HEre are presented vnto vs 29. Articles, from the Prelates of the Romish Church, whose Elegancie is not much to be commended, and doe tend to the preiudice of Germa­ny: for the better examination whereof, we will course through all the members or particulars, and to the end that no man may be be­witched therewith, we will administer vnto the simple an Antidote against this poyson.

The beginning shall be of the three first Articles, wherein the Clergy of Rome doe imagine vnto themselues a most excellent growth as well of the Iurisdiction, as of the Temporall goods.

To speake in order of both these: I say the Pope for as much as he is Pope, hath no Iurisdiction at all, but for as much as he is en­riched by the liberality of Princes, he hath also his owne lands, and [Page] hath a certaine Iurisdiction, which is well to be vnderstoode in his owne lands: But in the Empire where he hath no place amongst the Princes of the Empire: no Iurisdiction may be allowed him, without deminishing of the Emperiall Maiestie: Let no man suf­fer himselfe once to be moued for that which hath bin so long said, that the Pope of Rome is in the place of Christ here vpon earth. Christ himselfe denied that his Kingdome was of this world. The Disciple is not mightier then his Master, nor the seruant greater then his Lord.

What is more euident and plaine, then that which Christ him­selfe saith. Let the Kings of the Nations beare rule, but with you it must not be so: neither is that firmer that they hope for the vic­tory, from the triumph, and other proofes, wherewith they haue alwayes defended their cause, that Christ said, All power is giuen me in heauen and in earth: Maldonatus refuteth this with these words. ‘Christ speaketh not here of all power, but of that which he gaue to the Apostles: that is of the power to obtaine and ga­ther together his spirituall Kingdome, for which businesse hee sent out the Apostles; like as temporall Princes are carefull of their temporall goods, so are they also of their Iurisdictions. Here auaileth that which the olde Father Bernard wrote to Pope Eugenius, in his first booke of Obseruations, Your power is ouer offences or sinnes, and not ouer possessions. These base and earthly things haue their Iudges, Kings and Princes of the earth; wherefore doest thou enter vpon other mens iurisdicti­ons? Wherefore doest thou thrust thy Sickle or Sythe into ano­ther mans Haruest? Moreouer, he saith in his eleuenth booke, Dominion was forbiden the Apostles, darest thou then vse it (A Lord) the Apostleship, or an Apostolicall person dominion, verily both these are forbiden you, if you will enioy both these at once. Therefore asketh Hostiensis, what shall we say of that which concerneth the Pope in worldly or temporall affaires? whereunto he maketh answere, with his Lord Innocentius, that vnto him, viz. the Pope, it concerned nothing at all. The same also may de read by Iohn Pariensis, in the tenth Chapter of the power of Kings and Popes. This is long agoe tolde vnto them, [Page] but they giue it no audience, from hence ariseth the Eng­lish complaint by Mathew Paris, where hee treateth of Henry the third. That it is sufficiently knowne and found, that the wrath of God is falne vpon the Romish Church, because their Magistrate and Regent, doe not diligently apply themselues for the denotion of the people, nor for the gaining of soules; but to purchase Reuenues, and to scrape money together.’

Other Nations vsed very grieuously to complaine there­of, and that with good reason, especially Germany, whose Princes long agoe seeking remedy hereof, were not very ac­ceptable, who could neuer satisfie the Romish Clergie, with riches and dignities: from this vnsatiable gulfe, also ariseth that they in the third Article, desire to cut off the conditions for their aduantage, which for the common peace sake, were receiued aboue seauenty yeares since at Passow. But it is not in the Popes power, not in the Clergie, to breake that which was concluded by a generall Councell of the States, where the Authority of Charles entertained.

Heere followeth the Censure vppon the second part, which extendeth it selfe farre larger then the first, in regard that it not onely sheweth the Cardinalish Prince, but that which lyeth next vnder. This afore-said part containeth 20. Articles, in which they with the like proofes doe proceede, as yet seemeth: yet their obiect indeede is something else, more then in the former. In which it seemeth to be sufficient to Mi­chael Lonigus: That if the Duke of Bauaria could but be per­swaded, that hee would seeke for the consent of the Pope, in those dignities where he was honoured. In such manner the chiefest Cardinals doe take the reynes of good reason too too long into their hands; Nay, as Phacton vpon the Waggon of their Auarice, to the great danger of the world, and more espe­cially of Germany, doe ride out of the common rout of the Popes: like as if it were a matter of no moment, to pronounce such an horrible sentence of the Transport of the Electorship [Page] of the Palsgraue, and the occasion thereof: whereof we will not now dispute, and so they fall aboord the Prince-Electors of Saxon and Brandenburgh in the behalfe of the Rights of the Election: what is it else but with the like thunderbolt to dash the heads of the sacred Empire? they say they are Heretickes: It is now no time to enquire after heresie, but rather soundly to dispute, whether that a Bishop like as hee hath right to ex­communicate a man for heresie; Whether therefore hee hath the power also to rob and spoile a man of his dignities and meanes? verily therein is great difference: Christ com­maunded that the excommunicated should be counted as an Heathen or Publican: but in no place willeth hee that men should rob the Heathens or Publicans of their Authority, or should spoile them of their goods. Christ himselfe paid Tole vnto the publicanes, and by his example, hath shewed vs the way what we should doe. The Apostles liued vnder Heathe­nish Emperours, and were obedient to their lawes: in like manner also were all their Successors: nay the Apostles being obedient, vsed to pray to God for them: ‘There saith Ter­tullian in his Analogie, in the thirtieth Chapter, wee inuoke the eternall God for the prosperity of the Emperour, pray­ing that he may haue a long life, a peacefull gouernment, an establisht habitation, strong Armies, faithfull Councel­lours, and a peacefull world:’ When Iulian left Christianity, and betooke himselfe to Heathenisme, did the Christians then detrude him forth of his Empire? When they heare of this, then will they contend with later examples, saying, Where­fore then may not the Pope, by the same right for heresie, transport the dignity of the Prince-Electorship vnto another, since that Pope Leo the third, for the same occasion transported Empire from the Grecians vpon the Francks? This is that Achilles which so boasts in the Colledge of the Cardinalls, but yet he is not strong enough to take in our Citie of Elium. They abuse themselues exceedingly with this example; first from the Act of the Pope, they conclude the iustnesse of the Act, if we may so driue our Arguments, there is no Act of any [Page] man, but it may be found fault withall: they erre also herein, that they affirme that to be done, which was ne­uer done.

We know it all of vs, that the Empire was transported, but withall that it was done by the councell of Rome, as also all Italy consented thereunto, either priuatly or pub­likely. Of the westerne people I will passe ouer in silence; They say againe that we haue many Writers, which make repetition of that which Leo did; who denieth that: but they commend Leo, as being one of the chie­fest citizens, and so had the greatest respect of any man in the Citty: they commend him also as being Bishop of Rome, who with his hands was to set vp the crowne, as being a sign or representation of the Empire; Therefore these writers were in no heresie, because they meant that either Leo did the same alone, or else principally could haue done it. Many other who are no lesse in number, nor in respect then these, doe relate vnto vs the cleane contrary: they say expresly, that the same was done and performed according to the decree & will, as is aforesaid of the Councell of Rome. ‘ Sigebertussaith in the yeare 801: The Romans now, who long agoe had with­drawne their affections from the Constantinopolitan Em­perour, as then finding very good opportunitie, be­cause that a woman, when the Emperour Constantine was depriued of his sight, gouerned them by his Son: then proclaimed they with one accord the Emperour Charles for their Emperour, they crowned him by the hand of Pope Leo, they stiled him Emperour and Au­gustus. A popish writer Theodoricus de Niem, who after­wards was Bishop of Verden, saith, about the very time of the Coronation the people of Rome made a Law ac­cording to the old custome, but it was very trouble­some to recollect all things that happened so often: therefore the sentence, right and power of the Empire, was left vnto the Emperour as we finde it written: then the people of Rome transported all this vnto Charles, & [Page] gaue vnto him all their right and powor.’

Blondus also in his first book, decad 2: and Aneas Sil­uius, or Pius 2. in Blondus his short relation: also Iacobus Wymphelingies, in his short relation of the people of Rome, in the xi. Chapter, doe affirme that the Coronation by Leo, was performed and done with the knowledge, and at the entreatie of the people of Rome. These are the wordes of Onuphrius Panuimus in fastis: Leo by the con­sent of the people of Rome, and at the entreatie of the clergie of Rome, proclameth Charles Emperour. So that from these and others who affirme that it was done by the Councell, and the people of Rome; must those wri­ters be interpreted, that they doe not confirme, nor yet deny the same?

How much more is it to beleeue that which is confir­med by witnesses, which is denied by none: then not to beleeue those which doe confirme the same, because that all of them do not affirme, although there be no body that doe deny the same: ‘for after this manner writeth Michell Coccimmus very well, in his booke of the tran­sport of the Empire, we must beleeue that the same transport was performed, and had his power or opera­tion from the consent and authoritie of the Romans, and other people of Italy.’ That which Innocentius the 3. wrote vnto Bartold Duke of Zaringe, doth not contradict the same: That the apostolicall seate of Rome, transported the Roman Empire vnto the person of the famous Charles from the Grecians vnto the Germanes, for in this wee consent: That the Apostolicall seate vpon no other meaning did transport the Empire, but that they who did transport the Empire, did consent thereunto, or else made declaration that they should transport the same. But such a transport hath had its power from the vniforme consent of the people.

Hence may very plainely appeare in what maner the transport which Leo performed was done, and by this meanes that is very easily ouerthrowne, which they say: [Page] That the Empire was transported for Heresie: the occa­sion of the transport is here formerly related out of Sigi­bertus: the true cause thereof was, because the Emperours of the East did neglect, or were carelesse of the Westerne Empire and authoritie: and so (as is aforesaid) did let it passe; this we can confirme and approue with very firme testimony; Lupoldus saith in his fourth booke of the rights of the authoritie of the Empire, in this maner. ‘The Grecian Emperour in the time of Carolas Magnus, nay before his time also, viz. when his Father Pepin, and his Grandfather Carolus Martellus liued, gouerned onely with the name of the Westerne Empire: so that neither the Romish Church, nor the other Christian Congregations, nor those of the Longobardes, who were contrary to all law supprest, could either by the Easterne Emperour, nor by their authoritie obtaine any right in the Westerne Empire: so that the afore­said Emperours made no account nor reckoning of the Westerne Empire, but held it loosely as a derelict, onely commanding therewith the name, as appeareth in diuers Chronicles; Of the same opinion is Iohannes Parisiensis, in his 16. Chapter, writing of the Kingly and papall power. It was not done by the Pope onely, but that it was the peoples desire, who may subiect themselues to whom they will, without preiudice to any other: and therefore that was done for a necessary reason, for to defend them against the Heathens and infidels, because they could not be defended by any other: which right they might doe: for the people make the King, and the Army the Emperour.’ Aneas Syluius in his booke of the rising, and authoritie of the Roman Empire, saith in the 9. Chap. ‘At the last when the Grecians were carelesse of Rome, and leauing the same to be made a pray, and to be ransacked one while by the Barbarians, and also by others: the people of Rome, who with their blood had got such great riches, who by their valour had erected the Monarchie of the [Page] world, saluted by the name of Emperour, Carolus Magnus then King of the Francks, being a German borne, who de­liuered the Citie and the Holy place from the inua­sion of enemies: first greeting him with this title, Patricius: and afterwards Augustus:’ the Popes good will and pleasure hereunto concurring. ‘Also saith Nauelerus in his 27. generat, in the yeare 800, vpon the day of the Birth of our Lord, good deliberation procee­ding: Leo the Pope of Rome, considering that the Con­stantinopolitan Emperours did very carelessely defend that name, and held the Westerne Empire as lost: he declared, with the consent of the people of Rome, Charles Emperour of the Romans, and crowned him with the Crowne; when the commonaltie of the Ro­mans three times cried out aloude, Carolo Augusto, &c.’

Paulus Aemilius in his Historie of the Francks, saith thus: ‘The Maiestie of the Emperours was now at this time, and before very slight; and there after he saith: the principallest of the Romans being of another cou­rage and audacitie, gaue their voyces, that the seate of the Empire being (as it were voyde) and possessed of none: as if it had beene Gods will, and had beene so or­dained: should be inuested with the King of the Francks, because that he by his seruice which he had done for the Church, had well deserued the same: and that they were obligde and bound to him, &c.’

Michaell Coccimus speaketh yet more plaine concer­ning the transport of the Empire, saying: ‘When the Romans, and almost all the people of Italy by processe of time, and the Inuasion of many Nations and pilla­gings, as being subiect to the Gothes, Vice-Gothes, Humes, and Longbardes, and being not able with their owne forces to defend themselues, and the Grecians ta­king no care at all of them for the performance therof: nay that which is more, they themselues heaping euill vpon euill, and vsing all diligence to suppresse and spoile them, vsing to great auariciousnesse and desire of [Page] authoritie ouer them; they marking the excessiue couetousnesse of the Grecians, and also their careles­nesse: obseruing also the worthinesse, capacitie, and equitie of the Germanes: they transported the Empire from the Grecians vnto the Germanes, and recommen­ded the same to Carolus Magnus; This transport of the Empire being effected by the Romans, and other peo­ple of Italy, and that with the common consent and authoritie of them all, out of all doubt had full power, and hath remained firme.’

Hence appeareth plaine enough, that they are either fooles, or else are much deceiued, which thinke that the Empire was transported to the Francks for heresie.

This also is worthy consideration, that although the Easterne Empire was transported by Pope Leo to the Westerne, that the Pope hath now the same right to remoue the Empire according to his will. In olde time it was otherwise then it is now. Let vs grant that the Pope of Rome had some right, as the best qualified citizen of the citie; nay that the City (which neuer yet was done) had transported all her power vnto him, what doth that concerne these our present times, since that the Pope hath driuen the Emperour out of the dominion of the Citie. After what manner (say I) hereafter shall either Rome it selfe, or the Pope of Rome pretend any right in the electing of an Emperour, since they doe not ac­knowledge the Emperour for their Lord; yea since it is acknowledged that the prince Electors are to be ordai­ned by the consent and voices of the States, and this is by the approbation of Gregory the 5; hath not the Pope lost his right when he consented hereunto? so that here­by that authoritie which the Pope ascribeth to himselfe is quite ouerthrowne. What a number of proofes might be produced against this power of the Pope? yea also the testimonie of principall personages, who by reason of their learning, are exceeding famous.

Here followeth the third part, which falleth very grie­uously [Page] both with tooth and naile vpon the bodies of all those that dislike the sentence of the Pope, and that con­sisteth in the three last Articles.

And first that is touched which concerneth the e­lection, that is, the right of voice is taken from the Prince Elector the Duke of Saxon; vnder this pretext, because forsooth the Pope of Rome hath not confirmed that dignitie wherwith that family for these many yeares hath been invested, nor is it confirmed by the Pope: as if that illustrious Family had not been so wise, as neuer to haue required the same of the Pope. It is but too well knowne vnto them, that they whom the Hope glorieth to haue honoured with the name of Empire or Authori­tie, that hee taketh away from them the maiestie of au­thoritie: so that his investing may well be called disro­bing, and his crowning a dethroning or deposing. For I pray you, of what consequence is the confirmation of the Pope vnto those whom he driues into a bodily feare, if he had no temporall power? It is such as Origen long ago vnderstood to be; which he taught, as appeareth by his writings vpon Mathew, on his twelfth Homily: ‘Among you which are mine, these things shall not be; to the end that those which haue any power in the Church, doe not seeme to domineere ouer their bre­thren, nor to vse any authoritie. For like as a necessitie is imposed vpon temporall matters, and not left to the will; and spirituall matters in will, and not in necessity: so shall the dominion of spirituall Princes be confirmed in loue, and not in bodily feare.’ If therefore the power of the prince Electors be from the Pope, because that the Emperiall power is from him, as our adversaries affirme: how can they proue that the dignitie of the prince Elector must proceed from the Pope, if it be not needfull that the Emperour be confirmed by the Pope? There is a text that saith, The Army maketh an Empe­rour. The Glosse saith thereby, He is a right Emperour before he be confirmed by the Pope. This they of Basil [Page] vnderstood very well; who after the death of Lodowicke, where the Lord of Bambergher chiefe President made this answer: That Emperour which the prince Electors shall ordaine for vs, him will we accept of, although he haue no respect vnto the Pope. This appeareth in supple­mento Vrspergensi. Nay that which is more; the Pope him­selfe confesseth, that not the Empire it selfe, but the Em­periall title rested onely in him. Pope Adrian the fourth, in his Epistle to the Archbishop of Ments, Tryer and Cul­len, saith: The name of the Emperour is from the Pope, but the Empire and Authoritie cometh from the prince Electors. Hence then is confuted that which is said in the 27. Article, since that the Pope hath confirmed the Duke of Bavaria in the dignitie of prince Elector, that then not onely the King of Spaine (who is there mentio­ned) but also the Emperour is bereaued of the power to restore againe vnto the Palsgraue his hereditary pos­sessions and the dignitie of the prince electorship. For if the Pope hath no power in the affaires of the Empire, then shall the Emperour by his doings not lose his right, much lesse any other Prince, if he before the Popes deed had any right of suffrage.

I am forced to stop my eares by the reason of that ex­treame proud and ambitious affront which is set downe in the 28 Article: That although the two most puissant Kings of Great Brittaine and Denmarke, or the two il­lustrous prince Electors of Saxon and Brandenburgh should require of the Emperour that the Palsgraue of the Rhine might be restored againe vnto his hereditary pos­sessions and dignitie of prince Elector, that they then robbed the Seate of Rome of the right of its maiestie, and did attribute the power of the prince Electors dignitie vnto the Emperour. The Pope of Rome doth very falsly attribute that Maiesty vnto himselfe, which appertain­eth to the Emperour, and to the Princes of the Empire and the States. Very falsly is the Pope of Rome called here, the Fountaine and Sourse of the prince Electors [Page] dignities, because that power is sprung out of the Coun­cell of the Germaine Princes. Like as Naucleius saith, Ge­nerat. 34. The writer Theodoricus Niemus vseth these words: The Princes of Germanie haue ordained it so. The very same also do other writers affirme. Neither do I de­ny that it was with the approbatiō of Pope Gregory the 5. Therefore the temporall dignitie is not chiefely from the Pope, for not the Pope, but the princes of the Empire doe represent the whole body and people of the Empire, in whom immediatly, as in the subiect the temporall power consisteth.

Nicholas Cusanus in his third booke of the catholicke concordance, in the 4. Chap. In my iudgement iudgeth very well thereof, writing in this maner, saith: ‘The prince Electors, who elected in the place of others, were (in the time of Pope Gregory the 5, being a Germaine) ordained of the naturall kindred of Otho and there­fore it is not tollerable that the prince Electors should haue their power of electing from the Pope of Rome; (so that now, vnlesse he consented these should not haue it: or if he would, that he would take it from them.) I aske, who hath giuen the people of Rome power to elect an Emperour, but the Law of God and nature; for by way of a voluntary subiection, and con­sent in predecedencie, all sorts of gouernments are well and holy instituted: and afterwards there he setteth downe yet something else; the prince Electors that were constituted by the generall vniformitie of voices, of all Germaines and others belonging to the Empire: in the time of Henry the 2. had their fundamentall power from the generall consent of voices of all, who by the law of nature might chuse themselues an Em­perour, not from the Pope of Rome himselfe, in whose power it is not to giue to euery prouince a King or an Emperour when it pleaseth him, and when it doth not please him.’

Lastly, the Articles were sealed vp with this Oath. [Page] That the Pope himselfe, without preiudice to his seate, may not reuoke the Electorship from the Duke of Baua­ria, since that he hath confirmed him in that dignitie; nay, that all the Prelates of the Romish Church, are bound with force of Armes to maintaine the Duke of Bauaria: and yet more, that all those that are of the Romish Church, are bound to bring all their force to­gether to maintaine the same. So that the Romish Cler­gie disdaining the prerogatiue of Kings and Princes, doth very boldly determine and decide these controuersies which arise in the Empire, and threatneth to force them by warre who are not content with the Popes sentence; How ilsauourly these things doe sute and agree with Pope and Clergie of Rome, is shewed vnto vs in that fa­mous place of Peter Damianus, who liued in the yeare 1060, his words in his Letter vnto the Bishop Firminus are these.

‘Like as the Sonne of God himselfe did ouercome all the obstacles of this raging world, not by any proofe of vengeance, but by constant patience, and inuinceable Maiestie: so sitteth it best that we rather suffer, and pa­tiently endure the worlds raging with humilitie: then either by taking Armes in hand, or requiting wounds with wounds: especiall since that betweene the Em­pire and the Priest-hood, the offices are seuerall; The King shall vse the temporall Armes, the Priest shall put on a spirituall sword, which is the word of God; Paul saith of the princes of this world, that he beareth not the sword in vaine, being a Minister of God, and his re­uenger in wrath, vpon him that doth euill. King Aza­rias, because he tooke vpon him the Priests office, was stricken with Leprosie: so that Priests which shall take vp Armes, (which is the worke of the Laitie) what deserueth he? If now any man would obiect, that Pope Leo oftentimes thrust himselfe into warres, and yet for all that was a iust Pope: I tell you mine opinion. Peter neuer obtained the Apostle-ship because he for­sooke [Page] his Master; Nor Dauid the gift of prophesing, because he defiled anothers mans bed. Here is not to be considered of good and euill things according to the desert of the possessors, but they are to be iudged accor­ding to their owne qualities. Doe we reade any where that Pope Gregory, who endured so many roberies and pillages of the Longebeards, either did or wrot the like; Doe we reade any where, that any of the holy and wor­thy Popes did euer take vp Armes to make a warre: no neuer in no place; grant then that the Lawes of the ciuill Magistrate may narrowly fift, pry, and determine any certaine question which ariseth in the Church: or else determine and iudge of that which concernes not the Iudgement seate of the ciuill Magistrate, by an E­dict of the Councell, or an assembly of Diuines: to the end that either by the iudgement of the Magistrate, or the Iudicate of the Pope, there arise no warre which might be accounted to our shame.’

The Clergie men of Rome are altogether of another oppinion, practising and endeauouring almost nothing else but warre, not onely with their Armes, but also threatening others, and whilst they are doing this, they are not ashamed to affirme, that they are bound thereun­to by the Lawes of God; Let them obserue what Christ commanded the Apostle Peter, to put vp the sword into the sheath. Where hath euer God commanded the Clergie, that they should intermeddle in matters of tem­porall dignities, or should vndertake warres: much lesse that they should blow the Trumpet, or beate Allarmes as they do now. (haue I the desire of Dominion their God) Obserue diligently I pray you, that bloody Oath inten­ded by all the Prelates, to the end the fashion of the an­cient and holy Church might be maintained intire, like as if the fashion of their Church now were, as it was wont to be in former times; Let vs reade that which Tertullian, Ambrose, Augustine, and other Writers, who subiect the Clergie vnder the power of the Temporall; Pope Gre­gorius [Page] Magnus, writeth himselfe vnto the Emperour Mauritius these words: ‘I the vnworthy seruant of your pietie: and a little after he saith yet farther, To this end authoritie is giuen to me from heauen aboue all men, that belong to my Lords the Emperours for pietie cause;’ When as the said Mauritius, would haue that Pope Gregory should publish a law which he had made: and this Pope adiudging the same to be vnreason­able, and opposing the liberty of the Church: he there­fore did not blaspheme against the Empire, but was o­bedient vnto the command of the Emperour his Master, not dissembling to speak his minde and opinion of the Emperours Law: these are the Popes owne wordes: ‘I being subiect to authoritie, haue sent these Lawes in­to seuerall quarters of the world, and because they are not agreeable to almightie God, I haue communica­ted the same vnto the Illustrouse Lords, by amissiue of my owne oppinion, so that I haue fully discharged my dutie on both sides: shewing as I am bound obedience to the Emperour: and not concealing my opinion in that which concerneth God.’

Here ought we to obserue, how cunningly and craf­tily the Colledge of Cardinalls obserue and aime at the example of the ancient holy Church, chiefly in the time of Pope Gregory the 7: vnder which this lurketh, that this Pope Gregory was the very first who durst ascribe & take vnto himselfe the right of the Empire; At what time (I pray you) liued this Pope? about the yeare 1100. is the antiquitie whereof they boast; I may affirme with Tertullian, that this is noueltie; what holinesse was there in those dayes, when all maner of fractious, cussen­nings, frauds, deceites, and villanies had their full swinge: and to write much thereof would be to dangerous, and be no honour to Christendome; Like as the Writer of those times affirmeth in the dayes of the Emperor Henry the 4. It is very well knowne vnto all men, what Cardi­nall Benno hath written and translated of that Pope: [Page] (although Cardinall Bellarmine iudgeth that the same was wrtten by a Lutheran;) In like manner, it is also but to well knowne by other Writers, who haue painted out in liuely colours this Pope Gregory euen to the life. A certaine man named Orthamus Gracious, very much a­dicted to the Romish Church, was the first publisher thereof in a booke, wherein are contained very many re­markeable obseruations: out of the actions of this Pope Gregory, the Colledge of Cardinals, in the 19. Articles do conclude the Popes authoritie, and not out of these ac­tiones onely, but also of other Popes who haue delt most tirannically with the Empire. One could also hit the Cardinalls in the teeth, with that which Cardinall Bellar­mine in his second Booke of the Popes of Rome saith, in the 29. Chap. vpon the 4. Argument, viz. ‘That the Christian Emperours haue oftentimes beene Iudges of the Popes: whereunto very subtilly he inferreth or answereth; That these things haue beene done, but how well they haue done the same, and by what right, that they themselues shall answer.’

It is indeed much to be wondred at, that the Clergie men are grown to that passe, that they so stoutly attempt that which all the world hath in abomination, and with such polluted hands to lay hold vpon the most famous state of the Empire. We obserue also how shamelesse the Colledge of Cardinalls are, willing that we (from the euill liues and wicked actions of deceased Popes) should conclude how great the authoritie of the Pope is: at least they neede not to be so contumelious, and arrogant a­gainst those Emperours, which in former times the Popes haue acknowledged to be themselues seruants of the Em­perours; The Pope also ought to haue in consideration that he by meanes of the Empire hath obtained so great riches, and now by the greatnesse of his power, and all maner of sensuallities, blindeth the eyes of many tempo­rall princes.

How blind are the men of this age, when the Sunne [Page] shineth so bright, how little do they know or think what will fall out in the end; he hath got so great treasures from those of the Empire, to the end that he wanting nothing, might giue the better luster vnto his religion: now abuseth he these gifts, by driuing the Empire into a great feare. He is enriched with earthly countries, to the end he should enrich vs with the heauenly, and now they serue him to take away our earthly; He is enriched, to the end that by his religious care, we might liue in greater securitie in the Empire: now he careth not for that, although there be trouble raised in the Empire, so he may liue brauely and laciuiously; This is the reward of peruerted liberalty: so that for many ages it hath been very truely said: ‘Religion brought forth riches, and the Daughter hath deuoured the Mother.’

You props and pillers of the Empire, (most Illustrious Emperour, Princes Electors, Princes, and States) tollerate no longer this triumph and pride of the Romish Clergie: you see how boldly they violate the lawes of the Em­pire, they limite your established law, and preferre vnto you that which they do but thinke and inuent: leauing vnto you the bare name of the empire, but haue drawne the maiestie thereof long agoe to themselues.

What will this worke in the end, if you be content any longer with patience to behold or looke vpon the same, neuer thinke that they will omit to increase theirs, and decrease yours; You haue heard how they threaten you, and what they intend as enemies to prosecute: and you know that the abominable deeds which the Popes haue performed against the Emperours, doe serue them now for very faire examples.

Since then it is not yet to late, take councell prouident­ly, that the Romish Cardinalls in the end may be glad to leaue their affronts, and their proud courage may quaile, vndertake firme and substantiall courses, that their disso­lute and insolent desire of dominion may be restrained and bridled: then shall the Maiestie of the empire be [Page] preserued: whereunto Almighty God giue you his blessing in all your consultations. from whom you haue receiued the possession and gouernment of the Empire.