Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

¶ An other Epistle of the sayd Germanus Pa∣triarch of Constantinople, and Primate of the Greek Church, to the Cardinals of Rome.

AN other letter the sayd Germanus Patriarch of Constantino∣ple, wrote also the same time, to the Popes Cardinals, wher∣in he first commending them for theyr wisedome and counsell, and shewing what vtility commeth by good counsell geuing: for so much as God (sayth he) many times that he hydeth from one, inspireth to an other, so that that good thing which by the al∣mighty God is sonderly dispensed to diuers, through common counsell and conference, spreadeth to the publicke vtility of ma∣ny. &c. After this, eftsoones he beginneth to exhort them, that they like charitable ministers and discrete counsellors, will take in hand the spirituall armour of God, to cast downe the stoppe & partition walle of the olde discord betweene the Greekes and La∣tine Church, & that they will be a meanes to the Bishop of Rome, that they which so long haue bene disseuered by dissention, may now be conioyned in vnity of peace, in brotherly charity and communion of fayth.

Concerning which matter, I haue (sayth he) already written to his holynesse. And now I beseech the king of heauen, whiche tooke the shape of a seruaunt, to helpe his miserable seruauntes: and was exalted vpon the crosse, to raise them vp which were fal∣len into the profundity of desolation, that he will vouchsafe to put from your hartes all elation of minde, extolling it selfe ouer and aboue the vnity of your brethren and fellow seruauntes, and to lighten your consciences with the true light of vnderstanding that we may altogether agree in one, & that there be no schisme amongst vs. Let vs therefore as we are instructed, so abide in one minde, that it be not sayd of vs, as it was of the Corinthians be∣fore vs: I hold of Paule, I of Apollo, I of Coephas, and I of Christ? but that all we, as we holde the name of Christ, and are all called Christians, so may also abide in that wherein we are instructed in one minde, that is, to follow loue and charity in Christ Iesus, ha∣uing alwayes in our hartes the wordes of the Apostle, saying: One Lord, one Fayth, one Baptisme.

And now to be playne with you in that I haue to say, I shal desire you not to be offended with me in vttering the trueth as a frend vnto you. The wordes (sayth Salomon) of a wise man tel∣ling trueth, be like to nayles which be driuen in deepe. And truth for the moste parte, breedeth enemies. And therefore though I am partly afrayd, yet will I simply confesse the trueth vnto you. Certes this diuision of Christian vnity amongst vs, proceedeth of no other cause but onely of the tiranny, oppression, and exactiōs of the Church of Rome: which of a mother is become a stepdame, and hath put her children from her whome long time she nouri∣shed (after the maner of a rauening bird) which driueth her yong from her:) which children how much the more humble and obe∣dient they are to her, the lesse she esteemeth them, and treadeth them vnder foot, not regarding the saying of the Gospel: Who so humbleth himselfe shalbe exalted.

Let modesty therefore something temper you, and let the a∣uarice of the Court of Rome, although it can not well out of the flesh which is bred in the bone, yet surcease a while, and let vs to∣gether condescend to the triall of the trueth: which trueth being found out on both sides, let vs constantly embrace the same.

For why, we haue bene altogether some times both Italians and Grecians in one fayth, and vnder the same Canons: hauing peace each with other, and defending one an other, and confoun∣ding the enemies of the Church At what tyme many flying out of the west partes (whilest that the tyranny of the heretickes in∣dured) made their concourse to vs, and were recaiued, and part fled vnto you, that is, olde Rome, as to a strong tower of refuge: and so receiued they cōfort in both places, and one brother was thus receiued into the bosome of an other, by mutuall loue for their defence.

Then after, when Rome had bene often distressed by the bar∣barous and heathen nations, the Grecians were euer ready to re∣scue and deliuer them. Did not Agapitus and Vigilius flye vnto Constantinople by reason of the dissentions then at Rome, and being honourablye receiued, were here desended vnder our pro∣tection' although the like kindenes was neuer yet shewed of your part to vs agayne in our like necesities. Notwithstanding wee ought to do good to them also that be vngrateful: for so doth the Sea participate her sinoth and calme tides euen vnto the Pirats. And so God causeth the sunne to shine vpon the lust and vniust. But (alas for sorow) what bitter diuision is this that hath thus se∣questred vs a sonder? One of vs detracteth an other, shonning the company one of an other, as the damnation of his soule. What a mortall hatred is this come amongest vs? if you thinke we are fal∣len, then do you help to lift vs vp: and be not to vs as a stombling blocke to our bodely ruine, but helpers vnto the spirituall resuv∣rection of our soules. So shall we acknowledge our selues boūd vnto you to geue you condigne thankes accordingly.

But if the blame and first origine of all this offence procee∣deth from Rome, and the successours of Peter the Apostle: then read you the wordes of S. Paule to the Galathians: saying. When Peter came vnto Antioche, I withstood him in the face, because he was to be rebuked, &c. Howbeit this resistaunce was no cause of any discord or breach betweene them: but the cause rather of further search and profounder disputations, prouoking temporall agrement. For they were fast ioyned together in the bond of cha∣rity in Christ, agreeing in faith and conformity of doctrine sepa∣rated by no ambition or auarice. In which poyntes would God we also were like vnto them. This to vs in our mindes gendreth a great offence, that your gaping so greedyly after terrene posses∣sions, scrape together all that you can scratch and rake. You heap vp gold and siluer, and yet pretend that you be the Disciples of him which sayd: gold and siluer I haue none. &c. You make whole kingdomes tributary to you, and kings and princes your vassals. You augment your mony by vsury, & by feates of marchaundise. You vnteache by your deedes, that whiche you teach in wordes.

Moderate your selues therefore with more temperaunce, that you may be an example to vs and to all the world. You see how good a thing it is one brother to helpe an other. Onely God alone needeth no helpe or counsell, but men neede one to be holpen one of another. And were it not that I doe reuerence the blessed Apostle Peter, the chiefe of Christes Apostles, the rocke of our fayth, I would here put you in remembraunce how great∣ly this rocke was shaken and remooued from the foundation, at the sight of a seely woman: and Christ of his secret purpose per∣mitted the same, which by the crowing of the cock brought him agayne to remembraunce of that which was foretolde him, and raysed him from the slumber of desperation. Then he being thus waked, washed his face with teares, confessing himselfe before God and all the world, to be a true paterne of repentance, which before bare the keyes of the kyngdome, as saying thus vnto vs: May not he which falleth, rise agayne? Oh you whiche are fallen, rise vp & beholde me, & harken vnto me, trauelling to∣ward Paradise. The gates wherof to open I haue receiued power.

And thus do I write vnto you, not for any instruction, but onely to put you in remēbraunce: for I know how God hath en∣dued you with all wisedome and knowledge. As Salomon sayth: Geue onely occasion to the wise, and he will learne wisedome: Teach the iust man, and he will be glad to take instruction.

This one thing more I will say and so make an end. There be great and mighty nations that are of like mind and opinion with vs. First the Ethiopians that inhabite the chiefest part of the East. After that the Sirians: and other moe of greater number thē they: and more disposed to vertūe, as the Hyberi, Aloní, Gothi, Chaiari with innumerable people of Russia, and the kingdome of great victory of the Vulgarians. And all these are obedient vnto vs as their mother Church, persisting hetherto constantly in the aun∣cient and true orthodoxasticall fayth immouáble.

The God of all holynes which for our sakes became man, and which onely is the head of his Church and congregation, vouch∣safe to gather vs agayne together in vnity, and graunt, that the Grecian church together with her sister church of old Rome may glorify the same Christ, the prince of peace, by he vnitye of faith, to the restitutiō of soūd & wholsom doctrine, wherein many yeres agone they haue agreed and were vnited. God graunt vnto you brotherlike charity, and the hand of the most mighty God gouern you all (holy Cardinals) till that ioyfully ye arriue in the heauen

of euerlasting trāquility. The grace of God be with you all, Amē. Ex Math. Parisiens. fol. 111.

Shortly after the sending of these letters, Pope Gre∣gory prepared to send men of warre signed with the crosse to fight agaynst the Grecians. Wherupon the Archbishop of Antioch, with the said Germanus solemnly excommu∣nicated the Pope, after he first had excommunicated them, Par. fol. 118. In the meane time by the tenour of these let∣ters of the Patriarch sent to the Pope and to the Cardi∣nals, it is euident to all men that haue eies in their heads, to see: first how the whole vniuersall church of Christ, frō the east partes to the west, in auncient times were alto∣gether vnited in one cōsent of doctrine, & lincked together in brotherly charity, one Church brotherly to helpe an o∣ther, both with temporall ayd & spirituall councell, as case required. Neither was then any one mother Church a∣boue other Churches, but the whole vniuersall Churche was the mother Church and spouse of the Lord, to euery faythfull beleuer. Under which vniuersall Church in ge∣nerall, were comprehended all other particular Churches in speciall, as sister churches together, not one greater thē an other, but all in like equality, as God gaue his giftes so seruing one another, euer holding together the vnity of fayth and Sisterly loue. And so long was it and rightlye might so be called the catholicke church, hauing in it true vnity, uniuersality, and free consent. Unity in doctrine, v∣niuersality in cōmunicating and ioyning together of voy∣ces, cōsent in spirit and iudgement. For what soeuer was caught at Rome touching fayth and saluation, it was no other then was taught at Antioch, Siria, &c.

Secondly, how in processe of time, through occasion of the Bishop of Romes tyranny and violent oppressiō, this ring of equality being broken all flew in pieces, the East church from the west, the Greekes from the Latines, and that which was one before, now was made two: vnitye turned to division, vniuersality to singularity, and free cō∣sent to dissention.

Thirdly, here is also to be noted, after this pitiful breach of equality, how many & what great natiōs departed frō the communion of the Church of Rome, and especialy a∣bout this time aboue specified of pope Gregory 9. an. 1230 so that both before and after that time many coūcels were holden, and many thinges concluded in the westchurche, whereunto the one halfe of Christendome lying in the east partes, did neuer agree: and contrary, many councelles holden with them, which in the Latine church were not receiued. So that the church now as she lost the benefit of vniuersail consent, so also she lost the name Catholicke. Whereupon this question is to be asked, that when the coū cell of Lateran vnder Pope Innocent 3. ordeined the do∣ctrine of transubstantiation and auricular confession here in the westchurch, without y^• free consent of the eastchurch whether the same doctrine is to be counted Catholicke or not?

Fourthly, in the departing of these churches from the Bishop of Rome, here also is to be noted, that the same churches of the Greeks, notwithstanding they sequestred themselues and fel out with the church of Rome, and that iustly: yet they kept theyr vnity still with theyr God, and reteined stil the true 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That is, the true and sin∣cere doctrine of fayth. ready to debate and try the trueth of their religion by the scriptures, as they here in theyr own writings desire to haue the truth examined, according as ye haue heard. Wherefore the church of Rome hath done them open wrong, which being offred so gently to try and to be tryed by the trueth of Gods word, not onely would stand to no triall, nor abide conference, but also hath excō∣municated them as heretickes, whiche appeare here to be more orthodorasticall christians, then they themselues.

Fiftly, these things thus standing, then haue we to cō∣clude that the church of Rome falsely pretendeth it selfe to be catholicke. For if the name of Catholicke must needes import an vniuersall consēt of the whole, how can that be catholick where the consent of so many famous and true christian churches hath bene lacking, & furthermore wher the consent that hath bene amongest themselues, hath ra∣ther bene coacted, then any true or free consent? Which is easy to be proued. For let these fires and fagottes cease, let kinges and princes leaue to presse theyr subiects with the popes obedience, but let the scripture, and the bishops a∣lone euery one his own Dioces to gouerne their stock af∣ter the rule of Gods word, and how few be there in this west end of y^• world (from you) y^t would not doe the same that these Grecias, Ethiopians, and Syrians haue done before vs? And thus much by the occasion of this Patriar∣ches letters sēt to pope Gregory, cōcerning the Grecians.

Whose doings when I consider, as I can not but cō∣mend their wisdome & iudge their state happy and bles∣sed, in shaking off from their neckes the miserable yoke of the popes tyranny: so on the other side considering with my self the wretched thraldome of these our churches here in the west part of the world, vnder the bishop of Rome, I can not tell, whether more to maruell or to lament their pitiful state, who were brought into such oppression & sla∣uery vnder him, that neither they could abide him, nor yet durst cast him of. So vntollerable were his exactions, so terrible was his tyranny, his suspensions & excommuni∣cations much like to a mad mans dagger, drawen at eue∣ry trifle, that no christen patience could suffer it, nor natiō abide it. Again, so deep did he sit in their consciences, falsly beleuing him to haue the authority of S. Peter, that for cō¦science sake neither king nor Caesar durst withstand him, much less poore subiects once mute agaynst him. And al∣though his takings and spoylings, namely in this realm of england were such, that neither the laity nor spiritualty could beare them: yet was there no remedy, beare thē they must, or els the Popes sentence was vpon them, to curse them as blacke as pitch.

In reading the historyes of these crimes, any good hart would lamēt and rue, to see the miserable captiuity of the people, what they suffered vnder this thraldome of the Bi∣shop of rome, whereof part hath bene shewed before, more (God willing) shall follow hereafter, and some part here presently I mind to expresse.

Notes

• Another letter of Ger∣manus Pa∣triarch of Constanti∣nople to the Cardinalles.
• 1. Cor. 1.
• The Tyranny & oppressiō of the church of Rome, is the onely cause of brea∣king vnitie betwene the Greeke church and the Latine. Luc. 18.
• The old amitie and concord be∣tweene the East church and the West.
• Agapitus & Vi∣gilius, fled to Constantinople for succour.
• Paule rebuketh Peter. Galat. 2.
• Actes. 3. He meaneth of the kingdome of England and other into which were made tri∣bury to the sea of Rome. The immode∣rate auarice of the court of Rome. Peters faith sha∣ken.
• Peter an ensam∣ple of repentāce
• Christian coun∣tries & nations in the East parts which are not vnder the By∣shop of Rome.
• Christ onely head of the Church.
• The Pope pro∣claymeth war a∣gainst the Greek Church. The Archb. of Antioch & Cō∣stantinople ex∣communicate the Pope.
• 5. Notes to be considered. The first Note.
• The true Ca∣tholike church, where it was, and when.
• 1. Vnitie. 2. Vniuersalitie. 3. Consent.
• The second note
• The third note.
• The church hath her name of Catholicke, wherby & whē. together the doctrine of trā∣substantiation, made without the free consent of the Eastchur∣ches, be Catho∣licke or no.
• The fourth note
• The fifth note. The Church of Rome proued not to be Ca∣tholicke. The procedings of Rome stand vpon no free consent, but are coacted.
• The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ble state of the Wes•• partes of christendo•• vnder the Pope. The Pope excommuni∣cation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a scol•••• dagger. The false perswasi•••• of the pope supremacy, cause of much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chedner.