The mysterie of iniquitie: that is to say, The historie of the papacie. Declaring by what degrees it is now mounted to this height, and what oppositions the better sort from time to time haue made against it. Where is also defended the right of emperours, kings, and Christian princes, against the assertions of the cardinals, Bellarmine and Baronius. By Philip Morney, knight, Lord du Plessis, &c. Englished by Samson Lennard.

32. PROGRESSION.

How Pope Nicholas flattered and iustified Basilius in the murder of the Emperour Michael, by his fauour to encrease his owne authoritie in the East.

NIcholas hauing sent away this goodlie dispatch to Michael by his Legats, Do∣nate Bishop of Ostia, Stephen Bishop of Nepete, and Marinus a simple Dea∣con, died; and his Legats arriued at Constantinople at the instant, when Basilius, whom Michael had associated in the Empire, had traiterously murdered him, to [ E] take the Empire wholly into his owne hands: and much about that verie time it was, that Nicholas also departed this life, about the end of the yeare 866, or as o∣ther say in the yeare 867. After Nicholas succeeded Adrian the second, elected by the Clergie and people, without once calling the Emperours Lieutenants to the election, though then present in the Citie: And when the Lieutenants complai∣ned thereof, answere was made, That it was done in no contempt of the Empe∣rour, but onely to shun an inconuenience hereafter, in attending and expecting

[ A] his embassadors, if they should happen to be away. Sigonius sayth, For feare least that by staying for the Kings embassadors for the choise of a Pope, there might some new right accrue vnto the King. Anastasius saith it was to prouide for time to come, least that by this meanes they should grow to a custome of staying for the embassadors: which yet the Emperour, troubled at that present, what with the Sarasens abroad, what with secret practises at home, was faine to swallow. Meane while it came to passe, that Basilius offered himselfe to receiue the holie Communion, but was put backe by the Patriarch Photius, who declared vnto him, that hauing killed a man, and him an Emperour, with his owne hand, he had made himselfe vnworthie so much as to come into the Church. Basilius to be reuenged of this affront, resol∣ued [ B] to call a Synod, and by his embassadors requested Nicholas to be present at it. The embassadors finding Nicholas dead, and Adrian in his roome, deliuered their message vnto him, who knew well how to make his profit both of this mur∣der, and of the rage and choler of Basilius (as Boniface the third, one of his prede∣cessors, had done before him, in the case of Phocas) it being naturall to all things to receiue their encrease in the same manner as they had their beginning: and therefore he continued those Legats before named, which Nicholas had sent. The particular clauses of Adrians letter to Basilius are worth the noting, He (saith Adrian) which holdeth in his hand the power and authoritie of Kingdomes, hath from heauen set vp thy Empire at this time in earth, by which the Apostolike See might come [ C] to the end of that worke which it hath long since begun &c. Thou art another Salomon, who hast harkened to the words of God thy father, and hast not forsaken the law of thy mother: and so goeth on, justifying his proceedings against the Patriarch Photius, who for his murther had barred the Emperour from the communion of the Church: all which tended onely to procure a Synod to be called by the meanes of the Emperour, wherein his Legats, as he said, should preside, which to that day they neuer could get to doe in anie Generall Councell. And this is that Coun∣cell which they called the eight Generall Councell, wherein Photius was depo∣sed, and Ignatius restored. And with what violence these things were carried, it may appeare by the verie preface, wherein the Patriarch Photius is tearmed Luci∣fer, [ D] and Pope Nicholas another Elias. But the carriage of this Councell is worth the obseruation, being such as it is described by Anastasius Bibliothecarius, one of the embassadors, which was this: Pope Adrian had giuen instructions to his em∣bassadors, taken from Nicholas the first, wherein was contained, what he would haue beleeued and decreed concerning the primacie of the Bishop of Rome, and the adoration of Images; with strict charge to admit none to the Councell, who had not first set his hand to Articles drawne to these two effects; which was so exactly put in execution, that whosoeuer would not set to his hand, was repel∣led from the Synod: and so was it no hard matter to carrie a cause, where there was no aduerse part to contradict him. And it is scarce credible, what absurdities [ E] these good Legats committed, or let to passe, onely that they might obtaine what they desired, making no scruple of anie blasphemie: wherefore they got this Decree to passe, That none might write or speake against the Pope of Rome, vnder paine of Anathema: That if anie Generall Councell should assemble, and question should there happen to arise concerning the Church of Rome, the Church her selfe should be re∣uerently consulted thereupon: That they should receiue her answere, and doe accor∣dingly, without passing anie bold sentence or decree, in preiudice of the soueraigne Pon∣tifes of old Rome: and this is the 21 Canon. And further note, that this is the first Generall Councell wherein the Popes Legats presided: which they mention

almost in euerie line, so great need had this wretched Emperour to seeke their [ A] fauour. And these you see were the meanes they vsed to set forward their au∣thoritie in the East: neither were those anie better which they vsed in the West, namely in our Fraunce, where besides the continuall jarres which they alwaies maintained in the race of Charlemaigne, they euer cherished those Bishops, who were most engaged in them; namely the Archbishop of Bourges, vpon the con∣trouersie which he had with Hincmar, and which was debated in the Synod at Troies in Champaine, alluring him by the profer of a Pall; and Actard, though not yet prouided of anie Bishopricke: to make them sure on his side against Hinc∣mar, the defendor of the Liberties of the French Churches, whom himselfe in his letters commendeth for his sanctitie of life, The renowme of thy sanctitie (saith [ B] he) is neuer without commendation: and againe, Persuade your selfe (sayth he) that we beare as great loue vnto you, as if we had conferred together a thousand times &c. and yet ceased not to persecute him with all extremitie and violence.

OPPOSITION.

But to returne to this, falsely so called, the eight Generall Councell; notwith∣standing that Basilius were verie desirous to oblige Adrian to him, yet would he not forgoe his right in calling the Councell: for in the Preface thereunto he vseth these words, The diuine bountie (saith he) hauing committed vnto vs the sterne of the vniuersall ship (meaning thereby the Church) we haue speciall care aboue all other [ C] things to breake the tempests of the Clergie. Neither was this anie controuersed point betweene them: for the Bishops themselues there assembled in the sixt Action say, That the Emperour crowned of God hath called this holie Generall Coun∣cell. And in the seuenth, He hath vsed all diligence (say they) to summon thither the Legats of the other Patriarcha••s, and hath so farre preuailed as to make it a Generall Councell. And Pope Stephen himselfe in his letter to Basilius, Wherein (sayth he) hath the Church of Rome offended? Hath not she, according to the auncient cu∣stome of the Synods of Constantinople, at thy commaund sent thither her Legats? And thus much for the calling of it. As for the manner of proceeding, Anasta∣sius telleth vs, That the Bishops hauing committed that grosse fault, in setting [ D] their hands vnaduisedly to the Articles, came weeping to the Emperour, and told him, That by their subscription they had put the Church of Constantinople in subjection vnder the Church of Rome: That all the Decrees of this Councell ought to be reuised, that they would take out their bookes againe, that otherwise it was impossible to recouer their lost libertie. So that they got some part of their bookes againe, notwithstanding the anger of Basilius, who stood wholly for the Church of Rome. But the mischiefe was, that the Popes Legats forecasting this inconuenience, had gotten into their hands the papers of the most principall a∣mong the Bishops, wherein they vsed the helping hand of one Sypon the archmi∣nister, and of Anastasius himselfe. And hence it is, that the Grecians no waies hold [ E] this Councell as Generall, saying, That all things therein were carried by oppres∣sion and violence, and therefore they call the Councell of Florence, held fiue hundred yeares after, the eight vniuersall Councell, and that other a Prouinciall onely, and called, not vpon anie question of faith, but onely to bring in the au∣thoritie of the Pope for the deposing of Photius in fauour of the Emperour. And our Aimonius speaking of this Councell, according to the judgement, no doubt, which men had of it in Fraunce in those daies, speaketh in this wise, Hauing (sayth he) assembled a Councell, which they that were at it called the eight vniuersall Councell,

[ A] they tooke away the schisme, concerning the deposition of Ignatius, and the election of Photius restoring Ignatius, and pronouncing Anathema against his competitor. In this Synod they decreed concerning the adoration of Images, otherwise than the Orthodox Fathers had aunciently defined: besides some thing which they there decreed in fauour of the Pope, in regard that he had concurred with them in the adoration of Images: some things also did they ordaine contrarie to the auncient Canons, and some things con∣trarie to their owne Synod, as he shall easily perceiue that will but take the paines to read this Councell: yet was he a Monke that spake these words. And shall Baronius be admitted to say, that this was one of those old doting Frenchmen, which could not away with Images? yet can none of all these things be found now in the [ B] Tomes of the Councels. And Bartholmew Caranza, a Iacobin, sayth, That he found the Latine copies of this Councell so false, that he knew not which to chuse, and that he could not find anie Greeke copie to correct them by: so that the case thus standing, they may put anie thing vpon vs. Baronius to proue vnto vs that this is one of the Generall Councels, telleth vs, That the Popes were wont at their election to take an oath for the obseruance of the Generall Councels, a∣mongst which this is reckoned the eight in order. But who seeth not that they did so for their owne proper interest? and yet can he not pardon the Cardinall Iu∣lian, who presided in the Councell of Florence, as Legat to the Pope, for that vp∣on the reasons vsed by Marc Bishop of Ephesus, he consented to haue this Coun∣cell [ C] discarded, I will free you (saith he, speaking to the Greeke Bishops) of this feare, there shall no one word of this Councell be recited &c. And againe, We care not for this Councell: whereas, saith Baronius, to goe from this Councell were to cast away both sword and buckler of the Church of Rome. In which Councell yet there were but 101 Bi∣shops, and all corrupted by Adrian and Basilius.

Now in stead of repressing the impietie of this Emperour, they made good vse of it; for, to make it yet more euidently to appeare, that they aimed at no other marke but onely at the greatnesse of the Clergie: in the 14 Canon it is thus ordai∣ned, That Bishops should not goe forth to meet Princes, and that when they happened to meet with them, they should not alight from their Mules or Horses: That Princes and Em∣perors [ D] should hold them as fellowes and equall to themselues: If anie Bishop shall liue base and meanely, or rustically after the old fashion, that he shall be deposed for a whole yeare: if the Prince be cause of his so liuing, that he be excommunicated for two yeares. And the 17 Canon forbiddeth Princes and Emperours to be present at Synods, vn∣lesse it be at generall Councels. And the 22 disableth them and all Laies whomsoeuer to be present at the election or promotion of anie Patriarch, Metropolitan, or Bishop, vnder paine of excommunication: whereby no doubt the Popes Legats thought they had shut the Emperours of the West cleane out of their Conclaues, vsing one Empe∣rour as a rod alwaies to scourge the other. As for the point of Appeales to Rome, they could not effect it: for the 26 Canon is plaine, That who so findeth himselfe [ E] aggrieued with his Bishop, shall appeale to his Metropolitan, and from the Metropolitan to the Patriarch, à quo litibus finis imponatur, who shall make a full end of the contro∣uersie: and therefore meant not to run to Rome, as Nicholas would haue had them. And it was euen at the instant when the Articles were offered them to subscribe, that they made their protestation against them.

In this Synod there appeared yet another notable ambition of the Popes: for the Bulgarians being formerly Painims, receiued Christianitie in the time of Ni∣cholas, who sent them Bishops for their instruction. Michael their Prince sent his embassadors to the Synod, who comming before them, That we may not (say they)

seeme to erre in our owne opinions, we desire to be informed by you, which supplie the [ A] places of the Great Patriarches, to what Church we are to belong. The Popes Legats re∣plied presently, That they ought to belong to the Roman Church. The Bulga∣rians requested, That the matter might be resolued and agreed vpon with the Le∣gats of other Patriarches there present. The Romanists replied, That there was no more to be done with them: and therefore, without euer putting it to the Sy∣nod, pronounced absolutely, That they must belong to Rome. The Easterne Bi∣shops put this question to the Bulgarians, When you first tooke the countrey, said they, from whom tooke ye it? and the Priests which you found there, were they Greekes or La∣tines? They answered, That they tooke the countrey from the Grecians, and that they found there none but Greeke Bishops. Whereuppn the Easterne Bishops inferred, [ B] That they were doubtlesse ordained at Constantinople, and so consequently should belong to that Church. Thereupon the Legats replied, That Churches were not bounded by the diuersitie of tongues: That kingdomes and Sees diffe∣red in their jurisdictions: That they had the presumption on their side, who had giuen them their first Bishops: That all Epirus, Thassalie, and Dardania, had bin euer belonging to their jurisdiction. The Easterne Bishops on the contrarie, de∣maunded vpon which of these they would principally stand. In the end the vio∣lence and pride of the Roman Legats ouerswayed, who told the Synod, That the Church of Rome held not that Councel for a competent Iudge of her controuersies, who was her selfe, by speciall prerogatiue, to iudge of all other Churches: That, decree they what [ C] them lusted, it should be as little regarded, as it was lightly enacted: That from this pre∣sent time, they, by the authoritie of the holie Ghost, pronounced a nullitie in whatsoeuer they should decree, vntill the See of Rome had determined thereof. And so the holie Ghost, who was to Preside in the Councell, Resided onely in their persons. And they farther adiured the Patriarch Ignatius, by the authoritie of the Apostles and of Adrian, who had restored him to his See, not to suffer Bulgaria to be taken from them. Who made them a doubtfull answer, telling them. That he was neither so young as to be lightly deceiued, neither yet so verie a dotard, as to do that himselfe which he found fault withall in others. And there rested this contestation betweene them, being questionlesse a great scandall to the consciences of these poore conuerts, [ D] who saw at first that these men sought not the enlargement of Christs kingdome, but of their owne jurisdiction; and iniurious to the Emperour, who offended with these proceedings, though dissembling it, tooke no order for their passe and safe-conduct into their countrey: So that hauing been certaine dayes at sea, they fell into the hands of the Sclauons, who stript them of all that euer they had, took away the original of the Councell, with the subscriptions of the Bishops, and left them nothing but the copie of Athanasius; and had peraduenture lost their liues, but that some of their companie escaping, the Sclauons feared the matter might come to light, and they one day receiue the like measure. The issue of all was, That doe Adrian what he could, the Bulgarians put out the Latine Priests, and [ E] sent for others in their roomes to Constantinople; and so remained they in obe∣dience to that Church. Whereupon they grew so odious to the Popes, that they called that sinne condemned from heauen, after their name, Bulgarie, thereby to make them odious and abhominable to all men. And this was the end of Adrians enterprises in the East.

Notes

• An. 866.
• Sigon. de Reg. Jtal. lib. 5.
• Anastas. in Nico. 1.
• Missi sui.
• Anastas. in Adrian. 2.
• Concil. vniuers. 8. sub ••asil. Can. 21.
• To. 4. part. 11. editio. Venet. apud Binnium, part. 2. to. 3. pag. 886, 892, 900.
• Te imperante.
• Jouerius in v••∣litati. de octa. Synodo.
• Aimoni. Mona∣chus, l. 4. c. 28.
• Baron. vol. 10. an. 869. art. 59, 62, 63.