corporally present in Transubstantiation the Sacrament Whence it was questioned Whether the bread evacuateth or the substance of it be changed into Christ's body Lombard could not define the question and sheweth the different opinions of others Lib. 4. Dist 11. Innocentius setteth it as an Article of faith that the bread and wine are transubstantiated into Christ's body and blood cap. 1. In cap. 2. the doctrine of Joachim is condemned but not himself In cap. 3. all men are cursed who hold not the faith which is in cap. 1. and they are ordained to be punished by the Magistrate and if they be Laicks their goods shall be confiscated or if they be Clerks their goods should return to the Church where they had their Benefice He ordained that all Magistrates should swear at their admission to banish all who are discerned Hereticks by the Church which if they be slack to do they should be accursed and if after excommunication any shall continue a year the Metropolitan should give notice unto the Pope who shall absolve all the subjects from obedience and give his Land unto others who will expel the Hereticks Item He who is declared an Heretick should not be admitted unto the Sacrament nor unto Christian burial nor should alms nor oblations be received from such Item All Bishops should twice or at least once in the year visit all their Diocy where is any suspicion of heresie and cause three or more men of best account or if need require all of the bounds should be compelled to swear whether they know any Hereticks there or if there be any privy meetings or any persons different in maners from the common conversation of others Cap. 10. Because the food of God's word is necessary unto Christian people and Bishops are hindered by many occasions from teaching their people therefore they should employ sufficient men to preach and visit and they should provide necessaries unto such This was a safe-guard unto unqualified and non-resident Bishops Cap. 13. There should be no more religions or society of Monks because there are too many already if any will be a Monk let him go to one of those sorts that are approved and if any will found a new Monastery let him take one of the former rules Cap. 19. We will not let this pass without correction that some of the Clergy adorn the Churches with their own and other mens goods that they are more like to Laicks houses then to the Churches of God Ca. 21. All believers when they come to the Auricular confession years of discretion should confess all their sins unto his own Priest once a year and accomplish the pennance that shall be enjoyned and should communicate at least at Easter unless his own Priest think good that he should abstain Neither may a Priest reveal unto others what hath been confessed These private confessions were in use before but then made necessary as also here it appeareth that before were no confessaries but the Priests until afterwards the Monks obtained this priviledge Ca. 22. Because when one is sick and the Physician biddeth send for a Priest the patient often despaireth of health and so falleth into greater danger therefore the Physician shall at the first bid send for the Physician of the soul Ca. 29. Plurality of Benefices is forbidden unless the Pope think good to dispense with some persons who are to be honored Ca. 31. Because Patrons detain the Church-revenues so that in these Countreys scarcely is found any Parish-Priest that hath but the least knowledge of letters therefore we ordain that a sufficient portion be assigned unto the Parish-Priest who should serve not by a Vicar but personally c. Ca. 42. As we would not that Laicks usurp the power of Clerks so we will that Clerks usurp not the power of Laicks Ca. 46. Magistrates should not exact taxations from the Clergy unless the Clerks will willingly contribute when they see the necessity of common burthens and even then not without the advice of the Pope Ca. 50. The prohibition of marriage should not exceed the fourth degree of blood or alliance because there are but four humors in mans body or it consisteth of four elements This is a fair pretence but it was a remedy saith Po. Virg. de inven lib. 5. cap. 5. against the Decree of Pope Julius who had ordained that marriage should not be within the seventh degree by which severity it came to pass that men could not finde marriage within their City and this Decree is observed saith he but he might have added unless men will pay for a dispensation and so no degree hindereth marriage as I have touched elsewhere and experience sheweth Likewise Pope Celestin the III. gave a judicial sentence If a married person fall into heresie the other spouse may marry another But this Innocentius ordained contrarily that heresie should not be a cause of divorce Extra de divort c. Quanto The election of the Pope was restrained unto the Cardinals by Pope Celestin the II. and this Innocentius confirmed that Act and added that the holy Colledge of Cardinals should have jurisdiction in all places and have authority over all men and power of judging the causes of all Princes and of bringing them into their Kingdoms or depriving them Cumi Ventura in Thesor Politic. pag. 388. printed at Frankford An. 1610. Peter King of Arragon made his Realms of Arragon and Sardinia tributary unto the Chair of St. Peter for the salvation of his soul forsooth in the days of this Innocentius He sat eighteen years and seven moneths After his death he appeared unto Ludgardis when she saw him compassed with so great fire she asked Who he was He answered I am Innocentius She groaned and said How is it that our common father is so tormented He answered I am so tormented for three causes which most justly had condemned me unto eternal punishment if by the intercession of the most holy Mother of God I had not repented at the last gasp I have indeed escaped eternal death but until the day of judgement I am tormented with most cruel punishments and that I could come unto thee to seek thy prayers the Mother of mercy hath obtained it from her Son And having spoken so he vanished The Nun declared his necessity unto her sisters that they would help him and lamenting his case she afflicted her self wonderously Let the reader understand saith my Author that I am not ignorant of those three causes which Ludgardis told me but for reverence of so great an high Priest I will not report them Bellar. de gemitu col lib. 2. cap. 9. ex Suri in vita Ludgar 2. HONORIUS the III. confirmed the Order of Dominicks and gave them priviledge of preaching and hearing confessions albeit they had not cure of souls or parishes He confirmed also the Orders of Franciscans Augustinenses and Carmelites He ordained that every one should bow their knee at the lifting up of the
that time the Civill estate was more and more troubled for they who in the convenion of Estates Oct. 8. year 1582. vvere declared to have don good necessary Service unto the K. and Country and they with all their partakers were exonered of all action that might be intended against them for what they had done at Ruthven these I say aâ—ter Arran's returning to Court were charged to enter into warde particularly designed unto them This they obeyd not except the Earle Auguise and therefore were denounced rebells and when harder course was intended against them they fled some to England others ro France and some to Irland The Ministers were not silent at this time Among others John Dury said in a Sermon As the blind man whose eies Christ had opened Joh. 9. when the the pharisies said Wee know this man to be a sinner did reply Whither he be a sinner I know not one thing I know that though I was born blind yet now I see So whatsoever sort of men these be I knowe not but this I know that the Church was misetably vexed and almost oppressed but by theyr meanes it was delivered For these words likely otherwise delated he was summoned to compear before the Counsell he stood to the defense of what he had spoken and therefore he was confined in the town of Montros soon after this the Min. there died and the Church made choise of Jo. Dury to succeed then the King gave him and his eldest son enduring their lifes a pension of 200. pounds out of two Abbeys There was more work with Andrew Melvin in a Sermon as Santadr he said Daniel propoundes unto Baltazar the example of his grand father Nebuchadnezar and so it is the duty of the Ministers of God to lay before the Prince and people of their time the examples of their ancestors if need require But in our time if any would speake before the Court what evill came unto James the fifth by familiarity of flatterers that so the King would take heed of that kind of beasts they will say That preacher leaves his text and possibly he shall be accused of treason For these words he was charged to appeare before the Counsell He appeares and when worse words were layd unto his charge he said His doctrin in pulpit should first be tryed and judged by the Presbytery He was bidden submit himselfe unto the King and Counsell by no persuasion could he be induced to submit The K. and Councell as his lawfull Judges proceed to examine witnesses He appeales unto the judgement of the Church and saith If the Church shall condem what he had spoken he shall willingly suffer whatsover torment shall be inflicted on his body At eight a clock at night he is charged to enter as prisoner into the castle within twelve hours In the morning Arran changeth his warde and before seven a Messinger of armes chargeth him to enter into Blackness withim 24. hours at that time his friends said to him They would take his life â—efore mid-day he went away to Berwick After this summons were directed against Andrew Hay Andrew Polwart Patrick Galloway and Ja. Carmichel Ministers to answer before the Counsell for keeping correspondence with the rebells An. Hay compeares nothing could be qualified against him but upon suspicion he was confined in the north The others for not compearing were denounced rebells and fled into England XXI What Pa. Adamson did in England we shall have a hint of it anone 1584. The Current Parliament he returned in May year 1584. by Act of Counsell a Parliament was appointed to sit May 22. Because there was no proclamation preceeding they called it A current Parliament The Historicall Narration saith They who were privy to it were of Arrans faction or such as durst not oppose any thing the Lords of the Articles were sworn to be secrete they had fyve Sessions in three daies the doores were keept so closse that none of the Ministry could find accesse Pa. Adamson and Ro. Mongomery sat as representing the third Estate and gave votes forsooth to make themselves Bishops The King and Parliament suspecting that the Ministers of Edinb would preach against their proceedings sent a charge unto the Provest and Bailives to pull the Ministers by force out of the pulpit and committ them to prison if they did so What was done in the Parliament appeares by the Acts Spotswood hath the sum of them saying The King's authority over all persons in all causes was confirmed The declining of his Ma s judgement and the Councels in whatsoever matter declared to be treason the impugning of the authority of the three Estates or procuring the innovation or diminution of the power of any of them was inhibited under the same pain All jurisdictions and judicatures spirituall or temporall not approved by his Higness and the three Estates were discharged and an ordinance was made that none of whatsoever function quality or degree shall presume privatly or publickly in Sermons declamations or familiar conferences to utter any false untrue or slanderous speaches to the reproach of his Majesty his Counsell and proceedings or to the dishonor hurt or prejudice of his Highness his parents progenitors or to medle with the affaires of his Hi. and Estate under the paines in the Acts of Parliaments made against the makers reporters of lies While these statutes were in framing the Ministers who were informed thereof sent David Lindsay to entreat the King that nothing should passe in Act concerning the Church till they were first heard Arran getting intelligence of this caused arrest him as one that keeped intelligence with England and he was not permitted to come unto the King The first night he was keept in Halirudhouse and the next morning sent prisoner to Blackness where he was detained 47 weeks Ja. Lowson and Wa. Balcanquall Ministers of Edinburgh hearing that he was committed fled into England leaving a short writing behind them to shew the reasons of their departing So Edinburgh was left without any preacher Ro. Pont Minister of S. Cutberts and one of the Senators of the Colledge of justice because of the misregarde of the Church as he pretended in concluding these Acts when the Heralds were proclaming them took instruments in the hands of a Notary of his dissenting and that they were not obliged to give their obedience thereunto Which done he likewise fleeing was denounced rebell and put from the place in Session Hereupon rumors being dispersed that the King was enclined to Popery had made diverse Acts to hinder the free passage of the Gospell and abolish all order and policy of the Church Command was given to form a brief Declaration of his Ma s intention and to publish it for detecting these false rumors In this declaration the occasion that enforced the King to make these statutes were set down as the allowance of the fact at Ruthven by the Assembly of the Church Andrew Melvins declining the
other was like a Criminal Court both which were different from worldly Courts in that the one had execution by the Authority of a Judge forcing men unto obedience and the other by the onely willingness of submitting parties which if they refuse to obey the Ecclesiastical Judge could do no more but commit the cause unto the judgement of God which as it pleaseth God shall be executed in this life or that to come And upon good ground was the name of Charity given unto the Ecclesiastical Judicatory because by it only was the defender moved to submit unto the Church and the Church to judge with so great sincerity of the Judge and obedience of the offender that there was no place left unto corrupt affection in the one nor of repining in the other and this great love made the punishment of chastising seem the more grievous even unto the chastiser so that in the Church was never any censure inflicted without great mourning of the people and greater of the Rulers and hence it came to pass that at that time the word mourning was used for chastising So St. Paul rebuking the Corinthians that they had not censured the incestuous man said And ye have not mourned that he that hath done this deed might be taken away And in the other Epistle I fear lest when I come I shall not finde you such as I would and lest I shall be wail many which have sinned already Now it seemeth the judgement of the Church as is usual in all Societies was ordered by some one which was President and propounded things and after deliberation gathered the suffrages which part seeing it is most convenient unto the most able and fit man without doubt was conferred on the Bishop But when the Churches were multiplied the propositions and deliberations were done by the Bishop first in the Colledge of Presbyters and Deacons which were called the Presbytery and there purposes were brought to ripeness that they might have the last stroke in the publique meeting of the Church This was yet the Custom about the year 250. as is clear in the Epistles of Cyprian who writing of them who had sacrificed unto Idols unto the Presbytery saith It is not his maner to do any thing without their advice nor without consent of the people and he writeth unto the people that when he shall return he will in their presence and according to their judgement examine the causes and merits and unto the Priests which by themselves had received some delinquents he writeth that they give account unto the people Because of the ingenuity and charity of the Bishops at that time it came to pass that all men almost did rest on their opinion and the Church when charity became cold and the charge that Christ had laid on them was carelesly performed left all unto the Bishop and ambition which is a slie affection and ready to creep into the heart with the shadow and shew of vertue did perswade the Bishops to accept it gladly But that alteration came not to the height till the persecutions were ceased for then the Bishops did as it were set up a throne unto themselves which became most frequent by the multitude of pleas with the accession of temporary riches And this form of Judicatory albeit differing from the former wherein all things were carried with consent of the Church did yet continue in the same sincerity And therefore the Emperor Constantine having tried the fruit of this Court in deciding controversies and how the vertue of Religion was able to discern many tricks and guiles which the Judges had not perceived made a Law that there should be no appealing from the Bishops sentence and the Judges should put them in execution Yea and when a cause was begun before the Secular Judge whatsoever was the state of it if either of the parties howbeit the other were unwilling did appeal unto the Bishop the cause without delay should be referred unto his consideration And then the judgement of the Bishop began to be Courtly and when he had the Magistrate to be the executioner of his Decree he taketh unto him the names of Episcopal Iurisdiction Episcopal Audience and such Titles Likewise the Emperor Valens thought good in the year 365. to enlarge this Court by giving unto them the inspection of the prices of things set forth to be sold which business was not acceptable unto the good and moderate Bishops for Possidonius reporteth that when Augustine had been taken up with such work untill noon and sometimes till night he called it Angaria a forced toil whereby his minde was distracted from things more properly belonging unto him and for these rusling broyls he left more useful things undone as neither did Paul go about these things which were not suitable to a Preacher but left them unto others Nevertheless when not a few of the Bishops did abuse that Authority that was granted unto them by Constantine's Law the same Law after 70. years was recalled by Arcadius and Honorius and it was ordained that Bishops should judge in causes of Religion onely and in Civil no other way but with consent of parties and also it was declared that they had no Court of Judgement This Law was little regarded in Rome because of the great power of the Bishop therefore in the year 452. Valentinian living in the City did renew that Law and caused it to be put in execution But the succeeding Princes did ratifie unto them again that power as Justinian did establish the Bishops Court and Audience and assigned unto them not onely the affairs of Religion but the Ecclesiastical faults of the Clergy and several powers over the Laicks By these degrees Correction which was appointed by Christ upon the account of Charity was turned to Dominion and was the occasion of losing the ancient reverence and obedience wherewith Christians were wont to regard their Bishops I know well that in words they will deny their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to be Dominion like the Secular but I cannot see what real difference they can shew Certainly St. Paul writing to Timothy and Titus sheweth a clear difference Let not a Bishop be given to lucre not a striker But now it is most usual to pay unto the Bishop the expences of Law and at his command to put into prison even as in Secular Courts But when the Provinces in the West were divided and the Empire was made up of Italy France and Germany and Spain became a Kingdom in these four Countreys the Princes made choise of Bishops to be their Counsellors and then by the confusion of spiritual and temporal power oh how the Authority of the Bishops Court augmented within 200. years they drew unto them all criminal and Civil power over the Clergy yea and over the Laicks in many particulars pretending that the cause is Ecclesiastical They they forge a mixt Judicatory wherein either a Bishop or a Magistrate which of the two shall first
his Progenitors time out of minde have been possessed with special priviledges and custom observed from time to time that no Legate from the Apostolick See should enter into the Land or any of the King's Dominions without calling petition or desire of the King and for as much as Richard Bishop of Winchester and Cardinal of S. Eusebie hath presumed to enter as Legate not being called nor desired by the King Therefore the said Proctor in presence of the Council of England then in the house of the Duke of Glocester Lord Protector in the King's minority did protest that it standeth not with the King's minde by advice of his Council to admit or approve the coming of the said Legate in any way or to assent to the exercise of this his Legantin Authority either attempted or to be attempted in this respect contrary to the foresaid Laws and custom c. By these Acts it is manifest that the usurpation of the Popes was odious unto the Nations and that their avarice and innovations were restrained but the Kings did not exclude them especially in England the persecution that was begun in the latter days of Edward the III. continued all the time of King Richard the II. and Henry the IV. and V. though not always with a like cruelty But in Scotland their Acts had more strength for when James Kennedy Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews who founded and perfected the most famous Colledge of Scotland now called the Old Colledge of Saint Andrew's died An. 1466 his Brother of the same Mother Patrick Graham was elected by the Canons to succeed but he could not obtain the King's consent for the Courtiers perswaded him that he should not admit such elections because by such means the greatest honors were in the power of the basest men to wit Canons gave Bishopricks and Monks made Abbots and Priors whereas said they all should depend on the King that he may reward punish and forgive according to the service done unto him Wherefore that Patrick went to Rome and easily obtained The first Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews from Pope Sixtus the IV. not only confirmation of the election but likewise the Title of Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrew's and that all the other Bishops should be subordinate unto that See and power to be Legate for three years for preventing the dangers insuing unto the Church Notwithstanding all this his authority he durst not return into Scotland for fiye years but abode at Rome for he knew that the people were exclaiming against the contempt of the Laws In the year 1472. he would adventure to return but sent before him the Bull of his Legation They which were advanced or hoped for advancement by the King did fear that this Legation would be to their prejudice and they ceased not to shew the King that his authority was contemned by that Bull his Acts were annulled and the liberties of the Realm were turned into the hands of the Romans Then by Act of Council an Herauld was sent unto Patrick at his landing before he entred into any house to inhabit him from attempting any thing in any of these Offices untill such things as were to be laid unto his charge were examined before the King Thereafter he was reconciled unto the King but with express charge that he attempt nothing beyond the custom of his Predecessors Nor had any in that place so little authority for he was excommunicated by the Rector and then again accursed by Husman the Pope's Inquisitor and the Arch-Deacon Sevez was placed in his Chair and Patrick was hurried from place to place as to a stronger prison whether justly or unjustly it is not certain since the cause nor process is not made known except that he paid not the money for his Bull of priviledges Others were so affraid at his miseries that they attempted not to recover that priviledge of election from the power of the King and whom the King did recommend unto the Pope were all accepted Hence it came to pass that Benefices were bestowed upon unqualified men at the pleasure and suit of Courtiers so great corruptions followed Buchan lib. 12. 7. About the year 1465. a Carmelite preached at Paul's Cross that Christ on earth was poor and begged The Provincial of that Order and others held the same opinion But others did inveigh bitterly against them as teachers of pestiferous errours The fame of this controversie went over the Alps and Pope Paul the II. writ his Bull into England informing his Prelates that it is a pestiferous heresie to affirm that Christ had publickly begged and it was of old condemned by Popes and Councels therefore it should now be declared as a condemned Heresie In the year 1473. John Goose or as some write John Huss was burnt on the Tower-hill for the doctrine of the above-named Martyrs The next year an old Matron about 90. years of age Johan Boughton was burnt at Smith-field and her daughter the Lady Young was in danger An. 1498. a godly man at Babram in Norfolk was burnt and in the same year and place a Priest was burnt whom all the Clarks of Canterbury could not remove from his faith The next year another was burnt at Smithfield Io. Fox in Acts Mon. 8. About the year 1492. Robert Blaketer went to Rome for his confirmation The first Arch Bishop of Glascow a persocuter in the Bishoprick of Glascow he obtained from Pope Alexander the VI. the Title of Arch-Bishop and that three other Diocies should be subject unto him Sevez Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews would not acknowledge him nor his Title because it was in prejudice of his former Title Upon this occasion both Clergy and Nobility went into factions at last they were reconciled so that they both should be called Arch-Bishops but Saint Andrews should precede In the year 1494. by this Robert was summoned before the King and Councel thirty persons from Kyle and Cunningham among these George Campbel of Cesnok Adam Reed of Barskyning John Campbel of Newmills Andrew Shaw of Polkennet c. The Articles laied unto their charge were 1. Images should not be worshipped 2. Nor Reliques of Saints 3. Christ gave power unto Peter and not to the Pope to bind and loose 4. The Pope is not the Successour of Peter but where it was said unto him Go behind me Satan 5. After the Consecration bread remains and the natural body of Christ is not there 6. The Pope deceives the people by his Bulls and Indulgences 7. The Mass profiteth not the souls which are said to be in Purgatory 8. The Pope exalts himself against God and above God 9. Priests may have wives 10. True Christians receive the body of Christ every day by faith 10. Faith should not be given unto miracles now 11. We should pray unto God only 12. We are not bound to beleeve all that Doctours have written 13. The Pope who is called the head of the Church is the Antichrist They were accused upon other
no less respect Here was mentioned the example of Luther who having to do with the German Friers and Doctors of Rome did submit himself unto the Pope and when Leo took the words as real and did against the mans mind Luther was more invective against the Pope then he was before against the pardon-mongers Neither could the Legats and the Italian Prelats accord with the Imperialist and Spanish Bishops in the articles of Reformation the one party striving to recover their antient liberty and to crub the Roman Cardinals and the other being zealous of the prerogatives of the Court The Pope is advertised of all these and by advice of Deubts at Rome the Super-Synod framed the articles of doctrine and judged it hard to deny all the articles of reformation or to grant them all at last he directed the Legats to yeeld in some and to cause so many as they could to be delayd unto the next Session In the mean while he consulteth what may ensue upon such difficulties both from the Prelats and Divines he feareth worse a coming he knew the Emperour had temporized with him and now when he prevailes in Germany he will by all meanes use the Councel for subduing Italy and Rome The nearest remedy thinks the Pope is to secure himself against the Synod But how to dissolve it is not seasonable so many things being as yet not spoken of To suspend it will require some weighty cause and were to little purpose for they would immediatly remove that cause To transfer it into another place where himself had absolute power seemes fittest He could not judge Rome a fit place because the Germans would talk of it Bolonia seemes fittest because it is nigh the Alpes and in a fertile soil Then for the manner he will not be named in it but let the Legats do it by authority of their former Bull of the date Febr. 22. 1545 in so doing the blame might be imputed unto them and yet he uphold them or if by any emergent occasion he shall change his mind he may do it without dishonour This he directeth a cousin of Car. De Monte unto the Legats with Letters of credit At the first the Legats were amazed not knowing what shew to pretend but then they talk of the intemperatnes of the aire as appeares said they by the infirmity of some Prelats and the â—estimony of Fracastorius Physicion of the Synod and the Pop's pensionary So the Session VII was held on March 3. An. 1547. VII The next day in a General congregation they begin to talk of removing the Councel The Imperialists said There is not so epidemik a The Councel is removed disease as was pretended Nevertheless the Legats will have it voiced and by degrees prevailed to leap into Bolonia A Session was held March 13 a decree was read for removing and to keep the ninth Session at Bolonia Aprile 21. Thirty and five Bishops and three Generals did assent Card. Pacceco and 17 Bishops were for the negative The Imperial Ambassadour required that these remove not untill his Ma. were informed and gave order Those Newes were offensive unto the Emperour taking it as a contempt of him and judging that a weapon was wrested from him by managing of which he had the fairer opportunity to have brought all Germany into obedience He wrote unto the Fathers at Trent commending their constancy and requiring that they remove not Those consult Whether they should do any Synodal Act but all did judge it would turn to a schism Letters were sent mutually between them at Trent and them at Bolonia and both vsed the name of the Synod The Pope sent more Prelats unto Bolonia where in many congregations nothing was handled but how their removing might be defended The Emperour directeth his Letters unto Bolonia and unto Rome representing some inconvenients of removing the Synod and profering some advantages if it be set on foot at Treat again The Bolonians answer They can do nothing without order from the Head of the Church The Pope answered He had already committed his full power unto the Councel The Ambassadors called those answers ascoffing of their Master and according to their Order they made Protestation that the Translation is unlawfull and that all things are void which have followed or shall follow thereupon seing the authority of those few can not give lawes unto all Chistendom and because the Pope and those Fathers are deficient the Emperour will not fail to provide for the Church as it becomes unto him by antient lawes and consent both of holy Fathers and of the whole world Nevertheless the Councel was not restored untill Car. De Monte became P. Julius February 2. in the year 1551. The Emperour sent to congratulate his coronation and to reduce the Synod This P. is now put to his thoughts on the one side he considereth that he was not only called the chief Agent of Transsering it but he had also hitherto mantained it and the same motives of Pope Paul were as yet pressing to wit the designes of the Emperour and of the Prelats aiming at their own interests to the preiudice of the Papal See On the other hand if he called not the Councel again it were scandalous to the world and beget a bad conceit Consultation about the restoring of it of him in the beginning of his Papacy it would provoke the Emperour to vse National Councels yea and forces against him As for the dissuading reasons he thought It could not be called levity in him because before he was a Servant and obedient unto his Lord but now he is Lord and the present dangers must be shunned So he calleth a Congregation of the Cardinals especially the Imperialists that they may fall upon that advice where unto he was inclining They judge it fittest to restore the Councel because before the election in the Conclave he had sworn to do it and again at his coronation besides other reasons He obiecteth principaly the danger of the Papal authority Some answered God who had founded the Roman Church and avanced it above others will dissipate all contrary counsel Some in simplicity think so and others knew not what to say Car. Crescentius said Greatest exploits are difficult because of some causes unknown or lightly accounted of for the present there is more fear that the Princes and world will depart de facto than in the Synod by disputs or decrees there is danger both wayes but the most honourable and least dangeroâ—s must be chosen The appearing dangers in the Synod may be preveened by holding the Fathers upon other purposes many especially the Italians may be persuaded with hope Princes may be counterpoised differences may be fomented and a wise man will find remedies upon emergent occasions This opinion was embraced and Nuntij were dispatched into Germany and France to represent the ingenuous applause of the Pope unto their common desire Vnto the Emperour it was propounded that in
where matters left and that wee endeavour the reducing of them to the estate wherein they stood One thing wee may call to remembrance that when we traveled in the Parliament that the States would agree that the thirds should be decerned to appertain unto the Ministry they plainly opponed unto us in respect of the first Act alledging that with the sustentation of the Ministry regaird should be had to the support of the Prince in sustaining the publick charges wich if they had not some relief by that meane the revenue of the Crown being so diminished and the ordinary charges come to such greatness they must be burdened with exactions and so this dangerous argument compelled us to promise unto the States that wee would take upon us the Act being granted unto the Church they would satisfy and agree to any thing should be thought reasonable for support of the King and us bearing the authority which order had been sufficient for the wholl if intestine trouble had not occurred But the disobedience growing so vniuersaly wee are content to sustain our part of the enlake and loss for the time bypast but because there hath been murmur and grudge for that thing assigned to the Kings house and ours and some other nâ—edfull things in the State as that thereby the Ministry were frustrat of their appointed stipends Some communication was hade at Santandrews and nothing concluded untill the generall Assembly of the Church This now moveth us to write unto you in this form praying you to consider rightly the necessity of the cause and how the same hath proceeded from the beginming having respect that the Church will be very ill obeyd without the Kings authority and power and that now the property of the Crown is not able to sustain the ordinary charges how in the beginning the thirds had not been granted if the necessity of the Prince had not been one of the chief causes And at the Parliament as we have written the States stack to consent that the wholl thirds should be declared to appertain unto the Ministry untill wee took in hand that they being made without condition in favor of the Church the same would again condescend to so much as might be sufficient to the support of the publick affaires in setting forth the Kings authority And that therefore yee will now agree and condescend to a certain speciall assignation of what shall be employd to this use the quantity where of diverse of yourselves and the bearer hereof Master John wood our servant can inform you that thereafter yee may distribute to euery man having charge in the Church of God his stipend according to the condition of the place he serves in at your W. discretion Heerby all confusion that along time hath troubled the estate of the Church about the stipends shall be avoided and some speciall prouision being made for sustaining these publick charges wee may the better hold hand to see the Church obeyd in that whereon Ministers should live as we shall report that during our travels in the North they have found our effectuous good will and travell in their furtherance Further wee shew you briefly one thing that occurred at our late being in Elgin one Nicol sutherland in Forress was put to the knowledge of an Assise for incest and with him the woman the Assise hath convicted him of the fault but the question is whither the same be incest or not So that we delayd the execution untill we might have your resolution The case is the woman before was harlot unto this Nicol's mother-brother Heerin Master Ro. Pont can inform you more amply And at our coming to Aberdeen come one Porterfield Minister provided before to the vicarage of Ardrossam and required of us that he might also have the vicarage of Stevinstoun seing both were litle enough to sustain him and the churches were near that he might discharge the cure of both wee having him commended by sundry gentle men unto the same but we thought good to advertise you that this preparative induce not an ill exemple and corruption and if such things occurre heerafter let us understand what yee would have us to do As also concerning the Chaplanries that shall happen to vaik where in because as yet is no certain order prescribed some confusion continues some desiring them for life time some for infants that are not fit for schools and some for seven years Wee are somtimes pressed to receive or confirm assignations or dimission of Benefices the preparative where of seemeth to bring with it corruption And wee would be resolued how to proceed Before our coming from â—ife and since we have been very willing to do justice on all persons suspect of witchcraft as also on adulterers incestuous persons and abusers of the sacraments where in we could not have such expedition as we wished because we had no other probability but a generall delation of names the persons suspected being for the most part not tryed nor convicted by order of the Church This hindered many things that otherwise might have been done Therefore wee pray you appoint and prescribe how the iudgement of the Church may proceed and be executed against all such transgressors before coâ—plaint be made to us that when we come to the countries wee may execute the law and be relieved of the tryall inquisition of them Wee thought good to give you this advertisment and so remitting these all to your care diligence Committs you to the protection of the eternall God At Aberdien Juny 30. 1569. In answer unto these two particular questions the Assembly resolues that the case of Nicol is incest and that Chaplanries should be disponed to the Colledges or to the poor conform to the Act of Parliament and no otherwise The next assembly is appointed to hold at Sterlin Februaty 25. next coming but in the book of the Assemblies it is said expressly Because of the troubles falling out by the slaughter of my L. Regent it was delayd untill March 1. and to begin at Edinburgh It is to be marked in this former assembly that whereas of all the bishops three only did embrace or professe the Reformed religion to wit of Galloway Orknay Caitnes none of them had any power in the Church but by vertue of Commission that was given them by the Assembly upon account that they had the Church-revenues in the places and they might have supplied the place of Superintendents but when the charge was committed unto them they were alwayes found deficient in exercise thereof yea and guilty in ioyning with these which did oppose present authority as Adam bishop of Orknay joyned in mariage the Earle of Bothvell the murderer of the King with the Queen and the Authour of Vindiciae Philadephi pag. 28. testifies that it was clearly known to every one that the bishop of Galloway did ioyn with them who opposed the Governement of the King and did not only preach unto that
be advised hereupon against mooneday when every Presbytery shall have readie the names of such as they think meet for their presbytery to attend the Plat for Churches admit persons presented to Benefices and to designe Manses In Sess 15. Whereas before Commissioners of countries had the charge to enroll the Ministers their stipends at the Plat to receive presentations and to give collation to designe Manfes and gliebs henceforth the well constitute presbyteries and each one of them shall yearly ay and while the necessity thereof craves elect out of their number a brother in name of the Presbytery for enrolling expedition of their stipend at the Plat authorized instructed by them with commission subscribed by the Moderator and Clerk of the Presbytery To be shewed and produced unto the Modefiers And the same Commissioner to designe Manses gliebs within the bounds of their presbytery And in all things concerning the execution of his commission to be countable and subject to the judgement censure of the Presbytery from which he receives it And that all presentations be directed â—n time coming unto the Presbytery where the Benefice lyeth Providing in admission and deprivation of Ministers within Buchan Aberdien Garioch and Marre that Aberdien Buchan proceed with mutuall advice and so Marre Garioch likewise with mutuall advice and in case of wariance there the matter shall be referred to the Generall assembly X. It is thought meet for the common profite of all the people that an uniform order be keept in examination before the Communion and to this end that a short form of examination be penned before the next assembly whereunto four persons are named XI Because the patrimony of the Church hath been wasted by these who had the title of Benefices and thereby the provision of the Ministry failes All presbyteries are commanded to try the Beneficed within their boundes and in what condition they received their Benefice and in what condition they are presently and who have set tacks or have disponed the title of their Benefice or any part thereof without consent of the Generall assembly And to report unto the Provinciall Synod what they have found and the Synod to try if any thing hath been neglected by them and report unto the next Generall assembly XII Gâ—eat slander lyeth upon the Church through manifold murders notorious adulteries and incests and the parties being brought under process oftymes elude the Church by shifting from place to place so that the process can not be brought well to a finall Sentence therefore it is voted Whither parties falling into so odious crimes may summarily upon the notoriety of the crime be excommunicated and it is concluded affirmativè XIII Forsomuch as the dangerous inâ—urrection at the bridge of Dee being considered to have notoriously imported speciall prejudice to the true religion and the speciall authours and enterprisers thereof continuing under that slander have never intended to purge themselves thereof by confessing their offence Therefore the Assembly gives their power and commission unto the Presbytery of Edinhurgh with other nyne Ministers then named to summon before them in Edinburgh the Earls Lords Barous and free holders who were at that insurrection and to charge them to confesse their offense against the true Church of God and his religion and to make satisfaction for the slander committed by them Under the pain of excommunication And that before the first day of February next Referring to their discretion the particular dyets and order of process to be keept therein Providing that this commission be execute before the said day and requiring John Craig to remember this matter unto these commissioners as he will eschue the blame of the brethren in case of negligence Many things may be observed in this Assembly as 1. Their impartiality without respect of persons of whatsoever condition 2. B Spotswood reportes the Kings presence and many of his words in this assembly whereby he confutes what he had said before of the Kings dissimulation and indignation against the Assembly but he omittes what was done concerning the disciplin because though he and some others were present and voted unto â—hese Acts concerning the disciplin yet afterwards he and they became enemies thereof and accepted Bishopricks yea and the same year the K. hearing of the afflictions of the Antiepiscopal party in England wrote unto the Queen in their favors as also he did again in the year following as witnesseth Fuller in Church-histo li. 9. and expresseth the second Letter thus Hearing of the apprehension of Mr Vdall and Mr Cartwright and certain other Ministers of the Evangel within your realm of whose good erudition and faithfull travels in the Church we hear a very credible commendation howsoever that their diversity from the Bishops and others of your clergy in matters touching them in conscience hath been a mean by their delation to work them your disliking at this present we can not weighing the duty which we owe to such as are afflicted for their conscience in that profession but by our most effectuous and earnest Letter interpone us at your hands to stay any harder usage of them for that cause Requesting you most earnestly that for our cause and intercession it may please you to let them be relieved of their present strait and whatsoever further accusation or suit depending on that ground Respecting both their former merit in setting forth the Evangel the simplicity of their conscience in this defence which can not well be their let by communion and the great slander which can not fail to fall out upon their further streighting for any such occasion Which we assure us your zeal to religion besides the expectation we have of your good will to pleasure us will willingly accord to our request having such proofs from time to time of our like disposition to you in any matters which you recommend unto us ...... Dated Edinburgh June 12. 1591. Fuller saith One word from archb Whitgift befriended Mr Cartwright more then both the Letters from the King of Scotland But who can tell whither the archbishop was not moved with the earnestness of these Letters from such a Soliciter to speak a word for his antagonist lest he had been set at liberty whither he would or not Howsoever it was these Letters shew the Kings affection unto the cause and his esteem of their persons XXVIII The Nationall Assembly conveens at Edinburgh July 2. The 53. Assembly 1591. Nicol dalgleish is chosen Moderator I. Because the Assembly hath changed their place whereupon some may doubt of the authority thereof It is voted and coucluded that there is a reasonable and weighty cause for the change and that nothing is done in prejudice of their power seing the cause is the desire of his Ma. who for sundry reasons hath willed the Ass to site heerat this time and if any brother craves to be further satisfied the brethren of the Conference will resolve
his kingdom you are a subject unto Christ and a member of his Church and neither Head nor King the spirituall office-bearers to whom He hath committed the Goverment of his church have power and warrant to conveen which you ought not to controll nor discharge but rath to assist Sir when you were in your swadling cloaths Christ reigned freely in this Land in despite of the enemies the office-bearers had their meetings and their meetings have been steadeable unto your Maj. when the enemies were seeking your destruction and now when such necessity urgeth them you will find fault with their conveening The wisdom of your Counsell which is pernicious is this Because Ministers and Protestants in Scotland are too strong and controle the King they must be weakned and brought low by stirring a party against them and when the King is indifferent to both both shall fly to him and so he shall be served grow in grandure and attain his purpose But this wisdom may prove foly and in serving both you shall lose the hearts of both The King setleth a litle and dimits them pleasantly promising that albeit the Convention had licenced them to make their offers they shall not be licensed untill they be out of the Countrey again and whatsoever they offer they shall find no favor at his hand till they have satisfied the Church Nevertheless they were permitted to remain and travell by their friends for reconciliation The Commissioners of the Generall Assembly and Commissioners from sundry Synodes meet at Edinb Octob. 23. as was appointed at Couper It was thought expedient that some commissioners be appointed for every quarter of the country and one of every quarter shall abide at Edinburgh monethly by turns to communicate the advertisements that shall be directed from diverse parts and to consult upon the most expedients in every case Robert Bruce Robert Pont David Lindsay Jac. Balfour Pat. Galloway and Wal. Balcanquell Ministers within the Presbytery of Edinbugh were appointed to conveen always with them From this conveention were sent unto the Presbyteries informations of the dangers arising from the forfeited Earles and for remedy the Ministers were desired to make professors sensible of the danger to keep a publick humiliation the first sunday of December to urge an universall amendement in all estates beginning at themselves to intimate solemly in all the churches the excommunication of the Apostate Earles to proceed with the censure of the Church against them who entertain any society with them or take any dealing for them quia periditatur salus Ecclesiae Reipublicae November 9. these who conveen sent Da. Lindsay Pa. Gallowav Ja. Nicolson and Ia. Melvin The third debate unto the King to crave in all humility that he would shew what moved him take so hardly with the Ministry to offer all satisfaction and to propound their grievances November 11. they report to the brethren the Kings answers There can be no agriement betwixt him and the Ministry till the marches of their Iurisdiction wer rid they should not speak in pulpit of the affaires of State and Counsell the Generall assembly should not conveen but by his authority and speciall command Synods presbyries and particular Sessions should not medle with causes whereupon his lawes strick but fornication and the like scandalls and he will be satisfied in these and such other heads As for their grievances his answer was he had granted nothing to the excommunicate Earls but what his Counsell and Estates thought needfull for the peace of the realm and upon condition that they satisfy the Church The Lady Huntly who was come to the baptisme of his Daughter is a good discreet Lady as Papists may be honest folks and his Mother was a Papist and yet an honest Woman The Lady Livinston shall satisfy the Church or els she shall not come neer his Daughter but he could not refuse to concredite her unto the Lord Livinston And they reported that they had replied The free rebuke of sin without respect of persons was warranted by Gods Word Ministers speak alway with reverence of his Majesty but can not spare the enemies of truth nor comport with any favorable dealing shewd towards them The discipline of the Church was established after many conferences upon evident grounds of Gods Word by his Majesties lawes and Acts of Parliament and use and practise following His Majesty had not done well in granting any favor to the forfeited Earls till they had been out of the Countrey and all that the favor shewd unto Papists moveth good men to suspect his Majesty especially if the Lady Huntly come to the baptism pulpits would sound against it and the committing of his Daughter unto the Lady Livinston's custody will be thought a speciall pledge of his favor unto Papists When the brethren heard this report they perceived clearly that the ruine of the liberty of Christs Kingdom was intended and seing the King had uttered his mind so plainly they thought meet to advertise the Presbyteries and exhort the brethren to study diligently the grounds of disciplin and that they argue not upon articles which are to be sent unto them from the King till their Commissioners be advised For they feared to call into question the determined and undoubted disciplin of Christs Church Here yee may see the alteration of discipline was intended before December and I have heard saith David Black he there that the King had a role of Ministers whom he purposed to preferre unto Bishopricks before December 17. The same elleventh day of November they were enformed certanly that David Black Minister at Santand was to be charged to compear before the King and his Counsell for some words spoken in a Sermon in October The next day the foresaid Ministers were sent again unto the King to understand what were his doutbs A fourth debate questions he had to propound concerning the marches and calling of the Ministry and to advertise his Majesty how it is taken hardly that Ministers of Gods word be vexed and charged for calumnies and triffling delations when the enemies of Gods truth are favored and over seen They reported on November 15. that they had received no good answer because his own Minister Pa. Galloway had said unto him in a private conference The Church gote fair words and promises without effect but the enemies gote the good deeds Nevertheless the same brethren excepting Patrick were directed again to insist earnestly upon this point that order be taken with the common enemy ere any controversie be intended against the Church or any Minister otherwise to let him understand that all the world will say Nothing was intended but benefite to the enemies and trouble unto the Church The King answered He had thought much of that matter only let David Black compear and if he be innocent purge himself in judgement but take heed that he decline not my judicatury For if he do so it will be worse The brethren
most gracious Lords There he calleth himself the unworthy servant of his Godliness and he shews the iniquity of an Imperial Ordinance in his judgement and he concludes thus I being obedient unto your command have caused the same law to be published through divers parts of the land and because the law is not consonant unto the Almighty God behold I have told it unto our most gracious Lords by the page of our suggestion therefore in both I have payed what I should who have given unto the Emperour obedience and have not been silent for God so far as I know The Jesuit saith that he did write in such manner partly in humility and partly in necessity because the Emperour had then the Temporal Authority in Rome and the Pope had need to be defended from the Lombards and the Emperour being far off did entrust him with many things and the Bishop ought to give account of such things But the foresaid Ordinance was of a purpose Ecclesiastical And lib. 4. c. 34. he complains that Maximus was admitted Bishop of Salona without consent of him or his Nuntio and nevertheless when he had received from the Emperour a command he had loosed his sentence of Excommunication as if Maximus had been ordeined by his order And li. 9. Ep. 41. he saith if John Bishop of Justiniana will not dismiss his charge the most godly Emperour may cause to choose another seeing what he commandeth to do is in his power as he knows so may he provide only he craves that the Emperour would not cause him to meddle with such a Deposition Here I do not intend to inquire the causes and equity of things but to shew what was done and we see the Pope subject unto the Emperour but wait a space and we shall see the Emperour subject unto the Pope Is not this a novation Acts of a Patriarch Behold what power the Bishops of Rome did exerce within his Patriarchal When Constantius Bishop of Millain died he sent word by his Clark Pantaleon unto the City that they should chuse a Deacon Deus dedit to be Bishop and cause him to be consecrated lib. 9. indict 4. Ep. 21. He gave charge to Passius Bishop of Firma that he should chuse Opportunus to be Pastor if he be able lib. 10. ind 5. Ep. 13. He commandeth under the censure of Excommunication all the Bishops of Dalmatia that they ordain not any Bishop in Salona without his consent lib. ind 12. Ep. 16. He did also draw the causes of Arch-Bishops unto Rome as when Severus Bishop of Aquileia had been accused of heresie and restored and after was accused again he summoneth him according to the command of the most Christian Emperour to appear in St. Peters that there in a lawfull Synod his cause may be judged lib. 1. Ep. 16. He chargeth Natalis Bishop of Salonitan that seeing the cause of Honoratus Arch-Deacon seems to have been decided with contention in that Synod and they had ordained him against his will to exerce the Office of a Priest and removed him as unworthy the Office of a Deacon to restore the Arch-Deacon and if any scandal shall arise thereupon he willeth that both the Arch-Deacon shall be cited to appear before him and also the Bishop should direct some person for him that the cause may be examined Ib. Ep. 19. When Maximus was ordained Bishop of Salona contrary to his order now named he commandeth him to humble himself and hasten to appear before him without any excuse lib. 5. indict 14. Ep. 25. Out of the next Epistle it appears that Maximus did not obey and the Clergy and Rulers did assist him wherefore the Pope did write unto them to cause Maximus to come and appear and he promised that he would judge the cause uprightly He drew civil things to his power as lib. 8. ind 3. Ep. 6. he ordered Savinus a Sub-Deacon to cause Maria to pay unto Stopaulus and Marcellus what her father had left unto them by Testament In lib. 11. ind 6. Ep. 54. among other directions that he gave unto John going into Spain he The Bishop had power in civil things from or by the Civil Law telleth him how the Emperour Justinian had ordained that if any had an action against a Clark or Monk or Deacon he should first go unto the Bishop of the place and there the cause to be decided and if both parties did not rest contented the Judge of the place should put the sentence in execution This instance shews that the Bishops had their power in civil things by the Laws of the Empire At that time the Bishop of Rome had Revenues from other Churches and lib. 10. Ep. 47. he bids his Clark Pantaleon to bring unto him the silver which is left by the Clergy or people that he might see the mony of the Churches which the people and clergy have safely kept And in the 50. Epistle he gives order unto John Bishop of Siracuse concerning his Revenues paied there and in Panormitan Pelagius the I. mad an Act that all Metropolitans within his jurisdiction should within three months after their Consecration as they speak ask a Palle Pallium or a Bishops Coat from Rome Gratian. dist 100. cap. 1 2. it seems that they did not regard the Palles therefore Gregory obtrudes the Palles upon them and would have the Metropolitans to accept them but would suffer nothing to be taken for them li. 4. Ep. 51 56. He made a new form of Service which The first Mass at Rome they call the Masse and did add many Ceremonies that were not in use before so that Platina saith the whole institution of the Mass was invented by him Onuphrius saith that Platina comes short in describing of his inventions He first did ordain the Stations and the great Letany that is upon occasion The first Stations of a great inundation in Rome he appointed that on the 25. of April yearly the people should resort to certain Churches and if they please to confess their sins they may receive forgiveness Pol. Verg. de inven rer lib. 8. cap. 1. which custom still remains but now upon necessity whereas he said if they please Nor in that order makes he mention of indulgences albeit some of his Sermons be extant that he delivered upon these days Rabanus de institut cler lib. 2. cap. 18. expounds these Stations to be the Fast on Wednesday and Friday He ordained the Lent to begin on Ash-wednesday and the Ceremonies thereof Po. Verg. lo. ci lib. 6. cap. 3. and lest the people were detained too long from dinner he ordained that Matins be closed before nine a clock 2. SABINIAN was at Constantinople when Gregory died and was advanced into his Seat by Phocas When he came to Rome there was great dearth and the poor people besought him to follow the alms-deeds of Gregory he answered Gregory hunting after a popular applause had wasted the patrimony of the Church
the City unto Constantinople Theodore doth so and Felix had both his eys burnt out with hot brass the Citizens were killed or banished Sabellic Ennead 8. lib. 7. and upon this occasion Pope Leo the II. obtained from the Emperour that the Arch-Bishop of Ravenna in all times coming should receive investiture from Rome Hence we see that all Italy was not subject unto the See of Rome seeing Ravenna had contended with Rome for dignity Agatho sate 3. years 17. LEO II. is called a learned Pope He ordained that no Arch-Bishop should pay any thing to the Church of Rome for Investiture or Palle because such a custome would breed many inconveniences Platin. This Decree held not and by length of time the price of the Palle waxed so great that Albert Bishop of Ments payed for it 30000. crowns Sleidan comment adan 1523. Leo accurseth at Rome all them whom the sixth Councel The humble Letter of the Pope unto the Emperour had condemned as his Epistle written to the Emperour shews out of which I have marked these passages Unto the King of Kings we give thanks who hath bestowed an earthly kingdom upon you so that you should covet heavenly things for it is better that you trust in God with a setled mind then that you reign with honour given you from above that is profitable to you this to your subjects for by the mercy of God you obtain the triumphal glory of your fathers Crown by birth your godliness is the fruit of mercie but your power is the conserver of discipline by the one thereof your Princelie mind is joined with God by the other discipline is done unto your Subjects the riches of the one relieve the poor the happiness of the other amendeth them who stray from the right way It is no less care of them who are in authoritie to amend the froward than to triumph over an enemie The Legates of this Apostolical See your mother the Roman Church the servants of your Holiness together with the persons who went with them who by our Predecessour of Apostolical memory Agatho at the 8. indiction for the cause of faith your Godliness commanding were hither directed the tenth indiction being now past in the month of Julie together with your Godliness Letters and Acts of the Councel did we receive with great joy in the Lord and as it were we entred out of the gulf of grief into the haven of longed-for calmness and recovering strength we began with great thanksgiving to cry out Lord save our most Christian King and hear him ...... Therefore as we have received every one of the general Councels of Nice Constantinople Ephesus Chalcedon and Constantinople all which the Church of Christ doth approve So the sixth general Councel which was now celebrated in this Princely City by means of your clemency we as their foot-grooms Nota do with the like reverence receive and we discern the same Councel to be numbred justly with them as being gathered by the same or alike grace of God therefore we do anathematize and accurse all heresies and all Authors or favourers of them Theodore Bishop of Farranitan Cyrus of Alexandria Sergius Pirrhus Peter and Paul rather successours than Bishops of Constantinople and Honorius who did not adorn the Apostolical See with doctrine of Apostolical tradition but by his wicked traitory did indeavour to subvert the unspotted faith In the end let your Princely magnanimity think worthy of your wonted acceptation and clemency Constantine a sub-Deacon the humble Bearer of these Presents and give your godly ears unto his informations that in the servant you would worthily acknowledge the sender Let the Reader consider how different the stile of this Letter is from the presumptuous Buls of Popes afterwards and see a Pope condemned of heresie Leo sate 10. months but his glory was so great saith Platina that it seemed as if he had lived longer The seat was vacant 11. months and 21. daies 18. BENEDICT II. was thought so singular in learning and godliness A little change in the election of a Pope that he was chosen with consent of all and the Emperour thought so well of his Election that then it was first ordained by him whom the Clergie People and Souldiers of Rome should chuse unto the Papacie he incontinently should be received without sending unto Constantinople but only unto the Eparch of Ravenna We will see the practice in Conon and Sergius Barorius speaks of the custom formerly how the confirmation was sought from the Kings of the Goths and after them from the Emperour and lastly from the Eparch But when the Popes began to despise the Emperour they did not respect the Eparch Pol. Virgil. de inven rer lib. 4. cap. 10. saith The power of creating the Roman High-Priest untill the Reign of the Emperour Constantine without doubt did appartain unto the Colledge of Roman Priests then by degrees the Election of that Colledge with the suffrages of the people was firm which the Emperour had approved and this continued till the year 685 this custom indured not long the Successours of Charls the Great were accustomed to confirm the Election at last 1059. Pope Nicolas the II. did restrain the Election unto the Cardinals Boniface was more carefull of outward than spiritual Churches as Platina shews He sate scarce 11. months 19. JOHN V. was elected that year wherein the Emperour Constantine died he writ of the dignity of the Palle and continued not one year Then the Romans would have advanced Peter an Arch-Bishop and the Contentions who shall be Pope Souldiers were inclined to Theodore a Priest But after long contention 20. CONON was preferred he was beloved of many for natural and civil gifts of body and mind but so soon as he was confirmed he was taken with sickness then Paschalis an Arch-Deacon and Master of the Popes Treasure gave great sums of money to John the Eparch to cause him to be elected Conon died in the 11. month Then some cry for the fore-named Theodore and some strove for Paschalis the matter was like to come to blows till by the advice of some both of people and souldiers the tumult was pacified a third 21. SERGIUS I. was chosen and carried upon mens shoulders to the Novation in the election Lateran Church thus by occasion of the pride of the Competitours the pride of the beast is advanced another step for his Successours will not let this shew go down The Competitours salute and kiss him sore against their wills for the multitude did compell them Platin. Nevertheless Paschalis sent privily for the Eparch to come and aid him the matter is disclosed unto the Pope and Paschalis is accused of Magick convicted deposed and shut into a Monastery where he abode 5. years still denying that whereof he was accused and the Eparch would not admit Sergius till he had paied five pounds of gold that Paschalis had promised though Sergius said he had not promised it Baron
more and more and the Church was wondrously darkned with mens Traditions apparitions of spirits were frequent which when the Bishops and Priests did receive they were deceived and made no small Apostasie from the true faith into the confidence of merits and mens satisfactions So that Iohn de Molin in Specul Carmel cap. 6. hath truly observed that from the time of the Emperour Heraclius unto his own time The day declined to the evening and the Church hath suffered an Eclipse yea and almost made defection Io. Bal. cent 1. 74. appr 2. About these times saith another men were as it were made for barbaritie and many of the Ancients in whose books was the doctrine and acts of antiquitie being forsaken through negligence did suffer another and worse death In all which following calamities the Monks were not the least Agents for when the Monkish life was had in admiration the Popes thought them the fitter instruments in prosecuting their pleasure Before that time they had not authoritie to preach the word nor administer the Sacraments as may be seen at length in Gratian. caus 16. especially qu. 1. cap. Adjicimus there is an ordinance of Pope Leo I. that none but the Priests of the Lord should preach the word whether he were a Monk or Laick whatsoever measure of knowledge he had and Cap. hinc est etiam it is said The Ecclesiastical historie testifieth that untill the daies of Eusebius Losinius and Siricius Monks were only Monks and not Clergie And Gregorie lib. 4. Ep. 1. No man can serve in the Office of a Church-man and continue in a Monkish rule ordinarily And they all were Laicks except the Abbot saith Bellarmin de Monac lib. 2. cap. 4. and Spalatens de Rep. Eccles lib. 2. cap. 12. proveth it at length but they were subject unto the Priests of the Parish in receiving the Sacrament or if they were many they had their own Priest as Epiphanius ordained Paulinian Priest of Saint Jerom's Monasterie Bellarm. de not Eccles lib. 4. cap. 10. But Pope Boniface the IV. gave them libertie to preach and his successours gave them power of binding and loosing and although they had not charge of souls they made them equal in power everie where with the Priests in their own Parishes Gratian. caus 16. qu. 1. Sunt tamen They did cloak their idleness with profession of povertie according to the order of Saint Basil Augustine and other fathers which rules of the late Monks were so far from the institution of the Fathers that they never had dreamed any such thing could follow saith Pol. Vergil de invent rer lib. 7. cap. 3. for according to the institutions Monks had nothing of their own neither did live chargeably unto others but upon the works of their hands and they gave their works unto their Decanus saith August de mori Eccles Cathol lib. 1. cap. 31. and in Reg. 2. tradita Fratrib cap. 2. he commandeth them to read some hours to pray some hours and to work some hours Chrysost hom 59. ad pop Antioch saith They know not begging and Bellarm. de monast lib. 2. cap. 43. and Durae contr Whitak fol. 387. out of Jerom Epiphanius and others shew that all the Monks in old times did work as the Apostle had commanded except one Monasterie of Saint Martin so writeth Basil in exercit ser 4. But in the seventh Centurie they had fair Cloisters Princely Abbies rich Revenues and what did they not purchase But no work at all amongst the most part of them so that Bernard crieth in Apolog. ad Guil. abbat O how far different are we from the Monks in the daies of Antonius And in Epist 42. he saith Work dark places voluntarie povertie these do nobilitate Monks but your eies behold everie thing your feet tread in everie market your tongues are heard in all Counsels your hands do pull unto you everie patrimonie As they were not sloathfull in their own affairs so when the Popes and Bishops began to have more care of policie preferment and such earthly things and each one to strive against the usurpation of another more then they did study the Scriptures Then the Benedictines and afterwards other sorts of hypocrites were sent under colour of preaching Christ but indeed to deceive the world and to perswade men to submit themselves unto the See of Rome The Monks propined the cup of fornication to all nations they perswade Kings to subject their Crowns unto the High-priest and they were the sowers of his superstitious rites and other errours as may be seen at length in the Historie of the Councel at Trent in the Congregations of the 4. and 5. Sessions where the Bishops and Rulers sought to take these liberties from Monks but the Romish Courtiers would not The Bishops of Spain and Gallicia in the 4. Councel at Toledo did espie this hypocrisie and Cap. 52. did ordain That Bishops should restrain all Religious persons so did the Monks call themselves as if there were no religion in others who were not of the number of the Clergie and went from place to place And each Bishop should compell them within his Diocie to return into some Monasterie or take them to a Parish unless they were dismissed for age or sickness This Act could not stand for the mysterie of iniquitie must go on So that justly doth I. Hooper Bishop of Glocester and Martyr an 1555. call the Monks the pale horse saying This pale horse is the time wherein hypocrites and dissemblers entred into the Church under pretence of true religion they killed more souls with heresies and superstition then all the Tyrants that ever were did kill bodies with fire sword or banishment as it appears by his name who sitteth upon the horse that is Death for all souls who leave Christ and trust to these hypocrites live unto the Divel in everlasting pain these pretenced and false hypocrites have stirred the Earthquakes that is the Princes of the World against Christ's Church Letters of Saints and Martyrs Printed an 1564. pag. 116. By their Sermons they did commend the primacie of the Pope everie where and Boniface the V. and then other Popes gave them so many Prerogatives that they who had the greatest desire of libertie became Monks Erasmus in Vita Hieron Yea and Kings forsaking their Scepter betook them to a Monkish life as Bambas King of the Goths in Spain and some retaining their Crowns professed themselves of the Order of Monks by dispensation With provision that they give Revenue to one Abbey or more and the Church that is the Popes and their Members the Monks suffer no loss or in a word that Monasteries may be enriched At first out of the Monasteries as Colledges were chosen Presbyters who were esteemed of an higher degree August Epist 76. ad Aurel. and Pelagius the I. Bishop of Rome writing to Antonia and Decia saith I wish that those who are nourished by us in this habit and in Monasteries may when they shall
but ye may see that Oswald did not worship the wooden Cross and that no such Cross is to be adored but that he set his mind on the suffering of Christ by which Cross or Suffering he did believe to be saved In the same Chapter he saith The Apostle saith not in vain Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them which had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression who is the figure of him who was to come This figure of him who was to come I do so understand as the first Adam was the cause of our death even unto us who did not eat of the forbidden Tree so is Christ the cause of eternal life As the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil through its own nature had not death so the Tree whereby eternal life is granted unto us hath not this vertue of it self but of his vertue who although he was infirm for us liveth by the power of God which power can never and in no respect be resisted This is against the hymns of the Cross and the resistibility of God's grace In Cap. 17. he sheweth that the Romans had then candles and lamps of Wax and what signification they gave unto them he had not seen them before neither is there any record of them before that time and then saith By every thing should we bring Christ unto our mind as Augustine writeth to Januarius but foolish men who will not be amended should not think that these candles are to be adored because by them some similitude of Divine mysteries is figured seeing from every creature we may bring a similitude Doth he not here condemn all the devised rites of men Lib. 2. cap. 5. he speaketh against the keeping of Lent and denieth that the Authour thereof can be shewed And Cap. 25. The Office of a Bishop and a Priest is almost the same but because they differ in name and honour they are distinguished by variety of slippers or pantofles He hath many such rites and the meaning of them as seemeth by way of derision Lib. 3. Cap. 24. Christ took bread and also the cup whereof Cyprian saith to Caecilius We find that we observe not what Christ hath commanded unless we do also the same things which the Lord did and so mixing the cup we depart not from the Divine instruction Although he Cyprian hath concluded this of mixing the wine and water yet he may understand that it is to be done of the whole institution wherein consisteth the command of the Lord and of his Apostles So saith he and so do the Reformed Churches practice but the Roman Church doth not so Afterward Amalarius became Bishop of Trevers and was sent by Charls the Great unto the Emperour Michael and as Trithemius writeth from the Records of Trevers by his wonderfull industry and eloquence he did establish peace and amity between the two Emperours He died An. 813. 11. In the last part of this Century arose the great men in the service of Romish forgeries the Pope to wit Johannis Diaconus surnamed Digitorum and Riculph Bishop of Mentz John did forge the Bull of Constantine's donation wherein he would perswade the world that Constantine had given unto Bishop Sylvester and his Successours for ever the City of Rome with other Cities and parts of Italy Io. Bodin de Repub. lib. 1. cap. 9. ex Actis Vatica The falshood of this feigned donation was known unto the World by every History but at that time who did dare to controle it The Bishops and Clergy thought that it was for their advantage and there was no established Prince in Italy yet under pretence thereof the Pope did inlarge their power even although many did convince that donation of falshood Then Hincmar Bishop of Rhemes in his book against the Bishop of Laudun testifieth that Riculph in the daies of Charls the Great gathered together some forged Epistles of the old Bishops of Rome and brought them from Spain into France and binding them with the foresaid Donation gave them forth in the name of Isidore Of the authority of these Epistles Gratian hath written Dist 20. cap. de libellis there is an Epistle of Pope Leo the IV. directed unto the Bishops of Britan In the Epistle Leo taketh all the authority from the decretal Epistles and other Writs of Popes except Sylvester Siricius Innocentius Zosimus Coelestine Leo Hilarius Gelasius Ormisda and Gregory These saith he are all and only by whom the Bishops do judge and by whom the Bishops and Clergy are judged if any doubt cannot be determined by them nor by Augustine Jerom Isidore and other holy Doctours it should be brought unto the Apostolical See But all others that were before these with one dash he contemneth that is he renounceth all the writings of the Bishops of Rome who lived the first 300. years as suppositions The Authour of Catal. test ver lib. 8. is very large in describing the usurpations and many policies of the Popes for inlarging their power and incroaching upon Bishops in several Nations as also their infinite rites that were then devised 12. In the daies of Dagobert King of France Rudbert was Bishop of Some Provinces in Germany and Hungary receive the faith Worms a singular good man and very learned and Theoto was Duke of Bavaria an Heathen yet hearing of the good fame of Rudbert he sent and intreated him to come into his Country The good man went and was received by the Duke in Ratisbon with great liking and did teach him the Christian religion and then did inform others both noble and ignoble all along the Danube thence he went unto Vualarium and Juvavia where the Christian faith had been taught long before there were some Churches but were decayed as Rudbert understood by report therefore he sought leave from Theoto to go thither to reform these parts so finding many people willing to be informed he returned into Worms and brought other twelve Teachers into these places with him and having established Churches did return in his old age and died in Worms At the same time Samo Duke of Slavi an Heathen did kill several Merchants coming from France for to trade in his land and took their goods therefore Dagobert sent an Army against Samo and brought him into subjection Not long thereafter the Hunni did oppress that land and their Duke Boruth sent for aid unto the Bavarians who did overthrow the Huns and for keeping the Slavi under better obedience of the King they would have hostages Boruth granted to give his son Cacatius and his brothers son Chetumar and did desire to have them informed in the Christian faith When Boruth died Dagobert sent back Cacatius being now a Christian and after three years he dying Pipin sent Chetumar who was diligent to have Preachers and to instruct the people in the faith he did invite Virgilius Bishop of Juvavien who would not go but sent Modestus Wato Regimbert Latinus Gontharius Presbyters and
and govern although the Romish Legates were present Besides the Bishops of France and Germany he called the Bishops of Italy Spain and England not to seek any furtherance to his authority said he but for maintenance and defence of the Truth Here was condemed the heresie of Felix Bishop of Urgelitan and Elipand of Toledo who held that Christ is the Son of God only by adoption of his human nature This was the one cause of assembling the Councel 2. Theophylact and Stephen the Pope's Legates did present the Acts of the Synod at Nice to be confirmed and subscribed The Fathers did refuse and did compare the Act of the Councel under Copronymus with the late Acts at Nice The former had condemned the worship and having of Images either privately or publickly the other had authorized the adoration of Images with cloaths incense candles bowing of knees c. They would keep a middle course that it is not altogether unlawfull to have Images in private houses nor Churches but to worship them is contrary to Christian faith and smelleth of Paganism Therefore they discern the Synod of Nice to have been wicked and deserves not the name of Universal nor seventh Councel and they writ some books against the worship of Images wherein they refute particularly all the pretended arguments of them at Nice these books went abroad in the name of Charls Afterwards the worshippers of Images did what they could that no memory should be of the proceedings of this Synod and those books except that they say Charls did somewhat concerning Images But as Chemnitius hath marked in Exam. Conc. Triden par 4. that many old Historians as Egmard Regino Adon and some later as Antoninus Blondus Aventine have written that this Synod did condemn the worship of Images and the Iconalatrous Synod of the Greeks and did Ordain that it should be called neither seventh nor Universal but a Pseudo Synod Cassander in Consult 21. saith in his time was a copy of those books of Charls in the Vatican Bibliotheke And after the Councel at Trent Tilius a French Bishop caused them to be published in Print The Papists in the Cathol apolo tract 2. sect 7. say The book is forged under the name of Charls the Great But were all these Authours Protestants who testifie of them and what can they say unto Hincmarus Rhemen whose testimony followeth in Cent. 9. It is to be marked that all the Councels in the time of Charls the Great do shew in the first words that they were assembled at the command of Charls or Charls commanding and injoining the Councel at Rome not being excepted as Cratian recordeth dist 63. cap. Adrianus saying Charls returning to Rome did appoint a Synod with Pope Adrian in the Patriarchate of Lateran in the Church of Saint Salvator c. Bellarmin de Eccles lib. 4. cap. 5. asketh What Councel ever condemned the Church of Rome or their Popes We have now seen the Pope of Rome condemned in the sixth General Councel and their Doctrine condemned in that other at Constantinople and in the famous Synod at Franckford and in the next Century we shall find another Councel at Constantinople and more in other places and ages contradicting and expressly condemning the Popes of Rome And for continuation of this matter here by anticipation I add the Councel held at Paris An At Paris 825. where the Epistle of Pope Adrian and the Act of the second Councel at Nice was read and censured as is manifest by the decretal Epistle directed unto Lewis and Lotharius of which not far from the beginning these are the words We have caused to be read before us first the Epistle of Do. Adrian Pope which he at the request of the Emperour Constantine and his mother Irene sent over sea and so far as our parvity understandeth as he justly reproveth them who did rashly presume to break down and abolish Images in these parts so is known to have written imprudently that he would have images to be superstitiously worshipped for which cause he also gave order also that a Synod should be assembled and by his authority under an Oath did judge that Images should be set up and worshipped and be called holy where as it is lawfull to set them up but it is wickedness or unlawfull to worship them Baron ad An. 825. § 5. 6. Hen. Spelman in Concil ad An. 787. hath a Synod held at Calchuth in At Calchuth England wherein some things are remarkable Gregory Bishop of Ostien and Theophylact Bishop of Tudert did write unto Pope Adrian the Acts of that Synod in their own name as their work which they had recommended unto the Synod and the Synod had accepted In the Preface they shew it was done in two Kingdomes at several times the one Bishop had gone to the one Kingdom and the other to the other Kingdom Gregory went to York and the Bishop of the place sent unto the King Oswald who then was farther North and hearing of the Legate did indict the Synod and Nota did convene with his Lords both Ecclesiastical and Secular There they say No Roman Priest was sent hither after Augustine till now Ca. 1. They admonish to keep the faith of the six General Councels 2. That Baptism should be administred at set times and no other times unless for great necessity and they who answer for the infant should be obliged to teach him at ripe years the Lord's Prayer and Creed 3. Each Bishop should hold a Synod twice every year and visit his Diocy once a year Ca. 11. Their speech was unto the King and Lords that they should not judge Priests seeing they are Angels Ca. 12. Kings should be chosen by the Priests and Elders of the people and none should be chosen who had been begotten in adultry or incest It seemeth this was the first Act of a Synod in this kind and it may be questioned whether Popish Princes will now consent unto it There they add that none should meddle with the murther of a King and if any did attempt or adhere unto such a crime if he be a Bishop or of Priestly degree let him be deposed and deprived of the Heavenly inheritance as Judas from his place and whosoever shall assent unto such a sacriledge he shall be burned with everlasting fire It may be doubted whether Bishops and Jesuits will consent unto this part of the Canon Unto these Acts did subscribe the King Bishops Dukes and Abbots And in the other Kingdom and Synod Lambert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury subscribed before King Offa and then the Bishops Abbots Dukes and Counts THE THIRD AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church Fading and of Anti-Christ Rising containing the space of 400. years from the Year of our Lord 600. untill the year 1000. CENTURY IX CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS IT is said before that Irene did govern the Empire of The erection of the Western Empire Constantinople which was
anger calleth a Synod for deposition of Photius and restitution of Ignatius and to this end he desireth Hadrian to send his Legates Hadrian dealeth as Boniface the 3. did with Phocas as by dispensing with or rather authorizing parricide they began their supremacy by the same means they increase it He renued the Commission of Pope Nicolaus his Legates and in his Epistle to Basilius he saith He who hath all right of Kingdoms and power of all things hath raised up in these daies thy Kingdom which is protected from above by which the Apostolical Seat may perfect a godly work begun by your authority for the Church of Constantinople ..... Thou art another Salomon for thou hast heard the words of thy father nor hast thou forsaken the instruction of thy mother Ambition drives him to write so flatteringly for they had covenanted that first the Pope's Legates should be Presidents in this Synod which the Pope could never obtain before 2. The Emperour should admit none into the Synod but such who by subscription did acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope 3. Images should be restored 4. None dare write or speak against the Bishop of old Rome by occasion of Photius and Dioscorus who were deposed for their crimes and if any man saith the 21 Canon of this Synod according to the election of Caranza be so bold he shall incur the like sentence with Photius and Dioscorus 5. If any general Councel shall be assembled or any question or controversie fall out concerning old Rome they may with due reverence inquire of it and hear determination but say nothing boldly against the High-Priests of old Rome They called this the eighth oecumenical Councel so saith Bellarm. de Conc. lib. 1. cap. 5. but neither with consent of all the present Bishops as Anastasius who was one of the Legates testifieth and after him Ph. Morn in Myster nor maketh Zonaras mention thereof although an Image-worshipper neither did the Greek Church consent thereunto as appeareth plainly First When Ignatius was dead the same Basilius assembled another Synod annulled all the Acts of the former and restored Photius 2. The Greeks agreed with Pope Eugenius and his Bishops that the Councel of Florence An. 1439. should be called the eighth oecumenical Councel It is here to be marked that this Councel was called in the name of Basilius although the Legates of the Pope were Presidents At that time it was agreed that the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople should both be called Universal the one Universal Pope and the other Universal Patriarch not that the Patriarch did take unto him the right of other Bishops but that he should have the next place after the Pope saith Onuphrius in Annotat. on Platin. in Boniface the III and in this manner the Pope had some authority in the East for a space Neither was Adrian less carefull in the West for he blowed And in the West by craft sedition among the posterity of Charls and where he heard of any Bishop of action or esteem he catcheth him with his bait of a Palle or Bishop's Robe or with some higher Title and if that could not insnare them he could set one mortal foe against another he set up Actard who had not entred into orders against Hincmarus a worthy Bishop of Burdeaux for maintaining the liberty of his Nation although he had once given him a Palle and had written unto him thus The report of thy Holiness comes never to my ears but with praise c. But then he pursueth him to the uttermost Ph. Morn in Myster ex Adriani Epist. ad Synod Trecen ad Actard and another ad Hincmar Also at that time Hincmar Bishop of Laudun gave some of his Church lands to Charls the Bald and the King gave the same to a Captain Nortman thereafter the Bishop desireth these lands to be restored and because Nortman would give them to none but the King from whom he had them the Bishop assembled a Synod at Veruina accused and condemned him Nortman appealeth to Rome the Synod rejects his appellation and because he would not obey their Decree another greater Synod was assembled at Atiniac where Nortman was condemned again and promised to obey the King's will and of Hincmar Bishop of Rhemes who was Uncle to the other Hincmar Ph. Morn in Myster In this Synod the Bishop of Laudun was accused of disobedience unto his Metropolitan and that for some personal wrongs he had excommunicated all the Priests of his Diocy and had hindred them from exercing their function He confesseth his errours and was deposed Then Nortman and this deprived Bishop His pride is opposed conspire together and informed Pope Adrian of all He advocates the cause to Rome and summoned the Bishop of Laudun and all his accusers to appear and so soon as he heard that the King would not consent he sent other Letters unto the King calling him a tyrant perjured false a Church-robber c. In his Letters both to the King and Bishop of Rhemes he saith We will and by our Apostolical authority we command Hincmar Bishop of Laudun and his accusers to compear personally at the Church of the Saints before our clemency that his cause may be judged Behold yet more In the mean time died Lotharius King of Lorain Charls the Bald and Charls the Fat strove for Lorain Adrian interpones his authority in favour of the Emperour Lewis the II and menacing after a more thundring manner then all his Predecessours he writes to the King and to the Bishops and Barons of France and namely to Hincmar Bishop of Rhemes thus Let no mortal be so bold as to invade the Kingdom of deceased Lotharius which by right of inheritance appertains to the Emperour Lewis our spiritual son if any presume to do not only by the ministry of our authority shall it be annulled but he shall be fettered with the chains of our curse and he being deprived of the name of a Christian shall be surely ranked with the Divel and if any Bishop either by suppressing the authour of so villanous hardiness or by not resisting shall consent let him know that he shall be judged not a Bishop but an hireling Nevertheless Charls the Bald entreth into Lorain he is received by the Barons and Prelates and crowned by the Bishop of Rhemes Adrian then charged Charls under pain of his curse to leave off that enterprise and he commanded Hincmar Bishop of Rhemes to execute his censures against the King to forsake him and not to bid him God speed The King's answer is large and the answer of Hincmar may suffice for both First concerning the Bishop of Laudun he saith Let your authority know that I have no power to send Hincmar nor any other Bishop of the Diocy of Rhemes and far less a Bishop of any other Province unto Rome or any other part except my Lord the King command them neither dare I my self go without the bounds of the Realm without his
leave Then concerning his curses against the King after he hath bitterly expostulated for his menacing and declared that he had sent his Letters unto the Peers and Prelates of the Kingdom and had read them openly in an assembly of the Bishops of France and Lorain at Atiniac and had shewed his Bull unto Lewis King of Germany whereby he was commanded by authority of the Pope to accurse them all who intermeddle with the Kingdom of Lorain he saith I have heard that the like letters as have been directed to our Lord Charls and to the Peers and Bishops of his Kingdom have been also sent unto my Lord Lewis the glorious King and to the Bishops and Nobility of his Kingdom ..... Then he gives him to understand that he had heard it reported by many that the two Kings had agreed to divide the Kingdom which if it be not done sedition shall kindle among the people wherefore since he saw that either the authority of the Pope must be contemned or the agreement of the Kings be violated whence might arise fear of wars he thinks it more expedient to omit so Imperious commands and surcease altogether from attempting any thing therein neither is it my duty saith he to debar any man from the Communion except one who hath willingly confessed his fault or who is convict in judgement unless I would contemn the Canon of the Apostles the practice of the Church and the authority of Augustin Gelasius Boniface c. Whereas the Pope had accused him that by silence and cessation he may seem not partner but authour of the usurpation he biddeth him remember what is written The cause which I knew not I fearched diligently and that God as is marked by Gregory to whose eys all things are open said in the cause of the Sodomite I will go down and see whereby we should learn to try and see the evil before we beleeve it and not punish till it be notoriously known Whereas he would have him abstain from the company of the King and not bid him God speed it seems very hard said he since very many good men both of Ecclesiastical and Secular sort who occasionally have come to Rhemes have openly professed that they had never heard the like practice from any of his Predecessours although in their own times they had seen seditions and wars not among Kings who were united by oath and league but also among brethren yea between father and children And therefore he acknowledgeth this his contempt to be for his other sins since in this he had dealt lovingly with his fellow-brethren of whom some had invited King Charls into the Kingdom of Lorain Moreover that the States of the Kingdom affirm plainly that Kingdoms are not conquered by curses of Priests or Bishops and that they have learned from the Holy Scripture Kingdoms appertain unto God by whom Kings do reign and he gives them to whom he willeth wherefore since the High-Priest cannot be both a King and a Bishop he should leave the care of distributing Kingdoms which as his Predecessours did not attempt against the schismatical nor heretical nor tyranous Emperours in their times so neither can they now bear it who know it to be written in the Holy Scripture We should strive even to death for liberty and inheritance neither are they ignorant if a Bishop excommunicate a Christian without reason that the power of binding may be taken from him but eternal life can be taken from no man unless his own sins do demerit neither can any man be spoiled of the name of a Christian for taking or conquering an earthly Kingdom or can he be ranked with the Divel whom Christ came to redeem with his blood from the Divel's power and therefore if the Pope would have peace let him so seek it that he move no strife for the people think not that they cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven except they imbrace such an earthly King as the Pope recommendeth as for the Oath said he and falshood and tyranny whereof you write the Peers of the Nation say unto us that ye command not such things as concern your authority yea they have not spared from menacings against you which for the present I will not repeat and I know as they threatned with deliberation so if God suffer them without retreating they will shew it indeed and I know by experience that without regard of admonition or sword of man's tongue unless some other stay arise our King and Nobility of this Realm will not fail to do accordingly to their power and follow forth what they have begun He concludes that Bishops and himself especially should take heed of their behaviour towards the King since it is the Apostles doctrine that all souls be subject unto Superiour powers And with these Letters in the name of Hincmar were other Letters written by common advice of the Bishops of France being assembled at Rhemes and sent unto Pope Adrian who died in the fifth year of his pride and so that strife ceased Ph. Morn in Myster ex Aimoin lib. 5. and out of others Baronius in Annal. ad An. 870. § 38. saith Hincmar did forge many excuses and by shifting did escape the sentence of the Apostolick See till Pope Adrian died 11. JOHN the IX succeeds An. 872 as Onuphrius saith who reckoneth The Pope climbeth above the Emperour not the eight years between Nicolaus and Adrian but others account his succession in the year 876. He hapned on the fittest occasion of ambition among them all for after his inauguration began the contention between Charls of France and Charls of Germany for the Empire The King of France was alwaies aiming at the Kingdom of Italy and promised unto Pope John rich rewards if he attained unto the Empire he would defend the Church from all injury and wholly quit the Territory of Rome John did fear that the other would take his manure in Italy and therefore desirous the Emperour were at a distance rather than to sit in his eye he invited the King of France to come unto Rome and incontinently saluteth him Augustus and by this means saith Sigonius and after him Ph. Morn in Myster the Title Imperator Augustus became the gift of the High-Priest wholly and the years of their Empire were reckoned from their consecration by the Pope Continuator Eutropii saith more plainly Charls the Bald coming to Rome made covenant with the Romans and granted unto them the rights of the Kingdom and revenues out of three Monasteries that is out of Saint Salvator's Saint Mary in Sabinis and Saint Andrew's on Mount Soracte and the Imperial Patrimony out of many other Monasteries he gave them also the Provinces of Samnio and Calabria with all the Cities of Benevento and the Dukedom of Spoleto and two Cities of Tuscia Arisium and Clusium which did belong unto the Duke so that he who before was above the Romans in royality seems now inferiour unto them he
being prepared thereby may be the more attentive to the rest After this a Chanter singeth Responsorium 13 so named because when one resteth another answereth The same is also called Graduale because it is sung upon the steps of the Pulpit After it Halelujah 14 is sung to lift up the minds of the people unto Heavenly things and raise them unto Divine contemplations Then the Gospel is 15 read in audience of the people by the Deacon with great authority that his doctrine may be heard and his vertue be understood by the Gospel the mystery of whose body is then celebrate Then the offerings 16 are made by the people and the Offertorium 17 is sung by the Clarks which hath the name from the causes as if one would say The Song of the Offerers And the Pallium corporale 18 is laid upon the Altar which signifieth the cloath wherein Christ's body is wrapped it is of pure linnen and not of silk or purple nor of litted cloath as we find to have been ordained by Pope Sylvester Then are laid down the holy vessels 19 which are the Cup and the Platter upon the Altar these two somewhat resemble the Lord's burial because as then Christ's body being anointed with odours was laid in a new Tomb by the obedience of the Saints so now his mystical body being embalmed with holy prayer is given in the holy vessels to be received by Believers in the ministry of the Priests After all this the Mass 20 is sung by the Priest who when he hath spoken of the lifting up the heart 21 unto the Lord he exhorts the people to give thanks 22 unto the Lord and he filling his mouth with praises praieth that the Almighty God the Father to whom the Heavenly powers do serve would of his grace command that the professions of men may be conform to their voices After this prayer followeth a song made of the songs of Angels and Men 23 to wit Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God of Hosts c. Now is the consecration 24 of the Body 25 and Blood of the Lord and earnest prayer unto God 26 and in the mean time the Lord's Prayer is tooned 27. For when they come to communicate 28 and receive 29 the body 30 they give one to another the kiss of peace 31 and they sing The Lamb of God 32 who takes away the sin of the world that 33 we in peace perceiving the Sacrament may be made of the number of thy children and have all our sins forgiven us After the Communion and a song of that name 34 and the blessing 35 of the people by the Priest a Deacon intimateth unto the people that the Mass is ended 36 and dismisseth them 37. 12. Methodius a Bishop of Moravia Juliamentana went with one Cyril The Bible and Worship in vulgar language into Poland in the daies of Lewis the Godly and converted many of the Sclavi unto Christianity He found the Vandal Letters and translated the Scriptures into that language and in their Liturgy they used the vulgar language therefore he was summoned to Rome he went and defended himself by the testimony of Paul Rom. 14. Every tongue shall confess unto the Lord and he did shew the inconvenience of speaking in an unknown language among these new Proselytes So Pope Nicolaus granteth liberty unto the Scalves and Polonians to use their own language When he returned from Rome he dealt with others in Dalmatia and Illyticum to put away the Latine and serve God in their vulgar language The Bishops and Priests were so offended with him that he was constrained to return into Moravia where he died Catol test ver lib. 9. 13. Huldricus or Uulrik usually called Saint Ulrik Bishop of Augusta Against the 〈◊〉 single life of the Clergy Vindelicor did write unto Pope Nicolaus the I against the Decree for single life of Priests After a modest and grave Preface he saith Since there are very many proofs both in the Old and New-Testament let it not I beseech be grievous unto thy Father-hood that a few of many be inserted into this page The Lord in the old Law ordained marriage unto the Priests which he is never read to have forbidden again But in the Gospel he saith ... because of fornication let every man have his own wife The hypocrites say falsely this belongeth especially to Laicks and they themselves although entred into the Holy Orders spare not to abuse other mens wives After other testimonies of the Scriptures he citeth unto this purpose some testimonies out of Regula Clericor and out of Augustine out of Tripartita Historia he citeth the History of Paphnutius in the Councel of Nice then he bringeth the practice of Pope Gregory the I who once condemned marriage of Priests and when he saw so many heads of babes even more then 6000 which were taken out of his pond he condemned his own Decree and said It is better to marry then to give occasion of murther And then Ulrik inferreth If they had read such an accident as I have I beleeve they would not possibly judge so rashly .... Unto so fond filthy suggestion of this command I will not say counsel they have further said It is more honest to have dealing with many women secretly then openly in the sight and knowledge of men to be knit with one Which surely they would not say if they were of him or in him who said Wo to you Pharisees hypocrites who do all things to be seen of men c. The late Romanists have great spight against this Epistle and call it a Lutheran fiction their Iudices expurgatorii have ordained that it shall not be Printed again and they have forged arguments against it from the name of the Authour and the Age wherein he lived c. But the more they study to darken it it is the more cleared as may be seen in the Treatise of Bishop Hall The honour of the married Clergy lib. 3. sect 2 3 4. One proof of it is thâ—t Aeneas Sylvius de morib German speaking of Ausburg saith Udalrik is the Saint of this Title who did reprove the Pope concerning Concubines So he nameth lawfull wives 14. Gunther Bishop of Colen and Thietgaud Bishop of Trevers went Bishops call the Pope a Wolf c. with a Commission from their Nation unto Pope Nicolaus and were hardly dealt with because they freely delivered the grievances of their Nation They escaped with their lives and did write back complaining of the wrongs which he had done them and then they say The eternal Emperour hath furnished his Empress and Spouse with spiritual and everlasting stuff and beautified her not with frail or perishing dowry .... Which benefits thou as a briggaud interceptest and takest from the Church of God and transferrest unto thee thou art a Wolf unto the Sheep and thou killest the living thou drawest the strong from above and by thy wonders thou thrustest down to Hell ... thou bearest
The German Emperour and was many waies troubled for Bodislaus who had killed his brother because he had submitted unto the Emperour or rather for covetousness of the Dukedom of Bohem rebelled and with the aid of the Hungars continued Wars the space of 14 years And in the mean time his own brother Henry with other Princes of Germany fought many Battels against him In the end they all convened their forces and as he was crossing the Rhine with his Army they came unawares upon that part which had crossed and at first took his Ships The Emperour was sorely moved that he could not come at his Army and betook himself with such as were with him unto prayers and the next morning all his Adversaries were scattered neither knew they upon what motive such fear had overtaken them The Italians now hearing of his success and being oppressed by Berengarius the III they and especially Pope Agapet did invite Otho to deliver the Church and Italy He was not makes conquest in Italy slow and vanquished the oppressour and then by all the Italians he was saluted Augustus and Emperour Tho. Couper ad An. 962. Afterward his eldest son Ludolf taking it ill that his father did marry again and Conrade Duke of Lorrain the Emperour's son-in-law taking it also ill that he had left Berengarius Governour of Italy they conspire against Otho Ludolf was taken and Conrad fled within some moneths he received them both into favour Then the Hungars did raise such an Army that they thought themselves invincible and in the mean time on the other side the Sclavonians rose against Otho he subdued them both Then Pope John the XIII and his faction at Rome began to envy the prosperity of the Germans and sent to Adelbert the son of Berengarius promising assistance if he would deliver Rome and Italy and their adverse party with two Cardinals sent unto Otho intreating that he would come unto the aid of the Church and Common-Wealth for both were in danger When Pope John had intelligence hereof he caused the nose of the one Cardinal to be cut off and the hand of the other Otho composed his affairs in Germany the best way he could and hastned into Italy he took Adelbert captive and came to Rome and was Crowned by Pope John against his will He thought it not a fit time to arraign Pope John because all Italy was in uproar but did exhort him to live as it became the Apostolical See he sent Berengarius captive to Bamberg in Germany and Adelbert into Constantinople to gratifie the Emperour there Thereafter the people and Clergy of Rome intreat Otho to reform the Church and Republick for there had been no Councels in a long time c. Otho having appeased the tumult in the City and having assurance and calleth the Pope to an account of fidelity calleth a Synod in Lateran which from the great number of Bishops out of Germany Italy and France was termed The Great Synod and summoned Pope John to appear and hear his cause examined John returned answer that he would not appear because he knew that the Emperour purposed to dispossess him and he accursed them all who sate in that Synod and degraded them all of their functions Notwithstanding his curses the Synod continued and the Articles against the Pope were read First That Pope John did not observe the Canonical hours 2. When he said Mass he did not communicate 3. He ordained Deacons in a stable 4. He had committed Incenst with two sisters 5. When he was playing at dice he called on the Divel for help 6. For money he had made boys of ten years old to the Bishops 7. He deflowred Virgins and of the Lateran Palace he made a stew 8. He lay with Stephana his fathers concubine 9. He caused houses to be set on fire 10. He drank to the Divel Catalog test ver lib. 11. hath more Articles from Luithpr lib. 6. cap. 7. When these things were propounded the Emperour said I know that envy follows honour .... and in this case I conjure you all that ye do not propound any thing against him in his absence but what you know to be true All the Synod as if they had been one man do answer If these and worse crimes have not been committed by Pope John let Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles which by his word shuts heaven upon the unworthy never absolve us from our sins let us be accursed and at the last day let us be ranked on the left hand The Emperour sent in his own name and in the name of the Synod unto the Pope a copy of these Articles willing him to come and purge himself and he promised by Oath that nothing should be done in that cause otherwise then then the Ecclesiastical Laws did prescribe He returned answer thus Pope John unto all those Bishops contempt We hear say that you will make The Pope contemneth another Pope which if ye do I excommunicate you from the Almighty God that ye have no power to consecrare nor say Mass When this was read more Bishops were come from France and Italy to wit Henry of Trevirs Wido of Muzia Sigulf of Placentia c. And with one voice they writ again and is contemned unto him thus Unto the great High-Priest and universal Pope John Otho by the clemencies of God Emperour Augustus and the holy Synod of Rome gathered in the Lord for the service of God greeting In the last Synod which was held the 6 of Novemb. we did direct Letters unto you wherein were contained the words of your accusers and the causes of their accusation and in these also we did intreat your greatness as was just and we have received Letters from you not as the condition of the time but as the vanity of your Counsellers would ..... it is written in your Letters not as becomes a Bishop but a foolish child to write for ye have excommunicated us all that we shall not have power to sing Mass or order any Church affairs if we shall ordain another Bishop for the Romish sea .... If you delay not to come unto the Synod and purge your self certainly we will obey your authority but if which God forbid you dissemble to come and purge you of those capital crimes especially seeing nothing hindreth you no sailing by Sea nor distance of way nor health We will not regard your excommunication but rather we throw it back on you because we may do it justly Judas the traitour and seller of our Lord Jesus Christ did receive with the other Apostles power of binding and loosing .... and so long as he continued good amongst the Disciples he could bind and loose but when the murtherer was killed with the poison of covetousness and would kill LIFE whom could he bind or loose but himself whom he did strangle in an unhappy rope Given Novemh 21. and sent by Adrian a Cardinal Priest and Benedict
he suffered neither is that holy wine the Saviour's blood which was for us in bodily things but in ghostly understanding both be truly the bread his body and the wine his blood as was the heavenly bread which we call Manna CHAP. V. Of COUNCELS 1. IN this Century were no Synods assembled for doctrine or discipline A Synod at Rhemes opposeth the power of the Pope as in other times all Nations were so pestered with wars as is touched now only for some personal causes were some Synods among them all one is remarkable at Rhemes in the year 991. where Arnulph Bishop of the place was deposed for some trespass against the King and Gerebert Afterwards Pope Sylvester the II. was placed in that See And here by the way we may see what power Kings had then in deposing and investing Bishops Some of the Bishops would have had Arnulph's cause referred unto Pope John and others did alledge a Canon of the Synod at Carthage of 227 Bishops and Augustine was one of them Causes should be determined where they are begun that there is no need of Appeals unto Bishops beyond Sea that is as they understand it unto the See of Rome Then stood up Arnulph Bishop of Orleance and made a long Oration whereof a part is Let it be far from this holy assembly to defend or accuse any man against Divine or Human Laws .... We deserve to be drawn before the Thrones of Kings if we seem to contradict Divine Laws in any thing .... Most reverend Fathers we do reverence the Church of Rome for the memory of Saint Peter nor indeavour we to resist the Decrees of the Roman High-Priests yet following the authority of the Councel of Nice which the Church of Rome hath also reverenced continually But there are two things that we must alwaies look unto that is whether the silence or new constitutions of the Roman Pope seem to prejudge the received Laws and Decrees of former Councels If his silence shall prejudge then all Laws shall be silent when he is silent and if new Constitutions do prejudge to what end do all Laws serve which are made when all things are governed at the pleasure of one Ye see that these two things being once admitted the estate of the Churches of God is in danger and when we seek Laws by Laws we have no Laws But ô lamentable Rome who broughtest forth so many lights of Fathers unto our Grand-fathers and pourest forth in our time most monstrous darkness and infamous to the following ages Of old we hear of worthy Leo's and great Gregory's what shall I speak of Gelasius and Innocentius There is a long role of them which have filled the World with their doctrine The Universal Church might have been committed and was not committed unto them who for their good life and doctrine excelled all the World howbeit in their happiness this thy priviledge or intended usurpation was opposed by the Bishops of Affrick fearing as we think these miseries rather then the stamp of thy Dominion For what have we not seen in these our daies We have John surnamed Octavian walking in the puddle of uncleanness conspiring against Otho the Emperour whom he had Crowned Augustus Malefacius an horrible monster succeeds going beyond all the World in wickedness and defiled with the blood of former Popes and he also was condemned in the great Synod and chased away Shall it be Decreed that unto such Monsters void of all knowledge of Divine things Where was then the head of Omni-science in his breast innumerable Priests should be subject who are famous throughout the World for knowledge and godly conversation What is this Reverend Fathers and in whose default shall it be thought to be it is our it is our fault our ungodliness which seek our own things and not the things that concern Jesus Christ for if in any man who is elected unto a Bishoprick gravity of manners be required and good conversation and knowledge of divine and human things what is not to be required of him who seeks to be the Master of all Bishops What think ye Reverend Fathers of him who sits in a high Throne and glorieth in his gold and purple cloaths He is more like to Nero than to Peter or Paul nay that is not enough to wit if he be destitute of charity and puffed up with a conceit of knowledge he is Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God and shewing himself as if he were God But if he be destitute of knowledge nor hath charity he is an Idol in the Church of God from whom to seek responses is to advise with an Idol Let any Iesuit answer unto this dilemma for both the parts are sharply pointed and they cannot truly find a third Whither then shall we go the Gospel shews us that a certain man sought fruit thrice on a Fig-tree and because he found none he would cut it down but after intercession he delaied Let us therefore await our Primats and in the mean time let us search where we may find the green Pastures of God's Word Here is a right way of seeking resolution Some witnesses present in this sacred assembly shew that there may be found some worthy Priests of God in Germany and Belgia who are our neighbours Wherefore if the anger of Princes do not hinder the judgment of Bishops might be sought thence rather then from that City whien weigheth judgment by the purse Then he alledgeth and refuteth the Canons that were wont to be cited on the contrary and reports the like practices of the Church of France And then he saith If passage to Rome were stopped with Armies of besieging Barbarians or if Rome were serving a barbarous Prince at his pleasure or were advanced into some Kingdom shall there be no Councels in the mean time or shall the Bishops of the World to the damage of their own Countries await for Councels and Councels of ordering their affairs from their enemies And truly the Canon of Nice which by the testimony of the Romish Church goeth beyond all Councels and all Decrees commandeth that Councels be held twice every year and prescribes nothing therein concerning the authority of the Bishop of Rome But to speak more plainly and to confess openly after the fall of the Empire this City hath lost the Church of Alexandria and Antiochia and omitting mention of Asia and Affrick now Europe goeth away for the Church of Constantinople hath withdrawn her self the inward parts of Spain know not her judgments therefore there is a departing as the Apostle speaks not only of the Nations but of the Churches also that Antichrist seemeth to be before the dores whose Ministers have occupied all France and do oppress us with all their might And as the same Apostle saith now the mystery of iniquity is a working only who with-holds shall with-hold untill he be taken away that the son of perdition may be revealed the man of sin .... Which now is
manifest that the power of Rome being shaken religion being banished the name of God is contemned with frequent perjuries and the worship of Divine religion is despised even by the High-Priests yea Rome it self being almost alone departeth from her self for she provides neither for her self nor for others In the end he exhorts the Bishops there present to go forward in the deposition of the other Arnulph according to the Ecclesiastical Canons as they did and he himself did consent unto the sentence of his deposition Ph. Mornae in Myster iniq Magdebur Histor cent 10. ex Actis Synodi in an ancient manuscript When Pope John heard that his See was contemned by the Synod at Rhemes he threatneth his curse against King Hugh and his son Robert The King returned answer that he had done nothing in contempt but was willing to justifie all what he or his Bishops had done if it pleased the Pope to meet him at Gratianopolis on the Frontiers of Italy and France or if rather he would come into France he promised to receive him with the highest honour The Pope sent his Legates into France and in the mean time Gerebert sent an Epistle unto Seguin Arch-Bishop of Senon who was said to favour the deposed Arnulph the tenor whereof is It became your worthiness to eschue the craftiness of deceitfull men and to hear the voice of the Lord saying Here is Christ or he is there follow not One is said to be in Rome who justifieth those things which ye condemn and condemneth those things which ye think just ..... God saith If thy brother offend against thee go and rebuke him ... how then say some that in the deposition of Arnulph we should have awaited the deposition of the Romish Bishop Can they say that the judgment of the Romish Bishop is greater then the judgment of God But the first Bishop of Rome or the Prince of the Apostles saith We must obey God rather then man Also Paul the Teacher of the Nations crieth If any man preach unto you otherwise then what ye have received although he were an Angel from Heaven let him be accursed Because Pope Marcellin offered incense unto Idols should therefore all Bishops offer incense I say boldly that if the Bishop of Rome himself sin against a brother and being often admonished will not hear the Church even the Roman Bishop according to the command of Christ should be esteemed as a Publican and Heathen for the higher up hath the lower fall And if he think us unworthy of him because none of us assenteth unto him when he judgeth contrary to the Gospel he cannot therefore separate us from the communion of Christ seeing even a Presbyter unless he confess or be convict should not be removed from his Office And the rather because the Apostle saith Who can separate us from the love of Christ and I am perswaded that neither death nor life .... The priviledges of Saint Peter saith Leo the Great is not where judgment is not exercised according to righteousness Wherefore occasion should not be given unto these our enviers that the Priesthood which is one every where as the Catholick Church is one should be subject unto one man that if he be corrupt with money favour fear or ignorance none can be a Priest except whom these vertues recommend unto him Let the Law of the Catholick Church be common .... Farewell and suspend not your selves from the sacred mysteries Pope John had intelligence of this Letter and summoned the Bishops of France unto a Synod first at Rome then at Aken The Bishops answered They were not obliged to go out of their own Country At last he named Munson on the borders of France Where only Gerebert appeared and boldly maintained the cause of the French Church so that the Legate Leo could do nothing without new instructions from the Pope save only that he appointed another Synod at Rhemes and in the mean time he suspends Gerebert The Bishop said unto the Legate It is not in the power of any Bishop or Patriarch to remove any of the faithfull from the Communion unless he confess or be convict and none of these could be laied unto his charge and no other Bishop of France was there Afterwards Gerebert fearing the inconstancy of the new King went into Germany and not long after he was advanced unto the See of Ravenna As he did fear it came to pass and Arnulph was restored Nevertheless Gerebert cannot contain himself but he writes the Apology of the French Church as his Epistle unto Wilderodon Bishop of Argentine testifieth Ph. Mornae in Myster 2. Out of these four Centuries it is clear First That many both of the Civil Observations and of the Ecclesiastical Estates did oppose the ambition and usurpations of the Bishops of Rome 2. That the Canons that were enacted at the Synod of Trent were not known in former ages although Papists dare say that they have authorized nothing but what was held by the ancient Church 3. Although the Ancients gave way to unnecessary rites and fond superstitions yet in matter of doctrine and faith they held the same which the Reformed Churches do teach now and they begun to see that the Bishop of Rome is the Antichrist 4. We see the truth of what Pol. Virgil. writes de invent rer lib. 5. cap. 1 Many rites were borrowed from the Jews and ancient Romans and other Heathens which saith he lib. 6. cap. 8. we know not whether it was well done since experience teacheth that whatsoever reason might be for bringing them into the Church yet the manners of Christians now require to abolish them 3. Because after this time ordinary Synods were not held I shall omit this Chapter till we come unto the XV. Century And when upon particular causes either Emperour or Pope or others did call a Synod I shall speak of them in those places THE FOURTH AGE Of the CHURCH OR The History of the Church Lurking and of Anti-Christ Reigning containing the space of 300. years from the Year of our Lord 1000. untill the year 1300. CENTURY XI CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS OF this Age it is to be premitted generally that as The sum of this fâ—urth Age. Car. Baron ad An. 1001. § 1 4. saith at that time the revelation of Antichrist was proclaimed in France preached in Paris published thorow the world and beleeved by many He confirmed this by the testimony of Abbo Floriacen who in Apologet. ad Hugo Robert saith When I was a young man I heard a Sermon in a Church at Paris concerning the end of the world that so soon as the thousand years are expired Antichrist shall come and not long after the general judgement shall follow Wherefore Vsser de statu success Eccles cap. 3. advertiseth his Reader that now he shall see the Popes exalted by pretext of religion and government of the Church now they will wring all Civil government from Emperours and
Miter but if you despise them ye may at last have them as ye list for the Papal curse may be compared to Domitian's thunder the crack seemed terrible but the cause and effects of it are but a toy Hildebrand setting his heart to exalt himself above all power began first to prosecute the Acts of his Predecessour concerning the collation of Benefices or as they spoke simony and he required the Emperour to cast out all such Bishops The Emperour thinking the Pope's words to be the commandments of God did obey without delay and without any other order denieth the Bishops their Revenues and thought he was doing God good service so long as he understood not the craft of Hildebrand Whom he cast off Hildebrand did promote and having divided them from the Emperour he tied them to himself by oaths and other favours Benno Cardin. At that time the Normans having conquered Pulia Calabria and Magna Graecia were in fear of the Emperour and Mathildis the richest Duchess of Italy was easily inticed Hildebrand drew them two on his side The Pope excommunicateth the Emperour and the Saxons who were not well pleased that the Empire was gone from their house and many others He being so strengthned chargeth the Emperour to appear upon the second day of the second week in Lent An. 1076. in his Councel at Lateran for his simony with certification if he appeared not that day he would excommunicate him In the mean time the young Emperour being troubled with wars against the Sarazens thought it not so necessary to attend the Synod Without any more accusation citation or conviction the Pope excommunicated the Emperour and his Counseller Herman Bishop of Bambergh and some others unheard for simony that is because the Emperour had given and they had accepted Benefices without the advice of the Pope It is said by Card. Benno that none of the Cardinals would subscribe the Sentence The Emperour was not a little offended at this new or The Pope is opposed unknown presumption of the Prelate and convened a Councel at Worms where all the Bishops of Germany except the Saxons and many out of France and Italy were assembled There the Pope was accused of ambition perjury wresting the Scriptures to serve his turn usurping the Offices of King and Priest as Decius and other Heathens had done in old time and of many infamous things done through avarice and pride They conclude Hildebrand is worthy of deposition and the Bishops of Italy in a Synod at Ticino subscribe the same sentence Catalo test verit lib. 13. Alb. Crantzius in Saxon. lib. 5. cap. 5. saith The Sheep do judge despise and forsake the Shepheard Whether formality could be had at that time or what equity was on either side the Reader may judge but clear it is the Pope was opposed and condemned by the two Synods Crantzius saith they writ a Letter unto him which they conclude thus Because thy installing was with so many enormities and the Church of God is in danger of so grievous a storm by the abuse of thy novations and we find that thy life is blotted with so manifold infamies and so grievous a scandal is approaching as we never promised obedience unto thee so from hence we renounce any obedience and because thou doest not account any of us a Bishop as thou hast publickly proclaimed none of us will account thee Apostolical any more The power that was granted unto Henry the III. of creating High-Priests made them so bold saith Crantz Roland a Priest of Parma was sent to Rome with this Letter and to summon Hildebrand in the name of this Councel to yeeld up his Seat and to summon the Cardinals to repair unto the Emperour for a new election Pope Gregory assembled the Cardinals in the Lateran First He killed the Messenger in the Church 2. He condemned the Sentence of the Councel 3. he deposed Sigefrid Bishop of Mentz with all others who had been in that Councel 4. He deprived the Emperour of his Title and released all his Subjects from their Oath of obedience On the other side the Emperour sent through all Nations far and near his Letters declaring how presumptuously and unjustly the Pope had dealt with him The Princes of Germany some being The Emperour is constrained to â—eeld perswaded by the Saxons some fearing that thunder and some rejoicing in a new occasion of usurpation do assemble at Oppenheim October the 1. and they conclude to fall from Henry unless he will submit unto the Pope and confess his errours and they prescribe the manner as followeth Such was the peevishness and inconstancy of the Germans The young Emperour seeing that his Princes were ready to forsake him promised upon Oath that if the Pope will come into Germany he would ask forgiveness and they ingage themselves to accompany him thereafter to his Coronation at Rome When the Pope was come to France intending for Ausburgh as it was appointed to meet the Emperour Venericus Bishop of Verceles made him beleeve that the Emperour was coming with an Army against him and advised him to retire for his safety unto Camisio a City of the Dutchess Mathildis Henry hearing of this vain fear and that his Nobles had forsaken him followed the Pope and abused basely he laied aside all his royalty and came with his Empress in the midst of winter unto Canusio he was staied at the Gates and standing with bare feet the space of three daies did humbly call for audience On the third day answer was brought His Holiness was not at leasure The Emperour continued intreating that he might be heard Fourteen Cardinals and the Arch-Deacon and the Primicerius with many other Clarks of Lateran unto the judgment of whose seat now all the World is obedient saith Pet. Mexia considering this intollerable arrogancy went away and refused to communicate with the Pope and the above-named Venericus thereafter writ a book De discordia regni sacerdotii against the Pope At last by intreaty of the Dutchess and of Azo Marquess of Ateste and of the Abbot of Clumak the Servant of Servant of Servants was pleased on the fourth day to accept the Emperour on these conditions First On the Pope's part he shall freely exerce all Pastoral charge thorow all the parts of the Empire 2. On the other side Henry shall do pennance as the Pope shall in join him 3. He shall appear at any time that the Pope shall appoint 4. He shall be content that the Pope be judge of his cause 5. He shall answer to all accusations to be laied against him in the Councel and shall never seek any revenge 6. Whether he be cleared or not cleared in the Councel he shall stand to the Pope's pleasure either to have the Kingdom restored or not restored 7. Before the trial of his cause he shal not use his Royal Ornaments Scepter or Crown nor usurp authority to govern nor crave any Oath of obedience from the
describe a wicked Pope or Benno is not the Authour of that book but some Lutheran and he alledgeth ten Authours of that time commending Hildebrand The whole History confuteth the first excuse and the other is convinced by the copies of Benno more ancient then Luther and by many Authours before Luther who do cite Benno Namely Orthwin Gratius who was not a Lutheran in Epist ad Lector prefixed to the same book saith More credit is to be given unto Benno then unto Platina or others who favour the Popes too much And though his own faction commend him it is no wonder and they testifie of more then ten times ten others writing against his impieties It is enough for the Truth that she wanted not witnesses and Tyranny had contradiction at the rising yea and of the same ten although one excuse of one crime yet he accuseth him of another Were they all Lutherans whom Onuphrius in Annotat. in Platin. ad Grego VII reports to have called this Gregory a Necromancer a simoniack blood-thirsty c. He was the first kindler of those toilsom wars Bellum Pontificium between the Emperours and Popes as followeth Before that time there was some order in the Church and Bishops were subject unto Emperours as Miltiades and Sylvester unto Popes are subject unto Emperours Constantine Gregory unto Maurice Leo unto Charls the Great Chrysostom on Rom. 13. saith The Apostle she wing that these things subjection c. are commanded unto all both Priests and Monks and not to Seculars only saith in the beginning Let every soul be subject unto superiour powers although he be an Apostle or Evangelist or Prophet or whoever he be for this subjection overthrows not piety and he saith not simply be obedient but be subject Cumin Ventura a late Popish Writer in Thesaur Politic. printed at Frankford An. 1610. pag. 386. saith The ancient Emperours received not their beginnings from the Popes And in the next page The Popes in time of the old Empire were subject unto the Emperours untill Lewis the Godly renounced his right which renounciation was revoked by the Emperour and renounced by a Synod in the daies of Pope Leo the VIII And Onuphrius in vita Gregor VII saith Although the Bishops of old Rome were reverenced as the Vicars of Christ and Successours of Peter yet their authority reached not further then the teaching and maintaining of the faith they were subject unto the Emperours and were created by them and in all things were at the beck of the Emperours and a Pope durst not judge nor discern any thing belonging unto them Bellarm. de Laicis lib. 3. cap. 8. propounds and proves that Kingdoms are given immediately by God unto wicked men as Dan. 2. and that these Infidel Kings should be obeyed unless one will set himself against the Ordinance of God in 1 Pet. 2. To this purpose he cites the testimony of Augustin de Civ Dei lib. 5. cap. 21. 15. he saith expressly All Kings and the State of Venice and such others have none above them in temporalibus otherwise they could not be called Heads of their Common-Wealths but members only But then Gregory the VII the first of all Romish Bishops swelling with pride and trusting in the strength of the Normans and The first Pope excommunicating an Emperour to the riches of Mathildis and seeing dissension amongst the Germans durst not only excommunicate Caesar but deprived him of his Kingdom also A thing not heard in former ages saith Otho Frising de gest Frideri lib. 1. cap. 1. So speaks Onuphrius loc cit and addeth For I account not the fables concerning Arcadius Anastasius and Leo Iconomachus And Gotfrid Viterb in Chron. par 17. saith We read not that any Emperour before this was excommunicated by a Pope of Rome or deprived of his Empire unless that be called excommunication when Philip the first Christian Emperour was for a short space set amongst the Penitents or that Theodosius c. Aventin in Annal. lib. 7. writeth that Everhard Bishop of Salsburg said Hildebrand under pretext of religion 170. years since had laied the first foundation of Antichrist and he first began those wicked wars which untill this time have been continued by his Successours So Gregory the VII did glory of himself that he could bind and loose in Heaven and he could give and take away Kingdoms Empires and whatsoever men possess on earth He could abide no equal far less any Superiour derogating from others their due right and honour and arrogating all unto himself After him the Emperours could have no interest in the election of the Pope saith Ventura loc cit Likewise he kept Bishops and all Prelates in aw suspending some and chopping off the hands of others at his pleasure he released Oaths of Allegiance yea whatsoever he did the Pope must be feared as one who could do no wrong In a Synod at Rome he decreed it to be simony to accept any Bishoprick Abbocy or Church-living from a Lay-man were he King or Caesar who gave it and the receiver as well as the giver should be excommunicated Platin. By this means he severed Church-men from Princes and tied them unto the Popes for ever and the former custom of the Church in all ages was then condemned and the Decree of Pope Leo the VIII was condemned yea himself might by this Decree be deposed Henceforth whatsoever ambition any Pope once practiseth his Successour will make it a rule But one thing is above all wonders saith Corn. Agrippa de vanit scient cap. 56. They think that they may go up to Heaven by this means for which Lucifer was cast down He did forbid the Benedictine Monks to eat any flesh at all and permitted unto others as weaker or more imperfect to eat flesh on some daies In the year 1076. he published some Aphorisms with the Title Dictatus Papae Dictatus Pope Greg. the VII these are extracted by Spalaten de Rep. Eccles lib. 4. cap. 9. and are the Picture of his mind The Roman Church was founded by the Lord alone the Roman Bishop is the only Universal Bishop Gregory the I. behold thy Antichrist he only can set up and depose other Bishops he may depose and excommunicate absents This was a warrant for his practise against the Emperour If any be excommunicated by the Pope none may abide in one house with that person He alone can make new Laws erect new Congregations unite or divide Benefices All the Princes of the earth ought to kiss his feet His only name should be heard in Churches No Synod should be without his commandment No book is Canonical without his authority All weighty causes in whatsoever Church should be brought unto him He may absolve Subjects from their Allegiance He may judge all men but can be judged by no man And all these because the Roman Church cannot erre and the Pope being Canonically elected is by the merits of Saint Peter undoubtedly sanctified and
to his charge seeing no Pagan King hath attempted that against the See Apostolique which he hath not been ashamed to do Hence it appeareth that the Popes were always busie to seek their advantage in troubled waters and sometimes with little speed Whereas before the Sheriff and Bishop kept their Court together King William gave unto the Bishops an entire jurisdiction by themselves to judge all causes relating to Religion This was the first Spiritual Court in England and henceforth the Spiritual Power began to transcend the Secular Courts CENTURY XII CHAP. I. Of EMPERORS 1. HENRY V. after the death of his father inviteth Pope Paschalis to Contentions betwixt the Emperor and Popes come unto Ausburgh for redressing some former tumults Now Paschalis becometh the more haughty and in the way assembleth a Synod at Guardistella where preveening the Diet at Ausburgh he reneweth the Acts of Pope Gregory VII concerning the Investiture of Bishops he setteth up and putteth down Bishops at his pleasure because said he in the casket of the Roman high Priests breast all Laws are contained and now men must speak more considerately with him and account all his words as Laws whatsoever dare lift up it self against the high Priest must be beaten to dust This was strange news unto the Emperor who was confident that the Pope would make no novations without his advice Paschalis got intelligence of this disgust and therefore stayed his journey and appointeth another Synod at Treca intending to accurse the Emperor The Emperor preventeth him and assembleth a Synod at Mentz for staying the Pope's attempts In the mean time Paschalis requireth oath of all the Bishops assembled at Treca that they shall continue constant with the Roman See and he excommunicateth particularly and by name all the Bishops at Mentz On the other side Henry alledgeth that the Scepter was come into his hand from God and therefore according to the custom and Laws of his Ancestors he would not suffer the prerogatives of the Republique to fail in his person but these Popes think on nothing but the ruine of the Empire and the drawing of Christian people under their yoke they had deceived him in his rude and tender years in setting him against his dearest Father and now they conspire against himself nor will they stay their ambition until they have robbed all others of their dignities and honors These and other reasons he caused to be published and concluded thus Albeit I be able both by right and arms to defend all these customs that have been established by so many holy Fathers and maintained through so many ages yet I would willingly acquit my self of the Papal Synods if Monks Priests and Bishops would restore unto me the sinews of the Empire to wit the Revenues Cities Towns Regalities Castles and in a word give unto Caesar what appertaineth unto Caesar and they remain contented with their Tithes serving God and caring for his people Paschalis demandeth that the whole matter continue undiscussed till the next year 1110. and in the mean time that there be no innovation that is the Emperor shall meddle with nothing then in controversie The next year Henry goeth with 30000. horse besides Italians towards Rome wheresoever he came he was received as Emperor At Sutrio the Legates of Paschalis shew him that the Pope is willing to Crown him if he will establish the Liberties of the Church discharge all Laick Investitures and take from the Church all the Dukedoms Marqueships Counties Advocations Coyns Taxes and other Royalties The Emperor consenteth saith Naucler after Gotfred and with joy marched to Rome and kissed the Pope's foot at St. Peters on the steps and went in together When all were set and the Emperor came unto the altar to receive the Communion from the Pope he saith Lord Emperor the body of our Lord that was born of the Virgin Mary and suffered for us on the Cross as the Church believeth I give to day unto thee for confirmation of true peace betwixt me and thee Some days thereafter the Emperor intreateth the Pope that he would not deprive the Bishops who had before received Investiture from him The Pope refuseth they come to hotter words and then was such a stir that if the Emperor had not defended himself with his own hands he had been slain in the end as it pleased God among many Romans that were slain and taken he taketh the Pope and carrieth him out of the City and indenteth with him both for his Coronation and the Investitures in times following especially that all Abbots and Bishops should take their Investiture from the Emperor per virgam annulum and their consecration from other Bishops as formerly and no Bishops shall be consecrated until first they have received Investiture from the Emperor except onely those who formerly were wont to receive Investiture from the Roman Bishop or any other Arch-Bishop Both parties did swear thus As this part of the lively body is divided they were at Mass so let him be divided from the Kingdom of Christ who shall violate these articles The Emperor was crowned in Rome and returned with joy into Germany Within a few moneths Paschalis calleth a Synod at Lateran he revoketh the former articles and affirmeth that agreement to have been made onely for the freedom of some captives and he went about to excommunicate the Emperor wherefore Adelbert Bishop of Mentz and sundry others in Germany rebelled But the Emperor prevaileth and held Adelbert in prison three years In the year 1118. Henry went towards Rome Paschalis hearing that he was approaching and having offended some chief Citizens fled unto Pulia In his absence the Emperor would be crowned again by Maurice Bishop of Bracara to shew unto the world that he acknowledgeth not his Crown to be received from the Pope Then he returned into Germany and Paschalis into Rome where within few days he died Gelasius renewed the sentence against the Emperor wherefore he marched the third time to Rome the Pope flieth and the Emperor causeth to be choose Gregory VIII and recommendeth him unto the family of Frangepanes At this time the Bishops of Germany stir up the Saxons against the Emperor in behalf of Pope Gelasius and then of Calixtus and fought an open battel in February ann 1122. At last Henry despairing of peace unless he would yield unto the proud Prelate he renounceth his former priviledge of Investitures in the time of Calixtus All this time he had hard fortune and did acknowledge Divine Justice in revenging his rebellion against his Father He reigned twenty years and died without succession In the days of Henry IV. Alexius Comnenus was Emperor of Constantinople at first he envied the expedition of the Latins yet their first victory may be under God ascribed unto his aid His Son Calo Johannes was an excellent Prince liberal a lover of justice and victorious in Europe against the Scythians and Huns and in Asia against the Turks and Saracens and
words but they have done it wickedly as will appear hereafter 29. Gratian an Hetrurian and Monk of Bononia did out of the Canons The Canon Law of ancient Synods and decrees of Popes and sentences of Fathers and some forged writings of late Monks compile and amass the volume of the Canon Law which they call Decreta and Causae These were afterwards augmented by the Popes adding the Decretals and Extravagants and they are commented by the School-men Gratian took this work in hand in imitation of Lotharius the Emperor who had caused the Civil Laws to be digested into a method and he gathered these books so that by addition substraction or changing of a word or letter one or more he made all to serve the present times For example whereas Augustin de Doctr. Christ l. 2. c. 8. saith In Canonicis Scripturis Ecclesiarum Catholicarum quamplurium authoritatem sequatur inter quas sane illae sunt quas Apostolicae sedes habere epistolas accipere meruerunt Gratian Dist 19. c. In Canonicis hath them thus Inter quas Scriptur as Canonitas sane illae sunt quas Apostolica sedes ab ea aliae accipere meruerunt epistolas 2. In the sixth Councel at Carthage the Can. 165. saith Ad transmarina qui putaverit appellandum à nullo intra Africam in communione recipiatur This Canon speaketh absolutely and was made especially against appeals unto Rome But Gratian repeating it Caus 2. qu. 6. c. Placuit addeth Nisi forte Romanam sedem appellaverit 3. Pope Gregory lib. 9. epist 41. saith Scripsit mihi tua dilectio piissimum dominum nostrum speaking of the Emperor reverendissimo fratri meo Iohanni primae Iustinianae Episcopo pro agritudine capitis quam patitur praecipere succedi But Gratian Caus 7. qu. 1. c. Scripsit repeateth it thus Scripsit tua dilectio me reverendissimo fratri Iohanni pi Iust epis praecipere succedi 4. That common saying Petri successionem non habent qui Petri fidem non habent Gratian considering that hereby the succession of Peter might be called into question De poenit dist 1. c. potest saith Qui Petri sedem non habent Hear what a Papist judgeth of these Decrees Corn. Agrippa sometime Doctor utriusque Iuris in his Book De vanitat scient cap. 92. saith From the Civil Law hath flowed the Canon Law which may seem unto many to be very holy it doth so cover the precepts of covetousness and forms of robbing with the shew of godliness albeit very few things in it belong unto godliness religion or the worship of God besides that some things are contrary and fight against the word of God and all the rest are nothing but chidings pleas prides pomps gain or lucre and the pleasures of Popes which are not content with the Canons prescribed by the Fathers unless they do heap up Decrees Extravagants that there is no end of making Canons such is the ambition meer pleasure of Popes The School of Paris did openly detest and reprove this erroneous intolerable temerity I will not say heresie Out of these Canons and Decrees we have learned that the patrimony of Christ is Kingdoms donations foundations riches and possessions and that the Priesthood of Christ and primacy of the Church is Empire and Kingdom and that the sword of Christ is temporal jurisdiction and power and that the rock which is the foundation of the Church is the person of the Pope and that Bishops are not servants or Ministers of the Church but heads thereof and the goods of the Church are not the doctrine of the Gospel zeal of faith contempt of the world but tributes tithes offerings collects purples mitres gold silver jewels lands beasts authority it belongeth unto the Popes to manage battels break covenants loose oaths absolve from obedience and to make the house of prayer become a den of thieves so that a Pope may depose a Bishop without a cause he may dispose of other mens goods he cannot commit simony he may dispense against a vow against an oath and the law of nature nor may any man say unto him What doest thou yea and they say that for a weighty cause he may dispense against all the new Testament he may thrust down to hell a third part or more of Christian souls Agrippa in that place hath more of the matter and scope of the Canon Law and for instance I will name Dist 40. c. Si Papa If the Pope be found to neglect either his own salvation or his brethrens be unprofitable and slack in his office silent in that which is good hurtful to himself and all others yea though he lead with him innumerable people in troops to the first slave of hell yet let no mortal presume to finde fault with his doings And nevertheless in these Decrees we may finde not a few stops of Antiquity and some part of the doctrine and practise of the primitive Church even then remaining as I have touched in some places and more may be added as Dist 39. cap. 8. If as the Apostle saith Christ be the power of God and the wisdom of God and he which knoweth not the Scriptures knoweth not the wisdom and power of God then the ignorance of the Scriptures is the ignorance of Christ Dist 9. c. he saith from Augustine I have learned to give such fear and honor unto these books of the Scripture onely which now are called Canonical that I believe certainly none of their Authors could err in writing and if I finde any thing in them that seemeth contrary unto truth I doubt not but there is an escape in the Book or the Translator hath not attained the right meaning or that I do not understand it but I do read other books so that whatsoever was their holiness or learning yet I think it not true because they have thought so but because they could perswade me by other Authors or by the Canonical Scriptures or by probable reasons And Dist 8. cap. Si consuetudinem If you do object custom it is to be observed that the Lord saith I am the way the truth and life he saith not I am custom but I am truth and truly to use the words of blessed Cyprian whatsoever be the custom how old soever or common it be it must not in any respect be preferred unto truth and use which is contrary unto truth must be abolished Dist 16. c. Canones These that are called the Canons of the Apostles are known to be forged in the name of the Apostles by Hereticks although some good things be in them yet it is certain that they are not from Canonical or Apostolical Authority And c. Clementis All the Fathers do reckon the book of Clemens that is the travels of Peter and the Canons of the Apostles among the Apocrypha Dist 36. c. Si quis These be the two works of the high Priest to learn from God by reading the Scriptures and by frequent meditation
Rome Matth. Paris loc ci and he sent unto Sifrid Bishop of Mentz commanding him to publish the sentence of the Roman Consistory against Otho throughout all Germany and charge all the Cities that they do not acknowledge him Sifrid delayed no time But immediately Henry Count Palatine of Rhene the Duke of Brabant and other Princes and Barons levy an Army against Sifrid and forced him to leave his Bishoprick and hide himself in Thuringia where the Count did as yet cleave unto the Pope When Otho understood of this stir in Germany he did return quickly and notwithstanding the Pope's curse was received as Emperor and calleth a Diet at Norinberg An. 1212. about Whitsunday where he declareth the manifold fraud of Innocentius and how unjustly he had accursed him and then said Be of courage you Princes unto you belongeth the charge of this Kingdom and the administration thereof I say unto you belongeth every disposition of the Teutonick Kingdom and to provide for every thing therein it is in your power and not in the power of the Pope to create or forsake an Emperor it is your part to calm the troubles if any shall arise within the Empire therefore ye Princes and Nobles maintain your rights and shew your power for your Nation and Imperial Laws lest if ye do it not ye be deprived of Empire and patrimony c. By these and such other words they resolve to levy immediately an Army and first to invade Thuringia Io. Naucler gener 41. In the year 1214. Innocentius causeth Frederick to be elected which now had been well bred in literature and Otho thought to have hindered the election but the Princes some for envy of his puissance and some for affection to the former Emperor and some addicted unto the Pope fell from him therefore he retired into Saxony until he gathered a new Army he made some attempts but in vain and died An. 1220. 3. FREDERICK the II. left Germany in peace and went to be confirmed at Rome He gave unto Pope Honorius the County of Funda and other great gifts even a rod to break his own head and he confirmed the Act Whosoever continued a year under excommunication shall be guilty of proscription and shall not be absolved until he make satisfaction unto the Pope In recompence of these gratitudes and obeysance when two Counts in Tuscia Thomas and Richard did rebel against the Emperor the Pope maintained them and absolved them from their allegiance and because Frederick did expostulate Honorius the Pope thundereth a curse against him Some Bishops conspired with the rebels and the Emperor accused and pursued them for treason They run to Honorius He sent a Nuntio unto the Emperor and commandeth to restore the Bishops and dischargeth him that he meddle not with Church-men The Emperor could not endure such imperiousness and said How long will the Bishop of Rome abuse my patience when will his covetous heart be satisfied go tell him that I have as great prerogatives as my Father Henry and Frederick my Grand-father and that I will rather hazard my Crown then suffer him to empair my authority seeing every Prince in France Spain England c. hath the nomination of their own Prelates Pe. Mexia But Platina saith The cause of this excommunication was when his Mother died which held him within bounds he began to vex the Church Lands But it is certain by sundry Histories that his Mother died in the beginning of Innocentius In his time came John de Bregna King of Jerusalem into Italy for aid against the Turks he made reconciliation betwixt the Pope and Emperor and gave his onely Daughter Jole unto the Emperor then a widower with the Title King of Jerusalem for this cause the Kings of Sicily were called Kings of Jerusalem for a long space Then Frederick did intend to go into Asia yet because he delayed Pe. Mexia saith the truce which John had made with the Sultan for ten years was not yet expired the Pope did intend some great thing against him but was taken away by death When Gregory was installed Jole was brought to Rome to be married and when the Pope held out his right foot unto the Emperor to kiss it he scarcely touched his knee but would not bow unto the foot P. Mexia The Pope was not well pleased he dissembleth for a time but intendeth to revenge So after some moneths he chargeth the Emperor to go into Asia according to his vow but intendeth to deprive him of the Empire Frederick suspecteth it and delayeth the longer till he heard that the Christians in Asia were utterly distressed then he assembleth his Nobles at Cremona and causeth his Son Henry to be created Caesar and sent him to perswade the Princes to send aid unto his expedition An. 1226. At this time the Lombards had made a league with other Cities of Italy by suggestion of Pope as is believed saith Naucler Honorius against the Emperor which league continued many years to the great prejudice of the Empire and manifest hindering of the expedition An. 1227. Pope Gregory again chargeth the Emperor to go into Asia Frederick writeth unto his Son to conveen the Princes again and nameth the time when they should make their rendezvous at Brundusio The Emperor becometh sickly nevertheless he sailed with his Army into Creta and there being hindered by sickness he sent his Army forward and returned himself into Pulia Then the Pope excommunicateth him the Papalines say because he had murthered Jole and others speak of other pretexts but P. Mexia and Blondus say that Jole died after this curse Immediately Frederick sent to Rome offering to clear himself but his Ambassade was not admitted Therefore the Emperor sent Letters throughout the Empire and to other Princes shewing how wonderously he was excommunicated and how presumptuous and covetous the Church of Rome was become even the mother of all mischief Unto Otho Duke of Bavier he wrote thus The high Priests of Rome do now affect not onely dominion but God-head for they will have all men to fear them more then God and it is sure that there be many Antichrists among them neither hath Christian Religion any such adversary that man which is called the Pope abounding in wealth to the great prejudice of piety thinketh after the maner of Tyrants that he may do as he listeth and is answerable to none as if he were God what is proper unto God he vaunteth of himself that he cannot err he requireth both impudently and imperiously all men to believe that he cannot be guilty of a lye Avent Annal. lib. 7. And unto Henry the III. King of England he wrote The Church of Rome is become so avaricious that they are not content with the goods of the Church but they will have the inheritance of Emperors Kings and Princes and make them all tributaries as Henry hath experience and the Earl of Tolouse whom the Popes binde with excommunication till they bring them into
thus and another the contrary the people knew not what to believe And albeit the Popes did tolerate them so long as they stood for the triple Mitre yet hence we may understand one main cause why some Bishops and Princes did be wail the confusion in the Church and after that time wish and cry for a Reformation To this purpose hear how A contest betwixt the Bishops and the Friers â—e Soave in Hist Con. Triden lib. 2. reporteth the contest betwixt the Bishops and the Generals of the Friers On the one side the Bishops did complain that albeit Christ had commanded to teach the people his doctrine and that could be no other way but by publick teaching in the Church and to the end sufficient men might be provided to teach the people this charge did properly belong unto Bishops as the Apostles at first shewed the way and the holy Fathers did follow yet this charge of so great importance was taken from the Bishops that no footsteps thereof remain and that by giving of priviledges and this is the cause why all things become worse and worse because Christ's institution is changed The Universities had immunity that a Bishop cannot know what they are teaching the power of preaching is given unto the begging Friers so that they are free from the Laws of Bishops and will not let them see what they are doing and so Bishops are robbed of the chief part of their office And in the contrary they which at first were appointed onely to be wail the sins of men and which by express and severe threatnings were forbidden to teach or preach have now usurped or as a gift do possess that office as their peculiar onely in the mean time the flock wanteth a shepheard and hireling too for these vagring preachers which skip from one City to another cannot understand either the necessity of the people or the capacity of their mindes and far less the opportunities of teaching and edifying them so as a constant Pastor might who living continually with his flock hath more experience of their infirmities and necessities Moreover these preachers have not such an aim to edifie the people but to bring alms to their own advantage or of their Convent and to the end they may make their purchase the more liberally they look not to the salvation of souls but onely to their own advantage by flattering delighting and following the affections of men and the people learn instead of the doctrine of Christ nothing but news or certainly vanity The onely remedy of all these evils is that these priviledges and exemptions be discharged and the charge of teaching and preaching be restored unto Bishops and of chusing others to be their helpers in that work On the other side the Generals of the Friers said When Bishops and Curates had neglected their pastoral work so that in many ages neither preachings were heard in Churches nor teaching of Divinity in Schools at last God did raise up the Orders of begging Friers to repair the defect of that necessary office which they had not usurped but had obtained by the gift of the supream Pastor and seeing it belongeth unto him chiefly to feed the flock it is an injury to aver that whom he hath appointed to supply their defects who according to their office should have had care of the flock and had forsaken it and medled with the harvest of others but it is rather true that unless they had so done in love and charity there had been ere now no remembrance of Christ's name and therefore seeing for the space of three hundreds years and upwards they have waited upon this work to the manifest benefit of men and by just title of the Roman high Priests gifts and prescription of so long time this is their office the Bishops have no reason to move any controversie or pretend the custom of ancient time for recovering the office which they had forsaken for so many ages And what is objected of their enlarging the Monasteries or seeking their own gain it is a meer calumny seeing of the alms they did reap nothing but meat and clothes and what was over was employed to the service of God in saying Masses or in building and decoring Churches for the benefit of the people and therefore the offices which have been exercised by these Orders in the holy Churches and study of Divinity which scarcely can be found without the Cloisters of Monks they may justly claim as their own and should be continued with them seeing hardly can other sufficient men be had So far there If we compare these two discourses and consider how truly the first describeth the latter times and the other painteth forth the preceeding time we may understand the miseries of the Church and what need there was of Reformation 3. It is said before that Pope Innocentius the III. made a Law that the The beginning and rise of Cardinals election of the Pope should appertain unto the Cardinals onely whereby their grandure did wax mightily I will not say that this was a novation and a change of the election of the Bishop of Rome but now it is time to speak of their beginning and increase of their honor and that in the words of Romish Authors The Jesuit Azorius saith Some bring their conception from Gregory the I. and some from Silvester the I. and some from Marcellus Bellarm. de Cleri lib. 1. cap. 16. alledgeth that there is mention of Cardinals in a Councel at Rome in the days of Pope Silvester the I. but then as Spalatin de Repu Eccles lib. 4. cap. 5. § 11. hath observed ex Grego Regist Epist Cardinalis was no other but fixed and ordinary and it was opposed to vagrant and titular Bishops and Priests whereas now saith he for the most part or rather all Cardinals are but titulars and none of them hath an ordinary or setled charge Ibid. § 32. Bellarm. loc cit saith also The office of Cardinals consisteth in three particulars 1. Is the office of a Bishop or Priest or Deacon 2. The election of the Pope 3. It is to assist the Pope always In all these saith he they have their original from the days of the Apostles but he proveth not well When Pol. Virg. searcheth the invention of things he passeth not by the invention of Cardinals in li. 4. ca. 9. Pope Marcellus saith he from among the twenty five Parishes that were then at Rome appointed fifteen of them to be Cardinal or as they call them improperly Mother-Churches and the rest were but Chappels or Oratories for the use of baptism and burial and this is the very beginning of the Order of Cardinals and long after to be a Cardinal was no other thing but to have the care of souls That which followeth is commanded to be blotted out by the Index expurgatorius Printed at Antwerp An. 1561. pag. 70. But afterwards when Pope Boniface the III. obtained from the Emperor
more licence maketh us all the worse he who is the servant of servants will be Lord of Lords as if he were a God he despiseth the holy assemblies and counsels of his Brethren yea of his Lords he feareth that he be called to account for what he doth dayly against laws and good order he speaketh great things as if he were God he hath new purposes in his head to set up an Empire unto himself that wicked man whom they usually now call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am God I cannot err changeth laws establisheth his own spoileth defraudeth killeth and sitteth in the Temple of God domineering far and wide As in the days of the ancient Sibylla Hydaspes that most ancient King hath under the name of a prophecying childe told the prosperity and named the Romans long before Troy was and Prophets have foretold in dark words that every one cannot understand The majesty of the Roman people by whom the world was governed is now away and the power hath returned into Asia the East shall rule again and the West shall be a servant Kingdoms are multiplied the highest power is I will not say torn but dissolved and broken into many the Emperor is but a title and onely a shadow now there be ten Kings together who have taken their part of the ancient Roman Empire not to rule it but to destroy it Those ten horns which St. Augustine could not understand the Turks Greeks Egyptians Africans Spaniards French English Germans Italians and Sicilians do possess the Roman Provinces and a little horn is grown up among them which hath eyes and a mouth speaking great things especially it compelleth three of these Kingdoms to wit of Sicily Italy and Germany to serve it What is more clear then this prophesie c. 12. Petrus de Vineis Chancellor of the Emperor Frederick the II. wrote Petrus de Vineis against the maners of the Pope's Court. six books of Epistles which were printed in the year 1566. some of them are inserted in Catalog test verit lib. 16. He wrote many in name of the Emperor unto several Princes The second Epistle of the first book he directed unto the Kings and Princes generally exhorting them that they obey not the Pope and his Cardinals who feed upon the alms of the poor and oppress the children of the Church The following ages saith he may be wise when they know what hath been before them and as the wax receiveth impression from the signature so mortal men are framed by example O that I had tasted of such happiness that Christian Princes had left unto us such timely warning as we from the experience of our wounded Majesty do leave unto you the Clergy who are made fat by the alms of the poor do oppress the children when they are ordained Apostolical Fathers though they be the children of our subjects yet forgetting their fatherly duty will not vouchsafe to reverence Emperor nor King What is spoken in borrowed words is clear by the presumption of Pope Innocent the IV. for in a general Councel as he calleth it he durst pronounce a sentence of deposition which he cannot maintain without a strange prejudice of all Kings albeit I was neither summoned nor convicted of any fraud or offence What cause have ye all and every King of every Countrey to fear from the wrath of such a Prince of Priests It is not enough that he attempteth to dethrown us albeit we by the power of God were crowned after the election of the Princes and approbation of the whole Church and people living in the Religion of Christian faith and albeit in respect of the Imperial Diadem no rigor can be exercised against us even though lawful causes were proved against us but the abuse of that Priestly power would so overthrow us that we should be neither first nor last And this indeed ye do when ye obey them who counterfeit holiness and their ambition hopeth to swallow you all O that your simple credulity would beware as Christ hath warned of that leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees how many filthinesses of that Court might ye abhor which shame and dishonesty will not suffer me to name truly the wealthy revenues wherewith they are enriched to the impoverishing of many Kingdoms have made them mad among us Christians are become beggers that the Patarens may be fed among them ye bring down your own houses that ye may build up your adversaries houses there It hath been our care that those things should be written for you albeit not declaring sufficiently what I wish but other things I will acquaint you with in a more private way to wit to what uses your prodigality may employ the riches of the poor What can be done in chusing an Emperor unless peace which we intend by able mediators to establish be at least superficially restored betwixt us and the Church what may we intend concerning the common and particular affairs of all Kings c. In Epist 3. he faith It is no where found that by any Law of God or man the high Priest of Rome may at his pleasure transfer the Empire or judge Kings or Princes by depriving them of their temporal Kingdoms for albeit according to the Law of men or of custom our consecration belongeth unto him yet he hath no more power to deprive us then the Prelates of any other Nation who after their custom do consecrate and anoint their Kings In Epist 13. unto the King of France It is notorious and the world cannot hide it how that Apostolical Father hath impugned our innocency with both the swords for while at his command we were passing over sea he our adversary and enemy invaded the Kingdom of Sicily and hath spoiled it many ways then after our returning into the Kingdom by the manifold intercession of the Alman Princes a peace was made with the Church and though I did my service yet that Apostolical man laid his hands more heavily upon us and proprio motu without any cause on my part he hath devised whatever could be devised to our ruine and by proclaiming the sentence of excommunication against us and by his Missives and Nuntios he publisheth unto all men the titles of defaming us Lastly To supplant us he aspiring as it were to build the tower of Babylon against the fort of David hath called all the Prelates he could unto a particular Councel so aiming to set the East before the North but the wondrous providence of God by whom we live and reign beholding the purpose of so great iniquity and turning his thoughts into nothing hath brought the Cardinals and Prelates both of France and some other Nations into our hands whom many others being drowned in the sea we keep fast as our enemies Let not your Highness marvel si Augustus tenet in Augusto that Caesar keepeth in prison the Prelates of France who would have imprisoned Caesar In Epist
and also in other Sciences do lament that simony is so frequent and manifest in the Court and many Jurists do dispute in the contrary and have written although with fear sundry Treatises That the Pope by selling Church-Benefices is a Simoniack a Successor of Simon Magus and not of Peter 24. About that time was written another book De aetatibus Ecclesiae therein Aparallel of times the Author sheweth what had been the estate of the Church in former ages namely that Bishops were not ambitious of superiority or earthly authority the Bishop of Rome had not supremacy above other Bishops the name Papae was common to other Bishops by divers steps the Pope hath usurped this tyranny he calleth himself the Servant of Servants and striveth to be Lord of all Lords he taketh Divine honor and praise and he maketh or suffereth men to be Idolaters Catal. test ver lib. 18. 25. In the end of that Century or beginning of the next lived Nilus The cause of the Schism between the Greeks and Latines Arch-Bishop of Thessalonica who wrote two books of the causes of the Schism between the Greek and the Latine Churches In Lib. 1. he saith The cause is not the sublimity of doctrine surpassing mens capacities and far less is it any word of holy Scripture as if it did not declare what concerneth this controversie for to accuse the Scripture is all one as if man would accuse God ..... What then is the cause of the difference the question is not confirmed by a Decree of an Oecunomical Synod and the Romans would be Masters and make all others their disciples ...... It is very absurd that whereas the Fathers had no precedents yet by themselves rhey saw the right we having their examples cannot discern it and indeed the ignorance of those at the first contention might be pardoned ...... but when so many ages have passed and the way of peace is not as yet known who can think but it is the fault of them who will not have peace But they say The Pope is the Prince of Priests and the Father who hath power to call universal Synods and by himself or without others may discern in Church-affairs But Julius was Pope and Damasus and Leo and Agatho and none of these ever said so but conveening with their Brethren by the assistance of the good Spirit they established Acts and peace in the Church And if this was the only way and it is not now observed who can doubt but the cause of the variance standeth herein and certainly the blame lieth not upon our side And if the power of discerning belong unto the Pope it were superfluous to call Assembliet but it is not so for we know that Agatho Celestin and others had their particular Synods for deciding questions and nevertheless they referred those unto the universal Synod and craved the confirmation of the truth by common decree which had been needless if when the Pope had discerned all others must assent unto him Now if this question were concerning a private man it might seem needless to call all the world unto an Assembly but seeing the chief heads of the world are at variance it is absurd to determine the cause without the consent of the world since the Fathers by their writings and example have shewed the way But if they will still object unto us the primacy of the Pope we say that in so doing he overthroweth his primacy but by holding the ancient way he doth what becometh a good man and maintaineth his place for he may consider what should be the â—ssue if the controversie were decided after common suffrage and what hath hapned unto the Latines arrogating unto themselves the power of prescribing Laws for in that way the Church might be free from all tumults and live in peace since none could readily contradict that which was established by common sentence for though some in former times have been so mad yet they were but few and vanished soon But when the peace of the Church is disturbed he loseth what he might have for he is deprived of the primacy of the four Patriarchs neither is there any peace Many have thought upon remedies there have been many conferences and Ambassays but the malady continueth and shall continue so long as the Latines hold their tenets The Pope say they hath power in Ecclesiastical affairs So say I let him not be contrary unto the Decrees of the Fathers they established things by universal Councel and each had need of anothers aid being conscious of humane frailty let the Pope therefore follow their statutes and discern not any point before it be debated by others or if he hath his power not from the Fathers but from the Apostles let him hearken unto the Apostle who said I have not used my power lest I lay a stumbling-block unto the Gospel of Christ and in another place The power which the Lord hath given us to edification and not to destruction And therefore if he hath any power let him not use it but for advancing the Gospel to the end that in following Paul's example he may shew himself an Apostolical man bet now none can be ignorant whether he useth it for edification or destruction ...... And that president of the twelve Apostles St. Peter was rebuked by Paul and when he was rebuked he was silent and although he might have said more reasonably then the Pope What I the President have done should be a law unto others yet he said not so but accepted the admonition and contradicted not what Paul had said ..... And when Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem for that question of the circumcision Peter usurped not primacy nor said he It belongeth unto me to discern in such things but the Apostles and Elders were assembled neither did Peter debar the Apostles usurping power nor did the Apostles exclude the Elders that were at Jerusalem for they had learned from Christ to usurp no primacy Peter indeed began to speak and after him St. James and all the rest of the Apostles and Elders even Peter himself consented unto the words of James so did these blessed men love Christ and so studious were they of peace and truth in the Church and the Apostles seeking truth this way have given us a law in such cases but seeing ye take a contrary course can ye blame any but your selves for this variance This is a touch of more whence we see that the Romans wanted not admonition 26. With the book of this Nilus is usually printed another of Barlaam a Greek Monk to the same purpose In cap. 16. he recapitulateth all the particulars that he had handled saying I have shewed that each one of the Apostles were immediately appointed by our Lord Christ to be a Pastor and Teacher of the whole earth 2. That blessed Clemens was created by Peter not Bishop of the whole world but of Rome especially and properly and that the Roman See
enemy of the most Christian Nation c. Morn in Myster pag. 451 465. In Dialog par 2. tract 1. lib. 3. cap. 16. he saith The books of Judith Tobias and the Maccabees Ecclesiasticus and the book of Wisdom are not for confirmation of any matter of faith the Church readeth these two Ecclesiasticus and Wisdom for edification of the people in manners but not for confirmation of points of faith Ibid. par 1. lib. 5. cap. 25. he saith A general Councel is a part of the universal Church but is not the Church universal therefore it is vain to say that a general Councel cannot er against the faith And cap. 28. If a general Councel shaller yet some Catholicks shall remain which either privately or publickly as shall be expedient shall be bold to defend the Orthodox faith ..... for God is able of stones that is of the unlearned Laicks despised poor ones and distressed Catholicks to raise up children of Abraham And lib. 6. cap. 84. Councels are not called general because they are called by the Pope ..... if Princes and Lay-men will they may be present in the general Councel and deal of matters treated therein In Prolog compend error he saith Alas the time of which the blessed Apostle prophesied when men will not suffer wholesome doctrine ..... this prophesie is altogether fulfilled in our days for behold many pervert the holy Scriptures deny the sayings of the holy Fathers reject the Canon of the Church molest persecute and bring into bondage and without mercy torment and afflict even unto death them that defend the truth so that we may rightly say of our times which Daniel long since pronounced Iniquity hath gone from Babylon from the Elders and Iudges which seemed to govern and rule the people for many that should be pillars in the Church of God and defend the truth of God even unto blood cast themselves headlong into the pit of Heresies In the same Prologue he submitteth his writings unto the censure and correction of the Church but he addeth of the Catholick Church and not of the malignant Church 8. Brigida or Brigitta was descended of the blood royal of Scotland Ph. Morn in Myster pa. 480. another then she which was in the days of S. Patrick about the year 520. she was married unto the King of Sweden a most devout woman saith Platin. and canonized as a Saint and Prophetess Being perswaded by the Friers with the same of Rome she went thither in the days of Pope Urban the V. hoping to finde great comfort there but in her revelations she calleth the Pope a murtherer of souls a destroyer of Christ's flock more abominable then the Jews more odious then Judas more unjust then Pilate worse then Lucifer She saith His seat is to be drowned like an heavy stone and his assessors were to burn in fire and brimstone unquenchable She rebuked the Bishops and Priests that through their default the doctrine of Christ was not preached yea it was abolished and they had changed all the commandments of God into two words Give money In the end she saith she heard the Virgin saying to her Son Rome is a fertile Land and Christ answered It is so but of tares she saith also that her coming to Rome was to cast away rather then confirm the opinion that she had conceived of it These revelations have been often printed 9. Thomas Bradwardin was a Fellow in Merton Colledge of Oxford and afterwards Chancellor of London and commonly called The profound Doctor about the year 1330. he had many disputes with the School-men against the errors of Pelagius and reduced all his Lessons into three Books which he entituled De causa Dei He beginneth thus I have been solicited earnestly by the petitions of great and many men that what I had spoken only by voice in disputes concerning the cause of God against Pelagius and concerning the power of causes I would tie it unto durable writ but here are two things as the lovers of God do provoke and encourage me into the cause of God so the friends of Pelagius being far more in number do hinder and terrifie me for which I speak not without inward sorrow of heart as of old eight hundred and fifty Prophets of Baal were against the one Prophet of God and innumerable people did cleave unto them so it is now in this cause How many O Lord fight now with Pelagius for free will against thy free grace and against Paul the spiritual Soldier of grace how many do to day despise free grace and proudly think that free will is sufficient to salvation or if they do use the word of grace they do but perfunctoriously feign it to be necessary but they boast that they deserve by the power of free-will to be what they are salvation seemeth unto them to be not a free gift but a bought good because O God Almighty these wilde men presuming of the power of their free will refuse the aid of thy working in their workings and say with those Depart thou from us Moreover Lord how many advance the liberty of their own will and will not serve thee or if they confess with their lips that thou workest with them yet with these thy proud and hateful subjects they will not have thee to reign over them yea and prouder then Lucifer they are not content to be equal with thee King of Kings but most impudently they would reign above thee for they fear not to say that their own will goeth first in action as the Lady and thou followest as the Servant ...... O Lord my God I cannot think it without sighs how many and great Judges endeavor carefully to absolve and reconcile the Pelagian errors that were condemned in ancient times and banished out of the bounds of all the Church how many presumptuous advocates plead for them how many damnable proctors they procure on their side how many not having two arguments of any art do turn to killing arguments and at least to advance the cause of Pelagius attempt to cast down thy cause with their cries horrors reproaches vice laughter and gesture how many and how innumerable people favor them for almost all the world goeth after Pelagius arise Lord judge thine own cause Then he sheweth how he was comforted in a vision or dream that by the grace of God he should prevail against Pelagius And a little after he addeth With how many martyrdoms with The beginning and progress of Pelagianisin how many wounds did the holy Fathers cut down the wood of the Pelagian heresies and how many venomous branches do still spring and wax out of these old roots As it was so it is yet for first when their Arch-Heretick Lucifer would not be under and with God Michael threw him down then arose Cain thinking that a sinner is not justified of God freely by grace given freely but by his antecedent merit when he in the just judgement of God was
too wealthy and their successours tooke more pleasure in their wealth then in their industry and piety and when wealth was severed from godliness they became proud and ambitious yet would not want the name of holiness and by the name of holiness with too much wealth they did climbe I will not say unto the highest pinacle of honour but unto Divine honour and were exalted above all that is called God and laid aside even the word of God So that then it might have been said Spernitur à Româ Scriptura novissima Dotum that is when the Romane Church had forsaken piety of conversation purity of worship order of discipline equity of Civill things and all graces or gifts of God lastly she despised the very written word of God Nevertheless God left not men inexcusable nor suffered He them to passe without reproofe by some Witnesses of his Truth even under the grossest darkness And so we have heard not only the Waldenses and such others which made separation from the Church of Rome as the Greeks but some Monks some Abbots some priests some Bishops some Universities some Counsels of States some Parliamens some Councels yea some Cardinals and Popes which were and did continue members of the Romane Church now and then bewailing and declaring the corrupt estate of the Church both in the pretented head and in the body thereof for the greatest part not only in manners rites and discipline but in doctrine also We have heard some professing a desire and attempting a Reformation but were ever hindered by the Popes and court of Rome How then can any man be so impudent if he be not altogether ignorant to say that the Church of Rome hath never erred nor can erre We have heard also some foretelling that a Reformation must bee and shall be yea and some pointing at the very time and year of Reformation We have seen the world prepared for a Reformation by store of antient books printed and spread through Europe by reviving of Liberall Sciences and the prime tongues and by multitude of learned men It followes now to behold how God Reformed his Church not by the direct intention of men but in spite of all his adversaries and as it pleased Him in wisdom for the manifesting of his glory and mercy toward ungratefull mankind PART II. CHAP. I. Of POPES HADRIAN VI. borne in Utrecht of Belgia for his learning and sagacity of judgement was called from Lovan to be Tutour unto Charls the young King of Spaine then he became Bishop of Derthuse and chief Counseller unto Charles and Governour of Spain in the Kings absence and at that time being known at Rome by report only he was chosen Pope January 9. An. 1522. When he was advertised of the election he wrote Letters of thanks unto the Colledge of Cardinals for the good opinion they had conceived of him and whereas three Cardinals were appointed to be sent unto him he desired them to spare their travell for as soone as it might possibly bee he would come unto Rome And because the Senate and people of Rome were displeased that a stranger should have that Dignity he wrote unto them promising whatsoever favour could be expected from him He arrived at Rome in August following In the mean time Soliman the Turk was besieging the isle Rodos And in the seventh moneth carryed it by composition to the great shame of Christians J. Sleidan Comment Lib. 3. adfin It appeares that from Spain Hadrian wrote unto Erasmus to write against Luther and accordingly in an epistle dat Basileae prid jd. Julii An. 1522. ad Jodoc President of the Senate of Mechline he saith Here and there partly by word and partly by epistles I have turned away many from the Lutheran faction and nothing hath discouraged the Lutherans minds so much as that I have openly declared my adherence unto the Romane high priest and disallowing Luthers cause Cheregat was sent with a Brieve as they speak dated Novemb 25. 1522. from Hadrian unto the Princes of Germany shewing that it was grievous unto him that Luther had moved such a stirre and sedition for it concerneth the loss of souls and the destruction of the flock now committed unto him and it is hapned to beginne in the same Country where he was borne which Nation was ever furthest from all supicion of heresy wherefore he craves earnestly that they would helpe to remedy it as quickly as might bee lest through longer delay it happen unto Germany as it did unto Bohem and he promiseth that he will spare neither mony nor travell here in beseeching them that they will every one according to his power do the like seing so many weighty causes may move them heerunto to wit the Glory of Gods holy Name is by this heresy chiefly obscured the rites of the Church are defaced and in a manner abolished and Germany which was wont to have the chief praise of religion now for this revolt cometh into contempt for when they might have easily dispatched Luther and quenched his heresies they have not done it so degenerating from their ancestours which have left a notable example of their vertue at Constance Is it not a most notorious wrong that Luther doth unto them and their forefathers for where as they have followed the religion of the Romane Church now when he condemned that religion he condemned them Let them weigh seriously what those fellowes do intend verily under pretence of Evangelical liberty to take away all Lawes and Magistrates Albeit first he seemes only to impugne the rulers of the Church as tyrannicall and wicked and hitherto they doe craftily hide their intention and traiterously and do flatter Magistrates to the end they may the more freely utter malice against the Clergy but when the clergy are opprest doubtless they will attempt further ..... Luther differeth not much from the sect of Mahomet which permits men to marry many wifes and then to forsake them by which means that wretched hypocrite hath bewitched and allured the greatest part of the world albeit Luther permits not this yet he aduiseth all men which have vowed chastity to marry so giving way unto mans lust that he may have the more to be of his confederacy to the utter destruction of the Commonwealth especially of Germany Therefore it is their part to put in execution the decrees of Pope Leo and of Caesar ...... If any will say Luther was condemned ere he was heard or it is reason the cause should be debated these men think amisse for Christ had taught us the rule of faith and religion whose authority we must follow and not skan the articles of faith by humane reason nor enquire the cause of this or that precept Indeed he is to be heard when he is examined whether he spake thus or thus whether he set forth this or that book but touching the faith and sacraments we may not permit him to dispute nor defend these things which he had written
alive or other wayes put to death for the cause of religion John oecolampade in the year preceeding was retyred into a Monastery for feare of trouble but when he heard of the publick edict he set forth some Sermons and a book of Confession for which Glapio the Emperours Chapelan did threaten him mischief but he with consent of the Friers went away in safety Martin Bucer had been a Dominican 15 years at that time he left that Order and was Chaplaine unto Fredederik Prince Palatin and President of the Imperiall Councell the next year he was called to be Preacher at Landstall When Luther was lurking the Augustinians of Wittembergh put away the private Masse because it was an execrable abuse of the Lords supper and turned into a propitiatory sacrifice c. The Electour requires the judgement of the University then Justus Jonas Jo. Dolcius Andr. Carolstad Jerom Schurff Nic. Amsdorff and Phil. Melanchton approove the reasons of the Augustinians the Elector ratifieth their Act and not only dischargeth private Masses in the Cloister but in the open Church and then in the Church of the Castle Then and there also images were broken down auricular confession was forbidden both elements were delivered unto the people and Andr. Carolstad teaches that Civill courts should be ordered not by the law of man but of Moses he set forth a book of the lawfulness of Priests-mariage and against the vowes of Monks When Luther heard hereof though he did not approve all that was done and written yet he wrote unto Spalatinus August 15 Carolstad must have some liberty for he will not be content if any do oppose him Erasmus was offended that any Reformation was begun without the authority of a Generall Councell and he wrote unto Peter Barbire August 13. saying It can not be told how many and what kind of men did at the first love Luther when I had read a few pages of his books I did foresee the matter would turn to a broil I do so hate discord that even verity with sedition is unpleasant unto mee .... As I think many things are received in the Church which may be changed to the great good of Christian religion So nothing pleaseth me which is done tumultuously And in another dated August 23 he saith I wish it were true that Christiern King of Denmark said unto me while we were talking of such a purpose Gentle purges worke not but efficacious potions shake the whole body I see no good issue unless Christ himselfe turne the temerity of men into good c. Albert archb of Mentz began again to sell pardons in Hala of Saxony then Luther wrote unto him from his Pathmos Novemb. 25. threatning him that if he leave not that idol of pardons greater evils will be sent on him and if he dismisse not these which for eschuing fornication have marryed he will make known openly some things both of him and other bb which they desire to be buried in silence The Bishop returnes answer Decemb. 21. shewing that he had read his Letter with good lyking and afterwards he shall have no cause to complain of him and he will live as becomes a Christian Prince for which end he requires his prayers and of other good men seing that is the gift of God alone he can take admonitions in good part and wisheth well unto Luther for Christs cause The University of Paris sent forth their judgement against Luther's books and Ph. Melanchton opposeth it with this inscription of his book Against the famous Decree of the Parisians the apology of Melanchton for Luther Likewise Henry VIII King of England wrote against Luther in defense of the seven saeraments and the power of the Pope When Leo heard of it he sent unto him the title defender of the faith as Alexander VI. had given unto the King of Spain the title of Catholick King and I know not what other Pope did first call the King of France The most Christian King But saith Pe. Soave Luther was not dashed with authority but laying aside the due reverence of his person wrote against him with such bitterness of words as he had used against the puny Doctors and the medling of the King in this cause did not satisfy many in this controversy and as it hapneth in debates most do favour the weaker party and do much commend their weak endeavours Immediatly after the publishing of the Edict at Worms Hugh Bishop of Constance sendeth the Popes Bull and that Edict unto the town of Zurik and commandeth them to obey both the one and the other and he inveighes against Zuinglius and his followers Wherefore Zuinglius gives account unto the Senate and to the colledge of the Chanons of what he had taught and he writes unto the Bishop especially pressing that he forbeare not the priests with their concubines which wickedness saith he brings the clergy into contempt and is a very lewd example unto the people And he wrote unto the Swisers generally that they should remember a former licence which the Magistrats had granted unto the priests to have a concubine for saving the honesty of other mens wives which licence though ridiculous yet necessary for the time should be amended by turning fornication into lawfull marriage The Bishops command gave courage unto the black Friers to write against Zuinglius and he ceaseth not to defend his own doctrine he published 67. conclusions containing the summe of his doctrin and the abuses of the Clergy The Senate for removing such strife do appoint a convocation of all the Clergy within their jurisdiction against January 23. promising free liberty of reasoning unto both parties and by Letters invite the bb of Constance Curia and Basile either to come personally or to send their Commissioners There were assembled about 600. priests and as they called them Divines The Bishop of Constance sent in his name John Faber who afterward was Bishop of Vienna The Burgermaster beginneth saying It is not unknown what dissension hath arisen in the cause of religion therefore this assembly is called especially that if any can speak against these 67 conclusions of Zuinglius now made known unto them all he may now speak the same freely Faber shewes his Commission and alledgeth it was not a pertinent place nor time to decide things of that kind which appertain properly unto a Generall Councell and the Pope and Princes have agreed that one shall be called shortly Zuinglius said as Pe. Soave reports that is but a trick to deceive people with vaine hope and to keep them in grosse darknes it were better in the mean while to search some particulars that are sure and undoubted by the word of God and the received custom of the Church untill a more copious clearing of doubts come by a Councell When Faber was urged again and again to shew what he could speak against that doctrine of Zuinglius he said I will not deal with him by word but I will confute
tolerated that good may spring out of them as neither did the followers of Luther pretend these scandals grievances flowing from the Romane Court and though they had done it they should not forsake Catholick unity but rather in the highest patience have suffered the most grievous extremities and therefore they should even now put that Edict into execution as the Apostolicall See is ready to relieve Germany of their uniust oppressions by the Romane Court if there be any As for the Annates seing the Pope will give an answer in due time he hath nothing to say But concerning their petition of a Councell he thinks it will be accepted by the Pope if they will smooth their words which seem to be harsh to wit that they require the consent of the Emperour and that it be called into one place rather than in another if these words be not smoothed they seem to curb the Popes power and so can bring no good effect c. This reply in these and other particulars was not acceptable for they did measure good and evill by the rule of gain unto the Roman Court and in the mean time they would amend in nothing but only in words of vain promises Therefore after deliberation they resolue that they will not depart from their former answer but will rather expect what the Pope will do Then the Seculare Princes begin to consider the manifold Grievances of the Nation flowing not from the Court only but from the whole body of the clergy When the Legate heares of this purpose he will stay no longer Nevertheless they go on and gather them which afterwards were called The bundred grievances of Germany and sent them unto the Court of Rome with a protestation that they could endure them no longer Some of the Grievances were the vast sums of money for dispensations absolutions and indulgences advocations of pleas from Germany to Rome Reservation of Benefices corruptions of Commenda's Annates exemption of guilty Church-men from Civill Courts uniust excommunications and interdictions the bringing of severall pleas unto Church-consistories covered with many pretexts c. and they reduce all unto three chief heads the oppression of the people with most grievous bondage Germany is spoiled of wealth and they usurpe the power of the Magistrate The Diet was dissolved March 6. An. 1523. and all these the Popes Brieve and his instructions the answer of the Princes the Legat's reply and the Grievances were printed and spread When they were brought to Rome it did gall the Court that by the Popes confession they were called the fountain of all these evills and the Prelates could not endure that they were brought into contempt and that the people now had not only cause to revile them but the Lutherans had matter of joy exultation and they were brought into inevitable necessity to loose their power and gain else it were cleare that they were incorrigible Who did favour the Pope made excuse that he was ignorant of the policies whereby Papall power and the authority of the Court had stood so long Pope Leo was more wise when the Germanes had blamed the Court he said It was their ignorance and mistaking so that if Luther had been sent to Rome when it was required he had not seen abuses there But in Germany they said The Popes confession was but a trick of that Court to confesse a fault and promise amendement and never to think of amending and so deceive people for their own interest And where the Pope sayd All things can not be Reformed at once they said merrily he will proceed so slowly that an age may slip betwixt the first and next step And nevertheless saith Pe. Soave Hadrian professed freely and ingenuously that the Church was corrupted and he was solicitous of remedies as appeares by the issue he died September 13. In that Edict or Answer of Nurembergh were also other particulares which the Germans did expound diversly according to their affections as where it was said Preachers shall not speak of such things that may raise broils among the people The Papists said the meaning is These things should not be repeated that Luther had taught and especially the pretended errours of Church-men On the other side who where desirous of Reformation said The meaning of the Diet is Priests should not mantain these abuses which heretofore had provoked the people against Church-men Again where it was said They shall preach the Gospell according to the doctrine of Doctours approved by the Church the Papists said The meaning is they should preach nothing but according to the late Schoolmen and the Postillators But others said By such Writers were understood the Fathers of the Primitive Church as Hilarius Ambrose Augustin Hierome and such And so that Edict which was supposed to quench the fire of controversies did inflamme them more and all good men saw a necessity of calling a Councell and that parties should submit thereunto Pe. Soave in histo Concil The adversaries of truth devise another The wranglings of monks trick against the Reformation to wit they traduce the opposite doctrin with maligne interpretations as when Luther said Christ hath satisfied for our sins and our works are not satisfactory unto Divine justice the Monks say The new preachers are enemies of good works as if faith alone were necessary unto salvation and as if it were alike whether we live holily or not When Luther said None is tied necessarily to confesse all his sins unto a priest the Monks said They make no confession unto God nor man In a word as Erasmus writes in Epist in Pseude-Evangel dated Friburg An. 1529. the Monks and Divines through cruelty of nature or foolishnes or for gain or hope or honour or privat malice did most cruelly accuse them not only of frivolous things and which might be disputed on both sides but most perversly they did miss-interprete what was well spoken And this was another spurre to provoke their followers to execute the Edict of Worms the same year Therefore said Erasmus Io. cit Before this time was some licence to dispute of the Popes power of indulgences and of purgatory but now we dar not speak of things that are godly and true we are compelled to believe that man of himself worketh meritorious works and by his works deserves eternall life ex condigno that the Blessed Virgine may command her son to hear the prayers of this or that man and many other things horrible unto godly eares John Prince of Anhalt began to affect the truth and did advertise Luther by Do. Hierom and a Franciscan that he should purge him of that calumny which Ferdinand Duke of Austria had imputed unto him in Norinbergh that he had said Christ was not the seed of Abraham Charles Duke of Savoy was very desirous of truth and purity Luther understanding it by Annemund Coct a French Knight writes unto him a Confession of faith to confirme him in the
mens souls are mortal The Printer is informed and addresseth himself to answer before the King and Counsel then they return unto Paris but he shewes how false their calumnies were At that time they sent unto the King 46. Articles which they had collected It was told unto their Deputies that they had spoken of some thousands of errours and were these all turned to 46. Their answer was The University had more but had not as yet put them in forme The Printer returnes to Paris and chides some of the Divines that they had accused him falsely They produce the place where they alledge he denieth the immortality of the soul He replieth They understand not Latine who will from these words forge such an errour And saith he I give them this praise that when they can not prevail in reason none are more impudent to bear down the innocent with monstrous lies Then he returns unto the Kings Court and petitioneth that his adversaries should plead their cause against him and bring-in all their articles When they were summoned to do so ten of them do compear and in their pleading they fall into variance among themselves and could not agree in maintaining their articles Then they were charged that hereafter they shall not usurp that power of Censure in matter of faith which belongs unto the Bishops unless the bb shall call for their advice The Articles were delivered unto the Cardinals and Bishops to be examined and it was appointed that their Censure be given unto the Printer to be printed The Deputies of the University do lament that their power was taken from them yet durst not speak in publick and the selling of the books was stopped untill the bb had given their censure The Deputies returning a publick thanksgiving was appointed as if all the business had been well done and they were confident that no more should be required of them The bb and Cardinals do conferre upon the 46. articles they say five or sixe were liable to misintetpretations but all the rest were sound and Catholick When the Printer heard it spoken so in the Court he presseth that the University should be charged to bring what other articls they have to object The King commandeth them once and again to bring all their accusations They delay thinking that if the bb had given such a censure of the 46. articls they can have little hope of any more Therefore they do alledge that they can not attend the Court in such a cause and they do supplicat that it be referred unto the Inquisitors The King not being present it was so concluded by the Councel The Printer was then afrayed because the Inquisitors must condem all whom the University condemneth Therefore he addresseth himself unto the King who in Councel causeth seal an Act suspending the former Act and commandeth the University to produce what other articles they had against the book Then they deal with Guiancurt the Kings Confessor that he would solicit the King to condem the Printer as an heretick and that they be not pressed to bring more articles and in the end of their Letter it was written It were a shame unto the University if a mechanick man shall prevaile against them The Confessor prevailes so that the selling of the books was again forbidden yet so that the University must produce their other Articls The Printer knowes not of this which was done by the King and he going unto Court gives thanks unto the Cardinal of Guise for his favour in the judgement of the articls The Card. telleth him The course was changed He askes is there no remedy I know none saith the Cardinal The Printer is feared and intendeth to leave the Countrey he communicats the case unto the Bishop Castellan and being betwixt fear and hope he entreats him to ask the King for what cause he had given order to persecut his Printer The King said It is true I have forbidden to sell the books because the Divines have complained of him as a most pestiferous heretick but not that he shall be banished untill they bring the rest of their articls Then the Divines deal with Senalis Bishop of Orange to persuade the Printer unto submission and the Bishop said unto him It were better for him to agree with the Divines than to leave his Countrey nor could he have any hope to prevail against the holy University He answereth I expect no victory but only let them obey the King and produce their articls The Bishop replieth That can not be expected seing it is not the custom that the University should prove what they do judge heresy but only shew by word of mouth and their word must be believed or els we could never come to an end of an action After a day or two the Printer saith unto the Bishop that he is willing to desist if the Divines will no more persue him and afterwards he shall print nothing without their advice The Bishop applaudeth the motion and adviseth him to communicat it unto Gujancurt The advise pleaseth him also if the Printer will give it in writ and he undertakes to send it unto the University The Printer considereth that if they had that under his hand he were no more safe from them and they might produce that as a sufficient reason why they should not bring-in the rest of their articles therefore herefuseth So both parties come again into ths Kings Court there it was reported that the Printer should have 1500. crowns for his damnage Then the Deputies do rage and say Shall a wicked man have a reward for impiety and so others shall be encouraged to do more mischief So the King was persuaded to give no money but he said unto his Printer that he will be more bountifull unto him another away The Printer gives the King humble thanks saying that he craved no more but that he would protect him from the malice of these his enemies The King granteth him his warrant but with difficulty could he obtain the seal and when he had it he keeps it quiet In the mean time the Divines endeavour to prove other things against him by witnesses and when it was told them that he had the Kings warrant they do use all means to have him imprisoned and will not believe that he had obtained a protection He shewes it unto them and then they demurre When this storm was over he gathereth fifetien old manuscripts of the New Testament in Greek and printeth it with the diverse lections on the margine and gives the first coppie unto Castellan he calleth the Printer sawcy that he had printed it before he had aduised with the Divines Robert answereth There can be no danger in printing that book nor could he be suspected of heresy for it yea and some of them had advised him to change the text in 1. Cor. 15. 51. Wee shall not all sleep but wee all shall be changed The Bishop said He should have done so for there
a Model of presbyterian gouvernment was drawn up and Elders were chosen again This was setled by consent of the Senate so that from the Sentence of the Presbytery it should not be lawfull either for Minister or people to recede Though both Senat and the people did agree thereunto as consonant unto Gods worde yet some not only of the people but even of the chief men did manifest their dislyke of it yea some Ministers which afterwards were found guilty of some wickednesses though they did not openly oppose it yet under hand they wrought against it pretending the example of other Churches where no excommunication was used and some cryed out that it would introduce again a Popish tyranny But he overcame these difficulties by shewing that not only the true doctrine but discipline also must be warranted by the Worde of God and that this hath the approbation of the most learned men of that age as Oecolampade Zuinglius Bucer Melanthon Capito c. which he proved out of their books and telling them that other Churches were not to be condemned which had not proceeded so far nor those Ministers which had found that their people needed not such censure and lastly shewing a vast difference between the Popish tyranny and the easy yoke of the Lord. So that at last the discipline was establisht Novemb. 20. 1541. Nevertheles some loose men would not be tied unto that Discipline but sought to break it especially in the year 1546 Amedius Perrin and ambitious man could not endure Caluins thunderings against his lasciviousness and began to discover what he and his associats had for a time been contriving The Senate took notice of him he held him silent a while but the contrived wickedness brake out more openly for one of the Senate blamed Caluin of falle doctrine The cause was heard before the Senate and that Senatour was condemned of slander and two Ministers which had set him on were conuicted of drunkenness and removed out of their places Caluin shews still that the life of Christianity consists not so much in profession of truth as in the practise of godliness Then Perrin and his associats do appeal from the Presbytery unto the Senate The Presbytery pleadeth their Constitutions agreeable unto Gods worde and setled by autority and therefore that their priviledges might not be infringed The Senate granteth that it should be so and because Perrin would not be ruled they depose him from his Captainship An. 1547. but the next year he was restored by the prevalency of his friends In the year 1552. one Berteler was suspended from the sacrament for sundry faults he craves that the Senate would absolve him Caluin in name of the Presbytery oppones shewing that the Magistrate should preserve and not destroy good discipline of the Church But the false calumnies of the adversary pretending that the Presbytery did encroach upon the authority of the Magistrate prevailed so that in the Common-Councel it was decreed that the last appeal ought to be unto the Senate who might absolve whom they thought fit So Berteler gote Letters of absolution confirmed with the publick seal Then Perrin and his associats hoped for one of two either that Caluin would not obey this mandate and so he would be oppressed by the people or els if he did obey it were easy to contemn the Presbytery and they might follow their licenciousness Caluin understood this but two dayes before the administration of the sacrament in September and in his Sermon when he had spoken much against the profaners of the sacrament said I following Chrysostome will rather suffer myself to be slain then this my hand shall reach the holy elements to those who have been judged contemners of God These words did so prevaile though the men were head strong that Perrin sent privatly unto Berteler and advised him not to obtrude himself upon the sacrament So it was peaceably administed through Gods mercy In the afternoon Caluin preached on Acts 20 where Paul took his leave of the Ephesians and professed that he would neither oppose nor teach others to oppose the Decree of the Magistrates and he exhorted the Congregation to continue in that Doctrine which they had received and seeing said he things are come to this passe give mee leave Brethren to use the words of the Apostle unto you I commend you to God and the words of his grace These words daunted the wicked wonderfully and prevailed much with them all The next day the Common-Counsel was assembled and the whole Presbytery entreated that they might be heard in giving reasons for abrogating the forenamed Act concerning the Appeal This was assented their mindes being much changed and it was decreed that the Act should be suspended and that the judgement of the four Helvetian Churches should be craved therein and in the mean time nothing should be done prejudiciall to the Lawes formerly established Thus the faction was diverted from Caluin but afterwards they sought to bring the storm on Farell who in these dayes came from Neocom into Geneva and in a Sermon sharply reproved the factious partly knowing the equity of the cause and partly relying upon his authority which he had formerly amongst them When he was gone that faction complained that he had done them wrong and procured that one was sent unto the Senate of Neocom to cause Farell appeare at a day appointed Farell came again to Geneva not without danger for that faction cryed out that he deserved to be thrown into the river An honest young man said to Perrin that Farell the common Father of the City should not be wronged and he with another Citizen took upon them to stand by Farell at the day of hearing His adversaties were astonished and of their own accord craved pardon So Farell was dismissed Then came answer from the four Helvetian Cities who unanimously confirmed the Ecclesiastical Policy as it had been before established Behold here what sort of men did oppose the Presbyterian Discipline to wit loose and ambitious men XLI Francis 2. King of France did maintain James Faber and his Persecution in France Printer against the Sobonists and he professed a desire of Reformation when he sought aleagve with the Protestants at Smalcald nevertheless he would not have the Pope to judge so of him and therefore he continued in persecuting them which were for Reformation Who can tell all the barbarities that were committed in France from the year 1538. untill the year 1589. yet for exampls sake we will touch some In that year 1538. Aprile 13. a young gentleman of Tolouse was burnt at Paris for eating eggs in Lent Remarkable was that horrible impiety An. 1545. against the Waldenses in Merindole Cabriers When those heard of the Reformation in Germany they were glade and sent for some preachers by whom they received clearer information and with more courage did avowe the faith of their ancestours They were delated for rebellion against the King and this
diverse men some of them are seditious and some are good and honest Men zealous and loyal unto God and their King and would in nothing offend the one nor the other in living and dying they shew their desire to enioy salvation and to find the way thereunto and when they have that way they fear not losse of life nor goods nor any manner of punishment As yet we see it plainly enough that the punishments which have been devised against them have done no good but rather their patience in the midst of firy flames hath stirred up many to love their cause whence it hath been that many who never knew of their doctrine were desirous to know it for which those had suffered and did embrace the same doctrine with no less affection and zeal Therefore look upon the examples of the Bishops in the first general Councels who never used any other weapons but the word of God against the Arrians and other heretiks And the Christian and good Emperours did use no severer punishment against the authours of these sects but bannishment As for those privy meetings they were alwaies forbidden and the king hath sufficiently provided against them by Edicts yet so that according to equity consideration may be of the time manner purpose and number of them who do meet lest the innocent be afflicted Then Charles Marillac Bishop of Vienna was bidden to speak and his advice was to this purpose There be two as it were main pillars of a kingdom exercise of Religion and the good will of the people The controversies of Religion in antient times were determined in general Councels but now there is no hope of a general Councel for two causes first it is not in our power that the Pope the Emperour and Kings will agree on the time place and manner of a Councell seeing there be so many questions for those circumstances And next as when a man is grieved by some dangerous sicknes he can not tarry for remote Physicians because of the uncertainty of their comeing So the present malady is grievous unto every part of the kingdom and there is small hope of forreign cure therefore we must have a Councel of our own Nation as it was before concluded and the King did promise the necessity of the miserable Church requires it as also the Kings credite and the decrees yet extant shew that our ancestours were wont to assemble every fifth year in a general Councel and the histories of this Nation shew that Councels were called in every kings time some from the whole Realm and some from the half or a Province one or more and it was seldome seen but from these some good ensued to the Reformation of doctrine or manners Let us not stick in this matter nor fear to be accused We have many sorrowfull examples to set before us which are forewarnings of sad desolations ensuing as the miserable condition of the Jewes Greeks Egyptians and Africans where the Church hath flourished but now scarcely have the name of a Church For those causes I think that we can delay no longer to call a Councell notwithstanding these things which the Pope objecteth as letts thereof And while this Councel or Parliament of the Church is in preparation I think three or four remedies may be provided 1. that Prelates abide in their Diocies and here he inveighes against the Italians who reap the gain or thrids of Benefices and have no care of the office 2. that nothing be done in the Church through Simony or bribes 3. to confesse out own faults unto God and make this manifest by publick fasts which was alwayes the custom of the Church in time of publick calamities and what greater danger can there be then that which slayeth mens souls 4. to stay seditious persons that they hinder not the common tranquillity and let it not be permitted upon any occasion whatsoever to rise in arms without the kings leave seing hereby have been many enormities on the one part we have seen the tumult of Amboife and on the other certain preachers have stirr'd up the people violently to destroy and bannish the Protestants Under pretence of godly Zeal so grievous offences followed on both sides ..... The other main point is to keep the people in due obedience and reverent estimation of their Soverain whereof I judge this to be the way If the complaints of the people be hearkned unto and convenient remedies be applied There is a great difference between privat and general grievances publick complaints should be heard in a publick assembly of the Estates and at this time the people complain of many things and when common complaints are not heard the hearts of people are commoved c. Thuan. hist lib. 25. The judgements of others were heard namely the Cardinals said Nothing can be done concerning a Councel without the Popes advice The Bishop of Valence said If the Parisians have need of water may they not bring it from Sene more easily then from Tiber. It was concluded Seing the present maladies require present remedies there should be a National Councel and on Aprile 11. it shall be called to assemble September 10 and an Oratour was sent with all possible speed to declare unto the Pope their necessity of a Councel and to entreat that he would take in good part what they had concluded But his travell was in vain-Soave in Conc. Triden lib. 5. At that time it was decreed also that the Estates should conveen at Orleance or where the King will please to appoint to advise of things to be propounded in the Councel and to the same end particular meetings should be in every Province and the Bishops should prepare themselves and in the mean while none should be troubled for religion unless they be found to take up arms seditiously and the punishment of such men to be reserved unto the King French Commentar lib. 2. Afterwards the Guises suggest unto the king that Antony king of Navar and his Brother the Prince of Condee had plotted a new couspiracy The king sent for them both and resolved to satisfy the Guises with their blood These two being guilty of nothing obey The Prince of Condee was imprisoned and a guard was set to attend the king of Navar. The Pope promiseth to call a general Councel therefore the National Councel was left off king Francis died Decemb. 15. in the 17. year of his age An. 1560. and so the Guises were disappointed In this kings time Emanuel Duke of VValdenses are persecuted in Savoy Savoy commanded the Waldenses of Lucern Angronia Perossa and Sanmartius to receive the Masse c. or he would punish them as rebels They sent a supplication and Confession of their faith professing that they believe all things contained in the old and new Testament and the faith in the Creed of the Apostles and of Nice and of Athahasius and the doctrine of the antient fathers so far as they agree with the Scriptures
churches may be granted unto the Reformed Religion Quintinus Heduus had a long oration in commendation of the King and Queen and of the immunities of the Clergie and petitioned that the new Religion should have no liberty closing with an invective against the Prince of Condee His speech was heard with scoffs and he was derided with ballets that he is said through impatience to have died of melancholy After these speeches a contest arose between the Peers and the Guises who would have been accounted the Kings neerest kinsmen The meeting was adiournied untill the first of May the Prelates were commanded to prepare themselves unto the Councel and all the Judges who were imprisoned in the cause of Religion were set at liberty In August An. 1561. they meet again at Pontoise in Picardy there at the first contention was between the Peers and the Cardinals for the order of sitting the Cardinals Turnon Lorrain and Guise went away malecontent because they were not preferred Then the Chancelor declared the causes of the meeting and exhorted every man to speak freely I touch not their Politik affairs The speaker of the Commons complained as before of the corruptions of the Church men and petitioned that these faults might be reformed and that the King would so attemperate the revenues of the Prelats that they live not licenciously And seeing it is the Royal priviledge to maintain Religion and all these troubles arise upon occasion of Religion the readiest remedy is to call a Councel whereunto all men may have free access as also that they who can not with safe conscience go unto the rites of the Romish Church may have liberty to assemble peaceably and publickly for hearing Gods Word in the vulgar language and because adversaries do calumniate their meetings he wisheth that the King would depute certain persons to be present and see what is done as neither should those be called hereticks who are condemned before their cause be heard and examined by Gods word The Speaker for the Nobility spoke much to the same purpose and the Clergy did oppose them both At that time the Pope sent Cardinal Ferrar to hinder the National Councel he would have observed the accustomed power of the Roman Legats in bestowing Benefices but he was stopped by a Decree and many rhymes were scattered against him he took those in ill part and went away French Comm. Lib. 2. So the Papal authority seemed to fall and it was talked abroad that Religion should not be swayed by authority of any man but by Trueth and reason and who did cleave unto their former rites were quiet for the time The most part of the Nobility seemed to affect the Reformation and the Queen whether to please the King of Navar or to serve the time I know not saith that author wrote unto the Pope August 4. in this manner First she lamenteth the wretched condition of France that many thousands cleaving as yet unto the Church of Rome perish in their souls because they are not instructed and many Nobles and most potent men have made secession whose power and number and concordis so strong that they can not be overmastered Therefore She implores his aid that the one sort may be retained and the other may be reduced and so the unity of the Church may be restored Which may the more easily be effectuated because there be no Anabaptists in all France nor any hereticks that speak against the Christian faith nor against the Acts of the first sixe general Councels And this is the opinion of learned men with whom she had conferred that the holy father may receive such men into fellowship of the Church albeit they be of different opinions as of old the diversity of observing the Easter and other rites and parts of Divine Service did not dissolve the Union of the Church Then for remedy she propoundeth the necessity of calling a general Councel or that he would provide another remedy especially to regain them who are separated it may be expedient to use frequent admonitions and to permit quiet Conferences likewise Bishops and priests should teach Gods word and exhort the people unto concord laying aside all reproaches as she hath commanded them who are separated and they have obeyed But many who have no mind to depart stand in doubt of these particulars especially first it is certainly known that the primitive Church had no images and God hath expressily forbidden to worship them therefore let it be considered whether it be expedient to remove them into places where they shall not give occasion to worship them 2. it seemes strange unto many good men that in baptisme exorcisme is used and many other rites which perhaps may profite them who understand them but seing the most part understand them not and they know that only water and the word are necessary it were better to omit them namely many are offended that an infected or diseased priest puts his unclean spittle into the infants mouth in the Masse many are offended with three things one that it is given under one kind only albeit Christ said Eat yee drink yee and such was the custom of the Church for a thousand years and more another it is ministred unto one alone or some few without prayers that may be understood by the vulgar people and the other party have shewed that they restore the manner of the primitive Church the third that the body of our Lord is carryed about the striets against the express institution Take yee eat yee and not Carry yee They say also that Christs body is in heaven only and therefore only spiritual worship is required fourthly the Masse is a scandal unto many because it is sold by ignorant and dissolute priests and none seeks to amend this yea and many of our fellowship doubt of the Masse both in the substance and form of it in the substance they observe that Church men affirm that they do offer Christ and they do esteem of their own sacrifice more than they do of Christs sacrifice In the manner they note four points it is done in an unknown tongue 2. the use of no part of the Masse is declared 3. some words are spoken as belonging unto the people especially concerning the communion and yet the priests communicate alone even when the people are standing there 4. the order of the Divine Service c. loc cit What answer was returned unto this Letter the reader may judge Among the Ambassadors of forrein Princes who went to congratulat the young King was George Gluch from Denmark The King of Navar envited him to his lodging and said He might shew his Master that he hoped the Gospell should be freely preached through out France ere one year went about Then said Gluch Oh I pray take heed that the doctrine of Caluin and the Swisers be not received but the doctrine of Martin Luther which the Kings of Denmark and Sweden and many Princes of large Dominions do
a small number of men we must set the decrees of the antient and general councels and judgement of the approved fathers and specially we should give place to the testimonies of Scripture being expounded by the interpretation of the Church lest hereticks brag and say They alone have the Worde of God As for the other point If those words This is my body have not so greata force as they sound and seem to have why are they repeated by all the three Evangelists and by Saint Paul why did not the later Evangelists or the Apostle expound these words as the Sacramentaries do this is the minde of the Testator which should not be reiected this was the mind of all the antient fathers that not only the bread is given but the very body of Christ really He concludes with those words I will yeeld unto your opinion of the Sacrament except yee pointing unto the Ministers think that Jesus Christ in his flesh is not in this world from the time of his ascension and that he hath some other body then that which is visible and except ye think he is otherwise in the sacrament then in the Word if ye think it all one to put on Christ in baptisme and to eat his body and drink his blood and briefly that he is so in heaven that he is not also on the earth and that he is otherwise in the sacrament then he is in a myre And then abjuring all those dangerous opinions he exhorts the King and Queen to maintain the antient faith and protested in the name of the Prelats that they would live and die in defence of that Doctrine which he had declared All the clergy came before the King and Cardinal Turnon in their name protested again This was the Confession of their faith which they would seal with their blood and which the King should embrace and if these who are separated will not subscribe the same they should not be heard but be bannished and they crave most earnestly that the King would so do The Ministers were afraid that the King would not admit them at another day and therefore was the more earnest that the King would be pleased to hear a reply presently but that could not be obtained By supplication they procured continuation of the Conference but in a more private place where were the King and Queen and king of Navar the Prelats twelve Ministers and a few others Beza declared what the Church is and distinguished it according to the twofold calling then he spake of the Notes of the Church and of the succession and calling of Pastors in ordinary calling he said three things are necessary examination election and imposition of hands and in extraordinary calling it is lawfull by Gods authority albeit one or two or all these conditions be wanting as for working of miracles it is not alwayes conjoined with extraordinary calling unless we will talk of things whereof we have no testimony Then he spoke of the authority of the Church and whether it may err and he shewed out of the Cardinals words that the Church may err in particular members and congregations As for the general Councel he said Men have not the more learning that they become Commissioners and many times the Prelats of sound judgement have been absent and they who should have been most sound have been most corrupt as Bernard complained in his time and therefore the authority of the Scriptures is above the authority of the Church for which cause Augustin wrote unto Maximin the Arrian that he will not obiect the councel of Nice nor will have the councel of Arimino obiected against him but let the Scriptures be Judge for both And yet we despise not the judgement of councels and fathers if they agree with the Scriptures but as Jerom writes the errours of the antiens should not be followed but the authority of the Scriptures may never be despised I feare said he that I have been too prolixe and therefore lest I give offense I will continue or leave off to speak of the sacrament as it shall please your Royal Majesties The Cardinal beckned unto Claud. Espensius a Sorbonist he said He oft had wondred how the Ministers had entred into the Church seing they neither entred ordinarily by ordinary authority and imposition of hands nor by any extraordinary way seeing they are not confirmed by working of miracles nor by express testimony of Scripture and therefore their Ministry is not lawfull From that he turned to speak of the sacrament at the command of the Cardinal Lorrain that he might bring the Ministers into controversy with the Germans as was said To the same purpose spake a white Monk of Sorbon Xainctius but more despite fully against the Ministers and to the offence of both parties Beza complained of his impertinency and did supplicate the Queen that she would provide against reviling words and digressions then he said Our Ministers were chosen and approved by our own Churches and so have two parts of ordinary calling and if imposition of hands be wanting unto any the calling is lawfull because these two are the substantials and the other is less principal And in so great confusion of all things in the Roman Church we would not seek imposition of hands from them whose vices superstition and false doctrine we disallow for they be open enemies unto the Trueth as the Prophets had not such enemies then as the Priests neither sought they confirmation of their offices unto which God had called them Neither are miracles necessary in extraordinary calling as is manifest by examples yea Paul in evidencing his calling speaks not of miracles that he had wrought but of the fruits of his preaching the which wee also may say of so many Nations and Provinces which have received the Gospel by our preaching nor can there be a greater confirmation of any Ministery seeing the power of God is manifest in us which neither imprisonment nor banishment nor fire could hinder Espenseus said Bring mee one example in those 1500. years like to yours All things said Beza are not written that have been done and however it hath been it followes not that our calling is not manifest enough and set forth from God in his due time He is not now bringing a new Gospel but restoring the old which was sufficiently confirmed before and now by a singular way he hath caused his light to shine He spake also of traditions but was oft interrupted by Xainctius and the Cardinal fearing that his incivility were checked by the Queen would end the controversy as if the question had been sufficiently cleared and the Sorbonists spoke as if the victory had been on their side Then the Cardinal said in the name of the Prelates that they would proceed no further unless the question of the Sacrament were handled and then he asks the Ministers Whether they do embrance the Augustan Confession Here he playd the fox for if they denied
he thought to set them and the Germans by the ears and if they consented he hoped to triumph over them Beza answered He and his collegues were come to defend the Confession of their own Church and to this end should the Conference be directed The Cardinal with vehemency did press that point The Ministers fearing that the Conference might be broken off and the blame be layd on them crave leave to consider the Confession forwhich the Prelates seemed absolutly to proclaim The Cardinal nameth one article We confess that the very body and blood of Jesus Christ is truly really and sacramentaly in the Supper of the Lord and is so given and received by them who communicate He alledged also the testimonies of the Saxon Ministers concerning it So the Conference was dismissed The next day Beza was bid to speak and he spake to this purpose We have declared our mind concerning the articles propounded unto us namely of the Church we trust none hath occasion to complain of us and these things that have been handled should have been approved or disproved by the Scriptures But we were demanded By what authority we preach the Word of God they think to make our cause odious by this demand This questioning seemes superfluous seeing we were called hether not to give account of our calling but to confer of our doctrine otherwise it may seem we are brought into judgement Or if it was done only for disputation consider that when two parties are brought into Conference if the one demande Why do you this and the other mutually ask the same this is but caâ—illation and dissention But omitting the Prelates of this realm whom we will not offend let us suppose a certain Bishop were here demanding us By what authority we do preach and we like wise would demand him By what authority he were a Bishop that is whether he was elected by the Seniours of his Church whether the people had desired to have him and whether his life manners and doctrine had been examined and he would answer that he was so and so called but the contrary is manifestly known we call the consciences of those who hear us and know the matter to bear witness If he say We are not Ministers because we have not imposition of hands we might answer Thou hast but one thing the imposition of hands and if the want of that as thou thinkest make us to be no Ministers the want of the other two which are more principal make thee to be no Bishop We speak also another thing albeit beyond our purpose and against our will but that this assembly may see how this question is full of enuy If one were demanding that Bishop From whom had he received imposition of hands and for how much he had bought his title he would answer I had imposition of hands from Bishops and I bought not imposition of hands but only for my place I gave two or three 1000 Crouns which is as if one would say I have not bought the bread but I bought the wheat I say If this contest were judged by the Councels and decrees of the Church it would make many Bishops and Curats ashamed And we speak thus not of intention to bring Quid pro Quo but that yee may see how unwillingly we touch the matter and would have other things handled lest the work of peace be hindred We would have spoken of the article of the Lords Supper because the Cardinal of Lorrain promised to satisfy us in this point of doctrine which is a principal one by the proper words of the Fathers this we do eagerly desire And to satisfy this desire one article was culled from so many and necessary articles of the faith and it was said unto us Either subscribe unto this or we will proceed no further If they were our Judges and sitting upon out lifes they would not say Subscribe but We condemn you Their office leades them into another manner of speach and they should shew if there be any errours in our doctrine We are here before you to give an account of our doctrine unto God and unto all the world and to obey God and the King and you ô Queen so far as lyeth in us to the pacisying of those troubles about Religion If yee had to do with us only who now are here ye might easily have your wills but we represent a greater number not only of this kingdom but in Helvetia Poland and other parts who think long to hear whether this Conference will turn but when they shall understand that in stead of a free Conference the tenth part of an article was exhibited unto us with these words Either subscribe or no more Albeit we would subscribe what were ye the better Others will know whether we have subscribed by force of argument or by constraint Wherefore ô Queen we most humbly beseech that so good and profitable a work be not broken off and that you will vouchsafe to grant such men which will not disdain to dispute soberly Nevertheless lest they say We have not an answer we receive all those passages which Espencaeus brought out of Caluine but in that bit of an article out of the Augustan Confession many things are to he considered 1. the whol Confession should have been propounded and not a line only 2 we would know whether the Cardinal propoundeth it in his own name or of the Prelates and then we would give thanks that they confess themselves overcome in the article of transsubstantiation which is justly condemned by all the Reformed Churches 3. if we should subscribe they also should subscribe that our Churches may understand what we have dene 4. and if they will come to the whol Confession of the Germans we trust that we are come unto a very good way of concord and unity In the mean while we affirm that the Lord Jesus is present in the use of the Supper where he offereth exhibits and truly gives unto us his body and blood by the operation of the Holy Ghost we eat the same body that was broken for us but we eat spiritually and by faith that we become bone of his bones And if this be not sufficient it is hard to speak of so great a mystery in few words if it seem good unto the Cardinal let us consider and confer the Scriptures and writings of the Fathers as he hath promised and if it please you ô Queen to appoint a convenient form of collection and to appoint Notaries to receive our disputations We trust yee understand that we came not to bring disorder and trouble but would dedicate ourselves unto God unto your Majesties and the whole Christian common-wealth and specially unto the tranquillity of this Realm The Prelates were angry that he had spoken of their Vocation and Lorrain said He had dishonoured the Queen into whose hands the right and liberty of election was given So there was bragging of the Cardinall and Prelates and
Peter-pence unto any of the Collectors This vexeth the Romane Court and all their thoughts were upon remedies Many would proceed with censures against the king and interdict all Nations to have commerce with England but they took a more moderate course to serve the time and by intercession of France to compose the business And Francis undertooke it and sent the Bishop of Parise unto Rome with tolerable propositions and in the mean while they went on slowly at Rome that they would decern nothing unless Cesar would either first ot at the same time revenge by the sword his cousin's wrong The plea was branched into 23 articles as 1. whether Prince Arthur had carnall copulation with Catherin The half of Lent was spent on this question then March 19 Newes were brought to Rome that a famous libell was published in England against the Pope and all his Court and that before the king was a comâ—dy to the great reproach of the Pope and the Cardinals Then all were in a rage and March 24 they pronounce sentence that the marriage betwixt Henry Catharin was lawfull and unless he hold her for hiâ— wife he shall he reputed as excommunicated This praecipitation pleaseth not the Pope for within sixe dayes Letters come from France shewing that Henry is content to submitt unto their judgement and obey the Pope if such Cardinals were secluded of whom he was jealous and such as were free of suspicion were sent to Camerac and there determine the plea and Francis sent Oratours for tâ—is effect Thâ—n Clemens adviseth on pretenses to suspend the Sentence and recover a lost cause But Henry said Their Sentence was nothing unto him he is the only Lord of his own kingdom as the Pope is the only Bishop of Rome and he will do as the Easterne Church did of old He renunceth the Pope and takes his power unto himself in England to wit he will keep the Christian faith and cast-off the Popes authority nor will he suffer that the Lutheran or any other heresy have place in his â—ealm And so he did for he publisheth an Edict whereby he declares himself The head of the Church of England and chargeth upon pain of death that no man assâ—ribe any power unto the Pope within Englâ—nd and commandeth all the Collectors of Peter-pence to be gone All those were confirmed by ordinance of the Estates which they call the Parliament And it was also Acted that the archb of Canterburry shall invest all the bb of England and that the Churchmen shall pay yearly unto the King 150000 pounds for defence of the kingdom against whatever enemy Various were the judgements of men concerning this action of the King some said it was done prudently that he had cast of the Romane See without any alteration of religion without any sedition among his subjects and without appeal of his cause unto a Councel for if he had permitted it unto the judgement of a Councel he saw that he could not carry it without difficulty and the issue might have been dangerous for a Councel consisting of Church-men would without doubt have maintained the Papal power seing albeit they be in some respect obnoxious unto Emper. and Princes yet they do prefer the eminency of the Pope nor among the Churchmen is any but the Pope that carrieth sway having no Superour in degree of honour But the Roman Court argueth it could not be affirmed that he had made no change in religion â—hen the chief and first article of their faith concerning the Primacy of the Pope was changed for which alone they should have kindled the fire of sedition as if all had been changed and the event did confirm this seing the King was driven by necessity of maintaining this edict to punish severely his formerly dearest minions Nor can it be easily told how great offense and sadness not only at Rome but every where this departure of so great a Prince from the obedience of the Pope wrought in the â—earts of Churchmen Certainly â—t was a cleare document of humane frailty whereby it often hapneth that what things were most advantagious turn at last to the greatest A wicked policy of the bb loss and harm For the Romish PP by dispensations of marriages and sentences of divorces either granted or denied were wont to make great advantages under the name of Christs Vicar as under a shadow covering those Princes which thought it expedient either by some incestuous marriage or by violating one and contracting another to make new purchase of other Landes or to cut away the rights and titles of diverse competitours and that made sure friendship among them The Pope and the Princes when his authority did serve to maintain their power without which the actions of Princes being unlawfull had been clearly condemned hindered nor only unto these Princes but unto all their children which might have been called to prove the lawfulness of their birth So far Pe. Soave in hist Conâ— Trid. Lib. 1. Others shew what was done in England Card. Wolsey archb of York had advised the King unto that divorcement but when he understood of his affection toward Anna Bolen he changeth his mind because she was infected so he spoke with Lutheranisme and he wrote unto the Pope that for this cause he would not consent unto the divorce Thus we see that in all these variations both at Rome and in England the Pope and his Cardinals look not to any Rule either of Gods word or of reason but are moved by the Spring of their own interest When the King understood of these Letters by his Agent lying at Rome he was highly displeased and displaceth Wolsey of his office of Chanceller in France and of two bishopricks for he had three York Duresme Winchester and at last â—e sent the Captain of his Gaird to bring him to London but he died by the way of a flixe When the king was married with Queen Anna he entangleth all the Clergy by the law Praemunire for assisting the Popes Legate They submitt themselves namely the Prelates profer for discharge of that law to give unto the king 100000 pounds out of Canterburry and 18840 pounds out of York and in their submission they call the King the head of the Church In the Parliament An. 24. of his reigne in January following he annulleth some former Acts that were made against hereticks and ordaineth that none shall be in danger for speaking against the Popes pretented authority or his Decrees or lawes which are not grounded on the holy Scriptures Item An. 25 ch 39 he appointed 32 judges out of the higher lower houses whereof 16 should be of the clergy and 16 of the temporality and all at his own nomination to examine the Synodal Canons and to determine of them either to stand in strength or to abrogat them at their discretions Item the Clergy should promise on the word of a priest never to assemble without the Kings
God The faithfull Congregation in Christ Jesus in Scotland They wrote also to Monsieur Dosell entreating him to mitigate the Queen's wrath and the rage of the Prelats or els that flam which then began to burn might kindle so that when some men would it could not be slackned and they add that he declared himself no faithfull servant unto his Master the King of France if for the pleasure of priests he did persecute the subiects Likewise they wrot unto Captain Le Bourse and to all French souldiers in generall that their earand was not to fight against naturall Scots men nor had they such command from their Master and besought them that they would not provoke such whom they had found favourable in their great extremities The priests did suppress these Letters so far as they could and yet they were delivered unto the chief persons and came to the knowledge of many moe But the wrarh of the Queen was not appeased and the Priests push her forward against Perth where were but a few gentle men for the time they hearing of the intended extremity did writte unto all their brethren to come unto their aid Many were so readie that the work of God was evidently seen And because they would omit no dâ—ligence to declare their innocency unto all men they sent a Letter unto such of the Nobility who at that time were their adversaries in this manner A letter to the Nobility adversaries To the Nobility of Scotland The Congregation of Christ Jesus within the same desire the Spirit of righteous judgement Because wee are not ignorant that yee the Nobility of this realm who now persecute us employing your whol studie and force to maintain the kingdom of Satan of superstition and idolatry are yet divided in opinion Wee the Congregation of Christ Jesus by you uniustly persecuted have thought good in one Letter to writ unto you severally Yee are divided wee say in opinion for some of you think that wee who have taken this enterprise to remove idolatry and the monuments of the same to erect the true preaching of Christ Iesus in the bounds committed to our charge are hereticks seditious men and troublers of the commonwealth and therefore no punishment is sufficient for us and so blinded are yee with this rage and under pretence to serve the Authority yee proclame warr and desttuction without all order of Law against us Vnto you wee say that neither your blind Zeal nor the colour of Authority shall excuse you in Gods presence who commandeth none to suffer death till he bee openly convinced in judgement to have offended against God and his written Law which no mortall is able to prove against us for whatsoever wee have done the same have wee done at Gods commandement who plainly commands to destroy and abolish idolatry and all moniments of the same Our earnest and â—â—ng request hath been and is That in open Assembly it may be disputed in presence of indifferent Auditors Whether these abominations named by the pestilent Papists Religion which they by fire and sword defend be the true Religion of Jesus Christ or not When tâ—is humble request is denied unto us our lifes are sought in most cruell manner And the Nobility whose dâ—ty is to defend innocents and to bridle the fury and rage oâ— wicked men were it of Princes or Emperours do notwithstanding follow their appetites and arm yourselves against us your brethren and naturall country men yea against us that be innocent and just as concerning all such crimes as belayd unto our charges If yee think that wee be criminall because wee dissent from your opinion consider wee beseech you that the Prophets under the Law the Apostles of Christ Jesus after his ascension his primitive Church and holy Martyrs did disagree from all the world in their daies and will yee deny but their action was just and all who persecuted them were murderers before God May not the lyke be true this day What assurance have yee this day of your Religion which the world that day had not of theirs yee have a mâ—â—titude that agree with you and so had they yee have antiquity of time and that they lacked not nor have yee so much as they had yee have councells laws and men of reputation that have established all things as yee suppose but none of all these can make any Religion acceptable untâ— God which only dependeth upon his own will reveeled to men in his most sacred word Is it not then a wonder that yee sleep in so deadly a security in the matter of your own salvation considering that God gives unto you so manifest tokens that yee and your leaders are both decliâ—ed from God For if the tree shall be judged by the frute as Christ affirmes it must bee then of necessity it is That your Prelates and the wholl rabble of their clergy be evill trees for if adultery pride ambition drunkenness covetousness incest unthankfulness oppression murder idolatry and blasphemy be evill fruits there can none of that generation which claim to themselves the tittle of Churchmen be judged to be good trees for all these pestilent and wicked fruits do they bring forth in greatest abudance And if they be evill trees as yee yourselves must be compelled to confesse they are advise prudently with what consciences yee can maintain them to occupie the room and place in the Lords vineyaird Do yee not consider that in so doing yee labour to maintain the servants of sin in their filthy corruption and so yee strive that the devill may reigne and still abuse this realm by all iniquity and tyranny and that Christ Iesus and his blessed gospell be suppressed and extinguished The name and cloke of authority which yee pretend will nothing excuse you in Gods presence but rather shall yee bear double condemnation for that yee burden God as if his good ordinances were the cause of your iniquity All authority which God hath established is good and perfect and is to be obâ—jed of all men yea under pain of damnation Bâ—t do yee not understand that there is a great difference betwixt the Authority which Distinguish between authority and the person is of Gods ordinance and the persons of these who are placed in authority The authority and Gods Ordinancss can never do wrong for it commands that vice and wicked men be punished and vertue with vertuous and just men be maintained but the corrupt person placed in this authority may offend and most commonly doth contrary to this Authority And is then the corruption of man to be followed because it is clothed with the name of Authority Or shall those which obey the wicked commandement of these that are placed in Authority be excusable before God Not so not so but the plagues and vengeance of God taken upon Kings their servants and subiects do witnes unto us the plain contrary Pharao was a King and had his authority of God who commanded
began to praise God that he had so mercifully heard them in their extremity and had sent such support that without effusion of blood the rage of their enemies might be stayd The same night the Earle of Argile and L. James were sent from Sterlin and coming the next day began to advise unto agreement of which they were all willing but some were suspicious that promises would not be keeped longer then their adversaries saw their advantage John willock came with them of the West country then he and Iohn knox went to the Earle of Argile and L. Iames accusing them that they had deftauded the brethren of their dutifull assistance in such necessity They both answered Their heart was constant with their brethren and they would defend that cause to the uttermost of their power but because they had promised to endeavoure a concorde and to assist the Queen if yee shall refuse reasonable offers in conscience and honour we could do no less than be faithfull in our promise made and therefore we yet require that the brethren may be persuaded to consent unto a reasonable appointment and we promise in Gods presence that if the Queen shall break in any jote thereof we with our whole power will concurre with the brethren in all time coming So Maie 28. the appointment containing the forenamed conditions was concluded and free entry was made unto the Queen the Duke and the French men Before the departing of the Congregation A peace was made Iohn knox had a Sermon exhorting them all unto constancy and unfainedly to thank God for that it had pleased his mercy to stay the malice of the enemy without effusion of blood and that none should be weary to support such as shall hereafter be persecuted for said he I am assured that no part of this promise shall be longer keeped than the Queen and the French men have the upper hand Many of the adversaries were at the Sermon And before the Lords went away this bond was drawn-up At Perth the last day of May in the year 1559. the Congregations of the West Country with the Congregations of Fife Perth Dundy Anguise Merns and Montrose being conveened in the town of Terth in the name of Jesus Christ A new bond for setting forth his glory understanding nothing more necessary for the same than to keep constant amity unity and fellowship together according as they are commanded by God Are confederated and become bounden and obliged in the presence of God to concur and assist together in doing all things required of God in his Scripture that may be to his glory And at their whol powers to destroy and put away all things that do dishonour to his name so that God may be truly and purely worshipped And incase any trouble be intended against the said Congregation or any part or member thereof the whole congregation shall concur assist and conveen together to the defense of the same congregation or person troubled And shall not spare labours goods substance bodies and lifes in maintaining the liberty of the whole congregation and every member thereof against whatsoever person shall intend the said trouble for cause of Religion or any other cause depending thereupon or lay to their charge under pretense thereof although it happen to be coloured with any other outward cause In witnessing and testimony of the which the whole congregation fore said have ordained and appointed the Noble men and persons underwritten to subscribe these presents It was subscribed by the Earls Argile and Glencairn and by the Lords James Stuart Boyd Uchiltry and Mathew cambell of Tarmganart The hist of refor li. 2 Immediatly after their departing all the heads of the Capituâ—â—â—on were broken some citizens were exiled others were fined in great sums the Magistrats thrust out of their office new ones against the usuall manner intruded and four companies left for a garrison and these were charged to permit no other Service but of the Roman Church Some desiring matters to be carried more peaceably told her these things would be interpreted a breach of the Articles She answered The promise was to leave no French Souldiers in the town which she had done for those were al Scots men It was replied that all who took wages of the French King would be called French Souldiers She said Promises are not to be kept to hereticks and if she could make an honest excuse after the fact committed she would take upon her conscience to kill and undo all that Sect And Princes should not be so strictly urged to keep promises These speeches beeing divulged did procure to her much ill nor did she after that time see a good day but was despised and misregarded by all sorts of people The Earle of Argile and L. James thinking their honour touched by the breach of the peace did forsake her and went to the Congregation Therefore they were charged to appear before Her Counsell but they answer Seing the Queen had broken conditions which by warrant from herself they had made with the Lords of the Congregation they would medle no more in such dishonest courses and do their best to repair things Thè Noble men were gone to Santandrews and because they feared some sudden attempt for the Queen and the Frenches lay at Faulkland they sent to the Lairds of Dun Pittarrow and entreated them of Angulse Merns to meet at Santandrews Juny 4 and they went to Creil whither all that had warning came with great forewardness and were not a little encouraged by John Knox in a Sermon he told them that then they saw it true what he had said at Perth concerning the Queens sincerity and exhorted them to be no longer deluded with fair promises of them who had no regard of contracts covenants nor oaths and because there will be no quietnes till one of the parties were Masters he wished them to prepare themselves to dy as men or to live victorious By this exhortation the hearers were so moved that immediatly they pull down altars images and all the moniments of idolatry within the town and the next day they did the like in Anstruther from thence they hasten to S. Andrews The Bishop hearing what they had done and thinking they would attempt the same reformation in the City came to it well accompanied to withstand them but when he had tried the affections of the people he goeth the next morning unto the Queen That day being sunday John Knox preached in the Parish-church he compared the estate of the Church which was at Jerusalem when Christ purged the temple unto the estate of the present Church and declared what was the duty of these to whom God had given authority and power He did so incite the hearers that after Sermon they went and made spoil of the Churches and rased the monasteries of the black and gray Friers I will not scan whither the acts of such zeal was according to Gods law but to speak
of tumults and her Majesty commandes with advice of her Secret Counsell that none of the Lieges take in hand to molest or trouble any of her domestik servants or persons whatsoever come out of France in her Company at this time in word deed or countenance for any cause whatsoever either within her palace or without under the said pain of death This Act was proclaimed the same day and immediatly the Earle A publick Protestation of Arran makes publick protestation thus In so far as by this Proclamation it is made known unto the Church of God and members thereof that the Queen is minded that the true Religion and worship of God already established proceed forward that it may dayly increase Untill the Parliament that order may be taken then for extirpation of all idolatry out of this realm We render most hearty thinks to the Lord our God for her Majesties good mind earnestly praying that it may be increased in her Majesty to the honour glory of his Name and good of his Church within this realm And as touching the molestation of her Highness servants we suppose that none dare be so bold as once to move their finger at them in doeing their lawfull business and we have learned at our Master Christ's School to keep peace with all men And therefore for our part we will promise that obedience unto her Majesty as is our duty that none of her servants shall be troubled molested or once touched by the Church or any member thereof in doing their lawfull busines But seeing God hath said The idolater shall die the death Wee protest solemnly in the presence of God and in the eares of all people that heare this Proclamation and especially in the presence of you Lion herauld and the rest of your Colleagues maker of the proclamation that if any of her servants shall commit idolatry shall say Masse participate therewith or take the defence thereof which we are loath should be in her Highness company in that case that this proclamation is not extended to them in that behalf nor be a savegard nor girth to them in that behalf no more than if they commit slaughter or murder seing the one is much more abominable odious in the sight of God than is the other but that it may be lawfull to inflict upon them the pains contained in Gods Word against idolaters wherever they may be apprehended without favour And this our protestation we desire you to notify unto her and give Her the copy hereof lest her Higness may suspect an uproar if wee all shall come and present the same At Edinburgh day year foresaid This Protestation did some what exasperate the Queen and others following her in that point When the Lords of the Congregation as they were called came to the Town at Court cooleth zeal the first they were much offended that the Masse was permitted and each did accuse these that were before him but when they tarried a short space they were as quiet as others Wherupon Robert campbell of Kings-cleugh said unto the Lord Ochiltry My Lord you are come now and almost the last of all the rest and I perceive by your anger that the fire-edge is not off you yet but I fear that when the holy water of the Court shall be sprinkled upon you you shall become as temperate as others for I have been here now five dayes and at the first I heard every man say Let us hang the priest But after that they had been twice or thrice in the Abby all that fervency was past I thinke there is some inchantment where with men are bewitched And it was so for on the one part the Queen 's fair words still crying Conscience it is a sore thing to constrain Conscience and on the other part the persuasions of others blinded them all and put them in opinion that the Queen will be content to hear the Preaching and so she may be won and so all were content to suffer her for a time The next sunday John Knox in Sermon shewes what terrible plagues God had sent upon Nations for idolatry and one Masse is more fearfull unto him than if ten thousand enemies were landed in any part of the realm for in our God is strength to resist and confound multitudes if we unfainedly depend upon Him as we have experience heretofore but when we join hands with idolatry it 's no doubt but both Gods amiable presence and comfortable defence will leave us and what shall then become of us c. Some said Such fear was no point of their faith it was besides his text and a very untimely admonition The Writer of The history of Reformation addeth by way of anticipation that in December An. 1565. when they which at the Queens arrivall maintained the toleration of the Masse were summoned upon treason exiled and a decriet of forfeture was intended against them the same Knoxe recited these words in the audience of many and besought Gods mercy that he was not more vehement and upright in suppressing that idol for said he albeit I spake what was offensive unto some which this day they feel to be true yet I did not what I might have done for God hath not only given mee knowledge and tongue to make the impietie of that idol knowen but he had given mee credite with many who would have put in execution Gods judgements if I would have only consented thereunto But so carefull was I of common tranquillity and so loath to offend those of whom I had conceived a good opinion that in private conference with dearest and Zealous men I travelled rather to mitigate yea to slacken that fervency that God had kindled in them than to encourage them to put their hands unto the Lords work wherein I confesse unfainedly that I have done most wickedly and from the bottom of my heart do ask of my God grace pardon for I did not what in mee lay to have suppressed that idoll at the beginning After that Sermon the Queen sent for I. Knox and none being present except the Lord James and two gentle men in the end of the room said unto him That he had raised The Queen acused Io. Knox and his answers a part of her subiects against her mother herself that he had written a book against her just authority she meaneth the treatise against the Regiment of women which she had and would cause the most learned in Europe to write against it That he was the cause of sedition and great slaughter in England and that is was said to her All that he did was by necromancy John answereth Madam it may please your Majesty to heare my simple answers and first if to teach the word of God in sincerity or to rebuke idolatry and to presse a people to worship God according to his word be to raise subjects against their Princes then I can not be excused for it hath pleased
created by God and infused into the soul whereby that man is made acceptable unto him Here a new controversy is started about the word Justificare some said It must be taken effectivè to make just and not declarativè Amongst those was Soto but the Caâ—melite Marinarus would prove from Rom. 8. by the judiciall process of accusing and condemning that justification must also be a judicialact Hereupon was another sharp dispute Whether the habite of grace be the same with the habite of charity or a distinct one The Scotists held the first part and the Thomists the later In this neither party would yeeld into the other Then they dispute Whether beside that inherent justice the justice of Christ be imputed unto the justified person as his own All said Christ dd merite for us and we are made partakers of his righteousnes but some loved not the word Imputed because it is not among the Fathers and for the bad consequences which Lutherans draw from it to wit this only is sufficient without inherent righteousnes the sacraments confer not grace punishment is abolished with the guilt there remaines no place for satisfaction c. These contentions were fostered by sundry persons upon several interests the Imperialists would had them leave the doctrin and the Pa palines sought a way to divide the Councel and so a void the apparent or aimed-at reformation others sought to deliver themselves from appearing and heavier incommodities in Germany and they feared dearth and others had little hope to do good At that time the Emperour sent Letters unto the Pope and unto the Councel representing a necessity of holding the Councel on foot for avoiding mis-reports if it be dissolved and he promised to bend up all his wit to keep Trent secure he earnestly entreated that they would not handle controversies lest the Protestants be provoked with contrary decrees and therefore to treat of reformation only or at most medle with points of lesser weight The Pope was desirous to be freed of the Synod but to gratify the Emperour in respect of the present confederacy he wrote unto the Legaâ—s to hold the Councel a foot but without any Session untill he give new advertisment and to entertain the Prelats and Divines with congregations and such exercise as seemed best July 25. a Jubilee was published at Trent to pray for good success unto the German warrs and the Session was adjournied untill a new intimation and the congregations were discharged for 15. dayes nor did they sit untill the 20. day of August Then the Legat de Monte judged it inconvenient to suspend the Fathers any longer but De Sancta Cruce a man of melancholy nature took it upon him When they came to the congregation this Legate and three Bishops and three Generals were deputed to frame the Decrees and anathematisms So he set on edge the heads of the former opinions shewing that the points were weighty and should be sifted and he gave place to other controversies as whether a man can be assured of grace Some said It is presumption pufts up and makes a man negligent Of assurance of grace in doing good and to doubt is more profitable and meritorious to this purpose they cited Eccles 9. 1. and 1. Pet. 1. 17. and some testimonies of the Fathers Those were Vega Soto c. On the other side Catharinus Marinarus and others alledged other passages of the same Fathers and they said The Fathers had spoken occasionally somtimes to comfort and at other times to repress but if we hold close to the Scripture it shall be more certain seing Christ said often Believe that thy sins are forgiven but He would not give occasion of pride nor drowsiness neither would he deprive men of merite if doubting were usefull The Scripture bids give God thanks for our justification which we can not do unless we know that we have obtained it St. Paul confirmes this when he willeth the Corinthians to know that they are in Christ except they be reprobats The Holy Spirit beares witnes with our Spirit that we are the children of God and to deny his testimony is no less then to accuse them of temerity who believe the Holy Ghost speaking with them for S. Ambrose saith The Holy Ghost never speaks to us but when he makes known that he speakes then they added the words of Christ The world can not receive the holy Ghost because it knowes him not but the disciples know him because he dwelles in them It is like a dream to say A man hath received grace and can not know whether he hath received or not The other party shrunk a little with the force of these reasons some granting a coniecture and some confessing a certainty in the Apostles and Martyres and them who have been lately baptized and some by extraordinary revelation Vega fearing conformity with the Lutherans said Certainty is not Divine faith but humane and experimental as he who is hote is sure by sense that he is hote Then the defenders of certainty ask Whether the testimony of the Holy Ghost can be called Divine and whether every one be tied to believe what God reveeles They went so far in sifting this question as who listeth may see in the large history that the Legate willed them make an end of it It was twice commanded to leave it as doubtfuli but their affections led them to it again Then the Legate propounded to speak again of preparatory works and the observation of the law whereupon depends the question of free-will So sixe Of free will articles were framed as maintained by the Protestants Of the first God is the total cause of our works both good and bad Some said It was a fanatik doctrine condemned antiently in the Manichees Abelhard and Wicklif and deserves not dispute but punishment Marinarus said As it is foolish to say No action is in our power so it is absurd to say Every action is in our power seing every man findes that he hath not his affections in his power Catharinus said A man hath no power to do moral good works without Gods special assistance Vega spake a while with ambiguity and concluded there is no difference in this point But it seemed unto some to be a prejudice to reconcile different opinions and composition is for Colloquies Here arose that question Whether it be in mans power to believe or not to believe The Franciscans said As knowledge necessarily followes demonstrations so faith followes persuasions and it is the understanding which is naturally moved by the object and experience teaches that no man believes what he willeth but what seemes true and none could feel any displeasure if he could believe what he pleases The Dominicans said Nothing is more in the power of the will then to believe and by the determination of the will only a man may believe that the number of the starrs is even The second article was to the same purpose On the third
correcting of Breviaries and Missals by taking away what is not warranted by Scripture c. The Legats answer Those things can not be propounded in a Session and they advertise the Pope by Post Then the Pope was In a fury but returning to himself he began to consider the present difficulties of all the Popish Princes and to the end he might engage them all he resolves to propound a League and a designe of the Pope is disappointed defensive of all the Catholiks against the plots of Protestants in every place and he judgeth it easy to make them to condescend if for no other cause yet to free themselves of suspicion He thought the Duke of Florence is wholly his own the Duke of Savoy is in danger and hath received subsidy from him the Venetians were desirous to hold the Ultramontanes out of Italy Spain had need of him for defending Millan and Naples France had present necessity and the Emperour had more them his hands full in Germany But his hope failed him for the Emperour would in no way condescend to any thing that might give suspicion unto the Protestants The French Counsel was so far from hindering the Protestants to make incursion into Italy that they wished the kingdom rid of them all Spain was more afrayd of an vnion of the Italiaus then of any harm the Protestants could do unto him Venice and Florence thought that such an vnion might disturb their present peace in Italy And they all did alledge one common reason that this league would hinder the progress of the Synod The pope being so far disappointed bended all his wits to shift the final concluding of any thing in the Councel as he brought it to pass untill February 27. in the year 1563. Then the Car. of Mantua wrote a Letter for secrecy with his own hand that he had not a face to appear any more in a congregation nor can he give them words as he had done those two years all the Ministers of Princes say How beit his Holines promiseth reformation yet because they see no action they can not think that he hath any inclination thereunto and if he had performed his promises the Legats could not be so deficient to satisfy the instant petitions of so many princes And within five dayes this Cardinal died Then Seripando sent speedily unto the Pope and with the common Letter he wrote a privy one that he would be glad if his Holiness would send another supream Legate or remove him but if would have him to be prime Legat he told him be will proceed as God shall inspire him The Bishop of Varnia craved licence to go home for his Church had need of his presence The third Legate was more ambitious and wrote that there is no need of mo Legats and promised a good issue with satisfactiō The Pope after privy consultation with his dearest friends thought it necessary to send moe Cardinals who being engaged with gifts and promises wold follow his instructions closse So in a consistory not being intimated as he was wont but when the Card. were assembled on a Sunday in a chamber where they put on their Robes before their going to chappell consulteth them not lest he were solicited with more requests but abruptly he createth Legats the Card. John Moron and Bernard Navagger At that time he received Letters from the Emperour shewing that now having dispatched his The Emperours obiections are yet more offensive weighty affaires with the Electors and States of Germany nothing was so dear unto him the Aduocat of the Church then to promote the affaires of the Synod he hath come to Isprue within thee dayes journy to Trent for that end he had heard with much grief that the affairs proceed not there as he had expected and as the publick tranquillity requires and that there is a fame his holiness intendeth to suspend or dissolve the Synod which if it be done will be scandalous to the whole world and laughter unto them who have forsaken obedience unto the Roman See and will hold their opinions with more obstinacy it will redound to the contempt of his Holiness and of the Clergy and of all Councels hereafter He obiecteth also that the Synod is not free because every thing is first consulted at Rome and nothing can be propounded but as it pleaseth the Legats and the Prelats who have interest in that Court can not be impeded from their practises he craves that the demands that were exhibited by his Ambassador and other Princes concerning the Reformation especially of the Roman Court may have place of hearing lastly he profereth to assist the Councel personaly and entreates his Holiness to do the like It seemed unto the Pope that the Emperour had gone beyond his sphere and it was offensive that he had sent coppies of this Letter unto Trent and other Princes the Pope thought this could be done for no other end but to justify himself and provoke them against Rome For this cause the Pope sent about also to justify himself and he wrote unto the Emperour that he had called the Synod with his advice and of other Princes not that the Apostolical See had need of any authority from them seeing he hath fulness of power from Christ All antient Councels were called by the Bishop of Rome and the Princes were executers of his will he had alwise intended a compleet end of the Synod for the service of God The consulting at Rome is not prejudicial unto the liberty of the Synod because none was ever celebrated in absence of the Pope but have ever received instructions from Rome and followed them as he alledged some instances And when the Pope was present he only did propound the particulars yea he only did conclude and the Synod did only approve c. Finally he was desirous to assist the Synod for rectifying the dis-orders thereof but in respect of his old age and weighty affaires it is impossible that he can go unto Trent Likewise the Pope considered that the Emperour and King of France did not mind the Synod but upon account of their several interests and the satisfaction of their subjects and thought that those could not unite but Spain were all catholiks wherefore he resolves to deal with that King by promises Mean while Seripando dieth March 17 and the two Legats were sent away with a common Letter of fair words unto the Synod and a commission to bring nothing unto a conclusion And Moron had his instructions apart XIV In all those sixe or seven months the difficulties at Trent were seven principally 1. that decree of propounding matters by the Legats only 2. whether the residence of Prelats be de jure Divino 3. whether Bishops The confusions of the Synod are plaistered by the Cardinal of Lorrain were instituted by Christ 4. concerning the authority of the Pope 5. to augment the number of the Synod's Secretaries and keeping an exact account of the
to his words This is my body This is my blood So now sitting in the glory of Majesty he reaches by the hands of Ministers Such is his Divine virtue and power unto communicants his body and blood Therefore the Latine Church was wont to pray before the communion Let us lift up our hearts unto the Lord For as in the first institution of the Supper the Disciples had their eies fixed on the Lord who sitting at table reached unto them the Holy Supper So we should lift up our hearts unto the heavens unto him who sitting in the glory of Majesty reaches in the Supper by the hands of Ministers unto communicants his true body and blood that it may be the meat drink of the inward man who thereby is fed nurished and groweth unto everlasting life Whence Bernard speaking of the Supper saith This is the food not of the belly but of the soul for it is not given to repair the ruin of this life which is a vapor for a litle time but to confer eternal life unto the soul And as the water being sprinkled in Baptism hath done it's part so the bread eaten and the wine being drunken in the H. Supper have done their part but the spirituall virtue is possessed by faith and the verity of Christs body and blood is also maintained So Heming About the year 1571. this controversy waxed hote for in Witteberg Cas Cruciger the later Chr. Pezelius Fr. Widebram Henry Moller and others were against the Vbiquity and for it were these of Iena chiefly and with them were sundry other towns as Brunswic Luneburg c. In the same year Augustus the Elector of Saxony conveeneth the Divines of Witteberg and Leipsich into Dresda there they declared that they held no other doctrin but what was in the Confession of Ausburgh and agreeth with Luther and Melanthon's writings and they published their consent Against this consent Lucas Osiander and Selneccer and Jacob Andreiae did publish other books The Wittebergers wrote their Apology This contention waxeth hoter and hoter untill the year 1577. when George Count of Henneberg in a private conference said unto the Elector The Divines of Witteberg do foster some errors which can not be dissembled nor approved by the sincere Ministers of the Church neither is there hope of true peace among the followers of the Augustan Confession until these errours be noted and condemned The Elector answered I wish an harmony and that the corruptions were marked and that there were some beginning of so necessary and profitable a work I for my part will further it according to my power George undertook it At that time the Papists did upbraid them with their divisions and said There be so many parties among them of the Augustan Confession that if any would leave Papistry they know not unto what sect they shall cleave Osiandet histo Lib. 4. c. 2. shewes another ground of their variance that since the time of that unhappy Interim the corruptions and errors which began at that time could not be amended And it may be added that in all the periods of attempting reconciliations some did hold the points where-in they did agree at those several times and others would not accept them And Melanthon whose authority was much respected did for peace smooth his Common places in the year 1546. and again in the year 1558. for which cause the rigider sort called him a temporizer as also in the year 1552. he wrote a Confession of faith to have bin presented unto the the Councel at Trent This was and yet is called The Confession of Saxony and was subscribed also by the Ministers of Misnia In the year 1578. the Elector and the Count of Henneberg meet again at the marriage of Lewes Duke of Wurtembergh After the solemnity these three being together the Count shewes the Duke what conference had been before for removing the scandal of division then by common advice Lucas Osiander and Balthasar Bidembachius two Divines of Wurtembergh were appointed to pen some Overtures for removing those controversies Liber Concordiae This was done so privily that no other knew it but those Princes yea their Secretaries heard not of it When those two had written their judgement were assembled at Maulbron two Divines of Wurtembergh two of Hennebergh and one of Bada They examin and change as they thought expedient Osiand Lib. Cit. Cap. 3. Then their work was sent unto the Elector of Saxony and he cailed for Jacob Andreae Chemnitius and Selneccer and gave them the book they judge it too brief and enlarge it with other arguments and other questions This book was sent then unto sundry Vniversities and towns to be freely censured that if any thing were to be amended added or empaired they should admonish ingenvously Ibid. Cap. 4. The Electors of Saxony and Brandeburgh caused it to be subscribed by 8000. to wit by sundry Princes Imperial Towns and their Ministers and it was printed in the year 1580. with the title Liber Concordiae It was not examined in a publick Synod and was still conceiled from those Churches which did oppose Vbiquity and some within these Princes Dominions were displaced for refusing to subscribe it and without any reasoning So it turned into the Book of discord and made the greatest rent of all The book contained elleven Heads having first layd this ground that the books of the old and new Testament are the only rule whereby the doctrine of faith is to be judged and all other writtings may be vsed as witnesses only The first Head is of original sin where they teach that it is neither the nature nor any part of the nature of man but a corruption of nature leaving in man nothing sound or uncorrupt and can be known by the revealed word of God only II. of the free-will in the first act of regeneration that God worketh the conversion by the means of the word preached and by opening the heart to hearken so that it is the work of God only making man who is ignorant and unwilling to see and will III. Of righteousnes before God they declare it to be the righteousnes of Christ God-man for which God absolves us from our sins without any respect of the merite of our good works either by past present or to come And faith trusting in Christ and working by love is the only instrument whereby we apprehend the same Neither should a true believer doubt of the remission of his sins notwithstanding his sins of infirmity IV. Concerning good works they hold that these are not the cause of justification nor of eternall life but all men especially the regenerat are debters of good works yet so that they condem those positions Good works are necessary to salvation No man was ever saved without good works and it is impossible to be saved without good works And faith in Christ can not be lost and the elect do retain the Holy Ghost even though they fall into
by our Master Christ Jesus we are taught in these words In vain Do they worship mee teaching for Doctrines the precepts of men So without respect of men those did cleave unto the Word of God and did iudge What soever is without the Word either in doctrine or religious worship or in Ecclesiastical discipline can not be accepted of God as service when he requires it not But England upon account that those who had been enured with Popish doctrine and superstitions might be the more easily allured to forsake that doctrine if the rites and discipline were retained and hoping as is hinted in the former part that by time a more perfect Reformation might be attained took this prudential course as it is called trusting especially that bishops and priests might be the more easily enduced to joyn with the Reformation So both in the Confession in King Edwards time and in the articles of the Convocation An. 1564. or according to the English Style 1563. they allowed liberty unto dissenting judgements and made large expressions and capacious words being loath to drive off from the communion any who differing in the branches meet in the main grounds of religion Those things that were retained upon such plausible motives had a twofold influence Such is the nature of humane corruption to wit 1. one superstition draweth-on another as a link of a chain If this may be used why not that 2. what was at first retained by way of toleration condescension was afterwards pressed upon mens consciences by authority that men must conform in practise of rites and to the opinion of Superiors or suffer punishment The first particular exception was made by the Papists against the The Head of the Church and Supream Iudge in al causes title The Head of the Church which was given unto King Henry and The Supream Iudge in causes Ecelesiastical which was given unto Queen Elisabet They excepted against this alwayes but the first that hath written of it was Harding in his pretended refutation of Englands Confession Bishop Jewell answereth him in his Defence of the Apolog. part 6. cap. 11. divis 1. saying Concerning the title The supream head of the Church wee need not search the Scriptures to excuse it For 1. We devised it not 2. We use it not 3. our Princes at this time claim it not Your Fathers first enrituled that noble Prince King Henry VIII with that unused and strange Style as it may wel be thought the rather to bring him into the talk and slander of the world Howbeit that the Prince is the highest Iudge and Governor over all his subjects whatsoever alswel priests as laymen without exception c. He insists at length upon this purpose as also Doct. Fulk against the Rhemists Annotations on Matth. 22. and others I shall add the Answer of Thom. Bilson sometime Warden of Wincester unto the Jesuits Apolog. Lib. 2. where the Iesuit or Philander saith You would have our faith and salvation so to hang on the Princes will and lawes as if there could be no nearer way to religion then to believe what our temporal Lord and Master list He answereth It is a cunning when you can not confute your adversaries at least to belie them that you may seem at least to say somwhat against them indeed your fourth chapter is wholly spent in refelling this position which we detest as much as you Philander replieth You begin to shrink from your former teaching He answereth in name of Theophilus You will never shrink from your former facing Did ever any man on our side affirm the Princes will to be the rule of faith have we not earnestly written and openly taught that religion must not depend on the pleasure of men Have not thousands here in England and elsewhere given our lifes for the witnes and confession of Gods Truth against Princes Lawes and Popes decrees In Spain France and Italy and other places at this day do we not endure all the torments you can devise because we will not believe what temporal Lords and Masters will your conscience knowes it is ttue that we say Why do you then charge us with this wicked assertion from which we be farther off then you For you hold opinion of Popes they can not err we do not of Princes Why do you Father your fancies upon us why do you purposely pervert the question heaping absurdities and alledging authorities against that which we do not defend Philander The oath which yee take yourselves and exact of others induces us thus to think of you for there you make Princes the only supream Governors of all persons in all causes aswell spiritual as temporall utterly renouncing all forrain jurisdictions and Superiority Upon which word mark what an horrible confusion followes If Princes be the only Governors in ecclesiasticall matters then in vain did the Holy Ghost appoint Pastors and Bishops to govern the Church If they be Supream then are they Superior to Christ himself and in effect Christs Masters If in all things and causes spiritual then they may prescribe unto the Priests and Bishops what to preach and which way to worship and serve God how and in what form to Minister the Sacraments and generally how men shall be governed in soul If all forrain jurisdiction be renounced then Christ and his Apostles because they were and are forrainers have no jurisdiction nor authority over England Theophilus VVake you or dream you That in matters of no less weight then your duty to God and the Prince you fall to these childish and pelting sophisms VVhat kind of concluding call you this Princes only bear the sword to command and punish Ergo Bishops may not teach and exhort Princes are not subject unto the Pope Ergo Superiors to Christ They may by their laws establish what Christ hath commanded Ergo they may change both Scripture and Sacraments No forrainer at this this day hath jurisdiction over this Land ergo Christ and his Apostles 1500. years ago might not preach the gospell Philand We make no such reasons Tâ—eop The former propositions are the true contents of the oath we take the later are the very absurdities which you infer upon us fortaking the oath ..... Philan. Do you not make Princes supream Governors of all spiritual things Theoph. you reason as if we did but ourwords since you will rest upon words are not so Philan. What are they then Theoph. We confess them to be supream governors of their realms and dominions Philan. And that in all spiritual things and causes Philan. Not of all spiritual things and causes Philan. What difference between those two speeches Theoph. Just as much as excludes your wrangling we make them not governors of the things them selves but of their subiects which I trust you dar notwithstand Philan. I grant they be Governors of their subjects bur not in ecclesiastical things or causes ..... Theoph. Where we profess that her highness is the only Governor of
Christ and with most pithy words he exhorted them to stand fast in the faith they had received In time of his sicknes which was not long thereafter he Ioh Knox exhortions before his death was much visited by persons of all sorts and spoke unto them confortably He said unto the Earle Morton in the audience of many others My Lord God hath given you many blessing he hath givens you wisdom riches many good great friends and is now to prefer you to the government of the râ—alm In his name I charge you that you use these blessings aright and better in time coming than you have done in times past in all your actiâ—ns seek first the glory of God the furtherance of his Gospell the mantenance of his Church and Ministry and next be carefull of the King to procure his good and the well fare of the realm If you shall do this God will be with you and honour you if otherwise you do it not he will deprive you of all these benefits and your end shall be shame and ignominy John Knox two days before his death sent for Da. Lindsay and James Lowson and the Elders of the Church and said to them The time approaches for which I have long thirsted when I shall be relieved of all cares And be with my Savior Christ for ever And now God is my witness whom I have served with my spirit in the Gospell of his Son that I have preached nothing but the true and solide doctrin of the Gospell and that the end I proponed in all my preaching was to instruct the ignorant to confirm the weak to confort the consciences of these who were humbled under the sense of their sins and beat down with the threatnings of Gods judgements such as were proud rebellious I am not ignorant that many have blamed and yet do blame my too great rigor severity but God knowes that in my heart I never hated the persons of these against whom I threatned Gods iudgements I did only hate their sin and laboured with all my power to gain them unto Christ That I forbear none of whatsoever condition I did it out of the fear of my God who had placed mee in the function of the Ministry and I knew would bring mee to an account Now Brethren for yourselves I have no more to say but to warn you rhat you take heed to the flock over which God hath placed you overseers and whom he hath redeemed by the blood of his only begoten Sâ—n And you Master Lowson fight do the work of the Lord with courage and with a willing mind and God from above blesse you and the Church weereof you have the charge c. Then he dismisseth the Elders and calling the two preachers said There is one thing that grieveth mee exceedingly yee have somtime seen the courage forewardness of the Laird of Grange in Gods cause and now unhappy man he hath cast himself away I pray you two take the pains to go unto him and say from mee that unless he forsake that wicked course where in he hath entred neither shall that rock in which he confideth defend him nor the carnall wisdom of that man whom he counteth half a God this was young Lethingtoun make him help but shamefully shall he be pulled out of that nest and his carkase hang before the sun The soul of that man is dear unto mee and if it be possible I would fain have him to be saved The two went and conferred with Grainge but prevailed not which being reported to John Knox he took it heavily The last night of his life on earth he sleeped some hours together but with many sighs and groans when he awoke they asked him how he did find himselfe and what had moved him to mourn in his sleep He answered In my time I have oft been assaulted by Satan and oft hath he cast my sins in my teeth to bring mee into despair but God gave me grace to overcome all his tentations And now that subtle Sâ—rpent who never ceaseth to tempt hath taken another course he seeks to persuade mee that my labours in my Ministry and the fidelity I have shewd in in that service hath merited heaven and immortality But blessed be God who brought to my mind these Scriptures What hast thou that thou hast not received And Not I but the Grace of God in mee With which he hath gone away ashamed and shall no more return and now I am sure my battell is at an end and that without pain of body or trouble of Spirit I shall shortly change this mortall life with that happy immortall life When the prajer was made one asked Whither he had heard it He answered Would God yee had heard it with such an eare and heart as I have done Then said he Lord Jesus receive my spirit After these words he spoke no more but without any motion he ended this life Within three days the Earle Morton was chosen Regent by consent of the States The Laird of Grange was Captain of the castle and when orhers of that faction did yeeld unto the agreement he would not agree because the Estates would not yeeld unto some high demands of his own he gave a proclamation from the castle-wall commanding all the Queens subjects to depart out of the town within 24. hours after which time he thundered with cannons against the town to their great terror yet not great hurt In May following an assault was made upon the castle the beseeged rendred themselves Lethinton was sent to Lieth and died suddenly throgh grief and Grainge with his brother and two others were hanged in the market-striet of Edinburgh X. A Parliament was held in January wherein many Acts were made 1573. partly for maintaining the Kings authority and partly for maintaining the true Religion these two causes at that time were so linked that the enemies of the one were esteemed enemies of the other Therefore it was enacted that none should be reputed loyall subjects unto the King or his authority but be punished as rebells who made not profession of the true Religion And that all who made profession thereof and were not obedient to the Kings authority should be admonished by their Teachers to acknowledge their offence and return to his Majesties obedience or els should be excommunicated as putrid members The Nationall Assembly conveenes The 24 Assembly at Edinburgh March 6. here were members according to the order and John Archbishop of Santandrews David Ferguson Minister at Dumfernlin is chosen Moderator 1. Where as a complaint was made against John Row for solemnizing the marriage of the Master of Crawford with the Lord Drummond's Daughter without proclamation of bans and he did alledge that he did it by the order of the Session of the Church whereof the Lord Ruthuen was one and present at that time The Assembly ordaines that the Act made against Ministers solemnizing mariage of
namely for Glasgow because it is lately erected and hath not such provision as other Uniuersities 6. That all daies which heretofore have been keept holy besids the Lords day to wit Jule-day Saints-dayes and such others be abolished and a civill penalty be appointed against the keepers hereof by ceremonies banketting playing and such other vanities 7. That all Ministers and Readers who by infirmity and age become unable may have their stipends enduring their life 8. That the Clerk of the assembly be answered of the ordinary stipend appointed before in respect of his labours multiplied by writing letters Gratis for use of Minsters c. Concerning the Question Whither Bishops as they are now in Scotland have their function from the Word of God or not And whitâ—er the Chapters that are appointed for creating them ought to be tolerated in this Reformed Church for better resolution heerof the Assembly appoints John Craig James Lowson and Andrew Melvin Principall of the Colledge of Glasgow on the one part and George Hay John Row and David Lindsay on the other part To conveen reason and conferre upon these questions and to report their judgement and opinion c. After two daies these make report viz They think it not fit to answer unto the first question presently but if any Bishop shal be chosen which hath not such qualities as the word of God ptescribes let him be tryed by the Generall assembly de novo and so let him be deposed But the points wheron they agree concerning the office of a Bishop or Superintendent are 1. The name of Bishop is common to all them that have any particular flock over which he hath a peculiar charge alswell to preach the word as to Minister the Sacraments and to execute ecclesiasticall discipline with consent of his Elders and this is his chief function by the word of God 2. Out of this number may be chosen some to have power to oversee and visite such reasonable bounds besides his own flock as the Generall Church shall appoint and in these bounds to appoint Ministers with consent of the Ministers of that Province and consent of the flock to whom they shall be appointed also to appoint Elders Deacons in every particular congregation where are none with consent of the people thereof and to suspend Ministers for a reasonable cause with consent of the Ministers foresaid 8. The Church hath power to cognosce decern upon heresies blasphemy witchcraft and violation of the Lords day Not prejudging the punishment of the Civill Magistrate 9. There is no law that when two persons have committed fornication nor promise alledged by the woman the man may be compelled by any particular Church at the suit of the woman or her parents to marry her or pay her dowry 10. Children begotten before marriage are lawfull children Note If wee compare what was done before in the assemblies this question concerning the Bishops was not a new motion made by Andrew meluin come lately from Geneua he had not power to command the meanest Minister and far less to overrule the Assembly The Church from the beginning of the Reformation did oppose that kind of Bishops and howbeit some of the Popish Bb. had embraced the Reformation yet had they not any power but according to commission and wee have heard how John Knox in his letter carried the office of Episcopacy under the name of tyranny and when the conclusions at Lieth were obtruded upon the Church thogh they did yeeld for a time yet that office was limited and in effect but the name remaining nevertheless the Assembly did protest against the very names and whatsoever power was yeelded unto Master Meluin said then The corruptions in the estate of Bishops are so great that unlesse the Bishops be removed it can not go weell with the Church nor can religion be preserved in purity But he said not â—o much as Beza had written before in the year 1572. and experience hath confirmed their words how far was these Nations gone in atheism if God of his mercy had not stopped them In that assembly were sixe Bishops besids Superintend yet none of them did oppose the sifting of the question nor the conclâ—sions 2. Howbeit in these conclusions they express not the negative because they would not plainly oppose the particulare interest of the Counsell seeking security of the possessions by the title of Bishops yet these affirmatives take away the pretended office and more followes XIII The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh Aprile 25. in the year 1576. 1576. The XXX Assembly were present sixe Bb Superintendents c. John row is chosen Moderator 1. Plurality of Offices is obiected against Robert hamiltoun Minister at Santandrews the matter was long debated and concluded that in respect of that congregation two offices are incompatible in his person 2. Concerning the advice of the Brethren in the former Assembly concerning Bishops this assembly after long disputation upon every Article thereof doe resolutely approve and confirm that advice and every article thereof and for the better execution thereof the Assembly ordaines Bishops which have not as yet received the charge of a particulare congregation to declare the next day what particular flock they will take the charge of 3. Sixe Ministerâ— and the Superintendent of Anguise are appointed to visite the Colleâ—ges in the University of Santandrewes and consider the manner and estate thereof and make report unto the next Assembly 4. It is concluded that they may proceed against the unjust possessors of the patrimony of the Church in respect of the notorious scandall to wit by doctrine and admonition and if need be with other censure of the Church And the patrimony of the Church where upon the Ministry the Schools and the poor should be sustained is ex Jure Divino leaving further disputation of this matter untill May. 1. and then the description of the patrimony of the Church to be enquired and reasoning to be for full resolution of the question 5. Certain Brethren are appointed to make Overtures concerning the policy and jurisdicton of the Church some to conveen at Glasgow some in Edinburgh some in Santandrews and some in Montross upon the first tuisday of July and to make a generall meeting of two or one at least from every one of these four in Sterline the last of July To communicat and cognosce of all their travells and to conferre universally together and to report what they shall conceive in this matter unto the next Assembly which is appointed to be in Edinburgh October 24. or if a Parliament shall conveen the assembly ordaines the Ministers of Edinburgh to make intimation thereof unto the Bb. Superintendents and Commissioners of visitation that the Assembly may be conveened four daies before the Parliament and that the Barons or other Commissioners appointed by the Provinciall Assemblies be exhorted to be present It is to be observed that the wholl matter of jurisdiction was no committed
ordinary Offices warranted by the Scripture to wit Pastors Doctors Elders and deacons and the name of a Bishop should not be taken as it hath been in Papistry but is common to all Pastors or Ministers 3. It is lawfull and necessary at this time that Uisitation and the form thereof continue and other circumstances to be considered here after c. In Sess 7. some were appointed to confer with the Kings Commissioners upon the circumstances And in the same Sess the Kings Commissioners crave the resolution of the wholl Assembly Whither they will accept Bishops as they were circumscribed in the abovenamed Conference or if they will refuse Answer is delayd untill the next day that all the Conference be publickly read and immediatly it is voted and concluded that a Bishop is a speciall charge and function annexed to it by the word of God even the same that an ordinary pastor is In Sess 9. after reasoning it was concluded It is lawfull to the Gen. Assembly to admit a Pastor Bishop or Minister having a Benefice and presented by the King unto it Also that Visitation may be in the person of a Pastor and that the Gen. Assembly may send a man with such as the Presbytery shall adioyn unto him in Visitation In Sess 10. after conference had as said is the wholl Assembly declares that by the name of a Bishop they meane only such a Bishop as is described by Paul and in this sense they agree with the third Article of that Conference 4. It is agreed on the fourth article that a Bishop may be appointed by the Gen. assembly to visite certain bounds that shall be designed unto him and in Visitation he shall proceed by the advice of the Synodall assembly or such as they shall adjoyn unto him 5. In receiving of presentations and giving Collation to Benefices he shall proceed by the advice and vote of the Presbytery where the Benefice lyeth at least of the most part of the Presbytery and of the Assessors that shal be adjoined unto him Untill the time the Presbyteries be better established and the gener Church take further order And those assessors at the first time shall be named by the G. Ass 6. In Sess 11. He shall be subject in respect he is a Pastor as other Pastors are to be tryed in his life and doctrine by the Presbytery or the Synodall Assembly and because he hath commission from the G. Assembly in that respect he is to be tryed by them 7. If he admit or deprive without the consent of the most part of the Presbytery the deed shall be null and the doing thereof shall be a sufficient cause of deprivation of him 8. His power is to be ordinis causa nonjurisdictionis 9. Where they that shall be so called Bishops may not undertake the wholl bounds that of old was called a Diocy Commissioners shall be presented by his Ma. unto the Gen. assembly and admitted by them thereunto as the saids Bishops are to theirs and to be countable only unto the said assembly for their commission And the Bishop to have no power within their bounds more than they have within his boundes 10. The Commissioners being elected as said is have a like counsell and power in the execution of their office as the Bishops have 11. The Commissioners appointed to visit presbyteries or their particular Churches as the the presbyteties or Synods shall think good shall not prejudge the Presbyterie's peculiar Visitation 12. The same causes of life and doctrin shall deprive a Bishop or Commissioner that deprives a Minister The 13. article is agreed The Commissioners from his Majesty do protest that in respect the assembly hath cast down what was required in the Conference at Halirudhouse nothing done either in that Conference or in this assembly have any force or effect and namely that they have subjected the Bishops unto the tryall and censure of the Presbyteries Synods Because of this protestation the assembly immediatly directes Ja. Martine Ro. pont and Pa. Galloway to inform his Ma. concerning this matter In Sess 12. these brethren report that his Majesty will not agree that Bishops and Commissioners shall be otherways tryed than by the Generall Assembly The assembly jâ—dgeth it expedient in respect of the time that albeit it be reasonable that the tryall and censure of all Pastors should be in the Presbyteries where they remain nevertheless that the tryall and censure of such Pastors as the Generall Assembly shall give commission unto to Visite shall be in the hands of the said Assembly or such as they shall depute Untill farther order be taken by the Gen. assembly Unto this ordinance the Kings Commissioners do consent and so passe from their former protestation 14. Vhe Commissioners that before have received commission of Visitation shall continue in that charge for a year to come and thereafter as the Assembly shall judge expedient 15. In Sess 1â— The Generall assembly gives full power commission unto certain brethren of every Province to summon before them respectivè at such day and place as they shall think expedient the Bishops and commissioners if they find occasion of slander to arise by them in doctrin life or conversation at any time before the next Generall assembly and to try and take probation thereof lead and deduce process against them unto the Sentence Exclusivè Remitting the finall judgement therein unto the Gen. assembly 16. It is agreed that where Bishops Commissioners make their residence they shall be Moderators in these presbyteries except Fife where by his Mas advice Robert Wilkie is continued Moderator of the presbytery of Santandrews untill the next Synod-VI In Sess 7. The Lord Maxwell compeares and declares that at his Ma s command he now appeares before the Assembly as he had given caution before the Counsell that he should compear before them this day and in respect of his obedience he protestes that his cautioner should be free he takes instrument upon his appearance and protestation The Assembly know not the cause of his compearance nor had any information from his Majesty therefore they order him to be present the next day after noon and they aske the kings Commissioners what the cause is The kings Commissioners do protest that Maxwel's Cautioner should not be free untill they return his Majest mind unto the Assembly In Sess 8. Compeares the Earle of Morton the Lord Maxwell and some others Maxwell was accused for hearing Masse The Act of the Privy Counsell was read for information of the Assembly Maxwell answered For his transgression he had answered the kings Law and he craves conference of learned men concerning the religion Certain Sentence against P. Adamson not examined yet annulled and why brethren were appointed to inform him VII In Sess 13. Concerning an appellation made by Pa. Adamson from the process and Sentence of excommunication pronouncâ—d against him by the Synod of Fife Pa. Galloway and John Duncanson had been
otherwise provided be discharged 3. That Judges may be appointed iâ— all Shyres for executing the Acts of Parliament made against the breakers of the Sabbath adulterers and such open transgressors of the Lawes 4. That in chief Burrowes there be teaching ordinarily four times in the week and seing moreover the disciplin visitation of the sick and other business are ordinary to Pastors therefore let two Ministers be appointed unto such Townes 5. That order be taken how Colledge-churches may be served 6. That order may be taken for Manse and gleebs unto Ministers making residence at Abbey-churches as also that such as have or shall have Manse and gleeb may have necessaries theâ—eunto to wit fuell pasturage feall and devat as was of old 7. That all gifts of Benefices having the cure of souls and have been disponed by your Ma pleno jure and not qualified persons presented unto them with ordinary tryall and Collation following thereupon May be declared null according to the Lawes already made and that your Ma. would give now presentations unto qualified persons and the nullity of the former gift be discussed alswell by way of exception as of action 8. That all presentations or gifts of Benefices of cure less than prelacies disponed alsweell by your Majesty as by laick parrons not allowable by the municipall law of the realm and form observed in the Reformed Church here since your Mas coronation may be annulled and new presentations granted as in the former 9. That all Collations granted by men having no Commission nor ecclesiasticall function in the Church nor in that place country at â—he time of giving the Collation Be declared null and the fruits be sequestred at the least untill the person claming right by that Collation be a new examined and admitted if he be found worthy by them who shall be appointed for that effect and authorized by this present assembly 10. That the Benefices of cure under prelacies whereunto Ministers are admitted may be free from payment of first fruits and fifty penny and may have their signatures of presentation exped by the Privy Seal on your Ma s own subscription only and the Secretarie's without any paiment or cautioner made to the Treasuter and these poor men which have already payd or found caution for payment whereof the Treasuter hath not already charged himselfe in his accounpts may have the same refounded or discharged 11. Seing the fault of not depriving unworthy culpable and no-resident Ministers proceeds from that sundry of the Bishops have been negligent and in some other parts there was no Bishop nor Commissioner and so the Acts are not execut therefore a Commission be given to some qualified persons Ministers to sit in Edinburgh and call the Nonresidents and others worthy of deprivation and deprive them So that there may be consultation of learned men and the process may be led without fear or boast 12. It is heavily complained by many poor Ministers having parsonages and vicarages assigned unto them that they are exorbitantly used in taxations albeit their Benefices be long since decaied by the want of corps presents up most cloathes pasch-fines offerings and such things usually payd in time of Papistry which was the greatest part of these Benefices and yet they must pay the extremity of the old taxation and the most part of the Prelacies are exeemed from preaching or Service in the Church and have relieff off the fuars and vasalls that therefore there may be some more equitable order of taxation appointed in time coming 13. That it will please his Majesty to cause consider what prelacies have vaiked since the Act of Parliament made in Octob. 1581. and that speciall assignation be made for sustaining Ministers of the churches belonging to them out of the readiest fruits of these churches or the provision to be declared null according to the Act. 14. That the Bishops or Commissioners of Argyle and the â—sles may be tied to attend on the Generall assemblies and to keep theyr Exercise and Synodall assemblies as in other parts which shall be a furtherance unto your Mr s obedience seing otherwise they seem as exeemed out of your Dominion 15 That your Ma. will give direction unto some persons of experience and good will to search enquire try the true estate of the rentalls of all prelacies and other Benefices at this present and in whose fault or by what occasion they are so hurt and dismembred and thereafter the best remedies may be considered and provided to help them for the good alswell of the King as of the Church 16. That your Majesty will cause the Lords of Session declare whither your Majesty or the Earle of Orknay have right to the patronages of the Benefices of Orknay and Yetland to the end thal titles of Benefices conferred to Ministers be not ever in danger of annulling upon uncertanty of the right of the patronage 17. That no persons or stipends be put in the books of modification but only such as the Commissioners of the Church shall declare to be qualified and resident at their churches 18. That vicarages pensions and salaries when they vaik after the decease or deprivation of the present possessor may accrease and be joyned to the principall Benefice and be assigned to the Minister in his stipend 19. That all Readers heretofore provided to vicarages or stipends may still possess the same untill their decease or deprivation and none to be admitted to the title of any Benefice of cure or stipend in the book of modification in time coming but qualified Ministers 20. That the wholl rents of the Benefices of cure under prelacies that are disponed since your Ma s coronaâ—ion may be assigned wholly and allowed unto them in their stipends 21. That the judgement of all causes concerning the deprivation of Ministers from their Benefice in the second instance shall come by way of appellation unto the Generall assembly and there take finall end and not before the Lords of Session by way of reducing X. In Sess 18. the brethren directed unto the King with certain Articles craving publick resolution report his Ma s answer that in all the Heads he found litle difficulty and hath agreed unto them I. That there be a Generall Assembly once every year and ofter pro re nata II. Concerning Provinciall Synods The power of Provinciall Assemblies 1. these are constitut for weighty matters necessary to be treated by mutuall consent and assistance of Brethren within the Province as need requires 2. This Assembly hath power to handle order and redress all thâ—ngs done amisse or omitted in the particular assemblies 3. It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that Province for just and good causes deserving deprivation His Majesty agreed not to this but in this manner of addition Except Bishops and Commissioners 4. And generally these Assemblies have the wholl power of the particular Elderships or presbyteries whereof they are collected III. Concerning Presbyteries
he hath committed apostasy and therefore to have incurred the censure of an apostate The next day he sendeth a supplication offering to subscribe the Confession of faith or within 40. dayes to passe out of the realm and to this effect craving to be freed from captivity The Assembly desireth a Bailive of Edinburgh present to take order with him according to the Act of Parliament and to set him free upon caution VI. Concerning the hainous murder of the Earle of Murry committed by the Earle of Huntly and his complices the Assembly gives order and strait command unto the brethren of the presbytery of Brechin who have already entered in process with him to proceed with concurrence of two brethren of each presbytery of Anguse and Merns against him for that cruell fact according to the acts of the Assembly VII Whereas an act was made in the last Parliament concerning deposed Ministers it is thought meet at the next Parliament or Convention of Estates To crave that because it hat been enacted that notwithstanding a Pastor be deposed yet the tacks and titles set by him shall stand It be now provided and added unto that Act that if the tack or title be set after the committing of the fact for which the person is deposed that such tacks factories or titles whatsoever shall be null or of none availl In the Parliament begun Juny 5. The four petitions of the Assembly were taken into consideration whereof the second and third were denied but for the first all former Acts of Parliaments for liberty of the true Church were ratified as also the Parliament ratifieth and approves the Generall assemblies appointed Act of Parliament concerning the disciplin of the Church by the Church and declares that it shal be lawfull to the Church and Ministers every year at the least and ofter pro re nata as occasion and necessity shall require to hold and keep generall assemblies Providing that the Kings Majesty or his Commissioners with them to be appointed by his Hieness be present at each generall Assem before the dissolving thereof nominate appoint time and place when or where the next generall assembly shall be holden and if neither his Ma. nor his said Commissioners be present for the time in that Town where the Assembly shal be holden in that case it be lawfull to the said Gen. assembly by themselves to nominate appoint time place where the next Gen. assembly shall be keept as they have been in use to do in time by past And also ratifieth and approves the Synodall or Provinciall assemblies to be held by the said Church and Ministers twice every year as they have been and presently are in use to do within every Province of this realm And ratifieth approves the presbyteries and particular Sessions appointed by the said Church with the wholl jurisdiction disciplin of the said Church agreed upon by his Majesty in Conference had by his Hieness with certain of the Ministers conveened for that effect of which articles the tenor followes Matters to he treated in the Provinciall assemblies These assemblies are constltute for weighty matters necessary to be treated by mutuall consent and assistance of brethren within the Province as need requires This Assembly hath power to handle order redresse all things omitted or done amisse in the particular assemblies It hath power to depose the office-bearers of that Province fot good just cause deserving deprivation and generally these Assemblies have the whol power of the particular Elderships whereof they are collected Matters to be treated in the Presbyteries The power of the Presbyteries is to give diligent labors in the bounds committed to their charge that the Churches be keept in good order to enquire diligently of naughty ungodly persons and to travell to bring them into the way again by admonition or threatning of Gods judgements or by correction It appertaines unto the Eldership to take head that the word of God be purely preached within their boundes the Sacraments rightly administred the disciplin entertained and ecclesiasticall goodes uncorruptly distributed It belongs unto this kind of assembly to cause the ordinances made by the Assemblies Provinciall Nationall or Generall to be keept and put in execution to make constitutions which concern TÃ’ PREPON in the Church for decent order in the particular Church where they govern Providing that they alter no rules made by the Provinciall or Generall Assemblies and that they make the Provinciall privy of the rules that they shall make And to abolish constitutions tending to the hurt of the same It hath power to excommunicat the obstinat formall process being led and due intervall of times observed Of particular Churches if they be lawfully ruled by sufficient Ministry Session they have power jurisdiction in their own congtegation in matters eccelesiasticall And decernes and declares the said Assemblies presbyteries and Sessions jurisdiction disciplin thereof foresaid to be in all time coming most just good and godly in the self Notwithstanding whatsoever Statutes Acts Canon Civill or Municipall lawes made in the contrair To the which and every one of them these presents shall make expresse derogation And so followes an abrogation of many Acts made in time of Papistry in favors of the Papisticall Church Also the 129. Act of the Parliament An. 1584. was annulled that it should in no way be prejudiciall nor any way derogatory to the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall Office-bearers in the Church concerning heads of Religion matters of heresy excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any the like essentiall censures specially grounded and having warrand of God's word Item then was annulled the act of that same Parliament granting commission to Bishops and other Judges constitute in Ecclesiasticall causes to receive his Hieness presentations unto Benefices to give collation thereupon and to put order in all causes ecclesiasticall which his Majesty and Estates foresaids declare to be expired in itself and to be null in time coming and of none availe force nor effect And therefore ordaines all presentations to Benefices to be directed unto the particulare Presbyteries in all time coming with full power to give collation thereupon and to put order to all matters ecclesiasticall within their boundes according to the disciplin of the Church Providing the foresaid Presbyteries be astricted bound to receive and admit whatsoever qualified Minister presented by his Majesty or laick patrones Lykwise an act that unqualified persons being deprived the Benefice vakes and the Patron not presenting the right of presentation pertaines to the Presbytery without prejudice of the tacks set before the deprivation Lykewise an Act concerning Manses and glebes at cathedrall and Abbey-churches Item an act ratifying approving all acts of Parliament Secret Counsell and all Proclamations made before against Jesuits Seminary-priests and receipters of any of them also decerning that in all time coming the saying of Masse receipting of
supplication when he is now at liberty But Both well falleth to his wonted formes and threatned to make the King observe the conditions Wherefore he was cited to compear before the Counsell and not compearing was denounced rebell Much trouble followes with the Popish Lords whereof is mention in the next Assembly XXXI The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh May 7. 1594. Andrew 1594. Melvin is chosen Moderator I. James Drummond and other Burgesses of The 56. Assembly Perth being cited by the Presbytery there for receiving the excommunicated Lords into their houses do compeare They are demanded whither they had received and entertained these Lords They answer They did receive them but â—ore against their wills and in obedience unto the Kings charge and before the coming of the charge the greatest part of the town had condescended to receive them They were urged with rheir own promise not to receive them and that they had violate their promise They answer A promise of assistance was made unto them and that promise was not keept unto them They were removed and after they had consulted with some others they return and confess for themselves and in name of the town to the glory of God and fatisfaction of the Assembly that they were too rash and suddain in receiving these notorious enemies of God craving most earnestly that none take offense nor evill example by their doing protesting before God that these had entred the town against their hearts who are here present and promising in time coming to maintain and assist the Church and true religion presently professed within the realm and to resist the enemies thereof to the uttermost of their power This eonfession and promise they gave in writ and subscribed in the face of the Assembly and the Minister of Perth is ordained to declare in pulpit of that town the satisfaction accepted c. II. The Sentence of excommunication pronounced by the Synod of Fiâ—e in October against the Apostate Lords Anguse Huntly Arroll and others the Assembly in one voice ratifieth and allowes as also the process led against them and ordaines all Pastors within the realm to publish at their churches the same Sentence lest any man pretend ignorance of it Exception is made of Alexander Lord Hume who hath satisfied the Church as followes III. After particular search of diligence used by Presbyteries for extirpation of papistry and what disciplin they had used against papists and the receivers of excommunicats and priests that so the danger of true religion may be the more known and considered It was thought meet to consider his Ma s good endeavours and here they remember his Ma s good designe at Aberdien where He and the Noble men and Barons made a Bande for defence of religion took the houses of the Apostates and put men to keep them he called some Papists and sent them to Edinburgh he gave commission unto the Earle Marshall of Lieutenentry for suppressing Papists and had called sundry Barons before him for cognoscing the subscription of the blanks which had verified that these subscriptions were the hand-writs of the Apostat Lords and after his return an Act of Counsell was made that none presume to procure any favor unto them and a charge was given to his Ministers to take the oaths of his domesticks that none of them shall interceed at his hand for them which was also done And that it may be evident that the Church hath not been idle in time of these dangers it was declared that they had propounded articles unto the Parliament for forfeting the Apostates they had directed their petitions unto the King at Iedburgh and again articles unto Lithgow of all which small successe hath followed and the danger is no way diminished The tenor of the Act and Bande above named is Wee Noble men Barons and others subscribing being fully and certanly persuaded of the treasonable practises and conspiracies of sundry his Hieness unnaturall unthankfull subjects against the estate of the true religion presently professed within this realm his Ma s person Crown and liberty of this our native Countrey and finding his Ma s good disposition to prevent and resist the same and to repress the chief authors thereof his Majesty having our concurrence and assistance to the same effect Therefore and according to out bond duty and zeall wee owe unto Gods glory love of our native Countrey and affection to his Ma s person crown and estate Wee have promitted and by these presents promit faithfully bind oblige us and every one of us to concurre and take sinceer and true part with his Maj. and each one of us with another to the maintaining and defence of the liberty of the saids religion Crown Countrey from thraldom of conscience conquest and slavery by strangers and for repressing and pursuit of the chief authors of the said treasonable conspiracies specially Geoge Earle of Huntly William Earle of Anguse Francis Earle of Arroll Sir Pa. Gordon of Achindoun Sir James Chisholm of Dundaruy Mrs Ja. Gordon William Ogilvy Robert Abercromy and all other Jesuits Seminary-priests trafficking papists and others his Hieness's declared traitors rebellious and unnaturall subjects treasonable practisers against the estate of the true religion his Ma s person Crown and liberties of this our native Countrey And to that effect wee and every one of us shall put ourselves in arms rise concur and passe forward with his Majesty his Lieutenentents or others having his Ma a power and commission at all times when wee shall be required by proclamations missive or otherwise and shall never shrink nor absent ourselves for any particicular cause or quarell among ourselves Wee shall not ride with assist shew favor give counsell nor take part with the saids Earls Jesuites nor others foresaid nor with the persons denounced or that shall be denounced to the horn or fugitives from his Majesties lawes for the treasonable raising of fire and burning of the place of Dunibrissell and murder of â—mquhil James Earle of Murray nor receive supply nor entertain them nor furnish them meat drink house nor have intelligence with them privatly nor publickly by messages letters nor any other way The skaith and harm of others wee shall not conceile but disclose and impede to our power The quarell or pursute of us or any of us wee shall esteem as presently wee do esteem as equall to us all And by ourselves our wholl forces like as his Maj. with his force and authority hath promitted and promits to concur assist together each one in the defence of others to our utter powers and if any variance shall happen to fall out among any of us for whatsoever cause we shall submit as we presently submit us to the judgement deliverance of any two or three of the principals of us subscribers of this present Bande fulfill whatsover band shall be declared by them without reclamation Atover his Ma. by whose direction command
true pastors can not without treason against their spirituall king abstain from fighting against such proceedings with such sprirituall armor as are given them potent throgh God for overthrowing these bulwarks mounts erected for sacking the Lords Jerusalem Decemb. 10. Da. Black was charged to go north within sixe dayes and remain by north the North-water till his Majesty declared his will Under the pain of rebellion and putting him to the horn Decemb. 11. the Commissioners were informed that a great number of missives were written and ready to be directed through the Countrey for calling a convention of Estates and a Generall assembly the tenor followes Wee greet you well As wee have ever carryed a speciall good will to the effectuating of the policy of the Church of which wee have often conference with the Pastors and Ministry so wee and they both resolving now in end that the whole order of the said policy shall be particularly condescended agreed upon for avoiding sundry questions controversies that may fall out to the slander danger of religion Wee have for that effect appointed alswell a generall Convention of our Estates as a Generall Assembly of the Ministry to hold here in Edinb the first day of February next To treat and resolve all questions standing in controversy or difference between the Civill and Ecclesiasticall judgement or any way concerning the policy and externall governing of the Church and therefore will wee effectually desireand request you that you fail not all excuses set apart to be present at our Convention the day place foresaid precisely to give your best advice opinion in that matter as you tender the effectuating there of the well of religion and Estate and will shew yourselves our dutifull and affected subjects So wee committ you to Gods protection From Halirud house the day of Decemb. 1596. Here the reader may more clearly perceive that the alteration of the established government was intended before the 17. day of December and that not only the marches of the Jurifdiction Civille and ecclesiastcall were sought to be ridd but the order of the church-government was to be called into question howbeit thereafter nothing was pretended at first but the restraint of application of doctrine and Ministers vote in Parliament to vindicat them from poverty and contempt because otherwise strong opposition was feared On decemb 14. the Commissioners of the Generall assembly exhorted the Ministers of the presbytery of Edinburgh as they will answer unto God and the Church in so necessary a time To call before them such persons of highest ranks as are known or may be found to be malicious enemies and to proceed against them to excommunication The same day the charge that was given out against the Commissioners of the Church was proclamed with sound of trumpet After advisement they thought it lawfull to disobey so unlawfull charges but nedless and not expedient seing after them others might succed and so the work might proceed So they resolve to depart committing the cause unto God and the diligent care of the presbytery of Edinburgh but fearing the fearfull tentation of poverty micht prevaile with the weaker sort and move them to subscribe a Band which might captiously import the King and Counsells power to judge of Ministers doctrin be cause the King had said the day prâ—ceeding They who will not subscribe shall want their stipends they thought it requisite to send unto every presbytery a declaration of their proceedings The minute of their proceedings I have now set down In their declaration they write plainly that when they were insisting with his Majesty to appear in action against the forfeited Earls he had converted all his actions against the Ministry with hoter intention than he could be moved against the adversaries this long time that so they may be driven from prosecuting their suits against the Papists and to employ themselves wholly in defense of preaching disciplin that the restraint of rebuking censuring sin was the principall Butt aimed at in all this action because the mystery of iniquity which hath been intended begun and is going forward whither the purpose be to thrall the gospell by Injunctions or by a policy equivalent to injunctions or to bring-in liberty of conscience or if to draw more papistry which is to be feared for many reasons and will be reveeled in time being such as can not abide the light of reprehension the only advantage of their cause is thought to consist in extinguishing the light which can discover the unlawfulness of it that so they may walk-on in darknes without all challenge untill the truth be overthrown And because impiety dar not as yet be so impudent to crave in express termes that swine be not rebuked it is sought only that his Majesty and Counsell be acknowledged judges in matters Civile and criminall treasonable and seditious which shall be uttered by any Minister in his doctrin thinking to draw the rebuke of sin in King Counsell or their proceedings under the name of one of these crimes and so either to restrain the liberty of preaching or to punish it under the name of some vice by a pretense of law and justice and so by time to bind the word of God and let sin pass with lifted up hand to the highest c. Yee see now whaâ— was the controversy betwixt the King and the Ministry The sum of all The King would have the Ministers to heare the offers made by the forfeited Earls that they might be reconciled unto the Church On the other side Ministers urge that they be removed out of the Country again and that he do the office of a Magistrate as becomes him for their treasonous conspiracy the pardon whereof he had professed in the beginning to be above his reach and their offers import conference but no confession of an offense nor were made in sincerity as the event did prove This could not be obtained therefore pulpits sounded against the favorers of these as became faithfull watchmen to discharge duty in so dangerous a time Publick rebuke of publick and crying sins was called into question and so was the established disciplin and they were driven from the offensive to the defensive part The Ministry craved but the tryall of Ministers in the first instance to be appertaining unto the Ecclesiasticall Judicatory for application of doctrine to the rebuke of corruptions and publick offenses as they should be by the word of God practises in former times but it was refused What sins did reigne in the land the catalogue drawn up by the late assem witnesseth ..... Had they not reason then to blow the trumpet and forewarn the people of Gods judgements and now when the chief enemies forfeited for unnaturall conspiracy were suffered to return and abide in the Country The wild border-men stood in greater awe of excommunication by a presbytery than of Letters of horning I know a Noble man confessed that
hurtfull to religion or contrary unto the word they shall privatly complain thereupon unto the King or his Counsell 3. It shall not be lawfull to the Pastors to name any particulare mans name in the pulpit or so vively to describe them as may be equivalent with their naming excep upon the notoriety of a crime this not oriety may only be defined by the guilty person being fugitive for the time or being condemned by an assyse or excommunicate for the same 4. Every Minister in his application shall have only respect to the edification of his own flock and present auditors without exspatiating upon other discourses no way pertinent to that congregation 5. Every particular presbytery shall be commanded to take diligent heed unto their Pastors doctrin and that he keep himself within the bounds of the premisses 6. That summary excommunication be discharged as inept and that three lawfull citations at least of eight dayes intervall betwixt every one of them preceed the Sentence 7. That no Session Presbytery nor Synod use their censures upon any but them that are resident within the bounds committed unto them otherwise their decreets and Sentences to be null 8. All summons shall contain a speciall caâ—se and crime and none super inquirendis to be summoned quod est merè tyrannicum 9. That no meeting or conventions be among Pastors without his Maj. knowledge consent excep their ordinary Sessions Presbyteries Synods 10. That in all the principall townes Ministers be not chosen without the consent of their own flock and of his Majesty and that order to be begun presently in the planting of Edinburgh 11 That all matters concerning the rest of his Maj. questions be suspended unmedled-with either in pulpit or any other Judicatory whill first all his Hieness questions be fully decided specially that all matters emporting slander come not in before them in the mean time wherein his autority Roiall is prejudged highly but only in causes meerly ecclesiasticall 12. That seven or eight wise discreet Ministers be authorized by commission to reason upon the rest of the questions as opportunity of time shall serve 13. That they give commission to the Ministry of the North to be at a point with Huntly and if he satisfy them to absolve him For the better answering these articles the Assembly ordaines certain brethren chosen â—ut of every Shyre presently conveened to give their advice Overture upon them and thereafter to report them unto the Assembly These wer 21 in number of whom nyne wer Bishops thereafter In Sess 5. the brether being desired by the Kings Commissioner sent for that effect to repair unto the place where his Majesty and Estates were presently sitting to conferr on the foresaid Articles at his Maj. desire they went to the Counsell-house and there before any reasoning after his Majesty had discoursed of the things to be propounded protested in manner following Sir forsomuch as wee are come hither to testify our obedience unto your Majesty and to heare what shall be propounded by your Majesty unto us In all reverence we protest that this our meeting be not esteemed as if wee made our selves an assembly with the Estates or do submitt any matter ecclesiasticall either concerning doctrin or disciplin unto this Judicatory but after that wee have conferred and reasoned with your Majesty concerning the articles propounded unto us we must return to the ordinary place of our assembly there to reason vote and resolve in all these points according to the word of God and good conscience And this our protestation we most humbly crave may be admitted in your Maj. books of Counsell for eschuing inconveniente that hereafter may arise This protestation was ratified iterated and confirmed by his Ma. So after some reasoning upon the articles the brethren were dimitted In Sess 6. the same day they gave their answers agreeing simpliciter unto the first second fourth eight tenth elleventh unto the third with this addition that the notoriety be defined if the person be fugitive convict by an Assise excommunicat contumax after citation or lawfull admonition Unto the fifth with this change That he keep himselfe within the bounds of the word Unto the nynth with exception of visitations of churches admission deprivation of Ministers reconciling of enmities and such like Unto the twelth also and to that effect they appoint Ministers Ja. Nicolson Jo. Cauldâ—leuch An. Clayhills D. Lindsay Tho. Buchanan Ja. Melvin R. Wilky W. Couper Io. Couper Ia. Brison Ro. Rolock Pa. Galioway Io. Duncanson Ro. Howy To treat of the questions and report their advice unto the next Gen. assembly Referring the time and place of conveening unto his Ma. The sixth and seventh articles are refetred to the next gen assembly Concerning the 13. they give commission unto the Ministers of Murray and Aberdien Presbyteries to insist in conference with Huntly and they adioyn five Ministers out of Merns and Anguse and ordain them to report his answers to the articles given them in commission for his tryall II. In Sess 7. the articles for tryall of the Earle of Huntly are 1. That from the day of his compearance before the said commissioners he shall make his constant residence in Aberdien that he be not abstracted from hearing the word and ordinary conference enduring the time appointed for the same 2. That he be well enformed with knowledge to condescend in the principall grounds of religion affirmativè and the untruth of the errors contrary unto the same and that he be able to give a reason of his knowledge in some measure 3. That he be brought to a plain acknowledging of the Church within this Country and professe himselfe adioined to the same as an obedient member thereof and be content to hear the word to participate the sacraments and obey the disciplin of the Church as presently avowed by the K. and Estates 4. That he solemily promise by word and written band to remove out of his company wholl bounds under his power all Iesuits priests and excommunicat persons 5. That he swear and sâ—bscribe the Confession of faith in presence of all the Commissionâ—rs 6. That he agree to satisfy in the church of Aberdien in most humble manner for his apostasy and there renew the foresaid promises and bandes in most solem manner 7. That he declare his grief and repentance for the slaughter of the Earle of Murray and promise to make assithment or satisfaction unto the party when it shall be accepted and declare his foresaid repentance and grief at thâ— time of his foresaid publick satisfaction 8. Because by occasion of service done to his Ma. in pursuing the said Earle by force and otherwise sundries in these parts have incurred his displeasure that he be content to remove all these occasions with such convenient diligence as these commissioners shall think expedient 9. for declaratioÌ„ of his sinceer adjoyning with us that he be content at their sight and advice of his best
thousands yet alive in Augus and Merns can testify and he dwelt in Feâ—ter cairn in a house belonging then to Laureston about twenty years after that assembly I heard a gentle man employing him in a business and having informed him he said Jogle not over my business but do it faithfully Then I asked the man Why they do call him Joglour He blushed and gave no answer The Gentle man laughing said unto mee He will never tell you but I will give you the reason of his name He is a false rogue when the Ministers were condemned for the Assembly at Aberdien some did accuse him that he was the cause of their condemnation because he had indorsed the Charge with a false date or antedate And then he answered Alas I knew no thing what was intended and I thought it was but a small thing to jogle over or shuffel one day at my Masters command and for that be is alwayes called Joglour The man heard all these words and said nothing but sighed I return to the history Vpon tbe fourth and fifth of July sundry commissioners came to Aberdien from the presbyteries of Kyl Carrik Cunningham Lothian Mers Perth they said they were hindred partly by extraordinary rain and partly deceived by the Missives that were sent unto the presbyteries pointing at the fifth day John Welsh Nathaniel English and others finding that the brethren were dissolved and having received a subscribed copy of their proceedings went together into the place where the Assembly sat and for the discharge of their commissions took instruments in the hands of two Notaries that they were come to keep the Assembly and finding it to be dissolved did ratify and approve their proceedings in their own names and in name of the presbyteries that had sent them Laureston reported unto the Counsell what they had done and said that he had discharged them by open proclamation at the market cross of Aberdeen on Iuly 1. to hold the assembly as the indorsing of the Letters specify Iohn Forbes being in Edinburgh Iuly 24. of purpose to satisfy the Lords of Counsell concerning the alledged disobedience of his Majesties charge was warned by a Macer to appear before the Counsell At that time conveened six Lords seven Bishops and commissioners of the generall Assembly a novelty not heard before in Scotland and they conveened the sooner and preventing the ordinary time of Counsell because they feared the opposition of some Lords Because he would not condem the Assembly holden at Aberdien by his privat judgement howbeit he was willing to submit himself and the proceedings thereof unto the judgement of the generall Assembly he was com manded to ward in the castle of Edinburgh The next day Iohn Welsh one of those who came upon the fifth day was charged to appear before the Counsell and because he refused to give his oath super inquirendis he declared himself ready to give his oath upon the knowledge of their interrogatories he was committed into the Iail of the town and about elleven a clok he and Iohn Forbes were transported to Blakness Iuly 25. charge was given by open proclamation unto Provests and Bailives of Burghs namely of Aberdien to suffer no Ministers to enter within their bounds on the first tuysday of September nor eight before nor after to hold any Assembly as was appointed lately by the Ministers at Aberdien On August 2. Ro. Duty Andrew Duncan Alex. Strachan and Io. Sharp being summoned compeared before the Counsell and because they would not condem their proceedings at Aberdien were sent to Blackness In the mean time the pest break up in Edinburgh Lieth Santand and other parts of the countrey On August 8. all presbyteries church-sessions synods and particularly Ministers were discharged by proclamation to authorize approve the proceedings of those Ministers And Noble men Barons gentle men Magistrats and other subjects were charged to report unto the Counsell when they hear any Minister in Sermon or any privat confence to justify their proceedings or condem the proceedings of the Counsell With certification if they fail c. Much business was for annulling those proceedings because they had appointed a new Assembly for preserving the Church's liberty ratified by Parliament and so long as that liberty was preserved episcopacy could not be advanced On October 3. other 14. Ministers that had been at Aberdien being cited compeared before the Counsell seven of them were sent to wards in sundry places for the same cause that the others were The other seven confessed that if they had known they would not have been there So they were dismissed One of them Robert Youngson repented and at the next diet compeared with the imprisoned Ministers before the Counsell Thomas abernethy stood for the Assembly untill he heard that the was to be warded in Innerness then he submitted and was licenced to return home Some were not summoned The Synod of Fife was to meet at Dunfernlin Septemb. 2. but the Chancelor Seton gave direction unto Pitfirren to hinder them from entring into the town and therefore they assembled at Innerkithen where they agreed upon a fast because of the inprisoned Ministers and the restraint of the liberties of the Church The imprisoned Ministers after five weeks sent unto the King an apology to clear their cause by right information and to supplicat for their liberty but they were not heard Because it was talked in the countrey that the Church was deprived altogether of their liberty and power to indict and hold generall Assemblies and that we were not to have any moe one was proclamed to be held at Dundy the last tuysday of July It was not expressed in what year therefore some called it fair words After 13. weeks imprisonment these Ministers were summoned to compear before the Counsell October 24. to hear see it declared that they had very contemptuously and seditiously conveened and proceeded and therefore their Assembly to be declared unlawfull and they to be punished in their goods persons or els to shew a reasonable cause why the same should not be done With certification c. They compeared that day and presented a supplication unto the Lords to remit the tryall of their cause unto the Generall Assembly the only competent Judge thereof seing the allowance or disallowance of a Generall Assembly belongs unto the subsequent Assembly as precedents can declare where the King hath been present personally as also because in the late proclamation his Majesty declares that he expectes reparation of all mis-orders in the next Assembly The supplication was read and rejected and they were urged by the Kings Advocat Sir Thomas Hamilton then of Monkland to answer unto the libell Wherefore they thought themselves constrained to give-in this Declinature My Lords of Secret Counsell Please your L. L. the approbation or dis-allowing of a generall Assembly hath been and should be a matter and cause spirituall and alwayes cognosced judged by the Church as Judges competent
within this realm And seeing we are called before your L. L. to hear and see it found and declared that we have very contemptuously conveened and Assembled ourselves in a generall Assembly at Aberdien the first tuysday of July last and therefore that Assembly to be declared unlawfull as at more length is contained in the summons Wee in confideration of the premisses and other reasons to be given by us have just cause to decline your L. Ls judgement as no way competent in the cause above specified and by these presents simpliciter decline the same seing we are most willing to submit ourselves to the tryall of the generall assembly the only Judges competent By these presents subscribed with our hands October 24. And it was subscribed by all the fourthien They were nevertheless required to answer unto the summons and they did answer for clearing themselves but with protestation of adhering to their declinature In summa they declare that they had done nothing but according to an Act of Parliament in the year 1592. and they offred to disprove the indorsation of the charge and whereas their declinature was taken in ill part they do acknowledge themselves willing to submit unto the judgement of the Counsell in any matter wherein any other subject ought to submit neither is it a new thing to decline their judgement in some cases seing there is extant a declinature subscribed by moe then 300. Ministers and namely by some of these who now are their greatest adversaries And it it usuall unto the subjects in some Civill causes to decline the judgement of the Counsell and to take them unto the judgement of the Lords of the Session or of the Justice generall or even of a Regality They were sent to their severall prisons and Robert Youngson who that day had joyned with them confessing his trouble of conscience for his former oversight was imprisoned in Sterlin After that time they published an Apology wherein they enlarged their answers and the reasons of their declinature whereof a touch followes and in end they say Let it be supposed that it was an offence to hold the Assembly yet it should not be imputed unto them particularly but unto the presbyteries unto whom the Letters of the generall Commissioners were directed and who had ordered them to go and keep the Assembly and afterwards had approved their proceedings Notwithstanding all their allegations John Forbes John Welsh Robert Dury Andrew Duncan Iohn Sharp and Alexander Strachan were brought by the Guard from Blackness to Lithgow to be arraigned January 10. before the Counsell of treason because they had declined the Counsell It was said commonly that the extraordinary discovery of the powder plot at London would have moved the King to desist from troubling Ministers either in England for their not conformity unto the rites or in Scotland for standing to their ratified liberty when all the churches were required to give thanks unto God for that Benefit But the Earle of Dunbar was sent from Court to manage that business Ere the Ministers were brought to the Bar some Counsellers were sent unto them to move them take up their declinature After advice with some other Ministers there present they answered They would take up the declinature if the Counsel would delete the process and decreet standing against them The Lords replied The Counsell could not annull their decreet which was registred Others were sent unto them again to advise them to pass from the declinature pro loco tempore assuring them that the Counsell would pass from all process persute They would not answer without advice of their Brethren who were there about thretty and then they answerd The testimony that was given could not be recalled without prejudice of the Trueth And they craved licence to advice with their own presbyteries upon caution that they shold return into prison This was denied All that number of Ministers accompanied the imprisoned unto the Bar about one a clok There were present in the Counsell the Earles of Montrose Dunfernlin Chancellor Mar Lithgow Dunbar and Lords Glams Elphinston Abercromy Scoon Balmerino Newbotle Tullibairn Blantyre Haliroodhous and Barons Whittingam Pennicook Clerkinton Murdo-Cairny Kilsyth and Master of Elphinston to assist the Justice Deput as Assessors in the cause Sir Thomas Hamilton the Kings Advocat compeared to accuse The Dittay was read importing their treasonable declinature of the Royal authority grounded upon an act of Parliament in the year 1584. I omit the particular aggravations because they may be known by the answers The substance of their defence by their Advocat Thomas Hope afterwards the Kings Advocat and Lord Craig-hall was The declinature is not against either the title nor intention of the law which was made only against such as derogat from the K. royall authority but this declinature left his authority fully The law served only against such as were summoned super inquirendis but these were accused and committed to prison for a deed or action Their declinature was propounded by way of defence and therefore can not be accounted treason The law naming the penalty of treason is odious and therefore should not be enlarged but rather restrained That which is treason in a case expressed may not be extended unto other cases not expressed That law judgeth not such a case to be treason but only forbids such a thing under the pain of treason The act bearing only the incurring of treason the penalty can never be justly inflicted unless the fact be found treasonable by law But no law defineth the declinature of an incompetent Iudge to be treason Neither did these decline the Kings judicatory simply but the Counsels and that only in this and and such causes They were ever and yet are content to be judged by his Majesty and the Generall assembly seing according to God's Word and the lawes of the realm which have distinguished the Civil and Ecclesiasticall jurisdictions the matters of the Church should be judged and cognosced by the Church and it's assemblies which were aswel ratified confirmed by the lawes of the countrey as any other Iudicatory To judge of the lawfuldess or unlawfulness of a gen assembly belongs unto a generall assembly and hath been the practise of our Church even when his Majesty was present as the Assembly at Perth in the year 1596. was controverted notwithstanding his Majesties presence at it and then he was so far from judging the lawfulness of it by himself or his Counsell that in the next generall Assembly at Dundy he did require the question to be decided there as properly pertaining to that Judicatory It hath been lawfull and in continuall practise that his Majesty and Secret Counsell have in sundry causes been declined and the cause drawn to the ordinary and competent Judge as in matters Civill unto the Session in matters criminall unto the Justiciary matters of divorce unto the Comissaries yea the meanest Regalities have power to decline suprem
jurisdiction and authority of the Church in all things and daily do promote their intended change of the Church Discipline first in bringing us into bondage of a perpetual Dictatura under the Title of Commissioners as the finest cover of their intentions and then into the Antichristian slavery of the Hierarchy that their purposes were discovered by their speeches by presentations of them unto Bishopricks with full authority over their Brethren and several other signs especially by their publick profession in all the Synods lately where it is clear that our Assembly is impeded by their Dictatorship and Lordly Domination which they fear must fall if the Assemblies shall hold and is the main cause of persisting with so hatefull enmity against them for their meeting at Aberdeen because thereby as they judged their almost accomplished enterprize was somewhat retarded It was at that time reported unto the King by these Bishops that Chancelour Seton was upon the Councel of holding the Assembly at Aberdeen wherefore Dunbar was sent down to try him But partly by favour of the Queen and partly by his correspondence with the English Secretary the Trial was not exactly followed and so the Delator John Spotswood then called Bishop of Glascow was disappointed Many other particulars passed that year concerning the Church affairs But for this time to close that Assembly in the beginning of October the King's Will was declared unto a Convention of the Nobility at Lithgow that the six condemned Ministers should be banished out of his Dominions for all their daies and the other eight should be confined some in one place and some in another within the Country remote from their former dwellings and some into Isles severally And a Proclamation was published that if any should hereafter offend in such a high Trespasse they should be punished with all severity and the death due unto Traitours should be inflicted upon them with all rigour and all Ministers were inhibited either in their Sermons or Prayers to recommend the persons that were so sentenced John Forbes went to Middleburgh where he was Minister unto the English Staple Robert Dury was Minister of an English Congregation in Leyden John Welsh went to Bourdeaux where he learned the language so quickly that within one year he was chosen Minister of a French Church And John Sharp became Minister and Professour of Divinity at Dia in the Delphinate where he wrote Cursus Theologicus Symphonia Prophetarum Apostolorum After a year Andrew Duncan and Alexander Strachan purchased liberty to return into their former places Finally because those Assemblies were zealous to keep the Church in purity of Doctrine and free from scandalous Vices they were deserted by some undermined by others and opposed by a third sort and although they were warranted by God's Word and confirmed by the Law of the Realm yet without any repealing Law or just reason that ever was alledged they were in this manner brought to an end AN INDEX Of the Chief Things and Purposes contained in this BOOK In this Index many Particulars are omitted partly for brevity and especially because they may be found by the Names of the Actors and Writers which are in the two Tables at the beginning of the Book A ADam Red a bold Confessor 563. e Aerius his alledged Heresie S 469. The consecrating of Agnus Dei 459. b Albin or Alcuin's doctrine 100 104. Alexander the â—â— King of Scots would nâ—t suffer the Pope's Legate to come into his Realm 447. m Alliance spiritual began 16. m Altars in Christian Churches is a novelty 140 141. Angâ—ls should not be worshipped 178. b. 183. m The first Anointing of the Kings of Scotland 291. Annats 454. Anabaptists began in Germany S. 74. Anselm's doctrine 293. Antichrist is the head of Hypocrites 29. b The Pope was called Antichrist 231. b. 235. b. 248. e. 249 m. See Pope Antiphona began 140. m Appeals from the Pope unto a Councel 547. e. 548. b. 558. m An Apology of a wolf a fox and an ass shrieving one another 476. An Apology of a naked bird clad by other birds 479. The Apostles were of equal authority 364. â— Arnold de Viâ—lanova's answer unto the King of Sicilies doubts in his purpose of Reformation 471. 473. Arnulph Bishop of Orleans his Oration concerning Appeals to Rome 229. Apocrypha Books 27 b. 333. e. 435 e. 437. m The Church Assemblies of Scotland Their lawfulness S. 230 231. Their warrant and members S 382. Their usefulness S. 492 493. The subordination of other Church-Indicatories unto the Assemblies 492. 496. b Order for number of the members thereof S. 545. The privy Conference thereof S. 391. The first day of each S. 478. e At the instance of Ro. Mongomry a charge is given to the Assembly S. 420. e The Books of Register were kept up and some leafs torn S. 456 the Assembly maketh a general Revocaâ—iâ—n of all things done formerly in prejudice of the Discipline and Revenues 487. m. The Assembly appeareth at the Kâ—â—g's command before the Convention of Estaâ—es and protesteth for their Liberty S. 532. A comparison of the former and the latter Assemblies S. 536. The beginning of variance between King James and the Church S. 518. B A Conference at Baden between a Protestant and a Papist S. 318. Baptism taketh away the guilt and not the sin of concupiscence 372. m. They who have not probability that they were Baptized may be Baptized 190. The first Baptizing of Bells 208. m Three Babylons 476. e Bavariâ— becometh Christian 94. m Beda's Doctrine 95. 99. True Believers cannot perish 477. m Bellum Pontificale continued 170. years 248 e Berengarius his Teneâ—s 254. 248. Bernard's Advertisements unâ—o the Pope 322. His Complaints against corruptions and his Faith 334. His Sermon at the Councel of Rhems 341. Beza's Letter unto Jo Knox against the Reliques of Popery S. 376. Bishops and preaching Elders were both one 217. b. 285. m. 354. m. 542 m S 467 471. What was the Office of a Bishop in antient times 471. m. Bishops should be like Shepheards 213. b. They got power in Civil things by Civil Laws 12. m. and â—ft forbidden to meddle with Civil things 143. e. 225. m. They had precedency according to their age or admission 65. m. They should attend their Flock and distribute heavenly Bread 213. b They were taxed of negligence ambition c. 193. e. 194. 210. 222 266 S. 142. They were upon all States Councels and none upon their Councels but themselves S. 166. e. 168. e. They thought it disparagement to Preach 375. e. 549. e. When they prâ—a hed they preached not Christ 82. b. They were disswaded from taking arms 80. b. and yet were Warriors 82. m. They have been partakers of Treason and Conspiracies 113. e. 240 303. 306. e. 307. b. 383. m. 400. m 504. m. 505 m. S 365 367. By advice of Bishops much blood hath been spilt 502. e No Lord Biâ—hops in Scotland before the year 1050