Church History of the Government of Bishops and Their Councils, Chapter 11

Church History of the Government of Bishops and Their Councils · Chapter 11

p. 313CHAP. XI.

The Progress of Counsels till Leo 9th. especially in Italy, France and Germany, and their Behaviour.

§. 1. CCCI. ODo Earl of Paris, having Usurped the Kingdom in the Minority of Charles the simple the right Heir, Fulke Bishop of Rhemes calleth a Synod and deposeth him, and sets up Charles (such Power had Prelates). Some say the French Chose Odo by Arnulphu's Consent; and some say, that he dying, desired that Charles might have Possession. This was Anno 892.

§. 2. The great Devastations made by the Normans, burning Cities, Churches, Monasteries; and at last forcing Consent for a Habitation in Neustria, I pass over; and Petavius out of some Writers of their own will tell you, that when Chartress was besieged by them, the Virgin Marys smock, which King Charles Calvus had brought thither from Besanson, being carried, cast them into so great a Terror, that they fled away all in Confusion. Where they had this Smock, and how many Hundred Years after the Virgin Marys death it was found, and how they knew it to be hers, and how it was so long kept, and where, and why it did not many Miracles sooner, till above 900 Years after Christ, are Questions which I cannot Answer.

§. 3. Italy and France were all this while fill'd with Civil Wars. Wido and his Son Lambert being dead, Berengarius got Possession of Italy, whom Lewis after overcame, and was made Emperor at Rome, Crowned by the Pope: But three years after, taken by Berengarius, was Deposed, and had his Eyes put out. Yet after this Berengarius was cut off, and Lewis restored and Anointed by Pope Iohn 10. Rodulphus King of Burgundy was set up by some Italian Nobles against Berengarius, and overthrowing his Army, was called King of Italy. Berengarius was kil'd by Treachery: Rodulphus was soon Deposed, and the Italians made Hugo Earl of Provence King. At last he joyned his Son Lothari…s with him: The younger Berengarius prevaileth against him, driveth him to Provence; and is made King: Intending to marry his Son Adalbertus to Adaleidis the Widdow of Lotharius; she invited Otho King of Germany into Italy and marryed him, vvho after is made the first Germane Emperor: Of …ll which, more after in the particular Order and place. See Petav. lib. 8. c. 13.

§. 4. CCCII. Anno. 893. Formosus had a Roman Council, to Consult of some Relief of the Ruined Countries, in vain. For now men Secular and Ecclesiastical, Confounded all by striving for Rule.

§. 5. CCCIII. Anno 895. A Council at Tribur in Germany for Church p. 314Reformation: Many of the Canons are to secure and advance the Clergy. The ninth decideth a doubt, if an Earl (or civil Ruler) Command the People to meet at one place (on Civil accounts) and the Bishop command them to meet at another on the same day,☞ none shall obey the Magistrate (or Earls) but he and all his Company shall obey the Bishop and come to him. Cap. 10. No Bishop shall be Deposed but by twelve Bishops, no Presbyter but by six Bishops,☞ no Deacon but by three, Cap. 21. In Controversies,☞ Lay-men must swear, but Clergy-men must not be put to swear, Cap. 22. There is allowed Tryal by fire, Per ignem Candenti ferro Caute examinetur.

§. 6. CCCIV. A Council at Nantes made more disciplinary Canons.

§. 7. Who was next Pope is not agreed: Platina and Onuphrius say, that Boniface was rightly Chosen, and Reigned but twenty six days, saith Platina, or fifteen saith Onuphrius; others (saith Platina) say twelve years: Baronius (and Binius) saith, that he was no Pope; and that he did but invade the Pope-dome, and was homo nefarius, a wicked man, twice before this Degraded: First from his Deaconship, and next from his Presbyterate, Damned in a Romane Synod under John the Ninth: He addeth, that (both of them) Boniface and Stephen got the place by Force, Fear and Tyranny, and so it was but one Intruder,☞ that thrust out another Intruder: (But how then is the Succession secured. Why, it's added) Yet Stephen is numbred with the Popes by the common Sentence (or Opinion) because to avoid the danger of Schisme, though he was homo scelestissimus, a most wicked man; yet all the Clergy approved bim,☞ and the whole Catholik Church, took him for Christs Vicar & Peters Successor. (How prove you that, why, because [Fulke Bishop of Rhemes owned him!] A Noble proof that all the Christian World did so!

§. 8. Say Barronius, and Binius, he began his Pope-dome with that Sacriledg, as to take the Corps of Formous out of his Grave, and cloathing him in his Pontifical Robes, ☞(he set him in a Chair, and saith Platina, there judged him as no Pope, because he had been first a Bishop; which indeed, by the old Canons, nullified his calling; For Formosus, was the first Pope that had been before a Bishop, as is said, unless the Emporour Basil truly charged Macrinus with the same): Having Expostulated with the dead man,**Luitpr aud. l. 1. c 8. why he being a Bishop would take the Pope-dome, he cut off his three four Fingers with which he had Anointed, and cast them into the River Tyber, and commanded, that all that he had Ordained should be Ordained again: (and so Conform to him.)

And they wonder with what face of Reason Onuphrius rejecteth all this as a Fable, when the Antient Monuments, Synodal Acts, and Historians testify it. Do you wonder at this? why it is because he was not willing it should be believed: a Reason that is not strange to your selves.

§. 4. CCCV. Pope Stephen called a Council in which his usage of Pope Formosus was approved, Bin. ex Baron. p. 1047▪ so ready were the Bishops to follow the strongest side, Anno 897in such things as the Papists mention with abhorrence. ☞And (say they) this portentum attended the Synod, That the Laterane Church, the chief Seat of the Pope, by the impulse of an evill Angel fell down p. 315quite from the Altar to the doors: the Walls not being able to stand, when the Chief Cardinal Door was shaken with the Earthquake of so great a Villany.

§. 10. But here the Authors calling us Novatores (as if such Popes were of glorious Antiquity) are hard put to it to Vindicate against us the Popes infallibility! And how do they do it? Why 1st. They say that all that Stephen did against Formosus, a man stricken with Madness, did it fulfilling the perswasion of his boyling Rage. But in the lawful use of his Papal Authority, he defined nothing against Faith or good manners: For the Bishops that were for this Cause called to the Council, and the Presbyters not unlike to Stephen himself, did prosecute Formosus with the same hatred; and therefore pronounced that Sentence against him, which they fore knew would be pleasing to a man smitten with Fury: so that we confess violent Tyranny, but no Errour in Faith defined or approved by him, Lawfully using his Papal Authority: And yet it were no prejudice to the Papal Seat, if we grant, that a false Pope, not lawfully Chosen,☜ but invading and obtruded, did err in asserting Articles of Faith. Thus the Author.

Ans. 1. But if you grant this, is not your Succession interrupted? 2. And was your Church a true Church, when an Essential part was Null? 3. Howver, was it the Holy Church when an essential Part was such a Villain? 4. Will not your Argument as well prove every Bishop, Priest, or man Infallible? For no one of them all can define falsly against an Article of Faith, as long as he lawfully useth his Power; For it is no lawful use of power that so defineth and belieth God. 5. But is all your foundation of Faith come to this? It is then but saying, when ever your Pope and Church Erreth, that they did not use their Power lawfully: And what relief is that to the deceived? How shall we know when your Popes have used it lawfully, and when not; and so what is true among you, and what false? 6. And were your Roman Council of Bishops and Priests, all as bad as this Villainous Pope, and ready to please him in their Decrees: And was this a Holy Church, and like to be an Infallible Council: And must the World follow them? 7. And how then shall we know that it was not just so with many other former and following Councils; and that it will not be so with you again! O miserable shifts against plain Truth!

§. 11. The same great Authors after Luitpraudus, l. 1. c 9. say, that Stephen an Invader of the Papal Seat, by the faction of the N…bles against Adelbert, Prince of Etruria, was thrust into prison An. 900. and after he had been Pope Six Years, being strangled in the same Prison, ended his Days by Gods Vengeance in an infamous Death]: Yet Platina saith, that he died the first Year and third month of his Reign; and Onuphrius saith, he sate one year, two moneths, and ninteen days.

§. 12. It's strang that Luitpraudus saith, that Stephen condemned the Corps of Formosus for being a Bishop before, when Platina and Onuphrius say, that he himself was Episcopus Anagninus, when made Pope.

§. 13. And Platina saith, that [This Controversie (against Formosus) was p. 316great and of ill Examples;☞ seeing that after this, it was almost always kept as a Custome, that following Popes did either Infring, or wholly undoe the Acts of those that went before them:] And yet were they Infallible?

§. 14. The next Pope was called Romanus, whose Life Platina thus Describeth: Romanus as soon as he was Pope, presently Abrogateth and Condemneth the Decrees and Acts of Stephen: For these Popes thought of nothing, but to Extinguish the Name and Dignity of their Predecessors, than which nothing can be worse, or the part of a narrower mind: For they that trust to such Acts as these, having no Virtue themselves, endeavor to rase out the men of Desert, whom through sloth and malice they cannot match. You shall never find any to envy anothers Fame, but one that himself is Contaminated with all disgrace, and despaireth that his own Name should ever be Famous with Posterity:☞ These are they that by Fraud, Malice, Craft, and evil speaking, do Bite, Tear, Accuse, and Worry those that deserve well of Mankind; like cowardly, or slothful, and useless Dogs, that dare not set upon wild Beasts themselves, but will bite those that are tyed, or in their Dens.] So Platina.—Ramanus Ruled but three Months.

§. 15. Next Succeeded in the Popedome Theodorus 2. who saith Platina followed the steps of the Seditious: For he restored the Acts of Formosus▪ and preferred his followers: and Reigned but Twenty days.

Next came Iohn 9. (or 10. as others) saith Platina. [He restored the Cause of Pope-Formosus, many of the People being against it: whence arose such a Sedition, that they hardly scaped a Battle. Baronius saith, that Ludovicus 4. was deposed and blinded now by Berengarius, who assumed the Empire; and this Pope Crowned him, through fear! Yet after he was gone, he called Lambert to Rome, and with a Synod concuring with him, declared the Coronations both of Berengarius and Arnulph to be Null, as being extorted; and so took Lambert for King and Emperour: Did not the Crowns of Princes sit very loose, when it was but a Popes pretending that he Crowned them through Fear, and they were presently Deposed? Would these Popes have been Martyrs, or were they Christians or Gnosticks, that would sin, if they were but put in fear? And would not fear have made them own a Heresy, as well as other sin? On this occasion all was cast into Confusion: the Pope was fain to fly to Ravenna for protection, to him whom he had Crowned.

§. 16. CCCVI. This Pope called a Synod at Rome (that called Ovetensis, I pass by as of small moment) An. 904. in which he condemned the fact of Pope Stephen, decreeing that the Dead are not to be judged by men. But what became of the Synod of Bishops that had joyned herein with Pope Stephen? Why (Bin. p. 1049.) they turn'd with the times, and did as such had used to do;☞ They asked forgiveness, and said, they did it for Fear; and so, he that hath power by Fear or Hope, can make such Bishops and Councils Sin and Repent, and Sin again, and Repent again, as Interest altereth. They were pardoned. But Formosus preferment from a Bishoprick to the Popedome was Voted to be against the Canons, excusable p. 317only by necessity, and not to be imitated but in cases of necessity: His Ordained Clergy were Restored, and Re-ordinations and Re-baptizations, forbidden as unlawful.

§. 17. CCCVII. Another Synod he called at Ravenna for the same use, when he fled thither from Rome; of 74 Bishops. Baronius saith, He was another Ieremias sent of God, to pluck up and pull down what Pope. Stephen had done. Platina saith [I think this came to pass because Popes were departed from St. Peters steps; and chiefly, because the Christian Common-wealth had idle slothful Princes that would have Peters ship thus tossed, lest the Ruler if he look about him,☜ should cast them out as evil Pilots. Arnulphus was given to pleasure, and Charles the simple or rather foolish of France, was little better; and so the Hungarians destroyed and killed in Germany and France, and the Affricans in Calabria, and had little resistance; Blood and Misery being the common Lot.

He addeth, [That this Pope John dying in the 2d. Year and 15th. day of his Reign, left nothing worthy of Memory behind him, but that He revived some Seditions that before were almost extinct.

And it is a sad question, that Herveus Bishop of Rhemes put to him (Bin. p. 1048) What to do with those that are Baptized and Rebaptized, and yet after Baptism live as the Heathens, kill Christians, yea the Priests, ☜sacrifice to Idols, eat things offered to them? The Pope durst not use Discipline on these, because they were Novices, lest he affright them from the Church to Heathenisme again; but left them to the Bishops Discretion and Experience, to do as he saw best.

§. 18. This Pope had a Corrival, which was the 15. Schisme: Sergius that had been made Pope with Formosus, and was put out and Banished, did now get in again; but Iohn had the stronger part, and cast him out, and Banished him once again: Onuphr. Chron. p. 28. But had he been but strong enough, the succession had come down from him, as right.

§. 19. Benedict the 4. came next; Nothing saith Platina, was done in his time that is much to be praised; because both Princes, Popes, and Clergy were grown Debauched; bad Princes making Popes by Tyranny: Now the Line of Charles the Great, lost the Empire, Ludovicus the Son of Arnulphus being slain by Berengarius; and so they lost both Italy, Germany, (and after France) by their own, and the Clergies Wickedness.

§. 20. Leo. 5. Came next, Anno 907. Who thrust him in, I find not; but when he had Reigned but 40. days, his familiar friend Christopher had list to be Pope, and cast him out, and laid him in Fetters; where it's said he dyed of Grief: where Platina well noteth, that [The saying is certainly true, that Dignities (or places of preferment) receive more honour from the Men, than the Men do from the Dignities (or places.)]

§. 21. Christopher thus got in by sudden invasion, kept it longer than p. 318Leo did, even near seven Months; and then he that had been twice Pope before, did once again try for it, and was too strong for Christopher, and put him into a Monastery. A Holy place then, no doubt, For saith Platina [This was the only refuge of the Calamitous: For in those times bad Clergy Men were thurst into Monasteries, by way of Banishment, as heretofore into Islands.]

§. 22. The Man that did this and got the Popedom, was Sergius 3. who had been twice before cast out: ☞saith Baron, and Bin. (p. 1052.) [That wicked Sergius (Nefandus) by Albertus Armes got in: A Man that was the servant of all Vices, and of all Men the most wicked (Facinorosissimus) invaded the Popedom, and so was by all Men taken for no lawful Pope: To his horrid Sacriledge, he added the most impudent filthyness; and by Marozia (a great Whore) the Daughter of that most famous Whore Theodora, he begot his Son John (after Pope.)] For many Historians tell us, how these two famous Whores did rule Rome, and make and unmake Popes.

§. 23. This Pope undid again all that had been done for Formosus, and against Stephen: For both the King of France, and Sergius, were Enemies to Formosus, for setting up other powers against France, and because his party was against Sergius: But I wonder that Platina tells us, that both Stephen and Sergius took Formosus out of his Grave, and the one cut off his three Fingers, and the other his Head; and both cast into Tyber! If this be true, he was taken up again the first time, and buried again. But I suppose that it was but his Fingers that were cast in the first time, and the Corps after; or else he was found after the first time. Platina saith, It is reported, but not of any certainty; that some Fisher-men found the Corps, and buried it …t St. Peters Church, and that while it was doing, the Church Images bowed to it (It's well Vncertainty was put into the Story:) and that some thought this moved Sergius to envy; but that indeed it was, because Formosus party were against his Papacy. It seems by this that the Fisher-men found him after the first casting into Tyber; or else his burial by them could not be called the occasion of Sergius fact. So little rest had this Popes Carkass, being twice buried, twice taken up, twice judged, and executed after death, and twice cast into Tyber. But saith Platina, [Popes now seeking and getting the Popedome by liberty and ambition, disregarding Gods Worship, exercised enmity against one another; no otherwise than do the cruellest Tyrants, glutting their own lusts the more securely, when there are none left to restrain Vices. This wicked Man for almost seven Years enjoyed the fruits of his iniquity.

§. 24. Here Baronius and Binius forget to answer the great difficulty. 1st. How the Roman succession escaped from being interrupted. 2. And also, where was the Roman Church while such Reigned as were no Popes. ☞3. And also, where was its Holiness and Infallibility, when it had the worst of Men (as they say themselves) thus set over them as p. 319their Heads: But they are careful, [Nequis pusillanimus ex hoc facto scandalum accipiat, lest weak minded persons should be scandalized by this: And they tell us as a wonderful providence of God, That so great was the reverence to the Church of Rome, that even when such Men invaded the Popedome unlawfully, being even in the Churches censure rather Apostatical than Apostolical; yet those that did but hear▪ who was Pope (especially the Northern Countries that were far off) obeyed them: so that any Man may understand by how great a providence God Governeth the universal Church, which when it was set on Fire at the will of Whores, and all mischiefs and scandals did increase, and it was feared it would be divided by a great schisme; yet God defended it from all heresy and schisme, all Nations persisted in one bond of Faith▪ and Covent of Obedience.] Indeed Gods providence is wonderful that saveth his true Church from such wicked usurpers; and keepeth a Union of all in Christ: But this is no honour to the wicked usurpers; when now fifteen schismes had divided them, and many more afterward; nor was it any honour or blessing, to them that gave up their Kingdoms to such usurpers. If these were no Popes, but intruding Whore-mongers; was it a blessing to the World to be deceived, and to take those for Popes, that indeed were none. But had not they then a seeming Church, and indeed none, when an essential part was Null.

§. 25. CCCVIII. They say that Anno 909. A Council at Soissons ordered some Reformation.

§. 26. Leo called Philosophus Son to Basilius Macedo, this while was Emperour in the East, who being formerly suspected and imprisoned by his Father, upon some suggestion of Photius, and Santabacenus was revenged on them, when he Reigned, and deposed Photius, and put him into a Monastery. This is the rest, that Ambition procureth. Thus Sin is the misery of the Sinner. Alexander his Unckle was Gardian to Constantine Prophyrus Leo's Son, the Father being Dead: Nicholas had before been made Patriark, and upon offence deposed, and Euthymius put in his place. But Alexander deposed Euthymius, and restored Nicholas: and having spent thirteen Months in Drunkenness and Lust, Bled to Death; and Constantine, seven Years old, with his Mother Zoe Reigned alone: Constantine Ducas rebelling, is subdued: The Bulgarians Conquered by Leo Phocas General;See Peta…s Hist. or l. 8. c. 1…. who thereupon aspiring to the Crown, was slain. Eight Years after, Zoe is removed, and one Romanus Lecapenus made Guardian; and Caesar, He advanced three of his Sons to the like honor, to strengthen himself, and made his other Son Theophilact Patriark, instead of Stephen, though he was but sixteen Years old. He Married his Daughter to the Bulgarian King; and then began to despise the Emperour, and prefer himself. God punished this, by permitting his own Son Stephen, to depose and banish him into an Island: At last Constantine awaked, and deposed them all, and ruled himself, in Drunkenness, and Debauchery fifteen Years, and then p. 320dyed; or as some say, was killed by Romanus's Sons.

After him Nicephorus Phocus a succesful Warrior, but a bad Man, Ruled; The Church called him bad for oppressing them with Taxes: His Wife Theophanon, and Iohn Trimisces (who succeeded) killed him. Thus hath the World been Governed; and this is the profit of Ambition.

§. 27. The next Pope is Anastatius the 3d. who sate two Years, and two Months. In this time the Eastern Emperour Leo published Constitutions, which Baronius and Binius (p. 1053.) deride as ridiculous, in imitation of Iustinian, because he presumed to make Church Laws.

§. 28. Lando was the next Pope, Anno 912. and sate 6. Months and 22. Days; say Baronius and Binius, [This Man at the importunate insta…ce, of that most potent, most noble, and most impudent Whore Theodora, (who had prostituted one of her Daughters Marozia to Pope Sergius, and the other Theodora to Aldebert Marquess of Tuscia, and hereby had obtained or kept the Monarchy of the City, (who was Pope if this Whore was Monarch) did create John whom she most filthily doted on, a Presbyter of Ravina, the Bishop of Bononia, and Peter Arch-Bishop of Ravenna being Dead, he made him there Arch-Bishop. And a little after so filthy an act, he Died. Luitpraud. l. 2. c. 13.

§. 29. Next cometh this same Man, Anno 912 Iohn 10. saith Platina and others, the Son of Pope Sergius (by the Whore Marozia say some, but its not like, because Marozia killed him.) But its more probable▪ as Onuphrius noteth, that it was not this Iohn, but the next that was Son to Sergius and Marozia. This Pope saith Baron. and Bin. is he that the famous Whore Theodora for great comeliness of person doted on; and sa…th Luitpraud, got him made Arch-Bishop of Ravenna, and after Pope of Rome,☞ that she might not lye with him so seldome, as the distance between Rome and Ravenna would necessitate. So [say they, this impudent Man being powerful at Rome, by the strength of a Whore, is made a false Pope and wicked invader of the Seat] where they shew how this Whore obtained her power. But was this no interruption of the succession neither, nor a nullifying of the Papal Church, while he sate 13. or as Onuphrius, 14. Years and more. No saith Baron. (and Bin.) He that was an Invader, Theif, and Robber, by the after Consent of the Roman Clergy, became the lawful Pope of Rome. 1. We see then, what the Romane Clergy were, that would have such a Pope. 2. But they give no proof of any such Consent; but say, It is verisimile. 3. And where was the Church till that Consent, or at least its Holiness. 4. Can such Mens Consent make a Pope of an uncapable person? Will no Wickedness incapacitate?

§. 30. Say the foresaid Authors, in this Popes time Sisevandus Bishop of Compostella, finding the great diversity of the Roman and Mo…rabick Liturgy, altered his by the Popes consent.

p. 321After Herveus, one Seulphus was Arch-Bishop of Rhemes. Heribert Earl of Aquitane, considering that the Bishop of Rhemes Anointeth the King of France, bargained to have his Son made next Bishop; that thereby he might get the Crown. ☜In hast Seulphus is Poysoned, because they could not stay till he dyed. Heribert's Son, not yet Five Years old, is made Arch-Bishop. (O scelus in auditum, say Baronius and Binius.) This monstrous Election, (say they) never before seen or heard of in the Christian World, nor perhaps thought of, Pope John did not only not disallow, but ratifyed.—And by this Fact, the Infamous Pope gave an Example to many Princes, not only in that, but the following Ages, (Alas, for Grief!) to procure Lads that were their Kindred, to be thrust into the Chief Seats,☜ (or Bishopricks) to the great Mischief of the Church.] A Work (say they) indeed, worthy such a Pope, whom an Infamous Woman, by an Infamous Work, had thrust into St. Peter's Chair.

Qu. Were such Villaines as Infallible as others? Did their Love, Honesty, and Chastity fail; and yet, Were they secured against the Failing of their Faith? Or, Had they a Sincere Faith, that had no other Grace? And, Could these forgive Sins, and deliver Souls out of Purgatory?

When he had sate Fourteen Years, or Sixteen, (saith Baronius and Binius) Marquess Wido, by the Perswasion of his Wife Marozia, (Pope Sergius Whore) for the sake of his Brother Peter, whom they hated, cast him out of his Seat into a Prison; where shortly after, he was Choked with a Pillow:☜ And so the Invader, and unjust Detainer of the Apostolick-Seat, had an End worthy of his Wickedness. And he, that by the Impudent Mother, Theodora, had violently seized on the Holy Seat, by her as Impudent Daughter, was by God's just Iudgment Ejected, Imprisoned, and Deprived both of it, and of his Life. Ex Luitpr. & Frodoaldo, Baron.

§. 31. CCCIX. Anno 912. A Synod at Confluence, decreed as against Incest, That none Marry within the seventh Degree of Kindred. Was that Divine Law?

§. 32. Two or Three other Synods at Tros…etum are mentioned, about small Matters; and One at Duisburge, to Excommunicate some that put out the Bishops Eyes.

§. 33. The next Pope, is Leo the Sixth; and Dyed after Seven (or Six) Months, and Fifteen Dayes.

§. 34. Next, Anno 929. succeeded Stephen the Eighth, (or Seventh) and sate but two Years,☜ one Month, and fifteen Dayes. How they were so fast dispatched, I omit.

§. 35. Next comes the Son of Marozia, Pope Sergius his Bastard, call'd Iohn the Eleventh: His Mother, and Father-in-Law, Wido, got him in Anno 931. even when he was a Lad under Age. His Brother Albericus, (saith Baronius) did keep this Pope in Prison to his Death. But the Case was this, (vid. Bin. p. 1055.) [Wido being Dead, Marozia p. 322offereth the Dominion of Rome to his own Brother Hugo, on condition he would Marry her: He accepteth the Condition; and secretly entering the Castle of St. Angelo, ☞after he had committed Incest with her, his Brother's Widow, he despised the Romans. When his Son-in-Law Albericus, by his Mother Marozia's Command, poured out Water to wash his Hands, he stroke him on the Face for pouring too much. To Revenge this Wrong, Albericus stir'd up the Romans to a Defection; and having by Assault of the Castle, put to Flight bis Father-in-Law Hugo, he commanded his Mother Marozia, and his Bastard-Brother, the Counterfeit Pope John, to be kept in Prison; in which the violent Invader dyed, being violently cast out, after for five Years, and some Months, he had rather filthily Defiled, tban Ruled the Apostolick-Seat.] Saith Binius out of Luitpraudus and Baronius: Calling him a Monster; and yet Magnifying Rome, because such were Obeyed.

§. 36. CCCX. Anno 932. A small Council at Erford in Germany, under King Henry, decreed, 1. That Holy-Dayes be kept for an Honourable Commemoration of the Twelve Apostles, and Fasting on the Evens. 2. That no State-Meetings be kept on the Lord's-Dayes, or other Holy-Dayes; nor Christians then cited to the Courts of Justice. 3. Nor when he is going to Church. 4. That scandalous Ministers be tryed. 5. That no private Christian make, or impose any Fast on himself, without the Bishop, or his Missionaries Consent. (An unreasonable Usurpation! Must the Bishop needs know all the Reasons that every Man hath for Fasting,☞ and be Judge of them? But sure, the Bishop's Diocess had not then so many hundred Parishes, and so many Counties, as they have now: Else, by that time, the Bishop and his Commissary had heard a Hundred Thousand, or Fifty Thousand Persons, tell him, what Reasons they had to Fast besides the common Fasts, at any time, or on any special Occasions, much of his time would be taken up.

§. 37. Anno 935. A Council at Rhemes against Church-Robbers, &c.

§. 38. Anno 936. Leo the Seventh was made Pope, after Iohn the Eleventh. In that time Hugo, that was got away from Alberic…s, had got an Army, and Besieged Rome. A Match was made for Albericus to Marry Hugo's Daughter: And so Marozia's Husband and Son were agreed, by the means of Odo, Abbot of Cluniac.

§. 39. Henry, King of Germany, the Glory (saith Baronius and Binius) of Christian Religion, dyed at this time; who, after many other Nations,☞ Couverted also the King of Denmark to the Christian Faith: and left his Son Otho, the Heir of his Piety and Valour. Yet are not other Papists ashamed to say, That all these Nations were Converted by the Pope; who was the great Scandal, that hindred the Conversion of the World.

§. 40. But (say the same Authors) Manass…s, Bishop of Arles, now troubled the Churcb▪ Being an Ambitious Man, not contented with his Seat, by the means of Hugo King of Italy, he also invaded the Bishopricks of p. 323Verona, and of Trent, and of Mantua, and of Mila… it self! (O now the Church prosper'd!) ☜Saying, That he did it by the Example of the Prince of the Apostles; who at once possessed Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria.] Ex Luitpraud. (And could the Pope blame him, that would be Bishop at the Antipodes, and have all the World?) But its strange, that Men should talk of Bishops Ambition, as of a strange thing, in the Year 937.

§. 41. Anno 939. Pope Stephen the Nineth was chosen by Otho of Germany, without the Cardinal-Clergy, who had neither Power, nor Virtue enough, to choose: And the City was under the Power of Albericus, who Tyrannized over them: And because he had not the Choice he caused some Fellows so to cut and mangle the Face of the Pope, that he would never after be seen abroad, but kept close till he dyed; which was after Three Years. This Otho resolved to Revenge on Albericus: And also, the War between Hugo, and Albericus, broke out again. Platina saith, That Hugo was about to Revenge the Pope, but then Dyed.

§. 42. A Synod was at Narbon, to end the Contention of two Bishops, about the Extent of their Diocesses, and Jurisdiction.

§. 43. CCCXI. If yet you perceive not the sad State of the Church, by Men's striving for Church-Dignities; a Council at Soissons, Anno 940. will tell you more. You heard before, how the Earl of Aquitane had got his Son to be made Arch-Bishop of Rhemes: The Child in coats, was but Five Years old: It happened, that he was put out again for his Infancy, or Non-Age; and Artaldus, a Monk, chosen in his stead. This Council of Bishops, was to decide the C…e between the two Arch-Bishops. The Objection against one, was his Infancy, and his Father's ill means to bring him in:☜ The Objection against the other, was Perjury; He had sworn, that he would never accept an Arch-Bishoprick: (Alas! Must the Church of France be Headed by one of these;Binius, p. 1057. Frodoard. in Chronic. an Infant, or a Perjured Monk!) The Synod cast out the Perjured Monk, and judged the Seat to the Infant, as being lawfully Chosen; (Power made it a Lawful Call.) And the Bishops went to Rhemes, and Consecrated him.

§. 44. In the Year 920. the French Nobles, by consent at Soissons, had Revolted from King Charles; because he took Haganon, a Man of low of Quality, into his Privy-Council, and made him Great: Herveus, Bishop of Rhemes, had partly healed this Breach. But, Anno 922. it broke out again; and the Nobles chose Robert King, and Herveus Consecrated him: But this Rebellion was their Ruin. Three Years after dyeth Herveus: And the next Year, Robert Fighting against Charles, was slain at Soissons; yet his Army conquered the King's. Shortly after, Rodolph Duke of Burgundy, is called in by the Nobles, and made King; as if the Kingdom had been void. Charles, on pretence of a Treaty, is led by Heribert to a Castle; and thence carryed p. 324to Perone, where he dyed, Anno 929. leaving a Son Lewis to Fight for the Kingdom.☞ And when Charles was in Prison, Hugo rejected Rodulph, and called Lewis out of England, to be King, Anno 936. But Hugo and Heribert would be his Masters, and gave him little Quiet. Heribert dyeth miserably and Repenteth. Hugo Domineering, the King craveth Aid of Otho out of Germany, against him: But shortly▪ dyeth himself, by a Disease got by a Fall in Hunting a Wolf. Lotharius his Son, succeedeth him. In his Third Year, Hugo the Great Duke of Orleance, dyeth; and Lotharius the King, Anno 986. His Son Ludovicus succeeded; who dyed Childless, Anno 987. And in him ended the Line of Charles the Great: For Charles Duke of Loraine, that was next, was by the Treachery of a Bishop, taken by Hugo Capet, the Son of the fore-said Duke Hugo, and imprisoned to Death: And this Hugo got Possession of the Crown. So much briefly on the By of these Matters; that they after interrupt us not too much: See Dion. Petav. lib. 8. c. 16.

§. 45. Marinus 2. (alias, Martin 3.) is made Pope, Anno 943. and Reigned three Years, and some Months (the common Time of Popes in that Age.) In his time, Artaldus strove again for the Seat of Rhemes.

§. 46. CCCXII. When Bishops would needs be Princes, they taught Princes to resolve to be Bishops: And as Heribert did at Rhemes, so did the Emperor at Constantinople put in a Patriark, Trypho, a Monk; on condition, that he should hold it but till his own Son Theophylact came to Age. When the time came, Trypho would not Resigne: A Council is called; where Bin. ex Curopal. tells you the State of that Church als… as too like the Western. The Council being met, Tryphon makes a Speech to them, and saith; That his Adversaries, that had a mind to cast him out, gave the reason, that he knew not Letters: But that they might all see that this was false,☞ and that he could Write and Read, he call'd for Pen and Paper; and (having been taught thus much before) wrote his Name thus:☞ [Tryphon, by the Mercy of God, Arch-Bishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Vniversal Patriark,] (for that was then the Title.) The Emperor receiving the Paper, (it …eems, knowing that he could not Read) writeth over head [Knowing my self Vnworthy, I Resigne the Throne to any that will.] And so sent the Paper to the Council; and the Bishops (wise and Good Men, you must suppose) Dethron'd Tryphon. The Seat staid void five Months, till Theophylact came to Age; who then was chosen.

§. 47. Anno 946. Agapetus the Second is made Pope, in a time when Wars (between the Hungarians, and Henry Bavaria, Berengarius and Otho, &c.) made Miserable the Countries, and Ignorance and Ambition the Churches.

§. 48. CCCXIII. A Council at Virdun in France, again tryed the Cause between the fore-said Infant, and the Perjured Bishops, Hugo and Artald; ☞and they undid what the last had done, and Deposed Hugo, p. 325and gave the Seat to Artald. Yet we have not done with Doing and Vndoing: For Pope Agapete now took Hugo's Part; and wrote to the Bishops of France and Germany, that Hugo that was in Possession, was to be kept there. But the Papists say, he mistook by Hugo's Mis-information.

§. 49. CCCXIV. Anno 948. Another Council at Mosome was called for the same Business: Hugo would not come in, but sent the Pope's Letters; which being not Canonical, but his bare Command, they rejected them, cast out, and Excommunicated Hugo, till the next General-Council.

§. 50. CCCXV. Anno 948. A General-Council of France and Germany is called at Engelenheim, for the same Cause; almost all France being disquieted about two Mens striving, who should be the Great Arch-Bishop: The Pope's Legate Marinus, proved Hugo's Letters false; and Hugo was Excommunicated, and Artald setled. But the Presence of two Kings, Ludovicus and Otho, did much there-to.

The Bishops thence removed to Triers, (called another Council) where they judged for King Ludovicus, against Duke Hugo; and Excommunicated some Bishops Ordained by Bishop Hugo, (that was Ordained in his Child-hood.)

And another Council at Rome confirmed these things.

§. 51. Now cometh the Famous Pope Iohn the Twelfth, the Son of Prince Albericus, the Son of the Famous Whore: A Child too. Saith Baronius and Binius, ☜(p. 1060.) Quanquam hiuc Legitima aetas alia que omnia deessent quae inlegitimo Pontifice requiruntur, tamen accedente postea consensu totius. Cleri, visum est hunc potius esse Tolerandum quam Ecclesiam Schismate aliquo, quod alioquin exortum fuisset, dividendam. He wanted Natural and Moral Endowments; even All Things necessary to a Legitimate Pope, say they: And yet, the After-Consent of the Clergy made him Tolerable, &c. Qu. 1. But, Did that After-consent make him a true Bishop? 2. If not, Where is their Succession? 3. Did God authorize the Clergy, to consent to such a Man? Where? Prove it. 4. If not, Could their Consent make him a Bishop? Is not all Power of God? And, Doth God give it contrary to his Word? 5. Were not those Clergy-Men wicked themselves, that would do so? 6. Did those Doctors presume, that their Readers were such Fools, as not to know, that Forma non recipitur nisi in materiam dispositam? And that Ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius. An Illiterate Man cannot be a School-Master: He that is no Christian, cannot be a Bishop; nor he that hath not the Qualifications essentially necessary. All the World cannot make a Physician, a Lawyer, a Divine, a true Pastor or Bishop, of an Ideot, an Infant, or a Man that wanteth Essential Dispositions. To say, he wanted all requisite Qualifications, and yet that he was a Bishop, is a Contradiction: Materia Disposita & Forma, being the Constitutive Causes. What if they had made a Bishop of a Turk, an Infidel, a Corps, p. 326&c? Had it not been a Nullity, and prophane Mockery? 7. What else signify all the Canons, that nullify Ordinations for less Faults? But the Image of a Bishop, will make but the Image or Carkass of a Church.

§. 52. But, say they, Cum Vniversa Ecclesia Catholica sciret minus malum esse caput quantum libet monstrosum proferre quam unum corpus in duo secari, & duobus capitibus informari, eundem toto orbe terrarum tanquam verum & legitimum Pontificem venerata fuit. Answ. 1. What a shameless Dream do you impose on us, under the Name of, Totus orbis Terrarum? What had the Ethiopians, the Armenians, yea, or the Greek-Church, to do with Pope Iohn? Or, What was it to them, how he was called, or what he was? Did not the Patriark of Constantinople then write himself, the Vniversal Patriark? (even Tryphon, that they said, could not write any thing else.) Where is your Proof of this Universal Concession? Which way did the whole Catholick-Church (or the Tenth or Hundredth Part of it) signify their Consent? 2. Who taught you to feign the State and Necessity of such a Church, as must have another Universal Head besides Christ? You know, that it is the Being of such a Church or Head, (be he never so Good) that we deny: And you have never proved, nor can prove it. He only is the Universal Head, who maketh Universal Laws, and undertaketh Universal Teaching, and is an Universal Judge and Protector; none of which any Mortal man can perform. The very Fiction of such a Head and Body, is Monstrous, and your Capital Error. 3. How small a part of the Christian World was subject to the Pope, at that time; though within his reach, he was almost at the Heighth of his Presumption? 4. He that wanteth what is Essential to a true Bishop, is no true Bishop: But Pope Iohn the Twelfth wanted what what was Essential to a true Bishop: Ergo, He was none. The Minor is proved: He that wanteth the necessary Disposition of the Receptive Matter, and is not Subjectum Capax, wanteth that which is Essential to a true a Bishop: (For the Materia Disposita is an Essential Constitutive Cause; a Subjectum Capax is Essential to a Relation.) But Iohn the Twelfth wanted the Necessary Disposition of the Matter ad Formam Recipiendam, or was not Subjectum Ca…ax: Proved. He that wanted capable Age, and all other Things necessary to a lawful Pope, was not Subjectum Capax; but wanted the necessary Disposition Receptive. But all these, you say your selves, Pope Iohn wanted: Ergo, &c.

5. If then the Universal Church had so erred, as to take him for a Bishop that was none; that Error would not make him a Bishop, no more than it would make a dead Man alive, or an illiterate Man learned. But this is the Roman-Catholick kind of Proof: You say your selves, That a Whore, and a wicked Son of that Whore, got Power enough to over-top the Citizens of Rome, and the Clergy, (yet too like them) and to thrust a wicked uncapable Fellow into the Chair. p. 327When that is done, it's known, all good Men dissent and abhor it. But when he hath Possession, they must know that he hath Possession: And, What can they do to help it? What Power have the Ethiopians, Armenians, Syrians, or other Nations of the Earth, in choosing the Pope of Rome? And if they have none in Choosing him, What Power have they to examine the Choice, and Depose him? And if they have no Power, Why or how should they signify their Consent or Dissent? If they leave your own Matters to your selves, What is that to the Consent of the Catholick-Church? But some men think, that big Words to the Ignorant may serve for Proof, even of a Right to Govern at the Antipodes, and all the World.

§. 53. His Father Albericus, being Governour of the City, designed the Succession to his Son Octavian: To which he added the Usurped-Papacy, calling himself Iohn, The first (say Baronius and Binius) that changed his Name, (though others say Sergius was the first.) Saith Platina; From his Youth, he was Contaminated with all odious Crimes, and Filthiness: When he had any time to spare from his Lusts, it was not spent in Praying, but in Hunting. Two of the Cardinals, moved with the Shame of such a Pope, send Letters to Germany, to Otho, to intreat him to save Rome from Berengarius, (that Plundered all the Country) and from Pope John the Twelfth; or else Christianity was lost. John having notice of this, catcheth the Cardinals, and cutteth of the Nose of one, and a Hand of the other. Otho cometh into Italy, and took Berengarius, and his Son Albertus, and Banished them. Yet Baronius and Binius, out of Luitpraudus, say, That the Pope himself sent for Otho, to Help him. However that was, the Pope received him as with Honor, and Crowned him the Emperor of Germany, (the First) and Hungary. The Pope, and all the Great Men of the City, swore over the Body of St. Peter, that they would never help Berengarius or Adelbert: and the Emperor departed. But the Pope quickly broke his Oath, and joyned with Adelbert: Which the Emperor hearing, said, He is a Child; perhaps Reproof, and Example, may yet reclaim him. He returned to Rome, and Adelbert, and the Pope fled: The Citizens received the Emperor, and promised him Fidelity; and took an Oath, that they would never Choose or Ordain a Pope, without the Consent and Choice of the Emperor Otho, a…d his Son Otho. John fled into a Wood, and lay there like the Wild-Beasts. (Saith Platina.)

§. 54. CCCXVI. Otho called a Council at Rome; where the Bishops deposed Iohn, ☜and made Leo Pope: By which we still see, how obedient the Bishops were to the stronger Side; or else, that really even those near Rome, did not consent to Iohn; muchless the whole Catholick-Charch, as Baronius immodestly affirmeth.

The Council was called, Anno 963. out of Italy, France, and Germany, besides Roman Cardinals and Nobles. The Emperor first asked, Why Pope John was not there? The Roman Bishops, Cardinals, Presbyters, p. 328and Deacons, and all the People answered, We wonder your Holy Prudence should ask us this Question;☞ seeing he so openly manageth the Work… of the Devil, that it is not unknown to the Babylonians, Iberians, or Indians. The Emperor required particular Accusations: Then Peter, a Cardinal-Presbyter, said, That he saw him Celebrate Mass, and not Communicate. A Bishop, and a Cardinal-Deacon said, That they saw him Ordain a Deacon in a Stable of Horses. Benedict, and many others said, That he Ordained Bishops for Money; and Ordained a Boy of Ten Years old, Bishop of Tudortine. Of Sacriledge, there needed no Witness but Eye-sight: Of Adultery, they said, that they saw it not; but they certainly knew, that he abused the Widow of Ragnerius, and his Father's Concubine, and Anne, a Widow, and her Neece; and made the Holy-Palace a common Bawdy-House, and Stews. That he put out the Eyes of his Spiritual Father Benedict, and kill'd him thereby: That he killed John, a Cardinal Sub…Deacon, by cutting off his Virilia: That he set Fire on Houses, went Armed and Harnassed as a Souldier. They all (both Clergy and Laity) cryed out, that he Drunk a Health of Wine to the Devil, (Diaboli in Amorem.) That he at his Play at Dice, would crave the Help of Jupiter, Venus, and other Demons, &c. The Emperor said, That Bad Men often accuse the Good; and lest Malice or Livor should move them, he adjured them, as before God, to speak nothing untruly against the Pope, and without certain Proof: His Adjurations were most Vehement. The Bishops, Deacons, Clergy, and all the People of Rome, answered as one Man, and said, [If both the Things read by Benedict the Deacon, and filthier and greater Villainies were not committed by Pope John, Let not St. Peter Absolve us from the Bond of our Sins: Let us be found tyed with the Bonds of Anathema, (or Cursed from Christ); and be set at Christ's Left-Hand, at the Last Day, with those that said to God …he Lord, Depart from us, we would not have the Knowledge of thy Wayes. If you believe not VsUs, believe your Army that saw him, &c.] The Emperor being satisfyed by his Armies Witness also, the Council moved, that Letters of Summons might be sent to the Pope, to appear and answer for himself. A Leteer was written, as from the Emperor and Bishops; telling him, That the things charged on him were such, as it would be a Shame to hear of Stage-Players; which, if all were numb'red, the Day would fail: That not a Few, but All, (both Clergy and Laity) accused him of Murder, Perjury, Sacriledge, and of Incest with his own Kindred, and with two of his own Sisters. They say also, (Horrid to hear!) That you drunk Wine in Love to the Devil; ask't Help of Jupiter, Venus, and other Demons, at your Dice, &c. We crave you would come, and answer for your self; and swear, nothing shall be done to you besides the Canons.

The Pope reading this, sent this Answer; [We hear, that you will make another Pope: If you do so, I Excommunicate you from God Almighty, that you may have no License to Ordain any, nor to Celebrate Mass.] p. 329After this, more Bishops came out of Germany; and they write again to the Pope, telling him, That if he will not appear and answer, they shall despise his Excommunications, and turn it upon himself. He would not be found. The Emperor seeing he would not appear; told the Council, how treacherously he had dealt by him, intreating him to come, and help him; and after broke his Oath, and joyned with his Enemies. The whole Clergy, Bishops, and all the People, cry out, An un-heard-of Wound must be cured with an un-heard-of Cautery; and declaring the Mischief he had done, craveth that this Monster of incurable Vice, might be cast out of the Roman-Church; and another put in his Place, that will go before them with good Example. Then they all cryed up Leo the Proto-Soriniarius; which thrice repeating, upon Consent, they Ordained him, and swore Fidelity to him.

§. 54. If now Baronius and Binius say, That the Clergies Consent can make an uncapable Monster a true Bishop, let any one tell us: 1. Whether this Council did not prove, that the Church did not consent to Iohn? 2. Or, Whether his utter Incapacity, many express Canons, and the Bishops and Councils Consent, did not Eject him, and Authorize Leo?

§. 55. But here we come to the Core of all the Papists Cheats: When they tell us themselves of all this Wickedness, they cry out, O the happy Church of Rome! that though it fail in Manners, yet never faileth in Faith. Answ. 1. If General Councils are sufficient Witnesses, that judged Popes Hereticks, it hath failed in Faith. 2. Hath that Man true Faith, that wanteth all things requisite to a Lawful Bishop, and that drinketh to the Devil, and prayeth to Jupiter and Venus; and Liveth in all Wickedness? What a thing is Popish Faith? 3. Did Christ mean to pray only, that St. Peter might have such a Faith, as will stand with Wickedness and Damnation? What the better is any Man of a wicked Heart and Life, for a dead Opinion call'd Faith, that will damn him the more deeply for sinning against it? 4. It is not possible, but that serious true Belief of so great Things, as God, and Christ, and Glory, will bring a Man to serious Repentance and Reformation.

§. 56. Here Baronius and Binius become this Monster's Advocate, and say, [That there never was a Council of Orthodox Men, that sinned more against the Canons and Traditions, than this false Council.] (How false is a Devil-worshipping-Pope, a Murderer, and common Adulterer, and incestuous Villainies, in comparison of all his Neighbor-Bishops?) 1. They say, They could not call a Council without him. Answ. 1. He was no Pope. 2. It's a Trayterous Fiction to say, That an Emperor may not call his Subject-Bishops together, to a Council. 3. VVhat if Devilish Villains will make Murders, and Perjury, and Rebellions, to pass for Duties, and never call Councils; Must the Devil therefore be made Lord of the Catholick-Church, without Remedy? 4. VVho gave your Pope that Priviledge? If Council or Princes, they can take p. 330it from him: If Christ, prove it, or Shame be to him that yieldeth it. 5. That Man is so ignorant of Church-History, or Impudent, as not to be worthy to be disputed with, that denyeth, That Princes have called Councils, even the Greatest, and most Honored.

II. They say, There should be Seventy-Two Witnesses; and there was scarce one, besides the Accusers.] Answ. 1. The whole Council, and People of Rome, and Army, are VVitnesses, under the most direful Imprecations. 2. The Pope may go on safely, till God take him in Hand, if he must pass for Innocent till he will lye with his own Sisters, or murder Men, and cut off their Virilia, &c. before Seventy-Two VVitnesses! O shameful Holy-Church, that is thus Essentiated!

III. They say He should have been thrice cited. Ans. 1. What! When he would not be found? 2. Is that necessary to the being of the Sentence?

IV. They say, No delay was granted! Ans. He was not to be found: And to what was delay necessary, when the Babylonians, Iberians, and Indians had notice of his Diabolical Life.

V. They say,☞ contrary to all Councils, the Emperour Condemneth him, who may not Condemn any Clerk. Ans. But you may Condemn Kings and Emperours! Is not this Heresy, contrary to Rom. 13. and the 5. Commandement; How shall Mens Lives, Wives, and Estates be saved from Clergy-men, if Kings may not judge and punish them. This Doctrine calleth for timely restraint.

VI. They say, Execution went instead of Sentence. Ans. Is not a plain Sentence here expressed?

VII. The Pope is exempt from all humane judgment: The whole Council therefore were impudent or ignorant to Condemn a Pope, which none ever did but a Heretick or Schismatick.How many Canons did John and his perjured Adherents violate? Ans. 1st. That is, such as you are able to call General Councils, Emperours and Kings, Hereticks and Schismaticks; if they presume to judge a Heretick, Schismatick, or devillish Pope. But your faculty proveth not another culpable. 2. Did not Solomon judge Abiathar? Did not many Councils Condemn Honorius, and many other Popes. 3. What a case is your miserable Catholick Roman Church in then; when Popes may kill, ravish, blaspheme, and destroy and no Man can judge them, neither King nor Council? 4. Why said you, that the whole Church did consent to your Pope, when all this Council, and all the Clergy, and People at Rome thus begged for another. 5. If all your Bishops of Italy, German…, ☞&c. are utterly impudent or ignorant as you call these; What an honour is this to the Prelacy of your Church? And is it not because your Popes ordained them, and like will generate its like. Such other trifl…ng objections they frame.

§ 57. But now we have two Popes, Iohn and Leo: and to this Day it is not known, nor agreed among the Roman Doctors, which was the true Pope. ☞Most say Leo: Baron. and Bin. say, Iohn; and call p. 331Leo a Schismatick; confessing yet, that Scriptores in finiti numeri call him Leo 8th. and own him. How then shall we derive their succession? Iohn's Kindred got the better, when the Emperour was gone, and called him again, and cast out Leo. Now we have two Heads, and so two Churches; the Church of Iohn, and the Church of Leo.

§. 58. CCCXVII. Anno 963. A Council at Const. gave the Emperor Nicephorus Phocas leave to marry Theophanes, the Widdow of Romanus.

§. 59. CCCXVIII. Anno 964. The monstrous Beast Pope Iohn got up again, call'd a Synod of Bishops: And what will not Bishops do? He is here still called,☜ The most Godly and most Holy Pope. The Bishops at his motion Condemn Leo, and those that Ordained him, and those that were Ordained by him. And this Council Binius justifieth, and cryeth down Leo 8th. as no Pope. But he confesseth, that by the common consent of Writers, Leo was the true Pope; but Scriptorum error veritati nihil praejudicare potest. Ans. 1. How then shall all the world that knew not the Case, be sure that Binius and Baronius are to be believed before all their own Writers, whose common Sentence is against them, and that Romes Succession from Iohn is good? 2. Remember this when you plead for your supposed Tradition, that infinite Writers prejudice not the Truth.

§. 60. But saith Platina, Its reported, that just then John was punished by Gods just judgment, lest a Schisme should have followed. And it is commonly agreed, that being in bed with a mans Wife, the Devil struck him on the head and killed him. But some think it was rather the VVomans Husband that did it.

§. 61. But yet we are never the nearer conceding, still there are two Roman Popes and Churches. Iohn being dead, one Benedict is Chosen by the parties,☜ Totius cleri & populi Romanae Consensu, saith Bin. p. 1067. Yet had this Clergy and People sworn before to Otho, to Choose no Pope without his Consent and Choise, and tied themselves to Leo. But to to be Perjured, and change with the Ruling Power, alas how common was it!

§. 62. The godly Emperor Otho was offended at these Villanies, and brought an Army again to Rome: Benedictus made them stand out a Siege till Famine forced them to yield, and the Emperor set up Leo, and carried away Benedict to Hamburgh, where he died. And think you but this Pope is therefore by Binius and Baronius made a Martyr, that by Rebellion and common Perjury was thus set up.

§. 63. While Otho was at Rome Anno 964. He and Leo 8. called another Council of Bishops, Italian, Roman; from Loraine, S…xony, &c. and all the Roman People: Pope Benedict is brought forth, Benedict the Deacon tells him of his Perjury, having broken his Oath to Leo and to Otho: Pope Benedict said, If I have sinned, have mercy on me. The pittiful Emperour with Tears intreated the Bishop to have mercy on the man: Whereupon, he fell down at the feet of Leo and the Emperour, and confessed that he had sinned and invaded the Papacy: and delivered p. 332the In signia to Leo: (yet our foresaid Annalist and Historian make him and not Leo, the true Pope still.) The Council Deposed and Banished him, but continued him a Deacon as he was before. They removed him to Hamburgh to prevent new broiles.

§. 64. Here Baronius and Binius cry out on the History of L…il…raudus as Forg'd, on Crantzius, &c. But there is a great reason why Leo must not be taken for a Pope: It is because by a Canon of this his Council they gave Otho the same power for choosing Popes as Charles the great had. O how much Interest prevaileth with these Historians judgments.

But alas, Reader, is it not a sad thing to read how fast Bishops and People did thus Swear and Forswear, and do and undo, making Councils as weather-cocks that turn with every Wind that is strong? Is this the honour of Prelacy, and their stability in governing the Church?

§. 65. Next comes another Iohn 13th. who was not Chosen till Leo dyed, ☞and expresly chosen to succeed him; and so by that Account of Baronius and Binius the Succession was interrupted, Leo being no Pope whom he Succeeded. But, alas, had it not been for the great Zeal of Otho, that came so oft with Armies to defend them, and to cast out intolerable Popes, what had become of the Roman Papacy? This Iohn was a Bishop before, (as Formosus was) and so by the Canons his Election was Null on that account. Almost as soon as he was setled, saith Platina, the Romans having now got a Custome of Expelling their Popes, (yet Baron, saith, the Universal Church owned them,) did by Seditions tire out this also. By the help of Jofred Earl of Campany, they brake into▪ the Laterane House, and took him, and first imprison him, and then send him Banished into Campania: But John Prince of Campania killed Jofred and his only Son; and delivered Pope John the Eleventh month after his Banishment: And the Emperour Otho again bringeth an Army to Rome, with speed, and casts the Governour, the Consuls, and the Dearchoues into Fetters; The Consuls he sendeth into Germany banished; The Dearchoues he Hanged: Peter the Praefect of the City, some write (saith Platina.) that he delivered to the Pope to have his flesh torn off; his Beard and Head being Shorn, and he hanged a while at the head of the Constantinian-Horse, he was set on an Asse naked, with his face backward, his hands tyed under the taile, and so whipt through the Streets till he was almost Dead, and then Banished into Germany. The Corps of Jofred and his Son he caused to be taken up, and to be vilely cast away into divers filthy places. Thus did the blind Zeal of a good Emperour Revenge and defend Usurping Popes.

§. 66. A Council at Revenna, of small importance, and one at Rome, to confirm Glassenbury-Monastery I pass by: and all the English Councils which Spelman hath given us by themselves. But it is worth the noting, that the famous Dunstan that banished Priests Marriage out of England, was the Favourite of these two Popes, Iohn the 12. and 13th. p. 333even much countenanced by the monstrous Pope that lay with two Sisters of his own, and made his House as a common Whore-house, if a Council under solemn Appeals to God, and Execrations, said true.

§. 67. The next Pope according to Platina, is Benedict (though Onuphrius and Binius put Donus next: saith Plat. Cintius a potent Citizen of Rome took him and laid him in Iayle, and there strangled him: He wondred that neither Otho nor any other ever Revenged it: But Otho was now near Death, and could not have leasure to bring an Army out of Germany to Rome, every time that wicked Citizens and Popes f…ll out: Did the Universal Church own this man also? But (saith Plat.) Benedicts Merits were such as Cintius his reward importeth. But yet it was not well done of Cintius to meddle with the Pope were he never so bad: But alas (saith he) how the World is changed! For in our Age, Popes lay Citizens, faulty or suspected, in the same Prison, and then Macerate them.

§. 68. Donus 2. was Pope but three months: In his short time, the Bulgarians had almost taken Constant. ☜saith Platina. And Anno 972. a Council was held at Ingelheim in Germany, to compose Church matters.

§. 69. The next Pope (saith Plat.) was Boniface the 7th, who ill got the Popedome, and so lost it. Onuphrius and Bin. say, that Cintius by his command strangled his Predecessors, and that he Succeeded him. Saith Plat. in the beginning of his Magistracy (for a Magistracy it thus was) by the Conspiracy of the good Citizens, being forced to leave the City, taking away all the pretious things out of S. Peters Church, he fled to Constantinople; where he stayed, till selling all that he had sacrilegiously gotten, he got a great mass of Money, with which he returned to corrupt the Citizens by Bribes. But good men resisted him, especially John a Cardinal-Deacon, whom Boniface catcht and put out his Eyes: And the Sedition increasing more and more, either for fear or remorse, he next made away (or kill'd) himself: He was Pope 7 months and 5 days saith Platinus. But Onuphrius saith (one year, one month and 12 days.) But other Popes came in between before he died, and he got in again.

§. 69. Baronius and Binius say, that Boniface is not to be numbred with the Popes; If so, 1. Why not many score also? 2. Where then is their uninterrupted Succession? And where was their Church then?

§. 70. Binius maketh Benedict 6. next after Donus, and saith, He was imprisoned and kill'd by Boniface, who Usurped the place.

§ 71. An. 973. A Council at Mutina was to reconcile two Brethren.

§. 72. Benedict 7. An. 975. drove away Boniface, and was Pope himself: And so here were again two Popes: Now Otho 2. had a great Overthrow by the Greeks in Calabria; and flying by Sea, was taken Prisoner by Pyrats, and Redeemed by the Sicilians; dyed at Rome: And Otho the 3. was Chosen in his place by the Germanes. Writers agree not of the time of Benedicts Reign. In his time they feign, that at a Council p. 334at Winchester in the midst of their Disputes, the Image of our Lord spake out for the Monks against the secular Clergy, and so decided all the Controversies.

And a Synod was at Rome, about the Bishop of Magdeburg, accused.

§. 73. CCCXIX. Anno 975. At a Council at Constantinople, Basil the Partiarch is Accused as Criminal, and Antonius Studita put in his place.

§. 74. Pope Iohn 14. (alias 15.) is next at Rome, Anno 984. Binius maketh him succeed Boniface that had killed Pope Benedict, and was fled to Constantinople; and saith, that when Boniface knew that Otho the Emperour was dead, he returned to Rome, and seized on the Papacy again; and finding John in it, did not only turn him out, but cast him in Bonds in the Tower of St. Angelo, which was kept by men of his own faction; and with great Tyranny kept him there four months, and as a violent and sacrilegious Robber, at last Murdered him by Famine. And lest any hope should be left to the Emperours Party, he exposed the Corps of the dead Pope (for all the Citizens to behold) before the doores of the Prison: And the People seeing the bare body of the Pope consumed by Hunger, buried him with Sorrow. In the mean time, the Invader of the Seat, and the cruel Murderer of two Popes, the odious Paricide, and turbulent thief Boniface the Anti-Pope, (Oh Horrible!) by Tyranny Invaded St. Peters Chair: But after four months, by Gods Revenge, he suddenly dyed (he killed himself said Plat. When he was dead, even the factious persons on whom he had trusted, Wounded his dead Carkass, and Drag'd it through the City. This Bin. out of Baron. and he exautiquis Vatican-Codicibus.

And must a Governour of all the World be thus Chosen.

But Platina saith, that some say, that Ferrucius, Bonifaces Father, a great man, murdered Iohn; and others say, he was cast out for Impotency and Tyranny; and others say, by malevolent Seditious Men. So confused (saith he) are the Histories of those times.

§. 75. Next comes Iohn 15. (alias 16) Binius saith, that for fear of the like usage that had befallen his Predecessors, Platina speaks this of John 16. called by him the 17th.John 16he left Rome & dwelt in Tuscany; one Cresconius a great man, having got the Castle of St. Angelo: till the Pope sending to Otho 3. afrighted the Romans, and made them intreat him to return. But Platina saith, That [He burned against the Clergy with a wonderfull Hatred, and therefore was deservedly hated by the Clergy: especially, because he bestowed all things Divine and Humane on his kindred, disregarding the honour of God, and the Dignity of the Romane Seat; which Errour (saith he) he so Traditioned (or delivered down) that it remaineth to this day (This is Romane Tradition) a Comet then appear'd, Famine, Pestelence, Earthquakes, which were thought to be for the Pride and rapacity of the Pope, and his contempt of God and Man.] So Platina.

§. 76. An Instance was given of a Bishop of the contrary Spirit: Adel…ert Bishop of Prague in Bohemia …ound the People so contrury to him, p. 335and bad, that he forsook them, and Travelled first, and then entred into a Monastery: And when he had lived there five years, the people desired him again, and promised Obedience. A Council at Rome desired his return, vvhichwhich with grief he did; But they still proved incorrigble, and he again forsook them and vvent to Preach to the Hungarians, when he Bapzed the King Stephen, and did much good. Bin. p. 1071.

§. 77. CCCXX. Arnulphus Arch-Bishop of Rhemes suspected of Treason, for delivering up the City of Rhemes to Charles: Called a Synod at Seulis, to purge himself, Excommunicating them that did it. Anno 990.

§. 78. CCCXXI. Hugo Capet having now got the Crown of France, and desirous to destroy all the Carolines line, upon the aforesaid suspition got a Synod at Rhemes, to cast out Arnulphus a Bastard of that Lin…; saying, a Bastard must not be a Bishop: One Bishop refused; The rest for fear of that King consented, and cast him out; (so constant were the French Bishops.)

§. 79. CCCXXII. Six Bishops, and Nine Presbyters, and Four Deacons made a Council at Rome, to Canonize Vdalric Bishop of Augusta, Anno 993. upon the reports of his Holiness and Miracles.

Here let me at once tell the Reader, that he hath no cause to think the most of these Canonizations wholly causeless. But that while Pope and Patriarcks, confounded all by wickedness and contentious pride; God had many faithful Bishops and Presbyters that lived holily in quieter and privater kind of Life; And the Popes that would not endure themselves to live a Godly life, thought it their honour to have such in the Church that did, and to magnify them when dead, and past contradicting them. Just like the Pharisees, Mat. 23. that killed the living Servants of God, and honoured the dead, and built them Monuments, saying, If we had lived in those days, we would not have killed them.

§. 80. CCCXXIII. A Synod was called at Moson, to debate the Case between Arnulph and Gerbert substituted at Rhemes, who so pleaded his cause, that it was put off to another Synod. Baron revileth some Writings ascribed to the former Synod at Rhemes, saying, they were this Gerberts▪ as being Blasphemous against the Pope: The Centuriators of Magdeb. mention them at large. Did Rome then govern all the World?

§. 81. CCCXXIV. Another Council is called at Rhemes, and Gerbert (that wrote so Blasphemously against the Pope) is deposed by the Popes means, and Arnulphus restored: which Gerbert observing, flyeth to the Emperour to Germany, seemeth to repent (as Baron. but surmizeth) and gets higher, to be Pope himself, by the Emperours means, as you shall hear anon.

§. 2. Can any Man think that Popes, that themselves came in by Tyranny and meer Force, and lived in Wickedness, could have so great a Zeal as is pretended to do Justice for all others, unless for their own ends?

p. 336§. 83. Iohn the 16th. (alias 17) is passed over by Binius: Onuphrius saith, that he Reigned four Months: Platina saith, he died the tenth Year, and sixth Month, and tenth Day (a great difference.)

§. 84. Gregory the 5th. is next, made Pope (saith Plat.) by Otho 3d his Authority for Affinity: But (saith Plat.) The Romans make Crescentius Consul with chief Power; who presently made John Bishop of Placentine Pope; who came to it by the consent of the Roman Clergy and People, to whom the choice belonged, though some leave him out: Otho cometh to defend his own Pope; Crescentius fortifieth City and Castle against him: The People dare not resist, but open the City Gates: Crescentius and Pope John flyeth to the Castle;☞ and in hope of Pardon, yields: Crescentius is Killed by the People in his passage; John hath first his Eyes put out, and then his Life; and Gregory the Eleventh Month is restored: Binius saith, that Johns Hands were cut off, his Ears cut off, and his Eyes pulled out; and after set on an Ass, holding the Tail in his Hand, was carried about the Streets.

§. 85. This Pope and Otho the 3d. agreed to settle the Election of the Emperour, as now it is on the 7. Electors. The cause of great Confusions,☞ and Calamities was, that the Emperours did not dwell at Rome; and so left Popes then to fight, strive, and sin, that else would have lived submissively under them. Constantine, Carolus Mag. or Otho, might have done much to prevent or cure all this.

The Papists would fain prove this the work of a Roman Synod, (to settle the Electors) that they may prove that it is they, that must make and unmake Emperours. But they can shew us no such Council.

Onuphrius hath written a Treatise to prove that this was after done by Greg. 10th. For which Binius reprehends him, as believing Aventinus.

But this is a Controversy handled by so many, that I shall refer the Reader to them: and whether the seven Electors only, or all the Feudatories chose.

Baronius and Binius maintain, that all came from the Authority of the Pope; that Greg. 5th. Ordained the choice of the Emperour to be by all the Feudatories of the Empire; that the Council at Lyons, under Innocent 4th. setled it upon Seven, but not all the same that are now Electors; and that the Princes after setled it on these same Seven, they know not who nor when.

For the right understanding of many such matters; I only mind the Reader of this one thing, that as the contention of Princes, and the superstitious fear of Anathematizing had made the Papal, and Prelatical Power then very great, in setting up, and taking down Princes; so it was usual for their Assemblies,☞ even those called Councils, to be mixt of Men Secular and Clergy; Kings and Princes, and Lords being present with the Bishops, as in our Parliaments; and usually the greatest Princes ruled all. Therefore, to ascribe all to the Pope and Prelates, p. 337that was done in such conventions, and thence to gather their power to dispose of Empires and Kingdoms, is meer deceit.

§ 86. Platina next nameth Iohn 17th. alias 18th. but saith he was no true Pope (its impossible to know who was,) but that he corrupted Crescentius with money, and it cost them both their lives: How he was mangled, shamed, and killed (though a Bishop before) you heard before.

§ 87. Next an. 999. cometh that French Bishop Gerbert **He had saith Platina, been Schoolmaster to Otho, and the King of France and other great men.before mentioned, that wrote so blasphemously (as they called it) against the Pope (as Aeneas Silvius after did) till he saw some hope of being Pope himself, by the Emperor's favour first made Arch-Bishop of Ravenna, and then Pope, Formosus's Case and the Canons that forbid a Bishop to be chosen, were now forgotten or dispensed with. He had won the Emperor's favour by a rare Clock that he made, being a good Mathematician:Platina after others tells a terrible story of his Covenant with the Devil and his confession; But I rather believe Onuphrius's vindication from that ignorant age. And the People and Clergie were taught that it was the Emperor's Will that they should choose him, which to please the Emperor they did: Historians say that he sold his Soul to the Devil by Covenant, to be made Pope, which accordingly the Devil distrained and took him away. But Baron, and Bin▪ say that Cardinal Benno was the first author of this and many fouler accusations of the Popes than I have here mentioned; and that he was Schismatical (as taking the Emperor's part) and so not to be believed. And indeed I am not apt to believe any that accused men of Magicks in that ignorant age of the Roman Church; whenas Erasmus saith, He that did but understand Greek or Hebrew was suspected to be a Magician.

Otho 3d. that preferred this Pope gave him two Counties to his Church, Vercellis and St. Agatha: A heresie Glebar and Baron▪ mention in his time, soon extinct. Stephen King of Hungary it's said converted the Transylvanians (which yet the Papists ascribe all to the Pope.) An hundred fifty nine Epistles of Gerbert's written before he was Bishop of Rhemes (or Pope) are found with Nicol. Faber. saith Bin.This Oth… was but a Child of ten years of age when he was made Emperor.

§ 88. CCCXXV. In a Council at Rome, an. 999 Giester Archbishop of Mentz is accused for having two Parishes; but struck with a Palsie could not appear, and the matter referred to a German Council. Bin, p. 1079.

§ 89. Next cometh Iohn 16th. as Bin. or 19th. as Plat. who dyed the fifth month. But though no good be said of him, Plat. noteth the great happiness of Italy by the good Government of Hugo the Emperor's Lieutenant.

§ 90. Next is Iohn 17th. as Bin. or 20th. as Plat. who saith Nil dignum memoriâ gessit. But what was wanting in the unhappy Bishops God made up in good Princes. Robert King of France and Henry the new Emperor of Germany (Otho being dead) being men of very great piety and justice: Holiness was now passed Eminently to Princes.

§ 91. Binnius recordeth that Leutherius Archbishop of Sens did now p. 338begin the Heresie of Berengarius. It seems then, neither Luther, nor Zuinglius, nor Berengarius, nor Bertram (alias Ratram) began it. But where will the reader find that Transubstantiation was yet named, or by any consent received? so that this is but to confess that yet the doctrine contrary to Transubstantiation did still obtain: And the name of heresie from Baron. or Bin. signifies no more against this Archbishop than the name of Magick and Diabolism against Silvester 2. from many Historians.

§ 92. In a Council at Frankford the Emperor Henry, having a great love to Bamberge, would endow it and make it an Archbishoprick. The Bishop of Wir…burge would not come to the Council unless it might be joyned to his Bishoprick. It seem'd a hard controversy. The good Emperor (oft prostrate before them) first, having no Children, dedicateth all that he hath to Christ, and then desireth them to consider, that [It was not for the Lord, but for ambition, and to get more dignity that this Bishop did resist his desire] (his agent speaking for him.) (Oh that Princes had sooner discerned the evil of such ambition and aspiring!) At last the Emperor (being present) carried it, and chose an Archbishop who was ordained to Bamberge.

§ 93. Next Peter Bishop of Abbane is made Pope and called Sergius 4th (The Canons are here again violated) Now saith Bin. was a great prodigie, in a Church at Rome rose a spring of oyl, of which a vessel full was sent to King Henry, no doubt to call him to take the Empire.]

§ 94. CCCXXVI. An. 1011. A Council at Bamberge endeavoured to end some quarrels among Bishops that strove to get more, and accused one another unjustly to the Pope; for which the King reproved some of them.

§ 95. An. 1012. Two Popes were chosen and set up; which is the 19th. schism or double-head of the Roman Church. The Emperor's party chose Benedict the 8th. The City Party chose Gregory. The Citizens were the stronger at present (and so long their's was the true Pope.) The Emperor proved strongest at last, and therefore Benedict became the true Pope (for Hobbes his Law ruled among them,) [that Right is nothing but Power to get and keep] Gregory had no power to keep his Place: Ergo he had no right to it: Benedict fled to Germany, and the good Emperor Henry came to Rome with an Army, and made Gregory fly, and set up Benedict. Here Henry first instituted the Golden Globe and Cross as fit for an Emperor's hand and aspect.☞ Bin. out of Glab. li. 3. c. 8. speaketh of the Jews injuring Christ's Image by a ludicrous crucifixion, and that after the adoring of the cross the same day, a whirlwind cast down the Houses [omnesque pene Romanos occisos esse] and almost all the Romans were killed (that's scarce credible,) and that it ceased not till the Pope had put the Jews to death. Platina saith, that this Emperor Henry and his Wife were so pious that they omitted nothing that might do good. He overthrew the Saracens, and giving his Sister in marriage to the King of Hungary converted him and his People to the Faith: And Baron. giveth you the copy of his large grant of Cities and Principalities to the Pope, by way of confirmation of former grants.

p. 339§ 96. They call it a Council at Legio in Spain, where the King and Queen and Nobles with the Bishops and Abbots, made some Laws for Church-priviledges.

§ 97. CCCXXVII. An. 1017. A Council was called at Orleance in France; where, by the Zeal of the religious King Robert and the Prelates, the burning of Hereticks were set on foot. Bin. out of Glaber thus reciteth the matter. One Italian woman revived the heresie of the Manichee…, and two Clergie men (yet called Palatii proceres et Regi familiares) received and spread it abroad with confidence. The opinions are thus recited by Glaber. 1. That the Doctrine of the Trinity delivered in scripture, is a deceit. 2. That Heaven and Earth are from eternity without a maker. 3. That the crimes of sensual pleasure shall have no punishment. 3. That there is no reward for any Christian works, save of Piety & Justice.☜ The two leaders Lisoius and Heribertus, and eleven more were burnt to ashes; and afterwards as many more as were found guilty of the same errours. Bin. p. 1083. Here consuming zeal began.

§ 98. CCCXXVIII. An. 1022. A Council at Salegunstad in Germany made many ceremonious Canons; but decreed c. 16. that none go to Rome without the consent of the Bishop. and c. 17. that the Popes pardons shall not profit them that have not fulfilled the time of their pennance.

They tell us also of a Council at Mentz, and Gothard's curing a Demoniack woman.

§ 99. Benedict dying, went to purgatory saith Bin. as some apparitions proved, but he was delivered out of that pain by St. Odilo's prayers, and his Brother's Alms. (you see how much better it is to be a Saint than a Pope) you need not question the credit of their intelligence from purgatory.

§ 100. This Pope's own Brother, Son to the Tusculane Earl, by his power presently seizeth on the Papacie. But Bin. ex Baron. would perswade us that this invaded Pope afterward repented, resigned, and was new chosen by the Clergy. He was very like to have their votes when he had gotten such power and advantage: But where was the Roman Church that while?

Now dyed the pious Emperor Henry, ☜and when he dyed gave up his religious wife to the Bishops and Abbots, as a Virgin, as he received her; who entered a Monastery accordingly: Conrade his General succeeded him, and the Pope (Iohn 21 as Plat. 18 as Bin.) being driven away by the People, Conrade restored him. (so far was the Pope obeyed.)

§ 101. A Council at Lymoges, an. 1029. gave an Apostolical title to Martial their founder.

§ 102. An. 1…32. Another at Pampilone was about a Bishop's seat.

§ 103. Princes in this age are commended for their piety (especially their zeal for Rome.) But did the Popes yet amend? The next man that cometh in by the same power as the former, is Benedict the 9th Nephew p. 340to Iohn and Son to Albericus; most say he was but ten years old, some say 18. capable, saith Baron and Bin. of Impudence and luxury; by the tyranny of his Father intruded, An. 1030. And (say they) being given over to lust and pleasure, and by humane frailty rushing into impudence, and living to great scandal of the faithful, he was by the Romans, the Consul Ptolemy favouring it, rejected, or at least gave it up by the perswasion of the holy Abbot Bartholomew. Whereupon Silvester the 3d. came into his place, who had been Bishop of Sabine, even by bribery and evil arts; and did rend the Church by a new Schism: But he had fcarc… Sate three months, but Benedict by the help of the Tusculanes returned and cast him out, as an invader. In the mean time a third man, Iohn Arch-Presbyter of Rome invading the same seat, brought yet a greater deformity on the Church: And so A THREE-HEADED BEAST ARISING FROM THE GATES OF HELL did miserably infest the holy Chain of St. Peter.] These are the words of the Popes grand flatterers. And they tell us that one Gratian a Presbyter pitying this miserable state of the Church, went to all the three Popes, and gave them money to hire them all to resign; And so Benedict as the most worthy being secured of the Revenues of England, deposed himself; and that he might the more freely execute his lusts betook himself to his Fathers house, when intruded by force and tyranny he had held the Papacy eleven years. And when the rest by his example had done the like, each being contented with his assigned portion of the Revenue, the Church An. 1044. was restored to its ancient union, peace and concord, the Schism being expelled, and the tyranny by which it was oppressed taken out of the way.] Thus Bar. and Bin. But how came this Presbyter to be so honest and so rich? you must know that when he had got out the three Popes he was made Pope himself, of which more anon.

§. 104. But though these Authors tell us but of four Popes at once, as credible writers of their own tell us there were six: Wernerus in Fasciculo Tempor. saith [The 14.**Onuphr. will tell you better that it was the 20th. Schism was scandalous and full of confusion between Ben…dict the 9th. and five others; which Benedict was wholly vitious, and therefore being damned, he appeared in a monstrous and horrid shape, his head and tail were like an Asses, the rest of his body like a Bear,(*)(*)So say Platina and many others also. saying, I thus appear because I lived like a beast. In this Schism there were no less than six Popes at once: 1. Benedict was expulsed. 2. Silvester 3d. got in, but is cast out again, and Benedict restored. 3. But being cast out again Gregory the 6th. is put into his place: who because he was ignorant of Letters caused another Pope to be consecrated with him, to perform Church-Offices, which was the fourth: which displeased many, and therefore a third is chosen instead of those two that were fighting with one another. 6. But Henry the Emperor coming in deposed them all and chose Clement the 2d.] the sixth that were alive at once. There is great difference between Wernerus, Onuphrius, Platina, Baronius, but all confess that there were three or four at once. And the three were secured p. 341of the revenues before they resigned to the fourth; no doubt leaving him his part: This it is for Bishops to be great and rich, which will ascertain wicked men to seek them. But if Wernerus say true that this Iohan. Gratianus, made Gregory 6th. was illiterate, he was a strange Roman Arch-Presbyter before, and a strange Pope after, but greatly to be commended that would ordain a fellow Pope that could read.

§ 105. This horrid monstrous villain called Benedict the 9th. Canonized Simeon an Anchorite at Trevirs. Do you think he was not a good judge and lover of Saints? He crowned Conrade the Emperor who came into Italy to master the Bishop of Milan that rebelled, say Baron, and Bin. and many other great things he did.

§ 106. Even in these times there were Councils held. 1. One at Lymoges, to judge St. Martial to be an Apostle, and to agree to excommunicate the souldiers that robbed and plundered, and to curse their horses and arms, and deny Christian burial to all the Countrys where they prevailed, save the Clergy and poor, &c. Another at Beauvois on the same occasion. And another at Tribur, unknown for what.

§ 107. This Pope Gregory 6th. (who was Iohn Gratian the Roman Arch-Presbyter, that Werner saith was illiterate and made him a fellow Pope) is very variously described: Baron. and Bin. and some others make him an honest man that ended the Schism. Cardinal Benno maketh him Simoniacal that hired them out to get the Papacie: Baron▪ and Bin. for this revile him as a malicious lyar. They say that Gregory, for punishing sacrilegious villains by the sword that cared not for Anathema's, was accused by the Romans that now lived by theft and rapine, as a Simonist and a murderer. Conrade being dead and Henry his Son made Emperor, he being in Italy held a Synod at Sutria near Rome where all the four Popes causes were examined: And the three former were deposed, that is, deprived of the revenue which was parted among them, and this Gregory 6. (say most authors, and even Hermannus that wrote in those very times) was deposed, (but saith Baron. he honestly resigned.) And the Roman Clergy being found so bad, that none were fit for the place, the Emperor chose (say most, or caused to be chosen saith Bin.) the Bishop of Bamberge in Germany called Clement the 2d.

§ 108. The Emperor setling the Bishop of Bamberge, Clem. 2. in the chair, returned and took the last Pope Gregory with him to avoid contention; and Clement went after with Hildebrand and dyed by the way the 9th. month after his Creation. Benedict hearing this invadeth the Papacy again, the third time, even that villain that was first of the four, and held it eight months after this, so yet we have divers Popes.

§ 109. An. 1067. A Council is held at Rome by Clem. 2. against Simony.

§ 110. Poppo Bishop of Brixia is made Pope, by the Emperor and the common suffrage, say Bar. and Bin. (an. 1048.) But saith Platina and others, it is reported that he made the poyson with which the p. 342Citizens poysoned his predecessor Clem. 2. And that he seized on the place by violence without any c…nsent of Clergy or People, it being now the custom for any ambi…ious man, that could, to seize on the Popedom; but God, saith Plat, as a just revenger resisted him, for he dyed the twenty third day of his Papacie. Yet the Romans had again taken an oath in Clem. 2d's. time to choose no Pope without the Emperor's licence. For the Romans were become so wicked and factious that they were not to be trusted in such a thing.

§ 111. Upon these horrid villanies and schisms Baron. and Bin. again cry out on the Novatores, for casting these things in the teeth of the R…man Church, as impudent men. And they say still,

1. That it was not the Church that chose these Popes (as Benedict 9.) but Tyrants obtruded them.

2.That yet so great was the power of the Roman Church that even false Popes were obeyed by all the Christian world.]

Ans. 1. When yet they tell us themselves that even the City of Rome was so far from obeying them, that they imprisoned, deposed, killed them. And the whole Greek Church excommunicated them since Photius's dayes; only the horrid contentions between the Sons and off-spring of Char…main and the Germane Princes, gave them advantage to Lord it by Anathema's in France, Germany, and Italy, and such nearer parts, whilest the contenders would make use of them, and they of the contenders. And horrid ignorance had invaded the clergy, and consequently the Laity, and subjected them in darkness to this Ruler that maketh so great use of darkness.

☞2. And if these men uncalled were true Popes, why might not the Turk be one, or any man that can get the place or Title? Why were not all the 4 or 5 or 6 at once true Popes? If not, Where was the Catholick Church this while, if a Pope was a constitutive head or part? and what is become of your Succession? will any possession jure vel injuriâ serve for a Succession? If so, Why tell you the Protestants that they want it? If not, What pretence have you for it? I think the Protestants can prove a far better succession.

☞§ 112. Berengarius rose in these horrid dayes; and it is no wonder if such a monster as Pope Benedict, and his companions condemned him, and set up the monstrous doctrine of Transubstantiation. As Tertullian saith it was an honour to … Christians to be first persecuted by such a one as N…ro, so was it to the doctrine of the Sacrament to be condemned by such a one as Benedict 9. and in the time (as Baron. and Bin. speak) of the three-headed monstrous beast.

§ 113. Rome was now so wise as to be conscious a little of their badness and unfitness to choose themselves a Pope, and therefore sent to the Emperor Henry to choose them one. He chose them Bruno a good Bishop of Tullum; who in his way, at the Abby of Cluny, met with Hildebrand that went from Rome thither, who told him that the Emperor being a Lay-man had no power to make or choose a Pope(*)(*)Though a King may not ordain a Bishop: Question whether he may remove an ordained Bishop from one Church to another, the people only accepting him by free consent? but the p. 343Clergy and people; but if he would follow his advise, he should in a better way attain his end: so Hildebrand went with him and perswaded him to put off his purple, and to go in a common habit, and confess that he is not their Bishop till they choose him, and that he taketh not the seat as given by the Emperor but by them; whereby he won the Romans hearts, and they readily chose him. And he being called Leo the 9th, after so many monsters, went for a very excellent Pope. But yet he commanded an army himself against the Normans, and proved no good or happy Captain, his Army being wholly routed, and himself taken Prisoner: whom the Normans in reverence released and returned safe. Pet. Damianus and others lament his Souldiery as his great sin, but Baron. and Bin. excuse him, and say, all the world now alloweth it: You see what arguments serve at Rome: where it was but lately that the first article that a Roman Council before Otho Mag. brought in against Pope Iohn was that he went sometimes in Arms: And to be formerly a Bishop was heretofore an incapacity by the Canons: Yet Rome covereth her innovations by pretending antiquity, and calling others Novatores.

§ 114. But how militant a defender of the Roman grandure this Leo was, may be seen in his Epistles in Bin. p. 1096. &c. In the first long one to the Patriarch of Constantinople and another Greek Bishop, he reproveth them for bold damning of the Church of Rome, and tells them that they were members of Antichrist, and forerunners of him that is King over all the Children of pride; and saith, who can tell how many Antichrists had have been already? He tells them how many heretick Bishops they have had at Const. and of above ninety heresies in the East; and how by force they raged against the Io…nnites (the Nonconformists that followed St. Chrysostome;) ☜what a heretick their Bishop Eutychius was, that said, the body at resurrection will be impalpable, and more subtil than the wind and air (He believed Paul that said it should be a spritual body (though not a Spirit.)☜ And how his Books were burned. He reprehendeth their title of Oecumenical Patriarch; and saith that no Roman Bishop to that day had ever accepted or used that Title (**Remember that.) Yet he reciteth the forged grant of Constantine, saying, that as far as Kings are above Judges, so all the world must take the Pope for their Head; and that he gave the Palace and all Rome, &c. to Silvester, and said it was unmeet that they should be subject to any earthly. Prince that were by God made Governors of Heaven. At large he thus pleadeth for the Roman Kingdom of Priests, c…ding them that had put down all the Latine Churches and monasteries in the East.] (yet Baron. and Bin. tell you all the Church on earth obeyed the Pope.)

In his 4th. Epistle he laments that in Africa there was 205. Bishops at a Council, now there were scarce five in all; and he sheweth that all Bishops were of one order, but differenced as the Cities were for primacie, by the Civil Laws or the Fathers reverence. That where the Pagans Arch-Flamins were, there were instituted Arch-Bishops to be over the Provinces; where a Metropolis was, Metropolitans p. 344or Arch-Bishops were placed; and Bishops in lesser Cities where had been Flamins and Counts. But in Africa they were diver…fyed only by the times of their ordination; the Bishop of Carthage being the chief.]

In his Epistle 5. he hath a good confession of faith, where among other things he well saith, [That God predestinated only things good, but soreknew both good and evil; and that Grace so preventeth and followeth man, that yet mans free will is not to be denied: that the Soul is not part of God, but created of nothing. He anathematizeth every Heresie, and every one that receiveth or venerateth any Scriptures but what are received by the Catholick Church, &c.

In the 6th. again he chides the Patriarchs of Constantinople for the title Vniversal; saying that Peter himself was never called the Vniversal Apostle, nor did any of his Successors take so prodigious a title. For he is no friend to the bridegroom that would be loved in his stead, but a Bawd of Antichrist, rindx;&c.

His 8th. Epistle is to the Greek Emperor to flatter him, to help him with Henry against the Normans; In which (to prove the Romans succession) he saith [The holy Church and Apostolick Seat hath been too long usurped by Mercenaries that were no Pastors,rindx; that sought their own, and not the things of Christ.]

This Pope and Michael Patriarch of Constantinople, were so unreconcilable that they continued mutual condemnations. Michael is condemned with his Greeks. 1. For rebaptizing the Papists. 2. For saying that they had no true Sacrifice or Baptism. 3. For holding Priests marriage, for rejecting the Filioque, &c. Bin. p. 1116.

§. 114. CCCXXIX. An. 1049. A Roman Council was fain upon pennance to pardon Simoniacal Bishops and Priests, because the Cry was, that else almost all the Churches would be destitute, and the Church service omitted to the subversion of the Christian Religion, and the desperation of all the faithful. (Where was the holy Church of Rome now, and its Succession, if the Canons for nullifying Simoniacal ordinations hold good?)

§ 115. CCCXXX. The Pope resolved to go to France, and Preside in a Council, which he did, at Rhemes: But many Nobles and Bishops told the King that it was an usurpation and a Novelty and would enslave his Kingdom: The King forbad him, yet the Pope came whether the King would or not; And the King went away about his military affairs, and some Bishops with him, and others stayed.

The Arch-Bishop of Rhemes, and others were accused of heinous Crimes: The Bishop of Laugres was charged with [entring by Simoniacal heresies, selling orders, bearing Armes, Murder, Adultery, Tyranny to his Clergy, and Sodomy: Many witnesses testified all this: One Clergyman witnessed, that while he was yet a Lay-man this Bishop violently took his Wife from him, and when he had committed adultery with her, p. 345he made her a Nun.] A Presbyter witnessed that this Bishop took him and delivered him to his followers, who tormenting him by many torments, which is more wicked, did with sharp nails pierce his generals, and by such violence forced him to give them ten pounds of denaries: The Bishop hearing these accusations desired time and Council, and going to the Arch-Bishops of Besanzon, and Lyons, openeth his secrets to them and desireth them to plead his cause. But the man involved in the guilt of such villanies (who but the day before had been the accuser of a faulty Brother, and seeing the mote in anothers eye, had not seen the beam in his own, but moved for the other mans damnation being himself deservedly to be condemned,) was not only unable to excuse himself from the objected crimes, but also the tongue of his advocate (the Arch-Bishop) was by God so silenced that he was not able to speak a word for his defence. For the Arch-Bishop of Besanzon where he prepared himself to plead for him and excuse his crimes, suddenly found himself disabled in his voice by God. And when the Arch-Bishop of Besanzon found himself so disabled by miracles, he gave sings to the Arch-Bishop of Lyons to speak for this his Brother in his stead; who rising up said that the accused Bishop doth confess that he sold Orders, and that he extorted the money from the said Priest, but that he did not do the tormenting actions mentioned by him; other things he denyed, but before the next day he fled from the Council. And another Bishop (of Nevers) confessed that his Parents bought his Place, and deposed himself: and some other Bishops confessed Simoniacal entrance. The Pope excommunicated many that fled from the Council. He renewed some old neglected Canons,lindx; as 1. That no man be promoted to Church-Government without the ELECTION of the CLERKS and the PEOPLE, &c.