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

For the right understanding of many such matters; I only mind the Reader of this one thing, that as the contention of Princes, and the superstitious fear of Anathematizing had made the Papal, and Prelatical Power then very great, in setting up, and taking down Princes; so it was usual for their Assemblies,¹ even those called Councils, to be mixed of Men Secular and Clergy; Kings and Princes, and Lords being present with the Bishops, as in our Parliaments; and usually the greatest Princes ruled all. Therefore, to ascribe all to the Pope and Prelates, ⟨p. 337⟩that was done in such conventions, and thence to gather their power to dispose of Empires and Kingdoms, is mere deceit.

For the right understanding of many such matters; I only mind the Reader of this one thing, that as the contention of Princes, and the superstitious fear of Anathematizing had made the Papal, and Prelatical Power then very great, in setting up, and taking down Princes; so it was usual for their Assemblies,¹ even those called Councils, to be mixt of Men Secular and Clergy; Kings and Princes, and Lords being present with the Bishops, as in our Parliaments; and usually the greatest Princes ruled all. Therefore, to ascribe all to the Pope and Prelates, ⟨p. 337⟩that was done in such conventions, and thence to gather their power to dispose of Empires and Kingdoms, is meer deceit.

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§ 86. Platina next nameth John 17th. alias 18th. but saith he was no true Pope (its impossible to know who was,) but that he corrupted Crescentius with money, and it cost them both their lives: How he was mangled, shamed, and killed (though a Bishop before) you heard before.