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

§ 199. The same Author tells us, p. 883. anno 1254. that the Pope was so unmeasurably wrathful against this holy Learned Bishop, that when he was dead, he would have taken up his bones and cast them out of the Church, and purposed to precipitate him into so great infamy, that he should be proclaimed a Heathen, a rebel and disobedient to the whole world; and he commanded a Letter to that purpose to be written to the King of England, knowing that the King would be mad enough against him^* and ready enough to prey upon the Church: But the next night the said Bishop of Lincoln appeared to him in his episcopal attire, with a severe countenance, an austere look and terrible voice, he came and spake to the Pope that was restless in his bed, pricking him in the side with a violent thrust with the point of his pastoral staff which he carried, and said; miserable Pope Senebald! Dost thou purpose in disgrace of me, and the Church of Lincoln to cast my bones out of the Church, Whence did this temerity befall thee. It were better that thou, advanced and honoured by God, should honour those which are zealous for God; even when they are dead: Henceforth God will give thee no more power over me: I wrote to thee in the spirit of humility and love; that thou shouldst correct thy many errors: But with a proud eye and a bewitching heart thou hast despised wholesome warnings: Woe to thee that despisest: Shalt thou not be despised.] And the Bishop Robert departing, striking as with a lance, the Pope, who when as is said he was pricked, groaned aloud, he left him half dead, and with a mournful voice groaning with sighs; His Chamberlains hearing him, being astonished asked him, what the matter was. The Pope answering with sighs and groans, said; The terrors of the night, have vehemently troubled me; nor shall I ever be well again as I was! Oh, alas, how great is the pain of my side! A ghost hath pierced me with a lance: An he neither eat nor drank that day, feigning that he was inflamed with fevers that straitened his breath; And Gods revenge and wrath did not so leave him.

§ 199. The same Author tells us, p. 883. anno 1254. that the Pope was so unmeasureabley wrathful against this holy Learned Bishop, that when he was dead, he would have taken up his bones and cast them out of the Church, and purposed to precipitate him into so great infamy, that he should be proclaimed a Heathen, a rebel and disobedient to the whole world; and he commanded a Letter to that purpose to be written to the King of England, knowing that the King would be mad enough against him