A17167:272
A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two years ago against Elizabeth the most gracious Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and against the noble realm of England together with a defence of the said true Christian Queen, and of the whole realm of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.A confutation of the Popes bull which was published more then two yeres agoe against Elizabeth the most gracious Queene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and against the noble realme of England together with a defence of the sayd true Christian Queene, and of the whole realme of England. By Henry Bullinger the Elder.
London: printed by John Day, 1572London: printed by Iohn Day, 1572
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Clement the v. being as proud and as great a troubler of Realms as his predecessors,1 2Cursed the Venetians and certain other notable common weals, and abandoned them to the spoil of all men onlesse they returned to the obedience of his sea, and so he compelled the Venetians to send Ambassadors with submission unto him. The Ambassador that was sent was Francis Dandalus, who afterward was made Duke of Venice. Much a do he had to come to the Popes presence. At length he had a chain of iron clapped about his neck, & was fain to lye couched at the pope Clements ⟨image 88⟩table too too basely and filthily, so long till the popes displeasure was (with much ado) overcome,3 and then he assoiled the Venetians from his excommunication. Afterward Dandalus bare the name of Dog because he had couched at the Popes table like a dog. The reporter hereof is Sabellicus about the end of the vij. book of his ix. Enneade. But who could have looked upon this orped sight without grief, unmeet for the cruel Turk, & much more for a merciful Apostle? With wisdom therefore must they be mad, who soever they be that after so many horrible examples of wicked and shameless villainy and tyranny, do still reverence and worship the bishops of Rome, & recover not their sight, nor learn to know them by their virtues & to shun them. They be sore deceived, which hearing these and such like things, say still, that the Apostolic sea must not be judged by the lives of the wicked unthrifts that sit in it: and that the same is holy and to be obeyed nevertheless. For if by the sea Apostolic they mean the Apostolic doctrine and ministry of the Church: these things are always holy and unspotted: and although those that be in the ministry & preach the Gospel be unclean, yet nevertheless, the sea Apostolic, that is to wit the Apostolic doctrine must be obeyed still, according also as it hath ben said afore. But if by the sea Apostolic, they mean the Popish kingdom or rather tyranny, whereby they challenge to themselves absolute sovereignty in matters pertaining to God and man, as well in Civill as in Ecclesiastical matters, through the fullness of their power: then is it no less a pestilent seat and uncommended unto us by any word of God, then they that sit in it be most deadly and pestilent plagues.
Clement the v. being as proud and as great a troubler of Realmes as his predecessours,1 2Cursed the Uenetiās and certein other notable commō weales, and abandoned them to the spoile of all men onlesse they returned to the obediēce of his sea, and so he compelled the Uenetiās to send Ambassadours with submission vnto him. The Ambassadour that was sent was Fraunces Dandalus, who afterward was made Duke of Uenice. Much a do he had to come to the Popes presence. At length he had a cheyne of yron clapt about his necke, & was fayne to lye couched at the pope Clementes ⟨image 88⟩table too too basely and filthily, so long till the popes displeasure was (with much ado) ouercome,3 and then he assoyled the Uenetians from his excōmunication. Afterward Dandalus bare the name of Dog bicause he had couched at the Popes table like a dog. The reporter hereof is Sabellicus about the end of the vij. booke of his ix. Enneade. But who could haue looked vpon this orped sight without grief, vnméete for the cruell Turke, & much more for a mercyfull Apostle? With wisedome therfore must they be mad, who soeuer they be that after so many horrible examples of wicked and shamelesse vilanie and tyrannie, do stil reuerence and worship the bishops of Rome, & recouer not their sight, ne learne to know them by their vertues & to shunne thē. They be sore deceiued, which hearing these and such lyke thinges, say stil, that the Apostolike sea must not be iudged by the liues of the wicked vnthriftes that sit in it: and that the same is holy and to be obeyed neuerthelesse. For if by the sea Apostolike they meane the Apostolike doctrine and ministerie of the Church: these thinges are alwayes holy and vnspotted: and although those that be in the ministerie & preach the Gospell be vncleane, yet neuerthelesse, the sea Apostolike, that is to wit the Apostolike doctrine must be obeyed still, according also as it hath ben sayd afore. But if by the sea Apostolike, they meane the Popish kingdome or rather tyrannie, wherby they chalenge to themselues absolute souereintie in matters perteinyng to God aud man, as well in Ciuill as in Ecclesiastical matters, through the fulnesse of their power: then is it no lesse a pestilent seate and vncommended vnto vs by any word of God, then they that sit in it be most deadly and pestilent plagues.
And therefore they that sit in it are to be eschewed, and the seat it self is to be loathed as an abomination, of all good men. But now I return again to my abridgement of stories which I have broken of.
And therfore they that sit in it are to be eschewed, and the seate it selfe is to be lothed as an abhomination, of all good men. But now I returne agayne to my abridgement of stories which I haue broken of.
1The same Bishop to the exceeding great damage of Italy, called thither the Emperor Henry of Luxembourg the vij. of that name, against the faction of the Ursines, who ⟨p. 84⟩were of the Guelphs, and against Robert king of Puell: with whom he encountered twice with reasonable good luck. Whereupon the Bishop began to fear least the Emperor should grow too great. Therefore according to the crabbedness of the Bishops, began to fall to the bias of his predecessors, and shank aside to Robert of Puell whom the Emperor had condemned as traitor to the Empire, & reversed the Emperors said sentence given by law. And when the Emperor hasted to seize upon the kingdom of Sicily, for which he had ben called out of Germany at the first: one Bernard of Mount Polician (as Fasciculus Temporum reporteth) a Friar of S. Dominikes order, or a Friar preacher, dispatched him at Bonconuent by putting poison into the Sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord & giving it unto him:2 surely a strange & horrible example. And they allege that the Friar was corrupted with promises & bribes by the Emperors enemies, or else he durst not have attempted this so horrible a deed.
1The same Bishop to the exceding great domage of Italie, called thether the Emperour Henry of Lucembrough the vij. of that name, agaynst the faction of the Vrsines, who ⟨p. 84⟩were of the Gwelfes, and against Robert king of Puell: with whō he encountered twise with reasonable good lucke. Wherupon the Bishop began to feare least the Emperour should grow too great. Therfore according to the crabbednesse of the Bishops, began to fall to the byasse of his predecessours, and shanke aside to Robert of Puell whom the Emperour had condemned as traytor to the Empire, & reuersed the Emperors sayd sentence giuen by law. And whē the Emperour hasted to sease vppon the kingdome of Sicilie, for which he had ben called out of Germanie at the first: one Bernard of Mount Polician (as Fasciculus Temporum reporteth) a Frier of S. Dominikes order, or a Frier preacher, dispatched him at Bonconuent by putting poyson into the Sacrament of the body and bloud of our Lord & giuing it vnto him:
John the xxij. after many attempts against the Emperor Lewis the iiij. defeated him of the Empire and usurped it wholly to himself.1 For he published a Bull and in open words named himself father and Prince of all Christendom through the whole world, & the high Gods lieutenant, in whom rested the highest power and sovereign dominion of the Empire, to be disposed by his commandment, jurisdiction, and authority, and to be bestowed as his free gift upon whom he listed.2 And about the end of the Bull he commandeth Lewis to resign up the Empire and title of king within three months, and never after to take that dignity upon him, but by the leave and appointment of the Pope. And if he obey not, he commandeth all his Lords temporal and spiritual, to forsake their Prince, and to compel him to obey the Pope. This Bull was published the xv. day of October the year of our Lord God. 1323. But Lewis asked the advise of all the Clerks that were best seen in the laws as well of God as man, through Germany, Italy, and France, at Paris, Bononie, Padua, ⟨image 89⟩and other Universities:3 who gave an agreeable answer, That the Popes doings against the Emperor are contrary to Christian doctrine: & that the Pope was out of his wits and made havoc of Christs people for desire of dominion: and that the Emperor was not subject to the Pope, but the Pope to the Emperor. For the servant of servants ought not to bear rule,4 but rather to do service to such as sit at the table.
Iohn the xxij. after many attemptes against the Emperour Lewes the iiij. disfeated him of the Empyre and vsurped it wholly to himselfe.
1But the Bishop cries out that all these which gave the Emperor this answer, are heretics, and he excommunicateth them all with the Emperor and burneth their books. The Emperor for all this, called a Parliament about the matter and summoning a Council, deposed the Pope. For he was openly proclaimed for an heretic, a tyrant of the Church, and a troubler of the common peace, and thereunto his image was burned in the Marketsted. Nevertheless when John the xxij. was dead,2 Clement the sixth continued the displeasure still against Lewis, commanding him likewise to depose himself from the Empire. Yea he proceeded yet further, and reviving all John the xxij. processes,3 denounced the Emperor to be an heretic and a schismatic, moreover commanding the Electors to choose another king by a time appointed, except they had lever that the Bishop himself should give them a king. They therefore obeying his menaces chose Charles Marquess of Morania. But forasmuch as the better part of the Empire was displeased both with the Pope & with Charles, and sticked still to Lewis their true sovereign Lord and Emperor: it came again to swords drawing on both sides, and there was burning, wasting and slaying, the accustomed fruits of the Bishops of Rome, which never brought tidings of peace, but always blew up the trumpet to battle.
1But the Bishop cryes out that all these which gaue the Emperour this aunswere, are heretickes, and he excommunicateth them all with the Emperour and burneth their bookes. The Emperour for all this, called a Parlament about the matter and sommoning a Counceil, deposed the Pope. For he was openly proclaymed for an heretike, a tyraunt of the Church, and a troubler of the common peace, and thereunto his image was burned in the Marketsted. Neuerthelesse when Iohn the xxij. was dead,2 Clement the sixth continewed the displeasure still agaynst Lewes, commaunding him likewise to depose himselfe from the Empyre. Yea he proceded yet further, and reuiuyng all Iohn the xxij. processes,3 denounced the Emperour to be an heretike and a schismatike, moreouer commaundyng the Electors to chuse another king by a tyme appointed, except they had leuer that the Bishop himself should giue them a king. They therfore obeying his manaces chose Charles Marques of Morania. But for asmuch as the better part of the Empyre was displeased both with the Pope & with Charles, and sticked still to Lewes their true souerein Lord and Emperour: it came agayne to swordes drawyng on both sides, and there was burning, wasting and sleayng, the accustomed frutes of the Byshops of Rome, which neuer brought tydinges of peace, but alwayes blew vp the trumpet to battell.
1And least Italy and Naples might take breath any while from their slaughters and wastings:2 Urbane the sixth of that name made suit to Lewis the puissant king of Hungary, that he should send Charles Duke of Durazzo ⟨p. 85⟩into Italy with an host of Hungarians: for he would bestow the kingdom of Sicily upon him. Therefore when he came to Rome, he crowned him king of Sicily, howbeit in such wise, as he departed with certain of the best Earldoms in the Realm to the Bishops nephew.
1And least Italie and Naples might take breath any while from their slaughters and wastinges:2 Vrbane the sixth of that name made sute to Lewes the puissant king of Hungarie, that he should send Charles Duke of Durace ⟨p. 85⟩into Italie with an host of Hungarians: for he would bestow the kingdome of Sicilie vpon him. Therfore when he came to Rome, he crowned him king of Sicilie, howbeit in such wise, as he departed with certeine of the best Earledomes in the Realme to the Bishops neuew.
Again least Clement the Antipope might seem of less authority then Pope Turban, 12he crowned Lewis Duke of Anjou a sideman of his, king of Sicily, who immediately enters into Italy with threescore thousand men. Then followed spoiling, burning, and slaying again, and all manner of cruelty was exercised on either side, verily by the instigation of these good and peaceable Apostles the sovereign Shepherds of the Church of Rome. I wittingly pass over here many outrageous doings of the Bishops, which the storywriter Theodoric of Nyem prosecuteth very largely and truly in his three books of the Schism.
Againe least Clement the Antipope might séeme of lesse authoritie then Pope Turbane, 12he crowned Lewes Duke of Angeow a sideman of his, kyng of Sicilie, who immediatly enters into Italie with threescorethousand mē. Then folowed spoilyng, burning, and sleaing againe, and all maner of crueltie was exercised on either side, verely by the instigation of these good and peaceable Apostles the souerein Shepeherdes of the Church of Rome. I wittingly passe ouer here many outrageous doynges of the Bishops, which the storywriter Theodoriche of Nyem prosecuteth very largely and truly in his thrée bookes of the Schisme.
Now come I to Martin the fifth that was created Bishop at the Council of Constance:1 who being nothing unlike his predecessors, gave Sicily in Fee to one Aloyse of Sicily, against Alphons king of Spain. Whereupon rose again not a few nor small calamities.2 3The same Bishop was the cause of the Civill war in Beam, and that the Germans that went into Beam with a great power, brought nothing thence but dishonour & very great loss. I will not pursue the slaughters, burnings, wastings, & miseries of that war. They be described at large by Aeneas Syluius in his History of Beam. The same author setteth out the horrible and bloody practises that Eugenie the fourth and his successor Martin the fifth used to overthrow the Council of Basil. And it hath ben showed already how great mischief the same Eugenie the fourth brought upon Christendom, when he enforced king Ladislaus unto unhappy war, contrary to his oath made unto Amurathes Prince of Turkey.
Now come I to Martine the fifth that was created Bishop at the Councell of Constance:1 who being nothing vnlike his predecessors, gaue Sicilie in Fee to one Aloyse of Sicilie, against Alphons king of Spayne. Wherupon rose againe not a few nor small calamities.2 3The same Byshop was the cause of the Ciuill warre in Beame, and that the Germanes that went into Beame with a great power, brought nothing thence but dishonour & very great losse. I will not pursue the slaughters, burninges, wastringes, & miseries of that warre. They be described at large by Aenaeas Syluius in his Historie of Beame. The same author setteth out the horrible and blouddy practises that Eugenie the fourth and his successor Martine the fifth vsed to ouerthrow the Councel of Basill. And it hath ben shewed already how great mischief ye same Eugenie the fourth brought vpon Christendome, when he inforced kyng Ladislaus vnto vnhappie warre, contrarie to his othe made vnto Amurathes Prince of Turkye.
Pius the second,1 and Sixtus the fourth were forwarder to feats of arms then to peace and preaching of the Gospel. They never yielded an inch to any Prince, but endeavoured ⟨image 90⟩most stoutly not only to maintain,2 but also by hook and by crook to increase the majesty of their sea.3 The histories bear witness hereof abundantly.
Pius the second,1 and Sixtus the fourth were forewarder to feates of armes then to peace and preaching of the Gospell. They neuer yelded an inche to any Prince, but indeuered ⟨image 90⟩most scoutly not onely to maynteine,2 but also by hooke and by crooke to increase the maiestie of their sea.3 The histories beare witnesse hereof abundantly.
I will not any further report what the Bishops of Rome have committed in our age and within the remembrance of man, least I trouble the gentle reader to much for they be better known then that they need to be rehearsed. For who knoweth not how great lawlessness they have abused, in transposing kingdoms, in discharging subjects from their dew faithfulness and obedience in putting down and setting up of kings, and in hatching of most bloody and mortal wars?1 The horrible treachery of Alexander the sixth against Charles king of France is well enough known,2 in that he made him take arms upon him, and called him into the kingdom of Naples against the king of Spain: and yet for all that did byanby after most traitorously take part with the Spaniards against him.
I will not any further report what the Byshops of Rome haue committed in our age and within the remembraunce of man, least I trouble the gentle reader to much for they be better knowen then that they néede to be rehearsed. For who knoweth not how great lawlesnesse they haue abused, in transposing kingdomes, in dischargyng subiectes from their dew faithfulnesse and obedience in putting downe and settyng vp of kynges, and in hatching of most blouddy and mortall warres?1 The horrible trecherie of Alexander the sixth agaynst Charles kyng of Fraunce is well inough knowen,2 in that he made him take armes vppon him, and called him into the kyngdome of Naples agaynst the kyng of Spayne: and yet for all that did byanby after most trayterously take part with the Spanyardes agaynst him.
1Julius the second a Lombard practised the Venetian war, which being the greatest and sorest of all others continued eight years,2 with exceeding great bloodshed before it could be ended: and stirred up Lewis king of France against the Venetians: and byanby after led not only the Venetians, but also all the puissantest Princes and people of Europe against Lewes. Also he behaved himself after such a sort in the matter of calling a Council, that even the Papists themselves do greatly blame him and find fault with him in that behalf. Yea and even Onuphrius Panuinius hath blamed this dealing in Julius the second.
1Iulius the second a Lombard practised the Uenetian warre, which being the greatest and sorest of all others continewed eight yeares,2 with excedyng great bloushed before it could be ended: and stirred vp Lewes kyng of Fraunce agaynst the Uenetians: and byanby after led not onely the Uenetians, but also all the puissantest Princes and people of Europe agaynst Lewes. Also he behaued himselfe after such a sort in the matter of calling a Councell, that euen the Papistes themselues do greatly blame him and finde fault with him in that behalfe. Yea and euen Onuphrius Panuinius hath blamed this dealing in Iulius the second.
1Leo the tenth not only appeased not the troubles stirred up by Julius, but also continued them, doubling mischief upon mischief,2 arming nation against nation, and keeping promise neither with Germans nor with Frenchmen.
1Leo the tenth not onely appeased not the troubles styrred vp by Iulius, but also continewed them, doubblyng mischief vppon mischief,2 armyng nation agaynst nation, and kéepyng promise neither with Germanes nor with Frenchmen.
1Clement the seventh passed Leo and some of his predecessors. For first he took part with the Emperor, and afterward slipped away to Francis the French king,2 to whom ⟨p. 86⟩he was the occasion of a very great loss. For in the kingdom of Naples, (whether Lautrec had brought his army very well appointed by the instigation of the Pope) he lost the greater part of his army by reason of an unmerciful plague that fell upon them. The story of Frijndsperg Captain of the Almain soldiers avoucheth in the eighth book and the hundred and threescore the leaf, that of fourscore thousand, there remained alive scarcely one thousand and seven hundred.
1Clement the seuenth passed Leo and some of his predocessours. For first he tooke part with the Emperour, and afterward slipt away to Fraunces the French king,2 to whom ⟨p. 86⟩he was the occasion of a very great losse. For in the kyngdome of Naples, (whether Lawtreche had brought his army very well appointed by the instigation of the Pope) he lost the greater part of his armye by reason of an vnmercyfull plague that fell vpon them. The storie of Frijndsperg Captein of the Almaine souldyers auoucheth in the eighth booke and the hundred and thréescor the leafe, that of fourescore thousand, there remained alyue scarcely one thousand and seuen hundred.
What troubles Paul the third the Romish Bishop wrought unto Germany,1 the war that was made in the bowels of Germany commonly called the Protestants war,2 witnesseth. For he sent an army of Italians privily into Germany, and set the Germans together by the ears among themselves. Which thing the storywriters set forth at large.
What troubles Paule the third the Romish Byshop wrought vnto Germanie,1 the warre that was made in the bowels of Germanie commonly called the Protestauntes warre,2 witnesseth. For he sent an armye of Italians priuily into Germanie, and set the Germanes together by the eares among themselues. Which thyng the storywriters setforth at large.
As for the outrages of Paul the fourth they be better known by reason of his horrible acts yet fresh in remembrance,1 then that they need to be set forth in many words.2
As for the outrages of Paule the fourth they be better knowen by reason of his horrible actes yet fresh in remembraūce,1 then that they néede to be set forth in many wordes.2
But all this whole declaration tendeth chiefly to this end:1 partly that such as have not yet learned to know the Romish Bishops, and therefore do reverence and honour them still, may learn to know them even by their abominable sayings and doings, bearing in mind this faithful forewarning of the Lords, Ye shall know them by their fruits: and therefore should also so judge of them, as their sayings and doings teach folk to judge of them: wherewithal be interlaced by the way here and there, some judgements of certain godly and wise men in former ages, concerning the Bishops of Rome: and partly that all Realms and all common weals (which will not wittingly and willingly perish) (and specially thou noble Realm of England,) should hereafter not only make no account of the Popes Bulls tyrannously deposing kings, wrongfully transposing kingdoms, and wickedly assoiling subjects of their dew faithfulness and obedience: but also cast them away and tread them under foot as they be worthy. ⟨image 91⟩Ye have heard how great calamities the Popes have oftentimes wrought to kingdoms and nations by such manner of Bulls. And he is a wise man that can learn to beware by other mens harms. Therefore if ye be wise and love to live at ease, keep your promise that ye have made, and obey the Princes whom God hath set over you: maintain peace, and eschew wars as well inward or Civill, as outward or foreign. And that God may vouchsafe to perform these things unto you, pray ye faithfully and diligently unto him, persevere ye steadfast in true godliness and in the Gospel of the Son of God, and cast ye away all the Popish toys, superstitions, and Idols all together. The Prince of peace vouchsafe to grant you these things, who at his coming into this world, brought tidings of peace to the world, and at his going out of the world left his peace to those that be his, even our Lord Jesus Christ grant you them, to whom be glory for evermore world without end. Amen.
But all this whole declaration tendeth chiefly to this end:1 partly that such as haue not yet learned to know the Romish Bishops, and therefore do reuerence and honour them still, may learne to know them euen by their abhominable sayinges and doynges, bearing in minde this faithfull forewarnyng of the Lordes, Ye shall know them by their frutes: and therfore should also so iudge of them, as their sayinges and doynges teach folke to iudge of them: wherwithall be interlaced by the way here and there, some iudgements of certein godly and wise men in former ages, concernyng the Bishops of Rome: and partly that all Realmes and all common weales (which will not wittingly and willingly perishe) (and specially thou noble Realme of England,) should hereafter not onely make no account of the Popes Bulles tyrannously deposing kinges, wrongfully transposing kingdomes, and wickedly assoyling subiectes of their dew faithfulnesse and obedience: but also cast them away and tread them vnder foote as they be worthy.
