must passe as undenyed truth And thus false History is made the chief foundation of the Roman Kingdom Thus they will face you down that you are ignorant or impudent 1. If you question whether Peter was a true Bishop at Rome yea or ever there which Nilus hath shewed to be somewhat uncertain 2. Or that he setled the Roman Bishop as his successour in a supremacy over all the Christian world 3. Or that the Popes Primacie was over all the Churches on earth which indeed was but as Canterburie is in England in one Roman Empire only 4. They will perswade you that this Primacie was setled by Christ or his Apostles which was done only by Councils and Emperours of Rome 5. They would make you believe that this was from the Apostles daies which began long after 6. They would perswade you that all the Christian world submitted to it even Abassia and all the extra-imperial Churches which is no such matter 7. Yea that before Luther none contradicted the Papal power and claime but all the Christian world were Papists By many such lies they deceive thousands of the ignorant And when they challenge men to dispute by word or writing their last refuge is to bring them into a wood of History that there they may either win the game or end the chase And if a Minister of Christ be not armed here to confute their historical forgeries they will take it for a victory and triumph which made me write my last book against Johnson or Terret to shew Historically the Antiquity of our Church and the novelty of theirs which I could wish young Ministers unacquainted with Church-History would peruse But if our people were truely acquainted how things have gone in the Church from the beginning it would be one of the most effectual preservatives against Popery when now the falsifications are become its strength I have oft thought that it had been greater policy in the Papists if they could to have burnt all Church-History but specially of the Councils that the credit might have depended on their bare word For verily once reading of Crab Binnius Surius or Nicolinus would turn against them any stomack that is not confirmed in their own disease But they have overdone Baronius and now made so great and costly a load of the Councils as that the deficiency of money time wit and patient industry shall save the most even of the Priesthood from the understanding of the truth And such Epitomes as Caranza's leave out most of the culpable part and yet even such they can hardly tolerate II. The more moderate French Papists who magnifie Councils aboue Popes would make us believe that though Popes are fallible and may miscarry yet General Councils have been the universal Church-representative which have a Legislative and Iudicial Vniversal power and that our concord must be by centring in their decrees and all are Schismaticks at least that take not their Faith and Religion upon their trust But if men knew that there never was a General Council of all the Christian Churches but only of the Empire and how wofully they have miscarried it would do much to save them from all such temptations III. The overvaluers of Church grandure and wealth and maintainers of the corrupt sort of Diocesane Prelacy Patriarks c. write books and tell the ignorant confident stories how such a Prelacy hath been in the Church ever since the dayes of the Apostles and that all the Churches on earth consented to it But if the people were acquainted with Church History they would know that the primitive fixed Episcopacy was Parochial or every Church associated for personal present Communion had a Bishop Presbytery and Deacons of their own unfixed Itinerant General Pastors indefinitely taking care of many Churches And that it was the Bishops striving who should be greatest and turning single Churches into an Association of many Churches and to be but Chappels or parts of the Diocesan Church that their power and wealth might be enlarged with their Territories and the turning of Arbitrating Bishops into the Common Indicatures which must govern all Christians and such like which poysoned the Church and turned the species of particular Churches Episcopacy Presbytery and Discipline quite into another thing And to speak freely it was the many blind volumes and confident clamours of some men that rail at us as denying an Episcopacy which the universal Church hath always agreed in which drew me to write this abridgement of the Church History of Bishops Councils and Popes IV. And those that make the Ignorant believe that seditious disobedient Presbyters have in all Ages been the dividers of the Church and the Bishops the means of Vnity concord and suppression of such Schismaticks and Hereticks could never thus deceive the people were but so much Church-History commonly known as I have here collected Read Church-History and believe that if you can V. And many that take up any new opinion or dotage which is but newly broached among them would have been saved from it if they â—aâ— but known how that same opinion or the like was long ago taken up by Hereticks and exploded by the faitbful Pastors and people of the Church VI. And the sectaries who rashly seperate from some Churches because of some forms opinions or ceremonies which almost all Christians on earth have used in the former purer ages and still use would be more cautelous and fearful in examining their grounds and would hardly venture to seperate from any Church for that which on the same reason would move them to separate from almost all Christians in the whole world if not Vnchurch the Church of Christ And ancient errours and crimes would affright us from imitating them VII And those that make new ambiguous words or unnecessary practices to become necessary to Church Communion and hereticate all that differ from them or persecute them at least would be more frightened from such pernicious courses if they well knew what have been the effects of them heretofore VIII And it is not unuseful to Princes and Magistrates to see what hath corrupted and disturbed the Churches in fâ—rmer times and what cause they have to keep the secular power from the Clergies hands and to value those that for knowledge and piety are meet for their proper guiding office and use of the Church Keys but not to corrupt them by excess of worldly wealth and power nor to permit them by striving who shall seem GREATEST WISEST and BEST to become the incendiaries of the Church and world and the persecutors of the best that cannot serve their worldliness and pride The Reader must Note 1. That though much of the History be taken from others the Councils are named and numbred according to Binnius and Crabbe 2. And that because so much evil is necessarily recited I thought it needful in the beginning and end to annex a defence of the Pastors and their office and work lest any should be tempted
having power to take away Kingdoms and all that men have § 41 42. The Siege of Rome Two Popes Gregory's death § 42. He threatneth to depose the King of France claims Hungary c. § 23. Binnius record of THE POPES DICTATES telling in 27 Articles WHAT POPERY IS § 44. He claimeth Spain § 46 and Dalmatia § 49. A great part of the Bishops against him § 49. Pronounceth unsincere repentance fruitless § 50. Denyeth Divine Service in the Sclavonian tongue § 51. Ill weather imputed to the ill Lives of Priests The Armenians errours what § 51. Apulia c. the Popes § 51. One man turned an hundred thousand men in Spain from the Pope He threatneth to Excommunicate and depose the King of Spain as an Enemy to the Christian Religion § 52. He newly found St. Matthews body § 54. He will expose the Prince of Sardinia unless he obey him in making all Priests shave their beards § 55. Notes hereon The French convert the Sweeds and the Pope would reap the fruit § 56. His notable Epistle to prove Popes Priests and Exorcists above Kings § 57. Answered § 58. Peter pence § 59. An Arch-bishop suspended for not visiting Rome § 60. A pious Lie for Peace is a sin § 61. The old Spanish Liturgy partly contrary to the Christian Faith till now § 62. His respect to William the Conquerour c. § 64 66. The German Bishops hereticate the Pope for forbidding Marriage § 67. Matthew is forsaken § 68. Philip King of France and many great Bishops excommunicate § 69. Divers Councils excommunicating contrarily the Antipopes § 69 to 74. Ordinations null that are made pretio precibus vel obsequio and not by the common consent of Clergy and People § 75. He excommunicateth the Greek Emperour usurping § 76. The Greek affairs summ'd up § 77. The power of Pope and Bishops to depose Kings § 79. A Council Character of Gregory § 80. A Council make Loyalty to be Haeresis Henriciana § 87. The Disciple is not above his Master answered § 87. Wecilo's heresie that men obey not unjust Excommunications but may by others be received § 88. The 23d Schism § 91. Victor's Soldiers conquer Clement's § 92. Lay Princes presentations or Investitures are Heresie every Heretick is an Infidel It 's better be without visible Communion than have it with such § 93. Consectaries overthrowing Rome ib. A new Pope marrieth Mathildis to Welpho on condition they use not carnal Copulation § 94. A Jerusalem expedition causeth peace at home Conrade rebelleth against his Father § 94. The Emperour commits Fornication § 101 103. Wrongs on Monday Wednesday or Thursday no breach of holy peace No Bishop or Priest must swear or promise Allegiance to a King nor take Preferment from any Lay-man § 104. None to communicate in one kind § 105. All the Bishops of England save Rochester renounce obedience and society with Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury because he would not renounce the Pope saying he blasphemed the King setting up any in his Kingdom without his consent § 106. Time given the King of England to repent § 109. The Anti-Pope Clement digg'd up and burnt Paschal 2. Council Decree that all Bishops of the Henrician Heresie Loyalists if alive be deposed if dead digg'd up and burnt that is most of the Western Bishops § 112. The Schism continued § 113. The Pope set up young Henry against his Father who taketh him Prisoner to the death He keeps his Fathers Corps five years unburied because Excommunicate Yet proveth Hereticus Henricianus Imprisoneth the Pope till he grant him Investitures The Pope absolveth himself § 114 115. Cases on Binnius § 116. Note that Investitures supposed the People and Clergies free choice of Bishops § 117. The Bishops usage of old Henry to the last § 118. To take the Popes Excommunications as not obligatory is a Heresie § 119. The dangerous Doctrine of Fluentius Bishop of Florence that Anti-Christ was come § 120. Only the Church made Henry rebell § 121 122. Tybur coloured with bloud The Earl of Millans Flesh given to Dogs The Popes sacramental Covenant broken § 127. God will have no involuntary service § 129. The same is a Henrician Heresie in others which is none in the Pope § 132. He may forswear for the People of God § 132. Two Popes contending and excommunicating The Emperour giveth up Investitures § 135 to 138. Four Doctrines of Guilb Porretane condemned in Council 1. That Divinitas and Deus are not the same in signification 2. That the three Persons are not unum aliquid 3. That there are eternal Relations besides the Persons 4. That it was not the Divine Nature that was incarnate Two more Popes § 138 142. A Preacher murdered at Rome § 144. Two more Popes the succession from the wrong § 145. They fight for it § 146. How Clergy and People first lost their Votes in choice of Popes § 147. Two Popes still striving § 149 c. Many Castles in England built by two Bishops § 160. Abailard condemned unheard § 161. Caelestine II. the first Pope without the Peoples election An. 1143. Rome against the Pope Bishops are his strength § 168. Porretane again accused and puzzled the Council § 170. He is again accused by Bernard whom the Cardinals accuse for writing his Faith and getting Bishops hands to it § 171. The Romane people excommunicate by Pope Adrian 4. They are for a Preacher called by him an heretick § 174. Rome fighteth with Pope and Emperour They fight again and expel the Pope § 174. The 27 pair of Popes Wars between the Emperour Frederick and Pope The Crown of England held as from the Pope Yet Rome receiveth him not The Emperour submitteth being deserted c. § 175. The setling the choice of Popes by Cardinals The Pope no Bishop by the Canons § 177. The Roman Succession is from Alex. 3. when the Clergie People Emperour Princes and a Council of innumerable Bishops were for Victor § 176. Parliaments called Councils § 179. Ireland the Popes § 180. The Albigenses Henricians § 181. No Bishop may suspend a Presbyter without the judgment of his Chapter A perjured Clergie-man perpetually deprived Doubtful words to be understood as usually § 182. The Popes Party in Rome have their Eyes put out § 183. Frederick drowned in Asia § 187. The Kingdom of France interdicted § 190. The Pope seus up an Anti-Emperour who prevaileth § 192. England interdicted six years and three months § 194. The famous twelfth General Council at the Laterane under Inoc. 3. for Transubstantiation exterminating hereticks deposing Princes absolving Subjects forbidding unlicensed Preachers c. § 195. Almaricus burnt dead § 196. Stephen Langton and King John § 197. Ten Queries upon this Council § 198. The Canons of this Council true Mr. Dodwel's 17 Arguments for it § 199. The Papists excuses answered § 180. misnumbred The bloody Execution § 181. Oxford Canons that every great Parish have two or three Presbyters c. § 183.
Anastasius Bibliothecarius who then lived and was employed at Constantinople in this matter to reconcile the contradiction saith that Ebbo was a true Bishop but Photius was not because he was a Lay-man before his consecration and therefore his ordinations are nullities This nullifying of ordinations maketh great disturbances in the Church The present Bishops of England require those that were heretofore ordained by Parochial Pastors to be re-ordained and on this and such other accounts about 2000 were silenced at one day Aug. 24. 1662. The silenced Nonconformists do some of them say that the Bishops have much less than Photius to shew for their authority to ordain He had learning he had the Emperors authority for him He had lawfull Bishops to ordain him He had a great Council or two to approve him and confirm him And though he was a lay-man before so is every one when he cometh to his first ordination And though he was made Bishop per saltum so was Nectarius Thalasius Ambrose c. And every Uncanonical irregularity nullifieth not the ordination It hath been ordinary for Deacons to be made Popes And is not that per saltum why doth not that interrupt and nullifie the Papaciâ— But say they on this account 1. Romes succession is long agoe interrupted There having been far greater incapacities in Simonists common Adulterers Perjured Rebels Hereticks Infidels as Councils have judged 2. And they say that so the English Prelates are no Bishops being chosen by the King and wanting that choice of the Clergy and people which the Canons have over and over again made necessary to the validity of ordinations are more null than those of Photius And therefore we owe them as such no obedience nor communion Thus our nullifyings and condemnings proceed till most men have degraded if not unchristened one another And he that is on the stronger side carrieth it till death or some other change confute his claim and then the other side gets up and condemneth him as he condemned them And thus hath the Church long suffered by damning Divines and domineering or censorious Judges § 54. By the restoring of Ignatius the Pope got to himself the reputation of some Supremacy and obliged a party to him which however it was not the greatest at the first would be greatest when Ignatius his supremacy had advanced it And with them he got the reputation of being just indeed Photius seeming to possess the seat of one that was injuriously deposed by the meer will of the Prince without sufficient cause § 55. Pope Hadrian 2. Epist. 4. ad Ignat. Const. directeth Ignatius to forgive many others but none of those that subscribed to Photius his great Council at Constantinople because they reproached the Pope of Rome where you may see 1. How dangerous it was then to be in a General Council when if they please not the strongest they are ruined And if they do it 's like enough the next age will damn them for it 2. How much more dangerous is it for a Council to be against the Pope than to be guilty of many other crimes and how unpardonable it is § 56. CCLXXXIII An. 868. Besides the Popes Roman Synod that damned Photius and his Book and Const Council there was a Council at Worms which repealed many old Canons of which the 14th is that if Bishops shall excommunicate any wrongfully or for light cause and not restore them the neighbour Bishops shall take such to their communion till the next Synod The 15. Canon is that because in Monasteries there are Thieves that cannot be found when the suspected purge themselves they shall receive the sacrament of Christ's body and blood thereby to shew that they are innocent But this Canon the Papists are ashamed of The 72. Canon alloweth Presbyters yea all Christians to anoint the sick because the Bishops hindered with other business cannot go to all the sick This intimateth that even then the Diocesses were not so great as ours that have one or many Counties else other reason would have been given why the Bishop could not visit all the sick than his hindering businesses Would the Bishop e. g. of Lincoln say I would visit all the sick in Lincolnshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Hunâ—ingtonshire Rutlandshire Hartfordshire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire which are in my Diocess but that I am hindered by other business who would take this for the words of a sober man § 57. CCLXXXIV An. 869 was that Constantinopolitan Council which the Papists damning some otherâ— call the 4th and the 8th General Council ended An. 879. in which but 102 Bishops condemned Photius and setled Ignatius by the means of the Emperor Basilius and the Pope who had before restored him Here in Act. 2. The Bishops that had followed Photius took the old course and when they saw all turned cryed peccavimus and craved pardon and themselves called Photius such a villain as there had never been the like Bin. p. 882 They said they sinned through fear and so were forgiven Act. 3. Some Bishops that had turned who were ordained by Methodius were required to subscribe to a form proposed But they told them that the late times had so vexed men with heinous subscriptions that they had made a Covenant or Vow to make no more subscriptions but what they had done already and the profession of their faith like Nonconformists and desired to be received on such terms without their new subscription Act. 4. The Bishops of Photius's party ordained by him were examined And Act. 5. Photius himself who would not enter till constrained and then professed as in imitation of Christ to give them no answer to what they asked him and is in vain exhorted to repentance Act. 6. Many of the Photian Bishops repented and were pardoned Others pretended that they had subscribed and sworn to Photius where Zachar. Calcedon shewed that the Canons were above the Patriarchs Here Basilius the Emperor made a notable speech to exhort the Bishops to repentance offering himself to lay by his honour and to lie on the earth and let them tread on him confessing his sin and asking mercy Act. 7. Photius is again brought in and his staff that he leaned on taken from him and he denyed to defend himself and to repent but bid them repent The Bishops of Heraclea c. rejected the Legates and pronounced them anathematized that should anathematize Photius and appealed to the Canons Act. 8. They censured a Bishop that was against Images Act. 9. They examined some great men that had â—worn against Ignatius who confest they had sworn falsely for â—ear of the Princes but Leo would not damn or curse Photius because he thought the Orthodox were not to be cursed The 10th Act. Containeth the Canons which they made of which the Copies greatly differ § 58. The 3d. Canon saith that they ordain that the Image of Christ be worshiped with the same honour as the Gospels as teaching that by Colours which the Gospel
Emperor Michael to assume the Government and not leave the Empire any longer to his Mother and Sisters One Gebo then pretending to be the Son of Queen Theodora and claiming the Crown and many following him Ignatius is accused as being then on Gebo's side The Emperor commandeth Ignatius to shear his Mother and Sisters and put them into a Monastery He refuseth The Emperor is angry and suspecting him causeth it to be done by others and sendeth Ignatius to the Island Terebinth and killeth Gebo Within three dayes some of the Bishops who had subscribed and sworn to Ignatius even that they would sooner deny the supream Majesty of the Trinity than without a publick damnation they would suffer their Pastor to be deposed became agents to draw him to renounce his Place c. He refusing Photius is made one day a Monk the next day a Lector the next a Subdeacon the next a Deacon the next a Presbyter and on Christs birth-day is made Patriarch a great and noble Courtier the Emperors Secretary or privy Councellor famous for skill in things politick and civil so flourishing in the skill of Grammar Poetry Oratory Philosophy Physick and the study of almost all Liberal Arts and Sciences as that he was absolutely in them the Prince of his age yea and might contend with the ancients For he had a confluence of natural aptitude and force of felicity riches by which he got a library of all sorts of books and being desirous of Glory and Praise spent whole nights in sleepless Studies and after studied divinity and Ecclestical Volumes Gregorius Bishop of Syracuse a censured Bishop ordained him Ignatius is cruelly used and it s laid on Photius He sendeth some Bishops to Rome and by them saith that Ignatius gave up his Place It 's said that some held Ignatius's hand and by force wrote his mark and others wrote the rest but what 's the truth is hard to know A General Council is called The Emperor and all his Princes great ones and almost all the City met at Photiuâ—'s possession Baanes and some of the baser of the Romans are sent to summon Ignatius to the Council Bin. p. 867. He asketh them in what Garbs he shall come They take time and the next day say Rhodoaldus and Zacharias Legates of Old Rome by us summon thee without delay to appear at the holy Oecumenical Council in what habit thou wilt according to thy own Conscience He goeth in Patriarchs habit The Emperor commands him in the habit of a Monk No less than seventy two witnesses are brought into the Synod against him Nobles and Vulgar Nicâ—tas saith perjured of whom Leo and Theodotacius two Noble men were chief and some Anabaptists that is such as baptized men again though not against Infant Baptism These swore that Ignatius not justly ordained had twelve years ago usurped the place And alas there wanted not a Canon which would depose a great part of the Bishops of the world viz. that called the 30th Apost and oft renewed If any Bishop using the secular power do by them obtain a Church let him be deposed They left out And those that Communicate with him For which Nicetas accuseth the Bishops as falsly saving themselves And alas must all the ministers in England be deposed that communicate with any Bishop that gets a Church by the secular power What a separation than must here be made And would not this Canon depose Photius also The Popes Legates Bishops Rhodoceldus and Zacharias aliique nefarii homines saith Nicetas cryed down Ignatius as Vnworthy then they beat and odiously abuse the good old man And then cometh the foresaid forced subscribed confession or forged After this it s said that they sent men to kill him but by old base cloaths and two baskets on his back he past away unknown begging his bread by the way Nicetas saith that an Earthquake shook the City fourty dayes together and frightned them to send abroad and proclaim security to Ignatius who thereupon surrendered himself Bardas convinced sendeth him safe to his own Monastery and the Earthquake ceased and the Bulgarians moved by famine and the Emperor's gifts laid down armes and were baptized Christians Pope Nicholas excommunicateth Photius and the Emperor and all the Court. Bin. p. 868. A fire befals the Church of Sophia The young Emperor groweth so drunken and prophane that he gets a pack of wicked ungodly men and maketh them in mockery or play his Bishops and consecrateth a Church for them and maketh one Theophilus a jester their Patriarch to turn Religion into a scorn and then saith Theophilus is my Patriarch Photius is Caesars and Ignatius is the Christians And thus they by prophane witt derided the Bishops and Religion itself to which alas the Bishops ambition and odious strife did tend Photius was silent at all this Another Earthquake frightned them again the terriblest for a day and a night that had been there known Upon this one Basilius a Bishop of Thesalonica went boldly to the Emperor and opened the sin of his prophaneness disswading him from that wickedness that provoked God The Emperor enraged struk out his Teeth and caused him to be so scourged that he was like to dye Photius cared for none of this set his mind on the securing his seat and oppressing Ignatius magnifying all that tooke his part and encouraging false Stories and Calumnies against the best that were against him One of the betrayers and accusers of Ignatius was one of his Disciples and of his own name made Arch-Bishop of Hierapolis and then lost his Conscience and Fidelity Bin. p. 869. It was but for presuming to Consecrate an Altar cast down by the Russians and new built which was taken after his deposition for a breach of the Law and Canons and two Arch-Bishops ready at all times were sent to pull down the Altar as Nonconformable and to carry the stones to the Sea and wash them and then to set them up again O that they would have washt their hearts from Pride and Worldly Ambition Oh saith Nicetas What stupidity what pravity of a perverse mind was this What excess of Envy What study of ambitious Dishonesty Did thy daily meditation and night-watches and innumerable Books teach thee this Did thy frequent reading and disputation and striving for the praise of learning teach it thee Did the knowledge of the Old Testament and the New the sayings of the Wise the Decrees of the Holy Fathers teach thee to persecute a poor man and to vex and kill one of a broken heart and spirit Did not thy tyranical ejection of him satiate the implacable fury of thy mind c Thus Nicetas As much as to say Much learning and great power and places are too often separated from Honesty Charity and Conscience Here he mentioneth a terrible Dream of Bardas and the murder of him by Basilius's order and the Emperor's consent and how basely Photius cryed him down when he was dead
a Council where he would meet him with Victor Divo is the appointed place between France and Germany The Emperor with Victor and some Kings cometh to the Council Alexander refuseth because he call'd it not and calls another at Tours in France The Emperor angry returneth to Germany and sendeth Victor into Italy where he dyeth and Guido called Paschal the 3d is chosen after him The Romans chose Consuls that were Alexander's Friends and send for him to Rome and receive him The Italians then arm against the Emperor who cometh with an Army into Italy and taketh Ancona The Greek Emperor is drawn to promise the Pope a great Army against Frederick so he would unite the Empire and Churches again This afrighteth the Emperor The Tusculanes and the Abanes had a War with the Romans that oppressed them with Tribute and gave the Romans a grievous overthrow The Emperor besiegeth Rome William of Sicily sends help to the Pope The People of Rome intreat the Emperor for Peace which he promiseth on condition the worthier Pope may be chosen and the Schism ended The Pope Alexander hearing of this flieth secretly by Ship The Plague driveth the Emperor from Rome he goeth into Germany The Pope's Friends in Italy get strength The Greek Emperor Emanuel sendeth yet larger offers to the Pope if he would restore him the Western Empire by Re-union Pope Paschal dyeth The Tusculane Cardinal called Calistus the 3d is chosen in his stead and reigned seven years saith Onuphr But the Tusculanes refusing him he goeth to Alexander and resigneth to him all his right in Tusculum Whereupon the Tusculanes receive Alexander who there heard the Ambassador of Henry King of England purging him of the guilt of the death of Tho. Becket and sent into England two Cardinals with power to examine all the matter who imposed on the King though swearing he was innocent that for Penance he should maintain Soldiers for Ierusalem and for three years should have an Army against the Barbarians and defend the Church-liberties in his Land and not hinder Appeals to Rome All which he sware By which saith Platina he merited that the Title of the Kingdom of England should be transferred on him and his Heirs by the Pope's consent whence it is observed that all the Kings of England do recognize or acknowledge the Rights of the Kingdom from the Pope of Rome A just Reward for their serving the Titular Servant of Servants in his pestilent Ambition That he should thence take them for his Vassals and take himself for the disposer of their Crowns stooping to such Priests doth make them Kings of Kings Yet Alexander hath not got possession of Rome it self so far was he from being received by all the world and so low did he condescend as to offer the Citizens That if they would receive him he would come in peace and meddle with nothing but Divine matters leaving to them the care of secular things And when they would not grant him this much he went to Signia Was this man truly the Bishop of Rome that had no more of the Citizens consent so much as to dwell among them There he Canonizeth the Archbishop of Canterbury Tho. Becket for a Saint The Emperor entereth Italy and taketh many Cities but the Venetians owning the Pope and he being wearied with Wars at Papia treateth of a Peace But this not taking the Emperor shortly returned with another Army into Italy but was so hard put to it by the Millanois and others in one fight that he narrowly escaped death himself This one loss made the Nobles that followed him say That they suffered this because they fought unlawfully against the Church and if he made not his peace presently with the Pope they would go home So that the Emperor was forced to submit to the Pope for fear of being forsaken by his Subjects and Soldiers At Venice they met and the Emperor kissing the Pope's feet credible Historians say That the Pope trod on his Neck scornfully and profanely repeating the words of the Psalm Thou shalt tread on the Lion and Adder c. Ps. 91. 13. But Baronius and Binnius will not believe this though as Fowlis noteth p. 261. it is recorded by Ciaconius Masson and abundance more of their own Historians and preserved in the Archives of the Library at Venice and the Picture of the Story hang'd publickly in the Senate House The Emperor's severity against them of Milan was not for nothing They not only brake their Oath by Rebellion but when his wife Beatrix came to see the City set her on a Mule backward with the tail in her hand and so led her in scorn from one Gate out at the other What may not such provocation do to an Emperor The stir that there was about the Emperor's holding the Stirrup to Pope Urban is recorded by divers Historians And how the Kings of France and England did the like by Alexander And how this on debate was said to be their due The truth is the Papists Princes of Europe themselves are beholden to the Protestants for redeeming them from Servitude and their Kingdoms from the meer will and mercy of the Pope § 176. The Pope having conquered the Emperor by Cursing is past doubt now of Conquering Rome for such Men were Bishops by Conquest and not by Consent To Tusculum he goeth and now demandeth of the Romans that they abrogate the Office of the Consuls But finding this too hard a task to be done at once he maketh a bargain with them that none should by the People be chosen Consuls till they had taken an Oath of Fidelity to the Pope in his own proposed words and that they would never do any thing against his dignity And so Alexander goeth the third time to Rome and calls a Council but quickly dyeth when after twenty years contention he thought he was new setled in peace An. 1185. § 177. Onuphrius after Radavicus Frising Ioan. Cremon Abb. Ursperg c. saith that it was this Pope Alexander that first ordained that the Clergy and People being excluded from the Election of the Pope and so he was no true Bishop the choice should be in the Cardinals shut up in Conclave and go by two third parts of their Votes to avoid Schisms for the time to come Onuphrius saith that he had the writing of Pope Lucius the 3d that saith he was the first that was chosen by the Cardinals scrutiny though the Cardinals in a looser way were lately made Electors before He that is no Bishop is no Universal Bishop or Pope But he that is not chosen by the Clergy or People of that Church is no Bishop The Minor is proved by the Canons of many Councils § 178. The Epistles of Alexander are so full of Usurpation and Treason against Princes that Binnius thought it best to omit them and give you but the Titles But those that concern England are in Mat. Paris whom Binnius referreth you to
contradiction and action in this matter is neither contradiction nor rebellion but the filial honour due to the Divine Father and of you Briefly recollecting all I say the sanctity of the Apostick Seat can do nothing but what tendeth to edification and not to destruction For this is the plenitude of power to be able to do all to edification But these things which they call provisions are not to edification but to most manifest destruction Therefore the blessed Seat of the Apostle cannot accept them because flesh and blood hath revealed them which possess not the things that are of God and not the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is in Heaven § 196. When the Pope heard this Letter saith Mat. Paris p. 872. Not containing himself through wrath and indignation with a writhin aspect and a proud mind he saith who is this doting old man deaf and absurd who boldly and rashly judgeth my doings By St. Peter and St. Paul if our innate ingenuity did not move us I would precipitate him into so great confusion that he should be to the whole World a Fable a Stupor an example and a prodigy IS NOT THE KING OF ENGLAND OVR VASSAL AND I SAY MORE OVR SLAVE WHO CAN WITH OVR NOD IMPâ—RISON HIM AND ENSLAVE HIM TO REPROACH These things being recited among the Cardinal brethren with much ado asswaging the rage of the Pope they said to him It is not expedient O Lord that we decree any hard thing against this Bishop himself For that we may confess the truth the things are true which he speaketh We cannot condemn him He is a Catholick Yea a most holy man more religious than we are more holy and excellent than we and of a more excellent life so that it is believed that there is not among all the Prelates a greater no nor any equal to him This is known to the whole Clergy of France and England Our contradiction will not prevail The truth of this Epistle which perhaps is already known to many may stir up many against us For he is esteemed a great Philosopher fully learned in Greek and Latine a man zealous for justice a Reader of Theology in the Schools a Preacher to the people a Lover of chastity a persecutor of Simonists These words said the Lord Aegidius a Spanish Cardinal and others whom their own Consciences did touch They counselled the Pope to wink at all this and pass it by with dissimulation lest tumults should be raised about it especially for this reason that IT IS KNOWN THAT A DEPARTVRE WILL SOMETIME COME so far Mat. Paris § 197. Yet neither this Bishop nor the Historian flattered Princes but both of them sadly lament the oppression and other sins of King Henry And the Bishop commanded his Presbyters to denounce excommunication against all that should break the Magna Charta the Charters heretofore granted foreseeing saith Mat. Paris what the King would do And he sharply reprehended the Fryar Minors that would not tell Great men of their sin when they had nothing to lose Cantabit Vacuus c. having chosen poverty that they might be freer from hindering temptations § 198. When he lay on his death bed at Bugden in Huntingtonshire he told Ioh. Aegidius his learned friend that he took them for manifest Hereticks that did not boldly detect and reprove the sins of great men and thereupon reprehended and lamented the sins of Prelates but especially the Roman reciting their putting unworthy and bad men into the Pastoral office for kindred or friendship sake The third day before his death he called to him many of his Clergie and lamenting the loss of souls by Papal avarice groaning he said Christ came into the world to win souls Is not he then deservedly to be called Antichrist who feareth not to destroy souls God made all the World in six dayes but to repair man he laboured above thirty years And is not a destroyer of souls then judged an enemy of God and Antichrist c. Next he goeth on to shew how sinfully the Pope by his non obstante overthrew even the rights that his Predecessors had granted vainly pretending that they bind nothing because par in parem non habet potestatem and what evils to the Churches he had done and addeth I saw a Letter of the Popes in which I found inserted that they that make their Wills or that undertake the Crâ—isado and to help the holy land shall receive just so much indulgence as they give money c. And so goeth on naming his imposing men that cannot preach or strangers of other languages as Pastors on the people and his covetous and greedy devouring all the wealth he could get concluding Ejus avaritiae totus non sufficit orbis Ejus luxuriae Meretrix non sufficit omnis And that he drew Kings in for his own ends making them partakers of the prey Prophecying that the 〈◊〉 will not be freed from Egyptian servitude but by the mouth of 〈…〉 These things are small but worse will follow within three years sighing and weeping out these words his speech failed him and he died And ibid. Mat. Paris saith that the same night that he died wonderful Musical sounds and Ringings were heard near in the Air by several friars and by Fulk Bishop of London then not far off who said when he heard it that he was confident their reverend Father Brother and Master the Venerable Bishop of Lincoln was passing out of the World to Heaven The Bishop being dead the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln fell out in striving who in the vacancy had the power of giving Prebends wherein the Arch-Bishop by Power utterly oppressed them And M. Paris p. 880. affirmeth that Miracles were done after the death of this Bishop by his virtues at Lincoln and yet confesseth some of his faults and his sharp thundring against Monks and Nuns c. § 199. The same Author tells us p. 883. anno 1254. that the Pope was so unmeasureabley wrathful against this holy Learned Bishop that when he was dead he would have taken up his bones and cast them out of the Church and purposed to precipitate him into so great infamy that he should be proclaimed a Heathen a rebel and disobedient to the whole world and he commanded a Letter to that purpose to be written to the King of England knowing that the King would be mad enough against him and ready enough to prey upon the Church But the next night the said Bishop of Lincoln appeared to him in his episcopal attire with a severe countenance an austere look and terrible voice he came and spake to the Pope that was restless in his bed pricking him in the side with a violent thrust with the point of his pastoral staffe which he carried and said miserable Pope Senebald Dost thou purpose in disgrace of me and the Church of Lincoln to cast my bones out of the
disobey him reject him and so reject the Council Const. V. confirmed by a Pope He gets Narses to persecute them § 28. The Romans for this incline to the Goths again Justinians Laws censured by Binnius § 30. A Council Paris confirmeth the free Election of Bishops by the People and Clerks § 31. All Hereticks that refused to eat Hearbs boill'd with Flesh. § 34. Whether only the Bishop must say the Pax vobiscum and to have but one Church § 35. King Clotharius forceth the Bishops to receive a Bishop of his choice § 37. Not Popes Councils nor Bishops but Kings divided Diocesses and Parishes as Bin. § 38. A Council at Tours that Bishops may keep their Wives as Sisters for House-keepers so they lye not with them All condemned Malefactors that are penitent and will obey the Preacher to be pardoned § 39. The Villanies of two Bishops quit by the Pope § 40. A Canon against reading Apoery plia or any thing but Canon Scriptures in the Church § 42. Pope Pelagius the second got Smaragdus to force the Western Bishops to condemn the tria Capitula § 45. King Gunthram represseth the Murders and Adulteries of Bishops against the Clergies Sentence § 47. A Council at Constantinople calleth John Const. Universal Bishop Pope Pelagius the second damneth the Title as unlawful in any and commandeth them rather to dye than yield it Some queries hereupon § 51. King Gunthram finding all grow worse and all long of the Bishops calls a Council at Mascon where the stricter keeping the Lords day is Decreed § 54. The Bishops of Venice Istria and Liguria continue separate from Rome and chose Paulinus Bishop of Aquileia their Patriarch and supreme Bishop instead of the Pope § 55. Oft Pennance to embolden oft Sinning § 57. Philoponus against the Council of Calcedon § 60. The Factions now called Jacobites and Melchites and why § 61. The Armenians plead Tradition for their Error § 62. The Partarchs of Aquileia persecuted by Mauritius and Pope Gregory § 65. Dead Gregory fights with Sabinian his Successor that would have burnt his Books § 68. Boniface the third chosen by Phocas § 70. CHAP. 8 Councils about the Monothelites and others Cyrus Alex. by the word Deivirilis would heal the Divisions in vain § 1 2. Pope Honorius called a Monothelite for his good Council § 2 3. The Emperour Heraclius a Monothelite censured by Binnius for using his own judgment in matters of Faith § 4 A Constantinoplitane Council for the Monothelites § 12. The Emperour condemned and Pope Honorius commended for forbidding the names of One or Two operations and Wills § 15. The Popes Agents beaten at Constantinople § 18. Pope Martin imprisoned banished and dead by the Emperour for condemning his Act of silencing One and Two called Typus § 19. His Laterane Council asserteth two Operations and Wills § 20. The King of Spain finding all Laws fail against Priests and Bishops Leachery decreeth that the children of their women servants be uncapable of inheritance and be the Churches servants and the Coâ—eubines whipt with an hundred stripes § 23. Kings Preach to Bishops § 24. 21. Ordination without Election of Clergy and People null § 25. The Bishop of Ravenna reconciled to Rome after long separation § 30. A Millan Council and the third Constantinople 6 General condemn the Monothelites and Macarius Antioch that would have silenced one and two but not assert two § 34. Their partiality § 35. Pope Leo confirmeth the Constantinopolitan Council which damned Pope Honorius as an Heretick § 36. A new controversie whether Christ hath three substances Divinity Soul and Body § 40. A Toletane Council defends it and that Voluntas genuit voluntatem § 45. The Concil Trull called Quini Sextum Railed at by Papists Notes hereon § 47 48. Called by Binnius Monothelites The same men that were in the 5th Council It forbideth Priests to put away their Wives § 50. It deposeth Bishops and Priests that were not duly Examined and Elected § 50. It equaleth the priviledges of Constantinople with Rome § 53. It ill ordereth that whatever alteration the Imperial power makes on any City the State Ecclesiastical follow it § 54. Other notable Câ—nons § 55. c. Every Parish of twelve Families must have their proper Governour in Spain § 57. Paul contradicted as to the believer and unbeliever staying together § 58. A Council at Aquileia condemneth the 5th General at Constantinople § 60. K. Wiliza and the Spaniards forsake Rome § 65. A General Council of innumerable Bishops at Constantinople under Philippicus are for the Monothelites § 67. They condemn the 6th General Council that was for two Wills and Operations Binnius note of the Bishops temporizing CHAP. 9. Councils about Images and others Images how introduced in England § 2. c. Spelmans proof that the old Saxons prayed not to Saints § 3. A Parliament Role recited proving the old Popish Worshiping of Images § 4. Leo Isaurus puts down Images Gregory the second rebels for it and confederates with Charles Martell against his Prince and absolveth his subjects from their allegiance Binnius records it as an excellent example to posterity not to permit pertinacious Heretical Princes to reign § 5. The consequents of this doctrine How the Pope ruined the Eastern Empire and betrayed Christianity § 5. Wilfrids Oath to the Pope § 6. Councils pro Imaginem cultu Alâ—onsus first calls himself The Catholick King § 9. P. Zachary and Charles Martell against the Emperour Pipin and the Popes Treason in France and Baronius and Binnius treasonable doctrine § 11. Twenty Queries hereupon § 12. P. Zachary and Bishop Boniface Excommunicate Virgilius for holding Antipodes Queries hereupon § 14 15. Philastrius of the stars § 16. A caution against misapplying all § 17. When Lard must be eaten Zachary's decree § 18. Caroloman's Council to recover Christianity and save mens souls from false Priests § 19. Boniface finely made Arch-bishop of Mentz accuseth Bishop Adelbert and Clemens § 21 22. Pipin helpeth the Pope and Desiderius Traytors and maketh a Donation of Cities to the Pope § 23. A General Council at Constantinople condemn Image Worship as Idolatry and swear men against it and against praying to the Apostles Martyrs and Virgins I suppose before Images § 24. This Council and the Council of Nice second determine that Christ glorified body is not flesh with Anathema § 26. Noted as to Transubstantiation and other Errours § 26 27. Pipins Council decreeth every City a Bishop and joyneth the sword or force to Excommunication banishing the despisers of it § 28. The Greeks accuse the Latines for adding Filioque § 30. The People still choose Popes § 29 31. Three Popes fighting for it one putting out the eyes and cutting out the tongue of the other and of his adherents § 31. Constantines Acts invalid except Baptizings and Consecrating § 33. Christophers eyes and life taken away through the Pope that he set up § 35. Desiderius fighteth against the Pope
Against Preaching when silenced § 184. The Pope twice banished by the Romans The Emperour excommunicate and deposed fights it out The Pope dyeth § 186. A mortal sin to have two Benefices if one will maintain him § 187. The Emperour again excommunicate A merry Excommunication § 191. Rebellions § 192. Conrade and King Henry § 193. Bishop Grosthead's notable Letter to the Pope and its reception § 195 196. Obedient disobedience All Power for edification ib. The Pope calls the King of England his Slave whom he can imprison c. § 196. The Cardinals Speech to quiet the Pope A Defection foretold § 196. Grosheads death He taketh them for Hereticks that tell not great men of their sin c. The Pope Antichrist for destroying souls The Popes pardoning Letter The Pope described § 198. Miracles at Robert Grosheads death The Pope would have burnt and damned his Corps In a vision he mortally woundeth the Pope § 198 199. H. III. pawneth his Kingdom to the Pope § 200. The 13th General Council at Lyons excommnnicateth and deposeth the Emperour and absolveth his Subjects § 202. Guelphus for the Popes Gibelius for the Emperour § 203. The English Parliament demand the choice of the Lords Iustice Chancellour and Treasurer § 204. The Plot of King Henry and the Bishop of Hereford to get money by the Pope § 206. The Parliament resist it M. Paris talks too boldly of the King § 206. Buying Bishopricks Brancaleo at Rome mastereth the Pope § 208 209. Sewale Archbishop of York against the Pope doth Miracles § 212. Rome not ruled by the Pope § 214. Near three years vacancy of the Papacy § 219. Cardinal Portuensis jeast 220. The foolish Pope John sadly confuted § 224. King Peter of Arragon deposed § 226. The Popes Tenth peny denyed § 228. Two years more vacancy The Greeks enmity to Rome § 229. Pope Celestine cheated to resign and imprisoned § 233. Boniface the VIII his conflict with the King of France taken prisoner and dyeth Platina's good Counsel to all Rulers § 224. The Clergy not to be taxed by Princes § 235. The Pope setled in France by Clement V. Continueth 70 Years § 236. Above 2 years vacancy ibid. 40. Articles of the King of France against Boniface VIII Three Herisies of Petrus Joannis 1. The rational soul as such is not forma corporis humani 2. Grace habitual not infused in baptisme to Infants 3. The Spear pierced Christ before his death § 242. The Heresie of the Beguines and Beguardes for perfection § ibid. Pope Clements Decrees De fide 1. Of the form of the body the soul. 2. Infants infused Grace 3. Vsury a sin 4. To be restored The contrary to suffer as Hereticks § ibid. The falshood of some of these new Articles of Faith § 243. Magistrates excommunicated that disgrace wicked Priests § 247. Or compel them to answer to them § 248. Popes and Councils condemn each other as Hereticks § 250. The Pope claimeth the Empire by Escheate § 251. The Priest to take the name of every Parishoner that being confessed and confirmed they may communicate only by his counsel § 252. The Greek affairs § 256. A Toletane Council Decree that their Provincial Constitutions bind only ad poenam not ad culpam lest Christians Consciences be burdened § 257. After seventy years residence at Avignion forty years more there were two Popes and sometime more one at Avignion and one at Rome Discord chooseth an honest Pope but Concord an Anti-Pope Their Wars The Pope drowneth Cardinals in Sacks and makes twenty nine new ones in one day § 260. Italy still the most unpeaceable warring place of the World § 262 263. The Popes bloody way of curing Schism § 263. The Council of Pisa thinking to have but one Pope made a third § 267. Who Deposed King Ladislaus § 268. CHAP. 13. The Councils of Constance Basil c. That at Constance called by Pope John 21 alias 22 or 23 or 24 by Sigismund the Emperours means Councils above the Pope § 3. Wickliffs Articles § 6. One is that they are Traytors to Christ who give over preaching and hearing Gods word for mens Excommunications § 6 54. heynous Articles against Pope John commonly called The Devil incarnate An obstinate Heretick denying the life to come c. § 8. He ratifieth all himself and with other two Popes is deposed § 9. A decree against giving the Sacramental Cup though Christ and the Ancient Church used it § 10. Articles against John Hus as Wickliff's More as his own § 12 13. Excommunication must not make us leave off Preaching Against Hierome of Prague breaking safe Conducts § 14 15. The third Pope depos'd § 16. Decrees for frequent General Councils Popes Elections regulated A new Pope chosen § 17. The Fate of P. John and the rest § 18 19. Continued Wars at Rome against the Pope and in Italy § 23. The Council at Basil. The Bohemians case Their four Articles 1. For the full Sacâ—ament 2. For correcting publick Crimes 3. For liberty to preach Gods Word 4. Against the Clergies civil Power all eluded § 24. Bishop Augustinus de Roma's errours Phanatick Pardon of all sins confest with a contrite heart sold for money and fasting § 27. Their Catholick Verities 1. For Councils Supremacy 2. They may not be dissolved removed prorogued but consenting 3. It s Heresie to oppugn these § 28. P. Eugenins deposed as a pertinacious Heretick c. § 22. Queries hereon § 30. The immaculate Conception decreed § 31. Two Popes again § 32. Epistles of and against the Pope § 33. Four Treatises against the Bohemians four great Articles § 34 35. God only pardoneth the fault and the Pope part of Church Penances Whether silenced Preachers must cease Vnjust Sentences not regardable confessed The Council confirmed § 35 36. A Council at Briges confirmeth this § 37. The Council at Florence Two General Councils at once § 38. The Romans still fight against the Pope § 39. Constantinople lost ib. P. Pius 2. his Character and Sentences For Priests Marriage Yet for Rome's Vniversal Headship to be received as necessary to salvation § 44. P. Paul 2. a just and clement Simoniast and Tyrant Tormenteth Platina and many others Accuseth them of Heresie for praising Plato and Gentile Learning c. Against Learning § 45. P. Sixtus Wars and treachery § 46. Denying the Decrees of a General Council de fide of the immaculate conception of B. M. no Heresie § 47. P. Inoc. 8. fights to be King of Naples § 49. Pope Alexander the Sixth his ugly Character and his Son Borgia's Villanies Both drinking the poyson prepared for others The Pope dyeth of it § 50. Pius 3. § 51. P. Julius 2. Italy in blood still by him § 52. Councils against the Pope The King of France excommunicated § 53 54. The Anti-Council at Lateran against the Pisane against the French pragmat Sanction The not able Titles of the Pope § 55. Decreed that Simoniacal Election of Popes is
him Unjustly say even Binnius and Baronius who here repeat out of Sulpitius Martins once communicating with the Bishops there to save two Mens Lives and the Words of the Angel to him Meritò Martine compungeris Sed aliter exire nequîsti Repara virtutem resume Constantiam ne jam non periculum gloriae sed salutis incurras Itaque ab illo tempore satis cavit cum illâ Ithacianae partis communione misceri Caeterùm cum tardius quosdam ex ergumenis quam solebat gratiâ minore curaret subinde nobis cum lachrymis fatebatur se propter communionis illius malum cui se vel puncto temporis necessitate non spiritu miscuisset detrimentum virtutis sentire sexdecim pòst vixit annos nullam Synodum adiit c. Is it not strange that Papists blush not to recite such a History with approbation which expresseth a testimony from Heaven against far less than their Inquisition Flames Murders Canons de heraeticis comburendis exterminandis and Deposing Princes that will not execute them And which sheweth such a Divine justification for separation from the Bishops and Synods of such a way yea though of the same Religion with us and not so Corrupt as the Reformation found the Roman Papacy and Clergy § 20. LXXIX The two Bishops continuing at Antioch Evagrius succeeding Paulinus and Rome owning him and the East Flavianus a Council is called at Capua Flavian refuseth to come The Council had more wit than many others and Ordered that both Congregations Flavian's and Evagrius's being all good Christians should live in loving Communion O that others had been as wise in not believing those Prelates that perswaded the World that it is so pernicious a thing for two Churches and Bishops to be in one City as Peter and Paul are said to be at Rome And they referred the Case to Theophilus Alex. § 21. But this Council condemned a new Heresie Hereticating was in fashion viz. of one Bishop Bonosus denying Mary to have continued a Virgin to the death And they condemned Re-baptizing and Re-ordaining and the Translation of Bishops § 22. LXXX Next comes a Provincial Council or two at Arles which doth but repeat some former Canons § 23. LXXXI Next we have a strange thing a Heresie raised by one that was no Bishop But the best is it was but a very little Heresie Hierome is the describer of it who writing against the Author Iovinian a Milan Monk no doubt according to his sharpness makes the worst of it At the worst it containeth all these 1. That Virgins Widows and Marryed Women being all baptized or washed in Christ and not differing in any other works are of equal merits 2. That those that plenâ â—â—de with a full faith are born again in baptisme cannot be subverted by the Devil 3. There is no difference of merit between abstaining from meat and receiving it with thanksgiving 4. That there 's one Reward in Heaven for all that keep their baptismal vow Siricius catching Iovinian hid at Rome sends him to Milan where a Council Hereticateth him § 24. LXXXII It 's strange that Binnius vouchsafeth next to add out of Socrates l. 5. c. 20. when he Hereticateth him also a Council of the Novatians Socrates and Sozomen are called Novatians by the Papists because they rail not at them so valiantly as the Hereticators do And it may be they will call me one if I say that I better like this Councils Canon than burning men for such a Heresie They decree that as from the Apostles the different time of keeping Easter was not taken for sufficient cause for Christians to renounce Communion with each other so it should be esteemed still and it should be so far left indifferent that they live in love and Communion that are herein of different minds And I would say as lowd as I can speak If all the proud contentious ambitious hereticating part of the Bishops had been of this Christian mind O what sin what scandal and shame what cruelties confusions and miseries had the Christian world escaped But yet men will scorn to be so far Novatians in despight of Scripture reason humanity and experience whatever sin or misery follow As I said before in England the Convocation and Parliaments oversight hath determined of a false rule to know Easter-day and silenceth Ministers for not Assenting Consenting to it and approving the Use of it even the Use which consisteth in keeping Easter at a wrong time which makes us Hereticks § 25. LXXXIII An. 393. A great Council was called at Hippo where Austin yet a Presbyter was there Good men will do well Here was nothing but pious and honest for reformation of Discipline and Manners And most of the African Councils were the best in all the world Their Bishopricks were but like our Parishes and they strove not who should be greatest or domineer § 26. LXXXIV Next a Council at Constant. decideth a Crontroversie between two men striving for a Bishoprick Bin. p. 539. § 27. LXXXV Concilium Adrumetinum did we know not what § 28. LXXXVI An. 394. A Council of Donatists was held at Cavernae about a schism between two men set up for Bishops against each other § 29. LXXXVII At Bagai another Council was called by the Donatists for the same Cause where Primianus Carthag having 310. Bishops condemned Maximianus his Competitor absent Note here 1. How great a number the Donatists were and on what pretence as over-voting them they called others Hereticks and Schismaticks 2. How small Bishopricks then were the number tells us § 30. LXXXVIII A Synod was held at Taurinum in Savoy where a difference was decided between the Bishops of Arles and Vienne striving which should be greatest And he was judged to be the greatest whose seat was proved to be the Metropolitan And a case of Communicating with one Foelix a Partner of Ithacius and the bloody Bishops was debated § 31. LXXXIX Another Carthage Council called the second which Binnius saith was the last is placed next which decreed several Church Orders some of which shew that a Bishops Diocess had then but unum altare As when reconciliation of Penitents as well as Chrisme and Consecrating Virgins was to be done by the Bishop only except in great necessity And when Christians were multiplyed they that desired a Bishop in a place that had none before might have one And the prohibition erigendi aliud altare c. was repeated § 32. XC Another Carthage Council called the third hath many good Orders One is Can. 26. That the Bishop of the first Seat shall not be called the Chief Priest or Bishop or any such thing but only the Bishop of the first Seat To avoid all ambitious designs of superiority Whence Binnius elsewhere noteth that Carthage had not an Archbishop No doubt they had a sense of the sin and misery that came by the Patriarchall and other ambitious strifes § 33. XCI Another Carthage
lament and condemn the practice of such as kill their children appointing them sharp discipline without capital punishment Had the Church power to free Murderers from death as they long did Was this holy Reformation The 11th Canon saith That they found that in many Churches of Spain men filthily and not regularly did Penance that they might sin as oft as they would and be as oft reconciled by the Priests c. Many reforming Canons were here made There were 67 Subscribers besides the King and of divers Cities two Bishops which was unusual § 56. CXCIV Passing by a meeting at Rome Another Council at Narbon was held by Recaredus who brought over the Goths from Arrianism § 57. The Emperor Mauritius though a great and excellent person was ruined by the mad and uncurable mutinies of his Soldiers and at last with his Family cruelly murdered by Phocas one of his Captains a terrible warning to Princes not to trust too much to Armies § 58. All this while the opposers of the Calcedon Council kept up and were divided in the East into many Parties among themselves Among others the great Peripatetic Iohan. Philoponus was their most learned Defender writing with such subtilty that the Natures really two were to be called One Compound Nature as the Soul and Body of a man are as saith Nicephorus was not easie to be answered by which how much of the Controversie was de Nomine de Notione Logicâ let the Reader further judge he that will see some of his words may read them in Niceph. l. 18. c. 45 47 48. his Notions made men call him a Tritheite § 59. Iacobus Zanzalus being a great Promoter of the Party many ever since have from him been called Iacobites And the divided Parties that opposed the Council called the other Melchites that is Royalists because they took them that followed the Council to do it meerly in obedience to the Emperor for it was not the Pope then that was the Master of Councils § 60. Among the Armenians also some raised the like Heresies about the Natures of Christ some thinking his Deity was instead of a Soul to his Body c. To which they added superstitious Fasts and worshipping the Cross and such like not pleading Reason but old Tradition for their Errors saying they had them from Gregory vide Niceph. l. 18. c. 53 54. But I must go forward § 61. Pelagius dying Gregory called Magnus succeeded him at Rome He continued the Controversie about the Title of Universal Bishop writing many Epistles against it He flattered Phocas the murderous Tyrant with a Laetentur Coeli exultet Terra c. yet was one of the best and wisest of their Bishops He sent Augustine into England who oppressed the British Church and converted the Saxon King of Kent He introduced more Superstitions and greatly altered the Liturgy Of which read Mr. T. Iones of the Hearts Sovereign § 62. CXCIV A Concilium Hispalense of eight Bishops recited three Canons § 63. CXCV. Mauritius before his death desired Gregory to call a Synod at Rome to draw in the Western Bishops that separated and to cast them out if they disobeyed which he did and they refusing his Summons Severus of Aquileia and other Bishops were ruined They thought God destroyed Mauritius for persecuting them Gregory thought God would have them destroyed as Schismaticks The Bishops of Rome for near an hundred years were forced the more to please the Emperor because their own Bishops had cast them off and set up another Head against them § 64. CXCVI. An. 590. A Concil Antisiodorense made divers Canons against Superstitions and some too superstitious as that Women must not take the Sacrament in their bare hands c. § 65. I find it so tedious to mention all the little Synods that henceforth I shall take but little notice of them but of the greater only One under Recaredus at Caesar-Augusta made three Canons about the Arrians One in Numidia displeased Gregory § 66. A Council at Poitiers was called on occasion of two Nuns daughters to the King of France that broke out of the Nunnery with many more and accused the Abbess and got men together and stript her stark naked and drew her out and set all France in a Commotion and were forced to do Penance A Council was called at Metz to reduce the Bishop of Rhemes convict of Treason for Bishops that were Traytors or Murderers were not to dye A Synod at Rome under Gregory absolved a Priest of Calcedon condemned by Iohn of Constantinople what one did the other undid An. 597. Under King Recaredus 13 Bishops made two Canons for Priests Chastity c. Another under him An. 598. A Concil Ostiense made two such more An. 599. A Council at Constantinople did we know not what An. 599. Under King Recaredus 12 Bishops at Barcinon made four Canons against Bishops Bribery c. A Council of 20 Bishops 14 Presbyters and 4 Deacons at Rome made a Canon for Monks Another there An. 601. against a false Monk Another at Byzacen against a Bishop Another in Numidia about a Bishop and a Deacon § 67. Gregory dying Sabinian succeeded him who reproached him and would have had his Books burnt as unsound saith Onuphrius And saith Sigebert Gregory appeared to him in a Vision and reproving him for that and Covetousness knockt him on the head and he dyed § 68. Boniface 3d succeeded chosen by Phocas the Murderer who hating his own Bishop of Const. Cyriacus ordered that Rome should be the chief Church § 69. A Council at Rome forbad chusing a Pope till the former had been three days dead because they sold their Votes for money § 70. Boniface the 4th is made Pope and Phocas giveth him the Pagan Temple called Pantheom for Christian Worship In his time Phocas was killed by Heraclius as he had kill'd Mauritius § 71. An. 610. A Council at Toletum under King Gundemar about the Bishop of Toletum's Primacy which the King setleth by Edict § 72. A Council at Tarraca under King Sisebutus took the shortest way and only confirmed what had been before done for Priests Chastity § 73. Deus dedit was next Pope in whose time the Persians conquered Ierusalem and carried away the Bishop and they say the Cross. § 74. Boniface 5th succeeded Heraclius the Emperor is worsted by the Persians who would not give him Peace unless the Empire would renounce Christ and worship the Sun Heraclius overthroweth them Mahomet now riseth and maketh a Religion of many Heresies § 75. At a Synod at Mascou Agrestinus accused Columbanus of Superstition for Crossing Spoons c. but was refelled § 76. Seven or eight Bishops at Hispalis condemned the Eutychians and called them Acephali CHAP. VIII Councils held about the Monothelites with others § 1. BEing come to the Reign of Pope Honorius at Rome who was condemned by 2 or 3 General Councils for a Monothelite Heretick as Vigilius was by his own Bishops for an
Paulus persuadeth the Emperor to publish a Typus requiring all the Bishops to lay by the Controversie and Name of One and of Two Wills and Operations of Christ. But this which was approved in Pope Honorius is cryed down as Heretical in the Emperor Pyrrhus returneth to his Opinion and Paul dying he is again put in his place at Constantinople Binnius no better answereth the Objection that the Emperor's Edict said but what Pope Honorius said than by saying that the time made the difference It was good in Honorius's time and bad after to be quietly silent in such a Case § 16. They say there was a Council in Numidia another at Byzacene at Carthage another of 68 Bishops about the Monothelites § 17. CCI. Another Council was at Toletum uâ—der King Chindascrindus § 18. CCII. The Pope with one of his little Councils at Rome for the foresaid Italian Bishops yet disowned him and obey the Patriarch of Aquileia presumed to condemn Paulus Const. Pyrrhus and the Emperor's Edict Typus Wherefore his Agents at Constantinople were cast out beaten their Altar overthrown c. § 19. Martin is made Bishop at Rome He condemneth the Emperor's Edict of Silence as to Two Wills and Operations or One. The Emperor sendeth for him he is brought Prisoner to Constantinople laid in Irons under several Accusations banished and dyed Here the Pope pretendeth that Truth must not be silenced The Emperor saith Peace must not be broken for needless words Quer. Whether he be a Martyr that suffers for oppugning such Peace § 20. CCIII His Laterane Council An. 642. is very largâ—ly recorded in which the Emperor's Edict with Cyrâ—s Alex Sergius Pyrrbus Pauluâ— Constant. are condemned and two Operations and Wills asserted § 21. CCIV. Passing by a Synod at Orleance An. 653. another Council was held at Toletum against incontinent and ignorant Priests Kings here used to preach to the Bishops by their Letters and Decrees Dukes and Lords here subscribed § 22. Eugenius is Pope and dyeth Vitalianus succeedeth him Constans the Emperor cometh to Rome giveth them gifts and communicateth with them It 's said he kill'd his Brother Theodosius and after was kill'd himself Mezentius usurpeth the Empire Constantine Pogonatus Son to Constans conquereth him and reigneth Pope Vitalianus helpeth him and therefore expecteth his help Rome stood so much between the Eastern Empire and the Western Kings Goths Lombards Franks c. that both sides flattered the Roman Clergy though they oft suffered from both The Empire to keep them from turning to the Goths c. and the Goths to keep them from turning to the Empire And they that had most need of the Popes most advanced them and they that had least need and most dominion kept them under § 23. CCV Another Council at Toletum An. 655. called by K. Recessuinthus not the Pope made divers good Canons for Church-order among which the tenth is that because all the Canons oft made could not keep Bishops and Priests from Lechery they tryed this additional way to decree that all their Children begotten of their Servants Maids c. should be uncapable of inheritance and should live in continual servitude to the Church King Recaredus made a Law that Bishops and Priests Concubines should be whipt with an hundred Stripes and others that they should be sold for Slaves § 24. CCVI. The King of France Clodoveus called his Bishops together at a Village called Clypiacum and made a Sermon to them and they applauded him § 25. CCVII. He called another Synod at Cabilone for Church-order where Can. 10. it was decreed that all Ordination of Bishops should be null that was otherwise made than by the election of the Comprovincials the Clergy and the Citizens A threefold Lock is not easily pickt Let England understand this to be the old Canons and Custom § 26. CCVIII A Concil Emeritense called by King Recessuinthus made more Orders for regulating Bishops and Priests c. § 27. CCIX. A Synod at Rome justified a Bishop of Crete wronged by his Archbishop § 28. CCX Another at Toletum under King Wamban An. 675. sought to reform the Bishops and Clergy § 29. CCXI. An. 675. the same King Wamban had a Synod at Braccara for reforming the Clergy Can. 5. was to correct the Bishops that had turned Piety into Pride and Vanity going to the Solemnities of the Martyrs with Reliques hanged about their necks carried in Chairs by Deacons in white c. O what hath the Pride of Prelates done in the world § 30. Pope Adeodatus and after him Donus reigned at Rome and the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Antioch were Monothelites and Constantine needing the West having lost the East took part with Rome After Donus came Agathy in whose time the Bishop of Ravemia after long rejecting the Bishop of Rome as heretical returned to communion with him Constantine sent to Rome to require the Bishop to keep Missionary Legates at Constantinople and intreated them to lay by Philosophical Controversies and preach the pure Scripture that the Churches at last might have Peace But alas how long was that counsel vain § 31. CCXII. Beda saith an English Council met An. 679. under Theodorus to own the Catholick Faith Bed l. 4. c. 13. § 32. CCXIII. The same year 679. A Council at Milan told the Emperor their opinion for Two Wills and Operations § 33. CCXIV. A Synod at Rome prepared matter for the General Council against the Monothelites This tended to please the separating Bishops of Italy that divided from the Pope for seeming to desert the Calcedon Council by condemning the tria Capitula § 34. CCXV Now cometh the 3d Council of Constantine called the 6th General Council in which 289 Bishops condemned the Monothelites that were for One Will and Operation Constantine Pog. being against them Macarius Patriarch of Antioch was the chief of them who would have consented to name neither One nor Two but when they had done all professed that he would be cast into the Sea before he would say there were in Christ two Wills and Operations thinking that he held to Cyril and the first Ephesian Council against Nestorius George Bishop of Constantinople deserted him and he was deposed and banished to Rome no hard Banishment but for ill company § 35. A long stir there was among them perusing former Writings Macarius and his Party producing many which others said were falsified so little certainty is there oft of Copies The Epistles of Sergius Const. Honor. Rom. are read which I should think peaceable and honest but the General Council damned and cursed them both as Hereticks The Papists say General Councils may err in matter of Fact How much more then in matter of Faith which is more obscure and matter of Fact is much of the matter of our Faith No Man's name had so strange a Fate against Hereticaters as the great Hereticater Cyril's who in this Council in Cyrus artic and many others was fully proved to
of the Apostolick Seat that the Kingdom was translated from Chilperic to Pepin the foresaid Historians do so expresly say that it 's a wonder with what front the innovating Hereticks dare call it in question Lastly It is here to be noted that it was by this same Pope Zachary that the nomination or postulation of Bishops for the vacant Churches in his Kingdom was granted to King Pepin Therefore if elsewhere you read that the Kings of France give Bishops to the Churches remember that it is not done by their own Right but by the Grant of the Apostolick Seat In vain therefore do the innovating Hereticks glory in this Argument who endeavor to subject the Church to Kings So far Binnius after Baronius § 12. From this Story and these words let the Reader think how to answer these Questions Quest. 1. Had not Kings need to take heed of making any one man too great if greatness and exercise of Government give him so much right to the Kingdom Qu. 2. Had not Kings need to look to their manners for their Crowns sake as well as their Souls if Lust Sensuality and Dulness forfeit their Kingdoms Qu. 3. Did not Wars and weakning of the Empire make a great change with Popes when they that were set up and banished at the Emperor's pleasure can now first depose the Emperor in the West for being against Images and Persecuting and then can translate the Crown of France Qu. 4. Was not an ambitious Pope a fit Tool for Pepin and his Confederates to work by to put a pious gloss on their Conspiracy Qu. 5. Did not the Pope rise thus by serving the turns of Conspirators and of Princes in their quarrels with one another Qu. 6. Are Subjects Judges when a King's Sins make him unworthy of the Crown Qu. 7. Yea is the Pope Judge and hath he power to depose Kings if he judge them such Sinners and unfit for Government Qu. 8. Is it a good Reason that a King is justly deposed because Good Men and Holy Bishops are the Desirers and Promoters of it Qu. 9. Would not this Reason have served Maximus against Gratian Was it not Cromwel's Plea If he had but had the Pope and People on his side you see how it would have gone Qu. 10. Is it the mark of an Innovating Heretick to say that the Church should be subject to Kings when Paul and Peter said it of all Christians so long ago Qu. 11. Is it a Note that Protestants love Rebellion because they are against Popes deposing Kings Or is there any heed to be taken of the words of impudent Revilers that dare speak before God and Man at this rate Is deposing Kings the Papists freedom from Rebellion and is our opposing it a character of Rebels Qu. 12. Is it any wonder that Bishop Burchardus desired it and that Bishop Boniface executed the Pope's command who had been translated from England by him to such dignity and had sworn Obedience and Service to him Qu. 13. Is it any wonder that the Pope made these Bishops Saints Qu. 14. I hope they were really godly Men But is it any wonder that some good Men at such a time as that did think it had been for the interest of Religion to have all Power in the Clergies hands especially being themselves Bishops that were to have so great a share How few Bishops are afraid of too much power or ever do refuse it Qu. 15. If the King of France had his Kingdom by the Pope's gift what wonder if he had the power of nominating Bishops also by his gift Qu. 16. Whether he that hath power to give hath not power to take away and be not Judge when the Cause is just Qu. 17. With what face do Papists at once make these claims and yet profess Loyalty to Kings Qu. 18. Whether it concern not Kings to understand on what terms they stand with the Pope and his Clergy that must not be subject to them but have power to depose them Qu. 19. If there be any Party among them that hath more Loyal Principles is it a sign of the concord of their Church that agreeth not in matter of so great moment Or a proof that the Pope is the infallible Judge of Controversies that will not determine so great a Point on which the Peace of Kingdoms doth depend § 13. About the same time they persuaded Rachis King of the Longobards Successor to Luitprand for the love of Religion to lay down his Crown and go into a Monastery so that Monasteries are places for the worst and the best some too bad to reign and some too good lest they should over-master the Clergy § 14. It may be you will think that this Pope Zachary and his sworn Vassal St. Boniface were some very profound Divines that could by their wisdom and piety thus master Kingdoms Doubtless they were zealous Adversaries to Heresies except their own and Successors of the Hereticating and Damning Fathers For Epist. 10. Bin. p. 206 207 208. Zachary writeth to Boniface to expel Virgilius from the Church and Priesthood for holding Antipodes viz. that Sun-shine and Moon-light and Men are under the Earth as well as here which we call over it The words are De perversa autem iniqua doctrina quae contra Dominum Animamsuam locutus est si clarificatum fuerit ita eum confiteri quod alius mundus alii homines sub terra sint seu Sol Luna hunc habito Concilio ab Ecclesia pelle Sacerdotii honore privatum That is But as to the perverse and unjust Doctrine which he hath spoken against the Lord and his own Soul if it be made clear that he so confesseth that under the Earth there is another world and other Men and Sun and Moon call a Council and depriving him of the honour of Priesthood drive him out of the Church That by another world is meant Antipodes or the other side of the Earth inhabited is doubtless § 15. Qu. 1. Did God make Popes to be the Governors of the Antipodes for so many hundred years before they knew that there was any Antipodes And when they excommunicated and silenced those that affirmed it Qu. 2. Were these Popes and Bishops Men of such wisdom as were fit to hereticate Dissenters as they did Qu. 3. Do we not see here what some Councils were and did in those times Qu. 4. Do we not see what Heresie signified at Rome and how little heed there was to be taken of their outcry against some Heresies Qu. 5. Whether was all the World or all the West bound to avoid Communion after with Virgilius Qu. 6. Do we not see here of what Infallibility the Pope is in judging of matters of Faith and how happy the World is to have such a Judge and of what credit his Heretications and Excommunications are Qu. 7. Do we not see how Religion hath been depraved and dishonoured by the Pope and his Clergy calling
Oath of obedience to Saint Peter and his Vicar which the King must take § 64. Ep. 4. He employeth his agents to engage the Norman Duke Robert to help him with an Army And Ep. 5. His Legate having deposed all the Bishops of Normandy that refused to come to his Synod he tells him that William King of England and Duke of Normandy though he was not so good as he should be was more useful and better to the Church than other Kings and therefore must not be offended and therefore bids him restore the Bishops and also to pardon some Soldiers excommunicated for not paying tythes because they must not lose the Soldiers Ep. 8. He writeth to the Duke of Venice by all means to avoid all excommunicate persons and their friendship and favour lest they came into the snares of the same damnation For Anaâ—hema's were the arms by which he subdued Emperors and was to do his work The like to others in other Epistles And Ep. 12. He brought one Count Bertran to swear him fidelity and to give him all his Countrey and honour as Earl of Provence and this for the pardon of his own and his Fathers sins § 65. Ep. 14. He congratulates to the Kings of the Visigoths their conversion to Christianity but tells them they must oft send to Rome for further instruction How frequently he made Arch-Bishops and Bishops travel to him out of other Kingdoms when his Legates wronged them many other Epistles shew Ep. 17. The Norman Duke Robert acquainteth the Pope with a Victory which he had got He returneth him this answer that he had but done his duty and now as it was Saint Peter that had given him this victory if he would not make him angry he must now be thankful to Saint Peter and remember what he owed him to help him against the Emperor Henry and all his other enemies § 66. Ep. 20. He writes to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that he had shewed himself guilty of disobedience which is as Idolatry in that he had not travelled to Rome to visit the Pope when he commanded him and tells him that if he come not by All-Saints day next he shall be deposed for many weak men that could scarce rise out of their beds came from other much farther Countreys and he should lose Saint Peter ' s grace if he failed must they do so also from the Antipodes Ep. 22. He tells the Count of Angiers or Anjou that he should have obeyed the sentence of his Bishop though it was unjust And so every wicked Prelates power over Princes and all others shall be absolute He flattered our King William the Conqueror more than other Kings but ep 2. l. 11. He complaineth of his punishing a Bishop telling him that God taketh them as the apple of his eye and saith Touch not mine anointed and though they are naught and very unworthy they must be honoured and being called Gods men must not meddle with them Ep. 1. Append. Bin. p. 1278 he tells Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury how far the Church was from purity in his days viz. that The Bishops and such as should be Pastors of Souls do with insatiable desire hunt after the Glory of the World and the pleasures of the flesh And do not only themselves confound all things that are holy and religious but by their example draw their Subjects to all wickedness And that to let them alone is unlawful and to resist them how difficult So much of the Epistles of Greg. 7th who seemeth to be much more against vice than his predecessors for many ages but more for tyrannical usurpation and rebellion than ever any that was before him And if the better sort of them be such what may be expected from them § 67. CCCLIII An. 1074. In a Council at Rome Priests were forbid marrying and all that were married commanded to put away their Wives The Arch-Bishop of Mentz trying to do the same in Germany the whole party of the Clergy saith Lambert an 1074 raged against it and called the Pope a downright Heretick that opposed Christs Law who forbad putting away Wives except for fornication saying all men cannot receive this saying and as driving men to fornication They went from the Synod and some were for casting cut the Archbishop of Mentz and putting him to death But he spake them fair But the Pope went on § 68. CCCLIV. In a Synod at Genesius the Popes Legate and Anselm Lucens excommunicated many that had been against Anselm whereupon the whole City was enraged and forsook Mathildis and joyned with the Emperor and expelled the Bishop one Peter a Canon leading them § 69. CCCLV. an 1075. a Council at Rome excommunicated five of the Emperors Family unless they travelled to Rome and made satisfaction It excommunicated Philip King of France unless he satisfied the Nuntii of the Pope It suspended the Arch-bishop of Breme the Bishop of Strasburg the Bishop of Spire the Bishop of Bamberge and in Lombardie the Bishop of Papia the Bishop of Turine the Bishop of Placentine and also Robert Duke of Apulia and Robert de Roritello c. § 70. an 1075. Was the foresaid Synod at Mentz where the Arch-Bishop seeking to bring the Clergy to obey the Pope in putting away their Wives was fain to put it off to save his life from the Clergies rage The English Councils I omit referring you to Spelman of which one deposed Wulstan they say injuriously c. § 71. CCCLVI. an 1076. A Council at Worms sentenced the Pope deposed Two Bishops awhile refused consent but at last yielded And they sent to the Pope that thenceforth all that he did as Pope was void § 72. CCCLVII Hereupon the Pope calls a Council at Rome which excommunicated all the German Bishops that deposed him and the Bishops of Lombardy as conspiring against St. Peter and many French Bishops And with them the Emperor Henry and deposed him quantum inse from all his dominions and absolved his Subjects from their oaths as aforesaid § 73. CCCLVIII The excommunicate Bishops had a Council at Papia where they retorted the Popes Anathema on himself and excommunicate him § 74 CCCLIX The Pope calls another Council at Rome where the Arch-Bishops of Millan and Ravenna the Antipope are excommunicate and the Emperor's cause and party again condemned § 75. CCCLX Another Synod at Rome an 1078. decreed divers things for defence of the Clergies priviledges And it is observable that to that day the old Canons were in force for nulling all ordinations not made by the Common Consent of the Clerks and People Ordinationes quae interveniente pretio vel precibus vel obsequio alicujus personae ea intentione impenso vel quae non Communi consensu Cleri populi secundum Canonicas sanctiones fiunt ab his ad quos consecratio pertinet non comprobantur infirmas irritas esse dijudicamus quoniam qui taliter ordinantur non per ostium id est
spoken of by Platina he sate above one year It 's said that he dyed of grief for the loss of Ierusalem in his time CCCCXXXI A Council he had at Paris they say for Ierusalem too late § 186. Gregory the 8th succeedeth him two months and dyeth § 187. An. 1187. Clement the 3d succeeded him who importuneth the Christian Kings to recover Ierusalem The Emperor Frederick the King of France and Richard King of England go in person The Emperor was drowned in Asia as he was waâ—â—ing himself in a River The rest do much but all to little purpose but to the great destruction of many Christians The Pope sendeth an Army into Sicily to claim it for the Church because the King dyed childless There also bloody havock is made An. 1188. An Assembly at Paris furthered the Holy War Binnius will call it a Council § 188. Though this Clemens sate but three years and five months he ended the long War between the Romans and the Pope granting them their Senators but deposing their Patricius or Head that Union might not strengthen them § 189. Caelestine the 3d cometh next who to get Sicily from Tancred gets out of a Nunnery a devoted Virgin that was the Heiress and marrieth her to the young Emperor Henry the 6th and giveth him with her the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples when he can get them and so wholly obligeth him to the Church and to surrender Tusculum which the Romans utterly demolish Sicily the Emperor gets and puts out Tancred's eyes but Naples was too hard for him his Soldiers dying of the Plague How the King of France and the King of England disagreed in Palestine and how the King of France returned home and treacherously joined with Iohn the King's Brother to invade the King of England's Dominions and so called him from attempting the Siege of Ierusalem and how he was taken Prisoner by the way home many Histories acquaint you § 190. Binnius out of Urspergens tells us how this Pope that had sent the King of France into Palestine for his repudiating his Wife after interdicted the whole Kingdom of France the use of holy thing O horrid Villany worse than Heathenish For one Man's Family-sin to forbid so great a Kingdom to worship their God and Saviour Saladine when he had taken Ierusalem dealt better with the Christians O bewitched Princes and People that by their degenerate Prelates would be brought to suffer or submit to such a wickedness contrary to the nature of all Religion O wicked Prelates and Clergy that would obey an Usurper in sucâ— a wicked Interdict But the King of France grievously punished his Clergy for the Fact For it was done by the Pope's Legat and the Bishops at a Council at Divion the CCCCXXXII here § 191. Next cometh the great Pope Innocent the 3d a young man of 30 years old called Lotharius An. 1198. § 192. The Duke of Saxony Otho the 4th succeedeth the Emperor Henry the 6th But Philip of Suevia is his Competitor and the King of France was for Henry's Brother and the Pope for Otho hating Frederick's Line Some say Philip conquered and deposed Otho but Petavius after divers others saith that they agreed that Philip should Reign quietly during his life and Otho afterward succeed him After ten years Otho a Palatine of the Rhine killeth Philip and Otho again Reigneth quietly marrying Philip's daughter But seeking to possess Apulia and Calabria by Arms and not obeying the Pope's Prohibition the Pope Excommunicateth him first and after sentenceth him deprived or deposed which at his command the Archbishop of Mentz publisheth which Otho despising the Pope to shew that he can make and unmake Emperors and Kings sets up Frederick King of Sicily Henry the 6ths Son by Câ—nstantia the Nun formerly saith Binnius which Petavius denieth and commandeth all to take him for Emperor The King of France stands for Frederick and the King of England for Otho Otho is overcome being forsaken and dyeth for grief and Friderick a young man twenty years old prevaileth § 193. Passing by the English and Scottish Councils for the Sabbath or Lords day CCCCXXXIII The Roman Council that deposed the Emperor Otto for rebellion against the Pope was An. 1210. § 194. This Pope excommunicated our King Iohn for rejecting Stephen Laughton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Yea he deposed him quantum inse and interdicted Gods worship to the whole Kingdom for six years three months and fourteen dayes O wicked Bishops and Priests that would give over the worship of God because an Usurper forbad it The Pope gave the King of France commission to seize on England King Iohn is constrained to please the Pope What wars were hereupon in England and how he gave up his Kingdom at last to the Pope and to hold it as of him our own Historians certifie us yea and how he offered the King of Morocco to turn Mahometan for his help § 195. CCCCXXXIX Next cometh the famous 4th Laterane Council called by the Papists the 12th General approved of 400 Bishops and 800 other Fathers for others they have an 1215. Regn. Frider. 2. In the first Cap. is the Creed and their Transubstantiation asserted as the way of Union between Christ and us we taking his flesh as he took ours and that no one can make this Sacrament but a Priest ritely ordained according to the Keyes of the Church which Christ gave to the Apostles and their successours But the Sacrament of Baptism saveth by whom soever it is ritely done The 2d Cap. condemneth Abbot Ioachim's doctrine who opposed Lombard as making a quaternity for saying that Quaedam summa res est Pater Filius et Spiritus Sanctus et illa res non est generans nec genita nec procedens which the Council owneth The 3d. Cap. is this We excommunicate and anathematize every Heresie extolling itself against this holy Orthodox Catholick faith which we before expounded condemning all Hereticks by what names soever called having indeed divers faces but tails tyed together because they agree in vanity in the same thing And being damned let them be left to the present secular power or their Bailiffs to be punished by due animadversion the Clerks being first degraded from their orders so that the goods of such damned ones if they be Lay-men be confiscated but if Clerks let them be applied to the Churches from which they had their stipends But for those that are found notable only by suspicion unless they shew their innocency by a congruous purgation according to the considerations of the suspicion and the quality of the person let them be smitten with the sword of anathema cursed from Christ and avoided by all till they have given condign satisfaction so that if they remain a year excommunicate they be then condemned as Hereticks And let the secular powers be warned and induced and if need be compelled by ecclesiastical censure what offices soever they are in that as they desire to be
them what good they had done the City For when they came thither they found three or four bawdy houses but at their departure they left but one But this one reached from the East Gate of the City to the West gate § 194. The Pope returneth into Italy and seeketh to get men to ruine Conrade the late Emperor Fridericks Son The King of Englands brother Richard is first invited but deniâ—d due help and refuseth King Henry the third himself at last is drawn in and furnisheth the Pope with a great deal of money and the Croisado Soldiours are turned against Conrade from the relief of Palestine Bitter accusations against him are published by the Pope which Conrade answereth He and Robert Grosthead the famous Learned holy Bishop of Lincoln dying near together the Pope biddeth all that belong to the Church of Rome to rejoyce with him because these two their greatest enemies are gone And if such wise and holy men as this Bishop were numbered with the enemies of the Pope we may conjecture what he was and did and whether all the Christian World were then his Subjects and whether Rome then needed reformation § 195. But though the King of England had so far served him it was not enough Nothing less than all would serve as Matth. Paris tells us when the King would yet be King and did not fully obey the Pope which he manifested in his rant against this rare and excellent Bishop of Lincoln the occasion of which I think well worthy of our recital as it is in Matth. Paris Anno 1453. pag. 87â— 872. A credible Monk though oft reviled by Baron and Bin for telling truth This Bishop was one of the famousest men in the whole world for knowledge piety and justice The Pope had sent him an order as saith Matth. Paris he often did to him and other English Bishops to do somewhat which the Bishop judged to be unjust It was not so bad as an interdict to silence Christs Ministers but whether it was the promoting of bad Ministers or hindering or excommunicating good men some such thing it was as you may see by what followeth The Bishop writeth a Letter to the Pope and Cardinals in which he tells them That he would obey the Apostolical precepts but that was not Apostolical which was contrary to the doctrine of the Apostles Christ saying he that is not with us is against us And that cannot be Apostolical that is against Christ as the Tenour of the Popes Letters were His non obstante so often repeated shewed his inconstancy and his blotting the purity of the Christian Religion and perturbing the peace and quiet of Societies a torrent of audaciousness procacity immodesty lying deceiving hardly believing or trusting any one on which innumerable vices follow And next after the sin of Lucifer which in the end of time will be that also of Antichrist the son of perdition whom the Lord will destroy with the Spirit of his mouth there neither is nor can be any other sort of sin so adverse and contrary to the doctrine of the Apostles and the Gospel and so hateful detestable and abominable as to kill and destroy souls by defrauding men of the care of the Pastoral office and Ministry which sin those men are known by the most evident testimonies of the sacred Scripture to commit who being placed in power of pastoral care do get the salary of the pastoral office and ministry out of the milk and the fleece of the sheep of Christ who are to be quickened and saved but administer not to them their dues For the very not administring of the Pastoral ministeries is by the testimony of Scripture the killing and destroying of the sheep And that these two sorts of sins though unexpectedly are the very worst and beyond all comparison exceed all other sort of sin is manifest by this that they are in the two existent foreâ—aid things though with disparity and dissimilitudes directly contrary to the best things And that is the worst which is contrary to the best And as for these sins as much as in them lieth one of them is the destruction of the Godhead it self which is superessentially and supernaturally best and the other is the destruction of that conformity and deiâ—ication of souls by the gracious participation of the Divine beams which is the best thing essentially and naturally And as in good things the cause of good is better than the effect so in evils the cause of evil is worse than the effect is manifest that the introducers in the Church of God of such most mischievous destroyers of holy formation and deification in the sheep of Christ are worse than the destroyers or murderers themselves the nearer to Lucifer and Antichrist and in the greater degree of mischief or priority by how much the more superexcelling and by the greater and diviner power given by God for edification and not for destruction they were the more bound to exclude and extirpate such most mischievous murderers or destroyers from the Church of God It cannot be therefore that a holy Apostolick Seat to which all power is given by our Lord Iesus Christ the holy of holies for Edification and not for destruction as the Apostle testified should command or require any thing that bordereth on or tendeth towards so hateful detestable aud abominable a thing to Iesus Christ and so utterly pernitious to mankind or by any way endeavour any thing that tendeth thereunto For this were either a defection or a corruption or an abuse of Christs own power which is evidently most holy and most full or it were an absolute elongation from the Throne of the Glory of our Lord Iesus Christ and the next sitting together of the two foresaid Princes of darkness and of hellish punishments in the chair of pestilence Nor can any one with unspotted and sincere obedience who is a subject and faithful to that same Seat and not by schism cut off from Christ and that holy Seat obey the said mandates and precepts or any endeavours whatever and whensoever they come yea though it were from the highest order of Angels but must necessarily contradict them and rebel with all his strength or power And therefore Reverend Lords from the duty of obedience and fidelity in which I am bound to both the parents of the holy Apostolick Seat and from the Love which I have to Vnion in the body of Christ with it I do only filially and obediently disobey contradict and rebel to the things which in the foresaid Letter are contained and specially because as is before touched they do most evidently tend to that sin which is most abominable to our Lord Iesus Christ and most pernitious to mankind and which are altogether adverse to the Sanctity of the holy Apostolick Seat and are contrary to the Catholick Faith Nor can you discretion for this hint conclude or decree any hard thing against me because all my
Church Whence did this timerity befal thee It were better that thou advanced and honoured by God should honour those which are zealous for God even when they are dead Henceforth God will give thee no more power over me I wrote to thee in the spirit of humility and love that thou shouldst correct thy many errours But with a proud eye and a bewitching heart thou hast despised wholesome warnings Wo to thee that despispest Shalt thou not be despised And the Bishop Robert departing striking as with a lance the Pope who when as is said he was pricked groaned aloud he left him half dead and with a mournful voice groaning with sighs His Chamberlains hearing him being astonished asked him what the matter was The Pope answering with sighs and groans said The terrours of the night have vehemently troubled me nor shall I ever be well again as I was Oh alas how great is the pain of my side A ghost hath pierced me with a lance An he neither eat nor drank that day feigning that he was inflamed with feavours that streightened his breath And Gods revenge and wrath did not so leave him Not long after the Pope not sensible of Gods warnings by his Servants but setting about warlike and secular matters he prospered not in them though he laid out great care and labour and cost But Wars yea the Lord of hosts being against him his army which at great charges he had sent against the Apulians under the conduct of his Nephew William being scattered conquered and confounded perished with their Captain mortally wounded They say there were there slain of Souldiours and valiant stipendiary's of the Pope four thousand men And the whole Countrey of the Romans lamented the shedding of so much Christian blood The Pope then went to Naples though weakened as with a plurisie in his side or as wounded with a lance And Cardinal Albus physick could not help him For Robert of Lincoln spared not Sinâ—bald of Genoa And he that would not hear him warning him when alive felt him peircing him when dead Nor did the Pope ever after enjoy one good day till night nor one good night till day but sleepless and molested Thus M. Paris § 200. M. Paris p. 896 anno 1254. saith that Henry the third of England obliged himself and his Kingdome unjustly to the Pope under pain of being disinherited to pay all the treasure which the Pope should lay out in his War for the King that is to have made him King of Sicily And that the Pope having no mercy on England prodigally wasted its money but those vast sums got by rapine were all lost § 201. The same Author saith p. 897. that when Pope Innocent lay dying after the stroke of the Bishop of Lincoln and the loss of his Army and his followers lay crying about him he opened his dying eyes and said what do you mourn for you wretches Do I not leave you all rich what would you have more And so he died § 202. CCCCXLIV Anno 1245. Innoncent calls a Council called General their 13th Approved at Lyons of 140 Bishops where he heaped up accusations against the Emperour whom Thaddaeus his agent defended And at last pronounced himself an excommunication and deposition absolving all his Subjects from their Oaths and Allegiance and excommunicating all that should own and help him Here you see that more than one of their approved General Councils are for Rebellion and perjury and the Popes deposing Christian Emperours In the same Council sad Complaints were made from England of the pillaging or woful impoverishing of the land by the Pope and King but the Pope heard all silently and would give no answer § 203. At this Council the Pope importuned the Electors to choose another Emperour some refused and stuck to the Emperour saying that it belonged not to the Pope to make or unmake Emperours Others obeyed him and set up Henry of Hassia But the Emperour while he lived kept up his possession so far as to make the Pope repent and saith Trithemius was a weary of his life But all Germany Italy c. were confounded by the schim or contention one half as is aforesaid called Guelphes following the Pope and Henry the other called Gibelines cleaving to the Emperour Frederick to the shedding of abundance of Christians blood and the desolation of Countreys and the shame of Papal tyranny § 204. Anno 1254. Alexander the 4th was Pope Matth. Paris tells us of a terrible dream that he had of Pope Innocents damnation or misery But the fault of his writing is that he was too credulous of dreams and visions He tells us also of twenty Miracles done at Lincoln for the sake of the late Bishop Robert And that at a Parliament in London the greatest which hath been seen all the Nobles Ecclesiastical and Civil demanded of the King that the choice of the Lord Chief Iustice the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Treasurer should be in the Parliament or their common Council as of old was usual and just and that they should not be removed without notorious faults which the Kings secret Councellours perswaded him to deny Prelates and Nobles being grieved by exactions express it c. § 205. Here the said Monk Matth. Paris exclaimeth O the steril solicitude of the Roman Court their blind ambition Though holy yet often deceived by the Council of bad men Why dost thou not learn to moderate by the bridle of discretion thy violence being taught by thing past and so often chastised by experience In thy losses we are all punished c. Thou now endeavourest to make two German Emperours which must cost inestimable treasure whence soever taken and both uncertain of the dignity c. § 206. At that time the Lords and Prelates of England crying out of the King Hen. 3d. as false and oppressive and pillaging Churches and People to maintain his profuseness the Bishop of Hereford laid a Plot which the King accepted that getting the hands and seals of a few Bishops he would go to Rome and get power from the Pope to gather the King as much money as he needed So to Rome he went and there found the Pope in great grief and care himself for money to pay vast debts that his Wars had cost him The Bishop told him that the King who had engaged his Kingdom to be forfeited if he paid not the Popes debts would help him to money if he would be ruled by him and write to the Bishops and Churches to grant the King such help as they could well do The Pope gladly gave leave to the Bishop to write what he would And home he went and Eustandus a Legate was sent from Rome to see all done saith M. Paris p. 911. anno 1255. The Legate was prepared and ready in all things to the destruction of all England to obey the will of the King which was tyrannical and to bind the oppressed contradictors in the
and the Pope dieth Onuphrius further openeth the Reasons and Rules of the Cardinals being shut up viz. Clem. the 4th being dead the Cardinals as is aforesaid were all so desirous to be Popes themselves that they were two years and nine months contending and could not possibly agree Philip King of France and Charles King of Sicily came themselves to Rome to intreat them but departed without success Yet they invoked the Holy Ghost every day to help them At last the Cardinal Bishop Ioh. Portuensis deridingly prayed them to uncover the houses for the Holy Ghost could not come in through so many covered roofs At last by Bonaventures intreaty they chose Theoâ—ald a Viseount and Archdeacon that was with our Prince Edward going to fight in Palestine And the â—aid Cardinal Portuens made these Verses on their choice anno 1271. Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus Vnus Quem Patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum § 221. Innocent the 5th cometh next the first after the shutting up of the Conclave He sought to end the Italian Wars but died before six moneths reign § 222. CCCCXLVII A Council at Salâ—zburge is published by Conisius as in Greg. the 10ths days but it seemeth liker to be after which condemned Pluralities nonresidence of Priests and their being in Taverns or Alehouses and playing at Dice and their wearing long Hair and sine Cloaths and restrained supernumerary begging Schollars and ordered that the Bishop should imprison such as prophaned holy things after they were excommunicated or suspended It seemeth that Bishops had by this time got coercive power but they used it not to bring the unworthy to the Sacrament but to keep the unworthy from it and from other profanations § 223. Next Ottobonus that was Pope Innocent the 4ths Nephew and Legate of England at the Barons Wars is chosen Pope but died before his Consecration within forty dayes but got the name of Hadrian the 5th § 224. Next cometh Pope Iohn the 22th as Platina the 19th as Binius and the 21st as most the 20th by Onuphrius 1276. He was a Physitian made Bishop inverecundi socordis ingenii saith Platina so foolish that he boasted how long he should live when presently the house fell on his head and he died by it in seven days after Suffridus saith Binius saith that he was writing an heretical perverse book when the room fell and cryed out after O what is become of my book Who will finish it which saith Binius if true sheweth the wonderful Providence of God for his Church But had this Pope been infallible had he been in a Council purposed to revoke the decree for shutting up the Cardinals in Conclave and this man finished the revocation and till the dayes of Celestine 5th that renewed it it stood revoked saith Onuphrius § 225. Next came Nicholas 3d. after six months contention and vacancy King Charles as Senator presiding and pleading for a French Pope He is commended much save that he set up all his own Kindred too much § 226. After three years reign eight months and fifteen dayes of Nicholas came Mâ—rtin 2d vulgo 4th saith Binius and Onuphrius a Frenchman In his time the Greek Emperour Paleologus not keeping his promise to the Pope joyned with Peter King of Arragon who claimed Sicily as his Wives inheritance and though the former Pope had set him on this was against him restoring King Charles to be Senator at Rome and siding with him because he was a Frenchman But the fatal Sicilian Vespers killed all the French and Peter overcame Charles and took his Son and Charles and the Pope shortly died of Fevers But before he died the Pope played the old Game excommunicating and cursing King Peter and gave his Kingdom for a prey to any one that would get it and absolved all his Subject from their Oath of Allegiance and signed Croisado's Soldiers under the sign of the Cross to fight against him § 227. Honorius the 4th cometh next his Brother being Senator at Rome He confirmed the same Anathema against Peter King of Arragon who shortly after died of a wound received in fight by the French The Pope dieth and the seat is void ten moneths 1287. after two years Reign § 228. Anno 1287. CCCCXLVIII A Council was held at Herbipolis by the Popes Legate endeavouring to have got the tenth penny of the Estates of the Clergy for the Pope and of the Laity for the Emperour by their joynt consent But Siphridus Arch-Bishop of Colen and Henry Arch-Bishop of Trevers stoutly opposing frustrated both their Conciliary designs § 229. Anno 1288 came P. Nicolas 4th a Religious Man General of the Minors when he had four years together laboured in vain to stay the blood in Italy between the Guelphes and Giâ—ellins and to reconcile the French and English and to relieve the Christians in Palestine he died And the Cardinals though for liberty they went to Perusium kept the Church headless two years and three months by contention though Princes in vain endeavoured to perswade them to agreement Are these no intercessions of the Succession In this time died Mich. Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople and the Clergy and Monks would not suffer him to be buried in holy ground because in the Council at Lyons he had consented to the Church of Rome Platina Was this a true Reconciliation of the â—reek Church § 230. Anno 1286. CCCCXLIX A Council at Râ—vâ—nna in Honorius time made some Canons for Reformation § 231. Anno 1291. CCCCL A Council at Sâ—ltsâ—urg for reconciling some Christians § 232. Anno 1292. CCCCLI The Arch-bishop of Mentz held a Council at Aschaffenburge which they say did many good things It is not known what § 233. Anno 1294. After two years and four months vacancy Caelestine the 5th a Religious man of solitary life is chosen Pope If ever there was a good Pope it is likely this was one But he was no sooner setled by common applause but the Cardinals especially Bened. Cajetaenus a subtile man perswaded him that his simplicity and unskilfulness would undo the Church and urged him to resign King Charles and the people disswade him and are only for him But the Cardinals prevailed and he resigned And going to his solicitude again the Cardinal Ben. Cajetaue that got him to resign sent him Prisoner to the Castle of Fumo where at best he died of grief Some write that Cardinal Cajetane got a way to speak through a Pipe put into the Wall as if it were some Angel to charge him to resign He was too good to be a Pope § 234. The deceiver that got him out succeeded him called Boniface the 8th by Bin. 7th 1294. This is he of whom it is said Intravit ut vulpes regnavit ut Leo exivit ut Canis He raised Wars to prosecute some Cardinals and the Gibelines While he lived wickedly he set up a Jubilee proclaiming Pardon of all sins to them that would visit
than read their Liturgies and Homilies and so administer the Sacraments 5. All the Controversie therefore lieth between us and the Papists either they are true Ministers and a Church or not if not then it s left to us if they are then we are so much more for we have much more unquestionable Evidence of our Title 1. The Office of a Teaching Guiding worshipping Presbyter which we are in is beyond all question and yielded by themselves to be of Divine Institution But the office of a Mass-Priest to make a God of a piece of Bread and turn Bread into Flesh so that there shall be quantity colour taste c. without bread or any subject and a mans eyes taste or feeling shall not know that its bread or wine when we see taste and feel it as also to celebrate publick worship in an unknown tongue this office is more questionable than ours 2. It remaineth a great doubt whether the Pope be not the Antichrist but of our Ministry there 's no such doubt 3. For Knowledge Godliness and Utterance and all true Ministerial abilities as it s well known what an ignorant Rabble their common secular Mass Priests are so those Military Fryars and Jesuites that are chosen of purpose to play their Game among us and credit their Cause if they have any relicks of truth or modesty will confess that the generality of our Ministers are much beyond theirs for Parts and Piety or at least that we cannot be denied to be true Ministers for want of necessary abilities We should rejoyce if their Ministers Priests or Jesuites were near of such Piety as those of the Reformed Churches Some of their Jesuites and Fryars are learned men in which also we have those that equal the best of them but for the learning ability or Piety of the common Ministers on both sides there is no comparison to be made 4. All the question then is of the way of entrance And there 1. The Papists seek not the Peoples consent so much as we do 2. They despise the Magistrates consent in comparison of us 3. And for Ordination which is it that all the stress must be laid on we have it and nearer the Rule of God than they Are they ordained with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of Hands so are we Must it be by one of a Superiour Order Who then shall Ordain or Consecrate the Pope And yet a multitude of our Ministers are ordained by Bishops if that be necessary But the great Objection is that we have not an uninterrupted succession from the Apostles and so those that ordained us had no power and therefore could not give it to us Proposition 6. The want of an uninterrupted succession and so of Power in the Ordainers doth not disable our Title to the Ministry or set us in a worse condition than the Papists For if it be only the succession of possession of the Office there is no man of brains can deny but we have an uninterrupted succession down from the Apostles But if it be a succession of Right Ordination that is questioned 1. The Papists have none such themselves 2. We have more of it than they 3. It is not necessary that this be uninterrupted All these I prove 1. The Popes themselves from whom their power flows have been Hereticks denied the Immortality of the Soul Whoremongers Sodomites Simonists Murderers so that for many of them successively the Papists confess they were Apostatical and not Apostolical See in their own Writers the Lives of Sylvest 2. Alexand 3. 6. Iohn 13. 22. 23. Greg. 7. Vrban 7. and abundance more Ioh. 13. was proved in Council to have ravished Maids and Wives at the Apostolick doors murdered many drunk to the Devil askt help at Dice of Iupiter and Venus and was kill'd in the act of Adultery Read the proofs in my Book against Popery pag. 269 270 255 101. The Council at Pisa deposed two Popes at once called them Hereticks departed from the Faith The Council at Constance deposed Ioh. 23. as holding that there was no Eternal Life Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection The Council at Basil deposed Eugenius 4. as a Simonist and perjured wretch a Schismatick and obstinate Heretick Now these men are uncapable of the Ministry as an Infidel is for want of Essential Qualifications As Copper is no currant Coyn though the stamp of the Prince against his will be put upon it Undisposed matter cannot receive the form A fit man unordained is nearer the Ministry than such a man ordained So that here was a Nullity 2. And all the following Popes were the Successors of Eugenius that was deposed and thus judged by a General Council but by force brought them to submit and held the place 3. Either the Election Ordination or both is it that giveth them the Essence of their Papacy If Election then there hath been a long interruption for some-while the People chose and in other Ages the Emperours chose and in these times the Cardinals and therefore some of them had no lawful choice And for Ordination or Consecration 1. There have been three or four Popes at once and all were Consecrated that yet are now confessed to have been no true Popes 2. Inferiours only Consecrated 3. And such as had no power themselves Besides that the See hath been very many years vacant and some score years the Pope hath been at Avignion and had but the name of P. of Rome And when three or four have been Pope at once Bellarmine confesseth learned men knew not which was the Right yea General Councils knew not The Council at Basil thought Faelix the fifth was the right Pope but it proved otherwise so that many palpable Intercisions have been made at Rome 2. Our Ordination hath been less interrupted than theirs Object But you are not ordained by Bishops Answ. 1. Almost all in England are till of late if that will serve 2. Presbyters may ordain in case of necessity as the generality of the Old Episcopal men grant and their Ordination is not null 3. Presbyters have power to Ordain and were restrained only from the exercise by humane Laws as many of the Schoolmen confess 4. Presbyters have still ordained with the Bishop therefore they had Authority to it and the work is not Alien to their Function 5. Our Parish Presbyters are Bishops having some of them Assistants and Deacons under them or as Grotius notes at least they are so as being the chief Guides of that Church Their own Rule is that every City should have a Bishop and every Corporation is truly a City 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and therefore must have a Bishop 6. The Ius Divinum of Prelacy is lis subjudice 7. Bishop Vsher maintaining to me the validity of the Ordination of the Presbyters without a Bishop told me how he answered King C. who askt him for an instance in Church-History viz. That Hierom ad Evag. tells us of more that the Presbyters
As an usurping Magistrate oweth us protection though he shall answer for his Usurpation so an usurping Minister oweth us his labour so that the people are bound to hear and obey men when they are uncertain of their due Call if they possess the place and shall have the blessing of such Administrations For we are sure the Office and work is of God Proposition 11. The truth of our Doctrine depends not on our Calling Were we no Ministers we can prove the Gospel true which we deliver And any man must be believed that brings a truth that concerneth our peace Therefore let Quakers and Seekers and Papists first disprove our Doctrine if they can and not cheat the people by perswading them that our Calling must first be proved as a Prophets must be Object But you have your learning only from Books and Vniversities and so have not true Ministers Answ. We have it from God in the use of his means even by prayer reading study and learning his works and word of our Teachers whether at Universities or elsewhere And we are commanded to study and meditate on these things and give our selves wholly to them and to meditate on Gods Law day and night Psal. 1. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 13 15. Christs Ministers must be Teachers or Tutors to others and commit the things which they have heard to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also 2 Tim. 2. â— Good Ministers of Christ are nourished up in the words of faith and good Doctrine and so attain to it 1 Tim. 4. 6. All should learn according to their time of teaching Heb. 5. 11 12 14. We study nothing but the Word and works of God And is not that a Wretch and not a man that will reproach us as no Ministers for doing that which we have our Reason for and which must be the work of our lives Poor Christians as you love God and your Souls and would not cast off Christ and Heaven let not Deceivers draw you to cast off the Ministry Scripture or the Ordinances of God FINIS * That 〈◊〉 local Altar is here meant I elsewhere prove against them that say it is but one communicating Body adhearing to one Bishop See Mr. Iones Hearts Soveraign excellently describing the English Succession Alpaspinaeus learnedly maketh the best of it But of Can. 34. confesseth a worsâ— sence than this of Binnius And no General Council had judged against them for there had been none ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ Sâ—crat l. 7. c. 3. Socr. ib. c. 7. Socr. c. 15. ☜ Niceph. l. 14. c. 17. ☞ Socr. l. 7. c. 28. Socr. c. 29. c. 31. c. 32. c. 33. ☞ â—in p 786. ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ Bin. Tom. 2. p. 7 8. ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ Bin. p. 151. Niceph. l. 15. c. 19. Niceph. l. 15. c. 17 18 19. ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ And more largely Ep. 13. ad Episcop Dardainae ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ Evagr. l. 3. cap. 4. ☜ Evagr. l. 6. cap. 6. Ann. 518. ☞ Evag. l. 4. c. 10. 11. and Nicep l. 17. c. 7. ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ Some late Historians tell us of incredible numbers of the Egyptian Christians whom Iastinian destroyed in this blind zeal for Christ but I find no such thing in the old Historians though it was too bad ☞ ☞ ☞ Constant. an 547. ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ * And would not Papists have Princes do so ☜ ☜ ☜ * Barâ—nius contradicteth Anastasius others in this point ☞ * Baronius thinks that Theodomire was Father to 〈◊〉 ☜ ☜ ☞ * No not the Roman ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ Bin. pag. 127. ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ * Pag. 217 218. vide caetera ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ * No wonder * Were not Monks holy men then * If you will needs have the honour of so had a work that you may have power to do the like take it ☜ ☞ ☜ ☞ ☜ Sixtus Seneâ—sis Pet. Crabbe p. 458. say it was at Ephesus but Binnius confuteth them ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☞ * See Hen. Fowlis of Papists Treasons P. 120. proving the whole Story false ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ * The Verb is left out (*) Where he was lately a Leader * How was he then of her substance ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ Crab. p. 485. ☜ * At Constantinople ☞ ☜ (*) What! superior to Christ's Humanity How prove you that she is superior to the highest Angels (*) Are the bodies of all Saints already risen Crab. p. 605. ☞ * Alas Must all be Separatists from the Bishops in England France c * As by Interdicts ☜ ☞ ☞ Bin. p. 288 Bellarm. de Imag. lib. 2. It was such a Western General Council as that at Trent was for extent * Lib. 2. de Imagin cap. 14. Even Dion Petavius after all saith In which Synod of Frankford the 7th General Council was rejected by the Bishops that were ignorant â—f its Decrees An. 794. Hist. l. 8. c. 7. ☜ ☞ Bin. p. 428. Ex quadam Elipandi confessione quae in Biblioth Toletana reperitur in quodam libro à Beato Heterio contra Elipandum scripto aiunt nonnulli Faelicem Elipandum non in mysterio Incarnationis sed tantum abutâ—ndo voce Adoptionis instar Durandi aberrâsse Idemque conjecturis affirmant istis quod nihil eorum quae Nestorio objecta fuerant in Conc. Ephes. contra Elipandum attulerent c. See the rest ☞ Vid. Not. Bin. p. 428 ☜ ☜ ☜ See Petav. Hist. li. 8. c. 6. ☞ ☞ ☞ * This is not the first time that Councils have 〈…〉 Catholick Church * They mean but the Canons of the Church * A new Controversie ☜ ☜ * Council-Curses for Opinions take place Bin p. 470 Epist. Theod. * It 's like Iulius Marinus as Onuphrius saith was his name * Saith Vita Ludovici in Bin. p. 525. Congregatis Episcopis c. fecit componi ordinarique librum Canonicae vitae normam gestantem in quo totâ—us 〈◊〉 erdinis perfectio continetur In quo inseri jussit câ—â—i potusque omnium necessarrorum sâ—mmam Quem librum per omnes Civitates Monasteria Canonici ordinis sui imper◠〈◊〉 per manus missâ—rum prudeâ—tium See the rest so that it was the Emperor's Book and not the Council's work ☜ * Quae si vera sunt saith Binnius himself ☜ * An unlikely thing ☜ ☜ ☜ * Mark that it is the Rights of the Empire ☞ ☜ a O wicked use of Bishops b Whom should they have feared more than God and their King c Is this the use of Reliques An. 833. * Here is a High Court of Prelatical Justice against a good Emperor * Lotharius accusing his Father a No doubt but you made this known too far