A Survey of the Popes Supremacy, Part 2 (3 of 3)

A Survey of the Popes Supremacy · Part 2 (3 of 3)

p. 182And ſo from that time, which was about the yeare 796. vntil the time of Innocent the ſecond about the yeare 1139 they continued in ſubiection to the biſhop of Rome, being gouerned at his appointment 343 yeares.Ioh. Stella in In. 2. But being warie belike of his Tyranicall gouernment, they made vntounto themſelues a pretor & ſenators to rule them, concerning their ciuile gouernment, as in times paſt they had wont to hauehave. For indeed this Innocent was a wonderful proud pope, of whom it is writen in a p. 183booke called Burtum Fulmen, brutum fulmen ex cron. Hi…ſ. A prowde pope.and alleaged out of two hiſtories, that in the Lateran church at Rome, he painted Lotharius the emperour proſtrate at his feete, and his vaſſal or ſeruant receauing of him the imperiall crowne. And by this picture, were verſes written, wherein the emperour is made his ſeruant, and it is ſaid that the pope giueth him the crowne as though he could not hauehave it but by his gift. His pride being ſo immoderate againſt the emperour, it is not like he could keepe any meaſure with ſuch as were inferiors, and ſo did they ſhake of his intolerable yoke.

Nowe the pope not knowing preſently how for to amend himſelfe or to hinder their purpoſe, yet thought he would ſo bridle them,C 17. q. 4. cap. … quis ſuadente. Laying violent hands vponupon a clergie man. as that his clergie ſhould be free from their rule. He gathereth therefore a council in Lateran, where he cauſed it to be decreed, that whoſoeuer ſhould lay violent hands vponupon a clergieman (though he be but a pſalmiſt ſaith gloſſe there, whom the Diſt. 23 calleth a ſinger cap. Pſalmiſta. and the Diſt. 21. cap. Cleros maketh next the dog driuer and doorekeeper) ſhould ſo be accurſed, that (vnleſſe it were in time of death) he might not be abſolued of any, but the pope onelyonly. For this cauſe alſo Onuphrius writeth that the people of Rome were excommunicated,In Innocent. 2. and put for euer from chuſing the popes, and by that meanes, that the election of the pope came to the cardinals. But Platina as I hauehave before noted ſaith, that Gelaſius the ſecond was choſen by the cardinalles, who was before this Inocent. Well, Lucius the ſecond pope of that name, although he had great cauſe to hauehave though of other matters (for at that time there was a maruelous great plague,Stella. whereof of his predeceſſor Celeſtine the ſecond died, as alſo himſelfe was taken away by it) yet his proude ſtomacke, not being able to beare the gouernment that then was in Rome,…unct an. 11143. cronolog. by a pretor and ſenators, ſought to alter it. The pretor or Alderman maior whoſe name was Iordan told the pope, that al the …egalities belonging to the citie as well without as within the walles belonged to him being pretor by reſon of his office, & that y^e pope had hitherto occupied the ſame by meanes of Charles the great. But he demaunded his owne right, willing the pope to content himſelfe, as his ancetours had done, with firſt …ruites, tithes and offerings.

p. 184But his holineſſe, being as vnwilling to learne a good leſſon, of Iorden the pretor or Alderman of Rome, as were the Phariſes to be taught of him, whom Chriſt made to ſee, (Thou arte ſay they altogether borne in ſinne,Ioh. 9. 14.John 9:14 and teacheſt thou vsus?) Deuiſed more miſchiefe againſt the Romans then did the Phariſes againſt that man, that durſt teach them, for they did but caſt him out of their ſynagogue, that is they did perchance excommunicate him. But this holy pope, who ſhould be to others, an example of patience and forgiuing our enemies, had this deuiſe,Rob. Barnes. The popes cruell and godleſle purpoſe. that watching a time when they were all gathered together in council, the Pretor, Senators, and all the chiefe of the citie, the pope gathered his ſoldiers, and ſet vponupon the capitoll, (the place where they were aſſembled) thinking either to hauehave deſtroyed them all, or elſe to hauehave driuen them out of the citie.

But the Romanes hearing of this pope-like enterpriſe,Lucius the ſecond ſtoned to death. armed themſelues vponupon a ſodaine, and running to the capitoll, did ſo pelt with ſtones the pope himſelfe, that within a few dayes after he died. Whether of the plague as before out of Stella I aleaged, or of theſe bates it maketh no great matter. For they were rid as it ſeemeth of a furious foole, and ſaued the liues of their chiefe men, and for a time retained their libertie. This doth Robert Barnes reporte out of Naucler. Sum. Anton. and Iacob. Colum. Now this queſtion betweene the Romans and the biſhop of Rome continued in doubtfull caſe as appeareth by frier Rioch and others for a ſeaſon, namely whileſt Eugenius the third, Anaſlaſius the fourth, and Adrian the fourth liued, the Romans ſeeking to hauehave their liberties of chooſing their magiſtrates, confirmed vntounto them by the popes, the popes on the other ſide repining againſt that which the Romans did. Yet in the time of Alexander the third they came to this agreement that the magiſtrates choſen by the Romans, ſhould not meddle with their office, vntill they had beene ſworne to be faithfull to the church of Rome and the pope. And thus this controuerſie, that was betweene the citie of Rome,Rioche. compend. hiſ…o…ar. Plat. in Alex. 3. Plat. Stella. and the pope, for fiftie yeares, was agreed. But Lucius the third being perchance proude then Alexander his predeceſſor (whoſe pride yet was intollerable) not content to ſuffer ſo much as the name of Conſuls p. 185in Rome went aboue to aboliſh the ſame, and had gotten to him ſome of the Romans. But the citizens roſe againſt him, expelled him out of the citie and put out the eies of certaine, that fauoured his attempt.

Thus we ſee, how the biſhops of Rome, to the end that their authoritie might the more ſmoothly proceede without controlment, did ſeeke to take theſe rubs out of their waie. Hitherto we hauehave in part ſeene, in what ſort the biſhops of Rome being come to their hieght hauehave deale with their betters, and how roughly they hauehave handled them. But perchance their friends wil excuſe them, becauſe that by doing as they hauehave done, they hauehave defended (will they ſay) the rights and priuileges of the church of Rome. But howe will they excuſe the ſlauiſh ſeruitude, wherunto they brought the greateſt princes?Reuel. 19. 10. an… 21.Rev 19:10 Saint Iohn offered to fall downe before the Angell, but the angell would not ſuffer him to worſhip him, I am (ſaith he) thy fellow ſeruant, worſhip God. But theſe vile wretches, will ſuffer kings and emperours to kiſſe their feete. Conſtantine the pope was the firſt that euer accepted of this honour done to him by Iuſtinian the emperour.Plat. in Conſtan. 1. papa. And then Stephan the ſecond, whoſe feete Pipin the french king did kiſſe. But afterwards this grew to be ſo ordinarie a matter, that the kiſſing of an old fooles foule feete, is the greateſt honour that can be done to the greateſt prince at Rome.

And Pope Steuen hauing gotten into his handes the exarchie of Rauenna,plat. in Steph. 2. & Zachar. whereby he became great in Italy, and al by the meanes of the ſaid Pipin, whom he alſo rewarded by making him king of Fraunce,Abbas Vrſperg. in Pipino. an. 754. thruſting Childrick the true lawfull king into a monaſtery, and intruding Pipin in his roome, he now in triumphing manner is carried vponupon mens ſhoulders. And he is the firſt that I knew of any of the popes, that thought the earth too good, to beare ſo wicked a lumpe as himſelfe was. For I truſt hee thought it not too baſe to touch his ſacred feet. Well, the reaſon of his doings is not for vsus to ſearch, but he was firſt carried of mens ſhoulders.Epit. hiſtor. Neither will I here inquire of the cauſe of depoſing the right king of Fraunce, whether it were iuſt or not, although no cauſe could make it a iuſt fact in him, that had nothing to doe with it. OnelyOnly this will I p. 186ſay, that where maſter Bellar. would make the inſufficiencie of the French kings,Lib. 2. de pont. Rom. cap. 17. to be the cauſe why either Zachary, or Steuen that was next after him, did depoſe the French king from his rightfull crowne, yet Platina whoſe words I rather beleeue then maſter Bellarmine, Plat. in Zachar.confeſſeth that Pipin being greedie of a kingdome, ſent his embaſſadours to the pope, that he would by his authoritie, confirme vntounto him the kingdome of Fraunce. Whereunto the pope agreed, in reſpect of ſuch former good turnes, as hee had receiued of that houſe. And ſo by the popes authoritie the kingdome of Fraunce is adiudged to Pipin the yeare of our Lord ſeuen hundred fiftie and three. Thus much Platina. Whereby it appeareth that the ambition of Pipin, and wrong dealing of the biſhop of Rome, was a cauſe that Childerick was depoſed. But to returne to my matter againe, we ſee what pope it was,The pope caried on mens ſhoulders. that was firſt ſo proude, that he could not let his owne legs carrie him. But it was ſet downe afterwards for a lawe, vntounto which the emperour muſt be alſo obedient if he will not be rebellious to the decrees of the church. And it is decreed that the emperour himſelfe, if he be by, muſt helpe to carry that loytring lubber. For thus I reade it cited out of their owne booke of ceremonies.The emperour muſt carry him. Although the emperour, or any other be he neuer ſo great a perſonage, be by, hee ſhall carry vponupon his ſhoulders a litle while,Cer. l. ſect. 2. fol. 35. a. Fol. 26. b. the chaire and the pope. And againe it is decreed in the ſame place, that the moſt noble lay man ſhall carry the end or traine of the pluuiall that the pope weareth, be it the emperour or any king. What a ſlauerie is this, that he by his vngodly and wicked ordinances, doth tie princes vntounto, as though they were his very ſtaues. Why ſhould he looke that emperours ſhould be his hacknie horſes, to cadge him vp and downe? Or what reaſon hath he, what warrant out of the ſcripture? What example in Gods booke, or of any good man ſo to diſg…ace and deface the anointed of the Lord, whom he as well as others, ſhould ſeeke by all meanes to honour and reuerence?

Yet let vsus ſee what more reuerence theſe proud prelats can ſuffer to be done vntounto them.Princes leade his horſe. Pipin the new made Frence king, did teach the pope a very euill vſe. For he ſlattering the pope, that hee might make him more frendly to him, in p. 187aſſuring him of his kingdome, meeting him three miles from his lodging,plat. in Steph. 2. alighteth from his horſe, and leadeth the popes horſe all the way, not leauing him vntill he had brought the pope to his lodging.

It is alſo recorded that another time the king of England on the one ſide, and the French king on the other performed him that ſeruice.Bale in Ale. 3. ex Rob Mont. cion. Sigeb. an. 1164. Sacrar. Carem. l. 1. ſect. 5. & ſect. 2. fol. 35. But what neede I ſeeke for the particular examples? This is alſo a booke caſe, It is alreadie ordered. That the emperour ſhall leade his horſe, and kings ſhall goe before him, as performing their ſeruice to this earthly God, or God on earth. But yet we hauehave not ſeene his fullneſſe in pride.Holding the ſtirtop to the pope. Emperours holde the popes ſtirrep Rob. Barns. Ioh. Bale. For the emperour if he be by when the pope alighteth, muſt hold his ſtirop. So did Frederick Barbaroſſa the emperour vntounto the pope Adrian the fourth, although he had no great thankes for his labour.The emperour held the wrong ſtirrop. For hee chanced to hold the the wrong ſtirop, the pope was ſo offended thereat, that when the biſhop of Bamberg, in the name of the emperour, had by a pithy oration ſignified his ioy for the popes preſence,The pope is very angry for it. the pope replied that he heard indeede words of gladneſſe, but he could not by deedes perceaue any ſuch thing. And his reaſon was becauſe the emperour held not his right ſtirrop. The emperour although angry, yet ſmiling anſwered, that he vſed not to hold any bodies ſtirrop, and that made him the leſſe ſkilfull. For he was the firſt, whoſe ſtirrop he held. And for that time they parted, neither of them being well pleaſed. But the next day the emperour made amends for his former offence. holding the right ſtirrop. And the ſame emperour Frederick, did afterwards alſo hold the ſtirrop to pope Alexander the third, (a cruel and ſhameleſſe enemie to the ſaid emperour) as appeareth by a letter which maſter Fox in his Actes and Monuments aleadgeth out of Roger Houeden and William of Gisborough.

In which Letter it doeth moſt plainely appeare, not onelyonly that the Emperour did holde his ſtirrop, for the pope confeſſeth ſo much in writing vntounto the Archebiſhoppe of Yorke and to the Biſhop of Durham, and would hauehave them to reioyce for the good ſucceſſe of the church (for the church is much increaſed when the popes ſtirrop is holden by ſuch) but alſo he page missing cauſe they ſaid to Moſes and Aaron, that they tooke too much on them, ſeeing all the people were holy: howe great then ſhall their iudgement be, that abuſe all, euen the mightieſt Monarchees, at their pleaſure? Doeſt thou ſee (O Peter) thy ſucceſſour, and thou O ſauing Chriſt, behold thy vicar? Marke well howe farr the pride of the ſeruant of thy ſeruants, is gone vp,Vrſperg. ſaith an Abbat long ſince, and therefore I truſt no Lutheran, no Calueniſt, no Hugonot, but a flat papiſt, and yet ſpeaketh this in deteſtation of the pride of popes, and namely of pope Boniface the eight, who the ſecond day of his Iubilie, apparelled like an Emperour,The pride of Bonif. 8. with a ſword carried before him, cried aloude,Auguſt. Beneveu. in Alberto. Beholde two ſwordes, as the ſame Abbat reporteth. Who when Albert Duke of Auſtria, came to him to be confirmed in the Empire, whereunto he was choſen, tooke the Crowne and ſet it vponupon his owne heade, and tying the ſworde to his owne ſide,Act. Roman. pontif. Rioche. Beneuenut. ibid. ſayd, I am the Emperour. Or as Frier Rioche a friend to popes writeth, I onelie am Emperour, who boaſtingly woulde call him ſelfe key-carryer of heauen. And therefore hee is worthilie called a famous pope, and a magnificall tyrant of prieſts.

Nowe if wee ſearch and trie from whence hee hath anie warrant for this his Luciferian behauiour againſt God and man, what can hee anſwere? Hee hath no commaundement, nor any proofe or approbation of it in Gods worde, no example of the godlie.obedience to princes. Chriſt and his Apoſtles ſhewed all dutifull obedience to magiſtrates, and exhorted alſo others to doe the like. Ceſar muſt hauehave his due, whether in obedience or tribute, or feare, or honour, or anie thing elſe, if wee will obey the commaundement of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, or followe their example, or beleeue their ſaying, when hee telleth vsus that the Apoſtles ſhoulde not hauehave ſuch dominion,Matth. 22. 21. matth. 17. 27. Matth. 20, 25, 26Matt 22:21Matt 20:25Matt 20:26 or exerciſe ſuch authoritie, as the Lordes of the Gentiles did exerciſe ouer them. He commendeth louelove,Ioh. 13. 34, 35. matth. 5. 9. math. 11. 29. Popes ſeeke preheminence.John 13:34John 13:35 and pronounceth the …eacemakers bleſſed, and would hauehave vsus to learne of him to bee meeke and lowly in heart. But the pope finding nothing in all theſe that ſerueth or fitteth his humour, taketh his patterne of Diotrephes, who loued to hauehave the preheminence.3 Ioh 9. matth. 23. 6, 7.3 John 1:9 Or of the Scribes and Phariſes, who loued the chiefe place in feaſtes, and to hauehave the chiefe ſeate in the aſſemblies, and greetings in the market, and to be called of men Rabbi, Rabbi. Yea, Chriſt and his Apoſtles tooke great paines in preaching, ſpared not for labour, feared not for daunger, preaching in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, ſuffered all things, indured all things, ſeeking Gods glorie and not their owne.Popes no preachers. Whereas on the contrarie, the popes cannot, or will not vſe to preach. They hauehave inough to doe to deuiſe howe they may ſubdue Emperours, bring vnderunder their yoke the neckes of Kings, ſet vp their chaire of peſtilence, aboue all the thrones in the earth. This is their care, their ſtudie, their whole endeour.Plat. in Paſchal. … Stella. And therefore Paſchalis the ſecond, although he would not be pope, vnleſſe the people would firſt giuegive ſome rare teſtimonie of his diuine election, for they muſt cite three times Saint Peter hath choſen to bee pope Rainer, for that was his name before, an excellent good man, O fond hypocrite, yet when he had taken it vponupon him, it was done with many ceremonies, to make him ſeeme more glorious. For hauing gotten this double conqueſt,Popelike attire. firſt in that he got to be pope, ſecondly that hee made the people giuegive ſuch a teſtimonie of him that he was ſo worthie a man, he thus addreſſeth himſelfe to his triumph.

Firſt he putteth on him a crimſon robe,Plat. in Paſch. 2. an ornament vponupon his head, and ſo waited on by the people and cleargie, vponupon a white horſe he rideth to the ſouth gate of the pallace of Laterane, and entering into the pallace, hee putteth about him a girdle, at which were hanging ſeuen keies,Plat. in Paul. 2. and ſeuen ſeales, and holdeth his ſcepter in his hand. But Paul the ſecondthought not this brauerie ſufficient to ſet forth his glorie,Coſtlines of attire. and therefore he much increaſed the coſtlines of theſe ornaments, eſpecially for the miter which hee wore vponupon his head, buying the moſt precious ſtones that he could heare of to adorne and decke the ſame. And leaſt his withered face, ſhould not be ſomewhat ſutable, he would alſo as ſome report (for ſo Platina telleth vsus) paint it.Paul the ſecond did paint his fa…. And he alſo ſaith, that hee had a great delight to ſhewe himſelfe to ſtraungers, and woulde keepe them manie times in the Citie, that they might beholde and wonder at him. And indeede they had iuſt cauſe to wonder at him, that he who by his calling ſhoulde hauehave beene an example of modeſtie, a light to ſhine vntounto other, and ſalt to ſeaſon them that were vnſauerie and by his age, p. 192ſhould hauehave beene paſt thoſe toyes, and childiſh vaine conceits, ſhould ſo farre forget himſelfe, that he would not only decke his body with more precious attire then was ſeemely for him, who ſhould hauehave beene to other a patterne of all chriſtian humilitie: but alſo paint his face more like a wanton Ieſabell than a ſober biſhop.

And thus I truſt it appeareth, how inſolently and ſtately the biſhops of Rome hauehave behaued themſelues, hauing by very vniuſt meanes gotten to that greatnes wherein they are. I might by infinite examples hauehave ſhewed this to be true. For all ſtories are full of their inſolent doings. But my indeuour is only to ſhew, that as they claime by an vniuſt title, ſo they do in many reſpects abuſe their greatneſſe. Which hitherto I hauehave proued, becauſe ſo ſaw…ily they match themſelues with God, ſpurn againſt the higheſt authoritie, & magnifie themſelues in al their behauiour. The ſtories alſo do point out vntounto vsus their incredible auarice, and more then greedy couetouſneſſe, which is ſo inſatiable that no ſummes of money can ſatiſfie, no kingdomes can ſtanch the ſame. It is a world to conſider, what large and ample dominions they hauehave gotten into their hands, what landes and territories. Whereinto they hauing intruded themſelues, by ſetting princes together by the eares, or ſuch other ſubtile practiſes: and yet would ſeeme ſomtime to hold the ſame by the gift of Conſtantine, ſometime from Charles the great, ſometime from his ſon Lewes. But from whom they ſhould claime to holde their poſſeſſions. they are not yet fully reſolued as it ſeemeth. But how great ſoeuer their poſſeſſions are, or howe they holde them, I am not purpoſed to examine. My purpoſe is rather to ſhew how little contented they are with all that they hauehave, and how ſtill they hauehave new deuiſes, and other practiſes, to get money into their coffers.Barns. Bale. …inctius. Henry the ſecond (or as ſome reckon) the third, had built a church in Bamberg, and was deſirous to hauehave it made a biſhops ſea: hee requeſted the pope to do ſo much at his requeſt. Now this pope reſted wholy of the good will of the emperour Henry. And yet would he not at his requeſt do ſo much,The popes auarice maketh him vnthankeful. but that alſo he would benefit himſelfe: and ſo was content to do it vponupon couenant, that that church ſhould giuegive him yeerely a hundred markes, and a white horſe with his

p. 193But what ſhould we enter into any particulars in this point? What biſhop could get his alowance or confirmation to any biſhopricke,Confyrmation to biſhoprikes. without great ſummes of money? Then the archbiſhops hauehave their palles not without infinite charges.Archb. palles. Wonderfull ſums of money,Vacations. hauehave in the time of vacation of biſhoprickes, and other ſpirituall promotions, beene carried to Rome, from Germany, Fraunce, this our country and other places, as the manifold complaints and greeuances do manifeſtly declare. And beſides theſe ſummes which they got by eccleſiaſticall liuings, they had many other wayes to picke mens purſes. Purgatorie was a gainfull deuiſe,Purgatory. the fire therof, did much good to the popes kitchin.Pardons. Pardons were good to no vſe, but to make them rich that gaue them, or carried them. Eſpecially thoſe pardons which Leo the the tenth ſent abroad. They which caried them made the world beleeue,Bale in Leone … ex chriſt. maſ. that whoſoeuer would giuegive tenne ſhillings for a pardon, ſhould for the ſame deliuer what ſoule ſoeuer he would out of purgatorie.Holy warres or againſt the Tur… VnderUnder pretence alſo of fighting againſt the Turke, and recouering the holy land, they gathered great ſummes.Licenſes, &c. What ſhould I ſpeake of licenſes, qualifications, diſpenſations, and ſuch like meanes to get money? If I ſhould but out of our Engliſh hiſtories, paint out the greedie worme of that church of Rome, you would thinke it were a gulf vnſatiable both the horſleaches daughters in one that alwayes crieth giuegive, giuegive, and can neuer hauehave enough. It is a bitter and grieuous complaint that Frederick the ſecond emperour of that name, maketh againſt the church of Rome, ſhewing how the fire of her auarice is ſo kindled,Mat. Par. fol. 469. that the goods of the clargie not being able to ſuffice, they feare not to diſinherit, and make to pay tribute to them, emperours, kings, and princes. Whoſe words hee ſaith are ſweete as hony, and as ſoft as oyle, but they are inſatiable bloudſuckers. He doth put our countrimen in rememberance of that which Innocent the third a pope had done, ſwalowing after the Romiſh faſhion, with an vntoward gaping, whatſoeuer was fatteſt. And with many ſuch words, hee ſetteth forth the miſerable eſtate of England, which was (ſaith he) the prince of all prouinces. He ſpeaketh of the time of king Iohn, as himſelfe ſheweth, of the which dayes alſo did the nobles of England complaine bitterly, becauſe he did p. 194ſubiect himſelfe to the pope, and ſo brought their land into a miſerable ſlauerie.Mat. par. fo. 373. And as it were, ſpeaking vntounto the pope, they charge him, that he beareth with king Iohn, to the ende that all things might be ſwallowed vp of the gulfe of the Romiſh auarice. Neither is the pope Honorius the third aſhamed to confeſſe this fault,pariſ 438. Romea greedie gulfe by a popes confeſsion. by his Otho. For in his letters hee confeſſeth, that there can be no diſpatch in the court of Rome, without great expences and gifts, and acknowledgeth that this is an old ſtaine to that church. And for to take away this ſlaunder, he & his cardinals had deuiſed a good way (as he thought) which is, that he might hauehave in eueryevery cathedrall church two prebends, and ſuch like of abbeis.Gift of eccleſiaſtical preferments. And this is an other way that the pope hath to inrich himſelfe by. And very often did the biſhoppes of Rome, ſeeke by ſuch means to prouide for their friends, or ſuch as would buy their letters. So did Innocent the fourth write to the abbat of S. Albans, for a kinſman of his, for a benefice in Lincolne dioceſſe,pariſ. 1085. belonging to the gift of that church of ſaint Albans, called Wengraue, and for the next beſides it that ſhuld fall. Yea he did ſometime write for children. Whereupon there grew a great contention, betweene the biſhop of Lincolne Robert Groſted, A pope a ſeller of benefices. Pariſ. 1206.and the pope Innocent the fourth, whome Alexander the fourth his next ſucceſſour called the ſeller of benefices. Pope Innocent was ſo offended with this Biſhop of Lincolne, for withſtanding his lewd and wicked couetouſneſſe, that when he heard that the Biſhop of Lincolne was dead,Pariſ. 1178. The popes ſpite againſt the biſh. of Lincolne being dead. hee purpoſed preſently to write to the king of England, not to ſuffer him to be buried in the church, but to be caſt out, thereby to diſgrace him as much as he poſſibly could. Beſides theſe, they hauehave yet other wayes to get money. They ſend in their ambaſſadours or legates,Ben…uolences. which when they are once well ſetled within the land, they ſend to biſhops, abbates, or ſuch as they knew to be of wealth, for ſo much money as they thought good to get. But the leaſt gaine came not to the church of Rome, by that vniuſt decree of Innocent the fourth,The goods of the clearkes… n…etſtate the popes ſhare pariſ. 959. whereby it was prouided, that the goods of clarkes that died inteſtate, ſhould go to the biſhop of Rome. But it were too tedious a matter to come particularly to eueryevery point, of the popes greedines. It was a thing generally miſliked and ſpoken againſt: yea this their miſerable p. 195greedineſſe, as Mat. of Paris witneſſeth, was the chiefe cauſe why the Greeke church departed from the Latine church.pariſ. 622. The popes couetouſnes cauſe of diuiſion between the caſt and weſt churches. For, an archbiſhop of the Greeke church comming to pope Gregory the ninth to be confirmed in his archbiſhopricke by him, coulde not obtaine his deſire, vnleſſe he would promiſe much money. He ſeeing that, deteſting their greedineſſe departed, and tolde this to ſundry of the nobilitie. There were other alſo that reported as euill or worſe of that they had ſeene and knowen at Rome, and ſo they would hauehave no more to do with the weſt church.

In like manner did the ſame pope behaue himſelfe in hearing the matter betweene Walter elect archbiſhop of Canterbury on the one ſide, and the king and ſundry biſhops on the other ſide. And although it were obiected againſt the archbiſhop by the king and the biſhops, that in ſundry reſpectes hee was vnfit,pariſ. 468. namely, that hee had defloured a Nunne, and gotten children by her, and the king was very earneſtly bent againſt him, the pope alſo confeſſed that he was vnlearned, yet coulde not the king and the biſhops get the pope to be fauorable in that good cauſe,pariſ. 474. Bribeue. vntill ſuch time as the kings embaſſadors, fearing leſt the pope would make him archbiſhop of Canterbury, that was altogether vnworthy of ſuch a place, promiſed to the pope the tenth of all moueables through England. Whereupon the pope being ſo well hired, was content, not to place a wicked man in the ſea of Canterbury.pag. 48…. And the pope, to ſhew that it was the reward that made him, and that he looked for perfourmance thereof, he ſent into England to demaund the ſame, and it was graunted according to the promiſe that was made vntounto him.

Theſe and ſuch other corruptions and extortions of the Biſhops of Rome, made them ſo odious to the king of England and his nobles,popes pollute the places where they remaine, pariſ. 1068. that they thought be defiled and polluted the place where he dwelt. And therefore when pope Innocentius the fourth, requeſted the king, that hee woulde permit him to lie at Burdeaur in Gaſcoigne, which then belonged to the king of England, he and his Nobles thought that it was too neere to England, and that corruptions would come thence into England. And Robert Groſted B. of Lincolne durſt boldly ſay to p. 196the pope and in his hearing, O money, money, how much canſt thou doe eſpecially in the court of Rome,Paril. pa. 1027. which as it is ſaid in another place,pag. 686. is alwaies gaping, alwaies greedie. But indeed great ſums hauehave him gathered out of this realme, which hauehave gone to the pope,Tag. 299. inſomuch that king Iohn did affirme to the pope Innocent the third, almoſt threatning him for ſome euill dealing, and telleth him that hee hath more commoditie out of the Realme of England,The pope had much out of England. then out of all countries on this ſide the Alpes. And therefore Innocent the third had woont to ſay of England,England the pops garden of delight It is in truth our garden of delight (ſaieth hee) a well that can neuer be drawne drie, and where there is great abundance, there of much, much may be gotten. Indeed hee and his fellowes had gotten out of this garden, manie ſweete poſes, and were much refreſhed with the water, that they drew out of this well.

But where is that paſtorall care, that theſe Biſhoppes ſhould hauehave had ouer Chriſts flocke, or which they at the leaſt pretended to hauehave, in their Bulles and writings? Where is their reioycing at the zeale and godlineſſe of the people? As is their ſtudie, ſo is their ioy. Their ſtudie is how to get and winne temporall poſſeſſions, they reioyce when they hauehave gotten the ſame.

I hauehave hitherto proued this eſpecially by our owne ſtories, becauſe they ſhould moſt moue vsus to conſider, what bondage and ſlauerie we hauehave beene brought vntounto, and giuegive vsus warning to take heede, how wee ſubiect our ſelues to them, who vnderunder pretence of holineſſe, doe not onelyonly deuoure widowes houſes, but euen infinite treaſures, yea and princes kingdomes alſo. Other kingdomes were not free from theſe pollings, as may appeare by the ſtories of Fraunce, and other places. For what place is there,… an. 1364. whither the pawes and clawes, of that couetous Woolfe hauehave not reached. Charles the fourth, keeping a diet at Mentz, where were the electours, and other Princes of Germanie, thither alſo came the Popes Legat, in the name of Innocentius the ſixth, begging ſome contribution. The Emperour hauing heard what the Legat demaunded, aunſwered, that the pope got much money out of Germanie, but he ſought not to reforme any thing that was amiſſe in the cleargie.

p. 197And not long after, Gregorie the eleuenth demaunded a tenth of all the cleargie men through the empire,Pataleipom. Viſp. but the biſhops electours, would not yeeld to the pilling of their cleargie, in ſuch ſort.fol 321. But yet as the Abbat of Urſperg ſingeth them as it were a ſong, and willeth them to reioyce, becauſe that money which ſo well they louelove, commeth ſo faſt vntounto them, and they hauehave ſtore of that which ſo much they thirſted: euen ſo by their prolling, and pilling in euerie corner, they get into their handes infinite treaſure.Chriſt and his v… car compared. Nowe if we looke vponupon our Sauiour Chriſt, and compare him and his Vicar of Rome together, wee ſhall eaſilie finde they are no more like then light and darkeneſſe. Chriſt hath not whereon to lay his head, he had nothing. They hauehave all things,1 Luc. 9. 5….Luke 9:5 euen the worlde at will. He tooke great paines to preach the Goſpell,2 They liue in all eaſe and pleaſure, and neuer preach the moſt of them.3 He trauelled on foot from place to place, from the one ſide of Iewrie to the other, The pope if he goe but to S. Peters church, muſt bee borne vponupon the ſhoulders of the greateſt potentates.4 Chriſt had in his traine but a fewe fiſhers, or men deſpiſed, Their pallaces and traines exceede in pompe and pride,Luc. 12. 14.Luke 12:14 the courts of princes. He being requeſted, would not meddle with diuiding of land betweene two brethren,5 The pope intrudeth himſelfe, yea and chalengeth it to be his right, to hauehave to doe in temporall dominions, to throwe downe, to ſet vp, to place and diſplace, not in ſmall inheritances onelie, but in the greateſt Monarchies. As is ſeene in the Empire it ſelfe, which he tranſlated from the Grecians, to the French, and againe from the French to the Germanes, and woulde nowe if poſſibly he coulde beſtowe the ſame vppon the Spaniard, taking it from the Germanes, (as it ſeemeth) by ſuch aydes as hee yeeldeth vntounto him, in his moſt ambitious and tyrannicall attempts.

To be ſhort,6 our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe did perfourme all dutie, and honour, vntounto princes, by whoſe example, and of whom, Saint Peter learned that leſſon alſo, which hee faithfully taught and deliuered to other: Submit your ſelues to all manner ordinaunce of man for the Lordes ſake,1. Pet. 2. 1….1 Pet 2:1 whether it be vntounto the king, as vntounto the ſuperiour or chiefe, or vntounto gouernours.

p. 198And againe, in the ſame chapter, Honour the King. But what doth Chriſts bad vicar,Verſ. 17. and Peters proud ſucceſior? He ſeeketh by all meanes that he can, to increaſe his owne glorie and riches, and that with the ſtaine and reproch, with the decay and impoueriſhing of the mightieſt monarches, as hath alreadie beene ſufficiently (I truſt) declared, and might be prooued by a thouſand mo teſtimonies. But if you will behold a true patern of the affections,fox Act. & Mon. ex 2. hiſt. manuſcrip. that theſe holy fathers beare to the emperours and kings, ſet before your eies pope Celeſtine the third ſitting in his chaire of eſtate, making Henry the ſixt the emperour caſt himſelfe downe at his feete. And he (whoſe hands perchance were too holy to performe ſo baſe an office) taking the crowne betweene his feete, (O ſcorne of all ſcornes) did with his feete, crowne both the emperour, and his wife the empreſſe. And when he had ſo doone, with his feete he caſt from his head the crowne againe. For it is meate and drinke to them (not to doe the will of God as it was to Chriſt to doe the will of him that ſent him) but ſo to play with princes,Iohn. 4. 34.John 4:34 to bring them into contempt, and to let the world ſee, howe ſcornefully they can vſe them.

Let ſuch as louelove the truth, and hauehave deſire to ſaue their owne ſoules, thinking earneſtly of theſe matters. If the doings of the biſhops of Rome for many hundred yeares, be not plaine contrarie to that which our ſauiour Chriſt and his apoſtles did and taught, I craue no credit. But if they be, let no man, no woman be ſo ſimple, in a matter of ſo great importance, as by ſhew of good words (in which yet there is no truth, no ſinceritie, nothing but hipocriſie) to be carried away and deuoted vntounto a church, in name holy, but indeede moſt prophane, in name a mother, but in truth a froward ſtepmother: or to a pope inſatiable in couetouſneſſe, proude and ambitions, and to all countries and princes pernitious and peſtilent. Nowe as their arrogancie (ſince they came to ſuch exceſſiue greatnes) was intolerable, their greedineſſe vnſatiable, ſo their miſchieuous malice hath beene vnmeſurable. This appeareth moſt plainly, not only in their dealings with others,The malice of popes one towards another. but alſo in their had doings one of them againſt another. Who can without wonder or deteſtation, heare of the cruel parts that were commited by Steuen the ſixt p. 199againſt the dead body of pope Formoſus? For he was not content to reuoke his acts, and diſanul his decrees, (although he preferred him to be a biſhop) but like a cruell and vnthankfull churle,Rioche. hee cauſed his dead bodie to be taken vp out of the graue (O holy charitie) and that in his preſence, he drew it about the citie, put on it popelike aparrel, ſet it in Peters chaire, then he cauſed to be taken from him his popelike garment, and put vponupon him lay mans clothes, he cut off two of his ſingers Vrſpergenſis ſaith three, and his head, and caſt them into Tyber, and commaunded the reſt of his bodie to be buried in the lay mens buriall.

All ſtories almoſt with full conſent, doe declare and deteſt this beaſtly crueltie.Stella. The cauſe that hee pretended was, that he was periured (I would hauehave thought a pope might not hauehave made ſo foule a fault, and yet becauſe pope Steuen who cannot erre, hath charged him with it, I muſt beleeue it.) So there is one periured as is proued by ſubſtanciall witneſſe, and an other accounted euen barbarous almoſt of all hiſtories. Yea the ſtories that are moſt addicted vntounto poperie and ſuperſtition, doe much complaine of the diuiſion which this wrought in the church, and of the crooked dealing of theſe cankered karles. For Theodore the ſecond, that came next (but one) after this Steuen, although he was pope but twentie dayes, yet was loth not to make one in this ſkirmiſh, (for hee had no vertue in him ſaith the ſtorie) he approued againſt all that Formoſus had done, and ſo ſet himſelfe againſt Steuen his faction. Then came Iohn the tenth, who yet tooke great parte with Formoſus. And when many of the Romans were diſpleaſed thereat, he left Rome, and went to Rauenna, where he called a councill, and there did not onelyonly reuiue as it were Formoſus his decrees, diſanulling, yea caſting into the fire, that which Steuen had done againſt Formoſus, ſunct. anno 900.but he alſo concluded in the council, that Steuen iudged amis. Now you Romiſh catholiks whether may a pope erre or not? Steuen did in a council reuoke Formoſus his acts. Pope Iohn ſaith it was wrongfully done, ſo that by his iudgement, both Steuen and his council, did erre in iudgement. Yea and Iohn futher ordained, that they who tooke orders of Steuen ſhould againe take orders.

p. 200Not long after came Sergius the third who tooke vp the dead and mangled body of Formoſus and did execution thereupon,Iacob. Bergom. as if Formolus had beene aliue and commaunded the headleſſe corps, as not worthie of buriall, to be caſt into the riuer. And laſtly, hee made the orders that hee gaue to be of none effect. Iuſtly therefore did Iacob. Stella in Be. 4.Bergemenſis complaine and out of him Iohn Stella of Venice. Such was the euil hap of that age, that all vertue through mens ſlothfulneſſe, was decayed as well in the head as in the members. But why was Sergius ſo mortall an enemie to Formoſus? The cauſe of Sergius his enemie againſt Formoſus.Formoſus when he was pope could not well abide him, and therefore he according to his popiſh charitie delt thus with his dead bodie. And dare theſe men tell vsus of diuiſion among ſome members of our churches, when we ſee in their owne ſtories their heads, ſo putting and butting one of them againſt another with the hornes of the beaſt?Iacob. Bergom. Iohn the twelfth a wicked wretch eueryevery way, confeſſed to be by all ſtories, and that euen from his youth he was defiled with all naughtineſſe (to let paſſe his other popelike qualities too bad to ſpeake of) becauſe the cardinals complained of him to the emperour, and deſire his helpe, hee tooke ſome of them, and cut off one of their noſes, the others had, with the which it was ſuppoſed he wrote letters againſt the pope, he put out ſome of their eies,ſunct. an 962. cut out other of their tongues, their members and fingers. Pope Boniface the twelfth a man qualified much like his felowes,Platina. ſtole after he was pope all the principall iewels out of Saint Peters church, and left Rome for a time vntill he had ſold at Conſtantinople all that he had filched away,A pope a chiefe. and then returning hoped by money (whereof he had now good ſtore) to pacifie the citizens that were diſpleaſed with him (for he was for his wickednes hated of them.)ſ…nctius. But there was one Iohn a cardinall of good account that hindred him therein, ſome ſay that this Iohn was choſen pope in his roome. Wherefore him he tooke and put out his eies. Now where is the vnitie and good agreement, that our Romiſh catholiks now a dayes do beare vsus in hand, hath bin alwayes in the church of Rome? If by vnitie they meane chriſtian charitie their ſauage crueltie crieth out their ſhame. If they meane conſent in doctrine,Papi…s diſcent… doctrine. their infinit and diuers opinions, whether the virgin Marie were voide of originall p. 201ſinne, which matter was a great while, full hotly handled. Againe what it is that is ment by theſe words (this is my body) what this word (This) hath relation vntounto. Thirdly, what is that, wherein is that which may be ſeene in the bread, as colour and faſhion, or to ſpeake as they doe, what ſubiect hath thoſe accidents? Theſe and many other ſach points might be reherſed, wherein perchance they will neuer agree hereafter, as yet they hauehave neuer doone. Well, what malice they hauehave ſhewed one towards another we hauehave ſeene. How they hauehave done towards other it may partly appeare in that which I hauehave ſaid before in their proud and earneſt purſuing of princes, vntounto whom they would neuer be reconciled vnleſſe the princes would let them hauehave their will.The cruel malice of Iohn. Iohn the fifteenth or (if pope Ioan be not reckoned) the fourteenth was taken of ſome noble men of Rome, and kept in priſon eleuen monethes. At the length by the helpe of Otho the emperour being deliuered, and the chiefe of them being ſharply puniſhed by Otho, Peter the pretor or chiefe man of the citie, who was in the conſpiracie, the emperour deliuered to the pope, perchance to trie how readie he would be according to the commaundement of Chriſt, to louelove his enemies and them that hate him.Bale Act. pontif. Rom. But pope Iohn (although the emperour had ſharply puniſhed many by death, other by confiſcation of all their goods, others by baniſhment, and ſo might ſomewhat hauehave mittigated the raging furie of the pope) yet I ſay pope Iohn, deliuereth the priſoner to the tormentor, with charge to ſhaue his beard (for to diſgrace him) to pull off his garments, to hang him by the heare of the head, for a whole day together then was he ſet vponupon an aſſe, his face being turned to the hinder parts, and his hands tied vnderunder the taile of the aſſe, and ſo led vp and downe the citie,Platina. well ſcorged with whips, almoſt vntill he was dead,funct. and ſo baniſhed into Germany. There was one Gregorie a pope whom Henrie the fifth emperour had made pope. But Calixtus the ſecond when he came to be pope, and the emperour and he were agreed, purſueth this Gregorie not content to depoſe him onelyonly,Rioche in Hen. 5. (for a reaſonable reuenge cannot ſatiſfie their miſchiuous malice) but let him vponupon a Camell (that this fine ſight might the better be ſeene) turning his face to the taile, which was to him for a bridle as the author ſaith, and ſo p. 202carried him in triumph to Rome. But to ſhew his proud and inſolent dealings againſt princes, and his malitious perſecuting and purſuing of them. What neede we to produce examples of forraine countries, or former times? We hauehave amongſt vsus, in our dayes, better proofe thereof, then either we deſire, or they can denie.

Is it not too proude and inſolent a part, for either Pius the fifth,Popes dealings with Princes now. or Sixtus the ſith, to call our ſoueraigne Queene and moſt gratious prince Elizabeth, whom God hath mercifully placed amongſt vsus, and ouer vsus, and mightely and maruelouſly defended, from innumerable popiſh practiſes: and Henry king of Nauarre, and nowe alſo the French king, hereticks, ſchiſmaticks, and I know not by what names of reproch, he not prouing, no nor daring to offer any reaſonable triall, or lawfull way to prooue the ſame? Why is hee afraid to hauehave religion tried by a free generall council? Why doth he hinder it by all meanes that he can?Popes religion not catholike The queſtion is whether his religion, that (I ſay) which he commendeth to chriſtians, and commaundeth to be onelyonly, (and that vponupon paine of death) beleeued is true or not. We denie it, we ha…e vnanſwerable arguments for vsus. The religion that he would hauehave vsus to content our ſelues withall, is not catholike, that is, it is not preached or taught at all times, in all places, with full conſent, as he and his frends muſt confeſſe, when it is examined. It hath not any ſufficient warrant out of Gods booke, which onelyonly ſhould be the ground of our relgion. Nay, it is ſo contrarie to Gods written words, that it is impoſſible that that which God in the ſcripture teacheth vsus, and that which the popiſh church requireth of vsus, ſhould both be true. As for Gods worde we know it cannot lie. And therfore we hauehave great cauſe to ſay, that that which is contrarie to it, cannot be true. Again, the church of Rome (as they al confeſſe) prooueth many points of their religion by traditions onelyonly, that is to ſay, by the doctrines of men only. Theſe things we alleage. Admit that it were not euidently true that we ſay. Is it not good reaſon yet that we ſhould be heard, howe we can prooue that we alleage? Were it not fit that before indifferent iudges the matter ſhould be tried? For why ſhould the pope, that is a principall partie in this controuerſie, or his legats that p. 203are his ſworne adherents and ſeruants, take vponupon them to be iudges in their owne cauſe? We accuſe them of Idolatrie, ſuperſtition, many hereſies, manifeſt breach of Gods lawe, deſpiſing of Gods word, yea of plaine apoſtacie from the true faith. Shall we euer imagine, that they will pronounce ſentence againſt themſelues? And confeſſe themſeules guiltie of theſe great crimes? No no, as we are not ſo fooliſh as once to hope, that they who with tooth and naile, ſeek to maintaine their owne pride, will ſo ſubiect themſelues to Chriſts yoke, ſo we are not ſo mad as to thinke them to be fit iudges, to pronounce whether the truth be on our ſide or theirs. For we knowe, that they will not ſpeake for vsus, becauſe they will neuer ſpeake againſt themſelues.

Let them then permitte this queſtion that is amongſt vsus to be tried by a free council. Let the matters in controuerſie be debated, let the reaſons on both ſides be heard, and wayghed: let indifferent iudges be appointed, ſuch as ſincerly ſighing, in ſinglenes of hart, ſeek to know the truth, & ſerue the Lord. Thē will it appeare who teach the tru religion. But this can neuer be tried by ſuch ouer-ruled conuenticles as that of Trent, wherein indeed the proteſtants were admitted to ſpeake. But they might ſay but placet, wee are content with that you hauehave done. They might not ſet downe their reaſons againſt Romiſh errorn, they might not be heard to diſpute. But that was before concluded in ſom priuat meeting of a few popiſh diuines, & alowed at Rome for catholike doctrine, and thence ſent to the council to hauehave approbatian of them that durſt not denie it, to that they might ſay Amen. Yea, and what they could hauehave ſaid, the council wold not greatly hauehave regarded as it ſeemeth. For Clement the ſeuenth, when the emperour Charles the fift, and the French king were earneſt with the ſaid Clement, to hauehave a free generall conncil permitted,Gentil. examined. wherein matters might maturely be diſcuſſed on both ſides,Concil. Trident. li. 1. he anſwered, that was a perillous matter and preiudiciall, that the proteſtants ſhould be ſuffered to diſpute of thoſe things, that had beene before co…cluded by councils. As though God by his word, were not ſufficient to giuegive lawes to his church, or that he ſhould be tied to the iudgements of men. Not that we thinke the auncient lawfull councils to be againſt p. 204vsus: but becauſe that vnderunder the name of generall Councils, they bring in their later wicked and vngodly conuenticles, of the times wherein corruption grew more and more in the Church, which Councils hauehave concluded manie things, that were neuer heard of in the purer age: wee would therefore let them vnderſtand,How councils muſt be reiected. that as manie of their councils are worthily reiected, ſo euen the beſt are not to be bleeued, but as they conſent with Gods vndoubted and infallible worde. And that this was the bondage of that Councill of Trent, which our aduerſaries would ſo faine hauehave ſo much accounted of, it appeareth by Sleydon in his hiſtorie. Brocard who was one in that councill, writing vponupon the Apocalipſe, Gentillet and Caluin, againſt that council. How thē dare thoſe arrogant popes, whoſe doctrine can not abide the touch, whoſe decrees do ſhun the light, condemne princes for heretikes, or enemies to the catholike faith, & yet will not permit their faith and religion, to be laid to the rule & ſquare of the catholike doctrine?Dialog. 3. Theodoret ſaith truly. The decrees of the church muſt be tried and proued, not pronounced as an ouer ruled caſe, or as a ſentence of a Iudge. And ſhall we then receiue as an Oracle from God, that which is deliuered vntounto vsus after this maner, the church of Rome, or the biſhop of Rome hath ſaid it? God forbid. We will trie the ſpirits whether they bee of God.1. Iohn 4. 1. 1. Theſ. 5. 21.1 John 4:11 Thess 5:21 We ſeeke to trie all their doctrines, that we may holde faſt that which is good. This then, I ſay, is an euident argument of arrogant inſolencie, in Pius 5. and Sixtus, 5. that ſo wickedlie they dare preſume, as to giuegive ſuch ſlaunderous names, to princes that profeſſe ſo vndoubted a truth, as then they both did, and yet our moſt gracious Soueraigne dooth. But to depriue them of their kingdomes, to releaſe their ſubiects from their bonde of obedience, to diſpoſe of their dominions, according to their pleaſures, as they would doe if they could, is as intollerable pride, as their predeceſſours before did euer vſus to other. And ſo maliciouſlie to proſecute this their conceiued miſchiefe, as they hauehave done theſe manie yeares, whi…h open tumult, with ſecrete conſpiracies, with poyſoning of ſome principall Princes,Popiſh practiſes. with murthering of other by other meanes, with prepairing the hearts of doubtfull ſubiects, agaynſt the time of inuaſion to take their part, (for all theſe things are common p. 205to the pope, and his white ſonne the king of Spaine, (they are their continuall meditations) dooth not this ſufficientlie proue their cruell malice? So that their proude practiſes, and cruell purpoſes (which are two of the fruits, of the ſupremacie of the popes that I hauehave ſpoken of) are plaine enough, euen in our dayes, we may ſee with our eyes the proofe of the ſame, by (almoſt) dayly examples. But their greedie mindes, and couetous affections, doe not appeare to vsus ſo plainely, as vntounto our fathers, vntounto whom they were an intollerable burthen, as I hauehave ſhewed before. And although we nothing doubt, but the fat morſels, which they vnderſtand their predeceſſours hauehave plucked from this land, doe make the popes that hauehave beene in our dayes, more eager to get ſuch like againe: yet God hauing deliuered vsus from the rauening pawes and iawes of that Romiſh Lion (the Lord make vsus truly thankefull, and in life fruitfull, for this his ineſtimable merciemercy) we feele not the griefe of his exactions. But this I truſt, ſufficeth to decalre, that the power which the pope vnlawfully hath gotten, he vnreaſonably abuſeth, making it a wicked and vngodly meane to crowe ouer princes, to fill his coffers, and to execute his reuenges. And now that the pope was come to that, that hee might doe euen what he would, to ſatiſfie his proude, greedie and cruell luſts, he thought it good for him to dwel and continue alwayes, in that lawleſſe eſtate. And therefore did he, not onelyonly ſtriue by all the power and policie that he had, and with all his indeuour to maintaine the ſame, for the time preſent, but alſo did prouide ſome meanes to maintaine it as hee hoped for euer. And to performe this they hauehave had no ſmall helpe by priuileges,Priuileges and immunities. and grauntes from princes, who at the firſt when biſhops of Rome, and others alſo, did applie themſelues in ſome meaſure to perfourme their duetie, were willing to the better incouraging of them, to goe on forwardes in well doings, and that thoſe worldly things, ſhould not be to them any let or hinderance in their callings, that were a burthen vntounto other, they were willing I ſay to exempt them from ſuch ſeruices and duties, as they required of other to be don vntounto them. And becauſe that at the firſt when Chriſtianity began to increaſe and grow mightie, no doubt many that were ſecret enemies,Cauſe of many of the immunities. and yet durſt not (when the Emperors p. 206had by law eſtabliſhed the chriſtian profeſſion) accuſe any man for their religion, would then lay other faults to their charges, and obiect other crimes to bring the Goſpel into contempt, as appeareth by Tertullian, Iuſtin the Martyr, and others that they did, when religion was yet profeſſed in corners. Now it is not vnlikely, but that godly princes to exempt them from ſuch flaunders and reproches, would commit the hearing of thoſe accuſations vntounto ſuch as were of beſt credite among themſelues, that when their enemie did ſee that their accuſations were not like to be fauoured, vnleſſe they were ſufficiently proued, they might be diſcouraged, from defaming them with vniuſt reports. But howſoeuer theſe immunities were graunted vntounto them at the firſt, or on what conſideration, I wil not preciſely ſet downe. But afterwards I am ſure they tooke them as their owne right, and that they did alwayes belong vntounto them. And therefore when as the Emperour would hauehave taken vponupon him to hauehave iudged of ſome cauſes of cleargie men,Diſt. 96. cap. …imperator. pope Iohn ſheweth that hee muſt not ſo doe, and telleth him boldly, but falſely, that the almightie God will hauehave the clearkes and prieſts of Chriſtian religion, to be ordered, examined, and receiued when they returne from errour, not by publike lawes, or powers of this world, but of biſhops and prieſts. Chriſtian emperors (ſaith he) muſt ſubmit their executions to prelates, and not preferre them. Whereupon the gloſſe doth gather, that the cleargie was neuer vnderunder the ſecular power, and therfore that all the conſtitutions that are made, that clearks ſhould not be iudged by any but by biſhops, are but declarations,…iſt. …6. C. Nun…uam. of that their former right. And in the ſame diſtinction the verie next chapter, that pope Iohn is not aſhamed to affirme, that Chriſtian princes were woont to be obedient to biſhops, and to how downe their neckes to them. And afterwards there is in Gratian a whole treatiſe to this purpoſe,Cauſ. 11. …. 1. c. Nemo. to proue that (as is their alledged out of Caius the Pope) no man muſt preſume ſo much as to accuſe, before a ſecular iudge, a biſhop or any clearke. I need not alledge to this end many teſtimonies. Theſe are as plaine as need to be. He that would ſee mo teſtimonies to this effect, let him looke the firſt queſtion of the eleueuh cauſe in Gratian, he ſhall ſee it affirmed with full mouth. But how vntruly in a word may be declared.

p. 207And firſt how falſe that is which he affirmeth,Shameleſſe li… that princes hauehave alwaies ſubmitted themſelues vntounto prieſts, there is no colour of truth in it, if we examine the ſhameleſſe lie, either by the ſcriptures, or by the examples of the emperors and kings in the primitiue church.Magiſtrates commaund prieſts. Aa…on. For Moſes was the ciuill magiſtrate, and Aaron was the prieſt. Did Moſes ſubmit himſelfe to Aaron? No, did he not rather on the contrarie reprooue him, as at other times, ſo eſpecially concerning the golden calfe,Exod 32. 21.Exod 32:21 which he cauſed to be made? And did not Aaron in token of his ſubmiſſion to Moſes, call him his Lord? And why did God deliuer the law. and the order for all the ſacrifices and ceremonies, and all the ſeruices that were commaunded, rather by Moſes to Aaron, and the people, Moſes being the ciuill magiſtrate, then by the miniſterie of Aaron, who was appointed to be the prieſt? Did not God hereby teſtifie,…od. 28. that he would hauehave the ciuill magiſtrate to hauehave a ſpeciall regard, vntounto the things that belong to Gods ſeruice.Apiathar. Was not Abiathar the high prieſt at the commaundement of Salomon, when at the commaundement of Salomon the king,2. Kings 2. 26, 27.2 Kgs 2:262 Kgs 2:27 he was put from the office of the high prieſt, and the king made Zadocke high prieſt in his roome. But out of manie examples let theſe ſuffice,Verſe 35. for the time before Chriſt. S. Paul when he ſaith,Rom. 13. 1.Rom 13:1 Let euerie ſoule be ſubiect to the higher powers, teacheth vsus, that we muſt not looke that they ſhould ſubmit them ſelues vntounto vsus, but how ſincerely we ſhould obey them. And what is meant by the higher powers ſaint Peter telleth vsus, that the king is chiefe,1. Pet. 2. 13, 14.1 Pet 2:131 Pet 2:14 then other gouernours vnderunder him. And theſe are the ſuperiour powers which ſaint Paul meaneth of, as if need were might hee proued by all antiquitie. If we looke vponupon the biſhops that were in the time of Conſtantine, and a good while after, their ſtories will teach vsus, that they as humbly as they could ſubmitted themſelues to Emperours and princes, called them Lordes, intreated them with all ſubmiſſion. Yea, and Leo the third pope of that name,Plat. in Leone 3. eight hundred yeares after Chriſt, his life and conuerſation were inquired vponupon, by Charles the great the emperor. All which things do plainly proue, that it is moſt falſe that Gratian out of many of them doth affirme, that the Emperours Chriſtian, did alwaies ſubmit themſelues vntounto the biſhops.

p. 208And the ſelfe-ſame examples alſo doe plainly declare, that the clergie may not be accuſed onelyonly before ciuil magiſtrats, but puniſhed alſo by them according to the qualitie of their offence. Neither did our ſauiour Chriſt (whoſe immunities and exemptions I ſuppoſe they will confeſſe, were as great as any may claime) when hee was ſtanding before Pilate to be iudge, plead that they might not meddle with him, neither yet Saint Paul, when he ſtoode before Feſtus, Act. 25. 11.Acts 25:11who if there had beene any ſuch priuiledge belonging vntounto clergie men, would at the leaſt hauehave claimed it, that others might hauehave by their examples alleaged the like.

But ſaint Paul in appealing vntounto Ceſar, dooth giuegive vsus a ſtrong argument to prooue,Princes may iudge the cleargie. that princes may middle with ſuch as they call clergie men. But of the matter it ſelfe there is no iuſt cauſe of doubt. Neither can it be proued, that ſuch immunities and exemptions are grounded vponupon any teſtimonie of Scripture, but rather are moſt contrarie to that ſubiection, to magiſtrats, that they commaund, and God requireth. But by thoſe priuileges there came to the ciuil eſtate dubble damage.The hurt of thoſe exemptions. Firſt becauſe thereby euil ſubiects were maruelouſly imboldned to doe whatſoeuer the biſhop of Rome, that very baine of true chriſtian obedience, would ſet them to doe, for inlarging his liberties. As among as infinit mumber of examples, that one of Thomas Becket that archtraitor of England, (and yet forſooth a Romiſh ſaint and martyr) doth ſufficiently declare. For how traiterouſly he ſought to in fringe the auncient liberties,Pariſ. pag. 135. of his and our natiue countrie (to the maintenence whereof he was alſo ſworne) yea how leudly he ſtoode in defence of the liberties that they claime vntounto clergie men, and that in an vnhoneſt cauſe (for Philip Brocke, a canon of Bedford being accuſed and tried of m…rder, gaue euil words to the iudges, and the archbiſhop would not ſuffer him to be puniſhed by the ciuil magiſtrate) how ſtifly he ſet himſelfe againſt the king, to the miſlike of moſt of the biſhops in the land,In vita Hen. 3. Mathew of Paris (though otherwiſe a wellwiller of his) doth plainly ſet downe. Yea what ſafetie may kings hauehave to their perſons, or what quietneſſe in their dominions if they who are called clergie men, may within any princes dominions, execute againſt them, the popes raſh and vniuſt p. 209decrees, without puniſhment of them that beare the ſword? If vnquiet heades, and rebellious perſons, may deuiſe and practiſe what they thinke good, to follow their owne luſt, and get vntounto themſelues the raines of libertie, and when theſe things ſhall any way breake out, they may not be examined by princes or magiſtrates, or accuſed before ſuch authoritie? In this reſpect therefore, that by ſuch immunities bad men were much imboldned, either to performe the popes commaundements, or their owne deſires: princes had the leſſe abilitie and oportunitie to ſhake off that yoke of more than Egyptiacal bondage which the pope laid vponupon them. For, if they once indeuoured to attempt any ſuch thing, they had within their realm (euen ſuch as ſhuld by chriſtian duty, and very naturall affection be their ſtrength & aid) them that vnderunder pretence of obedience to the vicar of Rome would make faint the hearts of the princes friends, and mightily ſtrengthē the hands of his worſt ſort of ſubiects. And no maruell though in the dayes of deepe darknes or ignorance, this leprouſie did ſo infect and ſpread, for we, among whom the light of Gods trueth doth ſhine in ſome reaſonable manner in many places,Ieſuites and prieſts peril…ous. and in great abundance in ſome, yet cannot be rid of that ſcabbe. For though God in his tender mercy towards vsus, hath baniſhed out of this land, that prowd authoritie of the pope, and giuen vntounto vsus, as an ineſtimable treaſure, the true libertie of conſcience, and miniſtery of the word: yet becauſe our princes and magiſtrates are farre ſhort of that zeale that was commended in godly kings, and ſhould be in chriſtian magiſtrates, and we our ſelues euen the whole body of the ſubiects, do not walke according to our calling, or worke according to our profeſſion, but detaine the trueth in vnrighteouſneſſe:Rom. 1. 18.Rom 1:18 euen for our ſins I ſay doubtles it commeth to paſſe, that there are ſo many Cananites in our land, waiting ſtill, as occaſion may ſerue, to bee prickes in our eyes,Numb. 33. 55.Num 33:55 and thornes to pricke vsus in our ſides, ſo that though their power will not ſerue yet to caſt vsus out of the land: yet they can find meanes enough to grieue vsus in the land. It is our ſinne alſo that bringeth in among vsus, theſe that creepe not into widowes houſes onelyonly, but into the houſes of men, eſpecially women that are ſimple and ignorant, and laden with ſinne, many of them withdrawing them from the true knowledge of p. 210God, and duty towards their magiſtrates, I meane the Ieſuits and ſeminary prieſts, a kind of people as neceſſary and commodious to liue among good ſubiects, or in any quiet commonwealth, as the frogges, lice, f…ies and graſhoppers of Egypt were,H…od 8. …xod. 10. Ieſuits and Prieſt… the locuſt. Reuil. 9. 3. or as caterpillers are for fruit, corne or graſſe. They ſeeme to be the very locuſts, that came out of the darke ſmoke that iſſued out of the botomleſſe pit, whoſe ſting is ſecret like the ſcorpions, teaching rebellion to princes, vnderunder colour of obedience to the pope. They are nimble, and want no courage, like horſes prepared to the battell.7 They are crowned with the honourable name of Ieſuites, and hauehave faces like men in external profeſſion of obedience and trueth.8 They ſeeme like vntounto women (that is) not like to do hurt, but yet obſtinate and ſtiffe they are, in that they take in hand, and cruel and mightie to doe much …urt,9 among them that receaue them. They are armed with the habergeon, of authoritie from Rome. They are lifted vp with the wings of proude conceit of their owne knowledge, whereby they make a noiſe, as though they could beare downe all before them.10. Laſtly they hauehave a king ſet ouer them, for the kings that are ouer other ſubiects are not good enough to rule this crowned companie. The pope is their king, him they ſerue, to him they yeld their obedience. And their trauel is to make other alſo to become his ſubiects. Whoſe fiue monethes, that is the time of whoſe contiunance among vsus, is not yet expired, becauſe our ſinnes (as I hauehave ſaid, and muſt ſay againe and again) our ſinnes prolong the time of our chaſticement.The multitude of clergie men and women. The ſecond inconuenience that theſe immunities (granted the clergie men) did bring vntounto ciuil eſtates, was the i…finit ſwarmes of ſubiects that were accounted of that number. For beſides their clarkes, regular and irregular, which grew to maruelous great multitudes, they had their leſſer orders which had alſo their part in theſe priuileges. Which being ſo many in number as they were, the common welth did not onelyonly find a want of ſuch, as ſhould help to beare the burthens, that were to be laied vponupon the ſame: but alſo they by their multitude, were able to make a great party, to attempt any thing that they would take in hand. And by the large poſſeſſions which many of theſe had, they could draw many folowers to be on their ſide. And this I take to be the reaſon p. 211that Boniface the eight (as Marcilius Patiuinus writeth) was ſo deſirousto inlarge and increaſe the number of his clergy, that he would hauehave all ſuch as had married a maide, and contented themſelues but with one wife,Part. 2. 6. …. ſhould be of his clergie. Now their exemptions ſtreching to all the clergie, I pray you what ſubiects ſhould be left vntounto the king, for him to commaund and rule for his owne ſafetie, and the gard of his common wealth? It was therefore a great poſt and piller of poperie, to bring theſe immunities to the clergie, and a meane to maintaine it the better. Both becauſe it imboldned themſelues to doe much miſchiefe, and alſo it drew many to be of their ſocieties. And ſo as it was a double dammage to the ciuil eſtate. So was it a double prop to vphold the kingdome of the pope, and therefore dangerous moe wayes then one. Well, thus far we are nowe come in this proofe of popiſh practiſes, that wee ſee their ſub… ſhiftes to bring themſelues to this high eſtate. It is not vnknowen to vsus how wickedly they hauehave abuſed their authoritīe, in pride intollerable, couecouſneſſe inſa…iable, and malice vnmeaſurable. And laſtly their gouernment being ſo very deuiliſh and deteſted almoſt of al, yet how and by what means they hauehave maintained the ſame. That is to ſay, I hauehave opened their ſubtil ſhifts, wherby they became ſo great, and ſecondly their practiſes and proceedings in this their greatneſſe, thirdly their cunning and compaſſes to keepe themſelues great, the meanes, which for the moſt part they hauehave vſed to get into this neſt, which they hauehave built ſo high and to …eepe themſelues in the ſame.

My meaning is not ſo lay open their wickedneſſe of life, ſo long as it is but their priuate fault,Rom. 14. 4.Rom 14:4 let them ſtand or …all to their owne Lord, he againſt whom they offend, ſhall call them to account. But that onelyonly that belongeth to the queſtion of the popes ſupremacie, which now I hauehave taken in hand to ſuruey, and to the abuſe either in getting, or in vſing of it, that onelie did I purpoſe to intreate of. And hereunto am I forced by double neceſſitie. Firſt, becauſe it is one part of the popi…h practiſes. But eſpecially to ſtoppe the mouthes of them whoſe ſight is ſo quicke towards others, as that they can eſpie a ſmall mote in their eie. In our church they can find no miniſterie, no ſucceſſion, no ſacraments, all is wrong, they ſee nothing but faults.

p. 212The great beame that troubleth their owne eye, they cannot ſee. But as men ſightleſſe and ſenceleſſe, they imagine all is well with them, all is catholike. Catholike church, catholike faith, catholike religion, catholike doctrine. And yet, if the matter be well examined neither their church, neither yet their faith, hauehave any ſhew of catholike in them. As (I truſt) it is euident to ſee, in this Suruey of the Popes Supremacie, that their doctrine is not catholike, their doings are not chriſtian like. Let vsus examine whether that which they teach vsus concerning this point, hauehave bene taught likewiſe of al the godly learned, or at the leaſt of the moſt of them,Whether the doctrine of ſupremacie be catholike. at all times in all places, conſtantly, and of ſet purpoſe, not by the way (as we terme it) in handling ſome other matter, often, and plainely. For theſe are the properties that Viucentius Lyrinenſis an old father, requireth in that doctrine, that is catholike and true. That Peter was otherwiſe a foundation in the building of the church of Chriſt, then were other of the Apoſtles, it is not a catholike doctrine. That Chriſt gaue to Peter onelyonly the keies of the kingdome of heauen, it is not by theſe rules a catholike faith. That the feeding of Chriſts ſheep in the whole world, or the gouernment of the whole church, was commited to Peter onelyonly, or eſpecially, is moſt catholikely taught: ſo that not one of all theſe points of their religion, which are indeede the ground-worke, whereupon they raiſe this their ſtately building of the popes ſupremacie, can be called catholike (as is before ſhewed.) But if they could prooue theſe things to be catholike, as they will neuer be able to doe, yet hauehave they not obtained their purpoſe. For, how is this conueyed to the biſhop of Rome, if it were in Peter. It is not catholikely beleeued, that he was biſhop of Rome: neither yet that he conueyed his eſtate or intereſt ouer the whole church (if any ſuch had beene in him) to the biſhop of Rome. Or if all this could be proued, yet remaineth one point that were able to ouerthrow all. For it is not receiued as a catholike doctrine, that the Biſhop of Rome cannot erre, or that for ſinne and errour, the priuileges which the church of Rome claimes, if they had any ſuch, could not be forfeited, as well in them as in other churches.

In all which pointes, if I hauehave nor ſufficiently prooued, that the church of Rome teacheth falſe doctrine and repugnant to p. 213the Scriptures (wherein I ſubmit my ſelfe to the iudgement of the indifferent Reader:) yet (I truſt) that the aduerſaries them ſelues muſt needes confeſſe, that theſe cannot be prooued, to be catholike doctrines. But on the contrary a man may eaſily ſee, if hee marke the ſtorie of times, that theſe things which are the only pillers to vphold this popiſh kingdom, were neuer thought vponupon in the Apoſtles times, or the ages next to them, that is to ſay, in the purer times of the primitiue church. But when hereſies began to trouble the church, and men began to ſeparat them ſelues from the vnity of faith, more boldly, and more openly then at the firſt they did. And it pleaſed God to continue in ſome reaſonable ſort, ſinceritie and trueth of religion in the church of Rome:Peters chaire. then beganne that ſeate to be called Peters chaire (not becauſe Peter ſate there) but becauſe that notable confeſſion that Peter made, and the faith that he preached, was there eſtabliſhed, and ſoundly kept and maintained, (as before I hauehave ſhewed out of Opta…us and others) that Peters chaire ſignifieth his doctrine. And as after the ſunne is once ſet, darkeneſſe groweth ſtill more and more, ſo that the furder from ſunne ſet vntill it be readie to riſe againe, the greater is the darkneſſe: euen ſo the farder men were from thoſe purer times, the furder did they wander, from the wayes of truth, and the groſſer was the ignorance that they were in. So as that which at the firſt was not once thought vponupon, yet was it at the laſt affirmed of ſome very conſtantly and boldly. But if they cannot prooue it to be a doctrine generally receiued at all times euen in the dayes of the apoſtles, and ſo by continuall ſucceſſion conſtantly taught in the ages next folowing, and ſo deliuered vsus: they do but too much abuſe the ſimple, to tel them that is catholike & auncient that is but the dreame or late deuiſe of ſome later teachers. Now I call them whatſoeuer antiquity they ſeeme to hauehave, that ſwarue any thing from that, which the auncient of daies hath taught, or Chriſt who is our true antiquitie, hath deliuered. It behooueth therfore al chriſtians to take heede of ſuch, as vnderunder pretence of being popiſh catholicks,Ignat. epiſt. ad Philadelph. and vnderunder or colour of this glorious name (which belongeth neither to them, neither yet to their religion) creepe into corners, deceiue the ignorant, ſeeke to make many of their profeſſion,Beware of ſen… narie prieſts. by hauing onelyonly in their mouths p. 214this worde catholike faith, catholike religion, catholike church, whereas in truth, as it ſeemeth, that they being neither thought worthy of preferment at home, neither yet finding that they looked for abroad, euen as the cormorants gather where the carkas is, to get their prey: ſo theſe ſeeke their meate and maintenance by ſeducing ſuch ſimple and ſillie ſoules. Neither doe I affirme, that all are moued by theſe cauſes, either to leaue their natiue countrie, either to returne to ſowe amongſt her maieſties ſubiects, this ſeede of ſeduction and ſedition, but they that doe trouble this Realme, are for the moſt part ſuch, and moued by ſuch reaſons. But as they can not proue by an catholike grounds their title to the ſupremacie to bee good: ſo their practiſe is too bad, and farre from that chriſtian modeſtie and meekeneſſe, which ſhould be in Gods children. For if ſaint Peter ſaid truly, that ſuch as himſelfe was, ſhould not as Lords (beare rule) ouer the Lords here…age,1. P… 5. 3. but be as examples to the flocke: then howe can the pope claime that ſoueraigne authoritie ouer all kings,1. Pet. 2. 13.1 Pet 2:13 and whom ſaint Peter calleth chiefe. If none can enter into anie calling, eſpeciallie to hauehave the charge ouer the flocke of Chriſt, vnleſſe he be called therevnto, as it is confeſſed by all men: what reaſon can the biſhops of Rome pretend, why either they ſhould without any warrant, nay contrarie to the worde, ſo exalt themſelues aboue all other, or ſo vnlawfully, or rather by ſo vile practiſes and ſhifts, as by violence and ſtrife, by buing and ſelling, by falſhood and craft, by poiſoning and murders, by ſorcerie and the diuels helpe, get to be popes? Or being placed in that proude place, howe commeth it to paſſe that with ſo great boldneſſe, without feare, without ſhame, they prophane the maieſtie of God, and deſpiſe, yea tread vnderunder foote the excellencie of man, be he neuer ſo high. Is this the fruit of their catholike doctrine? Doe ſuch lewde dealings become Chriſts vicar, or Peters ſucceſſour? But to conclude, ſeeing the popes title vntounto the ſupremacie hath no ſhew of truth:Concluſion. and ſeeing his exerciſe of the ſame, is almoſt nothing elſe but a blaſpheming of God, and a defacing of all authoritie ordained by God:Exhortation to ch…iſtian princes. raiſe and rouſe vp your ſelues after your long ſluggiſhnes (O ye chriſtian princes and magiſtrates) ſhake off from your neckes this yoke of bondage, wherein you ſerue that Italian prieſt. Ioine your powers p. 215and ſtrength togither. Gather and call a free Councill in deed, where the pope as a partie may plead his cauſe, not ſit as iudge. Force him to content himſelfe with that place which the worde of God will a…foord him. If any more be giuen vntounto him, or any other, yet let not the godly potentats giuegive vntounto any as they hauehave done ſuch reines of libertie, but that they may knowe that authoritie to be but from man, and that their power is not full or abſolute, but onelyonly limited: and that if they abuſe the ſame, they may and ſhall anſwere for their boldneſſe, according to the qualitie of their offence. So ſhall you deliuer chriſtendome from a heauie bondage, your owne realmes from a moſt daungerous enemie, and the church of God from a moſt manifeſt Antichriſt. So ſhall you vſe your authoritie to the comfort of the godly, as you ſhould doe,Tim. 17. and as in dutie you are bound to Gods glorie, and eſtabliſhing of the Kingdome of Chriſt. Now vntounto the king euerlaſting, immortall, inuiſible, vntounto God onelie wiſe, be honour and glorie for euer and euer. Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Francis Bunny, A Survey of the Popes Supremacy (1595)