History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 8 · Chapter 2

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 8 · Chapter 2

p. 72CHAP. II. Of POPES.

1. JOHN the VI. hath left little written of him, except that he repaired three Churches in three years. Platina ſaith, Some call him a Martyr, but he ſheweth not for what nor under whom. Io. Baleus (out of Pe. Praemonſtraten.) ſaith, he entred not lawfully, and therefore his name is not written amongſt the Popes.

2. JOHN the VII. builded an Oratory unto Saint Mary, in Saint Peter's Church: he ſate 2. years, and died an. 706.

3. SISINNIUS or Zoſimus. ſate 20. daies.

4. CONSTANTINE was the firſt Pope, who had his foot kiſſed by Kiſſing of the Popes foot.an Emperour; and his Succeſſours have been ſo bold as to ask it, as due unto them; which was done unto him not of ſelf-accord only; but (as Pe. Mexia ſpeaketh) with unmeaſurable ſhew of humility and obedience. Hence it is, that the Pope accepteth the adorations, proſtrations, and kiſſing of his foot; which an Angel would not accept from Saint John, ſaith Antonin. Biſhop of Florence, Summ. Theolog. tit. 22. cap. 5. ſect. 4. he giveth this reaſon, becauſe the Pope is of more worth then an Angel; not indeed in nature (ſaith he) but in authority and repreſentation of God; for God hath not aſſumed the nature of Angels, nor hath he given them the power of the keys. p. 73But certainly Pope Conſtantine did neither require nor expect ſuch reverence; yet having once received it, his heart was ſo lifted up, that he durſt countermand and oppoſe the next Emperour. Onuphrius in his Annot. on Platin. ſaith expreſsly, that he was the firſt who durſt withſtand an Emperour to his face. Pol. Vergil. de invent. rer. lib. 4. cap. 13. marketh, that this practice was far from the mind of Saint Peter, who would not ſuffer the Centurion to fall down before him, Act. 10. O that many to day (ſaith he) would remember that they are men! Who becauſe they have attained unto a Prieſthood, do exhibit themſelves the moſt imperious Lords, that are recorded of; neither are they common fathers, as they ought to be. Index Expurgatorius ordained to blot away theſe words, and not the words following immediately, And ſo it is come in uſe, that we kiſs our Pope's foot; and I may ſay, that this is ordained by the High-Prieſts of Rome, that the old faſhion of kiſſing amongſt the worſhippers of the Gods, ſhould be uſurped to true piety. So far he. In this Pope's time, was controverſie between the Biſhop of Millain, and the Biſhop of Ticine for ſuperiority. The Biſhop of Millain alledgeth, that the other was his ſuffragan. The queſtion is referred to Pope Conſtantine; he appointed that the Biſhop of Ticine ſhould be ſubject unto Saint Peter only: he ſate 7. years.

5. GREGORY the II. was buſied in repairing of Churches, and eſtabliſhing the worſhip of images, in deſpite of the Emperour Leo, as is touched. In Com. 3. Concil. is the Oath, that Boniface, Arch-Biſhop of Ments, An Epiſcopal Oath unto the Pope.gave unto this Gregory, thus, I Boniface, Biſhop by the grace of God, do promiſe unto you, bleſſed Peter, Prince of the Apoſtles; and to thy Vicar, bleſſed Peter, Gregory and his Succeſſours, by the Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt, the inſeparable Trinity, and this thy moſt holy body, That I ſhall ſhew all faithfulneſs and purity unto the holy Catholick faith, and continue in the unity (God working) of the ſame faith; in which the ſalvation of Chriſtians is without doubt; that I ſhall for no mans perſwaſion, in any way, conſent againſt the unity of the common and univerſal Church; but (as I ſaid) ſhall exhibit my faithfulneſs, purity and concurrence in all things unto thee, and the utilities of thy Church; to whom the power of binding and looſing is given by the Lord God, and unto thy fore-named Vicar and Succeſſours: But if I do know, that High-Prieſts ſhall do things contrary to the ancient inſtitutions of the holy fathers, then I will have no communion or ſociety with them; but rather I will forbid them, if I may; or elſe I ſhall dilate it faithfully unto my Apoſtolical Lord: And if (which may be far from me) I ſhall attempt to do any thing, in any way, or upon any occaſion, againſt the tenour of this promiſe, let me be found guilty of everlaſting judgement, and incur the puniſhment of Ananias and Sapphira, who did preſume to deceive even you in their own property, and to ſpeak falſely. This tenour of Oath, I Boniface, a mean Biſhop, have ſubſcribed with my own hand, and this Oath being laid on thy moſt holy body have I made, God being witneſs and judge, which I do alſo promiſe to keep. The Authour of Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 8. within two pages after theſe words, ſheweth out of Lib. Pontific. & Sabell. Ennead. That this Pope ordained 150. Biſhops in ſeveral places, whom he did ingage with the ſame Oath. Here many particulars are remarkable, I will relate a few, 1. The Pope calleth himſelf not the Vicar of Chriſt, but of Peter; they were not as yet accuſtomed with that Title. 2. Though the Biſhops ſwear by God, they are not ingaged unto God; but unto Peter and his Vicars, and the utilities of the Church. 3. The Church is not called God's Church, nor Chriſt's Church; but Thy Church, ſay they unto Peter. 4. They ſwear by the body of Peter, as by God. 5. They ſwear to continue p. 74in the purity of the ancient and holy faith, wherein they acknowledge the ſalvation of Chriſtians to conſiſt; and to maintain Peter and the utilities of his Church. But if that which they call Peter's Church, continue not in the ancient and holy faith, and only ſeek their own utilities; what ſhould a Biſhop do in this caſe? Certainly they ſhould follow the holy faith, wherein the ſalvation of Chriſtians doth conſiſt: but this they did not, as all Hiſtories ſhew. In his third Epiſtle unto the Clergy and People of Thuringia, he ſaith, We have given a command unto Boniface, that he promote not unto holy Orders, one who is bigamus twice married, or hath not married a Virgin, &c. And in his eighth Epiſtle, he expoundeth the word bigamus, not him who marrieth another, the former being dead; but him who having many wives together, when they are dead, will marry two other wives. Hence it appeareth, that polygamy was then amongſt Chriſtians, although contrary to the Word of Chriſt. He ſate almoſt 17. years, and did die An. 731.

6. GREGORY the III. followed his Predeceſſour in multiplying and Novations and forgery.enriching Churches and Monaſteries. In a Synod he did excommunicate all thoſe who worſhip not images. Platina ſaith, he firſt brought into the Canon of the Maſs, the clauſe for relicks, beginning, Whoſe ſolemnities too day in the ſight, &c. as alſo the offering for the dead was eſtabliſhed by him. In Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 8. is marked a forgery, in the book of Councels; to wit, Aventinus in Annal. relateth, that this Gregory in an Epiſtle unto the Biſhops of Bavaria exhorteth, That at the command of Utiio their Duke, the Synod of Prieſts, Biſhops, Nobles and of the Nation ſhould be called; and their true Prieſts ſhould be choſen by the accord of them all; and the wicked who have been convicted of any crime, ſhould be depoſed; the Synod ſhould be held twice every year, for the good of the people, by the Danube, where he pleaſeth. But in the third tome of Councels, the Epiſtle ſaith, In what place Boniface ſhall command you to convene in a Synod, whether by Danube, or in Auguſta, or whereſoever he ſhall appoint; be ye ready to convene for the name of Chriſt; to the end, we may know of your meeting at his command, &c. Hence may be underſtood, what credit may be given unto their records that are lately written. In the ſame Annals is another Epiſtle unto Boniface, wherein Gregory ordereth to give the Communion of the Body and Blood of Chriſt unto the leaprous, if they be believing Chriſtians; but not with them who are in health: He ſate 10. years.

7. ZACHARIAS keepeth friendſhip with the Lombards, and received Hot and cold out of one.in gift from King Luithprand, the Territories of Sabineum, Narnia, Humana, the Valley of Sutrino; and all the lands that the King had taken from the Emperour about Emilia and Ravenna. Blond. decr. 1. lib. 10. His Predeceſſours had a rich Biſhoprick, and he may be called the firſt Prince of all the Popes. At that time he called the Lombards, the Patrons of the Church; but when Aiſtulph would have reclaimed what was ſaid to have been given unto the See of Rome, by his Anceſtours; Zachary called the Lombards the children of the Divel, and unworthy the name of men, and he inciteth the French againſt Aiſtulph. As Pope Gregory the I. had forbidden the marriage of ſiſters-children; ſo the Epiſtle of Boniface unto Zachary, ſheweth that Gregory the II. gave diſpenſation to a Noble-man in Germany, to marry his Uncle's wife; and the ſame woman, had married the ſame man's couſingerman, and had forſaken him; and in his life-time had married the other. Although this was authorized by the Pope, yet Boniface writeth to Zachary, that it was ſcandalous to his new converts; ſo that Zachary gave a command to divorce them, as his reſponſory Epiſtle beareth. Boniface complaineth alſo p. 75of many diſorders amongſt the Prieſts; eſpecially on New-years evening, they compaſs Saint Peter's Church after the ſame manner of the Heathens; and he complaineth of women uſing other Pagan rites; all which (ſaith he) were ſcandalous unto his people. Zachary reſolved his ſcruples, not by God's Word, but by the Romiſh Canons; and he willeth Boniface to be inſtant in Reformation according to theſe Canons, but not one word of Scripture; for he indeavoureth to bring Subjects to the See of Rome, and not ſouls to Chriſt. His words are, I rejoice of you, Beloved, that ye are converted with good affection unto him who affecteth you, a Magiſtrate appointed by God, and the bleſſed Prince of the Apoſtles; your faith and fame is laudable, becauſe ye are wiſe, as ye ſhould be wiſe; and now (God cooperating) your Holineſs is gathered unto our ſociety in one ſheep-fold. Boniface did ask him, whether they might make oblations for the dead? His anſwer is, in Gratian. cap. 13. queſt. 2. The Church holdeth that each one may offer for their dead, who were Chriſtians, and the Prieſt may mention them. If this had been an Ordinance before, Boniface could not have been ignorant of it. 2. Obſerve that each one might offer for their dead, then the offering was not the proper work of the Prieſt; and till that time, ſacrifice was not offered for the dead. In another Epiſtle unto Boniface in theſe words, As for theſe things whereof you demand, what ſhould be received, and what refuſed; eſpecially of Fowls, as Jaws, Crows and Storks, Chriſtians ſhould never eat of theſe; and far rather ſhould they abſtain from Hares, Bevers and wild Stags. Like a Manichean he ſpeaketh againſt the Apoſtle 1 Tim. 4. In another Epiſtle he biddeth Boniface exact a Tribute of the Sclavi, leſt ſometime they challenge their own land; and by paying Tribute they may know, that their land hath a Superiour. Who gave him their land? he now will incroach. Nevertheleſs in another Epiſtle he ſaith, he did ſwound, when he read in a Letter, that Boniface had ſold Palls for money: He ſate about 10. years, and died an. 752.

8. STEPHEN the I. died on the third day after his coronation. Some do not reckon him.

9. STEPHEN the II. was offended with Aiſtulph, who exacted Tribute from the Church-lands; and becauſe it was refuſed, took up Arms. Stephen ſeeing no appearance of aid to come from the Emperour, did adviſe with the people, that ſome writings might be directed unto Pipin: The Letters The Popes Letters unto France.began thus, Unto the moſt excellent Lords, Pipin, Charls and Carloman, three Kings and our Roman Patrici…, and unto all Biſhops, Abbots, Prieſts and Monks, and to the glorious Dukes and Counts, and unto the whole Army of the Kingdom of France: Stephen Pope, and all the Biſhops, Prieſts and Deacons, Dukes, Counts, People and Army of the Romans, all being in anguiſh [Obſerve, this was not of the Pope only, nor of the Clergy only; but likewiſe of the Dukes and other people; and 2. the names of the Kings, is ſet before the Pope's name.] With how dolefull and bitter grief we are encompaſſed on every ſide; with how great perplexity and doubtfulneſs we are diſtreſſed, and how many tears our eyes do ſhed; becauſe of the continual troubles which are multiplied upon us, we think that the ſmalleſt parts of all the elements do declare; for who beholding our tribulations will not mourn? Who hearing our calamities will not howl? Therefore let us remember the words of good Suſanna, Affliction is on every ſide, and we know not what to do. O ye moſt truly Chriſtians, behold! The daies of trouble, the daies of mourning and bitterneſs are come upon us; ſeeing it is come, as we were fearing, from the Lombards; for we are afflicted, diſtreſſed, and on every ſide beſieged, by their moſt ungodly King Aiſtulph, and that Nation: and p. 76with the Prophet we pray the Lord, ſaying, Help us, O Lord of our ſalvation, and for the honour of thy name deliver us; and again, Take the ſword and the ſhield, and ariſe to help us: For behold! pleaſe to know, how the Covenant of peace is violated by the foreſaid wicked Aiſtulph and his Nation; and we could obtain nothing that was capitulated and confirmed by bond of Sacrament: And now becauſe no condition is kept unto us, and on the firſt day of January all the Army of the Lombards have made their randevouz in Tuſcia; and have camped at the Gates of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and the Gate Portuen; and Aiſtulph himſelf with another Army have fixed their Tents at the Gate of Salaria and other Gates; and hath oft ſaid unto us, Open unto me the Gate of Salaria, and I will enter into your City; and give me your High-Prieſt, and I will ſhew clemency unto you: If not, beware, leſt when I have battered down your Walls, I kill you altogether with the ſword; and let me ſee, who can deliver you out of my hands. Wherefore we could ſcarcely direct this Bearer by Sea with theſe Preſents unto your Chriſtianity; we have written them with many tears: Wherefore our Beloved, I beſeech you, and as if I were preſent, I adjure by the myſteries before the true and living God, and before Saint Peter, the Prince of the Apoſtles, that with great ſpeed you help us, leſt we periſh; ſeeing, under God, we have committed all our lives into your hands, forſake us not. Our Beloved, come forward and help us, who (under God) flie unto you; that when you have brought forth good fruit, may in the day of the future trial, ſay, Our Lord Peter, Prince of the Apoſtles, behold us thy clients; we perfecting our courſe, have kept the faith; the Church that was commended unto thee, we have defended and delivered from the hands of the oppreſſours; and we ſtanding without ſpot before thee, do offer unto thee the children, which thou didſt commit unto us, ſafe and ſound from the hands of their enemies: Then both in this World, and that to come, ye ſhall receive the joys of heavenly rewards. After this the Pope ſent another Epiſtle, in the name of Saint Peter, as if it Another Letter in the name of Peter.had been written from Heaven; it beginneth thus: Peter called an Apoſtle, Grace and Peace and Power, to deliver the holy Church of God, and the people of Rome, committed unto me, from the hands of their enemies, be fully given from the Lord our God, unto you moſt excellent men, Pipin, Charls and Carloman, three Kings; and to the moſt holy Biſhops, Abbots, Presbyters and all religious Monks; and alſo to the Dukes, Counts, and all the general Armies and people of France: I Peter Apoſtle, whileſt I am called by Chriſt, the Son of the living God, through the pleaſure of the Supream clemency, and ordained by his power to be enlightner of all the World; the Lord himſelf, our God, confirming it with theſe words, Go, teach all Nations; and again, Receive ye the Holy Ghoſt, whoſe ſins ye forgive—Wherefore all who hear and fullfill my preaching, may truly believe, that in this World, at the command of God, their ſins are looſed; and being pure and without ſpot they ſhall enter into that life. Therefore I Peter, the Apoſtle of God, who have you my adopted children, to defend from the enemies hands this Roman City, and the people, committed of God unto me; or to deliver the houſe (wherein I, according to the fleſh do reſt) from the prophanation of the Gentiles; provoking all your love do exhort, and proteſting do admoniſh you to deliver the Church of God, which by Divine Power is commended unto me, ſeeing they ſuffer very great afflictions and oppreſſions, by the moſt wicked Nation of the Lombards; think not otherwiſe, but truſt it for certain, that I my ſelf am ſtanding alive in the fleſh before you. And our Lady, the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, with us, doth adjure you with the greateſt obligations, and proteſteth, and admoniſheth, p. 77and commandeth, &c. Behold with what fooleries and impieties they would bewitch the World! But Pipin nor his brethren, did not levy an Army, untill Pope Stephen came into France; when he took his journey, he commended himſelf unto Saint Mary, and his ſheep unto Saint Peter. Lib. Pontific. Pipin hearing of his coming, ſent his ſon Charls an hundred miles to meet him; and when he came within three leagues of Cariſiac, Pipin went forth unto him, and returned on foot, and the Pope on horſe. Then Pipin was crowned again, for the greater pomp, by the Pope. He went into Italy, and forceth Aiſtulph to give hoſtages, that he ſhall render unto the Pope all due right. So ſoon as Pipin was returned into France, Aiſtulph raiſeth a greater Army, and did more harm unto Rome, then it had ſuffered in 300. years before. Then Pope Stephen writ another ſupplication unto Pipin, who made no delay, but forceth Aiſtulph to perform the former conditions, and gave unto the Pope the Exarchate of Ravenna. Within a year Aiſtulph dieth, then a diviſion falleth between Rachis and Deſiderius for the Kingdom; the people, for the moſt part, were for Rachis; and Deſiderius agreeth with the Pope, to ratifie what the Kings had given; and to give more, if he would procure aid for him. Wherefore Pipin writ his fourth Epiſtle unto Pipin, giving him thanks for his aid; wiſhing many bleſſings unto him, and ſhewing that Aiſtulph was ſtrucken by the hand of God, and drowned in the bottom of Hell; and that by the hands of Peter, Prince of the Apoſtles, and by thy moſt powerfull arm [ſpeaking unto Pipin] Deſiderius a moſt mild man was ordained King of the Lombards, who had ſworn to reſtore unto Saint Peter, the Cities Faventia, Inſubres and Ferraria, with all their Territories; and alſo Auſimo, Aucona, Humana, Bona with all their Territories; and he had ſworn to keep peace with the Church of Saint Peter, and to be loyal unto the Crown of France; and intreated Pipin to approve the Coronation of Deſiderius upon theſe conditions. Henceforth the Pope lifteth up his head, and having large Territories given unto him, will not reſt untill he be Monarch of the World. When Stephen had peace, he begun to repair the Churches, which Aiſtulph had cauſed to be thrown down, and died in the ſixth year of his Papacy.

10. PAUL the I. ſucceeded his brother. He did write many Letters unto Letters of Pope Paul to France.King Pipin. In the firſt, he ſpeaketh of his brothers death, and ingageth himſelf to continue the League contracted by his brother and the King; and he craveth that Pipin would do ſo. In the 3. He giveth thanks unto Pipin, for his defence againſt their enemies; and promiſeth to cauſe the Monks to learn the ſongs of Carloman. In the 4. He ſheweth that he did ſuſpect Marinus, a Prieſt of Rome, to conſult with the Emperour's Legates; and to withdraw him, he had ſent him unto the King, and craved that he would make him a Biſhop there. In the 5. he ſheweth, that his Nuntio was not returned from Conſtantinople. In the 6. he giveth thanks for his exalting the Church of Rome; and ſheweth his confidence, under God, to conſiſt in the arm of the moſt puiſſant King Pipin; and craved to ſend a Reſident, by whom he might communicate the purpoſes and attempts of the Greeks. In the 8. he ſheweth, That the Emperour is already in Arms, intending to recover Ravenna and Rome, and craved his aid againſt the Greeks. In the 9. he ſheweth, that he will ſpeak with Deſiderius, and prepare what is needfull againſt the Greeks. In the 10. he purgeth himſelf, that he had never ſaid, that Pipin could not help the Romans now in their diſtreſs; and he giveth him liberty to deal with Marinus, as he will. In the 12. he ſheweth, that the Beneventans had taken ſome parts of Campany, and made them ſubject unto the Governour of Sicily; he admoniſhed them once again to deſiſt, and p. 78if they would not, he was reſolved by the power of God, and help of Pipin, to ſend an Army againſt them, as the enemies of bleſſed Peter and Pipin; and he craved that the King would chide them by Letters, and if they will not obey, that he would conſent unto the expedition. In the 13. he giveth thanks for his defence of the Church, and for the peace betwixt him and Deſiderius; and craved that Pipin would ſend back the hoſtages; to the end he might have the City Imola. In the 14. he ſendeth ſome treaſonous Letters of Sergius, Biſhop of Ravenna, and craved aid. In the 16. and 22. He ſpeaketh of the Emperour's Legates reſiding in France, and giveth thanks that the King had ſo honourably accepted his Nuntio with the other, and had imparted unto him what he had done with the Emperour. In the 19. he giveth thanks for the ſafety of the holy Church; and craved the honour, to receive his lately born ſon from the holy Fount of Baptiſm. In the 21. he promiſeth that no favour not terrour ſhould divert him from the King's favour, in whom he hath the greateſt confidence under God, and his Mother, and the Apoſtles. In the 26. he writeth much of the cruelty of the Lombards, and that he had not ſought the return of the hoſtates; but that he might have free paſſage thorow Lombardy; and now he exhorteth and adjureth him fearfully to detain them; and to cauſe Deſiderius to reſtore all the goods of bleſſed Peter, that in the coming of the Lord he might ſhine as a glorious ſun. In one Epiſtle he ſaith, that bleſſed Peter had choſen Pipin, Charls, and Carloman, three Kings, and had conſecrated them by his Vicar, that they may be defenders of the orthodox faith, and maintainers of his flock. In an Epiſtle unto the French Army, he calleth Peter Protectour of France. In another he writeth, that it is lawfull that the Biſhop of Rome ſhould reign as the Princes of the Nations do, and poſſeſs Kingdomes on earth and the glory thereof; and to undertake Wars, and to vindicate unto himſelf the emoluments of the Roman Empire. In an Epiſtle to Crodegangus Epiſt. Meten. he ſaith, Unto us albeit unworthy, in place of Saint Peter, is committed the Univerſal Church of all the World. In Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 8. many other of his Letters are mentioned. Thoſe declare the riſing of Peter's Vicar, though himſelf did never attempt or claim ſuch things. Paul ſate 10. years. After his death, Deſiderius King of the Lombards, ſought to have the friendſhip of a Pope towards him; wherefore his brother Toto, Duke of Nepet, with ſome ſouldiers entred into Rome, and himſelf followed by the advice of the Emperor Conſtantine; and cauſed his own brother Conſtantine to be choſen, who in one day (ſaith Onuphr. in Indict.) was made a Deacon, a Prieſt and Pope; and Deſiderius compelleth the people (who did favour Philippus) to ſweat unto Conſtantine. Nevertheleſs he could never obtain the favour of the Romans, becauſe he was ſo nigh unto Deſiderius, and a friend to the Emperour, and a hater of images. He ſought the favour of King Pipin, and by his Letters promiſeth to keep the amity begun betwixt him and his Predeceſſours. The Romans in a tumult kill Toto, and thruſt Conſtantine into a Monaſtery, an. 768.

11. STEPHEN the III. would immediately aſſemble a Synod, and ſent unto King Pipin, craving that he would ſend the moſt learned of his Biſhops unto Rome for reformation of the Church. In the mean time Pipin dieth, and his ſons Charls and Carloman governed both their own part of the Kingdom with ſmall kindneſs; nevertheleſs they ſent 12. Biſhops out of France and Germany. Behold what a Reformation! He annulleth the election of Conſtantine; he cauſeth him to be whipped, and picked out his eyes; he annulleth all his Conſecrations and other Acts; he cenſureth the Synod at Conſtantinople, and ordained that images ſhould be worſhipped p. 79by all Chriſtians with great affection and honour; and he accurſed the Greeks if they did not reſtore due honour unto images; becauſe if Princes may let up their ſtatues in Towns; and it be not lawfull to ſet up the images of God and his Saints; their condition were inferiour to Princes. After the Synod, he practiſeth againſt the Emperour, as is touched. Many of his Epiſtles are extant, unto Charls and Carloman. In one he craveth to be witneſs of the Baptiſm of Carloman's ſon, as his Predeceſſours had been to King Pipin. In another, he diſſwadeth Charls from alliance with the Lombards, as a faithleſs and baſe Nation; he adjureth him to obey his exhortation, and if he will not, he aſſureth him in the name of his Lord, bleſſed Peter, that he ſhould be excommunicated; be ſeparated from God, and be puniſhed with everlaſting fire: But if he will obey, he ſhould deſerve the reward of eternal joy, with the Saints of God: In all his Epiſtles is not any mention of Chriſt. By theſe Letters he perſwadeth Charls to put away his wife Bertha, the ſiſter of Deſiderius, after they had cohabited one year; he did fear, if the alliance had continued, Deſiderius might pull his wings: He ſate 7. years.

12. HADRIAN or Adrian the I. would be more forward in maintaining Letters of the Pope unto Irene.images, and did write in defence of them, calling them Lay-mens books. In a Letter to Irene and Conſtantine, he ſaith, Ye will reſt in, and imbrace, the tradition of the orthodox faith, of the Church of bleſſed Peter and Paul, Princes of the Apoſtles, as it hath been done by the former Emperours, who with all their hearts did love his Vicar: For they ſhall be defenders of your Kingdom, and make all barbarous Nations ſubject unto your feet; that whereſoever ye go, they ſhall make you victorious: Seeing they are Princes of the Apoſtles, who have begun the catholick and orthodox faith; have by their writings, as Enacted Laws, commanded their faith to be obſerved by all who were to ſucceed in their ſeats; and ſo our Church both worſhippeth their holy figures, and our Temples are adorned with their worſhipfull images untill this day. Obſerve 1. That Peter and Paul are conjoined and coequal. 2. The Pope is the Vicar of Peter and Paul, and not of Chriſt. 3. He ſpeaketh of the protection of Peter and Paul, and not of God. 4. He ſaith, the Apoſtles were the beginners of the Catholick faith, and he calleth it their faith; no word here of faith in God and Chriſt. 5. He ſaith, All who ſucceed in the ſeats of the Apoſtles, are commanded to obſerve their faith. But the Popes of following ages, have not obſerved the faith which Peter and Paul have left in their writings. Ro. Barns in Adrian the I. ſaith, All the care of the Popes then was on ſtones or in building Churches, or in making images, or in enriching the Church, or in excommunicating Princes, and in ſuch toies; but in their own miniſtry they were ſeldom or never occupied. In Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 8. is made mention of 44. Epiſtles, written by him unto King Charls: In one he complaineth of Arechis, Duke of Benevento, And unto King Charls.that after Charls had returned from Capua, he had ſent unto the Emperour, and had ſought his aid, and the honour of Patriciatus; and therefore he craved the King's aid for advancing the Church. In the 3. He thanketh him, that he had given Roſellae, Populanium and Benevento unto Saint Peter; he complaineth of their untowardneſs, and of the enterpriſe of the Greeks; againſt whom, he craveth that Charls would have his Army in readineſs. In the 5. he intreateth his aid againſt the Venetians who had taken Ravenna. In the 8. he thanketh him for a Croſs ſent unto him; and ſheweth, that he prayeth continually for him, and for his father of bleſſed memory; he intreateth him to cauſe them to reſtore the Territories of Roſellae, Populonium and Benevento, and promiſeth him reward from Saint Peter. Although Charls, when he had taken theſe Cities from the right owner, p. 80gave thew to the Pope; yet he quitteth not his ſuperiority, as is manifeſt in the 23. Epiſtle, wherein Adrian ſheweth, that the Greek Ambaſſadors had conſulted with the Relict of Duke Arechis, to take the Dukedom of Benevento from Charls; and therefore he adviſeth him to provide for his own ſecurity, and for the See of Rome. In the 9. he anſwereth unto a queſtion propounded by Charls, What ſhould be done to ſome Saxons who were relapſe into Paganiſm? after long pennance they may be received. In the 11. he exhorteth Biſhops and Prieſts to put on not temporal, but ſpiritual Armour; that is, they ſhould wait on faſting and praying. Mark that as yet Biſhops had not begun to fight Battels, but they perſwaded Princes to fight for them; and at that time, when ſome Biſhops would have taken Arms, the Pope did diſſwade them. In the ſame Epiſtle he ſaith, the dream of John a Monk was falſe; wherein he was told, that the Church of Rome had erred from the faith. Note. In the 29, 30, and 31. he complaineth, that Leo, Biſhop of Ravenna, would not perform due obedience unto Saint Peter; that under the name of Charls had taken ſundry things from Saint Peter, and had attempted to take Pentapolis, which King Pipin had given to the See of Rome; he ſheweth that Pope Stephen once depoſed Sergius, Biſhop of Ravenna, for his diſobedience; and in the end, he intreateth him to cauſe Leo to give him obedience, and to make the Exarchate likewiſe ſubject. All the other Epiſtles are of this ſtamp, for inriching and advancing the Church, and to expel the Greeks with their adherents out of Italy; commending the worſhip of images, and ſetting up Peter in the room of Chriſt; for he expoundeth Peter, ſaying, Behold I am with you untill the end; and he calleth Peter the interceſſour, the protectour, and rewarder; and he commandeth that prayers be made in the name of Peter. This Adrian, in an Epiſtle unto the Spaniards, calleth the Roman Church, Head of all Churches; and who ſeparateth from her (ſaith he) ſeparateth from the Chriſtian faith. He is ſaid to be Author of that Decree in Gratian. cauſ. 25. queſt. 1. Generali, By a general Decree we ordain, that it ſhall be an execrable anathema, and he ſhall be guilty before God for ever, as a tranſgreſſour of the Catholick faith; whoſoever, King, or Biſhop, or Potentate, that ſhal from henceforth permit the cenſure of the Roman Biſhops to be violated in any thing. He indeavoureth to have the Clergy free from the power of Princes. But in the year 773. Charls King Charls his power in Rome.did appoint a Synod at Rome, where the Pope was with 153. Biſhops and Abbots. Here Charls recovereth the right, which Conſtantine Pogonatus had let paſs with Pope Benedict the II. to wit, with common conſent, the Judges and Doctours of Law, thorow the City, were ordained to ſearch the ancient Laws and Cuſtoms of the Empire, how hereſies and ſchiſms may be prevented, concerning the Apoſtolical See, and the honour of Patriciatus, and the Roman Empire. Then 1. All the people of Rome grant unto King Charls, and transfer into his perſo…, and his Succeſſours, all their right and power in the above-named particulars. 2. After their example, Adrian with all the Clergy and whole Synod, did give unto Charls their right and power of chuſing their great High-Prieſt, and ordering the Apoſtolical See: and moreover, that all Arch-Biſhops and Biſhops, throughout every Province, ſhould receive inveſtiture from him. Theodor. a Nyem. Secretary to ſundry Popes. And Gratian. diſt. cap. 63. Adrianus ſaith more, That who ſhould act againſt this Decree, the Synod would accurſe; and unleſs he repent, would adjudge his goods unto the Royal Exchequer: For this cauſe many waited upon the Court of King Charls, hoping to have Biſhopricks and advancement by him, Avent. Annal. lib. 4. as he did advance the Biſhops of Breme, Manda, Padeburna, &c. Here is ſome reſtraint of the ambition of p. 81the Popes for a time. Adrian did ſit three and twenty years, ten months, and ſeventien daies.

13. LEO the III. perceiveth the Romans aiming by all means unto a free More power of Charls in Rome.government; and he feared that either the Popes ſhould be brought under the government of the Senate, or they ſhould be overthrown by the Greeks; he thinketh it fitteſt that Rome ſhould be ſubject unto the Pope; and that the Pope ſhould be ſure of concurrence from France. Catal. teſt. ver. ex Regin. lib. 2. & Sigeber. ad an. 796. Wherefore without knowledge of the Senate he ſent Angilbert Abbot of Saint Richarius, to advertiſe Charls of his election; and preſenteth unto him, in token of loyalty, Saint Peter's keys, and the Enſign of the City, or the Eagle; and beſeecheth him to ſend ſome of his Nobles, who might keep the people in obedience by their Oath or Sacrament, Ph. Morn. in Myſter. ex Aimoin. lib. 9. cap. 89. So ſoon as the Romans (namely Paſchaſius and Campulus) heard of this meſſage, they take the Pope and buffet him till they thought he was blind, and caſt him into the Monaſtery of Saint Eraſmus▪ Platin. But Continuator Eutropij ſaith, they beat out one of his eyes, and could not pick out the other, becauſe the mercy of God had preſerved him; and others ſay, both his eyes were ſtrucken out, and reſtored again by miracle: But Zonar. ſaith, they who were ſent, did ſpare him, and ſpoiled him not of his ſight. Albinus did let him down by the Wall of the Monaſtery, and he fled unto Charls; he chargeth many of the Romans of uſurpation; and he adviſeth the King to exact on them an Oath of fidelity. Paſchaſius or Paſchalis was there ſoon after him, and accuſed the Pope of adultery, &c. Charls diſmiſſeth them both, and promiſeth to be at Rome within few months. In Decemb. an. 800. Charls was received in Rome, with all ſhew of honour; within 8. daies he goeth into Saint Peter's Church, and in preſence of all the people and clergy, he asketh, who had any thing to ſay againſt Pope Leo. Paſchaſius and Campulus had publiſhed the Pope's crimes by writ; but knowing the King's affection towards both parties, they appear not. The Biſhops who were preſent, anſwer, The Apoſtolical ſeat is the Head of the Church, and ought to be judged of none, Platin. But Ph. Morn. in Myſter. ſheweth from Aimoin. That becauſe none did qualifie theſe crimes, the Pope was abſolved upon his Oath. Platina ſaith, his Oath was delayed till the next day; and then he ſweareth by God, and the four Evangeliſts, that all theſe things were falſe, which they had layed to his charge. Whereupon the King declareth him innocent, and condemneth his accuſers. Within few daies 300. of them were beheaded, in the Lateran field, for their preſumption and affected liberty, on the 18. of December; and on the 25. day, Charls was proclaimed Emperour, as followeth; and from that time the French did alogether poſſeſs Rome and all Italy, ſaith Zonar. After that, Pope Leo could not live at Rome without trouble; therefore he ſate at Mantua, and ſometimes did abide with the Emperour. He is the firſt that Bellarmine can Canonizing of Saint…, and other novelties.find to have canonized a Saint, de beat. Sanct. lib. 1. cap. 8. He appointed the ſupplications of three daies, before the Feaſt of Chriſt's aſcenſion; he firſt brought incenſe unto the Altars, to the imitation of Jews and Heathens. He ſate 20. years, and died An. 816.