before as followes But mark the different spirits and Genius of these two Archbishops Grindal and Whitgift appearing in their Letters that were directed unto one and the same person This is that Do. Whitgift who bandied and rebandied with Thomas Carthwright The Supplication or Admonition unto the Parliament in the year 1571. whereof hereafter and in defence of Episcopacy and al the other enormities made use of that invincible cannon The Royall power and pleasure And for his arguing thus it was the Royall power and pleasure to make him Archbishop of Canterburry even when Grindal was alive but such was his modesty that he would not accept it untill the old man under restraint was dead Observe then Some Ministers will be ambitious and superstitious and impute all the disorders of the Church unto Royall power and pleasure Pause a little and we will heare another song When men are obstupefied with this Medusa's head the Prelats will chant Episcopacy is De Jure Divino and No Bishop no King and authority may be enchanted to believe it And then the old common tune may be heard again Ego Rex meus as Wolsey Archbishop of York sang in former times or the tune of Canterburry You may not meddle with churchmen how ever they live or whatsoever they do as Thomas Becket said to King Henry II. or the tune of Whinchester I summon you to appear and answer in our Synode as Bishop Henry of Bloys said unto his Brother King Steven Who desireth to know those more particularly may find them and more in the Antipathy of English Lordly prelacie both to Regal Monarchy and Civill unity written by William Prynne Part. 1. 2. Ann. 1641. Neither will they rest here but they will averr If no Bishop then no Presbyter and no Sacrament and consequently no Church And so both King and Church are established upon Episcopacy What loyal heart or who fearing God will not oppose such birds in the shell What remaines but to say plainly Episcopacy is the Rock on which State Church are built Certainly a ground-stone that beares so vast a burden as the security or rather the Beeing of both State and Church must have a fast and sure foundation But where shall we find that foundation Not in the Scripture unless we admit Popish miss-interpretations And if these be admitted we may not stay there but foreward another step and that is known to wit The Pope is the Rock Pope Gregory I. did not suspect what mischief was to follow upon his Masse nor did Hazael know what he was himself to do but let every man look to the tendency of such Tenets 11. The Nationall assembly of Scotland conveens at Edinburgh Juny 25 The assembly VII An. 1564. By voices John Willock is continued Moderator Many Noble men were in the town but very few came the first day wherefore many said they wondered why it was so Lundy of that ilk said I wonder not at their absence but rather that at the last assembly they drew themselves apart and drew away some Ministers and would had them to conclude things that was never propounded to the publick assembly which is prejudiciall to the liberty of the Church therefore my judgement is that they be informed of this offense which many have conceived of their former acting and that they be humbly required that if they be Brethren they would assist their brethren with their presence and Counsell for wee had never greater need Or if they be minded to fall back from us it were better wee knew it now than afterwards All the assembly agreed and gave commission to certain brethren to signify the mind of the assembly unto the Lords which was done the same day The next day came the Duke Earles Argyle Murray Morton Gleincairn Marshall the Officers of State But they drew themselves apart as before and sent M. Geo. Hay Minister of the Court to require the Superintendents and some other Ministers to come and confer with them The Assembly answereth They are now conveened to deliberate on the common affaires of the Church and they could not spare such men whose judgement is necessary nor was is it expedientâ— that others should sit without them as it were idle and therefore as they have told them before if they acknowledge themselves members of the Church they should joyn with others and propound in publick what they thought good and shall have the assistance of all but to send a part more hurte and scandall might arise than profit or confort unto the Church seing it is to be feared that all will not be content with the reasonings and conclusions of a few They gave this answer because the Courtiers had endeavoured to draw some Ministers into their faction and to have sustained their opinions arguments When the Lords perceived that they could not prevail by that means they return and purge themselves that they never meant to divide themselves from the Church but only because they had certain Heads or articles wherein they crave some conference yet so that no conclusion shall be taken nor vote required till the propositions and reasonings were heard and considered by the whole Body Upon that condition three Superintendents and four Ministers were directed unto them and because their questions did especially concern John Knox they called for him and they had long debates upon these points 1. That subjects have delivered an innocent from the hands of their King and therein had not offended God 2. Subjects have refused to smite innocents when the King had commanded and in so doing denied not just obedience 3. Subjects stricking an innocent at the command of their King are murtherers before God 4. God hath not only of a subject made a King but had armed subjects against their King and commanded them to take vengeance upon him according to His Law 5. Gods people have execute Gods law against their King having no more regarde unto him in that behalfe than if the had been a subject They could not agree in these points nor was any of them propounded in publike In Sess 3. Commissioners were appointed to present unto the Lords of the Secret Counsell the articles following and report answer unto the present Assembly and if need shall bee to reason with the Lords upon these articles 1. That according to the Acts of Parliament before her Majesties return as also conform to her Majesties promise after her arrivall Christs true Religion be de novo approved ratified and established throughout all the realm and that all idolatry especially the Masse be abolished over all so that no other face of religion be permitted And for the same effect that the Ministers be provided by a sure appointment where they shall receive their livings alswell for the time by past as for the time to come and not to live as beggars as presently they live 2. To desire and with all humility to require that transgressors of the ordinances
received a universal nolumus Therefore the Pope sent two Minorites Arlotus and Mansuetus with some Bishops and with full power to exact tenths of Benefices to absolve for money all perjured persons all convicted of adultery sodomy c. Whereupon an old woman in the Church oâ— St. Alban is said to have seen a fearful vision and heard a voice crying thrice Wo wo unto the inhabitants of the earth Matth. Paris ad An. 1259. saith This was not a dream but a fearful threatning from heaven This Alexander added unto the Decretals and turned the ancient Temple of Bacchus to the service of St. Constantia He sat seven years 8. URBAN the IV. Patriarch of Jerusalem a French man never entered into Rome because of factions Because the Ancestors of Conradin King of Sicilies had been adversaries unto former Popes he sent unto Lewes King of France requiring to send his brother Charles Duke of Aniow with an Army to expel Manfred and his pupil Conradin and he will give him and his heirs to the fourth generation both Sicilies in fee as the inheritance of the Church Lewes prepareth an Army but Urban saw it not He ordaineth the feast of the Rood or Cross Pol. Virg. de inven rer lib. 6. cap. 8. as also The feasis of the Cross and Corp Christi the feast of Corp. Christi upon this occasion as Onuphrius writeth A Priest was saying Mass in urbe vetere where Urban was residing and doubted of the transubstantiation as he was holding the hostie in his hand hot blood dropped down and coloureth the Corporale Urban taketh this as a true miracle and ordaineth the second Thursday after Whitsunday to be kept holy for confirmation of transubstantiation as also he commandeth the bread should be adored and the Corporale should be carried in the procession that day It is no wonder to see men believe lyes and deceive others Onuphrius testifieth in the same place that a Nun Eva did bleed in that Mass he saith It was a common report and calleth it a fable Io. Bale ex Arnol. Bost pe premonstrat sheweth how Urban appointed that feast at the request of a Nun Eva which had been acquainted with him and did alledge that she had seen a vision for institution of such a feast And the same Bale hath an Epistle of Urban unto her concerning that feast both long and impious Whatsoever was the occasion we may say with Po. Virg. lo. cap. 1. feasts were heaped upon feasts for very small causes and we scarcely know whether it was profitable seeing it is manifest the maners of Christians are become such that if it was profitable unto Religion in former times to appoint them it is now more profitable to abolish them Urban sat three years 9. CLEMENS the IV. of a Lawyer in the Court of France was made Bishop of Podio and at last Pope In his time Charles Duke of Anjow overthrew Manfred and Conradin as followeth and at Rome was Crowned King of both Sicilies and Jerusalem upon these conditions 1. He shall pay yearly four thousand crowns to St. Peter 2. He shall never accept the Empire although it were offered unto him unless he be pressed by the Pope Whereby the intention of the Conclave is manifest that they sought by all means to bring the Empire low to the end they might the more easily lift up their heads The Guelphs then did insult over the Gibelines Clemens sat three years and died in Viterbio and had given order to bury him in a Cloister of the black Friers and so would many of his Successors for the honor of that Order The Cardinals could not agree in the election for the space of two years and nine moneths many strove for it and so great was their prertinacy saith Naucler that neither the fear of God nor prayers of men could move them at last by procurement of Princes especially of Philip King of France they agree to choose one not as yet named So Theobald Viscount of Placentia and Bishop of Leodium being then Legate with Edward Long-shanks in Syria was chosen upon advertisement he made haste into Italy This was 10. GREGORY the X. who never saw Rome In his first year he summoneth a Councel which they call the XIV general Councel at Lions and was held An. 1274. He calleth four Bishops from Germany four from France four from England two from Spain from Sicily the Kingdom of the Church Hungary Dacia Bohem Poland Suionia Norway and Scotland from each of these one Bishop Spotswood in Hist lib. 2. ex Scon. lib. 10. cap. 34. saith There were two Patriarchs Cardinals 15 Bishops 500 and 1000 mitred Prelates besides the King of France the Emperor of Greece and many other Princes The first proposition was for the holy war and for it they decree that a tenth part of all Benefices in Christendom the priviledged Churches not excepted should be paid for six years that all Penitentiaries or Confessors should urge offenders to assist that holy business with their wealth and riches and that every Christian without exception of sex or quality should pay a peny yearly during that space under pain of excommunication 2. For remedying abuses in the Church it was ordained 1. That no procurations to Bishops nor Arch-Deacons unless they do visit the Churches in their own persons Here is still a postern for the Bishops 2. No Church-man should possess more Benefices then one and should reside at the Church he retaineth 3. None of the Clergy shall without the Pope's licence answer the impositions which shall be laid upon them by any Prince or State 4. The Mendicant Friers shall be reduced to four Orders the Minorites Predicants Carmelites and Hermites of St. Augustin who shall continue in their present estate until the Pope shall otherwise think good 5. A prohibition was made to advise or admit any new order besides these named Some other Acts of less moment were passed whereof the extract under the hands of the publick Notaries were sent unto this Church saith he but all these Statutes turned in a short time into smoke pluralities being of new dispensed with the clause of Non obstante which then first came in use The Orders of Friers and Monks were restored one by one the Cistertians redeemed their liberty by payment of 500000 marks the Bernardines paid 600000 crowns and other Orders made their composition Whereby it appeareth that the Statutes which were enacted were onely devised to raise sums of money and not of any purpose to redress these abuses They did profess at that time that upon these charges alone they would redeem Asia and Africa from the Turks Saracens and Barbarians and for this effect the Emperor Rodulph gave unto the Pope Bononia and the revenue of Romandiola which paid yearly 700000 drach of gold Howbeit Gregory died the next year yet these taxes were paid In that Councel also Canons were prescribed for the maner of electing the Pope especially that the Cardinals
too wealthy and their successours tooke more pleasure in their wealth then in their industry and piety and when wealth was severed from godliness they became proud and ambitious yet would not want the name of holiness and by the name of holiness with too much wealth they did climbe I will not say unto the highest pinacle of honour but unto Divine honour and were exalted above all that is called God and laid aside even the word of God So that then it might have been said Spernitur à Româ Scriptura novissima Dotum that is when the Romane Church had forsaken piety of conversation purity of worship order of discipline equity of Civill things and all graces or gifts of God lastly she despised the very written word of God Nevertheless God left not men inexcusable nor suffered He them to passe without reproofe by some Witnesses of his Truth even under the grossest darkness And so we have heard not only the Waldenses and such others which made separation from the Church of Rome as the Greeks but some Monks some Abbots some priests some Bishops some Universities some Counsels of States some Parliamens some Councels yea some Cardinals and Popes which were and did continue members of the Romane Church now and then bewailing and declaring the corrupt estate of the Church both in the pretented head and in the body thereof for the greatest part not only in manners rites and discipline but in doctrine also We have heard some professing a desire and attempting a Reformation but were ever hindered by the Popes and court of Rome How then can any man be so impudent if he be not altogether ignorant to say that the Church of Rome hath never erred nor can erre We have heard also some foretelling that a Reformation must bee and shall be yea and some pointing at the very time and year of Reformation We have seen the world prepared for a Reformation by store of antient books printed and spread through Europe by reviving of Liberall Sciences and the prime tongues and by multitude of learned men It followes now to behold how God Reformed his Church not by the direct intention of men but in spite of all his adversaries and as it pleased Him in wisdom for the manifesting of his glory and mercy toward ungratefull mankind PART II. CHAP. I. Of POPES HADRIAN VI. borne in Utrecht of Belgia for his learning and sagacity of judgement was called from Lovan to be Tutour unto Charls the young King of Spaine then he became Bishop of Derthuse and chief Counseller unto Charles and Governour of Spain in the Kings absence and at that time being known at Rome by report only he was chosen Pope January 9. An. 1522. When he was advertised of the election he wrote Letters of thanks unto the Colledge of Cardinals for the good opinion they had conceived of him and whereas three Cardinals were appointed to be sent unto him he desired them to spare their travell for as soone as it might possibly bee he would come unto Rome And because the Senate and people of Rome were displeased that a stranger should have that Dignity he wrote unto them promising whatsoever favour could be expected from him He arrived at Rome in August following In the mean time Soliman the Turk was besieging the isle Rodos And in the seventh moneth carryed it by composition to the great shame of Christians J. Sleidan Comment Lib. 3. adfin It appeares that from Spain Hadrian wrote unto Erasmus to write against Luther and accordingly in an epistle dat Basileae prid jd. Julii An. 1522. ad Jodoc President of the Senate of Mechline he saith Here and there partly by word and partly by epistles I have turned away many from the Lutheran faction and nothing hath discouraged the Lutherans minds so much as that I have openly declared my adherence unto the Romane high priest and disallowing Luthers cause Cheregat was sent with a Brieve as they speak dated Novemb 25. 1522. from Hadrian unto the Princes of Germany shewing that it was grievous unto him that Luther had moved such a stirre and sedition for it concerneth the loss of souls and the destruction of the flock now committed unto him and it is hapned to beginne in the same Country where he was borne which Nation was ever furthest from all supicion of heresy wherefore he craves earnestly that they would helpe to remedy it as quickly as might bee lest through longer delay it happen unto Germany as it did unto Bohem and he promiseth that he will spare neither mony nor travell here in beseeching them that they will every one according to his power do the like seing so many weighty causes may move them heerunto to wit the Glory of Gods holy Name is by this heresy chiefly obscured the rites of the Church are defaced and in a manner abolished and Germany which was wont to have the chief praise of religion now for this revolt cometh into contempt for when they might have easily dispatched Luther and quenched his heresies they have not done it so degenerating from their ancestours which have left a notable example of their vertue at Constance Is it not a most notorious wrong that Luther doth unto them and their forefathers for where as they have followed the religion of the Romane Church now when he condemned that religion he condemned them Let them weigh seriously what those fellowes do intend verily under pretence of Evangelical liberty to take away all Lawes and Magistrates Albeit first he seemes only to impugne the rulers of the Church as tyrannicall and wicked and hitherto they doe craftily hide their intention and traiterously and do flatter Magistrates to the end they may the more freely utter malice against the Clergy but when the clergy are opprest doubtless they will attempt further ..... Luther differeth not much from the sect of Mahomet which permits men to marry many wifes and then to forsake them by which means that wretched hypocrite hath bewitched and allured the greatest part of the world albeit Luther permits not this yet he aduiseth all men which have vowed chastity to marry so giving way unto mans lust that he may have the more to be of his confederacy to the utter destruction of the Commonwealth especially of Germany Therefore it is their part to put in execution the decrees of Pope Leo and of Caesar ...... If any will say Luther was condemned ere he was heard or it is reason the cause should be debated these men think amisse for Christ had taught us the rule of faith and religion whose authority we must follow and not skan the articles of faith by humane reason nor enquire the cause of this or that precept Indeed he is to be heard when he is examined whether he spake thus or thus whether he set forth this or that book but touching the faith and sacraments we may not permit him to dispute nor defend these things which he had written
other was like a Criminal Court both which were different from worldly Courts in that the one had execution by the Authority of a Judge forcing men unto obedience and the other by the onely willingness of submitting parties which if they refuse to obey the Ecclesiastical Judge could do no more but commit the cause unto the judgement of God which as it pleaseth God shall be executed in this life or that to come And upon good ground was the name of Charity given unto the Ecclesiastical Judicatory because by it only was the defender moved to submit unto the Church and the Church to judge with so great sincerity of the Judge and obedience of the offender that there was no place left unto corrupt affection in the one nor of repining in the other and this great love made the punishment of chastising seem the more grievous even unto the chastiser so that in the Church was never any censure inflicted without great mourning of the people and greater of the Rulers and hence it came to pass that at that time the word mourning was used for chastising So St. Paul rebuking the Corinthians that they had not censured the incestuous man said And ye have not mourned that he that hath done this deed might be taken away And in the other Epistle I fear lest when I come I shall not finde you such as I would and lest I shall be wail many which have sinned already Now it seemeth the judgement of the Church as is usual in all Societies was ordered by some one which was President and propounded things and after deliberation gathered the suffrages which part seeing it is most convenient unto the most able and fit man without doubt was conferred on the Bishop But when the Churches were multiplied the propositions and deliberations were done by the Bishop first in the Colledge of Presbyters and Deacons which were called the Presbytery and there purposes were brought to ripeness that they might have the last stroke in the publique meeting of the Church This was yet the Custom about the year 250. as is clear in the Epistles of Cyprian who writing of them who had sacrificed unto Idols unto the Presbytery saith It is not his maner to do any thing without their advice nor without consent of the people and he writeth unto the people that when he shall return he will in their presence and according to their judgement examine the causes and merits and unto the Priests which by themselves had received some delinquents he writeth that they give account unto the people Because of the ingenuity and charity of the Bishops at that time it came to pass that all men almost did rest on their opinion and the Church when charity became cold and the charge that Christ had laid on them was carelesly performed left all unto the Bishop and ambition which is a slie affection and ready to creep into the heart with the shadow and shew of vertue did perswade the Bishops to accept it gladly But that alteration came not to the height till the persecutions were ceased for then the Bishops did as it were set up a throne unto themselves which became most frequent by the multitude of pleas with the accession of temporary riches And this form of Judicatory albeit differing from the former wherein all things were carried with consent of the Church did yet continue in the same sincerity And therefore the Emperor Constantine having tried the fruit of this Court in deciding controversies and how the vertue of Religion was able to discern many tricks and guiles which the Judges had not perceived made a Law that there should be no appealing from the Bishops sentence and the Judges should put them in execution Yea and when a cause was begun before the Secular Judge whatsoever was the state of it if either of the parties howbeit the other were unwilling did appeal unto the Bishop the cause without delay should be referred unto his consideration And then the judgement of the Bishop began to be Courtly and when he had the Magistrate to be the executioner of his Decree he taketh unto him the names of Episcopal Iurisdiction Episcopal Audience and such Titles Likewise the Emperor Valens thought good in the year 365. to enlarge this Court by giving unto them the inspection of the prices of things set forth to be sold which business was not acceptable unto the good and moderate Bishops for Possidonius reporteth that when Augustine had been taken up with such work untill noon and sometimes till night he called it Angaria a forced toil whereby his minde was distracted from things more properly belonging unto him and for these rusling broyls he left more useful things undone as neither did Paul go about these things which were not suitable to a Preacher but left them unto others Nevertheless when not a few of the Bishops did abuse that Authority that was granted unto them by Constantine's Law the same Law after 70. years was recalled by Arcadius and Honorius and it was ordained that Bishops should judge in causes of Religion onely and in Civil no other way but with consent of parties and also it was declared that they had no Court of Judgement This Law was little regarded in Rome because of the great power of the Bishop therefore in the year 452. Valentinian living in the City did renew that Law and caused it to be put in execution But the succeeding Princes did ratifie unto them again that power as Justinian did establish the Bishops Court and Audience and assigned unto them not onely the affairs of Religion but the Ecclesiastical faults of the Clergy and several powers over the Laicks By these degrees Correction which was appointed by Christ upon the account of Charity was turned to Dominion and was the occasion of losing the ancient reverence and obedience wherewith Christians were wont to regard their Bishops I know well that in words they will deny their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction to be Dominion like the Secular but I cannot see what real difference they can shew Certainly St. Paul writing to Timothy and Titus sheweth a clear difference Let not a Bishop be given to lucre not a striker But now it is most usual to pay unto the Bishop the expences of Law and at his command to put into prison even as in Secular Courts But when the Provinces in the West were divided and the Empire was made up of Italy France and Germany and Spain became a Kingdom in these four Countreys the Princes made choise of Bishops to be their Counsellors and then by the confusion of spiritual and temporal power oh how the Authority of the Bishops Court augmented within 200. years they drew unto them all criminal and Civil power over the Clergy yea and over the Laicks in many particulars pretending that the cause is Ecclesiastical They they forge a mixt Judicatory wherein either a Bishop or a Magistrate which of the two shall first
had the upper hand and when the Soldiers asked the Abbot of Cistertian what they should do because they knew not who were Hereticks and who were not he answered Kill all God knoweth who are his So they spare neither age nor sex Caesar Hist lib. 5. cap. 21. Many hundreds were burnt many were hanged and many thousands were slain in other places I. Thuan. ad An. 1550 In a word they prevailed so that Raymund was robbed of all his lands almost and went to Rome An. 1215. and promised obedience unto the Church if the Pope would cause his lands to be restored Innocentius answered The expedition was chargeable unto the Church and unto Simon de Monford and therefore he had given these lands unto Simon and it was past the King's confirmation and could not be recalled onely he would grant unto Raymund 400. marks yearly during his life if he shall continue under obedience Then Raymund went to Arragon and levied an Army of 100000. men and within a year he recovered by strength all his lands Simon was killed An. 1218. and 22000. men with him so was his Son Guido An. 1219. Io. de Serres Then King Philip sent his Son Lewes once and again against Tolouse but all in vain so long as Raymund lived and Roger de Foy both which died within one moneth An. 1221. His Son Raymund whether for fear of worldly opposition or if he left the doctrine which his Father had professed it is uncertain offered all obedience unto the Church and King if they would grant him peace Almaric the Son of Simon de Montford appeareth in the contrary alledging his Title unto the County of Tolouse which was granted unto his Father and confirmed by the Pope and the King In the mean time Philip dieth and left unto Almaric 20000. some write 100000. lievers of Paris for a new expedition against Tolouse and at last by perswasion of Romanus Cardinal de St. Angelo the Pope's Legat Lewes VIII King of France with Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Peers Barons and 50000. horse with a great number of foot which arose for fear of the King and the Pope's Legate more then for zeal to the cause saith Mat. Paris in Hen. III. they were marked with the sign of the Cross against the Hereticks as they spake of Tolouse and Avenion which also belonged unto Raymund and boasting to destroy all the means and men within his Dominions An. 1226. They came first to Avenion craving passage through the Town for shortness of way The Citizens said They feared more danger The King sware he would not rise from siege till he had taken the City They had so provided that within were neither old persons nor women nor children and all beastials were removed and all the meadows were tilled that the King had scarcity without and they within had plenty so without was dearth and death as was reckoned of 22000. Simon and the Pope's General were killed with stones out of slings Some of the Nobility crave leave to return but obtain it not The King dieth Romanus causeth his death to be concealed and after asking a treaty for peace which was refused he craveth that he and the Prelates may enter the City to try if the wickedness was so great as the cry thereof was come unto the Pope's ears and swore that he minded nothing but the salvation of souls But he contemned his oath brought in the Army brake their walls and slew many of them Mat. Paris ad An. 1226. in Hen. III. In the year 1228. Raymund did rout his adversaries in three several battels idem Then they invade Tolouse but so that the yong King was glad to seek peace and the Earl accepteth it on good conditions Then the Pope sent the Marshal de la Foy with a fresh Army King Lewes would not allow it and said They should perswade by reason and not constrain by force Io. de Serres When open wars were ended the Bishops and Friers were busie with burning and hanging and these broyls were not ended for seventy years saith Bertrand Ia. Thuan. in the dedication of his History telleth summarily the success They were killed or banished and scattered hither and thither but not convicted of errors nor brought into repentance some fled into Province or near unto the Alps finding lurking holes for their liyes and doctrine some went into Calabria and their followers abode there until the Papacy of Pius the IV. some setled in Bohem Poland and Livonia and of their reliques in Britain was John Wickliff in Oxford So Thuan. Wheresoever they went Satan followed to devour them And all the Historians of those times shew how they were persecuted as Vsser hath marked particularly loc cit ca. 10. Innocentius III. caused the bones of Almaric to be burnt a learned Bishop at Paris because he had taught that no sin is imputed unto man in the state of grace and Images should not be in Churches and other twenty four persons for the same doctrine An. 1210. Io. Bale Cent. 3. cap. 67. in Appen sheweth ex Bern. Lutzenburg that when Dominicus with twelve Cistertian Monks was sent against them the sum of them who were killed in the wars were 100000. persons and out of Christ Massanus That in the Diocy of Narbon 140. men chose rather to suffer the fire then accept the doctrine of Rome An. 1210. And in the next year 400. were burnt within the Diocy of Tolouse eighty were beheaded and Almericus Captain of the Castle of Vare was hanged and his wife was stoned to death M. Fox in Act. Monim sheweth out of Herm. Mutius that An. 1212. sundry Noble men and others in the County of Alsatia did hold that every day was free for eating of flesh if it be soberly and that they do wickedly who hinder Priests from lawful marriage Therefore Innocentius caused an hundred of them to be burnt in one day Nauclerus sheweth that at the same time were many of the same doctrine at Millan who sent relief unto their Brethren in Alsatia An. 1220. William a Goldsmith was burnt because he said Rome was Babylon and the Pope was Antichrist Bale ex Caesar in dialog Desiderius à Lombard at the same time was called Haeresiarcha because he wrote against the begging Friers We read of many such other burnings and martyrdoms in other places and times but the truth could not be burnt nor overthrown nor want her witnesses 5. Guilielmus de Alta Petra Bishop of Paris about the year 1220. wrote a book De Clero wherein he speaketh of the Clergy of his time in this maner No godliness or learning is seen in them but rather all divellish filthiness and monstrous vices their sins are not simply sins but monsters of sins they are not the Church but Babylon Egypt and Sodom the Prelates build not the Church but destroy it they mock God and they and their Priests do profane the body of Christ they lift up to the heavens with all
voice of another This Church makes not lawes without the word of God therefore unto traditions of men which have the tittle of the Church we are not tied if they agree not with God's word Only Christ hath satisfied for the sins of the world therefore if any say there is another way of salvation or of expiating sin he denieth Christ It can not be proved by testimony of Christ that the body and blood of Christ are received really and bodily The rite of the Masse where Christ is represented offered unto the Father for the living dead is contrary unto the Scripture and contumelious unto the sacrifice that Christ hath offered for us We may pray unto Christ only as the Mediatour and Advocate of mankind with the Father It is not found in Scripture that there is any place where souls are purged after this life therefore prayers and all these ceremonies and yearly exequies that are bestowed on the dead and the waxecandls and torches and such other things do help nothing It is contrary unto Senpture to set up images or statues for use of worship therefore if any such be in a Church they should be removed Marriage is not forbidden unto any sort of men but for eschuing fornication it is commanded and permitted by the holy Scriptures unto every one and unclean and filthy single life becomes the order of priests least of any men When these Letters were divulged the people of Lucern Vran Suik Unterwald Tugy Glarea Friburgh Soloturn write unto Bern exhorting them to cease from that purpose and to remember their league as for them they will send none thither nor suffer any to come I. bidem XXV Nevertheless the day is keeped at Bern. None of the bb came nor sent Deputies came from Basile Schafuse Zurick Abbecella Sangall Mulhâ—se and Rhaetia their nighbours as also from Strawsburgh Ulma Ausburgh Lindaw Constance and Isna Among these were Zwinglius Oecolampade Bucer Capito Blaurer c. Among the Opponents the chiese was Conrad Treger an Augustinian he would not bring his arguments from the Scripture and Presidents of the Dispute would not permitt any other authority because it was so ordered by the publication wherefore Treger went away On the 26 day of January Progresse of Reformation An. 1528. year 1528. the Dispute was ended and then altars images and masses were forbidden in Berne the day and year of Reformation was Marked with golden letters in a publick place for memoriall unto posterity The like Reformation was at Basile Erasmus writes of it in Epist ad Andr. Cruci Episc Plocens dated Friburgh An. 1529. thus No violence was used against any mans person or goods only they sought a Burgher-Master as a chief enemy of Reformation and he escaped in a boat they break down all images in the churches c. Erasmus was present and as he writes he did admire that whereas it had been reported how S. Francis had smote a man with madness for scorning his five wounds and other divâ—or Saints had revenged some reproaching words yet none of them all did at that time revenge the contempt of their images Pe. Soave saith They of Geneve and Constance and other nighbours followed the example of Berne as also Strawsburgh after a publick disputation makes an ordinance to forsake the Masse or at least to leave it untill the maintainers of it will prove that it can stand with the worship of God and this they did saith he albeit the Senate of the Empire at Spira had by their Messenger forbidden them as not belonging unto them nor unto the States of the Empire to make any innovation in Religion but only unto a General or National Councell Yea and Italy saith he when for the space of two years there had been no Court in Rome and all these calamities under which they were lying were thought to be the execution of Gods judgement for rhe abuses of that government did gladly hearken unto a Reformation and in their private houses namely at Fuenza within the Popes territory they did preach against the Romane Church and the number of these whom others did call Lutherans but they called themselves Evangelici did increase dayly XXVI In March An. 1529. was a Diet at Spira the bb and their party 1529. thought to have severed the Elector of Saxony from the Cities in contemplation of the variance in the question of the Sacrament but on the other side they did perceive the craft of their enemies and disappointed them Then Ferdinand excludes the Deputes of Strawsburgh from sitting in the Diet they protest that if they be displaced which is contrary to the law and custom they will beare no part of the common charges So they were restored ro their place After much debating in cause of religion at last it was decreed thus They who have observed the Emperours decree let them observe it untill the Generall Councel these who have departed and can not change again for feare of Sedition let them continue and change no more untill the Councel their doctrine which teach otherwise of the Lords Supper than the Church doth shall not be received nor shall the Masse be abolished nor in such places where this new doctrin is received shall any man be hindered to go unto the Masse if he please Ministers shall preach according to the interpretation received by the Church referring all disputable questions unto the Councell Let all States keep common peace neither any take the defense of another's subjects all under pain of forfeiture This Decree was opposed by John Duke of Saxony George Marques of Brandeburgh Ernest and Francis DD. of Luneburgh the Landgrave and Count of Anhalt Aprile 19. they protest that they are not obliged to obey this Decree because it is contrary unto a former at Spire where with consent of all parties every man had religion permitted freely untill a generall Councell and as that was enacted with common consent of all so it can not be violate without the consent of all and whereas there hath been dissension for religion it was declared in the Diet at Norinbergh who have heen the causers thereof both by confession of the Bishop of Rome and by the grievances of the Princes and States of the Empire and no redresse is as yet made of these grievances ...... and there fore they will answer for this their protest both openly before all men and unto the Emperour himself and in the mean time till a General or National Councel be called they will do nothing that shall deserve just reproof Unto this Protestation some Cities did subscribe namely Strawsburgh Norimbergh Ulme Constance Ruteling The beginning of the wood Protestants Winssem Mening Lindave Campedon Hailbrun Isna Wisseburg Norling and Sangall This was the originall of that title Protestants which afterwards became so famous The Emperour was then in Italy and was not content with this Protestation as neither with the meeting of the Protestants at
of the Protestant Princes came thither but the Landgrave only they sent their Oratours The Emperour calleth this a contempt of his authority he shewes his care for establishing peace in Germany and presseth them absolutly unto the decrees of the councel The Oratours besought the Emperour that he would not violat the former peace as they refused no charges nor service with the rest of the Empire nor had any thoughts to do otherwise in time coming As for Religion seing the councel was not such as he had promised and the States had decreed they humbly entreat that it may be yet referred unto a councel of Germany or a Conference of learned men which will determine thereof according to the written Word While they make such a shew of consulation it was publickly known that the Pope and the Emperour and King Ferdinand were levying souldiers Then the Landgrave and Oratours entreat the other Princes that they would go with them unto the Emperour and solicite him that he would not warre against them The Princes refuse and the Emperour still professes peace with them as his loving subjects The Landgrave enquireth for what cause was the levying of souldiers every where seing he professeth universal peace and he had truce with the Turk He replied at last He aimed at nothing but the peace of Germany and all who will give due obedience may look for favour from mee sayd he but against others which will not obey I must deal according to my right Briefly cruell warrs followed the Protestants at the first prevaile and caused the Papist towns and bb give them money they dispossesse Maurice Duke of Saxony who was a Protestant in Religion but a Commander for the Emperour because he trusted the Emperour that the warrs was undertaken for civil authority only The Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave were of equall authority at that time and their different judgements made them lose many good advantages and in the end they were both taken as is before related In the Diet at Ulms Ann. 1547. the Deputies of the States bewaile the great damnages that had befallen unto them all by these intestine wars and they crave peace The Emperour professeth readiness but because of the pestilence the treaty of peace was deferred to a more solemne meeting at Ausburgh Where the Emperour appointed some bb and other Prelates to pen some articles of doctrine concerning ceremonies and reformation of the clergy These Deputies wrote a litle book all Romish excep that they permitted marriage unto priests and communion under both kinds The Emperour took this course because he could not bring about his purpose in the councel he propoundeth this book in the Diet and caused some to dispute the articles there and then sent it unto the Bishop of Rome The Pope wrote back that none but the Bishop of Rome had authority to permitt such liberty and immediatly he sought to dissolve the councel by transferring it XXXVI In May 1548. The Emperour assembleth the States at Ausburgh Troubles for the Interim and ordaineth that these which had not as yet made defection shall continue in former obedience and condition of Religion and unto others he said Seing some well affectioned men and lovers of tranquillity have propounded unto mee a book of articles which we have caused to be examined Wee will you as yee regard the good of the commonwealth to accept these articles and approve your teaching thereby until a fuller remedy be provided by a general councel The Bishop of Mentz as if all the rest had given him their voices gave in name of all the States unto the Emperour immortall thanks for his zeal and care and he promised to obey The Emperour takes this answer as an universall consent and would hear no excuse from any other He commanded it to be printed in Dutch and Latine it was called The Interim John Marques of Brandeburgh went unto the Emperous lodging and said that he had served him heertofore upon this affiance that he had assured him of liberty of Religion The Emperour sayth This is a general Decree nor can any be against it The Marques began to speak in the contrary but the Emperour commandeth him to be gone lest he give a bad example unto others to refuse the book and he went home the same day but changed nothing in religion The Electors Palatine Brandeburgh accept the book Wolfgang Duke of Bipont refused it with great boldness Ulric Duke of Witembergh would not accept it for his person but because the Spanish souldiers were quartered in his land for the time he gave leave to use it yet the priests were not regarded there so that within a short space they left his land again The Emperour sent Granvellan and the Bishop of Artois unto the captive Duke of Saxony with some hope of liberty if he would approve the booke He said He coul not accept it unless he would wound his conscience and sinne against the Holy Ghost seing it containes many things contrary to the holy Scriptures After that he was keept more straite and his preacher for fear changeth his habite and left him The Emperour sent also unto the Duks two sonns and they also refuse the book then he complaineth unto the Duke that his sonns would not obey the Decree and they suffered the Preachers to speak and writ aguinst the book and therefore he should cause them satisfy him The Duke returneth answer Seing he himself approves not the doctrine of the book he can not advise his sons to receive it The Deputies of the towns sought some space of time to communicate with their principales ere they give answer The last day of Iuny was granted unto them Some for fear did accept it and others accept it with some exceptions Some returned answer Seing the Emperour presseth this as an Imperial decree they will refuse no proportionable burden of the Common wealth but this particulare concerneth their souls and the burden thereof lieth upon the godly people so many as are careless of Religion care not what be decreed they doubt not but the Emperour loveth peace yet if men be compelled to speak and practize against conscience it is to be feared that such decrees shal raise greater troubles Nevertheless the Emperour presseth the book upon them by force as upon Ulme Constance c. The preachers chuse rather to leave the townes as Brentius left Hala Musculus left Ausburgh c. Some were persuaded to accept it and afterward with many tears confessed their sin publickly Albeit the Emperour had commanded that none should write against that Interim yet many books were published condemning the doctrine in it and admonishing men to bewar of it as a most pernicious pest not only for the errours of doctrine but lykewise because it is a meanes to bring in whole Popery again Ausburgh was compelled to receive their Bishop again and he would not come in untill he covenanted with the Senate that he shall
and also Quod qui facit contra conscientiam Divinis in rebus aedificat ad gehennam ...... Beare with me Madam I beseech you if I chuse rather to offend your earthly Majesty then to offend the heavenly Majesty of God ...... I will draw to an end most B. Grindals petitions humbly praying that you will consider these short petitions I. that you would referr all these ecclesiasticall matters unto the Bishops and Divines of the Church of your realm according to the exemple of all Christian Emperours and Princes of all ages for indeed they are to be judged as an Antient writes in Ecclesia seu Synodo non in Palatio When your Majesty hath questions of the laws of your realm you do not decide them in your Court or palace but send them to your Judges to be determined ......... Ambrose to Theodosius used these words Si de causâ—s pecuniariis Comites tuos consulis quanto magis in causa Religionis Sacerdotes Domini aequum est consulas ...... My second petition is that when you deal in matters of faith and religion or matters that touch the Church of Christ which is the Spouse bought with so dear a price you would not pronounce so resolutely and peremptorily quasi ex authoritatâ— as you may do in civil and external matters but alwayes remember that in Gods cause the will of God and not the will of any creature is to take place It is the Antichristian voice Sic volo sic jubeo sâ—et pro ratione voluntas In Gods matters all Princes ought to bow their Scepters to the Son of God and to ask counsell at his mouth what they ought to do David exhorts all Kings and rulers to serve God with fear and trembling Remember Madam that you are a mortal creature look not only as was said to Theodosius upon the people and princely array wherewith you are apparelled but consider also what it is that is covered there with .......... Must you not one day appear ante terrendum tribunal Crucifixi ut recipias ibi prout gesseris in corpore sive bonum sive malum And although you are a mighty Prince yet remember ...... As the Psalmist saith 76. Terribilis est is qui aufert Spiritum principum terribilis super omnes Reges terrae Wherefore I beseech you Madam in visceribus Christi when you deal in these religious causes set the Majesty of God before your eies laying aside all earthly Majesty determin with yourself to obey his voice and with all humility say unto him Non mea sed tua voluntas fiat God hath blessed you with great felicity now many years beware you do not impute it to your deserts or policy but give God the glory ...... Take heed you never think of declining from God lest it be verified of you which is written of Joash Cum corroboratus esset elevatum est cor ejus in interitum suum neglexit Deum He concludes trusting better of her and praying for her What could be written saith Fuller with more spirit and less animosity More humility and less dejection I see a lambe in his own can be a Lion in God and his Churches cause Say not that Orbitas senectus only encouraged Grindall in this his writing whose necessary boldness did arise partly from his confidence in the goodness of the cause for which partly from the gratiousnes of the Queen to whom he made his adress But alas all in vain Leicester had so filled her eares with complaints against him there was no room to receive this petition But to return to the former purpose we see from this Letter that the form of Exercise was allowed by ten Bishops and the history shewes that the Ministers who used that exercise were not conformists unto the rites But NB. VVhit gift's severity iâ— opposed some Bishops of that age were so zealous of their authority and jealous of the prophecyings that diligent Ministers must needs conform or then the flocks shall want teaching and the Queen must bear the blam of all More of these trouble followers here I add that â— Whitgift succeeding to Grindal was the first Reformed Bishop that was Counselor of State and most vehement in pressing conformity yet not without many checks and lets For not only did the Counsell sent Letters unto that Archbishop willing him to relent of his severity but as the same author writes in the Parliament Aâ— 1587. the House of Commons presented unto the House of Lords a petition complaining that many parishes were destitute of preachers and craving amongst other things that no oath nor subscription might be tendered to any at their enterance into the Ministery but such as is expressly prescribed by the statutes of the realm excep the oath against corrupt entring That they may not be troubled for omission of some rites or portions prescribed in the book of Common prayer That such as had been suspended or deprived for no other offence but only for not subscribing might be restored and that the Bishops would forbear their excommunication exofficio mero of godly and learned preachers not detected for open offence of life or apparent error in doctrine c. And the Lords rancountred the Bishops so hardly especially against plurality of Benefices that matters flying so high the Archbishop conceived it the safest way to apply himself by petition unto the Queen in this manner The wofull and distressed estate whereinto we are like to fall forceth us with grief of heart in most humble manner to crave your Majesties soveraign protection For the pretence being made of the maintenance and increase of learned ministry when it is throughly weighed decrieth learning spoileth their livings takes away the set form of prayer in the Church and it is the means to bring in confusion and barbarisme How dangerous innovations are in a setled Estate whosoever hath judgement perceiveth Set dangers apart yet such great inconveniences may ensue as will make an estate lamentable and miserable Our nighbours miseries may make us fearfull but that we know who ruleth the same All the Churches in Europe can not compare with England in the number of learned Ministers These benefits of your Majesties most sacred and carefull government with hearty joy we feel and humbly acknowledge senseless are they that repine at it The respect hereof made the Prophet to say Dij estis All the faithfull and discreet clergy say O Deacertè Nothing is impossible with God Requests without grounded reasons are lightly to be rejected We therefore not as Directors but as humble Remembrancers beseech your Highness favourable beholding of our estate present and what it will be in time to come if the Bill against pluralities should take any place c. With this petition was annexed a catalogue of pretended inconveniences So that in effect no thing was enacted in relation to this matter but at the dissolution of the Parliament the Bishops were more â—evere then
not expedient to trouble your Majesty untill wee see what order shall be taken with these grievous complaints Beseeching your Majesty most humbly for the love of God who hath placed your Gr. in this Royall throne and hitherto hath wondrously maintained and defended your authority carefully to look upon these matters as becomes the Lieutenant of God and a Christian King And with advice of them that fear God and do tender your Gr. estate quietnes of this Common well so to redress the premisses that Christ be acknowledged above all and his messingers without fear or stop be suffered to execute their office the course of the gospell advanced and by the exemple of the worthy punishment on them who so licentiously and contemptuously have wronged and injured Ministers and Professors of Gods word that others hereafter be afrayd to enterprice the like The next Assembly is appointed to be at Edinburgh October 24. next It is objected against this Assembly that they did allow the Sentence of excommunication against Ro. Mongomery whereas it was pronounced summarily by one man in a private congregation to wit by John Davidson in the church of Libbertoun and upon this ground it was declared null by the Counsell It is ansuered 1. That he who hath often objected this testifieth that before the Assembly it was allowed and intimated in all the Churches of the country 2. In the Assembly of October year 1581. was a Generall Act ordaining summary excommunication against these who through ambition or covetousness did by such violent means intrude themselves into any function of the Church or who did obtend or use any Letters of charge to impede the disciplin See before at the VIII particulare 3. When this was objected many years since the author of Vindici Philadelph Pag. 29. answered for this instance that the Assembly in October knowing the mans inconstancy did advertise the Presbytery of Glasgow that they should diligently take heed that he usurp not the power of a Bishop and if he shall do so they were ordered to â—ondem him of contemptuousness and perfidiousness and to advertise the Presbytery of Edinburgh unto whom the Assembly at that time gave power to excommunicate Robert Mongomery in this case and so the presbytery of Glasgow notwithstanding the opposition made by Minto went on and decerned against him and the presbytery of Edinb pronounced the Sentence of excommunication and it was intimated in all the pulpits So for there In the same place wee find what was the successe at Perth When the Supplication was presented James Stuart a brother of Ochiltry who had been Tutor of the Earle of Arran and thereafter was made Earle of Arran and at rhat time was Chancelor and â—omenter of all these mischiefes did menacingly ask Who dar subscribe that Supplication Andrew Melvin answered Wee all will subscribe it and so he did subscribe it and after him John Erskin of Dun Th. Smeton Ro. Pont Da. Lindsay An. Hay Pe. Blackburn Tho. Buchanan and Pa. Galloway English men which were there did admire their boldness and thought that they had some privy attendents for their guard but they were dismissed without answers Bishop Spotswood omitting this passage saith To their grievances they received Generall answers and for the brethren of Glasgow their tryall was continued to the tenth of September next before which time the surprise of the Kings person at Ruthven fell out which altered the state of all affaires some of the nobility combining A Change of the Kings Court at Ruthven An 1582. themselves for defence of Religion and the liberty of the Kingdom as they pretended sayth he upon notice of the Duke of Arrans I conceive an error in the print for the Duke and Arran's absence from the Court placed themselves about the King and detained him some dajes at the house of Ruthven The principalls were John Earle of Marre William Earle of Goury Patrick Lord Lindsay Robert Lord Boid the Mast s of Glams Oliphant the Abbots of Dumfernlin Paisley Driburgh Camsbuskenneth the Lairds of Lochlevin easter Weemes Cliesh and the Constable of Dundy At this time the Earle of Arran was taken and keep prisoner and the Duke of Lennox being advised by the Kings letters went to France and died at Paris in the beginning of the year following These particulars are at length loc cit After the departure of the Duke the town of Edinburgh brought back their Minister John Dury with great joy singing as they went up the striet the 124. Psalme Now Israel may say c and as I heard some credible persons which were there as that time say they added after the Psalme Now hath God delivered us from the Devill the Duke and all his men The King went to Edinburgh in the beginning of October and there The 43. Assembly conveenes the Assembly in afrequent number of Noble men many Barons and Ministers Commissioners David Lindsay is chosen Moderator In Sess 2. The Ministers of Edinburgh were sent unto the K. to petition that he would send his Commissioners unto the Assembly The Commissioners that were sent by the former Assembly unto the King with the grievances report the answers in write these were read and judged not to answer the Articles therefore it is appointed that they shall be further insisted on with other things that are to be craved and four are appointed to form them in write In Sess 3 James haliburton Provest of Dundy and Colonell Will. Stuart come and deliver their Commission from the King in this tenor Wee by tenor hereof with the advice of the Lords of our Secret Counsell give and grant authority full power and commission to our right trusty and welbeloved friends James haliburton ...... And Col. Wi. Stuart coniunctly and severally for us in our name To pass unto the Generall assembly of the Church of our realm and there to hear and consider the matters propounded tending to the advancement of Gods glory and his true religion the correction of manners and retaining the ecclesiasticall matters in decent comely order as the word of God allowes and to report the matters propounded and treated unto us for our allowance and ratification of the same as appertaines and generally all and sundry other things to do that to the furtherance and assistance of all godly good matters is necessarily required firm stable ........ Subscribed with our hand at Halirudhouse October 10. 1582. and of our reigne the 16. year IV. The places where the Provinciall synods shall conveen should be changed as the brethren thereof shall judge that no ambition growe by continuing in one place V. Seing great scandall ariseth by the impunity of Bishops being altogether out of rule the Church thinks expedient that the Kings Commissioners the Lord Boyd the Laird Caprinton with the Moderator and his assessors conveen and solidly advise upon some substantious order VI. The Lord of Paisley in name of some Noblemen gives the Church