The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 2 · History of century 14
CENTVRIE. XIIII.
Of Popes.
Benedictus 8.AFter Bonifacius the eight, succeeded Benedictus the eleuenth, and ruled eight months, and seuenteene dayes.
Clemens 5.To him succeeded Clemens the fift, and ruled eight yeeres, ten months, and fifteene dayes, who translated the Popes Court from Rometo Aviniogue in France where it remained 74 yeeres. At the Coronation of this Clement, Philip king of France & Charles his sonne, and Iohn Duke of Britaine were present, who being in the middle of their Pompe and Procession, a great wall brake and fell vponupon them,Note. by which Duke Iohn and 12. others were slaine, king Philip hurt, the Pope striken from his horse, hauing lost out of the miter on his head a carbuncle esteemed to the value of 6000.The order of the Templars abolished. florence. By him also the order of the Templars were put downe at the counsell of Vienne who for better collowring of so cruell an act, was not ashamed to say these words in the councell, Etiamsi non licet per viamiustitiae, tamen licet per viam expedientiae, that is, although it be not lawfull by way of iustice, yet is it meet to doe it, as a thing expedient to be done.
Andr…nicus Paleol…gus excommunicated by the Pope.He exercised his tyrannie and power of excommunication against Andronicus Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople, declaring him a schismaticke and heretike, because hee neither would nor durst suffer the Grecians to make their appeale from the Greeke Church to the Pope, neither would acknowledge him for his superior. For the Grecians euer constantly refused to be subiect to the Romane bishop, except in that short time wherein the Frenchmen had the Empire, of the East, and in the time of Michael Paleologus who in the Councell at Lyons submitted himselfe to Gregorie the tenth, whereby he procured vntounto himselfe such hatred, that after his death the Grecians denyed vntounto him the honour and place of buriall, as hath beene declared.
In like manner hee excommunicated the Venetians for preferring Azada to the estate of Ferrare,The Venetiās excommunicated by the Pope. yea Francis Dādalus Ambassador from the Venetians to the said Clement for pacifying his furie, and obtaining that absolution, suffered a chaine of iron to be tyed about his necke,Note. and to lye downe vnderunder the Popes table, there like a Dog to catch the bones which fell from the table, vntill the Popes furie was assuaged.
And lest he should be inferiour to his predecessors in subduing all powers vnderunder his feet, hee ordained that the king of the Romans should not enioy the title and right of an Emperour without confirmation giuen by the Pope.
Next to Clement followed Pope Iohn the two and twentieth.Ioannes 22. After that the chaire of Rome had beene vacant for the space of two yeeres, and three months; hee ruled nineteene yeeres, & foure months: and was verie much giuen to heape vp riches, so that hee proclamed them to be heretickes who affirmed that Christ and his Apostles had no possessions in the world.
He would not condiscend to the Coronation of Lewes the fift, Duke of Bauaria, to be Emperour, because hee vsed the Emp… all dignitie in Italie before hee was authorised by the Pope… which cause Lewes tooke his iourney to Rome,Two Popes at once. and the… crowned by the Cardinalls, and set vp another Pope in … called Nicolaus the fift, against Iohn who was then resid… at a Auiniogue in France, and so the church of Rome … begun to hauehave two heads.
Pope … the twelfe followed,Benedict 12. and ruled seuen yeeres, … and seuen…eene dayes.
… Pope Clement the sixt;Clement 6. and ruled ten, … twentie eight dayes: hee reduced the … was kept on the hundred yeere to the fiftieth yeere: and to allure men to goe to warre for recouering of the holy land hee set forth blasphemous bulls, commaunding the Angells to convey euerie mans soule to Paradise who died by the way,Note. giuing also power to all and singular persons signed with the Crosse to deliuer three or foure prisoners whom they pleased best, out of the pains of Purgatorie.
Innocent 6.After Clement the sixt, followed Innocentius the sixt, and ruled nine yeeres, eight months, and six dayes. Hee imprisoned a certaine frier called Ioannes de rupescissa, because hee Prophecied of the fall of the Pope and his Cardinalls, by the parable of a bird, cloathed with other birds fethers, which in respect of her pryde were all plucked from her.
Vrbanus 5.After him succeeded Vrbanus the fift, and ruled eight yeeres, and foure months. In whose time the order of the Iesuits begun.
Gregorie 11.Next to Pope Vrban succeeded Gregorie the eleuenth, who reduced the Papacie againe out of France to Rome, after it had continued there aboue 70. yeeres, moued hereunto vponupon this occasion. Hee had reprooued a certaine Bishoppe who stood by him from long absence from his charge,Note. to whom the Bishop replyed againe, that the Bishop of Rome himselfe who ought to be a patterne to all the rest was longer absent from the place where his Church did tye him, whereby the Pope tooke occasion to remoue his court from Fraunce to Rome.
When hee returned hee found the estate of Italie greatly disquieted with cruell warres, and specially betwixt the Venetians and the Genoans, whom the Pope threatned with excommunication if they both desisted not, but before hee was able to accomplish this worke he ended his life after he had ruled seuen yeeres, & fiue months; after whose death followed a great schisme in the Church of Rome. For the Cardinalls of Italie choosed an Italian Pope whom they called Vrbanus the sixt, and the Cardinalls of France choosed a Pope of the French nation whom they called Clemens the seuenth. This scisme continued for the space of 38. yeeres, vntill the generall Councell holden at Constance, during which time were found at least two Popes raigning at one time, the one in Auiniogue and the other in Rome.
In the dayes of this Pope Vrbane sprang vp Iohn Wickliffe in England (of whose doctrine somewhat shall hereafter be spoken God willing) whom Pope Vrbane (such was the prouidence of God) could not attend to suppresse,Iohn Wicklisse. being otherwise busied in suppressing his Competitor Clement the seuenth, insomuch that this litle sparkle which begun in England, enkindled forth with flames in the kingdome of Boheme, and many other places to the great hurt of Antichrists kingdome.
To Vrbane after hee had ruled vnhappily (as Platina writeth) a eleuen yeeres and eight months,Platina. succeeded Bonifacius the ninth,Bonifacius. 9. and ruled foureteene yeeres, and nine months, hee was impudent in selling of Pardons that hee brought Peters keyes into great contempt.
After him succeeded Innocentius the seuenth,Innocentius 7. and ruled two yeeres.
Of other Doctors.
IN this age God raised vp manie witnesses of his truth, as also made the knowledge of letters & the studie of tongues to spring vp againe, after it had bin suppressed many yeeres in the Roman church: for some learned men of the Grecians fearing the crueltie of the Turke fled vntounto Italie, by whose fruitfull trauaills, learning begun againe to reuiue and spread it selfe thorow all parts of the West. Of this number was Emmanuell Chrysoloras of Byzantium, Emmanuel Chrysoloras, Theodorus Gaza, Georgius Trapezuntius▪Theodorus Gaza of Thessalonica, and Georgius Trapezuntius, with many moe, whose names are worthie to bee kept in good remembrance, because they brought a good treasure with them out of Grecia where with many afterward were enriched.
Marsilius Patavinus opposeth himselfe against the Pope maintaining these Articles.Amongst those witnesses of the truth Marsilius Patavinus is iustly numbered: who taking the defence of the Emperour Lewes ag…inst the Pope who did excommunicate him, affirmes in his booke called defensor pacis that the Pope hath no authoritie ouer other Bishops, much lesse ouer the Emperour.
Secondly, that the word of God ought only to be iudge in all causes Ecclesiasticall.
Thirdly, that the Clergie and Pope should be subiect to Magistrates.
Fourthly, That the head of the Church is Christ, and that hee neuer appointed any vicar or Pope ouer his vniuersall Church.
Fiftly, That Bishops ought to be chosen by their owne Church and Clergie.
Sixtly, That the Mariage of Priests may be lawfully permitted.
Seuenthly, That S. Peter was neuer at Rome.
Eightly, That the Clergie of Rome is a den of Theeues.
Ninthly, That the doctrine of the Pope is not to be followed, because it leades to eternall death.
In another treatise he disputes of free iustification by grace, and that workes are no efficient cause of Saluation, Sed causa sine qua non, for the which doctrine hee was condemned by the Pope.
Diuers others discouer the Apostasie of the Roman Church.I passe by a great number, who clearelie discouered, the corruptions and Apostasie of the Church of Rome, such as Ioannes de Gunduno, Gregorius Ariminensis, Andreas de Castro, Dantes an Italian, Taulerus a Preacher of Argentine in Germanie, Franciscus Petrarcha a man famouslie learned, who in his workes in Italian verses, speaking of Rome, calles it the whoore of Babilon, the schoole and mother of errour, the Temple of heresie, the nest of treacherie, growing and increasing by the oppression of others.
Likewise Ioannes de rupe scissa, who was cast in prison by Pope Innocentius the sixt, also Conradus Hager a Germane of the citie of Herbipoli, Gerardus Ridder, Michael Cesenas Provinciall of the Gray friers, Petrus de Corbaria, with one Ioaxnes de P…liato. This foresaid Michael general of the gray friers writ against the tyrannie, pride, and primacie of the Pope; accusing him to be Antichrist, and the Church of Rome to be the whoore of Babilon, drunken with the blood of the Saints. He affirmed there were two Churches, one of the wicked florishing wherein raigned the Pope, the other of the Godly afflicted: also that the veritie was almost vtterlie extinct, and for this cause hee was depriued of his dignitie and condemned by the Pope. Notwithstanding he stood constant in his assertions, and left behind him many fauourers and followers of his doctrine, of whom a great part were slaine by the Pope. Some were condemned as William Ockam who writ both in defence of the Emperour Lewes whom the Pope excommunicated, and likewise in defence of Michael generall of the gray friers whom the Pope had cursed for an heretike, and some were burned, such as Ionnes de Castellione, and Franciscus de Arcatara. Likewise Armachanus a Bishop in Ireland, and Matthias Parisiensis, Ioannes Montziger, rector of the Vniuersitie of Vlme, Nilus Bishop of Thessalonica, Iacobus Milnensis, and one Milezius, Henricus de Iota, and Henricus de Hassia.
Likewise in this most desperate time when the estate of religion was vtterlie corrupted, and the onelyonly name of Christ remained amongst Christians, his true and liuely doctrine being vtterly vnknowne, and turned into an heape of shadowed Ceremonies which so increased that there was no end of heaping vp of ceremonies invented by man: at this time,Iohn Wickliffe opposeth himselfe against the Pope. I say, the Lord raised vp Iohn Wickliffe, a professor of Diuinitie in the vniuersitie of Oxford, who seeing that error by long vse and custome had beene so deeplie rooted in the hearts of men, that it could hardly be plucked out, hee medled not with all at once, b… firs… b…g…nne to touch the matter of the Sacraments, and disco…er … …rrours that men were fallen into, in this head of …, but this byle could not be touched without the great griefe and paine of the whole world.
For first of all the whole rabble of Monkes and begging Friers were set on rage and madnes against him, and after them the Priests, and then after them the Archbishop, Simon Sudburie tooke the matter in hand, who for the same cause depriued him of his benefice which then he had in Oxford. Notwithstanding being supported by the friendly assistance of the Duke of Lancaster sonne to king Edward the third, and some other friends whom God raised vp for his protection, he bare out the malice of the Friers and Archbishop. Likewise Pope Vrbane was so busied with suppressing of another, Pope Clement the seuenth, set vp against him, that he could not spare any time to suppresse Iohn Wickliffe, and so it came to passe, thorow the prouidence of Almightie God, that the enemies of the true light with fretting minds were compelled to see the sparkles thereof, not being able to quench them.
The heads of Wickliffes doctrine.The chiefe heads of doctrine which hee maintained against the Roman church were these.
That the substance of bread remained in the Sacrament of the altar after the words of consecration.
That it is not found in the Gospell that Christ instituted or confirmed a masse.
That it is a presumptuous Speaking to affirme that the infants of the faithfull who die vnbaptised are condemned.
That in the time of Paul there were onelie two orders of Clerks, to wit Elders and Deacons, neither was there in the time of the Apostles any distinction of Popes, Patriarches, Archbishops, Bishops, but these the Emperours pryde did finde out.
That the causes of diuorcement for spirituall consanguinitie or affinitie are not founded on the scriptures, but onelyonly by the ordinance of men.
That he who is most seruicable and humble in the church and most inamored with the louelove of Christ, the same is the neerest vicar of Christ in the militant Church.
If corporall vnction were a Sacrament then Christ and his Apostles would not hauehave left the ordinance of that vntouched.
Whatsoeuer the Pope and Cardinals doe command which they cannot deduce cleerely out of the Scriptures, the same is to be accounted hereticall and not to be obeyed.
That it is but a follie to beleeue the Popes Pardons.
That it is not necessarie to saluation, to beleeue the church of Rome to be supreme head of other Churches.
A Deacon or Priest may Preach the word of God, without the authoritie of the Apostolike sea.
The Church of Rome is the Synagogue of Sathan, neither is the Pope immediatlie the vicar of Christ, nor of the Apostles.
That the Emperour and Secular Lords are seduced, who so inrich the Church with ample possessions.
If any man enter into any priuat religion (whatsoeuer it be) hee is thereby made more vnapt and vnable to obserue the commandements of God.
Of Monkes.
POpe Clement the sixt, bearing rule: Iohn king of France sonne of Philip invented the sect and order of those Monkes which in Latine are called Stellati, whose maner is alwayes to weare a starre vponupon their brest, signifying thereby that there is nothing in them but the light of perfection, and the cleere shining of good workes. Yea that they themselues are the light of the world, according to the saying of Christ, vos eslis lux mundi, yea are the light of the world. Item, That they shall rise againe at the later day all shining and glistering as the most cleere and pleasant starres,Dan. according as it is written by the Prophet. They that informe many into righteousnes shall be as the starres world without end, In Anno, 1336.
Pope Boniface the ninth raigning: a certaine man called Gerardus being of great learning, and vertuous conversation, ordained a certaine fraternitie or brotherhood of learned godlie men to teach schollers, and to bring vp youth, not onelyonly in good letters, but also in good maners, that by those means there might be learned men alwayes in store to beare rule in the Church of Christ, and to gouerne the common-wealth according to the praescript and rule of Gods word.
This Gerardus being but a Deacon preached the word of God purelie and feruently, and when hee was moued by his friends to be a Priest, hee alwayes answered, that he was vnworthie to hauehave such an high office,Note. affirming that hee would not hauehave the cure of soules not so much as by the space of one night for all the gold of Arabia, In Anno, 1379.
Of the order of the Iesuits.Pope Vrbane the fift, greatly allowed the order of Iesuits, and gaue vntounto them many great and singular priuileges, cō manding the Monkes of that order to weare a white kirtle, and a russet coule, and that they should be called of all men Clerici Apostolici, that is the Apostles clerks.
This order of Iesuits was the invention of Ioannes Columbinus in Sēa a citie of Hetruria. They were not at the beginning Priests or consecrated persons, but were men of the lay sort giuen and addicted willingly and freely to prayer, and to labour, getting their liuing with the trauell of their hands and sweate of their browes, liuing as it were in common, after the example of Christ and his disciples. They are called Iesuits, because the name of Iesus should be often in their mouths, In Anno, 1368.
Of the order of white-Dawbet Monks.Pope Boniface bearing rule: the order which is called Ordo Dealbatorum, was invented by a certaine Priest in Italie, who pretended such a modestie, and grauitie, both in words and countenance, that eueryevery man tooke him for a Saint. The professors of this order were cloathed with long white linnē euen downe to the ground, hauing coules vponupon their heads like vntounto Monkes. The chiefe point of their profession was to lament the state of mankind, to bewaile the sinnes of the people, to pray for redresse of the same at the hands of God. They neuer went abroad without a Crosse with the Image of the Crucifixe caried before them, which Crosse the Lucenses keepe at this day with great reuerence, as a most precious relike, and daylie make vowes, and offer gifts therevnto.
But Pope Boniface aforsaid conceiuing that they should doe no good to his honorable estate if they continued,Note. forasmuch as they all appeared before men righteous, good and Godlie, and the Pope with his complices most wicked, euill and vngodlie, caused the author of this order a seditious person to be beheaded at Viterbium. Some say that hee was burnt as a superstitious Hypocrite and attainted of some heresie, In Anno, 1400.