burned aliue giuing to vnderstand that which he had done of the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord that is the decree of Transubstantiation whereof Hildebrand commanding Counsell of a certaine thing as of old the Painims did of their Idols hee cast the Hoast into the fire because it gaue him no answere though the Cardinalls spake against it Thus farre Benno a Cardinall Note a beginning of the fruits of that cursed decree of Transubstantiation applied vnto charmes and inchantments Moreouer as he rose vp from his seate to excommunicate the Emperor Henry the fourth the seate lately made of new and strong wood of it selfe brake into many peeces in terrible manner Benno He decreed single life to the Clergie where-about hee moued maruellous tragedies yet in Almaine and in Fraunce were twenty foure Bishops and more which together with their Clergie were married and defended and constantly maintained their marriage He commanded the vowe of Chastitie hee ordayned the offering of the Masse He was deposed and fled to Salerne An. 1086. where he died in exile Abb. Vesp Benno Balenus poisoned Clement the third was chosen Ante-pope to Gregorie the seauenth so were two Popes together sixeteene yeares he sate three yeares and fiue moneths Plat. Victor the third was made Pope not by election of Cardinalls nor people of Rome but was there inthronized by Mathilde Gregories louer onely and the Normans of that faction hee sate foure moneths He entred and intended to follow the example of his predecessour Gregorie in mouing of warres and against the Emperour and Pope Clement he died of poison which was put into the Challice by his Subdeacon as he sung Masse Herman Contract Carsulan praemonst 1086. Vrban the second chosen by Mathilde onely against the will of the Emperour sate twelue yeares foure moneths and nineteene dayes He was Hildebrands familiar he watred caused to grow his pernitious seeds He excommunicated the Archbishop of Rauenna and Clement the third because he had bin chosen by the Emperour some call him the Perturber of the World He would absolue none excommunicated by Hildebrand and fearing to fall into danger of his life he went secretly out of the Towne and celebrated many Synods at Melph two at Troy three at Plaisance foure at Cleremont fiue at Toures in which he confirmed the acts of Hildebrand and made new Ecclesiasticall ordinances to fortifie the Papacy This Pope cursed the Emperour and the Ante-pope Clement and he him againe Hee heard Anselme against William Rufus 1088. Paschal the second sate eighteene-yeeres and sixe moneths and seauen dayes He followed the steppes of Hildebrand He imployed all his time in warres he put from their dignities all Ecclesiasticall persons which had been ordained by the Emperor He assembled a Counsell at Rome 1101. because of an opinion of a Bishop of Florence touching Antichrist already borne Sabellicus Seeing so many mischiefes committed in the Church he prohibited Ministers marriages Hee renewed the excommunication of Gregory the seauenth and Vrban the second against the Emperour Henry the fourth causing the sonne to take vp Armes against his father an inhumane and horrible crueltie The sonne most vnnaturally besieged his father tooke him traiterously dispoiled him of all his Imperiall dignities and made him die a poore miserable man in great captiuitie and heauines and all at the instigation of Christs pretended Vicar Yet this Papall monster not appeased with his death commanded by his Letters that his body should be vnburied and cast out of the Church c. and to be depriued for fiue yeeres of Sepulture Euseb Chron. Hee dispoyled the Archbishop of Rauenna of his lands applying them to his owne profit and after commanded the Archbishop of the same place to be taken vp who had beene chosen Pope by the Emperour in the time of Gregory the seuenth sixe yeares after hee had laid in the Sepulchre The Emperor and the Pope accorded yeelding to Henry the fift inuestitures but after he reuoked it and excommunicated the Emperour But the Emperour comming to Rome the Pope fled to Apulia where he dyed Anno 1114. Gelasius the second sate one yeere and six months was chosen without the Emperor he was imprisond by Cinthius a great man of Rome but he was deliuered by the people the Emperor sent his Armie to Rome The Pope fearing fled to Gayette The Emperor created another Pope called Gregorie the eight the eighteenth Schisme of two Popes Gelacius condemned the Emperour and the Ante-pope R. Barus Gelacius came secretly to Rome hee was knowne and hardly escaped into France Supp Chron. 1118. He dyed of a plurifie at Clugni where he was buried Calixt the second sate fiue yeeres he was chosen by the Cardinalls The Ante-pope came against him He was ouercome in battell and being taken by Pope Calixt hee was set vpon a Cammell his face towards the taile and so made him goe and after imprisoned him Iohn le Maire Fasc temporum 1119. Honorius the second sate fiue yeares and two moneths Arnulph Archbishop of Lions had at that time a singular grâ—ce in preaching and after he had preached in 〈◊〉 and came to Italie he came to Rome but because hee rebuked too sharpely the vices delights and pompes of the Church-men hee was slaine The Pope seemed to be grieued at it yet made he no great search for the murtherers Plat. Sabellicus Bonifac. Simo. This Popes Legate Iohn was taken in bed with a whoore at London Grafton Innocent the second sate foureteene yeeres hee warred against Roger the Norman but Innocent was ouerthrowne in battell and led away prisoner while he was in prison the Romans elected another but Innocent agreeing with Roger hee was constrained to goe into France for succour where he held two Counsells after he returned towards the Emperour who promised his aide and so he returned into Italie Anaclete the Antepope hearing thereof stole away all the treasure and reliques of the Church to wage them which were of his band He dyed with griefe and his Cardinalls craued pardon Thus two Popes continued sixe yeeres 1136. Celestine the second sate fiue months and eight daies he died of the pestilence Lucius the second sate one yeere hee willing to take away the dignity of the Patritian died of the pestilence Supp Chron. Fasci temporum Eugenius the third sate eight yeeres hauing excommunicated certaine Romans hee was constrained to flee into France 1145. comming againe he was honourably receiued but he soone after dyed at Tyber going to recreate himselfe Hee was brought to Rome and buried in the Temple of Saint Peter Supp Cron. 1145. Saint Bernard against the impietie of the Popes and the Ecclesiasticall sort see his 67. Sermon where he calleth them the Ministers of Antechrist Item 57. in his booke to Eugenius Item in the 33. Sermon vpon the Canticles he often saith that Prelates are but Pilats He reproueth Eugenius that leauing the word of God hee aduanced humane Traditions And Hugo Cardinalis in his Postill vpon Saint Iohn
sedition burst out This Pope renewed the hatred of his predecessour Pius the fift against Queene Elizabeth of England First by sending his great Armada into Ireland then by sending Parry and others This Pope had his Concubine before hee was Pope and after hee was Pope by whom he had two little sonnes which sayd vnto him such graces as made him laugh Philippicus his sonnes grace was That the Pope his Father gaue him fiue thousand crownes a yeere M. Cyp. Volater He died at Rome Aprill 11. 1585. Sixtus the fift sate sixe yeeres This Foelix so called before being a poore mans sonne was brought vp by a Gentlewoman so long as he grew proude then shee caused him to be beaten Then hee fled to Rome and the Pope tooke him into seruice at the length he made him a Cardinall and by his good friends in Spaine hee was made Pope M. Cyp. Volater One day talking of his meane birth he said he came of an illustrious house for said he the vpper part of the house being alwayes torne and vncouered the Sunne made it most glorious with his beames See Antonius Caracalla De vitis Pontificum This Pope excommunicated the King of Nauarre and Condie giuing his Countrey to such as could get it declaring him vncapable of the succession of the crowne of France He approued a Nunne called Maria de Visitatione who long deluded the people She grew so famous as the king of Spaine inquired of her his good successe for England 1588. Shee promised good successe and that Duke Medina Generall she pronounced openly should returne a victorious Prince So prosper all Gods enemies But the next yeere after all her holinesse false miracles and great dissimulations were soone found out and she punished for the same See M. Cyp. Volater The most Christian Prince of Condie whom the Pope excommunicated and cursed was poysoned The king of France whom hee also excommunicated with many threats was slaine by a Iacobine Frier in his priuy-chamber vnder colour of deliuering a letter out of his sleeue he drew forth a poysoned knife out of his sleeue wherewith he killed him D. Chytreus 1589. No Religion will stay the Papists The Pope at Rome made an Oration in the commendation of this Frier comparing him with Eleazer and Iudith and not thus satisfied he denyed any honour to be made at his buriall or any man to pray for him This Pope died the seauen and twenty of August 1590. He made many new Holidayes M. Cyp. Volater Vrban the seuenth sate twelue daies There happened a great earthquake vpon the day of his Election at Vienna and Austria The next day after his election he fell sicke and determined to remoue his Court to the hill of Quirinus a better ayre but hee tarried because it was against the custome to goe abroad before hee was crowned But he dyed the twelfth day after Arthur Cicer. Gregorie the foureteenth sate tenne moneths and ten dayes hee was proclaymed by the high Court of Parliament Chalnut and Toures an enemy to the common peace and to the vnion of the Catholique Religion and to the king and his royall seate adherent to the conspiracie of Spaine a fauourer of Rebells guilty of the most cruell most inhumane and most detestable death of Henry the third most Catholique King Againe an Act was made against the Popes Bulles hee dyed of a quartane feuer He was troubled with a continuall flux which he had Arthur Cicer. 1591. Innocent the ninth sate two moneths and odde dayes and died being threescore and ten yeeres of age so that in the space of foureteene moneths foure Popes dyed Sixtus Vrban Gregorie Innocent as it is to be thought the most or all died of poyson for Bazutus is not dead that killed sixe Popes with poyson See the life of Damasus the second 1591. Clement the eight sate nine yeeres The Earle of Fuentes practized with Lopus and promised 50000. crownes to poyson Queene Elizabeth Hee also dealt with Emmanuel Adrian to kill the King of Fraunce with the odious smell of a poysoned rose Da. Chytreus 1594. Iohn Castill a Scholler of the Iesuites strucke the King of Fraunce with a knife but the King stouping to take vp the Lords before him hee strucke out one of his teeth and was apprehended c. The King after two yeeres intreating the Pope was receiued into the lappe of the Church and declared Christian King of France with condition to receiue the Counsell of Trent and to remoue the young Prince of Condie from the company of Hereticks That he should restore the reuenews and goods taken from the Bishops and Abbeys and testifie his conuersion to the Catholique Princes c. Da. Chytreus The Pope discontented at Caesar Est who enioyed the Empire after the death of the Emperour Rodolph whom he declared his heire in his life time strucke him with the Thunder-bolt of Excommunication and made warre vpon him Caesar Est Duke of Ferrara the matter being taken vp yeelded Ferrara to the Pope who vnited it to the Popedome Pope Clement made thirteene Cardinalls amongst whom was Rob. Bellarmine Iesuite 1599. This yeere 1600. Richard L. Bishop of London with two other Commissioners Doctor Parkins and Doctor Swale were sent in Embassage to Embden to treate with the Commissioners from the King of Denmarke and returned the eight of Iuly following 1600. Paul the fift renewed the Index expurgatorius wherein is contayned MERCVRIVS GALLO-BELGICVS The humble supplication of Roger Widdrington an English Catholique vnto the most holy Lord Pope Paul the fift Item a little Booke tituled Marcus Anthonius de Dominicis Archbishop of Spalato with others Now to conclude this point by recapitulation The Popes that claime to be Peters Successors you see they neither succeed in place as hath beene proued for sixe or seuen Popes sate at Auignon about fourescore yeres nor in manner of liuing as by their owne Chronicles with others doe appeare for some were couetous Couetous Boniface the eight Calixt the third Iohn the twenty three Boniface the ninth Proude Bennet the twelfth Adrian the fourth Celestine the third Innocent the fourth Alexander the third Gregory the thirteenth Clement the fift sixt seauenth Boniface the eight Paul the second Iohn the three and twenty Ambitious as may be seene since about fiue hundred yeeres after Christ when they laboured for superioritie Policarp Bishop of Ierusalem Misda Bishop of Rome Iohn Bishop of Constance Pelagius Bishop of Rome Iohn Bishop of Constance opposed by Gregorie the great and Iohn the third Bishop of Rome See fol. 6. Blasphemers Leo the third Iohn the thirteenth Iulius the third Leo the tenth Heretickes Leo the seauenth Boniface the eight Iohn the twenty three Eugenius the fourth Schismatickes as two yea three Popes together some two yeeres sixeteene yeeres sixe yeeres twenty yeeres thirty nine yeeres seuen yeeres thirteene yeeres See Alexander the second third and sixt Hildebrand Paschalis Calixt the second Honorius the second Innocent the second Bennet the thirteenth Three
granted to Rome the choyce of two Senators of the Nobilitie and excommunicated Paliolagus Emperour of Greece He tooke the Cencubine of his predecessour Nicholas but lest such an accident might happen him as did vnto others namely that if he had a childe it should be like vnto a Beare he commanded all the Beares which had beene paynted in the Pallace by a Pope of the house of the Vrsins should be defaced For he knew well that the figure of things vpon which women thinke when they conceiue oft-times is certainely imprinted in them The. Cooper Abridgement of Chron. But as once hee was taking his ordinary refection with his Captaines he was taken with a secret mallady whereof he died See Cusalanus Honorius the fourth sate two yeeres he excommunicated Peter King of Aragon who then occupied the kingdome of Sicilie against Charles and confirmed the Edict of his Predecessour against him Thus they succeed one another in cruelty he confirmed the Sect of August He died 1288. Nicholas the fourth sate foure yeeres and one month Naucler Some say six yeeres Many cruell warres murthers dissentions and brawles in his time happened in Rome vpon his occasion giuing more countenance to the one part then to the other and this continued two yeeres Fasci temporum Nicholas died of griefe because all things happened not after his wish 1291. Celestine the fift sate two yeeres and fiue moneths he went about the reformation of the Clergie they grinding their teeth at him called him Sot and Dotard one of these companions killed Benet suborned another who making a cranny in his chamber many nights cryed as it had beene an Angell from heauen Gelestine Gelestine renounce thy Papacy for that charge exceedeth thy force Some also in the day time counselled him to giue ouer his Popedome and prouide for his saluation Note wee here that Rome cannot abide to heare of reformation As he returned from Naples he dismissed himselfe of that charge c. See Christian Massius yet first hee made a constitution by all their consents That it should be lawfull for a Pope to giue ouer such a charge which Boniface his successour subtilly confirmed and placed it in the sixt booke of his Decretalls But this Boniface fearing that the people despising him should cleaue vnto Celestine caused him to be put in close prison where he dyed 1295. Boniface the eight sate eight yeeres and nine moneths He obtained the place as before by fraud and violence to his predecessour Celestine This is he of whom it is spoken that hee entred as a Foxe reigned as a Lion and died as a Dogge He was a terrour to Emperours Kings and Princes Nations and People which he more respected then Religion which gaue and tooke away kingdomes at his pleasure extraordinarily thirsting after gold from all places He was also cruell against the dead for he caused a godly man buried twenty yeeres before to be taken out of his graue and burnt for heresie as he decreed His pride and arrogancie was so hatefull to Princes as Philip King of France to bring vnder his pride made forces against him inuaded him priuily in the night at Anagni and breaking downe the gates tooke him in his fathers house and carried him to Rome prisoner where through griefe of minde he died thirtie fiue dayes after and all his goods and treasure went to pillage Platin. Iohn de la Maire On Ashwednesday he gaue Ashes vnto the people of Genes and Porchat the Archbishop of the Towne presented himselfe before him and vnderstanding that hee was of the Gebellins whom he hated hee being on his knees vncouered respecting neither day nor place people or religion in his malice he cast an handfull of ashes in his eies abusing Scripture said Remember that thou art a Gebelline and that with Gebelius thou shalt be brought to ashes and strait depriued the Archbishop of his dignity though after he restored him Platina Crinis Cor. Abb. 1295. Benet the eleuenth sate eight moneths hee was a good man and studied for concord hee contemned Friers reuoked Bonifaces Decrees Comming to Peruse he there fell sicke and dyed But it was after proued that a certaine Abbesse presented vnto him poysoned figges whereof hee dyed and Leander affirmeth hee dyed of poyson 1304. Clement the fift sate at Auignon eight yeeres and tenne moneths hee was enthronized at Lyons in the Church of Saint Iust with a mighty concourse of the Cleargie and all estates But their great pompe was mixed with great mourning for as an innumerable multitude were mounted vpon an olde wall of Saint Iust the sayd wall fell and slew Duke Iohn of Brittaine The King was there wounded and the Pope throwne ouer his horse and troden vnder foote where he lost a rich Carbuncle out of his triple Crowne esteemed at sixe thousand florens of golde Pride must haue a fall besides more then twelue other noble persons were there wounded and dyed These things done the King departed and the Pope made his residencie at Auignon This Pope kept his Roman Court not at Rome but at Auignon where it abode by the space of seauentie three yeeres before it returned to Rome See Iohn le Maire Hee sent three Cardinalls to gouerne Rome This Clement was a publique whoore-monger and a great maintayner of harlots Chron. Herm. Paralip Vesp He gaue to them that offered themselues against the Turke foure soules out of Purgatory at their will Agrippa de vanitat This Pope commanded the Angells to carry into the ioyes of Paradice and draw out of Purgatory the soule of him whosoeuer should die in the way going in pilgrimage to Rome moreouer that the paines of hell shall no way be inflicted vpon them In a Bull which is kept by Coppy at Vienna and Limego at this day Agrippa de vanit Scient Hee condemned them that would not worship the bread of the Eucharist He ordained That the oathes deliuered to Princes were not oathes of subiection but of fidelity Hee ordayned a feast instituted in the honour of the bread in the Eucharist which the Papists call Gods feast Hee pronounced that the Reliques of Saints ought to be greatly honoured Finally he being tormented with a fluxe of the belly and paine of the stomacke and sides he deceased in a Castle called Rocquemaure vpon Bosue 1314. Behold here how humane traditions doe increase instead of the word of God Iohn the three and twentith sate nineteene yeeres and foure moneths Hee condemned the Constitutions of Nicholas Deer 6. tit 12. He made a Constitution against Friers Minors he taught certaine errours amongst others that soules so soone as they were dispoyled of the bodies should not see God before the last Iudgement Massius witnesseth his father had so taught him before He writ to the Grecians that there was but one Church whereof hee was chiefe and the Vicar of Iesus Christ The Grecians answered Wee beleeue surely that thy power is very great ouer thy subiects we cannot indure thy extreame pride
the Popes doctrine and condemned that of the Gospel The Pope was besieged a long time with his Cardinalls in the Castle of Saint Angelo hee was taken prisoner by Charles Emperour and was ransomed with our money from England at 40000. ducats At Berne hee held a Disputation wherein Swinglius Bucer Cappo and Blaurer vanquished by Scripture the aduerse part Finally they confirmed by the authoritie of the Magistrates through all their land the sayd Articles abolished the Masse and threw downe Images and Altars Rome was sacked by the Emperour more miserably then euer by Gothes and Vandalls The Pope dyed in the end of September of a disease in the stomacke Others thinke he was poysoned by the smell of a Torch See Iohn Paptist Fulgentius 1534. Paul the third sate fifteene yeeres King Henry the eight banished the Popes authoritie who challenged to be Supreame head of the Church of England Fisher Bishop of Rochester and Thomas Moore Chancellour were beheaded because they would not agree to the Kings Edict This Paul was an Astrologian a Magitian and a Diuine Hee had a familiar one Denis Senila a Magitian whom hee made Cardinall with one Gaurice of Portugall Cecius and Mercell Negromancers and wicked villaines Of these hee did inquire the fortunes of himselfe and of his bastards Hee had a Sister called Iulia Fernese which hee gaue to Pope Alexander to be Cardinall and Bishop of Hostia which hee obtained for these are good prises or their younger brethren to maintaine their whooredomes or that which is worse See Agrippa This muttherer poysoned his mother and nephew that al the succession of the Ferneses might fall vpon him Hee had another sister whose carnall company hee sometime had but because she loued others company more then his hee poysoned her also He defloured another maid of a noble house pretending to be a Gentleman of the Legats and promised marriage who finding the truth she ranne madde Againe one Nicholas de Chesme finding him one day adulterously abusing his wife Laurea Fernese who was also the said Paules neece hee wounded so well with his dagger as he carried the markes to his graue Moreouer this good father Paul tooke his pleasure with his daughter Constance and poysoned her husband He also had in his Table the number of 45000. whores of whom he exacted euery moneth tribute to haue liberty to exercise their whoredome See Baleus and Eusebius captiue Hee cursed King Henry the eight and gaue his kingdome to whomsoeuer could get it He gaue leaue by an Indulgence to communicate the Lords Supper vnder both kindes and to eate all manner of meates at all times The Ministers of the Lantzgraues Countrey refused the Indulgence Estate of the Church He ordained the Counsell of Trent the first of Nouember 1542. The Pope dyed the tenth of Nouember Iulius the third sate fiue yeeres Because of auncient custome the Pope might giue his red Hatre to whom he would he made Cardinall a young boy called Innocent The Cardinals being against it asked what he saw in this young man that deserued it Hee answered I pray you what found you in me to doe me this honour to make me Pope without any desert Aduaunce this young man and he will merit it He was a ribbald and a mighty blasphemer he loued Swines flesh his Steward and Physitian sayd it was not good for the gout He cryed out Bring me my porke flesh All di spitto di Deo that is In despite of God At another time for his Peacocke detayned being very angry c. hee sayd If God were so angry for an Apple as to cast our first Parents out of Paradise wherefore should it not be lawfull for me that am his Vicar to be angry for a Peacock better then an Apple He had three bowles at feasts for euacuation Estate of the Church Marcellus the second sate twenty dayes he was President of the Counsell of Trent where he put out Iames Nichiantes Bishop of Fossa Claodia because hee would not allow Traditions to be receiued and allowed with like reuerence as the Gospell Also Guillam de Venice sayd that the Counsell of Venice was aboue the Pope and Vergerius was also put from the Counsell because he denyed the Legend of Saint George and Saint Christopher to be true which he proued from Paul the third for he hath commāded that both these Legends should be taken out of the Breuiarie and commanded that all such should be taken out which were not true Hee died of the Iaundise the 20. day after his election 1555. Paul the fourth sate foure yeeres two moneths and twenty seauen dayes This Pope inuented a new sect of Monks and called them Iesuites Before he was Pope hee writ a Booke vnto Paul the third touching the reformation of the Church but being Pope hee cared neither for Iesus Christ nor for his Church In his book he confirmeth almost all the points we vse to reprehend in Poperie He grieued the people of Rome because of his warres and exactions that scarce had hee yeeleded vp the spirit but the Roman people whihc wished death vnto him because of his warres and exactions and tyrannies broke the prisons of the Inquisitions deliuered the prisoners fired the whole building threw downe the Popes Image cutting off the head and right hand thereof which were drawne three dayes together thorow the Towne and then cast into Tyber Hee kept openly a Gentlemans wife Hee vsed to eate Snailes and to drinke strong wine called Magnagarra for lust Hee died in bed with his whoore 1565. Estate of the Church Pius the fourth sate sixe yeeres Hee caused to be strangled the fift of March 1561. in the night in Saint Angelo the Cardinall Charles Caraffe He beheaded also in another prison the County of Palliane and certaine other Cardinalls shewing their bodies the next day vnto the people He cited the Queene of Nauarre because of the profession of the Gospell to answer in the Popes Consistorie and for want of appearance within sixe moneths her Countrey to be giuen to the next Conqueror The fourth of December was ended the Counsel of Trent 1563. which from the beginning to the ending continued eighteene yeeres wherein all the Articles of Popish doctrine were confirmed The eight of September Pius the fourth died Pius the fift sate sixe yeeres Iohn Functius a learned Chronographer amongst all of our time was beheaded because he with other Preachers of the Gospell were against the dreames of Osiander The Pope sent a great Present to the Duke of Alua as a recompence of so great paynes he had taken to maintaine the Popedome He sent his roaring Bull of Basan against Queene Elizabeth 1571. Gregorie the thirteenth sate thirteene yeeres The Pope by adding of tenne dayes in October so as for the fift they should reckon fifteene This to eternize the Popes name was called the Gregorian Kallender The Pope dayly vrged the performance of his Kallender in Germany D. Chytreus 1585. Whereupon presently
A LOOKING-GLASSE FOR PAPISTS To see their owne Deformities in matters of Faith and Religion And for formall Protestants to make them more carefull of the true profession of IESVS CHRIST lest at any time they fall away from the sinceritie of the Gospell of Christ With a briefe History of the Popes liues from the first three hundred yeeres after Christ vntill Paul the fift Of Babylon There came a voyce from heauen saying Come away from her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes lest ye be partakers of her plagues Reu. 18. 4. Printed at London by T. S. for Nathaniel Newbery 1621. TO HIS COVNTRIMEN the Papists in ENGLAND R. W. wisheth all encrease of knowledge in Spirituall things with a desire to know the Truth and power of CHRIST crucified BRETHREN my hearts desire with Paul and earnest prayer to God for you is that you might be saued For of many of you I may say You haue a zeale but not according to knowledge whom I chiefly pitty But I can not so say of many who with-hold the truth in vnrighteousnesse their consciences daily accusing them that they striue against the light which shineth in darknesse namely the word of God which is a Lanterne vnto our feete and a light vnto our paths to direct vs in all doubts and difficulties in matters of saluation The want of the knowledge whereof is the maine cause of all errour as sayth our Sauiour Christ Math. 22. 29. Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures c. Againe Iohn 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them yee haue eternall life and they are they that testifie of me But indeede the god of this world euen the Diuell and Sathanas who knoweth that his kingdome is assaulted by them and finally shall be ouerthrowne by this breath of his mouth laboureth by all possible meanes to stoppe the course thereof And therefore hath set his Agent the Pope on worke to take from you the knowledge thereof to the end to keepe you in the darkenesse of Idolatrie and superstition that so his king dome may be continued and increased amongst the chilaren of vnbeleefe Else why hath hee caused the Scriptures in our mother tongue to be publiquely burnt and the owners of such Bookes held and condemned for heretickes and their bodies also consumed with fire Againe why doth hee deliuer the small portions or fragments of Scripture which hee vseth in his Lythâ—rgie vnto the people in an vnknowne tongue Teaching them also to pray in Latine which they vnderstand not whereas the Apostle 1 Cor. 14. 19. sayth I had rather in the Congregation speake fiue words to edification then tenne thousand words in a strange tongue verse 11. and 16. how shall they that occupy the roome of the vnlearned say Amen at the giuing of thankes And againe verse 23. If one come in vnlearned will he not say yee are out of your wittes c. See the whole Chapter Notwithstanding the Pope as the Diuels instrument hath taken from you the vse of your owne language in Gods seruice preâ—ended the fountaine of liuing water I mean the Scriptures and haue digged pits that will holde no water I meane their owne decrees traditions and constitutions which they put vpon the people instead of the word of God as a rule of life to be obserued and kept vpon paine of the Popes curse Beloued Countreymen consider I beseech you what I say and suffer not the Diuell by him to keepe your soules captiue and refuse not the voyce of the wise Charmers Psalme 58. 5. Come and heare our Ministerie our prayers and preaching and suspect betimes as others haue done of late as zealous in your profession as your selues that all is not well on your side while they keepe from you the knowledge of your owne euidence I meane the Scriptures which propoundeth vnto you your right in that immortall inheritance in heauen purchased vnto you onely by his most precious bloud-shedding and by faith in him alone obtained The Lord giue you a right vnderstanding in all things And accept I pray you of my poore Labours which is but the gleaning after other mens haruests Let not preiudice or olde errour cause you to refuse the gift of a friend that meaneth well vnto you It will ease you of the search of many Authors and most of them Papists for religion as your selues c. You dwell not in Rome nor vnder the Popes command except the fault be in your selues where indeed it would be the danger of your liues to haue any English Booke of the Scripture or other bookes against the Pope or any point of Poperie But in a kingdome which thorow Gods mercy hath banished the Pope and Poperie many dayes since Vse therefore your libertie and see what they whom you hold for enemies can say against your errours If you refuse this aduice it is not the Pope that can stand you in stead in the day of Iudgement but your condemnation shal be so much the more iust because you haue refused counsell Ezech. 2. 5. The Lord giue you a heart to consider of these things aright Your well-willer in Christ Iesus R. W. a poore Minister in Norffolke Aetatis suae 74. ¶ The Printer to the Reader CHristian Reader by how much the shorter the time of the Diuells rage against Gods Church is to indure by so much the more fiercely doth hee incite his Instruments to bestirre themselues for to persecute the people of God yea if it were possible to destroy them for euer which although it be restrained by Almighty God who doth so gouerne and protect his Children that the Gates of Hell shall not preuaile against them insomuch that all true Louers of Truth and Godlinesse may reioyce and be comforted in assurance thereof yet may wee not so slumber in securitie as to neglect the meanes of our safety and of the impugning of the powers of Sathan especially the kingdome of Anti-christ but euery one must indeuour diligently to doe that which belongs vnto him To this end not long since according to the trust reposed in me by that Reuerend worthy man master Doctor Burges I aduentured vpon thy courteous acceptation with one Treatise called The Popes deadly Wound which hauing already found some kinde entertainement at thy hands I could not keepe backe this second committed vnto my dispose by the same Learned man a little before his Trauailes into forraine Countries that so as with two Stones out of one Siing the great blaspheming Giant may the more easily be layd groueling It is the worke of a very auncient and graue Minister of GODS Word and very briefe and pithie I hope thy acceptation of my good-will and I beseech GOD for CHRISTS sake to make it profitable vnto thee Farewell The Contents of this Booke 1 THAT Peter had no Supremacy ouer the Apostles fol. 1. 2 That Peter neuer sate Bishop of Rome 7 3 An Examination how the Popes succeede Peter 10 4 The time
when the Pope beganne with the Historie of their liues in briefe from the first three hundred yeeres after Christ vntil Pope Paul the fift c. 11. 12. 13. c. 5 A briefe Recapitulation of their liues the better to finde out the Histories 6 The Conclusion for Doctrine with the examination 79 7 Arguments to proue the Pope Anti-christ 101 A LOOKING-GLASSE FOR PAPISTS 1. Against Peters Supremacy MARKE 10. 42. The Lords of the Nations haue domination ouer them c. But it shall not be so among you but whosoeuer will be great among you let him be your seruant and whosoeuer will be chiefe shall be seruant of all for euen the Sonne of man came not to be serued but to serue c. Luke 22. 26. Let the greatest among you be as the least and the chiefest as he that serueth Matthew 20. 26. Whosoeuer will be great among you let him be your seruant and whosoeuer will be chiefe let him be your seruant c. The Papists places for Supremacy 1 COR. 12. 22. The head cannot say to the feete I haue no neede of you Say they This must be the Pastor ouer the Flocke Ergo Of Peter in respect of the Apostles Answere THE Apostle speaketh of no headship but considering the consent of the members one for another hee intendeth that so it should be in the Church for auoiding of contention not as the Popes that disgrace subiect yea killeth Kings the chiefe members of the Church and many other great Diuines as Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage worthy men onely because they would not assent with them Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and vpon this Peter will I build my Church Answere With shame enough for the vulgar which vpon paine of the Popes curse no man must alâ—er hath Super hanc petram that is vpon this Rocke which was Peters confession Christ meant euen himselfe the foundation of the Church as a Rocke Hereunto Tunstall and Stokeley two Popish Bishops agree 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laide which is Iesus Christ the chiefe Shepheard 1 Pet. 5. 2. 4. Where the chiefe Shepheard shall appeare c. Not the Pope I trowe Matthew 16. 19. To thee will I giue the Keyes c. By this they vnderstand the fulnesse of power Ecclesiasticall to make him head Answere The question being propounded to them all Peter answering one for all therefore together one for them all receiued this power and therefore whatsoeuer Christ promised to Peter he promised to him to them alike as Matt. 18. 18. and Ioh. 20. 23. it is said not to Peter alone but to them all Whatsoeuer ye bind on earth shall be c. And whosoeuer sinnes ye remit c. Chrysostome on this place saith What therefore did Peter the mouth of all the Apostles and crowne of the whole Company When all were asked the question hee alone answered and being asked of the opinion of the common people they all answered but when hee asked them of their owne opinion Peter presently start forth and preuenting the rest said Thou art Christ that Sonne of God Againe Vpon this Rocke that is that Faith and Confession And againe The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen c. the same is common to them all Iohn 20. 21. 22. 23. Peter after disswaded Christ to die whereupon Chrisostome saith From hence surely we plainely see that he spake not before of himselfe Keyes This is a Metaphor intending the publike Office of the Apostles the publike preaching of the Gospell through the World which yet they were not to enter vpon till they were fully furnished Luk. 24 47. Acts 1. 4. These Keyes are not deliuered to Peter alone for hee saith in the future tence I will giue not doe or haue giuen Luk 24. 49. Where the commission is giuen to them all not naming Peter Mat. 28. 19. Mar. 16. 15. Ioh. 20. 21. Goe into all the World preach the Gospell to euery creature But the full power was not vntill the fiftieth day after the resurrection when the holy Ghost came vpon euery one of them and now they executed their Office in preaching the Gospell which was the Keyes to open the Kingdome of Heauen If Peter onely had the Keyes to open the kingdome of heauen what should haue become of the greatest part of the World yea of vs Gentiles Their fourth place Luke 22. 31. Simon Simon Sathan hath desired to sift you c. If to strengthen the Apostles then he must be supreame head Answere Whereas the Papists vnderstand by you the other Apostles that were to accuse Christ that choosing twelue men to worke being Master to all and giuing graces alike to all would send them to a fellow laborer to be taught after his departure but Peter shall giue answere in this point that he meant not so but by brethren he meaneth all the faithfull 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore brethren giue alwayes diligence to make your calling and election sure c. So the rest of the Apostles call the faithfull brethren as children of one Father 2 Thess 2. 1. We beseech you brethren c. and 3. 1. Furthermore Brethren pray for vs and verse 6. Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you brethren by the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 5. 8. 9. So that by Brethren our Sauiour meant the faithfull whom Peter and the rest should strengthen To this end verse 2. he exhorteth to feede the Flocke and to take care of them And Paul Acts 14. 22. Strengthened them Their fift place Iohn 21. 15. 17. Feede my Sheepe This they vnderstand of Peter to the rest of the Apostles Answere This was a Commandement giuen before of Christ in his former Commission Iohn 20. 21. Giuen to Peter with all the Apostles As my Father sent me so send I you Receiue the holy Ghost Whosoeuer sinnes ye remit c. Therefore this was no new charge but willeth him to looke to that lest he might start aside as he had done before Matthew 16. 22. Goe after me Sathan And Matthew 26. He denyed him three times Feede my Lambes Sheepe This is a Metaphor taken from a Flocke of Sheepe and Lambes Now Christ is the good Shepheard that hath giuen his life for the Sheepe Iohn 10. 11. and 1 Peter 1. 4. The Sheepe-fold is the Church and the Sheepe and Lambes are the faithfull to be gathered into the Sheepe-fold Iohn 10. 1. 16. By his Substitutes Apostles Pastors c. Ephe. 4. 11. The Church is called a Flocke Luke 12. 32. Feare not little Flocke Acts 20. 28. Take heede vnto all the Flocke Paul speaking to the Pastors 1 Pet. 1. 5. speaking to the Elders Feede the Flocke of Christ which dependeth vpon you Therefore Peter had no authority ouer the other Apostles but they and he had one commandement and commission to goe into the whole World to preach the Gospell and ordaine Ministers The sixt place Acts 1. 15. Peter
alleadgeth that Bernard sayth in a certaine place It seemeth O good Iesus that all the vniuersity of Christians haue conspired against thee and they are the chiefe of the conspiration which obtaine the Primacie of the Church Anastasius sate one yeere Adrian the fourth sate fiue yeeres and sixe moneths he would not goe to the Church of Lateran to be consecrated vntill first Arnold Bishop of Brixe was cast out of the Towne who opposed himselfe against the administration of Ciuill things and Temporall Sword which the Clergie had vsurped Hee was angry with the Emperour for holding his left stirrope at his lighting Hee stirred vp all Italie to rebell against him for receiuing homage of his owne Bishops He was troubled of the Romans for their auncient Liberties Iohn of Salisburie Bishop of Chartyrs was a worthy man Hee reproued many things in the Clergie and Popes and being very familiar with Adrian he was heard to say to Iohn That there were many Popes which rather succeeded Romulus in murther then Saint Peter in feeding the sheepe He excommunicated William King of Sicilie and Pouill Finally he was choaked with a flie he sayd the life of a Pope was most miserable 1154. Alexander the third sate about two and twenty yeers He was chosen by one halfe of the Cardinalls and Victor on the other side and so continued a Schisme of two Popes twenty yeeres euen all the dayes of Alexander For after Victor came Paschalis the third then Calixt lastly Innocent vnto these all the Bishops of the Empire were sworne Alexander granted the auncient Liberties to the Romans He caused all Italie to rebell against the Emperour hee troade vpon the Emperours necke Hee defended Becket against Henry the second King of England 1160. Hee seeking the Emperours death while he was busied with the Turke sent a Letter to the Turke with the liuely Image of the King to seeke to slay him The Emperour with his Chaplaine on a hote day going to wash him was surprized by an ambush of the Sultans and brought before the Turke where he fained himselfe to be the Emperours Chaplaine but the Turke shewing him his Image and the Popes Letters he confessed the truth and desired fauor at length the Turke sent him away vnder certaine conditions agreed betwixt them The Emperour returning assigned a day at Noremberg and assembled his Court declared the Pope Alexander his treason shewing his Letters and the Image Briefly euery one promised his helpe to pay his ransome and to doe iustice vpon the said Alexander The Pope vnderstanding his treason was come to light and what the Emperour intended against him he fled from Rome in the habite of his coole and came to Venice The Venetians maintained the Pope The Emperour sent Embassadours to demand Alexander finally he sent his sonne Otho the youth led with his Company gaue battell he lost the victory and was taken prisoner which the Pope seeing would not agree with the Emperour except he came to Venice and receiued the meanes he would offer The Emperour to helpe his sonne came to Venice The Pope would not absolue him of excommunication vntill he presented himselfe at the doore of Saint Markes Church When he came thither the Pope commanded him in the presence of al the people to cast himselfe vpon the ground and demand pardon which he doing the Pope set his foot vpon the Emperours necke and pressing it downe sayd Thou shalt goe vpon the Aspe and Basiliske and tread vnder thy feete the Lyon and the Dragon The Emperour answered This was not said to thee but to Peter But the Pope stepping againe vpon his neck answered Both to me and to Peter The Emperour fearing some danger held his peace and so was absolued and vpon conditions agreed Estate of the Church and Plat. Now let the world iudge whether this be Christs Vicar Peters true Successour a seruant of seruants or a Luciferian proude Pope the sonne of perdition and Antechrist himselfe that â—itteth in the Temple of God and boasteth himselfe aboue all that is called God 1180. Lucius the third sate foure yeeres and two moneths while he went about to expell the Consuls and Patricij of Rome he was cast out and withdrew himselfe to Venice Such as tooke his part had their eyes put out others were set vpon Asses with their faces towards the tayle and ignominiously handled Platin. Hee dyed at Veron Vrban the third sate one yeere and sixe months Sup. Gregorie the eight sate fiftie seauen dayes Clement the third sate three yeeres and sixe months he made a Decretall against all such Priests as celebrated Masse in woodden vessells and with common bread Heere is nothing respected but outward things and the commandement of God neglected Note againe common bread was now in vse in the Lords Supper Celestine the third sate sixe yeeres Hee crowned the Emperour with his feet sitting in his Pontifical Chaire and holding the Imperiall Crowne betweene his feete and the Emperour bowing downe his head and likewise the Empresse receiued it from his feet and immediately hee kickes it off againe to the ground in token that he had power if he so deserue to depose him The Cardinalls standing round about reuerently tooke it vp and set it on their heads againe Baronius Ranulph Mysterie of Iniquitie Innocent the third sate eighteene yeeres he absolued the Princes from their oath to the Emperour caused them to choose Otho the fourth and after excommunicated Otho also This Pope added a very dangerous pestilence vnto the Articles of the Faith that is Transubstantiation as a thirteenth Article of the Faith See the Decretalls Tit. 1. De Summa Trinitate fide Apostolica cap. Firmiter credimus This Decretall was made in the yeere of Christ 1215. and promulged in the Counsell of Lateran Hee made another Decree of the Cannon of the Masse and commanded it to be receiued as from the Apostles Thus they place in the roome of the doctrine of the Apostles their owne Decrees Hee also commaunded confession in the Priests eare at the least once a yeare See Decretal Tit. 38. cap. Omnes vtriusque sexus He dyed at Pice Anno 1216. Honorius the third sate tenne yeeres and seauen moneths he excommunicated the Emperour hee raised the French against the Earle of Thelossa for fauouring Albingenses He was denyed in France the exactions of two Prebends in euery Church and two Monkes in euery Abbey 1216. Hee confirmed the order of the Iacobines which his predecessors had refused to do and confirmed the order of the Mendicants He commanded the Hoste should be kept in a place by it selfe and well inclosed When the Hoste was lifted vp the people to do reuerence and bowe to it and also when it was carried to the sicke He confirmed the order of Saint Francis Fasci temporum Thus the fulnesse of infection is come into the Church by the foure plagues of begging Monkes Gregorie the ninth sate foureteene yeeres and three moneths This Pope heaped vp Decretalls