THE PAGEANT OF POPES, Containing the lives of all the Bishops of Rome, from the beginning of them to the year of Grace 1555. Divided into three sorts bishops, Archbishops, and Popes, whereof the two first are contained in two books, and the third sort in five. In the which is manifestly showed the beginning of antichrist and increasing to his fullness, and also the waning of his power again, according to the prophecy of john in the apocalypse.  
Showing many strange, notorious, outrageous and tragical parts, played by them the like whereof hath not else been heard: both pleasant and profitable for this age. Written in Latin by Master Bale, and now Englished with sundry additions by I.S.  
* Behold I come upon thee saith the Lord of hosts, and will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and will show to the Nations thy filthiness, and to the kingdoms thy shame. I will cast filth upon thee and make the loathsome, and will fet thee as a gazing stock.  Nahum. 3, 
¶ Come away from her my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. etc. Reward her as she hath rewarded you, and give her doubt according to her works.  Apoca. 18. 
Anno 1574.   

TO THE RIGHT HOnourable Lord Thomas Earl of Sussex, Uicount Fitzwalter, Lord of Egremont and of Burnel, one of the Queen's Majesties honourable privy Counsel, & Lord high Chamberlain of her house, Of the noble order of the Garter knight, justice of Oyer, of the Forests, Parks, Warraines and chases from Trent Southward, and Captain of the Gentlemen Pensioners: Increase of honour and godly wisdom in Christ jesus.  
Among many worthy sayings of the most eloquent Lactantius (right Honourable) this one is especially worthy to be noted, which is so often repeated by him: that No wisdom is to be allowed without (true) Religion. And again that where Religion is not there is no wisdom. Whereby we are instructed that from those in whom wisdom is requisite, religion must in no case be separate. And again that they in whom greater fruits of wisdom aught to flourish (as it should be in them whose hands GOD hath framed to guide the stern of the common wealth) must also bear a more fervent zeal towards the true service and Honour of GOD. So that these twain Wisdom and Religion, are linked and placed together in the mind of man, as the eyes thereof to give light to his whole understanding. And therefore to stay a while in this similitude, as the one eye of our body is so assisting to the other for the making perfit of our sight together, that having the use of both we attain thereunto: and otherwise the one being blinded, the light of the other is somewhat dimmed and shadowed, and perhaps in the end fadeth away and leaveth us altogether in darkness: Even so standeth the case between Religion and wisdom, the lights of the mind. And therefore gross hath been the error of many great estates, who because they being lifted high in the view of all men's eyes and therefore desirous to be accounted wise, have yet in their wisdom made no account of Religion at all, but set it buy as a thing nothing pertaining to their estate. who though for a time they have seemed to grope out the channel well, and so by diligence to sail in safety, and with one dim eye to see their way perfectly, yet lacking the light of Religion they have ever been blind on the one side and wanted the right and better eye: whereby in the end the eye of their policy ever poring downward to things on the left band, and not able steadfastly to look up to heaven nor to abide the glory thereof, hath drawn them into such deep darkness, that unware they have strayed far from the drift of their devices, and being not able to walk uprightly in their own ways without stackering and stumbling, have in the end fallen so desperately that they never were able to rise again: whereby to late they find true that There is no wisdom where Religion is not. And that whereas they thought themselves to be wise without it, they never came to the first step thereof, it being as Solomon saith: that The fear of the Lord (which such have neglected) is the beginning of wisdom. The commandments of the Lord are pure and give light to the eyes. Again 
Psalm. 8.  Thy word O Lord is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths. And therefore when soever we leave this light, though the lamp of man's brain burn never so bright, we fall perforce in the end: For neither the wise head of Achitophel, nor the fair and flattering face of Absalon that stolen from David the people's hearts, could prevail in their purposes, so politicly attempted against the rule of Religion, but that it turned to their own confusion: 
Matt. 15.  For every plant that the heavenly father hath not planted shallbe rooted out▪ Yea most miserable and desperate is their case and cursed of Gods own mouth, that think the care of Religion belongeth not to them.  
Another sort of men there is which being of better judgement proceed a step farther than these, and yet not so far as they ought in deed. For some having an inward regard of Religion, do yet think it policy, that it should be hidden and secret to themselves, and not apparent unto other: and in this point especially they would be esteemed wise. But greatly are these likewise deceived: for wisdom is no wisdom and not to be accounted of in any, so long as it is dissembled and not employed, that other men may see good proof thereof. And Religion is no Religion that showeth not itself by his plentiful fruits. 
Show me thy faith by thy works. etc. jacob. 2.  And what choice so ever they that seem wisest or holiest make of religion, doing it so as other men shall not be able to discern it in them, nor to he witnesses thereof, they are to be esteemed neither wise nor Religious. 
Faith if it have no works is dead in itself. ja. z.  For who will not account him rather blind or blincking than other wise, that shall say he hath his eyes sound, pure & perfect, and yet in the open day will never show use of them in the presence of men, but continually be wimpled and wear a veal, so that no man can perceive whether he do see or no? Either such are blind in deed when as they say that they see, or else their meaning is very deceitful.  
And so may we judge of these wily winkers in Religion, that either they be blindstockes in deed and lack the light of that heavenly wisdom, which they pretend to have, or else their wicked wisdom is but a cloak of wickedness▪ & then indeed they dote in their worldly policy, not knowing that the wisest of all hath said: 
Matt. 5.  Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works & glorify your father which is in Heaven. And that Every tree that doth not bear good fruit shallbe cut down & cast into everlasting fire. 
Matt. 3.  And therefore these Nicodemites that will visit Christ only in the dark and by night and not openly before men, the Lord will not acknowledge him before his Heavenly father. Such is the end of fleshly policy. So that (Right honourable) only such are to be held as wise in deed which think that it lieth upon them & especially belongeth unto them, to make a constant and open profession of true Religion. If then to be wise be to profess Religion, it is worthy to be farther considered how a man may attain to perfection herein.  
The heathen that ever measured wysedomen by civil policy, have accounted best of those by whose good endeavour their common wealth hath been most upheld and strengthened from foreign invasions: and that have employed themselves to break the force of such as would assault it. And so (my very good Lord) they that have been the most worthy members of the Church of God, have ever excelled in this point, to show themselves forward in promoting Religion and suppressing to their power the enemies thereof: and especially I say in suppressing the enemies. For the holding down of them is the holding up of the other.  

2. Sam 5.8  So the godly David did both fetch home the ark of God, and scourged his enemies the Philistines and jebusites. So the zealous king josias both restored the Law of the Lord, and put down the wicked Chemerinus that sacrificed unto Baal. 
2. Reg. 23.  So the noble Cyrus delivered Israel and held Babylon captive. Finally so the worthy Constantine (the son to Helen born in this Island) brought peace to the Church, 
Euseb. li. 9 cap. 9 Eccles. hist.  set Christian Religion at liberty, and also overthrew the cruel enemy and tyrant Maxentius. If these godly examples were ever to be followed in any place: If this zeal in Religion were ever to be showed in any age, where more than in this our native country? If this perfect wisdom were ever to be wished in any governors, of whom rather then of the nobility of England? when rather than in this our time, against the tyranny of the bishop of Rome? For what enemy bath made such greedy spoil and wrought such broil in any country, as he and his hath done continually in this little Isle, (as but for being tedious might be showed) almost in every king's time since the conquest, as William Rufus and Henry the first, both were sore cumbered with Pope Vrban the second and Paschal the second, through Anselmus bishop of Canterbury. Henry the second much more with Thomas Becket and Pope Alexander the 3. Richard the first complained grievously of the Pope's shameful polling his Realm and yet could not redress it. K. john suffered a thousand storms and the Realm was miserably spoiled and made tributary to the Pope for ever, by the treachery of Stephen Langton bishop of Canterbury. In the time of Henry the 3. the Pope ransacked all the Churches in England, and so hath he continued with the rest, vexing by exactions, excommunications, or some such means every one. But because his staff hath here been broken & he thrown out of the doors in this our time, what means doth he daily leave unproved to work our confusion, as stirring rebellions, moving treasons, seditions and conspiracies within the land, cursing and excommunicating both Prince and people, nobility and commons, and yielding us a pray unto him whom he hath assigned by his bulls to enjoy their livings and dignities abroad, who hourly wait when either by nature itself or their violent hand, the thread should fail whereon dependeth the stay of our estate. Such is the purpose of Antichrist against us, and yet practised with colour of holiness. So that if ever the blood of Christ his Church aught ever to be precious in the eyes of men, the time is now. Now lieth it upon every one to show himself a friend to his country, by withstanding to his power the common enemy thereof: and especially those that stand in the hyest place, both for their own sakes because their fall shallbe the greater, and for charge of God's people committed unto them, whose blood he will require at their hands if they leave them to the wolf.  
For the which cause (Right honourable) I as a member of that body which is so assaulted by this Dragon both for the safety of myself and other, employed myself a little to discover the secret trains of this deceitful enemy: and because this my enterprise of itself lieth open to the peril of the malicious mouths of many his partakers, so that it should not be able to bear out itself against their force. Therefore necessity driveth me to seek for the secure of such a Patron in whom I might assure my self of that perfit wisdom which Lactancius alloweth, and found that rescue which this cause requireth: that is one who by power should be able, by wisdom skilful, and in zeal and affection willing and forward to encounter this adversary with any of his faction: whereof because it is not unknown to me by many private occasions, that your honour hath made proof that this perfit wisdom is planted in you as it was in David, josias, Cyrus and Constantine, bearing on your left arm a target of defence for Religion, and having your right hand armed with a sword to wound the enemy Antichrist: And again seeing it hath not been so private but that this zeal hath showed itself openly in biding battle to the members of Antichrist, marching against them in field and pursuing them out of the country: I thought your Lordship most meet and I assured myself that your honour would be most willing to suffer this my little volume to fight under your banner in that quarrel against the Pope, wherein your honour hath heretofore personally proceeded. If therefore the worthiness of the matter herein contained & written by master Bale, may so excuse the unworthiness of my simple style in translating it, that your honour vouchsafe to accept the one with the other and bear with the one for the other, your courtesy shall the rather confirm all the professors of the Gospel in that undoubted opinion which they have justly conceived of you, and give them 'cause still to glorify God for such nobility, wishing the good increase and long prosperity of such: and I having my travail most happily bestowed, shall acknowledge my duty always bound unto your honour for it. And thus craving pardon of this tedious volume wherewith I have troubled your Honour over long, I leave you to the Almighty.  
Your honours most humble john Studley. 
* 
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about, all you that bend the bow shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she hath sinned against the Lord  jere. 50:    

The translator to the Reader.  
IT may be (gentle Reader) that when thou shalt in this book read many monstrous & horrible histories rather to be suppressed than put in print, thou will't not think well of my travail. I grant that here are many things uttered odious to be herded: but yet if any thing offend thy chas●e ears, blame not me gentle Reader but the importunity of the Papists, who hath forced me thus to display their treachery. For where as their doctrine is so on all sides wounded and foiled by the force of the Gospel, that they have no shift to uphold their treachery as men evidently convinced and condemned by law and justice, now are they compelled to practise some policy, seeing they are spoiled both of the word and the sword. And for want of better practice their only shift is by spreading open other men's infirmities to cover their own, by lifting up the lewd lives of the Protestant's to the view of all men, to shadow the horrors of their Church, in somuch that their outcries are grown so great, that these spiteful speeches are often and daily herded upon every occasion: Lo these are our Protestant's: Such are our Gospelers: to such misery and wickedness is the world grown since this new doctrine came among us: you may see by their fruit what their Religion is. So outrageous are the outcries that they make against us to discredit not us but our Gospel, as though the defacing of us by our sinful lives, were a confutation of our doctrine, and an approving of their innocency, and a confirmation of their uncleanly dregs to be pure and good. So vehement are their speeches, and that with such confidence on their parts, as if both their doctrine were on all sides true, and that the spirit of God had clean forsaken this age, as if the like wickedness had never tainted any kind of men so heinously as it doth the professors of the Gospel, and as though sin were but new born among men and lately sprung up with the Gospel: and as though that the tree whereon their doctrine is grafted (the Church of Rome I mean) had never yielded any rotten fruit, had never any caterpillars breeding in it, never any canker corrupting it, but had ever been green, fresh and flourishing, pure and perfit in every leaf, branch and twig. Therefore concerning us and concerning them I will speak of both.  
And first as concerning ourselves (God be merciful unto us miserable sinners) we have all run astray, If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us: There is not one that doth good no not one. And if any Papist, Turk or infidel charge us to be sinful men although we profess a pure Gospel, we will acknowledge it, and never like the worse of them for so saying, nor the better of our own infirmities. Now concerning the Papists, if they speak of our sins for that they hate sin in us, they do us no wrong, we accept it and thank them for it: But if they lay the rebuke of our sins upon the glorious Gospel of Christ which we profess, & if they mean by defacing us to discredit it (as I have said before) then do they offer great injury to the Majesty of God, when as they say that by our deeds it appeareth, as by the fruit that the tree is not good, that the Gospel which we profess is not perfit. We cannot and may not suffer it that the perfectness of the Law should be tried and condemned by the offence of the guilty: that the truth of Christ should depend upon the works of sinners, that eternal heaven should be valued by fading earth, that the most perfit justice and equity of the most glorious God, should be measured & esteemed by the frailty of corruptible flesh & blood. And therefore as we do not and dare not presume to confirm the certainty of our doctrine by our good deeds be they never so perfit, but rather confirm our good deeds to be good by our doctrine: so should our adversaries deal uprightly with us, not to condemn our doctrine by our evil deeds, but rather condemn our evil deeds by our doctrine, which being pure and perfit shall condemn both our wickedness and theirs, together with their wicked and detestable doctrine.  
God forbidden that the trial of true religion should lie either upon our upright conversation or there's, lest if it lay in man's perfection both the jew and the Turk might either of them sooner boast of it then either of us. The wisdom of God hath not so builded his Church upon sand. If it were founded upon the works of man, than should his Church never stand neither by them nor by us. We are but feeble and windshaken pillars unable to underprop and bear such a weight, & therefore how so ever they build their Church, we build not ours on ourselves, but we build both it and ourselves upon that unmovable rock jesus Christ, and therefore how soever the wind and weather do shake us and overthrow us through our own weakness, yet our foundation abideth sure, and doth neither fall nor flit away but abideth so for ever, that we may be still raised and set up on the same again. Deceitful therefore is their dealing, who to withdraw men from our Church, do unjustly say that when we fall, our foundation falls also: but most justly may we assure men that their Babylonical building must needs come to decay, being founded on the sand of Tiber banks, which is daily washed and eaten away. How can that foundation stand which is made of earth and clay, dust and ashes, of flesh, blood and bones: of Pope's mitres, Cardinals hats, Monks hoods, Friars cools, nuns veals, shaven crowns, paxes, beads, tapers and crosses, annoyntings and greazing, blessings, kisshing, images of metal, wood, glass and stone, holy oil, holy cream, albes, vestments, palls, copes, rotchets, surplices, tippets, coifs, chrismes, mantle & the ring, sensinges, pilgrimages, offerings, creeping to crosses, Wenefreds' needle, the blood of hails, fasting days, holy days, imber days, crogiers, pole-axes, dirges, exorsims, conjurings, masses, trentals, holy water, purgatory saints relics, S. Francis breeches, Limbo patrum, s. john shorns boots, the rood of Chester, our Lady of Walsingam, rotten bones, shrines, and a thousand such apish toys, which daily (as they themselves perceive) do putrefy rot and consume to nothing. Seeing therefore this foundation will not last to uphold their Babylonical buildings against the assaults of the Gospel, therefore now they will have the trial of doctrine to lie upon the honesty of men, and herein they make the world believe that they have a great advantage over us.  
Seeing they will needs drive us to this plunge and seek hereby to foil us and utterly to overthrow our foundation, we will be content herein also to join issue with them, not as having affiance in our own justice (the Lord amend that which is amiss in us, and blessed be his name for those sparks of his mercy that have preserved us from being worse than we are) but because we have such experience of their treachery, and that we know none shallbe comparable to antichrist in iniquity. To set aside therefore all excusing of ourselves in such matters as they do slander us, and grant that we be as evil as they make us, yet I dare boldly avouch that there hath not hitherto nor ever shall (I trust) proceed from us such unmeasurable abundance of corrupt fruit, as hath done from those that are the best, the most pure and perfits on their side, even in those who they say cannot err, that are the most holy vicar's of Christ upon earth, namely the holy father's Popes & bishops of Rome. Whose notorious villainies from time to time swelled to the full and perfit measure of iniquity, and so far run beyond our heinous sins, that supposing they died as they lived, I may boldly warrant them this preferment, that if an hundredth of the rankest hellhounds that ever reigned upon the earth might be mustered out of hell, fourscore and nineteen of them should be Popes, perhaps for the last & hundred place, either Wolsey or some other Cardinal would scuffle in among them.  
Whereof that thou mayest the better judge (gentle Reader) I do here give thee in this book a little taste of their unsavoury lives, I have set them all forth here in one Pageant in such order as they played their Papal parts both Tragical and Comical for these Thousand years upon this worldly stage: wherein I have choose rather to translate them as they were gathered in Latin by master Bale most faithfully, then to follow the partial and flattering story of Platina. In some places also I have added divers things out of sundry authors, not as though I desired to make perfit in all points that which master Bale omitted: but because in confering his alleging of stories, I found many things that without any cumbrance might be added and were worth the mentioning, especially in the sixt book of this history out of one Theodoricus of Nyem Secretarye to Pope Vrban the sixt, and written that which he saw of that miserable and long sciesme that set all the world together by the cares the space of xxxix. years, between urban the sixte, Clement the seventh, Boniface the ix, Benedict the xiii. otherwise called john Moon, and other: which book I am sure master Bale never see, for he would never have omitted such notable and strange matters as are contained in it, and are here partly touched by me.  
Also for so much as these prelate's do falsely colour all their pranks under the authority of S. Peter's name, therefore I have somewhat at large in the beginning showed, how that though they would have him to play the first part in this Pageant, yet he is none of their company. But because of the sudden finishing of this work in the printers hand, I am forced in this Preface to leave out many matters which I thought to have uttered, which I could never find convenient leisure to be settled in one certain place, in such wise as I might apply myself to writ that which I purposed since this was finished and came to the hand of the Printer. At this time therefore this only I have to request of thee (gentle Reader) till God shall give me better opportunity to finish that order which I purposed in publishing this book, to mark as thou readest how the manner of these Prelates do agreed to the description of Antichrist in the Revelation, as I once purposed to have noted unto thee. Mark whether we that at this day do profess the Gospel, and are so much noted of their friends to transgress heinously in our conversation, are to be compared with these holy Popes in any kind of enormity. For what villainy is it whereof thou shalt not find such monstrous examples among them, as the earth never else bread the like. It were tedious for me here to draw into tables the examples of their unsatiable covetousness, their bribery, polling & pilfringe, robbing and rifling, untolerable pride, equal with the ambition of Lucifer, their vain and unspeakable pomp, their whoredom and ravishing of divers, their incest with their own sisters & daughters, their Sodomityes, treasons practised against all Princes on the earth, the rebellions, seditions, bloodshed, wars, conspiracies, murtherings, factions, sciesmes, brawls, contentions among themselves, poisoning Princes, & themselves one another, even in mynistring the Sacraments, their sorcery, charms, conjurings, familiarity with devils, and honouring of evil spirits: their abusing of Princes most slavishlye, their giving, transporting, selling, setting up and deposing of all estates empires and kingdoms, their licencing of all villainy, as murdering, incest, Sodomitrye, perjury, blasphemy, and an hundred such like most detestable enormities, whereof thou shalt have plenty even to the loathing of thy stomach. Which when thou seest, then judge between our fruits and there's, then learn to discern who is that whore of Babylon, 
Apoc. 17.  the woman arrayed in Purple and rose colour, and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls, having the cup of gold in her hand full of abomination and filthiness. Note what City is like to be that Babylon built on seven hills, & bearing rule over the Nations of the earth, What City is like to be that Babylon that is become the habitation of devils, the hole of all foul spirits, and a cage of all unclean and hateful birds. Note with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and with the abundance of whose pleasures the merchants of the earth are become rich. Note who it is that hath been drunken with the blood of saints, if by these thou find that these tokens of Antichrist be in these bishops of Rome, then surely say, though we wretched sinners be as evil as they make us in deed (which they speak so much of) yet their holy fathers are far worse, which the Papist will not confess. Then say that surely Rome is Babylon, and the Pope antichrist, and blame not me for detecting any his loathsome villainies, but obey the voice of the Lord against th●s Babylon saying: 
Apoc. 18.  Come away from her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. etc. but reward her as she hath rewarded you, And give her double according to her works.  

Apoc. 19  finally let us all say hallelujah: Salvation, Glory, Honour and power be ascribed unto the Lord our GOD, for true and righteous are his judgements, for he hath judged the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication. etc. hallelujah.  
Farewell.   

TO THE MOST Worthy and learned men master Simond Sulcer, Henry Bullenger, john Calvin, Philip Melancthon▪ most faithful ministers of Christ, john Bale wisheth grace and everlasting peace in Christ JESUS.  
Although I saw that my former edition of the lives of the Roman bishops joined to my book called the Register of English writers, were safely planted under the protection of the most noble elector Lord Henry Otho County Palatine: Yet notwithstanding I perceived that this Edition being taken and separated from the greater, being drawn into an abridgement and enriched with such additions as are not to be misliked, seeing it is not able sufficiently to bear out itself, neither by his own force nor the credit of the writer, it should need be succoured and maintained by some other. And therefore I thought it good in no wise to turn it out rashly, naked, unarmed and unprovided of rescue neither into the hands of friend nor foe. For such a meet Patron was to be sought for, who by his wit, doctrine and learning, should be able to maintain a desperate cause, and receive into his tuition as it were an Orphan counted guilty and condemned by the prejudicate opinion of all men, lest it being desolate and bereft of all good men's aid having no tutor left unto it, should together with his father have his dying day. After I had long debated this with with myself and had viewed all men round about with an especial and diligent care: you iiii. most excellent prelate's of the Church came first to my remembrance in whose aid I might safely repose myself that have oftentimes travailed in this matter, by long experience have found out and beaten down the assaults and strokes of our adversaries. So that the former book joined with our history sufficiently fortified by the might of the most valiant Prince, & this book being perused with my latter diligence trusting upon the learning and judgement of such men, may freely with cheerful countenance not be afraid to show itself among the midst of his enemies. verily I am not ignorant that any one of you is man good enough to encounter any in this divine combat. And I freely confess that this my little work is unworthy to be dedicated even unto any one of you: yet notwithstanding I do not consider what you are able to do, but what I aught to do: Neither do I esteem the price of the gift, but I regard the most fervent zeal towards you all. And though I embrace you one after another, yet I desire to pleasure you all with this only gift because I have no other, and to declare the good will that I bear unto you by this only work. Last of all whom one Religion, one Faith, one Lord, one Baptism do join, what hindereth us that one Epistle may not couple us together: wherefore I trust that you will accept (as you ought and as you were accustomed) my boldness and presumption if there be any, which is sprung through an opinion of your courtesy, & not risen of any evil will.  
But that you may understand the matter which I request & desire to be defended and cherished, if you separate your minds for a certain season, from your grave studies & sacred business, and give diligent ear to hear that which I have here purposed to declare, the gift which I bestow upon you is Papal and Pontifical: And I have declared the history from the beginning to the ending, & showed their beginnings, the race and the whole Tragedy of their government dividing the state of their lives into three books.  
The first containeth the ancient and holy fathers, not decked with a crogier or a tripled Mitre, but such as were diligent workers in adorning the Lords Uyneyarde, even unto Silvester from the holy Apostles, which with the great danger of their life did faithfully labour in planting and setting forth the word of God. These may worthily be called the stars remaining on the right hand of Christ Apocal. 1  
The second containeth the Mitred Archbishops & patriarchs from Silvester the first unto Boniface the third, who although they were not the wickedest and corruptest, yet with their traditions and humane constitutions have made a plain way to antichrist. These be the stars that fallen to the earth Apocal. 6.  
The third mentioneth the whole rabblement of the Popes from Boniface the third to Paul the fourth, the which being the vicar of Satan is said to have authority as yet at Rome. These were Antichristes not departing from the steps of their fathers in all kind of pride, tyranny, lying and filthiness, these are the stars truly, as it is described in the 9 Chapter of the apocalypse which fallen to the earth. This third part is divided into five, neither have we applied them unaptly to the Revelation of S. john.  
Boniface before mentioned shall possess the first place as he deserved to joane the eight an harlot, in the which part there are contained 40. Popes, & called them the kingdom of the great beast sometime named Sodoma sometime Aegiptus, Apo. 11. From joane unto Silvester the devilish Magician that vowed & gave himself unto Satan that he might obtain the Popedom: the kingdom of the great harlot which sitteth on the beast doth comprehend 40. Popes Apocal. 17. From Silvester which is in the 3. place unto Innocentius the fourth, the most wicked enemy of our Saviour Christ, who did establish & fasten the four orders of the begging monks which were newly made, to the intent that they might stoutly and manfully fight for the maintaining of the kingdom of Antichrist: signifieth the kingdom of the Dragon which is the devil and Satan Apocal. 20. And in this part were 40. Popes placed. From this Innocentius the second that dreadful warrior and the most cruel destroyer of Christian men, are numbered 40 Popes. And this is the kingdom of the Locusts wh●ch were under the government of Abadon the wh●ch signifieth a destroyer Apocal. 9 Then julius in the end of his reign throwing the keys of S. Peter into the river of Tiber, being girded with a rusty sword of Paul did fight against the French king and other Christians.  
And the fift part containeth from this julius unto the end of the reign of Paul the fourth 8. Popes, and all the times of their successors unto the judgement of Christ. And the fall of the kingdom of the Pope shallbe without power or hands, with the only word of God and breath of the divine sp●rite 2. Thessal. 2.  
To conclude I have disposed the whole history in such sort that I have compared all the Roman bishops to the 4. horses in the Revelation of S. john. The godly and ancient fathers to the white horse: The archbishops and the patriarchs to the read: The Popes & the Antichristes unto Silvester the second to the black, and from him to julius the second and all his company of monks, friars and massmongers that which with all their power & strength did defend the Pope's kingdom, I have compared to the pale horse. I have propounded this mark and method in my book, in the which I have challenged nothing to myself, but my labour in gathering, describing & destributing. For I know that a great part of this work hath been set forth by others, as by Damasus, Carsulanus, Platina Stella, Vuicelius and others, but oftentimes dissemblingly and obscurely, sometimes falsely to please men's ears. To conclude, very many most diligent & faithful writers of our time: whom when I had perused with continual reading I gathered together the dispersed and disagreeing members to one body, that those things which were scattered abroad in many places, and were therefore the harder to be found out of the Readers, might the easier be searched out being gathered together into one book, and laid out before all men's eyes, the which I rather were performed of any man then of me, and I had rather taken in hand my country matters then foreign business, because I have spent my time in vain. But I would not have stirred up this huge puddle of the Roman history, the which two Hercules were not able to climb.  
But hearken what occasion enforced me thereto, chief the exhortation of my friends did draw me into this matter, otherwise I refused it, because my other work in the English tongue, being proper only to English men, & known to very few, did seem to do small profit to strangers. But this being joined to it, might be a public commodity, and profitable to the use of all men, and more provided for in other matters. After this I went to it with a good courage, and although I did desire that other men which were more fit for this matter, and more garnished with eloquence, should take this matter in hand. Yet I thought that an account should be made of my talon, and that I had rather to stumble a little then that so great wickedness of antichrist, so great cruelty and inordinate pleasure more and more breaking out, and filling all things with the stink thereof, being omitted of all men, should seem to be detected to few or none.  
And if I should seem to any man to speak to freely, let him think that it doth not proceed of the heat of affection but through the knowledge of my conscience, which do not declare things herded or red only, but things known by experience, who lived. 24. years in that sect, and was present among them being no small soldier of the Pope: where what is it that I have not seen, what that I have not herded, which is unworthy of Christ, Christians, monks, and also of men, from whose superstitions at that time I was not free, but I utterly abhorred their filthiness and mischief. Wherefore seeing that I perceived many things which did offend, therefore I am now compelled to be more diligent in seeking them out, and more sharp in reproving them, seeing they do not repent. But sith these things be done & have biene done of this flock in Italy, Sicil, Spain, France, and England, who doubteth that sheep will not follow the shepherd, or rather hogs their swineherd, shall we not know the father by the child, or the Lion by his talentes? when prisons be full of mischief, shall we think that the Roman court hath none? many things have been hidden in darkness & privy places, the which the Sun hath not seen, but time the mother of truth. The monasteries being put down in England, hath learned to speak and to bewray them▪ As for example, the registers of the kings visitation, or as they call it, the abbrigement of things known by experience in the very congregation & colleges of the Papists, the which things I saw them to my great fear and terror, but now I possess them, and keep them to their great ignominy and shame, and have opened a few of them hereafter, in the Epistle to the Reader. If Ezechiel now should pierce through the brickwall, and should be brought into their entries, halls, and dark chambers, he should not see the Israelites bewail Thamnum, but gelded men unmarried, worthy to be wondered at, for the godly profession, offering their sacrifice to Baalpeor, Bacchus, & Venus. And sith I know these things to be certain and true, should I not overthrow them, should I not make them manifest and openly known to all the world? Truly they will say that an English man, which is separated from all other nations, doth certainly know what is done at Rome in the secret chambers of the Pope and his Cardinal. Shall not I openly declare for a truth those things which are declared in Books, and seen with the eyes of the writer, the which things not the secret chambers, but the princely court, not the privy corners, but the open streets, do evidently show, but they deny it not, and yet defend it with most wicked Books set forth in their own tongue, the which Christian shamefastness forbiddeth me to declare. The truth therefore aught to be expressed, and not covered with vizard and disguising, but set forth in his own kind, not darkened with cloak or sail clot, but decked finely in his own colours: for they be gross things and may be groped at with hands. But so great is the blindness of man, that at noon day he can not see, and in the clearest Sun his eyes be darkened.  
This our miserable Realm of England may be unto us a familiar example, for whose sake more willingly I took in hand to writ this book, that our English men may see now at the last what a terrible beast they have received into their common wealth, what a viper they cherish in their bosom, whose hissing before they could not well abide, do now suffer themselves to be s●ong with their tributes, to be bitten with their levying and taking up of money, & to be entoxicated with their idolatrous poison. Unto whom so many kings, so many noble men, did not once obey: whom Wickliff the most godliest of his time did openly show in writing to be Antichrist. Whom K. Henry the eight banished, whom Edward the vi. that most godly king cast forth, together with all the relics and dregs of their religion. Him Queen Mary received being thrust in by Cardinal Poole many men little regarding it, many winking at it as though they see it not: every man almost allowing it, or at the lest with divers affections filthily rejoicing in it. It grieveth me for my country sake, because they offend God so greatly in forsaking him, and in violating the oath which they made before to their kings: so that now they are compelled to obey at the beck to the new monstrous & cruel government of most wicked antichrist, under whom they have deserved to be oppressed with an idolatrous yoke, to be blinded with superstition and devilish Popery, and with a small assault of the enemies to be shamefully overcome. The which notwithstanding while God's Religion flourished, and Popery withered and was wasted away, was neither afflicted with the hand of God, neither assaulted with any external power, but if it were assaulted, yet at no time could they conquer it. I speak these things (most reverent fathers) to my great grief, and so much the more, because I judge the contempt of the word of God, and the gulf of Roman filthiness to be the cause of the plagues, and that Christ being trodden down, we had rather that the Pope (the witch and Circe's of the whole world, not the servant of all servants but the Lord of all Lords, not the vicar of Christ but the minister of the devil) should tread and skip upon our shoulders and necks, than we would embrace & kiss the sweet yoke, the light burden and most pleasant cross of our Saviour jesus Christ. And I require this at your hands (most godly fathers) that you will think this present calamity to be no small cause which stirred me up to this matter, and I desire for the great mercy of our Saviour Christ, that you go forward in that work that you have in hand, and that you will make your prayers for England, (that cannot pray for itself) that this Pope may be exempted out of the minds of all Christians, Italians, Spaniards, Frenchmen and Englishmen, thrust out of all kingdoms and Churches, broken in two and utterly destroyed. Pray that the blind may see, the deaf hear, and that those which be in darkness and in the shadow of death, may come to the light and knowledge of the truth. For your prayers shall be of more effect with God, than all the blessings and cursings of the detestable Pope.  
By these things I trust that you understand what I have taken in hand, and for what cause. First the desire of my friends compelled me thereunto. Secondly my conscience pricked me forward hasting hereunto, that I might communicate these things which I have both herded and seen in the whole course of my life. Last of all, the lamentable state of England called me hereunto, that for the love which I bear to my brethren I would aid it, and that the beginning of the Roman tyranny being read & known, and the offspring of all the Popes, they might seek a new way and amend their lives. Also to restore the dignity of the common wealth which was lost, and to the reforming of the Church, and to the glory of jesus Christ the only governor of the earth.  
But not without great cause do I dedicated this my book unto you which are in this our age the greatest defenders of the Christian faith, which also do bear this grievous & odious burden, and for that cause do burn with the same fire of envy which I do. For truly I speak as I think & as I believe, & because I believe it I cannot hold my peace: If at Witemberg Luther the upholder of the Christian faith, at Tigur Zuinglius the invincible defender of the pure verity, and a professor thereof unto the death, at Basil Occolampadius a light and lamp in the house of God had not opened the lively springs of the Scripture, and being opened had not defended them against the boldness of the Philistines, if others in those days in your places had not sustained this our Religion, if you would not have put to your aid and helping hands, if God had not left the seed of the truth in those Churches wherein you are Precedents, there had been no place for Christ on the earth where he might put his head, there should have been no refuge for exiles to fly unto, Christian piety should find no place in which it might be confirmed & safely established. And all those things that I have showed here, were taught me of your pastors and writers. Therefore it is meet that I should tender some part thereof with gain from whence I had it, neither do I honour & worship only your Churches as the springs of pure Religion, the which with privy passages doth flow unto all the corners of the earth, & even to us beyond the Ocean, but all English peregrins are bound of duty unto you, for your great benefits bestowed upon them. The which thing I would have showed at large in the name of all my friends, if I had not written unto you to whom we are of duty bond: yet truly to pass all things in silence and declare none of them I cannot. Therefore I pray you pardon me, and let your modesty and gentleness give place and pardon mine affections, while that of so many I declare a few, to the intent that other men may understand if I had not a just cause to dedicated this my book to you before all other. The which thing while I show briefly as time and order doth require, so I will name every one of you not respecting your dignity, but doing after the imbecility of memory, and the perspicuity of the matter.  
Therefore that I may declare from the beginning, & ascend from the farthest unto the nighest, whereto much duty own we to Witenberg that most fair merchandise of all arts, they evidently declare which go thither either to behold the country, or to give themselves to study, with whose notable praises many being stirred up would go thither in great companies, if riches would abound as their good will doth to go so long a journey. For when they praise other learned, not without grateful testifying of many benefits towards them. Than (O Philip) they do declare thy singular courtesy, marvelous facility, and thy good will always ready to deserve well of all men. Neither without a cause. For thou prosecutest all men at home with all kind of humanity, and at home with thy preaching & loving letters dost ease the sorrowful & wavering minds. For it is not unknown what thou hast done at the council of Wesalia in the English men's behalf, who when thou sawest to take pains for Religion sake, and to be greatly moved with the unjust outcries of men that held opinion against them, thou thoughtest good that the cause should be herded without debate or strife, and not to be put out with cry & clapping of hands: thou saidst that the men were to be retained and relieved, and not to be vexed and afflicted with any sharp judgement. To this end thou didst writ to the magistrates of Frankford, so that by thy letters which I chanced to see, I am certified where thou didst think it meet that our men purely thinking of the articles of our Christian faith, and in divers controversies defending their opinion with fervour of zeal according to their nature, to be taught and not to be oppressed, to be warned with talk not troubled with force, sith that doubtful matters aught to be handled of the adversaries part with obscure words. Neither do I doubt but that the countries bordering there about Strasburge, Basil, Arovia, Tigurum Geneva, Emdona, being moved with such a notable testimony, will receive us more into their favour.  
But leving Wittenberg, I come to Basile, where I will be more partial, not because I can not praise him sufficiently enough, but because I am one of them which have felt and do daily feel the great benevolence of the Senate, ministers, and the whole people, lest I should not seem to be so grateful a praiser as a deceitful flatterer. Therefore I will say nothing of thee at this time, most wise & learned Sulcer, nothing of M. Woulfangus Wisenburge, that most excellent divine, and worthy governor of the university, nothing of Martin Borrham, the notable professor of divinity, nothing of learned M. john junius, my faithful companion: nothing of Marcus Bersius, james Turkenbrot, Conradus Lycosthenes, his dear friend, Huldricus Coccius, Thomas Gyrenfalck, john Ibelhard, Sebastian Lepusculus, Severinus Erimontanus, john Maeder, john Brandmiller, and other ministers of God's word, whose benevolence is daily seen. I omit the griefs which you most willingly suffered, not without great pains and travail. But this only I will say, that although the good will of the people and magistrate was sufficiently inflamed, of themselves toward, yet it did seem to arise and spring for the most part through your sermons, so that whatsoever benevolence happened unto us at that time, was through your request and impulsion. But here (as I said before) I desire brevity, because I am one of them which have experience of you. I will speak more of Tigur and Geneva.  
For Tigur always being a safeguard to such as fly from their countries, and a most excellent university of learned divines, and a most renowned school, doth open unto me a large field, in which this my oration may walk and have his full course.  
Whether I have respect unto, the common profit of all nations, or that, that is only proper to England, for what a notable oracle there is as it were for all Christendom, what a notable choir of most learned men. For that I may say nothing of thee O Bullinger, whom so many notable books compiled with such singular piety and manifold learning, with such variety of all things, and sentences of ancient writers decked as it were with stars, doth praise enough to the Catholic church, although I hold my peace. But that I may omit all the other which were born and bread at Tygur, As Bibliander and Hippius, which knew all things, Radulph Gualther, the eloquent preacher and politic writer Conradus Gesnerus, a notable library as it were of all disciplines, and my singular friend, josias Simler, and john Vuolphius, most learned men also, & my very friends with many other notable professors of other arts: Good Lord, what notable old men were those learned strangers, M. Peter Martyr, and Barnardine Ochinus, which you received into your city? One of the which if some other congregation should have, they should seem to be blessed, and enriched with a great treasure and ornament. Happy was England when she possessed them, miserable when she lost them: of this congregation sith thou art precedent most learned Bullinger, I have justly choose thee to be my patron, with whose authority the Roman court may be weakened, and my description be established. Who if thou wouldst call into the field, these noble captains, stout souldious with their furnished bands, with a reasonable power thou shalt overcome, at the first one onset the whole troops and bonds of the Papists. But I will omit these things, as common and known to all men, what he hath done to our English men at Tigur, seeing that is proper to my purpose, and not the other, I will here leave that, and touch this but briefly. For when I was with you and had tasted thy hospitality O Bullinger, & the humanity of others, I understood the great good will you did bear to our countrymen which were with you. That worthy man john Parckhurst, and worthy of a better fortune, did declare to me how much bound he was to thee, to M. Gualther, and to the whole city. It was told me also of them which were at basil with me, of thy care and fatherly affection toward them, while they lived with you together in one house, even under the shadow of your city, being defended from all persecution, with the great consent and love of your citizens. Also the incredible liberality of your magistrates, the which freely gave unto them corn and wine sufficient to sustain xiii or xiiii men, and when they refused to take it, they were sorry that they had not opportunity to pleasure them.  
But now I haste to Geneva, of which if I should make any long oration, when I had said all, I should seem scarce to have declared half that which might be said. In the which I greatly marvel at the notable providence of our God, which so stirred up the minds of the citizens and magistrates, that they were not afraid to receive so many thousand strangers into the suburbs of one city. Again, did so turn the hearts of the strangers, that although they were more in number, & the superiors, yet would submit themselves under their power, as though they were the inferiors, in so much that they did not acknowledge themselves to be Lords and citizens, but private men and strangers. Let other men fayne other miracles, but Geneva seemeth to me to be the wonderful miracle of the whole world: so many from all countries come thither, as it were unto a sanctuary, not to gather riches but to live in poverty: not to be satisfied, but to be hungry, not to live pleasantly, but to live miserably, not to save their goods, but to lose them. Many merchants do rush thither for gains, soldiers for spoils, all for their own profit. But it seemeth to be a monstruous and a wonderful miracle, that men should fly to scarceness from plenteousness, to travail from ease, from plenteousness of riches, to miserable poverty, Lutetia, London, Franckfort, are new markets for merchandise, unto the which men come, not for gain, not for merchandise, not for taverning, to change heavenly things with earthly things, that in steed of human treasures, they may gather heavenly treasures in heaven. We have read that consuls have been taken from the plough to bear rule, but from flourishing fortune, from great riches and dignities to the plough, to great labours and travail, from an horse to an ass weeting and knowing it, is it not a great marvel? Is it not wonderful that Spanyardes, Italians, Scots, Englishmen, Frenchemen, Germans, disagreeing in manners, speech and apparel, sheep and wolves, bulls and bears, being coupled with the only yoke of Christ, should live so lovingly and friendly, and that Monks, lay-men, and Nuns, disagreeing both in life and sect should devil together, like a spiritual and Christian congregation? using one order, one cloister, and like ceremonies. Is it not wonderful that so many stout enemies hanging over them, and looking still to devour them, as Satan and the Pope their most bitter enemies, they should not only be safe, but also live so long time in quietness? Thanks be therefore unto God, because he hath appointed the pastor of his scattered and dispersed flock, the captain of the vanished, to be the chief of the miserable people, with whose counsel government & wisdom, so great a congregation of people, being not only diverse, but contrary one to another, hath been nourished together under one band of love, so that now nothing is more loving than those enemies, nothing more like, than their unlikeness, no body more happy, than these miserable men. I thank thee in this my writing in the name of them all, because when they would purely honour God in their own country, & can not, it may be lawful for them to come to the church and celebrated the congregation, in the which they may freely call upon their God, sincerely administer the Sacraments, and may fulfil other rites as they were citizens, with the privilege, and high favour of the magistrates. Happy is that people who enjoyeth these things, and have so worthy a bishop, which gathereth together the dispersed, comforteth the broken in heart, favoureth exiles, and confirmeth the weak with example and doctrine.  
But perchance I may seem, to have said to much to you and to you all, most gentle fathers, who are troubled with graver matters, and have no leisure to read your praises. And endued with such modesty, that you will scarce attend unto it. But bear with me while I do but my duty, for I praise not you but the gifts of God that are of you, and commend the happy state of your churches unto the faithful, that they may learn to give thanks and to imitate you. I would have shown the causes why I inscribed to your name the Papal history of new Rome, partly to have declared my love towards you, for your benefits bestowed upon England & other countries. Partly that the learning which you have spread abroad in these days, may be defended with your aid. Our Lord jesus Christ, the prince of shepherds, the master of all truth, the enemy of Antechriste, strengthen and confirm you, and all your fellow ministers, with the power of the holy ghost, and preserve you in long health, to the comfort and joy of the Christian flock, to the overthrowing of antichrist, and the amplifying of his name. Amen.  
john Bale   

john Bale to the Reader.  
I Desire thee (Christian Reader) whosoever thou art that delightest in the glory of Christ against the malice of antichrist, and I beseech thee in the Lord to construe all things to the best, even those matters which seem to be spoken more bitterly against that monstrous beast and not to deprave them with slaundering, as I understand some of late have taken occasion to do by my late book published of the writers of England. Among whom some are not ashamed untruely to say that I deal unjustly with some Princes that govern the estates of Christendom. Othersome say that I speak malepertlye and that against all Christian modesty, that I speak unreverently of Queen Mary of England, because in one place I have written that jesabel reigneth in England, and glutteth herself with the blood of Martyrs: where as by that name I did not mean Queen Mary, but the tyranny of Rome that miserably overrunneth all England. For the places in Nicolas Grimoald, Traherne, Turner the Physician, Hooper▪ Ridley, Rogers, Bradford, Filpot, and other, do sufficiently interpret themselves to be spoken of the great antichrist and his mitred and scraped tormentors. For as the holy ghost hath taught me I have called that Roman Sinagogge the murderer of Godly men, wicked jesabel, the horned beast, the imp of the Dragon, the daughter of the devil, the spouse of Satan, speaking blasphemies, the purple beast, the mystical Babylon, the great strumpet with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, which have drunk of the wine of her fornication, the woman clothed in purple, scarlet, gold, pearls and precious stones, having a golden cup full of all filthiness & lusts of the world, the mother of fornication, and drunk with the blood of the saints of JESUS CHRIST, the habitation of devils, and the cage of all evil spirits and hateful birds.  
The occasion which first moved me hereunto was this, Anno domini 1554. our Realm of England after the xx. year of her deliverance through the mercy of God, most shamefully forsook the holy Gospel of Christ, which is the power and virtue of God to the health of all believers, & made a new profession unto the great enemy of God the Roman devil and wicked Antichrist. Of the which execrable deed thou shalt read more in the end of this book. partly also the horrible vices which follow this monster, whereof the most prudent K. Henry the eight had good proof, when he caused the houses of the hooded hypocrites, & the colleges of the massmongers in his kingdom, before their utter destruction which was in the year of our Lord God 1538. to be visited, by the worshipful doctors of the law, Thomas Lee, Richard Laiton, Thomas Bedill, Thomas Barthlet the public notary, & such others. In the which there were such swarms of whoremongers, ruffians, filthy parsons, guilty of sin against nature, , and yet votaries and unmarried all, so that thou wouldst think that there were a new Gomorrha among them. The book of them is called the breviary of things found out in abbeys, assemblies, colleges, etc. Out of the which book I will show but one or other example, to an unsavoury taste thereof. In the monastery called Battle abbey in the Diocese of Chichester, these many guilty of sin against nature were found in the visitation, john the Abbot, Richard Salchurst, Thomas Cuthberth, William March, john Hasting, Gregory Champion, Clement Westfild, john Cross, Thomas Crambroke, Thomas basil, john Hamfild, john Jerome, Clemens Grigge, Richard Tovye, and john Austin. These were incontinente livers, Thomas Lyvet with one married wife & one harlot, Thomas Cranbroke with the same, and other beside. Lo this is the chaste Religion of the Pope.  
At Canterbury among the Benedictine monks these were guilty of sin against nature, Richard Godmersham, William Lichfild, Christopher james, john Goldmistone, Nicolas Clement, William Causton, john Ambrose, Thomas Farlegh, and Thomas Morton. Whoremongers, Christopher james aforesaid with three married women, and Nicolas Clement with one harlot. In the Abbey of S. Augustine these were found unchaste, john the Abbot with one woman, john Langdan with two, john Langport with one, Richard Compton with one, William Reynsforth with one, William Godmerstone with two, David Franckes with two, Robart saltwood one, Laurence Goldstone one, William Holingborne one, William Milton one, john Shrewsbery one, and Thomas Barhan guilty of sin against nature. In the abbey of Bath among many other Richard Lincombe had seven. harlots, iij. married women, and iiii. singlewomen and he was guilty of sin against nature also, William Benushon had xi. harlots, beside divers guilty of sin against nature. In the abbey of Monkenferlege in Salisbury diocese, Lewis the Prior had 9 harlots, Richard the Prior of Maiden Bradley had u harlots and six bastards, William the Abbot of Bristol had iiij. harlots, iij. unmarried & one married. Thomas Abbot of Abington beside his own natural sister of whom he begat two children, had three other harlots, and this man was the father of many that was guilty of sin against nature. In the abbey of Sulbred in the diocese of Cicester George Walden Prior had seven. harlots, john Standney seven. Nicolas duke u Henry Selwood two, with many others. john Blank Prior of Bermondsey had xi. harlots.  
At the castle of Wyndsor Henry Woodward had very many harlots, Nicolas Whyden had iiij. George Whitthorne u. Nicolas Spoken u Simon Tod one, Nicolas Walker ij. William Vause one, Robart Davison uj. Peter Bough had many, and so other had others.  
In the Cathedral Church at Chichester, john Champion Prebendary of Waltam had ij. harlots, William Cross had one wife, Thomas Parker ij. harlots, Richard Busteld one of whom he begat a child, Barthelmew Cokisley i Robart hunt had divers, Tho. Goffe. had ij. being other men's wives, john Hill xiii. harlots, Robart Moor had many, Roger Barham many, john Bedfild many, with others, among that which the foresaid Roger Barham and john Champion were guilty of sin against nature. These were taken out of the foresaid book. Behold what monsters Popery hath nourished throughout England in abbeys and colleges. Are not these foul birds most justly banished with their most filthy Pope, the romish Idol? In all other places as well in congregations as colleges the like things are committed and done, the which were to long or rather to shameful thoroughly to declare, for they gate unto them in most places through this Popish Religion, either the French pocks or the Spanish decease. And there were in England more than xl. Abbeys of divers kinds of monks, beside the most wicked nests of the begging friars, of the which there were almost two hundredth. Unto whom these verses do aptly agreed. 
It is not sure a miss that monks should fathers termed be,  
Sigh such swarms of their bastard brats in every place they see.  There is yet a third matter which forced me hereunto, and having seen and herded these things vehemently moved me to write. This is the precept of Christ in the xviij. Chapter of the Revelation of S. john: For a voice came from heaven from the right hand of the father and the everlasting throne of Christ, with a great voice sounded in our ears saying. Go from her my people jest you be made partakers of her wickedness, and you receive part of her punishment. For her sins are go up to heaven, and God hath remembered her wickedness. And then commandment followeth which was given against the beast with seven heads. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you, and give her double according to her works, and pour in double to her in the same cup which she filled unto you. And forasmuch as she glorified herself and lived wanton, so much pour you into her of punishment and sorrow. This is the word of the Lord declared unto us as well here as in the fifty Chap. of jeremy. That this serpent might perish & all his doings brought to naught. Yet for all this I do well remember the sayings of S. Paul, that all Princes aught to be honoured although they be wicked and unprofitable for a common wealth, because they be placed there of God, neither to speak evil of them being but wotmes, dust and ashes, Neither dare I murmur against the providence of God, which is contrary to his holy word. Therefore from the bottom of my heart I beseech our Lord and Redeemer jesus Christ, that he would have mercy upon all Kings, Princes and Nations, and so provide that all nations may be so governed as is most tending to his glory: For whose revenge he hath most stoutly fortified me up in this my old age. Not studying to derogate or take away the honour from any Christian King, but only to inveigh against the romish beast, the synagogue of Satan, and most wicked Antichrist, with the writings and testimony of most learned men.  
If I shall have said any thing sharper than thou didst look for (most gentle Reader) consider I pray you the huge tyranny of this most wicked Viper of the world, whose destruction according to God's promises is at hand. Great Babylon shall fall which hath seduced many Nations, and shall be destroyed the whole world marveling thereat. If the vehemency of my style shall offend thee, behold the marvelous force of the holy ghost in the Prophet David and most holy king, who in the lords cause most stoutly said: I have hated the congregation of the wicked, Psal. 25. He promises also afterward by his Prophets, that he would destroy the brothel houses and wicked places. Ezechi. 16. I will show faith the Lord unto all Nations thy nakedness, and to all kingdoms thy shame Nahum. 3. Thy dishonour and filthiness shall be opened, and thy reproach shall be seen, I will be revenged, and none shall resist me, Esay▪ 47. Woe be unto those Kings as many as have worshipped the beast or have aided her, or have received help of her, or have committed fornication with her, as many as have served her, and have joined hands against the Lamb, and waged battle for her cause, because their names are not written in the book of life from the beginning of the world. And the Lamb shall overcome them at the last like a Lord of Lords, and king of kings, and they shall go together with the beast to destruction and utter damnation, apocalypse 17. GOD therefore give in the hearts of Christians whom the x. horns do shadow, that they may faithfully execute this his will and judgement, that they may make her desolate and leave her naked, that they may eat her flesh and burn her in fire, that is, let her abide her last punishment for the shedding of the innocent blood, of so many faithful Christians. Be it done, Be it done. Amen.   

To the Reader. T. R. GENTLEMAN.  
THe worthy wits of elder years have traveled sea and land,  
To seek and search the wondrous works of natures skilful hand:  
And men's delight hath ever been most ugly things to view,  
To look on creatures out of kind, as monsters old and new.  
If therefore thou as other men my friend affected be,  
And dost desire ugly things, and monsters strange to see:  
Then take the pain to seek and search within this little book,  
And here thou shalt upon so strange a mongrel monster look:  
As never nature bread on earth, whose shape is in this wise,  
As I shall partly portraiture the same before thy eyes.  
It is a little beast that hath ten horns, seven heads, & crownets seven,  
Who with his tail from clouds to clouds sweeps down the stars of heaven.  
Upon whose back in princely pomp, and glistering gold array,  
And proudly pranked in precious pearls, and clad in purple gay,  
The stately strumpet sits, that is the whore of Babylon,  
And in her hand a golden cup of fornication.  
Wherewith the world she poisoned hath which drunken with her wine,  
Hath fallen down flat unto the beast, as to a god divine:  
Which forced kings to leave their crowns, & Keisar stoop for awe,  
While on his royal neck the beast hath said his filthy paw.  
Who hath the mighty monarch made to hold his stirrup low,  
And caused them on humble knees to come to kiss his toe:  
Who forced great estates to stand barefooted in the street,  
And proudly put the crown on head of princes with his feet.  
And made the son and subject both against their king and ●yre,  
Often to rebel whose burning breath set all the world on fire:  
Who hath blasphemd our glorious God, with thousand mischiefs more  
Lo to be brief, such is the beast of whom I spoke before.  
Which erst discovered was by Bale among the rocks of Rome,  
And by the painful pen of S. is into England come.  
That every man may know the same, and learn to shone the beast,  
Who while she lorked close did spy mankind by East and West.  
Accept therefore my friends good will, that thus his travel spent,  
Praise God for it, and him for pain that this unto thee sent.  
FINIS.   

THE FIRST BOOK of the Pageant of Popes.  

S. Peter not bishop of Rome.  
FOR so much as the Bishops of Rome have claimed, and do still claim their usurped supremacy by right of inheritance and succession from Peter, because he (as they pretend) was bishop of Rome at the lest xxv years, and so tied all this dignity and prerogative (which they fight for) to his chair for ever: It shallbe therefore needful to consider, how likely it is to be true, that Peter continued bishop in Rome according to their boasting. This matter shallbe the better displayed if these three points be laid open to the reader's eye: that is the year that Peter came to Rome, the years that Peter sat at Rome, and the death of Peter.  

¶ Of S. Peter's coming to Rome.  
Touching the time of his coming to Rome, their own histories do write so uncertainly that it seemeth more certain that he never came there.  
First their legendary of saints lives called Passionale, 
Passionale.  counteth that he came not there till the xiii. year of Claudius, and that should be the 55. year of the incarnation of Christ, and 22. year after his death.  
Platina says, that in the second year of Claudius, being the xi. year after the death of Christ, 
Platina in vita Petri.  Peter came to Rome being the head of the world, partly because he perceived that this was a seat pontificali dignitati convenientem, fit for pontifical dignity, partly because of Simon Magus. Thus he maketh that partly ambition and dignity drew Peter to Rome, there to take his ease contrary to the duty and doing of the poor painful and godly Apostle, who as he had in charge by jesus Christ, travailed still from place to place, not for the dignity of a bishop at Rome, but to plant the Gospel throughout the world.  
Orosius saith he came sooner, even in the beginning of the reign of Claudius: lib. 7. cap. 6.  
Fasciculus temporum says, he came not till the fourth year of Claudius.  

Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 13.  Eusebius saith, that by God's especial providence he came to Rome. Euestigio sub ipso Claudij imperio. Out of hand under Claudius his reign Peter came to Rome because of Simon Magus.  

In Claudio.  Vspergensis says, some report that he came in the beginning of the reign of Claudius: some say, not till the second year: Other say, that he came not till the fourth year of his regiment: Again, some think that he came in the beginning thereof, but took not upon him to be bishop till the fourth year of Claudius: Other think that he was bishop forthwith as soon as he came.  

Ennead. 7. lib. 2.  Sabellicus says, that he came to Rome altero anno regiminis eius (Claudij): in the second year of Claudius his regiment.  
Naucler says, that he came to Rome in the fourth year of Claudius, and began his bishopric the same year in Rome: in secunda generatione vol: 2.  
It were to long to recite all the opinions of Peter's coming to Rome and his enstalling: but by these it may appear how the Roman jury can give no certain verdict upon such unconstant evidence.   

¶ The continuance of Peter in his Bishopric.  
S. Jerome saith, he reigned xxvii. years.  
Beda saith, he sat at Rome xxix. years.  
Fasciculus Temporum, hitteth it jump and misseth not one day, saying: he was martyred by Nero after he had been bishop of Rome twenty-five. years seven. months & viii, days.  
The most do agreed to this account as Vspergensis, Platina, and other, that he reigned not above twenty-five. years.   

¶ Peter'S death.  
NIcephorus saith, he was buried in the xxxvii. year after the death of Christ.  
Of these premises this is to be gathered that Peter came to Rome at the furthest in the fourth year of Claudius, and that is, the xiii. year after the death of Christ, and reigned there twenty-five. years at the lest: and was put to death there in the last year of Nero, being the 38. year after the death of Christ. This seemeth to be most probable, and in taking this time we shall seem to deal most favourably with the papist, who would so fain derive this bastard branch of Roman prelate's from the holy Apostle: so that if it can be proved, that Peter sat not bishop of Rome these twenty-five. years, then must the Pope seek out a new petagrewe for his succession falsely fathered upon Peter: his ancient continuance of hundred years, being disproved by the scripture being more ancient, can prove nothing for lawful regiment, but rather improve him of unlawful usurping for so long time. And therefore for the more evident understanding hereof it shallbe most convenient to confer the years of the Emperors with the years of Christ his incarnation and death, which for the more ease I have set forth in this table following: wherein appeareth that our saviour Christ suffered death in the 33. year of his age, in the 18. year of Tiberius, who reigned in all 23. years, thereof u years after Christ's death. The next is Caligula reigning three years x. months viii. days. Then succeeded Claudius for 13. years 8. months and 28. days. Last was Nero, continuing 13. years 10. months and 18 days, all which time being added together doth make almost 37. years, which is the time that Peter lived after the death of our saviour: 
Nicepho. li. 2. cap. 34  as Nicephorus testifieth.  
The years of Christ's incarnation. The years after Christ's death. The years of the Emperors. The years after Paul conversion. 33 Christ died Tiberins. 18  34 1 19  35 2 20 Paul con. 36 3 21 1 37 4 22 2 38 5 23 3 39 6 Caligula. 4 40 7 2 5 41 8 3 6 42 9 4 7 43 10 Claudius. 8 44 11 2 9 45 12 3 10 46 13 4 11 47 14 5 12 48 15 6 13 49 16 7 14 50 17 8 15 51 18 9 16 52 19 10 17 53 20 11 18 54 21 12 19 55 22 13 20 56 23 14 21 57 24 Nero. 22 58 25 2 23 59 26 3 24 60 27 4 25 61 28 5 26 62 29 6 27 63 30 7 28 64 31 8 29 65 32 9 30 66 33 10 31 67 34 11 22 68 35 12 33 69 36 13 34 70 37 14 35   Galba.   
Whether Peter were bishop of Rome before the death of Christ, seeing there is no question to be made, it needeth not to be spoken of: for the time after his death it followeth that for the first year after our redemption Peter went not to Rome, but continued about Jerusalem (saving once that he went to Samaria for a season) till the conversion of Paul, 
Act. 8.  as appeareth by all the discourse of the Acts of the Apostles, till you come to the ninth chapter thereof: which because it is easy there to find, tedious to be set down at large, and nothing doubted of, I leave it to the diligence of the reader, who shall plainly perceive, that Peter was still in judea to the conversion of Paul, which was in the second year after the death of Christ, the year of th incarnation 35. for Niceph. says, that he preached 35. years, lib. 2. cap. 34. and he died in the last year of Nero, being the 70. year of thincarnation: from which take 35. and the remain is as much: so that in the 35. year of Christ Paul was converted.   

¶ Peter not at Rome from the year of the incarnation 35. to the year 38.  
ANno Domini 37. Pilate (as Eusebius lib. 2. cap. 2. and Vspergensis testify) written his letter to Tiberius, concerning Christ, his doctrine, divine miracles, death, & resurrection: whereupon the Emperor commanded that Christ should be placed among the Gods of Rome: If Peter now had been bishop at Rome or a year before, this had not been so strange news to the Emperor: Neither had Pilates letter prevailed so much with the Emperor touching Christ, as the doctrine and miracles, which Peter would (for confirming of the faith) have done in the name of jesus.  
The year following being the 38. was the third year from the conversion of Paul, in which year Paul returned to Jerusalem & found Peter there, as is testified in the first to the Galathians: which coming of Paul is specefied in the ninth of the Acts.   

¶ From the year 38. to the year 46.  
AFter Paul had been a while in Jerusalem, he was sent away to Tarsus. 
Act. 9  And at that time S. Luke saith, that the church had peace throughout all judea, Galilye, and Samaria. And that Peter did walk over all those countries, where they proceeded in the fear of God, the believing multiplied. How many years Peter spent in these countries, it is not evident: but immediately from thence he did ascend to Lydda, and there healed Aeneas, who had been lame eight years: the fame of which miracle drawn thither all the inhabitors of Lydda and Sarona, who by Peter's preaching were all converted to the lord: These things do argue that Peter made some abode in Lydda also: Immediately from thence he went to joppa, where he revived Tabytha, and tarried at joppa with Simon the Tanner a long season: From thence he went forthwith to Cornelius the Centurion at Caesarea, 
Act. 10.  where he preached, and baptised those that were converted: and there also he was entreated to tarry for a time. From thence he came to Jerusalem, 
Act. 11.  where he continued, till he being imprisoned by Herode, was delivered by God's Angel, and being set at liberty, 
Act. 12.  showed himself secretly to the congregation at the house of Mary, and then conveyed himself away: And this was done as appeareth by Luke, the same year that Herode or Agrippa having reigned 7. years, 
jeseph. anti. lib. 19 cap. 7  died afterward at Caesarea, strike by God's Angel: who being as josephus says, released out of prison, and made king there by Caligula reigned in all seven years:  
Caligula would have restored this Agrippa to his liberty, 
joseph. Anti. lib. 18. cap. 8.  as soon as he himself came to the Empire, even the same day that the solemnity was kept for the burial of his predecessor Tiberius. But (says josephus) Antonia the wife of Caligula, gave him counsel that he should no do so, but pause a while longer, not because she was loath that Agrippa should be at liberty, but because the Emperor by delivering of him so speedily, should be thought that he did it in despite of Tiberius, who had committed him to prison, and therefore it was deferred for a season, & at length he was delivered: then the next year Agrippa craved leave of Caligula to go into judaea to his kingdom, which was granted him. So that by this computation it may easily appear, that whereas Agrippa (as joseph saith) died in the seventh year of his reign, this seventh year doth arise to the fourth year of Claudius, who did next succeed Caligula. Thus it is apparent that Herode or Agrippa as joseph calleth him, died in the 46. year of the incarnation, and that the same year Peter was prisoner at Jerusalem as is said before, and not bishop at Rome.  
Another reason to prove that it should be this year, may be this: S. Luke in the twelve. chapter of the Acts says, that this Herode had conceived displeasure against the Tirians and Sidonians, which was the cause, that after the same Easter that Peter was imprisoned, he went down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, whether the Tirians and Sidonians came unto him, and by the intercession of Blastus the kings chamberlain they sued for peace at his hand, because (says Luke) in the 20. verse of the 12. chapter of the Acts, their country was nourished by the kings country: signifying that the provision of king Agrippa aided their necessity in the time of the famine being then. This dearth & famine is that, whereof Agabus the prophet did prophecy at Antioch, which says Luke Acts the xi. came to pass in the reign of Claudius, and as other authors have noted it was in the fourth year of Claudius, so says Vsper gensis: Thus we see that yet to this fourth year of Claudius by which time at the uttermost Peter should not only be at Rome, but begin his regiment over the church, he is yet at Jerusalem, which is 1600. miles from Rome: But because that Luke says, after that he was delivered by the Angel out of prison, and after that he had signified his delivery to Mary, he conveyed himself away from thence. I will proceed to examine, whether he went not now from Jerusalem to Rome, and therefore go to the two years that ensued next.   

¶ Anno 48: and 49.  
ANno domini 49. Peter was at Jerusalem: for this year the counsel was held at Jerusalem: mentioned in the xv. of the Acts. At which synod Peter was present, and made an oration as is showed in the seven. verse of the said chapter. But now it remains to be proved, that this Synod was at this time: for proof hereof Saint Paul speaking of his coming to this counsel in the second chapter to the Galathians, saith: Then after 14. years I came again up to Jerusalem, and Barnabas with me etc. by the rest that followeth it is evident that Paul signified his coming to this counsel, and not any other time of his repairing to Jerusalem: and so also doth S. Jerome understand it, which being xiiii. years after the conversion of Paul, falls out to be in the year of our Lord 49. & the seventh year of the reign of Claudius, as may appear by the former table: And yet is Peter still in his Apostelship at Jerusalem: and not in his pontifical dignity at Rome.  
But here it may be said, that S. Jerome and divers other which follow him, do reckon that this synod was held Anno domini 51. and do ground it upon the foresaid words of Paul▪ for where as. Paul speaking of his conversion at Damascus, saith: that after three years he came to Jerusalem, and then after fourteen years he returned again to Jerusalem: this is to be understood, not xiiii. years from his conversion, but from his former being at Jerusalem, and so consequently in the xvii. year of his conversion, which should be also the ix. year of the reign of Claudius: This is the computation of Jerome: but this is easily disproved: for in the 
Orosius, li. 7. cap. 6.  ninth year of Claudius, the jews were all banished from Rome, because says Suetonius, they made tumults, Impulsore Christo, by means of Christ: And at this time Paul was at Athens, as Vspergensis writeth, 
In Claud. cap. 24.  and it appeareth like wise by the history of the Acts: for Paul departing from Athens, went to Corinth, where he met with Aquila and Priscilla, who (says the text) were lately come from Italy, 
Act. 18.  because Claudius had commanded that all jews should departed from Rome: This being evident that Paul was at this time at Athens, it is further to be considered whether he might not be at Jerusalem the same year at the counsel or no. Most certain it is that Paul was at the counsel, and that it was held before his coming to Athens, and that so long time that the only consideration thereof might be sufficient to prove, that the same synod was not held the same year: For those questions being discussed about which they were assembled, 
Act. 15.  Paul and Barnaba with certain other returned with letters from Jerusalem to Antioch, where they stayed, and tarried preaching and teaching for a time, till at the length Paul agreed with Barnabas to go visit the brethren, in those cities where they had taught the gospel. So that Paul passed from Antioch to Syria, & Cilicia, confirming the churches: afterward he came to Derba and Lystra, 
Act. 16.  where he found Timothy, and having circumcised him he took him with him, and as they passed forth (says Luke) from city to city they gave unto them the institutions of the Apostles and Elders of of Jerusalem, that they should observe them, so that the churches were confirmed in faith and increased daily: Also they walked throughout Phrygia and Galacia, and being forbidden by the spirit to preach in Asia, they went to Nysia, from thence to Troada, from thence to Samothracia, then to Neaples, and so to Philippis, and stayed there certain days, 
Act. 17.  from thence to Thessalonica, where Paul preached three weeks, from thence he went to Beraea, and there preached with great fruit, till the jews came thither from Thessalonica to disquiet him, and from this Berea Paul was conveyed to Athens: Now let the diligent reader consider all these journeys with other circumstances, as continuance of time, and distance of place, and Paul's abiding in every place to preach diligently, and then judge whether the foresaid synod could be held this same year that Paul came to Athens: Weighing also that many more notable cities are in these countries Galacia, Mysia, Phrigia, and the rest, visited by Paul but not spoken of in the Acts: Again considering that the Apostle traveled by land all most altogether & that by leasurable journeys on foot, he could not finish thousands of miles in short time, but that it were very hard for him to come to Athens the same year. Beside all this if it were to be understood as Jerome maketh it, then if you account it in the table, you shall find it to be one year further, that is the year 52. and it is plain to be more untrue, for then by this time Paul had continued a year in Corinthe, and so had not been in Jerusalem in two years before:  
The conclusion therefore is, that the said counsel could not be held according to the account made by Jerome▪ and therefore S. Paul's words must be understood as I said before, namely of fourteen years after his conversion: and then it is evident that Peter was yet in Jerusalem in the year 49.  
But to proceed: it may be demanded, where Peter was from the time of his delivery out of prison at Jerusalem to the time of this synod: that is from the fourth year of Claudius to the seventh year of his reign. Perhaps Peter went to Rome at some time between those years. Nicephorus saith, that in the fifth year of Claudius Peter was at Jerusalem, 
Nicepho. li. 2. cap. 21.  at the death of the virgin Mary. But if we weigh diligently the history of the scripture, conferring one place with an other, it shall appear that although it be not specified in the acts, yet Peter was at Antioch in this time. For Paul in the second to the Gallathians saith, that Peter came to Antioch, which could not be at any time before this time of his delivery out of prison as may appear by the former part of this discourse. Again diverse reasons there are, which move me to think that it was before the time of this counsel: for first Peter being at Antioch Paul saith of himself, that he reproved Peter even to his face, because that he did eat with the Gentiles, till certain came from james from Jerusalem, and then Peter being afraid to offend those circumcised, did shrink away from the Gentiles. And the rest of the jews yea and Barnabas also fallen into the same dissimulation with them. This dissembling of Peter is one reason to prove that it was before the counsel, for it seemed to Peter a doubtful matter, whether he might be conversant with the Gentiles, which if it had been as it was afterward by the counsel determined, that circumcision was not necessary, then had Peter been out of doubt what to do therein, and would have dealt plainly according to the truth which he had known manifestly: Again if it had been after the counsel, the matter being discussed and agreed upon, Peter should not have had any cause to dissemble for fear of offending them in that point, that came from james: neither needed he to have mistrusted that they would mislike of that, which should have been allowed by the church: neither would Peter have regarded more their unjust offence, than the decree of the counsel. Last of all in the beginning of the 15. of the Acts Luke maketh mention of such that came from Jerusalem and troubled the church at Antioch about circumcision, and how Paul and Barnabas stood against them, and hereupon ensued the said counsel. And thus it appeareth that Peter was at Antioch at this time, and hitherto therefore to the year of the incarnation 49 he came not within a thousand miles of Rome.   

¶ Anno Domini 50. and 51.  
IN the latter year of these twain being the ninth year of Claudius, 
Oros. lib. 7 cap. 6.  all the jews (as is proved before) were vanished from Rome: which overthroweth the establishing of Peter's bishopric for that year.  
And as for the former year by their own stories it seemeth not to be the time of his coming, for at his first coming Simon Magus as Platina reports, was in such honour at Rome through the admiration of his sorcery, that he was honoured as a God: for a pillar was set up between two bridges, whereupon it was written, Simoni sancto Deo, To Simon the holy God: so that Peter had a great conflict ere he could root out the credit of Simon Magus, and plant the Gospel and jesus Christ in the hearts of the Romans, which by the testimony of Platina he did so effectually ere he left, that in the end Simon Magus being brought to contempt, Simon Peter was reverenced and honoured almost like a God. All this asketh more time & leisure to be brought to pass, than Peter could hitherto obtain in Rome.  
Concerning these former two years this may be said briefly. Platina and the rest of the Roman registers do avouch that Peter after he left Jerusalem, went to Antioch and continued there bishop seven years, or as some other think five years at the lest, or he came to Rome. This being allowed of them for a manifest truth on the one side, and it being evident by the scripture by the premises, that this bishopric at Antioch could not be established at the uttermost till the years 49. it followeth by their account, that it is sure, that for these years 52. & 53. being within the compass of the forenamed five years, Peter was not at Rome but at Antioch, nothing nearer to Rome then is Jerusalem.   

¶ Anno 52, 53, and 54.  
TOuching the last year of these that is the year 54. and the twelfth year of Claudius, it is evident that Peter was not bishop at Rome, for then Paul written his epistle thither to the Romans, in the sixteenth chapter whereof he endeth his epistle with particular salutations to xviii. persons by name, beside private households: and among those xviii. eight or nine were women, and yet there is no mention made of Peter, surely if Peter had go thither before the writing of this epistle, so that Paul might have then thought that he had been there, Paul would not so have neglected the worthy Apostle among the rest, unless he should seem to make less account of him in the church then of women: if therefore the epistle were now written it is probable, Peter was not now at Rome. But it is apparent enough that the epistle was written at this time. Paul in the xv. chapter and the 24 verse to the Romans promises that he would come to Rome, but excuseth himself that he came not presently, for now (saith he) I am going to Jerusalem, so that hereby it seemeth to be written in his journey at some time going to Jerusalem. But it is needful to consider at what time especially this was because he went thither five several times as it appeareth, first in the ninth, secondly in the twelfth, thirdly in the xv. fourthly in the xviii. fiftly and last that is mentioned in scripture in the xxi. chapter of the Acts. And touching the first three times, it could not be at any of those voyages, because Paul had not yet met with Timothe, for he found him not as it is showed in the sixteenth of the acts, till after his third coming from Jerusalem, from the synod: but at the writing of this epistle Timothy was in his company, for in the end of his epistle he sendeth commendations in the name of Timothy. 
Roman. 16.  Then of those two ascending after his acquaintance with Timothy, it is plain that it could not be that he written it at the first time mentioned in the 18 of the Acts, for in the 18. verse of the same chapter, ere Paul returned to Jerusalem it is said that he departed from Corinthe to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila, went with him to Ephesus, where he left them and would not stay being thereto requested, because he hasted to Jerusalem, whether he went immediately: At this ascending to Jerusalem, this epistle seemeth not to be written, because in the 16. chapter thereof he sendeth commendations to Aquila and Priscilla, who were with him in the most part of this journey, 
Act. 18.  and almost two years before continually at Corinthe, who parting from Paul went not to Rome as he knew, but stayed at Ephesus, where he left them promising to return thither to them. But if any make this objection, that because of these salutations to Aquila and Priscilla this epistle might be written before they came from Rome, at some time of Paul's going to Jerusalem, this is answered with that which I have noted before, that it could not be so, because Paul was not then acquainted with Timothy, with whom he met but even lately before he came to Corinthe, and went not to Jerusalem, from the time that he found Timothy till now, that he left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus: the conclusion therefore is, that this epistle was written to Rome at the last time that Paul went up to Jerusalem, and by that time might Aquila and Priscilla he returned to Rome: Beside all this, in the 19 of the Acts & the 20. verse, Luke saith that Paul purposed through the spirit after he had walked through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying: after I have been there I must go to s● Rome, here he seemeth to be first (that is mentioned) mindful of Rome, and this was at his last going to Jerusalem: But confer this place with his own words in the xv. chapter and 23. verse of his epistle, and it will plain appear that the same epistle was written at this time above named, his words be these:  
I have longed many years to see you, when so ever I go into Spain I will come to you etc. But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints: for it hath pleased Macedonia and Achaia, to impart somewhat to the poor saints at Jerusalem, etc. As soon as I have dispatched this etc. I will go from hence into Spain.  
Finally Paul mistrusting the cruelty of the jews against him at this time more than heretofore, and that truly as it fallen out, Acts the 21. desireth the Romans earnestly to pray for him, that God would deliver him from those rebels which were in judea. All the which I allege to testify against the judgement of divers other that this epistle by most presumptions was written the last time of Paul's going to Jerusalem, which was in the twelft year of Claudius, the 54. year of the incarnation: for Luke testifieth that Paul was two year there prisoner before that Foelix the precedent of judea departed, & Festus came in his stead: who was sent thither by Nero in the beginning of his reign immediately upon the death of Claudius who departed in the 14. year of his Empire, as josephus testifieth Antiquit. lib. 20. cap. 5. Again in the same place josephus showeth that in the xi. year of Claudius, Foelix was made lieutenant of judea, who as it appeareth by Tertullus oration against Paul, Acts the 24. had been in judea at the lest a year ere Paul came thither, so that considering he came thither in the xi. year, and tarried but to the xiiii year of Claudius, and Paul was prisoner two years before his departure, it falls out that Paul came to Jerusalem about the twelve. year of Claudius, and that the epistle was written to Rome the same year, and finally that this year Peter had not his prerogative papal at Rome. And of this judgement is Caluine saying, that this epistle to the Romans seemeth to be written four years before that Paul came to Rome. Instituti. cap. 8. sectione. 101.  
Furthermore S. Ambrose upon the Epistle to the Romans saith, that he hath read in certain old books that at the sending of this Epistle Narcissus whom with his family Paul saluteth, was then the senior of the congregation at Rome: Ergo not Peter.   

Anno. 55.56.57.58.  
IN the second year of Nero, being the 58. year of the incarnation, Paul came to Rome by the testimony of Vspergensis: In Nerone: & Eusebius li. 2. cap. 21. At which time it is evident that Peter was not bishop according to the Roman brag: for when Paul came to Rome, Luke being then with him says, 
Act. 28.  that the brethren hearing of us came forth to meet us etc. but there is no mention made of Peter, neither coming nor sending to Paul. The third day after, Paul sent for the chief of the jews, reasoning with them about the faith, who answered him thus. We will hear what thou dost think: for we know that this sect is spoken against every where: When Paul had ended his sermon, the jews fallen at variance about it, for some believed, and some believed not. This answer and doing of the jews showeth, that they had herded but little of Christ, till the coming of Paul: nothing so much as they should have herded and known, if Peter being (by faith and promise' their peculiar Apostle) had been bishop in Rome these twelve years since the fourth of Claudius, or but at any time within these four years since the epistle of Paul was sent to Rome. Neither can it be excused to say, that he might be bishop, and yet not meddle with preaching to the jews, but exercise himself in converting the Gentiles, this excuse cannot take place, for if Peter had been in Rome, he aught chief to have conferred with the jews: for as Paul says in the ninth verse of the second to the Galathians, that by promise Paul was appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter to the jews, & therefore as we see that Paul discharged his duty in that point to the Gentiles, so is it to be thought, that Peter did likewise to the circumsized, as partly appeareth by his first epistle written namely to the dispersed jews in Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, Asia, and Bythinia, unto the which thing Eusebius lib. 3. cap. 4. thinketh he did wholly addict himself: And therefore it is not likely that Peter hitherto had any such prerogative in Rome as the Pope dreameth of.   

Anno. 59 and 60.  

Act. 28.  IT appeareth that for these two years Peter came not yet to his dignity, for Paul coming prisoner to Rome, did continued there as Luke testifieth, two years, all the which time saith Nicephorus, he lived by the labour of his hands, lib. 2. cap. 3. If Peter had been at Rome as Platina would have him in Pontifical dignity, he would have provided so, that Paul should not have been in such distress: But it is manifest, that he was not there all this time: by those epistles that were now written by Paul from Rome: For in those epistles there is no mention made of Peter's being with him. 
Galat. 1  In the epistle to the Galathians Paul being compelled to confirm the authority of his doctrine and Apostleship, which some sought to deface, speaketh much of former acquaintance between him and Peter, how he came to Jerusalem, Act. 9 to see Peter: And how he reproved him at Antioch etc. And yet he maketh no mention of his being with him at this time, especially when Peter's testimony by subscription or otherwise might most have confirmed Paul's cause, and have testified his doctrine to be as authentical, as that which the other Apostles taught. Which opportunity if Paul should have omitted, when it might both have stood him in steed, and might best have been obtained, it should have given greater occasion, to increase the discredit & mistrust of Paul's function & preaching: And this would the wise and careful Apostle have considered, who omitted no opportunity to the furtherance of the Gospel. etc.  
Again by the latter Epistle to Timothy, written at Paul's latter imprysonnement in Rome, as Eusebius. li. 2 cap. 21. testifieth, it appeareth that Peter was not with him at the time of his former captivity by these words: In my first defence (meaning when he answered for himself first before Nero) no man assisted me. 
Timoth. 2. cap. 4.  If Peter had been there, surely Paul should not have had cause thus to complain, unless Peter's charity had waxen so cold that he would forsake his fellow Apostle. Which if it had been so (as I dare not imagine it) then would Paul have noted him by name to Timothy as he did Demas, Hymeneus, and Philetus. If he had succoured him, he would have been mindful to make thankful report thereof, as he did of Onesimus and divers other, Aquila and Priscilla: Furthermore, 
Tim. 2. 4▪ Rom. 18  the Epistle to the Colossians was also written at this time as it appeareth by mention made of Demas, who now was with Paul, but afterward forsook him, as appeareth in the second to Timothy. Beside that by Onesimus, (who was with Paul only in his first captivity, and carried these letters to Colossa) it is plain that it was written at this time, and yet among all other that are there named Peter is put up in silence.  
The Epistle beginneth, Paul and Timothy, if Peter had been there he had been added also.  
Finally, S. Luke being all this time of imprisonment with Paul, and continuing his story till the end of Paul's imprisonment, for so he concludeth the history of the Acts, saying that Paul continued two whole years in a place which he had hired in Rome, receiving all that came in unto him preaching with all liberty, and teaching those things that were in Christ jesus, and no man forbade him. Thus doth Luke testify of Paul, and yet he speaketh not one word that Peter should then be there, or that he had been there at any time, neither that he should come thither at any time after. Thus are four years of Nero's reign passed, and yet is Peter not reigning to this time in his diocese whereof he took possession (by the romish registers) fourteen years since.   

¶ From the year 60. to the year 67.  
IN the year of th'incarnation 60. Paul as is said, was prisoner at Rome, who for the time of his abode there, so planted the Gospel, that at his departing from thence he left great fruit thereof, and such in deed as if Peter had succeeded Paul within two, three, or four years, and there supplied the room of a bishop, Cornelius Tacitus speaking of the estate of the Christians in Rome about the year 67. being but seven years after Paul's departure, should not have had cause so soon to say as he doth, that by that time the Christian Religion was repressed: For Vspergensis says, that in the 67. year, Nero did set Rome on fire, of the which Cornelius Tacitus writing, lib. 15. Augustae historiae, saith: Ergo abolendo rumori Nero subdidit reos. etc. Therefore Nero (to stop the rumour of his setting the city on fire) suborned guilty people, and executed with strange punishment, those whom the vulgar people detesting for their wickedness, doth call Christians. That mischievous superstition being repressed till now, broke out again, etc. Therefore first they were taken that confessed it, afterward by their accusation an huge multitude, not so much for that they were guilty of fyreing the city as for hatred, are condemned, and were put to death with great despite, some encased in the skins of wild beasts, that they might be torn in pieces with dogs, some crucified, some were burned to give light in the night time. etc. These are the words of Tacitus, notwithstanding, as it appeareth he was a blasphemer of the name of Christ. By these words of his it appeareth that now Christianity began to revive, and that now it was quenched: which argueth plain that from the former time of Paul's departure till this time, Peter had not supplied in Rome the place of a preaching pastor and diligent bishop. And seeing this broil against the Christians, began now to be so hot not in all places, but especially in Rome, how could Peter sit quietly in this city as bishop thereof and not be fired out with his flock: but they say all that he lived after this time about three years, for this was done in the eleventh year of Nero, who reigned almost xiiii. years, and Peter was martyred in the last year of Nero, as they say all. If this reviving of the Gospel was by Peter's means, why would Nero spare him being the head: if Peter escaped by flying, than he showed himself to be an hireling and no true shepherd that forsaketh his flock when he seethe the wolf come.   

¶ From the year 67. to the 70. of th'incarnation.  
Now are we come to the latter time of Nero, in which years if Peter were not bishop of Rome, then is it certain that he was not bishop there at all. But to come to the purpose, Naucler. Volu. 2. generat. 2. and the most writers as Eusebius. lib. 2 cap. 25 Nicephorus li. 2. cap. 34. Sabellicus Ennead. 7. li. 2. agreed that Paul died in the year of our Lord 70. the 37. year after the death of Christ: But it may soon appear that Peter was not then bishop at Paul's last coming to Rome, for after Paul was come thither he sent for Timothy to come unto him, showing that he had need of him to come to him, because he was now desolate and had none with him, Demas had forsaken him now and embraced the world, etc. so that if this Epistle were not written at the first imprisonment of Paul, but at this latter time, then was not Peter yet estalled in his Diocese, for if he had been in Rome in his pontifical dignity, I think Paul should not have been driven to send to Ephesus 1000 miles from Rome for Timothy to bring Mark to come to minister to him. In the end of this second Epistle to Timothy, Paul sendeth commendations from divers, but none from Peter.  
There are xiiii. Epistles whereof Paul and Seneca bear the name, the one writing to the other at this later imprysonnement, and yet among them all nothing is said of Peter, and yet by occasion he might easily have been mentioned in them, if he had been then in Rome. But if by this time Peter were not yet Pope of Rome, there is no time left for him to come to enjoy it during the reign of Nero, till whose death this present persecution of the church endured with all cruelty.   

¶ The death of Peter.  
TOuching the death of Peter all writers do not agreed as it is sufficiently declared in the Acts and monuments fol. 56. in these words. They that follow the common opinion and the Pope's decrees say that both Peter and Paul suffered both in one day and one year, which opinion seemeth to be taken out of Dionysius bishop of Corinthe. Jerome in his book De viris illustr. affirmeth that they suffered both in one day, but he expresseth not the year, so doth Isiodorus and Eusebius. Prudentius in his Peristephano, noteth that they both were put to death upon the same day but not in the same year, & saith that Paul followed Peter a year after. Abdias recordeth that Paul suffered two years after Peter. Moreover if it be true which Abdias saith, that after the crucifying of Peter, Paul remained in his free custody at Rome, mentioned in the 28. of the Acts of the Apostles, which was as S. Jerome witnesseth, in the third or fourth year of Nero, then must it be ten years betwixt the martyrdom of Peter and of Paul, for as much as it is by all writers confessed that Paul suffered in the xiiii. year, which was the last year of Nero. Vspergensis saith that they were both executed in one year, but he noteth not that they died in one day. Sabellicus saith, both in one year & one day. Some say as Ambrose, that they died together both in one place. But Dionysius, saith otherwise, that the one bad tother farewell when they were parted asunder going to death. Again, the most writers say that Nero was the cause thereof: But Linus says, Agrippa commanded that Peter should be slain, because that by his persuasion four of the concubines of Agrippa refused to live any longer in such unchaste life with the king, therefore for anger he commanded that Peter should be crucified. Finally S. Jerome and Lyra, writing upon the 34. verse of the 22. chap. of matthew: say that Peter was put to death at Jerusalem by the jews, and that Christ prophesied thereof saying: Lo I send you prophets etc. and some of them you shall kill.  
Many things might be added to disprove this dotage of Peter's being bishop at Rome, but because I think this to be sufficient, I let pass divers necessary things lest I should be over tedious. But if any be desirous to see this matter more suffitiently handled, let him read Vlrichus Velenus, writing purposely of this in a little book called Demonstrationes contra Romani Papae primatus figmentum. Beside there hath been of late set forth in English a discourse very learnedly and fully entreating hereof, wherein as well the allegations of the Papists for Peter's being at Rome substantially confuted, as reasons brought to improve the same. And therefore had it not been so necessarily appertinent to the argument of this book, I would rather have referred the reader to their doings, then have spoken any thing thereof. Now it remaineth to leave Peter, and to come to the bishops of Rome.  
The order of this history requirth that every bishop should be here placed as each succeeded other: But there is such confusion among them that write of them, that no man can certainly tell whom to place first, second, third, nor fourth. And lest it be thought to be spoken rather of affection then otherwise, I thought good to show out of Vspergensis their own author, what wrangling and disagreement there is, for those that succeeded Peter, which though it be somewhat long, yet is it necessary to be showed, that it may appear what certainty they have of Peter, & those to whom he committed this universal Popedom. The words of Vspergensis in the life of Claudius be these.  
Touching the succession of the Roman bishops, their order, ●and the times, wherein they reigned from the beginning, diverse men think diversly: whose opinions I will here briefly set down, etc. Some write whereunto the ecclesiastical history agreeth, that after the death of Peter sitting at Rome chief of the Church twenty-five. years. Linus did next take the government upon him. And when he had ruled twelve. years, in the second year of Titus, he left it to Anacletus, who also after other twelve. years gave it to Clement, which seemeth to be in the xiii. year of Domician. Clement after nine years suffered under Traian. After him in the fourth place, came Evaristus, the next was Alexander, and then Sixtus, and so forth. But other write that Linus and Cletus, were both under Peter (as his vicar's or curates) and that Peter as soon as he had taken the Papacy upon him, did appoint Linus in his stead to govern the church, whereby he himself might the better follow his function of preaching: and that he departing after twelve years, Peter did substitute Cletus in his place, who also dying after twelve years, even the same year that Peter suffered under Nero. Then Peter committed his seat to Clement, giving to him and his successors power to bind and lose, whom Anacletus succeeded in the time of Domician, than followed Evaristus, etc. But because these accounts do not agreed, let us consider wherein they differ, and so try which seemeth more credible. Therefore if Linus left Anacletus, and he Clemens, then is Clement thrust out of the beadroll of Popes, whose reverence is so great among all Churches, that he is not only mentioned among martyrs, but also in the Canon of the mass, and in the Litany or procession, is placed between Linus and Clemens. But if after Linus, Cletus be placed, and then Clemens, than Evaristus, than Alexander, etc there is no place for Anacletus to get in. And Beda in his Martyrtologie, that Anacletus was the fourth after Peter, and suffered under Domician, making Linus first, Cletus second, Clemens third, and Anacletus fourth. But if Anacletus be placed after Clement, and as Beda sayeth, died under Domician, then cannot it hold that his predecessor Clemens should suffer under Traian, because it may evidently be proved that he suffered under Domician, if his successor Anacletus be not denied to suffer under the same Emperor. Furthermore, if Linus and Anacletus, as some say, or Linus and Cletus, as other say: did both rule twelve years a piece after the death of Peter, dying the xiiii. year of Nero, than it arising to 24. years, it falls out that the latter of them should suffer in the twelve. of Domician, & so Clemens could not receive power to bind and lose, neither the seat of Peter. Which opinion also is confirmed of diverse: and to this is added that Dionysius Areopagita hasting from Athens to Rome against the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul, but coming a little to late, and soon after their deaths, did there find Clemens his scholefellowe bishop of Rome. etc. Who sent the same Dionysius into France to preach: But it is said that this Dionysius was martyred Anno domini. 96 which is the xiiii. year of Domician, and before his death he had continued long, & had done very much in France, and yet it is said that Clemens who sent him thither, was made bishop but the twelfth year of Domician. Again, the book of the passion of Pope Alexander says, that Clemens was the first after Peter, for so it is there written. In the fift place after Peter came Alexander. But if it were the second from Peter, than it followeth that Cletus being before Clement, and Anacletus after him be pushed out, because Alexander must be the fift: Namely Peter first, Linus second, Clement third, Euariste the fourth, and Alexander the fift: For otherwise Alexander cannot be the fift from Peter, because if Linus be the second from Peter, and Cletus after Anacletus, be placed before Clement, Alexander shallbe the sixt: But if Cletus be before Clement, and Anacletus after him, then shall Alexander be the seventh, unless Clement be the second after Peter.  
Thus far doth Vspergensis wander in this maze: and thus it appeareth what certainty the Church of Rome hath of her beginning, of Peter's being there, & of bequeathing his supremacy, to whom neither they, nor any other for them can tell. But you see, how many bishops here wrestle for the first place, and how they are tossed from the first to the second, and an other while hoisted to the third and fourth place, yea and some time shoved clean out of place. So hard a thing it is, to find a sure man, that for the beginning of this history a man may well doubt with whom to begin, but we must be content in this hurly burly, either to cast lots to find out the ring leader, or else to take and set an order among them, though perhaps not the same wherein they lived, yet as if it were the same. And if any of the good bishops lose his place of seniority, we must desire him to take it patiently, and to blame the negligence of their parishioners and successors of Rome, who (because nature useth not to ascend but to descend) so much regarded themselves, and their children, with the time present, that they forgot their forefathers (if these were they) and the time past.   

¶ The first face of the Roman church under Heathen Emperors.  
FOr the first sort of Roman bishops, that is from Linus to Sylvester, they lived continually under persecutions. For as Eusebius showeth, from the year of our lord 67. till the time of Constantine, being about three hundred years, were ten persecutions. The first by Nero, with all rigour and cruelty that might be, whereof Jerome in his epistle to Cramatius and Heliadorus, says: that there were five thousand Christians martyred every day in the year saving the first day of january: For they were persecuted by Nero his commandment in all places with diverse & strange kind of torments, and reproachful villainies not to be mentioned.  
The second persecution was moved by the Emperor Domician, Anno. 96. who was a man so much delighted in kill & murdering, that as the proverb went of him, he would not have a fly alive with him, for being as he coveted most, solitary by himself in his palace, he used to catch and kill all the flies that came in his way. Again he was so haughty above measure, that he would needs be counted a God, and therefore it may easily be judged, what rest the Christians had in his time.  
The third persecution was raised by Traianus Anno 100 so bloudely that even the Heathen Pliny moved with pity, bewailed it unto the Emperor.  
The fourth persecution was stirred Anno. 167. by the Emperor Marcus Antonius, lasting long under sundry Emperors unmercifully.  
The fift persecution was caused by Severus the Emperor with all severity, forbidding that any more should be baptised, purposing so to root out the name of Christians, Anno. 205.  
The sixth persecution was enkindled by Maximinus. 237.  
The seventh was inflamed by Decius the Emperor, Anno. 250. as terrible as the rest.  
The eight was broached by diverse parsons in diverse places. As by Galerius Maximus and Paternus, proconsul's in Aphrica, by Emilianus lieutenant in Egypt, beside divers other great magistrates in Rome & else where, Anno. 259.  
The ninth by the Emperor Aurelianus, Anno. 278.  
The tenth and last, as the last act of a tragedy, was brought upon the church with all kind of saveige cruelty without pity or compassion by the bloody tyrant Dioclesian, and continued by other till the coming of the noble Constantine. And this was the state of the church under the Emperors of Rome for these years. Now let the reader judge of what majesty and countenance the prelate's in this time were like to be, of what wealth & ability to maintain a pompous estate. Or what it was, that might move them to make any such ambitious decrees as have been falsely forged on them. And hereby discern the after age in the Roman church to this day, how far they differ from this, as shall appear.    

THE FIRST COMPANY OF ROMAN BISHOPS being in number to Sylvester the first, xxxij. all which were godly and faithful pastors, far from all worldly pomp and glory, either in pride of attier, as mitre and pall, or of haughty and ambitious title of Christ's general vicar, but painful preachers of the Gospel, with all humility and constant martyrs in the end.  

1. Linus the first bishop of Rome as some think.  
THe first bishop was one Linus, a Thuscane born, a man of pure and godly life, according to the example of the Apostles, who for preaching the Gospel, suffered martyrdom under Saturninus the Consul, while Vespasian reigned. diverse fancies are fathered upon this man, as that he decreed by the commandment of Peter being dead, that no woman should enter into the temple bareheaded: which cannot be, for there were no temples in Rome till the time of Constantine the Emperor, for Christian Congregations. And Man●uan Faster 1. testifieth that they were fain for fear of the tyrants, to forsake town and City, and to live in these days in deserts, woods, and mountains, which may bewray the dotage of Platina and other who charge these first godly martyrs with diverse superstitions devised by other long after.   

2. Anacletus the first.  
ANacletus born at Athens, by Irenaeus is placed next after Linus. He was of an excellent and fervent spirit, and of great learning, planted the church of God with daily labour. He was put to death by Domitian. Anno. 94. Certain epistles and decrees stuffed full of falsehood and untruths joined with ambition, touching the ordering & primacy of bishops, are counterfeited in his name. But Flaccus Illyricus, in the first century, doth so rip the seams of them that every man may perceive what botched stuff it is. Beside Mantuan says, that he lived long not in any such estate, to have occasion to write of such matters, but in caves and dens, among woods.   

3. Clement the first.  
THe next was Clement a Roman, who advanced the Gospel by continual preaching and good deeds. They forge of him that he did divide Rome into parish churches who had scant a lodging in it. Again, they slander him that he made orders in Rome for confirmation of children, for masses, apparel, vestures, and popish ceremonies: and yet he silly man, was of so small power and authority to establish these things in Rome, that he was a long time banished by the Emperor, to hew marble stones, and at the length with an anchor about his neck, was cast into the sea, Anno. 102. so writeth Mantuan Fasto. 11.   

4. Evaristus the first.  
EVaristus a Graecian, was especially endued with the grace of God, whereby in the time of persecution he ceased not to increase the church of Christ by his diligent preaching, till he was martyred under Traian. An. 110.   

5. Alexander the first.  
ALexander a Roman, did travail painfully, both to preach and baptise: He suffered great torments till he died thereof under one Aurelianus precedent to the Emperor. Anno. 121.   

6. Sixtus the first.  
SIxtus a Roman, did both preach diligently, and did many good works. He beautified the church with godly deeds, being ever vigilant and careful for his flock, and died for it Anno. 129.  
These three good bishops are slandered with certain popish decrees, as touching consecrating of the Clergy, holy water, and holy vessels, but old verses made of these times, do testify that they were not at such leisure to furnish, or rather disguise the church with these superstitious ceremonies. Thus do some write of these times, 
Vrbibus antiqui patres fugiere relictis. etc.  
The tyrants did our ancestors compel,  
To fly to woods and not in towns to devil.    

7. Telesphorus the first.  
TElesphorus a Graecian, was a worthy man for learning and godly life: He bore witness of Christ most faithfully, both by his words and death under the Emperor Antoninus, who executed him. Anno. 140.  
He is slandered to have decreed that three masses should be said on Christmas day: And yet at this time the mass was unhatched, yea the dame thereof (except Satan the bell fire) was (as a man may say) not yet an egg in the neaste of that unclean bird. Neither was the superstition of making difference of days yet crept into the church being contrary to the doctrine of Paul, Galath. 4. But such superstitious fasting as afterward choked the churches, was not devised by this bishop, but rather by Montanus the heretic, who beside this made it lawful to break wedlock, and to dissolve the band of matrimony.   

8. Higinus the first.  
HIginus born in Athens, being of a Christian philosopher made a bishop, discharged the duty of a good pastor and painful labourer in the lords harvest, and at length was put to death cruelly, Anno. 144. It is reported that he written out of a cave, where he hide himself, an Epistle, touching God, and the incarnation of the son of God.   

9 Pius of Aquilia.  
PIus born in Aquilia, is reported to have done many godly deeds in the church under Antonius Verus: And in the end watered the church of Christ with his blood in martyrdom, Anno. 159.   

10. Anicetus.  
Anicetus' a Sirian, was a diligent pastor of the church of Rome till he was martyred, Anno. 169.   

11. Sother.  
SOther born in Campania, as the valiant soldier of Christ jesus, served under his spiritual banner in the time of Antonius Commodus, He employed himself most diligently to bring the souls of the baptised to salvation in Christ, both by doctrine and example of life. And in the end confirmed the Gospel, which he had faithfully preached with his blood in martyrdom, Anno. 177.   

12. Eleutherius.  
ELeutherius a Graecian, was also a careful and vigilant pastor: in his time the persecution of the tyrants did somewhat decrease, & many godly writers bestowed great pains to write sundry learned books against diverse heresies and heretics which then enfected the church. And among other this Eleutherius did also defend against Titianus, that no usual trade of life is to be rejected. But not withstanding that the storms of persecution were somewhat calmed in his time, because many of the Roman nobility believed on Christ, yet Masseus saith, he was beheaded, Anno. 191.   

13. Victor.  
VIctor born in Aphrica, did succeed Eleutherius. This man was the first that when the storm of persecution was calmed, usurping authority upon strangers, sought to have an oar in an other man's boat. In the former bishops (says Vincelius) the spirit abounded, but in these that follow the temptation of flesh and blood prevailed. Polycrates bishop of Ephesus, and Iraeneus bishop of Lions, did boldly reprove this Victor, for exempting his brethren in Asia from the communion, because in keeping Easter day, they followed not the use of the church of Rome: So that the church was then rend in twain, by means of his obstinacy, He died Anno. 203.   

14. Zepherinus.  
ZEpherinus was a Roman born, a man as writers do testify, more addicted with all endeavour to the service of God, then to the cure of any worldly affairs. Where as before his time the wine in the celebrating the communion was ministered in a cup of wood, he first did altar that, and in stead thereof brought in cups or chalices of glass: And yet he did not this upon any superstition, as thinking wood to be unlawful, or glass to be more holy for that use, but because the one is more comely and seemly, as by experience it appeareth then the other. And yet some wooden doultes do dream, that the wooden cups were changed by him, because that part of the wine, or as they thought, the royal blood of Christ, did soak into the wood, and so it can not be in glass. Surely sooner may wine soak into any wood than any wit into those winie heads, that thus both deceive themselves, and slander this Godly martyr. Who in the year of our lord 220. suffered martyrdom under Aurelius. In the time of this Zepherinus the Artemonites, were a sect of vain Philosophical divines, who as our late schoolmen did corrupt the scripture with Aristotle and Theophrastus, turning all into curious and subtle questions.   

15. Calixtus the first.  
CAlixtus born at Ravenna, when persecution began to wax hot again, did like a constant Christian, hide himself with many more in a certain place on the farther side of Tiber. In these days says Platina, all things were kept close and hidden, because the persecution was so great every where, yea, their churches and places of assembly, were in corners and caves for the most part. But Anno 226. this Calixtus was apprehended by the commandment of Alexander Severus, and was beaten with coodgiels, penned in prison, afterward hurled headlong out of a window, and then his body was drowned in a deep pit.   

16. Vrbanus.  
VRbanus a Roman, lived under that most lascivious wreatche Heliogabalus the Emperor, and with his sincerity of life, and excellency in learning, he drew many men on all sides to the Gospel. He was oftentimes banished the city for the Christian faith, but being secretly brought in again by the faithful, he was martyred by commandment of Severus, Anno. 233.   

17. Pontianus.  
POntianus a Roman, in the time of the said Emperor Severus, being one of Christ's ministers, and a distributer of God's mysteries, suffered both banishment, & punishment for the Gospel, and the church sake. For when they ran thick to him to hear him preach the word, by the prince's commandment, being set on by the Idolatrous priests, he is carried from Rome to the Isle Sardinia, where after many miseries and sore torments, he was put to death, Anno. 239.   

18. Antheros.  
ANtheros was born in Grece, a man of God if any were: He preached Christ stoutly, even under the tyranny of Maximinus the Emperor. This bishop provided first of all that the acts of martyrs should be diligently written by notaries: lest the remembrance of God's hardy soldiers should be lost with their lives. This Antheros in the year 243. did with his blood beautify the church, which with his word he had fed before.   

19 Fabian.  
AFter him came Fabius a Roman born, who (as Eusebius witnesseth) as he was returning home out of the field, and with his countrymen present to elect a new bishop, there was a pigeon seen standing on his head, and suddenly he was created pastor of the church, which he looked not for. While he lived, he himself saw that the records of martyrs should be written, and that burying places should be prepared for them: who afterward under Decius (that afterward dealt cruelly with his own brethren) ended his life with most glorious death, Anno. 150.   

20. Cornelius.  
COrnelius a Roman, being in the time of Decius, accounted the seventh persecutor of Christ & his church, had a Godly care over the safety of his neighbours. He entertained courteously, and restored to the church, as many as having denied Christ in torments, did yet repent them of their deed afterward. O the aboondant spirit of Christ that was in this bishop. O worthy minister of the Gospel, for although this man of God Cornelius, was carried away into banishment, yet he never failed the church of Christ. But as a valiant champion in the maintenance of the truth, did yield his neck unto the sword of Decius.   

21. Lucius.  
LVcius a Roman, being a faithful servant in the lords house, and driven into banishment by Gallus Hostilianus, the persecutor of Christianity, was comforted of S. Cyprian by his letters. And at the length after Gallus death, even by Gods will returned to Rome, & enriched the church with healthful doctrine, and afterward being purified in the lambs blood, he pierced the heavenly paradise, being put to death at Valerianus commandment. 255.   

22. Stephen.  
STephen a Roman born, a man in all points just and good and one that was counted worthy to have the ecclesiastical function. Whereupon (as Wicelius saith) the church gave us many worthy examples of Prelates, so long as they were called but bishops of the city of Rome. While Galienus a wicked Emperor raged, Steven, Anno 257. after he had converted many of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, losing his head, was with many other sacrificed to God, receiving the crown of justice.   

23. Sixtus the second.  
SIxtus the second was a Graecian, born in Athens, he being of a worldly Philosopher, become Christ his disciple, and of an earthly man, made an heavenly steward, did shine like an ornament of the church, & as an example worthy to be followed. This man also instructing the people in Gods holy word, was slain with many thousands of martyrs, in the persecution of Decius and Valerius, An. 267. S. Laurence clave unto this holy bishop unseprably, even to the last torments of his life, of which two the one was slain with sword, the other burned to death. Whereof Mantuan in the 8. of his Fast. says.  
These men whose virtues flourished by Decius dire decree,  
Were bid with other locked in chains and dungeon dark to be.  
In time of this bishop about the year of our lord. 260. one Paul being terrified with the unmerciful persecution of tyrants, got him into wilderness and solitary places, and so become the first Eremite. For at that time, as Eusebius says, 
The beginning of Eremities and Monks.  many Christians for fear of death denied their faith. Upon this Monkery had his beginning, as Jerome shows in the life of the same Paul the Eremite.   

24. Dionysius.  
DIonysius was a Graecian, whom Pope Damasus calleth a Monk. He was a worthy man in preaching the faith, and a notable encreacer of the Christian church under Claudius the second. Neither did he want other churches, which with the doctrine of truth did reform heresies that sprang in those days. As appeareth by the church of Antioch, which calling a counsel in the year of our Lord 273. did convince of error Paulus Samosatenus, notwithstanding he himself could not be there present, because he was old. Dionysius converted to Christianity the daughter of the Emperor Decius, and Triphonia her mother, with 46. thousand other: And at the length was martyred with them & many other at Salary gate Anno. 277.   

25. Foelix.  
Foelix a Roman, being a good man and of perfect conversation, flourished in preaching the Gospel, at such time as Aurelianus did persecute his brethren: While this accursed manslayer exercised his tyranny, Foelix among other martyrs, departed most happily unto Christ, that is to say, from death to life. But to say that this martyrdom (working their glory) caused temples to be made, & yearly sacrifices to be done therein in their names, it is to open blasphemy. Who will believe that these holy fathers of the primative church, would so charely have such regard to keep stocks and stones, or dead men's bones, in time of so many persecutions, and heresies, as if they had nothing else to do. But such forgeries use our romanists to maintain their idolatry.   

26. Eutychianus.  
Eutychianus born in Thuscia, being given wholly to Godliness, and commended to the church for his learning and virtue, saved many people by preaching the Gospel. This man (by report) did bury with his own hands, 342. martyrs, and appointed an order for the burying of martyrs, and in the end he himself was made a martyr, Anno. 283. It appeareth that this man did nothing to establish the fantastical toys of our age: but the Papists forge of him, that he blessed upon the altar grapes and beans, and that he buried the dead in purple vestiments, a deed meet for a Christian martyr.   

27. Gaius or Caius.  
GAius born in Dalmatia, cozen to Dioclesian the Emperor, succeeded Eutychianus in preaching the comfortable Gospel, and was a most worthy precedent in the church of God. Carsulanus and Platina, the Pope's clawbacks, report of this man, that he increased the dignity of the Clergy marvelously, by making difference of degrees among them, so that from one degree to an other, they should arise to the estate of a bishop. Furthermore they prattell that he commanded, that a man in holy orders should not be sewed of profane men, Pagans', or Heretics. But who is so fond to believe that the bishops power was so great at Rome at that time, when Pagans' themselves bore all the sway, & executed the civil law? Gaius was in the time of the reign of the foresaid Dioclesian, under whom cruel persecution continued, so that for a great time he lurked in caves and holes under the ground, and had no pontifical palace or stately temple. And in the end being plucked out with his brother Gabinius a married priest, he was slain with a sword.   

28. Marcellinus.  
MArcellinus was a Roman, who in the tenth persecution after Nero, was cruelly vexed of the tormentors under Dioclesian and Maximinian, being terrified with fear of the pains, he offered unto the Idols a grain of frankinsens. In those days, as Gildas writeth, the scripture where soever it was found, was burned in the street, and the choose shepherds of Christ's flock, were slain with their innocent sheep. But Marcellinus immediately after his deed, remembering himself, reproved Dioclesian to his face, and offered himself willingly to death for the truth of Christ, and striving valiantly he prevailed, receiving the crown of martyrdom, Anno 303. Hereunto agreeth Mantuan in the life of the said basil.   

29. Marcellus.  
MArcellus a Roman, was pastor of the church, feading it with wisdom and doctrine. And (as I may say with the Prophet) a man according to God's heart, & full of Christian works. This man admonished Maximianus the Emperor, & endeavoured to remove him from persecuting the saints. But the Emperor being more hardened, commanded him to be beaten with cogiels, and to be driven out of the city, wherefore he entered into the house of one Lucina a widow, and there he kept the Congregation secretly, which the tyrant hearing, made a stable for cattle of the same house, and committed the keeping of it to the bishop Marcellus. After that he governed the church by writing Epistles, without any other kind of teaching▪ being condemned to such a vile service: And being thus daily tormented with stink and noisomeness, at length gave up the ghost, Anno, 308.   

30. Eusebius.  
EVsebius a Graecian, being a very Godly man, a doctor and teacher among the Christians, governed the church in the great storm of persecution. He travailed stoutly in the word of the Lord, as well at Rome as else where through his country, in the time of Maxentius that horrible tyrant, until he were destroyed by martyrdom, as Massaeus writeth, Anno 309. whereupon as Mantuan writeth an Angel said to basil.  
Of things that are revealed to me I'll make the understand,  
The joyful days of peace draw on, the time is nigh at hand  
That tyrant's rage shall shortened be: ere many years be run,  
This cruel kind that joys in blood shall wasted be & done,  
Rome hath beheld her prelates all imbrued in their own gore  
Three cruel one's yet shall she see: and then shallbe no more,  
The death of next Melchiades shall end the bloody age,  
His karkas being buried, than peace shall all assuage.   

31. Melchiades.  
MElchiades an Aphrican, being a man very religious, and a leader of the Christian flock, proceeded in preaching the Gospel, and in the affairs of the truth so far, until he spent his blood for it under Maximinianus Galerius: And in the profession thereof died Anno, 314. Read the Ecclesiastical history of Eusebius bishop of Caesaria, concerning manifold and unaccustomed cruel deaths of the saints of that time: Cursulanus, Platina, Stella, and other the Pope's flatterers, do falsely father upon these martyrs whole loads of decrees and lies, that the lewd inventions of their ceremonies, might be established by the authority of these men. For they are not afraid, for the advancement of the Pope's throne, with these uncleanly dregs to stain the blood of saints, and defile this beautiful face of the primative church, being through continual persecution ever agreeable to Christ the head thereof. But what wise man can think that such simple ministers and pastors of God's word as the bishops than were: dwelling in holes, dens, and corners, and looking for nothing but daily death under tyrants, should have mind of pontifical pomp, stately buildings, or Papistical solemnities, when as they had neither churches, nor dwelling houses. The church as yet obtained no peace: they lived not yet in unprofitable idleness, neither had they the chief pleasures of the world. But those were the imaginations which false prophets, according to their custom, devised for their bellies sake. But Sabellicus speaking of the salvage persecution of the church under Dioclesian, saith (alleging it out of Eusebius) that the Christian flock was plagued at this time by the judgement of God, because sin began to grow up in the church above measure, and the priests seemed now rather to savour of tyranny, and not humility: and therefore when this persecution came, it was rather a reformation of the church (corrupted by ease and peace) than a scattering thereof: Whereby it seemeth that even than God giving but a pauze of persecution, and while tyranny did but stay to breath itself, they began to decline, and grow crooked: yet is it not to be thought that they were carried so far away, as yet to new fashion, and transport with manglinges & additions the Christian religion as the Papists dream they did. And thus is the popish synagogue grounded on untruth. But it were a fond matter to believe these scoffs & toys contrived for priests advantage, as our forefathers have done: we should rather try of what spirits they be, as S. john commandeth, whether they be of God or no. john. 4. For many false prophets have crept into the world. Hitherto the pastors were stars shining in the firmament of the church, as well in life and manners, as in doctrine: and preserved in his right hand, who walked in the midst of the seven candlesticks. Apocal. 1 Hitherto they were counted Angels, revealing the everlasting will of almighty God, purely without man's devices.   

32. Sylvester the first.  
AFter that Melchiades was put to death, Sylvester a Roman, succeeded in the ministry of the word: but because that the tyrant Maximinus continued his bloody persecution against the Church, Sylvester was fain to hide himself, and to live solitarily in the hill Soracte. But at the length it pleased God to say his terrible hand upon the persecutor Maximinus, forcing the tyrant to reclaim his cruel decrees against the Christians. Touching the death of Maximinus, who among other tyrants was a Scorpion to the Christians, it is to be noted that Eusebius writeth first in the eight book and 28. chapter of his ecclesiastical history thus. First in the secret parts of his body arose an impostume, then in his bowels grew a fistulowe, within the which a great swarm of worms and magettes, gnawed and devoured his guts, whereof arose a noisome stink, so rank that no man could by any means abide it, beside the ugly & loathsome sight of the soar itself: so that some of his physicians not able for the horror of it to endure to dress him, were put to death by his commandment. Afterwards the disease increasing, all his body was swollen and rankled with it, so that with extremity of his pangs and fainting through hunger, he fell down and lay sprawling on the ground. Then all his body by the hand of God, was terribly inflamed and burned exceadingly odious to behold, so that the scorched flesh being by little and little eaten away, pined and consumed, he was so disfigured and deformed, & his feauter so vaded that a man could discern no resemblance of his former shape. His ghastly and naked carcase was even as an image of dry bones. And yet the glowing heat boiled more fervently, so that the marrow fried out of his bones, and his eyes (all moisture being wasted) dropped out of his head. Thus his limbs and members through scalding heat & rank disease, rotting one from an other, his body lay miserably as it were a grave to the soul: until the torments thereof wrested out from his cankered heart to acknowledge Christ jesus, and to repent his bloody persecuting the cause of this his woeful end, the last persecutor. Eusebius lib. 10. cap. 8. Furthermore it pleased the almighty to work so graciously in the heart of the noble Emperor Constantine, that by his procurement the church at the length obtained peace universally, so that every man might safely return to his own country and city, whereupon Sylvester returned to Rome, and was the first Roman bishop that escaped martyrdom. There are many, some indifferent, but most detestable gross and fond decrees, falsely fathered upon this Sylvester, as hallowing of Chrismes, giving of orders, confirming of children, decking of churches, covering of altars, making mass priests, anointing and attiring of them: and of making the housel to be God, called deifying the host, of worshipping and preserving it. Also touching coifs, hoods, corporals, albes, mitars, palles, clothes, churching kerchiefs for women, rochettes, sacrifices, ceremonies, chapels, anoyling of the sick, with a rabblement of divers other jewish and Heathen ceremonies. Platina, Polidor Virgil, and other the Pope's parasites, slander this Sylvester, that he took upon him in stead of a golden crown to wear a mitar, after the Phrygian fashion. Touching certain miracles which are also with like credit, said to be done by this Sylvester. Mantuan writeth thus. Fast. lib. 12.  
Men talk of many miracles that Sylvester hath wrought  
But author yet sufficient hath never forth been brought  
Nor witness good to prove the same: therefore I let alone  
Such things as fables fond feigned: for our religion  
Condemneth toys, and doting dreams: and listeneth not to lies. etc.  
This Sylvester died a confessor, Anno domini. 334.  
Mantuan in his third book of the life of S. Blaze, bringeth in an Angel talking with the said Blaze among other martyrs of the Empire of the foresaid Constantine, and of the estate of the church for the time following, of the wickedness that should reign, both among the Clergy and the people, and finally of the vengeance that should ensue. His words are these.  

¶ The words of the Angel to Blaze, concerning Constantine.  
THe tyrants being daunted now a gracious prince shall reign  
In Roman empire, under whom the world shall peace obtain,  
And worship Idols old no more: the mighty Constantine  
Shall keep his court in Thracia, and to the Lord divine  
Christ jesus Italy he leaves, and Rome with mountains seven.  
Then shall the cross despised erst advanced be to heaven,  
And far excel the Roman mace, the sceptre, & the crown. etc.   

¶ Of the evils to come upon the church.  
But even upon this gentle calm there shall alas ensue  
Destruction, such as well thou mayst with woeful weepings rue.  
And poison rank shall surely from the honey sweet proceed,  
The sound of ease, the name of peace, are pleasant words in deed:  
But out alas more wretchedness, more villainy, and vice,  
Moore grievous wounds, more shame & woe, shall to the church arise  
Even of this peace, than did of all the bloody broils and war,  
For ancient virtue shall decline: and pleasure vain shall mar▪  
And spoil the bodies chaste of men through wantonness & wealth,  
The lazy mid shall quail, & droop, neglecting heavenvly health  
O lewd delights, O wicked guise, O cursed time: I see  
The people of their Lord and Christ forgetful quite to be:  
I see their unbelieving hearts doth tread down and defy  
The faith, & headlong into sin by thousands thick they fly,  
I see how men are beasts become, and Rome is now transport  
Into a stable. etc.   

¶ Of the plagues that follow.  
Then shall we heavenvly ghosts at length most wrathfully be bend  
And God shall frown against those lands, when up to him is sent  
The show of this their wicked age: heaven shall shut up his grace,  
And all relief from earth, whom hell with horror doth deface.  
At wrath of God the noisome stars shall altogether conspire,  
And fling down fiercely from above most fearful flakes of fire.  
And heaven shall make his wrath away to daunt & drive to dust,  
This salvage kind of faithless folk, and people most unjust.  
And men with grim & grisly looks, with stern & ghastly mind  
To rise up from the Northern pole, shallbe by God assind.  
The Huns, the Goths, the Vandals, Turk's rude creatures lacking law,  
Of God and man to guide and keep their salvage hearts in awe.  
The Christians eke among themselves shall wrangle brawl & jar,  
And as mad dogs one eat another's heart through civil war  
The Romans shall destroy the Greeks, the Almains waste the French,  
With more than deadly hate: that one the others power may quench.  
They shall forbear the Saracens and Turks.   
And thus much concerning this matter: Now let the reader consider that which followeth, whether it agreed not to this that Mantuan hath written: If it be true as Mantuan saith, that Blaze had this revelation, than the estate of Rome following this time, was condemned as detestable by the Angel. But if it be but feigned by Mantuan and other, than we see how they (noting how far this latter church of Rome in her pomp and royalty swerved from the former in persecution) judged of it, and yet was Mantuan an Italian Carmelite or white Friar. Thus hath it pleased God, that some of the branches should both discern and bewray the loathsomeness of this wicked tree.  
But it shall not be amiss here to add the saying of Sleidan, talking of this time of Sylvester, in his second book of the iiii. monarchs. Then (saith he) the bishops of Rome began first to be in safety, for hitherto they were almost all put to death. From Peter whom they will have to be the first to this time, they account xxxiii. Their decrees are set down among the general counsels, but the most of them are such trifles, such toys, and so divers from the scripture, that it is credible that they were devised by other that came long after. But if it were true that they came from these former prelate's, saint Paul's words may be well applied hereunto being verified, saying in prophecy. That lost child and man of sin, did even then begin to work the mystery of iniquity. Coloss. 2.  
Anacletus, as some say, the fourth from Peter, hath this decree extant in his name, That the Church of Rome should by the commandment and institution of Christ, be the head of other Churches. Also to Alexander is attributed, that he commanded that water should be hallowed with salt, to purge the people of sin, and to drive away the snares of the devil. But how much do these banities differ from the majesty of the Apostles doctrine, & from the writing of john the Evangelist, who lived almost till the time of these bishops. These two decrees may suffice for wise men to judge of the rest, being even of the self same mould, for the most part bearing with them an open show of ambition. But to return to the purpose, this Constantine, for the love and zeeale which he bore unto the Church, did endue the pastors thereof with many large benefits, riches, and possessions, that they might with better opportunity addict themselves to preach the Gospel. But where as he gave them an inch, some have since stolen an ell, fathering upon him the forged donation for their supremacy: But of his liberality toward the church, Eusebius writeth at large. He summoned the first general counsel at Nicaea, wherein the detestable heresy of Arrius was condemned, though it could not be with all so utterly quenched, but that it did yet afterward inflame again, so that some of the sparkles thereof did alight even in the pontifical seat of Rome soon after, as shall appear by some of these that follow.    
Finis libri primi.   

THE second sort OF ROMAN BIshops, from Sylvester to Boniface the third.  
¶ These bishop's persecution being ceased, began to take estate more upon them then the former, for Constantine and other Christian princes, began of devotion and zeal to advance the prelate's to wealth, and thereupon they living in wealth and ease, began also to advance themselves in dignity above the former estate, putting rich mitres on their heads, taking upon them the name of Archebishops. Also they began by little and little to add their own devices to God's service, to altar, chop, and change, and make Canons, as liked every one's fantasy, and so pecemeale began to plant and sow in Rome the seed of antichrist, which afterward grew up to so great pride and abomination: Thus at the first in the church, devotion bred wealth, but the daughter choked the mother, and engendered the monster ambition, who also like the cursed imp of the bastard her morher, did in the end devour her grandmother Religion.  
THE PRELATES or Archebishops of Rome.  

1. Marcus.  
MArcus a Roman, bestowed a pall upon the bishop of Hostia, who had consecrated the bishop of Rome before other. He also commanded that the people and the clergy should on Sundays after the Gospel were red, sing the Nicean Crede. He builded churches, and gave many gifts unto them & died a confessor in the year. 335.   

2. julius the first.  
IVlius the first a Roman, appointed that a priest should (as they forge of him) not answer his cause any where, but before an ecclesiastical judge: and he reprehended the bishops of the east, (unless they slander him) because they had held counsels without his authority, but they scorned him for his pride, he caused churcheyardes to be made, and at the length died a confessor in peace, Anno. 351. Platina saith, that this Pope appointed certain notaries to write the acts of other men, the which office saith he, is yet about the Pope remaining: But these notaries of our time says he, are such doultes for the most part, that for want of learning they can not write their own name in Latin: of their manners I will not speak, because these offices are bestowed on bawds and flatterers, unmeet to write the acts of other men.   

3. Liberius.  
LIberius a Roman, for ambition (as Jerome witnesseth) falling into the Arrian heresy, forsook the true faith, and subscribed to Arrius articles. And yet this man died a confessor also, Anno. 366. though in deed tainted with damnable heresy.   

4. Foelix the second.  
Foelix the second a Roman, was preferred by the Arrians, who thrust out Liberius, and advanced him, because they hoped he agreed with them in opinion. But in the second year after he was driven from his seat, and Liberius restored: And in the year of our Lord, 359. He with other spiritual persons, was slain in a tumult. This man saith Isidorus, made laws for the defence of the Clergy. Also Sozomenus, lib. 4. ca 10. Eccle. histor. says, that he being bishop, did both admit Arrian heretics to the ministry, and also used their communion, though else he yielded to the counsel of Nice.   

5. Damasus.  
DAmasus a spaniard, being made Pope in a certain faction, and vehemently accused of adultery, did condemn Liberius his deeds, he builded temples, and beawtified them with jewels, he gave lands, and baths to the Clergy, he increased strange service in the church, he added Confiteor to the service: he appointed the singing of the Psalms, and allowed Hieroms translation of the Bible: For then the minds of the Prelates began to be more puffed up with ambition. Afterwards▪ Damasus (as they say) being a diligent gatherer of things done in times past, written the lives and decrees of his predecessors the bishops of Rome, interlacing them with many open and manifest untruths. And in the year 384. died a confessor.  
Socrates, in the eight book of his ecclesiastical history, and the 24. chapter, saith: that when this Damasus was choose bishop, one Vrsinus a Deacon of the same church, did stand in suit against Damasus, but when he saw that Damasus was preferred, for anger he began by all endeavour to gather congregations to himself, severed from the church. Also he persuaded certain obscure and abject bishops, to choose him bishop secretly in a corner. And so he was created not in the church, but in a close place of the palace called Sicona: Which being done, the people began to wrangle And hereof arose a bitter contention and deadly sedition, not touching religion▪ but whether of these two Prelates should be bishop. Of this grew so many assemblies, and so often brawlinges, that in the end the tumult was so great that many were slain about it. And therefore Maximinus then lieutenant of the city, did punish sharply a great numbered, both the Clergy and laity, & so suppressed Vrsinus and his faction. Thus it appeareth that bloody ambition is not a new thing in Rome.   

6. Siricius.  
SIricius a Roman, meddling and making decrees in many matters, removed those from saying service, that had been twice married, & was the first that admitted monks into orders for pretence of single life, who before, were never reckoned to be as clerks. He mingled the Antiphones with the Psalms, and appointed that orders should be given, some at one time, some at an other, he died a confessor, Anno 399.   

7. Anastasius.  
ANastasius a Roman, appointed that while the Gospel was reading they should stand & not sit. He exempted from the ministry those that were lame, impotent, or diseased people, and slept with his forefathers in peace being a confessor. Anno. 404.   

8. Innocentius.  
INnocentius born in Albania, advanced the sea of Rome above all other, and would have it to be judged by none. He commanded the faithful to fast on the Saturday, to bewail with Mary Magdalene our saviour Christ that was buried▪ even as on that day. He devised that at mass time the Pax should be given about in the church, and commanded that the church (a weighty matter) being once consecrated should never be consecrated any more. He made certain decrees concerning jews, Pagans', & Monks, and made the anoyling of the sick to be a sacrament: And is counted among the dead confessors, Anno. 416. The year before being the year 415. Alaricus king of Goths, overran Italy, wan Rome, wasted, spoiled, and burned it miserably. And soon after him his cozen Athoulfus, came thither again and spoiled all that he had left.   

9 Sozymus.  
SOzymus a Greek, appointed that tapers should be blessed on the holiday, and that the Deacons in saying service should have their lefthandes covered. He forbade that clerks should use tippling in open place, or haunt taverns, and that no bondmen should be admitted to be of the Clergy: And died a confessor. Anno. 420. Also this Sozymus suppressed the Novacian heretics, which in time past had born great sway in Rome. But now they were kept under, for saith Isocrates, the bishop of Rome, as well as the bishop of Alexandria, had stretched his power beyond the limits of priesthood stepping into temporal authority. Socrat. histor. eccle. lib. 7. cap. 11.   

10. Bonifacius.  
BOnifacius a Roman, the son of one jucundus a priest, was choose Pope, at such time as there was great sedition among the Clergy. He made decrees that were very necessary, God grant they prove so: as that a woman (yet though she were a hoodded nun) should not openly touch the altar clot, nor the holy vessels, nor smell to the incense: And that none should be made priest till he were thirty years old. After he had decreed that saints evenings should be kept, he died a confessor, Anno. 426.   

11. Coelestinus.  
Caelestinus born in Campania, patched the Popish mass up with these things, Introitum, Graduale, Responsorium, Tractum, & Offertorium, as his own devices. And gave strait charge that the priests should be perfit in the Pope's decrees. He sent these bishops, Germanus into England, Palladus into Scotland, and Patrick with a certain Segetian into Ireland, to root out the Pelagian heresy. He died Anno. 435. being put in among the number of confessors.   

12 Sixtus the third.  
SIxtus the third a Roman, called the enricher of churches, he builded the church of S. Marry the greater after a miracle of snow: and enriched it with great gifts, and garnished the pallayces with gold. At the persuasion of a woman called Eudoxia, he did hallow Peter's chains, and appointed a yearly feast day in honour of them to be kept at Midsummer. He died a confessor. Anno. 440. and was buried in the city.  
About the year of our Lord. 456. Genesericus came out of Aphrica, into Italy with a great army against Rome, and coming thither, he finding the city empty, invaded it. And for the space of xiiii. days continually carried out the spoil of it, and took away many prisoners.   

13 Leo the first.  
Lo the first a Thuscane born, added to the mass these words to name it Sanctum sacrificium, Immaculatam hostiam, hanc oblationem, 
An holy sacrifice an unspotted offering and oblation.  which cannot be without blaspheming God heinously▪ He like an idolater, builded a palace in the honour of Cornelius a bishop, and appointed clerks to keep the Apostles sepulchres. He decreed that men should worship the images of the dead, & allowed the sacrifice of the mass, he died a confessor. Anno. 462.   

14 Hilarius.  
HIlarius born in Sardinia, a man daily exercised in building and beautifying of churches, decked the post of Christ his cross with gold and precious stones: He made decrees by synods, proclaiming them to be kept through the whole world. He made a law that every minister should be put from his calling, which married either a widow or divorced woman, and not a maid: He died a confessor, Anno. 469. In his time Mamertus Claudius, bishop of Vienna, made the Litanies or procession to be said thrice a week whereof Mantuan saith Fast. 4.  
By Rodanus there stands a town Vienna men it name,  
Sorenoied while one Mamertus, was bishop of the same:  
And suffered many sturdy storms: for often with fiery flake  
Of thonderclap it burned, & while the trembling soil did shake,  
The ground did gape as torn in twain, whereby the dangerous dell  
With yawning mouth stood open down to glowing gulf of hell,  
Among the dungeons deep of jove: and ravening wolves withal  
Were driven to madness, through the hags of hell that up did crawl.  
The frantic neat begun to murder men in field, & town,  
Wherewith men's hearts amazed were, that thus the Lord should frown.  
And so constrained they asked aid and secure from above,  
And with their humble prayers sought God's mercy for to move.  
And hereupon the tyranny at first devised was,  
And afterwards it did from thence to other people pass.  
In the time of this Pope about the year of Christ 476. Odoacer with an army of Herulans & Turcihugians, came from Panonia and wan Rome and all italy, and reigned there xiiii. years. About this time Rome was so terribly shaken with earthquakes, that many houses fallen down withal.   

15. Simplicius.  
SImplicius a Tiburtinian born, did dedicated Palaces and divided the town into five parts for the priests to serve, and appointed the sacrificing priests their weeks: he showed that the Church of Rome was the chief Church of all. He usurped authority upon the people of Ravenna like a tyrant, and commanded that none of the Clergy should acknowledge, that he held any Ecclesiastical benefice of a lay man. And this man died a confessor. Anno. 484.   

16. Foelix the third,  
FOElix the third a Roman the son of one Foelix a priest, decreed that only a bishop, and no private priests should dedicated the Churches, and allowed a feast for the dedication of them: He hallowed Agapetus his Palace. He decreed that the clergy being accused of any matter, should have days granted to return their answer, and died in peace a confessor. Anno. 494.   

17. Gelasius.  
GElasius an Aphrican son to Valerius a bishop, burned the books of the Manichies, he made hymns, prefaces▪ graduals, collects and prayers, he severed the Apocrypha from Canonical Scripture: and allowed married wydowers after they had married their second wife to be priests, if they took his dispensation. He increased the clergy, he dedicated Pallaices: and decreed that priests orders should be given four times in the year, he added to the Mass the conclusions of the prayers Et te igitur: & at length avouched that he & his successors should be judged by no body. And died a confessor. Anno. 497.   

18. Anastasius the second.  
ANastasius the second a Roman, leaned to the Eutichians and Nestorians, he did communicate with heretics: he excommunicated the Emperor. And in the year of our Lord 499. on the stool of easement his bowels issued out of his belly. He died a confessor, so writeth Volaterranus.   

19 Symmachus.  
SYmmachus born in Sardinia was choose bishop with much dissension among the clergy. He ordained that virgins which had once professed chastity, should never marry afterward, and that none of the clergy should keep in house with any woman, but such a one as were his kinswoman: He builded many Pallacies even out of the ground. He brought the mass into fashion, he commanded to sing Gloria in excelsis upon the birth days of saints. And if any man may trust Gregoryes Dialogues, he committed to purgatory the stubborn soul of one Paschasius a deacon after his death. And yet this man died a confessor. Anno. 514. Vspergensis saith that when this Pope was choose, one Laurence was also choose by some, whereupon many slaughters both of the people & clergy were made in Rome during the space of three years, but Symachus prevailed.   

20. Hormisda.  
HOrmisda born in Campania, did set quietness among the Clergy, he appointed that the Psalms should be song by course interchangeable: He commanded that the decrees of counsels should be kept, and bestowed many things to the furniture of churches, he left a wedge of silver weighing a thousand & forty pounds in saint Peter's church: and commanded that no altar should be builded without the consent of the bishop. He added ceremonies to public marriages: and excommunicated Anastasius the Emperors, because he said that it was an office dew only to the Emperor to command, and not to be at a bishops commandment: such than was the courage of the spirit of antichrist. justinus the Emperor, as Isiodorus writeth, made this Hormisda a Patriarch of Rome being before but an archbishop: who died a confessor, Anno. 523. From the time of Sylvester, the Roman prelate's were Archebishops, for the space of two hundredth years, that is from the year 320. until this year 520. at what time they were first made patriarchs by the Emperor justinus. I declare this more diligently, whereby the attentive reader may know by what degrees the Roman bishops crept up to the Popedom itself, and what craft the devil wrought in them before the great Antechriste came, and was revealed to the full. So that as you see the bishops of Rome. Here again altered their name the second time, to title of greater dignity, that is from Archbishops to patriarchs, and so the rest following for a season were called.   

21. john the first.  
IOhn the first a Thuscane, whom Theodoricus king of Italy sent, (for then they were subject to Princes) as his orator, with certain other, unto justinus the Emperor. This bishop being the worthiest man of all this latter company, gave a testimony of his pure life, by suftring patiently undeserved death. He decreed, and that very godly, that if any man were rob of any thing, he should have all restored again. But I take it to be false that he should restore three churcheyardes, enriched the churches with gifts or decked the altars with gold, silver, or precious stones, as Platina and other write, lest he should seem nothing to have increased the kingdom of antichrist. There is to be seen comfortable Epistles of his to the bishops of Italy, whereby he warneth them, that they should not shrink from their purpose, but stand to it stoutly, although that the said king Theodoricus, foully tainted with the Arrian heresy, had threatened to destroy them and all Italy. For the which at the tyrannous commandment of Theodoricus, Anno 527. he perished at Ravenna through famine, stink, & noisomeness in the prison. As touching Arrius, thus Mantuan writeth of him.  
This Arrius even the deadly bain infecting mankind,  
And born to break God's law, and quench the faith of Christian mind,  
Had venomed sundry nations infecting all the world.   

22. Foelix the fourth.  
Foelix the fourth was born in Samia, being not very careful in his pastoral charge, and casting of the office of preaching, builded the church of Cosma and Damianus, he restored Saturninus temple, and repaired other temples of the dead. He commanded that mass should be said only in hallowed places. He made a partition between the Clergy and the people in the church. He excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople, misdemed of heresy: he commanded that if a priest died, another should succeed him two days after, and commanded precisely that they that lie a buying, should be anointed, with hallowed oil, and died a confessor, Anno. 530.   

23. Boniface the second.  
BOniface the second a Roman, was made bishop, when the Clergy were at great jar, ready to go together by the ears: He made canons, especially this one, that within three days after one bishop were dead, another should be appointed in his room. He following Foelix, did sever the Clergy from the laity, by making the quire in the church, and that for double policy, the one was, that by this means he might at length take from the people both their place, and their voice, which they had in choosing the bishops, & that it might not be lawful for any of them to sew a bishop, or any of the Clergy in any cause, civil or criminal, before a temporal magistrate. But mark what happened these wretches through their pride, as I think, While even like the Pharisies they willbe counted holier than other, with their shaven heads, their anointed fingers, & severed chauncelles, dividing themselves from the faithful, that were redeemed with the blood of Christ.  
It is to be feared, lest hereby they become the Goats that in the last day shallbe divided from the lambs. Math. 25 as not pertaining to the mystical body of Christ. It is easy to judge how much these men serve from Peter the Apostle, of whom they boast so much, to whom it was not lawful in the tenth of the Acts, to decree of Cornelius, that he should be either a layeman, or a profane person: Boniface died a confessor, Anno. 532.   

24. john the second.  
IOhn the second was a Roman, who otherwise for his eloquency was called Mercury or jupiter, his ambassador. justinianus the Emperor, sent unto this man a cup of gold, of six pound weight beset with precious stones, and two silver cups of seven pound weight, and two silver chalices, weighing fifteen pounds, for a present from Constantinople, after he had condemned Athenius the Patriarch of heresy, and the said Emperor commanded his bishops, as (Crantzius witnesseth) to talk with the bishop in his name, most friendly under benediction: this bishop died a confessor, Anno. 534. And as Wicelius says, he did nothing of any value.   

25. Agapetus the first.  
AGapetus the first a Roman, son of a priest, called Cardinal Gordian, was sent by Theodatus king of the Goths, as his Ambassador, to pacify justinianus the Emperor, for the cruel murder of Amalasimitha a noble queen, and an excellent learned woman: whose worthy virtues the same Emperor reverenced highly, who also procured his peace with spending saint Peter's treasure: He decreed that on the sunday they should go in procession in the churches: And died a confessor, Anno. 535.   

26. Syluerius.  
SYluerius born in Campania, son of Hormisda a bishop of Rome, when Agapetus was dead, as he went on his voyage to the Emperor, this man by the commandment of Theodatus king of Goths, was placed in his stead without the emperors consent. Therefore by the provocation of Vigilius a D●acon, who also did accuse him, that he would betray Rome to the Goths, he was banished into the Isle Pontus, by Theodora the Empress, and Antonina the wife of duke Bellisarius. So that it appeareth, the Popedom at that time was a thing but of small countenance, when they were sent as Ambassadors at the commandment of inferior princes, & could be deprived of their authority, put from their seat by women. At length Syluerius died miserably in his banishment being an hooded confessor, Anno. 537.   

27. Vigilius.  
VIgilius a Roman, the crafty accuser of the said Syluerius, compassing the bishopric by subtlety, was advanced into the said place by the forenamed women. Whereby Rome had then two bishops, one made by the Goths, another by the Greeks, or rather by those Grekishe dames. And were used ungently, but not unworthily of them: for either of them received the reward of his rashness, for the one attained the Popedom by craft, the other by might, and yet the Papists will have them both reckoned among martyrs. Theodora did sue Vigilius, because he broke promiss with her, and caused him first to be brought to Constantinople, there to be reviled and beaten, and afterward with an halter about his neck to be drawn through the street, and last of all, be driven into banishment. This man made certain lessons of his own for the holidays to be red in the church. He would have the church of Rome to be taken for the mother of other churches: He appointed Candelmas day to be kept holy day, and that the mass should be said, the priest standing with his face into the East: He died a confessor, in the year 554. in Cicilia. In these days was one Maurus, who preached and taught the hypocritical life of monks. Also in his time Anno. 542. there was a terrible earthquake over all the world, as Vspergensis saith.   

28. Pelagius.  
PElagius a Roman, aspired to the pontifical dignity, in that time when the tyrant Totila, called God's scourge, to the great comfort of the Goathes being their king, invaded Italy, as Procopius writeth. This Pelagius to please Totila and his company, made a public decree, that it was needful to have the authority of the prince, and consent of the people in creation of bishops. He in the midst of troubles of that time, having more regard to advance the Popedom, than Christianity: decreed that the Clergy should momble every day seventimes, the canonical hours. Abbot's should be choose by order, one magistrate should be sufficient to punish an heretic: that in Lent priests might say mass at nine of the clock: and that every Province should contain twelve or ten cities at the lest. This man first avouched that the primacy of the church of Rome was fet from Christ himself, and not from men nor general counsels. He buried together the bones of the first Martyr Stephen and S. Laurences carcase. He allowed solemnities in remembrance of the dead, and for love of gains he mingled them with the mass. And because he sometime himself was accused in a libel, that he had given occasion why Vigilius his predecessor was troubled, and deprived, therefore he provided that such libels should not be hard. But it is reported that he purged himself from the infamy of that libel by taking an oath, and kissing the cross. He lived in the extreme time when Rome was besieged, & died a confessor, Anno. 566.  
About the year of our Lord 557. Totila king of Goths, besieged Rome, which being miserably oppressed with extreme famine, was compelled to yield itself to the slavery of the salvage people, under which it continued ten years.  
In the time of this Pope, a Pestilence reigned over all Italy, beginning in Liguria so contagiously, that the country was almost destroyed of the inhabitors thereby. Vrspergensis.   

29. john the third.  
IOhn the third a Roman, was an especial friend to Narsetes the Eunuch, governor of Italy, when the Goths were overcome: for he recovered his favour toward Rome, when it was in displeasure, and obtained that he was made consul, for then the bishop had almost all the swa●e in Rome. This man decreed contrary to his predecessor, that none aught to be called chief priest, or universal bishop, Distinctione 99 Nullus. Furthermore, taking away from the bishop's chancellors the laying on of hands, granted it only to bishops, as Isidorus writeth. afterward turning his mind, and taking delight in building, he finished Philip and jacobs' church, which Vigilius had begun, and restored the Saints tombs in the city. Finally being a very old man, & taking great thought upon occasion of strange tempests he died at Rome, Anno, 577. In his time the Armenians become Christians.   

30. Benedict the first.  
BEnedict the first a Roman, was bishop when the Lombarde, spoiled Italy. And w●s a good bishop, because he did nothing worthy memory: as Barnus and Functius writ of him. But yet which is to be noted, for the worthiness of the deed, he forbade that men should tread on crosses made of marble, stone, or wood: And when there was great dearth in Rome, he or at the lest wise Tiberius Augustu● in his stead, brought corn out of Egypt, to secure them withal He died for sorrow to see so many miseries in the city. Anno. 582.   

31. Pelagius the second.  
PElagius the second, while the city was besieged, without the Prince's commandment, contrary to the custom was made bishop. Therefore to pacify the Emperor, he sent one Gregory a monk, to Constantinople: afterward he made the cloister of Hermes a martyr, and builded up S. Laurence palace from the foundation. He renewed the Canon for saying the hours, and commanded Subdeacons', either to forsake their wives, or else their ecclesiastical functions, and appointed nine prefaces to be song in the mass before the Canon: Pestis inguinaria, arising of great tempests, and the contagiousness of the air took away this bishop among many other: This pestilence was cause of many superstitions, for than they first began to think that God's wrath was to be pleased: and the Litany of seven parts was made by Gregory. The occasion hereof says Vspergensis was, that a great part of Italy was drowned with great flouddes.   

32. Gregory the great.  
GRegorie the great a Roman, was made bishop being before but a Monk and a Deacon. He was the best man of all these Roman patriarchs, for learning and good life. He succeeded Pelagius, unwillingly refusing it, and in the end compelled thereunto: he (though otherwise he was learned and Godly) yet because he was a Monk, burdened the church, and religion of God above all other, with more ceremonies, than had the jews. He turned his parent's houses into Monasteries, and dedicated the first of them to SAINT Andrew the Apostle. He made Schools of choristers, and made certain songs for the church, according to Ambrose manner, which we call Anthems: He appointed one to be chanter for the day, another for the night. He gathered together the laws of the holy fathers. He did devise the order of masses, & linked the Cannons thereof together, he caused the masses to be begun with pieces of Psalms. He commanded to say Kyriaeleison nine times, and to chant Alleluia after the Gradual he joined the same Alleluia, for Easter time to the Offertories. He added three petitions to the Cannons of the mass: That is, Dies nostros in tua pace. etc. He commanded that the lords prayer, should be either song or said, with a loud voice over the communion bread. He commauned that mass should be said over the dead carcases of saints: And added to the Canonical hours, Deus in adiutorium, with Gloria patri: He devised Litanies, and processions, & divided them into these seven orders, Clerks, Monks, nuns, Boys, lay-men, Widows, and married wives. He suffered the Image of the blessed virgin Mary to be carried about withal, But not to be worshipped: Furthermore this Gregory (as they shamefully imagine) compelled an Angeli to put up his terrible sword into his sheath. By his indulgences he established certain stacio●s, and pilgrimages unto Images in the city, according to the people's devotion. He solemnized the feast of the Purification of our Lady with wax candles, (whereof it is called Candelmas day) and appointed the solemnity of Palm sunday to be kept with processions. He added iiii. days to Lent fast, and hallowed the beginning thereof with Ashwednisdaye. He forbade those that should fast to eat flesh, milk, butter, cheese, or eggs, because they seem to bear a taste of flesh, and suffered them only to eat fish, excepting also the greater sort of fish, whereof Mantuan saith fast. 2.  
Yet was it not against the law to feed on fish small:  
For Gregory forbade the great, but time misordred all  
And stately tables cumbered are with fish of larger sort  
So Gregory's laws ●r kept where need doth bear a simple port  
That in the shallow brooks and floods to found his fare:  
As for the great grown fulsome fish in depth of seas they are.  
But holy peers that do with Peter's line and greedy hook,  
Down to the bottom angle: can each sort of fish brook.  
Gregory gave tapers to the church, and furnished it with quire Psalmodis, Canticles, Odes, Hymnus, and other Heathen ceremonies: He builded six Monasteries of his own cost in Sicilia, and dedicated Agathas church: He forbade that women should resort to abbeys, or that Monks should resort to Nonneries. Also he would not have Monks baptise, neither nuns to be Godmothers. He forbade him that had been twice married to be made priests: And that priests should give testimony of honest life by taking an oath: He was an uphoulder of pardons, but not a seller of them. He was the first that gave pardons upon certain days, to such as frequented the church. He entertained strangers at his table. He aided the Monks of Jerusalem with necessaries, and gave stipends to three thousand maids: He allowed by decree the first five counsels: He forbade that saints Images should be broken, or that one of the Clergy should at the emperors commandment serve in the wars, or that there should be two metropolitans in one Province: He would have a bishop to be consecrated but one's, and would have the last will and testament of every man to be ratified. He made four books of Dialogues, to bolster up Purgatory: He allowed hallowing of ashes, washing of feet, worshipping of the cross, and mass●s to be said for the dead, and (wherein the Papists horribly bely him) he delivered Traian the emperors soul from hell. He contemning the Britain's sent Augustine a Monk, to reclaim the English Saxons to the church of Rome: He reft from London the right of the Archebishoprike, and translated it by the same Augustine's means to Caunterburie. All these things did Gregory as Patriarch of Rome, and died a confessor, Anno. 604. But although he doted in many superstitions, yet more is falsely fathered on him than ever he did or thought.   

33. Sabinianus.  
SAbinianus born in Thusca, was a Prelate of no value, who for the hate he bore to his predecessor Gregory, after he had published certain flanders against him, commanded that his books should be burned. This man being the last of the Roman patriarchs, commanded that the hours of the day should be divided by ringing of bells for the ecclesiastical offices: & that they should have continual burning lamps in the church: At length he died an infamous death through fear that he conceived of a terrible vision, which he saw in the night time, An. 606.   

The Christian deeds of Gregory.  
Now to say somewhat touching the Christian sayings and doings of the foresaid Gregory: he fought stoutly against the supremacy of the Popish kingdom, in the very entrance of the Popedom, and hewed in pieces with sharp taunts the title of universal Patriarkeship, saying that such an one was the forerunner of antichrist, an hypocrite, a tyrant, and Lucifer the usurper of God's power. He commanded certain Images that were of wonderful excellent workmanship, to be thrown into the River Tiber, lest religion should be corrupted by them. He commanded prayer and fasting for the assuaging of the pestilence. He reclaimed the Goths from the Arrians, to the unity of the church. He written Homilies in a pleasant style following S. Augustine. He xpounded the most part of the holy books of the Bible. He by common consent defaced the name of universal bishop. And professed himself in his writings servus servorum Dei, servant to God's servants, whereby he might show, how far he was from all ambition and desire of sovereignty: This title his posterity hath continued, bearing the name, but forbearing the humility that belongeth thereunto. At the length Gregory did greatly lament to see that howling and chanting in the church had so taken place, that preaching of the Gospel was neglected. Behold (quoth he among other sayings) the world is full of priests, & yet in the lords harvest are found few labourers: We have taken upon us the office, but which do not discharge the office. Brethrens, I think that God suffereth dishonour of none more than of priests (for the most part). If they see any live in lowly estate, or live continently, they scorn them. Consider therefore what becometh of the flock, when Wolves are made shepherds. These take charge of the sheep, who are not afraid to endanger the lives of the lords fold, but they change the office of their blessed function to the increase of their ambition. We leave God's cause, & run to worldly affairs: we enjoy the place of holiness, and are entangled with earthly matters, so that Baptist Mantuan says of him in the third book of his Faster.  
In speech he was full eloquent, his works are yet in store,  
He speaketh still, and by his works he shall do evermore,  
He taught the quyristers to sing, in songs was his delight.  
Huldricus bishop of A●gusta, showeth a wondered story of this bishop, in his Epistle to Nicolas the first, the effect whereof is, that this Gregory did first command priests to live single life: but afterward when he perceived, that they were given secretly to fleshly pleasure, and that hereupon many children were murdered, he disannulled that commandment, and said that it was better to marry, than give occasion of murder: For when on a time he sent a certain woman unto a fishepoole to take fish, there were found in the same pool six thousand heads of infants, that had been drowned therein: which he perceiving to proceed of forced single life, with sighing and sorrowing, he revoked that Canon. For as that Huldericus showeth, they accompanied not only with virgins and wives, but also even with their own kindred, with mankind, yea and that which is horrible to be said, with brute beasts. After the time of this Gregory, ensued more blindness than was before. The purity of doctrine decayed, & the church was darkened marvelously with man's traditions: For Monkery with his manifold superstitions waxed great: Herewithal sprung up sale of masses, and praying to the dead, and the lords supper began to be an offering for the dead. Bishop's also being deluded with visions of spirits, or rather of devils, began to revolt from the doctrine of faith to put affiance in good works, and man's satisfaction, as appeareth of Gregory.  
As it is evident of Gregory, who in his Dialogues to Theodolinda, a very superstitious woman, telleth of dead men that appeared and craved to have prayers and suffrages. This while Christianity began to fall to ceremonies forthwith blind superstition, by means of Monkery began to creep in▪ Gregory as is mentioned before, sent Augustine a Roman Monk, and other his compaignions', to the Englishmen, Anno. 596. not to preach Christ unto them, whose doctrine the Britons had received more sincerely of joseph & the churches of Asia, But to thrust upon them the Roman religion, patched up with man's devices and traditions. The Britaynes had always the preaching of the truth, sincere doctrine, and the lively faith and such service as was delivered to the Apostles by God's commandment: They had Christian churches, whereof Godfrey of Munmuthe, in the eight book and fourth chapter of the acts of the Britain's saith thus: In the country of the Britain's, Christianity flourished hitherto, which never failed among them since the Apostles time. But when Augustine came he found in their province seven bishoprics, and one Archebishoprike maintained by godly Prelates, and many Abbot's living by their handy labour, among whom the lords stock kept true way. It appeareth also that there were shepherds among them that were diligent to preserve the purity of doctrine, as was Dionotus, Anonius, and his fellows, who in contempt of the Romans ceremonies stack stoutly to it even to the death. Augustine entered the land not with the Gospel of Christian peace, but with the banner of his Aposticship, with his silver cross, his Litany, his procession, images, painted puppettes, relics, canticles, and books of ceremonies. But when by the authority of the king in the west part of England he summoned the bishops and doctors, that they accepting and communicating the Roman customs should submit themselves to him, Anno. 602. They going to the synod, did first demand of a certain wise man, that lived solitarely, whether it was lawful to follow his commandment, and forsake those traditions which they had received of their fathers: to whom he answered. If he be a man of God, follow him. They further asked how they should prove that. You know quoth he, that the Lord commanded saying: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me because I am gentle and lowly of heart. Therefore if this Augustine be such an one, it is credible that he also beareth Christ's burden, and offereth it to you to bear: but if he be proud and cruel, it is evident that he is not of God and you aught not to regard his talk. And how shall we know that quoth they. Let Augustine (quoth he) and his company go first to the Synod: And if when you come, he rise up to salute you, know you that he is Christ his servant, and obey you him. But if he disdain you, or make small account of you, and show no token of courtesy in his countenance, seeing you are the greater number, do you likewise contemn him. Therefore when they came to Augustine sitting ambiciously on his stalle, and saw that he gave them no token of friendship, they by and by conceiving displeasure, & noting him to be a proud person, did forthwith overthwart every thing that he put forth: For he charged them that they did many things contrary to the custom of the catholic church, especially in keeping their Easter, in ministering of baptism, and in their preaching, and that they regarded not man's traditions: and he commanded that in these and other things they should follow the use of the church of Rome. But they answered that they would do none of these, neither take him for their archbishop. Whereupon he promised them war should ensue, and threatened them fiercely to revenge it by death, which immediately ensued. Read Beda in his ecclesiastical history of England, the second book, and the second chapter, and likewise the said Godfrey. But I wonder much of this cruelty of Augustine: For Gregory before had so discussed it, and written unto him that it was not needful in all churches to have the same order of ceremonies: but that every church might ordain the best for itself. But such was wont to be the tyranny of hypocrites: whereof Mantuan saith. 
The fathers of the Latin church to tax they enterprise,  
And make them fond force the Britain's bend unto the guise  
Of Romish church against all right: with foolish hardiness  
They rashly 'cause the ancient league of amity to cease▪  
As touching peace they say that Rome should rather make then mar,  
To kepemans' law: so that Christ's law thereby do never larre.  
And faith with doctrine which allowed by the first Synod was  
As it from Christ the light of life to all mankind did pass.  And to speak in few words, the Roman bishops were stars even hitherto, yet but falling from Christ's right hand to the ground, from whom the heaven departed, Apocal. 6. and they are prefigured by the red horse, unto whose rider power was given to take away peace from the earth, and to murder to and fro, whereupon as in the first order the Roman Prelates called bishops by their true ministering the word of God, and constant faith, were stars abiding in Christ his right hand: so in this second sort under the name of Archebishops and patriarchs, by the neglecting of the same word, and their earthly affections, they were stars falling to the earth, Apocal. 6. But in the third rank, which shall follow under the name of Popes and Antichristes, for their absolute revolting from Christ, and open idolatries they shall be the stars falling from heaven to the earth. Apoc. 9    

THE third Book.  
¶ Now ensueth the third sort of Roman bishops coming from evil to worse: For as the former company in the second book showed, declining from pure Christianity, and inclining to antichrist, so now appeareth in these, that the seed sowed by the foreigner is grown up, & Antichrist as it were appearing above the ground: who grew still forward from grenenesse to ripeness, as shall appear by these that follow, and so from ripeness to rottenness, which is to be hoped for in that already he is waxed so mellow, that if he be not plucked from the tree, if it please God to send a small blast of wind, he will fall of himself. Note therefore diligently gentle Reader what fruit ensueth and springeth of the former grain. Read, confer, and then judge, whether these men show themselves to be the vicar's of Christ, or deceitful and mischievous Antechristes', for buy their fruits you shall know them whether they are such as they would be accounted.  

Abadon or the Latin antichrist.  
IN the year of our Lord six hundredth and four, Phocas the tyrant, murdered his sovereign lord Mauricius the Emperor, with his wife, his brother, his children, and many nobles: From this year adding to it two years to the beginning of the Popedom, established by Phocas, are six hundred sixty six years, from the consulship of M. T. Cicero, and Antonius, as Bibliander Funccius, and other do evidently reckon it, at which time the jews (while their bishops iarred for supremacy) lost their liberty: For Christ (as Bibliander gathers) in his revelation (which by his dearly beloved Apostle john, he delivered to the church) foare told, that a certain tyrannical Empire should afflict the true church: as Nero and Domician, with others did. And calleth the beast having two horns like a lamb the enemy of Christ, which nevertheless should speak like a Dragon, like an evil spirit, and should rage's as unmercifully as the first beast did, which destroyed Peter and Paul, and great companies of fainctes: which with her charms should so bewitch the world, and with monstrous works should grow into such admiration, that none might by or cell, but such as had the seal or the name of the beast in his forehead. But as touching the name of the beast, he shows it mystically by these letters, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ch, X, , & reciteth it to be discussed. This (says john) is wisdom, let him that hath understanding account the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is this. 666. Apocal. 13. What mean thief marks but that we should search the time wherein this beast should arise from the earth and the bottomless pit, and should destroy the Christian common wealth? But how shall a man apply it, if he have not the certain time, when Pompeie took the sceptre from the jews, according to the notable prophecy of jacob, & entering the temple, profaned the Sanctum sanctorum. But that was done as josephus writeth, in the time of Tullius consulship, the 60. year before Christ was born. To these three score years add six hundred, until after the death of the said Gregory the great, who prophesied that he should be Antechriste, which would be counted universal bishop, or head of all churches. Therefore mark well what kind of times happened in the 666. year after Jerusalem was taken by the Romans, Pompeie being their general, and you shall see strange matters fall out, at the time that this Phocas was Emperor, of whom William Stantphurdius writeth as followeth.  
The Empire Phocas chokes, and doth the Popedom first advance,  
By wicked writs about his Empire sent, for to enhance,  
And to confirm most sure foray unto the after age  
The premacy of Rome, and of the dragon that doth rage  
Against God's power.  
Furthermore apply this mystical number of 666. containing high wisdom in i● from the time of Christ's birth, or from the time of his passion, or from the xv. year of Domician, at which time the revelation was written, and still you shall find some monstruous thing wrought in the church. But to return to the matter of England: In the year of Christ 593. Colman, Harding, and Fabian say, that the reign of the seven kings at one time began: whereby 173●. years after Brutus their first king, the royal estate of the British king ceased. For as Paulus Diaconus writeth in his fourth book, the Britain's found t●at the Saxons were in stead of succourers, suppressours and cruel enemies, untrusty, warring rigorously upon them, who had entertained them for aid. Anno 596. the foresaid Augustine sent from Gregory, came into England, who at his coming did not reprove, but maintain, and uphold the wicked treasons, the horrible robberies, & the slaughters more cruel than were Nero's, which the Saxons committed. Anno▪ 600. Gregory gave to Augustine his bishops pall. Thereby as was said, London was spoiled of her right without all order, to the destruction both of the commonwealth and of religion, and finally the undoing of the British kingdom, and thereupon are sumptuous temples builded. Before that time the Britain's had their churches dedicated to eternal God the father, and to our saviour his son jesus Christ. But afterward the Saxons did consecrated their temples to Images, and dead saints▪ Anno. 604. the Christian Emperor Maurice being slain, Phocas an adulterer and a murderer, obtained the seat imperial, and in him the majesty of the Caesars, and the most noble Empire of the Greeks decayed together. As for the Roman Empire that was weakened and impaired, yea and at length brought to nothing, by means of the Popedom which he had granted and established. Anno 606. in November and December, as Paulus Diaconus writeth in his 18. book, even at the rising and beginning of the Popedom, there appeared a wonderful great blazing star: There were strange sights and monsters of the Sea, showed themselves to the terror of many. Thus in the time of this Phocas murderer of the Emperor (which is to be noted as a mystery concerning the Popes) Papistry and Mahumets' religion began both together at one time, which corrupted, darkened, and weakened the doctrine of the son of God in many regions. For in another year of the same Phocas, as Bibliander writeth, Mahumet recited the Alcoran, so that (saith he) the eagles three heads awaked all at one's, according to the heavenly vision in the fourth book of Esdras: that is to say Phocas himself, Pope Boniface, & Mahumet the Arabian, now followeth the third troop of romish Popes, which is divided into five parts.  
The first part of this third troops of the Popes or Roman Antechristes', prophesied of by the names of Sodom or Egypt. Apocal. 11. until the time of Pope john the eight.   

1. Boniface the third.  
ABout this time the bishoppers of Constantinople endeavoured to obstaine the title of universal bishop, and to have their Church called the head of all Churches, using these fond reasons, that because the Emperor being chief of all Princes kept at Constantinople, therefore that should be the chiefest Church, and there the chief bishop: This ambition inflamed many to speak and write against it, but especially the late Gregory who in this wise reproved john bishop of Constantinople for the same: saying, None of my predecessors (although the Emperors began first in Rome, and were wont to bide there only, and yet do keep the title thereof) durst take upon them this title of universal bishop. And again Gregory said plainly that such a one was the forerunner of Antichrist. Yet notwithstanding that the Church of Constantinople with great infamy prevailed not herein, because that Antichrist or the whore of Babylon according to the 13. of the Revelation should be in the City builded on seven hills, that is Rome itself, For so divers authors testify that only Rome is known to be builded on seven. hills: and certain it is that when this Revelation was written, Rome was then the greatest City being built on seven hills, as Mantuan testifieth in the life of Sylvester, speaking of S. Blaze at the end of the first book. And the fullness of that time prophesied of, now drawing nigh, this Boniface the third Anno 607. by the means of Phocas the Emperor an adulterer, traitor, and murderer of his Lord and sovereign Maurice the Emperor with his wife, and children) was advanced to be bishop of Rome with much hurley burley and great tumult, and in despite of many bishops and Church's standing against it, he is extolled, confirmed and worshipped as Lord and Prince of all bishops: By great suit (but greater bribery) he obtained of the said bloody Emperor, that Rome should be called the head of all Churches, partly by the same reasons that Constantinople used (as Platina saith) that where the head of the Empire was, there should be the head Church, again the Emperors had their beginning in Rome, again though some of them kept at Constantinople, yet ever they bore the name of Rome, as Roman Emperors: finally Peter delivered to Rome the keys of heaven and hell, A feeble reason though it had been true. Thus at this time as an adulterer by treason and murder usurped the Empire, so of the same man this ambitious Boniface obtained by bribery to be universal bishop, and consequently by the saying of his own predecessor to be the forerunner of Antichrist.  
He decreed in a Synod that under the pain of excommunication one Pope being dead, another should not be choose before the third day after: Also the same penalty for such as sought to be bishops by favour or bribery, he decreed that a bishop should be choose by the voices of the clergy and the people together, and the election to be good if it were ratified and allowed first by the Prince or chief parson of the place, and last of all confirmed by the Pope's authority, and with these words of his, We will and command. From this time forward the purity of the Gospel decreased and superstition increased: Likewise the Emp●re was at this time mightily weakened, for France Germanye, lombardy and Spain revolted and forsook the Empire, & beside Cosdroa king of Persia invaded and wan away many countries and Cities in the East, and among them Jerusalem. Boniface having enjoyed his authority scant a year died: From this time saith Vspergensis the Roman Empire was never without great trouble, misery and mishap.   

2. Boniface the fourth.  
BOniface the fourth born in Marcia, obtained of Phocas the Emperor that a Church in Rome called Pantheon, which the heathen had dedicated to all their gods and idols, should be translated from the worshipping of Idols to the service of Christ, and be dedicated to all Saints, and so called all hallows Church: An ungodly and blasphemous alteration, and contrary to S. Paul's doctrine, that Christians should turn that to God's service, which was dedicated to idols. He appointed the feast of all-hallows day, and that the Pope on that do ye should say a long mass: he also appointed the corpse clot to be had at mass: he gave monks leave to baptise and absolve. In this Pope's time God punished the wickedness of Phocas, who was reft both of Empire & life, by his successor Heraclius, for having his hands and feet cut of, he was thrown into the sea.   

3. Theodatus.  
THeodatus the first was a Roman, the son of one Steven a subdeacon: he devised a new found alliance between the Godfather and the god-daughter, and between the godmother and her godson, calling it spiritual consanguinitye: and therefore he commanded that neither the godfather nor his godson should marry the god-daughter, and so of the godmother likewise: which is one token given to know Antichrist by, forbidding and making unlawful (as Tacianus Montanus, and other heretics do) honest marriage, which God hath made lawful. At this time reigned such a strange loathsome kind of leprosy disfiguring men in such sort, that one could not discern another by the face: Theodatus died Anno 618. in the third year of his Popedom. Here note by the way that none of the Popes from this time lived long, which wrought not some notorious act for the maintenance of the tyranny of the Sea of Rome.   

4. Boniface the fift.  
BOniface the fift was born in Campania, he decreed the holy places should be rescewes and maintenance for thieves, murderers and lewd parsons, making the churches, churchyards, chapels & such others to be sanctuaryes for them, and that no man should draw them away by violence that fled thither. He commanded that none but deacons should handle the relics of Saints: furthermore that a will and testament being made by commandment of the Prince should stand in force, which prerogatives his successors did afterward usurp to themselves, that no testament should be good, unless it were allowed by them. He died Anno. 623.   

5. Honorius the first.  
HOnorius born in Campania was a good Pope (as Wicelius says) for diligence in building Churches, decking them with gold & silver, but a negligent pastor for aught that is read of him in feeding Christ his flock. Among other temples and monasteries that he founded, he hung S. Peter's Church with clot of Tissue, which with the emperors consent were taken out of janus Capitol or Romulus temple: he devised holy rood day, and added to the tyranny the praying unto dead saints, Sancta maria, sancta Gregori etc. and commanded to go about the streets in procession every Sabbath day. This Honorius died Anno 634. in whose time Mahumet arose, the auctor of the Turkish religion.   

6. Severinus the second.  
severinus or Zepherinus the second, was confirmed Pope in the name of Herachu● the Emperor, by Isacius his lieutenant in italy. This Pope also was very careful to build up Churches of dead saints, but careless of building up the Gospel: whereupon Isacius broke into the Church treasury, and perforce took away the great heaps of riches, the priests to their power defending the same: for then (even by God's just punishment) the Sarracens won from the Romans, Damascus, Arabia, Phoenicia, Egypt, and other kingdoms of the world, Mahumets' power increased still against them: and as for the emperors soldiers they were driven to great poverty and want of all things, and the huge heaps of the Church's hourded treasury increased to no bodies profit. For (saith Platina) in this danger of Mahumet, the priests looked that the laity should bear the charge of this, to withstand the enemies of Christendom: again the laity looked that the clergy for defence of Religion should promise', and give their money for the maintenance of the war, and should not waste their wealth prodigally to worse purposes, as for the most part they do, spending plentifully their riches got by almose deeds and with the blood of martyrs, upon stately and massy plate of silver and golde● having little care of the world to come, defying God and man, whom they serve only for luker sake. Plat. in Boniface the 5. This made Isacius with his soldiers to burst into the Church's treasury. Severinus died Anno 636.   

7. john the fourth.  
IOhn the fourth, learning by his predecessors harms how to use riches better, did redeem out of captivity with that money, which Isacius left in Lateran, his contreimen the Assyrians and Dalmacians, whom the Lombardes had taken prisoners in battle. And yet lest the like deed should be attempted against the church any more, even soon after in the beginning of his Popedom, he decreed, that the church goods being so purloined, should be recompensed four times double. He written to England concerning the keeping of Easter, and against the Pelagian heresy: He transported from Dalmacia to Rome, the dead bodies of two martyrs, Vincentius and Anastasius, rather to hurt live Christians with committing Idolatry in worshipping them, then that the salvage people should harm the dead bodies. He died ere he had reigned Pope two years, Anno. 638. Platina reporteth that in this man's time, a certain priest rob the tomb of Rothaeris in S. john Baptistes church: for (saith he) they were wont to bury certain precious things with kings bodies. The like thing happened of late time to Cardinal Allovisius, Patriarch of Aquilia, for his grave being burst up, he was rob by those, whom he from very base estate had advanced to the dignity of priests and better calling.   

8. Theodorus.  
THeodorus the first was a Graecian born, the son of Theodorus bishop of Jerusalem, he builded many churches in Rome, and golden shrines for saints. He ●et up the relics of Saints in gold & silver in the church. He forbade that marriage made after a single vow, should be broken. He deprived Pyrrus bishop of Constantinople, for heresy: He appointed that tapers should be hallowed on Easter eve for Easter time: He died, Anno. 646.   

9 Martin the first.  
MArtin the first a Tuderdinian born, made laws for keeping holy days, and decking of churches, such as the idolaters before were wont to keep: He gave strait charge that priests should shave their poles, and that bishops should make every year as they call it, an holy Chrism, and send it to every church in their Diocese: He burdened the Clergy with vow of single life, and appointed that a couple being married, ere they lay together, the bridegroom & bride, should have the priests blessing. He commanded also, that priests houses should be built next to the church: That Monks should not go out of the abbeys without the Abbot's leave: & in a Synod at Rome that bishops should not transpose the church goods to their own private use. He died Anno. 656. Wicelius saith, he was very vehement against certain sects, excommunicating them whom he aught by the scripture to have admonished. He deposed Paul Patriarch of Constantinople, not admonishing him first once or twice, according to S. Paul; rule: for the which he was bound in chains, and so brought to Constantinople, by the Emperor Constantinus, where in banishment he died in great misery. An. 653.   

10. Eugenius the first,  
EVgenius the first was a Roman, commended for his manners. But Wicelius says, this Pope did never any notable deed: but decreed that bishops should have prisons to punish priests. Thus by little and little, they encroached the power of temporal sword: certain letters were sent unto him from Constantinople, containing heresy, which were so detested, that says Platina, the Clergy itself took upon them to forbid the Pope to say mass in S. Mary's church, unless he would first burn the letters, then might the Clergy control the Pope's slackness or error in religion.   

11. Vitellianus.  
VItellianus born in Campania, being an excellent musician, written the ecclesiastical Canon, he brought singing and organs into the church. He accused one john minister in a certain church in Crete, unto the bishop of that place, for having a wife. He made the Latin hours, songs, masses, idolatry, and ceremonies, adding and turning all into Latin, about the year of Christ's incarnation. 666. which was the number of the name of the beast spoken of in the 13. of the Apocal.. Here therefore is to be noted, that the number of the beast agreeth unto this time, secondly the number of the years contained in the name of the beast, is found out in this word λατεινοσ: as who would say, that Antechriste shallbe a Latin, or in the Latin church, who shall come to his perfection in the year. 666. Also the letters of his name shall amount to this number, and last of all is to be noted how that beside this Lateinos expressed the Latin bishop, and the time of Antechriste, it agreeth with the strange doings of this time, that all things were turned into Latin in the church. And because that this mystery of six hundred sixty six, spoken of in the Revelation, may appear even to the most simple to agreed unto the church of Rome, as in this place is said: it is first to be considered that the ancient father Irenaeus, being immediately after the Apostles, reading this place, and considering of the words of S. john, saying: Let him that hath wisdom count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred sixty six. Irenaeus I say, considering of these words, did at the length find out that this number agreed to this Greek name λατεινοσ and therefore he said, that surely Antechriste should be a Latin and in the Latin church: for the Greeks, in whose tongue the Revelation was written, do express their numbers by their letters, as we do by figures. And in their numbringe this letter λ the first letter of that name, standeth for thirty: the next letter α standeth for one: the third letter τ for three hundred: the iiii. letter ε for five, the fift letter ι for ten: the sixte letter ν for fifty: the seventh letter ο for threescore and ten: and the eight and last letter, σ standeth for two hundred. So that if these eight numbers, that is: thirty, one, three hundred, five, ten, fifty, seventy, and two hundred, be added together, they make six hundred sixty six ●umpe. Again number so the letters in this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ecclesia Italica, that is the Italian church, and you shall find it also make jump six hundred sixty six. For in the former word of these two, there are right letters: whereof the first is ε standing for five, the second κ in value twenty, and so the third is κ that is twenty, the fourth λ that is thirty, the fift η that is eight, the sixt ς that is two hundred, the seventh is ι that is ten, the eight is α and that standeth for one: All which numbers added together, make. 294.  
Now to coin to the latter word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Italica, in it are seven letters, the first is ι and is ever set in the Graecian numbers for ten, the second τ for three hundred, the third α for one, the fourth λ for thirty, the fift ι for ten, the sixt κ for twenty, the seventh and last, is α for one: all which seven numbers amount to three hundred seventy and two, then unto this add the number of the former word, which was two hundred ninety four, and the whole some is lump six hundred sixty six. Furthermore, in the same thirteen chapter, and the first verse thereof, S. john speaking of this beast, says that the beast had seven heads. And in the seventeenth of the Revelation, the Angel doth expound this mystery unto john saying: the seven heads were seven. mountains upon which the woman (meaning the forenamed whore of Babylon) doth sit: and afterward again he says that the same woman whom john see sitting on the beast with seven heads, is that great City which hath rule over the kings of the earth: At which time it is manifest to all the world, that Rome had the soveraignitye and Empire of all the world, and that it was then the great City, and none but it of whom this might be said: neither is it known that any other City is, or hath been built upon seven hills. And that Rome is so, it appeareth by divers writers Romans and other, that report it as they have seen it: Among other Munster in his topography doth not only in the description of Rome testify that there are seven hills but also showeth the names of them every one which are these: Aventinus, Capitolinus, Palatinus, Cael●us, Exquilinus, Viminalis and Quirinalis hill. Proper●ius the Poet confirmeth it briefly in a verse saying thus of Rome, Septem urbs alta iugis toti quae presidet orbi: the like hath Virgil in his Georgics, Septem quae uno sibi muro circundedit arces, speaking it of Rome. Mantuan in his Fast. li. 2. doth in like manner describe Rome, calling it Romulean septem cum Collibus urbem. So of the Greeks it is called Heptalophos, wherein Hep●a signifieth 7. and lopho● an hill, head or top.  
This Vitellianus commanded shavings and anointings of the clergy to be used, giving under these marks lice●s to buy and cell pardons in the Church, as was prophesied of Antichrist: & after he had choked the Church with much palcry he died. At this time at the fullness of Antichrist, monkery grew into superstitious estimation. At this time also these two strange things were wrought: Abbeys were first founded for monks, kings were shaved and made monks.   

12. Theodatus the second.  
THeodatus the second a Roman born, was made Pope being but a monk: He bestowed great cost to make a sumptuous abbey of that, from whence he came: He gave licence to monks to transport Benedict Nursin patriarch of his own order with a scholesister of there's from Cassim mount into France. At this time were many strange things as a blazing star appearing 3. months continually, with great rain & often thonders, with a strange Rainbow and earthquakes, such as the like were never herded of. And some say that the corn being beaten down with these strange tempests of rain, did spring up again and grew to ripeness: For these things Theodatus caused prayers often to be said, and died Anno 675.   

13. Donus the first.  
DOnus the first, was made Pope in a miserable time, when the fields and the corn were burned up with thunder, lightnings and showers: He as (Popes use) beautified S. Peter's porch with pillars: And after he had punished certain Nestoria heretics, he scattered them in divers abbeys in Italy. He restored certain old churches, he divided the Clergy into divers orders, and advanced them with several kinds of honour, and dignity. After much controversy he made subject to Rome Ravennas church, Theodorus the archbishop thereof, agreeing to it through the Pope's flattery, which church before was called Alliocephalis. After he had done many ●uche deeds he died, Anno. 679.   

14. Agathon the first.  
AGathon the first, as Gratian writeth Distinct. 19 being a Monk of Sicill, commanded that the Pope's decrees should be taken for as canonical and authentical, as the Apostles writings. So he gave as great authority to the mass, which was clouted together by sundry Popes. But wickedly he condemned the marriage of ministers of the Latin church: He sent one john a Monk and archdeacon of Rome, into England, Anno 679. to teach them here the manner of their reading, singing, & ceremonies in their churches. And the better to utter his knacks of celebrations and sacrifices, as Beda writeth in his fourth book & 18. chapter, de Gestis Anglorum. He ●ent his Orators john bishop of Portua, and john Deacon of the Roman church to the sixt Synod of Constantinople, and against the Monothelites he sent one Agathus. In the which Synod the Clergy of the Greek church, were allowed marriage, and the Latin church forbidden it. Also among other things then done the eight day after Easter, Anno 681. the said john of Portua, did first of all say the Latin mass openly before the Prince and the Patriarch, and people of Constantinople, all men allowing it for novelties sake, as a new found thing, which taking root hereupon, was received in all churches, which held upon the Pope. In this Pope's time, after strange Eclipses, both of Sun and Moon, was a Pestilence so contagious in Rome, that the Pope himself died thereof. The seat than was void a year and a half.   

15. Leo the second.  
Lo the second was a Monk very learned, as well in Greek as in Latin, and so skilful in Music, that he brought the notes of the Psalms and Hymns to better harmony. He confirmed the sixt Synod partly to establish the mass, partly because by it also the Clergy of the West church, were forbidden marriage. He translated into Latin the ordinance of marriage. He appointed that the Pax should be born about, and be kissed of the people, while mass was saying: Also that if need did require there should be Christening every day. He would have (for their sake of Ravenna) no election of any bishop to stand in force, unless he were first confirmed by the bishop of Rome: But (saith Wicelius) without paying for his pall, or any other money, which says Platina I would it were kept still in Rome: for out of this bribing at this day many mischiefs arise. For as yet they dared not enterprise wholly such polling, as they did afterward about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 years after Christ: for in time past the vi. Princes of italy did confirm the bishops of Italy: yea, and the Pope himself: afterward the Emperor Constantine the fourth, agreeing thereunto, the election was again ratified in the hands of the Clergy and the Laity. But the Prelates of Ravenna, being emboldened because that the court of the six states was among them, would not obey the church of Rome, but avouched that they were equal in dignity. And thus Foelix being their bishop after Theodorus, went about to shake of the Pope's yoke, and to recover their lost liberty. But the Emperor that was then justinian, son of the said Constantinus, being set on by Leo, with standeth the purpose of Foelix, and after he had by assault won the town, he bored out the bishops eyes with a hot burning iron. Leo before the end of his ten months died Anno. 685. in which time the moon was in a monstruous and strange Eclipse, appearing as red as blood all the night long, divers nights together.   

16 Benedictus the second.  
BEnedict the second, whose holiness (they said) moved the Emperor Constantine the fourth (if they father not a falsehood on him after his death) to decree, that henceforth the Pope of Rome should have authority over the people without the licence of the Emperor, or the six states of Italy, which lasted not long. He re-edified divers temples enriching them with vessels of gold, silver and guilt, with copes of clot of tissue, and clot of gold, and other jewels, according to the jewish ceremonies: and this Pope was the first that took upon him to be called Christ's vicar on earth. Out of Vesunius hill in Campania, such abundance of fire spouted, that it burned up all the countries, men and cattle round about: after which it is evident that there ensued, Anno 686. bloodshed, burning, spoiling, and the death of Princes, and especially of this Benedict a Pope of ten months.   

17. john the fift.  
IOhn the fift was born in Syria, he first of all took consecration of three bishops, of the bishop of Hostia, Portua, & Veliterne, which custom he appointed to be kept of his successors. And his posterity do keep this use even unto this day in our saviours church at Lateran. In his Popedom he fallen sick, in the which time he written a vain and unlearned book, touching the dignity of the pall of an archbishop.   

18. Conon.  
COnon a Thracian, was made Pope after much wrangling between the Romans, who would have elected one Peter an archbishop, and the host, preferring one john a priest. This Conon being established, fallen sick and died, Anno 689. He made one Kilianus being before a Scottish Monk a bishop, and sent him with other into Germany, to win the East part of France to the church of Rome. But this Kilian & his company, were at the first ●layne of their Auditors, and buried at Herbipolis. One Paschal an archdeacon, and Treasurer to the said Conon, in this Pope's life bribed john Platina, one of the six princes of Italy, to make him Pope after the death of Conon. Platina took the money, but he performed not the covenant, neither restored the money.   

19 Sergius the first.  
AT this time was great hurly burly about the election of the Pope: Some chose Theodorus a priest, some Paschal an archdeacon. And while every one did ambitiously maintain his own faction, either party with the men of his own side kept possession in some part of Lateran palace: But when the chief of the clergy, the Romans, & the army saw, that this sedition would wax bloody, they agreed to appease this tumult, & rejecting both the other they chose Sergius an Assyrian born, & brought him to Lateran Church, and brasting up the doors they drive out the seditious electors, and compelled Theodor & Paschal to salute Sergius as Pope. He bestowed great cost in trimming the temples with guilding, images, golden candelsticks, and curious masons work, rich clotheses, & such stuff: He (they say) found a piece of Christ his Cross in a brazen coffer: He repaired the images of the Apostles being worn out with continuance: He set a new patch upon the mass, commanding that Agnus Dei should be song thrice when the priest is breaking the bread. And on the day of the annunciation of the virgin to sing procession: He reclaimed the Church of Aquilia which began to decline from papistry. He also by his monks alured the Saxons & Frisians to the same superstition: While Aldhelmus an Englishman waited at Rome to be admitted to a bishopric, he hard the Pope accused of adultery, the child being new born which was fathered upon him, Aldhelmus therefore did secretly admonish the Pope of this wickedness. Sergius died Anno. 701.   

20. john the sixt.  
IOhn the sixt a Graecian born, being much delighted in vanities as his predecessors were, was very curious in decking the temples. In the time of famine and war, he nourished a great number of poor men with the treasures of the Church (being in deed the worthiest of all Popes for such alms deeds) also he redeemed divers prisoners out of bondage: And with threatening caused Gisulphus captain of Benevent (who then wasted Campania) to return home. This man (as it appeareth) was because of Sergius adultery elected only Pope, and not confirmed, Sergius being restored again, and therefore he is not reckoned among the Popes. Peter Premonstratensis saith, that john was thrust out again because of his unlawful entrance, & therefore he is not enrolled among the Popes.   

21. john the seventh.  
IOhn the seventh a Graecian, was delighted in nothing but superstitious garnishing Churches and images of Saints, for which he is much commended: but not one word spoken of him touching preaching the Gospel. He died Anno. 707.   

22. Sisinius the second.  
SIsinius or Sozymus after great contention with Dioscorus about the Popedom at length obtained it: He was so sore sick of the gout, that he lived Pope but xx. days, being neither able to stir, nor to eat● any thing: Nauclerus writeth that he was poisoned by the said Dioscorus in the same year that john the seventh died.   

23 Constantine the first.  
COnstantine the first being sent for by justitian the Emperor to come to Constantinople, was the first that ever offered his sovereign to kiss his feet. At his return home he condemned Philip Burdan of impiety, because he could not abide the abominations of Idols, and took the Images out of the Church. Furthermore he commanded that the picture of the Emperor (counting the godly Prince a wicked heretic) should not be received, though it were engraven in gold or silver: he cursed all the emperors coin: And holding a counsel at Rome, he decreed that Images should be had in the Church, & should be worshipped with great reverence contrary to all Scripture. After this he moved one Anastasius a maintainer of images against the said Philippicus, who apprehending him, reft him of his kingdom, and put out his eyes: when the bishop of Ticinum rebelled against his Metropolitan the Archbishop of Mediolan, the Pope would not reconcile him, but falsely made him tributary by stealth to the Sea of Rome, whereby that bishopric hath brought itself to perpetual bondage. Kinredus and Offa two kings of the English Saxons for their pleasures made a voyage to Rome, and when they were there, the Pope made them forsake their kingdoms, & turned them into monks: he died Anno 715. He was the first that gave his feet to be kissed of Emperors.   

24. Gregory the second.  
GRegory the second bestowed his time in repairing and building spiritual houses & Churches with great cost: He forbade a nun, a novesse, an abbess, a deaconess or a spiritual Godmother to marry: He ordained that mass should be said every friday in Lent: and caused prayers often to be said because of strange sights in the air: He would have mass said no where but in an hallowed place: He persecuted even to death, those that would not worship images. By his authority he compelled Luith Prandus king of italy at the first withstanding it, to ratify Arithpertus donations being unjust, only to maintain the ro●at of the clergy: He moved the subjects of the Emperor Leo to break into open rebellion, because their images were taken away: He caused Spain, Aemilia, Luguria, italy and other countries to revolt, and defy their obeisance to the Emperor. The Emperor would have no worshipping of images in the Church, and therefore the Pope did both excommunicate him & put him from his kingdom, & threatened him eternal damnation. And thus the Emperors of the East lost their title in italy. Gregory died Anno 731.   

25 Gregory the third.  
GRegory the third was a stout champion for the Church of Rome and their ambition. He did excommunicate his sovereign the Emperor Leo, because he destroyed images. He joined to him Carolus Metellus the bastard lieutenant of the Frenchmen, to maintain the estate of the bishop of Rome against the Lombardes: By help of the Lombardes, he drove the Grecians out of Italy. And afterward oppressed the Lombardes themselves by the help of France, and absolved all Italy from the oath of their dew allegiance sworn to the Empire. He busied himself in taking care, and bestowing costs on churches, abbeys, celles, altars, & Images. In a Synod at Rome, he maintained that the Images of dead saints should be worshipped, decreeing excommunication against those that would do the contrary. He laid up in Peter's Palace the relics of saints, and commanded that on every day mass should be said there to them. In the Cannons whereof he adding certain clauses, clouted it with this piece, Quorum solemnitates hody. etc. He forbade to eat horse flesh. He translated the tuition of the church, from the Greeks to the Frenchemen: He set the Apostles Images in churches severally by themselves. He written to Boniface an Englisheman, that their priests aught to have shaven crowns, that should pray for the dead at mass, and that they aught to pray, and to offer sacrifice for the dead. After these and like deeds he died, Anno 742.   

26. Zacharias a Graecian.  
ZAcharias emplied his wit and wealth in pompous and gorgeous building: Among other vain sumptuousness, he was the first that gave golden copes decked with pearls and stones, to the church for holy uses. He gave a stipend to the church toward the charge of the lamp oil. He devised the manner and fashion of priests apparel: He divided the East church from the West church. He translated out of Latin into Greek, Gregory's four books of Dialogues, to the intent to plant the opinion of Purgatory among the Grecians, which they never received yet. He made it unlawful to marry the uncles wife, the uncle being dead, although Gregory the third allowed it. He commanded gossips (as we call them) in no wise to mary together. He commanded the Venetians (a Godly deed) that upon pain of curse they should not for lucre sell their children of Christians to the Saracenes. Taking upon him the power of God after a sort, he presumed very churlishly and cruelly, to depose kings from their estate, and to make kings. He was the first that attempted to release subjects of their allegiance. For Pipinus son of the bastard Charles martel, & traitor to his Prince, by his messengers obtained of Pope Zacharye, that he would depose king Childericus from the crown of France, and give it to him and his heirs. The Pope remembering the late deed of Pipinus his father, in the Pope's behalf against the Lombardes, & thinking by this means that he should be the better able to encounter the Emperor of the East, granted this traitorous request. And sent strait charge and high commission to the estates of France, that they should depose their present king Childericus, shave his head, put him into an Abbey, and so make him a Monk: And after this they should acknowledge Pipin being confirmed and anointed by the archbishop Boniface, to be their sovereign and king. Furthermore he changed Lachis king of Lombardy, Charolomannus, and other from their royal estate, and made them Monks. After ten years reign, he died, Anno 752. One Steven a Deacon, was choose to succeed him, who being wakened out of sleep to go about his affairs, being taken with the falling sickness, died presently, and therefore is not accounted Pope.   

27. Steven the second.  
Steven the second, immediately stepped in after this other Steven, who for his superstitious and ambitious dealing in their religion, is counted of the Papists a Godly bishop: But note the mystery of his juggling, he having thus by craft and guile obtained the Popedom, he immediately subdued to the sea of Rome, all the dominion of Ravenna, which had wrought the Pope so much displeasure, and beside many other countries in Italy, thereby to obtain the kingdom of Italy. He craved of Pipin importunately to revenge his quarrel against A●stulphus king of Lombardy, for demanding subsidy of him and his Prelates. Pipin to gratify the Pope, in consideration of the kingdom of France got by his means, after he had long besieged, & often assaulted, the dominion of Ravenna, at the length delivering it from the garrison of Lombardy, yielded it as a present to the Pope, with all the towns thereof, even to the gulf of Venice. And thus they rob the Emperor of that dominion, and withal pulled down the third part of the strength of the Roman Empire, impairing thereby the East Empire. And as for the west Empire, which then was arising, it lost his strength likewise. But Pope Steven hereupon anointing bastard Pipin and his two sons again, and giving him a pardon for falsefying his oath of alegeaunce, did more ratify him and his, in the kingdom for ever, cursing all those that at any time should speak against him. Also he shaved Childericus again, and made him newly Monk, and so put him afresh into an Abbey, to make all sure. Pipin for this fell down flat on the ground & kissed the Pope's feet, held his stirropes, and took the bridle in his hand, and played the osteler, an● vowed perpetual fealty to the Pope. The Pope to thank God for this benefit of so great honour, which now began, caused procession to be song through all Rome, and the Apostles tombs and other saints relics to be born about and showed openly, and himself to be carried triumphantly through the mids of the people on his porters shoulders in his Pontificalibus. Which use of being born on men's shoulders, his successors have esteemed as a most holy thing. He confirmed by his authority, that all Pope's traditions should be taken for good. He forgave all treasons against Princes: for the hatred he bore the Grecians, he studied to change the Empire from them into France. He furnished the churches in France with prick song and descant. And whatsoever henceforth could be wrested from the Empire, he commanded it should be S. Peter's see, and so dedicated to the church of Rome: he died Anno 757.   

28 Paul the first.  
Paul the first was brother to the said Steven: he after wrangling and jarring between him and one Theophilact, succeeded: and following the dance that his ancestors had led him, threatningly and fiercely he restored the images, which Constantine Emperor of Constantinople had abrogated: but Constantine standing stoutly in his opinion, and defyinge his vain curses and threats, withstood images with all his power even to his death. This Paul honoured much the body of one Petronilla the daughter of S. Peter, and took her carcase out of the ground, removing it to another place, and enlarged and repaired divers Churches, adding many ceremonies to them: At length he died through the extremity of the heat of summer Anno 767. In his time (as Peter Premonstratensis saith) stars fallen from heaven to the earth, according to the 6. of the apocalypse: And immediately after this Charles the great begun to reign, who builded 24. monasteries.   

29. Constantine the second.  
COnstantine the second being but a lay-man, by strong hand was made Pope (though many other stood for it) through the doings of his brother Desiderius king of Lomberdye, and through Totho duke of Nepesia: but this hastiness at length is brought to none effect, because Constantine had not taken Ecclesiastical orders. hereupon arose great discord among the clergy: in which tumult one Philip was choose, but because he wanted artilary & power to maintain his part, he was forced to depose himself again: Constantine obtained the Popedom a year, and that pontificallye: but in the end a council being gathered of Italian and French bishops, in their great rage & fury they put him out, and with great reproach clapped him in an abbey as in a perpetual prison, having both the Popedom taken from him and his eyes put out Anno. 708. Some do not count him among the Popes because he was a lay man, and disallow all his doing, saving Baptism and Chrism: But the next year after, his brother Desiderius coming to Rome under pretence of praying, got those that put his brother's eyes, and rewarded them with the like punishment.   

30. Steven the third.  
Steven the third is commended to be a stout maintainer of romish traditions and authority: for in a Synod in Lateran he did disannul all that his predecessor Constantine had done: The bishops by him created were disgraded, if they had no absolution, he commanded that upon pain of excommunication no lay man should presume to be Pope without ecclesiastical orders. He condemned the seventh council of Constantinople as heretical: And did again establish setting up of Images, which by that counsel was condemned: He taught that images should be worshipped, and increased the worshipping of them, and commanded that they should be hallowed with Frankincense. He brought to his subjection Mediolan Church, which ever before had been free. He sued to Charles the Emperor, & obtained to depose Desiderius of his kingdom. He appointed those that broke their Canons, to sing Gloria in excelsis on Sundays: and that in the solemnity of the masses it should be song on S. Peter's altar by seven bishops being Cardinals: He went one time (to counterfeit Christ in his doings) barefooted in procession. He died Anno 772.   

31. Hadrian the first.  
HAdrian the first was a meet champion to maintain the dignity, which his predecessors had encroached: He bestowed cost on altars, dead m●ns tombs, dead men's bones, and Churches: He attributed more worship to images then ever any did, and written a book of the honour and profit of them: and pointed them in steed of Scriptures to be layemens' books: He condemned in a counsel those that detested images, as one Foelix & other: By the aid of Charles the Emperor, he delivered the Sea of Rome from the peril of all other Princes: He was the first that with his leaden Bull did honour their decrees, dispensations, and privileges. He forbade that any infamous parson should be promoted to priesthood, & that the clergy should not be sued out of their own court: Charlemagne king of France and brother to Charles the Emperor being dead, his wife Bertha came with her two sons unto this Hadrian, suing to him that he would anoint and establish these her sons in their father's kingdom: But this holy fire lest he should offend their uncle themperor, cast of the orphans, despised their suit, & refused to do it: & finally committed to perpetual slavery, both the children and their mother, with Desiderius king of lombardy, his wife, his children and his kingdom, whom Charles carried into France with him, where they lived long in care and misery, until they died. And thus God's vicar useth orphans, widows and poor Princes: To cloak all this he fed in the porch of Lateran palace, a hundredth poor folk every day. But Charles in recompense hereof after he had kissed the Pope's feet, confirmeth to the Pope his father's gift, that is the towns pertaining to the Dominion of Ravenna: and like an unjust pirate, he added to the Pope's possessions, Venice, Histria, the dukedom of Fotriiulenia, the dukedom of Spolet, & Benevent, and other lands. Also he made Hadrian Prince of Rome & of Italy & ratified the Pope's Empire, by spoiling the kingdom of Lombardy, and joining so in league with the Pope, that who so dealt with the one, should be enemy to both: Again Adrian caused Charles and his successors the kings of France, to have the title of most Christian king, and like a subtle fox he gave him power to choose the Pope, and to make bishops through all his dominions, but that lasted not long, and so used him, that in deed he had but the bore name of the Roman Emperor. This Hadrian clothed the body of S. Peter all in silver, and covered the Altar of S. Paul, with a pall of gold. He died Anno 796.   

32. Leo the third.  
Lo the third as soon as he caught the Popedom, by & by sent S. Peter's keys and the banner of Rome with other gifts to Charles the Emperor, desiring him to bind the Romans by an oath, to become subject to the bishop of Rome. Charles to pleasure him, sent one Agilbert an Abbot, who compelled the Romans by his commandment to swear allegiance unto the Pope. Hereupon the Pope purchased such deadly hate among the people, that as he was once going on procession, certain furious parsons fallen upon him, and beat him from his horse, and stripping him stark naked out of his pontifical robes whipped him very sore: But at length when Charles came, they (knowing his good will toward the Pope) turned their former hatred into love and favour, and dared not avouch the faults laid against him. Therefore when he asked of his conversation, they answered with one voice that the sea Apostolical, aught to be judged by no lay-man. After the which answer the Pope affirming, and swearing himself to be guiltless, the Emperor being pacified, doth absolve him, and pronounced him innocent: For with courtesy the Pope desirous to be thankful, with a great voice proclaimed Charles Emperor, & joined him with himself, & set the Diadem on his head, that Romans in the mean time cried, God grant life & success to Charles our mighty Emperor. Thus was the name of the Roman Emperor restored, so as the Pope's authority should not be impaired. Hereof the custom continued that he who should receive the sceptre of the Empire, should be joined in authority in Rome by the Pope. From this time, being in the year. 801. the honour of the Roman Empire, was first translated from the Greeks to the French men by the Pope, and after at his good pleasure, from them to the Germans. This Pope also pronounced Pippin of France son to the sa●e Charles, king of the same part of Italy, which neither he nor any of his predecessors could ever subdue: which he did for this policy, that the kings of France having the title Imperial, should never suffer him to loose his majesty. For this cause (says Hieronymus Marius) the Pope wrought perpetual dissensions between the Emperors of the West, and of the East, to the great spoil of Christian blood. Thus upon condi●ion that Charles and his should swear perpetual homage and fealty to the church of Rome, he made him Emperor. He first appointed to hallow the altar with frankincense. He made the Pope's decrees to be of greater authority than all the writings of the doctors. Also he caused that a certain sergeant blood made by a conveyance to run from a wooden rood, should be taken to be the very & true blood of Christ: And carried it to Mantua where to this day it is preserved, reverenced, and worshipped. He by his authority allowed it to be so, appointing for it yearly a solemn holiday. Such was the dotage of the time, whereof Mantuan bewitched with this enchantment, writeth to the Emperor Charles, of the Pope's journey.  
While Leo hearing of the brute  
of counterfeited blood,  
Which found was lately streaming from  
a crucifix of wood,  
He hieth him to Mantua:  
where he perceiving well  
The wondrous works wherein this blood  
so strangely did excel,  
He thought we should it as the blood  
of jesus Christeesteme,  
That erst was shed upon the cross  
our souls for to redeem.  
An abominable elusion and blasphemy to say, & teach that the glorified blood of Christ should shed itself in a rotten idol, which as the Apostle says, was once shed for all, & that out of his precious body. But the Pope's authority in this matter, caused this to be believed, almost of all men. But so Paul prophesied the coming of Antichrist, to be in false signs to deceive the unbelieving: Leo died, Anno. 816. Vspergensis says, that in this time of Leo, the Sun was darkened and lost his light for eighteen days, so that the ships oft on the sea wandered to and fro: Also that in an other year it was twice in the Eclipse, first in june, secondly in December: Likewise the same year, the Moon was twice in the Eclipse, in july and in january.   

33. Steven the fourth.  
Steven the fourth, the third month after he had taken the Popeship upon him, made a voyage into France to Lewis the Emperor, to purge himself of election, whereby he was made Pope, because he was choose, and confirmed by the Clergy, and the people, contrary to the decree made by Hadrian and Leo. And thus their own decrees which the former predecessor made, the next successor broken. But to flatter and dally with the Emperor for a while, he brought with him a fair crown of Remis, and put it on the emperors head, & put another on the empress head, naming her Augusta. When he had received his reward of the Emperor, & should return, the church of Reata wanted a bishop, and yet Steven very subtly would elect none, unless he might first know, whether the Emperor would allow his doing: but note the sequel. As soon as he was returned safe to Rome, he began to consider that the prerogative which was given to Charles and his successors, might be a bridelling to the sea of Rome: being embouldened the more, because Lewis was a gentle person, and a tractable man: he disannulled all that▪ authority and right, and affirmed that it aught to belong to the Clergy, the people, & the senate, to elect the Pope. But to avoid the emperors displeasure, he used this interpretation, that it was lawful for them to choose him without the emperors authority, but not to consecrated him, but in the presence of him or his ambassadors. And thus the Emperors were a little shouldered out from the election of these prelate's. And beside this because he reigned but eight months, he could not any further enhance the pomp of his seat, dying, Anno. 817.   

34. Paschal the first.  
PAschal the first a romish monk, was choose without the consent of the Emperor, according to the gloze devised by Steven: but when the Emperor complained, that he found himself aggrieved with the election, paschal very craftily wrote unto him purging himself thereof. In process of time when he perceived that the Emperor (upon blind zeal to religion) was a great maintainer of the Church of Rome, he thinking that it were dangerous, if he should delay the enlarging of his authority: did so craftelye charm and enuegle the Emperor, that he yielded wholly to the Romans all his authority touching the election of the Pope, which was given to Charles, and he confirmed by writing his ancestors presentations, which they had wrongfully purloined. This did the Emperor confirm with hand and seal, not knowing their craft. But after that when this Emperor jews minding to have his son Lotharius joined with him in the Empire, and for the more convenient doing thereof sent him to Rome, to be crowned there by the Pope king of Italy: which after that the Pope had done, whiile Lotharius (because of a certain tumult and sedition there arising) fled to his father for aid to suppress it, leaving behind him one Theodorus and Leo, chief officers about him, who stood stoutly in their masters quarrel, the Pope secretly and traitorously caused certain seditious people to pull out their eyes, and afterward to strike of their heads. And when he was accused to the Emperor both of the sedition, and of this murder, he picking out for his purpose a counsel of Prelates, purged himself by his oath: notwithstanding he absolved and pardoned those that were guilty and known offenders, he accused them that were slain to be guilty of treason against the Emperor, and finally avouched, that they were lawfully put to death. This paschal they say (if they over reach not in the number) did take up two. thousand saints karkases, that were buried in Churchyards, and bestowed more honourable tombs upon them in other places: He commanded to worship and reverence the relics of Saints: He was beneficial to stone walls, as Churches, and altars diversly. Last of all he gave commandment to the clergy, that they should not take any benefice or Ecclesiastical living at the hands of a layeman. He died Anno. 824.   

35. Eugenius the second.  
EVgenius got the Popedom with much brabbling and strife among the fathers of the election, for first one Zizimus had it granted him: but the discord being ended Eugenius got it both for his courtesy & eloquence (as they say) who as Premonstratensis saith, that while he was Cardinal of S. Sabines, bestowed on the Church a silver cup and a stately picture, but now in his Popedom, he so busied himself about corn matters, as if he had been born to feed many men: and yet some say that his eyes were put out by the Romans, other say by the priests that hated him. In this man's time Lotharius the Emperor appointed magistrates in Italy, to govern and bridal the Romans, because they abused their liberty very much which they had under Charles: which deed as many think hastened the death of Eugenius. Michael the Emperor of Constantinople sent Ambassadors to jews the Emperor, desiring to be resolved concerning Images, whether they should be worshipped or abandoned: and jews sent them to Pope ●ugenius to be instructed, but Eugenius answer was never known. He reigned 4. years and then died. Anno. 827.   

36. Valentine the first.  
VAlentine the first being yet but deacon & not full priest, was made Pope, he was a man of a quick wit, able to persuade and dissuade. And some writ that there was in him such excellent hope, that he would have reigned more happily and in better order than the rest, wherry the fathers about, feared the decay of their former holiness, for he never did any thing that was not liked. He died the fourth day of his reign, and as some think poisoned.   

37. Gregory the fourth.  
GRegorie the fourth would not take the Popeship upon him (fearing the sequeale) until that the Emperor had allowed the election, and by this man the Emperors had restored to them their right of confirming the Pope, which yet lasted but a while. In this Pope's time there was a counsel of bishops held by the commandment of jews at Aquisgran, where it was decreed (Gregory being precedent of the counsel, that every Church should have revenues of his own, whereby the clergy might be maintained, and not be constrained to forsake their cure and office, and give themselves to occupations of lucre. And it was concluded that none of the clergy of what soever degree, should wear any precious or purple garments, neither wear any rings, nor jewels, unless it were a ring at saying mass. Again that they should not keep a great train and family, neither horses, dysing, nor unhonest women, and that monks should not exceed in gluttony and feasting, and that the clergy should wear neither gold nor silver in their shoes, slippers, nor girdles, which (saith Platina) are far disagreeing with religion, and most manifest tokens of incō●●nencye. Yet such was their royat then, which continued so that Platina in the lite of this Gregory crieth out in these words.  
O Emperor jews I would thou were living in our time, the Church now wanteth thy holy laws, and thy justice, for Ecclesiastical people do so wallow in all kind of lust and royat: You might now see them pranked in crimson, with bruchies and jewels, and that not men only, which perhaps might seem tolerable, but also their horses and beasts. And while our prelates pass abroad, a lusty troop of youths, go jetting before them, & a knot of chaplins following behind: and they themselves not riding on silly asses, (as Christ the author of our religion, and only pattern of good life in earth did) but upon their neyeng and trampling horses, all betrapped as if they rood in triumph after a conquest of an enemy touching their silver plate and stately furniture of houses, and delicate fare, it booteth not to speak: when as their dainty diet excels all that ever was in Sicilli, their robes pass all the pomp of Attalus, their vessels stain all the plate of Corinth: but what will come of this intemperancy, I say nothing. Thus complaineth Platina.  
But to return to Gregory, he made divers holy days for saints, as Bartholomew, Gregory, Sebastian & others, he was beneficial to Churches and deadman's bones. By the emperors help he drove the Moors out of italy: he procured tenths to be given to the Churches, and devised solemn erection of sepulchres. He died Anno. 843.   

38. Sergius the second.  
SErgius the second was before called hogs snout, he being made Pope did first bring up this use that the Popes should change their names. To confirmation of whom that Emperor sent his son with authority Imperial to Rome, and many nobles to attend on him: which kind of confirmation they were wont all to attend upon, until Hadrian the third told the Romans, that they ought not to look for the emperors good will in creating the Pope. This Sergius was the first that of himself renounced his Christian name given him in baptism: He appointed that Agnus Dei should be said thrice at mass, & the host the while to be divided into 3. parts: 
A new patch set on the mass.  He bestowed pains as other did on dead men's tombs. He died. Anno 846.   

39 Leo the fourth.  
Lo the fourth took the Popeship under Lotharius the Emperor, and bestowed many ornaments on Roman cities & churches, for he builded a tower in Vatican, he repaired the brickwall and town gates, and raised about them even from the foundation xv. fortresses, whereof he planted two very well at the end of the river Tiber, to beat back the force of the enemy. He builded a new S. mary's Church, and gave an Altar of iiii. crowns for martyrs bones, he repaired the Castle of S. Angel, and made seats of Marble in the porch of Lateran. Hitherto he played the bailiff of husbandry, but after this he become a warrior and captain of an army. For when the Sarracens made many a road into italy and spoilt the country, first he promised them heaven that would fight for the defence of his state, then mustering the Roman garrison he making the sign of the Cross, encountereth the enemies, and with this prayer (as they say) O God whose right hand etc. at Hostia gate he put them to flight and overcame them. afterward he summoned to a counsel 47. bishops, wherein he condemned one Marcellus of divers crimes: But afterward he gave sentence that a bishop should not be condemned without 72. witnesses. He first began (contrary to the counsel of Aquisgran) to deck the Pope's Cross with precious stones, & commanded it to be carried before him: He took upon him to proffer his feet to be kissed, and decreed that none of the laity should abide in the quire at mass time, but only he which attended on the Altar. He appointed sundry hollyedayes, and several prayers and solemnities to them. He was accused of many crimes, but specially that he went about by auctorie of a counsel, to translate the Empire from France into Germanye, but he purged himself by his oath. He died Anno. 854. In this Pope's time Anno 847. Ethelwolphus being first a monk of single life, having a dispensation from the Pope, left his monkery and become king of England, making his dominion tributary to the Sea of Rome, appointing a certain tax of money to be levied yearly of every house, and paid to Rome: And thus all England become thrall to Rome, to the fulfilling of the saying in the 17. of thApocalypse concerning the x. kings, These have one counsel and power, and shall give their power unto the beast.    

THE FOURTH BOOK containing the third order of Popes, in whom Antichrist appeareth to be come toward fullness of his wickedness specified in the 17. Chapter of the Revelation, speaking of Antichrist in the kingdom of the great whore of Babylon, which sitteth upon the beast with seven heads: and that prophecy seemeth to master Baale to contain these 41. Pope's following to Silvester the second.  
Hitherto from Phocas the emperors time for the space of 247. years, Antichrist like the beast reigned in the Church of Christians without judgement, or consideration of heavenly spirit. Hitherto the Popes even to the forteth Pope cast their eyes on earthly things, forgetting Gods everlasting testament, as if they only regarded but the flesh, and not the soul. All their delight was in new traditions, ceremonies, buildings, pleasures, pomp, wars, treasons, and translations of kingdoms as appeareth, so that they seemed to live in the glory of this world, and in contempt with Christ: so that the Church under their government is at length become the strumpet of Babylon according to the whole discourse of the apocalypse. The truth whereof the Lord hath most evidently revealed in this next Pope that followeth, who was a woman and an harlot, whereby all men may understand the mystery revealed by Christ.  
THE POPES OR ROMAN ANTICHRISTES.  

40 joan the eight.  
joan the eight, being a woman, was made Pope, and because of her bringing up under a certain English man a Monk of Fulda, (whom she loved tenderly) her name was altered, and she was called john English: She sat as Pope in the pontifical seat at Rome two years, and two months: She was a German of kindred, and born in Mens, called at the first Gilberta, who the more to enjoy her lovers company, and the better to avoid suspicion, dissembled her kind, and put herself into man's apparel, & so travailed with the Monk her paramour to Athens: where after she had profited in all the sciences, her lover being dead, she came to Rome disguising still herself, and counterfeiting to be a man. For through the promptness of her wit and ready tongue, she talked eloquently in public lectours and disputations: And many had her in admiration for her learning: She grew into so great credit, & was so well liked of all, that Leo the Pope being dead, they chose her Pope: In which office as other Popes did, she gave orders, made priests and deacons, promoted bishops, made abbots, said masses, hallowed altars and churches, ministered the Sacraments, and gave men her feet to kiss, and did all other things belonging to Popes, & her doings stood in force. But in the time of her Popeship▪ Lotharius the Emperor being an old man become a Monk. And Lewis the second came to Rome, and received of ●er the sceptre and crown of the Empire with Peter's blessing: whereby the whore of Babylon showed her self so mighty that she made kings stoop unto her. Apo. 17. Also as Hovedenus says in her time Ethelwolphus king of England gave the tenth part of his kingdom to the Priests and Monks to pray for his soul. And his son Ethelwaldus married judith a widow, and lately his own father's wife and his stepmother. But as touching Pope joan, she was got with child by one of her familiar chaplains a Cardinal, to whom her fleshly appetite caused her to disclose herself. As she was going on procession solemnly to Lateran church, in the midst of the way, and in the open street between Colossus & Clement church, she was delivered of child in presence of all the people, and died of her travel in the same place. And for this wickedness she was stripped and spoiled of all pontifical honour, and buried without any pomp or solemnity: Whereof Mantuan writeth describing hell in the third book of Alphonsus thus. 
Here hung the dame that erst disguised would seem a man to be  
Whose head the Roman mitre ware with crest of crownettes three,  
Who played a shameless strumpettes part in place of Pope's degree.  Lo this is that seat that can not err, being endued with the holy Ghost by succession, or rather an evident argument of the seat of Babylon. But the Popes since that time in their procession do shun that place, where she was delivered as odious for the hap thereof. Funcius saith boldly that this was suffered by God's especial providence, that this woman should be made Pope being also an harlot, even then when she should bring kings as she did Ethelwolphus and Alphredus in subjection unto her, whereby Antichrist might be known: for than it was the lords pleasure, to bewray the whore of Babylon in a Pope being an whore. Whereof the holy Ghost foretold. Apoc. 17. that the elect might beware of her. But to avoid the like inconvenience of a woman for the time following, they devised that who so ever should be choose Pope, should be searched very narrowely to be tried a man, shameful to be reported, but used without shame among such shameless shavelings. But now commonly they need not when they choose them Popes, mistrust them to be women, for while they are Cardinals they play such Carnal parts that they are able to bring forth bastards of their own begetting to prove themselves men, whereof one john Pannonius written a merry Epigram in four Latin verses: testifying the truth of this their doing, of the which I omit the two first verses for civility sake, it may be gathered by these latter two what is meant.  
Cur igitur nostro mos hic iam tempore cessat  
Ante probat seize quilibet esse marem  
How happeneth that this groping them is used now no more,  
Because each one doth try himself to be a man before.   

41. Benedict the third.  
BEnedict the third, being first tried upon the porphyry stool to be a man, was made Pope. Massaeus says he howled out and cried miserably, that he should be promoted to so great dignity, whereof he was unworthy (a rare thing among them.) But some think he did it but of hypocrisy, because (As Platina says) he offered his feet to be kissed, and suffered himself to be worshipped like an earthly Idol. Then came Ambassadors from Lewis the Emperor, to confirm the election of him done by the Clergy and people. Among many superstitious and vain ceremonies he appointed that Dirige should be said for the dead, & that the Clergy should go soberly, & honestly. He died Anno, 859. In this time (as Sigebertus and Vincentius testify) in Man's as a certain Priest was casting holy water a certain Devil lurking under his Cap, as if he had been a familiar to him, did accuse him, that he lay with a proctors daughter that night.   

42. Nicolas the first.  
NIcolas the first was made Pope in the presence of Lewis the second Emperor after his father Lotharius. But as soon as Lewis was departed out of Italy, he began to consider how he might advance the dignity of the Popedom which before (that the Emperor might count him holy) he refused. He put down john archbishop of Ravenna, for maintaining the old liberty of his bishopric: and brought that church into perpetual bondage. Among many decrees he concluded, that no secular prince, not not the Emperor himself, should be so hardy as to come in among the Prelates in their counsel, unless they were debaiting matters of belief, than the Emperor should execute those, whom the Pope judged to be heretics. Also he decreed, that the laity should not take upon them, to judge the life of the Clergy, neither to dispute of the Pope's authority & power. Also he decreed that Christian magistrates should have no authority over a prelate, because says he, the pope is called God, Auton. Tit. 16. He commanded that the Clergy should not be warriors but study, how to talk, and persuade. He commanded again that divine service should be said in Latin: But yet granted the Sclavonian and Polonians, to have it in their own tongue by dispensation: He added the Sequencias to the mass. He added Gloria in excelsis, to be song to the mass on Maundy thursday. He added the term of Apostolical authority to the Pope's decrees: He commanded marriage to be openly solemnized: he allowed that the sacraments might be received of evil ministers: He first bound the Clergy to single life. But Huldericus bishop of Augusta, controlled his wickedness herein by a sharp epistle: he died Anno. 867.   

43 Hadrian the second.  
HAdrian the second, the son of Talaris a bishop, was by the people and the Clergy made Pope, before the emperors Ambassadors could come thither: For then the Romans did by force take upon them the election of the Pope: which when the Ambassadors took in evil part, they were thus answered, that the will of the multitude could not be bridled in such a tumult. But yet they had done happily, because they had appointed such a good man. The Ambassadors even of compulsion seeing there was no remedy to abrogate the election, did against their wills pronounce him Pope: being confirmed, he bestowed much on the poor. He sent three Legates, bishops all, Leopart, Sylvester, and Dominicus, (that were bred and brought up in his kitchen) to keep the Bulgarians and Dalmacians within his dominion, whom Nicolas had brought to the yoke before. But the Bulgarians having had proof of his tyranny drove out the Italian priests, and received the priests of the Greek church. This enkindled hot coals between the Latins and the Grecians. Hadrian died Anno 873. Before whose death it rained blood three days at Brixia, and all France was miserably troubled with Locusts. Alfredus king of England, took his crown of this Pope, and was anointed, which never any king of England did before: But afterward he was called the Pope's adopted son.   

44 john the ninth.  
IOhn the ninth was excellently learned, both in Latin and in Greek: He in his sovereignty crowned three Emperors, Charle the baald, Charles Balbus, and Charles Crassus. Carolus calvus understanding that the Emperor was dead, hied him to Rome to Pope john, whom with his bribes he alured to satisfy his desire, and so was made Emperor by him, and received the crown Imperial. But about a year after he was poisoned at Mantua by one Sedechias a Jewish physician & an enchanter. john hearing of his death, bend all his force to make Charles Balbus to succeed his father, but the Roman Lords withstood him, and made Charles Crassus' Emperor. The Pope standing obstinately in his froward purpose, was taken of the citizens & put in prison, because he would not relent: but being released by his friends help, he fled into France. And bestowing the imperial crown on Balbus, saluteth him Emperor. In the mean time Crassus having got the city of Rome, causeth john with terror to return from France: Who returning to Rome, willeth the Emperor to let him return in safety, & maketh him Emperor, and setteth the crown on his head. john at his being in France, summoned a counsel at Treca, wherein he condemned certain contentious persons, and made many laws to the advancement of Popery. afterward he written to Lewis Balbus, that the privileges of the Church of Rome could not be abrogate without a prescription of an hundredth years. Also he made it sacrilege, to take any holy thing of any unholy person, or any unholy thing of an holy person. He excommunicated these that were guilty of sacrilege, but in such sort that for money they might be dispensed withal. He gave to many men saints relics for great jewels. He confirmed the liberties belonging to ecclesiastical persons, cloisters, church goods, monasteries, and clerks. He prepared an army against the Saracenes, and drove them out of Italy and Sicil. He died, Anno. 883. At this time the Empire was translated from the Frenchemen to the Germans, by Carolus Crassus.   

45 Martin the second.  
MArtin the second was a Frencheman, whose father was a Necromancier, and conjuring priest, he gate to be Pope, not by honest means, but by craft & ill arts. They say that by this man's subtle enticement, the foresaid john was apprehended, and laid in prison, and so constrained by his friends aid to fly into France, to save his life. At the election of this Martin, the emperors authority was not looked for, nor demanded to his admission. Thus proudly by little and little, the Popes shook of the emperors power, whereby they might the better tread them under their feet. But he reigned not long, about a year and certain months, he died Anno. 884.   

46 Hadrian the third.  
Hadrian the third was of such a proud stomach & haughty courage, that as soon as he had got into the Popedom, he made a decree, that the emperors authority should no more take place in creating of Popes: but that the voices of the people and Clergy of Rome, should be ever free to do it. The Emperor at that time warred against the Normans. Thus says Cranzius, these Prelates and the lewdness of the Romans, dared contemn their Empire, until the force and strength thereof decayed. Whereby this one Pope was now delivered and brought to bed of that monster at one's traveling, whereof so many of his ancestors had traveled: that is to cut clean of the emperors authority: For Nicolas the fairest had attempted it, but brought it not to effect. Lo here good reader, how by this decree all the emperors right and title which they had over the Pope and city of Rome, is wrist from them, whereby the Pope with great triumph hath got the victory, and upperhand: Thou shalt see him yet creep hire, and attempt greater matters, ceasing not until he have advanced himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. 2. Tit. 2. Whereby his flatterers may say: Who is like the beast, or who is able to fight with it. Apoc. 13. But after this he lived not long: he died suddenly, Anno. 886.   

47. Steven the fift.  
Steven the fift got to be Pope, at such time as France was invaded by the Normans, England by the Danes, Pannonye by the Huns, and Italy by the Sarracens. He lived in much trouble and anguish of the mind all the time of his being Pope, because Italy was so vexed with war and the Romans were not at his commandment enough: yet he employed himself to the most of his endeavour, daily to increase their babylon trumpery, and that none of his decrees might be defaced: for as Gratian writeth Distinct. 6. Enimuero, he decreed that all the Camnons' of the Church of Rome aught of necessity to be kept. The same Pope (saith he) forbade any Christians to condemn any to be put to death with hot iron or scalding water, which was then used, Cau. 2. quest, 4. He caused a law to be made, how to order such parents as do either ignorantly smother their children in their beds with than, or else do choke them, or murder them. He died Anno 892.   

48. Formosus the first.  
FOrmosus the first being bishop of Portua fearing the cruelty of john the ix. forsook Rome, because he was thought to be guilty of john's imprisonment: this name Formosus signifying beautiful, which being made Pope he choose and took upon him, showeth (saith Cranzius) that he was a proud parson. This Formosus for those former causes vowed and swore an oath, that he would never return to his bishopric, nor to Rome, both which he had forsaken: & so he gave over his orders, forsook priestcraft, and become a layeman, but the next that succeeded, did absolve him from the oath, which he had sworn to Pope john, and for money did restore him. After the death of Steven this Formosus so moneyed the matter, that he purchased Peter's chair, but as not with out bribes, so not without great brawling, by means that one Sergius a deacon wrestled for the same place. For the appeasing whereof he calling Arnulphus son of Carolomannus into Rome made him Emperor, who to gratify him for his courtesy, stroke of the heads of them that were his chiefest adversaries. He reigned vi. years & did almost nothing, he died Anno, 896. And at the length for these quarrels continuing among his successors, his body and bones were taken up by Sergius the third, the ninth Pope after him and thrown into the river Tiber. After this Formosus, the Popes did so dispatch one another, that within nine years, there were xi. Popes.   

49. Boniface the sixt.  
BOniface the sixte was Pope but a while after Formosus, and therefore he could not show of whether faction he was in such great debate among the Cardinals & the people: He lived but 25. days Pope, & as Anselmus says to be remembered for nothing, but for his quiet election, & happy in nothing but in reigning but a while.   

50. Steven the sixt.  
Steven the sixt succeeding Boniface was so inflamed against Formosus, that at the first he disannulled his decrees, & canceled his acts. And although Formosus had been beneficial unto him before, in making him bishop of Agnina, yet this courtesy could not 'cause this unthankful prelate to forbear his malicious purpose: but because that this Formosus had before prevented him in the Popedom, and by getting it disappointed him, & would not suffer him to keep concubines, he conceived such deadly rancour against him, even after his death, that to revenge his quarrel upon the dead body, he sommoninge a counsel first took the carcase of Formosus out of his grave, then put all the Pope's pontifical robes and attire upon it, and plucked it of again, and so as it were spitefully to disgrade him, put on layemans' apparel upon him, finally cutting of those two fingers of the right hand wherewith he used to hold the Sacrament, and throwing them into Tiber, he commanded to bury his body again, but not among spiritual men's bodies, but among say men. Thus after one years reign he died Anno. 897.   

51. Romanus the first.  
ROmanus a Roman by name and birth (though some think he were a Spaniard) did nothing worthy of remembrance: but whereas he favoured Formosus, he allowed his doings, and did abrogate the decrees & acts of Steven. But because he lived not long, he could not proceed far in his factious doings, which tainted the Roman prelate's shamefully at this time especially. He died the third month of his Popeship Anno. 898.   

52. Theodorus the second.  
THeodorus the second even at his entrance followed the examples that Romanus had set to him. But there is no notorious thing mentioned of him, because he lived but a while, saving that as Stella Venetus saith, he also walked in the seditious paths of his forefathers. He had no regard of God's cause, but was a maintainer and upholder of Formosus quarrel, and cherished those that were of that faction, but his short time prevented his farther doing. He died the xx. day of his Popeship. Anno. 899.   

53. john the tenth.  
IOhn the tenth succeeded Theodorus as well in manners as in place, for whereas these seditions were almost buried, he in his time renewed the scab again, and made it sorer than before. john (saith Barnus) minding to restore Formosus doings wholly, he stirred a great tumult, because the people did resist, and withstand it: and when he saw that it would braced into open war, he got him to Ravenna, and summoning thither a convocation of 74. bishops, he restored all Formosus his decrees, even to the uttermost, and did openly condemn the acts made by Steven, because he had done so reprochfullye against the dead carcase. Also he burned all the writings that were to be got of that Synod against Formosus, but he proceeded no further in these broils for want of breath. He died Anno. 901.   

54. Benedict the fourth.  
BEnedict the fourth is reported to have done no notable thing in these jars and brawls. In this age saith Stella it happened that as well through the heads (meaning the Popes) set all on sedition, as by the body addicted to sloth, all virtue withered away: Likewise saith Platina, when the Church through her wealth waxed wanton and riotous, and none of the head of the clergy controlled vice, than forthwith wickedness having got liberty, brought forth and yielded us these Popes, being as it were monsters and mongrels, which encroach Peter's place by ambition and bribery. Benedict died Anno. 904.   

55 Leo the fift.  
Lo the fift being made Pope, even in his dignity was taken by strong hand and cast into prison violently by one Christopher, seeking to make himself Pope, being but a priest and chaplain to Leo, & one whom he had brought up in his own house. Which thing saith Platina, could not be done without great sedition, and the slaughter of many. And of what authority the place was now, it may well appear, when as first harlots bore sway and ruled the Popes, than a private person dared, and could thus within so short a space as forty days, drive out the other, and keep the place himself. Leo seeing himself reft of the renown, and thus defaced even by his own familiar friend, on whom he had heaped so many benefits, conceived so great thought that immediately he died thereof:   

56 Christopher the first.  
CHristopher the first, was of so base lineage, that neither his country, nor his father's name was known. He having shoved out Leo, and his concubines aiding him thereto, won the Popeship by strong hand. But as he gate it naughtly, so was he shamefully thrust out again by one Sergius, the paramour of one Marozia, a notable harlot and beautiful concubine, who sought to place himself in it. So Christopher was put down the seven. month of his Popeship: And as Platina saith, compelled to be a Monk, which thing was then become the refuge of all caytiffes. And afterward he was again pulled out of the Monastery by the same Sergius, and cast into a strait prison, where at length in much misery and sorrow he died. Anno. 905.   

57 Sergius the third.  
SErgius the third, when as he was but a Deacon, gave a proud attempt to aspire to the Popedom, and was in deed choose thereto with great tumult among the people, when Formosus was choose. But taking the foil, he fled into France, but now espying his opportunity by the aid of Charles Simplex king of France, and Adelbert Marquis of Thuscia, he returned by stealth into Rome. And as it is said, he deposed Christopher, apprehended him, and clapped him in prison, & invaded violently the Pope's place: Being settled, and remembering his rank malice against Formosus, not withstanding the long time that had since passed, and eight Popes between Formosus and him, yet freshly to revenge his old grudge, He the second time took up the carcase of the said Formosus out of his grave, after it had lyen thus long, & setting it in the Pope's chair, did draw him from thence again, and as if he had been a live strake of his head. And where as since his last mangling, he had but three fingers remaining on his right hand, Sergius chopped of those also. After all this, he caused his body and all these pieces thereof to be hurled into the river Tiber, as if he had not been worthy to lie among Christians. And yet not satisfied with this revenge, he defaced, condemned, and disannulled all his acts, so that it was then needful, to admit them a new to their orders, whom he being alive, thought meet to make priests. He compelled the Romans to subscribe to this, for fear of the French king. This Sergius among other new ceremonies appointed that the people should bear candles on the day of the purification of the Virgin Mary, whereupon it is yet called Candelmasse day, to give their bodies unnecessary light at noon day, because their souls wanted their necessary light at all times. This lascivious Pope begat a bastard, which was afterward Pope john the twelfth, whom he had by the most shameless harlot Marozia: So Luthprandus testifieth in the third book, and twelve. chapter, De gestis Imperat. This and other like pranks, among harlots and bawds he practised, even in his Popeship: At the time of whose death Anno. 913. there were seen in the element great flakes of fire running to and fro.   

58 Anastasius the third.  
ANastasius the third, after Sergius (all their uncleanly ceremonies being observed) was elected Pope. But some writ of him that he did neither good nor evil in his time, and therefore is he more commendable. They write that in his time the body of Pope Formosus was found by certain fishers in the river Tiber, and so taken up, and with great worship buried in SAINT Peter's palace, and as some are not a shamed to fayne, the Images of the church did salute it, while it was burying: A notorious untruth, and gross blasphemy against God, although in the time of such blindness, God might suffer Satan to move and stir the Idols, before these idolaters, as in times past the diuel● hath done when he spoke and gave oracles and prophecies out of Idols: Anastasius died Anno. 915.   

59 Laudo the first.  
LAudo the first being a fruitful Prelate in begetting children, as Petrus Premonstratensis saith, he begat Pope john the xi. in detestable adultery. This Pope's life saith Platina was so obscure that some do not reckon him among the Popes, especially Vincentius. This Laudo as it appeareth, spent the more part of his chaste life (as chastity went then) among harlots, till at the length he was destroyed among them: For one Theodora, the Lady that governed Rome, a shameless courtesan, could not longer forbear the company of her lover, john Archbishop of Ravenna, who was apparent son to this Pope Laudo. Ravenna (saith Luthprandus) was two hundred miles from Rome, whereby Theodora could not so often enjoy the bishop her lover, and therefore she caused him to give over Ravenna, and to usurp the Pope's place in despite of the ancients of Rome. Here saith Funcius, a man might demand which of all these Popes did err from the truth, seeing they were all called holy fathers, and heads of the universal church. Let the Pope's partakers answer if they can.   

60 john the eleventh.  
IOhn the eleventh born at Ravenna, the bastard and adulterous son of his forefather Laudo, as saith Praemontratensis, he obtained the Popedom by right of inheritance, though whoredom were his aid. For thus writeth Luthprandus in his second book, and thirteen chapter of Emperors. Theodora an impudent harlot and the Lady of Rome burning in fleshly lust, was so inflamed with the comely countenance of this john coming to Rome, that she did not only request him, but compelle him to satisfy her carnal desire. For the which afterward she made him bishop, first of Bononia, secondly archbishop of Ravenna, and thirdly to obtain her filthy pleasure more conveniently, she made him Pope of Rome. Thus at this time was the holy mother church subject to an harlot, & ruled only by her, and is made an whore, according to the xvii. chapter of the apocalypse. This john having a warlike courage, played rather the warrior than the bishop: For when the Saracens wasted Calabria, Apulia, and Italy, he putting himself in armour, stew a number of them in these countries, & drove them clean out. As concerning the end of this man, thus writeth Luthprandus in his third book and twelve. chapter: In the mean time Guido Marquis of Thuscia, began to confer earnestly, and devise with his wife Marozia (the daughter of the said Theodora) how he might depose this john. Guido had many soldiers gathered together at Rome, the which apprehending Pope john in Lateran palace, Anno. 928, cast him in prison, and holding a pillow to his mouth, did smother him to death very miserably: After his death they set up john the twelfth, the bastard son of this Marozia, whom she had by Pope Sergius. Thus the young harlot Marozia, for the advancement of her misbegotten son, murdered the lover of the old harlot her mother Theodora, by the help of her husbands servants. But because the people of Rome and the Clergy, had not agreed upon the election of this subordined john the twelve. the self same year of his election, he was deposed again. And thus the same john of whom (being set up by force, & by and by thrust down again) Carsulan, Platina, Stella and others do make mention, because they known not the true story of him, which Luthprandus written, the ignorance whereof bred much confusion, for some took these two johns to be both one, and some the one for the other.   

61. Leo the sixt.  
Lo the sixt, after that john the twelve. bastard of Marozia the harlot and Sergius the Pope was deposed, obtained to be Pope by the election of the Roman people and clergy being in great tumult. This Pope did nothing commendable, but the establishing of peace in italy: after he had reigned seven. months he was poisoned by Marozia, whereby she might establish her son again Anno 930.   

62. Steven the seventh.  
Steven the seventh did as Leo had done, he meddled with nothing: for after he had lived Pope two. years in peace, security, and liberty of the flesh at his own ease, having the blind world ready to bend at his beck, he took his death in a cup, wherewith (as they say) he was poisoned. For saith Crantzius it is a strange thing that so many Popes at this time died so soon in their dignities, which is a great presumption that they were poisoned, as the most part of them were known to be.   

63. john the twelve.  
IOhn the twelve. the bastard imp of Pope Sergius the third, and of the famous concubine Marozia, was now again made Pope after much sedition. At this time a fountain in Genua flowed with blood very plentifully, prognosticatinge the wrath of God that immediately followed, for the Aphricans, Sarracens and Hungarians, wasted and spoilt all, and slew a huge number of people. There are some writers (as is said before) that make two. john's of this one, the one going before Leo and Steven, who they said never enjoyed the Pope's Albe or Rochet, & the other this which now was set up after Steven, of whom (they say) the histories writ nothing. Again there are other some, that make this being born in Rome & the other born at Ravenna all one: among whom Platina saith, that either of them was son to Pope Sergius, but Anselmus deceived by Platina saith the one was brother to the other: but other writers do make him a several parson from the other two, saying he was not known of the Cronographers, because he did nothing worthy of memory. But Luthprandus in his third book and twelve. Chapter writeth thus of the mother of john. Marozia a shameless concubine and mother to Pope john, after the death of her husband Gui, doth sand messengers to his brother Hugh king of Italy a Burgundian born, to desire him to come to her, and to receive of her the noble city of Rome: which (she said withal) she could not do, unless he would take her to be his wife. For which her incestuous desire Luthprandus written thus against her in Verse.  
why broiling thus wvith Venus' brand Marozia dost thou rave?  
Thunlawfull love and wilt thou of thy husbands brother have?  
Dare buxom dame Herodia two natural brethren wed,  
Lo Lady blind, john Baptist's law is quite out of thy head.  
Who did forbidden that brother with his brother's wife should me●l,  
And Moses Law doth not allow thy doing to be well.  
Who did command the brother raise unto his brother seed,  
If that the former by his wife had issue none in deed.  
But that thy husband children hath by the can be declared,  
'tis so (say you): but drunken love doth nothing it regard.  
King Hugh even as an Ox to death, for thy desire is brought,  
Whose mind not for to gain thy love but rather Rome hath sought,  
What booteth it thou cursed dame this noble man to spoil,  
For se●king thus by sin to gain a Queenly place a while,  
jehovah judge doth make thee lose both Rome and all the toil.  
Upon the said message the king leaving his army aloof, came to Rome who being honourably received passed forth unto the strong hold S. Angel's castle, and so into the bed chamber of Marozia. After he was established in uncesteous marriage with her, he began to contemn and despise the Romans: at which time Marozia had a son named Albericus, brother to Pope john, but begotten by Marquis Albericus. While this Albericus at his mother's bidding gave water to king Hugh washing his hands, the king because he did it not handsomely, gave him a bl●w on the face: hereupon Albericus to revenge this injury, calling the Romans together spoke thus unto them. The honour and dignity of Rome is brought to such doultishnes and folly, that it is now controlled even by harlots: For what is more abominable, what more shameful, then that Rome should be brought to obeisance, through the incest of one woman? and that the Burgundians whilom slaves to the Romans, should now be lords over them? If he being yet especially but a new come guessed take upon him to dash me on the face, being his very son in law, how think you will he deal with you in process of time? Know you not the pride of a Burgundian & c? This being said, without any delay the Romans all defied king Hugh, & chose the same Albericus to be their Prince. King Hugh being driven into this terrible fear, was compelled to forsake Rome, and leaving Marozia fled to his own company: Then Albericus and his mother Marozia did only enjoy the Monarch of Rome, and his brother the Popedom, who spending five years in Popish practices died Anno 937, while the harlot his mother ruled as well the estate temporal as spiritual in Rome.   

64. Leo the seventh.  
Lo the seventh succeeding john because he desired to live quietly, meddled with no matters, but as a slothful parson did nothing worthy remembrance. In his time saith Luthprandus, the said king Hugh forsaking his wife Berta loved especially three concubines Bezola, Roze, & Stephana: and because they were such notorious harlots, he gave them the names of three Goddesses, calling Bezola Venus, Roze juno, and Stephana Semele: by Bezola he had a son called Bozones, whom he made bishop of Placentia, by Stephana he had Theobaldus made Archdeacon of Milan Church, and by Rosa he had another great prelate of the Church, and a daughter beside. In those days many saw blood rain out of the Sun, as Masseus writeth, and after it followed a great pestilence among men. Leo died. An. 941.   

65. Steven the eight.  
Steven the eight a German obtained the Pope's chair after this Leo, yet this seemeth strange to many, how it should be done, because no Emperor out of Germany procured it. But Steven being notwithstanding Pope, was so vexed with civil seditions among the Romans, that he could do nothing worthy remembrance: for he was so shamefully wounded, and foully mangled and defaced amid the broils, that for shame of his foul disfiguring, he dared never show his face abroad: So little reverence had the Popes at that time, for their little holiness. Steven died Anno 944.   

66. Martin the third.  
MArtin the third being Pope gave himself only to repair the Church, not in Religion, but in building: not in reforming ceremonies, but increasing the dignity and pomp of the Church. He was very beneficial to the poor, & bestowed plentifully on their bellies. He was diligent in reformation of outward manners. In the first year of this Pope a great blazing star was seen in italy, after which says Vspergensis followed an extreme famine: and again says Masseus the Sun appeared very terrible, threatening the sequeale of God's vengeance. Martin died Anno 947.   

67. Agapetus the second.  
AGapetus the second being Pope ruled Popelike in the time of one Berengarius a Marquis of Italy, who was the last of that name, that had that dignity after Hugh. This Berengarius is reported to have driven many Monks out of their cloisters, which lived idellye, and gave themselves to the pleasures of the world. The Pope perceiving how he could not rule Berengarius in these and such other spiritual matters, & that he would not restrain his sovereignty, according to the will of him and his: He sent for Otho the first king of the Germans, to come into Italy, promising him the kingdom of the Romans, to fight with Berengarius, and so says Sabellicus, troubled the estate of that country. And except it were the setting of these princes together by the ears, he did nothing worthy memory till his death, being Anno. 954.  
In his time was a counsel held at Ingelhaim, but such was the negligence of the time, that no man can tell what was done there, or wherefore it was.   

68 john the thirteen.  
IOhn the thirteen, being the son of the foresaid Albericus son to Marozia, obtained to be Pope partly by the bribery, partly by the threatening of his father Albericus, being Prince. He being Pope lived not like a bishop, but altogether like a rank ruffianly roister, giving himself wholly to all kind of pleasure, as to whoredom, adultery, incest, masking & momming, hunting, may-games, plays, robberies, firing of houses, perjury, dice, cards, bla●ing, robbing of churches, and other villainies even from his youth: he misused his cardinals in cropping their noses, thrusting out their eyes, chopping of their fingers and hands, cutting out their tongues, gelding them, and using divers diversly. For before the Emperor Otho, in an open Synod it was laid to his charge (as Luthprandus writeth) in his sixt book, that he never said Matins, that in celebrating the mass he himself had not communicated, that he made Deacons in his stable among his horses, that he had committed incest with two harlots being his own sisters: That he played at dice, prayed to the devil to send him good luck, that for money he admitted boys to be bishops: He had ravished virgins, and strange women: He had made the holy palace of Lateran a stews & brothel house: That he had deflowered Stephana his father's concubine, and one Rainera a widow, beside one Anna an other widow and her niece: that he had put out the eyes of Benedict his ghostly father, used common humours, that he wore armour, and set houses on fire, braced open doors and windows by night: that he took a cup of wine & drank to the devil, and never blessed himself with the sign of the cross: these and many more odious articles were laid to his charge: Whereupon the Emperor by the consent of the Prelates deposed him. And Leo the eight was set up in his stead. But as soon as the Emperor was go, those harlots that had been his companions, inveigled the nobles of Rome, promising them the treasures of the church to depose Leo, and place john again: which they did out of hand, and so Leo whom the Emperor appointed, was deposed, and john established again. Who in his Popeship decreed that the Emperor should ever be crowned at Rome by the Pope: But as he was solacing himself with out Rome on a certain night, with the wife of one that was a valiant man, he was taken by him even in his adultery, and so sore and deeply wounded with a dagger, that he died thereof within eight days, in the tenth year of his Popedom, as Mantuan witnesseth. Of this Pope john S. Dunstane a Nicromancier and a conjuring Monk archbishop of Caunterbury in England, received at Rome confirmation and pall to be metropolitan, Anno. 960. This Dunstane did shamefully snaffle king Edgar: For the king had deflowered a certain Nun, for the which cause Dunstane did so taunt and rate him, that the king fallen down flat before him, offering to submit himself to any satisfaction, and obeyed this that was commanded him by Dunstane, first because he was yet uncrowned, he charged him that he should not take the crown upon him for seven years, and that during this time he should fast twice in the week, distribute his treasure to the needy, build a Noonnery at Shaftesbury, and last of all, that he should drive out all married ministers, calling them adulterous priests. Cronicon Saxonicum ecclesiae Wigorniensis. But as other stories testify, they were shortly after restored again, & the monks who had encroached their places were deprived. Also he purchased of him for a great sum of money, a commission to disannul and condemn the marriage of the Clergy, and to constrain them to single life, or else to deprive them of ecclesiastical benefits: So writeth john Capgrave, and Polidor Virgil. in his sixt book of the history of England. Hereupon he being emboldened by the authority of king Edgar, joining to himself in the same commission, Oswalde bishop of York, Ethelwalde bishop of Winchester, and Monks of the like disposition, did violently thrust out of the cathedral churches the Curates and Ministers, which would not forsake their wives: and planted in them Monks with their counterfeited chastity, which they kept until the time of the most renowned Prince king Henry the eight. But many there were that stoutly stood in defiance of this wicked doing, especially a certain Scot did bitterly speak against it. Of this Pope john came this proverb, As merry as Pope john.   

69 Benedict the fift.  
BEnedict the fift, after the departure of Otho the Emperor with his army, and depriving of Leo, being but a Deacon, and Cardinal, was made Pope by john's friends in a tumultuous time. But Otho would not suffer Leo, (whom he had appointed) to take this injury, and therefore returning to Rome with his army, he plonged the Romans divers ways, to make them yield this Benedict into his hands, and to restore Leo. Therefore after they had kept the gates locked two months, they yielded Benedict unto the Emperor, and received Leo, and established him solemnly in the Pope's chair. But when as Otho should return into Germany, he sent Benedict to Hambrough to his chancellor Adaldag the archbishop thereof, where he lived in exile, and for very thought and anguish of mind died, and was buried in the Cathedral church, Anno. 964.   

70 Leo the eight.  
Lo the eight citizen of Rome, and chief secretary of Lateran church, was made Pope by Otho the Emperor, in stead of john deposed for his villainy. Who being established in his Popedom (& Benedict) deposed because he perceived the lewdness of the Romans, how that with threatenings, with bribes and evil means, they were still advancing their own: He crowned Otho and made him universal Emperor. Afterwards by decree of a Synod, he bestowed on Otho the whole and absolute authority, to elect the Pope, taking it from the people and Clergy of Rome, which (says Gratian) Charles the great had given unto them. This he did to avoid those seditions, which used to arise in the elections. Otho desirous to be thankful for this courtesy, restored to the sea of Rome, all which they forge, that Constantine gave them, or that Charles or Pipin took from the Lombardes. And had bestowed on them: He restored saith Barnes, those things which he neither possessed nor was able to defend. But Leo after he had reigned a year and three months, died Anno. 966.   

71 john the. xiv.  
IOhn the xiiii. son of one john a bishop (or as some say of Pope john the twelve.) obtained the Popedom, as it were by his father's right. This Pope was quietly choose, which was a rare thing, and yet Peter the lieutenant of Rome with the two consuls and twelve senators, conspired against him, because he favoured the Emperor, they apprehended him in Lateran church, and kept him prisoner in Angel castle the space of eleven months. This being known, the Emperor hasted to Rome with his army, and dealt sharply with the offenders, some he banished, some he made to forfeit their goods▪ some he hanged on the gallows. But the Pope having Peter the precedent, yielded to his will, delivered him to the hangman, who according to the Pope's commandment, stripped him out of his apparel, shaved his beard, and hung him up by the hair of the head for the space of an whole day. afterward he commanded that he should be set upon an ass with his face to the tail, and his hands tied under the Ass tail, and to make him a laughing stock to all men, to lead him thus about the city, and withal to scourge him with rods, this being done to drive him out, to be banished into Germany. This Pope john alured the kingdom of Poleland to Popery, and sent thither Giles Cardinal of Thusculan to confirm the people therein, to divide dioceses, to anoint bishops, and consecrated them, and to account the Pope as supreme head of all churches. After this he died, Anno. 973. At this time they began to Christian bells, and to give them proper names: For this Pope called the great bell of Lateran after his name.   

72 Benedict the sixt.  
BEnedict the sixte succeeded john as well in misery as in place, for he was cast into Angel castle as prisoner (for certain offences) by Cynthius a Roman, a man of great power. And within a while after he was strangled to death with a rope in the same prison: or as some say, pined to death. I cannot but marvel (says Platina) that his death was not revenged, neither by the Romans, nor by Otho the Emperor, who so tendered the estate of the church of Rome: but I fear says he, that Benedict deserved as Cynthius rewarded him, seeing no man revenged his death.   

73 Donus the second.  
DOnus the second, succeeding Benedict, learned by him to be more wise, and therefore did nothing at all worthy to be written: Only this is mentioned, that when the Polonians desired they might be made a kingdom, and have a crown granted to them, he denied their suit. Crantzius saith, he governed indifferently, deserving neither great praise, nor dispraise, for a year and six months, he died Anno. 975.   

74 Boniface the seventh.  
BOniface the seventh was of so base birth, that neither the name of his stock, nor of his country was known, he getting to be Pope by lewd means lost it lewdly again. For having obtained the seat, the magistrates conspired against him, whereby he was compelled to hide himself: But perceiving he could not tarry at Rome safely, he filched and rob Saint Peter's Palace of the most precious and richest treasure and jewels, and so by stealth fled to Constantinople: where after a while selling them all, he made a great sum of money, and returned to Rome, knowing that money could obtain anything. But in his absence the Romans made one john the fifteth Pope in his stead: But he returning enriched the citizens with money, and alured to him every rascal, whereby he took john, and thrust out his eyes, put him in prison, pined him to death, and so got his place again, wherein shortly after he died wretchedly of the falling sickness: Whereupon his body (having a rope tied about his beles) was haled through the streets, and despitefully stabbed in with daggers, pikestaves, javelins, and such like things: and at length commanded by the Clergy to be buried in a common place.   

75 john the fifteen.  
IOhn the fifteen a Lombarde, was made Pope by the citizens and the Clergy, while the former Boniface robbing the treasury, fled to Constantinople secretly. This john was a Deacon Cardinal, and of great authority, & favoured not Boniface, but (as Platina says) he with certain other honest citizens stood against Boniface his doings, whereupon (as is above mentioned) he was made Pope, the other being fled, and so continued eight mon●ths, till the other returning, did put out his eyes, imprisoned him and murdered him there, with the ●anke stink of the prison, and famine, and grief of mind together. Yet some think that Ferrucius the father of Boniface slew him, because he withstood his son to be Pope: so says Anselmus.   

76 Benedict the seventh.  
BEnedict the seventh, after these was made Pope by the laity and Clergy. He by the emperors aid, did apprehend a great company of conspirators in the city, and for their heinous offence, he put them in prison, and punished them cruelly▪ He held a counsel at Rheims against Lotharius king of France, wherein he restored archbishop Arnulphus, who was violently deposed, and he deposed & condemned of heresy one Gilbert a Monk, being a conjuror, whom the king for his money and sorcery, had advanced to be Archbishop. This Gilbert notwithstanding, did yet afterward obtain of the Emperor Otho the third, whom he had taught to conjure, that he might be archbishop of Ravenna, and afterward he was promised by the Devil, that he should at length be Pope of Rome. Whereupon says Polidor Virgil in his sixt book of his story of England, Monks and priests at this time, declining from the trade of their elders in all places begun, even as it were by their own right to scratch together huge heaps of riches, to compass honour by ill arts, (conjuring and sorcery) and to exercise tyranny. Benedict after he had reigned nine years died, Anno. 894.   

77 john the sixteen.  
IOhn the sixteen, son of one Leo a Priest, succeeded by election of the people and Clergy. As soon as he was Pope he began to bear deadly hatred against the clergy, so that he was abhorred not only of them, but of all the people: and chiefly because he neglecting the dignity of the Roman Sea, bestowed the riches & treasures there of upon his kindred, his harlots and bastards. Which fault (saith Platina and Stella) hath continued among the clergy unto our time, for an ill precedent to the posterity: Then the which custom nothing is more perilous, when our clergy (saith Platina) shall covet spiritual dignities, not for love of Religion, & to serve God, but to maintain the prodigality, gluttony & covetousness of their kindred, and friends, their concubines and bastards. Of the like complaineth Mantuan of his tyme.  
Sanctus ager scurris venerabilis ara cynaedis,  
Seruit honorandae diuum Ganymedibus edes.  
At this time appeared a Comet, after which followed both famine & pestilence with terrible earthquakes, which shook both Benevent and Capua: which plagues most men judged, were sent for the pride, ambition, greediness & royat of the Popes, and for the contempt of God so great at this time. This john died in the viii. year of his reign▪ Anno. 985.   

78. john the 17.  
IOhn the 17. was very expert in feats of chivalry, he was made Pope with the goodwill of the clergy & laity. He was excellently well learned, & published divers books. He being troubled with the sedition of one Crescentius the Consul, going about to make himself king of the City, gave place unto Crescentius conspiracy, and banished himself into Hetruria: but Crescentius knowing of john's displeasure, and that he went about to call the Emperor with his army into italy against him, he sent those friends and kinsfolk which john had remaining in the City, to entreat him not to send for the Emperor, but himself to return to Rome with his authority, and he promised to be obedient to him in all things. john being entreated by his friends, and fearing that the emperors coming would do more hurt then good to him and his clergy, returned to Rome: Against whose coming Crescentius with all the rest of the conspirators came forth to meet him, who with the other people (a great multitude) waited upon him into the City, & in the porch of Lateran Church, Crescentius and his company falling down before the Pope, kissed his feet and craved pardon. This john died Anno 995.   

79. Gregory the fift.  
GRegorie the fift a German born, but a Saxons son was first called Bruno: He after wrangling and jarring was made Pope by the emperors authority, because he was his cozen. But after Otho the Emperor was departed, the Romans desiring change of state, did advance Crescensius to be Consul again, and committed the estate of Rome to his government. This Crescentius and the people of the City took it grievously, that Gregory being a Dutchman should by the emperors authority be made Pope, and therefore they deposed Gregory: after which the people and clergy of Rome established one john the xviii. being before bishop of Placentia, an excellent learned man and very well stoared with money. Gregory in fine went to the Emperor to complain of his great injury, the Emperor taking it despitefully, went into Italy with his army, besieged Rome, assaulted it, and took Crescensius the Consul and john the new Pope, and as for john he had his eyes put out and so died: Crescensius was put on a vile beasts back with his face to the taylewarde, having his nose and his ears cut of, & to be seen of all men was carried about the City having his members quartered, he was hung up about the walls of the City. Then Gregory (his enemies being punished) was restored, who perceiving that the estate of kingdoms were fickle and wavering, through the ambition of Princes and covetousness of the clergy, while there followed great wars hard upon his restoring, he summoning a counsel at Rome, made a decree for the election of the Emperor. He decreed that the election of the Emperor should continued from henceforth among the Princes of germany, that is the Archbishop of Mens, of Trevers & Collen, the Palsgrave of Rhein, the duke of Saxony, and the marquess of Brandeburge. To these also he added the king of Bohemia, to be an umpire, if the voices were even: which decree Anno a thousand & two. the Emperor Otho did allow and confirm, but the kings of France were highly offended that the Germaynes had this prerogative. Gregory died Anno 998. the third year of his Popedom.   

80. john the xviij.  
IOhn the xviii. a Graecian born (of whom is spoken in the former Gregory) obtained the place by bribery, sedition, and hurly-burly. This man was before bishop of Placentia, an old man, learned & rich, but proud, covetous, and desirous to be Pope, which wrought his horrible and mischievous end. For he brought so much money to Rome with him from Constantinople, whereby he was able to draw and tempt unto him aswell the wise & wary, as the simple sort, to be of his faction: whereby he corrupted Crescentius the Consul, violently to abuse Pope Gregory, & to drive him out being a German, and so purchased the Popedom and the sequel thereof. But of those things that he and his train set to sale in his popeship Mantuan writeth thus: 
Pernices mercantur equos, venalia Romae  
Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, sacra, coronae.   
I marvel (saith Platina) that the Chronographers would reckon this john among the Popes, seeing he usurped the place while Gregory lived, unless in writing the Pope's lives they think to do as they do in a continual history: For the peevish deeds of tyrants are set among the great exploits of good Princes, that the readers may discern the good from the evil, and so by the example of good men be moved to virtue, & by the example of the ill terrified from vice, and so live happily upon earth, which happiness this john wanted being a thief & a robber even in his Popedom. So much saith Platina of him. At the length this john with his Crescentius perished, having his eyes digged out, and his body foully mangled: Crescentius for his doing was set upon a vile horse (as is said before) having his nose cut of, and was so led through the City, his face being turned to the horse tail, and afterward having his members cut of, he was hanged upon a gibbet. Here will I allege the words of Gualther out of his third homely as touching Antichrist, and so end this book. Now (saith he) let any noble heart judge whether so many good men have upon sufficient cause, complained of the tyranny and unjust dealing which the Popes have used: seeing that seat of Rome hath sustained within so few years so many lewd people, tyrants, thieves, filchers, robbers, rebels, adulterers, and open purloyners of Church goods. And who in God's name will reverence that as holy, which receiveth so many plagues, but as yet the number of the wicked one's is not fulfilled as shall follow immediately etc.   
The end of the fourth Book.   

THE fift BOOK containing the third division of the third order of Popes or Roman Antichristes in the kingdom of the great Dragon, which is the devil and sathan apocalypse 20. unto the time of Innocentius the fourth.  
From joan the eight (who was an harlot) for the space of 146. years to this year being the thousand year from Christ his incarnation, Antichrist reigned like an harlot in the Church of Rome, pretending chastity in the meantime. Yet we see how here the prophecy in Daniel 11. concerning antichrist was fulfilled, contained in these words: And Antichrist shallbe in the concupiscence of women. We see in these former histories how these Popes have lived in wantonness, royat, whoredom (and worse than whoredom) incest, pride, ambition, robbing and rifling Churches, conjuring, treason, rebellion, dissension, murders, poysoninges & such other detestable enormities. So that according to the saying of isaiah they deserve rather to be called the Princes of Sodom, then the elders of the Church. consequently after the thousand year after Christ's birth, it was prophesied that the devil should be let lose, and this shallbe called the kingdom of the great Dragon: wherein the acts of the Popes do wonderfully answer unto it, both in Sylvester the second, who with his necromancy raised the devil from hell, and having conjured him up, did compound with him for the Popedom. And again in Benedict the ix. who made sacrifice unto the devil in woods, and upon mountain tops: In Hildebrand or Gregory the seventh, who took counsel of evil spirits, and used other devilish charms, beside other.  

81. Sylvester the second.  
SYluester the second was a Frenchman, in profession a monk, and called Gilbert, before he was Pope. He was of S. Benedicts order in an abbey at Florence, where he being a young man and addicted wholly to devilish arts, betook himself to the devil both body and soul. Afterwards forsaking that abbey he went into Spain delighting much in profane sciences, & came to Hispalis unto a certain Philosopher being a Sarracen and expert in Magic, of whom he learned much both sorcery and ambition, and began to devise how he might attain to great honour & riches: and thought in deed that conjuring and necromancy were the meetest ways to come by his purpose. He had espied before in the house of his host a certain conjuring book, and did his endeavour to steal it away, but the Magician kept it so devoutly, that Gilbert could not come by it: therefore he inveigled the Magician's daughter, (with whom being in the house he had good acquaintance) ●o steal her father's book, and let him have a sight thereof, the maid fulfilled his request, & so he obtained his purpose. He having the book went about to departed by stealth, but fearing lest this might endanger his life for stealing the book, he gave himself to the devil upon this condition, that he should warrant him to pass safely into France, and to obtain great dignities. He came into France & taught the liberal Sciences, so as many had him in admiration, whereby he had a number of scholars and auditors, some of great calling that learned the former arts of him, as Constantine abbot of Maximin, Lotharius Archbishop of Seven, Otho the emperors son, Roberte king of France, with sundry other bishops, prelates & priests of Rome. By the procurement of these parsons he was made first bishop of Remen, afterward by his lewd arts he obtained to be Archbishop of Ravenna: Last of all he obtained to be Pope of Rome by the help of the devil, whom he with conjuration raised out of hell according to the xx. of the apocalypse. For Peter Praemonstratensis & other writers say, that he was made Pope in the Thousand year of our Lord's Incarnation: In the which year saith Masfeus, was a great and terrible earthquake, and a blazing star horrible to look upon the xiiii. day of December. In his Popedom he concealed his conjuring, and dissembled that familiarity which he had with the devil: but yet he kept in a certain secret place a brazen head, of which when he demanded any thing, he received answer of an evil spirit. At the length in his pontificality he would needs demand of the devil how long he should be Pope? the devil answered doubtfully and misticallye, saying he should not dye, until he said Mass in Jerusalem: He therefore conceiving good hope of long life began to ware careless, thinking to take heed enough of coming in Jerusalem. But the use was that on a certain day of stations in the Lent time, the Pope's should say mass at Rome in the Palace of the holy Cross, which was called Jerusalem: whereupon Sylvester not fearing his life, nor heedful enough to forecast the devils despite, according to custom said mass in the same Chapel, And by & by, a terrible shyveringe and quaking came upon him with a great fever, and by the rumbling noise of devils (as Peter Praemonstratensis & Platina say) he perceived his death was at hand, and that he must pay the devil his fee. And thus bewailing & lamenting openly the abuse of his charms, he confessed his fault, till he perished miserably. And (saith Benno) he commanded his tongue and his hands to be cut of, wherewith he had blasphemed God in sacrifisinge unto devils: thus he died Anno 1003. The report is that the tomb of this Sylvester doth ever since prognosticate the death of the Pope, by the ratlinge of the bones and the gushing out of water that riseth out of the ground about it: as also (saith Platina) is testified by the epitaph written on his grave.   

82. john the 19  
IOhn the 19 an Italian, did likewise succeed Sylvester, and got to be Pope by the devils aid: for (saith Benno) the scholars of the said Sylvester being conjurers, every one gaped for the Popedom. This john did take from the people the election of the Pope, saying in behalf of his doing, that the clergy must teach the people, but not follow them: And again, the law which is ruled by God's spirit, is more worthy than that which is man's law. He allowed & commanded to establish in all Churches the feast of all souls, at the motion of one Odiloe abbot of Clunie: who dreamt that souls were delivered out of purgatory by virtue of the mass, and said that he hard the devils howl and roar, while the souls were taken from them, through dirges & trentals. After he had reigned 5. months, he was poisoned by his own friends. In his time the name of Cardinals began to grow to estimation, and many strange monsters were seen, and divers terrible earthquakes.   

83. john the 20.  
IOhn the 20. called Fasanus after that john the 19 was poisoned, by magic & conjuring got to be Pope. For from the foresaid Sylvester till Gregory the seventh (a notorious parson) all the Popes were famous enchanters: by their charming they stirred up walking spirits, bugs, goblins, fiery sights, & divers terrible ghosts & shapes of things, with howlinges and groaninges about dead men's graves, perswadinge the simple people that they were dead men's souls. And those spirits being conjured up by priests, deluded men, dessemblinge that they were the souls of the dead, complaining their untolerable pains in purgatory fire, and craved to be released by the meritorious deeds of their friends & kindred, bestowing dirges, masses, and trentals on them. But to return to this Pope john, he (saith Platina) being given to idleness, did nothing worthy remembrance. He died after he had been Pope four years Anno 1009.   

84 Sergius the 4.  
AFter this john, came Sergius to be Pope by the like means, who also in his Popedom exercised the same sorcery still, by which he obtained the seat: Yet some of the flatterers of Rome do highly commend him, as one that in all his Popedom did no one thing to be misliked. An unmeet praise for the prelate's of that corrupt time, wherein the light of the Gospel was extinct: without the which nothing can be pure and perfit. Among other praises this is one that he had, he was a very pleasant, meerye, and familiar companion: In his time was great pestilence and famine in italy, and in Lorraine a fountain turned into blood. He died Anno 1012.   

85 Benedict the eight.  
BEnedict the eight was born in Thusca the son of George bishop of Portua, brother to Albericus and john, & was a lay-man: He had a nephew called Theophilactus, which was the scholar of Sylvester, and by the magical charms of this Theophilact, Benedict got to be Pope: and obtained the place so long as Henry Bavarius lived, whose aid defended him, because he had bestowed on Henry the crown Imperial. But after his death the Cardinals envying him, deposed him and set up another: and hereupon arose a cruel debate. Yet afterward he compounded for money with his adversaries, and so the usurping Pope being put out again, Benedict is restored with great pomp: He granted to the foresaid Henry (as Barus testifieth) to make at Bamberg builded by Henry a cathedral Church, but with this condition that the same Church should pay to the Pope yearly under the name of tribute, an hundred marks in silver with a white horse furnished with trappings. He died Anno 1023. Peter Damianus cardinal of Hostia showeth, as it is also written by Platina, Carion, and others, that this Benedict (or an evil spirit in his likeness) appeared riding on a blackehorse, and came unto a bishop of his familiar acquaintance, who amazed at this sight asked him, Art not thou Pope Benedict whom we know to be dead? He answered I am the same unhappy Benedict: And how do you said the bishop? I am cruelly tormented, but I may be eased quoth Benedict: And therefore go to my brother john, who now is Pope, and bid him repair to such a place (naming it) and take the treasure that is there hidden, and distribute it to the poor: And likewise he appeared to Pope john, saying I hope to be delivered, and I would to God that Odilo would pray for me. Thus the devil deluded this age, bearing them in hand that the distribution of money, and not the death of Christ might bring salvation to souls, to the great advancement of purgatory and masses.   

86 john the xxi.  
IOhn the xxi brother of the former Benedict, and son of Gregory bishop of Portua being as yet but a lay man, yet likewise by the enchantment of his nephew Theophilact, got the Popedom, as Benno a Cardinal writeth. For the conjuring and charms of these men Theophilact, john, Gratian, Laurence, Malsitan, Brazutus and other like, wrought and ruled all things at Rome according to the devils appointment, the author of their arts: For (saith Benuo,) Theophilact using to do sacrifice to devils in woods & on mountains, caused women to run after him, whom he with his enchantments bewitched to love him: And this appeareth to be true by certain books of his, which after his death were found in his chamber. This Pope john crowned Conradus Emperor, and was by him defended from the violence of the Romans, who had long troubled him: the Emperor threatened to destroy the Romans utterly, if they should practise aught against the Pope, and by this means he continued Pope xi year. The latin Church doth highly commend him, but show no good works that deserved it: He commanded Princes to keep a solemn kind of giving alms, he appointed priests to say mass, and the people to fast: In his time began the superstitious fasts of S. john Baptist, & S. Laurence. Of the counsel of Triburia Anno 1030. begins in France a sect of fasters, who said that it was revealed to them from heaven, that to fast Saturday with bread and water was sufficient for remission of all sins, if so that they had made a vow to keep it: But the bishop of Camera did overthrow this blasphemy, as derogatory to the passion of Christ. Pope john died Anno. 1034.   

87. Benedict the ix.  
BEnedict the ninth who before was called Theophilact, the son of Albericus and nephew (as is said) to the former Pope Benedict & Pope john: as he by conjuring and devilish arts did first advance his uncles, so now by his magic he brought to pass that he succeeded them. He being Pope did greatly advance even next to himself as his chief and secret counsellors, Laurence, & john Gratiam, for that they were notorious conjurers brought up with him under Pope Sylvester: He with these companions had used before he was Pope according to the cursed ceremonies of their sorcery, to call upon their evil spirits in woods and forests, and to bewitch by his cunning any woman that liked him, to covet his carnal company. But (saith Benno) as on a time he with these his mates was coming from the woods to the Church, a number of birds being together, a sparrow made a merry and pleasant kind of chirping: This Laurence being both captain conjuror, & also a soothsayer, curious in the observation of birds, was demanded what it was that the bird prated? The bird (quoth he) calleth other birds to the great gate, where a countreymans' cart is broken, and his meal spilled, which was carried in it: and therefore she with her much chattering biddeth them to come thither to eat, and fill themselves. Which being hard, divers of them that stood by ran in all post hast to the gate to try the matter, and when they came there they found it so in deed as Laurence had said. Their cunning in south saying and conjuring was such, that they known what was done both East, West, South and North, & in the corners of the world, either touching wars, or the death of Princes, And therefore many had their cunning in great reverence, and did attempt diligently to learn of them, and got their skill, especially one Hildebrand: Who forsaking an abbey where he was placed, did so follow this trade, that he excelled his masters, and was wonderful busy in pestilent practices, by means of his magical arts, as the Church by the fruit thereof did afterward feel, saith Benno. But to return to Benedict, who after the death of Conradus conspired with his former counsellors, to disherit his son Henry the third of the Empire, and to plant in his steed Peter king of Hungary, and therefore he sent the crown of the Empire to him with this Verse. 
Petra dedit Romam Petro, tibi Papa coronam,  
The rock to Peter gave Rome the town,  
The Pope to thee Peter giveth the crown.  But Henry at the first conflict overcame Peter, and took him prisoner, and purposed to set forward to Rome, which being herded Benedict being terribly afraid, sold his Popeship to his companion john Gratian, who paid for it fifteen hundred pounds, & was afterward called Gregory the sixt. But in the mean time the Romans deposing Benedict for his negligence and sloth Anno. 1045. did place in his steed john bishop of Saba, calling him Sylvester the third: For this sale (saith Platina) Benedict was accused of all men, and condemned by divine sentence, and at the length by God's just judgement he was strangled to death by a devil in the woods Anno. 1056. The Historiographers writ, that this Benedict or Theophilact, was seen of a certain Hermit in a most ouglye and ghastly shape hard by a Mill, for his body was all rough and hairy like a bear, with head and tail like an ass: And being asked of the Hermit how he was thus transfigured? He answered, I wander in this shape because in the time that I was Pope, I lived without reason, without law, without God: and defiled the sea of Rome with all kind of villainy. In his time the Cardinals that began of little, grew to be great in dignity.   

88 Sylvester the third.  
SYluester the third a Roman, first called bishop of Saba obtained to be Pope, partly by his own bribery, partly by the tumult and uproar of his countrymen after the expulsion of Benedict, as some say, but as it is rather to be thought by the magical sorcery of his father Laurence the famous conjuror: For thus saith Benno. After Benedict was driven out and that Popeship sold, john Gratian being in the place, john bishop of Saba was thrust in upon him, and called Sylvester the third, and thus these three Popes being at once, it rent the Church of Rome a sunder, and divided it into divers factions: thus with cruel wars and great bloodshed the Church was torn in pieces, foully mangled with sciesmes, & choked with errors, while under the colour of wine it gulled in poison: Thus written Benno of that wretched time. But (saith Platina) Sylvester enjoyed the room but a while, for within xlix. days the friends of Benedict with great tumult restored Benedict to that, which he had first both lost and sold. The popeship says (Platina) was now brought to this pass, that he that was of greatest wealth, and best able to give bribes and most ambitious, & not most godly or best learned, he only (good men being oppressed and rejected) obtained that dignity: which trade (saith he) I would to God they had not continued even unto our time, but these are but small matters, for we are like to see worse unless God amend it. Thus much doth Platina complain of their lewd lives, who otherwise flattered the Sea of Rome and extolled their doctrine. But as touching Sylvester, the Emperor Henry drove him from the popeship, & caused him to return to his own bishopric, wherein he continued (as before he was,) Cardinal and bishop of Saba. In the time of the foresaid Benedict the sixte day of April Anno 1039. there was seen a mighty beam of fire burning in the Element, as Masseus writeth in his sixte book. Anno Domini 1041. Pope Benedict made one Cazimirus a monk in Clunace abbey and a deacon, king of Poleland, on this condition, that for every head in Poleland, he should pay yearly to the Pope and his successors, an ordinary sum of money: And furthermore that they should not let the heir of their head to grow long, and that they of Poleland should remember for ever, how that this polling had given them a shaven king out of an abbey.   

89. Gregory the sixt.  
Gregory the sixt an Italian first called john Gratian, learned the magical sciences of Sylvester the second: He bought the Popeship of his kinsman Benedict the ix and at the length obtained it. He after sciesmes and sedition being made Pope saith Premonstratensis, perceiving that certain filchers purloined the goods of the Church, & that strangers were rob on all sides, began to have a regard unto the riches, and first admonished them, afterward he excommunicated them, and last of all he warred on them that contemned his threatenings: and thus he did both recover the Church goods with increase, and also executed, and put to death the wasters thereof. The Cardinals being moved with this cruelty called him Simnist, murderer and blood sucker: and on a time while he was sick, they said he was unworthy to be buried in the Church: Whereunto among other things he answered thus: I have warred upon other, that with the damage of the laietye I might purchase glory to the clergy, and thus you recompense me? and soon after he recovered his health. The troublesome & tragical broils which these Popes wrought at this time, are thus described by Otho, Frisgensis, Godfri Viterbiensis, and other authors: While (say they) Benedict the ix. was Pope, Sylvester the third, and soon after Gregory the sixt did invade the seat. And in the 7. year of the Emperor Henry the third, these 3. Popes made themselves 3. several seats in Rome: whereby they brought in a detestable sciesme, & every one endeavoured that he might not yield to other in sedition, impiety and villainy. Benedict he sat as Pope in Lateran Palace, the rest, the one at S. Peter's, the other at S. Mary's made his pontifical throne. While these three Popes did at once (to the peril of the whole estate) possess & cumber the City, john Gratian a priest came unto them, persuading them every one to take a piece of money and give over their title of Popeship, and so it came to pass: and for this cause the Romans created Gratian Pope, as one that had saved the common wealth. Henry the Emperor hearing of these stirs, in haste came to Rome & held a Synod, wherein those three Benedict, Sylvester & Gregory were condemned, and the fourth Pope created in their steed called Clemens the second. And thus saith Benno the Emperor made Theophilact to fly, he put Gregory in prison, and afterward he banished him with Hildebrand into Germanye, and compelled the bishop of Saba to return to his bishopric: So Gregory died in Germanye, of whose falsehood and money together (saith Benno) Hildebrand was made heir, who after his death returned to Rome.   

90. Clement the second.  
CLement the second was made Pope in a Synod at Rome by the emperors commandment while the other three Popes were yet living. He caused the Romans to give over to the Emperor their title in electing the Pope, for the avoiding of those broils which arose there upon: But some say that it was the Emperor who made the Romans swear, that they should never name any to be Pope. But the Emperor being go into germany, they forgetting their oath, did poison this Pope Clement, because he was choose without their consent, the ninth month after his creation: which poison was tampered by Steven, who succeeded him called Damasus the second, or as some think that Brazutus being commonly practised in these things, and companion to Theophilact and Hildebrand, was auctor thereof. At this time were great and strange contentions about the Sacrament of the altar, and by the devils doing many wonders and miracles were wrought, but the Pope forbade many to utter their conscience hereof, lest it should be prejudicial to the mass: And therefore many of the doctors as appeareth by their writings, written doubtfully.   

91. Damasus the second.  
DAmasus the second otherwise called Steven Bagniarie, gate the Popeship by force at the emperors commandment, with consent of the clergy and laity: for (saith Platina) it was now a common thing for every ambitious parson to press into Peter's seat violently, but he kept it not long, for the thirteenth day after he was poisoned by the said Brazutus Anno 1049. This Damasus being chauncelar to Clement his predecessor did poison his master, and therefore drank worthily of the same cup. After this (saith Benno) Theophilact who before was fled returned to Rome, and there with his old acquaintance Laurence, wrought much mischief, and by the letters of his scholar Hildebrande being then in the emperors Court and a traitor about him, he knew all the emperors secrets. While he thus did greatly vex the Romans, they by the counsel of Cardinals sent Ambassadors to the Emperor, desiring him to assign one to be Pope. And therefore one Bruno, afterward called Leo the ninth was made Pope, and perforce against his will brought to Rome: In whose company through overmuch gentleness of the Emperor, Hildebrand was suffered to return to Rome, who afterward wrought such mischief in the world, as never was hard of, both against Emperor, Church, clergy, and common wealth under colour of religion: meaning not to keep his oath long sworn to the Emperor, So saith Benno of him.   

92. Leo the ninth.  
Lo the ninth a German born of the country of Dasburg, being also himself county Etistheim and bishop of Tulledo he become Pope in this manner. Because the Romans (not for the love of the Emperor) but being wearied with those ambitious and seditious prelate's that strove for the Popeship, desired him to appoint one to be Pope: he sent them this Bruno bishop of Tulledo, a man of a simple wit, for none of the other German bishops durst adventure to come among the poisoned cups of Rome. He going on forward in his pontifical robes, had with him in company the abbot of Clunace, & Hildebrand the monk, the clergy of Rome meeting him & seeing him come on this manner, altered his Pope's vesture, did most dispitefullye charge him with apostasy, because he had received his authority from the Emperor, therefore they persuaded him to put of his pontificals, and to return to Rome in his wont apparel: Saying, the election of the Pope was not granted to the Emperors, but to the clergy and people of Rome. Bruno obeyed their commandment, and came to Rome in his own private apparel. And through the counsel of Hildebrand did confess openly before the ancients, that he had offended, and therefore because he ascribed the authority to them, they chose him Pope more willingly, and for this deed called him Leo or Lion, whose courage argued him rather to be a sheep. Afterwards he made Hildebrand a Cardinal, and partner of his Popeship with him, committing to him the charge of S. Peter's Church, whereof Benno writeth thus. As soon as he came to Rome (meaning Hildebrand) he obtained of Leo to be made one of the keepers of the altar of S. Peter's Church, and within a while he filled his coffers: and to the end he might put out his money to some man for daily interest, he become familiarly acquainted with the son of a certain jew, who though he were lately become a Christian, yet he left not his jewish trade of usury. And before this he had well acquainted himself with the famous worker of mischief Brazutus friend to Theophilact: who is reported to have poisoned by his cunning these Popes within xiii. years Clement the second, Damasus the second, Leo the ix. Victor the second, and Nicholas the second. Pope Leo held a counsel at Vercella, wherein he condemned the doctrine of Berengarius, who held opinion against transubstantiation, and the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament: Likewise he held another counsel at Maguntia wherein was concluded that priests should not keep hounds nor hawks, neither meddle with any such profane things: Also the marriage of the clergy was utterly condemned by the procurement of Hildebrand: And it was decreed to be simony, for a priest to be preferred to an ecclesiastical living by a lay-man. By the enticement of Hildebrand and Theophilact, this Leo not knowing their disposition, moved war against the Normans, whose power was then great in Apulia. But Theophilact meaning to work the Pope mischief secretly (because he dared not openly do it) bewrayed first all his secret counsel, and finally with Hildebrands' advise, betrayed the Pope himself to the Normans, from whom (his men being slain) he himself escaped narrowly: who yet returning to Rome was poisoned by Brazutus the fift year of his Popedom.   

93. Victor the second.  
VIctor the second a German born in Bavaria was made Pope, not by free election, but because the Romans did so much stand in awe of Henry the Emperor, that they durst do nothing against the oath made to the said Henry in the time of Clement the second. And therefore to gratify the Emperor, they sent Hildebrand as Ambassador to him, to know his pleasure in the election, and by this means this Victor being a German came to be Pope: In this Embassage Hildebrande took upon him by virtue thereof, to make Henry the emperors son heir to the Empire. This Victor held a great Synod at Florence, wherein he condemned all those priests of Simony, who had been presented to their spiritual livings by any temporal parsons. Immediately after the establishment of this Victor, Brazutus repaired to Rome at the procurement of Hildebrande to poison him, or any other (saith Benno) that should step into the Popeship before Hildebrand, and so Victor soon after he had reigned two year was poisoned by the same Brazutus. Anno 1057.   

94. Steven the ninth.  
Steven the ninth born in Lorraine, the duke of Loraines brother, was made Pope after Victor with general consent of all, but without the emperors agreement. This Steven caused the Church of Milan (which almost 2. hundredth years had defied the supremacy of Rome) to become subject unto it: 
A note for greedy benefice mongers and non-residents, that even Antichrist himself is like to be a witness against them, who thus condemned that wherein they offend obstinately.  He also before he came to be Pope, had accused the Emperor Henry of heresy, because he somewhat abridged the usurped authority of Rome. Also he held a counsel in Florence against marriage of priests counting it fornication, and therein concluded many things against dualities, pluralityes, and tot-quots. But at the length in the tenth year of his reign Hildebrand caused his old companion Brazutus to give him such a drink, that the Pope died thereof Anno. 1058. At his death Hildebrand was not at Rome, but returned in all haste upon it, and at his coming he commanded all the clergy to appear before him, and bound them with an oath to suffer none to be Pope, but such a one as obtained it with the consent of every one.   

95. Benedict the tenth.  
BEnedict the x. born in Campania was first called Mincius, while the Romans were in an uproar and cried out to have one of their own countrymen to be made Pope: this Benedict had the name generally, and so was made Pope, contrary to the oath which the clergy had made to Hildebrand at his departure lately. Hildebrand therefore taking it despitefully thus to be deluded in his absence, deposing Benedict, was very importune with the clergy, to make one Gerhard bishop of Florence, that came with him, Pope in his presence, as they promised him at his departure. The clergy because they could not with safety chose another in Rome went therefore to Senas, and there they chose this Gerhard Pope, naming him Nicolas the second. Gerhard being Pope held a Synod at Sutrius against Pope Benedict, who understanding of this conspiracy wrought by Hildebrand, was content for quietness sake to forsake Rome, and to live like an outlaw privately in Veltra, after he had been Pope ix. months. Christian Masseus reporteth, that this year a great company of snakes about Tornay fought cruelly together, until the people beset them with fire and burned them.   

96. Nicolas the second.  
NIcolas the second was made Pope as is mentioned in Benedict. After he had held the council of Spire against Benedict, he returned to Rome, and summoned a council at Lateran by the craft of Hildebrand for his own purpose: wherein was decreed, that he should be condemned for an apostata, that should be Pope either by favour or money without the whole consent of the Cardinals. Also he gave the Cardinals, the priests and laity, power to excommunicate any such Pope, & to hold Synod against him any where, and to drive him out. In this Synod Berengarius was forced to recant his opinion against the real presence: for he had long maintained, that in the bread & wine was neither the body and blood of Christ really, nor naturally, but a sign and figure thereof, as Platina, Munclerus and other writ of him. This Pope Nicolas established and strengthened the Popedom, with sundry and divers strange forgeryes, fables, and untruths, terrible vizards, and ghastly countenances of excommunication, and dreadful threats of cursings. The words of the excommunication and curse are these, in the 23. distinction as Barnes testifieth. In the name of God Amen: If any man do break this our sacred decretal sentence, and presumptuously attempt to hurt or disquiet against this statute the Church of Rome, let him be accursed for ever, & damned by excommunication: Let him be reputed among the wicked, that shall not rise again to judgement: Let him feel the wrath of the Almighty against him: Let him feel the rage of Peter and Paul upon him in the life to come, that spurneth against their Church in this life: Let his dwelling be in the wilderness, & let his house be left desolate for none to devil therein: Let his children be orphans, and his wife be a widow: In his trouble let him be troubled: Let his children beg their bread, and be cast out, and be vagabonds driven out of their own houses: Let the usurer rifle all his goods, and let strangers spoil the labour of his hands: Let the whole world fight against him, and let all the Elements be contrary unto him: Let the merits of all saints confounded him: Let him spend this life prisoner fettered in chains: and let the saints power their open vengeance on him. But our grace defend them that keep this etc.  
Such thonderbolts did the Pope shoot abroad to terrify the world, which yet wrought so in men's hearts, that for fear there of they yielded themselves subject to the Pope, against their own native and Christian Princes. But to return to the history concerning the stir that Hildebrand kept at this time in Rome, Thus writeth Benno: Nicolas being Pope, Hildebrand perceiving he could not yet get to be Pope, devised to get an archdeaconshippe by hook or by crook. At the length he set up one Mancius archdeacon of Rome, whom he tossed and disquieted with divers injuries: who being overlayed with the reproachful dealing and craft of Hildebrand, and beguiled with his money, at the length granted him to surrender unto him his archedeaconship. This being granted, Hildebrand cometh to Pope Nicholas ere he were advised, and very impudently, partly by unreasonable request, partly by the threatenings of armed soldiers hired for the purpose, who gave him watchword to yield or to dye, he made Hildebrand archdeacon. This being done even immediately after Brazutus ministered the same cup to Nicolas, that he had done to the other Popes. Nicolas being thus poisoned, the Cardinals being so well acquainted with the ambition of Hildebrand, besought the Emperor earnestly to assist them in the behalf of Cadolus his bishop of Parma, whom they had choose Pope: which thing so strake Hildebrand to the heart, that from thence forward he professed himself an utter enemy to the Emperor: He broke his oath of fealty and allegiance. And making a conspiracy with the Emperors enemies, and with the Normans, he beguiled Anselmus bishop of Lucia, causing certain Romans to choose him bishop, and call him Alexander the second, as one whom he would set up against Cadolus choose by the Cardinals. And thus Hildebrand brought trouble as much as he could, both to Anselmus and Cadolus, who in deed waited to succeed them both, etc.   

97. Alexander the second.  
ALexander the second was as ye read made Pope by Hildebrands' craft, for his own purpose against the emperors mind: and therefore the Lombard's by the emperors consent, did set up another against him called Cadolus, (as is before mentioned) who came to Rome and besieged it with a great army, and after one or two battles was with his company put to flight. The Emperor willing to end this sciesme, sent to Rome Otho archbishop of Collen with his authority, to debate the matter: who coming to Rome began with a sharp oration to reprove the intrusion of Alexander, & to amplify the emperors authority in the election of the Pope. But the mischievous Hildebrand puffed up with his late victory, did interrupt Otho, and stoutly defended the Pope's doing, avouching that the election belonged only to the clergy: whereunto Otho the bishop in this case more favouring the Pope, than his master, did easily give place, and desired to have a council at Mantua to appease the matter. Wherein was decreed that a man ought not to hear mass of a priest that lay with a concubine: that married priests should lose their livings: And yet their children with the Pope's dispensation might take orders: That the Pope should be choose only by Cardinals. But this Alexander perceiving at the length (saith Benno) that it was but for a policy of Hildebrand, that he was made Pope by the emperors enemies to spite him withal, began to mislike of it with himself: and on a time as he was preaching to the people, he told them that he would not any longer enjoy the Apostolical seat without the emperors good will, and professed openly that he would sand letters to the Emperor for the same purpose. Hildebrand hearing this was forthwith so enraged, that presently he began to mumble, curse, and fret, and could scant keep his hand from the Pope till mass were done: Mass being done, he took the Pope, and with a troop of armed soldiers he led him into his chamber, where with his fists he buffeted and bepomelled him shamefully, rating and taunting him with railing and reviling words, because he would go about to seek the emperors favour. And from that time forward Hildebrand (because he see him so simple) allowed him but five shillings a day to spend, and the rest of the revenues he retained to himself, and casting Alexander into prison he purloined a great mass of money. Alexander being thus in the miserable bondage of Hildebrand, in an evening died God knoweth whereof, and the same hour Hildebrand was installed Pope by his garrison of soldiers, without consent of the people or clergy: because he feared that if he had delayed it, another should have been choose. None of the Cardinals subscribed to his election, unto the which when the abbot of Cassia came, Brother (quoth Hildebrand) you have lingered over long, & you quoth the abbot have hied you over fast, who ere your master the Pope be yet buried, have usurped his place contrary to the Canons. Hildebrand being thus choose, how he lived, how he drove the Cardinals from him, how he tormented them miserably, how he poisoned the world with heresies, how often he committed perjury, how great & many conspiracies he raised, it is hard for many men to utter: But most of all, the blood of many Christians which by him and his means have been miserably shed, do cry out vengeance on him. Thus and much more doth Benno the Cardinal writ of him.   

98. Gregory the seventh.  
GRegorie the seventh was first called Hildebrand born in Hetruria, a notable conjuror and great Magician, he got to be Pope by his salvage sorcery, & bloody means. He forsaking the abbey where he was monk, got to one Laurence an archpriest of whom he learned his notorious enchantments, which the said Laurence had learned of Pope Sylvester the second. There was great familiarity between this Laurence, Theophylact, john Gratian & Hildebrand, being archpriests or Cardinals of Rome: whereby this Hildebrand by his subtlety bore all the sway with Theophylact, while he was bishop under the name of Benedict the ninth, and so he continued in his factious dealing in all other Pope's times, till he came to the place himself. Benno Cardinal writeth of him, that when he listed, he would cast of his sleeves, and skip and dance in form of sparkles, or flames of fire, and with these miracles he deluded the eyes of the simple people, bearing them in hand it was a sign of his great holiness. And (saith Benno) because the devil could not openly persecute Christians by Pagans', he practised craftily to overthrow the name of Christ by this counterfeit monk, under the colour of religion. divers authors do writ that this Hildebrand or hellybrand rather, by the help of his companion Gerardus Brazutus poisoned vi. or seven. Popes, so to open himself a gap to come to be Pope: and yet he in these broils behaved himself so subtellye, that no man could charge him therewithal, that it was rather thought he sought to shun the Popeship. And yet when in name he was not Pope, yet was he the only instrument, and contriver of all their doings and devices: and began to work by little and little under other, which he brought to perfection in his own time. Under colour of religion and godliness, he practised all treachery and mischief. He accused Pope Alexander his master, because he had craved the emperors assistance against his adversaries: His accusation was this, that he was unmeet to be Pope according to the Canons, who contrary to the Canons had craved aid of a profane Prince: & cast him into prison, where he wrought his death, & forthwith ere he was buried usurped his place: He imparted his treasure (saith Benno) to Brazutus and to a certain jew, that were his companions, and by their means he purchased the voices of divers, who ere that Alexander was buried cried out amain: Peter the Apostle hath choose Hildebrand to be Pope, & so they set him in the Pope's throne calling him Gregory the seventh. And this was done in the thousand year after the destruction of Jerusalem, in the which year the Popes began to challenge & take upon them the name, office, and power of Christ: for it was proclaimed at the enstalling of this Gregory, that he was created the true vicar of Christ, & Gregory applied unto himself those things that are spoken in the 7. Psalm of Christ: He altered the laws of God, for where the Scripture licenseth all estates to marry, he barred the clergy thereof, forcing them to vow single life above their ability. Now was the Scripture in him fulfilled prophesying of the war of Gog and Magog, which this Gregory broached so perillouslye to all Christendom, as the like never happened, which his companion Vrban the second did execute. Gregory at the first entry to his Popeship began to urge such canons, as he had in his ancestors time procured against priests marriage, and the bestowing of benefices by temporal men, which he did not of purpose to take away the abuse of buying and selling of ecclesiastical livings, but with a fair show to abridge Princes and other estates, of their pre-eminence in that matter, whereby he might bind all the bishops and clergy to be more subject to Rome, who now depended more on their Princes, because of the bestowing of the livings, whereby the Pope's strength increased, & the temporal Princes were weakened, and neglected of their clergy. And the better to achieve his purpose, because Henry the Emperor was chief of temporal Princes, he attempted it first against him: for this matter he summoned a council at Rome, whereto the Emperor could have no regard, because of his warlike affairs then present. And yet this matter so delighted the Pope, that for compassing it he spared neither treason nor murder, but in many places he procured civil war, & sedition, with all kind of mischief that might be. For first seeking the emperors death he attempted it divers ways, as thus among other even in the Church: The Emperor (says Benno) used to go to prayers to S. mary's Church in Aventine hill. Hildebrand therefore having his false espies caused the place to be well noted, where the Emperor used to kneel or sit in the Church all service time: & hired one to go and say certain great stones secretly in the roof of the Church right over the same place, in such sort as he might throw them down upon the emperors head, and so slay him: which as this fellow went about and was busy with a great stone, the weight thereof overwhelmed him, so as he fallen down to the pavement and the stone upon him, which bruised him so as he died of that, which he had provided to slay the Emperor withal. This thing being known, the Romans bond his heels to a rope, and drew the dead carcase through Rome streets three days together for an example. Again (says Benno) john bishop of Portua who was of Hildebrands' privy council, said in his preaching before the people & clergy in S. Peter's Church: what meaned Hildebrand and we to do this thing whereby we should be burned alive? (meaning that violence which they had used toward the Sacrament of Christ's body:) Because Hildebrand demanding of it (as the heathen used to do of their idols) what success he should have against the Emperor, & because the Sacrament spoke not and gave him no answer, he threw it into the fire, maugre all the Cardinals that were about him, and said to the Sacrament most blasphemously: Can the idol Gods of the heathens give them answer of their success, and can not thou tell me? He excommunicated the Emperor being a conformable Prince, without lawful accusation, without canonical citation, or judicial order: and caused his peers to revolt from him, and sought by secret traitors to murder him. Also he caused the bishops to swear themselves utter enemies against him, wresting & wringing places of the Scripture to make a show to maintain his purpose, But (saith Benno) as soon as he roose up from his chair being newly framed of wood, by Gods working it clave in pieces & was rent terribly into divers parts.  
When he saw that his secret treasons took not effect, he braced out into open outrage and enmity: he excommunicated the Emperor, and discharged all his subjects of their allegiance, & gave his crown unto Rodolpho duke of Suevia, which he sent to him with this poesy. 
Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diadema Rodolpho.  This moved the Emperor very sore, in so much that he stripped himself out of his royal robes, and putting on woollen apparel, came with his wife and his son a little child in the depth of winter, a cruel and perilous journey to Canusius, and stood barefooted at the gates of the City, fasting from morning to night, suing humbly for pardon at Hildebrands' hand, and for three days suffered with lamentable misery to be laughed at, and flouted by Hildebrand among his paragons and monks. He desired often to be let in to come to the Pope, but he was still answered for three days together, that the Pope was not yet at leisure to speak with him. The good and gentle Emperor took it patiently to be thus delayed, and because he could not be let into the City, he abode in the suburbs with his great inconvenience, for the frost was very extreme more than ordinary: and yet he endured it continually 3. days, lest by taking his ease he should have offended my Lord bishop's grace, and still he sued to be pardoned. At the length the fourth day by the intercession of the Countess Mathilda, who for love, not for honesty was in favour with the Pope, & the abbot of Cluny, and Adelaus Earl of Savoy he was admitted to come in. And though he craved pardon on his knees, & offered up his Crown, yet would the Pope neither pardon him nor absolve him, unless he would promise' that according to the Pope's appointment he would purge him of his fault in the council, with other unlawful conditions. All which he promised and confirmed with hand & seal, and yet was not restored to his estate. This being known, the Princes & Lords of italy were highly offended that the Emperor Henry in such manner with so great dishonour, and so shamefully had submitted himself to recover the favour of this Hildebrand, who by treachery purloined the Popedom, and defiled all things with slaughter and harlotry. But the Pope and his Cardinals being puffed up with this that they had brought the Emperor to this servile yoke, began to attempt further matters: but Henry revenged this dishonour soon after by the sword, and after sharp battles he overcame Rodolpho, who having his hand cut of commanded to bring unto him the bishops and authors of his rebellion, before whom he said thus having his hand laid before them. I am (quoth he) iustye plagued, lo this is the hand wherewith I plighted my allegiance to my sovereign Lord Henry, and by your enticements I have often time fought against him to my loss, and falsified my faith, and therefore have received the reward due to my perjury: Consider therefore whether you have guided me right or no: Go you therefore, and stand to your first faith vowed to your king, for I must go to my father: this being said, he died. After his death at the Pope's commandment they set up another to be Emperor, one Harman a Saxon County of Lucelburg: who while he was assaulting a certain Castle in germany, was slain by a certain great stone, which a woman hurled down upon him. And yet the Pope's malice ceased not, but he raised up a third traitor against the Emperor even his kinsman Egbertus a marquess, who also being taken in a Mill by the emperors friends, was miserably slain. In the mean time the Pope did solace himself with the company of Mathilda, who forsaking her husband Azon marquess of Esta kept continually by the Pope's dear side, whereby she was called S. Peter's daughter: and so of one jest another sprung, for (as Lambert Hirswaldensis says) the talk was how S. Peter's daughter lived in secret incest with S Peter'S heir, and that he that had divorced other men from their wives and honest matrimony, lived in whoredom with another man's wife. Also this Gregory judged to death three men before they were convict or confessed their crime, without the sentence of any secular judge, and caused them to be hanged forthwith. Another time he cast Centius the son of a Senator into prison being his especial friend, & caused him to be tormented & rolled in a barrel of sharp nails till he was almost dead: But Centius escaping apprehended the said Hildebrand and might have quit his quarrel, yet the people disappointed him, but the Pope ere he were delivered swore openly that he would forgive him, and the rest that had apprehended him. But being at liberty contrary to his oath he revenged it, causing Centius and ix. of his company to be hanged for it, the other he condemned to banishment, and among them the son of a widow, who after the year of his vanishment was expired did return & was led with an halter about his neck by his mother to Gregory, whom the mother for full satisfaction desired to take her son and deliver him again as a new purged man: But Gregory had hanged him but that the justices▪ considering the penance that he had done were more just and wise, and refused to do it, and therefore Gregory in a rage commanded one of his feet to be cut of, whereof the youngman died within five days, to the great grief of the poor widow his mother. Abbas Vspergensis & other writ thus: It is manifest (say they) that this Hildebrand was not choose by God, but intruded himself by money & guile, who tossed the ecclesiastical estate upside down, and troubled the kingdom of Christian Empire, practised to murder the quiet Prince, defended oath breakers, fostered debate, sowed dissension, raised offences, made devorcements, and disordered every thing that seemed to be well among the godly. He was the first that put the ministers of the Church from their wives by excommunication: He moved broils through France, Germany and England, tedious to be told. This divorcement of ministers wives, did offend a great number of learned men at that time: for in germany and France there were yet xxiiii. and more bishops, who with the clergy of their Diocese were then married, and did stoutly maintain their marriage still, beside those that were in England & italy. Among other things Gregory commanded the Saturday to be fasted. He canonised Pope Liberius saint, who was an Arrian heretic, also he appointed an holy day in reverence of him. He took away the Crown from the king of Poland. He condemned Berengarius opinion against real presence, & was the first that is noted to have established the doctrine of transubstantiation. He condemned a lay-man of sacrilege, that should reap the commodity of tenths as of impropriat parsonages, but condemned him of heresy, that invested a priest, and him of idolatry that should take a benefice of a lay-man. These and other like attempts gave Hildebrand, whereby he made the Pope's leaden shoulder-blade, to hue asunder almost the emperors iron sword. Many of the clergy as 14. Cardinals beside divers bishops & other, did so abhor the detestable treachery of this conjuror Gregory, that they forsook him for shame, his villainies were so many, and so monstrous encreasinge daily: In steeds of God he served the devil, & of Princes whom he should honour he made worse than slaves: finally as his name was Hildebrand so in deed he was an helly brand to all Christendom, tormoyled by his means with rebellions, treasons, murders etc. But at the length Henry the Emperor began to set himself against the Pope's practices, and in the year of Christ 1083. in a Synod at Brixia, laying his treacheries to his charge he did deprive him of his place, and appointed another in his steed, whom he called Clement the third. He sent his army to Rome to drive out Gregory, and to establish this Clement, and by his long siege he brought Rome to so great penury, that they were compelled to sue for peace. But Hildebrand because he would not come in the emperors sight, being rejected & forsaken of the Romans fled to Salerne, where he ended his wretched life in great misery Anno 1086, Antonius and Vincentius show that this Hildebrand even at the latter gasp called to him a certain Cardinal, and confessed to him that he had heinously offended, because at the devils enticements he had stirred up hurlye burlies, hatred, and wars among many, and bad the cardinal go to desire the Emperor to pardon him. divers men written against him & his vile life, as Candidus a Cardinal, Walramus bishop of Niemburg, Venericus bishop of Vercellen, Rowland priest of Parmen, Sigebertus Gemblacensis. Also of this Gregory it is said that he never went without a book of conjuring about him.   

99 Victor the third.  
VIctor the third abbot of Cassa was made Pope, not by the election of the Romans or Cardinals, but was thrust in by the aid of his harlot Mathilda, and the Normans that were of his faction. He being established began to defend Gregory's pranks against the Emperor, and Clement appointed by him, but the hastiness of his death shortened his malice: who as Hermannus, Contractus, Carsulanus, Praemonstratensis and sundry other testify, was poisoned by his deacon, who at mass time put the poison into the chalice, against that Pope should receive it. divers wonders are reported to have happened at that time, as of tame birds, geese, cocks, hens, pigeons, & peacocks flew into the mountains and become wild, huge store of fish died in the Sea: divers Cities were so shaken with earthquakes, so as the greater Pallas at Syracuse falling down, did slay all that were then in the Church, saving a couple.   

100 Vrban the second.  
VRban the second an Hetrurian born called Otho before, was made Pope by the harlot Mathilda, and the Norman Lords in Apulia in despite of the Emperor. This is a scholar of Hildebrand, whom for following his masters steps, Benno calleth a blind guide, a sciesmaticke, an heretic, and companion of Liberius the Arrian heretic: He watered those grafts of mischief which Gregory had planted, and was therefore called the turmoyler of the world, by descanting of his name and in steed of Vrban calling him Turban. He excommunicated Clement the second established by the Emperor, and also the Emperor for establishing of him, & procured many forsworn rebels both nobles and commoners, to conspire against him: and likewise the same Clement as being Pope, did again excommunicate him as an usurper, whereupon it moved many reasonings among both spiritual & temporal, who should be right Pope: And these controversies were tossed both in germany and other countries. But when Vrban would absolve none, whom Gregory had excommunicated, he was fain for fear of his life, to fly by stealth from Rome. He held five counsels in sundry places, and all for the establishing of Gregory's decrees, and to confirm that authority which the Church had got. Among many other enormities he concluded that no priests son should be capable of orders. He made the archbishop of Toledo primate of Spain, upon condition that he should swear fealty to the Pope, & so by that means he brought Spain under his wing. He cursed the king of France for imprisoning a bishop. He caused all that should take order to swear with this clause, So God help me and the holy Evangelists: finally he standing in awe of one john Pagan a Roman, did hide himself for two years in the house of one Peter Lion, where he died Anno 1099. And his body was conveyed by night over Tiber for fear of his foes, the same year also died Clement the third, who had seen in his time the death of three Popes.  
Of the former Hildebrand and this Vrban his scholar, Theodor Bibliander writeth thus to Princes of all estates: Hildebrand (saith he) by stirring up the Greek Emperor against the Turks, did sow the seed of the voyage of Gog & Magog, uppon-whom the blood of the Church crieth vengeance, that was shed with the sword of his tongue. But this urban by causing Christians to go war upon Pagans', with vain colour of fight for the holy Land, & for Christ's Sepulchre, hath caused more Christian blood to be shed of all Nations, then can be esteemed: and did it only to oppress Clement the second and his faction, the while to restore himself to be Pope. In the time of this Vrban, William Rufus king of England was sore cumbered with the proud prelate Anselmus archbishop of Canterbury, who when he was commanded to answer to his misbehaviour, did avoid it in appealing to the Court of Rome, both against the liking of all the bishops in England, and in spite of the kings heart went to complain to the Pope.   

101. Paschal the second.  
PAschal the second was an Italian called before Rainerus, he was made Cardinal of S. Clement's by Hildebrande his Schoolmaster, & succeeded urban. He when he saw he should be choose, would not take the place upon him until the people had cried three times S. Peter chooseth thee worthy man Raynarde: Then having a purple robe upon him, and a Mitre on his head, he was brought upon a white horse unto Lateran, where he received the Pope's Sceptre, and had the girdle put about him, whereon are hanged seven keys, and as many Seals. All the time he reigned he was continually busied in wars, and seditious, attempting by all means possible to advance yet hire the estate of the Popedom. He drove out furiously from their places all those bishops and abbots, that were established by the Emperor. At this time there was a certain prelate called Fluentinus, who seeing the great enormities that presently choked the Christian Church, held opinion that Antichrist was incarnate and born, and that he was revealed herein. And therefore (saith Sabellicus) the Pope held a council against him, with the bishops of Italy and France, in Rome: among other canons he concluded it heresy to deny obedience to the Pope, and made a canon for paying of tenths to priests, concluding it siane against the holy Ghost to cell the tenths. He renewed and published the excommunication against the Emperor, and caused the bishop of Mentz, of Collen, and of Worms, to thrust him from his estate, taking his Crown from him with all princely title, dignity and honour. Yea and which is horrible to be herded, not content with this he did provoke and arm his only son Henry the fift, to rebel against him being his natural father: A lamentable and pitiful case, to see the only child of so good & noble a father, not being provoked by any injury on the father's part, not only to despise, to forsake and revolt from his father, denying to aid him, but also to assault him by force of arms, & to enclose him with his army as he did, and took him entrapped by treason, spoiled & rob him of his royal estate, and forced the wretched and miserable man captive to his own child, to dye a double and doleful death. Thus could the Pope put the sword in the sons hand, forsing him to sheathe it in his father's bowels: Neither could this unnatural death of the good old man, cause the unnatural rancour to dye in the Pope's breast, but for further revenge he commanded that the emperors carcase should not be buried, but first be cast out of the Church and be carried from Leodos to Spira, where it rotted five years without any Christian burial. But lo what a wonder God wrought in the mean time. To testify (saith Abbas Vspergensis) the Pope's tyranny, it rained blood at Spira. It were a lamentable thing to tell at large the manner of the Pope's unmerciful dealing with this good Emperor. For first the forenamed bishop's coming to him to Hilgeshem, they commanded him to deliver up his Diadem, his Purple robes, his Signet and other like ornaments belonging to the Empire. When he required a reason thereof, they answered partly for selling spiritual livings, but chiefly for the Pope's pleasure. With that the good Emperor sighing said: You know you received your bishoprics at my hand, that I gave them freely and am guilty of no such crime, and yet do you thus quite my courtesy? But the unthankful prelate's moved neither with allegiance, oath, nor benefit, prosecuted their purpose: and first yielding him no reverence, they plucked from him (sitting in his place of estate) his Crown Imperial, and his Purple robe, and his Sceptre. He being thus stripped out of his royalty and forsaken, said patiently Let God see and judge. They leaving him, bestowed these things upon the son creating him, & causing him forthwith to pursue his father, forcing him to fly but with ix. parsons to the Dukedom of Limborough, where the duke being his deadly enemy did also make speed to apprehend him. The Emperor perceiving himself thus entrapped and fearing death, submitted himself to the duke, beseaching him rather to show mercy then vengeance: Hereupon the noble hearted duke, though the Emperor had whilom displaced him of his Dukedom, yet pitying his misery he both forgave him & entertained him courteously in his castle, and with an army conducted him to Collen, where he was well received. But the son hearing thereof besieged the City, but the father fled by night to Leodium, where so many loving hearts resorted to him, that he bade his son a battle and overthrew him, and still desired that if his son were taken, he should be saved harmless. Yet the son ceased not, but renewing the battle prevailed and so dispossessed his father: who in the end was brougth to such penury, that he craved of the bishop of Spire to give him but a prebend to live upon in the Church: But the earl forgetting the benefits received of him in his prosperity, denied him flatly and said, by lady you get none here. Thus after he had reigned 50 year in his life he lacked living, and after death he wanted a grave through malice of the Pope.  
Pope Paschal held a council of Princes and bishops about matter of gains, as homages and fealtyes due unto him, also he spoilt the bishop of Ravenna of his lands, and took them into his own hands: But afterward because he refused to confirm certain bishops appointed by the Emperor Henry the fift, the Emperor (though la●e before he had kissed the Pope's feet) apprehended him, and cast him into prison, where he continued until he had confirmed them all, and should by his Seal restore the privilege of ratifying a bishop, which was granted to Charles the great, and confirm him to be Emperor. While (saith Masseus) the Pope sat in his chair after Mass, behold the soldiers cried unto him and his clergy, Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's: and forthwith apprehended both him and all his clergy, and carried them out, and stripped them out of their apparel so naked, that they left them not their breeches on, and led them thus handled to Soractis mount, where they put them in prison etc. This broil being ceased, and Henry being crowned Emperor, Paschal renewed unto him the authority of appointing bishops, and pronounced openly in the Church, that they were all held accursed, who soever would disannul the privilege which he had granted: Then thy sange Gloria in excelsis, because of this peace between the Emperor and the Pope. But as soon as the Emperor (this being done) was departed into germany, the Pope broke all his oaths, and went from his word in every thing, saying that he did it not freely and of his own accord, but that for fear he yielded to the emperors desire. Then was the privilege condemned, and the Emperor excommunicated, and terrible tragedies stirred, which were all blazed through divers countries. Also he by a council divorced the clergy of France from their wives, as Gregory had done in germany, and drove divers bishops from their Seas, because they would not leave their wives. Again to increase the regiment of Rome, he revived the strife for the bestowing of bishoprics, which wrought great slaughter and bloodshed in all countries of Europe. Anselmus archbishop of Canterbury, with sophistry and cavilling upheld this Pope's doing, as he did Pope V●banus being both their councelour at Rome, & their vicar here in England. This Anselmus did deprive king Henry the first of all authority in Ecclesiastical causes, and denied to do homage to the king, thinking and avouching it to be unlawfall, because it was due in the clergy unto the successors of S. Peter. Also he condemned in England the marriage of ministers: Pope Paschal died Anno 1118.  
Matthaeus Pa●siensis writeth in his Chronicle, that when Anselmus accused his sovereign king Henry the first of England, before the Pope at Rome for meddling with the appointing of bishops and ministers, William Warelwarst the kings Proctor did answer stoutly in his Prince's behalf, and among other things said, that the king would not for the loss of his kingdom lose his authority in appointing of prelate's▪ Whereto the Pope said: If as thou sayest thy king to hazard his crown, will not forego his giving of Ecclesiastical livings, know thou precisely, I speak it before God, that I will not suffer him without punishment, not not for the price of his head. Which being herded, Anselmus besought the Pope, to say hands in despite of the king on those whom he had disgraded, & so (saith Mattheus) the holy seat ready to yield favour to all, restored them to their former dignities by the intercession of White and read. But king Henry did deprive Anselmus of all his goods, and confiscated his archbishopric and defied the Pope's authority. Anno 1110. the Moon was darkened, as if she had lost her light, the year following it rained blood at Ravenna in Italy, & at Parma in the month of july. Anno 1114. in December the Heaven appeared suddenly of a very fiery and ruddy colour, as if it had burned, and the Moon suffered an Eclipse. The same year the river of Thames was dry for two days. Anno 1▪ 17. there were thonders, hail, great winds, horrible dreadful and huge earthquakes, that overthrew Churches, Towers, walls, buildings, and destroyed men.   

102. Gelasius the second.  
GElasius the second called before john Caietanus of a noble house, was sometime a monk, he succeeded Paschal but not without great dissension. For because he was choose without the consent of the Emperor, one Cincius a man of great power in Rome would not suffer this injury, but went with a troop of soldiers to Palladian minster, where the Cardinals were gathered together: and breaking the gates open he rushed in upon them, and stroke at every one that he met. And as for the Pope with his neck wronged awry he threw him on the ground, stamped on him with his feet, and cast him into prison: and as the Cardinals were running away, he hoist them of their Mules and horses to the ground, and used all the despite he could toward them. But the Romans would not suffer this, and therefore by the aid of the Normans they delivered the Pope, & made his enemies to submit themselves, and to ask pardon with kissing his feet. The Emperor hearing this sent a great ardgye out of germany to Rome, which Gelasius fearing, fled by ship with his company to Caieta, and there was made a priest, for he was made Pope before being but a deacon. Henry the Emperor coming to Rome in the absence of Gelasius, created Maurice Burdinus archbishop of Bracharie Pope, and called him Gregory the eight, and then he returned from Rome. Gelasius hearing thereof returns privily to Rome, and taking heart to him he cometh into Praxis Church to say mass, where he was so hindered by the contrary side, that he scant saved himself by running away: From thence he fled into France, where at the length he was entertained by an abbot, in whose house he died of a pleurisy in the second year of his reign. In his life by a Legate that he sent, he held a council in Collen, where he excommunicated the Emperor, and decreed that the Popes of Rome should be judged by none.   

103. Calixtus the second.  
CAlixtus the second being before called Guido of Burgundy came of the kings of France and England, he succeeded Gelasius. And after he was confirmed at Rome, he sent a messenger to the said Conon in Germanye, to continued the excommunication of his predecessor against the Emperor. Hereupon the Emperor was compelled to summon a council of Princes and bishops at Tybur, to make peace between him & the Pope: and lest the Pope's part should have spoiled his dominions, he took peace upon unequal conditions. He confirmed to his great dishonour the election of this Calixtus, who was choose Pope at Cluny in France by a few Cardinals, whom Gelasius had brought with him: and yet was the other Pope Gregory alive, whom the Emperor himself had first created. And when the Pope's Legates demanded of the Emperor to give over his authority in Ecclesiastical causes, and bestowing spiritual livings: he desired respite to deliberate thereon with the Princes of germany, who counseled him to seek for the favour of the Pope, (to such puissancye was the Pope then start up over the mighty monarchs.) finally Ambassadors meeting at Worms in germany for either part to debate the matter, after great controversies and sharp reasoninges on either side, the Pope bore away the victory: for the emperors Proctors were the bishop of Spire and the abbot of Fulda, by their calling bound to favour the Pope's part, who persuaded the Emperor to yield over his right for fear of the excommunication, which would 'cause his subjects to revolt from him: And so he obeyed. This being done the Pope's Legates did absolve him, and gave him licence to repair to service in the Church, which Gelasius had denied him. These compositions were drawn in wrighting for both sides, and therefore the Pope's part even to triumph of their victory, and show how the Emperor was vanquished, caused there's to be read with open Proclamation, and hanged them up at Lateran to be seen openly. Calixtus after he had thus mastered the Emperor, persecuted Pope Gregory his adversary that stood against him for the Popedom, by the emperors means: Gregory hearing of this fled from Rome to Sturium, where Calixtus caught him, and to make him a laughing game even to the emperors reproach, he caused Gregory to be set upon a Camel with his face toward the Camel's tail, & so to be brought to Rome: afterward he caused his head to be shaven, & so sent him into a monastery. Among many Canons that Calixtus made, one was, that it should be adultery if a man in his life time should forsake his bishopric or Church, wresting this place of Paul unto it: The wife is bond to the law of her husband, while he liveth & c He appointed to fast four times in the year, whereas before it was but thrice, and said it was not lawful to fast any otherwise then according as the Church of Rome did, adding this reason: For (saith he) as the son came to do the will of his father, so must Christians do the will of their mother the Church of Rome. He died of a fever which he took by the travel of a great journey, Anno 1125. One Simeon an Englishman born in Duresme in the 2. book of his history of the Kings of England writeth, that this Calixtus held a general council in France, wherein he forbade priests, deacons, or subdeacons to have wives: and first to lose their benefices, secondly the Communion if they would not yield herein. Whereupon one in England written a sharp Epigram against him, thus in effect.  
O bone Calixte nunc omnis clerus odit te,  
Quondam presbyteri poterant uxoribus uti:  
Hoc destruxisti, postquam tu Papa fuisti,  
Ergo tuùm meritò nomen habent odiò.  
O good Calixtus now the clergy doth the hate,  
In former time the Churchmen might enjoy their spousal mate:  
But thou baste taken this away to Popeship since thou came,  
Therefore as thou deserved hast they do detest thy name.   

104. Honorius the second.  
HOnorius the second before called Lambert being but of base birth, was first made bishop of Hostia for his learning, and so came to be Pope. But (saith Platina) his entrance into Peter's place is not to be commended, because he came in rather by the ambition of a few, than the consent of good men: for he was made Pope with great debate by the policy of one Leo Frangepain the chiefest Citizen, who persuaded that they should not choose the Pope, before they knew all the Canons concerning the election. While they stayed about this, Leo practised to serve this Pope's turn by such fetches as he could devise: but the Cardinals perceiving his policy did created one Theobaldus (a Cardinal) Pope, calling him Celestine, but the people stood earnestly urging for another Cardinal that was a Saxon, which Leo seemed to like of, only to defeat the election of the Cardinals: and when by this means he had the people somewhat indifferent to be ruled by him, he brought to pass by them to make Lambert Pope, and called him Honorius. This Honorius (saith Mattheus Parisiensis) scent out a Legate one john Cremensis a riotous Cardinal, to fill the Pope's bags: He coming into England Anno 1125. with the kings favour passed from one Religious house to another, still filling his pouches with money and his paunch with delicate cheer. And when he had even loaden himself meetly well, he held a Synod in London, where he condemned all the clergy of adultery which had wives, and even the self same day at night my Lord Legat himself even his own parson was taken in adultery. And yet Pope Honorius written in his behalf to the clergy of England thus: We desire you, charge you, and command you, that you receive this john as the vicar of S. Peter with reverence, hear him with humility and at his commandment be assistant at his Synods etc. The like for him written Honorius to David king of Scots. There is a certain statute made by the same john, in the said Synod held at London to this effect: We by our Apostolical authority command that priests, deacons, subdeacons, and canonists, shall not come in company with their wives, concubines, yea or any other women, except their mother, sister or aunt, or such women as may altogether give no suspicion, and who so shall break this, shall forfeit his orders. We command that no marriage shallbe made between kindred, or affinity to the seventh degree. Honorius died Anno 1130. Platina saith that in the time of this Honorius, one Arnulphus an Englishman and a noble preacher of the christian Religion, was murdered at Rome by the treachery of the clergy, because he did sharply reprove their royat and wantonness, and rebuked their pomp, and greediness in gathering riches. Many of the nobles of Rome did follow this man as a true disciple & Prophet of Christ, and only preacher of the truth.   

105. Innocentius the second.  
INnocentius the second after he was made Pope, could devise no more charitable deed then to suppress Roger Duke of Sicilia, for saying that he was king of italy. The Pope brought out his army, and marched forward stoutly and manfully overthrew his enemy: but the duke's son coming upon his back with an army took the Pope, and his Cardinals, and so Roger obtained all beside the title of Sicilia. In the mean time the Romans created one Peter Leo his son Pope, and called him Anacletus, which being herded Innocentius desired to be set at liberty and obtained it, and purposed to return to Rome: but because he see all was in an uproar at Rome, he turned from thence, travailing till he came into France. In the mean time Anacletus sought with spending and brybinge, to win and confirm all men's good wills toward him, that any way seemed to favour him: He made Roger king of both Sicils to be his friend. Innocentius was busy on the other side, to recover the Popedom, & therefore held a council in France and condemned Anacletus for an enemy of the Church. Afterwards he went to Philip king of France, and crowned his son jews, than he went to Carnotus, where he met with Henry the first, king of England, persuading with him to sand an army against the Sarracens that kept the holy land, but his purpose was to have used that army for the recovering of his Popedom. From him he went to Lotharius king of germany desiring him to see him restored: Lotharius giving his oath to the Pope, prepared an army to conduct Innocent safe to Rome. So Lotharius entered into italy with a puissant army to restore Innocent to his place, and coming to Rome divided his host, and entered into the City, overthrew Anacletus with duke Roger, and set Innocentius safe in Lateran. Innocentius therefore to show himself thankful, crowned Lotharius Emperor, and gave to Reginold his chiefest Captain the Dukedom of Apulia, that was none of his own to bestow, and all that Roger possessed in Italy▪ But Reginold died soon after, and then Roger claimed his right again, and because the Pope withstood him, he took him again, & his Cardinals suddenly ere that they witted, & would never let them departed until they had granted him his whole desire: yea to make him king of both Sicils, and so since that time the kingdom of Sicill is called S. Peter's patrimony. But (saith Nauclerus) much mischief arose up hereof, because the Pope would thus take upon him the bestowing of Princely titles, robbing the Emperors of that right, which they had got by the sword. Innocentius made a law, that whosoever should strike an anointed priest or shaven clerk, should be excommunicated, to be absolved only by the Pope: after this he died Anno 1143. In this Pope's time Steven King of England Anno 1136. kept to himself and used in his own power the investure of prelate's. And Lotharius the Emperor would have reclaimed that to himself, which the Pope took from Henry the Emperor, but that S. Bernard being then of great credit dissuaded him About this time was William bishop of York called S. William of York, who was poisoned in his chalice by his Chapleynes.   

106. Celestine the second.  
CElestine the second a Tuscan succeeded Innocent by the commandment of Conradus: his life was so short that he could not play the Pope like other. At this time was a great contagious plague through out all Italy. Celestine died in the sixt month of his Popeship. In his time the bishop of Winchester in England held a council, where was concluded that if any man abused either Church or Churchyard or laid hand on an Ecclesiastical person, he should be excommunicate, to be absolved only by the Pope.   

107. Lucius the second.  
LVcius the second born in Bononia succeeded Celestine. He was the cause & auctor of much descension in Rome, for deposing and disanullinge a kind of office called Patricianship, which the Romans being weary of the Pope's yoke had made in the time of Innocentius, because the Popes took upon them all sway within the City & abroad likewise. But this Pope Lucius because he was not able to depose the Patrician alone, craved aid of the Emperor Conradus, who being otherwise busied could not assist him. Lucius therefore sought to attain his purpose another way: for when the Patrician & the Senators were all gathered together close in the Capitol, Lucius took his opportunity and came thither with a band of soldiers in armour, meaning either to destroy the Capitol, or to drive them out. The citizens hearing hereof armed themselves forthwith, and ran to secure their officer, whereupon roose a very bloody fray: Pope Lucius being in the midst of the broil was so pelted with stones and other lumps, that soon after he died thereof Anno 1145 ere he had reigned a year.   

108. Eugenius the third.  
EVgenius the third sometime an abbot, was made Pope by this means with the consent of the Cardinals. This Eugenius was scholar to S. Barnard, who for his learning was then in great reverence, and considering the time how the Romans wrangled to have authority in the election of the Pope, they thought it safest and surest for the maintenance of the Pope's authority, to choose none of the College of Cardinals but this Eugenius, that it might be a cause why his schoolmaster barnard should advance the Sea of Rome in his writings: and so it fallen out as it appeareth in his 2. book of Considerations. Eugenius at his first creation perceived the Romans would be importunate, to have the election of their Senators ratified, and therefore he fled with his Cardinals from Rome by night to Viterbium, where he excommunicated all the Romans, which caused the Citizens to obey jordan choose Patrician: then he joined his army with the host of the Tiburtines, old enemies to Rome, & so compelled the Romans to sue for peace: which he granted at length upon condition that they should fully abolish the principality of the Patrician, and should restore his deputy to his former place, and for hereafter should be content to take such Senators, as he by his Papal authority would assign them. Peace being thus concluded he returned into Rome, but perceiving afterward that falsehood was ment toward him, he slipped again to Tiburie: the Romans pursued him forthwith, with bows and bills, and drove him from Tiburie into France. And at length he returned to Rome and there died Anno 1152.   

109. Anastasius the fourth.  
ANastasius of a Cardinal become Pope, wherein he did nothing worthy memory, but that he bestowed upon Lateran a rich and massy Chalice, and bestowed cost in repairing S. Mary's Church, and so died the second year of his Popeship Anno 1154. This Anastasius after the death of one Henry Mordachus a proud monk whom Pope Eugenius intruded. restored S. William archbishop of York, which William was afterward poisoned in the Chalice coming to receive the Communion, as Mattheus Parisius saith. In this Pope's time the Thames at London was so frozen, the carts and veins passed over the ise, and a little before were two Eclipses, one of the Sun, and the other of the Moon, after which followed terrible tempests, storms, thunder, lightnings, rain and wind.   

110. Hadrian the fourth.  
HAdrian the fourth was an Englishman born called Nicolas Breakespeare, the son of one Dan Robert a monk of S. Albans: he was first a regular priest, & afterward a bishop, than a Cardinal, and finally Pope of Rome. He being choose by the clergy at Rome, would not ascend & take the place until they had consented unto him, that one Arnold bishop of Brixia whom he counted an heretic, should be banished out of Rome. This Arnold persuaded the Romans to recover their liberty of choosing their Magistrates: and when the people withstood the presumption of the Pope, it wrought greet strife. This Hadrian a man of lofty courage forthwith did excommunicate the Romans, until they should drive out Arnold, and compel their consuls to leave their offices, & yield the government of the City freely unto him. In the mean time Frederick the Emperor hasted him to Rome with an army, to put down the rebels: the Pope and his clergy went out to meet him, whereby the Pope thought to get opportunity to be revenged by the emperors aid upon his enemies. The Emperor meeting with the Pope alighted from his horse and went on foot, and attending on the Pope's parson when he should alight, the Emperor held the left stirope, for the which the Pope scorned him for mistaking the stirope, and said unto him: You should have held me the right stirope. The Emperor taking it patiently answered him smilingly, I have not (quoth he) learned to hold a stirope, and you holy father are the first, to whom I ever did this service: And (quoth the Emperor, because he saw the Pope angry that he answered) I would know of you whether this be my duty to do it, of force, or of my own courtesy: If a man offer it of courtesy, how will you rebuke him for negligence? If it be not of duty, what need you care on which side he come unto you, that cometh to do you worship? Such sharp talk passing between them, they departed both full of wrath. But on the morrow the Emperor being a man of wisdom, neglected all that he had herded and seen touching the Pope's stately and proud mind, and sent for him desiring him to come to his pavilion. The Pope came and the Emperor went forth to meet him, and as he was taught the day before against the Pope should alight, he held the right stirope, and so conducted the Pope in. As they sat together, Pope Hadrian began to talk in this manner. Princes (quoth he) in old time which came to crave the Crown, were wont to recompense the courtesy of the Church of Rome with some excellent benefit, that as it were preventing the Pope's blessing and the crown, that they should receive by their dutifulness, might notify themselves to all men by their noble deed: For so Charles deserved his Crown by conquering the Lombardes, Otho his by assuaging the Berengarians, Lotharius his by suppressing the Normans. Therefore your worthiness may restore Apulia to be territory to Rome, which now the Normans withhold, & then will we afterward soon do the which is our duty. The Princes therefore perceiving that the Pope would not crown Frederick, unless he should first win Apulia from William king of Sicill by his own cost & charge, they promised it should be performed with a new army out of germany, as soon as the other army were grown out, if so be he would crown the Emperor. Thereupon the next day he was crowned with the Crown Imperial, by the Pope in S. Peter's Palace: and afterward having executed above a thousand of the rebellious Citizens, he prepared to return into Germany. After the emperors departure, the Pope being disappointed of his aid, purposed to set upon Apulia to win it from the king of Sicill, with such force as as he could make: first he excommunicated the king because he would not yield it up, and discharged his subjects of their allegiance, to make them to rebel against him. But because these things prevailed but little against king William, he set Emanuel the Emperor of Greece upon him, because he knew that he had been a mortal enemy to king William's father. William fearing this sought for peace, & promised to yield all to the Pope, but the Pope by the council of certain Cardinals (hoping to gain more by the war then peace) refused the offer, & proclaimed war against him. King William perceiving this to prevent the danger in time, gathered an army in haste out of all Sicill and sailed to Apulia where he fought with Emanuel and overthrew him. afterward he assaulted the town Beneuent (where the Pope and his Cardinals wear) in such sort that they despairing to escape craved peace: William granted it, and so was reconciled to the Pope, who then pronounced him king of both Sicils, making him first to swear that he should hurt nothing that belonged to the Church of Rome. Thus the Pope returned to Rome with foul shame, where contrary to his expectation he was troubled with civil dissension, for the Consuls began to reclaim their liberty and authority which he had taken away: and because he could not prevail with his vain thonderboltes of excommunication, he departed to Arminy.  
While these things were doing, the Emperor abiding at home, remembered with himself how the Pope had taken from the Emperors the former right of investing of prelate's, and by his Legates had summoned all nations together, & had sowed the seed of rebellion through all his Empire, taken homage & fealty of all the bishops in germany. hereupon he commanded, that if the Pope's Legates came into germany without his commandment, they should be kept out. He forbade that any of his subjects should appeal to Rome, he set his own name in writing before the Popes: whereupon the Pope was so wroth, that he sent letters to the Emperor rebuking him sharply for it. The copy whereof for the better understanding of it, it thus.  
Hadrians' letter to the Emperor.  
HAdrian bishop servant to the servants of God, sendeth greeting to Frederick themperor, and apostolical blessing. As the law of God promises long life to them that do honour their parents, so doth it threaten death, to them that dishonour their father or mother. The truth teacheth us that every one that exalteth himself shallbe brought down. Therefore right well beloved son in the Lord, we do not a little marvel at your wisdom, that you do not so much duty as becometh you to S. Peter, and the holy Church of Rome: For in your letter sent unto us ye have set your name before ours, whereby you do bewray your vanity, I will not say your pride. What shall I speak, how little you observe your fealty, which you are bound by oath and promise to perform to S. Peter and us? Seeing you require honour and allegiance of them that are Gods, and of all our honourable sons, bishops I mean. And you wrap their holy hands within yours, setting yourself manifestly against us: You shut not only the Churches, but also the Cities of your dominion against the Cardinal sent from our own side. What shall I say? Repent therefore repent we advise you: for we fear lest your nobleness while you deserve of us to have both blessing and Crown, will lose that which we have granted you, by taking upon you that which we have not granted. Far you well.  
The answer of Frederick themperor to the Pope's letter.  
FRederick by the grace of God Emperor of the Romans Augustus' evermore, to Hadrian Pope of Rome, and to all those that (are willing to cleave to that which Christ began to do and teach) sendeth greeting. The law of justice restoreth to every man his own, For we do not dishonour our ancestors, to whom within this our kingdom we yield due reverence, by whom we have enherited our Crown and regal dignity. Is it known that Sylvester bishop of Rome in the time of Constantine the Emperor, had any kingly poart? But by his godly grant the Church obtained liberty, peace was restored, and what soever your princely pontificality is known to have, it came by the bountifulness of Princes: Whereby when soever we write to the Pope, by good right we set our own name former, and according to the rule of justice we allow it to him writing to us. Look over the Records and if you marked not in reading which we avouch, there you shall find it. But why should we not require homage and royal oaths toward our parson of them, that are Gods by adoption, and possess the royalty belonging to us: Seeing that he who taught both us and you, taking nothing of a Prince but giving all goodness to all men, yet paid tribute to Caesar, for himself and Peter, and gave you an example that you should do the like. And so he teacheth you saying: Learn of me, for I am humble and gentle of heart. Therefore let them either grant unto us that belongeth to our royalty, or else if, they will challenge this for their more commodity, then let them pay unto God that is due unto GOD, and unto Caesar that is due unto Caesar. The Churches are shut to your Cardinals, and the Cities are not open unto them, and reason good, because we see that they are not feeders but ste●●ers of their flocks, not keepers of peace, but catchers of pennies: not those that amend the world, but that devour it. But when we shall see them such, as the Church requireth, bearing peace, giving light to their country, assisting the cause of the lowly in equity, we will forthwith secure them with necessary stipends and sustenance. But you do much discredit your humility and courtesy, being the saueg●rde of all virtues, when you move to secular parsons such questions as do not much further religion. Let therefore your fatherly wisdom provide, lest while you stir about such unmeet matters, ye give offence unto those which apply themselves to give ear to the words of your mouth, as it were to a shower of rain after harvest. For we cannot but answer to those things which we hear, when we see the detestable beast of pride to have crept even to Peter's seat, so long as we purpose God willing continually to provide for peace and the Church. Far you well.  
Here may you discern somewhat the dealing and spirit of the Roman bishops, which I leave to every ones own indifferent consideration. To return to the matter, hereupon this Pope Hadrian did excommunicate the Emperor, and by his Legates sent from Rome provoked rebellions against him in italy and other places: and brought it secretly to pass, that the conspiracy of the rebels should be made the stronger, by these laws confirmed among them by oath, that none of them should take peace with him, without the whole consent of all the rest. And again, that if this Pope Hadrian should dye, they should choose none to be Pope, but one of those Cardinals that were of the conspiracy against the Emperor. But shortly after God punished this Hadrian very strangely for (saith Abbas Vspergensis in Frederico primo) it came to pass that this Pope Hadrian the fourth, going to Agnania to denounce the excommunication against the Emperor, after he had tarried there a few days, walked forth with some of his company, to cool himself: And when he came to a certain springe of water he drank thereof, and forthwith a fly did enter into his mouth, and did cleave to his throat in such sort, that no art of the Physicians could get it away, and so he was choked therewith, and died thereof Anno 1159. in the fift year of his Popeship. But the Italians being thus set on by the Pope, devised continually treasons against the Emperor, among other, practised to have murdered him by a certain sergeant fool, being in deed an excellent Musician, who had surely slain him, but that the Emperor driven to his shift leapt out at the fift window down into a river, which ran under the place where he was: The fool being taken was also thrown down out of the same window, and so he broke his neck. After this they hired an enchanter of Arabia, who poisoned his bridle, his spurs, his rings, and his stirope, and such other things, that with the only touching thereof he should have been slain: But he was bewrayed and hanged up. This Pope Hadrian made king Henry the second of England, Lord of Ireland. Carion in his Chronicle writing of Conradus the third, Emperor of germany saith, that it is found written that this Pope Hadrian the fourth even a little before his death should say: that there is no kind of life upon earth more wretched than to be Pope, and to get the Popedom by blood is not to succeed Peter, but Romulus who for the kingdom slew his own brother.   

III Alexander the third.  
ALexander the third was born in Hetruria called first Rolland Chancellor. After Hadrian the forth had his breath stopped, and was choked with a fly, this man succeeded him being far worse than the other. But because that all parties could not agreed to elect him, nine of the Cardinals that held on the emperors part, did choose another Pope called Octavianus a citizen of Rome, being a priest and Cardinal of S. Clement's, whom they called Victor the fourth. And after the death of this Victor the sciesme and dissension being continued, three Popes succeeded in order, Paschalis, Calixtus, and Innocentius, all which withstood this Pope Alexander and made great turmoils in the Church of Rome, and all perished, he yet living. But when the Emperor summoned a council at Papia whereby the strife might be ended, and the matter debated, that he might be confirmed Pope that had the better right: this Alexander defyinge the emperors Ambassadors, answered proudly that the Pope (as he took himself to be) is to be judged by no man, and thus sent away the Ambassadors with great contempt: and sending his letters through all Christendom, he plagued both the Emperor and this Victor with excommunications. And because he might assure Rome to himself, he sent letters forthwith to john Cardinal of saint Peter's Church, who supplied his room there, who by bribery and flattery so curried favour with the people, that he alured the most part of the City to favour Alexander, and to make those Consuls that did most lean to his part. In the mean time Alexander coming out of France into Italy returned forth with to Rome, and was courteously received: and the Cities of Italy being emboldened by his coming, to shake of their allegiance to the Emperor contrary to their oath, did forthwith revolt from him, king Philip of France favouring their part. The Emperor knowing of these rebellions & conspiracies against him, did forthwith gather a new army and went into italy: but when he came to Brixia, one Hartman the bishop thereof being of the emperors privy council, (but a false hypocrite) did dissuade him from the war. And persuaded him (by the Pope's secret council) to make war rather against the ●urkes enemies to Christian faith, then against the holy father and Christian men, adding withal that now the Sultan oppressed & enjoyed Jerusalem, and all the holy land, which his uncle had whilom conquered with great power & charges. He prayed him to try the force of his army upon the Agarens & Saracens, and to recover these lands therewith: furthermore he promised the Emperor to perform this, that the king of France likewise should levy an army to aid to conquer the Sultan king of Egypt. At his supplication the Emperor led his army against the Pagans, which he had prepared against the Pope & his rebels. He travailed through Hungary to Constantinople, and sending over his army he won many towns from the Turk, as among other Philomenia and jonicus, & passed into Armenia the less, conquering all: yea God so prospered his victories, that the Sultan himself feared the loss of his kingdom. At the length he came to Jerusalem, where he suffered the Pagans' to pass with life out of the City. At length having got great victories in jewry, he considered how he might defend from the Turks that which he had won, and repair that which was wasted. But while he was thus busy here in the East, Pope Alexander was not yet quieted, but both he and his conspirators still feared him, if he should ever return into italy, and therefore Alexander still devised how to have him destroyed. He sent a cunning painter to go to the place where the Emperor was, who (the Emperor not knowing thereof) should draw his picture: this being perfectly done, he commanded a secret messenger to convey it to the Sultan, & written a letter withal to the Sultan certefying him that it was the emperors picture, and telling him that if he would live quietly, he must work the feat to have him destroyed by some train. The Sultan having received these letters & the Emperors lively picture, devised how to gratify the Pope, and to slay his enemy: but he could never get opportunity, neither in battle nor in his tents to have him slain. But when the Emperor having won Jerusalem retired with his army homeward, he having no fear of himself did divide his army into divers parts, whereby they might return the more conveniently for victual and lodging one after another. But in Armenia being on a time in a great heat and sweating, partly with travel, partly with the heat of the Sun, mistrusting no danger in the salvage country full of woods, he taking a few horsemen with him & his chaplain, did step from his army. Being a little go a side he alighted from his horse, and was about to put of his apparel at a rivers side, where commanding his horsemen to departed he purposed by himself & his chaplain alone to bathe himself, because he was exceeding hot: where it so happened that the Soldans which had lyen in wait for him as he traveled negligently, came and took him, and led the noble Emperor prisoner through the woods to the Sultan: his horsemen not knowing thereof attending for him in vain, at length came and sought diligently for him till the next day. The rumour was brought to the army that he was drowned, whereupon all the host lamented, wept, and mourned heavily, and sought him along the flood almost the space of an whole month: but when they could not find him they chose them new Captains, and so marched homeward.  
The Emperor being brought to the Sultan did dissemble that he was one of the emperors chamberlains, but the Sultan perceiving by the picture which he had from the Pope, resembling his face that he was the Emperor, commanded the picture to be brought forth, and the le●ters to be read before him. The Emperor being astonished at this treason, saw that it availed not to deny himself, he confessed the truth, and besought the Sultan humbly to have compassion on him. After the Sultan had talked much with him, and see both by his words & deeds, that he was a worthy and noble gentleman, in whom there was no virtue meet for so princely a parsonage wanting, and having him in great estimation for his wisdom, his good demeanour, his faithfulness and upright dealing, thought he should purchase himself great glory and renown to deliver him. Therefore afterward he called the Emperor unto him, offered him liberty upon conditions, and courteously proffered him that he should say in hostages for his ransom paying. And on this condition he let him go, that he should make a perpetual league of peace with him, and should pay an hundred thousand ducats, & should leave his chaplain that was taken prisoner with him, to lie in pledge till it were paid: so writings were drawn of the conditions, and the Emperor prepared his journey, and bad his chaplain be of good courage, promising him that he would not take his rest in Germany, until the money were sent and that he see him returned thither. Then the Sultan bestowed gifts on the Emperor, provided for his voyage, and with xxxiiii. horses & certain soldiers conducted him to Brixia, and stayed there. The Princes understanding of the emperors return, for joy resorted fast unto him. The Emperor loading the Soldans men with divers rewards sent them back again, and other with them to conduct them to the coast of the Empire. Afterwards he held a Parliament at Norimberg, calling together all the Princes of the Empire, to whom he detected the treason of Pope Alexander, and read the traitors Epistle which he sent to the Sultan, and told them by what means he escaped. The Princes promised to assist him to perform his promise to the Sultan, and in great disdain against Pope Alexander traitor to the Empire, they offered to aid him. The army was gathered, he came to Rome, and not a man through out italy withstood him: and sending his Ambassadors into the City, he demanded of the Romans (concealing his own injury) that the Church might be brought to quietness by hearing both the Pope's causes herded: and that the right bishop might have his place, whereby the Church might be governed by one. If they would do this, he promised that he would grant them not only peace, but would restore them all their right. Pope Alexander perceiving that by this means the Emperor might obtain his purpose to be revenged on him, fled by night to Caieta, afterward to Benevent: last of all in the 17 year of his Popeship, he came to Venice disguised in the apparel of one that was his cook, where lurking in an abbey he become a Gardener. A while after he was bewrayed and known, and there upon calling a council by the commandment of duke Sebastian, he was received with great honour, and brought into S. mary's Church with pontifical pomp. The Emperor hearing that the Pope was at Venice, desired the Venetians to yield to him his enemy, being likewise the enemy of the common wealth. The Venetians denied to do it: therefore the Emperor sent his son Otho with a navy of soldiers to demand Alexander of them, but he charged him withal that he should attempt nothing in any case, till he himself were come unto him. But Otho being a lusty young Prince full of courage and desirous of renown, neglecting his father's commandment, would needs encounter the Venetians, whereby he was overcome, taken prisoner, bound & brought to Venice. Hereupon Alexander began to set up his crest and put out his horns, and would not take peace with the Emperor in any case, unless the Emperor would come to Venice, & take such conditions of peace, as he would offer him. Whereupon the good and careful father to provide for the infortunate misery of his son, promised he would come at the time appointed: and so came where they commoned upon conditions of peace. But the Pope would not absolve the Emperor of excommunication, till he came to S. Marks Church, where before all the people, Pope Alexander commanded the Emperor to prostrate himself on the ground, and to crave pardon. The Emperor did as he commanded him: then the Pope trod on the emperors neck with his foot, saying it is written: Thou shalt walk upon the serpent and adder, and shalt tread down under rhy feet the Lion and dragon. The Emperor disdaining this reproach answered: It was not said to thee but to Peter. The Pope then treading down his neck again said: Both to me and to Peter. The Emperor then fearing some danger, dared say no more, & so the peace was concluded. The conditions whereof are these, that the Emperor should uphold Alexander to be true Pope, that he should restore all that did belong to the Church of Rome, which had been taken away in the wars: Thus the Emperor departed with his son. The Pope to show himself thankful to Venice, bestowed of his liberality gifts upon duke Sebastian & the Senate. First he gave them a white Taper which only the Popes used to Bear. secondly he lycensed them to seal their letters with lead: and he granted their Duke the third seat in the Pope's Theatre. Fourthly he granted that on ascension day, they should have whole and perfect pardons for ever at S. Marks Church. Fiftly he gave the Duke viii. banners of silk, and an attier for the head like an hat. Afterwards Alexander deprived the bishop of Papia of his Pall, & exempted him of the dignity of carrying the Cross, because he took the emperors part. He made many Canons in a council at Lateran, as that an archbishop should not receive his Pall, unless he had sworn first to be true and obedient to the Pope. And that a man should not marry his brother's wife being widow, that they that took orders should vow chastity, that a bastard should not be made a bishop, that the canonizing of Saints belonged only to the Pope, & that such saints should have divine honour. Among other he made Thomas Becket archbishop of Canterbury, & a rank traitor to his prince (but stoutly upheld therein by the Pope) a saint. He bound king Henry the second, of England (excusing himself of the death of Thomas) that his subjects should frankly & freely appeal from him to the Court of Rome, & that afterward none should be king of England, unless he were first called king by the Pope. This arose upon the quarrel between the king and Thomas Becket, who so vexed and disquieted his sovereign prince, with all the nobles and prelate's of this Realm, with cursings, excommunications, interditinge, threatenings, moving both French king & Pope to molest the king in his behalf: and finally as then Pope Alexander played the incarnate devil against the Emperor, so did Becket rage like a subdevill against the king in England, till certain not able to endure his arrogant, seditious and traitorous doings, in great despite thereof slew him at Canterbury. He decreed that a man should not be divorced from his wife, though she had the leprosy. Also that those that could be proved usurers, should neither be admitted to the Communion, nor buried in the Church: after these & other like deeds he died Anno 1181. Robert Montensis Chronicle hath, that jews king of France and Henry king of England, waited on Pope Alexander as his gentlemen ushers and footmen, the one leading his horse by the bridle on the right side, and the other on the left, through the whole City Taciacum to Legeris. In this Pope's time the Sun was Eclipsed, and earthquakes were every where. Also there were certain called Waldenses who defended many articles against the Pope and his doctrine, as transubstantiation, purgatory etc.   

112. Lucius the third.  
LVcius the third born in Thuscia of an honourable stock, succeeded by consent of all the Cardinals. But the Romans so vexed him that he was driven out of the City, and many of his friends and company taken by the Romans, some were set upon Asses with their faces towards the tail, and Mitres on their heads, and so led through the City in mockadge, some used despitefully otherwise: Some had their eyes put out by the Romans in a madness, othersome murdered: & for this cause only, that he went about to take away the name of Consuls in the City. The Pope suffering this great shame went to Verona, where in a council he condemned the Romans doings, and even then when the Christians were persecuted in Asia (which pretence of holiness wrought the peril of many) that they might be succoured, because the enemies were emboldened to waste the holy land under their Captain Saladinus, presuming for that our Princes were at dissension. This Pope being mindful of his country Thuscia bestowed large gifts upon it, and obtained of the Emperor that the Etrurians should have the self same coin that the Lucensians among them had, even as the Lombard's had only the money of Papia with the emperors coin. Valerius Anselmus writeth that this Pope contrary to other, allowed the Sacraments that were done by whoremaster chaplains, he died in Verona Anno 1185. In his time were great earthquakes which did destroy divers notable Cities, & in Sicil were destroyed thereby five and twenty thousand parsons. The Armenians being at this time at great debate with the Greek Church, did for hatred thereof become subject to the Church of Rome.   

113. Vrbanus the third.  
VRbanus who because of his troublesome dealings was nicknamed Turbanus, was born in Millen. He as soon as he was made Pope, was careful at the first to set the Christian Princes at concord, lest while they were divided the Pagans' should destroy them: but lo how it fell out, for saith Crantzius because the Emperor would not in all points follow his mind, he purposed forthwith to draw out his shoulder-blade of excommunication against the Emperor, whereby he made the matter worse, but death took him away in time and prevented him. As some think he died for grief, because he herded daily increase of the misery among the Christians, & how Saladinus triumphed in victory against them, with their great slaughters, Jerusalem being taken again, and king Guido also, as he was going to Venice to repair his army. In this Pope's time on Midsummer day at vi. of the clock in the morning was an Eclipse of the Sun, after which ensued a great pestilence in Polonia, Russia, and other countries. By the bolstering up of this Pope the monks of Canterbury did in matter of controversy out sway both the archbishop and king their Prince Henry the second, who were glad to yield to the monks their desire for fear of the Pope's threatening.   

114 Gregory the eight.  
GRegorie the viii. born in Apulia succeeded Vrban. At this time the Popes seemed very careful for the recovery of the holy land, judea and Jerusalem, being but a vain and false colour of them to weaken the Princes of Christendom, whereby they might the better master them one by one: and by this means also being so holy a show, they so occupied the minds of Christian Princes, that they could intend to have no regard to the Pope's doings, who in the mean time while they had no eye unto him, wrought his feats to the great enriching & advancing of his own dignity. For so this Pope Gregory, even at his first entrance did sand letters to the Princes of Christendom, to raise their armies to go to recover Jerusalem, and to spend their blood in a vain quarrel: but as he was going to stir up the Pisans & Genuans in this matter, he was poisoned, and so died before he had reigned two months.   

115. Clemens the third.  
CLemens the third a Roman son of one john Scholar. He at his first entrance sent out commandment to make war upon the Sarracens: whereupon the Princes raised their armies, the chief whereof are these, Frederick the Emperor, Philip king of France, Richard king of England, and Otho duke of burgundy, and divers bishops and archbishops, with sundry people of Denmark, Fryzeland and Flaunders, but yet they did almost nothing at all. King Richard of England coming nigh to Rome in his journey, met with one Octamanus bishop of Hostia, to whom he complained much of the unsatiable and shameful simony used by the Pope and his court, for taking seven. hundred marks for consecrating the bishop Cenomanensis, also fifteen hundred marks of William bishop of Elye for his office of Legatship, beside an huge somme of money of the bishop of Bordeaux for absoluinge him, when he should have been deposed for a crime urged against him by his clergy. Anno 1188. William king of Sicil died, and left no heir, and therefore the Pope by and by would needs claim it to be tributary to the Church of Rome, and belonging to it. But the peers of the Isle chose Tancred bastard to king William. The Pope therefore determined to challenge and try his right by the dint of the sword, whereby he filled the world full of ●poylings, and slaughter, and yet he obtained not his purpose, and so left of. He made divers Canons and among other this one, that none but the Pope might remove a bishop from one sea to another, or to an higher dignity. Also he decreed that bishops should be preferred in dignity above Princes. He commanded to celebrated the Mass with unleavened bread and wine mingled with water, with many other ceremonies. He sent a Cardinal into Poland to reform the clergy, who among other matters in a Synod there held, forbade them to have wives, and because the Danes decreed marriage lawful to their clergy, they were excommunicated by the Pope, who died Anno 1191.   

116. Celestine the third.  
CElestine the third was born in Rome, he being an old man at Easter time after the death of Clement, was made Pope by the bishops and Cardinals, the next day he crowned Henry the sixt Emperor. This Celestine grudging that Tancred did enjoy the kingdom of Sicilia, married unto the said Emperor a Nun out of Panormitan Nunnery called Constance, the daughter of Roger, upon this condition, that he should challenge the kingdom of both Sicils for a dowry, and should drive out Tancred and possess it himself, always provided, that the Pope should have his yearly tribute out of it. And thus the Suevian Captains become Lords of Sicill, but thereupon ensued bloody wars. After the death of this Henry through the great division in the Empire, there arose such debate through all Germany (while the Pope was at defiance with the Suevians for the soveraignitye of Sicill which he sought ambitiously) so that one parish was not at amity with another: whereby the Pope's purse was excessively fed to appease the sciesme among those spiritual men. Such were the practices of these holy fathers, while they set the Princes of the world on work to conquer the holy land. Of the atonement of this strife Abbas Vspergensis writeth thus, which is worthy to be noted, thereby to discern the holiness of Rome, and how it grew to this rich estate. There was scant (saith he) one bishopric or Ecclesiastical dignity or parish Church which was not at a brawl, & the matter was brought to Rome to be determined, but not with empty hands. Rejoice O mother Rome because the conduits of all treasures on the earth are opened, the mountains and whole rivers of money might flow into thy hands: Rejoice upon the iniquity of the sons of men, because thou art rewarded for so many mischiefs: Rejoice upon thy assistant companion Lady Dissension, who hath burst lose from the pit of bottomless hell, that she might heap upon thee many gubs of gold. Thou hast that which thou dost thirst after: because thou hast daunted the world by the malice of mankind, not by holy religion. Men are haled and drawn unto thee, not by devotion or pure conscience, but by treachery and working mischiefs manifold, and the deciding of controversies got with blood. Thus saith that abbot even in those times when & where the Pope's pride flourished rankly even in his ruff. Pope Celestine perceiving the advantage hereof for his estate, was still urgent to send out the Christian Princes to fight for the holy land, while he at home with their treasures builded for his ease & pleasure (as Platina mentioneth) divers stately Pallacies and Temples. Among many decrees he made that an oath made by fear and compulsion, should be of none effect. It is said before that this Pope Celestine did crown the Emperor Henry the sixte, which because it was done after so strange a sort as hath not been heard, it shall not be amiss briefly to declare the manner of it as it is reported by Rogerus Hovedenus, Ranulphus, Rogerus Cestrensis and other, of whom the first lived at that time, reporting it as followeth. The Pope was going from Lateran to S. Peter's Church, where the Emperor and his wife Constantia met him in the way: but the Romans did shut the gates against the Emperor & Empress, coming with a great troop of armed soldiers. And Celestine standing upon the stairs of S. Peter's Church, took an oath of the Emperor (his army being shut out) that he should defend and restore the liberties and patrimony of the Church to the uttermost, yielding to Rome the City Tuscalanum. After this he did anoint him Emperor and her Empress in the Church: while he sitting in his pontifical chair and holding the Imperial crown between his feet, caused the Emperor to stoop and bow down his head to his feet, & so put the crown on: And it being thus put on, he caused the Emperor still to hold down his head, while he with his foot did spurn the Crown of his head again, saying: I have power to make and unmake Emperors at my pleasure: Then the Cardinals took it up and set it upon the emperors head. And in like manner the Empress was both crowned and uncrowned with the Pope's foot. Celestine died Anno. 1198. In his time one cyril an Hermit had a strange vision revealed unto him as he was at mass, as Mantuam writeth Fastorum. lib. 5. (if a man will believe every vain fantasy.) 
As cyril in his holy weed was early saying mass,  
Behold a child with glorious shape before him present was.  
And hovering in the air on high with silver plate in hand,  
Which he upon the altar laid, where cyril still did stand.  
And said unto him holy s●er, God doth to the disclose  
These secrets: and do thou reveal unto the Romans those.  
The written verses out of Greek he turns to latin tongue,  
Which strait were set in schools and yet are cited us among.  But touching the truth of this fantastical dream, it shall follow in Gregory the ix. for that age took into credit three strange & monstrous miracles, so that then the world did greatly esteem of the sect of begging friars, while Satan wrought in Antichrist the full mystery of his iniquity. The miracles are these, first the upholding of Lateran Church revealed in a vision to a Dominicke Friar at Rome, the five Seraphical wounds of S. France's in a certain hill of Lavernia, and the Oracle of this cyril.   

117. Innocentius the third.  
AFter Celestine was Innocentius the third, who so boiled in anger against Philip the Emperor, because he was made Emperor by the Germaynes contrary to his will, that he braced out into these words: Either shall the Pope spoil Philip of his Crown and Empire, or else shall Philip take from the Pope his Apostolical dignity. After this he stirred up against the Emperor, one Otho a duke both bold and rash, so that by this holy father's help there grew cruel bloodshed and foul slaughter infinite, until that this Philip the Emperor was traytecouslye and villainously slain by another Otho, and this Otho whom the Pope had set on against Philip posted to Rome, and of him was made Emperor. But this bloody league did not last long between them: for as soon as Otho began to reclaim & recover such things as of right belonged to the Empire, (which the Popes by subtle practices had purloined many years) he was excommunicated by the Pope himself, and spoiled of all his royal estate: furthermore he discharged all his Princes of their alledgeaunce, which by oath they aught to Otho, and commanded upon pain of his cruel curse, that no man should take Otho to be Emperor, nor call him so, and caused the Princes to make Frederick king of Sicill Emperor. Also this Innocent Anno 1212. sought to compass three hard matters, that is the deposing of Otho, a voyage to Jerusalem, and a general council. Also the same year (saith Vlricus Mutius certain noble men of Alsatia did condemn this Pope of impiety, because he would not suffer the clergy to keep their wives, & the bishops burned an hundred in one day, because they taught that Christians might lawfully eat flesh, and marry at any time.  
This mischievous Innocent did mischievously contrive many cruel tragedies against king john of England: he even in despite and defiance of the king, did thrust (an enemy to the Realm called Steven Langton a Cardinal) into the bishopric of Canterbury, and encouraged threescore and four monks to work several treasons against him. Because the king would not suffer these treacheries, he condemned him to be an enemy of the Church, excommunicated him from the company of all Christians, interdited his kingdom vi. years and three months, deposed him from government, took from him the Crown and the Sceptre, discharged his subjects of their allegiance, gave his Realm to jews the French kings son, commanded to spoil him both of goods and life, with divers other tyrannous dealings. King john being dismayed with these storms being otherwise a noble and valiant Prince, yet because he was forsaken of his nobility, his bishops and commonaltye, submitted himself full sore against his heart to the Pope's obeisance: compelled to acknowledge the Pope to be supreme head over all Christendom, and God upon earth, and bond himself with a solemn oath to stand to the Pope's arbitrement, and that his posterity should do the like, to acknowledge themselves perpetual tributaryes to the Popes of Rome. Also he kneeling upon his knees to Pandulphus, yielded up his Crown in the presence of all his nobility, saying: Here I resign up the Crown of England to Pope Innocent the third etc. Which Pandulphus kept for five days, during which time the king was as a private person: & then being bond to pay the Pope for his Crown a thousand marks a year, with other shameful conditions, he received his Crown at the hands of Pandulphus, pardoning and restoring to full estate all those that had rebelled, conspired and wrought treason against him. And yet by the procurement of Steven Langton Archbishop of York, & other of the clergy and priests of England, he was miserably vexed with treasons and rebellions continually, for certain of the nobility and priests, had choose Lodowicke to be their king, son to jews king of France: who entered the Realm and took the estate upon him by their maintenance against king john, to the great heart breaking of the noble Prince, the spoiling of the Realm, and oppression of themselves, while this foreign Prince bestowed all things upon his own countrymen, accounting the English nobles that assisted him to be but traitors. In the end after much misery and sorrow a certain monk (as Caxton saith) named Simon, of Swinested abbey in Lincolnshire did there temper a cup of wine with the poison of a toad, & drinking thereof to the king both he and the king were poisoned and died: For which doing the said monk had a certain mass song for his soul confirmed by the abbots procurement for ever.  
This Innocentius under the colour of recovering Jerusalem, held a council at Lateran Anno 1215 against the Emperor to excommunicate him, & depose him, because he had invaded certain Cities of the Popes. In this council the Pope first wrested out Auricular confession, and rob the laity of the Communion cup. He condemned one Almericus a learned man for an heretic, & commanded his bones to be burned with the rest of his sect at Paris: this he did (saith Dominicus Soto in a certain Sermon) because he preached that Images should be put out of the Church. Among many other doting decrees, he disannulled the marriage of the clergy for ever, he required privy tithes to be paid, and to maintain war in Asia, he commanded the forty part of all revenues to be paid. He took from many Partriarkes, archbishops, & bishops, their ordinary authority in many things. He commanded that the quarrels of Princes should be brought before the Pope to be determined by him: and if the election of the Emperor could not be agreed upon, than it should belong only to the Pope. He devised that the Communion cake should be kept in a box in the Church, and that when the priest should visit the sick, he should go with a burning Taper and a bell before him: He made the Canon of the mass to be equal in authority with the Scripture, and that the Pope should have power to correct and control Princes, that none should be Emperor, unless he were crowned by the Pope, finally he died Anno 1216. In his time Livonia first recovered papistry, & Peter king of the Arrogons was inveigled to yield his kingdom & all his dominions tributary to Rome, to purchase his salvation. A certain noble man in England hearing that this Pope had again condemned priests marriage in Lateran council, did make a certain rhyme thereof the year following, which one john Pullan found in an old book at Oxeforde as followeth.  

PRisciani regula penitus cassatur,  
Sacerdos per hic & haec olim declinatur:  
Sed per hic solum modo nunc articulatur,  
Cum per nostrum praesulem haec amoveatur.   

Old Priscian's rule doth wholly go to wrack,  
Because sacerdos erst declined with hic and haec,  
Must be declined now but even with hic alone,  
Our prelate hath compelled now haec for to be go.   

Ita quidam presbyter cepit allegare,  
Peccat capitaliter qui vult seperare:  
Quod Deus coniunxerat foeminam amare  
Tales dignum duximus fures appellare.   

A certain priest began in this wise for to reason,  
Against the law of God he sinneth in high treason:  
Who parteth that which God hath toind as wife from man,  
To call these robbing thieves full well avouch we can.   

O quàm dolour anxius, quàm tormentum grave,  
Nobis est dimittere, quoniam Suave.  
O Roman pontifex, statuisti prauè,  
Ne in tanto crimine moriaris, cave.   

Alas what pain it is, what torment, and what grief,  
For us to leave our wives our comfort and relief?  
Thou Popish prelate dost this wicked law begin,  
Take heed thou do not dye continuing in this sin.   

Non est Innocentius, immò nocens verè,  
Qui quod facto docuit, verbo vult delere:  
Et quod olimiwenis voluit habere,  
Modò vetus pontifex studet prohibere.   

He is not Innocent but nocent may be termed,  
That doth condemn by word that he by deed confirmed:  
And though that he himself, in youthful years did love it,  
Now he a doting Pope doth labour to imprive it.   

Gignere nos praecipit vetus testamentum:  
Nowm quod non retinet, nusquam est inventum.  
Praesul qui contrarium donat documentum,  
Nullum necessarium his dat argumentum.   

Thould Testament saith multiply and increase,  
Which in the new Testament is not found to cease:  
The prelate that bidding the contrary, seemeth to abhor it▪  
Of this his doing brings no lawful reason for it.   

Dedit enim dominus maledictionem,  
Viro qui non fecerit generationem.  
Ergo tibi consulo per hanc rationem,  
Gignere ut habeas benedictionem.   

For by the mouth of God the man is cursed and band,  
Which hath not raised seed and children to the land.  
Therefore I do advise you provide you may have isseu  
Whereby it may be so the Lord our God may bless you.   

Non ne de militibus milites procedunt?  
Et reges à regibus, qui sibi succedunt?  
Per locum à simili, omnes iura laedunt,  
Clericos qui gignere, crimen esse credunt.   

Do not men of war of men of war proceed?  
And kings of kings, that do upon their throne succeed:  
So the similitude holds, they do offend in dotage,  
That think it is a fault the clergy should have marriage.   

Zacharias habuit prolem & uxorem,  
Per virum quem genuit adeptus honorem.  
Baptizavit etenim mundi salvatorem:  
Pereat qui teneat nowm hunc errorem.   

Zachary had both a wife and a son,  
By him whom he begat great dignity he won:  
Baptizing him on whom our soul's health doth depend.  
Then cursed be he, that doth this error new defend.   

Paulus rapitur ad coelos superiores,  
Vbi multas didicit res secretiores.  
Ad nos tandem rediens, instruensque mores,  
Suas (inquit) habeat quilibet uxores.   

Up unto the third heaven S. Paul was translated,  
Whereas he heard many mysteries debated:  
And after coming down and teaching us trade of life,  
Let every man quoth he enjoy his proper wife.   

Propter haec & alia dogmata doctorum,  
Reor esse melius, & magis decorum,  
Quisque suam habeat, & non proximorum.  
Ne incurrat odium vel iram eorum.   

For these things and divers doctors decrees,  
With right and comeliness I think it more agrees:  
Each should his own wife have, and not his neighbours borrow,  
Jest thereby he procure wrath, malice, mischief and sorrow.   

Proximorum foeminas, filias & neptes,  
Violare nefas est, quare nil deceptes.  
Verè tuam habeas, in qua delectes,  
Diem ut sic ultimum tutius expectes.   

It is a deadly sin therefore be not beguiled,  
Thy neighbour's wife, niece, or daughter, to be of the defiled:  
Therefore take thee a wife in whom thou mayst delight thee,  
And at the latter day more safely to acquit thee.   

Ecce iam pro clericis multum allegavi,  
Nec non pro prestyteris plura comprobavi,  
Pater noster nunc pro me, quoniam peccavi,  
Dicat quisque presbyter, cum sua suavi.   

Thus for the clergy much I have alleged,  
And also for our priests largely have I pleaded:  
Now all priests with your wives to God for me tender,  
A Pater noster for that I am an offender.   
FINIS.   

118. Honorius the third.  
HOnorius the third a Roman born was made Pope at Prusium, at what time the Cardinals distressed for want of food, did there dispatch the election of him. Who buying to Rome as fast as he could, took order about the war in Asia, to maintain it still, knowing how available it was to their matters wrought hear at home in Christendom: forth with john Columna a Cardinal of Rome was appointed to proceed as ambassador with that army, which Innocentius had provided for that purpose: He crowned Frederick the second son of Constance the Nun Emperor against Otho the fourth, whom notwithstanding afterward for using his own right in the coasts of Sicil & Apulia the Pope excommunicated. Yea this Honorius (saith Marius) was so inflamed against this Emperor Frederick that he did traitorously maintain Thomas and matthew Earls of Thuscia with other rebels that put themselves in armour against the emperors majesty, whereby the Emperor could not punish them as they deserved: which (saith Vspergensis) caused him much to complain that the Sea of Rome did ever maintain traitors and rebels, 
Rome the stirrer and nourisher of rebels.  which presumed upon that refuge. Also he discharged his barons of their fealty to their Lord: which mischief was yet for a while stayed by the means of Hermannus, master of the flemings of Zealand. He confirmed the orders of Dominican & Franciscan friars devised in the time of Innocentius. He maintained the white friars and Augustinian friars, that they should uphold transubstantiation against the Valdenses, who then began to defy the Church of Rome in many matters: for the Dominicans forged that Pope Innocentius a little before his death had a vision, wherein was revealed unto him that Lateran Church should fall, unless their patron Dominicus should bolster it upon his shoulders: whereof Mantuan deluded with such fancies maketh mention. Al. so he writeth of another dream for the Franciscan friars, of which though they dreamt as necessary, yet I omit as vain and fond. In this Pope's time while these things were doing, 
Signs of Antichrist in the heavens.  there were seen in the air strange sights, testifying the horror of Antichrist increasing in his members as shall appear by the Pope's following.  
While the Christian estates were turmoiled abroad fight for Jerusalem, the Pope in pomp and ease at home, was at leisure to build sundry sumptuous Palaces and gorgeous Temples, dedicating them to divers Saints. He published Epistles decretal: and decreed that unlearned parsons should not be made priests. He commanded that when the singing cake was heaved and lifted up, 
Worshipping of the host at mass.  the people should fall down on their knees: and that it should be carried in comely order to the sick, with a burning Taper before it. He granted Archbishop's power to give pardons, faculties, 
Nonresidenties and pluralities licensed by the Pope.  dispensations, dualities, & pluralities within their diocese. Anno 1223 one Adam Cathanensis a bishop in Scotland (as Boethius writeth) was burned of his own neighbours in his own kitchen, because he had excommunicated certain of them for with holding their tithes: the Pope knowing of this murder never ceased, till to revenge the same four hundred of these men were hanged, and their children gelded by king Alexander: A sufficient revenge for the death of one man. Furthermore this Pope warred upon the Emperor in Apulia: and condemned the Earl of Tholos for an heretic, 
The Pope's rigour on the dead.  giving his lands to the French king, and finally would not suffer his body to be buried like a Christian. At length the Pope died Anno 1227. of whom Mattheus Parisius in the 8. book of his Chronicle writeth thus. 
The Pope's pillage in England.  Pope Honorius sent his Legate Otho to require to have Prebends given unto him through all England: For (saith the Pope) the natural children must assist their mother in poverty. Therefore he required ij. prebends of every Cathedral Church, one of the bishop's stipend, and the other from the charter. And so he ●raued divers portions out of the religious houses. At this time the Pope was sick of the spiritual dropsy, so that by his Legate he drank up the treasures of the clergy, and cloystermongers, and used strange tyranny among them: for Hugh Wells' bishop of Lincoln to recover his bishopric paid an hundred marks to the Pope's Legate, and a thousand marks to the Pope. At this time it rained blood for the space of three days in Rome: whereupon one written these two Verses.  
O pater Honori, multorum nate dolori,  
Est tibi dedecori vivere? vade mori.  
O Pope Honorius born thou wert,  
to mischief many men:  
Thou livest with shame, convey with speed  
thy bones to deadly den.   

119. Gregory the ninth.  
GRegorie the ninth born in Campania, was nephew to Innocentius the third. He maintained the quarrel of his predecessor Honorius, against the Emperor. This Gregory (as Marius writeth) was more maliciously disposed toward the said Frederick: for he accused him because he would not fulfil that vain promise, to the needless shedding of Christian blood, which he made to Honorius for the unprofitable recovering of Jerusalem. And therefore this Gregory did excommunicate him, before the Emperor could be heard to speak, or were convicted by reason: neither would he suffer the emperors Ambassadors to come to his presence, nor hear them in the council which came to allege good and reasonable excuses in the emperors behalf, as his own sickness at his setting forward caused him to stay, besides the death of the Lautgrave. Therefore (saith Vspergensis) this Pope like a proud man, began in his first year to excommunicate and curse the Emperor for certain foolish and false causes, neglecting all order of judgement, as the Emperor showeth in excusing himself in his epistle to the Princes of almany: opening to them (because the Pope refused to hear it) his innocency and upright dealing. And therefore certain noblemen in Rome, namely of the house called Frangentes panem, when the Pope did the second time excommunicate Frederick, they caused the Pope to be driven out of the City with foul shame, so that he ran away biding at Peruse all that year, & the year following. Yet no means could assuage his fury: but he provoked john king of Jerusalem, & the foresaid Earls of Thuscia rebels to the Emperor, and many other Princes to trouble him. The Emperor appointed a day of assembly for divers Christian Princes at Ravenna, and the Princes were making speed thither to obey him, but by the Pope's commandment they went back again: and certain soldiers wearing the Cross by the emperors appointment for the voyage to Jerusalem, were rob and spoilt of all their provision. The Emperor seeing this sought to appease the Pope's fury, and to get his goodwill prepared his journey according to his promise to Jerusalem: he took ship and sailed into Cyprus, and afterward to Acon, and strived much against the Sultan for the Christian faith, with great pain and travel. In the mean time the Pope (seeing the emperors absence serving his turn) got Apulia to be under his obeisance: and forbade that the soldiers wearing crosses should pass over to assist the Emperor, but he drove them out of Apulia, & lombardy, shewing himself a wicked and mischievous man by many other means, in slaying those germans that returned from the Emperor, most cruelly. Thus while the good Emperor defended the flock of Christ with the sword abroad, the Pope devoured and spoiled them at home. After the Emperor had won from the Sultan, Jerusalem, Nazereth, & joppa, he took a truce with him for ten years, whereof he certified the Pope by his letters, looking that the Pope would have showed himself joyful thereof, and all Christians likewise: But the Pope despising and rejecting the letters, commanded the messengers that brought them to be put to death, least they should make report of the emperors noble success. Also he spread this rumour that the Emperor was dead, to this end, to make such Cities in Apulia to shrink for fear, as had with stood to submit themselves to him. And both to stop the emperors return, and to obtain Apulia at his pleasure, he written to the Sultan desiring him not to yield the Holy land to the Emperor, as he was about to do. But the Emperor finishing his matters with the Sultan, returned into italy, whereupon the slaughter of his men done by the Pope as they returned stayed: and within a while he drove the Pope's power out of Apulia, and by the help of God recovered all his own from him. Hereupon the Pope did excommunicate him, and curse him a new, and conspired with the Lombard's and Tuscans to rebel against him, because he had made a league with the Sultan. But in the end many Princes seeking to set them at unity, 
The price of absolution at the Pope's hands.  the Emperor had absolution of the Pope, paying to him for it, ere (as Platina says) he could obtain it, an hundred thousand ounces of gold. For (saith Vspergensis) notwithstanding all these injuries, yet so often as the Pope did excommunicate him, he craved and sued for the benefit of absolution humbly, with all obedience, devotion & yielding of justice. Soon after the Emperor prepared to go into germany, to redress certain disorders done by his elder son Henry: the Pope hearing thereof written to the estates of germany, commanding that they should make none of the emperors family king of the Romans, because the king of the Romans is heir apparent to the Empire. Frederick understanding this treachery, and that the Pope had conspired a fresh with many Princes of Italy against him, did forthwith invade Italy, suppressed the rebellious Lombard's, wan divers towns in Vmbria and Hetruria, subdued to the Empire Lomberdie, Viterbie, Peruse, Faventia, Cremona, Vicentia & Patavy, all which had conspired with the Pope. The Pope seeing this, cursed him again. The Emperor hearing of it, because the Pope's covetousness, ambition, tyranny and pride grew so great, that it was no longer to be suffered, thought good to reveal the same to all Christians, to reclaim them from their error and false Religion: and therefore he lying in Patavy, commanded a certain learned man well studied in the Scriptures to preach before him, concerning the Pope's curse, & of the Church of Rome. After the preacher had disclosed all the abuses of the Pope and his Church, the Emperor moved thereby written these 2. Verses to the Pope.  

Roma diu titubans, longis erroribus acta,  
Corruet, & mundi desinet esse caput.  
Rome that hath ruled long, and hath  
in error far been led.  
Shall come to naught, and cease to be  
on earth the supreme head.   

¶ The Popes answer to the Emperor.  
Niteris incassum navem submergere Petri,  
Fluctuat, at nunquam mergitur illa ratis.  
To drown S. Peter's ship you spend  
your labour all in vain,  
It tottreth often, but sinks not so  
but it may float again.   

¶ The emperors reply.  
Fata volunt, stellaeque docent, aviumque volatus,  
Quod Fredericus ego maleus orbis ero▪  
'tis destiny, the stars of heaven,  
and flight of fowls do show,  
I Frederick shallbe the club,  
to strike the deadly blow.   

¶ The Popes answer.  
Fata volunt, Scriptura docet, peccata loquuntur,  
Quod tibi vita brevis paena perennis erit.  
'tis destiny the Scripture shows  
and thy offences tell:  
Thy life is short, thy pain shall last  
for evermore in hell.   
Thus was the Emperor now the third time excommunicated by the Pope, and pronounced not Emperor: but at this time there were many Cardinal's that disallowed the Pope's doing, so that the Emperor had many friends in Italy, because he still sued and sought for the Pope's favour, and could not have it, and now therefore he set all at defiance in manner afore showed. Of this Gregory (Mattheus Parisius saith further) calling him blood sucker & covetous Pope, that he held a council at Rome to depose the Emperor, who had married Isabel daughter to king john of England: and ere the council began, he caused the Apostles heads to be born about the City in a solemn procession, that the sight thereof might astonish men's minds, and draw their hearts from the Emperor. Also he gave free pardon to every one that would fight against him. The Emperor understanding it, stopped all passages both by Sea and land, and taking many Cardinals & other prelate's as they were sailing away, he put them in prison: he drowned two. Cardinals in the Sea, & of the rest some bishops, abbots and chaplins, and among them the Pope's brother for their notorious and heinous treasons were hanged. The first excommunication that was sent out against this Emperor arose of this ground: because themperor would not at the Pope's commandment danger himself and many Christians with him, to go out to fight for the holy land. For the Pope as it appeared by his acts, coveted to encroach the kingdom of both Sicils, Apulia, & other lands, so that he sought means how to destroy the Emperor being inheritor thereof, which he might see come to pass by the chance of the war: or else while the Emperor should there have been busy against the infidels, he in the mean time as chief prelate (having Christendom committed to his credit) might the more easily dispossess the Emperor. Furthermore this Gregory was the cause of sedition in Rome for banishing one Hannibal out of the Senate, because he sued to recover the ancient Roman liberties. Also he provoked the Polonians to destroy the Prutenians being his foes. He made that cursed division in Italy, which to the great confusion of Christian blood, lasteth to this day between the Guelphs and Gibelines: for these being two of the most noble and famous houses in italy, whereof the one name wholly (that is the Gibelines) took part with the Emperor, & the Guelphe with the Pope, and this quarrel hath & doth last to this day, between all of the one name against all of the other with continual revenge, as opportunity serveth from time to time. Among divers other his superstitious deeds these were some, he canonised S. Dominick, S, Francis, S. Anthony of Milan and others, thereby to advance the credit of the begging friars, & of their holiness. He decreed that the white friars should possess nothing but male Asses, and such food as comes of certain birds and beasts as eggs & milk, and all other things they should beg from door to door, as Paleonydorus saith. He granted the jews to be enfranchised for money in spite of all Christian Princes. He forbade any man to have above one benefice. He commanded out of England the fift part, & out of low Germany the twentieth part of all Church revenues. He appointed that to ave Maria should be song Salue regina, and the sacringe bell to be rung then and at elevation time. He decreed that no lay man should preach, and that no custom should take place, which leadeth to ●inne. And finally he died for thought because the emperors power prevailed so mightily against him An. 1241. In his time Tiber in Rome burst out so high, that many were destroyed by it, after which ensued such a pestilence, that (saith Platina) the tenth parson was scant left alive: In his time also a certain hill in Burgundy cleaved in twain, and swallowed up an huge multitude of people, and a little before the Pope died, was such an Eclipse of the Sun as hath not been seen before.   

Of the Oracle of cyril at Mass.  
IN the time of this Gregory Anno 1234. Cyrillus a Graecian the third precedent general of the white friars died by report. They say that this man (according as Moses & john the Evangelist did) received Anno domini 1192. a revelation from heaven written in Tables of silver with Gods own finger in Greek, concerning the estate of the Church to come: and with this new delusion certain caytifes went about to put away and wholly to destroy the Revelation of S john in that time of deep darkness. Because at that time in Italy, Germanye, England & France, many (through the doctrine of the Waldenses and the preachers of Frederick themperor, proving it out of the Revelation of john) believed that Rome was Babylon that great strumpet, and that the Pope was Antichrist himself: which opinion the uncle of Petrus Veronensis held, as his Legend and Fasciculus temporum testify. To such shifts was the tottering estate of the Pope then driven as to abrogate the old Scripture and to forge new: for then Princes began to pluck from the Church their temporalities, which maintained their excessive pride and pomp: Also they began to defy their transubstantiation in the mass, and to work divers things that pinched the bellies of the clergy, and made them keep leaner kitchens. In most things this revelation of cyril, is clean contrary to the Revelation of john: many monks and friars have written great commentaries and fantastical interpretations upon it, as joachimus Abbess, Guilihelmus Cisterciensis, & john de rupe scissa. But who so ever preacheth any other Gospel etc, let him be accursed. Gallathians. 1.   

120. Celestine the fourth.  
CElestine the fourth born of the house of Castilians, being a learned, aged and crasyed man succeeded Gregory: who likewise purposed to pursue the quarrel against Frederick, but that he was disappointed by a cup of poison, whereof it is reported he died the xviii. day of his reign. One Thomas Egleston in his book of the entrance of the Minorits into England, writeth of an Englishman called Robert Somerton Cardinal of Rome, who likewise was poisoned hard before the election of this Celestine lest he should have succeeded Gregory: of the same Robert Somerton and his death, writeth Mattheus Parisius commending him as a man who for the love he had of all was worthy to be Pope. The same Mattheus writeth of the behaviour of Legates at the same time saying, two of the Pope's messengers remained in England to gather up his money, whose extorsion was so odious & shameful, that it is better (says he) to let it pass not to offend men's ears, then to defile the air with the filthy report thereof. This Celestine used this saying commonly: It is harder to keep moderation in prosperity, then in adversity. After his death the Popedom was void xxi. weeks, till the Emperor at the request of Baldwine Emperor of Constantinople, and Raimond Earl of Tholos, delivered those Cardinals which he had in captivity.   
FINIS.   

THE SIXTE BOOK and according to master Baales order the fourth division of the third sort of Popes unto julius the second, containing 260. years which he calleth the reign of the Locusts under Abadon the destroyer, according to the 9 Chapter of the apocalypse: For that in this time the Locusts which he enterpreteth the new found orders of begging friars, invented and ratified by the four last Popes, devour, spoil, waste and destroy all with their sophistical and cavilling doctrine: As did Thomas Aquinas, joannes Scotus, Occam, Gerardus Bonomensis, Aegidius Romanus, Magister Sententiarum, with other like subtle schoolmen and Sorbonistes, who with their gloss, allegories and distinctions, corrupted the true sense of the Scripture, and in manner took it clean away.  

121 Innocentius the fourth.  
AFter the Cardinals had long wrangled being reproved for it sharply by the Emperor, they agreed to choose this man calling him Innocent the fourth born in Genua, whose name before was Cynebaldus of the house of Flisci and the counties of Lavauy: who being in time passed the emperors especial friend, become forth with his deadly enemy, and did more annoy the noble Prince than any other before had done. Marius reporteth thus of him, this Pope (saith he) for hate he bore to Frederick, did forth with summon a council at Lions whither he cited Frederick, purposing himself to have preached there: but the Ambassador of Frederick desired he might have a reasonable day granted him that he might conveniently come to Lions, which the Pope did not only deny to grant, but forthwith inflamed with wrath and rage did curse themperor, deprive him of his estate Imperial, release all his Princes of their allegiance and faith to him, and doth move them to choose another to be Emperor. He charged the godly Emperor with divers false matters, as perjury, sacrilege, emprisoninge certain of the clergy and such like, whereof though the Emperor had by writing sent to the Princes very honourably purged himself: yet this malicious man continued so importunate with the Princes with great promises, that they choose the Landsgrave of Thuringe: and rewarded all men with crosses and pardons, given by Proclamation against the Emperor as again a Turk or infidel. Furthermore he commanded all bishops and archbishops to publish every where, how he had cursed, excommunicated, and deprived the Emperor: which was boldly done in England, France, and Denmark, but the bishops of Germany fearing the emperors displeasure, besought the Pope it might not be done. Which the Emperor hearing did valiantly set himself against the Pope and all his tyrannous rebels, till he could not escape the Pope's snares in Apulia. For the addition to Vspergensis saith: After the Pope had deprived and excommunicated both Frederick & his son Conradus, Frederick did so shake and worry the Pope and the Church of Rome, that some marked with crosses set themselves in battle against him, when he came to batter down the gates and walls of Rome, where he encountered with a mighty army of these crossed fellows. But over coming them and taking them prisoners, some of them he hewed a fonder with four square wounds in form of a Cross, of some he cleft their skulls a cross in 4. parts, some he marked on the forehead with a cross cut: and as for the clergy he caused their shaved crowns to be pared a cross. When the said Henry Landsgrave of Thuringe was choose king of the Romans, and Frederick deposed by this fourth excommunication, than the bishop of Strosborough like a peaceable prelate of that time, to gratify the Pope took part with the Landsgrave, and assisted him with such power & strength as he could, both against the father and Conradus the son: for he assaulted & won divers towns, some he sacked and razed to the ground, some he burned with fire, which towns and Cities themperor had recovered to the Empire in Alsatia. On the other side Conradus the son of Frederick gathered an army against Henry, but was easily overthrown and many of his army being slain, divers of his nobility were taken prisoners. But soon after this Henry being thus foisted into the Empire by the clergy, grew into contempt with them that liked not his election, whereupon he was in mockadge termed King of clerks & Prince of priests: but the Pope did straightly charge by his Legates all the Almain Princes to obey Henry as their sovereign, and to defy Frederick & his son. In the mean time this Henry died, and yet the Pope ceased not but sent a Legate into Germanye, one Peter Caputius a Cardinal, who summoninge the Princes at Collen, caused them to elect one William Earl of Holland, a ready man to maintain any quarrel by the sword. In the end the Emperor being in Apulia, one hired by the Pope gave him poison by means whereof he was dangerously sick, but seemed to recover it: but was smothered to death with a pillow by Manfredus his bastard son, who as some think was alured by bribery and fair promises of the Pope to do it. The truth hereof is written in six books of Epistles, written by Peter of the vine.  
Anno 1250. Frederick died, and as some writ in his last will and testament he gave a sum of money for satisfaction to the Church of Rome, and bequeathed his estate and the order of all things to his son Conradus. This Will was brought to the Pope to be approved, but the Pope did wholly disannul and frustrate the Will, saying that the Prince whom he had deposed, could make no Will and so it was void. Within a while after a young Prince to whom the Emperor by his son King Henry was grandfather was murdered, but by whom no man could tell.  
About this time before the death of Frederick, there were certain preachers in Sweveland who stoutly and openly preached against the Pope and his Cardinals, & justified the doing of Frederick and his son Conradus, saying boldly that the Pope, his bishops and Cardinals, had no authority, because they were all stained with that one blot of simony, and that their power depended not upon Christ: & that a priest committing deadly sin, could neither bind nor lose, nor consecrated: that no man in the world might forbidden a Christian to execute divine functions, & that they should be heard & celebrated without any difference. And in the end of their Sermons this pardon (quoth they) which we do pronounce unto you, we do not declare it to you as forged by the Pope and his prelate's, but proceeding from Almighty God. These preachers were maintained by Conradus, and therefore he incurred almost danger of his life.  
In the former council held at Lions it was decreed that the Cardinals should ride on their trapped Gennets through the streets, and wear read hats and crimson robes: to signify (saith Parisius) that they are ready to spend their blood for the Catholic faith and the safety of the people: but as (Platina saith) for the honour of their estate. Also in that council Innocentius decreed among many matters that the Pope might depose the Emperor. He did greatly favour the order of begging friars, and bestowed on them many privileges and benefits. He preferred the Dominicans to dignities Ecclesiastical: and advanced the Franciscans to be the Pope's confessors: He adopted the White friars and Augustine friars to be his sons: where as they lived before in deserts he brought them into Cities, teaching them to beg their bread with idleness. By the help of the Dominicans he reform the rule of the Whitefryers, mitigated it, and finally with his blessing confirmed it that (as the said rule showeth) they should hope to be saved not only by Christ: He granted these & the begging friars licence to preach, to dispute, and to shrive people. Also he exempted them from all power & jurisdiction of kings and bishops: whereupon they crammed the world full, and chaoked it with their gloss upon Sentences, decretals, cannons, which their commentaries upon Aristotle, their Sophisms, Repertories, Summaries, Tables, Trinies, Quatrinies, Conclusions, Questions, Distinctions, Quiddities, Quodlibets, Miracles of the dead, Legendaryes, Saint's lives, Martyrdoms, Uisions, Dreams, Revelations, Exorsisms, Concordances, Discordances, Marials, perspectives, Aphorisms, with a thousand vain and cumbrous pamphlets, full of gross & deceitful heresies: and then nothing was counted divinity nor law, but their fancies and canons. And in these days the world was fallen into such gross blindness, ignorance, and barbarousness, that not only knowledge in divinity, but also other learning was almost decayed, the knowledge of the tongues as Greek and Hebrew buried in ignorance, & though some rubbish of the latin tongue were left, yet it was rusty, corrupt, and broken stuff, as appeareth yet by their writings, that the like barbarousness is not in any tongue. But to return to Pope Innocent: he canonised divers, making them saints that for his advancement had played the traitors and rebels against their own Princes, as one Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury, and other of sundry places.  
Till the time of this Innocentius the 4. (saith Bibliander) it was not an article of faith, nor a law of the Church that men should worship the bread and the wine in the Sacrament: therefore (saith he) the Pope as a creator brought forth a new God Mauzis by transubstantiation. This Pope offered to cell to king Henry the third of England, the kingdom of both Sicils to the use of his son Prince Edmond, and yet Conradus king thereof was living. He vexed and polled the Churches of England with miserable exactions: for money he maintained and licenced any wickedness among the clergy, suffering worse matters in his bastards whereof he had divers, especially one called William. One Robert Capito bishop of Lincoln, had a great controversy with this Pope, for he detested & defied both in preaching and writing, the Pope's covetousness, pride and tyranny. He would not admit one of the Pope's bastards because he was unlearned and but a boy of years, to a canonship of Lincoln, but rebuked the Pope for it in a letter, and withstood the Pope's polling & ●obbinge the Realm: and therefore the Pope receiving the sharp letter from this Robert Grosted, for anger railed not only on the bishop, but also braced into these arrogant words against his Prince king Henry the third, saying (as Mattheus Parisius testifieth): Is not the king of England our vassel, our slave, & our page, who may at our pleasure to hamper him, put him in prison, & to utter shame? And finally because he could not tell how otherwise to ease his rank stomach against the bishop he excommunicated him: but he constantly defied and despised his excommunication even to the death. He defended in disputation that the Pope could do nothing against justice & truth, and that he was worse than Lucifer and Antichrist: at the length being cited to appear in the court, and condemned by the Pope wrongfully, he appealed to the judgement of Christ. This good bishop after he had detected much of the Pope's treachery, before his death uttered these two Verses applying them against the Pope.  
Eius luxuriae meretrix non sufficit omnis,  
Eius avariciae totus non sufficit orbis.  
One concubine could not suffice  
his burning lust to quench,  
Nor yet his hunger after gold,  
one world served not to stench.  
Also this bishop by diligent search tried it that this Pope and his clerks had in revenues out of England above three score and ten thousand marks, where as the revenues of the Crown came not to 30. thousand. Cestrensis in his seventh book writeth, that when this bishop of Lincoln died, a voice was herded in the Pope's court saying Veni miser in judicium dei, that is Come thou wretch to be judged of God. And that the Pope was found dead in his bed the next day, and a blue stroke in his body as if he had been beaten with a staff. This was done Anno 1253. he being at Naples and looking soon after to have enjoyed the whole kingdom of Sicill, where he lieth buried. Thaddition to Vspergensis showeth, that the year before, as the Pope was going from Lions to Millen, these strange tokens happened: certain bloody clouds were seen in the air, & streams of blood gushed out of bread as out of wounded bodies. After his death the seat was void two years.   

124 Alexander the fourth.  
ALexander the fourth born in Campania, being Cardinal of Hostia succeeded Innocent. He persecuted Ecelinus of Runcan, and Manfred king of Sicill, because they had been enemies to the former Popes: thus he began his reign. And first he craftily admonished them not to stand against the dignity of the Church in any point, & before he gave them this charge, he had provided his army in a readiness meaning to coarse them if they should seek to prevent him and his Cardinals of the kingdom of Sicill: yet these Princes very courageously with an oast of Saracens and other, fearing not the Pope's threats, did set upon his army at unawares even in a trench ere they witted, and partly slew them, partly took them prisoners. In the mean while Pope Alexander going to Anagnia excommunicated Manfred, and sent a Cardinal called Octavian to Naples, to make the Neapolitans to stand faithful to him against Manfred, promising speedily to bring aid to all Campania and to the Neapolitans: but Manfred not pacified with troubling Naples did also move factions in Hetruria, but chiefly in Florence, where he brought in the Guelphis again, who ever were at deadly food with the Gibelines. Thus was all Italy in a miserable uproar, torn in sunder with cruel and salvage war. But Manfred having poisoned Conrad king of Sicill, was proclaimed king at Panorme, and with an army of hired soldiers, he overthrew the Pope's Legate with great slaughter. This Pope sent one Rustand Legate into England Anno 1255. to gather up the tenths in England, Scotland, & Ireland, to war against Manfred. And says Mattheus Parisius) many mischiefs detestable, issued from the burning fountain of Rome in those days, to the destruction of many: for after the begging friars had preached the power of the Cross, he required infinite sums of money, the exaction of the Pope was such (saith he) that the like hath not been herded. Whereupon Fulck bishop of London said with great grief: Ere I give my consent to oppress the Church with such injury, servitude and bondage, surely I will first lose my head: for although that Court hath often in times past pinched even to the bone the faithful flock of Christ, yet it never wounded in such deadly sort all, and every one of Christ's servants, as it did this year and the year following etc. The money the was gathered for the holy land was transposed into Apulia against Christians, and (saith Mattheus) unmeet men are made governors of noble Churches, the prelate's are sold as oxen and asses, this is the extreme point of servitude etc. About this time the said Rustand the Pope's Legate being Prebendary of Paul's Church in London died beyond the sea, king Henry the third hearing thereof gave the same prebend to one john Crakehale his chaplain, but after the said Crakehale had full possession thereof, came one john Grass from Rome, with the Pope's embulled letter to challenge the said living: Hereupon the matter being in controversy, it was brought before Boniface bishop of Canterbury, who finding that the Pope's gift was dated before the kings, dispossessed the Englishman and invested the Pope's man, which was taken so in despite by certain repining to see the Pope and his Italian priests in this and all such cases to bear more sway than the king, and to reap all commodyties from the king and his subjects, that the said Italiam and a companion of his were murdered in a throng, by whom no man knew.  
Rustand in a convocation at London, alleged that all Churches were the Popes, to whom one Leonard an Englishman answered modestly: yea sir in tuition, not in fruition, to defend not to expend. Sevell bishop of York by the example of the former bishop of Lincoln, did likewise withstand this Pope Alexander, and desired him by letter to leave of his wont polling, & according to Peter's example to feed the sheep, not to fleece them, not to slay them, not unbowel them, neither as a wolf devour them. Further it followeth in the said Mattheus, that the Pope sent yet other Legates into England, namely Arlot & Mansuet minorite friars, who had power to pardon for money either liars, forswearerers, vowbreakers, adulterers, and Sodomites, traitors, poisoners, murderers, and all such: Whereupon a certain woman an anchoress in S. Albon's abbey had this terrible visiion, she herded an old man of grave countenance cry three times Woe, woe, to all that dwell on the earth, and then faded away again.  
Anno 1258. Richard Earl of Cornwall son to king john of England was choose king of Almany for his great treasure, and the Pope procured that he was choose Emperor, but he did that closely, because he had likewise for the same matter, taken a bribe of Alphonsus king of Spain: Whereupon a certain Poet made this Verse.  
Nummus ait pro me, nubet Comubia Rome,  
Thus money saith for love of me,  
Cornewal with Rome shall linked be.  
Beside these shifts made for money, this Pope Alexander used another notorious knack, he abusing & deluding the simplicity of the king of England, made him believe that he would make his son Edmond king of Apulia, if he would sustain the charges thereof to maintain the wars appertaining to it: whereupon the king caused his son forthwith to be proclaimed king of Apulia, and sent to the Pope all the treasure and riches that he could make in his Realm. And thus was the king and his son deluded, and the Realm wonderfully impoverished by the Pope's craft. It were to long to discover all the superstitious & wicked devices of this Pope, who at length going to Viterbium Anno 1262. to make peace between the Genewaies' & Venetians according to his own fancy, and because he could not have his will therein, he died there for anger.   

125. Vrban the fourth.  
VRban the fourth born in France, and as some say was first called Pantaleon being patriarch of Jerusalem. As soon as he was Pope by and by he commanded soldiers out of France to subdue Manfred the enemy of the Church: & for the furtherance thereof he requested Lewes' king of France to sand his brother Charles & the Earl of Anteganor with an oast into italy, and made him king of both Sicils. After many conflicts the said Charles overcame and slew Manfred at Benevent, and received of the Pope against all law and right the kingdom of Sicill with the dukedom of Calabrie and Apulia, whereupon arose many great slaughters. While this Pope was from Rome at Pruse, the Romans coveting their old liberties made a new kind of officers, calling them Branderesies, who had power of life and death in their hands: they chose one Brancaleo a private parson of Bononia to be Senator, whom banished late before they restored. But touching urban it was not much more than this that he did, saving that he ordained an holy day, namely Corpus Christi day, the fift day after trinity sunday, upon this occasion as some (and most likely) do writ, namely Arnold Bostro, & Petrus Praemonstratensis. Anno 1264. (as they say) a certain woman called Eve in a Religious house in Leodia, with whom the Pope in time past had been well acquainted, had a revelation which she signified by writing to the Pope, beseeching him that the said day might be kept holy in the honour of the Sacrament of the altar, to whom the Pope according to her desire, returned his answer with this Bull to confirm the holy day,  
The Bull of Pope Vrban to Eve the Anchoress for the establishing of the holy day called Corpus Christi day.  
BIshop Vrban servant to the servants of God, sendeth greeting and apostolical bleshing to Eve our beloved daughter in Christ. We know O daughter, that thy soul hath longed with great desire, that a solemn feast day might be appointed for the body of our Lord jesus Christ, in God's Church to be celebrated of all faithful Christians for ever. And therefore for thy joy we signify unto thee, that we have thought it good for the establishing of the catholic faith, that beside the daily remembrance which the Church maketh of so wonderful a Sacrament, there should be more special and solemn record, appointing a certain day for it, namely the fift day after whitsuntide next ensuing, that on the said day the faithful flock do gather together to the Churches devoutly and effectually, and let that day be to all Christians joyful with new holiness, and holy with much joy, as is more set out in our apostolical letters, sent for this cause through the world. And know you that we have caused this feast day to be solemnized with all our brethren Cardinals, bishops and archbishops, and other prelates then being at Rome, to give example of celebrating the same to all that shall see or understand the same. Therefore let thy soul magnify the Lord, and thy spirit rejoice in God thy saviour, for thy eyes have seen his salvation, which we have prepared before the face of all people. Moreover rejoice because almighty God hath given the thy hearts desire, and the fullness of the heavenly grace hath not disappointed the of the will of thy jippes etc.  
This Vrhan sat more than three years between the Guelphs & Gibelines, and provoked their quarrels to be tried by the edge of the sword, to the confusion of many through italy. He being on a time vpbrayed that he was of base lineage, answered that no man was noble by birth, but that to be made noble by virtue is true nobility: finally being at Pruse because in great attempts he had not his desired success, he died for grief. Masseus saith that a blazing star appeared three nights before the death of this Pope, and ceased the same night that he died.   

126 Clemens the fourth.  
CLemens the forth called before Gui Fulcodius born in Narbonie, ere he came to be Pope was a married man, and had 3. children by his wife, a son & two daughters. He (as his predecessor began) continued in shedding of blood: he sent for Charles Earl of Angeow to bring an army into italy where he slay Manfred, and was made king of Sicill and Jerusalem, but upon this condition that he should pay yearly to the Pope forty thousand Crowns. This bargain being made between them, great slaughter & bloodshed was committed in divers places, for the said Pope betrayed Conradinus son to Conradus king of Sicill, and inheritor of the kingdoms to the former Charles, so that as he passed through the fields of Viterbie with an oast of Germaynes, where his abode was at that time, the Pope by report said: that the said Conradinus was as a lamb brought to the slaughter, showing thereby that he was of council to the treason. Afterwards when he fought with Charles about Naples, & at the first conflict had sufficient victory, yet then the treason revealing itself, Conradinus & Frederick duke of Austria were taken: & being miserably used in their captivity mocked and flouted, were in the end beheaded by the Pope's commandment, because Conradinus claimed the kingdom which his ancestors possessed. Thus the kingdom of Naples came into the hand of the Frenchmen, and the dukedom of Swevia decayed and came to naught by the wickedness of the Pope. In the time of this Clemens one Octobonus a Legate of his coming into England, enrolled to perpetual memory the valuation of all Churches in the Realm so narrowly as he could possibly gather the certainty. Clemens died at Viterbium Anno 1270. & was buried among the dominics, and the seat was void two years.   

127. Gregory the tenth.  
GRegorie the tenth born in Placentia in lombardy, of the house of the countess of Millen, was first called Theobaldus. He being an archdeacon, after the Cardinal's dissension (which had lasted almost two years) was ended, was choose Pope: of whose election john Cardinal of Portua written these Verses.  
Papatus munus tulit archidiaconus unus,  
Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum,  
One archdeacon against his hope,  
by chance obtained to be Pope,  
The jarring of brethren caused the rather,  
that he was created of them the father.  
This Pope among other things made peace between the Genewaies' and Venetians: He excommunicated the Florentines for invading such towns as belonged to the Popeship. Afterwards he held a council at Lions in France to the which came Michael Palaeologus Emperor of Greece, to reason of the opinions of the Church of Rome, for twelve. of his ancestors had in times past conferred with them, and ever departed dissenting from them. In this council was decreed that the Pope being dead, the Cardinals should be shut up in a certain closet without meat or drink, till with one consent they should agreed upon choice of another. He made many decrees for the helping of the Holy land, and the maintaining of Religious men. Many noble and great parsonages both kings & Earls, made themselves apparel with the Cross on it, to go the voyage to Jerusalem, to whom the Pope very craftily, to further their purpose promised to come visit them there. He advanced divers of the begging friars to great Ecclesiastical dignities, as to bishoprics, archbishoprickes and Cardinalships. After the Empire had been void a long time, at the length he made Rodolph Earl of Hamboroughe Emperor, because he should maintain civil dissension: and after that Alphonsus king of Castille had bestowed huge sums of money in hope to be Emperor, (especially the duke of Cornwall being dead) the Pope appeased him with words enough, but no recompense in money toward his charges. This Rodolph after he was choose was charged by the electors that he should go to Rome within a year to receive the Crown of the Pope, yet he never did it, excusing himself with pretence of private affairs: & used to say oftentimes among his friends, that the footing of the emperors going into italy seemed glorious & triumphant: but in their return out of italy wretched, miserable, & full of sorrow. Alluding to the fable of the Fox, who being sent for to come to visit the sick Lion, made answer that he perceived the footsteps of many beasts going into the Lion's den, but he could find few or none coming from it. But Rodolph sent his vicegerent into italy whom the Cities for the most part received: but the Pope returning to Rome & journeying hard by the Florentines, would not yet absolve them of their excommunication which had lasted almost 3. years. At length he came to Aretium Anno 1275. & died in his journey in the fift year of his Popeship & is buried there, and never came to Rome nor saw it.   

128. Innocentius the fift.  
INnocentius the fift born in Burgundy a dominican in profession, was cho●en by the Cardinals at Aretium: who being choose Pope and crowned in S. Peter's Church, went about to establish peace in italy. Therefore he sent great Ambassadors, who should compel the Etrurians (entending to destroy the Pisans) to take peace: also the Venetians and Genewaies' being at deadly enmity, to fall to unity upon peril of his curse. Also he procured the Ambassadors of Charles king of Sicill to be present at the peace making, the better to countenance his doings: the Etrurians obeyed, and especially the Florentines, and therefore the Pope did absolve them from the excommunication of Gregory: But the Genewaies' and Venetians continued notwithstanding the slaughter of each other, whom yet Innocentius had brought to his purpose if he had lived, he purposed it so earnestly. He died the same year that Gregory died, in the second day after he had reigned vi. months. This Pope (saith Platina) did not a little offend secular priests, because at Viterbium he did determine the dominicans should enjoy the tomb of Clemens the fourth, for which they and the secular priests had long been at sharp debate.   

129. Hadrian the fift.  
HAdrian the fift a Genewaie born before called Othobonus, was made Pope in Lateran porch: this man was nephew to Innocentius the fourth, and made Cardinal of S. Hadrian by him, and sent into England as Legate to gather up the Pope's money. But while he went about to appease strife between the king & his barons, thereby to work his own matters more quietly, he was put into prison by the Citizens of London, and at length delivered again. Anno 1266. with a great train of bishops and priests, he held one council at Northampton and another at London: where after he had dispatched his matters touching papistry according to his own mind, he made laws whereby England did long after maintain papistry. Also he denounced all those bishops to be wicked, who had taken part with the Princes against king Henry the third, and yet those same bishops were partly absolved by him for money, partly compelled to go for absolution to the Pope. This Hadrian as soon as he was made Pope went forthwith to Viterbium, & sent for Rodolphe the Emperor into italy, to break the power of Charles king of Sicill: this Charles is he whom against law and right he had advanced before, who then ruled all at Rome according to his lust. But Rodolph being troubled with the Bohemian war, could not satisfy the Pope's desire: but Charles meaning to eschew the malice, transported all the power of his army into Achaia, purposing to make a way to attain to the Empire of Constantinople. Hadrian (saith Platina) purposed to make the government of the Church to be safer from oppressors, & to altar the constitution of Gregory his predecessor, touching the restraint of the Cardinals for the election of the Pope. He died at Viterbium ere he were consecrated Pope 40. days after his election.   

130. john the xxij.  
IOhn the xxii. a Portugal born & a Physician by profession called before Peter Portugal, was made Pope being first bishop of Tusculan. This man although he were counted very well learned, yet for want of skill in government, & infirmity in his manners (saith Platina) did more hurt and dishonour to the Popeship then good. For he did many things that seemed to be both of a foolish and light mind: and was to be praised in this thing only, that he succoured with money and Ecclesiastical livings young men that were toward in learning, & especially the poorest. At this time the Venetians spoiled the Anconitans, because they using traffic into Dalmatia would pay them no tribute: & yet the Pope would not defend them as he aught to do, being tributaryes to the Church: and though in words he were hasty, yet in his doings a slouggarde and dastard. The Anconitans therefore being destitute of the Pope's aid, gathering themselves together, braced out of the City upon the Venetians besieging it, & drove them away with great damage. But the Pope using the advise of john Caietan who then ruled all, because by his aid he came to be Pope, he sent his Ambassadors both to Michael Paleologus, & the kings of the West, to move them in his name to make peace among themselves, and to provide to sand their powers against the Sarracens: which if Paleologus would not do & keep the unity promised, he would give his Empire from him to Charles king of Sicill. He prophesied by the course of the stars that he himself should live long, and told this to every man in his vanity, as one whose want of discretion was evident to every man. But behold while he thus vaunted his cunning in prophesying and constellations, openly in a certain chamber which for his pleasure he had builded in his Palace at Viterbium the fourth day after fallen down suddenly. Anno 1277. After this ruin wherein he perished miserably, he was found the seventh day after having reigned viii. months. Valerius called the place which fallen down Gamesters hall, and Stella calleth it the precious Chamber, for the Pope had builded it so gorgeously for his pleasure. After his death the seat was void through great contention vi. months.   

129. Nicolas the third.  
NIcolas the third a Roman, called first john Caietan, after vi. months with great dissension and brawling of the Cardinals obtained the seat. Charles king of Sicil was as Senator precedent in their consistory, who was very urgent to choose some Frenchman Pope: and therefore this Nicolas having got the place, purposing to abate the power of Charles took from him the Vicarship of Hetruria, & filled italy full of broils. And for his own lucre he persuaded Peter king of Arragon to claim the kingdom of Sicill, saying that it belonged to him, by the inheritance of his wife Constance, which liked Peter: but note the sequeale. Peter with a great navy went to Sardinia, and there waited when some motions should arise in Sicill, for the Sicillians making a conspiracy against Charles and the Frenchmen, appointed a day that as soon as at evening a bell should be told, the Frenchmen should be forthwith murdered both man woman & child, wherein they were so cruel that they slew even women with child. But this horrible deed was not done under Pope Nicolas, but in the time of his successor Martin the fourth. Also this Nicolas took to himself the Senatourship, which Clement the fourth had bestowed on Charles: and forbade for ever that any Prince or king should be so hardy to desire or take upon him that dignity. By his falsehood it came to pass that Flaunders, & Bononia, & the royalty of Ravenna, which long time were under the Emperor, become subject to the Pope. Among other buildings that he made about Rome, he enclosed a warrant of hare's with high walls, wherein even in his Popeship he used often to hunt. He bestowed silver cases for the Apostles heads: he was reproved of many for making his nephew Berthold Earl of Romundiala, & for another of his nephews being a Dominican & Cardinal because he sent him Ambassador into Hetruria. For Platina and Stella and other complain that he loved his kindred to well, so that he bestowed without law on them that which he had filched from other: for he took perforce from some nobles of Rome, certain Castles and bestowed them on his friends. He made the Gibelines being seditious men magistrates at his own lust in Florence and else where, to defend and maintain his tyranny. Also he purposed to make two kings of the stock of Vrsines, the one in lombardy the other in Hetrury, but while he purposed this he died suddenly of an Apoplexye, without speaking any word Anno 1281. in the fourth year of his Popeship, and yet it was thought by his goed complexion he should have lived much longer. Some say that one foretold the death of this Pope by the rising of the river Tiber, which then happened. The report is that of a concubine he begat a son that had hair and claws like a bear: it is written in john Noveomagus in illustrationibus Bedae.   

130. Martin the fourth.  
MArtin the fourth a Frenchman called before Simon, was next made Pope by the Cardinals of France, who then were the greater number. He would not be Crowned at Viterbium, because he thought that City was excommunicated, because they had made a tumult against the Cardinals, for the Viterbians entering into the consistory apprehended the Cardinals, and put them in prison, driving out and contemning the house of Vrsins: therefore Martin going to an old town called Oruietus, did there kept all his solemnity, & made viii. Cardinals the same day to strengthen his power. Also he did not only entertain courteously king Charles' coming to him, but also restored to him the dignity of Senatorship which Pope Nicolas had taken from him: which thing displeased many, because it should make sedition in the City, the Vrsine being now returned and their enemies driven out: for Charles for the hatred conceived against Nicolas, was sore bent against the Vrsines. But Pope Martin meaning to work warily, did much set by Matthew de Aquisporta a Franciscan, of the house of the Vrsines, a Cardinal & bishop of Portua. He excommunicated Peter king of Arragon, who went about to invade the kingdom of Sicil with his navy against Charles: also he gave his kingdom for a ●ooty to one that did desire to enjoy it: He released his subjects from their allegiance, calling him an usurper of Church goods. But Peter defyinge all this did by the help of Paleologus obtain the kingdom of Sicill: the Sicilians also being able no longer to sustain the pride & Just of the Frenchmen, at the persuasion of john Prochita, conspired against Charles, and ringing the bells, did at once without any regard murder all the Frenchmen. Pope Martin among other things granted to the Romans liberty to choose two Senators of the nobility, and excommunicated Paleologus. He made war against the Forolinians. He bestowed great privileges upon the begging friars: and as he was taking his accustomed recreation with his chaplains (as Carsulan testifieth) a certain secret disease came upon him, which after he had said it panged him extreamlye, he died Anno 128●. and yet the Physicians could find no token of death in him. Some writ that this Pope in the first year of his Popeship, received into his familiarity the concubine of his predecessor Nicolas: but to avoid the like chance that his child (if he should have any by her) might not be like a bear, he commanded all bears which were painted in his Palace by a Pope that was of Vrsine house, to be taken away or blotted out, to avoid in his concubine the sight thereof, which he thought wrought great effect in conception.   

131. Honorius the fourth.  
HOnorius the fourth a Roman of a noble family was afore called jacob, was next made Pope. He had a brother called Pandulphus a worthy man who at that time was Senator in Rome, who did sharply execute laws against fencers, thieves, and murderers. Honorius excommunicated Peter king of Arragon, because he held at that time the kingdom of Sicill against Charles, & confirmed the curses and edict of Pope Martin, because for the Pope's lucre he would not leave the kingdom. Also he raised terrible war against Gui Feltro who held the town Flaminia, and overcoming him, against all law and right by tyranny subdued the town to Rome. Also he confirmed the sect of Augustine friars which was refused at Paris, but withstood by many. Also he appointed to the Carmelites, that putting of their rich robes, they should wear white weeds, and commanded they should be called our ladies brethren. After which he died quickly Anno 1288. in the second year of his Popeship. The seat after this was void x. months for pestilences and earthquakes. This Pope was much troubled with the gout, both in his hands and his feet, so that he was fain to make certain instruments fit for the purpose to say mass. The Grecians in his time forsaking papistry returned to their old faith.   

132. Nicolas the fourth.  
NIcolas the fourth a Franciscane friar born in Picene, after ten months was choose Pope, at which time the Cardinals did not yet agreed upon one. This Pope (saith Platina) loved all men a like, and thought that he aught no more duty to his kindred then to other. He did nothing of any great weight, but busied himself in erecting superstitious buildings, and making new ceremonies about friars and monks, which are not worth the mentioning: finally he seeing Rome sore tormoyled in his time with civil dissensions, burnings, slaughters & spoilings, died for very grief and sorrow thereof Anno 1291. He being dead the Cardinals went to Peruse, that they might use the more liberty in choosing a new Pope: and yet they iarred so bitterly among themselves two years and 3. months, that they could never agreed in that election.   

133. Celestine the fift.  
CElestine the fift born at Esernia beside Sulmo, by profession an Anchor called before Peter Moronens, after the Cardinals had scolded two years, he by the procurement of Charles the second king of Naples and the latin Cardinals was choose Pope, who as soon as he was created went to Apulia, & calling all the Cardinals thither, he created twelve. new Cardinals whereof two were Eremites. Ptolomeus Lucensis writeth, that at his Coronation were two hundred Thousand men: because (saith Massaeus) at the first time he sat in Consistory, he went about exactly to reform the Church of Rome that the clergy might be an example to other, he purchased such hatred that he doted & was a fool. Thereupon one of the clergy called Benedict, hired one to set through an hole in the brickwall of the Pope's chamber a great hollow trunk, and through the same should make an hideous noise many nights together, (as if it had been the voice of an Angel from heaven) saying in the night time: Celestine, Celestine, give over thy charge, for it is above thy ability. Beside this divers persuaded him to give over for his own safety. King Charles understanding of this spoke with the Pope, desiring him as earnestly as he could, not to forsake that dignity, which came to him by the grace of God. But he gave this answer: I will do as it pleaseth God● And returning from Naples from the king, & perceiving he could not be quiet, he gave over the Popeship on S. Luke's eve, and made haste to go live an Eremites life in the desert, saith Massaeus: but first of all he made a decree with the consent of all, that the Pope might yield up his dignity. But Boniface who had thus beguiled the simple man, and now got to be his successor, fearing lest the people would follow the same Celestine as Pope, & defy him, he therefore put Celestine in close prison till he died, Anno 1292. the x. day of may after he had reigned one year and five months. Of this Celestine sprang a sect of monks called Celestinians'.   

134. Boniface the eight.  
BOniface the eight born in Campania called before Benedict Caietan being chief councillor to Celestine, was set up in his stead by a strange kind of treason at Naples. This Boniface while he was Cardinal of S. Martin's in the mount, did so hunger after the Popeship that he spared no falsehood nor ambitious means that might further his desire. He was so proud that he did almost disdain all men. And boiling thus with heat of ambition, he suborned (as is said before) certain who should come in the night time, and with a still and strange voice in the Chamber of Celestine as it were from heaven persuade him (being a very simple man of himself) to yield up the Popeship if he would be saved: which in the end was brought to pass. But Boniface usurping by craft against all right the Popeship, apprehending the silly man Celestine (who was departing from Rome to some wilderness there to end his life) put him in perpetual prison: and yet (as Marius witnesseth) he professed he did it not for hatred against Celestine, but lea●t the authors of sedition should make him their head, to trouble & disquiet the peace of the Church. And thus this unthanckeful Boniface was not contented only to delude poor Celestine, and to beguile him of his dignity, but furthermore to 'cause the simple soul as if he had been a malefactor, to dye for thought in prison. After this Boniface began to exercise such cruelty & he seemed to be another Nero: he sent for certain Cardinals to come unto him, but they being terrified with his falsehood and rigour, dared not come to him, and thereupon they were proclaimed schismatics by him, and deprived not only of their benefices and such dignities as they had received of Popes, but also were bereft of all their lands, towns and goods which they had by inheritance. Furthermore he gathered an army, and pursued them with the Columnians and as many of the Gibelines as he met withal in any place. He destroyed & spoilt all men's places whether soever they fled: whereupon many of them seeing they might be safe in no place, fled into woods ●nd forests and tarried there, other some of the most noble houses of italy, after they had even in manner of wild beasts ranged long about the Sea shore, did at length departed from italy with salvage Pirates and rovers: for they trusted more the barbarous Pirates than this churlish Boniface. He hated the Gibelines with such rancour, that in persecuting them he herded say that some of them were fled to the Genewaies', & thereupon he posted thither to destroy them utterly, & to root out the very name of them upon earth. And when upon Ash wednesdaye he should according to the superstitious use cross all comme●s on the forehead with ashes, and say unto them thus: Remember man that thou art ashes, and to ashes thou shalt return. Upon the same day & for the same cause, the archbishop of Porchet (who was a Gibeline) came unto him, & kneeling down unto the Pope put of his cap, to have the ashes put on his head, whom when Boniface had espied, being neither ashamed for the time, nor the place, nor the people present, uttered his rancour toward the bishop most shamefully. For taking up an handful of ashes, he threw them spitefully in the eyes of the bishop, saying reprochfullye with malicious change of words: Remember man thou art a Gibeline, and to the Gibelines thou shalt return. And beside this deprived him of his archbishopric, though in the end he restored it.  
In his time were great and cruel wars between the Sicilians and Robert duke of Calabria, which wrought much mischief to all italy, and yet the Pope being oftentimes requested thereunto, would never with his authority step in between them to pacify the matter. But by the providence of God, they that before fled out of italy with the rovers, arrived in italy again, and gathering together a few (who fled and lurked here & there for fear of the rage of Boniface) came to Anagnia, & ere the Pope mistrusted any such matter, they braced open the gates upon him, apprehended him, and brought him to Rome, where fretting and raging in a great agony most desperately for the space of thirty. days, through the extremity of his malady, he died miserably Anno 1304.  
This Pope sent a commandment to the king of England, charging him not to molest Scotland (as he did then) any longer, because the Scots were a privileged people belonging to his Chapel: but the king stood stoutly in the defence of his right and quarrel, and claimed it as his right & not the Popes. After this the Pope moved king Edward to war upon the French king because he had offended the Pope, but the king would not be so abused by him. After this when the king had bestowed the bishopric of Canterbury upon Robert Burnel bishop of Bath, the Pope in spite of his teeth did not only place another called john Peccam, but also sent down his Bull to the spiritual men of England, for their discharge, not to pay one penny tribute to the king in any case, to his no small trouble: for upon this the most of them were at defiance with the king and his Parliament, especially the bishop of Canterbury. This is that Pope of whom it was commonly said: He entered like a fox, he reigned like a Lion, he died like a dog. He thinking that kingdoms and Empires were all in his own hand, did usurp the authority of both sword, & would be counted the Lord of all the world. He gave sentence the unless kings would receive their kingdoms at his hand, they should be accursed, and ought to be deposed. He excommunicated Philip king of France, because he would not suffer the treasure of his Realm to be transported out to Rome: he cursed both him and his to the fourth generation. Also he would not confirm Albertus to be Emperor (whom before he had three or four times rejected) until he would invade France, and depose king Philip. He maintained the discord that was in italy, and purposed to nourish them continually. He forbade that the clergy should pay any tribute to their Princes without his commandment. He boasted that he bore the keys of heaven, and published this Canon that he ought to be judged of none, although he should draw thousands of souls to hell with him. He was the first that devised the jubilee, according to the jewish tradition. He gave full remission of sins and pardons to all that should come on pilgrimage to Rome. At the first day of jubelei he prancked himself gorgeously in his pontificalibus. The second day he being arrayed most royally, with Imperial insignes, commanded a naked sword to be carried before him, and said with a loud voice: Ecce potestatem utriusque gladij: Lo here is the power of both sword. finally he being (as is said) apprehended, and offering rather his head to be cut of then he would yield up his papacy, those conditions being put to him: his house was first spoiled of so much treasure, that as it is reported all the kings of the earth together were not able to make so much out of their treasury, as was carried out of his Palace, and from three Cardinals and a marquess that were with him. Then afterward he was set upon an unbroken colt with his face to the horse tail, and so caused to ride a gallop & iaunted till he were breathless, and then was he imprisoned and there almost pined, by king Philip's soldiers of France, till the people of the town of Arragon where he was did relieve him, and yet nevertheless for thought of this misery and loss, he died.  
He bestowed on S. Peter's Palace a chayme of bells making a sweet and pleasant noise, and increased the revenues thereof: he yet increased very much that privileges of the begging friars. He doubled the idolatrous honour of the Apostles, the 4, Evangelists, and the four doctors of the Church. He gave authority to the Ecclesiastical parsons generally in England, to excommunicate the people twice in the year. He caused one Hermanus of Ferraria to be taken out of his grave, and burned thirty. years after he had been buried. He said that to be subject to the Church of Rome is of the necessity to salvation. He deposed divers Cardinals: he devested divers kings of their estate: he fostered harlots, ●e begat divers bastards, beside sundry other l●ude pranks. He summoned king Edward the first to Rome upon the complaint of Robarte Winchelsey bishop of Canterbury after the death of john Peccam, both which Archbishops troubled the king, as almost all their ancestors from the time of Hildebrand had done to the Princes in their time: for so William Rufus and Henry the first, were troubled with Anselmus Archbishop of Canterbury: Henry the second also with Thomas Becket: King Richard and all England with William bishop of Elye the Pope's Legate: King john with Steven Langton bishop of Canterbury: Henry the third with Edmonde Archbishop, and now this king Edward with these two. The king being cited to Rome, was there suspended till he had purchased full dearly his absolution: but of the said Peccam this one thing is to be noted, that he caused to be ordained that no spiritual minister should have any more benefices than one, which was also decreed by Octo and Octogonus, the Pope's Legates in England at that time.  
An Epistle of Peter Cassiodorus to the Englishmen, reproving the extreme robbery, filching and slavery whereby the Popes spoiled this land about the year of our Lord 1302. to move them to shake of the bondage of the Pope's tyranny, taken out of an old book in S. Albon's Church.  
TO the noble Church of England serving in clay and brick as the jews did in times passed under the tyranny of the Egyptians: Peter the son of Cassiodore a catholic Soldier and devout champion of Christ, sendeth greeting and wishinge to cast of the yoke of bondage, and to receive the reward of liberty.  
To whom shall I compare thee or to whom shall I liken thee O daughter Jerusalem? to whom shall I match thee, O daughter of Zion? Great is thy perturbation, like unto the Sea. Thou sittest alone without comfort all the day long, thou art confounded and consumed with heaviness. Thou art given up into the hands of him from whence thou canst not rise without help of one to lift thee up: for the Scribes and Pharisies sittting upon the chair of Moses. thy enemies the Romans are as thy heads and rulers, enlarging their guarded phylacteries, & seeking to be enriched with the marrow of thy bones: laying heavy burdens, and not able to be born, upon thy shoulders and of thy ministers, and they set thee under tribute (which of old time hast been free) beyond all honesty or measure. But marvel not thereat, for thy mother, which is the lady of people, like a widow having married and coupled herself to her subject, hath appointed him to be thy father, that is to say, the bishop of Rome, who showeth no point of any fatherly love towards thee, He magnifyeth and extendeth to the uttermost his authority over thee: And by experience declareth himself to be the husband of thy mother. He remembreth often with himself the prophetical saying of the Prophet, and well disgesteth the same in the inward part of his breast. Take to thee a great book, and writ therein quickly with the pen of a man, take the spoil, rob quickly: But is this it, which the Apostles saith, that he was appointed for, where he writeth thus? Every bishop taken from among men, is appointed for men in those things that belong to the Lord: not to spoil, not to say on them yearly taxes, not to kill men, but to offer gifts & sacrifices for sins: and to sorrow with them, that be ignorant and do err. And so we read of Peter the fisher (whose successor he boasteth himself to be) that after the resurrection of Christ he turned with other Apostles, to the office of fishing, who when he could take nothing of the left side of the ship, at the bidding of Christ, turned to the right side, and drew to the land a net full of fish. Wherefore the profitable ministry of the Church is to be exercised on the right side, by the which the devil is overcome, and plenty of souls be lucrifyed and won to Christ. But certainly the labourer on the left side of the ship, is far otherwise: for in it the faith stumbleth, heaviness beareth rule, when that thing that is desired by seeking, is not found. For who is so foolish to think that he can both at one time serve God and man, and to satisfy his own will, or to stick to the revelations of flesh and blood, and to offer worthy gifts to Christ? And doubtless, that shepherd that watcheth not for the edifying of the flock, prepareth an other way to the roaring Lion, and seeking whom he may devour. And now behold, I say, O daughter, the deeds of him that is called thy father, such as have not been heard of before: he driveth away the good shepherd from the sheepfold, and placeth in their stead bishops, to rule, but not to profit (his nephews, cousins, and parents) some that knew no letters, and other some domme and deaf, which understand not the plain voice of the sheep, nor curing their wounds that be hurt of the wolves: but like hirelings plucking of the fleeses apase, and reaping that which other men have sown, whose hands moreover be always ready in their baskets and pouches, but their backs are turned from their burdens. By which thing it is manifest that the priesthood is clean changed at these days, the service of God decayed, alms diminished and brought to nought, the whole devotion of princes, and kings is banished. May not this be thought wondered in the eyes of all men, that where as Christ commanded tribute to be paid to kings for him & for Peter, he now goeth about dominion of his style, to subdue to him, both realms and princes of realms (against his will, whose vicar he saith he is, and who refused the realms & judgements of this world) which this bishop contrariwise challengeth, claiming all that which he in his style writeth to be his. Alack, O daughter, what doth he yet more against thee: mark, he draweth from thee what so ever pleaseth him, and yet he thinketh not himself content, to have the tenth part only of thy goods from thee: except he have also the first fruits of the benefices of the Ministers, whereby he may get a new patrimony aswell for himself as for his kindred, contrary to the godly wyls of the first founders. Over and beside all this, he infereth other execrable taxes and stipends for his Legates and messengers, whom he sendeth into England, which not only take away the feeding and clothing of thee and thy, but also tear in pieces like dogs your flesh and skins. May not this prince be compared to king Nabugodonoser, which destroyed the temple of the Lord, and rob away the silver and golden vessels thereof? The very same doth this man also: he rob the ministers of God's house, and left destitute of due help. In like manner doth he: Truly they be better that are killed with the sword, than they which be pined with hunger: for they are dead strait, but these are wasted with the barrenness of the earth. O daughter, all they that pass by the way, let them have pity and compassion on thee, for there is no sorrow like thy sorrow. For now thy face is blacker than coals through much sorrow and weeping, and thou art no more known in the streets: thy foresaid ruler hath placed thee in darkness, and hath given thee wormwood and gall to drink. O Lord, hear the sorrow and sighinges of thy people, behold Lord, and descend, for the heart of this foresaid man is more indurate than the heart of Pharaoh. For he will not suffer thy people to depart, except in the fortitude only of thy hand. For he scourgeth them, not only miserably upon the earth, but also after their death he intends to encroach the goods of Christians under the name and title to dye intestate or making no will. Therefore let the chivalry of England well remember, how the Frenchmen in times past, directing their greedy eyes on the Realm of England, laboured with all their power how to bring the same under their subjection. But it is to be feared, lest the new devices and practice of this new enemy, supply that which hitherto hath been lacking in them. For in diminishing of the treasury of the Realm, & spoiling the Church goods: the Realm shallbe brought into such inability, that it shall not be able to help itself against the enemy. Therefore O daughter and you the ministers thereof, suffer not yourselves to be led any more into such miserable bondage. Better it is for the wealth of the & thy, that the Christian king and the powers of the Realm which have endued thee with great benefits, & you also which are endued with their benefits, do labour with all your power how to resist the devices, conspiracies, arrogancy and pride, of the foresaid person: who not for any zeal of God, but for the enriching of his parents, and for his own kindred (exalting himself like an eagle) by these and such other exactions, goeth about after a new kind of extortion to scrape up and devour all the money and treasure of England. Now lest the dissembled simplicity of the Realm in this behalf do bring utter subversion, and afterward be compelled to se●ke remedy when it is to late: I beseech the Lord God of hosts to turn away the vale from the heart of that man, and to give him a contrite and an humble mind, in such sort as he may acknowledge the ways of the true God, whereby he may be brought out of darkness, and be enforced to relinquish his old sinister attempts: and that the vineyard which the Lord hath planted, may be replenished continually with true preachers of the word. Let the words of the Lord prophesied by the mouth of jeremy stir up your minds to withstand and resist the subtle practices of this man, by the which words the Lord speaketh: O thou pastor which hast scattered my people, and hast cast them out of their habitations, behold I will come and visit upon thee, and upon the malice of thy studies: neither shall there be any of thy seed which shall sit upon the ●eate of David, neither which shall have power any more in juda. So that thy nest shall become barren, and utterly subverted like Sodom and Gomor.  
And if he being terrified by these words do not leave of from this which he beginneth, and doth not make restitution of those things which he hath received: then let all and singular parsons sing for him being indurat, to him that seethe all things, the Psalm 108. Deus laudem etc. For truly as favour, grace, and benevolence, remitteth and neglecteth many things: so again the gentle benignity of man being to much oppressed and grieved, seeking to be delivered & freed from the same, striveth and searcheth to have the truth known, and casts of that yoke by all means possible that grieveth him. etc. Haec Cassiodorus.  
What effect this letter wrought in them, to whom it was directed, is not in story expressed. This by the sequeal may be conjectured, that no reason nor persuasion could prevail, but that the Pope retained here still his exactions, what soever was said or written to the contrary notwithstanding.   

135. Benedict the xi.  
BEnedict the xi. born in Lombardy called Nicolas, a dominican by profession of obscure parentage (whose father was a shepherd,) he after he had been Cardinal and bishop of Hostia came to be Pope. He was of stature but a dwarf, and at length waxed bald, but of an excellent wit and very eloquent, and therefore in high favour with Pope Boniface: who as soon as he was created, applied his mind diligently to assuage all those broils and seditious factions that wasted italy. Leander Albertus reporteth, that when he was made Pope, his mother came to Peruse to see her son so exalted, & was appareled by the Senate that she might come in seemly order to salute him: but he did reprochfullye disdain and would not acknowledge her to be his mother, till she had put on her former apparel again. Then (quoth he) I know this matron, for she is my mother. He offered to S. Estorge Church in Millen a chalice of silver of great weight, also a senser and a box of frankincense, silver candlesticks, & a silken curtain of the price of an hundred Crowns, & gave three hundred pounds out of the Pope's treasury to make another curtain about the Sepulchre of one Peter of Verona a dominican friar. All that he gave, cost viii. Thousand pound according to their computation at Millein. He excommunicated all those that were the apprehenders of Boniface, until they had paid for absolution. He received into favour john and james Cardinals of Columna, whom Boniface persecuted. He absolved Philip king of France who was excommunicated. He made three Cardinals Nicolas Pratensis of Hetruria, William Macklesfild & Gualther Winterburne, being Englishmen. After he had appeased those brawls which his predecessor had procured, he died Anno 1305. in the fift month of his Popeship. The report is that he died of poison which was given him in a fig: Of this Benedict were made these two Verses.  
A re nomen habe, Benedic, benefac, benedict,  
Aut rem pervert, maledic, malefac, maledicte.   

136. Clement the fift.  
CLement the fift was born in Vasco, his father was one Bernard a noble knight, he was first called Bertrad Goth, and was choose Pope by the Cardinals after much strife at Peruse, he himself not being there. He agreeing to the election went from Burdigall to Lions, and sent for all the Cardinals, whither they came out of hand: where the Pope translating the court of Rome hither into France Anno 1305. continued still there threescore and ten years, to the great damage of the Romans. Philip king of France, and his brother Charles, & john duke of Britain, were at this Pope's Coronation, where duke john & twelve. other mayned with a brickwall that was overthrown by the wonderful press of people, died out of hand. Also King Philip was somewhat wounded with the fall thereof. And the Pope himself in so great an hurly burly being thrust beside his horse, lost a Carbunckle stone out of his Mitre, valued at six Thousand Florence's. The pomp & triumph being ended, he made many Cardinals of the Frenchmen, but none of the Italians, saving that he restored to john and james of Columna their Cardinalships. He sent three Cardinals with Senators authority to Rome, to govern it and Italy. He granted to Frederick king of Sicill, the Isle Sardinia (inhabited of the Saracens) upon this condition, that as soon as he could he should drive out the enemies and recover it, but to the use of the Pope. To these words of Platina, Marius hath added this: Clement the fift (saith he) because he desired not to serve other as Christ commanded his Apostles, but to have Emperors serve him, decreed by Canon, that the Emperors appointed in Germany (although they bore the name of the king of Romans) should yet receive of the Pope the title, right, and name of Empire: and that the Emperor being dead, all the time the Empire should be void, the Pope should have jurisdiction over those towns in italy that are tributaryes to the Emperor. So much of Marius. Clement being an open whoremonger and maintainer of harlots, appointed the Pope's Court to be at Auenio for his own pleasure. He rooted out the jews called Templars, in a council at Vienna Anno 1311. In the same council be decreed that all religious orders exempted should be subject under the common laws as other were, but the Cistercian monks did purchase of him to be privileged, and gave large bribes to him for it. Also the Franciscan friars offered him forty Thousand Florence's of gold beside other silver, that they might against their rule have a dispensation for lands and possessions: the Pope thereupon willed them to bring the money, & having taken assurance for it of certain merchants which they brought, he both took the money & told the friars that he would not nor could not break S. Francis rule for any money, & thus he beguiled the friars. He advanced S. john's knights▪ called the knights of the Roads, because they had wone the roads from the Saracens. He commanded the master of the Templars to be burned with one of his fellows at Paris in presence of the Cardinals, and made certain decrees to bridle the disorder of the jews confiscating their goods. He appointed punishment for such of the clergy as should busy themselves in secular affairs, or be costly appareled: and deprived monks of hunting and hawking. He excommunicated the Venetians, the Florentines and Lucian's, and confirmed Corpus Christi day for an holy day. He commanded that the relics of Saints should be reverently honoured. He governed italy by his deputies two Cardinals: he made Celestine the fift a confessor Saint: finally after divers decrees of superstition, he died of the bloody flux, panged and pained sometime with a colic, sometime pained in the guts, the sides and the stomach, at Rocca Maura a tent upon Rodanus Anno 1314. His body was carried to Carpentorate in Vascony: the seat was void 3. years. This same year also died Henry Lutsenburg the Emperor, poisoned by a monk called Bernad by the conspiracy of the Guelphs, because he went about to take upon him by force the kingdom of Sicill, being moved thereto by the Sicilians: for this cause the said monk (who had long dissembled friendship & good will to the Emperor) wrought his destruction in most sinful and blasphemous manner: For against the good & godly Emperor should come to receive the Sacrament of the body of Christ, the cursed monk had provided & tempered one host with such rank poison, that the Emperor perceived forthwith the horrible treason: and yet the godly Prince as soon as he felt himself poisoned, gave the traitorous monk warning to escape away with these words: Sir, convey yourself away, for if the Dutchmen perceive this and our godly friends, you shall dye the death. The monk therefore going to Seine, received the reward which was promised him, and yet he did not by this treason deliver his fryerlye brethren, for many of them in Thuscia, Lombardy and other places, both men & houses perished with fire and sword. This Pope Clement took displeasure with the Venetians, and furiously yielded them as a pray and spoil to all that would make havoc of them and there's. They therefore sent to him a noble man of Venice called Dandalus, to sue for favour and for the safety of their City: and to obtain pardon this noble Francis Dandalus was fain to yield himself bound in a chain about the neck, and to couch at the Pope's feet under his table, and there like a dog to feed of the scraps & bones that the Pope did cast unto him, ere he could assuage the Pope's fury, as Sabelicus declareth Enned. 9 lib. 7.   

137. john the xxiii.  
IOhn the xxiii. a Frenchman born, called jacob Caturcensis bishop and Cardinal of Portua, after the seat had been void through the discord of 23. Cardinals two. years, was choose Pope at Lions: from thence removing his Court to Auenio he created viii. Cardinals, among whom was jacob Caturcensis the younger his sister's son, and john Caietan of the house of Vrsine. He delivered Hugh Gerard bishop of Caturcia, to a secular Court being disgraded and spoiled of his pontifical array to be tormented, his skin fleed from his body & then to be burned to death, because he had (as he said) conspired against his parson. He was so new fangled that he made much chopping and changing, erecting and supplanting of bishoprics, abbeys, and such like dignities. He made two Thomasses Saints, the one bishop of Hertford in England, the other Thomas Aquinas a dominican, beside sundry other. He ordained that bells should be rung thrice in the day, that the people falling on their knees even as they go in their way, should say ave Maria thrice. He condemned them for obstinate heretics, that defended that Christ and his Apostles possessed nothing privately, and sent commandment to the Universities that no scholars should presume to dispute thereof. He condemned the writing of one Peter a franciscan friar, who went about to encourage men to follow the poverty of Christ, for the which thing many were condemned & burnt. He exempted the white friars from all jurisdiction, reserving them only to S. Peter's authority his dear children, and made divers of them bishops: for (by the suggestion of Satan, as surely it may be well thought) he had a wonderful strange vision before he came to be Pope, as he himself testifieth in a certain bull, that is this: That the Virgin Mary delivered him from his enemies among great debate of the Cardinals, and made him Pope, but upon this condition that he should save from purgatory these his brethren. This Pope john taught certain errors, namely that the souls departed from the body do not see God till the day of judgement: for so (saith Massaeus) his father taught him, being deluded with the false vision of one Tundalus an Irishman. He sent to Paris twain, the one a dominic the other a franciscan, to preach the same heresy: but one Thomas Walleis an English friar dominick, withstood the Pope in his heresy, whom the Pope committed to prison. Durandus of S. Porcian, William of Calais, and other withstood the Pope likewise. Touching the error & gross heresy of this Pope john, he was charged with it in the council of Constance by these words: Pope john said and stubbornly believed, that the soul of man dieth together with the body, & is consumed to nothing like the soul of brute beasts: whereof he never would purge himself. Furthermore because that Thomas Walleis an Englishman was imprisoned by the Pope for reproving his heresy, the king of France summoned a council into his Palace in Viciana sylua, where the whole assembly subscribed against the Pope's heresy: and therefore the king sent to Pope john, willing him both to reform his heresy, and also to deliver the prisoner, & so the said Thomas was set at liberty. This Pope reform and transposed the orders & decrees of the Church at his own pleasure, & made Colleges of Scribes according to the number of the Apostles, who receiving their fee, should writ such letters as he should appoint. He condemned john Poliacus a divine, because he taught that men should not trust the begging friars. He compelled certain nuns called Biginae to marry, and detested pictures. He held it for a grounded article that Christ gave none other rule of godliness to his Apostles then to other Christians, and that the Apostles never vowed poverty. john Mandevil in his first book and seventh Chapter, showeth that this Pope written at large to the Greeks that there is but only one Christian Church, and that he was head thereof and vicar of Christ, to whom the Greeks answered briefly: We do assuredly acknowledge your high power over your subjects, but we cannot abide your high pride, we cannot staunch your greedy covetousness: the devil is with you but God is with us. Thus briefly in a word they revealed the Pope's estate. This Pope condemned Lewis Bavare a noble Emperor, to be a rebel to the Church, a schismatic and heretic, because he took upon him by the electors choice the government of the Empire, not vowing any fealty to the Pope. Thus writeth john Marius of this Emperor Lewis: Pope john (saith he) hated unto death Lewis Bavare, partly because he being choose by the estates of germany king of the Romans, did disdain to receive at the Pope's hand (according to the Canon of Pope Clement the fift) the name and title Imperial, partly again because he defended from the Pope's power certain monks whom he had condemned for heretics: therefore Pope john avouched Lewis to be an heretic. Lewis coming into italy, appointed his deputies in every City and came to Millen: and because he desired to qualify the Pope's displeasure, he sent Ambassadors to him keeping his court then at Auenio in France, to require of him the ornaments belonging to the estate imperial, with freindlye affection as his ancestors had done: the Pope did not only deny the suit, but sent away the Ambassadors with great reproach, and cited the Emperor himself peremptory wise (as they term it) to come to Auenio, & submit himself to the Canons of the Church. The Emperor knowing the Pope's tyranny used in his Church, & understanding that he had his estate given him from God, desired to keep and defend the same holy and undefiled: and therefore would not submit himself like a slave unto Popes, and so denied to come to Auenio. And yet being desirous of peace, he besought the Pope by Ambassadors once again, to bestow on him with courtesy the ornaments of the Empire: the Pope stood pevishlye in his wilfulness, vaunting and boasting in his writings, that he had power to play make & mar with Princes, and that at his pleasure he might set up and depose whom he listed: and that the Empire being void, the Pope is full Emperor: And for malice against Lewis he excommunicated the Uicounts', whom the Emperor had appointed to govern Millen. The Emperor perceiving the Pope's obstinate mind, taking with him many Princes of italy came to Rome, and was honourably received of all the people, and required according to the custom to receive the solemnities of the Empire. The Roman peers and all the people sent Ambassadors to Pope john in France, and humbly besought him to come to visit his City Rome, & to bestow upon the king of the Romans the imperial rites: which if he would not do, they said plainly that they themselves would keep the old law & privilege of the Romans. john having herded the Ambassadors, using great threats and terrors drove them away with foul rebuke from him. The Romans, seeing this decreed to yield to the noble Lewis his lawful request: and so by the commandment of the clergy and people, both he and his wife together were crowned by Steven & Nicolas being Senators, in the mean time the nobility shouted out, saying: God save Lewis Augustus Emperor of the Romans. The Pope hearing this (though the Emperor did nothing but that was lawful and godly) did accuse him for a traitor, and an heretic: he published sore process against him, put him from his estate imperial, deprived him of his kingdom, condemned him by vile and cruel curse of excommunication, as a rebel and Captain heretic against the Church of Rome, by means whereof he inflamed all Christendom with such discord & deadly wars, as could not afterward be quenched in thirty years. Thus far writeth Marius.  
Thus the Pope had nothing to defend his forged supremacy and authority, but the dreadful bolts of his excommunication. But there were certain at this time as well divines as lawyers, which preached that Christ and his Apostles did possess nothing properly, and that the Emperor in temporal cases was not subject to the Pope: Among these men were Michael Coesenus & William Occam minorites, Marsilius of Milan & john of jandane lawyers, with divers other. Lewis the Emperor was so comforted by these, that he did stoutly withstand the Pope's intents, and published this his appellation about the coasts of his Empire.  
¶ The emperors letters.  
WE Lewis king of the Romans, do pronounce against john (who says that he is Pope) that he doth naughtelye execute the testament and will of Christ concerning peace, troubling the common tranquillity of Christendom, neither is he mindful that what honour soever he now doth enjoy, was first given by the holy Emperor Constantine, to Sylvester even when he forfeare lurked in forests. Thus doth he show himself unthankful to the Roman Empire, from whence he reaped all the royalty which now he abuseth etc.  
Thus when Lewis and the peers of Rome perceived well the iniquity of Pope john, and the people of Rome from the hyest to the lowest, did take it in evil part that the Ambassadors whom they had sent were so mocked of him, they all agreed together that the old custom of choosing the Pope should be brought into the Church: that is, that he being choose by the people of Rome, should be admitted and allowed by the Emperor. Therefore one Peter of Corbaria a minorite was made Pope, and was called Nicolas the fift: and as for john they concluded of him that he was an heretic, and a tyrant of the Church, not a pastor but a breaker of the common peace of Christians. In the mean time Pope john Anno 1335. in the fourscore & x. years of his age died at Auenio. About the year of our Lord 1326. in the time of this Pope john, the prelates of England played a stout prank: for the bishop of Hertford was by the kings commandment with other more impeached of treason, & finally arrested in the Parliament house to answer to his endightments. Whereunto after long pauze he answered (claiming the privilege of the Church) saying thus: I am humble minister of the holy Church etc. and cannot neither aught to answer to such matters, without the authority of the bishop of Canterbury my direct judge next under the Pope etc. whereupon the other bishops stepped up and sued to the king for this their fellow. But when the king would not yield, the said bishops together with the archbishops and the clergy coming with their crosses, took him away perforce, challenging him to the Church without any other answer: charging moreover under the censure of terrible excommunication, none to presume to say any further hands upon him. And yet the king encouraged herewith commanded law to pass upon him, and he being found guilty his goods to be confiscate: but yet the party remained safe under protection of the Archbishop of Canterbury.  
This Pope left more abundance of treasure then ever any other did, namely five and twenty thousand thousand Crowns in gold, and yet but lately before he joined in war with Robert king of Apulia to defend Genua, in which war (saith Antonius Florentinus) either side spent as much treasure as would have bought a good kingdom.   

138. Benedict the xii.  
BEnedict the twelve. born in Tholos, in profession a white friar (saith Paleonidorus) called jacob or james of Furne, the sixteenth day after the death of john he was installed Pope. This man (saith Marius) was as uncourteous to the Emperor as ever was Pope john: he renewed the curses against him, he reft him of all regal dignity, & by his sentence deprived him of the dukedom of Bavary. The noble Emperor went into Germany, and called together (behold his virtue and wisdom) all the Prince's electors, Dukes, Counties, bishops and the best learned, either in divinity or humanity. And in presence of them all with open and solemn proclamation, he added and established his late confirmation with old laws: and very wisely proved that only the Prince's electors & no man else, aught to meddle with the election of the king of the Romans, so that he that had most voices among them was to be accepted berely, be it either king or Emperor, which in effect are all one though in name they differ. Because that he that is Emperor may take upon him the government belonging to his estate, without the confirmation of the Sea of Rome: and he being lawfully choose, aught after advisement given by the Princes to be anointed by the Pope. Which if the Pope refused to do, he might be proclaimed Emperor by any Catholic prelate as the use hath long been, for these ceremonies enjoyed by the Pope, are but imagined toys and solemnities devised by the prelates of Rome, who only have but the giving of the name, & not the thing, for a sign of unity and mutual help and succour between the Empire and the Church. For the Emperor vowed to the Pope not an oath of allegiance and fealty, but of defending the Christian faith, for as much as the taking of this oath maketh not greater dignity in temporal things. Furthermore the Emperor showed how that the estate being void, the right thereof should not belong unto the Pope, and that to have it so was against the liberty, right, honour and majesty of the Empire: but by long and allowable custom notwithstanding the Clementine Canon, and by decree unmovable hitherto kept buy his ancestors, in the time the Empire is void, the right of governing the Empire, the bestowing of fealtyes and ordering of other affairs, belongeth to the Palsgrave of Rhine. Afterwards for his own defence, he made proof of his upright and trusty dealing before them all, & plainly confessed that he (as a Christian man aught to do) did believe the Articles of Christian faith, even as the Church taught: and purged himself of all those accusations which Pope john the xxiii. and Benedict the twelve. had laid to his charge. Thus did the godly Emperor of his own good motion, when as if he had not pitied the shedding Christian blood, he might have tried the matter with the Pope, by the dint of the sword. At the length Pope Benedict began to consider of the goodness of this Emperor: for when a certain grudge happened between this Lewis & Philip king of France, by and by peace was made between the Emperor and the Pope. And the Pope loved the Emperor so entirely, that he defended him against the Ambassadors of the French king (which ever spoke sharply against the Emperor) & stoutly defended the emperors innocency. So that it came to pass that the Pope was by them called defender of an heretic, whose words although Benedict for a while did much fear, for they threatened to set upon him with all their powers if he absolved the Emperor, yet in the end he absolved him. And commanded to proclaim through germany, that all the processes of john what soever they were should void and of no effect: and that it did not become Pope john thus to deal with the Emperor, seeing their two functions as divers, & testified openly that Lewis had in all things behaved himself, as might best beseem so noble & Christian an Emperor. Yet it is to be noted that the Pope did not this of hearty good will to the Emperor, but upon policy: for when he perceived the king of France (within whose precinct he was then abiding) dealt unfreindlye with him, he feared that if he should also have the Emperor his enemy, he should have no succour left, if the French king should go about to do him displeasure. And for this cause Benedict thought it stood with his commodity to have the favour of the Emperor, hoping it would so fall out that he dared attempt nothing against the Pope. Such from time to time hath been the policy of these prelates, to maintain their estate. But to return to the purpose (and leave these words of Marius) Pope Benedict avouched the judgement of his predecessor against Lewis. He appointed deputies in those towns of italy that belong to the Empire: and took to himself from the Emperor, the Senatourship of Rome. He devised that every thing did belong to the Court of Apostolical penitenciary. He appointing subsidies, gathered huge sums of money out of every nation. He first took upon him to usurp the presentments of all bishoprics, prelatships and benefices. He abridged unlearned men of priesthood. He reform many sects of monks. He commanded that all his chaplains should lie in one dormitory together, and should have none other revenues then for their diet and apparel. He with a great sum of money bought for his carnal desire, the sister of Francis Petrarcha a beautiful woman, of her brother Gerard: he denied that the Pope had any kindred: he published certain acts (as Leander testifieth) against the dominicans: he left to the Church great store of treasure: he kept divers concubines: he died of an ague while he was hiring one Zotus a cunning painter, to portraiture the stories of martyrs in his new buildings Anno 1342. Of whom these Verses were made.  
Iste fuit vero laicis mors vipera clero,  
Devius a vero turba repleta mero.  
About this time john Stratford being bishop of Canterbury, did greatly abuse king Edward the third, both in defraudinge him of his treasure when he needed it most in his wars in France, and refusing obstinately afterward to come at the kings commandment to answer, until time & place served according to his own pleasure.  
Benedicts common sayings were these to be noted: Be thou such a son as thou desirest to have cousins. The evil ma● dreadeth death: but the good man fears him more. Those things that thou hast learned keep by reading, and get by learning those things that thou wantest. It is as great shame to have no friends as to change them often. It is more dishonour to a Prince to be overcome with benefits, then by force of arms.   

139. Clement the sixt.  
CLement the sixt born in Lemonia by profession a Benedictine, called before Peter Rogers being abbot of Phisca, succeeded Benedict at Auenio. This man with his faction troubled the Roman Empire above measure: for he excommunicated (saith Naucler) all the Princes, lords and bishops, that consented to the doings of Lewis. To deface the Emperor he created Uicountes and made them Uicares of the Empire: & Lewis on the other side appointed other Uicares to govern the Church. jerom Marius in his book called Eusebius Captiuus, doth thus set out the rigour of Pope Clement: Clement the sixt (saith he) much given to women, honour and authority, provoked with devilish fury, set up bills in writing upon Church doors wherein he threatened the Emperor to be punished with more cruel torments, unless he would obey the Pope's mind and that within three days, and would give up his right of the estate imperial. Great was the cruelty of this Clement void of clemency. The Emperor cometh to Frankeforde, and preparing with all diligence to do all that was commanded, besought the Pope by his Ambassadors, to pardon him and to receive him to favour. But the Pope answered the Ambassadors, that he would never pardon Lewis, unless he would first confess all his errors and heresies and yield up the Empire, and put into the Pope's hand both himself, his children, goods & possessions, to dispose them at his pleasure, & would promise' that he would never more enjoy any part thereof without the favour of the Pope, & delivered a certain form of of these articles in writing to the Ambassadors, commanding them to carry the same to Lewis. The good Emperor lest if he did not thus submit himself it might be cause of slaughter and sedition, received the order taken by the Pope, and looking upon it was content in such wife to save Christian blood, and therefore he did not only set his seal to it, but gave his oath to perform all. Which when the Pope herded he waxed angry. But note whether he took the Emperor to favour, and whether he showed any token of good will, by that which followeth. Lewis showed that order to the Prince's electors, and orators. The Prince's detested and abhorred certain of the articles, because they were devised by the Pope to the confusion of the Empire: and therefore they promised sufficient aid to the Emperor if as he did before, he would maintain the liberty and honour of the Empire. They sense Ambassadors desiring the Pope not to exact those articles that tended to the utter subversion of the Empire: and the orators craving and doing nothing else came away again. But Clement blaming Lewis only for all, did purpose the destruction of him and his children: he cursed him cruelly even at consecrating the Sacrament. He renewed all the extreme processes which Pope john had given out against him, he pronounced him to be an heretic and schismatic. He charged the Prince's electors to choose another Emperor. He deposed the Archbishop of Man's both of his bishopric and authority of electorship, because he knowing the emperors innocency and ungiltives, would not abuse his majesty. But the other electors being bribed with money by john king of Bohemia, as the bishop of Colen who took viii. Thousand marks, & the duke of saxony two Thousand marks) did appoint his son Charles to be king of the Romans: whom this uncourteous Clement did allow afterward in open consistory. But who is able to report the horrible bloodshed and war that arose in the Empire by means of this mischief wrought by Clement: for king Edward the third of England slew xx. Thousand Frenchmen, and john king of Bohemia father to Charles was slain with many nobles. But Lewis yet taking thought because of the Pope's processes, & not meddling with the government of the Empire, was by the Pope's procurement poisoned in a cup whereof he died. Thus writeth Marius: Lo by these kind of treacheries have the prelate's of Rome brought the Empire to the low ebb and poor estate, that it is at this day: for the said Charles whom they against all law created, to make his son to succeed him, did so corrupt the electors with bribes and fair promises, that he mortgaged to them the common revenues of the Empire, which they enjoy to this day, and therefore the Roman Empire cannot advance itself again. For then the electors compelled Charles to take an oath, that these pledges should never be reclaimed: whereby at length it came to pass that the Empire being thus decayed, the Turk invaded the Church of Christ, & destroyed it wonderfully, and it is by the especial grace of God, that Mahomet's blasphemy doth not with fire and sword rage over all Christendom etc.  
This Pope Clement now at the fifty year renewed the jubilee, & being absent caused it to be celebrated at Rome Anno 1350. for his advantage: and (saith Premonstratensis) there were five Thousand strangers coming in & going out at Rome, as might well be counted daily within the said year. He made at several times twelve. Cardinals whereof some were monks, some his nephews and kinsmen: beside he promoted divers other to dignities, & bestowed cost on divers buildings. He gave licence to the bishop of Bamberge to absolve those that took part with Lewis, but upon these conditions: first that they should swear fealty to him as to the vicar of Christ: secondly, that they should believe that the Emperor hath no power neither to make nor mar the Pope: thirdly that they should acknowledge none to be Emperor whom the Pope had not confirmed. While his companions and servants went to dinner leaving only his chamberlain with him, he fell down suddenly & died of an impostume Anno 1352. This Clement (saith Marius) took upon him so prodigally in his Popedom, that he gave to his Cardinals in Rome, bishoprics and benefices being then void in England: wherewith the king was offended and undid all the provisions of the Pope within his Realm, commanding upon pain of imprisonment and life, that no man should be so hardy as to bring in any such provisions of the Pope within his Realm any more, and under the same punishment charged the 2. Cardinal's forthwith to avoid the Realm, Anno 1343.  

¶ Certain blasphemies gathered out of the Bull which the said Pope published for the year of jubilee.  
Whosoever purposeth for travel sake to come to Rome, may choose that day whereon he setteth forward a confessor or confessors, or else in his journey by the way, or in any other place: Unto the which confessors or ghostly fathers we give full power to give absolution in all cases that concern the Popes own prerogative, in as ample manner as if our own parson were present. Item we grant that if any being confessed dye by the way, that he shall be free and discharged from all his sins: And furthermore we command the Angels of Paradise (that his soul being fully delivered from purgatory) they receive it into Paradise.   

¶ And in an other Bull he written thus.  
WE will not that any man be tormented in himself with the pain of hell: and also we grant to all those that wear the Cross, 3. or 4. souls at their own pleasure whom soever they will to deliver them out of purgatory.   
Against these heretical blasphemies, the university of Paris did then openly detest and reprove.  
There were an hundred Thousand poor men of the clergy in that year resorted to Auenio to obtain pardons out of all countries, and to be hired confessors.   

140. Innocent the sixt.  
INnocent the sixte born in Lenomia called Steven, doctor of both laws being of an advocate made bishop of Claromont, and of the Cardinal of Hostia and chief penitenciary to the Pope, was made Pope himself. He was a man that in his Popedom was a cunning lawyer, but of haughty courage, wilful mind, very rigorous, and one that frankly bestowed benefices on such as would pay for them. After he was established, he did wisely abrogate certain reservations made by Pope Clement, because it made more for his commodity in time to come so to do. And forthwith he decreed that all Ecclesiastical parsons, as many as had any benefices should go forthwith to their charge: for he said that the flock aught to be kept by their own sheapeheard, and not ●y an hireling. He like a covetous niggard diminished his house keeping, reducing & stinting the parsons of his family to a certin (but as Petrarcha saith) not an honest number: Neither would he have any to wait on him at home, but such as should in all points feed his own humour: he gave strait charge to the Cardinals so to do, saying yt●e & all other Ecclesiastical parsons aught to be an example of life to other. And for the more sparing he made cellars in his house for his auditor & clerks of the kitchen to lock up all things. For his table diet the writers report of him that he was a great pincher, but for the maintenance of wars very prodigal. He sent one Giles a spaniard Cardinal of Saba from his side into italy, to persecute certain robbers and thieves: and to assure the better to the Pope Ecclesiastical jurisdiction. By Peter Thomas of Aquine a white friar this Pope's Legate, Bononia become subject to the Pope, which Peter did first plant there the doctrine of the Sorbonits: therefore the Pope bestowed on him the bishoprics of pact, Mileto, Coranie, the archbishopric of Crete, and at length the patriarckship of Constantinople. At the commandment of this Innocent, Charles the forth was crowned Emperor by two Cardinals at Rome, but upon this condition that he should stay no longer neither in Rome nor in Italy: he notwithstanding as soon as he returned home, warned the archbishop of Mens to reform the clergy in their apparel, shoes, hair, and all the order of their life, upon penalty of forfeytinge all his benefices. Richard archbishop of Armachane in Ireland, did publish before this Pope ix. articles against the begging friars.  
In the first year of his reign this Pope commanded that john Rochdal a franciscan friar should be burned, for speaking certain words against the clergy. The said john (saith Premonstratensis) did prophecy many things to come of Antichrist and of the Popes, and therefore was suspected of heresy: for he begun to prophecy Anno 1354. in the time of Clement the sixte, and many of his prophecies were found to come to pass. A certain priest having had a bull of this Pope the space of three years, came in the end and did cast it down at the Pope's feet saying: Lo take your bull unto you for it doth me no good, for the which cause the Pope commanded him to be apprehended and whipped, and afterward committed to prison.  
This Pope made an holy day for the spear and hammers wherewith Christ was pierced and nailed. He builded walls about Auenio, and founded an house of Carthusian monks without the City. While he was preparing an army against the Turks Anno 1362. he died for grief understanding that the Romans were at civil dissension. There appeared so great an Eclipse of the Sun before the death of this Pope as hath not been seen. In his time also (saith Masseus) a certain flame brandishing in the air, after the going down of the Sun gave a terrible light in the sky: afterward huge swarms of Locusts destroying and eating up the fruits of the earth, did also feed upon the very stalks.   

141. Vrban the fift.  
VRban the fift was also born in Lemonia called before Grymold Grison, son of one William a Physician and an Englishman, in profession he was a Benedictine monk, and in the end he being absent in an Embassage was choose Pope. Being therefore called to Auenio and saluted Pope, he did forthwith addict his mind to maintain the prerogative of the Church in covetousness, riot & pomp, with great diligence, using herein the assistance of such as were prone to this purpose, especially one Giles a Spaniard whom he sent Legate in the behalf thereof, who scoured italy and oppressed the Uicountes, and other governors with great calamities and slaughters, and compelled them all to submit themselves for fear to the Church of Rome. Pope Vrban himself in the fourth year of his reign coming to Rome with his Cardinals, bestowed superstitious cost upon idols & ruinous Churches. He covered the skulls of the Apostles (as he thought, which they had long sought for ere they could find them, and ye miss of them also in the end) in coffers of gold & silver, valued at thirty. Thousand Florence's, & set them in the place where they are yet seen. He repaired divers houses of the Popes: he commanded to preach the Cross against the Turks: he commanded that the Nicene creed should be song on S. john Baptistes day: he yielded sovereignty to the sea of Rome: he builded schools for those that should study Physic and the Decretals. Bridget a woman of Sweaveland came to him to Rome, because of a vow that she had made, and procured that there should be Religious parsons both men & women of the order of S. Bridget. Afterwards be returning into France, made one john Hawcuth an Englishman lieutenant of his army, in the stead of Giles that was dead, that he might still defend the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction until he should return: for he purposed not to return to italy. But while he went into France hoping to return to his court in Rome, Anno 1371. he died at Massilia, poisoned as it is thought. Sabellicus writeth that he made great war in italy, yea even with the Princes that his ancestors had set up against the Emperor, & he slew many of them. In this Pope's time (saith Premonstratensis) the archbishop of Collen had a wife. In his time also the order of the jesuits & Scopetines' orders first began, as john Palionedorus testifieth in the third book and second Chapter of his tripartite history.   

142. Gregory the xi.  
GRegorie the eleventh born in Lenomony called before Peter Belfortius, was Cardinal of new S. mary's and nephew to Pope Clement, he succeeded Vrban. This Gregory (saith Platina) was made Cardinal when he was scant xvii. years old by his uncle Clement, and lest he should seem to have more regard to his kindred then to the Church, he sent him to the best learned doctors in italy, to be brought up in learning, especially to one Baldus who then read the Pope's decretals at Peruse, where he profited in all kind of such learning as Baldus could teach him: so much that the said Baldus for the assurance of his own affairs being in danger, used his authority for his own safety. Gregory being Pope sent a Cardinal into italy to oversee according to custom, the estate of the Church. But because (as Volaterain saith) almost all the Cities revolted from him (by the council of Katherine a Nun of Scene, which afterward become a saint, & of Baldus his schoolmaster) he returned from France unto Rome with twelve. galleys. Or (as Sabellicus says) because that he reproving a certain bishop for being non-resident, was by the same bishop reproved again, that he being the chief bishop did yet lie so far and so long from the place of his Church. Anno 1376. he excommunicated out of the Church the Florentines, who were the authors of the revolting, and had taken to their use all the Pope's towns lying about them: and because they despised and defied the terror and vain bolts of his excommunication, he warred upon them. Some other say he returned into italy for other causes. Masseus saith, that one Bridget a woman returned from Jerusalem to Rome, written to Pope Gregory that it was the Lord's pleasure that the Pope's court should return to Rome. Crantzius says, it was because a certain bishop did sharply rebuke him that he would leave his Church and follow the Court: Of whom the Pope received this answer: And thou (quoth he) being Pope of Rome that aught to be an example to other, dost not return to this bishopric. And therefore he did again translate his seat from France to Rome, by the persuasion of two women and one bishop, in the 70. year after the translation thereof. This Gregory demanded tenths throughout the whole Empire, and repaired the walls of the City and old buildings with great pompous cost. He added the eve to the holy day of the birth of the blessed virgin Mary. In the time of this Pope, king Edward the third of England made many profitable laws abridging the Pope's pillage, usurpation and ambition, within the Realm. Also certain soldiers of this Pope Gregory lying in a City called Cesenata, did not only take things as victuals and other necessaries, refusing to pay for it, but also did beat like slaves the Citizens, & upon further stir they murdered them pityfully●, sparing neither man woman nor child though they were sucking babes, so that they filled all pits in the City with dead karcasses, for in a few hours upon one day they slew in the City of all ages viii. Thousand, and then rob & spoiled the town, and so left it desolate & empty. Theodoricus lib. 3. Cap. 2.  
At the length Anno 1378. he died of extreme pain of the bladder. Even at the hour of the Pope's death the report is that the Palace of Auenio was set on fire, & could not be quenched till the greater part thereof were burned. afterward ensued the greatest sciesme and division that ever happened in the Popedom. Then (saith Massaeus) the clergy and people of Rome complaining to the Cardinals, besought them to choose an Italian & not a French man Pope, that the Court might not go into France again. But when they began to make an election, suddenly a controversy began, for the Italians were but four, and the French Cardinals were xiii. who might easily have prevailed but they dared not, for the Romans stood ready in armour, and made a tumult. Therefore on saturday being the ix. day of April, they choose Vrban the sixt to be Pope, who was Crowned on Easter day being the xviii. day of the said month. Praemonstratensis saith that in the time of this urban the sixte, began a new and strange sect of bedlamss both of men and women, who used to skip and dance against all modesty: who Anno 1375. came (saith he) from Aquisgran into Hannonia and so into France, which might prognosticate the return of Pope Gregory and his Cardinals to Rome. This sect of Dancers imagined with themselves that they danced in rivers of blood, but they that stood by could perceive no such thing. The people thought that these dancers were evil baptised by priests keeping harlots, and therefore the people thought to have risen against the clergy to slay them, & to spoil them of their goods, unless God had withstood it (saith he) by certain conjurations.   

143. Vrban the vi.  
VRban the sixt being but a poor man and very obscure born in Naples, called otherwise Barthelmew and at length archbishop of Bore but never Cardinal, and absent (the Romans urging it very sore) was choose Pope. He being choose Pope, jane Queen of Sicill bestowed great cost in triumphing for joy, and sent to him for presents forty thousand dukates in gold & silver, besides wines, victuals and other things, yielding also to him her kingdom and all that she had, to be at his commandment. Likewise her husband the noble Otto duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum offered him the like courtesy But (saith Theodoricus of Nyem. lib. 1. cap. 7.) soon after Otto after dinner among many great estates and Cardinals drank to the Pope, but Vrban was so proud that he suffered the noble Prince to kneel before him a great while, ere he would take the cup out of his hand, in so much that one of the Cardinals moved withal said unto him: Most holy father, it is time for you to take the cup & drink. Whereby he fulfilled the old sayings: Asperius misero nihil est qui surgit in altum. And again: Cord stat inflato pauper honore dato. Claw a churl etc. But greater unkindness he showed in the end both unto this duke & Queen jane his wife, for by his means Otto was taken and murdered, and jane also committed to prison, and therein miserably strangled to death by one duke Charles, who contrary to his oath by procurement of this urban, violently wrested from them that had brought him up, the kingdom of Sicill with their lives: for furtherance whereof Vrban sold the proprieties and lands of Churches and monasteries in Rome, beside great store of silver and golden challecies, crosses, images and such like monuments turned into wine, and given to Charles to the sum of fourscore Thousand Florences to maintain his war against the foresaid Princes, in recompense whereof Charles should bestow upon a cowardly wretch Francis Butillus nephew to urban, the dukedoms of Capuan and Amalsitan, and many noble Earldoms in the kingdom of Sicil. Vrban being installed, warned the clergy of their duty, he charged all the bishops with perjury, because they were not resident lying in the Court of Rome, and not in their bishoprics, saith Theodericus of Nyem, and seemed that he would purge his Court of idle parsons. He warned the Cardinal's divers times to take heed of simony, and to content themselves with their portions: he commanded them to ride with fewer horses, that (quoth he) we may even from our hearts be a pattern to the people: and (quoth he) as touching that you speak of returning into France, you know that I will continued still in Rome. Then viii. of them being Frenchmen went first to Anagnia and afterward to Fundum because they feared his severity, where they conspiring among themselves & affirming that he was not true Pope, but violently thrust in by the Romans, they chose to themselves another Pope the xx. day of September called Clement the seventh, whereupon arose a sciesme which was more perilous and lasted longer than ever did any, for it lasted almost xl. years. Theodoricus saith lib. 1. cap. 11. that Clement being choose, many prelates, offieials & courtiers, did on all sides fly to him from Vrban so that he was left alone almost, & as for those that tarried with him or resorted to him in hope of preferment, or about any suetes, yet they misdoubted the estate thereof and murmured daily, still doubting what to do: which when Vrban saw, he wept bitterly repenting his rough regiment the cause of all, and to salve his sore, and to allure the favour of men for his own strength, he made xxvi. new Cardinals out of all sort of men, and gave other offices and livings frankly, by means whereof many begun to repair to him from divers places, hoping to speed well in being partakers with him in this division.  
Theodoricus in the 33. Chapter of his first book, reporteth that Francis Butillus nephew to this Pope Vrban, did ravish a virgin being a Nun in Naples keeping her perforce certain days in his lodging: but what marvel is it (saith he) seeing the filthy will still be filthy, for he was ever given to gluttony, lechery, sloth and royat. And yet the Pope would not rebuke his nephew for this villainy, but being told thereof and of his licentious life, he used to answer: Tush he is a young man. And yet says Theodoricus, Butillus was at this time forty years old. But upon this fact there was a great murmuring among the people, saying the like prank was never played before in Naples. And yet the Pope did not only defend his nephew being for it condemned to death by the king, but also with cracks & threats made the king glad to bestow a noble virgin of his own blood upon the said Butillus, & threescore and ten thousand Florence's yearly, with the castle of Luceria.  
This Pope Vrban (as Stella saith) was a crafty man, & one that would remember an injury and seek to revenge: Crantzius saith he was a churlish, cruel and unmerciful man, who taking upon him the Popedom, sought not to make peace (as he should have done) among Christians, but rather bend himself to revenge the injuries of his Cardinals and of jane Queen of Sicill, and therefore to make the Florentines to take his part, he absolved them from the excommunication of Pope Gregory, and sent john Hawcuth an Englishman captain of them against the Queen. Furthermore he being of nature given to wrangling, strife, & cruelty, creating certain new Cardinals at Nuceria, he cast seven. of the old Cardinals into prison because they had conspired with Clement the seventh against him: and five of those seven. he laid upon great stones, and in despite of Clement drowned them, which kind of death also one Adam an Englishman being a Cardinal did hardly escape at the same time. And of those new Cardinals being xxix. they were all Neapolitans and his cousins, saving three. This Pope proclaimed war against Charles of Hungary king of Naples, because he would not make a nephew of his Prince of Campania: he governed the Church with all tyranny that might be, and to show his rigorous rage more openly, thus writeth his friend Platina of him: Vrban (saith he) being delivered from the terror of France & go to Naples, desireth the king to make his nephew king of Campania, which when he could not obtain, this fellow under pretence of a just and honest man, being one whom no man neither loved nor liked, began forthwith to threat and crack the king, whereby he so offended the king that for a while he committed him to the charge of certain parsons, and suffered him not to come abroad. But the Pope dissembling his malice for the time, departing with the kings good will to Nuceria (because of the heat of the weather as he feigned) and fortifying the City sufficiently, he doth both make new Cardinals and imprysoneth seven of the old, because as he said they had conspired with the king and Pope Clement against him. Furthermore he sent out a process against the king, and a citation according to the custom: the king answered that he would shortly come to Nuceria, and answer his accusations both by word and by sword. So he came to Nuceria with a great army and besieged the City, Ramond Balsian being moved with this discourtesy, being Prince of Tarent presuming of his power, and conveying urban with all his Court to the next shore, he put them into three Galleys of Genewaies' provided for that purpose: whereby while the Pope is transported to Genua, he drowned five Cardinals fastened to rocks, of those seven which he took at Nuceria. Furthermore in the year after the death of Charles, he passed to Ferentine (to see Naples as he said) but in deed of this mind, to deprive of their inheritance the young Princes Ladislaus & john being but a child, the sons of Charles. This urban granted to the sect of begging friars, that they might change their vows to commit another unhonest act, and challenge as it were to restore to right unlawful goods being in controversy. He died in Rome Anno 1390. poisoned as some think, after he had misgoverned the Popedom x. years, and few or none were sorry of his death. The year before his death his Mule fell under him as he was riding, where withal he was sore hurt and brosed, so as he did never recover it till his death: he being dead, his nephew Francis was thrust from all his living, and came to Rome poor and despised no man showing him good countenance, according to the old saying: 
Cum moritur praeful, cognatio tota fit exul.  
When as a prelate goes away,  
than all the kindred do decay.  And so this Francis with sorrow and anguish forsook Rome at length and went to Sicill. This same year (saith Funcius) this covetous miser Vrban brought up the year of jubilee, because he saw it would prove gainful to him and to the Romans. He also appointed annuities to be paid out of priests lands, under pretence of waginge an army against the Pagans: the Englishmen withstanding this constitution, calling a Parliament did decree that the Pope should have no jurisdiction beyond the limits of the Ocian Sea: but the bishops & prelates like traitors to their country, did take upon them afterward to pay the pension.  
It would ask a great volume to touch every villainous practice of this Pope Vrban. Certain coming to meet him on a time did first kiss the ground three times, & then his feet with all humility. He had given him by a certain Lady, a precious Mitre and certain garments valued at more than xx. Thousand Florence's. He caused a Cardinal in one day to depose, to rack, to torment, to spoil & imprison, all the prelate's of Sicilia, because they did not maugre their Prince assist him against Clement, and made in their steed 32. new bishops and archbishops: and (saith Theodoricus) there was not a clerk in all Naples so deltishe and beggarly, but that he was made either a bishop, archbishop, abbot, prior, or some prelate, if he would take it upon him to take part with Vrban. He used the service of Charles king of Sicill on a time going before him as his usher, and bearing the Pope's target following with his army into a town called Auersa. He put six Cardinals in a dungeon with their feet set in the stocks, and caused them to be miserably tormented and racked, only for suspicion of falsehood against him, and so kept them in prison where they pined through famine, thirst and cold, having also worms and life breeding in their bodies: & yet they stood stoutly in their innocency. But no humble and importunate suit neither of them nor any other, could ever move the stony heart of Vrban to pity their cases, but (says Theodoricus) the more he was entreated the more wrathful he was, so that his eyes would sparkle, his face burn and glow, his throat wax dry for anger. And after sundry examinations he sent unto them again Theodoricus (the writer of this history) & other to examine them in a vault of the castle where they lay, than (saith Theodoricus) the Cardinal of Sanger was first brought up unto us, with a pair of iron shakles on his feet and a short mantle about him, because it was a cold and windy prison. Who when he came to the end of the cellar and saw above him the ropes hanging wherewith he should be racked, and was by the waiters striped out of his apparel, leaving him scarcely his shirt on, and bond very hard to the rack, Francis the Popes nephew stood by and laughed at this miserable sight without all measure: but I that loved this Cardinal of old was sore grieved thereat, but I could not depart the place. But to be short, the said Cardinal was an aged man of a corpulent body, comely and taule of stature, and being bound he was thrice lifted from the ground by the strong pulling of those that racked him, so that he waxed very feeble, which when I beheld, when he was let go to the ground again I said to him softly: O dear father do you not see how your blood is sought for: I beseech you for God's cause confess something to deliver your selves for this time from these tormentors? He answered, I cannot tell what I shall say. And when they would have ●acked him again, I bade them cease for he hath satisfied me as I will certify the Pope in writing, & so they lose● him & carried him out to take air: who coming to himself said unto us heavily. Behold my brethren the time hath been as you know, that I lived in the pomp and royalty of this world, but now I am become a most miserable caitiff and despised wretch. And I would to God this were granted to me as a singular benefit, that I having nothing might beg my bread from place to place: but out alas, this trouble & sorrow are justly by God's judgement fallen upon me, because even in this kingdom of Sicil I was so cruel an executor of the Pope's commandment, in deposing without favour the archbishops, bishops, abbots, and other of the clergy without respect of age or degree, hoping herein to have pleased his mind. The next day after this Pope Vrban called unto him one Basilius to be chief tormentor of these Cardinals, which liked him very well for he was a malicious man and hated the clergy naturally, and was a persecutor of God and his servants, a notable pirate, and a plaguer of Christians whom he used to take captive from his youth: at the first he lived by theft and robbery, but when that failed and he become a beggar, he sought succour of Pope Vrban, who not for devotion but to obtain a priorship of an hospital in Tinacria made him a friar. To this fellow, Vrban gave charge to torment on the next day, the Cardinal of Venice, and to continued racking him until such time as urban himself might hear him cry for pain: So when Basilius and we came to the prison where the Cardinal of Venice was, Basilius taking him out & bringing him to a certain hall in the Castle did stripe of his apparel, and having the ropes fastened aloft & hanging down to the ground he tied him hard to them. And although the Cardinal were an old man, broken and diseased, and weak of complexion, yet he tormented him upon the rack most cruelly from morning till dinner time continually, but the silly man ever as he was haled up cried still & said: Christ hath suffered for us, etc. In the mean time Pope Vrban walked in a garden below, and read on a book so loud that we might hear him, which he did to this end that Basilius might the better look to his charge to plong the Cardinal the mere. But as for me (saith Theodoricus) I could abide this woeful sight no longer, and therefore dissembling myself to be sick I got leave to depart. And in like manner was the other Cardinals used afterward. Finally Vrban removing from Naples commanded that these Cardinals and their fellow prisoner the bishop of Aquilo, should follow him and ride next after him, assigning to every one his guard to keep them that they should not escape by the way. But the bishop partly because he road upon a jade, partly because his body was yet after his racking so sore and feeble that he was not able to endure fast riding, but as the Pope galloped he came lagging after as fast as he might. And yet the Pope thinking that helingred to have stolen away, in a great rage commanded his villains to kill him, and so they slay him mangling him with many wounds, and left his dead carcase unburied in the way. Afterwards at the suit of king Richard of England, Pope Vrban did partly release to the custody of a certain priest one of the Cardinals called Adam Cardinal of Sicil: but he took from him all that ever he had, and left him in case of a vagabounde till Boniface his successor restored him. But as for the other five he kept miserably in prison in an abbey in a town of janua, being next to the Church where he lay: and if that he see any man resort to that Church at extraordinary hours, he thought that he resorted thither to deliver the Cardinals by stealth: and therefore he committed to prison & tormented many of his own Court only upon suspicion thereof. And notwithstanding the duke & citizens of janua sued for those prisoners, yet he would never show them any mercy, but in the end caused them to be put to death, as some say beheaded, other say drowned, but how so ever it were sure it is they perished. Furthermore Charles king of Sicil being at variance with Vrban, and having his nephew Francis prisoner died at length. Then came Margaret the wife of the said Charles, humbly suing to Vrban to be gracious to her and to her children, and to grant that her husband's body might be buried, in which suit many nobles of Florence and other Cities joined with her, and yet his hard heart would nothing pity her suit, nor grant her so much as a grave for the king her husband, though she had freely released his nephew to him, yet he added process to process, and heaped condemnation upon condemnation against her and her poor children, because he did from his heart detest the name of the said Charles. Thus reporteth Theodoricus word for word as he is alleged, who being secretary to Pope Vrban written that which he saw with a sorrowful heart. The cause why that the Pope did dispatch those Cardinals was this: he was suddenly forced to remove from one place to another, and therefore thinking that those Cardinals if he should carry them with him would hinder and cumber him on the one side, & on the other side he was loathe to leave them behind lest they should escape, and therefore flying from Nuceria to jenua (as is said) it is thought that by the way he tied them fast to the rocks, & so lef● them to be drowned. It is said that this year one Bertholdus Swart or otherwise Schwartz an Alchemist and a monk, in the North part of germany devised first and contrived Guns to the spoil of mankind.   

144. Clement the 7.  
CLement the seventh was a Frenchman, and by birth Earl of Gebenny called in time past Robert, he being first a Cardinal was made Pope by the Cardinals. These Cardinals after the third month of the election of urban, perceiving bow he was given to tyranny, and that he would not return into France, they stolen away & fled from Rome to Fundus. But first they besought him to give them licence with his favour to go to Anagnia, to change the air for the Summer time, but they fearing his melancholy mode and frantic fits, went away. These Cardinals were got together john Prevestin, William of S. Stevens in Coeli hill, Bertrandus of S. Cicill, Robert aforesaid, Hugh of the 4. holy Crowns, Gui of the holy Cross in Jerusalem, john of S. Marcellus, Peter of S. Laurencis in Lucine, Gerard of S. Clement's, Peter of S. Eustace, William of S. Angel, Peter of S. mary's immaculate, and Peter of S. mary's of Cosmidin. These saith Platina did pilfer out the treasure of the Church at the death of the Pope, and did every thing as liked them best. Who as soon as they fled to Fundus, railed upon Vrban as an usurper of the Popedom, saying that he was create perforce, and perforce received the Crown of the Pope ship, because that election was made for fear in a place of great danger, in the which men aught to have had liberty to do and speak their minds frank & free, and yet they were compelled by the people contrariwise, to choose rather an Italian then a Frenchman. For these causes (they said) the seat being void and jane Queen of Sicill favouring their purpose, they choose the foresaid Robert to be Pope, and called him Clement the seventh. Because (saith Theodoricus) they known him to be ambitious, needy and yet very prodigal, of a large conscience but of noble birth, well be friended and of great power, having a strong troop waiting upon him: whereby (saith he lib. 1. cap. 10.) it may be judged that this election proceeded not of the holy ghost nor of good consciences. Hereupon arose a great discord among Christian Churches, while some Princes favoured Pope Vrban, some favoured Pope Clement, and some there were that meddled with neither of them, and they were called neuters. Clement going to Auenio was worshipped of the Spaniards & Frenchmen, who did welcome him thither. He continued fifteen years making divers laws, whom beside the French king, the king of Arragon, of Castille & Navarre obeyed. In the mean time a council was held at Paris to take up the strife for the Popedom, which council yielded to Clement as tilius writeth. In his time about the year 1387. arose a controversy between the students of Paris and the dominick friars, concerning the conception of the virgin Mary. Pope Clement died Anno 1392. being buried at Auenio. These two Popes scattered about the world in divers quarters their terrible and fearful bulls, and spread abroad railing books full of infamy, and defacing, backbytinge and excommunicating one another, calling each other with sharp despite and bitter reproach, antichrist, schismatic, heretic, tyrant, thief, traitor, unjust, wicked sour of darnel in God's Harvest, and the cursed son of belial. john of Lignia doctor of both Laws, set out a book in the behalf of urban, and the abbot of S. Vedast councillor to the French king, did publish another for Clement against Vrban.  
Among other broils wrought between these 2. fyrebrands, it shall be sufficient to declare but some of the lest, Theodoricus lib 1. cap. 14. saith, that Clement with his Cardinals being in Campania, sent for their Captain Bernard de Cazala with other men of war out of Gascony and Britain, who should pass over a certain bridge upon Tiber nigh Rome, but they that kept the bridge withstood them, whereupon all the City was in an uproar, & many ran out disordered to defend the bridge against Bernard and his Britons who entered perforce, and in this conflict there were slain as some think 8. hundred Romans, and the rest beaten back into the City, whereof arose great howling, crying, & lamenting through Rome. But the Romans to revenge themselves, fell upon all such as might seem in the City to favour Pope Clement, as all those that were born beyond the Alps, both Frenchmen and Spaniards that were weak and unweaponed in the City: they spared neither man, woman nor child, parson nor degree, some they murdered, some they chained in prison, the women they used villanously without all shame, bishops and noble men they spoiled, rob and long imprisoned with great misery: This hurly burly continued long. Yea I see then (saith Theodoricus) certain matrons of Rome desirous to inflame the Roman Citizens against the courtiers & strangers, to iastle them ruffiantly in the streets, and without all honesty to spit and slaver in the faces of the courtiers both of men and women. But while the friends of Pope Vrban did thus within the City molest the friends of Clement, a certain Frenchman being Captain of Angel castle, and keeping it to the use of his countryman Clement and his Cardinals: did level a certain engine out of the Castle against the City, discharging and shooting arrows & pellets violently into Rome among the Romans and courtiers, and with this shot he overthrew, shook down and fired many houses. Thus was the City in a miserable broil, and in these tumults were slain divers noble men. john Vrsine, Rainolde his brother and one Honoratus, with Angelus lieutenant of Rome & divers other estates, stepped up in arms in the quarrel of Clement assaulting the City round about: Rainold laid siege against it at S. Agnes gate a whole month, so that the Romans were rob of their cattle, and dared not peep out of the City to follow their husbandry during this storm. Whereupon Charles the Emperor and Lewis king of Hungary at the humble suit of Pope Vrban, sent to Clement their Ambassadors, desiring him to yield up his Papacy for the ending of these stirs tending to the ruin of the Church and Christian estate: but Pope Clement and his Cardinals in steed of reasonable answers used the Legates villainously, keeping some of them in prison, some they racked cruelly, and by this means all christendom was divided, some (as Almany, Bohemia, Thuscia, Lombardy, England, Polony, Denmark, Sweveland, Norway, Prusia, Frizland, with divers other countries) took part with urban: and likewise many countries with Clement. Vrban made Charles king of Sicil, and Clement set up jews of Andegana against him for it, to the spoil of much blood. Many other notable histories are written of this Clement, which for tediousness are overpassed, only I note that which Theodoricus saith, that he being Cardinal under Gregory the xi. was cause of the destruction and lamentable spoiling of the City Cesanate, having charge of the soldiers that did it as is showed in the said Gregory. Also at the same time he sold the City Vercels unto a couple of tyrants, to the great confusion of the same City in like manner, but those tyrant's Caleatius and Barnabonis having full possession thereof, rob this Cardinal again of all the treasure which they had paid him. But when he sat in the papacy he was so prodigal in spending the Church goods, that he granted to every man especially noble men, large pensions, farms & lands at an easy rent.   

145. Boniface the ix.  
BOniface the ix. born in Naples, was first called Peter Thomacell being but a younker scant xx. years old, but a tough and sturdy fellow, he was made Pope by consent of those Cardinals that remained in Rome. Theodoricus saith that he could neither writ nor sing, and that when he was choose he knew not what belonged to the great charge of the papacy, and when supplications were offered him, he handled them so untowardly as if he had never been brought up in the Court of Rome, neither could he understand the contents thereof. When any advocates during his government moved any matter debated in his consistory, he never understood them, but would bolt out an undiscrete answer to their demands. At the first during the lives of certain good Cardinals he durst not openly commit simony, though privily he used his brokers therein: but they being dead after seven. years he used it openly. First he took the first fruits of all abbeys and great Churches void, and ere the living were bestowed the money must be paid: yea often he was herded to wish, that the money being paid the party might not enjoy it, that he might be paid new first fruits again by another. This was the chiefest of those xxvi. Neapolitans, whom being of his alleance Pope Vrban made Cardinals at Nuceria: who (as Crantzius saith) being confirmed & established, did forthwith confirm those things which Vrban had decreed touching the jubely to be kept every xiii. year, the feast of the visitation of the virgin Mary, and indulgences & pardons for the worshipping of Christ's body. But by his covetousness and simony, because all benefices were sold for money, usury waxed so rank in Rome, that it was counted no sin (saith Theodoricus) in his time: yea oftentimes usury was required openly, even in the presence of the judges and officials. And again there was no suit made to the Pope for any matter, but that bribes must be given for speaking. The fift day of November in the first year of his reign, he, his Secretaryes, and his chamberlains set benefices to sale so impudently, offering and trying who would give most, so that all men laughed it to scorn. At which time he gave under seal any benefice where soever, were it in his disposition or not, his gift to take place upon the death of the incumbente: and this kind of sale lasted long in the Court of Rome, so that many poachers ran up and down the country to espy where were any old or sick prelate, & thereupon poas●ed to Rome to purchase a grant of his living: so that sometime the Pope sold one benefice to divers parties, and used to set down in the dating of it that the second third or the fourth grant should stand above and before the rest: and therefore after divers grants of one benefice yet some purchased one after all with this clause, to defeat the rest notwithstanding all former or after grants, and for more assurance the last should be antedated. Thus the Pope played pollage so long till all men being weary of his mockery, his market decayed.  
A thousand other practices were put in ure by him and his clergy as appeareth at large in Theodoricus, and yet because the Pope did it, is was no sin, for so they said generally. He sent abroad his collectors into divers countries with pardons, who thereby purloined great treasures from the simple people, so that they brought out of some one province an hundred thousand Florence's: but the Pope calling these his officers to account, and finding that some of them defrauded him, he put them in prison, some he put to death, some murdered themselves, some were he wed in pieces by the people for their cruel exactions. When these and the former shifts waxed stolen, than the Pope and his complices devised new. They made new grants of benefices which did disannul all the old: but they were very dear, for they were sold for fifty dukates a piece, and they to whom the Pope granted them, sold them with condition that the cellar should have portion of the commodity. And if one man had a benefice granted him & the grant were written and sealed, yet if another came in the deed doing ere it were delivered and would give more, the former seal was broken, the writing canceled, and the grant void, and so as often as the price was enhanced, the gift was changed: yea they that made the former offers were railed on, and rebuked bitterly by Boniface, charging them that they went about to beguile him in bargaining, offering not so much as the benefice was worth. At this time a contagious plague reigned in Rome where of men died so fast, that (saith Theodoricus) I have seen one benefice sold to many men in one week, every one paying the price for it and dying immediately, another came by and by and gave money for it, and so he dying the third did likewise. Then might a dolt get a living better cheap than a learned man, for the Pope being ignorant loved those best that were likest to himself. When money wanted, yet rather than Boniface would lose his market, he was content to take other stuff, as hogs, horses, grain, wheat, neat, sheep or any thing else. Thus were all the Pope's courtiers become bargainers, brokers, usurers and simonistes: and he that could devise the most crafty shifts, was counted wisest & most esteemed. Some having then a grant to take for himself perhaps two. iii or iiii. of the benefices that he could espy next void, would by means of this commission cease upon xx. and keep the commodity of them in his hands: they that used these shifts were the Pope's auditors, & by this means they disappointed other men that had the like grants, and thus they might do with pretence of law, because they had prerogatives being chaplains and officers unto Pope Boniface. Hereupon a rose many suetes and controversies in law, so that the clients being wonderfully increased in number, the proctors and lawyers would not pled but have unreasonable fees. The Pope also for every seal that he granted had his ●ee of all men except his Cardinals: thus was Rome on all sides fleeced, filched and flayed. And yet in all this simony and bribery, every one that received a benefice had an oath ministered to him that he came by it without any unlawful conditions of buying or selling. Afterwards the said Boniface decreed that every archbishop, bishop, abbot or such like, if within a year after the receiving of his living he had not fully satisfied the Pope's trea●urye, the living to be void immediately: and in this snare many prelate's of all degrees was suddenly trapped, so that of archbishops, bishops and abbots they become my Lords quondam, & of rich men, beggars. Many fugitive friars, hedge priests, rogues, rascals, verlets and pezaunts seeing this, ran thick to the Pope's court offering themselves to serve him as his slaves, on whom he bestowed the livings whereof other were deprived: so that some that to day were ruffians, beggars & lackeys, as to morrow were become bishops, archbishops, abbots and prior's: thus on all sides the miser Boniface made a miserable clergy for greediness of money. Beside this many monks and friars did purchase licence of him to dwell aloof out of their religious houses and cloisters: priests bought licences to have as many benefices and dignities as they could get, to sell their old and to buy new, and to be non-resident at their pleasure. Neither (saith Theodoricus) could any thing be demanded so unjust and absurd, but for money it might be got. And as Boniface did, so his covetous mother and two of his brethren being in his court with him, obtained grants of him at their pleasure, and sold them for double the price. If any noble men came to the court with fair horses, than the mother and her sons would be sure to have them or the most part of them: for no man dared deny them any thing that they craved. This Boniface had also a sister whom he gave in marriage to the Earl of S. Flavian, and made him duke of Adria, giving him with his sister 17. Thousand Florence's, but at length the said duke in a fray slew her with a knife, for the which that duke was afterward traitorously murdered. Many tumults were made & procured by this Boniface in divers places, and especially one bloody sedition which lasted long in Peruse. Also he entertained very courteously a certain abbot, who to gratify him had murdered Beordus governor of Peruse in his bed chamber, suffering him upon especial good will and amity to come into him. In the xi. year of this Boniface one Nicolas de Columna made a conspiracy to have come in the night upon the said Pope, to have deprived him of his temporal jurisdiction, but he giving the attempt and coming with his men in armour to the Pope's gate, was yet disappointed and fled: but the next day xxxi. of his servants that by commandment waited upon him were apprehended, and though one word of the Pope's mouth mighe have saved their lives, yet they were all hanged but one, who being but a striplin for want of an hangman was promised pardon if he would hung the rest: who pausing there at a while (because his own father and brother were of the same company) did yet at the last for saving of his own life do the execution both on his father, brother and the rest, weeping tenderly at this hard hap. And yet he also should afterward have been hanged, but at the people moved with compassion, sued for his life.  
This Boniface received to favour master Adam an English Cardinal being skilful in the Hebrew tongue. He banished utterly the Earl of Fundus, who at the first procured the discord. He reigned over the Romans not like a bishop, but like a salvage tyrant Nero or Caligula. He suspecting divers Romans of treason against him, did 'cause them to be put to death. He repaired and fortified the Palace Vatican, the Capitol Angel castle. There was never Pope that bore such rough sway over the Romans saith Crantzius. He had no learning, but coveted to increase the pomp of his estate, and therefore devised a law whereby he purloined the sovereignty of the world, that is, that it should not be lawful for any of the clergy to enter on a benefice which he should obtain, unless he paid the first fruits to the Apostolical excheaker or the Pope's Chamber. He put down the Banderesians a noble estate among the Romans: also he compelled the Romans by a cruel law, to fetch home their foreign Senator Malatesta of Pisauria. He strengthened the City for his own purpose with fortresses and bulwarks: but making wars with the Uicountes he lost Bononie. He caused Ladislaus a young gentleman son to Charles king of Naples, to be Crowned king in his father's Realm by the Cardinal of Florence: whereupon Sigismunde king of Hungary thinking himself greatly injuried, great wars ensued to the miserable slaughter of Thousands, burning and spoiling of Cities, towns, monasteries & castles in hungary: So great a thing it is to dispossess a king. Boniface also canonised S. Brigit born in Sweveland. He gave to his cousins and kindred the advantage and commodity of the jubilee. He offended and sinned much in parcialitye, and because he subscribed & granted certain abominable indulgences and pardons, he ran into great infamy. He kept the jubilee at Rome Anno 1400. where many strangers were rob, and great Ladies ravished by the pezantes of the Pope's court: finally Anno 1404. he died of the colic and stone. The Summer before that Boniface died, there happened horrible tempests, boisterous winds, hail, thunder & lightnings. And in the night a certain house (new builded by Boniface) of square stone very costly (wherein for the time he used to bless the people) had the roof of it blown down by the violence of the storm, and the timber hurled to the earth. Also the strong pinnacles of Angel castle were thrown to the ground with much other mischief and ruin. Also another night appeared such terrible and vehements lightning and thunder all night long, that all men being in a desperate fear, thought surely the City would have been overwhelmed withal. Another time also there was in Rome an earthquake, which though it did no hurt yet it amazed all men. Theodoricus lib. 2. cap. 33.  
This Pope rooted out a superstitious sect called Albes, and burned a priest of them who came with a great train of that sect both men and women down from the Alps into Italy: for Boniface seeing him come thus with his company all in white (for that which cause they were called Albes) was afraid as some writ, lest his Popeship should be taken from him by the said priest. But some (saith Platina) say that the man did purpose no harm, but that the Pope did imagine this to put away the rumour that went, how the priest was for spite and malice taken and put to death.   

146. Benedict the xiii.  
BEnedict the xiii was a Catalan born and called Peter of the Moon: this man even in the time of the sciesme during was choose Pope to succeed Clement by those Cardinals which continued at Auenio. This fellow while he was but Peter of the Moon & not Benedict Pope of Rome, did dispute against the authority of the Pope and of his clergy, and said that it was not to be feared: and for this his true saying notwithstanding he become Pope, yet afterward he was and is still condemned by his successors for an heretic. While he was but Cardinal being sent by Pope Clement Ambassador to Paris and other places, he used often to boast that if he might be choose to succeed Clement, he would spare no means to procure that this long sciesme might cease. And therefore the Cardinals abused with his great protestations, did choose him in deed to succeed the other, but before the election they swore all and he among them, that whosoever should be choose Pope should be content at any time to resign & give it up again, if the Cardinals thinking it meet would require it. But afterward when it came to trial, he defying his oath would not yield one jot, not though the Cardinals & divers Princes did exhort him to it, and charged him with his oath: and counsels conclude against him that he was no Pope. But certain estates of France moved with his troublesome obstinacy, did set upon him by force of arms: took him priner and kept him so three years, and yet could not make him give over, but that he would first dye ere he would diminish his dignity: so that they being weary of him, delivered him again at the end of the three years.  
By his laws it appeareth that being Pope he would that even the wrong sentence of condemnation uttered by him and his sons should be feared. He abode in his place (saith Crantzius) till the time of the council of Constance, and he swerved much in the auctorizinge of it: finally he began to be hardened being cast of in that council. He continued in his obstinacy with his Cardinals, who also after his death endeavoured to continued and maintain this strife by putting up another to be Pope, but they were forbidden. Among other things this Pope gave to the king of France (Charles the vi.) the tenths of the Church, partly to hire the king to maintain him in his quarrel, partly that he might take part of this great lucre, and (saith Theodoricus) he saw it stood him upon. He at length followed Boniface his practice in bestowing benefices, giving dispensations, tollerations, exemptions, tot-quots, pardons and such like enormities, according to the saying: If thou sawest a thief run thou did dost run with him. This he did to allure men from the obedience of Boniface to himself, the better to maintain his quarrel against him. When this Pope Benedict abode & planted himself strongly in his country, and avouched that he himself was the true vicar of Christ, he was shamefully reproved by the authority of the said general council. And yet he summoned and held a Synod in Perpinian, and created many Cardinals. At the length he dying at Paeniscula Anno 1424. commanded these his Cardinals to choose another in his steed forthwith: and they forthwith choose Giles Munyos canon of Barchynony, calling him Clement the eight, who out of hand at the motion of king Olphonsus did both created new Cardinals, and took upon him to do those things that appertained to the Pope. But when Pope Martin the fift came in favour with king Olphonsus, this Giles at his commandment yielded up all the right and estate of the Popedom being appointed bishop of Maiory: and in like manner they whom he had made Cardinals, did likewise give over their Cardinalship.   

147. Innocent the seventh.  
INnocent the seventh was born at Sulmo & called Cosmarus of Peruse: he being Cardinal of the holy Cross, while all italy was in an uproar he was made Pope to succeed Boniface the ix. While this Innocent was but Cardinal (as Plat. saith) he purposed to reprove the dastardliness & negligence of the former Popes, saying that their s●oath was the cause that the sciesme of xl. years in the Church of Rome and the destruction of the common wealth was not redressed. But he having got the Popedom, and following the fashions of Boniface & Vrban in divers things (which being but a Cardinal he had reproved) he did not only that which in other he had so much condemned, but also would be highly offended if any man should have mentioned it unto him. He governed all things so disorderly, that when the Romans required to have the Capitol, their liberty, kite bridge, and Adrian castle to be restored unto them, and were very earnest that he should take away this dangerous division in the Church, pacify the wars, and qualify the seditions, whereunto the French king promised his aid, & Peter Moon denied not to take peace: then the Pope sent the Romans to Lewis his nephew (dwelling in the hospital called the holy ghosts hospital) as to an hangman for the purpose, who forthwith murdered xi. of the Citizens, which came to procure redress for their country, which by the maliciousness and negligence of the Pope was brought almost to confusion. The said Lewis first stripped them naked, than he murdered them, and last of all threw them gasping for breath out at a window saying: We cannot cast out sedition by any other means then this, Where their bodies lay mangled in the streets till it was night. By the which cruelty the Romans being much enraged seeking assistance of Ladislaus king of Apulia, they range a alarm bell and put themselves in armour, to revenge the villainy upon Lewis. But the Pope to shun the fury of the people fled in all post hast with his nephew the murderer to Viterbium, in the extreme heat of the day, so that he and some Cardinals that fled with him being sore heated were almost choked and dead for want of drink, but thirty. of his company perished out right. Also one of the pezantes killed the abbot of Peruse by the way hard beside the Pope, & another peasant killed one of the court for greediness of a pot of drink before the Pope's face: and all their bodies that died by that way were left unburied. Also after the Pope was come to Viterbium, many of his court died with drinking suddenly cold wine. Then the people for anger that they could not ease their stomachs upon the woorkers of this treachery, turned their rage upon the courtiers, whose goods for the most part was spoiled and taken away, but some courtiers by report were saved in Cardinal's houses. afterward they having taken the Capitol and won Right bridge, attempting in vain to assault Adrian castle. In this broil john Columna Earl of Troy, and other noble Captains of great bands, with Ladislaus his furtherance, joined with the Romans. And hereof arose a bloody conflict joined with much villainy (saith Theodoricus) between the Guelphs and Gibelines, these fighting for the City, the other joined with the Vrsines for the clergy lasted many days in the City with murder, ravishing of women, robbing & spoiling without controlment. Many Cardinals were used unreverently, taken & led to the Capitol and there beaten with coodgels, some prelate's had their garments torn of their backs and lay long in cruel prison, the Pope's treasury was rob and pilfered, many of his bulls and pardons with other such writings were rent and torn. And (saith Theodoricus) who can tell all the vile touches used in the City. The pictures of Pope Innocent were in all places daubed with dirt and greater despites done against him. But in the end all things being appeased, because it was thought that Innocentius much misliked this murder done by his nephew as he dissembled it, the Pope returned to Rome and choose more Cardinals, among whom were Angel Corrarius a Venetian, Peter Philargus born in Candy, and Otho Columna a noble Roman. He having thus fortified his Popeship, created his bloody nephew Lewis Marquis of Picene, and also appointed him afterward Prince of Firma. He commanding the half of Ecclesiastical livings both in France and England, took the foil in this matter for it was denied him (saith Gaguinus) after the which he lived not long but died Anno 1407. at Rome. Theoricus showeth how that when these stirs were hot in Rome, on a night in August such tempests happened that two nuns standing together, were slain with a flash of lightning, and divers houses, walls and towers were beaten down. Also he reporteth that this Innocentius refusing contrary to his oath at his election, to come to agreement with Peter Moon (the other Pope that stood against him) was strangely touched by the hand of God the same time: for having hired his friends to be a means that he should never be more moved to give up his estate, he was suddenly taken with a strange Palsy in the face, all men saying it was God's judgement for his dissembling, But he was recovered of this ere he returned to Rome.   

148. Gregory the xii.  
GRegorie the twelve. a Venetian born was first called Angel Corrarius, he being Patriarch of Constantinople, and S. Marks Cardinal was choose to succeed Innocent. But he was choose at Rome upon this condition, that if it should be needful for the behoof of the Church he should depose himself of his Popeship, because that Benedict the xiii▪ called Peter Moon, who at Auenio was choose to succeed Clement the seven. Gregory being installed Pope, did confirm his promise by writing before notaryes and witnesses, upon condition that the other who also claimed the Popedom should do in like manner, and yield up his estate. But when Benedict would not but stood stiflye to claim his right, and fled from Auenio into Spain, this Gregory likewise would not give place. But in the beginning they notwithstanding exhorting each other by Legates, & offering on either side to yield up their titles, appointed to meet in Savona to make peace. But by their conference used by Legates, they so mocked and disappointed one another (which caused many Christians to speak evil of them) they stirred a greater strife, and therefore a great council was held at Pisa Anno 1410. wherein these dalyers and deluders were both brought before the Cardinals of either faction, who with one consent deprived them both of the Popedom. In this Synod were 124. divines, & almost 300. Lawyers which deposed them both, & choose forthwith one Alexander born in Candy. This deed was allowed by all Nations, saving the Spaniards, the Scots, & the Earl of Armenia, who wholly clave to Peter Moon: nevertheless Gregory & Benedict defying this council, took upon them still the estate as they did both before. But fearing lest they should be apprehended, the one of them fled to Ariminus with Leonarde Aretine Secretarye, the other with his companions fled into Catalony. And thus at one time three Suns (for so the Pope calleth himself the Sun of the world) did shine at one time in the Popedom, and yet none of them all shoane in heaven. Gregory after the degree of the council, was courteously entertained by Charles Malatest Prince of Arminus. And while he stayed at Luca by the consent of the Cardinals that hitherto forsaked him not, he created Gabriel Condelmerius his sister's son Cardinal. He drawn by the ears one Nicolas of Luca a white friar & doctor of divinity, out of the pulpit, because in his Sermon he moved and persuaded him to seek for peace and unity to the profit of all Christendom: beside that he used him so violently in the Church, he afterward also sent him to prison to terrify other that they should not talk of this matter. In the end the fathers of the general council of Constance sent unto him, that either he should come thither or sand his messenger, and thereupon he sent Charles Malatest to be his proctor, who seeing them thus to be minded to put him from the Popedom, he stepped up into the Pope's throne (being there for the purpose prepared) and coming down from it again, frankly gave over the fourth day of july Anno 1415. for the which free yielding the whole assemble made him Legate of Picene, which as soon as Gregory understood within a few days for anger, grief and anguish of mind, he died suddenly. But Peter Moon stood stiffly in his dignity, of whom john Gerson doctor of divinity of Paris did (being present in the said Synod) speak of that lunatic Pope Peter Moon saying, the Church shall never be at peace until the Moon be quite eclipsed. But he would not yield neither for entreating, persuasion, nor threatening of any man. Thomas Walden doth make larger discourse hereof in his Sermon preached before king Henry the fift of England.  
Because that the doings of these two Popes reigning both at on's, that is Gregory the ix. & Peter of the Moon are so notorious that it were worthy to be known, but so long that it were tedious here to be showed, only this may suffice to signify their treacheries, which Theodoricus hath written as a preface to the rest of their story compiled by him at large. I come now (saith Theodoricus) to Gregory who succeeded the former Pope Innocentius. A man should scant find ink and paper sufficient, and should be tediously occupied to declare by what craft, guile, deceit, juggling, caviling, hypocrysies & subtleties this Gregory was choose by the College of Cardinals, with whom he and Peter Moon afterward delayed to agreed for the quietness of the universal Church: promising and not performing: and excused themselves for not agreeing, mocking and deluding with naughty pranks all Christendom: using shifts, excuses, false forgeryes, & frumpinges on both parts by their messengers to & fro. But it is evident that they have their consciences seared, saying that they are plain and simple men, when as they are in deed full fraught with devilish delusions. And because it should be a godly deed, they have said and do say that they would yield to unity, which yet in their malicious hearts they neither do nor ever did purpose as by their deeds shall appear, as I will reveal to the world for ever, not only in this book, but also in my other work called Nemus unionis. Although alas there be many kings & princes, and many inferior secular powers, Cities, boroughs, towns, villages and castles, and the most part of Ecclesiastical prelate's of all sorts, beside clerks and Ecclesiastical parsons both secular and regular in sundry countries, nation's and lands walking & wandering in deserts of darkness, and many of them not desiring the common profit of the catholic faith, but being divided into sundry factions for their sundry affections, do yet cleave to the said Gregory & Peter, upholding and cherishing them most dampnably in their obstinacy, sciesme and heresy, and lifting them up as their idols, like the foolish Egyptians etc. What end therefore is like to come of this lamentable sciesme which they foster which are Lords of this world, not to procure peace but greater discord, and to be feared if God help not to the destruction of lower powers, who being perilouslye bewitched & charmed with the vain promises & sleights of these two Popes & their adherents, do uphold them in the pride of their ranckour, mischief and error, as if there were no God in heaven, but that the salvation of souls and bodies did only depend upon these two priests of Babylon: from whom more mischief hath sprung and flowed over all the face of the earth, than ever proceeded from any that fought for the papacy, from the beginning to this our time. And out alas these biles and sores are so braced out in the eyes of all the world that there is no shift to deny or cover the same: whereupon the Catholic faith is darkened with clouds of ignorance, all religion hath suffered shipwreck: Christians being at jar among themselves do devour one another: Gonnes and other instruments of mischief and murder are put in practice: fear of God, honesty and virtue have departed far from kings and governors and from the people of all sorts, and vice hath stepped into their places: and finally the whole & universal Church is sick from the Crown of the head to the sole of the foot. etc. Much more to the like effect complaineth Theodoricus, being then secretary to the said Gregory when these uproars were thus raised by these prelate's, whose particular doings as they are many and divers, so are they strange, monstrous, horrible, and to be wondered at that any man though he did but suspect that there were a God, would so delude both the world & him, but that the spirit of God hath said that they should be blinded in their sins. And thus was all the world troubled with this Gregory on the one side the Sun of darkness, and with Petrus Luna the man of the Moon on the other side.   

149. Alexander the fift.  
ALexander the fift was born in Crete, a franciscan friar in profession, called Peter Philargus or of Candy. He succeeded the foresaid Gregory in his Popeship, for the former prelate's Gregory and Benedict being deposed in the council of Pice as is said, this Alexander was choose Pope by general consent of all that were there present. Which dignity being bestowed upon him (saith Platina) he was worthily called Alexander, because he being before but a beggarly and begging friar, might now be matched with the proudest Prince in Europe, for excessive prodigality & haughty courage. Whereupon he used to jest merely oftentimes saying: I am a rich bishop, a poor Cardinal, and a beggarly Pope. This Pope was of so stout a stomach that he cast out of his kingdom Ladislaus than most mighty king of Naples & Apulia, who did convert to his use more conveniently the lordships of the Church being evil got. To this wicked deposition of the Prince agreed all that clergy and priests of the council of Pisa. This being done, the Pope did most unlawfully bestow it on Lewes' duke of Andegania. The council of Pice being dissolved this Pope went to Bononia, where Balthasar Cossa Cardinal of S. Eustace was precedent, being a most sinful Sodomite & filthy bawd. This man was confirmed Legate by Pope Alexander, because that council was summoned by his politic devise, and because he was the man who might best encounter and deal against such as dared at any time go about to govern the Ecclesiastical estate. And this Pope (says Platina) was more wild in manners, more salvage, more bold and more laymanlike than become his profession. His life was counted almost a warfare: he thought that soldiers and warrelicke pranks, and many other wanton toys which are not to be named, become him well enough. Among other decrees this Pope made bulls for S. Francis marks that they should be counted among the articles of Christian faith, & made a solemn holy day that they should be worshipped of all believers▪ because he had been a franciscan friar. When this Pope began to be very sore sick of a poisoned medicine which was ministered to him by his Physician marcilius Parmensis, receiving of Balthasar a great bribe to do it, (as Baptista Panaetius showeth in his six and fifty Sermon) whereby Alexander perceived that his death drew nigh, he exhorted the Cardinals that came to him to mutual concord, and to maintain the honour of the clergy. And being now at the last gasp, he said Anno 1411. in the viii. month of his Popedom: I protest by this death which I see to be at hand, all that was done at the council of Pise was good and lawful. After he had said this the company weeping and mourning, he breathed out very feebelye this saying of our saviour: I give you my peace, I leave my peace with you. Thus presumptuously dared he being even at deaths door, take upon him the power of Christ to give the peace of Christ (being peace of conscience though he did not so understand it) which he could never do. And thus he gave up the ghost in his sin never ask mercy of God for it.  
After this Pope had thus at his departure bestowed his charitable blessing, there followed both dearth and pestilence, as if that God had turned his blessing into cursing.   

150. john the xxiv.  
IOhn the xxiiii. was born in Naples, called Balthasar Cossa Cardinal of S. Eustace, a canonist, and yet most given to warlike feats. He having caused Alexander to be poisoned got to be Pope. And some say that by scuffling and manhood he wan the Popedom, and not by free election. For (saith Stella) while he behaved himself in Bononia, more like a Prince than an Ambassador, and was lieutenant over a great army, the elders meeting there to choose a new Pope, he threatened to trounce them terribly, unless they would choose him a Pope according to his mind, and thereupon many were brought forth to him to be approved, but he would allow none of them. Therefore he was entreated to signify and appoint whom he would have to be Pope, hereupon give me (quoth he) S. Peter's robe, and I will bestow it on him that shallbe Pope, to the which they consented. He then taking it put it upon himself, & having it on his shoulders said thus (as it is used in pronouncing him that is elected: In the name of God Amen, I Balthasar Cossa am Pope. This thing being done contrary to all their expectation they dared not yet reprove it, notwithstanding they much misliked it. And thus Pope john beguiled the foolish Cardinals, and bestowed liberally the Popedom upon his own parson. He being crowned Pope did forthwith send into germany to will them to make Sigismond Emperor according to the custom: he having obtained his purpose, held a council at Rome to crown Sigismond Emperor there. In the first session or sitting of the said council, the mass of the holy Ghost being done as the Pope sat aloft in his throne, by and by an owl came in, which sitting upon a beam of the Temple and fastening her eyes steadfastly upon the Pope's grim countenance, did with her irksome shrieking and horrible noise salute the Pope. The by standers were much amazed thereat, and some of them said in their whispering: Lo the holy ghost is come, to whom our Pope prayed so earnestly to aid him according to his hope: Othersome looking one upon another & upon the Pope, fallen to grinning & laughing. But Pope john good man was in a sore perplexity, for he blushed very read, he sweated, he freated, his grease melted within him, and he chafed inwardly above measure, & at the length because he could not devise how to remedy this his foul confusion, he broke up the council and went away. Then followed another sitting, in the which he was in the like agony again, and that with more distress. For the saucy owl without any summoning presumed to come into the council place again, and could not be desired away with hysshing, whopping, and hallowing, neither scared nor terrified with coodgiels and bats, so that in that Synod likewise nothing was done but chase of the owl, and not yt. Hereupon many said that such spiritual doves had long time been the chief birds in the Church. This history is written by one Nicolas Clemanges in an Epistle of his. Furthermore for the mutenyes & debate that was among the Italians, whereof he was author, Sigismond and his train could not come safely to Rome. He therefore being cited (as Massaeus saith) by all nations almost to appoint another place for the assemble, he choose Constance a City in the province of Mens, & appointed the day to be the Ralendes of November Anno 1414. Some in the mean time persuaded him not to go thither, lest perhaps he should be unpoped ere he returned. notwithstanding he went thither with the most subtle advocates & lawyers, to answer all objections that might come. But in the midst of his voyage he tumbled headlong out of his chariot, which he took to be a token of ill luck to ensue. When this Pope john came to Constance, he began the general council with the consent of the Emperor and other Christian Princess Anno 1414. The Emperor Sigismond came thither upon Christmas eve, and as soon as after the first mass of the said night a deacon had sung the gospel beginning thus: There went forth an edict from the Emperor Augustus etc. and they being set in council in the presence of Sigismond, every man having liberty granted to him to speak freely, there were above forty heinous articles put up and proved against Pope john. As that he conspired the death of his predecessor Alexander, in byringe his Physician Marcilius to poison him. etc. Therefore he was compelled by the voice of the council to give up his Popeship, because he was an heretic, a simonist, a liar, an hypocrite, a poisoner, a dycer, an adulterer, a Sodomite, & of all kind of treachery shamefully attainted. Therefore he changing his apparel, began to steal away the xxi. day of March following to Scafuse a town in Austria, and from thence to Friborow. But the council provided so that the xxix. day of May in the u year of his Popedom, he was uncased of all offices, sought out, found, and committed to prison in a strong hold in germany: where he was locked up three years and had none that assisted him, but only the Germaynes, who to their great damage did not understand neither the Latin nor the Italian tongue. It it also noted in the story of Albanus, that this Pope john was spoiled of all his riches at his deposing, which amounted to 75. Thousand Florences of gold & silver. In the meantime (saith Massaeus the precedents of the Synod published a decree, wherein they showed that a general council being lawfully gathered together, is above the Pope, & that it hath power and authority from Christ (who is the head of the Church.)  
In this council whereas many things might have been done, both for the glory of Christ and for the common wealth, yet nothing was done but canons devised against those that sought to revive the light of the Gospel, to suppress both it and them. In this council john Wicliffe a famous, godly and learned man was excommunicated and condemned for an heretic, because he by the Scripture in preaching and writing, detected the delusions of the Pope, and his monks, friars, nuns, and such other, and many years after his death, his badness were taken out of his grave here in England (where he was buried) and were burnt. Also john hus and jerom prague having a safeconduct to come safe and go safe, were cited to this council, & when they were come because they had inveighed against the Church of Rome (notwithstanding their warrant granted and sealed with the Pope's bull,) yet they were taken and cruelly burned. Platina saith they were burned partly because they avouched that the clergy aught according to the example of Christ and of the Apostles live poorly. Such is the liberty which the Pope granteth those that come to his councils, such is the warrant that he giveth for safety, and thus he keepeth his faith. Among other Popelike pageants played by this Pope john, he also broached and stirred most cruel & bloody war against Ladislaus, and held a conspiracy at Rome to drive him out of his kingdom. He commanded that they should say service with S. john Baptistes head set out in show the whilst, the which he did for this policy, because he purposed to cell it to the Florentines.  
While Martin the fift who did succeed him & supplied his room was at Florence, this Pope john being delivered out of prison against all men's hope, to the great marvel of the people he came thither to him, and kissing the feet of Pope Martin he did acknowledge him to be his Pope, to be Peter's successor, and honoured him like a worldly God. Pope Martin being moved with this his great humility, did make him Cardinal within a few days after and made him bishop of Tusculan, but within a few months after he ended his doleful life, through sorrow and grief of mind Anno 1419. where his Physician Cosmus that did ever love him heartily, caused him to be buried in S. john Baptistes Church with great solemnity, where this epitaph was made on him in Latin Verse.  
First Balthazer and then the name of john I did obtain,  
But being now unpoped I am Balthazer again.  
Of late I was the wealthiest wight within the heavenly cope,  
But in one hour all I lost deposed from being Pope.  
While I did sit on Peter's chair as sovereign for a space,  
Then many men with lowly looks were humbled to my face.  
The greedy plague of covetousness so bleared mine eyes with gold  
That for to staunch my hungry mind all holy things I sold.  
Alas my loathed life hath stained and tainted very fore,  
The spouse of Christ that neither spot nor wrinkle had before.  
For this my filthy treachery Saint Peter's council pure,  
Would suffer me in haughty throne no longer to endure.  
Then let all Popes by me beware that shall hereafter live,  
Do not with me for cursed bribes your holy matters give.   

151. Martin the fift.  
MArtin the fift was born in Rome & called Otho Columna Cardinal of S. George: he was made Pope by the decree of the council of Constance, which to establish him did deprive three other, that is Benedict, Gregory & john. He being brought up by his parents in learning from his youth, when he grew to years attended upon the Popeship still at Peruse in such order as he might creep forward toward it. He returning to Rome was made Rememberer unto Vrban the sixt, which office he discharged with so great show of humility and courteous nature, that Innocent the seventh made him Cardinal. For in all controversies he would agreed to neither part, not not to the truer, but so keep in a mean that he pleased all, & offended none. For this cause he was so in favour with the Emperor and Cardinals, that in the foresaid council he was made Pope. At whose election the Emperor Sigismond was so joyful of it that he thanked them all for choosing such a Pope, & humbling himself to him kissed his feet. The Pope again embracing him like a brother did thank him on the other side, because his diligence had at the length restored the peace to the Church. After this salutation the Pope mounted on his palfrey, his coronation being also ended with great triumph he passed pompously (from the place where he was crowned) through the City of Constance with his horse trapped in scarlet, and all his abbots and bishops in robes and mitres riding after him, & his Cardinals with their horses trapped in white silk. But the Emperor on the one side of the Pope's horse, and the prince elector on the other side waited on foot upon him through the City. And yet soon after he conveyed himself away, and as (Volateranus saith) maugre the Emperors head, he returned in all post hast into Italy. He passed through Millen, Mantua, Ferraria, Ravenna, and other towns till he came to Florence: but mistrusting danger he shonned Bononia. He abode at Florence two years living in all fleshly pleasures, pomp and idleness, and preached not the Gospel so much as once. Furthermore while he was before at Constance, when the Emperor & other Princes made often complaints to him of naughty behaviour, and detestable manners of the clergy, he deferred the time to redress it, saying that it was a matter that required both leisure and good advise. For (quoth he as Jerome saith) Every province hath his fashions and customs, which cannot be altered without much hurly-burly. And now because it was feared, that the general counsels authority should be taken to be above the Popes, he made this decree concerning counsels, that none should be summoned again till five years were expired, and then from that time it should be continued for ten years, and so from ten years to ten years the general council should be kept. Therefore Pope Martin having spent in his journeying (as is said) two years, after he had been much desired & longed for, he came to Rome and repaired the City in outward buildings and Popish traditions. He demanded the Church inheritance with cruel war. He established Lewis son to Alovicius in the kingdom of Naples, & deposed Alphonsus Arrogan: he appeased certain sciesmes in the Church: he caused the Germaynes to war upon the Bohemians, for heresy (as they call it). He hired Waldenus an English Cardinal, to writ against those that defended the doctrine of hus & Wickliff. He made more Cardinals, and condemned all those decrees which the Popes had made in the time of the sciesme. He had a nephew (as they call their sons) called Prosperus Columna, and caused him to succeed him in his Cardinalship of S. George. He published a certain form for bargeninge, buying and selling. He heaped up store of treasure: he entering into Rome and finding it all ruinous, did repair not only the houses, streets and Churches, but the walls also with great & sumptuous cost and gorgeous work diversly. Beside he bestowed much cost upon Churches and cloisters: and repaired old ruinous houses dedicated to the twelve. Apostles. He held two Synods one at Seine, and another at Papia: & confirmed by his decree that the next council after ten years should be held at basil. finally he died of the falling sickness at Rome Anno 1431. and was buried in a bras●n tomb in Lateran.   

152. Eugenius the fourth.  
EVgenius the fourth was a Venetian born and a Coelestinian canon, called before Gabriel Condelmerius: his father's name was Angel. He being a Cardinal got the Popedom by this means (as Platina saith) For when Gregory the twelve a Venetian was made Pope, his nephew Antony Corrarius a canon of the order of Coelestines going to Rome, took this Gabriel with him being of the same profession. Whom Gregory liking well did first make his treasurer and afterward bishop of Seine, and made antony prelate to the Bononians. Afterwards he mistrusting his estate, and departing from Rome to Luca minding to augment the number of Cardinals, he made both his nephews Cardinals. For first Pope Gregory and afterward Pope Martin were much ruled by the council of Gabriel, especially in embassages: whereby he succeeding them did trouble all the world. Certain caviling parsons were very busy about him to put into his head that Pope Martin his predecessor being a great hourder up of treasure, had left great abundance thereof: whereby they brought him to this point, that he commanded that his kinsmen, friends, and vicechancellor, should be taken, and their goods be confiscate. Hereupon the Romans mindful of their liberties, raised a main cry, and put themselves in armour, and driving out all the magistrates of Eugenius, and taking Francis Candelmerius his nephew prisoner, they choose new officers whereof seven. were Citizens of Rome whom they called governors, who had power of life and death. In the mean time Eugenius amazed in this stir devised to run away. And therefore disguising himself in his apparel and putting on a monks weed, he entering into a fisher boot with one Arcenius a certain monk beguiled his keepers, and was transported to Hostia. But the Romans understanding thereof did pursue him with arrows and stones. But he got from thence to Pisa, and from thence to Florence, having his galleys ready for the purpose: where he dwelling for the space of certain years, made xuj Cardinals. afterward he went to Bononia and there builded certain sumptuous houses. He refused to come to the council at Basil Anno. 1432. because it was said that a council was above the Pope, and again because he being cited should have been called to answer such faults as were laid against him. And therefore he was deposed and condemned for an heretic, and Amadeus Duke of Sabaudia and an eremite was placed in his steed. In this council were condemned they that kept concubines, and walkers in the Church in service time. Also the communion was allowed under both kinds in the thirty. session. They that were cousins to the Pope or Cardinals, were deprived from being Cardinals. The feast of our ladies conception (as they term it) was then decreed. But Pope Eugenius to overthrow this council of basil, did summon another at Ferrara, and afterward at Florence. There were at Florence the Ambassadors of the Grecians, Aethiopians, Asians, Armenians, Indians, Danes, & other Legates out of the East, who did there give their consent to many things of the Pope's religion, because they were (as Stella says) all maintained upon the Pope's charge. But the Legates being returned home especially the Danes, were not allowed of their country for that wherein they had yielded to the Pope as the chronicles of Polonia do testify.  
It is worthy here to be mentioned what a miserable destruction fallen upon Ladislaus king of Hungary. Pope Eugenius compelled this king being a young man, to break his oath and not keep the league which he had sworn unto Amurithes the great Turk. But while this young Prince Ladislaus being xxii. years old, doth unwarely seek to obey the Pope as his most holy father, he was worthily plagued by Amurithes. For while Amurithes bringing an huge host warred upon him, he having his army slain, at the length being beguiled by Eugenius was also slain.  
They say that this Pope Eugenius was marvelously delighted in wars, and that he being moved with great grudge, did stir up Lewis the Dolphin of France son to Charles the seven. against the Basilians. Whereof great mischief ensued. And afterward when he came to Rome he bestowed many things on the City, as buildings and reparations, with divers superstitious works, to the enriching and pleasuring of monks, friars, and such like. He first tormented cruelly Thomas Redonensis & William Estontevill, and afterward did burn them most terribly: for Thomas said that there were many abominations in Rome, and that the Church had need of great reformation. Furthermore he said that the Pope's curse for the quarrel of Christ is not to be feared. This Eugenius canonised one Cyril that written many fantastical visions under the name of Revelations. Touching the foresaid Thomas, Il●iricus saith thus in his Catalogue: Thomas Redonius a white friar born in France in the Dukedom of Britain was a famous preacher flourishing (saith Antonius) Anno 1430. He in his preaching taught through France & Italy that great abominations was used in Rome, that the Church wanted great reformation, and that the prelate's forsaking their pomp and royat, ought to live more modestly, according to the example of Christ and his Apostles: and that the Pope's unjust curses are not to be feared. For these opinions Pope Eugenius caused him to be burned at Rome Anno 1436. This Thomas also thought reverently of the marriage of the clergy, for he written that it was against the safety of many souls, if they were not suffered to marry according to the manner of the Greek Church, who ha● not the gift of continency. Because at that time they were dishonest and blotted with unlawful conjunction. Of this Thomas Mantuan says thus: A certain Frenchman called Thomas, who as yet fostered in heart the zeal of old faith went into italy accompanied with a few. For so it pleased God that the same country which in all things excels other, should also enjoy this parson being a mirror among men. But God provided not only for italy, but also for this holy man: for he gave to italy such an one whose life it might follow, and to the said man he gave a crimson crown of martyrdom. For while he lived well and in godly order, he was accused unto the Pope of heinous treachery by certain spiteful fellows, and after he had suffered prison, torments, vexation, at the length when they could find nothing in him worthy of death, they sifted him more narrowly, and armed themselves stoutly with iniquity to fulfil that which by equity they could not do. And so committed him to the cursed fire. Of this man were many Verses and Epitaphs written to his great praise, & bewailing of the tyranny used toward his innocent body. Furthermore Eugenius ere he were Pope, did repair S. Agnes Church at Ancon, and the gate of the City, and in his Popedom he Crowned Sigismond Emperor at Rome. He also after Boniface confirmed the annuities of all benefices. At length he died at Rome Anno 1446. and was buried at S. Peter's. He carried the Mitre of S. Sylvester (being brought from Auenion to Rome) out of Vatican to Lateran, with great worship and a procession. He punished certain priests that had pilfered certain precious stones out of Peter's and Paul's head. One Lewis Cardinal of Aquilegia was the first of his order that began first to maintain hounds and horses, in steed of the poor.   

153. Foelix the fift.  
Foelix the fift born in France was an eremite called Amadeus before his Popeship, He being first Duke of Savoy, having a wife and two children (Pope Eugenius being deposed) was advanced to the seat by the voices of xxvi. electors. And notwithstanding he were choose & by the authority of Basil Synod confirmed in the Papal chair, yet he being hindered by the faction of the said Eugenius, could never set foot in the Roman seat, which they call Peter's chair. A sciesme rose hereupon that lasted ● years, and many tumults sprang in the kingdoms of Christendom, because some would obey Eugenius, some Foelix and other some would be counted neuters. And in this sciesme it made much controversy, because some held opinion that the Pope was under the jurisdiction of the general council, and othersome maintained the contrary. And of this arose another weighty and bitter controversy whether the Pope were head of the Church or not, which continueth to this day. This Foelix being an aged man ere he came to be Pope lived to see the day, that the sons of his sons matched in marriage with king's daughters. And in the end giving over all worldly charge, ●e purposed to go into a wilderness to lead an hermits life with 6. knights. But as soon as he understood that he was choose Pope by the authority of the general council, he shaved himself both crown and chin and came thither with a train of noble men, and being consecrated Pope took the function upon him, and did all things that belonged to the Pope to do, to give orders, minister Sacraments, excommunicate etc. and played the Pope x. years. He was so bountiful to the poor, that being demanded whether he kept any hounds and to show them: he answered that he would show them another day. But when they that asked this question were with him the next day, he showed them a great company of poor & needy people that sat down together at dinner: saying, these are my hounds which I feed daily, with the which I hope to hunt for the glory of heaven.  
It liked this man at the length for unity sake Anno 1447. to unpope himself, and give place to Nicolas the fift: whom he therefore made Legate of all germany and France, and also Cardinal of Sabin, but he died soon after.   

154. Nicolas the fift.  
NIcolas the fift was a Genewaie born of a base stock, his father was a Chirurgeon called Barthelmew Sarzan: and so this Nicolas was first called Thomas Sarzan. In this one year he got to be bishop of Bononia, Cardinal, & Pope of Rome. This Nicolas being made Pope after the death of Eugenius, did hang up on the walls of Angel Casteli, Steven Porcarius a Roman knight, with other conspirators raising a tumult for the liberty of the City. He celebrated the Iub●lie for lucre sake Anno 1450.  
At the time of this jubilee while they chanced once with the crucifix to return from Vatican to the City, it is very certain to be true that the press of people following was so great, that the Mule of one Peter Bardus a Cardinal could not pass by, because of those that came to & fro: so that the people also were so thronged that there was no passage, but in the end they fallen upon the Mule first one & then another, till the beast was even perforce born down with the crowd, and ere it was ceased two hundred parsons were trodden to death and smothered upon Adrian bridge: & many falling beside the bridge were drowned, which were about 136. men. The Pope whose pompous superstitious & idolatrous jubilee had caused this misery to fall upon the fond people, did in this manner redress the case: He was sorry (saith Platina) for the death of them that were slain, and therefore he removed certain cottages that made the way to be strait and narrow entering to the bridge. For the enryching of his coffers he spent all that whole year in this kind of solemnity, & he himself with his troop of Cardinals did view the stages. He provided both by curse and waiters, that rogues and vagabonds coming to the City, should not misuse strangers and rob them of their money. In this Pope's time the Turk wan Constantinople, to the great grief of all Europe. This Pope crowned Frederick the third Emperor, and his wife Leonor He builded a sumptuous library in Vatican. And revived with great diligence learning and knowledge, which was then almost drowned with grossness & barbarous sophistry. He appointed stipends for learned men. But among these his virtuous doings and good affection towards learning, he had his vices withal and those notorious, namely he was greatly given to drunkenness, and so much delighted therein, that he sought for all kind of wines from every place. He bestowed great cost upon buildings both of the town walls, Churches, Palaces & Castles. Concerning his building (Platina says) he began to fortify with strong walls the gates and towers of the City, the Capitol and Angel castle. He builded sumptuously & magnificently both in the town and at Vatican, as in the town the Pope's house: also he repaired the house of S. Steven in Celius hill. He raised even from the ground S. Theodors' Church. He covered with lead an old Church in Rome called Panthion He transported the Pope's house in Vatican, & brought it to a stately form. He began to say the walls of Vatican with greater foundation. He restored Right bridge, and builded a great and large house beside Vi●erby baths. He aided divers with money, that builded in the City. And at his commandment almost all the streets in the City were strewed. There are yet remaining certain Uessels of gold and of silver, crosses beset with Pearls & precious stones, certain priests robes gorgeously decked with golden ouches and pearls: also certain coverings & hangings woven of gold and silver, beside a certain pontifical Mitre, which remain as monuments of his plentiful pomp and magnificency etc. finally he being troubled with an ague and the gout, died Anno 1455.   

155. Calixtus the third.  
CAlixtus the third a spaniard born in Valentia called first Alphonsus Borgia, his father was called john and his mother Francis: Pope Nicolas being dead, this Alphonsus being an old impotent man was choose in his steed. This Pope as writers do testify of him was very ●unning in the Pope's canon law, but wholly ignorant in the Scripture as it appeareth by his deeds. He was first Secretarye to Alphonsus' king of Arragon, and made bishop of Valentia by Pope Martin the fift, and Cardinal by Eugenius the fourth. As soon as he was Pope he forthwith provided and addicted himself (not to preach to nations) but to follow wars against the Turk, proclaiming it out of hand as he had vowed before. And to further this purpose he sent out a rabble of friars with bulls and pardons, to encourage the Christian nations against the Turk. Among these johannes Capistranus and Robartus Licius were of most renown, being both minorite friars and notorious hypocrites: who to draw the more fish to their net, and to the greater filling of their purses, used many shameful shifts deluding men with dissembled and counterfeit holiness, Litanies, penance, fasting, false merits, shryving, relics, images, crosses, songs, canticles, notes, ringing of bells, & singing cakes. The Pope also for his part was busy to stir up all Princes by his letters to take the quarrel in hand, as a matter very needful and godly. Also he commanded the priests every day at noon to ring the sacringe bell, and at night with an ave Maria: that (says Stella) they might by this holy prayer, help them that fought against the Turk. Certain silly countrymen seeing this folly in the Pope laughed thereat, whereupon the Pope caused them to be hanged for it. He decreed that no man should appeal from the Pope to a general council. He suffered his nephews and bastards to live licentiously. He poured out (saith Valerius) his letters of pardon in pure fashion, whenby selling them then for five ducats which now are sold for cryfles, he left to his successor in treasure, an hundred milans & fifteen thousand ducats. At the length he died for age Anno 1458. and was buried in Peter's Palace, or the round Church.   

156. Pius the second.  
PIus the second born in Hetruria called first AEneas Picothomineus, having his breast boiling long with ambition, did at length obtain the papacy. He of a poor boy become so worthy a man, as all writers do testify of him that among the learned Popes he was the best learned, and most diligent writer. In the council of Basil he was the Popesscribe, and did with his Epistles and orations stand against the authority of Eugenius. Afterwards he was made Poet Laureate of the Emperor Frederick the third, and being called to attend in his Court, his first promotion was that he was made councillor and secretary. Afterwards he being sent Ambassador to divers Princes, was first made bishop of Tergest by Pope Nicolas, then of Scene, and finally Cardinal by Pope Calixtus. In the end he attaining to the papacy did as his elders, he begun to proclaim the wars against the Turk, but he died ere he could proceed in his purpose. He sought still to enlarge the dominion of the Church, for the which (saith Stella) it appeared that he feared neither king, nor prince, nor duke. If any man offended him he would sore molest him with war and taxes, till he made him satisfaction. And therefore he was an heavy enemy to king Lewis the xi. of France, because he went about to abridge the licentious liberty of the clergy in his Realm. He warred upon Borsius duke of Mutina, because he did favour Sigismond Mala●esta, and the estate of France against Frederick: for he set Ferdinandus bastard of king Alphonsus in the kingdom of Naples violently with authority and men of arms, against john of Angewe son of king Renatus. He cursed Sigismond duke of Austria even to the pit of hell, because he bridled the polling of Cardinal Cusan: furthermore he did even as an angry viper (saith Wolphamus Wissemburgius) spit out the poison of his curse upon his Ambassador George Haimburg a worthy lawyer, and did so persecute him with his thondringe letters, that he was feign to fly into Bohemia, and live there. He chased Deitherus archbishop of Maguntia like a mad man out of his diocese, and planted another in his steed: whereupon great discord arose between Frederick the Palatine and duke of Wittenburg, with other in germany, by means whereof ensued great slaughter and bloodshed, and the City of Mentz being before a free City lost his freedom then. The cause of the Pope's displeasure against Deitherus was, first because that Deitherus would not consent that the Pope should charge his country with certain great taxes & tallenges: secondly because that he would not be bound unto the Pope, that he being Prince elector should not as the Pope required without his licence, call the other electors together: Thirdly because he would not suffer the Pope's Legate to call together the clergy within the diocese of Mentz as the Legate listed: but as he being bishop thought best. For these causes the Pope disquieted both him and Germany. Also he removed the Archbishop of Benevent for making new orders against his will. He commanded George king of Bohemia to answer upon an appointed day touching his faith, upon peril of le●sing his kingdom, because he favoured the opinions of hus. He deposed many bishops for his own lucre. He subdued many towns of Campania, and increased marvelously the revenues of the Church. He was very beneficial to his friends & kindred. He caused an head to be translated from Peloponesus, which was said to be S. Andrew's head, beside he wrought divers other Popish pranks. He powered out riches upon divers vain, sumptuous and prodigal buildings. He made Corsian the town where he was born to be a City, calling it after his own name Pientia, building a stately Church of wrought stone in it. In the end he died of an ague at Ancona, going thither about his wars. He was much troubled with diseases while he lived, as with the cough, the stone, and the gout. Volateranus saith that ambition did overwhelm many virtues in him: for he was ever greedy of promotion, and therefore he took great pains and sought the favour of Princes.  
This epitaph was found written of him in an old book.  
Frigida membra Pij retinet lapis iste loquacis,  
Qui pacem moriens attulit Italiae.  
Sum Deus, quantum mortalibus alme dedisti,  
Fulmine cum tetigit hoc caput aequa manus?  
Vendiderat precio gentes, & crimina multa  
Virtutis ●pecie gesserat ille Pius.  
Impius hic fuerat, quamuis sub nomine pulchro,  
Crediderit falsis posse iuvare fidem.  
Nunc fidi comites, scelerataque turba clientum,  
Ingemuere Pium: nam scelus orbis erat.  
CONCLUSIO,  
Impius hic situs est, crudelis, raptor iniquus,  
Aeneas, fatue quem genuere Senae.  
Platina and Sabellicus do testify, that among other his proverbial sentences he left this in writing: There is a great cause why the clergy should be deprived of marriage, but greater cause why they should be suffered to marry. He hath the same saying also in his second book of Counsel: Perhaps (saith he) it should not be worse if most priests were wedded: because that in married priesthood many should be saved, that in unwedded priesthood are dampened. This Pius the second (says Coelius secundus) did break up divers nooneryes, commanding them to come out of their cloister and to burn no longer in concupiscence, and not to play the strumpets secretly under pretence of Religion. john Maria Polutianus saith that in these days the Minorites and Bullistes in italy fallen out bitterly, striving whether of them should visit, keep and rule the nuns.   

157. Paul the second.  
Paul the second was born in Venice called first Peter Ba●bus, nephew to Eugenius the fourth: he being Cardinal of S. Mark succeeded Pope Pius. He before his papacy purposed to fall to the trade of merchandise, but when he herded that his uncle Gabriel was created Pope, he began to apply his mind to his book: and so arose from one degree to another, till in the end he got the papacy. He was a man of a goodly parsonage, but of a haughty mind: he was very covetous and bestowed benefices for rewards. touching his pontifical pomp, you need not doubt (saith Platina) that he furnished it in such sort as he excelled all his predecessors, especially in his royal kingdom. Touching his Mitre he bestowed infinite treasure thereon, procurin●e to have brought to him from every place of great price, Diamonds, Sapphires, Carbuncles, Chrysolites, jasperstones, Pearls and all other kind of precious stones. He being thus royally attired like Aaron with jewels, showed himself abroad in such a majesty, as never did any earthly creature. Then his desire was to be gazed on & to be worshipped: and for this cause he stayed strangers often in the City, shewing his handkerchief in the street, that the greater company might behold him. He commanded also that none should presume to wear a scarlet hat but the Cardinals, on whom he bestowed much clot of the same colour in the first year of his Popeship, to make them trappinges for their horses and Mules says Platina. He practicing both by word & by sword to advance the majesty of his seat, did nothing all his life time but move war in italy suddenly when he spied his advantage. Among divers others Cities he assaulted Arminium, and caused both Suburbs and City to be miserably shaken, rent and torn, with force of gunneshotte and other engines. He abhorred even from his heart the decrees and deeds of his predecessor Pius. He restored the regular Canons whom Calixtus had expulsed out of Lateran abbey: and bestowed great buildings at S. Marks & at Vatican. He condemned all choose to be heretics that should make any mention of universities, for he was a very dolt and of gross capacity, and therefore he loved neither learning nor virtue. He being wholly addicted to ambition, royotousnes and pleasure, spent the whole day either in feasting (as Volateranus saith) or in taking up his money, or else in searching out and viewing of old coins, images or jewels. His greatest care was that the City should never lack victuals. finally after he had created ten Cardinals whereof Francis Ruerius was one, and assured himself to live long, Anno 1470. he died of an Apoplexy suddenly by himself alone, after he had supped merely. After his death his cousins the Cardinals bestowed on him a wonderful rich and costly tomb.  
From this time forward the estate of the papacy begun to impair and decay. Stanislaus Ruthenus reporteth this one notable thing of this Pope Paul in these words:  
When Pope Paul had seen certain latin Verses written against him and his daughter, it is reported that he wept, and cried out against the hardness of the law of single life among his friends. Because that he who aught to be not only the head of the Church but also of chastlife, should see his daughter live in the face and countenance of the City, with great shame and disdain: who although she were very beautiful, yet it grieved his heart that it should be said he begat her in whoredom, because he knew that there was a law of God, whereby she might have been born in wedlock, unless this law of single life had disannulled it. They say therefore that he took council how he might restore again the marriage of the clergy: but being prevented by death he could not attain to his purpose.   

158. Sixtus the fourth.  
SIxtus the fourth was born at Savona in Liguria called Francis Ruerius before, and general minister of the Franciscans, succeeded Pope Paul. He being at a time of solemnity carried in an horselitter to Lateran, there arose a sudden tumult, so that the Pope was in great danger of losing his life being so pelted with stones, so that the dryvers did almost forsake him in the Litter. This Pope used to grant one benefice to divers and sundry parsons. He loved his friends so well, that to gratify them he did many things against all law and equity. He promoted his companion Peter Ruerius both of his own order and country, whom with his brother Jerome he brought up for purpose to be a Cardinal, a man otherwise born to waste riches: for within the space of two years after (than which time he lived not longer) he spent of himself alone by his royotous living▪ two hundredth thousand Crowns, beside this he indebted himself three score Thousand, and spent in silver three hundred pounds. He died being wasted through his incontinent life, when he was but xxviii. years old Anno 1474. His death was most hindrance to handicraft men, for he ever filled their shops with store of knacks. john Textor in his officine saith thus: Peter a priest and Cardinal in the time of Sixtus the fourth, wasted about vanities & luxuriousness, three hundred Thousand Crowns within the space of two years. Again john Riveus in his book De erroribus pontisiciorum saith, the Fulgosus reporteth of the incredible prodigality of the said party. It were to long to rehearse all his words for brevity sake these few may suffice, which I think is the lest to be spoken of: namely that he ware golden robes at home in his house, that he had his coverlets of gold for his beds, his Chamber stools and pots of silver: Also he provided for his concubine Tyresia, shoes covered with Pearls. By this a man may guess the rest of his unmeasurable pomp and prodigality.  
But Jerome brother to the said Peter, being made chief of Livius court and Cornelius court, after him did rule and order the matters of the Church: being a man of more severe nature and less lascivious, saving one way not to be named. After these Sixtus advanced the children of his brethren and sistern, among whom he made one julian Cardinal and his brother john Precedent of the City, and Prince of Sora & Sevogallia. He loved (saith Platina his kindred above measure, bestowing and lavisshing on them that which belonged both to man and God against all justice. And by the judgement of many he plonged all italy with bloody broils, & that without cause. Therefore saith Volateranus, when he was driven to necessity having wasted his wealth upon these tumults, he was the first that began to practise this shift: He devised to pick out certain Colleges. Again Agrippa saith of him thus: among the bawds of late years that set up and builded stews, Pope Sixtus the forth was most famous, who builded a notable stews at Rome and (as he saith in his declamation to the Lovanians he showeth at large) not only for harlots, but otherwise horrible to be thought upon. He following the example of Heliogabalus, did maintain his train of harlots, and bestowed them on his friends and servants. Beside he had his fee coming into his treasure of that money, which the harlots earned by their misdemeanour, to the enrychinge of his coffers: for the strumpets of Rome do yet pay their july tribute (as it is termed) every week to the Pope, which in yearly revenues hath oftentimes amounted to xx. Thousand ducats, and now by report ariseth to forty Thousand. And so the treasurers of the Church are bond to make account as well of harlot's tribute, as of the Church lands.  
Wesselus' Groningensis (called the light of the world) in the discourse of the Pope's indulgences writeth of this Pope Sixtus, that at the suit of the foresaid Peter then Cardinal of S. Sixtus, and Patriarch of Constantinople, and of his brother Jerome, he granted the whole family of the Cardinal of S. Lucia (who in his former young years had in like manner yielded himself to the detestable lust of Pope Paul the second) to file their bodies lawfully, in most unlawful, unnatural and unspeakable manner for 3. hot months june july and August, which he granted with this clause: Fiat ut petitur, Do according to your request. O horrible and monstrons men, more salvage than brute beasts, wear it not but that malice of Antichrist and the devil (sparing no blasphemy to slander the Church of Christ) driveth me to detect their loathsome treachery and nakedness, I would rather help to bury these villainies in silence then to utter these their filthiness, which I cannot but with blushing remember. Loathe were I to pluck of the sheet of their shame, & to reveal their ribaldrye, but that under such robes lurketh hidden so many foul sores enfecting Christian souls, and deceiving their simplicity with an outward vizard of innocency. And yet while I for bear even for honesty & civility sake, to discover their filthy commedyes and stewishe pranks at large, as they themselves are not ashamed to do, sporting thereat with ballads, songs and sonnets, and other unhonest ways. Mantuan and other have spoken and uttered thereof enough, & to much, writing of this Pope Sixtus and his nephew, & of Alphonsus. But as touching Sixtus (saith Volateran) he being disposed to exercise himself in warfare, whereunto he was of nature more inclined then to religion, moved quarrels of war as he might right or wrong. He invaded without any cause Vitelius Tiphernates, the Florentines, the Venetians, the Columnians, Ferdinand king of Sicilia, the duke of Calabria, and other nations and Princes. It was his chief delight to have Christian Princes at commandment, whom at his pleasure he did both set up and put down: He set his confederates the Heluetians with fire and sword upon the Lombardes whom he had cursed, and gave the Heluetians a pardon and an ensign, to encourage them to the slaughter of the Lombardes. He advanced his cousins & bastards (to the shame of the Church) to all that he might: for he made two of his nephews Leonarde & john to be Precedents of the City by course one after another, beside other dignities divers and many that he bestowed on sundry of his kindred, & among other one Raphael his sister's son was made Cardinal. But one Laurence Medici's hung up the said Raphael and Saluatus Pisanus and divers other, because they had murdered his brother. He was very beneficial to the begging sect of religious rogues, granting them revenues in this life, and heaven in the life to come. He is counted as it were a new builder of Rome. He bestowed cost of pavinge the streets & repairing the ways, appointing scavengers to look to the streets: beside divers other less necessary & more vain and superstitious deeds about Churches, Chapels, and Palaces. In the xv. year he celebrated the jubilee for the increase of his lucre and gains, and to pleasure his friends. He devised many polling & bribing offices of scribes, abridgers, sollicitours, waighters, and notaryes of the escheaker, to enrich his coffers, which offices are to be bought of the Pope. He made divers new holly days, and divers Saints, and many decrees to enrich the clergy. He excommunicated and cursed to hell Laurence Medici's of Florence, for hanging his nephew Raphael. In the end he being sick of the gout died through rancour and malice, the sooner because the duke of Ferraria had taken peace with the Venetians against his will, Anno 1484. And therefore divers men made these Epitaphs of him.  

¶ Of his death.  
Non potuit Seuum vis ulla extinguere Sixtum:  
Audito tandem domine pacis, obit.  
No force was forcible enough to make Pope Sixtus dye,  
But when the name of peace was herded it killed him by and by.   

Of the peace that ensued his death.  
Dic unde Allecto pax ista refulsit, & unde  
Tam subito reticent praelia? Sixtus obit.  
Say hag Allecto whence have we this peace? and how are fled  
The bloody broils so suddenly? Pope Sixtus now i● dead▪   

Again another written this.  
Mortuus est Sixtus, gaudet nunc Roma: trahatur,  
Vt dignum est, unco mortuus in Tiberim.  
Pope Sixt is dead and Rome is glad: therefore as it is meet,  
To Tiber draw his carcase with an hook fast to his feet.   

Another.  
Sixtus obit, gaudent omnes: nefunere sicco  
Transeat, amissa plangite gland sues.  
Pope Sixt is dead, all men are glad: but lest that noon bewail  
While he is buried: weep you hogs and howl your acorns fail.   

Another.  
Extulit auratas sed postquam maxima glanss  
Ecclesia, innumeris patefacta est ianua porcis.  
When mighty mother Church 'gan once her golden acorns yield,  
It was set open to huge herds of swine that have it filled.   

¶ Another.  

Sixte iaces tandem, fidei contemptor & aequi:  
Pacis ut hostis eras, pace peremptus obis.  
O Sixt thou were a foe to peace, and peace hath thee now slain,  
That didst long in life both faith and equity disdain.   

Sixte iaces tandem: laetatur Roma, tuo quae  
Passa sub imperio est funer, bella, famem.  
Now dead is Sixt: and Rome is glad who while as he did reign,  
Often burials and wasting war with famme did sustain.   

Sixte iaces tandem, nostri discordia secli:  
Saevisti in superos, nunc Acheronta move.  
Now Sixt is dead that noyde this age with discord and with evil.  
Thou raged haste against the heavens, now wrangle with the devil,   

Sixte iaces tandem, fraudisque dolique minister:  
Et sola tantum proditione potens.  
Now Sixt is dead that did contrive such falsehood craft & guile:  
And only bore so great a sway by treason all this while.   

Sixte iaces tandem, pressa est quo sospite virtus,  
Leges, sacra, pium, relligioque, fides,  
Now Sixt is dead: who while as he did live did keep in awe  
Religion, faith, zeal, godliness, all honesty and law.   

Sixte iaces tandem, deflent tua busta cinedi,  
Scortaque, lenones, alea, vina, Venus.  
Now Sixt is dead, upon whose grave there doth lament & howl,  
Bawds, strumpets, bankruts, ribaulds, stews, & eke the drunken noll   

Sixte iaces tandem, summorum imfamia, fexque  
Pontificum, tandem perfide Sixte iaces.  
Now Sixt is dead: the shame of those that high in honour be  
The scoom of Popes: most faithless wretch now dead at length is he.   

Sixte iaces tandem, vos hunc lacerate Quirites,  
Dentur & impastis membra scelesta feris.  
Now Sixt is dead: his carcase than you Romans rent & tear,  
And give the gubs to carrion crows, & to the salvage bear.   

Quid pia profuerint functo solemnia Sixto?  
Tradita sunt celeri vota precesque noto.  
What doth it boot to pray for soul of Sixtus being dead,  
Your prayers are but blasts of wind that in the air are fled.   

Riserat ut vivens coelestia numina Sixtus,  
Sic moriens nullos credidit esse Deos.  
As Sixtus in his life did scorn the God celestial,  
So at his day of death he thought there was no God at all.   

Sixte iaces tandem, superis invisus & imis:  
Inclusus gravido ventre necandus eras.  
Thou Sixt at length art dead whom heaven doth loathe & also hell,  
If murdered thou in mother's womb, had been: it had been well.   

Stupra, famem, strages, usuras, furta, rapinas,  
Et quodcunque nefas, te duce Roma tulit.  
Thou being Captain wretched Rome, no mischief could escape,  
As robbing, murder, usury, theft, famine, whoredom, rape.   

Magna licet tardae soluenda est gratia morti:  
Omne scelus tecum, Sixte cruente, jacet.  
Much are we bond to death though long it were ere she thee sped,  
For now with the O cruel Sixt all villainy is dead.    
By these Verses which were made upon Pope Sixtu: after his death, it may appear what opinion men had of his holiness in his life. But to proceed, Leander & Tritemius say that about the year of our Lord 1470. Alanus de rupe a dominican, after he had seen certain devilish visions and illusions, contrived his work called Rosarium out of our ladies Psalter, and preached it in steed of the Gospel: which james Sprenger did advance with counterfeited miracles, and at the length Pope Sixtus did confirm it to be holy and authentical with his bulls and indulgences. Whereupon a certain book was published, in the beginning whereof it is written that upon a time the blessed Virgin came into the Cell of the said Alan it being shut, and made him a ring of her own hair, and betrouthed herself to the monk, that she kissed him, giving him leave to handle and milk her breasts: and finally to be as pleasant and familiar with him as a woman would be with her husband. And these gross monkish miracles are yet defended by the Popish priesthood. Of this Alan came the order of religious loiterers called after his name.   

159. Innocentius the eight,  
INnocentius the eight was a Genewaie born, his father's name was Aron, and his name before was john Baptist Cibo: he being Cardinal of S. Cicilia was choose Pope after the death of Sixtus. He was sometime a poor boy but of excellent beauty: and brought up among those that weighted upon Alphonsus' king of Sicill, where he learned perfectly courtly fashions. Afterwards he coming to Rome, continued a long season in the company of Philip Cardinal of Bononia. In time he was made prelate of Savon then of Melphit, afterward secretary by Sixtus and so came to be Cardinal, and last of all Pope. He was tall of stature, fair of complexion and of a comely parsonage: but of a gross and dull wit, void of learning, and so heavy headed that sometime even when he sat busy about public affairs, he would take a nap and fall a sleep. He was well-beloved of Sixtus for his comely behaviour and courtesy, wherein he excelled all other. But verily he fawned upon all men with flattering face, but was friend to no man in deed: and being of nature addicted to covetousness, yet he would shifted it and colour it with mirth and pleasant ieaftes. Even at his entry almost to his papacy, he conspired with the Princes of Sicill against their king Ferdinand, sending for Robart Severinates to be Captain of the enterprise: So well doth the Pope requited his bringing up in the king of Sicils house. He said that a man ought to make war for the dignity of the Church, for the defence of subjects, and for procurement of peace to ensue, contrary to the Apostle saying: Do not evil that good may come thereof. But at length he seeing himself disappointed took peace perforce, and yet with these conditions: that a tribute should be paid due unto him, and that the rebels should have no harm. But yet the wise Prince king Ferdinand kept neither of the conditions: though the Pope sent thither his stout champion Peter Vincent to challenge them, and his secretary with him. Also he deposed George Boebracius king of Bohemia from his kingdom, for favouring john hus, & bestowed it upon Mathias: but because the Emperor Frederick would not plant this Mathias therein, great war ensued thereof to the subversion almost of the said Emperor. After this, Innocentius being wearied with wars, gave himself to pretenced peace: and applied himself wholly to ease and idleness, which breeds all wickedness. He following the example of Sixtus, did erect a College of s●cretaryes for his greater gain, increasing the number of them. He beutifyed the papacy with a new Palace. He did openly lavish out reches and treasures upon his bastards, giving them honours without all shame: for he bestowed upon one Francis his bastard certain towns adjoining to the City, & gave a great dowry with his bastard daughter Theodorina, married to an exceeding wealthy Genewaie. He made his base begotten children his chamberlains, & his companions Cardinals. He sold pardons for the quick and the dead. He bestowed great treasures superstitiously on divers Churches in Italy, and on religious houses. He granted leave by his bull to those of Norway, to say mass without wine. He devising a new trade to fish for money, because that neither the advantages of his pardons, nor of his jubilee, nor the tax against the Turk could suffice him, he found out the title that was set up over the Cross of Christ by Pilate, written in three tongues jesus Nazarenus rex judeorum, which was hidden within a brickwall: also he found out the iron head of the spear where withal the side of our Saviour was wounded, and ere a man might see or kiss these jewels he must pay well for it. But after long sickness this Pope died Anno 1492. Of whom this Epitaph was made. 
Quid quaeris testes, sit mas aut foemina, Cibo?  
Respice natorum, pignora certa, gregem.  
Octo recens pueros genuit, totidemque puellas:  
Hunc meritò poterit dicere Roma patrem.  
Spurcities, gula, avaritia, atque ignavia deses,  
Hoc, Octave jacent, quo tegeris tumulo.  About the year of our Lord 1464. Baptist Mantuan being then xviii. years old written his ix. Eglog calling it Post religionis ingressum, entreating of the corrupt manners of the court of Rome: & his tenth Eglog of the controversy of the friars Obseruants and not Obseruants. Also he written a Diolog in praise of the blessed life. In his ix. Eglog he painteth out the treacheries of Rome, saying that all kind of naughty parsons are had in honour and are promoted at Rome: and that none are there advanced but such villains as deserve rather to be imprisoned and driven out. His sayings are partly thus: 
Quo magis approprias, tanto magis omnia sordent.   
¶ And after he addeth.  
Fama est Aegyptum coluisse animalia quaedam,  
Et pro numinibus multas habuisse ferarum.  
Ista superstitio minor est quám nostra: ferarum  
Hic arras habet omne genus, contraria certè  
Naturae res atque Deo, qui dicitur olim  
Preposuisse hominem cunctis animantibus unum, etc.   

160. Alexander the sixt.  
ALexander the sixt was a Spaniard born in Valentia, called first Rodericus Borgia, succeeded Innocentius: his deeds were so opprobrious and wicked, as hath been seldom herded. He was a very royotous tyrant & in league with the devil to obtain the papacy. He being long vicechauncelour in his Cardinalship, did search and bolt out all the estate and trade of the Court of Rome, and all the councils and secrets of all the Princes and encorporations of italy. And therefore being Pope by the help of of his bastard Valentinus (whom of a Cardinal he made captain calling him Caesarius) he did almost destroy them all: and rooted out and banished the most mighty and honourable houses of Rome, so that afterward he stood not in awe of any of them. Iu●the which bickering (saith Valerius) the garrison of Frenchmen and Heluetians being murdered both man and woman, this proud Captain Caesarius being by means of his wife duke of Valentia, purposing to get a booty of money, gave to certain Cardinals a potion of Aconita whereof his father also drank, so that he fallen a sleep with the rest, and then the son with the stroke of a weapon quenched the undeserved honour of both. This Alexander held the jubilee at Rome Anno 1500. whither infinite multitudes of people resorted: but for those that either would not or could not come, the Pope by his bull imparted to them the blessing and benefit of the jubilee if they would give money for it. He spared no shameful shift to make money withal: and therefore he did found yet another new college for clerks of briefs (for so were they called that writ the abridgements of all matters) & these were in number four score, of the which every one paid for his place seven. hundred crowns. He cited all Princes by authority of his bull to come to the jubilee, and appointed standings in every country in the streets, whither the people should resort to sand their money thither. By his Legate john Borgia he crowned Alphonsus' king of Naples, and (saith Platina) made him swear to be true to Rome in paying his yearly tribute faithfully. He bestowed infinite riches in repairing and garnishing Churches, Castles, towers, hyewayes and houses in Rome. Volateranus saith that he murdered many virtues by his notorious vices which are not to be named, only (saith he) I will touch those that were known in the eyes of the people. If he were at any time at leisure, he had no regard what kind of recreation he used without respect of his estate. He flitted often to Adrian castle because he might the better come out openly to behold such shows and delights, as maskers, mommers, daunters, harlots and strumpets, and other worse kind of people using these braveries upon hollydayes and other times: he delighted much to see the lascivious commedyes of Plautus and other like interludes played. At the marriage of one of his daughters he procured extraordinarily to have it solemnized with running at the tilt and hunting. Fencers & roisters were never so suffered in Rome, neither the Citizens so bridled as in his time. Beside, the City was much encumbered with vagabonds so that men could neither walk safe in the City by night, nor without the City by day. Now was Rome become a slaughter-house, which hath sometime been a refuge and defence for men. All these (saith Volateran) he suffered for his bastard's sake, to whom he granted all things at pleasure etc. But as you have herded before he died in the end of the same poison which he caused his son to provide for other: farther of his doings and of his sons wars by him procured & maintained, Volateran writeth at large.  
Platina saith how that when Charles the eight king of France should pass through italy to Naples with an army to challenge it as his inheritance, this Pope Alexander fearing the puissance of that noble king, did for fear of him make a league with Alphonsus' king of Naples against the French king, & planted a garrison of soldiers in Rome lest the king should invade it. For it is engrafted in the Italians that they envying the prosperity of the Frenchmen, do always detest even the very name of Fraunce● so that they swearing and vowing friendship with them, are not nothing abashed in despite of God and justice, to break their leagues. And yet notwithstanding this the Pope's power, yet king Charles prevailed in his purpose maugre their hearts and came to Rome, where for fear lest he should by violence break away from himself to their greater damage, the Pope commanded that he should be courteously let in, and that none of the Roman soldiers upon pain of death should make any stir, and so did Charles likewise command his army. And yet the cowardly Pope with a band of men fled dastardlye into Angel castle: but after he perceived that quietness was kept in the City, he maketh a league with Charles, sending home to Alphonsus his soldiers again. But after this when Charles had been in Apulia and conquered it, he prepared to return home into France: but the Pope forgetting or neglecting his league & oath, thought to cut him short of his purpose and to take the advantage of Charles while he trusting to the league, should not mistrust any such falsehood. And therefore the Pope making another league with the Vetenians, Maximilian the Emperor, Ferdinand king of Arragon, and Lewis Sfortia, providing an army lay in wait for Charles his coming at Fornonium not far from Parma, even in the way where he should pass. But notwithstanding this ambush were forty Thousand men, and Charles had with him but seven. Thousand trained soldiers, wearied with traveling and want of necessaries, yet the bickering continued sharp & doubtful a long time with great slaughter of the Pope's army, and in the end Charles with little loss of his part got the victory. Thus reporteth Platina or rather the author that continueth the history of Platina where he ended it, who written but to the time of Paul the second, though yet he heareth the name of the whole work for those that follow are added by other. In the time of this Pope an Angel that was placed aloft in Angel castle, was thrown down by the violente force of thunder and lightnings, which as some think might well prognosticate the fall of the Pope's estate. john Tisseranus a Minorite founded at Paris an order of harlots, as if Christian religion were to be edified by such orders.  

¶ Verses made upon Pope Alexander's death.  
Fortasse nescis cuius hic tumulus sict,  
Adsta viator, ni piget. etc.  
Perhaps whose tomb this is (my friend) you do not know,  
Then pause a while if that you have no haste to go.  
Though Alexander's name upon the stone be graven,  
'tis not that great: but he that late was prelate shorn and shaven.  
Who thirsting after blood devoured so many a noble town,  
Who tossed & turned the ruthful states of kingdoms upside-down.  
Who to enrich his sons so many nobles slay,  
And waste the world with fire and sword & spoiling to him drawn.  
Defying laws of earth and heaven and God himself ere while,  
So that the sinful father did the daughter's bed defile.  
And could not from the bands of wicked wedlock once refrain,  
And yet this pestilent prelate did in Rome ten years remain.  
Now friend remember Nero or else Caligula his vice,  
Or Heliogabals, enough: the rest you may surmise:  
For shame I dare not utter all: away my friend with this.   

¶ Another Epitaph upon Pope Alexander.  
The Spaniard lieth hear that did all honesty defy,  
To speak it briefly: in this tomb all villainy doth lie.   

¶ Another.  
Lest Alexander's noble name my friend should the beguile,  
Away: for hear both treachery doth lurk and mischief vile.   

¶ Another.  
Though Alexander after death did vomit matter black,  
Yet marvel not: he drank the same and could not 'cause it pack.   
divers other like ill favoured verses according to his ill favoured manners were made of him, which for modesty sake are partly to be suppressed, because it is not to be doubted but that chaste ears would be ashamed to hear those things, which Pope Alexander was not ashamed to do. But among other john Functius reporteth of him out of Volatera●, that the Cardinals which chose him did first find him unthankful: for he plagued them all with divers miseries, thrusting some into prison and punishing some with imprisonment. He warred upon the Vrsins and conquering them laid them in irons and fetters. His greatest care was (as Innocentius did) to bestow great honours on his bastards. He made one of his youngest sons Prince of Sicilia, and another called Caesareus a Cardinal, and his elder son a duke in Spain, who within a while after was murdered in the night & tumbled into Tiber. His other son the Cardinal after the death of his brother, renounced priestcraft & ran into France with a mighty mass of gold, where he married a kinswoman of king Lewis, having with her the town of Valentia: then by the aid of the king being at perpetual league with him, he purloined to himself great dominion in italy, being therein much furthered by the Pope his father. The daughter of this Pope Alexander called Lucretia, with whom the monstrous father had used carnal company, was married to 3. Princes one after another. First to john Sfortia duke of Pisauria, than she being divorced was matched with Alosius of Arragon bastard of king Alphonsus: he being slain she was wedded to Alphonsu● duke of Ferraria. What her honesty, religion, and modesty was in the Court of Rome during her father's estate, it may be gathered sufficiently by these two Verses made upon her death, by john jovianus Pontanus. 

Hic jacet in tumulo Lucretia nomine, sed re  
Thais: Alexandri filia, sponsa, nurus.  
Here lies Lucretia chaste by name, but Thais lewd by life,  
Who was to Alexander Pope both daughter and his wife.   

¶ The Verses of Actius Sannazarius upon the year of jubilee kept by Pope Alexander.  
Pollicitus coelum Romanus, & astra sacerdos,  
Per seelera & sedes, ad Styga pandit iter.  
The Roman priest that promised both heaven & stars to cell,  
By treachery and murtheringes hath made a gap to hell.   

¶ The Verses of the same author again Lucretia the daughter of Pope Alexander the 6. reproving her horrible incest with her father.  
Ergo te semper cupiet, Lucretia S●xtus●  
O fatum diri numinis: hic pater est?   jerom Marius in his book Eusebius Captiuus speaking of this Pope Alexander hath these words: What should I disclose the detestable treachery of Alexander the 6. whereof the like hath not been herded? He making a league with the devils of hell, bequeathed himself body & soul unto them if by their help he might attain● to the papacy: which when the devils had performed, Pope Alexander began so to reform his life, that he never went about any business, but that he did first take council of the devil.  
Other pranks of this Pope Alexander were partly written in these Verses compendiously.  
Vendit Alexander cruces, altaria, Christum:  
Emerat ille prius vendere iure potest.  
De vitio in vitium, de flamma transit in ignem,  
Roma sub Hispano deperit imperio.  
Sextus Tarqvinius, Sextus Nero, Sextus & iste:  
Semper sub Sextis perdita Roma fuit.  
Pope Alexander selleth Christ with airs & crosses store,  
And reason good that he should cell the things he bought before. etc.  
In the time of this Pope the pall of the bishop of Mentz was enhanced, to be paid for it for ever hereafter unto the Pope's Chamber xxxv. Thousand Florence's. Among other enormities wherewith this Alexander swarmed, he poisoned Gemen brother to Baiazetes the great Turk & prisoner at Rome, receiving for the same deed wherewith he was hired by Baiazetes two hundred Thousand Crowns. Furthermore to maintain his tyranny he joined league with the Turk against the French king and craved his assistance, using both the kingdom of Naples & Rome itself for his own royat sake: as the fortresses to the Empire of Ottomannus. Beside he commanded the tongue of Antonius Mancinellus and both his hands to be cut of, because he in a learned and eloquent oration reproved his licentious and loathsome demeanour. But as he lived wickedly so he died miserably, for he preparing a feast for divers Senators and Cardinals, purposing to poison them with the same bane, that he poisoned Cemen: but by the providence of God one of the waiters ignorantly gave the Pope the same bottle wherein the poison was, whereof he drinking died with the rest. finally in one thing this Alexander matched the wickedness of his predicessours in granting leave to a Spaniard Petrus Mendoza Cardinal of Valentia, to use his bastard son marquess Zanatensis otherwise then becometh vowed chastity: but hereof enough. And beside this Mendoza was well known greatly to dishonour the spousal bed of his sovereign king Ferdinand.  
Anno 1499. one Ierom Savonarola a dominicam monk with other his fellows were burned at Florence, for defending the communion under both kinds, condemning the Pope's pardons, and for reproving the lose life & negligence of the clergy generally. They denied also the Pope's supremacy: saying that the keys were given to the whole Church, and not to Peter. Again that the Pope followed Christ neither in life nor doctrine, because he attributed more to his own pardons & traditions then to the merits of Christ: & that his cursings & excommunicaions are not to be feared. He prophesied also of certain things to come as of the destruction of Florence and of Rome, and the restoring of the true Church at length: for the which Picus Mirandula calleth him an holy Prophet, and defendeth him in his writing against the Pope. Also one Marsilius his neighbour, and Cominoeus in his French history, do attribute to him the spirit of prophesying: and divers other learned men do defend that he died an innocent.   

161. Pius the third.  
PIus the third born in Hetruria and nephew to Pius the second, called first Franciscus Picolhomeneus after great debate among the Cardinals succeeded Alexander.  
Valentine Borgia after the death of his father purloining his treasure did beset that Vatican with twelve. Thousand soldiers, it being the place where the Pope was elected, thinking by this drift to make the Cardinals stoop to his purpose: but they to avoid this danger did forthwith convey themselves into the Temple of Minerva, where they were forthwith enclosed by him. hereupon a rumour ran through the City that the elders were apprehended, that all the City was molested with ●laughter and spoiling, so that all men were amazed. This being heard doors were shut up, men took them to their weapons, the street passages were stopped with timberlogs & iron chains: and thus was all in an hurly burly and a great uproar, as if the host of Hannibal had been battringe the gates of Rome. But Valentine because he saw that he had attempted an hard matter, being requested by the Cardinals to give over his wilful purpose, did promise to cease by & by and to obey them. Then when this Pius was choose, Valentine abating his courage, did thank the Cardinals because they had choose him Pope whom he most desired. He being Pope did forthwith raise an army to drive out those Frenchmen that dwelled in italy, taking it in despite that their king had subdued Apulia and a great part of italy: but the Pope hoped for a day to gall the Frenchmen to enclose them in a trap, and in the end to hunt them utterly out. But while he purposed these things he died of an ulcer in his leg, the xxvii. day after his creation Anno 1503. the same year also that Alexander also died, the xv. of the kalends of November.  
And here endeth the sixt book of these prelate's, containing in it 41. Popes from Innocentius the 4. to this Pius the 3. whose corrupt lives as is partly showed though not so larglye as might be, do argue of what spirit they were and how far from Christian conversation. But if their fantastical and superstitious decrees were joined hereunto, where withal they loaded the Church and choked the Gospel, their doctrine would appear to men of any judgement, as unsavoury as their trade of life: but it would be over tedious, and pertaineth not so much to our purpose.    

THE SEVENTH Book containing the fift part of the third sort of Roman Popes, in whom appeareth the wayninge of Antichrist and imparing of his usurped estate, waxing still weaker and weaker till the end of the world, according to the prophecy of S. Paul in the second Chapter of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians: that antichrist must be revealed before that Christ come.  
IT appeareth by these former Popes how the Prophecies (in the Revelation of john of Antichrist, that he should be an Abadon, which being an Hebrew word signifieth a Destroyer or Conqueror) have been abundantly and in perfect measure fulfilled & verified in them. In the rest that followeth may appear the diminishing of that seat, for so much as many people in their times have & do from day to day renounce the Pope's authority. Many parsons first began in germany openly to detect him as Luther, Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Melancthon with divers other till in the end the whole countries forsook him, so that (God be thancked) at this day a great part of the world doth acknowledge him to be antichrist, and defyeth his doctrine: as England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, the dukes of Saxony, the duke of Brunswick, the Palsgrave of Rhine, the duke of Wittingberges, the Landgrave of Hessia, the marquess of Brandenburg, the Prince of Russia: and all other Earls and noble men with their dominions and great Cities through the whole country of germany, beside the great commōwealthes of Helvetia, Rhetia, Vallis, Tellina, with many hundred Thousands more of all estates in Flaunders, italy, Spain, & France, and in the kingdom of Polonia. Thus especially from the year of our saviours incarnation 1503. under Pope july the second, the credit of the Roman Sea began to crack and daily riveth more and more, and shall by God's grace so continued till it be clean rent in pieces and torn away. Whereof God hath given certain signs & tokens, plainly prognosticatinge the great fall of this proud Babylon, which with these revolting of regions from him being compared, may comfort those that rejoice in the advancing of the Gospel and in the ruin of antichrist: although it is not to be wished that any man should ground any doctrine or point of religion barely upon these prognostications. The observations that the papacy shall melt away, decresing more and more till the day of judgement are these. First the forenamed prophecy of S. Paul in the 2. Chapter of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, that antichrist must be revealed before Christ come: with divers other Prophecies of the holy Scripture in the Revelation and other places. Other proofs hereof may be those strange things that have come to pass of latter times in the Church of Rome: as the Pope john the 24. was wonderfully vexed by an owl in open consistory, as is before in his life declared: again that going to Constance he fallen out of his chariot by the way. afterward he was in the same council of Constance reprochfullye deposed, and it was there declared that a council aught to be above the Pope, and the Pope to be subject to the controlment of the council, which thing gave a great push to the overthrow of his supremacy: & surely from his time and the time of Paul the second, the Pope's majesty began to shrink more & more. Again in the time of Alexander the sixt by a tempest of thunder & lightning the augel set on the top of Angel castle in Rome the Pope's chief place was beaten down into the river Tiber. Furthermore it appeareth that it was not so much the fond fury of july the second, as fatal providence, the Pope july the second when he could not prevail by Papal authority, did hurl away into Tiber S. Peter's keys (as they term them) the counterfeit evidence of his supremacy: for as he cast the keys away, so other rejected his supremacy ever since. Furthermore in the time of Pope Leo it came to pass that he created in one day 31. Cardinals, and the same day while Leo and his Cardinals were in S. Peter's Church, there fallen such mighty storms of winds, thunder & lightnings upon the Church, that it shook down a little idol made for the picture of Christ in the lap of the virgin mary. Also it struck the keys out of the hand of S. Peter's Image in the same Church. These and many other such matters as have come to pass, are to be so construed as they may best serve to the glory of God and signification of his will, which is that antichrist shall be destroyed with the breath of his mouth, that is the power of his holy word, and not by the might and arm of man. joining therefore the success that Christ hath given to his Gospel, with the shaking of antichrist his kingdom foreshowed by the spirit of God, it shall not be amiss to take these signs as witnesses that God showeth hereby that he is mindful of his promise made to his elect, that the days are at hand when Babylon must fall, and our Saviour jesus Christ come again in glory to the subverting of him. The Lord hasten it for his mercy sake, and make us ready to receive it with joy. Amen. Amen.  

162. julius the second.  
IVlius the second was a Genewaie born (who as Erasmus writing upon the proverb A remo ad Tribunal saith) was in his youth a whirrye slave, and yet at length pressed up to the papacy. And yet (saith he) not contenting himself with that estate as he found it, did enlarge his dominion and would have made it larger but that death prevented his purpose. Vicelius saith that he was rather given to wars then to serve Christ. john Functius in his Commentaries writeth thus of him: Pope julius being born of a base stock rising by degrees through good luck and crafty wit attained to the hyest. He being a fellow of a subtle and compassing head, and most given of nature to play the warrior, did like Nimrod enlarge his portion by the dint of the sword: so that by his procurement within seven years were slain and destroyed to the number of two hundred thousand Christians. He besieged Ravenna cruelly, and in the end prevailing made it subject to his Empire. And with the like violence he wrested Servia, Imola, Faventia, Forolivium, Bononia and other Cities from the Princes with great bloodshed. Sleidan saith that when this julius was Pope, he took an oath that he would have a council within two years. But when he troubled and disquieted all italy with wars being enemy one while to the Venetians, another while to the king of France, now to the Duke of Ferraria, now to the Bononians: certain Cardinals ix. in number stepping a side and assembling at Millen, do summon a council to be held at Pisana. The chief of these were Bernardin Cruceius, William of Praenoste, & Francis Cossetinus, with whom were the proctors of the Emperor Maximilian and of Lewis the twelve. king of France about the same purpose. This council was called the year 1511. the nineteeen. day of may, to begin in September next following. The cause hereof is said to be, because the Pope had broken his oath and for sworn himself: for notwithstanding he had reigned so many years, yet contrary to his oath they could get no hope of having a council. And furthermore for that they had heinous crimes to charge him with all, they purposed to deprive him of his dignity which he had gotten by bribery. But julius charges all men upon pain of great punishment, that no man should obey them, & summoned another council to be held the year following in April in Lateran at Rome, whereunto xxi. Cardinals subscribed. For this from time to time hath been the practice of the Pope when any council hath been assembled against his doings, then to assemble another Synod against the other in some place meet for his purpose.  
There was at this time a famous Lawyer at Papia called Philippus Decius, who published a book defending the doing of the Cardinals against the Pope. divers other written against him some in prose & some in verse, as Hulricus Huttenus in certain Epigrams to this effect in English translated verse for verse.  

This julie, who by long descent did sit in Peter's seat,  
Through new conceit doth wo●ke these broils, with many a monstrous feat.  
He neither prayeth for his flock, nor living yet in peace,  
He seeketh not as Peter did their knowledge to increase.  
But kindleth wars, and jets in arms, and doth delight in gore,  
Yea Peter back he puts, and needs will set S. Paul before.  
S. Paul yet smites not with his sword: but therewithal was slain,  
But julie doth his hands with blood of many Christians stain.   

¶ The description of Pope julie by the said Author.  
Why goeth julius in steel, and in his coat of plate?  
With griselye beard and ouglye looks upon his bussshye pate.  
Whose frounced forehead hideth deep his loathly steaming eyes,  
Fron whence with hellhounds threatening look the sparkling fire flies▪  
This terror unto Western men by sea and eke by land,  
With bitter bows and bloody bills and shaking sword in hand.  
That unto all the kings on earth hath wrought such warlike harms.  
And is a scourge tooth world which he hath raised up in arms.  
The author of such manglinges made such slaughter and such spoil,  
That did both Prince and people all in danger put of foil▪  
Who both with hand and head doth put all villainy in ure,  
A creature born the ruin of mankind for to procure,  
Whose work is death: whose leisure is fulfilling filthy lust,  
And plucking peace from every man hath broached war unjust.  
What is there in him why that any man dare give his doom,  
why such a caitiff may deserve the name of Pope of Rome.   
The French king understanding that the Pope with the help of the Venetians, went about to disturb those whom he set in garrison, did summon a council at Turney in September, where he propounded these questions to be discussed: Whether it were lawful for the Pope to war upon any Prince without any cause: Whether a Prince defen●inge his own in that case may set upon the Pope, & withdraw himself from obeying him? And answer was made that the Pope ought not to do so, and that a Prince might do according to the question: & that unjust thundering bolts of excommunication are not to be feared. Hereupon the king sent his Ambassador to Pope julius to declare the determination of the council, and to desire him either to be content with peace, or else to call a general council to bulte out these matters the better. But the Pope would grant to neither request, but did excommunicate Lewis, and gave his kingdom for a pray to those that would make havoc of it. Of this julius it is written in a certain Commentarye of the masters of Paris against the Lutherians, that he did most villanouslye commit that which is not to be spoken of, with two noble young gentlemen who were put to a certain Cardinal called Roba●t Navetensis to be brought up, by Lady An Queen of France. The like thing is reported of him by another writer, where upon Conradus Gabriel written these two Verses.  
Venit in Italiam spectabilis indole rara,  
Germanus: redijt de puero mulier.  
It were not tolerable to set out all the treachery wherewith this monstrous Pope defiled himself. In his time among the religious men began divers gross and unreverent opinions touching the incarnation of Christ, & the conception of the blessed virgin moving many unnecessary, unprofitable, and unhonest questions, and meddling impudently with matters belonging to midwives and not to scholedoctours, and therefore rather to be suppressed then hear revealed: only this may suffice to the wiser sort, to consider what sects were among those holy siers and what divinity they studied. One of these busy brained sophisters was called Ptolomeus Lucensis a monk, who preached his filthy fantasies touching the manner of Christ's conception, in a Church at Mantua.  
This Pope julius being a lusty warrior, and going forth on a time with his army out of the City, did hurl Peter's keys into Tiber with these words: Because that Peter's key is able to do no more, let the sword of Paul help to do it. By which deed saith Bibliander) Pope julius hath resigned all his power unto the river Tiber, if that the Pope have received any power of Peter in that Christ said unto him: Behold I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. For he that casts away the keys being the testimony of authority, doth deprive & spoil himself and his successors of S. Peter's inheritance. Of this mad prank of julie hurling his keys into Tiber, divers men written verses, as Melancthon, Brusichius & one Ducherius, the English whereof doth follow.  

While julius to mischief framed did bloody war prepare,  
He marched forth, in armed hand his weapon thus he bore.  
A sword hung by his side which out courageously he drew,  
And Peter's keys into the deep of Tiber flood he threw.  
With blustering thus: if Peter's keys in war cannot prevail,  
Then with the sword of Paul we will our enemies assail   

¶ Huldericus Huttenus made this Epigram of Pope julius pardons.  
By craft Pope july all the world thou merchant dost intwine,  
Thou sellest heaven and yet no part thereof by right is thy.  
Cell me the thing thou hast: great shame will else thereof proceed,  
When thou dost cell the thing which thou thyself dost want and need.  
O salvage soil why bidst thou not an hundred giants fell,  
To help july to beat out jove, that he the heavens may cell?  
Fortill an other God get heaven, and thunder from the skies,  
Friend july I'll not buy of you such weighty merchandise.   
But after he had made many great slaughters, he died Anno. 1513.   

163. Leo the tenth.  
Lo the tenth was a Florentine born, of the noble house of Medicea, and called ere he were Pope john Medici's. He being Deacon and Cardinal of saint Maries, contrary to all hope was choose to succeed julius. He being diligently from his youth trained up in learning under learned schoolmasters, and especially one Angelus Politianus, did afterward greatly favour learned men.  
When he was but xiij years old he was made cardinal by Innocentius the viii and at the years of xxxviii. he obtained the papacy. This Leo was of his own nature a gentle and quiet person: but often times ruled by those that were cruel and contentious men, whom he suffered to do in many matters according to their insolent will. He addicting himself to niceness, and taking ease did pamper his flesh in diverse vanities and carnal pleasures: At banqueting he delighted greatly in wine and music: but had no care of preaching the Gospel, nay was rather a cruel persecutor of those that began then, as Luther and other to reveal the light thereof: for on a time when cardinal Bembus did move a question out of the Gospel, the Pope gave him a very contemptuous answer saying: All ages can testify enough how profitable that fable of Christ hath been to us and our company: Sleidan says he sent letters and hulles of pardons into all nations for such as would give money for them, the effects of his pardons were diverse, some especially to cell licence to eat butter, cheese, eggs, milk, and flesh upon forbidden days, and for this purpose he sent divers treasurers into all countries, and namely one Samson a monk of Milan into Germany, who by these pardons gathered out of sundry places such hewge sums of money that the world wondered at it, for he offered in one day to give for the Papacy above an hundred and twenty thousand ducats. Ma●●in Luther being singularly well studied in the scriptures, and continuing at Wittemberge in Germanye (where these pardons polled maynely) began to inform and teach the people how much they were abbused, to give such great sums of money for such trifles as were nothing profitable, and wished them to be better advised in bestowing their money, whereupon he purchased the Pope's bitter curse against him and his adherents, to the no little disturbance of the whole estate of germany: for because by the preaching of Luther, and his books painting out the treachery of the court of Rome, the princes of germany, as the Duke of Saxony, the Landgrave and other would not yield so much as in time past the Pope had commanded by usurpation. The Emperor and they in the end fallen together by the ears, by the Pope's procurement, as at large is set forth in Sleidan, and can not so aptly in this place be reported. Other enormities which in the Pope's pardons moved Luther were these: The people were persuaded that if they bought these pardons they need not to seek any further for salvation, and that no sin could be so horrible, but that by these indulgences it should be forgiven, and that the souls that lie tormented in Purgatory should fly into heaven forthwith, as soon as the money received for these pardons at the charge of their friends should be put into the Pope's coffers. But to return to Pope Leo: he made xxxi. cardinals in one day, whereby he got great bribes and much treasure, but the same day appeared many horrible sights and great tempests arose, with vehement winds, thonders and lightnings, vehemently rushing upon the Church where the Pope and his Cardinals were with such force, that it shook down an idol made for the picture of Christ like a child in the lap of the virgin mary: also it stroke S. Peter's keys out of his hand. These things were enterpreted to prognosticate the decay of the Pope's kingdom, and thereupon many written bitter verses.  
Anno 1521. the same year that in Christmas hollydayes Solyman the Turk won the Rhodes, as the Pope went out of his closet to morrow mass, a great roof of Marble stone fallen down suddenly behind his back, and slew many of his guard. This Leo did enrich above measure his bastards and cousins, advancing them to dignities both spiritual and temporal with robbing and undoing other. For he made julianus his sister's son duke of Mutinensis, and Laurentianus duke of Urbin, marrying the one to the sister of Charles duke of Savoy, & the other to the duchess of Polande: for he deposed the duke of Urbin to the intent to advance the one of these in his place: which also he attempted against the duke of Ferraria, but was disappointed. He made one of his nephews called julius a Cardinal. In the year of our Lord 1571. and the first day of December, as soon as this Leo in deed a Lion herded it reported to him that the Frenchmen were by hi● means slain, taken and driven out of italy, he rejoiced and laughed at this news so vehemently, that therewithal he fallen down dead at his table, being a man that in his life time thought that there was neither heaven nor hell, & counting the Scripture sa is aforesaid to be but a fable. One Actius Sannazarius written these verses of him.  

Sacra sub extrema, si fortè requiritis, hora  
Cur Leo non poterat sumere? Vendiderat.   

¶ Pasquil against Leo.  
Pastor ut ambiguo Proteus dignoscitur ore,  
Et dubius liquidis saepe vagatur aquis:  
Sic Leo nulla fides tibi▪ nec constantia rebus,  
Factaque promissis sunt odiosa tuis.  
Nec bona, nec mala sunt dubio credenda Leoni,  
Est etiam in verum vix adhibenda fides.  
Quum ventrem imprudens avido natura Leoni  
Fecisset, rimas praebuit huic geminas.  
Non excrementis fuerat satis una: sed harum  
Altera nunc clausa est, nec minus illa vorat.  
Gaude Roma, brevi hac solueris pest: fatiscet  
Aluus, tàm magni ponderis impatiens.  
Differat à Decimo quàm julius ipse Leone,  
Dis●ere ab amborum nomine Roma potest.  
julius est hominis, bruti Leo. julius egit,  
Quae suasit ratio: quod libet, iste facit.   
In the time of this Leo doctor Benbrick an Englishman Archbishop of York and Cardinal, lying Ambassador in the service of K. Henry the eight, was poisoned by report at Rome and died there.   

164. Hadrian the sixt.  
HAdrian the sixt was born in Holland of a base stock: he was first schoolmaster to Charles the Emperor, & afterward made a Cardinal & by this means obtained the papacy, and still kept the name that he received in Baptism being called Hadrian. He promised Princes by his letters that he would do his endeavour whereby the City of Rome (being the mother & wellspring of mischief) should be first reformed with all severity: But this was but an hypocritical dissembling. For he being once placed in his dignity, did even as the rest trouble and sharply molest those that any way debased his pardons or reproved his ambition as Luther, Ecolampadius and other did: but in the fourth year of his pontificalitye he died Anno 1523. the tenth day of September.   

165. Clement the eight.  
CLement the viii. born in Florence nephew (at the lest) to Pope Leo the tenth, and called before julius succeeded this former Hadrian, And that by force of arms as Valerius saith. But as he got the place by violence, so had he it as troublesome as ever any before him. For while this Pope putting himself valiantly in armour did skirmish among the emperors soldiers and those that fought for the government of italy, his City Rome was taken, sacked and spoiled, and made a booty to Germans and Spaniards: and the Pope himself also was apprehended, mocked and scoffed, and reproachfully used. And from thenceforth the greater Churches in germany detesting the Papacye as the bloody kingdom of Antichrist, have ever defied and despised his soverainitye. But this subtle man bring afterward by his policy aided with the help of divers Princes and people, did purpose to persecute the Lutheraries with fire and sword. But in September Anno 1534. he was poisoned by such a strange practice as was never herded of: for both he and certain Cardinals with other his friends, were poisoned with the smell and smoke of a Taper, which was poisoned for that purpose by a strange confection.  

¶ Of this Clement thus writeth Vulteius touching a fault whereof he was mistrusted.  
De Clement, quod est conscriptum carmine, crimen,  
Id verum, aut fallum protinus esse scio.  
Si verum est, verenam possum dicere, mundi  
Vrna brevis vitium claudit, & omne scelus.  
Si falsum est, vere iam possum scribere, mundi  
Dux, pax, lux, parvo contegitur tumulo.  
Et falsum esse reor. Quis enim committere summum  
Pontificem Rome talia monstra putet?   
john tilius saith in his Chronicle, that this Pope being taken prisoner by the emperors army, (as shallbe at large declared) was redeemed for forty Thousand Florences. Also of this Clement it is reported in a certain Commentarye upon the articles of the masters of Paris, that he was one that practised poysoninges, a murderer, a bawd, an unclean liver, and that in such sort as for offending of chaste ears is not to be named. Also he is charged there with simony, adultery, ravishing of women, perjury, conjuring, and to be a Church robber fraught with all kind of vill●uye, and therefore a certain Poet written thus of him.  
Clementi nomen dedit inclementia fati,  
Bellorum hic foams, cunctorum Lerna malorum.  
Valerius Anselmus writing of this Clement saith thus: Clement being of a dissembling wit, in the last year of his papacy repaired to the French king at Massilia: where they two agreed so together, that the king took Katherine nice unto this Pope Clement at his motion, with a great dowry of Ecclesiastical dignities, and married her unto his second son Henry duke of Orleans. This the Pope wrought to arm himself the stronger against the Lutherans, whose blood he hunted after. But in September he and other of his Cardinals and familiarity were prevented by the strange poison of a charmed Taper. etc.  
Clement in making this marriage would first have had the said Katherine bestowed on the French kings elder son if it could have been. But it came to the same effect in the end, for soon after the elder son died, and then her husband Henry duke of Orleans was next heir and king of France: and by this means the Pope's nice according to the desire of her uncle become Queen of France, being the same woman that yet liveth in France in these bloody days being mother to Charles that now is king.  
For this her advancement she hath showed herself very thankful unto italy and unto the Court of Rome, both in planting Italians in divers great offices in the Realm of France, and also fortifyinge the Pope's authority to the uttermost of her power, with greater benevolence to her own country italy, then is thought profitable to the country of France.  
johannes Baptista Folengius in his Commentarye upon the 105. Psalm hath these words: For it is reported that in our days Pope Clement the seventh died of that most loathsome and filthy disease called morbus pedicularis, that is to be eaten with lice: & some say that he was poisoned. He was a mortal creature and therefore subject to infinite miseries and diseases as other men are. etc. Clement being dead, this epitaph was made on him, whereby it appeareth how the world judged of his life.  

Clementem eripuit nobis clementia fati,  
Humanum toto gaudeat orb genus.  
Hic est qui fuerat iam dedecus urbis & orbis,  
Et fuit aetatis magna ruina suae.  
Hic est, si nescis, qui iam tibi, Roma, paravit  
Excidium, pestem, funera, bella, famem.  
Hic est, per quem tot prostrant & in urbe puellae,  
Per quem pulsus honos, virgineumque decus.  
Hic est, qui molles evexit ad astra cinaedos,  
Formosum à tergo munere iwet Hylam.  
Hic est, qui fuerat vivens infamia mundi,  
Imperij labes spurcitiesque sui.  
Contemptor diuûm, scelerum vir, publicus hostis,  
Perfidus, ingratus, raptor iniquus, atrox.  
Exosus vitam, & morbo tenuatus amaro,  
Stabat Paeonia non revocandus ope.  
Mortem implorabat, nec mortem fata sinebant,  
Gaudebant longa sed cruciare mora.  
Hic vidit mortis centum tormenta futurae,  
Poena tamen mortis non fuit aequa suae.  
Ex ista tandem migravit luce tyrannus,  
Quo nullus toto peior in orb fuit.   

¶ Pasquil to Rome.  
Roma vale, vide, satis est vidisse: revertar,  
Quum leno, aut meretrix, scurra, cinaedus ero.   
Under this Clement Nicolas Machiavelli Secretarye of Florence and a famous Historiographer did flourish, who in the first book of his history of Florence saith: that for the most part the mischiefs that hap among the Christians, proceed of the ambition of the Popes. And that before the time of Theodoricus king of Lombardes, that is till about the year of our Lord 500 they were ever subject to kings in civil matters. But (saith he) they encroached by little and little the civil jurisdiction, and finally do usurp Lordship even above the very Emperors. They have grown to this height (as he showeth) by three means, by excommunicating, by giving pardons, & by the sword. Furthermore in his discourses upon the fift decade of Live Cap. twelve. he showeth, the contempt of Religion is cause of the overthrow of all common wealths, & namely that the occasion both of discord and evil success in Christendom, is because that Religion is contemned, whereof there can be no greater conjecture (says he) then that those people which are nearest to the Church of Rome, the head of our Religion, have lest Religion. And he that by experience would know the truth of this matter, (if he were of sufficient power and authority to transport the Court of Rome into Switzerland, where only at this day the people do live both according to Religion & warlike sort of antiquity) he should perceive that the detestable demeanour of the Pope's Court, would 'cause more disorder in the country than any chance else that might happen at any time, etc.   

166. Paul the third.  
Paul the third, born in Rome, was first called Alexander Farnesius: He b●inge a Cardinal and bishop of Hostia, and a man almost spent in years, was choose to succeed Clement, and yet he reigned fifteen years. Valerius writing of him says: This holy man did his endeavour according to the custom of his ancestors to advance his children and to suppress Luther and his adherentes. He was very cunning in astrology, soothsaying, and conjuring, by means whereof, being a young man he did many strange feats. He caused his own sister to yield herself concubine unto Pope Alexander the sixte, that he might thereby obtain the read hat. But in his Papacy, being an aged man, he devised a new profession of religious men: He purposing to reform the estate of the church of Rome, summoned a general council at Mantua, but to no purpose: and likewise in the later Tridentine council he could not prevail.  
Valerius Anselmus, Paulus Vergerius, john Sleidan, and other late writers do report these things that follow of him: It were to long to speak all that might be said of this miserable man touching his heinous faces, as manslaughter, theft, poisonings, treasons, tyrannies, incest, fornication, and such other. But yet it shall not be amiss to disclose a few of his practices. This Paul was an Astrologian, a Magician, a wyzard: He made one Dionysius Seruita a practiser of Geomancy, that is a kind of conjuring with earth clay and sand, or such matter, also he always used as his familiar companions ●anricus a Portugal, Cecius, and Marcellus being conjurers, and raysers of evil spirits in the bodies of dead men: He acquainted himself with these, because he would have them to cast the nativities and destinies of him and his children, by constellations. By playing the bawd he first got to be made cardinal. He delivered his sister julia Farnesia unto Rodoricus Borgia a Spaniard, otherwise Pope Alexander the sixt, whereby he might obtain of him to be made cardinal and bishop of Hostia, and so got money to pay his debts. By such means have many fished for the fattest benefices in the court of Rome, by serving the Popes fleshly appetite, and says (Cornelius Agrippa) there is no way readier to get preferment there then this is. Furthermore this unnatural and wicked Pope Paul could not with hold his mischievous hand from his own kindred, not not from the womb that first gave him breath and life: for he poisoned both his nephew and his own natural mother, that he might thereby enjoy the whole inheritance of the Fernesians. Beside this he lived carnally with another sister that he had: and because he perceived that she loved other better than him (which in the end the harlot showed openly) his iealouslye was such, that to revenge the despite as he counted it, he so watched his opportunity, that in the end he poisoned her for it.  
He being Legate under Pope julius the second in the province of Ancona, did villanouslye beguile a noble young gentlewoman of the same City. For he shifted his apparel & counterfeited himself to be a noble man of the Legates company, resorting to her as a wooer, and craftily under colour of marriage lay with her. But in the end when the poor gentlewoman had understanding of him what he was in deed, and see how she was deluded, being made not a lawful wife but a priests concubine (according to the Pope's law) she was so grievously wounded with grief hereof, that she was almost mad and ravished of her wits. But she conceived by him and was delivered of a son called Peter Aloysius, who afterward showed himself to be the lively image of such an adulterous father. At another time this Paul having a nice called Laura Fernesia, committed incest with her also: but her husband Nicolaus Quercaeus took him in the deed doing, & in a great rage so wounded him, that the scar thereof remained till his death. Again he had a daughter called Constantia, with whom he was so entangled and bewitched, that (O most sinful man) to enjoy her the more freely as his concubine, he poisoned her husband Bosius Sfortia. Such is the double corruption of their single life: such villainy ensueth of their vowed chastity. Thus doth God give them over to their own lusts that presume upon themselves, & thus doth he detect the man of sin, suffering him to come to the fullness of iniquity: who nevertheless is so blinded in his own fantasies, that wallowing in this wickedness, he thinketh yet himself to be perfit holy, and the general vicar of Christ upon earth. Yea & for so much as he is able to forgive unto other (as he thinks) greater sins, if greater may be then these are, why may he not dispense with himself in the like: Or rather why should it be counted sin in him. For so saith one Ennodius, to speak but of one among many such sayings: The Pope together with the power of teaching, hath received free liberty to do ill without controlment. And such is their affiance in the holiness of their chair, that the presumption thereof hath caused them thus to decree: Distict. 40. Non vos in Glossa Papa de homicidio vel adulterio accusari non potest: unde sacrilegij instar esset disputare de facto fuo Nam facta Papae excusantur ut homicidia Samsonis, furta Hebraeorum, adulteria jacob. The Pope cannot be accused of adultery or manslaughter: Therefore it was as much as Churchrobbing to dispute of his doing. For the Pope's deeds are excused as the murders of Samson, the theft of the Hebrews, the adultery of jacob. And again it followeth in the same place: In Papasi desint bona acquisita ꝑ meritum: sufficient quae a loci praedicessore praestantur. If the Pope lack good deeds got by his own merits: the good deeds which his predecessor (S. Peter) did, do serve his turn. This being considered it is less to be marveled at, that the Pope should thus imbrue his han●es with the blood both of his friends, kindred and parents, and defile his body most shamefully with his own sister, nice and daughter. But to return to the history. After that this Paul got the Popedom he created two Cardinals, whereof the one was Alexander son to his bastard son Peter Aloysius, and the other was Ascanius' son to his bastard daughter Constantia. By his tyranny he oppressed the Perusians: and in a madness he drove Ascanius Columna out of his kingdom. He cloyned into his own hands by vile treachery a town called Camery, driving out and dispossessing the Queen thereof being a godly, wise and virtuous Lady. By his craft he so inveigled the College of Cardinals, that he brought to pass by their consent to change Camery for Parma & Placentia two noble Cities, and to make his son Peter Aloysius Lord and Prince thereof. But the just vengeance of God did afterward plague this their politic packing, for this advancement of Aloysius fallen out to his destruction in the end.  
Oftentime this Paul consulted with his Cardinals how he might hinder the national council held in germany, and he commanded his Legates to inflame the minds of other Princes against the king of England, and he purposed to give his kingdom away from him, and to make it a pray and booty to those that would make havoc of it. Anno 1542. he summoned a general council to be held at Trent, against the Gospel, the preachers & fautors thereof: But because he could not there have all things according to his own mind, he removed it to Bononia, pretending that it was done only for choice of better air, which was but a shift, when as his purpose was by this means to defeat many of giving their voices in the synod. He oppressed with all force the professors of the Gospel, some with sword, some with fire, some with poison were destroyed He spared not so much as his Cardinals if they did once but savour of that sect, whereof Cardinal Fulgosius & Cantarenus felt the proof: And but that it pleased God otherwise to provide, his own brother Paulus Vergerius bishop of justinople had not escaped his rigour. ●e sent out his marcials as cruel persecutors on all sides, who tormented the Gospelers with fire & sword, burning and drowning, banishing and imprysoning, confiscating their goods, & pining their carcases even to death. The cliefe of these tormentors were Alexander Farnesius Cardinal, & Octavius his brother duke of Parma, who were the sons of the foresaid Peter Aloysius the son of this Pope. These two with great blustering and threatenings, came out of italy & entered into Germanye Anno 1546, vaunting and boasting very arrogantly, that they would shed so much blood of the dutch Lutherans, that their horses should be able to swim in the stream thereof.  
In the mean time the wicked Pope at home was more pleasant with his daughter Constantia then the use is: & beside this (like a sinful wretch) he provoked to incest and most detestable whoredom another being his nice, a young gentlewoman in time passed commended as well for womanly modesty as beauty.  
He had a book kept of 45. Thousand harlots, who for the liberty of their stews did pay unto him a monthly tribute: These dames (saith Eusebius Captiuu●) are had in great honour with the Pope, these kiss his feet, these have familiar communication with him, these are his companions both by day and by night.  
In the time of this Pope Anno 1534. the Franciscan monks played a cruel and bloody pageant at Orleans in France, in despite of a dead woman being the majors wife of the City, who in her life desired that she might be buried without any funeral pomp. The woman being dead the monks in whose Church she was buried received of her husband vi crowns, and because the gift was not greater they grudged much at it. And therefore they set a certain novice aloft on the roof of the Church who should in the night time counterfeit to be the woman's spirit, and should cry out and say that she was dampened perpetually for Luther's doctrine. At the length the matter came before the kings council at Paris, where in presence of the Chancellor Antonius Pratensis, these two Coleman & Steven Atrebatensis being found guilty & convicted of this villainy, were condemned to be put to open shame. One Vulteius Remensis written these Verses against this illusion. 
Cum clamat laruas, furiosa caterua leonum,  
Infestare suam nocte dieque domum:  
Res vera est, falsi, laruati denique fratres,  
Quos vestis sanctos prodigiosa facit,  
Sunt lemures▪ larue, furiae, vulpesque lupique,  
Qui infestant vitijs seque suamque domum.  One Pontacus a Popeling in his Chronicle set out the last year, being the year of our Lord 1573 printed at Lovany by an English fugitive called john Fowler, reporteth in the 153. leaf thereof that this Pope Paul the third, did openly excommunicate & curse the most renowned Prince R. Henry, the eight, & donavit regnum primum occupaturo, gave his kingdom to him that would first invade it.  
Now followeth it to speak of Peter Aloysius duke of Parma & Placentia, and bastard son to Pope Paul the third, who because he was proud, cruel and a most lascivious tyrant was murdered by his own nobles Anno 1548. the tenth day of August. When this wretched villain (as both Vergerius & Sleidan report out of certain Italian histories) being lie●etenaunte general of the Roman army arrived at Fane, and found there Cosmus Cherius bishop of the same City being above thirty years old, a man of great wisdom, learning, and of godly life, he committed upon him such an horrible villainy, that I think since Sodom & Gomorra were by the hand of God for the same sin destroyed with showers of fire and brimstone rayninge from heaven, the like hath not been heard of. For even by force and violence he caused his vassals and pezauntes, to hold the bishop while he (maugre his heart) in the mean time without all shame committed that deed, which shame will suffer no civil pen to put in writing. This treachery & infamous filthiness strake such a grief in the heart of the good bishop, and was such a corsie to the innocent man, that for sorrow & shame together he died within three days after. And (as some think) the same Aloysius perceiving how grievously he took it, gave him poison to dispatch him out of the way, lest he should have made complaint thereof to the Emperor. For so unadvisedly in great anguish of mind he had threatened Aloysius. Beside this Aloysius being privy to the incest of his father, presumed to commit the same deed often with his sister Constantia. And thus, while his father was Pope having power (as he thought) of heaven and hell, he presumed that he might do any thing lawfully & without fear, and thereupon buy licentious lust did often defile himself with either kind. He committed many robberies and murders, spoiling of Churches, and thundering out his blasphemies against the majesty of God. And notwithstanding all this the Pope made of his son as his dear darling, and wholly endeavoured himself to advance him to honour, and when any made complaint of his wicked conversation, the Pope would little or nothing be moved therewith, but would say after a smile manner: that, He learned not this of his father. Other correction of his son he used none, not not for that notorious crime upon the body of Cosmus.  
O what a miserable estate is this, that he who counteth himself to be the vicar of God (that is jealous over the lest sins, and a severe revenger of iniquity upon his own elected people) should thus against the majesty of that God as it were in defiance of his justice, wink at such an horrible treachery and suffer it to be unpunished, which Pagans and heathen led only by the light of reason have loathed. Yea even the brutish beast taught of nature committeth not, and as I may plainly say, if the devil himself hath any remorse to be touched with the hydiousnes of sin, I am sure he would detest & abhor such an act most of all, If any man be so vain to repose his Religion upon man, and to measure the truth of doctrine by the conversation of the person, (As many misled by Popish traditions refuse the sincerity of the Gospel for the corruption of them that profess it): If those kind of parsons look upon this one Pope (a mighty pillar of their Religion) I hope they would root out that affiance in his doctrine which is planted in their breasts, or else be taught to measure the power and truth of the Gospel, not by the frailty and weakness of man. But if this wayward reason be so beaten into their brains that it cannot be digged out, but that they will still affirm the doctrine is not true, and say: I will not accept of it because the professors thereof are wicked men, Then let them behold this Pope Paul a mighty patron of their undoubted Religion, and they shallbe compelled by their reason to say and speak with their tongue as the fool said in his heart: Surely there is no God, no jesus Christ, no holy Ghost, no Gospel, no heaven nor hell: I will not believe any such thing, because that even the Pope himself the great professor hereof is become a sink of sin, and a puddle of all filthiness, to commit in his own parson adultery and incest, and to foster those evils in his son, and suffer him to be as it were Prince of Sodom. etc. Thus (I say) if a man will judge Religion by men, he shall be so far from attaining to the knowledge of God & from faithful serving of him, that he shall rather defy utterly his glorious majesty, & think that there is no God at all. But thus we see that as no people have attained so much to the true understanding of God, as they to whom it hath pleased the mercy of the father to reveal himself by his son jesus Christ: so again no people have at any time swerved farther from his holy will and pleasure, and been more foully polluted & stained with all kind of abominable wickedness. But to return to the history of Peter Aloysius.  
This outrageous villainy against the said bishop together with other matters of injury, extortion & cruelty, but this chiefly, emboldened divers parsons of all estates to grudge his doings. And among other he being on a time at his own City Placentia, soon after this former fact Anno 1547. he did cease into his own hands all the goods of sundry parsons, and among them one Jerome Palavicinus, and when as he to avoid the danger of displeasure fled to Crema a town subject to Venice, Peter Aloysius apprehended the wife and children of the said jerom, and imprisoned them all. This being a matter whereof greater trouble might ensue, the Cardinal of Trent bearing good will to the Fernesians, written his letters to Aloysius in the behalf of jerom, but Aloysius gave him a light answer. Afterwards Octavius son to the said Peter, came from the emperors camp to Trent purposing to return home: The Cardinal of Trent came unto him and could him the whole matter touching jerom, and desired him to be a means to his father for him. He made him promise to do it: and afterward sent word to the Cardinal that jerom should be received into favour if he himself would come and crave his own pardon in humble manner. But because it was feared that promise being broken, he should be put to some grievous punishment, therefore the Cardinal with a train of men went to Crema, and called for jerom. He mistrusting treason, would not appear till he had good proof that the Cardinal was come in deed. After they had long talked in counsel together, and the Cardinal had at large promised his help, they took their journey together: The Cardinal sent one of his men before to give knowledge to Aloysius that he and jerom were coming, by whom Aloysius returned this message contrary to that which his son Octavius had showed before, that if they came he could not restore jerom. And although that both divers Legates, besides other wise and grave men, did both entreat and use persuasions to appease his wrath, yet he persisted obstinately in his purpose: And now certain of the nobility that had hated him for his former pranks, conspired to murder him. They having entertained for their purpose certain ruffians for their safeguard, watched a convenient time for their purpose, and being guarded with this their train, they dividing themselves into divers companies, came now and then out into the streets, every man pretending that it was done for private quarrels touching himself: and therefore every man demanded of those whom he had hired to attend on him, whether they would faithfully take part with him to revenge his injury, which he had sustained at the hands of Duke Aloysius: the serving men made answer again that they would do their endeavour not only to revenge an injury on him, but further, if it were to kill him.  
About this time, Pope Paul the third written to his son Peter Aloysius, willing him to take heed to himself, and to beware of the tenth day of September, for he said that the stars did threaten great mischief toward him: for this Pope by constant report was skilful, not only in Astrology, but also in Necromancy: upon the sight of these letters Aloysius was very sad and pensive for fear. And when the same tenth day came, he passed out of his castle, being born in a horselitter, and accompanied with a great train, to view the fortifying of the city, which he had appointed to be done: The conspirators were also there in a readiness, but because they could not then obtain their purpose, therefore they made no slur at all, but when he should return home, they gave attendance on him, and as it were for duty toward him, they went before him xxxvi in all, and when he with his horselitter was entered into the castle, forthwith they drew up the bridge after them (for it was a draw bridge) so that none other could follow them in: where, even presently they set upon him with their sword, and after they had rated him and upbraided him bitterly with his tyranny, they slay him in his litter, and a certain priest, beside the groom of his stable, and five Germans. This being done, they ran up and down in the castle, and made spoil of all things, where among other things they found an hewge mass of money, which he had laid in store to maintain the charge of fortifying the city. In the mean time the people of the city ran thither, demanding what the matter should be, because they hard such crying, weeping, and howling, within the castle. The murderers spoke out to them again, saying. we have slain the tyrant and recovered the liberty of our city. But because that matter could hardly be credited upon the warrant of the people, promising to save them harmless, the murderers tied the dead body of Peter Aloysius to an iron chain, and so hung him out over the castle brickwall, in sight of all the people, and after they had there let him hung a while, they threw him down into a dike. As soon as he was down, the people ran thither, drawn him out, stamped on him and spurned him with their feet, and thrust their daggars into his body, so desirous they were to work their malice on his hateful carcase. This being done, the people forthwith submitted them selves to the obedience of the Emperor, to whom they uttered the shameful demeanour of Aloysius and causes of his death, as hath been said. Thus he whom the Pope his father fostered in his villainy was plagued, both with loss of life in his own person, and alienation of his dominion from his children. So always the justice of god awaketh when the justice of man sleepeth.   

167. julius the third.  
IVlius the third an Aretinian born, before his papacy was called john Mary of the mount. After the Cardinals had iarred many a day about the election, in the end this man was choose the seventh day of February, in the year of our lord 1550. This julius because he was a melancholy fellow, and one that hated from his heart the doctrine of Luther, was admitted into the college of Cardinals, by the former Pope Paul the third, and was precedent for the Pope in the counsel of Trent, against the Lutherans. As soon as he had the Popedom he renewed the jubilee to make money for himself. And therefore there repaired apace to Rome minstrels, pipers, harpers, fiddlers, players, jesters, jugglers, ruffians, bawds, harlots and Sodomites, with all kind of rascal people. The Papists conceived a great hope that this julius would reform Religion & clergy according to their desire. But his delight was to feed like a glutton. Peacocks, pork and bacon and all kind of swine's flesh were his ordinary fare that he most desired. He promoted none so soon to ecclesiastical dignities as young and wanton Ganymedes, especially one of that sort called Innocentius in whom was no good quality. Beside that with his detestable doings did stain the Pope's Palace, he was as wicked in his words: for in his talk he was so uncivil and such a ruffianly ribald and blasphemer, as among all the varlets in italy was not a worse.  
Pantaleon, Vergerius, Sleidan and other late writers do report this of him that followeth: Anno 1550. the seventh day of Februarye john Marie of the mount after great wrangling among the Cardinals was choose Pope and called julius the third. And because this new Pope might bestow his Cardinal's hat by custom one whom it pleased him: he made one Innocentius a boy whom he fancied carnally above measure while he was Legate at Bononia. Against which deed all the Cardinals much repined and cried out on it, yet the Pope did it and furthermore made him his companion in his house. But to rifle this matter farther modesty will not suffer, it is better to overpass both the rumours and talk of the people touching it: and those abominable speeches where with the Pope himself was neither afraid nor ashamed to jest of his own villainy, & to display it openly. Neither could any honest ears endure to hear the contents of certain lewd amorous letters fraught with all kind of ribauldrye and wantonness, which one Camillus Oliws companion to the Cardinal of Mantua, written to one Hannibal Cotiws: there loathsome letters being in their vulgar tongue written in most dishonest and amorous verse, were intercepted the same day that the Pope was choose, the Cardinals being together in the consistory. These rhymes were copied out and seen of divers both in italy & Germanye, who reported of them that they never see such detestable, villainous and abominable writings. By this the Reader may judge with what spirit this romish clergy is endued in whom lieth the election of Christ his vicar (as they say.) But so far they are from being (as they boast) exempted from sin, that these treacheries are common among them, and by their own shameless tongues and pens detected to all the world, which gave occasion to one Velteius to writ this Epigram of Rome. 
Roma quid est? Quod te docuit preposterus ordo,  
Quid docuit? jungas versa elementa, scies.  
Roma amor est. Amor est? qualis? Praeposterus. unde hoc?  
Roma mares. Noli dicere plura, scio.  Touching the making of that boy Innocentius Cardinal, Vergerius saith thus: Pope julius purposed to make a certain lad called Innocentius Cardinal. This boy was not only of very base parentage, & endued with no good quality, but also was one of vile life and evil behaviour. Therefore when the Pope propounded the matter to the Cardinals and every one stood against it, one of the Cardinals more bold than the rest said to the Pope: Sir I pray you what do you see in this younker, that you would thus honour him with the scarlet robe? To whom the Pope said again: And I pray you what did you see in me, that you should thus advance me to this pontifical dignity? And therefore as this is the game of Fortune that she should advance whom it pleaseth her, so you have promoted me unworthily: and so let us I pray you promote this boy and created him Cardinal.  
Because that Paulus Vergerius, Bernardus Ochinus, & Hieronimus Marius did inveigh against the monstrous blasphemies & horrible treacheries of this Pope julius: therefore he suborned jerom Mu●ius to defend and maintain these things in public books. And authorised him by his bulls not only to apprehend these reprehenders of the Pope's treachery and Sodomitrye, but also that he should by his writings defame & slander with all kind of bitter and despiteful reproach, the Cities and Princes of germany. Thus may every man see how the bishop of Rome doth not only fall into this filthy sin, but also defend them and uphold them as well and lawfully done even in open writing.  
Furthermore the said Vergerius in a certain writing among other things saith this: Where as the name of Pope july the third is foully tainted with this former offence, and in such sort that he refrained not from his Cardinals etc. I have hither to forborn to detect his doing touching this notorious enormity. But seeing every man doth constantly report that he doth ordinarily utter those same kind of blasphemies that vile bawds and other such lewd parsons are wont to use in contempt of God: men aught rather to condemn such an ouglye monster and not Christian's etc.  
In the time of this Pope johannes Casa a Florentine Archbishop of Beneventum, Deane of the Chamber Apostolical, and in all the Dominions of Venice the Pope's Legate with full power and authority did flourish. This johannes Casa written in the commendation of that most unnatural and abominable filthiness of Peter Aloysius, setting forth with most loathsome words, flourishing Rhetoric and wicked eloquence in Italian rhyme, that matter which is not to be named among men: yet he hath so praised and commended it as no man without sin may report. This cursed work and detestable book was imprinted at Venice by Troianus Naws. In his records of malefactors made in the time of his legacy, he reckoneth none but such as professed the Gospel. Whereupon Vergerius saith unto him: Art thou not ashamed thou abominable Archbishop? Darest thou show thy face abreade and burn holy books? Even thou that hast written those ●imes, even thou that hast advanced the ouglye sin of Sodom as an heavenly deed. etc.  
Such was the tyrannical rigour of this johannes Casa against the professors of the Gospel, that one Franciscus Spiera a lawyer for fear of his cruelty did revolt from the Gospel & subscribe to the Pope, but upon the same deed he fallen into desperation and so continued a most miserable man to his death tormented in conscience.  
Paulus Vergerius did also hardly escape the rigorous hand of this john Casa. But to be short it were a tedious thing to declare at large all the demeanour of this Pope july the third in the time of his jubilee, and in the Tridentine council in establishing the idol of Lauret: and in his quarrel & brawl with the bishop of Armin comptrollour of his house for one peacock, & other such like trifles. For he delighted much in the eating of peacocks and swines flesh: but when his Physician had given him warning that he should forbear swine's flesh, because it was hurtful for the gout his disease, yet julius would not forbear. The Physician therefore gave council to the Pope's Steward to take order that the Pope should have no such meat served at the table. Whereupon the Pope wanting his dish asked, What is become of our bacon? The Steward answered that the Physician willed him that he should not set it on. The Pope forthwith violently braced into these words saying: Fetch me my meat hither All di spetto di Dio as he might say in English, In spite of God's heart. This blasphemous outrage is a common phrase among ruffians and varlets of italy in their rage, and as common with Pope julius as to other, beside other lascivious and uncivil speech. On a time he had at his table a peacock which was untouched, and therefore he commanded that it should be kept for him till Supper: for I will (quoth he) have certain of my friends with me at supper in my garden. When supper time came the Pope was served with hot peacocks, but his cold peacock came not in according to his commandment: And therefore he began according to his custom to blaster out his blasphemies raging and railing. One of the Cardinals that sat at the table said: I beseech your holiness not to be so highly offended for so small a matter: Not? (quoth julius) If God were so offended for one apple that he threw our first parents out of Paradise: why should not I that am his vicar be angry for my peacock, seeing a peacock is of greater value than an apple.  
This julius caused this sentence to be printed on his coin: Gens & regnum peribit quod mihi non inseruit. That nation and kingdom shall perish which doth not serve me.  
When he should created one Peter Betaws Cardinal, certain of the Cardinals stood against it, urging especially that the said bishop was infected with Luther's heresy: What then quoth the Pope, were it not better for us by putting on him the Cardinal's hat to purge him of that uncleanness, and by that bond to knit him unto us, rather than to suffer him by escaping from us to join with our enemies in germany as Vergerius hath done. After six years reign this Pope julius died Anno 1555. the xxiii. day of May. Upon whom these verses were made.  
Quò ventum est superi? quò vis progessa Diones?  
Quò gula? quò luxus? quò genus omne mali?  
Ambrosia foetent epulae, mareotica sordent  
Vina, nisi Iliacus porrigat illa puer.  
Caetera mens horret meminisse: ea discat ab uno  
Crimine, me quisquis legerit, atque gemat.  
Among divers other Epitaphs this was written of him and sent from place to place as followeth.  
johannes Maria ● Monte. etc. john Maria of the mount by haphazard obtaining the papacy in the time that the Cardinals were at a great brawl, which he dared never presume to hope for? In 6. years he did shed more Christian blood then any other Antichrist hath done at any tyme.  
Fex sacrificulorum, grex Episcoporum, armentum  
Cardinalium gratitudinis ergo monimentum aeternum posuit.  
Civil ears perhaps will be offended that a man should ●ere set down the sluttish behaviour used in three points by this Pope july, even at open table, otherwise then any person of mean modesty would do in private chamber: As Beza showeth in this Epigran made of this Pope july. 
Ebrius ad mensam quum julius ille sederet, 
Theod. Beza in poem a● fol. 172.   
Impia quem potuit Roma nec ipsa pati:  
Tres pariter fertur pelues habuisse paratas  
Vt triplici triplex vase levaret onus  
una alui pondus, vomitum altera peluis habebat  
Tertia vesicae concipiebat onus,  
I nunc, pontifices Germania dira negato  
Omnia clausa suo iura tenere sinu.  And yet this Pope was he whose authority and supremacy was with all humility and devout reverence restored here in England in the year of our Lord 1554. by queen Mary. From this man Cardinal Poole, who before was outlawed and vanished for high treason against king Henry the viii. came into England, and brought with him this Pope's blessing, pardon, and absolution. For the which Cardinal Poole was made Primate of England and Archbishop of Canterbury. Thus the Pope's blessing and pardon was received by the estate of England. And Pontacus in his chronicle published Anno. 1572. printed in Lovany by john Fowler an Englishman, that blotteth much paper to publish gross untruths, for the defaming of his country by him forsaken, is not ashamed Folio 179. to report, but boastingly writeth it, that king Philip and Queen Mary, with the whole Parliament house did humbly kneel upon their knees to receive the Cardinal's blessing and absolution from the Pope's holiness. But it is well known, and the knowledge thereof dearly bought by England, how that noble Queen being otherwise of great wisdom, and godly mind, yet overmuch deceived by ignorance in scripture, and putting too great a confidence in the Pope's authority, the antiquity of her religion and the professors thereof, did even of simple zeal yield the disposition and ordering of her affairs overmuch to the crafty clergy, who with fire and faggot followed in England the rigorous example of july practised in Italy, against those that dissented from the Pope's doctrine. But this is both at large set forth in the acts and monuments of the Church, and further is not pertinent to this purpose, and therefore not here to be mentioned at large: Only this is that which I note▪ to what kind of person of life and conversation England in these later days submitted itself as to his general Pastor, and the vicar of Christ. Of what manner of man we received blessing and absolution so devoutly, whom we did so highly commend, honour, and reverence, above our natural prince with heavenly title of our most holy father the Pope. To whom and to whose servile yoke our prince did yield herself to be at his commandment, whose curse we feared, whose love and favour, we sought to purchase with infinite treasure, whose displeasure caused both prince and people to quake as it were at hell fire. If the person that thus bleared us be considered, I doubt not but we shall first be ashamed of him, secondly ashamed of ourselves, that we have thus fallen down and worshipped the beast, and finally hereafter detest him and his successors.  
The self same thing is declared in Graftons' Chronicle Folio. 1346. Where he at large showeth how cardinal Poole was received by king Philip, Queen Mary, and the parliament, and how he persuaded them to be reconciled to this holy father the Pope, and how upon their submission he gave them absolution in these words following. ¶ Our Lord jesus Christ which with his most precious blood hath redeemed and washed us from all our sins and iniquities, 
The Pope's absolution set by the Cardinal.  that he might purchase to himself a glorious spouse, without spot or wrinkle, and whom the father hath appointed head over all his Church: he by his mercy absolve you, 
The Pope and the Cardinal's fellows in commission with Christ for remission of sins.  and we by the Apostolic authority given unto us by the most holy Lord Pope julius the third, his vicegerent on earth, do absolve and deliver you and every of you, with the whole Realm and dominions thereof, from all heresy and schism, and from all and every judgements, censures, and pains for that cause incurred. And we also do restore you again to the unity of our mother the holy Church, as in our letters of Commission shall more plainly appear. etc.  
This being done, the king and the Queen and all the rest went to the Chapel, and chanted Te deum for joy of this sweet blessing of so holy a Pope. It may be that those burgesses and the rest of the parliament house, at the time of this absolution, thought better of his person when they received his blessing: but I wish those that are yet remaining of them, and read this his loathsome life, now to consider what a stinking idol they honoured ignorantly at that time, and what a villain's blessing they received so devoutly. Consider also what benefits every way followed this blessing: for soon after there fallen so great extremity of rain (as though the heaven had bewept our iniquity) that the abundance thereof raised great and perilous floods, doing much harm in divers places: The Thames swelled so high, that for the space of four or five days boats and barges rowed all over saint George's field, and so at Westminster a boat might have rowed from one end of the Hall to the other. Also that year and the year following there reigned hot burning fevers, and divers other strange and new diseases so contagiously, that many people perished in all parts of England, especially of the most ancient and grave men, for in London between the twenty of October and the last of December there died seven Aldermen: Also the year following there ensued a great dearth and famine throughout all England: And again the year after that, Newenam bridge, Rice bank, Calais, Hams, and Guynes were taken by the Frenchmen, and the Englishmen driven clean out of that part of France, to their perpetual damage, which they had so long enjoyed before: Add unto this also, that where as Queen Mary provided a sufficient power to be transported for the rescewe hereof, which might have saved it, there arose such terrible tempests of winds and weather continuing four or five days, until such time as the Frenchmen had wrought their purpose, and the Englishmen in the mean time by means of the terrible tempest were kept of maugre their hearts: and such ships as did adventure the passage were so shaken and torn with violence of weather, as they were enforced to return with great danger, with loss of all their tackle and furniture. finally every thing went so to wrack, that (as it was thought) the noble Prince Queen Mary seeing her Realm so to go to decay, conceived such an inward sorrow of mind that by reason thereof about September she fallen into an hot burning fever, which sickness also was common that year through all the Realm, and consumed a marvelous number (as Grafton noteth) both noble men, bishops, judges, knights, gentlemen and farmers, and in the end the Queen died thereof and also the Cardinal in one day, the 17. day of November Anno 1558. And this was the success of the Pope's blessing, therefore God sand them plenty of the tree that like the fruit thereof.   

168. Marcellus the second.  
MArcellus the second born in Hetruria was first called Marcellus Ceruinus: he was Cardinal of the cross of Jerusalem, when with the consent of all the Cardinals he was made Pope. He being created the ix. day of April, would not change his Christian name but would be called Marcellus the second, and the next day he received all the Papal ornaments in Lateran Palace.  
Charles the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand on a time thought it meet to prepare an army against the the Turk, and written to the Pope to move him therein: This Marcellus answered by his letter, that the army should rather be addressed against the Lutherans, for these men he said were worse than all Turks, But this he did before he came to the Popedom. But in his papacy he was an hot defender of the romish superstition, and a strong enemy to the Lutherans: but he being one that was long troubled with the jaundice, his disease took him so sore that he died thereof the xxiii. day after his election, being the third day of may.  

¶ Theodoricus Gresmundus of the royat of Rome writeth these Verses following.  
Roma caput scelerum, nivei iactura pudoris,  
Exitium fidei, luxuriaeque parens.  
Sola Venus dispensat opes, dispensat honores,  
Sola facit serva quicquid in urbe libet.  
Extollit, magnosque facit sapientia turpes:  
Sit procul, in tenero cui sedet ore decor.  
Tartara sunt molli potius adeunda iwentae:  
Si non est alius, sit tibi barba comes.   
Marcellus Ceruinus was born at Mount Publican in the field of Florence, who when he had well studied humanity, began to be a schoolmaster. Afterwards when Pope Paul the third had created Alexander Farnesius (his nephew by his bastard son Peter Aloysius) Cardinal being but a boy, he made this Marcellus Ceruinus his schoolmaster. But soon after Alexander the Cardinal leaving his learning and forsaking his book, addicted himself wholly to other affairs, wherein both he and Pope Paul the third used the service of Marcellus as of their Secretarye. When the bishopric of Nicaster fallen void he was created bishop thereof, but yet he lived still in the court & as a reckless non resident repaired not to his Church at all. Pope Paul the third appointed the foresaid Cardinal Farnesius to be Ambassador to the Emperor & to Ferdinand being both in Bulgarye: but because he was as then but a boy, he joined in commission with him this Ceruinus to direct the whole order of the Embassage. At that time the Emperor and Ferdinand were most busy to make war against the Turk, which matter they moved earnestly. But Ceruinus did then publish a book which is yet extant in print, wherein he showed that they aught rather to set upon the Lutherans: and that they were more detestable than any Turks. Paul created him Cardinal when he was absent, & soon after sending for him to Rome again, he ordered all things by his advise. He gave him the title of the holy Cross in Jerusalem, also he made him general Inquisitor of heresy and commissioner with Cardinal Burgensis, whereby much cruelty and untolerable dealing was used. When an Embassage should be sent to the Tridentine Council, Pope Paul joined to Cardinal de Monte and to Cardinal Poole, this Ceruinus as third in Commission. The first of these was sent as a man cunning in the Law, Poole was sent as one that did desire to have reformation in the Church, although it appeared afterward that he never wished it in his heart. thirdly Ceruinus was sent as one in whom the Pope reposed all his trust. Therefore he charged him especially that he should suffer nothing to be spoken in the Church, that should tend any way against the majesty of the Church of Rome. And therefore when one james Nachiantes bishop of Clodia Possa said that he could not allow the decree, wherein it was written that Traditions aught to be received and kept with as holy affection and reverence as the Scripture and Gospel, Ceruinus procured that he was driven from the Council. Furthermore because one of S. Dominicks order called Don William of Venice said in the council, that the council of Constance was above the Pope: Ceruinus called him to him and taunted him very bitterly. But when the monk answered that the thing itself would testify it to be so, that the council was above the Pope, because the council deposed him, Ceruinus answered that it was not so, but that the Pope gave over of his own accord, for proof whereof he could show a ●eaden bull: and so he charged him to be packing forthwith out of the council. About that time Paulus Vergerius bishop of justinople, who had served the sea of Rome in sundry Embassages in germany, came from Mantua to this Tridentine council. But because he was vehemently suspected that he favoured the Lutherans in some points, yet the two other Cardinal's Pool and de Monte, & with them Tridentinus & Paciecus were content to allow him to sit with them lest they should bewray that the council was not free for every man, if they should exempt this Vergerius being so well known in Germanye. Yet Ceruinus would not be quiet until he saw him put out. Many of the bishops when they saw how it was purposed to drive Vergerius out of the council, did determine to writ to the Pope thereof & to admonish him not to suffer it to be done, because many would say it was not a free council from whence bishops were forced to departed. Hierom Vida bishop of Alba an eloquent man had penned the letters in his own name and the rest of the bishops, When Marcellus herded thereof he charged Vida with sore words, that he should not in any wise send those letters to the Pope▪ saying, it was an evil example that bishops summoned in council should writ such letters to the Pope, as though they would appoint him what he should do, which was a matter so heinous, that the suspicion thereof were to be avoided. Vida and the other bishops being terrified herewith, suppressed their letters and sent them not. Vergerius when he should depart out of the synod came to Ceruinus, and demanded of him for what articles especially he would have him cast out from the company of the other bishops? Ceruinus answered him saying: because I have hard that thou deniest that the Legends of S. Gregory and S. Christopher are true. So it is (quoth Vergerius) I have denied them & do still deny them to be true, emboldening myself herein by the authority of Pope Paul the third: for when he commanded both these Legends to be taken out of the Breviary, he showeth in that preface that he commanded that only such Legends should be razed as were not true. Ceruinus being thus entangled, made answer that they were not to be counted good men which would agreed with the Lutherans in any one point, & therefore avaunt out of our council. Such was the rancour of this Ceruinus against the Gospel, and yet he was one void of all knowledge in divinity, but peevish in retaining superstition. But otherwise he was a man of good discretion, of very honest life, and of great wisdom, and therefore he was had in great estimation and reverence, so that if he might have reigned Pope, it was to be hoped that he would have reform many things in the Court of Rome, & especially that he would have eschewed all royotousnes. And so it came to pass for Pope july the third being dead Ceruinus was choose Pope. But whereas he was long before sick of the yellow jaundice, than the disease began to work so sore upon him that he died the twenty day after the election. The report was that he was poisoned but there was no such thing. A little before he would have been crowned but with moderate cost. Cardinal Farnesius with his friends in election gave his voice to this man although he had long before had a brawl with him, because he hoped that no man would more diligently advance him as Paul the third did determine. But especially he hoped that he would maintain the house of Farnesia that they should not be deprived of the dukedom of Parma and Placentia: For Cardinal Farnesius debated it with july the third, to make promise thereof before he would assist him to obtain the papacy. Some said that many Cardinals did therefore choose Ceruinus Pope, because they see him so decayed by sickness, that there was no hope of long life in him: For that is their practice of old.   

169. Paul the fourth.  
Paul the fourth born in Neaples, called first john Peter Carapha, the same year Anno. 1555. was choose Pope the xxiii. day of may with one agreement of the Cardinals, and exalted with all ceremonies. This man founded a new sect of Religious men in Venice, called by an holy name jesuits, of the name of jesus, but this he did before he was Pope: but after this deed he being made Cardinal, applied his mind to other matters, namely to scraping richesses together. Before his Papacy he published a book concerning reformation of the Church, but in his reign he regarded it not. All his mind was on wars, delighting rather in battle then in peace, and so he played rather Saul the persecutor, than Paul the preacher of the Gospel.  
Caelius Secundus and Vergerius do thus report of him: Paul the fourth, a Neapolitan, called john Peter Carapha, was choose in May to succeed Marcellus, by the consent of the Cardinals, desirous therein to gratify Henry king of France This Pope says Caelius did found a sect of priests at Venice called jesuits, but afterward having obtained his purpose, which by this means he aimed at, he gave them over. For he so cast his net, that forsaking a bishopric he fisshed for a Caldinalship, & caught it: Thereupon when he should depart from Venice, the jesuits demanded of him whither he went: to whom he answered saying. Wither I go you cannot come, meaning thereby that he went to the Pomp and dignity of Rome, as to an other heaven, and that he should leave them in wretchedness and beggary: Thus it pleased him to dally & sport himself with the phrase of the holy ghost. Many things are reported of him, as that he was a stout Champion for Purgatory, and that he knew the secrets of some minds, and that he did many wonders. Vergerius saith, he dedicated a book of reforming the Church to Paul the third, and yet he made no reformation in his own time: But says he, who so ever readeth that ●ooke shall see that he confirmeth all those points almost, which we reprove in the papists: that is to say, that the Church is so decayed among them, as it is rather the Church of Satan then of Christ. For he saith that the Popes do for their own lust store themselves with masters having itching ears, that the name of Christ is blasphemed among the Gentiles, through Cardinals and Bishops, that the power of the keys is wiped away with money, that lewd people are made priests, that Simony is used as it were in open fairs, that the prelate's do swell with Ambition and Covetousness, that horrible villainies are practised in monasteries, that Rome swarmeth with shameless harlots and strumpets, beside many like matters only touching their detestable manners: but of their manifold superstitions, of their butcherly slaughters and cruel tyranny raging at that time in Italy, England, France, Spain, and other countries, he speaketh not a word. And yet says Vergerius (who made faithful search thereof) within less than thirty years their inquisition of heresy, hath devoured and destroyed by divers kind of torments an hundred and fifty thousand Christians. This account Vergerius made above twenty years ago: And since that time (saving only (God be thanked for it) in England) in all the former countries this bloody persecution for Religion hath not only continued, but mightily increased. Italy daily tasteth the bitter gall of it, as occasion serveth, Spain finds that the heat thereof burneth more fervently in the midst of winter, than the scorching Son in the midst of summer at noon day, the flame of the one turneth and tanneth their skins to black: the coals of the other burneth their bodies to grey ashes. And as touching France, all Europe knoweth that as yet the worm in the ground hath scant tainted the karkases of thousands, which within these few days have been martyred. Thus we see how that proud Prince of Babylon hath made all Christendom as it were his burning furnace, to destroy those that will not fall down to worship his golden image: and yet how that this little Island walketh as it were in the midst of this universal flame, and not so much as our garments are once cinged therewith. And yet it is well known how careful and busy the bishop of Rome with his accomplices hath been to stir coals among us, and to enkindle that fire in England, the smoke whereof were sufficient to destroy us: who knoweth not how that if his hot thunderbolts of excommunication could any thing harm us, we had therewith been beaten to powder long since. If the rank breath of his black curses might have prevailed, we had been blown to hell, bequeathed alive both body and soul to the devil & damnation long since. If holy leagues (as they term them) and conspiring vows of sundry estates by his procurement, could have been stronger against us then the hand of God with us: how many are we that should have tasted misery, but how few should have been left to be wail it at this day? When foreign invasions have been to weak, hath not that Roman prelate ●ought to procure treason among us hear at home, to delude the simple with bulls & pardons, enticing them to renounce their allegiance, to revolt from their natural Prince, to raise rebellions against their own country? Hath not his bulls roared at Paul's Church gate discharging subjects of their duty? And how they have wrought in huggur mugger to steal away the hearts of English subjects, many poor widows and wretched orphans at this day in the North part of England with heavy hearts ran testify, who have lost their parents and husbands through detestable rebellion and sedition, the root whereof is the romish religion. But because that these tumults, treasons and broils wrought since the reign of our most Gracious Queen against her majesty and royal estate, have been practised not in the time of this Pope Paul the fourth, but by those that have succeeded him, as Pius the fourth & Pius the fift: the gentle Reader is to be desired not to look for the perfit discourse hereof as yet, neither the history of their lives, treachery and hurlye burlyes stirred in Christendom, for so much as yet they are not to be sufficiently gathered by those Chronicles that have been lately set forth or augmented. As for Onuphrius who hath written their lives added to the history of Platina, because he is one hired by the Pope to put his pen in ure for the cracked credit of their estate at this day, there is just cause to think his writing to be partial, as one that turneth the best side of his Pope's face outward, and that which is blemished either he hideth it, or painteth it with a fair colour to cover the foul blots thereof. And therefore seeing master Bales travail doth stay hear in Paul the fourth, this may suffice till it shall please God to give occasion of proceeding in the lives of those that have succeeded during the reign of the Queen's majesty. In the meantime good Christian Reader, consider those treacheries which by thy own experience thou mayest know since her highness came to the Crown, of the Pope's dealing against her Majesty and her Realm, weigh whereunto they tend by the example of these former histories set forth in this work, & then I doubt not but every one shall find that he hath just cause to say: Blessed be Almighty God that hath thus preserved us from the mouth of the Lion, and from the wolf in a lambs skin.  
I doubt not but they that have been false hearted against our most gracious Queen, will consider their own folly, their own iniquity & madness, in envying the good estate of so noble, merciful, godly, & most lawful a prince: whom it hath pleased jehova to make our Deborah & a most blessed and worthy instrument, to the advancing of his glory, the comfort of his Church, the preservation of the happy and quiet estate of all true English hearts, the which great treasures of God's mercy so plentifully powered upon us the Lord give us grace to use them more thankfully than heretofore, to glorify his name with greater zeal, to love honour and serve, with all humility in jesus Christ, our most noble sovereign, to pray for the most blessed continuance of her majesties reign over us, to grant us as true subjects to hate her enemies, as those that wish our confusion, especially the Pope of Rome, and all such, even to the death, as in his behalf or for any jot of his accursed superstition would forbear but to wish well unto her majesty. The Lord give us the hearts to beware, renounce, and abhor, the secret society and friendship of all those that seek to trouble her quiet government, as the enemies of god's glory. That neither one affection nor other, 'cause us to wink at their seditious words, nor to judge favourably of the corrupt doings and sayings of such hollow hearts, which two things have much emboldened lewd attempts, but that having such proof of their practyses we may henceforth become even jealous in the behalf of Religion and of our most gracious Prince, and be ready every man lawfully in his vocation, to beat down blasphemy against God, and to suppress the brood of sedition in the shell before it be hatched ready to fly. That England may never hereafter become a nest and filthy cage of those foul birds that are bread in the bosom of Rome. Amen. Amen.  
FINIS.   
Laus Deo.   

divers cases wherein the Pope doth cell Dispensation contrary to God's Law and his own Canons, and the price of the dispensation according to the rate in his Courts.  

¶ Dispensations for drunkards.  
IF a drunkard will have a congregation in his own house, he must pay for his licence thirty. Turons or pounds of Towers, seven. ducats and vi. Earliness.  
If he will have licence to erect a new public synagogue, three score Turons, xv. ducats.  
For licence to heal with assistance, a drunkard pays vi. Turons   

¶ Dispensations for such as have been or are to be promoted being under age.  
If a boy of six years old will take that step to priesthood called Prima Tonsura, the first clip: he must pay ix Turons, two ducats: ix. Carlines.  
If one at sixteen years or as soon as he comes to be xuj. willbe Subdeacon his fee is xii Turons, three Ducats: viii. Carlines: At xvii. years vi Turons: two. Ducats: At xviii. years to be Deacon xii Turons: At xix years vi Turons:  
To be Priest at xxii. years xii Turons: two Ducats: x. Carlines: At xxiiii vi. Turons;   

¶ For licence to take Orders.  
He that taketh the first clip and the four lesser orders, not of his ordinary, payeth▪ iiii Turons: one Ducat: ix. Carlines.  
To take all holy Orders, or but two. or only one of any body, the fee is twelve. Turons: two. Ducats: x. Carlines.  
To take orders without the time, either one or more, or all ten Turons: two. Ducats.  
If any come to receive Benediction to the use of an Abbot xxiiii Turons: vi. Ducats. To the use of a Bishop xxiiii Turons.   

¶ Dispensations for those that want some of their limbs, to take Orders.  
If any wanting some member be admitted to Clarkeship in any of the lesser orders, he pays vi. Turons: two. Ducats.  
If any such be admitted to orders, or to executive function, he pays xuj. Turons: iiii. Ducats.  
If any that lacketh fingers be admitted to a single benefice, his fee is xii Turons: three Ducats: vi Carlines.  
If any be blind of the right eye, xuj. Turons: twelve. Ducats.  
If any be blind of the left eye, so as he may hold the book in the midst of the altar, and the blemish be not great: thirty. Turons' seven. Ducats: vi. Carlines.  
He that having but one stone or none will be priest, payeth vi Turons: two. Ducats.  
He that hath gelded himself xii Turons: three Ducats: vi. Carl.   

¶ Dispensations for wilful murders.  
He that is a wilful murderer may have a Dispensation to enjoy one benefice: but if that suffice him not then for the second: if that serve not, then for the third, and together with the absolution, he pays xii Turons: three Ducats: vi. Carlines.  
And that he may enjoy the privileges of the clergy xviii Turons: iiii. Ducats: ix. Carlines.  
And if he require three, benefices xviii Turons: iiii. ducats: ix. Carlines.  
A Bishop or Abbot, or the head of any Order, or one of S. john's knights pays to be absolved from wilful murder fifty Turons: twelve. Ducats: vi. Carlines.  
That a wilful murderer may be secretly admitted into holy Orders, and to minister at the altar by dispensation, or to any ecclesiastical livings in the court of conscience only paying xxxvi Turons: ix, Ducats.  
If one man be guilty of many murders at one fray and one time, he pays, xxxvi. Turons' ix Ducats: But for ii, murders in divers frays, he payeth thirty Turons, twelve, Ducats, vi, Carlines.  
He that killeth his father, mother, brother or sister, payeth for his pardon for any one of them iiii. Turons' ●. Ducat 8. Carlines. And so he that killeth his wife, and if he ask licence to marry another, he pays viii. Turons, two. Ducats ix. Carlines. And for all they that assist a man in murdering his wife, the pardon is dearer by two. Turones for every such.   

¶ For murdering of priests.  
If a lay man kill a priest, vi. Turons, two. Ducats.  
If he kill a single clerk or a priest in holy orders that is forbidden to execute his office, vi. Turons, two. Ducats.  
If one man kill many priests at one time and in one fray, he fines but vi. Turons. If divers at divers times, for the first the whole fine and for every one of the rest half.  
That he who hath been a priestkiller may obtain ecclesiastical livings, the dispensation is two. Turons, two. Ducats.   

¶ For kill a lay man.  
For one lay man only iii Turons, i Ducat, iiii. Carlines.  
If one kill divers in one conflict, he fines but for one.   

¶ For murdering of children.  
If the father, mother or kinsman, murder a child, iiii. Turons, i Ducat, viii. Carlines. If a stranger do it, three Turons i Ducat, iiii. Carlines. If the husband and wife both do it, vi. Turons, two. Ducats.  
If a woman take a potion to kill the fruit in her womb. Or if the father give it to the mother, the price of their indulgence is iiii. Turons, i Ducat, viii. Carlines. If a stranger offer it, iiii. Turons, i Ducat, u Carlines.   

¶ For charming and witchcraft.  
A woman witch or enchantress after she hath renounced her sorceryes payeth, vi. Turons, two. Ducats.   

For heretics.  
For absolution from heresy before a man have renounced it by oath, so as he may be received again to enjoy all privileges as before in ample manner, the price is xxxvi. Turons, ix. Ducats.   

For sacrilege, theft, firing houses, rapes, perjury and such like.  
Absolution with restoring of the parson in ample form in every one of these cases, is xxxvi. Turons, ix. Ducats.   

For frailty of the flesh.  
Absolution for fleshly frailty in any Uenerius act committed by one of the clergy though with a nun within and without the abbey walls, or with women of their kindred or af●●ntiye, or their ghostly daughters etc. with dispensation for retaining his orders is (if he ask absolution together with them) xxxvi. Tur. iii Ducat. But if with them he sue also for absolution of sin against nature, and sinning with brute beasts in former sort, the price is fourscore and ten Turons, twelve. Ducats, vi. Carlines. But if he sue for absolution only of sin against nature etc. as above the price is xxxvi. Turons, ix Ducats.  
The price of a pardon for a nun which hath lyen with divers men within or without the abbey walls, and to be restored to her former estate in the nunnery, or to be Lady Abbess, is xxxvi. Turons, ix Ducats.  
Absolution for him that keepeth a concubine with dispensation for orders and spiritual living, xxi. Turons, u Ducats, vi. Car.  
For a lay man offending in any carnal lust in the court of conscience, the dispensation is vi. Turons, two. Ducats.  
For incest, iiii, Turons, for adultery and incest both, vi. Turons,   

¶ Of divers transgressions.  
For burying, an excommunicated in Church soil vi Turons: two Ducats.  
For him that hath concealed the carcase of a dead priest, whereby to obtain his benefice vi Turons, two Ducats.  
For a priest that saith mass ignorantly in an interdicted place, vi. Turons, two Ducats.  
For a priest that blesseth man and wife at the second marriage, which were blessed in the first vi Turons and two Ducats.  
The absolution for a merchant that transporteth artillery to Infidels and returns without gains xii Turons' iii Ducats. vi. Carlines.  
If he return with gains the fee is all one, and he must agreed with the Datary to the Pope.  
¶ Were it not gentel Reader that both I myself am even tired already with s●ttinge forth to show this the Pope's paltry ware, and that beside I think this may suffice both to fill the eyes of the greedy chapman, and to give knowledge what the rest is like to be, I might yet open the peddlers pack much wider, and bring out stranger stuff, fonder toys and knacks than these are, yea what peddler is he though his boochet be never so big that is able to show so great store and so many sorts of fine feats as is the rich peddler of Rome, There are in the same pack, from whence I culled these about .400. sundry cases wherein he giveth free dispensation for the love of an old friend of his the good lady money▪ for what can man devise between heaven and hell, yea heaven and hell both, but he hath it to cell: If any of his friends be offended that I should thus boldly take upon me to rifle his shop, and to publish his secrets, or will say that I charge him with some kind of baggage & riff-raff, that is none of his, If I may know so much of their minds, that this my doing doth not please them If it might please god to give me time, I will to content them open other of his boxes, and show such workmanship of him and his underlings, that I hope any man, that loveth his own honesty, will for ever be ashamed to buy & sell with such a shameful makeshifte, such a cozening broker, or to fight under the banner of such a bloody Prelate. In the mean time the wise may be warned by this how they meddle with any of his counterfeit merchandise, though it hath never so fair a flourish.   
FINIS.   

IMPRINTED AT London in Fleetstreet near unto S. Dunston's Church by Thomas Marsh.  
Anno. 1574.