them Seeing Ministers have no commandes of their own but only the commandes of Christ they may not domineer over the consciences of the people but the Magistrates have power to commande the Bodyes and goods of their subjects The Church-ministry is more like a fatherly then a Kingly power and therefore their estimation is preserved according to their reverent teaching and by honest entertaiment which the Magistrate procures provides But the Magistrate hath Civil compulsion â—ver all his subjects as well Ministers as others and must be honoured by them all with obedience subjection and paiment of tribute So far he III. When the Queen-mother had gotten the whole government of Troubles of France under Charles 9. France then her rage and the pride of the Guises was not against particulare assemblies persons only but they sought the destruction of all the Nobility and people who followed not the superstition of Rome whence arose intestin warrs in France once and again and the third time within nine years for when the Queen sawe the loss of her excellentest Captains or that faction sawe no appearance to prevail they could fein peace to the end the reformed may lay their weapons aside and then be taken unaworse The Apostate King of Navar was killed by a small pellet at the seege of Roan he being deadly wounded was carryed to Paris and through vehemency of pain died desperatly French Commentar Lib 5. The Reformed had but a few Cities Lions fell from them by the craft of their Governor and the Reformed within it were robbed and murdered their churches were burnt but some escaped into the castle of S. Sebastian and from thence took their refuge into other places namely unto Geneve In Dolfeny the Cities Valentia Vienna Roman and Mantill took part with the Nobles of the Reformed Religion So in Languedoc did Nemeaux Montpelier Caster-albien and some cities of the Rhodes of Sevenas and of Vivaretz they had also Montalban and all the circumiacent places Orleance and the cities there adioyning and Rochell In all parts of the realm were some Protestants but they were exiled out of the Popish towns whereby the Army of the Prince of Condee was the greater The cruelty used in Lions moved the Protestants to arise in others places so many were slain in every Province for the Papists burnt the Reformed Churches and on the other side they cried Places of idolatry should be demolished So they burnt the Popish churches Ibid. Lib. 8. In the second warrs Pultrotz Merae a souldier of Lions being sent with Letters of Mons Soubize unto the Admiral Caspar Coligny warring for the Reformed in Normandy did insinuat himself into credite with the Duke of Guise and killed him with a pistoll Whereupon the Queen consented into a peace and Pultrotz was drawn a sunder by four horses at Paris This peace continued in some manner for five years but hote was the persecution in the year 1570 the persecutors russhing into the houses of the Reformed and without pitty murdered man wife and children they choaked some with smoke and threw others unto doggs They did easily obtain edicts from the King and dispensations from the Bishops against the Hugonots as they contemptuously called them But the most horrible murthering was in the year 1572 for that barbarous and infamous massacre When the King and his mother could not prevail by open violence they went about by slight and falshood to wit they contracted Margarit the Kings Sister unto Henry King of Navar being scarcely twenty years old the marriage was solemnized August 17. by the Cardinal of Bourbon hether were all the chief Protestants of France invited by the Kings Letters full of love Before the appointed day Joanna the widow Queen of Navar had a paire of gloves sent unto her from the Court at Paris wherewith she was killed On the 24 day of August certain souldiers were appointed in sundry places of the city to be ready at a watch-word and when the Reformed were secure they were barbarously murdered in their chambers when they had killed the Admiral they threw him out at a window then they cutted off his head and sent it unto the Pope they cutted off his hands privy members and rolled his body three dayes from street to street and at last drew it into the place of execution without the city and hang'd it by the feet this bloody execution continued many dayes how many were murdered within that City may be guessed by what Ja. Thuan Lib. 52. writs that he heard a goldsmith Cruciarius very worthy of the gallows vaunt that at that time he had slain with his own hand 400. persons and afterwards being troubled in conscience removed himself from the company of men and became an Anachorite When the hottest of theirfury was over the King commanded the King of Navar and Prince of Condee to come unto him he told them that now he had attained sure remedy of setling the warrs and he had spared them in respect of their consanguinity and will yet spare them on condition that within three dayes they will renounce their heresy and return into the bosom of the Roman Church The King of Navar was dashed at such hard words and answered with fear He will obey the commands whatever if his body and conscience be permitted free The Prince spake more confidently urging the Kings oath that he had given unto the Protestants and professing all obedience excepting Religion The King Charles 9. calleth him obstinat and seditious and threatned him with death within three dayes Thuan. Lib. 52. On thurseday following which was Aug. 28 Charles commandeth a procession through Paris wherein he went personally to give God thanks publickly for the happy success of his enterprice And the same day he published an edict shewing that he was the author of the Admiral 's death and of those his adherents not for Religion said he nor of purpose to violat the edict of pacification but to prevent their conspiracy against his person and his mother and the King of Navar and other Nobles standing in his favor and he commanded that none of the Reformed Religion should have any privat or publick assemblies under pain of losing both goods and lifes untill he be further advised Additions to the 10 book of Comment The reader may judge how the first and last part of this edict do agree he professes that he intendes not to violat the act of pacification in which he had granted liberty of Religion in August 1571. and in the last words he discharges their assemblies as for the conspiracy even the Papists believed it nor saith Osiander ex Nigri His dissimulation appeares yet more that in the same edict he commanded all the Protestants to abide at their own houses under his protection and in the mean while he had sent commande unto the governors of Provinces and cities to practize the like cruelty every where and so 500 were killed at Tolouse 800. at
undique et ano Etpene erupit qui tibi Carle cruor Non tuus iste cruor sanctorum at caede cruorem Quem ferus hausisti concoquere haud poteras III. So soon as Henry king of Poland heard of his Brothers death he Troubles of Henry â— returned privily and quickly and was crowned King of France He renewed the warres against the Reformed Church he took Mons Monmorancy and quartered him for Religion Nevertheless they increased in number for the Duke Alanchon the Kings Brother and the Duke of Condee joyned with them so that a peace was granted and proclamed with liberty of Religion in the year 1576 but that peace endured not long Then Henry king of Navar joyned with the Reformed again yet they were all in great danger in the year 1586. The Pope Sixtus 5. excommunicated the King of Navar and the Prince of Condee and declared them uncapable of the crown of France and ordered King Henry 3. to persue them with arms The King of Navar sent unto Frederik king of Denmark and unto the Princes of Germany for aid They sent their Ambassadors unto the King of France to interceed for the Protestants He returned answer that they should medle with his subiects no more then he did with theirs Wherefore those Princes assembled at Luneburgh where were also the Ambassadors of Navar England Scotland of the Duke of Pomer c. They concluded that the King of Navar should not be forsaken Chytrae Lib. 28. So they sent 5000. horse-men and 20000. foot but unhappily for the Guises and other confoederats in Liga aurea gave them the foil in Lorrain An. 1587. The next year Henry III. understood of the presumption and intention of the Guises and he called a Parliament professing that he would give the chief Commande of his Army against the Hugonots unto Henry Duke of Guise The man doubted of the Kings favor and yet upon those fair words he went unto the Parliament he was killed in his bedchamber and his body was first burnt then his asshes were thrown into Ligeris His brother Lewes a Cardinal was hang'd and his son with some Bishops were imprisoned Within twelve dayes the Queen-mother died through sorow for the death of the Guises Ibid. Behold how God then brought peace unto his Church They who before favoured the Guises secretly do then profess open rebellion against the King the Parisians create Charles Duke of Mayen and Brother of the Duke of Guise to be Governor of Paris and of the Isle of Francia the Sorbonists deny the kings authority and absolve all men from the oath of allegiance Many cities joyn themselves unto Duke Charles to wit Lions Roan Orleance Ambian c. The King assembleth the Nobility he proclames unto all his subiects pardon of all former trespasses if now they shall return into obedience and he threatneth loss of Goods and life if they return not Henry king of Navar craves pardon obtaines it and is made General of the Army against the traitors the Dukes of Mayen and Aumale in Aprile An. 1589. And the same sommer he granted by edict at Nantes Liberty of the Religion liberty unto the Reformed to assemble not only for exercise of their Religion in their churches but also for holding their Synods yearly and so to be free from the jurisdiction of Bishops Which liberty no king of France hath impeded untill this present time and unto all who were under the former Edicts of exile he restored their honors and goods upon their submission Then the followers of Duke Charles called the king an enemy of the Apostolical Roman Church and August 1. new style a Jacobin Monk having purchased leave to deliver a Letter unto the king stabbed him as he was reading the Letter in the belly with a poisoned knife the villan said he was commanded by an Angel to kill the tyrant and his death would bring peace into France The king feared not death at the first and immediatly dispatched Posts to all the chief parts of the realm giving them notice of what was done and exhorting them to constancy and loyalty as is due unto their Soverain Before midnight he apprehendes death and the next day he caused proclaim Henry king of Navar to be his heir After the Henry 4 King of France kings death the Peers of the realm then in the lieger require an oath of the king of Navar to defend the Roman Religion and he swore to maintain even to hazert of his life the Catholick Apostolical and Roman Religion within the kingdom of France and that he will make no change in the exercise thereof and for his own person he will obey the decrees of a godly and lawfull general or National Councel and promiseth to procure it with all diligence and he swear to permit no other Religion but what is already allowed untill peace being restored it shall be otherwise provided and he confirmed all the Officers of State On the other side these and the Ptinces of the blood the other Peers and many others acknowledge Henry 4. king of France and Navar and swear lojalty and fidelity unto him Then both he and they swear that they shall revenge the villanous murder of the late king and the disturbance of the realm against all the rebels Then the Duke Mayen being at that time called Duke of Guise and the king of Spain dealt with the Pope that the king of Navar should not be absolved from the former Sentence and that faction declares Charles Duke de Mayen king of France but the Senat of Paris not admitting that any should be king who were not of the blood royal he was not proclamed there In the year 1593. Henry 4. took his oath to defend the Roman Religion he wrot an abiuration of the doctrine of the Reformed Church and sent it unto the Pope then he received a pardon and the Popes blessing and was absolved in the Church of S. Denis by the arch Bishop of Bourges upon condition to embrace the Acts of the Councel of Trent and to cause them to be observed within his realms to hear Masse to choose Mary for his advocate before God to breed the young Prince of Condee in the Romish religion c. But though for earthly peace he professed Popery yet in the Parliament at Roan An. 1597. he gave liberty of Religion within his dominions One day he said unto a Noble man I saw you tooday at the Masse Yes said the other I will follow your Majesty The King replied But you shall not have the Crown of France for it IV. Some variances arose amongst them of the Augustan Confession The causes of variance amongst the Lutherans 1. Whereas in the year 1547. theâ— were pressed by the book called Interim to accept that article Good works are necessary unto salvation the Divines of â—itteberg for peace sake did yeeld unto it but those of Iena as being more wary thought good to wave that phrase
followed the Emperour in this tumult and received from him a temporal sword that is authority The Pope hath a Sword given him to punish all seditious persons within the City and so he banished some and imprisoned others His Successours have inlarged the petty jurisdiction Stella cler Catol test ver lib. 11. He sate 9 years 30. JOHN the XV was no sooner set in his Chair but Pope Boniface the VII having made monies of his sacriledge levieth an Army and entreth Rome he took Pope John pulled out his eys and thrust him into Prison where as some say he was murthered by Ferracius a Noble Roman and father of Boniface now Pope again Within 11 months Boniface died suddenly and his Corps were drawn by the feet along the streets the people exclaiming against him Platin. John and Boniface sate 15 months and died An. 982. 31. JOHN the XVI was expelled the City by Consul Crescentius When the Consul heard that the Pope was sending his complaint unto the Emperour he was content to reconcile with him So between prosperity and adversity he sate 10 years 10 months Platin. 32. GREGORY the V was advanced by the Emperour no man contradicting saith Alb. Crantz Saxon. lib. 4. cap. 26. The Romans took it ill that the Emperour and Pope were both Germans and in a sedition they set up JOHN the XVII a Greek and by the power of Crescentius whom he had bought with money for he had brought so much money from Constantinople that even constant men might have been allured to wickedness by his gifts but he died with ignominy in the 10 month saith Naucler vol. 2. generat 34. Because he was not lawfully chosen he is not inrolled among the Popes by some Hence is so great variance amongst the Johns following for they who omit the She-Pope and this John call the next John the seventienth whereas others call him the ninetienth and so forth of the rest Gregory staied in Hetruria till John was installed and then did run unto his Nephew Otho who came with all hast into Italy took Rome by force and apprehended Pope John and Crescentius as is before After this Gregory did ratifie quod Otho 3 ex Consilio Principum Germaniae constituit saith Naucler lo. cit that is what the Emperour had ordained by the advice of the German Princes concerning the election of the Emperour in time coming Naucler nameth the persons of the Electers and their places otherwise then I have named them from Platina for he nameth first the Count Palatine of Rhine second the Duke of Saxon c. But Platina speaks probably and it is certain that upon other considerations some Articles were changed afterwards The Jesuit Dion Petavins in Ration temp par 1. lib. 8. cap. 17. saith The report is that Gregory the V did tie the power of electing an Emperour unto the suffrages of certain Princes whom being seven in number either he or some successour is thought to have appointed But it is clear by the History that the Emperour had more power then the Pope at that time both in Italy and Germany and certainly the following Popes have taken occasion by this manner of election to usurp above the Emperours or as in Fascic temp upon this occasion the Eagle did lose many feathers and was at last made totally naked Gregory sate 4 years and died An. 999. Of this Century we see generally that the Popes which were chosen by the Romans were wicked men and as they sought the Chair ambitiously for honour and power so they had no respect to religion even as the Popes following in the next Century and therefore the Emperour had the greater reason to indeavour and could the more readily obtain that order concerning the election of the Popes but it was soon wrested out of his hands as followeth CHAP. III. Of Divers Countries 1. IN this Century diligence decaieth and every vertue fainteth through A description of a miserable age want of established Princes especially in Italy The distressed Pastours in more ancient times did shine in doctrine and holiness when the Church was under persecution or Pastours under correction of Architectonical power but when Priests began to glance in silks and colours and had liberty from subjection unto Princes their lives became odious and filthy their licence brought forth such monsters of men who by avarice and ambition entred into the places of good men and did not discharge their office There was little study of Liberal Sciences few and empty Schools of languages the Clergy and Priests having forsaken their old discipline were given to lucre nor were they respected by their Flocks and only Monks were noted to have some eloquence Nevertheless as it was ordained in Synods of the former Century that Priests and Monks should read the Scriptures and Writings of the Fathers now by reading and preaching the same doctrine by some God did sequester some here and there which did beleeve truly in Christ although in so great fear of tyranny and tumults of War that they durst scarcely speak of corruptions idolatries superstitions and wickedness which at that time were so luxuriant I will not mention divers signs that were seen in Heaven pottending so great evils Great alterations befell in every Kingdom almost the Hungarians oppress Italy and Germany although they were restrained besides many other broils in both those Nations France hath another race of Kings incessant were the Wars in Spain between the old inhabitants and the Moors the Sarazens suffered neither Greece nor Asia to rest in peace Bellarmin in Chronolo speaking of this Century saith Behold an unhappy age in which are no famous Writers no Councels bad Emperours and no good Popes God then providing that no heresie did arise And Baron ad An. 900. § 1. saith A new age beginneth which for rudeness and barrenness of goodness is called The Iron Age and for deformity of evil abounding is Leaden and for want of Writers is called The Dark Age. And ad An. 912. saith more sharply What was the face of the Roman Church how filthy when most lude and potent whores did reign in Rome at whose pleasure Bishopricks were changed Bishops were given and which is most horrible to be heard their Paramours were thrust into Saint Peter's See which are written but to fill up the role of Popes for who can call these lawfull High-Priests which were thrust in without any order by such whores no mention of the Clergy chusing and consenting the Canons were prest in silence what manner of Cardinals Priests and Deacons canst thou think were chosen by these Monsters seeing nothing is more natural then that every one beget others like to himself and who can doubt but that these did consent in all things unto them who had chosen them After this manner he continued bewailing and detesting the iniquity of those times It may justly then be added Since the face of the Roman Church was so blurred and those in
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
consented to none of them and intending the peace of the Church he sent unto the Emperor whose Authority and care should have been principal in this case saith Frossard and unto the Kings of England Bohemia and Hungary intreating them not to be deficient unto publick tranquility After the year 1397. when the Noble men of France were redeemed from the power of the Turks King Charls wrote again unto the Emperor They appointed to meet at Rhems pretending other causes of their meeting After consultation they sent the Bishop of Camerak unto Rome exhorting Boniface that for the good of the Church he would lay aside his Papal honor for a time until by advice of Princes and learned men a necessary overture were provided The Pope said He would follow the advice of the Cardinals But the people of Rome did exhort him to maintain his own right and not to submit to any Prince of them all At the second conference Boniface said He would submit if Benedict would submit also The Bishop did report this answer unto the Emperor at Confluentia and returned into France and he was sent unto Benedict with the same proposition His Cardinals could agree upon no certain answer and he said He was lawfully chosen and would not renounce for any mans pleasure Wherefore a Captain that was sent with the Bishop laid hands on the Pope and took him Then Charls advertised the Emperor and he intreated the King of England to lay aside all faction for a space and contribute his aid in this case When this came in consultation the Estates were desirous of the purpose but it did offend them that the business was carried on by Authority of the French King and they said France shall never prescribe an order in Religion unto England The same year Charls died and Richard was committed to the Tower Frossard lib. 4. Then France agreed with Benedict upon condition he should procure the peace of the Church Many Cities in Italy revolted from Boniface as may be seen in Platin. and he was brought into such great penury that he sent unto all Countries offering pardons for so much money as their charges towards Rome would require By such Indulgences his Legate brought from one Country 100000. florens Theod. Ã Niem lib. 1. cap. 68. Mornay He called his Legates to account and finding that they had reaped more gain he put them to death But his pardons were so contemned saith Platin. that many crimes were done because people thought they could have remission for money Pol. Virg. de inven rer lib. 8. cap. 1. reporteth the same He kept the Jubilee An. 1400. when many hundreds of people died of the plague at Rome After that the Cardinals of Avenion went to Rome to treat of peace but Boniface said He only was Pope and Peter de Luna was the Anti-Pope They replied Their Master was not a Simoniack He discharged them of the City and within three days he died An. 1404. CHAP. II. Of EMPERORS 1. ALBERT Duke of Austria summoned a Diet at Frankford he renounced his former election and was chosen again Pope Boniface the VIII was his only foe but afterwards he confirmed him on condition he would expel Philip King of France and take his Kingdom to himself But Albert in stead of war married the Daughter of Philip and lived for the most part in peace After the example of his Father he would never go into Italy yet he governed his part of it by Deputies and Dukes He had wars with the Kingdom of Bohemia and conquered it unto his eldest Son At whatsoever occasion he had any fight he was present in person and was always victorious therefore he was called Albertus Triumphans He was once poisoned by the Bishop of Salzburgh and by help of medicine was preserved At last he died unfortunately by conspiracy of his Brother's Son John in the tenth year of his reign An. 1308. All the time of Adulph and Albert Andronicus the Son of Michael Paleologus reigned in Constantinople he would never acknowledge the Pope of Rome Philip King of France thought now to be Emperor because the Pope was in his Realm but Clemens did fear his power and wrote unto the Electors to hasten the election 2. HENRY the VII Earl of Lutzenburgh was chosen and quickly confirmed by Clemens on condition that he should go to Rome and be crowned within two years The Pope required this because he thought by him to beat down the troubles in Italy saith Io. Naucler He had wars with the Duke of Wittembergh Albert's Brother's Son for the Kingdom of Bohemia Albert's Son was dead leaving but one Daughter whom Henry did sue for his Son Then he went into Italy and subdued Robert King of Pulia The Pope sent three Cardinals to crown him at Rome but he began to fear his power and gave the Cardinals in charge to require homage of him and that he should swear faithfulness unto the See of Rome Henry said unto the Cardinals It was not the custom of his Ancestors and against the freedom of the Empire that the Prince of Princes should give an oath of fidelity unto the Servant of Servants Nevertheless he was crowned and received graciously by the Clergy and many Cities and he compelled them to obedience who did refuse The Pope did strengthen the above named Robert against him and because that course could not prevail Jacobine a Dominican gave him poison in the wine at the Mass in Bonconvento An. 1315. The Pope by his divulged Bulls would have excused the Frier but the people were so inraged for this villany that they arose against that Order and killed many of them and burnt their houses in Tuscia and Lombardy Andronicus was now become old and assumed his Son Michael to govern equally but he lived not long time his Son Andronicus rebelled against the old Emperor so that Greece was divided and became a prey unto Othoman At that time Chatiles Governor of Peloponesus sent for the aid of the Turks they came and carried great spoil out of Thracia The other party sent unto the Italians and Spaniards which both sought their own gain and when the Greeks were sensible of their folly they did submit themselves unto young Andronicus and then he dealt roughly both with the Turks and Italians so that they both became his enemies Laonic. Chalco con de reb Turci lib. 1. 3. After the death of Henry the Electors could not agree for four chose Lewis Duke of Bavier of those four the Duke of Brandeburgh gave his sentence by his Proctor and the other three chose Frederick Duke of Austria who thereafter purchased the consent of Brandeburgh they were crowned by two Bishops severally Lewis at Aken and the other at Bonna and great sedition arose in Germany They both by their Ambassades sought confirmation from the Pope Unto LEWIS he said He had already usurped too much and gone beyond the power of an absolute Emperor FREDERICK did alledge
those which fled was Peter Pain who had been a hearer of Wickliff and then went into Bohemia and was sent unto the Councel of Basil where he argued for partaking of both elements and against the Civil Power of the Clergy William White being examined before William Bishop of Norwich An. 1428. did hold as he had also written that by Law Marriage was granted unto all persons of the militant Church but the Pope who is the Antichrist and his Counsellors which are the Clarks of Lucifer have abolished this Law to the undoing of the Priesthood after the loosing of Satan that is after the 1000. years from the incarnation Anno 3. of Henry the V. the Act was renewed against presentations unto Benefices to be purchased from the Pope but under colour of prejudice to the Incumbents in going so far for them but by this Act all presentations from the Pope were annulled An. 1439. under King Henry the VI. Richard Wiche was burnt the next year Eleanora Cobham Dutchess of Glocester was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in the Isle of Man and Robert only a Priest was condemned to death Philip Morice was excommunicated by Pope Eugenius and he appealed unto the General Councel 4. Richard King of England had made Truce with France for 30. years Troubles between France and England these being expired Henry the V. sent unto Charls the VII King of France An. 1415. claiming the Crown of France So Wars began Henry conquered a great part of France In the year 1419. Charls did dis-inherit his son Lewis and then the Kingdom was divided some cleaving unto Lewis who at that time was called King of Vierron because he lived there in Berry Charls agreed with Henry that Henry should take to wife the daughter of Charls and be proclaimed Regent of France and both should keep what they have and after the death of Charls the Crown of France shall remain with Henry and his heirs and that Henry with the Duke of Burgundy should pursue Lewis the Dolphin as an enemy of the Common-Wealth These two Kings died in one year Charls died first and Henry because his son was but eight moneths old ordained his brother Humphrey Duke of Glocester to be Protector of England and the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy Protectors of France These two had continual Wars with Lewis Henry the VI. was Crowned King of England in the eighth year of his age and at Paris he was Crowned King of France in the tenth year of his age An. 1431. Five years thereafter the Duke of Bedford died and the Duke of Burgundy became an enemy to England then all things in France went backward from England but no cessation of wars untill the year 1475. when King Edward the IV. invaded France and then Truce was made for seven years at that time Lewis gave unto Edward 75000. crowns and 50000. crowns yearly during the Truce Henry the VII renewed the old claim An. 1487. Peace was made An. 1492. on condition that Charls should pay presently a great sum of money and then yearly 25000. crowns in the name of Tribute Tho. Cooper 5. At Saint Andrews Paul Craw was accused An. 1431. for following John Wickliff and Huss namely for denying that the substance of the Bread and Wine is changed or that confession is necessary to be made unto Priests or praiers unto Saints departed When he was condemned they did put a Bull of Brass in his mouth to the end he should not speak unto the people or they should not know for what he was burnt King James the I. then did set himself to reform the abuses that had crept into the Realm under the Reign of Robert the III. and his own captivity in England he made Laws against the disturbers of the common peace and against them who ride with more men then their yearly Revenues may sustain he punished Robbers and Rebels He considered the Clergy and saw that Benefices were not bestowed on learned men but as rewards done unto the Pope or a Bishop And he saw Monks abounding in wealth and more mindfull of their bellies than of books and the Churches served by some begging Friers which were hired by the Titulars to preach now and then and the Beneficed men did never see their Parishes unless it were to crave their Tithes When the King did publickly rebuke such enormities the Bishops answered and the Friers preached Church-men should be left unto the Pope and to God neither are they obliged to answer unto any prophane Magistrate When he could A glimpsâ— of Reformation not amend the present possessours he would provide for the time to come At Saint Andrews he founded some Schools to be Seminaries of all Estates and to the end the Schools should be had in the greater estimation he honoured the Masters with competent maintenance and their meetings and disputes with his Royal presence He gave strict command that the Masters should recommend unto him the most diligent and worthiest Disciples on whom he might bestow the vaking Benefices and he had alwaies by him a role of the recommended Students Likewise he turbed the Monasteries and said King David who erected so many Monasteries was a good Saint to the Church but an ill Saint to the Crown Buchan lib. 10. With consent of all the Estates he made an Act that all the Subjects should be ruled by the King's Laws only In Parliam 3. and if any did fly or appeal from the King's judgment he should be accounted a Rebel and punished accordingly In Parliam 8. James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews was then exemplary he caused all Parsons and Vicars to dwell at their Parish Churches for preaching the Word of God unto their people and to visit them especially in time of sickness He indeavoured to visit all the Parishes within his Diocy four times in the year and inquired in every Parish if they were duly instructed by their Parson or Vicar and if the Sacraments were duly administred if the poor were helped and the young ones instructed in the grounds of Religion Where he found not this order observed he punished the Delinquents severely to the end God's glory might shine throughout his Diocy Ex M. S. histor in Biblioth Edimb 6. James the III. King of Scotland ordained by Act of Parliament An. 1466. that no Commenda old or new should have place within the Realm and that none shall purchase nor accept any Commenda under pain of rebellion otherwise then for the space of six moneths And that no Pension new or old of any Benefice Secular or Religious be sought nor accepted from any person without or within the Realm under the same pain James the III. Parlia 1. Hence we may guess at the abuses of Commendaes and Pensions out of Benefices as certainly complaints have been made at that time against them Here by the way the Reader may inquire what a Of Commenda Commenda is and how it began This we may
free-will for if one Church will not follow willingly the example of another in these circumstantiall things why is a Councel needfull to compell men by decrees which may turne to lawes snares of mens consciences Therefore let one follow another freely or use their own fashion so that the Spirit be mantained in the faith and word howbeit there be a variety in other externall things Schultet Annal. ad Ann. 1524. ex Luth. tom 2. epist XXIII In the year 1526. Solyman the Turk entereth into Hungary 1526. there the King Lewes could have no help from Christians yet the bb stirre him to a batell and as he had sold himself to be a slave unto them in killing The authority of thâ— Pope is denied in Spain the professours of Reformation he was killed Jo. Sleidan The same year the Emp. being provoked by that league made by Pope Clemens dischargeth the authority of the Pope through all Spain leaving an example unto posterity that Church-disciplin may be maintained without Papall authority But as good seed being sown out of season so good works without good motives and principles have no continuance In Juny was a Diet at A Diet in Spira Spira Letters were brought from the Emperour dated at Spala March 23. the sum was For so much as he intends to go shortly unto Rome to be crowned and to talk with the Highpriest concerning a generall Councell and no good can be done in the matter of religion in these assemblies therefore they should observe the Decree at Worms and take his absence in good part hoping there shall be a generall Councell shortly The Princes and towns professing the Reformation said They were desirous in all things to please the Emperour but if he were rightly informed of the condition of Germany and how the controversy of Religion increaseth dayly he would not urge the Decree of Worms As for a Generall Councell there is no appearance of it seeing there was friendship twixt him and the Pope when the Letter was written as appeares by the Date but now it is otherwise seing the Pope hath levied an Army against him Wherefore they think best to send Oratours unto the Emperour to informe him more fully and how dangerous it is to delay the business of religion and no less perillous to execute the Decree of Worms and to entreat him to call a Councell in Germany and come unto it or at least to permit it as it was determined at Noribergh but was contromanded by the Emperour to the harme of Germany Or if he will not allow a Nationall Councell of Germany to entreat him to delay the execution of the Decree untill the Generall Councell for otherwise the malady will waxe worse And to represent that so long as every man is solicitous of his own estate in time of this variance it will be difficill to collect any money for any other use Then another supplication was presented unto the Diet complaining of the multitude idleness and opposition of begging Friers of the multitude abuses of holy Dayes and petitioning to leave unto every man the choise of his meats untill the generall Councell At this time the Duke of Saxon and the Landgrave of Hass enter into conference with the Commissioners of Strawsburgh that seeing they know not what the bb and their adherents do intend all of tkem shall concurr unto mutuall aid if any of them shall be in danger for Religion But the bb would not proceed here in matters of Religion and crave to delay these because of the present variance betwixt the Pope and Caesar Great strife ariseth among them Wherfore the Duke of Saxon and the Landgrave say they will stay no longer Ferdinand and the Bishop of Trevers considering how dangerous it were if nothing be done and all depart with grudge and malice do propound for appeasing such heart burnings that it is necessary to resolve upon a lawfull Councell either Generall or Nationall within a year at farrest and to entreat the Emperour to repaire shortly into Germany in consideration of their present condition As concerning the Decree at Worms they are content that all shall demean themselves in their Provinces untill a Councell so as they will be answerable unto God and Caesar And it was decreed so After this Diet certain Princes consult at Esling to write speedily unto the Emperour and shew that they had decreed to send Oratours unto him but the King of France will not grant them passage except for foure months whereof one was past therefore they have determined to defer their Oratours untill their next assembly which they have appointed to be at Regensburgh the first day of Aprile next to treat of the Turkish warr trusting that by time they shall have better occasion to send or they shall give him intelligence another way and entreating him to repaire into Germany as shortly c. Slcidan lib. 6. XXIV In the beginning of the year 1527. Otto Paccius Counseller of George Duke of Saxony informeth the Duke Elector and the Landgrave that Ferdinand then King of Bohem and Hungary and the Bishop of Mentz had made a league with others also to destroy them and Luther's religion Wherefore these prepare themselves for defense troubles were like to ensue but when these which were said to have made that league did purge themselves the fear was appeased Paccius was banished but the Diet at Regensburgh was discharged Ibid. Leonard Cesar a preacher was burnt at the command of the Bishop of Passaw in Bavier for holding these articles Faith only justifieth there be but two sacraments baptisme the Lords Supper the Masse is not a sacrifice nor is profitable unto the living nor dead confession of all sins is not commanded only Christ hath satisfied for sin a vow of chastity bindeth not the Scripture speakes not of purgatory there is no difference of dayes in Divine things is no free-will He would have declared himself in these articles when he was brought before the court but they would not suffer him Eccius was his accuser and spoke always in Latine but Leonard spoke in the common language he would have all the company to understand him Osiand centu 16. Lib 2. c. 5. This yeare was the first visitation of the Churches A publick dispute at Berna in Saxony On the 17. day of December the Senate of Berne make publick intimation of a Dispute in the controversies of Religion to begin January 7. they envite the bb of Constance Bafile Sedun and Lausan to come and bring their Divines or els they tell them they will confiscate all their goods within their territory they shew that only the books of the old and New Testament shall be the rule of the Dispute and they engadge themselves for safety unto all who shall come Two Ministers are named to sustain these articles The true Church whose head is Christ only ls begotten by the word of God continueth in it and heares not the
according to the articles of Ratisbone and that none be troubled for piety in religion or els he may feare the Turk will prevaile more This was referred unto the General Councel 34. In the beginning of the year 1542 King Ferdinand in name of the Ielousies contests between Cesar France 1542. Emperour calleth a Diet at Spira he sheweth what aid Boheme Austria and the Clergy of his Jurisdictions wil contribute to the warrs against the Turk and demandeth what the Princes will do The King of France by his Oratours shewes his opinion that it is not expedient to invade the Turke but if he invade Germany then the Princes should lay aside all other quarels and resist with one accord Moron the Popes Legate adviseth wars presently and offereth 5000. foot if the Emperour will go but if he go not half the number and he shewes that a Councel shall be called shortly but the Pope in respect of his old age can not come into Germany and therefore desireth them to make choise of Mantua Ferraria Bononia Placentia or Trent which is in the Jurisdiction of the King Ferdinand The King and some Popish Princes made choise of Trent The Protestants refuse both the place and that the Pope should be president Here the Princes consent unto the Warrs against the Turk and with common consent Joachim Elector of Brandeburgh is chosen Commander in chieff This meeting endeth Aprile 11. Then Luther publisheth a book shewing that howbeit before he had dissuaded from the wars against the Turk because it was undertaken under pretext of Christian religion but now seing Princes are better informed and the Turk pofsesseth himself of other Princes Landes it is all reason to resist him upon this account as a robber yet so that Ministers should earnestly exhort all men unto repentance and pious prayers and he exhorts all souldiers unto courage and if any be taken captives that they make not apostasy for fear of afflctions or for the hypocrisy of the Mahumetanes he added also a forme of prayer against the cruelty of the Turks But the supplee was not sent as the Princes had promised and they which went did no good May 22. Pope Paul calleth a councel to begin at Trent Novemb 1. and this he professeth to be of his proper motion He sent his Bull unto the Princes but very unseasonably saith Pe. Soave for Francis denounceth warrs against the Emperour in July and invaded fyve severall Provinces all at once with fyve armies The Emperour sent word unto the Pope that he could not be content with that Bull seing he had done so much for a Councel and Francis had always opposed it yet now he makes them equall then he shewes what iniuries he had suffered of the Pope especially by his Legate at Spira where he had promised alike favour unto both the dissenting parties in religion he submittes it to be considered in prudence whether the actions of that King be for healing the wounds of the Church who upon all occasions had hindered the Councel and now compelleth him to take another course wherefore if the councel shall not assemble it is not his fault but rather the Popes who if he made account of the common interest should declare Francis to be his enemy nor is there any other way of assembling a councel or of establishing peace On the other side Francis considering how his actions might be expounded will take away all suspicion of religion by making severe inquisition against the Lutheranes as he spoke in France and gave charge to the Masters of Sorbon to use all diligence against them and all book-sellers having any of their books So some were burnt and some did recant whereupon the Sorbonists made their processions of triumph and the King honoured them with his presence And when he heard what Charles had written against him he sent his apology unto the Pope upbraiding Charles with what he had done unto Pope Clemens and imputing unto him the cause of all the warrs betwixt them and alledging that he had never done so much for the Church as he had done in France and therefore the Pope should not believe the calumnies of his enemy The Pope sent his Commissioners to Trent but none others came but two Commissioners from the Emperour and some few bb from Naples the Pope gave them order at the first to proceed slowly and when none came he ordered them to proceed quickly but the Emperours Oratours hindered and in December left it So nothing was done This summer Henry a Duke of Brunswick troubled the people of Goslaria Brunswick confederates in the articles of Smalcald The Protestants complain into Ferdinand in name of the Emperour but Henry stood not in awe of Ferdinand's command Wherefore the Elector of Saxony and the Landgrave sought leave to resist him and they caused him to flee into Baviere Otho one of the Princes Palatine embraced the Augustane Confession and so did the City Hildesheim XXXV In January 1543. was a Diet at Noribergh there the Prince Elector 1543. The Protetestants are debarred from the Diet. Palatin and the Bishop of Ausburgh were Commissioners for the Emperour and sought aid against the Turck and King of France and Duke of Cleve The Protestants complain unto King Ferdinand and the Commissioners that they were wronged by the Judges of the Chamber contrary unto the Decrees and they crave that that Court may be ordered to Judge justly or else they can not contribute After long disceptation the Protestants were debarred and the others made a decree for fortifiying the garisons nearest the Turk and to contribute unto the wars and these which had refused were condemned The Protestants declare that they can not consent unto this Decree seing they were debarred from the counsell and there was great inequality in the decreed contribution The Acts were not registred In January Ann. 1544. was another Diet at Spira where was the Emperour and King Ferdinand and all the Electors and very many Princes The Emperour declares his good affection towards Germany but was hindered from doing as he would by the Turk and the King of France which had a mutuall league Then the Protestants complain against Henry Duke of Brunswick that he had falsely accused them unto the Emperour in Italy and that he should not sit there nor do they acknowledge him a Prince of the Empire So altertacions were mutually for a long space In end the Elector of Saxony acknowledgeth Ferdinand King of the Romanes and the Emperour confirmeth a contract of marriage betwixt Saxony and Cleve both which he had refused before And a Decree was made that the Princes shall contribute to the warrs against France and furnish 4000. horse 24000 foot and to fortify the frontier towns against the Turk that no Germane shall beare armes with the French or if any shall do it the Magistrate is ordained to punish such And because the difference in Religion can not be treated now
no privat marriage without clear consenr of both parties and of both parents or otherwise parents may lawfully disherish their children and the Iudges should punish the authors and procurers of such marriages as the circumstances and equity shall require with this exception that the man be thretty years old and the woman be 25. or the mother be married unto another husband yet so that the children should crave their assent but not depend on it recessarily Item because some women for fear of infamy slay their new-born babes it was ordained that whatsoever woman shall have no witnesses of her birth whether the babe were born dead or alive she should be punished as for parricide Item it was ordained that all Bishops and parish-priests should abide at their own charge and teach their people at least by sufficient Vicars under pain of losing their revenues Thuan. King Henry had all the time of his reigne warrs in Lombardy and Low-Germany against Charles V. and then against Philip more infortunatly so that he could not destroy the Reformed Religion as he would in the year 1559. Aprile 5. a peace was concluded between these two with this secret paction that both of them should enquire within their own Dominions and punish all Sectaries as they called them with the sword Charles Cardinal of Lorrain and Granvellan Bishop of Artois were called the authors of this paction By occasion of this the Protestants had their secret confederacy it was dissembled for a time and at last burst out into open intestine war Thuan. hist lib. 22. Immediatly King Henry began the work as he wanted not bad Counselours especially the Guisians suggested that the Sectaries were spread through all France and the King did not reigne wheresuch have place and among all those bloody Counselours the most venemous was Egidius Magister Princepâ— Senatus he said unto the KIng Forrain peace is unprofitable if warr begin at home for this sore is so great that if it be dissembled longer it can not be restrained by law and scarcely be dantoned by great Armies as were the old Albigeans heretofore the commons have been punished whereby all men have conceived envy but none was terrified therefore he must begin now with them of authority and are Judges in the Lande who by their autority and recommendations not only protect the people from punishment but do encourage them therefore the King will do well to assemble the Judges unaworse which he may do by occasion of the Mercuriall meetings This was a sort of Judicatory devised by Charles VIII Ann. 1493 and held on Thuresday afternoon once in the quarter of the year by two Commissioners from every Judicatory of the kingdom to answer before the Kings Advocats for their negligence disobedience slackness wrongous Sentence c. Many Princes did oppose his advice but Egidius made the King believe that these were all Sectaries May 16. the King comes into the Mercurial meeting at Paris and blameth the Judges for slackness in punishing the Lutherans Some would have informed him but when they began to speak he cried out that even the Court was infected with heresy and he commanded the Earl Monmorency Captain of the Guard to apprehend those Counsellours Annas Burgaeus Lud. Faurus Paul Fumaeus Anto. Foix and others fled Then he sent Letters through all the realm commanding all Judges to enquire and severely punish all Lutherans Under pain to suffer the same punishment Thuan. lo. cit The three Princes Electors of Germany and others hearing of this wrote unto the King in favours of those his faithfull subiects but he would no way relent Then God doth what men can not Great preparation was a making for solemnity of marriage between Philip King of Spain and Henry's Daughter the King himself would be one of the challengers at the tilt he sent a lance unto Count Monmorency provoking him once and again it hapned that the lance was broken on the Kings cuirace and a splinter of it strok the King through the helmet into his eare and brains and within few dayes he died John de Serres XLIV After the coronation of King Francis 2. Septemb. 20. he commanded to examin the cause of the Counsellours whom his father had The persecution under Francis 11. imptisoned The President of Santandrews and Demochares the Inquisitor were appointed Judges these finding some of the vulgare sort that had revolted from the Reformation knew from them in what places the Reformed were wont to assemble and drew multitudes of men into prison many thought best to leave their houses and their goods were escheated Thus did these Inquisitors oppresse in Paris Poitiers Tolouse and Aquitania the Cardinal George Armeniacpricking them hereunto When they came to cognosce the cause of the Counselours grievous altercations arose in the Senate so that all the prisoners were absolved excep only Annas Burgaeus he was condemned to be burnt Decemb. 18 not so much for the Sentence of the Judges as for the malice of the Queen-mother Catherin because it was said in a pamphlet spread by the Lutherans that the Kings eye was stricken out through the just judgement of God because he had gloried that he should see with these eies Annas Burgaeus burnt The constancy of this learned and honoured man stirred up in many an earnest desire to know the Religion for which he had suffered so joyfully and gave occasion unto many to follow it Therefore they who sought to destroy that Religion devised other snares to intrap the professors through France especially in Paris they set up in the streets the images of the blessed Virgin and other Saints and by them burning candles in the day-time and caused base fellowes sing unto them the prayers which are wont to be song in the Churches some were appointed to stand there with little coffers in their hands and crave as almes to buy such candles and if any man passed away without worshipping the images or not listning reverently unto the songs or not contributing unto the candles he was suspected many were thrown into prison and they who were buffeted or troad upon only were said to escape well but these injuries provoked many Pet. Soa in Conc. Trid. lib. 5. The King was young and lately married unto Mary Queen of Scots and neece of the house of the Guise and the realme was governed by that Duke and his brother the Cardinal those two not only set forth new Edicts more cruell than were before against the Reformation but likewise they endeavoured to change the liberties of the realm and they debarred the Peers from access unto the King and began to vaunt that they were descended lineally of Charles the great from whose line Hugh Capet had usurped the Crown and they said They hoped for a fit occasion to have the cause judged they changed the antient Governours of Provinces and towns and set up their creatures For these causes the Peers had a privy meeting and resolved to kill the Duke
having interess That none of them take in hand to hold any consistory for administration of the said wicked lawes or assist there to in any way from thence forth Vnder the pain of death As yee will answer to us thereupon The which to do we commit to you conjunctly and severally our full power Given under our signet at Dundy the 14 day of December and of our reignes the second and 18 years These two Proclamations are not that I have seen in print but I have them by mee as yet with the Signet whole and entire which I received as I have hinted before among the papers of John erskin of Dun. The difference of the time in the Date is clear for the Queen was marryed in the beginning of Decemb. An. 1558. And I make use of them here against the impudent slaunders of An observation out of the premisses that malevolent Author who in that Latin History lately printed calleth the Reformation of the Church of Scotland a tumultuous and Vandal Reformation howbeit out of these Proclamations and all other proceedings heertofore it appeares clearly that whatsoever was done had the authority of the Publick Convention of the Estates and lesser things were done by the Counsell but the Queen being a Minor and not in the Country ftom her infancy and being under the tutory of her Vncle a stranger and an enemy of Religion who had given his power unto strangers for opposing Religion And all the antient Churches as yet standing both in burroughs and country do bear witnes that they did not at that time throw down any necessary church but only the abbeyes and monasteries and their churches IX About the 20. of December Robert Meluill of Raith who was sent with Lethintoun into England returnes and shewes that the Queen of England had granted a supply and appointed the Duke of Norfolk A treaty with England and the Frenches make trouble to their own losse to treat at Berwick with the Commissioners of the Scotish Nobility When the Regent was advertised of this conclusion she with her Counsell resolves to make an end of the warre before the English support could be in readiness and to begin at Fife Thereupon the French men take their journy by Sterlin and spoil where they come when they had passed the bridge the storm was so bitter and the snow had fallen so deep that they could not passe thorough the midle of the country but resolve to march by the coast and so unto Santandrewes and to have fortified the castle and City The Lord James stuart and others hearing that they were passed Sterlin sent some Forces with the Lord Ruthuen to withstand them and in his company was the Earle of Sutherland being directed as he professed by the Earle of Huntly to offer his assistance but his principall commission was for the Regent as afterward was made known But he was not long time in their company for in the first rancounter of the Scots and French men at Kingorn Sutherland was hurt in the arme and went back to Couper The French men being the greater number took Kingorn and the Scots return to Dysert where they continued skirmishing for three weeks that the enemies could not march further and the country was preserved from the spoil so soon as the Regent heard that Kingorn was taken she sent post to France shewing that thousands of the hereticks were slain and the rest were fled and requiring that some of her friends would come and take the glory of that Victory So Martiques was sent again with two ships A day was appointed by the Noble men to meet at Couper for sending Commissioners to treat with the Duke of Norfolk unto this meeting went the Noble men that were at Dysert and sixe were sent to Berwick both parties did quickly agree upon a league for defense of both kingdoms whosoever shall inuade either of them The contract was dated Fabruat 27. The capacity of a Treaty with England shewes what a considerable part of the kingdom the Congregation was at that time The Frenchmen at Kingorn hearing that the Noble men were gone from Dysert march a long the coast and at Kincraig they see a fleet of ships they apprehend them a supply from France but they were by and by informed that it was a fleet of Englishes and also that an Army was coming by land Wherefore they fearing to be severed from their fellowes at Lieth made the greater hast by night and day and came to Lieth on the third day losing more of their company by the way than they had killed of their adversaries as they had done more evill to their friends for of all that were professed enemies unto them only the Laird of Grange had his house blown up with powder but others of their faction were forced to furnish them or the souldiers took the readiest they could apprehend When complaints were made to the French Captaines they scornfully answered These were the Congregation-mens goods Or if they made faith that these were their own goods they were railed upon as unworthy and niggard cowards that made more account of their goods than of their friends And the professours of religion had put their goods out of the way But this spoil made that faction joyn the more willingly with the defenders of their liberty At that time the Barons of the Merns were busy in the Reformation of Aberdien The Earle of Huntly withstood but when he heard of the advancing of the Englishes he sent unto the Lords craving to be admitted among them as also he heard that Proclamations were sent through all the country charging all the subjects to meet in arms at Lithgow the last day of March and thence to passe in persuite of the French enemies At that time the English forces consisting of two thousand horse and 600 foot entred into Scotland and the Scots army joyned with them April 4. An. 1660. The same day the Regent removes her family to the castle of Edinburgh the Lord Erskin knowing that she was of intention to have the Frenches Masters of that strength would not deny her entry but he was so circumspect that both she and the castle were still in his power X. The Noble men then wrote unto her humbly again and again entreating Mediation of peace An. 1560 that she would dismiss the French souldiers and profering that they shall be safely conveyed into France and promising never to forsake dutifull obedience unto their Queen nor resist the King her husband in any thing that shall not tend to the subversion of the liberties of the Kingdom and beseeching her to weigh the equity of their petition and the inconveniences of warre The English Generall did in like manner direct two gentle men unto the French men in Lieth for the same purpose Both were answered with delayes but would not be delayed and assault the town and were repulsed twice with the losse of two men The King of France hearing
of pardon because when it was done by Paul and Julius no good came of it hereticks in a place of liberty will not accept it and who are under fear of Inquisition will accept it feinedly to secure them of what hath past and intend to do worse more warily The Pope is content to give a Safe-conduct unto all who are not under Inquisition but so that this exception be not expressed because the like in the pardon of Julius passed with smal repâ—tation as if the Pope had not power over the Inquisition as over others bâ—t he referred the manner of expressing it unto the Synod The manner of the Safe-conducts should be like to that of the year 1552 He ordereth that the Deputies shall not touch the Index untill occasion be offered to make a publick decree without opposition by any Prince March 3. the congregations began to be held and the Legats propound things according to their commission as they saw amongst the variety of opinions any man enclining unto the Pop's mind and some Italians were informed how to speak the Legats took the opportunity and bring that to a decree never mentioning any direction from Rome March 11. they propoâ—nded 12 articles to be studied and disputed concerning the residence of Bishops and Curats concerning ordination unto titles receiving of money or gift for ordination either by Ordinaries or their servants and Notaries in way of gratitude concerning prices of writting distribution of the revenues of Chanons prebends commenda's distinction of parishes plurality of Benefices c. The same Letters were brought unto the Councell and unto the Pope from the Emperour willling that the Councel might surcease because the German Protestants were treating of a league and levying souldiers Nevertheless after Aprile 7. they treared of these articles They all spake partialy regarding their own interest and not the publick good some pretending to speak according to conscience did presse residence but intending to empair the grandure of the Roman Court and to advance their liberties or jurisdictions and others eying their own preferment in the Court So they could agree in little or nothing The Legaâ—s gave account of these things by Post Then the Spaniards complained that they saw a beginning of intolerable grievance seeing every particulare was not only sent unto but consulted and decreed at Rome The Synod had been dissolved twice without fruit yea with scandall for nothing was resolved by the Synod but all at Rome so that a Blasphemous proverb is generally talked The Synod of Trent is ruled by the Holy Ghost sent thether from time to time in a clok-bagg from Rome All hope of good by a Synod is extinguisht if it be subservient only unto the interest of that Court and move or stand at their pleasure Wherefore the Legaâ—s were necessitated to let them speak of residence but they would not permit any conclusion The Pope and his Court knew not what to do for they knew certainly that the Vâ—tramontanes envied the prosperity of Italy and of the Apostolical See and seeing they are so tenacious of directions from their Princes he will have recourse unto heaven he hath a million of gold and knowes whence to have another to employ in this cause Also the Court was sensible that these novelties of the Prelats aimed to make many Popes or none at all and to stop the gain of the Chancery they complain that the Legats suffered such things to be propounded and they advise the Pope to send other Legats in whom he may confide more and who should do as other Prelats that stick fast unto the commissions from their Princes and the Amhassadors by missives and persuasives compell the Prelats to follow the dictats of their Masters About May 9. plausible missives were directed unto Trent and the Pope dealt with the Orators lying at Rome of Venice and Florence that their Masters would command that the Prelats of their Iurisdiction should not countenance the discourses against the Apostolical See nor be so eager in the point of residence He sent moe Court-bishops to augment his number at Trent and loaded them with money and promises because moe French Bishops were expected and he feared those And to the effect the King of France be not his opposite he resolved to give him 10000 crouns and to lend him as many upon assurance that he will undertake warrs for Religion and with this money hyre Swisers and Germans under the conduct of an Apostolical Legat and colors of the Church and upon condition that no Hugonote shall be pardoned without Apostolical consent and such shall be imprisoned whom the Pope will name namely the Chancelor the Bishop of Valentia c. And that in the Synod nothing shall be treated against the Apostolical authority But the opposition waxed still and May 14 the Session sate and a decree was read that the promulgation of the decrees is adjournied unto Juny 14. Then the Fathers at Trent receive Letters from Rome every one from his patron-Cardinal full of expostulations and exhortations and they return their complaints mutually So complaints are multiplied The Pope was full of wrath against the Cardinal of Mantua that when the Spaniard pressed that the Synod should be termed a Continuation he had let that occasion slipp seing this would have caused the Emperour and Germans to forsake the Synod and so it might have been dissolved On the other side the Prelats especially of Spain did complain that nothing was propounded but what pleased the Legates and these do nothing but as they are commanded from Rome when any thing is propounded though 70 Bishops agree yet no conclusion followes There be above 40 stipendiaries of the Pope some receiving 30 Crouns a month and some 60 and others are terrified by Letters of Courtiers The Court of Rome not enduring reformation hold it lawfull to calumniate reprove and condem what is intended for the service of God Seeing so necessary Reformation in lighter things is so taken what commotion may be expected when they shall touch to the quick The contention waxed yet hoter when the French Ambassadors arriving did demand a declaration that the Councel is a new one and the Spaniards fell a fresh upon the point of residence The Session was held Juny 4. with one decree that the next Session should be July 10. Reserving power unto a general congregation to prolong or abbreviat the time XIII After this the French Ambassadors according to their instructions did present 20 articles unto the Legates 1. that the Pope would be The French propositions provoke the P. content to make just Reformation of himself and Court of Rome 2. the number of Cardinals should be reduced to the number of 12 or not exceed 26. 3. no scandalous dispensation should be granted The others were concerning plurality of Benefices residence of Prelats yearly Synods excommunication should not be used but for mortal sin against simony for Divin Seruice in the vulgar language the
unto him and returned on foot and the Pope on horse Then Pipin was crowned again for the greater pomp by the Pope He went into Italy and forceth Aistulph to give hostages that he shall render unto the Pope all due right So soon as Pipin was returned into France Aistulph raiseth a greater Army and did more harm unto Rome then it had suffered in 300. years before Then Pope Stephen writ another supplication unto Pipin who made no delay but forceth Aistulph to perform the former conditions and gave unto the Pope the Exarchate of Ravenna Within a year Aistulph dieth then a division falleth between Rachis and Desiderius for the Kingdom the people for the most part were for Rachis and Desiderius agreeth with the Pope to ratifie what the Kings had given and to give more if he would procure aid for him Wherefore Pipin writ his fourth Epistle unto Pipin giving him thanks for his aid wishing many blessings unto him and shewing that Aistulph was strucken by the hand of God and drowned in the bottom of Hell and that by the hands of Peter Prince of the Apostles and by thy most powerfull arm speaking unto Pipin Desiderius a most mild man was ordained King of the Lombards who had sworn to restore unto Saint Peter the Cities Faventia Insubres and Ferraria with all their Territories and also Ausimo Aucona Humana Bona with all their Territories and he had sworn to keep peace with the Church of Saint Peter and to be loyal unto the Crown of France and intreated Pipin to approve the Coronation of Desiderius upon these conditions Henceforth the Pope lifteth up his head and having large Territories given unto him will not rest untill he be Monarch of the World When Stephen had peace he begun to repair the Churches which Aistulph had caused to be thrown down and died in the sixth year of his Papacy 10. PAUL the I. succeeded his brother He did write many Letters unto Letters of Pope Paul to France King Pipin In the first he speaketh of his brothers death and ingageth himself to continue the League contracted by his brother and the King and he craveth that Pipin would do so In the 3. He giveth thanks unto Pipin for his defence against their enemies and promiseth to cause the Monks to learn the songs of Carloman In the 4. He sheweth that he did suspect Marinus a Priest of Rome to consult with the Emperour's Legates and to withdraw him he had sent him unto the King and craved that he would make him a Bishop there In the 5. he sheweth that his Nuntio was not returned from Constantinople In the 6. he giveth thanks for his exalting the Church of Rome and sheweth his confidence under God to consist in the arm of the most puissant King Pipin and craved to send a Resident by whom he might communicate the purposes and attempts of the Greeks In the 8. he sheweth That the Emperour is already in Arms intending to recover Ravenna and Rome and craved his aid against the Greeks In the 9. he sheweth that he will speak with Desiderius and prepare what is needfull against the Greeks In the 10. he purgeth himself that he had never said that Pipin could not help the Romans now in their distress and he giveth him liberty to deal with Marinus as he will In the 12. he sheweth that the Beneventans had taken some parts of Campany and made them subject unto the Governour of Sicily he admonished them once again to desist and if they would not he was resolved by the power of God and help of Pipin to send an Army against them as the enemies of blessed Peter and Pipin and he craved that the King would chide them by Letters and if they will not obey that he would consent unto the expedition In the 13. he giveth thanks for his defence of the Church and for the peace betwixt him and Desiderius and craved that Pipin would send back the hostages to the end he might have the City Imola In the 14. he sendeth some treasonous Letters of Sergius Bishop of Ravenna and craved aid In the 16. and 22. He speaketh of the Emperour's Legates residing in France and giveth thanks that the King had so honourably accepted his Nuntio with the other and had imparted unto him what he had done with the Emperour In the 19. he giveth thanks for the safety of the holy Church and craved the honour to receive his lately born son from the holy Fount of Baptism In the 21. he promiseth that no favour not terrour should divert him from the King's favour in whom he hath the greatest confidence under God and his Mother and the Apostles In the 26. he writeth much of the cruelty of the Lombards and that he had not sought the return of the hostates but that he might have free passage thorow Lombardy and now he exhorteth and adjureth him fearfully to detain them and to cause Desiderius to restore all the goods of blessed Peter that in the coming of the Lord he might shine as a glorious sun In one Epistle he saith that blessed Peter had chosen Pipin Charls and Carloman three Kings and had consecrated them by his Vicar that they may be defenders of the orthodox faith and maintainers of his flock In an Epistle unto the French Army he calleth Peter Protectour of France In another he writeth that it is lawfull that the Bishop of Rome should reign as the Princes of the Nations do and possess Kingdomes on earth and the glory thereof and to undertake Wars and to vindicate unto himself the emoluments of the Roman Empire In an Epistle to Crodegangus Epist Meten he saith Unto us albeit unworthy in place of Saint Peter is committed the Universal Church of all the World In Catal. test ver lib. 8. many other of his Letters are mentioned Those declare the rising of Peter's Vicar though himself did never attempt or claim such things Paul sate 10. years After his death Desiderius King of the Lombards sought to have the friendship of a Pope towards him wherefore his brother Toto Duke of Nepet with some souldiers entred into Rome and himself followed by the advice of the Emperor Constantine and caused his own brother Constantine to be chosen who in one day saith Onuphr in Indict was made a Deacon a Priest and Pope and Desiderius compelleth the people who did favour Philippus to sweat unto Constantine Nevertheless he could never obtain the favour of the Romans because he was so nigh unto Desiderius and a friend to the Emperour and a hater of images He sought the favour of King Pipin and by his Letters promiseth to keep the amity begun betwixt him and his Predecessours The Romans in a tumult kill Toto and thrust Constantine into a Monastery an 768. 11. STEPHEN the III. would immediately assemble a Synod and sent unto King Pipin craving that he would send the most learned of his Bishops unto Rome for reformation of
the Romans Pope John would not consent and therefore was imprisoned he escaping goeth into France and confirmed Lewes the Stutterer son to Charls the Bald. Nevertheless because Charls did oppose the Moors in Italy Pope John returned and confirmed the first coronation and declared the other to be of none effect Pet. Mexia Shortly thereafter Lewes dieth leaving behind him two bastard sons and his wife with child whereupon followed great troubles in France The two brethren of Charls died also The Normans and Danes overrun France with great hostility The Peers were constrained to seek aid from the Emperour who came and received the Crown of France So all that had appertained unto Charls the Great was united in his person again except the Kingdom of Bavaria His grandure continued not long for the Hungars came out of Scythia and sate down in Pannonia the Normans passe the river Sequana take Rouan and by excursions trouble both France and Germany Charls did once again send his Armies against them but with loss of his Souldiers Then the Normans became more confident they besiege Paris they burn Towns and Churches slay Bishops and Priests spare neither age nor sex Charls bought their peace and gave them Neustria which keeperh their name till this day Charls became more unable both in body and courage he assembled a Diete at Triburia and began to talk of the Empire The Princes took occasion to accuse him as lunatick and unfit for government they deprive him and set up Arnulph King of Bavaria Charls dieth in sorrow in Jan. An. 888. All this time Leo son of Basilius was Emp. of the East 8. ARNULPH was received Emperor by the States on this side of the A worser contest Alps but Pope Adrian the III. had caused a Constitution to be enacted that if Charls died without succession the Kingdom of Italy and Title of Emperour should return unto the Italians And now Italy was divided for Albert Marquess of Tuscia Berengarius a Roman by birth and Duke of Friali and Wido Governour of Spoleto strove for it Berengarius was crowned King of Italy by Anselm bishop of Millan Wido raiseth a great Army and with little difficulty possesseth all Lombardy Berengarius runneth to Arnulph holding a Diete at Worms and with earnest prayers besought his aid against Wido as a common enemy He was once restored and expelled again by Lambert son of Wido and was brought in again by the power of Arnulph Arnulph then goeth to Rome and besiegeth it The Romans shew themselves such Lions that when a Hare hearing the noise of the Host ran towards the City for very fear they desperately threw themselves over the Walls and Arnulph scaling the Walls with little danger took the City He restoreth Pope Formosus from his adversaries and beheadeth them The Pope to gratifie his redeemer blesseth and crowneth him Nevertheless the Italians will not continue under his obedience for Lambert kept still the name of King untill he was slain in hunting and left the Kingdom peaceable to Berengarius Then a jar hapned betwixt him and his son-in-law Albert Marquess of Eporredia who sent for Lewes son of Charls King of Provence of whom before and offered him the Kingdom The estate of Italy was then miserable for the Sarazens lay in the Dutchy of Benevento and suffered none to go to Rome unspoiled at last they were expelled by Adelgisus Duke of Benevento Lewes now entred into Italy and was crowned but new troubles arose in Lombardy untill Lewes was taken his eys were pulled out and he renounced the Kingdom In the mean time Arnulph was busied with the Hungarians and expelled them out of France Bavier Suevia and Saxony Odo ruled France under the name of Tutor and was the Authour of the three Lillies in France at last Charls the simple son of Lewes the Stutterer received that Crown Arnulph died of vermin An. 900. The fore-named Leo had continual Wars with the Infidels in Asia and in the end obtained a notable Victory Alexander his brother reigned 13. months and then Constantine son of Leo partly under Tutory and partly alone did reign 54 years CHAP. II. Of POPES 1. STEPHEN the IV. was set in the Papal Chair without the knowledge The Pope's first golden Cross and Vsurpation of the Emperour wherefore he hastned into France to excuse the fact and to crave confirmation and at Rhemes he crowned the Emperour with a Crown brought from Rome he returned bearing a Cross not like Christ but of gold which the Emperour gave to Saint Peter When he saw that the Emperour had so lightly forgiven the election he said at Rome The sence of the Decree of Pope Leo was not that the election should chiefly belong unto the Emperour but that they might well make their own election and then only seek confirmation from the Emperour or his Legate He sought pardon for them who were banished under Charls Platin. he died in the 7 month An. 817. 2. PASCHALIS the I. was chosen without the knowledge of the Emperour Achange in the election of the Pope wherefore incontinently he sent a Nuntio with gifts unto Lewes laying the fault on the people who had forced him to accept Consecration The Emperour admitteth the excuse and sent word unto the People and Clergy of Rome that the custom and ordinance of their Predecessours should be kept and therefore they should not trespass against him any more Platin. Gratian. dist 63. cap. ego Ludovicus alledgeth that Lewes gave free liberty unto the Clergy and People to chuse the Pope But the following practice of Gregory the IV. confirmeth the testimony of Platin. and others Paschalis was one of the most superstitious worshippers of dead bodies if Platina speaketh truly of him who also sheweth that he was accused for murthering Theodorus Primicerius and Leo Nomenclator because they had maintained The Pope is Arraigned a priviledge of the Emperour nor could he be pardoned untill he had cleansed himself by Oath in an assembly of Bishops and then the Emperour forgave him The next year Lotharius son of Lewes and designed Emperour came to Rome and found the estate thereof depraved and the wickedness of some Bishops Therefore it was enacted that one should be sent from the Emperour to administer Justice Morn in Myster ex Autore vit Ludo. Paschalis sate 7 years 3. EUGENIUS the II. was chosen when Lotharius was in the City Bishops have Prison houses Of his idolatry and pride is spoken before Didoclamus in Altar Damasc pag. 421. ex Choppin de sacr polit lib. 2. reporteth that he did first appoint Bishops to have Prisons for restraint of the vices of the Clergy He did sit 4 years 4. VALENTINE the I. of a Deacon was made Pope for his singular Pride of the Pope diligence and gravity in his youth but he wanted not pride for at his election he gave his foot to be kissed by the Senatours which was never done before Helmold
removed also from them the Embassadours of the Empire and his interest in the Apostolical election what more saith he he granted them all that they would even as these things are easily given that are not well conquered nor are hoped to be possessed in time coming And Otho 3. Emp. in diplom said Charls gave what he never had and he gave them as he could for he sought them sinistrously nor had he hope to inâ—oy them peaceably And his brother the King of Germany and his son Charls despised this Coronation and ceased not to invade both France and Italy Here Sigonius de reg Ital. lib. 4. observeth that whatsoever other Emperours gave unto the Popes they expressly did reserve the Princedom and dition of Rome together with the election of the Bishop both which now were renounced and also the authority over the Church-lands which his Successours sought to recover and could not for as Continuator Eutropii saith from this time none of the Kings none of the Emperours could recover the honourable priviledges of the Princely dignity because they wanted either courage or knowledge and through the many contentions and continual divisions of the Kingdom Moreover hitherto the Empire went by succession from the father to the son or nearest in kindred and the consecration of the King of Lombardy by the Bishop of Millan or of the Emperour by the Bishop of Rome was accounted but a solemn rite but Pope John taking this advantage changeth the words to a loftier stile for in the Convention after he had commended King Charls as far as Pope Adrian had reviled him he added Therefore we have chosen and approved him together with the wishes and desires of all our brethren and fellow Bishops and other servants of the Holy Church of Rome and of the honourable Senate and of all the people of Rome and of this gowned Nation and according to the ancient custom we have solemnly advanced him unto the Scepter of the Roman Empire and we have honoured him with the name Augustus Charls was no sooner returned into France but but is opposed in Italy behold the Dukes of Tusculum whose head was Albertus conspired with Formosus Bishop of Portuen and some others against Pope John because he had preferred a stranger above Albertus and many Italians would have had the Empire restored to their Nation They did so vex him that he was forced to send unto Charls for aid craving that he would deliver Italy from the Sarazens and himself from the Tusculans In the mean time Charls had summoned a Councel in France by advice of John Tuscanensis and John Aretin and Angesisus Senen but by Apostolical authority and his own confirmation Thus begun the names of the Popes to be prefixed with the names of Emperours and Kings contrary to the ancient form In this Synod by vertue of an Epistle Decretal of Pope John the Emperour did propound one day and another and the third day to have Angesisus the Pope's Legate Primat of France to the end he might execute the will of the Pope in France to wit call Synods declare and publish the Papal Decrees unto other Bishops and also if need be report unto the Apostolick See their proceedings and other intricate affairs might be dispatched by his mediation with the Apostolick See So far was he besotted with the fatal cup. At that time the French Bishops clearly did perceive how great evils were imminent and by the Clergy of France and they would not condescend unto his temerity but stood to their former liberty Aimoin lib. 5. cap. 32. 33. Ph. Morn in Myster This John was the first who gave pardons or indulgences to them who would fight against the Sarazens When he was demanded by the Bishops of France Whether they who were dead or afterwards might die in that cause should obtain forgiveness for their sins We answer said he boldly with the godliness of Christ who die in these Wars with the godliness of the Catholick faith shall receive the rest of eternal life Ioha Epist 144. Ph. Morn ib. pag. 195. As ready was he to accurse and account as Heathens all them who give not obedience unto him and so they were accounted Martyrs and Saints who did bear Arms with him against whatsoever power At that time Lakold Duke of Cracove Tet waxed in Poland being chosen King of Poland would not acknowledge Lewis King of Germany as his lawfull Superiour but sent unto Pope John professing to hold the Crown from him and made the Kingdom Tributary unto Saint Peter by paiment of money yearly Crantz in Vandal lib. 8. cap. 2. Into the and in Constantinople East also his ambition goeth but by a way directly contrary unto his Predecessours Ignatius being restored by Basilius as we have mentioned and Pope Adrian he pleaseth neither of the two not the Emperour because he would not sway to all his fantasies neither pleaseth he the Pope because he would not quit the Church of Bulgaria and therefore Pope John threatned him with his curse When Ignatius was dead Basilius would have Photius restored and because he was deposed by authority of a Councel and the Pope the Emperour dealt with Pope John that he might be set up again and if John will consent he saith there would be more quietness in the Church but otherwise the schism is like to continue and he promised to prepare a Navy for the defence of the Coast of Latium and Hetruria against the Sarazens and he will cause Photius to renounce the Church of Bulgaria unto the See of Rome Ambition or as Baronius ad An. 878. § 4. speaketh worldly wisdom which is an enemy to God so thrusteth Pope John headlong that contrary to his Predecessours Nicolaus and Adrian he restored Photius who was so far from giving any sign of repentance that in a manifest declaration of their eighth general Councel he set himself directly against it for Photius was scarce set in his chair but he perswaded the Emperour to assemble another Synod at Constantinople where he produced the Letters Where again opposition was made of Pope John whether true or false it 's uncertain Baronius saith they were feigned declaring the late Councel which was called the eighth general to be of no authority and they gave that name unto this Councel Ph. Mornay saith Zonaras described it under this name with all the Acts and Sessions thereof There were present three Legates of Pope John to wit two Bishops Paul and Eugenius and Peter a Cardinal Priest they were so basely intreated as appears in Zonaras that none before them were so contemned It is marked first here were 380 Bishops and in the former were 301. 2. Nicolaus and Adrian were condemned as authours of much mischief but John was advanced above the skies with praise There a Councel condemning a Councel where the Pope's Legates were Presidents and which was confirmed by the Pope 3. The Church of Bulgaria was referred to
a Synod at Lions An. 1245. he excommunicateth the Emperor for perjury in not performing his promises and for heresie but no particular is named either in the citation or sentence The Emperor made haste to answer at Lions if by any means he might enjoy peace but being within three days journey he heard how peremptory the Pope was against him and also the Gwelphs had taken some of his Towns in Italy whereby he knew it would be to no purpose though he went forward and therefore he wheeleth about and layeth siege to Parma Innocentius causeth to elect Henry Landtsgrave of Thuringia to be Emperor and he directeth Letters unto the Soldan of Babylon craving peace at least truce betwixt the Christians and the Saracens as some say saith Mat. Paris but others write to break the truce betwixt him and the Emperor but the matter of the Letter is understood by the Soldan's answer We have heard saith he thy Nuntio talking much of Christ we know A Soldan's Letter unto the Pope more of this Christ then you know and we magnifie him more then you magnifie him whereas you say you desire peace and quietness among men so do we always but there is mutual love betwixt us and the Emperor since the days of my Father but betwixt you and the Emperor it is as you know but it is not lawful unto us to treat with the Christians without his counsel and consent We have written unto our Ambassador at the Emperor's Court shewing him the heads of your message he will come unto you and tell you and report again unto us Matth. Parisien saith there was suspicion that this Letter was forged by information of the Emperor but he judgeth otherwise And Alb. Crantz in Saxo. lib. 8. cap. 4. saith The Pope was so wrathful against Frederick that he would have turned away not onely Christians but the Infidels also And it may appear what the Pope was seeking seeing in the mean time he was exacting tenths and twentieths through France England c. as for maintaining the wars against the Infidels and sent the money into Germany and Italy against the Emperor In Germany Conrade the Son of Frederick led an Army against Henry and overthrew him in the second fight An. 1247. and he died before he was Crowned Matth. Parisien Then the Pope did proffer the Imperial Crown unto Richard Brother of Henry the III. King of England He refused simply Then unto Haco King of Norway He answered He would fight against the enemies of the Church but not against all the enemies of the Pope At last he caused to be elected William Count of Holland which was Crowned but the foresaid Conrade pursued him and he retired into Holland and then did renounce his Title of Emperor The more God did prosper Frederick Innocentius was the madder and the more mad was he when heard that Entius the Emperor's bastard Son had obtained victories against the Gwelphs and other Gibeline Captains prevailed in other places When the Emperor lay at Parma he as secure went one day a hunting and left his Army not sufficiently provided the Citizens came out and took his pavilions which they called victory So the Emperor turned to Domnio and thence into Pulia bringing many Cities into his obedience And then An. 1249. he sendeth unto Lions professing his innocency in all that had happened and shewing the wrongs that he had sustained by the former Popes and withal that howbeit the Pope by custom as he alledgeth had the confirmation of the Emperor yet he had not power to depose him no more then other Prelates in other Realms who anoint their Kings and nevertheless I earnestly crave that I may have peace The Pope hearing of this submission became the more haughty and would not consent to a treaty so that many great men were offended and did detest so great pride and did return unto the Emperor Great were the schisms in Germany and Italy nothing in safety to any each party by violence robbing the other Now Otho Duke of Bavier and others more forsook the Pope wherefore the Pope caused to assemble another Synod at Mildorf and summoned Otho to compear and answer for his rebellion against the Pope He appeareth and said unto the Commissioners I cannot marvel enough at your inconstancy ye know how ye drew me from the Pope and ye your selves called him the Antichrist and ye perswaded me to take part with the Emperor so there is great inconstancy both in your deeds and words calling that wicked and violent wrong which lately ye called just and right But ye are overcome with expectation of honors and pleasures more then led with honesty and godliness according to your office As for me I will obey God and my Prince I believe in Christ and trust in his mercy and perswade my self that those whom ye do curse and give to the divel are in the greater favor with God They could give no reasonable reply yet they accounted him as bad as the worst and accursed him Avent Annal. lib. 7. All these are but a taste of the Popes innumerable inventions against the Emperor And here you may please to see the verses which Frederick sent unto Pope Innocentius the IV. Esses si membrum non te Caput Vrbis Orbis Iactares cùm sis Vrbis Orbis onus Nunc membrum non es sed putre cadaver hulcus Ense residendum ridiculumque caput A Daniele 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nefasque caputque malorum Diceris à Paulo filius exitii Nos solum Christum nostrum caput esse malorum Orbis totius te caput esse facis At caput est unum quod Paulus dicit ubique Tu vecors balatro dic mihi quale caput Corporis ergo caput monstrosi es monstra parisque Monstra paris Monachos scorta nefanda foves Est tua relligio stuprum ira superbia caedes Error deliciae fulmina turpe lucrum Ex his ergo liquet Christum te spernere Christo Hostem esse invisum dedecorique Deo Rex tandem veniet coelo delapsus ab alto Tunc non defendent te sacra missa cruces Non in sublimi surgentes vertice cristae Non diploma potens non tua sacra cohors Non diadema triplex nec sedes sanguine parta Nullus honos solii purpura nulla tui Triginta argenteis Christum vendebat Iudas Tu Christi vendis corpora plura tui Corpora tu vendis Christi parvo aere polumque Coelestes genios sidera jura Deos. At last the Emperor heard that his Son Entius was taken captive and his enemies waxed strong in Germany wherefore he intendeth to go into Germany but was poisoned as is touched before and became sick at Florence An. 1250. and there divided his lands and goods unto his children and then set his heart on meditation of the promised blessedness The Papalines write that after a little space he began to recover somewhat and was stifled
and tokens of bondage and have no Land in Scotland unless they shall dwell in it and if they will not dwell there the Scots should give them for their present possessions 30000 marks of Silver All this time the English were not of one accord for the King followed the counsel of Spencer Earl of Arundel the other Nobility caused the King to banish him but the next year he was restored to the great disturbance of the Kingdom at last they conspire to imprison the King and Hugh Spencer suffered death Tho. Cooper 2. When King Robert came to great age he ordained in Parliament his Successors to wit his Son David a child of eight years old which was espoused to Johanna Daughter of Edward the II. and if he should die without childe he ordained his Son in law Robert Stuart to succeed After he had exhorted the Estates to keep amity and unity he gave them three counsels 1. To beware that the Isles Aebudes be never given unto one man 2. That they never hazzard all their strength in one fight with the English 3. That they make not long truce with them After him Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray was chosen Regent of Scotland he was a good Justiciary and by no means would spare thieves and robbers So that when a Gentleman came from the Pope's Court and thought himself secure because he had obtained the Pope's pardon Thomas caused to apprehend him and said The pardon of sin belongeth unto the Pope but punishment of the body is in the King's hand Buchan lib. 9. 3. An. 1328. Charls the IV. King of France died without children then The title of England unto France Edward the III. King of England his Sisters Son claimeth the Crown of France as nearest Heir The French prefer Philip de Valois the Uncle's Son and they exclude Edward by a Law which they call Salica excluding women from succession At the first when the Estates of France had received Philip Edward did him homage for his Lands in France but when he was denied of a just demand wars began between these two Nations which ceased not altogether until the year 1495. as Tho. Cooper sheweth or rather until the days of Queen Elizabeth for sometimes the French prevailed and sometimes the English even so far as to be crowned at Paris and held Parliaments and had Deputies governing France Sometimes were truce of thirteen years or of ten years but never an absolute peace before Queen Elizabeth In the year 1393. the King of Armenia came into France and shewed how the Turks and Scythians were not only oppressing Hungary but were aiming at the conquest of all Christendom and in the mean time Christians were devouring one another with such words he perswaded both the Kings into a truce for four years Frossard Hist lib. 4. But I leave Civil affairs and return unto the Church 4. In the year 1306. an English Eremite preached at Pauls in London that some Sacraments that were then in use in the Church were not of Christ's institution therefore he was committed to prison Io. Bale ex Io. Baconthorp in Sent. lib. 4. dist 2. q. 1. 5. That John Baconthorp wrote on the Sentences where he followeth the truth in many things especially he refuteth sundry subtilties of Io. Scotus as Baptista Mantuanus hath marked Iste tenebrosi damnat vestigia Scoti Et per sacra novis it documenta viis Hunc habeant quibus est sapientia grata redundat Istius in sacris fontibus omne sophos He wrote de Domino Christi where he proveth that the highest Bishop in every Kingdom should be under Princes Bale Cent. 4. sect 82. 6. Richard Primate of Ireland alias Armachanus was his disciple and taught the same doctrine he translated the Bible into Irish In a Sermon at Paul's Cross in London An. 1356. he said In the estate of innocence none had been a beggar therefore according to that estate unless the law of necessity do press men none desireth nor should be a beggar as neither was Christ willingly a beggar the Law also forbiddeth it Deut. 15. There shall not be a beggar among you He discovered the hypocrisie of Friers in that though they professed poverty yet they had stately houses like the Palaces of Princes and more costly Churches then any Cathedral more richer ornaments then all the Princes more and better books then all the Doctors they had Cloisters and walking places so stately and large that men of Arms might fight on horse-back and encounter one another with their spears in them and their apparel richer then the greatest Prelates These Sermons are extant The next year he appeared before Innocentius the VI. and some of the four Orders of Friers appeared against him and he proved his propositions stoutly and manifestly against them that in many respects they had lest their first rules but saith Walsing in Edwar. III. the English Clergy sent not unto him according to their promises but the Friers wanted not plenty of money and so lite pendente before the cause was decided the Friers obtained a confirmation of their priviledges Armachanus died there at Avenion and was canonized 7. William Ockam was a disciple of Jo. Scotus but he became adversary of his doctrine he was the Author of the Sect of Nominales whereby new occasions of controversies arose to withdraw men from the study of faith He was a follower of Pope Nicolaus the V. and therefore was excommunicated by Pope John Then he thought it more safe to live under the Emperor's protection and he said unto the Emperor Lewis Defend me Caesar from the injury of the Pope by thy sword and I will defend thee by the word by writing and invincible reasons and so they did so long as they lived He wrote a Compendium Errorum of Pope John the XXII and a dialogue between a Clark and a Soldier wherein he handleth these questions 1. Whether Ockam's questions the Pope hath any primacy by right from God 2. Whether Peter had any primacy or was ever Bishop of Rome 3. Whether the Pope and Church of Rome may err Concerning the Emperor he discusseth 1. Whether one man may discharge the offices both of Priest and Emperor 2. Whether the Emperor hath his power from God only or from the Pope also 3. Whether the Pope and Church of Rome have any power from Christ to commit any jurisdiction unto Caesar and to other Princes 4. Whether Caesar after his election hath power to rule the Republick 5. Whether Kings anointed by a Bishop receive any power from him 6. Whether these Kings be any way subject unto their anointer 7. Whether the seven Electors give as great authority unto the elected Caesar as succession giveth unto other Princes c. All which he disputeth on both sides and concludeth always against the Extravagants He wrote also against Pope Clemens and calleth him an Heretick the Antichrist an hater of Christian poverty a foe of the Common-wealth an
Church to reckon the rewards of whores for I have heard them reckoning thus This man hath two Benefices a Curates place of twenty crowns with three whores paying weekly twenty Julians Yea the Bishops and officials of Court are bordellers and compel the Priests to pay a yearly tribute for their concubines so that it is a proverb Have he one or none he must pay a crown for his concubine or let him take one if he will But in the Kingdom of avarice nothing is filthy if it bring gain I pass saith he that for a sum of money Bishops give licence unto women in their husbands absence to dwell wâ—th othermen all which are so manifest and frequent that it is doubted whether the shamelesness of Priests or patience of people be more out of order ... such patrons hath the bordle craft c. But to return Sixtus would never refuse to grant a Benefice saith Onuphrius and would give the same Benefice to sundry persons being importunate and to take away all jarrings he appointed John de Monte unto that charge he was much addicted to wars and did nothing well saith Onuphrius When he heard that Hercules Duke of Ferraria had agreed with the Venetians he was so vexed that he died within five days when he had sate fourteen years Ioh. Sapius made this Epitaph Sixte jaces tandem nostra discordia secli Saevisti in Superos nunc Acheronta tenes Sixte jaces tandem deflent tua busta cynaedi Scortaque lenones alea vina Venus Riserat ut vivens coelestia numina Sixtus Sic moriens nullos credidit esse deos 12. INNOCENTIUS the VIII followed him in bloody wars devising tributes selling Benefices advancing his Nephews c. At that time Zizimus or Games the elder Son of Mohumet was overthrown in battel in Bithynia by his younger Brother Bajazet and fled into the Rhodes where the Master apprehended him When Baiazet knew it he sent rich gifts unto the Master of the Knights entreating to keep him in sure ward and he would give him 40000. crowns yearly and never move wars against Christians Lest Games make an escape he was sent into France and thence delivered unto Innocentius Phi. Cominaeus Hist pag. 944. edit Hanno An. 1606. The Pope profered unto all Christians if they would leave intestine wars he would aid them against the Turks and to encourage them he told them that Captain would go with them But Bajazet sent him 40000. crowns yearly and so that enterprize was ended Onuphr He was compelled to make peace with Ferdinand King of Naples and then pretending that the King paid not his tribute he accursed him and gave his Kingdom to Charls the VIII King of France He sate four years 13. ALEXANDER the VI. attained the Papacy by ambition of some Cardinals whom he corrupted with gifts and promises so the worst of all was preferred to them all Onuphr Some in the conclave said They had most foolishly made him Pope who was a most wicked man and great hypocrite and would vex them all neither were they deceived for Ascanius Sfortia the chief procurator of the election became phrenetick others were exiled some were imprisoned and some condemned to death by him Charls the VIII King of France was then in his expedition toward Naples and intended to go against the Turks for he heard that Bajazet was not stout and was in fear of Games and the Christians did advertise Charls and invited him P. Comin de bello Neapo lib. 2. The Pope envying France agreed with Alfonso Son of Ferdinand on condition that the Pope should send a Cardinal to Naples for his confirmation and Alfonso should pay as his Father was wont c. Then these two sent their Legates unto Bajazet saith Guic. lib. 1. shewing that Charls was then in Arms against Naples and thence intending into Greece in prosecution of the project of his Ancestors and they proferred to detain the force of France if he will aid them with money Bajazet returned thanks unto the Pope that he who is the head of Christendom had advertised him so lovingly of so eminent danger and intreated him to kill Games by poison or any other way and he would give him 200000. ducates and the woven garment of Christ as he had sent unto Innocentius the point of the spear wherewith Longinus had pierced Christ's side P. Morn in Myster Nevertheless Charls in the twentieth year of his age passed through Italy with Bernard Stewart Duke of Albany General of his Army without resistance and knowing that Alfonso was with the Pope he went to Rome and told the Citizens If they let him not enter he would make a way to himself The Pope hearing how others had accepted him neither did refuse nor had power to hold him out The same night Alfonso fled unto Naples and Alexander went into Hadrians Tower A great number of the Cardinals and Senators went forth unto Charls and lodged him in that part which belonged unto the Columnenses The Pope was odious unto the Cardinals and they had a purpose to chuse another They exhorted the King to batter the walls of the Tower which he might have done easily neither wanted he will but he wanted the dexterity of choise men so his Courtiers being corrupted with gifts by Alexander they agreed upon these conditions 1. The Pope should give unto the King four Cities for assurance of the Kingdom of Naples 2. No wrong or trouble should be done unto the Cardinals and Gentlemen who had followed him 3. He should deliver Games unto the King 4. He should give his Son the Cardinal of Valencia in pledge but under a shew of the Pope's Legate P. Comin lo. cit Io. Serres addeth that Charls got the title of the Emperor of Constantinople The Pope could not refuse these conditions yet so that his perfidious minde could not hide it self for he poisoned Games and then sent him to Charls and within few days he died Charls abode at Rome three weeks and kissed the Pope's foot and then his cheek which Alexander caused to be painted in the Gallery of St. Angelo Guicciar lib. 1. and to shew that he had power within Rome he caused seats of Justice to be set up where he pleased and did execution on some guilty persons From Rome he went to Naples and the Cities received him Alfonso having fled into Spain Then Charls presumed of security and left no Garisons in the City in the mean time Alexander by his Legates at Venice made a new league with the Emperor Spain Venetians and others against King Charls so that he was forced to return into France and the Cities of Apulia and Calabria not being fortified received the Spaniards P. Comin de bell Neap. lib. 3. Then Pope Alexander did salute the King of Spain The most Christian King and he would have given him that title thereby to ingage his favor for ever but because some Cardinals advised him that the King of France would
Court that they did violate all Concordata they reserve all the fattest Benefices unto the Cardinalls they without all order dispense expectative graces exact Annates without pitty measure indulgences according to their luxury multiply the exaction of tiths under pretense of Turkish war sell benefices and priesthoods indifferently to unable persons even to ignorants and draw all causes unto Rome Whole volums of such things are extant and were presented unto Emperours and Kings and they adjoined the necessary temedies especially in the years 1516 and 1517 as P. Mornay testifieth in Myster pa. 629 edit Salmu in fol. and when Orth. Gratious had declared the 109 Grievances of Germany he saith O if there were not more hundreds of such that are here mentioned by the Princes CAP. IV. Of BRITANNE 1. John Colet had learned humane sciences at home and went to France and Italy for love of the sacred Scriptures When he returned he set himself especially to the meditation of Paul's epistles and expounded them publickly and freely at Oxford Henry 7 promoted him to the Deanry of Paul's He professed to distaste many things that he had heard in Sorbone he called the Scotists men without judgement and the Thomists arrogant he said he reaped more fruit by the books which the Rabbies called hereticall than by their books that were full of divisions and definitions and weremost approved by them He never marryed and yet regarded not monks without learning he said he found no where lesse corrupt manners than among married persons because the care of a family and other affections suffered them not to deboard so much as others are wont He spoke zealously against bishops who professing religion were greatest worldlings and in stead of shepheards were wolves In his Sermons he said Images should not be worshipped and clerks should not be covetous Nor Christians willingly be warriours Two Friers Bricote and Standice accused him for heresy unto B. Richard Fiziames and he unto the archb first and then unto King Henry VIII but these two knowing the godliness of the man became his Patrones Erasm in epist ad Jod Jon. dated Andrelac Idi Jun. An. 1521. He died of a consumption An. 1519 in the 53 year of his age the clergy would have taken his body out of the grave and burned it if they had not been hindred by the King Foxe in acts mon. 2. Arthur the eldest son of King Henry I. married Catharine the Infanta of Spain and died without issue then his father being desirous to continue the alliance with Spain and to keep her rich dowry within the realme devised to marry this young widow to his other son Henry and for this end he purchased a dispensation from the Pope The King thought to have made his second son Archbishop of Canterbury and for this end was the more solicitous to have him well instructed but he was crowned after his fathers death An. 1509. 3. In the beginning of this Century was litle stirre in matters of religion in Scotland After that infortunate battel of Flowdon where King James 4 and his base son Alexander Archbishop of Saintandrews were slain fell great strife for that See Gawin douglas Bishop of Dunkell and brother to the Earle of Anguise was presented by the Queen as Regent Patrick hepburn Priour of Saintandrews was elected by the Chanons and Forman Bishop of Murray and Pope Julius his Legate would have it by his power of Eegation This strife was so hot and continued so long a time that the mouths of many were opened to speak against the corruptions in the Church 4. Hector Boece was borne at Dundy brought up in learning at Paris and at this time was professour of philosophy and afterward Principall of the Colledge at Aberdien In his Chronicle of Scotland he cometh not nearer than King Iames 2 but by the by he shewes the estate of the Church in his own time in Lib. 13. c. 11 he saith Now we will make a digression and see how farr the Prelats and Church men in antient times were above the Prelats of our times in vertues and integrity of conversation of which the Prelats now but have the name and follow not their manners at all for the antient fathers were given to the imitation of Christ in poverty piety humility and righteousnes alluring the people by their fervent charity and continuall preaching in the Service of God with equall affections to rich and poore not araying themselves with gold silver or costly ornaments not haunting the Court nor accompanied with women or seen in bordels not contending to exceed Princes in pleasure and insolency nor doing any thing by deceit but living in pure conscience and verity But the Prelats in our dayes and the Church-men are led with more vices than are seen in any other people such enormities have rung perpetually since riches were apprised by Church-men So farr he If the opposition be marked which is his aime we may understand what prelats or clergy were then CAP. V. Of COVNCELS 1. When Pope Julius 2 was crowned he promised by solemn oath to call a Generall Councell for Reformation of the Church but afterward no thing was lesse in his mind and while he made war now against Venice and then against France nothing regarding the estate of the Church nine Cardinals departed from him and having the concurrence of the Emperour and the King of France with their clergy a Councell was summoned on May 19 to conveen at Pisa Septemb. 1. An. 1511 because the Pope had violated his oath concerning the calling of a Councell and the condition of the Christian Commonwealth admitted no longer delay and they summoned the Pope to appear before them and all Princes Doctours and Prelats that had or might pretend any in terest through Italy France and Germany On August I. the Pope published his answer that when he was a Cardinal he was most desirous of a councell but now because of the warrs a councell can not be assembled in Italy and far lesse in the wasted and defaced City of Pisa nor had they authority to call a councell and therefore he commanded all men not to obey that citation under pain of excommunication Jo. Sleidan Comment Lib. 1. Three Cardinals returned unto the Pope and were accepted saith Nic. Basel in Addit but the others with the bb of Lombardy and France did meet at Pisa and because they were not safe there they removed to Millan where Barnardin Card. S. Crucis was chosen president and then fearing that Millain was not safe enough they removed to Lions Because they continued in their purpose the Pope in his Consistory at Rome condemned them as hereticks schismaticks and rebellious and depriveed them of their titles dignities voice bishopriks monasteries and whatsoever Benefices they had by Commenda or whatsoever other title and declareth them uncapable for al times to come Basel ib. In the mean time the Emperour was persuaded by the Pope to forsake that councell
provide for his own salvation Thuan. Lib. 15. VI. PAUL IV. being 79. years old was crowned with the grumbling of all men they feared his severity saith Onuphry when he knew it he spoke fairly unto the Cardinals and studied by liberality to procure the favour of the people and when he was secured he shewed himself in his colours and began to performe what he had been devising before therefore was hated of all men He made a shew of reforming some abuses in the Court that he might some way satisfy the exceptions of the Lutherans but his shewes made him not so acceptable as his deeds made him odious He deprived many Clerks because they had entred by simony but it was for his own gain and the hurt of many Idem He had most arrogant conceits and thought by his sole authority to prevent all incommodities without the aid of Princes When he spoke with any Ambassadour he often boasted that he was superiour unto all Kings and would not keep familiarity with any he had power to change Kingdoms and was the successour of such as had dethroned Kings Emperours and spared not to say in Consistory at table and elsewhere that he acknowledged no Prince to be his companion but all must be subject unto his foot Pe. Soave lijst Lib. 5. When he heard that liberty of religion was granted in Austria Bavier Prussia Poland c. he thought to overturne all by a generall Councell at Lateran and did intimate it unto the Emperour and Princes not for their advice said he for they must obey but of courtisy he knew this would not please them he would let them see what his See could do when they had a Pope of courage and if Prelates would not come he would hold the Councell with the Prelates of Rome for he knew his own power Ibid. He gave some Priviledges unto the City for which the Romans would give him Divine honour untill they found that it was but a deceitfull bait for he undertook warrs for the Kingdom of Naples whereby he provoked not only the Romanes but all the Princes of Europe except the King of France whom he had persuaded to break his league with the Emperour with new factions and through his fault all Compania and Latium were brought under the command of the Spaniard for Duke d'Alva Governour of Naples chose to invade rather than to be inuaded and he might have taken Rome if he had followed his victory An. 1556 and the treasury of the Church being emptied Paul imposed severely exacted most grievous taxes whereby he procured more hatred and was forced at last to seeke peace Amongst his articles of the league with France it was one to create more French Cardinals that so a French Pope might be chosen after him but in the beginning of the year 1557. he created neither so many nor such Cardinals as he had promised he excused himself that all his clients were no lesse affected toward France than the French were and within few dayes he would create more because he hath a purpose to bring some Cardinals into the Inquisition and so the present number shall be diminished But all that year he was encombred with the warr and when the French Army was recalled he thought to satisfy the Romanes and the Cardinals by an unexpected conceit to wit by degrading his own kindred whom he had advanced with the male contentment of so many and he was earnest in the Inquisition so that many fled into Geneve and into woods Onuphrius an eye-witness testifieth that he tormented many of all estates without difference of age and not without great blame of cruelty When he lay sick he sent for the Cardinals and exhorted them to be mindfull of the Inquisition which is the pillar of Apostolicall authority said he His breath was no sooner gone when the people of the City broke up all the prisons and set them on fire after the prisoners had escaped and the Monastery of the Franciscanes ad Mineruam was hardly saved from violence They had set up in the Capitole his portraiture of white marble when he gave them the liberties but then they threw it down and cast it thorough the streets till it was defaced and broken and would have done so with his body if some had not kept it by power Lastly a proclamation was made that the badges of the Caraffes a family in Naples of which he was descended whither painted or carved should be demolished within Rome under no lesse paine than of treason Jac. Thuan. Hist. Lib. 23. He died August 18. An. 1559. The Cardinals assemble unto the election capitulation was made that the Councell of Trent shall be restored for the necessity of preserving France and the Nether-lands together with the open departure of High-Germany and England Here unto all the Cardinals did sweare and subscribe but all in vain as followes Ch. 5. untill other occasions intervene VII PIUS IV. was not sooner enstalled but he gave out a mandate to burn all books of Lutherans this command was executed in many places Osiand cent 16. par 2. Lib. 3. c. 35. He imprisoned Cardinall Caraffa and his brother Duke of Pallia by whose aid principally he had attained unto the Papacy and some other Cardinals He caused to hang the Duke in Hadrian's tower after he had craved liberty to say once the seven Penitentiall psalmes and beheaded the rest in the new tower And for filling up the number again he created new Cardinals of his own kindred amongst whom was John the son of the great Duke being 14 years old and Mark de Embs whom he made Bishop of Constance so learned that when the Emperour Ferdinand said unto him decet vos esse piscatores hominum the Bishop understood not what he said and answered in Dutch to another purpose Ibid c. 44. The Duke of Savoy would have given liberty unto the Waldenses within his bounds but Pope Impius would not suffer it and did contribute to take armes against them Histor Concil Trid. Lib. 5. In the year 1561. he shewed more than beastly cruelty against the professours of Truth for in Monte alto a towne of Italy he imprisoned 80. men whom they called Lutherans and caused the hang-men cut to their necks as a cook doeth with a hen and left then wallowing in their blood Some suffered with immoveable constancy some were a little dashed when they saw the bloody knife in the hatkster's teeth yet none of them would recant He practized the like cruelty in two townes of Calabria to wit S Sixti Guarda where he hired the Marques of Buciana and gave a red hatt to his sonne to be his executioner Osiand ibi c. 37. 45. ex Henricpe Nigrin He would in time of the Councell have made a Generall league with all the Princes and Estates against the Protestants wheresoever and this he did intend to insnare all the Princes and thought that none of them durst
that Doxosophia that seeming wisdom which teaches that as much is under one kind as under both as the Sophists and the Councel of Constance teach for albeit it may be true that there is as much under one as under both yet the one kind is not the wholl institution made delivered and commanded by Christ But especially we condemn and accurse in the name of the Lord all those who do not only omit both kinds but also tyrannically forbid and condem them and revile it as an heresy and so exalt themselves above and against Christ our Lord and God ..... We do not regarde the sophistical subtilty of transsubstantiation by which they faine that the bread and wine leave and lose their natural substance and that only the form and colour of bread and not true bread remaineth for it agreeth well with the holy Scripture that bread is and remaines there as Paul saith The bread which we break and So let him eat of that bread It is remarkable among the subscriptions that Melanthton subscribes thus I Philip Melanthon approve these articles as godly and Christian yea and I think of the Pope if he would admit the Gospel the superiority ouer Bishops which he hath now might be permitted also by us after an humane law for the cause of peace and tranquillity of Christians who are now under him and hereafter shall be under him Osiander addeth in the magine If he admit the Gospel that is If the Devil becom an Apostle for if the Pope would admit the Gospel he were no more a Pope nor would he exalt himself above other Bishops but would hear Christ saying It shall not be so among you Concerning the power of Bishops they say In our Confession and Apology we spake generally concerning the power of the Church for the Gospel commandeth them who are rulers in the Churches that they should teach the Gospel forgive sins and administer the sacraments it gives them also jurisdiction and power of excommunicating the obstinat in their manifest crimes and absolving them who repent And it 's certain by the confession of all men yea even of our adversaries that this power is common unto all rulers in Churches whether they be called Pastours or Presbyters or Bishops therefore Jerom said clearly There is no difference between Bishops and Presbyters but all Pastours are Bishops c. Vnto this Assembly the Emperour sent his Vice-Chancellor Mathias Held exhorting them to prepare themselves unto the Councel which he had procured with so great difficulty and wherunto they had so often appealed and so they can not now refuse in making separation from other Nations all which do iudge a Councel to be the only means of Reforming the Church As for the Pope without doubt they shall find him such as becomes the Head of the sacred Order Or if they have any exceptions against him they may declare them in the Synod modestly and without bitterness Neither should they think to prescribe unto other Nations concerning the form and manner of the Councel as if their Divines a lone had the Spirit seeing others may be found no less learned and pious They had petitioned that the place should be in Germany but respect must be had unto other Nations and Mantua is nigh unto Germany and the Prince thereof is a Feudatary of the Empire nor hath the Pope any commande there Or if they suspect any danger he will have a care of their safty and accommodation They returned answer that when they had read the Popes Bull they had seen that they two had not the same mind and aim then hinting at what Hadrian Clemens and Paul had done they shew that those all had the same aim Then they declair reasons why the Pope and such as are tied unto him by oath should not be Iudges As for the place it is contrary unto the Decrees of the Empire nor can they think to be safe there for seeing the Pope hath his potent Clients through all Italy which do hate their doctrin they can not but suspect some hid snares How can they admit him to be their Iudge who in all his Buls condemneth their doctrin as heresy It were but madness to accuse the Pope and his followers where he is the only Iudge and to allow his Bull were but to bring themselves unto a snair and to confirm his Sentence against them They have supplicated for a free and Christian Councel not so much that every one might freely declare his mind and to debar Turks and infidels as that they might decline such Judges who are their sworn enemies and that all controversies in Religion may be examined and defined by the sacred Scripture They acknowledge also as most certain that there be learned and pious men in other Nations who if the exorbitant power of the Pope were curbed would heartily contribute unto the Reformation of the Churches albeit now they lurk being opprest by his tyranny c. The Pope also sent the Bishop of Aquae to invite the Protestants unto the Councel but the Princes would not speak with him and they published their reasons more copiously why they can not acknowledge that Councel Hist Conc. Tride lib. 1. Likewise Held declared how the Emperour was well pleased that they had prudently shunned a league with France and England for France had conspired with the Turk and endeavours to kindle intestin warrs in Germany He had commanded the Iudges of the Chamber to surcease from all causes of religion but those alledge that the Protestants call many causes religious which are not such and so administration of justice is hindered and he craves that they would not be impediment to justice And whereas they crave that those who were not named in the Treaty of Noribergh should enjoy the benefite thereof He thinks it not reason that those having approved the former Decrees and promised constancy in the old religion should have liberty to embrace what religion they please this is against his conscience and nevertheless he will do what is equitablc c. After some dayes Held craved that they would contribute against the Turkish warre and unto the necessities of the Imperial Chamber or if the Turk shall not stir they would grant a subsidy for some months unto the Emperour against France He craved also that they would declare what kinde of league they had made among themselves They answered They fear not but the Emperour will keep the peace as he hath often promised but both the Chamber and Held himself in his discourse hath given such interpretations that the peace may not only be doubted of but seems to be altogether annulled and the Chamber dealeth contrarily unto the agreement of Noribergh as for that which is objected that they have possessed themselves of Church-mens goods they are not so foolish as for so petty triffles to bring into so great hazard themselves and families but they can not permit Monks and enemies of the true Religion to
four dayes after his coming from Dundie that town was infected with the pest Upon this occasion he leaves Kyle with the grief of many and returnes to Dundy being confident that in that visitation they would hearken unto the comfort of the Word Because some were sick and some were clean he stood upon the east port and preached both in the hearing of the sick without and of the cleane within They hearken then unto him with such comfort that they wish to dy rather than live thinking that possibly they could not have such comfort afterwards He spareth not to visite the sick both with bodily and spirituall refreshment The Cardinal was enraged at this preaching and hireth a frier to kill him but Cod made his servant to espy the weapon under the friers goun and to gripe his hand The people would have used violence against the frier but he stayd them saying He hath done mee no wrong but rather good and shewes that I have need to take heed unto myself The frier declares who had sent him and was let go When the plague ceaseth in Dundy he returnes to Montros to visite the Church there and ministreth the Communion with both elements in Dun. From thence he was called by the gentle men of the West to meet them at Edinburgh because they intend to seek a dispute with the Bishops In the way he lodged at Innergoury in the house of James watson there it was revealed unto him that he was to glorify God shortly by martyrdom and not many shall suffer after him When he told these things unto others in that house he said also The glory of God shall triumph clearly in this realme in spite of Satan but alas if the people shall become unthankfull fearfull shall their plagues bee When he came to Edinburg these of Kyle came not he preaches sometimes there and some times in Lieth within privat houses at the entreaty of some he preached now in Brounstoun then in Ormestoun and somtimes in Hadingtoun in that town for feare of the Earle Bothuell few did hear him and he foretold the desolation that came on that town When he returned to Ormestoun he told that he was to be apprehended shortly the same night Bothuell comes with a number of armed men at the instigation of the Cardinal Wishart yeelds himself and is convoyd to Edinburgh and then to Santandrews There he was accused upon the doctrin of justifiâ—ation he defends himself by the Scriptures Neverthelesss he is condemned and burnt March 1. year 1546. When he was in the fire the Captain of the castle went near him and in few words exhorts him to be of good courage and crave pardon of his sins from God He ansvereth This fire is grievous to my body but touches not my soule yet said he pointing at the Card. he who so proudly lookes out of his window shall be shortly layd forth ignominiously Many of the Nobility were rather provoked than afrayd with such cruelty and they began to think Some thing must de attempted with hazert rather than always suffer shamefully So Normand Lesley the eldest son to the Earle of Rothes whom the Card. had much respected and other 16 persones conspire his death Buchanan Lib. 15 Histor saith a private quarrel moved them May 7. in the morning when the masons were wont to be let in to work they kil the porter at the gate and then having locked the gate they kill the Carldinal in his bedchamber A noise ariseth in the City some would climb the walls then the murderers lay the corps forth at the window whence he had beheld the burning of Mr Wishart to shew that their business was too late The report is quickly spred some said God had done justly albeit the attempt was wicked I passe over what was done by the Regent to punish the fact and how they keep the castle If we will judge of the fact by the event some of these murderers died in prison some in the galeys some escaped but all died miserably Nor did the posterity of the Cardinal enjoy long prosperity for his three daughters were Ladies of Crawford Vain and Kelly in Anguise and all these families are now ruined He gave good estates unto his three sons but none of their posterity have any heritage that he gave them but I return to the history Because the Scots were intending a match with France a fleet of ships sent from England arrive at Lieth unaworse they spoile Edinburgh and the country thereabout and sent their ships loadned with spoile again in the same year The Regent and Queen bring some aid from France but the country was a common prey to both the Nations and they were divided among themselves some adhering unto England and their first Contract and others pretending the old league with France but indeed cleaving to idolatry whereupon followed that infortunat battell at Pinky on the tenth of September An. 1547. The warrs continue some years betwixt the two Nations and the Queen was sent to France in April An. 1548. John Knox hapned to be within the castle of Saintandrews when the last siege began and was carried away to France with the others because it was made cleare that he was not at the murder nor did consent unto the other crimes he was set at liberty and went to Geneva thence he was called to the Ministry of Englishes at Frankeford In the year 1553. Mary being Queen of England peace was concluded with France England Scotland The next year the Queen Dowager went to France and procureth that the Regent was moved to dimit his office they terrify him that within a few years he may be called to account of his intromission and in present contentation the King of France gave him the Dukedom of Chatterault So he resigneth his office in Parliament unto the Ambassadour Mons d'Osell in favours of Q. Mary and her Curatours King of France and Duke of Guise The Ambassadour delivereth instantly the same office unto the Q. Dowager Then the Prelates thought that none durst open a mouth against them but the provident eie of God brought from England in time of persecution under Mary some learned men as Wi harlaw John willock c. and Jo. Knox returnes in the end of the year 1555. Before his coming the best Another step of Reformation men thought it not a sin to be present at Masse he by authority of Gods word persuades them to abhor it He abode at Dun and was exercised dayly in preaching then he went unto Calder where the Lord Erskin L. Lorn and James Priour of Sant Andrews son of James V. and sundry other Noble men were his hearers He went to Finlastoun and preaches before the Zealous Earle of Glencairn he ministreth the Lords supper wherever he preacheth When the Bishops heard of this they summon him to appear at Edinburg May 15. An. 1556. The Bishops assemble not and he preaches in the Bishop of Dunkells loding