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 to the end that this matter may the better be understood, and for the more exact knowledge thereof: it cannot¹ be denied, that many errors and abuses not now first, but somewhat before have crept in and have bin received into the Church, so that through continuance of time: they have grown into custom. Which things with many other moe, in process of time are confirmed, and chiefly by the Popes forced upon men, and by subtle practises but specially by the sword enlarged, and preserved: in so much that many perceiving the error, yet durst not openly withstand it: for they saw well, that they might not so do without danger of their own blood. But chiefly in these later times this custom hath prevailed, which I will now recite.

But to the end that this matter may the better bée vnderstoode, and for the more exact knowledge therof: it cannot¹ bée denied, that many errours and abuses not now first, but sumwhat béefore haue crept in and haue bin receaued into the Church, so that through continuance of time: they haue growen into custome. Which thinges with manie other moe, in processe of time are confirmed, and cheifly by the Popes forced vpon men, and by subtile practises but specially by the swoorde inlarged, and preserued: in so mutch that many perceauynge the errour, yet durst not openly withstande it: for they saw well, that they might not so do without daunger of their owne bloud. But cheifly in these later times this custome hath preueyled, which I wil now recite.

1. 1Errors crept into the ChurchErrours crept into the Church

In the days of the emperors Lotharius, ¹and Conrad the .iij. or as other some say of Frederick, about the year of Christ. 1130. Gratianus Bononiensis a Monk of the order of Benedictus, gathered together the sentences of the counsels, fathers, and popes, touching sundry