ALthough the Bishops of Rome bee now a dayes termed by the name of Holinesse , yet haue the liues and manners of manie Popes been most wicked , most notorious , and most scandalous to the Christian world . I will passe ouer Pope Stephanus , Carranza in summa consiliorum . who disanulled all the Actes of Pope Formosus , degrading those whome hee had made Bishops and priestes : a rare and strange Metamorphosis in the Church of God . Pope Romanus did reproue and abrogate all the Actes of Pope Stephanus and Pope Sergius the third did so hate the name of Formosus , Platina in vita Sergii . 8. that he caused his bodie to be beheaded , after it was buried , and laide in the ground , yea , hee commaunded his dead corps to be cast into the riuer Tyber , as vnworthy to bee interred in Christian sort .

Pope Bonifacius the eight , entered into his popedome as a Foxe , Carranza vbi supr. fol. 369. raigned in it as a Wolfe , and died in the end , as a dogge .

Pope Christopher was depriued of his pontificall dignitie , and enforced to be a Monke . Pope Bonifacius the seuenth , and Syluester the second , aspired to their popedomes by Necromancy and Diabolicall meanes . Syluester the third obtayned his popedome by sedition , Platina in vitis Pontificum & Carranz . vt supr. and Damasus the second was made pope by violent meanes , without consent either of the Clergie , or of the people , pope Gregorie the fift was by sedition thrust out of his throne , and pope Iohn the 18 ▪ by tyranny , occupied the popedome .

But I may not let passe to speake at large of Pope Syluester the second of that name : the storie is most memorable , well worthy for edification sake to bee engrauen in golden letters : of the truth thereof no man can stand in doubt . For Martinus Polonus , the popish Archbishop of Consentina , and high Penitentiarie , as also the chiefe Chaplain to the Popes Holines , hath published the same in writing to the view of all the world . Which thing doubtles , hee world neuer haue done , Martinus Polonus in Chroni . an. 1007. if he had not thought it a thing necessary to be known . Thus therefore doth he write ; Pope Syluester the 2. was first a Monke , a Frenchman borne , Gilbertus by name : he promised homage to the Deuill , so long as he did accomplish his desires , which his request the Deuil vndertooke to bring to passe : he being very ambitious did so often expresse his desire to the deuill , as hee made homage vnto him : the Deuill procured him to be made Archbishop , first at Rhemes : then at Rauennas : and at the last to be Pope of Rome : for the Deuill knowing his ambitious mind , brought him to honour by begrees , being made Pope , he would needes know of the Deuil , how long he should liue in his Pontificall glorie , the Deuill aunswered him that he should liue so long , as he did not say Masse in Ierusalem : the Pope receyuing that aunswere , was very ioyfull within himselfe , thinking that hee was as farre from death , and from the ende of his worldly pompe , as hee was farre of in his minde , from going on pilgrimage to Ierusalem beyond the Sea . But what will yee more ? The Pope in Lent said Masse in the Church , Sanctae crucis , which they call in Ierusalem , my self know the place . Yet the Pope as it seemeth , infatuated with pride , and excessiue desire of honor , had quite forgot the name . While he was at Masse ( O holy sacrifice ) he heard a great noyse of Deuils , and so remembred not the place onely , The Pope in his Pontificalibus forgetteth the name of his churches but also his death to bee at hand . Hee therefore wept ( though hee were afore most wicked ) disclosing his offence to all the companie , & nothing doubting of Gods mercie , withall he commaunded to cut away from his bodie , all the members with which hee had done sacrifice to the Deuill . This hystorie I haue truly set down as I find it recorded by the said Martinus Polonus Archbishop of Consentina , a man most deare vnto the Pope : so as no Papist can without blushing denie the truth therof : & me thinks it is an vnfit thing , that the faith of all the Christian world should depend vpon the resolution of such wicked Popes .

Benedictus the ninth , ( as writeth the said Polonus ) appeared to a man going by a Mill , Polonus . an. 1042. in the likenes of a monstrous beast , who had a head and tayle like an Asse , and the rest of the bodie was like a Beare . And when the man that saw the Monster fled away for feare , the monster cryed after him , in these words : Feare me not , Repent yee Popes of Rome . for I am a man as thou art : but I shew my selfe in this likenes , because I liued like a beast when I was a wicked Pope . Much like stuffe I could recite , but I studie to be briefe . He that desireth to know more hereof , may satisfie himselfe , by reading my Suruay . In these holy disholy Fathers , no sound iudgement can be found .

THat the Bishops of Rome may become heretiques , yea that they haue beene heretiques de facto , it is so cleare a thing , as I shall not neede to stand long about the same .

Many Popish decrees tell vs , that Popes may be deposed , Grat. dist. 40. cap. si Papa . when and so often as they swarue from the Christian faith , and become heretiques in deed . Which Decrees perforce must presuppose that the Popes may be heretiques ; otherwise they should be frustrate , and to no ende at all . These are the words ; Cunctos ipse ( Papa ) iudicaturus , à nemine est iudicandus , nisi deprehendatur a fide deuius . The Pope iudgeth all , and must be iudged of none ; vnlesse hee swarue from the faith , and bee an heretique . Lo the Popes owne Decrees doe plainely graunt , that the Pope may be an heretique ; and then God be thanked , he hath a superiour and iudge vpon earth . So he may lawfully be controlled , yea condemned ; vnlesse hee keepe the Christian fayth better , then many popes haue done .

Againe in another decree I find these expresse wordes ; Caus. ● . q. 7. cap. oues . Oues quae suo pastori commissae sunt , eum nec reprehendere , nisi á fide exorbitauerit , nec vllatenus accusare possunt . Sheepe which are committed to their pastor , may neither rebuke him , nor in any wise accuse him ; vnlesse he depart and forsake the faith .

Dominicus Soto , a great Papist , Soto in 4. s. d. 22. q. 2. art. 1 hath these expresse wordes : Quamuis Papa vt Papa errare non possit , hoc est statuere errore nequeat tanquam articulum fidei , quia spiritus sanctus id non permittet ; tamen vt singularis persona errare in fide potest , sicut alia peccata committere . Albeit the Pope , as Pope cannot erre , that is to say , can not set downe any errour as an article of our faith , because the holy Ghost will not that permit ; neuerthelesse , as he is a priuate person , so may he erre euen in fayth , as he may do other sinnes .

Pope Anastasius , Pope Honorius , Pope Iohn , Canus de locis & Viguerius de virtute fidei . and others , haue beene heretikes , as Viguerius , Melchior Canus , Alphonsus , and Adrianus , who was Pope himselfe , confesse ; and no wise papist , will or can denie the same .

Nicholaus de Lyra a verie learned and famous papist , hath these expresse wordes . Ex quo patet , Lyra in 16. cap. Mat. quod Ecclesia non consistit in hominibus , ratione potestatis vel dignitatis , Ecclesiasticaevel secularis . Quia multi principes & summi pontifices , & alii inferiores , inuenti sunt apostatasse a fide . Whereby it is euident , that the Church doth not consist in men , by reason of power or dignitie , either ecclesiasticall or secular , because many princes and popes , and others of the inferior sort are found to haue swarued from the faith , and to haue beene flat Apostataes .

Iosephus Angles , a famous popish Bishop , Iosephus Angles in . 4. s. par. 2. q. de excom. art. 4. dific . 1. and religious Frier , in his booke dedicated to the Pope himselfe , confirmeth this matter in these wordes ; Papa haereticus aut apostata , ab vniuersali concilio deponi potest ; & ratio est , quia sicut nullus potest esse alicuius religionis praelatus , qui non sit in illa religione prosessus , ita neque potest esse Papa , si fide Ecclesiae careat . The Pope being an heretique or apostata , may bee deposed by a generall Concell ; and the reason is , because as none can be a Prelate of any Religion , which is not professed in that religion : so neither can he be Pope , that holdeth not the faith of the Church .

Thus it is cleare , euen by popish Doctors and Decrees , that the Pope as a priuate person , may forsake the Christian fayth , teach false doctrine , and become a flat Apostata . The Pope therefore in his priuate person , can not be a competent iudge .

DOctor Gerson , a famous Papist and Chauncellour of Paris , teacheth so plainely , that Popes may erre in their publique doctrine of faith and maners , as none can doubt there of that ponder well his words ; Gers. in serm. de paschat . part. 3. thus therefore doth he write : Hos fecit latroni , qui veri similiter nondum compleuerat poenetentiam pro omnibus peccatis suis , qui fuit illa hora propria beatisicatus , & vidit Deum facie ad faciem , sicut sancti in Paradiso : propter quod insuper apparet falsitas doctrinae Papae Iohannes 22. quae damnata fuit cum sono buccinarum , coram rege Philippo per Theologos Parisienses , & credidit potius Theologis Parisiensibus , quam curiae . This did he to the theefe ( which by likelihood had not yet accomplished pennance for all his sinnes , ) who was blessed in that verie houre , and saw God face to face , as do the Saints in Paradise ; by reason whereof appeareth further the falshoode of the doctrine of Pope Iohn , which was condemned by the sound of Trumpets , before King Philip by the diuines of Paris , and the king beleeued rather the diuines , then the court ( of Rome . )

Out of these wordes , the indifferent Reader wil easily note with me these important poynts . First , that the theefe crucified with Christ , did see God face to face in that verie houre , and so was blessed . Secondly , that hee reprooueth the false doctrine of Pope Iohn . Thirdly ▪ that his doctrine was condemned with the sound of trumpets , in the presence of the King of France . Fourthly , that the king gaue more credite to the Diuines of Paris , then to the iudgement of the Court of Rome ; that is , then to the Pope and his Cardinals . A poynt well worthie to bee noted . Fiftly , that neither the king , nor the learned Papists , did in those dayes graunt such authoritie to the Pope , as now a dayes the Pope chalengeth to himselfe . Whereupon it followeth consequently , that the Pope taught false doctrine , euen in a weightie matter of faith . To which is consectarie , that his doctrine was publique ; as which was publiquely condemned at Paris , in the presence of the king .

Pope Adrian testifieth the same truth , as witnesseth the zealous Papist Alphonsus , in these expresse wordes ; Nouissime fertur de Iohanne . 22. quod publice docuit , Alphon. a Castro . lib 3. aduers . haeres . prope finem . declarauit , & ab omnibus teneri mandauit , quod animae purgatae ante finale iudicium non habent stolam , quae est clara & facialis visio Dei ; & vntuersitatem Parisiensem ad hoc induxisse dicitur , quod nemo in ea poterat gradum in Theologia adipisci , nisi primitus hunc errorem iurasset se defensurum , & perpetuò ei adhaesurum . Last of all , it is reported of Pope Iohn the 22. that hee publiquely taught , declared , and commaunded all men to hold , that the soules of the iust before the day of iudgement , haue not the stole , which is is the cleare and facely vision of God . And he is reported , to haue enduced the Vniuersitie of Paris to this : that no man should take degree in the same , but he that did first sweare to defend this errour , and to adhere to it for euer .

Thus writeth Adrian , who was himselfe Pope of Rome . And Alphonsus a man of good credit with the papists , after he had reckoned vp fiue heresies , setteth downe this for the sixt heresie , ( that the soules of the iust do not see God till the day of doome , Alphons . vbi supra . ) ascribing the said heresie to the Armenians , as to the authors therof , & to the Greeks togither with pope Iohn , as to the patrones and defenders of the same .

Here the simple Reader must note well , that hee may the better vnderstande this verity , Bellarmin de-Rom . pontif . lib. 4. cap. 14. and not bee seduced with the colourable Glosse of the Iesuite Bellarmine , who seeing the force of this testimonie to ouerthrowe the highest poynt in poperie , bestirreth himselfe more then a little in defence of popish faith . He telleth vs forsooth , if we wil beleeue him , that Pope Iohn ( with all obeysance to his holines bee it spoken , ) erred in deede , as is here said : but he did that as a priuate man , A subtle , but falsely coyned distinction . ( sayeth our Iesuite ) not as Pope of Rome . Which distinction doubles , wanteth not onely a good foundation , whereupon it should be built : but also it flatly destroyeth the playne Text. The reason is euident to euery child . First , because pope Adrian faith , Docuit , hee taught . Secondly , because hee faith , Publicè , publikely . Thirdly , because he sayeth , Mandauit , he commanded all to hold it . Fourthly , because none could be made Graduats in the schooles , which held not this opinion . Fiftly , because euery Graduate was sworn to defend it , and to hold it for euer . So then , the pope may erre , and hath erred de facto ; euen in his publike decree of faith , as well as an other man . And that euen by the consent of Adrian , who was pope himselfe : yea , who for learning and knowledge , was one of the rarest popes that euer were at Rome .

Melchior Canus , Canus , de locis lib. 6. cap. 5. in fine . though otherwise he bee a great papist , telleth vs plainly , that Gerson , Almayne , and Thomas Waldensis , doe all hold this for a constant position , that the pope may erre , as is already said .

pope Celestine the third of that name , erred as pope and publike person , in his iudiciall sentence , Alphonsus . lib. 1. cap. 4. aduers . haeres . and publicke decree . This to be so , Alphonsus aboue named , is a constant witnes in these expresse words ; Celestinum Papam errasse circa matrimonium fidelium , quorum alter labitur in haerisin , res est omnibus manifesta , neque hic Celestini error talis fuit , qui soli negligentiae imputari debuit , ita vt illum errasse dicamus , velut priuatam personam , & non vt Papam , qui in qualibet reseria definienda consulere debet viros doctos , quoniam huiusmodi Celestina definitio habebatur , in antiquis decretalibus , in cap laudabilem , titulo de conuersione infidelium . Quam ego ipse vidi , & legi .

That Pope Celestine erred about Matrimonie of the faithful , Loe the Pope erred publikely , not as a priuate person . wherof the one is fallen into heresie , is a thing so manifest , as all men know the same : neither was this error of Pope Celestine such , that it can bee imputed to sole negligence , so as we may think him to haue erred as a priuate man , & not as Pope , who ought in the decree of euery serious matter , to aske counsel of learned men . For that definition and decree of Celestine , was in the old Decretall Epistles , in the Chapter Laudabilem , which I my selfe haue seene and read .

Out of these wordes of Alphonsus , who was a man highly renowned among the papistes , I note many worthy obseruations . First , that Pope Celestine erred , and that not as a priuate man , but euen as Pope and publike person . Secondly , that hee erred in a verie serious matter , euen in a matter of faith : to wit , that Matrimonie was so dissolued by reason of heresie , that the faithfull man or woman might marry againe , the hereticall partie liuing . which thing sayeth Alphonsus , was manifest to euerie man to be an heresie . And the late Councel of Trent hath defined it to be so . Thirdly , that this decree and definition of Pope Celestine , was in those dayes enrolled in the Popes Decretals . Fourthly , that Alphonsus saw and read the same Decree . Fiftly , that the said decree cannot this day be found , among the Popes Decretall Epistles . Note this wel , it is a point of weight . Where I wish the Reader to note by the way , that the Decrees of our holy Fathers the Popes , haue been such and so much against late Poperie , that they are ashamed to bring them now to light . If any man desire to know the Popes errors more fully , let him read my book of Motiues . But now it remaineth , that I aunswere to sundrie important obiections , whereupon the Papistes would build the supposed Priuiledges of their Popes , as that their Faith can not faile , and such like . The decision wherof God willing , shal be performed in the Chapter following . The Pope therefore in his publique person , is no infallible Iudge .

CHrist prayed for Peter , that his faith should neuer faile , Luke 22. v. 32 therefore the Bishops of Romes faith cannot faile , nor the Pope erre in his iudiciall decrees .

I say first , that Peters faith quailed , when he denied Christ , swearing that hee knew not the man . For these twaine are the chiefe fruites of faith , Rom. 10. v. 10. to belieue with the heart , & to confesse with the mouth . And where eyther of these two is wanting , there cannot be a right faith . For he that putteth away a good conscience , 2. Tim. 1. v. 19. maketh shipwracke of his faith .

I say secondly , that Christ prayed aswell for all the elect , as he did for Peter . I pray not sayth Christ , for the world , Ioh. 17. v. 9. but for them which thou hast giuen me , for they are thine . Againe he sayeth , I pray not for these alone , Ioh. 17. v. 20. but for them also which shall belieue in me through their word . And consequentlie , seeing Christ directed not his wordes to Peter , as to one priuate man , but as to one representing the whole Church : it must needs follow , that what soeuer Christ did or saide touching Peters faith , must perforce bee vnderstoode of the faith of the whole Church . Which faith , as I haue copiously proued in my Booke of Suruay , shall neuer fayle indeed . This my aunswere is confirmed , in these wordes of S. Austen : August . in quaest. mixt is , q. 5. to . 4. Quid ambigitur ? pro Petro rogabat , & pro Iacobo & Iohanne non rogabat , vt caeteros taceam ? manifestum est in Petro omnes contineri , quia & in alio loco dicit ; ego pro his rogo , quos mihi dedisti pater , & volo , vt vbiego sum , & ipsi sint mecum .

What doubt is there ? did he pray for Peter , and did he not also pray for Iames and Iohn : to say nothing of the rest ? it is cleare , that in Peter all the rest are meant : because he sayeth in an other place , I pray for these O Father , which thou hast giuen me , and desire that they may bee with mee , where my selfe am .

Origen a learned and very auncient father , affirmeth in a large discourse vpon S. Mathew , Origen hom. in mat . that all things spoken of Peter touching the church & the keyes , are to be vnderstood of all the rest . And the collection of Origen is euident , euen by natural reason . For if Christ prayed not aswell for the rest , as he did for Peter , A reason insoluble , let it bee well marked . of small credite were a great parte of the holy scripture . A reason doubtles insoluble , for all Papistes in the world . For if they could faile in their faith , they could also faile in their writing : and yet that they could not so faile , was by vertue of Christes prayer .

This my aunswere is farther confirmed , by the testimonie of learned and approued Papistes . Panormitanus was their skilfull Canonist , their religious Abbot , and their renowmed Archbishop : and consequently , his authority must needs gall , and confound them all . His words are these : Panormit . apud Syluest. de fide § 9. & de cone . §. 3. Et pro hactantum Christus in Euangelio or auit ad patrem , ego rogaui pro te .