The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 2 · History of century 15
CENTVRIE. XV. Of Popes of Rome.
The Cardinals labour for vnitie in the Roman church.AFter the death of Innocentius Sephinus, the Cardinalls perceiuing the great schisme that was in the Church of Rome, by reason of diuers Popes ruling at one time, bound themselues together by horrible oathes that they would endevour by all their might, to hauehave the Church of Rome restored againe to her wonted vnitie, and for this cause they elected Gergorie the twelfth to be Pope, after they had caused him to sweare that hee would by all possible meanes trauell to restore the peace and vnitie of the Church.
Gregorius 12.But Gregorie although hee writ to Benedict the thirteenth Pope in Avinion, exhorting him to vnitie and peace, and Benedict on the other part with pleasant words protested his earnest desire of peace and vnitie,Note. yet both the one and the other kept their dominions and Popedomes, and continued the Schisme.A Councell at Pisa. So that the Cardinalls thought it expedient to gather a Councell in the towne of Pisa, wherein they deposed the two aforesayd Popes, Gregorie and Benedict as persons who by conclusion amongst themselues sought rather their own gaine then the vnitie of the Church of God, and they elected Petrus Cretensis Cardinall of Millan to be Pope,Alexander 5. whom they called Alexander the fift, but he continued not aboue the space of eight months, in his Popedome. He was counted verie liberall, and gaue so large and ample benefices to others, that he left almost nothing to himselfe, and was accustomed to speake of himselfe that he was a rich Bishop,Note. a poore Cardinal, and a beggerly Pope.
After whose departure Ionnes 23. is chosen Pope, howbeit the two other Popes who were deposed in the Councell of Pisa were yet aliue, and had great sway, and nothing reguarded the decrees of the Councell of Pisa, because that Councell was convocated by a number of Cardinalls only, who had no lawfull power to appoint a generall Councell. Thus was the scisme augmented▪ rather then empaired by the Councell of Pisa, and in stead of two Popes then, three afterward were ruling at one time.
In this Popes daies the Emperour Sigismund, tooke great trauell to quiet the estate of the Church and to remoue the scisme, but found none other way how this matter might be brought to passe,At the Councell of Constance Ioannes 23. Gregorie. 12. and Benedict 13. were deposed. but onelyonly by gathering a generall Councell in the Towne of Constantia. At this Councell Ioannes 23. was personally present, and was required to giuegive ouer his Popedome farre contrarie to his expectation, for he looked for ratification of his Papacie, because he was more obedient to the Councel then the other two, but finding that the Councel was fullie bent to depose all the three Popes, & to set vp one whom they should chose in place of them all, he begun to be grieued at his owne proceedings, that he had hazarded to come to the Councel, & to their iudgement to submit himselfe & his honorable estate, wherefore he thought best secretly to flie out of the towne, but flying could not availe him any thing, for hee was brought backe againe by the Emperour from Friburge to Constantia, and cast into prison and deposed by the Councell: after hee had ruled foure yeeres, and ten months.
The other two Popes, Gregorie the twelfth, and Benedict the thirteene, although they were absent yet sustained the like sentence of deposition,Martinus 5. & Martinus 5. was chosen Pope: after whose election, the Emp. Sigismund was so filled with gladnesse, that the scisme was now taken away and peace restored to the Church, that forthwith he did remoue to the conclaue (where the Cardinals & Commissioners of countries were assembled for election of the Pope) & fell downe before him & kissed his feet. After his election earnest sute was made for reformation of the corrupt maners of Ecclesiasticall persons, and that Bishoppes, Abbots, and other Prelates, might bee compelled to attend vponupon their owne callings, that superfluous feastings, and abuses of fasting, and canonisation of Sainctes, might be abrogated, and that the orders of Monkes daily multiplying might …ee reduced to a more tolerable number. But no reformation at all was obtained. OnelyOnly Pope Martine thought meet to dissolue the Councell of Constance. And for satisfaction of the hearts of all men, and to put them in hope that some reformation was intended, the Pope consented in the Councell of Constance that immediatly after the issue of the Councel, another should be kept in Papia within the space of fiue yeeres, immediatly following the same, and againe after the issue of that Councell seuen yeeres after an other generall Councel should be kept, and after that third Councell an ordinarie forme should be obserued of assembling generall Councells eueryevery tenth yeere, whereby reformation of abuses in the Church might bee more easilie obtained. This Pope Martine after hee had gouerned 14. yeeres, and 3. months, died at Rome.
Eugenius 4.After him succeeded Eugenius the fourth & gouerned sixteene yeeres. In his time was the Councell of Basile kept, which the Pope with aduice of his Cardinalls was minded to translate to Bononia. But the Emperour Sigismund and other Princes and Prelats assembled at Basile, were so highly offended against the Pope, that they warned himselfe and his Cardinalls to appeare before the generall councill otherwise they would proceed against them, as persons contumacious and disobedient to the voyce of the Church.
This warning so terrified Eugenius, that hee gaue out his Apostolike letters to ratifie and approue the Councell of Basile: neuerthelesse after the Emperours death, the authoritie of the Councell being greatly empaired, hee tooke vponupon him greater boldnesse to transferre the Councell to Ferraria, and from thence also to Florence, pretending that the Emp. of Cōstantinople Paleologus & the rest of the Grecians who were now to be present at the generall councell, would not trauell beyond the Alpes, but would abide in some neerer place.
The Councell of Basile on the other part, proceeded to the deposition of Eugenius 4. For his contumacie, and placed Amecdeus Duke of Sauoy in his roome, whom they called Foelix 5. Thus was the peace of the Roman church troubled of new againe,Foelix 5. Dissention in the Roman Church. some following Eugenius and others followed Foelix, and the third sort being Neutralls neither following the one nor the other, because they were so tossed with the contrarie decrees of the councell of Basile and Florence, that they knew not what to follow.
This Pope as Platina writeth was bent to warres, not being seemely in a Bishop: for besides those which hee made in Italie, hee stirred vp the Dolphin of France to invade the towne of Basile with an armie of horsmen, of purpose to dissolue the Councell there, and finallie hee stirred vp Vladislaus King of Poloma to fight against Amurathes King of Turkes; contrary to his promise and truce taken betweene them,Note. to the great shame and hurt of Christianitie as hath beene declared.
After his death,Nicolaus 5. Nicolaus the fift, was chosen to be Pope and ruled eight yeeres.
To him Foelix quintus, who was elected Pope in the Councell of Basile was content to submit himselfe, prouiding alwayes that hee might hauehave the dignitie of a Cardinall, and that hee should bee appointed the Popes Legat in Germanie, and in his owne countrey of Sauoy. The Cardinalls also whom hee had made in his time should keepe their dignities and honours. This hee did at the earnest desire of Frederike the Emperour, in the yeere of our Lord, 1449. In the which yeere also Nicolaus the fift set forth a decree of approbation of the Councell of Basile, howbeit neither this Pope nor any other following him will, bee subiect to the auth…itie of generall Councells, yet did hee approue the Councell of Basile, wherein it was ordained that the Bishop of Rome should bee subiect to the Councell, as a child is subiect to the voyce of his mother.
Calixtus 3. An …nemie to the Turkes.After Nicolaus succeeded Calixtus the third, and gouerned three yeeres, three months, sixteene dayes: hee was verie bent to fight against the Turkes, and sent Messengers to all Christian Princes in Europe to stirre vp their hearts to make warre against the Turke with one consent of minde, and to stay his further progresse and conquest in Europe, but all his trauailles were spent in vaine, for the Princes harkened not to his Councell.
Likewise hee sent messengers to Vsumcassanus king of Armenia and Persia, whom with supplications and gifts hee stirred vp to make cruell warres against the Turke, which warres also hauehave since that time continued vntill our dayes, to the great disturbance of the crueltie of the Turke intended against Europe.
Pius. 2.After him succeeded Pius the second, who before his Popedome was called Aen…as Syluius, a man of great witt, learning, and eloquence, and gouerned six yeeres. Hee was no lesse bent to make warre against the Turkes, then was his Predecessour before him, but his enterprise was staied by the dissention which was amongst Christian Princes, for then and long after was great warre betweene Ferdinand of Naples and the Duke of Angeow, and in diuers other parts of Italie Likewise.
These wise and worthie sentences vttered by him declared that he had a great gift of vnderstāding & knowledge.
Hee said that popular men should esteeme learning as siluer, and noble men should count it like gold, and Princes should count it in steade of pearles and precious stones.
Also that like as all riuers hauehave their courses to the sea and poure in their waters into the Ocean: euen so great Courts are the maine Ocean, receiuing the floudes of all kind of vices.
Likewise, that if there seemed of old great reason to inhibit the marriage of Priests, there was now greater reason to permit it.
Also, that hee who giueth too great libertie to his child, fostereth a domestike enemie within his owne bosome.
That lust dishonoureth in eueryevery age, but vndoth him vtterlie in his old age. He died in the towne of Ancona; where he was minded to hauehave blessed the armie which was to hauehave gone against the Turkes.
After Pius succeeded Paulus the second,Paulus 2. and gouerned six yeeres, ten months. Likeas he was not very learned in his own person, so was hee also an aduersarie to learning, and counted all men that were learned, in humanitie, to bee heretikes: as Platina (who writeth this of the Pope) had good proofe in his owne person, for hee was cast in prison, and cruelly tormented by the Pope without a cause, and in the ende lest his crueltie against many learned men should make him to bee hated of the people, hee accused them of heresie,Note. hauing no better ground for it then this, that they accounted much of the old Academique Philosophers. For he laied this as an vnfallible ground, that who soeuer would once make mentiō of Academia, either in earnest or iesting words, he was to be reputed an heretike.
Of other Doctors.
IN this age sprung vp Iohn Husse in the coūtry of Bohemia,Iohn Husse. who by reading of the bookes written by Wickliff, attained to knowledge and deprehended many grosse errours of the Roman church:Alaxander 5. and Ioannes 23 seeke to suppresse Iohn Husse. in so much that Pope Alexander 5. hearing thereof begun at last to direct his bull to the Archbishop of Suinto requiring him to see to the matter in due time, & to prouide that no man in churches, schooles, or other places should maintaine any such doctrine, citing also Iohn Husse to appeare before him.
After whose death Pope Iohn 23. in like maner sought by all meanes to suppresse Iohn Husse, because he seemed more willing to teach the Gospell of Christ then the traditions of Bishopps, and therefore by his Cardinall de Columna Iohn Husse was cited to appeare at Rome, where hee appearing by his procurators was notwithstanding, excommunicated as an obstinate Heretike, because hee appeared not personallie at the appointed day. The Bohemians notwithstanding cared litle for all this, but grew in knowledge daylie.
Iohn Husse excommunicated by the …ope.In the meane time it hapned by the occasion of Ladislaus king of Naples, who had besieged the Popes townes and territories: that Pope Iohn raising vp warre against the said Ladislaus gaue full remission of sinnes to all them who would warre on his side to defend the Church.
When this Bull of the Popes indulgences was come to Prague: Iohn Husse and his fellowes not able to abide the impietie of those pardons began manifestly to speake against them. And albeit Winceslaus king of Bohemia who then fauoured the Pope gaue out strict commaundement that no man should speake against those indulgences, yet of Iohn Husses companie were found three Artificers, who hearing the Priest speaking of the forsaid indulgences did openly speake against them, calling the Pope the Antichrist; wherefore they were brought before the Senate and committed to prison.
But the people ioyning themselues in armes required them to be let loose. The magistrates one the other part albeit they satisfied the people with gentle wordes and faire promises for a time, yet when the tumult was asswaged they sent to the prison, and secretlie beheaded the three foresaid artificers: whose names were Iohn, Martine, and Staston.
The people hearing of this, tooke their dead bodies and with great solemnitie buried them in the Church of Bethleem, at whose funerall, diuers Priests fauouring that side did sing thus.
These be the Saincts which for the testimonie of God gaue their bodies,Diuision in the citie of Prague about the death of three Artificers: some fauoring the Pope others Iohn Husse. &c. Thus the citie of Prague was divided.
The Prelats and greatest part of the Clergie, and most of the Barons who had any thing to lose, did hold with the Pope, especially Steuen Pallats being chiefest doer of that side. On the contrarie part the communes with part of the clergie and students of the vniuersitie went with Iohn Husse. Winceslaus the king fearing lest this should grow to a tumult, being moued by the Doctors, and Prelats, and Counsell of his Barons, thought best to remoue Iohn Husse out of the citie, who had beene excommunicated before by the Pope.
The people on the other part began mightilie to grudge and to cry out against the Prelats and Priests, who were the workers hereof, accusing them to be Simonits, couetous, whoremasters, adulterers, proud, not sparing also to lay opē their vices to their great ignominie & shame, wherevpon it came to passe that the king seeing the inclination of the people, being also not ignorant of the wickednesse of the Clergie, vnderunder pretence to reforme the Church, began to require great exactions from such Priests & men of the clergie as were accused, & knowne to be wicked liuers. And thus the Popish clergie while they went about to persecute Iohn Husse were intrapped themselues in great tribulation, brought in contempt, and hated of all men.
At this time were three Popes raigning together, by reason whereof a generall Councell was ordained and holden at Constance in the yeere of our Lord 1413. And this councell being called by Sigismund the Emperour for the taking away of the schismaticall dissention of so many Popes, ruling at one time to the great disturbance of all Christian nations it pleased the said Emperour to send vntounto Iohn Husse, Bacheler of Diuinitie in the countrie of Bohemia,Iohn Husse desired to appeare before the councell of Constance. his safe conduct, and letters of protection: inviting him to come to the Councell, and promising him a libertie of safe returning vntounto his owne country, without any maner of empeachment, trouble or vexation.Iohn Husse imprisoned. Notwithstanding as soone as he came to Constance he was cast into prison before he was heard. And when he was brought forth to the Councell there befell a strange and shamefull matter, for his aduersaries had scarsly read one article, and brought forth a few witnesses of the same, against him, but as he was about to open his mouth to answere, all that were about him began so to cry out, that he had no leasure to speake a word.Iohn Husse by reason of the noyse could not be heard. The noise and trouble was so great and vehement, that a man might well hauehave called it a noyse of wilde beastes & not of men, much lesse was it like a congregation of men gathered together to iudge and determine so graue and weightie matters. The next time he was brought foorh to the convent of the Franciscans,Iohn Husse desired by the Emperour to submit himselfe to the Councell. His answere. where the Emperour himselfe was present, and exhorted Iohn Husse to submit himselfe to the generall councell, otherwise (said he) my safe conduct cannot nor should not be a protection to any who maintaine hereticall doctrin.
The day after which was the eight of Iune, he was brought out againe to the same place, and in his presence there were read thirtie nine Articles, the which they said were drawne out of his bookes, which were iudged by the councell to be hereticall, and hee of new againe was required by the Emperour to submit himselfe to the councell.
Iohn Husse answered that hee would not maintaine any opinion with obstinate minde, but if the Councell would instruct him clearlie that any of his Articles were repugnant to the holy scriptures of God, he would renounce and forsake the same, affirming also most constantlie that the most part of all those thinges that were alledged against him were falsly forged, and neuer thought nor vttered by him: when they saw that by no exhortation Iohn Husse could be moued to acknowledge his doctrine to be errōeous, & to recant the same, vponupon the sixt day of Iulie he was brought to the head church of the citie of Constance, & there in presence of the Emperour and councell was degraded of all Priestly orders and dignities, and a definitiue sentence was giuen out against him wherein hee was condemned as an heretike, for that hee preached and openly defended the articles of Iohn Wickliffe which were condemned by the Church of Rome, and likewise had appealed to the Lord Iesus Christ, as the most high Iudge, which appellation they counted a great contempt of the Apostolique Sea, and the Ecclesiasticall Censures and Keyes.Iohn Hus condemned to be burnt as an Heretique. After this hee was put into the Secular Iudges hands to be burnt as an Heretique, having vponupon his head a crowne of paper, with vgly pictures of divels painted thereupon. Which rebuke, as also the torment of fire, hee most patiently sustained, with Psalmes and spirituall Songs, lauding God vntill the winde droue the fire vponupon his face, and choaked his breath. And after his bodie was consumed with fire, they cast the ashes of the burnt body into the river of Rhene. Thus died Iohn Hus the faithfull Martyr of God, the sixt of Iuly, 1516. Now while as Iohn Hus had beene lying in prison, and so hardly handled, his faithfull companion Ierom of Prague, came to Constance the fourth day of Aprill anno 1415. who there perceiving that Iohn Hus was denyed to be heard, and that watch was layed for him on every side, hee departed to Iberling a Citie of the Empire, a mile distant from Constance, and from thence caused a letter to be directed to the Councell,Ierome of Prague writeth to the Councell. and to bee affixed vponupon the doores of the chiefe Churches, Cloysters, and Cardinalls houses in Constance, bearing in effect that hee was ready to come to the Councell, and to answer vntounto any of his accusers, who would stand vp to accuse him of erroneous and hereticall doctrine, providing alwayes that hee might hauehave sure and safe accesse. But when hee saw that through such intimations, being set vp, as is before sayd, hee could hauehave no safe conduct, hee thought meete to returne backe againe to Bohemia, taking with him the letters patents of the Lords of Bohemia that were at Constan…e, for a testimonie and witnesse of the premises. As hee was in his iourney, by treason and conspiracie of his enemies, hee was taken in Hirsaw by the officers of Duke Iohn, and sent backe to the Councell,Ierom imprisoned by the Councell. bound with chaines, where hee was cast into prison, and so hardly vsed, that hee fell sore sicke almost to the death. But after he was recovered, and Iohn Hus was already put to death, they brought forth Master Ierome, whom they had long kept in chaines in the Church of Saint Paul, and threatning him with death, being instant vponupon him,Recanteth, being compelled thereunto. they forced him to abiure and recant, and consent vntounto the death of Master Iohn Hus, that hee was iustly condemned and put to death by them. Neverthelesse, his enemies perceiving that this abiuration was not made sincerely from his heart, but onelyonly for feare to escape their hands, they gaue in new accusations against him. And in the yeere of our Lord, 1416. the 25. day of May, the sayd Master Iereme was brought forth vntounto open audience before the whole generall Councell, vntounto the great cathedrall Church of Constance. Where many things were layd to his charge that day, as likewise the third day after (which was another Diet assigned to him for answering) where hee refuted his adversaries with such eloquence and wisdome, that the hearts of all the Fathers of the councell were marvelously bent and mooved to mercy toward him. But in the end hee entered to the praise of Iohn Hus, He maintaineth the doctrin of Wickliffe and Hus.and affirmed that whatsoever Iohn Hus and Wickliffe, had holden and written specially against the pompe and pride of the Clergie, hee would affirme even to the death. And likewise hee added, that of all the sinnes that ever hee had committed, the sinne of his recantation did most grievously gnaw and trouble his conscience, especially in consenting to the wicked condemnation of that good and holy man, Iohn Hus, which fault as hee did it through weakenesse of faith, and feare of death; so did hee vtterly deny and revoke that wicked recantation.
After this, hee was led away againe to prison: and the Saturday before the ascention day, hee was brought to the Cathedral Church before the Congregation, where the sentence of his condemnation was given out against him, and a paper with pictures of red divels was brought to bee put vponupon his head, which hee himselfe receiving, put it thereupon, saying; Our Lord Iesus Christ when hee suffered death for me, most wretched sinner, did weare a crowne of thornes vponupon his head,Note. and I for his sake will willingly weare this miter, and cap. Afterward hee was layd hold on by the secular power,Ierom of Prague condemned and burnt and carried to the place of execution, where his body was burnt with fire, which paine he suffered, with a lowd voyce praising God in the midst of the fire, and commending his soule to the gracious custodie of the Lord Iesus. And finally, his ashes were diligently collected, and throwne into the river of Rhene.
In this age also was Hieronimus Savonarola a man,Hieronymus Savonarola, preacheth against the evill life of the Spiritualty. no lesse godly in heart, then constant in profession, who being a Monke in Italy, and very learned, preached against the evill life of the Spiritualty, and specially of his owne order. Which thing the Pope perceiving, and fearing that the said Hierom (who was already in great reputation amongst all men) should diminish and overthrow his authority: he ordained his Vicar or Provinciall to see reformation in those matters, who with great superstition began to reforme them: But the sayd Hierom did alwaies withstand him, whereupon hee was complained of to the Pope, and cursed by him. Notwithstanding hee continued preaching in the towne of Florence. And albeit hee was cited to appeare before the Pope, he made his excuse, and came not. Then was hee againe forbidden to preach, and his doctrine pronounced and condemned as pernicious,Hironimus silenced by the Pope. false, and seditious. Thus Hieronimus forseeing the perils & dangers that might come, for feare left off preaching.
But when the people which sore hungred for the word of God, were instant vponupon him that hee would preach againe: hee began againe to preach in the yeere 1496. and albeit many counselled him,He againe preacheth. that he should not so doe without the Popes commandement, yet did he not regard them, but constantly went forward of his owne good will. When the Pope and his shavelings heard newes of this, they were grievously inflamed and incensed against him, and now againe cursed him as an obstinate and stifnecked heretique.He is cursed by the Pope as an heretique. Notwithstanding all this, Hierom proceeded in preaching and instructing the people, saying, men ought not to regard such curses as are against the true and common profit of the people.
In all his teaching he desired to teach none other thing, but the onelyonly pure and simple word of God: making often protestation, that all men should certifie him if they had heard him teach or preach any thing contrary thereunto. For in his owne conscience,Note. he knew that he had not taught any thing but the pure Word of God. What his doctrine was, all men may iudge by his bookes which hee hath written. After this, in the yeere of our Lord, 1498. hee was taken and brought to Saint Markes Cloyster, and and two other Fryers with him, named Dominicke and Sylvester, who favoured his learning, and were carryed to prison, and from thence were brought forth by the chiefe Councellors of Florence, and the Popes Commissioners, who had gathered out certain articles against them, whereupon they should be condemned to death, which were these:
1. The first article was, as touching our free iustification through faith in Christ.
2. That the Communion ought to bee ministred vnderunder both kinds.
3. That the Indulgences and Pardons of the Pope, were of none effect.
4. For preaching against the filthy and wicked living of the Cardinals and Spiritualty.
5. For denying the Popes supremacy.
6. And that hee had affirmed that the Keyes were not given to Peter alone, but vntounto the vniversall Church.
7. That the Pope did neither follow the life nor the doctrine of Christ, for that hee did attribute more to his owne pardons and traditions, then to Christs merits, and therfore he was Antichrist.
8. That the Popes excommunications are not to be feared, and that hee who doth feare or flie them, is excommunicate of God.
9. That the auricular confession is not necessary.
10. That hee had mooved the Citizens to vprore and sedition.
11. That hee had neglected and contemned the Popes citation.
12. That he had shamefully slandred and spoken against the Pope.
13. That he had taken Christ to witnesse, of his naughtinesse and heresie.
14. That Italy must be cleansed through Gods scourg, for the manifold wickednesse of the Princes and Clergie.
These and such like articles were layd to their charge and reade before them. Then they demanded of the said Hierom and his companions, whether they would recant, and giuegive over their opinions. Whereunto they answered, that thorow Gods help, they would stedfastly continue in the manifest truth, and not depart from the same. Then were they degraded, one after another, by the Bishop of Wasson, and so delivered to the secular rulers of Florence, with strict commandement to carry them forth, and handle them as obstinate and stifnecked Heretiques.Hieronymus with two others, hangd & burnt as heretiques. Thus was that worthy witnesse of Christ, with the other two aforesayd, first hanged vp openly in the market place, and afterward burnt to ashes, and the ashes gathered vp, and cast into the river of Arum, the 24. day of May, 1499.
In this age likewise,Lauren, Valla. Picus Mirandula Comes. Angelus Politianus. sprang vp many men of great erudition and learning; as namely, Laurentius Valla, Picus Mirandulae Comes, Angelus Politianus, with many others, whose names, for learning are worthy rememberance.
The meane whereby learning so exceedingly increased in this age, seemeth to bee the Art of printing, found out in Germany by a certaine Gold smith,The invention of printing. named Iohn Faustus, in Strausbrugh, and Guttemberg his copartner, as some write: but whosoever was the inventer of it, it is certaine that this faculty was given to the vse of man by the providence of almighty God, at what time the Bishop of Rome, with all the whole and full consent of all the Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Lawyers, Doctors, Provosts, Deanes, Archdeanes, assembled together in the Councell of Constance, and had condemned poore Iohn Hus, and Ierom of Prague to death for heresie, and after subdued the Bohemians, and in a manner the whole world, to be vnderunder the supreme authority of the Romi…h Sea. In the very time, so dangerous and desperate, where mans power could doe no more: The blessed wisedome and omnipotent power of God, began to worke for the Church, not with sword and target, to subdue his exalted adversary, but with printing,The benefit of printing. writing, and reading, to convince darknes by light, error by truth, ignorance by learning. So that by this meanes of printing, God hath heaped vponupon the proud kingdome of Antichrist, a double confusion. For whereas hee could not abide to hauehave the enormity of Prelats liues to be condemned by Iohn Hus, who neither denyed his Transubstantiation, nor his Purgatory, nor yet spake any thing against his Masse, but onelyonly exclaimed against his excessiue and pompous pride, his vnchristian, or rather antichristian abhomination of life. Now of late dayes God hath found a way by this faculty of printing, not onelyonly to confound his life and conversation (which before hee could not abide to be touched) but also to cast downe the foundation of his standing, that is, to examine, confute, and detect his doctrine, lawes, and institutions, in such sort, that albeit his life were never so pure, yet his doctrine standing as it doth, no man is so blinde, but may see the Pope to be Anti-Christ. For by this Art, Tongues are knowne, knowledge groweth, iudgement increaseth, bookes are dispersed, the Scripture is seene, the Doctors are read, the stories bee opened, times compared,Note. truth decerned, falshood detected, and with the finger pointed at, and all (as I hauehave said) God hath wrought by the benefit of printing.