The history of popery, or, Pacquet of advice from Rome the fourth volume containing the lives of eighteen popes and the most remarkable occurrences in the church, for near one hundred and fifty years, viz. from the beginning of Wickliff's preaching, to the first appearance of Martin Luther, intermixt with several large polemical discourses, as whether the present Church of Rome be to be accounted a Church of Christ, whether any Protestant may be present at Mass and other important subjects : together with continued courants, or innocent reflections weekly on the distempers of the times.

The Weekly Pacquet OF Advice from Rome: OR, The History of POPERY. (Book 4)

The Fourth Volume. FRIDAY, Jan. 13. 1681-2. (Book 4)

Imperante & florente Nequitiâ Virtus non solùm Praemiis caret, sed etiam sceleratorum pedibus Calcatur & supplitia luit.

The horrible Schism between Popes and Anti-Popes, for fifty years together.

HAving dispatcht what we thought necessary to say touching Wickliff, 'tis now time to return to the prosecution of our History of Popes, having left off with Pope Gregory the Eleventh, [See our Third Volume, Numb. 67.] who died Anno Dom. 1378.

The attentive Reader cannot but have observ'd in the course of this History, many Schisms in the Papal Chair, that is, seve∣ral pretenders at one time, each of them bearing himself as the true and only Infallible Head of the Church. But now we come to speak of Schisma omnium gravissimum, The most grievous of all Schisms, as the Jesuit De Bussieres tells it; for it lasted half an hundred years, Pope against Pope, and the States of Europe, and all the Churches of this part of the World, divided, or rather rent and torn asunder, whilst these scuffling Fathers repeal

the Acts one of another, and Condemn each others Canons and Ordinances, yea Curse and Excommunicate, and openly pro∣nounce one another to be Antichrist; and all this in Books pub∣lisht, and yet extant concerning that matter. And there∣fore the Relation of this so famous quarrel, which we shall re∣cite as briefly as the matter will bear, cannot but be well wor∣thy the Reader's considerate notice.

Gregory being dead, the people of Rome flockt to the Cardi∣nals, pressing them by all means, that they should chuse an Ita∣lian to succeed him, for if a French-man should be Elected, 'twas odds but he would remove the Papal Seat again to Avig∣nion, and then Rome would be undone, St. Peter be dishonour'd, devout People leave off their coming in Pilgrimage to his Shrine, and twenty other mischiefs would follow. The Cardinals pro∣mised them fairly all should be done to the Glory of God, but were no sooner got into the Conclave, but they were all in a confusion, instead of being assisted with the Holy-Ghost; for there were 14 French Cardinals, who stickled might and main to have one of their number chosen; but then a new Contest hap∣pening amongst themselves which should be the Man, and the people abroad crying no French man, no French-man, and threat∣ning to cut all their Throats if they did not elect an Italian, partly through fear, aud partly in spight to each other, and a little bribing too in the case, they at last chose one Bartholomew, Archbishop of Barry, a Ne••politan, who was then absent, but made hast to Rome, and took upon him the name of Vrban the Sixth. Theodoric à Nyem, who was his Secretary; l. 1. c. 1. tells us, That before his Popedom, he was a very honest fellow, but Magistratus indicat virum, Preferment strangely alters a Man, and commonly for the worse; for as soon as he was in the Chair, he was as proud as Lucifer, in so much, that when one day Otho Duke of Brunswick, Husband to Joan Queen of Na∣ples, (who immediately on his being chosen, had sent him 40000 Ducats in Gold and Silver to defray his first Expences) making a Collation for his Holiness, drank to him on his Knees; this ••••scally Servant of Servants, out of meer Pride, would not for a long time take the Cup out of the hand of so great a Prince kneeling before him, 'till one of the Cardinals blushing for him, cry'd, Holy Father, it is time to drink, and then the insolent Pre∣••ate vouchsafed to accept it.

But his Pride had quickly a check, if not a fall, for within 3 Months, the French Cardinals requested Leave of him, that because the weather was very hot, they might for change of Air retire to Anagnia, which being granted, they appoint their Rendezvous at Fundi, and to reinforce their Party, whea∣dle thither three Italian Cardinals, by promise privately made to each of them, That they would make him Pope, alledging, That the Election of Vrban was not free, but obtain'd by the Tumults of the people, &c. But at this Consult they chose in∣deed the Cardinal of Genoua by the name of Clement the Se∣venth. And now▪

Arma Armis, & Tela minantia Telis.

Pope jostles Pope, and Curse at Curses spreads, Two Triple-Crowns are got to Loggerheads.

Each of them labours to draw as many Princes and States of Christendom to his obedience as he can. Most of the Italians, all the English, Germans, and Portuguese, acknowledge Vrban for Pope Canonical, but the Kings of France and Spain were all for Clement, and some were so wise, as not to admit either of them. To strengthen himself, Urban in one day created 26 Cardinals, a jolly Company of Red capp'd Gentlemen! who were oblig'd to espouse his Quarrel; otherwise their Honour would be in the Dust, since it was deriv'd from him. He also besieg'd the Castle of St. Angelo, wherein there was a French Garrison, and took it, sends for Charles, a Noble Hungarian, and gives him the Kingdom of Sicily, and engages him to be his Champion. And because this Charles had no Money, the Pope not only sold to several of the Roman Citizens, the Proprietaries and Rights of many Churches of Rome, to the value of above Fourscore thousand Crowns, but also expos'd to sale the Gold and Silver Chalices, Crosses, and other precious Ornaments of the Churches and Monasteries; nay, he made bold with his very Gods, for he melted down many Silver Images of Saints, and coin'd them into Money, to pay the Soldiers of the said Charles's Army. So little do these Popes themselves make of that Bug-bear Sacriledge, when their own Ambition is concern'd!

Charles thus encourag'd, marches to Naples, and through the Treachery prepar'd by Pope Ʋrban, is receiv'd into the City, for he had inveigled to his Interest most of the best Families there, by his liberal promotion of them to the Dignity of Car∣dinals: But Joan the lawful Queen of Sicily (that had been so kind to assist him with Money) seeing him thus most ungratefully, as well as unjustly, invade her Dominions, retired to the New Castle; in order to whose rescue, her Husband Otho Duke of Brunswick, comes and besieges the City; whereupon the Popes Creature, Charles, counterfeits the Hand and Seal of the said Queen Joan, and sends a Letter as from her to Otho, intreating him to come to her with six only of his dearest and most faithful Friends, to Consult together in so great extremity what was best to be done; Otho suspecting nothing, goes thither by night, ac∣company'd with the Marquess of Montferrat, his Cousin Bal∣thasar, Duke of Brunswick's Brother, Son in Law of the Earl of Fundi, and three Captains, in whom he greatly trusted; but they fall into an Ambuscade prepar'd for them, who kill'd the Marquess and the three Captains, took Duke Otho and his Brother, and carried them Prisoners to Charles, who comman∣ded Balthasar's Eyes to be put out in the public Market-place, where the innocent young King Conradine, by the commandment of Charles the First, had been Beheaded, and kept Otho full 3 years under Custody. Queen Joan, when she heard that her Husband was taken, hoped that in yielding the Castle, which besides was in distress for want of Victuals, she might at least redeem her Life; but he sent her presently Prisoner into a cer∣tain Castle of Abruzzo, in the Chappel whereof, as she was kneeling at Prayer before the Altar, by his Command she is stran∣gled by four Hungarian Soldiers. All this was done by the councel of Pope Ʋrban, for his Legat à Latere was the Cardinal of Sangro, who was with Charles during all these Butcheries, and thought he offer'd to God good Sacrifice, when he had destroy'd them that had been faithful to Queen Joan, as well of the Clergy as Laity, either depriving them of their Goods, or depo∣sing them from Ecclesiastical Dignities, without any respect of Age, Condition, or Merit; in so much, that in one day he created 32 new Archbishops and Bishops, and many Abbots, all Neopolitans and Followers of Charles's part. Our Author adds, That he used the Enchantments of a certain Vagabond, who

named himself a Knight, and a little after was burn'd by com∣mandment of Lewis Duke of Anjou, whom he would have de∣ceived.

Neither was our other Pope, Clement, in the mean while idle; a Man (saith the Author) of a large Conscience, and of great Experience, and very needy, whom Gregory the Eleventh, by reason he could not otherwise maintain his Prodigality, had appointed Legat in the Marca de Ancona and Lumbardy, more perhaps, that he might by that means have wherewith to live, from the Inhabitants of those Regions, under pretence of his Legation, than for any quiet or safety that he might procure unto them. Nevertheless he was covetous, or rather a greedy Griper, by reason of his Prodigality: For Otho Duke of Brun∣swick, having taken Verseil and 40 Castles in those parts from Viscount Barnabo, then Commander of Millan, who had deli∣vered them to Gregory, Clement being at that time Legate, sold them all to Barnabo for ready Money, who exercis'd against them all sorts of Cruelty, and exacted from them the Money he had disburs'd to Clement; and being come to the Popedom, he retained still the same humour, granting in fee for a very small yearly Revenue without any difficulty, the Lands and De∣mesnes of Cathedral Churches and Monasteries, to oblige great Men to his Faction, and giving (saith the Author) large Thongs of other Men's Leather. And when he saw that Ʋrban had at his pleasure created a King of A••ulia, he resolved to give him a Competitor: This was Lewis Duke of Anjou, whom he crown'd and sent into Italy with an Army of sixty thousand Men.

Upon which, Ʋrban thought fit to leave Rome, and to go into the Kingdom of Naples, whom Charles met not far from Aversa, and did unto him the office of a Groom, or Yeoman of his Stirrop, and many Country people came and kiss'd the said Ʋrban's Feet; but before they did so, they had thrice kiss'd the Ground. But yet for all this Complement, Charles, under co∣lour of shewing him the Castle of Aversa, kept the silly Pope prisoner, suspecting some ill Design from his Journey into those parts, and so much the rather, for that he himself had not ful∣filled his promise of putting Pregnan the Pope's Nephew (or as some rather thought, Bastard) into possession of the Dutchy of Capua. But soon after, at the Entreaties of the Cardinals

upon terms, set him at Liberty, and brought him to Na∣ples.

The before••mention'd Pregnan was a notorious Villain, and addicted to all kind of Vices, and yet this Pope was so fond of him, that when his Debaucheries were complain'd of, he was always wont to cry, He is young, and yet he was then forty years old: Amongst other of his Pranks, he Ravisht a Nun of the Order of St. Clare, at which the people being much in∣cens'd, he fled to a Church under protection of his Uncle, the King having according to Law convicted him, sentenc'd him to dye; but the Pope interpos'd, alledging, That he was a supe∣riour Lord, in whose presence the King could not punish any Noble-Man, without his consent: And so the Criminal for this horrid Act escap'd the reach of Justice. Quia sic placuit Papae, (says Theodoric of Neym) because it so pleas'd the Pope to have it.

THE COURANT.

Tory.

WHat says little Harry (as the great Heraclitus calls him)? Does he not Triumph about Friday's work?

Truem.

Not at all, as I hear of; tho if some people might have their will, it would be almost matter of wonder to see Right at any time take place. But still I think, tho the Turky-Printer bustled as much as the best Powder-monkey, Extortioner, Soap-Chandler, or Splitter-splutter Suborner in the Pack, yet your Gang had no great cause of boasting, for some of the forlorn White Friars Troops I hear were cut off by the Shoulder-dabbers in their Retreat. But prethee what hast got in thy paw there? Thou art always (like the Observator) sumbling of Papers.

Tory.

'Tis an odd thing I took up in the Street, and I know not what the Devil to make on't—However, for once I'le read it, just as Parson Whip-spur does his Sermon, which he never perus'd before he came into the Pulpit.

The Copy of a Letter from a Roman Catholic in Albania, to a Popish Priest in Albionia.

May it please your Reverence!

WHat is every where admir'd, I joyfully congratulate; the wise and a live Conduct of our Vice Master, who by his unwearied pains and care, hath gain'd such a Senate as unanimously hath recogniz'd his pretensions; and tho never so much a Papist, he shall be so far (they declare) from being oppo∣sable, that he must not be question'd, which gives us great confidence (if our Friends could at last procure such a complying Assembly in your parts) we may once again have in prospect the Advancement of the Romish Catholic Religion (tho poor Ned, our grand Agitator, were most wretchedly Sacrific'd to the Glory of the De∣sign) over this whole Island, without much opposition.

But we are even now startled (besides the late indignity of burning our Holy Father in Essigie) at some Rumours which are spread amongst us, for 'tis averr'd, the greater assurance we have of the Gentleman's faithful Adherence to his Holi∣nesses Supremacy and the See of Rome, the less hopes we have of his coming to the Imperial Dignity, or getting such a Senate as will bring our holy Enterprize to perfection in your Nation.

For 'tis diffus'd as a Maxim, and generally receiv'd, That no resolv'd Papist

can be admitted as a lawful King there, according to the Rules of their present Government; They pretend to prove it thus—Every King of Albionia, accor∣ding to the Law, is to be in all Causes, and over all persons, as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal, Supream Head and Governour: Therefore no resolv'd Papist can according to Law there be King, for be that owns the Popes Supremacy, disclaims his own Supremacy, consequently hath already renounc'd his Title, and agreed an Act of Exclusion against himself.

And as for procuring such a Senate by the Laws establisht, (which are, and have graciously been declared to be our Rule) every Popish Recusant must be que∣stion'd, discover'd, repress'd, and debarr'd from any Office; and no man is to conceal, maintain, abet, aid, or assist a Popish Recusant, in advancing him to any place of Trust, Authority, or Government; but it shall be construed to sig∣nifie his consent to overthrow King, Religion, and Government establisht, in so much, that he shall incur the dang•••• and penalty of a Praemunire, if not of Trea∣son: So that it cannot reasonably be suppos'd, that ever the more considerate part of the Commons can be surprized unwarily to chuse such Men, (as lye under the suspicion of the Guilt beforementioned, or that have been Abhorrers, Anti∣petitioners, or Addressers, against Legal Senates) to be their Representatives in any future Assembly of the States.

To these gauling Objections of the Heretics which obstruct our hopes, I humbly implore of your fatherly Wi••dom some Sal••e and Satisfaction, that so at once we may silence our Adversaries, and confirm our Friends. Thus doing, you may contribute much to the carrying on the holy Design, which hath been, and will be, the Desire and Endeavours of,

Paradisopol••s, Dec. 5. 1681.

Your most obedient Son, &c.

Tory.

Now would I give a Guinney to have this Priest's An∣swer; for tho I don't understand what this Letter is about, yet I love Replies extreamly: For certainly, he that has the last word, must be the wisest Man.

Truem.

For that very reason, Sir, I tell you—I am Your Servant.

Printed for Langley Curtis, 1681-2.