The tragedies of tyrants Exercised upon the church of God, from the birth of…The tragedies of tyrantes Exercised vpon the church of God, from the birth of…

But the Popes of Rome were not¹ contented with this: but the later sort have ensued the trade of their predecessors, touching wickedness and mischief in persecuting the emperors. For afterward they became grievous unto them, never making an end of cursing seditions, wars, and perpetual fraud and deceit, until at length they had oppressed the weary emperors, and exalted their seat above theirs, placing themselves in power and superiority above all other. Who so desireth to have² a sound, and perfect knowledge of these matters: let him read the story of Fridericus Barbarossa, and those things which the Popes Adrian the fourth, and Alexander the third, practiced against ⟨p. 99⟩him, of which the later most presumptuously trod upon the Emperors neck with his foot. Also what Caelestinus the fourth wrought against Henry the first. Let him also there behold with what arrogance, pride, and insolencie, Pope Innocentius the third, a lofty and bold Priest, used against Philip the Emperor. But specially let it be well considered, what the popes Honorius y• third. Gregory the .ix. and Innocentius the. 4 committed wickedly, and deceitfully against Frederick the second, a notable and most excellent Emperor, & a man endued with most singular gifts, whom most unworthily and reproachfully, they troubled & afflicted, as they did likewise his sun, Conradus, the fourth emperor of that name.

But the Popes of Rome were not¹ contented with this: but the later sorte haue insued the trade of their predicessours, touching wickednes and mischeif in persecutinge the emperours. For afterward they béecame gréeuous vnto them, neuer makinge an ende of cursing seditions, warres, and perpetuall fraud and deceipt, vntill at length they had oppressed the wéerie emperours, and exalted their seate aboue theirs, placinge themselues in power and superioritie aboue all other. Who so desireth to haue² a sounde, and perfect knowledge of these matters: let him reade the storye of Fridericus Barbarossa, and those thinges which the Popes Adrian the fourth, and Alexander the thirde, practized against