The happines of a religious state diuided into three bookes. Written in Latin by Fa. Hierome Platus of the Societie of Iesus. And now translated into English.

Of Popes, that haue been taken out of Religious Orders. CHAP. XXVIII.

HITHERTO we haue spoken of Secular Nobilitie, and shewed how Religion hath been graced by the entrance of people of great rank in the world, into it. Now we are to shew, that it hath receaued no lesse honour by those, that out of Religious courts haue been exalted to high digni∣ties and promotions in the Church. And first we wil speake of Popes, because it cannot but be a great honour to be as∣sumed to that dignitie, to which on earth there is none to be compared, being inferiour to none but God, and sustaining so weightie a burthen as must needs require a great wisdome coupled with no lesse sanctitie and holines of life. And consequently as a House or Familie, and al the kindred belonging vnto it, be it neuer so meane and poore before, is raysed in the opinion and esteeme of the world, and made noble, by one man's promotion to this great honour and dig∣nitie; why may we not say and think the same of euerie Religious Familie? a Religious man hauing ful as much relation vnto the Religion wherein he is professed, as to his natiue House and stock, and by meanes therof arriued to so high promotion, as manie as from thence haue been assumed vnto it.

2. The first Pope therefore that without al question was a Religious man (for I purposely speake not of those, of whom there is anie doubt) was, as we find recorded, Dionysius a Grecian borne,* 1.1 two hundred and threescore yeares after Christ who possessing that Sea ten yeares, is sayd to haue ordained manie good things both at Rome and in other places; and is chiefly memorable for opposing himself in the Councel of Antioch against the Heresie of Paulus Sa∣mosatenus, who then began to spread his pernicious doctrine, & endeau ••uted to take away the Diuinitie of our Sauiour Christ. Afterward suffering also death for Christ, he had a double Crowne, of Martyrdome and of Religion.

3. In the yeare Fiue hundred seauentie fiue,* 1.2 Benedict the First, a Roman borne, hauing been a Monk, was created Pope in most woeful times, when al I alie was in combustion by meanes of warre; and hauing fate at the sterne foure yeares, he went to heauen.

4. Diuers Authours, and in particular the Booke which is intitled the Ponti∣fical Chaire (wherin the successiō of al the Popes is exactly set downe) doe make mention,* 1.3 that Pelagius the Second (whose schollar & successour was S. Gregorie) was chosen Pope out of a monasterie of Monks. He was made Pope in the yeare Fiue hundred seauentie nine; and sate ten yeares.

5. Next after him succeeded S. Gregorie the Great,* 1.4 who had been a Monk in Rome in the Monasterie of S. Andrew, and liued according to the Rule of S. Benedict. What shal we need to repeate the famous things which he per∣formed during his charge, which was thirteen yeares? his liberalitie to∣wards the poore, his care in watching ouer Heresies which were springing vp, his courage in opposing himself euen against Princes, his patience

in corporal infirmities, his endeauour and application in attending to the care of al parts of his flock, his diligence and copiousnes in his written Books, and (which graced al the rest) his wonderful modestie and humilitie, and al kind of true vertue; his miracles also, and holesome Decrees, seing they are infinit, and in a manner as knowne to al, as if he had liued in these our dayes.

6. Not much more then two yeares after him, an other of the same Order of S. Benedict was Pope, to wit, Boniface the Fourth,* 1.5 who being bred-vp in Rome in the Monasterie of S. Sebastian, learned there that vertue and pietie, which he afterwards practised in his Pontifical charge; and is recorded to haue borne so great an affection to the Religion, out of which he was taken, that he made his father's house into a Monasterie, and gaue it sufficient rent for the maintenance of it. And hauing spent six yeares and some moneths in such kind of works, he went to receaue his reward in heauen.

* 1.67. Writers doe generally agree, that Adeoda••us the First of that name was also a Monk of the Monasterie of S. Erasmus in Mount Caelius in Rome, and of so holie a life, that in the height of his honour he practised al kind of vertue belonging to a Religious man, and was renowned specially for his meeknes and sweet conuersation; and was so great a despiser of worldlie wealth, that he spent almost al vpon the poore and distressed, and in releeuing the Pilgrimes that came to Rome. He was Pope foure yeares.

* 1.78. Two yeares after him Agatho (a Sicilian borne) was chosen out of a Monasterie; whose sanctitie is testified by diuers miracles, among which that was rare bo••h for power and practise of charitie, when vouchsafing to em∣brace and kisse a leaper, whom he met, he presently also cured him. And his constancie was no lesse in opposing the Heresie of the Monothelites (that sayd Christ had but one wil) and gathering a famous Councel at Constantinople for the speedie condemning of them, which is called the Sixt Synode. In which his speedie course of Vertue, he was taken away by more speedie death; to wit, after two yeares and a half that he had been Pope.

* 1.89. Ten moneths after (in which time Leo the Second sate) Benedict the Se∣cond succeeded in the yeare Six hundred fourescore and three; of whom it is recorded that he lead a Monastical life in Rome from his infancie, and was a singular man both for vertue and learning. The Emperour Constantine made a decree in fauour of him, that they should not need to wayte for the consent of the Emperours in choosing the Popes, but that the Election of the Clergie and People of Rome should take place without it. But the Church had rather a glimse then a sight of his rare vertue; for he dyed after ten moneths to the great grief and lamentation of euerie bodie.

* 1.910. There f••llowed him two Gregories, the Second and the Third, the one in the yeare Seauen hundred and sixteen, the other fifteen yeares after; for so long the former held that Sea, and did much good both in the Cittie of Rome by building Churches and Religious houses, and in the whole Church of God, and specially in Germanie, whether he sent S. Boniface a Monk to preach the Faith of Christ, & receaued the first fruits of Gentilitie out of that Coun∣trey with so much contentment, that with his owne hand he Baptized them. The sanctitie and prowesse of the other Gregorie did chiefly shew itself in the conflict, which he had concerning the Catholick Faith with the Emperour

Leo the Third, who was an Heretick, and an enemie of holie Images, for which cause also he depriued him of the Communion with the Faithful, and of his Empire. Yet as none was more courageous then he against his enemies, so none could be more meek, and affable, and liberal towards the poore, and orphanes, and widdowes, he being commonly called the Father and Patron of al such people. He liued in his Pastoral charge almost eleuen yeares. The Booke intitled the Pontifical Chaire, which we mentioned before, and diuers other Authours relate, that both these Gregories were Monks.

11. In the yeare Seauen hundred sixtie eight,* 1.10 Stephen the Third was promoted to the Sea He was bred-vp from a child in the monasterie of S. Ch••••sigonus in Rome, and was rare both for vertue and learning, and ioyning also practise therewithal, was held a wise man; and therupon was employed in matters of great moment concerning the Church, by three Popes, to wit, Zacharie, Stephen the Second, and Paul. And coming himself to the Popedome thus furnished, it is incredible, how much he did benefit the Church of God both by his exem∣plar life, and famous deeds; among which we may reckon the Councel of Lateran, which he gathered for Reformation of manners in the Church. He also by the strength of his wisdome and courage thrust out one Michael, that had intruded himself into the Archbishoprick of Rauenna by fauour of some Kings and Princes. And finally after three yeares and a few moneths, leauing this world, he left also in the minds of men both a great opinion of his sancti∣tie, and a great desire that he might haue continued longer with them.

12. In the yeare Eight hundred and seauenteen,* 1.11 Paschalis the First, by special prouidence of God, was taken out of the monasterie of S. Stephen in Rome, where he was Abbot; and placed in the Pastoral charge ouer the whole Christian flock, held the place a litle more then seauen yeares. A man not only eminent for sanctitie and Religion, which a bodie might iustly expect of a Monk, but for his courage, which he shewed in suppressing the endeauours of some Secular powers, that would needs challenge a right in the choosing of Popes, wheras no such thing was due vnto them. He was also famous for his deuotion, and magnificent in building, and adorning Churches.

13. Foure yeares after this Paschalis,* 1.12 Gregorie the Fourth was chosen Pope out of the Monasterie (as some say) of Fossa-noua, where, manie yeares after, S. Thomas of Aquin died, as is recorded of him. This Pope, as al Writers testifie, was eminent in sanctitie, learning, wisdome, and eloquence, and al manner of vertue. And when the Barbarians coming ouer into Sicilie, had made thēselues maisters of the Iland, by his meanes and authoritie the Prince of Corsica setting vpon part of Africk, forced them to retire home againe to defend their owne countrey. And hauing thus happily and holily gouerned the Sea sixteen yeares, he rested in our Lord.

14. Foure yeares againe after this man's decease,* 1.13 Leo the Fourth was assumed to that dignitie out of the Monasterie of S. Martin in Rome, and gouerned the Sea in the great difficulties & dangers, wherin Italie then was by the incursions of barbarous people, that spoyled the whole Countrey, and threatned the vtter destruction of Rome itself; but he put them al to flight, more with his holines, and with lifting-vp his hands to heauen (as another Moyses) then by force of armes; and yet afterwards fortifyed the Cittie of Rome, that it might be the

better able to withstand the like incursions. He entred vpon his charge in the yeare Eight hundred fourtie seauen, and held it eight yeares.

* 1.1415. And in the yeare Nine hundred and two, Leo the Fift was chosen, and sate only fourtie dayes; who, as Trithemius reporteth, was also a Religious man.

16. After him Syluester the Second was the next that was promoted to that Sea from a Monastical course of life, two yeares before the thousand after Christ. He was bred in France in the Monasterie of Floriac, & first made Archbishop of Rhemes, then of Rauenna, and then Christ's Vicar ouer the whole Church; and held the charge foure yeares and six moneths. He was a man compleat in al kind of Learning, as Authours write of him▪ but specially versed in Mathematick & al kind of Philosophie as appeares by the Booke which he hath left in written hand of Geometrie; which Science of his hath been the occasion that people talke that he was a Sorcerer, & that he came by his promotion by sorcerie, and by a compact which he had made with the Diuel; and at last deceaued by the doubtful speaches of the Diuel, died miserably in the church of Holie-Crosse of Hierusalem. Which fable taken vpon trust of ignorant people, hath crept also into the Records of some carelesse writers. But the more learned and more di∣ligent writers shew how this errour came, by reason that there being in that Age but few Philosophers and Mathematicians, they that were giuen to such kind of studies were accounted Astrologers, and Sorcerers; & people beleeued it the rather of this man, because being a stranger, he was notwithstanding preferred to this great honour before al others.

* 1.1517 Againe in the yeare One thousand and nine, Sergius the Fourth and in the yeare One thousand twentie two, Iohn the Nineteenth were placed in the Sea of Rome; the one taken out of the monasterie of S. Anastasius in Rome, the other out of another monasterie not certainly knowne, but of the Order of S. Benedict. Sergius continued in the Chayre not ful three yeares, Iohn sate some nine yeares▪

* 1.1618. Stephen the Ninth was not only a Religious man before he was chosen Pope, but liued a holie and deuout life; for being of noble extraction, & sonne to Cotelo Duke of Lorraine, he was made Cardinal by Leo the Ninth, and sent Legat to Constantinople to reconcile the Grecians to the Latin Church, which also he performed. Returning to Rome, and finding Pope Leo dead, wearie of the world, he retired himself to the Monasterie of Mount-Cassino, where he ap∣plied himself so seriously to this new warfare of Christ (so great a man as he was) that he wonne the good opinion of al, and within lesse then two yeares was chosen Abbot of that place. And coming to Pope Victor the Second to haue his Election confirmed by him as the manner then was, not only obtayned what he came for, but was againe created Cardinal by him; & Victor dying not long after, he was by the consent of al placed in his Chayre in the yeare One thousand fiftie seauen;* 1.17 but continued not therin scarce eight moneths, before death seazed him, to the great grief of al that knew him. And not long after, to wit, in the yeare One thousand seauentie three, the administration of the Church of God fel againe into the hands of Religious men, & cōtinued among thē ••••••tie yeares togeather, to the great benefit & contentment of al Christians.

* 1.1819. The first of them was Gregorie the Seauenth, a Florentine borne; but yet he followed Gregorie the Sixt (whome the Emperour Hen••ie had thrust out of the Po••edome) into France▪ & Gregorie dying, he shut himself into the Monaste∣rie of 〈…〉〈…〉 few yeares

he was made Abbot of that Monasterie. Soone after, he was in so great fauour with Leo the Ninth, Victor the Second, and Sthephan the Ninth, that they would doe nothing without his aduice; & much more was he in grace with Alexander the Second, whome he succeeded; and gouerned the sea so like himself, that diuers Authours affirme, that since the Apostles times there hath not beene a Pope, that hath taken more paynes then he for the Church of God, or gone through more trouble, or stoode more constantly for the liberties therof. He excommunicated Henr•••• the Fourth twice as a deadlie enemie of the Church, & freed al his subiects from their Alleageance, nothing daunted with his power & the great armie, which he brought before the Cittie of Rome. He did the like to Nicephorus, that had inuaded the Empire of the East. Hilbertus Archbishop of Rauenna being in faction against him, surprised him, and cast him into prison, vpon Christmas-day at night; but in the morning the people, that loued him dearely, thronging togeather, tooke him out by force. And manie other things without number he endured courageously, and decreed with great wisedome, in the twelue yeares which he gouerned the Church.

20. Victor the Third succeeded him,* 1.19 sonne to the Prince of Beneuentum, who in his youth being constrayned to marrie a wife, fled to the Monasterie of Mount-Cassino, before he touched her; where he was created Abbot, & afterward made Cardinal by Gregorie the Seauenth, & after his decease was esteemed the fittest to vndertake the gouernment of the Church, in which charge he was not only conspicuous for his Religious pietie & modestie, but for such courage, as might beseeme a General of an armie. For he thrust out of Rome the Antipope by force of armes, & leauying a great armie from al parts of Italie, he sent it into Africk, with such happie successe by the special help of God, that he had both the vi∣ctorie miraculously at the verie first entrance into the land, & the newes of it in Italie the verie selfsame day, that the armies met, which was yet more strange. Finally holding a Councel al Beneuentum, he was taken with his last sicknes, & caused himself to be carryed to Mount-Cassino; that, where first he had receaued the spirit of Religion, there among the prayers of his Bretheren he might more securely and holily giue-vp his last breath, which he did a yeare and three mo∣reths after he had taken the Pastoral charge vpon him, that a man may iustly wonder, how he could be able to thinke of so manie things as he did, much more how he could performe them in so short a time.

21. Viban•••• the Second succeeded him, taken out of the Monasterie of Cluni in Fráce. He gouerned the Church somewhat more then eleuen yeares, & shewed himself a notable Pope. For gathering three Councels in Italie, he decreed ma∣nie vseful things, both for the quieting of those turbulent times, and for refor∣mation of manners. Then he went into France, and as he visited manie Citties, he ordayned manie holesome things; & among the rest in the Councel of Cler∣mont, ••e proclaimed the voyage to the Holie land; for which enterprise there were leauyed three hundred thousand foot, and a hundred thousand horse; by which forces at that time the Holie-land was recouered.

22. Pa••chalis the Second,* 1.20 a Monk of Mount-Cassino, much against his wil, and much lamenting his case▪ was in the yeare One thousand ninetie nine, pla∣cedia the Chay••e of S. Peter with so general consent of the people and the Clergie and the Cardinals, that he could not possibly withstand 〈◊〉〈◊〉. He gouer∣ned the Church eighteen yeares, in which time he passed through manie

changes of times, and manie difficulties, and shewed great courage in them. For by his wisdome & dexteritie he extinguished the Schisme, which had manie yeares most miserably distracted the Church of Christ through the infidelitie of some great Princes. He also restored & enlarged the dominiōs of the Church, which had been inuaded by seueral persons; & hauing suppressed manie other seditious proceedings, & composed manie differences of Christian Princes and Common-wealths, he was so beloued of al men, that returning to Rome, he got his last sicknes in the presse of people, that came to meete him; and died.

* 1.2123. Gelasi••s the Second did somewhat repayre the losse. He was also breed-vp from his infancie in Mount-Cassino, & had been made Cardinal by Vrban the Se∣cond; and liued in his Pontifical dignitie with great sanctitie of life and tempe∣rance; a man of great learning and eloquence, as Authours write, which was half a miracle in those dayes. He was much encombred through the factious proceedings of some wicked men, and chiefly by the Emperour Henrie and most vnworthily also beaten by some of his followers; but he tooke the iniurie as it beseemed the Vicar of Christ, imitating his meekenes, and following the example of Ionas, after the second tempest raysed by his occasion, he went into France, where he dyed in the Monasterie of Cluny, hauing held the Chayre but one yeare.

24. And presently the Cardinals, that were in his companie, gaue the dignitie to Callistus the Second,* 1.22 who was sonne to Wilyam duke of Burgundie, and had been a Monk either in the Monasterie of Palleri or luns (for Authours doe varie in it) and was then Archbishop of Vienne. A wise man, & dexterous in businesses, as it is recorded of him, and in effect he shewed it. For he was scarce arriued in Rome, but he surprized 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Antipope, and cast him into prison; and making peace with the Emperour Henrie vpon good con∣dition, he appeased the controuersies, which had long time wronged the Church. And continuing neere vpon six yeares in his Pastoral care, he died in the yeare One thousand one hundred twentie foure, to the great regret of euerie bodie, and much longing that he might haue liued longer.

25. One and twentie yeares after his decease, there followed three Popes one after an other taken out of Religious Orders;* 1.23 and first Eugenius the Third a Cistercian Monk, though he were not so much as Cardinal before, but only Abbot of the Monasterie of ••••••-fontane, which is yet extant; so great was the opinion which people had of his vertue and wisdome S. Bernard in his Epistle to the Court of Rome doth much admire this their proceeding.* 1.24

God forgiue you (sayth he) what haue you done? You haue produced a man that was bu∣ried in his graue; a man that was fled from the companie and trouble of men, you haue thrust him againe into care and trouble; he that was crucifyed to the world, is raysed againe to the world by you; & he that had chosen to be abiect in the house of his God, you haue chosen him to be Lord ouer al. He had power∣fully freed himself from the allurements of the flesh, and from the glorie of the world, as from the violent hands of the Diuel; and yet he could not escape your hands. What reason or counsel was there in this business? so soone as the Pope was dead, presently to rush-in vpon a countrey-fellow; to lay hands vpon one that had hid himself; and taking from him his axe, or his hatchet, or his spade, to drawe him to Court, to place him in the Chayre, to cloath him

in purple and silk, to gyrd him with a sword, to doe vengeance in nations, repre∣hensions in the people, and to tye their kings in fetters, and their nobles in manicles of iron.

So; was there not among you a wise and practical man, to whom these things might better agree? In very deed it seemes a ridiculous thing, that a thread-bare fellow should be assumed to gouerne Princes, to command Bishops, to dispose of Kingdomes and Empires. Shall I say, it is ridiculous, or miraculous? certainly it is one of them.

This was the astonishment which S. Bernard conceaued in the busines; and agreeth no lesse to al the rest of whom we haue hitherto spoken, or shal heerafter reckon, as raysed from Religious Humilitie to so great Honour; for in al of them there is part of that miracle which S. Bernard mentioned.

26. But to returne to Eugenius, we may guesse how vertuous he was, and how much he loued Religion, by that which we find written of him; to wit, that vnder the splendour of his Pontifical attire, he wore his Monastical weed, that is a wollen garment next him, and his Hood, in which also he alwayes slept, and his bed was of straw only, though the bedsteed were guilt, and hung with courtins of purple-silk; by which meanes he outwardly carried the Ma∣iestie which beseemed his place in the eyes of men, and inwardly in the eyes of God he neuer forsooke his Religious Humilitie. After he had visited France, and among other things, giuen the Crosse to King Lewis for the voyage into the Holie Land, returning to Rome, and being receaued with great ioy, he died in the eighth yeare of his Popedome,* 1.25 when Anastasius the Fourth succeeded, Abbot of the Monasterie of S. Rufus in the Diocese of Veliterra; and in one yeare of his Popedome (for he sate no longer) he gaue great signes of vertues, and chiefly of liberalitie towards the poore, releeuing them plentifully in a great dearth, which wasted almost al Europe.

27. Adrian the Fourth succeeded Anastasius in the yeare One thousand one hundred fiftie foure.* 1.26 He was an English-man borne, and as some say Abbot of the Monasterie of S. Rufus in France, afterwards made Cardinal by Eugenius the Fourth, and Legate into Swedeland and Norway, great part of which Countrey he brought to the Faith and worship of Christ. Being put in the Chayre and office of S. Peter, for the time that he held it (which was fiue yeares and eight moneths) he maintayned the dignitie of the Apostolical Sea in manie things; and particularly in excommunicating Wiliam King of Sicilie, and depriuing him of his right to the Kingdome, for spoyling some townes belonging to the Patrimonie of the Church of Rome.

28. A good space after him, to wit in the yeare One thousand two hundred ninetie foure,* 1.27 Celestin the Fift was raysed from this dust of Religion, to sit in the Throne of glorie. From a child he went into the wildernes, and liued there manie yeares; afterwards he founded a Religious Order, which being spred farre and neere, himself liuing a very austere life, and working manie mira∣cles, his sanctitie grew so famous, that wheras the Cardinals could not for two whole yeares agree vpon the election of a new Pope, they al gaue their voyces to this man, though he were absent and hidden from the world; and his Con∣secration was honoured with the concourse of more then two hundred thou∣sand people. Being Pope he slacked not the rigour of his life, nor the humilitie of his conuersation, and within a short time began so to loath the noyse and

smoake of Court, and so to long after his wonted quiet, that he resolved to shake-of that troublesome burthen and care, notwithstanding the people of Naples (whither he had retired himself) and King Charles were much against it; & the people, wheresoeuer they met him, with lowd voice beseeched him, he would not doe so. Yet fiue moneths were scarce at an end, when he gaue ouer his charge; diuers bewayling the losse of him, others admiring so great hu∣militie, and an example therof neuer heard-of til that day.

* 1.2829. In the number of these Popes the memorie of Benedict the Twelfth is venerable. He was assumed to that charge in the yeare One thousand three hundred thirtie foure, from the Cistercian Order, hauing been Abbot of a mo∣nasterie in France called Moni-froid. Manie notable things are recounted of him, both publick and priuate; and in particular, that he preferred none of his kindred to anie Ecclesiastical Office, saying, that the Pope had no kindred. Whereby & for his manie other vertues, he was so wel beloued of al, that dying after he had sate seauen yeares, his funerals were honoured with manie teares, as it is recorded of him.

* 1.2930. The vertue of his successour Clement the Sixt alayed part of the common grief.* 1.30 He was a Monka••d Abbot of a monasterie called Casa-Dei in the Diocese of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a man of a great wit, and great learning, & hauing been made Car∣dinal by his predecessour Benedict, when they came to choose an other Pope, he easily carried it by the consent of al, and in his Popedome to his other prayses he ••dded singular munificence and liberalitie beseeming a Pope, that is a com∣mon Father and Pastour of al. He contracted the yeares of Iubilie from a hun∣dred yeares to fiftie. He held the Chayre ten yeares to the great contentment of the whole world.

40. Not long after, to wit, in the yeare One thousand three hundred sixtie two, Vrban the Fift Abbot of S. Victor was assumed to the sterne of the Church;* 1.31 a man, in the iudgement of al men, of singular vertue, greate courage, vnspotted life, and one that applyed himself wholy to the common good. After he had sate eight yeares, by the special prouidence of God passing by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he gaue vp the ghost in the selfsame Monasterie, where he had been bred, in the assemblie of manie Monks, much comforted in beholding them, and much assisted by their prayers.

* 1.3241. These are al the Popes which haue been Monks, vnlesse perhaps some haue escaped me at ••nawares; now we wil looke into other Religious Families also, wherein it can be no wonder if we find fewer, because the Orders themselues are much later. In S. Dominick his Order we find that three of them haue been Popes, vnlesse we wil reckon Iohn of Vercels to be the fourth; of whom we reade in their Chronicles, that hauing been Gouernour of his whole Order twentie yeares, and gone on foot to al the Monasteries therof, it being at that time dis∣persed in a manner through the whole world, in the Conclaue which was held betwixt the times of Nicolas the Third, & Martin the Second, in the yeare One thousand two hundred and fourescore, by cōsent of the Cardinals he was cho∣sen Pope▪ and being absent, dyed before he could haue newes therof, preserued from manie troubles which that weightie Charge would haue drawne vpon him. Leauing him therefore who was designed to that Charge, but neuer vn∣dertook it, the first of this Order that was placed in it, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the First,

which name of his, and that also which he had before of Petrus Tarantasius,* 1.33 is wel enough knowne by the Books which he hath left written. Entring vpon this dignitie in the yeare One thousand two hundred seauentie six, he presently gaue his mind to pacifye the discords, which had set al Italie on fire. For wheras the Florentius had been long in armes against those of Pisa, and the Venetians against the Genoueses, he excommunicated al that would not presently lay downe their armes; and had doubtlesse brought this and farre greater things to passe, if God had lent him life, which he enioyed but seauen moneths.

42. In the yeare One thousand three hundred and three,* 1.34 Benedict the Eleuenth was chosen out of the same Order, and liued in his Charge much about the same length of time, to wit, eight moneths; but supplyed the shortnes therof with his famous deeds. For by the verdict of al, he was a man of wonderful wisdome and sanctitie; and while he was General of his Or∣der (hauing long and laudably borne that office) receauing letters in his Monasterie of Narbona from Pope Boniface the Eight, wherin the Pope com∣manded him to admit of a Cardinal's Hat, he almost blotted-out the letters with his teares, and yet could not but obey the commandment. In the time of his Popedome, how manie profitable things did he ordaine, decree, and establish in a short time, specially being to succeed Bonifacius, who had a turbulent time of it; and to cure the wounds, which Christianitie had formerly receaued? He proiected to gaine Syria and Palestine out of the hands of the Barbarians; which sheweth his zeale and courage. But yet, in my iudgement; it was a greater matter, that when his mother, who was yet liuing, a poore and needie woman, came to Rome to con∣gratulate him, and presented herself before him in costlie attire, such as friends had abundantly furnished her with; he taking no notice of her, but as if she had been a stranger, asked, who that Noble-woman was? and being answered, that it was his mother: No certainly (sayth he) for I know my mo∣ther is very poore, and hath not wherewithal to cloath herself in this manner. At which words she blushing went her wayes; and returning not long after in her owne apparrel, the Pope rose-vp vnto her, acknowledged her for his mother, and friendly entertayned her. Where shal we find a more temperate and mortifyed man? or what greater testimonie can we require of the sanctitie of anie man, then such humilitie, which doubtlesse he learned no-where but in Religion? So that it is no wonder, if he wrought miracles after his death, as they write of him.* 1.35

43. The third Pope of this Order was Pius V. for vertue like to Benedict, farre beyond him for the businesses which passed through his hands: and the memorie of him is yet fresh in mens minds. What can we say worthie of his vertue? Who being created Pope in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred threescore and six, in the seauen yeares, which he liued not fully com∣pleate, shewed againe to the world the vertues of the ancient Popes, such a Religious discipline doth teach; as frugalitie, innocencie of life, and won∣derful deuotion; and such as are proper to great Princes, as munificence, prouidence, strict rigour of iustice, courage in warre against Hereticks, and against the Turck••; entring league with the Spanyards, and the

Venetians, and by that meanes defeating a great nauie which these Infidels had prepared. These were the vertues which got him an opinion of sanctitie, not only among Christians, but euen among the enemies of God's Church. And these be the three Popes, which hitherto haue been assumed to that digni∣tie out of the Order of S. Dominick.

* 1.3644. The Order of S. Francis hath had one more. The first was Nicolas the Fourth in the yeare One thousand two hundred eightie eight; and liued foure yeares in the Charge, deseruing exceeding wel of al Christianitie by his dili∣gence and care in performing al things belonging to his Pastoral function. And among other things his carriage towards his kindred was memorable; for he was wont to say, that he owed them no more then he owed anie good man whatsoeuer. And being rid of this household-bond, as I may cal it, he was the freer to attend to the common good of the Church, and was careful in it, for he appeased manie controuersies betwixt Christian Princes, and brought them into league one with an other; and recouered also by force some Citties be∣longing to the Church, which had been vniustly vsurped by others. And yet how vnwilling he was to be in honour, he shewed long before, by that which he did when he was made Cardinal by Gregorie the Tenth. For hauing receaued newes of it by letters in France, he wrote againe to the Pope as effectually as he could, beseeching him to excuse him; and in the meane time, til a new command came, he would not alter anie thing concerning himself. And it is moreouer reported of him, that he was wont to say, he had rather be cooke of a Monasterie, then Cardinal.

* 1.3745. Alexander the Fift followed not long after in the yeare One thousand three hundred and nine, though the honour abided not long in him, to wit, some ten moneths, yet in so short a time he gaue manie demonstrations of a deuout and noble mind. For he depriued Ladislaus of his Kingdome, a power∣ful King, and a great enemie to Ecclesiastical libertie. He was so liberal to∣wards the poore, not only during his Popedome, but in al his former life, that it is recorded that he was wont to say in ••east of himself, that he was a rich Bishop, a poore Cardinal, and a beggar when he was Pope.

* 1.3846. Sixtus the Fourth was of the same Order, placed in the Chayre, in the yeare One thousand foure hundred seauentie and one, and sate thirteen yea∣res; a man rare for al that belongs to wit, or learning, or prudence in handling of businesses. He shewed his zeale, both in the warres which he made for de∣fence of the Dominions of the Church, and in setting-forth a nauie against the Turcks.

47. The fourth that out of the Order of S. Francis hath been exalted to this dignitie,* 1.39 is Sixtus V. he that holdeth the sterne at the time that we are wri∣ting this; of whose life and actions we wil say nothing for the present, least we may seeme to flatter him; specially seing no toung can so wel expresse that which is in him, as his owne liuelie presence. He was charged with the Pasto∣ral care in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred eightie fiue; and this is the fourth yeare that he holdeth it.

48. Besides these, there be two other Popes of two other Orders, to wit, Eugenius the Fourth,* 1.40 and Paul the Fourth. Eugenius was of the Monasterie of S. Gregor••e in Alga in Venice, of that Order which S. Laurence Iustinian liuing

at the self-same time, and famous for al kind of vertue, did much illustrate. He liued in the Pastoral charge neere vpon sixteen yeares, hauing been promoted therunto in the yeare One thousand foure hundred thirtie one. Of whom al Writers agree, that he was diligent in the warres he waged for the Church, graue and wise in peace, liberal towards people of learning, patient in occasions of wrong done him, and a special Patron of Religious people, granting them manie priuiledges and franchises, and also great re∣uennues. But his maister-peece was the breaking of the neck of the Councel of Basle, which began to make head against the Pope's authoritie; but partly by courage, partly by his singular wisdome & prudence, he disappointed their de∣signes, & called an other Councel first at Ferrara, and afterwards translated it to Florence, whither Iohn Paleologus Emperour of Greece came, and acknow∣ledged the Pope of Rome to be Head of the Church.* 1.41 Paul the Fourth was not only a Religious man, but Founder of a Religious Order of Regular Priests. For first giuing ouer his Bishoprick of Theate, he betooke himself to a pri∣uate and solitarie life; afterwards others, that had the like purposes and re∣solution, ioyning with him, he began a new course of Religious discipline, and professed it publickly in a great assemblie in S. Peter's Church in Rome, togeather with them of his Companie, in presence of the Clergie of that Church, at the Tombe of the Apostles, making the three Vowes which are common to al Religious people, in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred twentie eight, vpon the day of the Exaltation of the Crosse; and from thence we account the beginning of this Order, which since hath been very much encreased, and doth dayly spreade itself more and more to the great benefit of the Religious themselues, and al others. Paul himself, who was then cal∣led Iohn Peter Carasa, was not long after made Cardinal by Pope Paul the Third, and created Pope in the yeare One thousand fiue hundred fiftie fiue; and sate foure yeares.

49. These are the Popes, which we find vpon record taken out of Re∣ligious Orders; whose promotion doubtles is a great honour to that course of life, not only by reason of the greatnes of that dignitie, as I sayd be∣fore, but much more for the vnspeakable benefit, which the learning, and sanctitie••, and wisdome of so manie rare men hath brought to the Church of God in al Ages, and in al kind of businesses, as we see it hath. Wherefore though there were nothing els in Religion, this alone were sufficient to conclude, that a Religious course of life hath deserued very much of al Chri∣stians and Christendome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dionysius.
• * 1.2

  Benedictus 1.
• * 1.3

  Pelagius 2.
• * 1.4

  S. Gregorie the Gr••at.
• * 1.5

  Bonifa••ius 4.
• * 1.6

  Adeodatus
• * 1.7

  Agatho.
• * 1.8

  Benedictus 2.
• * 1.9

  Gregorie the Second and the Third.
• * 1.10

  Stephanus 3.
• * 1.11

  Paschalis ••
• * 1.12

  Gregori•• ••.
• * 1.13

  Leo 4.
• * 1.14

  Leo 5. Tri••h••mius l. 4. de Vir. Ill••c 8. Syluester 2.
• * 1.15

  Sergius 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 19.
• * 1.16

  Stephenus 9.
• * 1.17

  〈…〉〈…〉 men for fiftie yeares togeather.
• * 1.18

  Gregoriu•• ••.
• * 1.19

  Victor ••.
• * 1.20

  Paschalis ••.
• * 1.21

  Gelasius 1.
• * 1.22

  Callistus 2.
• * 1.23

  Eugenius 3.
• * 1.24

  S. Bernard. Epist. 236.
• * 1.25

  Anastasius 4.
• * 1.26

  Adrianus 4.
• * 1.27

  Celestinus 5.
• * 1.28

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 22.
• * 1.29

  C••••m••ns 6.
• * 1.30

  Maison-D••••.
• * 1.31

  Ve••anus 5.
• * 1.32

  〈…〉〈…〉 Order 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Domi¦nick.
• * 1.33

  Innocent ut 3.
• * 1.34

  Benedictus 11.
• * 1.35

  Pius 5.
• * 1.36

  Popes that were Fran∣ciscans. Nicolaus ••.
• * 1.37

  Alexander 5.
• * 1.38

  Sixtus 5.
• * 1.39

  Sixtu•• 5.
• * 1.40

  Eugenius 4
• * 1.41

  Paulus 4.