The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 2 · History of century 12
CENTVRIE XII.
Popes of Rome.
AFter Vrbanus the second,Pascalis 2. followed Paschalis the second, and ruled eighteene yeeres, 6. moneths, and 7. dayes. Called before Reginerus, a man brought vp in the Monasteries of Italy: hee seemed to shun the high preheminencie of the Popedome, but the acclamations of the people, often repeating, that Saint Peter had chosen good Reginerus to be Pope, bowed his flexible minde, and inclined it to the Popedome: hee then putting on a purple garment, and a Diadem vponupon his head, was brought vntounto the Church of Lateran, vponupon a white pamphrey, where a Scepter was put in his hand, and a girdle tyed about him, having seven Seales, and seven Keyes hanging thereupon, for a recognizance of his seven-fold power, and seven-fold grace of God resting vponupon him: to wit, of binding, loosing, shutting, opening, sealing, resigning, and iudging. He excommunicated the noble Emperor Henry the fourth, following the example of three of his predecessors; to wit, Gregorie the seventh, Victor the third, Vrbanus the second. Hee stirred vp Henry the fift, against his naturall father, Henry the fourth: and caused the body of the noble Eemperour Henry the fourth (who died at Leodim) to bee raised out of his sepulchre, to be carryed to the towne of Spire, and to want the honour of Christian buriall five yeeres.Note. O Antichristian pride! O barbarous inhumanity! O cruelty and rage, ranscending the cruelty of Pagans, who persecuted the Church of Christ for the space of three hundred yeeres.
In his time the Bishop of Florence taught, that Antichrist was already borne and manifested to the world. VponUpon which occasion Paschalis assembled a Councell at Florence, and with terrible threatnings put him to silence, and damned his bookes. Also hee assembled another Councell at Tretas, a famous towne in Campanie in France, where hee ratified the decrees of his Predecessors, in condemning the mariage of Priests, as the heresie of the Nicolaitans, and receiving Ecclesiasticall rents from Lay persons, as Simonie. Of his revocation of the priviledge of investment of Bishops, granted to the Emperour Henry the fift: I hauehave spoken already in the historie of the life of the Emperour. His Competitors were Albertus, Theodoricus, and Maginulphus, whom hee easily subdued.
Gelasius 2.To him succeeded Gelasius the second, and ruled one yeere and fiue dayes. He was elected without consent of the Emp. Henry 5. which procured vntounto him great griefe. For Cincius a noble man of Rome, of the family of Frangepanis, invaded the Pope and Cardinals, and trod the Pope vnderunder foot, and cast him in prison and bonds, but the citizens of Rome relieved him, and threatned to destroy the familie of Frangepanis, if they set not the Pope at liberty. After this trouble, another followed; the Emperour sent an army to Rome, and authorized another to be pope: whom they called Gregorius the eight. The Pope fled to Caieta, the place of his nativity: but when the army returned to Germany, hee came to Rome, where hee found his estate to be ieoperdous. Therefore hee fled to France, and dyed of a plurisie, in the Abbey of Clumack.
Calixtus 2.After Gelasius succeeded Calixtus the second, sometime Bishop of Vier, and kinsman to the King of France, he governed fiue yeeres, ten moneths, and thirteene dayes. Hee compelled the Emperor Henry the fift, to agree to his election: albeit Mauritius Burdinus, otherwise called Gregorie the eight (whom the Emperour himselfe had authorized) was yet aliue. Also hee compelled the foresayd Emperour to ouergiue all right, which hee claimed to investment of Bishops, and election of Popes: so much did the Roman Antichrist prevaile by the thunder bolts of his curses, that hee compelled the Emperour by these means to stoupe vnderunder his feete. Also he besiedged Sutrium a Towne of the Romans, wherein Mauritius Burdinus his Competitor had his remaining. Hee tooke the Towne, and his Competitor hee carried Captiue to Rome: setting him vponupon a Camel, with his face toward the hinder-parts thereof, and in the end thrust him into a Monasterie. He assembled a Councell at Rhemes, wherein he renewed the ordinance against married Priests, ordaining that not onelyonly they should be spoyled of their liuings and offices, but also that they should be debarred from the communion of Christian people. Like as these verses doe testifie.
O bone Calixte, nunc omnis clerus odit te.
Quondam presbyteri, poterant vxoribus vti.
Hoc destruxisti, postquam tu Papa fuisti.
Also hee held another Councell at Rome, where it was statute and ordained that it should not be lawfull to the people to repudiat their Bishop, or to choose another during his life-time:Rom. 7. grounding their ordinance vponupon a place of Scripture, a wife is bound to the law of her husband, so long as her husband is aliue. After hee is dead shee is loosed from the Law of her husband.Note. So learnedly did these Aecumenique Asses expound places of holy scripture.
After Calixtus succeeded Pope Honorius the second,Honorius 2▪ and ruled fiue yeeres, and two months. In his time Arnulphus, an eloquent man, & a famous Preacher came to Rome: whether out of the wildernesse, or out of any other place wherein he had exercised a ministeriall office it is vncertaine, alwayes it is thought of all men that he was sent of God: hee sharpely rebuked the dissolute Loosnesse, incontinencie, auarice, and pride of the clergie of Rome; so that hee incenced their hearts against him, speciallie for this, that hee said it was no wonder,Note. that they sought his life, for if Saint Peter himselfe were aliue and did rebuke the lewdnesse of their conversation, they would not spare to take Saint Peters life also.
Moreouer hee sayd they were full of vncleannesse, and were blinde guides leading the people headlong to Hell: but the Lord would hauehave in remembrance their iniquities, and call their wickednesse to account. Thus the hatefull indignation of the Clergie being kindled against him for preaching the truth, they layed waite for him secretlie, and tooke him and drowned him.
Platina alledgeth that this fact displeased the Pope: alwayes there was no inquisition to know the authors of this fact, not punishment of malefactours who shed innocent blood in secret, that manifested vntounto the world the Popes indignation. About this time was a booke written called Opus Tripartitum the author whereof was vnknowne, but it is supposed to hauehave beene compiled by Arnulphus. It contained great complaints of the manifold abuses of Churchmen.
Innocentius 2.After Honorius succeeded Innocentius the second, and ruled fourteene yeeres, seuen months, eight dayes. Hee was a man of a militarie spirit, albeit not fortunate in warfare. For he made warre against Rogerius Duke of Sicilie whom hee besieged also in a certaine Castle. But William Duke of Calabria Rogerius his sonne, not onelyonly relieued his father, but also laid hands on the Pope and his Cardinals and made them Captiues and prisoners. Rogerius delt friendly with the Pope and his Card…nals and set them at libertie, and obtained at the Popes hand whatsoeuer hee pleased, except the name and title of a king. At this time when the Pope was busied in warrefare, the Romans advanced one called Peter the sonne of Leo, a man of noble birth in Rome to be Pope. And when Innocentius adressed himselfe to Rome, hee did finde the faction of his Competitor to be strong and mighty therefore he sayled to Pisca, and from thence to Geneua, and from thence to France, where hee assembled Councels at Clermont and at Rhemes, and deliuered his Competitor to Sathan. In the end hee was restored to his chaire againe by the Emperour Lotharius the second. In his time, the Towne of Rome being wearied with the tir…nnie of the Popes,Note tooke resolution to be gouerned by Consuls. The Pope to obviat this conceite of the people, made an ordinance, that whosoeuer did violently put hands on any person of the Clergie, hee should be excommunicate, and no man should hauehave power to absolue him but onelyonly the Pope.
After Innocentius, Coelestinus 2.succeeded Coelestinus the second. Hee was chosen Pope without the consent of the people, as witnesseth Onuphrius, he ended his course in the fift month of his Popedome.
To him succeeded Lucius the second,Lucius 2. and gouerned the Pestilentius chaire (as the Magdeburg historie recordeth) in a time when the Pestilence had great vpperhand in Rome. Hee concluded his course in the eleuenth month of his Popedome.
After Lucius succeeded Eugenius the third,Eugenius 3. sometime disciple to Bernard, and ruled eight yeeres, foure months, and twentie dayes. He so bestirred himselfe against the Senators of Rome, that partlie by cursings, and partly by force, hee brought them in subiection and compelled them to receiue such Senators, as the Pope by his authoritie pleased to assigne vntounto them.
But it came to passe that hee who was desirous to be terrible and awfull to the Romans,Note. hee feared them in like manner, that they were conspiring secretlie against his estate. Therefore hee fled to Tybur, and from thence to Fraunce, to leade an armie to the East, for the support of distressed Christians.
But this voiage had no good successe, notwithstanding that the Popes blessing, and Bernards Councell (who was Abbot of Clarauall, and much regarded at that time) were both interposed to advance this often reiterated warrefare against the Turks. When the Pope returned from France to Rome accompanied with great forces, the people of Rome were affraid, but the Pope soone after concluded his course at Tybur.
Anastatius 4.Anastatius the fourth succeeded Eugenius who continued in his Popedome one yeere, foure months, and twentie foure dayes.
Adrianus 4.To Anastatius succeeded Pope Adrian the fourth, a Monke of the English nation, employed by Pope Eugenius to goe to the people of Noroway, whom hee brought vnderunder the Roman superstition, and therefore was advanced by Pope Eugenius to the dignitie of a Cardinall, and after the death of Anastatius the fourth, he was promoted to the Popedome. Hee would not goe to the Church of Lateran to be consecrated, vntill Arnoldus Bishop of Brixia, was driuen from the Towne of Rome: because hee had counceled the Romans to claime to the auncient gouernment of their Towne to be guided by consuls and Senators. But the proud Pope insisted so seriouslie against Arnoldus and the Romanes, that hee compelled them by the force of his multiplied curses not onelyonly to expell Arnoldus out of the Towne of Rome,Note. but also to submit themselues absolutely to the gouernment of the Pope. The proud cariage of this Pope, towards the noble Emperour Fredericke the first, his bad successe in warrefare against the Duke of Sicilie, and his miserable death in the Towne of Anagnia, hath all beene touched in the historie of the life of Fredericke. He ended his course after, hee had ruled foure yeeres, and ten months.
Alexander.After Adrian the fourth, succeeded Pope Alexander the third, who had great debate against his competitor Victor the fourth, (called before Octavianus,) in respect, the Emperour, and the Princes of Germanie and a great number of the Clergie of Rome, adhered to Pope Victor. And on the other part to Pope Alexander adhered the kings of England, France, and Sicilie. And this scisme indured a long time, for remouing whereof the Emperour Fredericke appointed one councell at Papia, and another at Diuion.
To the first hee would not appeare, because hee thought the Pope should be iudged of no man.
To the Second, he should not appeare, because the councell of Diuion was not assembled by his owne authoritie, but by the commandement of the Emperour.
This Litigious decertation tooke this effect, that the Emperour and Bishoppes conuened at the foresaid Councels: decreed Victor who appeared and was ready to submit h…s cause to the iudgement of a lawfull assemblie, him (I say) they decreed to be Pope lawfully elected. Pope Alexander fled to France, and in the councell of Clermont hee excomunicated both the Emperour, and his Competitor Victor, these were the weapons of their warrefare against the Emperours and all others, whom they supposed to be their aduersaries.
After the death of his Competitor Victor, Pope Alexander being at Rome the Emperour Fredericke came with a strong armie thereto and Pope Alexander fled to the Venetians. What Tragedie fell out in Venice forcing the noble Emperour, to stoupe vnderunder the feete of the Pope for excessiue louelove that hee caried towards his sonne, hath beene declared in the Historie of the Emperour Frederickes life.
In this Popes dayes was Thomas Becket Bishop of Canterburie slaine,Note. Henry king of England, purged himselfe to the Pope that hee was innocent of his slaughter. Notwithstanding seeing his indignation against the foresaid Bishop was the occasion of his slaughter:Hist. Magd. Cent. 12. cap. 10. It was inioyned to the king of England, that hee should hinder no man in his kingdome from appealing to the chaire of Rome. And that in time to come, no man should be declared king of England without the Popes consent. Thus are the neckes, kingdomes, honours, and liues, of the mightie Monarchs of the world troden vnderunder the feete of the Roman Antichrist. After this proud Prelat had tyrannized 21. yeeres, and 29 dayes hee ended his course.
After Alexander the 3.Lucius 3. succeeded Lucius the 3. and gouerned foure yeeres, two months, and eighteene dayes. Hee was no lesse desirous to abolish the consults of Rome, then his predecessours were; but his attempts succeeded not so well. For hee was driuen out of Rome with his complices, and a number of his fauorits were punished, by thrusting out their eyes. Others were carried thorow the streets vponupon Asses hauing their Miters vponupon their heades, and their faces toward the hinder part of the Asse. The Pope fled to Verona, where he Lurked vntill he died.
Vrbanus 3.To him succeeded Vrbanus the third, and continued one yeere, ten months, and twentie fiue dayes. In his daies was Ierusalem recouered by Saladin a Prince of the Turkes, and commander of Aegypt; which tidinges so pierced the Popes heart with griefe that hee ended his life at Ferrara.
Gregorius 8.Gregorie the eight followed, who continued not in his Popedome aboue the space of fiftie dayes.
Clemens 3.To him succeeded Clemens the third, and ruled three yeeres, and fiue months. In this time died William King of Sicilie without children, and the people of the Isle elected Tancredus a bastard sonne of Rogerius to rule ouer them.
After Clemens, Celestinus 3.succeeded Pope Celestinus the third, and continued six yeeres, seuen months, and eleuen dayes. In his time died Saladin a mighty Prince of the Turkes. And Pope Celestinus thinking it was a meete time to fight against the Turkes for the recouering of the holie Land, incited the Emperour Henry the sixt, and the King of France to vndertake the ieopardous warfare against the Turks, wherein many had spent their blood and seldome with good successe.
The Emperour Henry sent the Duke of Saxonie and the Bishop of Mentz with a well appointed armie to the foresaid warrefare, but went not himselfe. The King of France was willing to hauehave vndertaken a iourney toward the East, but was stayed by the irruption of the Saracens who dwelt in Mauritania.
They had passed the straites, and invaded that part of Spaine, which was called Betica, and conquered it. The king of Fraunce then fearing left the Saracens should be puft vp in pride for their late victorie, and that they should invade his dominions, kept his armie at home in France for safegarde of his owne countrey. The Germane armie returned againe within short time, as hath beene declared in Henry the sixts life.
Patriarchs of Constantinople.
TO Nicolaus succeeded Leo Styppiota, and Michael, and Theodosius, and Basilius, Nicetas, and Leontius, and Dositheus: of whom I thinke not expedient to write any further, except simplie to insert their names.
Patriarchs of Alexandria.
IN this age the armie of Christians which went to fight against the Turkes, conquered out of their hands, not onelyonly Ierusalem, but also Antiochia, and the region round about it. Whereupon it followed that the Patriarchs were established of new againe after long intermission in Antiochia and Ierusalem. Not such as were accustomed to be of olde, hauing equall power with other Patriarchs within their owne bounds, but rather vassals and slaues to the Bishoppes of Rome, as may appeare by the Catalogue following.
The first of these Latine Patriarchs was Bernardus who ruled that church thirtie sixe yeeres.Bernardus. After him succeeded Radulphus who would not be subiect to the Bishop of Rome,Radulphus. but affirmed that both Antiochia and Rome were the chaires of S. Peter, NoteAntiochia was before, and a more ancient chaire, and therefore should hauehave the prerogatiue aboue Rome. Notwithstanding of all this, hee was cited by his Aduersaries to appeare before the Bishoppe of Rome: and to answere to the faults that should be obiected against him. Namely for violent vsurpation of iurisdiction ouer churches belonging to the Archbishop of Tyrus, as Biblus, Tripolis, and Aradus.
This citation Raymond Prince of Antiochia compelled him to obey. He was sent backe againe to Antiochia, but the people and Clergie receiued him not. Therefore hee lurked in Monasteries, and in the ende was deposed from his office by a councell assembled in Antiochia.
Raymericus.After him succeeded Raimericus and ruled twelue yeeres. Hee was hated of Raynoldus gouernour of Antiochia, because hee disallowed his marriage bound vp with Constantia. Note.Likewise hee was misvsed by him, and the balde part of his heade was ouerlaied with honey, and he was compelled to sit in the time of the feruent heat of the sommer day, to be molested with the flies and waspes.
The king of Ierusalem hearing of this pitifull demeanour of the Patriarch of Antiochia sent Ambassadors to Raynold, and so the Patriarch, was set at libertie, who dwelt at Ierusalem, forsaking Antiochia all the rest of his lifetime.
Sotericus.After him Sotericus was Patriarch, who continued in office short time.
Theodorus.To him succeeded Theodorus Balsamus, a very ambitious man, whom Isacius Angelus Emperour of Constantinople put in hope that he would promote him to be Patriarch of Constantinople, if the Canons of Church did not hinder. When all was done, the ambitious Prelat staied stil at home, for the Emperour did not sollicit him seriously, but was onelyonly trying him to see if for hope of further preheminencie he would violate the Canons of the Church. To whom succeeded Almericus.Almericus.
Patriarchs of Ierusalem.
THe first Latin Patriarch of Ierusalem, after it was conquered from the Turkes, was Dabertus, Dabertus.sometime Bishop of Pisa. He crowned Godfrey the first King of Ierusalem, with a crowne of thornes.
To him succeeded Gibelinus, Gibelinus.sometime Bishop of Arls. Hee was sent to Ierusalem to decide the question that fell out betweene Dabertus and Ebremarus; but it happened that Dabertus about the same time dyed: and Ebremarus was remooved, because hee had intruded himselfe in office. Therefore with vniforme consent, Gibelinus was made Patriarch of Ierusalem.
To whom succeeded Arnulphus, Arnulphus.who for his vicious life, was called Mala corona. Pope Pascalis the second, hearing of his bad conversation, sent to Ierusalem the Bishop of Aurange, who deposed him from his office. Notwithstanding hereof, this vitious Prelat tooke iourney to Rome, and with flattering speeches, and largition of mony, prevailed so much at Rome, that he obtained his office againe.
After him followed Guarimundus, Guarimundus.a man more expert in warfare, then in his owne calling. For hee supplyed the place of King Baldwin, who was detained captiue by the Turkes. And hee was a couragious Warriour at the siege of Tyrus.
To him continued Stephanus, Stephanus.who continued not in office aboue the space of two yeeres.
And after him Gulielmus ruled fifteene yeeres.Gulielmus.
After whom succeeded Fulcherus, Fulcherus.and continued Patriarch twelue yeeres. Hee was hated of Raymond, master of the Templaries; who caused the bells to bee rung in the time when hee preached to the people, so that the people could not profit by hearing his Sermons. For this cause he went to Rome, to complaine of the iniuries done vntounto him, but some of the Cardinalls were corrupted with money, so that he obtained nothing at the hands of Adrian the fourth, who was Pope at that time: and so returned againe with shame.
Amalricus.After him followed Amalricus, and ruled two and twenty yeeres. In whose dayes Saladinus a Prince of the Turkes recovered Ierusalem out tht hands of the Christians.
Of other Pastors, and Doctors.
FRom the beginning of this Compend, I hauehave kept this order, that I hauehave not overcharged a little booke with mention-making of all things that are written, neither hauehave I pretermitted in the heads which I entreat, matters of greatest importance, so farre as my memory and vnderstanding could comprehend.
In this age the Scholastique Doctors began to arise, of whom Petrus Lombardus was the first,Lombardus. who afterward was made Bishop of Paris: but I supersede to write of them vntill the next Centurie.
Arnulphus.Arnulphus was an eloquent man, and a mighty preacher, who reprooved the Clergie of Rome, for the lewdnesse of their conversation. Wherefore the Clergie hated him, and drowned him secretly in the night time, as hath been declared in the historie of the life of Honorius the second. At this time was set forth a booke called Opus Tripartitum: Arnulphus was supposed to bee the Author thereof. It contained an heavie complaint of the enormities and abuses of the Church, of the number of their holy-dayes, and all lusts of vncleannesse, according to the saying of whores and naughty women, who bragged that they gained more in one day, then in fifty other dayes. Likewise it complained of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches, whereby many are occasioned to spend much time in singing, which might bee better spent in more necessarie sciences. It also complained of the rabble and multitude of begging Fryers, shewing what idlenesse and vncomely behaviour, hath proceeded thereof. Also it toucheth the vnchaste and voluptuous behaviour of Church men, aggravating their faults by the similitude of storks, who are accustomed to beate those storkes out of their number, that having a mate ioyne themselues vntounto another:Note. What then is to bee done with Church-men, who professing chastity, doe defile other mens houses; so that the stinke of their vncleannesse is knowne to the whole world. Finally, it wisheth reformation to begin at the Sanctuary,Ezech 9. as the Prophet speaketh.
In this age also was Vualdus, Vualdus.a Merchant-man of Lions in France, whom God enlightned with the true knowledge of his word, and remooved from the eyes of his minde the common vaile of ignorance, that overcovered the eyes of the most part of men, who liued at this time: in such sort, that albeit Antichrist was sitting in the chaire of Christ, yet very few either perceived him, or abhorred his tyrannie. This man Vualdus, Note.was stirred vp by God after this manner. Some of the chiefest heads-men of Lions were walking abroad, and it chanced one of them (the rest looking on) to fall downe by sudden death. This Vualdus being one of the company, and a rich man, beholding the matter more earnestly then the rest, was touched with a deepe and earnest repentance, whereupon followed a carefull study to reforme his former life: in so much that hee first begun to distribute large almes to the poore, and to instruct his familie in the knowledge of the Word of God, and to exhort all them who resorted vntounto him to repentance, and amendment of life.
The Bishops envyed the travels of Vualdus, nothing regarding the words of holy Scripture. Let the Word of God dwell plentifully in you, Col. 3.16.and edifie one another with Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall songs. And being mooved with great malice against him, threatned to excommunicate him, if hee ceased not from catechizing those who resorted to him. But Vualdus neglecting the threatnings of the wicked, sayd; hee must rather obey God then men. Whereupon followed cruell persecution of him, and of all his adherents. So that they were compelled to fly from Lions, and the Bishop seazed vponupon their goods. These were called Waldenses, or Pauperes de Lugduno. The articles of Vualdus, which he professed.The doctrine and articles which they professed, were these.
1. That onelyonly the holy Scripture is to bee believed, in matters pertaining vntounto eternall life, and that it contayneth all things necessary to salvation.
2. That there is onelyonly one Mediator of God and man, the man Christ Iesus: and that Saints …re not to be invocated as Mediators.
3. That there is no Purgatorie fire, but all men are either iustified by faith in Christ, or else they are in the state of condemnation.
4. That all masses, namely, such as are sung for the dead are wicked, and to be abrogated.
5. That all mens traditions are to be reiected, at least not to be accounted necessary vntounto salvation.
6. That constrained and prefixed fasts bound to dayes and times, difference of meats, such variety of degrees and orders of Priests, Fryers, Monkes, and Nunnes, superfluous holy-dayes, so many sundry benedictions and hallowing of creatures, vowes, peregrinations, with all the rablement of such rites and ceremonies brought in by man, should be abolished.
7. The supremacie of the Pope, vsurping aboue all Churches, and especially aboue all politique Realmes, and Governments, or for him to vsurpe both the swords, is to be denyed.
8. That no degrees are to bee received into the Church, but onelyonly Priests, Deacons, and Bishops.
9. The Communion vnderunder both kinds to bee necessarie to all people, according to the institution of Christ.
10. That the Church of Rome is Babylon, spoken of in the booke of the Revelation, and the Pope the fountaine of errors, and the very Antichrist.
11. The Popes pardons and indulgences to be reiected.
12. The mariage of Priests and men in spirituall offices, they hold to be lawfull and necessary.
13. Such as heare the true Word of God, and beleeue it, are the true Church of God, to whom the keyes belong; to driue away wolfes, to institute true Pastors, to preach the Word, and to administer the Sacraments. These are the most principall articles of Vualdenses, to the which, the rest may be reduced.
14. Concerning the Supper of the Lord, their faith was, that it was ordayned to be eaten, and not to bee shewed and worshipped; for a memoriall, not for a sacrifice; to serue for the present ministration, not for reservation; to be received at the table, not to be caryed out of the doores in pomp. And this they proue by an old Chronicle, called Chronica gestorū : and by the testimonie of Origen, who writing vponupon Levit. saith thus. Whosoever receiveth this bread of Christs Supper vponupon the second or third day after, his soule shall not be blessed,Ioshua 9. but polluted. Therefore the Gibeonites, because they brought old bread to the children of Israel, it was ioyned them to hew wood and beare water.
In this age also are found some learned men who detested the pride of the Bishop of Rome,Hildebertus. such as Hildebertus, Archbishop of Towrs, a disciple of Berengarius, and an excellent Poet, who made this distinchon of the towne of Rome.
Vrbs foelix, si vel dominis vrbs illa careret.
Vel dominis esset turpe carere fide.
Bernard, Bernardus.Abbot of Claravall, borne in Burgundie, was respected in his countrey aboue others, who although hee lived in a most corupt age, yet he was found in the doctrine of iustification: as may appeare by the words which hee vttered on a time being diseased, after this manner: I grant (saith he) I am vnworthy, and that I cannot obtaine the kingdome of heaven by mine owne merits, neverthelesse, my Lord hath a double right to it: First, by this right, that he is his fathers heire. Secondly, by right of the merit of his suffering. With the first right,Note. he contenteth himselfe. The second he bestoweth on vsus, by whose free gift I claime a right thereto, and am not confounded. Hee detested the corruption of manners, which abounded in his time, as may bee knowne by the words of Hugo Cardinalis. Hugo in postil. super. 1 Ioh.It seemeth (saith he) good Iesus, that the whole vniuersitie of Christian people, hauehave conspired against thee, and these are the chiefe persecutors, who hauehave the principall roomes in thy Church. Hee admonished Count Theobald, who bestowed great cost in building of Abbies,Note. and Churches, that he would rather support them who were of the houshold of faith, and that he would be carefull to build the immortall and everlasting tabernacles of God. Hee subdued his body by fasting, beyond all measure; whereby his stomacke became so diseased, that oftentimes it rendered againe the small portion of food which it had received. Hee was very superstitious in receiving the reliques of the Saints. In so much, that when hee came to Rome, and the head of the Martyr Casarius was offered to him, to take of it what part hee pleased, hee was content to take one tooth onelyonly. And when his associates could not draw out the tooth (it was so fast fastened vntounto the Iawbone) Bernard counselled them to pray,Note. that the Martyr would willingly conferre vntounto them one of his teeth. Many visions and miracles are attributed to him, but they smell so much of superstition, as it is easily knowne, that the most part of them are invented and forged by the deceiving teachers of this age. He died in the 64. yeere of his age, leaving them that were about him three testamentall lessons. 1. That they should offend no man.Bernards testamental lessons. 2. That they should giuegive lesse credite to their owne opinion, then to the iudgement of other men. 3. That they should not be vindictiue, nor desirous of revenge for wrongs done vntounto themselues. He esteemed much of the prophecies of Hildegardis, a Prophetesse in France, whose wordes Bernard thought to be indyted by divine inspiration.
Anselmus Ha…elburgensis.In this age also flourished Anselmus Bishop of Havelburg, whom the Emperour Lotharius 2. sent to Calowannes Emp. of Constantinople. Hee disputed with Nichetes Bishop of Nicomedia,Anselmus his disputations against Nichetes. in the temple of Sophia, about the old error of the Grecians, who affirmed that the holy Spirit proceeded onelyonly from the Father, and not from the Sonne. Hee refuted very learnedly, the obiections of Nichetes, who obiected that two fountaines and beginnings were set vp in the Godhead, if the holy Spirit proceeded both from the Father and the Sonne. Wherevnto Anselmus answered, that when the Councell of Nice sayd,Note. Deus de Deo, lumen de lumine: They established not two Gods, nor two lights in the Trinitie. Euen so, when it is sayd, Principium de principio, there is not brought in two beginnings, but one only. And whosoever (saith he) denyeth that the holy Spirit proceedeth from the Son,Ioh. 17.21. denyeth also that he proceedeth from the Father. For the Scripture saith, I and the Father are one, I am in the Father, and the Father in me: and againe, Hee that seeth mee seeth the Father.
From this argument they went to another, concerning the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome. Anselmus prooved the supremacie of the Bishop of Rome by three arguments. 1. Because the Councell of Nice had preferred the chaire of Rome, to all other chaires, 2. Because Christ assigned superiority to Peter, Mat. 16.18.19when hee sayd, Thou art Peter, and vppon this Rocke will I build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it. And I will giuegive vntounto thee the keyes of the kingdome of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt binde on earth, is bound in heauen, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. 3. The chaire of Rome was free of heresies, when Constantinople and other Churches of the East were defiled with heresie.
To the first argument Nichetes answered, that the Councell of Nice called the Bishop of Rome, the Bishop of the principall chaire, but not the principall Bishop, for that dignitie hee received from the Emperour Phocas, but not from the Councell of Nice. To the second argument, he answered, that the power of binding and loosing was not given to Peter onelyonly, but also to all the rest of the Apostles. And like as they were all partakers of that same heavenly grace,Acts 2. whereof Peter was partaker in the day of Pentecost: so likewise they all received that selfe same power of binding and loosing. And Peter alone received not the power, like as he received not the grace alone. Thirdly, whereas it was alledged, that the Romane Church remained vnspotted with heresie, when as other Churches were defiled with it, Nichetes answered, that it was true, that Arrius, Macedonius, Nestorius, and Eutiches, did spring vp among the Grecians, and they likewise were chiefly refuted and suppressed by the the Grecians. And the fountaine of all heresies being humane Philosophie, it was no marvell that greatest heresies sprung vp, where men of greatest learning and vnderstanding were found, and it is likely that the fewer heresies sprung vp in the West, because they were men of lesse learning, and not of so deepe vnderstanding as the people of the East.