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
ad an 687. Bellarmin de Ro. Pont. lib. 3. saith in the year 669. The Bishop of Rome began to have the Temporal sword that is temporal government for Aripert King of the Lombards gave unto the Bishop of Rome Alpes Coctiae The first temporal land of the Pope by Genua and an 714. Luithprand did confirm the same gift as is written by Ado. Vien and Blondus dec 1. cap. 10. whereupon Theod. Bibliander marketh saith Bellarm. that the first Papal Province was in the year 714. if that were true which they talk of that forged Donation of the Emperour Constantine where was it all this time upon that passage of Bellarmine Andrew Melvin Master of the University of St. Andrews about the year 1605. writes thus If from the number 699. wherein the Temporal Sword was first given to the Pope you will take off the number of years from Christ's The number 666. birth till his death there remains the number of the Beast In the time of Sergius Pipin Duke of Austria came to have place in the Court of France Sergius sate 13. years and 8. months and died an 701. CHAP. III. Of Divers Countries 1. THe Heresies of former ages and now the arrogant presumption of The Christian Church is divided into ten parts Prelates causeth the Church of Christ to be divided into ten parts differing all one from another either in articles of faith or discipline and rites whereof they have been too zealous each part calling themselves the only true Church of Christ most pitifull These parts are 1. The Latines or Western Churches which hath been under the Bishop of Rome 2. The Greeks and with them the Iberi Slavoni Russi Muscovites and others scattered through Europe together with the Patriarchal Seas of Antioch and Jerusalem in Asia and the Patriarchal See of Alexandria in Aegypt all which were brought once under the Bishop of Constantinople My aim hath been principally to know the alterations of these two parts at what time and where the schism began and how it did wax and so have I followed as the matter and light of stories gives occasion It is remarkable that Pope Gregory the I. in lib. 7. Ep. 53. writes that all the four Patriarchs in the East did hold the same faith and doctrine with the Synod at Chalcedon and other General Councels before it nor did they ordain any Bishop who did not follow and maintain the same 3. The Ethiopians or Abyssines under Prester-John in Affrick they use to bathe or baptize themselves every year in rivers not that they think it necessary to salvation but they do it on the day of the Epiphany in remembrance of Christ's baptism for this the Romanists call them Anabaptists But we will in Century XIII hear Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople calling them Orthodox they are circumcized by an old custom rather than of religion for Herodotus in Euterpe testifieth that the Ethiopians and Aegyptians in his time and before were circumcized 4. The Jacobites are so named from Jacob Zanzal a Syrian and Eutithian Heretick who lived an 613. and more shortly they are called Coptites as Io. Scaliger de emend temp lib. 5. writes from a City in Aegypt where Dioclesian slue 144000. Martyres because they would not sacrifice to Idols this sort are dispersed in Aegypt Arabia and Chaldea they are also circumcized The Authour of the book called the Catholick Traditions first in French and then translated into English searches the differences of all Churches and except ceremonies or rites hath not marked great difference of the Abyssines and Jacobites from our Reformed Churches and in his Preface he saith they pretend to have their name Jacobites from Jacob the old Patriarch and the name Copthes or Cut because they are circumcized and in Qu. 5. he saith they call themselves Christians of the first conversion 5. The Nestorians are said to have abjured the heresie of Nestorians yet keep still the name for hatred and distinction of the Eutithians they dwell dispersed thorow Persia India and Tartary they use the Chaldean language in their Liturgy and their Prelate resideth in Mosal or Seleucia 6. Maronites dwell in Lybia and Phoenicia they use the Arabian tongue they are permitted to use Bells after the manner of the Western Church which is not granted to others in the East They are said to have been free from all enemies till this day not so much by strength or number of souldiers as by scituation of the mountains 7. The Armenians use only their own language but are infected with fond heresies they hold that Christ did not assume an human body of the Virgin Mary but had an incorruptible body from the moment of his conception and this body say they should be worshipped in the own nature of it and therefore they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or worshippers of a corruptible thing and because they worship the Cross of Christ they are called Cross worshippers For these causes they are contemned by the Greeks but Pope Lucius the II. accepted them because at that time they did acknowledge the Pope as head of the Church nevertheless the Romans hate them as Hereticks but deal discreetly with them as they say to draw them unto their obedience they call their Arch-Bishop the Catholick Bishop 8. The Georgians are so called from St. George whose badge they carry they dwell in Media Persia and about the Caspian sea they agree with the Greeks both in language rites and doctrine 9. Suriani are so named from Sur a City of Assyria and also are called Samaritani they have the same language which the Sarazens had and religion with the Greeks for the most part and they have leavened bread in the Sacrament 10. Mozarabes who dwelt first in Arabia and thence they went in Colonies into Affrick and then into Spain but none of them remain till this day because they would not contract with any of another Religion in their Service they were brought to use the Latine language and to acknowledge the primacy of the Pope but they would not change in sundry other articles These are the remnants of the most ancient and famous Churches the most part of which agree in many more things of great importance than those wherein they dissent so that amongst the blind Pagans and blasphemous Mahumetists the name of God is invocated by some Christians with more piety it may be supposed than among others where there is greater libertie and clearness of doctrine Wheresoever the Word of God is preached we must think some are effectually called for the rain coming from heaven returns not again but watereth the earth and makes it to bud so is the word of the Lord Isa 55. And Jesus Christ is the Universal Shepheard of them all The Authour of the fore-named Catholick Tradition in the Annotation on the 5. question saith There are two or three hundred years past since that it hath been very hard to judge by the multitude
unto him and returned on foot and the Pope on horse Then Pipin was crowned again for the greater pomp by the Pope He went into Italy and forceth Aistulph to give hostages that he shall render unto the Pope all due right So soon as Pipin was returned into France Aistulph raiseth a greater Army and did more harm unto Rome then it had suffered in 300. years before Then Pope Stephen writ another supplication unto Pipin who made no delay but forceth Aistulph to perform the former conditions and gave unto the Pope the Exarchate of Ravenna Within a year Aistulph dieth then a division falleth between Rachis and Desiderius for the Kingdom the people for the most part were for Rachis and Desiderius agreeth with the Pope to ratifie what the Kings had given and to give more if he would procure aid for him Wherefore Pipin writ his fourth Epistle unto Pipin giving him thanks for his aid wishing many blessings unto him and shewing that Aistulph was strucken by the hand of God and drowned in the bottom of Hell and that by the hands of Peter Prince of the Apostles and by thy most powerfull arm speaking unto Pipin Desiderius a most mild man was ordained King of the Lombards who had sworn to restore unto Saint Peter the Cities Faventia Insubres and Ferraria with all their Territories and also Ausimo Aucona Humana Bona with all their Territories and he had sworn to keep peace with the Church of Saint Peter and to be loyal unto the Crown of France and intreated Pipin to approve the Coronation of Desiderius upon these conditions Henceforth the Pope lifteth up his head and having large Territories given unto him will not rest untill he be Monarch of the World When Stephen had peace he begun to repair the Churches which Aistulph had caused to be thrown down and died in the sixth year of his Papacy 10. PAUL the I. succeeded his brother He did write many Letters unto Letters of Pope Paul to France King Pipin In the first he speaketh of his brothers death and ingageth himself to continue the League contracted by his brother and the King and he craveth that Pipin would do so In the 3. He giveth thanks unto Pipin for his defence against their enemies and promiseth to cause the Monks to learn the songs of Carloman In the 4. He sheweth that he did suspect Marinus a Priest of Rome to consult with the Emperour's Legates and to withdraw him he had sent him unto the King and craved that he would make him a Bishop there In the 5. he sheweth that his Nuntio was not returned from Constantinople In the 6. he giveth thanks for his exalting the Church of Rome and sheweth his confidence under God to consist in the arm of the most puissant King Pipin and craved to send a Resident by whom he might communicate the purposes and attempts of the Greeks In the 8. he sheweth That the Emperour is already in Arms intending to recover Ravenna and Rome and craved his aid against the Greeks In the 9. he sheweth that he will speak with Desiderius and prepare what is needfull against the Greeks In the 10. he purgeth himself that he had never said that Pipin could not help the Romans now in their distress and he giveth him liberty to deal with Marinus as he will In the 12. he sheweth that the Beneventans had taken some parts of Campany and made them subject unto the Governour of Sicily he admonished them once again to desist and if they would not he was resolved by the power of God and help of Pipin to send an Army against them as the enemies of blessed Peter and Pipin and he craved that the King would chide them by Letters and if they will not obey that he would consent unto the expedition In the 13. he giveth thanks for his defence of the Church and for the peace betwixt him and Desiderius and craved that Pipin would send back the hostages to the end he might have the City Imola In the 14. he sendeth some treasonous Letters of Sergius Bishop of Ravenna and craved aid In the 16. and 22. He speaketh of the Emperour's Legates residing in France and giveth thanks that the King had so honourably accepted his Nuntio with the other and had imparted unto him what he had done with the Emperour In the 19. he giveth thanks for the safety of the holy Church and craved the honour to receive his lately born son from the holy Fount of Baptism In the 21. he promiseth that no favour not terrour should divert him from the King's favour in whom he hath the greatest confidence under God and his Mother and the Apostles In the 26. he writeth much of the cruelty of the Lombards and that he had not sought the return of the hostates but that he might have free passage thorow Lombardy and now he exhorteth and adjureth him fearfully to detain them and to cause Desiderius to restore all the goods of blessed Peter that in the coming of the Lord he might shine as a glorious sun In one Epistle he saith that blessed Peter had chosen Pipin Charls and Carloman three Kings and had consecrated them by his Vicar that they may be defenders of the orthodox faith and maintainers of his flock In an Epistle unto the French Army he calleth Peter Protectour of France In another he writeth that it is lawfull that the Bishop of Rome should reign as the Princes of the Nations do and possess Kingdomes on earth and the glory thereof and to undertake Wars and to vindicate unto himself the emoluments of the Roman Empire In an Epistle to Crodegangus Epist Meten he saith Unto us albeit unworthy in place of Saint Peter is committed the Universal Church of all the World In Catal. test ver lib. 8. many other of his Letters are mentioned Those declare the rising of Peter's Vicar though himself did never attempt or claim such things Paul sate 10. years After his death Desiderius King of the Lombards sought to have the friendship of a Pope towards him wherefore his brother Toto Duke of Nepet with some souldiers entred into Rome and himself followed by the advice of the Emperor Constantine and caused his own brother Constantine to be chosen who in one day saith Onuphr in Indict was made a Deacon a Priest and Pope and Desiderius compelleth the people who did favour Philippus to sweat unto Constantine Nevertheless he could never obtain the favour of the Romans because he was so nigh unto Desiderius and a friend to the Emperour and a hater of images He sought the favour of King Pipin and by his Letters promiseth to keep the amity begun betwixt him and his Predecessours The Romans in a tumult kill Toto and thrust Constantine into a Monastery an 768. 11. STEPHEN the III. would immediately assemble a Synod and sent unto King Pipin craving that he would send the most learned of his Bishops unto Rome for reformation of
figure of a coal in the Tongs of the two Testaments which being lifted from the Altar did purge the lips of the Prophet Esay who by the only union of the flesh was free and lived mixt with the dead and He the Lord by inspiration of the Holy Ghost causeth that all souls who like dead coals having their understanding darkned with ungodliness were not kindled but now are inflamed with vicinity thereof now that they are kindled with the flame of the love of their Spouse it is the proper gift of the grace of God's Word Lib. 3. Christ is made the meat and drink of his Church by the Sacrament of his body and blood Lib. 6. Whatsoever a Teacher or Pastour of souls teacheth unless he shew it proceedeth from the Almighty God in the Old and New-Testament he is a murtherer of souls And again The words and examples of them from whom the milk of doctrine is poured into the hearts of the hearers should alwaies feed on the flowers not of the lower writings of worldly men but of the higher Apostolical Mountains Ib. lib. 1. Because the power of our will is not able to climb so high as we must ascend running after God therefore the Church crieth Draw me after thee Lib. 4. Whosoever would escape from the enemy whose power is in the air let him keep the right faith and enter into the holes of the Rock which bleâ—sed Paul demonstrateth 8. About the year 780. the old controversies concerning God's Predestination The Pelagian controversies are renewed in Spain and confuted by Pope Adrian and man's free-will were renewed in Spain Some saying that Predestination unto life or death is in the power of God and not in man's power Others asking Why should we indeavour to live holily if it be in the power of God And others asking Why should we pray unto God that we be not overcome in tentation if it be in our power or liberty of will At that time Pope Adrian did write unto the Spanish Bishops and propounded unto their consideration what upon the like occasion Fulgentius Epist Ruspen about the year 455. had written unto Eugyppius against a Sermon of a Pelagian The words of the Pelagian were They who affirm that some are destinated unto life and others unto death do trample grace in themselves damnably while they admit it for them reprehensively only Behold with what knots of impiety they do tie themselves If I be predestinated unto good it is needless that I resist evil but if I be born unto evil it availeth me not to do good And so on both sides the desire of praise and godliness being stopped one becometh secure and another desperate and thereby all exercise of righteousness is made void prayer ceaseth and working fainteth But it is not so and therefore let us pray uncessantly because the Lord saith Pray without intermission lest ye enter into tentation And let us strive against all sin not only by prayer but with diligence also because the Lord witnesseth that each one shall receive according to their own work The answer of Fulgentius which Pope Adrian did approve and send was thus God hath prepared his works of mercy and righteousness in his unchangeable eternity and as he was never ignorant of his future works so he was never improvident in the preparation of those works therefore he hath prepared good works for them who were to be justified and to the same who were to be glorified he hath prepared rewards but unto the wicked he hath not prepared evil wills or evil works but he hath prepared for them just and everlasting punishments This is the eternal predestination of the future works of God which as we know to be continually insinuated unto us by the doctrine of the Apostles so we preach confidently for blessed Paul both evidently and often teacheth us the predestination of them whom God saveth freely for he saith of God whom he foreknew them he predestinated and whom he predestinated them also he calleth Cerrtainly not others but whom he hath predestinated them doth he call and justifie nothing in the works is uncertain because nothing in his predestination faileth therefore God beginneth the works of his predestination by vocation and consummates them by glorification And yet not in them all whom he calleth but unto them who love God all things work together for good unto them who are called according to his purpose Therefore let all believers keep the truth of predestination because whosoever believeth not the counsel of God in this predestination shall not attain unto the glorious effect of the same predestination but whosoever is not predestinated unto glory is without doubt found to be appointed unto punishment which is known to be predestinated in God's preparation that thereby infidelity and impiety may be punished Wherefore the blessed Apostle Jude saith Certain men are crept in unawares who of old were fore-ordained to this judgement of our God but the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost saith warily that the wicked were ordained not unto sin but unto judgement that is not unto impiety but unto punishment for they were not predestinate unto this wicked impiety which they commit but unto the punishment which they receive in Divine equity Wherefore whereas thâ— Authour of that sermon saith Let us pray uncessantly because the Lord saith Pray without ceasing and then Let us wrestle against all sin not only by prayer but with diligence let us humbly seek Grace from God that we may have it continually working with us by which God would both keep us in diligence and when the work is done bring us unto the reward c. This Epistle of Pope Adrian is amongst the Epistles of the Popes which Charls the Great did cause to be collected into one volumn An. 791. 9. At that time was great contention for receiving the Mass of Pope Gregory Gregory's Mass was exalted and opposed into the Churches first by authority of Pope Adrian and then of King Charls some Churches had one Directory and some another who would not change When the Pope saw so great opposition and it may be understood that it was not small when the Pope was put to such a shift he said he would refer it unto the Will of God whether he would by any visible sign approve the Mass of Gregory or of Ambrose so these two books were layed together upon the Altar in Saint Peter's Church and he called upon God to shew which of the two he approved The dores were shut all night and the next morning when they returned into the Church the book of Ambrose was found lying as it was laid down and the other was all torn and dispersed thorow the Church The Pope maketh the Comment if we will believe Iacob de Voragine in vita Gregor that the Mass of Ambrose should lie untouched and the Mass of Gregory should be used thorow the World and so he did authorize and command that it
more contrary unto the Apostles or more hateful unto Christ Jesus then to destroy souls by defrauding them of the Ministry ..... In a word the holiness of the Apostolical seat cannot do any thing but unto edification and not to destruction for this is the fulness of power to edification But those things which they call Provisions are not to edification but most manifest destruction The Pope hearing this Letter foamed as in a rage and sware by Peter and Paul that he would hurl such a phrenetick wretch into confusion which durst so boldly controle his command and make him a fable unto the world Is not the King of England our vassal yea and slave whom I at my nod may thrust into prison The Cardinals namely Aegidius a Spaniard and some others touched in conscience could scarcely appease his fury and among other words they said To confess the truth unto your Holiness it is true what he saith and we cannot condemn him for it he is a Catholick man more holy and religious then we our selves are and as it is judged amongst all the Prelates there is none better nor his equal this is not unknown universally nor can our contradiction avail against him wherefore we think best to pass by such a thing lest perhaps some tumult arise thereupon especially seeing it is manifest unto all men that once must come a defection and departure from the Church of Rome When Robert lay on his death bed he said unto the brethren coming to visit him Heresid is an opinion taken up by human sense contrary Heresie white unto the holy Scriptures openly avowed and pertinaciously maintained Is not Innocentius therefore an Heretick and since Christ came into the The Pope an Heretick and Antichrist World to save souls may not the Pope be justly called the Antichrist who feareth not to destroy souls The Pope doth impudently annul the priviledges of his Ancestours .... and therefore the contemner should be contemned according to that saying of Esay Wo to thee who despisest ..... Matth. Parisien 9. In the year 1240. a Carthusian Monk at Cambridge said openly before Otho the Legate Gregory is not the head of the Chutch but there is another head thereof Satan is loosed the Pope is an Heretick Gregory which is called Pope defileth the Church and the World The Legate said unto him Is not power given from above unto the Pope to loose and bind souls and to exerce the charge of Peter on earth The Monk replied How can I think that such power as was given unto Peter is given to a Simoniack and Usurer yea and who is defiled with greater crimes The Legate did blush for shame and said We may not strive in words with a fool Idem 10. Seval Arch-Bishop of York followed in the same footsteps when he saw the pride of the Pope usurping and tyrannizing above the Kings he was astonished and in the grief of his heart he intreated Pope Alexander the IV. by Letters that he would leave off from such daily enormities or at least refrain himself and follow the example of good men that he would feed Christ's Lambs as Peter did and not pull the skins off them and devour them like an hungry Wolf The Pope had given the fattest of his Benefices unto some wanton young men and ignorant of the language as he made Jordanus Dean of York c. Seval would admit none of them wherefore the Pope excommunicated him with bells and candles He could suffer these ceremonies but he could not suffer strangers to be set over the people and the more he was cursed by the Pope he was the more beloved of the people and they did bless him yet quietly for fear of the Romans Although he was not murthered yet for his sufferings he was called a Martyr Idem ad An. 1257. 11. Matthew of Paris whom I have often named was a Benedictine of Saint Alban he wrote the History of England from the days of William the Conqueror until the year of his own death 1260. where he describeth how others spoke against the abomination of Antichrist to the end that posterity might know and abhor it and thereby he giveth us to understand what were his own thoughts as here and there he expresseth himself e. g. ad An. 1237. he saith It is manifestly known that the Church of Rome alas hath deserved the wrath of God for the guides thereof seek not the devotion of people but their full purses not to gain souls unto God but to collect revenues to themselves to oppress the religious and many ways impudently to catch other mens goods ...... hence ariseth grumbling among men and the wrath of God is provoked dayly Ad An. 1238. he calleth the Pope the Successor but not the imitator of Peter Ad An. 1245. he saith The Pope sent unto the King of Arragon and then unto the King of England craving that he may come and abide in their Kingdoms and the Nobility did refuse because the Papal Court was so infamous that the strength thereof went up unto the clouds Ad An. 1251. he saith The threatning of the Apostle may be thought to be fulfilled Vnless there be a departing the son of perdition shall not be revealed Behold that mens hearts depart and not their bodies from the Pope who is enraged like a step-father and from the Church of Rome which is cruel in persecuting like a step-mother 12. John Russel an English Gentleman who married the Widow of Walter Cumin Earl of Lenox about the year 1262. afterwards he purchased Letters from the Pope to summon a number of Scots to appear in England before the Legate for slandering his wife of witchcraft and poisoning her first husband The Scots dispised the citation alledging their ancient priviledge that Scotch men cannot be charged to answer without their own Country and so the summons turned to nothing saith Buchan Hist lib. 7. 13. Within some few years King Alexander the III. was encombred with The Lords and Bishops strive for precedency the pride of Priests and Monks saith the same Author there he understandeth certainly Bishops and Abbots which being enriched saith he by former Kings and enjoying long prosperity began to grow rank and would go before the Nobility as in wealth so in all other things or at least be equal with them The Noble men took this in ill part and dealt roughly with them wherefore they complain unto the King Whether he thought these injuries not to be so hainous as the Priests called them or if he thought that they were not without cause yet he made no account of them therefore the Bishops did excommunicate all the Noble men excepting the King only and with many threats do prepare themselves to go unto Rome Then the King calling to minde what broils Tho. Becket had raised in England by his ambition called the Bishops from their journey and compelled the Nobility to yeild unto their pride Thus the spiritual
the Danube near unto Frioli in Italy and on the North he marcheth with Poland and Muscovy In Affrick his ditions are for the most part barren except most fertile Aegypt This Empire is now governed by twenty Bassaws of which three are in Europe the most potent is in Greece another in Hungary and the third in Temisnara in Asia are thirteen three in Affriâ—k and one in Cyprus Cumin Ventura in Relatio de Vrbe Constantinop Wheresoever they prevailed they either slue all the inhabitants or led them away in such misery that they lived so that death had been more tolerable Bathol Georgueviz lived amongst them the space of 13. years about the year 1540. and returning writ a book Deploratio Christianorum which was printed at Wittemberg An. 1560. there he saith If any man had foreknown that calamity they would rather have chosen to have died a thousand times if in any place death be mixed with life or if life be prolonged that men may be long a dying it is under the Turks the bondage in Aegypt the captivity in Assyria and exile in Babylon are light in comparison of this most grievous oppression for whether Christians do submit unto them or not it is all one if these prevail as in their promises is no fidelity so is no mercy in their victory they kill all the Nobility and scarcely spare any of the Clergy they throw down all the Churches or turn them to their blasphemous superstition leaving unto Christians old Chappels which when they decay it is permitted to rebuild for a great sum of money neither are Christians permitted to have any audible sign of assembling but only as it were by stealth to exercize their religion neither may a Christian bear Office in any Province or City nor carry a weapon if any blasphemy be spoken against Christ or contumely against a Christian he must hold his peace but if thou speak against their Mahumet the punishment is fire or if against their religion thou shalt be circumcized If a Christian on horseback do meet a Turkish Priest he must come down and with low courtesie salute the Priest Every Christian now must pay the fourth part of all his increase as well of their Corns and Bestial as of their handy-work and every Master of a family paieth a ducate yearly for every person of his family if the Parents have it not to pay they must sell their children and others are compelled to beg it or they are condemned to perpetual prison and still it is free unto the Turk to take the most handsom of the Christian children and circumcize and bring them in their Cloisters to be Seminaries of his Janizaries or guard and of his Souldiers so that they hear not of Christ nor Parents yet many of these Janizaries carry under their arm pits a New-Testament in Greek or Arabick From amongst the fairest of the Christian daughters the great Turks hath his Wives and Concubines and it is religion unto them to do otherwise So that by custom or contempt of the old Turkish blood the present Emperours and Janizaries and Bassaws are descended of the Christians Both the Christians and the Janizaries in these Provinces do heartily wish the revenging Sword of Christians to deliver them from their wofull thraldom and the Turks stand in fear of it because of such a prophesie amongst them Georgieviz de affectione Christianor The multitude of the Turks are base minded being destitute of all learning for their Laws forbid Schools and they live most by Pasturage Euphorm in Icon. animor cap. 9. This brief glance of the power and tyranny of the Turks is usefull for understanding some passages of the Scriptures as also to move others unto compassion and praiers for the Christians whose troubles we know not and to make us the more thankfull for our tranquility and liberty and more patiently to bear sickness a little penury or if it were banishment for Christ's sake c. which light things many do impatiently undergo because they know not the heavy crosses of other Christians Yea and for cleering the justice of God in all these heavy burthens of Christians it may be marked out of Nicep Gregoras and Chalcocondylas their Histories that though these Greeks were very constant both in the Doctrine and Rites of their Antients yet amongst their Nobility were manifold divisions and strifes amongst their Clergy great ambition and contention and especially they complain of the wretchlessness of the Emperours and the infinite Taxes which they exacted of the people so that many did even before the loss of Constantinople chuse to live under the Turks and the rather because at that time the Turks dealt fairly with the Christians that would come and dwell in their Towns and proffered them liberties and it was upon occasion of these grievances that some Greeks came into Italy and Germany in the beginning of that Century CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. WHilest King Richard was living in prison Henry the IV. was Crowned King of England An. 2. chap. 3. he ordained that if any person should obtain from the Bishop of Rome any provision to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary or to have any Office perpetual in any house of Religion he should incur the pains of Praemunire And chap. 15. He gave authority unto Bishops and their Ordinaries to imprison and fine Civil power of coaction gâ—ven to Bishops who exerce it cruelly all Subjects who refuse the Oath ex Officio Here by the way I add that in the Parliament of King James An. 1610. Stat. 1. it is said Whereas the Temporal Sword was never in the Prelates power untill the 2. of Henry the IV. and then usurped by them without consent of the Commons for say They were truly Ecclesiastical yet it is against the Laws of God and of the Land that they should meddle with civil jurisdiction therefore is an Act past against it and the Oath Ex Officio In the same Parliament of Henry the IV. it was ordained that all Lollards that is who professed the doctriue which Wickliff had taught should be apprehended and if they should remain obstinate they should be delivered to the Bishop of the Diocy and by him unto the correction of the Secular Magistrate to be burnt This Act was the first in this Island for burning in case of Religion and began to be put in execution the same year 1401. and Thomas Arundel Arch Bishop of Canterbury swore that he would not leave a slip of the Lollards in the Land At that time did suffer William Sawtree a Priest William Swinderby Richard White William Thorp Reinold Peacock once Bishop of Saint Aâ—â—ph and then of Chicester Io. Fox in Acts Mon. Many errours were imputed unto them maliciously but as Ph. Morn in Myster pag. 495. shews ex Walsing in Hypodeig they held no other doctrine but of the Waldenses George Abbot contra Hill in answer to the first reason sec 25. shews that
Greek who had made apostacy and turned to Mahumet and when Amurathes was sending a multitude of Greeks as a Colony unto some desert places the Patriarch called â—t an uniust thing One Pachomius reported this unto Amurathes and he was made Patriach Da. Chytrae in Saxon. Lib. 27. The Christians at mount Libanus were subdued by the Turk in the year 1585. whereas before they had preserved their liberty Cas Consaluus a Lusitanian writes that the Island of Iapan in the Indian sea is divided into 60. Princedoms of which Francis of Bungo Brotasius of Arimo Bartholemew of Omuran were becom Christians and sent their Ambassadors who after three years journying arrived at Rome to acknowledge the Pope Gregory 13. a litle before his death But I will believe it saith Osiander when Iesuits shall leave off to ly VI. The year 1584. was sad unto Belgio They looked for the returning Sad things in the Netherlands of Francis Duke of Anjow their Governor from France But he fell into a dangerous sicknes yet in May he recovered so far that he went to tilting and the next day he took a potion to purge away the dregs of his malady and died on the morrow When he saw the danger of death he confessed that nothing did more grieve him as that he had followed the bad Counsel of wicked men in the administration of Belgio and now he could not amend his former errors as he had intended But by writing and by his Counsellers he advised his Brother the King to be a Protector of those Lands He would not admit his Confessor but professed sorow for his miscariages and his faith in the mercy of God throgh JESUS CHRIST the only Mediator and altogether rejected the Romish rites as extream unction c. Within a month after his death William Prince of Orange was traiterously killed in Delff by a Burgundian who was immediatly apprehended and punished The same year Ghent and Yper and some other towns in Flanders which before were Reformed were necessitat to make agreement with the Duke of Parma and so was Antwerp in Brabant the next year VII In these two now named years were many sturres for the Troubles in Riga for the new Calendar New Calender I will name one in Riga of Livonia Steven King of Pole had erected a colledge of Jesuits there in the year 1581. and he commanded that they should keep Christmes according to the new Style The people would not be present But when the 24 day of the old Style was come they entreated the Senate that they might have Sermon the next day as before It was refused Nevertheless they assembled in the Churches about 8. of the cloke in the morning and praised God with their psalms and the Rector preached in the school unto his Scholares many people hearing George Neuner the Minister stirred up the Burghgrave Nicolaus Eik against the Rector and he sent for him to come into the court When the Rector appeared he was detained there The word is spread through the town that the Rector and some citizens were to be beheaded that night for that preaching The Conrector Valentin Rascius and some others did supplicat the Burghgrave to dismiss the Rector and would have engaged themselves for his compearance again when it should be required and if this be denied they told that the people could not be stayd from a tumult Because the Burgrave would not yield the scholares and people break up the court-doores and took out the Rector whether he would or not Then they pulled down the houses first of Neuner then of Eik and of a Syndic Gothard Welling The next day they gather again and complain among themselves openly what before they had endured with silence that Jesuits were brought in the Popish Religion was restored their liberties were taken from them c. They shut the gates of the town and call the Senate to shew whether those things were done by their consent and then understood that all those things had been done by a few seeking the Kings favor and for their privat interest This broil continued fourtien dayes in the end they agreed to restore unto the Burgrave and others all their damages that there should be an Act of oblivion and the new Style should cease c. When the gates were opened Eik Neuner and the others went unto the King with their complaints He sent a Cardinal to be Governour of the town annulled all the Treaty consisting of 68. articles and caused a greater sum of money to be payd unto the plaintifs Chrytrae ibid. VIII The Frenches who had left their native Land and dwelt at A conference at Monpelgart Monpelgart in the Dutchy of Wortembergh did in the year 1586. solicite the Divines there and then the Duke Frederik that there might be a publick Conference of the German and French Divines hoping for some union of the above named controversies They assemble in March the Duke was present all the time On the one side was Iacob Andreae Chancelar of Tubing Lucas Osiander Chappellan of Wurtembergh and two Civilians from Duke Lewes and on the other side were Theo. Beza and Anton. Fajus from Geneve Abra. Musculus and two Civilians from Bern and Claud. Alberius from Lausan Many others were hearers The Theses or propositions are long and many and the Disputation was longer I give the sum briefly and faithfully The first day to wit Marc. 21. the Wurtembergers according to the order prescribed give in write Theses of the Lords Supper shewing that all do agree that all believers eat Christs flesh and drink his blood spiritually all condem the renting of Christs flesh with mens teeth as also transsubstantiation and physical or local presence So that the only question is Whether in the Supper the very body and blood of Christ be verily and substantially present and be distributed and be received with the bread and wine by the mouth of all them who receive the Sacrament whether worthy or unworthy believers or not believers yet so that the believers only receive confort and the unbelievers do eat to their own condemnation We hold the affirmative say they that is By those words IN with and under the bread we understand nothing but that they who eat that bread and drink that wine do receive Christs body and blood with the bread and wine 2. By the words Substantially Essentially Really and Orally we mean no other but the very eating and presence of his body and blood 3. They argue from the trueth of Christs words This is my body and the almighty power of Christ seing his words declare his will and by his power he can give his body unto all receivers 4. The manner how the worthy and unworthy receive Christs body is not expressed in the Scripture and we say It is supernaturall and incomprehensible by the wit of men and should not be disputed nor searched curiously These theses were given unto Beza as it was
HISTORY Of the CATHOLICK CHURCH From the Year 600 untill the Year 1600. Shewing Her DEFORMATION And REFORMATION Together with The RISE REIGN RAGE and BEGIN-FALL Of the ROMAN ANTICHRIST With many other profitable Instructions Gathered out of divers WRITERS of the several times and other HISTORIES BY ALEXANDER PETRIE Minister of the Scots Congregation at Rotterdam Psalm III. What we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their Children shewing unto the Generation to come the praise of the Lord and his strength and his wonderfull Works that he hath done Cyprian de zelo livore Evill shall be eschued the more readily if the beginning and greatness of it be known Origen contra Celsum Lib. 3. As he is deemed to have made progress in Philosophy who being acquainted with the disputes of different opinions hath chosen the best reasons among them So I am bold to say that he is the wisest among Christians who hath most diligently considered the several Sects of Jews and Christians HAGUE Printed by ADRIAN VLACK M. DC LXII HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE TO HIS HIGHNES WILLIAM THE III By the Grace of God PRINCE of ORANGE Count of Nassaw Catzenelbogen Vianden Dietz Lingen Moeurs Bueren Leerdam c. Marquess of ter Vere and Vlissingen Lord and Baron of Breda of the City of the Grave and Land of Kuyck Diest Grimbergen Herstall Kranendonck Warneston Arlay Noseroy S. Vijt Doesbourg Polanen Willemstadt Niewart Ysselstein S. Martensdijck Geertruydenberg Chasteau-regnard the High and Lower Swaluw Naeldwijck c. Vicount Hereditary of Antwerp and Besançon c. Marshal Hereditary of Holland c. I Will honour them that honour me saith the LORD But who can tell what shall be done unto them whom the Lord will honour Certainly those do honour him who serve him religiously They who are careless of Religion do pretend that they cannot serve God because there be so many Religions and they cannot know which is the right But if they were unfeignedly desirous to know they might be resolved since our Lord who is gracious mercifull and abundant in goodness and truth leaves us not in the mist or unto uncertainties but at several times and in divers waies hath spoken unto the Fathers by the Prophets and in the last daies hath spoken unto us by his Son and hath commanded all men to hear Him He is the Way the Verity and the Life none comes unto the Father but by Him On which words Chrysostom writes thus It is as if our Saviour had said I am the Way that is By me ye shall come The Verity because assuredly those things shall be which I have promised neither is any lie in me And the Life because Death cannot hinder you from me And since I am the Way ye need not another Guide Since I am Truth I speak no false thing Since I am Life although ye shall die ye shall injoy what I have promised And Cyrill Alexandr on the same words saith By three things we shall come into these Heavenly mansions by the action of true verity by right faith and the hope of eternal life of all which none is the giver none is the fountain nor is any the cause but our Lord Jesus Christ for he hath given commandments above the Law he hath shewed us the Way And he is also the Truth that is the true streightness and determination the uprightest rule and the best square of faith And he is also the Life for none but he can restore unto us that life which we hope shall be in holiness and blessedness without perishing He certainly shall raise us up though we die from that curse for sin and bring us into Heaven therefore all excellent things come and shall be unto us through him But those Worldlings say The Word of Christ is large and so many things are in it that we cannot search them Nevertheless He directs all men to search the Scriptures and the Evangelist teacheth that those are written that we might beleeve that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that beleeving we might have life through his name Yea in that written Word he hath certain rules and notes whereby the true Religion may be known Certainly that is the most true Religion which ascribes most glory unto God and most transcends the natural reason of men and most elevates the hearts and affections of men towards God and Heaven By application of those undoubted and unquestionable principles each one may understand that among all Religions the Reformed is the only true Religion for not only our Profession in the general but all the branches of our Doctrine are grounded on God's written Word and tend unto God's glory transcend our natural reason and lead men to think continually of God and to hope for blessedness in Heaven by Christ alone And amongst those who profess this Religion they are most devoted unto God and most constant in their profession who aim most at God's glory who are most acted by supernatural principles who do most think of God and whose hope of felicity in Heaven is most active And such as seek but their own or other mens interests or be led by political or human reasons mainly are the wavering Professors On the other side all other Religions though they pretend the glory of God they are not truly grounded on God's Word but are underpropped with natural reason and tend to earthly mindedness as appears by induction of the particulars wherein they differ from us some aiming at the advancement of mens abilities and others at worldly honour and gain This is clear in the Romish Religion for what else is the advancing of man's ability without or with a little help of God their Justification by works their Deifying of the Pope above all that is called God their equalling of Mens Traditions and Decrees with the Sacred Scriptures What else is their Mass their fancy of Purgatory c Here it is remarkable what is written by their Jesuit Cardinal Bellarmin de Indulg Lib. 1. Cap. 12. Sect. Rationes We see saith he that the amplest Indulgences are given for a very slight cause as when plenary Indulgence is given unto all who stand before the Door of St. Peter's Church and the Pope blesseth all the people solemnly And Sect. Observandum he saith That standing before St. Peter's Porch is a very light and slight cause if it be considered absolutely in it self and nevertheless it is a weighty and just cause because that frequency of the people at that time is a fit and usefull means of protesting their Faith concerning the Head of the Church and it serves for the honour of the Apostolical See which honour is the end of that Indulgence So he The Pope then and the People do aid one another mutually for the People confirms the Supremacy of the Pope by their presence and receiving that Indulgence and He by dispensing his
thought of their Gods Impious was the opinion of Vigilantius who deprived the Martyrs of all honour if he did so Foolish was that of Eunomius who would not enter into the Churches of Martyrs lest he were compelled to adore the dead Martyrs are to be reverenced and not adored as God as Jerom writeth against Vigilantius And in his next Annotation he saith But now the fashion is when religion is solemnized unto Christ who delivered mankind by his death to shew plaies unto the people nothing differing from the old scenical plaies although I say no more he will think it fitly enough who shall hear it sports are made of a most serious purpose He continueth shewing their abhominable sports Hither may be referred another History in Chrysostom to 1. in his book against the Heathens The Apostate Emperour Julian went to the Temple of Apollo at Daphne and with great instance did ask a response concerning a purpose intended by him and it was answered This place of Daphne is full of dead bodies which hath averted the Oracle whereupon Julian commandeth to take away the body of Babylas There Chrysostom argueth against the Emperour that Babylas were mightier then Julian's God But the good man did not conceive the policy of the Divel by subtily instilling into the minds of imprudent men a superstitious fancy concerning the reliques of the dead and their power as Bellarmine de cultu Sanctor lib. 2. cap. 2. would prove from the same example that the reliques should be adored And whereas he alledgeth that the miracles that were done at the graves of the Martyrs were done to the end these reliques should be worshipped Augustine de civit Dei lib. 22. cap. 9. saith contrarily Unto what faith did these miracles attest save unto that where Christ is preached to have risen in the flesh and to have ascended into Heaven in the flesh for even the Martyrs were Martyrs that is witnesses of this faith they giving testimony unto this faith did indure the enmitie of the world and did overcome them not by fighting but by dying for this faith they died who may obtain these things from the Lord for whose name they were killed for this faith their wondrous patience hath gone before that in these miracles so great power might follow for if the resurrection of the flesh eternally hath not gone before in Christ or shall not be as is fore-told by Christ or was fore-told by the Prophets who had also prophecied of Christ why can the Martyrs do so great things who were killed for that faith by which the resurrection is preached For whether God worketh by himself in a wondrous way whereby the eternal worketh temporarie things or if he doth those things by his servants and the same things that he doth by his servants whether he doth some of them by the spirits of the Martyrs as by men that are as yet in the bodie or all these by his Angels whom he commandeth invisibly and without bodies so that what things are said to be done by Martyrs are done by them praying and obtaining and not working or whether these things be done some one way and some another which can no way be comprehended by mortals nevertheless they give testimonie unto that faith which preacheth the resurrection of the flesh for ever So far he Hence we see that Augustine will not say definitively that the miracles were done by the Saints and that he holdeth that they were for confirmation of the faith which the Martyrs did believe and preach and for no other faith But most certain it is not any Martyr did ever teach or believe that Saints or their reliques should be worshipped Add the testimonie of Ge. Cassander in Consult art 21. We read saith he that of old they made vows and undertook pilgrimages unto places famous for the reliques of Martyrs which then was profitable while the memorie of the Martyrs was yet fresh and certain and while God by undoubted miracles did shew that their souls do live whose bodies were dead thereby confirming the faith which they did profess But abuses did by little and little creep in for Basil did complain that in his daies this custom was corrupt and in the time of Augustine the custom of bearing meat unto the graves of Martyrs was forbidden by Ambrose as is clear in Augustine Confess lib. 6. cap. 2. and in latter times too much hath been given to the reliques and memories of Saints when wicked men began to put false confidence in foolish worship which abuse is condemned by the Councel at Cabilon Cap. 45. and other corruptions were added to wit for gain false reliques were daily suggested and feigned miracles were reported superstition was thereby fostered and by illusion of the Divel new reliques were invented which abuse is condemned by a Councel at Lions at this day the world seems to be full of reliques so that it may be feared that upon due examination most detestable impostures may be manifested as in some places it is made manifest as of old it hapned unto Saint Martine who did find under the famous name of a Martyr the monument not of a Martyr but of a wicked Robber Wherefore it seems good to abstain from all ostentation of reliques and to stir up the people to reverence the true reliques that is to follow the examples of their godliness and vertues that are extant written by them or of them Thus Cassander hath observed two corruptions to wit superstitious confidence in the worship of true reliques and a sacrilegious forging of false reliques But now the superstitious custom of Rome is come to such height that Jesuit Vasques is licentiated to send in publick That the very worms may be worshipped with a good intention and sincere faith as if the worms consumers of the holy reliques were filled with some vertue yet not to be worshipped publickly Vasq lib. 3. adorat cap. 8. num 114. and Bellarm li. cit cap. 4. saith The reliques of Saints to wit their bones ashes cloaths c. are to be adored although not with the same kind of adoration as the spirits of the Saints yet with more than human or civil worship to wit with religious supplication kissing circumgestation thurification lighting of Tapers c. 8. In former times many were desirous to see Jerusalem but others did disswade Pilgrimages them as Jerom to 1. Ep. ad Paulin. saith It is laudable not to have been in Jerusalem but to have lived well in Jerusalem for that Citie is to be sought which killed not the Prophets nor shed the blood of Christ but which maketh the currents of the flood glad which being on a mountain cannot be hid which the Apostle calleth the mother of the Saints in which he rejoiceth that he had freedom with the righteous Neither in saying so do I reprove my self of inconstancie or condemn what I do that I seem in vain after the example of Abraham to have forsaken my kindred
prosperously be a note of the Antichrist the Pope cannot be called Antichrist seeing he wanteth so many Provinces I answer in the first part Bellarmine saith that the Pope hath lost what he never had and in the latter part he hath lost more for he might have added Scotland Ireland a great part of Poland Prussia c. But all these had given their power and Kingdom unto the Beast until the word of God was fullfilled and they do now hate the Whore and have made her naked as it is said Rev. 17. But it is no where written in Scripture nor do Protestants say that the Beast or Antichrist had or shall have dominion over all the earth although he make such a claim falsely yea the fourth part of the earth was never subject to the See of Rome at once or at one and the same time 4. As the Papishes do glory in vain of the Pope's Supremacy over the The Pope had no power to give Kingdomes Church so they pretend his power over all the Kingdomes of the earth this they do hold but with some difference amongst themselves for the â—anonists as they are called hold that all the Kingdomes of the earth do directly belong unto the Pope and the Jesuits say not directly but indirectly and these two sects write against one another in this matter as for life and death But whether directly or indirectly both do agree that the Pope may give any Kingdom of the earth to whom he pleaseth Satan did once say so And in the 9. Century Pope Nicolaus did not say so as followeth Let them shew any such practice before this eighth Century Did all the Bishops of Rome before this time give Kingdomes to whom they would Or were they ignorant of their power But say they at that time Pope Zachary gave the Kingdom of France unto Pipin and his line So unto this place belongeth neither gave he the Kâ—ngdome of France unto King Pipin that controversie which Bellarmine hath de Ro. Pont. lib. 2. cap. 17. lib. 5. cap. 8. By what means and by what persons Pipin obtained the Kingdom of France Gratian. caus 15. quest 6. cap. Alius saith Zachary deposed Childeric King of France and placed Pipin in his room And the gloss saith Deposuit idest deponentibus consensit he consented unto them who deposed him Platina in Zachary saith By his authority the Kingdom of France was adjudged unto Pipin The Jesuit Dion Petavius in Rationar temp par 1. lib. 8. saith Pipin by the authority of Pope Zachary and by consent of the French Peers did add a new Title of King unto his Royal Power which he had not before If we look to the more ancient Writers the story is thus About the year 663. Clotharius King of France gave himself to the lusts of the flesh and committed the government unto Ebroin Master of the Palace or as others call him Constable This example turneth into a custom and An. 694. Pipin Duke of Austrasia attained this charge under Clodoveus or Clovis the III. as Io. Serres calleth him and he keepeth it in the daies of King Childebert the II. and his son Dagobert so that then there was the Title of a King and all the power was in the hand of the Constable Abb. Vrsperg in Chron. pag. 170. Edit An. 1538. The King was seen once in the year publickly to wit the first day of May then he received and gave gifts without any other discharge of Royal power and all affairs of State were managed by the Constable After Pipin was great contention for so honourable a place his son Charls Martel prevaileth who in the daies of Theodoric or Therric the II. enlargeth the Kingdom of France and as the fore-named Petavius ex Gest Franc. Epit. lib. 1. sheweth he overthroweth Raginfred his Competitour or as he saith who was chosen Mayor and Eudo Duke of Aquitania An. 718. then he subdued the Saxons Alamanes Bavarians and Aquitans Eudo hath his refuge unto the Sarazens in Spain and perswadeth their King Abdirama to invade France Charls did slay in one Battel 375000. Sarazens with the loss of 1500. French at Towrs Fascic temp fol. 45. Edit Venet. An. 1484. and Io. Serres and others Thereafter he did take-in Burgundy and Lions An. 727. and the next year Eudo being dead he possessed Aquitania peaceably In the year 731. the Sarazens did come again into France Charls overthrew them and did gain Avenion and Narbon from them Therefore by a more honourable Title he was called Duke and Prince of France and under that name he governed the Kingdom 19. years and died An. 741. Platin. in Gregor II. He had four sons Carloman Pipin Egidius and Grypho some say Grypho was the son of his first wife a daughter of Bojaria Pipin made Egidius Bishop of Rotomayum and left his government unto Carloman and Pipin and they two divide the Kingdom and govern either his own part under the Title of their father as is apparent by the first words of the Councel under Carloman In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I Carloman Duke and Prince of the French in the year 742. from the Incarnation of Christ on the 11. of the Calends of March by the advice of the servants of God and of my Nobles I have assembled the Bishops in my Kingdom c. Note these words and see what power he had Within 7. years after this Synod he laid aside his Princely authority saith Bellarm. loc cit and entred into a Cloister at Sotacte and then all the authority was in Pipin alone Grypho rebelled against Carloman but at last Pipin took him in Italy and caused him to be beheaded An. 753. Pipin having the government alone and wanting no occasion did aim at a higher Title The Sarazens in Spain were preparing to make new Wars against France but Pipin did prevent the storm he seized on the passages of the Pyrene hills and forced those redoubted enemies to receive Laws from him Then he did help the Cities that had been spoiled he disburthened others of publick charges and established justice and dealt so valiantly and discreetly both in Wars and Peace that he gained the hearts of all the countries also it did not a little add unto his esteem what he had done against the Lombards and in other parts of â—taly Blondus dec 1. lib. 10. saith I find in Alcuinus Paulus and several others who have written the Acts of the French that the Nobility and Commonalty of that Nation duly considering the worthiness of Pipin and sottishness of Childeric consulted with Zachary Bishop of Rome whether they should tolerate so foolish a King any longer and defraud Pipin of his deserved Princely honour And when the Bishop made answer That he was best worthy to be King who could best discharge the Office of a King the French with the publick consent of the whole Nation did pronounce Pipin for their King and Childeric was
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
and ye all should further and help us Ca. 4. He admonisheth Bishops especially to teach their people both by life and doctrine both by themselves and them who are under them as they will answer in their accounts at the great day Can. 17. The Bishop of the first See should not be called the Prince of Priests or the highest Priest or any such title but only the Bishop of the first See Can. 4â— None can lay another foundation save that which is layed which is Christ Jesus whosoever therefore in the love of God and of his neighbour keepeth the certainty of faith which is in Christ Jesus he hath laid the same Jesus Christ the Son of God and Man to be his foundation it is to be hoped therefore that where Christ is the foundation the edifice of good works will follow In a word if his medling with Italy and his advancing His Conversation the Pope for confirming that which he had taken can be excused he was unto all Princes a patern of magnificence zeal in religion learning eloquence temperance prudence moderation c. Alcwin contra Elipant lib. 1. saith Charls was a Catholick in faith a King in power a High-Priest in preaching a Judge in equity a Philosopher in liberal studies famous in manners and excellent in all honesty he was never served at Table with more then four dishes at once his exercise was hunting and reading of Histories Pet. Mexia In the year 813. Crunus Duke of Bulgaria pursued his Victory and fought once with Michael Rangabis a worshipper of Images and at the second alarm he did renounce his Crown and Leo Armenius General of the Army was declared Emperour he slue Crunus in Battel and returned home with Triumph Thereafter he had peace he threw down Images and banished the Patriarch Nicephorus a worshipper of Images and many more Zonar 3. LEWES the Godly confirmeth the peace with Leo Armenius and Lewes his troubles had Wars in Datia whence he was necessitated to return to redress some accidents at home and he easily calmed them by means of his Nephew Bernard In the year 818. the same Bernard rebelled against his Uncle and claimed the Crown of France because he was the son of the eldest brother but he was soon taken captive his eys were picked out he was sent Prisoner into France and his Kingdom was given to Lotharius the Emperour's son At that time Lewes confirmed the Donation of King Pipin and of Charls unto the Church of Rome without making mention of any former right as may be seen in the words of the Donation in Volaterran and Gratian. Yet he gave not over the City of Rome for Platina in Serg. 2. sheweth that Rome was allotted unto Lotharius when the Empire was divided again and Thegan chorepi Trevir writing of the same Lewes saith It was appointed that according to former custom some should be sent from the Emperour to Rome who having the authority of Judges should do justice to all the people and accordingly Legates were sent to Rome to judge Pope Paschalis who was challenged of murther Io. Lampad in Mellif Lewes caused the Bible to be translated into the Saxon language Though he was religious and studious of peace yet he was not free from conspiracy he had advanced many persons unto high honours and as Crantz in Saxon. lib. 2. cap. 25. for their wickedness which he had certainly tried he cast them down again they therefore did devise many things against him and drew his own sons Lotharius Pipin and Lewes on their side under pretext that the Emperour did affect his youngest son by his present wife more then them They did so prevail that the Emperour was deposed and Lotharius was declared Emperour who shut his father into a Monastery and his young son Charls Many who were loyal would have taken Arms for his relief but he did forbid them Hugobert Bishop of Lions and Bernard Bishop of Vienna and many other Bishops took part with the sons because he would have restrained their pomp and pride but they made pretence that he had married Judith within degrees forbidden by the Pope Also Pope Gregory the IV. hateth him because he was an ememy of Images nevertheless he came into France under pretence to appease the troubles But as Morn in Myster ex Chronic. Dtonys and others testifie to kindle the coals he sought that both parties would submit unto his arbitrement They who were on the Emperour's side were suspicious of deceit and would not submit but said to the Pope If thou come to excommunicate us thou shalt return excommunicated Vsser de Eccles stat cap. 1. Crantz loc cit saith When the sons had examined the cause of this stir they found the innocency His restoration of their father and restored him unto his Empire and he being the meekest of all mortals did readily forgive them and made Lotharius partner of the Empire with him but he dealt more severely with the Bishops they fled into Italy nor could the authority of the Pope help them only who did most humbly confess their offence were pardoned About that time a huge multitude of Sarazens entred into Italy took Rome and made Saint Peter's Church a stable for their horses and wasted all Thuscia burning Houses and Churches when they heard of the Lombards coming against them they made hast away with much spoil with infinite number of Captives as also they spoiled Sicily Michael the Stutterer conspired against Leo Armenius in his 7 year and killed him he slue some Bishops and banished others who worshipped images His son Theophylus was answerable to his name he punisheth not only the worshippers but the makers of Images In the year 824. he sent unto Lewes desiring the determination of the French Church concerning Images and intreating that he would interpone his authority with the Pope in that matter The Emperour called a Synod at Paris of which is mention in the end of Century 8. and he sent Jeremia Bishop of Senone and Jonas Bishop of Orleance unto Pope Eugenius who did ask By what place of Scripture he could prove it lawfull to worship images He answereth They are arrogant who dare ask such questions Ph. Morn in Myster ex Synod Paris sub Ludo. Lothar Pe. Mexia writeth that these three most famous heads of Europe died within the space of four daies Theophylus Lewes and Pope Gregoryths IV. An. 840. Lewes before his death divided his Kingdomes and sought not the consent of the Pope 4. LOTHARIUS the eldest son of Lewes succeeded unto his father The Empire is divided and weakned with common consent except of his brethren Charls and Lewes for they took it ill that he should have both France and Italy and they be inclosed in Bojaria and Aquitania so they force their brother unto a new division Lewes became King of Germany and had Hungary Bohemia Saxony Moravia Frisia Bojaria c. Charls was King of France except
leave Then concerning his curses against the King after he hath bitterly expostulated for his menacing and declared that he had sent his Letters unto the Peers and Prelates of the Kingdom and had read them openly in an assembly of the Bishops of France and Lorain at Atiniac and had shewed his Bull unto Lewis King of Germany whereby he was commanded by authority of the Pope to accurse them all who intermeddle with the Kingdom of Lorain he saith I have heard that the like letters as have been directed to our Lord Charls and to the Peers and Bishops of his Kingdom have been also sent unto my Lord Lewis the glorious King and to the Bishops and Nobility of his Kingdom ..... Then he gives him to understand that he had heard it reported by many that the two Kings had agreed to divide the Kingdom which if it be not done sedition shall kindle among the people wherefore since he saw that either the authority of the Pope must be contemned or the agreement of the Kings be violated whence might arise fear of wars he thinks it more expedient to omit so Imperious commands and surcease altogether from attempting any thing therein neither is it my duty saith he to debar any man from the Communion except one who hath willingly confessed his fault or who is convict in judgement unless I would contemn the Canon of the Apostles the practice of the Church and the authority of Augustin Gelasius Boniface c. Whereas the Pope had accused him that by silence and cessation he may seem not partner but authour of the usurpation he biddeth him remember what is written The cause which I knew not I fearched diligently and that God as is marked by Gregory to whose eys all things are open said in the cause of the Sodomite I will go down and see whereby we should learn to try and see the evil before we beleeve it and not punish till it be notoriously known Whereas he would have him abstain from the company of the King and not bid him God speed it seems very hard said he since very many good men both of Ecclesiastical and Secular sort who occasionally have come to Rhemes have openly professed that they had never heard the like practice from any of his Predecessours although in their own times they had seen seditions and wars not among Kings who were united by oath and league but also among brethren yea between father and children And therefore he acknowledgeth this his contempt to be for his other sins since in this he had dealt lovingly with his fellow-brethren of whom some had invited King Charls into the Kingdom of Lorain Moreover that the States of the Kingdom affirm plainly that Kingdoms are not conquered by curses of Priests or Bishops and that they have learned from the Holy Scripture Kingdoms appertain unto God by whom Kings do reign and he gives them to whom he willeth wherefore since the High-Priest cannot be both a King and a Bishop he should leave the care of distributing Kingdoms which as his Predecessours did not attempt against the schismatical nor heretical nor tyranous Emperours in their times so neither can they now bear it who know it to be written in the Holy Scripture We should strive even to death for liberty and inheritance neither are they ignorant if a Bishop excommunicate a Christian without reason that the power of binding may be taken from him but eternal life can be taken from no man unless his own sins do demerit neither can any man be spoiled of the name of a Christian for taking or conquering an earthly Kingdom or can he be ranked with the Divel whom Christ came to redeem with his blood from the Divel's power and therefore if the Pope would have peace let him so seek it that he move no strife for the people think not that they cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven except they imbrace such an earthly King as the Pope recommendeth as for the Oath said he and falshood and tyranny whereof you write the Peers of the Nation say unto us that ye command not such things as concern your authority yea they have not spared from menacings against you which for the present I will not repeat and I know as they threatned with deliberation so if God suffer them without retreating they will shew it indeed and I know by experience that without regard of admonition or sword of man's tongue unless some other stay arise our King and Nobility of this Realm will not fail to do accordingly to their power and follow forth what they have begun He concludes that Bishops and himself especially should take heed of their behaviour towards the King since it is the Apostles doctrine that all souls be subject unto Superiour powers And with these Letters in the name of Hincmar were other Letters written by common advice of the Bishops of France being assembled at Rhemes and sent unto Pope Adrian who died in the fifth year of his pride and so that strife ceased Ph. Morn in Myster ex Aimoin lib. 5. and out of others Baronius in Annal. ad An. 870. § 38. saith Hincmar did forge many excuses and by shifting did escape the sentence of the Apostolick See till Pope Adrian died 11. JOHN the IX succeeds An. 872 as Onuphrius saith who reckoneth The Pope climbeth above the Emperour not the eight years between Nicolaus and Adrian but others account his succession in the year 876. He hapned on the fittest occasion of ambition among them all for after his inauguration began the contention between Charls of France and Charls of Germany for the Empire The King of France was alwaies aiming at the Kingdom of Italy and promised unto Pope John rich rewards if he attained unto the Empire he would defend the Church from all injury and wholly quit the Territory of Rome John did fear that the other would take his manure in Italy and therefore desirous the Emperour were at a distance rather than to sit in his eye he invited the King of France to come unto Rome and incontinently saluteth him Augustus and by this means saith Sigonius and after him Ph. Morn in Myster the Title Imperator Augustus became the gift of the High-Priest wholly and the years of their Empire were reckoned from their consecration by the Pope Continuator Eutropii saith more plainly Charls the Bald coming to Rome made covenant with the Romans and granted unto them the rights of the Kingdom and revenues out of three Monasteries that is out of Saint Salvator's Saint Mary in Sabinis and Saint Andrew's on Mount Soracte and the Imperial Patrimony out of many other Monasteries he gave them also the Provinces of Samnio and Calabria with all the Cities of Benevento and the Dukedom of Spoleto and two Cities of Tuscia Arisium and Clusium which did belong unto the Duke so that he who before was above the Romans in royality seems now inferiour unto them he
XIII the son of Albericus succeeded How old this father of fathers could be may be gathered by supputation of years when Hugh was expelled Albericus was but a boy and till this time were not passed 20 years neither was this Octavius or Pope John his fathers eldest son as Baronius hath marked and therefore he saith He who could not be a Deacon for age like a Stage-player acteth the Pope and nevertheless saith he consent made him Pope for it is a lesser evil to have a monstrous head then to be infamous with two heads And a little after he preferred this Pope above others which were chosen Canonically by the Clergy Let Platina tell what he was One saith he defiled from his infancy with all shame and filthiness given to hunting if he could spare any time from his luxury more then to prayer By the advice of the Senate he sent for Otho against Berengarius and when he was releeved he practised against his redeemer therefore as is before he was deposed and restored again by the Romans And immediately even in these same daies saith Platin. the most wicked man was judged to be strucken of God lest the Church had been wasted with a schism Some write saith he that this Monster was taken in the act of adultry and killed But he was intruded at that time by his father powerfully and delighting himself with another man's wife died suddenly without repentance Sigebert saith Sine viatico Fascic temp saith Behold O everliving God how unlike are they unto former Bishops O the depth of God's judgments who can search them out Let Bellarmin excuse him among the rest and pass him over in silence Platina saith he was worse then any Pope before him but he saith not and worse then any after him for worse Popes are coming Onuphrius on that place of Platina saith He first changed his name because he thought not his Christian name honourable enough but we have heard that others have done the like He sate 10 years 23. BENEDICT the V was chosen by the Romans although Leo the VIII who was advanced by the great Synod was yet alive wherefore Otho returned to Rome in wrath and restored Leo as is before 24. LEO the VIII sitting now peaceably did renounce in favour of the Emperour and his Successours all the Donations of Justinian of Charls the The Pope's resignation of former Donations Great of his son Lewis The words of the Bull in Crantz Saxon. lib. 4. cap. 10. are Leo Bishop the servant of God's servants unto Otto our spiritual son in Christ the Emperour Augustus and unto all his Successours Emperours and Kings of Italy Whatsoever the Lord Charls King of France and Lombardy and Patricius Romanus as also his father Pipin have given of the Royalty of this Kingdom of Italy unto blessed Peter the Apostle in the Church of Rome whether they were given by instruments by the Notary Etherius or whether they came by Oaths or Donations or any other way from Justinian Emperour or King Arithpert all these things we give and adjudge unto you Otto Emperour and to Alheida your wife and consort of the Empire and unto your consorts and successours of this Kingdom of Italy for ever being present the holy Evangelists and many Patronages of the Saints ....... that ye may have and possess all these things for ever for the uses of your Court the Military affairs and to fight against Pagans and Rebels of the Roman Empire and therefore by authority of this instrument we confirm and strengthen unto your posterity from generation to generation for ever and if any shall destroy this our authority and be found to violate it or do contrary unto it let him know that he shall fall under the wrath of blessed Peter Prince of the Apostles and our wrath and of all our Predecessours And moreover if he repent not of the evil let him be liable unto the Julian Law of Laese Majestatis c. After the solemn form fiat fiat this Bull was subscribed by all the Arch-Bishops Bishops Cardinals Priests and Deacons chief Officers of the Roman Church by the Consuls also Exconsuls Senatours and civil Lords and by all which by subscribing could give any confirmation The names fill up a page This Bull was kept at Florence for the use of the Emperour as Henry token a Canon of Magdeburg witnesseth in Catal. test ver lib. 11. Onuphrius proveth that this Leo was a lawfull Pope And whatsoever can be said against the Bull or Instrument Crantz li. cit cap. 11. saith It is more authentical and legal then that Decree of Constantine's Donation in longa Palea This Leo sate 2 years 25. JOHN the XIV was not chosen till Otho sent his Messengers unto the election as also this Pope did in other things reverence the Emperour and for this cause Peter Captain of the City two Consuls and the Elder men whom they call Decarchones and others rose against him they laid hands on him in the Lateran Church and kept him in Prison 11 moneths The Emperour made hast to Rome and put all the above-named persons in Prison till the cause was examined and then the Consuls were exiled into Germany the Elder men were hanged and Peter was given unto the pleasure of the Pope who caused him to be stript naked to shave his beard and hang him by the hair a whole day and set him upon an Ass with his hands under her tail then so to be led through the City in the mean time being scourged with rods and lastly banished out of the City After this manner did this Ghostly Father obey the Gospel Love your enemies saith Platina This Pope did first baptize Bells he called the great Bell in Lateran John He sate 7 years 26. BENEDICT the VI succeeded in place and miseries he was taken by Cintius Captain of the City and cast into the Prison of malefactors where he was strangled or as others say famished in the 18. moneth But I fear saith Platina that the reward of Benedict was according to his merits since none hath written that his death was revenged and Otho is accounted a very good man and a most ready defender of the Roman Church 27. DONUS the II sate one year without doing any thing worthy of record 28. BONIFACE the VII came to the Papacy by unlawfull means Platin When he saw that the Citizens conspired against him he hid himself and seeing no appearance of tranquility he stole all the Ornaments of Saint Peter's Church and fled into Constantinople Then 29. BENEDICT the VII was set up by the Romans Otho was offended that they had transgressed the Acts made in his fathers time he hastned to Rome and exerced severity against the rebellious Romans they in suffering deserved death did take unto themselves the name of Martyrs But Fasc temp maketh a distinction they were killed as some in the primitive Church were killed alike punishment but not alike cause Benedict
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
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
the Bishops to have been more ancient and saith that Amphibal was the first Bishop of the Scots who lived in the Isle of Man where King Cratiliâ—th built a stately Church to the honor why would he not say for the service or worship of our Savior and called it Sodorense Faâ—â—m and that was the Cathedral of the Bishops of the Isles till the Scots were dispossessed of that Isle and from thence the Isle Jona or Icolmkil hath been the seat of the Bishops Then page 7. he telleth of Ninian the first Bishop of Galloway or Candida Casa and of Palladius sent by Eclestin Bishop of Rome and that he ordained Servan Bishop of Orkney and Tervaâ— Bishop of the Northern Picts Page 11. he telleth of a Bishop about Aldham but saith he the story doth not express his name For answer the Histories shew that such men were in Scotland but that they were not Prelates or Bishops in that sâ—nse as of late the name was used is very certain For first All who have written the History of Scotland do testifie that the Church was governed without Bishops and by Teachers who were called Culdees that is The worshippers of God or who taught the worship of God and these were called sometimes Monks for their strictness of life and Priests or Presbyters and sometimes they were called Bishops either in the sense of the Scripture or according to the Custom of other Nations but by that term declaring them to be lawful Teachers or Pastors Boeth li. 6. c. 5. calleth them by these three names Culdees Monks and Priests and Laurentius the second Bishop of Canterbury calleth them Fratres Episcopos Abbates And Bishop Jewel in defense of the Apolo page 122. saith These three names Bishop Priest and Presbyter were all one And it is certain that at Icolmkil was a Colledge of Students and there was one who is sometime called Abbas and sometime Doctor and sometime Episcopus as in that Epistle written by the Clergy of Rome after the death of Pope Severin which is directed unto the Bishops Presbyters Doctors or Abbots These Titles are knit with the particle sive Likewise about the year 600. Columba was the Church-man which was most respected in Scotland and he was the Doctor of Icolmkil for as the King Aidan did use his counsel so when he fought against the Picts Columba did call his Colleagues together and exhorted them to turn their supplications into thanksgiving because the King had got the victory albeit the place of the battel was distant from Jona where Columba lived and was at that time 200. miles at least saith Bishop Spotswood And the same Bishop calleth Convallan Governor of that Monastery after Columba And Buchanan li. 6. in the life of King Kenneth III. saith The ancient Bishops of the Scots were chosen out of the Monasteries and these Monasteries were not for Monks in that sense as they speak afterwards for in li. 7. Buchanan speaking of King Malcolm and the Colledge at Scone saith Malcolm turned the Colledge of Priests that was there into a Monastery of Monks Secondly That the Church of Scotland was not subordinate to Rome and that they loved not the Discipline nor Rites of Rome is most certain by that Contestation which was in Century VII Thirdly That testimony of the Synod at Celicyth in England about the year 816. is without all contradiction that at that time were no Prelates in Scotland seeing they testifie that the Scots gave no honor to Metropolitans nor other Bishops and therefore they forbid the Scots to have any Function in England But in the contrary Bishop Spotswood telleth of Wiro and Plechelm which were consecrate at Rome Bishop of the Scots in the year 632. as it is written saith he in Baron Annal. ad ann 632. and he addeth But by the Cardinals leave our Church had no such Custom before that time nor will it be shewed that before these two any did go to Rome either to be consecrate or confirmed And then he addeth We finde him Wiro shortly thereafter turn Confessor to King Pipin But if he was Confessor to King Pipin he was not Bishop of the Scots nor was Pipin King of France till the year 750. and so Wiro must have been above 160. years old ere he was Confessor I have looked on that place of Baronius and he shews his Author to be Surius ad Maij diem 8. and all both Papists and others hold Surius to be a most fabulous writer as in that particular he writes fabulously for he saith Wiro was Confessor unto Duke Pipin and that Pipin was wont to come unto him with bare feet when he made his Confession This I say is fabulous seeing it is marked as an unmeasureable shew of humility that Justinian II. Emperor made such obedience unto Pope Constantine in falling down at his feet and did not cast off his shoes Nor can it be shewed that any Writer of that Century hath the word Confessor in that sense or that such an Office was at that time In the days of the Emperor Theodosius some such thing had been in use upon a particular occasion but upon a vile scandal it was forbidden Socrat. Hist l. 5. c. 19. And then Baronius ad ann 697. calleth Wiro Episcopum Deirorum when he speaks of the Synod at Utrecht Now it is clear in the life of Pope Gregory I. prefixed before his works that a part of England was at that time called Deira therefore Wiro was not a Bishop of Scotland and therein Baronius Plechelm is called de Candida Massa or Casa But Bishop Spotswood page 4. saith No Bishop in Scotland had any Diocy before King Malcolm III. and so that phrase de candida casa sheweth that Plechelm was born at that place and not that he was Bishop there Likewise Bishop Spotswood page 20. speaks of two Bishops Sedulus and Pergustus who having assisted in a Synod at Rome called by Gregory II. in the year 721. after their return made great disturbance in the Church for erecting of Images It is true in the subscriptions of that Synod such names are there and the one Sedulus is called Episcopus Scotorum and the other is called Episcopus Pictorum And so every Presbyter who went out of Scotland was called a Scotch Bishop but that he was a Prelate of Scotland it is contrary to that testimony of the Synod at Celicyth in Century IX which was near a 100. years after Gregory II. And then see what he did he pressed the worship of Images and the Culdees denied it to be lawful saith Io. Bale Cent. XIV and therefore many of them were deposed such was the fruit of their gading to Rome And Bishop Spotswood page 26. saith expresly that Kellach was the first Bishop of this Kingdom who went to Rome to seek confirmation and that was about the year 904. This instance condemneth what he hath said before of all those others whom he calleth Scotch Bishops Neither
of Italy and gave his Lands of Pulia and Calabria unto his Cousin Reynold with the Title of Duke The Pope was not content and pretended that these Dominions appertain unto St. Peter so variance was like to arise betwixt Lotharius and the Pope but the difference was composed so Reynold took his badge and Title from them both This Lotharius caused the Civil Laws to be reduced into a method which were almost forgotten he commanded them to be read in Schools and pleas to be determined by them Since the days of Charles the Great no Emperor had done greater exploits in Italy he suppressed the rebellious in Cremona Papia Bononia c. he had curbed the Popes and had recovered the priviledge of Investing Prelates if he had not been perswaded by Bernard He died not far from Trent ann 1138. Then Conrade was sole Emperor against the minde of the Pope and was confirmed by his Legate He was vexed by Henry Duke of Bavier who had married the onely Daughter of Lotharius and aimed at the Empire At that time the fourth King of Jerusalem Fulco was in great danger of the Persians who had taken the famous City Edessa and the Saracens were besiedging Antiochia wherefore Pope Eugenius by his Letters and Bernard by words perswade the Emperor to go into Palestina as Lewes King of France was ready they both went but did no good unto Baldwin the Successor of Fulco Manuel the Eastern Emperor was blamed for their unlucky success he promised them victuals but disappointed them and sent traitorous guides with them At this time began the long continued and troublesome factions of Gwelphs or Welphs and Gibelines that is Papalines and Imperialists the one faction had their name from Welpho a Duke of Bavier and Brother of Henry with whom the Pope conspired and the other from Henry Son and General to the Emperor and so named from a Village where he was born By the procurements of the Popes these factions waxed so that all the Towns and people of Italy bragged in one of these two names Ann. 1152. Conrade was poysoned by his Physician hired thereunto as was suspected by Roger King of Sicilie he gave the Imperial Ensigns unto his Brothers Son Frederick and recommended his yong Son unto him the elder Brother Henry being defunct 3. FREDERICK I. surnamed Barbarossa or Red-beard attained Difference betwixt the Emperor and Civil State of Rome the Crown without any contradiction he was endowed with all excellencies of body and minde The Romans were taking of their ancient liberty and of a free Government under Consules and they sent unto the new Emperor promising to consent unto his Coronation if he would consent unto their former liberty seeing they should not be subject unto Germans who had received their honor from the Romans The Emperor partly in anger and partly in dirision writeth saying They had been Romans as they boast but now no footsteps of their ancient State appeareth it being altogether wasted behold the wound of the first Beast first by Charles and then by Otho the Great and that old Common-wealth was translated into Germany and there are Consules Senatores Equites They were deceived in thinking the Germans had received the Empire from them for it was not given by the Romans but conquered by the arms of Charles whom certainly they in their necessity had implored for their defense from the Tyrants Desiderius and Berengarius it was not therefore a gift of the Pope and therefore it was not convenient that they prescribe unto their Emperor This Letter exasperateth them so that the Emperor must march toward Rome Pe. Maxia Pope Hadrian was ill intreated by them and vexed by the Castellanes and now hearing of his coming went to Sutrio to meet him When the Emperor saw the Pope he lighted from his horse to receive him The pride of the Pope and held his stirrop and bridle on the left side the Pope sheweth himself a little angry because he should have done it on the right side when the trench-men reported his words unto the Emperor he laughingly excused himself that he was not accustomed to hold stirrops and seeing he had done so much of curtesie and not of duty less matter it was what side he held The next day to make amends unto the Bishop he inviteth him and received him holding the stirrop on the right side When they came to Rome the Pope sheweth how his Ancestors had left some special token unto the See of St. Peter and he intreateth him to take in from William King of Sicilie the Dutchy of Pulia especially Beneventi Ceperano and Banco unto the See which if he would promise to do he was ready on the other side to perform all duty unto him The Emperor being advised by the Princes promiseth to do all that was required and the next day was Crowned In time of the Coronation the Citizens shut the gates and slew a great number of the Germans within the City the Emperor was called out of the Church he brake open the gates brought in his army slew many Romans and took others captive by intercession of the Pope a reconciliation was made and the Captives were set free Platin. Then the Emperor returned into Germany and having prepared an army against Sicilie he promised to make speed again In the mean time the Greek Emperor Manuel His falshood punished had covenanted with the Pope to expel William out of Sicilies and Manuel should have the three Sea-ports of Pulia He sent an army and William overthrew them and the Pope's forces both together and took the Pope captive and caused him to confirm his Title of both Sicilies upon condition that he should not trouble the Church-Lands in time coming Platin. Then the Emperor began to consider how the Popes had abused his Ancestors had extorted from them the priviledge of Investing Prelates and now this Bishop had deluded himself in confirming King William in that Land which appertaineth unto the Empire therefore he began to require homage and oath of fidelity of all the Bishops and he commanded that none of the Pope's Legates be received without his licence and that none of Germany make appealation to Rome What more stir was then may be gathered from the Pope's Letter accusing and threatning and Frederick's Answer The Pope wrote thus Hadrian Bishop the servant of God's servants unto Friderick The Popes Letter unto the Emperor the Roman Emperor greeting and Apostolical blessing As Divine Law promiseth length of days unto them which honor their parents so it denounceth death unto them who curse father or mother and we are taught by the voice of truth that each who exalteth himself shall be made low wherefore beloved Son in the Lord we admire not a little at your prudence that thou seemest not to give that reverence unto blessed Peter and the holy Roman Church as it becometh thee For in thy Letters sent unto us thou puttest thy name
before ours wherein thou art guilty of insolency I will not say arrogancy What shall I speak of thy fidelity promised and sworn unto blessed Peter and us how doest thou observe it when thou requirest homage of them which are God's and all the children of the most High to wit the Bishops of them thou cravest fidelity and their sacred hands doest thou tie unto thy hands and being openly contrary unto us thou shuttest not onely the Churches but the Cities of thy Kingdom against the Cardinals that are Legates from our side Repent therefore repent we advise thee because seeing thou hast received from us Consecration and the Crown we fear thy nobleness that thou shalt lose what is granted while thou huntest after what is not granted The Emperor replieth thus Frederick The Emperors reply by the grace of God Roman Emperor semper Augustus unto Hadrian high Priest of the Catholique Church that he may cleave unto all things which Jesus began to do and teach The Law of righteousness restoreth unto each one what is his own We derogate not from our parents unto whom within this Kingdom we render all due honor from whom to wit from our Ancestors we have received the Dignity and Crown It is known that in the days of Constantine Silvester had not any Royalty but by the grant of his godliness liberty was given unto the Church and peace restored and whatsoever Royalty your Papacy is known to possess you have attained by the liberality of Princes Therefore when we write unto the high Priest of Rome by right and according to custom we set first our name and according to equity we yield the like unto him writing unto us turn over the Histories and if you have forgot what you have read you may finde there what we assert And from these which are God's by adoption and possess our Royalties why should we not require homage and regal oaths seeing he which is our and your teacher though he received nothing from any man or King but gave all good things unto all gave unto Caesar tribute for himself and for Peter and gave unto you an example that ye should do so and hath taught you saying Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart therefore let them leave the Royal things unto us or if they think them profitable let them render unto God what is God's and unto Caesar what is Caesars Unto your Cardinals indeed the Churches are shut and the Cities are not open because we see they are not Preachers but plunderers not seekers of peace but robbers of money not reformers of the world but insatiable rakers of gold but when we shall see that they are such as the Church requireth bringing peace enlightening the Countrey and helping the humble in equity we shall not fail to sustain them with necessary stipends and provision As for humility which is the mother of vertues and meekness ye are guilty when unto secular persons you propound such questions as concern not Religion wherefore let your fatherhood provide lest while you move such things which we think not fitting you give offence unto such as are ready to shut their ears against your words as they which are wearied of unseasonable rain We cannot but answer unto these things that we have heard when we Note see the detestable beast of pride to have crept into the seat of Peter Provide better for the peace of the Church and ever farewel Naucler gener 39. This answer did so sting the Pope and the Cardinals that they conspire with the forenamed William and many Cities of Italy and endeavor by all means to make the Emperor odious unto all men Especially the Pope wrote unto the Bishops Electors that the German Emperor had received his Title from his Predecessors and now he had power over all Nations to throw down and build up and give and translate Kingdoms c. And he made a league among the Cardinals that after his death none should be chosen but one of them who shall be obliged to pursue the Prince with excommunication and arms till they got the upper hand and that none should seek the Emperors favor without the consent of them all On the other side the Emperorsent Letters throughout the Empire regrating and accusing the pride of the Pope as being contrary unto God who hath ordained two Governments one spiritual another temporal and unto Peter exhorting all men to fear God and honor the King now by setting himself above the Emperor would make a Schism in the Church and therefore they would so look to the Imperial Dignity that it be not prejudged by the new presumption of the Pope as he himself was careful of the liberty and unity of the Church The Pope fretteth the more and wrote anew unto the Princes of Germany willing them to work against the Emperor what they could Arnold Bishop of Mentz and Eberhard Bishop of Salisburgh reply submitting themselves unto the Pope but excusing the Emperor exhorting him to use more modesty in his Ambassies What stir there followed in the election of the Pope I refer unto its place Frederick had much ado with the Gwelph Cities as the Papalines were then called and subdued many of them especially he brought Millain to ruine Pope Alexander finding no security in the Continent fled unto Venice Here followeth variance among the writers Platina and some others say that the Emperor was forsaken by his own Army that he was necessitated to go into Venice and kiss the Pope's foot Di. Peta in Rati par 1. lib. 8. saith He was discomfited unawares and so brought under Others write that the Emperor had purpose to follow the Pope but first he would be secure of Rome and in the mean time he sent an Army under the command of his Son Otho against the Venetians and charged him to attempt nothing until he himself came nevertheless the yong man more hardy then wise joyneth with the Venetians and being taken was carried unto the Pope at Venice The Pope would not dismiss him unless the Father would submit himself and so the Emperor for love of his Son yieldeth Then as all the writers agree in St. Marks at Venice Frederick kneeled at the Pope's feet expecting no new insolency from the humble servant of servants but the man of pride setteth his foot upon the Emperor's neck and Papal pride said It is written Thou shalt walk upon the Serpent and upon the Basalisk The Emperor saith Not unto thee but to blessed Peter The Pope again Both to me and to Peter The Emperor fearing a new jar held his peace And they agreed That first Alexander should be acknowledged as only Pope Secondly That the Emperor should restore all that he had purchased in time of the Schism Such was the fatal superstition of these times holding mens mindes in darkness and now the Bishop is where he would be not as before on mens shoulders but upon the Emperor's
be silent and then they all said Now he is dumb now by his silence he confesseth Iune 7. on which day the Sun was almost wholly eclipsed they assembled in the Cloister of the Minorites John Huss was also brought His Accusers read some Articles and undertook to prove them by Witnesses He protested that he had never spoken those things Then said the Cardinal of Florence Master you know that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses every judgement should be stable and here you shall see many famous Witnesses against you and for my part I cannot see how you can maintain your cause against them Huss answered I take God and my conscience to witness that I never taught such things as those men fear not to speak against me what they never heard of me The Cardinal said We cannot judge according to your conscience but must stay our selves upon evident Witnesses Then it was objected He defended the errors of Wickliff He answered He never defended any error of Wickliff When they instanced in some particulars he said These are not errors but agreeable to Scripture They objected He had sown sedition between the Ecclesiastical and Political States of Bohemia He answered Pope Gregory had taken the Empire from Wenceslaus and the Colledge of Cardinals being offended with the same Pope had written unto the King that if he would deny obedience unto the Pope they would bring it to pass that another Pope should be chosen who should restore him unto the Empire which he did and hence arose the division between the King and the Arch Bishop Sbinco a follower of Gregory and said he it is easie to be known that I am unjustly accused in that cause as the Germans here present can witness Albert Warren Arch Deacon of Prague stood up to speak but they would not hear him He was accused of some words in contempt of the Emperor and was cleared by testimony of the Lord de Chlum The Emperor then said to Huss Seeing we may not defend any man who is an Heretick or suspected of Heresie we advise thee to submit thy self unto the Councel in all things then we will provide that they shall suffer thee to go in peace with an easie pennance which if thou wilt refuse to do the Presidents will have sufficient cause to proceed against thee for our part be thou assured we will prepare the fire for thee with our own hands rather then suffer thee to maintain any opinions longer He answered O most Noble Emperor I render unto your Highness immortal thanks for your Letters of Safe-conduct and I take God to witness that I never intended to maintain any opinion obstinately and I came hither gladly that if the meanest of the Councel can lay before me any holier doctrine then mine I will change my minde Then he was led away by the Sergeants under the custody of the Bishop Rigen who had also Jerome of Prague in prison On the morrow they met again the former Articles were read in audience of Huss and others were said to be collected out of his Books of Predestination and Perseverance He answered acknowledging what they had truly gathered out of his Books and gave the reasons thereof he shewed that in some Articles they had perverted and wrested his words as may be seen in the cited History from sol 15. until 24. Then Peter de Aliaco Bishop of Cambrey said Thou heaâ—est how horrible crimes are laid against thee now it is thy part to think what to do thou must either recant all these Articles and so thou mayest finde favor or if thou wilt stand to the defense of them I fear it will be to thy danger this I speak to thee by way of counsel and not in manner of a Judge The like said other Cardinals He answered Most reverend Fathers I have said already that I came hither not to maintain any error obstinately but if in any particular I have conceived a perverse opinion I would gladly be reformed and now I beseech you that I may have liberty to declare my minde and if I bring not firm and sufficient reasons I will most humbly submit my self unto your information A Cardinal said Behold how craftily he speaketh he calleth it information and not correction or determination Verily said Huss term it as ye will I take God to witness that I speak from my heart After other speeches a Priest said He should not be admitted to recant for he hath written to his friends that although he swear with his tongue yet he will keep his minde without oath until death Then the Bishop Rigen commanded to carry him to prison He writ all those things being in prison unto his friends that the truth might be known and calumnies be prevented as he declareth in his Epistles When he was removed the Emperor said unto the Presidents that either he should recant all those things that were laid against him and abjure all preaching and be exiled out of Bohemia or else be punished with fire and all his favorets in Constance be apprehended and punished namely his Disciple Jerome Others said When the Master is daunted his Disciples will be more tractable Iuly 6. the Emperor sent unto him four Bishops with the two Bohemian Barons to know what he would do When he was brought out of prison John de Chlum said first Mr. John I am an unlearned man neither able to instruct you a man of learning nevertheless I require you if you know your self to be guilty of any of those errors that you would not be ashamed to change your minde but I will not advise you to do any thing against your conscience but rather to suffer any punishment then to deny what you know to be truth John said with tears Verily as I have often said I take the most high God to be witness that I am ready with all my heart if the Councel will instruct me by the holy Scriptures to change my minde Then said a Bishop I would never be so arrogant as to prefer my judgement unto the judgement of the whole Councel John answered Neither do I otherwise but if the meanest of the Councel will convince me of error I will perform with all my heart whatsoever the Councel will injoyn me Mark said another Bishop how he continueth in his errors So they commanded to put him into prison again The next day a general Congregation was in the great Church and the Emperor was present here was laid down all the vestiments belonging to a Priest John was brought and falling down on his knees he prayed a good space The Bishop Londensis went up into the Pulpit his Text was Rom. 6. Let the body of sin be destroyed all his Sermon aimed that John Huss should be destroyed Then a Bishop read the process against Huss at Rome and the Articles of his accusation When he attempted to answer a word or two unto the Articles severally the Cardinal of Cambrey commanded
for the remission of sins This profession of our faith is confirmed by the words of Christ which are written by the Evangelists and Holy Paul Unto this profession may be added this body of Christ and his blood should according to the institution of Christ and his Church should be taken in both kindes of bread wine in remembrance of his death and of his blood shed as he said Doe this in remembrance of mee Then this death of Christ as it is declared in the Gospel and the fruits of his death should be preached as also the hope of his blood shed as the Apostle witnesseth saying So oft as ye eat of this bread and drink of this cup ye shall shew forth the Lords death untill He come Thirdly according to the sure knowledge of spiritual truth of which the Euangelist John doth write as also for assurance of giving taking using and of truth by faith in hope as the Lord saith Take and eat Take and drinke Fourthly for the conjunct use for according to the institution and practise of Christ and the primitive Church the Priest should then administer when the necessity of believers requireth and he should receive with them as He saith Doe yee this in remembrance of mee And Paul saith The cup which we blesse is it not the communication of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is it not the partaking of the body of Christ for wee many are one bread and one body who are partakers of that one bread and one cup. Fifthly for distinction of believers from the unbelievers and unworthy and for excommunication and rebuke of those who being defiled with the spot of vices do refuse to amend Of this saith Paul I would not have you partakers with the Devils yee can not drinke of the cup of the Lord and the cup of Devils And again he saith Put away the evill from yourselves for if any who is called a brother among you be covetous or a fornicator or an idolater or a dronkard or a railer or a thief with such a one eat ye not Behold this is our faith most Gracious King concerning the body and blood of Christ which as we are afraid to change or forsake these things which our Lord JESUS hath been pleased to testifie and for which end we doe now declare it so neither dare we add any thing unto it which the Lord of the Sacrament hath not added as also the primitive Church which followed Christ in poverty and affliction in singleness of heart hath not altered the ordinances of his law Concerning this Sacrament which our Lord through his great mercy hath ordained for love of his elect have many contentions arisen in opinions expositions and addition of sanctions or decrees so that contrary unto the intention of the Lord's institution they have furiously raged against others even to take away their lives But we for eschuing so great mischief have our refuge unto the faith of Christ even unto his words and meaning so often repeated in his word so that what He commanded to believe we do believe it simply and what He hath commanded to do we would do it faith fully truly we doe not only believe that that bread is His body which being taken and blessed and broken He testifieth to be his body but also if He had taken a stone and said This is my body we would have fully believed it Because of this our simple faith and because we will not suffer ourselves to forsake it for the opinion of men wee are called hereticks likwise for the actuall use unto which the word of Christ and his Apostles and the example of the work of the same sacrament doe invite us because we doe and use it so with upright faith in remembrance of the death of Christ wee are condemned judged worthy of prison and are afflicted for wee being tied unto Christs command and dissuaded by his forbidding doe worship him with reverence and honour due unto him and we feare to worship any other thing as him only sitting at the right hand with the Father and the Holy Ghost Wherefore gracious King let your highness understand that we do so not in contumacy or any contempt but for feare of God and in obedience unto him and wee pray that your Highness would shew compassion on us who are condemned for the faith of Christ as wee wish that the most High would of his grace be pleased to preserve and keep your honour from his wrath By the same faith we believe that the ordination of priests is truly from the high Bishop and great priest that in stead of the embassage of Christ the ministery preaching of the gospell doctrine judging offering of prayers by men thanksgivings and praises may be done unto God by them And it is from God unto men that the promise of God may be verified in hope of the received true faith and by excommunication the wicked may be debarred from that good And by the same faith wee confesse that the promises of God may be verified in hope of the received true faith and by excommunication the wicked may be debarred from that good And by the same faith wee confesse that they who intend to ordain others should follow the example of Christ and should consummate his ambassage with a right mind without respect of persons free from covetousness and simony By the same faith we declare that they which are to be ordained or promoted to higher or inferior orders should excell other believers in a godly life and faith in Christ for a lively faith sanctifieth and maketh fit unto all offices and possesseth the blessing and life for good works of an honest conversation are the garments and ornaments of a priest to the glory of the heavenly Father and example of the people and shew the vertue of the word they should also have more aboundant gifts of the Holy Spirit to wit more servent love toward Christ confidence of their own and their nieghbours salvation trust in God equity of mind a wholsome feeling of faith in a good conscience theire feet prepared unto the Gospell of peace prudence of Spirit knowledge of Gods law discerning of Spirits and the like What clerck soever by such an ordination is advanced unto the priesthood wee professe that such an ordination is a Sacrament because it is a signe of the true priesthood of Christ Jesus and of his ordination by God the Father and a forme of the ministry as of the head of his Church to offer unto God the incense of truth in Christ Wee approve that three things are necessary unto the full gradation of a presbyter first the the triall of his life faith gifts and fidelity in lesser things that are intrusted unto him another prayers with fasting thirdly the giving of power with words suitable there unto and the imposition of hands for corroboration By faith wee doe testify that marriage is a lawfull honest and
in Christ Martin Bucer wrote Luther's words so quickly as he could and sent a copy thereof unto Beat Rhenan with these words in the end Luther in the solemnized Synod of his Brethren here was president of a learned dispute in a solemne manner and hath disputed some paradoxes which not only were above the opinion of us all but even seemed heretical for the most part marvelous was his Sweetness in answering incomparable was his patience in hearing and in dissolving knots ye might have seen the witt of Paul and not of Scotus he did so easily bring them all into admiration of him with his short answers that were taken out of the treasury of Divine Scriptures he agreeth in every thing with Erasmus in one thing he goeth beyond him that what the one doeth conveigh closely the other teaches plainly When Luther had returned he publisheth a Declaration of his propositions concerning indulgences and dedicates it unto Pope Leo in his epistle and in another unto the Bishop of Brandenburgh he shewes the motives of that his divulged declaration 1. To calme his adversaries 2. To satisfy the desires of many that he suffer them not to be deceived who think that he asserts all these seeing he doubteth of many of them and in some he is ignorant some he denieth and he asserts none of them pertinaciously And he entreates the Bishop of Brandenburgh to take his pen and blot out as he pleaseth or burn all in a fire seeing he doth only dispute but determines nothing Likewise unto the Pope saith he I do present myself prostrate at the feet of your blessedness with all that I have or am refresh kill call revoke approove disproove I will acknowledge your voice to be the voice of Christ presiding and speaking in you Schultet ibid. Luther had written many of his first propositions according to the current of the time which afterwards he did recall and refute The Emperour wrote unto the Pope advising him to put an end unto these disputations in time and the Pope sent word unto Hierom Auditor camerae then in Germany to summon Luther unto Rome Luther craveth to be examined in Germany in a place and before judges convenient Duke Frederik writes unto Thomas de Vio Card. Caietan the Legate that Luther may be heard in Ausburgh Then the Duke of Brunswyke amongst other invectives wrote that Luther had raised this tragedy by motion of Frederik Duke of Saxony for envy of Albert Bishop of Mentz because he keeps still the Bishoprik of Madenburgh Others said Luther was provoked for the losse of gain to his sect Concerning the first Luther wrote the contrary as is to be seen in his above named Apology in Sleida comment lib. 13 as also histories shew that Frederik was a prudent and peaceable Prince and the choise of Germany after the death of Maxilian but having understanding and following the Rule of Gods Word he preferreth the clearing of the truth in such a matter unto every thing and so when Maximilian and Leo commanded him in August An. 1518. to remove Luther from preaching the Duke considering the matter of Luther's doctrine and searching the sentences of Scripture quoted by him he would not withstand the truth when it was made cleare unto him Nor did he so trusting to his own judgement only but was inquisitive to know the judgement of others more learned and antient especially he wrote unto Erasmus who was then about 58 years of age and famous for learning protesting that he would that the earth did open and swallow him rather than he would mantain any opinion against his knowledge and conscience but he could not permitt an innocent man to be oppressed by these who were seeking their own interests and not the glory of Jesus Christ and therefore he be sought him to declare his judgement freely in these controversies So writes Erasmus in Epist. Roffens Episc dated prid Luc. Ann. 1519. Erasmus answereth at first darkly that in Luther were two faults he smote both at the head and belly of the Church that is the Pope and the monks which two should not be medled with Then the Duke was instant with him to shew his mind more clearly and Erasmus answereth Luther doth well in discovering errours and Reformation of the Church is very necessary the substance of his doctrin is true but his style would be more moderate both in writing and speaking against mens persons Whereupon the Duke wrote unto Luther that he should temper the vehemency of his invectives As for the aim of Luther Paul Langius a disciple of Tritemius and at that time a Monk Citicensis writes in Chronic. saying Martin a very perfect Divine profound incomparable endeavours to bring sacred Theology unto its originall dignity and primitive purity as also unto the Euangelicall sincere and simple innocency all seculare Philosophy being put clean away ..... he followes Simon de Cassia a most Christian Divine in former times despising all Philosophy teaches the Holy Scripture most purely declaring continually the most reverend and almost not-heard mysteries of Gods Word he became most famous through the world albeit like another Jerom he wanted not the envy of enemies and persecution of the Scholasticall Divines And the same Langius speaking of Carolstadius Luther and Melanchton saith They most purely do treat of Divinity the wheat of Gods Word without al chaff that is without all Philosophy and mixture of Syllogismes they have the Sacred Scriptures and especially the Gospell of Christ and epistles of Paul for their principles and foundation with the study of learning they powre into the breasts of their disciples the fear of God and seeds of all vertues by their word example and pen. And lest any should say that he speakes of them before their separation he addeth about the year 1520. He by his doctrin and admired preaching brought indulgences to nothing and called them altogether into doubt and diverted the people from buying affirming that they were not necessary unto salvation nor were availeable unto forgiveness of sin but were a neglecting of repentance and a casting loose and an impediment of all works of piety nor was such a treasure of the merits of Saints known in the primitive Church for the space of 1000 years and more .... affirming also that the Church of Rome is not the first and head of all Churches de Jure Divino and therefore unto this present time they persecute him like another Athanasius ..... and he hath taught other rare and sublime things which not only some Romanists but many of the most learned especially the Thomists cease not to maintain Nevertheless Martin a most learned and wise Divine in our age confirming and proving his doctrin by testimony of the Gospell and of the antient Orthodox Fathers hath remained invincible hitherto This and much more is written by that Monk not affirmatively but by admiration and doubting after the manner of many as he speakes untill it be decreed by
his conclusions by writting Because neither Faber nor any other would object the Burg-master in the name of the Senate breakes up the assembly and they give Order that through their jurisdiction all traditions of men be layd aside and the gospell be taught sincerely according to the books of the old new Testament So saith Pe. Soave when neither the diligence of Doctours and bb nor the condemning Bulls of the Pope nor the rigid edict of the Emperour could prevaile any way against the doctrine of Luther but it rather took deeper root all men almost did judge a generall Councell to be the only remedy but the severall aimes of severall sorts as of the Princes people Romane Court and of the Pope cast them upon severall thoughts concerning the way of ordering and place of the Councell Pe. Soave writes of these aimes and purposes particularly The death of Pope Leo makes a pause heerin At that time Satan was busy sowing his tares by the first Anabaptists whose names let them perish The Anabaptists against them Luther was the first that did write from his Pathmos as he spoke They pretend to have revelations from the Spirit and conferences with God Melanchton was not a little troubled with them The epistle of Luther unto Melanchton is worth the reading wherein he saith I commend not thy timorousness and first seing they bear witnes of themselues they should not be heard for that but as John adviseth Try the Spirits Ye have the Counsell of Gamaliell to delay for as yet I heare of nothing either done or said by them which Satan can not do My advice is that you try whether they can proove their calling For God never hath sent any but being either called by men or declared by signes no not his own Sonne The Prophets formerly had their power according to the Law and propheticall Order as we now by men I would in no way accept of them if they assert their calling by a naked revelation seing God would not let Samuel speak but by the accessory authority of Heli. This is especially necessary unto the publick function of preaching And that yee may try their private Spirit you may enquire whether they know anguish of mind divine birth death and hell If you hear that they speak all things smooth pleasant devote as they call it and religious albeit they say they have been ravished into the third heaven approove them not because they want the signe of the Son of man which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the only proover of Christians and sure searcher of Spirits Wouldst thou know the place and way of talking with God heare As a lion he hath broken all my bones and I was cast forth from his face and My soul was filled with sorowes and my life drew neer unto hell The Divine Majesty speakes not as they say immediatley so that a man may see him yea man shall not see him and live Nature can not endure the little starr of his speach and therefore he speakes by men because wee can not endure him speaking The Virgine was troubled when she heard the Angell so did Daniel and Jeremy complaine Correct me in judgement and be not a terrour unto me What more Is it possible that his Majesty can speak familiarly with the old man and not first kill and make him wither lest his wicked smells do stinck seing he is a consuming fire Even the dreams and visions of the Saints are terrible at least when they are known Try therefore and hear not a glorious Jesus unless thou know that he was crucified Ex tom 2. epist Lutheri fol. 41. XII In March 1522. Luther returneth into Wittembergh and by Luther returnes An. 1522. Letter he shewes unto the Elector the cause of his returning saying Your Highness knowes my cause or now be pleased to know that I have not the gospell from men but from heaven by Jesus Christ our Lord so that I truly may as here after I will call my self his servant and Evangelist Whereas I did offer my selfe unto congnisance of my cause and became subject unto the judgement of others I did it not that I had any doubt of my doctrine but in modesty that I might call others but when I see that too much modesty turns to the detriment of the gospell and Satan when I have scarcely given him ahandbreadth would take up all the field my conscience presseth me to take another course I hope I have satisfied your H. that I have yielded for a year for the Devil knowes well that I did it not for fear or distrust ..... Now I am come back to Wittembergh with a higher and stronger guarde than the Elector of Saxony can give me nor came it ever into my thought to seek defence from your H. yea I am confident your H. shall have better guarde and defense by me than you can give me and if I knew that your H. either would or could maintaine me I had not returned at all It is not any sword that can provide for or helpe this cause God only must rule and worke here without any industry or help of man therefore in this cause he who trusts most firmely in God shall defend himself and others most safely And seing I find your Ho. so weak in faith I can no way attribute so much unto your Ho. that I can think to be defended or delivered out of danger by you I shall preserve your Ho. soul body and estate free from all damnage and danger in this my cause whether your Ho. believe it or not Let your Ho. know also and doubt not that it is decreed otherwise in heaven then at Norinbergh concerning this business for we shall see that they who think they have devoured and destroyed the Gospell are not yet come to a Benedicito He is another and more potent Prince then Dude N. with whom we have to do He knowes me and I him pretty well If your Illustrious Ho. did believe you should see the wonderfulness and glory of God and seing you believe not you have seen none of those things Unto God be glory and praise for ever Then more particularly he saith I was called by the letters of the Church and people of Wittembergh now in my absence Satan hath fallen upon my flock the Anabaptists were there and some other troubles and hath stirred such troubles that require my presence necessarily and further I fear a great sedition in Germany which they will desire to remove or for a time delay by joint prayers Ard in another epistle unto Melanchton he saith Prepare me a lodging for the translation of the Bible presseth me to return unto you After his returning he preached every day and in his Sermons as Abr. Scultet expresseth his words he spoke against not what was done in reformation during his absence but the manner and the necessity of doing some things In his absence he by letters had exhorted them to
place it seemes not expedient to be in Italy but in Germany where the controversy is for the most part Nor thought they it reasonable to oblidge themselves by oath to observe the decrees absolutely for that is contrary unto Christian liberty unless they knew what were to be the forme of the Councel who were Moderatour especially that the party defendent were not Mederator whether the Acts were to be determined by tradition or by the holy Scripture alone Ibid. In the next year Pope Clemens died but by the providence of God thus the liberty of religion was confirmed by the Pope as well as by the Emperour XXX An. 1533. George Duke of Saxony banished out of Lipsia 1533. all who would not go to Masse Luther hearing of this ordinance wrote unto the Protestants there exhorting them to suffer death rather than do against conscience and he called Duke George an Apostle of Satan George accuseth Luther before the Elector not only that he had reviled him but had stirred his subjects unto rebellion The Elector chargeth Luther to make his clear purgation or he must suffer Luther publishes a book declaring that he had exhorted the Lipsianes not to resist their Prince but rather to suffer which concerneth not rebellion Jo. Sleidan commen lib. 9. That year Erasmus publisheth a treatise De amabili Ecclesiae concordia but this Neutrall forme pleaseth neither Papists nor Protestants and the next year Luther accuseth him that he did but mock religion and turn it all into doubts sporting himself with ambiguous words whereas religion requireth plainness and cleareness Osiand Epit. cent 16. lib. 2. c. 26. XXX The Franciscan Friers were in danger at Orleans An. 1534. upon A craft of the Franciscanes in France this occasion The Praetor's wife by testament willed that she should be buried without pompe here husband desirous to satisfy here will hath a care to bury her beside her father and grandfather in the cloister without shew and he gave unto the Monks sixe crowns they expected much more and therefore they divisea way to make up their losse they accuse the defunct of Lutheranisme and cause a young Monke go upon the roof of the Church in the night time and make a noise an exorcist adjureth the wicked spirit to declare what he is whether he be that lately damned soul and for what sinne The Monk was informed what to answer and how They take witnesses The fraud was tryed the Friers were imprisoned and the young monk revealeth all The King hearing this voweth to throw down the Monastery but fearing that it might be matter of joy unto the Lutherans he dismisseth them In November of the same year in Paris and other places of France even within the Kings palace about one time of the night were papers set up against the Masse and other points of religion Inquiry was made many were apprehended and racked and burnt in the next year King Francis excuseth King France writes unto the Protestants in Germany him to the Protestants assembled at Smalcald that seing they intended the destruction of the Commonwealth said he the Germanes should not blame him more than he did blame them for suppressing the bowres or Manzerianes and he having a purpose to revenge himself on the Emperour craves by the same Ambassade that the Protestantes would make a league with him for reformation of religion So he pretendeth and entreates them to send some Divines namely Melanthon to dispute with the Masters of Sorbon he said He knew certainly that many superstitions were creept into the Church by insufficiency of priests and the Pope assumeth too much authority how beit by mans law he is the highest of all bb yet not by Gods word the traditions of the Church may be altered as time requires and therefore he is desirous to hear reasoning that things amisse may be amended He said also Pope Julius had excommunicated King Lewes XII John King of Navarre because they held that the Pope hath not power to call a Councel without consent of Christian Princes and he had raised Monarchs against them offring their Kingdoms as a prey In end he concludes suting a league without the Emperour They answer Without the Emperour they could and would do nothing In this assembly the former league was continued for ten years and into it were received all who were willing to professe the Augustan Confession So that they were 15. Princes and 30 Cities Cownt de Nassow was also admitted Henry VIII sent thither requiring that they would not admitt a Councell which would not abolish the abuses of former times or would confirme the Popes power They also required of him that he would receive the Augustan Confession but that he would not do That year Vergerius the Popes Legate had gone unto all the Princes The policies of Vergerius in Germany severally shewing them that the Pope had called the Councel to conveen at Mantua They all gave him one answere that they would advise in their meeting at Smalcald and there they told him they hope that Caesar will not depart from his promise and decree that the Councel should be in Germany nor can they understand what it meaneth that the Pope promiseth to provide for the safety of them which shall assemble when they look back into former times nor how in the Councell the way of treating can be rightly ordered where he who hath so oft condemned them will have the power in his hand Nor can it be rightly called a Councel where the Pope and his priests command all but where men of all conditions in the Church even Seculares also have a like power Vergerius had also been with Luther at Wittembergh and said The Church of Rome made great account of him and were sory for the want of such a man who might do good in the service of God and the Church which two are inseparable and the court was ready to vouchsave him all favour it was displeasant unto them that former Popes had used such bitterness against him Nor had he who professeth not Divinity a purpose to dispute controversies with him but to shew him the weight of humane reason how expedient it were unto him to be reconciled unto the Church he may consider that doctrine of his was not heard before those 18 years and hath brought forth innumerable sects where of each accurseth another whence many tumults and broils have arisen and therefore it can not bee from God but he was singularly blown up with selve-love who would endanger all the world rather than not to vent his own opinions seing he had continued without sting of conscience the space of 35 years in that faith wherein he was baptized he should still mantaine it He may remember how Aeneas Sylvius was once addicted unto his own opinions and hardly attained unto a silly chanonry in Trent but when he changed his opinions he became a Bishop and then a Cardinal and lastly was Pope and
Pope gives the bishoprick unto Adolph Count of Schavenburg and writes unto the Estates of the Province to accept him and so doth the Emperour The Clergy obey readily but the Civil Estate complain that they are unjustly deprived of their godly Bishop So both had their parties but Herman chuseth to quit the Bishoprick and did renounce it Januarie 20. 1547 and with him Frederik Bishop of Munster was deprived of the Provestry of Bonna and the Count of Stolbergh was deprived of his Deanship because they did cleave unto Herman So the new Bishop restoreth the old errours at Colein Osiand Libr. Cit. Cap. 48 50. XXXVIII So bitter was the malice of the Papists against Luther A Popish lieing tale that in the year 1545. they put forth in print a tale of his death A horrible miracle say they and such as was never heard that God who for ever is to be praised in the fowle death of Martin Luther damned in body and soule shewed for the glory of Christ and confort of the godly When Martin Luther fell sicke say they he craved the body of our Lord Jesus to be communicated to him which having received he died soon after and when he saw his end approach he willed his body to be layd on the altar and to be worshipped with divine honours But God willing at last to make an end of horrible errours by a strange miracle warned the people to cease from the impiety which Luther had begun for when his body was layd in the grave on a sudden such a tumult terrour arose as if the foundation of the earth had bin shaken they which were present at the funerall grew amazed with fear and lifting their eies they saw the holy hoast hanging in the aire wherefore with great devotion they took it and layd it in the holy place when that was done the hellish noise was heard no more The next night a noise and tumult was heard about Luthers grave much lowder than the former and raised all that were in the City out of their sleep trembling and almost half dead for fear In the morning they open the sepulcher where Luther's detestable body was layd and found neither body nor bones nor cloathâ—â— but a stinck of brimstone coming out of the grave c. This merry tale being spread over Italy a copy was brought to Luther and when he read it he writes under these words I Martin Luther by this my hand-writing confesse testify that on March 21. I received this fiction concerning my death as it was full of malice and madnes and I read it with a glad mind and chearfull countenance but deteste the blasphemy whereby a stinkingly is fathered on the Majesty of God As for the rest I can not but rejoice laugh at the Devils malice wherewith he and his rout the Pope and his complices persue mee God convert them from their devilish malice But if this my prayer be for the sin unto death that it can not be heard then God grant they may fill up the measure of their sin and with such lying libels let them delight themselves to the full It 's also remarkable that when Luther heard some to be called Lutheranes and some Zwinglianes he was greatly offended and he entreated that his name be keept in silence and that none be called Lutheran but Christian What is Luther said he the doctrine is not mine nor was I crucified for any the Apostle would not have any Christians called Paulinianes nor Petrinianes whence therefore shall this happen unto mee that the children of Christ should be called by my vile name away with it ô friends away with schismaticall names Tom. 2. edit Witemb fol. 4. In Decemb. An. 1545. he was intreated by the Earls of Mansfield to be arbiter of a controversy Luthers Death between them for respect to their persons and the Province wherein he was born he would not refuse When he was fitting himselfe for this journey he said to Melanthon that he had gone too far in the controversy of the Sacrament Melanthon exhorts him to explain his mind by publishing some book he answered Thereby I may bring a suspicion upon all my doctrine but I will commend it unto God and I request thee to amend by thy watchfulness after my death what I have done amisse John Foxe in Act. Monim from the testimony of Melanthon Alex. Ales Daniel Buren Herbert de Langen c. January 17. he preached his last Sermon at Wittembergh on the 23. day he took journy he was sickly before he came to Isleben yet after some fomentations he recovereth a little and attendeth the business about which he came untill February 17. during this time he preached somtimes and administred the Lords Supper twice That day he dined and supped with his friends and among other discourses he was talking of heaven and said We shall know one another there as Adam knew Eve at the first sight After supper his pain increaseth in his breast he went aside to pray and then went to bed about midmight his pain wakened him out of sleep then perceiving his life at an end he said unto his friends attending him Pray God that he would preserve unto us the doctrine of his Gospell for the Pope and Councel at Trent have grievous things in hand When he had said so he was sleepy but the pain made him complain of a stopping in his breast and then he praied in these words Heavenly father even God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God of all confort I give thee thanks that thou hast revealed thy Sonne unto mee in whom I have believed whom I have professed loved and preached and whom the Bishop of Rome and the rest of the wicked do persecute and reproach I beseech thee my Lord Jesu Christ receive my poor soul and heavenly Father though I be taken out of this life and shall lay down this my body yet I believe assuredly I shall abide for ever with thee and that none shall be able to pull me out of thy hands After this prayer he repeated the 16. verse of Joh. 3. and the 20. verse of Ps 68 and thrice he said Lord into thy hands I commend my Spirit with tokens of much confort untill as a man falling a sleep by little little he departed this life His body was honourably convoied to Wittembergh and by appointement of the Electour was buried in the Tower-church in the 64 year of his age The next year the Electour was taken captive and when the Emperour came into Witembergh the Spaniards would have taken his body to burn it but the Emperour said Suffer him to rest till the day of resurrection and judgement of all men XXXVIII When the Electour was captive and many of the confoederats The reconciliation of the captive Princes were reconciled unto the Emperour the Electour of Brandeburgh and Duke Maurice did solicite for the Lantgrave Charles was high
what they were doing in Scotland sent unto Queen Elisabet requiring to bring back her Forces and he would render Calais which was taken in her sisters time The Queen answereth That fisher town is not to be weighed with the hazard of Britanne Then the Kings Counsellers were desirous of peace but thought it disgracefull to treat with his subjects Wherefore he entreats the Queen to mediate a peace so the English Secretary and a Doctour Wotton Dean of Canterburry were sent with the French Ambassadours into Scotland While these were upon Queen Regent dieth their journy the Queen Regent dieth through displeasure and sicknes in the castle of Edinburgh Juny 10 An. 1560. Before her death she desired to speak with the Duke the Earls of Argile Glencairn Marshall and Lord James unto them she bemoaned the troubls of the realm and entreated them to study peace and to perform these particulars that were lately written in that Letter unto her then bursting forth into tears she asked pardon of them all and disposing herself for another world she sent for John willock the Preacher of the town and conferring with him a pretty space she professed that she did trust to be saved by the death and merites of Jesus Christ only Shortly after her death truce was made for hearing the Ambassadours and peace was concluded at Edinburg among other articles the 8th was that the King nor Queen shall depute no strangers in the administration of Civil and common Justice nor bestow the publick Offices upon any but born subjects of the realm 9. that a Parliament shall be held in the month of August next for which a commission shall be sent and it shall be as lawfull in all respects as if it had been ordained by expresse command of their Majesties providing all tumults of warre be discharged and they who ought by their places to be present may come without fear So on July 16. both Frenches and Englishes did return home and a solemne thankesgiving that day was in the Church of S. Giles by the Lords and others professing true Religion XI In the midst of these broyls the Counsell did nor forget the condition of the Church and as it is said expressely in the beginning of the first The Reformation goethon book of Discipline on the 29 day of Aprile in that year 1660. they gave Order unto the Ministers to conveen and draw up in writing and in a book a common order for reformation and uniformity to be observed in the discipline and policy of the Church This they did as they could for the time before the 20 day of May but it was not allowed by the Counsell untill January 17. following After the solemn thankesgiving in July the Commissioners of Borroughs with some Nobles and Barons were appointed The first plantation of Ministers and Superintendents to see the equall distribution of Ministers as the most part shall think expedient so one was appointed unto every chief burgh and City they appointed five whom they called Superintendents What was their office appeares by the first book of Discipline wherein it is written thus Wee consider that if the Ministers whom God hath endowed with his singular graces among us should be appointed to severall places there to make their continuall residence that then the greatest part of the realm should be destitute of all doctrine which should be not only the occasion of great murmur but also be dangerous to the salvation of many and therefore wee have thought it a thing expedient at this time that from the whole number of godly and learned men now presently in this realm be selected ten or twelve for in so many Provinces we have divided the whole to whom charge and commandement should be given to plant and erect Kirks to set order and appoint Ministers as the former prescribes to the countries that shal be appointed to their care where none are now And by their means your love and common care over all inhabitants of this realm to whom you are equally debtors shall evidently appear as also the simple ignorant who perchance have never heard Iesus Christ truly preached shall come to some knowledge by the which many that are dead in superstition and ignorance shall attain to some feeling of godliness by the which they shall be provoked to seek farther knowledge of God and his true Religion and worship where by the contrary if they shall be neglected then shall they not only grudge but also seek the means where by they may continue in their blindnes or return to their accustomed idolatry and therefore we desire nothing more earnestly than that Christ Jesus be once vniversally preached throughout this realm which shall not suddenly bee unless that by you men be appointed and compelled faithfully to travell in such Provinces as to them shal be assigned Here they designe the boundes for ten Superintendents and then it is added These men must not be suffered to live as your idle Bishops have done heretofore neither must they remain where they gladly would but they must be preachers themselves and such as may not make long residence in any place till their Kirks be planted and provided of Ministers or at least of Readers Charge must be given to them that they remain in no place above twenty dayes in their visitation till they have passed through their whole bounds They must preach thrice at the least every week and when they return to their principall Town and residence they must be exercised likewise in preaching and edification of the Kirk and yet they must not be suffered to continue there so long that they may seem to neglect their other Kirks but after they have remained in their chief town three or four months at most they shal be compelled unless by sicknes they be retained to re-enter in visitation In which they shall not only preach but also examine the life deligence and behaviour of the Ministers as also the order of their kirks and manners of the people They must further consider how the poor be provided how the youth be instructed They must admonish where admonition needeth and redresse such things as by good counsell they may appease And finally they must note such crimes as be hainous that by censure of the Kirk the same may be corrected If the Superintendent be found negligent in any the chief points of his office and specially if he be negligent in preaching of the word and visitation of the kirks or if he be conuicted of such crimes as in common ministers are damned he must be deposed without respect of his person or office Though Bishop Spotswood professe to set down all the book of Discipline yet of all this that I have written he hath but foure lines but he omits not the bounds of each Superintendent Then after the manner of the election of the Superintendent it followes in the book thus the Superintendent being elected and appointed unto his