History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 9 · Chapter 2

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 600-1000 · Century 9 · Chapter 2

p. 117CHAP. II. Of POPES.

1. STEPHEN the IV. was ſet in the Papal Chair, without the knowledge The Pope's firſt golden Croſs and Vſurpation.of the Emperour; wherefore he haſtned into France to excuſe the fact, and to crave confirmation; and at Rhemes he crowned the Emperour, with a Crown brought from Rome; he returned bearing a Croſs, not like Chriſt, but of gold, which the Emperour gave to Saint Peter. When he ſaw that the Emperour had ſo lightly forgiven the election, he ſaid at Rome, The ſence of the Decree of Pope Leo, was not that the election ſhould chiefly belong unto the Emperour, but that they might well make their own election; and then only ſeek confirmation from the Emperour, or his Legate. He ſought pardon for them who were baniſhed under Charls. Platin. he died in the 7 month, An. 817.

p. 1182. PASCHALIS the I. was choſen without the knowledge of the Emperour; Achange in the election of the Pope.wherefore incontinently, he ſent a Nuntio with gifts unto Lewes, laying the fault on the people, who had forced him to accept Conſecration. The Emperour admitteth the excuſe, and ſent word unto the People and Clergy of Rome, that the cuſtom and ordinance of their Predeceſſours ſhould be kept; and therefore they ſhould not treſpaſs againſt him any more. Platin. Gratian. diſt. 63. cap. ego Ludovicus, alledgeth that Lewes gave free liberty unto the Clergy and People to chuſe the Pope. But the following practice of Gregory the IV. confirmeth the teſtimony of Platin. and others. Paſchalis was one of the moſt ſuperſtitious worſhippers of dead bodies, if Platina ſpeaketh truly of him; who alſo ſheweth that he was accuſed for murthering Theodorus Primicerius, and Leo Nomenclator, becauſe they had maintained The Pope is Arraigned.a priviledge of the Emperour, nor could he be pardoned, untill he had cleanſed himſelf by Oath in an aſſembly of Biſhops, and then the Emperour forgave him. The next year Lotharius ſon of Lewes, and deſigned Emperour, came to Rome, and found the eſtate thereof depraved, and the wickedneſs of ſome Biſhops. Therefore it was enacted, that one ſhould be ſent from the Emperour to adminiſter Juſtice, Morn. in Myſter. ex Autore vit. Ludo. Paſchalis ſate 7 years.

3. EUGENIUS the II. was choſen, when Lotharius was in the City. Bishops have Priſon houſes.Of his idolatry and pride is ſpoken before. Didoclamus in Altar. Damaſc. pag. 421. ex Choppin. de ſacr. polit. lib. 2. reporteth, that he did firſt appoint Biſhops to have Priſons for reſtraint of the vices of the Clergy. He did ſit 4 years.

4. VALENTINE the I. of a Deacon was made Pope, for his ſingular Pride of the Pope.diligence and gravity in his youth; but he wanted not pride, for at his election he gave his foot to be kiſſed by the Senatours, which was never done before. Helmold. in Hiſtor. Sclavo. lib. 1. and after him Ph. Morn. in Myſter. have marked the cauſe; The liberality of Lewes had made them earthly Princes, who ſhould have been guides to heaven by feeding ſouls. His pride was ſoon laied low, for he died within 40. daies.

5. GREGORY the IV. would not ſit in his Chair, till he was confirmed by the Emperor. Platina ſaith, The Emperour did ſo not out of pride (for he was very mild and courteous) but he would not loſe his Imperial right; and although he gave them wealth, he would not quit his authority. This Pope ordained the Feaſt of All-Saints to be kept Novemb. 1. Naucler. Pol. Vergil. de invent. rer. lib. 6. cap. 8. & Faſci. temp. and the French and German Churches began firſt to obſerve it. He was not ſlow in tranſporting dead bodies. The Papiſhes talk much of an Epiſtle of a Greek Monk unto this Gregory, to prove the Primacy of the Pope, becauſe he calleth him equal unto Primacy of Bishops.the Angels, the Apoſtolical Father, the higheſt light, &c. But they will not ſhew, that he writ that Epiſtle in deſpight of his Patriarch, who had cenſured him for worſhipping Images; nor will they tell, how the ſame Monk calleth the Biſhop of Alexandria the great light, the firſt Prince of Biſhops, and Apoſtolical Father; and in another Epiſtle, he calleth the Biſhop of Jeruſalem the firſt of the Patriarchs, though thou (ſaith he) be called the fifth; for where the Biſhop of our ſouls, and High-Prieſt of all was born, wrought all his miracles, ſuffered, was buried, roſe again, lived, and whence he aſcended, there undoubtedly is the higheſt dignity of all. It may then be doubted, who was the firſt in that man's opinion. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. pag. 157. Gregory ſate 16 (or, as ſome ſay, 18) years.

6. SERGIUS the II. was crowned by the Clergy and People, not regarding the Emperour's conſent, becauſe of the emulation amongſt the brethren. p. 119Continuator Eutropij writeth, that Lotharius and his ſon Lewes being anointed, did great harm unto the Romans for this their treſpaſs, and cauſed them to give their Oath of fidelity, and then did confirm the Pope. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. pag. 159. This Pope's name was Oſporci, and being aſhamed The change of the Pope's name.of it, he (firſt of all Popes) did change his name, after his inveſtiture, Platin. After his example it became a cuſtom, ſaith Pol. Vergil. de invent. rer. lib. 4. cap. 10. that if any who was choſen had not an honeſt name, he did change it; for example (ſaith he) and let it not be ſpoken without laughter; if he be a wicked doer, he is called Bonifacius; if timorous, Leo; if a Clown, Urbanus; if fierce, Clemens; if of ill report, Benedictus....and they ſay this is done in imitation of Chriſt, who gave the name of Peter unto Simon. Serepus did firſt ordain that a Biſhop ſhould not be judged under 72 witneſſes. The fore-named Continuator writeth, that in his time was great Simony is punished.ſimony; and he profeſſed openly to ſell Biſhopricks, and who gave moſt, ſhould ſpeed beſt. The Authour of Catal. teſt. ver. from an old manuſcript, and Henr. de Erford. lib. 10. ſheweth, that none was found, who for the glory of God, would forbid this vice; and therefore God ſent the Sarazens amongſt them, who ſlue great numbers of them, and carried away great ſpoil. But Ph. Morn. ex Anaſtaſ. Biblioth. writeth, Theſe Biſhops Drogo The Pope is oppoſed.of Metenſ. Gregory of Ravenna, Angilbert of Millan, Joſeph of Eporredia, Aginus of Verona, Almaricus of Cuma, Norchard of Vercelles, the Biſhops of Luca, Piſa, Volaterr. together with others, that is, the chiefeſt Biſhops of Italy; and the Counts Boſo, Adalgiſus, John, &c. had contention with him daily for his pride and uſurpation; and Agilbert made ſeparation from the Church of Rome, whereas his Predeceſſours had ſubmitted unto the Pope the ſpace of 60 years, he nor his Succeſſours would not ſubject themſelves for the ſpace of 209 years, as followeth. Alſo Theodore, Abbot of Fulda, in an Epiſtle teſtifieth, that the Church of Millan did then reſpect the writings of Ambroſe, and his Liturgy was in uſe there. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. Sergius ſate 3 years.

7. LEO the IV. was choſen the ſame day that Sergius died, and he was A Pope is a Warriour,conſecrated without the conſent of the Emperour; and therefore (as Anaſtaſius and Ph. Mornay ſay) the Romans fearing that Lewes would return and cenſure them for that deed, ſent their excuſe that they were in danger of the Sarazens, and had need of the Pope's preſent help. For the Infidels were lying about Rome, and had waſted a great part of Italy, untill Pope Leo gave them battel at Oſtia; where (by the providence of God, after publick prayer in audience of the Army) many of the enemies were ſlain, others were taken captive, and the reſidue fled unto their ſhips. And then Leo and loyal,writ unto the Emperour (as is in Gratian. diſt. 10. Cap. de Capitalis) thus: Concerning your Imperial Precepts, and the Precepts of your High-Prieſts, our Predeceſſours, to be kept irreſiſtably ſo far as we could or now may, we profeſs to keep conſtantly both now and for ever: As for the time paſt, he proteſted that he was compelled thereunto, and not of his own motive, nor in contempt of the Emperour; and he ſubjoined, If any hath ſaid, or ſhall ſay otherwiſe, ye may certainly underſtand he is a liar. In another Epiſtle, (when he was accuſed that he and Gratian Magiſter Militum had plotted to reduce the Empire unto Greece, Platin.) he writ more ſubmiſsly, ſaying, If we have done any thing amiſs, and have not kept the path of juſt laws, wherein we are ſubject, we will amend at the ſight of your Majeſty, or of your Miſsi....and we deſire not only that theſe things be exactly tried by your Miſsi, but whether they ſhall be found leſs or greater, let all things be ſo ended by them, that nothing remain thereafter undiſcuſſed or undecided. p. 220Here it appeareth clearly, what authority the Emperour had then above the Pope. This Leo beſtowed ſix years in repairing the City, for the Sarazens had weakned a great part of it, and all Italy did contribute unto the reparation; alſo the Emperour and his two brethren ſent a great ſum of money for the work, ſaith Nauclerus. He did add much unto the City, and that part was called Leonina: he ordained that a Croſs of Gold all ſet with precious ſtones ſhould be carried before him, contrary to an Act in a Councel under Gregory the IV. The Authour of Catol. teſt. ver. lib. 10. hath a ſtory, And a Reformer of the Church.which he ſaith was never in Print before, ex Luithprand, how Leo obſerving many things done impudently againſt God and the ſalvation of Chriſtian ſouls, did aſſemble a Synod of 67 Biſhops at Rome, by the advice of Lotharius and Lewes, and ſetteth down 42 Canons, which he hath particularly. In them he urgeth not plurality of Maſſes, but that Biſhops ſhould attend their flocks, and teach their people wholeſom doctrine; no Intrantes ſhall receive Conſecration unleſs they be ſought by the Clergy and People; Actuals ſhould not be abſent from their charge any long ſpace without the leave of their Prince and Metropolitan; they ſhould not uſe Dice, Cards, Hunting, Hawking, &c. In this Synod he excommunicated Anaſtaſius, a Prieſt, for being five years abſent from his Pariſh: he writ an Epiſtle to Lotharius, intreating his clemency to preſent a friend of his, Colonus, unto one of the two Biſhopricks; as is touched in Cent. 8. cap. 2. for this cuſtom was then, that the King did place men in Biſhopricks, ſaith Crantz. in Saxon. lib. 2. cap. 27. Leo ſate 9 years.

8. JOHN the VIII. the Whore both ſpiritually and bodily ſate next; The Woman Pope.ſhe diſſembled her ſex handſomly, and by her ſingular ſagacity and learning, did procure that ſhe was choſen Pope with full conſent; and after 2 years ſhe was delivered of a child in the midſt of the Proceſſion, and died in the ſtreet. Platin. Agrippa de van. ſcient. Cap. 62. writeth ſo, Among the High-Prieſts of Rome we read of many Schiſmaticks and Reprobates, and alſo Hereticks, and once that a woman did aſcend to the top of ſo great dignity, who was called John the VIII, and ruled the Apoſtolick See, being commended of all men...and which is not lawfull unto women, ſhe exerced all the Offices of an High-Prieſt; nor were her Acts annulled, becauſe common errour makes a Law. Onuphrius and after him Bellarmin and other Papiſts, go about to blother name out of the roul of Popes, but with fooliſh reaſons. Firſt they ſay, Anaſtaſius (who at the ſame time was Bibliothecarius) hath her not. Anſ. Though he have her not, others have not omitted her; no argument holdeth negatively from the teſtimony of any one man. 2. Behold ignorance, ſay they, ſhe was an Engliſh of Mentz; is Mentz in England, and not in Germany? Anſ. Who knows not that Boniface, the firſt Biſhop of Mentz, was an Engliſh man, and built the Abbey at Fulda in favour of Engliſh men? Marianus Scotus (who lived about the year 1050.) calleth her John, ſurnamed Engliſh. 3. To what end went ſhe to Athens? to learn? but there was no learning in Athens. Anſ. Epiphanius in haereſ. 64. ſaith, Origen was a Diſciple in Athens; Gregory Nazianzen and Baſil were Students there, as it is in Vitae Baſilii written by Nazianzen; Bellarmin de Ro. Pont. lib. 3. cap. 24. teſtifieth, that Michael, the ſon of Theophilus, reſtored the Schools of learning; and John Erigena, ſurnamed Scotus, at the very ſame time was brought up at Athens, as followeth; alſo Hiſtories ſhew, that at Athens was ſtill an Univerſity, till it was deſtroied by the Turk for envy of learning, An. 1453. 4. Here two lies, ſaith Onuphrius, one that ſhe profeſſed Letters in the City; another, that within two years ſhe came to the Papal Seat; ſeeing there was no profeſſion then in Rome, neither came any p. 121to the Papal Chair, unleſs he had been a Prieſt or a Deacon. Anſ. Is not a Prieſt aſhamed to ſay or hear this? Was ever Pia Roma without a Profeſſor? Where was all the Clerks of Rome? As for the other, Platina ſaith it not; and whoſoever hath ſaid it, how many Monks and Laicks have been Popes? See Onuphr. in Indic. adſchiſm. 9 & 10. Platina and Nauclerus have two evidences of this She-Pope; one, that the Popes go not in the high and ſtraighteſt way at their Proceſſions, for deteſtation of her deed; another, the new elected Pope is ſet in a bored chair, where he letteth down his privities, to be touched by the laſt Deacon Cardinal, leſt they fell again into the like errour: which Agrippa de van. ſcient. cap. 63. expreſſeth in theſe terms, becauſe among the Aegyptians, who were the firſt authors of religions, it was not lawfull that any ſhould be a Prieſt, who was not entred into the order of Priapus; ſo it is received in our Church, ſaith he, that he who wanteth the ſtones cannot be Pope. Onuphrius ſaith, The Popes go not that way, becauſe it is not the neareſt nor broadeſt way. But why then, ſaith Platina, that the Popes go out of the way for deteſtation of the fact? Nauclerus ſaith, it was betwixt the Church of Saint Clemens and Coloſſeum, and the Pope declines that way, when he goeth into the Lateran....Of the chair, Onuphrins ſaith nothing: Bellarmin ſaith, The Pope is ſet in a ſlight chair at the firſt, and ſitteth in it a ſpace, to teach him, that he is advanced from a low place to an eminent. But if you ask wherefore is the chair bored? and why crieth the Deacon Maſculus eſt? they have nothing to ſay. Laſtly, Onuphrius imputes the firſt mention of this She-Pope, unto Martinus Polonus, who lived about the year 1320; and he read it in Chronic. Sigeberti, who lived An. 1330, and he is corrupted, ſaith he. But what Hiſtory may not be denied? Marianus Scotus, who lived before them, hath the ſame. He is alſo corrupted, ſaith Bellar. loc. cit. Who did corrupt them? Laonicus Chalcondilas lib. 6. de reb. Turc. ſpeakins of this ſitting of the Pope, ſaith, Nam conſtat; for it is certain, that a woman was advanced unto the Papacy; her ſex was not known, becauſe the Italians all almoſt do raze their faces. Otho Epiſt. Friſingen. Annal. Auguſtani, Volaterran, Sabellicus, Bergomas, Palmerius, Trithemius in vit. Luithprandi, Stella in vit. 230 Pontif. Alb. Crantz. Io. Nauclerus Faſcic. tempor. pag. 49. edit. Venet. An. 1484. and many others of ſundry Nations, and famous among the learned, have written of her. The teſtimonies are particularly ſet down in Catal. teſt. ver. lib. 10. to them I adjoin the words of Baptiſta Matuan, who lived in the 15 Century, and ſpeaking of Hell, ſaith,

Hic pendebat adhuc ſexum mentita virilem

Femina, cui triplici Phrygiam diademate mitram

Extollebat apex, & Pontificalis adulter.

So that as Platina ſaith, they ſeem too ſtubborn and obſtinate who omit her, of whom all men almoſt do affirm: let us erre with the multitude, although it appear that theſe things, which I have ſaid, be of that ſort, as are thought poſſible. This Whore ſate in the year 855 and 856.

9. BENEDICT the III was choſen without knowledge of the Emperour. At that time was a ſchiſm, for many of the chiefeſt Romans were for The Emperor takes away a ſchiſm.Anaſtaſius. After a year a Miſſus came from the Emperour, and then the people and clergy were convened to a new election; and the ſame Benedict was choſen again, the Miſſus not only aſſiſting, but commanding, ſaith Anaſtaſius and Ph. Morn. in Myſter. Nauclerus ſaith, the Emperour Lewis's Legate did confirm the election; and the next day he was conſecrated in Saint Peter's. He adorned Churches with ſilver and gold; and is ſaid to have firſt ordained, that prayers ſhould be made for the dead, whereas before it was only by practice. He ſate 3 years.

p. 12210. NICOLAUS the I, ſurnamed the great, was choſen by the Romans. The Emperour will be acknowledged in the election of the Pope.Before he was choſen, the Emperour Lewis knowing how expedient it was for him to preſerve the right of his Anceſtours in the election, made haſt to Rome; but the Romans purpoſely prevened him with the election. Nicolaus thought to debar the Emperor from the conſecration, but he could not hinder that. He had a mouth that ſpoke great things, by his decree he equalleth The Pope ſpeaks ſome great things,Papal decrees unto the holy Scriptures; he ordained that no ſecular Prince nor Emperour, ſhould be preſent in the Synods, unleſs it were in matter of faith, Gratian. diſt. cap. Vbinam; to wit, Princes ſhould put to death them which are condemned of hereſie. He ordained that all publick prayers ſhould be in Latine (as Pope Vitalian had ordained before, but was not obeyed:) that no Laick ſhould judge a Church-man; that the Pope ſhould be judged of none, becauſe Conſtantine the great, called the Biſhop of Rome a God, Grat. diſt. 96. cap. Salis. At this time Michael Bardas put away his wife, and married her daughter; for this cauſe Ignatius the Patriarch, denied him the Communion. Bardas aſſembleth a Synod, and cauſeth Ignatius to be depoſed, and ſetteth up Photius. Here ariſeth a ſedition, ſome favouring the good cauſe, and others ſwaying with authority. In the end, Nicolaus was intreated to take away the ſchiſm. The Pope was well pleaſed, and ſent his Legates, Rodoal Biſhop of Portuen, and Zachary Biſhop of Ananien, giving them a Commiſſion to reſtore Ignatius, if he would promiſe to reſtore the worſhip of Images. Zonaras ſaith, Bardas perſwadeth the Legates to approve what he had done. When they return, Nicolaus excommunicateth them, and depoſeth them as tranſgreſſours of his commands. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. p. 177. At that time Nicolaus writ the Epiſtle, which is in the 3. tome and ſome truths contrary to his ſucceſſours.of Councels, and contains ſwelling preſumption, in ſome points contrary to ancient hiſtories; yet in other points contrary to the doctrine of his ſucceſſours. There he ſaith, none of the Eaſtern Emperours had acknowledged the authority of the Biſhops of Rome. This he ſaith expreſsly, but in an upbraiding manner, as if the Emperours had omitted their duty. Speaking of Ignatius, he ſaith, the Judges ſhould not be ſuſpected; this he confirms by reaſon, and by many examples; and from Pope Gelaſius he ſaith, Should the ſame perſons be enemies, Judges and witneſſes? even earthly matters ſhould not be committed to ſuch judgement. Doth he not then maintain the lawfull excuſes of John Huſſe and Martine Luther, who for the ſame cauſes were unwilling to be judged by the Popes their enemies? Then Nicolaus alledgeth, that Pope Celeſtin was Preſident in the general Councel at Epheſus; but the words of that Councel ſhew that Cyril, Biſhop of Alexandria, was Preſident. And to prove that they ſhould not have judged the Patriarch, he brings the example of David, who would not ſmite his Maſter Saul; but he obſerves not that Saul was King; and therefore, neither ſhould his ſucceſſours have kicked againſt their Soveraign Emperours. He addeth, a little number hindreth not, where truth abounds; neither avails multitude, where ungodlineſs reigneth, nor ſhould any man boaſt of a multitude, &c. What is more contradictory to the doctrine of the Romiſh Church in following ages, which holds multitude to be an infallible note of the true Church? After a little, he commendeth the worſhip of Images; and will have all Councels to be eſtimate by the approbation of the Pope. Whereas the Biſhops of Rome were wont to term the Emperour our Lord and Defender; this is the firſt that calls the Emperour his ſon, and his ſucceſſours ſometimes, will not honour him with the title of their ſervant. He ſaid, Before the coming of Chriſt, ſome were typically both Prieſts and Kings; but when the type is come to the true King and High-Prieſt, in one perſon, the Emperour ſhould p. 123no more take to him the right of the Prieſthood; nor hath the High-Prieſt taken unto him the name of the Emperour; becauſe the one Mediator between God and Man, even the Man Chriſt Jeſus, hath ſo diſcerned the offices of both powers, their dignities and actions being diſtinguiſhed, that both Emperours have need of High-Prieſts in ſpiritual things; and the High-Prieſts have need of the Imperial laws for temporal things, and ſo ſpiritual actions may be free from carnal oppreſſions; and therefore the ſouldier of God ſhould not be intangled with worldly affairs; neither ſhould he rule divine things who is wrapped in worldly matters, and ſo both powers may be helped. Gratian hath regiſtred theſe words dist. 96. cap. Cùm ad verum. He ſpeaks ſo, to exclude the Emperour from judging Eccleſiaſtical cauſes; but neither he, nor Gratian did foreſee how the ſame words would condemn the ſucceeding Popes, who have uſurped both Swords and two Robes; nor how Bellarmin, de Ro. Pont. lib. 5. cap. 3. gathereth out of theſe words, that the Dominion of the World belongeth not to the Pope, and reaſoneth thus; Seeing whatſoever the Pope hath, he hath it from Chriſt, as Pope Nicolaus ſaith, then the Pope may take all power from the Emperours and Kings, or he may not take it; if he may take it, then he is greater then Chriſt; if he may not take it, then he hath not Princely power. Again cap. 8. he ſaith, Chriſt for conſerving humility would diſtinguiſh theſe two offices, and gave only the Prieſthood to Peter, and left the Empire to Tiberius. According to this conſequence it may be juſtly inferred, the Pope now doth contrary to the tenet of the ancient Biſhops, and is the Antichriſt; exalting himſelf, contrary to Chriſt's order, above all that is called God. This Nicolaus did ordain, that no man ſhould receive the Sacrament from any Prieſt who had a concubine or wife. He ſate 7 years, 9 months; his See after him was vacant 8 years 7 months, Platin. Who was head of the Church, on earth, at that time? Or was it headleſs?

10. HADRIAN the II, the ſon of a Biſhop Talarus, was choſen in a tumult of the people without conſent of the Emperour, wherefore his Legates were not a little offended, yet were appeaſed by the Romans, alledging that the multitude could not be ruled; and they intreated the Legates, that they would confirm the good man, which the clergy and people had named. Platin. The Legates yeeld, although they clearly perceive, that the clergy and people would uſurp all the authority of the election; and perhaps (ſaith he) that the liberty of the Church-men may increaſe. At that time Baſilius ſlue The Pope, by flattery, climbeth up in higher account at Conſtantinople.the Eaſtern Emperour, as is ſaid, and when he came to the Sacrament, Photius the Patriarch, rejects him as unworthy of Communion, who with his own hand had ſlain his Soveraign. Baſilius diſſembling his anger, calleth a Synod for depoſition of Photius, and reſtitution of Ignatius; and to this end, he deſireth Hadrian to ſend his Legates. Hadrian dealeth as Boniface the 3. did with Phocas; as by diſpenſing with, or rather authorizing parricide, they began their ſupremacy; by the ſame means they increaſe it. He renued the Commiſſion of Pope Nicolaus his Legates; and in his Epiſtle to Baſilius, he ſaith, He who hath all right of Kingdoms, and power of all things, hath raiſed up, in theſe daies, thy Kingdom, which is protected from above; by which the Apoſtolical Seat may perfect a godly work, begun by your authority, for the Church of Conſtantinople.....Thou art another Salomon, for thou haſt heard the words of thy father, nor haſt thou forſaken the inſtruction of thy mother. Ambition drives him to write ſo flatteringly; for they had covenanted, that firſt the Pope's Legates ſhould be Preſidents in this Synod, which the Pope could never obtain before. 2. The Emperour ſhould admit none into the Synod, but ſuch who, by ſubſcription, did acknowledge p. 124the ſupremacy of the Pope. 3. Images ſhould be reſtored. 4. None dare write or ſpeak againſt the Biſhop of old Rome, by occaſion of Photius and Dioſcorus, who were depoſed for their crimes; and if any man (ſaith the 21 Canon of this Synod, according to the election of Caranza) be ſo bold, he ſhall incur the like ſentence with Photius and Dioſcorus. 5. If any general Councel ſhall be aſſembled, or any queſtion or controverſie fall out concerning old Rome, they may with due reverence inquire of it, and hear determination; but ſay nothing boldly againſt the High-Prieſts of old Rome. They called this the eighth oecumenical Councel, ſo ſaith Bellarm. de Conc. lib. 1. cap. 5. but neither with conſent of all the preſent Biſhops, as Anaſtaſius (who was one of the Legates) teſtifieth, and after him Ph. Morn. in Myster. nor maketh Zonaras mention thereof, although an Image-worſhipper; neither did the Greek Church conſent thereunto, as appeareth plainly: Firſt, When Ignatius was dead, the ſame Baſilius aſſembled another Synod, annulled all the Acts of the former, and reſtored Photius. 2. The Greeks agreed with Pope Eugenius and his Biſhops, that the Councel of Florence, An. 1439. ſhould be called the eighth oecumenical Councel. It is here to be marked, that this Councel was called in the name of Baſilius, although the Legates of the Pope were Preſidents. At that time it was agreed, that the Biſhops of Rome and Conſtantinople, ſhould both be called Univerſal; the one, Univerſal Pope; and the other, Univerſal Patriarch; not that the Patriarch did take unto him the right of other Biſhops, but that he ſhould have the next place after the Pope, ſaith Onuphrius in Annotat. on Platin. in Boniface the III; and in this manner the Pope had ſome authority, in the Eaſt, for a ſpace. Neither was Adrian leſs carefull in the Weſt, for he blowed And in the Weſt by craft.ſedition among the poſterity of Charls; and where he heard of any Biſhop of action or eſteem, he catcheth him with his bait of a Palle, or Biſhop's Robe, or with ſome higher Title; and if that could not inſnare them, he could ſet one mortal foe againſt another: he ſet up Actard (who had not entred into orders) againſt Hincmarus, a worthy Biſhop of Burdeaux, for maintaining the liberty of his Nation, although he had once given him a Palle, and had written unto him, thus; The report of thy Holineſs comes never to my ears, but with praiſe, &c. But then he purſueth him to the uttermoſt. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. ex Adriani Epist. ad Synod. Trecen. ad Actard; and another ad Hincmar. Alſo at that time Hincmar, Biſhop of Laudun, gave ſome of his Church lands to Charls the Bald; and the King gave the ſame to a Captain Nortman; thereafter the Biſhop deſireth theſe lands to be reſtored, and becauſe Nortman would give them to none but the King, from whom he had them, the Biſhop aſſembled a Synod at Veruina, accuſed and condemned him. Nortman appealeth to Rome; the Synod rejects his appellation; and becauſe he would not obey their Decree, another greater Synod was aſſembled at Atiniac, where Nortman was condemned again, and promiſed to obey the King's will, and of Hincmar, Biſhop of Rhemes, who was Uncle to the other Hincmar. Ph. Morn. in Myster. In this Synod the Biſhop of Laudun was accuſed of diſobedience unto his Metropolitan; and that for ſome perſonal wrongs he had excommunicated all the Prieſts of his Diocy, and had hindred them from exercing their function. He confeſſeth his errours, and was depoſed. Then Nortman, and this deprived Biſhop His pride is oppoſed.conſpire together, and informed Pope Adrian of all. He advocates the cauſe to Rome, and ſummoned the Biſhop of Laudun, and all his accuſers to appear; and ſo ſoon as he heard that the King would not conſent, he ſent other Letters unto the King, calling him a tyrant, perjured, falſe, a Church-robber, &c. In his Letters both to the King, and Biſhop of Rhemes, he ſaith. p. 125We will, and by our Apoſtolical authority we command Hincmar, Biſhop of Laudun, and his accuſers to compear perſonally at the Church of the Saints, before our clemency, that his cauſe may be judged. Behold yet more. In the mean time died Lotharius, King of Lorain: Charls the Bald, and Charls the Fat ſtrove for Lorain. Adrian interpones his authority in favour of the Emperour Lewis the II, and menacing after a more thundring manner then all his Predeceſſours, he writes to the King, and to the Biſhops and Barons of France, and namely to Hincmar Biſhop of Rhemes, thus: Let no mortal be ſo bold, as to invade the Kingdom of deceaſed Lotharius, which by right of inheritance appertains to the Emperour Lewis, our ſpiritual ſon; if any preſume to do, not only by the miniſtry of our authority ſhall it be annulled, but he ſhall be fettered with the chains of our curſe; and he being deprived of the name of a Chriſtian, ſhall be ſurely ranked with the Divel; and if any Biſhop, either by ſuppreſſing the authour of ſo villanous hardineſs, or by not reſiſting ſhall conſent, let him know, that he ſhall be judged not a Biſhop, but an hireling. Nevertheleſs Charls the Bald, entreth into Lorain; he is received by the Barons and Prelates, and crowned by the Biſhop of Rhemes. Adrian then charged Charls, under pain of his curſe, to leave off that enterpriſe; and he commanded Hincmar, Biſhop of Rhemes, to execute his cenſures againſt the King, to forſake him, and not to bid him God ſpeed. The King's anſwer is large, and the anſwer of Hincmar may ſuffice for both. Firſt concerning the Biſhop of Laudun, he ſaith, Let your authority know, that I have no power to ſend Hincmar, nor any other Biſhop of the Diocy of Rhemes, and far leſs a Biſhop of any other Province, unto Rome or any other part, except my Lord the King command them; neither dare I my ſelf go without the bounds of the Realm without his leave. Then concerning his curſes againſt the King, after he hath bitterly expoſtulated for his menacing, and declared that he had ſent his Letters unto the Peers and Prelates of the Kingdom, and had read them openly in an aſſembly of the Biſhops of France and Lorain, at Atiniac; and had ſhewed his Bull unto Lewis, King of Germany, whereby he was commanded, by authority of the Pope, to accurſe them all, who intermeddle with the Kingdom of Lorain; he ſaith, I have heard that the like letters as have been directed to our Lord Charls, and to the Peers and Biſhops of his Kingdom, have been alſo ſent unto my Lord Lewis, the glorious King, and to the Biſhops and Nobility of his Kingdom.....Then he gives him to underſtand that he had heard it reported by many, that the two Kings had agreed to divide the Kingdom; which if it be not done, ſedition ſhall kindle among the people: wherefore ſince he ſaw that either the authority of the Pope muſt be contemned, or the agreement of the Kings be violated, whence might ariſe fear of wars; he thinks it more expedient to omit ſo Imperious commands, and ſurceaſe altogether from attempting any thing therein; neither is it my duty (ſaith he) to debar any man from the Communion, except one who hath willingly confeſſed his fault, or who is convict in judgement; unleſs I would contemn the Canon of the Apoſtles, the practice of the Church, and the authority of Auguſtin, Gelaſius, Boniface, &c. Whereas the Pope had accuſed him, that by ſilence and ceſſation he may ſeem not partner, but authour of the uſurpation; he biddeth him remember what is written, The cauſe which I knew not, I fearched diligently; and that God (as is marked by Gregory) to whoſe eys all things are open, ſaid in the cauſe of the Sodomite, I will go down and ſee; whereby we ſhould learn to try and ſee the evil, before we beleeve it; and not puniſh till it be notoriouſly known. Whereas he would have him abſtain from the company of the King, and not bid him God ſpeed, it ſeems very p. 126hard (ſaid he) ſince very many good men, both of Eccleſiaſtical and Secular ſort, who occaſionally have come to Rhemes, have openly profeſſed, that they had never heard the like practice from any of his Predeceſſours; although in their own times they had ſeen ſeditions and wars, not among Kings who were united by oath and league, but alſo among brethren, yea between father and children. And therefore he acknowledgeth this his contempt to be for his other ſins, ſince in this he had dealt lovingly with his fellow-brethren, of whom, ſome had invited King Charls into the Kingdom of Lorain. Moreover that the States of the Kingdom affirm plainly, that Kingdoms are not conquered by curſes of Prieſts or Biſhops; and that they have learned from the Holy Scripture, Kingdoms appertain unto God, by whom Kings do reign, and he gives them to whom he willeth: wherefore ſince the High-Prieſt cannot be both a King and a Biſhop, he ſhould leave the care of diſtributing Kingdoms; which as his Predeceſſours did not attempt againſt the ſchiſmatical, nor heretical, nor tyranous Emperours in their times; ſo neither can they now bear it, who know it to be written in the Holy Scripture, We ſhould ſtrive, even to death, for liberty and inheritance; neither are they ignorant, if a Biſhop excommunicate a Chriſtian without reaſon, that the power of binding may be taken from him; but eternal life can be taken from no man, unleſs his own ſins do demerit; neither can any man be ſpoiled of the name of a Chriſtian for taking or conquering an earthly Kingdom; or can he be ranked with the Divel, whom Chriſt came to redeem, with his blood, from the Divel's power: and therefore if the Pope would have peace, let him ſo ſeek it, that he move no ſtrife; for the people think not, that they cannot come to the Kingdom of Heaven, except they imbrace ſuch an earthly King as the Pope recommendeth: as for the Oath (ſaid he) and falſhood, and tyranny whereof you write, the Peers of the Nation ſay unto us, that ye command not ſuch things as concern your authority; yea they have not ſpared from menacings againſt you, which for the preſent I will not repeat; and I know, as they threatned with deliberation, ſo (if God ſuffer them) without retreating they will ſhew it indeed; and I know by experience, that without regard of admonition or ſword of man's tongue (unleſs ſome other ſtay ariſe) our King and Nobility of this Realm will not fail to do accordingly, to their power, and follow forth what they have begun. He concludes, that Biſhops, and himſelf eſpecially, ſhould take heed of their behaviour towards the King; ſince it is the Apoſtles doctrine, that all ſouls be ſubject unto Superiour powers. And with theſe Letters in the name of Hincmar, were other Letters written by common advice of the Biſhops of France, being aſſembled at Rhemes, and ſent unto Pope Adrian, who died in the fifth year of his pride, and ſo that ſtrife ceaſed. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. ex Aimoin. lib. 5. and out of others. Baronius in Annal. ad An. 870. §. 38. ſaith, Hincmar did forge many excuſes, and by ſhifting did eſcape the ſentence of the Apoſtolick See till Pope Adrian died.

11. JOHN the IX ſucceeds An. 872, as Onuphrius ſaith, who reckoneth The Pope climbeth above the Emperour,not the eight years between Nicolaus and Adrian; but others account his ſucceſſion in the year 876. He hapned on the fitteſt occaſion of ambition among them all; for after his inauguration began the contention between Charls of France, and Charls of Germany for the Empire. The King of France was alwaies aiming at the Kingdom of Italy, and promiſed unto Pope John rich rewards, if he attained unto the Empire; he would defend the Church from all injury, and wholly quit the Territory of Rome. John did fear that the other would take his manure in Italy, and therefore deſirous the Emperour were at a diſtance, rather than to ſit in his eye, he invited the King of France p. 127to come unto Rome, and incontinently ſaluteth him Augustus; and by this means (ſaith Sigonius, and after him Ph. Morn. in Myſter.) the Title Imperator Auguſtus, became the gift of the High-Prieſt wholly; and the years of their Empire, were reckoned from their conſecration by the Pope. Continuator Eutropii ſaith more plainly, Charls the Bald, coming to Rome, made covenant with the Romans, and granted unto them the rights of the Kingdom, and revenues out of three Monaſteries; that is, out of Saint Salvator's, Saint Mary in Sabinis, and Saint Andrew's on Mount Soracte, and the Imperial Patrimony out of many other Monaſteries; he gave them alſo the Provinces of Samnio and Calabria, with all the Cities of Benevento, and the Dukedom of Spoleto, and two Cities of Tuſcia, Ariſium and Cluſium, which did belong unto the Duke; ſo that he who before was above the Romans in royality, ſeems now inferiour unto them; he removed alſo from them the Embaſſadours of the Empire, and his intereſt in the Apoſtolical election; what more? ſaith he, he granted them all that they would, even as theſe things are eaſily given, that are not well conquered, nor are hoped to be poſſeſſed in time coming. And Otho 3. Emp. in diplom. ſaid, Charls gave what he never had, and he gave them as he could; for he ſought them ſiniſtrouſly, nor had he hope to in…oy them peaceably. And his brother, the King of Germany, and his ſon Charls deſpiſed this Coronation, and ceaſed not to invade both France and Italy. Here Sigonius de reg. Ital. lib. 4. obſerveth, that whatſoever other Emperours gave unto the Popes, they expreſsly did reſerve the Princedom and dition of Rome, together with the election of the Biſhop; both which now were renounced, and alſo the authority over the Church-lands, which his Succeſſours ſought to recover, and could not; for (as Continuator Eutropii ſaith) from this time none of the Kings, none of the Emperours, could recover the honourable priviledges of the Princely dignity, becauſe they wanted either courage or knowledge, and through the many contentions and continual diviſions of the Kingdom. Moreover, hitherto the Empire went by ſucceſſion from the father to the ſon, or neareſt in kindred; and the conſecration of the King of Lombardy by the Biſhop of Millan, or of the Emperour, by the Biſhop of Rome, was accounted but a ſolemn rite; but Pope John taking this advantage, changeth the words to a loftier ſtile; for in the Convention, after he had commended King Charls, as far as Pope Adrian had reviled him, he added: Therefore we have choſen and approved him, together with the wiſhes and deſires of all our brethren and fellow Biſhops, and other ſervants of the Holy Church of Rome, and of the honourable Senate, and of all the people of Rome, and of this gowned Nation; and according to the ancient cuſtom, we have ſolemnly advanced him unto the Scepter of the Roman Empire, and we have honoured him with the name Auguſtus. Charls was no ſooner returned into France, but but is oppoſed in Italy,behold! the Dukes of Tuſculum (whoſe head was Albertus) conſpired with Formoſus, Biſhop of Portuen, and ſome others againſt Pope John, becauſe he had preferred a ſtranger above Albertus, and many Italians would have had the Empire reſtored to their Nation. They did ſo vex him, that he was forced to ſend unto Charls for aid, craving that he would deliver Italy from the Sarazens, and himſelf from the Tuſculans. In the mean time Charls had ſummoned a Councel in France, by advice of John Tuſcanenſis, and John Aretin, and Angeſiſus Senen, but by Apoſtolical authority, and his own confirmation. Thus begun the names of the Popes, to be prefixed with the names of Emperours and Kings, contrary to the ancient form. In this Synod, by vertue of an Epiſtle Decretal of Pope John, the Emperour did propound one day, and another, and the third day, to have Angeſiſus, the Pope's Legate, p. 128Primat of France, to the end he might execute the will of the Pope in France; to wit, call Synods, declare and publiſh the Papal Decrees unto other Biſhops; and alſo, if need be, report unto the Apoſtolick See their proceedings, and other intricate affairs might be diſpatched, by his mediation, with the Apoſtolick See. So far was he beſotted with the fatal cup. At that time the French Biſhops clearly did perceive how great evils were imminent, and by the Clergy of France;and they would not condeſcend unto his temerity, but ſtood to their former liberty, Aimoin lib. 5. cap. 32. 33. Ph. Morn. in Myſter. This John was the firſt who gave pardons or indulgences, to them who would fight againſt the Sarazens. When he was demanded, by the Biſhops of France, Whether they who were dead, or afterwards might die in that cauſe, ſhould obtain forgiveneſs for their ſins? We anſwer, ſaid he, boldly with the godlineſs of Chriſt, who die in theſe Wars, with the godlineſs of the Catholick faith, ſhall receive the reſt of eternal life. Ioha. Epiſt. 144. Ph. Morn. ib. pag. 195. As ready was he to accurſe and account as Heathens, all them who give not obedience unto him; and ſo they were accounted Martyrs and Saints, who did bear Arms with him againſt whatſoever power. At that time Lakold, Duke of Cracove, Tet waxed in Poland,being choſen King of Poland, would not acknowledge Lewis, King of Germany, as his lawfull Superiour; but ſent unto Pope John, profeſſing to hold the Crown from him, and made the Kingdom Tributary unto Saint Peter, by paiment of money yearly, Crantz. in Vandal. lib. 8. cap. 2. Into the and in Conſtantinople.Eaſt alſo his ambition goeth, but by a way directly contrary unto his Predeceſſours. Ignatius being reſtored by Baſilius (as we have mentioned) and Pope Adrian, he pleaſeth neither of the two; not the Emperour, becauſe he would not ſway to all his fantaſies; neither pleaſeth he the Pope, becauſe he would not quit the Church of Bulgaria; and therefore Pope John threatned him with his curſe. When Ignatius was dead, Baſilius would have Photius reſtored, and becauſe he was depoſed by authority of a Councel, and the Pope, the Emperour dealt with Pope John that he might be ſet up again; and if John will conſent, he ſaith, there would be more quietneſs in the Church, but otherwiſe the ſchiſm is like to continue; and he promiſed to prepare a Navy for the defence of the Coaſt of Latium and Hetruria againſt the Sarazens; and he will cauſe Photius to renounce the Church of Bulgaria unto the See of Rome. Ambition or (as Baronius ad An. 878. § 4. ſpeaketh) worldly wiſdom which is an enemy to God, ſo thruſteth Pope John headlong, that contrary to his Predeceſſours Nicolaus and Adrian; he reſtored Photius, who was ſo far from giving any ſign of repentance, that in a manifeſt declaration of their eighth general Councel, he ſet himſelf directly againſt it; for Photius was ſcarce ſet in his chair, but he perſwaded the Emperour to aſſemble another Synod at Conſtantinople, where he produced the Letters Where again oppoſition was made.of Pope John (whether true or falſe, it's uncertain; Baronius ſaith, they were feigned) declaring the late Councel, which was called the eighth general, to be of no authority; and they gave that name unto this Councel. Ph. Mornay ſaith, Zonaras deſcribed it under this name, with all the Acts and Seſſions thereof. There were preſent three Legates of Pope John, to wit, two Biſhops Paul and Eugenius, and Peter a Cardinal Prieſt; they were ſo baſely intreated, as appears in Zonaras, that none before them were ſo contemned. It is marked firſt here were 380 Biſhops, and in the former were 301. 2. Nicolaus and Adrian were condemned as authours of much miſchief, but John was advanced above the skies with praiſe. There a Councel condemning a Councel, where the Pope's Legates were Preſidents, and which was confirmed by the Pope. 3. The Church of Bulgaria was referred to the Emperor, ſince it was a queſtion of marches and juriſdiction. 4. By an expreſs Canon p. 129it is provided, that whom the Pope ſhall excommunicate, the Patriarch ſhall not receive; and the Pope ſhould not receive any, whom the Patriarch ſhall excommunicate. By this Canon all appellation from the Patriarch is taken away. Laſtly, Photius keeps the place continually before the Roman Legates. Therefore Pope John accurſed Photius again, and ſo the ſchiſm between and greater ſchiſm.the Greeks and Latines was renued, and till this day was never taken away. John ſate 10 years.

12. MARTIN the II came unto the Papacy by evil arts, and did nothing worthy of memory, becauſe it pleaſed God, that Princedoms wickedly conquered, have not true glory, the only food of a good Prince. Platin. He ſate 1 year.

13. HADRIAN the III perſwaded the people, that they ſhould not The Emperour is debarred from the election.await the Emperour's authority, the election of the clergy and people being ſufficient. Platina addeth, He was bold to do ſo, becauſe the Emperour was fettered in wars againſt the Normans; and this was the firſt time that the Emperour was debarred from the election of the Pope, and a Decree was made, that the ſuffrages of the clergy and people is ſufficient. But this Decree continued but a ſhort ſpace, as followeth; he made another Decree, if Charls do die without ſucceſſion, the Empire ſhall return to the Italians. This he did in favour of Albert Marqueſs of Tuſcia, who had advanced him unto the Papacy. He ſate 1 year.

14. STEPHEN the VI (but called the V) did nothing worthy of memory. He ordained that the Roman Canons ſhould all, without exception, be neceſſarily received of all men, Grat. diſt. 19. cap. Enim verò. He ſate ſix years. After him was much ſtrife, and within nine years were nine Popes.

15. FORMOSUS was ſet up againſt the mind of the people, who did A queſtion for the conſecration of this Pope.ſtrive for Sergius a Deacon; but Mars and money prevailed. He was one of thoſe who conſpired againſt Pope John, and when John was ſetled, he left his Biſhoprick and fled into France. The Pope ſummoned him to return, and for not appearing he excommunicated him. At laſt he returned, and conſented to his own degradation, and ſwore that he ſhould never enter within the Gates of Rome, nor ſeek a Biſhoprick, but abide a Secular; his Oath was written, and he ſubſcribed it. Pope Martin releaſed him of his Oath, and reſtored him to his Biſhoprick; and now he attains the Papacy by bribery more than vertue, ſaith Platina. After his election queſtion was for his conſecration, ſome did object a Canon of Pope Martin, which now is in Grat. diſt. 50. cap. Qui ſemel, Who once ſhall fall after his ordination, and be depoſed, he may enjoy no degree of Prieſthood; but Formoſus had been Canonically depoſed, and had ſubſcribed it, and ſwore to continue a Secular. On the other ſide it was anſwered, he was abſolved from his oath and deprivation, and received Canonically by the ſame Pope. It was ſo hot, that Formoſus ſent unto the Emperour Arnulph for aid, who came, as is touched. Of him and his Succeſſours, ſaith Platina, I cannot know by what deſtiny it hapned, that the vertue and integrity of Popes failed, with the courage of the Emperours; theſe times were moſt unhappy, ſince according to the judgement of Plato, the people in a Common-Wealth are like to the Princes. Formoſus ſate 5 years, but ſome ſay 1 year. The other ſhort lived Popes, I refer unto the next Century.