The Bee Hive of the Romish Church, Part 6

The Bee Hive of the Romish Church · Part 6

Now followeth the exposition vponupon the sixth and last part of Maister Gentian Heruet his Epistle, treating of the ignorance and wicked life of the Huguenote preachers, and of the Holines of the Pope, and other Prelates.

The first Chapter. Declaring the lothing of Gentian Heruet, and what we… must doe, when a Priest doeth lothe so much, that he doeth cast the Sacrament out of his stomache, after he hath said Masse.

IN the sixt and last part saieth Maister Gentian, that he doth maruellouslie lothe, when hee considereth the qualitie, that is, the custome and life of the newe Huguenot Preachers. But it were not good that he should consider that to much, after he hath song Masse: for otherwise he might make a mad sturre, and giuegive the holie Church both her hands full. He might by ouerlothing, cast a calfe, and so cause the louing God to voide his stomacke. p. 281Were not that a goodlie loathing? It is true in deede, that the Romish church is prouided in this respect, that who so doeth cast the calfe, shall againe suppe vp the same without salt. Yet hereby might growe a greeuous matter: for the calfe might cause him to lothe more, then he did before: insomuch as the good God would lodge no longer in his stomacke, and then should we be driuen to burne him, and to keepe the holie ashes for a relique vnderunder some aultar. This were (in verie deede) most blasphemous, and worst of all for our deare mother the holie Church, that shee should handle the matter with her blessed God, as she doeth with Heretikes and Huguenotes.

True it is, that vponupon a time, when the Doctors were assembled together at Paris, and with this matter beeing greatlie encombred, there was one of the ancient which did esteeme and passe it verie lightlie, saying: Seeing hee did permit himselfe to be crucified of the Iewes, why should he not suffer him self to be burnt of vsus? And thervpon was it concluded, that which (yet in these dayes) is to bee seene in the Cantils of Masses, and all Masse bookes, This is in the Masse booke, & … thus iudged in the Councel of Orlians, in the 5. Chap.to wit, that both he, and the cast Calfe, shall together bee burnt without redemption, and thereof to be made holie ashes, for to seale, on the first day in Lent, or on Ashewednesday, all good, godlie, or deuoute people therewithall on their forehead.

Yet were it not meete in these dayes, to followe that Councell in burning him, seeing the Heretikes doe on all sides so ouercharge him: for if he perceiue nowe, that the Catholikes will also burne him, his heart might fal into his heeles, & cause him to loose his courage quite, and than our game were quite lost. Therefore I would wishe Maister Gentian to be friendlie in treated, not to loth so sore, especiallie after he hath said Masse: or else, if in cace his stomacke be so tender, that he cannot abide anie filthines, he ought to beware frō looking to muche on the Huguenote preachers forsomuch as they bring such lothsomnes to his stomacke.

The ii. Chapter. Of the great knowledge & holines of Priestes & Monks.

BVt I pray you let vsus heare, whereat he doth so much loath. Hee saith first, that they are the most ignorant and the moste p. 282vnlearned, which are to bee founde in the world: & after that, that they are likewise of a wicked life. But before he doth come so far, he doth aboue al, protest, That there is in some Priests & Monkes, & other religious persons, a certaine excessiue and beastly ignorāce. yea, that some do lead a verie lewde life. Which he doth handle verie wisely & circumspectly, to the end we should the sooner beleeue him to desire a reformation, aswell as others do. Like as we may lightly gather hereof (according as himselfe doth witnes) that he hath expounded the sixth article of the coūcell of Calcedonie, & permitted the same to bee extant in print. Is not this a great matter, & an vnfallible token, that he meanes the reformation of the mind? He hath assuredly deserued hereby a fatt benefice, or a Bishops myter. Yet doe I not regard so much the first point, that there are such ignorant Priestes, which cannot reade their Masse nor Dirige bokes. And if they can do that, what neede they any further? Therfore is Gentian to blame, to esteme them vnlearned: howbeit, I surmise he hath done thus, to shew that he hath learned Rhetorica, or The arte of eloquence and vtterance. For thereby is learned, That if we seeke greatlie to rebuke any man, it cannot be done more aptlie, than by dilating and amplifying his default, in comparing him to some one, who hath bene tainted with the like. For, as touching the Monkes, it is no maruell, though they are vnlearned, seeing their profession doeth require the same: and the more ignorant they bee, the welcomer and more acceptable are they to their Couent. For those which are verie well learned, hauehave commonlie to much tongue, and therefore are often punished: and if then they do not mend, they are throwen into a dungeon, or are closed somewhere betwixt two walles in a seller, and there permit them to liue so long as they can. Like as might hauehave bene seene a yeere ago at Antwerpe, Ghaunt, and other places more, which hauehave remained there, some eight or ten yeeres, some twentie, and thirtie yeeres. Therefore it is no maruell, though Monkes be vnlearned: insomuch as in the Latin tongue is vsed a common prouerbe: Monacho indoctior, that is to say, A great Asse or dolt, and more vnlearned than a Monke. Yea, they hauehave a speciall Latin tongue for their own p. 283vse, which the learned sorte them selues can not vnderstand, and is called,Friers latin. Friers latin, or, Kitchen latin. But touching Priestes, they neede no great learning: for, if they can but onelie repeate the fiue secrete wordes of the Masse without giuing Priscian or Despauter a bobbe on the face (that is to say,Priscian or Despauterie were men, which wrote the latin Grammer, or the rules for the latin tōgue. And therfore it is vsuallie said, that those whiche speake false latin, do strike Pris. and Despau. on the face. without intermingling of Friers latin) than is the matter cocke sure: They are more learned then the Angels in heauen: for they can make God, which thing the Angels can not doe. And if besides that, they knowe but howe to brewe of the smallest sort of latin withall, then hath their sowe pigd, they may bee bold to inuite their neighbors to the feast, and serue out messes with the great Laten ladell: for then they may not onelie bee parish Priestes, but also Bishops, Prelates, Cardinals, yea Popes them selues. And what more can they craue? For, touching their life, we must alwayes coniecture the best, like as is commaunded in the Decrees, and not to thinke that those which dailie do handle God,This is openlie commaunded in the Decrees cap. in scriptis, dist. 96. would commit anie thing, that is not to be allowed. Therfore, if a Priest do kisse a maid, or grope her about the pappes, we must suppose, that he is about to shrieue her, or doeth giuegive her absolution for her sinnes. And if sobe any man doth take them opēlie with the manner, he must couer, or lap them about with his own cloake, lest he make them ashamed. For they are euen by nature verie shamefast, & change collour, like a pewter platter: otherwise may not anie correct or punish thē (as is shewed before) w^t the expressed wordes of the Sodomites, which would not be corrected of Loth: yea although they were the veriest smelsmocks which might liue. For they are of that nū ber which plead, Noli me tāgere, Touch me not.

The iii. Chapter. VVhichWhich treateth, whether the spiritualtie doe likewise practise knauerie: and here is repeated the high & noble stocke of the Clergie, their forefathers▪ progenie, brought into 32. degrees, and ech set out and beautifi…d with his armes, crestes, banners, and knightlie actes.

IN recording or calling to mind the sūme hereof,Knauerie of the Clergie. a deuout & wel disposed catholike mind might suppose, whether it were possible for the most reuerend spiritual professors (whose daily exercise is to make god, & who are created and descended from the stocke of the most holie father the Pope of Rome) might vse, or were able to exercise p. 284any kind of knauerie or wicked dedes? God forbid, that anie such matters should passe in our thoughts. For howe were that possible? Seeing they are all sprong forth of so noble a stocke, & descended of so worthie, so righteous & holy forefathers (whose footsteps they followe so feruently) that a mans heart must melt away, to heare the same rehearsed. But to the end it may seme no iest, I will (as brieflie as I may) define their noble & worthie progenie, and set it foorth to eche mans sight, to the ende these birds may be knowen by their kind, & these coltes by their dammes. And for that eche thing may appeare substantiall, I will (after the sagest and ancientest maner of these noble Dom Cannons of Colen & Ludick) bring their stocke into 32. degrees, to wit, eight from the fathers father,32. degr…es of the Clerg…. & eight from the fathers mother: also eight frō the mothers father, and eight from the mothers mother. For whoso can describe these degrees in their proper and deserued armes & banners, without doubt, there is nothing to be gainsaied, but that he may not only be a dom Cānon, but also freely possesse al the priuiledges of a Gentleman, and account himselfe to descend of the worthiest race. Like as eche (who herein hath anie knowledge) will easilie condiscend. Therefore, if cace I can declare anie such thing of the old discent of the holie forefathers of the spiritualtie, then is the case sixe, and (spite their teeth) they must bee famous. For the bloud wil not lie, and a Goose can laie no Owles egges. It must be most true and certein, or Mussels are no fishe.

The first 8. quarters.Concerning then the first eight quarters, they proceede onlie of noble, most famous, and renoumed Heretikes, notorious blasphemers of God, and shameles deriders, which hauehave plaied mocke holie daye with all religious and godlie setuice. For in place of the first, they hauehave the holie father & Pope Liberius, Liberiusvponupon whom they builde their stocke: who, after he had first stedfastlie professed the trueth (& for the same had bene banished by the Emperour Constantius,Searche for t…is Pope Liberius, Athanasius in the Epistle to those whiche liue in vnitie. Also the histories of Platina, of Iohn Maiero, and the historie tripartite, and Abbas Vispergensis. did afterwardes reuoke, and, to please the Emperour, did turne his coate: and reputed him self amongst the Arrians, (which denied the eternall Deitie or godhead of Christ.) And being for that cause banished, was (through the intreatie of the Noble Romane women) which were also of the Arrians disposition, called home againe p. 285from his banishment, and restored anewe vntounto his seate, from whence hee had bene driuen before: Insomuch as there was great dissention and brabling betwixt him and Pope Foelix, who had in his absence occupied his place: which Foelix, Iohn de Maier… in the booke of Councells.Hierome and Eusebius also do witnes to hauehave bene an Heretike, and for that cause obteined the Seate of Rome, howbeit other Historiographers write the cōtrarie. After that, they count their discent from Anastasius the second, who in the dayes of Anastasius the Emperour,Anastatius the second. about the yeere of our Lord 500. did likewise decline from the trueth, and consented to the Nestorians, Hereof peruse Platina and …ascicul temporum, and the decrees cap. Anast. dist. 19. with the glosse vponupon the same, & Nauel.who denied the humanitie or manhood of Christ: yea, he sought by al meanes possible, to call the Heretike Acatius from his banishment home againe, and vsed likewise free accesse and companie with Photinus the heretike: in so much that he was forsaken of al true beleeuing Bishops: and at last (being stroken by the hand of God) did (in easing him selfe) voide all his intrailes, and departed this life as Arrius did before him.

Thirdlie, they boast them selues vppon Boniface the eight,Boniface the 8 who reigned in the times of the Emperours Adolphus and Albertus: this prouerbe (in those dayes) passing of him: Intrauit vt vulpes, regnauit vt leo, mortuus est vt Canis: that is to say,Touching this, read Cornelius Abbatus, Iohn Maierus. Volaterranus in his 22. booke. Platina, Chronicon Charionis, Baleus and other Historiographers. He entred like a fox, raigned like a lion, and died like a dogge. For when Coelestin the fift (a good simple companion) did possesse the Sea of Rome, and for his honestie (and specially for that he commaunded the Cardinals to ride no more on horses nor Mules, but vponupon asses) was by them hated & had in contempt. This craftie foxe did ordeine a man, to feine him selfe an Angel of God, who speaking through a gutter or pype which was bored through a wal, did warne Coelestine by night (as in a vision) to giuegive vp his charge, he being vnfit for the place, and therefore to resigne it vntounto some other, more able for that function. Insomuch as this Boniface (by this subtill deuice) obteined the Popedome, mocking with God and his owne profession. And immediatlie after this, fearing least Coelestine might yet giuegive out him selfe for the right Pope, did throwe him into prison, and caused him there (most miserablie) to ende his life. Further, hee play… p. 286many iniurious & vngodlie partes more: for he dispossessed (by meere force) two Cardinals (being of the stocke of the Columneses) not onelie from their Cardinalships, but also from their owne proper inheritances, because they had reported, that hee was not the right and lawfull Pope. Also, he did banish and curse Sara Columna, w^t all the Columneses. He refused to crowne the Emperour Albertus: and setting the crowne vponupon his owne head, and girding the sword to his side, said, I am Emperour my selfe. Yet notwithstanding after that, the King of France did in his owne person crowne him, to spite the Pope: which king of Fraunce (named Philip) hee did likewise excommunicate, and adiudged him to be dispossessed and deposed from his kingdome (the same apperteining to the Emperour Albertus) because hee denied the Pope for his Soueraigne. Yet besides this, in token of his godlinesse, and to the ende eche one might knowe, that hee deririded his owne religion, It fortuned on a tyme in the Citie of Genes, that hee had in handling the Archdeane, named Prochetum, vppon the first daye of Lent, cōmonly called Ashwednesday: And in place that he shoulde print the signe of the crosse on his forehead with hallowed ashes, after the accustomed manner of the Romish Church, and say, Memento homo, quia cinis es, & in cinerem reuerteris, Seeke Nauel. and Chronic. Ca…ion.that is to say, Remember (O man) that thou art ashes, and to ashes thou shalt returne: he tooke a handfull of asshes, and threwe them into the good mans eyes, and said in a great rage, Memento homo, quia Gibellinus es, & cum Gibellinis in cinerem reuerteris, that is to say, Remember (O man) that thou art a Gibelline (for they were called Gibellines, which tooke part with the Emperour) and shalt bee consumed with the Gibellines, to dust: and therewithall did he bereaue him of his benefice. But what shall I say further? It doeth manifestlie appeare, that he hath deserued a good place amongest the first quarters, seeing he was (at a general Coū cell holden in Paris) accused and founde guiltie of three speciall faultes,Seeke for this Councel, and …f his death the Chronicle of France, called, Les Annales de France. namelie, of Murther, Heresie, and Simonie or briberie▪ and for those causes, dispossessed of his Popedome: and shortlie after was taken as prisoner in the towne of Anagnia, where hee was resident, and from thence p. 287conueied to Rome in a prison called castra de. S. Angel ▪ where (through verie spite & malice) hee became raging madde, in so much as hee did gnawe and deuoure his owne handes, and so most miserablie (like to a dogge) ended his life: howbeit, it seemed that the Diuels did maruelouslie mourne for him: for the same whole daye was heard in the prison, where hee died, such great and horrible thunderclappes, & terrible sturre, that it seemed, al the belles, Priestes, and Monkes in hell did sing his Requiem: for he had bene vnspeakable holie, forsomuch as hee was the first which did set forth the shoppe of Indulgencies & pardons, and first brought to light the yere of Iubile. Therefore it is most meete,Ag…ippa de van…tate scientia…. that hee furnishe this thirde place of these eight first quarters.

The fourth place we may (of dutie) attribute to Iohn the 23. forsomuch as hee was a manifest and professed Heretike: defending not onelie by woordes, but also openlie, that the soules die together with the bodies, till the lat…er day of the resurrection. And verelie at his election, the holie spirit of the Cardinals was so zealously inflamed, that two of the most principall were murdered:Reade of this Pope in Ma…o historiarum, Supplementum Chronicorum, Chron. Eusebii, Chron. Carionis, and the extra…a. of Iohn the .22. begin▪ thus. Cum inter n…nnullos. Ex▪ de verborum significatio. yea, he him selfe was inflamed with a burning zeale towardes our deare mother the holie Church: and therefore did condemne the Emperour Lodowick of Beyren for an Heretike, because he would not take the Emperiall crowne at the hands of the holie Pope of Rome: yet was he him selfe afterwardes in a generall Councell found an heretike, and by Nicholas the fift (who possessed his place) was figuratiuelie burnt like an heretike. And further, after his death, were his opinions by his successour Benedict the 12. condemned for heresies. Hee was also before by the Generall of the Gray friers (named Michael of Saesena) complained vppon, and accused of an other heresie, to wit, that he would by force mainteine, against all sufficient and true proofes of the Scripture, That Christ and his Apostles had in this worlde borne temporall rule: yet notwithstanding, howesoeuer hee vsed the matter,Supplementu… Chron. Chron Eusebii Polidor. Virgil. in the booke de inuen. rerum. he reigned & remained Pope. For he made two Saintes, namely, Thomas of Erford, & Thomas of Aquin: and ordeined, that at night should be song Aue Maria: therfore is he also worthily nūbred among the noble ringleaders of the spiritualtie p. 288in this first quarter.

For the sift in this quarter,Grego. the 11. we may place Gregorie the 11. who reigned about the yere 1371. Seeing he lying at the point of death, did make a most true cōfession, declaring him self thereby not much better than an heretike: for after he (like an honest man) had of meere malice banished & cursed all the Florentines, Nauclerus.and with a mightie armie, had sought their confusion: and had raised the tenth pennie throughout al Germanie, The t…nth pennie in Germanywhereby hee had caused a great schisme to grow among the people: At last (death approching) he sent for his Cardinals, and other Prelates, to come to him, and holding the Sacrament in his hande, coniured euerie one which were there present, that they shoulde beware from dooing those, or other such like thinges as hee had done: forsomuch as hee (in place of Gods woorde, and following of good counsell) had inclined to those, whiche sought to preferre their owne false imaginations and feigned dreames, and thereby had brought the Church to a perfect likelihoode of confusion and ruine, by great debate and schisme: like as i… did sufficientlie appeare after his death. For immediatlie did arrise the horrible schisme, which the Historiographers doe tearme, The twentie and two Schisme, which continued aboue fortie yeres.

After this followeth in the sixt place of the first quarter, a worthie and an Ancient bearer vp of all vngodlie Heretikes and Epicures,Iohn the 24. called Iohn the 24. who at the first brought to passe, that Alexander the fift and Pope next before him, by an approued and faithfull seruice of his Physicion (named Daniel de Sancta Sophia) was,B…ptista Panact. in the 56. sermon. Peruse the Councell of Con…tance, in the 2 booke of Councels. Stella. with a Romish figge pickt ouer the pearch, to make place for this honest man. After that, hauing assembled and gathered together the Cardinals at Bullin, (by force of armes) compelled therevnto, to the ende they should choose a Pope according to his liking: when they had nominated three or foure which did not please his mind, at last he demaunded for him self Saint Peters cloake and habit, francklie to bestowe it where it pleased him best. But hee put it on him self, and saied, Egomet ipse nunc Papa sum, that is to say, I am nowe Pope my selfe. Was not this an excellent, orderlie, and lawfull election of the holie Ghost.

p. 289After this,These are in a maner the proper wordes of the Councel of Constance, like as it is set downe in the 2. booke of Coūc. in the 1050. leafe. And are touched by all Historiograph▪ He was conuicted and proued in the Councell of Cōstance, an apparant Heretike, vngodlie knaue, an oppressour of the poore, a persecutour of the righteous, a staie to the wicked, a piller to barterers of benefices, a glasse of dishonestie, a vessell full of all vice▪ yea a Diuell incarnat, & therefore deposed from his holie Apostolical Romish Seat: beeing conuict with witnesses, that he had not onelyonly vnlawfullie kept companie with his brothers sister, manie holie Nonnes, yong maides, and married wiues: but also like a Captain and worthie champiō of all Hereticks, did make sale of all manner of Prebendes, Benefices, Churches and Bishoprikes for his most profit, & bestowed them on yong babes, & misse begotten bastardes. Yea moreouer, did him selfe oftentimes sell one benefice to sundrie persons at one time, and made a mocke at all religions, for that hee did not onelie contemne Masses, Eeuensong, the Seuen tides, the Fasting dayes, and Abstinence: but had likewise solde Saint Iohns head (which lay in Saint Syluesters cloister) to the Florentines for fiftie thousand Duccats, if so be he had not bene hindered from the same by the Citizens of Rome: And had said openlie in the presence of many Prelates and other honest and credible hearers, That after this life, no other was to be looked for: yea, remained vnmoueable in the same: that the soule together with the bodie, did quite die, and that there is no resurrection at all.

Aha Sirs, is not this good stuffe? And yet notwithstanding, this holy father being accused of more than foure and fiftie such like articles, which were orderlie read to his face, hee answered to eche of them, sighing verie heauilie: Alas, I hauehave committed yet a more haynous offence than this is: namelie, for that I hauehave descended and come down from the moū taines of Italie, and hauehave submitted my selfe in Germanie vnderunder the subiection of this Councell. Nowe marke well, if our holie fathers and Popes, by this example, are not well instructed, to suffer no Councel to be holden out of Italie, in a coū trie where they hauehave neither power nor iurisdictiō. In cōclusion, this holy father was deposed from his Popedome, notwithstanding he was him self exceeding holy, considering he had canonized Saints, & had entred p. 290S. Brigit in the register of saints. And he was the same which sōg the high Masse on Christmasse day in the councel of Constance, where the Emperour Sigismund (in maner of his Deacon) did sing the gospell. Therfore it is great reason, that this place be bequeathed vntounto him.

And further, seeing Leo the 7. did freshlie followe him in his holy Romish beleefe,Leo the 7. he shal also furnish the place following w^t his armes i… this quarter. For besides his great gluttonie & incōtinēcie for the which he is set forth for a horrel in histories: also besides that, he deposed the Duke of Vrbin from his Dukedome, & ioyned the same to the Sea of Rome: that he likewise did bereaue the Duke of Ferrara of two townes, Mantua & Regiū Lepidi: and besides, the bloudie warres which he kindled & mainteined betwixt the Emperour Charles 5. & Francis king of France ▪ yet hath he,This is rehearsed in the book which the Nobles of Germanie set out, for to be freed frō the Councel of Trent. Also in Baleus & other Historiograp. to an euerlasting memorie, left this brag of him self, namely, That he esteemed no more of the life to com, thē the foresaid Iohn: & whatsouer is written of Christ in the gospel, he accounted for iestes & fables. In consideration whereof, when Peter Bembus, a learned man, which afterward likewise became a Cardinall, did alledge vntounto him a certein and true place and reason …ut of the Gospell, he answered laughing: I pray you what come you nowe forth with your fables of Christ? Insomuch as he in deede hath earned an honest roome amongst this sacred companie.

Clemens the 7 Reade the Pasquilles of the Popes. Also y^e Epitaphes of Clement, & the booke called, Resistance of the workes of Christ and the Pope▪ e…ta…t in French.At last we wil conclude these eight first quarters with Clement the 7. who hath also bin a holie father of the Spiritualtie, most famous and renoumed, by reason of his diuelishnes, poysoning, treason, and coniuring. For he dispatcht manie Cardinals with the Italian tricke, to the end he might possesse their goods, and so gather money, wherewithall hee might buie the Popelie seate, which was resigned vntounto him for thirtie thousand Duc…ates. Yet especiallie it is reported of him, that hee (lying on his death bed) said, That nowe at last he shuld be resolued of that great doubt, whether soules were mortall, or not So as it may ea…lie bee coniectured hereby, what opinion hee helde t…uching Christian beleefe, the whole Scripture, & of his owne religion, which he manifested directlie yet an other way. For beeing destitute of money, he set certein Apostles of p. 291gold to pawne, to get some money by that meane, and after that did raise an Impost vponupon the expedition of Bulles, which hee named, Pro redemptione Apostolorum, that is to say, For the redeeming of the Apostles. In respect whereof, wee may worthilie place him, to stoppe vp the neathermost hole in the bottome of these eight first noble quarters, seruing properlie for Heretikes and publike blasphemers of GOD: which for armes beare in their shieldes Foxes, Wilde Swine, Dragons, Sea horses, Armes of the first quarter of holie Popes.called in Latin Hippopotami, Adders, Basiliskes, Snakes, and Spyders ▪ and in their bāners the cities whence they are descended, namelie, Rome, Samaria, Dan and Bethel ▪ And for their squiers▪ Epicurus, Lucian, Arrius, Sabellius, Iulian, the cōductours of reprobates, and other such like.

The second eight quarters of this noble and renoumed stocke of spiritualtie,The seconde eight quarters. depend most vponupon vnchastitie, whorehūters, breakers of Wedlocke, or adulterers, and Sodomiticall knaues.

Of which, Pope Ioan the ninth, or Iuth is the right mother and most meete auncient bearer. For,Pope Iuth. as a litter of pigges are farrowed of a fruitfull Sowe, so are the Priestes and Monkes, and all the Spiritualtie sprong from her. And in very deed, she was inflamed with such a zealous louelove towards this holie generation, Platina, Chronicon Charionis, and other Historiographers.that she suffred her selfe be gotten with child by one of the Cardinals, and was deliuered of a childe in the midst of the streate, at the midway betwixt the Colosseū & S. Clements chappel, euen as she was deuoutlie and statelie treading in procession: By the same token, that yet at this day there doeth remaine an image of stone hewen out of the earth, & that the Popes in their processions doe neuer passe that way: fearing lest the like might happen to them also. Neuerthelesse, for the auoiding of such a chaūce, the holy Romish Church did ordeine two chaires to be heawen of Porphyr stone, where they vsed to feele frō vnderunder, whether the new chosen Pope was furnished of al his ware. Howbeit that custome is now left, for that they make the matter manifest by acte, and by the number of their bastards which before hande they do get.

Lando.Afterwarde, they are descended of Lando, who begotte Iohn the eleuenth in adulterie, p. 292and further passed the most part of his life with whores:Petrus Po…monst. wherefore hee is to occupie the seconde degree of these quarters.

And his sonne Iohn the eleuenth maye followe his father,Iohn the 11. in the thirde degree of this quarter: who, by the shameles whore Theodora, Regent & Gouernesse of the citie of Rome,This doth Luitpr…ndus of Paui… in a manner write frō word to word in his 2. booke the 12 and 13. chap. was first forced to vse fornication with her, and after that, when he had shewed him selfe willing in the same, was first created Bishop of Bullen, after, of Rauenna, and lastlie, made Pope of Rome. Which fell out a sower sawce vntounto him: for Marozia, daughter to the foresaid Theodora, being also a subtill strumpet, brought to passe by the helpe of her husband Guido Gouernour of Thuscane, that some of his souldiers did apprehende him at S. Iohns, in the Pallace of Lateran, in the yere 928. & there w^t a cushen twhartning his mouth, did pitifully smother him. And this happened, to the ende that this Morozia might further her son Iohn the 12. (whom Pope Sergio the 3. had begotten on her in adulterie) to the holy Seat of Rome. Howbeit, that ioy did not continue, forsomuch as he (that same yere) was by a great commociō of the citizens of Rome, deposed, and Leo the 6. set in his place. But this Leo was within seuen monethes after, in the yeare 930. poysoned by Marozia: & further (as men suppose) Stephanus the 6. who did succeede him, was serued w^t the like sau…e, & sent to the kingdom of Mooles: Insomuch as the foresaid Iohn her sonne did (at last) achieue the holie seat againe. Nowe, this said Marozia had a sonne named Albericus, who perceiuing that he was mightie and feared in the citie of Rome, did compell the nobilitie & Magistrates of the same by oth, that they, (after the decease of Pope Agapitus who then reigned) should elect and make his sonne Octauian Pope, as in deede they did,Iohn the 13. and hee was called Iohn the 13. who (forsomuch as he was descēded of whores and knaues) shewed him selfe no changeling, but declared of what stocke he came. For he was so excedingly giuē to vnchastitie, and filthie liuing, that he maintained an open stewes: and being for the same blamed by the Cardinals, from the one he cut of his nose, from the other his hand, and from the third his legges and priuie members. So that of duetie p. 293he is to be placed in the fourth quarter amongst the noble forefathers of the spiritualtie. This is the verie same, who did vowe homage to the Emperour Otto, according to the othe which is registred in the Decrees. And hee likewise crowned the said Emperour. But when Otto had turned his backe, hee tooke part against him with his foe, the sonne of Albertus Berengarius. The which when the Emperour vnderstood, hee returned againe towards Rome: And then my lord the Pope betooke him selfe to his heeles, flying into the wilde wooddes, and would not by anie meanes come in presence of the Emperour, notwithstanding the promises and assurances whiche were made vntounto him. Wherefore the Emperour caused a Councell to be gathered, wherein the Pope was complained vponupon,This whole historie with the articles here set downe, are rehearsed by the Historiographers. Luitprandus almost throughout his booke. and accused with these faultes following, to wit, That he did not read his drudgerie, that in saying Masse, he did not receiue the Sacrament of the Altar, that hee had made a Deane in a stable, that hee had committed whoredome with two sisters, that he had made Bishops of children, that he had defiled manie yong virgins and widowes, that of S. Iohns Pallaice at Laterane, hee had made an open stewes: that he had lyen by and had at will, his fathers Concubine, named Stephana, also a widdowe named Rauera, and yet an other called Anna, with a Niece of hers. Besides, that he had bin the occasion of fiers, which sūdrie times had happened, that he had broken vp windowes and gates in the night time, that he had offered vp wine to the deuill, and in gaming with dice, had inuocated & besought ayde of the deuill, w^t manie such Popelie parts, which were to tedious to repeate. For which causes, he was in that Councel deposed by the Emperour (with consent of the Prelates) and in his steade was placed Leo the 8. Yet notwithstāding,This is repeated by Ioh. Marius, Nauclerus, Chron. Sigis. Robert. Barus. after the Emperours departure, the whores of Rome (whom he had his friends) wrought so much with the Nobilitie of Rome, & plaied their partes so gallantlie with great summes of money, and by promising the substance and coyne of the Church, that hee was yet once againe called to the Seate, and the aforesaid Leo put of. But this soone ripe fruite was soone rotten: for hee was shortelie after, p. 294by a man that dwelt without Rome, in the night time, thrust thorough with a dagger, beeing taken a sleepe in bed with his wife.

And this was hee, who first taught his successours to christen belles, & caused the great bell of S. Iohns at Lateran, to be called by his owne name. After whom, wee may place Paule the 2. in the fourth degree of this quarter,Paule the 2. in this degree. who first boasted to hauehave al Gods and mans lawes shut vppe in his breast. So as it was no maruell, that hee did so carefullie pamper the same with ioyllie good cheare, & for the most part, past and spent his time with viewing of olde golde, and antique coynes. And further, to studie by all the meanes he could deuise, to make and set out him self proper and neate, with al maner of pearles and pretious stones: wherein hee past all his predecessours. Yea, when hee should shewe him selfe, hee did painte and coulour his face with a certein kinde of vernishe, and other like trumperie, like to his countriewomen the Courtisanes and Strumpettes of Venize, amongst whom hee had a long time gonne to schoole. He was the first likewise, which ordeined, That the Cardinals shuld hauehave their close stooles, and pispottes couered ouer with Crimson veluet▪ which they (euen at this day) do yet most duelie obserue, as did sufficientlie appeare at the Councel of Trent, whither they caused such goodlie stuffe to be conueied on their Mules amongst other of their most costlie and precious iewels.

At last (notwithstanding that hee was reported to be most cunning and famous in the arte of witchcraft and coniuring) hee could not auoide nor saue him selfe, but the deuill his good maister brake his necke, whilest he was practising his vntollerable Sodomiticall filthines, wherein hee often (after the Venetian maner) did accustome him selfe. In consideration whereof, hee must of right be reckoned in the register of this gentle generation.

After whome (not onelie in the Popedome but also in good life▪ Sixtus the 4.) did follow Sixtus the 4. who was not him selfe alone addicted to this lothsome Sodomitical sinne, and to all manner of fleshlie desire besides, (whereon he consumed within the space of two yeeres,Iohannes Rauisius Textor, in his booke called Officina. the summe of three hundreth thousand Duccates) but further gaue licence p. 295to all the generation & kinred of the Cardinall of Saint Lucie (who was his huntsman) that they might vse this Sodomiticall filthines in the three whotest monethes of the yeere, namelie, Iune, Iulie, & August. And this is the holy man, who hath ordeined so manie festiuall dayes, as Saint Francis &c. and of the Presentation of our Ladie. And further hath made that deuoute prayer, whiche beginneth, Aue sanctissima Maria mater Dei, Regina coeli, &c. giuing a thousand yeeres remission out of Purgatorie, to whom soeuer doeth say the same before her Image. Yea he hath also made a Saint of S. Bonauentura: wherefore it is good reason that he should likewise furnish a place amongst the companie of our Saintes.

Immediatlie after this,Innocent the 8 followed Innocent the 8. who had but eight bastarde sonnes, and as manie daughters: which he fostered and brought vp all verie highlie, according to his ofspring. Yet forsomuch as he was of no great discent, and that it is but of small estimation with Popes, to hauehave bastardes, wee will let him steppe for such as he is.

And place Iulius the third in the seuenthIulius the 3. degree of this quarter, who did not onelie abuse him selfe with strumpets,The memorie of the…se two Popes is yet so freshe, that the pranckes which be here rehearse…, are knowen to eche. but also kept manifestlie a yong knaue called Innocent, to his filthie, vnnaturall and vnchaste Sodomiticall vse: yea and did often boast himself therof. And when he was chosen Pope, he did giuegive vntounto the said boye, as a reward for his beastlines, his Cardinals hatte, with his syrname and armes: So that he afterwardes was alwayes named by the Popes syrname, and yet is so called, namely, Cardinalin de Monte, that is to say, The litle Cardinal of Monte.

Lastlie, we will place Pope Pius the 4. (nowe last ouerpassed) in the eight degree of this quarter:Pius the 4. of whom our Priests, Bishops, and Prelates are (for the most part) sprong vp and proceeded. This good holie father, when hee iourneied thorough Bullin towardes Rome, at what time the the Seate was voyde, hee fained him selfe verie weake and sicklie, hoping thereby to winne the Cardinals vntounto him, and that they would chose him, vponupon hope, he would not tarie long by it. And when this fetche would not serue his turne, hee sought another waye: for beeing in the Conclaui, which is, the Closet of Cardinals, he did p. 296glose with the Cardinall of Trent, as though hee would permit in Religion manie things to the Germanes, as namelie, The whole exercise of the Sacrament, & the libertie of wedlock for Priestes. But when hee perceiued that the Cardinals were greatlie offended hereat, and that all this did not further, but rather hinder his intent, he proceeded further, & did by gifts and faire promises, buie their voyces. And at the same time got for a prouerbe of the Pasquill: Impius es tu, Pater tuus latro est, Mater tua Meretrix, quomodo huc intrasti? that is to say, Thou art an infidell, thy father is a murtherer, and thy mother a whoore, how camest thou hither?

For which occasion, to fetche out this shamefull staine of infidel, he would be called Pius, that is to say, Godlie. But to fall to our purpose, he loued not onelie the strū pettes and Courtesanes of Rome exceedingly, but also the married wiues. Insomuch as in the latter and vttermost time of his age, besides an open and manifest Courtesane or whoore, he kept and maintained also, the wife of a certein Gentlemā of Rome, named Papyrio Capizucchi, and most commonlie did eate Oysters and Snayles, and did drinke vntounto them a verie strong wine called Mangeguerra, to reuiue and prouoke his fleshlie lust.

And when all would not helpe, insomuch as his Courtesane did opēlie deride him, as an impotent sewter, and that shee esteemed more of the foresaid litle Cardinal de Monte, he caused her to be throwen in a stinking dungeon: yet afterwardes, of meare pitie and louelove did set her free again, and hauing tyred him selfe on her, in his vnnaturall luste, and further beeing desirous to solace him selfe in bedde with the foresaid Gentlewoman, did one night eate so manie Snailes, and dranke so much of the foresaide wine called Mangeguerra, thereby hauing recouered a freshe youth, that he got to bedde with her: from whence he neuer rose, but was borne w^t his heeles forwardes vnderunder the greene coueringes. Wherevppon an Epitaph was grauen on his graue, as followeth:

Le Donne, Lumagi, & Mangaiguerra,

M'hāno l…uato dalla Sedia, & posto in terra

That is to say:

p. 297Women, Snayles, and Mangaiguerra braue,

From statelie seat, hauehave broght me in graue.

He shall then (as of duetie to him apperteyning) shut vp the seconde eight degree, forsomuch as he had …duentured his life in the daunger of whorish and most filthie incontinencie, and thereby hath purchased an euerlasting name, amongest the noble predecessours of the Clergie: who (most triumphātlie) beare in their armes, Buckes, Bulles, Beares, Leoppards, Armes of the second quarter of holy Popes.Harpies, Sowes, Mares, and salte Bitches: And in their banners, the cities of Rome, of Sodom & Gomorra: of whence their noble race is proceeded: and for their squiers they hauehave Ammon, Absolon, Sardanapalus, and Heliogabalus.

Nowe followeth the thirde eight degrees,The third eight degrees. from whence the sacred stocke of the spiritualtie is sprong vp: and these proceede most of greedie couetous persons, & rauening bloud houndes, which hauehave purchased the Seate with money and bribes: and further hauehave stirred vp great commotions and troubles, and shed much bloud. Therefore they weare in their armes, Lions, Wolues, Crocodiles, Tygres, Eagles, Griffones, Hawkes, and Rauens. And hauehave for their squiers, Cain, Nemrod, Esau, Nero, and other such like. Marie in their banners, they beare the cities of Rome and Edom.

The first of these Noble personages, may be Pope Formofus (who reigned about the yeare 893.) together with his aduersaries, who hauehave brought such dissentions and discords in Christendome, that in many yeres after could not bee appeased. For the enuie which the one bare to the other, was so monstrous and vnnaturall, that Stephanus the 6. caused the dead bodie of Formosus to be taken out of his graue,Stephanus the sixt. & congregating a Councell for the same, did first commaunde him to be clothed with a Popely habit, and after stript him of that, clothing him with laie apparel: & after cutting two of his fingers frō his right hand, caused them to be throwen into the riuer of Tiber, & then buried him as one of the vulgar & vnlearned sort: and caused all his ordinances to be voide & of no effect. To the contrarie whereof Romanus the successor of Stephanus, Nauclerus.did establish & allow againe all his actes & ordinances, and made those which Stephanus had enacted, to bee frustrate p. 298and of no force.

Whom also in this case Pope Theodore the second did followe,Mare historiat. & Nauclerus. establishing al those which Formosus had ordeined to beare charge. The same also did (though not without great stirre and commotion) Iohn the tenth, who did succeede him, and did not only disanull al the actes & statutes of Stephanus, but further caused them in a common and vulgar Councell to be burnt. After w…om did presentlie followe,Mare historia…. Robert. Barnes. Chron. Sigisb. Benedict the 4. and after Benedict, Leo the 5. After the which Leo followed Pope Christopher, whō we may of right place in the second degree of this third quarter, forsomuch as he did imprison those, which had receiued anie preferrement of the foresaid Benedict the fourth, & obteined the Seat perforce: so as poore Leo through sorrowe died.

But this great vngratfulnes of the foresaid Christopher was worthilie repaide:Christopher▪ For Sergius the third, a notorious whorehunter (as was signified before) did apprehend him there also,Sergius 3. and first kept him in a cloister, afterward in a cōmon g…ole, wher pitifully he ended his miserable dayes.In the 3. deg…e of the 2. quarter. Supp. Chron▪

And this is the same Sergius, who yet once againe commaunded the foresaid bodie of Pope Formosus to be digged out of his graue,Pope Formosus beheadded. and most inhumanlie to bee beheadded, and his other three fingers to bee cut off, and so did throwe the bodie into the riuer of Tyber: yet notwithstanding was it (in the time of Anastasius the third) fisht out againe: and being in S. Peters church honestlie buried, was by the Images and woodden idols (through a speciall miracle) nodded vntounto, and bid welcome: if histories do not lie. But that is a small fault: Once we will make this good man Sergius Quarter maister in this thirde degree, considering that of so worthie a fellow, all other Popes, and the whole Clergie are growen like maggots of a rotten cheese.

Boniface the 7For the fourth in this quarter, we may chose Pope Boniface the seuenth, who hauing atchieued the Seate by vnlawfull meanes, began to perceiue that hee was not well thought of, nor assured at Rome. And therfore, he got him packing to Constantinople: but forgot not priuilie to steale and take with him,This historie is rehearsed by Nauclerus, Rob. Barus, and Corn. Abbas. all the costlie iewels and treasures of Churches. Wherof (within eight monethes after hee was abandoned) he had made a great masse of p. 299money, wherewithall he wrought so wilie, and blinded the eyes of all the Romanes, in such sorte, as they perceyuing no more his wickednes and naughtie dealings, did receiue him againe, and permitted themselues with the shine and brightnes of the gold to be blinded: so as he found meanes to apprehend as prisoner Pope Iohn the 15. who was placed in his roome,Pope Iohn his eies put out and hauing put out both his eyes, did famishe him (in prison) to death, and so got the gouernement vntounto him againe: Howbeit, he enioyed not long, for being shortlie after ouertaken with a soudein death, was by the common people trayled alongst the streetes, Boniface the 8 his death.being thrust through with speares and bodkinnes, and at last, buried like vntounto a lay and common man.

Here may now followe Benedict the eight,Benedict the 8 vponupon a blacke horse. who may set out this quarter with his armes: of whom the Histories doe agree in one, that after his death hee appeared to a Bishop in a fearfull shape, sitting vponupon a blacke horse: and when the Bishop had demanded of him: Art not thou Pope Benedict, who is departed this worlde? Fasci… tempor. and other HistoriographersHe answered: I am verelie the subtil and miserable Benedict▪ But howe then standeth the case with you, good holy father (quoth the Bishop:) Whervnto hee answered: I am most pitifully tormented and martyred: notwithstāding the merciemercy of God is not quite shut from me, if so bee I may bee holpen with prayers, Masses, and Almesdeedes: and therfore shalt thou go to Iohn my successour, & tell him, that in such a coffer or chest, he shall finde a great summe of monie, which he must distribute to the poore: for whatsoeuer was giuē for me before, will not helpe, because it was stolen and euill gotten goods. Wherevpon the Bishop, hauing done his message, did forsake his Bishoprike, and placed him selfe in a Cloister. But whether this be true, or whether it be a lie, or that the diuell or some …end appeared in likenesse of the Pope, I refer it to the Doctours of Louen to iudge. Once (forsomuch as all Historiographers do witnesse alike, it is manifest, that he, as well as his predecessours, and successours, did gather the most part of their substance with rouing and stealing, and heaped the same by vngodlie meanes: wherefore it is reason, that he be also allowed a roome in this third quarter.

p. 300The sixt place in this quarter wee maye bequeath to Clement the 4. who could find out most notable meanes to fetch in monie and goods. For being crowned Pope,Clement the 4. hee sent for Charles, the French kings brother, & made him chief Councellour & General ouer the citie of Rome: & further, caused him to be crowned, by his Cardinals, king of Hierusalem & Sicil: yet vponupon condition, that hee should, by vowe, plight him selfe to paie yeerelie to the Church of Rome, fortie thousand crownes of golde, & should not at any time accept the Dominiō of Rome at the hands of the Almains, although it were profered vntounto him.Naucler. Ca…ion. And after that, in the yere 1267. when Conradinus the right and naturall king of Sicil, being fled out of the field and from the discomfiture which he had receiued of Charles, was deliuered into his handes, the Pope wrought so much by his practises, that he was at Naples, together w^t Frederike Duke of the East Countrie, and others more, against al right & reason, most lamētably beheadded. Beside this, he was the cause of the x. pennie▪ Tenth pennie.leuied throughout all Germanie, & banished Iohn Teutonicus, because he had bent himself against it.

In summe, seeing hee coulde finde such meanes to catche coyne, it is meete, that he helpe to furnish this third part with his armes and valiant actes.

Eugen. the 4.Further, in the seuenth degree of this quarter, may wee place Eugenius the 4. of whom all Popes and Cardinals, all Bishops and Prelates, and the whole Spiritualtie, are as of a fruitfull stocke sprong forth: Notwithstanding, that hee was at first driuen out of Rome by the Citizens, as one who set all things in debate, & was with stones and dartes driuen through Tyber, and so hunted out of the towne. And after that, was lawfullie and often summoned by the Councell of Basil, to appeare, being complained on for a mutiner and a stirrer of sedition, for a bloudthirstie and wicked man,Searche the Councell of Basil. and for a persecutour of the Spiritualtie. And when he would not appeare, for feare least it might hauehave happened to him, as it did not long before in the Councell of Constance, vntounto Iohn the 23. he was (at last) lawfullie and iustlie deposed, and bannished. Yet this notwithstanding, at the last, by force of armes, with the ayde of the Dolphin of France, (who afterwardes was called Lodowick the eleuenth) p. 301he recouered his Seate againe, after that hee had disturbed the Councell at Basil, and had raised a great tumult and schisme, the which continued more than fourteene or fifteene yeares after.

Lastlie, for the locke of this quarter, can not be found anie more fitte than Iulius the second, of whom is written,Iulius the 8. That he threw Saint Peters key into the riuer of Tyber, protesting, that (thenceforth) he would vse, and helpe him selfe with S. Paules sworde. And in verie deede, he passed his whole time of Popedome with warres & effusion of bloud: For albeit that hee was maruellouslie addicted to dronkennes, and to other fleshlie filthines, and especiallie to that Sodomiticall incontinencie, like as appeared by two noble children which the Queene of France had sent to Rome by the Cardinall of Nantes, whiche did further this good holie father in his beastlie appetites: yet besides this, he had no greater pleasure in the world, than in warres. For proofe whereof, it is to be read in all Chronicles, that he (within the space of seuen yeares) had brought aboue twoo hundreth thousand persons to their ende. And therefore it is good right and reason, that he with his armes shut vp this quarter.

We might ouer and aboue hauehave brought in this quarter, manie other Popes and holie fathers of the Clergie, who mainteined the contrarie parte against the Emperours, with great commotions, warres, & bloudshed. Like as hauehave bene Gregorie the 7. Victor the third, Vrban the thirde, and Paschal the seconde, against Henrie the fourth: Gelasius the second, and Calixtus the second, against Henrie the fift: Adrian the fourth, and Alexander the third, against Frederike Barbarossa, which was also trode vponupon with feete by Alexander. Honorius the thirde, Gregorie the ninth, and Innocent the fourth against Philippe the brother of Frederike, and against Frederike the second the first Frederiks son, and against Conrade the sonne of Frederike the seconde: And Clemens the fourth against Conradine King of Naples, and sonne of Cōrade. Insomuch as they handled the matter so roughlie, that after William Duke of Holland, the Dominion of Rome was for the space of xvii. yeeres without an Emperour, vntill that Rodolphus of Hasburg was elected for Emperour: who for that cause would not come p. 302there, taking example (as hee said) by the Foxe, whereof Aesope maketh mention in his Fables: who being sent for by the diseased Lion, to visit him in his sicknes, like as other beastes had done, made aunswere, That the footesteppes did fraie him, which were all bent towards him, but there were none which returned againe.

We might then (say I) rehearse all such worthie champions and holy fathers, and inserte them in this quarter, which hauehave so wilfullie breathed against Emperours & Gods anointed. But forsomuch as our intent is not to repete eueryevery Popes historie, but only to manifest the noble progenie of the holy & reuerend Clergie: And that eche may very well know, that in the registre of kinred wee cannot nūber further than 32. degrees, to shew a noble discent, the rather for that wee hauehave brieflie touched such Popes, & their feates, where anie mention hath bin made of them. Therfore do we referre the reader in this behalf, to the Historiographers, & prosecute our last 8. quarters of the Papistical discent, w^t their skutchions, banners, and quarter maisters, in due and decent order.

So then, do these eight last quarters depend vppon Coniurers, Necromaneers, Poysoners,The fourth and last 8. quarters & other such like, which worke with the Diuell and his crafte: and weare for their armes Owles, Howlets, Battes, Kites, Armes of the 4. quart…rs of the holy Popes.Crowes, Blacke dogges, and Diuels clawes. For their squiers do I know none more meete than the diuell him selfe, whom in their coniuration they inuocate, and call vponupon, except they would hauehave Simon and Elymas the coniurers: In like manner, and for their banners, canne they not finde more fitter cities, than Rome, Babylon, and Aegypt, from whence their Gentilitie hath taken roote: forsomuch as they hauehave alwayes bene replenished with such diuelishnes: except they will hauehave hell it selfe, where their first father the Diuell long since hath farried and prepared their places.

Nowe then, in the first commeth our Syluester the second forth as foreman, who was Pope about the yere 998. Syluester the 2. the coniurer.This was first a Monke, at Flueria (vnderunder the dominion of Orleans named Gerbertus,) and after that, beeing remoued to Ciuill in Spaine, to studie & applie his booke, got a Maister who was skilfull and of great experience in this arte, and by the ayde of his p. 303maisters daughter, with whom he was verie familiar, did steale one of his especiall and chiefest bookes in that art, & got him packing therewithal, without saying farewell. And to the end he should not be trapt in his theeuerie, he did bequeath the Diuel his soule, with a solemne oth: alwayes prouided, that he might returne into France, and be prosperous in his attempts. After that, he became a Schoolemaster, and further, maister to Otthonis the third,Platina and all other histories. and to Robert Hugon Capets sonne, and to Lotharius, by whose ayd he was made Archbishop of Rhenes: howbeit, Benedict the 7. deposed him as an Heretike and Coniurer. Yet after that, by the helpe of Otthonis the 3. whom he had taught his art, he became Bishop of Rauēna, and at last, to be short, Pope of Rome: and made with his maister the deuill a compact, that hee shoulde liue so long, till hee said Masse at Hierusalem, supposing that the same woulde neuer hauehave happened. But the maister deceiued the scholer: For in the citie of Rome was a Chappell, which was called Hierusalem, in the Church of the holie Crosse, and saying Masse there, hee waxed sicke, and perceiued the Diuels comming for him to their feast. And herevpon the Historiographers declare, that he became penitent, and confessed openlie his offences, commanding that his dead carcase should be throwen vponupon a carre, & the oxen permitted to drawe it▪ whither they would: so the oxen drewe the carre before Saint Iohns church at Lateran, where he lies buried: and it is said that he wroght manie miracles there. Yea, this is to bee seene before the same church pictured verie brauelie in a table. And therefore this holie Syluester shall occupie the first place in this last quarter, forsomuch as of him are proceeded all other hellish fathers, which with their plaguie spiritualtie hauehave possessed and replenished the world.

After this may follow Iohn the 19. who likewise had friendlie and familiar conference with Robin goodfellow,Iohn the 19. This is writtē by Benno the Cardinal, and Blondus the Historiographers. like as had bene taught him in the schole of the foresaid Syluester, and with the ayd of his maister the Diuell, gotte the Popelie triple crowne on his head, about the yere 1005. but possessed it but 5. moneths. And after, went to catch Moles, proceding forwards to view his masters Maygame in Purgatorie, or thereabout. Yet in that short time, p. 309he did great good: For he confirmed All soules day, which then was newlie inuēted and first registred in Clunie Abbie by Odilius. I suppose he knew before,Robert. Barus, & Supple. Chron. that he should shortlie after goe visit the soules in Purgatorie, and helpe them there to celebrate their feast.

The third place we cannot by right attribute to any sooner,Benedict the 9 then to Benedict the ninth, who before being called Theophilactus, had lien at studie together with one Laurentius, Archpriest in the schole of the foresaid Gisbertus (who after was called Syluester the second) and was faithfullie instructed in his worthie science, whereby he atchieued the Popelie Seate, and farre surpassed his Uncle Benedict the 8. (who had reigned not long before him) in al subtiltie and craftie dealings, like as histories make mention: Hee reigned in the dayes of Conrad 2. & Henrie 3. And after being departed this life, appeared to an Heremit, in the likenesse of an horrible & vnnatural beast,This historie is rehearsed in Supplem. Chron. Ma…e historiarum Fasciculus Tempor. and others hauing head & taile like an Asse, & the rest of his bodie like a Beare. And being knowen of the Heremite, & demanded what the same signified, made ananswer, that he ought not to maruel therat, considering that by Gods iust iudgement he was perpetually cōdemned to the same, as one who after a beastly manner had liued without faith, and beleefe, without reson and Lawe in this worlde. Like as by all credible histories is vniformally declared: and therefore was in his life time complained vponupon for many shameful actes which he had committed. And in the thirteenth yeare of his Popedome was banished Syluester the third being chosen in his roome,Iohannes Marius, Fasciculus Temporum. who also was deposed within nine and fourtie dayes after, as an vnmeete and vnlearned man. And the foresaide Benedict put in againe, who within a while after was put forth againe, & Gregorie the sixt taken in his steed.Iohannes Marius, and Mare historiarum. Howbeit some Historiographers wil say, that he was not deposed the second time, but did of meere couetousnesse for ready monie sel his title vntounto the saide Gregorie. Robertus Barnes, & Nauclerus.In fine, this is the effect, That there were the same time three Popes at Rome: namely, Benedict, Syluester, and Gregorie, who did all at once draw for the longest cut, & drew so long, till the fourth named Gratian did arise,Gratianus. who had likewise gone to schoole with Syluester the second, and played his part so neately, p. 305that he bought all their three partes, and became Pope him selfe. Howbeit, that he, like a Simoniake, that is, one which was crept in with coyne, was first by the Spiritualtie of Rome, and after by the Emperour Henrie in a generall Councell deposed, and one promoted to his place, called Sindegerus, who (after that) would be called Clemens the second. But hee likewise made the matter short:Supplem. Chron. Robertus Barnes. for nine monethes after stept Damasus the seconde in place, hauing poysoned the other: and scaled the Romishe Seate him selfe without a ladder, that is, without election of the Commonaltie, or helpe of the Clergie.Damasus the 2 Wherefore we may allowe him the fourth degree of this last quarter: considering that in those dayes the most part of Popes and other Prelates were addicted to sorcerie and poisoning, with other diuelish deuises: whereof histories do sufficientlie witnesse, and make mention at large.

The fift place (by all reason) doeth belong to Gregorie the seuenth,Gregorie the … whiche before was named Hildebrand, who (as histories declare) did temper his Triacle so well, that as good as fiue or sixe Popes were by the Italian Dramme brought to their baine, to the ende hee might finde a readie beaten and troden pathe to their place:Fascic. tempor. yea he was also a scholer of the forenamed Syluester. Forsomuch as Syluester (as hath bene shewed) did instruct Laurence the Archpriest, and Theophilactus (who after was called Benedict the 9.) and Laurence did teach this Hildebrand, who thereby atteined to the holie Seate. And notwithstanding that first in a Councell holden at Worms, he was for a coniurer and craftie villain, who by policie had obteined the Popedome, and also after that, in a councell holden in the citie of Brixne by manie Nobles and Bishops, & lastlie in a councell at Mentz, as a Simoniake, or a merchant of Benefices, & a seditious mutiner, deposed from his Seate▪ being accused & lawfullie charged, that he …lie, & with briberie crept into the same, and had brought all Christendome into a commotion, sowen discord on all sides, did mainteine and receiue vnderunder his tuition, al Periurers, Murtherers, Church spoylers, Villains, Theeues, and such as by fire consumed true mennes substaūces: like as afterward him selfe (lying on his death bed) did confesse. Yet, all this notwithstanding, p. 306he wrought so much with helpe of his master whom he serued, that he againe (like to a cat) did clamber on his seat, and did work all the spight & hurt which he could deuise vntounto the Emperour Henrie the 4. suborning certain persons, some with treason, some with poyson, & some with other treacherie & subtile deuises, to procure his end. And the better to atchieue his intēt, did cō monlie beare in his bosome a booke of Necromancie. Yea his Secretarie Iohn the Bishop of Portua, did testifie in a publike sermon, that he had committed such factes,This declaret… the Cardinal Benn…, who liued in those dayes. whereby he deserued to be burnt quick: forsomuch as he had throwen the holie sacrament into the fier, in his coniurie, to the end he might hauehave knowledge from the diuell, of his good fortune and succession against the Emperour Henrie. And this is the holy man which did forbid Priests, Marian. Scotu….and the rest of the Clergie, to marrie wiues: yea that none should be receiued in anie office pertaining to the Church, except first he were sworne to liue chast & vndefiled, that is, Cap. quae. 1. di… Sabb. de consecr. dist. 5. Ca. Carnium, de cons…cr▪ dist. 5.without a married wife. He also did forbid all Chisten people, on the Saturdaies, & all Monkes for euer to eat flesh. Likewise, he did separat Azo the Gouernour of Esten from his wife the Dutches of Matildo, Platina, Naucler. Abb. Vrs.vnderunder pretence that they were a kinne within the fourth degree: but in verie deede, it was because hee would hauehave the woman at his pleasure: like as all Histories do witnesse, that shee had great familiaritie, friendlie conference, & continuall conuersation with him.

What say you then, was not this fellow holie ynough, to occupie the fift place in this noble quarter?

Go to then, after him may followe in this quarter Iohn the 21, (who reigned in the yeare 1276. Iohn the 21.) for that he did giuegive such credit to his knowledge of Geometrie, and to the Geometricians or starre Prophetes, that he spared not to say, That by the same hee was assured to liue a long time. But he deceiued none more than him selfe. For he continued but eight moneths in his Popedome, being soudeinlie slaine in the citie of Viterben, by the falling of a chamber, which hee had caused there to be built: so as it is manifest, that this was one of the diuels prankes, who had assured him so finelie of a long life.

Nowe for to furnish the seuenth part of p. 307this last quarter, we can find none more fit than Alexander the sixt,Alexander the 6. who before was named Rodorike Borgia: and being Cardinall sought by all meanes possible, to waxe Pope: finding in the ende no waye more commodious to atchieue the same, than by framing him selfe to the studie and exercise of Necromancie or black science: which art he most diligentlie did applie, & thereby examined the diuels, whether they would willinglie and without grudging, prefer him to the Popelie crowne. Whervnto they presentlie consented, with condition, that he should be sworne to be subiect and seruiceable in all matters vntounto them: wherevnto with right good will hee also did condescend: desiring onelie, that when this compact should be confirmed, the diuell should not appeare in any fearful likenesse, to demaunde the accomplishment of his othe, but should shewe him selfe in the habit and semblance of a Protonotarie. The diuell (who could not hauehave wished a better vizard) was soone intreated to shew him that pleasure. So it fortuned on a time, that the Cardinall did walke in the auncient citie of Rome, to the mount called Monte cauallo, and drewe him selfe aside in a sommer parler, or place of pleasure, where byding alone, his lord the Protonotarie came also treading in, in the similitude of a comelie middleaged man, seemely apparelled w^t the habit of a priest. And hauing taken the oth of the Cardinal according to his wish and prescribing, did assure him to become Pope: & that agreed verie friendlie vponupon the time wherein Borgia should reigne as Pope, to wit, 1108. In fine Borgia was made Pope, and gaue himself throughly to al maner of pleasure & desire of his flesh. Hee laye with his owne daughter named Lucretia, whiche neuertheles was vsed in like case the same time by his sonne her owne brother, called Valentin Borgia: insomuch as of his daughter he did not onlie make his bride, but also his daughter in law, like as her Epitaph (extant on her graue) doeth expreslie declare. Hee caused likewise the good man Hieronymus Sauonarola to bee burnt at Florence, because hee did boldlie preache against his wicked life and doctrine. Besides this, hee did couenant and agree with the Marranes, which is, with the reuoked Christians. Yet further, after hee had committed manie murthers, as well p. 308with his owne handes, as also thorough the meane of his aforesaid sonne Valentin, who had raised a commotion through all Italie, and had brought Iacobus Caietanus, the Cardinal Vrsin, and the Abbatte Aluiane, with manie other more, to their ende. Hee would at last at a banket (which verie liberallie hee had prepared) hauehave poysoned a Cardinall: So it chaunced, that through mistaking the one bottell for the other, hee which filled the drinke, did serue the poyson to the Pope him selfe: insomuch as hee therewith did swell, and became exceeding sicke. The while nowe, that good counsell with him was deare and farre to seeke, he sent one of his most trustie seruauntes called Modena, into a studie ioyning next to a chamber where he laye in bedde, to fetche a prettie golden booke of Necromancie, which hee had alwayes most carefullie kept amongest his costlie and chiefest iewels. And as the aforesaid seruaunt mas entring into the studie, he sawe the aforenamed Protonotarie sitting in the Popelie habit, who did so well resemble his maister in all respectes, as if it had bene him selfe. Whereat being greatlie frighted, and in a manner halfe dead through feare, did retire backe, vntill his maister the Pope had reuiued him againe, and then aduenturing the second time to enter the studie, was asked of the Diuell, what he had there to do, who answered, that the Pope had sent him for a booke. Then roared the diuell with a terrible noyse, and cried out: I am Pope my selfe: wherewith he vanished away. After the which time, the Pope began to hasten toward his end. Yet a litle before his death, did his maister appeare once more in likenesse of a Poste or Purseuant, and hauing had long conference & a longer discourse with him, did teache him his Arithmetick, or his table of numbring, effectuallie giuing to vnderstand, that eleuen & eight did signifie eleuen yeares and eight dayes, and not nineteene yeares, so as the Pope had reckoned without his host. And then with a filthie stinck he departed from my lord the Pope, who immediatlie after followed, and with his faithfull maisters departed this world into the Popes heauen. Nowe, seeing his Requiem is a singing, wee will affoarde him this seuenth place in the last quarter.

p. 309The last and best, which may not onlie conclude the fourth quarter, but also shutte and seale vp the whole registre of kinreds with his noble armes and Popelie actes, is Paule the third, whose high renoumed & noble feates do shewe them selues,Paule the 3. partlie in all the foure quarters: for he is at first, a kinne to the fathers of the first quarter, insomuch as he was, all his life time, a notable Epicure: openlie skoffing at Christ the sonne of God, and esteeming the worde of God for a vaine fable. Like as they do sufficientlie know, which in his time hauehave frequented and bene at Rome.

After that, he is a kinne likewise to those of the second eight quarters, forsomuch as he was not simplie a whoremonger, but besides the women which he defiled, being the Popes Legate, was by his kinsman Nicholas Querceo, taken with the manner, whereas he beeing a bedde with his owne cousine germane Laura Fernesia, Laura Fernesia.wife to the said Nicholas, was for the said cause, by him thrust with a dagger into his bodie, whereof hee bore the scarre to his graue. Yea he did lie with his own daughter Constantia:Constancia. and to the ende he might the more safelie do the same, did poyson her husband named Bosa Sforza. He had also a sonne called Peter Aloysius, Peter Aloisius.who knewe verie well how to followe his fathers footsteppes. For besides innumerable shamelesse and most detestable crimes, whiche would be to tedious to repeate: he did perforce rauish the Bishop of Fanes, and misvsed him, with helpe of his seruants, to the satisfying of his most horrible Sodomiticall lecherie, whereof the good Bishoppe (through sorrowe & anguish of heart) died: which notwithstanding, the good sonne got of the holy father for a reward of his good deed an Earldome of fortie thousand Duccates a yeere. But what maruell is it, that he forbore & mainteined his sonne in such a dishonest and detestable life, seeing him selfe through the whoredome of his sister Iulia Fernesia, Iulia Fernesia.which she had committed with Pope Alexander the sixt, was called to be one of the colledge and fellowship of Cardinals? Forsomuch as shee did threaten to forsake the Pope, vnlesse hee would bestowe on her brother a Cardinals hatte. After this he doeth claime kinred of the third 8. quarters: considering he kept open shop or market of all manner of benefices, & merchādise. For being by Pope Clemēt p. 310(who lay at Rome as prisoner in the Palace called Castra de Sancto Angelo) sent of an Embassage to the Emperour Charles, would not take it vppon him, but that the Pope must first preferre his yong Nephewe to the Bishoprike of Parma, who was but a childe of x. yeres olde: and afterwards being Pope, did giuegive all, or most part of this treasure perteyning vntounto the Churches, vntounto his friends and kinsfolkes, as well women as men: yea solde from the Duke of Ferrara two townes called Modena & Rhegium. He alienated also Parma & Plasancia, & gaue them to his friēds. He was not abashed to raise all manner of strange impostes & taxes, & to demaund of his subiectes 3000 Duccates a yere, and besides that sometimes the tenths, sometimes the one half of their fruits, to gnaw the cōmon people to the verie bones, & gather mony from al quarters & corners. And further touching bludthirstines & murther, therin he was doctor long before he got the Cardinals hat on his head: for in the daies of Pope Innocēt, he was throwē into Bocardo for two murthers by him cōmitted, & for poysoning his owne mother and nephew:Murthers committed by Pope Iulie. insomuch as he hath also deserued a place in this fourth and last quarter: considering he was so skilfull in tempering an Italian figge, that hee did not spare his owne naturall mother. Yea after that did bring his owne sister to her baine, who otherwise was none of the holiest. Besides this, he was a necessarie and toward companion in Necromancie & diuelish artes: as appeared by his indeuour and diligence in preferring (so much as in him laye) all those of the same science, to witte, Cecius, Marcellus, Gauricius the Portugal, and other more his approued friendes and fellowe studentes. To conclude, he is the verie same, w^t whom we neede to fill vp this beaderowle, and to bring these two & thirtie noble degrees vntounto one notable stocke or graft, from which all our holie Clergie, all our triple crowned Popes, all bloudie Cardinals, all mytred Bishops, all lazie Abbattes, fat Curates, houdded Monkes, idle Channons, Massepriestes, shauen Clerkes, fysting Nonnes: In fine, all the shauen sorte are proceeded and sprong vp, and further, hauehave filled the earth, as with a heape of grassehoppers.

p. 311The iiii. Chapter. Declaring that the lewde and wicked life of Priestes can not be a let to the administration of their Sacrament. And herein is treated, the briberie, and chopping of benefices vsed in the holie Church of Rome.

SEeing then that our Clergie is descended of so high, holie, renoumed, noble, and right honorable stocke, of all sides, that they can shewe and declare all the armes and banners of their predecessours, so exactly & perfectlie: wherefore then shoulde they not (as of right to them apperteineth) possesse their fathers rentes & reuenewes, and enioye all the priuileges which of old are bequeathed and giuen vntounto them: and which (manie hundreth yeares ago) they hauehave alwayes vsed? Good reason then, that they should after the auncient accustomed manner of their olde mother the holie Romishe Apostolical and Catholike Church, inuocate and call for helpe of their old fathers, whensoeuer anie heauines or trouble doeth seeme any way to come vppon them. And especiallie in this, that our maister Gentian doth here diligently treate vponupon, to witte, that the wicked and lewde life of Priests cannot staine or disgrace the commendable and worthie order of their admission to be Priest. And it is in deede true, for else the matter would cotton but ilfauouredlie with our louing mother the holy church: for to the end I neede not rehearse eueryevery seuerall part,Looke before in the 5. chapter of the firste parte. we hauehave heard aboue, that the decrees do mention: If anie Pope or other religious person doe w^t Simonie, that is to say, with giftes or briberie, with affection or friendship, or with anie other vndecent meane, obteine a benefice, liuing, or other spirituall stipend, the same shal not onelyonly be banished & accursed, but beside al whatsoeuer he doth, or ordein, shalbe accounted without force, voide, and of none effect. And al Priestes and those of the Clergie placed and appointed by him, shal likewise be banished & excommunicated with him. Nowe helpe good Ladie of Walsingham: for is it possible to find one amongst ten thousande, whiche can get his benefice otherwise, than by such prettie practises & cunning sleights? I refer that to the right worshipful Abbat of S. Bauen at Gaunt, & to the Secretarie Argēterus, & to Morilliō the Cardinal of Grandveile his brokers,Vigilius. A Argenterus. B Morilion. C which were wont to be called the A.B.C. of benefices (because he had so many benefices, as there are letters in the p. 312crisse crosse rowe) I refer it (I say) to their consciences, if perhaps there is anie conscience at all left in them. They know how indulgēces & aduousons of benefices were wont to be dealt withal. They knowe also, what subtill practises that the good Cardinal Grandville hath brought vsus in the low countries, to scumme the best fat from our pots, with the scummer of indulgences, & sheare the sheepe, where others sheare the hogs. I referre me also to the Notaries, Bull writers, Registres, and Secretaries of the Romish court: they know what notable gaine they yerelie put vp by their boxes for all the pardons, dispensiues, expectatiues, priuileges, Bulles, newe prouisos, Vocatories, Commendaticus, Absolutions, Dispēsations, for to cōpasse three, foure, or ten benefices at once, for Protonotariships, Promotions of Chaplaines, Conseruatories, Reuocatories, Reductions, Exemptions, and other such like paultrie more, which wee hauehave rehearsed before.

But I pray you, was there euer anie Pope, whiche obteined his place otherwise, than by giftes or bribes, or with open force and armed hande?

That appeareth sufficientlie by the horrible schismes,Peruse Iohn Marius, and other Historiographers. contentions, murther, and warres, wherwith histories are so throughlie replenished, that it is wonderfull. Mentioning at last of 22. manifest schismes, wherein were sometimes two, sometimes three: yea foure Popes at once, eache contending most stiflie against the other to winne the bell: and that continued sometimes three or foure, sometimes tenne or twentie: yea sometimes thirtie and fourtie yeares.

But I omit all the rest, onelie calling to mind the late passed Pope Pius the 4. Hath not he openlie on a time with redie monie,Pius the 4. an other time by faire promises, bought the voyce of Cardinal Caraffa, and his adherents (which alwayes helde the contrarie part against the Ferneses, and Mantuans?) Did not he promise the said Cardinall a pension of manie thousande Ducates a yeare, to receiue them out of the reuenues of the Bishopricke of Toledo in Spaine, which he by meanes of the Duke of Florence (who was suretie for the same) would cause him to obteine, and also certeine Fortes and Castles situate in the lande of Naples, which hee should deliuer p. 313into the hands of the Duke of Paliano? And at last, when the time of paiment was come, he caused the Cardinal to bee throtled with a napkin about his neck, and his brother the Duke of Paliano to be beheadded, and further paiment they might seeke where they could. But what neede I (by sundrie examples) declare, that which a calfe with one eie might lightlie perceiue? The Lawier Marsilius Patauin him selfe could wel discerne this, and by writing testifie with these wordes following:In defension… pacis, cap. 24. parte 2. Quid aliud Romae, quam Simoniacorum vndique concursus? That is to say: What els is at Rome, but a gathering & flocking from all places of bribing Heretikes, and brokers of benefices?

The same did the Monke Baptista Mantuan lament, writing thus:

Vaenalia nobis

Templa, Sacerdotes,

Altaria, Sacra, Coronae:

Ignis, Thura, Preces, Coelum

Est venale, Deusque.

Which might be thus Englished:

Wares of all sortes,

are here to be sold:

Buy what you will,

for monie downe told:

Churches, Priestes, Altars,

Offrings, and Crownes:

We passe, for quicke sale,

all cities and townes:

Fire, Franckincense, Dirges,

and pardons from paine,

Hell, Heauen, God, the Diuell,

we giuegive all for gaine.

Wherewith a good Abbat doth finelie agree, who being asked, Papa cuius partis orationis? That is to say: What part of speeche is this word, Pope?

Answered, that it was Participii partis, Quia partem capit a Clero, partema Seculari, partem ab vtroque, cum totius orbis doloris significatione, sine modis & temporibus. That is to say:

This word Pope is a participle, or of the qualitie of those which put foorth their hands on both sides of the dishe: for he receiues of the Spiritualtie, hee receiues of the Temporaltie, & doth parte stakes on both sides, without measure or end, to the great anguish and sorowe of all the world.

And for proofe of this, may be sufficientlie p. 314perceiued by the taxes, or valuing of Benefices, wherout the Pope must alwais hauehave his share. For to let sky a manie of scrappes,First fruites. This calculation and reckoning is to bee read in the hoke called Desensio pro libertate Gallie. Eccl. aduers. Rom. aulam, made by the parliament of Paris, and deliuered vp to king …od…wick… the 11. in the 72.73.74. and 75. article. Peruse also here of Charles Molinae…s. in the booke de Annatis, and search the tare of Bishoprikes and Archbishopriks and Franciscus Duarenus de sac…is Eccle. ministris ac benefi…iis in the end of the booke. which he so carefullie doeth gather from vnderunder the table of the Beneficed, like a dogge: onlie the first yerely fruites, which the Bishops, Abbats, Prelats, and other bene…ice buiers must alow the Pope, do amount onelie in France, yere by yere, but to tenne times an hundreth thousand Crownes. Yea in the time of Pope Pius the 2. were void in France aboue twentie, so of Archbishoprikes as Bishoprikes, which brought to his coffers, a hundreth & twentie thousand Crownes. After that, he receiued not much lesse of xl. Abbies which were likewise voide in his time. And further of Priories, Deanties, and Parsonages, he got in no lesse than an hundreth thousand Crownes. And aboue all these were there about an hundreth thousand parish Churches & Pastorships, which the one w^t the other did eche alow to the Pope xxv. Crownes. Behold, and consider, if this doth not in the whole amount vntounto xxviii. times an hundreth thousande, and more, xl. thousand Crownes? Reckon then, and ouercast all the other profites, besides the first fruites. And then ponder what a monstrous summe of money, al other countries (throughout all Christendome) doe bring together, which in a manner are serued with the like sawce. I omit the reuenewes which he receiueth, and is paid euerie yere by the strumpets of Rome, amounting (for eche paid a Ducate) aboue fortie thousand Ducates: besides that which he dueth likewise get of the Iewes: and further, that which is brought him in the chamber of penance, where the remission of all sinnes are rated and taxed at a certen price: like as we hauehave touched before, and graunted dispensations, for to marrie with their neerest kinred, whiche is not allowed to anie, but such as be riche. For thus soundeth the text:

In the booke named, Tax…, & Cellar. Apost. cū notabilibus, iuxt. stylum hodiernū Rom. Cu…iae, in Rubri. de Matrimonial.Et nota diligenter, quod huiusmodi gratiae, & dispensationes non cōceduntur pauperibus, quia non sunt, ideo non possunt consolari.

That is to say:

And note diligentlie, that such fauour and dispensations are not alowed to the poore, for they are not, and therefore can not be comforted.

Behold, this is a text of the Bible, which p. 315speaking of the people of Israel, vnderunder the name of Rachel, saith, that she is mournfull, and doth bewaile her children, and can not be comforted, because they are not present. This doeth the holie Romish Church vnderstand of the poore fellowes, which hauehave no Ducates or Crownes of golde, and therefore can not be relieued in the chamber of penance: where none finde ease, but such as will come off, and deale liberallie. But who were able to declare al the sundrie merchandizes, fines, trumperies, and simonie of the most holie fathers and Pope of Rome? It is euen a verie bottomles poole, whiche doeth surpasse mans capacitie. Insomuch as wee neede not maruell, that Pope Iohn the 22. after his discease, did leaue vntounto his successours, xxv. Millians,This writeth Francisc. …et…ar. and Ma…sil. Pa…a. in defen. pacis. or xxv. times thousand thousand Crownes in redie monie, which after our reckoning, is fiue hundreth tonnes of golde. Besides all that, which he (whilest he was Pope) did wastfullie spende and consume with whores and knaues, with sumptuous and daintie fare, with riot and banqueting, and other such like Popelie holinesse, the which vndoubtedlie was an infinite masse of monie.

In his booke called, Sylua locorum commun.Therefore it is, that the Archbishop of Maydenburg, noting this summe, and hauing cast and reckoned, that in the time of Pope Martin the fift, were brought into Rome, as good as nine millians of golde, which is, nine times thousande thousande Crownes onelie out of France, with great admiration vsed these wordes, Iudicet timoratus, quae vorago haec: That is to say, Each one which feareth God, record and iudge hereby, what an vnsatiable & bottomlesse poole this is.

But what nedeth further repetition hereof? Euerie one doth know wel inough, that al things with the Popes of Rome, are set at sale. And this appeareth sufficiently by the worthie actes of the holy fathers Alexander the 6. and Leo the tenth. For of the first did Iohn Picus Prince of Mirandula write thus:

Vendit Alexander,

Cruces, Altaria, Christum:

Emerat ipse prius,

Vendere iure potest.

That is to say:

Vpstart Pope Alexander,

and out with his male,

p. 316And made vp his market:

What set he to sale?

Christ (by Saint Maerie)

Altars, and Crosses,

He bought them, to sell them:

Men liue not by losses.

And of the other did the learned Poet Accius Sannaharius indite as followeth:

Sacra sub extrema

Si forte requiritis hora,

Cur Leo non potuit

Sumere? vendiderat.

That is to say:

If this to knowe be your intent,

Why Leo, at his dying day,

Could not receiue the Sacrament:

What other cause did lette, (I pray?)

But that, for greedie gaine of gold,

Out of his hands the same he sold.

But if promotions and benefices were onelie to be solde for monie and bribes, then were our deare mother the holy church to be borne with, and not greatly to bee blamed. But what helpeth it? It is apparantlie perceiued, that they are to be gotten by Ruffianlike liuing, whorehunting, periurie, and abhominable Sodomiticall filthinesse.

For to the end I let slip, that Pope Paulus the third, after that he was put by the third time, did at last obteine a Cardinals hatte, by the importunate instigation of his sister Iulia Fernesia, Pope Alexanders strumpet, who threatened to forsake him, vnlesse he would admit her brother into the honest and worthie fellowshippe of Cardinals. To the end I also let slip the forenamed litle Cardinal of Monte, who by his filthie Sodomitical mildemeanour, possessed the Cardinals hat of Pope Iulius de Monte. Those which hauehave but a while frequented Rome, can testifie, that it is a common order & vsuall course: yea, it is not of to day nor yesterday, but it is one of the olde traditions or customes of the holie Romish Church, which she without setting downe in writing, hath receiued from the father to the childe, or from heire to heire, and doeth still followe the same. For Pope Benedict the twelfth, who him selfe made a decree, forbidding, That to the vndeserued, or such as were vnworthie, should not anie benefice bee giuen, did notwithstanding in the yeare 1336. offer the learned man Francis Petrarcha a Cardinals hat, vppon condition, p. 217that he should deliuer him his sister for a Concubine.This is rehearsed in the life of Petrarch. of that which is written of Vergerio & Squarciasico, which within …le did liue vponupon the said time. Wherevnto Petrarcha aunswered, That hee had no neede of so fowle or filthie a hatte. Yet his brother Gerard Petrarcha consented thereto, and deliuered his sister to the holie father for a Cardinals hat. But when the Pope had satisfied his desire with her, and did not paie the hat, the good man did despaire, & got him selfe away into a Catholike cloister or religious house.

Such merchandize is a dailie thrift to the Romish Pilates and holy fathers. And therefore might Peters barke suffer shipwracke, if vponupon their holines and honestie you would builde the worthie state of Prelatshippe and spirituall callings, and the Masse with the seuen Sacramentes. For admit they had obteined all their liuings, benefices, and shauen crownes, by their worthines and holie actes, yet might wee not heare their Masses, so long as they haunt and vse the companie of their pretie Minions, by vertue of the councel of Mantua, wherein is expreslie forbidden, That wee shall not heare the Masse of anie Priest, whom we knowe to exercise the companie of anie women.

And nowe I referre the matter to the consciences of Priestes, Monkes, & Cannons, whether the holiest amongst them al, do alwayes refraine and keepe themselues from the haunt of harlottes. Forsomuch as it is knowen and manifest, that the cōmon sorte are not content with one proper bedfellow, as we may sufficiently perceiue by the Popes and other Prelates their bastardes, with which they hauehave replenished the world, and hauehave distributed their lands and liuings amo…gst them. And therefore must we alwayes be mindfull of this rule: that whēsoeuer we heare ought of Priests or Monkes, whiche soundeth not well, yet the same cannot be preiudicial or hurtful to their state or calling, or hinder the vertue of holie Masse: yea it is sanctified & made holie through the worthinesse of the person him self, how wicked and sinfull soeuer the fact can be.Fel…ius in cap. ex parte. 1. De officio delegati. & Iacobatiu▪ in tract. de Conciliis. Tit. 4. Chap. 4. For this hath our mother the holie church after this sorte concluded: That in case the Pope shoulde for readie monie sell all the Spirituall goods, all benefices and prebendes, and all the trumperie, one with the other, yet may not that be reckoned for Simonie, so long as the holinesse of his person can p. 318washe and cleanse away all stayned spots and filthinesse. Yea, of a sinne canne hee make a good and godly worke, as is shewed before. And the Pope with the holie Church of Rome can no further bee tainted with this crime of Simonie or briberie, than that the Court of Rome maye bee called Monarcha Simoniae, This is repeated by Restau. Castaldus, in tractat. de Imperat.that is to say, A Monarche or Dutchesse of Spiritual theeuerie. And therefore Bribeberie or Simonie canne not bee founde at Rome.

And as concerning other factes, the Pope can wholie dispense with them: insomuch as the holie Church is out of daunger, yea although shee were as full of villaines and reprobates, as an egge is full of meate.

The v. Chapter. VVhichWhich treateth of the ignorance of Hugnenote preachers, and the great and singular learning, capacitie, weightie and deepe grounded questions of Catholike Doctours.

NOwe let vsus proceede with our Huguenote Ministers and Preachers, and paint them forth in their colours. Go to then, maister Gentian saith: They are vnlearned, and of a wicked life. Touching the first point, their ignorance is easilie perceiued by this, in that they will not say and sing their Pater Nosters, Benedictions, or thankesgiuing, Psalmes, and other prayers in Latine, but alwayes vse their owne mother tongue. Truelie if they had their latine tongue so prompt and readie, as the Priestes hauehave it in their Masses and Diriges, they would not be so charie and daintie of it. In deede, it is verie true, that some of them hauehave not onlie the latine tongue, but also the Greeke and Hebrewe more perfecte & readie, than the Priestes and Monkes hauehave their Kirieleyson and Per omnia. But in primis, it is Heretical Latine, and of this new sorte, which is vnknowen, (much lesse vsed) amongest the Doctors of Louen, Colen, and Paris, and such as the holy Romish Church can not skill of. On the other part, there are some amongst them, which know no more latine then our Monkes and Parish priestes: yea they will not boast or crake to knowe anie thing, saue onelie Iesus Christ, & the same crucified:1. Cor. 2.2.1 Cor 2:2 and perswade them selues, that that alone, (at least) is worth as much, as p. 319all the Doctors copes, Aristotles breeches and lyripypes, which our Magistri nostri and Supermagistri at Louen hauehave wonne with great and painfull industrie. But when all is said, are their learned sort such iolly fellowes? Are they of thē selues able to dissolue one of those questions, which our maisters of Louen with great heapes do daylie deliuer? and breake their braines about them, in such sort, that when they come abroad in the aire, their heades are lapt and wrapt about with cloutes and ragges, as though they were in danger to breake and fall asunder? Ywys syr no. He had neede to be a wylie Woodcocke, which shuld be able to dissolue such indissoluble questions. For beholde, these are they, whereby they permit their studentes to proceede Bachelers, Maisters of arte, and Doctours: Namelie, to knowe, Whether God be able to sinne? Questions of Catholike Doctours.If he were able to hate his Sonne? If it were in his power to commaund anie thing, that is euil? If he might hauehave created the world in better condition than he hath done? If he could hauehave created a father without a childe? Or a childe without a father? Or a hill without a valley? If hee were able of a whore to make a virgine againe? Also, whether the sonne of God could hauehave taken a womans shape vponupon him? Yea, if he could turne him selfe into the likenes of a Diuell? Or take vponupon him the nature of an Asse? Whether hee could not hauehave bene a peeble stone? A Pompin? or Colewort? And if hee had become a Pompin, howe then would he hauehave preached? Also, whether our Ladie was borne pure and without sinne? Further, howe manie companies of Angels there be? Who sits on the highest end & who on the lowest: who goeth before, and who folowes after? Moreouer, what is done in hell? With what sort of tongs and bellowes the fire is kindled? Howe hotte Purgatorie is? Wherewith all it was separated from hell? How long the soules must frie in it, before they bee inough? Besides them which we hauehave rehearsed, concerning Mise which were cerpt into the Sacrament box, what they find there to gnaw vponupon, considering it is changed from bread? Howe long the man in the Moone will tarie there, and when he taketh his flight? Whether the host be poysoned when there is any poison p. 320mixt with the bread? And whether flies dare presume to beshite it? With other more weightie questions without mesure or end, wherein the Heretikes are nothing seene, nor can tell no more of, than of the wind which last blew of my hat: & therfore it must of necessitie followe, that they are most ignorant & vnlearned. They suppose it is nowe, as it was in the dayes of Paul & the other Apostles, whē there was no talke of Bachelers nor Masters of Art: when as Quotlibets, horned or forked Sillogismes, Quidditates, Identitates, Realitates, and other such like rattes nestes, were not yet found out, when Fishermen were preachers, and Tanners Apostles. And therefore are they all busie with their Paul, and their Prophetes,Doctor subtilis, is to say, a profound and deep witted doctor, & so do they cō monlie cal Ioh. Scotus. Doctor An…e…us is an Angelicall or Angellike doctor, and this is the Sirname which they giuegive Thomas de Aquino. and scoffe at all that our Doctor subtilis Iohannes Scotus, Doctor Angelicus Thomas de Aquino, That our Albertus Magnus, Petrus Lombardus, Occa, and all other such like famous and learned Doctours, hauehave written in great bookes and large volumes, and whiche they hauehave after deepe and speciall speculation, concluded and sette foorth for chiefe and principall articles of our beleefe.

But we pratle in vaine, they must (at the least) go yet these ten yeares to schoole, if they will be reputed and taken for learned. What tattle I of ten yeares? A wise Doctour of Diuinitie said to Erasmus, That in nine yeares could not be vnderstood, what onelie Scotus, in his argument vponupon Petrus Lombardus, had written. And another said, That it was impossible to conceiue one sentence or place in Scotus, except hee had Aristotles Metaphysickes at his fingers endes. Metaphysica is to say, those things which surpasse nature as Spirits, Angels, &c. And it is the name of a booke which Aristot. hath written of supernaturall things.What a good yeare meane these Heretikes then, that they are learned, because they hauehave read the Bible, or S. Paule, or Augustine and Hierome? Or because they vnderstand Hebrew, the Chaldean, and Greeke tongues? They must to it a litle better, and must yet these twentie or thirtie yeares goe beate their braines in their common scholes, and drawe Aristotles breeches ouer their eares: or else they shal remaine but vnlearned doltes all their life time, and can neuer proceede Maisters of Arte, or Bachelers, I say not Doctours: Yea, although they had eaten seuen Bibles, and know asmuch as euer did Paule. Therefore it is no maruell, that maister Gentian doeth cast in p. 321their teeth, and vpbraideth them with their ignorance: forsomuche as they did neuer tast the knowledge and doctrine of our mother the holie Church, nor yet the wisedome of the deepe grounded and surpassing learned Louanistes.

The .vi. Chapter: Declaring the life and reformation of Huguenote Preachers, and the citie of Geneua and to the contrarie, of the great vertues & valure of the citie of Rome: and of the louelove and kindnesse of the church of Rome. And of the taxations or rate booke of the penaunce Parloure.

COncerning their liues, Maister Gentian doeth put in vre his arte, whiche he learned of the Oratoures and maisters of eloquence and filed speaking: Forsomuche as he doeth first burden his contrarie partie, with suche crimes, as his owne conscience doth pricke him for, and findes himselfe guiltie in: Notwithstanding he doeth handle the matter very circumspectlie: For he saieth but that, hee hearde say, That in the Citie of Potiers in Fraunce, was executed a Huguenote Preacher, who had (all his life time) bene a thiefe, and murtherer: and had with his owne handes murdered as good as a hundred persons. And if so bee that this be true, it seemes straunge vntounto him, that suche preachers will accuse and rebuke the Pope of Rome, for a theefe, and raueni…g bloudhounde, and the Cardinals and Bishoppes for villaines and reprobates. In deede it were straunge. For it is vnsitte, that one Woolfe shoulde bite an other. They ought rather to be faithfull friendes together, and say according to the common prouerbe: Te ti, Te mi, Clawe me and I will clawe thee: or, Keepe my counsell, and I will keepe thine.

Howebeit, Master Gentian will not say, or assure much thereof. For he saieth that he knoweth none such: wherein, as an honest man, he doeth acknowledge his faulte in time, least he might be taken for a brother of that companie. Therefore, although he saith that the common brute goeth, that there are some Huguenote Preachers whiche are little better than those whiche stande by the high way side, Fellons, and rauishers of virgins: yet he soone letteth slippe his purpose, and doth leaue them for such as they are. He feares perhappes, that he might come to nigh the holie sea…e of Rome, and rubbe the holie fathers to neere the gall.Of the citie of Rome. For it is not onelyonly a common p. 322reporte, but the verie truth, which euerie one may see and feele, That whensoeuer suche fellowes are wanting, which might fittely serue to furnish a Gallie, they are not to be found in anie place more readie, than at Rome. For, according to the glosse which is written vponupon the decrees, Rome was first founded and built by Rouers and Fellones, Gloss in cap. Fundamenta. N… autem. De electi… & elect. potestat. in 6.and doth yet obserue her auncient customes. Wherefore it is called in Latine Roma, as though one shoulde say▪ Rodens manus, that is gnawing the handes. Like as the saide glosse doth testifie in the decrees, with this following verse:

Roma manus rodit,

Quos rodere non valet, odit.

That is to say:

Rome gnawes the flesh,

from th'andes of euerie one:

And hates all those,

of whom she can hauehave none.

Which being considered by the good & worthie king Alphonsus, he was wont to say: That the greedie, rauening, birdes, (called by the Poetes) Harpies, did not nestle or dwell anie longer in the Islandes▪ but were remoued to Rome, and did possesse the Romishe Court. And too this purpose, in like maner, did Pope Adrian the 4. lament and complaine vponupon, to Iohn. of Sarisburie, Bishoppe of Chartres, saying, that the Pope of Rome was rightlie named, Seruus seruorum, that is, A slaue of slaues, forsomuch as he was a seruant and slaue of the Romanes, which are the verie slaues and seruantes of couetousnesse.This writeth Iohn of Salisburie himselfe in his booke, called Speculum or the Mirrour. In cap. quotiens. 1.4.7. Like as the Glose doth also testifie, in this common verse:

Seruierant tibi, Roma,

prius Domini Dominorum:

Seruorum serui

nunc tibi sunt Domini.

That is to say:

O Rome in time past,

Lords of Lords were thy vassals:

But nowe at the last,

Slaues of slaues and ranke rascals

Are Lords ouer thee,

As all people see.

Yea, he said further, That the Pope of Rome was no more a follower of Peter, but of Romulus: which Romulus, in the time, when the citie walles were a building, did murder his owne naturall brother called Remus: And within a small p. 323while after, did perforce rauish the wiues and yong virgins of his neighbours the Sabines, vnderunder pretence of keeping a speciall day of solemnization. Insomuch as the citie of Rome is meerlie founded, sanctified, and hallowed, with murder riot; and rauishing of women. And therefore, it is no maruell, though such birdes keepe their feastes there, and are so welcome into it.

Yea, not onlie Murderers, Spoylers by the high way side, and Rauishers of women, but also, all whatsoeuer (without terrour) a man can not call to mind, to witte, All Buggerers, all such as lie with their mother and sister, all Sodomites and Gomorites, all seducers of children, all vngodlie Epicures, which openlie do scoffe at God and Christ, all blasphemers and cursers, all periurers, all whoores and knaues, all proude and salte bitches, all Bawdes, Ruffians, and slewes haunters, all villaines and theeues, all falsifiers of Scriptures and Gods testament, all traitours and ministers of poyson, all dice coggers, false counterfeiters and clippers of coyne, C…awbackes, Parasites, Hanggebyes, Shi…ers and Couseners, all Sorcerers, and Coniurers, all newe fangled and inuenting practisers, all braggers & boasters, all enhaunsers of coyne, lease mongers, and vsurers. In summe, all rascalls, knaues, roges, gallowclappers and castawayes, keepe in the Court of Rome open housholde, and there bee enterteined and friendlie welcomed. There doe they obteine Benefices by heapes, Bishops miters, Cardinals hats, & Popelie crownes. There do they write bookes of **Iohannes de la Casa, Archbisshop of Beneuenta, hath written a booke in commendation of Sodomitrie calling it, A godlie worke, & saying, That he tooke great delight in the same, and vsed no other bed…ellow▪ He was Deacon of the Apostolical chamber, & the Popes Embassadour through…ut the whole countrie of Ve…ice: and hee is the same which first permitted the registre of the forbidden booke… to be extant, in the yere 1549 the 7. of Maie. And the booke wherof we mētion, was printed at Venice, by the printer called No…us. Petrus A…etinus hath bin likewise a great friend to Popes, and hath published many bookes, … he treates of many matters touching b…wderie, and caused manie filthie and vnseemel…e pictures to be made at Venice, and sundrie sortes of by sleeping to be printed, and made a booke and exposition vponupon the same. In the yere 1558. in the dayes of Paule the 4. was one at Bullin, who did openly in the publike scholes argue vponupon Shrou… tuesday, against Matrimonie, in comendatiō of Sodomitrie. Of this disputation the Italian bookes be full.Sodomitrie, and all maner incontinencie, and esteeme them for a godlie matter: like as hauehave done, the Bishoppe Monseur de … Casa, and Petro Aretino. There doe they keepe common schooles, and dispute, whether Matrimonie is better than Sodomitrie.

p. 324Also whether the soule be mortall, & whether Christ hath euer bene, like as Pope Leo the tenth did. There is kept the staple of all villainie which may be thought on. There do men fetch dispensations for all sinnes and incontinent liuing: like as may expressely be seene in the Taxa Poenitentiaria. There do they buy and sell holy and vnholie women and men, sonnes and daughters, soule and bodie, Bulles and Pardons, Benefices and Venefices: yea God and the Diuell, S. Peter and Saint Paule, and all thinges whatsoeuer, are there to sell. Yea the towne it selfe would be solde, so far forth as a merchant might be found, who had monie ynough: like as sixteene or seuenteene hundreth yeres ago, was prophesied by one named Iugurtha. This doth Sal…st declare in his historie named, Bellum Iugurthinum.To conclude, there is not anie thing so wicked nor irksome in all the worlde, which is not franklie and freelie allowed and permitted to be done in Rome: onelie is excepted and forbidden, to liue godlie. Like as the aforenamed Monke Baptista Mantuanus him selfe hath testified, writing thus:

Viuere qui sancte cupitis,

Discedite Roma:

Omnia cum liceant,

Non licet esse pium.

That is to say:

All you, which desire

to liue in holinesse,

From Rome must retire,

the sinke of sinfulnesse:

Where all things are free,

for eueryevery man to vse:

Saue godlie to bee,

which all men must refuse.

Behold, for this cause was maister Gentian well and wiselie aduised, and would not reason to farre in these matters, fearing least he might hauehave touched the Citie of Rome to nigh▪ forsomuch as eache doeth sufficientlie knowe, that the thrift and staple (of those things which hee did burthen the Heretikes withall) is in the citie of Rome, yea in the Court and Palace of the holie father the Pope. For Rome (as the Italian Poet Franciscus Petrarcha hath finelie soung) is a right,

Fontana di dolore, Albergo d'ira,

Scola d'errori, … T…mpio d'heresia:

Gia Roma, hor Babylonia falsa & ria,

Per cui tanto si piagne & si sospira.

O fucina d'inganni, O priglon d'ira,

p. 325Oue'l ben muore, e'l mai si nutre & cria

Di viui Inferno, vn gran miracol sia,

Se Christo teco al fine non s'adira.

Item:

Nido di tradimenti, in cui se coua

Quāto mal par lo mōdo hoggi si spāde,

Di vin serua, di letti & di viuande,

In cui Lussuria fa l'vltima proua, &c.

That is to say:

A gulfe of great greefe,

a rocke of furious rage,

And (take it in breefe)

a schoole or common cage

Of errours most straunge:

Farre Rome to looke vponupon,

But (marke well the chaunge)

nowe beastlie Babylon.

O dungeon most deepe,

of fraude, deceipte, and guile:

O cage, fitte to keepe

hotte hate and vengeance vile:

Where vices preuaile,

where▪ vertue lies starke dead,

Where sinne with full saile

all states hath long misselead,

O whirlepoole of hell,

O fowle and stinking lakes,

Such as in thee dwell,

all goodnesse quite forsakes.

A rare and straunge worldes wonder,

thou wilt of all be thought,

If Sathan keepe thee vnderunder,

and Christ set thee at nought.

Item:

O neast of diuelish treason,

from whence all vices issue:

O enimie to reason,

O fatall foe to vertue:

O drudge to drowzie dronknesse,

and surfetting excesse:

O shrowde of shifters shamelesse,

as whoores, and such like ghesse, &c.

To the contrarie hereof, these Hereticall and Huguenote Preachers, like as they are sworne enimies to the holie Romish religion, so in like maner do they hate and persecute the auncient Romish orders and worthie traditions: especiallie in that thrise accursed citie of Geneua, they are such terrible enimies to our Romish practises and worthie feates, that if anie dare once presume there with women, to practise the Romish, Gomorrian, or Clementine manner, hee should first bee made a Cardinal with a redde hatte vppon his head: or a Bishop at Tyborne, where he p. 326might giuegive his benediction with his heeles: and his Mantle or Bishoppes cloake would not stand him in thirtie thousand Ducates, like as the Mantles do at Rome.

Therefore, if maister Gentian his case be not cleare, as it is to bee doubted of one so faithfull a subiect of the holie Romishe Church, but that he is somewhat tainted with the Romish holinesse: I would by anie meanes aduise him to visit these newe founde Preachers, or to tast of the Huguenotes reformation or mortification. Although it seeme by his writing, that hee would gladlie knowe howe the matter is wrought amongest them: but if hee bee wise, he will keepe him thence, and beare aloofe from them, for it might breed a scab, and cause all the veines in his bodie to repent his enterprise. For their mortification is to the Romish beleeuing Christians, such a bitter receipte and lothsome pill, that it would goe neere to make them burst. If maister Gentianus bee well in his wittes, hee will packe thence, and rather trudge to Rome to his father the Pope, to holde with the mortification of the holie Churche of Rome.

For our deare mother is so kinde, that she gladlie receiueth all commers into her lappe, according to the expresse text of the Prophet Ezechiel,Ezech. 16.25.Ezek 16:25 to wit, The daughter of Israel hath laid open her legges, for euerie one which passeth by her: and receiueth euerie one, Lutheranes and Huguenotes onelie excepted. And further prouided▪ that the taxations and rates of the Apostolical Penance parlour, be allowed, in token of an vpright penance. As namelie: Whosoeuer hath layen with his mother or sister, the said shall for foure pounde Turnois, be remitted.

But whosoeuer, besides this, hauehave committed aduoutrie with her, to wit, shee hauing a husbande, then must hee paye six pound.

Whosoeuer is accused and founde guiltie of Simonie, shalbe forced to paie, fiue and thirtie poundes Turnoys.

But whosoeuer hath slaine father or mother, sister or brother▪ the saide shall scape scotfree with foure poundes, one Ducate, and six Carlines: and so of all other. Vnderstoode alwayes, that this valuation is ment and taketh hold, so long as the Romish Court is resident on this p. 327side the mountaines, namely in France: For if she hauehave her habitation, on the other side the hilles, as in Italie, then for poundes and pence Turnois, shalbe reckoned pounds and pence stearling: like as the Iurist or Lawier Ludouicus Gornesius hath written, and mencioned.In Reg. Cancella. In regula de …alore exprime…o Col. 4.Col 4

In summe, they can not commit anie so great a faulte, but they may at Rome for a peece of monie, hauehave dispensation for it, & so scape free without blame or punishmēt, insomuch as they shall neuer come in Purgatorie, if they can keepe themselues from hell mouth: Whereas maister Gentian shalbe more welcome a great deale, than at Geneua, or elsewhere amongst the Huguenote Preachers. And this worthie Booke or Epistle which hee hath made, may serue him verie well at Rome, for a speciall recommendation to the holie Father the Pope, for to obteine him a Bisshops Myter, or a Cardinals hat.

The vii. Chapter: VVherein is giuen to Maister Gentian and all other holie Catholikes, good and wholesome counsell: And thus the booke concluded.

BVt aboue all things in the worlde, I would wish master Gentian, to be perswaded to remaine stedfastlie, and sticke close to the olde customes and traditions of his predecessors, like durte to a carte wheele, and he can not speede amisse: For although he bee then a good fellow w^t the rest, or an Aleknight, or one which loues the companie of pretie wenches: yet so long as he is not an heretique, it makes no matter: hee needes but once in a yeare to go to shrifte, and obserue a highe feast daye, and then shall he be taken for a good & faithfull subiect of the holie Catholike Church. And admitte that after his deathe he should passe to Purgatorie: yet shall so many Masses (which nowe are fallen in price and become good cheape) be said for his soule, that he with hose and shooes, shal flie to heauen, as straight as a sickle.

Therefore must I greatlie maruell and reioyce at his wise, deliberate, and wellpremised conclusion, which hereto hee hath annexed, to witte: That hee will remaine permanent in the lappe of his dearlie beloued mother the holie Churche of Rome, without medling or hauing ought to doe with the Heretikes.

For seeing they cannot (as he saith) he p. 328faithfull, forsomuch as they will not beleeue all whatsoeuer the holie Church doth beleeue: and in especiall will not beleeue the holie Sacrament of the Altar. Seeing also it is a lie, that we ought not to beleeue anie thing, but whatsoeuer God comprehendeth in the Scriptures, and that we may not adde or diminishe anie parte thereof: and that in like case the Scripture doeth holde on our side, beeing rightlie taken and vnderstoode, after the exposition of the holie Church. Seeing they doe also call vsus worshippers of idols, like as also the Iewes do: seeing their liues be no better then good christians liues, and that they detest and deride al prayers, fastings, and mortification. Seeing their Preachers and Ministers may worthilie be reputed for ignorant and vnlearned: yea also reproched for lewde & wicked liuers: and that they canne bring vsus no better demonstracions, nor alledge other reasons, than is in the Scripture: and that master Gentian euen vntill this verie time hath heard say, that there is no saluation without the Church: so will hee then liue and die with his deare & holie mother the Church: and wil not at anie time forsake her, but vnmoueable remaine with her for euer. For although he with great hast did offer an answeare, and makes a shewe, as though he woulde runne in po…t haste to the Huguenotes sermons, yet he is not in earnest. I esteeme him to be so stedfast and obstinat, that he will not easily alter his hide, nor his spottes,Iere. 13.23.Jer 13:23 like as Ieremie doeth say of the blacke Moore and the Libarde. In the meane while notwithstanding, when I consider the merueilous burning zeale, wherwith he is driuen, then am I of meere necessitie forced, in the name of the holie Church, to beseech God, that the Huguenotes do not answeare him, but may find so much to doe with other hardie and waightie matters, that they doe not thinke on Maister Gentian, for feare least it might so fal out (which I hope not) that he might be chaunged, forsomuch as it seemes, that he is driuen with such seale to his saluation, that hee regardes neither Hedge nor ditch, but runnes so directly thitherwards, as a yong headelesse Ducke. Therefore had I rather request the Pope, to cast a morsell in his mouth, and giuegive him a good fatte benefice, to the ende he departe not p. 329from vsus in such haste: for it were to great a losse, if the holie Church shoulde misse such a strong pillar. They might go nigh to fall both in the ashes, which Gods good mother, and all the Saintes which are at Bruxelles on the high altar of S. Goele, deliuer vsus from,S. Goele is the chiefe Church in Bruxe's, a citie so called. Per omnia secula seculorum, that is to say, For euer, Amen.

Further, I am friendlie to request the good man, which did translate the Epistle of Gentian into the Dutch tongue, that he will take thus much paines more, for the commoditie of our deare mother the holie church, and to the reioycing of the foresaid good man maister Gentian, to translate this our exposition of his Epistle into the French tongue: to the end that the Wallons may in like manner vse this our Bee hiue, and gather the honie & honiecombe thereout, to the renoume, glorie, and honour of our mother the holie Church, against all her foes.