that by the help of the Souldiery he kept his Chair and slighted the Emperor continued his government 13 years anno 701. John the sixth followed Sergius he still sought to promote the Papal Dignity as not having what was aymed at The better to perswade John to subscribe the General Councils Justinian sent to him a Confession of his Faith but John also refused it and gave this reason Because of certain Articles in them which were contrary to the Church of Rome This Pope ruled three years anno 704. John the seventh took the next turn but by this time the Popes of Rome began to grow great in the world and did cause others to know it The Eastern Empire was now brought low by the Lumbards in the West and the Saracens in the East that the Emperour was constrained quietly to put up all affronts from the Pope and speak him fair too It is said also that Aripert King of the Lumbards to keep John on his part gave to the Sea of Rome the Cottian Alpes Anno 705. yet John kept the Sea but three years anno 707. Zosimus the second came next to the Papal Dignity yet held it so little time that some Historians pass him by without naming Constantine followed next but did improve his time above many his Predecessors Upon offence given by the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Emperour he sent the Patriarch prisoner to Rome thinking thereby the more to please the Pope Anno 708. as yet the Emperours Exarchs at Ravenna kept the Pope under that he could not work his will but in this Popes time the Souldiers conspired against Justinian slew him and made Philipicus Bardanes Emperour By this means the Eastern Empire was brought near to ruine and a door was opened for the second Beast to enter Philipicus coming thus to the Empire thought to doe some eminent act to please the good people and so made an Edict That all Images should bee puld down in the Churches upon this the Pope took occasion to cast off the Emperor pronounced him an Heretick and forbad the people of Rome to receive the Emperours Commands his Image on their Coyn or mention him in their Service This was not so much an Excommunication as a final Deposition of the Emperour and soon after hee had his eyes put out and thrust out of the Empire This was the first Pope that proceeded so high against the Emperours and this doth sufficiently evidence that the Antichrist is now come and hath taken his Throne All this was accomplished by Constantine who governed seven years Anno 714. Gregory the second succeeded Constantine and was not inferiour to any that went before him in Pride Policy or Tyranny It is said that this Pope was so expert in Conjuring that he was called Gregory the Diabolist At this time Leo Isaurius General of the Emperours Army put down Theodotius from government and set up himself Emperour and having a little respit from the Saracens he renewed the Edict of the former Emperour against Images and hoped to maintain it in Italy But Gregory called in the Lumbards and by their help routed the Emperours Army now Gregory and the Lumbards shared Italy and by this means a huge Dominion was added to the Church Though the Lumbards had done the Pope great service in this expedition yet Gregory casts how to clear Italy to the Sea of Rome It seems the Pope feared a complyance of the Lumbards with Charls Martil of France who now grew great and to engage him for the Church Gregory sent an Ambassador to Charls with a present of the Keys of the Holy Sepulcher and St. Peters Chain These unheard of Relicks were greatly accepted and Charls Martil ratified an accord with the Pope Gregory did this for the Sea and after he had ruled seventeen years departed Anno 731. Gregory the third succeeded Gregory the first Hee Decreed in a Synod That whosoever would not doe religious honour unto Images should bee cut off from the Body and Bloud of Christ and the unity of the whole Church At this time Thrasamond Duke of Spoleto intending to revolt from Luitprand King of the Lumbards he fell in with Gregory and to ingage the Church on his Party Thrasamond delivered into the Popes handsome strong Holds which he had kept for the Lumbards and upon this ground the King of Lumbards raised an Army and came against the Duke and worsted him in that Battel The Duke fled to Rome and the King demanded him of the Pope but the Pope refused to deliver him thereupon he laid siege to Rome Gregory was now sore puzled and sent for Charls Martil to interpose upon the perswasion of Charls the King of Lumbards raised his siege and returned into Pavia and in that year Gregory dyed when he had ruled ten years Anno 741. Zachary next took place and carried on the main design stoutly and now an opportunity was offered to compleat the work Pipin Master of the Kings House to Childrick King of France had a great desire to get into the throne yet had some scruples how to be absolved from his Oath but in a little time Pipin was informed that the Pope had the power of Christ and St. Peter and could doe all things Pipin dispatches away Ambassadours to Pope Zachary about the businesse At first the Pope made a pause and thought the attempt vile but considering of what advantage this might be to the Roman Sea he put on impudence and exercised all his power Zachary deposed Childrick absolved the French people from their Allegiance and gave the Kingdom to Pipin This was such an ingagement upon Pipin that hee must not refuse the commands of his new Father the Pope and as a requital to Zachary Pipin drove the Lumbards out of Italy and gave the whole Dominion to the Church of Rome This Booty did so please Zachary that in token of thankfulnesse he confirmed Pipin in the Kingdom of France gave him the title of most Christian King and to answer this new kindness Pipin prostrated himself kist the Popes feet and sware Fealty to him Thus you have the advance of Antichrist and the ingagements of the French Crown to Peters Chair I need not seek further for the discovery of that Man of Sin that Son o Perdition spoken of by the Prophet and Apostles nor need any a sharp sight to discern him sitting in the Sea of Rome Now was that word of the Lord perfectly fulfilled spoken by the Prophets and Apostles who described the Antichrist by several marks some of which I will here observe These are the Prerogative Royal of God Almighty to dispose of Kingdoms and pardon Sin so that he who shall assume these out of the Hand of God is the Antichrist as described at large by the Apostle Paul and both these Pope Zachary took upon
but eight months and dyed Anno 607. Boniface the fourth succeeded and governed six years Anno 613. Deus-dedit came next to the Sea and governed three years Anno 616. Boniface the fifth now took his turn these times were troublesome and these Popes found much opposition but to all the rest they did greatly corrupt the Worship of God and in a little time they brought in Prayers for the dead Invocation of Saints the Liturgy in a strange Language and abundance of Jewish and Heathenish Ceremonies This Pope continued five years Anno 621. Honorius the first came next to the Papal Dignity but though the name and title of universal Bishop was given to the Sea of Rome yet Papal Jurisdiction was much resisted by the Bishops Honorius hoping to subject the Bishops sided with Adelwaldus fifth King of the Lumbards who raised an Army against them but the Bishops had the better in that Battel and Honorius carried not his design at that time To give a demonstration that infallibility was not yet tied to Peters Chair Pope Honorius fell into the Heresie of the Monothelites and denied two Natures and two Wills in Christ. For this Heresie hee was condemned in the fourth Council of Toledo by 289 Bishops Also in this Council it was decreed That the Book of the Revelation should bee read in time of Masse that all men might the better know and arm themselves against Antichrist who gave life to the Beast the Roman Empire This Pope was said to rule 13 years anno 634. Severinus the first came next to rule as yet the Pope was under the jurisdiction of the Emperour and every Pope confirmed by the Exarch for the Emperour lying at Ravenna Upon the election of Severinus the Exarch made him stay a year and half for confirmation and hee lived but half a year more and dyed anno 636. Boniface the sixth succeeded Severinus and ruled two years anno 638. Theodore the first had the Papal seat he strongly pursued the claim of Jurisdiction over the Bishops but was stoutly denied it yet Victor Bishop of Carthage gave him this Title stuffed with Blasphemy To the most blessed Lord and our Honourable Holy Brother Pope Theodore c. Theodore had the Sea five years and dyed anno 643. Martin the first followed Theodore he was a great undertaker and thought to carry great things but assuming too much upon the Bishops of the East the Emperour Constans gave a check to his ambition who caused him to bee brought Prisoner to Constantinople where he dyed in banishment when he had kept Peters Chair eight years anno 651. Eugenius succeeded Martin but in his time divers Councils were held without his privity and hee could not help it He governed two years and dyed anno 653. Vitalion had the Government and not inferiour to any of his Predecessors for a high mind John Bishop of Lampeon being condemned by a Synod under Paul Arch-bishop of Candia John appealed to the Bishop of Rome who retracted the sentence of the Synod and absolved him but John was still kept out of his Sea At this time also the Arch-bishop of Ravenna under the Popes nose rejected the Supremacy of Rome But the Pope being repulsed in all the Countries about him purposed to seek honour in places further remote It is said about this time Austine the Monk was sent into England but instead of spreading the Gospel and converting souls they here broached their Popish Fopperies the Latine Service Organs Altars Tapers c. were brought into England The Popes Agents also stirred ignorantly devout Princes to inforce their Subjects to use and practise this way of seigned Worship and the better to advance the main design as the Agents found ambitious men thirsting for preheminence above their brethren these were taken into favour and honoured with preferment But the issue was by these means to bring in the Pope and transferre Causes to Rome Vitalion bare rule 15 years and dyed anno 668. Adeodate followed Vitalion the Arch-Bishop of Ravenna coming to that Sea refused to bee Consecrated by the Pope of Rome and for that offence Adeodate Excommunicated the Archbishop and the Arch-bishop paid him in his own coyn and excommunicated the Pope of Rome and this was all the Pope yet got This Pope kept the Sea five years anno 675. Domnus came next to the Pontifical Throne he continued to fight the Papal Combate for desired Supremany and what by power and what by policy he at last subjected the Arch-bishop of Ravenna to Peters Chair Anno 680 Domnus rejoyced in this addition and lived two years after it anno 682. Agatho next took Peters pretended Chair and being lift up in Domnus his uniting Ravenna to the Roman Sea hee openly pronounced That all Decrees made by the Sea-Apostolick ought to be received as if they had proceeded from St. Peters own mouth But the pride of the Prelate staid not here but writing to the Bishops he stiled himself Head of all the Churches and in a Letter to the Emperour he blushed not to say That unto that day the Church of Rome had never been stained with any Error neither would be by vertue of that promise made heretofore by our Saviour to Peter Agatho kept his happy place but two years anno 684. Leo the second held the Apostolick Sea but ten months Benedict the second followed Leo in his time he obtained of the Emperour That hee who should bee elected Pope by the Clergie People and Souldiers should have all the power at Rome and not seek to the Emperour for confirmation This was no small step to lift up the Dignity and Tyranny of the Roman Sea into the Imperial Throne but Benedict lived not out the year John the fifth was chosen according to the new establishment but dyed quickly anno 687. Upon the death of John there fell a division about the election the Clergie chose Peter the Army chose Theodore the contention was great and neither Party would yeeld but at last they all pitched upon Conon a third person and he was made Pope yet lived but eleven months anno 688. While Conon was yet sick Paschal an Arch-Deacon made a Party for him and promised large monies for Voyces but at the Election there were many stood for Theodore and some for Paschal The division was great and so lasted for two months and to prevent bloud and mischief they took Sergius a poor Priest out of the throng and made him Pope When Sergius was lift up to this high Dignity hee had nów the spirit of a Pope so that when the Emperour Justinian sent to him the Books of the general Councils to subscribe to them Sergius denied it Hereupon the Emperour was justly displeased and sent to apprehend him but Sergius so plaid his Game
at last complained of to the Emperour and accused in the Council at Constantinople where by the Emperour and Council Vigilius was deposed and banished anno 556. By the power of the Emperour Justinian Pelagius the first succeeded in the Sea of Rome this offended the Bishops of Italy upon which they called a Synod at Aquilia to consult about it but Pelagius sent to them a Confession of his Faith and so pacified them and governed eleven years anno 567. John the third followed Pelagius he strongly pursued the Plea of his Predecessors for Supremacy at home and abroad Pelagius sent his Mandates to the Bishops in France and Germany Wee will and command all Bishops and Priests whatsoever to observe all the Decretals and Ordinances of our Predecessors in matters belonging to the Church and if any shall attempt the contrary let him know there is no place left for repentance to him c. If John may bee beleeved it was now a dreadful thing to transgresse the commands of the Roman Church yet these high words did not affright the Bishops and when hee had continued twelve years he dyed anno 579. Benedict the first took the next turn but in his time Narses Lieutenant of Italy being discontented with the ingratitude of the Emperor invited the Lumbards into Italy who presently came in and laid siege to Rome in which time Benedict dyed anno 579. In the same year and during the same siege Pelagius the second was chosen Bishop of Rome Rome being now besieged and Italy in uproars John Bishop of Constantinople having the favour of the Emperour Maurice got the Title of Universal Bishop and called a Council at Constantinople anno 580. but the siege of the Lumbards being now raised from the walls of Rome by violence of weather Pelagius sent presently to the Council at Constantinople and charged the Bishops to break up being no Council but a Conventicle without him and also that if they did not forth-with depart they should be Excommunicate by the Sea Apostolick And further Pelagins forbids them to acknowledge John Universal Bishop for says he If the chief Patriarch meaning himself should be called Universal by that prophane Title the name of Patriarch would be taken from all other Bishops but God forbid that it should ever fall into the heart of a Christian to assume to himself that whereby the honour of his Brethren may be abased And consider my Brethren what is like to ensue He cometh neer unto him of whom it is written This is he which is King over all the Children of Pride and so John went about to attribute to himself that which was only due to Christ c. Thus Pelagius preacht a pithy Lecture but sought only with words and John mattered not such windy weapons Pelagius continued ten years and left the Chair of Rome to Gregory the first anno 590. Gregory the first surnamed the Great took up the Weapons against John of Constantinople but John being backed by the Emperour Maurico stood stifly to uphold his new Title and the Emperour further in favour of John writ his Letters to Gregory and commanded him to keep peace This greatly troubled Gregory and thereupon he writ Letters to the Emperour and the Empresse To the Emperour he wrote thus All those who have read the Gospel know well what the Lord said to Peter c. The care and primacy of the whole Church was committed to him yet behold my Fellow Priest John seeketh to bee called the Universal Bishop I am now forced to cry Oh the times oh the manners of men Europe is now exposed for a prey to the Barbarians and yet the Priests who should lye down in the dust weeping and rolling themselves in ashes seek after names of vanity and boast in their new found prophane titles c. And Gregory to the Empress thus Maurice indeed hath done like a godly man and a religious Prince to command due observance to men of the Church But farre bee it that your time should bee defiled by the exalting of one man above others neither let it ever be said that you gave way to that crooked name of universal By this Arrogancy and Pride whas doth it else portend but that the time of Antichrist is now at hand in that hee imitates Lucifer who making light of that happinesse he possessed with others would needs aspire to a singularity above the rest lost all c. I should exceed my bounds to follow Gregory in his invectives against John of Constantinople for getting Supremacy before him and while John delighted himself in his new title Gregory took up to himself the stile of Servant of the Servants of God But in Gregories time the Emperour Maurice grew into hatred of the Souldiers and fearing the conspiracy of Phocas Maurice fled to Chalcedon Phocas heading the Mutineers was by them proclaimed Emperour and after the solemnity he pursued Maurice where he first in a barbarous manner killed his Wife and Children before his face and then murdered him Notwithstanding all this bloudy cruelty of Phocas Gregory writ abominable flattering Letters to him and his new Empresse of which I must give you a taste Gregory begins his Epistle thus to Phocas Glory bee to God on high which changeth times and translateth Kingdoms who sometimes in his Justice sendeth Princes to afflict his people and at other times in his Mercy those that lift them up again for which cause we rejoyce that thou art come to the Empire let the Heavens rejoyce and the Earth leap for joy and let all the people be glad thereof c. but in the conclusion Gregory prayes that the Emperour would take the Church of Rome into protection and bee mindful of Tu es Petrus assuring of him that for his requital St. Peter would take him and his Empresse into protection and keep him in the Empire Now you have the bottome of Gregories heart opened and his Hypocrisie fully brought to light but he soon dyed and saw not the accomplishment of his desires anno 605. Sabinian followed Gregory but dyed quickly Boniface the third now had the Roman Sea and all things concurring to accomplish the old design and especially to fulfill the Word of God it so hapned that Phocas was left by Cyriachus patriarch of Constantinople and was hated by all good people for his bloudy cruelty that the Empire was sore shaken and Italy ready to revolt Phocas now being in great straights and not knowing how to keep all quiet In this nick of time Boniface offered his service to Phocas which was so well accepted that he conferred this Honour upon the Church of Rome that Shee should be the head of all other Churches and the Bishop of Rome to be called the Soveraign and Universal Bishop Boniface now got the desired primacy and brought in the Antichrist yet continued