The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 2 · History of century 8
CENTVRIE VIII.
Popes of Rome.
AFter Pope Sergius succeeded Iohn the 6. and continued 3. yeeres, and 3. months.Iohn. 6.
After him Pope Ioannes 7. continued 2. yeeres and 7. monthes:Iohn. 7. hee liued in the dayes of Iustinian the 2. who sent Ambassadors vntounto him for procuring an vnion betwixt the churches of the East and west, because they differed in opinions concerning the Canons of the sixt generall Councell, wherein prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices was dissallowed, and the Patriarch of Constantinople was equalled in autoritie to the Patriarch of Rome. These Ambassadors aforesaid returned from Pope Iohn the seuenth without any answere, with proud carriage, or as others thinke, a cowardlie forme of dealing all writers doe reproue.
After him succeeded Sisinius who continued not about 20. dayes in his Popedome.Sisinius.
After Sisinius succeeded Constantine the first and gouerned 7. yeeres,Constantine the first. and 20. dayes: his Popedome was vnderunder the raigne of Iustinian the second, Philippicus, and Anastasius. The Emp. Iustinian supported him against Foelix Bishop of Ravenna, who had refused to pay to the B. of Rome the summe of money imposed vntounto him in time of his ordination, so that Foelix was taken prisoner by the Emperours admirall, and sent to Constantinople, where his eyes were put out, & he was bāished to Pontus. Against the Emp. Philippicus he contended, as one hauing authoritie to raze the name of the Emp. out of charters, as had bin already declared. This is the Pope who was Iudge betwixt the B. of Ticinum and Millane who contended for superioritie, and Constantine exemed the shop of Ticinum from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Millan: but in such way, as he should be subject to the Church of Rome. The Emperour Iustinian the second, sent for Pope Constantine, who came to Constantinople, and from thence went to Nicomedia,Note. where he met with the Emperour, and the Emperour kissed his feete. Marke the growing, and daylie increasing pride of the Roman Antichrist.
After Constantine succeeded Gregorius the second, and continued sixteene yeeres,Gregorius, the second. nine months, and eleuen dayes. Hee liued vnderunder the raigne of the Emperour Leo Isaurus, whom he rashly excommunicated for abolishing of images. Also he drew away from the obedience of the Emperour, the countries of Hesperia, Aemilia, Liguria, and other parts of Italie, forbidding them to pay tribute to the Emperour, expresse contrary to Christes commandement, Matth. 22.21. where He saith, GiueGive vntounto Caesar that which is Caesars, &c. and this Christ spake concerning paying of tribute.
Gregorius the third.Gregorie the third gouerned ten yeeres, eight monthes, and twentie foure dayes: and followed the foote steps of his predecessor, both in aduancing the doctrine of worshipping of images, and in with-drawing the people of Italie from the obedience of the Emperour. More-ouer, he gathered a Councell at Rome, wherein the worshipping of images had allowance. And the Emperour Leo was both excommunicated, and likewise, so farre as in him lay, depriued of his Emperiall dignitie. So early did the beast of Rome, euen in ciuill matters, vsurp autority ouer the Princes and Monarches of the world. In his dayes the towne of Rome was besieged by Luitprand king of Lombardis. But Carolus Martellus, a noble prince in France, beeing sollicited by letters of Gregorie, to support the distressed estate of the Church of Rome, hee perswaded Luitbrand to desist from molesting & besieging the towne of Rome.
Zacharias the first.After Gregorie the third succeeded Zacharias the first, & cō tinued ten yeeres, foure months, and foure dayes: In antichristian pride hee surpassed all his predecessors, distributing the Kingdomes of the world at his pleasure: For he procured,Func. Comment. in Chron. lib. 8. that Pipinus, the sonne of Carolus Martellus (who was but a subject, and ruler of the kings house) should bee anointed king of France: and that Childericus, the lawfull successour of the kingdome, should hauehave his head shauen, and be thrust into a Monasterie. Likewise he procured, that Carolom…nnus, the elder brother of Pipinius, should be a Monke of the Order of Saint Benedict, in the Monasterie of Cassinates. Rachis also, king of Lombardes, after hee had raigned 4. yeeres, gaue ouer his kingly authority, and entered to a Monasterie, and exhorted his wife and children to do the like: and so his brother Aistulphus obtained the kingdome. Pipinus was anointed king of France, by Bonifacius, at the commaundement of Pope Zacharias, anno. 750. or as Platina reckoneth Anno, 753. What recompence of reward Pipinus rendered to the chaire of Rome, for this beneuolēce, or rather this manifest iniquitie of Zacharias, it will be declared in the description of the life, gouernememt, and carriage of Stephanus the second, if the Lord please.
After Zacharias succeeded Stephanus the second,Stephanus the second. and ruled fiue yeeres, and one month. In his time Aistulphus, King of Lombardes besieged Rome, at two diuers times, and Stephanus implored the aide and assistance of Pipinus, King of France, at both times. At the first time Pipinus besieged Aistulphus in Papia the chiefe Citie of residence of the kinges of Lombardes, and compelled him to restore to the chaire of Rome all the townes and lands which by violence hee had taken from them. But at his second comming, he not only relieued Rome from the siege of the Lombardes, but also bestowed vppon the chaire of Rome the dominions of Rauenna and Penta-polis, appertaining to the Emperour of the East, and which they enjoyed since the death of Narses, Platina in vita Step. 2.170. yeeres. In so doing, there was such bargaining betwixt the kinges of France and the Popes,Acts 12. as was of olde betwixt Herod and the Iewes, he gratified them with the blood of Christes Apostles, and they gratified him on the other part by giuing to him the glory of God: Euen so, Zacharias, bishop of Rome, bestowed vponupon Pipinus the kingdome of France, which duly appertained to another: and Pipinus againe bestowed vponupon the chaire of Rome the dominion of Rauenna, & Pentapolis, which duely appertained to the Emp. of the East.
It shall not be amisse to make a particular rehearsall of the townes & territories bestowed vponupon the church of Rome, by the donatiō of Pipinus, but not of Constantine, as they hauehave rumored most fabulously many yeares agoe: In primis, Rauenna, Bononia, Imola, Fauentia, Commaclum, Hadria, Pompilii Forum, Leuii Forum, Cesena, Bobium, Ferraria, Ficoclas, and Gabellum: all these townes were vnderunder the dominion of Rauenna. And in Pentapolis, Ariminum, Pisaurum, Concha, Fanum, Senogallia, Ancona, Auximum, Hummanam, Aesium, Sempronij Forum, Mons Feretri, Vrbium, Balmense territorium, Callas, Luceolos, Engubium, together with the Castles and lands appertaining to these townes, to wit, the Prouinces called in our time Romandiola, & Marca Anconitana, and of olde Aemilia, Flaminea, & Picenū. Thus we see what a rich reward the chaire of Rome obtained for their defection frō the Emp. of the East, and their fauour towards the kings of France. Also, for further confirmatiō of friendship betwixt the bishops of Rome, and the kings of France, Pope Stephanus the 2. procured, that he should be inuited to be witnes at the baptisme of the king of Fraunce his yong son, at which time, as a man couetous of vaine glorie,Note. he suffered, Pipinus, & Charles his son, to kisse his feet, & to hold his stirrope, & to lead his horse by the brible: and finally, he was content to be mounted vp, and carried vponupon the shoulders of men, leauing behind him an example of stinking pride to the posterity after following.
Paulus the first.After Stephanus the secōd, succeeded his brother Paulus the first, who continued 10. yeeres, and one month. In antichristian pride he was nothing inferiour to his predecessours, for he sent Ambassadours to the Emperour of the East Constantinus Copronymus, to exhort him to restore againe the images of the Saints, which hee had demolished, with intermination of cursing, if hee refused to bee obedient to the popes counsell. In his time A…stulphus King of Lombardes dyed, and Desid…rius the last King of Lombards raigned in his stead.
Constantine the brother of Desiderius King of Lombardis, succeeded to Paulus the first,Constantinus 2. a man admitted to the Popedome, before he received Ecclesiasticall orders: therefore hee was hated of the people of Rome, and denuded of his Papall dignity, after hee had continued one yeere and one monethmonth. Some writers affirme that his eyes were thrust out, and that hee was sent to a Monasterie: others affirme, that hee was burnt with fire, by the hatefull malice of the Romanes.
To him succeeded Stephanus the third, who ruled foure yeeres,Stephanus 3. fiue moneths, and twenty seven dayes. Hee gathered a Councell at Rome; in the which twelue Bishops of France, sent thither by Charles de Maine, were present, with the Bishoppes of Italy, who disauthorized Constantine his predecessor, and annulled all his decrees. Likewise, they damned the seventh generall Councell convened in Constantinople, by Constantinus Copronymus, wherein the worshipping of Images was disallowed. But in this Laterane Councel, assembled by Stephanus the third, the worshipping of Images got allowance. And it was thought, that God and the Saints were in worser case then mortall Princes, in case that Images might be made to represent mortall Princes, but not to represent God and his Saints.Platin. in vit. Steph 3. It was rumored in this Popes time, that Charles King of France, was of intention to marrie Bertha, the daughter of Desiderius King of Lombards. Stephanus fearing left this marriage should vndoe the friendship lately tracted betwixt the Bishops of Rome, and the King of France, disswaded Charles from the marriage aforesayd; as if the marriage of a woman of the kindred of the Lombards, were a mixing of darkenesse with light, and of Belial with Christ. And the menacing letter of Stephanus the third, prevailed so farre at the hands of Charles the Great, that he repudiated Bertha the daughter of Desiderius, his lawfull maried wife, after he had cohabited with her one yeere: and hee married another woman, named Hildegarde, of the Dukerie of Sweue. These are the fruits of Antichristian pride,Note. to threaten the torments of hell against the Princes of the world for marriage, if so be they fore-see any damage may redound to the chaire of Rome, by the marriage of Princes.
After Stephanus the third, succeeded Adrian the first, and governed twenty three yeares,Adrianus. 1. Platin. in vit. Adri. 1. ten moneths, and seventeene dayes. In his dayes Charles the Great came into Italy with an army, and Desiderius King of Lombards, his wife, and children, to Lions in France, and vtterly subdued the kingdome of the Lombards; which had continued in Italy 204. yeeres. Now in the yeere of our Lord, 776. this kingdome was abolished and vndone, by Charles the Great, king of France, for the fauour he carried towardes the chaire of Rome. Likewise, hee augmented the donation of his father Pipinus, and he bestowed vponupon the Church of Rome, the Isle of Corsica, and the places lying betwixt Luca and Parma, with the Dukedomes Spoleto and Benevento. This being done,Func. comment. in ob…on l. 8. Charles returned back againe to France, carying with him Bertha his brothers wife, and her children, who came to Adrian Bishop of Rome, hoping for favour at his hands, and that he should hauehave anoynted her sonnes to bee Kings of France, seeing Carolamannus their father was now dead: but he delivered them into the hands of Charles, and so Charles the Great raigned without exception, as absolute Commander of France. Irene the Empresse of the East, during his Popedome, assembled a great Councell at Nice in Bythinia, where the adoration of Images was allowed. In this Councell the Popes Ambassadors were present, and his owne letter was read in the Councell: no man gaue greater allowance to the worshipping of Images, then Pope Adrian did, as shall be declared, God willing, in the head of Councels. It is to be marked, that Platina, writing of the death of Constantinus Copronymus, is compelled to beare witnesse to the truth; and testifie, that the opinion of the leprosie of Constantine the Great, was a notable fable, and that it sprung vp by occasion of the disease of Constantinus Copronymus, the father in law of the Empresse Irene.
To Adrian succeeded Leo the third,Leo 3. and governed one and twenty yeeres. He was hated by Pascalis and Campalus, who lay in wait for him at the Church of S. Silvester, threw him down to the ground, spoyled him of his pontificall garments, beat him with many strokes, and finally, cast him into prison and bonds: but hee escaped by the meanes of a cubiculare, named Albinus, and lurked in the Vaticane, vntill the time that Vnigisius, Duke of Spoleto, conveyed him safely vntounto his bounds. At this time Charles King of France, had warres against the Saxons. The Bishop of Rome, who came to him to complaine of the iniuries which hee had received, was sent backe againe very honourably, accompanied with the souldiers of Charles King of France: and with promise that he should without delay, addresse his iourney towards Italy. When Charles came to Italy, the Popes enemies were so dashed with feare, they durst not appeare to accuse him: and the Clergie of Rome thought meet, that no man should iudge of the Apostolike chaire, but the Bishop of Rome should bee his owne iudge. Leo tooke the booke of the Gospell in his hands,Hist. Magd. cent. 8. cap 10. and swore that hee was innocent of all the crimes obiected against him: and so hee was absolved: and Pascalis and Campulus, the friends of the late deceased Pope Adrian, were counted worthy of death: but Pope Leo interceded for safety of their liues: so they were banished to France. For this benefit, Leo caused Charles to be declared Emperour of the West, and crowned him with the Imperiall Diadem. And from that time forwards, the custome began, that Emperours should receiue their Coronation from the Bishop of Rome. Notwithstanding of this, it was ordained, that no man should be elected Bishoppe of Rome,Note. without advise of the Emperour of the West, and without receiving investment from him.
Patriarchs of Constantinople.
THe Patriarches of Constantinople in this Centurie, placed and displaced, according to the changeable conceits of the Emperours. VnderUnder th raigne of Iustinian the second, Cyrus was Patriarch, whom Philippieus removed, and advanced one named Iohn, who had fore-told, that hee should bee made Emperour. This Iohn was infected with the heresie of the Monothelites, and was remooved by Artemius, by whom Germanus was advanced to the chaire of Constantinople. Germanus continued vntill the raigne of Constantinus Copronymus: Hee was deposed and excommunicated by the generall Councell assembled by Constantinus, Note.because he allowed the worshipping of Images.
To him succeeded Anastatius, who albeit hee disliked Images, yet hee was vnthankfull to the Emperour, and favoured the seditious attempts of the people of Constantinople, who advanced Artabasdus to the Imperiall dignity. Moreover, hee slandered the Emperour, as if hee had spoken against the divinity of Christ. Hee received a iust recompence of his vnthankefulnesse: for he was deposed, and scourged, and set vponupon an Asse, with his face towards the Asses tayle, and made a ridiculous spectacle to the people.
After him, Constantine a Monke, was made Patriarch, who at the first seemed to condemne Images: but afterward hee was found to bee a maintayner and allower of them. The Emperour banished him to Iberia, where hee spake contumeliously both of the Emperour, and of the Councell holden at Constantinople: therefore he was brought back againe from banishment, and was beheaded, and his body was drawn through the town with a cord, and cast into a pit, where the bodies of malefactors were accustomed to be cast.
After him succeeded Nicetas, a man vnlearned, and advanced by the Emperor Const. Copron. for none other cause, but onelyonly for his zeale against the worshipping of Images. After him succeeded Paulus Cyprius, who in the dayes of Const. Copron. damned the worshipping of images: but afterward changed his minde: and vnderunder the raigne of Irene, entred into a Monastery, and lamented, that hee had consented to the abolishing of images. The vaine inconstancy of this timorous and superstitious man, was the chiefe occasion of the convocation of the second Councell of Nice, by the Empresse Irene. To him succeeded Tarasius, who was present and gaue allowance to the adoration of Images.
The prevailing power of the Saracens in Alexandria, Antiochia, and Ierusalem, did so obscure the names of the Patriarchs of there cities, that I hauehave no remarkeable thing to write of them in this Centurie.
Of Pastors and Doctors.
IN this declining age, wherein spirituall grace dayly decayed, and nothing increased, except an heap of earthly treasures, which God permitteth to be poured into the bosomes of them who louelove the wages of iniquity. Alwayes, even at this time, some men of good literature and learning, did manifest themselues vntounto the world; such as Bonifacius Bishop of Mentz, Damascene, a learned Monke, Paulus Diaconus a learned writer of histories, and Beda a man counted venerable in his time: yet all these were miserably infected with the superstitions of their time, such as the opinion of Purgatory, invocation of Saints, worshipping of Images, and prohibition of Mariage.
Bonifacius was a man borne in England,Bonifacius. in place neere adioyning to Excester: he was familiarly acquainted with fiue Popes, to wit, with Pope Constantinus the first, Gregorius the second, Gregorius the third, Zacharias the first, Stephanus 2. And by them he was advanced to many honours: First, to be the Popes Legate in England, Germany and France, and afterwards to be Archbishop of Mentz. All his studies and travailes tended to this, to bring the people of England, Germany, and France, to the subiection of the Romane Bishop, and to a conformity of the superstitions of the Romane Church. In the name, and at the commandement of Pope Zacharias, hee disauthorized Childericus King of France, thrust him into a Monasterie, and anoynted Pipinus the son of Carolus Martellus, to be King of France. So zealous was he to performe all the desires of the Roman Bishoppes, by whom also his name was changed: for hee was first named Vinofridus, but the Bishops of Rome who delighted in his service, called him Bonifacius. After he had served the Romane Bishops in slavish subiection 36. yeeres, he was slaine by Pagans, because he had anoynted Pipinus King of France, and for hope they had to enrich themselues by his coffers:Note. in the which, when they had opened them, they found nothing except bookes, and reliques of Saints, whereof they made no account. And his body was buryed in the Monastery of Fulda.
Iohannes Damascenus.Damascene, a superstitious Monke, the disciple of Cosmas, lived vnderunder the Emperours Leo, and Const. Copron. hee was a long time in company of the Saracens, and with the Prince of Saracens he went to the sepulchre of Mahomet, and like vntounto a timorous body,Hist. Magd. cent. 8. cap. 10. worshipped the bones of Mahomet, fearing to hauehave beene put to death, if hee had not done such homage. Hee was a patron of worshipping of Images, and was excommunicated in the generall councell assembled by Const. Copron. Note.It is written by Iohn Patriarch of Ierusalem, in the History of Damascenes life, that the Prince of Saracens was moved to indignation against him, by a deceitfull letter, sent from the Emperour Leo Isaurus, in the which Damascene was charged as a man willing to hauehave betrayed the towne of Damascus into the hands of the Emperor Leo. VponUpon this occasion (saith Iohn Patriarch of Ierusalem) the Prince of Saracens cut off the hand of Damascene: and on the other part, Damascene, by humble kneeling before the Image of the Virgin Marie, was miraculously cured, and restored againe to the power of his hand. But this is like to the rest of popish fables, and lyes: For Damascene writeth many notable fables, for cōfirmation of adoration of Images. And in case a miracle had beene wrought in his owne person, by prostrating himselfe before an Image, Damascene had no manner of way ouer-passed with silence the memoriall thereof. But we hauehave to doe with adversaries, who are not ashamed of lies. Damascene was a diligent reader of the bookes of ancient Fathers, as appeareth by his foure bookes, De Orthodoxa fide: but not so diligent a reader of holy Scripture, which is the ground of manifold errors. His history of Iosophat, King of India, is knowne to be a Monkish fable.
Paulus Diaconus, Paulus Diaconus.of the kindred of the Lombards, became a deacon in Aquileia: hee was carryed captiue into France, in the dayes of Charles the great, who besieged Papia, banished Desiderius, and made an end of the Kingdome of the Lombards. Afterwards he was accused of treason and conspiracie, against Charles King of France. His malicious and hatefull accusers, were bent to hauehave had his hands cut off, or his eyes put out: but King Charles pitying him for his learning, was content that hee should bee banished to the Isle of Diomedes. From thence hee fled, and came to Beneventum, where Arachis was dwelling, who had married Adelporga, the daughter of Desiderius. In his palace it is thought hee writ his sixe bookes, De rebus gestis Longobardorum. After the death of Arachis, hee came to the Monastery called Cassinense, where hee ended his life.
Beda, Beda.a man borne and brought vp in England, was called venerable, and was in great account in his time. OnelyOnly, he was miserably intangled with deceitfull Antichristian errors, vniversally overspred in his dayes. In writing, reading, and praying. hee was a man of incessant paines. Nothing is found in him more commendable, then his patient suffering of the agonies immediately preceding his dissolution, with a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.
Albertus Gallus, Albertus Gallus, with some learned men of Scotland, witnesse to the truth of God.a Bishop in some part of France, a learned and godly man, opposed himselfe mightily to Boniface, the foot-groom of the Roman Antichrist, with whom concurred two learned men borne in Scotland, named Clemens Presbyter, and Samson, and offered to prooue both by word and writing, that Bonifacius was an author of lyes, a troubler of the peace of Christians, and a corrupter and deceiver of the people. But Pope Zacharias excommunicated them before they were heard in lawfull Assembly, and gaue power to his foot-groome Bonifacius, Hist. Magd. cent. 8. cap. 10.to depose them, and procured at the hands of the King of France, that they should be cast into prison, and bound with bonds, as schismatickes, false teachers, and sacrilegious men. Such reward men received, who were witnesses to the truth of God, and reprehended any corruption of the Romane Church. In like manner Iohannes Mailrosius, and Claudius Clemens, learned men of Scotland, sent by King Achaius, to Charles King of France, and the first professors of learning, in the Academie founded by Charles the great in Paris: these two likewise were disliked of the Roman Church, because they could not assent to all the superstions of that Church in this age so miserably deformed.