that the Popes excommunication is not to bee feared and diuers things to the like effect for which he was persecuted by Pope Eugenius and in the end degraded and burnt at Rome Ex Antonin 3. part fol. 165. Nicholaus Clemangis an Arch deacon De annot non soluend In Italy Laurentius Valla a Roman Patrician Cannon of S. Iohn of Lateran Ex eius tractat contra Ementit Donat constat Petrus de Aliâ—â—â— Cardinall of Cambray Tract de reform eccles Leonardus Aretinus Ex eius libello in Hypocrit Nicholaus Pycennius an Italian Captaine Ex orat Arelacens in Concil Basil In Germany Antonius Cornelius Lynnichanus Ex orat ad cler Colon. de lubricitat sacerd Martyrs Henricus Grunfielder Henricus Ratgeber Iohannes Dracndersius Petrus Thoraw Matheus Hager of whom and the doctrine for which they suffered we may reade in Bali cent Martyrol p. 614. In Bohemia Iohn Hus Bachelor of Diuinity maintained as Articles in Prague against the Church of Rome in effect the same that we doe for which hee was called to the Councell of Constance where for persisting therein he was condemned and afterwards burnt Concil Constant Choclaeus Huss Hierome of Prague Mr of Arts seconded Iohn Hus in defence of the same doctrine and followed him in martyrdome Cocl ibid. 54 Noblemen of Morauia wrote to the Councell of Constance in defence of Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prague whose names together with their Letter are recorded Martyrol p. 587. A great part of the Kingdome of Bohemia forsooke the Pope claue to the doctrine which they had learned from Hus and Hierom. Cocle. ibid. Zisca a noble Bohemian with a great multitude of associates wage warre against the Papists and throw Images and Idols out of their Churches Coch. ibid. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1350 and. 1400. In England ROger VVimbleton whose learned Sermon against diuers points of Popery preached at Pauls Crosse Anno 1389 is extant Martyrolog pag. 503. Iohn VVickliffe publique Reader of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Oxford a famous learned man whose doctrine agreeing with ours may bee seene in his propositions recorded Martyrol pag. 414. This VVickliffe had many fauorites at that time especially Iohn of Gant and Henry Lord Percie the one of Duke of Lancaster the other Marshall of England Ibid. The Vniuersitie of Oxford pag. 408 and many in the Parliament Anno 43 of Edward 3 did adhere vnto him Ibid. The Letters of King Richard the third and the Acts of Parliament then declare that this doctrine was dayly preached in Churches and Churchyards at which were present great multitudes of people Anno 5. Rich. 2. c. 5. Martyrs VVilliam Santree Iohn Badbic Persecuted for the same Doctrine Philip Repington Nicholas Hartford William Thorpe Iohn Puruie Iohn Edwards William Swinderby diuers others Act. Mon in vit Rich Walter Brâ—â—â— Iohn Asâ—â—n Iohn â—eeker Iohn Seyâ—â—â— Dauid Cotray In France Gerardus a Deacon Henricus de Iota Henricus de Hassia 140 of those who adhered to the doctrine of the Albigenses were about this time put to death in the Prouince of Narbone Massae hist A great number more about this time were burnt in France for the like cause and were nicknamed Publicans Puritans Paterines Houedom hist Martyrol pag. 387. In Germany Taulerus a preacher of Argentine Iohannes Montziger Rector of the Vniuersitie of Vlme who openly in the schooles impugned the doctrine of Transubstanciation Martyrol p. 386. Conradus Hager Rhider About the yeare of our Lord 1390 thirty six Citizens of Mentz were burnt for the doctrine of the VValdenses and holding the Pope to be Antichrist and relying vpon the Scriptures and not vpon the traditions of the Church of Rome Bras Anal St. Martyrol p. 587. In Italy Nicholas Orem whose Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinals Anno 1546 fauoureth of our doctrine Extat Martyrol p. 382. Iohannes de Ganduno Andreas à Castro Dante 's Florentinus Franciscus Petrarcha Iohannes de rupe Scissa Iohannes de Castellione Iohannes de Poliaco In Bohemia Matthias Parisiensis a Bohemian by birth about the yeare 1370 wrote a booke of Antichrist prouing him already to bee come and that the Pope is the same Martyrol p. 586. Iacobus Milnensis Miletius The Vniuersitie of Prague in defence of VVickliffe ibid. 420 Peter Paine a Scholler of VVickliffe came into Bohemia brought with him VVickliffs bookes which were in quantitie as great as Saint Augustines workes Histor de Hus lib. 1. In Spaine Petrus de Corbaria Franciscus de Arcatara Florelog Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1300 and 1350. In England ARmachanus sometimes a Student in Oxford afterward Bishop of Armach and Primate of Ireland who before Pope Innocent the 8 his Cardinals disputed nine conclusions against the Friers Wickliffe in Trid. Besides that hee contested against diuers other abuses in the Popish Church Martyrol p. 378 for which he sustained diuers troubles by meanes of the Pope and his Cardinals Martyrol page 375. That there were diuers others about this time of that Religion here in England may appeare out of a book then compiled and entituled The complaint of the Ploughman Extat Martyrol p. 366. In France Philip the French King wrote a Letter of defiance against Boniface the 8. Nichol. Triuet William Nagaretta William Plesiano in the French Kings name solemnly protected against the Pope Martyr p. 314. The Nobles Prelates and Parliament of France censure the abuses of the Papacy ibid. p. 315. 318. 324. Rudo Duke of Bourgundy about the yeare 1348 disswadeth the French King from permitting in his Realme the Popes Decrees and Decretals whose sage counsell then giuen as yet remaineth among the French Kings Records Testatur Carol Molinaeus In Germany Gulielmus Ockam about the yeare 1326 wrote in defence of the Emperour Ludouicus against the Pope who wrote also diuers other Books in which he confuteth the vsurped Supremacie of the Pope and entring into mention of the Popes Decrees extrauagant declareth how little regard is to bee giuen thereto Iohn Sleid. lib. 4. Vlricus Hangenor Treasurer to the Emperor Ludouicus publiquely opposed himselfe against the Popes proceedings Martyrol p 358. Gregorius Ariminensis about the yeare of our Lord 1346 maintained the same doctrine of grace and free will which the Protestants at this day doe and dissented from the Papists and Sophisters counting them worse then Pelagians Ex Trithemio Petrus de Bruis who laid the Axe to the root of Popery and in set-Treatises opposed most of his documents Pap. Mess in Bonif. Luitpoldus Andreas Landensis In Italy Marsilius Patauinus in his booke entituled Defensor pacis held these conclusions 1 That the Pope hath none authority ouer other Bishops much lesse ouer the Emperour 2. That the Word of God ought to bee iudge in causes Ecclesiasticall 3 The Clergie and Pope ought to be subiect to Magistrates 4 That Christ is the
sanguine Domini for the which and other of his Positions contrarie to the opinion of the popish Church he was accused of the Pope for an Hereticke and at the last was murthered Iornal c. 171. Martyrol p. 130. Noetus and Werefrithus at the same time here in England were of the same opinions Ibid. In Germanie Huldericke Bishop of Ausburgh about the yeare 867. wrote an Epistle to Pope Nicholas the 1. prouing by substantiall reasons that Priests ought not to bee restrained from Marriage Ex tat haec Epist Martyrol p. 125. Illyric in Catal. Meminit etiam huius Epistolae Aeneas Siluius in sua perigr Germaniae descriptione The Bishop of Rauenna also about this time wrote against the Supremacie of the Bishp of Rome Anast in vit Nich. In Constantinople Michael the Emperour and Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople stoutly resisted the Popes supremacie in opposition of whom the Embassadors of Pope Adrian the 2. came to Constantinople where a Councell being gathered by Basilius against Photius great policie was vsed in that Councell to haue all things framed to the content of the Romish Bishop Michael was slaine Photius deposed and to his place Taratius a great defender of the adoration of Images is preferred Exopist Nich. ann Mich. Anastas in vit Nich. 1. Betweene the yeares 800. and 850. In England Iohn Mailros Claudius Clemens Two learned men of Scotlan sent by King Achaius to Charles King of France and the first professors of Learning in the Vniuersity founded in Paris These two were much disliked by the Prelates of the Romish Church because they would not assent to all the superstitions of that Church in an age so miserably deformed Patrick Symps hist of the Ch. 2. Booke cent 8. p. 386. In France Claudius Bishop of Tours opposed himselfe against the adoration of Images Inuocation of Saints Pilgrimage c. Ionas Aurel. de Cult Imag. Albertus Ballus a Bishop in France was Excommunicated by Pope Zacharie because hee held diuers things contrary to the Romish superstitions Hist Magd. cent 8. cap. 10. In Germanie Lotharius the Emperour reduced the Pope to the obedience of the Empire and sent three arch-Arch-Bishops twenty Bishops and diuers noble men to Rome who disputed against the Pope and confuted him Anastas vit Poâ—t 〈◊〉 Serg. 2. Betweene the yeares 750. and 800. Bertram that famous learned man very skilfull in the Scriptures and of a life vnblamable as Trithemius testifieth of him wrote a Bâ—oke about this time against Transubstantiation which booke is now extant Trithem Catul. script Alcwinus and the Bishops of England wrote an Epistle substantially grounded out of holy Scripture about this time to the French King against setting vp of Images and other popish practises Continuatio Bedae in ann 792. In Germanie Charles the great assembled a Counsell at Franckeford about the yeare 794. wherein was condemned the worshipping of Images Concil Fr. The same Charles also caused a booke to be made against the 2 Nicene Counsell where the worshipping of Images was decreed with another set forth by Ludouicus his Son to the same effect Both which are to bee seene at this day Rhegino Chron. 2. In Constantinople In the yeare of our Lord 755. and in the 13. yeare of the Raigne of Constantinus Copronymus a generall Councell of 338. Bishops were assembled at Constantinople in which Councell the worshipping of Images is condemned and the placing of them in Oratories and Temples was forbidden Zonar Tem. 3. p. 88. Betweene the yeares 700. and 750. In England Beda translated St. Iohns Gospel into English Malmsh Adelbartus Clemens These two here in England about this time preached against the Popes Supremacie Traditions Images Purgatorie Masses for the dead and in defence of Priests marriage Illyr Catal. test tom 1. p. 633. In Constantinople Philipicus Leo Isaurus Two Emperours of Constantinople opposed themselues against the Popes supremacie and the worshipping of Images Zon. tom 3. p. 84. Betweene the yeares 650. and 700. In England AIdan Finian Coleman Three Scottish Bishops Also Cutbertus Iurummanus Cedda Wilfridus of whom it is testified that they gaue themselues wholly to the preaching of the word and followed that life which they preached giuing good example to others that they abhorred the papall pompe and had many bitter controuersies with the Court of Rome Bed lib. 2.23 lib. 4 c. 3. Martyrol p. 110. In Constantinople About the yeare 681. and in the 12. yeare of Constantius Pagonatus a generall Counsell was held at Constantinople where was disanulled the Doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning prohibition of Marriage to men in spirituall offices as also it was ordained that the Patriarch of Constantinople should bee equall in authority with the Pope of Rome Sext. Synod Can. 13. Also it was forbidden to make the holy Ghost in likenesse of a Doue Caxanc in can 82. In Portugall In the Councell of Bracara there held about this time the Cup was appointed to bee ministred to the Laietie as well as the Bread in the Administration of the Sacrament against the practise of some who then vsed to dip the Bread and so to giue it which was one beginning of the halfe Communion Concil Bracaz 3.1 Betweene the yeares 600. and 650. In England MEllitus Brockmaile 1100. Monkes of Bangor not Monkes after the Popish order but liuing by the sweat of their browes and labour of their owne hands who were miserably slaine because they withstood the proceedings of Austin the Monke who from the Pope was sent ouer into England Polychus 20. Martyrol p. 107. In France Serenus Bishop of Marsils in France about this time opposed the popish bringing in of Images into the Churches and brake downe all the Images that that were set vp in his Diocesse Alphons v. Imago In Greece The whole Greeke Church complained at Phocas when first he gaue the Supremacie to Boniface Plat. Bonif. 3. Gregorie Bishop of Rome no lesse contesting against that Supremacie taxing the desire thereof as a Character of Antichrist Greg. Epist 32.34.38 39. Thus haue we traced the foot-steps of the Protestant Church 400. yeares and vpward before the Conquest of England by William Duke of Normandy a thousand yeares before Luthers time or the daies of Henry the eight and haue found our Religion professed and maintained by diuers persons and in sundrie places not only here in England but also in most parts of Christendome euen to the time when Poperie began to shew it selfe in her colours in the daies of Boniface the 3. of that name Bishop of Rome and Phocas the Emperour 2 Thes 2.7 At what time as that mysterie of iniquitie which began to worke in the Apostles dayes did gather head and display it selfe how easie it will bee for vs to deriue the succession hereof from an higher discent and to shew the continuance thereof from the Apostles time shall hereafter be made manifest In the meane while we will for a while looke backe vnto our
the Pope and his Clergie hee was driuen to recantation yet after his Death many adhered to his opinion Malsmb In Germanie HEnry the third Emperour withstood Hildebrand the Pope and his vsurped Supremacie Sigeb Chron. in anno 1077. Walenam Bishop of Mergburg Merian Scot. Sigefridus Archbishop of Mentz Martyrol pag. 161. The Councell of Wormes Aventin Anal. lib. 5. The Councell of Brixia about the yeare 1083. pronounced the Pope to bee deposed and withdrew themselues from his Authoritie Abbas vsb Martyrol pag. 164. In Italie NIcetus an Italian Abbot Benno Vgobaldus Leo. Iohannes Petrus Natro Theodinus Cardinals with diuers other Bishops Priests of Italie forsooke the Pope and adhered to the Emperour Auent Anal. lib. 5. Sygebert a Chronicle writer of those times taxeth the Popes Excommunication of Princes and absoluing their Subiects from obedience of noueltie and heresie Sygeb in anno 1088. And thus through Gods assistance wee haue traced out the footsteps of the Protestants Religion from Luther to Berengarius from the dayes of Henry the eight vnto the comming in of King William the Conqueror And wee haue found a cloud of witnesses in England France Germanie Italie Spaine Bohemia and diuers other Countries for the space almost of Fiue hundred yeeres successiuely professing and maintayning the same whereby wee may plainly see that our Religion was long before Luther and that they were not all Papists that liued in the Christian world before Luthers dayes as the Papists foolishly doe traduce Now let vs follow the same tract a little higher and make enquirie whether we may not finde the same in the Elder dayes and in the yeares of former Generations euen to the time in which Poperie first began and before the hatching of the same which by the like assistance of Almighty God I doubt not to performe in that which followeth But now for a while in the next ensuing Centuries we shall I confesse behold the Church of Christ like the Sunne obscured in a cloud Popery being about this time in the height of her Pride Reuel 17.2.14 When the Kings of the earth gaue their power and strength vnto the Beast and the Nations were drunken with the Cup of that Babilonish Strumpet Besides that euen as our Aduersaries themselues acknowledge those times were barren and obscure times because there were few good Writers in those times which did Record the occurrents of the times And therefore there cannot be expected so large Catologue in these as wee haue either in the dayes before or in these latter Times Yet blessed be the name of the Lord he hath not left himselfe without witnessesse euen in these most obscure times But there we may meet with diuers who followed the same way and professed the same Truth which we Protestants now doe as may appeare by the Induction following Betweene the yeares 1000. and 1050. In England Marianus Scotus an Historiographer who liued in the daies of King Edward the Confessor and spared not in his writings to reproue the practise of Papists in those daies Maxian Scot. hist Martyrol p. 149. Vnder the raigne of King Canutus although superstition did in this land wonderfully abound yet diuers points of the Protestants religion as Iustification by Faith obedience in all sorts of people to Magistrates in the same manner as we now hold them was then professed as may appeare by Canutus his Lawes Martyrol p. 148. ex Iornal hist In France Luthericus an Archbishop in France about this time denied the reall presence in the Sacrament Baron Ann. 1004. n. 5. Glaber Rodulphus wrote how that the Bishop of Rome should haue nothing to doe in another mans Diocesse The which he also saith was the opinion of all the French Prelats Hesp lib. 2. c. 9. Quem refert Baronius In Germanie Rodulphus Ardens Preached against the popish opinion of Merits as appeareth out of his Homilie Dominic in Septuagint and in his 1. Hom. in Dominic Trin. The same Rodulphus Ardens also taught that there is no abilitie in vs to keepe the Law As may appeare out of his 2. Hom. in 18. dom Trinit Betweene the yeares 950. and 1000. In England The Cleargie of England in a Councell held 975. withstood Dunstans prohibition of Priests Marriage Hen. lib. 5. Fatholdus whom some call Ethreredus a learned man of Scotland so euidently by Scriptures and Fathers proued that Marriage was lawfull to men in spirituall offices that Dunstans Miracle was reputed an illusion of the Deuill Hist Magdeb. cent 10. c. 9. Aelfricus Archbishop of Canterburie about the yeare 996. wrote an Epistle to Wolfine Bishop of Shirburne against the housling of the Sacrament And another Epistle to Wolstan Archbishop of Yorke against Transubstantiation Which with a Sermon of his in the Saxon tongue are extant Martyrol p. 1040. 1401. 1042. In France Fulco Archbishop of Rhemes vttering his minde freely in a Councell held at Rhemes vnder the Raigne of Carolus Simplex against the abuses of the Court of Rome and for seeking reformation of the Church was slaine in that Counsell by Vinemarus Ex Rhem. Concil Luitprandus a famous Historiographer in the daies of Otho the 1. wrote against the Pope Epist Luitpr ad Reginomundus Episc Hisp In Germanie Otho the Great Deposed Pope Iohn the 13. and assumed into his owne hands the nomination and making of Popes which was a manifest resistance against the growth of the primacie Sigon lib. 7. ann 963. Theophilact is thought to haue liued about this time he was Bishop of Bulgaria and wrote Greeke Commentaries vpon the Euangelists c. Hee said Antichrist should spring in the decay of the Roman Empire and of Marriage that it was honourable and a step to the Chaire of a Bishop Theophilact Betweene the yeares 900. and 950. In England The English Clergie about this time were very peremptorie against the Reall presence Osbernun vit St. Oden Martyrol p. 1029. The Lawes of King Athelstan and of King Edward the Elder doe plainely shew that the Kings of England at that time gouerned as well in causes Ecclesiasticall as ciuill Extract è legibus Rex Athelst Martyrol p. 1039. In France Reynerus confesseth that about this time there were in France diuers of the Predecessors of the Abbigenses which euen in those daies held their opinions Illyr tom 2. c. 5. p. 548. In Germanie The booke entituled Fasciculus temporum complaineth of the manifold abuses which about this time were in the Church of Rome which caused diuers of the Germans to write and to inueigh against the same Fascic temp p. 68. Betweene the yeares 850. and 900. In England KIng Alfred caused the Psalter and diuers other parcels of holy Scripture to be translated into the English tongue that the English might be the better acquainted with the same Gulielm de Regiby Angl. Iohannes Scotus a great learned man was famous about this time he wrote a Booke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and an other De corpore
if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12 13. why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aequis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people Bell. de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coâ—ter Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 but of many it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visibl of the Church D. Field of the Church D. Whites way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellar. not ecclâ—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bâ—z sign eccles lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 21. but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.57 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent periph hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul-times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Campian Bell. de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isleben in Saxony Massâ—â— lib. 2â— Casp pencer l. 5. Abbat Vsperg Iob. Sleidun Martyrol Anglic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh
head of the Church and that hee neuer appointed any Pope to be his general Vicar 5 That the mariage of Priests is lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodorensis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesiae wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallus borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hâ—siad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp reprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before â—â—m and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scuruie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of the Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile woe to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensit Rudicenus Rhathenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Inuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about