The abuses of the Romish church anatomised. By a vvelwiller to Sion, and to all them that loue the truth in the truth

THE ABVSES OF THE ROMISH CHVRCH ANATOMIZED .

Their Lying .

AVgustus , Emperor of Rome , in the Tryumph which he made of Marke Anthony and Cleopatra , brought with him to Rome a Priest , of Egypt , aged threescore yeres , who in all the dayes of his life neuer told any lye : In regard whereof the Senate presently ordained that hee should be made free , and created Pontifex Maximus : also , that a Statue should be erected for him , and placed amongst those of the most renowned men of all the Ancients . In the dayes of Claudius , Emperour likewise of Rome , there died a man in Rome named Pamphylus , who neuer told any matter of truth in all his life time , but euermore had his chiefe delight in lying , which caused the Emperour to giue commaund , that no graue should be graunted to his body , but his goods were confiscated , his house ruined , and his wife and children banished out of Rome , to the end that no memory might remaine of so venemous a beast .

If the same order were among the Papall Frye still in force , wee might hope , that either wee should haue more Truth-tellers , or fewer I yers : But that custome is now abolished , and this vice of Lying raignes more among these Masse-monging Priests , then any people vnder Heauen : Witnesse those many lyes which they tell of their Saints ▪ as for example : Saint Denis the Areopagite , ( say-they ) tooke vp his head after it was stricken off , and carried it in his hand two miles . They say further , that Saint Bernac turned Oke leaues into loaues , stones into Fishes , water into Wine , and that he sayled ouer the Sea vpon a stone , as an hundred and fifty of Ioseph of Arimathea's company did vpon his sonnes Shirt , and Fryer Herueus vpon his Mantle . They goe on , and tell you , that Saint Nicholas whilest hee lay in his cradle , fasted Wednesdayes , and Fridayes , on which da●es he would neuer sucke aboue once . They report moreouer , That Bishop Tryan hauing killed his Cow and his Calfe to entertaine Saint Patricke and his company , found both of them the next morning feeding in the meadow . They further tell of Saint Dominickes books , how they fell into a Riuer , lay there three dayes , and so many nights , but were found afterward by a Fisherman , and taken vp as drie as a feather . They say farther , that Saint Romuala deliuered high poynts of Diuinity as soone as he was borne , and presently after that hee was baptized , made a learned Sermon . They deliuer also , that Saint Margaret being swallowed by a Dragon , had no sooner made the signe of the Crosse ; but the Dragon burst asunder , and out shee came as sound as a Trout . They say also , that a man who neuer saw further then the length of his nose , opening Xauiers Tombe , and rubbing his eyes with his hand straightway recouered his sight . Yea , they are not ashamed to affirme , that Ignatius Loyola was rapt vp into heauen , and saw the holy Trinity in three Persons , and one Essence , and that God shewed him the paterne of the world which he layd before him when he made it . They report also , that Frier Bennet of AreZZe being cast into the Sea in a Tempest , was inuironed with a little cloud , and carried to the terrestriall Paradise , whom when 〈◊〉 , and Elijah saw , they demaunded of him what hee was ? And when they heard he was Saint Francis his brother , they danced for ioy , and led him about to shew him euery corner of Paradise ; from whence hee was carryed backe againe ouer the Sea in a little Cloud , which marueilously astonished those that beheld it . They goe on still , and would make you beleeue that one time , whilest Saint Dunston was at his deuotion , the Deuill looked in at the windowe , in the shape of a beautifull Damsell , thinking to allure him to lust : but he hating such abhominable filthinesse , tooke the said Deuill by the nose with a paire of hote tongs . Neither doe they heere cease , but tell wonders surpassing credit , of Saint Thomas Becket : For they auerre , That when Ail●ardus for stealing of a great Whetstone , ( which the Authour that writes it best deserued ) was by sentence of Law depriued of his eyes , and virilities , vpon prayer to Saint Thomas , he had all restored againe : Yea , euen a bird hauing beene taught to speake , flying out of her Cage , and now ready to be seazed on by a Sparrow-Hawke , sayd onely , Saint Thomas helpe me , and her enemy fell presently dead , but she escaped , and ( belike ) reported it : Yea , in his life time the Virgin Mary her selfe was contented to bee his Sempster , and sowed his shirt with red Silke .

But these forgeries be onely fit for Monks to indite , Children to reade , and Fooles to beleeue , inuented at the first to deceiue poore ignorant people , who cannot perceiue this their abhominable lying , being nuzled and fostered all their life long in Ignorance , by a commaund from his Holinesse , least they should descry their intollerable wickednesse . And therefore I will not dwell any longer vpon this poynt , but conclude it with a proofe of their Lying : for in the Raigne of King Richard the second , King of England , their lying was growne to such a passe , that it was held as good an Argument to reason thus , Hic est Frater , Ergo Mendax , He is a Frier , and therefore a Lyer ; as to say , Hoc est Album , Ergo coloratum : This thing is white , and therefore coloured .

Their Gluttonie , and Drunkennesse .

HItherto we haue seene them lying , now let vs see them walking like the tops of trees , tossed to and fro with the winde . Let vs also view their Gu mandizing and Glttony . That these vices are not wanting in them , is euidently proued by that prayer of theirs to their good Saint Dominicke , which runnes thus : Sanctus Dominicus , sis nobis semper amicus , Cui canimus nostro jugiter praeconia rostro , De cordis venis , siccatis ante Lagenis . Ergo tuas laudes , si tu nos pangere gaudes , Tempore Paschali , fac ne potu puteali Conueniat vti , namsi fiat , vndique muti , Semper erunt fratres , qui nil curant nisi ventres .

Take him also for a witnesse , who saith , If that I must in order tell , What vertues 'long to Monkish Cell , He is not fit for Cell or Couen , That 's not a Glutton and a Slouen , Sluggish , Lecherous , for nought fit , A drunkard , dolt , deuoyd of wit , He must eate at each Repast , Vntill his belly well nigh brast : Hee must guzzell in the wine , Till he be drunken as a Swine . And if he can but chaunt it well , This man is fit for Quier or Cell .

And him who saith of them , O Monachi Stomachi vestri sunt amphora Bacchi , Vos estis , Deus est testis , turpissima pestis .

Take his testimony likewise , who saith of their Monkes : Si prandet , competit vt loqui nesciat , Ne lingua dentium opus impediat : Si bibit , expedit vt bibens hauriat , Ne pes sub pondere ventris deficiat . Die deuotus adorat dolia , Nocte cum bipede laborat bestia , Tali discrimine , tali molestia , Meretur vir Dei Regna Caelestia .

But because I will not bee too tedious in so plaine a case as this is , I will conclude this poynt also , with that Epigram which was made vpon Saint Anthonie , the Saint for Swine : Diceris Antoni porcos pauisse subulcus Vivus ; adhuc Monachos luminecassus alis . Par stupor ingenij est , ventrisque abdomen vtrisq Sorde pari gaudent , ingluvieque pari . Nec minus hoc brutum genus est , matumue suillo Nec minus insipidum , nec minus illepidum . Cetera conueniunt , sed non leuis error in vno est Debuerat Monachis glans cibus esse tuis .

Englished .

Once fedst thou Anthony an herd of Swine , And now an heard of Monks thou feedest still , For wit and gut alike they both haue bin , Both doe loue filth alike : both like to fill The greedy paunch alike : nor is that kind More beastly sottish , swinish then the last , All else agree , one fault J onely find , Thou feedest not thy Monkes with Oken Mast .

Thus much for their Gluttony and Drunkennesse .

Their Lecherie .

AFter Gluttony and Drunkennesse , followe necessarily Lechery and wantonnesse : and therefore seeing we haue prooued them immeasurable Drunkards , we may also conclude , that they are intolerable licentious , and extreamely addicted to the lust of the flesh . And that they are in this vice nothing inferiour , or lesse expert , then in their Lying , or Drunkennesse , the many bones of children found about Monasteries , may bee a sufficient witnesse : yet that wee may not be deficient in examples , take these as witnesses of their Fornicating : An Abbatesse in Lombardie rising hastily from a Priest , ( with whom shee had layne that night ) to take a Nun with her Paramour , put on the Priests Breeches , in stead of her Vaile , vpon her head , which the poore Nun perceiuing , desired her first to tye the strings of her Coyfe , and then to speake . The Abbatesse perceiuing her errour , changed the copie of her countenance , and departed . Take another example or two . A certaine Franciscan in a Towne of Perigrod at the marriage of his Hosts daughter , caused meat to bee serued into his Chamber , for himselfe and his fellow Fryer , making scruple to sit at the Table with the rest of the Guests , yet made no Conscience after Supper to goe to bedd with the Bride in humilitie , taking the same paines with her in charitie , which he knew the Bridegroome meant to take : Yea , euen their holy Saints , whom so religiously they adore , are not free from this vice , which wee may prooue by the Tale of that Nun , who hauing a sore thigh , besought Saint Dominicke , that shee might be restored to her limbes againe ; Falling asleepe , she thought she saw Saint Dominicke close by her , taking from vnder his Cope a strong smelling Oyntment , wherewith hee annoynted her thigh . And when shee asked him what it was , hee told her , that it was called , The Oyntment of Lone : which we may vnderstand to be the priuate familiaritie which was betwixt them . In the time of Pope Paulus the third , the number of Whores which were in his Register , amounted to fortie and fiue thousand ; and yet this was but a small number , compared with that which was before this Popes time . His Holinesse himselfe is many times giuen to this vice , as we may perceiue by the Epitaph of Pope Alexander the sixt his daughter , which runnes after this manner : Conditur hoc tumulo , Lucretia nomine , sed re , Thais : Alexandri filia , sponsa , nurus .

Englished thus .

Here lies Lucrece in name , Thais in life , The Popes child and spouse , and yet his owne sons wife .

If then the Popes be thus , how can wee expect that his Cardinalls should be better ? Surely they are as ill as their Master : Witnesse the Popes holy Cardinall , Iohannes Cremensis , who being sent by Honorius the second hither into England , in the dayes of King Henry the first , to redresse the sinne-seeming abuse of the Cleargie , in retaining and vsing according to Gods owne Ordinance , the societie of their wiues ; vpon the birth day of the blessed Virgin , made a solemne Oration in praise of Virginitie and Chastitie , with a terrible Inuectiue against maried Priests ; and to amplifie their sinne the more , hee shewed what extreame impietie it was to rise from the bed of vnlawfull lust , ( for so was their chaste marriage tearmed ) and with polluted hands to touch the Sacrament of the Body of Christ , but the same night following , hee hauing that very day consecrated that holy Sacrament , was himselfe taken with a whoore . If the Popes Holinesse , and his reuerend Cardinalls be thus wicked , wee cannot expect that the Minorites , or pettie fiue farthing Fryers should bee any whit better ? If the root bee vnsound , how can the branches flourish ? Assuredly they follow the steps of their Superiours , as in all other vices , so in this of Lechery more especially , witnesse him who saith : Proh dolor ? hos tolerare potest Ecclesia porcos Duntaxat ventri , Veneri , somnoque vacantes ?

Witnesse also him who saith of their holy Fathers in generall : Noctu filium veneris agitant in cubili , Mane filium Virginis sacrificant in Altari Nocte Venerem amplexantur , Mane Virginem venerantur .

Take his testimonie also , who saith of them : You Iacobines , Carmelies , Cordeliers , You Augustines , and all you fornicating Friers , How came you by the ghos●ly fathers names : For vnder the Crucifixe and high Altars , You are wont to get vs sonnes and daughters , In kind acquaintance with our ghostly Dames .

But least they should say , that these testimonies haue been deuised by men of our Profession , to disgrace them and theirs let vs heare what Mantuan , one of their owne Sect saith of them : I pudor in villas si non patiuntur easdem , Et villae vomicas ; Roma est jam tota Lupaner .

And another of their owne Profession witnesseth , that the first prey which Souldiers sought for when they entred any Towne , was Priests Lemmans : But this their Lechery was dearely bought and well paide for ; when Mounsieur d' Avanchi a French man , admitted two Franciscans into his Castle , made them good Cheere , and to make an end of their kinde entertainment : Hee told them he would pleasure either of them with his pretty wench . They refusing his kind offer at the first , he requested them to make bold with him , telling them withall , that hee well considered they were but flesh and blood as other men were . In the end he locked them all into a chamber together , and returning thither about an houre after , hee asked them howe they had done ; and vnderstanding that they had not beene idle : O wicked Hypocrites , said hee , is this the way to ouercome temptation ? and hauing so said , hee stripped them as naked as my naile , and hauing whipped them as long as himselfe and men could lay on load , he sent them away all naked as they were , to teach them to fight another time more valiantly against such temptations , or not to giue them the encounter . One of Marquis Berengers Chaplaines also in Italy paid deare for his pleasure , when being taken and stripped naked for playing naught with his Mistris , he lost that part wherewith he offended : Let this suffice to haue spoken of their lewd , and licentious liuing .

Their Couetousnesse .

BVt are they cleere or free from Couetousnesse ? nothing lesse . Witnesse their wandring from place to place , and crauing the beneuolence of those people , whom they farre exceed in wealth : Witnesse also that auncient Disticke .

Est nullum Monacho majus Daemonium , Nihil auarius , nil magis varium . Cui si quid datur est possessor omnium , Si quicquam petitur , nil habet proprium .

Witnesse likewise that Epigram .

Curia vult marcas , bursas exhaurit & arcas , Si Bursae parcas , fuge Papas & Patriarchas : Si dederis marcas , et jis impleveris arcas , Culpa solveris , quamque ligatus eris .

And this .

— Venalia Romae , Templa , sacerdotes , altaria , sacra , coronae , Ignis , thura , preces , Caelum est venale , Deusque .

Englished .

Priests , Churches , Altars , holy things , Prayers , Franckincense and Crownes of Kings : Yea Heauen and God himselfe for gold , At Rome is to be bought and sold .

And that ,

Intus quis ? tu quis ? ego sum , quid quaeris ? vt intrem , Fers aliquid ? non , sta , fero , quid ? satis intra .

Witnes also that made of Pope Alexander the sixt .

Vendit Alexander claues , altaria , Christum , Emerat ille priùs , vendere jure potest .

Englished ,

Christ , Altars , Keyes , doth Alexander sell , Why should he not ? for why , they cost him well .

When King Henry the first his Embassadour , told the Pope that his Master would not loose his right in the Investitures of the Church for the losse of his Kingdome . The Pope answered , I will not suffer him to inioy them without punishment , no not for the sauing of my head . This made one brand them with this marke , that the clemencie of the Papall See is neuer wanting to any so long as the Red and the White make intercession for them .

Their Auarice may also be seene in their Indulgences , Pardons , Maggot-eaten Reliques , Paxes , Crucifixes , Trentals , Dirges , Pictures of Saints , Bulls , hallowed Beanes , Holy water , Exorcismes , and a thousand such fables and bables , which were too long and too wearisom a taske to relate , all which are inuented for no other end and purpose , but by drawing money from the poore Ignorants , to fill and stuffe the Popes Coffers . We may also call to witnesse their couetousnesse , that best Fire in the Popes Kitchin , Purgatory , which was found out for nothing else , but that poore people not knowing any thing to the contrary , might giue lands and liuings to these Masse-monging Priests , to the end that they by saying so many Masses , Dirges , Aue Maries , and the like for their soules , might rid them out of that ( as they thinke ) fearefull place . I will conclude this point with that of the Poet : — Heu Romae , nunc sola pecunia regnat .

Their Blasphemie .

HEere my haire startles , and my Pen is euen ready to fall out of my hand , considering the many execrable and abominable blasphemies which their hearts haue conceiued , their mouthes vttered , yea , and their hands committed to writing : to such a height are they growne of impietie , abusing and wresting Scriptures ( like a nose of waxe ) to their owne ends , and applying those things to themselues , which were meant of Christ . Alexander the third hauing commaunded the Emperour Fredericke to prostrate himselfe , and aske him pardon for his offences ; the Emperour kneeled : This gentle Pope , setting his foot vpon his throat , or ( as some say ) vpon his necke , most blasphemously applyed those wordes to himselfe , which were vnderstood of Christ , It is written , Thou shalt walke vpon the Aspe and the Basiliske , the young Lyon and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnder thy feete . The Emperour highly offended for this contempt , answered , I doe not this to thee , but to Saint Peter . The Pope treading vpon him the second time , said , Et mihi , & Petro , Both to me and to Saint Peter . Pope Leo the tenth hearing one of his Cardinalls preach , who chused his Text out of the New Testament , burst foorth into these execrable blasphemous words , O what great Riches haue wee got by this Fable of Christ ? Pope Julius the third louing a Peacocke very well , and missing it one time from his Table , asked where it was ? Answere was made , That his Physicions had giuen charge hee should eate none , because it was preiudiciall to his health . He being most blasphemously bent , presently replies , Fetch mee my Peacocke , Ce dispetto de Dio. When his Cardinalls , and other followers besought him not to bee so angry , hee still perseuers in his impietie , and answeres them , If God were so angry for an Apple , as that hee cast our first parents out of Paradise , why may not I who am his Vicar , be thus angry for a Peacocke , which is a greater matter then an Apple .

A Priest of Lorraine holding a Pixe or boxe full of vnconsecrated singing Cakes , ( as they tearme them ) shuffled them together , saying , Yee little Whoresons , ye little Whoresons , which of you will bee God to day ? One praying to our Lady holding her young Babe in her armes , ( whom so religiously they adore and worship ) and hauing receiued such an answer as pleased him not , by one that stood behind the Image , and iudging by the voyce that it was the Child that spake , said , Hold your peace , and let your Mother speake , who is wiser then you . Yea , they are not content thus blasphemously to abuse God and his diuine Word , but they must boast also of this their wickednesse .

And are not ( I pray you ) their prayings to Saints , yea worse then that , to stockes and stones , so many blasphemies against Gods sacred Maiestie ? Is it not a most execrable blasphemy , to make our Lady equall , yea , aboue our Sauiour ? making him but a halfe , yea , no Sauiour at all .

If this bee not Blasphemy in the highest degree , I would gladly know what it is ? But let them take heed , and consider with whome they haue to doe , when thus they mocke GOD , euen with him whose eyes cannot behold Iniquitie , but will repay the committers thereof . This sinne of Blasphemy hath hee in all ages punished in the highest degree . Witnesse Lucius , a notorious blasphemer of Christes Diuinitie , who was deuoured with dogs . Arrius had such a loosenesse of belly , that hee voyded his Intrailes . Lewes the eleuenth , King of Fraunce , beholding certaine Tennis-players , with his wife , amongst other talke , said , Hee hoped to doe nothing hereafter which should offend GOD : which words were no sooner out of his mouth , but hee fell downe speachlesse , and languishing a few houres , dyed in the same place .

Sophocles writeth , That before Aiax went to the Siege of Troy , his father counselled him to fight valiantly , but withall , to pray to GOD for Victory , whereto Aiax answered , Adiutore Deo , vel ignavus vincere potest , Ego sine Deo . And therefore God smote him with a Frenzie , so that hee went about the field , slaying the silly Sheepe and Cattell , supposing that they had been his enemies ; and when this was done , hee kills himselfe on the point of his owne Sword .

One in an Inne laughing at those which spoke of Christ , offered to sell his soule for a cup of Wine : one hauing bought it off him , the Deuill being among them like a Swaggerer , bought it at the second hand , and then making challenge of his Bargaine , hurryed him away with him in the ayre , after which time he was neuer seene .

Certaine Gamesters at Mantua breaking foorth into blasphemy against our blesse● Sauiour , their eyes fell on the Table . And a childe at Rome not aboue fiue yeares of age , blaspheming the Name of God , was carryed away by the Deuill , from betweene his parents armes . And a Marriner at Ragouse , most fearefully tearing and rending GOD asunder with his bloudie Oathes , fell into the Sea , and was not seene , till certaine dayes after , that hee was found on the Shoare , where his Bodie was taken vp intire and whole , the Tongue onely excepted .

And that I may not bee too tedious in a poynt so euident , wee may see it in the two Popes afore-mentioned , Leo the tenth and Iulius the third ; the first of which being ouer-ioyed for a Victory receiued against the French , reuelled three dayes and so many nights together , and then dyed with Drunkennesse : The latter of them came most miserably to a shamefull end .

Seeing then this sinne neuer escapes vnpunished , what hope can these Blasphemers haue ? Doe they thinke God is not so iust , or more mercifull then heretofore hee hath beene ? Or doe they thinke hee sleepes , or winkes , and will not see their impietie ? It is blasphemy to thinke either . Let them therefore eyther amend , or else looke for the like , or more fearefull iudgement . But I haue beene ( I feare ) too long in this poynt , and therefore I will conclude it with that of the Poet Virgil.

Discite Iustiam moniti , & non temnere Diuos .

Their Pride .

THat the pride of these Pedlers of Reliques is no lesse , then their fore-named Vices , may sufficiently appeare , if we consider the many Titles , which that great Vicar , ( as hee stiles himselfe ) of Christ , arrogates to himselfe , setting himselfe aboue Kings and Emperours , making them to hold his Stirrop ; yea , euen to put their neckes as a Foot-stoole for him to tread vpon , putting on Crownes with his foote , and casting them downe with it againe as soone as put on , and making Kings , with their Wiues and their Children , to stand three dayes together at his Gate barefoot and barelegged , and there to wayt till his Holinesse be pleased to giue them absolution .

Their Triple-Crowne also is no lesse an Argument of their pride , as is also their challenging to themselues both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall Authoritie : Euen Lucifer himselfe is not more proud then is his Holinesse , who holdes out his foot to bee kissed by the greatest Monarchs : One time as hee was stretching it out to bee kissed by an Emperour , a Spaniell got hold of it , and bit it : And therefore his Holinesse lost the Reuerence at that time , which should haue beene done vnto him , because the Emperour refused to kisse that place which a Dogge had bitten . But they will tell you perhaps , that this reuerence is not done to them , but to the Crosse which is set vpon his Sh●oe : But this argues a great deale more pride , in that they dare put so sacred a thing ( as they holde the Crosse to bee ) vpon their shooe , which seemes to bee but a contemptible , and vile place , and not rather in some more eminent part of the body , as Head , breast , or the like .

Their being carryed on mens shoulders , as though the ground were not good enough for them to tread vpon , is a most manifest argument , that this Vice doth raigne in them , and yet ( forsooth ) the whole World must bee guided by them , and submit themselues to their commaunds : They must bee supreame Bishops , chiefe Lordes , greatest Comptrollers of States ; and eyther all men must obey , and stoope at their becke , or else out comes a Bull presently to excommunicate them , as lately it did against our late Queene , now Saint Elizabeth , in which they pronounce her an Heretique , and an Alien from the Common-wealth of Israel . Each Fiue-farthing Shaueling must bee reuerenced and obserued as if hee were some great man . One of their Profession , a Cardinall , made a Feast to Eleanor of Arragon , wherein were so many seuerall sorts of meates , and daintie Dishes , that it lasted for the space of seauen houres : and least his Ghestes should haue beene wearyed , hee caused sundrie Playes to bee acted , whilest they were at the Table . And to make his pride compleate , hee caused euery Seruitour at euery new Course , to come in a new Suite . Yet all this is nothing to the pride hee shewed to his Concubine Tiresia , for hee kept her publikely in such sumptuous manner , that her very Shooes were set full of Pearles and precious Stones . Yet these men must bee accounted the onely Meeke , Humble , Gentle , and Courteous men vpon earth : but if these things I haue reckoned vp , sauour any thing of humilitie , let any equall Arbitrator bee Iudge : for mine owne part , I cannot see that any humble man will exalt himselfe aboue his Superiours , as the Pope doth .

When Augustine the Monke was sent into Brittaine from Rome , to teach the Britaines Christianitie , it is written , that the Brittaines went first to a certaine holy and wise man , ( which liued an Anchorites life ) to aske his counsell , whether they ought at Austens Preaching and exhortation to leaue their Traditions or not ? The Anchorite replyes , If hee bee a man of God , follow him . But how shall wee prooue ( say they ) that he is a man of God ? The Anchorite answered , If hee bee mild and humble of heart , then hee is a man of God ; If curst and proud , hee is not of GOD , neither must you much esteeme his words . They inquire how they might know , whether he were proud or no ? If ( quoth he ) when you come neere him , hee arise courteously , and salute you , then thinke him to be a Seruant of Christ , and so heare him and obey him : if hee despise you , and will not vouchsafe to rise at your presence , let him likewise be despised of you . They go to him , where they finde him set in his Chaire , but stirred not : which when they saw , forthwith waxing wroth , they noted him of Pride ; and therefore endeauored to thwart and gainesay whatsoeuer he proposed : and so the preaching of the Gospell was put off , till a man of better temper should come . Thus in part haue we seene the pride and the arrogancy of these Shauelings , in some small manner layd open to the world , but I may say as Virgil sayd in an other case :

Non mihi si centum linguae sint oraque centum Ferrea vox , &c.

Though I had a thousand mouthes , and euery mouth so many tongues ; though I had a Stentorian voyce , which would neuer faile , yet were I not able to reckon vp the one halfe of their pride .

Their wickednesse in generall .

LET vs nowe speake a little of their wickednesse in generall , and so an ende : And nrst concerning their Demy-God the Pope : When Leo the tenth was reprooued by certaine of his Cardinalls for his loose and wicked life , hee answered , If I be wicked , I may thank you for it : for you made me such a one as I am . They demanding of him what he meant thereby , he answeres , Because you made mee Pope : for it is not possible to bee both a Pope and an honest man .

When certaine asked Pasquin , what iniury had been done him , because hee looked not after his accustomed manner ; hath any man called thee Thiefe , Murderer , Poysoner , or the like ? Hee answered , Oh no , but they haue calleō me worse . What ? hath any man called thee Sacrilegious person , or Buggerer , Parricide , or Atheist ? Oh no , ( saith hee ) but they haue called me worse . In the end , being often requested to vtter his griefe , breathing out many sighes , with , Alas , Alas , hee sayd , they had called him POPE . The same Pasquin made this Epigram , or ( if thou wilt ) Epitaph vpon this word Pope .

Hic Carapha jacet , superis inuisus & imis , Styx animam , tellus putre cadauer habet . Inuidit pacem terris , Dijs vota precesque , Impius & Clerum perdidit & populum . Hostibus infensis supplex , infidus amicis . Scire cupis paucis cetera ? PAPA fuit .

Hildebrand poysoned seauen or eight Popes , that hee might come to the Popedome .

Pope Joan was taken for Pope Iohn , till shee was deliuered of her great belly ; since which time they haue gotten a bottomlesse Chaire , through which they were wont to search the Popes humanitie . But nowe they haue left that Custome , hauing giuen sufficient testimony of their virilitie before they come to ascend the Papall Throne .

Pope Boniface ( as I take it ) the eighth , crept in like a Foxe , reigned like a Wolfe , and dyed like a Dog .

Thus much for the Head , let vs now descend a little lower , and search if the members bee any whitt better , and wee shall finde them simpathize all with the Head : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : If the head bee vnsound , the whole body must needs bee ill at ease . If the Popes Holinesse be thus wicked , the people whom they hold to bee altogether vnholy , must needes bee farre worse . They will Sweare , Forsweare , Curse , Blaspheame , Fornicate , Kill , Dare to doe any villanie ; and why ? His Holinesse doth it , and why not wee ? That which is good for him , cannot bee hurtfull to vs : and therefore we will doe it : If need bee , wee can goe to him , and get a Pardon , and when wee haue done , sinne againe , and get a Pardon ; and at our death giue but so much to a deuoute Monke , to say so many Dirges , and chaunt so many Masses , and we shall be in as happy an estate as the best .

Hence come those many Powder-plots , Poysons , Poyniards , Gunnes , Inquisitions , Croysadoes , Rackes , and a thousand more such diuellish things , inuented by the Pope and his Monkes , and put in practise by your Laytie . But Oh poore soules , why doe you suffer your selues to bee thus seduced and misse-led by the Deuill in the likenesse and shape of a man ? Looke but narrowly with the eye of discretion into his actions , and you shall see how you are deceiued : Weigh our two Religions in an equall ballance , and see if yours bee not too light . Thinke vpon that Epigram :

Esse Lutheranum rumorte Gaurice clamat , Sed tuus Antistes te tamen esse negat . Tam scortaris ( ait ) quam si vel Episcop us esses , Et potus dubium peruigit vsque diem . Nec memor es Christi , nisi cum jurare libeb it , Nec sis Scripturae vel breue jotu sacrae . Nempe per haec sueuit numquam fallentia signa , Ille vigill sanas noscere pastor oues .

Heere you may see the difference betweene the two Religions , whether of them sweares , blasphemes , curses , whores , drinkes , reuells , and the like , and whether of them feares to doe these things ; Iudge of them , and as you finde them , so follow them . Let vs now speake a little of their holy Fathers . Heare what one saith of their Cardinals : Semiviros quicunque patres radiante galero , Conspicis & rubrae syrmata longa togae . Crede mihi nullo saturatas murice vestes , Diuite nec cocco pallia tincta vides . Sed quae rubra vides , Sanctorum caede virorum Et mersa insonti tota cruore madent . Aut memor istorum quae celet crimina vestis , Pro Dominis justo tacta pudore rubet .

Another speaking of their Priests , saith , that they are Angeli Sathanae per discordiam , Angeli Apostatici per superbiam , Angeli Jncubi per Luxuriam , Angeli Abyssi per Auaritiam : And another sayeth of their Monkes :

Credibile est Circen , mutasse potentibus herbis . In Monachosque Sues , inque Sues Monachos .

Englished .

It 's like that Circe with her Spels diuine , Hath turned Swine to Monkes , and Monkes to Swine .

Fulco a French Priest comming to King Richard the first , told him hee had three very badde daughters , which hee wished him to bestowe away from him in marriage , or else Gods wrath would attend him . When the King denyed hee had any daughter , the Priest answered , Yes , thou hast three Daughters , Pride , Couetousnesse , and Lecherie . The King apprehensiue of his meaning , replyed , My Pride I bequeath to the haughtie Templers and Hospitallers , who are as proude as Lucifer himselfe : My Couetousnesse I giue to the White Monkes of Cisteaux Order , for they couet the Deuill and all . And as for my Lecherie , I can bestowe it no where better , then on the Priestes and Prelates of our times , for therein haue they their most felicitie .

These proud , conetous , Lecherous , oppressing Fryers and Monkes did so domineere in England in the Raigne of King Henrie the third , that a Cardinall told the Pope , that England was to the Pope like Balaams Asse , which being so often veronged , spurre-galled , and cudgelled , it was no maruaile if at the length she opened her mouth to complaine : And as for themselues and their Romane Court , they were like vnto Ismael , euery mans hand was against them , and theirs against euerie man .

In the same Kings Raigne , Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury weary of his life here in his owne Countrey of England , by reason that hee could not redresse nor suppresse the Popes detestable exactions , and oppressions , made choyce of a voluntary exile at Pountney in Fraunce , where hee dyed with the honour and opinion of a Saint .

A Senator of Rome sayd to Sylla , that vaunted of himselfe in the Senate : How can you bee a good man , that hauing little or nothing left you by you father , yet in so short a time are become exceeding rich ? So may we say to the Popes Holinesse , vaunting and boasting , that he is aboue Kings and Emperours , How can you bee a good man , who having ( as you pretended ) little or nothing , but went about begging the beneuolence of good charitable people , yet now are raised to that honour and dignitie , that you set your selues aboue your Superiours ? And wee may say of all Papists in generall , That they arrogate to themselues the glorious name of Catholiques , and brand their opposites with the odious name of Heretiques , as certaine Heathen in old time called themselues Deists , and all men else Atheists : and as the Turke at this day , who will needs be the true Muselman , and all the world beside Pagans . But this their Catholique Religion , is nothing but Catholique corruption : and Catholique Papists , Catholique Heretiques .

I will now draw towards a Conclusion , giue mee leaue onely to speake a little of Rome , and so an end : In ancient times , M. Aurelius said of Rome , that it was the head of vices : O Rome without Rome , which now art become Stewes of vices : not without teares ( quoth hee ) I say , that there was neuer any Romane Captaine , that killed tenne thousand Asians , with the weapons hee brought into Asia , but he lost an hundred thousand Romanes with the vices they brought to Rome . Thy walles are carryed a great height , but thy vertues very low : Shee braggeth of the number of her Inhabitants , but may rather weepe , that her vices be more without comparison ; In one moneth a man may number the stones of her stately Buildings , but not in many yeares her lewde manners . O cursed Rome , cursed thou hast beene , art , and wilt bee : As by thy Tyrannie thou hast made thy selfe Lady of Lordes , so the time will come , when thou with Iustice shalt returne to bee Seruant of Seruants .

The like Sentence another gaue of Rome , who tolde the Senators , that he came out of strange Countries onely to see Rome , and now he found it without Rome : If my Iudgement ( saith he ) deceiue me not , either these be not Romanes of Rome , or else this is not Rome of the Romanes .

This was Rome in ancient time , and that it is still the same , may sufficiently appeare by those abuses of the Inhabitants thereof afore mentioned : And therefore I thinke I may safely conclude with that Disticke of the Poet : Roma vale , vidi , satis est vidisse , reuertar Cum Leno , aut meretrix , scurra , cynaedus ero .

Englished .

Now farewell Rome , I haue thee seene , It is enough to see , I will returne when as I meane Bawd , Scoffer , Whore and Rogue to bee . FINIS .