CAUSES ACCOUNTING FOR THE GROWTH OF THE PAPACY. 237 By how many tricks did he prod]. [pilfer] money from all parts of Christendom ! as by Dispensations for marriage within degrees prohibited, or at unca- nonical times; for vows and oaths; for observance of fasts and absti- nences; for pluralities and incompatiblebenefices, non-residences, &c. Indulgences and pardons, and freeing souls from the pains of purgatory. Reservations, and provisions of benefices, not bestowed gratis.1 Consecrated presents, " Agnus Dei's, swords, roses," &c. Confirmation of bishops, sending palls.' Appeals to his court. Tributes of " Peter pence, annats, tithes;" introduced upon occa- sion of holy wars, and continued.' Playing fast and loose, tying knots, and undoing them for gain. Sending legates to drain places of money. Commutations of penance for money. Inviting to pilgrimage at Rome. Hooking in legacies. What a mass of treasure all this came to! what a trade he drove ! " Quantas nobis divitias peperit hwc fabula Christi!"* 24. He indeed easily, by the help of his mercenary divines, trans- formed most points of divinity in accommodation to his interests of power, reputation, and gain. 25. Any pretence, how slender soever, will in time get some vali- dity, being fortified by the consent of divers authors and a current of suitable practice. Any story serving the designs of a party will get credit by being often told, especially by writers bearing a semblance of gravity; whereof divers will never be wanting to abet a flourishing party. 26. The histories of some ages were composed only by the pope's clients, friars and monks, and such people; which, therefore, are par- tial to him, addicted to his interests, and under awe of him. For a long time none dared open his mouth to question any of his pretences, or reprehend his practices, without beingcalled "here- tic," and treated as such. 27. Whereas the pope had two sorts of opposites to subdue, tem- poral princes and bishops, his business being to overtop princes and to enslave all bishops, or to invade and usurp the rights of both, he Vendit plumbum pro auro. [" He sells lead for gold," alluding to the leaden seals attached to parchments. En.] Taxa camerariae. [" The fees of the Romish cham- berlain or treasury."] s In the times of Henry I. the bishop of York paid £10,000 sterling for his pa11. Matt. Par., p. 274. s Peter -pence. Plat., p. 257. * "Howmuch wealth this fable about Christ has brought in to us! " the saying of PopeLeo X. Ea.
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