The Pageant of Popes, Book 3

The Pageant of Popes · Book 3

p. 37THE THIRDE Booke.

¶Nowe ensueth the thirde sorte of Romaine bishops coming from euill to worse: For as the former company in the seconde booke shewed, declining from pure Christianitie, and enclining to Antichriste, so now appeareth in these, that the seede sowed by the forainer is growē vp, & Antichrist as it were appearing aboue the grounde: who grewe still forwarde frō grenenesse to ripenesse, as shall appeare by these that followe, and so from ripenesse to rottennesse, which is to be hoped for in that already he is wexed so mellowe, that if he be not plucked from the tree, if it please God to sende a smale blaste of winde, he will fall of him selfe. Note therfore diligently gentil Reader what fruite ensueth and springeth of the former grayne. Reade, conferre, and then iudge, whether these men shewe them selues to be the vicars of Christe, or deceitful and mischeuous Antechristes, for bye their fruites ye shall knowe them whether they are suche as they would be accompted.

Abadon or the Latin Antichriste.

IN the yeare of our Lorde sixe hundreth and foure, Phocas the tyrant, murthered his soueraigne lord Mauricius the Emperoure, with his wife, his brother, his children, and many nobles: From this yere adding to it two yeres to the beginning of the Popedome, established by Phocas, are sixe hundred sixty sixe yeares, from the cōsulship of M. T. Cicero, and Antonius, as Bibliander Funccius, and other do euidently recken it, at whiche time the Iewes (while their bishops iarred for supremacie) lost their libertie: For Christe (as Bibliander gathers) in his reuelation (whiche by his dearely beloued Apostle Iohn, he deliuered to the church) foare tolde, that a certaine tyrannicall Empier should afflicte the true church: as Nero and Domician, with others did. And calleth the beaste hauing two hornes like a lambe the ennemy of Christe, whiche neuerthelesse should speake like a Dragon, like an euill spirite, and should rage as vnmercifully as the firste beast did, whiche destroyed Peter and Paule, and great companies of fainctes: whiche with her charmes should so bewitche the worlde, and with monstrous workes should growe into suche admiration, that none might by or sell, but such as had the seale or the name of the beaste in his forehead. But as touching the name of the beaste, he shewes it mistically by these letters, foreign. Ch, X, St, & reciteth it to be discussed. This (saith Iohn) is wysedome, let him that hath vnderstanding accompt the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his nūber is this. 666. Apocal. 13. What meane thefe markes but that wee should searche the time wherein this beaste should arise from the earth and the bottomlesse pitte, and should destroye the Christian common wealth? But howe shall a man apply it, if he hauehave not the certaine time, when Pompeie toke the scepter from the Iewes, according to the notable prophecie of Iacob, & entring the temple, prophaned the Sanctum sanctorum. But that was done as Iosephus wryteth, in the time of Tullius consulship, the 60. yeare before Christe was borne. To these three score yeares adde six hundred, vntill after the death of the sayd Gregorie the great, who prophecied that he should be Antechriste, whiche would be compted vniuersall bishop, or head of all churches. Therefore marke well what kinde of times happened in the 666. yeare after Hierusalem was taken by the p. 38Romaines, Pompeie being their general, and you shall se straunge matters fal out, at the time that this Phocas was Emperour, of whome VVilliam Stantphurdius wryteth as foloweth.

The Empier Phocas chokes, and doth the Popedome first aduaunce,

By wicked writts about his Empier sent, for to enhaunce,

And to confirme moste sure foray vntounto the after age

The premacy of Rome, and of the dragon that doth rage

Against Gods power.

Furthermore applie this misticall number of 666. containing highe wisedom in i… frō the time of Christes birth, or from the tyme of his passion, or from the xv. yere of Domician, at whiche time the reuelation was written, and stil ye shal finde some mōsterous thing wrought in the church. But to returne to the matter of Englande: In the yeare of Christe 593. Colman, Harding, and Fabian saye, that the raigne of the seuen kinges at one time began: whereby 173…. yeares after Brutus their first king, the royall estate of the Brytishe king ceased. For as Paulus Diaconus writeth in his fourth booke, the Britaines founde t…at the Saxons were in steade of succourers, suppressours and cruell ennemies, vntrusty, warring rigorously vponupon them, who had entertained them for ayde. Anno 596. the foresaid Augustine sent from Gregorie, came into Englande, who at his comming did not reproue, but maintaine, and vpholde the wicked treasons, the horrible robberies, & the slaughters more cruell then were Neroes, whiche the Saxons cō mitted. Anno▪ 600. Gregorie gaue to Augustine his byshops pall. Thereby as was sayde, London was spoyled of her right without all order, to the destruction bothe of the commonwealth and of religion, and finally the vndoing of the Brytishe kingdome, and thereupon are sumptuous tē ples builded. Before that time the Britains had their churches dedicated to eternall God the father, and to our sauiour his sonne Iesus Christe. But afterwarde the Saxōs did cōsecrate their temples to Images, and dead sainctes▪ Anno. 604. the Christiā Emperour Maurice being slaine, Phocas an adulterer and a murtherer, obtayned the seate imperiall, and in him the maiestie of the Caesars, and the moste noble Empire of the Grekes decayed together. As for the Romaine Empire that was weakened and empaired, yea and at length brought to nothing, by meanes of the Popedome whiche he had graunted and established. Anno 606. in Nouember and December, as Paulus Diaconus writeth in his 18. booke, euen at the rising and beginning of the Popedome, there appeared a wonderfull great blasing starre: There were straunge sightes and monsters of the Sea, shewed them selues to the terrour of many. Thus in y^e time of this Phocas murderer of the Emperour (whiche is to be noted as a misterie concerning the Popes) Papistrie and Mahumets religion began bothe together at one time, which corrupted, darkened, and weakened the doctrine of the sonne of God in many regions. For in another yeare of the same Phocas, as Bibliander writeth, Mahumet recited the Alcoran, so that (saieth hee) the Egles three heades awaked all at ones, according to the heauenly vision in the fourth booke of Esdras: that is to saye Phocas him selfe, Pope Boniface, & Mahumet the Arabian, now followeth the thirde troupe of Romishe Popes, whiche is deuided into fiue partes.

The firste parte of this thirde troupes of the Popes or Romaine Antechristes, prophecied of by the names of Sodome or Egypt. Apocal. 11. vntill the time of Pope Iohn the eight.

1. Boniface the thirde.

66ABout this time the bishoppers of Constantinople endeuoured to obstaine the title of vniuersall bishop, and to hauehave their Church called the head of all Churches, vsing p. 39these fonde reasons, that because the Emperour beinge chiefe of all Princes kepte at Constantinople, therefore y^t shoulde be the chiefest Church, and there the chiefe bishop: This ambitiō enflamed many to speake and wryte against it, but especiallye the late Gregorye who in this wyse reproued Iohn bishop of Constantinople for the same: Sayinge, None of my predecessors (although the Emperours began first in Rome, and were wont to byde there onelye, and yet do keepe the title thereof) durste take vppon them this title of vniuersall bishop. And againe Gregorye sayd plainlye that such a one was the forerunner of Antichrist. Yet notwithstanding that the Church of Constantinople with great infamye preuailed not herein, because that Antichrist or the whore of Babilon according to the 13. of the Reuelation should be in the Citty builded on seuen hilles, that is Rome it selfe, For so diuers auctors testifye that onelye Rome is knowen to be builded on vii. hils: and certaine it is that when this Reuelation was written, Rome was then the greatest Cittye being built on seuen hils, as Mantuan testifyeth in the life of Syluester, speaking of S. Blaze at the ende of the first booke. And the fulnesse of y^t time prophecied of, now drawing nighe, this Boniface the thirde Anno 607. by the meanes of Phocas the Emperour an adulterer, traytour, and murtherer of his Lorde and soueraine Maurice the Emperour with his wife, and children) was aduaunced to be bishop of Rome with much hurley burley and greate tumulte, and in despite of manye bishops and Churches standinge against it, he is extolled, confirmed and worshipped as Lorde and Prince of all bishoppes: By great sute (but greater bribery) he obtayned of the sayde bloudye Emperour, that Rome should be called the head of all Churches, partlye by the same reasons that Constantinople vsed (as Platina sayth) y^t where the heade of the Empyre was, there shoulde be the heade Church, againe the Emperours had their beginninge in Rome, againe though some of them kept at Constantinople, yet euer they bare the name of Rome, as Romaine Emperours: finallye Peter deliuered to Rome y^e keyes of heauen and hell, A feeble reason thoughe it had bene true. Thus at this time as an adulterer by treason and murther vsurped the Empyre, so of the same man this ambitious Boniface obtained by briberye to be vniuersall bishop, and consequentlye by the sayinge of his owne predicessour to be the forerunner of Antichrist.

He decreed in a Synode that vnderunder the paine of excommunication one Pope beinge deade, another should not be chosen before y^e third day after: Also the same penaltye for such as sought to be bishops by fauour or briberye, he decreed that a bishoppe should be chosen by the voyces of the clergye and the people together, and y^e election to be good if it were ratifyed and allowed first by the Prince or chiefe parson of the place, and last of all confirmed by the Popes auctoritye, and wyth these woordes of his, Wee will and commaunde. From this time forwarde the puritye of the Gospell decreased and superstition increased: Likewise y^• Emp…re was at this time mightely weakened, for Fraūce Germanye, Lombardye and Spaine reuolted and forsoke the Empyre, & beside Cosdroa kinge of Persia inuaded and wanne away many countreys and Cittyes in the East, and among them Hierusalem. Boniface hauinge enioyed his auctoritye scante a yeare dyed: From this time sayth Vspergensis the Romain Empyre was neuer without great trouble, miserye and missehap.

2. Boniface the fourth.

67BOniface the fourth borne in Marcia, obtained of Phocas the Emperour that a Church in Rome called Pantheon, which the heathen had dedicated to all their gods and idols, should be translated from the worshipping of Idols p. 40to the seruice of Christ, and be dedicate to al Saincts, and so called all hallowes Churche: An vngodly and blasphemous alteratiō, and contrary to S. Paules doctrine, that Christians should turne that to Gods seruice, which was dedicate to idols. He appointed y^e feast of alhallowes day, and that the Pope on that doye should say a long masse: he also appointed the corps cloth to be had at masse: he gaue moncks leaue to baptize and absolue. In this Popes time God punished y^e wickednes of Phocas, who was reft both of Empyre & lyfe, by his successour Heraclius, for hauinge his handes and feete cut of, he was throwne into the sea.

3. Theodatus.

THeodatus the first was a Romaine, the sonne of one 68Steuen a subdeacon: he deuised a newe founde aliance betwene the Godfather and y^e goddaughter, and betwene the godmother and her godsonne, calling it spirituall cō sanguinitye: and therefore he commaunded that neyther y^e godfather nor his godsonne should marrye the goddaughter, and so of the godmother likewyse: which is one token giuen to know Antichrist by, forbiddinge and makinge vnlawful (as Tacianus Montanus, and other heretikes do) honest mariage, which God hath made lawfull. At this time raigned such a straunge lothsome kinde of leprosye disfiguring men in such sort, that one coulde not discerne another by the face: Theodatus died Anno 618. in y^e thirde yeare of his Popedome. Here note by the waye that none of the Popes from this time liued longe, which wroughte not some notorious acte for the maintenance of the tiranny of the Sea of Rome.

4. Boniface the fifte.

BOniface the fifte was borne in Campania, he decreed y^e 69holye places shoulde be rescewes and maintenaunc… for theeues, murtherers and leude parsons, making the churches, churchyards, chappels & such others to be sanctuaryes for them, and that no man should draw them away by violence that fled thether. He commaunded that none but deacons shoulde handle the reliques of Saincts: furthermore that a will and testament being made by commaūdement of the Prince should stande in force, which prerogatiues his successors did afterwarde vsurpe to themselues, that no testamente should be good, vnlesse it were allowed by them. He dyed Anno. 623.

5. Honorius the first.

70HOnorius borne in Cāpania was a good Pope (as Vvicelius saith) for diligēce in building Churches, deckīg them with golde & siluer, but a neg…igent pastor for ought that is read of him in feeding Christ his flocke. Amonge other temples and monasteries that he founded, he honge S. Peters Church w^t cloth of Tissew, which with y^e Emperours consente were taken out of Ianus Capitol or Romulus temple: hee deuised holye roode daye, and added to the Letanye the prayinge vntounto dead saintes, Sancta maria, sancta Gregori &c. and commaūded to go about the streates in procession eueryevery Sabboth day. This Honorius died Anno 634. in whose time Mahumet arose, the auctor of the Turkishe religion.

6. Seuerinus the second.

71SEuerinus or Zepherinus the second, was cōfirmed Pope in the name of Herachu… the Emperour, by Isacius his liuetenaunt in Italye. This Pope also was very carefull to build vp Churches of dead saints, but carelesse of buildinge vp the Gospell: wherevppon Isacius brake into the Church treasurye, and perforce toke away the great heapes p. 41of riches, y^e priestes to their power defending the same: for then (euen by Gods iust punishment) the Sarracens wan from the Romaines, Damascus, Arabia, Phoenicia, Egipt, and other kingdomes of the world, Mahumets power encreased still against them: and as for the Emperours souldiers they were driuen to great pouertye and wante of all thinges, and the houge heapes of the Churches hourded treasury encreased to no bodies profit. For (sayth Platina) in this daūger of Mahumet, the priests loked that the laitye should beare the charge of this, to withstand the ennemyes of Christendome: againe the laitye looked that the clergye for defence of Religion shoulde promise, and giuegive their money for the maintenaunce of the warre, and should not waste their wealth prodigallye to worse purposes, as for the most part they doe, spendinge plentifullye their riches gotten by almose deedes and with the bloud of martyrs, vppon statelye and massye plate of siluer and golde… hauinge little care of the world to come, defying God and mā, whom they serue only for luker sake. Plat. in Boniface the 5. This made Isacius with his souldiours to burst into the Churches treasurye. Seuerinus dyed Anno 636.

7. Iohn the fourth.

IOhn the fourth, learning by his predecessours harmes howe to vse ryches better, did redeme out of captiuitie 72with that money, whiche Isacius lefte in Lateran, his contreimen the Assirians and Dalmacians, whome the Lombardes had taken prisoners in battell. And yet least the like deede shoulde be attempted against the churche anye more, euen sone after in the beginning of his Popedome, he decreed, that the churche goodes being so purloyned, should be recompenced fower times double. He wrote to Englande concerning the keping of Easter, and against the Pelagian heresy: Hee transported from Dalmacia to Rome, the dead bodies of two martyrs, Vincentius and Anastasius, rather to hurt liue Christians with committing Idolatry in worshipping them, then that the saluage people should harme the dead bodies. Hee died ere he had raigned Pope two yeares, Anno. 638. Platina reporteth that in this mans tyme, a certaine priest robbed the tombe of Rothaeris in S. Iohn Baptistes churche: for (sayth he) they were wonte to burie certayne precious thinges with kinges bodies. The like thing happened of late tyme to Cardinall Allouisius, Patriarke of Aquilia, for his graue being burste vp, he was robbed by those, whome he from very base estate had aduaunced to the dignitie of priestes and better calling.

8. Theodorus.

THeodorus the firste was a Grecian borne, the sonne of 73Theodorus byshop of Hierusalem, hee builded manye churches in Rome, and golden shrines for sainctes. He …et vp the reliques of Sainctes in golde & siluer in the church. He forbad that mariage made after a single vowe, shoulde be broken. He depryued Pyrrus byshop of Constantinople, for heresy: He appointed that tapers should be halowed on Easter eue for Easter time: He died, Anno. 646.

9. Martin the first.

MArtin the first a Tuderdinian borne, made lawes for 74keping holy dayes, and decking of churches, suche as the Idolatours before were wōt to kepe: He gaue straight charge that priestes should shaue their polles, and that bishops should make eueryevery yeare as they call it, an holye Chrisme, and sende it to eueryevery churche in their Diocese: He burthened the Clergie with vowe of single life, and appointed that a couple being married, ere they lay together, p. 42the bridegrome & bryde, should hauehave the priestes blessing. He commaunded also, that priestes houses should be buylt next to the churche: That Monkes shoud not go out of the abbies without the Abbots leaue: & in a Synode at Rome that bishops should not transpose the churche goodes to their owne priuate vse. He died Anno. 656. VVicelius sayth, he was very vehement against certaine sectes, excō municating them whome he ought by the scripture to hauehave admonished. He deposed Paule Patriarke of Constantinople, not admonishing him first once or twise, according to S. Paule; rule: for the whiche he was bounde in chaynes, and so brought to Constantinople, by the Emperour Constā tinus, wher in banishmēt he died in great miserie. An. 653.

10. Eugenius the first,

EVgenius the firste was a Romaine, commended for his manners. But VVicelius saith, this Pope did neuer 75any notable dede: but decreed that bishops should hauehave prisons to punishe priestes. Thus by little and little, they encroched the power of temporall swearde: certaine letters were sent vntounto him from Constantinople, contayning heresie, whiche were so detested, that saith Platina, the Clergie it selfe toke vppon them to forbidde the Pope to saye masse in S. Maries churche, vnlesse he would firste burne the letters, then might the Clergie controll the Popes slackenes or errour in religion.

11. Vitellianus.

VItellianus borne in Campania, being an excellent musician, 76wrote the ecclesiasticall Canon, he broughte singing and organs into the churche. He accused one Iohn minister in a certaine churche in Crete, vntounto the bishop of that place, for hauing a wife. He made the Latin howers, songes, masses, idolatry, and ceremonies, adding and turning all into Latine, about the yeare of Christes incarnation. 666. which was the number of the name of the beast spoken of in the 13. of the Apocal.. Here therefore is to be noted, that the nūber of the beast agreeth vntounto this time, secondly the number of the yeares conteined in the name of the beaste, is founde out in this woorde λατεινοσ: as who would saye, that Antechriste shalbe a Latin, or in the Latin churche, who shall come to his perfection in the yeare. 666. Also the letters of his name shall amounte to this number, and last of all is to be noted how that beside this Lateinos expressed the Latin bishop, and the time of Antechriste, it agreeth with the straunge doinges of this tyme, that all thinges were turned into Latin in the churche. And because that this mistery of sixe hundred sixty sixe, spoken of in the Reuelation, may appeare euen to the moste simple to agree vntounto the churche of Rome, as in this place is saide: it is first to be considered that the auncient father Irenaeus, being immediatly after the Apostles, reading this place, and considering of the woordes of S. Iohn, saying: Let him that hath wisedome counte the nūber of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is sixe hundred sixty sixe. Irenaeus I saye, considering of these wordes, did at the length finde out that this number agreed to this Greeke name λατεινοσ and therefore he sayde, that surely Antechriste should be a Latin and in the Latin churche: for the Grekes, in whose tongue the Reuelation was written, do expresse their numbers by their letters, as we do by figures. And in their numbringe this letter λ the firste letter of that name, standeth for thirty: the next letter α standeth for one: the thirde letter τ for three hundred: the iiii. letter ε for fiue, the fift letter ι for tenne: the sixte letter ν for fiftie: the seuenth letter ο for threscore and tenne: and the eight and last letter, σ standeth for twoo hondred. So that if these eight numbers, that is: thirty, one, three hundred, p. 43fiue, ten, fifty, seuenty, and two hundred, be added together, they make sixe hundred sixty sixe …umpe. Againe nū ber so the letters in this worde foreign Ecclesia Italica, that is the Italian churche, and ye shall finde it also make iump six hundred sixty sixe. For in the former worde of these two, there are right letters: whereof the firste is ε standing for fiue, the second κ in value twenty, and so the thirde is κ that is twenty, the fourth λ that is thirty, the fift η that is eight, the sixt ς that is twoo hundred, the seuenth is ι that is tenne, the eight is α and that standeth for one: All whiche numbers added together, make. 294.

Nowe to coine to the latter woorde foreign Italica, in it are seuen letters, the firste is ι and is euer set in the Grecian numbers for ten, the seconde τ for three hundred, the third α for one, the fourth λ for thirty, the fift ι for tenne, the sixt κ for twenty, the seuenth and last, is α for one: all whiche seuen numbers amounte to three hundred seuenty and two, then vntounto this adde the nūber of the former word, whiche was two hūdred ninty foure, and the whole somme is lumpe sixe hundred sixty sixe. Furthermore, in the same thirtene chapter, and the firste verse thereof, S. Iohn speaking of this beaste, saith that the beaste had seuen heades. And in the seuententh of the Reuelation, the Angell doth expounde this mistery vntounto Iohn saying: the seuen heades were vii. mountaines vponupon which the woman (meaninge the forenamed whore of Babilon) doth sit: and afterwarde againe he saith that the same woman whom Iohn saw sitting on the beast with seuen heades, is that great Cittye which hath rule ouer the kinges of the earth: At which time it is manifest to all the world, that Rome had the soueraignitye and Empyre of all the world, and that it was then the great Cittie, and none but it of whom this might be said: neither is it knowen that anye other Cittye is, or hath bene built vppon seuen hilles. And that Rome is so, it appeareth by diuers writers Romaines and other, that report it as they hauehave seene it: Amonge other Munster in his Topographie doth not only in the descriptiō of Rome testifie that there are seuen hilles but also sheweth the names of them euerye one which are these: Auentinus, Capitolinus, Palatinus, Cael…us, Exquilinus, Viminalis and Quirinalis hill. Proper…ius the Poet confirmeth it briefely in a verse saying thus of Rome, Septem vrbs alta iugis toti quae presidet orbi: the like hath Virgil in hys Georgicks, Septem quae vno sibi muro circundedit arces, speakinge it of Rome. Mantuan in his Fast. li. 2. doth in like maner describe Rome, calling it Romuleā septem cū Collibus vrbem. So of the Grekes it is called Heptalophos, wherin Hep…a signifieth 7. and lopho… an hil, head or top.

This Vitellianus commaunded shauings and annointings of the clergye to be vsed, geuing vnderunder these markes lice…s to buy and sell pardons in the Churche, as was prophesyed of Antichrist: & after he had choaked the Church with much palcry he dyed. At this time at the fulnesse of Antichrist, mōkery grew into superstitious estimation. At this time also these two straunge thinges were wrought: Abbeis were first founded for monkes, kinges were shaued and made monkes.

12. Theodatus the second.

77THeodatus y^e second a Romaine borne, was made Pope beinge but a monke: He bestowed great cost to make a sumptuous abbey of that, from whence he came: He gaue licence to mōkes to transport Benedict Nursin patriarcke of his own order with a scholesister of theirs from Cassim mount into Fraunce. At this time were manye straunge thinges as a blasinge starre appearing 3. monethes continually, with great raine & often thonders, with a straūge Rainbowe and earthquakes, suche as the like were neuer heard of. And some say that the corne being beaten downe p. 44with these straūge tempests of raine, did spring vp againe and grew to ripenesse: For these thinges Theodatus caused prayers often to be said, and dyed Anno 675.

13. Donus the first.

DOnus the firste, was made Pope in a miserable tyme, 78when the fieldes and the corne were burnt vp with thō der, lightninges and showers: He as (Popes vse) beautified S. Peters porche with pillers: And after he had punished certaine Nestoria heretikes, he scattered thē in diuers abbeis in Italy. He restored certayne olde churches, he deuided the Clergie into diuers orders, and aduaunced them with seuerall kindes of honour, and dignitie. After muche controuersie he made subiect to Rome Rauennas churche, Theodorus the Archebishop therof, agreing to it through the Popes flattery, whiche churche before was called Alliocephalis. After he had done many …uche dedes he died, Anno. 679.

14. Agathon the first.

AGathon the first, as Gratian writeth Distinct. 19. being a Monke of Sicill, cōmaunded that the Popes decrees 79should be taken for as canonicall and authenticall, as the Apostles wrytings. So he gaue as great auctoritie to the masse, whiche was clouted together by sondry Popes. But wickedly he cōdemned the mariage of ministers of the Latine churche: He sent one Iohn a Monke and Archedeacon of Rome, into Englande, Anno 679. to teache them here the manner of their reading, singing, & ceremonies in their churches. And the better to vtter his knackes of celebrations and sacrifices, as Beda wryteth in his fourth booke & 18. chapter, de Gestis Anglorum. He …ent his Oratours Iohn bishop of Portua, and Iohn Deacon of the Romaine churche to the sixt Sinode of Constantinople, and against the Monothelites he sent one Agathus. In the whiche Sinode the Clergie of the Greke churche, were allowed mariage, and the Latin churche forbidden it. Also among other thinges then done the eight daye after Easter, Anno 681. the said Iohn of Portua, did first of al say y^e Latin masse openly before the Prince and the Patriarke, and people of Constantinople, all men allowing it for nouelties sake, as a newe founde thing, whiche taking roote hereupon, was receiued in all churches, whiche helde vponupon the Pope. In this Popes time, after straunge Eclipses, both of Sunne and Moone, was a Pestilence so contagious in Rome, that the Pope him selfe died thereof. The seate then was v…yde a yeare and a halfe.

15. Leo the second.

81LEo the seconde was a Monke very learned, as well in Greke as in Latin, and so skilfull in Musick, that hee brought the notes of the Psalmes and Hymnes to better harmonie. He cōfirmed the sixt Synode partly to establishe the masse, partly because by it also the Clergie of the West churche, were forbidden mariage. He translated into Latin the ordinaunce of mariage. He appointed that the Pax shoulde be borne aboute, and be kissed of the people, while masse was saying: Also y^t if neede did require there shoulde be Christening eueryevery daye. He would hauehave (for their sake of Rauenna) no election of any bishop to stande in force, vnlesse hee were first confirmed by the bishop of Rome: But (sayth VVicelius) without payinge for his pall, or anye other money, which saith Platina I would it were kept still in Rome: for out of this bribing at this day many mischieues aryse. For as yet they durst not enterprise wholly such polling, as they did afterwarde aboute foreign yeares after Christe: for in time past the vi. Princes of Italye did confirme p. 45the bishops of Italy: yea, and the Pope him selfe: Afterwarde the Emperour Constantine the fourth, agreing thereunto, the election was againe ratified in the handes of the Clergie and the Laitie. But the Prelates of Rauenna, being emboldened because that the court of the sixe states was among thē, would not obey the churche of Rome, but auouched that they were egall in dignitie. And thus Foelix being their bishop after Theodorus, went about to shake of the Popes yoke, and to recouer their lost libertie. But the Emperour that was then Iustinian, sonne of the sayde Constantinus, being set on by Leo, with standeth the purpose of Foelix, and after he had by assaulte wonne the towne, he boared out the byshops eyes with a whot burning iron. Leo before the ende of his tenne monethes died Anno. 685. in which time the moone was in a mōsterous and straunge Eclipse, appearing as redde as bloud all the night long, diuers nightes together.

16 Benedictus the second.

BEnedict the second, whose holinesse (they said) moued 82the Emperour Constantine the fourth (if they father not a falsehode on him after his death) to decree, that henceforth the Pope of Rome should hauehave authoritie ouer the people without the licence of the Emperoure, or the sixe states of Italy, whiche lasted not long. He reedified diuers temples enriching them with vessels of golde, syluer and guilt, with coapes of cloth of tissue, and cloth of gold, and other iewels, according to the Iewishe ceremonies: and this Pope was the firste that toke vponupon him to be called Christes vicar on earth. Out of Vesunius hyll in Campania, suche aboundaunce of fier spouted, that it burnt vp all the countries, men and cattell rounde about: after whiche it is euident that there ensued, Anno 686. bloudshed, burning, spoyling, and the death of Princes, and especially of this Benedict a Pope of tenne monethes.

17. Iohn the fift.

83IOhn the fifte was borne in Siria, he first of all toke consecration of three bishops, of the bishop of Hostia, Portua, & Veliterne, whiche custome he appointed to be kepte of his successours. And his posteritie do kepe this vse euen vntounto this daye in our Sauiours church at Lateran. In his Popedome he fell sicke, in the whiche time he wrote a vayne and vnlearned booke, touching the dignitie of the pall of an Archebyshop.

18. Conon.

84COnon a Thracian, was made Pope after much wrangling betwene the Romaines, who would hauehave elected one Peter an Archebishop, and the host, preferring one Iohn a priest. This Conon being established, fell sicke and died, Anno 689. He made one Kilianus being before a Scottishe Monke a bishop, and sent him with other into Germanie, to winne the East part of Fraunce to y^e church of Rome. But this Kilian & his company, were at the first …layne of their Auditours, and buried at Herbipolis. One Paschal an Archedeacō, and Treasurer to the said Conon, in this Popes life bribed Iohn Platina, one of the sixe princes of Italy, to make him Pope after the death of Conon. Platina tooke the mony, but he perfourmed not the couenaunt, neyther restored the money.

19. Sergius the first.

85AT this time was great hurlie burly about the election of the Pope: Some chose Theodorus a prieste, some Paschal an Archedeacon. And whyle eueryevery one did ambitiouslye p. 46maintaine his owne faction, either partie with the men of his owne side kept possessiō in some part of Late…an pallaice: But when the chiefe of the clergye, the Romaines, & the army sawe, that this sedition would wexe bloudye, they agreed to appease this tumult, & reiecting both y^e other they chose Sergius an Assyrian borne, & brought him to Lateran Church, and brasting vp the doores they driue oute the seditious electors, and compelled Theodor & Paschal to salute Sergius as Pope. He bestowed great cost in trimming the temples with guilding, images, golden cā delsticks, and curious masons worke, riche clothes, & such stuffe: He (they say) founde a peece of Christ his Crosse in a brasen cofer: He repayred the images of the Apostles being worne out with continuance: He set a new patche vpō the masse, commaunding that Agnus Dei should be songe thrise whē the priest is breaking the bread. And on the day of the annuntiation of the virgin to sing procession: He reclaymed the Church of Aquilia which began to decline from Papistrye. He also by his monks allured the Saxons & Frisians to the same superstition: While Aldhelmus an Englishman waited at Rome to be admitted to a bishopricke, he hard the Pope accused of adulterye, the childe being new borne which was fathered vppon him, Aldhelmꝰ therefore did secretlye admonishe the Pope of this wickednes. Sergius dyed Anno. 701.

20. Iohn the sixt.

IOhn the sixt a Grecian borne, beinge much delighted in 86vanityes as his predecessors were, was very curious in decking the temples. In the time of famine and warre, he nourished a great nomber of poore men with the treasures of the Church (being in deede the worthiest of al Popes for such almes deedes) also he redeemed diuers prisoners oute of bondage: And with threatninge caused Gisulphus captaine of Beneuent (who then wasted Campania) to returne home. This man (as it appeareth) was because of Sergius adultery elected only Pope, and not confirmed, Sergius being restorde againe, and therfore he is not reckened amōg the Popes. Peter Premonstratensis sayth, that Iohn was thrust out againe because of his vnlawful entrance, & therfore he is not enrolled among the Popes.

21. Iohn the seuenth.

87IOhn the seuenth a Grecian, was delighted in nothinge but superstitious garnishinge Churches and images of Saincts, for which he is muche commended: but not one worde spoken of him touching preaching the Gospell. Hee dyed Anno. 707.

22. Sisinius the second.

88SIsinius or Sozymus after great contētion with Dioscorus about the Popedome at lengthe obtayned it: Hee was so sore sicke of the goute, that hee liued Pope but xx. dayes, being neither able to sturre, nor to eat… any thinge: Nauclerus wryteth that he was poisoned by the said Dioscorus in the same yeare that Iohn the seuenth dyed.

23 Constantine the first.

89COnstantine the first being sent for by Iustitian y^e Emperour to come to Constantinople, was the first that euer offered his soueraigne to kisse his feete. At his returne home he condemned Philip Burdan of impiety, because he could not abide the abhominations of Idols, and toke the Images out of the Churche. Furthermore he commaunded that the picture of the Emperour (counting the godly Prince a wicked heretike) should not be receiued, thoughe p. 47it were engrauen in golde or siluer: he cursed all the Emperours coyne: And holdinge a counsell at Rome, he decreed that Images should be had in the Church, & shoulde be worshipped with great reuerence contrary to al Scripture. After this hee moued one Anastasius a mainteyner of images against the said Philippicus, who apprehēding him, reft him of his kingdome, and put out his eyes: when the bishop of Ticinum rebelled against his Metropolitan the Archbishop of Mediolan, the Pope would not recōcile him, but falselye made him tributary by stelth to the Sea of Rome, whereby that bishopricke hath brought it selfe to perpetual bondage. Kinredus and Offa two kings of the Englishe Saxons for their pleasures made a voyage to Rome, and when they were there, the Pope made theym forsake their kingdomes, & turned them into monkes: hee dyed Anno 715. He was the first that gaue his feete to be kissed of Emperours.

24. Gregory the seconde.

GRegory the second bestowed his time in repayring and 90building spiritual houses & Churches with great coste: Hee forbad a nonne, a nouesse, an abbesse, a deaconesse or a spirituall Godmother to marrye: He ordained that masse should be said eueryevery friday in Lent: and caused prayers often to be said because of straūg sights in y^e ayre: He would hauehave masse said no where but in an hallowed place: He persecuted euen to death, those that woulde not worship images. By his authority he compelled Luith Prandus king of Italye at the first withstanding it, to ratifye Arithpertus donations beinge vniuste, onelyonly to maintaine the ro…at of the clergye: He moued the subiectes of the Emperour Leo to breake into opē rebelliō, because their images were taken away: He caused Spaine, Aemilia, Luguria, Italye and other countreys to reuolt, and defye their obeysance to the Emperour. The Emperour would hauehave no worshipping of images in the Church, and therefore the Pope did both excōmunicate him & put hym from his kingdome, & threatned him eternall dampnation. And thus the Emperours of the East lost their title in Italye. Gregory dyed Anno 731.

25 Gregory the third.

91GRegory the third was a stout champion for the Church of Rome and their ambitiō. He did excommunicate his soueraigne the Emperour Leo, because he destroyed images. He ioyned to him Carolus Metellus y^e bastard lieuetenaunt of the Frenchmen, to maintaine the estate of the bishop of Rome against the Lombardes: By helpe of the Lombardes, he draue the Grecians out of Italy. And afterwarde oppressed the Lombardes them selues by the helpe of Fraunce, and absolued all Italy from the oath of their dewe alleageance sworne to the Empire. He busied him selfe in taking care, and bestowing costes on churches, abbyes, celles, altars, & Images. In a Synode at Rome, he maintained that the Images of dead sainctes should be worshipped, decreeing excommunication against those that would do the contrary. He layde vp in Peters Pallayce y^e reliques of sainctes, and commaunded that on eueryevery daye masse should be said there to them. In the Cannons wherof hee addinge certaine clauses, clowted it with this pece, Quorum solemnitates hodie. &c. Hee forbad to eate horse fleshe. He trāslated the tuiciō of the churche, from the Grekes to the Frenchemen: He set the Apostles Images in churches seuerally by them selues. He wrote to Boniface an Englisheman, that their priestes ought to hauehave shauen crownes, that should pray for the dead at masse, and that they ought to praie, and to offer sacrifice for the dead. After these and like dedes he died, Anno 742.

p. 4826. Zacharias a Grecian.

ZAcharias emplied his witte and wealth in pompeous and gorgeous buylding: Amōg other vaine sumptuousnes, 92he was the first that gaue golden coapes decked with pearles and stones, to the churche for holy vses. He gaue a stipende to the churche towarde the charge of the lampe oyle. He deuised the manner and fashion of priestes apparell: He deuided the East churche from the West churche. He translated out of Latin into Greke, Gregories foure bookes of Dialogues, to the entent to plante the opinion of Purgatorie among the Grecians, which they neuer receiued yet. He made it vnlawefull to mary the vnkles wife, the vnkle being dead, although Gregorie the third allowed it. He cōmaunded gosseps (as we call them) in no wyse to marye together. He commaunded the Venetians (a Godly dede) that vponupon payne of curse they should not for lucre sel their children of Christians to the Saracenes. Taking vponupon him the power of God after a sort, he presumed very churlishly and cruelly, to depose kings from their estate, and to make kynges. He was the firste that attempted to release subiectes of their alleageance. For Pipinus sonne of the bastarde Charles Martell, & traytour to his Prince, by his messengers obtained of Pope Zacharye, that he woulde depose king Childericus from the crowne of Fraunce, and geue it to him and his heyres. The Pope remembring the late dede of Pipinus his father, in y^e Popes behalfe against the Lombardes, & thinking by this meanes that he should be the better able to encoūter the Emperoure of the East, graūted this trayterous request. And sent straight charge and highe commission to the estates of Fraunce, that they shoulde depose their present king Childericus, shaue his head, put him into an Abbey, and so make him a Monke: And after this they should acknowledge Pipin beinge cō firmed and annoynted by the Archebishop Boniface, to be their soueraigne and kyng. Furthermore he chaunged Lachis king of Lombardy, Charolomannus, and other from their royall estate, and made them Monkes. After tenne yeares raigne, he died, Anno 752. One Steuen a Deacō, was chosen to succede him, who being wakened out of slepe to go about his affaires, being taken with the falling sickenesse, died presently, and therefore is not accompted Pope.

27. Steuen the second.

STeuen the seconde, immediatly stept in after this other 92Steuen, who for his superstitious and ambitious dealing in their religion, is compted of the Papistes a Godly byshop: But note the misterie of his iuggling, he hauing thus by craft and guyle obtayned the Popedome, he immediatly subdued to the sea of Rome, all the dominion of Rauenna, which had wrought the Pope so much displeasure, and beside many other countreys in Italy, thereby to obtaine the kingdome of Italy. He craued of Pipin importunatly to reuenge his quarell against A…stulphus kyng of Lombardy, for demaunding subsidie of him and his Prelates. Pipin to gratifie the Pope, in consideration of the kingdome of Fraunce gotten by his meanes, after he had longe besieged, & often assaulted, the dominion of Rauenna, at the length deliuering it from the garison of Lombardy, yelded it as a present to the Pope, with al y^e townes thereof, euē to the goulph of Uenice. And thus they robbed the Emperour of that dominion, and withal pulled down the thirde part of the strengthe of the Romaine Empire, empairing thereby the East Empire. And as for the weste Empire, which then was arising, it lost his strengthe likewyse. But Pope Steuen hereupon annoynting bastarde Pipin and his two sonnes agayn…, and geuing him a pardon for falsefying his oath of alegeaunce, did more ratifie p. 49him and his, in the kingdom for euer, cursing all those that at any time should speake against him. Also he shaued Childericus againe, and made him newely Monke, and so put him afreshe into an Abbey, to make all sure. Pipin for this fel downe flat on the ground & kissed the Popes feete, held his stirropes, and toke the bridle in his hande, and played the osteler, an… vowed perpetuall fealtie to the Pope. The Pope to thanke God for this benefite of so great honour, whiche nowe began, caused procession to be song through all Rome, and the Apostles tombes and other sainctes reliques to be borne about and shewed openly, and him selfe to be caried triumphantly through the middes of the people on his porters shoulders in his Pontificalibus. Which vse of being borne on mens shoulders, his successours hauehave estemed as a moste holy thing. He confirmed by his auctoritie, that all Popes tradicions should be taken for good. He forgaue all treasons against Princes: for the hatred he bare the Grecians, he studied to chaunge the Empire frō them into Fraunce. He furnished the churches in Fraunce with pricke song and descant. And whatsoeuer henceforth could be wrested from the Empire, he cōmaūded it should be S. Peters see, and so dedicated to the churche of Rome: he died Anno 757.

28 Paule the first.

PAule the first was brother to the said Steuen: hee after 93wrangling and iarring betwene him and one Theophilact, succeded: and followinge the daunce that his auncetours had ledde him, threatningly and fearcely he restored the images, which Cōstantine Emperour of Cōstantinople had abrogated: but Constantine stāding stoutly in his opinion, and defyinge his vaine curses and threates, wythstoode images wyth all his power euen to his death. This Paule honoured much the body of one Petronilla y^e daughter of S. Peter, and toke her karkasse out of the grounde, remouinge it to another place, and enlarged and repayred diuers Churches, adding manye ceremonies to them: At length he dyed through the extremity of the heate of sommer Anno 767. In his time (as Peter Premonstratensis sayth) starres fell from heauen to the earth, accordinge to the 6. of the Apocalips: And immediatly after this Charles the great begā to raigne, who builded 24. monasteries.

29. Constantine the second.

94COnstantine the seconde being but a layman, by strong hand was made Pope (though manye other stoode for it) through the doinges of his brother Desiderius kinge of Lomberdye, and through Totho duke of Nepesia: but this hastines at lēgth is brought to none effect, because Cōstantine had not taken Ecclesiastical orders. Herevppon arose great discord amōg the clergye: in which tumult one Philip was chosen, but because he wanted artilary & power to mayntaine his parte, hee was forced to depose himselfe againe: Constantine obtayned the Popedome a yeare, and that pontificallye: but in the ende a councell beinge gathered of Italian and Frenche bishops, in their great rage & furye they put him out, and with great reproch clapte him in an abbey as in a perpetuall prisō, hauing both the Popedome taken from him and his eyes put out Anno. 708. Some do not count him among the Popes because he was a laye man, and disalowe all his doing, sauinge Baptisme and Chrisme: But the next yeare after, his brother Desiderius comminge to Rome vnderunder pretence of prayinge, got those that put his brothers eyes, and rewarded them with the like punishment.

30. Steuen the thirde.

p. 50STeuen the thirde is commended to be a stout maintayner 95of Romishe traditions and auctoritye: for in a Synode in Lateran hee did disanull all that his predecessour Constantine had done: The bishops by him created were disgraded, if they had no absolution, hee commaunded y^t vppon paine of excommunication no laye man should presume to be Pope wythoute ecclesiasticall orders. Hee condemned the seuenth councell of Constantinople as hereticall: And did againe establishe setting vppe of Images, which by that counsell was condemned: He taughte that images shoulde be worshipped, and encreased the worshipping of them, and commaunded that they should be hallowed wyth Frankinsence. Hee broughte to his subiection Mediolan Church, which euer before had beene free. Hee sued to Charles the Emperour, & obtayned to depose Desiderius of his kingdome. Hee appointed those that brake theyr Canons, to sing Gloria in excelsis on Sōdayes: and that in the solemnitye of the masses it should be song on S. Peters altar by seuen bishops being Cardinals: He went one time (to counterfaict Christ in his doings) barefooted in procession. He dyed Anno 772.

31. Hadrian the first.

HAdrian the first was a meete champion to maintaine y^e 96dignitye, which his predecessours had encroched: Hee bestowed cost on altars, dead m…ns tombes, dead mens bones, and Churches: Hee attributed more worship to images then euer any did, and wrote a booke of the honour and profite of them: and pointed them in steede of Scriptures to be layemens bookes: He condemned in a coūsaile those that detested images, as one Foelix & other: By the ayde of Charles the Emperour, he delyuered the Sea of Rome from the perill of all other Princes: He was the first that with his leaden Bull did honour theyr decrees, dispensations, and priuiledges. Hee forbad that anye infamous parson should be promoted to priesthoode, & that the clergye should not be sued oute of theyr owne court: Charlemaine kinge of Fraunce and brother to Charles the Emperour being deade, his wyfe Bertha came wyth her two sonnes vntounto this Hadrian, suinge to him that he would annoint and establish these her sonnes in theyr fathers kingdome: But this holye sier least he should offende theyr vncle themperour, cast of the orphanes, despised theyr sute, & refused to do it: & finally committed to perpetual slauerye, both the children and theyr mother, w^t Desiderius king of Lombardye, his wyfe, his children and his kingdom, whō Charles caryed into Fraunce wyth hym, where they liued long in care and miserye, vntil they dyed. And thus Gods vicar vseth orphanes, wydowes and poore Princes: To cloake all this hee fedde in the porche of Lateran pallaice, a hundreth poore folke euerye daye. But Charles in recompence hereof after he had kissed the Popes feete, cōfirmeth to the Pope his fathers gift, that is the townes pertaynīg to the Dominiō of Rauenna: and like an vniust pyrate, he added to the Popes possessions, Venice, Histria, the dukedome of Fotriiulenia, the dukedome of Spolet, & Beneuēt, and other lands. Also he made Hadrian Prīce of Rome & of Italy & ratifyed y^e Popes Empyre, by spoyling the kingdom of Lombardy, and ioyning so in league w^t the Pope, y^t who so delt wyth the one, shoulde be ennemye to both: Agayne Adrian caused Charles and his successors the kings of Fraūce, to hauehave the title of most Christian king, and like a subtill fox hee gaue him power to chuse the Pope, and to make bishoppes through all his dominions, but that lasted not long, and so vsed him, that in deede he had but the bare name of the Romaine Emperour. This Hadrian cloathed the bodye of S. Peter all in siluer, and couered the Altar of S. Paule, with a pall of gould. He dyed Anno 796.

p. 5132. Leo the thirde.

LEo the thirde as sone as he cought the Popedome, by & by sent S. Peters keyes and the banner of Rome with 97other giftes to Charles the Emperour, desyringe him to binde the Romaines by an oath, to become subiecte to the bishop of Rome. Charles to pleasure him, sent one Agilbert an Abbot, who compelled the Romaines by his commaundement to sweare allegeaunce vntounto the Pope. Hereupon the Pope purchased such deadly hate among the people, that as he was ones going on procession, certaine furious parsones fell vpō him, and beate him from his horse, and stripping him starke naked out of his pōtificall roabes whipped him very sore: But at length when Charles came, they (knowyng his good will towarde the Pope) turned their former hatred into louelove and fauour, and durst not auouche the faultes layde against him. Therefore when he asked of his conuersation, they aunswered with one voyce that the sea Apostolicall, ought to be iudged by no layman. After the whiche aunswere the Pope affirming, and swearing him selfe to be giltlesse, the Emperoure being pacified, doth absolue him, and pronounced him innocent: For with curtesie the Pope desirous to be thankefull, with a great voyce proclaimed Charles Emperoure, & ioyned him with himself, & set the Diademe on his head, y^t Romaines in y^e meane time cried, God graūt life & successe to Charles our mighty Emperoure. Thus was the name of the Romaine Emperoure restored, so as the Popes aucthoritie should not be empaired. Hereof the custome continued that he who should receaue the scepter of the Empire, shoulde be ioyned in auctoritie in Rome by the Pope. From this time, being in the yeare. 801. the honour of the Romayne Empire, was first translated frō the Grekes to the French men by the Pope, and after at his good pleasure, from thē to the Germaines. This Pope also pronounced Pipin of Fraunce sonne to the sa…e Charles, king of the same parte of Italy, whiche neither he nor any of his predecessours could euer suddu…: whiche he did for this pollicie, that the kinges of Fraunce hauing y^e title Emperial, should neuer suffer him to lose his maiestie. For this cause (saith Hieronymus Marius) y^e Pope wrought perpetual dissentions betwene the Emperours of the West, and of the East, to the great spoyle of Christian bloud. Thus vponupon condi…ion that Charles and his should sweare perpetuall homage and fealtie to the churche of Rome, he made him Emperour. He first appointed to hallowe the altar with frankinsense. He made the Popes decrees to be of greater auctoritie then al the writinges of the doctours. Also he caused that a certain counterfeit bloud made by a conueiaunce to ronne from a wodden roode, should be taken to be the very & true bloud of Christe: And caryed it to Mantua where to this daye it is preserued, reuerenced, and worshipped. He by his auctoritie allowed it to be so, appointing for it yearely a solemne holydaye. Such was the dotage of the time, wherof Mantuan bewitched with this enchauntement, writeth to the Emperour Charles, of the Popes iourney.

VVhyle Leo hearing of the brute

of counterfaited blood,

VVhiche founde was lately streaming from

a crucifixe of wood,

He hieth him to Mantua:

where he perceiuing well

The wonderous woorkes wherein this bloud

so straungely did excell,

He thought wee should it as the bloud

of Iesus Christeesteme,

That earst was shed vponupon the crosse

our soules for to redeme.

An abhominable elusion and blasphemy to say, & teache p. 52that the glorified bloud of Christe should shead it selfe in a rotten idoll, whiche as the Apostle saith, was ones shed for all, & that out of his precious body. But the Popes auctoritie in this matter, caused this to be beleued, almoste of all men. But so Paule prophecied the cōming of Antechrist, to bee in false signes to deceiue the vnbeleuing: Leo died, Anno. 816. Vspergensis saith, that in this time of Leo, the Sunne was darkened and lost his light for eightene days, so that the shippes ofte on the sea wandred to and fro: Also that in an other yeare it was twyse in the Eclipse, firste in Iune, secondly in December: Likewise the same yere, the Moone was twyse in the Eclipse, in Iuly and in Ianuary.

33. Steuen the fourth.

STeuen the fourth, the thirde monethmonth after he had taken 98the Popeship vponupon him, made a voiage into Fraunce to Lewis the Emperour, to purge him selfe of election, wherby he was made Pope, because he was chosen, and confirmed by the Clergie, and the people, contrary to the decree made by Hadrian and Leo. And thus their owne decrees whiche the former predecessour made, the next successour broke. But to flatter and dally with the Emperoure for a while, he brought with him a fayre crowne of Remis, and put it on the Emperours head, & put another on the Empresse head, naming her Augusta. When he had receiued his rewarde of the Emperour, & should returne, y^e churche of Reata wanted a bishop, and yet Steuen very subtelly would electe none, onlesse he might firste knowe, whether the Emperour would allowe his doing: but note the sequele. As sone as he was returned safe to Rome, he began to consider that the prerogatiue which was geuen to Charles and his successours, might be a bridelling to the sea of Rome: being embouldened the more, because Lewis was a gentle persone, and a tractable man: he disanulled al that▪ auctoritie and right, and affirmed that it ought to belonge to the Clergie, the people, & the senate, to electe the Pope. But to auoyde the Emperours displeasure, he vsed this interpretation, that it was lawefull for them to chuse him without the Emperours auctoritie, but not to consecrate him, but in the presence of him or his embassadours. And thus the Emperours were a litle shouldered out from the election of these prelates. And beside this because he raigned but eight monethes, he coulde not any further enhance the pompe of his seate, dying, Anno. 817.

34. Paschal the first.

99PAschal the first a Romishe monke, was chosen withoute the consent of the Emperour, according to the glose deuised by Steuen: but when the Emperour complayned, y^t he found himselfe agreeued with the election, Paschall verye craftelye wrote vntounto him purging himselfe therof. In processe of time when he perceyued y^• the Emperour (vpō blinde zeale to religion) was a greate maintayner of the Church of Rome, he thinking that it were daungerous, if he shoulde delaye the enlarging of his auctoritye: did so craftelye charme and enuegle the Emperour, that he yelded whollye to the Romaynes all his auctoritye touching the election of the Pope, which was giuen to Charles, and he confirmed by wrytinge hys auncetours presentacions, which they had wrongfully purloyned. This did the Emperour confirme with hande and seale, not knowing theyr crafte. But after y^t when this Emperour Lewes minding to hauehave his sonne Lotharius ioyned w^t him in the Empyre, and for the more cōueniēt doing therof sent him to Rome, to be crowned there by the Pope king of Italy: which after y^t the Pope had done, whiile Lothariꝰ (because of a certaine tumulte and sedition there arysing) fled to his father for ayde to suppresse it, leauing behind him one Theodorus p. 53and Leo, chiefe officers aboute him, who stoode stoutlye in theyr maisters quarrel, the Pope secretly and trayterouslye caused certaine seditious persons to pul out theyr eyes, and afterward to strike of their heades. And when he was accused to the Emperour both of the sedition, and of this murther, he picking out for his purpose a counsell of Prelates, purged himselfe by his othe: notwithstāding he absolued and pardoned those that were giltye and knowen offenders, he accused them that were slaine to be giltye of treason against the Emperour, and finallye auouched, that they were lawfully put to death. This Paschall they say (if they ouer reach not in the nomber) did take vp ii. thousand saincts karkases, that were buryed in Churchyards, and bestowed more honourable tombes vppon them in other places: He commaunded to worship and reuerence y^e reliques of Saincts: He was beneficiall to stone walles, as Churches, and altars diuersly. Last of all he gaue cō maundement to the clergye, that they should not take any benefice or Ecclesiasticall lyuinge at the handes of a layeman. He dyed Anno. 824.

35. Eugenius the second.

EVgenius gat the Popedome with much brablinge and 100strife among the fathers of the election, for first one Zizimus had it graunted him: but the discorde beinge ended Eugenius gat it both for his curtesye & eloquence (as they say) who as Premonstratensis sayth, y^t while he was Cardinal of S. Sabines, bestowed on the Church a siluer cuppe and a stately picture, but now in his Popedome, he so busied himselfe aboute corne matters, as if he had bene borne to feede manye men: and yet some saye that his eyes were put out by the Romaynes, other say by the priests that hated him. In this mans time Lotharius the Emperour appointed magistrates in Italy, to gouerne and brydel the Romaynes, because they abused their libertye very much which they had vnderunder Charles: which deede as manye thincke hastened the death of Eugenius. Michael y^e Emperour of Constantinople sent Embassadours to Lewes y^e Emperour, desyringe to be resolued concerninge Images, whether they should be worshipped or abandoned: and Lewes sent them to Pope …ugenius to be instructed, but Eugenius aunsweare was neuer knowne. He raigned 4. yeares and then dyed. Anno. 827.

36. Valentine the first.

101VAlentine the first being yet but deacon & not ful priest, was made Pope, he was a man of a quicke wit, able to perswade and diswade. And some write that there was in him such excellent hope, that he would hauehave raigned more happelye and in better order then the rest, wher…y the fathers aboute, feared the decaye of theyr former holynesse, for he neuer did any thing that was not liked. He dyed the fourth day of his raigne, and as some thinke poysoned.

37. Gregorie the fourth.

102GRegorie the fourth would not take the Popeship vponupon him (fearing the sequeale) vntill that y^e Emperour had allowed the election, and by this man the Emperours had restored to them theyr right of cōfirming the Pope, which yet lasted but a while. In this Popes time there was a counsaile of bishops held by the commaundement of Lewes at Aquisgran, where it was decreed (Gregorie being president of the counsaile, that eueryevery Church should hauehave reuenewes of his owne, wherby the clergye might be maintayned, and not be constrained to forsake their cure and office, and giuegive themselues to occupations of lucre. And it was concluded that none of the clergye of what soeuer degree, p. 54should weare anye precious or purple garmentes, neither weare any ringes, nor i…wels, vnlesse it were a ring at saying masse. Againe that they should not kepe a great traine and familye, neither horses, dysing, nor vnhonest women, and that monkes shoulde not exceede in glottonye and feasting, and that the clergye should weare neither golde nor siluer in theyr shoes, slippers, nor girdles, which (sayth Platina) are far disagreeing with religion, and most manifest tokēs of incō …nencye. Yet such was theyr royat then, which continued so that Platina in y^e lite of this Gregorie cryeth out in these wordes.

O Emperour Lewes I would thou were liuinge in oure time, the Church nowe wanteth thy holye lawes, and thy iustice, for Ecclesiasticall persons do so wallow in al kind of lust and royat: Ye might now see thē pranked in crymson, with bruchies and Iewels, and that not men onelye, which perhaps might seeme tollerable, but also their horses and beastes. And while our prelats passe abroade, a lustye troupe of youthes, go ietting before them, & a knot of chaplins following behinde: and they themselues not ryding on sillye asses, (as Christ the author of our religiō, and onelye pate…ne of good life in earth did) but vppon their neyeng and trampling horses, al betrapped as if they roode in triumphe after a conquest of an ennemye Touchinge their siluer plate and statelye furniture of houses, and delicate fare, it booteth not to speake: vvhen as their dainty diet excelleth all that euer was in Sicilli, their roabes passe all the pompe of Attalus, their vessels staine all the plate of Corinth: but what wil come of this intemperancye, I saye nothing. Thus complayneth Platina.

But to returne to Gregorie, he made diuers holy dayes for saincts, as Bartholmew, Gregorie, Sebastian & others, he was beneficiall to Churches and deadmens bones. By the Emperours helpe he draue the Moores out of Italye: he procured tenthes to be giuē to the Churches, and deuised solemne erection of Sepulchers. He dyed Anno. 843.

38. Sergius the second.

103SErgius the seconde was before called hogs snoute, he being made Pope did first bringe vp this vse y^t the Popes should chaunge theyr names. To confirmation of whom y^t Emperour sente hys sonne with auctoritye Emperiall to Rome, and manye nobles to attend on him: which kinde of confirmation they were wonte all to attende vppon, vntill Hadrian the thirde told the Romaines, that they oughte not to loke for the Emperours good will in creatinge the Pope. This Sergius was the first that of himselfe renounced his Christian name giuen him in baptisme: He appointed y^t Agnus Dei should be said thrise at masse, & the oste the while to be deuided into 3. partes:A nevv patch set on the masse. He bestowed paines as other did on dead mens tombes. He dyed. Anno 846.

39. Leo the fourth.

LEo the fourth toke the Popeship vnderunder Lotharius the 104Emperour, and bestowed manye ornamentes on Romain cities & churches, for he builded a tower in Vatican, he repayred the wall and towne gates, and raysed about them euen from the foundation xv. fortresses, whereof hee planted two verye well at the ende of the riuer Tiber, to beate backe the force of the ennemye. He builded a newe S. Maryes Church, and gaue an Alter of iiii. crownes for martyrs bones, he repayred the Castell of S. Angell, and made seates of Marble in the porche of Lateran. Hitherto he played the bayliffe of husbandrye, but after this he became a warrier and captayne of an armye. For when the Sarracens made manye a roade into Italye and spoiled the countrye, first he promised them heauen that would fight for the defence of his state, thē mustring the Romaine garrison p. 55he making the signe of the Crosse, encountereth the ennemies, and with this prayer (as they say) O God whose right hand &c. at Hostia gate he put them to flight and ouercame them. Afterwarde he summoned to a counsayle 47. bishops, wherein hee condemned one Marcellus of diuers crymes: But afterward he gaue sentēce that a bishop should not be condemned without 72. wytnesses. He first began (contrarye to the counsaile of Aquisgran) to decke the Popes Crosse with precious stones, & commaunded it to be caryed before him: Hee toke vppon him to profer his feete to be kissed, and decreed that none of the laitye should abide in the quier at masse time, but onelyonly he which attended on the Alter. He appointed sondrye hollyedayes, and seueral prayers and solemnityes to them. He was accused of many crymes, but speciallye that he went about by auctorie of a counsell, to translate the Empyre from Fraunce into Germanye, but he purged himselfe by his oath. He dyed Anno. 854. In this Popes time Anno 847. Ethelwolphus beinge first a monke of single life, hauing a dispē sation from the Pope, left his monkery and became kinge of Englande, making his dominion tributarye to the Sea of Rome, appointing a certaine taxe of money to be leuied yearely of euerye house, and payed to Rome: And thus all Englande became thrall to Rome, to the fulfillinge of the saying in the 17. of thapocalips concerninge the x. kinges, These hauehave one counsell and power, and shal giuegive their power vntounto the beast.