The pageant of popes contayninge the lyues of all the bishops of Rome, from the beginninge of them to the yeare of Grace 1555. Deuided into iii. sortes bishops, archbishops, and popes, vvhereof the two first are contayned in two bookes, and the third sort in fiue. In the vvhich is manifestlye shevved the beginning of Antichriste and increasing to his fulnesse, and also the vvayning of his povver againe, accordinge to the prophecye of Iohn in the Apocalips. ... Written in Latin by Maister Bale, and now Englished with sondrye additions by I.S.
Bale, John, 1495-1563., Studley, John, 1545?-1590?
Page  32

29. Iohn the third.

IOhn the thirde a Romaine, was an especiall friende to [ 61] Narsetes the Eunuche, gouernour of Italy, when the Go∣thes were ouercome: for he recouered his fauour towarde Rome, when it was in displeasure, and obtayned that hee was made consull, for then the bishop had almoste all the swae in Rome. This man decreed contrary to his prede∣cessour, that none ought to be called chiefe prieste, or vni∣uersall bishop, Distinctione 99. Nullus. Furthermore, ta∣king away from the bishops chauncelours the laying on of handes, graunted it only to bishops, as Isidorus writeth. Afterwarde turning his minde, and taking delight in buil∣ding, he finished Philip and Iacobs churche, whiche Vigi∣lius had begonne, and restored the Sainctes tombes in the citie. Finally being a very olde mā, & taking great thought vpon occasion of straunge tempestes he died at Rome, An∣no, 577. In his time the Armenians became Christians.