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THE THIRDE BOOKE: DIS∣PROVING THE PRETENSED PRACTISE OF Ecclesiastical gouernmēt in Emperors and Kings as wel of our own Countre of Englande, as of Fraunce and Spayne, in these later .900. yeres from the tyme of Phocas to Maximilian next predecessour to Charles the .V. of famous me∣mory.
M. Horne. The .79. Diuision. Fol. 47. b.
Next after Sabinianus, an obscure Pope, enemy and successour to this Gregory, succeded Bonifacius. 3. VVho although he durst not in playne dealing denie, or take from the Emperours, the authoritie and iurisdiction in the Popes election, and other Churche matters: yet he vvas the first that (.228.) opened the gappe thereunto: for as Sabel. testifieth, vvith vvhom agree all other vvriters, for the moste parte: This Bonifacius immediatly vpon the entraunce into his Papacy, dealte with Phocas, to winne that the Church of Rome, might (.229.) be head of all other Churches, the which he hardely obteined, bicause the Grecians did chalenge that prerogatiue for Constantinople. After he had obteyned this glorious and ambitious title, of the bloudy tyrant Phocas, and that vvith (.230.) no smal bribes: like vnto one that hauing a beame in his ovvn eie, vvent about to pul the mote out of his brothers, he made a decree, that euery one should be accursed, that prepared to him selfe a way into the Papacy, or any other Ecclesia∣stical dignity, with frendship or bribery. Also that the bisshops in euery city, should be chosen by the people and Clergy: and that the election should be good, so that the Prince of the City did approue the party by thē chosen, ād the Pope addīg his au∣thority therto, had ones said, volumus & iubemus: we wil and commaunde. But saith Sabell, both these decrees are abolished.