The History of the Holy War, Book 4 · Chapter 4
Chap. 4. The uncurable breach betwixt the Eastern and Western Churches, with the occasion thereof.
HItherto Grecians and Latines lived together in Palestine in some tolerable correspondencie; differing in judgement, but complying in affections; as counting themselves two severall sides, yet both making up the body of Christians. But now by an unhappy discord they were irreconcilably parted asunder, to the great advantage of the Turks and prejudice of the Holy warre. We will fetch this flame from the first spark; and though we go farre about, the length of the journey will be recompensed by the goodnesse of the way.
Anciently in the primitive time the Church of Rome was esteemed the first and chiefest of all others, but without any jurisdiction above them. Because that was the Imperiall citie and Queen of the world, therefore the Church therein was highest in account; as the candle which is in the fairest candlestick is alwayes set above the rest (though otherwise equall unto it in light) at the upper end of the table.
It happened afterward that the Emperour removed his seat from Rome to Constantinople: Whereupon orphane Rome suddenly decayed (for the Emperours court carried day with it, and left night behind it) was chief mourner at the funeralls of her own greatnesse; and from a pleasant garden turned a wildernesse overgrown with Goths, Vandals, and other barbarous weeds: whilest Constantinople tricked and tired her self, started up in an instant great, rich, and stately; insomuch that John her Patriarch claimed to be universall Bishop above all other. Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, stoutly withstood him, protesting that he was the usher of Antichrist who assumed that swelling title; wherein he …eated the brand to mark his successour with: For Boniface (save one, the next) Pope of Rome so dealt with Phocas the Emperour of Constantinople, that he got himself confirmed universall Bishop over the whole world. A Chaplain and a Patrone well met, both usurpers, supporting one another (like stones in an arch) with their reciprocall aid; Phocas held Boniface in his chair, and Boniface kept Phocas in his throne. And thus was the Pope of Rome first possessed of his Primacie both of dignity and authority, both of precedencie & of power and jurisdiction over all other Churches. As for his pretense, to challenge it by commission from Christ and succession from Peter, this string to his bow is so full of gauls, frets, and knots, it cannot hold, and is broken by many learned Divines.
However, Constantinople rather overborn then overcome, for want rather of strength then stomach, ever rebelled, or rather resisted (for no rebellion against usurpation) Romes supremacie (especially when she found her self befriended with any advantage) for many hundred yeares after.
It happened (to come to the matter in hand) that a Grecian *Matth. Paris. in anno 1237. pag. 622.Archbishop went to Rome, there to have his confirmation. Where the Court demanded for him such unreasonable fees (toll more then the grift) that the Prelate perceived it would weaken him to be confirmed, and shake his estate to settle him in his Bishoprick. Home therefore he cometh with a loud alarm against the extortions of Rome, and mustereth together many of his countrey-men; who hereupon for ever withdrew their obedience from Rome, and threw off that heavy yoke they could not bear, hereafter owning her for their sister not mother.
It may seem strange that the Romane Court being here justly taxed for extortion, would not amend it. But how often soever she be told of her dirty face, she will never wash it: For reforming would argue a former fault; and they feared, if they yeelded themselves guilty in one point, it would shake the whole fabrick of their credit. Besides, if the Grecians had received satisfaction and redresse in this grievance, it would have given them pretense to prepare more requests, and to think that they also were due. Lastly, no strength of perswasion will draw men from those sinnes which are glued unto them by their profit. Thus the avarice of the Romish officers (as of late the shamefull shamelesse covetousnesse of their Indulgencemongers occasioned Luthers falling from them) caused the Grecians wholly to renounce their subjection to that See: and Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople now grew absolute of himself, without any dependencie on the Pope.
His Holinesse despairing to reduce them by fair means, proclaimed warre against them. And as formerly against the Albingenses, so now against the Grecians, resolved to send an army of *Matth. Paris. in anno 1237. pag. 622.Croised souldiers: It being his custome to make the secular power little better then an hangman to execute those he shall please to condemn: Yea, he hath turned the back of the sword towards Infidels, and the edge against Christians dissenting from him in small matters. But few voluntaries were found for this service, because of a pious horrour and religious reluctancie against so odious an imployment: OnelyOnly in *Idem, pag. 614.Cyprus (I beleeve in a private persecution rather then open warre) some Grecians were put to death; the Pope using the same severity against wolves and wandring sheep, foes and prodigall children.