of Augustus by Honorius the third With him hee brought many rich gifts into Italie and amongst the rest the Countie of Funda which with manie notable donatiues he bestowed vpon the Church And then setting Germanie in order he prepared himselfe for the iourney of Ierusalem according to the custome of his Auncestors Who being deceaued by their false pretexts of Religion imagined that they were not worthie to merit the Imperiall Diademes but by vowes and donatiues First forgetting that no Pope but the Princes and the people were interessed in the election of the Emperours And secondly not fore seeing that the Priests who had too sharply felt the armes of the Princes to their extreame losse were not so carefull to recouer Ierusalem for the Christian good as they were prouident to direct or distract the forces of stirring Potentates That mean while they might liue at pleasure and prouide for their bellies For the Princes being sequestred into the farthest parts of the world this pretext I confesse caried a great shew of zeale honesty who was left to hinder them from making free vse of their wits at home and that without restraint or contradiction Howeuer Frederick in the beginning caried himself bountifull and obedient towards Honorius notwithstanding his vertues could neither safe conduct his life against their subtilties impieties and clandestine councels neither his bountie extenuate or lenifie their conceiued malices against his person For three most wicked Bishops successiuely succeeding one another for almost thirtie yeares space so hardly kept him to it that his most barbarous enemies the Turks and Saracens may be reported to haue made faire and gentle warres against this most warlike Emperour in regard of those trickes and tragedies which the Romanists played him First Honorius immediatly after the receit of his Donatiues without any pretence of receiued displeasure seditiously maintained and acquited from their oathes of allegeance the two Earles of Tuscanie Richard and Thomas condemned of treason the Emperors publique dangerous enemies Secondly that with more facility they might make vse of his fauour to purpose and vsurpe vpon the Kingdomes of Sicil and Apulia he branded the Emperor with the censure of excommunication and as far as lay in his power depriued him of all Imperial soueraignty After this he prouoked the Lombards to rebellion so that they repelled the Princes of Germany approching to a diet to be held at Cremona by the Emperors direction and had done more had not God taken him out of this world to accompanie his predecessours in the vale of death Gregorie the ninth succeedeth He to seeme nothing inferiour to his predecessor euen in the first step to his Papacie raged worse then Honorius He accuseth him that according to his vow vndertaken in the time of Honorius to passe vnto Ierusalem hee had not accomplished it within the prefixed time and therefore renewing the excommunication hee condemneth him without allowance of defence vnsommoned and vnheard yea he vtterly denieth either to heare or to admit vnto the presence of his councell the honourable Embassadors of his Maiestie bringing honest lawful reasons in excuse of their Master yea petitioning to be admitted vnto satisfaction in case their Lord had in any thing offended But the Pope notwithstanding all offer of submission daily intimateth his fulminations confirmeth in their rebellions Iohn King of Ierusalem the Earls of Tuscany the Emperors rebels the Nobles of Lombardy And forbiddeth the Emperors seruants to appeare at the day of the Assembly proclaimed by the Emperor to be held at Rauenna And spoileth the crossed souldiers bound for the iourney of Ierusalem of all their necessaries The Emperor obseruing this passage to lenifie his papall anger passeth the sea laieth siege to Acon and finisheth many glorious attempts to the honor of Christendom and the Christian religion Meane time the Pope O the deepe abysse of Popish impiety taketh his aduantage vpon the Emperours absence subdueth Apulia prohibiteth the crossed companies to passe the seas committeth infinit such like masteries not only vnbeseeming a Christian Bishop but much more Christ his Vicar For first he slaieth those Embassadors whom the Emperor had sent vnto him to congratulate his good successe against the Soldan then to terrifie those cities of Apulia which refused his yoke of subiection he giueth out publique rumors that the Emperor was departed this world Hee also maketh meanes vnto the Soldan mean time to work his will in Apulia that he should not capitulate to surrender the Holy lād vnto Caesar Here behold the piety of this Holy father Here behold his study conuersion of leuies of prouisions taken vp through christendom to be imployed against Gods enemies This is his persecution of Infidels this his Croisado against Turks Pagans viz. To inuert christian armes against christians to forsake a christian Emperor warring in a forraine land against the enemies of the Christian faith and especially I dare auow for the safety of Italie as experience hath since made manifest For mine own part in the behalfe of the whole christian cōmon weale I can but condole for the generall captiuity of Israel but as for the Popes I say to them as somtime mutata regione Tasso prophetically said of the Greeks vpō the very same Argument Tatine their guide and except Tatine none Of all the Greeks went with the Christian Host O sinne O shame O Greece acurst alone Did not this fatal war affront thy coast Yet satest thou an idle looker on And glad attendedst which side won or lost Now if thou be a bondslaue vile become No wrong is that but Gods most righteous doome But as in another place the same Poet spake of the Grecian Emperor so the German Monarch might at this time say of the Romish Prelate And for I doubt the Romish prelate slie Will vse gainst me some of his wonted craft To stay their passage or diuert awry Elsewhere his promis'd forces c. Necessity will inforce me to returne And so he did towards Italy Where albeit by the way he had intercepted the Popes letters directed to the Soldan containing the aforesaid instructions yet hauing recouered the losses suffered in his absence most heroically for the loue of Christ he beareth dissembleth all forepassed greuances And in pure deuotion to peace of his own accord he beseecheth his holinesse to receiue him into fauour in requital therof he protesteth to becom his future true liegeman for the kingdome of Sicil. What say you vnto this you hypocrites Heere you see a king humble contrit studious of peace through this whole discourse haue I yet read of no such Pope What are thē the signs of christianity and true religion war or peace Humility or pride If you say peace humility where then must we seek them In the breasts commonly of christian Princes And no maruell for both the written word of God and conscience haue warranted their authorities
He is denied At three daies end instancing admittance with greater importunacie It is answered That his Holinesse is not yet at leysure to attend his suit Henrie by patience making a vertue of necessity In that he could not be admitted into the City contenteth himself to abide in the Suburbs but not without many incommodious greeuances For the wether was sharpe and all places appeared hoary with frost At last after his incessant three-daies petitioning and deniall at the instance of Maud the Countesse of Adelaus Earle of Sauoie and the Abbot of Clunois he is admitted vnto presence Vpon the fourth day in signe of vnfained penitency he resigned his Crowne and imperiall Ensignes and maketh a protestation that hee were vnworthy to enioy the Title of an Emperor if he should againe commit the like offences against the Roman Sea as formerly he had done For all this this inexorable Prelat would neither pardon nor absolue him vnlesse he would put in good securitie that according vnto his Popish pleasure he would expiate the offence in a Councell and be forth comming at euerie day and place appointed there the Pope being Iudge to answer vnto all accusations without once plotting in his thoughts anie scruple of reuenge 2. Yea after his purgation and reconciliation either to retain or forsake his kingdom if the Pope thought it so fitting 3. Thirdlie that before the Examination of his Cause he should not presume to weare anie Kinglie habit neither haue borne before him anie Imperiall ensignes That hee should not meddle in state gouernment nor exact anie oth of allegiance vpon his vassalls Vpon promise of performance and future obedience the attonement is now at length confirmed aswell by Oth as Indenture and Henrie absolued Now obserue I beseech you the restlesse humours of attainted consciences The Court of shauelings deep polititians men of profound reaches and admirable well seen in the principles of Machiuell and carefull aswell to preuent future blowes as to oppose against present perils either reuoluing in their far reaching wits or suspecting in their seared consciences that Henrie beeing sure seated in a peaceable estate could not possibly disgest so vilanous an indignity nor the world allow of so base a tiranny fall againe to their old plots but a new-Counsell viz. how they might vtterly dispossesse Henrie of his Empire Rodulph Duke of Sweuia Henries brother in law is presented with a golden Crowne thus inscribed Petra dedit Petro Petrus diadema Rodulpho And withall the Bishops of Magunce and Colen are commanded that rebelling against Henrie they shold set it vpon Rodulphs head and assist him therin to the vtmost of their forces Was it for Loue or Honor may the world dispute that the Pope became thus bountifull of an other mans patrimony to bestow it vpon Rodulph Or doth any History make mention that Rodulph was a more kinde Son to the Church then Henrie Beleeue me the Pope did neither vpon any such respects it was far from his imagination But this was the windlace of all if Henrie must liue in peace Henrie must seek reuenge but if the Duke of Sweuia find him play on one side Romandiola shall be secured on the other side Let Rodulph or Henrie sinke or swim meane while res nostrae tutiores redduntur that is the Court of Rome may securely swagger If Henrie haue the better yet shall he be much the weaker if Henrie haue the worse then all the care is taken for Rodulph is infinitly beholding vnto vs. And be it as be may nether party being potent Princes shall haue cause to laugh at their bargain let time try the sequell and so it hapned O the blind folly of ambition For albeit that Rodulph was the Emperors sworne liege-man his brother in law by mariage indowed with the Dukedom of Sweuia after his decease and honored with many other fauours notwithstanding being seduced by the faire and false protestations of the Bishops and borne out by his own greatnesse and the succours of Saxonie he inuadeth the Empire and rebelliously to his vtmost power moueth war against his Soueraigne master Caesar by the admonishment of the Bishop of Argentine seeing the danger arising from all parts leuieth his people affronteth Rodolph and setteth all vpon the hazard of a battell The issue whereof was this That the Pope vpon mistrust of the worst commanded both parties to Peace and that Henrie should expect his sentence at the Synode which shortly hee would proclaime to be held in Germanie Which limitation when Henrie stomacked vpon protestation that hee would suffer no Assembly to bee holden in Germanie vnlesse Rodolph were first remooued The Pope rather then hee would disharten Rodolph by finall Peace renueth the Excommunication and sendeth foorth his Mandates full stuffed with hellish furie Henrie is nothing abashed but the third time giueth the battell at Elistrum of Misia and there ouerthroweth his enemy This came to passe in the yeere 1080. the Ides of October Rodolph being grieuously wounded and from the field conueied to Merseburg intreateth the Bishops and the Leaders of his people to compeere before him Where being assembled Rodolph feeling death seazing vpon him stretched forth his right hand and said My Lords this is the hand with which I plighted my faith to my Lord Henrie At your intreaties thus and thus many times hath it vnfortunately fought against him Returne yee and make good your first Othes to the King I am to depart to my fathers Rodolph being vanquished and Germanie by his death resonably well quieted Henrie neither forgetting Hildebrands iniuries neither hauing his spirits so peaceably affected but that hee could call to remembrance how the Pope had twise Excommunicated him how for three dayes space being a most suppliant Petitioner in a very cold season he could attaine no reconciliation As also that cunningly hee had assisted his enemie euen the competitor of his Kingdome proclaimeth a Synod of the Bishops of Italy Lombardy and Germanie to bee celebrated at Brixia a Citie of Norica Where being assembled and the Acts of Hildebrand examined with one consent they promulge this suffrage For that it is apparently knowne that Hildebrand was not Elected of God but most impudently by fraud and briberie made his owne way to the Papall dignitie And therein being seated hath subuerted all the Orders of the Church disquieted the whole Christian world intended the death both of body and soule to a most peaceable and Catholicke King defended a periurd Prince and amongst the peaceable sowed seedes of discord c. Wee here Congregated by the Grace of God and assisted by the Legats and letters of nineteene Bishops assembled against the foresaid Hildebrand at Mognuce the eight day of Pentecost doe canonically giue iudgement against the said Hildebrand That he is to bee deposed and expelled for vnaduisedly Preaching of Sacriledges and factions defending Periuries and Scandals Abclieuer of Dreames and diuinations a notorious Necromancer a man possessed
their factions and dissensions vtterly giueth ouer his further hopes of inioying the Empire and by the mediation of S. Bernard of Clareual falleth to make his peace with his corriuall Lotharius Lotharius being now sole and absolute Lord of the Empire according to his Saxonish simplicity honouring the Papall Sea with more then common obseruancie ceaseth not to deserue well thereof by all the offices of loue and duty which an obedient sonne to the Church could possibly imagine to performe Innocentius the second the successor of Honorius expulsed by Anacletus Antipope and Roger Duke of Apulia flying vnto him for succour to his infinit charge he restored to his Sea at Barionea But beleeue me neither these kind offices nor any worldly respects were of ability either to frustrate or to mollifie the Popish auarice for when the Pope had declared Lotharius Emperor he made shew as if he would againe seeke restitution of the auncient rites which the Empire claimed in the election of Bishops and Abbots But the rauenous Pope not only refused to vnloosen his talents vpon what he had already seised but also re-attaching whatsoeuer Lotharius himself either by the perswasion of Bernard or in feare of further sedition had voluntarily offered to the Romish sea he laboured by all other meanes to adde more to the former through his immesurable avarice For when Lotharius hauing expulsed Roger the Apulean would haue bestowed the Dutchy vpon Earle Reignold the generall of his armie the Bishop impleded him as concerning the right of donation with so vehement a contention that neither being minded to yeeld to other the controuersie at last was faine to be thus determined viz. That both parties should lay their hands vpon the Staffe of the Feodarie ensigne then to be deliuered to the new Duke of Apulia Thereby signifying that both of them had equall interest in the transportation of that Dukedome So that the more humility accompanied with sweet behauiour and moderation that this all-praise-worthy Emperor shewed towards the Papacie The more the waywardnesse and malice of the Romanists began to shew it selfe and that without feare or modesty For whereas this Emperor in receiuing the Diademe had cast himselfe at the Popes feete the Clergie to vse the precedent to the debasement of succeeding Emperors and to deliuer it as a trophee to posterity as soon as his backe was turned set vp in the Lateran pallace his protraiture with this inscription Rex venit ante fores iurans prius vrbis honores Post homo fit Papae sumit quo dante Coronam The King attends before the gates and sweares the City-rites to keepe From Romes great Pastor takes his Crowne and vowes to hold in vassalage What was this but a bewraying first of their frowardnesse manifested in despising the Maiesty of so high a calling and secondly of their pride in that forsooth they would seem either to ouertop or obscure the victorious gests of him who to his immortall commendation had subiected vnder tribute the Duke of Polonia the Pomeranes and the Russies who I say to the no small honor of the Maiesty Imperiall had inforced the King of Denmarke to beare the sword at his Coronation had subiugated the states of Cremona and Papia and brought the vanquished Bononians and Piemontois into the forme of a prouince and finally with the conquest of Apulia had brought vnder obedience many most noble Cities in that Dutchy Now is he vanquished and acknowledged the Popes bondslaue For what other signification doth the Popes Creature import but to be his vassall or seruant Such are these admirable seruants of seruants whom euen Emperors themselues are glad to acknowledge and respect as Lords and Masters ⧠Conradus tertius He raigned in the yeere of Christ 1138. about the third yeere of King Steuen LOtharius in his second retrait out of Italie being departed this world not farre from Trent Conrade the same Prince whom as before we told you the malice of Honorius had frustrated of the Empire and banished Italie now succeedeth his dead predecessor But albeit after the decease of Lotharius the Princes of the Empire and that in the presence of Theodoret the Popes legate and with his very good liking did elect him King of Romans yet by no meanes could the Popes assent be gotten to perfect the Election For whereas hee had conferred to Roger Duke of Apulia that Dukedome with the titulary dignity of a Kingdome in liew of ransome for himselfe and his Cardinalls taken in battell and Conrade in preiudice of the Empire would neither ratifie nor hearken vnto so vnreasonable a motion Nocentius complotting with Roger incited Guelfo Duke of Bauaria to rebell against Conrade for that hee could not obtaine at his hands the graunte of his brothers Dutchie Herewith the Emperour had so much to doe to defend his owne that hee quite forgot to thinke vpon the recouery of Sicil and Apulia Behold here a president of Papall fidelity if his auarice bee not supplied by losse to the State About this time these fatall factions of the Guelfes and Gibellines whereof others haue discoursed began in Germanie For as Nauclerus reporteth out of Hermanus whilst the battell was fighting betweene Conrade and Guelfo those of the Kings party tooke for their word or Motto Hie Wiebling which is as much to say The King as being nobly discended from a village of that appellation Those which followed Guelfo reclaimed Hie welf Where after it came to passe that those two denomidations of Guelfes and Gibellines became the originall of all the factions in Italy Which falling out happely for Gregorie the ninth to make vse of from thenceforth he gaue them such large entertainment that no City towne nor people were cleere from the infection of so spreading a contagion For vpon no other ground saue the vse of these names euen vntill our daies with more then admirable fury City bandied against City Prouince against Prouince yea in a City one part of the people confronted another Not only the factious people continued this dissension amongst themselues but the Bishops also in this quarrell prosecuted one another to the vtmost of their furie Amongst others that Boniface the eight then whom the Romane Sea neuer indured a more fell monster persecuted from place to place all those whome hee knew to bee of the Gibelline faction ransacking and spoiling all places whereunto they made any repaire of abiding Whereupon some finding no safety in Cities setled their abodes in woods and forrests manie of the Gentrie like wilde beastes inhabited the Sea coastes and at last left Italie to bee companions with pirates For they assured themselues that the Pirates could not haue vsed them worse then this Malefacius Nero would haue done if he had once caught them in his clutches As for example When hee heard that certaine of the contrarye faction were fledde to GENOA hee posted after them with full determination by
Alexandria being continually relieued from the interessed cities defended it selfe valiantly And more then that Henry Leo Duke of Bauaria and Saxonie corrupted with money contrarie to all imagination of the Emperour neither regarding the bond of kindred nor the memorie of fore-passed kindnesses most traiterously departed with his forces so that Frederick finding himselfe too weake to withstand the Italian rebels dispersed his hoast and with great difficultie in the habit of an Hostler fled into Burgundy by the way of Mount Iupiter But Leo escaped not scot-free for the Emperour hauing now recouered Germanie and re-inforcing his armie limiteth the Duke a day appeacheth him of treason and ouerthrowing his forces depriueth him of his Lordships Dukedome Some Princes fauouring Henrie gaue out that the Emperor could not condemne him vnlesse the sentence had beene giuen within his owne dominions Which Frederick who before times had shewen himselfe a seuere censurer in inflicting exemplary punishment against rebells and outlawes little esteemed but bestowed the Dutchy of Noricum vpon Otto of Wittelspach that of Saxony vpon Bernard Anhaldin and the residue vpon other of his seruants Who being re-enforced by the assistance of their friends within the space of one moneth expulsed Leo almost out of all his liuelyhoods which of any subiect of the Empire were the greatest and goodliest insomuch that nothing was left him saue only the Dutchy of Brunswicke An excellent president for gentlemen to looke vnto and to learne that the authority of soueraignty lawfully warranted by Gods owne mouth is not rashly to bee vilified but to be reuerenced with fidelity obedience and honor and that for conscience sake And because I make no question but that the review of this example may be a motiue to bring many a rash spirit into the due consideration of authority I will bee bold here to relate certaine other exemplary punishments inflicted by this Emperor vpon others of his rebellious subiects Herman Earle Palatin of the Rhene and his complices for that in his Italian absence hee had violated the publique peace by raising armes against Arnold Archbishop of Mogunce he compelled publiquely for satisfaction to lead a dog vpon the birth day of the Lord of Wormes Gualfag Earle of Angleria and Prince of Millan for that after the promulgation of the Curse by the Pope he sided with Alexander and in his quarrell committed many insolencies in the City to the derogation of the honor of the Empire hauing taken him three daies he tied him as a dog vnder his table whipt him with scurges and at last in chaines sent him into Germany These were the punishments of those daies the like whereof if transgressors in like cases should vndergoe in these times there were no doubt but to find greater tranquility and better obedience to the lawes through out the Empire But to our pupose Frederick hauing thus abated the greatnesse of Henrie leuied a new army in Germany and again marcheth towards Italie Variable I know is the opinion of writers about the gests done in Italie in this iourney Some report that he fought in such great danger against the Millanois that his horse being slayn himself had almost miscaried and that vpon the compulsatory threats of the Bishops he was fain to treat a peace with the Church Others write that by the perswasiō of the Bishop of Brixia he went into the Holy-land and that there after the atchiuement of many famous victories hee was betraied by Alexander to the Soldan yet at length again restored to liberty by the Popes liberality Albeit I know that these reports are heaued at by many notwithstāding sithence they are vouched with the authority of such authors whose diligence in reporting the life of so worthy an Emperour may deseruedly bee tollerated I am onely disposed to relate them as I finde them especially beeing such as in likelihood held correspondencie with the papall disposition against Emperours not altogether impertinent to our Argument for beliefe I leaue it to euery mans iudgement Then thus at large Frederick being arriued at Brixia Hartmannus Bishop of the place and the Emperours Secretarie by the secret instructions of the Pope dealeth with his Maiestie rather to turne these armes against Turks and Indels then against the most Holy father and the Christian people The Holie land quoth hee which your Grandfather Conrade to his infinite expence recouered from the Turks is now reconquered by the Egyptian Soldan I beseech your Maiestie euen in the name and behalfe of the publique welfare that vnto the glorious recouerie of these Kingdomes you would diuert your whole cogitations This if you please to entertaine you may assure your selfe that the French King will noblie assist you to expell this Sacracen This honest-seeming oration saith the Historie the Emperour well liked and transporteth into Turkie this armie first leuied against the Pope and the Italian rebels Taking his iourney by Hungarie he commeth to Constantinople transporteth his army and taketh many cities from the Soldan He inuadeth the lesser Armenia and comming to Ierusalem hee winneth the Citie and casteth out the Pagans But whilst the world goeth thus prosperously forward in the East Pope Alexander that most wicked Traytour imagining it would not be so with him and his complices if his Maiestie should returne so powrefull into Italy resolueth to seeke his destruction by villany He causeth an excellent Painter to draw the protraiture of Frederick and sendeth it to the Soldan with this Item That if he desired to liue in peace There was the Emperours counterfait make meanes to destroy him The Soldan hauing receaued the Breue and the Picture meditateth how he might gratifie the Bishop pleasure himselfe and be reuenged on his enemie Opportunity in the Camp or in conflict is seldome or neuer offered But as Caesar led back his troupes securely from the conquest of Ierusalem he deuideth them into Companies for the better commodiousnesse in their retreat to prouide them of necessaries In Armenia what by the heat of the sunne the tediousnes of the iourney imagining that no danger could proceed frō those solitary woods with a few horsmen his Chaplin he departeth from the Army Being a little remoued and the horsemen commanded to depart he prepareth to put off his garments to wash himself in the riuer to asswage the heat of his body There with his Chaplin he is taken and throgh the woods brought prisoner to the Soldan The horsmen in vain expect the returne of their Master yet diligently scourd vp and down the country both that and next day to heare what newes The report goeth that he is drowned Great is the griefe of the Camp for a moneths space they drag for him in the riuer But not finding him they chose new Captaines depart The Emperor being brought before the Soldan faineth that he is his Chamberlaine The Soldan by the protracture knoweth him to be the Emperour and commandeth the picture
his Hetrurians leauied in Italie and his Sweuians raised in Germanie he beginneth with Alsatia next neighbour to Sweuia and wasteth it then falling vpon the Thuringer confederated with the Bohemian hee inforceth him to submission and routeth the Bohemian This done through the reconciliation of the Colennois at Confluence hee treateth a league with the Dukes of Brabant Lotharinge with whom and his associates descending to Aquisgran with great solemnity he is there crowned by the fore-said Colennois Finally meeting with Otho not farre from Colen he put him to flight and without his companions enforceth him to flie againe into England When the Princes perceiued these prosperous successes to attend Philip being now throughly wearied with these ciuill combustions by a generall consent they conclude to send an honourable Embassie to his Holinesse who vpon restitution of Philip into fauour should intreat his fatherhood to confirme him in the Rights of the Empire He giueth audience and returneth for aunswere that vnlesse Philip will giue vnto Richard his brothers sonne newly created Earle of Thuscanie Spolet and Marchia Anconitana with the daughter of Philip hee will neuer harken vnto the Emperours Ambassie Behold here another trick of Popish discontent By this match hee onely meant and hoped to inuest his Nephew in the perpetuall inheritance of these goodly Lordships Thus haue these Holy fathers long since accustomed vnder the habit of Saint Peter to fish rather to inrich their Nephewes their kindred and their Gossips then to be carefull ouer the Church and the common-weale yea in these respects they haue often moued warres so that the meanes by which God hath ordained to reconcile families to corroborat peace they haue inuerted to maintaine factions and to serue their owne purposes After the Embassadors had heard the proposed condition altogether impertinent to the businesse whereabout they had taken so much paines they tooke it as a strange motion That the daughter of a King should be affianced to the base Nephew of a Pope Howbeit not to offend his Holinesse they answered that they had no commission to treat of any such ouerture but desire that by some people of his owne hee would acquaint their Lord and Master with his Holinesse request Whereupon with more heat then good discretion he adioyneth vnto the Embassadors of Philip now vpon their returne Hugoline and Leo Cardinals of Hostia and Saint Crosses in Ierusalem Who arriuing at Augusta were honourably receiued and highly feasted but vpon notice of the proud and preposterous message of their Master nothing ashamed to violate the Constitutions of his Lord Peramount the King and his Counsell secretly laughing at the Legats discoursing vpon matters nothing tending to Peace and Absolution from Augusta the Court remoued to Spiers and so to Northius And there after long debatement the peace was ratified and the Bishops Nephew reiected vpon condition that the daughter of Philip whom the foole-Bishop eagerlie instanced should be affianced to Otho And that he liuing in priuate during the life of Philip after his death should succeed in the Empire Not long after this treatie Philip died for leauing Saxonie and for recreation sake retiring vnto Babenberg in Sweuia he was traiterously slaine in his Chamber there solely remaining after the opening of a vain by Otho of Wittelsback Nephew vnto him vpon whom Frederick as we told you before had bestowed Bauaria The cause of his discontent arose for that being a suter to his daughter in regard of some imputation of disloyaltie he had beene repulsed and the Lady by the Emperour her fathers good liking affianced to Otho After this lamentable regicide Otho by the generall consent of the Nobility assembled at Francofurt is saluted Emperour ⧠Otho the fourth OTho by consent of the Princes being thus installed in the Imperial throne setteth all things through Germany in good order and then with a warlike Armie marching by the vally of Trent hee passeth by Lombardie and so commeth to Rome to receiue the Imperiall diademe where by the Pope the Clergie and the people hee is heartely welcommed and honourably receiued And so much the rather the Pope studied to honour and gratifie his Maiestie for that hee had heretofore alwaies assisted his partie against Philip his predecessour But this extraordinarie kindnesse was of no long continuance betweene these new friends but being soone ripe soone vanished and turned into hatred For vpon the very day of the Coronation an affray began betweene the Dutch and the Romanes about the donatiues which the Emperors accustomed to bestow at this time amongst the souldiers so that as report went about one thousand and one hundred men were slaine and as many wounded Whereupon Otho being moued at so great an indignity complained vnto the Romans for reparation of amends which they promised but performed so slowly that the Emperor began to enter into suspition that the Pope himselfe became a fautor of the tumult whereupon hee departed towards Millan and there laying aside his Imperiall ensignes hee infested Tuscanie Mark Ancona and Romandiola vulgo S. Peters patrimony Moreouer in warlike manner he inuaded Apulia subdued the Dutchy of Capua and tooke from Frederick the second many other Cities pertayning to the kingdome of Sicil at that time mistrusting no such outrage Vpon intelligence hereof Innocent admonisheth Otho to restore the feodary possessions of the Church and to abstaine from further violence But Caesar not only reiecteth his admonitions but infesteth those possessions with more and more souldier-like depredations Innocent flyeth to Excommunication depriueth him of his Imperiall titles and absolueth the Princes of their oth of allegiance towards Otho And that more is prohibiteth vnder paine of damnation that no man serue account or call Otho Lord or Emperor It is reported that he caused the Princes anew to sweare vnto Frederick King of Sicil being as yet an Infant and him he made choice of to succeed in his place Whereupon Otho returned into Germany where albeit in the Assembly of Noremberg vpon complaint of the Popish tyranny and the cowardize of the Princes he had entred a strict bond of alliance with many and had moreouer taken sharpe reuenge vppon Herman Lantgraue of Thuringe by wasting his territories for that at the Popes commandement he had violated his faith yet at last being forsaken of his people hee was glad to retire into Saxonie where the fourth day after his royall mariage at Northuis with the daughter of Philip he fell sick and died ⧠Fredericke the second He raigned 1212. About the thirteenth yeare of King IOHN FRederick the second by the vniuersall consent of all Writers a Prince worthy all attributes of honour as well for his gouernment in peace as his cariage in warre vpon the deiection of Otho at the commandement of Innocent the third tooke vpon him the Imperiall Crowne at Aquisgran And in the yeare next following Otho departing at Perusium he was crowned at Rome and honoured with the name
presumptions fore-shewing that hee was already acquainted with some plot of treason against Conrade For after he vnderstood that Conrade with a puissant armie of Germanes was passed Viterbium where then his Holinesse resided he was heard to prophesie That he was led as a Lamb to the slaughter Thus the posteritie of Frederick being for manie ages turmoiled by this succession of Bishops after infinit practises at last was vtterly ruinated by these bloudie monsters yea the Princes of Germanie were so involued in these fatal oppositiōs that none of thē either daring or willing to weare a Crowne at so deare a reckoning Alphons of Spaine and Richard of England by mony and the Popes fauour as the world saith began to aspire vnto that Dignity which for so many ages past the Germaines alone had enioyed and honourably maintained But neither of them either in iealousie one of another or in feare of their predecessors harmes euer came to the reall possession thereof so that for the space almost of 22. yeares the Empire became an Anarchy and so continued vntill by the generall suffrage of all the Princes Rodulph of Hauespurg was chosen Emperour ⧠Rodulphus Habspurgicus He raigned Anno 1273. About the second yeare of Edward the first AFter these lamentable Tragedies acted vpon the person of Frederick his issue is Rodulph of Hauespurg elected King of Romanes Who albeit he had pleighted his faith to Gregorie the tenth that hee would come to Rome and there be crowned as also had studied to deserue the friendship of him and other his successours with extraordinarie indeuours For that time had taught him that euen against all humane reason this viperous generation had clearely extinguished the two most worthy and glorious families of France and Sveuia As also for that they had transferred the Kingdome of Naples from the race of Frederick to the house of Aniow and therfore thought with himselfe that such Potentates as they were not rashly to be prouoked especially being now shielded with the fauours of the French and the peeuishnesse of the Germane Bishops As also that it was worke enough beseeming the Maiestie of a good and gracious Emperour to tender the welfare of his natiue Country now almost ruinated and rent by ciuill dissentions Notwithstanding his godlinesse his clemencie his deuotion his humanity his modestie and his obseruancie yet could hee deserue no other retribution from these vngratefull Politicians but intrusions vpon his Crowne and taunts against his person For Honorius the fourth being Bishop at that season arrogating vnto himselfe all Regall authority directly against the good will of Rodulph constituted Priziualna Earle of Ianua vicar Generall of the Empire throughout Italy And after his Maiestie for mony had quite claimed vnto many Cities their liberties this Honorius most wickedly sealed this scandalous transaction After the decease of Honorius Nicholas the fourth had vtterly dispossest this Emperour of Romandiola and Rauenna vnder the false pretext of an expedition against the Turke had not Death taken truce with his traiterous intents By a new creation of two Kings in Italie the one to gouerne Lumbardy the other Tuscanie he had plotted that by the commodiousnesse of their scituations all alongst the Teutonick Alps from hence by armes he might alwaies haue meanes to curb the French who now hold Sicil and the goodly Kingdome of Naples in full possession Wherof Rodulph taking notice resoluing with himselfe neuer to be made a stale to an other mans despight which by affectation of a titularie Crowne in Italie publiquely at all times giueth forth that at some time or other he would find sufficient occasions of diuersion and redresse but in plain termes he intimateth to his friends that he was wholly deterd from iournying into Italy for that he had formerly obserued That the entrance of the Caesars thereinto was applauded honoured and full of hopes but their returnes aukward heauie mournfull and miserable Not impertinently alluding vnto Esops fable of the Wolfe who told the Lyon lying sick in his den That in truth he had no reason to enter considering that he could well obserue the footing of euery beast in entrance going forward but not of one returning backward ⧠Albertus Primus He raigned 1298. About the six and twentieth yeare of Edward the first ALbeit Albert succeeding his father Rodulph in the Empire continued the same obseruancy towards the Roman Monarchy as his father formerly had done yet could he by no meanes escape the bitter quips taunts of these cloistered asses For at what time by his Ambassadours according to custome hee praied of Boneface the eight the Confirmation of his Election Boneface hauing a sword by his side and the Imperiall Crowne vppon his head sheweth himselfe in publique to the assemblie and with a high voice exclaymeth Ego sum Caesar Pontifex Behold here is Caesar and the Pope And in furie whereas it mought haue been done without his priuity or authority hee reiecteth the Election as friuolous and of no force denieth confirmation and with a full-foule mouth calleth him Homicide Afterwards vpon a bitter quarrell arising between this Maleface and Philip King of France for that his Maiesty would not acknowledge him for his supreme Lord he chāged his first opinion aprooued Albert Emperor by his Breues inuested him with the Kingdom of France and in a full Consistorie Excommunicated Philip. Yet againe when Albert re-answered that he would not stir one foote against the King of France vnlesse his Holynesse would confirme him and his heires in the Kingdome and Empire The Pope not able to conceale his imprisoned displeasure most arrogantly replied Non futurum id Iezabele viuente That that should neuer come to passe so long as Iezabel liued By which abusiue name he pointed at that most noble Dame Elizabeth the wife of Albert the daughter of Menihard Earle of Tirol and sister by the mothers side to Conrade late Duke of Sweuia In shew cauelling at this noble Lady as an implacable persecutrix of Clergy men against Gods commandements but in truth most barbarously enuying her in memory of her brother and her deceased Auncestors for their claming and retaining of their hereditary royalties against the vsurpations of the former Bishops Let the world be Iudge if they continue not the like yea the very same stratagems against all Princes at this day if they but crosse their ambitions The man that feareth God would think that a good and a vertuous life especially in a Prince should warrant his daies from vexation and his graue from infamy But here you see the contrary Albert followeth the steps of his father he is humble in offensiue glad to please yet not well requited His Lady neither medleth nor maketh with these contentious persons and yet in regard that her Auncesters displeased the Roman prelacie shee sauoreth and must be disgraced in most opprobrious manner yea the depth of the graue can not secure her
that Iohn king of Bohemia Henry Duke of Bauaria had traiterously cōspired to elect a new Emperor he suffered himselfe with small intreaty to be disswaded from his former resolution of Absolution yea after the king of France his Maiestie had capitulated a peace full sore against his mind vpon request to haue it ratified by his Holines he flatly denied it cauelling that Lewes being now declared an heretike ought not again to be accounted a Christian at the kings plesure Thus may you see how the Popes were accustomed to play fast and loose with the German Emperors Well the Absolution by this nicity being adiourned and the Emperor well obseruing wherunto these pontifical policies tended summoneth the Princes and Electors to a Diet at Rensium There with ease by his affability liberality and clemency he so deuoteth their loyalties to his seruice that by solemne oath they not onely auow to maintaine and defend the honor of the Empire but they also decreed the Processes of Iohn late Pope of Rome returned against his Maiestie to be void and of no validity yea that a Bishop ought not to entertaine any such practises against an Emperour for that their iurisdictions were meerly of distinct natures Benedict dieth Clement the 6. succeedeth an effeminat Prelat extraordinarily ambitious of honor potencie Who had no sooner seated his foot in the chair of Lucifer but his furious Genius took such hold of his hart that in Latin Dutch libels affixed vpon church dores he summoneth his Maiestie vnder the censure of extream penāce within three daies space to make satisfaction to God the church meaning himself as also to desist frō further medling in the affaires of the Empire which limitation being expired no appearance recorded he proceedeth to sentence of cōtumacie Afterwards whē his Proctors craued forgiuenes with an offer to performe all iniunctions to vtmost he was not ashamed to motion so foule an attonement as neuer Pagan demanded of his Captiue slaue viz. That hee should confesse and acknowledge all his errors and heresies That he should resigne the Empire and simply commit his children and all his moueables into his tuition Where is now become O Lucifer thy pastoral humility where thy fatherly aspect where thy representatiue Holinesse Notwithstanding albeit the poorest refuse of the world would not haue accepted of these basest conditions yet this good Emperour fore-seeing that if he should not bend warre slaughter spoiles would ensue he receiued the pontificall libell signed it with his seale and swore to obserue it so farre forth humiliating his deiection that vpon relation thereof the whole Colledge of the scarlet-roabed-fathers could not chuse but receiue it with vnaccustomed admiratiō But the Emperor vpon sounder aduice considering with himselfe that without the consent of the Electors and of the Princes the estates of the Empire it was against the fundamentall Law to accept of any such Capitulation in the next assembly at Frankford hee causeth the tenor of the reconciliation to be read before the whole Assembly They giue sentence that it tendeth in most points to the preiudice and destruction of the state and therefore reiect it They promise to stand fast vnto his Maiestie in case as before he would re-assume his courage and resolutely defend the honour of the Empire And to conclude they dispatch an Embassie to the Pope with intimation that from thence-forth he should cease from such friuolous conuentions being purposely deuised to dishonour the Maiestie of the German Empire They arriue before his Holinesse they expostulate the rigour of the Articles to the preiudice of the Empire nothing else they inforce nothing else they demand But his Holinesse inraged like an illuded Tigresse layeth all the blame vpon Lewes with deeper hart-burning then before falleth into treatie with Iohn and Charles Kings of Bohemia heretofore ouerthrowne by Lewes and with their vncle Baldwin Archbishop of Treuers to destoy Lewes and his whole posterity The bargaine agreed vpon by these Pseudo Christians in the yeare of our Sauiour 1346. vpon Maundy-Thursday hee is most irreligiously accursed by Benedict and by the renouation of the Processe sent out by his predecessour Iohn declared an Heretique and scismatique To aggrauate the despight and by effects to shew the solidity of his religion hee commandeth the Electors within a proportioned time to make choise of another Loe the Emperor rather then he will be an instrument of slaughter and faction disgraceth his high calling by acceptance of basest articles but the Pope rather then he will want of his will vnico statu as the prouerb is will depose set vp commend dispraise blesse and curse and without all respects either of conscience or humanity set all Christendome on outrage to be reuenged on one creature Were this the practise but of One the imputation were excusable as a defect in manners but through the whole Legend of euery Emperours life you shall obserue the one abstinent yea timorous for conscience sake to defile euen his imaginations with humane blood the other rigorous wrathfull impatient and quarrelsome somtime vpon donatiues sometime vpon iura imperij and sometimes vpon non augmenting of Saint Peters patrimonie Which irreligious and Antichristian outrages albeit they know them in their consciences to be absolutely diabolicall repugnant to Christian Doctrine and pernicious to all ciuill society yet rather then any Pope or Popeling will let fall any one particle of vnlawfull vsurpation gained by any the wickedest of his predecessours words and workes shall flie at randon vpon euery occasion so that it would amaze a very Turke to heare with what shifts with what euasions and distinctions of spiritualia they will stuffe whole volumes in iustifying of their falsifications in wresting and curtailing of Authors in denying manifest Records in railing on their opposites and pressing mens consciences with miracles policies and impostures Insomuch that if words will not worke impostures shall seduce if impostures prooue fruitlesse swords shall walke if swords be preuented then poisons and treasonable practises shall put end to the controuersie Blood must satiate or the Church cannot be satisfied But to our History The Electors haue a peremptory day giuen them against which if they produce not their Anti-emperor the Pope protesteth by no irreligious reliques that rather then the Church shall want a Lieuetenant an Aduocate Himselfe must bee Captaine and chiefe Iustice hee will set vp One of his sole Election Well oaths must be kept inuiolable especially with traitors and so doth his Holinesse And thus he beginneth his web Henrie of Wittenberg Archbishop of Mogunce and one of the electors for his loiall adherency vnto his Lord and master to curry fauour with the Bohemians he depriueth of all his ecclesiasticall and temporall capacities and into his place he intrudeth Gerlace his Chaplein the Nephew of Adolph of Nassaw once King of Romans This new Papall Bishop in satisfaction of his Lord and masters
Otho of Colonna a Roman patrician by the name of Martin the fift to be preferred to the place by the generall suffrage of all the nations there assembled Yea and to remoue all impediments from retardation of the peace he suffered Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage men of exquisit learning and singular piety to be condemned and burned against an oath of safe-conducte publiquely allowed them But now let vs go by examination to learne what thankes this godly zealous honourable and Christian Emperour receiued at the hands of this Holy-seeming Sea for these their so infinite benefits Vpon which I will not stand to exemplifie for that euery weake braine can conceiue what are the blessings of peace what the fruites of a quieted conscience what the rewardes of vnity in religion But surely their retributions were such as would absolutely dishearten any wise man to inable such ingratefull Canonists by benefits Yet will wee take so much paine as to decipher them to our Reader No long time after Eugenius the fourth then Poping it in Venice the Emperour tooke occasion to go into Italie to receiue his Inauguration where by the way it happened that he countenanced somewhat aboue ordinary Philip Duke of Millan at that instant warring against the Venetians and Florentines They partly fearing and partly imagining that their wills were halfe obtayned if they might worke the Pope to their fashion aduentured and without opposall gained his Fatherhoods good will to deny the Emperor his lawfull request and more adioyned his forces to make good the passage of Aruo about Syenna against his Maiesties people This you must at any hand remember was the Popes requitall this their vsuall remunerations not vnfitly beseeming their double dealing consciences Yet departed his Maiesty not vncrowned but obserue I beseech you by what practises by what cunning sleights they proceeded in their state-House Extraordinary Intercession must be made Six months he must stay at Siena to his infinit expence who gained by that And at last must he leaue Rome doubt you not but to Eugenius his high content And againe this Neronian bloud-thirsting Bishop som short time after being deposed for going about to frustrate the decree of the Councel of Constance wherby it was inacted that euery seuenth yeare the Bishops should celebrate a Generall Councell and to ratifie That of Basil which Martin had summoned and himselfe authorized in the daies of Frederick the third he set all Austria on a miserable woful lamētable cōbustion by prouoking Lewes the sonne of Charles king of France then called the Daulphin to infest Germany with warre fire famine For this Prince at the pleasure of Eugenius endeuoring to make void the Councel of Basil with his Armeniachs and souldiers by cunning treason protestations possessed himselfe of all the plaine Country yea and of some Cities of Alsatia miserably wasting that goodly Prouince the most fertil mother of grain wine That done he fell to burning the villages the Mannors Mansions of citizens of orphanes and widowes and therein spared neither Gods Churches nor Monasteries Hauing put period to wast but not to cruelty he returned to Basil with 30. thousand Cumbatants where by the valiancy of three thousand Heluetians charging for their Country hee was finally slaine the third part of his lame maymed Army scant returning with life into France Such be the successe of all papal entertainment ⧠Frederick the third Hee raigned Anno 1440. about the eighteenth yeare of Henry the sixth ALbert succeeded Sigismund but hee departing this world within two yeares after his election the Imperiall diaceme diuolued vpon Frederick of Austria who being by nature a Prince of a clement milde peaceable disposition set diligent watch and warde ouer his thoughts his words and his actions not at all to offend these hereditarie disturbers of peace and perpetuall manaclers of Princes Yet could hee not fully auoid their crossings abate their pride nor escape their plots For as in a publique Parliament held at Mogunce he did what he could to corroborat the councell of Basil held in the yeare of our Lord 1441. which the Pope laboured tooth and naile to disanul as also to diminish the exactions which by Popish iniunctions were leuied vpon the German Churches which to effect by his letters hee desired the king of France either to assist in person or by some eminent persons of his Kingdome So the Pope to countermine against this lawfull battery of publique triall for these can no more abide it then Owles can light tampereth with the French neither to goe himselfe nor to suffer any other without his priuity to appeare as his Deputie Here behold one Popish tricke more for the present to frustrate the intended reformation of a noble vertuous Emperour And heereupon followed that wofull Alsatian de-population whereof wee tolde you but now There is an other tricke complotted to busie his head with-all viz. Diuersion His owne house is on fire how can hee then attend the quenching of his neighbours And albeit that hee outliued three successiue Bishops during their liues caried himself so modestly and benignly towards them that nothing was attempted by them against his Dignity yet hoped for greater contentments by the rising of Pius the second to the Papacie his auncient seruant and Minister Notwithstanding this his trusty friend being once seated without acquainting the Emperour made no scruple to accurse his kinsman Sigismund Archduke of Austria and to entangle Germanie with intestine diuisions As thus Sigismund after long controuersying and nothing preuailing being vnwilling that the people vnder his tuition should still stand exposed to the depraedations of the Romanists in a bickering of Horse-men chanced to take prisoner and imprisoned Nicholas Cusanus by the Pope sent into Tirol to ransack the Bishoprick of Brixia The Bishop censuring him at no lesse a crime then high treason committed against one of his creatures enioyneth him greeuous punishments from which his trustinesse could not be wooed to absolue him no not at the intercession of Caesar vntill Pluto himselfe came a messenger to release him from his papall obstinacie His owne Creatures report that neither the threats nor the intreaties of Princes or communalties could any whit terrifie him but in extreame and insatiable prowling for mony he was ready to accurse and prosecute with warre as many as any way offered to gainsay his intendments Theodorick Erbach Archbishop of Mogunce being dead Diether Erusburg was preferred to his place This man for that Annats and first fruites had beene abolished and condemned in the Councel of Basil refused to pay to Saint Peter for bestowing the Pall vpon him those twenty thousand sixe hundred and fifty duckets of the Rhene which his Holinesse by prescription adiudged to be due vnto him Pius was not a little moued at the refusall denieth him confirmation and bestowed the Incumbencie vpon Adolph of Nassau not for loue towards the
periury to die vnreuenged For at what time Lewes king of France according to the Conuentions of the League with Caesar persecuted his Holinesse so far ouergone in pride through the assistance of the Venetians as hee doubted not to scorne all conditions of peace yet after the battell of Rauenna such was the disastrous fortune of him and his that the peace which but euen now hee scorned now hee humbly seeketh to his cost experimenting that for all his iesting Peters keyes at a pinch did him more seruice then many thousands of Pauls swords After this ouerthrow and some other crosses hee died and left Leo the tenth his successour as well in seat as in trecherous disposition For in the beginning of his pontificie estranging himselfe from the French King he adhered to Caesar Sforza the Millanois against the French then in March vpon an inuasion against Millan Vpon the slaughter of the Heluetians at Marignan Frederick and Sforza being reduced into order he violated his league with Maximilian and returned againe to the friendship of Francis Vnto whom after he had obtained a Graunt that the pragmaticall Sanction should be abolished in France and a new inserted hee conserred the titles of the Constantinopolitan Empire In this donation whether should a Christian more admire his preposterous liberality in giuing away an other mans right or abhorre his trecherie in doing his vtmost to crosse Maximilian so well-deseruing an Emperor But Caesar finding himselfe deceiued whether in this confrontment or in some other I am not able to say is reported to haue said in Dutch That hee could well auow that none of the Popes had kept faith with him And that Leo should be the last of that ranke vnto whom hee would giue credit And that hee said so and did so the sequel proued For within a few yeares after falling into a laske he yeelded vp his ghost in the yeare of Saluation 1519. By whom by the pleasure of almighty God it might haue come to passe that hee who had beene so often illuded by Popish practises might haue taken some course in so great an alteration and blessed reformation of religion to haue begun primitiue restauration to their finall destruction But being preuented by immature death what was in his minde he bequeathed to be executed by the potencie of his liuing successor Charles his brothers sonne ⧠Charles the fift He raigned Anno 1519. about the eleuenth yeare of Henry the eighth BVt what Penne as it ought in suting ornament is able to delineat to life the treacheries which from time to time these Patrons of confusion bounded out against this Charles this potent and thrice honorable Emperour In so wonderfull an alteration of religion such as since the corruption of the Primitiue neuer befell the Christian world who can but wonder at the daring presumption of the Popes in prouoking so happy and so worthy a Potentate who taking into notice his singular affection in defending and vpholding the Papacie can chuse but accurse the ingratitude of such desperat persons For vpon the decease of Maximilian the Electors being assembled at Frankfort Charles and Francis king of France became competitors for the diademe Leo the tenth being in bonds of strict friendship with Francis and according to the innated humours of the Church hauing receiued his fee fauoured and pleaded his best plea in barre of Charles to the preferment of his bountifull client Francis His cautions consisted of three principles the first imported a consideratiue feare of his Greatnes being by inheritance a Prince indowed with many spacious and wealthy Kingdomes The second was taken from his peculiar and figure-casting imagination In that forsooth this Charles by no obscure and lineamentall predictions of face and disposition should resemble the man fore-told in certaine verses of an auncient Prophet Who arising in the North should be the motiue of greeuous alterations to fall vpon all Italy but especially vpon the Romish sea The third from pretence of equity by letters signified vnto the Lords of the Election That it stoode not with Law for Charles to aspire vnto the Empire for that the Kings of Naples were the Churches Liege-men and time out of minde by oath had capitulated with the Bishops neuer to affect the Romane Empire but to rest contented with their inheritances But by the integrity of Frederick Duke of Saxonie in manifestation of his loyalty towards Maximilian his deceased Master vnto whom all his life time hee stood most deuoted Charles preuailed Leo now turning Vulpes followes the streame for the present cleanly falleth off from the French And finding Grace to attend Charles there courts he and thether hee dispatcheth his Commendatorie miseries Charles requireth his Amen to the Election as also his dispensation to retaine with the Empire the Kingdome of Naples the Law of Inuestiture in no point gaine-saying it But giue a Pope leaue I pray you to fly to his wits he must and doth plot out new deuises to impeach the Greatnes of Charles Hee sendeth his Breues and messengers throughout Germanie to forbid the Diet at Wormes of purpose to put off his Coronation at Aquisgran But when his pontifical improbity perceiued his positiue diuersions to be illuded and the resolution of the Electors to be such as could not be daunted in their proceedings by force feare flattery nor threats hee then fell againe to the renuing of his league with the late-forsaken French Amongst other Articles inserting this for one That both the Sicils should be taken from Charles That the gouernment of Italie should be altered and the protection of the Cities shared betweene the French and his Holines Now the question is for how long time this Combination stood immutable so long doubt you not as it stood with the welfare of Leo and the aduantage of his sea And this is an especial note to be alwaies obserued through the whole discourse of these liues For as soone as the French King vpon confidence of this Popish League had broken with Caesar sent Robert de la March Charles his rebel to infest Netherland yea and his men of warre into Italy to assay the surprise of Rhegium a towne late belonging to the Church Leo fearing the potencie of the French and calling their fidelities into suspect to make sure work for the maintenance of his owne stake and to reduce a restitution to the Church of those townes which the French had vsurped Now againe the third time hee followeth the Fortunes of Caesar Desiring of his Maiesty after his most courteous reception that Parma Placentia might be restored to the Church Francis Sforza to the Dutchy of Millan the French expulsed Italy and the Papacy being setled in a peaceable estate might thenceforth be secured from all feare of the French But Paul dying By the succession of Adrian the sixt a Germane borne the Papall Anger for a while lay silenced For
during the short time of his Papacy As a good schoolemaster hee persisted constant in good will towards Caesar And against the French he assisted him with treasure and conioyned him in league with the Florentines the Siennois the Luquois the Roytelets of Italy the Apostolique sea with Henry of England and Lewes of Hungary But Adrian in the second yeere of his Papacy being departed not without suspition of poyson the fatall practises of the Bishops by so much the more eagernesse outflamed by how much they had gathered materialls to worke vpon during the time of the former respiration For Iulius of Medices otherwise Clement the seuenth after much wrangling being elected Pope before his installation was no man more esteemed of Caesar From the Church of Toledo by his bounty he receiued an annuity of ten thousand duckats He reconciled him so throughly into the fauour of Adrian from whence he was fallen that in all affaires of importance Adrian made him only of his counsell But no sooner Pope no sooner traitor Against his Lord hee complotteth league vpon league discharging his bills of account with acquittances of this nature For Francis the French king being in Italy and after the taking of Millan dispersing his forces throughout Lombardy Clement worketh the dis-union of the Hadrian confederacy and forbiddeth the Florentins the Syennois and the Luccois to pay the money which by the conuention they ought to haue sent vnto Caesar By Albert Pius Prince of Carpi he concluded a Clandestine league with king Francis meane time cunningly treating with the Imperialists by way of sequestration and Indifferency to impledge the territory of Millan into his discretion But the deuise being vtterly disliked and fortune against all imagination so crossing his designements that in a memorable defeature Francis was taken prisoner at Paruie and carried captiue into Spaine then to his perpetuall reproch of leuity and inconstancy to flater with Caesar he parted with an infinit masse of mony for his souldiers arrerages yet during these passages in iealouzy that Charles would turne his thoughts to the conquest of Millan which of all his Italian pretendācies was only left vnconquered he goeth to counsel with Loyesse the Queen mother Henry king of England the Venetians and some other Potentates how to expulse the Imperialists out of Italie and redeeme Francis To set forward the execution whereof he dealeth with Ferdinand Dauila a man of eminent place souldiery in Caesars Campe assaieth to draw him to the party and for a bait offereth him the title of the kingdom of Naples Dauila being of a subtill close disposition accepteth learneth the secrets of the enemies proiects and acquainteth his master therewith Caesar laugheth at the mans periury who being the principall architect of all iniurious preiudiciall proceedings against him had notwithstanding himselfe made his enemy priuy to counsels giuen him very serious cautions in future how to proceede in his affaires and how to prouide for his owne security with an intimation to become carefull to bind the loyalties of his men of warre with greater deuotion to his seruice Wherby finding himselfe ouer-reacht by Dauila he giueth not ouer but trieth another way to the wood And thus it was Francis being set at liberty by Caesar and vnwilling to make good these conuentions wherunto by the treaty of Madril he stood obliged he takes hold of the occasion absolueth him of his oath confederateth anew with the French and some others and proclaimeth the confederacy by the name of the Most holy League Inserting amongst the Articles that Caesar also might be cōprehended therin So that he would first re-deliuer vpon a competent ransome the children of France as yet in hostage for their father restore Millan to Sforza and enter Italie for his Coronation with no greater troops then should seeme requisite to the discretions of the Pope and the Venetians What indifferent Reader weighing the originall of this league the time wherein it was concluded and the occasions wherupon it was broched can make any other construction to his vprightest censure but that his Holinesse had small intention by these iniurious breaches of concluded articles to further the publique peace but rather to administer matter of implacable heart-burnings and assured wars between the Princes For by one Apostaticall Breue first the conditions of the peace are prescribed to so high and mighty an Emperor by his subiect and Vassall Sforza of Milan secondly the oath of the French King duely and solemnly taken is pardoned and frustrated thirdly Caesar is commanded to re-deliuer the children of France as if it were not enough by the releasement of the fathers oath to be once deluded Fourthly He is commanded not to winke at but to perpetuate the tyranny of the Italian Kinglings Fiftly he is commanded to forbeare to come vnto Italy vnlesse he proportioned his troops to the shape of the Papal and Venetian limitations Sixtly He is commanded to giue pardon to Traitors and for conclusion in case of not-performance warre is denounced by sea and by land Amidst which dishonorable limitations what could Caesar doe but in true acknowledgement of the vprightnes of his cause reiect these base conditions with as great courage on the one side as they were insolently propounded by the other reposing more hope in his innocency then in the multitude of Horse or shipping And surely God almighty the vnpartiall Iudge of humane actions so moderated the execution of his diuine iustice that whatsoeuer complots this architect of euill counsell meant to haue throwne downe vpon the head of Caesar the very same befell his own person euen when he thought himselfe to stand vpon so sure a ground as to be an onely Spectator of the ensuing troubles For Caesar beeing awakened at the Report of so famous a Confederacie dispatched into Italy the Duke of Burbon Fronsperg Captaines of admirable reputation for their cariage in the last warres with warrant to defend Naples now by the tenor of the league giuen in prey to warre and dis-vnion These Leaders pretending as if they meant to passe by Florence now growen proud by the continuance of peace their mighty Citizen the Pope and the late league at last bending their course by the mountaines and rocks vpon the sixt day of May they solemnly entred Rome droue Clement into the Bastil of Adrian and vpon want of all necessaries his Bulls his Breues and execrations thicke and threefold breathed out against the Germanes and Spaniards standing him in no stead compelled him to yeeld but with so seruile and base conditions as vpon the like neuer did Souldier to this day giue vp his fort The insolency of the Spaniard and the inhumanity of the Germane I am not able in apt words to display See Guicoiardine and the Histories of those times For besides their horrible pillagings their spoiles their rauishments and their wasts no kinde of scorne was left vnpractised against the Pope
no obscure reputation amongst the Spanish Marke Anthonie Colonna beeing absent he citeth to appeare before him within three daies space and in default of appearaunce hee maketh prize of his goods To Iohn Count of Montorian he giueth the goods of Ascanius Colonna together with the titular Earledome of Pallianum In despight of Caesar he recalleth the Out-lawed gentlemen of Naples and endoweth them with offices and publique preheminences At the instance of Peter Stroza he fortifieth Pallianum and prepareth it for the receit of the French to the infesting of Naples Finally by sending his kinsman Cardinall Caraffa into France most impiously he disturbeth the peace concluded in Belgia betweene his most excellent Maiesty and the French Monarch And to bee especially carefull that no one shot of Popish malice should misse his Maiesty he absolutely denieth his sonne Philip vnto whom the father had resigned the administration of all his kingdoms the inuestiture of the kingdomes of Naples and Sicil being held of the Church Wherupon followed such furious and lamentable wars managed between these mighty potentates of Christendome that Italy and France being chiefly ingaged therein reeked againe in the bloody tragedies of their deerest Citizens For not Rome only was almost brought vnto those extremities by the presence of the Duke of Alua which once it suffered in the daies of Clement and for the present auoided by accepting of these conditions which the now-somwhat-lenified Lord Generall propounded but the French also in fauour of the Papacy being sent into Italy vnder the conduct of the Guise to infest the peacefull estate of the Latian prouinces vnderwent the miserable destiny of vnfortunate warfare in their indeauours to thrust in new forces into the chiefe City of Vermandois against the squadrons of King Philip marching out of Belgia to the reliefe of the said place In which conflict their whole army was routed by the Germane Horse the Constable the Rhene-graue and many noble men taken prisoners and the City forced And not long after being masters of Calaies they suffered a no lesse disasterous defeature in their returne by Graueling at Count Egmonds hands Termes and Villebon their two most famous leaders beeing taken prisoners their armie routed and their people slaine Now what vpright conscience can sauour a Religion so insatiate of blood or what Christian can thinke that Man who to perfect his owne respects careth not what mischiefe he worketh to be the Vicar of Christ Surely Let them impudently affirme what they list their workes so perspicuously layde open to meanest capacities may with sufficiencie assure vs that through the whole course of their successions they haue euer rather merited the Sir-names of Saule then the least title of Paul And so to the worlds end will they doe rather then by the redeeming of one Christian soule from spoile and blood shed they will suffer one Acre of Saint Peters imaginary patrimony to be wrested from them if possibility or trecherous pollicy can any way withstand it ⧠Ferdinand Caesar Hee raigned 1558. About the fift yeere of Queene Mary AS soone as Charles had betaken himselfe to a solitarie life in Saint Iustus in Spaine his brother Ferdinand long before elected King of the Romanes now by the generall suffrage of the Electors assembled at Frankford is preferred vnto the Empire After the ceremonies whereof accomplished to make manifest his obseruancie towards the Romish Sea he dispatcheth to his Holinesse Guzman his chiefe chamberlaine to signifie that his Maiesties pleasure was vpon oportunity of first-offered-occasion to request and receiue the imperiall Diadem at his Holinesse Hands But such was his father-hoods arrogant and froward answer that it may well argue the Relator not onely not to be the successor of Peter who with the residue of the Apostles reuerenced the authoritie of the higher powers as the ordinance of God with due honour and obedience no nor a man willing to doe one good turne for another according to the mutuall lawes of courtesie and humanity but in truth that very Antichrist whom the warrant of Holy writ doth point out to be the person who should arrogate to himselfe to prescribe aboue and against any thing that God himselfe hath commanded to be holy and inuiolable For this irregular Beast would vppon no reason acknowledge Ferdinand for Emperour cauilling that his predecessour Charles had no ability or capacity to surrender the Empire to no liuing creature but to the Romish Sea Neither that it was lawfull for Ferdinand to take vppon him the administration of the State without the approbation thereof His Maiesties Embassadour hee would at no hand suffer to approach his presence but hauing learnt out the tenour of his Embassie hee propounded vnto the Cardinals and Lawyers certaine questions neither arising from the rudiments of Gods word nor enforced from the grounds of Nationall Lawes but harried from the deepest Abysse and there discussed by Lucifer the Prince of malice pride and falsities Which as afterward they were libelled out and dispersed by the Romanists themselues you shall here receiue 1 If Guzman who auerreth that Hee is sent from his Lord Ferdinand vnto the most Holy Lord the Pope ought by Law to speake what Charles the fifth hath done about the resignation of the Empire to his brother Ferdinand 2 Which being sufficiently vnderstoode whether they wholy or in part haue done rightfully and lawfully sithence the Approbation of the most Holy Lord the Pope and the Apostolique sea was not interposed therein 3 Whether these difficulties being cleared nothing for the present may bee obiected against the person of the most excellent Lord Ferdinand Whereby hee may be adiudged incapable of the Imperiall dignity As the euill education of his sonne the king of Bohem inclinable to manifest heresie It beeing promised that within the Kingdomes subiect to his authority heresies are tollerated without punishment Catholiques are oppressed Monasteries dissolued Churches auoided and the Professours of the Augustane reformation suffered to conuerse and inhabite promiscuouslie with Romish Catholiques As also that Ferdinand himselfe did graunt a conference at Wormes as touching controuersies in Religion without the consent and good leaue of the Holy Apostolique Sea That Hee bound himselfe by oath in the Dyet of Frankford to obserue all the Articles confirmed in the fore passed Sessions wherein manie damnable and Hereticall opinions were maintained and allowed That Hee vsurped the Name of Emperour by his owne Authority That he suspended the Decree published against Communicants vnder both kindes especially at such a time wherein seuerest execution was most requisite That he had falsified his oath taken vpon his first election of King of Romanes wherein he had bound himselfe to be a defender of the Church and the Catholique faith schismes heresies and the Protestant Religion That he had faulted in many more points of like kind against his oath and the Holy Canons 4 What in like manner were to be determined concerning the persons of many the Princes
and fully satisfied peruse the most excellent treatises printed this present yeere 1609. For Conclusion vnto these plaine and pregnant presidents of Popish tyranny by time and vsurpation practised vppon the sacred Maiesties of mightie Princes mine Authour truely to aggrauate their immoderate pride and further to encourage the aggreeued parties to hasten their Reformation for warrantize out of diuers Authours hee hath culled out many irresistable testimonies to prooue That Rome is Babylon and the Bishop thereof Antichrist Which for that in mine opinion in few words they haue beene more liuelier represented vnto your consideratiue consciences in his Maiesties most excellent Premonition then which nothing can be spoken more fullie truely and indifferently without spleene or ambiguitie I will heere craue pardon to ouerpasse them and in lieu therof content you with some few both theorique and practique notes hatched vpon the same grounds but practised vpon other states of later daies in diuers parts of Christendome And first of their Iesuiticall Theoriques thus collected into order and eight times printed as mine Authour affirmeth Regulae Iuris Romani 1. The Bishop of Rome hath in himselfe all manner of power both spiritual temporall Authority to commād to forbid to curse to excōmunicat al power of punishing right of Election and conferring the lieutenancy of the Empire Power to create depose magistrates euen Emperors Kings Princes so of al other Potentates their subiects These aphorisms are to be receiued as an article of faith He that alloweth not or beleeueth not so much is to be reputed a most detestable Heretique 2. On the contrary all Ecclesiasticall persons Bishops Prelates Priests Monks Nuns and all their temporall goods their priuiledges and estates are vtterly exempted and freed from all obedience of temporall Lords from their commands contributions and superiorities and that aswell in personall and reall impleadings as in ciuill and criminall actions Neither are they bound to obey Emperor King or any Lay Magistrate Yea Caesar Kings and Princes ought to instruct his fortresses rather to ecclesiasticall persons then to Lay Captaines 3. Albeit the Pope be a Man yet for that he is Gods vicar on earth a reason wherfore diuine honor is due to him he can not erre in points concerning Christian doctrine no although all other ecclesiasticall fathers yea and the Councels themselues should fall into error An argument That from Councels we must appeale to the Pope but not e contra From the Pope to the Councel 4. The Validity interpretations and power of innouating the sacred Scriptures resteth in the bosome of the Pope but his Holinesse decrees as simply necessary to faith and saluation are immutable forcible and obligatory 5. The constitutions Statutes ordinances parliaments edicts Confederacies al letters patents of Emperors Kings Princes other estates which fauour any other religion then the modern Roman ought to be reputed voide and of no force no although an oath be interposed 6. The Edict of religion concluded by the general consent of the German Nation is not obligatory for that it was procured by force That it was granted but to serue the time as a Delay or Toleration viz. vntill the publication of the Councell of Trent which followed in the yeere 1564. 7. That now the Romanists are to imploy their vtmost indeuours by fire sword poison powder warre or any other engine to suppresse all heretiques but especially the Lutherans and Caluinists with their fautors and the politique catholiques who had rather maintaine peace then adioyne their forces to the Catholique side in extirpation of heresies 8. But this rule is not without exceptiō If they haue cause to feare that the proiect be not likely to second imagination or that danger or detriment be likely to arise thereof to the Catholique cause In this case some regard is to bee had to the time and a better season to be expected Yet some are againe of opinion That time is not to be respected For what requitall shall a Iesuit returne to so benigne a parent as the Pope if hee stand tampering vpon the safetie of his conscience or the security of his life And therefore without any longer temporizing it were better that in all places these Lutherans and Caluinists were speedily banished suppressed or vtterly rooted out so that hereafter not so much as one seed may be left to restore so much as the remembrance of their Religion 9. As soon as the Roman-Catholique subiects in their Conciliables haue decreed That the Emperor King or Prince vnder whom they serue is to be accounted a Tyrant then is it lawfull for them to renounce him and to hold themselues free from their oath of allegeance But if they be deemed to hold their assemblies Then is it granted vnto euery priuate subiect yea praise-worthie and meritorious to murder such a King or Prince but with prouiso that hee proceede not before hee haue vsed the counsell of some Iesuit or such like Theologian Wherein the Munke Iames Clement who slew Henry the third with an inuenomed knife made true vse of this Rule And in those dayes hee was adiudged to haue acted as meritorious an action that should haue played the like part by his successour Henry the fourth 10 If subiects haue a Lutheran or Caluinist to their King or Prince who indeuoreth to bring them into Heresies you must alwaies vnderstand what Heresies they meane they are those subiects quitted of homage fealty towards their soueraigne Masters To whom it is lawfull and granted to renounce murder or imprison such an anointed and high Magistrate 11 That Emperors Kings Princes may be poysoned by their vassals and seruants in case the Theologians or Iesuits being learned and graue men doe account them for tyrants prouided that the concluded party to die doe not amend nor procure his owne voluntary destruction 12 The Pope hath the free gift of all the kingdoms principalities and territories of all hereticall and infidel Princes and such donations shall be firme and auailable to all constructions and purposes 13 It is lawfull and granted to Iesuits and all other Catholique Priests in case they happen to be examined before heretique Magistrates to vse equiuocation mental reseruation false names and counterfeit apparrell the better to insinuate and dispatch their treacheries 14 That it is lawfull for Iesuites and such like Romanists to equiuocate to the demaunds of Magistrates And that as well by oath as without But this is to be vnderstoode when the Respondent doth not account the Demaundant for a competent Iudge or Magistrate Or when the Respondent doth imagine that the Iudge though competent hath no lawfull pretence of examination Or when hee supposeth his Aduersarie hath no iust cause of questioning him 15 That such Catholiques are not bound to aunswere priuate Catholiques from the heart and with conscience but to equiuocate and answer them with double meanings 16 That this equiuocation is a profitable Arte and good policy
two and fiftith yeere of his raigne which being most true that he began his raigne at sixteen yeeres and dyed at sixty eight what testimony is obiected in the course of his life whereby we may gather that he was either deposed or depriued from his legall inheritance That during the time of his visitation his sonne was but his deputy we will prooue anon directly as it is accustomed to be done vnto them who in like cases are not able to attend their affaires themselues For no lesse doth the same Text auerre Ioatham the Kings Sonne was Ouer-seer of the Kings Pallace and gouerned the Kings House and iudged the people of the Land Here obserue that Ioatham is stiled but the Kings sonne in the life time and sicknesse of his father Gouernour of the Court and as I may properly speake Lord steward of his Fathers house And why did hee sit in iudgement amongst the people because their complaints could not with conueniency be brought vnto the kings iudicature by reason of his infirmity and his separation thereupon by the prescript commaundement of Gods Law Leuit. 13. 3. For confirmation of which last point heare what the Text sayth And Ozias slept with his Fathers and they buried him in the field of the Regall Sepulchres because he was a leaper And Ioatham his sonne raigned in his stead Here again obserue how plainly the scripture leadeth vs in the way of truth Euen now It termes Ioatham the Kings sonne the kings steward or seruant But now after the decease of his father and not before It saith Regnare caepit He began to raigne Yet Ozias was separated by the commaund of the high Priest True but that was also commanded by the liuely voice of the Diuine Law But that he was deposed or depriued from his legall inheritance his kingly authority or inforced to resigne his estate to his sonne before his death No man will auouch it vnlesse a bloody and passionate Romanist The simple know that Soueraignety and Gouernement are of no lesse difference then proprietas and possession or as I may speake an estate determinable and an estate in Fee Soueraignety is alwaies incorporated vnto the person of the King is as it were the soule of a kingdome and inseparable from the right thereto But Gouernment Lieutenancy or procuration may bee diuested vppon deputies As in the nonage of kings or in times of daungerous sicknesses those who are assigned to take care of the waighty affaires of the kingdome are stiled Deputies Protectors Tutors Lieutenants Viceroyes or Gouernors neither propounding dispatching nor negotiating any publique businesse in their owne names but vnder the stile and seale of the yong or diseased Soueraigne His second authority is taken from the second of Chronicles the 23. Chapter which because in truth it is but impertinent though most maliciously framed I will recite in our vulgar tongue only At what time Athalia gouerned the kingdome by tyranny and maintained the worship of Baal Ioada the High Priest called vnto him the Centurions and souldiers and commaunded them to slay Athalia And in her stead they crowned Ioas king That the Priest perswaded not but commanded it is apparant by those words in the fourth of Kings and eleuenth Chapter And the men of warre did according vnto all that Ioada the High priest commanded them Againe by those in the second of Chronicles the three and twentith Chapter But Ioada the high Priest going out vnto the Centurions leaders of the Army said vnto them Bring her forth Athalia the Queene from the precinct of the Temple and let her be slaine without by the sword That the cause of the deposition and killing of Athalia was not onely her tyrannie but also her maintenance of the worship of Baal It is proued by the words immediatly placed after her slaughter Whereupon saith the Scripture All the people entred into the house of Baal and destroyed it and broke downe the Altars and the images thereof They also slew Mathan the Priest of Baal before the Altar That this example of Ioada and Athalia do nothing concerne the marke whereat they so preposterously and maliciously leuel or the moderne controuersie of Papal intrusion ouer Kings and Princes we wil resolue you forthwith For the Example of Athalia is of a party who vsurped vpon a Kingdome without any lawfull pretension saue meere and barbarous tyrannie by force by wickednesse and the cruell murder of the royall Progenie In which case the President was so abominable that euen without the commandement of Ioada it might haue beene lawfull for euery priuate Magistrate to haue iustified her death but for that such a designment seemed dangerous and difficult to be executed vpon her who was mother to the deceased King Ahaziah therefore was it needfull to haue vsed the counsell and assistance of Ioada the high Priest Or at least of some such eminent person who for the Honour of his place or the reputation of vprightnesse was of power to assemble and stirre vp the souldiers and people to so iustifiable an action But that the Act was executed as well by perswasion as commaund It appeareth by that which was spoken Ioada the high Priest sent and tooke the Centurions and men of warre vnto him and caused them to come into the Temple Pepigitque cum eis faedus And he couenanted with them Now I hope that so absolute a Commander as our Romanists will make this high Priest to be would haue scorned to haue capitulated if hee could haue commanded Besides the words we will or command are accustomably vsed by those who in faction or in any other publique businesse obtaine the prime-place of imployment What then may be found in this example to inforce Ioadas or the Popes omnipotency for innouation of States or Kingdoms What is brought to proue so dangerous an assertion This is a true president to be inforced against a Tirannesse or an vsurper But there is a great dissimilitude betweene legal Lords or true proprietaries and theeues or the inuaders of another mans possession If there were any cause besides tyrannie materiall to depose or sley Athalia what is that to vs. Let it be inforced against people guilty of like offences viz. those that worship and defend the worship of Baal and the hoast of Heauen It is sufficient that shee was a Tyrannesse and an iniurious Vsurper vppon an other mans Kingdome without that that vpon her part there remained any obstacle or impediment of Lawe but that shee might bee deposed from her throane and slaine The like whereof I hope no good Christian will affirme concerning any lawfull King whose sacred person although blemished by many humane infirmities the Right of Inheritance the Maiestie of his Place and the capacity of his calling ought alwaies and that for conscience sake to protect defend from iniurie infamie and humane controlement To which let all true Christians say Amen Now to their practique NOw that I haue