Foxe - The Book of Martyrs

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs
Chapter VI - An Account of the Persecutions in Italy, Under the Papacy
We shall now enter on an account of the persecutions Italy, a country which has been, and
still is:
1. The centre of popery.
2. The seat of the pontiff.
3. The source of the various errors which have spread themselves over other countries,
deluded the minds of thousands, and diffused the clouds of superstition and bigotry over
the human understanding.
In pursuing our narrative we shall include the most remarkable persecutions which have
happened, and the cruelties which have been practised,
1. By the immediate power of the pope
2. Through the power of the Inquisition.
3. By the bigotry of the Italian princes.
In the twelfth century, the first persecutions under the papacy began in Italy, at the time
that Adrian, an Englishman, was pope, being occasioned by the following circumstances:
A learned man, and an excellent orator of Brescia, named Arnold, came to Rome, and
boldly preached against the corruptions and innovations which had crept into the Church.
His discourses were so clear, consistent, and breathed forth such a pure spirit of piety, that
the senators and many of the people highly approved of, and admired his doctrines.
This so greatly enraged Adrian that he commanded Arnold instantly to leave the city, as
a heretic. Arnold, however, did not comply, for the senators and some of the principal people
took his part, and resisted the authority of the pope.
Adrian now laid the city of Rome under an interdict, which caused the whole body of
clergy to interpose; and, at length he persuaded the senators and people to give up the point,
and suffer Arnold to be banished. This being agreed to, he received the sentence of exile,
and retired to Germany, where he continued to preach against the pope, and to expose the
gross errors of the Church of Rome.
Adrian, on this account, thirsted for his blood, and made several attempts to get him into
his hands; but Arnold, for a long time, avoided every snare laid for him. At length, Frederic
Barbarossa arriving at the imperial dignity, requested that the pope would crown him with
his own hand. This Adrian complied with, and at the same time asked a favour of the
emperor, which was, to put Arnold into his hands. The emperor very readily delivered up
the unfortunate preacher, who soon fell a martyr to Adrian's vengeance, being hanged, and
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