursued them to Montfort which is eight leagues distant from Paris but could not ouertake them and so returned backe againe to Paris In this Massacre were slaine many noble men such as the Admirall Telignius Rupefocald Renelius and many learned men amongst whom were Petrus Ramus and Lambinus and of others moe than 10000. persons whose bodyes were layed on heapes vpon cartes and cast into the riuer of Seane which was coulered red with the blood of the slaine The like crueltie was practised in Lions and the bodyes of the slaine were cast into the riuer of Rhene and the heapes of the slaine were carried downe to the sight of those of Delphin Provance and Languedok that dwelt nigh vnto the riuer whose harts were compelled to detest the spectacle of so Barbarous crueltie the like wherof was scarcely to be found amongst the Turkes and Infidels Likewise in many other townes the rage of the like crueltie was felt so that within the space of a moneth moe then 30000. persons were reckoned to be slaine To all this Tragedie was added the defection of Rozarius a Preacher at Orleance who by his vilde Apostasie so brangled the King of Navarre and Prince of Condie that they were induced by his example and perswasions to fall away from their religion for a time yet afterward this same Rozarius being grauely admonished of the vildnesse of his Apostasie departed out of France to Germanie and writ letters to the Prince of Condie wherein hee acknowledged his errour and begged mercie of God for that he had beene a snare and stumbling blocke to him The report of the Massacre was so detestable in the eares of all men that heard it that they were forced to beare out that matter with forged lies which they had begun with crueltie to the end this Massacre should be the lesse odious in the eares of strangers they alleadged that the Admirall his complices were purposed to cut off the king all the blood royal yea and the king of Navarre himselfe although he was of the same religion to set vp the Prince of Condie in the throne of the kingdome to the end the Admiral might haue the gouernment administration of al himself And for this cause they tortured two noble men of the Protestants whom they had takeÌ„ to wit Canagnius Briquemald to drawe out of them by torturing a coÌ„fession of the fore alledged coÌ„spiracie But the noblemen died constant in the true faith w ithout confession of any such treason as was alleadged NotwithstaÌ„ding they were not ashamed after their death to publish in their names a coÌ„fession of horrible treason which they neuer confessed while they were aliue After this pitifull disaster it seemed that the religion in France was vtterlie quenched for the noble men were slaine some had made defection and others for feare had left the land Only a few towns were in the Protestants hands such as Rochell Montalban Nines Sauserr and some others of small account Yet the Lord so wrought by those small beginnings that the force of the aduersaries was more wonderfullie resisted by this small handfull then it was by forces of so many noble men with concurrance of strangers in the former warre The towne of Rotchell was the towne of greatest importance of all the rest and the king thought meete to besiege it both by sea and land with a mightie armie which siege began in the moneth of December Anno 1573. and indured vntill the moneth of Iune next following The maruelous prouidence of God was felt in this siege for God sent a number of fishes called Surdonnes to the support of the poore during the time of the siege and when the siege was loosed the fishes departed away and were found no more in that coast In the moneth of Iune the Ambassadour of Poland came vnto the Kings Campe to the Duke of Aniou the Kings brother whom the Polonians had chosen to be their king and immediately after conditions of peace were offered to the towne libertie to exercise their religion within their own bounds and in this peace were contained their associats of Montalban and Nimes The Rotchellanes had required that those of Sanfarre and all others of their Religion should bee comprehended in this bond of pacification but no speciall mention was made of the towne of Sansarre onely a generall clause of their associats was cast in The towne of Sansarre likewise was besieged but it was so strongly fortified and the Protestants within the towne so couragiouslie repulsed the enemies that they were compelled to retire backe from battring of the walles and to beset them round about on all quarters that they might by long famine compell them to render whom they could not ouercome otherwise This siege indured from the moneth of Ianuary vntill the moneth of August so that the famine within the towne was so great that the famine of Samaria and Saguntum seemeth not to haue bin greater In the end conditions of peace were granted and the towne was rendered to Castrius the kings Lieutenant in those parts The townes of Montalban and Nimes was not besieged as yet to whom and to all the rest of the Protestants dwelling in Lauguedok Delphine Provance was offered those same conditions which the Rotchellanes had embraced But they craued of the king his brother liberty first to assemble theÌ„selues together before they should giue their answere which being granted the assemblie conveened at Miliald it was thought meete with common consent to craue more ample coÌ„ditions liberties then were contained in the peace of the Rotchellans namely that in euery Province of Fraunce two townes might be granted to the Protestants for their further securitie those townes to be kept by the guardes of their own souldiers to haue their pay out of the kings treasury and that libertie should be granted to al that were of their religion to exercise the same freelie without any exception of places Also that all those that should be found guiltie of the horrible murther coÌ„mitted at Paris the 24. of August might be seuerely punished Many other conditions were required very amply freely Order was taken in like manner in this assemblie how the warre might be maintained in case those conditions of peace were not granted The Queene mother when shee had read the conditions that were required said with great indignation that if the Prince of Condie had beene in the midst of Fraunce with 20000. horsemen and 50000 â—footmen yet would hee not haue required the halfe of those conditions This great boldnesse of
to slay the King as he was returning from Picardie to Paris Thus vpon the 27. day of December Anno 1584 â—as the King was readie booted and spurred to returne from Picardie to Paris within a chamber at Lououre this stripling went into the chamber amongst the presse and as the King was busily occupied in receiuing his Nobles and in a princely manner kissing them for his farewell suddenly he would haue stricken the King in the bodie with a knife he had in his hand But by reason his Maiesty was very readie to take vp the Lords which were on their knees before him in his stooping he strucke him in the face on the vpper iaw on the right side therewithall cutting out one of his teeth Presently this miserable caitiue was taken and after examination vnderstanding that he was a scholler of the Iesuites the King said And must it needs be that the Iesuits must be confounded by my mouth This parricide being brought to prison freely declared all the circumstances of his euill intent discouering many of the Iesuits secret practises Amongst many other things he remembred he heard the fathers of that holy societie say that it was lawfull to kill the King that he was excommunicated out of the Church that he was not to be obeyed nor taken for their King vntill such time as he was allowed by the Pope The Court of Parliament condemning this Castile of Treason in the highest degree caused him to be brought naked in his shirt before the principall part of the Cathedrall Church in Paris holding in his hand a taper of waxe lighted there to confesse his haynous sinne asking forgiuenesse of God the King and the lawes which done he was conveyed to the place of execution carrying in his hand the murthering knife wherewith he intended to murther the King the which was there first cut off his flesh pulled off with hot burning Pincers both from his armes and thighs after that his bodie was drawne in peeces with foure horses and cast into the fire and consumed to ashes and the ashes scattered in the winde Likewise the said Court of Parliament ordeined that all the Priests and Schollers of Clermont colledge and all other of the same societie of Iesus to be holdeâ— and reputed as corrupters of youth disturbers of the publique peace enemies to the King and State and to avoyde within three dayes after the Proclamation of this edict out of Paris and all other townes and places where their Colledges are and within 15. dayes after out of the kingdome on paine if being found after the time prefixed to be punished as guiltie of the said crime of treason Besides these horrible troubles that were in France in the dayes of this Emperour Rodulph the King of Spaine prepared a great armie to invade the Realme of England This armie was counted invincible and of most admirable preparation it conteined an hundreth and thirtie Ships wherein were as many Regiments having an hundreth seuentie two Ensignes and 20000. fighting men besides the number of 1000. moe that had nothing to doe with armes also their furniture and provision was exceeding great for they had 11000. Quintals of Biscat 14170. Pipes of Wine 6500. Quintals of Bacon 3433. Quintals of Cheese 8000. Quintals of dried fish of all sorts 6320 Bushels of Beanes and Pease 11398. Roues and Measures of oyle 23870. Roues of Vineger And 11850. Pipes of fresh Water besides the victuals and necessaries of houshold that were in great number and of all sorts The armes reserued for store were 7000. Caleeuers their furnitures a 1000. Muskets a 1000. Lances a 1000. Partisants and Halbards 6000. Pikes More Pickaxes Payles and other instruments then would serue for 700. Pioners With this number and in this manner being prepared the armie departed out of Lisbone vnder the conduct of the Duke de Medina Gidonia assisted with 22. Lords of estate councell and experience But it had searce entred into the sea sailing toward the Gnongnes in Gallicia but there arose a storme with so great force that the Navie was constrained to put to land and there to stay till winde and weather serued hauing lost in that storme three Gallies of Portugalls and many of them so scattered and bruised that they were not seruiceable for that Voyage The storme being calmed and the weather good about the 22. of Iulie the Generall caused them to set saile so fortunately that in lesse then fiue dayes after they descryed the point or end of Cornwall and at the same time they were seene from Plimmouth by the Admirall of England and Sr Francis Drake Vice admirall who made them turne their faces and gaue them such a skirmish and that so neere that the Ships were in disorder and a great Gallion lost wherein was found a part of the treasures that the Armie brought with it and all the instructions which the Duke de Medina had and what he should doe having Conquered England At the last the Navie got as farre as Callis where it should haue ioyned with the Duke of Parma but the Armie of England that fought to impeach it followed it and that so nie that it was forced to leaue her Anchor-hold confusedly to flie away Their principall Gallias among other Vessels was by the streames cast vpon the sands hard by the hauen of Callis there with his Ordnance was left for the governor of Callis After this it made toward the North seas passing betweene Norway and Scotland and so toward Ireland where those northerne seas being as then risen according to the time of yeare were very tempestuous and vsed the rest of the armie very hardly for it drowned and sunke 17. great Vessels vpon the coast of Ireland and spoyled broke and ouerthrew diuers others in such manner that of 130. Shippes there were scarcely 30. that returned to SPAINE Here endeth the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORY OF the Church Containing a briefe Catalogue of the beginnings proceedings and deaths of all the Bishops Popes Patriarches Doctors Pastors and other learned men in Europe Asia and Africa since Christs dayes vntill this present CENTVRIE I. Of Apostles AFter the Lords resurrection his twelue Apostles were indued with grace from aboue and sent forth to convert all people to the obedience of Christ whose travels the Lord so wonderfully blessed that within a short time many thousands of all Nations Languages whom God had appointed to eternall life were converted to the faith of Christ. This conquest that Christ made by the Ministrie of twelue poore and contemptible men is more worthie to be called a Conquest then all the valiant exployts of Cyrus Alexander Caesar and other Conquerours For he made this conquest by a small handfull of poore and infirme Disciples also he conquered not onely the bodies of men but also their hearts to his obedience and finally he made this conquest not by shedding of peoples blood but by
with the Deuill that hee enquired of him as Platina writeth how long hee should continue in his Popedome and the Deuill answered euen vntill the time hee should say Masse at Ierusalem Now there was in Rome a Chappel called S. Crucis and vulgarlie it was called Ierusalem In this Chappel in time of Lent the Bishop of Rome was accustomed to say Masse and when Sylvester the second who before was called Gilbertus was saying Masse in that place hee found himselfe attainted with a vehement feuer and remembering that the place was called Ierusalem hee knew that hee was deceiued and put in vaine hope of long liuing by the deuill Hee called for the Cardinals and confessed his fault and desired them to cut his bodie in pieces as it iustlie deserued and to lay it open vpon a Coach to bee buried in that place wherein the horses of their owne accord should draw the Coach So the horses carried the Coach to the Church of Lateran where hee was buried Onuphrius is weake in this that neither can hee be silent neither can hee defend the name of Pope Sylvester with reason but sayes hee was a learned man well acquainted with mathematicall sciences and therefore vnlearned people counted him a Sorcerer By such frivolous excuses all the Necromancers and Sorcerers in Europe might bee excused against the testimonie of wise and learned Historiographers who giue to cuerie man such prayse as their doings deserue Patriarches of Constantinople AFter Nicholaus and Euthymius succeeded Stephanus Amasenus who continued aboue three yeeres To whom succeeded Tryphon admitted vpon this condition that when Theophilactus the youngest sonne of the Emperour Romanus should come to perfect age hee should giue place to him But when the Emperours sonne was 16. yeeres old Tryphon would not giue place vnto him vntill he was circomuened by the craft of the Bishop of Cesarea who pretending to be his friend said to him in this manner Seeing that the Courteours are in hope to haue you displaced in respect of your want of learning I will giue you faith he my counsel to write your owne name together with all the titles and dignities of your calling in presence of many witnesses and send this letter aforesaid to the Emperour to let him vnderstand that yee are not so voide of learning as they talke of To this Counsell Tryphon agreed not foresmelling the subtilitie of the Bishop who gaue vnto him this Counsell But the Courteours so soone as the letter came in their hands subioyned to the words Tryphon Archbishop of new Rome and Vniversall Patriarch the words following that he voluntarily ouergaue his Patriarchship in fauour of Theophilactus the Emperours youngest sonne So was Tryphon by his owne handwritting displaced and Theophilactus seated in his roome He was a young man of 16. yeeres old when he was made Patriarch and ruled 23. yeeres Hee was riotous and full of youthly conceits and in hunting his horse so brused his body that he vomited blood and ended his life To Theophilactus succeeded Polyenctus in the dayes of Nicephorus and Zimisces of whom God willing more shall be spoken in the head of Councels and to him a Monke Basilius who ruled 4 yeeres and after him Antonius Studites Of other Pastors and Doctors LVitprandus a famous Historiographer liued in the dayes of Hugo and Berengarius kings of Italie and in the daies of Otto the first Emperour of the west and Constantine Emperour of the East His learning and skill in Musicke brought him in credit with Hugo King of Italie Also Berengarius king of Italie found no man so meet to be employed Ambassador to Constantine Emperour of Constantinople as Luitprandus who did his message faithfully vpon the charges of his owne father in law But Berengarius rendered vnto him euill for good for hee banished him In time of his banishment he writ his historie of things done in Europe from the yeere of our Lord 858. vntill the 30. yeere of Otto Magnus and dedicated it to Reginomundus a Bishop of Spain It is not certaine in what age Theophilactus liued alwaies his name is inrolled in this Centurie Hee was Bishop of Bulgaria and writ in the Greeke Language fruitefull Commentaries vpon the foure Evangelists and vpon all the Epistles of Paul and vpon some of the small Prophets such as Habacuk Ionas and Nahum Hee followed Chrysostome in his writings so that his bookes are thought to be a short abridgement of the writings of Chrysostome He sharpely refuteth old Heretikes but the defection of his owne time hee doth not so neerely touch Of the Antichrist hee thinketh that hee should spring vp in the decay of the Romane Empire and of marriage that it was honorable and a step to the chaire of a Bishop The names of other men who were more famous then others either for good or evill will be found in the head of Councels CENTVRIE XI Popes of Rome AFter Silvester ruled Pope Iohn nineteene yeeres foure months and twentie dayes of whom no memorable thing is written To him succeeded Pope Iohn 20. and continued foure yeeres foure months Platina for lacke of some remarkable thing in the historie of his life is compelled to remarke the wisdome magnamitie learning and deuotion of Robert King of France who was worthie to gouerne others because his owne heart was gouerned and ruled with reason but of Pope Iohn hee read nothing worthie of commendation To him succeeded Sergius the fourth who gouerned 2. yeeres and 15. dayes To Sergius succeeded Benedict the eight and continued a eleuen yeeres one month and thirteene dayes in his dayes the pestilence so mightilie abounded that the number of them who died in the plague surpassed the number of them who were aliue Which calamitie was signified by a fountaine of wholesome water in Loraine converted into blood The factious Romans remoued him from his Popedome and seated another in his place but afterward they were reconciled to him and receiued him with great Pompe honor to his Popedome againe These are the people who call the B. of Rome the vicar of Christ the successor of Peter the vniuersall Bishoppe the ministericall head of the Church yet will they make insurrection against him when they please and they call others schismaticks when they fall from the obedience of the Bishop of Rome But the Towne of Rome is the mother of scismes no lesse is shee the mother of all spirituall whoredomes Iohn 21. succeeded to Benedict the 8. in the dayes of the Emperour Conrad the second and ruled eleuen yeeres nine dayes Platina commendeth his life but without any particular commendation of his commendable vertues Benedict the ninth succeeded to Pope Iohn and gouerned ten yeeres and foure months and nine dayes a man vnlearned and vitious in his conversation who allured women to his lust by Magicall arts therefore hee was thrust out of his Popedome
the Bishop of Agabra had set at liberty and hee on the other part abused his liberty so farre that he presumed by Magicall Art to cut off the Bshoppe who had beene so beneficiall vnto him he was ordained to be redacted againe to his former servile estate that hee might learne obedience to his superiours by the heavie yoke of servile subiection In the ninth Session it is forbidden that Bishops should haue Leke-men to be masters of their house but onely some of their owne Clergie should be dispensators of their houshold affaires because it is written Thou shalt not plow with an Oxe and an Asse together By the way marke that nothing was so miserably abused at this time as testimonies of holy Scripture In the tenth Session the Monasteries lately builded in the Baetike Province were allowed and confirmed In the eleventh Session the Monasteries of Virgins are recommended to the over-sight of the Abbot governing the Monastery of Monkes with caveats that all appearance of evill should be providently eschewed In the twelfth Session one professing the heresie of Acephali compeared who denyed the distinction of two natures in Christ and affirmed that the divinity of Christ did suffer vpon the Crosse but he was seriously dealt withall and convicted by testimonies of holy Scripture and Fathers so that hee renounced his hereticall opinion and embraced the true faith and the whole Councell gaue thankes and praise vnto God for conuersion In the thirteenth Session there is a prolix refutation of the opinion of those who supposed that the two natures of Christ were confounded and that the divinity suffered Isidorus seemeth to be the compiler of this Treatise against Acephali given into the Councell of Hispalis and many do thinke that hee collected into one volume the Councels that preceded his time for he was a man more learned than his fellowes in his dayes IN the yeere of our Lord 639. and vnder the raigne of Sisenandus King of Spaine by the Kings commandement moe then 70. Bishops and Presbyters were convened in the towne of Toledo vpon occasion of diversity of ceremonies and discipline in the countrey of Spaine First they set downe a short confession of the true Faith which they ordayned to be embraced and kept Secondly that there should be an vniforme order of praying singing of Psalmes solemnities of Masses Euen-song seruice throughout al Spaine Gallicia like as they all professed one faith dwelt in one kingdome lest diuersitie of ceremonies rites should offend ignorant people make them to thinke that there was a schisme in the Church It was statuted and ordained That at least once in the yeere prouinciall Councels should be assembled and in case any controuersie should fall out in matters of Faith a generall Councell of al the prouinces of Spaine should be assembled Here let the judicious Reader marke that in processe of time almost all thinges are subject to alteration and Councels of old called Nationall now abusiuely begin to be called Generall The order of incomming of Bishops to the Councell sitting in the first place and of the Presbyters after them and sitting in a place behinde the Bishops and of Deacons who should stand in presence of Bishops and Presbyters is described at length in the third Canon That the Festiuitie of Easter or Pashe day should be kept vpon the day of Christes resurrection Concerning the diuersitie of rites vsed in Baptisme some vsing the ceremonie of thrise dipping in water others one dipping only It was thought most expedient to be content with one dipping because the Trinitie is so viuely represented in the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost that there is no necessitie by three dippinges in water to represent the Trinitie and for eschewing all appearance of schisme and lest Christians should seeme to assent vnto heretikes who diuide the Trinitie For all these causes it was expedient to keepe vniformitie in the ceremonies of Baptisme It was statuted and ordained That vpon Fryday immediately preceeding Easter day the doctrine of the suffering of Christ of repentance and remission of sinnes should be clearely taught vnto the people to the end that they being purged by the remission of sins might the more worthily celebrate the feast of the Lords resurrection and receiue the holie Sacrament of the Lords bodie and blood The custome of putting an ende vnto the fasting of Lent vpon fryday at nine a clocke as damned because in the day of the Lords suffering the Sunne was couered with darknesse and the elementes were troubled and for honour of the Lords suffering that day should be spent in fasting mourning and abstinence and he who spendeth any part of that day in banqueting let him be debarred from the Sacrament of Christs bodie and blood on Pashe day That the Tapers and Torches which shined in the church in the night preceeding the day of the resurrection should be solemnly blessed to the end that the mystery of the holy resurrection might be expected with consecrated lights Such voluntary seruice inuented by the braine of man had great sway at this time That in the day lie Church-seruice the Lords prayer vulgarly called Pater noster should be rehearsed because it is vsually called Oratio quotidiana that is a daylie prayer That Alleluiah be not sung in time of Lent because it is a time of mourning and humiliation vntill the dayes of resurrection be celebrated which is a time of ioy and gladnesse That after the Epistle a part of the Gospell should bee read That Hymnes and spirituall songes not contained in holy Scripture may be sung in the Church The song of the three Children shall be sung in all Churches of Spaine and Gallicia In the end of Spirituall songes it shall not be simply saide Glorie to the Father and to the Son c. but Glorie and honour to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit to the end that hymmes sung in earth may be correspondent to the song of the Elders in Heauen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apocal. 4.11 In Responsories if it be a matter of gladnesse the ende shall be Gloria c. and if it bee a matter of sadnesse the end shall be Principium c. The booke of the Apocalyps of Saint Iohn is declared to be a booke of Canonicke Scripture and to be preached in open audience of the Church betwixt Easter and Whitsonday It is forbidden that the holy Communion should be celebrated immediatly after the saying of the Lords Prayer but let the blessing bee first giuen and then let the Priestes and Leuites communicate before the Altar the Clergie within the Quire and the people without the Quire No man shall be promoted to the honour of Priesthood who is infamous who hath beene baptized in heresie who hath gelded himselfe who hath married the second wife or a
purpose to the ende hee may abolishe his sinnes by Almes-deedes for that is all one as if a man should hyre God to grant vnto him a libertie to sinne 37. Seeing all Canons of Councels are to be diligently read in speciall such as appertaine vnto faith and reformation of manners should bee most frequently perused 38. Bookes called Libelli Poenitentiales are to abolished because the erroures of these Bookes are certaine howbeit the authors of them be vncertaine and they prepare pillowes to lay vnder the heads of them who are sleeping in sinne 39. In the solemnities of the Masse Prayers are to bee made for the soules of them who are departed as well as for them who are aliue 40. Presbyters who are degraded liue like seculare men neglecting repentance whereby they might procure restitution to their office let them be excommunicated 41. A Presbyter who transporteth himselfe from his owne place shall not be receiued in any other Church except hee prooue both with witnesses and letters sealed with lead containing the name of the Bishop and of the Citie which he liued in that he hath liued innocently in his own Church and had a just cause of transportation 42. Let no Church bee committed to a Presbyter without consent of the Bishop 43. In some places are found Scots-men who call themselues Bishops they ordaine Presbyters Deacons whose ordination we altogether disallowe 44. Presbyters must not drinke in Tavernes wander in Markets nor goe to visite Cities without aduise of their Bishop 45. Many both of the Clergie Laickes goâ— to holy places such as Rome Turon imagining that by the sight of these places their sins are remitted and not attending to the sentence of Ierome It is a more commendable thing to liue well in Hierusalem than to haue seene Hierusalem 46. In receiuing the Sacrament of the bodie and blood of Christ great discretion is to be vsed Neither let the taking of it be long differred because Christ saith Except yee eate the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his bloud yee haue no life in you Neither let vs come without due preparation because the Apostle saith He who eateth and driâ—keth vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation 47. The Sacrament of the body blood of Christ which in one day is accustomed to be receiued of all Christians let no man neglect to receiue it except some grieuous crime doe hinder him from receiuing of it 48. According to the precept of the Apostle Iames Weake persons should be annointed with oyle by the Elders which oyle is blessed by the Bishop these words inclosed in a parenthesis are added to the Text for he saith Is any man sicke amongst you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray for him and annoint him with oyle in the Name of the Lord And the prayer of faith shal saue the sicke and the Lord shall raise him vp And if he haue committed sin it shal be forgiuen him I am cap. 5. vers 14.15 Such a medicine as cureth both bodily spirituall maledies is not to be neglected 49. In the Councell of Laodicea it was forbidden that Masses should bee said and Oblations offered by Bishops or Presbyters in priuate houses This question also was disputed in this Councell 50. The authoritie of the Emperour is to be interponed for reuerent keeping of the Lords day 51. Because the Church is constituted of persons of diuerse conditions some are Noble others are ignoble some are seruants vassalles strangers c. It becommeth them who are in eminent rowmes to deale mercifully with their inferiours knowing that they are their brethren because God is one common Father to both and the Church is one common mother to both From the 52. Canon vnto the 66. are contained precepts of chaste and honest liuing prescribed to Prioresses and Nunnes which I ouer-passe as I haue done in the preceeding Councels 66. It is ordained that prayers and supplications shall be made for the Emperour and his children and for their well-fare both in soule and bodie 67. These things haue we touched shortly to be exhibited to our Soueraigne Lord the Emperour Hee who desireth a more ample declaration of all vertues to be followed and vices to be eschewed let him read the volume of the holy Scriptures of God IN the same yeere of our Lord wherein the preceding foure Councels were conueened by the mandate of the Emperour Charles the Great another Councell was conneened at Arles The Canons of this Councell were in number 25. 1. They set downe a Confession of their Faith 2. They ordaine That Prayers shall bee made for the Emperour and his children 3. They admonish Bishops and Pastors diligently to reade the bookes of holy Scripture To teach the Lords people in all truth and To administrate the Sacraments rightly 4. Laick people are admonished not to remooue their Presbyters from their Churches without consent of their Bishops 5. That Presbyters be not admitted for rewards 6. It is ordained That Bishops shall attend that euery person liue ordinately that is according to a prescribed rule The 7. and 8. Canons belong to the ordering of Monkes and Nunnes The 9. Canon pertaineth to the payment of Tythes and first fruits 10. It is ordained That Presbyters shall preach the word of God not only in Cities but also in euery Parochin 11. Incestuous copulations are to be vâ—terly abhorâ—ed 12. Peace is to bleeâ— kepâ— with all men according to the words of the Apostle Follow peace and sanctification without theâ— which no man shall see God Heb. cap. 12. vers 14 1â— Let Lords Iudges and the rest of the people be obedient to their Bishop let 〈…〉 judgâ—ment be vsed and no bribes receiued nor false testimonie be admitted 14. In time of Famine let euery man support the necessitie of his owne 15. Let all weightes and measures be equall and just 16. Let the Sabboth day be kept holy without Markets Iustice Courtes and seruile labour 17. Let euery Bishop visite his boundes once in the yeere if he finde the poore to be oppressed by the violence of the mightie then let the Bishop with wholesome admonitions exhort them to desist from such oppression and in case they will not desist from their violence then let the Bishop bring the cause to the eares of the Prince 18. Let Presbyters keepe the Chrisme and giue it to no man vnder pretence of Medicine 19. Parentes and Witnesses shall bring vp baptized children in the knowledge of God because God hath giuen them vnto Parents and Witnesses haue pawned their word for their faith 20. Ancient Churches shall not be depriued of Tythes nor of none other possession 21. That the constitution of ancient Fathers shal be kept concerning Buriall in Churches 22. Ciuill Iudgment-seates shall not bee in Churches 23. The goods belonging vnto the poore if they bee bought let it bee done openly in sight of the Nobles
who were assessors to the Archbishop of Mentz departed from him fearing the rage of commoued people This Councell began with pride and ended with fury and tumult The Bishop of Mentz in great wrath departed to Helegenstad because he could hardly digest the repulse which he gat in the Councell IN the yeere of our Lord 1075. in the moneth of October a Councell was assembled at Mentz wherein the Bishop of Chur as Ambassador from the Pope Gregorie the seventh was present and straitly commanded the Bishop of Mentz vnder paine of deposition from his prelacie to proceed against married Priestes according to the Popes commandement The Bishoppe terrified with the Popes threatning convened a Synode at Mentz The married Priests finding that the Bishoppe againe was willing to execute the Popes vngodly commandement they left supplications which they had vsed in the Councell of Erfurde and with their hands and a vehement commotion of their bodies so terrified the Bishop of Mentz and the Popes Ambassadour that they were glad by flying to escape the danger of their life Not daring to assemble any mo Councels to that effect AFter this Pope Hildebrand in the lofty conceits of his proud and Antichristian heart intended to gather a Councel at Rome in the time of Lent And he gaue warning to the Emperour to compeare before him and to answer to such things as had bin obiected against him The Emperor thought it no time to slumber nor sleepe when this seditious Pope threatned to cut him off from the body of the Church if hee did not compeare before his Iudgement-seat Therefore the Emperour assembled all the Bishops of his kingdome to the number of 24. in the towne of Wormes Many Abbots also were present The question intreated in this Councell was concerning the deposition of Pope Hildebrand As they were devising concerning this purpose in the Councell Hugo Blancus a Cardinall came from Rome with letters from the Popes enemies with many accusations against him These were read openly in the Councell Hildebrand was accused of periury and ambition of avarice and of pride and they desired that Hildebrand might bee displaced and another seated in his roome The determination of the Councell was this that Hildebrand who called himselfe Gregorie the seventh a forclopen Monke an vsurper of the Popedome without consent of the Emperour and against his oath a false interpreter and wrester of holy Scripture a renter of vnity a man who mixed all divine and humane things so together that he polluted them both a man who heard the false accusations of vngodly people who in one cause would be an accuser a witnesse a Iudge and an enemy who separated husbands from their wiues and preferred whoredome to lawfull marriage who stirred vp the people against their Bishops and teachers who counted no man consecrated lawfully except hee had bought his Prelacie from his dependers and begged it from himselfe a seeker of popular applause and a deceiver of the people vnder colour of religion â— a man who like to Decius and the rest of the persecuting Emperours and worshippers of false gods vsurped both Empire and the Priesthood For all these forementioned causes the holy Emperour the Bishops and Senators and Christian people assembled with them decerned that Hildebrand should bee remooued from the Popedome and that the sheepe of Christ should not be committed to a Wolfe This decreet was subscribed by all the Bishops who were present at the Councell IN the yeere of our Lord 1076. another Councell was assembled at Triburia The Princes of Saxonie and Sweue came to the Councell with obstinate mindes setting their whole indeavours against the Emperour Henry the fourth He approached neere to the towne but the river of Rhene was interiected betweene them The Emperour in all submissiue manner promised to amend all the faults whereof they complained But their hearts being possessed with a superstitious favour to the chaire of Rome and being inclinable to sedition alteration of the State they returned a very hard answer to the Emperour wherein they made a commemoration of all his youthly infirmities and how their expectation of his amendment had often-times deceiued them But seeing their consciences witnessed vnto them that infirmities in Princes is no sufficient cause to shake off the yoke of their obedience Therefore in the end they pretend that in case they adhered any longer to him they were in danger to incurre the condemnation of their own soules because hee was excommunicated by the Apostolick chaire This Councell is like vnto a looking glasse wherein two things may bee evidently seene to wit the inconstancy of people and pride of the Roman Antichrist bearing downe the authority of Princes for desire of his owne advancement THe Pope had appointed a day of compearance to the Emperour to be iudged in Lent as hath beene declared heretofore This Councell was full of cursings flattering the Romanes and prodigall largition of money to those who followed the Pope For in this Councell Gilbertus Bishop of Ravenna was cursed The Emperour Henry the fourth was not onely cursed but also denuded of his Imperiall dignity as if the Bishop of Rome had power to conferre the kingdomes of the world to whom hee pleaseth The flattering words of the Pope to the Romane Nobles Senators and People are beyond all measure of moderation For hee called them the head of the world having power to conferre all spirituall and civill dignities to whom they pleased Like as 270. yeeres agoe they transferred the Empire from the Grecians to the Germanes And like as the Emperour may displace an vnworthy souldier even so a souldier may forsake an vnrighteous Captaine After this hee distributed to his followers 15000. talents of siluer and so by cursings flattery and prodigality hee bewitched the Romans and engaged them against the Emperour IN the yeere of our Lord 1080. the Emperour Henry the fourth assembled of Germany and Italy 30. Bishops in the towne of Brixia-Notice together with many Princes of his kingdome All these consented that Hildebrand should be deposed from his Popedome and Gilbertus Bishoppe of Ravenna should be placed in his roome because Hildebrand was a subuerter of Ecclesiasticall order a troubler of the Imperiall estate a perturber of peace stirring vp dissention among brethren contention among those who lived peacebly divorcement among married persons and had troubled every thing that was setled in godlinesse and peace The tenour of the Decree followeth We who are assembled together by the providence of God in Brixia decerne that Hildebrand that obstinate preacher of sacrilegious flames and burnings a defender of periuries and murthers a Sorcerer and Inchanter a man who calleth in question the true Faith concerning the body and blood of Christ. We say they decerne that such a man should bee deposed and expelled from the Popedome and except nee forsake it after intimation of this Decree that hee is to be condemned perpetually IN the yeere