A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. III. (Book 3)

An History of the Popes, who had their Residence at Avignon from Clement V. to the Death of Gregory XI. and of what Remarkable Things happened in the Empire, Italy, and in the Church, under their Pontificates. And among other Things, what Quarrels Lewis of Bavaria had with those Popes. The Contests between the Grey-Friars, and Pope John XXII. And about the Question con∣cerning the Happiness of Souls, moved by that Pope.

AFter the Death of Clement the Vth. Three and twenty Cardinals, which were at Car∣pentras, * 1.1 where that Pope held his Court, entred into the Conclave, and remained there from May to July 22. in the Year 1314. but could not fix upon the Election of a Pope. The Italian Cardinals were very desirous to have a Pope of their Nation, who might have his Residence at Rome, and the Gascoignes were for a French-man, who might reside on this side the Alps. The Italians propounded the Cardinal of Praeneste, who had been before a Bishop of Aix, and wrote for him to the King; but he was not at all liked by the French. These Contests lasted so long, that the People gathering together under the Conduct of Bertrandus, and Raimondus Gott, the Nephews of the deceased Pope, and coming Armed to the Conclave, demanded, that the Italian Cardinals should be delivered to them, and crying out, That they would have a Pope, set Fire on the Conclave. The Cardinals hereupon made their Escape and were dispersed, and it was a very hard thing to get them together again after this Accident; for the Cardinals of Gascoigne were eager that the Conclave should be held at Carpentras, where Pope Clement V. died, or at least at Avignon; but the Italian Cardinals thinking it not safe or consistent with their Liberty to meet in those Cities, were importunate it should be at Rome. They had perhaps both proceeded to a separate Election, which would have caused a Schism, if Philip the Fair had not written to

them to disswade them from it, by proposing to them the City of Lyons, as a proper place for an Election, which could not be suspected by either Party. The Cardinals nevertheless could not agree upon a Meeting, till after the Death of Philip the Fair, which happened Nov. 29. 1314. and in the Reign of Lewis Hutin, who Succeeded him, Philip that King's Brother, Earl of Poi∣ctiers, was sent to procure the Cardinals to meet, and to proceed to an Election of a Pope. He caused them to meet at Lyons, and having had several Conferences with them, without bringing them to an Agreement, he sent them on a certain Day to the House of the Friars-Preachers at Lyons; and having exhorted them to come to an Agreement about the Election of the Pope, he withdrew, and left them shut up in the House, having given order, that they should not be let out, till they had chosen a Pope. In the mean time, he received the News of the Death of Lewis Hutin, which happen'd June 5. 1316. who having left his Wife Clemence great with Child, he was forced to return on a sudden to the Court of France, without recalling the Or∣ders which he had given. Lastly, The Cardinals Forty days after they had been shut up, upon Aug. 17. chose James d Osa, or Eusa, a Native of Cahors, who had been Bishop of Frejus and after of Avignon, and was then Cardinal Bishop of Porto. Some Authors write, that the Car∣dinals having put it in his Power to choose a Pope, he chose himself; but this is not certain, and it was never objected to him by his Adversaries, but on the other side the Historians of the time agree, that he was chosen by the Votes of the Cardinals. Some Authors report, That he had Sworn that he would not ride upon any Horse or Mule, that did not carry him to Rome; but this also is a Story without Ground. This Pope after his Election took the Name of John XXII. was Crowned at Lyons, Sept. 25. and immediately went from thence to take up his Residence at Avignon, where he Arrived, Octob. 2. Queen Clemence was brought to Bed of a Son, Nov. 15. who dying Eight days after, Philip was Crowned Jan. 6. 1317. Some time after that Pope John XXII. was arrived at Avignon, he discovered that Hugh Giraldi, Bishop of Cahors, had con∣trived to Poison him, and was Guilty of divers other Crimes. He thereupon had him Exa∣mined before the Cardinals, caused him to be formally Degraded, and Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment in April, the same Year, and having delivered him to the Secular Power, he was Condemn'd to be Flea'd, Drawn through the City, and Burned; which Sentence was Executed upon him in August, of the same Year.

At the same time John XXII. endeavoured to make a new Archbishoprick and several Bishop∣ricks * 1.2 in France. The Diocese of Tholouse was of a great Extent, and very considerable for its Revenue. Clement V. had some Thoughts to make it a Province, and John XXII. being resol∣ved to put his Design in Execution, made Tholouse a Metropolis, taking it from the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Narbonne, and preferr'd John de Cominges, who had been Bishop of Ma∣galona—to be Archbishop of it, having deprived Hugh de Pressac, Pope Clement Vs. Nephew of that Bishoprick. He divided the Diocess of Tholouse into Six Bishopricks, and placed their Sees in Six small Cities, viz. Montalbanum, which was before partly in the Diocess of Cahors, S. Pa∣poul, Rieux, Lombez, Lavaur, and Maripoix, to which he added the Bishoprick of Pamiez, then newly Erected. He also Created two new Bishopricks in the Archbishoprick of Narbonne, viz Alet and S. Pons. He took away Castres from the Diocess of Albi to make a Bishoprick of it, Toul from that of Limoges, Surlac from that of Perigueux. S. Flour from that of Clermont, Vabres from that of Rhodes, and made two of that of Poictiers, Maillezais and Luçon. He also Ere∣cted several Colleges in the Province of Tholouse, and in the Diocess of Albi. In the following Year he divided the Province of Tarragon into two Parts, made Saragosa a Metropolis, and Subjected the five Suffragans of Tarragon to it. Some say he also made a Bishoprick of the Abby of Mont Cassin; but we find before his Pontificate Bishops of that Title.

While John XXII. lived in Peace at Avignon, Italy was distrubed with the Factions of the * 1.3 Guelphs, and Gibelines, who continually ma•••• War one against the other, and put the City of Rome into strange Confusion. The Emperors of Germany had no Authority almost in Italy. Apu••ia and all the Kingdom of Naples were under the Dominion of Robert the Son of Charles II. King of Sicily, who maintained the Party of the Guelphs against the Gibelines. The Empire was then under Contest between Lewis Duke of Bavaria, and Frederick Duke of Austria; for after the Death of Albert Duke of Austria, who was Slain in the Year 1308. by one of his Nephews, Henry Earl of Luxemburg was chosen Emperor, and his Election was Confirmed by Clement V. who had favoured him privately, by breaking his word with Philip the Fair, who would have had his Brother Charles de Valois chosen Emperour. Henry, who was the Seventh Emperor of that Name, spent the Year 1311. in Italy, to appease the Troubles of that Country, and to cause himself to be Crowned Emperor, as he had promised the Pope; he required the People of Flo∣rence and Aretium,—that they would entertain him and his Army, but they refused; yet he kept on his March, seized on Milan, where he was Crowned, brought the greatest part of the Cities of Italy into Subjection to him, marched directly to Rome, where he was received in spite of the Contrary Faction, and was Crowned there by the Cardinals. Notwithstanding the Oppo∣sition of Clement V. and took an Oath of the People of Rome; but presuming to impose a Tri∣bute upon them they revolted, and by the Assistance of Robert King of Apulia, constrained Henry to retire to Tivoli; from whence he went to Pisa, where he began the Quarrel with King Robert, against whom he declared War, and departing from thence to go into Apulia with his Troops to invade that Kingdom, he fell Sick by the way, Aug. 15. at the Castle of Ben••ovent, where he died the 24th. of the same Month, being Poisoned, as our Historians relate, by a Do∣minican

Friar called Peter de Chasteau-Renaud, who gave him a Poisoned Host. Nevertheless, the Dominicans obtained a Letter several Years after, dated May 17. 1346. from John King of Bohemia; in which that Prince declares, That the Reports, which have been spread abroad against these Monks, were False and Groundless.

The Electors of Germany being Assembled at Franckfort in the Year 1314. were divided in * 1.4 their Choice of an Emperor to Succeed him: The Archbishop of Mentz, and Treves, John King of Bohemia, and Wolemarus Marquess of Brandenburg, gave their Votes for Lewis Duke of Bava∣ria; but the Bishop of Colen, and Rodolphus of Bavaria Count Palatine, gave their Votes for Fre∣derick Duke of Austria. Lewis was Crown'd at Aix la Chapelle, by the Archbishop of Mentz; and Frederick at Bonne, by the Archbishop of Colen. The Cities of Germany took part, some with Lewis, and others with Frederick. The first was Acknowledged by the Cities of the Lower Rhine, as far as Strasburg, and by the Cities of Suabia; and the other by the Cities of the Higher Rhine, and Suitzers. Lewis of Bavaria apply'd himself to Pope John XXII. to have his Election confirmed as the only Lawful One, since he had the greatest Number of Votes; but the Pope refused to do it, not only because 'twas contested, but because he had attempted to do some Things, which he affirmed to be above his Power; whereupon he declared the Empire vacant, and that the Administration of Affairs belonged to the Holy See; and upon that account De∣posed the Governors and Deputies, which the Emperor had set up in Italy: This was the begin∣ning of the Quarrel between John XXII. and Lewis of Bavaria: These two Competitors for the Empire, made War against each other, while Italy was troubled with the Factions of the Guelphs and Gibelines. Matthew Viscount of Milan being in League with the Gibelines, Besieged Genoa. The Genoeses having put themselves under the Protection of Pope John XXII. and Robert King of Apulia; this last came to relieve them, and the Pope thundered out Excommunications against Matthew, and invited Philip of Valois to Succour Genoa; but that Prince being retired without doing any thing, the Pope published a Crusado against Matthew, and begged of Fre∣derick Duke of Austria to furnish him with some Troops, promising him to confirm his Election to the Empire, and make his Brother Archbishop of Mentz. Frederick allured by these Pro∣mises sent his Brother Henry with 300 Men into Lombardy, who should joyn themselves with the Soldiers of the Cross; but Matthew having humbly shewed him, that he acted contrary to the Interests of the Empire, because if King Robert and the Church got the Possession of the City of Milan, they would make themselves Masters of all Tuscany, he recalled his Brother. The Pope thereupon clapped up a League between Robert King of Apulia, and Frederick King of Sicily, upon condition, that the City Rhegio, and whatever Frederick had Conquered in Calabria, should be put into the hands of his Holiness; which he had no sooner gotten, but he delivered them to Robert. This provoked Frederick so much, that he broke the League, which brought on him the Pope's displeasure; but he escaped the dint of it, by giving his Kingdom to his Son Peter.

While these things passed in Italy, Germany was involved in Wars, but at length Lewis of Ba∣varia, * 1.5 in September 1323. defeated the Army of Frederick Duke of Austria, and took him Pri∣soner, with his Brother Henry. Their third Brother Leopold appealed to the Pope, who pro∣nounced the Sentence of Excommunication against Lewis of Bavaria; by which he Commands him to renounce his Election within three Months, and to appear before him in Person to justifie himself against an Accusation brought against him, that he was a favourer of Hereticks, Schis∣maticks, and other Rebels against the Church; forbids all Christians to own him, as Emperor, and declares all such as favoured him, if they were of the Clergy, suspended from their Offices and Benefices, and if Lay-men Excommunicate. Lewis of Bavaria appealed from this Judgment to a General Council, which he resolved to Call, or to the next Pope lawfully Chosen, and ac∣cuses John XXII. to be the Cause of the Troubles of Germany and Italy, to overturn the Church and Empire, to Invade the Rights of Princes, to Rob the Church, and lastly, to Teach an He∣retical Doctrine concerning the Poverty of JESUS CHRIST, and his Apostles. A Copy of this Appeal dated in the Year 1324. is published by Mr. Balusius, among the ancient Acts, which he joined to the Lives of the Popes of Avignon. Lewis of Bavaria at the same time sent Ambassadors to Rome to justifie himself, promising, that he would be kind to the Church; but the Pope would not give over the Prosecution, but excommunicated Lewis of Bavaria, and con∣demned him as an Heretick. Lewis appealed again from all these Proceedings. Italy suffered much by this Division between the Empire and the Church. The Pope invites into Tuscany Charles the Son of Robert King of Apulia, who made himself Master of Florence, and publishing Plenary Indulgences, raised Soldiers, which he sent into Italy against the Gibelines, and parti∣cularly against Galeasius and his Brethren, Viscounts of Milan, who Succeeded to their Father, who died excommunicated. These Troops were defeated, and the Pope obliged to fly to the King of France, to raise a Tax upon the Clergy of that Realm to keep the War still on foot; which the King granted him, upon condition, that he might receive the Tenths for himself the two next Years. The Tax, which the Pope imposed, was unreasonable, being almost the Value of the whole Revenue of all their Benefices. Galeasius and the Gibelines on their part, prayed Lewis of Bavaria to come into Italy. The Senators and the People of the City of Rome, sent Ambassadors to the Pope to beg of him to come, and reside at Rome, and threatned him, if he did not, that they would in due time and place provide another Pope for the Holy See, and Church. The Pope having excused himself, they sent to Lewis of Bavaria, to pray him to

come to Rome. This Prince promised them, and sent away their Ambassadors very well satisfied, and called the Princes of the Empire together at Spire, to consult about that Voyage. Here it was resolved on, and in the Year 1327. Lewis of Bavaria passed the Alps with a Body of Horse, and arrived at Trent, where he held a Meeting of the Deputies of the Cities of Lombardy, and then he went to Milan, where he was Crowned. The Pope renewed his Excommunication, against Lewis of Bavaria, and condemned him as an Heretick and an Excommunicate Person; and after he had Summoned him once more, he declared, That he had forfeited all his Goods, Moveable and Immoveable, his Rights, Estates, and Jurisdictions, which he possessed. Lewis of Bavaria did not yet desist from advancing his Interests in Italy, and having gotten a con∣siderable Summ of Galeasius and the Viscounts, whom he deprived of the Government of Milan, he made himself Master of the greatest part of the Cities of Italy, went to Rome, was received by the Clergy and Senators, who came to meet him, and was Crovvned Emperor there Jan. 17. 1328. by the Order of the Clergy and the People of Rome, and by the hands of Car∣dinal Steven Colonni.

Sometime after the Coronation of Lewis of Bavaria, the Romans consulted to choose a Pope * 1.6 who should make his Residence at Rome; grounding their Fact upon this Pretence, That when a Pope being required by the People of Rome would not, or did delay to come to the Holy See, the Power and Right of choosing another Pope was devolved upon the Canon of St. Peter and St. John of the Lateran. Lewis of Bavaria consented freely to this Election, and to effect it, deposed John XXII. by a solemn Edict, dated Apr. 28. and made a Law, that the Pope, which shall be chosen by the consent of the Emperor and People of Rome, shall reside at Rome only, shall not go above Three days Journey from it, nor stay above Three Months in the Year from it, and if he be longer absent, and being required Three times, does not return, he shall be deprived of his Papal Dignity. In pursuance of the People's Request, and with the Emperor's Consent, they proceeded to the Election of another Pope, and chose Peter Rainalluci of Cor∣bario, a City of the Diocess of Riatino, a Monk of the Order of the Friars Preachers, Apo∣stolick Penitentiary in Rome, who was reputed of for his great Sanctity. He was Crowned May 12. 1328. placed according to the Custom upon the Chair of St. Peter, and named Ni∣cholas V. Be immediately created several Cardinals, but all of them almost Friars Mendicants, and of the Gibeline Faction; he Crowned the Emperor a Second time, and Confirmed the Judgment, which he had given against John XXII. who on his part proceeded against this Anti-Pope and his Adherents. Peter de Corbario tarried at Rome as long as Lewis of Bavaria continued there, but went from thence with him, and came to Pisa, where he kept his Court, till he became odious to the Inhabitants there, which obliged him to conceal himself, and at length to withdraw himself to the Castle of Count Boniface, who delivered him in Aug. 1330. into the hands of the Archbishop of Pisa, and William Bishop of Lucca, who caused him to be carried to Avignon; where he humbly confessed his Fault before the Pope and Consistory, on the 25th. of the same Month, and acknowledged, that Lewis of Bavaria was an Heretick, and that it went against him to Acknowledge him for Emperor; That he had suffered himself to be chosen and consecrated Anti-Pope; That he had created Cardinals and made Bulls; That he had approved of the Doctrine of Michael de Cesenna, General of the Order of Grey-Friars, consented to the Deposition of John XXII. Persecuted, Deposed, Interdicted and Excommuni∣cated those who were of his Party, disposed of the Goods of the Church of Rome, &c. Promised and Swore to obey the Pope, and desired Absolution. The Pope granted his Desire, with reser∣vation of imposing Penance on him, and caused him to be strictly Guarded in a Chamber of his Palace; where he died three Years after, in his Pious and Penitential Sentiments.

The Departure of Lewis of Bavaria, was followed with new Troubles in Italy; John King of * 1.7 Bohemia, being invited thither, seized upon several Cities, which held Intelligence with the Pope. The Romans sent to Lewis of Bavaria to pray him to return, but his Affairs kept him in Ger∣many; and in the midst of these Matters Pope John XXII. died at Avignon, Dec. 24. 1334. in the 19th. Year of his Papacy.

But now to return to the Affairs of the Church, which happened under this Pope; the Course * 1.8 of which we have interrupted to relate the Transaction of the Empire: we will begin with the History of the Contest, which he had with the Grey-Friars all his Papacy. Some Persons of that Order had for a long time differed about the Sense, and Practice of some Things, or Points belonging to their Rule, and particularly about the form of their Habits. Some would wear an Hood and short Gown, strait, and of very course Stuff; and called themselves, Spiritual Brethren. Others, who called themselves, The Brethren of the Community; wore a loose Garb, long, and of finer Stuff. The Popes used their Endeavour to regulate and decide these Differences among these Monks, and to that end ordered them to referr the Controversie of their Habits to their Supe∣riors, and to submit to the form and manner that they prescribe. Nicholas IV. and Clement V. put out some Bulls upon this Subject; but the Spiritual Brethren being intent upon the Practice, would not desist from it, separated themselves from the Community, made a Body by themselves, and betook themselves into Languedoc, where the Convents of Beziers, Narbonne, and some other Cities, were made up of these Spiritual Brethren. Pope John XXII. to extinguish this Schism in the First Year of his Pontificate, Summoned the Brethren of this Faction, who sent their Deputies to Avignon, of whom the Chief was Bernard Delitiosi de Mompelier. The Conrest was debated before the Pope, who gave Judgment in favour of the Brethren of the Community by

his Bull, Quorundam, in which he leaves it in the Power of the Superiors to determine of what length and largeness, courseness or fineness, form or figure the Habits of the Grey-Friars should be, as well as to their Hood, as Gown; and thereupon orders them to follow the Will of their General, their Provincials, and Guardians; as also declares, That they may have Granaries and Cellars, and keep their Corn and Wine, if their Superiors judge it convenient, leaving the Or∣dering of them to the Guardian, and grave Persons of every Convent, and enjoyning all the Grey-Friars to leave their short and ill-shapen Habit, and conform themselves to the Usage of the Brethren of the Community. This Sentence did but enrage the Spirituals, and confirm them in their Obstinacy. They set themselves to Preach arrogantly, that they ought not to obey any Superior, who should order them, who professed the Rule of St. Francis, to leave their short and strait Habit to assume the Habit of the Community contrary to their Rule, and consequently to the Gospel and to the Faith, because their Rule made use of the Gospel; That to oppose this Practice, and to oblige those who wore the short Habit to leave it, and to persecute them, was contrary to the Truth of the Gospel and the Faith; That the Pope had no Power to make such a Constitution, as that called Quorundam; That they ought neither to obey him, nor their Superiors, as to the Contents of that Constitution; because it was contrary to the Counsel of JESUS CHRIST, and their Rule, which the Pope could not destroy. The Pope gave a Commission to Friar Michael, Inquisitor in Provence and Languedoc, to proceed against these Stubborn Friars. This Commission is dated Nov. 1317. This Inquisitor, according to his Commission, Prosecuted Four Grey-Friars, named John Barani of Tholouse, Deodate de S. Michael, and William Sauton Priests, and Poncius Roche a Deacon, and some others, who being Arrested, maintained, That Pope John XXII. had no Power to make these Declarations, which he had published in his Decretal, called Quorundam, concerning the Habit and manner of Living of the Grey-Friars; because such Declarations were contrary to the Rule of St. Francis, and derogated from the perfect Poverty, that JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles had practised, These Four Grey-Friars being question'd, obstinately persisted in that Opinion. Notwithstanding the Requests of the Inquisitor, and Bishop of Marseilles; insomuch, that the Inquisitor ha∣ving taken Advice of several Divines, who declared the Doctrine of these Grey-Friars to be Heretical, being assisted by the Bishop of Marseilles, and several other Persons of Ec∣clesiastical Dignity, condemned them as Hereticks, degraded them from their Orders, and delivered them to the Secular Power, which Condemned them to be Burnt, and the Sentence was executed upon them at Marseilles. A Fifth, who had asserted the same Doctrine as the others, but declared his Repentance for it, was Degraded, and Condemned to be kept immured the rest of his Life, and to wear two yellow Crosses; the one on his Breast, and the other on his Back. These Punishments were not sufficient to repress the Boldness of these Monks, so obsti∣nate were they: They gave themselves greater Liberty to declaim with more violence against the Pope, and publickly Preached, That he was the Mystical Antichrist, or the fore-runner of Anti-christ; That the Church of Rome was the Synagogue of Satan; That they ought not to obey John XXII. nor look upon him as Pope; That the Grey-Friars who were Burnt were true Mar∣tyrs, and that they were ready to suffer the same Punishment; and some of them were such Fools, as to go and offer themselves to the Stake. Bernard Delitiosi, who was, as is abovesaid, the Chief of the Deputies sent by the Grey-Friars of Languedoc to Pope John XXII. was Appre∣hended a little after his Arrival at Avignon, upon the Information of the Inquisitors of his Country, who accused him for a Design to procure the Death of Pope Benedict XI. Clement's Predecessor, for solliciting the Towns of Carcassone and Alby to Revolt, for encouraging the People of the latter of these Cities against the Inquisitors, and for forcing open the Prisons of the Inquisition. The King's Guards demanded him of the Pope, and prayed him to appoint him Judges in partibus. His Holiness committed him to the Archbishop of Narbonne, and the Bishops of Pamiez, and S. Papoul, the last of whom, having been informed against the accused Person, and finding him Guilty of the Crimes laid to his Charge, except the first, they degra∣ded him and condemned him to end his Days in Prison loaded with Irons, and to eat nothing but Bread and Water. This Sentence was passed on him by these two Bishops, and three others, which they had called to their Assistance, Dec. 8. 1319. It was Executed, and the Pope allowed the Commissioners to mitigate the Punishment, as to the Eating, and Chains, if they saw con∣venient, and that Friar Bernard were not able to bear them: But the King's Proctor appealed, à minimâ, from the Judgment of the Commissioners, and the Pope by a Brief dated at Avignon, Febr. 1320. ordered that it should be executed in its full Rigour, and condemned him to die in Prison, loaden with Chains. We are indebted to Mr. Baluzius for these Monuments of Antiquity, of which we have spoken, and which he hath published in the First Tome of his Miscellanies.

In 1322. there rose another Dispute among the Grey-Friars, in which almost all the Order * 1.9 engaged themselves against the decision of John XXII. The Grey-Friars affirm, That according to their Rule, they make a Vow, not to have any thing either in Property or in Common, and consequently, that they have no Dominion or Property in any thing, but only a right to use those things that are Necessary, by a simple Usage de facto, and that the Property and Do∣minion of all they have belongs to the Church of Rome; That it was in this absolute Abjuration of all Property, that the Perfection of the Evangelical Life consisted, which JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles lived, who had nothing either in Property, or in Common; and that they ought to practise this depth of Poverty, to follow the Counsel of the Gospel, and observe the

Rule of St. Francis. Gregory IX. had declared in the Year 1230. that according to the Rule of St. Francis, the Grey-Friars ought not to have any Property, either in Common, or by them∣selves; but only the Use of their Goods, Books, and other Moveables. That they could not sell them or alienate them any manner of way, unless the Cardinal-Protector of the Order gave a Power to the General or Provincials. Innocent IV. declared in 1245. That the Propriety of those things, of which the Grey-Friars had the use allowed them, belonged to the Holy See. Nicho∣las III. in his Decretal, Exiit, qui seminat, determines, That to renounce a Property in all things, as well in particular as in common, is Meritorious and Holy; and that JESUS CHRIST, who hath shewed us the Way of Perfection, hath taught it by his Words, and confirmed it by his Example, That the first Founders of the Church Militant practised it, and declared those Ex∣communicated, who were of a contrary Opinion. Martin IV. who Succeeded him, declared also, That the Grey-Friars had no right of Property, nor Dominion over the things, as well moveable as immoveable, which they used. This Judgment was confirmed by Nicholas IV. in the Year 1298. and by the Decretal of Clement V. which begins with Exivi, in which having compared the Order of Grey-Friars to a Paradise upon Earth, and recommended the Life, which their Rule prescribes them, as conformable to that of JESUS CHRIST, He explains several Articles of their Rule, which were something ambiguous; and among other things he declares concerning their Poverty, That the Vow which they take to renounce all Property, ought to be understood as well in particular, as in common. That the Property of all things given to them belongs to the Holy See, and that they have nothing, but a mere use de facto, which ex∣tends also to every thing, that is necessary for Life.

In this State and Condition were things, when John XXII. was raised to the Papacy, and the Grey-Friars were perswaded, that they had no Property, or Dominion in the things they had the use of; no, not in those things, which perish in the use, as Meat and Drink; They also protested in a General Chapter held at Perusia; That they would practice this Poverty in the literal sense, and conform to the Determination of Nicholas IV. upon that Subject. John XXII. who was a subtil Pope, could not endure that that Order, which he did not love, should have the Honour of renouncing all Propriety; which neither rendred them poorer, nor gave the Holy See any Property, which could be of Profit to it. He considered, that the Property of things which perished in the use, was not distinguished from the use it self. As for Example: It is undeniable, that he that Eats and Drinks, must have a Property in those things he Eats and Drinks actually, and in that case the Property can't be separated from the use; and conse∣quently, that if the Vow of the Rule of St. Francis were to have no Dominion, the Grey-Friars are obliged not to Eat, but to die with Hunger, to uphold their practice, or break it, that they might Live; That the Poverty, of which the Grey-Friars bragged, was a mere Cheat, since that their Renunciation of Property, was such a Chimaera as made them no whit the poorer, that their Intention was no other, than theirs, who have the Advantage of those things they use; That the Property and Dominion which they attributed to the Church of Rome, was more Charge than Profit, since nothing was got by it; That JESUS CHRIST, and his Apo∣stles, never dreamed of this Poverty; and that it was an Errour and Heresie to maintain, that JESUS CHRIST had no right nor property in the things which he used. On these Grounds he published two Decrees: In the First, which is the Extravagant, Ad Conditorem, dated at Avignon, Dec. 7. having observed that it belongs to those who have a right to make Canons, to Revoke, or Change them, which they have made, either themselves, or their Predecessors, when it happens that they do more hurt than good; and that the absolute Renunciation of Property in common, or particular by the Grey-Friars, built upon the Constitutions of his Predecessors, who grant them only the mere use de facto of the things, which they use, reserving the Pro∣perty to the Church of Rome, is neither profitable to themselves, nor the Church; and besides, in things which perish in the use, the Property or Dominion can't be separated from the use, since they are destroy'd by the very use. He declaees, That the Church of Rome hath no pro∣perty by virtue of the Constitutions of his Predecessors in any thing given the Grey-Friars for their use, and consumed by them, but yet retains a Spiritual Dominion of Direction over their Order, besides the Common Dominion which it hath over all the Goods of the Church, and over the Houses, Churches, Chapels, Books, Ornaments, and other Goods, which belong to the Grey-Friars, which do not perish in the use. In his Second Decretal, Cum inter nonnullos, which is dated the 12th. of the same Month, he declares, 1. That it is an Erroneous and Here∣tical Proposition, to assert, That it is Heresie to deny that JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles, had nothing in Common, or in Proper. 2. That for the future it shall be an Error and an Heresie to maintain positively, that JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles had no right to enjoy the things they used, to sell, or give them, or to make use of them to obtain another thing. The Pope did well to publish these Constitutions, but yet they did not convince the Grey-Friars of their Error; yea, several of them obstinately maintained, that they had no Property in those things, which they consumed, and accused the Pope of Error and Heresie. Lewis of Bavaria was not backward to take upon him their Defence, and to make use of this Pretence to accuse the Pope of Heresie in his Act of Appeal, which he published in 1324. wherein he confuted the Decretals, Ad Conditorem, and cum inter nonnullos, accusing them of Blasphemy, Error, and Heresie, and proves the contrary Doctrine by the Rule of St. Francis, the Authority of the Popes; John's Predecessors holding, That that Practice is conformable to the Life that JESUS CHRIST

and his Apostles lived; and that the Wound, and Scars of St. Francis were as a Seal, which no Leaden Bull of a Mortal Man can deface. The Pope for the defence of this Article publish'd, Nov. 10. of the same Year the Decretal, Quia quorundam mentes, against those, who had oppo∣sed his two former; in which, after he has explained the Constitutions of his Predecessors, and stated the Question clearly, he declares them Hereticks and Rebels to the Church, who shall maintain Positions contrary to those, which he hath laid down in his two former Con∣stitutions.

In the Year 1325. he condemned the Postills of Petrus John Oliva; a Grey-Friar of great re∣pute, * 1.10 of Serignan in the Diocess of Beziers, upon the Revelations; from whence the Grey-Friars took the Principles of their Doctrine, and the things, which they asserted against the Pope and the Church of Rome; for this Monk to magnify his own Order, contrived to distinguish the Sixth Estate of the Church, beginning with the time of St. Francis, who was the Head of it, and the Angel foretold in the Revelation, the Estate, which should continue, till the time of Antichrist. That as heretofore the Synagogue was rejected to settle another Church, in like manner a corrupted Church, which was the Whore of Babylon, shall be rejected to give place to a Church more perfect, animated by the Holy Spirit, and illuminated by a new Light; That this last should be opposed by a Carnal Church; but yet it should flourish in spite of all Oppo∣sition and Persecutions. These are the principal Heads of the Notions which Petrus John Oliva propounds in his Comment upon the Revelation, which were Condemned by Twelve Doctors of Divinity, appointed thereto by Nicholas Cardinal Bishop of Ostium, to whom the Pope had given a Commission for the proceeding in this Affair; whose Doctrinal Advice is related by Mr. Baluzius in the First Tome of his Miscellanies. This Author composed divers other Treatises, and among others, a Treatise of Poverty, in which he maintains, that an absolute Renunciation of all property, both in particular and common, is the chief perfection of the Gospel: He was also accused to have broached some Errors condemned in the Council of Vienna, viz. That Infants do not receive any Grace or Virtue by Baptism; That the Soul is not the form of the Body; That the Divine Essence begets, and is begotten; That the Side of JESUS CHRIST was open before his Death. Pope John XXII. having examined his Postill, and having taken the Judg∣ment of the Doctors, contained in several Propositions picked out of that Work, and with the Mitigations which they Judged, that they deserved, condemned the Work and the Author in the Month of Feb. 1325. and likewise defaced his Memory, by causing his Bones to be taken out of the Ground and Burnt, for he was Dead before his Papacy, and as some say, before the Pontificate of Clement V. The Grey-Friars made several Apologies for him, and asserted, that he was wrongfully accused, and that the Propositions taken out of his Work and condemned, had a clear different sense, if considered, with what goes before and follows. Some of them also gave it out, that he had done several Miracles after his Death. Lastly, The concern which the Grey-Friars have for this Friar Oliva, is so Great even to our Time, that Six∣tus IV. was Zealous to justifie his Memory, and having Examined his Works, declared, That they contained nothing expresly contrary to the Catholick Faith, and which could not be taken in a good sense.

The Sentence of Deposition, which Lewis of Bavaria published in 1328. against John XXII. * 1.11 is principally grounded upon the Errors and Heresies, which he pretends, that Pope had deli∣vered in his three Decretals against the Grey-Friars. He summs them up under Eight Heads: 1. That in things which perish in the usage, the Property is not distinguished from the Use. 2. That there is not a mere simple use of those things that perish in the usage, but instead of using them, they abuse them. 3. That a Renunciation of Property is no perfection, and does not make him awhit the poorer, who makes profession of it. 4. That it is an Heresie to deny that JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles had nothing in proper, and had no right to sell, or give those things they had. 5. That an Use de facto, is not just, if there be not a right of usage. 6. That to call in doubt, whether JESUS CHRIST commanded his Apostles, when he sent them out to Preach, to carry no Money with them. 7. To doubt, whether the Key of Knowledge be in the Catholick Church. 8. To teach, that One Pope can revoke those De∣cisions, and Constitutions of his Predecessors, which relate to Faith and Manners. These Pro∣positions are confuted at large, and treated on as Heresies in that Sentence of Deposition. The Pope, that he might defend himself, and put an end to this Question, sent for Friar Michael de Cesena, General of the Order of Grey-Friars to Avignon, and commanded him upon penalty of Disobedience, to write an Explication of their Rule as touching the Vow of Poverty, agreeable to his Decretals, being perswaded that the Grey-Friars would rather submit to the Judgment of their General than his; but the General would not obey him, but answered the Pope proudly. Nevertheless, he desired Eight days Consideration, and in the mean time fled with two other Grey-Friars to Marseille. The Pope sent after him to seize him, but he was Embarked to Sail into Italy, whither he was going to Lewis of Bavaria, and the Antipope John de Corbario. John XXII. proceeded against Michael de Cesena, deposed him, and order'd the Grey-Friars to choose another General.

This Pope had another Contest of greater Consequence, concerning the time when the Beatifick * 1.12 Vision of God is granted to those who die in a State of Religion? In a Sermon which he preached the Third Sunday in Advent 1329. he maintained, That the Blessed should not see the Trinity before the Day of Judgment. He taught the same Doctrine in another Sermon which he preach'd

on the Feast of All-Saints 1331. which he caused to be transcribed, and he gave out several Co∣pies of it. Lastly, In a Third Sermon, which he preach'd on the Eve of Epiphany in 1332. he asserted, That till the Day of Judgment the Souls of the Saints were under the Altar, and did not see the Holy Trinity; but only the Humanity of Jesus Christ. This Opinion offended seve∣ral persons, and moved the Divines of the Contrary Judgment. A White-Friar named Thomas de Wallis, had the Boldness to preach the Contrary Doctrine at Avignon, by which he incensed the Pope so much, that he put him in Prison, and caused him to be fed with Bread and Water only. Durandus à S. Portiano, of the Order of Friars Preachers, and Bishop of Meaux, made a Treatise against that Opinion, which much disturbed the Pope's Mind, whereupon he Sum∣moned him before him, and Examined his Work. The Cardinals, and other Divines of his Court, who were before offended at his Opinion, remained silent for Fear, or out of respect to the Pope, and some also embraced and maintained that Opinion; but the Doctors of Paris openly disapproved it, and made a great Noise about it. The Pope after this sent two Legates to Paris, viz. Gerhard, Minister-General of the Grey-Friars, and another Monk of the Order of Preaching-Friars, to Treat of a Peace between the Kings of England and Scotland, and charged them to insinuate their Opinion to the Doctors of Paris. The first of them attempting to teach it publickly at Paris in a Meeting of the Students, caused a great Disturbance; so that his Companion had much a-do to appease them. King Philip of Valois was much troubled at the Offence, and false Doctrine which that Monk had taught; and the latter went to his Majesty to pacifie him. The King fearing lest he should perplex himself with the Theological Question, answer'd him, That he would not discourse him, but in the presence of some Divines; and ha∣ving Summoned Ten of the most Able Doctors of Paris, of whom Four were Grey-Friars, he asked them in the presence of this Minister, What was their Judgment concerning the Doctrine which he had taught? They all Condemned it, as False and Heretical; but they could not agree about it. A few days after, the King caused all the Doctors of Divinity, Bishops, and Abbots about Paris to meet in the Castle of St. Vincent, and invited this Minister thither, and propounded two Questions in French to them. I. Whether the Souls of the Saints see the Face of God as soon as they are Dead? II. Whether the Vision, which they have presently after their Death, shall cease at the Day of Judgment, and another come in stead of it? They all answer'd Affirmatively to the First Question. And to the Second, they said, That the Vision that the Saints have presently after Death shall not cease at the Day of Judgment, but remains for ever; but some of them said, that it shall be more perfect after the Day of Judgment: The Minister consented to the Opinion of these last, at least in appearance. The King desired a Cer∣tificate of what was thus concluded by this Assembly, which they composed, and was sealed with the Seals of 29 Divines then present. They wrote about it to the Pope, and the King wrote to him also himself, that he thought it safest to follow the Judgment of the Doctors of Divinity of Paris, who knew better, what ought to be held and believed in Matters of Faith, than Civilians, or other Divines, who knew little of Divinity; That he would Punish those that taught the Contrary, threatning him (if we may believe Cardinal Peter d' Ailly) to Burn him, if he did not retract. The King also published by Mistake the Judgment of the Faculty. The Pope in his Answers to the King, complains, That his Majesty fixed on the Affirmative so positively, and prays him not to rush upon things with so much Passion, assuring him, that he had no Design fully to determine that Question, but to debate it, and search out the Truth. He wrote to the University to allow the Batchelors of Divinity to defend either of the Opi∣nions, and caused his Divines to collect such Passages, as might be alledged Pro & Con, to put things in a way to the Decision of it. The Faculty of Divinity would not endure that delay, but stuck close to their Doctrine. Lastly, When John XXII. had resolved to determine this Question in a Consistory, which he appointed to meet, Dec. 2. 1334. he fell Sick and retracted, as some say, just at the point of Death, his Opinion by an Authentick Declaration, in which he owns, That Souls separated from the Body, which are purged from their Sins, are in the King∣dom of Heaven, and in Paradise with JESUS CHRIST, in the Company of Angels. That they see God Face to Face, and the Divine Essence, as clearly as the state and condition of a Soul separated from the Body will permit; That he recanted all that he had said, preach'd or written against this Doctrine. This Declaration is dated Dec. 3. 1334. a few moments before his Death, and related by Peter Harantals, a Canon Regular of the Order of Praemonstratenses in the Life of this Pope.

John XXII. in the Second Year of his Pontificate, Octob. 21. published the Decretals of his Predecessor Clement V. made in the Council of Vienna, or a little before, and after that Council, * 1.13 which Clement V. had already digested in his Life-time, which make up the Five Books of Cle∣mentines, which are in the Body of Civil Law, and joyned 20 others of his Constitutions to it, which he calls Extravagants; to which Five other Books of Common Extravagants have been added, among which are several Decretals of Boniface VIII. Benedict XI. and John XXII. In one of his Constitutions, He Abrogates the Society of the Fratricolli, Beghardi, or Beghinae, which had spread themselves in all places. They were a kind of Monks, or Nuns, who made a Vow of Poverty and Beggery, and assumed a particular Habit and Way of Living, but en∣tred into no Order, lived a free kind of life, and taught many dangerous Maxims contrary to the Doctrine of the Church, concerning the Sacraments and Obedience due to Superiors. Ne∣vertheless, he declares in a private Letter written to the Bishop of Strasburg, that he did not

intend to include in that Constitution those Pious Women, who had made a Vow of Chastity, and remained with their Parents, or in Societies, practising the Humility and Obedience that is due to their Pastors, and giving Examples of Virtue and Piety. This Letter is published in the Second Tome of the Works of the Popes of Avignon, put out by Mr. Baluzius, with the Sen∣tence by which that Pope declared the Marriage between Charles the Fair, King of France, and Queen Blanch, to be Void, and several other Letters of his, and Pope Clement V's. his Prede∣cessor. There are also several of them in the Annalists, and divers Bulls in the Bullary. John XXII. was Ingenious, Active, Crafty, of a good Life, Studious, and vers'd in the Sciences, but chiefly in the Canon Law.

The Holy See after his Death was not long Vacant, for Benedict the XIIth. was chosen, Dec. 16. * 1.14 and Crown'd the 20th. of the same Month, in the Church of the Friars-Preachers at Avignon. He was called before James Fourniter, a Native of Savardun, in the County of Foix, which was a Castle of the Diocess of Pamiez, and since of that of Rieux. He had in his Youth been a Monk in the Abby of Balbone, of the Order of Cistertians in the Diocess of Mirepoix, from whence he came to Paris to follow his Studies, where he commenced Doctor of Divinity. Then he was made Abbot of the Monastery of Fontfroidus, afterward Bishop of Pamiez, then of Mirepoix, and lastly, nominated a Cardinal-Priest of the Title of St. Priscus, by John XXII. in December 1327. He had a Design to settle his Residence in Italy, and chose Bononia for his Seat, but having caused the Inhabitants to be tryed, whether he should be welcom there, found, that that People, which had expelled the Legate of his Predecessor, would not entertain him; which made him take up the resolution of abiding at Avignon, and Build himself a Palace there; although the People of Rome sent Ambassadors to him, to beg of him to come and reside in their City.

At his Entrance upon the Papacy he found two Affairs in the Church that wanted Regu∣lation, * 1.15 viz. 1. The Question concerning the Happiness of the Souls of the Righteous, after their Separation from the Body; which had been much debated a little before the Death of his Predecessor. 2. The Second was the Difference of the Church of Rome with Lewis of Bavaria. To prepare Mens Minds for the Decision of the First, he Preached a Sermon on that Subject upon the Purification, in the Year 1335. in which he maintained, that the Souls of the Just, which were absolutely pure, did enjoy the Beatifick Vision of God before the Day of Judgment. Two days after he held a Consistory, to which he Summoned such as had maintained the con∣trary Opinion in his Predecessors time; and that he might proceed circumspectly in the Deter∣mination of that Point of Doctrine, he Assembled many Able Doctors of Divinity, and with them examined that Question, as oft as he had leisure, in the Year 1335. which he passed at Pont de Sorgue: And at length the Matter being fully ordered, he made his Constitution, Feb. 22. of the following Year, in which he determines, That the Souls of the Saints that died before our Lord's Passion, as also of the Apostles, Confessors, Martyrs, Virgins, and other baptized Christians which are pure, when they are separated from their Bodies, or are united with it, as also the Souls of Infants, which die after Baptism, before they have the use of Reason, are in Heaven and Paradise with JESUS CHRIST, and the Angels, immediately after the Separa∣tion from the Body, or after their Purification, and enjoy the intuitive and immediate Vision of the Divine Essence, without the Mediation of any Object; because he discovers himself nakedly, clearly, and openly to them; and consequently, they are happy, and enjoy eternal Rest; but on the contrary, the Souls of those that die in Mortal Sin, descend actually right down into Hell, where they suffer the Pains of the Damned; That nevertheless all Men shall rise, and appear before the Tribunal of JESUS CHRIST, to receive every one in their Body Reward, or Punishment for what they have done; and declares all those Hereticks, that obsti∣nately maintain any one of the contrary Articles.

As to the Contest of the Pope with Lewis of Bavaria, Benedict XII. before he would engage * 1.16 in the Contest with that Prince, which his Predecessor had begun, Exhorted him to return to his Duty and Obedience to the Church. Lewis of Bavaria sent two Ambassadors to him in 1335. to desire Absolution; which Benedict seemed ready to grant him, if the Ambassadors of the King of France, and Apulia, and the Cardinals had not deterred him from it; insomuch, that the Ambassadors of Lewis returned without doing any thing. In the next Year he sent other Ambassadors in the Name of the Princes of the Empire, to desire it again. The Pope received them kindly, and told them, that he wished he could do it; but he feared the King of France. Upon this Answer Lewis of Bavaria address'd himself to that King, and sent his Am∣bassadors in 1337. to pray him to joyn with him, that he might obtain Reconciliation. The King of France sent his Ambassadors to the Pope, with those of Lewis of Bavaria, to demand Absolution. The Pope hearing that, answered, That it being a Matter of Consequence, he would consider of it; and that he was not obliged to treat Lewis of Bavaria, as an Heretick, or Ca∣tholick at the King of France's Pleasure, and when he had delayed them a long time, he would give Lewis's Ambassadors no other Answer, than this, That their Master did not truely repent. Thus this Business hung, and Benedict would not recede any thing from what his Predecessors had done against that Prince. When these Ambassadors were returned into Germany, Lewis of Bavaria held a Synod at Francfort, in August 1338. in which he made a Solemn Protestation against the Proceedings of John XXII. which he proved before them to be null and void.

Benedict also maintained what John XXII. had decided against the Grey-Friars concerning Poverty, and we know, that in his Papacy, a Grey-Friar named Francis de Pestorio, was Con∣demned to be Burnt at Venice, for maintaining, contrary to the Decision of John XXII. That JESUS CHRIST and his Apostles had nothing their own.

He made, during his Papacy, several excellent Rules for the Reformation of the Church. He * 1.17 revoked all the Commendams of Cathedral Churches and Abbies, granted by his Predecessors to all Persons whatsoever, except Cardinals and Patriarchs. He compelled all Bishops to reside in their Churches, forbad plurality of Benefices, made void all Favours Expectant which were not agreeable to the Rules of the Civil Law, he deprived all Persons unworthy of their Benefices, and carefully put in fit Persons, where he had Power; he abolished the use of several Dispen∣sations, remedied many Abuses and Clancular Dealings, made use of in gaining Bulls, employ'd rightly the Revenues of the Church of Rome, by giving Alms, and bestowing Charity on the Poor during the Famine. He took great pains to unite the Christian Princes, and did all he could to procure Peace with all Kings. He revoked the Tax of Tenths, which his Predecessor had granted to Philip King of France, for his Voyage into the Holy Land; because that Prince could not go through with his Design. He shewed his Zeal to Justice by causing those Officers to be punished severely, who had deliver'd the Ambassadors of Edward King of England, which were come to Avignon to the King of France: He made a Reformation among the Black-Monks, as well as Cistertians, who lived loosely; he appointed persons of Merit and Learning to visit their Monasteries, that they might inform him of such Abuses as ought to be amended, and made Constitutions for the Reformation of them. He had also made several Rules for the Friars Mendicants, if he had not been prevented by Death. He only ordered, that such Monks, as were in his Court without any permission obtain'd, should return to the Monasteries, and for∣bad them leaving their Order to go over to the Cistertians, or Cluniacks, without the express permission of the Pope. Lastly, That Pope lived in a way suitable to so great a Bishop, keeping close to his Duty, being Zealous for Religion, and for the Discipline and Reformation of the Church, Virtuous, Charitable, free from Ambition, and wordly Interests. He did not (as several other Popes have done) raise his Nephews and Relations to the great Offices and Dig∣nities of the Church, nor enrich them with the Goods of the Church; or by impoverishing private Men. He preferred but One of his Relations, whom he made Archbishop of Arles for his Merit, which he did not do without some difficulty, at the earnest Request of the Cardinals. He married but one of his Neices, whom he bestowed upon a Merchant, refusing several great Lords, who offered themselves, as being above her Quality. This is the Relation which all the Historians of his Time give of his Piety and Virtue, who are more to be re∣lyed on than some Modern Authors; who will have him to have been a Man of a dis∣orderly Conversation. He died at Avignon, April 25. 1342. which was the Eighth Year of his Papacy.

This Pope Composed several Works. Rainaldus has published his Opuscula, or small Tracts * 1.18 concerning the Poverty of JESUS CHRIST, and his Apostles, and about the Vision of God. There is a more considerable Treatise of this Pope's in the Vatican Library, upon the last of these Subjects. He also made a large Commentary upon the Gospel of St. Matthew, which is yet in MS. in Mr. Colbert's Library, with Three other Treatises against Ockham. Most of his Letters and Bulls are extant in the Annalists, and Register of Bulls.

Clement VI. was chosen Pope, May 7. 1342. and Crowned the 9th. of the same Month. He * 1.19 was called before Petrus Rogerius, Born in the Castle of Maumont, in the Diocess of Limoges. He was a Monk of the Abby of Casa-Dei in Auvergne; and having taken his Degrees in Divi∣nity, he went to the Court of John XXII. at Avignon. This Pope gave him the Abby of Fescamp, and made him afterward Bishop of Arras. He received as much Favour at the Court of France, as Avignon; for there he was admitted into the Council of that King, who had a particular re∣spect for him, insomuch, that he was translated from the Bishoprick of Arras, to the Arch-bishoprick of Sens, and in the next Year to that of Rouen; and lastly, was raised to the Dignity of a Cardinal, of the Title of S. Nereus, and Achilleus by Benedict XII.

The First thing that he did after his rise to the Papal Dignity, was to send his Legatees to * 1.20 make way for a Peace between the Kings of France and England. He sent also a Cardinal-Legate into Italy, to appease the Troubles and Wars which were in that Country. Robert King of Apulia died about that time, and his Kingdom fell to Jane his Daughter, then an Infant, who was married to Andrew King of Hungary. The Pope took upon him the Government of that Realm, till that Prince came to take Possession of it, which he was scarce come to do, but he was Slain by Treachery. The Romans sent to the Pope 18 of their principal Citizens, to desire Three Things of him. I. To make the Senators, Governor, and other Magistrates of their City Friends, who presented themselves to him as Petrus Rogerius, and not as Clement VI. who was Pope for his Life only. II. To come, and make his Residence at Rome. III. That since the Life of Man is so short, that few lived to an Hundred Years, to which Age Boniface VIII. had annexed a Ple∣nary Indulgence for those who visited the Church of S S. Peter and Paul at Rome, he would please to reduce that time to the Fiftieth Year. The Pope granted the First and Last of their De∣mands, for he reconciled the Magistrates presented to him, upon Condition, that it should be no Prejudice to his Rights, and brought the Jubilee to the 50th. Year, appointing, That every 50th. Year there should be a Jubilee; but for the Second he put it off, by declaring, That the design,

which he had of coming to Rome, he could not put in Execution for the present, and he could not tell them when he should be able to do it.

Lewis of Bavaria used all his Endeavours in this Papacy to be reconciled to the Church, and * 1.21 prayed the King of France to intercede for him. This Prince told him, That he must submit himself; and humbly beg Absolution. The Ambassadors of Lewis desired such a Form, as the Pope would accept; but they gave him such an intolerably severe one, that he would not sub∣scribe it, when he was in Prison; for it signified, that he gave Power to Humbertus the Dauphin's Uncle, to the Provosts of Augsburg and Bemberg, and to Henry his Arch-Chancellor, to confess all the Errors and Heresies that he was accused of, to make a Renunciation of the Empire with a Promise never to resume it, but by the Pope's consent, and to put his Children and Goods into the hands of his Holiness. They annexed also other Clauses, which concerned the Empire. These Ambassadors approved of this Proposal; but when it was presented to Lewis, and seen in the Assembly held at Francfort in September 1344. it was declared contrary to the Interests of the Empire, and the Assembly refused to permit that Lewis of Bavaria should Sign it; and sent their Ambassadors to the Pope and Cardinals, to perswade them not to require it. The Pope seeing himself deceived, renewed his Process against Lewis of Bavaria, Condemns him in his Excommunication, and Deposes him entirely; and orders the Electors of the Empire to proceed to the Election of another King of the Romans, to whom he might give the Title of Emperor, unless the Holy See should provide one. At the same time he deposed Henry Arch-bishop of Mayence, and nominated in his Place Gerlacke, the Count of Nassau's Brother; who going into Germany. joyned himself to the Electors of Cologne, Treves, Dukes of Saxony, King of Bohemia, and some other Princes of the Empire, who being Assembled at the end of August at Rens, chose Charles of Moravia, the Son of the King of Bohemia, Emperor; his Election was solemnly Confirmed by the Pope, and the War began between the two Competitors in Germany, but it soon ended by the Death of Lewis of Bavaria, which happened October 11. 1347. After his Death, Charles got Possession of the greatest part of the Cities of the Empire; But Henry the old Archbishop of Mentz, the Marquess of Brandenburg, the Count Palatin of the Rhine, and the Duke of Saxony, resolved to choose another Emperor, and offered the Empire first to Edward the Third King of England, and after to Frederick Marquess of Misnia, but both of them having refused it, they chose Gontherius Count of Thuringia, who died the same Year, and left Charles the Peaceable Possession of the Empire.

While the Princes of Germany were contending for the Empire, a Roman named Nicholas Lau∣rentius, * 1.22 took upon him the Title of Tribune Augustus, the Deliverer of the City of Rome, and Defender of Italy. He made himself Master of Rome, seized upon the Capitol, and made a League with the greatest part of the People of Italy. He wrote to the Pope, That if he did not come to Rome within a Year, he would have another Pope chosen, and stirred up Lewis and Charles the Competitors for the Empire, and the Electors to appear before the Magistrates of the People of Rome, declaring, that the City of Rome was the Seat of the Empire; That it belonged to him, and that the Empire ought to be in Italy, and not in Germany. This Enterprize fell almost immediately; for this pretended Deliverer being constrained by the Contrary Faction to fly from Rome, and having the Boldness to go in Disguise to Charles's Court, he was known, Arrested there, and carried from thence to Avignon, where he was put into the Pope's hands, who cast him into Prison; but he escaped out of it, as some say, and returned to Rome, where he was Killed.

Clement VI. died Decemb. 6. 1352. in the 11th. Year of his Papacy. This Pope had a great * 1.23 deal of Learning, and a fine Wit, to which he had joyned a bountiful Disposition, much Meek∣ness, Affability and Liberality. He loved Peace, and took a great deal of Pains to unite the Christian Princes, without siding with any Party. In the Year 1344. he put forward an Expe∣dition against the Turks, of which the Dauphin was Captain; but it had no good Effect. He laboured to unite the Greek Church, and accomplished it among the Armenians. He made the Church of Prague in Bohemia into an Archbishoprick in the Year 1344. and made a Consti∣tution in 1350. concerning the Conclave, by which he allows all the Cardinals to have in the Conclave, every one two Clergymen to wait on them, their several Lodgings, and a Dessert. A little before his Death he made a Declaration, by which he revoked all that he had delivered, either in Disputation, Teaching, or Preaching, or otherwise against the Catholick Truths, and against Faith and good Manners. A Protestation, which his Successors Innocent VI. Urban V. and Gregory XI. also made at the Point of Death. Several Letters of Clement V. are found among the Annalists [Bzovius ad an. 1342. and Waddingus Tom. 3. ad an. 1342.] There is an Epistle of his against the Whipping-Monks in the 11th. Tome of the Councils, and Mr. Baluzius hath publish'd several, sent to the Kings of France and Arragon in the Ancient Acts, which he hath joyned to the Lives of the Popes of Avignon.

Innocent VI. was Chosen in the Room of Clement V. Decemb. 18. and Crowned the 23d. or * 1.24 30th. of the same Month. He was called before Stephanus Albertus, and was a Native of Mont near Pampadour, in the Diocess of Limoges. He had been before Grand Seneschal of Tholouse, and after was made Bishop of Noyon in 1338. and translated to the Bishoprick of Clermont in 1340. Clement VI. raised him to the Dignity of a Cardinal of the Title of St. John and St. Paul, and made him Bishop of Ostia and Grand Penitentiary. He began as soon as he was made Pope to revoke the Reservations, and Commendams of Benefices, which his Predecessor had two easily

granted, and took all the Care he could to fill the Dignities of the Church with Persons emi∣nent for Virtue and Knowledge. He sent into Italy, Giles Alvarez, a Spanish Cardinal of the Title of St. Clement, to resume the Castles and Cities that belonged to the Church of Rome, of which several small Lords had made themselves Masters. This Legate found in all Italy, only the Castles of Montefiascone and Montifalco willing to receive him; but a little after, he put the Pope in Possession of a part of his Dominion. The City of Rome was troubled with some stirs by Francis Baroncellus, who took upon him the Title of Tribune, but the Pope set up Ni∣cholas Laurentius, whom he delivered out of Prison on purpose. He destroyed Baroncellus, and was himself Slain a little time after. Under the Papacy of this Pope, Charles King of the Romans went to Rome by the consent of his Holiness, and was Crowned Emperor in 1355. by the Cardinals Petrus Bertrandus and Giles Alvarez, after he had taken an Oath, that he would not stay in Rome, nor Italy; Lewis Marquess of Brandenburg, Son of Lewis of Bavaria, was absolved of the Censures, which he had incurred by maintaining his Father's Party. Inno∣cent VI. maintained the Decrees of his Predecessors against the Grey-Friars, which rebelled against the Holy See, and Burnt two of them at Avignon in 1353. because they obstinately maintained their Opinion concerning the Poverty of JESUS CHRIST; and Imprisoned one named John Roquetaillade of S. Flour, because he took upon him to Prophesie, and foretold, that Wars should increase; That the Earth should be desolate; That the Clergy should be Abused and despoiled of their Goods, and after this time of Affliction is passed, there shall come an Angel, the Deputy of JESUS CHRIST, who shall bring the Clergy to live after the An∣cient Way of the Apostles, shall Convert the Jews and Turks, and purifie the whole Earth. Innocent VI. ordered also his Inquisitor in Germany to banish all the Begards, and Beguines, and condemned an Heresie risen in England, concerning Original Sin, and the Merit of good Works. This Pope died Sept. 12. 1362.

A Register of his Letters is preserved in the Vatican Library, several of which are published * 1.25 by Rainaldus, Bzovius and Waddingus, in their Annals.

Octob. 28. following, the Cardinals being Assembled in the Conclave, chose William Grimo∣ardus, a Native of Grisac in the Diocess of Menda, Doctor of Law, and Abbot of S. Victor at Marseilles, who assumed the Name of Urban V. and was Consecrated and Crowned Pope at Avignon, Nov. 6. After he had had a Conference at Avignon in the Year 1365. with the Em∣peror Charles, he took up a Resolution to go to Rome, to set in Order the Affairs of Italy; and accordingly departed from Avignon the last day of April 1367. and taking Ship at Marseilles May 20. he Arrived four days after in Italy. Having stayed some time at Viterbo, He made his Entry into Rome Octob. 6. and was there received with great Joy by the Romans. He had the honour to receive two Emperors there, viz. Charles the Emperor of Germany, who came in 1368. with an Army to bring the People, and Cities of Italy into Obedience to the Pope, and Joannes Palaeologus Emperor of the Greeks, who came to Rome the next Year; and united him∣self to the Roman Church. Urban having put the Affairs of Italy in order, resolved to return to Avignon, under a Pretence of endeavouring to make a Peace between the Kings of France, and England. He left Italy Sept. 5. 1370. came the 16th. of the same Month to Marseilles, and the 24th. to Avignon; where he died, Decemb. 19. of the same Year.

This Pope had several great Accomplishments, and was very Noble, very Zealous to do his * 1.26 Duty, and a lover of Justice. He erected divers stately Buildings, Reformed many Abuses in the Court of Rome, punished Irregular Clergy-men very severely, prosecuted Usurers, and Per∣sons guilty of Simony, and such as used Unlawful Trades, forbad Plurality of Benefices, favou∣red Learning, established several Publick Universities, and entertained 1000 Students at his own Charge: He was Liberal and Charitable to the Poor; made a good Use of the Revenues of the Church; forbad Ecclesiastical Immunities, and Privileges; and preferred only two of his Rela∣tions to Ecclesiastical Dignities, because they were worthy of them. His Constitution against Plurality of Benefices is in the 11th. Tome of the Councils. The Annalists [Bzovius ad an. 1365. and Waddingus ad an. 1363.] have published several of his Letters, [and there is a Volume of them in the Vatican Library.]

After the Death of Urban, the Cardinals chose Petrus Rogerius, Nephew to Clement VI. being * 1.27 about Forty Years old. He was a Native of Maumont, in the Diocess of Limoges. He took the Name of Gregory XI. and was Consecrated and Crowned at Avignon, Jan. 4. 1371. Italy was afflicted with Wars under the Pontificate of this Pope, and the Florentines revolted, and drew away Bononia, and several other Cities. After the Pope had thundred out his Excommuni∣cations, he published a Croisado, and Levyed an Army against them; which he sent into Italy under the Command of the Cardinal of Geneva; And lastly, resolved to go and make his Resi∣dence in Italy, and fix his See at Rome. Some affirm, That he did this by the Perswasion of Baldus the Lawyer, who had been his Master. Others say, That it was done upon the Reflection of a Bishop, who was reproved by him, for Non-residence; Others say, That he did it by the Advice of St. Catharine of Sienna. However that be, he left Avignon without the Knowledge of the French, Sept. 13. 1376. being accompanied with all the Cardinals, except five, who would stay there, and made his Entrance into Rome, Jan. 7. in the next Year. His Arrival did not at all alter the state of Affairs, the Revolt continued, the Romans themselves would not submit to him, and kept up their Magistrates. Their Governor invaded Viterbo, and some other Cities belonging to the Patrimony of St. Peter, which obliged Gregory to retire to Anagnia, under a

Pretence of avoiding the heat of the Weather. He returned to Rome in November, and having accommodated things with the Governor of Rome, he treated with the Florentines, and the other Revolters about a Peace. During the time of this Negotiation, Gregory died March 27. 1378. Gerson says, That this Pope made a Declaration when he died, in which he exhorted all present not to believe the Visions of Private Persons; because he had himself been deceived by the ad∣vice of one of these Enthusiasts, and upon that Account had like to have created a dangerous Schism in the Church, but that he foresaw the ill Consequence of it. This he said with a respect to the Advice, which Catharine of Sienna had given him to go to Rome. However that be, the Death of Gregory made a Way to a Schism; of which we shall speak in the following Chapter. The greatest part of the Letters of this Pope are published by Waddingus [in his Annal. Minor. ad an. 1371.] and by Bzovius [in his Annales ad an. 1372.]

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Ele∣ction of Pope John XXII.
• * 1.2

  Pope John Erects new Archbi∣shopricks and Bishop∣ricks.
• * 1.3

  The Stare of the Em∣pire, and Italy.
• * 1.4

  Two Empe∣rors Ele∣cted in Germany.
• * 1.5

  The Wars in Germa∣ny, between the two Emperors.
• * 1.6

  Nicholas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anti-Pope.
• * 1.7

  The Death of John XXII.
• * 1.8

  The Contest of the Grey Friars a∣bout their Habit.
• * 1.9

  The Dis•…•…c of the Grey Friars a∣b••ut the Property of the thing•• they spent
• * 1.10

  The Con∣demnation of the Er∣rors of Pe∣trus Oliva.
• * 1.11

  The Dispute between the Empe∣ror and Pope con∣cerning the Property of the things spent by the Grey-Fri∣ars.
• * 1.12

  The Question of the Happi∣ness of the Saints after death, debated by Joh. XXII.
• * 1.13

  The Letters of John XXII.
• * 1.14

  The Ele∣ction of Benedict XII.
• * 1.15

  The Deter∣mination of the Questi∣on of the Happiness of Souls, by Bene∣dict XII.
• * 1.16

  Benedict XII. Con∣firms the Judgment of his Pre∣decessors, against Lewis of Bavaria and the Grey-Fri∣ars.
• * 1.17

  Orders made by Benedict XII. and his Death.
• * 1.18

  The Works of Bene∣dict XII.
• * 1.19

  The Ele∣ction of Clement VI.
• * 1.20

  Rules made by Clement, about the Affairs of Italy.
• * 1.21

  Lewis of Bavaria Excommu∣nicated a-new by Cle∣ment.
• * 1.22

  The At∣tempt of Nicholas Lauren∣tius in Rome.
• * 1.23

  The Death of Clement VI.
• * 1.24

  The Ele∣ction and Actions of Innocent VI.
• * 1.25

  His Wri∣tings. The Ele∣ction of Ur∣ban, and his Actions.
• * 1.26

  His Cha∣racter and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.27

  The Ele∣ction of Gregory XI.