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.

57. PROGRESSION.

Afer a vacancie of two yeares, three moneths, and seuenteene dayes, the Cardinals dis∣senting, and referring it to his owne arbitrement, Iames de Ossa chose himselfe Pope, and was called Iohn the two and twentieth. Lewis of Bauaria subduing Frederick of Au∣stria, went to Rome with an armie, where, against the Popes will, he was crow∣ned, and afterwards he elected another Pope, Peter Corbario of Rietto, [ D] being named Nicholas the fift: This Nicholas comming in∣to Iohns hands by treacherie, was cast into prison. Iohn dyes at Auignion.

IN the yeare 1316, after a vacancie of two yeares, three moneths, and seuenteen dayes, during which time the Cardinals could not agree of their election, Iames d'Ossa of Cahors, whom Platina calls Iohn the three and twentieth, came to the dignitie. The Cardinalls dissenting, referred it to his arbitrement, to make choice of any one out of their number, whom he should judge worthie and most fit. But beyond all mens expectation, and through Cardinall Neapolion Vrsinoes aduice, deluding them all, he chose himselfe Pope, and so mounting vpon the throne, I [ E] am Pope, saith he. And here Antoninus addes, Though in other elections no man can chuse himselfe, yet in the electing of a Pope this is not prohibited, when the election is thus absolutely referred to himselfe. Let the indifferent Reader but censure of this kind of vocation to the Seat, by euents ensuing. All these things passed at Lyons, and not long after he went to Auignion, there to settle his residence. This Iohn was borne of verie obscure parents, and as it is noted by the writers of those times, he much affected innouations, and was verie ambitious. Henrie the seuenth be∣ing dead, for supplying the place of the vacant Empire, the Electors were greatly

[ A] diuided in their voyces, many inclining to Lewis, Duke of Bauaria, and diuers to Frederick, Duke of Austria. Lewis to procure his owne coronation, solicited by Embassadours Iohns consent. Iohn alledged, that he had alreadie presumed to do things euerie way exceeding the power of an absolute Emperor: and so he repelled his entreaties. Then Frederick on the other side propounded vnto him by Embassadours, the demerit and valour of his predecessours, Rodolphus and Albert, both Emperours: His aunswer was briefe in one word, That Salomons son was not so wise a man, and so dismissed them: detayning them thus as long as he could betwixt two stooles, That he, according to the Law of his predecessour, might sway and gouerne the Empire; the which he challenging out of that law, arroga∣ted [ B] to himselfe. Lewis, notwithstanding, still held his possession, and subdued Frederick in battaile, taking both him and the chiefest of the Nobilitie in the field. Afterwards, prouiding for the affaires of Italie, he constituted Mathew, Vicount of Milan, and restored the Gibbellines in many places. When Iohn obserued these proceedings, he commaunded him to lay downe the gouernement of the Empire, vnder paine of excommunication: as also he sent a Cardinall, Legat in∣to Lombardie, who vpon the same penaltie enjoyned the Vicounts, both father and sonne to depart Milan: and they vsing some protraction, he excommunicated them, interdicted the Citie it selfe from all sacred offices, and armed the Croysa∣dos against them. To this end therefore, in the Cathedrall Church of Auignion, [ C] this excommunication was solemnely thundered out, as shall in proper place be mentioned; that Lodouick onely making some delay in his obedience, might bee charged with heresie. And hereupon, Italie was diuided into more cruell facti∣ons than euer before, and the Guelphes rose against the Gibbellines in the selfe same Cities, being one fleshed against another, yea the verie Monkes themselues, some holding with the Pope, and others with the Emperour, the Minorites a∣gainst the Dominicans, and the Dominicans rent and diuided amongst them∣selues. Notwithstanding amiddest all these tumults, Lodouick passing through I∣talie with an armie, was louingly entertayned at Rome: and that he might the better manifest to al the world, the incredible loue and consent of the people here∣in, [ D] he deferred his coronation, while the Nobles of Italie, and the Embassadors of Cities, could arriue, which came daily to him from all parts: And then they set the Crowne on his head, at S. Iohn Laterans, or as some say in S. Peters Church; and at the peoples great instance by the hands of Stephen Colunna, and Vrsinio d'Vrsini, he being consecrated likewise by Iames de Prato, Bishop of Castello, and the B. of Ellera: for they thought it not requisit to attend the Popes comming or any Legat from him, because then the gouernment of the city was in the hands of certaine principall Barons, or Nobles, who instiled themselues to be the king of Romans Substitutes, they executing full and absolute authoritie; but they were yearely changed, except the Senat at any time thought good to vse some proro∣gation: [ E] Lewis proceeded yet further, by the Romans instigation (who had ma∣ny times in vaine summoned and solicited the Pope as their naturall Bishop, to reside at Rome) causing election to be made of Peter Corbario of Rietto, a Frier Minorite, by the Clergie and people of Rome, he beeing a verie learned man, and fit for the managing of any gouernement, who was called Nicholas the fift: and there were many that he made both Cardinals and Bishops. Nay and moreouer, Iohn being conuinced in a solemne Councell of heresie, he condem∣ned him to be burnt: which sentence was presently and publiquely executed in effigie or picture. After the performance whereof, setting all things in as good

order as was possible in Italie, he thought good to returne into Germanie, which [ A] was wonderfully molested by Iohns arts and stratagemes. From such a forme of contention kindled in Christendome, what could bee expected but a generall confusion? and so much the rather, because some yeares before Iohn called Philip de Valois, and other Princes, into Italie, with preualent forces, against Lewis; and the more to endeere vnto him Philip, who afterwards came to the kingdome, hee permitted him to leuy a tenth of his whole Clergie, vnder pretext of an entring in∣to a warre against the Infidels: which custome his predecessors had formerly ta∣ken vp. Thus all things hung in doubtfull balance, by the variable successe of af∣faires, till Lewis in Germanie came to an accord with Frederick, who was glad to redeeme his owne libertie by yeelding vp the Empire. Now Nicholas the fift, Iohns [ B] corriuall in Italie, being deliuered into Iohns hands by the Pisanes, who reuolted from Lewis, he was cast into prison: Wherefore Iohn king of Bohemia interpo∣sed himselfe to procure some peace betwixt them vpon conditions; but during the negotiations, in the yeare 1334, Iohn dyed at Auignion, Christendome be∣ing all ouer in turmoyles, but especially all the Prouinces and cities of Italie.

All Historiographers concurre in this, That Iohn left behind him a huge trea∣sure in readie coyne, some say fifteene, and others fiue and twentie Milliones auri, millions of gold, which for those times was verie wonderfull: For vnder colour of recouering Palestina he gramd and gript all the world. And yet hee was not a∣shamed to admonish Edward king of England, That hee should not impose such [ C] grieuous burdens vpon the Irish, The gouernement of whom (saith he) my predecessor Adrian granted vnto you vnder certaine conditions. But by what right or succession, suppose you, should these people any wayes belong to the Pope? For other mat∣ters, he publikely preached in Auignion, That the souls, yea of the most holie and faithfull, did not behold the face of God before the last day of judgement: which he pretended to vnderstand from certaine visions of one Tundall an Irish man. And two Monkes he sent to Paris, one a Minorite, and the other a Domini∣can, to preach this opinion out of his suggestion, and to exhort the Sorbon to im∣brace the same: labouring also the like in other Vniuersities. But king Philip of Valois assembled all the learnedest Diuines of his kingdom at Bois de Vincennes, [ D] who expresly censured this opinion to be plaine heresie. In these things Thomas Wallis, Durandus de Sancto Portiano, William Caleth, and other Authors, are plenti∣full: Auentine addes, That he read a certaine Epistle of the Diuines liuing amidst these dissentions, especially of those of Paris, by which they taxed him of heresie, persuading him to renounce this opinion; which, they say, he did, by their persuasion, not many dayes before his death. But he might rather, peraduenture, be condemned of he∣resie by the moderne Diuines of the Roman Church, because (as the same Au∣thor relates) he sent for certaine men that dwelt in the confines of Bohemia and Austria, who had painted the Trinitie, vnder the formes of an old man, a young man, and a doue (as yet at this day they vse to doe) whom he charged with irreligion, denouncing them to [ E] be Anthropomorphites, whom he condemned to be burnt; although, in so cleere a Sun∣shine of the Gospell, both Bellarmine and other of his followers, are not ashamed to allow, and defend the same.

Nicholas the fift wonderfully promoted the Minorites, and Iohn laboured hard, according to the vsuall inconstancie of the spirit of lyes, to suppresse & beat them downe, and this by such arguments as plainely ouerthrew the Mendicants foun∣dation: For concerning the question, Whether Christ or his Apostles held any thing in proper, he saith, we must herein beleeue the holie Scripture, by which

[ A] the articles of our faith must be confirmed, which teacheth vs, That they possessed something in proper; and therefore to beleeue otherwise was heresie, and he that otherwise affirmed, was to be reputed an heretike. And because their most glori∣ous pretext was in a wilfull pouertie, he turned them to beggerie indeed, enioy∣ning them to be content with meere almes: shewing how the custome de facto, permitted to them by Nicholas the fift, with an exception of propertie reserued to the Church of Rome, was but a plaine delusion and cousenage, that so they might cunningly be exempted from that pouertie which they professed: and therefore the Mendicants being driuen to beg their liuing from doore to doore, grew mightily incenst against him. He further argued, That Christ neuer com∣maunded [ B] nor aduised Christians, to relinquish their goods: That hee neuer set downe any other rules of pietie to the Apostles, than to other Christians, to whose perfection the possession of mouables or immouables were no wayes re∣pugnant: That the Apostles neuer vowed pouertie, nor neuer out of vow re∣nounced their temporall goods, who questionlesse, euen as other godlie men doe, both might and may with a good conscience contend for temporall goods: and the naked vow was no furtherance at all to Christian perfection. But to this point he grew (saith Auentine) That such Franciscans as now liued from hand to mouth, and begged from doore to doore, that spake against his opinion, in preaching, That Christ and his Apostles possessed nothing, he condemned of impietie and pernitious errour, banisht [ C] them out of the Christian Commonwealth, called them Fraterculos, Sillie brethren; and many also he burned. The same Auentine obserues in these times, That what was for∣merly distributed for the sustentation of the poore, was now conuerted to ornaments, set∣ting forth of walls, and glorious pompe, which was out of Ecclesiasticall goods, Then came in priuat sacrifices, sacrificing Priests, sacrileges, pilleries, peculiarities of temples, and these that we call Incorporations, and Non-residencies, all which may be found out in the auncient Records. From this Iohn also proceeded that Decretall Supple∣ment called Extrauagantes, so called of Iohn the two and twentieth, as the Cle∣mentines were of Clement. And some affirme, That they were both published by him, because Clement perceiuing many things in his repugnant to Christian veritie, he [ D] called them in againe. We read of one beside these in the Abbreuiate of Con∣stitutions, wherein he commaunds the Inquisitors to proceed against them, as a∣gainst heretikes, in that they had associated themselues with heretikes: And these were some Prouinces and townes of Italie, who had followed the Emperor Lewis partie. The heresie was this, in that they serued their lawfull Prince against the Pope, which there he sayes is, in praecipitium damnationis & mortis sese iminergere, to throw themselues downe headlong into damnation and death.

And thus at length the Decretals came forth accomplished, from which our fathers left vnto vs a common prouerbe, That since the Decretalls had wings (which is, that Decretals were added to Decretals) the world daily grew worse [ E] and worse: Those Decretals which denounce thus vnto vs, That the Pope of Rome is constituted by the Lord ouer nations and kingdomes. There is as much difference be∣twixt Popes and Kings, as there is betwixt the Sunne and the Moone. That the Emperor was bound to take an oath of fealtie to the Pope. That the Pope is the Emperours superior, and the Empire being vacant, his successor. That he may depose the Emperour, and, if he so thinke good, elect another onely of himselfe. In like manner, That he may appoynt him an ouerseer, and so any other King or State. Kingdomes he may transferre from one to a∣nother, as he that is their rector and corrector. All these priuiledges accruing vnto him (so you will beleeue it) from that saying of our Lord, Omnes potestas mihi data

in coelo & in terra, as also that which Dauid prophesied of Christ, He shall beare rule [ A] from one sea to another. And hereupon the Canonists enlarge, hand ouer head, in their Glosses and Decisions of the Rota: The Pope vndoubtedly is Christs vicar, not onely in earthlie, celestiall, and infernall things, but further, ouer the Angels both good and bad: He onely hath the power and iurisdiction of all the Patriarches together, a greater priuiledge than all the Saints, or all the Angels haue; so as he may excommunicat the Angels themselues. The whole world is but his Diocesse, the square he may make round, right of iniurie, and something of nothing. He also may against lawes naturall, of nations, those ciuile, humane, and diuine, determine absolutely, and yet iustly. Aboue and contra∣rie to any law, aboue and contrarie to all Decrees, Canons, and Statutes of Councels, as he whose decree and sentence is aboue all the Bishops of the earth, hee being the cause of cau∣ses, [ B] of whom no reason can be yeelded, but himselfe; and he that demaunds any other, pre∣sumes to liken himselfe to the most high, make himselfe equall to God; and there∣fore the Pope is their god: But heare more, He may dispence against the Apostle, as superiour, and against the old Testament, in that he is greater than all the Authors of the same. Why sayes he not greater than the holie Ghost, which inspired them? And some say, against the Gospell it selfe: For the Popes will is the rule of all iustice: what∣soeuer he does, God holds it well done: God and he haue one Consistorie, Christ and he one tribunall, the Pope being like to God, sinne excepted, so as if he might change opinion, wee may as well presume that God can change opinion. Item, Wee cannot appeale from him to God, in that vpon earth he is God, and as God he iudgeth. In conclusion, He may command [ C] the Angels to transferre soules into Paradise, and diuels, out of the vigour and vertue of his Indulgences, to draw them out of hell and purgatorie. The bookes of this Age are full of these Axiomes, and no man is ignorant thereof, and now they striue who shall blaspheme highlyest; for the Canonists are not only thus violently carried, but euen the Authors themselues of the Glosses, who should haue made a more strict examination before the yeelding of them vp for authenticall; they recom∣mending vnto vs the Pope for a god, yea and that in essence, if it were lawfull for vs to beleeue them: The which who would euer haue beleeued, if the spirit of God had not foretold as much? The Glosse vpon the chapter Periculoso, of the state of Regulars in Sexto, tearmes him, The Prince of the whole world; but I suppose [ D] they call him not so in the same sence that Sathan is so called. What remaines there more, but to be accounted God himselfe. But Peter Bertrands addition vp∣on Pope Boniface the eight his Extrauagant, speakes peremptorily to this purpose, Iesus Christ the Sonne of God, both while he was in this world, and also from eternitie, was naturall Lord ouer all, and out of naturall right might denounce sentence of depositi∣on and condemnation against the Emperour, or any other whatsoeuer, as against such per∣sons whom he had created, endowed them with gifts naturall, and those of grace, as also preserued them: by the same reason therefore his Vicar may doe the like. But did hee, I pray you, create or preserue these creatures? In stead of any reason alledged, ob∣serue but the execrable blasphemie: For the Lord should not else haue beene discreet [ E] (that so I may speake with his reuerence) except he had left such an onely Vicar behind him, that could doe all these things: now Peter was his Vicar, and so the same may bee af∣firmed of Peters successors. But because many Canonists of those times, were asha∣med of such words, in certaine editions they were quite rased out, and Gregorie the thirteenth, vnder colour of reformation, restored them againe. The Glosse vpon the chapter Fundamenta electionibus sexto, pronounces flatly, That the Pope is not a man: and in a little verse it is said, Thou greatest of all ehings, thou art neither

[ A] God nor man, but some intermediant power: whereupon he surnames the Pope Admi∣bilis, Admirable, by which name Christ is called in the 9 of Esay; & it was a wonder omitted the attribute following, Emanuel, God be with vs. That Glosse vpon the Extrauagants of Iohn the two and twentieth, titulo 14, sayes, Non est purus homo: but yet that of the chapter Cum inter nonnullos, titulo 14, speakes as it were infuri∣ated, To beleeue that our Lord the Pope could not so or so decree, is merely heretical. Now judge by all precedent inferences, what reformation is to be expected from these men, when Gregorie the thirteenth perusing the whole Canon law, left this Glosse absolute and entire, and being formerly rased out by others, precisely renewed the same: such an heart-griefe it is vnto them, howsoeuer they may faine and dissem∣ble, [ B] to abridge the least title of Antichristian priuiledges. But as Antichrist aug∣ments and multiplies his blasphemous names and titles, so does God daily excite and stir vp men in the world, to detect and point him out with their finger, which we shall better obserue in the sequel of these relations.

OPPOSITION.

Lewis the fourth, Emperour, suppressed his competitor Frederick, and fortified himselfe by the king of Englands affinitie, whose wifes sister hee maried, being daughter to the Count of Holland: and therefore Pope Iohn thought to rayse a [ C] verie dangerous conspiracie against him, either to detaine him still in Germanie, or to make all enterprises more difficult to him in Italie. He therefore entred in∣to a league with Charles the Faire, king of France, and Robert king of Sicilie, en∣joyning further Leopald Duke of Austria, and brother to Frederick, to take vp armes: he made the Duke of Poland a king, vpon condition that hee should war against him: and further, he commaunded the Teutonian Knights, to make peace with the Lituanians, who were yet Pagans, to inuade the Marquisat of Branden∣berg, which belonged to Lewis his sonne. When he saw that in all likelihood he would not leaue Germanie, he sent Philip de Valois into Italie, with Cardinall Bertrand, a Dominican, in his companie, to open a way for him, and he excommu∣nicated [ D] all those whosoeuer that were of Lodouikes partialitie. Lodouikes partakers cried out vnto him in these distresses, requesting his aid: He notwithstanding; to claime his right, fairely sent an embassadour to Iohn, yea to his Legat, to treat of a peace; who being entertained with threats and contumelies, returned backe a∣gaine. Iohn still reiterates his thundering excommunications; so as all other af∣faires layd apart, Lewis must needs enter Italie with an armie. In Auentine Iohns Bull against Lewis is to be read, taken out of the ancient Libraries of Bauaria, the which it will be verie requisit here to insert absolute and entire: After (saith he) that the Roman Empire, transferred by our predecessors from the Greeks to the Germans, was committed to the custodie and protection of Charles the Great, this soueraigne honor [ E] was woont to be the benefit and prerogatiue of the highest Priest: For it was then decreed, That if the Almans at any time made choyce of a king, this election should be of no vigor nor force, except the Pope of Rome, Father and Prince of Christendome, did ratifie the same, and he so assigned by the Princes and States of the Empire, could neither gouerne nor take vpon him royall Title, before the Pope, Gods Legat, authorized and approued him, suo numine, with his diuinitie. And further, the Empire being destitute of an head, the absolute power and prerogatiue lay in the Pope, whose see it manifestly is. And wee haue seene throughout all precedent discourse, what strife hath beene about this word Benefice, or Fee, as also how much bloud was shed in all parts of Italie: In

like manner when the seuen Electors are diuided, neither the one nor the other of the ele∣cted [ A] can be king: And so the Roman Bishop, as the common parent to all men, is to manage at his owne will the Roman Empire, being by such a dissention destitute of an head. And as the mind commaunds the bodie to serue, by whose benefit it onely liues, so no man can denie but that then the Christian affaires goe best forward, when things fraile yeeld to those eternall, prophane to sacred, and those corporall to the other spirituall: Which then comes to passe, when the Pope at his discretion gouernes both dignities; for both the the Church is gouerned, and all other power is reduced vnder his lawes and obedience. And the Emperour by oath is bound vnto him, who by a Vicegerencie vnder the celestiall Emperour, swayes and rules the earth. For this cause it is, that two after Henrie the se∣uenths death, hauing beene nominated Emperours, Frederick and Lewis, both the one [ B] and the other were incapable of this soueraigne dignitie, and so consequently the Christi∣an Commonwealth came to be dissipated, and abandoned, and therefore in all right was to be directed and gouerned by vs. As also Lodouike to his owne great hurt and preiudice, and no lesse detriment to the Roman Church, before he was thought worthie by vs to rule, out of his owne head tooke vpon him the royall Titles, rashly vsurping the authoritie and power of Emperour, which still he holds both in Italie and Germanie: For hee hath giuen into his sonnes hands the Principalitie of Brandenburg, contrarie to all lawes: And not∣withstanding our opposition, he succoured Galeazzo and his hrethren, who were condem∣ned of heresie: (And this is continually for such an heresie as neither the Apostles nor the Fathers euer made mention of:) We therefore, according to the authoritie de∣riued [ C] to vs from heauen, peremptorily commaund Lewis, within the space of three mo∣neths to abiure all royal Title, and absolutly to forbeare all gouernment, publike adminstra∣tions, and managing of affaires; disanulling all things formerly by him acted, and neuer hereafter to reassume the dignitie, except by our expresse iniunction and commaund. But if he delay any wayes in this case to obey, Wee commaund all Patriarches, Bishops, Priests, Princes, and immunified cities, to fall from him, and forcibly to vrge him to submission. Dated and published in Auignion, the eighth of the Ides of October, in the eighth yeare of our Pontificall dignitie, and in that of Christ 1321. And that wee may aggrauat nothing out of our owne constructions, let the Reader but onely obserue this forme of speaking, which retaines with it a certaine similitude of that which hee [ D] sayes in one of his Extrauagants, where without any ambiguitie, God hath cōmitted to me (saith he) the prerogatiue of Emperor, both celestiall and earthlie. When this Bull came to Lodouikes hands, prudent as he was, he seriously consulted with all the fa∣mous Diuines and Ciuilians both of Italie, Germanie, and France, but especial∣ly with those of Bologna and Paris: and all their opinions agreed in this conclusi∣on, That Iohns Decrees and promulgations against Caesar, were altogether repugnant to Christian integritie, and diuine Philosophie. These resolutions of the Diuines (saith A∣uentine) are yet extant in Libraries, written in parchment. Many renowmed men also, of whom some were Ciuilians, and some Diuines, writ stifly against Iohn, whom they sharpely refuted out of the holie Scriptures, and the auncient lawes and Ca∣nons: [ E] And amongst others, some Minorites of greater note forsooke Iohn, to cleaue vnto Lewis, summoning Iohn as it were to a day of hearing. Lodouike in the meane while being constituted, published a solemne Diet to be held at Ratisbone, whither all the greatest Princes and Bishops of Germanie had recourse. Amongst these there assisted Iohn king of Bohemia, Mathew, Henrie, and Baldwine, of Ma∣gunce, and the two Archbishops of Collen and Treuers: Where it was decreed, That Lodouike the Emperour should be prouident to preuent the bringing of the German libertie into seruitude, and that the Maiestie Imperiall might be freed from tyrannicall

[ A] talons: and therefore by the Acts of this Diet all the Decrees of Iohn the two and twen∣tieth, were declared void and inualidious; and whosoeuer stood in defence of them, hee was to be reputed an enemie to the Commonwealth, and his goods to be confiscated. By the force of these Acts Otho Bishop of Carinthia, and Lambert of Tolouse, the Popes Legats, were expelled out of Germanie, and all the Bishops, Prelats, Priests, Monks, yea, and the Franciscans themselues obeyed this Decree; only the Domi∣nicans hung neutrall, bending sometimes to Iohn, and sometimes to Lewis, as their owne interests moued them, one while obseruing Iohns interdict, & another time for feare of being expelled, celebrating and discharging sacred functions: as also by the high authoritie of this Diet an Act was published, which is to be read ab∣solute [ B] and entire in Auentine, whose principall heads (to auoyd tedious prolixi∣tie) it may suffice here to insert: Christ the Sauiour our Lord and God, and his chiefe Legats, Peter, Paule, Iames, and Iohn, ascending into heauen, told vs of verie dangerous times, imminent and hanging ouer our heads, but aboue all they instantly admonished vs, That being subtile in some sort as serpents, we should take heed of the leauen of the Phari∣sies, and auoid false Christs, false Apostles, and false Prophets, being so tearmed, by rea∣son of the lying and hollow hypocrisie of their religion, who call themselues Christs Priests, when they are the verie messengers of Antichrist: They may be discerned by their vn∣quenchable thirst of honour, power, and worldlie treasure, and their excesse auarice and pride is growne to a prouerbe. We cannot denie, but must cleerely confesse, that our times [ C] can abide no strict examination or censure: For now manners being wholly corrupted, Christian sinceritie is troden vnder foot, & inured customes more preualent than truth, ouercome: but yet indignation cannot but breake silence, and being placed in a most high watch tower of discouerie of humane proceedings, we must not hold our peace, least, as the holie Prophet sayes, we shew our selues like to dumbe dogs, that cannot barke. And though we be not able vtterly to expell such Wolues clad in sheepes skinnes, yet it is our parts and dueties to resist, and in some sort to discouer them. For though we cannot doe as we would, yet our mere good will, when we can attaine no further, is both honourable and commenda∣ble. At last he applies this theame to Pope Iohn, declaring how many sundrie waies he wasted and spoiled the Christian Church; as he that prouoked Christians [ D] to draw their swords against their owne bowels, and stirred vp nations to periurie, treacherie, rebellion, and conspiracie: And this Antichrist (saith he) will not suffer vs to keep that peace recommended to vs by God, so great is the peruersenesse of that man, or rather of Sathan, as in publike sermons he sets forth his owne flagitions, for singular be∣nefits. When Christian Princes are at discord, then the Roman Priest raignes. In briefe, the Pope is then of greatest authoritie and power, when all others being weakened and pluckt downe by discords, seditions, and mutuall hatreds, his thunderings grow terrible, euerie becke of his obeyed, and wee obserue euen his verie spittings, &c. And question∣lesse it was by this policie that both of vs were created to the dignitie, whom a verie briefe letter from him might easily haue reconciled, or at least haue persuaded vs to determine [ E] our right, rather by iuridicall proceedings, than by armes. But contrariwise, he no wayes laboured to procure peace betwixt vs, but rather to nourish discord, enclining one while to mee, and then another while to my aduersarie of Austria. Now he would be on Fre∣dericks side, and then on Lodouikes partie, and which of them grew weaker, him would hee alwayes fortifie with his aydes and supplies. First of his owne accord hee inuited vs secretly to communicate, giuing faire and equiuocall speeches to vs both, and being almost come to agreement, he would then againe persuade vs to reassume armes. All this he did politically, that while we thus ruine one another with domestical and intestine wars, he might racke the Empire, demolish castles and cities, and inuade and spoyle both the

people and the Common-wealth, whose destruction he hath conspired, reduce Christs [ A] flocke into seruitude, and fight against the Saints and holie ones of God. He boasts, that he may presently, without all delay, denounce sentence against vs, before we are condem∣ned: Being our capitall aduersarie, and publique enemie, yet in his owne cause, he sayes he is both sutor, witnesse and Iudge: The which we neuer red of amongst the Turkes, Iewes, Saracens, nor Sarmatians: Those that hold their loyaltie to Caesar, obseruing here∣in Christ our Sauiours commandement, he for no other cause condemnes of heresie. What is his will, he thinkes to be lawfull: wealth purchaseth authoritie for all things &c. He assumes the spirit of Sathan, makes himselfe like to the most high, is content to be wor∣shipped (which was forbidden Iohn from aboue by the Angell) and permits his feet to be kist, after the manner of Dioclesian, and Alexander, most cruell Tyrans: when [ B] Christ a freeman, nay the Lord of heauen, and our God, washed the feet of poore fisher∣men, his disciples, that his Apostles and messengers, by his example, might doe the like to those to whom they were sent. That there was one diuine Maiestie, and prouidence, rich enough in it selfe, and needing nothing of ours, being present euerie where, consul∣ting and prouiding of it selfe for all things &c. And Emperours were not constituted vp∣pon earth, by fortune, chaunce, neither by mortall men, or the secret power of the fates, but they were chosen by supreamest deitie, diuinely created, and by a most mercifull and indulgent Father, placed in the administration and gouernement of all humane things. Furthermore the Roman Priest, whose conuersation should be in heauen and heauenlie things, holds and possesseth Cities, Castles, Boroughs, Prouinces, riches, power, great [ C] worldlie honour and magnificence, the power of the sword, and accruments, not out of any right of his own, but by others liberalitie & benefit, that is by the beneuolence & bounties, if I may not rather say, the vilitie and basenesse of the Potentates of Germanie. But they of all others most ingrate, studie how to deserue ill of their benefactours; for the sword, which through our munificence they hold in their hand, they are not ashamed to draw and sheath euen in our bowels, which haue beene their benefactors: now these goodlie Pastors, raised by our predecessours, to honour and riches, can endure no equall: They haue excluded Caesar out of Italie, and Christ out of Rome: true it is they yeeld him heauen and hell, and the world they challenge to themselues: And they will not onely be called, but firmely beleeued to be the gods of this world, and of men, as if they could rule ouer [ D] mens thoughts and tongues, or had an Empire equally diuided betwixt them and Ioue. Christ crucified, and supreame power on earth, are verie repugnant and opposit, the soul∣dier and the Priest, the Emperour and the Pastour, the Kingdome and the Crosse, corpo∣rall and spirituall things, armes and sacred offices, warre and peace, Caesar and an humble messenger, the Prince and the Minister, the Lord and the seruant: whosoeuer would be greatest amongst you (saith the highest heauenlie Arbitrator, to his Legats) let him be lowest and your seruant. To be both Emperour and Pope at one time, is a mon∣ster with two heads: for in coynes and medals we see that Decius and Nero, with such like Tyrans, then worshippers of false gods, were the like. It is an abhominable reproach to nature, a great prouocation to God, and our owne mere slothfulnesse, and stupiditie, [ E] that the Prince of Princes, should serue the seruant of seruants. If he be the seruant of Gods seruants, why serues he not? Why does he not minister? Why feeds he not? Why does he not teach? Why does he not preach? For greedinesse of power and pelfe he con∣founds heauen and earth, all matters are vendible, he hath hell and heauen at commaund. Then he comes to refute the Popes Bull, by a president from his predecessours, especially the prerogatiue that he so arrogated to himselfe; as that in the vacancie of the Empire, and vpon the dissenting of the electors, the gouernement of the Empire belonged to the Pope. He justified also the course and proceeding of his

[ A] election, and all his actions since the same, explaning and laying open vnto all men, how justly he applied himselfe to a necessarie defence both in Germanie and Italie: And so going forward, He most falsly, saith he, accuses me for a fauourer of Heretikes; I am a Christian, but he is an Heresiarck; for he cannot be Christs disciple that scornes his life, contemnes pouertie, despises pietie, pollutes Religion, prophanes holie functions, sets light by modest manners, condemnes institutions, and treads vnder foot all rule and precept: For S. Frauncis, who was an Herauld of veritie diuine, the en∣signe-bearer of Christian pouertie, and all his whole order he condemned of impietie in Auignion, the sixth of the Ides December, anno 1322. I pray you heare for what cause. This pernitious man, thirsting after dominion and Empire, preferring siluer before the [ B] Gospell (where wealth is termed sinne) and gold before Christs pouertie, calls the Fran∣ciscan Friers, of contemptible opinion with him, a foolish kind of cattell, and pernitious foxes, who with religious hipocrisie, delude the world and deceiue the people. He attemp∣ted to put downe their order, because they taught, preached, and proued to their followers, That Christ possessed nothing in proper on earth: But they, calling a solemne assemblie, at Perugia, by common consent of all the Diuines, set him forth in his liueliest colours, defending the truth by the holie Scriptures, and diuine Testimonies, though such kind of men deserue rather to bee chastised with imprisonment and bands, than with argu∣ments and disputations: but yet they deciphered him most truely, euidently declaring him, to be an insatiable gulfe of Auarice, and a worshipper of Idols: For that wonderfull [ C] masse of gold, sayd they, which he raked together out of all Christendome, but principally out of Alman, the kingdome of Arles, and Italie, vnder colour of an expedition, into A∣sia, he distributed amongst the Saracens, to make warre vpon the Christians of Arme∣nia, who refused to be pilled and powled by him. At last, drawing to a conclusion, he sayes, If he be not Antichrist, yet he must needs be his predecessour and forerunner: and therefore, for defence of Gods Temple (wherof he hath charged vs to haue a speciall care) we appeale from him, to a generall and vniuersall Christian Councell. This appeale many supposed to be full of perill and daunger, but William Ockham, a Franciscan, a Diuine of great reputation, and his collegues, diuulging Bookes vpon this sub∣iect, they fully satisfied all those, saith Auentine, who made a great scruple where none [ D] was. This Apologie of Lodouickes, was of such force among other Princes, yea e∣uen with his aduersaries, that the Counts of Tyroll and Goritz, treated a peace betwixt the two competitors, Lewis and Frederick, Lodouick taking Frederick in battaile, as hath beene related, held him in custodie for certaine yeares, he there∣fore restored him to libertie, vpon condition that Frederick, should abjure all roy∣all Title and plight his faithfull promise, That the house of Austria, should ne∣uer contend with that of Bauaria for the Empire: hereupon they receiued the Sacrament together; but as many Historiographers make mention, Frederick did not afterwards performe his promises.

Lewis, in the yeare 1327, as you haue heard, went into Italie, and ordering his [ E] affaires in Lombardie, the imperiall Di••deme was with sumptuous celebration, & solemnitie, set on his head at Rome; There he assembled also a celebrous Synod, wherein, he grieuously complaining of Pope Iohn, Diuers heauie censures past, and many things were spoken freely, boldly, and resolutely: and so at length Iohn, being de∣posed, another was chosen in his place. It will be verie materiall, here to ex∣presse the principall points of that decree, which may bee read in Auentine whole and entire; which Lewis in forme of patents directed to all Christians in generall. He therefore declares, with what patience hitherto, he had borne so many grosse and important injuries, to whom notwithstanding God had giuen a

sword to be reuenged of them: but because that which he did out of a mere loue [ A] to peace, might not be ascribed to him for cowardise, or that by sparing the wick∣ed he should but be iniurious to good men, hee meant to plucke vp this euill by the root: According to the prerogatiue granted to vs from aboue (saith he) we will pluck the Lambes skinne ouer the Wolfes eares, and to tell you in few words, without any collusi∣on, the whole affaire, doe but giue eare, and attend, for all in generall in this matter are in∣teressed. We are all vulgar Communities, without authoritie, without fauour at home or abroad, exposed to base sale: True Maiestie and authoritie, the libertie of religion, the Empire of the Christian people, the lawes, and whatsoeuer is either diuine or humane, is come into the hands of a most cruell enemie, his repose lyes in sedition, and his trouble in peace; a most wicked man, of bloudie hands, of brutish auarice, most nocent and most [ B] proud; also in lusts effeminat, in ambition precipitant; with whom fidelitie, modestie, and pietie, are vices, and the vices vertues, all things honest and dishonest end in vnlawfull gaine: he possesseth the Christian Commonwealth, stirring tumult out of tumult, and warre out of warre. The head of all these factions is Iames de Baburco, but more truely, Cadurco, who cals himselfe Pope: the mightie treasure which he fraudulently amassed to∣gether from all the Christian nations, he employes against the Saints of God, and the sub∣iects of the Christian Empire, like Abiathar the Priest (who followed Absolon against Dauid) conuerting the Imperiall sword granted to vs from heauen, euen against our selues: contrarie to diuine precept be onely intends the temporall cares of this world, gapes after worldlie dominion. As he is a masked shepheard, so is he a mysticall Antichrist, who being [ C] couered with a dogs skinne, like a rauenous Wolfe he deuoures the flocke of Christ, sels sinnes, makes merchandise of hell, heauen, and celestiall benefits: He entred into league and so∣cietie with the Saracens, who molested the Armenian Christians for fiue yeares together, they daily imploring his aid and succours, with terrible threats and menaces he enioyned the Duke of Prusia to take truce with the Lituanians, cruell enemies to Christian religion, betraying the countrey vnto the enemie, and opening vnto them a way whereby to inuade the Christians of the Marquisat of Brandenburg: For the Lituanians combining at Babur∣co, they forraged without feare ouer all the confines of Brandenburg, put the Christians to slaughter and sword, and most cruelly killing crying infants in their cradles, and in their parents armes. The Temples, Monasteries, and Colledges of Priests and Monkes, were [ D] pilled, burnt, and demolished; sacred virgines violently enforst, the sacred Hoast fastened on the end of a lance, the enemie insulting, and vsing this exprobration, Behold here the Christians God. And all these things came to passe through the impietie of Iohn the two and twentieth. This two headed monster will needs bee both spirituall and temporall. Christ our Sauiour, to whom all power was giuen in heauen and earth, yet he refused the Empire and kingdome of the earth, offered vnto him by the people. And it is most mani∣fest, by the opinions of all the most learned in diuine Philosophie, the lawes ciuile, and laws Pontificall, that both the dignities sacred and prophane stand not with the Bishop of Rome. We absolutely denie the sacred Roman Empire, which Christ and his disciples obeyed, and were tributaries to, to be the fee and propertie of a sillie arrogant Priest. This Iames there∣fore [ E] formerly by the diuine and learned Prelats denounced an heresiarke, by the Councels Decrees, and after the manner of our predecessors, being deposed from his Seat, and by Christ reiected, I renounce and disclaime. We haue before our eyes the examples of many good men, whereby we thinke the same lawfull for vs to doe, which others haue done be∣fore vs. Otho the first, together with the people of Rome, and the whole tribe of Priests, rased Iohn the twentieth out of the Catalogue of Popes, for certaine impieties (which com∣pared to those of Iohn the two and twelueth, are but verie May-games) constituting a∣nother Pastor both ouer the world and that citie. And as it is related to vs in the Fasts and

[ A] Annales, many Emperours and good Princes haue done the like: and therefore this Iames, for the crime of true irreligion, being before by the Franciscans, and other Diuines, bran∣ded with heresie, a contemner of Christian pouertie, and author of Antichristian Empire, by our prerogatiue, decree, sentence, and common consent of all the Princes and Prelats of Germanie and Italie, the Priests likewise and people of Rome instigating vs hereun∣to, we declare and proscribe, as exaugurated, abiured, and condemned of heresie, and so an∣nihilat and frustrat the force of all his Acts. Let all Christians therefore from this time forwards repute him in the number of the impious and wicked: all men depart from him, let them flie his accesse and conference, and like a contagion, for feare of infection, let them shunne and auoyd him. Affoord him no honour nor reuerence, and let them whom it may [ B] any wayes concerne vse all endeuour to apprehend him, that after the custome of our pre∣decessors he may be iustly punished. And whosoeuer does any thing contrarie to this De∣cree, be he proclaimed enemie to the Commonwealth. Wee forthwith, assisted by the Cler∣gie and people of Rome, will by common consent, and after the institution of our Elders, conformable to the lawes of holie histories, constitute a Pastor ouer the citie, and the whole world. This Edict was signed by the Emperour, as also by the Clergie and people of Rome, and published in a most celebrous assemblie of Bishops, Roman Lords, Gouernours, and Cardinalls, in the Minorites Conuent. Giuen and publisht before the famous Temple dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul, Christs Legats, the eighteenth day of Aprill, in the citie of Rome, Anno 1328. And to this time, or much thereabout, ought to bee [ C] referred the answer of the same Emperour to Iohn the two and twentieth his Bull, directed to all Princes and States, as well Ecclesiasticall as Secular, in which con∣trarie to that the other contended to proue both by the Canon law, Glosses, and opinions of Doctors, he auerred, That the Empire no wayes depended on the Pope, and how all the lawes neuer approued the Popes plenarie power both in spirituall and temporall things: That an Emperour formally elected, before his consecration at Rome might execute all his authoritie and prerogatiues: and whosoeuer thought otherwise were traitors and heretikes. Of which kind also that information is, De nullitate processu Iohan. 22, whether Marsilius Patauinus, or Ockam, be Authour thereof. Wherein Lodouike appeales from a Citation vn∣duely [ D] made in Auignion, vnto a generall Councell, conuocated in some safe and secure place with due forme, and according to the sacred Canons; and after a lawfull Appeale hee auerres that no place remaines for any Excommunication or Interdict.

And thus it was enacted against Iohn the two and twentieth, or, according to Platina, the three and twentieth. Furthermore, the Diuines and Ciuilians of these times argued this question by way of Thesis, De potestate Imperiali, & Papali, ea∣rum{que} distinctione, Of the Emperours and Popes power, and their seuerall distin∣ction. For, to omit what Vldarick, the Emperour Lewis his Chancellor, wrot to Iohn in certaine letters directed to him in his Masters name, wherein, amongst o∣ther [ E] things, he calls him Bestiam illam de mari ascendentem, That beast arising out of the sea, of which mention is made in the Apocalyps; an Apologie was publisht in Lodouikes behalfe, by the Diuines, whereby they stifly affirme, Quod nullus Papa po∣testatis plenitudinem in temporalia sibi arrogare potest, That no Pope could arrogate to himselfe any plenarie power in temporall things, much lesse in the Empire, and yet much more lesse such an one as Iohn, a man most vnworthie of the Papall chaire: as also, that the Pope swaruing from the Faith might haue a superiour on earth, which is, the whole Church represented in a generall Councell, which out of their authoritie may judge him, and to which for this cause it was lawfull to ap∣peale.

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And the same we read printed at this day. But beyond all others, out of [ A] doubt William Ockam, a Franciscan, an Englishman borne, being a verie wittie and learned Doctor, assayles him verie stoutly: Defend me Caesar (saith he) with thy sword against the Popes iniuries, and I will by word, writing, and irrefragable reasons maintaine thee against him: the which indeed he performed while he liued; hee constantly auerring, That the Pope was an heretike and schismatike, whose censures were nothing at all to be esteemed. From hence came those Dialogues of his, Pro Ludouici defensione, Liber nonaginta trium dierum, pro Michaele Caesennate, Generall of the Franciscans, excommunicated for the same cause, Errores Iohannis 22, Dialogus in∣ter Clericum & militem, and other such like: In which he debates this poynt with so vnanswerable arguments, as no man need to call his opinion into doubt or [ B] question. The principall heads were these, That the Pope, ex iure diuino, hath no Primacie: That Peter neuer had, nor neuer sat at Rome, and therefore the Pope cannot haue it: That the Pope may erre, yea and the whole Roman Church, and therefore ought to be liable to a Councell. Concerning the controuersie be∣twixt the Pope and the Emperour, he discusseth eight seuerall questions, First, Whether the Imperiall and Pontificiall dignities might be joyntly discharged in one man. Secondly, Whether Caesar onely receiued his authoritie from God, or from the Pope of Rome also. Thirdly, Whether by any authoritie from Christ the Pope and Church of Rome haue power to confirme Caesar, and other kings, in the exercise of royall jurisdiction. Fourthly, Whether Caesar being elected, hath [ C] at the same instant absolute right to gouerne the Commonwealth. Fiftly, Whe∣ther other kings besides Caesar and the king of Romans, being consecrated by Bi∣shops, receiue any authoritie from them. Sixtly, Whether such kings are in any sort subiect to those which consecrated them. Seuenthly, Whether if they should vse any other rite or solemnitie, or assume another Diademe, they lost in so doing their royall title and prerogatiue. Eightly, Whether the seuen Electors conferre as much right vpon the Emperour elected, as other Kings and Princes haue by lawfull succession. All which questions he arguing on both sides, he determines in the greatest part for the ciuile Magistrat, I meane for Kings and Princes; vtter∣ly ouerthrowing by the way, the Extrauagants of Iohn the two and twentieth, as [ D] false, hereticall, and by many condemned: Whosoeuer thinke otherwise, they may be numbred amongst them of those times whereof the Apostle to Timothie ad∣monisheth vs, The time will be when they shall not giue eare to sound doctrine, but accor∣ding to their owne lusts they shall seeke out for teachers that may delight their eares, which themselues shall stop against all truth, and open wide vnto fables: For this is the state of the present time, that all men in a manner enquire not what was the doctrine of Christ, of the Apostles, or of the Fathers, but onely they listen what the Pope wills and com∣maunds them. Ascentius in his Preface sayes, That he writ six other Tractats, which he wittingly omitted, because they were somewhat too sharpe and bitter against the Pope of Rome. [ E]

Marsilius Patauinus, the Author of that golden Treatise, whose title was, De∣fensor Pacis, of the authoritie of the Emperour, and of the Pope, writes much out of the same veine; where, out of the holie Scriptures, the Lawes, the Canons, and both the sacred and ciuile historie, he affirmes and auerres these propositions en∣suing: That Christ was the onely head and foundation of the Church, and not Peter: That he constituted none of the Apostles, no not Peter himselfe, Vniuer∣sall Vicar, and head of the Church; and that by as good right any one else may v∣surpe to himselfe this title: That Peter was neuer Christs generall Vicar, neither

[ A] did Christ appoynt the other Apostles to be subiect vnto Peter: How it was most probable, that Peter was neuer at Rome, much lesse that there hee held his seat, who, as the rest of the Apostles, had no peculiar seat: That the Pope labouring to confirme his Primacie by succession, hath no right at all, and therefore it is not va∣lidious: That he hath no greater authoritie than other Bishops, no not in that which appertaines to Indulgence, and remission of sinnes, and that otherwise by diuine right all men are equall with him; the Bishops of Magunce, Collen, and Treuer, are Primats as well as he: That the plenarie power attributed to him, was a manifest lye, an execrable title, and the verie originall of all euils, and the vse thereof was to be interdicted the Popes by some good generall Councell. But [ B] concerning temporall things, Christ, whose Vicar he would be thought to be, ne∣uer exercised any temporall authoritie vpon earth; but contrariwise, both himselfe and the Apostles submitted themselues to the ciuile Magistrat; and after his as∣cention into heauen, they both obeyed Princes, and enioyned their disciples to this obedience: and therefore that no temporall jurisdiction did any wayes be∣long to the Pope ouer any man, much lesse ouer Princes, and least of all ouer the Maiestie Imperiall; and if he vsurpe the same, they are bound by diuine lawes to resist him therein, by word, by deed, by all meanes, and all endeuours, and not do∣ing so they should be vniust and iniurious to God; as on the contrarie they that fight for him and these false prerogatiues, may be reputed to be the diuels champi∣ons: [ C] That the Emperours confirmation belonged not to the Pope, much lesse his election, nay and this manner of his coronation, by reason of many abuses growing from the same, brings some danger to the Empire: But so on the contra∣rie the Emperour being a Christian Prince, by the consent of the Clergie and people may nominat a Pope, and (the partie being absent) confirme him nomina∣ted: If he be accused, or obiected against, he may reduce him into the true way, and judge him by a Councell. That Peter when he liued, as he was a man, might fall, nay, and erre; neither was the Pope by any priuiledge exempted from error. And whereas it was said to Peter, Oraui pro te, this may be extended likewise to the rest of the Apostles; & therfore he could be no surer of his faith & constancie than [ D] the rest of the Bishops: That only the Canon of the sacred Bible is the fountaine of truth, in whose disesteeme wee must neither beleeue the Pope nor the Church: That we ought not to beleeue the Popes and Cardinall onely, about the sence and meaning of the Scriptures, or any principall poynt of faith, because verie of∣ten, by their wicked interpretations and opinions, they haue led miserable men to hell: That the Christian Church is properly the generall bodie and number of the faithfull, not the Pope, or the Cardinals, no not the Roman Church it selfe: and the same is truely represented in a lawfull and general Councel of the Chur∣ches, which was to be called by the Emperour, with the consent of other Chri∣stian Princes, and in times past was so perpetually called. And surely my verie [ E] conscience vrgeth me to comprehend as briefly as I can, what hee speakes of these things, because neuer any man more plentifully displayed by what degrees and pretences the Popes haue attained to this height of tyrannie: As also I would re∣quest the Reader not to thinke it tedious to read ouer the booke it selfe, especially speaking of the Court of Rome: Those (saith he) which haue visited the Roman Court, or to speake more significantly, a Staple of traffickes, more horrible than a denne of theeues; Or they, who haue not seene it, may vnderstand by the report of a multitude of men worthie of credit, that it is at this day become the verie receptacle of all bad and wicked practicioners, both spirituall and temporall: For what other thing is it than a

concourse of Simoniacks? What other than an harsh rude bawling of Barretters, an Asy∣lum [ A] for slaunderers, and the trouble and vexation of honest men? There the innocents iustice is hazarded, or at least so long protracted, if they be not able to compasse it by money and bribes, that at last exhausted and toyld with innumerable disturbances, they are en∣forced to let fall their miserable and tedious suites: For there indeed humane lawes reecho and sound out, but diuine precepts are are silent, or seldome heard: There are counsels and consultations of inuading Christian Princes by armed and violent power, conquering and taking the same from them to whose custodie and iurisdiction they were lawfully commit∣ted: but for purchasing of soules there is neither care nor counsell taken. Whereunto we may annexe, That there no order, but perpetuall horror and confusion inhabites. And as for my selfe, that haue seene and beene present, me thinkes I behold that fearefull statue [ B] which in the second of Daniel was represented to Nabuchadnezzar in a dreame, hauing an head of gold, armes and breast of siluer, bellie and thighes of brasse, yron legs, and the feet one part yron, and the rest of earth. And so applying it in euerie part, Brasen breasts and thighes (saith he) because of the shrill and large promises, and the vocall, though fal∣lacious, absolution from sinnes and penalties; and the vniust and terrible maledictions and condemnations of such as but defend their owne libertie, or obserue due fidelitie to their Soueraignes, though, through Gods protection, all this rage and tumor is but vaine and innocuous. And no maruell it is, that the Index Romanus forbad all men the rea∣ding thereof.

Iohn de Iandun a Gantois, maintained the same propositions, who also was com∣prehended [ C] in the same sentence of condemnation, a man of rare learning in those tempestuous dayes, as may plainly be collected by his workes, printed both at Ve∣nice and Florence. Also Leopald of Bebemburg, Doctor of the lawes, and Bishop of Bamburg, who handled the same argument, namely, That the Emperour had absolute power of gouerning the Empire, presently after his election, and the Popes coronation added nothing to him, to whom he was neither vassall nor feu∣datarie. He also conuicted Constantines donation to be a mere fable. The title of the booke is, De translatione Imperij, printed at Paris anno 1540: but Michael of Cesenna, Generall of the Franciscans, spake much more broadly and confident∣ly; for he said expresly, The Pope was Antichrist, the Roman Church Babylon, [ D] which was drunke with the bloud of the Saints: And therefore Antoninus pla∣ceth him among the Fratricelli, or poore Friers of Lyons, who, as formerly wee saw, were the verie progenie of the Waldenses. This man and his followers par∣ticularly auerred, That Pope Iohn was an heretike, and all the Popes and Prelats that should come after him. And diuers (saith Antoninus) were burnt in sundrie parts of the world, that stood firme in this opinion. He also notes, That long time after the Marquisat of Ancona, & Florence it selfe was full of them, from whence being expelled, they dispersed themselues ouer the countries of Greece; as also that Lewis of Bauaria the Emperour was a supporter of these opinions: and a∣mongst others he makes mention of one Iohn Castiglio, and Francis de Harcatara, [ E] Franciscans, who were burnt. Hereupon our Paulus Aemilius descends into these words: Vnder king Charles the Faire there liued many admirable wits, and most learned men: This age flourished in learning: Some of them were verie holie men, and some con∣tending ambitiously to excell others, exceeding a meane, grew to be wicked and impious: Others there were, of whose manners and intentions a doubtfull coniecture may bee made: Good men grieued for the euils of the times, and silently lamented. And they who were called Fraterculi, condemned both by deed and writing, Ec∣clesiasticall wealth and opulencie, and preached, That riches, the purple robe,

[ A] and domination, were vnbeseeming and vnproper for religion, &c.

But in the life of Philip de Valois, we learne both out of him and other French writers, That Pope Iohn, what need soeuer he had of our helpe, made no such great account of vs, nor we of him, but that these amities brust forth many times into open warre and contention. Those of the kings Councell, and of the bodie of the Parliament, shewed him how diuersly the Pope and his adherents sought to infringe and cut off his prerogatiues: The kings officers complaine that all iuris∣diction was transferred from the royall tribunal to sacred decisions: That many more tem∣porall causes, and controuersies betweene temporall men, were heard and adiudged by the Bishops and other Priests than by the kings officers and Iudges. Whosoeuer in any thing [ B] stood not to the censure of the Prelats, he was expelled the Church, remoued from commu∣nicating with the godlie; and it was come to that passe, as euen for debt, when the partie was altogether vnable, he was interdicted water & fire. Wherfore the deputies of the Prelats and Clergie were commaunded to appeare in the moneth of December, at Bois de Vincennes, neere Paris: there Master Peter de Cugnieres, the kings At∣turney, defended his Soueraignes cause, and producing those words of our Saui∣our in Saint Mathew, Giue to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God that which is Gods, he argued the distinction betwixt the jurisdiction spirituall and temporall, verie worthie of obseruation: of which the one belonged to the ciuile Magi∣strat, the other to the Church, which could not interpose her selfe in matters [ C] temporall, without mingling heauen and earth together, and entangling the whole earth in an vtter confusion. His speech hee also confirmed by many apt and well applied places out of the Scriptures, and the sacred Canons; and insisting much vpon that text of the 22 of the Prouerbes: Exceed not the auncient bounds and limits which thy fathers layed; Because (saith he) if any customes were introduced contrarie to the same, they could be of no worth, nay rather they should be corruptions: and Prescription can take no place against the kings royall prerogatiue; neither can the king himselfe renounce these lawes and iurisdictions, as may be proued by many chapters which are in the tenth Distinction. If therefore (saith he) the king is sworne at his coronation, no wayes to alienate the lawes of the kingdome, and to reuoke againe those alienated, so if [ D] they should be supprest or vsurpt by the Church or any other, he is bound to renew and re∣uiue them againe. And with that he brought forth a scedule comprehending sixtie six particulars, wherein were expressed such aggrauations and oppressions, for which the Clergie was to make satisfaction. Bertram then Bishop of Hutum be∣ing to speake in behalfe of the Clergie, hee ript vp the memorie of Charles the Great, Lewis the Godlie, and S. Lewis, and other Pinces, who in times past had endowed and immunified the Churches, aduancing highly their glorie, who had augmented Church liberties; and so by many examples exaggerating their re∣proach and infamie, who had preiudiced and impaired the same: and this cause being referred for a day of hearing, euen to the verie feastiuall of S. Thomas of [ E] Canturburie, might fitly put the king in mind, that this Thomas as on that day shed his bloud for the liberties and immunities of the Church: and yet wee for∣merly obserued, that the Diuines of Paris disputed how this Thomas was more probably (to be supposed) condemned, because he suffered death for his rebellion. But the king plainely made answer, That he would haue a speciall care of all things to come. Bertram vrgeth further, for the better explication of himselfe, when the king replied, I would rather haue the liberties of the Church augmented than diminished, I meane, the true immunities and liberties, but not vsurpations. And therefore he consulted with them about the preseruation of royall rights and jurisdictions: in

hatred of which fact they endeuoured to depraue the memorie of Peter de Cognie∣res. [ A] This is he who in a corner of our Ladies Church in Paris, is commonly called Master Peter de Cogniet. An Epistle of Lucifer to the Pope and Roman Church fel fit with these times: Some thinke it was written vnder Philip the Faire, but be∣cause in some exemplaries it is said to be dated in the yeare of his Palace ouer∣throwne 1351, about the yeare from Christs birth 1318, it is referred to that yeare. Lucifer is in it brought in discoursing, How in times past Christs vicar preaching the word in pouertie of life, the world was so conuerted, that Erebus was turned into Eremum, Hell into Hermitage: but he had caried the matter so wisely, as to suborne in their places those that should with both their clookes lay hold of worldlie kingdomes, which Christ heretofore refused, being offered him; [ B] & that therefore they should not now teach as he and his Apostles did, Reddite Cae∣sari, quae sunt Caesaris, &c. Subiecti estote Principibus; but seising both on spirituall and temporall things, they should assume vnto themselues both swords, endeuo∣ring proudly to beare rule ouer Princes themselues. And hereupon came in all excesse, pride, wantonnesse, wicked deuises, and simonie, which carried that sway (as he plentifully laid open) that what aunciently in times past had beene forespo∣ken by the Prophets, was completely fulfilled: The Church of Rome is become the Synagogue of Sathan: The purpled harlot hath committed fornication with the kings of the earth: Of a mother she is become a stepmother, and of a Bride an adulteresse, forgetting her originall charitie, and chastitie; and principally rui∣nating [ C] the Christian Faith, which before she built vp and erected. Then hee ex∣horts the Pope vehemently to perseuere in these offices, Because (saith he) we are a∣bout to send forth Antichrist, for whom all these treasures are to be reserued, in the meane while we would haue you to be our Vicars, &c. They that spake so broadly in generall of the Roman Church, what thought they, suppose you, of many her particular abuses.

Hereunto we may adde, That Iohn Mandeuil, an English man, a writer verie neere to those times, said, Pope Iohn sent to the Grecians, exhorting them to bee vnited to him and the Roman Church, for the knowne and accustomed reasons of that plenarie power graunted vnto him ouer all the Church, in the person of [ D] Saint Peter: But they answered him laconically, We vndoubtedly beleeue thy Soue∣raigne power ouer those that are subiect to thee, but wee cannot endure thy ex∣treame pride, nor are we able to satisfie thy greedie auarice. The diuell be with thee, for God is with vs.

Notes

• An. 1316.
• Antonin. part. 3. tit. 21. c. 4.
• Blondus De∣cad. 2. l. 10. Auentin. l. 7.
• Antonin. Part. 3. Tit. 21. l. 6. Parag. 10.
• Nauclerus vol. 2.
• An. 1327.
• Antonin. part. 3. tit. 21. c. 6. part. 6. & 9. Auent. l. 7. Guiielmus de Naugiaco.
• An. 1334. Supplem. Mar∣tini.
• Antonin. part. 3. tit. 21. c. 6. part. 15. Summa Constit. à Greg. 9. ad Sixt. 5. vsque constit. paternū morem. Annales Franciae. Christianus Massaeus in Chronico. Guilielmus Oc∣kam. in opere 90 dicrum. Ad••ianus 6. in quaest. de confir∣mat.
• Auent. l. 7.
• Jn extrauag. Johan▪ 22. tit. de verb. signi∣fic. c. 1. 2. 3. 4. & cap. ad Can∣didorem, Cum inter, non nullos quia, quorun∣dam.
• Summa Constit. C. cum nonnulli. C. super gentes extr. de consue∣tudine.

  Can. Solita de maiorii. & obe∣dient.

  Clementina vni∣ca de iureiu∣rando.

  Clementina Pa∣storalis de sen∣tentia & de re iudica••a.

  C. Venerabilem de electionibus. C. 2. de sententia & re iudic••ta. August. de An∣cona in lib. de potestate Eccles. q. 36. art. 2 et q. 35. art. 1. 37. 38. 44. 45, 46. De Rescriptis 6. & ibi Glossa Decis. Rote.
• In Decret. Gre¦gorij tit. 7. c. Quanto Glossa Lancelot in tem∣plo omnium Ju∣dicum l. 2. c. 1. par. 4. Bald. in l. rescripta, C. de praecib. Imperat. offer. num. 7. August. de An∣cona, de pote∣stat. Eccles. q. 18 art. 1. 2. 3. 5. Canonistae ad cap. Quanto de Translat. Episc. & C. Proposuit de Concess. Prae∣bend.

  Gloss. dist. 4. C. 4. August. de An∣cona vt supra. Hostiensis in ca∣put cum venis∣sent de iudicijs. Crauetta post Baldum, Concil. 566. colum. 2. & Rolland. Concil. 1. num. 93 & num. 130. Baldus Concil. 359. & Crauet∣ta Concil. 241. num. 3.

  Glossa in Can. 4. de concess. Prae∣bend. & Can. 3. q. 6. causa 15. Decisi{us} 1. vel 447. in compilat. Rebuffi edition. Lugdunens ann. 1555. p. ••7. Bald. in Lege vl∣tima.
• Cod. de senten∣tijs rescindend. & ibi Lancelo∣tus & alij. Lancel. l. 1. c. 1. par. 4. de respons. Pontif. C. debe∣tur de Appellat. Lancel. Conrad. in Templo omni∣um iudicum l. 2. c. 1.
• Bald. in cap. Cum super de causis propr. & possess. Jn Extrauagāt. Comm. l. 1. de maiorit. Et obe∣dientia. C. vnam sanctā, & ibi Glossa. Et additio Petri Bertrandi in iure Canonic, Editionis Gregorianae Lugdunens. C. Fundamenta de Electione in 6.
• Glossa in proe∣mium. Clementinar.
• Ius. Canonicum impressum Lutetiae an. 1••20. apud Claudium Cheualonium in sole aureo. Ius. Canonicum Gregorij 1••. im∣pressum Lugdu∣ni postr••me. Editionis apud Rouillium in Extrauag. Io∣han. 22. C. cum inter. nonnullos. Tit. 14. ni verbo declaramus circa finem.
• Auent. l. 7.
• Extrauag. ne se∣de vacante C. si fratrum.
• Auentine l. 7.
• An. 1322.
• An. 1327.
• Auent. l. 7.
• Apud Mar∣quardum Freli∣erum rerum Germanic. Tom. 1. in Ap∣pendice. An. 1328.
• Trithemius in Chronic. Hir∣saugiens.
• Apologia Ludo∣vic. 4. contra Ioh. 22. publicē proposita.
• 2. ad Timoth. c. 3. v. 3. & 4.
• Editus Basiliae.
• Marsil. Pataui. part. 2. c. 24.
• Antonin. parte 3. tit. 21. c. 5. sect;. 1
• Paulus Aemilius in Carolo Pul∣chro.
• Epist. Luciferi ad Papam.
• Here seemes in the originall to be some error in computation of the yeares.