CLement Bishop , and seruant of the seruants of God , to all faithfull Christians , to whome these letters shall come , greeting , and spirituall Apostolicall benediction .

Dearely beloued children in Iesus Christ , at this present ( by the grace of God ) approcheth the placable yeere of our Lorde , the yeere of remission and pardon ; now commeth the acceptable time , and the daies of eternall saluation beginne to approch for the redemption of mens sinne● , and saluation of their soules . Behold , not farre hence , the yeere of Iubile , so much pleasing and wished for by all Christians , which is the 1600. yeere , from the most blessed child-bearing of ( the holy mother of God ) Marie the Virgin , the which wee meane to celebrate , according to the auncient custome , with ioy , and assembly of the faithfull , in this our noble City of Rome ; and with so much the more ioy , because the sayd yeere formally , and with efficacie , representeth the first originall of the same : for as it is well known by old traditions , and monuments of our auncestors , agreeing and conformable to the most auncient institutions of the Church of Rome , as the yeeres and times passe and come to an ende , that is , that euerie hundreth yeere , from the birth of our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ , there were most large indulgences , pronounced vnto all such as deuoutly shall visite the most holy and sacred Churches of the most blessed Apostles : & certainly , this most ancient institution , of celebrating the 100. yeere within the citie of Rome , extracted ( not from a vaine superstition of the Gentiles , but proceeding from a pure zeale & deuotion , with a great concurrence and assembly of the Christians ) hath bene confirmed by Pope Boniface the 8. of happy memory , by his Apostolicall decree , not onely for an assurance to all those of our age , but also a perpetuall memory in time to come . And although other Popes our predecessors , such as succeeded him , restrayned the time of celebrating the Iubile to a shorter number of yeeres , because of the breuity of mans life : yet this custome of the celebration of the 100. yeere , is by good right , of more auctority in regard of the auncient tradition and ordinance thereof : And in truth , it seemeth to be wrought by the secrete counsel of GOD , that in the last yeere of euery age , ( which commonly in these daies is accounted the longest time of mans life , ) all Christians ingenerall should ( euen in the very fortresse , and house of Christian religion ) reiterate so great a benefit , which is , that Iesus Christ the brightnesse of the iustice of God , by whom all mankind hath receyued saluation , was borne of a virgin ; and also , that all Christians should likewise repaire vnto the seat of the holy Apostle S. Peter , and to the stone and foundation of the faith , as children to their Parents , and sheep to their soueraine pastor : And further , herein we may euidently behold the persit vnity of a troup of sheep and their pastour , and that the brightnes of one vniuersal faith doth shine and giue light into all places , which faith hath neuer changed , nor bin altered by any ende or alterations of times , but still by an inuiolable confession , hath continued whole and intire among the faithfull , without any corruption ; and also that the world might know , that the members are more straightly bounde and vnited vnto their visible head , by the gluing and bandes of faith and charitie , and that in the ende , the same Spirit , by the which the onely Catholike Church and her body , is miraculously conioyned and vnited togither , may be euidently manifested , then when as in the said Church of Rome , the mother of vnitie is celebrated ( as if all the Christians were assembled ) with all deuotion and solemne ceremonies , of a whole yeere vpon certaine dayes appoynted , which by good right is called the holy yeere .

Now this holy yeere , a yeere agreeable to the Lord , and such a yeere , as appeaseth his wrath , a yeere wherein men may doe penance , and be perfectly conuerted from the bottome of their hearts , vnto the Lord the father of mercie , was first denounced vnto the world by Iesus Christ the sonne of GOD , the true author both of our liues and saluations , whom the Father hath anoynted with the holy Ghost ; and hauing powred vpon him all fulnesse of grace , sent him to preach vnto the poore , to ayde the humble , to ease the heauie hearted , to preach indulgence , and remission vnto those that were captiue , deliuerance vnto prisoners , and to open the way vnto the blinde . We likewise , who ( although abiects and vnworthy ) by diuine disposition , doe exercise the place of Vicars to Iesus Christ vpon earth , sitting in the highest sentinell of the Apostolicall watch-tower , to announce , declare , and preach the same yere of Iubile , of true repentaunce , and spirituall comfort , vnto all you that are faythfull Christians in Iesus Christ .

And for that the charitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , for whom wee exercise the charge and embassage vnto all Nations , doth entice vs , the zeale of the saluation of mens soules touching our hearts , we exhort and desire euery man in generall , by the vertue of the bloud which Christ hath shed , and by his holy comming , as also by the name of the day , wherein he shall sit as a terrible Iudge , that euerie one of you , especially in this time of Iubile , withdrawe himselfe from his euill wayes , and returne vnto the Lorde , with a pure and sincere heart , a good conscience , and an vnfained heart , because our GOD is gentle and mercifull , full of compassion , and one that deferreth the punishing of all those that are true repentants .

But in the meane time , that with great ioy , according to our pastorall office , wee call and inuite our wel-beloued son in Iesus Christ , the Emperor , Kings , and Catholike Princes , & all other faithfull Christians throughout all the world , and namely , such as inhabite the prouinces and Regions furthest distant , vnto that most agreeable celebration of this Iubile : wee are in a manner pricked with an extreame dolour and greefe , calling to minde howe many great Nations and numbers of people are most miserably cutte off and disioyned from the vnitie and communion of the Catholike and Apostolicall Church , who in the precedent hundreth yeeres , marching with vs in one Catholike and Apostolike Church , with one will and consent , in this house of our Lord , haue celebrated with great ioy and spirituall exaltation , the holy yeere of the sayde Iubile , for whom wee would most willingly lose our liues , and sheade our heart blouds ( if neede were ) to obtaine the eternall saluation of their soules . In the meane time , you our obedient children , and true Catholikes , come , mount vp into this place which God hath chosen , come to the Spirituall Sion , and the holy Ierusalem , not by letter , but by Spirite , from whence , from the beginning and Originall of the Church , the law of God , and the truth of the Gospel hath spred it selfe throughout all the Nations and parts of the earth . This is the happie Citie , the fayth whereof , is commended to all the worlde , hauing beene commended by the mouth of the Apostle , wherein the most happie Apostles , Saint Peter and Saint Paul , haue both preached their doctrine , and shed their blood , to the ende that being made the head of all the world by the sacred seat of S. Peter , it should be mother of all beleeuers , and mistresse of all other Churches . Here is the stone of faith , here is the fountaine of sacerdotall vnity , here is the doctrine of pure verity , here are the keyes of the kingdome of heauen , and the soueraigne powre to bind and vnbinde ; and to conclude , here is the treasure of the Church , full of sacred Indulgences , neuer able to be diminished , wherof the Bishop of Rome is Gardian , and dispensator , who distributeth them at all times , when he knoweth by the secret will of God , that it is requisite , but specially , in the yeere of the holy Iubile he inlargeth , and bestoweth them , with a most holy and liberall hand , then when the holy gates of the most auncient , and most religious temples , and Churches of this noble Citie , are opened by solemne ceremonies , and the faithfull , purged of the spottes and fowlenesse of their sinnes , enter ioyfully before the face of the Lord , no more vnto the end that according to the precepts of the old law , ( which onely had the shadowe of goodnesse to come , ) nor according to the custome of the Hebrewes , to whome all things were set downe by figure , or els as bondslaues , tied vnder the yoke of humane seruitude , in becomming free , or as prisoners detayned in prisons , are released , or as such as are charged with great dettes , are acquited , whereby they may reenter into the lands and possessions of their auncestors ; for all these terrestriall things are transitory & not permanent : but the fruites of the holy yeere of our Iubile are most fruitfull and aboundant , that is , that mens soules , redeemed by the blood of Iesus Christ , are deliuered from the insupportable yoke of diabolicall tyranny , and from the obscure prison and chaines of sinne , by the diuine vertue of the Sacraments , and their sinnes and punishments being remitted , they are adopted sonnes of God , and admitted to the heritage of the heauenly kingdome , and possession of Paradise , receyuing other infinite benefites of God .

We therefore , following the paths and footesteps of the soueraigne Bishops , our predecessors , & obseruing their deuout , and most holy institution , with the consent of our most reuerend brethren the Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome , and by the authoritie of the most puissant God , & of the most blessed Apostles , Saint Peter and Saint Paul , as also by our owne , with as much spirituall reioycing as possibly wee may , to the glorie of God , and exaltation of the Catholike Church , do publish and signifie vnto all men , the celebration of the Iubile , in this yeere , being the yeere of our Lord 1600. to begin at the euening of the Vigill of the Natiuitie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ , of the same yeere of 1600. and to continue for the space of one whole yeere then next ensuing : in the which yeere of Iubile , we in mercy and compassion in our Lord , giue and grant free indulgence , remission and pardon of all sinnes , to all the faithfull in Iesus Christ , without exception of person , who being truely repentant and confessed , shall deuoutly visit the chiefe Churches of the blessed Apostles , Saint Peter and Saint Paul , as also those of Saint Iohn de Latran , & Saint Marie Maior , within the citie of Rome , once in a day , for the space of thirtie dayes following , or otherwise , if they be Romanes or inhabitants of the Citie , or for the space of fifteene dayes , if they be pilgrims , or other strangers , vpon condition that they shall make humble prayers vnto God , for the saluation of all the faithful and al Christian people : and because it may fal out , that among such , as by reason of this Iubile , shall haue enterprised this iourney , or that are arriued in this Citie of Rome , some being let or hindred by the way , or otherwise within this Citie , by sicknesse , or some other lawfull impeachment , or being p●euented by death , cannot effect these things , and visite the Churches and Temples aforesayd , not hauing accomplished the dayes limited , or otherwise haue not begunne them ; wee , as much as possible wee may , beningly desiring to fauour their deuoutnesse , will , that such people being truely repentant and confessed , shall all bee made participants of this our indulgence and remission , as if they had effectually visited the said Churches and Temples of Rome , vpon the daies by vs prescribed .

And you our Reuerend brethren , Patriarches , Primates , Archbishops , & Bishops , which partly at our request are summoned and called hereunto , you that are guides , & Pastors of the people , the light of the world , and the salt of the earth , take into your hands the trumpets of siluer , which you must vse in this yeere of Iubile , that is to say ; preach the word of God continually , announce this ioy vnto the people , that they may be sanctified , & that by the ayd of Gods diuine grace , they may be prepared to receiue the celestiall benefits , which God , the giuer of al good things , by our weake ministery hath prepared for all his deere & wel-beloued children ; draw your brethren by words , & the simple & vnlearned by good examples , bringing them vnto the pappes of this their most deere mother , that hath begotten them in Iesus Christ : bring the children to their father , the sheep to their soueraigne pastor , the members to their head , the faithful to the stone and foundation of the faith , wherein al the edificy & building of the Christian church is erected : bring the people to the holy Church of Rome , and to the glorious Princes of the earth , S. Peter & S. Paul , which taught the law of God throughout all the world , as also the faith ; whose dignity and authority is as yet extant and in force in their vnworthy successor . Call therfore the assembly vnto these sacred Indulgences , that they may receiue the salutary fruits thereof , in this Citie of Rome : assemble the people , sanctifie the Church , instruct the sheep committed to your charge , because we are but strangers and pilgrims here in this life , hauing no permanent place , but seeke for that which is to come .

And because the dayes of this our troublesome and miserable pilgrimage are but short , and for that we know not when the master of the family , & our espouse Iesus Christ will come , warne them , that for this cause they will be watchfull , & beare in their hands burning lampes , filled with the oyle of loue and charity , and that they make hast to enter into this rest : for if euer they had cause , it is now , that for the loue of Iesus Christ , they should abandon and leaue off al wrath , riots , debates , contentions , and inueterated enmities : it is now time that the seruants ought to haue pity vpon their conseruators , to the end that our most mercifull God may freely forgiue them all their sinnes ; it is at this time , that we must specially purge and clense our selues of all the impurities of the flesh , to the end that the Temple of God may be pure and cleane , and that euery man may haue his earthly vessell laden with honour , and sanctification , & so God may dwell within their bodies . To conclude , we must wholy exterminate and abandon all theftes , robberies , homicides , adulteries , and all other sinnes , to the end that the wrath of God may be appeased , and that those that attribute vnto themselues the name of Christians , may by him be accounted and holden for true Christians , imitators of Iesus Christ , and folowers of good workes . Teach them then , how they ought , with a contrite heart , and humble spirit , to prepare themselues by continuall praiers , fastings , and other workes of mercy , to merite and obtaine these salutary indulgences , and that those that are indued with the riches of this world , should open their hearts , and by that meanes relieuing the necessity of their poore brethren , and that before all other things , they extend their mercifull charity vnto such pilgrims , as shall trauell to Rome , renewing with spirituall ioy , the holy hospitality agreeable and pleasing vnto God , which by the most auncient Christians in times past ( euen in the middle of all stormes , tempests and persecutions ) hath with great diligence bene obserued & kept : aduertise them also , that they pray for all kings , and Christian princes , that we may liue in peace and tranquillity , and that peace may perpetually be kept and obserued .

To conclude , teach them with what modesty , with what deuotion , & with what brotherly loue , they are to make themselues knowne , when as they shall once haue enterprised the holy viage , to the end that , in all places they may yeeld the sweet sauour of Iesus Christ . Shew your selues also , my reuerend brethren , and all the Clergie , to be the example of all good works , and the formality of the troupe , to the end that all others may be conserued , as it were , by the salt of your vertues , & religion , and abhorre all filthines of sinne , & that in the end , all we with full consent and agreement , in one spirit of Christian charity , with all holines and righteousnes may serue God .

We also exhort and desire , in the name of God , our most deare sonnes in Iesus Christ , the Emperour , kings , & all Catholike Princes , that seeing they haue receiued diuers and most great benefits , of him , by whom all Kings do raigne , with so much the more ardency , as reason requireth , they should be stirred vp with a great and good zeale , to procure the glory of God ; and before al things , that they comfort and ayd the carefull vigilancy of our brethren , the Bishops , and other superiour Prelates , charging their Magistrates and Officers to further & assist them , to the end that the vnbridled liberty of the wicked may be restrained , and the intentions of honest men by their royall ayd and fauour relieued & sustained : and specially , that they vse their beneuolence and charity towards pilgrimes , giuing order , that they may safely passe along the way , and by no meanes be impeached by the wicked and peruerse generation , that being louingly receiued into the publike hospitals , and by that meanes comforted , and relieued with all things necessary for their viages , they may ioyfully without interruption pursue , and end their iourney taken in hand , & so returne into their owne countreis : for by these offerings , kings and Princes shall please God , to the end they may liue long and in all happines vpon the earth , and that at the last they may be receyued into the eternall tabernacles , by the same poore and miserable people , to whome they shall haue exercised their charities , which are those in whose bodies Iesus Christ is nourished and fedde .

And to the ende that this our present Bull may with more ease fall into the hands of all the faithful , wheresoeuer they be , our pleasure is , that to the copies hereof being imprinted , signed with the hand of a publike notary , and sealed with the seale of some man of Ecclesiasticall authoritie , the like credite shall be giuen , as vnto these , being the originall . Let no man therefore be so foolish-hardy to infringe or gaine-say this our Bull of Indiction , promulgation , confession , impartition , exhortation , prayer , and will : and if any man be so bolde to attempt it , let him knowe that hee shall incurre the indignation of God , and of his most blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul . Giuen at Rome in the Church of Saint Peter , in the yeere of the incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ 1599. the nineteenth of May , and in the eight yeere of our Pontificate .