more lib. 2. de Imag. c. 9. That it is Concilium non confirmatum frequenter errâsse c. A Bishop Priest or Deacon in Office that hath committed Fornication was not to have Communion no not at death and divers others No Bishop was to receive any Gift from any one that did not Communicate It poseth the Papists themselves to expound Can. 34. Cereos per diem placuit iâ— Coemiterio nâ—n incendi Inquietandi enim Sanctorum spiritus non sunt Binnius will have it to be the Spirits of the living Saints that are not to be disquieted with trouble about Lights set up by day But I wish that be the meaning But the 36 Can. more troubleth them Placuit picturas in Ecclesia esse non debere nè quod colitur aut adoratur in parietibus depingatur Can. 38. A Lay-man in case of necessity is enabled to Baptize Can. 39. Gentiles unbaptized may be made Christians at last by Imposition of hands Can. 65. If a Clergy-man's Wife play the Whore and he do not presently cast her out he must not be received to the Communion to the last Can. 73. If a Christian turn Accuser Delator and upon his accusation any one be banished or put to death he is not to be received to Communion no not at last Can. 75. Nor he that falsly accuseth a Bishop Presbyter or Deacon and cannot prove it Can. 79. He that playeth at Dice or Tables was to be kept from the Communion Many other Canons savour some of Piety and some of the Novatians Thirty six Presbyters sate with these Nineteen Bishops Pope Innocent approved these almost Novatian Canons and Binnius excuseth them p. 246. § 40. XIX Anno 306. A Council at Carthage of about 70 Bishops began the Schism of the Donatists contending who should have the Bishoprick of Carthage One party had chosen Caecilianus to succeed Mensurius The other party accusing him as being a Traditor and Ordained by Foelix a Traditor and had forbidden bringing food to the Martyrs in prison they ordained one Majorinus Bishop in his stead Caecilianus had the countenance of the Bishop of Rome and stood it out and kept the place Hereupon the Church being divided the division run through all Africk and Numidia while the accusing party renounced Communion with Caecilianus so that for many years after two hundred at least they did with plausible pretence claim the title of Catholicks though they were after called Donatists from Donatus a very good Bishop of Carthage heretofore whom they praised and not from Donatus à Casis nigris as some think Secundus Tigisitanus Primate of Numidia furthers the breach and the Ordination of Majorinus fixed it Thus the doleful Tragedy of the Donatists began by Bishops divided about a carthageâ—Carthageâ—Bishop â—Bishop § 41. XX. Anno 308. Another Council was held at Carthage where no less than 270 Donatist Bishops for moderation agreed to Communicate with penitent Traditors without rebaptizing them and so did for 40 years § 42. XXI Anno 313. The Schism continuing the Donatists cleaving to Majorinus appealed against Caecilianus to Constantine now Emperour He first appointeth three French Bishops to judge the Cause but after 19 Bishops called a Roman Council met at Rome to hear both Parties where Melchiades and the rest acquitted Caecilianus and condemned Donatus à Casis nigris a promoter of the Donatists Cause as guilty of Schism But the Donatists accusing Melchiades also as a Traditor the Schism was never the more ended A motion was made that both the Bishops should remove Caecilianus and Majorinus to end the Schisme But the Donatist Bishops were so very many in number that they thought they were to be called the Church and the Caecilianists the Schismaticks and therefore would not so agree Thus Bishops about Bishopricks set all the Country on a flame § 43. XXII Next Constantine would hear the Cause of these contending Bishops at a Council at Arles in France before 200 Bishops at least where Caecilianus was again acquitted and the Donatist Bishops cast by the witness of their Scribe Ingentius who being racked confessed that he was hired to give false witness in the Case Several good Canons were here made for Church-Order § 44. I have heard many Popish Persons liken the Separatists among us to the Donatists But so unlike them are they That 1. The said Separatists are against all Episcopacy but the Donatists were Bishops and contended for the highest Places of Prelacy 2. The Separatists are confessedly a Minor Part departing from the Major Part. But the Donatists were the Major Part of the Bishops casting out the Minor Part as Delinquents The Truth is in those times the Bishops being usually in contention and Church-Wars among themselves especially when Constantine had given them peace and prosperity the strife was Who should get the better and have their will 1. Sometime the strife was about Opinions who was in the right and to be called Orthodox and who was to be accounted the Heretick 2. The other part quarrel who should be the Bishop or who should have the highest places 3. And the next quarrel was whose side should carry it in setting up any Bishops or in judging and deposing them and who should have their Heads or Friends brought in And the way to get the better was 1. At the first by the majority of the peoples Votes in chusing Bishops and of the Bishops in deposing them 2. But after most went in chusing and deposing by the majority of the Bishops Votes in the greater Seats the peoples consent still required at least if a Council did interpose 3. And at last it went by the favour or displeasure of the Court either the Emperour or the Empress or some great Officers The African Bishops it seems were far the greatest number against Caecilian when 270 met at one Council and Mâ—lchiades Council at Rome had but 19 and that at Illiberis 19 and that at Ancyra 18 Bishops Therefore the Bishops thought that majority of number gave them right to the Title of Catholickâ— that those Dissenterâ— must be called Hereticks as was too usual And seeing they lived in the Country where many Councils under Agrippinus and Cyprian and Firmilian had voted that Hereticks were not of the Church and those that they had baptized were to be rebaptized they thought that they did but keep up this Tradition and so they said that they were all the Church of Africa and that the Cecilians were Hereticks and Separatists from the Church and that all that they baptized were to be rebaptized as was formerly held So that indeed the Donatists did but as the Papists and their worldly Clergy still have done who take the advantage of a Majority to call themselves the Church and Catholiks and to call the Dissenters Schismaticks and Hereticks save that they added Cyprian's rebaptizing And when it was for their advantage they communicated 40 years with Traditors but when the power of the Court and the Bish. of
Church of Rome and for hindering his Legates from gathering a Council and refusing to come to Rome to answer it Epist. 32. He calls the King of France a ravening Wolf and unjust Tyrant Many great persons he forced to separate after Marriage because they were in the fourth degree of Consanguinity Epist. 51. He tells the King of Denmark that not far from Rome there was a Province possest by vile and sluggish Hereticks and desireth him to send his Son with an Army to conquer them What Province he meaneth I am not certain unless it was the Waldenses § 44. Reader we are greatly beholden to Binnius who hath recorded as Oracles 27 sentences called THE POPES DICTATES by which you may partly know what Popery is 1. That the Roman Church was founded only by our Lord. 2. That only the Bishop of Rome is rightly called Universal 3. That only the Pope can depose Bishops and reconcile them 4. That his Legates must preside in Councils though they be of inferior degree before all Bishops and may pass on them the sentence of deposition 5. That the Pope may depose those that are absent 6. That with those that are excommunicated by him among other things we may not dwell in the same house 7. That to him only it is lawful to make new Laws for the necessity of the time and to congregate new people of Canonical to make an Abbaty and contrarily to divide a rich Bishoprick and unite poor ones 8. That only he may use Imperial Ensigns or Escucheons 9. That all Princes must kiss the feet of the Pope only 10. That only his name may be recited in the Churches 11. That it is the one only name in the World 12. That it is lawful for him to depose Emperors 13. That it is lawful for him in case of necessity to remove Bishops from seat to seat 14. That he may ordain a Clerk from any Church whither he will 15. That one ordained by him may govern another Church and must not take a superior degree from another Bishop 16. That no Synod without his command may be called Universal 17. That no Chapter nor no Book may be accounted Canonical without his authority 18. That his sentence may be retracted by none and he alone may retract all mens 19. That he ought to be judged of no man 20. That no man must dare to condemn any one that appealeth to the Apostolick Seat 21. That the Greater causes of all Churches must be referred to him 22. That the Roman Church never erred nor as the Scripture witnesseth will ever err 23. That the Bishop of Rome if he be Canonically ordained is undoubtedly made Holy by the merits of St. Peter as St. Ennodius Bishop of Papia witnesseth and many holy Fathers confess as is contained in the Decrees of Pope Symmachus 24. That it is lawful for subjects to accuse by his Command and licence 25. That he may depose and reconcile Bishops without Synodal meetings 26. That he is not to be accounted a Catholick who agreeth not with the Roman Church 27. That he may absolve the Subjects of unjust men from fidelity These are put by Bin. among Gregory's Epistles p. 1196. as the Popes Dictates If I had not translated them from such an unquestioned Author that followeth Baronius some would have thought they had been but the forgeries of some Protestant accuser and that the Popes have no such tenents What one is here that is not false and how many of them are horridly arrogant The reading of them would tempt a doubting man to think that the Pope is the Eldest Son of the Prince of Pride exalting himself above all that is called God and arrogating Christ's prerogatives and therefore Antichrist If any would know what Popery is A great part of the description is here given you by their greatest Pope himself and by their chief Historians § 45. Much of his 4th Book of Epistles is to require Princes Prelates and People to forsake the Emperor and choose another and to excommunicate all that will communicate with him yet in his 11th Epist. he reciteth himself how lamentably with tears three dayes in the frost barefoot he begged for pardon and how the compassionate People thought the Pope hard-hearted and tyrannical for not yielding and that at last two Ladyes and an Abbot overcame him to absolve him § 46. Lib. 4. Epist. 28. He tells the Spaniards also that their Kingdom was St. Peter's property But why did he trouble himself to lay claim to particular Kingdoms Would not his claim to all the world serve turn for the particulars Lib. 5. Epist. 4. He clameth the Isle of Corsica § 47. That it may appear that the presumptuous usurpations of the Pope were not consented to by many Bishops he oft complaineth that many Bishops of France Italy and Germany were against him He abundantly chideth and threatneth several particular Bishops for resisting and disobeying him Lib. 6. Epist. 4. he writeth thus to the Bishop of Liege Having read the Letters of your Brotherhood we did not a little wonder that you wrote that which became you not in reverence of the Apostolick seat but that you did with biting invective reprehend me for absolving your Parishioner that lately came to us as if the Apostolick seat had not authority to bind and absolve whomsoever we will and wheresoever we will Know therefore that we are greatly moved against your temerity Indeed one of the tricks of the Papal ambition was to be the Asylum of all wicked fugitives that fled from Church justice in all Countries near them to shew favour to all condemned sinners that would but fly to Rome and appeal to them from the Justice of their Pastors yea and of their Princes too which made their friends to be rather many than good § 48. And the Church of Rome was not yet rich enough with all the Principalities it had got They still kept on the trade of enriching the Pope to save their souls Binnius p. 1233. honoureth us with a record among Gregory 7th Epistles viz. In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost in the 6th year of the Pontificate of Gregory 7th I Marro Son of Gisler dwelling in the Dukedom of Spoletane for the Redemption of my own and my Parents souls do give deliver and offer to St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and on his Altar all that belongeth to me of the Castle called Moricicla c. Did Christ think how easily Rich men might be saved by giving to the Pope in the name of St. Peter when he said It was harder for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven than for a Camel to go through a Needle 's Eye § 49. Lib. 7. Epist. 3. He saith They that are Latines do all of them except a very few praise the cause of Henry and defend it and charge me with too much obstinacy and impiety against him And if the Latines did so what did the
Council § 45. Severus at Antioch maketh men curse the Council some Bishops repent and condemn Severus 45. The Emperor against all bloud for this Cause and the Monks in Palestine for it § 45 46. Helias Bishop of Jerusalem and the Monkes resist the Emperours Souldiers once and again § 46. Timothy Const. on both sides § 46. Rome under Theodorick their Schism or two Popes with blood three years § 47. Anastatius wearied with the Orthodox rebellions offereth to resign his Crown In remorse they desire his continuance § 48. Valentinian maketh a Law that Bishops except chosen by both Parties shall no more be Iudges in any Causes save of Faith and Religion Binius reproacheth this as being absurd that the Sheep judge the Shepheard ◠§ 49. Fully confuted The Pope excommunicateth Acacius Const. with a nunquam Anathematis vinculis exuendus § 58. Leo Rom. his Decree against the Maâ—ichees and all other that take the Bread without the Câ—p § 60. Gelasius The Popes Separatists condemn Euphemius and Acacius Gelasius saith any Bishop may excommunicate an Heretick Bishop though a Patriach his Catalogue of Apocrypha and canonizing Leo's Epistle § 62. The Pope excommunicateth the Greek Emperour and Patriarch of Constantinople but not King Theodorick the Arriâ—n at home § 64. Ordination resolved on against the Kings commands § 65. Council Agath decreeth that if a Bishop excommunicate any wrongfully another Bishop may receive him c. That if any Citizen on the dayes of great solemnity refuse to meet where the Bishop is he is three years denied Communion which sheweth that the Bishops Church was no greater than our Parishes Lay-murderers punished with denying them the Communion and Deacons put in Monasteries c. § 67. Council Apannens saith Hereticks Temples cannot be purged nor applied after to Holiness § 68. Council Sydon curse the Calcedon Council 69. Bishops having the third or fourth part of all Church profits sheweth how big their Diocess or Churches then were § 72. Council Gerund of seven Bishops ordered Litanies and that the Metropolitanes Liturgy be used in other Churches § 73. Justine the Emperour against Eutychians restoreth the names of Euphemius and Acacius against the Pope their Case opened § 75. Justine an Orthodox murderer Antioch cast down by an Earthquake the Bishop killed the rest burnt by the lightning § 76. Euphremius the Lieutenant relieving the People is chosen their Bishop The Bishops turn to the Council of Calcedon again under Justine § 77. c. Popes prosecute the dâ—ad Bishops of Constantinople § 79. Justine violent against Arrians Theodorick maketh Pope John go beg for them least Italy suffered as much He killeth Symmachus and Boetius imprisoneth John and maketh Felix Pope § 80. Clergy murderers suspended from the Sacrament c. § 81. Theodorick subjecteth the Clergy to Civil Iudicature Athalaricus freeth them again § 85. Justinian his Laws he is against the Eutychians and his Wife for them § 87 88. Thirty thousand kill'd by insurrection in Constantinople § 89. The miraculous speaking of Preachers when their Tongues were cut out by the Kings command § 90. King Theodorus a lover of Books giveth up Rome § 91. In Justinians time three Countries converted The Persians prevail A dreadful Plague § 92. Pope Boniface chosen by the Arrian Athalaricus § 96. Pope Hormisda denying that one of the Trinity was crucified Justinian sending to Pope John who said the contrary Binius excuse is Weapons must be changed with changed enemies Many Notes on the excellent disputation of Hypatius with the Eutychians caused by Justinian opening fully Cyrils weakness and that the difference was but verbal § 99. A Council at Constantinople under Menna called him Patriarcha Occumenicus and set Leo after the before cursed Bishops Macedonius the Orthodox Bishop put out the People that were Orthodox seperate § 103. Silverius made Pope by an Arrian P. Vigilius the Antipope imprisoneth and famisheth him § 105. The Schism between two Bishops and their Parties in Alexandria one for the corruptibility of Christs body called Corrupticolâ— the other for the incorruptibility called the Phantasiastae and the bloody fight between them § 107. Paulus Alexand Murder of a Deacon § 108. P. Vigilius denieth two natures § 109. P. Vigilius excommunicateth Menna and is dragg'd with a Rope till he repented 110. Justinian called a Heretick and damned by Evagrius § 111. CHAP. 7. Of the Controversie de tribus Capitulis the fifth General Council c. of the heresie of the Apthardocitae Justinians piety and heresie the Bishops appeal to Anastasius Antioch § 1 2. The conversion of the Justinian's punishing the Sodomitical Heresie of some Bishops § 3. The People dye rather than eat Flesh in Lent The Council at Orleance Decree that Qui omnibus praeponendus est ab omnibus eligatur Of Incest Too strict keeping the Lords-Day § 4. Concil Avernens Decree that men seek to be Bishops by Merits and not by Votes or Favour yet be chosen by all § 6. All Citizen Christians to be in the Bishops Meeting at Easter c. by Concil Aurelian § 7. And the Bishop to be Ordained in that Church which he must oversee Caesar's project to condemn the tria Capitula Theodor. Mopsuest Theodorite and Ibas Justinians endeavours § 9. An Orleance Council decree that King Clergy and Laity agree and none be made Bishop Populo invito or forced to consent and that the Bishop else be deposed The Bishop to relieve all the Poor § 12. Null the former living Its Emperours that call Councils saith Justinian § 13. The fifth Constant. Council to cure the doleful separations of the Bishops § 13. P. Vigilius difficulty dare not joyn with the Council Their slighting him only two or three Western Bishops at the four first Generals Councils § 15. Theod. Mops. accused Theodorite accused for saying that Mary begat not God in the nature of God but Man as united to the God-head that Christ was forsoken suffered hungred slept c. as Man and not as God § 17. Theodorites virulent Ep. against dead Cyril and the Theopathitae § 17. The tria Cap. condemned Vigilius's sober judgment of it § 18 19. Instead of healing this Council set all on fire and Justinian on persecution § 21. Vigilius changeth and condemneth again the tria Capitula § 22. Vigilius is by Binnius called homo perditus the buyer of anothers place a violent Invader a Wolfe a Thief a Robber not entring by the Dores a false Bishop and quasi Antichristus that the lawful Pastor yet living did add pernicious Heresie to his Schism Yet sanctissimus Papa as soon as he had murdered his Predecessor and had sole possession § 24. A Jerusalem Council received the Conc. Const. § 25. A Council at Aquileia condemn it and the Western Bishops are seperated near 100 years from the Cath. Church about the words of three dead men § 26. Justinian made Pelagius Pope two Bishops a Presbyter ordain him the Western Bishops
was not as the Papists say because Christ prayed for Peter that his Faith might not fail but because the Emperours of the West were Orthodox while those in the East were Arians And the Bishops much followed the Emperours Will. That this last was the Cause is notorious in the History That Christs foresaid promise was not the Cause is certain Because whatever promise Christ maketh he fulfilleth But he hath not kept all the Bishops of Rome from failing in their Faith Therefore he never promised so to do The minor is certain by History To pass by Marcellinus and Liberius and Honorius falls which were but like Peters all those wicked men whom Councils deposed as Infidels or Hereticks Simoniacks Murderers Adulterers one as a Devil Incarnate and all those that Baronius and Genebrard stigmatize as Apostatical and not Apostolical 50 together had not this promise fulfilled Nor Sixtus Quintus if Bellarmine judged truly that he was damned For it was not a dead faith but a saving faith which Christ promised Peter should not fail such a saith as had the promise of life He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life a faith that worketh by love Else Peter might have been a wicked man and damned notwithstanding this Prayer of Christ and Promise If the faith of Constantine senior junior Constans Valentinian Theodosius Honorius Gratian c. had failed the General Councils at Milan and Ariminum tell us how failing the Bishops faith was like to be when Ierome said that the whole world groaned to find it self turned Arian § 2. The blind zeal of Valens made him restless in Persecuting the Orthodox in the East At Antioch he vexed those that would not Communicate with Euzoius the allowed Arian Bishop At Cyzicum Eunomius was put in Eleusius place but his followers built them a separate Church without the Walls Socrat. lib. 4. c. 6 7. He Persecuted the Novatians and exiled Agelius their Bishop at Const. He banished Eustathius Antioch and Evagrius chosen by the Orthodox Bishop of Const. against Demophilus the Arian Fourscore Bishops â—ent to crave Justice of him were put to Sea in a Ship there set on fire and were both burnt and drowned together Socr. l. 4. c. 13. In all the East he deposed abused murdered many that would not for sake the Nicene Creed He set his Officers to suppress their Conventicles At Alexandria he imprisoned Peter that succeeded Athanasius and banished his Presbyters and set up Lucius an Arian Bishop He persecuted the Monks of the Wilderness of Egypt Nitria and Scitis and destroyed their Houses Banished Macarius of Egypt and Macarius of Alexandria their Leaders He persecuted Basil at Caesarea He went in person at Antioch to disturb and scatter the Conventicles of the Orthodox And when he had banished one of their Bishops Meletius enduring Paulinus the Presbyters kept the Meeting when he drove them away a Deacon kept it up At last Themistius a Philosopher made an Oration before him bidding him not marvel that the Christians had such differences for they were nothing to those of the Philosophers who were of three hundred different Opinions and that God would be honoured even under diversity of Opinions This somewhat asswaged him and shortly after in the 50th year of his age he was slain § 3. Gratian and Valentinian junior coming to the Empire Liberty of Conscience and Restoration was given to all Sects except the Eunomians Photinians and Manichees Socrat. l. 5. c. 2. He took Theodosius into the Empire with him And so the Orthodox Party got up again and the Arians after this went every where down save among the Goths § 4. LXXI Theodosius called a General Council at Constantinople where the chief things done were 1. the setting up of Gregory Nazianzene as Bishop 2. The condemning of the Macedonians 3. The giving of the second Patriarchate to Constantinople because it was the Imperial Seat putting under him the Diocesses of Pontuâ— Heraclea and Asia 4. The putting down of Nazianzene again and putting Nectarius in his stead 5. The setling Flavianus at Antioch § 5. Some would perswade us that it was two Councils and not one that did these things But the question is but de nomine In the beginning they dispatch'd part of their work and before they departed Meletius the Bishop of Antioch dying the Bishops returned to Council and more Egyptian Bishops came and did the rest § 6. The Case of Gregory Naz. was thus A Council at Antioch in the reign of Arianisme sent him with three more able speakers to go visit the Churches and draw them from Arianisme He came to Constantinople and an Arian being in possession he got into a little empty Church and there so long Preached till he had recovered much of the City from Arianisme Hereupon Peter Bishop of Alexandria signified by Letters that he would have him be Bishop of Constantinople against the Arian Bishop The Orthodox Party chose him One Maximus that of a Philosopher turned Christian and insinuated into Gregories familiarity by money first and threats after gets Peter of Alexander and the Egyptian Bishops to make him Bishop of Constant supposing Gregory not yet lawfully settled Meletius Antioch being at Const. Ordaineth Gregory Bishop The Council when Convened Confirm him and cast out Maximus that never had possession Theodosius owneth Gregory and putteth out the Arian Bishop and possesseth him of the Great Church The Antiochian Controversie falling in at the death of Meletius Gregory was against Flavian The Egyptian Bishops being for him set against Gregory and resolved to cast him out and choose another He seeing their resolution and offended at their furious carriage in the Council resigneth to the Emperour and departeth some make it as if his resignation was unconstrained but his own words shew that he did it but to prevent the deposition which they resolved on Else he durst not have deserted his Flock that lamented his departure In his place they chose Nectarius a Pretor that was no Christian in foro Ecclesiae as being not yet baptized and so was indeed uncapable and the choice null But the man was honest And Nicephorus saith that they put down his name in a Paper with others leaving it to the Emperour to chuse one of them and that he chose Nectarius § 7. The description of this Council and the good Bishops of his time by Gregory Naz. in his Poems and his Orations is very doleful How implacably factious and contentious they were how fierce and violent leaping and carrying themselves in the Council like mad-men He describeth the People as contentious but yet endued with the love of God though their zeal wanted knowledg Page 528. Orat. 32. The Courtiers he saith whether true to the Emperour he knew not but for the most part perfidious to God And the Bishops as sitting on adverse thrones and feeding adverse opposite Flocks drawn by them into factions like
Canon galleth the Pontificians If Presbyters Deacons or other inferiour Clergy shall in their Causes complain of the Bishops the neighbour Bishops shall hear them and end the business being used by the consent of their Bishops But if they see cause to appeal from them also let them appeal to none but to Africane Councils or to the Primates of their Provinces But if any will appeal to any places beyond the Seas let none in Africk receive them into Communion In this Council was Aurelius Alypiâ—s Augustinus Evodiâ—s and Possidonius and these very great with Pope Innocent one of the best and wisest Popes who excommunicated Theophilus Arcadius and the Empress c. for Chrysostomes cause Yet did this pass then without contradiction Can. 12. of this Council Liturgies were made necessary approved by Councils lest any Heresie should be vended § 56. Câ—lestine and Pelagius being condemned by the Africans especially upon the Accusations of Lazarus and Herotes Bishops said to be holy men Innocent joyned with the Africans but after his death Pope Zosimus having a fair Appeal of Caelestine c. to him absolveth them both and condemneth their Accusers He writeth an Epistle had the cause been good very honest against rash condemning innocent men telling them how greatly they were rejoyced at Rome to find them Orthodox and what false and bad men Lazarus and Herotes were It was Lazarus custome to accuse the Innocent as in many Councils he had done Saint Britius a Bishop of Tours that he got by Blood into the Bishops Seat and was the shadow of a Bishop while a Tyrant had the Image of Empire and then his Patron being slain voluntarily deposed himself The like he saith of Herotes and that neither of them would come personally to Rome but lay in Bed and sâ—nt false Letters of Accusation Therefore he admonisheth the Africans among whom was Augustine to believe such whisperers no more against the innocent But Binnius out of Prosper maketh the accusers holy men and the other wicked Bin. p. 607. § 57. Pelagius sent Zosimus a Confession of his Faith and therein condemning all the late Heresies professeth That he so holdeth free will as yet that we always need the help of God and that they erre who say with the Manichees that a man cannot avoid sin and they that say with Jovinian that a man cannot sin for both deny the freedome of the will But he holdeth that always a man can sin and can forbear sin so as be still holdeth the freedome of the will But subtile Augustine and the rest sent back many harder questions to put to Pelagius and Caelestine for their tryal upon which they after past for Hereticks § 58. CVI. Therefore 217 Bishops in a Council at Carthage having received Zosimus Letters decreed to stand to their former judgment and Innocents against Pelagius and Caelestine till they should confess certain points for Grace drawn up by Paulus Diaconus § 59. CVII Zosimus being dead Boniface and Eulalius strove for the Popedome Both were chosen The Emperour Honorius was sent to for both This Case being too hard for him he referreth it to a Council at Ravenna It proved too hard for them Therefore the Emperour commanded them both to remove from the City and another Bishop to officiate till it was decided by another Council But Eulalius disobeying the Emperours Command and coming into Rome at noon-day occasioned a tumult and the people were neer to fight it out Which the Emperour hearing expelled Eulalius and a Council obeying him confirmed Boniface § 60. Among the Decrees of Boniface one is That no Bishop shall be brought or set before any Iudge Civil or Military either for any Civil or criminal cause So that a Bishop had the priviledge of a bad Physician he might murder and not be hanged For any crime he was to answer but before Bishops who could but Excommunicate and Depose him But another Decree is better against Bishops that fall out and desire to hurt their Brethren But alas to how little effect § 61. CVIII Another Council at Carthage called the sixth and by some the fifth had the famous contention with three Popes Zosimus Boniface and Caelestine successively against Appeals to Rome and the Popes sending Legates into Africa to judge The Popes alledged the Council of Nice for it The African Bishops knew no such Canon They take time for Tryal and send to Constantinople and Alexandria to Atticus and Cyril for their true Copies of the Councils None of them have any such Canon The Fathers write to the Pope to take better heed what he affirmeth for the time to come and to forbear such pride and usurpation alledging that by the Canons all strifes were to be ended by their neighbour Bishops and Councils Here the Papists sweat about these answers and the event Some say as Harding that the Africans continued long some say almost 100 years in Schism And an Epistle under the name of Pope Boniface the second to Eulalius saith the same Others wiser as Binnius see that to lose Augustines authority and have him and all the African Bishops the best of the World against the Papal power would be to heavy a burden for them Therefore they say that the Africans were no Schismaticks that the Canon not found was in the Council of Sardica and that That went for the Council of Nice That the Africans did not deny the Popes power of judging them but only of sending Souldiers and doing it violently by force and such other shifts which the express words of the African Council and Letters plainly confute If any dispute it I appeal to the very words Either another Council or a second Session of the same is called the seventh at Carthage § 62. CIX All this while the Schism continued at Rome and Eulalius partly would not Communicate with the rest each side saying that theirs was the True Bishop and the other an Usurper and Schismatick But Theodosius was for Caelestine In his time another Carthage Council made up their Canons 105. Among which are 6. That no Bishop be called the chief Bishop 33. To deal gentlier with the Donatists 36. To send to them for peace 53. That Bishops latelier ordained may not dare to prefer themselves before those that were Ordained before them 68. For pacifying the Churches of Rome and Alexandria c. § 63. It fell out well for Austin against the Pelagians that by the means of Prosper and Hilary Pope Caelestine was wholly on Austins side and condemned the Pelagians And among his own Decrees one was Nullus invitis detur Episcopus Cleri plebis ordinis Comm. sensus ac desiderium requiratur Many Canons of those times shew that the Bishops Churches were no bigger than that All the Laity could meet to choose or accept the Bishop and have personal Communion § 64. CX An Eastern Council against the Massalians § 65. CXI Next cometh the Nestorian War Pope Caelestine provoked by
the election of the Clergy and the Lay-people Can. 11. Also as the ancient Canons have decreed let none be made Bishop to an unwilling People or without the Peoples consent nor let the People or the Clergy be inclined to consent by the oppression of persons in power which is not lawful to be spoken But if it be otherwise done let the Bishop be for ever deposed from his obtained honour of Pontificate who is ordained rather by force than lawful decree C. While one Bishop is living let not any other be there made Bishop unless perhaps in his place who is ejected for some capital Crime Can. 21. Though all Priests and others must be careful to relieve the Poor with necessaries yet especially every Bishop must from the Church-house as far as they can administer necessaries for food and rayment to such as are in weakness both in his Territories and his City c. Note I. Were those Bishopricks any bigger than our Parishes of Market-Towns with the Chappelleries where 1. All the Laity met to choose the Bishop 2. Where the Bishop could know and relieve all the Poor 3. And this from the domus Ecclesiae which was but one II. Our Nonconformists plead that according to these ancient Canons 1. Those Bishops are no Bishops who came not in by any choice or consent of the People or Clergy but by power are imposed on the most unwilling 2. That those Ministers that were never deposed for any Crime are not to be forsaken by their Flocks nor imposed persons thrust into their places accepted by the People while the first hath true right § 13. CLXXIII We come now to that which they will needs call the fifth General Council at Constantinople An. 553. of 165 Bishops In which let these particulars be noted 1. That Iustinian's Letters or Formulae were first read in which he expresly affirmeth that it was the Emperors that called the former General Councils and he that called this 2. That he lamenteth the divisions which former Councils had left unhealed saying The followers of Nestorius and Eutyches made so great trouble in the holy Churches of God that divisions and schisms were made in them and the Churches had no Communion with one another For no man that travelled from one City to another did presume to communicate nor any Clerk that went from one City to another to go into the Church Here was lamentable separation indeed 3. That Iustinian was made believe that these divisions would be healed if the tria Capitula of the Council of Calcedon were but condemned For the Eutychians did so much boast of Cyril being confident that they did but follow him and his first Ephesian Council that if he were vindicated he thought they would be satisfied 4. And he thought that the three Bishops were indeed so far to be condemned having disgraced Cyril and favored Nestorius and the other was Nestorius's Master 5. That the receiving and the cursing of the Council of Calcedon having hitherto been the great Contest among the Bishops some were loth now to cast so great a dishonour upon it and to give the Eutychians so much cause to boast supposing they would but be the more confirmed in their opposition § 14. Note also that Vigilius Bishop of Rome was then at Constantinople but came not to the Council nor sent any Legate to it But the Emperor tells the Council That when Vigilius Bishop of Rome came to that City the Emperor exactly opened to him all things about the tria Capitula and asked him what he thought of them and that Vigilius not once nor twice but often in writing and without writing anathematized the impious tria Capitula And that he had shewed that he was ever of the same judgment c. And they had made Iustinian believe that Ibas in his Epistle denieth God the Word to be made man and the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God § 15. The Emperor 's Writing being read at the next meeting the Council sent to Vigilius to sit with them but he still refused alledging That there were few of the Western Bishops there To which their answer is notable that The meeting of all the rest ought not to be delayed for the Western Bishops For in all the four General Councils there was never found a multitude of the Western Bishops but only two or three Bishops and a few Clerks But now you are here and many Italian Bishops are at hand and many of Africa Illyricum c. And if he would not meet them they must do it without him They urged him also with the Emperor's words that he being alone had oft in writing and without writing condemned the tria Capitula and the Emperor desired him but to do that with others which he had done by himself But yet Vigilius would not come Whether it was because he understood not Greek and so should be a contemned Cypher for he saith They all knew that he understood it not or whether it was to avoid the Censure that he had before incurred or both is not known For you must understand that Vigilius had suffered defamation at Rome already as a Revolter from the Calcedon Council for joining herein with the Emperor in the beginning and his chief interest lay at home § 16. Theodorus Mopsuestenus Writings are searched and though he is highly extolled by many good Authors yet many passages recited in the Council and after by Vigilius do shew either the error of his judgment or his unskilfulness in speaking for they are not justifiable But if every Papist voluminous Writer should be damned as a Heretick whose Writings have more and greater Errors than the Council gathered out of Theodore Mepsuostenus it would be a hard reward for their exceeding labours When such men as Tostatus Aquinas Scotus Ockam Durandus c. Bellarmine Baronius Suarez Vasquez Cajetane c. have spent their days in diligent labours how easie a matter is it for a proud idle Drone that doth nothing or worse to gather as many and as great Errors out of their Works as were in many then counted Hereticks But the approbation of God who pardoneth failings will be the comfort of such as improve their Talents when the slothful unprofitable Servant shall be condemned and quarrelling with the imperfections of the diligent will not save them It is evident that Theodore and Nestorius acknowledged Christ's Godhead and Manhood Soul and Body and the personal Union of them But they were none of them perfect in Logick and Metaphysicks nor so spake as that no man could blame their words § 17. Next the words of learned Theodorite are scanned and many very smart passages against Cyril are recited Many verbal Controversies are repeated Theodorite is accused for saying That Mary begat not God in the nature of God but Man as united to the Godhead That Christ was forsaken suffered hungered slept was ignorant of that day and hour c.
not because he causeth not Cap. 3. About Christ's death they like not those that say he dyed for all that from the days of Adam till then had been damned but would have all take up with this simple Doctrine that God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Cap. 4. They conclude that all true Believers regenerate by water and the Spirit have their sins washed by the blood of Christ And they could not have true Regeneration if they had not true Redemption But of the multitude of the faithful and redeemed some are eternally saved because they persevere others are lost because they persevere not in the salvation of faith which they had received and so make void the grace of redemption Cap. 6. About Grace and infirmed Free-will restored and healed by Christ they exhort Men to stick to the Scriptures and the Councils of Africa and Orange and not to follow the Aniles penè Fabulas Scotorum I suppose they mean the Followers of Iohan. Scotus Erignenae who was murdered by his Scholars 833 whom Godescalcus followed lest they should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ Remembring Christians that while they are vexed with the prevalency of the wicked in the world they should not vex the sad Congregations with such superfluous things Cap. 7. They advise that because Bishops were set over the Cities that were untryed and almost ignorant of Letters and unlike the Apostolick Prescript by which means the Ecclesiastical vigor is lost that they would petition the Prince that when a Bishop was wanting the Canonical Election by the Clergy and the People might be permitted because the King was used to thrust his Favorites on the People that Men of tryed knowledge and life and not illiterate Men blinded by covetousness might be set as Bishops over the Flocks § 10. CCLXIII An. 855. A Council was held at Papia in Italy by the Order of the Emperour Ludovicus for the Reformation of the corrupt Clergy where they ordered that the Clergy and People chuse the Bishops and yet that the Laity on pretence of their Electing Power trample not on the Arch-Presbyter and that great Mens Chappels empty not the Churches with other old Canons recited § 11. Lotharius that so mischievously sought for the Empire against his Father and Brethren grew weary of what he had and divided his 3d part which was the Empire of Italy with Burgundy and Lorrain into three parts and gave his Son Lewis the Empire in Italy and his Son Lotharius Lorrain and his Son Charles Burgundy and entered himself into a Monastery But Charles dying the other two Brethren divided his Dominion and Lyons Belanson and Vienna fell to Lotharius § 12. We come now to the Reign of Pope Ioane according to a great number of their own Historians but David Blondel hath recited the Testimonies of multitudes on both sides and after all impartially past his conjecture that the Story was not true whose judgment I reverence and think most probable Whether at that time there was a Iohn the 8th or none till him that some call Iohn the 9th after Adrian the 2d is uncertain § 13. Leo dying if there was no Iohn or Ioane between a Schism was made the People most chusing Benedict and the Agents of the Emperor with part of the People and Bishops chusing one Anastasius a Cardinal Presbyter that had been Excommunicate by a former Pope Anastasius thought his choice so sure that entering Leonina the Roman Suburbs he went into St. Peter's own Church and broke down and burnt the Images and with a Mattock cast down to the ground even the Image of Christ and the Virgin Mary They went on and imprisoned Benedict quem omnis Romana Plebs eligerat saith Anast. in Bin. p. 659. But while the great Men and Officers of the Emperor did their utmost to constrain the People to consent to Anastasius they could not prevail and so they were fain to yield to the multitude to end the Tumult and Confusion and Benedict had the place § 14. By this Story it appeareth 1. That this Anastasius was against Images and that was like enough to be part of the cause why he had five years left his Church in Rome before and refused to appear before Pope or Council 2. That when the Emperor and his Officers were so violent for his choice even after he had broken down the Images in St. Peter's Church it is apparent that the Party even about Rome and in the West which was against Images was not small though they made no stir § 15. This Pope Benedict was he that confirmed Hincmarus's Council which nullified Ebbo's Ordinations aforesaid as is to be seen in his first Epist. Bin. p. 662 c. § 16. An. 856. Charles Calvus by a Synods concurrence at Carissiac sent Orders against Church-Robbers very strict And 857 a Council at Mentz was held CCLXIV where Gunthar Bishop of Colen sent a Letter that A terrible Tempest arose in which the People for fear all ran into St. Peter's Church And the Church-beams cracking as they fell a praying to God for mercy suddenly a mishapen Thunderbolt like a fiery Dragon pierced and tâ—re the Church and at one stroke killed three men among all the multitude though those three stood in several places that is one Priest that stood at St. Peter's Altar one Deacon that stood at St. Denis's Altar and one Lay-man at St. Mary's Altar And six others were struck almost dead but recovered At Trevirs also were many Prodigies § 17. Pope Nicolas 1. is chosen by the Emperor Ludovicus consent and all the People He greatly advanceth the Roman Seat by his activity and much by doing justice to the People that were oppressed by Tyrannical Prelates He had a great conflict with Iohn Bishop of Ravenna who long despised him and denied him his subjection But the Emperor took the Pope's part and so poor Iohn was fain to submit and cry miseremini mei peto misereri mei Anast. in Bin. p. 667. and to take an Oath of subjection to the Pope § 18. The great Schism now rose at Constantinople whether Ignatius or Photius should be Patriarch Michael the Emperor deposing Ignatius by the counsel of his Uncle Bardas and putting in Photius The Pope kept up his power by interposing uncalled into all such matters He sent some Bishops as Legates to counsel them by a Synod to decide the difference When these Bishops came thither they consented to Photius against Ignatius The Pope said they were bribed and false to their trust and deposed them though he thought he chose the best he had of which more anon § 19. Yet we have not done with worldly Prelates King Lotharius was weary of his Wife and loved a Whore Waldrada He openeth his case to the Bishops They call a Council and approve of his Divorce and his
Anastasius Bibliothecarius who then lived and was employed at Constantinople in this matter to reconcile the contradiction saith that Ebbo was a true Bishop but Photius was not because he was a Lay-man before his consecration and therefore his ordinations are nullities This nullifying of ordinations maketh great disturbances in the Church The present Bishops of England require those that were heretofore ordained by Parochial Pastors to be re-ordained and on this and such other accounts about 2000 were silenced at one day Aug. 24. 1662. The silenced Nonconformists do some of them say that the Bishops have much less than Photius to shew for their authority to ordain He had learning he had the Emperors authority for him He had lawfull Bishops to ordain him He had a great Council or two to approve him and confirm him And though he was a lay-man before so is every one when he cometh to his first ordination And though he was made Bishop per saltum so was Nectarius Thalasius Ambrose c. And every Uncanonical irregularity nullifieth not the ordination It hath been ordinary for Deacons to be made Popes And is not that per saltum why doth not that interrupt and nullifie the Papaciâ— But say they on this account 1. Romes succession is long agoe interrupted There having been far greater incapacities in Simonists common Adulterers Perjured Rebels Hereticks Infidels as Councils have judged 2. And they say that so the English Prelates are no Bishops being chosen by the King and wanting that choice of the Clergy and people which the Canons have over and over again made necessary to the validity of ordinations are more null than those of Photius And therefore we owe them as such no obedience nor communion Thus our nullifyings and condemnings proceed till most men have degraded if not unchristened one another And he that is on the stronger side carrieth it till death or some other change confute his claim and then the other side gets up and condemneth him as he condemned them And thus hath the Church long suffered by damning Divines and domineering or censorious Judges § 54. By the restoring of Ignatius the Pope got to himself the reputation of some Supremacy and obliged a party to him which however it was not the greatest at the first would be greatest when Ignatius his supremacy had advanced it And with them he got the reputation of being just indeed Photius seeming to possess the seat of one that was injuriously deposed by the meer will of the Prince without sufficient cause § 55. Pope Hadrian 2. Epist. 4. ad Ignat. Const. directeth Ignatius to forgive many others but none of those that subscribed to Photius his great Council at Constantinople because they reproached the Pope of Rome where you may see 1. How dangerous it was then to be in a General Council when if they please not the strongest they are ruined And if they do it 's like enough the next age will damn them for it 2. How much more dangerous is it for a Council to be against the Pope than to be guilty of many other crimes and how unpardonable it is § 56. CCLXXXIII An. 868. Besides the Popes Roman Synod that damned Photius and his Book and Const Council there was a Council at Worms which repealed many old Canons of which the 14th is that if Bishops shall excommunicate any wrongfully or for light cause and not restore them the neighbour Bishops shall take such to their communion till the next Synod The 15. Canon is that because in Monasteries there are Thieves that cannot be found when the suspected purge themselves they shall receive the sacrament of Christ's body and blood thereby to shew that they are innocent But this Canon the Papists are ashamed of The 72. Canon alloweth Presbyters yea all Christians to anoint the sick because the Bishops hindered with other business cannot go to all the sick This intimateth that even then the Diocesses were not so great as ours that have one or many Counties else other reason would have been given why the Bishop could not visit all the sick than his hindering businesses Would the Bishop e. g. of Lincoln say I would visit all the sick in Lincolnshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Hunâ—ingtonshire Rutlandshire Hartfordshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire which are in my Diocess but that I am hindered by other business who would take this for the words of a sober man § 57. CCLXXXIV An. 869 was that Constantinopolitan Council which the Papists damning some otherâ— call the 4th and the 8th General Council ended An. 879. in which but 102 Bishops condemned Photius and setled Ignatius by the means of the Emperor Basilius and the Pope who had before restored him Here in Act. 2. The Bishops that had followed Photius took the old course and when they saw all turned cryed peccavimus and craved pardon and themselves called Photius such a villain as there had never been the like Bin. p. 882 They said they sinned through fear and so were forgiven Act. 3. Some Bishops that had turned who were ordained by Methodius were required to subscribe to a form proposed But they told them that the late times had so vexed men with heinous subscriptions that they had made a Covenant or Vow to make no more subscriptions but what they had done already and the profession of their faith like Nonconformists and desired to be received on such terms without their new subscription Act. 4. The Bishops of Photius's party ordained by him were examined And Act. 5. Photius himself who would not enter till constrained and then professed as in imitation of Christ to give them no answer to what they asked him and is in vain exhorted to repentance Act. 6. Many of the Photian Bishops repented and were pardoned Others pretended that they had subscribed and sworn to Photius where Zachar. Calcedon shewed that the Canons were above the Patriarchs Here Basilius the Emperor made a notable speech to exhort the Bishops to repentance offering himself to lay by his honour and to lie on the earth and let them tread on him confessing his sin and asking mercy Act. 7. Photius is again brought in and his staff that he leaned on taken from him and he denyed to defend himself and to repent but bid them repent The Bishops of Heraclea c. rejected the Legates and pronounced them anathematized that should anathematize Photius and appealed to the Canons Act. 8. They censured a Bishop that was against Images Act. 9. They examined some great men that had â—worn against Ignatius who confest they had sworn falsely for â—ear of the Princes but Leo would not damn or curse Photius because he thought the Orthodox were not to be cursed The 10th Act. Containeth the Canons which they made of which the Copies greatly differ § 58. The 3d. Canon saith that they ordain that the Image of Christ be worshiped with the same honour as the Gospels as teaching that by Colours which the Gospel
his kindred disregarding the honour of God and the Dignity of the Romane Seat which Errour saith he he so Traditioned or delivered down that it remaineth to this day This is Romane Tradition a Comet then appear'd Famine Pestelence Earthquakes which were thought to be for the Pride and rapacity of the Pope and his contempt of God and Man So Platina § 76. An Instance was given of a Bishop of the contrary Spirit Adelâ—ert Bishop of Prague in Bohemiaâ—ound â—ound the People so contrury to him and bad that he forsook them and Travelled first and then entred into a Monastery And when he had lived there five years the people desired him again and promised Obedience A Council at Rome desired his return vvhich with grief he did But they still proved incorrigble and he again forsook them and vvent to Preach to the Hungarians when he Bapzed the King Stephen and did much good Bin. p. 1071. § 77. CCCXX Arnulphus Arch-Bishop of Rhemes suspected of Treason for delivering up the City of Rhemes to Charles Called a Synod at Seulis to purge himself Excommunicating them that did it Anno 990. § 78. CCCXXI. Hugo Capet having now got the Crown of France and desirous to destroy all the Carolines line upon the aforesaid suspition got a Synod at Rhemes to cast out Arnulphus a Bastard of that Linâ— saying a Bastard must not be a Bishop One Bishop refused The rest for fear of that King consented and cast him out so constant were the French Bishops § 79. CCCXXII Six Bishops and Nine Presbyters and Four Deacons made a Council at Rome to Canonize Vdalric Bishop of Augusta Anno 993. upon the reports of his Holiness and Miracles Here let me at once tell the Reader that he hath no cause to think the most of these Canonizations wholly causeless But that while Pope and Patriarcks confounded all by wickedness and contentious pride God had many faithful Bishops and Presbyters that lived holily in quieter and privater kind of Life And the Popes that would not endure themselves to live a Godly life thought it their honour to have such in the Church that did and to magnify them when dead and past contradicting them Just like the Pharisees Mat. 23. that killed the living Servants of God and honoured the dead and built them Monuments saying If we had lived in those days we would not have killed them § 80. CCCXXIII A Synod was called at Moson to debate the Case between Arnulph and Gerbert substituted at Rhemes who so pleaded his cause that it was put off to another Synod Baron revileth some Writings ascribed to the former Synod at Rhemes saying they were this Gerberts as being Blasphemous against the Pope The Centuriators of Magdeb. mention them at large Did Rome then govern all the World § 81. CCCXXIV Another Council is called at Rhemes and Gerbert that wrote so Blasphemously against the Pope is deposed by the Popes means and Arnulphus restored which Gerbert observing flyeth to the Emperour to Germany seemeth to repent as Baron but surmizeth and gets higher to be Pope himself by the Emperours means as you shall hear anon § 2. Can any Man think that Popes that themselves came in by Tyranny and meer Force and lived in Wickedness could have so great a Zeal as is pretended to do Justice for all others unless for their own ends § 83. Iohn the 16th alias 17 is passed over by Binius Onuphrius saith that he Reigned four Months Platina saith he died the tenth Year and sixth Month and tenth Day a great difference § 84. Gregory the 5th is next made Pope saith Plat. by Otho 3d his Authority for Affinity But saith Plat. The Romans make Crescentius Consul with chief Power who presently made John Bishop of Placentine Pope who came to it by the consent of the Roman Clergy and People to whom the choice belonged though some leave him out Otho cometh to defend his own Pope Crescentius fortifieth City and Castle against him The People dare not resist but open the City Gates Crescentius and Pope John flyeth to the Castle and in hope of Pardon yields Crescentius is Killed by the People in his passage John hath first his Eyes put out and then his Life and Gregory the Eleventh Month is restored Binius saith that Johns Hands were cut off his Ears cut off and his Eyes pulled out and after set on an Ass holding the Tail in his Hand was carried about the Streets § 85. This Pope and Otho the 3d. agreed to settle the Election of the Emperour as now it is on the 7. Electors The cause of great Confusions and Calamities was that the Emperours did not dwell at Rome and so left Popes then to fight strive and sin that else would have lived submissively under them Constantine Carolus Mag. or Otho might have done much to prevent or cure all this The Papists would fain prove this the work of a Roman Synod to settle the Electors that they may prove that it is they that must make and unmake Emperours But they can shew us no such Council Onuphrius hath written a Treatise to prove that this was after done by Greg. 10th For which Binius reprehends him as believing Aventinus But this is a Controversy handled by so many that I shall refer the Reader to them and whether the seven Electors only or all the Feudatories chose Baronius and Binius maintain that all came from the Authority of the Pope that Greg. 5th Ordained the choice of the Emperour to be by all the Feudatories of the Empire that the Council at Lyons under Innocent 4th setled it upon Seven but not all the same that are now Electors and that the Princes after setled it on these same Seven they know not who nor when For the right understanding of many such matters I only mind the Reader of this one thing that as the contention of Princes and the superstitious fear of Anathematizing had made the Papal and Prelatical Power then very great in setting up and taking down Princes so it was usual for their Assemblies even those called Councils to be mixt of Men Secular and Clergy Kings and Princes and Lords being present with the Bishops as in our Parliaments and usually the greatest Princes ruled all Therefore to ascribe all to the Pope and Prelates that was done in such conventions and thence to gather their power to dispose of Empires and Kingdoms is meer deceit § 86. Platina next nameth Iohn 17th alias 18th but saith he was no true Pope its impossible to know who was but that he corrupted Crescentius with money and it cost them both their lives How he was mangled shamed and killed though a Bishop before you heard before § 87. Next an 999. cometh that French Bishop Gerbert before mentioned that wrote so blasphemously as they called it against the Pope as Aeneas Silvius after did till he saw some hope of being Pope himself by the Emperor's favour first made Arch-Bishop
Oath of obedience to Saint Peter and his Vicar which the King must take § 64. Ep. 4. He employeth his agents to engage the Norman Duke Robert to help him with an Army And Ep. 5. His Legate having deposed all the Bishops of Normandy that refused to come to his Synod he tells him that William King of England and Duke of Normandy though he was not so good as he should be was more useful and better to the Church than other Kings and therefore must not be offended and therefore bids him restore the Bishops and also to pardon some Soldiers excommunicated for not paying tythes because they must not lose the Soldiers Ep. 8. He writeth to the Duke of Venice by all means to avoid all excommunicate persons and their friendship and favour lest they came into the snares of the same damnation For Anaâ—hema's were the arms by which he subdued Emperors and was to do his work The like to others in other Epistles And Ep. 12. He brought one Count Bertran to swear him fidelity and to give him all his Countrey and honour as Earl of Provence and this for the pardon of his own and his Fathers sins § 65. Ep. 14. He congratulates to the Kings of the Visigoths their conversion to Christianity but tells them they must oft send to Rome for further instruction How frequently he made Arch-Bishops and Bishops travel to him out of other Kingdoms when his Legates wronged them many other Epistles shew Ep. 17. The Norman Duke Robert acquainteth the Pope with a Victory which he had got He returneth him this answer that he had but done his duty and now as it was Saint Peter that had given him this victory if he would not make him angry he must now be thankful to Saint Peter and remember what he owed him to help him against the Emperor Henry and all his other enemies § 66. Ep. 20. He writes to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that he had shewed himself guilty of disobedience which is as Idolatry in that he had not travelled to Rome to visit the Pope when he commanded him and tells him that if he come not by All-Saints day next he shall be deposed for many weak men that could scarce rise out of their beds came from other much farther Countreys and he should lose Saint Peter ' s grace if he failed must they do so also from the Antipodes Ep. 22. He tells the Count of Angiers or Anjou that he should have obeyed the sentence of his Bishop though it was unjust And so every wicked Prelates power over Princes and all others shall be absolute He flattered our King William the Conqueror more than other Kings but ep 2. l. 11. He complaineth of his punishing a Bishop telling him that God taketh them as the apple of his eye and saith Touch not mine anointed and though they are naught and very unworthy they must be honoured and being called Gods men must not meddle with them Ep. 1. Append. Bin. p. 1278 he tells Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury how far the Church was from purity in his days viz. that The Bishops and such as should be Pastors of Souls do with insatiable desire hunt after the Glory of the World and the pleasures of the flesh And do not only themselves confound all things that are holy and religious but by their example draw their Subjects to all wickedness And that to let them alone is unlawful and to resist them how difficult So much of the Epistles of Greg. 7th who seemeth to be much more against vice than his predecessors for many ages but more for tyrannical usurpation and rebellion than ever any that was before him And if the better sort of them be such what may be expected from them § 67. CCCLIII An. 1074. In a Council at Rome Priests were forbid marrying and all that were married commanded to put away their Wives The Arch-Bishop of Mentz trying to do the same in Germany the whole party of the Clergy saith Lambert an 1074 raged against it and called the Pope a downright Heretick that opposed Christs Law who forbad putting away Wives except for fornication saying all men cannot receive this saying and as driving men to fornication They went from the Synod and some were for casting cut the Archbishop of Mentz and putting him to death But he spake them fair But the Pope went on § 68. CCCLIV. In a Synod at Genesius the Popes Legate and Anselm Lucens excommunicated many that had been against Anselm whereupon the whole City was enraged and forsook Mathildis and joyned with the Emperor and expelled the Bishop one Peter a Canon leading them § 69. CCCLV. an 1075. a Council at Rome excommunicated five of the Emperors Family unless they travelled to Rome and made satisfaction It excommunicated Philip King of France unless he satisfied the Nuntii of the Pope It suspended the Arch-bishop of Breme the Bishop of Strasburg the Bishop of Spire the Bishop of Bamberge and in Lombardie the Bishop of Papia the Bishop of Turine the Bishop of Placentine and also Robert Duke of Apulia and Robert de Roritello c. § 70. an 1075. Was the foresaid Synod at Mentz where the Arch-Bishop seeking to bring the Clergy to obey the Pope in putting away their Wives was fain to put it off to save his life from the Clergies rage The English Councils I omit referring you to Spelman of which one deposed Wulstan they say injuriously c. § 71. CCCLVI. an 1076. A Council at Worms sentenced the Pope deposed Two Bishops awhile refused consent but at last yielded And they sent to the Pope that thenceforth all that he did as Pope was void § 72. CCCLVII Hereupon the Pope calls a Council at Rome which excommunicated all the German Bishops that deposed him and the Bishops of Lombardy as conspiring against St. Peter and many French Bishops And with them the Emperor Henry and deposed him quantum inse from all his dominions and absolved his Subjects from their oaths as aforesaid § 73. CCCLVIII The excommunicate Bishops had a Council at Papia where they retorted the Popes Anathema on himself and excommunicate him § 74 CCCLIX The Pope calls another Council at Rome where the Arch-Bishops of Millan and Ravenna the Antipope are excommunicate and the Emperor's cause and party again condemned § 75. CCCLX Another Synod at Rome an 1078. decreed divers things for defence of the Clergies priviledges And it is observable that to that day the old Canons were in force for nulling all ordinations not made by the Common Consent of the Clerks and People Ordinationes quae interveniente pretio vel precibus vel obsequio alicujus personae ea intentione impenso vel quae non Communi consensu Cleri populi secundum Canonicas sanctiones fiunt ab his ad quos consecratio pertinet non comprobantur infirmas irritas esse dijudicamus quoniam qui taliter ordinantur non per ostium id est