Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 4 · Part 1
¶The Sentence of the Councell of Brixia against Hildebrand.
BEcause it in knowne this Bishop, not elected of God, but intruded himselfe by f…aud and money, subue…ted Ecclesiasticall order, disturbed the gouernment of the Empire, …nacing death of bodie and soule vntounto our peaceable king, set vp a per…ured king, making discor…s amongst friends and brethren, Diuorcements amongst the maried: (for he tooke away the marriage of Priests, as Henricus Mutius witnesseth) therfore we heere in the name of God congregated, doe procéede in Canonicall Iudgement against Hildebrand, a man most wicked, preaching Sacriledge and burning, maintaining periurie, and murders, calling in question the Catholike Faith of the body and blo…d of Christ, following of Diuinations and dreames, a manifest Nigromancer, a Sorcerer, infected with a Pith…nical spirit. We adiudge him to be deposed, and expelled, and vnlesse he depart vponupon the hearing hereof, to be pe…pstually condem…d. This be…ing sent to Rome, they elected Guibertus Archbishop of Rauenna, which was deposed by Hildebrand as aforesaid, in his place, and named him Clement the 3. And because Hildebrand would not giuegive ouer his hold, the Emperour with an Army came to Rome to depose him: and Hildebrand sending to the Countesse Mathilda, before mentioned, required her, in remission of all her sinnes, to withstand the Emperour, and so she did; but the Emperour besieged the Citie all the Lent, and after Easter got it, and comming into the Temple of Saint Peter, placed Clement in his Papacie Hildebrand …ed into Ad…ans Tower, where being besieged, he sent for Robert Guischardus a Normaine, who with his Army, when the Emperour was gone, burst in at one of the gates of the C…y, spoyled it, and deliuered Hildebrand, and caried him to Campania, where not long after he dyed in exile. In the meane time, whilst the Emperour was at Rome, the Abbot of Cluniake, and the people of Rome, exhorted Hildebrand to Crowne Henry Emperour at Lateran, and they would …ause the Emp…rour to depart with his Arm… to whom he answered, he would, so the Emperour would submit himselfe, aske pardon, amend, and promise obedience. The Emperour not agréeing to the conditions, departed, and tooke the new Pope with him. The Emperour was wont to pray in the Temple of Saint Mary, Hildebrand knowing by spies the place where he was wont to pray hired one to cary vp stones to the roofe of the Church, to let them fall vponupon his head when he was at prayers; the hireling, …aying his stones in order, fell downe and was slaine. The Romaines vnderstanding the truth, drew him thrée dayes, by the legs, through the streets for example; but the Emperour, of his méekenesse commaunded him to b… buried. Hildebrand, being a dying, bewailed his faults, and sent a Cardinall to the Emperour to desire him forgiuenesse, and to pardon the Emperour and all his par…akers, quicke and dead, of the danger of excommunication. From this Pope sprang all mischéefe, pride, pompe, and tyranny, which since raigned in his successors; hence was the subiection of Temporall Regiment to the Spirituall, and the suppression of Priests mariages: héere came in the authoritie of both Swords to the Spiritualty, so that the Magistrates could doe nothing in giuing of Bishoprickes, benefices; in calling of Counceis, in correcting the excesses of the Clergie, but the Pope must doe all. Nor no Bishop, nor Passor, in his owne Parish, could excommunicate, or vse any … discipline, against his flocke, but it was onelyonly the Popes Prerogatiue. In him was the first example of persecuting Empe…ours and kings with rebellion and excommunication; then Victor the third was made Pope, who likewise shewed himselfe staut against the Emperours;1087. but God gaue the shrewde cowe short hornes: some say hee was poysoned in his Chalice, and raigned but one yeare and a halfe. Notwithstanding the Popes followed still the steps of Hildebrand, as the Kings of Israell Ieroboam: in the time of this Victor began the Order of Monkes of the Charterhouse.
Next him V…banus the 2. was Pope, which confirmed the Acts of Hildebrand, and gaue new Decrees against Henry the Emperour, and against Clement the Pope, hee held two Councels, one at Plac…tia, the other called Synodus Claromontana, wherein he caused all Christian Princes …o warre against the Sa…cens,1094. for recouering Ierusalem: whereupon 30000. were appointed for the same businesse, by the said Vrbanus.
The King of Galacia, with the whole Di…ces of Saint Iames, was excommunicated for the prisoning of a certaine Bishop.
About this time the King of England fauoured not much the Sea of Rome, for their pride and exactions, and would not suffer his subiects to giuegive to Rome, saying; The followed not Pet…rs steps that h…nted for rewards,1908. nor had Peters power, which had not his holinesse.
The order of Cisteri…ns was first est…blished in Burgundia, by the same Vrbanus the seauen Canonical houres were first instituted in the Church▪ By him, the order of the Cartus…an M…nkes was confirmed. Hee Decreed no Bishop to be made, but vnderunder the name of some place, he Decreed that Ma…ens and houres of the …ay should eueryevery day be said, and that the Masse of our Lady should bee said eueryevery Saturday, and the Clergy that had wiues, should be depriued of their Order, and that it was lawfull for subiects to breake the Oath of Alegiance with such Princes as were excommunicated, and that it was not lawfull for a man and his wife, both together▪ to Christen a childe, with many moe matters.
After him followed Pascalis the 2.1100. he putting on a purple Uesture and a tyre on his head, was brought vponupon a white Palfrey, into Lateran, where a Scepter was giuen him, and a girdle about him, which hauing seauen Keyes, with seauen Seales, to token the seauen powers by the seauen graces of the holy Ghost of binding, loosing, shutting openning, sealing, resigning and Iudging, which the Emperour Henry the 4. hearing of, thought to come to Italy to salute the new Pope, but vnderstanding the Popes minde against him, changed his purpose. This Pascalis d…posed all such Abbo…s, and Bishops, as the Emperour had set vp; and banished many that striued, at that time, for the Papacie, and made an Armie against Clement, whom the Emperour made Pope, as aforesaid, and being put to flight, not long after d…d. About the same time, the Bishop of Fluence began to teach and Preach of Antichrist then to bée borne, as Sabeli…us …. Pascalis put to silence the said Bishoppe, and condemned his Bo…kes, by a Councell, which hée assembled at Tre…as. Maried Priests, in this Councell, were condemned for Nicholaitans. All Lay-men, that gaue Spirituall Dignities, were condemned of Symony. The Statu…e of Priests Tythes was renewed, counting the selling thereof sinne against the holy Ghost. Hée renewed the excommunication of Hildebrand against Henry the Emperour, caused cer…aine Bishoppes to depriue him of his Crowne, and to place his sonn… Henry the 5. in his Fathers roome; these Bishops required of the Emperour his Diademe▪ P…ple, …ing, and other ornaments of his Crowne: when the Emperour would know the reason, they aleadged, the Popes pleasure, and for selling Spirituall Liuings: but these Bishops being demaunded of him, could not deny but hee tooke nothing of them, they being preferred by him: well, said hée, you requi…e mée well, and admonishing them of their Oath and alegiance, as hee sate in his Throne, they pl…cke away all his Cu…periall Ornaments. The good Emperour, being destitute, said, Videat Deus & Iudicat. Thus leauing him, they confirmed the Kingdome to his Sonne, and caused him to driue his Father out, who with nine persons, did …y to the Dukedome of Li…burg, the Duke bearing of it, made after him, the Emperour hauing before put him from his Kingdome, being afraid of death, cra…ed pardon of him, and not reuengement, the Duke pittying his estate, remitted his displeasure, and receiued him to his Castle, and collecting men of Warre, brought him to Colin. His Sonne hearing thereof, besieged the City, but hee escaped by night to Leodium, thither all they that had compassion and consiant hearts resorted to him, so hee was able to pitch a Field against his enemies, and so did, hee desired his friendes, if they that had the victory, they would spare his sonne, in that sight the Father had the victory, and the Sonne was chased, but in another battell the Sonne had the victory, and the Father was taken, who being vtterly dispossessed, was faine to craue of the Bishop of Spire, whom he had done much for, to hauehave a Pr…bendry in the Church,1103. to serue in our Ladies quire, who swore by our Lady hee should hauehave none. Thus hee came to Leodium, and there, for sorro … dyed, after he had raigned 50. …eares. Pope Pascalis caused his body to be taken our of the graue, and to remaine at Spites fiue yeares without buriall.
About this time Anselmus Bishop of Canterbury, which brought in the Conception of our …ady to bee hal…wed; accused King Henry the first of England, to Pascal…s for making certaine Bishops by his owne election; the Kings Proctor, in his behalfe, signif…d to the people, that the King, for the value of his Kingdome, would not forgoe his right, in setting in Bishop▪ and Pr…lates. The Pope answered. Before …od, I for the price of my head, will not permit it vntounto him. The Archbishop returning home, being the Popes Legate, was turned out of his Bishopricke, and goods.
Henry the 5. Emperour, after his fathers death, raigned twentie yeares, being at Rome,1107. could not be crowned, except he would relinquish his clayme of making Popes, or any other Bishops: there was such a stirre made by the Pope, that if the Emperour had not defended himselfe with his owne handes, hée had béene slaine. But the Emperour hauing the victory, tooke Pope Pascalis, led him out of the city, made him agree to cr…wne him, and to allow him his prerogatiue of election of Popes, and other Bishops; and being crowned, returned with the Pope to Rome. But as soone as the Emperour returned to Germany, the Pope called a Syno…e, …euoking his agréement, and exc…mmunicated the Emperour, as he had done his Father. The Emperour … a… it, marched to Rome, and put the Pope to flight, and placed another in his …. The Germaine Bishops, with all they might, stirred the Saxons against the…r Caesar, it gr…we at length to a pitched Field. The Emperour, seeing no end of his conflicts,1115. was faine to forgoe his priu…ledge of the Popes election, and other things belonging to the Church, and Churchmen.
In the time of Pascalis, li…ed Barnardus, of whom sprung the Barnardine Monkes.
The Emperour had no issue, his wife was Mathildas, daughter of King Henry the fi…st of England, which was Gods iust Iudgement for deposing his Father. Pascalis being dead, Pope Gelasius was chosen by the Cardinals, without the Emperour; and the Emperour made another Pope,1118. Gregorius the 8. which made Pope Gelasius … into France, and there dyed. The Cardinales choose Calixus the 2. Pope, without the Emperour; who before hee came to his Seat in R…me, sent his Legate to excommunicate the Emperour, and droue Gregorius, the Emperours Pope, out of Rome. The Emperour fearing the vaine thunderbolts of the Popes curse, perswad…d by his Princes and f…iends, resigned his …y…le, pertaining to the … of the Pope, and the inuestiture of Bishops. This being set vy in writing, in the Church of Lateran, in tryumph of the Emperour thus sub…ued. Then the Pope made out, and tooke his fellow Pope Gregorius, set him on a Camell, his face backward, holding the tayle for a bridle, brought him thro…gh the streetes of Rome, and sho… him, and thrust him into a Monastery. …ée established the Decrée of the Papall Sea against the Emperour, and brought in the foure Ember-fasts, called ember …aies. He ordained the order of Monkes, called Praemonstratenses. It was … by him to be iudged adultery for any person to put away his Liuing or Bishoprick… …uring his life, according to Saint Paul; The wife is bound vntounto the husband as long as he liueth.
By a generall Councell at Rhemes, he decréed, all Clergy men should put away their wiues,1119. or be depriued of their Liuings, wherupon an English writer made these verse…:
O bone Calixte, nunc omnis clerus odit te.
Quondam presbyteri poterant vxoribus vti,
Hoc destruisti, post quam tu Papa fuisti.
Pope Honorius the …. succeeded him, he sent one Iohn Cremensis Cardinall, Legat into England,…12…. and Scotland, in colour of redresse, but to fsill his purse, as all other did after him in those dayes; afte… he had well refreshed himselfe in Bishops and Abbots houses, he assembled the whole Clergy, inquired of Priests wiues, and made a Sta…tute they should hauehave no women in their houses, vnlesse i…h kindred as were not to be …usp…cted, and the offend…r of this Act, to forfaite all his Spirituall promotion, and that no kindred should mary vntill the seauenth generation; and r…fling within houres at night, was taken in the same vice he was so strict against, to no little shame of the Clergie.
At this time the Emperour Henry the 5. dyed without issue,1127. the Emperiall crowne came to Lotharius Duke of Saxon. Not long after deceased Henry the first, King of England.
In this Honorius his time, came a Priest to Rome, called Arnulphus, who preached vehemently against the pride, auarice, and incontinencie of the Clergie, and exhorted them to follow Christ. He was well respected of the Citizens, but the Cardinals and Clergy hated him, and made him away in the night by drowing him. Sabelicus and Platina say, they hanged him. His Martyrdom (he said) was reuealed to him by an Angel in the Desert, and said vntounto them. I know you will kill me priuily, and no maruell; for if Saint Peter were héere, and rebuked your vices that exceed, you would serue him so, and said with a loud voice; I am not afraid to suffer for the truth, but God will be reuenged, you play the blinde guides, and leade the people to Hell.
In the second Booke of Councels, printed at Colen, either this Arnulphus or about his time, one complaineth of the number of Holly daies, and the increase of vice thereby▪ whoores, say they, vantage more in one Holy day, then in fiftie other dayes: and of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches, wherein much time is spent that might better be be…towed in other Sciences, and learning. And of the multitude of begging Fryers, and other professed men and women, the cause of Idlenesse, and vncomely life; of promotion of euill Prelates, and their negligence in reprouing vice. Of the wantonnesse of their seruants, and their excesse in apparell: Of the excessiue gaines of the prelates and their officers for their Seales: giuing them, they care not for what, so they get money. That Prelates bée too slacke in looking to non residents. Of giuing benifices, not for godlinesse and learning, but for fauour, friendship, or hope of gaine, of which commeth the great ignorance in the Church. How Prelates wast the Church goods in superfluitie on kinsfolkes, or worse wayes, and not on the poore. How, by negligence, the Bookes of the olde Co…ncels, and o… the new, are not to be found, which should be kept in all Cathedral Churches. The negligence of Pre…ates, and their voluptuousnesse, by example of Storks, whose nature is, if one leau… his mate, and ioyne with another, all the rest fly on him, and plucke his feathers off: so, and much more, should prelates d…e to their fellowes, that defile so many▪ and stinke in the whole Church. And as E…dras, in purging Israel from strange women, began with the priests, so now the purgation ought to begin with them, as it is written in Ezechi…ll: Begin with my Sarctuary. &c.
Againe, if the whole Realme of France was interdicted, because Phillip the King, had but one Concubine, which was not his lawfull wife. And the King of Portugall, sequestred from his Dominion, and thought by the Clergie insufficient to rule. What shall be said to prelates which abuse mens Wiues, Uirgings, Nunnes, and are insufficient to take charge of Soules.
About this ti…e the Order of the Knights of the Rhodes, called Iohannits, and the Order of the Te…lers rose vp.
After Honorius succéeded Pope Innocentius the 2. At eueryevery mutation of new Popes,1130, came new troubles, sometime two Popes, sometimes thrée together. The Romaines elected another Pope, called Anacletus, betwixt whom was great conflicts. The Duke of Sicile taking with Anacletus, vntill Lotharius the Emperour droue Anacletus … of Italy.
This Pope decréed that whose strucke a shauen Priest, should be excommunicated, and not absolued but onelyonly by the Pope.
Steuen king of England,1133. reserued to himselfe the authoritie of bestowing Spirituall liuings, and of inuesting Prelates.
At which time Lodouicus the Emperoue would hauehave done the like, had not Bernardus giuegive in him contrary councell.
At this time came in the manner of cursing with Booke,1144. Bell, and Candle, in a Councell of London, holden by William Bishop of Winchester, vnderunder Pope Celestinus, successor of Innocentius.
After Lotharius succeeded in the Emperiall Crowne, Conradus Nephew of Henry the fift, he raigned 15. yeares. There was diuerse Popes in his dayes, as Celestinus the 2. Lucius the 2. E…genius the 3. at which times the Romaines endeauored to recouer the old manner of chusing Con…uls, and Senators; but the Popes, being in their ruffe, would not abide it▪ which caused much ciuill warre; insomuch that Pope Lucius sent … the Emperour for ayde, who thought to hauehave dest…oyed them in the Senate: but they were ware o… it, and were all in aray, the Pope being in the fight was well pelted with stones and blowes, that he liued not long after.
Eugenius cursed the Romaines for that matter with excommunication,1145. which when he saw would not serue, came vponupon them with his Host, and compelled them to abolish their Consuls▪ and to take such presidents as the Pope should assigne.
Then followed Anastatius the 4. after him Adrianus the 4. an English man,1154. called Breakespeare, belonging once to Saint Albons, he likewise kept great slur…e with the Citizens of Rome, to abolish Consuls, with cursing and warres vntill he had brought them vnderunder.
In the meane time Fredericus, called Barbarossa, succeeded Conradus in the Empire, marched to Italy to subdue rebels; the Pope and his Clergie met him to hauehave ayde against their enemies, the Emperour lighted to receiue him, and held his left stirrop where he should the right, the Pope displeased, he smiling, excused himselfe as not vsed to hold stirrops, and that it was not of duetie: the next day the emperour sent for him, receiued him, and held his right stirrop, and all was well. When they came in the Pope told the Emperour that his predecessors left some token of beneuolence for crowning of them; as Carolus Magnus subdued the Lumbards, Otho the Bexingarians, Lotharius the Normans; therefore required him to restore the Country of Ap…lia to the Church of Rome. He and his Princes seeing he could not otherwaies …e crowned, promised to doe it, and the next day was crowned. Whilst the Emperour was prouiding for Apulia, the Pope excommunicated William Duke thereof, and sent Emanuell Emperour of Constantinople, incensing him to warre against the said Duke. Th… Duke hearing it, sent vntounto the Pope for peace, promising to restore what hee would, which the Pope, by the Councell of the Cardinals, would not grant. The Duke put Emanuell the Emperour to flight, and besieged the C…tie Bene…entum, where the Pope and Cardinals were looking for victory, that they were glad to intreat for the peace they refused, the Duke onelyonly granted not to inuade the possessions of Rome, and the P…pe made him King of both Sicils.
The Pope was so troubled with the Senators and Consuls of Rome, that when his curses would not auaile, he was faine to remoue from Rome to Ariminium.
The Emperour, considering the wrongs the Pope had done to his predecessors required of the Bishops of Germany Homage and Oath of alegiance, commaunding if the Popes Legats came thither without sending for, they should not be receiued, charging his subiects not to appeale to Rome, and prefixed his name in his Letters before the Popes name.
Whereupon the Pope wrote to him, that God promiseth long life to th…m that honoured their Parents, and death to them that cursed them: and the word of truth saith▪ He that exal…eth himselfe shall be brought lowe. He maruelled not a little that he shewed not the reuerence he ought to blessed Saint Peter▪ and the holy Church of Rome … preferre your name before Ours, wherein your incurre the note of insolencie, or rather arrogancie. How kéepe you the Oath of fidelitie to Saint Peter and vsus, séeing you require Homage and Alegiance of them that be Gods, and all the sonnes of the high God, and presume to ioyne their holy hands with yours; and exclude from your Churches and Cities our Cardinals, Legates from our side; amend, amend: …hile you go… about to obtaine the things you hauehave not, I feare mée, your Honour will loose the things which you hauehave.
The Emperour wrote againe, that Iustice giueth to eueryevery one his, Wée derogate not from our parents, as We hauehave receiued our Emperiall Crowne of them, we render their due and …ue Honour to them againe: and forasmuch as duety of all sorts of men is to be sought out, did not Constantine restore Peace to the Church, and of his liberall benig…ity, & other Princes, gaue whatsoeuer Regality or Patrimony the Sea of your Papacie hath, as is to be found in the Chronicles? Of them that be Gods by adoption, and hold Lordships, why may not wée require Homage and sworne Alegiance, when he that is you… master and ours paid …oule and tribute for himselfe and Saint Peter to Caesar, giuing you example to doe the like, and therefore saith, Learne of mee, for I am humble and meeke. …herefore▪ either render our Lordships, or if they b… too sweete to you, giuegive God his due, and Caesa… his due. We shut out the Cardinals because we see them no preachers but prowlers, not repayrers of peace, bat rakers for money; not Pillars, b…t pollers of Church.…. When we see them such as the Church requireth them to be, then they shall find vsus ready to receiue them with stipends and all necessaries. By your inferring such questions, not conducing to Religion▪ you incurre no little blemish of your humility, which is keeper of all vertues; let your Fatherhood beware, least in mouing such questions, as seeme vnseemly for you to doe, you giuegive on offence to such as …pend on your word, and giuegive eare to your mouth as an euening shoure. We cannot … fell you of that we heare, seeing now the detestable beast of pride doth cr…epe into th… Seat of Peter, prouiding alwaies as much as we may for the peace of the Church.
Upon this, the Pope sent a Bull against the Emp…our, excommunicating him conspired with the Duke of Apulia, and sought all waies to i…fest him, and set all men against him, especially the Clergie.
The Pope wrote to the Bishops of Germany, that the Empire of Rome was translated from the Greekes to the Almaines, so that the King of Almaine could not be called Emperour▪ before he were crowned by the Pope. Before his consecration he was a King, after an Emperour: he hath the name of King by the Princes election, the name of Emperour, Augustus, and Caesar, by our consecration, ergo, by vsus he raigneth Emperour. Pope Zacharias promoted Carolus to the name of Emperour, after that▪ all the Kings of Almaine were called Emperours,…. and Aduocates to the Sea Apostolike. So that Apu…ia, conquered by him, was subiect to the Pope; which Apuli…, with the citi… of Rom…, is ours, and not the Emperours. Our seat is at Rome, the Emperours at Aquis …n Ardenna, which is a wood in France. Whatsoeuer the Emperour hath, he hath of vsus: wee may translate it to the Grees againe, as Zacharias did to the Almaines, it lyeth in our power to giuegive it whom we will being set vp of God aboue gentiles and Na…ions, to destroy, plucke vp, build and plant.
When this Emperour Predericus came first to Rome, the Pope shewed him a picture of Lotharius the second Emperour, with verses, shewing how he first sware to the citie, after was made the Popes man, and so receiued the Crowne of him. Fredericus di…red that the picture might be abolish…d, least hereafter it cause discention.
The Pope seeing the emperour loth to be subiect to his Sea, deuised all craftie waies to bring him vnderunder. First, taking occasion by the imprisonment of the Bishop of Laodicia, sent vntounto him diuerse sharpe Letters, and not so sharpe as prou… and disdainefull, wherein the salutation was, Salutat vos beatissimus pater noster Papa, & vniuersitas Cardinalium, ille vt pater, hii vt fratres, meaning he should vnderstand himselfe to be subiect to the Pope, no lesse then the Cardinals; where reciting, what many and great benefits, and fulnesse of Honour, he had receiued of him. The emperor with his princes, perceiuing whereat the Pope, by his Legats, shot, could not …ree such a proud Message, so that much contention fell betwixt the Legat… and princes, of whom then, said the Legats doth Caesar receiue his Empery, if not of the Pope? With which woords the princes were so offended, that they would hauehave v…ed violence, if the Emperour had not stayed them, and commaunded the Legats away straight, charging them not to turne by the way to any person, but straight to depart home. And to certifie the whole Empire of the matter, he directed Letters to this effect. First, he greatly sorroweth that the roote and foundation of dissentions, and euill, should rise from the holy Church, imprinted with the Seale of louelove and peare of Christ, where with wee feare (except God preuent it) the whole body of the Church will be polluted, and the vnitie broken betweene the Spirituall and Temporall Regiment. Then he sheweth them the manner of the proud Legacie as aforesaid, and touching his straight sending them home, without tarying, or going out of the way, was, because there was Letters found about them to the Churches of Germany, to spoyle the Altars of our Churches, to cary away the Iewels thereof, to fley the lym…es and plats of the golded crosses thereof, &c.
This Letters of Caesar fretted the Pope, who wrote againe to the Bishops of Germany, accusing the Emperour, willing them to worke against him what they could. They answered him againe with all obedience, yet excusing the Emperour, and blaming him rather, exhor…ing him hencefoorth to temper his Letter and Legacies with more modestie, which councell he followed, seeing he could preuaile no other way.
In his time liued Gracianus, compiler of the Popes decrées. Petrus Lumbardus, Pet…us Comester, Auicenna, Abbas Ioachimus, 1159.and the order of Hermits rose by William Duke of Aquitania, and afterward a Fryer.
This Hadrianus walking with his Cardinals to a place called Auignon, was choked with a Fly▪ getting into his thr…at, when he had raigned 4. yeares and odde monethes, He would say in his latter time, there is no more miserable life then to be a Pope, and come to it by bloud, which is not to succéed Peter, but Romulus, who to raigne alone, slewe his brother. Though he was bad, his successor was worse, Pope Alexander the 3. The Emperour, with nine Cardinals, set vp another Pope, Victor the 4. betwixt whom there was great and long discord.
The Emperour being required therefo, sent for them both to heare their cause, and Iudge the matter. Victor came, but Alexander …isdainfully refused to appeare. Whereupon the Emperour, with full consent of his Bishops and Clergíe about him, ratified the … …lection of Victor, and so brought him into the Citie to be receiued and placed. Alexander flying into france, accursed them bath, as maan to be cast out of all Christian … sending Letters there of into all Christiandome; and with money and flattery, not the greatest part of the Citie to sauour him, and to set vy such Consuls for his purpose: … returned from France to Rome, and was receiued with much sauour, through the helpe of Phillip the french king. The Emperour hearing thereof, came with great power to Italy, where he destroyed great cities, and came to Rome, required the Citizens that the cause betwixt the … Popes might be decided, and hee that had the bestright▪ to be taken for Pope, and then he would restore to them that which he had taken. Alexander, doubting his part, and the wils of the Citizens, hauing ships prepared, fet…hed a course about to Uenis. The Emperour required the Uenetians to send him, but they would not: wherefore Fredericus sent thither his Sonn… Otho, with men and ships well appointed, charging him to attempt nothing before his comming: notwithstanding he ioyned with the Uenetians in battell, and was ouercome, taken, and brought into the Citie. The farther to redeeme his Sonne, was compelled to submit himselfe to the hope and intreat peace.
To the Emperour comming to Uenis at S. Markes Church, where the Pope was, there to take his absolution, was hid to knéels downe at the popes féete, the proud Pope set his foote vponupon the Emperours neck, and said.
Super aspidem & basilicum ambulabis, & concultabis leonem et Draconem. …e an…i… red; Non tibi, sed Petro. The Pope againe. Et mihi, & Petro. The Emperour fearing more quarreling, held his peace, and peace was made betwixt them. First, that hée should receiue Alexander for true Pope; then, that he should restore to the Church of Rome all that he tooke from it, thus he obtained his sonne.
Alexander was Pope …1. yeares, he kept sondry Councels at …urd and Lat…ran, wh…re he confirmed the proceedings of Hildebrand, and other his predecessors. In this time spung vp the Doctrine of the Waldenses, Waldenses.which was of one Waldus a chiefe Senator of Lion… in France.
The aforesaid Gratianus, 1140.master of Decrees, and Petrus Lumbardus, at this time did much maintaine proud Prelacie; after whom followed two, as euill or worse▪ Franciscus and Dominicus, maintaining as much blinde hypocrisie. I… pleased God to raise vp the Waldenses against their Doctrine of Pride and hypocrisie. Thus we neuer see any great corrup…i…n in the Churc…, but s…me sparke of the true ligh… of the Gospell by Gods prouidence, doth remaine, howsoeuer their aduersari… … them, yet by the Iudiciall …aying their Articles, thou shalt finde that they maintained nothing else, but the same doctrine wh…h we now defend; yet I suppose the Papist did gather th…m, and wrest them otherwi…e then they were ment, as they did them of Wiclife and H…s.
It chanced that certaine of the chiefe of the citie of Lions went a walking, with the aforesaid Waldus, of whome came the Waldenses was one, one of them f…ll downe suddainly dead, the sight whereof smo…e this Waldus with a …eepe and inward repentance, with a carefull study to reforme his life. First▪ he began to giuegive large almes to the needy. Secondly, to instruct his family and himselfe, with the knowledge of Gods word. Thirdly, to exhort all that resorted to him to rep…ntance and v…r…uous life, by his almes, and diligent teaching, more resorted to him dayly, to whom he gaue certaine rudiments of the Scripture.
The Bishops and Prelates seeing him so meddle with Scripture, and to hauehave such a resort about him, though it were but in his owne house, moued with great malice against him, threatned to excommunicate him, if he did not leaue so to doe. He neglecting the threatnings of the wicked, said; God must be obeyed more then man, and was the more diligent to set forth the Doctrine of Christ against the errours of Antichrist. When they saw their excommunication dispised, they ceased not with prison, with sword, and banishment to prosecute, till they had driuen the said Waldus and all his fauourers out of the city. Here followeth their Articles they held.
1 That the holy Scripture is to be beleeued, in matters pertaining to saluation, and no man besides.
2 All things, contained in holy Scripture, necessary to saluation, and nothing to bee admitted in Religion, but what onelyonly is commaunded in the word of God.
3 To be but one onelyonly Mediator, other saints to be made in no wise Mediators, to be inuocated.
4 That there is no Purgatory, but all men either by Christ are Iustified, or without Christ, condemned; besides these two neither thre nor foure places.
5 That all Masses, sunge for the deads, are wicked and to be abrogated.
6 All mens traditions to be reiected, at least, not to be reputed necessary to saluation: therefore singing, and superflueus chaunting in the Chaun…ell to be left▪ constrai…ied and prefixed …aste bound to dayes and times, differences of meats, varieties of …egres and orders of Priests, Fryers, Monkes, Nunnes, super…luous holy dayes so many bene dictions, and hallowing of creatures, vowes, Pilgrimages, with all the rablement of Ceremonies brought in by men to be abolished.
7 The supremacie of the Pope, vsurping aboue all Churches, and especially aboue all polliti…ue Realmes and Gouernments: or for him to occupie and vsurpe the Iurisdiction of both swords to be denyed, neither that any other degree is to be receiued in the Church, but only Priests▪ Deacons, and Bishops.
8 The Communion of both kinds to be necessary to all people, according to the institution of Christ.
9 I …m the Church of Rome to be the very Babilon spoken of in the Reuelation, and the Pope to be the fountaine of all error, and the very Antichrist.
10 They reiect the Popes pardons and indulgences.
11 The mariage of Pri…sts and ecclesiasticall persons to be Godly and necessary in the Church.
12 Such as heare the word of God, and hauehave a good Faith, to bee …he right Church of Christ, and to this Church the Key…s of the Church to be giuen, to driue away wolues, and to institute true Pastors to preach the word, and institute the Sacraments, these were their principall Articles.
Being exiled, they dispersed in diuerse places of whom many remained long after in Bohemia.
E…eas Syluius in the Bohemian Histories, writeth that these Articles they held.
The Bishop of Rome to be equall with other Bishops, no difference of degrées amongst Priests, no Priest to bee reputed for the dignitie of his Order, but for the worthynesse of his life.
No Purgatory, as before, in vaine to pray for the dead, a thing onelyonly …ound out for the lu…ee of Priests. The Image of God (as of the Trinitie) and of Saints to be abolished. The hallowing of …ater, and palmes, a ridic…e. The religious of begging Friers to be found out by the Diuell, That Priests sho…l… not incro…h riches, but bee content with their Tythes, and mens deuotions. The preaching of the Word to be frée to all men, called thereunto.
No deadly sinne to be tollerated, for what respect soeuer of greater commodity to ensue thereby. Confirmation of Bishops, with oyle, and extreame v…tion, none o… the Sacraments. Auricul…r confession, but a toy. Baptisme to bee ministred onelyonly with pure water, without mixture of holy oyle. The Maiestie of God not to bee restrained more within Temples, Monast…ries or Chappels, then any where els.
Priests apparell, ornaments of Altars, Uestments, Corporaces Chalices, patenes, and other Church-plate, to serue in no steed. It maketh no matter in what place the Priest consecrateth the Sacrament, and that it is sufficient to vse only the Sacramental words, without other superstitious ceremonies. Prayers to Saints vaine, they not able to helpe. In saying, and singing the houres and Mattens of the day, the time lost. A man ought to cease from his labour, no day but Sunday. The Feasts of Saints to be reiected▪ coacted feasts hauehave no merite. The truth o… these Articles be the lesse to be doubted, being set out by a Popes pen.
They being accused slaunderously by one Doctor Augustine, vntounto the Bohemian King, gaue vp their confession, with an Apology of their Faith.
They held Thomas Aquinas author of Purgatory. Concerning the Supper of the Lord, their Faith was, it was to be eaten, and not to be shewed, and worshipped. That it was for a memorial and not for a Sacrifice, to serue for the present, not to be reserued; to be receiued at the table, not to be caried out of doores, according to the vse of the primitiue Church, when they vsed to communicate sitting: this they proued by Cronicles, … and by Origen vponupon the third of Moses. Doctor Austin asked them, whether it were not the same Christ in the Sacrament which is in heauen, else how can it be said, there is but one Faith, and one Christ; then, why he should not bee worshipped in the Sacrament as well as in Heauen. They answered to this effect; that the same Christ that is in Heauen is in the Sacrament, but after diuerse manners, in Heauen he is corporally, locally, with the full proportion and quantitie of the same body wherewith hee ascended, and to be séene in the Sacrament, he is but sacramentally to be remembred, not to bee séene; our bodies receiue the signe, our spirit the thing signified.
They asked him againe, whether Christ was not aswell in them that receiue the Sacrament, as in the Sacrament before it was receiued, and why it should not be worshipped as well in the brest of the receiuer, as before it is receiued, seeing …e is in a more perfect manner in …an then in the Sacrament, in it he is but for a time, not for the sacrament s…ke, but f…r mans sake. In man he is for his owne sake, not for a time but for euer, as it is written, Qu… manducat hunc panem, viuat in aeternum.
Then they asked whether he was there wholly God and man, which if hee grant it, it is contrary to Nature and Faith, that any creature should be changed into the Creator. If he say, it is changed into his body and soule, and not into the Godhead, then h…e separates the natures of Christ, if hee say into the body alone, and not the soule, then hée separateth the Natures of the true manhoode, and so cannot be the same Christ that was betrayed for vsus, so to what part soeuer he should answere he could not defend transubstantiation without great inconueni…ce of all sides.
It appeareth in a certaine Libell of Inquisition that vponupon their kne…s with great reuerence they vsed to pray, eueryevery morning, and eueryevery euening, and that they vsed to say grace before meate and after: and after meate to edifie one another with some instruction.
They were so diligent and painefull in teaching that Reynerius an old Inquisitor against them writeth, that one of them to bring another vntounto the faith, in the night, and in winter swamme ouer the Riuer Ibis to come to him, to teach him, and they were so perfect in the Scripture, that he heard an vnlettered man that could say the booke of Iob word by word without booke, with others which had the New Testament perfectly by hart.
Hee writeth moreouer, that none durst stop them for the number of their fauourers: saying, I hauehave often béen at their examination, and there were numbred forty Churches of their opinions, in s…much that in one parish of Camma…h were ten open schooles of them, and when he had spoken what he could against them, he is driuen to confesse that they both liue iustly before men, and beléeue all things wel… of God, and hold all the Articles contained in the Creede; onelyonly they blaspheme the Church of Rome and hate it.
Touching the…r persecution, which commonly followeth true preaching, they being scattered from Lions, that the sound of their doctrine might gee abroad …n the world; some went as it is said into Bohemia, many into other prouinces of France; some into Lombardy and other places, but these could not be suffered to liue at rest, as may appeare by the consultations made by the Lawyers & Bishops of France against them, writ aboue three hundred yeares agone, remaining yet in writing▪ whereby it appeareth there were a great many in France.
Besides there was a Counsell kept in Tol…se about 355. yeares agone▪ and all against these Waldenses, they also were condemned in another Counsell at Rome before that.
What persecutions they had in France by three Archbishops, appeareth by their writings: who is such a stranger, that knoweth not the condemnation of the Waldenses, done so many yeeres agone, so famous, so publique, followed vponupon with so great labour, expences and trauell; and sealed with so many of their deaths; so solemnely being condemned, and openly punished, wher… by we may know persecution to be no new thing in the church of Christ, when Antichrist three hundred yéeres agone did rage against the Waldenses.
But there was neuer more trouble then was against them of late, in the yeare …545. in France by the French King, which followeth in this booke, when we come to the yeare wherein it was done, where it shall be set forth more at large. In which persecution is declared, that in one towne Cabria by Miuerias were slayne eight hundred persons at once, not respecting women, children, nor any age: and forty women, most of them great with child, were thrust into a Barne, the windowes kept with pikes were fired and consumed: besides in a Caue not farre from Mussin, were fiue and twenty persons fired and destroyed the same time; the same tyrant at Merindolum, seeing all the rest were fled away, finding one yong man, caused him to be tyed to an Oliue tree, and destroyed with torments most cruel: the foresaid Reynerius speaketh of a Glouer, one of them in the towne of Cheron, that in his time was brought to execution.
There is an old Monument of processes, wherein appeareth 443. brought to examination in Pomarina, Marchia, and places there ab…ut, in the yeere 1391. thus much of the original doctrine, and lamentable persecutions of the Waldenses, who as it is said began about the time of Pope Alexander. Now for as much as Thomas Becket Thomas Becket.happened in this Popes time, let vsus somewhat story of him.