this respect another accident was as grieuous as the former But more with the capitulations of the peace of Cambray that is the peace made at Cambray the third of Aprill betweene the Kings of France and Spaine which was well confirmed by the marriages of the daughter of Henry to the King of Spaine and of his sister to the Duke of Sauoy In which peace amongst other capitulations it was agreed that both the Kings should make a faithfull promise to labour ioyntly that the Councell should bee celebrated the Church reformed and the differences of religion composed The Pope considered how goodly a shew the title of reformation and the name of a Councell did make that England was lost and all Germany also partly by the Protestants and partly by his difference with Ferdinand that these two vnited Kings were much offended by him the Spaniards by deedes and words the French by words at the least there remayning none to whom he might haue refuge that the Cardinals were wearie of his gouernement and his people not well affected in regard of the incommodities of the warre and the taxes layd vpon them These cogitations did so afflict the old Pope that hee was vnfit to rule Hee could not holde the Consistories so often as hee was woont and when hee did holde So that hee became vnfit to rule them hee spent the most part of the time in speaking of the Inquisition and exhorting the Cardinals to fauour it as beeing the onely way to extinguish heresies But the two Kings did not agree to procure the Councell for any ill will or interests which either of them had against the Pope or Papacie but to prouide against the new doctrines which did exceedingly increase being willingly heard and receiued by all men of conscience and which was of more The progresse of the reformed religion and y e meanes vsed to suppresse it importance the male-contented and those who were desirous of innouations put themselues on that side and did dayly vnder pretence of religion make some enterprises as well in the Low Countries as in France in regard those people did loue their libertie and had commerce with Germanie as bordering vpon it In the beginning of the troubles some seedes were sowed which that they might not take roote the Emperour Charles the fifth in the Low Countries and the French King in his Kingdome made many Edicts and commanded diuers executions whereof wee haue spoken in their due places But after that the number of the Protestants did increase in Germanie and the Euangeliques did multiply amongst the Suisses and the separation was made in England by reason of the often warres betweene the Emperour and French King either partie was forced to call Auxiliaries out of these three Nations who publikely professing and preaching the Reformed religion in their quarters by their example and by other meanes diuers of the people became of their opinion It is certaine that this compelled Charles the Emperour to attempt the bringing in of the Spanish Inquisition seeing that other remedies did not preuaile though hee was partly forced to desist for the causes before related And Henry the French King gaue the Bishops authoritie to punish heretiques a thing neuer vsed before in that Kingdome And although in the Low Countries from the first Edict of Charles vntill this time of the peace there were hanged beheaded buried aliue and burned to the number of fifty thousand and very many put to death in France In the Low Countries 50000 were executed for religion in a short time and very many in France yet both places were then in worse case then euer This made the Kings to thinke ioyntly of finding a remedie by the great perswasion of the Cardinall of Loraine for the French and of Granuel Bishop of Arras for the Spaniards who being in Cambray from October vntill Aprill with other Deputies of the two Kings to treate a peace did conferre particularly amongst themselues how that doctrine might be rooted out and were afterwards the chiefe instruments of whatsoeuer did happen in both States The cause they Whereof the Cardinall of Loraine and Granuel Bishop of Arras were causes alledged to be the zeale of religion and the seruice of their Princes but it was vniuersally beleeued that it was rather ambition and a deseigne to enrich themselues by the spoyles of those who were to be condemned The peace beeing made the King of Spaine to begin to giue some order not being able to bring in the Inquisition openly thought to doe it obliquely The King of Spaine erecteth Bishoprickes in the Low Countries that hee might more easily bring in the Inquisition by the Bishops But there beeing but two Bishopricks in the Low Countries Cambray and Vtrect and the residue of the Clergie subiect to the Bishops of Germanie and France and those two Bishoprickes also subiect to forraigne Arch-bishops to whom appeales could not be denied so that he could not worke his will by meanes of them hee thought fit to free all that Clergie from the subiection of Bishops who were not his subiects and to institute three Arch-bishoprickes in those Countries Meclin Cambray and Vtrect and to erect into Bishoprickes Anwerp Balduck Gant Bridges Ipre S. Omar Namur Harlem Middleburgh Lewarden Groninghe Ruremond and Dauenter annexing vnto them for reuenewes some rich Abbies Hee caused the Pope to approoue all this by his Bull dated the ninth of May the same yeere The pretence for doing of this was that formerly those Countries beeing not much inhabited did not neede a greater number of Bishops but now the multitude of people and dignitie of the Cities did require they should bee honoured with Ecclesiasticall titles Yet the Nobilitie and Comminalty did imagine it was an art to bring in the Inquisition in which opinion they were confirmed when they saw the Popes Bull. For according to the vse of Rome to enlarge their power or profit in euery bargaine he alledged for a cause of that new institution that that Countrey was compassed and as it were besieged by Schismatiques who did not obey him the Head of the Church so that the true faith was in great danger by the fraudes and insidiations of the Heretiques if new and good Gardians were not placed ouer them This occurrence made the Nobilitie to adhere together and to thinke how to make resistance before there was meanes to compell them by force of armes Which maketh the Nobility to combine and refuse to pay tribute They resolued therefore not to pay tribute vntill the Spanish Souldiers were remooued out of the Countrey and began to incline more to the new opinion and to fauour it which caused the other troubles which shall bee spoken of But the French King desirous to make prouision that the Lutheran sect The French King entreth into the Mercuriall should not more encrease in the Kingdome vnderstanding that some of the Counsellors of the Parliament were infected with
one should amend himselfe because a good life is a vehement orator to perswade that the names of Lutheranes Hugonots and Papists no lesse factious then those of the Guelphes and Ghibilines were to be taken away and Armes to be taken against those who couer their auarice ambition and desire of innouation with the 〈◊〉 of religion Iohn Angelo aduocate in the Parliament of Bourdeaux spake for the third Iohn Angelo speaketh for the third Order Order he spake much against the bad manners and discipline of the Clergy noting their ignorance auarice and luxury as causes of all the euils and did much discourse vpon them in the end hee demanded that all might bee redressed by a sudden celebration of the Councell Iames Earle of Rochfort Iames Earle of Rochfort speaketh for the Nobility spake for the Nobilitie who amongst other things said that all the euill did arise from the large donations made by the King and other Grandies to the Churches especially of iurisdictions a thing much inconuenient that he that ought to giue himselfe wholly to prayer and preaching should exercise power ouer the liues and goods of the Kings subiects and that it was necessary to remedie these inconueniences And in the end hee gaue a petition demaunding in the name of the Nobility to haue publique Churches for their religion Iacobus Quintinus a Burgundian spake for the Clergie He said Iacobus Quintinus speaketh for the Clergie the States were assembled to prouide for the necessities of the Kingdome not to amend the Church which cannot erre which is without blemish or wrinkle and will alwayes remaine without corruption though the discipline in some small part may neede reformation Therefore those are not to bee hearkened vnto who renewing the Sects long since buried demand Churches apart from the Catholiques but are to bee punished as heretiques and doe not deserue that the King should heare them who ought to force all his Subiects to beleeue and liue according to the forme prescribed by the 1561 PIVS 4. FERDINAND ELIZABETH CHARLES 9. Church that those who haue forsaken the Kingdome for Religion ought not to be suffered to returne that those that are infected with hereâ—iâ— ought to be proceeded against capitally that the Ecclesiasticall discipline will easily be reformed if the Clergie be fried from paimene of Tâ—â—lls and elections restored to the Chapters it being obserued that in the yeere 1517 whâ—â—â—by the Concordate the nomination of Ecclesiasticall dignities was giuen to the The opinions of Luther began when the Concordate was made King the heresies of Luther began who was followed by Zainglius and others In the end hee demanded that all immunities and priuiledges of the Clergie should be confirmed and all grieuances remooued The King ordained that the Prelates should put themselues in order to goe to the Councell which was intimated at Trent commanded that all that The Ordinations of the King were in prison for Religion should be set at liberty their Processes 〈◊〉 the void their offences committed vntill that time pardoned and their goods restored He constituted a capitall punishment for those who gaue offence for matter of Religion either in words or deeds He admonished all to follow the rites vsed in the Church without making any innouation The residue was deferred vntill May next when the petition presented by Rotchfort was to bee considered of The Pope vnderstanding of the death of King Francis together with the aduice of the Cardinall Tornon that the Queene was ioyned with Nauar was troubled in minde fearing the raines would be more giuen to the Protestants Therefore hee sent Lorenzo Leutio Bishop of Eermo and caused the King of Spaine to send Io Manriques to condele with the Queene for the death of her sonne and to pray her to bee carefull of the Religion in which The Pope sendeth a NuÌ„cto to the Q. mother and the King of Spaine an ambassadour shee was borne and bred to remember the great benefits receiued from the Apostolique Sea by the meanes of Clement and not to suffer schisme to arise by too much licence nor to seeke remedies elswhere for the euils present and imminent but from the Church of Rome for which end the Councell was intimated that in the meane space she would take care that the Kingdome should not swarue from true piety and that no preiudice should bee done to the Councell intimated The yeere 1560 ended thus leauing some seedes from whence greater troubles did spring The next yeere Manriques came into France and deliuered 1561 his Ambassage Who hauing receiued from the Queene a piouâ— and fauourable answere concerning Religion and the Councell and speaking againe of the same subiect as occasion was offered did continually exhort her to proceed with punishments against the Hugonots adding threats also to his exhortations Nauarre contrary to all the Spanish desseignes did oppose The negotiation of the Spanish Ambassadour in regard of his preâ—ensions to the Kingdome of Nauarre Manriques did combine with the house of Guise and others who had the same desseigne to make him fauour the Catholiques the Pope and the Councell to propose vnto him the patronage of the Catholique Religion in France and that he would bee diuorced from his wife Ioan of Alibert Queene of Nauarre by inheritance and would retaine right to the Kingdome by the Popes authoritie of which shee should bee depriued for heresie by his Holinesse and would take to wife Mary Queene of Scots by whom hee should haue the Kingdome of England Elizabeth being depriued by the Popeâ— For effecting all this the Guisards promised him the Popes authority and the forces of the King of Spaine who for Nauarre would giue him the Kingdome of 〈◊〉 nia These things they continually represented vnto him in 〈◊〉 â—ormes euen vntill his death In Germanie the Princes of the Augustan Confession assembled 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 concerning the Councel especially in regard of the Councell being ashamed that their religion should bee esteemed a confusion for the variety of doctrines amongst the◠〈◊〉 propose that they might first agree in one and then resolue whether they ought refuse refuse or accept the Synode Concerning the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said that the difference was not essentiall and that the Papists 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 substantially differ dissenting euen in the very foundations of Religion They laid the Augustan Confession was to bee the ground of their doctrine and if they differed in any point not contained therein it would bee of small 〈◊〉 But there beeing diuers Copies of that Confession which differed in regard of diuers additions made in diuers of them some approouing one and some another many thought they ought to take that onely which was presented to Charles in the yeere 1530. Where vnto 〈◊〉 of the Pulatinate did not consent except it were declared in a Proheme made vnto it that the other edition did agree with it The Duke of Saxonie answered they could
in France Prelates was put in order in which howsoeuer the Ambassadour assured the Pope that nothing should bee spoken of doctrine nor any thing preludiciall to his authority but onely a course set downe how to pay the Kings debts to prouide against some abuses and to consult what was to bee handled in the generall Councell yet his Holinesse was not satisfied yea was of opinion that they thought that to prouide against abuses was to hinder the profits of the Court and that to consult of the Councel was to ioyne with the Spaniards whereof hee had some intelligence in the point of the supreame power of the Councell euen ouer the Pope And by reason of the dissentions betweene the Grandies of the Court spread also ouer all the Prouinces because euery one sought to increase his faction there being a great liberty of speaking the professours of the new religion were plainely discouered and protected by the greatest about the King with much indignation of the Catholiques Whereupon there were contentions and discords throughout the whole Kingdome calling one another in scorne Papists and Hugonots the Preachers making the people tumultuous and euery one hauing diuers ends He plainly saw that if the Catholike partie had not all the same ayme some great inconuenience would arise for preuenting whereof and to crosse those desseignes he thought it necessary to haue a Minister there a man of authoritie and not a French man who would haue more interest in the kingdome then in the seruice of the Apostolique Sea and resolued to send a Legatethither And casting his eye vpon all the Cardinals hee made choice Into which Kingdome he sendeth for Legate the Cardinall of Ferrara of Ferrara in whom all necessary qualities did concurre singular wisedome dexteritie in negotiations nobility of birth being allied to the Royall house of France brother in law to the Kings great Aunt daughter of Lewis the 12 and so neere a cousin to those of Guise the Dukes wife being the Cardinals neece that they could not chuse but fauour him in regard of their neerenesse in blood He gaue him foure particular Commissions to fauour the Catholiques and oppose the Protestants to diuert the Nationall Synode and And giueth him foure commissions assembly of the Prelates to sollicite the going of the Prelates to the Councell and to cause an abrogation of the constitutions made in matters Ecclesiasticall While the Legate was preparing to goe there fell our an accident which made the Kings neerest friends feare the Catholiques as much as the Protestants For the fourteenth of Iuly Arthurus Defiderius was apprehended A supplication sent out of France into Spaine neere to Orleans who was sent into Spaine with a Supplication written in the name of the Clergie of France in which they demaunded the assistance of that King against the Protestants because they could not bee suppressed by a boy and a woman with other more secret instructions in cipher to be imparted to his Maiestie This man being imprisoned and interrogated of the confederates discouered some whom it was dangerous to make knowen for which cause they resolued to proceede no further but condemned him to make honourable satisfaction to teare the supplication and to bee perpetuall prisoner in the Monasterie of the Carthusians But many of his confessions being divulged the Kings Counsel thought fit to giue the other partie some satisfaction Whereupon the King did prohibite the names of Hugonotes and Papists ordaining that no man vnder pretence of discouering the Congregations for religion which were forbid should enter with The King maketh an ocdination in fauour of the Protestants many or few into another mans house that those who were in prison for religion should be set at libertie and that those which fled since the time of Francis the first might returne and repossesse their goods in case they would liue like Catholiques or if they would not might sell them and goe to another place The Parliament of Paris did oppose and said it was a kinde of grant of libertie of religion which was neuer knowen in France that the returne of the fugitiues would cause great troubles and that the libertie to sell their goods and goe to another place was against the lawes of the Kingdome which doe not giue leaue to carry foorthany great quantitie of money But notwithstanding all these oppositions the Edict was executed so that the Protestants being increased in number and making more and greater assemblies then they were wont the King with the Queene and Princes went into the Parliament to prouide a remedy by the mature counsel of men skilfull in matters of State and Iustice The Chancellour said they were not to speake of Religion but of making prouision against dayly tumults which did arise by the meanes of it lest being made licontious by raising of stirres they might lay aside all obedience to the King There were three opinions 1. To suspend all punishments against the Protestants vntill the decision of the Councell 2. That they should bee capitally proceeded against 3. That they should bee punished by the Eclesiasticall Court forbidding their Congregations either publike or priuate and liberty to preach or administer the Sacraments but after the Romane fashion In conclusion they tooke a middle course and made an Edict which is called the Edict of Iuly That all should abstaine from doing iniuries and liue in peace The Edict of Iuly that the preachers should not rayse tumults vpon paine of death that none should preach or administer the Sacraments but according to the Romane Rite that the Ecclesiastiques should bee iudges of heresie that if the person guilty were deliuered to the Secular power no greater punishment should bee inflicted then banishment and this to continue till a Generall or National Councell did determine otherwise that all those who haue mooued any tumult for the cause of Religion should be pardoned liuing hereafter in peace and like Catholiques Afterwards treating how to accommodate the controuersies it was ordained that the Bishops should meete in Poisi the tenth A Colloquie is ordained at Poisi of August and that the Protestant Ministers should haue a Safe Conduct to come thither This was contradicted by many of the Catholiques who thought it strange dishonourable and dangerous to put the Religion of their predecessours receiued vntill that time to compromise and in hazard In which the Card of Loraine vndertaketh to confute the heresiques But they yeelded at the last because the Cardinall of Loraine promised largely that hee would confute the heretiques and take the burden vpon himselfe wherein hee was assisted by the Queene who knowing his desire to make ostentation of his witte was willing to giue him satisfaction The Pope had newes at once of these two Edicts in which hee found some thing to commend and something to blame Hee commended the Parliament for maintaining the cause of religion and blamed it because they had ordered it contrary
to make any further instance and perswaded the Bishops to he contented to expect and for the same cause they laboured with But they doe all surcease because the Pope would take occasion hereby to dissolue the Councel the Ministers of Spaine that they should not insist any more to haue the continuation declared who not onely were pacified but protested also to the Legats that they did not then demaund it saying that if others seeke to put the Councell into the stocke there is no reason their purpose should be couered with the cloake of the King of Spaine The protestation pleased the Legats who were ingaged by their word to the Marquis and knew not how to acquite themselues Neither was it lesse gratefull to them to deferre the point of Residence and that none might change opinion they drew a writing which they read in Congregation that it might there be approued that in the next Session they should doe nothing but deferre these matters vntill another and that for good respects and they thought they were disburthened of two great weights The Session approching many who thought themselues much pricked with the oration of the French Ambassadour desired the Legats to make a sound answere when the Mandate was read in the Session and Cardinall Altemps did perswade that by all meanes it should bee so saying that the insolencie of that Palace man was to bee repressed who was accustomed to speake to meane people The charge hereof was giuen to 10. Baptista Castello the Speaker with order onely to defend the dignity of the Synode without touching any mans person The Pope after long consultation resolued that the Continuation should The Pope resolueth that the continuation shall be declared but soone after waueth his opinion be declared let the Emperour doe what he could thinking that it must needs succeede well and dispatched a Currier to Trent with this Commission This being arriued the second of Iune troubled the Legates very much in regard of the confusions which they saw would arise and of the disorder in which the Councell was and all resoluing vniformely to informe the Pope better signifying vnto him the things that haue been handled and the Decree already published and shewing him the impossibilitie to performe his order the Cardinall Altemps who before had leaue to goe to Rome for other causes went away by post the next day to deliuer the message in person But at night another Currier came with letters that his Holinesse did refer all to the wisedome and iudgement of the Legats The fourth of Iune being come the Session was celebrated with the vsuall The Session is celebrated in which the Speaker maketh an answere to the ocation of Pibrac ceremonies and the Mandates of the Arch-bishop of Salzburg and of France were read Which being done the Speaker made an answere and said that there was hope prouision would be made against all the disorders of Christendome by the remedie which the Pope thought necessary that is this Councell begun by the assistance of the holy Ghost and consent of Princes amongst whom the French King hath sent men of conscience and religion to offer not onely assistance but obedience also to this Synod which doth not lesse deserue it then other Councels against which ill affected persons haue falsely opposed that they haue not been lawfull not true though men of pietie haue euer held them to be Councels hauing beene called by him that hath authoritie howsoeuer calumnies haue beene spread by others that they were not free against which as also against the present Synode the treacheries of Sathan copiously and acutely repeated by them the Ambassadours did not preuaile that the Councell will not make a bad interpretation of their diligent and free admonition not to regard popular applause or follow the will of Princes but as it doth esteeme it not to bee necessary or rather to bee superfluous so it is willing to beleeue that it doth proceed from a good mind that it may not be forced to say any thing against its mild and pious purpose and vsuall custome But to free them the Ambassadours from that vaine feare which they would seeme to haue and assure them of their true purpose he doth foretell them that the effects will shew that the Councell will postpose the desires will and power of whosoeuer to her owne dignitie and authoritie and promiseth to King Charles what it is able to doe sauing faith and religion for preseruation of his dignitie kingdome and state The French-men were ill satisfied with this answere but knew they had deserued it Afterwards the Decree was read by Which doth not please the Frenchmen the Masse-Bishop That the Synod in regard of diuers difficulties risen and to define the points of doctrine and reformation both together doth appoint The Decree the next Session to be held the tenth of Iuly to handle what shall bee thought fit both of the one and the other matter reseruing power to abridge or prolong the time in a general Congregation And there were 35. Prelats who desired that the point of Residence should then be handle Some proposed also that the continuation should be declared which was thought to be done to raise some tumults to make the Councell dissolue For they were of those who were most obliged to Rome and therefore did repent that they had spoken their opinion so freely in the point of Residence so much abhorred by the Court But all the rest beeing silent the Session ended The sixtâ— day a generall Congregation was held to giue order for that Order giuen for the matter of the next Session which should be handled in the next Session and the Articles concerning the communion were proposed Whether all the faithfull are necessarily and by Gods Commaundement bound to receiue both kinds in that Sacrament Whether the Church doth vpon good ground communicate the Laiques with the bread onely or hath erred heerein Whether all CHRIST and all his graces are receiued as well vnder one kind as vnder both Whether the reasons which haue mooued the Church to giue to the Laitie the Communion of the bread onely ought to induce it also not to graunt the Cup to any If it shall appeare that it may bee graunted to some for honest causes vpon what conditions it may bee done Whether the Communion be necessary for infants before the vse of reason The Fathers were demanded if they were pleased that that matter should be handled and whether they would adde any thing vnto it And although the French Ambassadors and many of the Prelates did thinke fit that the points of doctrine should not be handled vntill it did appeare whether the Protestants would come or not it being euident that in case they should be contumacious the discussion would be in vaine as not necessary for the Catholiques and not accepted by the others yet none opposed at the earnest perswasions of the Imperialists who hoped to
vnderstand it 11 There was yet some danger of Schisme For Iulius the second hauing Pope Iulius the second was more a souldier then a Clergie man addicted himselfe more to the Arts of warre then to the Priestly ministery and gouerned the Popedome with excessiue imperiousnes towards the Princes and Cardinals had constrained some of them to separate themselues from him and to call a Councell And the French King Lewis the twelfth excommunicated Levvis the 12. excommunicated by the same Pope had withdrawen his obedience from him and was ioyned with the separated Cardinals which beginning did seeme might produce some important cōclusion But Iulius opportunely dying and Leo being created in his stead with his dexterity he reconciled in a very short space the Cardinals and the Kingdome of France both at once so that a fire was quenched with admirable celerity and ease which in likelihood might haue burned the Church LEO 10. MAXIMIL 1. HENRY 7. LEVVIS 12. The description of Pope Leo. 12 Leo the tenth as one whose birth and education was noble adorned the Papacie with many good parts which he brought into it amongst which were his singular learning in humanitie goodnesse and a marueilous sweete manner in treating of affayres together with a pleasing behauiour more then humane ioyned with incomparable liberalitie and a great inclination to fauour those that were learned and endowed with any extraordinary quality Which vertues were not found in that Sea of a long time before neither equall nor neere vnto his And he would haue been a Pope absolutely compleate if with these he had ioyned some knowledge in things that concerne Religion and some more propension vnto pietie of both which he seemed carelesse And as he was most liberall and well seene in the Arte of giuing so in that other of gaining he was not able enough of himselfe but vsed the assistance of Lorenzo Pucci Cardinall of Santi Quatro a man exceeding sufficient in that behalfe 13 Leo therefore finding himselfe in this state quiet the Schisme extinguished absolutely without an aduersary as one may say because those few Waldenses and Calistini were not any way considerable liberall in spending and rewarding aswell his kindred as Courtiers and professors of learning other fountaines from whence the Court of Rome was wont to draw riches vnto it selfe out of other nations being dried vp he thought fit to serue himselfe of that of Indulgences 14 This manner of gaining money was put in practise after the yeere When the Art of gaining money by Indulgences began 1100. For Pope Vrbane the second hauing granted a plenary Indulgence and remission of all sins to whosoeuer made warre in the Holy land to regaine and set at liberty the Sepulchre of Christ out of the hands of the Mahumetans was imitated by his Successors for many hundreds of yeeres some of which as alwaies new inuentions are enlarged granted it to those that maintained a souldier in case they could not or would not goe to warre themselues in person And after in progresse of time the same indulgences and pardons were giuen for the taking of armes against those that obeyed not the Church of Rome although they were Christians and for the most part infinite exactions were made vnder those pretences all which or the greater part were applied to other vses 15 Leo being counselled by the Cardinall of Santi Quatro to follow these examples sent an Indulgence and pardon for sinnes throughout all Christendome Leo granted a plenary Indulgence granting it to whosoeuer would giue money and extending of it euen vnto the dead for whom when the disbursement was made his will was that they should be freed from the paines of Purgatory giuing also power to eat egges and whitmeats on fasting daies to choose themselues a Confessor and other such like abilities And although the execution of this enterprise of Leo had some particular in it that was neither pious nor honest as hereafter shall appeare which did giue scandall and caused innouation notwithstanding many of the grants formerly made by the preceding Popes had causes more vniust and were exercised with more auarice and extortion But occasions arise many times which are able to produce notable effects and yet come to nothing for want of those that know how to vse them And which 1517 LEO 10. MAXIMIL 1. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. 1517 is more it is necessary for the effecting of anything that the time come in which it may please God to correct the errours of men All these things met together in the time of Leo of whom we speake 16 For hauing published an vniuersall grant of Indulgence in the yeere 1517. he distributed part of the haruest before it was reaped or well sowed giuing vnto diuers persons the reuenues of diuers Prouinces and reseruing some also for his owne Exchequer In particular the Indulgences of Saxonie and of that arme of Germanie which reacheth from thence to the sea hee gaue The Popes sister hath a great part of the benefit of Indulgences Leo was created Cardinal at the age of fourteene to his sister Magdalene wife vnto Franceschetto Cibo bastard sonne of Innocentius the eighth By reason of which marriage this Leo was created Cardinall at the age of fourteene yeeres which was the first beginning of Ecclesiasticall greatnesse in the house of the Medici And Leo vsed this liberality not so much through brotherly loue as for recompense of the charges which the familie of Cibo were at when he retired himselfe to Genua not daring to abide in Rome so long as Alexander the 6. had linked himselfe with the Florentines who being enemies to the house of the Medici had chased it out of Florence The sister that the Pope his gift might be profitable vnto her committed the care of preaching the Indulgences exacting the money vnto Bishop Aremboldus Aremboldus was the agent of the Popes sister who in the assumption of the Episcopal dignity deuested not himselfe of any of the qualities of a perfect Genua Merchant This man gaue power to publish the Indulgences to whosoeuer promised to raise most profit by them without any regard of the qualitie of the persons euen so so rididly that no man of any tolerable condition could contract with him but he found Ministers like vnto himselfe who aimed at nothing but the gaine of money 17 It was a custome in Saxonie that whensoeuer Indulgences were sent by The Heremit Friars were publishers of Indulgences in Saxonie by custome Popes the Friars of the order of the Heremites were imployed to publish them The Pardon-mongers Ministers of Aremboldus would not goe to these because being accustomed to manage the like merchandizes they might vse some deuice to draw some secret profit to themselues and from whom likewise as practised in this office they expected not any extraordinary thing which might bring them more then vsuall aduantage but they The Dominicans were imployed by the
the Spanish and German Cardinals though they were confident because the armie was composed of their nations were not better vsed then the rest The Pope retired into the Castle of Saint Angelo was besieged and constrained to make an accord at the same time yeelding the Castle to the Emperours Captaines and The Pope yeeldeth the Castle and his person consigning his person prisoner therein where hee was kept verie close And beeing in exceeding great affliction for the things past there was added one more in his opinion much greater that the Cardinall of Cortona who gouerned Florence in his name hauing heard the newes retired himselfe from Florence becommeth free againe the Citie and left it free The which hauing suddenly chased out the Medici and regained their libertie reformed their gouernement and the greater part of the Citizens shewed such hatred towards the Pope and his family that they defaced their armes euen in their priuate places and disgraced with many blowes the images of Leo and Clement which were in the Church of the The images of Leo the 10. of Clement the 7. are defaced Nunciata 98 But the Emperour hauing receiued aduice of the sacking of Rome and of the imprisonment of the Pope gaue many signes of infinite griefe and The Emperor maketh a shew of griefe for the Popes calamitie made demonstration thereof by causing the solemnefeasts to cease which were made in Validolid for the birth of his sonne the one and twentieth of the same moneth By which appearances he would haue giuen testimony to the world of his pietie and religion if hee had commanded at the same time that the person of the Pope should bee set at libertie But the world that saw the Pope was prisoner sixe moneths more perceiued what difference there was between truth and appearance 99 They began immediately to treat of the Popes deliuery The Emperour would haue had him conducted into Spaine deeming as was true indeede And is disswaded from causing him to be brought into Spaine that it would haue beene a great reputation to him if in two yeeres there had beene brought out of Italie into Spaine two so great prisoners a French King and a Pope of Rome But because all Spaine and especially the Prelates detested to behold so great an ignominie of Christianitie that he should be brought prisoner thither who represented the person of CHRIST hee changed that opinion considering also it was not good to stirre vp too much enuie against himselfe nor to prouoke the King of England whom he feared much in case he should haue ioyned himselfe more neerely with the French King then he was by the peace published in August who had alreadie sent a potent army into Italie and atchieued diuers victories in Lombardie Wherefore in the ende of the yeere the Emperour graunted that the Pope should be set free with this condition that hee should not be against him in the affaires of Milan and Naples and for securitie thereof should giue into his hands Ostia Ciuita vecchia Ciuita Castellana and the Cittadell of Furli and for hostages The Pope is set at liberty vpon hard conditions his two Nephews Hippolitus and Alexander that he should grant him a Crusado in Spaine and a tenth of the Church reuenues in all his kingdomes The deliuerie being concluded and hauing receiued power to depart out of the Castle the ninth of December he durst not expect so long but went out the night before with a small conuoy in the habit of a Merchant and retired himselfe immediately to Monte Fiascone and after he had taried there a little from thence he passed to Oruieto 100 While the Princes were all busied in war the affaires of religion altered in diuers places in some by publike Decree of the Magistrates in others by popular sedition For Berne making a solemne assembly both of their own The state of religion in the Cantons of the Suisses other places Doctors and of Strangers and hearing a disputation many dayes receiued the doctrine conformable to Zuric and in Basil all the images were ruined and burnt by a popular sedition and the Magistrate depriued and others put in his place and the new religion established And on the other side eight Cantons assembled themselues together and ratified within their territories the doctrine of the Church of Rome and wrote a long exhortation to those of Berne perswading them not to change their Religion which belonged not to one people or one Countrey but onely to a Councel of the whole world But for all that the example of Berne was followed at Geneua Constance and other places thereabout and in Argentina after a publike disputation the Masse was prohibited by a publike Decree vntill the defenders of it could shew that it was a worship acceptable to God notwithstanding that the Chamber of Spira had made a great and a long remonstrance that it was not lawfull not onely for one Citie but not for all the States of the Empire to make innouation of rites and doctrine it belonging onely to a generall or nationall Councell 101 In Italie these two yeares there being neither Pope nor Court of Rome 1528 The reformed religion increaseth in Italie and it seeming that these calamities were an execution of Gods iudgement against that gouernement many men beganne to reforme and in priuate houses in diuers Cities especially in Faenza a Towne belonging to the Pope there was preaching against the Church of Rome and the number of those whom others called Lutherans and themselues Gospellers increased euery day 102 The yeare following 1528 the French army was farre aduanced within The French-men beeing entred into the kingdome of Naples cause the Spanish army to forsake Rome the Kingdome of Naples and had possessed it almost all which constrained the Emperours Captaines to conduct the army out of Rome much diminished partly by reason of those who laden with spoyles meant to put them in a secure place and partly because of the plague which caused great mortalitie among them The confederates instantly desired the Pope that Rome beeing set at liberty by necessity not by the desire of the Emperour hauing no more neede to temporize with him hee would in that occasion declare himselfe to be ioyned with them and proceede against 1529 CLEMENT 7. CHARLES 5. HENRY 8. FRANCIS 1. him with spirituall armes and depriue him of the Kingdome of Naples and of the Empire But the Pope as well for that hee was wearied with troubles as also because in case the confederates had gained the better they would haue maintained the liberty of Florence the gouernment whereof he more desired to recouer then to bee reuenged of the iniuries receiued from Charles hee made a firme resolution not to bee contrary yea to ioyne himselfe The Pope refuseth to ioine with the confederates for the more easie recouery of Florence with him vpon the first occasion to regaine Florence
onely in Rome but throughout all Italie of the immense number of the Christians in those parts and how much the lists of the Apostolique Sea were enlarged And particularly they spake of the great number of Churches in the Citie Muzal which they sayd was the old Assur vpon the riuer Tigris from which Niniue renowmed for the preaching of Ionas was not farre distant situated beyond the riuer Vnder this iurisdiction they put Babylon Tauris and Arbela famous for the battaile betweene Darius and Alexander with many Countreys of Assyria and Persia They found also the ancient Cities named in the Scripture and Ecbatan which the stories doe call Seleucia and Nisibi They sayd that this man elected by all the Bishops was sent to the Pope for confirmation accompanied with seuenty persons as farre as Ierusalem and from thence by three of whom one died and another remained sicke in the iourney and the third called Calefi came with him to Rome All these things were printed and very curiously read The Pope receiued another also named Marderius a Iacobite of Assyria sent by the Patriarch of Antioch to acknowledge the Apostolique Sea and giue it obedience and make profession of the Romane faith But the world beeing satiated with the former did not care for this second After these shadowes of obedience which the Sea of Rome gained there succeeded one reall and of great importance which did abundantly recompence The King of England dieth whatsoeuer was lost in Germanie The sixt of Iuly 1553 Edward King of England died of the age of sixteene yeeres Fifteene dayes before he made a Will with approbation of his Councell wherein hauing declared that it did belong to him to name the Successour according to the lawes of the Kingdome he excluded his sisters Mary and Elizabeth because their legitimation was doubted of and all the posterity of Margaret his fathers elder sister as strangers not borne in the kingdome and named her Queene who followed in order that is Iane of Suffolke grand-childe to Mary formerly Q. of France and younger sister to his father Henry 8. by her daughter notwithstanding that the sayd Henry had in his last Will substituted Mary and Elizabeth which substitution hee sayd was pupillary and did not binde him now hee was of age Iane was proclaimed Queene in London and Mary retiring her selfe into Iane is proclaimed Queene Norfolke that shee might commodiously passe into France if there were occasion named her selfe Queene also and was finally accepted by all the kingdome alleadging in her fauour the Testament of Henry and that of a Matrimony contracted bona fide though there bee a nullity in it the issue is legitimate Iane and her adherents were imprisoned and Mary entred into But Mary obtaineth the Crowne London and was receiued with a generall applause and proclaimed Queene of England and France and had the title of Head of the Church Shee presently set the prisoners at liberty which her father had put into the Tower 1553 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. Q. MARY HENRY 2. A sedition in London about Religion partly for Religion and partly for other causes A little after her entry there arose a sedition in London by occasion of one who tooke the boldnesse to preach Popery and of another who did celebrate the Masse To appease this trouble which was very considerable the Queene caused an Edict to be published that she would liue in the Religion of her Ancestors and therefore would not permit that any thing should bee preached to the people but that which formerly had been Afterwards the eleuenth of October shee was crowned with the vsuall ceremonies The Pope aduertized hereof considering that shee was brought vp in the Catholique Religion interrested in the respects of her mother and cousin by blood vnto the Emperour hoped he might make some entrie into the Kingdome and therefore did make Cardinall Poole his Legate thinking because hee was of the blood royall and The Pope maketh Cardinall Poole his Legat for England of an exemplary life he was the onely instrument to reduce that Kingdome to the Church of Rome The Cardinall who had been banished by publique Decree and depriued of his honour thought it not fit to begin the enterprise before he fully vnderstood the state of things beeing assured that the maior part was still deuoted to the memory of Henry Hee therefore sent into England secretly Giouanni Francesco Comendone to enforme him and wrote a Letter to the Queene in which commending her perseuerance in Religion in the times of her troubles hee exhorted her to continue in the times of her happinesse recommended vnto her the saluation of the soules of those people and the restitution of the true worship of GOD. Comendone hauing obserued euery particular and found meanes to speake with the Queene though compassed and garded on euery side perceiued shee had neuer beene auerse from the Romane faith and had promise from her that shee would labour to restore it into the whole Kingdome which the Cardinall vnderstanding put himselfe into the voyage In England after the Coronation a Parliament was held in which the A Parliament is held the diuorce of Henry the 8. declared to be vnlawfull diuorce of the Queenes mother Katherine of Aragon was declared to be vnlawfull the marriage good and the issue legitimate which was obliquely to restore the Popes supremacie in regard it could not be good without the validitie of the dispensation of Iulius the second and by consequence not without the supremacie of the Sea of Rome It was ordained also that all the constitutions in matter of religion made by Edward should be abrogated and Popeâ—y is established that religion obserued which was in vse at the death of Henry In this Parliament they treated of marrying the Queene though shee were aboue fourty yeeres of age and three were named Poole who had not taken holy Orders And the marriage of the Queene is treated on though he was a Cardinall and Courtney both of the blood Royall and first Cousins of Henry the eight in an equall degree this of the white Rose grand child of Edward the fourth by his daughter and that of the red Rose Nephew to Henry the seuenth by his sister both acceptable to the Nobilitie of England Poole for wisedome and sanctifie of life and Courtney for his louing behauiour and carriage But the Queene preferred Philip Prince of Spaine before these aswell for the treaties made by her cousin Charles the Emperour her affection also inclining much more to the mothers side then to the fathers as because shee thought shee might better secure her owne and the Kingdomes peace with that marriage The Emperour who did much 1554 IVLIVS 3. CHARLES 5. MARY HENRY 2. Vntil the coÌ„clusion wherof the Emperour hindreth Poole in going into England desire to effect it fearing that Poole might disturbe it by his presence in England knowing hee was departed Legate made meanes
the fifth and in the meane while if hee had commission from his Master to depart he might doe it and protest what he thought fit Therefore the Ambassador hauing made his protestation departed Who hauing made a protestation departeth from Rome And although Charles died the same yeere the 21. of September yet it was impossible to remooue the Pope from this resolution The number of those who call themselues Reformed being now increased in France their courage did increase also and there being a custome amongst the people of Paris in the Summers euenings to goe out of the Suburbes of S. German in great multitudes to take the fresco and to folace themselues with diuers kindes of sportes those of the new Religion in stead of doing so began to sing the Psalmes of Dauid in French verses The multitude first laughed at the nouitie then leauing the sports ioyned themselues vnto the singers And the number of those who came to that place began to increase more then vsually The Popes Nuncio told the King of this nouitie as of a thing pernicious and dangerous because the ministeries of religion vsually celebrated in the Church in the Latin tongue by religious men onely were put into the mouth of the common people in the vulgar language which was an inuention of the Lutherans telling him that if he did not resist the beginnings in a short time all Paris would be Lutheran The King gaue order that the principall authors should bee proceeded against wherein they went not very far hauing found Antony king of Nauar and his wife in that number But for hereafter it was forbid vpon paine of death The Religion in England was also much changed this yeere The Queene 1558 PAVL 4. FERDINAND PHILIP 2. ELIZABETH HENRY 2. Mary Queene of England dieth And Elizabeth is crowned died the seuenteenth day of Nouember and Cardinall Poole the same day which stirred vp many who were not satisfied with the former gouernement to restore the reformation of Edward and to separate themselues wholly from the Spaniards which they did the rather because King Philip to hold a foote in England had treated to marrie Elizabeth sister and successor of Mary to Charles his sonne and when there was little hope of the life of Mary hee had also cast foorth diuers words that hee would take her for his owne wife But the new Queene being wise as shee shewed her selfe to bee in all her gouernement did first secure the Kingdome by oath that she would not marrie a stranger and was crowned by the Bishop of Carlile an adherent to the Church of Rome not making any open declaration what doctrine shee would follow disseigning so soone as shee was setled in her gouernement to establish it by the counsell of the Parliament and of learned and godly men and to make a constant reformation of the state of Religion Therefore shee exhorted the chiefe of the Nobilitie who desired a change to proceede without tumult assuring them that shee would not enforce any Shee caused presently an account to bee giuen to the Pope of her assumption with letters of credence written to Edward Cerne who was Ambassadour to her sister and was not departed from Rome But the Pope proceeding according to his vsuall rigour answered that that Kingdome was held in Fee of the Apostolike Sea that shee could not succeede beeing With whom the Pope doth presently contest illegitimate that hee could not contradict the declarations of Clement the seuenth and Paul the third that it was a great boldnesse to assume the name and gouernement without him that for this shee deserued not to bee heard in any thing yet beeing desirous to shew a fatherly affection if shee will renounce her pretensions and referre her selfe wholly to his free disposition hee will doe whatsoeuer may bee done with the honour of the Apostolike Sea Many did beleeue that as he spake thus by his own inclination so he was incited by the French King who fearing a marriage betweene her and the King of Spaine might be made by the Popes dispensation thought fit to assure himselfe by cutting off the practises in the very beginning But the new Queene vnderstanding the Popes answere and wondring at the mans hastie disposition thought it not profitable either for her or the Kingdome to treate any more with him So that the cause ceasing shee gaue the Nobilitie leaue to consult what was fit to bee done for the seruice of God and quiet of the Kingdome A disputation was held in Westminster in presence of all A disputation is held in Westminster in matter of religion the States betweene learned men chosen on both sides which began the last of March and lasted vntill the thirtieth of April and a Parliament being assembled to this end all the Edicts of Religion made by Mary were abolished those of her brother Edward restored obedience taken away from the Pope the title of the Head of the Church of England giuen to the Queene the reuenues of the Monasteries confiscated and assigned some to the Nobilitie and some to the Crowne the Images taken out of the Churches by the people and the Romane Religion banished Another accident happened also For in the Diet of Ausburg it appearing by the actes of the Colloquie the yeere before dissolued without fruit that there was no hope to doe any good by that meanes Ferdinand tolde them hee would procure the generall Councell to be restored exhorting all to submit themselues to the Decrees thereof as beeing the way to remooue differences The protestants answered that they would consent to a Councell called not by the Pope but by the Emperour to bee held in Germanie in which the Pope should not preside but should submit himselfe to the iudgement thereof and release the Bishops and Diuines of their oath in which also the Protestants Ferdinand promiseth to procure a generall Councell should haue a deciding voyce and all should bee determined according to the holy Scripture and whatsoeuer was concluded in Trent should be reexamined which if it cannot be obtained of the Pope yet the peace of Religion should be confirmed according to the agreement of Passau hauing knowen by too manifest experience that no good can bee drawen from any Popish Councell The Emperour knowing the difficultie to obtaine of the Pope a grant of the things proposed and that now hee had no meanes to negotiate with him in regard of the controuersie about the resignation of Charles and his succession he confirmed the accord of Passau and the Recesses of the Diets And confirmeth the accord of Passau following The Pope hauing cut off all meanes to treate with the Emperour and Germanie knew not what to say to this Yet hee was more displeased with Wherewith the Pope is much displeased their discourse concerning the Councell then with the libertie granted by the Recesse beeing resolute not to call any Councell but in Rome whatsoeuer should happen In
they began to discourse what would happen after the Emperours death While these accidents troubled the Popes minde newes was The Popes Subiects of Auignion rebel against him brought him that the Hugonots his Subiects in the territory of Auignion were assembled and disputed whether they might take Armes against the Pope their temporall Lord and resolued they might because his succession was not lawful as well because that Countrey was not iustly taken from Raimondus Count of Tholouse as also for that the Ecclesiastiques cannot by the commandement of Christ possesse any temporal Dominion and resoluing to rebel by the means of Alexander Guilotimus a lawyer put themselues vnder the protection of Charles de Montbrun who was in Armes for Religion and was much followed in Dolphinie Charles entring the territory with three thousand foote made himselfe Lord of the whole Countrey with much ioy of the inhabitants Iames Maria Bishop of Viuiers Vice-Legat of Auignion made opposition and very hardly kept the Citie The Pope was much afflicted herewith not so much for the losse of the Countrey as for the cause which being taken for an example would touch the very root of the Papacie Therfore hee sent Cardinall Farneâ—e who was Legat to defend the Citie But the danger was moderated because Cardinall Tornon whose Neede Charles had But all danger was taken away by means of Cardinall Tornon married who was then not farre from that place as hee was going to the Court made him desist and goe to Geneua by promising restitution of his goods confiscated for rebellion and to bee recalled shortly with liberty of conscience if he would goe out of France So the Popes territory depriued of that protection did remaine in subiection but full of suspicions and ready to embrace euery nouitie The Protestants still increasing in France and which was of more importance the dissentions and suspicions betweene the Grandies the 21. of August 1560. the King called a very great assembly at Fountainbleau in which hauing 1560. The French King calleth an assembly at Fountainbleau briefly exhorted to set downe what was fit for his seruice the necessities of the Kingdome were declared by the Chancellour which hee compared to a man sicke of an vnknowen disease Afterwards Iasper Colignie gaue the King some petitions which he said were deliuered to him by a multitude of people when he was in Normandy vnto whom hee could not denie this fauour to present them to his Maiestie The summe of them was that the faithfull Christians dispersed throughout the whole Kingdome did pray his Maiesty to looke on them with a fauourable eye that they desired nothing but a moderation of the cruell punishments vntill their cause were heard and that they might make publique profession of their Religion to auoid suspicion by priuate assemblies Then Iohn Monluc Bishop of Valence hauing declared the In which the opinions were diuers infirmities of the Kingdome and commended the chastising of the feditious sayd that the cause of the euill remained yea still grew worse so long as religion might bee taken for a pretence against which prouision had not beene formerly made because the Popes had no other ayme but to holde the Princes in warre and the Princes thinking to suppresse the euill with punishments haue not attained the wished end nor the Magistrates and Bishops iustly performed their duetie The principall remedie was to flie vnto GOD to assemble godly men out of the whole Kingdome to finde a way to roote out the vices of the Clergie to forbid infamous and immodest songs and in stead of them to command the singing of Psalmes and holy hymnes in the vulgar tongue and if the common interpretation which goeth about be not good to take away the errours suffering that which is good to be vsed by all Another remedie was the Generall Councell alwayes vsed to compose such differences that hee could not see how the Popes conscience could be quiet one moment in regard so many soules did perish euery day saying that if a Generall Councell could not bee obtained they were to assemble a Nationall by the example of Charles the Great and Lewis the Deboneere that they did grieuously erre who troubled the publique quiet with armes vpon pretence of Religion a thing alwayes abhorred by antiquitie that their errour was as great who condemned to death those that adhered 1560 PIVS 4. FERDINAND ELTZABETH FRANCIS 2. to the new doctrine onely for the opinion of piety who dying constantly and contemning the losse of their goods stirre vp the mindes or the multitude and make them desirous to know what faith that is for which they endure so great punishments Charles Marillac Bishop of Vienna spake in the same manner commending the Generall Councell but adding that it might sooner bee desired then hoped for considering the difficulties which doe vsually arise in such a businesse wherein Charles the 5. hauing taken great paines hath euer been deluded by the Popes Besides the disease of France is so sharpe that there is no time to call a Physician from farre Therefore they were to call a Nationall Councell as had been vsed from the time of Clodoue vntill Charles the Great and afterwards vntill Charles the seuenth sometimes of the whole kingdome and sometimes of part that now the disease being vrgent they were to expect no longer nor to holde any esteeme of the impediments which the Pope did interpose in the meane while that the Prelates ought to reside and that the Italians who haue a third part of the Benefices were not to be suffered to enioy the fruits in their absence to take away all Simonie and ordaine as was done in the Anciran Councell that almes should not bee giuen in times of administring the Sacraments that the Cardinals and Prelates deputed by Paul the third gaue the same counsell that Paul the fourth thought it necessary though afterwards hee gaue himselfe to luxury and war that if this were not done there was danger to see the prophecie of Bernard verified That CHRIST would descend from heauen to whippe the Priests out of the Temple as hee had the Merchants Then hee spake of the remedies for the other maladies of the Kingdome Colignl when it was his turne to speake said that requiring those who gaue him the petitions to subscribe them hee was answered that 5000. men would subscribe if there were occasion Francis of Guise concerning the point of Religion said hee referred himselfe to the iudgement of learned men but protested that no Councell should haue so great authority with him as to make him decline one iote from the old beliefe The Cardinall of Loraine hauing spoken of other particulars descending to that of Religion sayd that the petitions presented were most proud and that to grant the Orators publique exercise were to approoue their doctrine that it was a cleere case that the greater part vsed Religion for a pretence and therefore his opinion was they should bee proceeded
owne The Emperours of the East were not depriued by this diuision neither of Sicilie nor of that part of Italie which coasting from Naples to Manfredonia is bounded by the Sea because they were alwayes vnder those Emperours By this alteration the custome that the Popes election should be confirmed by the Emperours was not changed at all neither did Rome cease to bee gouerned by them nay the Popes did date all their Buls Priuiledges and Grants with these formall words In the reigne of such an Emperour our Lord and Master In this easie subiection or dependencie the Popes continued vntill their owne prosperitie gaue them courage to gouerne themselues But the Emperours power beeing weakened by the discords of Charles the Great his posteritie and the Empire beeing transferred vpon the German Princes which were not so potent as those who were before by reason of the greatnesse of the Kingdome of France and of the successors of Charles Rome began to bee gouerned by her owne Magistrates though but in a tumultuous maner and the Popes withdrawing themselues from the Emperours obedience as much as they could decreed that their election should no more bee confirmed by them This decree was diuersly obserued according as the Emperours power did rise or fall This power being become great in the Otho 's of Saxonie Otho the third made meanes to choose Gregorie the fift his owne countriman for Pope who for the loue hee bare to his owne nation and for the persecutions which were raysed by the Romans gaue the Germans by his Decree power to choose the Roman Emperors in that forme as is now vsed And to giue some preheminence to the Pope hee forbad them to vse the title of Emperour or of Augustus but onely of King of the Romans or of Caesar vntill they had receiued the crowne of the Empire Hence grew the custom of comming to Rome to be crowned After the Otho 's the imperiall power being not hereditarie to great Kings was much diminished Hereupon both Rome and many Cities besides when Conrade of Sueuia was Emperour did openly rebell The Popes taking aduantage to aduance their power made themselues Lords of the Romans though many times they were much troubled by them But the better to represse them they obtayned of Henry the second Emperour when he was at Rome that the Cardinals onely should choose the Pope This their greatnesse was increased by a new accident For the Normans the first of which was William surnamed Ironarme hauing taken Puglia and Calabria from the Empire of Constantinople Robert Guicciard one of them eyther to fortifie himself by this colour or to make himselfe the stronger against these Emperours or for some other reason first restored Beneuent to the Church and then acknowledged that the Dukedome of Puglia and Calabria were held in vassallage of it In conformitie of this example Roger one of his successors hauing chased William a man of the same familie out of this Dukedome and then possessed himselfe of Sicilie hee acknowledged in the yeare 1130 that hee held these Prouinces in vassallage of the Church vnder the title of King of both the Sicilies the one beyond the other on this side Faros The Popes refused not to cherish the vsurpation and violence of others in regard it serued to aduance their owne ambition and profit For they proceeded further as the desires of men are neuer satisfied and depriued one of the Kings of these kingdomes for disobeying their commands and gaue them to another By this meanes they came to Henry the sonne of Frederick Barbarossa from him to his sonne Frederick the 2. all which three were Emperours of Rome successiuely But Frederick being a bitter persecuter of the Church and the factions of Guelfs and Ghibelius being on foote of the one of which the Pope of the other the Emperor was head the Pope after the death of Frederick granted these kingdomes to Charles Earle of Aniou and Prouence of whom we spake before vpon condition he should pay 6000. ounces of gould yearly for tribute and that neither hee nor any of his successors should accept of the Roman Empire This condition hath beene specified euer since in the inuestiture of the kingdome of Naples The kingdome of Sicilie being usurped by the Kings of Aragon withdrew it selfe within few yeares from the obedience of the Church both for the tribute and for the vassallage There hath beene a fame though not so certaine as those things which haue beene spoken of that the Countesse Maude a potent Princesse in Italie gaue long before to the Church that part of Tuscanie which is bounded by the torrent Pescia the castle called Saint Quirico in the countie of Siena the Sea called Mare inferum and the riuer Tiber now knowen by the name of the Patrimonie of Saint Peter Some adde that shee gaue to the Church likewise the Citie of Ferrara These things are not certaine and it is more vncertaine which notwithstanding is related that Authpertus King of the Lombards then flourishing gaue the Pope the Alpes called Cocciae in which they say that Genua and all the tract from thence to Prouence is contained as also that Suithprandus King of the same Nation gaue him Sabina a Countrey neere to Rome Naruia Ancona and certaine other Lands As these things did varie so the affaires of the Popes and Emperours did vary also At the first for many ages together the Popes were persecuted by the Emperours afterwards they were at quiet Constantine beeing conuerted to the faith but so as that they medled with Spirituall matters onely and were little lesse then wholly subiect to the Emperours After that they liued a long time in very meane estate and had no commerce at all with them by reason of the great power of the Lombards in Italie But after they had gotten temporall authority by the assistance of the Kings of France they adhered very much and very willingly to the Emperours so long as the Empire continued in the posteritie of Charles the Great in regard of benefites giuen and taken as also in regard of the greatnesse of the Emperours But when the Imperiall greatnesse declined they withdrew themselues from the Emperours and professed that the Bishops of Rome ought to giue lawes to them rather then to receiue any from them Now because they hated to come vnder the old yoke and feared that some of the Emperours according to the example of their most potent and brauest predecessors would attempt to recouer the rights of the Empire in Rome they openly opposed them by warre assisted by some Tyrants who called themselues Princes and by some Cities who had set themselues at libertie and did no more acknowledge the authority of the Empire Hence it came to passe that the Popes assuming euery day more and more they conuerted their Spirituall weapons to maintaine their temporall affaires For making this interpretation that as Vicars of CHRIST on earth they were aboue the Emperors and that in