come near him as is recorded in the 34th Chapter of Exodus To return then to our subject The Persian Kings had a Crown to be worn on their heads which Zonara sets down in greek by its proper name which can neither be commodiously expressed either in Latin or vulgar tongue and it was a capital offence among the Persians for any one to put the Kings Crown upon his head as Dion Chrysostomus denotes in his first oration De libertate servitute Likewise the priests of the Gentiles wore a crown upon their heads for demonstration of that repute which appertained to the splendidness and maintenance of their Sacerdotal office whence the Antients were stupified at a suddain view of the great Priest of the Comani to whom as Strabo writes was granted the first honour next the King and to wear a Royal Crown Besides in Emesa a City of Phoenicia the Priests went clad with a long robe having a Crown of pretious stones of various colours in token of Majesty upon their heads Which Ornament Antoninus being made Emperor of the Romans by the multitude the Souldiery and the Priests of the Sun would not part with again as Herodianus in libro quinto clearly proves and so afterwards the Emperors of Constantinople triumphing elected this ornament which was called by a proper name as we read in the life of Basilius Porfirogenitus Triumphum duxit tiara tecta quam illi tuphum appellant although some modern Authors call it Calipora as saies Niceforus Gregorius in libro sexto Or Bishops then having two royal Dignities to wit the spiritual and temporal deservedly wear a double crown as Innocent the third in his third sermon De coronatione Pontificis confirms saying that the Popebears the Mitre in token of the spiritual power and the Crown in testimony of the Temporal both which are conferred upon him by God omnipotent King of Kings and Lord of Lords But let us examine a little whether the Mitre and the Crown are Ornaments adapted to the Ecclesiastical customs The mitre by Suidas is called the swathe or Fillet of the head bound about with gold and silver as Brissonius explains and Eusebius in his second book the first Chapter calls it a shelter with which Saint James the Apostle called the Brother of our Lord was suddainly adorned when by the Apostles he was chosen and consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem which Ornament although it took beginning with Aaron Priest of the Hebrew Law is nevertheless received into the Christian Church to the end that therewith the Bishops of all Nations may be adorned Policrates Ephesinus wore the Mitre as Eusebius in the 31st Chapter of the third Book relates as Priest of Ephesus and likewise the other Priests wore almost all the Ornaments of the antient Priests as the Robe and the Mitre that they might appear the more adorned and majestick saies Eusebius in his Book whereof Amalarius Rabanus and others the gravest Authors treat more amply What we have spoken touching the Mitre is without contradiction and is held for truth by the consent of many and sundry Nations but what is to be spoken touching a Kingdome and a Royal Crown is not so perspicuous to all wherefore to our best power we will endeavour to manifest the same Then first is to be observed that t is the common opinion of all that this sort of Ornament upon the head of the Pope had its original from the Emperor Constantine the Great as appears in the Acts of San Silvestre the Pope the same opinion is also embraced by all other Roman Bishops as by Leo the ninth in the 13. chapter of his Epistle against the presumption of Michaele and Innocent the third in his first Sermon of the blessed Silvester confirms That Constantine the great at his departure from Rome to Constantinople would have bestowed his own Crown upon San Silvester which he refused but in lieu thereof put a covering upon his head entirely circular and a little after Innocent follows in words to this sence And for this cause the Roman Bishop in testimony of Empire wears a Regal crown called in Latin Regnum and in testimony of his Pontificacy he wears a Mitre which is most convenient for him in all times and places universally because the spiritual power hath been ever esteemed for the Prior more worthy and more great then the Temporal And reason will yeeld that San Silvester would not wear that Crown but such a one as only covered the Temples in respect his head was shaven as the Popes ought to be Which shaving gave good reason that t was not decent to wear such a Diadem but rather that circular covering which he chose named properly Tiara Phrigia whereof Juvenal speaks in his sixth satyr saying Et Phrygia vestitur buca tiara Which Ornament may be supposed to be borrowed either from Phrygia or Phoenicia as we please because the Phrigians had their original from the Phoenicians And that this was given the Pope by the Emperor Constantine the great is most evident in the Acts of San Silvester where the Emperor reckons up those things that he had bestowed on the Pope and being come to this gives it the name Phrygium as t was its proper name but in respect t was not manifest to all what thing Phrygium denoted he explains himself in the sence by us set down saying et Phrygium nempe tegmen capitis sive Mitram This particular required so much explanation for that Theodorus Balsamones confounding the signification of Phrygium by joining it with the subsequent Lorum which imports a perfect different thing hath caused many to erre in beleeving that Phrygium and Lorum put together do denote Pallium the Cope which Arch Bishops wear by the concession of the highest Bishop But t is not convenient for us to dwell longer upon the dispute let the intelligent read the latin Itinerary in this place where they 'l meet an ample discourse upon the significations of these words Other authors will have that this Crown came not from Constantine but from Clodoveo as they labour to draw from Segeberto under the yeer of our Lord 550. who speaks to this sence Clodoveus the King received from Anastasius the Emperor the Codicils of the Consulacy a Crown of Gold with Jewels and the red garment and on that day he was called Consul and King but the same King sent to Saint Peter at Rome the Crown of Gold with the Jewels the Royal Ensigne which is called Regnum Armonius also confirms in his first book the 24th Chapter that from Clodoveus the Pope had the Crown and Anastasius the Library Keeper under Pope Hormisda testifies that Saint Peter received many gifts In whom I have read that in the yeer 776 that Philip the first Pope and Constantine the second Pope were both consecrated in San Peters Church but we must observe that the antient Authors under the word consecration understand also the ceremony of coronation for that when they
the World and singular sculptures than with collections of Brass Figures Marbles Medals and other exquisite things both natural and artificial which with the said Palace are now possessed by Signor Gasparo Mantoua Doctor of Physick and Nephew of the abovenamed Marco Luigi Coradino Doctor of Philosophy and of the Laws heretofore Reader of the Digests or Volums of the Civil Law in the University a man of a most quick wit and polite Learning an excellent disputant and particularly conversant in antiquities made a noble collection of Books Pictures Sculptures Medals antique Brass and Marble Tablets and other rarities which for the most part are enjoyed by the Signor Andrea his Son Doctor of Philosophy and Physick and Reader in the College a Virtuoso who conserves them in their Antient House in the Street called Torecelle Gio Domenico Sala Doctor of Philosophy and Physick most renowned for having been so many yeers Reader in the University and for having exercised his Profession of Physick with a known reputation In his Palace which stands in the Street called San Lorenzo hath set up a Study replenished with Books Pictures Marbles Brass pieces Medals and other pretious rarities and in particular he hath there a large and neat Press with shelves all made with Walnut Tree filled with Vessels of Christal with all the simple minerals and other rare and exquisite things which were collected by the Signor Conte Giacomo Zabarella Doctor Reader of the College and Canon of Padoua after whose death coming to the hands of Signor Bonifacio Zabarella his Brother they were by him given to the above-named Signor Gio Domenico in testimony of being his great Friend and Ally as a gift of most singular estimation Benedetto Salvatico Knight a Philosopher and Physician and chief Reader of the University a most signal person no less for his Reading than eminency in Physick hath restored near the Domo or chief Church his Palace making there a most stately Gallery gardens with Fountains Voleries and a thousand other excellencies besides his books and Pictures The Signor Conte Giacomo Zabaralla Count of Credazza and of the Empire a most renowned and vituous Person hath so much laboured in the study of History and Antiquities that meritoriously by the Learâ—…edst Pens he is styled the Restorer of Antiquity and renewer of things devouted by time being as well read in the Genealogie of Princes and other Illustrious Families a work as may be said without compare Besides that he hath found out the Invention to blason Coaâ—…s of Gentility to a great perfection with the right Linage and the equal compartments The works composed by him give a sufficient assurance that a high value is justly put upon him whereof are extant the Genealogie of Antenore Agamemnon Trasea Peto Orontio Stella Brandeburgica Polonica Auraica and the Universal Genalogie of those Princes and of many Illustrious Families the relation of so many Originals of Gentility the Histories of Conterina Cornera Zena Quirina Bemba Michiela and other his histories of the City and Families of Padoua the glories of Venice with many discourses Orations Elogies and other workes much esteemed by the Learned He hath in the Street called Coda the whole length of his Palace erected a most noble Library wherein besides that there are great Quantities of Books of Histories of Humanity and other Learning all most choice so also are there a good number of Manuscripts in Paper and Parchment whereof many are set in gold with exquisite Limning in Vermillion many whereof were never printed whose very Originals he is Master of Moreover he hath the Chronicles of Padoua as well those that are in print as in manuscript as also many of Venice and other Cities And besides these in a Press of Nut-Tree of a notable Largeness and Workmanship he hath collected many Marbles Brass pieces and other things natural and Artificial Antient and Modern of great value as also a quantity of antient Medals and of the later Princes both of Gold and Silver and other Metals which are of a sufficient valew besides many rare Pictures by the hand of the chief Men of the past Ages and the authentique pourtraies of Francesco Cardinal Bartolomeo Paulo Archbishops Orlando and Lorenzo Bishops all of the house of Zabarella and likewise of the Counts Giaccomo the elder Giulio and Giacomo the Philosopher and of other eminent men of his house He also preserves the great privileges granted to his house by many Popes Emperors Kings and Princes with the Key of gold given by Massiminian the first Emperor to the said Count Giacomo his Ancestors he likewise preserves many Antient and notable Seals of his Ancestors wherewith they used to seal the privileges of those Counts Knights Doctors and Notaries which were created by them together also with many other most incomparable excellencies both concerning his own Family and many others Monsignior Giacomo Filippo Tomassini Bishop of Citta Nova in the Street called Ponte de Tadi hath his Palace restored and signalized by the Signor Paulo his Brother long since Doctor of Laws and the first Advocate of his Age in his Countrey lately deceased with a universal sorrow This Signor is generally esteemed for a most virtuous person a Philosopher a Divine an Astrologer an Historian and a Humanist in all which he hath justified his Judgment by those most Elegant Books he hath wrote upon all these subjects so much approved by the Virtuous His Study excels no less in Books Pictures Medals and other things of valew Than in the signal Library of the works of the Lawes left him by his said Brother The Signor Conte Giovanni de Lazara Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen Son to the Signor Conte Nicolo Knight of the same Order hath no less honoured his Country by his Nobility and Virtue than for his eminency in the knowlege of the Antiquities of it and many other Countreys whereto he hath added a Collection of divers manuscripts of great esteem as also a good quantity of Medals and other things of price among which the antient Seal of the Padouan Republick whereof Scardevone in the 12 folio takes notice is greatly valued Besides on one side of his Palace which is one of the fairest of the City he hath drawn a Border whereon are set the Pourtraies of many Lords and Princes the Predecessors and Parents of his Family The Signor Sartorio Orsato Doctor in Philosophy and Physick Son of the Signor Orsato Knight of Saint Mark an eminent Subject in his Countrey is a young Student not less read and expert in Philosophy and Physick than in History Humanity and Antiquities and in his brave house in the Street of Saint Francesco hath made a Collection of the best Books and squares with a good number of Medals Marbles brass pieces and other singularities of great Price who having composed several works both in Prose and verse as well in the Latine as Italian Language to add to the fame and beauty of
great Men that they might the more commodiously apply themselves to the Study of Learning Of which were Virgil Alipius Saint Augustine Hermolao Barbaro Merula Francesco Filelfo Celio Rodigino Alexander the sixth and Pious the fourth Popes And although too often this City was thrown down to the very foundations and at last furrowed with the plough of the Enemies yet it ever revived again and that with more beauty and Splendor than at first increasing still so much in Riches and People that it ever kept a place among the chief Cities of Italy Near the Church San Salavdore there stood a proud Palace of the Emperors with a Temple dedicated to Jupiter made in emulation of the Campidoglio at Rome and where now the Counsel is kept was the Palace for Justice where also the Proclamations of the Dukes were accustomed to be publickly read and the due punishments executed on Malefactors There was also a Theatre to present Comedies a place for Horse races and a large Circle where now is Santa Maria Maggiore The Garden near San Steffano was an Amphitheatre where they accustomed to fight Duels The Church of San Nazario was an old Prison where they condemned Malefactors to fight with the wild Beasts there preserved to that end in great number The Common Field was then a Theatre where the young men exercised themselves in taming and manning of Horses and fighting Where the Cathedral Church is was a place with Stalls many waies where they made their Feasts to their Heroes and Houshold Gods The Stalls now for the Cattel then was a pleasant Garden beautified and planted with many Fruit trees and plants brought from far Countries great store of odoriferous flowers Rivolets of Christalline waters Statues and Sculptures of Marble Where the Church of San Lorenzo stands now were the hot Baths of Maximinian Nero and Nerva the Emperors nothing inferiour to them at Rome Besides which antiquities there yet is preserved a stately Armory in the Palace replenished with most noble Arms worthy any Prince for the value and fairness being not onely inlayed with Gold and Silver but engraven with greatest Cost and Workmanship where now is the Church San Lorenzo was a Temple dedicated to Hercules made in the form of the Rotunda at Rome near which were erected 16. Marble Pillars and upon them a Palace for the Emperours part whereof was ruined by fire the rest by time nothing but the Pillars remaining All this Fabrick was raised by Maximinian Hercules who ordained the Town should be no more called Milano but Herculeo At one end of those Pillars is this inscription put in Imp. Caesari L. Aurelio vero Aug. Arminiaco Medico Parthico Max. Trib. Pot. VII Imp. IIII. Cos. III. PP Divi Antonini Pii Divi Hadriani Nepoti Divi Trajani Parthici Pronepoti Divi Nervae Apnepoti Dec. Dec. This Milan was alwaies a potent City whence we read that it many times made opposition to the Romans and often fought the Goths and other Barbarous People and also against both the Federicks the first and second Emperours obtaining a most glorious victory It subjected to it Navara Bergamo Pavia Como Lodi and Tortona and freed Genoua from the hands of the Moors The Romans were wont to say Qui miseram citius cupiunt effundere vitam Modiolanum adeant gens ea dura nimis It was so much prized by the adjacent Countreys that it being ruined by Federick Barbarossa the Emperor Cremona Verona Piacenza advised how to restore it at their own cost and charges and in all times t was very populous It received the light of the Faith from S Barnabas sent thither from Saint Peetre who then resided in Antiochia which was in the 46. year after the coming of our Saviour where he substituted for Bishop Anatalone the Greek his Disciple whom in process of time succeeded many holy Bishops among others that glorious pillar of the Church Saint Ambrose the most renowned Doctour who finding the Bodies of San Gervaso and Protaso the Martyrs caused that Church to be built which is now called San Ambrogio This was the Cathedral Church where is seen the true effigies of the brazen Serpent made by Moses brought hither by Theodosius the Emperor as also the effigies of San Bernardo upon a Pillar who in this Church said Mass preached and wrought miracles Likewise a sumptuous Sepulchre wherein lies Lewis the second Emperour and Pepin King of Italy both Sons of Charls the great there under the Altar within a deep Pit locked with four Gates of Iron is kept with great reverence the body of Saint Ambrose and a book writ with his own hand Angelberto of the illustrious Family of Pusterly in the time of Charls the Great being Arch-Bishop The Emperor gave to this Altar a noble Pall embroidered with Saints and Angels in 20. several Squares in the midst whereof is the Saviour of the World as he rose from the dead upon whose head is a Diamond set round with gemmes of inestimable valew On both sides of which Altar are four other Images of Saints in the middle is a Cross. The Vests are all over beset with many pearls and pretious stones behind the Altar is another Cross of silver two Cubits high and one an half broad where are 23. figures of Saints of embossed work This so stupendious work cost in those days 28000. Scudaes and is now worth 100000. Volvinio the excellent Sculptor of those times was the Artificer of it Saint Ambrose stood at the Gate of this Church when he excomunicated Theodosius the Emperor commanding him not to enter therein Contiguous with it is a noble and stately Monastery of the Fryers Celestines At the issuing out of Saint Ambrogio is a poor Chapel in a blind corner with a Well where Saint Ambross baptized Saint Augustine and t is known that this was the way which Saint Augustine and Saint Ambrose took hand in hand to give thanks to God in San Gervaso for the holy Baptism received singing Te Devm Laudamus as the Inscription testifieth Hic beatus Ambrosius babtizat Augustinum Deodatum Alippum hic beatus Ambrosius incipit te Deum laudamus Augustinus sequitur Te deum confitemur The meanness of the place makes it most credible to be true the name of Carolus Boromaeus a Council of Trent Saint highly cryed up at Milan having too much extinguisht the memory and esteem of that learned Father The Church of Santa Tecla is replete with holy Reliques here rests Saint Ambrose and among other Reliques a Nayl which was fixed and drove through a member of the Body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into the Wooden Cross whereon he was crucifyed by the wicked Jewes which was bestowed on it by Theodosius the Emperor This is the antientest Temple of Milan and was first consecrated to the Saviour after to the Virgin Mary and lastly to Tecla but antiently many yeers before the coming of the Messiias they say there stood a most famous Temple
the greatest now extant in Rome whereon are engraven Boyes gathering Grapes which some call the Sepulchre of Bacchus but erroneously In the Via Nomentana a little farther is the Ponte Nomentano built by Narsetes the Eunuch under Justinian the Emperor as the inscription testifies Nero the Emperour between the Porta Suburbana and Salaria had Suburbano a singular edifice which he gave to a Freed Man who fearinga publique punishment by a poynard thrust into his brest and the help of Sporo another freed Man slew himself some ruines of this Fabrick yet remain Porta Querquetulana is now a Church near which appear square wals the Remains of the Castle deputed for the Souldiers stations apointed for the Emperors guards On the Viminale are seen the Baths of Dioclesian of an admired Vastness and sumptuosity which though much decayed are yet the most entire in Rome 'T is said that forty thousand Christians were in a servile manner turmoyled for fourteen yeers in the structure hereof Dioclesian and Maximinian began them but Constantine and Massiminian compleated them now called Alle Terme where appears a certain place made for receit of the waters employed in those Baths called Bacco di terme Dioclesian adjoined a Palace to them whose ruines manifestly shew themselves And here was that celebrious Library called Ulpa where the Elephantine books were disposed On the right hand of these Baths are the Gardens formerly appertaining to Cardinal Bellay but now to the Monks of the order of Saint Bernard to whose industry the ingenious owe the Invention and designes made by wind And on their left hand stands the Church of Santa Susanna in old time the Temple of Quirinus In this place they believe Romulus being praeascended into Heaven appeared to Proculus Julius then returning from Alba for which cause the Senate consecrated a Temple and attributed to him divine honours Here also ut aiunt Romulus frequently descended and communicated divers things to Alba. The foundations of the Olympiade Bathsyet continue near S. Lorenzo in Pane Perna vulgarly named Pamiperna where Decius the Emperors Pallace stood The Church S. Prudentia was built by Pius the fourth at the request of Santa Prascede his Sister where likewise appear the walls of the Baths Novati And the ruines of the Baths of Agrippina the Mother of Nero are yet extant by the Church S Vitalis In San Lorenzo in Proserpina shewes it self a great Marble Stone reverenced with great adoration and religion whereon ut aiunt the roasted body of San Lorenzo was repoâ—…ed after his death here lies buried Cardinal Cirketo the delight of the Learned of our times Beyond the Church S. Susanna by the Via Quirinale lay heretofore the gardens of Rodolfo Cardinal Carpente then which no part of Ita ly nay Naples it self where are the most excelling afforded more delicious In it were 134 statues engraven with divers artificial figures and other admirable curiosities so well disposed that no Fancy could reach that Paradise nor ocular view scarce apprehend its glory to say no more this garden was an Embleme of that Cardinal its Patron the son of Alberto Pio Prince of Carpi for as that exceeded most so his knowledge in antiquities and Learning was admired by all he wrote learnedly against Erasmus IL COLLE QURINALE or MONTE CAVALLO THis hill was so demonstrated from the Name Quiri or Curi a Family of the Sabines who marching among others under Statius their Captain to reside at Rome inhabited this hill now called Monte Cavalli from the artificial horses there yet visible T is divided from the Viminale by that way which conducts to the Porta S. Agnese Upon Monte Cavallo where were the Vineyards of the Cardinal of Estè now stands a Palace of the Popes admirable for the Grottoes walks Arbors and artificial Fountains The chief was the work of Pope Clement the 8th whereon is wrote the history of Moses in Mosaique work Here stand some old statues of the Muses and here you may hear one of those Organes called of old Hydraulici because they sounded by force of the Waters You ascend this Fountain by some steps upon the ballostres whereof stand certain Vessels which spout out water very high which in their fall present divers figures before it lies ample fish ponds with a Circle of Plain trees wch afford a thick and lovely shade in fine such is the the Variety of Marbles the excellency and fairness of the statues the diversity of the Inscriptions the beauty of the walks the pleasantness of the Fountains and the shade of the Groves in these pontifical Vineyards That the studious may find here fit objects for their Observations The Curious for their admiration and the Lovers of Solitude for their deportment and retreats Hence a little distant lies the Vineyard of Octavio Cardinal Bandini well kept and worthy a view And at the four fountains the Palace of the Mattei which hath some fair statues as well antient as modern Round about which lye several other Vineyards and Gardens as of the Teatini of the Colonna's and of Patriarca Biondo near which is the Church Saint Andrea repaired by the Jesuites where the B. Stanislao Kostka a Polach lies buried who there acomplished his days Upon this Mount stand two Collossus or statues as t were of Gyants holding two wild horses by a Bridle cut in Marble upon whose pilaster we read that they were the work of Phidia and Prasitelle from which horsestis called Monte Cavallo And the report goes that Tiridates King of the Armenians presented them to Nero who that he might entertain that stranger King worthily and according to the Roman splendor caused Pompeyes Theatre where he exhibited the Games for that Kings Solace and recreation in three days to be layed all over with silver Plates Which magnificence the King did not so much admire knowing well that in Rome were heaped up the riches of the world as the diligence and ingenuity of the workmen that in so short a time could perfect so noble ingenious a work which in him created astonishment Here the Benedictine Fryers had a comodious habitation which some time since they surrendred to the Apostolick Chamber opposite whereto is a Pontifical Palace built by Sixtus the 5th for their cool retreat in hot weather whence somewhat in the Vigna of the Colonnesi raiseth it self the Frontispiece of Neros Pallace vulgarly called Frontone di Nerone Hence Nero beheld the Fire which was by his own incendiaries kindled in the City of Rome which afterwards he imputed to the Christians that by this Calumny he might draw them into hatred with the Senate and People of Rome and by a publick edict commanded that as many as were apprehended confessing Christ for God should be burnt and excarnified in Neros gardens which Persecution continued three days On the other part of the Quirinale are many Arches Cels caves of different workmanship under ground the Reliques of the Emperor Constantines Baths of hot waters And
Orsino That of Aldo Manutio who passed to a better life at green yeers consisting of 80 thousand Books We must observe though that Fulvio Orsino in the yeer 1600. added his to the Library of the Pope And that Ascanio Colonna never enough to be praised bought that of Sirleto for 14 thousand Crownes deputing to it intelligent Keepers with honest stipends that it may rather dayly increase then at all diminish The great Duke of Florence his noble Library is known to have good numbers of Greek Books and that of Urbino of Mathematical Writers That of the Malatesti is in Cesena in the Minorites Convent In Bologna that of the preaching Fathers In Venice that of the Republique In Padoua is that of Gio Vicenzo Pinello famous enough but le ts return to the Libraria Vaticana 'T is certainly concluded that the Gentiles usually preserved their Books in the publique Libraries as well as private t is no less evident that the Catholick Church from Christs time to ours had alwaies in divers places sacred Libraries to advantage students wherefore St. Augustine in the Narration which he makes De persecutione Arrianorum in Ecclesia Alexandrina saies that in the Christian Churches there were Libraries and that with the greatest care they preserved their Books and accuseth the impiety of the Arrians amongst other things for their taking away and burning the Books of the Church Saint Jerome likewise makes mention of the same Libraries when writing to Pamachius by his Books against Jovinianus he saies that he kept in the Churches Libraries Eusebius also in his 119 Book at the 11 Chapter writeth that the Church had holy Books in the Oratories and that in Dioclesians dayes to the end the name of Christian might be wholly extinguished the Oratories were overthrowen and the books burnt nor does there want conjectures hereof from the holy Scripture for that Saint Paul writing to Timothy commands him to transport with himself his Books to Rome chiefly those in parchment and in the first to the Corinthians he testifies that in the Corinthian Churches they used to read the Prophetick books Eusebius in his 5 book of the Ecclesiastical history at the 10th Chapter saies that the Apostle Saint Eartholomew going to prea ch the gospel to the Indians left there the Gospel of Saint Matthew writ by his own hand Which very copy Origene afterwards found in the Indies and from thence carryed it as Saint Jerome averrs to Alexandria when he also brought from the East the Canonical books of the old Testament Lastly the Hebrews diligently conserved their sacred books and on every Sabbath read the Books of Moses in their Synagogues wherefore t is reasonable enough to believe that the Christians have alwaies observed their rule of diligently copying and preserving the prophetick books those of the Apostles and those of the Evangelists But the places where these books were layed up were not alwaies called by the same name but sometimes Archiviunt a Treasury of Rolls scrinium a Coffer where evidences were kept Bibliotheca or Libraria a Bibliotheque or Library as in se veral Authors appears Then indubitably they used to lay up in places deputed to that purpose the Memorials of greatest importance the Books of the Bible of the old and new Testament and the Books of the holy Fathers many whereof written by their own Authors through this means have reached our times and will continue to future Ages if God soplease And because the collecting and conserving those books required a great expence as well in writers as Inquisitors and conservators therefore the richest Christians cōmonly contributed every one some proportion and part as a common stock for the Church to have the same effected And in particular we have great obligation to the Emperor Constantine the Great who as Eusebius recounts in his third Book of his life without regard to the vast expence made it his business to collect and secure the sacred Books which in the times of the persecutions the Gentiles had wholy dispersed After which the gathering keeping and choosing Books was particularly the charge of the Bishops and Priests for which end they were wont to maintain Notaries Stationers and Women exercised and skilled in writing as may be gathered from the life of Ambrosius and of Origene Among all other Collectors of Books Pantenius the Master of the Alexandrian School is esteemed the most diligent likewise Pamfilo the Priest and Martyr as Eusebius relates instituted and governed with great industry a fair Library placing there the Books of Origene and such other good Books as he could get written by the hand of which Caesarean Library St. Jerom against Rufinus takes notice Furthermore Alexander the Bishop of Jerusalem got together a good quantity of Books as of Betillus Hippolitus Caius and other Ecclesiastical writers and with them composed a worthy Library as Eusebius testifies who also confesseth himself to have been assisted by the said Alexander in his own Ecclesiastical History And not to omit the diligence of some of later times in the like work le ts remember that Pope Clement the first successor to St. Peter who wrote many Epistles profitable to the Roman Church deputed seaven Scriveners in the seaven praecincts of Rome who were maintained out of the Churches Revenne for no other thing then diligently to search out and write the Acts of the martyrs And Anicetus the Pope made it his business to find out a secure place for the laying up the lives of the Martyrs wrote by those Scriveners Pope Fabianus ordained seaven Deacons for supervisors to those Notaries to take the better care in executing the charge of collecting and true recital of the Martirs lives Of which Scriveners the Actions of the Roman Councel under Silvester give good testimony Pope Julius successor to Marcus who followed Sil. determined that the said Notaries abovenamed should diligently gather together whatever appertained to the amplifying and fortifiing of the holy Catholick Faith that all the things by them writ should be revised by the Primicerio or chief created to that purpose who afterwards was to place and keep in the Church what he had approved Pope Hilary was the first known that built a Library who erected two near the Founts of the Laterano wherein for that in those times there were but few Books and they at great price because wholly written by the hand he caused the writings of the Roman Church the decretal Epistles of Popes the Actions of the Counsels the recantations and opinions of the Hereticks and the Books of the holy Fathers to be layed up and preserved for the publique use of the Christians But to return to our purpose of the Vatican Library we must know that beside the abovenamed Libraries the Popes used so great diligence in collecting books as they put together one greater than the two former in the Popes Palace on the Laterano which remained there about one thousand yeers till Clement the 5th translating
to pass in Coaches for greater reputation Tacitus in his 12th book clearly proves who speaking of Agrippina saies That shee to agrandize her reputation this way was drawn to the Campidoglio in a Caroach a thing then only permitted to the Priests and holy Druides for their dignity This custom was likewise used by the Virgins as may be collected from the first book of Artimedorus his Positions and chiefly of the Vestals who were carryed in Litters attended by many servants with great Pomp as Saint Ambrose relates in his first Epistle to Valentinian But the Romon Bishops besides the Chariot and Coach wherein they publiquely passed through the City had also a supportable Chair wherein being sate it was carryed upon the shoulders of Men deputed to that service and who lived upon that profession which is manifest enough not only from that place of Duoaio where he saies that in the fifth Synod was placed the Chair or Throne of the Apostolick confession but also more clearly from the most antient Roman Order written before Gelasius the Popes time wherein we finde expressions to this sence viz. When the Pope is entred into the Church he does not instantly advance to the Altar but first goes into the Vestry sustained by Deacons who received assisted him while he descended from his Chair and to that effect the said Order several times relates the Ceremony of placing the Pope in the Chair when he was to take any Journey and to sustain him by the Arms in descent from the Chair being arrived at the place where he resolved to stay In which words is also to be observed that the said Order calls this Pontifical Chair in Latin Sellare which properly signifies a Majestick Throne made for dignity it being a Chair wrought with Art and proportionable thereto As to the Popes being born up by hands t is easily manifested that he was so supported not only at his descent from the Chair but also upon several other occasions when not at all in the Chair which is proved by the examples of many Popes As Stephen the second saies Palatina and Francesco Giovanetto in the 90th Chapter was carried upon shoulders in the Church of Constantine and then in the Laterano and Adrian the second was so born up in the Laterano by the Clergy and by the chief of the Nobility the Comunalty then contending with the Clergy and Nobility for that honourable Office as appears in the descriptions the 63d Chapter which begins Cum Adrianus Secundus c. And Gregory the ninth was so sustained in the Laterano laded with Gemmes and Gold At which custome none ought to wonder since so long before prophesied by Esaiah in the 49th Chapter be these words Et efferent filios tuos in Uluis filias super humeros portabunt in our English Translation t is thus rendred And they shall bring thy Sons in their Arms and thy Daughters shall be carryed upon their shoulders The occasion for which custome proceeds from the great reverence wherewith the Princes of the World ought to observe the Presidents of the Church which Princes ought not to omit any convenient honour due to the Church and so consequently to the head thereof It stands with good reason too that the Pope should be born up on high to the end that on the one side he may the better see and bestow his Benediction on the People comitted to him and that the People may on the other side behold their Head acknowledging him for Gods Vicar and thence fortifie themselves in the confession of the Catholick Faith The same PIGHIO speaks of the Coronation of the Pope in this sence ALL Princes for demonstration of the Majesty of Empire have worn a golden Crown David who reigned before Homer and before all the antient writers at this day extant had such a Crown as is proved in the 12th Chapter of the second Book of Kings the which he took to himself from one of the Cities of the Amâ—…onites by him overcome in warr which who desires may read in the words of the cited Text. Ciassare King of the Medes as saies Zonara in the first Tome sent a certain beautifull Daughter of his own to Cyrus with a golden Crown upon her head and with the whole province of Media for Dowry The Romans triumphing carryed a Crown of Gold as Golliote relates which might seem improperly and erroneously declared in respect all historians write that the Emperors Triumphing were crowned with Lawrel if Tertullian did not remove this doubt in his Tract entituled De Corona Militis and Pliny in his 21st Book the third Chapter saies that the Radiant Crowns were composed with Leaves of Gold and silver Zonara in the second Tome describing the Pompe of a Triumph saies that while triumphing they carryed two Crowns one was placed on the head of the Emperor which was of Lawrel the other which was of Gold and enterwoven with pretious stones was born up over the head of the Emperour by the hands of a publique Minister who stood upon the same Chariot whereof Juvenal speaks in the tenth Satyr saying Tantum orbem quanto cervix non sufficit ulla Quippe tenet sudans hanc publicus sibi Consul Ne placeat curru servus Portatur eodem And Valerius Paterculus saies that this Crown of Gold was of the colour of a Rain-bow to demonstrate the signe of a certain Divinity speaking of Augustus Caesar Octavins in his second Book As also of the same make clear mention calling it Radiante and Lucide Suetoninus in the life of Augustus the 44th Chapter Pliny in his Panegyrick the unknown Author in the Panegyrick dedicated to Maximilianus and Latinus Peccatus in Panegyrick whose words would take up too much room to set down here Moreover Ammianus Marcellinus in the 17th book treating of the sharp pointed Pyramids saies that they were wont to place Crowns on the heads of statues which he again confirms in the 24th Book from which testimonies Lazius collects in his 9th Book of Commentaries of the Roman Republique that our Predecessors derived the custome of placing on the heads of the Images of Saints in the Churches Crowns figured in the form of the raies of the Sun chiefly for that those images being adorned with such Crownes seemed to have I know not what kind of splendour and Divinity which reason though it be not altogether from the purpose yet t is not altogether to be maintained for that we rather think that this usage and custome had its original from that splendour which hath been often seen miraculously to shine on the heads of the Saints Being that as Abdias in the 5th Book and Eusebius in the second of his Histories relate the Apostles were often overshadowed with such a Light as human eye could not behold them as of old fell out to Moses whose Face when he had had that near conference with God did shine so bright that Aaron and the children of Israel were afraid to