1. Against Peters Supremacy.

The Papists places for Supremacy. 1 COR. 12. 22. The head cannot say to the feete, I haue no neede of you. Say they: This must be the Pastor ouer the Flocke: Ergo, Of Peter in respect of the Apostles.

Answere. THE Apostle speaketh of no head­ship, but considering the consent of the members one for another, hee intendeth that so it should be in the Church for auoiding of contention; not as the Popes, that disgrace, subiect, yea, killeth Kings, the chiefe members of the Church, and many other great Diuines, as Iohn Hus, and Ierome of Prage, worthy men; onely because they would not assent with them.

Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter, and vpon this Peter, will I build my Church.

Answere. With shame enough, for the vulgar, which vpon paine of the Popes curse no man must al [...]er, hath Super hanc petram; that is, vpon this Rocke: which was Peters confession Christ meant, euen himselfe the foun­dation of the Church; as a Rocke. Hereunto Tunstall and Stokeley, two Popish Bishops agree. 1 Cor. 3. 11. O­ther foundation can no man lay, then that which is laide, which is, Iesus Christ, the chiefe Shepheard. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 4. Where the chiefe Shepheard shall appeare, &c. Not the Pope I trowe.

Matthew 16. 19. To thee will I giue the Keyes, &c. By [Page 3] this they vnderstand the fulnesse of power Ecclesia­sticall, to make him head.

Answere. The question being propounded to them all, Peter answering, one for all; therefore together one for them all receiued this power: and therefore what­soeuer Christ promised to Peter, he promised to him, to them alike; as Matt. 18. 18. and Ioh. 20. 23. it is said, not to Peter alone, but to them all: Whatsoeuer ye bind on earth, shall be, &c. And whosoeuer sinnes ye remit, &c.

Chrysostome on this place saith; What therefore did Peter, the mouth of all the Apostles, and crowne of the whole Company? When all were asked the question, hee alone answered, and being asked of the opinion of the common people, they all answered: but when hee asked them of their owne opinion, Peter present­ly start forth, and preuenting the rest, said; Thou art Christ that Sonne of God: Againe, Vpon this Rocke; that is, that Faith, and Confession: And againe, The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen, &c. the same is common to them all, Iohn 20. 21. 22. 23. Peter after disswaded Christ to die, whereupon Chrisostome saith: From hence surely we plainely see, that he spake not before of himselfe. Keyes. This is a Metaphor, intending the publike Office of the Apostles, the publike preaching of the Gospell through the World, which yet they were not to enter vpon, till they were fully furnished. Luk. 24 47. Acts 1. 4. These Keyes are not deliuered to Peter alone, for hee saith in the future tence; I will giue; not doe, or haue gi­uen. Luk 24. 49. Where the commission is giuen to them all, not naming Peter. Mat. 28. 19. Mar. 16. 15. Ioh. 20. 21. Goe into all the World, preach the Gospell to euery creature. But the full power was not vntill the fiftieth day after [Page 4] the resurrection, when the holy Ghost came vpon euery one of them; and now they executed their Office in preaching the Gospell, which was, the Keyes to open the Kingdome of Heauen. If Peter onely had the Keyes to open the kingdome of heauen, what should haue become of the greatest part of the World: yea, of vs Gentiles?

Their fourth place, Luke 22. 31. Simon, Simon, Sa­than hath desired to sift you, &c. If to strengthen the Apo­stles; then he must be supreame head.

Answere. Whereas the Papists vnderstand by you, the other Apostles, that were to accuse Christ, that choosing twelue men to worke, being Master to all, (and giuing graces alike to all) would send them to a fellow laborer, to be taught after his departure: but Peter shall giue an­swere in this point, that he meant not so; but by brethren he meaneth all the faithfull. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Wherefore bre­thren giue alwayes diligence to make your calling and electi­on sure, &c.

So the rest of the Apostles call the faithfull, brethren, as children of one Father, 2 Thess. 2. 1. We beseech you bre­thren, &c. and 3. 1. Furthermore, Brethren pray for vs: and verse 6. Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you brethren by the mercy of our Lord Iesus Christ. 1 Pet. 5. 8. 9. So that by Brethren, our Sauiour meant the faithfull, whom Peter, and the rest should strengthen. To this end, verse 2. he exhor­teth to feede the Flocke, and to take care of them. And Paul, Acts 14. 22. Strengthened them.

Their fift place, Iohn 21. 15. 17. Feede my Sheepe. This they vnderstand of Peter to the rest of the Apostles.

Answere. This was a Commandement giuen before of Christ in his former Commission, Iohn 20. 21. Giuen [Page 5] to Peter with all the Apostles: As my Father sent me, so send I you. Receiue the holy Ghost. Whosoeuer sinnes ye re­mit, &c. Therefore this was no new charge: but willeth him to looke to that, lest he might start aside, as he had done before; Matthew 16. 22. Goe after me Sathan. And Matthew 26. He denyed him three times.

Feede my Lambes. Sheepe: This is a Metaphor taken from a Flocke of Sheepe, and Lambes. Now Christ is the good Shepheard, that hath giuen his life for the Sheepe; Iohn 10. 11. and 1 Peter 1. 4. The Sheepe-fold is the Church, and the Sheepe and Lambes, are the faithfull, to be gathered into the Sheepe-fold; Iohn 10. 1. 16. By his Substitutes, Apostles, Pastors, &c. Ephe. 4. 11. The Church is called, a Flocke. Luke 12. 32. Feare not little Flocke. Acts 20. 28. Take heede vnto all the Flocke. Paul speaking to the Pastors, 1 Pet. 1. 5. speaking to the Elders. Feede the Flocke of Christ, which dependeth vpon you. Therefore Peter had no authority ouer the other Apostles, but they and he had one commandement and commission to goe into the whole World, to preach the Gospell, and or­daine Ministers.

The sixt place, Acts 1. 15. Peter propoundeth an ele­ction to be made of a new Apostle; Ergo head of the rest.

Answere. This proueth that he was the Prolocutor, or common-speaker, as with vs in Parliament, and might be the first in place, for Order, but not the Elector; for that was done by them all: as Acts 1. 22. And they ap­pointed two, not Peter alone, and the election was of God di­sposing the Lots.

The seauenth place, Acts 15. 7. He is president of the Counsell of the Apostles. He speaketh first, he concludeth, with lie and all.

Answere. The Text shall confute this. He, as is said, was first in order, (but not in authority) as the common speaker: verse 12. Barnabas and Paul spake with great silence of the rest, and when they ceased, verse 13. Iames answered; Whose sentence preuailed: And then not Pe­ter, but all the Apostles and Elders, and the whole Church concluded. So Peters primacy of order, was not the Popes supremacy.

The eight place, Gal. 1. 18. Paul after three yeeres came to see Peter, (say they) to doe him honor: Ergo Superior.

Answere. If it were so that he came to honour Peter, this proues not his primacy; for then should Wiues be superiors to their Husbands: For, 1 Pet. 3. 7. saith; Let Wiues be subiect to their Husbands: yet he saith, They must giue them honour. Ahashureosh honoured Mor decai, yet he was not aboue him.

Chrysostome, 1 Gal. saith; That Paul was Peters Peere in dignity. Ambrose there saith, Paul was euen such another as Peter.

Augustine there saith; Their authority to be equall, and for Pauls honour, what hee wanted in time, is supplyed by Christs glory; not as the rest, made an Apostle on the earth, but from heauen, while he now raigned in Ma­iestie.

Gal. 11. Paul himselfe saith; He was an Apostle, not of men, nor by men, but by Iesus Christ: Againe, 2. 6. Of them which seemed to be chiefe, I was not taught: And verse 11. he saith; When Peter came to Antioch, I with­stood him to his face: for he was worthy to be blamed.

The ninth place, Gal. 1. 18. as before. That he tarryed with him fifteene dayes: no small honour, say they.

Answere. Mary, the chiefe of women, went a great iourney to salute Elizabeth, and taryed with her three moneths, no small time; the Babe sprang in her wombe at her salutation, yea, shee was filled with the holy Ghost: You will not say, I trow, Elizabeth was aboue Mary. Therefore Augustine, Ambrose, Chrysost. Theodoret, Ierome, and others say, that Paul came to Peter, not to learne of him, but of reuerence and loue to be acquainted with him: Ergo Paul acknowledged no supremacy.

The tenth place, Iohn 10. 16. There shall be one Flocke, and one Shepheard: which is, the Bishop of Rome.

Answere. The Text plainely sheweth it to be Christ, who by the preaching of the Gospell gathereth them that are not yet called, and so to the end of the World; that so there may be one Sheepe-fold, Iohn 10. 16. Him­selfe being the chiefe Shepheard, 1 Pet. 5. 4.

In all these places we can finde no supremacy in Pe­ter, yet the Pope will needes be his successour. Now let vs see how he succeedes; and because he standeth much on the place, though many wretches succeede good men in place, yet we will examine it: but if he be Peters suc­cessour, he must succeed him rather in labour, in prea­ching the Gospell of Christ, and in holy life and con­uersation.

First of the place, whether Peter sate euer Bishop of Rome.

PEter was an Apostle. Now the Apostles were not deputed to any certaine place; but had the whole World for their Diocesse.

Marke 16. 15. Goe into all the World, preach the Gospell to euery creature, &c.

1 Pet. 1. Therefore Peter writeth vnto the Chur­ches which he had planted in Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, Asia, and Bethinia, making no mention of Italie, or Rome; though I denie not, but he might be there as an Apo­stle, but not to reside there: for that had beene to goe beyond his Commission.

The Papists alledge for their proofe, Hierome de viris illustribus: That Peter sate Bishop at Antioch 7. yeeres, and then went to Rome the second of Claudius, where he sate 25. yeeres, euen to the 14. yeere of Nero, at what time he dyed.

Now let vs examine this point. Paul was conuerted the first yeere after Christ, and tarryed in Arabia three yeeres: Gal. 1. 17. 18. Then he went to Ierusalem to vi­sit Peter, the fourth yeere after Christ, and the 22. of Ti­berius. Then Peter was one at Ierusalem, Acts 12. 3. A­gaine, Peter was put in prison the second, or third of Claudius, Anno Christi 11. and Acts 13. 14, Paul prea­ched at Antioch the eight of Claudius; where it is not like that Peter was: for then there had beene little neede of him. Againe, Luke would haue made some mention of him: for Paul came twice to Antioch, Acts 14. 21. 26. and there they aboad long time with the Disciples; no men­tion of Peters being there. About this time Paul and Bar­nabas goe vp to Ierusalem, to conferre with the Apostles about Circumcision; where the Apostles called a Coun­sell about that matter: where Peter was the first spea­ker, but Iames concludeth the point; and this was the eleuenth yere of Claudius: And they wrote Letters vnto [Page 9] to the Brethren that were at Antiochia: So wee see that Peter was not yet there, but at Ierusalem, Anno Christi 18. Claudij 10. That he might be at Antioch as an Apostle, we denie not, but when he went, or how long he tarried, the Scripture sheweth not, neither can Papists proue.

But Peter being at Ierusalem the tenth of Claudius, and Claudius dyed foure yeeres after. Now Nero succeeding, raigned but 14. yeeres; foure and 14. make but eigh­teene: How could Peter sit seauen yeeres Bishop of An­tioch, and after 25. yeeres at Rome; which maketh 32. yeeres? So they must put 4. or fiue Emperors raignes to make vp the number, that is, the first of Domitian: for Galba raigned but seauen moneths, Otho but three mo­neths, Vespasian nine yeeres, Titus two yeeres, Domitian fifteene yeeres: out of which if you take two yeeres, makes it vp the 32. and Peter was dead 14. yeeres be­fore, by their owne confession, the last of Nero: and then we finde another in the place, one Anaclet. To conclude, they can neuer proue he sate Bishop at Antioch seauen yeeres, nor at Rome at all.

Here a Friar of their owne, one Onuphrius, skilfull in Antiquities, and the Popes Secretary. It is cleere (saith he) and manifestly knowne by the Acts of the Apostles, and Pauls Epistle to the Galathians, that for nine yeeres space af­ter Christs death, vntill the second of Claudius, Peter neuer went out of Iury: Wherefore, if he came to Rome at that time, it followeth of necessity, that he did not sit seauen yeeres at Antioch before he came thither. For from the second of Claudius, vntill his death, is about 25. yeeres: and though the ancient Writers say, He sate at Rome, yet it followeth not, that he aboade still in the City: For in the fourth yeere after his comming thither, he retur­ned [Page 10] to Ierusalem, and was present at the Counsell there: Thence he came to Antioch, and there continued seauen yeeres, vntill the raigne of Nero, when he came to Rome, where hee repaired the Roman Church, which was de­caying. After that, when he had trauelled almost tho­row all Europe, he returned to Rome, in the first of Nero, and there was put to death. Thus far Onuphrius. There­fore it is but a tale, that he sate Bishop of Rome 25. yeeres, or at all; but that hee was there as an Apostle, as hath beene said before.

Now come wee to examine how the Pope succeedeth Peter.

PEter, if he were at Rome, it was, as he was an Apostle, to preach the Gospell, and to establish the Church there, as he did in other places, euen as Paul did, and the rest of the Apostles through the World; according to their commission and commandement giuen by Christ; Matthew 28. 19. Againe, he was there to confirme with his bloud the Doctrine taught, and was obedient to the Emperour, and suffered death at his command: where­by he left an ensample for doctrine, and manner of li­uing to his successors.

Now let vs see how the Pope succeedeth Peter.

He teacheth not Christ the onely meanes of saluation, but his own traditions, merits, worshipping of Saints, &c. and persecuteth, and putteth them to death, that obey not his decrees, and commands. Secondly, he yeeldeth not obedience to authority, as Peter taught, and practi­sed. 1 Peter 2. 13. Submit your selues vnto all manner [Page 11] or dinances of men, for the Lords sake, whether vnto the King, as the Superior, or to Rulers sent by him for punishment, &c. And Paul, Rom. 13. Let euery soule be subject to the higher powers, &c. Whosoeuer resisteth power, resisteth Gods ordinance.

But the Pope commandeth Kings, curseth them, and killeth them; to that end he hath his triple Crowne, and elaymeth soueraignty ouer the Church, and comman­deth the treasure of the World: whereas Peter had nei­ther gold, nor siluer, Acts 3. 6. The Lot of the Church is to be persecuted, not to persecute: we must not looke to fare better then our Master, saith Christ; Iohn 15. 20. Remember the words: I said vnto you, the seruant is not greater then the Master; if they haue persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If the Pope be Christs seruant, as hee calles himselfe, Seruant of Seruants; let him shew his markes for Christ: as Paul, Gal. 6. 17. Behold, I beare in my body the markes of the Lord Iesus. See 2 Cor. 11. 23. And therefore we conclude, the Pope to be Antichrist, not Christs seruant, nor Peters successor.

Now enquire we the time when it is like the Pope beganne.

REuelation 20. 2. We haue a manifest Prophecie, that Sathan should be bound, which ranged at pleasure in the vnchristian World, that is, before Christ; who shall lighten things that are hid in darkenesse, 1 Cor. 4. 5. and Luk. 1. 79. & Ioh. 1. 5. & Ioh. 3. 19. This is condemna­tion, that light is come into the World, and men loued darke­nesse, &c. Act. 17. 30. The time of this ignorance God re­garded [Page 12] not, but now biddeth all men, Euery, &c. Now this light is Christ, and the preaching of the Gospell. Sathan therefore must be bound one thousand yeeres from Christs preaching, that he should not through the darkenesse of error, vexe men as he had done, though their bodies be not freed from the Crosse, and persecu­tion, that they may be like their Master. Now the Apo­stles and Bishops of Rome, with other Bishops, Ierusa­lem, Antioch, Constantinople, and the rest that succeeded, not at Rome, but wheresoeuer; for preaching Christ cru­cified, were so occupied, what with preaching, and vn­der the Crosse, for the space of the first 300. yeeres, as they had no leysure to dreame of Supremacy: After which time (as Rest breeds Rust) so by little and little they grew ambitious, and now and then one Bishop or other, would affect priority: so as about the end of the next 300. yeeres, they began to desire primacy, but not supremacy: As Policarpe Bishop of Ierusalem challenged the first place, 426. yeeres after Christ. Gelacius Bishop of Rome, after him about 445. Iustine Emperor of Rome, made Misda Bishop of Rome Patriarch, about 520. A­bout the same time, Iohn of Constantinople, Bishop, was called vniuersall Bishop. Iohn the first Bishop of Rome, a good man, was put in prison, and dyed for the truth. Pelagius Bishop of Rome, was the first that challenged the primacy by Scripture. Iohn Bishop of Constantino­ple, called himselfe vniuersall Bishop, 582. Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, first of that name, reproued Iohn of Constantinople, for calling himselfe vniuersall Bi­shop, 591. Before him Iohn the third, Bishop of Rome, decreed that none should be called summus Sacerdos, or vniuersal Bishop, about 566. All this while no thought [Page 13] of a Pope, or of Peters successor in Rome.

Now Phocas, seruant to Mauricius Emperor, killed his Master, the Empresse, and children most cruelly: At this time Boniface the third Bishop of Rome, obtained of this Butcher the title to be called vniuersall. Bishop, An­no 607.

Note that the primacy of the Bishop of Rome was established by a murtherer, and a Traytor, who dyed miserably: for the 612. of Christ, he was slaine by the Souldiers of his Guard. Abbas Vesper, & others say, that Heraclius and Persius slew him, cutting off his hands and feete: others adde, that his priuy members were cut off, and his body burnt. Estate Church.

Boniface the 3. liued but 9. moneths (so soone his pride came to an end) whose life and decrees perished toge­ther, Anno 607.

Martin the 1. Bishop of Rome, was buffeted by the Em­perour for reprouing him, being an heretike, and was further vilely entreated, banished from Constantinople, (whither the Emperour sent for him) to Pontus, with his tongue cut out, 649. Yet Rome no Supremacy, but sub­iect to the Emperour, both in creation, and deposing.

Constance Emperour, spoyled Rome (because the Bi­shops were not willing he should remoue thither) more in seuen dayes, then all the Barbarians did in 360. yeers. Anno Christi 662.

Vitelian, called Bishop of Rome, to him the Emperour by singular grace confirmed the priuiledges of the Church, which notwithstanding, hee after brake, and made them of no force, Fasci. Temporum.

The sixt Counsel of Constantinople, approued Masse in the Latine tongue. The Greeke Priests were permitted to liue in mariage, but not the Priests of the West-Chur­ches: None to answere for a Childe, but such as knew the Lords Prayer, and the Beliefe of the faithfull. In the second Volume of Counsels, none to vow not to marry, and that Priests which separated themselues from their Wiues, because of their sacred Orders, should be exclu­ded from the Communion. Peter viret in dialogo, to them of Orbe.

In the 12. & 13. Counsell of Tolledo, such were Ana­thamised, as forbid eating of flesh. Pet. Viret.

Benet the 2. Bishop of Rome, obtained of the Emperor, that the election of the Bishop of Rome, made by the people, Clergie, and Souldiers, without attending any more the authority of the Emperour, should be lawfull. Anno Christi 685.

Sergius the 1. was chosen in a Schisme: he was in danger for condemning the Heresie of the Monotholites: He sent Vmbred to the Frisons to conuert them to the faith, 688.

Philippicus Bardanius, Emperour, made an Edict that all the Images of Saints should be taken from Chur­ches. 717. and that by consent of Iohn, Patriarke of Constantinople. No maruell though Pope, and Papists be of another minde; for they haue left the second Com­mandement out of the number of Commandements, which the Church of Rome approues.

Gregorie the 2. excommunicated the Emperor Leo, and discharged his people from obedience. 714.

Leo Emperour, reformed the Church of Images, [Page 15] although the Pope with-stood. 720.

Gregorie sent Boniface, alias Wenefred, an English Monk, into diuers places, to preach the faith; he was martyred, as was one Willobrordus sent before to preach by Ser­gius Nauclere.

Priests mariages against, Purgatorie, Reliques, Frater­nities. Albertus Gallus, Clement, and Scotus, with many other learned men in France and Germany, withstood the Bishop, reformed Boniface in reliques, single-life, Ima­ges, Purgatorie, and Popes Supremacy. An. Christi, 735. The Pope is not yet setled in his nest.

Constantine the fift Emperour, was vehement against Images. Anno Christi, 741.

Sergius the 2. absolued Pippin, and the French, of their oath to the King, 752.

Paul the 1. sate ten yeeres and odde: He was vehement against the Emperour for Images, 758.

Theodor Bishop of Ierusalem, maintained Images, 758.

Nicholas, Bishop of Constance, was against Images, 766.

Adrian the 1. gaue authority vnto Charles the Great, to choose the Pope, and to inuest Bishops, and Arch­bishops, 772.

Leo the fourth Emperor, was against Images, 777.

Raiginbald in Lumbardie would not obey the decree of Adrian, but kept their Wiues still, 779.

Leo the 3. Bishop of Rome, sate 20. yeeres: He was im­prisoned of the Romans for his cruelty, but Charles the Great pacified all, 796.

Stephen the 4. Bishop of Rome, sate one yere: He sought [Page 16] his confirmation of Lodowicke Emperour, 816.

Gregory the 4. Bishop of Rome, would not take the Bi­shopricke, before he was confirmed of the Emperour, 827. Yet no Supremacy.

Iohn the 8. a woman Pope, sate two yeeres & one mo­neth. By generall consent shee was chosen Pope, but not long after being great with childe by her seruant, ha­uing for a while hid her great belly, in the end going to Lateran, betweene the Theater, which they call the Col­losse of Nero, and Saint Clement, falling into her throwes, shee was deliuered; hauing sate two yeeres, and one mo­neth, and foure dayes: and was buried without honor. Anno 158. See Platina, Marianus, Scotus, Sigisbertus, Ra­nulphe, Volateran, Bergonius, Martin.

Benedict the 3. sate three yeeres, being chosen, he recei­ued the Office weeping, taking God to witnesse that he was not worthy of such a charge; he continued three dayes in fasting and prayer, desiring God to giue him grace to gouerne the Church. Sup. Cron. Nauclere. He was deposed from the Papacy, by the conspiracy of cer­taine wicked persons, and a Cardinall vsurped the place but after againe he was restored. Estat. Church, 857.

Nicholas the 1. sate ten yeres, he began to compel single life, but could not preuaile; his decrees were greatly re­sisted. Huldrike Bishop of Asburge in Almaigne, writ a worthy Epistle vnto him, Extant 859. Plat. Esta. Church, In his Epistle he puts him in minde of the like decree made by Gregory, who finding the fruit of his single life, (namely, 6000. Infants heads found in a Pond, whither he sent for Fish,) whereupon hee greatly repented him­selfe of his decree, which he confessed was the cause of [Page 17] so lamentable a murther, and so hee altered his former decree. Esta Church, the Epistle at large, 859.

Adrian the second, sate sixe yeeres: he was chosen with­out the Emperour, and excusing the matter, the Empe­rour was appeased, he was saluted Pope, Plat. Ro. Barus. after he granted the Election to the Citizens of Rome. Nauc. and Chron. Abb. 869. There was great diuision betweene the Greeke and Latine Church, onely for the primacy, and for the diuersity of Ceremonies. Ro: Ba­rus. Nauclere.

Iohn the ninth, sate ten yeeres: he wrote Saint Grego­ries life in foure Volumes, he gaue occasion of great con­tention and warres, in choosing of the Emperour. The Pope was committed to prison, but by the helpe of his friends he escaped, and fledde into France, where he re­mained a yeere. In the meane time Charles the third, Em­perour, was at Rome, and kept it. He sent for the Pope to Rome, who returned, and so they raigned two yeeres together: Platina, Florent, and Ro. Barus. Finally, hee was poysoned, or as some say, slaine with the blow of a mallet, vpon a conspiracy made against him. Chron. Abb. Vestper. Ro: Barus. 880.

Martin the second, sate one yeere and fiue moneths: he restored Formosus Bishop, disgraded by his Predecessor; This Pope entred the Popedome by euill arts. Supple. Chron. 884.

Adrian the third, sate one yeere and three moneths, he decreed the Emperor to be no more looked for in choo­sing of the Pope, but that the Election of the Clergy should be free: Dist. [...]. Anno 886.

Leo the sixt, sate seauen moneths and fifteene dayes.

Stephen the fift, sate sixe yeeres and ten moneths.

Formosus Bishop of Portuens: was appointed Pope, and sate fiue yeeres and sixe moneths, against the will of some Romans, which pretended that Cardinall Sergius was chosen, whereupon proceeded a great schisme, cruell and scandelous, and indured a great time; this Formosus bought the Papacy. Iohn le Maire. Supp. Cron.

Boniface the sixt, sate fifteene dayes.

Stephen the sixt, sate one yeere and sixe moneths, hee euilly requited his predecessor Formosus, who made him Bishop of Anania, he condemned his acts, caused his bo­dy to be taken out of his Tombe, threw his two fingers into Tiber, and buried his body in lay mens apparell: Plat. Naucler. Ro. Barus. At last he repented his faults, and became a Monke. Supp. Cron.

Romaine, sate three moneths and 22. dayes, hee esta­blished the acts and decrees of Formosus, and disanulled the acts and decrees of Stephen. Naucler. Anno 900.

Theodor the second, sate 22. dayes, he was a seditious man, and a very monster in nature; he condemned Ste­phen, he restored the acts and fauourers of Formosus: Naucler. 900.

Iohn the tenth, sate two yeeres, hee was a sedicious monster, he restored Formosus, and burned Stephens acts; he moued sedition in Rome, and for feare fledde to Ra­uenna: Ro. Barus and Sigeber. 905.

Benet the fourth, sate three yeeres, he did nothing wor­thy of memory. Platt.

Leo the fift, sate forty dayes; a Cardinall his familiar [...] called Christopher, imprisoned him, and by violence ob­tained the Papacy. Leo dyed of griefe, 905.

Christopher sate seauen moneths, he entered by vio­lence, and so he lost it; for he was deposed, and impriso­ned, was constrained to be a Monke, which was the onely refuge of the miserable; wherein disordered Church-men were detained, and inclosed in strong Monasteries, and there hee dyed. Naucler and Cron. Abb. 905.

Sergius the third, sate seauen yeeres, he condemned Formosus acts, he tooke vp his body, and cut off his head, and threw him into Tyber: he begat Iohn the twelfth vpon a faire Whoore, Wife to Guido. Luithorandus. Anno 906.

Note, Formosus: Boniface the sixt, Stephen the sixt, Romaine, Theodorus the second, Iohn the tenth, Bennet the fourth, Leo the fifth, Christopher, Sergius the third; All these Popes condemned one anothers acts, ten suc­ceeding one another, aboue 20. yeeres: where is now their consent they boast so of, a maine marke of their Church?

Anastasius the third, sate two yeeres and two moneths, an honest Pope: Supp. and Cron.

Laudo sate fiue moneths, and more.

Iohn the eleuenth, sate thirteene yeeres and two mo­neths, he was Pope Sergius sonne, and proued no bet­ter then his Father, sauing he proued a good Souldier; His owne Souldiers stifled him to death: Naucler. 917.

Stephen sate two yeeres, and twelue dayes.

Iohn the twelfth, son to Pope Laudo, sate foure yeeres, ten moneths, and fifteene dayes: he did nothing worthy memory, and of some is not numbred in the Catalogue of Popes: Supp. Chron. He obtained the Popedome by his Harlot Theodora: he was strangled with a cushion by the Souldiers of Guido: Premonstra 917.

Leo the seauenth, sate three yeeres and sixe moneths. The Heresie of the Anthropomorphites (which say, that God hath a corporall forme) was at that time re­newed. The Bishop of Verone writ against it.

Stephen the eight, sate three yeeres, foure moneths, and twelue dayes; some say he was murthered in a sedition, insomuch as he was neuer publikely seene: Chron. Abb.

Martine the third, sate three yeeres, sixe moneths, and foureteene dayes; he was peaceable, and gaue him­selfe to repaire Temples, and to nourish the poore: saith Supp. Chron.

Agapatus the second, sate nine yeeres, he did nothing memorable.

Iohn the thirteenth, sate nine yeeres, and three mo­neths. This mans Father Abaric, being of the greatest power of Rome, caused the noblest and chiefe Rulers to promise and sweare, to choose after the death of Aga­patus, his eldest sonne, this Iohn: He was a vile monster in life, he committed incest with both his Sisters, and his Fathers Concubines; at Dice he would call to the Diuel, and drinke to the Diuell, he maintained a publike stewes. He was deposed by the Emperour in a Counsell; was [Page 21] againe placed, and soone after was taken againe in a­dultery, and was slayne by the husband of the wife, a­bout 960. Plat. Ro. Baras. Chron. Sigesb. Naucler. and Ioh. Maire: Others say, that the diuell brake his necke An­ton Chro. Fasci Baronius.

Benet the fift sate sixe moneths and fiue dayes: Hee was deposed by the Emperour, and banished into Al­maine, where hee dyed, and Leo placed in his roome: Anno 963. Naucler.

Leo the eight sate one yeere and foure moneths: Hee established to the Emperour, the choosing of the Pope, with inuesting. Naucler. and Dist. 63. cap. in Synod. 964.

Iohn the fourteenth sate sixe yeeres, eleuen months, and ten dayes: He was imprisoned by the Citizens, and Peter, Prouost of Rome, but was restored by the Empe­rour Otho the first; and Peter was deliuered to the Popes deuotion, who gaue him to the tormentors hands, who vnapparrelled him, cut off his beard, and set him vpon an Asse, his face to ward the tayle, and his hands bound vnder the tayle, and so was led through the Towne, and beaten with rods: after he was brought to prison, and finally, was banished into Almaine. Naucler. Volateran. Anno 965.

Benet the sixt sate one yeere, and sixe moneths: Hee was put in prison at Saint Angelo, wherein he was stran­gled by Cynthius. Naucler. 973.

Boniface the seauenth sate seauen months: the greatest in Rome conspired against him, for hee entred by euill meanes. He pilled the most precious treasures of the [Page 22] Church of Saint Peter, and fledde into Constantinople, where he continued eight moneths, & hauing turned all into siluer, he returned into Rome. In his absence they lifted vp one, whom they called Iohn the fifteenth: Hee sate eight moneths: But Boniface corrupted the vilest and wicked persons of Rome. This done, he tooke Pope Iohn, and put out his eyes, and made him die with hun­ger in the castle of Saint Angelo, and so possest the place, but he died incontinently after of a sodayne death, and his corps was drawne with a cord by his feete through the streetes, and pierced with pikes by the Romanes: but the Clarks buried him. Naucler. Ro. Barus. Cro. Abb. Anno 976.

Benet the seuenth sate eight yeeres and sixe moneths: he did nothing worthy memory.

Iohn the fifteenth died in prison, as before: in Bonif. 7.

Iohn the sixteenth sate foure moneths: for giuing the goods of the Church to his parents, friends and allies, he was hated of the Clergie, and people, and was inclo­sed in the Castle of Saint Angelo, where he died of hun­ger. Supp. Cron Ro. Barus. 976.

Iohn the seuenteenth sate tenne yeeres: for feare of Crescentius the Roman Rebell, he fled to Hitruria, cra­uing aide of the Emperour, and Gregory the fift was pla­ced in his roome. 987.

Gregorie the fift sate three yeeres: He was deposed af­ter the Emperours departure, and Iohn the eighteenth was placed in his roome: but the Emperour killed both the new Popes, Iohn and Crescentius, and placed Gre­gorie. [Page 23] 995. and so was a Schisme of two Popes. Naucler. Supp. Cron. & Plat.

Siluester the second sate foure yeeres: Hee was a Ma­gitian, and came to the Seate by the Art of the Diuell, vnto whom hee had done homage, that all his affaires might goe after his wish. He had most curious bookes of Magicke, which he got from a Philosopher, by the helpe of his daughter; and fearing to be surprized of it, he vowed himselfe to the Diuell, vpon condition he would bring him to France, and at last he came to be Pope: And desiring of the Diuell to know how long he should be Pope, the Diuell answered; vntill hee sayd Masse at Ierusalem. Then he followed his delights: but on a day in Lent celebrating the Masse in the Church of the holy Crosse of Ierusalem, he was sodainely taken with a great feuer, &c. and sodainely hee heard a great tumult of Diuells in his presence, &c. and surprized with feare, hee sent for his Cardinalls, and comman­ded his body should be hewen in peeces; but specially, such of his members whereby hee had worshipped the Diuell, and then that all should be put in a Cart, and vn­to what place soeuer the Horses which drew the Cart went, and should stay, there he should be buried. The horses, without any direction, carried his body into the Church of Laterane, where he was layd in a Sepulchre. And at this day his Sepulchre is a pronostike token of a Popes death. 999. Ro. Barus. Suppl. Cron. Bermo and Naucler.

Iohn the twentith sate foure yeeres and fiue moneths: He was suspected to haue made away his predecessour.

From Siluester vntill Hildebrand these Popes gaue [Page 24] themselues to diabolicall Arts: He died not without suspition of poyson. Naucler. 1006.

Sergius the fourth sate two yeeres and sixe moneths: He entred by Art Magicke. 1006.

Benet the eight sate twelue yeeres: Hee was deposed by the Cardinalls and people of Rome, and at the length got his place againe; and soone after dyed. Supp. Chron. He appeared after his death vnto a Bishop his familiar, vpon a blacke horse, and complayning of his torments, shewing how he might, by Suffrages, Masses, and Alms­deeds be discharged from Purgatory. Anno 1010. Plat. Naucler. Ro. Barus. Supp. Chron. Fasci. temporum, with o­thers.

Note wee here, the Pope that can giue Indulgences for twenty thousand yeeres, and deliuer what soules he will out of Purgatory, cannot now ease himselfe. Quomodo constat?

Iohn the twenty one sate tenne yeeres: Hee crowned Conrad Emperour; and therefore hee defended him a­gainst the Romans. Theophilact, alias Benedict the ninth. Iohn, Gratian, Laurence, Massican, Brazutus, Heldibrand: all Coniurers ruled at Rome, Anno 1031.

Benet the ninth sate tenne yeeres, foure moneths, and nine dayes. Supp. Chron. He was an horrible Coniurer, who by inchantment hauing got the Popedome to his two Vnckles, Benedict, and Iohn, now himselfe obtained it. He stirred vp Peter of Hungary against the Emperour Henry: Hee chose another Pope to him, Siluester the third; and solde the Popedome to a third, Gregorie the sixt, Three Popes. and so three were Popes together; but the Em­perour [Page 25] deposed them all, and placed Clement the se­cond. 1033.

Henry the third, Emperour, called Niger, cut off the Schisme of the Popes. 1041.

Siluester the third sate fiftie and fiue dayes: after Benet was depriued hee was chosen Pope, by gifts and cor­ruptions. Supp. Chron.

Gregorie the sixt sate two yeeres and sixe moneths: In the time of the former Schisme hee was adiudged a Symoniacke, and Homicide, yet he bought the Pope­dome of Benet. Ro. Barus.

Clement the second sate nine moneths: After the foure aboue-named were deposed: He was chosen in ful coun­sell: Hee crowned Henry the third Emperour, who be­fore he departed from Rome, constrayned the Romanes, by oath, to renounce their right of Election, without a­ny more medling therein hereafter, to auoyd Schisme, and Scandals, which commonly arise of such Elections. Naucler. The Romanes, after his departure, forgetting their oath, imprisoned this Pope, after he had gouerned nine moneths. Some say that Damasus his Successour was Author thereof: others say, Gerard Brasier and Heldibrand, a man expert in poysoning. Benno. In his time men forged Visions and Miracles, to establish the Sacrament of the Masse, which then was called the Sa­crament of the Altar: this Pope was poysoned soone after the Emperours departure. Naucler.

Damasus the second sate three and twenty dayes: He entred by force, for he occupied the Popedome without [Page 26] Election, either suffrage of people, or Clergie. Chron. Ro. Barus. He poysoned Clement, and himselfe was poi­soned by Brazutus. Anno 1048.

Leo the ninth sate sixe yeeres: He being sent by the Emperour, reiecting the Election, was chosen by the people through Hildebrand. Plat. He condemned Berin­garius doctrine. He was poisoned by Brazutus, and Be­nedict the ninth got his place againe, and dyed; and af­ter appeared in the likenesse of a Beare. 1049.

Popescannot saue themselues from Purgatorie.

Ʋictor the second: The people of Rome fearing the Emperours displeasure in choosing of a new Pope (ha­uing before forgotten their oath) sent Hildebrand to­wards the Emperour, to choose a Pope, and in the meane while, Victor was chosen, not so voluntarily, as to please the Emperour, in electing an Almaine, borne of Bauier: he ruled two yeeres and three moneths: he was poysoned by Brazutus. 1054.

Stephen the ninth sate ten moneths, after other foure moneths, hee brought Millane vnder the obedience of Rome, which from the Apostles time was free. Plat. Ro. Barus. Naucler.

Benet the tenth sate nine moneths: the Romanes cor­rupted with siluer, elected him against the Cannons, though the Glergie were against it. But he was constrai­ned to giue ouer the Popedome, and led a priuate life.

Nicholas the second sate three yeeres and six months: he called a Counsell at Rome, where they decreed Tran­substantiation. Nicholas caused Berengarius to recant. He [Page 27] was poysoned by Brazutus. Hildebrand expelled Bene­dict from the Popedome, because he said he entred not in by the doore, but by force, and gifts. Plat. So were two Popes together vntill Benedict resigned. 1058.

Alexander the second sate eleuen yeeres: He had Can­dalus chosen against him, who comming to Rome with a strong band; Alexander met him with the Romans, and the battell was hard and sharpe, where was a great slaughter, where Alexander got the day. The warre betwixt them continued two yeeres. Candalus was con­strained to yeelde, and to redeeme his life with sixe hun­dred markes. Iohn le maire 1062.

Alexander was buffeted by Hildebrand, was impriso­ned, & died, about 1074. Others, 1062. Benno Cardinal.

Gregory the seauenth, before called Hildebrand, sate twelue yeeres, and one moneth: rather a monster in na­ture then a man. Hee poysoned seauen or eight Popes by the seruice of Brazutus, the sooner to come to the Papacie; hee vsurped the Papacie without Emperour, Clergie, or people. Hee cruelly hand [...]ed the family of Quintius, who had imprisoned him; he caused the Em­perour three dayes to attend bare foote for absolution. He stirred Rodulph against him, and two more, one after the death of another: hee vsed to carry about him a cu­rious booke of Nigromancy, which one day forgetting, hee sent two of his trusty seruants, in such matters, to fetch it him (being now at the doore of the Lateran) with a speciall charge, not to looke into it. But they of a curious minde opened it and read in the Booke; and so­dainely the Angells of Sathan presented thems [...]lues, the multitude whereof, and the horrour of them, brought [Page 28] these two young men almost out of their wits, and as themselues reported, these euill spirits insisted strongly, saying; Wherefore haue you called vs? Command vs quickely what you will haue vs to doe, else we will fall vpon you, &c. One of the young men answered, Cast vs downe these walls strait-way, and shewing them cer­taine high walls, in a moment, the euill spirits threw them to the earth. They thus terrified, and trembling, almost without breath, came to their master: this wri­teth Benno, a Cardinall, who was in this time. This Pope practised treasons and murther against the Emperour, insomuch as hee sought to haue slaine him euen in the Church as he should haue been at his prayers. He prai­ed often in the Church of Saint Marke in mount Auen­tine. The Pope suborned one, promising great summes of money, to lay great stones vpon the beames of the Church, ouer the place where the Emperour vsually prayed, and to be let downe vpon the Emperour to crush him to death: but this wretched creature remo­uing a stone too heauie for him, fell downe with it vpon the pauement of the Church, & it burst him all asunder. Iohn Bishop of Port the Popes Secretary, openly in the Pulpet confessed Hildebrand to haue done such a thing, and we also as deceiuers should be burned aliue; giuing to vnderstand, that which he had done of the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord, that is, the decree of Tran­substantiation: whereof Hildebrand commanding Coun­sell of a certaine thing (as of old the Painims did of their Idols) hee cast the Hoast into the fire, because it gaue him no answere, though the Cardinalls spake against it. Thus farre Benno a Cardinall.

Note a beginning of the fruits of that cursed decree of [Page 29] Transubstantiation applied vnto charmes and inchant­ments. Moreouer, as he rose vp from his seate to excom­municate the Emperor Henry the fourth, the seate (late­ly made of new and strong wood) of it selfe brake into many peeces in terrible manner. Benno. He decreed sin­gle life to the Clergie, where-about hee moued maruel­lous tragedies, yet in Almaine, and in Fraunce were twenty foure Bishops and more, which together with their Clergie, were married, and defended, and con­stantly maintained their marriage. He commanded the vowe of Chastitie: hee ordayned the offering of the Masse. He was deposed, and fled to Salerne. An. 1086. where he died in exile. Abb. Vesp. Benno Balenus poisoned.

Clement the third was chosen Ante-pope to Gregorie the seauenth; so were two Popes together sixeteene yeares: he sate three yeares and fiue moneths. Plat.

Victor the third was made Pope, not by election of Cardinalls, nor people of Rome, but was there inthroni­zed, by Mathilde, Gregories louer onely, and the Normans of that faction: hee sate foure moneths. He entred and intended to follow the example of his predecessour Gre­gorie, in mouing of warres, and against the Emperour, and Pope Clement: he died of poison, which was put in­to the Challice by his Subdeacon, as he sung Masse. Her­man. Contract. Carsulan. praemonst. 1086.

Vrban the second, chosen by Mathilde onely, against the will of the Emperour, sate twelue yeares, foure mo­neths, and nineteene dayes. He was Hildebrands famili­ar, he watred, & caused to grow his pernitious seeds. He excommunicated the Archbishop of Rauenna, and Cle­ment [Page 30] the third, because he had bin chosen by the Em­perour: some call him the Perturber of the World. He would absolue none excommunicated by Hildebrand: and fearing to fall into danger of his life, he went secret­ly out of the Towne, and celebrated many Synods at Melph, two at Troy, three at Plaisance, foure at Clere­mont, fiue at Toures, in which he confirmed the acts of Hildebrand, and made new Ecclesiasticall ordinances, to fortifie the Papacy. This Pope cursed the Emperour, and the Ante-pope Clement, and he him againe. Hee heard Anselme against William Rufus 1088.

Paschal the second sate eighteene-yeeres, and sixe moneths, and seauen dayes: He followed the steppes of Hildebrand: He imployed all his time in warres: he put from their dignities all Ecclesiasticall persons which had been ordained by the Emperor. He assembled a Coun­sell at Rome. 1101. because of an opinion of a Bishop of Florence, touching Antichrist already borne. Sabellicus. Seeing so many mischiefes committed in the Church, he prohibited Ministers marriages. Hee renewed the ex­communication of Gregory the seauenth, and Vrban the second, against the Emperour Henry the fourth, causing the sonne to take vp Armes against his father, an inhu­mane, and horrible crueltie. The sonne most vnnatu­rally besieged his father, tooke him traiterously, dispoi­led him of all his Imperiall dignities, and made him die a poore miserable man, in great captiuitie and heauines: and all at the instigation of Christs pretended Vicar. Yet this Papall monster, not appeased with his death, commanded by his Letters, that his body should be vn­buried, and cast out of the Church, &c. and to be de­priued [Page 31] for fiue yeeres of Sepulture. Euseb. Chron. Hee dispoyled the Archbishop of Rauenna of his lands, ap­plying them to his owne profit: and after commanded the Archbishop of the same place to be taken vp, who had beene chosen Pope by the Emperour, in the time of Gregory the seuenth, sixe yeares after hee had laid in the Sepulchre. The Emperor and the Pope accorded, yeel­ding to Henry the fift inuestitures: but after he reuoked it and excommunicated the Emperour. But the Em­perour comming to Rome, the Pope fled to Apulia, where he dyed. Anno 1114.

Gelasius the second sate one yeere and six months, was chosen without the Emperor: he was imprisond by Cin­thius a great man of Rome, but he was deliuered by the people: the Emperor sent his Armie to Rome. The Pope fearing, fled to Gayette. The Emperor created another Pope called Gregorie the eight, the eighteenth Schisme of two Popes. Gelacius condemned the Emperour, and the Ante-pope. R. Barus. Gelacius came secretly to Rome; hee was knowne, and hardly escaped into France. Supp. Chron. 1118. He dyed of a plurifie at Clugni, where he was buried.

Calixt the second sate fiue yeeres: he was chosen by the Cardinalls. The Ante-pope came against him. He was ouercome in battell; and being taken by Pope Ca­lixt, hee was set vpon a Cammell, his face towards the taile, and so made him goe, and after imprisoned him. Iohn le Maire. Fasc. temporum. 1119.

Honorius the second sate fiue yeares, and two mo­neths: Arnulph Archbishop of Lions had at that time a [Page 32] singular gr [...]ce in preaching; and after he had preached in [...] and came to Italie, he came to Rome, but be­cause hee rebuked too sharpely the vices, delights, and pompes of the Church-men, hee was slaine. The Pope seemed to be grieued at it, yet made he no great search for the murtherers. Plat. Sabellicus. Bonifac. Simo.

This Popes Legate Iohn, was taken in bed with a whoore at London. Grafton.

Innocent the second sate foureteene yeeres: hee war­red against Roger the Norman; but Innocent was ouer­throwne in battell, and led away prisoner: while he was in prison, the Romans elected another, but Innocent a­greeing with Roger, hee was constrained to goe into France for succour, where he held two Counsells: after he returned towards the Emperour, who promised his aide, and so he returned into Italie. Anaclete the Ante­pope hearing thereof, stole away all the treasure and re­liques of the Church, to wage them which were of his band: He dyed with griefe, and his Cardinalls craued pardon. Thus two Popes continued sixe yeeres. 1136.

Celestine the second sate fiue months, and eight daies: he died of the pestilence.

Lucius the second sate one yeere: hee willing to take away the dignity of the Patritian, died of the pestilence. Supp. Chron. Fasci. temporum.

Eugenius the third sate eight yeeres: hauing excom­municated certaine Romans, hee was constrained to flee into France, 1145. comming againe he was honourably receiued; but he soone after dyed at Tyber, going to re­create himselfe. Hee was brought to Rome, and buried [Page 33] in the Temple of Saint Peter. Supp. Cron. 1145.

Saint Bernard against the impietie of the Popes, and the Ecclesiasticall sort: see his 67. Sermon, where he cal­leth them the Ministers of Antechrist. Item 57. in his booke to Eugenius. Item in the 33. Sermon vpon the Canticles, he often saith that Prelates are but Pilats. He reproueth Eugenius, that leauing the word of God, hee aduanced humane Traditions. And Hugo Cardinalis, in his Postill vpon Saint Iohn alleadgeth that Bernard sayth in a certaine place: It seemeth, O good Iesus, that all the vniuersity of Christians haue conspired against thee, and they are the chiefe of the conspiration which obtaine the Primacie of the Church.

Anastasius sate one yeere.

Adrian the fourth sate fiue yeeres and sixe moneths: he would not goe to the Church of Lateran to be conse­crated, vntill first Arnold Bishop of Brixe was cast out of the Towne, who opposed himselfe against the admi­nistration of Ciuill things, and Temporall Sword, which the Clergie had vsurped. Hee was angry with the Em­perour for holding his left stirrope at his lighting. Hee stirred vp all Italie to rebell against him, for receiuing homage of his owne Bishops. He was troubled of the Romans for their auncient Liberties. Iohn of Salisburie Bishop of Chartyrs, was a worthy man: Hee reproued many things in the Clergie, and Popes, and being very familiar with Adrian, he was heard to say to Iohn, That there were many Popes which rather succeeded Romu­lus in murther, then Saint Peter in feeding the sheepe. He excommunicated William King of Sicilie, and Pouill. Finally, he was choaked with a flie: he sayd, the life of a [Page 34] Pope was most miserable. 1154.

Alexander the third sate about two and twenty yeers: He was chosen by one halfe of the Cardinalls, and Vi­ctor on the other side; and so continued a Schisme of two Popes twenty yeeres, euen all the dayes of Alex­ander: For after Victor, came Paschalis the third, then Calixt, lastly, Innocent: vnto these all the Bishops of the Empire were sworne. Alexander granted the auncient Liberties to the Romans. He caused all Italie to rebell a­gainst the Emperour: hee troade vpon the Emperours necke. Hee defended Becket against Henry the second, King of England 1160. Hee seeking the Emperours death (while he was busied with the Turke) sent a Let­ter to the Turke, with the liuely Image of the King, to seeke to slay him. The Emperour with his Chaplaine on a hote day going to wash him, was surprized by an ambush of the Sultans, and brought before the Turke, where he fained himselfe to be the Emperours Chap­laine; but the Turke shewing him his Image, and the Popes Letters, he confessed the truth, and desired fauor: at length the Turke sent him away, vnder certaine con­ditions agreed betwixt them. The Emperour returning, assigned a day at Noremberg, and assembled his Court, declared the Pope Alexander his treason, shewing his Letters, and the Image. Briefly, euery one promised his helpe to pay his ransome, and to doe iustice vpon the said Alexander. The Pope vnderstanding his treason was come to light, and what the Emperour intended a­gainst him, he fled from Rome in the habite of his coole, and came to Venice. The Venetians maintained the Pope. The Emperour sent Embassadours to demand Alex­ander; [Page 35] finally, he sent his sonne Otho: the youth led with his Company, gaue battell: he lost the victory, and was taken prisoner; which the Pope seeing, would not agree with the Emperour, except he came to Venice, and re­ceiued the meanes he would offer. The Emperour to helpe his sonne, came to Venice. The Pope would not absolue him of excommunication, vntill he presented himselfe at the doore of Saint Markes Church: When he came thither, the Pope commanded him, in the pre­sence of al the people, to cast himselfe vpon the ground, and demand pardon; which he doing, the Pope set his foot vpon the Emperours necke, and pressing it downe, sayd: Thou shalt goe vpon the Aspe and Basiliske, and tread vnder thy feete, the Lyon and the Dragon. The Emperour answered; This was not said to thee, but to Peter. But the Pope stepping againe vpon his neck, answered, Both to me, and to Peter. The Emperour fearing some dan­ger, held his peace; and so was absolued, and vpon con­ditions agreed. Estate of the Church, and Plat. Now let the world iudge, whether this be Christs Vicar, Peters true Successour, a seruant of seruants, or a Luciferian proude Pope, the sonne of perdition, and Antechrist himselfe, that [...]itteth in the Temple of God, and boast­eth himselfe aboue all that is called God. 1180.

Lucius the third sate foure yeeres, and two moneths: while he went about to expell the Consuls and Patricij of Rome, he was cast out, and withdrew himselfe to Ve­nice: Such as tooke his part, had their eyes put out; o­thers were set vpon Asses, with their faces towards the tayle, and ignominiously handled. Platin. Hee dyed at Veron.

Vrban the third sate one yeere, and sixe months. Sup.

Gregorie the eight sate fiftie seauen dayes.

Clement the third sate three yeeres, and sixe months: he made a Decretall against all such Priests as celebrated Masse in woodden vessells, and with common bread. Heere is nothing respected but outward things, and the commandement of God neglected. Note againe, com­mon bread was now in vse in the Lords Supper.

Celestine the third sate sixe yeeres: Hee crowned the Emperour with his feet, sitting in his Pontifical Chaire, and holding the Imperiall Crowne betweene his feete; and the Emperour bowing downe his head, and like­wise the Empresse, receiued it from his feet: and imme­diately hee kickes it off againe to the ground, in token that he had power (if he so deserue) to depose him. The Cardinalls standing round about, reuerently tooke it vp, and set it on their heads againe. Baronius. Ranulph. Mysterie of Iniquitie.

Innocent the third sate eighteene yeeres: he absolued the Princes from their oath to the Emperour, caused them to choose Otho the fourth, and after excommuni­cated Otho also. This Pope added a very dangerous pe­stilence vnto the Articles of the Faith, that is, Transub­stantiation, as a thirteenth Article of the Faith. See the Decretalls. Tit. 1. De Summa Trinitate & fide Apostolica. cap. Firmiter credimus. This Decretall was made in the yeere of Christ 1215. and promulged in the Counsell of Lateran. Hee made another Decree of the Cannon of the Masse, and commanded it to be receiued, as from the Apostles: Thus they place in the roome of the do­ctrine [Page 37] of the Apostles, their owne Decrees. Hee also commaunded confession in the Priests eare, at the least once a yeare. See Decretal. Tit. 38. cap. Omnes vtrius (que) sexus. He dyed at Pice. Anno 1216.

Honorius the third sate tenne yeeres, and seauen mo­neths: he excommunicated the Emperour: hee raised the French against the Earle of Thelossa, for fauou­ring Albingenses. He was denyed in France the exacti­ons of two Prebends in euery Church, and two Monkes in euery Abbey 1216. Hee confirmed the order of the Iacobines, which his predecessors had refused to do; and confirmed the order of the Mendicants. He comman­ded the Hoste should be kept in a place by it selfe, and well inclosed. When the Hoste was lifted vp, the people to do reuerence, and bowe to it; and also, when it was carried to the sicke. He confirmed the order of Saint Francis. Fasci. temporum. Thus the fulnesse of infection is come into the Church by the foure plagues of beg­ging Monkes.

Gregorie the ninth sate foureteene yeeres, and three moneths: This Pope heaped vp Decretalls, and com­manded them to be kept through all Christendome, in Schooles and Iudgement. Thus the word of God is set aside for their traditions. Peter de Vienna complained, That all the world cannot fill the insatiabilitie of the Pope; That the turpitudes of the Clergie are so great, and enormious, as shame forbiddeth to speake thereof. Hee also maintained, that the Pope, neither by diuine, nor humane right, hath any power of the Sword. The Pope excommunicated him. William the Gold-smith at this time, sheweth that the Pope is Antichrist, Rome Ba­bylon, [Page 38] the Prelates, members of Antichrist. Caesarius 10. Distinct. 3. of his Dialogues. The Pope was driuen out of Rome by the Romans. He cursed the Emperour Fre­derike for not going to the holy Land: and the second time, for punishing Rebells, and receiued 12000. oun­ces of gold, for absoluing him. Vide Plat. and the My­sterie of Iniquitie. pa. 360. He cursed the Greeke Church, and they him againe: he plagued the Clergie of England by exactions, foure markes of euery Church: the fift part of euery Ecclesiasticall person: 10000. markes for maintaining of the warres against the Emperour: he stirred vp his sonne against him. He wrote to the Sa­razens, not to agree with him. He fell out with the Car­dinall Columna, because he would not doe a vile message to the Emperour, saying; I hold thee not hence-forth for Cardinall: Nor I thee for Pope, sayd Columna: and so he departed: Math. Paris. See the Mystery of Iniquity. fol. 304. Gregorie afflicted with so many mischiefes, fell sicke, and dyed with sorrow and griefe. 1241.

Celestine the fourth sate eighteen dayes: was poisoned.

Innocent the fourth sate eleuen yeeres, and sixe mo­neths: He canonized many Saints, made much of beg­ging Friers. Hee prescribed the Emperour Frederike, and Conrade, and then commanded William to be cho­sen against him. He exacted in England the third of all Church-goods: and the yeerely fruits of vacant Benefi­ces, and halfe of all Non-residences: and all the intestate Ecclesiasticall. Againe, of some Priests, fifteene, of some tenne, of some, fiue able men, furnished with horse and harnesse to the warres, for one whole yeere: besides 10000. markes, and after 70000. markes to [Page 39] this warre, in despite of King Henry; besides Peter-pence: 60000. markes yeerely of A [...]ent Clarkes: He reuoked Friers priuiledges, excommunicated them, and all religious persons. The Emperour sayde (fore­seeing what would follow when hee was chosen Pope;) I haue lost a Cardinall my friend, and haue chosen a Pope mine enemie: Plat. So honours change manners; and the very pride of the place makes them forget all duty to God, and man. He dyed miserably at Naples, sooner than he thought. Naucler. 1250.

Alexander the fourth sate seauen yeeres: he was set vp against Conrade the Emperour: hee reuoked the acts of Innocent, condemned the Bookes of Gulielmus de San­cto amore, written against Begging Friers: Plat. popish Clergie, calling the Pope Antechrist. He lost his armie in Nicrea, and comming to Viterbe, he dyed there 1261.

From Siluester the second that diuellish Magitian, vn­till this time, the Popes haue reigned as incarnate di­uells, in all trumperies, deceits, oppression of the good, and manifest tyrannies, and haue tormented by their in­fernall furies, the greatest monarkes; Henry the fourth and fift, the second Fredericke, and other princes of the earth.

Vrbane the fourth sate three yeeres and one moneth: hee raised vp warres against Maufroy, and after against Conradin, and ouercame them both, and so obtayned the lands; but the end was miserable: for the Sicillians, after the yeere 1282. rebelled against him, and slew all his French army in an euening sodainely, and opened their women great with childe, and cast away their fruit, that they, nor none of that generation might re­maine. [Page 40] This occasion was afterward commonly called, the Euensong of Sicilie: This Pope dyed at Peruse.

Clement the fourth sate three yeers and nine months: He had wife and children. Hee was the King of France his Chancellor. After his wifes death, he was Bishop of Pauy: after Archbishop of Narbon: after Cardinall, and was chosen Pope. Hee demanded a certaine tenth in Almayne. Iohn, Glossator of the Decree, and Prouost of Saint Stephen de Alberstate, opposed himselfe against it, and appealed to the next Counceil, for the which hee was excommunicated of the Pope, and depriued of his office. Sea of Histories. Clement had a nephew which held three Benefices; he constrained him to forsake two of them. Naucler. He died at Viterbe.

Gregorie the tenth sate foure yeeres: he assembled a Counsell at Lions, where was agreed the tenth part of the goods of the Church, to be giuen for sixe yeeres, to maintaine the warres for the conquest of the lands be­yond the Seas. He labored to bring the Greeke Church vnto Rome, but all in vaine; so as he is not vniuersall Bi­shop, nor his Successors. 1272. He came to Aretinum, where he died.

Innocent the fift sate sixe moneths, and two dayes.

Adrian the fift sate fortie dayes: he died at Viterbe. 1276. before hee was consecrated.

Iohn the two and twentieth sate eight moneths, pro­mising himselfe long life, foretold by the Starres, as hee affirmed it, but in the presence of his people, a new Vault, Valerius calleth it a playing Hall; Stella, a rich [Page 41] and precious chamber, which he had built in his pallace at Viterbie, fell the fourth day following sodainely vpon him, in the yeere 1277. and the seauenth day after the sayd ruine, he was found miserably slaine, betwixt the stones and the timber, and was buried in the great Church. Here the Pope found by experience the va­nity of his diuination. At this time was the doctrine of the Waldois, holding but two Sacraments, baptisme and the Communion: The Masse an abhominable and de­testable thing, and therefore to be abolished: All hu­mane tradition to be reiected, as not necessary to salua­tion: against many other toyes of Popery; against the Popes Supremacie; called Rome very Babylon, and the Pope the fountaine of all euill.

Nicholas the third sate foure yeeres: He transported to himselfe the dignity of the Senator of Rome. He made a Parke for Hares and Conies, for his pleasure to hunt in. He gaue much to his nephew, or rather bastard, cal­led Barthand, that hee tooke from others by force: as some say, hee ingendered vpon a Concubine of his bastards, a monster, whose haire and nayles were like a Beares. See Iohn de Naion, in his Institutions of Beda.

And as hee was determined to preferre the house of the Vrsins, of which house he was, and therefore had cau­sed to be paynted the pictures of Beares in the Pallace, being in the towne of Sutry, hee was taken with an A­poplexy, of which he died sodainly, and without speech. Anno 1291.

Martin the fourth sate two yeeres and eight months: he excommunicated Peter King of Aragon, and exposed his kingdome for a prey to the first that could get it, be­cause [Page 42] hee ordayned an army by Sea into Sicilie against Charles; and absolued his subiects of their oath. Note that all the pastime of Popes, is, to set Princes together by the eares. Hee granted to Rome the choyce of two Senators, of the Nobilitie, and excommunicated Pa­liolagus Emperour of Greece. He tooke the Cencubine of his predecessour Nicholas: but lest such an accident might happen him as did vnto others; namely, that if he had a childe, it should be like vnto a Beare, he com­manded all the Beares which had beene paynted in the Pallace by a Pope of the house of the Vrsins, should be defaced: For he knew well, that the figure of things vp­on which women thinke, when they conceiue, oft-times, is certainely imprinted in them. The. Cooper Abridge­ment of Chron. But as once hee was taking his ordinary refection with his Captaines, he was taken with a secret mallady whereof he died. See Cusalanus.

Honorius the fourth sate two yeeres: he excommuni­cated Peter King of Aragon, who then occupied the kingdome of Sicilie against Charles, and confirmed the Edict of his Predecessour against him. Thus they suc­ceed one another in cruelty: he confirmed the Sect of August. He died. 1288.

Nicholas the fourth sate foure yeeres, and one month. Naucler. Some say six yeeres. Many cruell warres, mur­thers, dissentions, and brawles in his time happened in Rome, vpon his occasion, giuing more countenance to the one part, then to the other: and this continued two yeeres. Fasci▪ temporum. Nicholas died of griefe, because all things happened not after his wish. 1291.

Celestine the fift sate two yeeres and fiue moneths: he went about the reformation of the Clergie: they grind­ing their teeth at him, called him Sot and Dotard: one of these companions killed Benet; suborned another, who making a cranny in his chamber, many nights cryed as it had beene an Angell from heauen, Gelestine, Gelestine, renounce thy Papacy, for that charge exceedeth thy force. Some also in the day time counselled him to giue ouer his Popedome, and prouide for his saluation. Note wee here that Rome cannot abide to heare of reformati­on. As he returned from Naples, he dismissed himselfe of that charge, &c. See Christian Massius: yet first hee made a constitution by all their consents, That it should be lawfull for a Pope to giue ouer such a charge: which Boniface his successour subtilly confirmed, and placed it in the sixt booke of his Decretalls: But this Boniface fearing that the people despising him, should cleaue vnto Celestine, caused him to be put in close prison, where he dyed. 1295.

Boniface the eight sate eight yeeres and nine moneths: He obtained the place (as before) by fraud and violence, to his predecessour Celestine. This is he of whom it is spoken, that hee entred as a Foxe, reigned as a Lion, and died as a Dogge. He was a terrour to Emperours, Kings and Princes, Nations and People, which he more respected then Religion, which gaue and tooke away kingdomes at his pleasure, extraordinarily thirsting af­ter gold from all places. He was also cruell against the dead, for he caused a godly man, buried twenty yeeres before, to be taken out of his graue, and burnt for here­sie, as he decreed. His pride and arrogancie was so hate­full [Page 44] to Princes, as Philip King of France, to bring vnder his pride made forces against him, inuaded him priuily in the night at Anagni, and breaking downe the gates, tooke him in his fathers house, and carried him to Rome prisoner, where through griefe of minde he died, thirtie fiue dayes after, and all his goods and treasure went to pillage. Platin. Iohn de la Maire. On Ashwednesday he gaue Ashes vnto the people of Genes: and Porchat the Archbishop of the Towne presented himselfe before him, and vnderstanding that hee was of the Gebellins, whom he hated, hee being on his knees vncouered, re­specting neither day nor place, people, or religion, in his malice he cast an handfull of ashes in his eies, & abu­sing Scripture said: Remember that thou art a Gebelline, and that with Gebelius thou shalt be brought to ashes: and strait depriued the Archbishop of his dignity, though after he restored him. Platina. Crinis. Cor. Abb. 1295.

Benet the eleuenth sate eight moneths: hee was a good man, and studied for concord: hee contemned Friers, reuoked Bonifaces Decrees. Comming to Pe­ruse, he there fell sicke, and dyed: But it was after pro­ued, that a certaine Abbesse presented vnto him poyso­ned figges, whereof hee dyed; and Leander affirmeth hee dyed of poyson. 1304.

Clement the fift sate at Auignon eight yeeres and tenne moneths: hee was enthronized at Lyons, in the Church of Saint Iust, with a mighty concourse of the Cleargie, and all estates. But their great pompe was mixed with great mourning: for as an innumerable multitude were mounted vpon an olde wall of Saint Iust, the sayd wall fell, and slew Duke Iohn of Brittaine: The King was [Page 45] there wounded, and the Pope throwne ouer his horse, and troden vnder foote, where he lost a rich Carbuncle out of his triple Crowne, esteemed at sixe thousand florens of golde, ( Pride must haue a fall:) besides, more then twelue other noble persons were there wounded, and dyed. These things done, the King departed, and the Pope made his residencie at Auignon. This Pope kept his Roman Court, not at Rome, but at Auignon, where it abode by the space of seauentie three yeeres, be­fore it returned to Rome. See Iohn le Maire. Hee sent three Cardinalls to gouerne Rome. This Clement was a publique whoore-monger, and a great maintayner of harlots. Chron. Herm. Paralip. Vesp. He gaue to them that offered themselues against the Turke, foure soules out of Purgatory, at their will, Agrippa de vanitat. This Pope commanded the Angells to carry into the ioyes of Pa­radice, and draw out of Purgatory, the soule of him whosoeuer should die in the way going in pilgrimage to Rome: moreouer, that the paines of hell shall no way be inflicted vpon them. In a Bull which is kept by Coppy at Vienna and Limego at this day. Agrippa de vanit. Scient. Hee condemned them that would not wor­ship the bread of the Eucharist. He ordained, That the oathes deliuered to Princes, were not oathes of subie­ction, but of fidelity. Hee ordayned a feast instituted in the honour of the bread in the Eucharist, which the Papists call Gods feast. Hee pronounced that the Re­liques of Saints ought to be greatly honoured. Finally, he being tormented with a fluxe of the belly, and paine of the stomacke and sides, he deceased in a Castle called Rocquemaure vpon Bosue 1314.

Behold here how humane traditions doe increase in­stead [Page 46] of the word of God.

Iohn the three and twentith sate nineteene yeeres and foure moneths. Hee condemned the Constitutions of Nicholas. Deer. 6. tit. 12. He made a Constitution against Friers Minors: he taught certaine errours, amongst o­thers, that soules so soone as they were dispoyled of the bodies, should not see God before the last Iudgement. Massius witnesseth, his father had so taught him before. He writ to the Grecians, that there was but one Church, whereof hee was chiefe, and the Vicar of Iesus Christ. The Grecians answered, Wee beleeue surely that thy power is very great ouer thy subiects; we cannot indure thy extreame pride, nor satisfie thy couetousnesse: the Diuell be with thee, for God is with vs. Iohn de la Man­dauill in his sixt booke rehearseth it. He declared Lewes de Bauiere a Rebell, Schismaticke, and Heretike, because (being chosen Emperour) hee tooke the gouernement without any oath to the Pope of subiection. Hiero Ma­rius. The Emperour came to appease the Popes rage to Millaine, and sent to Auignon, to the Pope, that hee would grant him kindly, the ornaments of the Empire, the Pope refused his Ambassadours, with great shame, and cited the Emperour peremptorily, that hee would come to Auignon, and submit himselfe to the ordinances of the Church. The Emperour knowing their tyranny, would not submit himselfe; as if hee were his seruant, and would not goe, but sent againe to make the same request. The Pope persisted in his opinion, &c. The Emperour calling vnto him many Princes and Lords of Italie, came to Rome, where he was honourably receiued of the people. The greatest Lords of Rome sent Ambas­sadours to the Pope, beseeching him to visit the towne, [Page 47] and grant to the King of the Romans the imperiall orna­ments: which if he refused to doe, they protested to ob­serue the auncient Law, and to vse the right of the Ro­man people. The Pope hearing the Embassage, draue them backe shamefully with vile words, and threates; which the Roman people seeing, departed, and so by the commandement of all the Clergie, and people, hee was crowned, &c. Hereupon the Pope accused him as one guiltie of diuine treason, and an heretike, and published against him a very rigorous Processe. (Oh Luciferian pride, vnbeseeming Peters successour.) The Emperour fortifying himselfe, published in all parts of the Em­pire, an appellation against the Pope, that hee for his part doth execute the Testament of Iesus Christ, teach­ing peace; which the Pope disturbeth in all Christen­dome, and remembers not, that all the honour he now hath, was graunted by Saint Constantine, to Siluester, when he was yet hid, and therefore accuseth him of In­gratitude, &c. and then they agreed to bring into the Church of Christ, the auncient custome obserued in e­lecting the Pope; namely, that being chosen by the people, he should be confirmed by the Emperour: and therefore one, called Peter Carbaria, a Frier, was created Pope, and called Nicholas the fift: and Pope Iohn was declared an hereticke, a tyrant of the Church, and not a Pastour, but a perturber of the peace of Christians: which proceedings the Emperour and the Princes, assi­stant at the Counsell held at Rome, submitted to the iudgement of the Catholique Church. Marius. This done, the Emperour returned into Almaine, and Pope Nicholas remayned in Italy. But finally Boniface, County of Pise, deliuered him to Pope Iohn, and he died in great [Page 48] misery, being straitly detained. See Suppl. Chron. Platin. 1334.

Benet the twelfth sate seuen yeeres and three months: hee was enemy to the Emperour Lewis, as his predeces­sour; for he renewed the excommunication, and dis­poyled him of all honour. Marius. Lewis assembled at Frankford all the Electors, &c. He shewed, that it onely pertaineth to the Electors of the Empire, and not to any other, to choose the King of Romans, or Emperour, for in substance they are all one: which Emperour may exercise the affaires of the Empire, without any confir­mation of the Roman seate: Who ought to be sacred by the Pope, after notice by the Princes, that he is legit­timately chosen: But if the Pope refuse, hee may be proclaymed Emperour Augustus, by any Catholique Bishop whatsoeuer, as hath beene long time vsed: and all such Vnctions are onely certayne ceremonies, inuen­ted by Popes, which giue only the name, not the thing. The Emperour makes not an oathe of fidelitie to the Popes, but for the defence of the Faith; not to giue him any superioritie in things which concerne the Tempo­raltie. Further, hee shewed in the vacancie of the Em­pire, it is false, that the right is deuolued vnto the Pope, and that this is against the liberty and dignity of the Empire: but that by a custome approued, and vsed of long time, without any contradiction, during the va­cation of the Empire, it pertaineth to the Countie Pa­latine of Rheine, to haue the managing of the affaires of the Empire. This done, he yeelded a reason of his faith, and purged himselfe of all things obiected against him, by Iohn and Benet the twelfth.

The integrity of this Lewis so preuayled with Pope Bennet, as a peace was after concluded betweene them; insomuch as the French Ambassadours called the Pope, the Protector of Heretickes. Bennet absolued him of his excommunication; but being menaced by the King of France, hee left the Sentence giuen by his predecessour against Lewis. This Pope was an olde adulterer, and bought deare the Sister of Francis Petrarke a faire wo­man, of her brother called Gerard. He contradicted his predecessours heresie, affirming, that the soules of the godly, as soone as they be departed from the body, do see the face of God. Decret. Benedictus Deus in donis. He said the Pope had no parents. Fasci Temporum. He dyed at Auignon, to the great ioy of many. Opposition. Andrew de Castra. & Bardosanes. He defended Grace a­gainst Free-will. Iohn de Rupe Scissa taught, the Pope to be Antechrist, and the Church of Babylon.

Clement the sixt sate eleuen yeeres in Auignon: he was a man very desirous of women, of honour and power: Led with a diabolicall furie, hee fixed letters vpon the gates and doores of Temples, by which he threatned the Emperour vpon grieuous punishment, that within three dayes he should renounce the right of the Empire. H. Marius.

The Emperour came to Frankeford, and sought the Popes fauour. The Pope answered the Ambassadours, that he neuer would pardon Lewis, but vpon very vn­iust and cruell conditions, and so gaue a formulary to the Ambassadours. Lewis shewed this to the Princes, &c. The Princes iudged them to tend to the destructi­on of the Empire, and promised ayde: but the Pope [Page 50] most cruelly excommunicated Lewis. Hee depriued Iohn Bishop of Magunce, one of the Electours, and solici­ted the Electors to choose a new Emperour: they chose Charles the fourth, who was crowned in Bohemia, du­ring the emperie of Lewis; but he was not reputed Em­perour, no not after the death of Lewis. Lewis was poysoned, as is sayd, hauing drunke of the cup of Iane Dutchesse of Austrich; at the poynt of death he cryed: O God be mercifull to mee a poore sinner. Munster, and others. 1348. The Pope died sodainely, being strucken with an impostume. 1353.

Opposition. Conrad Hagar taught, that the Sacrament of the Masse was auaileable neither for quicke nor dead. Francis Patriarcha condemned Monkes and Friers, cal­led Rome the whoore of Babylon, the Schoole of Errour, the Temple of Heresie. Epist. 20. with many others.

Innocent the sixt sate nine yeeres: He would haue ga­thered a Tenth of the Clergie, but was denyed, and so ceased. He was sparing in his diet, and liuing; but in expences of warre, very large. This Pope ordayned the feast of Iesus Christs Launce and Nailes: to the end those dead Idols might be adored by the Christians. Be­fore his death was such an Eclipse of the Sunne as was neuer seene. Massius. Plat. As he was preparing an army by Sea against the Turke, the Romans being in troubles and seditions, he was so vexed in minde, that hee dyed with griefe. Anno 1362.

Vrban the fift sate eight yeeres: He sent a Legat into Italie, with full power, and so repressed the Vicounts, and other Gouernours of Townes; threatning great losses, if they would not submit themselues vnder the [Page 51] obedience of the Roman Church. Armacan a learned man and Bishop of Ireland, published Conclusions a­gainst Friers, teaching that it was a villainous thing for a Christian to begge without neede. Volater. He sayd he could not finde foure Bibles in Oxford. Iesuites began by Iohn Columbau, and Francis Vincent of Burgony. Vo­lat. Sabell. Iohn Wickecliffe of Oxford in England, a rare Theologian, he touched liuely the abuses of the Pope­dome, against begging Friers and Monkes; hee had King Edward to friend. The Pope as he returned into France dyed at Marcellus, not without suspition of poy­son. Sabell.

Charles the fift Emperour and King of France, caused the Scripture to be translated into French. 1366.

Gregorie the eleuenth sate at Auignon seauen yeeres and fiue moneths: Many of the townes of Italy reuol­ted from his obedience: At the perswasion of a Nunne, he pronounced sentence of Interdiction against the Flo­rentines the first Authors, and seised all the townes about them, and made warre vpon them. Naucler. Gregorie dyed, being tormented with an intollerable paine in the bladder. Plat. 1378.

Vrban the sixt sate eleuen yeeres: he was a cruell man, of whom by prayer nothing could be obtayned. Craut­zius. He being come to the Popedome, sought to re­uenge himselfe: he was forsaken of his Cardinalls, as a false Pope, and Clement the seauenth chosen.

Clement the seauenth sate in Auignon fifteene yeeres: and thus beganne the two and twentith Schisme of two Popes 29. yeeres, vntill the Counsell of Constance, the [Page 52] one cursing and warring with the other, that about 200000. were miserably slaine and drowned. Clement was chosen three months after Vrban. Vrban made thir­tie new Cardinals in one day, and displaced the old, and put them in prison. Hee was vnder the safe keeping of the King of Naples, for his pride certayne dayes; at the length, desiring that hee might goe to new Cesarea for his health, hee was set at libertie, where hee gathered forces against the King: But Raymundus the Generall of the Kings forces, Vrban comming with all his Court to the next shore, he shipped them, and brought the Pope to Genua, and of seauen Cardinals being taken at new Cesarea, putting fiue of them into sackes, he drowned them in the Sea, because he thought they fauoured Cle­ment. The Pope Vrban succeeding vnhappily in his Popedome, dyed the eleuenth yeere of his Popedome, few lamenting his death, as a rude and execrable person. Plattina. Theodor. Cerinth. The waters and fountaines were poysoned, whereof he dyed, and all his nobility. Naucler. These two Popes sent terrible Bulls into di­uers parts of the world, and so sowed defamatorie bookes, wherein they named one another Antechrist, Schismatickes. Heretickes, tyrants, traytors, theeues, vniust, sowers of tares, and children of Belial. Iohn de Ligni, in a Treatise in fauour of Vrban, and the Abbot of Saint Vast: the Kings Chancellor of France, in fauour of Clement; That the Pope is Antechrist, no better witnes­ses then themselues. Clement dyed at Auignon 1394. Matthias a Bohemian proueth the Pope to be Antechrist, and Friers, heretickes. Walter Brut: In likewise, many Noble men in England maintained Wickecliffes doctrine; The Lord Montague, Lord Clifford, Earle of Salisburie. [Page 53] Swinderby a priest wrote against Transubstantiation. 1387.

Boniface the ninth sate at Rome fifteene yeeres. Hee was chosen after Vrban. He made a Law whereby hee obtayned the seigniorie of all the world, that is, that no Parson should be promoted to any Benefice, before hee had payed to the Apostolique Chamber, all the re­uenewes of the first yeere. Hee made great marchan­dize of Indulgences, and sold them for money.

Bennet the thirteenth sate at Auignon one and twentie yeeres: He gaue to Charles the sixt, King of France, the tenth part of all Ecclesiasticall goods, to make him his friend, and to diuide the spoyle. And as hee was in his Country, Catalongue, in a strong Castle called Pauiscole, maintaining himselfe the true Vicar of Iesus Christ, hee was condemned many wayes by the authority of the sayd Counsell. Finally, dying at Pauiscole, he comman­ded his Cardinals, that presently they should choose an­other in his place, and they elected one Giles Menios, and called him Clement the eight. Plattina.

This Pope made Cardinalls at the instigation of Ab­phonsus King, and did all that a Pope should doe. But after Martin 1. had agreed with Alphonsus, by his com­mandement Giles renounced all his right to the Pope­dome, and was declared Bishop of Maiorque; and the Cardinalls made by him willingly renounced their dignities.

Innocent the seauenth was chosen after Boniface the ninth sate at Rome two yeeres: he being Cardinall, was wont to taxe the negligence and fearefulnesse of the [Page 54] former Popes: for he said, it came to passe through their sloath, that the Church of Rome, and the destruction of the whole Christian Common-wealth, was not yet cut off. But when he came to the Papacie, he followed the steppes of Vrban, and Boniface, whom being a priuate man, hee had taxed. Hee warred with the Citizens of Rome. The Anti-pope Benedict reclayming. Plattina. With the neglect of his sepulcher his memory perished. Hee had a care that Nicholas the fift should be restored to his Popedome. Plat. 1404.

Gregorie the twelfth sate eight yeeres: he was chosen after the death of Innocent, and an oath taken to yeeld, if the profit of the Church required it, but hee would not, though hee promised before a Notarie, before he was confirmed Pope, 1407. Benet, and Gregory, were perswaded by Charles the sixt Emperour, for the good and vnion of the Church, to giue ouer their rights. Be­net gaue no answere: but dismissed the Ambassadour without farewell; and for feare to be constrained, pro­uided for himselfe. A Counsell was held at Pice, to v­nite the vniuersall Church, whereunto Gregorie and Be­net were cited, but had no care to appeare, but derided it. So at the said Counsell, Gregory and Benet were both deposed, & one called Alexander was instituted; so were three Popes together: but Gregorie fled to Austrich, &c. To their deposition all Christian Nations consented, ex­cept a part of Spaine, and the Count Arnimacke, and the King of Scots, who fauoured Benet.

Alexander the fift sate eight moneths. He was a lear­ned man, a worthy and a godly man: hee was chosen with the consent of all the Cardinalls in the Counsell of [Page 55] Pice. Thus Gregorie and Bennet not giuing ouer, were three Popes at once. Alexander was so liberall to the poore, and to men worthy of his charity, as within a while he left nothing to himselfe. Whereupon, in mer­riment, he was wont to say: He had been a rich Bishop, a poore Cardinal, and a beggerly Pope. After the Coun­sell of Pice, he goeth to Bononie, where he fell grieuously sicke; and knowing Death to be neere, the Cardinalls comming vnto him, he exhorted them to concord and peace, and to preserue the dignity of the Church, and testified, though Death were before his eyes, yet he did not feare, &c. And when hee could hardly vtter the words, hee sayd, My peace I giue vnto you, my peace I leaue with you. See Plat. 1409.

It is thought he had a poisoned drinke giuen him of a Physitian, Marcellus of Parma, hired by Balthazar a Cardinall (whom hee fauoured) with a great summe of money. Panecius reciteth in his 56. Sermon, and Estate of the Church.

Note, Rome cannot abide an honest man to be Pope.

Iohn the twenty foure succeeded Alexander, before Balthazer Cosse, Cardinall: hee sate fiue yeeres at Bolog­nie; he came to the Popedome, rather by force and vio­lence, then by free Canonicall Election: For being at Bolognie, rather as a Lord and Master then a Legate, the Fathers being assembled to choose a Pope, hee excee­dingly threatned them, if they elected not such a one as pleased him: Therefore many were presented; but hee approued none. Then sayd the Cardinalls vnto him, Name him whom you like. Then hee answered, Giue me Saint Peters Mantle, and pontificall habite, and I [Page 56] will giue them to him, whom I would haue to be Pope. When hee had receiued them, hee put them vpon him­selfe, and sayd; It is I that am Pope: and though they were not pleased therewith, yet they were faine to dis­semble; so furious terrible, and inuironed with souldi­ers was he. This reporteth Stella. After his Election he went to Rome to hold a Synode. In the first Session, the Pope sitting on a high seate, &c. there came an Owle, and sate vpon one of the balkes of the Temple, looking directly vpon the Pope, saluting him with a fearefull song: The company could scarse keepe themselues from laughing. The Pope beganne to be ashamed, to sweat, and to be tormented in himselfe; and finally, finding no way to ease himselfe, he dismissed the company, and retired. There was another Session after this, wherein came the like; but this Owle could not be chased away, neither with cries, nor stones, nor for staues that were throwne at him. Nicholas Clemengis Archdeacon of Baieux.

The Counsel of Constance assembled, where the Pope appeared. 1414. This Counsell indured foure yeeres; sixe of Gregories Cardinalls approued the Counsell. Naucler. Iohn Husse, and Hierome of Prage were sent for, and had the Emperours safe-conduct: and because they would not recant, they were notwithstanding both burnt. Many crimes were obiected against the Pope; whereupon he fled away in a disguised habite; and v­sed many places for his defence. Naucler. He was taken, and brought to Constance, and there detained in prison: After they proued against him fiftie and foure criminall Articles. He was deposed by all the Counsell. Himselfe approued his depositions, &c. Naucler. 1416. They [Page 57] cited also Gregorie the twelfth, but he resigned his Pa­pacie into the hands of the Counsell. Hee was created Legate in the Marquesdome of Ancon: where hee dyed soone after. Iohn de la Maire.

Martine the fifth (though Benets Cardinalls choose Clement the eight, but preuayled not) was chosen of thirty three Cardinalls in the Counsell of Constance, he sate foureteene yeeres. Hee condemned all the acts of the former Popes in the Schisme. Iohn being deliuered out of prison commeth to Florence vnto Martine, kissed his feet, and acknowledged him true Pope, and Christs Vicar. Martine receiuing him into the number of the Cardinalls, created him Bishop of Tusculane: but he (as it is thought) not induring a priuate life, through griefe of minde, after certaine moneths, dyed. Martine of a Bishop of Florence, created an Archbishop. The yeere after, the Riuer Tibris did so increase as it drowned all the plaines in Rome, and filled the Temple Pantheon, e­uen vnto the high Altar. A great plague ensued, that compelled them to change the place and time of the Counsell intended. Certaine Cardinalls, after the death of Iohn the foure and twentieth, created a new Pope, and called him Clement the eight: but after a while hee gaue ouer, the rest were put in prison. Pope Martine died of an Apoplexie. 1431.

Eugenius the fourth sate sixeteene yeeres: after his creation, hee appoynted a certayne day for a generall Consistorie; whither came so great a multitude, that the beames of the place cracking, it bred such a feare, that in the flying away of the people, the Bishop of Se­nagal, a Citizen of Rome was boren downe, and dyed. [Page 58] The Popes pride prouoked much warres in the Citty, and abroad, and he was often driuen to his straits, be­ing prest with warres euery way. The Emperour and other Princes and Prelates, admonished him twice or thrice, to appoynt a conuenient place at Basill for the Counsell, which was concluded in the Counsell of Con­stance, from tenne yeeres to tenne yeeres, and to come thither with his Cardinals: otherwise they would deale with him as with an enemie, and an obstinate person. Whereunto hee assented; But hee was so vexed with warres on euery side, as hee had scarse libertie to rest. But hee confirmed the Counsell of Basill, begunne by Martine his predecessour; and hee was by the same deposed, and condemned an Hereticke, and Schisma­ticke. Plat. The Counsell of Basill chose Faelix. 1448.

Faelix the fift Duke of Sauore, was chosen by the Counsell of Basill, Anti-pape; but Eugenius deposed, and would not yeeld; so there was a Schisme of two Popes thirteene yeeres: some say sixeteene together, till Faelix was contented to giue ouer to Nicholas the fift. Plat­tin. 1439. Some followed Eugenius, some Faelix, some Newtrails, and obeyed neither. Platt. Who was then Christs Vicar?

Nicholas the fift sate at Rome eight yeeres: Hee was crowned the nineteenth of March 1447. yet ceased not the Schisme of two Popes: for Faelix counted himselfe still Pope. In the yeere 1448. Faelix renounced the Popedome, and Nicholas reigned alone. Nicholas held a Iubilie at Rome, 1450. whither resorted such a multi­tude of people, as many were stifled as they entred and came out of the Churches: There perished about two [Page 59] hundred persons, besides a number which fell into the floud as they passed ouer the bridge of Saint Angelo. This Pope died of a feauer and gout. Naucler. Plattina. Others say hee was poysoned, as appeared by his in­trailes, opened. Sea of Histories.

Calixt the third, sate three yeeres: he stirred vp Chri­stians against the Turke; he ordayned, that no person should appeale from the Pope to the Counsell. He sold letters of pardons for fiue ducats a peece, saith Valerius, whereby he left vnto his successours, an hundred and fifteene thousand Ducats; he died in Iuly. 1458.

Pius the second sate sixe yeeres: hee was very ambiti­ous: hee published a voyage against the Turke; vnder colour of warring against the Turkes, the Popes gat great store of siluer. Hee exceeded in crueltie: before hee was Pope, hee had written with singular diligence, two bookes of the Acts of the Counsell of Basill: but being Pope, he sought to represse them, labouring, not to lessen the Papall tyranny, but to increase it in what he could. Stella.

He made warres with Borge Duke of Mutine, because he fauoured Sigismund Malatest, with many other great cruelties. For his profit he deposed many Bishops: He was sumptuous in building: hee made a Sepulchre of Marble for his fathers and mothers bones. See Plattina. Amongst many things left in writing, this was one: With great reason (saith he) was Marriage taken from Priests; yet there is a farre greater reason, wherefore it ought to haue beene yeelded them againe. Also in his second booke of Counsells he saith: It may be that it were not the worse if a many Priests were married: for [Page 60] many being married Priests should be saued; which in their barren singlenesse are damned. Himselfe abolished the Monasteries of S. Brigit, and S. Clare, comman­ding them out, that they might burne no more, and vn­der the habite of Religion, they should not hide whore­dome. Caelius secundus. Hee was surprized of a slowe feauer, whereof hee died at Ancon. 1464. Plattina. Sa­bellicus.

Paul the second sate seauen yeeres: he was of a proude spirit, ambitious, and couetous. Hee exceeded all his ancestors in sumptuous attire, and all kinde of precious attire. Plattina. O noble Successour of Peter!

Hee was an enemy to learning: hee put away many learned men, as forreiners, and strangers, with their bookes giuen to the spoyle: But diuers, with Plattina himselfe, desiring the matter might be referred vnto the Iudges, the Pope in great anger answered: Do you not know, that all Iudgement is placed in our breast? Plat­tina wrote a letter to the Pope, desiring, that if without cause he would spoyle them of their iust purchase, yet it would please him, they might haue leaue to complaine of their wrong, and vniust ignominy: For being bani­shed of you, wee must passe vnto Kings and Princes; and we will intreate them that you appoint a Counsell, wherein you may be constrained to giue a reason of your doing. Paulus hauing read the letter, he presently chargeth me of Libells spreading out against him. And though I freed my selfe of that charge, because I had set my name thereto: yet I was bound with grieuous fet­ters, and put into a high Tower, in the middest of win­ter, exposed to all windes, foure months. At the length, [Page 61] at the importunate suite of a Cardinall, I was set at li­bertie; with admonition, that I should not depart the Citie, affirming, that if I went among the Indies, Paul would fetch me thence. He was sodainely put in feare by a report that youths, hauing Calimacho their Cap­taine, had conspired against him, whereby he feared to be surprized at home, and abroad; whereupon hee put many to torture, with Captaine Calimacho, whereof many died in the torture. Hee was a great eater of Me­lons; he eate the same day that he died, in the night, two very great Melons: he died of an Apoplexie, the tenth of the Kalends of August. 1471. being alone in his Cham­ber, no man seeing him; when that day being very mer­ry hee had a Consistory: He went about to establish Priests marriages, but hee was preuented by death. It was said, when hee came abroad, he was wont to paint his face, with all kinde of precious stones about him, Aa­ron-like, desirous to be seene and wondered at. Hee was a great drinker, but of small wines. He so hated the study of humanitie, as he called the students thereof by one name, Heretickes. Hereupon he perswaded the Ro­mans, they should no longer bring vp their children in learning, it was enough if they learned to reade and write Plattin. Others say, the Diuell brake his necke, as he was committing Sodomatrie.

Sixtus the fourth sate thirteen yeeres: he was in great danger of his life at his Coronation, by reason of a mu­tiny, whilest they carried him in his Litter to the Church of Lateran: hee was in danger of his life, being assailed with stones, so as he was forsaken almost of all that ac­companied his Litter. Hee made many warres against [Page 62] Ferdinand King of Pouill. Hee builded in Rome Stewes for both kindes. Cornelius Agrippa. cap. 64. he graunted to Cardinalls the vse of Sodomatry, for three hot mo­neths. Sextus being sicke of a feuer, vnderstanding that a peace was made betwixt the Venetians and other Po­tentates, sodainely yeelded the spirit. Naucler. The rents of the Curtizans amounted to the value of twenty thou­sand ducats yeerely. Onuphrius. Agrippa de vanit. Scient. Wisellus de Indulgentijs. Witnesses. Naucler. 1484.

Innocens the eight sate eight yeeres: hee was once a poore childe, he was nourished amongest the seruants of Ferdinand king of Sicilie: afterward he came to Rome, he remained long time with Philip Cardinall of Bolongne. After hee was made Bishop of Sauonne, at the length he was made Cardinall, and Pope. He was of a great sta­ture, but farre from learning. Almost from the begin­ning of his Popedome, hee conspired against Ferdinand (that brought him vp) with the Princes of the King­dome, and warred against him, &c. but being wearied with warres, he gaue himselfe to all pleasures. He aduan­ced his bastards, as Francis, and inriched his daughter, Theodorin, which he married to a rich man of Genoa. He begat eight sons and as many daughters. Marcellus poeta. No maruell though Rome calles him Father. See his Epitaph following:

Alluding to the triall of the Sexe, ordayned after the [Page 63] deceit of Pope Ioane:

Alexander the sixt, called Borgia, before a Cardinall: seeking to mount higher, being a Negromancer; hee v­sed the helpe of the Diuell, who promised him vpon a­greement by oath, and writing, so as hee would in all things thew himselfe a faithfull protectour of Sathan. Afterward the Diuell came vnto him (hauing promised he should not appeare in any hideous or fearfull forme) honourably apparrelled, who after certaine talke had betwixt them, assured the Cardinall he should be Pope. Borgia being very ioyous, hee inquired how long hee should reigne: The Diuell gaue him an ambiguous an­swer, viz. that hee should reigne, the space of eleauen and eight. The Cardinall foolishly promised himselfe nineteene yeeres; but Sathan meant eleuen yeeres and eight moneths. Now being chosen Pope, hee named himselfe Alexander the sixt: he made his bastard sonne called Valentine, being a Cardinall, a Duke, and surna­med him Caesar Borgia: he shed much bloud, saith Va­lerius. He gathered siluer as much as hee could, to sa­tisfie his lust. He solde offices for 750. ducats apeece: hee aduanced his bastards as his predecessors had done: hee made the youngest of his sonnes a Prince of Sicilie: his second sonne called Caesar Valentine, hee made Car­dinall; the eldest he made Duke of Spaine, he was slaine at Rome: and his brother Cardinall being wearie of Priesthood, he espoused one of King Lewis his kinswo­men: his daughter Lucrece, whose carnall copulation himselfe had, was married to three Princes successiuely. [Page 64] See Iohn Functius. He was odious to the whole world: and except God had shortned his dayes, by an errour of his Cup-bearer, giuing him a poysoned Cuppe for ano­ther; as he poysoned some of the Cardinalls, he had a purpose to haue poysoned all, whose goods he had chal­lenged after their death. See Guiccinard. li. 5. Onuphrius. Alexander supping vnder a vine neere the Vatican, to en­ioy the coolenesse of the ayre, he was sodainely carried away, desperately sicke, into the Pallace. The next mor­ning he dyed, blacke, swolne, and beyond all credit de­formed. Baleus. Being sicke in bed, he sent his seruant Madena to his wardrobe, to fetch him a little booke en­riched with gold, and precious stones: This booke con­tained all manner of illusions and inchantments, where­by hee would haue beene certified of his life: The ser­uant running thither, saw one in the Popes Chaire, very like himselfe; whereat being afraid, he ranne to his master, pale, and wanne, halfe dead; which the Pope perceiuing, suffering him to recouer, willed him to goe the second time; where finding the man still in the Chaire, hee was wonderfully afraide, and being de­manded of him, what he had to doe there: he answered, To fetch a certaine garment for the Pope: At which words the Diuell being then in the Chaire, making an horrible noyse, sayd, I am the Pope. These things re­ported to the Pope. His euill beganne to encrease, and Death approached. A short time after, a man apparrel­led like a Lackey knocked at the Popes chamber doore, saying he must needes speake with the Pope. All other drew aside, and great speech was betweene them. The Pope pleaded, his time was not yet come; for he pro­mised him nineteene yeers continuance; but the Lackey [Page 65] answered; He promised him eleauen yeeres and eight moneths, which was accomplished, and therefore hee must needes die. The Pope pleading for longer time, could not be heard: This talke was heard by them in the next chamber. Finally, as Sathan went away, the Pope with great cries, and sighes, and fearefull sobbes, died. See Onuphrius the Popes Historiographer. Guicci­ardin. Volateran. Iohn Baleus. much more these Authors report. This Pope had with his sonne, a daughter, with whom both the father and sonne lay. Pontanus, and Sa­mozarius haue left written. 1502.

Opposition. Iohn Weselne an excellent Diuine called Fax mundi, against the Pope and his doctrine. Rodolph Agricola was of the same opinion. Hierom Sauanorola, with two more Friers, were against Iustification by workes, merits, pardons; they were hanged, and bur­ned. Sabellicus. 1499. This Pope caused to be cut out, the tongue, and both the hands of Anthonius Mancenel­lus, a learned man, because he had written a very elegant Oration against the wicked manners, villanies, and dis­honest life of him.

Pius the third, as soone as he was made Pope, hee in­tended warre with France, because they had occupied a part of Italy vnder their subiection; whom the Pope hoped to haue driuen cleane out of those Lands: hee in­tended also an army against the Turkes; but while hee went about this, he dyed the 27. day after his election. Anno 1503.

Note from Siluester the second, Anno one thousand, vntill Innocent the fourth, 1240. the space of 240. yeers, [Page 66] the grashoppers were sent out from the bottomlesse pit to deuoure Christians, in soule and body. From Inno­cent the fourth, vntill Iulius the second, 1504. that is, 196. they haue beene permitted to nourish, and main­taine it, obscuring all truth, that by false doctrine, and lying myracles, they might seduce (if it were possible) euen the Elect, by Friers Mendicants, and massing Priests, and haue cruelly put to death the gaine-sayers: But from that time, vnder Iulius the second, and euer since, the Papacie hath, and, through Gods mercie, is like to decay still, euen till the comming of Christ; who shal confound Antechrist with the breath of his mouth.

Iulius the second, a man (as it were) chiefly borne for warre. Hee besieged Rauenna, and tooke it, and from diuers Princes he tooke diuers Townes, not without great effusion of bloud. He excommunicated the king of Fraunce, and king of Nauarre, and gaue their King­domes to whomsoever could first occupy them. Massius. cap. 20. Chron.

The Counsell of Latterane was begunne by Iulius. 1512. This monster died the yeare following, after he had begunne the Counsell, hauing committed an in fi­nite number of murthers, and wickednesses vnheard of before. Iulian meaning to goe to warre against Maximi­lian, and Lewis, passing ouer the bridge, he cast Saint Peters keyes into Tyber, and tooke the Sword of Saint Paul, saying: The Keyes of Saint Peter serue vs to no pur­pose: it may be Saint Paules Sword will doe something. He dispensed with King Henry the eight for his marriage: hee excommunicated Lewis the French King, and gaue away his kingdome.

Leo the tenth: he gaue himselfe to pleasures, and lusts of the flesh: he had Singers and Musitians at his Table. He hated mortally the Gospell, and on a day Bembo the Cardinall vttering a thing out of the Gospell, he answe­red, It hath euer sufficiently beene knowne, what pro­fit the fable of Christ hath brought vs, and ours. The same day that Leo made thirty one Cardinalls, in the ve­ry Temple where they were assembled, happened such a great tempest, which shooke and carried away the I­mage of Christ out of his Mothers lappe, and the Keyes out of the hands of Saint Peter there; 1517. At which very time, Luther beganne to thunder against the Pope. He commaunded Luthers bookes to be burnt at Rome, and Luther burnt his Cannons, and popish Decretalls, at Wittenberge. The Pope reioycing at the ouerthrow of the French King, making good cheere, sodainly died at his Table. Baleus. 1524. Opposition. Picus Mirandola against reall Presence, the worship of the Crosse, and Images.

Adrian the sixt sate two yeeres: the Bookes of a cer­taine Phisitian and Magitian were burnt at Rome; some of which were brought to Adrian, whereof hee made great account, and they were, after his death found a­mongst his secret papers. Adrian after hee had persecu­ted the truth of the Gospell (as his predecessors) in the person of Luther, and Occolampadius dyed, suspected of poyson. Abb. Vesp. Others say, he was too good to be a Pope; for seeing the abuses of the Court of Rome, and [Page 68] going about to reforme them, he was taken away by death. 1523. See a Bishop of their owne Espenseus, a learned man, who saith that he deliuered by his Nuncio, to the assembly of the States of Germany his resolution that way. Therefore they would euer since chuse none but Italians.

Clement the seauenth sate eleauen yeeres: The twen­tieth of Ianuary following, 1522. the iourney of Swi­ses was held at Lucerne, where they wholly confirmed the Popes doctrine, and condemned that of the Gospel. The Pope was besieged a long time with his Cardinalls in the Castle of Saint Angelo; hee was taken prisoner by Charles Emperour, and was ransomed with our money from England, at 40000. ducats. At Berne hee held a Disputation, wherein Swinglius, Bucer, Cappo, and Blaurer, vanquished by Scripture the aduerse part. Finally, they confirmed by the authoritie of the Magistrates through all their land, the sayd Articles; abolished the Masse, and threw downe Images and Altars. Rome was sacked by the Emperour more miserably then euer by Gothes, and Vandalls. The Pope dyed in the end of September, of a disease in the stomacke: Others thinke he was poy­soned by the smell of a Torch. See Iohn Paptist. Fulgen­tius 1534.

Paul the third sate fifteene yeeres: King Henry the eight banished the Popes authoritie, who challenged to be Supreame head of the Church of England. Fisher Bishop of Rochester, and Thomas Moore Chancellour were beheaded, because they would not agree to the Kings Edict. This Paul was an Astrologian, a Magitian, and a Diuine. Hee had a familiar, one Denis Senila, a [Page 69] Magitian, whom hee made Cardinall, with one Gaurice of Portugall, Cecius, and Mercell, Negromancers, and wicked villaines. Of these hee did inquire the fortunes of himselfe, and of his bastards. Hee had a Sister called Iulia Fernese, which hee gaue to Pope Alexander, to be Cardinall and Bishop of Hostia, which hee obtained, for these are good prises (or their younger brethren) to maintaine their whooredomes, or that which is worse: See Agrippa. This muttherer poysoned his mother and nephew, that al the succession of the Ferneses might fall vpon him. Hee had another sister, whose carnall company hee sometime had: but because she loued o­thers company more then his, hee poysoned her also: He defloured another maid of a noble house, pretending to be a Gentleman of the Legats, and promised marri­age, who finding the truth, she ranne madde. Againe, one Nicholas de Chesme finding him one day adulterous­ly abusing his wife Laurea Fernese (who was also the said Paules neece) hee wounded so well with his dagger, as he carried the markes to his graue. Moreouer, this good father Paul, tooke his pleasure with his daughter Constance, and poysoned her husband. He also had in his Table the number of 45000. whores, of whom he exacted euery moneth tribute, to haue liberty to exer­cise their whoredome. See Baleus, and Eusebius captiue. Hee cursed King Henry the eight, and gaue his king­dome to whomsoeuer could get it. He gaue leaue by an Indulgence, to communicate the Lords Supper vnder both kindes, and to eate all manner of meates, at all times. The Ministers of the Lantzgraues Countrey, re­fused the Indulgence. Estate of the Church. He ordained the Counsell of Trent the first of Nouember 1542. The [Page 70] Pope dyed, the tenth of Nouember.

Iulius the third sate fiue yeeres. Because of auncient custome the Pope might giue his red Hatre to whom he would, he made Cardinall a young boy, called Inno­cent: The Cardinals being against it, asked what he saw in this young man that deserued it. Hee answered, I pray you, what found you in me to doe me this honour, to make me Pope, without any desert? Aduaunce this young man, and he will merit it. He was a ribbald and a mighty blasphemer: he loued Swines flesh: his Ste­ward and Physitian sayd, it was not good for the gout: He cryed out, Bring me my porke flesh, All di spitto di Deo: that is, In despite of God. At another time for his Peacocke detayned, being very angry, &c. hee sayd, If God were so angry for an Apple, as to cast our first Parents out of Paradise, wherefore should it not be law­full for me, that am his Vicar, to be angry for a Peacock, better then an Apple? He had three bowles at feasts for euacuation. Estate of the Church.

Marcellus the second sate twenty dayes: he was Pre­sident of the Counsell of Trent, where he put out Iames Nichiantes Bishop of Fossa Claodia, because hee would not allow Traditions to be receiued, and allowed with like reuerence as the Gospell. Also Guillam de Venice sayd, that the Counsell of Venice was aboue the Pope: and Vergerius was also put from the Counsell, because he denyed the Legend of Saint George, and Saint Chri­stopher to be true, which he proued from Paul the third: for he hath commāded, that both these Legends should be taken out of the Breuiarie, and commanded that all such should be taken out, which were not true. Hee [Page 71] died of the Iaundise the 20. day after his election. 1555.

Paul the fourth sate foure yeeres, two moneths, and twenty seauen dayes: This Pope inuented a new sect of Monks, and called them Iesuites. Before he was Pope, hee writ a Booke vnto Paul the third, touching the re­formation of the Church: but being Pope, hee cared neither for Iesus Christ, nor for his Church: In his book he confirmeth almost all the points we vse to reprehend in Poperie. He grieued the people of Rome, because of his warres, and exactions, that scarce had hee yeeleded vp the spirit, but the Roman people, whihc wished death vnto him, because of his warres, and exactions, and ty­rannies; broke the prisons of the Inquisitions, deliuered the prisoners, fired the whole building, threw downe the Popes Image, cutting off the head and right hand thereof, which were drawne three dayes together tho­row the Towne, and then cast into Tyber. Hee kept o­penly a Gentlemans wife. Hee vsed to eate Snailes, and to drinke strong wine, called Magnagarra, for lust. Hee died in bed with his whoore. 1565. Estate of the Church.

Pius the fourth sate sixe yeeres: Hee caused to be strangled, the fift of March, 1561. in the night, in Saint Angelo, the Cardinall Charles Caraffe. He beheaded also in another prison, the County of Palliane, and cer­taine other Cardinalls, shewing their bodies the next day vnto the people. He cited the Queene of Nauarre, because of the profession of the Gospell, to answer in the Popes Consistorie; and for want of appearance within sixe moneths, her Countrey to be giuen to the next Conqueror. The fourth of December was ended the Counsel of Trent, 1563. which from the beginning [Page 72] to the ending, continued eighteene yeeres, wherein all the Articles of Popish doctrine were confirmed. The eight of September Pius the fourth died.

Pius the fift sate sixe yeeres: Iohn Functius, a learned Chronographer, amongst all of our time was beheaded, because he, with other Preachers of the Gospell, were against the dreames of Osiander. The Pope sent a great Present to the Duke of Alua, as a recompence of so great paynes he had taken to maintaine the Popedome. He sent his roaring Bull of Basan against Queene Eliza­beth. 1571.

Gregorie the thirteenth sate thirteene yeeres. The Pope, by adding of tenne dayes in October, so as for the fift they should reckon fifteene: This, to eternize the Popes name, was called the Gregorian Kallender. The Pope dayly vrged the performance of his Kallen­der in Germany, D. Chytreus 1585. Whereupon present­ly sedition burst out. This Pope renewed the hatred of his predecessour Pius the fift against Queene Elizabeth of England; First, by sending his great Armada into Ireland; then, by sending Parry, and others. This Pope had his Concubine before hee was Pope, and after hee was Pope; by whom he had two little sonnes, which sayd vnto him such graces, as made him laugh: Philip­picus his sonnes grace was, That the Pope his Father gaue him fiue thousand crownes a yeere. M. Cyp. Volater. He di­ed at Rome. Aprill 11. 1585.

Sixtus the fift sate sixe yeeres: This Foelix, so called before, being a poore mans sonne, was brought vp by a Gentlewoman so long, as he grew proude: then shee [Page 73] caused him to be beaten: Then hee fled to Rome, and the Pope tooke him into seruice; at the length he made him a Cardinall; and by his good friends in Spaine hee was made Pope. M. Cyp. Volater. One day talking of his meane birth, he said he came of an illustrious house: for, said he, the vpper part of the house being alwayes torne and vncouered, the Sunne made it most glorious with his beames. See Antonius Caracalla De vitis Pontifi­cum. This Pope excommunicated the King of Nauarre, and Condie, giuing his Countrey to such as could get it; declaring him vncapable of the succession of the crowne of France. He approued a Nunne, called Maria de Visi­tatione, who long deluded the people: She grew so fa­mous, as the king of Spaine inquired of her his good suc­cesse for England 1588. Shee promised good successe: and that Duke Medina, Generall, (she pronounced open­ly) should returne a victorious Prince. So prosper all Gods enemies. But the next yeere after, all her holinesse, false miracles, and great dissimulations were soone found out, and she punished for the same. See M. Cyp. Volater. The most Christian Prince of Condie, whom the Pope excommunicated, and cursed, was poysoned. The king of France, whom hee also excommunicated with many threats, was slaine by a Iacobine Frier, in his priuy-cham­ber; vnder colour of deliuering a letter out of his sleeue, he drew forth a poysoned knife out of his sleeue, where­with he killed him. D. Chytreus 1589. No Religion will stay the Papists. The Pope at Rome made an Oration in the commendation of this Frier, comparing him with Eleazer, and Iudith: and, not thus satisfied, he denyed any honour to be made at his buriall, or any man to pray for him. This Pope died the seauen and twenty of [Page 74] August, 1590. He made many new Holidayes, M. Cyp. Volater.

Vrban the seuenth sate twelue daies: There happened a great earthquake vpon the day of his Election at Vi­enna and Austria. The next day after his election he fell sicke, and determined to remoue his Court to the hill of Quirinus, a better ayre: but hee tarried, because it was against the custome to goe abroad before hee was crowned. But he dyed the twelfth day after. Arthur Cicer.

Gregorie the foureteenth sate tenne moneths and ten dayes: hee was proclaymed by the high Court of Par­liament, Chalnut and Toures, an enemy to the common peace, and to the vnion of the Catholique Religion, and to the king and his royall seate, adherent to the con­spiracie of Spaine, a fauourer of Rebells, guilty of the most cruell, most inhumane, and most detestable death of Henry the third most Catholique King: Againe, an Act was made against the Popes Bulles: hee dyed of a quartane feuer. He was troubled with a continuall flux which he had. Arthur Cicer. 1591.

Innocent the ninth sate two moneths and odde dayes, and died being threescore and ten yeeres of age: so that in the space of foureteene moneths, foure Popes dyed; Sixtus, Vrban, Gregorie, Innocent, as it is to be thought, the most, or all died of poyson: for Bazutus is not dead, that killed sixe Popes with poyson. See the life of Da­masus the second. 1591.

Clement the eight sate nine yeeres: The Earle of Fuentes practized with Lopus, and promised 50000. [Page 75] crownes to poyson Queene Elizabeth. Hee also dealt with Emmanuel Adrian to kill the King of Fraunce, with the odious smell of a poysoned rose. Da. Chytreus. 1594. Iohn Castill a Scholler of the Iesuites strucke the King of Fraunce with a knife: but the King stouping to take vp the Lords before him, hee strucke out one of his teeth, and was apprehended, &c. The King after two yeeres intreating the Pope, was receiued into the lappe of the Church, and declared Christian King of France, with condition to receiue the Counsell of Trent, and to re­moue the young Prince of Condie from the company of Hereticks: That he should restore the reuenews, and goods taken from the Bishops and Abbeys, and testifie his conuersion to the Catholique Princes, &c. Da. Chy­treus. The Pope discontented at Caesar Est, who enioy­ed the Empire after the death of the Emperour Rodolph, whom he declared his heire in his life time, strucke him with the Thunder-bolt of Excommunication, and made warre vpon him. Caesar Est Duke of Ferrara, the matter being taken vp, yeelded Ferrara to the Pope, who vni­ted it to the Popedome. Pope Clement made thirteene Cardinalls, amongst whom was Rob. Bellarmine Iesuite. 1599. This yeere 1600. Richard L. Bishop of London, with two other Commissioners. Doctor Parkins, and Doctor Swale, were sent in Embassage to Embden, to treate with the Commissioners from the King of Den­marke, and returned the eight of Iuly following. 1600.

Paul the fift renewed the Index expurgatorius; where­in is contayned, MERCVRIVS GALLO-BEL­GICVS. The humble supplication of Roger Widdring­ton, an English Catholique, vnto the most holy Lord [Page 76] Pope Paul the fift. Item, a little Booke tituled Marcus Anthonius de Dominicis; Archbishop of Spalato, with others.

Now to conclude this point by recapitulation. The Popes that claime to be Peters Successors, you see they neither succeed in place, as hath beene proued (for sixe or seuen Popes sate at Auignon about fourescore yeres,) nor in manner of liuing, as by their owne Chronicles, with others doe appeare: for some were couetous;

Couetous: Boniface the eight: Calixt the third: Iohn the twenty three: Boniface the ninth.

Proude: Bennet the twelfth: Adrian the fourth: Ce­lestine the third: Innocent the fourth: Alexander the third: Gregory the thirteenth: Clement the fift, sixt, seauenth: Boniface the eight: Paul the second: Iohn the three and twenty.

Ambitious: as may be seene since about fiue hundred yeeres after Christ, when they laboured for superiori­tie, Policarp Bishop of Ierusalem: Misda Bishop of Rome: Iohn Bishop of Constance: Pelagius Bishop of Rome: Iohn Bishop of Constance, opposed by Gregorie the great: and Iohn the third Bishop of Rome. See fol. 6.

Blasphemers: Leo the third: Iohn the thirteenth: Iu­lius the third: Leo the tenth.

Heretickes: Leo the seauenth: Boniface the eight: Iohn the twenty three: Eugenius the fourth.

Schismatickes, as two, yea three Popes together; some two yeeres, sixeteene yeeres, sixe yeeres, twenty yeeres, thirty nine yeeres, seuen yeeres, thirteene yeeres: See Alexander the second, third and sixt: Hildebrand: Paschalis: Calixt the second: Honorius the second: In­nocent [Page 77] the second: Bennet the thirteenth: Three Popes together seauen yeeres. See Faelix 5.

Coniurers: Siluester the second, and so forth; nine or ten Popes together. See Gregorie the seauenth: Paul the third: Alexander the sixt.

In league with the Diuell: Alexander the sixt: Silue­ster the second.

Incestuous: Iohn the thirteenth: Alexander the sixt: Paul the third.

Sodomites: Sixtus the fourth.

Whoremongers, Iohn the eight, and thirteenth: Vi­ctor the third: Paul the third, and fourth: Innocent the fourth: Clement the third: Sergius the third: Sixtus the fourth: Gregory the thirteenth.

Cruell Iohn the foureteenth: Vrban the second, and sixt: Boniface the seuenth: Alexander the sixt: Pius the fourth.

Murtherers: Pius the fourth: Gregorie the seauenth: Stephen the eight: Sixtus the fift: Gregorie the foure­teenth: Honorius the second.

Poysoners one of another: Damasus the second: Vi­ctor the second, and third: Celestine the fourth: Paul the third.

Treacherous: Alexander the third: Gregorie the sea­uenth, and ninth: Innocent the ninth.

Cousoners: Alexander the third: Boniface the eight: Celestine the fift: Benedict the tenth.

Warriers, setting Princes together by the eares, ra­ther then Peters successours, Bennet the ninth: Martin the fourth: Alexander the second: Innocent the second and seauenth: Iohn the eleuenth: Iulius the second: Eu­genius the third: Paschal the second: Vrban the third and [Page 78] sixt: Clement the seauenth: Gregorie the foureteenth: yea in the Schisme of Popes, they cursed and warred one with another. See Victor 3. and Paschal 2. as in a fight betweene Vrban the sixt, and Clement the seauenth, there were miserably slaine two hundred thousand men and many more, and many besides were drowned. See Clemen. 7.

Diuers condemned one anothers Decrees, Iohn the twelfth: and vnder Sergius the third: Martine the fift.

Iohn the twenty three, chose himselfe Pope, Damas. 2.

Now to conclude with Cornelius Agrippa de Vani­tat. Hee hauing spoken of the wickednesse of Popes in generall, saith; I passe by those other monsters of the Roman Popes, such as was Formosus, and those nine that followed, which sometime ruled filthily in the Church. I say nothing also of those latter Popes, Paul the second: Sixtus the fourth: Alexander the sixt: Iu­lius the second; the most famous troublers of the Chri­stian world: besides Eugenius, which for breaking faith with the Turke, did cast all the Christian Common­wealth into most mortall and bloudy warres; as if faith were not to be kept with an enemie. Moreouer, how much danger Alexander the sixt brought to the Christi­ans, by taking away, by poyson, Zizimus Pazaithe, the Turkes brother, is sufficiently knowne vnto all men. Thus farre Cornelius. cap. 6.

Thus did not Peter, who taught faithfully, preached Christ diligently, and sought and taught peace amongst men; was holy, humble, and sober, in conuersation; and in the end, gaue his life for the truth. The Pope therefore in life, being thus contrary vnto Peter, is the successour of Antechrist, not of Peter.

Now come wee to examine the Doctrine:

Arguments to proue the Pope Anti-christ.

And first, their silly reasons to the contrary.

The late Counsell of Lateran 1517. commanded all Preachers, they should not meddle, nor dare once to speake of the comming of Anti-christ: which argueth a guiltie Conscience.