Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

But alas, Reader, is it not a sad thing to read how fast Bishops and People did thus Swear and Forswear, and do and undo, making Councils as weather-cocks that turn with every Wind that is strong? Is this the honour of Prelacy, and their stability in governing the Church?

§. 65. Next comes another John 13th. who was not Chosen till Leo dyed, ¹and expressly chosen to succeed him; and so by that Account of Baronius and Binius the Succession was interrupted, Leo being no Pope whom he Succeeded. But, alas, had it not been for the great Zeal of Otho, that came so oft with Armies to defend them, and to cast out intolerable Popes, what had become of the Roman Papacy? This John was a Bishop before, (as Formosus was) and so by the Canons his Election was Null on that account. Almost as soon as he was settled, saith Platina, the Romans having now got a Custom of Expelling their Popes, (yet Baron, saith, the Universal Church owned them,) did by Seditions tire out this also. By the help of Jofred Earl of Campany, they brake into▪ the Lateran House, and took him, and first imprison him, and then send him Banished into Campania: But John Prince of Campania killed Jofred and his only Son; and delivered Pope John the Eleventh month after his Banishment: And the Emperor Otho again bringeth an Army to Rome, with speed, and casts the Governor, the Consuls, and the Dearchoves into Fetters; The Consuls he sendeth into Germany banished; The Dearchoves he Hanged: Peter the Prefect of the City, some write (saith Platina.) that he delivered to the Pope to have his flesh torn off; his Beard and Head being Shorn, and he hanged a while at the head of the Constantinian-Horse, he was set on an Ass naked, with his face backward, his hands tied under the tail, and so whipped through the Streets till he was almost Dead, and then Banished into Germany. The Corps of Jofred and his Son he caused to be taken up, and to be vilely cast away into divers filthy places. Thus did the blind Zeal of a good Emperor Revenge and defend Usurping Popes.