and commanded them to be kept through all Christendome in Schooles and Iudgement Thus the word of God is set aside for their traditions Peter de Vienna complained That all the world cannot fill the insatiabilitie of the Pope That the turpitudes of the Clergie are so great and enormious as shame forbiddeth to speake thereof Hee also maintained that the Pope neither by diuine nor humane right hath any power of the Sword The Pope excommunicated him William the Gold-smith at this time sheweth that the Pope is Antichrist Rome Babylon the Prelates members of Antichrist Caesarius 10. Distinct 3. of his Dialogues The Pope was driuen out of Rome by the Romans He cursed the Emperour Frederike for not going to the holy Land and the second time for punishing Rebells and receiued 12000. ounces of gold for absoluing him Vide Plat. and the Mysterie of Iniquitie pa. 360. He cursed the Greeke Church and they him againe he plagued the Clergie of England by exactions foure markes of euery Church the fift part of euery Ecclesiasticall person 10000. markes for maintaining of the warres against the Emperour he stirred vp his sonne against him He wrote to the Sarazens not to agree with him He fell out with the Cardinall Columna because he would not doe a vile message to the Emperour saying I hold thee not hence-forth for Cardinall Nor I thee for Pope sayd Columna and so he departed Math. Paris See the Mystery of Iniquity fol. 304. Gregorie afflicted with so many mischiefes fell sicke and dyed with sorrow and griefe 1241. Celestine the fourth sate eighteen dayes was poisoned Innocent the fourth sate eleuen yeeres and sixe moneths He canonized many Saints made much of begging Friers Hee prescribed the Emperour Frederike and Conrade and then commanded William to be chosen against him He exacted in England the third of all Church-goods and the yeerely fruits of vacant Benefices and halfe of all Non-residences and all the intestate Ecclesiasticall Againe of some Priests fifteene of some tenne of some fiue able men furnished with horse and harnesse to the warres for one whole yeere besides 10000. markes and after 70000. markes to this warre in despite of King Henry besides Peter-pence 60000. markes yeerely of Aâ—…ent Clarkes He reuoked Friers priuiledges excommunicated them and all religious persons The Emperour sayde foreseeing what would follow when hee was chosen Pope I haue lost a Cardinall my friend and haue chosen a Pope mine enemie Plat. So honours change manners and the very pride of the place makes them forget all duty to God and man He dyed miserably at Naples sooner than he thought Naucler 1250. Alexander the fourth sate seauen yeeres he was set vp against Conrade the Emperour hee reuoked the acts of Innocent condemned the Bookes of Gulielmus de Sancto amore written against Begging Friers Plat. popish Clergie calling the Pope Antechrist He lost his armie in Nicrea and comming to Viterbe he dyed there 1261. From Siluester the second that diuellish Magitian vntill this time the Popes haue reigned as incarnate diuells in all trumperies deceits oppression of the good and manifest tyrannies and haue tormented by their infernall furies the greatest monarkes Henry the fourth and fift the second Fredericke and other princes of the earth Vrbane the fourth sate three yeeres and one moneth hee raised vp warres against Maufroy and after against Conradin and ouercame them both and so obtayned the lands but the end was miserable for the Sicillians after the yeere 1282. rebelled against him and slew all his French army in an euening sodainely and opened their women great with childe and cast away their fruit that they nor none of that generation might remaine This occasion was afterward commonly called the Euensong of Sicilie This Pope dyed at Peruse Clement the fourth sate three yeers and nine months He had wife and children Hee was the King of France his Chancellor After his wifes death he was Bishop of Pauy after Archbishop of Narbon after Cardinall and was chosen Pope Hee demanded a certaine tenth in Almayne Iohn Glossator of the Decree and Prouost of Saint Stephen de Alberstate opposed himselfe against it and appealed to the next Counceil for the which hee was excommunicated of the Pope and depriued of his office Sea of Histories Clement had a nephew which held three Benefices he constrained him to forsake two of them Naucler He died at Viterbe Gregorie the tenth sate foure yeeres he assembled a Counsell at Lions where was agreed the tenth part of the goods of the Church to be giuen for sixe yeeres to maintaine the warres for the conquest of the lands beyond the Seas He labored to bring the Greeke Church vnto Rome but all in vaine so as he is not vniuersall Bishop nor his Successors 1272. He came to Aretinum where he died Innocent the fift sate sixe moneths and two dayes Adrian the fift sate fortie dayes he died at Viterbe 1276. before hee was consecrated Iohn the two and twentieth sate eight moneths promising himselfe long life foretold by the Starres as hee affirmed it but in the presence of his people a new Vault Valerius calleth it a playing Hall Stella a rich and precious chamber which he had built in his pallace at Viterbie fell the fourth day following sodainely vpon him in the yeere 1277. and the seauenth day after the sayd ruine he was found miserably slaine betwixt the stones and the timber and was buried in the great Church Here the Pope found by experience the vanity of his diuination At this time was the doctrine of the Waldois holding but two Sacraments baptisme and the Communion The Masse an abhominable and detestable thing and therefore to be abolished All humane tradition to be reiected as not necessary to saluation against many other toyes of Popery against the Popes Supremacie called Rome very Babylon and the Pope the fountaine of all euill Nicholas the third sate foure yeeres He transported to himselfe the dignity of the Senator of Rome He made a Parke for Hares and Conies for his pleasure to hunt in He gaue much to his nephew or rather bastard called Barthand that hee tooke from others by force as some say hee ingendered vpon a Concubine of his bastards a monster whose haire and nayles were like a Beares See Iohn de Naion in his Institutions of Beda And as hee was determined to preferre the house of the Vrsins of which house he was and therefore had caused to be paynted the pictures of Beares in the Pallace being in the towne of Sutry hee was taken with an Apoplexy of which he died sodainly and without speech Anno 1291. Martin the fourth sate two yeeres and eight months he excommunicated Peter King of Aragon and exposed his kingdome for a prey to the first that could get it because hee ordayned an army by Sea into Sicilie against Charles and absolued his subiects of their oath Note that all the pastime of Popes is to set Princes together by the eares Hee
sedition burst out This Pope renewed the hatred of his predecessour Pius the fift against Queene Elizabeth of England First by sending his great Armada into Ireland then by sending Parry and others This Pope had his Concubine before hee was Pope and after hee was Pope by whom he had two little sonnes which sayd vnto him such graces as made him laugh Philippicus his sonnes grace was That the Pope his Father gaue him fiue thousand crownes a yeere M. Cyp. Volater He died at Rome Aprill 11. 1585. Sixtus the fift sate sixe yeeres This Foelix so called before being a poore mans sonne was brought vp by a Gentlewoman so long as he grew proude then shee caused him to be beaten Then hee fled to Rome and the Pope tooke him into seruice at the length he made him a Cardinall and by his good friends in Spaine hee was made Pope M. Cyp. Volater One day talking of his meane birth he said he came of an illustrious house for said he the vpper part of the house being alwayes torne and vncouered the Sunne made it most glorious with his beames See Antonius Caracalla De vitis Pontificum This Pope excommunicated the King of Nauarre and Condie giuing his Countrey to such as could get it declaring him vncapable of the succession of the crowne of France He approued a Nunne called Maria de Visitatione who long deluded the people She grew so famous as the king of Spaine inquired of her his good successe for England 1588. Shee promised good successe and that Duke Medina Generall she pronounced openly should returne a victorious Prince So prosper all Gods enemies But the next yeere after all her holinesse false miracles and great dissimulations were soone found out and she punished for the same See M. Cyp. Volater The most Christian Prince of Condie whom the Pope excommunicated and cursed was poysoned The king of France whom hee also excommunicated with many threats was slaine by a Iacobine Frier in his priuy-chamber vnder colour of deliuering a letter out of his sleeue he drew forth a poysoned knife out of his sleeue wherewith he killed him D. Chytreus 1589. No Religion will stay the Papists The Pope at Rome made an Oration in the commendation of this Frier comparing him with Eleazer and Iudith and not thus satisfied he denyed any honour to be made at his buriall or any man to pray for him This Pope died the seauen and twenty of August 1590. He made many new Holidayes M. Cyp. Volater Vrban the seuenth sate twelue daies There happened a great earthquake vpon the day of his Election at Vienna and Austria The next day after his election he fell sicke and determined to remoue his Court to the hill of Quirinus a better ayre but hee tarried because it was against the custome to goe abroad before hee was crowned But he dyed the twelfth day after Arthur Cicer. Gregorie the foureteenth sate tenne moneths and ten dayes hee was proclaymed by the high Court of Parliament Chalnut and Toures an enemy to the common peace and to the vnion of the Catholique Religion and to the king and his royall seate adherent to the conspiracie of Spaine a fauourer of Rebells guilty of the most cruell most inhumane and most detestable death of Henry the third most Catholique King Againe an Act was made against the Popes Bulles hee dyed of a quartane feuer He was troubled with a continuall flux which he had Arthur Cicer. 1591. Innocent the ninth sate two moneths and odde dayes and died being threescore and ten yeeres of age so that in the space of foureteene moneths foure Popes dyed Sixtus Vrban Gregorie Innocent as it is to be thought the most or all died of poyson for Bazutus is not dead that killed sixe Popes with poyson See the life of Damasus the second 1591. Clement the eight sate nine yeeres The Earle of Fuentes practized with Lopus and promised 50000. crownes to poyson Queene Elizabeth Hee also dealt with Emmanuel Adrian to kill the King of Fraunce with the odious smell of a poysoned rose Da. Chytreus 1594. Iohn Castill a Scholler of the Iesuites strucke the King of Fraunce with a knife but the King stouping to take vp the Lords before him hee strucke out one of his teeth and was apprehended c. The King after two yeeres intreating the Pope was receiued into the lappe of the Church and declared Christian King of France with condition to receiue the Counsell of Trent and to remoue the young Prince of Condie from the company of Hereticks That he should restore the reuenews and goods taken from the Bishops and Abbeys and testifie his conuersion to the Catholique Princes c. Da. Chytreus The Pope discontented at Caesar Est who enioyed the Empire after the death of the Emperour Rodolph whom he declared his heire in his life time strucke him with the Thunder-bolt of Excommunication and made warre vpon him Caesar Est Duke of Ferrara the matter being taken vp yeelded Ferrara to the Pope who vnited it to the Popedome Pope Clement made thirteene Cardinalls amongst whom was Rob. Bellarmine Iesuite 1599. This yeere 1600. Richard L. Bishop of London with two other Commissioners Doctor Parkins and Doctor Swale were sent in Embassage to Embden to treate with the Commissioners from the King of Denmarke and returned the eight of Iuly following 1600. Paul the fift renewed the Index expurgatorius wherein is contayned MERCVRIVS GALLO-BELGICVS The humble supplication of Roger Widdrington an English Catholique vnto the most holy Lord Pope Paul the fift Item a little Booke tituled Marcus Anthonius de Dominicis Archbishop of Spalato with others Now to conclude this point by recapitulation The Popes that claime to be Peters Successors you see they neither succeed in place as hath beene proued for sixe or seuen Popes sate at Auignon about fourescore yeres nor in manner of liuing as by their owne Chronicles with others doe appeare for some were couetous Couetous Boniface the eight Calixt the third Iohn the twenty three Boniface the ninth Proude Bennet the twelfth Adrian the fourth Celestine the third Innocent the fourth Alexander the third Gregory the thirteenth Clement the fift sixt seauenth Boniface the eight Paul the second Iohn the three and twenty Ambitious as may be seene since about fiue hundred yeeres after Christ when they laboured for superioritie Policarp Bishop of Ierusalem Misda Bishop of Rome Iohn Bishop of Constance Pelagius Bishop of Rome Iohn Bishop of Constance opposed by Gregorie the great and Iohn the third Bishop of Rome See fol. 6. Blasphemers Leo the third Iohn the thirteenth Iulius the third Leo the tenth Heretickes Leo the seauenth Boniface the eight Iohn the twenty three Eugenius the fourth Schismatickes as two yea three Popes together some two yeeres sixeteene yeeres sixe yeeres twenty yeeres thirty nine yeeres seuen yeeres thirteene yeeres See Alexander the second third and sixt Hildebrand Paschalis Calixt the second Honorius the second Innocent the second Bennet the thirteenth Three
inclosed in strong Monasteries and there hee dyed Naucler and Cron. Abb. 905. Sergius the third sate seauen yeeres he condemned Formosus acts he tooke vp his body and cut off his head and threw him into Tyber he begat Iohn the twelfth vpon a faire Whoore Wife to Guido Luithorandus Anno 906. Note Formosus Boniface the sixt Stephen the sixt Romaine Theodorus the second Iohn the tenth Bennet the fourth Leo the fifth Christopher Sergius the third All these Popes condemned one anothers acts ten succeeding one another aboue 20. yeeres where is now their consent they boast so of a maine marke of their Church Anastasius the third sate two yeeres and two moneths an honest Pope Supp and Cron. Laudo sate fiue moneths and more Iohn the eleuenth sate thirteene yeeres and two moneths he was Pope Sergius sonne and proued no better then his Father sauing he proued a good Souldier His owne Souldiers stifled him to death Naucler 917. Stephen sate two yeeres and twelue dayes Iohn the twelfth son to Pope Laudo sate foure yeeres ten moneths and fifteene dayes he did nothing worthy memory and of some is not numbred in the Catalogue of Popes Supp Chron. He obtained the Popedome by his Harlot Theodora he was strangled with a cushion by the Souldiers of Guido Premonstra 917. Leo the seauenth sate three yeeres and sixe moneths The Heresie of the Anthropomorphites which say that God hath a corporall forme was at that time renewed The Bishop of Verone writ against it Stephen the eight sate three yeeres foure moneths and twelue dayes some say he was murthered in a sedition insomuch as he was neuer publikely seene Chron. Abb. Martine the third sate three yeeres sixe moneths and foureteene dayes he was peaceable and gaue himselfe to repaire Temples and to nourish the poore saith Supp Chron. Agapatus the second sate nine yeeres he did nothing memorable Iohn the thirteenth sate nine yeeres and three moneths This mans Father Abaric being of the greatest power of Rome caused the noblest and chiefe Rulers to promise and sweare to choose after the death of Agapatus his eldest sonne this Iohn He was a vile monster in life he committed incest with both his Sisters and his Fathers Concubines at Dice he would call to the Diuel and drinke to the Diuell he maintained a publike stewes He was deposed by the Emperour in a Counsell was againe placed and soone after was taken againe in adultery and was slayne by the husband of the wife about 960. Plat. Ro. Baras Chron. Sigesb Naucler and Ioh. Maire Others say that the diuell brake his necke Anton Chro. Fasci Baronius Benet the fift sate sixe moneths and fiue dayes Hee was deposed by the Emperour and banished into Almaine where hee dyed and Leo placed in his roome Anno 963. Naucler Leo the eight sate one yeere and foure moneths Hee established to the Emperour the choosing of the Pope with inuesting Naucler and Dist 63. cap. in Synod 964. Iohn the fourteenth sate sixe yeeres eleuen months and ten dayes He was imprisoned by the Citizens and Peter Prouost of Rome but was restored by the Emperour Otho the first and Peter was deliuered to the Popes deuotion who gaue him to the tormentors hands who vnapparrelled him cut off his beard and set him vpon an Asse his face to ward the tayle and his hands bound vnder the tayle and so was led through the Towne and beaten with rods after he was brought to prison and finally was banished into Almaine Naucler Volateran Anno 965. Benet the sixt sate one yeere and sixe moneths Hee was put in prison at Saint Angelo wherein he was strangled by Cynthius Naucler 973. Boniface the seauenth sate seauen months the greatest in Rome conspired against him for hee entred by euill meanes He pilled the most precious treasures of the Church of Saint Peter and fledde into Constantinople where he continued eight moneths hauing turned all into siluer he returned into Rome In his absence they lifted vp one whom they called Iohn the fifteenth Hee sate eight moneths But Boniface corrupted the vilest and wicked persons of Rome This done he tooke Pope Iohn and put out his eyes and made him die with hunger in the castle of Saint Angelo and so possest the place but he died incontinently after of a sodayne death and his corps was drawne with a cord by his feete through the streetes and pierced with pikes by the Romanes but the Clarks buried him Naucler Ro. Barus Cro. Abb. Anno 976. Benet the seuenth sate eight yeeres and sixe moneths he did nothing worthy memory Iohn the fifteenth died in prison as before in Bonif. 7. Iohn the sixteenth sate foure moneths for giuing the goods of the Church to his parents friends and allies he was hated of the Clergie and people and was inclosed in the Castle of Saint Angelo where he died of hunger Supp Cron Ro. Barus 976. Iohn the seuenteenth sate tenne yeeres for feare of Crescentius the Roman Rebell he fled to Hitruria crauing aide of the Emperour and Gregory the fift was placed in his roome 987. Gregorie the fift sate three yeeres He was deposed after the Emperours departure and Iohn the eighteenth was placed in his roome but the Emperour killed both the new Popes Iohn and Crescentius and placed Gregorie 995. and so was a Schisme of two Popes Naucler Supp Cron. Plat. Siluester the second sate foure yeeres Hee was a Magitian and came to the Seate by the Art of the Diuell vnto whom hee had done homage that all his affaires might goe after his wish He had most curious bookes of Magicke which he got from a Philosopher by the helpe of his daughter and fearing to be surprized of it he vowed himselfe to the Diuell vpon condition he would bring him to France and at last he came to be Pope And desiring of the Diuell to know how long he should be Pope the Diuell answered vntill hee sayd Masse at Ierusalem Then he followed his delights but on a day in Lent celebrating the Masse in the Church of the holy Crosse of Ierusalem he was sodainely taken with a great feuer c. and sodainely hee heard a great tumult of Diuells in his presence c. and surprized with feare hee sent for his Cardinalls and commanded his body should be hewen in peeces but specially such of his members whereby hee had worshipped the Diuell and then that all should be put in a Cart and vnto what place soeuer the Horses which drew the Cart went and should stay there he should be buried The horses without any direction carried his body into the Church of Laterane where he was layd in a Sepulchre And at this day his Sepulchre is a pronostike token of a Popes death 999. Ro. Barus Suppl Cron. Bermo and Naucler Iohn the twentith sate foure yeeres and fiue moneths He was suspected to haue made away his predecessour From Siluester vntill Hildebrand these Popes gaue themselues to diabolicall Arts He died not
burned aliue giuing to vnderstand that which he had done of the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord that is the decree of Transubstantiation whereof Hildebrand commanding Counsell of a certaine thing as of old the Painims did of their Idols hee cast the Hoast into the fire because it gaue him no answere though the Cardinalls spake against it Thus farre Benno a Cardinall Note a beginning of the fruits of that cursed decree of Transubstantiation applied vnto charmes and inchantments Moreouer as he rose vp from his seate to excommunicate the Emperor Henry the fourth the seate lately made of new and strong wood of it selfe brake into many peeces in terrible manner Benno He decreed single life to the Clergie where-about hee moued maruellous tragedies yet in Almaine and in Fraunce were twenty foure Bishops and more which together with their Clergie were married and defended and constantly maintained their marriage He commanded the vowe of Chastitie hee ordayned the offering of the Masse He was deposed and fled to Salerne An. 1086. where he died in exile Abb. Vesp Benno Balenus poisoned Clement the third was chosen Ante-pope to Gregorie the seauenth so were two Popes together sixeteene yeares he sate three yeares and fiue moneths Plat. Victor the third was made Pope not by election of Cardinalls nor people of Rome but was there inthronized by Mathilde Gregories louer onely and the Normans of that faction hee sate foure moneths He entred and intended to follow the example of his predecessour Gregorie in mouing of warres and against the Emperour and Pope Clement he died of poison which was put into the Challice by his Subdeacon as he sung Masse Herman Contract Carsulan praemonst 1086. Vrban the second chosen by Mathilde onely against the will of the Emperour sate twelue yeares foure moneths and nineteene dayes He was Hildebrands familiar he watred caused to grow his pernitious seeds He excommunicated the Archbishop of Rauenna and Clement the third because he had bin chosen by the Emperour some call him the Perturber of the World He would absolue none excommunicated by Hildebrand and fearing to fall into danger of his life he went secretly out of the Towne and celebrated many Synods at Melph two at Troy three at Plaisance foure at Cleremont fiue at Toures in which he confirmed the acts of Hildebrand and made new Ecclesiasticall ordinances to fortifie the Papacy This Pope cursed the Emperour and the Ante-pope Clement and he him againe Hee heard Anselme against William Rufus 1088. Paschal the second sate eighteene-yeeres and sixe moneths and seauen dayes He followed the steppes of Hildebrand He imployed all his time in warres he put from their dignities all Ecclesiasticall persons which had been ordained by the Emperor He assembled a Counsell at Rome 1101. because of an opinion of a Bishop of Florence touching Antichrist already borne Sabellicus Seeing so many mischiefes committed in the Church he prohibited Ministers marriages Hee renewed the excommunication of Gregory the seauenth and Vrban the second against the Emperour Henry the fourth causing the sonne to take vp Armes against his father an inhumane and horrible crueltie The sonne most vnnaturally besieged his father tooke him traiterously dispoiled him of all his Imperiall dignities and made him die a poore miserable man in great captiuitie and heauines and all at the instigation of Christs pretended Vicar Yet this Papall monster not appeased with his death commanded by his Letters that his body should be vnburied and cast out of the Church c. and to be depriued for fiue yeeres of Sepulture Euseb Chron. Hee dispoyled the Archbishop of Rauenna of his lands applying them to his owne profit and after commanded the Archbishop of the same place to be taken vp who had beene chosen Pope by the Emperour in the time of Gregory the seuenth sixe yeares after hee had laid in the Sepulchre The Emperor and the Pope accorded yeelding to Henry the fift inuestitures but after he reuoked it and excommunicated the Emperour But the Emperour comming to Rome the Pope fled to Apulia where he dyed Anno 1114. Gelasius the second sate one yeere and six months was chosen without the Emperor he was imprisond by Cinthius a great man of Rome but he was deliuered by the people the Emperor sent his Armie to Rome The Pope fearing fled to Gayette The Emperor created another Pope called Gregorie the eight the eighteenth Schisme of two Popes Gelacius condemned the Emperour and the Ante-pope R. Barus Gelacius came secretly to Rome hee was knowne and hardly escaped into France Supp Chron. 1118. He dyed of a plurifie at Clugni where he was buried Calixt the second sate fiue yeeres he was chosen by the Cardinalls The Ante-pope came against him He was ouercome in battell and being taken by Pope Calixt hee was set vpon a Cammell his face towards the taile and so made him goe and after imprisoned him Iohn le Maire Fasc temporum 1119. Honorius the second sate fiue yeares and two moneths Arnulph Archbishop of Lions had at that time a singular grâ—ce in preaching and after he had preached in 〈◊〉 and came to Italie he came to Rome but because hee rebuked too sharpely the vices delights and pompes of the Church-men hee was slaine The Pope seemed to be grieued at it yet made he no great search for the murtherers Plat. Sabellicus Bonifac. Simo. This Popes Legate Iohn was taken in bed with a whoore at London Grafton Innocent the second sate foureteene yeeres hee warred against Roger the Norman but Innocent was ouerthrowne in battell and led away prisoner while he was in prison the Romans elected another but Innocent agreeing with Roger hee was constrained to goe into France for succour where he held two Counsells after he returned towards the Emperour who promised his aide and so he returned into Italie Anaclete the Antepope hearing thereof stole away all the treasure and reliques of the Church to wage them which were of his band He dyed with griefe and his Cardinalls craued pardon Thus two Popes continued sixe yeeres 1136. Celestine the second sate fiue months and eight daies he died of the pestilence Lucius the second sate one yeere hee willing to take away the dignity of the Patritian died of the pestilence Supp Chron. Fasci temporum Eugenius the third sate eight yeeres hauing excommunicated certaine Romans hee was constrained to flee into France 1145. comming againe he was honourably receiued but he soone after dyed at Tyber going to recreate himselfe Hee was brought to Rome and buried in the Temple of Saint Peter Supp Cron. 1145. Saint Bernard against the impietie of the Popes and the Ecclesiasticall sort see his 67. Sermon where he calleth them the Ministers of Antechrist Item 57. in his booke to Eugenius Item in the 33. Sermon vpon the Canticles he often saith that Prelates are but Pilats He reproueth Eugenius that leauing the word of God hee aduanced humane Traditions And Hugo Cardinalis in his Postill vpon Saint Iohn
made Cardinall the eldest he made Duke of Spaine he was slaine at Rome and his brother Cardinall being wearie of Priesthood he espoused one of King Lewis his kinswomen his daughter Lucrece whose carnall copulation himselfe had was married to three Princes successiuely See Iohn Functius He was odious to the whole world and except God had shortned his dayes by an errour of his Cup-bearer giuing him a poysoned Cuppe for another as he poysoned some of the Cardinalls he had a purpose to haue poysoned all whose goods he had challenged after their death See Guiccinard li. 5. Onuphrius Alexander supping vnder a vine neere the Vatican to enioy the coolenesse of the ayre he was sodainely carried away desperately sicke into the Pallace The next morning he dyed blacke swolne and beyond all credit deformed Baleus Being sicke in bed he sent his seruant Madena to his wardrobe to fetch him a little booke enriched with gold and precious stones This booke contained all manner of illusions and inchantments whereby hee would haue beene certified of his life The seruant running thither saw one in the Popes Chaire very like himselfe whereat being afraid he ranne to his master pale and wanne halfe dead which the Pope perceiuing suffering him to recouer willed him to goe the second time where finding the man still in the Chaire hee was wonderfully afraide and being demanded of him what he had to doe there he answered To fetch a certaine garment for the Pope At which words the Diuell being then in the Chaire making an horrible noyse sayd I am the Pope These things reported to the Pope His euill beganne to encrease and Death approached A short time after a man apparrelled like a Lackey knocked at the Popes chamber doore saying he must needes speake with the Pope All other drew aside and great speech was betweene them The Pope pleaded his time was not yet come for he promised him nineteene yeers continuance but the Lackey answered He promised him eleauen yeeres and eight moneths which was accomplished and therefore hee must needes die The Pope pleading for longer time could not be heard This talke was heard by them in the next chamber Finally as Sathan went away the Pope with great cries and sighes and fearefull sobbes died See Onuphrius the Popes Historiographer Guicciardin Volateran Iohn Baleus much more these Authors report This Pope had with his sonne a daughter with whom both the father and sonne lay Pontanus and Samozarius haue left written 1502. Opposition Iohn Weselne an excellent Diuine called Fax mundi against the Pope and his doctrine Rodolph Agricola was of the same opinion Hierom Sauanorola with two more Friers were against Iustification by workes merits pardons they were hanged and burned Sabellicus 1499. This Pope caused to be cut out the tongue and both the hands of Anthonius Mancenellus a learned man because he had written a very elegant Oration against the wicked manners villanies and dishonest life of him Pius the third as soone as he was made Pope hee intended warre with France because they had occupied a part of Italy vnder their subiection whom the Pope hoped to haue driuen cleane out of those Lands hee intended also an army against the Turkes but while hee went about this he dyed the 27. day after his election Anno 1503. Note from Siluester the second Anno one thousand vntill Innocent the fourth 1240. the space of 240. yeers the grashoppers were sent out from the bottomlesse pit to deuoure Christians in soule and body From Innocent the fourth vntill Iulius the second 1504. that is 196. they haue beene permitted to nourish and maintaine it obscuring all truth that by false doctrine and lying myracles they might seduce if it were possible euen the Elect by Friers Mendicants and massing Priests and haue cruelly put to death the gaine-sayers But from that time vnder Iulius the second and euer since the Papacie hath and through Gods mercie is like to decay still euen till the comming of Christ who shal confound Antechrist with the breath of his mouth Iulius the second a man as it were chiefly borne for warre Hee besieged Rauenna and tooke it and from diuers Princes he tooke diuers Townes not without great effusion of bloud He excommunicated the king of Fraunce and king of Nauarre and gaue their Kingdomes to whomsoever could first occupy them Massius cap. 20. Chron. The Counsell of Latterane was begunne by Iulius 1512. This monster died the yeare following after he had begunne the Counsell hauing committed an in finite number of murthers and wickednesses vnheard of before Iulian meaning to goe to warre against Maximilian and Lewis passing ouer the bridge he cast Saint Peters keyes into Tyber and tooke the Sword of Saint Paul saying The Keyes of Saint Peter serue vs to no purpose it may be Saint Paules Sword will doe something He dispensed with King Henry the eight for his marriage hee excommunicated Lewis the French King and gaue away his kingdome Epigram By fraud the Merchant Iulius rakes in pelfe For heauen he sells yet hath it not himselfe 1513 Leo the tenth he gaue himselfe to pleasures and lusts of the flesh he had Singers and Musitians at his Table He hated mortally the Gospell and on a day Bembo the Cardinall vttering a thing out of the Gospell he answered It hath euer sufficiently beene knowne what profit the fable of Christ hath brought vs and ours The same day that Leo made thirty one Cardinalls in the very Temple where they were assembled happened such a great tempest which shooke and carried away the Image of Christ out of his Mothers lappe and the Keyes out of the hands of Saint Peter there 1517. At which very time Luther beganne to thunder against the Pope He commaunded Luthers bookes to be burnt at Rome and Luther burnt his Cannons and popish Decretalls at Wittenberge The Pope reioycing at the ouerthrow of the French King making good cheere sodainly died at his Table Baleus 1524. Opposition Picus Mirandola against reall Presence the worship of the Crosse and Images Adrian the sixt sate two yeeres the Bookes of a certaine Phisitian and Magitian were burnt at Rome some of which were brought to Adrian whereof hee made great account and they were after his death found amongst his secret papers Adrian after hee had persecuted the truth of the Gospell as his predecessors in the person of Luther and Occolampadius dyed suspected of poyson Abb. Vesp Others say he was too good to be a Pope for seeing the abuses of the Court of Rome and going about to reforme them he was taken away by death 1523. See a Bishop of their owne Espenseus a learned man who saith that he deliuered by his Nuncio to the assembly of the States of Germany his resolution that way Therefore they would euer since chuse none but Italians Clement the seauenth sate eleauen yeeres The twentieth of Ianuary following 1522. the iourney of Swises was held at Lucerne where they wholly confirmed
propoundeth an election to be made of a new Apostle Ergo head of the rest Answere This proueth that he was the Prolocutor or common-speaker as with vs in Parliament and might be the first in place for Order but not the Elector for that was done by them all as Acts 1. 22. And they appointed two not Peter alone and the election was of God disposing the Lots The seauenth place Acts 15. 7. He is president of the Counsell of the Apostles He speaketh first he concludeth with lie and all Answere The Text shall confute this He as is said was first in order but not in authority as the common speaker verse 12. Barnabas and Paul spake with great silence of the rest and when they ceased verse 13. Iames answered Whose sentence preuailed And then not Peter but all the Apostles and Elders and the whole Church concluded So Peters primacy of order was not the Popes supremacy The eight place Gal. 1. 18. Paul after three yeeres came to see Peter say they to doe him honor Ergo Superior Answere If it were so that he came to honour Peter this proues not his primacy for then should Wiues be superiors to their Husbands For 1 Pet. 3. 7. saith Let Wiues be subiect to their Husbands yet he saith They must giue them honour Ahashureosh honoured Mor decai yet he was not aboue him Chrysostome 1 Gal. saith That Paul was Peters Peere in dignity Ambrose there saith Paul was euen such another as Peter Augustine there saith Their authority to be equall and for Pauls honour what hee wanted in time is supplyed by Christs glory not as the rest made an Apostle on the earth but from heauen while he now raigned in Maiestie Gal. 11. Paul himselfe saith He was an Apostle not of men nor by men but by Iesus Christ Againe 2. 6. Of them which seemed to be chiefe I was not taught And verse 11. he saith When Peter came to Antioch I withstood him to his face for he was worthy to be blamed The ninth place Gal. 1. 18. as before That he tarryed with him fifteene dayes no small honour say they Answere Mary the chiefe of women went a great iourney to salute Elizabeth and taryed with her three moneths no small time the Babe sprang in her wombe at her salutation yea shee was filled with the holy Ghost You will not say I trow Elizabeth was aboue Mary Therefore Augustine Ambrose Chrysost Theodoret Ierome and others say that Paul came to Peter not to learne of him but of reuerence and loue to be acquainted with him Ergo Paul acknowledged no supremacy The tenth place Iohn 10. 16. There shall be one Flocke and one Shepheard which is the Bishop of Rome Answere The Text plainely sheweth it to be Christ who by the preaching of the Gospell gathereth them that are not yet called and so to the end of the World that so there may be one Sheepe-fold Iohn 10. 16. Himselfe being the chiefe Shepheard 1 Pet. 5. 4. In all these places we can finde no supremacy in Peter yet the Pope will needes be his successour Now let vs see how he succeedes and because he standeth much on the place though many wretches succeede good men in place yet we will examine it but if he be Peters successour he must succeed him rather in labour in preaching the Gospell of Christ and in holy life and conuersation First of the place whether Peter sate euer Bishop of Rome PEter was an Apostle Now the Apostles were not deputed to any certaine place but had the whole World for their Diocesse Marke 16. 15. Goe into all the World preach the Gospell to euery creature c. 1 Pet. 1. Therefore Peter writeth vnto the Churches which he had planted in Pontus Galatia Capadocia Asia and Bethinia making no mention of Italie or Rome though I denie not but he might be there as an Apostle but not to reside there for that had beene to goe beyond his Commission The Papists alledge for their proofe Hierome de viris illustribus That Peter sate Bishop at Antioch 7. yeeres and then went to Rome the second of Claudius where he sate 25. yeeres euen to the 14. yeere of Nero at what time he dyed Now let vs examine this point Paul was conuerted the first yeere after Christ and tarryed in Arabia three yeeres Gal. 1. 17. 18. Then he went to Ierusalem to visit Peter the fourth yeere after Christ and the 22. of Tiberius Then Peter was one at Ierusalem Acts 12. 3. Againe Peter was put in prison the second or third of Claudius Anno Christi 11. and Acts 13. 14 Paul preached at Antioch the eight of Claudius where it is not like that Peter was for then there had beene little neede of him Againe Luke would haue made some mention of him for Paul came twice to Antioch Acts 14. 21. 26. and there they aboad long time with the Disciples no mention of Peters being there About this time Paul and Barnabas goe vp to Ierusalem to conferre with the Apostles about Circumcision where the Apostles called a Counsell about that matter where Peter was the first speaker but Iames concludeth the point and this was the eleuenth yere of Claudius And they wrote Letters vnto to the Brethren that were at Antiochia So wee see that Peter was not yet there but at Ierusalem Anno Christi 18. Claudij 10. That he might be at Antioch as an Apostle we denie not but when he went or how long he tarried the Scripture sheweth not neither can Papists proue But Peter being at Ierusalem the tenth of Claudius and Claudius dyed foure yeeres after Now Nero succeeding raigned but 14. yeeres foure and 14. make but eighteene How could Peter sit seauen yeeres Bishop of Antioch and after 25. yeeres at Rome which maketh 32. yeeres So they must put 4. or fiue Emperors raignes to make vp the number that is the first of Domitian for Galba raigned but seauen moneths Otho but three moneths Vespasian nine yeeres Titus two yeeres Domitian fifteene yeeres out of which if you take two yeeres makes it vp the 32. and Peter was dead 14. yeeres before by their owne confession the last of Nero and then we finde another in the place one Anaclet To conclude they can neuer proue he sate Bishop at Antioch seauen yeeres nor at Rome at all Here a Friar of their owne one Onuphrius skilfull in Antiquities and the Popes Secretary It is cleere saith he and manifestly knowne by the Acts of the Apostles and Pauls Epistle to the Galathians that for nine yeeres space after Christs death vntill the second of Claudius Peter neuer went out of Iury Wherefore if he came to Rome at that time it followeth of necessity that he did not sit seauen yeeres at Antioch before he came thither For from the second of Claudius vntill his death is about 25. yeeres and though the ancient Writers say He sate at Rome yet it followeth not that he aboade still in the
City For in the fourth yeere after his comming thither he returned to Ierusalem and was present at the Counsell there Thence he came to Antioch and there continued seauen yeeres vntill the raigne of Nero when he came to Rome where hee repaired the Roman Church which was decaying After that when he had trauelled almost thorow all Europe he returned to Rome in the first of Nero and there was put to death Thus far Onuphrius Therefore it is but a tale that he sate Bishop of Rome 25. yeeres or at all but that hee was there as an Apostle as hath beene said before Now come wee to examine how the Pope succeedeth Peter PEter if he were at Rome it was as he was an Apostle to preach the Gospell and to establish the Church there as he did in other places euen as Paul did and the rest of the Apostles through the World according to their commission and commandement giuen by Christ Matthew 28. 19. Againe he was there to confirme with his bloud the Doctrine taught and was obedient to the Emperour and suffered death at his command whereby he left an ensample for doctrine and manner of liuing to his successors Now let vs see how the Pope succeedeth Peter He teacheth not Christ the onely meanes of saluation but his own traditions merits worshipping of Saints c. and persecuteth and putteth them to death that obey not his decrees and commands Secondly he yeeldeth not obedience to authority as Peter taught and practised 1 Peter 2. 13. Submit your selues vnto all manner or dinances of men for the Lords sake whether vnto the King as the Superior or to Rulers sent by him for punishment c. And Paul Rom. 13. Let euery soule be subject to the higher powers c. Whosoeuer resisteth power resisteth Gods ordinance But the Pope commandeth Kings curseth them and killeth them to that end he hath his triple Crowne and elaymeth soueraignty ouer the Church and commandeth the treasure of the World whereas Peter had neither gold nor siluer Acts 3. 6. The Lot of the Church is to be persecuted not to persecute we must not looke to fare better then our Master saith Christ Iohn 15. 20. Remember the words I said vnto you the seruant is not greater then the Master if they haue persecuted me they will also persecute you If the Pope be Christs seruant as hee calles himselfe Seruant of Seruants let him shew his markes for Christ as Paul Gal. 6. 17. Behold I beare in my body the markes of the Lord Iesus See 2 Cor. 11. 23. And therefore we conclude the Pope to be Antichrist not Christs seruant nor Peters successor Now enquire we the time when it is like the Pope beganne REuelation 20. 2. We haue a manifest Prophecie that Sathan should be bound which ranged at pleasure in the vnchristian World that is before Christ who shall lighten things that are hid in darkenesse 1 Cor. 4. 5. and Luk. 1. 79. Ioh. 1. 5. Ioh. 3. 19. This is condemnation that light is come into the World and men loued darkenesse c. Act. 17. 30. The time of this ignorance God regarded not but now biddeth all men Euery c. Now this light is Christ and the preaching of the Gospell Sathan therefore must be bound one thousand yeeres from Christs preaching that he should not through the darkenesse of error vexe men as he had done though their bodies be not freed from the Crosse and persecution that they may be like their Master Now the Apostles and Bishops of Rome with other Bishops Ierusalem Antioch Constantinople and the rest that succeeded not at Rome but wheresoeuer for preaching Christ crucified were so occupied what with preaching and vnder the Crosse for the space of the first 300. yeeres as they had no leysure to dreame of Supremacy After which time as Rest breeds Rust so by little and little they grew ambitious and now and then one Bishop or other would affect priority so as about the end of the next 300. yeeres they began to desire primacy but not supremacy As Policarpe Bishop of Ierusalem challenged the first place 426. yeeres after Christ Gelacius Bishop of Rome after him about 445. Iustine Emperor of Rome made Misda Bishop of Rome Patriarch about 520. About the same time Iohn of Constantinople Bishop was called vniuersall Bishop Iohn the first Bishop of Rome a good man was put in prison and dyed for the truth Pelagius Bishop of Rome was the first that challenged the primacy by Scripture Iohn Bishop of Constantinople called himselfe vniuersall Bishop 582. Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome first of that name reproued Iohn of Constantinople for calling himselfe vniuersall Bishop 591. Before him Iohn the third Bishop of Rome decreed that none should be called summus Sacerdos or vniuersal Bishop about 566. All this while no thought of a Pope or of Peters successor in Rome Now Phocas seruant to Mauricius Emperor killed his Master the Empresse and children most cruelly At this time Boniface the third Bishop of Rome obtained of this Butcher the title to be called vniuersall Bishop Anno 607. Note that the primacy of the Bishop of Rome was established by a murtherer and a Traytor who dyed miserably for the 612. of Christ he was slaine by the Souldiers of his Guard Abbas Vesper others say that Heraclius and Persius slew him cutting off his hands and feete others adde that his priuy members were cut off and his body burnt Estate Church Boniface the 3. liued but 9. moneths so soone his pride came to an end whose life and decrees perished together Anno 607. Martin the 1. Bishop of Rome was buffeted by the Emperour for reprouing him being an heretike and was further vilely entreated banished from Constantinople whither the Emperour sent for him to Pontus with his tongue cut out 649. Yet Rome no Supremacy but subiect to the Emperour both in creation and deposing Constance Emperour spoyled Rome because the Bishops were not willing he should remoue thither more in seuen dayes then all the Barbarians did in 360. yeers Anno Christi 662. Vitelian called Bishop of Rome to him the Emperour by singular grace confirmed the priuiledges of the Church which notwithstanding hee after brake and made them of no force Fasci Temporum The sixt Counsel of Constantinople approued Masse in the Latine tongue The Greeke Priests were permitted to liue in mariage but not the Priests of the West-Churches None to answere for a Childe but such as knew the Lords Prayer and the Beliefe of the faithfull In the second Volume of Counsels none to vow not to marry and that Priests which separated themselues from their Wiues because of their sacred Orders should be excluded from the Communion Peter viret in dialogo to them of Orbe In the 12. 13. Counsell of Tolledo such were Anathamised as forbid eating of flesh Pet. Viret Benet the 2. Bishop of Rome obtained of the Emperor that the election of the Bishop
Nailes to the end those dead Idols might be adored by the Christians Before his death was such an Eclipse of the Sunne as was neuer seene Massius Plat. As he was preparing an army by Sea against the Turke the Romans being in troubles and seditions he was so vexed in minde that hee dyed with griefe Anno 1362. Vrban the fift sate eight yeeres He sent a Legat into Italie with full power and so repressed the Vicounts and other Gouernours of Townes threatning great losses if they would not submit themselues vnder the obedience of the Roman Church Armacan a learned man and Bishop of Ireland published Conclusions against Friers teaching that it was a villainous thing for a Christian to begge without neede Volater He sayd he could not finde foure Bibles in Oxford Iesuites began by Iohn Columbau and Francis Vincent of Burgony Volat Sabell Iohn Wickecliffe of Oxford in England a rare Theologian he touched liuely the abuses of the Popedome against begging Friers and Monkes hee had King Edward to friend The Pope as he returned into France dyed at Marcellus not without suspition of poyson Sabell Charles the fift Emperour and King of France caused the Scripture to be translated into French 1366. Gregorie the eleuenth sate at Auignon seauen yeeres and fiue moneths Many of the townes of Italy reuolted from his obedience At the perswasion of a Nunne he pronounced sentence of Interdiction against the Florentines the first Authors and seised all the townes about them and made warre vpon them Naucler Gregorie dyed being tormented with an intollerable paine in the bladder Plat. 1378. Vrban the sixt sate eleuen yeeres he was a cruell man of whom by prayer nothing could be obtayned Crautzius He being come to the Popedome sought to reuenge himselfe he was forsaken of his Cardinalls as a false Pope and Clement the seauenth chosen Clement the seauenth sate in Auignon fifteene yeeres and thus beganne the two and twentith Schisme of two Popes 29. yeeres vntill the Counsell of Constance the one cursing and warring with the other that about 200000. were miserably slaine and drowned Clement was chosen three months after Vrban Vrban made thirtie new Cardinals in one day and displaced the old and put them in prison Hee was vnder the safe keeping of the King of Naples for his pride certayne dayes at the length desiring that hee might goe to new Cesarea for his health hee was set at libertie where hee gathered forces against the King But Raymundus the Generall of the Kings forces Vrban comming with all his Court to the next shore he shipped them and brought the Pope to Genua and of seauen Cardinals being taken at new Cesarea putting fiue of them into sackes he drowned them in the Sea because he thought they fauoured Clement The Pope Vrban succeeding vnhappily in his Popedome dyed the eleuenth yeere of his Popedome few lamenting his death as a rude and execrable person Plattina Theodor. Cerinth The waters and fountaines were poysoned whereof he dyed and all his nobility Naucler These two Popes sent terrible Bulls into diuers parts of the world and so sowed defamatorie bookes wherein they named one another Antechrist Schismatickes Heretickes tyrants traytors theeues vniust sowers of tares and children of Belial Iohn de Ligni in a Treatise in fauour of Vrban and the Abbot of Saint Vast the Kings Chancellor of France in fauour of Clement That the Pope is Antechrist no better witnesses then themselues Clement dyed at Auignon 1394. Matthias a Bohemian proueth the Pope to be Antechrist and Friers heretickes Walter Brut In likewise many Noble men in England maintained Wickecliffes doctrine The Lord Montague Lord Clifford Earle of Salisburie Swinderby a priest wrote against Transubstantiation 1387. Boniface the ninth sate at Rome fifteene yeeres Hee was chosen after Vrban He made a Law whereby hee obtayned the seigniorie of all the world that is that no Parson should be promoted to any Benefice before hee had payed to the Apostolique Chamber all the reuenewes of the first yeere Hee made great marchandize of Indulgences and sold them for money Bennet the thirteenth sate at Auignon one and twentie yeeres He gaue to Charles the sixt King of France the tenth part of all Ecclesiasticall goods to make him his friend and to diuide the spoyle And as hee was in his Country Catalongue in a strong Castle called Pauiscole maintaining himselfe the true Vicar of Iesus Christ hee was condemned many wayes by the authority of the sayd Counsell Finally dying at Pauiscole he commanded his Cardinals that presently they should choose another in his place and they elected one Giles Menios and called him Clement the eight Plattina This Pope made Cardinalls at the instigation of Abphonsus King and did all that a Pope should doe But after Martin 1. had agreed with Alphonsus by his commandement Giles renounced all his right to the Popedome and was declared Bishop of Maiorque and the Cardinalls made by him willingly renounced their dignities Innocent the seauenth was chosen after Boniface the ninth sate at Rome two yeeres he being Cardinall was wont to taxe the negligence and fearefulnesse of the former Popes for he said it came to passe through their sloath that the Church of Rome and the destruction of the whole Christian Common-wealth was not yet cut off But when he came to the Papacie he followed the steppes of Vrban and Boniface whom being a priuate man hee had taxed Hee warred with the Citizens of Rome The Anti-pope Benedict reclayming Plattina With the neglect of his sepulcher his memory perished Hee had a care that Nicholas the fift should be restored to his Popedome Plat. 1404. Gregorie the twelfth sate eight yeeres he was chosen after the death of Innocent and an oath taken to yeeld if the profit of the Church required it but hee would not though hee promised before a Notarie before he was confirmed Pope 1407. Benet and Gregory were perswaded by Charles the sixt Emperour for the good and vnion of the Church to giue ouer their rights Benet gaue no answere but dismissed the Ambassadour without farewell and for feare to be constrained prouided for himselfe A Counsell was held at Pice to vnite the vniuersall Church whereunto Gregorie and Benet were cited but had no care to appeare but derided it So at the said Counsell Gregory and Benet were both deposed one called Alexander was instituted so were three Popes together but Gregorie fled to Austrich c. To their deposition all Christian Nations consented except a part of Spaine and the Count Arnimacke and the King of Scots who fauoured Benet Alexander the fift sate eight moneths He was a learned man a worthy and a godly man hee was chosen with the consent of all the Cardinalls in the Counsell of Pice Thus Gregorie and Bennet not giuing ouer were three Popes at once Alexander was so liberall to the poore and to men worthy of his charity as within a while he left nothing to himselfe Whereupon
in merriment he was wont to say He had been a rich Bishop a poore Cardinal and a beggerly Pope After the Counsell of Pice he goeth to Bononie where he fell grieuously sicke and knowing Death to be neere the Cardinalls comming vnto him he exhorted them to concord and peace and to preserue the dignity of the Church and testified though Death were before his eyes yet he did not feare c. And when hee could hardly vtter the words hee sayd My peace I giue vnto you my peace I leaue with you See Plat. 1409. It is thought he had a poisoned drinke giuen him of a Physitian Marcellus of Parma hired by Balthazar a Cardinall whom hee fauoured with a great summe of money Panecius reciteth in his 56. Sermon and Estate of the Church Note Rome cannot abide an honest man to be Pope Iohn the twenty foure succeeded Alexander before Balthazer Cosse Cardinall hee sate fiue yeeres at Bolognie he came to the Popedome rather by force and violence then by free Canonicall Election For being at Bolognie rather as a Lord and Master then a Legate the Fathers being assembled to choose a Pope hee exceedingly threatned them if they elected not such a one as pleased him Therefore many were presented but hee approued none Then sayd the Cardinalls vnto him Name him whom you like Then hee answered Giue me Saint Peters Mantle and pontificall habite and I will giue them to him whom I would haue to be Pope When hee had receiued them hee put them vpon himselfe and sayd It is I that am Pope and though they were not pleased therewith yet they were faine to dissemble so furious terrible and inuironed with souldiers was he This reporteth Stella After his Election he went to Rome to hold a Synode In the first Session the Pope sitting on a high seate c. there came an Owle and sate vpon one of the balkes of the Temple looking directly vpon the Pope saluting him with a fearefull song The company could scarse keepe themselues from laughing The Pope beganne to be ashamed to sweat and to be tormented in himselfe and finally finding no way to ease himselfe he dismissed the company and retired There was another Session after this wherein came the like but this Owle could not be chased away neither with cries nor stones nor for staues that were throwne at him Nicholas Clemengis Archdeacon of Baieux The Counsel of Constance assembled where the Pope appeared 1414. This Counsell indured foure yeeres sixe of Gregories Cardinalls approued the Counsell Naucler Iohn Husse and Hierome of Prage were sent for and had the Emperours safe-conduct and because they would not recant they were notwithstanding both burnt Many crimes were obiected against the Pope whereupon he fled away in a disguised habite and vsed many places for his defence Naucler He was taken and brought to Constance and there detained in prison After they proued against him fiftie and foure criminall Articles He was deposed by all the Counsell Himselfe approued his depositions c. Naucler 1416. They cited also Gregorie the twelfth but he resigned his Papacie into the hands of the Counsell Hee was created Legate in the Marquesdome of Ancon where hee dyed soone after Iohn de la Maire Martine the fifth though Benets Cardinalls choose Clement the eight but preuayled not was chosen of thirty three Cardinalls in the Counsell of Constance he sate foureteene yeeres Hee condemned all the acts of the former Popes in the Schisme Iohn being deliuered out of prison commeth to Florence vnto Martine kissed his feet and acknowledged him true Pope and Christs Vicar Martine receiuing him into the number of the Cardinalls created him Bishop of Tusculane but he as it is thought not induring a priuate life through griefe of minde after certaine moneths dyed Martine of a Bishop of Florence created an Archbishop The yeere after the Riuer Tibris did so increase as it drowned all the plaines in Rome and filled the Temple Pantheon euen vnto the high Altar A great plague ensued that compelled them to change the place and time of the Counsell intended Certaine Cardinalls after the death of Iohn the foure and twentieth created a new Pope and called him Clement the eight but after a while hee gaue ouer the rest were put in prison Pope Martine died of an Apoplexie 1431. Eugenius the fourth sate sixeteene yeeres after his creation hee appoynted a certayne day for a generall Consistorie whither came so great a multitude that the beames of the place cracking it bred such a feare that in the flying away of the people the Bishop of Senagal a Citizen of Rome was boren downe and dyed The Popes pride prouoked much warres in the Citty and abroad and he was often driuen to his straits being prest with warres euery way The Emperour and other Princes and Prelates admonished him twice or thrice to appoynt a conuenient place at Basill for the Counsell which was concluded in the Counsell of Constance from tenne yeeres to tenne yeeres and to come thither with his Cardinals otherwise they would deale with him as with an enemie and an obstinate person Whereunto hee assented But hee was so vexed with warres on euery side as hee had scarse libertie to rest But hee confirmed the Counsell of Basill begunne by Martine his predecessour and hee was by the same deposed and condemned an Hereticke and Schismaticke Plat. The Counsell of Basill chose Faelix 1448. Faelix the fift Duke of Sauore was chosen by the Counsell of Basill Anti-pape but Eugenius deposed and would not yeeld so there was a Schisme of two Popes thirteene yeeres some say sixeteene together till Faelix was contented to giue ouer to Nicholas the fift Plattin 1439. Some followed Eugenius some Faelix some Newtrails and obeyed neither Platt Who was then Christs Vicar Nicholas the fift sate at Rome eight yeeres Hee was crowned the nineteenth of March 1447. yet ceased not the Schisme of two Popes for Faelix counted himselfe still Pope In the yeere 1448. Faelix renounced the Popedome and Nicholas reigned alone Nicholas held a Iubilie at Rome 1450. whither resorted such a multitude of people as many were stifled as they entred and came out of the Churches There perished about two hundred persons besides a number which fell into the floud as they passed ouer the bridge of Saint Angelo This Pope died of a feauer and gout Naucler Plattina Others say hee was poysoned as appeared by his intrailes opened Sea of Histories Calixt the third sate three yeeres he stirred vp Christians against the Turke he ordayned that no person should appeale from the Pope to the Counsell He sold letters of pardons for fiue ducats a peece saith Valerius whereby he left vnto his successours an hundred and fifteene thousand Ducats he died in Iuly 1458. Pius the second sate sixe yeeres hee was very ambitious hee published a voyage against the Turke vnder colour of warring against the Turkes the Popes gat great store of siluer Hee
exceeded in crueltie before hee was Pope hee had written with singular diligence two bookes of the Acts of the Counsell of Basill but being Pope he sought to represse them labouring not to lessen the Papall tyranny but to increase it in what he could Stella He made warres with Borge Duke of Mutine because he fauoured Sigismund Malatest with many other great cruelties For his profit he deposed many Bishops He was sumptuous in building hee made a Sepulchre of Marble for his fathers and mothers bones See Plattina Amongst many things left in writing this was one With great reason saith he was Marriage taken from Priests yet there is a farre greater reason wherefore it ought to haue beene yeelded them againe Also in his second booke of Counsells he saith It may be that it were not the worse if a many Priests were married for many being married Priests should be saued which in their barren singlenesse are damned Himselfe abolished the Monasteries of S. Brigit and S. Clare commanding them out that they might burne no more and vnder the habite of Religion they should not hide whoredome Caelius secundus Hee was surprized of a slowe feauer whereof hee died at Ancon 1464. Plattina Sabellicus Paul the second sate seauen yeeres he was of a proude spirit ambitious and couetous Hee exceeded all his ancestors in sumptuous attire and all kinde of precious attire Plattina O noble Successour of Peter Hee was an enemy to learning hee put away many learned men as forreiners and strangers with their bookes giuen to the spoyle But diuers with Plattina himselfe desiring the matter might be referred vnto the Iudges the Pope in great anger answered Do you not know that all Iudgement is placed in our breast Plattina wrote a letter to the Pope desiring that if without cause he would spoyle them of their iust purchase yet it would please him they might haue leaue to complaine of their wrong and vniust ignominy For being banished of you wee must passe vnto Kings and Princes and we will intreate them that you appoint a Counsell wherein you may be constrained to giue a reason of your doing Paulus hauing read the letter he presently chargeth me of Libells spreading out against him And though I freed my selfe of that charge because I had set my name thereto yet I was bound with grieuous fetters and put into a high Tower in the middest of winter exposed to all windes foure months At the length at the importunate suite of a Cardinall I was set at libertie with admonition that I should not depart the Citie affirming that if I went among the Indies Paul would fetch me thence He was sodainely put in feare by a report that youths hauing Calimacho their Captaine had conspired against him whereby he feared to be surprized at home and abroad whereupon hee put many to torture with Captaine Calimacho whereof many died in the torture Hee was a great eater of Melons he eate the same day that he died in the night two very great Melons he died of an Apoplexie the tenth of the Kalends of August 1471. being alone in his Chamber no man seeing him when that day being very merry hee had a Consistory He went about to establish Priests marriages but hee was preuented by death It was said when hee came abroad he was wont to paint his face with all kinde of precious stones about him Aaron-like desirous to be seene and wondered at Hee was a great drinker but of small wines He so hated the study of humanitie as he called the students thereof by one name Heretickes Hereupon he perswaded the Romans they should no longer bring vp their children in learning it was enough if they learned to reade and write Plattin Others say the Diuell brake his necke as he was committing Sodomatrie Sixtus the fourth sate thirteen yeeres he was in great danger of his life at his Coronation by reason of a mutiny whilest they carried him in his Litter to the Church of Lateran hee was in danger of his life being assailed with stones so as he was forsaken almost of all that accompanied his Litter Hee made many warres against Ferdinand King of Pouill Hee builded in Rome Stewes for both kindes Cornelius Agrippa cap. 64. he graunted to Cardinalls the vse of Sodomatry for three hot moneths Sextus being sicke of a feuer vnderstanding that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and other Potentates sodainely yeelded the spirit Naucler The rents of the Curtizans amounted to the value of twenty thousand ducats yeerely Onuphrius Agrippa de vanit Scient Wisellus de Indulgentijs Witnesses Naucler 1484. Innocens the eight sate eight yeeres hee was once a poore childe he was nourished amongest the seruants of Ferdinand king of Sicilie afterward he came to Rome he remained long time with Philip Cardinall of Bolongne After hee was made Bishop of Sauonne at the length he was made Cardinall and Pope He was of a great stature but farre from learning Almost from the beginning of his Popedome hee conspired against Ferdinand that brought him vp with the Princes of the Kingdome and warred against him c. but being wearied with warres he gaue himselfe to all pleasures He aduanced his bastards as Francis and inriched his daughter Theodorin which he married to a rich man of Genoa He begat eight sons and as many daughters Marcellus poeta No maruell though Rome calles him Father See his Epitaph following Why seekest thou witnes to proue Cibo a man Looke on his brats faire gages deny 't and you can Eight bastard sonnes he begat as many daughters Worthily then may Rome count this man Father saith Marcellus Alluding to the triall of the Sexe ordayned after the deceit of Pope Ioane Vncleannesse Auarice Sloath Gluttony Are heere octaue intomb'd where thou dost lye Alexander the sixt called Borgia before a Cardinall seeking to mount higher being a Negromancer hee vsed the helpe of the Diuell who promised him vpon agreement by oath and writing so as hee would in all things thew himselfe a faithfull protectour of Sathan Afterward the Diuell came vnto him hauing promised he should not appeare in any hideous or fearfull forme honourably apparrelled who after certaine talke had betwixt them assured the Cardinall he should be Pope Borgia being very ioyous hee inquired how long hee should reigne The Diuell gaue him an ambiguous answer viz. that hee should reigne the space of eleauen and eight The Cardinall foolishly promised himselfe nineteene yeeres but Sathan meant eleuen yeeres and eight moneths Now being chosen Pope hee named himselfe Alexander the sixt he made his bastard sonne called Valentine being a Cardinall a Duke and surnamed him Caesar Borgia he shed much bloud saith Valerius He gathered siluer as much as hee could to satisfie his lust He solde offices for 750. ducats apeece hee aduanced his bastards as his predecessors had done hee made the youngest of his sonnes a Prince of Sicilie his second sonne called Caesar Valentine hee