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BUt let these things hitherto be spoken of the feined religions in the person of Francis Bernardo: let vs héereafter sée somwhat of the inuentions of another fri∣er called Dominic. Wherin we must giue the first place to that wicked comparison, wherin Dominic (God the father of mer∣cie pardon vs, which are compelled to re∣cite these blasphemies) is matched with Christ being God. For in Antonie bishop of Florence it is thus written, The Lord
Christ, saith he, is Lord absolutely, and aucto∣ratiuely: Dominic possessiuely. He had manie diuine visions: he saw Christ once purposed to iudge and make an end of the world: but the virgin Marie besought him that he would staie, and send Dominic and Francis to preach. And againe when he saw the heauen open, and friers of all sorts in glorie: and he saw not his Dominicans, but it was told him by the sonne of God, that they were vnder the garment of the virgin Marie, whom he saw there: and a cer∣taine master of the order of the Minors, which made a very great masterly booke of S. Domi∣nic, saith, that in the said vision it might be said that Dominic did then see God in his essence, as Paul when he was caught vp. But it shall ap∣peere that he was very like to Christ, by the discourse of his life and works. Therfore he was most fitly named Dominic being most like to the Lord Christ. The Lord saith, I am the light of the world: the church singeth of Dominic, You are the light of the world. All the prophets beare witnes of the Lord: of Dominic and his order, Zacharie said in the person of God, I haue taken to my selfe two rods, I haue called the one Decorem or beautie, the other Funi∣culum or a little cord. Beautie or comlines is the order of predicants: the little cord is the or∣der
of the Minors, bicause they are girt with a plaine rope. Before Dominic was borne in the world, there appeered the images of two pain∣ted at Ʋenece, in the church of S. Mark: the one whereof was like a religious man, in the ap∣parell of the order of the predicants, with a lilie in his hand. The other was like vnto the Apo∣stle Paul, as he was woont to be painted: ouer which was written Agios Paulus, S. Paul, and vnder the feete of the picture, Per istum itur ad Christum, by him men go to Christ: vnder the other picture was written, Agios Dominicus, S. Dominic, and vnder him, Fa∣ciliùs itur per istum, men go more easily by him. And woonder not at this writing, bicause the doctrine of Paul as of the other Apostles, was a doctrine leading vnto faith. The doctrine of Dominic, a doctrine leading to the obserua∣tions of Counsels, and therefore men go more easily by him vnto Christ. 2. The Lord was borne vpon the bare ground, but least the colde should hurt him too much, he is placed in a manger by his mother the virgin. When Do∣minic was borne being but a little one, and com∣mitted to the keeping of his nurse, he was of∣ten found gone out of his bed, and lieng naked vpon the ground, as if he did alreadie abhor the pleasures of the flesh. 3. When the Lord was
borne there appeered a bright star, which gui∣ded the wise men vnto him, insinuating that the whole world should be illuminate by him. Dominic arose, and vpon him when he was to be baptised, his spirituall mother saw a star in his forehead, foreshewing a new sunne beame of the world. 4. The Lord being twelue yeere old was brought by his parents into the temple, and there he remained alone being but a boy. Dominic was caried by the neighbors into the church in his tender yeeres to be put in a di∣uine office, there was he left. 5. From that time vntill the time of his youth we finde no∣thing authentically of the Lord, saue onely that he increased in age, as being true man, in wise∣dome and fauor with God and men: but this outwardly. But Dominic did not onely increase in bodie, but also in mind effectually. 6. When the Lord was baptised by Iohn in Iordan, the holie Ghost came downe in a doue vpon him, to betoken the fulnes of grace, and he went into the wildernes. When Dominic saw the famine increase in all parts of Spaine, and saw also that there were many that were in necessitie, and that they had no comforter: in feruencie of spirit he sold his bookes and stuffe, and dispersed and gaue the price thereof to the poore, and newly and apparently replenished as it were
with the holie Ghost, he did streightway betake himselfe to the rule vnder Didacus the bishop, as another baptisme and spiritual desert, se∣questred from pleasures and worldly vanities. 7. The Lord doth afterward gather togither a few disciples; and in a short space multiplieth them, sending them two and two to preach the kingdome of God. Dominic taking with him but a few to lead a religious life, had afterward a great number, whom he appointed to preach the Gospell, and to heale the sick. 8. The Lord chose pouertie in himselfe and in his Apostles: but he had bags to keepe those things that the faithfull did giue, and these did Iudas carie: but Dominic was a true louer of pouertie, and ex∣horted his brethren to the same. 9. The Lord when he led his disciples, they were so hungrie, that passing through the fields they plucked the eares of the corne, they rubbed them in their hands, to eate them: and when it was now noone, being wearie of his iournie, he sent them into Sychar to buy meate, and they eate therof by chance sometimes with vnwashen hands. Touching the qualitie of the meate, it is verily beleeued, that they did eate no flesh, but the Paschal lamb for the keeping of the law. The patriarke Dominic, who spent sometimes the whole Lent, not onelie without meate, but also
without bread and water, did moderate this sharpnes in his disciples, giuing them leaue to drink wine, and to eate white meates. 10. Per∣aduenture some man will saie that it agreeth not with the similitude, that the Lord said to his disciples, Neither shall you haue shooes on your feete: whereas notwithstanding Do∣minic and his go shod when they go abroad. But we must know that that was a commande∣ment during but for a time, for which he gran∣ted a dispensation at his last supper. For we may see that both the Lord did weare shooes, in that which the Baptist saith, whose shoo latchet I am not worthy to loose; and also it was said to Pe∣ter in the Acts, Take thine hose: vnlesse some man say that he did weare hose, but no shooes: which was not commonly used. And Marke a good imitator of him, gaue a cobler his shoo to mende when it was broken. So that the Lorde and his disciples went sometimes shod, & some∣times barefoote. And so Dominic was shod when he was in cities, but in his iourney he was oftentimes barefoote. 11. When the Lorde was borne, none other person but his owne mo∣ther Marie the virgin, did wrap him in swad∣ling clouts: and when he was growne vp his mother hir-selfe with hir owne hands woue him his coate without seame, and his other
garments: but of what colour it was we finde not, namely, least if it were knowne, false pro∣phets should weare the like, and so should not be knowne to be rauening woolues. The most bles∣sed virgine Marie shewed Dominic and his order what apparell they should weare, and also the colour thereof. For she appeered to S. Ray∣nold when he was sore sicke, and healed him, shewing him the garment which S. Dominic and his sonnes should weare: namelie a great cope, and a coat with a cowle, al white. 12. The Lord and Dominic being both virgins in mind and bodie, and verie humble, as the scripture doth witnes: so Dominic was a most pure vir∣gin and verie humble. 13. Dominic as also Christ did not possesse his owne bed, scarce re∣sting his bodie on the grounde after his flood of teares. 14. The Lords praier was alwaies heard, when he would, for which cause he said to the father, I knewe that thou hearest me al∣waies: for though he were not heard in the gar∣den, when he praied that the cup might be ta∣ken from him: this came to passe therefore, bi∣cause in asmuch he asked according to sensua∣litie, he would not be heard, according to rea∣son. But Dominic tolde a certaine religious man in the Lords words, who was verie famili∣ar with him, that he did neuer ask any thing of
God, but he did obtaine it according to his de∣sire. 15. The Lord by his owne example did dedicate his Apostles to a mixed life, that is a contemplatiue and actiue in preaching: the virgin his mother and Magdalene to a con∣templatiue. For Marie stood at the feet of the Lord, and heard his word. Lu. 10. But Mar∣tha and the other women to an actiue. So the Patriark Dominic, like to another Noe, made the arke of his religion, which was made of wood glued togither with the morter of chari∣tie, hauing three roofes or loftes. Placing his brethren togither with him in one, to beholde heauenly things, and to preach the mysteries of saluation; taking to him the nunnes that were shut vp to contemplation: in the second apply∣ing both men and women to the actiue life; and in the thirde mansion bestowing the brethren and sisters which were called of the repentance of Iesus, or the warrefare of Iesus Christ. 16. There departed 72. disciples from Christ, being offended at the doctrine of Christ which they vnderstood not: who when they departed, Christ asked those that remained with him, will you also depart? But Peter answered in the name of them all, Lord to whom shal we go? And S. Dominic, when he had with him some disciples, being one day tempted they departed
from him: onely there staied three behinde; to which Dominic also said; will you also depart? To whom one made answere, God forbid fa∣ther, that forsaking the head we follow the feet. At length as the disciples of Christ which went away, returned to him againe, so also the disciples of Dominic returned to him through his praier. 17. The Lord did valiantly beare euen vntill death, many mockes, slanders, and persecutions, of those that sought to intrap him in his words, sometimes to stone him, somtimes to breake his necke. Dominic did not regard scoffings, reproches, & speakings against: so that one did bind stubble vpon his back in mockerie: others did cast dirt and other vile things at him. 18. The Lord loued vs, and washed vs from our sinnes in his blood. And Dominic being not void of the perfection of charitie, did bestow the night in Gods seruice, giuing him∣selfe to meditation and praier: he did execute a threefold discipline as it were daily with his owne hand, not with a cord, but with an iron chaine, till the blood came: one for his owne of∣fences, which were the least: another for those that were in purgatorie: the third for those that are conuersant in the world. 19. When the Lord iournied toward Hierusalem, when he saw the citie, he wept ouer it, and he foretold
many secrets of harts, and euents of things to come, for which it was said in his commendati∣on, A great prophet is risen vp amongst vs. When Dominic drew neere to cities, beholding in mind, he wept bitterly for their sinnes, and he reuealed manie hid and secret things as a true prophet: as the death of the king of the Ara∣gons in battell: the conuersion of the heretike Adiu that was to come, whom he therfore com∣manded to be saued from burning. Thus far goeth Antoninus: whereby the Councel∣lers of the most mightie king of France may iudge, whether the most part of Chri∣stendome haue iustly or vniustly reiected these inuentions of religion brought in by the popes: séeing they durst so wickedly and heinously set Dominic the munke to be worshipped in the church of God for an idoll, and to match him with Christ being God & our sauior. For we must not giue eare to him that shall saie that these are onelie munkish toies, which graue and learned men do loath. For that which we said before touching the Franciscane ba∣bles of the same sort, do we saie in this place of the Dominicans: séeing they are receiued for diuine oracles in the church of Rome, that all Christians must either
worship them, or else they must looke for such punishments as are appointed for he∣retiks, by this gallowes, cowled, and cord bearing frier. But now let vs heare som∣what else. It séemeth that nothing can be added to this impietie. But yet let vs trie what can be done. For the same Antoni∣nus in the chapter following where he compareth the miracles of Christ and Do∣minic togither, saith thus: Dominic raised three from death in the citie of Rome, the sonne of the widow, which being knowne to the pope he would haue published it: but Dominic for humilitie did vtterly refuse it. The carpenter that was hired by his brethren, and crushed in peeces by a wall that fell vpon him: and Nea∣poleon the cardinall of the new ditch his ne∣phew, which fell from an horse, and was all rent in peeces. I am fully perswaded, that the Lord did also raise others, bicause he saith in the plu∣rall number, The dead shall rise againe, name∣ly by me: whereas yet he had onely raised the ruler of the synagogues daughter, according to the Gospels. So likewise we find that S. Domi∣nic did raise other that were dead though not so notorious. For what shall we thinke of those fortie strāgers which were in a ship in the great riuer beside Tholosa, who after they had stood
long time vnder the water after that the ship was drowned, by the holie praier of S. Dominic, they came out of the water safe and sound: what shall we thinke but that either they were restored to life, or else they were preserued in the water like fishes? 2. God did twise fil the hungrie with bread that he multiplied, and he turned water into wine. Dominic did twise pro∣cure bread for his brethren frō God, at Rome, and at Bononia: which the Angels brought from the heauenly bread: wherfore it was most sweet. He made an emptie caske full of wine, and another time he turned water into sweete wine. 3. Christ did perfectly heale Simons mother in law that was sicke of a feuer, and also he healed many sicke folks. Dominic did tho∣roughly cure a woman of a quartan ague. 4. Diuels came out of manie, crieng and sai∣eng, Bicause thou art the sone of God. Domi∣nic freed many that were vexed of diuels in soule and bodie. 5. Christ being made immor∣tall entred in twise to the disciples when the gates were shut: but Dominic being as yet mor∣tall (which is more miraculous) entred into the church by night the doores being shut, least he should awake his brethren. 6. The Lord af∣ter he departed out of this world, drew infinite men to the way of truth: though Dominic had
reclamed thousands of heretiks from errors, yet many mo after his departure. O woonderfull hope which thou hast giuen (singeth the church of S. Dominic) to those that weepe to thee in the hower of death, whiles that thou hast pro∣mised that thou wilt profit the brethren after death. 7. And to come to an end, The Lord saith, Power is giuen me in heauen and earth. This power was not a little imparted to Domi∣nic, of things in heauen, in earth, and in hel. For he had the holie Angels to wait vpon him. Moreouer, the very Angels comming to the brethren in mans shape, gaue them bread to eate. If we speake of the elements, the fire for∣gat his force: when as the booke of his doctrine being cast thrise into the fire, came out thrise vnhurt, when the bookes of the heretiks his ad∣uersaries were suddenly consumed. The raine comming downe out of the aire in great abun∣dance doth obey the signe of the crosse, when as not so much as one drop did touch him as he iournied, though all that countrie were ouer∣flowen with that shower. The water of the riuer into which his bookes fell as he passed ouer it, could not wet them: but being drawen out in stead of fish by fishers vnhurt and dry as if they had been in a cofer: after a few daies they were restored to him againe. The earth also which
containeth metals, did not denie him necessarie monie. For when as hauing passed ouer a cer∣taine riuer in a boat, the ferrie man did ear∣nestly aske his boat hire of S. Dominic, and he forasmuch as he was poore did auouch that he had no monie, and the ferrie man held him fast by the cloke asking his monie, S. Dominic ha∣uing praied, and looking toward the ground, saw the monie wherof he stood in need lieng there, which he gaue him, and so set himselfe at liber∣tie: but also (which is more) when a certaine clerke could not liue chaste, hauing kissed the hand of S. Dominic as he returned from masse with a sweete sauor, so great a habit of virgini∣tie was diffused through his mind, that after∣ward he could easily containe himselfe. What shall I speake of the infernall spirits? Surely the diuels did tremble at his becke, neither were they able to refuse his power. Which appeereth: when he led him with him as he appeered in the shape of a frier, through the assemblies of the conuent, namely, of the Dormitall, quire, fratry, locutorie, and afterward of the chapter-house, and he asked him of euery place, what he gai∣ned there with the friers? All which he was enforced to declare. Thus writeth Antoni∣nus. By which we leaue it to the kings Counsellers to be iudged, whether this be
the true religion of Christ, deliuered to the Church by Christs Apostles, or a feig∣ned fable of satan, brought purposely into the Church by the popes, that they might either vtterly extinguish the desire to read the sacred scriptures, or at least that they might both be of like authoritie. Surely we hope that no man doubteth, but that the pope is already conuict most manifest∣ly of false and forged religions: and there∣fore if he excommunicate the king of Na∣uarre and Prince of Condie out of the communion of his Church, which main∣taineth these monsters, he doth not exclude them out of the Church of Christ, but out of the iakes of Dominicans, or rather out of the synagog of satan. Which thing that it may more plainly and firmely be confir∣med, we will cite out of the same Antoni∣nus a like inuention of the popish church. For in the chapter following he writeth thus: Dominic, saith he, being one night ear∣nest in praier, saw at the fathers right hand the sonne rise vp in his anger, that he might slea all the sinners on the earth: and destroy all that wrought wickednes. And he stood in the aire being terrible to behold, and he shaked three lances or iauelings against the world that was
set vpon wickednes, the first whereof shoulde pearce through the out stretched necks of the prowd: another should let out the bowels of the couetous: the third should bore through those that were giuen to the lusts of the flesh. Whose wrath when no man could resist, the mild vir∣gin his mother met him, and imbracing his feet, besought him that he would spare those whom he had redeemed, and that he would temper his iustice with mercie. To whom hir sonne made answer: Seest thou not, saith he, what iniuries are done to me? Then said his mother: Thou knowest, saith she, which know∣est all things, that this is the way by the which thou shalt bring them backe vnto thee. I haue a faithfull seruant whom thou shalt send into the world, that he may preach thy words to them, and they will turne to thee the sauiour of all men. Also I haue another seruant whom I will adioine to him to be his helper, that he may worke likewise. The sonne said: Lo I am pacifi∣ed, and haue accepted thy face, but shew mee whom thou wilt assigne vnto so great an office. Then our Ladie his mother offered to Iesus Christ S. Dominic: and the Lord said to his mother: He will do that which thou hast said well and carefully. Also she offered him S. Francis, whom in like sort the Lord praised.
Then S. Dominic marking his fellow well in the vision, whom before he knew not, on the mo∣row he reknowledged him by those things which he saw in the night, and kissing him with holie kisses, and imbracing him sincerely, he said: Thou art my fellow, thou shalt run with me. And a little after: Dominic praied by night in the church, and lo the hand of the Lord was suddenly vpon him, and was rapt in spirit before God, and he saw God sitting, and his mother who sate at his right hand clothed in a cope, of a saphire color. And looking about him he saw reioicing in the sight of the most highest infi∣nite multitudes of spiritual fathers out of euery nation, that had begotten both sons and daugh∣ters to Christ, of holie religions. And when he saw none of his sonnes there, blushing, and be∣ing pricked at the hart, he wept most bitterly. Therfore being abashed with the glorie of Gods maiestie, he stood a far off, and durst not draw neare to the countenance of glorie, and to the excellencie of the virgin. But our Ladie bec∣kened to him with hir hand that he should come to hir. But he trembling and fearing, presumed not to draw neare, vntill in like sort the Lord of maiestie called him. Then came the man being pricked and of an humble spirit, and contrite with his teares, and did most lowly and hum∣bly
throw downe himselfe at the feet of the son and his mother. But the Lord of glorie, the comforter of those that mourne, said to him: Arise. Who when he was risen, and stood before the Lord, he asked him saieng: Why weepest thou so bitterly? Who said: Bicause I see in the presence of thy glory men of al religions: but of the sons of mine order (alas for wo) I see here none. To whom the Lord said: Wilt thou see thine order? But he said: That is my desire Lord. Then the sonne putting his hand vnder his mother the virgins cloke, he said to him: I haue committed thine order to my mother. And when he continued in this godlie affection, desiring to see his order, the Lord said to him a∣gaine: Wouldest thou so gadly see them? He answered: This do I earnestly desire. And lo the mother of the Lord pleased hir sonne: and opening wide hir golden cope wherwith she see∣med to be couered: and holding it open before hir mourning seruant Dominic, and this was so large and huge a garment, that it did sweetly contain the whole countrie of heauen by imbra∣cing it. Vnder this couering of securitie, in this bosom of godlines, that beholder of high things, & viewer of the secrets of the Lord, Dominic saw an innumerable multitude of the friers of his order. Then his mourning was turned into
ioy, and his sorrow into solace. Thus writeth Antoninus. Ridiculously, blockishly, and ab∣surdly: peraduenture some man will say: Who denieth it? But as we said before of Bernardo his trifles, of what sort soeuer these be, yet are they both approoued by the authoritie of the pope, and also recei∣ued by the church of Rome: and therefore séeing religion is vndiuisible (for as M. Tullius saith, either take away religion quite, or else preserue it wholie) they must be counted in the place and number of ora∣cles, of al those which wil giue their name to the church of Rome: a heauie decrée be∣ing added, that he that shall thinke other∣wise, be counted an heretike & schismatike: forasmuch as by these inuentions allowed by the pope, as well Dominic as Francis is registred in the number of the Saints of the church of Rome, as the same author Antoninus doth witnes. By which we vnderstand, first for how manie & for how iust causes, most Christian kings, princes, and magistrates, haue condemned the pa∣pacie for impietie and forged religion. Se∣condlie, what authoritie this execrable de∣claration ought to haue in the Parlement of France, which was published by Sixtus
the fift, a frier lately vncowled: in which the most excellent princes aforesaide were pronounced heretiks for none other cause, saue onely bicause they thought that they ought not to make like account of such in∣uentions, as of the holie Scripture. For as they did oftentimes professe before, and at this day they do professe, so much as in them lieth, before all sortes and orders of men, yea they do openly denounce, séeing the church of Rome hath religion mixed and confused with such inuentions and fa∣bles, those things which are drawne out of the pure fountaines of Scripture, those do they most carefullie embrace: those things which are brought in into religion out of these munkish pits & filthy sinks, doe they reiect and detest. And yet this is the onely cause why pope Sixtus the fift hath so proudly & cruelly cursed thē both. Of which pope Sixtus it séemeth good to me to speake somewhat in this place, that all men may perceiue both what manner of man he is, and also from what roots he sprang to such pride, and became so hawtie. Therfore his first name was Felix Peretus. He was borne in a base village nigh to Formana, called Montalto: in the yéere 1521. the
thirtéenth day of December. Being a boy he was brought vp among munkes, that is (not to say any more) among goate buckes, at length being a yoong man, hée was chosen into the order of the Francis∣canes: vnto whose holie rites after hée was admitted, & now growne vp, he was at last chosen by the inquisitours of the Romish faith into their colledge. Which office when he did so execute a fewe yéeres ago, that few could abide his cruel nature, it fell out so by hap at that time, that he called a certaine noble man of Venece be∣fore him. When he did more cruelly han∣dle the man vnacquainted with hearing reproches: not many daies after he met the same noble man by chance: whom so soone as the same noble man perceiued, he commanded one of his waiters to beate downe with a cudgell he had in his hand, the pride of vnfortunate Peretus. The vn∣fortunate man who of Felix was become Infelix, went straightway to Rome, and tolde pope Pius the fourth, who was then high gouernour at Rome. The pope being highly displeased sendeth him back againe to Venece with greater authoritie and power. So soone as he shewed the senate
his bull, the wise men which knew ful wel the troublesome nature of the man, and how that he was inflamed with desire of reuenge, commanded foorth-with a torche to be lighted: and did straightly command him, that before the torch was burnt, he shoulde get him with spéede out of their coastes if he were wise. Infelix going to Rome againe, made his complaint to the pope. When the pope perceiued that he was a man most fit for his purpose, he did first aduance him to this honor, that he made him master of his pallace: that done when Toledanus the archbishop, one of the spanish inquisition which is fearefull to all nations, was suspected of heresie, the pope sent him into Spaine, that he might be present at that question & iudgement. It happened by chance at that time, that he that was then generall, that is, chiefe prelate of the Franciscanes, (which is the highest office and dignitie of that sorte of men) died. Which inheritance the pope gaue to Felix Peretus: who by this means was made the archcowled, chiefe cowled, and cloaked cowled frier of that order of Franciscanes: and a few yéeres after he was also chosen cardinall by the same
pope. At length when pope Gregorie the 13. was dead, our archcowling Felix was chosen into his roome, in troubling France by his commendation and fauour, who is chiefe at Rome in furthering these mat∣ters, and whom he doth plainely aide in holding the residue of the kingdome of Nauarre. By these degrées & procéedings, he which a fewe yéeres ago was a cowled, a roped, a most vile frier créeping in his slitted shooes, is now become a thunderer, a thunderbolt caster, an excommunicator of kings and princes,
As Mantuan wrote of Iulius the second.
In hist. par. 3. tit. 23. & ti. 24.
Act. 10. Zach. 11.
Pag. 187.
Mat. 11.
Pag. 190.
Tit. 23. §. 17. fol. 197.