Bernard though f Anno 1131. Sect. 4. Baronius himself cannot believe that he was the Author of it Yet good Bernard knew not all things nor in some things could he see any farther than that blinde Age in which he lived would allow him nor will I take upon me to censure him of flattery for his thus complementing with his Holiness g Beâ—nard de Considerat ad Eugenium sib 2. cap. 8. Thou art the Prime of all Bishops the Heir of the Apostles an Abel for Primacy a Noah for Government an Abraham by Patriarchship a Melchisedech by Order Aaron by Dignity Moses by Authority Samuel by Judicature Peter by Power Christ by Vnction c. And this piece of canting Courtship was taken up by the Arch-bishop h Vid Abrah Bzov. Rom. Pent. c. 6. p. 56. Stephanus Tigliatius and bestowed upon Innocent the Eighth with some Additions But we might go higher yet and see what goodly Priviledges Gregory the Seventh got an Assembly at Rome to bestow upon him as that i Bâ—oâ— Anno 1076. Sect 31 3â— 33. onely the Pope of Rome can depose Bishops That he onely according to the Times may make Laws That he onely may use the Imperial Ensigns That all the Princes are to kiss his feet That he can depose Emperours and Translate Bishops That no Synod can be held without his command nor any Book is Canonical without his Authority That he is undoubtedly made k Vid. Dist 40. â— Noa nos Holy by the Merits of St. Peter That there is but one name in the World i. e. the Pope Nor can such Extravagances as these seem strange to any who is acquainted with their writings and stories the Popes themselves not a little delighting in these Flatteries and accordingly they never want such complying Pick-thanks Thus Fernando de Velasco in behalf of his Master John the Second King of Vid. Bzov. de Rom. Pont. c. 6. p. 56 57 58 66. Portugal applyed that to Innocent the Eighth which the Apostle speaks of Christ viz. That he is a Ephes 1. 21. far above all Principality and Power and every name that is named not onely in this world but also in that which is to come and that he is the Sun and Light of the World Thus Scala the Florentine Ambassador told the same Pope That his Dignity was so great that a more Excellent could not be invented or fancyed on Earth Nay that to dispute or doubt of his Power is no less than Sacriledge as Cheurer flattered him from the Duke of Savoy Julius the Second was told by Diego Pacettus Envoy from Emanuel King of Portugal That he was the Door-keeper of Heaven and held the Keys of eternal Life And Bernardus Justinianus Agent from the Venetians assured Pope Paul the Second that b Cui claudere Coelos aperire detrudere ad Inferos eruere quoscunque velit concessum he could damn and save whom he pleased Which was also affirm'd to Julius the Second by Michael Risius from Lewis the Twelfth of France with this Addition that the Necks of all Kings and Princes must submit to him Narius Bandinaeus Ambassador from Sienna fob'd up Pope Paul the Third with the Epithites of The Father of Godliness Day-star of Justice Prince of Faith Chiestain of Religion Arbitrator of all things Saviour of Christians and Image of Divinity And as if the Princes of Italy strove in the magnifying of his Holiness the Ambassadors of Genoa Sienna Lucca Venice Florence Parma Milan and Ferrara humbly told Leo the Tenth That he excell'd all Kings as much as the Sun doth the Moon And well might these petit Potentates thus tumble themselves before their Infallible Chair when the great French Monarch Francis the Second by his Deputy Johannes Babo à Burdaesia did creenge to Pius the Fourth in the acknowledgement that all Laws depended upon his pleasure that Kings threw themselves down at his feet and Heaven opens at his will and that his pleasure did stand for a Law as his voice for an Oracle Pope Pius the Fifth was once told that the whole world lay at his Feet And Sixtus the Fifth that Princes Kings and Emperours were so much subject to him that they should not onely attend upon him but worship and adore him Which if true then Aquinas was not amiss when as they say he told the world That * Vid. Bzov. pag. 53 55. our Kings ought to be as much subject to him as to Christ himself Nor those others who with the German have declared that all must be obedient to him upon pain of Salvation according to the Decree of d Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Uâ—am sanctam Boniface the Eighth Their Canon-Law tells us that Christ received St. Peter into the e Sext. de Electione cap. Fundamenta Fellowship of his undivided Vnity Informs us that as f Dist 12. c. Non decet Christ did the Will of his Father so we should do the will of the Church of Rome That g Dist 19. c. Sic omnes all the Orders of that Church ought to be held as if St. Peter himself had proposed them to us And therefore are h Ib. c. Enimvero perpetually and inviolably to be observed And so are the Papal decretal Letters which they say are to be i Ib. c. In Canonicis numbred amongst the Canonical Scriptures Nor is any man k Caus 17. Q. 4. Dist 81. c. Si qui sunt c. Nemini est to judge or revoke the Popes sentence For the l Paul Lancelottus Institut juris Can. l. 1. Tit. 3. c. Decreta Decrees of the Popes are of equal force and authority with the Canons of Councils And good Reason since they Decree that every one is to be m Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Unam sanctam obedient to the Pope upon pain of damnation and so must we believe that n Extra Com. Tit. 1. c. Super Gentes all Nations and Kingdoms are under the Popes jurisdiction And that o Extra Joh. XXII Tit. 5. Dist 22. c. Omnes Gloss God hath delivered over to him the Power and Rule of Heaven and Earth And well may he thus triumph over Principalities Powers since the Glossaries have the confidence to assure us that he a Naturam rerum immutat substantialia unius rei applicando aliis de nihilo aliquid facere potâ—st sententiam quae nulla est facit aliquam In his quae vult ei est pro ratione voluntas Nec est qui ei dicat Cur ita facis Ipse enim potest supra jus dispensare de injustitia potest facerc justitiam corrigendo jura mutando Decret Greg. lib. 1. Tit. 7. c. Quanto perjonam Gloss Sect. Veri Dei vicâ—m can change the Nature of Things make or rather create something out of nothing since his will must stand for a Law nor must any man
say to him Why do you so since his power is such as to dispence beyond Law it self and so of Injustice can make Justice either by correcting or changing the Laws or Rights and b Dist 34. c. Lector Gloss dispence too against the Apostle Their Canon-Law brags that Constantine the Great call'd the Pope a c Dist 96. c. Satis evidenter God But their extravagant Gloss speaks out more plainly in these very words d Credere Dominum Deum nostrum Papam Conditorem c. Extra Joh. XXII Tit. 14. de verborum significat cap. 4. Cum inter nonnullâ—s Gloss Sect. Declaramus prope finem OUR LORD GOD THE POPE Because e Warn-word to Sir Fran. Hastings's wastward Encount 1. c. 2. Sect. 10. Father Parsons affirmeth he could never finde any such expression though he saith he sought much for it I have been the more exact and plain in the Quotation as also to confute f Apol. pro Hen. Garn. Andraeas Eudaemon-Johannes and some others who are apt to perswade their Readers that there is no such thing to be found at least in those Copies that they can meet withal for confutation of which take this Catalogue of Editions which I have met withal in which they will finde the said words expresly set down Lugduni Lutet Paris 1526 1522 1556 1561 1559 * 1585 1572 * 1601 * 1584 * 1612 Several of which viz. those you see here noted with the Asterisks were Vid. Pet Moulin vates lib. 5. cap. 6. printed after Pope Gregory the Thirteenth had corrected the Canon-Law and were as they confess printed and publish'd according to the Roman Copy by Authority of the said Pope And it may be from suchlike wicked expressions as this that abominable Varlet Francois Ravaillac drew this Blasphemous Doctrine g Parceque faisant la guerre contre le Pape c'estoit la faire contre Dieu d'â—utant que le Pape estoit Dieu Dieu â—stoit le Pape Pâ—ocez Examen Confessions c. du Fâ—ancoâ—s Ravaillac pag. 39. Is Casauban Epâ—st ad Front Ducaeum pag. 14 The Pope is God and God is the Pope And therefore supposing that Henry the Fourth of France would make War upon the Pope he thought himself obliged to murther the said King lest he should fight against God that is the Pope However though I cannot say that the wisest of them think the Pope really to be God yet this I am certain of that they commonly paint one so like the other with a Triple Crown and all other Pontifical Garments that you can scarce know whether they designed it for the Picture of God Almighty or the Pope But others would have us to think that he is not really a God no more than he is really a man but something or other between both according to our Country-man in their h Gloss g Clâ—mâ—â—t in Proem Gloss â— Papa Papa stupor Mundi Qui maxima rerumes Nec Deuses nec homo quasi neuter es inter utrumque Pope the worlds wonder greatest in all the world Nor God nor Man but between both thou' rt Purld And now can we think that they give these almost-almighty Titles and Power to his Holiness without sure grounds and good cause And that of all Reasons and Authorities the Canon-Law which hath been so carefully composed and so often revised by their wisest ones doth not afford the best No surely and therefore for a taste take some of their invincible Arguments and those too for more Authority framed by the Popes themselves and so infallibly true Can any deny that the Pope hath all a Extra Com. de Major Obed. c. Unam Sanctam Temporal as well as Spiritual jurisdiction seeing the Apostles said b Luke 22. 28. Behold here are two Swords and Christ answered That it is enough Which is also sufficiently testified by Christ's saying Peter c Job 18. 11. Mat. 26. 52. put up thy sword into the sheath What need any man question the d Extra Com. c. Unam sanctam Greg. de Major Obed c. Solitae Popes Authority to depose Kings seeing God told the Prophet Jeremiah saying e Jer. 1. 10. Behold I have this day set thee over the Nations and over the Kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down to build and to plant Is it not as plain as a Pike-staff that there is but one Supream Authority in the World and that that is the f Extra Com. c Unam sanctam Pope because God g Gen. 1. 1. created heaven in the Beginning for it is not said in the plural number in the Beginnings And therefore he that believes not that the Pope is the Chief must be an Heretical Manichee Again is it not impudence to deny the h Greg de Major Obed. c. Solitae Pope to be above any Emperour be he East or West seeing God himself decided long since the Controversie by creating i Gen. 1. 16. two great Lights viz. the Sun and the Moon whereby he did plainly demonstrate that the Pope is as far above the Emperour as the Sun is greater than the Moon And for the Kings they are no more to be compared to the Pope than k Dist 96. c. Duo sunt Lead is to Gold Upon the strength of these Authorities and mighty Reasons though not a Rush to the purpose their Writers vapour with his Holiness over all poor Hereticks l Comment in c. Oportchat pag. 48. Sect. 9. Rodericus Cupers thinks that those who deny the Popes Temporal and spiritual Supremacy deny also the Gospel and the great m Sum. Patt 3. Tit. 22. c. 5. Antoninus of Florence that he hath power not onely on earth but in Heaven and Hell Doctor n Tract de jurisdict part 4. cent 1. cas 56. Sect. 1. Marta saith that he is Judge of all men in the World And so any may appeal from their secular Judges to him He being the o Ibid. Sect. 8. Fountain and Original of all Temporal jurisdiction and having all the Power that p Id. cap. 25. Sect. 20. Christ had q Quodlibet VI. Quaest 23. fol. 369. a. Henricus à Gondavo with his Commentator Marcus Vitalis Zuccolius and r De Potestar Rom Pont. l. 2. c. 9. Sect 7. cap. 10. Alexander Carerius with a multitude of others are great sticklers for this his Authority and the later of them tells us that it is the common opinion of all their Divines and Canonists Nay Stephanus an Arch-bishop in one of their Lateran Councils applauded the Opinion That the Å¿ Concil Edict Regia Tom. 34. pag. 449. Pope was above all Power both of Heaven and Earth One tells us that he is not onely the Judge but the t Jo. Rubeus in Bonifac. VIII pag. 216. Spouse of the Vniversal Church and the Arbitrator of Heaven and Earth u Isidor
Magistrates THe Queens Majestie hath the chief Power in this Realm of England Articles of Religion anno 1562. Art 37. and other her Dominions unto whom the Chief Government of all Estates of this Realm whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil in all Cases doth appertain and is not nor ought to be subject to any Forraign Jurisdiction Where we attribute to the Queens Majestie the Chief Government by which Titles we understand the mindes of some dangerous folke to be offended We give not our Princes the Ministring either of Gods Word or of the Sacraments the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testifie But that onely Prerogative which we see to have been given always to all Godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself that is that they should Rule all Estates and Degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal and restrain with the Civil Sword the stubborn and evil Doers The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men Taken out of King Edward VI. his Articles anno 1552. § of Civil Magistrates with death for heinous and grievous offences It is lawful for Christian men at the Commandment of the Magistrate to wear weapons and serve in the Wars And with these agree the Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops in a Anno 1615. § 57 58 59 60 61 62. Convocation at Dublin for the Kingdom of Ireland And because at the present I cannot remember any Historian to have taken notice of it I shall assure the Reader of one Passage concerning a Convocation of Divines In King James his time the Romanists on the one hand were so busie and zealous to advance the Popedom over all Principalities and Powers that the Crown it self must be disposed according to the pleasure of that Myter And on the other hand the Presbyterian Hâ—t-spurs were so rigoroâ—sly malepart that they would advance their seditious and blockish Assemblies or rather Conventicles above all Law Reason Loyalty Royalty and Divinity it self as appears by their coâ—tinual countenancing of Rebellion and Schism against their Kings and Bishops The first kept a great deal of clutter with St. Peter and is Sâ—ccessors the latter despis'd both him and all Biâ—hops â—he first would prove out of the Prophet b Jer. 1. 10. Exâ—rav Com. c. unam sanctam Gâ—â—g de â—ajor obed c solita Jerâ—my that the Pope was set Over the Nations and over the Kingdoms to root out and to pull down to destroy and to throw down to build and to plant The latter affirm'd that they were c Psal 149. 8. Tâ—â—â—nde â—hâ—r Kings with chains and their Nobles with jeâ—lers of I on The first would tell us that the Pope d Extra 16. had two swords â—hat all must be obedient to him upon pain of damnation 〈◊〉 he excels a King as much as the Sun doth the Moon or e Dist 96. c. du sunt Gold doth Lead That f Exâ—â—â— Joh. XXII T it 5 dist 22 â— omnes Gloss God hath delivered to him the Power and â—ule not onely of Earth but of Heaven too Nay that g Concil Ediâ— Regâ—a Paris Tom. 34. pag. 440. he wâ—s above all Power both of Heaven and Earth The latter despâ—â—ed all these Rodomontado's as coming from the Whore of Babylon and the Horned Beast but would fright the poor People out of their little wits by bauling out a Curse ye Meroz curse ye bitterly the Inhabitant thereof because they came not to the help of the Lord to the help of the Lord against the Mâ—ghty And with this they would Judg. 5. 23. carry on their Cause and Presbytery Regal Authority being thus designed to be nois'd and push'd down it wanted not many famous and Learned Champions as well here as beyond Seas Nor would King James himself be onely a Spectator in this Pen-Combat but he also falls to work and slighting the railing Rabble and inferiour Pickeerers he assaults and vindicates his Right against their greatest Cardinal who at first durst not incounter his Royal Aversary in his own shape but under the disguise of Tortus In the mean time a Synod being held in the time of that vigilant and industrious Prelate Archbishop Bancroft to the Reverend Divines there met was presented a large Tract containing M S. XXXVI Chapters to prove the Soveraignty of Kings and Chief Civil Governours above the High-Priests from the Creation to the end of the Jewish State which being read in the Convocation was wholly approved of by joynt consent And then being sent down to York it also past the Convocation there as appears by the Subscriptions to the said Treatise of Constitutions in vindication of Regal Supremacie 'T is said that there was a second part of it to prove the same Authority and Supremacie from Christ to these times but whether there was any such second part or whether it past the said Convocation I shall leave to others inquiry And by the way the Reader if he pleaseth for variety sake may take our XXXVII Article as it with the rest was turn'd into Latine Verse neer threescore years ago by one Mr. John Glanvil of the University of Oxford Obtinet Imperium Majestas Regia summum Angliacis ejus sinibus atque aliis Cujus in omnimodis sacrata potentia causis Omnibus ut par est imperat Ordinibus Sive Sacerdotes sint seu Civilia tractent Munia nec peregri est subjicienda foro Nos ubi Principibus primas damus inde sinistris Mentibus ansa sui Schismatis esse solet Non tamen aeternum datur illis copia verbum Sive ministrandi Pignora sacra Dei. Legibus hoc patuit quas Elizabetha beati Nominis auspicio condidit ante suo Tale sed Imperium nostris concedimus olim Quale pâ—is tribuit Regibus ipse Deus Nempe gradus hominum soli dominentur in omnes Quos Dominus proprio subdidit Imperio Quos vel publica res capit aut Ecclesia cunctos Civilique queant ense donare malos Non habet Imperium Romanus Episcopus ullum Finibus O felix terra Britanne tuis Jura Potestatem Civilia gentis in omnes Impia patrantes Crimina mortis habent Ferre Magistratus si jusserit arma vel ipsis Christicolis etiam bella ciere licet To which the Poet afterwards subjoyns these following Verses Subditus in proprium miser ut ferat arma Monarcham Quem feriet bruto fulmine Papa jubet Non ita a Mat. 12. 17. Caesareas abrupit Christus b Mart. 17 27. habenas Papa tamen Christi gestit habere vices Falso nam pedibus tenebrarum c Ephes 6. 21. Principis instat d Luc. 4. 6. Omnia qui mendax se dare Regna refert India magniloquo dives sic cessit e Ex donatione Alexandâ—i VI.
rattle on his pate that we may well suppose the teeth chatter'd in his head Yet it seems as bad as he was he once g Caesar lib. 3. cap. 26. confess'd his sins to a Priest had a great humour to repent and turn over a new leafe nay and went so far in this good course as to pay for a h Id. l. l. 5. c. 36. Bell to tole the people to Mass As for Purgatory their stories are too many and long for this place but SECT VI. if you have a minde to take a view of it Hell or Paradise I shall refer you to a Hist Angl. An. 1153. p. 86 87 88 89 90. and An. 1206. pag. 215 216 217 218 219 220 221. And see Phil. Osullevan Compend Hist Cathol Hibern and his Patritiana Decas Matthew Paris where you may see what buildings they have how many ways the wretched are tormented the description of the narrow Bridge or Bridge of Dread how St. Paul and the Devil weigh the souls in Scales to see whether their good or bad works are heavyest that accordingly one of them may dispose of them how the Devils have their Theatres or Stages to sport and pleasure themselves for diversion sake by seeing the souls act their parts there What pleasant Fields and Flowers there are in Paradise and suchlike old Wives stories very fit for Winter-nights And here may you see St. Patricks hole in Ireland too with which impudent Fable many good people have been deluded And I dare say some of our Country-men are so far from being in their wits again that as yet they will believe the miraculous stories of that Irish hole But to go a little higher you shall see what an excellent Heaven they will afford to the sons of their Church though certainly when some of them thus think to set out its glory and honour they rather make it contemptible to very Christians I am certain an Argument of Derision to the Atheist As when their Barelete can confidently tell the world what a great deal Vid. H. Estiene Apol. pour Herod l. 1. p. 302. of clutter there was in Heaven to get God to send his Son into the World For when Adam Noah Abraham David c. had desired him to send them and nothing granted them then the Women went to see what they could do And first went Eve but God told her she was not worthy of his Son because she had sinn'd Then Sarah went but God told her that she wanted Faith concerning Isaac Rebecca intreated but he told her she was Partial between Jacob and Esau Judah spake but she was told that she was a Murtherer Then went Esther but God stopt her mouth by telling her she took too much pains to pleasure Assuerus c. Like to this is another story how after Christs Resurrection several Id. pag. 304. striv'd to carry word of it to the Virgin Mary Adam said it belong'd to him because he was the cause of sin but Christ told him he would loyter by the way to eat Apples Then Abel he would go but Christ told him he might meet Cain and so be kill'd Noah offer'd himself but he was told he loved drinking too much John Baptist would have gone but his Garment of Hair was not fine enough And though the good Thief beg'd the imployment yet Christ told him he was not fit because his leggs were broak And so at last they were forced to send an Angel And as bad as the former is this that some days after Christ was crucified Id. pag. 301. the Apostles went and complain'd to the Virgin Mary that he had not sent the Holy Ghost to them as he had promised Upon this Jesus went to God telling him what he had promised and that it was now time to perform it God consents bids him inform the Holy Ghost of it Upon this the Holy Ghost desires to know how the people had used him Christ shews him how they had crucified him then the Holy Ghost cryed out b Heu mihi Alas wo is me and so turned himself into another shape that they might not seize on him And upon this Mission Baralete saith there was c Facta est dissentio inter Patrem spiritum sanctum a dissention or falling out between God the Father and the Holy Ghost But leaving these Blasphemies they will tell you how to get into this Heaven for I suppose every Order hath the same benefit with the Franciscans and how they do take this one Example A d L' Alc. des Cord. lib. 1. pag. 195 196. Fryar dying went to Heavens Gates and knocked there the Porter asked him what he was he replyed he was a Minorite The Porter bid him stay there till he had spoken with St. Francis Upon this St. Francis comes with a World of Fryars and seeing him bid the Porter let him in for he was a Franciscan Fryar And now that you are in their Heaven I make no question but you will finde it governed just as their Church is below here as if they were both under the Obedience and Government of the same Customs Canons Caesariuâ— l 7. cap. 20. Specul Exempl dist 6. Sect. 60. and Constitutions or Decrees For in Heaven they tell us that the Saints go in Procession by Couples that they carry lighted Tapers in their hands that they sing the Responses according to the day or Rubrick that Christ himself goeth clad in his Pontificalibus with a Myter on his head a Crosier in his hand with Gloves a Ring and suchlike Episcopal Ornaments That they go to Church there that Mass is sung there Christ standing at the Altar some reading the Epistle others in their Surplices the Gospel and when they have done there that they all offer up their Candles which our Saviour receives Nay they tell us that sometimes Christ and the rest comes from Heaven to do these Ceremonies and Services upon a Goâ—onus pag. 133. Earth c. Thus have we seen the thumping commendations of their Saints Devils nay of Heaven it self in which they have rack'd their Wits so much upon the Tenter-hooks to make all these their glories lovely and taking that by thinking to over-do they have come short and instead of rendring them amiable have shew'd them but as contemptible As if all their pains and labour were guided with the same misfortune of our Arcadian Demetas who after all his pumpings and endeavours to make his Madam Mopsie renowned and famous sum'd up all in this that she was his own Pigs-nye whereby she became more ridiculous I have been the longer upon these Wonders and Fopperies and might easily have enlarged their number to a great Volume because I finde them in every place so triumph over all other people by their Miracles which in every Age they make so necessary a Mark of a True Church that they think it none of the least Arguments against the Reformed But these
statuit sedem Romanae Ecclesiae ut Caput esset omnium Ecclesiarum quia Ecclesia Constant â—â—â—politana primum se omnium Ecclesiarum scribebat Paul Diac. de gessis Romanorum lib. 18. in vit Phocae Head or Chief of all other Churches and this in opposition to the Constantinopolitan Church which had appropriated to her self the stile of the first Church And her Patriarchs had took upon them the Title of Vniversal Bishops which greatly troubled this Gregory the First who in opposition to that other f Prophane and g As Gregory himself call'd it Blasphemous Title viz. Vniversal but now made use of by all Popes termed himself the servant of servants of God upon which Title their h 1 Q. 7. c. Quoties cordâ—s Gloss per te Gloss affords us this Distich Servi erant tibi Roma prius Domini Dominorum Servorum Servi nunc tibi sunt Domini The greatest Kings once serv'd thee Rome but now To th' least of servants thou thy neck dost bow This Title hath been ever since used by his Successors and not onely by them but also other Bishops sometimes write themselves so as a Epist to Hâ—nâ—mer of France Rabanus of Mentz b Will. Somners Antiq. of Cant. Agelnoth of Canterbury c Coquaeus Tom. 2. p. 70. Anselme of Ravenna d Ib. S. Augustin himself and many others and indeed they confess that that Title is e Coeffeteau pag. 807. il est commum à tous les Evesques common to all other Bishops and so is the word f Vid. Fran. Duaren de sacris Eccles Minist lib. 1. cap. 10. Papa too But though Pope Gregory stiled himself so humbly yet we are told that he declared that he had Authority to depose the greatest Kings in proof of which thus they frame their Arguments About the time that this Gregory the Great was a Young man there flourish'd in France one Medard famous as they say for his holiness and miracles and since Sainted who was at the same time Bishop of two Places viz Noyon in Picardy and Tourney in Flanders and this by the Popes approbation though I doubt that Monsieur g Hist des Saints Tom. 1. p. 689. Gazet is out when he makes it to be Pope Hormisda who must have dyed before this according to the computation of h Hist Episc Gal. p. 310. Chenu St. Medard dying King Clotaire had his body carryed to Soissons in Picardy and there buryed where he began to build a Church for him but being murder'd his Son Sigebert finished it To this they say this i Lib. 2. Indict 11. post Epist 38. Gregory the First gave great Priviledges with an express Order that that King or Potentate should be degraded or k Fran. Bozzius de Temporal Monarch p. 225. Bellarm de Rom. Pont. l. 5. c. 8. deposed who violated them Of this l Vides lector Pontisâ—cis Romani esse sancire leges quibus si ipsi Reges non pareant Regno priventur Baron an 593. § 86. Baronius makes a great boasting how thus the Pope can depose Kings and Gregory the Eighth made use of this instance for an Argument against the Emperour Henry And what might not Gregory the Great do upon Earth over poor Mortals whose jurisdiction reached so far that they say he relieved the tormented soul of Trojan the Heathen Emperour out of Hell and sent it packing to Heaven in proof and vindication of which pretty action their famous m Vid. Ciacon vit Greg. I. Alphonsus Ciaconius wrote a particular Book Another instance they give us of Gregory's jurisdiction over Kings viz. that Queen Brunechilde or Brunehaut built a n Vit. Borth Cassanaeum Catal. glor mundi part 12. consid 60. fol. 332. Monastery to S. Martin at Authum in Burgundy where she her self was buryed To which our o Lib. 11. Indict 6. Epist 10. Gregory the First granted also many Priviledges but with the same Decree against those who violated any of them Of which p Anno 603. § 17. Baronius also taketh special notice and triumpths thus of the Papal Authority in deposing of Kings as he did formerly But some think these Deeds and Priviledges are q Vit. Caron Remonstrant Hybernorum part 5. pag. 68 69. forged And truely S. Martin Archbishop of Tours deserved both a good Church and great Priviledges if that be true which they Pet. Natal l. 10. c. 47. story of him as how he rais'd three people from the dead and cured folk by kissing who had Angels to cover his arms with plates of gold and those holy Choristers to sing his soul into Heaven who was compared to the a Baron an 583. Apostles and Elias and of whom they tell many suchlike pretty stories yet methinks his charity was very odd to turn away his man onely because he was b Vâ—lleg Flos Sanct. Novemb. 11. good-natured and vertuous CHAP. IV. 1. The deposing of Suintila King of Spain 2. The Murther of Childerick the Second King of France with his Queen great with Childe 3. The unfortunate Rule and Murther of the Emperour Justinian the Second and the troubles of Constantinople 4. The Popes censures and troublings of the Emperour Leo the Third about Images 5. The deposing of Childerick the Third King of France Sect. 1. The deposing of Suintila King of Spain ANd now let us turn to the West and in Spain we shall finde the Pens of Authors in as much opposition as the Swords of Souldiers for though all confess that c An 621. Suintila was lawful King of the Goths in Spain yet Writers will not agree of his life and exit For though d Chronicon Isidorus e Lib. 2. c. 17. Rodericus Toletanus f Cap 33. Alphonsus de Carthagena and the other ancient Spanish Historians do declare him to be one of the bravest Princes in the world not onely for his Justice Charity Humility and other excellent Vertues but also Valour joyn'd with Success whereby they say he drove the Romans out of those Territories and so was the first of the Goths that obtain'd the absolute Monarchy of Spain Yet some of our Modern Writers lay all manner of Tyranny and Vices to his charge drawn thereunto I suppose by that which they finde set down in the Fourth Council of g Cap. 75. Toledo Though methinks 't is somewhat odd that learned Isidore the great Bishop of Sevil and one Sainted in the Roman Calendar should so soon write contradictions as not onely by his subscription to this Council to commend the usurping Sisenandus but to declare Suintila Cintila Santila or Suinthila to be abominable vicious tyrannical a fugitive and what not whom a little before he had h Praeter has militares gloriae laâ—des plutimae in eo Regiae Majâ—statis virtutes fides prudentia industria in judicus examinatio stâ—enua in regendo regno cura pracâ—pua circa omnes
hold on the King pull'd him down also and then with his Knife ript up the Kings belly that his bowels fell out and there he dyed As for the Outlaw the Servants there fell upon him but before they could dispatch him he slew and wounded divers of them John Harding who flourished above two hundred years ago saith it was done at Canterbury And thus relates the story according to the Poetry of those times This Kyng Edmond was slain by a Felon Fol. 115. Whiche of Malice and his false Treason That forfet had and dampned was to dye For his forfet and for his felony At Caunterbury as the Kyng him saw on a day For yre on him he ranne and sore him wound For whiche he stroke the Kyng for ay So they both two there in that stound Eche of them of his mortal wounde Which to a Prince accorded in no wise To put himself in drede where law may chastise After this Murther we have another more execrable Edgar sirnamed the Peaceable being dead his Eldest Son Edward sirnamed the Martyr was a An 975. Crown'd King at Kingston upon Thames by St. Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury of whom they tell so many pretty Miracles to the great content and strengthning of Children and old Women Of this Kings vertues there need not much be said because all Historians do sound forth his commendations and so passing by the grand Controversie about this time viz. whether Priests might have Wives and the Monkish story how this dispute was decided by the speaking of a Crucifix in the Rood at Winchester and the falling down of the Floor of the Chamber at Calne in Wiltshire onely St. Dunstan forsooth remain'd dapperly perking up We will come to the sad story of his Murther King Edgar had two Wives 1. Elthelfled her Son was Edward 2. Elfrida her Son Ethelred Edward as Eldest and of the first Wife though some here make a b But Harpsfield is for him pag. 188. doubt is King Elfrida his Mother-in-law at this is troubled wishing that the Crown were set on her son Ethelred's head but this she kept cunningly to her self nor had good King Edward any suspition of her designs It chanced that King Edward hunting in the Island Purbeck in Dorsetshire either by chance or design was separated from his company and perceiving himself neer Corfe-Castle where his Mother-in-law Elfrida and her son Ethelred then lived to both which persons he bare a great affection he resolved to go see them and accordingly rides up to the Gate His Stepdame comes to him with a cheerful countenance seeming very glad of his visit and kindness and desired him to alight but this he excused pleading haste and that he onely slipt from his company at that time and then to his company again just to see her and his Brother and so desired a cup of Wine to drink to them who might be troubled by a long missing of him they not knowing the occasion She perceiving that she could not bring her designs about within doors resolves to do it without so she appointed one of her servants to stab him there To be short Wine is brought given him and he no sooner had the cup at his mouth but the fellow struck him with a knife into the back The King perceiving himself sore wounded set spurs to his Horse thinking to gallop away for his preservation to his more faithful Friends but the wounds being great and he fainting through loss of blood fell from his horse one of his feet being intangled in the Stirrop by reason whereof his Horse drag'd him up and down through Woods and Lands And thus was that good King Edward a An. 979. murder'd and was sirnamed the Martyr though b Hist Eccles p. 188. in the Margin Harpsfield or somebody else for him will not stand upon it that he ought in strictness to be call'd so being not murther'd for his Religion but his Kingdom After this murther they go on and tell a great many stories of him as how his Step-mother Elfritha for so some call her had his body drag'd into a little house hard by and there cover'd over with straw for the present necessity that it might not be found L. Surius March 18. Zach. Lipell Guil. Garet but a poor woman who was born blind living there by miracle had that night her sight given her Elfrida troubled at this fearing that by this discovery the body might be found had it taken thence and thrown into the Marishes but this would not do neither for a year after God reveal'd to some men that the body was in those Waters but the certain place could not be found out till a fiery Pillar was pleas'd to point them to it whence it was carryed and buryed at Warham and having laid there some years uncorrupted 't was thence with great solemnity translated to Shaftsbury neer the borders of Wiltshire And here might I tell the strange Miracles wrought by the vertue of this holy Edward of blind receiving sight deaf hearing the lame and sick their limbs and health but that I cannot oblige the Readers belief As for the murthering Elfrida although they say that at first she was punished by Miracles as desiring to see the Tomb of her Son-in-law the Horse on which he rode would by no means carry her thither and though she tryed several yet we finde all commanded by the same stubbornness which making her more keen she resolved to go on foot yet though her will was never so strong they say she could not possibly do it However at last we need not question Elfrida's Religion and pardon since to quit and expiate her from the guilt of this horrid murther she built two Nunneries c Ambresbury Almesbury in Wiltshire and Warwell in Hampshire An easie way of recompence for rich people to ease themselves of the most crying sins And though I am not obliged either to censure one or vindicate the other yet some may justly fancie that several of those ancient buildings being thus founded upon blood and rapine might as by a judgement call a destroying hand upon them But far be it from me to oppose Monuments of Charity which without question may hugely advance the glory of God upon Earth and smooth the Founders way to Heaven And I could wish that those ancient Monuments of Piety for without doubt many of them were really so nobly spread about by our Fore-fathers liberality had either continued as good Examples or been better imploy'd at their Dissolutions But this by the way Sect. 3. The Murders of Malcolme of Duffe of Culene of Kenneth the Third Kings of Scotland ANd now let us cross the Tweed and take notice of what obedience we finde there and here we meet with Constantine the Third King of Scotland who being troubled at the great a An. 937. Victory the English had over him where most of his Nobility were slain withdrew himself from the rule
I pray you to bow down your ears and favourably hear me And then he tells to these Apostles a long tale in vindication of himself Quapropter confidens de judicio misericordia Dei ejusque piissimae Matris semper Virginis Mariae fultus vestra authoritate Saepe nominatum Henricum quem Regem dicunt omnesque fautores ejus excommunicationi subjicio anathematis vinculis alligo Et iterum Regum Teutonicorum Italiae ex parte omnipotentis Dei vestra interdicens ei omnem potestatem dignitatem illi regiam tollo ut nuâ—lus Christianorum ei sicuâ— Regi obediat interdico omnâ—sque qui ei juraverunt vel jurabunt de Regni dominatione a juramenti promissione absolvo Ipse autem Henricus cum suis fautoribus in omni congressione belli nulla vires nullamque in vita sua Victoriam obtineat Vt autem Rudolphus regnum Teutonicorum regat defendat quem Teutonici elegerunt sibi in Regem Ad vestram fidelitatem ex parte vestra dono largior concedo omnibus sibi fideliter adhaerentibus absolutionem omnium peccatorum vestramque benedictionem in hac vita in futura vestra fretus fiducia largior Sicut enim Henricus pro sua superbia inobedientia falsitate a Regni dignitate jusiè abjicitur ita Rudolpho pro suo humilitate obedientia veritate potestas dignitas conceditur b Agite nunc quaeso Patres Principes sanctissimi ut omnis mundus intelligat cognoscat quia si potestis in Coelo legare absolvere potestis in Terra Imperia Regna Principatus Ducatus Marchius Comitatus omnium hominum possessiones pro meritis tollere unicuique concedere c. Wherefore trusting in the judgement and Mercy of God and his holy Mother the Virgin Mary back'd by your Authority I do hereby excommunicate and curse the said Henry whom they call King and all his favourers and partakers And I do again in the Name of God Almighty and you interdicâ—â—he said Henry the Kingdom of Germany and Italy and take from him all Royal Power and Dignity and command that no Christian shall obey him as a King and all who have or will swear obedience to him I absolve them from the said Oaths As for Henry and his partakers let them neither have strength or force in any Battle nor ever gain Victory But for Rodulph chosen King let him govern and defend his Kingdom of a It seems the Pope would keep Italy to himself Germany And in your names I do give bestow and grant to all those who shall adhere faithfully to the said Rodolph absolution of all their sins and your Benediction in this life and in that to come For as Henry for his pride disobedience and falsity is justly deposed from his Royal Dignity so iâ— the same Royal Power and Dignity given to Rodolph for his humility obedience and honesty Go on therefore and assist most Agite igitur Apolostolorum sanctissimi Principes quod dixi vestra authoâ—tate interposita confirmate ut omnes nunc demuâ— intelligant si potestas in Coelo lâ—gare solvere in Terra quoque Imperia Regna Principatus quicquid habere mortales possunt auferre dare nos dare posse c. Platina vit Pont. holy Fathers and Princes of the Apostles that all the World may understand and know that you who can binde and loose in Heaven can also on Earth take away Empires Kingdoms Principalities Dukedoms Marquessdoms Earldoms all mens Possessions and give them to any other c. Platina here again much differing from Baronius I have placed the latter part of Platina in the Margent that one may give a light and addition to the other The Emperour informed of this harsh dealing against him calls a Synod at Brixen in the County of Tirol in Germany next the Territories of the Venetians where several Bishops of Germany Italy and France met who declare the Pope Gregory guilty of Simony Vsurpation Persecution Perjury Homicide Negromancy or Conjuring and other crimes for which they depose him by Vote and elect into his place as Pope a Wâ—â—â—rt or Gâ—â—â—rt or Wâ—chertâ—s or 〈◊〉 or â—â—gbert Guibert Archbishop of Ravenna who call'd himself Clement the Third This done the Emperour Henry marcheth against Rodolph both Armies meet in Misnia not far from Geraw where they contend vâ—â—antly for an Empire But at last Rodolph having the misfortune to have his right-hand cut off he was carryed to Mersburb for ease and cure but there he dyed Some b H. Mutâ—us lib 15. pag. 130. Jo. Naâ—cier gen 37. p. 708. â—â—lmold Hist Selâ—â— c. 28 29 30. Authors report that perceiving himself neer his end by the great effusion of bloud to some Bishops then about him he shew'd the cut off right-hand confessing it to be a just judgement because by that he had formerly sworn his Allegiance to Henry Before this Baâ—tle hapned c An. 1080. Sigebert an Author then living tells us that the same year Gregory undertook to Prophesie that this year the false King must dye meaning Henry but it seems his Friend and Champion Rodolph proved to be the man Rodolph thus dying was buryed very nobly of which magnificent Funeral when some ask'd the Emperour Why he would permit such pomp to a Rebel Henry replyed ingeniously I wish all mine Enemies were as honourably buryed Rodolph being thus slain Germany began to submit so Herny An. 1081. perceiving not much work there to do resolves for Italy to perfect what he had begun and thitherward he marcheth with his Clement the Third but by the hardness of the Winter he could not be there as soon as intended yet at last he enters Italy marcheth An. 1082. against Rome layeth siege to it which was famous for the many skirmishes and length it continuing three years In the mean time the unruly Germans elect against Henry one Herman but he wanted strength to make any great Opposition The next year Henry took the d Civitas Lâ—â—â—mana Vatican and Clement the Third was Inthronized as Pope and the e An. 1084. year after this he took the City it self But Hildebrand with his Cardinals and some other friends had withdrawn themselves for security into the strong Castle St. Angelo where all the Imperial Force could not reach them or make them submit knowing they should be relieved In the mean time Henry and his Wife Bertha are Crown'd Emperour and Empress by Clement in the Lateran From which time Baronius begins to reckon this Henry for an Emperour though he had Ruled twenty seven years before all which time he acknowledgeth to be no Emperour and so makes a vacancy for so many years and all this nullity because he was not Crown'd by a Pope And this is the humour of many Roman Historians though others account without any such Papal Ceremony Gregory perceiving himself at a loss had formerly
he should have them although there be some Meditations on the Penitential Psalms carryed about under his name yet a wicked man may make a good Book as the greatest Rebels pretend the most Religion but that he did ever really repent I am not convinced because then they would have given him a better Epitaph besides the story of his death maketh him then as bad as ever But enough if not too much of this As concerning the foresaid William Thomas take as followeth 1544. He got into Italy 1547. He wrote the foresaid Dialogue at Bologna la Grossa 't is call'd b M S. B. 2. 7. in Bible Bâ—dl Oxon. le Pelegrine and never printed that I know of 1543. He finish'd his Italian Dictionary and Grammar at Padoa undertook at the desire and for the instruction of Mr. John Tamworth then living at Venice and was afterwards viz. 1567 printed by the appointment of Sir William Mildmay 1549. I meet with him return'd to London when and where he Printed his short but methodical History of Italy which was Reprinted 1561. He was made Clerk of the Council to King Edward VI. 1553. He designed the Murther of Queen Mary or c Jo. Bal. de Scriptoribus Appendix p. 100. Steven Gardiner Bishop of Winchester 155â— â— February 20. He was sent to the Tower of London February 26. He had almost kill'd himself by thrusting a Knife under his Paps 1554. May 9. He was arraigned and condemn'd at Guild-hall May 18. He was drawn from the Tower to Tyborn and there hang'd headed and quarter'd 'T is said that he was an intimate with d Parsons thâ—ee Câ—nversious of Engl. paâ—t 3. pag. 220 221. Christopher Goodman that enemy to the Rule of Women and a fiery Puritan and no doubt that Thomas was too much warp'd that way and one of more misguided zeal then true Religion or Wisdom He translated some Books out of Italian and besides those Printed wrote a Tract call'd The Common Place of State for the use of King Edward VI discoursing whether it be expedient to vary with the time which with several other of his Writings may be seen in Sir Robert Cotton's e Sub Effigie Vespasianâ— D. 18. Library And so much of King Henry and his Champion William Thomas To this King succeeded Edward VI a most vertuous and hopeful Pâ—ince but too young to correct the villanies of the Grandees about him who loved the Churches better then they loved God yet a Reformation of Religion was carryed on which so vext some in the North that they took up Arms to restore Popery though to no purpose But those in the West were more stubborn especially the Devonshire and Cornish men who form'd themselves into an Army besieged Exeter which bravely defended it self against all their power and spight Nor would their Holy Zeal render them victorious though as a means to be so they march'd into the Field with a Crucifix under a Canopy which instead of an Altar was set in a Cart accompanied with Crosses and Candlesticks Banners Holy-Bread and Holy-Water to drive away the Devils and dull their Enemies Swords as Speed wordeth it And though they fought fiercely against the King his Commission and good Subjects yet they could conclude their demands or rather commands with an Item We pray God save King Edward for we be his both body and goods And this way of canting is always used by all other Traytors who the higher they run into Rebellion declare themselves the better Subjects In short though these peoples cause was bad enough and were soon quell'd yet a De Schism lib. 2. pag. 260. Sanders will not let them pass without some Papal holy Water being true Romanists and Father b Three conversions of Engl. part 2. pag. 594 619. Parsons will not allow them to be faulty because forsooth they fought for the Roman Religion as if to take up Arms for any Religion against their true and lawful Soveraign were warrantable for if so every Opinion and Phanatick will be its own judge and carver so that there will be no end of Wars and Bloudshed yet every man in the right at least the strongest can do no wrong however not commit Treason according to the too-much-practis'd Rule thus wittily condemn'd by Sir John Harrington Treason doth never prosper what 's the reason Epigram § 5. For if it prosper none dare call it Treason CHAP. II. A Vindication of Queen Elizabeth ANd now we come to the prosperous Reign of the so much famed Elizabeth in whose time England was in the heighth of its Glory and Repute being as an Umpire to the whole World flourishing at home and victorious abroad but prudent Cecils and vigilant Walsinghams are not always to be had and so we must be content with our decaying Lawrels And here by the by because a De Schism Aâ—gl lib. 3. pag. 319. Sanders and other Romanists are pleas'd to render her as the worst of all women-kinde I shall take the boldness to say something in her Vindication the better to confute her former Revilers and to satisfie the more ignorant somewhat in her behalf Her Piety and Religion have been celebrated by many Pens her Learning and skill in variety of Languages was admired by her greatest Enemies Besides her English b Arghâ—â—ium Praeâ—a § Elizabetha Christopher Ocklande whose Books were once order'd to be read in all Grammar-Schools will tell you of six other Languages she was perfect in Elizabetha piis primos imbuta per annos Moribus sophiae studiis instruct a sacrata Doctrina linguae Latiae Graiaeque perita Linguas Europae celebres intelliget omnes Quid Teuto Hispanus Gallusve Italusve loquatur Mr. c His nine Worthies pag. 282. Thomas Heywood one who loved to write concerning Women concludes thus of our Elizabeth Chaste Virgin Royal Queen belov'd and fear'd Much on the Earth admir'd to Heaven indear'd Single and singular without another A Nurse to Belgia and to France a Mother Potent by Land sole Soveraign of the Main Antagonist to Rome the scourge of Spain Though she was excellently skill'd in all manner of Needle-work was admired for her neat Dancing was very skilful and knowing in Musick playing well upon divers sorts of Instruments yet these and suchlike little pleasures could never call her thoughts from her Subjects good and the care of Government d La. Epist â—â—urmiâ— Roger Ascham speaks wonders of her ingenuity and knowledge and he had as much reason to know her as any but these you may say were English-men and so bribed by their birth-right though this with some of her Enemies is no Rule But should we run to all her Commendations beyond Seas we might be endless a Poet. Ital. vol. 1. pag 79. Cornelius Amaltheus a zealous Italian Romanist cannot withhold his Muse from her Encomiums b Poet. Germ. vol 5 pag. 827. Laurentius Rhodomanus is as earnest in his Anagrammatical mode
Notinghamshire a disorderly pretended Protestant were there apprehended and committed to the Town-Hall at last were carried to Thomas Cecyl Earl of Exeter who proffer'd them the Oath of Allegiance Sutton after some excuses took it but Newton desired time to consider of it Upon which for want of Bail and at the Constables desire they were return'd to the Town-Hall Here these two discoursed about the Oath Newton assuring to his Companion its unlawfulness To bed they go together About midnight September 4. 1612. Sutton cryeth out That he was damned only for taking the Oath and declareth Newton happy for refusing it Newton bids him make the sign of the Cross Sutton doth so then creeps down into the bed saying he durst not look up to behold the Vision Newton looks up sees the Room full of light and brightness the Mystery of the Trinity represented to him then there appears the Virgin Mary in a shining white Robe with an infinite company of Angels about her holding a Crown over her head singing in honour of the Trinity Alleluia Gloria in Excelsis Deo c. Then Newton thought that the Virgin thus spake to him Behold see and believe my Assumption in Body Take not the Oath but rather endure all Torments for I will be with thee and assist thee in all and will strengthen and preserve thee from all pains and torments with such Consolations as thou now feelest This Vision continued about half an hour and a little before they vanished there appeared also a multitude of Saints and Martyrs offering up as it were Incense unto Almighty God and saying to him Double thy Devotion unto Saints for nothing is more acceptable unto Almighty God Thus was Newton confirmed in two points which before as he said he somewhat doubted of viz. the Virgins Assumption and Prayers to Saints The Vision ended Newton and Sutton roar out as loud as they could Alleluia Gloria c. and thus they continued balling for three or four hours Sutton saying that now he had learned how to pray In short Sutton turns stark mad and becomes distracted The Bishop of Peterborough administers the Oath of Allegiance to Newton who for all the contrary Commands in the Vision took it and so was set at liberty And this is the sum of the pretty Tale which Father Preston an honest Romanist thinks ought to be ascribed either * Theolog. Disput cap. 10. Sect. 5. § 23. to the vehement Imaginations of a troubled Brain or else to be accounted a meer Illusion of the Devil And so I leave it to the discretion of the Reader with liberty to approve or disprove these doughty Arguments against the Oath of Allegiance But lest these Illusions Inventions and idle Stories should not do the good or mischief intended the Pope must ever now and anon hurry over his Bulls into England to rowse up the Romanists and put them in a posture of Defence against the said Oath In King James his time there were several such Papers nor were they discontinued in King Charles 1. his days In the beginning of whose Reign Pope Vrban viii one said to have some affection to the English Nation sent over a Bull of Comfort to the Romanists part of which relating to the Oath take as followeth VRBANVS Pp VIII Dilectis Filiis Catholicis Angliae Dilecti Filii Salutem Apostolilicam Benedictionem NON semper terraena faelicitas est beneficium Coeli Patrimonium Pietatis pacem enim peccatorum videns Ecclesia non raro experta est potentiam mortalium esse stipendium sceleris Quare Catenas Martyrum anteferimus exuviis Triumphantium Rex sempiternus Principatus Coelestes pollicetur non iis qui superbo pede jura proterunt sed qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam c. Quod si eousque vis progrediatur ut vos ad noxium illud illicitum Anglicanae fidelitatis jura mentum adigat mementote Orationem vestram ab universo Angelorum spectantium consessu audiri Et adhaereat lingua vestra faucibus â—estris priusquam Authoritatem B. Petri ea jurisjurandi formula imminutam detis Non enim ibi id solum agitur ut fides Regi servetur sed at sacrum Universae Ecclesiae sceptrum eripiatur Vicariis Dei Omnipotentis Quod soeliciis Recordationis Paulus V. Praedecessor noster in tam gravi deliberatione decrevit id omnino tanquam Decretum Veritatis servare debeatis Dilecti Filii Tributum hoc Principi Apostolorum debitum nullaâ— hominum minae aut blanditiae a vobis unquam extorqueant qui secus suadent ij visionem mendacem divinationem fraudulentam prophetant vobis Citius enim viro Christiano debet potentium gladius vitam eripere quam fidem Quod si Angelus etiam e Coelo descendens vos aliter quam veritas Apostolica doceat Anathema sit c. Datum Romae S. Petri sub Annulo Piscatoris die xxx May 1626. Pontificatus nostri Anno tertiâ— Pope VRBAN VIII To his beloved Sons the Catholicks of England Beloved Sons Greeting and Apostolical Benediction TErrene foelicity is not always the benefit of Heaven and the Patrimony of Piety For the Church seeing the prosperity of sinners hath often found by experience that the greatness of Mortals is the stipend of Impiety Wherefore we prefer the Chains of Martyrs before the spoils of the Triumphant and the Eternal King promiseth Heavenly Principalities not to them who proudly trample the Laws under their feet but to those who suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake c. And if Violence proceed so far as to compel you to that pernicious and unlawful Oath of Allegiance of England Remember that your Prayers are heard in the whole Assembly of the Angels beholding you And let your Tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth rather than you permit the Authority of St. Peter to be diminished with that form of Oath For that is not all that Fidelity be kept unto the King but that the Sacred Scepter of the Catholique Church be wrung from the Vicar of God Almighty That which our Predecessor Paul V. of blessed memory with so great deliberation decreed that ought ye altogether to observe as a Decree of Truth Beloved Sons this Tribute due to the Prince of the Apostles no threats or flatteries of men ought at any time to extort from you and they who perswade you otherwise prophesie unto you a lying Vision and a fraudulent divination for sooner ought the Sword of the Mighty take from a Christian his life than his Faith yea if an Angel from Heaven teach you otherwise than the Apostolique Truth let him be Accursed c. Dated at Rome at St. Peters under the Signet of the Fisher xxx of May 1626 the third year of our Popedom FINIS THE TABLE A A Drian II commands the murther of Michael the Emperour 182 Albert. Emperour murther'd 301 The Oath of Allegiance vid. Oath Cardinal Allens bad Principles 70 71 His actions against