from her and Apollinaris who said Christ is God and flesh only and never assumed a reasonable soul and Pelagius who said Christ is not the redeemer of infants because they are conceived without iniquity and born of their mother without sin and have no sin to be forgiven them and so Christ is not the Saviour of all the Elect and also other Hereticks who deny the Lord who bought them with the price of his blood because they preach him not as truth sheweth him but as they have feigned and therefore are become strangers from the Redeemer they do expect nothing certainly but the pit of perdition He writ three Books on the Song of Songs whereof the first is only in refutation of another book writen by Julian his Epistle to Celanen in Campania a Pelagian for a tast behold what he saith in the 1. page Julian teacheth that we by arbitrement of free-will may do good things what we will albeit by the help of God's grace we may perfect them the more easily as Travellers may walk on foot but with less turmoil without doubt if they ride on a horse He hath no mind of the Apostle's admonition saying Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do And which is more weighty he is an adversary to him who saith not Without me ye can do some little thing but saith he Without me ye can do nothing And he teacheth that those only can behold the hid mysteries of the Law whom instruction and piety hath made wise forgetting the grace of God which revealeth the hid things of Scripture even to the unlearned and Idiots as the Evangelist saith Then he opened unto them their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures And the Evangelist witnesseth that they were unlearned when he saith They seeing the constancy of Peter and John and knowing that they were without letters and idiots did admire And he saith that holy and generous love ingraft in us from the very beginning of light by the gift of nature and unto our last old age leaning to the power of the mind may continue without any loss of its vigour Certainly he beleeveth not the Lord's word Without me ye can do nothing Nor what the Apostle saith In many things we all offend In these words Beda confuteth both the Pelagians and Semipelagians Of justification he saith on Luke 1 The wisedom of the just is not to presume of righteousness by the works of the law but to seek salvation by faith that although they being under the works of the law yet they should understand that they are saved by the grace of God through Christ for the just shall live by faith and Peter saith of the yoke of the law that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear it but we beleeve to be saby the grace of Christ even as they And on 1 Pet. 4. God is honoured by our works when all that we do well or according to his will we give it not all unto our merits but to his grace and on the other side what evil we do we depute it only unto our ignorance and wickedness Of the Church he saith on Cant. lib. 5. cap. 6. The Church is called Catholick because it is built through all the parts of the World in one peace and one fear of God and is filled with one and the same consort of the Spirit from which unity of the Spirit she is called a Dove and she is called perfect not because she only is filled with the people of the righteous but also is perfected by receiving all divine graces and vertues Here is no mention of restraining or subjecting the Church unto the Bishop of Rome And de Tabernac lib. 2. cap. 2. It was said unto Peter metaphorically Upon this Rock that is on our Saviour whom he had confessed will I build my Church And on Revel 21 when it is said Foundations in the plural number the teachers or graces are meaned when Foundation in the singular number he is meaned who is foundation of foundations Here is no Prerogative of Peter above the other Apostles Of Prayer on Prov. chap. 2. he saith We should invocate or pray unto none but God Of Christ's redemption on 1 John chap. 2. at these words And not for ours only he saith The Lord is a propitiation not for them only unto whom living then in the flesh John did write but also for all the Church which is dispersed in the breadth of the World even from the first elect unto the last who shall be born untill the end of the World This he writeth expressely against the Donatists but when he speaketh of the Church throughout the World he condemneth the restriction thereof unto Rome or any other particular place and when he limiteth the propitation unto the Elect he condemneth the opinion of the universality of Christ's death for the Reprobates And in the same place he saith Behold how John observeth that humility which he teacheth Certainly he was a just and great man who had drunk the secrets of mysteries from the Lord's breast and nevertheless he saith not Ye have me your Advocate with the Father but We have an Advocate and he said We have and not Ye have he would rather put himself in the number of sinners that he might have Christ to be his Advocate than put himself an Advocate for Christ and be found among the proud which shall be damned For all doth the Head make request of whom it is written Who is at the right hand of the Father and intercedeth for us The Lord intercedeth for us not by words but by miseration and he addeth The Just because the just Advocate will not plead unjust causes How shall not the just one defend us in judgement if now we acknowledge and accuse our selves unjust Why shall he not be just who now by tears is earnest saevit against his own unrighteousness Here he speaketh expressly of intercession and he acknowledgeth no intercessour in Heaven but the Head for all who mourn for their sins Of perseverance he saith on Col. 4. at the end where the Apostle saith I give thanks unto God being confident that he who hath begun the good work in you he will perfect it untill What else doth he promise but perseverance till the end through the mercy of God And when the Apostle Jude saith Unto him who is able to keep you without offence doth he very clearly shew that perseverance in good until the end is the gift of God In the first place Beda sheweth the certainty of perseverance as a thing promised and in the other he teacheth that it is not the work of man by himself alone even though the man be renewed but it is the gift of God And on Rom. 8. he saith We should stand the Calling whereby they are elected not who are elected because they shall beleeve but who are
Cap. 9. And it seemeth thou distinguishest not betwixt that he did in obedience and that which was done unto him because he would still be obedient and he did suffer howbeit obedience did not require it God requireth obedience of all resonable creatures and the creature oweth obedience unto him so that man did owe obedience unto God the Father and the Father did require it of him Thus for his obedience and if man had not sinned he should not have suffered death nor would God have required it of him seeing he was made reasonable and holy and to the end he might be blessed in the fruition of God Now thou wilt not think it fit that the creature which he made holy unto blessedness he should force it to be miserable without a fault for it is a miserable thing that man should die against his will and so God compelled not Christ to die in whom was no fault but he willingly suffered death not by his obedience of forsaking life but for his obedience of keeping righteousness wherein he continued so stoutly that therefore he suffered death Likewise it may be said that the Father commanded him to die seeing he commanded him to do that for which he suffered death and therefore as the Father gave him command so did he and he drunk the cup which the Father gave him and he became obedient unto the Father even to the death and so he learned obedience by what he suffered that is how far obedience should be kept But the word he learned may be understood two ways either for that he made others to learn or because what he was not ignorant of in respect of knowledge he learned by experience But what the Apostle when he had said he humbled himself and became obedient even unto the death of the cross subjoyneth therefore God exalted him and gave him a name whereunto it is like what David saith He shall drink of the brook in the way and therefore he hath lift up his head It is not so meant as if he could not have come unto exaltation but by this obedience of death and this exaltation was not conferred on him but in payment of his obedience for before he did suffer he said All things are delivered unto me by the Father and All that the Father hath is mine But as he with the Father and the holy Ghost had decreed that he would shew unto the world his great power no other way but by death seeing it was by death it is not unfitly said to be for death for he was exalted after death as if these things were done for death But when he saith I came not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me it is like unto that My doctrine is not mine for what one hath not of himself but from God that is not so much his own as it is God's for none hath truth which he teacheth or a good will of himself but from God therefore Christ came not to do his own will but his Father 's because the holy will which he had was not of his manhood but of his God-head for God spared not his own Son but gave him for us that is no other but that he did make him free as we finde many such words in Scripture And whereas he said Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me yet not as I will but as thou willest and If this cup cannot pass it signifieth the natural desire of life according to his own will whereby humane flesh did flee the pangs of death And he calleth it the will of the Father not because the Father would the death of his Son rather then his life but because the Father would not that mankinde should be restored unless man had done so great a thing as was that death because it was not reason that another should do it Therefore the Son saith that he would his death which himself would also suffer rather then mankinde should not be saved as if he had said Because thou wilt have the reconciliation of the world no other way I say thou wilt have my death therefore let thy will be done that is let me die that the world may be reconciled unto thee Cap. 10. Because in this question thou undertakest the person of them which will not believe unless they see reason I will indenture with thee that we accept no inconvenient unto God not the least and that no reason not the least be refused if a greater reason hinder not for as impossibility followeth upon any inconvenient unto God so a necessity followeth upon whatsoever reason if it be not overthrown by a greater Now the question is onely of the Incarnation and of the things which we believe of the assumed manhood Let us now suppose that the incarnation of God had never been nor these things which we speak of that man and let us hold this sure that man was not made unto blessedness which he could not have in this life nor could any man attain it but by remission of sin nor could any man pass thorow this life without sin and such other things the faith of which is necessary unto salvation And here we finde that the remission of mans sin is necessary that he may attain unto salvation as we all do hold Cap. 11. Then let us try by what way God forgiveth men their sins and to this end see first what is sin and to satisfie for sin if Angels and men had continually given unto God what they owe him they had never sinned therefore to sin is no other thing but not to render what is due unto God Now the will of all reasonable creatures should be subject to the will of God this is the duty or debt which Angels and men owe unto God and if he do this he sinneth not and whosoever doth it not he sinneth This is righteousness or uprightness of will which maketh righteous or upright in heart or will this is the onely and all the honor which we owe unto God and which God requireth of us for only such a will doth works acceptable unto God when he can do and when he cannot do onely the will doth please God by it self because without it no work pleaseth God he who giveth not his dutiful honor unto God taketh from God what belongeth unto him and he dishonoreth God and this is to sin and so long as he rendereth not what he hath taken away he is under guiltiness nor is it sufficient to render what is taken away but for the wrong he hath done he must render more then he hath taken away This is also to be marked that when one rendereth what he hath unjustly robbed he should give what could not have been required of him if he had not robbed after this maner should every one which sinneth render honor unto God and this is satisfaction which every sinner should do unto God Cap. 12. Now let
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
Romanists bragg continually saith Ph. Mornaeus in Myster pag. 619. In time of their election there was a lightening and thunder wherewith the litle babe JESUS fell out of the lap of the mothers image and the keies out of the handes of S. Peter even in the Church where in they all were Many did then interprete that this did portend and foreshew the ruine of that See As indeed the same yeare Martin Luther at Wittembergh began to oppose the Popes indulgences and after one errour more were espied by him and many others whereupon followed the famous and gracious Reformation as followes He used as Guicciard speakes libr. 13. The selling of indulgences the authority Apostolical too licentiously by the advice of Cardinal Puccius sowing abroad most large indulgences without difference of time or place not only for confort of the living but to pull souls of the dead out of purgatorie and because it was known that such indulgences were granted only for gain of money which the Emissaries exacted shamelesly for the exacters had bought the selling of these pardons from the Popes officers Leo himself incurred mens evill will in many places and gave many scandals especially in Germany where his ministers solde these wares for a very small gain and in kitchines they would lay on a cast of a Die a power to take a soule out of purgatorie And especially it was offensive that it was notorious how the Pope had given all the gain of these pardons from sundrie parts of Germany unto his sister Magdalen c. And the Friers were not ashamed to preach in their Sermons that at the sound of a penny cast into a basine the souls in purgatory doe leap for joy and instantly flee away into the heavens yea and some said When that taxe were payed all sins wer forgiven Neither were they more modest in other Countries affirming boldly God doth presently execute whatsoever pleaseth them according to that saying of Christ Whatsoever yee bind on earth shall be bond c. They require ten pence for everie soule and if one pennie were given lesse the pardon was not available Mornaeus in Myst. ex Christ. Massaeo in Chron. ad Ann. 1515. This gain saith Langius à Monk was scandalous unto the holy sons of the Church wherupon the question began to be commonly scanned of the power of Christs Vicare and whence was this new doctrine which the antient Popes never knew But more of this hereafter God willing Onuphrius sayth Leo did erect new offices to reap gain unto himself and that he was given extreamly to hunting halking and to pleasure and that he spended wholl days in luxury and musicke more than became a Pope He stirred up the Emperour Charls against Henry I. King of France When newes was brought to him sitting at supper that the French were expelled out of Millane Placentia Parma c. he said In his time he had three causes of joy 1. that when he was banislied by Pope Alexander he was restored 2. that he was called Apostolick 3. that he had driven the French out of Italie And ere he had done with supper he became colde and stiff and then a fever overtook him the next morning he was transported from Manliana villa into Rome where he died Decemb. 3. An. 1521. Ja. Sannazarius gives the reason why he gote not the sacrament before his death Sacra sub extrema si fortè requiritis hora Cur Leo non potuit sumere Vendiderat But he had said no less truly if he had written Because he was not a Christian For some write that when his Secretary Cardinal Bembus did once Pope Leo's blasphemie lay before him a sentence of the Gospell Leo answered It is well known how that fable of Christ hath been profitable unto us these many ages by-past He openly denied the immortality of the soule and therefore in the Lateran Councel as followes that question was moved and determined against him Bellarmin saith that he was not an heretick for that errour because it was not determined by a Councel before that Bellarmin de Ro. Pont. libr. 4. CHAP. II. Of EMPEROVRS MAXIMILIAN I. was elected and crowned King of the Romanes An. 1486 and after the death of his father An. 1493. he was received Emperour without contradiction In his infancy he so hardly learned to pronounce words that it was thought he was dumbe but the greater difficultie he had of speaking in his infancy he was the more admired afterwards for his singulare eloquence for besides the vulgare language he could speak perfectly Latine French and Italian In the first Diaete held by him An. 1495. at Worms it was decreed that all the Electours should erect publick Schools within their own bounds and accordingly Frederik Duke of Saxon Publick Schools began the University at Wittembergh An. 1502 and Joachim Marques of Brandeburgh began another at Frankford upon Oder An. 1506. In the yeare 1499. the Swisers made wars in Austria the Emperour subdued them with great honour The same yeare Lewes XII King of France entred into Lombardy and after various accidents by treason of his hired Swisers Charls Duke of Millane took him captive there they agreed that Lewes shall pretend no right to Millane Immediately Lewes and the King of Castile made a League and entred together into the Kingdom of Naples and divided it betwixt them they did not long accord for in the year 1504 the Spanish expelled all the French The Emperour would not medle with the affairs of Naples because he had made a league with Lewes and at Spira arose a great faction of peasants proclaming liberty from Lord-revenves and all higher Powers and tieths and vowing to destroy all Princes which had turned to the confusion of Germany if they had not been quickly danted with a great army some of them were severely punished Isabel Queen of Spain died An. 1504 then her only daughter Ieane with her husband Philip son of Maximilian were sent for to come from Flanders and accept the Crown they delay two years and then went Philip died soon after his arriving and Jeane was sickly and their son Charls was but a child therefore Ferdinand King of Castile Arragon Naples Sicily Sardinia Majorca c. and Brother of the fore named Isabell was called to the governement of Spain enduring the minority of the young King and Maximilian accepteth the government of Flanders At that time the Venetians were of great power and therefore were envied by many A league was made against them by the Pope and the Emperour and the King of France to expel upon common charges the Burgesses out of the Continent Only Lewes came at the time appointed and seeing that he had sufficient forces he did hazard to fight them he slue 20000. took the Captains and the rest fled he conquered many of their towns in the Continent and though he had done all by his own power only yet he quitteth unto the Emperour Verona Vicentia
one Nation and then another Yet so that the Romish Church was like to a lump of sundry Mettles wherein are some pieces of gold and silver but more of brass and baser mettle all mingled in one cake as there every one cannot point out where the good Mettle is yet a cunning Mineralist knows there is gold in that lump and can sever the richer Mettle from the baser and then purifie every Mettle from their own dross and put another form upon them that every one who is not altogether ignorant may know them So in the Church of Rome though Potentates and Nations for ignorance or fear of enmity and sometimes for hope of advantage against their enemies did cleave unto Rome and seemed to make one visible Church yet in all Countries even in Italy under the face of Antichrist many both of the Teachers and teached did detest the Tyranny and avaricious errours of the Pope and in their hearts wished a Reformation and by writ have published to the World all the Truth for besides them who did openly contest with her there is scarcely any article of controversie but we shall find some of their School-men and Monks disputing with us against the now-Romish errours At last it pleased God to put into the hearts of his refining Preachers and Princes to break the faction of the Romish Church and purifie themselves with their adherents from the dross that their Ancestors had contracted and to unite themselves into another form of government And as the Refiner cannot be said to make new gold but only refineth the praeexistent Mettle and gives it the face it had before the commixtion so the Reformed Church is not a new Church for that supposeth a new Church never heard of before but they have taken themselves unto the old Truth which was obscured for a space in the West with corruption in the domineering part and they have returned into the Discipline of the Primitive Church that was interrupted and they are become like unto them who were separate from the Romish Church and both these have joined hands and hearts against the common errours Herein wholesom is the direction of Cyprian to Pompey contrà Epistolam Steph. pap saying Devote and ingenious minds will readily lay aside errour and search and find the Truth For if we return to the Head and Fountain of Divine Tradition human errour ceaseth and the way of Heavenly Mysteries being perceived whatsoever was darkly lurking under a cloud is discovered by the light of Truth If a pipe of a Conduit which was wont to flow abundantly shall fail at any time will not men go unto the Fountain that the cause of the failing may be known whether it hath dried in the head or whether that being whole and full the fault be in the mid-way But if it have failed by the fault of the broken and sinking pipe that the water could not flow constantly they amend and make strong the pipe that the water may be brought for the use of the City with the same aboundance and integrity as it comes from the Fountain This should the Priests of God do which will keep his commands that if truth should be in doubt or changed we should return unto the Divine Fountain the Evangelical and Apostolical tradition and from thence let the reason of our acting arise whence was the order and original It hath been delivered unto us that there is one God and one Christ and one Hope and one Faith one Church and but one Baptism ordained in that one Church from which whosoever departeth he must be found among Hereticks and if he will maintain them against the Church he fights against the mystery of Divine Tradition So far Cyprian 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 VII CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS PHOCAS a mean Captain in Thracia in a sedition An Vsurpâ—r reigneth crâ—ftily wickedly infortunately of the people did kill his Soverain Maurice usurped the Crown and held the Empire 7. years He began to establish himself by favour Cyriachus Patriarch of Constantinople had crowned him and then did hate him for his cruelty against the house and friends of Maurice the Western part of the Empire was aiming at liberty and like to forsake him Wherefore he dealt gently with Pope Gregory I. and after him he set up another of his own mind and then another in the See of Rome They played to others hands the Emperour gave unto Boniface the Title of Universal Bishop and the Pope promised fidelity unto Phocas He was given unto Covetousness in oppressing the Provinces with Tributes to Lust in defiling other mens wives as for Intemperancy carousing was his glory Zonar annal li. 3. In all the Provinces of the Empire was great disorder and little justice The Persians subdued Mesopotamia Assyria Syria and took Jerusalem for Cosroes pretending to revenge the death of his Father-in-law Maurice killed the most part of that Army which had advanced Phocas or assisted him and the rest of them were sent captive into Persia Pe. Mexia France had lately gone away and now Germany a great part of Italy Pannonia Misia and other parts made a full defection Wherefore the Senate of Constantinople seeing And dieth miserably that either the Empire or Tyrant must perish especially Priscus one of the chief Captains under Maurice and now the son-in-law of Phocas and Heracleon the Governour of Affrick whose wife Phocas had defiled consulted together and sent Armies from Affrick and Thracia they took Phocas in Constantinople and gave him just reward they cut off his hands and feet then his privy members at last his head some write they burnt his body in a brazen Cow and others say they cast it into the Sea An. 609. Zonar annal to 3. 2. HERACLIUS son of Heracleon Governour of Affrick was made Hard beginnings bring glory Emperour with general consent of People Armies and Senators and was crowned by Sergius the Patriarch He found the Empire in a troublous time but his glory was the greater His Deputy Campsinus usurps the Kingdome of Italy and was quickly subdued and slain by Eleutherius whom the Emperour sent against him Bajanus made himself King of Bavaria and molested the Empire in the West that Cosroes had the less opposition in subduing Aegypt and Affrick unto Carthage in the end Heraclius brought the Bavarians under command he crowned his son Emperour and went in person against the Persians Pe. Mexia First he dealt for peace by Ambassadors A good cause gives confidence Cosroes said he would not lay down Arms until he had abolished the worship of the crucified God and the Persian God were worshipped every where Then Heraclius was the more confident that the Wars was not so much for the Empire as for defence of the Church and worship of God
whereas before it was only by practice He sate 3 years 10. NICOLAUS the I surnamed the great was chosen by the Romans The Emperour will be acknowledged in the election of the Pope Before he was chosen the Emperour Lewis knowing how expedient it was for him to preserve the right of his Ancestours in the election made hast to Rome but the Romans purposely prevened him with the election Nicolaus thought to debar the Emperor from the consecration but he could not hinder that He had a mouth that spoke great things by his decree he equalleth The Pope speaks some great things Papal decrees unto the holy Scriptures he ordained that no secular Prince nor Emperour should be present in the Synods unless it were in matter of faith Gratian. dist cap. Vbinam to wit Princes should put to death them which are condemned of heresie He ordained that all publick prayers should be in Latine as Pope Vitalian had ordained before but was not obeyed that no Laick should judge a Church-man that the Pope should be judged of none because Constantine the great called the Bishop of Rome a God Grat. dist 96. cap. Salis. At this time Michael Bardas put away his wife and married her daughter for this cause Ignatius the Patriarch denied him the Communion Bardas assembleth a Synod and causeth Ignatius to be deposed and setteth up Photius Here ariseth a sedition some favouring the good cause and others swaying with authority In the end Nicolaus was intreated to take away the schism The Pope was well pleased and sent his Legates Rodoal Bishop of Portuen and Zachary Bishop of Ananien giving them a Commission to restore Ignatius if he would promise to restore the worship of Images Zonaras saith Bardas perswadeth the Legates to approve what he had done When they return Nicolaus excommunicateth them and deposeth them as transgressours of his commands Ph. Morn in Myster p. 177. At that time Nicolaus writ the Epistle which is in the 3. tome and some truths contrary to his successours of Councels and contains swelling presumption in some points contrary to ancient histories yet in other points contrary to the doctrine of his successours There he saith none of the Eastern Emperours had acknowledged the authority of the Bishops of Rome This he saith expressly but in an upbraiding manner as if the Emperours had omitted their duty Speaking of Ignatius he saith the Judges should not be suspected this he confirms by reason and by many examples and from Pope Gelasius he saith Should the same persons be enemies Judges and witnesses even earthly matters should not be committed to such judgement Doth he not then maintain the lawfull excuses of John Husse and Martine Luther who for the same causes were unwilling to be judged by the Popes their enemies Then Nicolaus alledgeth that Pope Celestin was President in the general Councel at Ephesus but the words of that Councel shew that Cyril Bishop of Alexandria was President And to prove that they should not have judged the Patriarch he brings the example of David who would not smite his Master Saul but he observes not that Saul was King and therefore neither should his successours have kicked against their Soveraign Emperours He addeth a little number hindreth not where truth abounds neither avails multitude where ungodliness reigneth nor should any man boast of a multitude c. What is more contradictory to the doctrine of the Romish Church in following ages which holds multitude to be an infallible note of the true Church After a little he commendeth the worship of Images and will have all Councels to be estimate by the approbation of the Pope Whereas the Bishops of Rome were wont to term the Emperour our Lord and Defender this is the first that calls the Emperour his son and his successours sometimes will not honour him with the title of their servant He said Before the coming of Christ some were typically both Priests and Kings but when the type is come to the true King and High-Priest in one person the Emperour should no more take to him the right of the Priesthood nor hath the High-Priest taken unto him the name of the Emperour because the one Mediator between God and Man even the Man Christ Jesus hath so discerned the offices of both powers their dignities and actions being distinguished that both Emperours have need of High-Priests in spiritual things and the High-Priests have need of the Imperial laws for temporal things and so spiritual actions may be free from carnal oppressions and therefore the souldier of God should not be intangled with worldly affairs neither should he rule divine things who is wrapped in worldly matters and so both powers may be helped Gratian hath registred these words dist 96. cap. Cùm ad verum He speaks so to exclude the Emperour from judging Ecclesiastical causes but neither he nor Gratian did foresee how the same words would condemn the succeeding Popes who have usurped both Swords and two Robes nor how Bellarmin de Ro. Pont. lib. 5. cap. 3. gathereth out of these words that the Dominion of the World belongeth not to the Pope and reasoneth thus Seeing whatsoever the Pope hath he hath it from Christ as Pope Nicolaus saith then the Pope may take all power from the Emperours and Kings or he may not take it if he may take it then he is greater then Christ if he may not take it then he hath not Princely power Again cap. 8. he saith Christ for conserving humility would distinguish these two offices and gave only the Priesthood to Peter and left the Empire to Tiberius According to this consequence it may be justly inferred the Pope now doth contrary to the tenet of the ancient Bishops and is the Antichrist exalting himself contrary to Christ's order above all that is called God This Nicolaus did ordain that no man should receive the Sacrament from any Priest who had a concubine or wife He sate 7 years 9 months his See after him was vacant 8 years 7 months Platin. Who was head of the Church on earth at that time Or was it headless 10. HADRIAN the II the son of a Bishop Talarus was chosen in a tumult of the people without consent of the Emperour wherefore his Legates were not a little offended yet were appeased by the Romans alledging that the multitude could not be ruled and they intreated the Legates that they would confirm the good man which the clergy and people had named Platin The Legates yeeld although they clearly perceive that the clergy and people would usurp all the authority of the election and perhaps saith he that the liberty of the Church-men may increase At that time Basilius slue The Pope by flattery climbeth up in higher account at Constantinople the Eastern Emperour as is said and when he came to the Sacrament Photius the Patriarch rejects him as unworthy of Communion who with his own hand had slain his Soveraign Basilius dissembling his
Lord 600. untill the year 1000. CENTURY X. CHAP. I. Of EMPEROURS AFter the death of Arnulph was great confusion in the Empire the Italians would be at liberty and the The Title of the Emperour depended not on the Pope Germans strove for the honour of their Nation so that Bellarmin de Translat Imper. lib. 2. cap. 2. holdeth that there was no Emperour between Arnulph and Otho the Great because they were not Crowned by the Pope neither went they into Italy But Alb. Crantz in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 4. saith If he be not Emperour who is not Crowned by a Pope who did Crown Augustus and all the Caesars until Charls the Great He by whom Kings do reign and the mighty discern justice If he be not Emperour who goeth not into Italy let the Constantinopolitans lose their liberty of whom few have seen Italy So also the Emperours of our time he died An. 1517. Wherefore saith he let us not defraud these good Emperours of their own honour we know by what way the Roman Popes have insinuated themselves into that inauguration So far he And seeing the three next Emperours did injoy that Title the Empire was not transferred from France to Germany by the Popes These were Emperours beyond the Alps as the Italian Historians term them The Empire through the last hundred years went by succession and not by election either of Pope or of Princes except that once or twice the right heir was disappointed by their own negligence and the ambition of others saith Crantz loc cit The Italians had their own respects and would hold the Title among themselves yet could never consent in the person of any as followeth The History of this Century is confused as the times were miserable for uncessant Wars were every where wrongs rapines and vices abounded little justice was executed especially in Italy learning decaied charity was not known zeal was gone and the Infidels became strong 2. LEWIS succeded his Father in the Empire of the Germans and Berengarius Troublous times prevailed in Italy but came not into Rome The Hungars a people lately come from Scythia were troublesom to both these Nations and they forced both these Emperours to give them a sum of money yearly Lewis espying the weakness of the Pope and the dissensions in Italy had a purpose to recover it once he put Berengarius to flight and possessed himself of the most part of Lombardy they received him in Belona but laid hands on him unaware and delivered him unto Berengarius who caused his eys to be put out shortly thereafter he died An. 912. In his time the valiant Fernando Consalves made great conquest in Spain against the Sarazens Then contention arose between the French and the Germans for the Empire Lewis King of Provence pretendeth that he is nearest in blood but the German Princes held together and would have chosen Otho Duke of Saxony a valiant and wise man who had married the only daughter of the defunct Lewis but he refused it pretending infirmity in respect of his age and fearing troubles and he perswadeth to chuse 3. CONRADE the I Duke of Franconia the Nephew of the Emperour More troubles Arnulph and brother-son of Lewis He followed the counsel of Otho during his daies In the beginning of his Reign Saba King of the Mores by the procurement of Constantine Emperour of Constantinople came into Italy and occupied Palia Calabria and all the Kingdom of Naples to the small advantage of him who had inticed him neither could they be expelled because of the seditions amongst Christians every where Especially when Otho was dead Conrade was molested by his son Henry pretending that the Empire did by line belong unto him Conrade sent his brother against the Saxon who was overthrown then he repaired his Army and sent Embassadours unto Henry requiring him to submit upon honourable conditions Henry would hear of no Treaty Then Conrade fell sick and feeling death approach he perswaded his brother Eberhard to submit unto Henry and sent him unto him with the Crown Imperial Robe and other ornaments An. 920. Naucler Constantine yet reigneth in Constantinople and Berengarius the II was called Emperour of Italy although he had but Lombardy with great difficulty Pet. Mexia Histor 4. HENRY the I coming to the Empire partly by succession and partly by voluntary resignation with consent of the Subjects did refuse to be Henry is peaceable and victorious Crowned by the Pope or as Crantz in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 4. saith not that he despised it but in modesty he did decline it neither did he need the consent of the Princes but because he was desirous of peace he would ex abundanti assemble a Diet that he might Reign with universal consent He applied himself to set Germany in peace and above all to assure the high-waies from Robbers as usually they are frequent in time of wars Several rose against him but were suppressed Arnold Duke of Bavier before this had lived in Hungary as in exile now he returneth with the Hungarians he usurped the Title of Emperour When both Armies were ready to join Henry called him to a parley and by perswasion overcame him which haply he could not have effectuated by Arms and Arnold became obedient Then Rodulph Duke of Burgundy called himself Emperour of Italy as followeth He overthrew Berengarius and caused him to fly so that he died without recovering his dignity Rodulph had no great mind to resist the Hungars which were sent for by Albert Marquess of Tuscany against Pope John the XII and they took both lands and life from Albert and moreover did wast other parts of Italy Therefore the Italians did invite Hugh Duke of Orleance he subdued Rodulph and conquered more in Italy then any other of these late Emperours and kept peace with Germany Henry had wars with the Hungars and was glad to have truce with them for nine years In the mean time he overcame the Bohemians and brought them under the Empire as also he overthrew the Vandals about Brandeburgh and gave their lands unto his Field-Marshal with the Title of Marquess Alb. Crantz li. cit c. 8 9. He overthrew the Sclavonians by the Beltick Sea and returned with much spoil When the nine years truce was expired he obtained so great a victory against the Hungarians that all the Princes of Christendom sent unto him with congratulation Then he intended to recover Italy from Hugh and the Sarazens but was visited with sickness and declared his son to be his Successour An. 937. At this time Constantine was dead who had many times fought with the Sarazens in Asia and with the Bulgarians the Russians had brought a thousand Ships through the Euxine Sea and were discomfited by him His father-in-law Romanus was partner of the Empire with him 26 years and then another Romanus succeeded unto his father Zonar 5. OTHO or Otto the I was Crowned at Aken by the Bishop of Mentz
if he had pursued his Victory Otho not daring to incounter him any more fled into a boat to escape by Sea and fell into the hands of a Pyrat who carried him into Sicily not knowing who he was he was ransomed and returned into Rome where he died An. 984. Then again was contention at Rome for a new Emperour The Romans would have had their Consul Crescentius chosen Henry Duke of Bavier and cousin of Otho the II did challenge the right of educating the late Emperour's son Otho and sought the Empire for himself The Princes of Germany for fear of Crescentius did with one consent speedily chuse Otho although but 12 years old 6. OTHO the III with natural fortitude was learned in Grecian wisedom The Emperour is great again and puts a Pope to death for his rare gifts he was accounted the wonder of the World He suppressed Crescentius and was received by all Italy He caused his Uncle Bruno to be chosen to the Papal Chair this was Pope Gregory the V. The Romans did hardly condescend unto his election and therefore when Otho was gone into Germany Crescentius caused Pope John the XVIII to be elected The Emperour returned with speed and forced the Romans to submit and deprived Pope John of life Aventinus writes that they threw his body over the Wall of the Capitol and since that day a Pope may not visit the Capitol Also he did set Crescentius upon a vile horse after he had cut off his nose and ears and caused him to be carried through the City and then hanged him The Romans were still discontented and feared lest the Empire might return to Constantinople because Otho was so neer in blood unto Basilius and so a new mutiny began So soon as the Emperour had intelligence he having no male children by advice of the German Princes saith Naucler The order for electing an Emperour chronogr vol. 2. gener 34. and of his Uncle Gregory the V would provide against insurrection in time coming Many do call this the work of Pope Gregory but if his power at that time be duly considered we may rather think with Naucler that Otho laid this foundation of electing an Emperour First That from henceforth none may challenge the Empire by right of inheritance but by election only 2. That the electers should all be Germans 3. That the Emperour should be a German 4. When the Seat is vacant the Empire shall be administred by the electers 5. That the Emperour should be chosen at Frankford and be called King of the Romans untill he be Crowned by the Pope and then be called Caesar Augustus 6. Some do add that the Emperour should be Crowned with three Crowns one of straw in Mentz another of iron at Millain and the third of gold at Rome He devised some of these conditions to satisfie the Italians and by the others he thought to establish the Empire in Germany the Articles thereafter were more particularly cleared Henry Duke of Bavier for the good service he did for the Emperour at Rome as followeth got the first place of the Civil Estate and was made Portitor ensis the Marquess of Brandeburg was designed Camerarius and the Count Palatine of Rhine was created Archidapifer Unto them were conjoined three Bishops of Mentz Colein and Trevers and if these could not agree the odd voice was to be given unto the Duke of Bohem. The Peers of France were not well pleased because their Kingdom was altogether excluded nevertheless because their Royal race was lately changed from the blood of Charls the Great to the house of Hugh le grand Earl of Paris they let it pass Platin. in Gregor 5. In the year 1001 the Sarazens invaded Italy and took Capua Otho did quickly overthrow them and returning into Rome said that he would reform some things that were amiss in the Kingdom and Church according to ancient custom Sigon de regn Ital. lib. 7. and some write that he purposed to fix his manure at Rome He begun to build a Palace in the place where Julian the Apostate had dwelt The Romans in a sudden uproar slue many Germans took Otho and had slain him in his chamber if Henry Duke of Bavier and Hugh an Italian Marquess had not feigned a capitulation with the Citizens and in the mean time Otho disguised himself and escaped their hands It was not without the Supream Providence saith Genebrard in Chronol lib. 3. about the year 315. that the Kingdom of the Church might have place as it was foretold by Daniel If he had said the Kingdom of Antichrist foretold by Paul and John he had hit the mark Otho returned into Germany and thereafter he went back to Rome where he was poisoned by a golden cup which the wife of Crescentius sent unto him and his body was carried into Germany An. 1002. Crantz in Saxon. lib. 4. cap. 26. CHAP. II. Of POPES CArdinal Baronius in tom 10. ad An. 903. § 1. forewarneth his Reader Popes were not Successours of Apostles that now he shall see the abomination of desolation in the Temple as it was fore-told by Daniel and by our Lord. What doth he insinuate in these words but that the Reader should flie out of Babel and leave her abominations and the rather because he continueth lamenting and crying Fie for shame alas for sorrow that so many Monsters horrible to be seen were thrust into the See which deserves reverence of Angels how many miseries how many tragedies have proceeded from them And Fascicul temp ad An. 894. saith Oh oh good God! how is the gold become so darkned how many scandals do we read that have been about these times in the Apostolical See which thou hast kept with so great zeal hitherto what contentions sects ambitions intrusions persecutions oh the baddest times when the godly man hath failed and truth is perished from the children of men alas what convention what congregation what man shall now be secure seeing primitive holiness hath so failed A little before An. 914. he saith There was presented unto Lewis a Monster with a dogs head and all the other members of a man which did resemble saith he the estate of that time for men without a head did wander hither and thither barking like dogs And Genebrard in Chronol ad An. 901. saith This age was unhappy for one thing that in the space of almost 150 years were about fifty Popes from John the VIII till Leo the IX which made defection from the truth of their Predecessours and they were Apotactici Apostataeve potius quà m Apostolici that is out of all order and Apostates rather then the followers of the Apostles And Naucler loc cit gener 31. speaking of Pope Romanus saith Behold how far these have degenerated from their Predecessours for these holy men did maintain the decrees of their Predecessours as their own but now they have forsaken the worship of God and do exerce enmity one against another no other
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
Princes and they will sit as Monarchs now they give Laws concerning Civil things they do raise seditions and depose Princes now they lead Armies and impose Taxes now they have no care of religion unless some witness of the Truth dare open his mouth against the waxing errours or unless some ceremonies serve for advancing the Papal grandure or seem expedient to draw money unto their See as will be manifest especially after the year 1070. 2. HENRY the II. Duke of Bavier and Nephew of Otho the I. was chosen Bishops are States-men Emperour by the Princes Electours according to their new authority An. 1002. This was the first time that Bishops had a voice in the election of the Emperour and hence it came that they sit in the Imperial Diet and in some other Nations Bishops are Parliamentary Lords Henry was so distracted with wars against Robert King of France and then against Bodislaus King of Bohemia for the space of 10. years that he could not go to Rome After his Coronation there he conquered Calabria and Pulia unto the Empire from the Calisti that is the Deputies of the Greek Empire Shortly thereafter the Normans entred into Pulia and were partners with the Greeks against the Germans and thereafter became Lords of both Sicilies Henry gave his sister in marriage unto Stephen King of Hungary on condition that he would be a Christian He held a Synod at Frankford of which Dithmar lib. 6. and after him Ph. Mornay in Myster say A general Synod is assembled at Frankford and visited by all the Bishops on this side of the Alps Willegisus was Moderator and no word of the Pope In the year 1024. Henry fell sick and intreated the Electours that they would chuse Conrade Duke of Suevia or Franconia to be his Successour The two brothers Basilius and Constantine had now reigned 50. years together but Basilius was the worthier and had the greatest sway and died three years before Constantine who then did reign vitiously and before his death he ordained his son-in-law Romanus Argyropolus to be his Successour 3. CONRADE the II. was pronepnoy of Conrade the I. He was called Emperour and was not chosen for two years thereafter because of discord among the Electours and then were sundry Competitours as Conon Uncle of the late Henry And many did claim liberty upon occasion of the interreign He calmed all these troubles by his prudence and without blood-shed He went into Italy with a great Army and subdued Millain and at Rome was Crowned by Pope John the XXI with great applause of the people When he returned into Germany he was necessitated to go back into Italy because several Cities did revolt he inflicted severe punishments on the offenders and arriving at Rome he releeved Pope Benedict as followeth Then he did visit all the Lands of Italy belonging unto the Empire or Church without resistance and returned with Triumph into Germany where he thought to live in Peace but within few daies he died An. 1040. Romanus proved a most valiant Prince at first but following the waies of covetousness he was hated in the sixth year of his Reign his wife Zoë procured his death that she might marry Michael Calaphatus he ruled the Empire 7. years and defended it valiantly against the Sarazens in Asia in Syria and on the frontiers of Phoenicia After him Zoë married a fourth husband Constantine Monomachus he was a vitious man and the Sarazens prevailed in Asia the less After him and the death of Zoë her sister Theodora reigned two years so happily that great lamentation was for her death After her within three years were three Emperours to wit Theodora had named an old man Michael Stratiotes Isaac Comnenus rebelled against him and the people receive him but he was taken away by death and when he was sick he named Constantine Duca 4. HENRY the III. called The Black was chosen Successour to his father not without difficulty for the Pope and some Electors did alledge it is dangerous if the son did succeed unto his father but they yeeld for his valour He purchased great honour in subduing the King of Bohemia the Duke of Lorain and in restoring Peter King of Hungary against an usurper Andrew In his time were many Popes of no authority and their lands were taken by others without resistance Henry had wars with Henry King of France to him the Emperour presented to decide the controversie hand to hand that no more innocent blood might be spilt at a parley they do agree In the end of his Reign God sent on the earth for the sins of men famine sword and pestilence The Emperour through heaviness contracts sickness and caused the Electours to swear unto his son not yet baptized as King of the Romans and he died An. 1057. In Greece Constantine was so hated for covetousness that the Subjects would not make resistance against the Infidels conquering many Towns in Asia he died in his 7. year His sons were young and the Empress Eudocia took upon her the government Because the Infidels prevailed the Princes caused her to take Romanus Diogenes for her husband he proclaimed himself Emperour and went against the Sarazens and after divers chances was taken An. 1072. Axan the Sultan laid him at the foot of his Throne and stepped up and down upon his body and thereafter sent him home with promises of mutual alliance between their children The Greeks judge him unworthy of the Empire and Crowned Michael son of Duca He picked out the eys of Diogenes and made him a Monk The Turks still do prevail in the Eastern parts of the Empire therefore Michael was deposed in the 7. year and Nicephorus an old man was chosen Alexius Comnenus Michael's brother thrust him forth and reigned 27. years 5. HENRY the IV. was chosen successour to his father because he was so young and there was peace in the Empire the government was committed unto his mother Agnes by consent But the Princes began to be weary of a How to deal with the Popes womans government and would have him to take the power into his own hand while he was but young and then all was done as the Princes would but when he came to riper years he ranversed many of their deeds Vita Henr. in fascic rer On the other side they were offended and began rebellious attempts so that he was forced to take up Arms and especially against the Saxons He was neither unlearned nor peevish yet had so bad luck that whosoever took up Arms against him was thought to do religiously Guil. Malmsb. de gest Angl. lib. 3. He was given to venery but otherwise was wife religious eloquent liberal to the poor and would not willingly be subject unto any power He had continual jars and wars with the Popes through the wicked pride of Hildebrand By the way Princes may learn how to deal with the Popes he that stands in aw of their curse shall be a slave to their
did teach that the body and blood of Christ which are offered upon the altar throughout the earth are not the very body and blood of Christ but onely a figure or certain similitude howbeit indeed Berengarius had said nothing so To the intent Adelman may bring his Brother from this opinion he intreateth him brotherly not to depart from the doctrine of their master Fulbert and of the Catholike Church Then he appealeth to the testimony of Augustin Ambrose and Jerome who never taught any transubstantiation or impanation He writeth also that the very flesh and blood of Christ was given unto the Apostles at the first institution and are still given unto faithful communicants for he who said in the beginning Let there be light and the light was made of nothing why saying of the bread This is my body may he not cause it to be the same Afterwards he sheweth how Christ worketh this by the mystery of man for when he was made immortal and going up to heaven he said Behold I am with you unto the end of the world because he was compersonate of two natures one circumscribed another uncircumscribed by his circumscript nature he went from place to place by his uncircumscript nature he is whole every where illocally and abode with them yet he did not separate the Son of Man from the Son of God and when the Son of Man ascended up to heaven he was there as the Son of God as he witnesseth himself No man ascendeth up to heaven but he who came down from heaven the Son of Man who is in heaven If therefore he was there by the unity of person whether he had not ascended by property of nature for in the same unity he abode still on earth with men after he had ascended up to heaven Therefore that faith may be exercised in believing because that vital Sacrament appeareth not under a bodily shape it is hid profitably as the soul in the body Last of all The water in Baptism seemeth to be common water and a baptised man What seemeth he but what he was before he declareth this at great length that neither sense nor reason can reach to comprehend this mystery where sense judgeth that water to be an humide liquor cold in substance and which may be turned into air or earth but how by the water and the Spirit a soul is regenerate and forgiveness of sin is given unto this unsearchable mystery neither sense nor reason can attain and nevertheless we must surely believe That the unbodily soul is created by bodily water c. Mark here as Christ's body was not in heaven when he said Behold I am with you and yet even then he was in heaven wholly in respect of his person so now his body is in heaven and not on earth where notwithstanding he is personally Again mark We have here an union of the water and the Spirit to the regeneration of the soul but who ever thought that that water is the Spirit or that the thing signified is corporally or locally in the water or who can imagine that the body is turned into the soul when the body and soul are united And yet Adelman writeth that the union of bread and wine with the body and blood of Christ is like to these two unions to wit by these comparisons he would shew that though the elements remain still the same and Christ's body be always in the heavens till he come again to judge yet there is a real and sacramental union twixt the sign and the thing signified and that the faithful certainly communicate of both together What answer Berengarius did return to his con-disciple we cannot finde But he wrote an Epistle to the forenamed Lanfrank declaring the abuses of the Sacrament and commending the book of John Scotus on that question And he wrote expresly that the body of Christ is not in the Sacrament but as in a sign or figure or mystery He spake also in his preachings against the Romish Church in the doctrine of Marraiage and necessity of Baptism Io. Oecolampad epist lib. 3. fol. 154. print at Basil anno 1536. And Bellarm. in praef before his Books de Pon. Rom. witnesseth that Berengarius called the Church of Rome the Malignant Church the Council of Vanity and the Seat of Satan and he called the Pope not Pontificem vel Episcopum sed Pompificem Pulpificem It happened that Lanfrank was not at home and the Convent opened the Letter of Berengarius and sent it with a Clerk of Rhemes unto Pope Leo IX The Pope summoned a Synod at Verceles Berengarius was advised not to go himself but send some Clerks in his name to answer for him The two Clerks were clapt in prison Scotus was condemned 200. years after his death and the doctrine of Berengarius was condemned yet nothing done against his person at that time because many favored him Lanfrank was now a pleader for him but he was commanded by the Pope to answer him under no less pain then to be as great an Heretique as he Lanfrank following the sway of the world for afterwards he was made Bishop of Canterbury performed the charge In that Book he sheweth that Berengarius in the words of Institution This is my body did appoint them this that is this bread and the bread remaineth saith he bread so that it becometh what it was not to wit the body of Christ sacramentally Even as Ambrose said The Sacrament consisteth of two things one visible another invisible the thing signified and the sign which thing signified if it were before our eyes on earth it were visible but since it is lift up to the heavens and sitting at the right hand of the Father it cannot be brought until the time that all things be restored Again Lanfrank saith Thou believest the bread and wine of the Lord's Table to remain unchangeable in respect of the substance that is to have been bread and wine before the consecration and to be bread and wine after the consecration that they are called the flesh and blood of Christ because they are celebrated in the Church in remembrance of his flesh which was crucified and of his blood which was poured out of his side to the end we being admonished thereby may call to minde the Lord's passion and when we call it to minde we should incessantly crucifie our own flesh and the vices and infections thereof What absurdity could be in these words worthy of so many curses and what was against the Scriptures But Lanfrank hoping to catch some advantage by these last words as if Berengarius had said These signs are naked signs he did beat the air and nothing impugned the true doctrine of Berengarius for this is the special argument of Lanfrank against him The doctrine of the Apostles ordained to be preached that the flesh and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is eaten with the mouth of the body and with the mouth of the
they have done if they had lived in the days of Domician Decius c. Avenii lib. cit who recordeth many other Synods condemning that faction As also Sigebert a Monck of Gemblac who hath continued the Epitome of Jerom and hath briefly written the History of the Church from the year 381. untill 1112 there he noteth many errors of the Popes namely That they presume to absolve Subjects from their Allegiance unto their Princes He saith of them False Prophets false Apostles and false Priests have arisen who deceive the People with a false Religion and dare advance themselves above all that is worshipped while they seek to establish their own power and dominion they have put away Christian charity and simplicity 13. When Bishops and Priests became Monarchs some Monarchs became Reformation of some Countreys Pastors as Olaus King of Norway and Steuchilus King of Sweden taught their Subjects the Word of God Herman Contractus Count of Vering infirm in body was admired in the knowledge of the Greek Arabick and Latin tongues singular in Philosophy especially Astronomy Rhetorick Poesie and Divinity Jo. Lampad in Mellifi remembreth also that some Germans were then persecuted for denying Purgatory the bodily presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the worship of Images Ecbert a Monck wrote against them and contemptuously called them Cathari or Puritans the Emperors also and the Popes made Constitutions against them The People Heneti were compelled to receive Bishops and Priests in the days of Otho I. but after his death they killed the Bishops they threw down the Churches and returned to Idolatry Henry III. restoreth the Christian Religion and erecteth Bishopricks among them Io. Pap. in Hist Convers After the death of Steven King of Hungary were sturrs there for many years in the year 1045. the Princes of the Kingdom being vexed by the severity of King Peter sent for Andrew Bela and Leventa which were of the kinâ—ed of Steven and banished into Bohem and Poland The King understanding this Plot did cause to be hanged Viâ—ca Bua and Buchna three chief men and punished others cleaving unto them other ways For this cause the Nobles convening at Canad sent for Andrew and Leventa again with solemn promises and oath to bring the Kingdom into their obedience So soon as they came all the People came unto them at Novum Castrum demanding first to permit the People to live after the ancient way of their Fathers in Paganism to kill the Bishops and Clergy to forsake Christianism and worship their Idols which was granted The chief of them Vacha began in the Castle Belos and his Son gathereth Socerers and Soothsayers by whose inchantments he purchaseth the Peoples favor Then the People threw down the Churches and killed all the Latin and Dutch Priests cruelly Likewise Andrew and Leventa levieth an Army against the Christians And four Bishops Gerard Bistrit Buld and Beneth and Zehung Count of Alba meet together in the Church of God where Gerard saith Brethren fellow Bishops and other believers here present we shall to day go with the Crown of Martyrdom unto our Lord Jesus Christ for this night I saw the Lord Jesus Christ communicating unto us the Sacrament of his body and blood After Mass they went with the King and his Army and were killed at Pesch and the King was taken and brought to Alba where he died ann 1047. Then Andrew was crowned and so soon as he was free from enemies he enacted a Law That all Hungarians should renounce Paganism under pain of death and himself did profess the faith in Christ Nevertheless the Emperor Henry went down the Danube with a great Army and besiedgeth the Castle Pesch some Hungarians in the night-time boareth all the Emperor's Ships under the water and drowned them so that the Army was weakened Naucler Gener. 35. And in Gener. 36. he shews how the Emperor sought peace and hardly obtained it for continuing peace they did agree that Solomon King Andrew's Son should marry Sophia the Emperor's Daughter But then Bela the King's Brother made a new insurrection and by help of the Polonians invades the Kingdom and prevails so that Andrew was killed and Solomon fled into Germany and Bela was crowned at Alba Immediately he calleth a Parliament for setling and ordering the Kingdom Many of the common People especially the Countrey men say unto the King Grant unto us to live after the maner of our Fathers in Paganism to put away Bishops and Priests and to retain our Tithes and to lay waste the Churches The King was amased and craves a delay for three days On the third day the chief of the multitude come for the answer At the King's command Soldiers fall upon them and then invade the multitude and when some of them were killed others cry for mercy and renounce Paganism By conferring the former part with this it appears that two things especially did hinder the Reformation of the Heathens at that time to wit They had Latin Priests who did the Service in an unknown language and they took it ill to be burthened with payment of Tithes and moreover Religion was pressed upon them by the sword In time of the wars twixt the Emperor Henry and the Saxons Mistiwoi a Prince of the Wandals did so approve himself unto D. Bernard that he did espouse unto him his Sister Before the day of marriage Tiaderik a Marquess said unto the Duke It was a base thing to give such a Lady unto a dog So soon as this was reported unto Mistiwoi he said Are we then dogs is this the reward of our trouble if we be dogs we will let them feel our madness The Wandals then renounce Christianity and profess hostility against Christians at Aldenburgh they made their sport with sixty Priests they destroy Hamburgh and the Bishop Benno escapes with his life they expel the Marquess of Brandeburgh out of all his Lands Duke Bernard levieth an Army against them and the Emperor sent aid unto him In this fight Mistiwoi was killed and the Wandals were brought into payment of their former tribute But for eighty years they were not sincere in Religion saith Al. Crantz in Saxo. li. 4. c. 34. In the days of the Emperor Conrad Mistiwoi Duke of Poland did renounce the faith and raising an Army made great havock in Germany twixt the Rivers Sala and Albe destroyed many Churches and Monasteries and killed many thousand men When he heard that the Emperor was preparing against him he returns with his spoil Loc. cit c. 36. 14. About the year 980. Theodor Bishop of Antioch besought the Emperor Of the Manichees John Zimisca to remove the Manichees who called themselves Cathari and Pavacimi into some remote place because they overspread all and infected many with their Heresies The Emperor transports many of them into Philippopolis in Thracia where Alexius Commenus Emperor in the days of Henry IV. caused dispute with them and by information did prevail with many of them
embrace this shew of honor that for reverence of the Roman Church they might be the more respected in their own jurisdiction and sometimes the more easily advance themselves above their Competitors Sometimes the Popes sent Legates into other Diocies with such modesty that they had Authority to attempt nothing without concurrence of the Bishops or Synod of that Countrey Albeit these Legations were partly godly and at the worst were tolerable yet they were not potestativae or imperious but charitativae or exhortatory Nevertheless the Popes brought the Churches and Bishops into subjection by such means for afterwards they were sent onely for ambitious usurpation covetousness and worldly affairs The ordinary Legates at Picen Romandiola Bononia Ferraria Avenion and if there be any such others are Provincial Deputies Praetores or Vice-Roys The Nuntio's at the Court of the Emperor or of any King or Prince or State are Ambassadors or Spies for secular affairs The affairs of any Church that are gainful if they be of less account are reserved unto the judgement of the Nuntio yet not definitively but to be determined at Rome and things of more weight are reserved for the Court of Rome wholly In the mean time the power of Metropolitans and Bishops is neglected The ancient Bishops of Rome did severely enjoyn their Legates to acknowledge duly the inferior Bishops within their own jurisdiction but now they pass by the Metropolitans and draw all actions unto themselves and the Court of Rome Also their ambiton and avarice have so provoked some Nations that they will admit no Legate as Sicilie and France hath entrenched their office These particulars are more fully written by Spalatens de Rep. Eccles lib. 4. cap. 12. Of BRITANNY 1. AS I touched in the former Century England was oppressed by the Danes in England Danes so that Swan a Danish King did bear the Scepter of England and when he was a dying he left England to Harald Denmark to Canut and Nor way to Swan his three Sons Harald lived not long After him and the death of the unfortunate English King Agelred great contention was in England for the Crown some were for Edmond â—ronside the Son of Agelred and some for Canut After many bloody fights both parties agree to try the quarrel twixt them two onely in sight of both Armies they make the essay with swords and sharp stroakes in the end upon the motion of Canut they agree and kiss one another to the joy of both Armies ann 10. 6. and they covenant for parting the Land during their lives and they lived as brâ—thren Within a few years a Son of Edrik Duke of Mercia killed Edmond traitorously and brought his two Sons unto Canut and said God save our onely King Thereafter Canut reigned in England twenty years and all the Counsellors swear unto him By their advice he sent the two Sons of Edmond unto his Brother Swan King of Denmark willing him to put them out of the way He abhorring such a fact sent them to Solomon King of Hungarie where Edwin was married with the King's Daughter and left her soon a Widow and the other Brother Edward married Agatha the Daughter of the Emperor Henry III. It is written that Canut established Laws Ecclesiastical as well as Civil among which are these First All men should holily worship God onely throughout all ages they should most religiously hold fast the one rule of Christian Religion they should with due loyalty and obedience honor King Canut We further command that every one of each Order shall diligently and holily keep the Religion of his own Office and Function namely the Servants of God Bishops Abbots Monks Regulars and Nuns and square their life according to their prescribed rule Let them pray oft and much unto Christ both night and day for all Christian People And all the Ministers of God especially the Priests we entreat and command to obey God and keep dear chastity that they may escape God's wrath and hells fire seeing they know certainly it is not lawful for them to have fellowship with women for lust and who shall abstain from them let him have God's mercy and on earth the honor due unto a Thane Let every The beginning of Knâ—ght â—â—oa among Priests one pay his Tithes yearly Each one should prepare thrice a year at least to receive the Eucharist so that he may eat the same to wholesom remedies and not to damnation If any woman commit adultery to the open shame of the world let her nose and ears be cut off c. Spelman in Concil Canut died ann 1039. and his Son Hardiknut reigned four years and his Brother two years Then the Danes failed after they had been Kings of England twenty eight years and vexed it 255. years 2. After the death of Grim King of Scots Malcolm would not accept Troubles in Scotland the Crown until the Law which was made in his Father's time concerning Succession were confirmed with consent of the Parliament He was molested by the Danes and in token of his two victories two stones were set up in Anguise in two several places as yet bearing the name of their Captain Came. At that time Malcolm divided a great part of the patrimony of the Crown among his chief Captains so that from that time the Kings Revenues were small and therefore the Nobility gave unto the King the Wards and Marriages of their Sons if yong He which was so careful of Succession had no Sons Duncan King the Son of his eldest Daughter was killed by Macbeth his Cousen-German and Successor In a word while some strove for the ancient Liberty and others for the priviledge of Succession ten Kings were killed by their Successors until the year 1103. 3. When England was freed from the Danes they sent to Normandy Alteration in England inviting Edward the Confessor and Brother to King Edmund to come He fearing their inconstancy did refuse until they sent pledges to abide in Normandy and then was Crowned ann 1045. In his time was that Law made which concerneth the King's Oath at Coronation A King because he is the Lieutenant of the most High King was appointed to this end that he should regard and govern the earthly Kingdom and People of God and above all things his holy Church and defend her from wrongs and root out Malefactors from her yea scatter and destroy them which unless he do he cannot be justly called a King A King should fear God and above all things love him and establish his command throughout his Kingdom He should also keep nourish maintain and govern the holy Church of his Kingdom with all integrity and liberty according to the Constitutions of his Fathers and Predecessors and defend it against enemies so as God may be honored above all and ever had in minde He should establish good Laws and approved Customs and abolish evil and remove them all out of his Realm He should do right Judgement in
Book Castigatio in Ecclesiasticum Ordinem he distinguisheth Church-men into Bishops or Priests as he speaketh and the Clerks of the first sort he expoundeth the first part of the third Chapter of 1 Tim. and he expoundeth the second part of the Clerks and from that Chapter he convinceth them both He nameth no other degree of Church-men but certainly he had named them if any other had been among them because he speaketh so distinctly of the several ranks of men both in State and Church He calleth the first sort oftest Sacerdotes simply but never Episcopos unless he add sive Sacerdotes The book is in Bibliotheca Patrum de la Bigne We may conclude then the ancient Britans had no Church-men above the degree of Priest-hood Now if that were added which followeth in this Chapter concerning Ireland we have found four National Churches that have been governed without Prelates to wit the Affrican ancient Britan the Scots and Irish some for the space of 500. years yea untill the Britans were subdued by the English and some for the space of 1000. or 1100. years And we have found that there was a Church-Council consisting partly of Rulers who were not Teachers besides that Ambrose and others testifie that such were every where Yea and in Rome it is most probable that the first Teachers Of the first Bishops of Rome were of equal Authority I say probable because Histories are not clear in this point Epiphanius Haeres 27. saith Peter and Paul were the first Bishops there but whether Linus and Cletus were Bishops there while the Apostles were alive I cannot well say It may be saith he because the Apostles went into other Nations to preach and Rome could not be without a Bishop for Paul went into Spain and Peter did oft visit Pontus and Bithynia and possibly when Clemens had refused I cannot say it certainly and Linus and Cletus were dead he was compelled to take the Bishoprick So conjunctuarily writeth Epiphanius Jerome in Catalog Scriptor saith Clemens was the fourth Bishop and he nameth Peter but not Paul Linus and Cletus but saith he many Latins say Clemens was next unto Peter Theodoret on 1 Tim. 4. saith They say Linus did succeed unto great Peter Io. Naucler in vol. 2. Generat 3. saith In the year of our Lord 70. Linus succeeded unto blessed Peter although blessed Peter had ordained that Clemens should succeed but Clemens considering that it was an ill example that one should succeed his Successor he renounced the Papacy and Linus was chosen then Cletus and fourthly Clemens Rufinus in praefa before Clemen Rocognit saith Some do ask seeing Linus and Cletus were Bishops of Rome before Clemens how could Clemens writing unto James say that Peter had given unto him the Chair of Teaching we have this reason of it Linus and Cletus were Bishops of Rome before Clemens but while Peter was alive they had the charge of the Bishoprick and Peter fulfilled the Office of Apostleship Dion Petavius a Jesuit in Rationa par 1. lib. 5. cap. 5. saith When Peter was killed by Nero Linus governed the Church of Rome as ancient writers affirm and they assign unto him eleven years two moneths and some days so that he died in the year 78. Unto him succeeded Cletus whom Irenaeus calleth Anacletus and he sat twelve years and seven moneths and suffered martyrdom ann 91. and Clemens was his Successor The Jesuit Io. Hart in Collog cum Io. Reynold c. 6. se 4. affirmeth That Peter before his death ordained onely Clemens to be his Successor Others have other opinions as it is in Collog ca. cit se 3. therefore I said Histories are uncertain in this point albeit a great part of the Romish faith is grounded upon it but it is most probable that Clemens Linus Cletus and Anacletus were Sympresbyters and the writers in following Ages speaking conformable to their own practice do name some one and some another But it is more certain that others were the first preachers of equal Authority at Rome then that any of these four were the first preachers there That Peter or Paul were Bishops of Rome it is not probable because they were Apostles and did the work of their Apostleship and the Scripture sheweth their diligence from time to time and it is certain that in the mean while other preachers were at Rome whom Paul saluteth Rom. 16. Aquila Epenaetus Andronicus Junias c. these he calleth of note among the Apostles and his fellow-laborers in the Lord. Sedulius saith Whom he calleth fellow-laborers he meaneth in the work of teaching and it is not without reason thought that the Romans believed by their teaching Ambrose or whoever was the Author of the Commentaries saith Those were not idle at Rome for they were zealous in devotion And it is understood that all those whom Paul saluteth came for confirmation of the Romans for which cause he saith that not onely he but all the Churches of the Gentiles give them thanks and he admonisheth the Romans to obey them In 2 Tim. 4. Paul mentioneth Linus to have been at Rome at that time and in the same verse he nameth others before him to wit Eubulus and Pudens which he would not have done if Linus had been their Prelate Wherefore there was a Church at Rome before Peter or Paul came thither as Paul writeth unto them as a constituted Church and testifieth that their faith was spoken of throughout the world c. 1. 8. and their obedience was come abroad unto all men It is certain also that they had many Preachers and other Officers to whom he directeth chap. 12 6 7 8. nor can any man prove that those Preachers had superiority one over another therefore it deserveth consideration Whether the Roman Church was not once constituted with purity of Teachers and Whether the Church of Antioch was not of the like constitution See and consider Acts 13. 1. and many Elders or Bishops were at Ephesus Acts. 20. 17 28. and so at Thessalonica 1 Thess 5. 12. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Revel 2. will not prove any imparity seeing it is attributed unto all Priests generally Mat. 2. 7. and the the particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is too weak a foundation for such a building seeing it implieth not always a singularity but often an indefinite thing and answereth unto our particle a or an oftner then unto the particle the and so it may well be translated there To an Angel seeing many Bishops were at Ephesus And this putteth the question out of all doubt to me that as the Scripture is the first and main foundation commanding to Ordain Elders or Bishops these are one in Scripture-language in every Church Acts 14. 23. or in every Town Tit. 1. 5. Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Clemens Bishop of Rome in his Epistle ad Corinth So for Practice and History it cannot be shewed that when the constant Moderators were appointed under the name of
all joyn together against a common enemy so it was in the combat of the Friers The Dominicans did lay the grounds of their opinion on Scripture and doctrine of the Fathers and of ancient School-men And the other party when they could not finde the least taste of Scripture for maintaing their cause they have their refuge unto miracles and consent of the multitude Against them F. Iohannes de Vdine à Dominican useth this dilemma S. Paul and the Fathers said he either did believe as ye do that the blessed Virgin was free from the common law of men or they did not believe if they did believe it and spoke not at any time but universally without any mention of this exception why follow not ye their example but if they did believe the contrary then your opinion smelleth of novelty But F. Ierom Lombardel a Franciscan did affirm That the Church now hath no less Authority then the Primitive and therefore if by consent of the ancient Church the Fathers without exception spoke so we should invite an universal consent unto this exception from the common condition which opinion sheweth it self at this time by the celebration of this festivity So far P. Soave 15. Peter Abbot of Cluniac was in great account with Pope Eugenius II. Bernard wrote many Epistles unto him In Epist 277. he calleth him a vessel for honor full of grace and truth and endued with many gifts In an Epistle unto Eugenius he saith Albeit your person be set over Nations and Kingdoms to pull up and destroy to kill and scatter yet seeing you are neither God nor are you Jeremiah unto whom this was said you may be deceived you may be deceived by them who seek not Jesus Christ but themselves and lest this be if there be any faithful Son he should shew unto his Father faithfully what things he knoweth and which may be unknown unto you and he should â—orewarn and forearm you lest they of whom it is said the poison of aspsis under their tongue be able to corrupt your sincerety by their poison Here he professeth unto the Pope himself that he may err and be deceived Adversus Iudae lib. 1. If as you say and as the Apostle teacheth all men are condemned and all die in Adam then as the same Apostle teacheth all are justified in Christ and all are quickened for it is true what he saith As by one man sin came on all to condemnation so by one righteousness came on all to justification of life God by his essential goodness having pity on lost man and willing to save him but unless justly neither willing nor able while he sought in his eternal counsel how he might shew pity on the wretched and save his own justice this especially he thought most convenient whereby justice might be saved and man be delivered and grace be enlarged and God be glorified so God sent his own Son unto the sons of men that putting on mans nature and healing mans vices he should take in the assumed flesh not sin but the punishment of sin even bodily death and so by his single and temporary death he should deliver from a two-fold and that everlasting death by which dispensation mercy sheweth mercy and no prejudice done to justice when for the everlasting punishment of man a temporal punishment of God-man is offered which certainly is of great weight even in the ballance of justice that for rightly ordering the sins of the world the transitory death of the Son of God is more weighty then the everlasting death of the sons of men This is our sacrifice this is the burnt-offering of the Gospel of the new people which was offered once on the Cross by the Son of God and of man even by God Lib. 2. cap. 4. As before the Law and under the Law you see that many are honored with the title of righteousness even without legal customs so know thou that after the Law not onely many but all are justified by the onely grace of Christ Contra Petrobrus lib. 1. ep 2. When he said Do this he addeth in remembrance of me therefore the remembrance of Christ is the cause of the Sacrament and therefore lest it be forgotten which especially should be in our heart remembrance is tied unto the heart by this suitable sign as an unsoluble cord by which strong tie the redeemed should always think on the price of redemption and being thankful unto the Redeemer by faith working by love he should shew himself no way ungrateful for so great grace And the matter is of such worth that the mindes of men should be stirred up not dully but duly to think on it to love and embrace it It was expedient and just that the remembrance of Christ's humanity and death should be preserved not onely in the ears by hearing but also unto the eyes by sight Therefore to the effect that men might not onely learn by words but even familiarly feel by deeds that they die continually while severed from Christ and that they cannot live perpetually unless they be conjoyned and united unto Christ after the similitude of bodily meat and drink they receive Christ's body and drink Christ's blood not given by another not received from another but from Christ himself which will be after this life their food i. e. eternal life and blessedness Ibid. I hear that you say The Church of God consisteth in the unity of believers gathered together and this is clear unto us all unto this Church hath God the Father by the intercession of his Son given the holy Ghost that he may abide with her for ever to comfort her in this life and to glorifie her in that to come unto all the Churches of Christ which by their number make up the body of the one and Catholike Church we do owe honor and love by the bond of charity Lib. 5. cap. 16. Seeing thou art under one shepheard Jesus Christ seeing thou dwellest in the same fold of the Churches seeing thou livest in the one faith and hope of eternal things as well thou white as black Monk why pratest thou foolishly of divers fleeces why contend ye for no cause or for so foolish a cause why for so childish occasion do ye rent the chief garment of charity take heed lest that name of innocence whereby ye are called sheep cause that you be not of the number of these whom the great Shepheard will set on his right hand Catal. test ver lib. 14. 16. Peter de Bruis a Priest of Tolous preached in sundry places against the Popes and the doctrine of Rome calling the Pope the Prince of Sodom and Rome he called Babylon the mother of whoredoms and confusion he preached against the bodily presence of Christ in the Sacrament against the sacrifices of the Mass he condemned the worship of Images prayers to Saints the single life of Priests pilgrimages multitude of holy days c. Phi. Mornae in Myster iniq The
it not of his own and so it is But what necessity required or what reason was there that seeing the mercy of God could by his onely word have delivered man yet the Son should assume flesh for our redemption and suffer so much even the ignominious death of the Cross We answer The necessity was on our part even the hard necessity of them who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death And the reason was the good pleasure of him who did it Who can deny that the Almighty had other ways to redeem justifie and deliver but this cannot priviledge the efficacy of this way which he hath chosen and possibly this is better by which we in this land of oblivion and of our fall are admonished the more powerfully and livelily of so many and so great grievances of our Redeemer and albeit we cannot fathom the mystery of God's counsel yet we may feel the effect of the work and perceive the fruit of the benefit It is a true saying and worthy of all acceptation that when we were yet sinners we were reconciled unto God by the death of his Son And he concludeth all his railings and invectives against God so that he saith All that God did appear in the flesh for was our instruction by word and example and all that he suffered and died for was the demonstration and commendation of his love toward us But what availeth his teaching us if he hath not restored us or are we not taught in vain if the body of sin be not first destroyed in us that we should not be the servants of sin If all that Christ hath been profitable unto us was the shewing a good example it followeth also that we must say All the harm that Adam hath done unto us was the onely shewing of sin seeing the plaster must be according to the quality of the wound for as in Adam all do die so in Christ shall all be made alive therefore as the one is so is the other Or if we will rest in the Christian faith and not in the Pelagian Heresie and confess that the sin of man was propogated by generation and not by example we must also confess that by Christ righteousness is restored not by example but by generation and life by righteousness that by one sin came upon all men to condemnation so by the obedience of one righteousness came on all men unto justification of life And if it were so that the purpose and cause of the incarnation as he saith was onely the enlightening of the world with the light of knowledge and the kindling of love by whom is our redemption and deliverance God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our life salvation and resurrection And indeed I look upon three things chiefly in the work of our salvation the example of humility when God made himself of no reputation the measure of his love extending to the death even of the Cross and the mystery of redemption whereby he destroyed death which he suffered but the first two without this last are as if ye would paint in the air truly the example of humility is great and very useful and the example of love is worthy of all acceptation but they have no foundation and therefore no standing if there be not redemption I would with all my indeavor follow the example of Christ and I desire to imbrace with the mutual arms of love him who hath loved me and given himself for me but I must also eat the Paschal Lamb for unless I eat his flesh and drink his blood I shall not have life in me There be also many other Articles in his books and no less evil c. As every one may understand that upon these grounds follow the points of original sin of free-will of justification c. Pope Innocentius II. did condemn in a Councel of Cardinals at Rome this Abailard and all these his perverse Articles and commanded perpetual silence unto him as an Heretick and ordained all who followed his errors to be excommunicated as is in his Epistle which is among the Epistles of Bernard the CXCIV 28. When Calo. Johannes was Emperor of the Greeks was a Synod at Adispute between the Latins and Greeks Constantinople where Anselm Bishop of Havelbergens did dispute for the primacy of the Roman Pope and alledged these reasons 1. The Synod of Nice saith Let all men know and no Catholique should be ignorant that the Roman Church is not preferred by decrees of Synods but hath obtained the primacy by the Evangelical voice of our Lord and Savior when he said unto Peter the blessed Apostle Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it and I will give thee the keys 2. Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom at Rome 3. The first See of the Church is Rome the second is Alexandria and the third is Antiochia which three are founded by Peter 4. Onely the Roman Church hath continued in all ages without heresies whereas all other Churches have been defiled with heresies 5. Christ said I have prayed for thee Peter that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted confirm thy brethren 6. The Church of Constantinople hath been obnoxious unto many heresies that have begun there or brought thither there was Arrius Macedonius Eutyches Eunomius Eudoxius therefore all Churches should acknowledge the Roman as their mother Nechites a Greek answereth The Roman Church was the first among the three Sisters but the Bishop of Rome was never called the first of Priests nor the first Bishop but the Bishop of the first See and he did first receive from Phocas to be called the head of all Churches Moreover these three Sisters were united together by some conditions that neither the Bishop of Rome nor of Alexandria nor of Antiochia might teach any things in their Churches which was different from the faith of the others and so they all should preach one and the same for this end it was ordained that two Legates well learned and sound in the faith or doctrine should be sent from the Church of Rome the one to abide at Alexandria and the other at Antiochia who should diligently observe whether they did continue preaching the analogy of faith and likewise two should be sent from Alexandria one to Rome and the other to Antiochia and two from Antiochia the one to Rome and the other to Alexandria and so they might aid one another if any need were and whatsoever was taught in any of these Churches should be confirmed by the Authority and testimony of the others but if any thing were contrary to the faith and disagreeing from the truth and communion of these Churches the Legates of the others should by brotherly charity and humble admonition correct that or if they could not correct it and one as temerarious and presumptuous
all deceiving tyranny fraud and oppression of truth I will not speak of their filthiness more then Sodomitish did these high Priests employ their times so that then Rome did deserve to be called the synagogue of Satan or seat of the Divel and justly might be reputed the habitation of foul spirits and the sink of all uncleanness Revel 2 18. Wherefore when they went to their general Councels or their Legates were sent unto the Nations under colour of reconciliation and reformation it may seem that so oft did Satan come out from the presence of the Lord to smite Job for whatsoever he is said in the Scriptures to have done the same did these his hooded Vicars nor did their hellish madness spare the most puissant Princes but hereafter shall the Kingdom of Abaddon which is the King of Locusts or Friers of the begging Order by their sophistry lay waste and destroy all things until Pope Julius the II. that is the space of 260. years but that the Lord will have sparks of honesty to be seen here and there 6. So many Cardinals were poisoned at the last election that they which were alive would not conveen until the Emperor did charge them to go on with the election with certification that if they would not he would cause his Soldiers to plunder their Lands Cities and houses and until the French King told them that he would choose a Pope for the Church of his own Kingdom Mat. Paris INNOCENTIUS the IV. was then chosen he was one of these whom the Emperor had under arrest and had been familiar with him but now he forgot his kindeness and without delay did confirm the sentence of Pope Gregory against the Emperor so the wars did continue He profered the Kingdom of Italy unto Edmund for a certain sum of money but his father Henry King of England was scant of money saith Mat. Par. that he could not perform what was required because he had foolishly tied his Kingdom unto the Popish Merchants In the Councel at Lions which Bellarmin calleth the thirtieth general Councel he would not delay his curse three days against the Emperor albeit he understood that the Emperor was upon his journey to come before him and satisfie He ordained the feast Octava festivitatis Mariae And that Cardinals should ride with foot-mantles ◠〈…〉 ◠garments and red hats and red clokes for honor of their Order saith Platina or in imitation of the Jewish Priests saith Po. Virg. de inven rer lib. 4. cap. 9. or rather it came so pass that the prophecy might be fulfilled and the Beast be cloathed in scarlet Revel 17. 3. He added unto the Decretals and honored the Dominicks with apostatical they say Apostolical honors and priviledges and advanced them unto Bishopricks and in favor of Curates he discharged all begging Friers to exercise any of their function Mortous Appeal lib. 5. cap. 4. § 6. ex Azor. Iesui Thus he did ramverse the priviledge granted by Pope Honorius the III. After the Councel when he heard that the Imperial forces did prevail in sundry places he like a lion robbed of his whelps rageth and leaveth no means unessayed to cut off the Emperor especially he enticeth some of his domesticks Theobald Francis James de Mora Pandulf de Fasanellis and William de S. Severino to lie in wait for his life either by poison secretly or by weapons violently it was made known unto the Emperor and yet he could not be so watchful but he was poisoned in Pulia as appeareth by his Letters unto his Brother in law Henry the III. King of England The doers of this fact saith he being accompanied with a number of Friers Minorites do openly avow that they are about the affairs of the Mother Church of Rome and that they are signed by Apostolical Letters against us and the Pope is the Author of our death and disinheriting Matth. Parisien So soon as the Pope heard of the Emperor's death he taketh his journey into Italy when he went from Lions the Bishop and other chief men of the City did accompany him and unto them he said I have done much good in this City since I came into it At that time were but three or four Stews in it now is but one howbeit a large one from the East-gate to the West-gate Idem ad An. 1251. He coming into Italy ceased not to draw the Cities cleaving unto the Emperor from his Son Conrade yea at the same time when Lewes the French King and his Navy were in great peril of the Turks in Syria he caused to proclaim greater pardon unto all who would fight against Conrade then he or any Pope had profered to fight against the Turks for he caused it to be preached in all the pulpits of Italy If any will fight against Conrade both the signed that is the fighter under the sign of the Cross and his father and mother shall have pardon of all their sins When he heard of Conrades death he laughed loudly and said I am glad and let all the Church of Rome rejoyce for now our two greatest enemies are out of the way Conrade King of Siciles and Robert Bishop of Lincoln And immediately he went unto Naples to take possession of that Kingdom Not long thereafter he directeth Letters into England to take up the dead body of the before named Robert and cause him to be proclaimed an Heathen the same night after this direction he thought that the same Robert did smite him on the side and for his impiety did threaten him with the judgement of God the next day his side was very sore and within few days he died Matth. Paris 7. ALEXANDER the IV. was chosen at Naples when the See had been vacant two years His first exploit was to follow the wars moved by his Predecessors against Manfred then King of both Sicilies to this effect he sent his locusts the Friers to preach that every one should send Subsidy unto the holy wars against the enemy of the Church Some did see the Pope's insatiable greediness and others were perswaded and so all Italy was in an uproar He rewarded his Friers with red hats and cornered caps He gave the Kingdoms of Sicily and Pulia unto Edmund Son of Henry III. King of England for the conquering and for this effect he sent Legate Rostand to collect all the tenths of England and Scotland against Manfred still prevailing not onely in Naples but in Hetruria and Lombardie and many abominable things saith Matth. Paris did flow from the sulphurous fount of the Roman Church fie for sorrow to the dammage of many Such an exaction was not heard as the Pope craved at that time Rostand said in the Assembl◠at London All the Churches belong unto my Master the Pope One Leonard in name of the Bishops said It is true for defence but not for possession nor dissipation as all things belong unto the King In a word at three several meetings he
had the upper hand and when the Soldiers asked the Abbot of Cistertian what they should do because they knew not who were Hereticks and who were not he answered Kill all God knoweth who are his So they spare neither age nor sex Caesar Hist lib. 5. cap. 21. Many hundreds were burnt many were hanged and many thousands were slain in other places I. Thuan. ad An. 1550 In a word they prevailed so that Raymund was robbed of all his lands almost and went to Rome An. 1215. and promised obedience unto the Church if the Pope would cause his lands to be restored Innocentius answered The expedition was chargeable unto the Church and unto Simon de Monford and therefore he had given these lands unto Simon and it was past the King's confirmation and could not be recalled onely he would grant unto Raymund 400. marks yearly during his life if he shall continue under obedience Then Raymund went to Arragon and levied an Army of 100000. men and within a year he recovered by strength all his lands Simon was killed An. 1218. and 22000. men with him so was his Son Guido An. 1219. Io. de Serres Then King Philip sent his Son Lewes once and again against Tolouse but all in vain so long as Raymund lived and Roger de Foy both which died within one moneth An. 1221. His Son Raymund whether for fear of worldly opposition or if he left the doctrine which his Father had professed it is uncertain offered all obedience unto the Church and King if they would grant him peace Almaric the Son of Simon de Montford appeareth in the contrary alledging his Title unto the County of Tolouse which was granted unto his Father and confirmed by the Pope and the King In the mean time Philip dieth and left unto Almaric 20000. some write 100000. lievers of Paris for a new expedition against Tolouse and at last by perswasion of Romanus Cardinal de St. Angelo the Pope's Legat Lewes VIII King of France with Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Peers Barons and 50000. horse with a great number of foot which arose for fear of the King and the Pope's Legate more then for zeal to the cause saith Mat. Paris in Hen. III. they were marked with the sign of the Cross against the Hereticks as they spake of Tolouse and Avenion which also belonged unto Raymund and boasting to destroy all the means and men within his Dominions An. 1226. They came first to Avenion craving passage through the Town for shortness of way The Citizens said They feared more danger The King sware he would not rise from siege till he had taken the City They had so provided that within were neither old persons nor women nor children and all beastials were removed and all the meadows were tilled that the King had scarcity without and they within had plenty so without was dearth and death as was reckoned of 22000. Simon and the Pope's General were killed with stones out of slings Some of the Nobility crave leave to return but obtain it not The King dieth Romanus causeth his death to be concealed and after asking a treaty for peace which was refused he craveth that he and the Prelates may enter the City to try if the wickedness was so great as the cry thereof was come unto the Pope's ears and swore that he minded nothing but the salvation of souls But he contemned his oath brought in the Army brake their walls and slew many of them Mat. Paris ad An. 1226. in Hen. III. In the year 1228. Raymund did rout his adversaries in three several battels idem Then they invade Tolouse but so that the yong King was glad to seek peace and the Earl accepteth it on good conditions Then the Pope sent the Marshal de la Foy with a fresh Army King Lewes would not allow it and said They should perswade by reason and not constrain by force Io. de Serres When open wars were ended the Bishops and Friers were busie with burning and hanging and these broyls were not ended for seventy years saith Bertrand Ia. Thuan. in the dedication of his History telleth summarily the success They were killed or banished and scattered hither and thither but not convicted of errors nor brought into repentance some fled into Province or near unto the Alps finding lurking holes for their liyes and doctrine some went into Calabria and their followers abode there until the Papacy of Pius the IV. some setled in Bohem Poland and Livonia and of their reliques in Britain was John Wickliff in Oxford So Thuan. Wheresoever they went Satan followed to devour them And all the Historians of those times shew how they were persecuted as Vsser hath marked particularly loc cit ca. 10. Innocentius III. caused the bones of Almaric to be burnt a learned Bishop at Paris because he had taught that no sin is imputed unto man in the state of grace and Images should not be in Churches and other twenty four persons for the same doctrine An. 1210. Io. Bale Cent. 3. cap. 67. in Appen sheweth ex Bern. Lutzenburg that when Dominicus with twelve Cistertian Monks was sent against them the sum of them who were killed in the wars were 100000. persons and out of Christ Massanus That in the Diocy of Narbon 140. men chose rather to suffer the fire then accept the doctrine of Rome An. 1210. And in the next year 400. were burnt within the Diocy of Tolouse eighty were beheaded and Almericus Captain of the Castle of Vare was hanged and his wife was stoned to death M. Fox in Act. Monim sheweth out of Herm. Mutius that An. 1212. sundry Noble men and others in the County of Alsatia did hold that every day was free for eating of flesh if it be soberly and that they do wickedly who hinder Priests from lawful marriage Therefore Innocentius caused an hundred of them to be burnt in one day Nauclerus sheweth that at the same time were many of the same doctrine at Millan who sent relief unto their Brethren in Alsatia An. 1220. William a Goldsmith was burnt because he said Rome was Babylon and the Pope was Antichrist Bale ex Caesar in dialog Desiderius à Lombard at the same time was called Haeresiarcha because he wrote against the begging Friers We read of many such other burnings and martyrdoms in other places and times but the truth could not be burnt nor overthrown nor want her witnesses 5. Guilielmus de Alta Petra Bishop of Paris about the year 1220. wrote a book De Clero wherein he speaketh of the Clergy of his time in this maner No godliness or learning is seen in them but rather all divellish filthiness and monstrous vices their sins are not simply sins but monsters of sins they are not the Church but Babylon Egypt and Sodom the Prelates build not the Church but destroy it they mock God and they and their Priests do profane the body of Christ they lift up to the heavens with all
and tokens of bondage and have no Land in Scotland unless they shall dwell in it and if they will not dwell there the Scots should give them for their present possessions 30000 marks of Silver All this time the English were not of one accord for the King followed the counsel of Spencer Earl of Arundel the other Nobility caused the King to banish him but the next year he was restored to the great disturbance of the Kingdom at last they conspire to imprison the King and Hugh Spencer suffered death Tho. Cooper 2. When King Robert came to great age he ordained in Parliament his Successors to wit his Son David a child of eight years old which was espoused to Johanna Daughter of Edward the II. and if he should die without childe he ordained his Son in law Robert Stuart to succeed After he had exhorted the Estates to keep amity and unity he gave them three counsels 1. To beware that the Isles Aebudes be never given unto one man 2. That they never hazzard all their strength in one fight with the English 3. That they make not long truce with them After him Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray was chosen Regent of Scotland he was a good Justiciary and by no means would spare thieves and robbers So that when a Gentleman came from the Pope's Court and thought himself secure because he had obtained the Pope's pardon Thomas caused to apprehend him and said The pardon of sin belongeth unto the Pope but punishment of the body is in the King's hand Buchan lib. 9. 3. An. 1328. Charls the IV. King of France died without children then The title of England unto France Edward the III. King of England his Sisters Son claimeth the Crown of France as nearest Heir The French prefer Philip de Valois the Uncle's Son and they exclude Edward by a Law which they call Salica excluding women from succession At the first when the Estates of France had received Philip Edward did him homage for his Lands in France but when he was denied of a just demand wars began between these two Nations which ceased not altogether until the year 1495. as Tho. Cooper sheweth or rather until the days of Queen Elizabeth for sometimes the French prevailed and sometimes the English even so far as to be crowned at Paris and held Parliaments and had Deputies governing France Sometimes were truce of thirteen years or of ten years but never an absolute peace before Queen Elizabeth In the year 1393. the King of Armenia came into France and shewed how the Turks and Scythians were not only oppressing Hungary but were aiming at the conquest of all Christendom and in the mean time Christians were devouring one another with such words he perswaded both the Kings into a truce for four years Frossard Hist lib. 4. But I leave Civil affairs and return unto the Church 4. In the year 1306. an English Eremite preached at Pauls in London that some Sacraments that were then in use in the Church were not of Christ's institution therefore he was committed to prison Io. Bale ex Io. Baconthorp in Sent. lib. 4. dist 2. q. 1. 5. That John Baconthorp wrote on the Sentences where he followeth the truth in many things especially he refuteth sundry subtilties of Io. Scotus as Baptista Mantuanus hath marked Iste tenebrosi damnat vestigia Scoti Et per sacra novis it documenta viis Hunc habeant quibus est sapientia grata redundat Istius in sacris fontibus omne sophos He wrote de Domino Christi where he proveth that the highest Bishop in every Kingdom should be under Princes Bale Cent. 4. sect 82. 6. Richard Primate of Ireland alias Armachanus was his disciple and taught the same doctrine he translated the Bible into Irish In a Sermon at Paul's Cross in London An. 1356. he said In the estate of innocence none had been a beggar therefore according to that estate unless the law of necessity do press men none desireth nor should be a beggar as neither was Christ willingly a beggar the Law also forbiddeth it Deut. 15. There shall not be a beggar among you He discovered the hypocrisie of Friers in that though they professed poverty yet they had stately houses like the Palaces of Princes and more costly Churches then any Cathedral more richer ornaments then all the Princes more and better books then all the Doctors they had Cloisters and walking places so stately and large that men of Arms might fight on horse-back and encounter one another with their spears in them and their apparel richer then the greatest Prelates These Sermons are extant The next year he appeared before Innocentius the VI. and some of the four Orders of Friers appeared against him and he proved his propositions stoutly and manifestly against them that in many respects they had lest their first rules but saith Walsing in Edwar. III. the English Clergy sent not unto him according to their promises but the Friers wanted not plenty of money and so lite pendente before the cause was decided the Friers obtained a confirmation of their priviledges Armachanus died there at Avenion and was canonized 7. William Ockam was a disciple of Jo. Scotus but he became adversary of his doctrine he was the Author of the Sect of Nominales whereby new occasions of controversies arose to withdraw men from the study of faith He was a follower of Pope Nicolaus the V. and therefore was excommunicated by Pope John Then he thought it more safe to live under the Emperor's protection and he said unto the Emperor Lewis Defend me Caesar from the injury of the Pope by thy sword and I will defend thee by the word by writing and invincible reasons and so they did so long as they lived He wrote a Compendium Errorum of Pope John the XXII and a dialogue between a Clark and a Soldier wherein he handleth these questions 1. Whether Ockam's questions the Pope hath any primacy by right from God 2. Whether Peter had any primacy or was ever Bishop of Rome 3. Whether the Pope and Church of Rome may err Concerning the Emperor he discusseth 1. Whether one man may discharge the offices both of Priest and Emperor 2. Whether the Emperor hath his power from God only or from the Pope also 3. Whether the Pope and Church of Rome have any power from Christ to commit any jurisdiction unto Caesar and to other Princes 4. Whether Caesar after his election hath power to rule the Republick 5. Whether Kings anointed by a Bishop receive any power from him 6. Whether these Kings be any way subject unto their anointer 7. Whether the seven Electors give as great authority unto the elected Caesar as succession giveth unto other Princes c. All which he disputeth on both sides and concludeth always against the Extravagants He wrote also against Pope Clemens and calleth him an Heretick the Antichrist an hater of Christian poverty a foe of the Common-wealth an
rich Bishop a poor Cardinal and a beggarly Pope this last part was said of him partly because of the division of the Papal revenues and partly because of his profusion beyond any Prince The other two Popes would never consent unto this Synod Bellarmin will neither call this Councel lawful nor unlawful De Concil lib. 1. cap. 8. Then were three Suns as the Popes were wont to call themselves in comparison of the Emperors but they were all pale in the clouds none of them being in their own region and the Romish Church had three heads Alexander had scarcely warmed his Crown on his head when he gave full remission of all sin unto them who conferred any thing unto the Monastery of S. Bartholomew by Smithfield and resorted to that Church any of these days following to wit Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Even or on the Feast of Annuntiation from the first Even Song unto the latter Io. Fox in Act. He died in the eighth moneth When he was dying he protested before a multitude of Bishops and others that the Pisan Councel had proceeded very lawfully and had decreed most justly Platin. Will not the Papists believe the protestation of their Pope on his death-bed Then the Cardinals thought to be more circumspect in chusing his Successor they assembled at Bononia where Baldesar Cossa a Noble man of Naples was the Pope's Legate and Commander of the City he had a great number of Soldiers both within and without under pretence of preventing all tumults but indeed that if he could not attain unto the Papacy by solicitation he might atchieve it by arms Platin. He pressed the Cardinals to name a Pope They went to election and named one he refused him they name another he refused to accept him they did name more none were to his liking They ask Whom will he name He said Give me the Cape of blessed Peter and I shall give it unto the Pope Then he put it on his own shoulders and said I am Pope The Cardinals thought this an informable election but none durst speak against him Bellar. de Ro. Pon. lib. 4. cap. 14. saith It could not be easily judged by which of these three was the true and lawful Pope why because every one of them had most learned Patrons This same Pope 4. JOHN the XXIV alias XXIII feared that the Cardinals would enterprise something against him and therefore presently sent Legates unto Germany entreating the Princes to accept Sigismund unto the Imperial Throne he thought so to gain his favor Platin. He obtaining this desire proclaimed a Councel at Rome under pretence to crown the Emperor but intending to establish himself The Schism continued until the Emperor procured a Councel at Constance An. 1414. John hoping that the Emperor would acquit him for his former favor consented and gave his Bull for assembling the Councel and in that Bull he acknowledged the lawfulness of the general Councel at Pisa and called Pope Alexander the President of happy memory In the Councel he laid down his Papacy and the Emperor gave him thanks and kissed his foot But when he saw no appearance to be restored he thought best to provide for himself by flight and he would revoke his renuntiation The Emperor caused to pursue him Frederick Duke of Austria apprehended him and delivered him unto the Emperor and he committed him unto the Count Palatine of Rhine who kept him three years in his Castle at Hedleberg John was judged as unworthy as any of the other two for he was accused to have hired Marsilius Parmensis a Physician to poison Pope Alexander that he was an Heretick a Simoniack a Murtherer an Inchanter an Adulterer a Dice-player a Sodomite a notorious Atheist and contemner of all Religion he sold for 50000 ducates the head of John Baptist which was in St. Silvester's Monastery at Rome John Naucler saith About forty Articles were proved against him Then the Councel dealt with the other two Popes to renounce their authority as followeth Pope Gregory being then decrepit sent his Proctor and renounced his power and was made Legate of Piceno and died shortly after Benedict would never acknowledge the Councel and when he died after the Councel was ended he required an oath of his Cardinals that they should chuse another Pope after his death 5. MARTIN the V. was chosen by the Councel on Martin's day An. 1417. he was convoyed by the Emperor and Councel with great solemnity into the great Church of Constance and from thence unto the Monastery of St. Augustin to be crowned the Emperor led his horse by the bridle on the right hand and the Marquess of Brandenburgh on the left hand both on foot He confirmed the Acts of the Councel The Emperor entreated him to abide in Germany because of the diversity of Religion or as he spoke for divers enormities there The French Nation allured him to go with them He said The Churches of the Saints in Rome were decaying by the long absence of Popes so he went to Italy and stayed three years at Florence At that time John the XXIV redeemed himself out of prison for 30000 crowns and went unto Florence Pope Martin feared that he would renew the Schism but John kissed his foot and was made Cardinal of Tusculo yet could not patiently live in so private a condition and died of melancholy Then Martin had but one Antipope and sought by all means to have him out of the way but Alfonso King of Arragon maintained Pope Benedict the rather that Pope Martin had declared Lewis Duke of Anjow to be King of Sicily When Benedict had sate thirty years and was dead his Cardinals chose Pope Clemens the VIII who sate four years until Pope Martin seeing the unlucky success of King Lewis did agree with Alfonso concerning Sicily then these two compound with Pope Clemens that he shall have the Bishoprick of Majorca and his Cardinals shall enjoy their hats except some recusants that were committed so the Schism was ended Pope Martin was hot in the wars against the Bohemians Angelus de Clavasio a Minorite in his Summa at the word Papa writeth that this Martin after consultation granted licence unto a man to marry his own Sister He sate fourteen years and died An. 1431. 6. EUGENIUS the IV. was miscarried with ill advice and troubled all things concerning God and men Platin. By his covetousness he so provoked the Romans that there was a great fight within the City and he thought it his best way to steal away in a Monkish habit when the Citizens knew that he was going down the river in a boat they threw stones at him but by means of his Captain Sfortia he regained all that he had lost and became very haughty He loved wars which may seem strange in a Pope saith Platin. He was afraid of the event of the Councel at Basil when he saw it encrease with multitude of Princes and Bishops from Spain France Germany Hungary c.
Court that they did violate all Concordata they reserve all the fattest Benefices unto the Cardinalls they without all order dispense expectative graces exact Annates without pitty measure indulgences according to their luxury multiply the exaction of tiths under pretense of Turkish war sell benefices and priesthoods indifferently to unable persons even to ignorants and draw all causes unto Rome Whole volums of such things are extant and were presented unto Emperours and Kings and they adjoined the necessary temedies especially in the years 1516 and 1517 as P. Mornay testifieth in Myster pa. 629 edit Salmu in fol. and when Orth. Gratious had declared the 109 Grievances of Germany he saith O if there were not more hundreds of such that are here mentioned by the Princes CAP. IV. Of BRITANNE 1. John Colet had learned humane sciences at home and went to France and Italy for love of the sacred Scriptures When he returned he set himself especially to the meditation of Paul's epistles and expounded them publickly and freely at Oxford Henry 7 promoted him to the Deanry of Paul's He professed to distaste many things that he had heard in Sorbone he called the Scotists men without judgement and the Thomists arrogant he said he reaped more fruit by the books which the Rabbies called hereticall than by their books that were full of divisions and definitions and weremost approved by them He never marryed and yet regarded not monks without learning he said he found no where lesse corrupt manners than among married persons because the care of a family and other affections suffered them not to deboard so much as others are wont He spoke zealously against bishops who professing religion were greatest worldlings and in stead of shepheards were wolves In his Sermons he said Images should not be worshipped and clerks should not be covetous Nor Christians willingly be warriours Two Friers Bricote and Standice accused him for heresy unto B. Richard Fiziames and he unto the archb first and then unto King Henry VIII but these two knowing the godliness of the man became his Patrones Erasm in epist ad Jod Jon. dated Andrelac Idi Jun. An. 1521. He died of a consumption An. 1519 in the 53 year of his age the clergy would have taken his body out of the grave and burned it if they had not been hindred by the King Foxe in acts mon. 2. Arthur the eldest son of King Henry I. married Catharine the Infanta of Spain and died without issue then his father being desirous to continue the alliance with Spain and to keep her rich dowry within the realme devised to marry this young widow to his other son Henry and for this end he purchased a dispensation from the Pope The King thought to have made his second son Archbishop of Canterbury and for this end was the more solicitous to have him well instructed but he was crowned after his fathers death An. 1509. 3. In the beginning of this Century was litle stirre in matters of religion in Scotland After that infortunate battel of Flowdon where King James 4 and his base son Alexander Archbishop of Saintandrews were slain fell great strife for that See Gawin douglas Bishop of Dunkell and brother to the Earle of Anguise was presented by the Queen as Regent Patrick hepburn Priour of Saintandrews was elected by the Chanons and Forman Bishop of Murray and Pope Julius his Legate would have it by his power of Eegation This strife was so hot and continued so long a time that the mouths of many were opened to speak against the corruptions in the Church 4. Hector Boece was borne at Dundy brought up in learning at Paris and at this time was professour of philosophy and afterward Principall of the Colledge at Aberdien In his Chronicle of Scotland he cometh not nearer than King Iames 2 but by the by he shewes the estate of the Church in his own time in Lib. 13. c. 11 he saith Now we will make a digression and see how farr the Prelats and Church men in antient times were above the Prelats of our times in vertues and integrity of conversation of which the Prelats now but have the name and follow not their manners at all for the antient fathers were given to the imitation of Christ in poverty piety humility and righteousnes alluring the people by their fervent charity and continuall preaching in the Service of God with equall affections to rich and poore not araying themselves with gold silver or costly ornaments not haunting the Court nor accompanied with women or seen in bordels not contending to exceed Princes in pleasure and insolency nor doing any thing by deceit but living in pure conscience and verity But the Prelats in our dayes and the Church-men are led with more vices than are seen in any other people such enormities have rung perpetually since riches were apprised by Church-men So farr he If the opposition be marked which is his aime we may understand what prelats or clergy were then CAP. V. Of COVNCELS 1. When Pope Julius 2 was crowned he promised by solemn oath to call a Generall Councell for Reformation of the Church but afterward no thing was lesse in his mind and while he made war now against Venice and then against France nothing regarding the estate of the Church nine Cardinals departed from him and having the concurrence of the Emperour and the King of France with their clergy a Councell was summoned on May 19 to conveen at Pisa Septemb. 1. An. 1511 because the Pope had violated his oath concerning the calling of a Councell and the condition of the Christian Commonwealth admitted no longer delay and they summoned the Pope to appear before them and all Princes Doctours and Prelats that had or might pretend any in terest through Italy France and Germany On August I. the Pope published his answer that when he was a Cardinal he was most desirous of a councell but now because of the warrs a councell can not be assembled in Italy and far lesse in the wasted and defaced City of Pisa nor had they authority to call a councell and therefore he commanded all men not to obey that citation under pain of excommunication Jo. Sleidan Comment Lib. 1. Three Cardinals returned unto the Pope and were accepted saith Nic. Basel in Addit but the others with the bb of Lombardy and France did meet at Pisa and because they were not safe there they removed to Millan where Barnardin Card. S. Crucis was chosen president and then fearing that Millain was not safe enough they removed to Lions Because they continued in their purpose the Pope in his Consistory at Rome condemned them as hereticks schismaticks and rebellious and depriveed them of their titles dignities voice bishopriks monasteries and whatsoever Benefices they had by Commenda or whatsoever other title and declareth them uncapable for al times to come Basel ib. In the mean time the Emperour was persuaded by the Pope to forsake that councell
and they come into the hall but he turnes his back upon his guests and eates all himself giving them no part even so do yee Olip Thou deniest the sacrament of the altar to be the body of Christ really in flesh and blood Mill. The Scripture is not understood carnally but spiritually and your Masse is wrong for Christ was once offered on the cross for mans sin and will never be offered again for at that time he put an end to all sacrifices Oliph Thou denyest the office of a Bishop Mill. I affirm they whom yee call Bishops do not Bishops works nor exercise the office of Bishops but live after their sensuall pleasures taking no care for Christs flock nor regarding His word Oliph Thou speakest against pilgrimage and callest it pilgrimage to whoordom Mill. I say pilgrimage is not commanded in Scriptures and there is no greater whoordom in any place than at your pilgrimages except it be in the common brothels Olip Thou preachest privatly in houses and somtimes in the fields Mill. yea man and upon the sea too when I was sailing Olip If thou will not recant thy opinions I will pronounce sentence against thee Mill I know I must die once therefore as Christ said to Judas Quod facis fac cito yee shall know that I will not recant the trueth I am corn and not chaff I will neither be blown away with the wind nor burst with the flaile but will abide both Then he was condemned of heresy and was kept two dayes because the Bishop could not find a Judge to condemne him to death The Bish. sent for Patrick Lermond of Dairsie Provost of the city and willed him to condemne him as being now condemned of heresy The Provost answered I will do any thing at your Lordships command that belongs to my office according to justice but I will not medle with the innocent servants of God and preachers The Bishop said Provost you are Bailive of my Regality and ought to judge all such as transgresse within my bounds He answered Yes and if your Lo. please I will take him and give him a faire assise of temporall men who perhaps will absolve him I am conteâ—t said the Bishop make mee quite of him any way you please But some said unto the Provost It is dangerous to absolve a man who is already by the clergy condemned of heresy wherefore the Provost desired â—im to advise till the morne and ere then he went out of the town Wherefore the Bishop sought this man and that to be Judge and at last set Alexander Somervail one of his domestick servants to supply the place of a Judge for the time and he condemned him to the fire and because noâ—e in the town would sell ropes for that use the ropes of the Bishops pavilion were taken When they brought him nigh the fire they said unto him in derision Recant He answered I marvell at your rage yee hypocrites who so cruelly do persecute the servants of God as for mee I am 82 years old and can not live long by course of nature but an hundred better than I shall arise out of the ashes of my bones which shall scatter the proud pack of you hypocrites and persecuters of God's servants and who of you thinkes yourself worthyest shall not dy so honest a death as I dy now I trust in God I shall be the last that shall suffer death in this Land for this cause Out of a manuscript History writen by Lindsay in the Bibliothek of the Colledge of Edinburgh Oliphant commandeth him to go unto the stake Mill said I will not go unless thou put mee up with thy hand for by the law of God I am forbidden to put hand in myself but will thou putto thy hand and thou shall see mee go up gladly Oliphant put him foreward and he went with a chearfull countenance saying Introibo ad aâ—tare dei then he craved liberty to speak unto the people Oliphant said You have spoken too much and the Bishops are offended with so long delay Some youths standing-by willed him to speak and accursed the Bishops and all the executioners He first prayed and spake unto the people to this purpose Deare friends the cause why I suffer tooday is not for any crime layd to my charge I acknowledge myself a miserable sinner before God but I suffer for the defence of the truth of Jesus Christ set forth in the old and new Testaments for which as many Martyres have offred their lives most gladly being assured after their death to enjoy endless felicity so this day I praise God that he hath called mee of his mercy among others his servants to seal up his truth with my life which as I have received of him so willingly I offer it to his glory And as yee would escape eternall death be no more deluded with the lies of the priests monks friers Priors Abbots Bishops and others of the sect of Antichrist but depend only upon Jesus Christ and his mercy that yee may be delivered from condemnation The people made great lamentation and were exceedingly moved with his words When the fire was kindled he cried Lord have mercy on mee pray good people while ther is time And thus he departed shewing a wonderfull courage His death was the very death of Popery in this realme for the minds of men were so greatly enflamed that resolving openly to professe the truth â—hey did bind themselves by promise aâ—d subscription of oaths if any shall be called into question for Religion hereafter they shall take arms and joyn in defense of their brethren against the tyrannous and persecuting Bishops VII Immediately some Noble men and Barons did present unto the A supplication unto the Queen Regent Queen Regent this supplication the copy whereof I found in fair write as sundriâ—e other papers concerning these times among the papers of John erskiâ— Superintendent in the hands of his great grand-child Alexander enskin of Dun with this Inscription The subiects of this reaâ—m of Scot and wish unto the most Excellent Princess Mary Queen dovrier and Regent all feâ—icity Most Noble Princess It is not unknown unto your Maiesty our ardâ—ent desire to see the name of God glorified in this our native Countrie and wee have often made humble suit unto your Grace to have your good will and protection to live quietly in free conscience without oppression of tyrany according to the will of our God made manifest to us in his holy Scriptures And because some men which most minustly have entred themselves by title and name as Ministers of Gods Kirk are conspired together against the Lord and his anointed to put down his name and honour and to maintain most odious abominations wee have forsaken them and their detestable ministry knowing them to be accursed of God And according to the Scripture wee have received such Ministers as with humble mindes submit themselves their doctrine and ministry unto the word of
the worde and sacraments and other things belonging thereunto doth acknowledge neither Pope nor any humane Magistracy nor the Preachers themselves for Head and Lord but only Jesus Christ after whose lawes will and commandements the Church should be ruled and unto whom both Preachers and Elders and deacons and also the whol Christian Church of whatever rank should be obedient But it were longsom now to declare this it is sufficient to hint it in a worde If the liberty and ministry of the Churches should absolutely depend upon the Magistrats and their commandes a great confusion would follow the purity of doctrin might soon decay all enormities abound and piety would fail as by the grace of God the greatest part of the Magistrats do well understand and may know yet better when they shall duly hear the answer of the Churches against the unjust complaint of some who seem to stand for Libertinisme more then for Christian liberty for when there is no end of their complaints and as it shall be found true they with their written and printed Remonstrances will not be directed by the High States themselves so the Church must apologize for the cause of Christ and his Gospell howbeit wee do it not unwillingly and would rather plead it by word of mouth But to return unto the purpose it hath so far come that it hath been propounded unto his Princely Excellency and the high States as reasonable that in no town or willage should be any convention or consistory but with advice of the Magistrats of the towns or of the States by which the meetings and Ministry of the Church should be brought into great danger but his Excellency and the States understanding the cause better have established the former ordinances and administration whereby it may be seen that the Churches have increased and multiplied Afterwards by the pacification of Ghent and by the death of those great Commanders then Governors of the other Netherlands it came to pass that not only in Holland and Zeeland was Popery forsaken and the preaching of the Gospell accept but also the good subjects in Brabant Flanders Gelderland Friseland the bishoprik of Utrecht the land of Overisel c. have begun to embrace the trueth whereby in some places publickly in other places howbeit privily in houses yet in great assemblies of people and also with the knowledge and consent of the Magistrats Gods worde is preached c. So far there Before that time Gaspar Colhaes a Minister at Leiden who had been a priest in time of Popery and yet had professed the Reformed Religion in time of the persecution had made no small sturre for the government of the Church as he had also retained other dregs of Popery and other preachers likewise So that the Churches of the Netherlands was seldom free of one stichler or other yet alwise maintained and keept pure by the vigilancy of Synods and by protection of Magistrats from the corruption of such subdolous Ministers In time of the troubls moved by Colhaes the States of Holland called for one Minister out of each Classis and sent two Commissioners Gerhard van Wingaerd and Leonard Caesenbrood unto them requiring them to shew the form of the Church-government and to shew the distinction between the Civil and ecclesiastical government Those answered The Church-discipline was considered and penned by the Synod at Dort in the year 1578. which was authorized by the High The distinction of Magistracy Ministry States And they had been traduced unjustly that they would have usurped dominion over the Magistrates for they acknowledge themselves to be subject unto the Magistrats as any other subjects are both for body and goods except only that according to Gods worde they may exercize the Office committed by God unto them conform unto the writings of the Prophets Apostles As for the distinction of the Offices they gave it in write whereof the authentick copy Triglandius Lib. cit saith he hath not seen but he gives the summa of it from another to wit Both Offices are ordained by God both are preservers of godly righteousness both should be reverenced for conscience sake The Magistrate should not only preserve godly righteousness but provide for the commonweel-fare in which respect Church-men as well as others are subject unto them in body goods the Magistrat's Office is to establish and promote by their authority and example so far as concerneth the outward man that Gods Worde be obey'd but the Office of Ministers is to set that Worde before the people with faithfull teaching and godly conversation The Office of the Magistrat is to compell the despisers and falsefiers of Gods word that they hinder not the outward peace of the Church and if any do disturbe it to punish them with imprisonment or other punishment in hody or goods And the ministers should exhort the people in Christ's name to serve God peaceably and to shew forth their dutifull regarde of Gods worde and should call unto repentance the inward man that is the spirit or soul with spirituall weapens that is by preaching eternall life and threatning everlasting death The Magistrats office is to ordain punishment in body and goods and according to circumstances of oceasions to mitigate or straiten them And the Ministers should prudently exercize the exhortations and menaces that are prescribed in Gods Word and the excommunication The Magistrate should provide that the external peace of the Church as the Civil peace be keept safe and as occasion requires to punish the transgressions of the disturbers And Ministers should endeavour out of love that according to the rule of discipline in Gods Worde the souls of offenders may be brought unto salvation The Magistrate should preside when punishments of life or goods are handled And Ministers govern in the Church-counsell when matters of conscience are judged The Ministers and Church-counsel should appoint the discipline of the Church according to the rule of Gods Worde and the Magistrate hath power by himself whether present or absent to examine it and if he dissallow any thing therein he may commande the Church-men to reform it according to Gods Worde The Magistrate as also the Church hath power to seek and to use their authority if need shall be that Ministers of the Worde be called and the Church be provided with them and also to punish the faults even in the pulpit that deserve Civil punishment and it is the office of Ministers and Elders to choose persons sufficient for the office and then to present those before the Magistrate that he may approve them if there no be lawfull impediment which then should be confirmed by the Ministers When the Church shall be troubled with any division it is the office of the Magistrate to call together a Church-assembly and to rule it as concerning the external action But when the Church is in peace it belongs unto the Ministers to call the Ecclesiasticall assemblies and to preside in
Lions at Roan Diep Meausia Orleans and other parts within one month 30000 Thuan Li. ciâ— and in that year above 100000 Protestants were massacred Th. Rogers in the preface of The Catholick doctrine Not only were the Protestants murdered that way but many others for privat malice or avarice of the executioners Some of the Governors refused to obey that command as Claudius Count de Tende when he had read it said He would obey the former edict but he doubted that this other was only coloured with the Kings name Therefore at the Kings command he was poisoned at Avenion within few dayes Mons Sautheram Governor of Auvergne refused saying He was the Kings Lieutenant for execution of justice and not to be a hang-man Additions to the 10 book of French Commen Great mirth and processions were at Rome when the Pope heard of those massacres By the Kings commande horsemen were dispatched into all parts that no Governor be absent from his charge and to watche and warde diligently and to search narrowly all the assemblies of the Reformed and to punish them without exception In all parts of the realm they were apprehended who keept their houses upon trust of the Kings protection many were murdered and all almost were robbed as if they had been vanquish'd enemies so that nothing seemed to remain unto them but utter confusion On the 10 day of September Charles sent for the Prince of Condee and willed him to choose one of three either Masse or death or perpetual prison He answered He would never choose the first and he left the other two unto the Kings pleasure Thuan. lib. 53. Before he obtained liberty he was induced to subscribe that abjuration whereof a copy is in the 10 Book of the French Comment So did Henry King of Navarsway with the times These two easily without petitioning received pardon from Pope Gregory XIII by intercession of King Charles In the dayes of the late Queen of Navar had been an assembly in Bearn and by free consent of the States the Masse was discharged throughout all that realm but then in the year 1572 October 15 king Henry published a contrary edict forbidding the Reformed Religion and he sent Mons Grammount granting leave unto the Reformed to sell their lands within a year and then remove or to conform themselves The people were not moved by these Letters and said These letters were extorted from the king in his captivity Thuan-ibi Nevertheless those examples moved many who were thought to love the Religion to profess the contrary The cities Rochell Montauban Sanser Anduz and other towns in Vivaretz and Sevenatz continued constant but it seemed unto many of themselves great folly joyned with madness after so great overthrow of all the Nobility and so many others to think upon any defence when scarce any Noble man durst owne the Religion and not a few said It is not lawfull that subjects should bear arms against their king albeit he be wicked as it had appeared by the success â—n a word all of them were uncertain what to do and inevitable destruction seemed to be brought on the Church in France the chief men were gone they had no help from Germany nor England as before yet the helping hand of God appeared in due time French Comment lib. 11. The king sent Noble men unto those Cities commanding them to receive garrisons and a Lieutenant They were all perplexed on both sides death seemed to be at hand they were resolved to yeeld but fear made theâ— to delay The citizens of Castre received a garrison upon trust of the kings promise they were all put to the edge of the sword with no less cruelty then others before Rochell was ready to have given obedience but when they were informed of that false cruelty or cruell deceit they refused to render and so began the fourth warrs in France with the seege of Rochell and other parts were invaded with hudge violence It was the Divine providence that the Nobility failing he alone might be known the author of the work The particulars are described in the book last mentioned and would go beyond my purpose to repeat them I will only touch the seege of Rochell and the end of those warres The seege continued seven months in it two things are very remarkable first notwithstanding all the Ordinance and battering picces that were discharged against them to the number of 6000. shot only 25. Rochellers were slain and how many of the beseegers were slain it is uncertain but it may be coniectured that 132. Commanders were killed of whom the chief was Claude Duke d' Aumale uncle of the Duke of Guise March 3. 1573. The greatest assaults were seven The other remarkable thing is the poorest sort of the town began to want bread and a new sort of supply was furnished unto them to wit every day in the river they had plenty of fishes Surdones which they had never seen before and the same day that the seege was raised those wereseen no more So both rich and poor had plenty within and the Kings Army without was grieved with famine Wherefore Charles sent word unto his Brother Henry commanding him either to take-in the town instantly if it be possible or to leave it in Aprile He continued two months longer untill word was brought that he was chosen king of Poland In the mean while Sanserre suffered a hard seege that parents did eat their own little ones A general peace was proclamed and liberty of Religion was granted in July An. 1573. Thuan. Lib. 54. The edict of pacification was conceived in generall terms without naming any city those of Nismes and Languedoc took exception at that thereupon all the Protestant towns wrote unto the Duke of Aniow giving him thanks for the peace and beseeching him to procure unto them leave to assemble in a fit place to the end they may know the particulares of the pacification in convenient time and that he would grant them his Letters patent for their assurance Then many conveened from all parts of the realm as the time would suffer and so they provided for themselves Fre. Commen Lib. 12. The next year Charles died in that book it is written of his death thus Certain it is that he died of a bloody flixe and it is reported for truth by the greater part that the blood is hued out of sundry parts of his body and in his bed he could have litle rest but horribly blasphemed the name of God which he was wont to do even from his childhood Thuan Lib. 57. witnesseth of his unrest and affrighments in the night and that heendeavoured to setle it by musick And because it was suspected that he had been poisoned to the end he might vomit the blood with the more ease he was bolstered up with pillowes that his feet lay higher then his head Another hath comprised the cause and manner of his death in those verses Naribus ore oculis atque auribus
who teach that the erroneous should be forced to return unto the Church albeit the antient scandals be not removed and new ones are multiplied c. He speaks also of their means of alluring men of their policies and corruptions more particularly Another saith The four wings of these locusts are arrogancy of learning their flattering of Princes and wealthy persons impudence in denying and the great power that they have purchased CHAP. IV. Of BRITANNE 1. I Left at the gracious providence of God towards Queen Elisabet in God protected Queen Elisabeth continuance thereof is here to be remembred 1. that Pope Pius V. did accurse her An. 1569. and caused the Breve to be affixed on the Bishop of London's palace An. 1570. by John Felton yet neither did her subjects love her the less nor other Princes leave off correspondence with her and the worst effect was Felton was hanged and. 2. The Earls of Northhumberland and Westmerland hearing of the curse and trusting to the promises of aid from the Pope and from Spain raised a rebellion in the North the one was taken and beheaded and Westmerland escaped into Flanders and died in a poor condition 3. The next year Leonard Dacres began to revive the rebellion in the same Shiers and was soon defeated 4. About the same time Iohn Story a Doctor of law and one Prestol were apprehended and convinced of treason for giving information unto Duke d'Alva how he might invade England and cause Irland revolt 5. John â—esley bishop of Ross plotted with sundry Englishes to intercept the Queen and set Queen Mary at liberty An. 1571. God turned their plots to their dammage 6. John Duke of Austria aiming at that kingdom sought Queen Mary in marriage in the midst of his projected plots he died suddenly An. 1567. 7. Thomas stuckly plotted first with Pius V. and then with Gregory XV. to conquer Irland unto the Pope's son he was made General and sent away with 800. Italians but God disposed so that Stukly was first employd to aid Sebastian King of Portugal against the Mauritanians and died there 8. Nicolas Sanders a priest entred into Irland with an Army of Spaniards An 1580. and ioyning with other rebellious Papists made a great insurrection they were soon quasshed 9. The next year numbers of Seminaries and Jesuits came from Rome to prepare the subiects unto a change and to take part with forrein powers when they shall come into the Land for this cause greater restraint was layd upon Papists of those incendiaries some were executed for treason and many were sent out of the kingdom 10. In the year 1583. John Somerwill was taken when he was going to kill the Queen he confessed that he was persvaded to do so byreading books written by the Seminaries he was condemned and strangled himself in New-gate 11. An. 1585. William Parry having an absolution from the Pope vowed to kill her but God struck him with such terror that having opportunity he could not do it his purpose was discovered and he received the reward of a traitor 12. An. 1586. John Ballard a priest stirred up some gentle men to kill Her when she went abroad to take the air this was discovered before they had opportunity they confessed their plot to bring-in forrein forces fourteen was executed as traâ—tors 13. William Stafford a young gentle man and one Moody were persvaded by a forrein Ambassador lying in England An 1587 to kill Her this was discovered 14. An. 1588. Philip King of Spain sent an hudge navy which he supposed as it was called invincible the Lord of land and sea heard the prayers of both kingdoms England and Scotland and dissipated that naâ—y by stormy winds 15. An. 1593. Lopez a Iew and the Queen 's ordinary Physician undertook to poison her upon promise of 50000. crouns from King Philip but before the hyre came the traitor was punished 16. The next year Patrik Cullen an Irish fencer was hired by English fugitives in Flanders to kill Her intelligence was given and he was apprehended 17. The same year other two undertook the â—ame fact as also to set her Navy on fire with bals of wild-fire and received the like reward 18. An. 1598. Edward Squire was suborned in Spain by a Iesuit to poison Her by laying strong poison on the pommel of the sadle whereon she was wont to ride that she laying her hand on it might carry the sent of it unto her nose Squire followed direction and did the deed on a day when she was going to ride and if She had touched the pommel it had been her death but Divine providence so ruled that she touched it not the treason was discovered and rewarded 19. The Earle of Tyron came from Spain An 1599. and raised the greatest rebellion in Irland that was in her time yet he was overthrown 20 An. 1600. a plot was layd to remove some chief Officers and Counselors from her and then the Papists thought to find their opportunity this project was discovered and prevented 20. Henry Garnet Superior of the Seminaries in England and others had another plot and sent Thomas winter into Spain An. 1601. King Philip embraced the motion and promised to help them but before it came the Queen ended her dayes in peace Seing so many plots were discovered it may not improbably be iudged that moe were intended but she was so safe under the wings of the Almighty that neither open hostility nor privy conspiracy could annoy her The remembrance hereof may teach others to trust in God as the safest policy I return unto Church-affaires First we may profitably observe the cause of the difference in the Reformation of the Churches in those two Kingdoms It is true both looked unto the Worde as the rule of Reformation but they varied in the manner of application for England held that whatsoever in discipline and rites is not contrary unto Gods word should be retained for in the twentieth article of the Convocation An. 1563. it is said The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies and authority in matters of faith and yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary unto Gods word neither may it so expound one place that it be contrary unto another wherefore although the Church be a witness and keeper of holy Writ yet as it not ought not decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation But Scotland applied the Rule more closs in this manner What soever hath not a warrant in the Word should be abolished as in the fourtienth article of Confession they say Evill works are not only those that are done expresly against Gods commandement but those also that in matters of religion and inworshipping of God have no other assurance but the invention and opinion of man which God hath ever from the beginning rejected as by the prophet Isaiah and
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
Assembly shewed how much it concerned his estate to have them called home that the Queen of England was grown old and if any after her death shall withstand his Title he would have need of his subjects assistance and that having many Nobles exiled he might be less respected of strangers and be a great deal weaker at home If therefore he could wonne them to confesse their offence so embrace the true religion without which they shall never get any favor from him he believed the course would not be dis-allowed by wise men and these that loved him and he desireth to know his judgement for as yet he had not shewed his mind in that matter unto any person M. Bruce answered he thought well of the reasons and that it were not amisse to bring home Anguse and Arroll if they will conform themselves to religion but Huntly could not be pardoned because he was so hated of the subjects The King reasoneth in the contrary If Huntly be will perform what may be required of him he saw no reason why he should not be received alswell as the other two and as he could not but know that his care of that man was great seing he had married his Cousine whom be accounted his own daughter so was he the man of greatest power and one that could be most usefull unto him therefore he willeth that Robert think of that matter and after a day or two give him his advice I have not found this communication in any other but for the next day that a Minister could speak so sawcily unto his Soverain it is the more unlikly that it comes from the penn of the adversary both of his person and of the discipline of which he was so zealous This yeare was remarkable for two things great The originall of variance twixt the King Church dearth and the beginning of the division betwixt the King and the Church The scarcety and dearth presently fee lt and the feare of enterprices by the Papist Lords was apprehended by the assembly as tokens of Gods wrath and therefore they took such course as followes The King was not pleased with the course and therefore he would have a change of that discipline The Assembly conveenes at Edinburgh March 22. year 1576. Robert Pont is chosen Moderator I. In Sess 4. the King is present and the Moderator declares unto him the two heads of which they had The 58. Assembly been treating and how they had proceeded to wit first the substantiall wayes and means how to resist the enemy This was recited by the Lord Kinloss in name of that number of Noble and Gentle men which were deputed to consult thereupon The other was the purging of the Church from enormities Because the first was not as yet throughly weighed the Assembly thought expedient that the deputed Barons should further advise of it in the afternoon and report their advice unto the Assembly in writ The King answereth Albeit there was no great cause to fear any such invasion at that time yet they shall do well to give their advice as if the danger were at hand and it might serve when necessity shall require And he propoundeth a lamentable disorder and inconvenient by the yearly alteration of Ministers assignations by the Plat and he is desirous of a more constant course In Sess 5. The Barons give their Overtures for resisting the enemies of Religion and Countrey both forrein and intestine 1. All which have appeared in action with the forfeited rebells and all their known favorers may be charged to enter in ward and continue there untill they shall finde sufficient caution that they shall not medle nor entertain intelligence with these rebells nor any other enemies of the realm or religion nor shall joyn with them nor give them any assistance if they repair into the Countrey and that they give their eldest sones or nearest friends as pledges of their sure observance 2 That all the revenues of the rebells be taken up exactly by his Ma s officers and be employd for the entertaining of souldiers for defence against the enemies and for other charges necessary unto the advancement of the good Cause As an effectuall means to encourage them all who are affection at unto the good cause and to procure their heartly concurrence to their uttermost 3. That there be chosen in every parish by his Ma s authority and vote of the Session and chiefmen of every parish Captaines who are known to be most meet and of best affection to conveen all the parishonars monthly in musters and to see that they be sufficiently armed according to their ability and trained up in the exercise of their arms And that there be chosen Generall Commanders in Shyres and severall quarters of the Country to conveen in arms at all occasions needfull 3. That a substantious order be provided for bringing home a sufficient number of weapons and that the same may be bought and received from the merchants with all expedition 4. That all the cautioners which are bond for the good behavior of these rebells without the Countrey be charged before the Counsell and convicted in the penalties contained in the acts of cautionry and that these penalties be employd upon the relieff of burdens necessary for the wee ll of the Cause II. It was consulted betwixt the assembly and the Counsell of Edinburgh for division of the town into moe parishes and of dividing the great church into two and of building moe churches III. Because Nidsdeall Annandeall Galloway are destitut of Ministers the Kings Commissioners propound that the Assembly would appoint some qualified men for the Ministry there as the King will provide for their living and indemnity IV. Concerning The Assembly searches into the vices of the Lande first in the Ministry the defection in the Ministry the advice of some deputes and their overtures were read and the Ministers consenting thereunto they were concluded and because by Gods grace they intend a Reformation and to see the Church and first the Ministry purged therefore and that the work may have the better success they judge it necessary that this Assembly be humbled for the want of such caire as it became them in these points that are named or marked and that some zealous brother lay them out in a Sermon for the better humiliation and that all make solemn promise before tbe Majesty of God and renew their Covenant with him for a more diligent and reverent discharge of their Ministry To this effect John Davidson was chosen and thuysday next in the morning appointed in the new church for that effect whereunto all Ministers that are present in the town shall resort and the manner to be resolved to morrow in the Privy Conference The tenor of the advice concerning the corruptions in the Ministry and remedies thereof followes 1. Because by too suddain admission and slight tryall of Intrants it comes that many scandalls fall out in
that those may be reponed into their own places when it shall please his Majesty and the Assembly The King and Assembly consent V. It is ordained that in every Assembly hereafter those that shall be appointed Commissioners by the Assembly shall give account of their commission in the beginning of the subsequent assembly before other things be heard and their proceedings to be allowed or dis-allowed as the assembly shall judge of them VI. Commission is given to twenty four Ministers together with the Ministers of the kings House or any nyne of them to plant churches in burghes with power to transplant any Minister within the realm into the said burghes now vaking namely Edinburgh wherein they shall take the advice of the Presbytry there With power to judge of any offenses if it shall happen that his Majesty be offended by any of the Ministry and to take order there-in And also power to present the grievances and petitions of this assembly unto his Majesty and Counsell or Generall Convention of Estates or Parliament if any shall happen to bee c. VII Certain Visitors were designed to visit all the Shirifdoms particularly named unto them with power to try the Ministers in their qualification doctrin and conversation and whether they have wrong'd their Benefices To depose such as deserve deposition To plant Ministers where none as yet have been planted and to this effect to deal with the Tacks-men of every parishon for provision unto a Minister for the church And to report their diligence c. The next Assembly is appointed to be at Santandrews the last tuysday of July 1602. The Historicall Narration addeth Iames Melvin Minister at Kilrinny being detained by sicknes sent unto this assembly a Missive advising them to insist with his Ma. to yeeld unto the agreement of the Brethren at Bruntelan in March for repossessing the Ministers of Edinburgh and charging them as they will answer unto God to endeavour a redress of that wrong done unto the Church of Christ by Act of the Secret Counsell whereby the Ministers of Edinburgh were discharged to preach at any time in any part of the realm he adviseth to consider whether the proceedings of the Commissioners have been conform unto the conclnsions of the preceeding assembly or els it is not possible to hold out corruption And to lament the restraint of the freedom of Assemblies which now are made to depend upon licences Letters and proclamations whereas the Barons and the Burghs enioy thir severall meetings freely In end he layth down his part of the Commission at their feet as the Pioner doth his burden For it grieved him continually and now brought him into the danger of death Albeit he was not acquainted with their secrets yet it grieved him to sit somtimes among them even albeit â—e consented not unto their Sentences The King took this Letter out of the Moderator's hand and suffered it not to be read John Davidson sent another Letter to this purpose Should James John seek to sit the one at the right hand and the other at the left when Christ is going to Jerusalem to suffer death Is it time for Baruch to seek great things for himself whent the Lord is about to destroy what he hath planted and threatens his people with fearfull captivity is it time for us now when so many of our worthy Brethren are shamefully thrust out of their callings without all order of just proceeding against them boni malis demutantur and Papists Jesuits and atheists dayly flocking home are suffered countenanced and advanced to great roumâ— in the realm is it time for us of the Ministry to be inveigled and blindfolded with pretence of preferment of some small number of our brethren and that not to stand so much in the election of the Church as at the pleasure of the Court to have vote in Parliament to ride in foot mantles and to have the titls of Prelacies and so to make preparative in ourselves unto that Hierarchy as they call it which the Papists hope to enjoy with speed what is it but honorari intra palatium ad servitutem shall we brethren sliep still with Samson on Dalilah's lap till they cry The Philistins be upon thee he wrot more in this purpose and in the end he wished that they would not determin any thing de presenti concerning the new planting of Edinburgh in prejudice of their brethren not as yet displaced by any order for any promise de futuro as punishment of Papists seing those two can not stand together If reason find no place he exhorts them to remember that Melins optabilius est egregium bellum pace impia à Deo distrahente Bishop Spotswood addeth that he scoffing at the Kings doings said But Boniton is executed an infamous thief in the highest degree What is that to the cause of Religion whereof no question was moved is there no Papists nor favourer of Papists in Scotland but Boniton But the King is sound in religion what can the Papists do Being sound the danger were the less but there is nothing either in Church or king according to our Calling c. The king said There was treason in this Letter and for it the writer was committed to the castle of Edinburgh in the same month and afterward was confined to his parishon enduring his life In the Narration it is said also The Assembly began with little contentment to either party but the King to won the people because of the jealousy many had conceived for the fact at Perth in August protested with the tear in his ey that he would be serious for the Church and the liberty of the Gospell And for more satisfaction it was approved by Court and many of the Ministry which before was not only neglected but mocked at to wit to ripe up the causes of defection in all Estates from the purity and zeal in the practise of the true Religion and to advise upon the remedies So in this they had a tast of the wonted assemblies But there was small security in the chief directores and others of that side for neither were the chief causes layd open nor a right course taken for remedy The distraction among Ministers the cause and remedies thereof was not touched The King was so serious against the three Ministers of Edinburgh that for his satisfaction it was concluded they should be transported The generall Commission was renewed and almost all the same persons were authorized so that the plotters were not changed nor censured but others were put off and put in as they thought expedient About the end of the Assembly the King holding up his hand vowed to execute justice faithfully and to discredit all who shall attempt any thing against religion In the provinciall synod of Fife conveened at Kingorn in September they agreed upon some grievances to be presented unto the next Nationall Assembly to wit 1. That notwithstanding the Acts of Parliament
Possevinus but also our Zeth Celvisius into this Historical errour whereas neither was Gotteschalk a Scot nor of one accord with this John Scot as we have cleared before 9. At Macra within the Diocy of Rhemes was a Synod An. 881. There they distinguish between the power Civil and Ecclesiastical and shew that only Christ Jesus was both King and Priest after the Incarnation and as the one hath need of the other so neither should a King assume Priestly power nor a Priest meddle with secular affairs or usurp Royal power but they â—ome not to shew what power belongeth unto the Magistrate in Ecclesiastical affairs They do recite a Synodal Homily of Gregory the I wherein the ambition of Priests is taxed in these words Because we have slipped into external purposes partly through barbarous clamours and partly through negligence of our time and we have left the ministry of Preaching and to our punishment are called Bishops who keep the name of honour and not the vertue thereof for they which have been committed unto us do forsake the Lord and we are silent when they are weltring in their wicked works nor do we reach the hand of correction they perish daily with much wickedness and we are careless when we see them going into Hell But how can we amend the lives of others since we have little thought of our own for we are so bent upon Secular cares that we are unsensible of what is within because we do affect so much other things without us for with the use of earthly care our minds are hardned from heavenly desire and when with the very use we are hardned in the actions of Adam's world we cannot be softned unto those things which do concern the love of our Lord when we are taken up with extraneal actions we do forget the ministry of our own actions we forsake the cause of our Lord and do wait on earthly affairs we take on us the place of holiness and are drowned with earthly actions It is verily fulfilled in us what is written And there shall be like People like Priest For the Priest is no better then the People when we go not beyond them in the holiness of life Behold now is not any Secular action which is not administred by Priests We see with how heavy a sword the World is strucken and with what rods the people do daily perish whose fault is this but ours Behold Towns are wasted the Tents of the Church are overthrown Monasteries are thrown down the Fields lie wast and we are the Authours of the peoples death who should lead them into life for for our sin are the people beaten down because through our sloth they are not instructed unto life Let us take it to heart Who were ever converted by our teaching or being admonished by us were brought unto repentance Who hath left their luxury by our information Who hath forsaken pride or avarice Here we are called Shepheards but when we shall appear before the face of the eternal Shepheard can we bring thither any flock which hath been converted by our preaching But oh that we were able to preach and could hold forth the duty of our place in the innocency of our lives So far they 10. In the first half of this Century were many Synods in England and did treat little or nothing in doctrine or manners but only for jurisdiction and revenges of Bishops and Abbots as is evident in S. Hen. Spelman Concil About the year 887. was a Synod under King Alfred at least Laws both Ecclesiastical and Civil were published in his name He beginneth with the ten Commands and omits the second for filling up the number he saith The tenth Thou shalt not have Gods of silver or gold On this place Will. Lambard who did translate these Laws out of the Saxonish into Latine saith This omission of the second Command was not his fault nor of the first writer but of the first maker of the Laws for saith he since the second Councel at Nice such was the darkness of these times that for conciliating authority unto the Precepts of men they thought good to diminish the Precepts of God 11. At Triburia was a Synod of 22 German Bishops An. 895. at command of the Emperour Arnulph and the Decrees were made in his name In Ca. 1. He commandeth to apprehend all excommunicated persons and bring them unto him that they may be punished with man's judgment which will not fear the judgment of God and if any be so rebellious that they will not be taken and so happen to be killed they who kill them shall be free from all censures both Ecclesiastical and Civil Ca. 6. If any come presumptuously into a Church with a drawn sword he commits sacriledg and shal be punished as for sacriledge Ca. 11. If any of the Clergy although extreamly coacted shal commit murther whether a Priest or Deacon should be deposed for we read in the Canons of the Apostles That if a Bishop or Priest or Deacon be found guilty of fornication or perjury or theft he should be deposed how much more he who commits so great a crime for he who professeth to follow Christ should walk as he hath walked when he was reviled he reviled not again and when he was smitten he smote not again c. Ca. 13. Augustine the wonderfull Doctour seemeth to have spoken clearly of Tithes in few words Tithes are required as debt What if God would say Thou art mine O man the earth which thou tillest is mine the seed which thou scatterest is mine the beasts which thou weariest are mine the heat of the Sun is mine and since all is mine thou who appliest but thy hands deservest only the tenth part and yet I give thee nine parts give me the tenth if thou wilt not give me the tenth I will take away the nine if thou givest me the tenth I will multiply the nine unto thee If any man ask wherefore should Tithes be given let him know that therefore are they given that God being appeased with this devotion he would give us necessaries more aboundantly and that the Ministers of the Church being helped may be the more free for Spiritual Service ..... We do judge that there should be four portions of the Tithes and Oblations of Beleevers according to the Canons c. Ca. 40. It is not lawfull in Christian religion that a man should have her to wife whom he hath defiled in adultery Ca. 44. If any man hath committed fornication with a woman and his brother shall afterwards marry her the brother which first defiled her because he told not his brother ere he married her shall suffer a very hard pennance and correction and the woman according to the second Canon of the Neocoesarian Councel shall be put to death 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