Romane ruled at Rome 10 moneths He was humble and soft Naucler He restored at his great charges the Churches of S. Peter and S. Laurence of S. Valentin and S. Marie aux Martyrs Supp Chron. and gaue to the said Churches many Vessels of Golde and Siluer and many vestments and ornaments The election of the Pope taken from the Emperour The Emperour Constantine mooued with the Popes sanctetie ordained that the election of the Pope from thence forward made of the Cleargie and Romane people should bee stable and sure without any more attending the authoritie of the Emperour or of his Lief-tenant Exarche of Italie without whose authoritie before it was not ratified Naucl. and Supp Chron. Iohn Pope fift of that name of Antioche in Siria gouerned the Romane Church a yeare a man moderate and subiect to diseases He was consecrated as also was Leo the second by three Bishops of Ostia Portensis and Veliterus And this maner was alwaies after obserued The Bishop of Ostia as hee sung Masse put the Crowne on his head Before hee was onely ledde to the Chaire of S. Peter and beeing there set he was holden the true Pope without other ceremonie The Emperour Constantine died at Constantinople hauing raigned 17. yeares Conon Pope borne at Rome gouerned the Church of Rome one yeare Fasci temp After the death of Pope Iohn the fift there was great contention about the Popes election for the people or the Cleargie elected one called Peter Archbishoppe The Romane Gendarmie corrupted by siluer did chuse Theodorus a Priest a pernitious man After long strife betwixt these two Conon by all their agreements was confirmed He fell sicke incontinently after his election wherevpon he died Some said he would neuer occupie himselfe in secular matters Iustinian or Iustin Emperour second of that name sonne of Constantine the fourth began to raigne of the age of 16. yeares Hee gouerned himselfe so ill that after tenne yeares of his raigne hee was banished See the Sea of Histories Quilian an holy Scottishman preached in Franconia He conuerted Gosbertaine Duke of the same Countrey who kept Ceilam Sillam or Gelana his brothers wife And for that he preached that he ought to leaue her she made him secretly be slaine Fasci temp and Sigeb Beda the Venerable in this time made many bookes and wrote the liues of many Saints Abb. Trit Sergius Pope a Sirian ruled at Rome tenne yeares after Chron. Euseb a noble restorer of Churches There was a great contention and debate for the election of the Pope after the death of Conon Some had chosen Theodorus a very rich man Others Pascall Arch-deacon who had promised a great summe of money to Iohn Platina Exarche if hee were chosen Each of them maintained his election ambitiously But the Cleargie and Romane people seeing that this sedition would cause effusion of bloud tooke counsell to remedie it Wherefore they chose Sergius reiecting the two others The said Sergius was carried into the Church of Laterane and hauing broken the gates they cast out the factious and constrained Theodorus and Pascall to salute Sergius Pope and approoue his election Pascal accused and conuicted of Art Magicke was sent to a Monasterie and there died obstinate Naucler It is attributed vnto him to haue founded a good part of the holy Crosse which euery yeare they worship at Rome Nauclerus Beleeue this who list For in the time of Heraclius the Emperour it was carried to Constantinople The Church of Aquilea not wholly approouing the first after Naucler Chron. Segeb. Paul Diac. or sixt after Fasci Temp. Councell of Constantinople was reduced by Sergius In this time the Saxons yet Painims receiued the Christian Faith by the meanes of this Sergius After Suppl Chron. The yeare 688. Ebroine a French Tyrant was slaine in his bedde Theodoricke the King of Franc was buried in the Abbey of S. Vaast of Arras whereof hee was founded with his wife called in her Epitaph Doda Clouis third of that name King of France 16. raigned 14. yeares Sergius sent Vmbred to the Frisons to conuert them to the faith Rabed their Duke would not accord thereunto alleadging that it were more meete to followe many then fewe But afterward beeing vanquished in warre by Pippin Grand-maister of Fraunce the Frisons receiued the Faith beeing instructed by Willibrot Bishoppe or Clement after some The Emperour Iustinian broke his faith giuen to the Sarrasins and fought against them wherein he was not happie And after without necessitie brake the peace which his father hadde made with the Bulgarians and entered into the one and the other Misia where hee put all to fire and sword but the Bulgarians ceazed vppon the passages and straights and shut them in so well that they constrained them to doo what they would Hee beeing returned to Constantinople did so many euils to the Christians that euerie one hated him so that they conspired against him and chased him away Leontius vsurped the Empire tooke Iustinian and cut his nosthrills and sent him into exile into Pontus and raigned three yeares Some call him Leond second Emperour 68. The Sarrasins seeing such troubles among the Christians came into Affrica Childebert second of that name 17. King of France raigned 18. yeares Hee founded the Abbey of S. Albane in Angiers Lambert Bishop of Liege was reuoked from exile but because hee reprehended the adulterie of Pippin hee was cruelly slaine by Dodon brother of the Adulteresse The saide Dodon and his complices perished miserably within a yeare Hubert succeeded the Bishop of Liege The Histories of France Absimarus otherwise called Tiberius borne at Constantinople was chosen Emperour by the Souldiours for the negligence which they sawe in Leontius that no aide was sent vnto them for the guard of Affrike which they had recouered of the Sarrasins Absimarus then came from Constantinople and tooke Leontius and cut off his nose and imprisoned him in a Monasterie He raigned seuen yeares Naucler Abb. Vrsp. Iohn Pope sixt of that name a Grecian ruled at Rome 3. yeares After the maner of other Popes he was very curious to repaire Churches to adorne Aultars and redeeme captiues with the papall treasure Some write him a Martyr vnder the kings of Lombardie for defending the rights of the church Fasci temp The Venetians at this time beganne to haue a Duke to hinder quarells and disorders of such as gouerned and the enuie which the Lombards bare to their libertie but after as it were repenting themselues they caused many of their first Dukes to die Moreouer the Dukes ornaments differed not from those of a King and all the Senates Letters the publication of them were in the Dukes name yet he had not the bridle loose for a full authoritie Westfalia after some was conuerted to the faith about this time Iohn Pope 7. of that name ruled at Rome two or three yeares diligent to adorne and repaire Churches
Laie person By which answere Charlemaigne being appeased after also that Leo had affirmed by an oath that he was not culpable he declared him absolued and innocent The Pope for these benefites willing to yeelde some pleasure on Christmas day assoone as the King was come from the Church he put the Crowne on his head and pronounced Charlemaigne Emperour of the Romanes without that he had aspired to receiue the Imperiall Crowne And all the Romane people cryed saying Life and victorie be to the thrice Christian Charles alwaies August Crowned of God great and peaceable Emperour And whereas before they vsed to call him by the name of Patrician he was called Emperour the yeare of his raigned 23. and of our saluation eight hundreth and three Hirene Empresse of Constantinople hearing what had beene done at Rome sent three Embassadors towards Charlemaigne to confirme the peace Charlemaigne on his side also sent his Embassadors towards the Empresse for a greater confirmation of peace demaunding her in marriage wherevnto she had consented but for the hinderance by ambushes laid against it as if she would haue solde the Empire by her marriage to strangers Nicephorus then was crowned Emperour and Hirene chased away who passed the rest of her life in exile Nicephorus sent his Embassadors to Charlemaine to renew the alliance vpon those conditions That both should be called Augustes and bretheren together the one of the East and the other of the West That in Italie which is on the side beyond Naples and on the other side beyond Sipont namely all that which stretcheth towards the Sea should belong vnto the Greeke Emperour and the rest to the French Emperour That Venice should be in the middest and as the limitte and border betwixt those two Empires and acknowledge the Maiestie of them both That the Venetians should be subiect neither to the one nor the other but should vse their owne lawes and be the friend of both whether in peace or warre Some say that the Emperour after his Coronation said that if he had knowne the Popes enterprise he would not that day haue entred into the Church Aduertisement Although successiuely there were alwaies Emperors of Constantinople which kept the Romane Empire vntill the Towne was occupied by the Turkes yet because the true brightnesse and Maiestie of the name and of the tuition of the Empire and of Italie was in Charlemaine and his successors we leaue in Nicephorus the Greeke Emperours because they haue not bene like these Therefore leauing the East namely that of Constantinople we will set downe in order the Emperours of the West namely of Rome Charlemaigne then deliuered the Romane seate from all molestations of forraine Princes and atchieued that for which principally hee came into Italie that is to say at the siege of Pauie hauing constrained Didier the last King of the Lombards to yeeld himselfe hee got possession of all Lombardie And to the ende they should no more molest Italie hee droue them away as seditious persons and sent Didier Captiue with his wife and children into the Towne of Liege Paul Diaconus an Historiographer and Secretarie to the said Didier was ledde with him and from that time Charlemaigne made his the Kingdome of Lombardie leauing all the Townes of Italie in theyr accustomed libertie to the ende hee might giue no occasion of trouble vnto the Greeke Emperour About this time Acayus the 65. King of Scots made the first alliance with King Charlemaigne and with Fraunce which hath endured euer since and yet at this present is maintained betwixt these two Nations Tassilo Duke of Bauiere moouing warre against Charlelemaigne lost his Countrey and was put in a Monasterie with his sonne and although hee was Charlemaignes kinsman yet for his faith before violated hee vsed this seueritie towardes him Nicephorus raigned at Constantinople eight or nine yeares whom the Romanes would not acknowledge for Emperour wherevpon there rose great enuie and hatred betwixt them of the East and of the West A Schisme betwixt them of the East and of the West Whatsoeuer agreement was made there was stil enuie and enmitie betwixt the East and the West Emperours and they could not suffer one an other yet this dissention hapned not onely betwixt them but also betwixt the East and the West Churches wherof altogether the Pope was cause in intent to withdrawe and exempt himselfe from the obedience of him of whom he held all his good Charlemaigne inriched many Churches Abbeys and Bishoppricks especially in Almaine the Bishoppricks of Magunce Strasbourge Colongne and Treuers giuing them great priuileges Briefly there were fewe renowmed Churches in Germanie nor in all the two Frances which hee endowed not with some goods and reuenewes Iohannes Scotus a Monke of S. Benet a Disciple of Beda and a companion of Albin or Alcuin Charlemaignes maister wrote vpon S. Mathewe three bookes and other things Abb. Trit Hinmarus Bishop of Rhemes before Monke of S. Deuis wrote two bookes of the life of S. Remy Bishop Tritem Charlemaigne at the last got the vpper hand of the Hungarians and tooke great riches from them for it had bene two hundreth yeares that they did no other thing but pill and spoile all other Nations without beeing pilled themselues After he tamed the Bohemians hauing ouercome their King called Lechon And so in the ende Charlemaigne was peaceable of Italie France Almaine Hungarie and Bohemia So oftentimes the Lord sends puissant Monarkes to repaire things confused as also to represse the insolencie and disordinate dealings of great persons dispersed on the earth Charlemaigne of the age of 72. yeares died at Aix in Almaine of a Feauer and a Plurisie the yeare of his raigne 46. of his Empire 14. and the yeare of Christ 814. hauing instituted the Vniuersitie of Paris and Pauie Lewis Charlemaignes sonne by his wife Hildegarde surnamed Le Debonaire because he was of a soft and gracious spirit was after the death of his father pronounced Emperour by the chiefs of the Kingdome Stephen fourth of that name a Romane being substituted in the place of Leo three monethes after went into Fraunce towards Lewis Debonaire the Emperours to the ende to purge himselfe concerning his election for that against the decrees of Adrian and Leo his predecessors hee had beene chosen and confirmed Pope by the Cleargie and the people of Rome without the counsell and authoritie of the Emperour Wherein we see that the Romane seate is so faithfull an obseruer of her owne lawes and ordinances that the first that succeeds him which made them breakes and transgresseth them But to the end that this flatterer vsing hipocrisie might the rather for a time abuse Lewis hee set on his head a faire Crowne which hee brought with him and an other on the head of the Queene Hirmingarde calling her Auguste or Empresse But the subtil Foxe being recompenced by the Emperour returning and the
deeds remained not long vnpunished and it is profitable we should knowe the issue worthie of such a Tyrant Iosephus in the 8. booke of Antiq. Chap. 17. describeth it thus The kings maladie encreased and God shewed openly that he would punish his impietie For he was burned with a slowe heat yet without none could perceiue it only he felt it within because it grated wasted his entralles He was so hungry that he tooke no leisure to chawe his meate but deuoured all that entred into his mouth and so still some must cast meat into his mouth His entralls were wounded and vlcerated and he was tormented with collicke passions His feete were swelled with flegmaticke humours through which you might see the day His shamefaste parts were rotted and full of wormes his breath was stinking that none durst approach vnto him And in the 21. Chap. of the first booke of the Iewes warres the same Historiographer writeth thus All his bodie was taken with a disease and hee was tormented with diuers dolours He had a burning and intollerable heate in him The Chollick tormented him incessantly his feete were swelled betwixt the skinne and the flesh he sought to aduance his owne death and calling for a knife lifted vp his right hand but Archilaus his cosen-germane perceiuing it ranne to him and held his hand hee died 5. dayes after he made his sonne Antipater die hauing enioyed the kingdome the space of 34. yeares after he had caused Antigonus to die and 37. yeares after hee was declared King by the Romanes In all other things he was happie yea if euer King were for a man of so base condition to acquire that Kingdome and keepe it so long a time and at last leaue it to his children But concerning his domesticke affaires none could be more vnluckie c. Hitherto Iosephus This Historie is worthie of memorie that all that read such a vengeance of God may learne to feare his iudgements After the death of this Herod the Iewes not being able to support the ruling of a straunger sought to raise vp seditions but they were repressed by Archilaus But whilest Archilaus and Herod Antipas pleaded one against an other in Rome againe other troubles arose in Iewrie In so much as Augustus diuided Herods kingdome He constituted Archilaus the Tetrarch of Idumea Iudea and Samaria and the reuenew of those Regions amounted yearely to sixe hundreth Talents He diuided the other part into two Tetrarches He gaue also to Herod Antipas Galilie and Perea out of which Regions he had yearely 200. Talents And to Philippes he gaue Bathania Traconite Aucanite Calcide of which places the reuenew came by yeare to an hundreth Talents This Archilaus was chased from Iudea and finally banished to Vienne which is in Gaul nigh to Lions where he dyed At this time the administration of the Kingdome was againe chaunged in Iudea The Romanes placed Gouernours there one after an other as Coponius Marcus Anius Rufus Valerius Gracchus Poncius Pilate Tiberius succeeded Augustus his father in lawe and raigned 33. yeares He gaue himselfe to Idlenesse and drunkennesse so that in mockerie he was called Claudius Biberius Nero in place of Claudius Tiberius Nero. See Suetonius and Cor. Tacitus Historiograph Iohn Baptist began to preach the presence of the Redeemer shewing with his finger the Lord Iesus he reprehended the false seruices inuented by men so that persecutions began to arise The most enraged persecutors were the Pharisies I meane such as were great in the Church of Ierusalem These crimes they laid against him namely that he vsurped the Ministerie to teach without the will of such as had charge in the Church That he brought a new doctrine diuerse from the vse of the Sinagogues That he shewed a Messias who had no appearance of a King but abiect and poore That hee vsed hard and sharpe words and affirmed that the gouernment of Moses was come to an ende and that they must haue a new Religion That he foretold the reiection and ruine of the Iewes and the vocation of the Gentiles Mat. 3. Luk. 3. Iohn 3. But because the people came euery day in great multitudes to him and was held for an excellent Prophet his enemies were brideled But he endured an other persecution of Herodes Antipas the first king Herods sonne the Tetrark of Galilie who tooke Herodias his brother Philip Herods wife and made him die to please the appetite of that Herodias and her daughter Salome after she had daunced at a banquet As it is Mark. 6. There were amongst the Iewes at this time three Sects namely Pharisies Saduces and Esses as appeareth All the Nation of the Iewes had but that onely Temple which was in Ierusalem called the Temple of God Mat. 21. It was 46. yeares in edifying Ioh. 2. Nabuchodonoser pilled and burned the stately Temple of Salomon and rased it by Nabuzardam Generall of his Armie when the rest of the people were carried into Babilon Cyrus the first of that name King of the Persians at the perswasion of Daniel gaue leaue to reedifie it And the second yeare of Cyrus raigne the Iewes began to build it but they had great hinderances The death of Cyrus followed Cambises followed him a man full of impietie and crueltie hee caused the building to cease Darius Hislaspes succeeded after him who made an end of the Temple And this was the cause it was so long in building This Temple was situated in an imminent and high place therein was great magnificence and great gifts were giuen for ornaments thereof as may be gathered in the 24. of S. Math. Mark 14. Luk. 21. See Ioseph in his last chap. of the 15. booke of Antiquit. The Ecclesiasticall gouernment of the Iewes was this They which held the preheminence in the Church of the Iewes were called principall high Priests It was ordained of God that there should be one high Priest who might remaine in that office vntill the end of his life after his death an other was substituted Exod 29. Nomb. 20. When Christ came all was confused all was solde for money or by deceit and stealth As Iohn 11. It is said that Cayphas was chiefe Priest that yeare After the high Priest there was a great troupe of other Priests which were distinct amongst themselues For Dauid distributed the successors of Aaron into 24. orders Therefore it is said Luk. 1. that Zacharie was a Priest of the Family of Abia which had the eight Lot 1. Chro. 24. There were after Leuites whereof is spoken Iohn 1. and 10. Chap. There were also Scribes which were Doctors of the Lawe Luk. 5. There was the Maister of the Sinagogue who was the principall Doctor Mark 5. Luk. 13. There were they which were called Rabbi or Maister which was an estate or office of teaching Iohn 3. Art thou a Maister in Israel and knowest not these things The Elders of the people were they
of the Lorde and was consumed with vermine and died miserably because hee yeelded no glorie vnto God and so the persecution ceased Heere is a second mirrour of Gods iudgement against such as oppresse the Church Saint Paul after his conuersion returned fiue times to Ierusalem At his last beeing there hee recited the Historie of his Ministerie in the assembly of the Elders of the Church His preachings were greatly spread abroad neither ceased hee to plant the Gospell wheresoeuer he went as it appeareth in the Acts. He preached at Rome by the space of two yeares although he was a prisoner Where before there was an assembly of the faithfull as the Epistle to the Romanes witnesseth Philippe the Apostle preached in Samaria where there was a Church which retired thither after the death of Saint Steuen In Azote the Church assembled from thence it went into the Maritine Townes Peter the Apostle also preached the Gospell in many Townes as is at large seene in the Historie of the Acts. Origine in his Tome vpon Genesis saith it seemeth that Peter preached in Pontus Galatia Asia Bithinia and Cappadocia to the dispearced Iewes There was also a Church in Babilon as he himselfe witnesseth in the fist of his first Epistle In Phinicia and Siria in Tyre Sidon Serentia Silicia Pamphilia Pisidia Attalia Lycaonia Also in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bithinia Misia and Phrigia Vnto these did S. Peter write The seuen Churches of Asia are named in the Apocalips namely Ephesus Smirna Pergamus Thyatirus Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicia Aboue all the Church of Antioche was most famous where the Disciples were first called Christians Some say this was the thirtie and eight yeare after Christ others fortie Paul and Barnabas remained there one whole yeare Acts. 11. and 13. Saint Iohn the Apostle and Euangelist after hee had preached the Gospell through all Asia he finally retired into the Towne of Ephesus where he remained many yeares From thence the Church might easily spread it selfe into Europe which was nigh therevnto Now we see the beginning of the Kingdome of Christ and as it were a renewment of the world About the yeare 42. the vengeance of God fell vpon Pilate For after the Iewes had accused him of too great crueltie Lord Vitellius then Gouernour of Siria commaunded him to goe to Rome to answere the accusations that were to bee laid against him But as hee was in the way hee died Tiberius as Iosephus reciteth in the eighteenth of Antiquities Chapter fiue Eutropius in his seuenth booke saith that Pilate was nipped and pinched with so great anguishes because Caligula troubled him that striking and beating himselfe with his owne hands he sought to destroy himselfe See Eusebius in his 2. booke Chap. 7. This same yeare it is held that Saint Mathew writte his Gospell in Iudea The same yeare the Tetrach ship of Herodes was deliuered to Agrippa and a great discomfiture now the second time was made of the Iewes in Babilon See Iosephus in the last Chapter of his Antiquities Claudius the fift Emperour was chosen to the Imperial dignitie the aforesaid yeare and raigned fourteen yeares and nine moneths Herodes Agrippa the yeare 15. and the third of Claudius held the Kingdome of Iudea of the gift of Caligula and Claudius Beeing departed from Rome to come to Ierusalem hee thought good to make a shew to the Iewes that he loued their Religion and after to gratifie the high Priests he put to death certaine of the faithfull At this time Churches were gouerned by the Apostles which were instructed in the schoole of the sonne of God and therefore there is no gouernment to be compared to this Yet in this time the dwell had his instruments in Churches gouernment that is to say false Apostles and false bretheren Euen alreadie wrought he the secret of Iniquitie by his Antichrist 2. Thessa 2. and 1. Iohn 2. and 4. There were Heretickes Titus 3. Dogges Philip. 3. Wolues and men speaking peruerse things Acts 20. People which were neither hotte nor colde Apoca. 3. If at this time Sathan had such license how bolde thinke we will he be now that they are gone Amongst them which now gouerned the Church some were giuen Apostles to visit Churches Their charge was to sowe the Gospell throughout the world They had no place assigned Besides the twelue Paul and Barnabas are called Apostles Acts 14. Epaphroditus is called the Apostle of the Philippians Philippians 2. Andronicus and Iunia are called notable amongst the Apostle Romanes sixteene Prophets are they which had the gift not onely to Interpret scripture but also to apply it to the true vse S. Paul preferreth Prophecie before all other gifts Euangelistes hadde an office which came nigh vnto the Apostleship The difference was onely in the degree of dignitie Of this estate was Timothie and his like which succoured the Apostles 2. Timoth. 4.5 Philip is called an Euangelist Act. 21. b. 8. Doctors were for the conseruation of the puritie of Religion that the holy doctrine might bee kept and published Saint Luke ioyneth Prophets with Doctors Acts. 13. a. 1. Priest signifieth Auncient not for that they were of an age but because age commonly hath with it more wisedome experience and grauitie Vnder this name are comprehended as well Pastors as such as were ordeined for the Regiment of the Church S. Peter calles himselfe Priest shewing thereby that it was a common name Deacons is a general name of seruice but is taken for such as had the charge to dispence the Almesses Actes 19. a. 22. Ministers or seruants are called Adioints or such as accompanied the Apostles in their viands Timothie and Erastus ministred to S. Paul Act. 19. a. 22. Bishop and Priest was then one same name and office Saint Hierome in his Epistle to Euagoras witnesseth it But afterward whilest Schismes endured one was chosen from amongest the Priests and set in the most principall place and called Bishoppe or Superintendent And therefore the office of Bishoppe was after helde to bee higher then the Priests Saint Paul commaunded Titus to place in euerie Towne Priests or Bishoppes Titus 1. a. 5.6.7 See Acts 20. f. 28. With the good seede which was all ouer as is said dispersed there beganne also heresies to be cast into the Lords field The first and most pernitious were the Simoniaques The originall whereof was Simon Magus borne in a Towne of Samaria which Iustin calleth Triton and Eusebius Gitton a man exercised in Letters who by his Arts enchaunted many in Samaria before Philip had conuerted them As is recited in the Acts. Chap. 8. After S. Peter had discouered his wicked Hipocrisie hee went away in such despite that making a mingle-mangle of the dreames of Philosophers and Painims with the religions of the Iewes and that which he learned of the Gospell he corrupted and transferred to his owne person that which was spoken of Iesus Christ of the holy Ghost and of the saluation of man
of the poore he caused the vessells vailes and other precious things of the Temple to be solde Sozomene lib. 4. cap. 25. And Hierome ad Rusticum accuseth Bishops which vsurpe and make proper that which is common If the liberalitie of Emperours failed the Churches defrayed the charges of Bishops and all others that went to Sinodes Theodoret. lib. 2 cap. 16. Libraries The bookes of the holy scripture which for the most part were lost during the persecutions at this time by the benificence of the Emperour Constantine were written in great dilidence and with magnificence worthy of such an Emperour By the witnes of Athanasius it is plain inough that in the Chrians Temples there were Libraries and therein he accuseth the impietie of the Arrians which tooke out these bookes burnt them Hierome against Rufin makes mention of the Librarie at Cesaria It appeares by the Acts of a Romane Sinode held vnder Siluister that the Romane Church mainteined certaine Notaries to write the acts of the Martirs Schooles There were also Schooles of two sorts Ethnicks or Philosophicall and Ecclesiasticall Nazianzenus in the death of his brother Cesarius makes mention of the Schooles of Palestine wherein he learned Rhethoricke Lactantius held that of Nicomedia Ephiphanius a Sophister kept that of Laodicea That of Cesaria in Cappadocia was renowned bicause Constantius caused Gallus and Iulian his children to be taught there But aboue al that of Alexandria was most famous for blind Didimus who ruled there Rufin Lib. 2. Cap. 7. And Basilius calleth it a goodly shape of all doctrine In Europe that of Athens because of letters was of most acount wherin Iulian had for condisciples Basile and Gregorie Nazianzenus as the said Gregorie witnesseth in his Inuectiue against Iulian. Victorinus Affrican taught at Rome Rhethorike See Hierome in his Treatife of Illustrious men The Salarie or reward was to professors payde after the lawe of Constantine conteined in the title de profess med in the Code At this time there was a man called Arrius a professor in the schoole of Alexandria in Egipt whose Heresie did miserably torment and distract the vnion of the Church He was a man swelled with ambition and presumption One day hauing heard in the congregation of the faithfull Alexander Bishop of Alexandria subtilly and learnedly disputing of the diuine essence after he had shewed that the vnitie thereof was in a priuitie Arrius Logician rather then a Theologian began to dispute and vomit out the pâ—ison he had long time gathered Epip Lib. 2. Tome 2. Necesie 69. rehearseth that Arrius was now found in an errour that Melitius a Bishop in Thebaide accused before Alexander his Bishop who after that looked to him more narrowly and tooke heed to his subtilties Such a care had Bishops at this time one of an other that no euill should goe forward Arrius maintained the Sonne of God to be a creature and the holy Ghost created of him But with what arguments and babble of words he vsed to confirme his error it should be superfluous to rehearse There are long Epistles of Arrius to Alexander and of Alexander to all Churches by which one may more at large know the spring of all this infection Alexander at the beginning sought to stop this euill by silence But seeing that Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia tooke vpon him the cause of Arrius in hatred of the Church of Alexandria Alexander not onely published the Apostasie of Arrius but also excommunicated him and his adherents as Heretickes and Schismatickes which would maintaine that God was sometimes without being Father and that the Sonne was a creature and made who knew not perfectly and exactly the Father It is straunge how so cursed an errour should in so litle time subuert so many Bishops yea the most learned not onely of the East Church but of the West also Epiph. saith that Arrius being chased away went into Palestine But Alexander hasted Letters euery where to the number of seuentie to aduertise the Bishops of Arrius his doings who was receiued of his Protector Eusebius Arrius in the meane time sent Letters to Alexandria naming him Pope and his Bishop The great Councell of Nice Anno domini 320. These debates and contentions brought great dolour and care vnto the good Emperour Constantine and incontinent to giue order therefore seeing this euill from day to day got the vpper hand sent Hosius Bishop of Corduba in Spaine to Alexander a man of great pietie and authoritie with his Letters Patents to the Church to finde meanes to extinguish this fire whose flames were blowne all ouer Eusebius reciteth the Tenure of Constantines Letters full of all pietie in the life of the said Emperour Lib. 2. Hosius furnished with these Letters came into Egipt and did all that he could to agree Alexander Arrius but in vaine Whereof the Emperour being aduertised was more grieued then before at the request of the Bishops and instance of Alexander as witnesseth Rufin lib. 1. cap. 1. ordained at his owne charge an vniuersal Sinode at Nice a town of Bithinia the yeare of Christ 320. after some and the yeare of his Empire 17. At which Sinode from all the parts of the earth came Bishops and the number was 250. after Socrates li. 1. ca. 8. besides Priests Deacons A colites other multitudes Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. saith 318. Bishops and this is about the number wherof the most part of the Elders agree that haue written thereof Some say that the Emperour before he assembled this generall Sinode had caused Arrius to come vnto him and in the presence of some Bishops hauing enquired of his heresie Arrius with an oath answered that he bred no heresies then straight the Emperour in the presence of all said If thou hast sworne with a good conscience that thy oath be made with a full faith then departest thou an Innocent But if falsly thou callest God to witnesse let him whom thou hast offended take vengeance So many spake for him which he before had gained Notwithstanding the Emperour writ large Letters that men should take heede of Arrius that they builded not their Faithes vpon his heresies These letters beganne with these words Constantine the great Augustus c. The place for the Sinode was in the Emperours Pallace wherein hee had placed seates couenable and conuenient for each state and degree The Emperours seate was in the first ranke and it was couered with Golde as Eusebius saieth in his life Liber 3. Hee himselfe made the first exhortation to enter into the matter wherevnto by consent of all Eustachius Bishop of Antioche had charge to answere The Emperour the better to agree with them proposed the great crueltie and tirannie of the persecutions passed that now peace was open vnto them and that it should be a straunge thing the outward enemies being vanquished to stirre vp warres within Theodoret. Lib. 1. Cap. 7. Amongst the Bishops which were there assembled
saith that the Towne was dedicated by him the yeare of his Empire 28. and as he had taken the Empire diuided and vnited it in his person so he diuided it againe as a paternall heritage and made a partition thereof amongst his children whom whilest he liued he created Cesars one after an other that is to say Constantine his eldest sonne Anno. 10. Constantius the second Anno. 20. and Constans the youngger Anno. 30. Whose Empires were very turbulent and endured but 24. yeares 5. moneths 12. dayes according to the Chronicle of Hierome Constantine the Father died at Nicomicha after he had liued 66. yeares and raigned 31. yeares Pompon Laet. Licinius the sonne of Constantia sister of Constantine the great and Crispus sonne of the said Constantine the great with his said son Constantine the eldest were created Caesars the yeare of the Lord 316. But the wickednes of Fausta the wife of Constantine the great caused the death of Licinius and Crispus and many other noble personages See Aure. Victor and Pompo Laet. Crispus was instructed by Lactantius Constantine the eldest sonne of Constantine the great was Emperour with his two brethren after the father the yeare of our Lord 338. The Empire was thus parted namely that Constantine should enioy Gaul Spaine and England Constance should haue Italie with Slauonia and Greece And Constantius should holde Constantinople with the East This partition contented not Consantine hee raised warre against his brother Constance being proud of his Army of Gaul but warring more couetously then warily was ouerthrowne by an ambush nigh to Aquilea and being wounded in diuers places dyed there hauing raigned but three whole yeares and liued 25. See Bapt. Egnat and Pomp. Laet. Constance after he had vanquished his elder brother passing the Alpes came to make warre in Gaul and in two yeares with great difficultie conquered the Countrey which his brother had in partition He at the beginning gouerned well but after gaue himselfe to pleasures and at last became odious to all men So that in the end they conspired against him as he was at hunting and was slaine by the deuice and treason of Magnentius who vsurped his Empire yet he had saued this Magnentius his life Constance liued thirtie yeares and raigned fourteene See Pomp. Laet. Constantius had for his part the Empire of Constantinople with the East Hee vanquished Vetranio who made himselfe Emperour in Hungarie after the death of Cōstance Moreouer to reuenge the death of his said brother Constance hee made great warre against Magnentius In the first battaile there were slaine of one part and the other 53000. fighting men Magnentius had the worst And againe making head was ouercome nigh Lions Constantius was suspected vpon enuie and ambition to haue made away Dalmatius his Cousin-germain a vertuous man who better resembled Constantine the great then his owne father and who was appointed for a copartner with the said Constantius when he had his partition But Constantius liued not long after For as he was going the second time against the Persians vnderstanding that Iulian had made himselfe Augustus he tooke a Feuer and dyed the yeare of his age 40. and of his Kingdome 24. See Eutrop. Aurel. Vict. Pompon Laet. and Bapt. Egn. The Sinode of Sardis in her Sinodall Letters calleth Iulius their friend and companion Theodoret. lib. 2. chap. 8. It followeth that the Bishop or Archbishop of Rome had not the pretended superioritie It seemeth that Iulius was dead when Constantius hauing tamed the tyrannie of Magnentius and Syluanus hee was in Italie to appease the discordes of Athanasius his cause Liberius borne in Rome his father being called Augustus succeeded Iulius the yeare of Christ after S. Hierome 352. about the 12. yeare of Constance Empire his confession was agreeing vnto the Catholique faith and writ to Athanasius very Christianly of God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy Ghost as may be seene in his Epistle which is affixed to the workes of Athanasius Athanasius in the Epistle to them which leade solitary liues rehearseth how Liberius was subuerted The Emperour Constans sent to Rome one named Eusebius an Eunuke with Letters wherby he threatned him exile and on the other side tempted him with presents to induce him to cōsent with Arrius and to subscribe to the condemnation of Athanasius Liberius despised both his menaces and gifts as a sacrifice of blasphemie Whereat the Emperour being exceedingly grieued found meanes to get him out of Rome and being come to him threatned him with death But Liberius manfully answered I am ready to endure all rather then of Christians we should be accounted Arrians Why what art thou said the Emperour that with one wicked man troublest all the world The word of Faith said Liberius dependeth not vpon multitude He was then banished by this Emperour Constans into Berrea which is a Towne in Thrace Where after hee had bene two yeares he was called home as saith Theodoret his restitution after some was accorded by the Emperour at the request of many Romanes and of the Westerne Bishops The same saith Athanasius in the before alleadged Epistle Also that Liberius after his two yeares exile feared with threatnings and apprehension of death sealed to the condemnation of Athanasius Ruffin saith the same and Hierome as Baleus saith writeth that by ambition Liberius fell into the heresie of Arrius being once fallen from the integritie of faith We finde some constitutions of Liberius namely not to make noises in fasting time that times of fasting and Lent bee not polluted by the act of marriage that in time of famine and pestilence men should appease the Lords anger by fasting almes and prayers An aduertisement The principall felicitie and ornament of the Church of this time was the multitude of excellent Doctors which by their doctrine sought so farre as in them lay to conserue multiply the puritie of doctrine But this felicitie was greatly obscured partly by the multitude of heretickes and partly by the rage of seditious people and schismatickes In so much that since the time of the Apostles there was no Church that hath endured more dissentions combats and diuisions within it then that of this world Wherevpon by good right Basile the great in a certaine poeme writing of the iudgement of God complaineth saying I haue liued the age of a man and I haue seene great concord amongst the Arts and Sciences But in the Church of God alone for which Iesus Christ dyed I haue obserued so many dissentions that it is altogether dissipated and wasted And comming to the cause As I searched saith he the cause I remembred the place of the booke of Iudges where it is written That then euery one did whatsoeuer hee thought good in his owne eyes Great persecutions were vnder Constantius after the death of Constans against the Catholike Doctors and Bishops by the Arrians Many were put to death euen within the Temples others
Historie lib. 9. chap. 43. and others make mention that S. Iohn Baptist reuealed his head to two Monkes which were hid nigh an house and after that the said head was transported into Edissa a Citie in Phinitia where he was honoured Monkes beare witnesse in their owne cause But how came this head from thence vnto Amiens in Picardie where hee is adored See Iohn Caluin in his booke of Relikes Leo made many Epistles euen 66. in number Saint Germaine Bishop of Anxerre Seuerus Bishop of Treners Lupus Bishop of Troy were againe sent into England against the Pelagian heresie Many Councels were held at this time after that of Chalcedone The first at Auranges a Towne in the Prouince of Narbone The second at Valens The third Councell of Carpentras The fourth at Arles The fift at Venice The sixt at Tours In the Councell of Tours the censure Ecclesiastical against Priests marriages was moderated which was to be excommunicated and depriued of the Communion which was permitted them only vpon condition they should not come to higher degree or dignitie and that they should abstaine from celebrating and administring to the people Archephali heretikes in this time which cast off the Councell of Chalcedone Eucherius Bishop of Lions in this time sent a booke conteining the praise of Hermits liues to S. Hilarie Bishop of Arles who went into an Hermitage as is said Item an other booke De contemptu mundi In this time the wisest gaue themselues to write the praises of virginitie and of a contemplatiue and monastike life The bookes of the Manicheans were burnt in Rome Theodosius dyed of the pestilence at Constantinople Earthquakes Comets and other tokens were seene in heauen Anian Bishop of Orleans Lupus Bishop of Troy Nicasius Bishop of Rhemes were martyred Valentinian the Emperour slaine at Rome of his people by the fraud of Argobastus Martian chosen Emperour raigned 7. yeares he made alliance with the Vandales It was he which was wont to say that a Prince ought not to take armes as long as it is lawfull to liue in peace Rome was taken againe by Gensericke towardes whom also went Leo and entreated of him that the Towne might not be put to fire and sword Some say hee intreated nothing at this time Orleans was besieged by Attila about this time after he had wasted Almaine and a great part of France but before Orleans his people were discomfited by Merouee King of France and there was slaine 180000. men That which is said of Geneuiesue virgin at Paris is reported of this time This is now the great Diana of the Parisians Martian the Emperour was slaine at Constanstinople by the conspiracie of his owne men Childeric the fourth King of France a Panim raigned 26. yeares a man subiect to leachery which to maintaine hee laide great taxes vpon the people wherevppon hee was reiected from the kingdome A Gouernor of Soisson and Meion of called Giles a Romane succeeded in his place and raigned eight yeares but after Childeric was restored After Childeric was called againe hee gouernerned wisely vertuoufly and valiantly hee put to flight his enemy Giles and sacked the Townes of Treuers and Coloigne and hee retyred to Treuers After also he conquered Orleans and all the Countrey along the Riuer of Loire vntill Angiers and then brought all the Countrey of Angiou vnder his subiection He tooke also the Cittie of Trect and all the Countrey along the Riuer of Rhene and greatly encreased the Kingdome of France He vsed great ingratitude towardes Basin King of Lorraine called Thoringe who had kindly entertained and maintained him all the time hee was depriued of his kingdome For hee receiued the wife of the saide Basin and tooke her for his owne wife Leo Emperour first of that name a Grecian left for his successor Leo who was of Ariadne his daughter and of Zenon He sent Basalike a warriour against Gensericke King of the Vandales Constantinople and a great part of Italie was as it were in perpetuall trouble vnder this Emperour who raigned about 17. yeares Hilarie borne at Sardes Bishop of Rome ruled 7. yeares His time was full of troubles These ordinances are attributed vnto him That no Romane Bishop should chuse him a successour And this constitution stretched to all Ecclesiasticall dignitie Naucler and Suppl Chronic. That a Clarke should receiue no Inuesture of a Laie person That none should be admitted vnto orders if he were not learned and hauing all his members In a Sinode at Rome of fiftie Bishoppes it was ordained that the Decrees of the Apostolike seate should be receiued and published vniuersally There also it was ordained that the Bishop might correct that which his predecessor had euil ordeined This Pope confirmed the domination and principalitie of the Apostolike seate He made three Epistles He depriued a Bishop of his dignitie called Ireneus because by ambition he had left his Church to goe into an other which was by Canons forbidden Remy Bishop of Rhemes and Patricius his brother was Bishop of Soissons Simplicius Tiburtin succeeded Hilarie and gouerned the Romane Church 15. yeares and more after some He declared as his predecessor that the Romane Church was the chiefe and principall He builded many Temples and dedicated them Hee instituted that in the Church of Peter and Paul there should be seuen Priestes to heare the penitents and to Baptise them In the first volume of Councells Leo the younger was left a childe successor of the Empire by his Grand-father on the mothers side and hauing gouerned a yeare he was content that his Father Zeno should raigne for him In so much that with his owne hands he placed the Diademe vpon his Fathers head That which is said of king Arthur is of this time Zenon Isaurike Emperour raigned 16. or 17. yeares He was an Arrian a cruell man He was buried aliue being drunke by his wife Arriadne The English men came farre into France The Arrians exercised great cruelties Honorius an Arrian king of Vandals persecuted greatly the Christians in Affrike more then 4976. were exiled in diuers places without sparing sexe or age afterward at diuers times and with diuers punishments were put to death Some had their hands cut off some their tongues Certain times after vnder the shadow of a Councell hee made assemble all Bishops Doctors and other Catholikes to the number of 324. after Paulus Diaconus but after others 444. he sent into exile caused the Tēples to be shut vp against Catholikes gaue them to the Arrians One Bishop called Laetus was burnt to the end to feare others The Bishop of Carthage Eugenius with more thē 500. of the Cleargy were banished But 2. yeres after Honorius died miserably of vermine And Gonthamundus succeeded him He reuoked Eugenius from exile At the request also of whom all the others were called home and the Churches opened An horrible famine in Affrike Naucler It is a
Pope of Rome gouerned the Romane Church a yeare fiue moneth and 12. dayes Naucler He was by force promoted to his dignitie by Theodatus King of Italie who corrupted by siluer constrained the Cleargie to chuse Syluerius without the consent of the Emperour Theodora the wife of the Emperour Iustinian at the instigation of Vigilius Deacon required Syluerius to call again from exile Anthemius and to restore him to the dignitie from which he had bene cast and depriued for his heresie and so to put out Mennas Syluerius would not do this Bellisarius had commission to depriue him of the Popedome and to appoint vnto it Vigilius who subborned false witnesses which affirmed that Syluerius had intelligence with the Gothes and that he would haue deliuered them the Towne of Rome Wherefore Syluerius was constrained to giue place and goe into exile In the second volume of Councells At this time Italie was greatly afflicted with an extreame famine Maurus a Romane and Faustus an Italian Disciples of Saint Benet were sent into France to teach the Monastike life and at the request of the French men who sent messengers to S. Benet to the Mount Cassim Amator a Bishop sent some siluer to Siluerius to maintaine him in exile Syluerius gaue sentence of excommunication against Vigilius The Feast of Purification was at that time instituted in Constantinople to appease a great pestilence Abb. Vrsp. This is Candlemas which then was called Hypapanthy that is to say an encounter or meeting For then Simeon founde Christ whom hee hadde so long attended Liberius made fiue bookes of the Incarnation of out Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and a booke against the Bishops of Affrike Iustinian compiled the Romane lawes first the Code containing 12. bookes Secondly the Digestes Thirdly the Institutes Fourthly an Epitome of Lawes The warre in Italie against the Ostrogothes by Bellisarius Leonard Attelin Iustinian in his new Constitutions ordained that all Bishops and Priests should celebrate the prayers of Baptisme and of the Lords Supper with an high voyce and with words vnderstood of all Christians to the end that the spirits of the Auditors might be lifted vp with greater deuotion to sing praises vnto the Lord. Vigillius borne at Rome gouerned the Romane Church 14. yeares after Naucier or 8. yeares 6. moneths and 26. dayes after others hee entred wickedly into the papacie It was hee also that ordained that the Masse should be said towards the East Rome was taken and burnt by Totila at this time The first vniuersall Councell was now held at Constantinople of 165. Bishops by the commaundement of Iustinian the Emperour and at the request of Vigilius against Anthemius Seuerus Peter of Antioche Zona and other heretikes who said that the Virgin Marie brought forth Iesus Christ onely Man and not God and man There againe it was agreed that it is well said Marie the mother of God The yeare of Christ 551. Rome was taken the second time of the Gothes by Totila the scourge of God before whom came Vigilius or after Nauclerus Pelagius In this time besides the warre and famine which was in Italie there was also a sore plague in so much that houses were inhabited by sauage beasts Benet the younger was cast into a burning furnace by the commaundement of Totila Herculien Bishop of Peruse had his head sawne off by the same In this time were held the Councels of Orleance the second and third or fourth and fift after some In the 10. Chapter of the second Councell it was ordained that a Christian should not take a Iewe to wife nor that a Christian woman should marry a Iewe and such communication was vnlawfull and if they were ioyned they ought to bee seperated In the third Councell wherein Honoratus Arch-bishoppe was President Chapter 2. it was ordained that no Priest Deacon or Subdeacon should haue the company of his wife otherwise that he should be deposed from his office and remitted into the communion of Lay-people In the 16. Chapter it was ordained that the Deacon before 25. and the Priest before 30 yeares should not be ordained Many in this time were infected with the Priscillian heresie abstaining from eating flesh A Councell held now at Auuerne Vigillius being come to the Popedome by the deceit and subtilties of the Empresse Theodora shee commaunded him to come vnto Constantinople and to restore Athemius as hee had promised but hee refused to doo it saying that iustly he was cast out by Agapetus and Syluerius and that therefore he was not bound to keepe his promise which hee made against all right and reason Theodora very angry hereat sent an Embassage to Rome to drawe Vigillius into Lawe for the iniurie done by him in casting Syluerius into exile Item for the plot by him laid for the death of a young man of the chiefe Nobilitie called Asterius and of one which was his Secretarie Vpon these matters the Embassador arriuing at Rome was aided of the Romanes and they tooke Vigilius and lead him to Constantinople and as hee embarked the people cast stones at him with these Imprecations A famine bee with thee a mortalitie be with thee thou hast done a thousand mischiefes to the Romanes euill enough maiest thou finde where thou goest Doo said hee what you will vnto mee for I haue well deserued it And as he approached nigh vnto Constantinople a great multitude of the Cleargie mette him and conducted him into the Towne Theodora in the meane while ceased not to sollicite Vigillius of his promise and to restore Anthemius To whom Vigilius saide that hee would rather endure all things whatsoeuer then doo it He was grieuously afflicted iniuried and outraged and drawne out of the Temple of S. Sophie or Euphemie whereinto hee was fledde for safetie and refuge One put a rope or corde about his necke and ledde him all ouer the Towne from morning till night This done hee was put in prison fed with bread and water and finally sent into exile with the Cleargie which accompanied him at his entrie After the death of Theodora hee was called againe with all such as went with him at the request of the Captaine Narses but in the way he fell sick and died in Sicile at the Citie of Siracusa Denis Abbot a Romane made the great Pascall Cicle in this time Item a booke of the reason of the Feast of Easter Abb. Trit Arator a Subdeacon at Rome wrote the Acts of the Apostles in Hexamiter Verses Radegonde Queene of Fraunce the wife of Clotharius who was King of France after the death of his brother Hildebert Pelagius a Romane gouerned the seate 12. yeares hee was accused to haue bene the principall cause of all Vigilius his euills But in the presence of the Cleargie and people and in the presence of Narses he mounted the Chaire and publikely swore that he neuer did any euill vnto Vigilius and so escaped and was absolued It is hee who
Imperiall gouernment and caused all Images to be cast downe in Temples and raigned aboue 7. yeares At this time a Sinode was held in Spaine in a Towne cal Eliboris or Granado where were congregated nineteene Bishops and thirtie sixe Priests Felix Bishop of Aquitaine was President there Amongst other points there was principally concluded that there should be no Images nor paintings in Churches The yeare 793. an other Sinode was held at Francford by the Bishops of Almaigne Franconia The Pope Adrian knowing this sent two Bishops Stephen and Theophilacte to vrge the Decree made for Images at the Councell of Niece by the meanes of Hirene In so much that the Sinode held at Eliboris in Spaine was at the said Francford condemned Abb. Vrsp Seeing now Iesus Christ was left to be portraied by the preaching of his pure word Images were admitted into the Temples of Christ therefore no maruell if so many contentious follow Hirene greeued to be depriued of the Empire by presents sollicited certaine Captaines to kill her sonne They watched him and put out his eyes vpon such a day as he had put out the eyes of his Vncle after Nicephorus fiue yeares before then put him in prison where he deceased fewe dayes after Hirene then his mother gouerned alone by the space of three yeares Shee also caused to be taken out of his graue the bodie of Constantine the fifth Father of her dead husband and made it publikely to be burnt and the Ashes thereof to be cast into the Sea because in his life time he had broken Images This did she at the Instigation of Theodorus Bishop who fauoured the Pope touching Images Henry Bullenger Alcuin or otherwise Albin Disciple of Beda the Venerable Monke and after Abbot of S. Martin of Tours Charlemaignes maister made three bookes of the Trinitie and many other bookes Also the life of S. Vaast Bishop of Arras Abb. Trit Charlemaine during his raigne caused 6. or 7. Councels and Sinodes to be held whereof fiue that is to say at Magunce Wormes Rhenes Tours Arles were assembled against the abuses of Ecclesiasticall persons which then were very great and did much displease the Emperour Charlemaigne Ansegisus Abbot of this time made foure bookes of the Decrees of Charlemaigne and of his sonne Lewis Amongst other things and aboue all he wold that Bishops should preach to the people the true doctrine drawne out of the holy Scriptures and not otherwise Therevpon alleadging the saying of Gregorie That the Priest which goeth without the care of preaching lightly lighteth against himselfe the wrath of the hid Iudge He also ordeined that no man should make profession of Monachisme without demaunding the Kings licence to shun many fraudes He would fewe Feasts should be ordeined He repressed the superfluitie of Priests and ordeined that they should be norished of the Ecclesiastical reuenews with y e poore He one day sharply reprehended the Archbishop of Magunce called Boniface because he had vsurped a Crosse all couered with gold and enriched with precious stones as an Imperiall Scepter For occasion thereof being offered in a publike assembly he said to him in choller Is it thus you make profession of the Crosse of Christ Do you thus feed the flock being rather in order of an Emperour then a shepheard An other which on S. Martins euen was made Bishop and for ioy therof forgetting to come the next day to the Temple was dismissed by Charlemaigne saying What wil he do hereafter when at first he is so forgetful of his office Also one other hauing receiued a great benefice for ioy being vpon horseback cast himself downe with great agilitie before the Emperour To whom the Emperour said So farre as I see you are an able man and a good horseman I haue need of you Leaue hardly this benefice to some weaker man Auentinus the Historiographer in his bookes of the Annales of Bauaria We may see by the recitall hereof that Popes had not that soueraigne power which afterward their successours vsurped The Emperours called Sinodes and proposed statutes and decrees and conferred and bestowed benefices At Francfort whilest Charlemain wintered there a Councell was held wherin the decree of the Councell of Niece held by Hirene touching Images as is saide was declared false and altogether condemned And although the Popes Factors as Vrspergensis and others do passe and dissemble it yet so is the truth And that the Pope Adrian sent thither his Embassadors Stephen and Theophilacte Bishop There also was condemned the heresie of Felix and Eliphandus which acknowledged their fault and asking pardon were restored to their dignities Charlemaigne caused a booke to be published in his name which agrreed with the Articles of the said Councell Yea and moreouer he answered two bookes which were found written by Adrian to Therasius Patriarke and to the Emperour of Constantinople By this writing Charlemaigne taxeth and couertly condemneth Adrian without naming him Idolater There was also a Councel held at Cauaillon vnder Charlemaigne wherein amongst other superstitions which were there condemned that of Pilgrimages in respect of Religion was sharply repressed in the 45. Canon Alledging that saying of S. Hierome Men should not be praised because they haue seene Ierusalem but because they haue liued well Leo the third of that name borne at Rome after he had receiued the Papall dignitie Incontinently sent to Charlemaigne the Keyes of S. Peter the Ensigne or Gonfanon as they call it of the Towne of Rome with other presents requiring him that he would doo so much that the people of Rome might yeeld themselues subiect to the Pope in deliuering him their oath of fidelitie For he feared the people one day would not stoope vnder his tyrannie But Charlemaigne willing to do a thing pleasing Leo sent a certaine Abbot called Agilbert who by the Emperours commandement constrained the Romane people to sweare fidelitie to the Pope For this cause the people conceiued such an hatred against the Pope that hauing found some which stirred them more to execute their fury and to serue them for guides Captaines as one day he went a procession hauing cast him from his horse they spoiled him of his pontificiall apparell and beat him well In which tumult none put out his eyes nor cut out his tongue as the Papists affirme teaching that straightway he was diuinely healed by so manifest lies to amplifie his authoritie but indeed hee was only put in prison in the Monasterie of Saint Erasmus as Mantuan saith in his fourth booke des Fastes Finally as Charlemaigne came to Rome the people knowing how hee was affectioned towards the Pope for the feare they had of him changed the anger they had cōceiued against Leo into fauour and durst not enterprise to proue the crimes whereof they accused him After then they had bene examined touching his life they cryed all with one voice That the Apostolike seate ought not to be iudged by a
or 10. yeares 6. or 7. moneths and 8. or 10. dayes after the diuersitie of writers In this time Crescentius Momentanus a Consull of Rome had vsurped rule ouer the Towne of Rome and perswaded the Romanes Italians to take againe the Empire Hee so persecuted this Pope Iohn that hee was constrained to flie out of Rome and to soiourne in Tuscane and Lombardie But when he heard that the said Iohn had now the third time sent for succors of the Emperor Otho he sent messengers towards the said Pope to recall him At whose request the Pope returning Crescentius demaunded pardon of him Otho desiring to haue the Emperial crowne hauing gathered together a great army and before hee entred Rome hee made a peace betwixt the Duke of Beneuent and the Duke of Capuae from thence hee came to Rome and was crowned by Gregorie 5. of that name his cofin before called Bruno son of Duke Otho of Saxonie whō he made Pope in the place of Iohn maugre the Romans and by him was crowned Emperour Certain time after Crescentius Conful of Rome corrupted with auarice procured y t the Bishop of Plaisance who was a Grecian by nation a very pernitious man was constituted Pope was called Iohn 18. and held the seate 10. months Gregorie then retyred towards the Emperour to bee reuenged of the iniurie was done him The Emperour sore mooued at that outrage with great power returned to Rome Crescentius vnderstanding of his cōming not trusting in the Roman people caused the Castle de S. Angelo to be fortified And as these things were in doing the Emperor besieged the towns The Romane people more meet for seditiō then to fight desired pardō of y e Emperor opened the gates vnto the Almains Crescentius Pope Iohn being destitute of Councel retired into the fort of the said Castle Some by treason promised them assurance if they would demand pardon of the Emperor They then came downe as they came were surprised Pope Iohn after his eies were put out his mēbers mutilated he was slain Crescentius was set vpō a Mare his face towards the taile his nose eares being cut off hee was led before the Towne for a spectacle vnto all Some say he was hanged without the towne others say his head was cut off R. Barns Therfore Gregory being restored into his Bishoprick seeing the troubles y t in time past had bin for the electiō of Emperors and the variable issues therof assembled a Councel wherein the first ordinance establishment of Electors was decreed to the end the dignitie Emperial should no more remain in one house family by successiō of line This electiō then was giuē to the Germanike natiō which yet holdeth it at this day Sixe Princes were established three Ecclesiasticall that is to say the Archbishoppe of Magunce of Treuers and of Colongne the three other secular were the Marquesse of Brandeberge the Duke of Saxonie and the Counte of Palatine vnto which was giuen the right and power for euer to elect the Emperour With them was ioyned the Duke of Boheme Boheme then had not obteined the title of a kingdome as the seuenth to accord them if peraduenture they were euen in yeares If it be demaunded wherfore so high a dignitie of election was not rather committed to other Princes which then were puissant namely he of Bauieres Sueuia and Franconia Historiographers make no mention thereof But if it be lawfull to set downe some appearance of cause it is certaine that Boheme was a Country meete to maintaine the right of election as a Countrey inuited by nature Saxonie had that honour because the Emperour descended out of that house as also for that it is a very large and puissant Country The Country of Brandeberge held then also on the house of Saxonie and it is likely the Emperour Otho desired to aduaunce that which was of his owne house The Counte Palatine sued to haue that prerogatiue by reason of the posteritie of Charlemaigne For the Countie of Palatine was then of the line of Charlemaigne After that this election was thus established the Italians stirred many troubles against the Emperour new matter of sedition wanted not therevnto Whilest Iohn 18. ruled at Rome and that Gregorie the fift was absent and deiected as is said one called Odillo a Monke and afterward the Abbot of Clugni instituted in his Monastery the day of All-soules the next day after All-saints which institution was incontinently receiued and approoued by all the Church The occasion hereof was that this ignorant Monke had vnderstood of an Hermite returning from Sicilie that great noyses and lamentations were heard in the Mountaine Aetna who hee thought were the soules of the dead which suffered paine in Purgatorie therefore hee thought they might be helped by Orisons and prayers See Iustine in his booke 3. Chron. Sigeb and Polyd. Verg. lib. 6. cha 9. The house of Sauoye issued from the Dukes of Saxonie as is said is raised into a Counte The Emperor Otho espoused the daughter of the King of Arragon a very intemperate woman who maintained a young man in womans array as one of her Chamber-maides but the thing discouered the adulterer who was burnt aliue and by intercession of friends the Empresse was reconciled but for all this she desisted not from perseuering in her incontinences often requiring men before she were required In the Towne called Modena in Italie she was imbraced with the loue of a Count very faire and of good grace and sought by all meanes to cause him to condiscend to her luxutious desire which he would not fearing the losse of his estate She accused him to the Emperour saying he solicited her of dishonour The Emperour angred hereat in his furie caused him to be beheaded But the truth afterward being knowne she was burnt aliue and foure goodly places were giuen to the wife of the saide Counte in recompence Ammonius a Monke of Fleury in this time wrote a booke of the myracles of S. Benet and Herigerus Abbot of Lob wrote an other of the dissonance of the Church an other booke of the diuine office Also of the bodie and blood of the Lord and others Abb. Trit Robert 36. King of France raigned 34. yeares a learned and very studious man He went to Rome vpon deuotion The Sea of Histories Constance his wife founded the Abbey of Poissi wherin she was buried The same Siluester Pope second of that name of the Countrey of Aquitane called before Gilbert or Gerbert a Magician Nigromancer as hath bene saide came to the saide seate by the art of the diuel vnto whom he had done homage that all his affaires might goe after his wish In his youth he was a Monke of Fleury in the Diocesse of Orleans but for the ardent desire hee had of learning left his Abbey got him to Siuile in Spaine which then the Sarrasins held and gaue himselfe to
but euen our owne soules and not onely as is said in an other place to leaue their father and mother but also to hate them yea our owne liues Briefly Iesus Christ would that we should be readie to forsake all when the confession of his truth requireth it There are learned people of our age which say they haue seene foure bookes which he writ Intituled a Collection of the Catholike and Canonicke scripture He writ also a booke Intituled the fiftie markes and signes of false Prophes Hee writ against Bonauenture who then was the chiefe Buckler of the begging Friars Matheus Paris an English Historiographer writes that in this same time there was in the schoole of Paris great disputations against Monkes which by multitude would needs oppresse and oppugne all the schoole hauing forged a new booke full of errors and blasphemies which they then reiected and intituled Euangelium eternum that is the euerlasting Gospell which they would needs bring into light But to appease this tumult there were sixe delegates of all the schoole which were of the greatest estimation in all the Vniuersitie amongst which was Guilliam de S. Amour to send them to Rome vnto the Pope and shewe the insolencies and blasphemies of those Monkes The Monkes also sent thither on their part and after great contention their errors were condemned touching their eternall Gospell But the Pope with certaine Cardinals Monkes repressed nothing the tirannie of the begging Friars thinking it was needfull that such his black gard should become mightie ouer all These be the words of Matheus Paris who was in this time Wee also finde a booke written in this time intriuled de periculis mundi of the daungers of the world which the Papists attributed vnto Guilliam de S. Amour making him alone of that opinion but it seemeth to haue bin written by many and conteineth complaines against those new rising Monkes with an aduertisement vnto the Church that by them great mischiefes would follow This S. Amour was condemned an heretike wherevpon great stirres fell out amongst the schooles at Paris but to obey the Popes commaundement Guilliam S. Amour was banished from France We heare that some of his bookes are yet at this day in the librarie at Sorbone and many other Doctors haue since written the like as in our discourse shal be said Truth is alwaies banished yet still getteth the vpper hand of all Alexander being come to Viterbe to make peace betwixt the Venetians and Geneuois died there and the seate was vacant foure moneths Albert the great and other studious people were at this time at Paris An Aduertisement From Siluester the 2. that diuellish Magician vntil this time 1260. Popes haue raigned as Incarnate diuels in all trumperies deceites oppressions of the good and manifest tirannies Their Cardinalls Legates and Bishops haue come out from them as Sathans to trouble the world The greatest Monarkes haue bene tormented by their infernall furies Examples for all are the two Emperours Henry the fourth and fift the two Fredericks first and second and other Princes of the earth From henceforward from Innocent the fourth and Alexander the fourth the Popes by a new forged Armie established and priuiledged by them they wasted and destroyed all that is to say by foure Sects of Mendicant Monkes which like true Locusts deuoured and consumed by their Sophistike doctrine whatsoeuer was greene of the word of God From which like theeues which enter into the sheepfolde by breaches and mines nothing can bee looked for henceforth but thefts robberies persecutions and murthers of the true faithfull which God gaue and raised vp to maintaine the eternall veritie Vrbain Pope 4. of that name French borne at Troy in Campagne a Monke of the order of Cysteaux Patriarke of Ierusalem ruled at Rome three yeares one moneth and foure dayes The Greekes recouered Constantinople which the French had held 55. yeares Chron. of the Kings of France and the Sea of Hist. Vrbain instituted the Feast of the Sacrament and the Octaues with Indulgences whereof he was free to such as obserued the said Feast Martin fift Pope doubled them and added yet others to such as fasted the eue and as went to the Precession and Communion that day S. Thomas d' Aquin Iacopin made the office of the said feast with the Prose and the Hymne and sent it to the Pope who for a recompence of such an inuention sent him a Doue of siluer c. Naucler The yeare of Christ 1263. Vrbaine sent to S. Lewis King of France that he would send him his brother Charles Count Angiou and Count de Prouence with a good Armie then hee would crowne him King of Sicilie and giue him Pouille Calabria Hee said that the said Kingdome was held of the Romane Church and that the king of Sicilie was the Popes man Vrbain caused the Croisado to be preached in France against Manfroy who occupied the said Sicilia The said Charles came and marched in battaile against Manfroy and after against Conradin and ouercame them both and so obtained the Lands but the end was miserable For the Sicilians after in the yeare 1282. rebelled against him maintaining the quarell of the king of Arragon whom they would needs haue for their king And they marked the doores and gates of whatsoeuer houses the French men lay in in the Countrey then at an euening slew them all indifferently and opened which they knew to be great with childe with the French men and cast away their fruite that there might remaine none of that generatiō in that Countrey This occasion was afterward ordinarily called The Euensong of Sicilie In this time Bonauenture Generall of the Friers wrote two bookes against M. Guilliam de S. Amour The one of the pouertie of Christ and the other an Apologie of the poore The Bishoppricke of Ratisbone was offered vnto him but he refused it louing better to follow his studies and died of the age of 80. yeares Chron. Abb. Vnder this Pope the Idolatrie of Chaplets was inuented at Amiens in Picardie called Peter the Hermit See Peter Viret of the spring of Chapelets The Souldane made a great Armie in Siria A Comet seene 3. monethes together This Pope died at Peruse and for troubles the seate was vacant 10. monethes Clement Pope fourth of that name borne at Narbone ruled at Rome 3. yeares 9. monethes and 21. dayes before hee was called Hugo Falcodius hee had bene an aduocate and was after the king of France his Councellor After the death of his wife he was Bishop of Puy and after Archbishop of Narbone lastly Cardinall and Bishop of Sabine Finally by the Pope Vrbane hee was sent into England for the reformation of peace and being in that Legation was chosen Pope at Peruse after the death of Vrbain He caused to come info Italie Charles brother of the king of France and made him Senator of Rome and sent two Cardinalls into the Church of
the 46. He had before succeeded Iean his mother in the kingdome of Nauarre Enguerrand de Marigni Count de Longueuille great Generall of the Kings reuenewes being accused to haue robbed the King was hanged and his Image throwne downe the Pallace stayres This king raigned almost two yeares and died in the wood of Vincennes and was buried at S. Denis Iohn Pope 23. of that name French by Nation sonne of Arnold d'Ossa before called Iames de Cahors Cardinall Bishop du Port after the space of two yeares during which time as hath bene touched the seate was emptie for the difference happening amongst the 23. Cardinalls was declared Pope at Lions departing therfore frō thence with his Court and comming to Auignon he created 8. Cardinals of the number of which were Cahors the younger his Nephew and sisters sonne and Iohn de Gayete of the house of Vrsins He deliuered into the hands of the Iudge Hugh Gerard Bishop of Cahors after hauing taken from him his Pontificall ornaments hee was disgraced and giuen to the tormentors who put him to death most cruelly Iohn le Maire Phillip le Long 47. King of France and of Nauarre brother of Lewis Hutin the former King succeeded in the Kingdome the yeare 1316. This was by meanes of the lawe Salike He was called Long because he was tall slender During his raigne he could neuer get either of the Church or of the people tributes Impostes or borrowe that which he damaunded Some say that during his raigne the Leapers poysoned the water pits at the suggestion and perswasion of the Iewes whereof followed a great pestilence but the Iewes and Leapers were greatly punished The King determined to make that in all his kingdome there should be but one maner of waight measure and money but he could not bring to effect that which was his will for he died soone after He raigned fiue yeares without hauing any warre and was buried at S. Denis See Emil. lib. 8. and Gogin lib. 7. This Pope Iohn caused to be published the constitutions of the Councell of Vienne called Clementius and sent them into the Vniuersitie of Boulogne vnder a faire leaded Bull commanding they should bee vsed in all Schooles Vniuersities and iudgements from thence forward The Sea of Hist Birger king of Denmarke hauing inuited his two bretheren to dinner with him tooke them and with Irons laid them in prison where they died The same A Prouost of Paris called Henry Carpenel for a false iudgement that he had giuen was hanged on a gibet This Pope Iohn condemned the constitution of Pope Nicholas which was of the order of the Friars Minors and began Exijt qui seminat and forbad vpon paine of excommunication that none should glosse or dispute vpon it See the Decree 6. in the title 12. de verborum signifi Charles le Bel brother of Phillip le Long and sonne of Phille Bel king of France and Nauarre 48. raigned 7. yeares Iohn 23. made a Constitution which beginneth Ad conditorem Canonum against the Friars Minors See the Extrauagants of this Iohn 23. in the title 4. de verborum signifi This Pope Iohn canonized S. Thomas Bishop of Erford and S. Thomas d' Acquine Chron. Euseb Loys Duke of Bauiere and Frederic Duke of Austrich with his brother gaue battaile the one against the other where were slain as wel on the one part as of the other foure thousand horse men Lewis obtained the victorie Frederic was prisoner with his brother Henry Naucler Leopold his other brother came late to the succours See the Chron. of the Emperorus This Pope receiued into the safegard and protection of S. Peter the Carmes exempting them from all subiection of ordinary Iudges to the end they might be subiect onely to S. Peter as his well beloued children and mooued many of them to Episcopall dignitie As Guy de Parpinan Iohn Claran. both of Catalogue and some other Nations For before he was Pope he had a maruellous vision or rather diuellish illusion as he witnesseth in his Bull namely that as the Cardinalls were in a great debate the Virgin Marie deliuered them and made him Pope yet vpon this condition that he should exempt from the paines of purgatorie his good bretheren This Iohn here taught certaine errors and amongst others that soules so soone as they were dispoiled of the body should not see God before the last iudgement For as Masseus witnesseth his father had so taught him being seduced and abused by the visions of a certaine Irish man called Tundalus He sent to Paris two Monkes the one a Iacobin and the other a Friar who preached the same heresie but Thomas Walleis a Iacobin an English man resisted the Pope but he thrust him into prison Thus also did Durand de S. Porcin William Caleth and others He corrected at his pleasure the orders of Churches and changed them and distributed into a certain number the Colledges of the Scribes which for certaine prices writ such Letters as by him would be dispatched He made many constitutions which were called Ioanninies condemned Iohn de Pouilly a Theologian because he taught that men must not cōfesse thēselues to begging Friars yet he constrained the Monkesses or Nuns called Beguines to marry and to detest painting He held also for certain articles of the faith that Iesus Christ gaue not to his Apostles any other rule to liue wel but that he gaue to other Christians That the Apostles neuer vowed the vow of pouertie and that vowes serue for nothing to perfection This Pope writ to the Grecians at large that there was but one Church alone whereof he was chiefe and the Vicar of Iesus Christ The Grecians answered him in fewe words We beleeue surely that thy power is very great ouer thy subiects We cannot endure thy extreame pride nor satisfie thy couetousnesse The diuell be with thee for God is with vs. By which breuitie of words they shewed what was the Popes maner of life and estate Iohn de Mandeuile rehearseth it in his 6. booke This Pope declared Lewis de Bauiere to the Church a rebell schismatike and heretike because that after he was chosen by the Princes he tooke the gouernment of the Empire without any oath to the Pope of subiection Hiero. Marius saith thus Iohn pursued with a sharpe hatred Lewis de Bauiere partly because being chosen king of the Romanes by the Princes hee disdained the name and title of Emperour at the Popes hands as Clement the 5. had ordained it partly also because he maintained and defended against him certaine Monkes which hee had condemned as heretikes and therefore Iohn held the said Lewis for an heretike Lewis comming into Italie placed in all the Imperiall Townes Vicegerents as reason required and after came to Millaine and because he desired to appease the Popes rage hee sent Embassadors vnto him euen to Auignon where he resided who demaunded that according to the
the sixt of his name alwaies Rome hath bin destroyed by the sixths This was he who for the summe of 200000. Ducats which he receiued of the Turke called Baiazet poysoned Gemen his brother who fled to Rome This is he say I who being willing to maintaine his tirannie called to his helpe Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes against the king of France Charles the eight and sought to make the Kingdome of Naples yea the very Citie of Rome the Frontiers of the Turkes Empire Lewis the 12. as the nighest succeeded to the Crowne of France after Charles the 8. He sent his Armie into Lombardie vnder the conduct of Iohn Iaques Trivulse and of Sieur Aubigny which tooke Alexandria and Pauie so that then Lewis Sforza abandoned Millaine for feare and retired into Almaine The King vpon these newes passed into Italie and made his triumphant entrie into Millaine from whence hee departed hauing diminished the charges of the people and left the said Trivulse as Gouernour Lewis Sforza returned within a yeare after and againe tooke Millaine and from thence being againe chased by a new Armie from France hee tooke his flight towards Nauarre after his comming from whence being pursued by the French hee was taken and led a prisoner into France This king ordained in France that O salutaris hostia should be sung in the eleuation of the Host Friar Hierome Sauanarola of Ferrara of the order of Dominicains preached at Florence He was burnt at the instance and by the commaundement of that monster Alexander Pope the sixt because hee preached against him and his more then notorious wickednesse He composed certaine meditations vpon the 50. Psalme and certaine others See the Booke of Martyrs The Pope caused to bee cut out the tongue and both the hands of Anthonius Mancinellus a learned man because he had written a very elegant Oration against the wicked maners and villainous and dishonest life of him The warre of Maximilian against the Swissers is renowned in this time Batazetes the Turke tooke by force a Towne in Macedonia called Dyrrachium and the yeare after in Morea hee tooke Methone which belonged vnto the Venetians as also certain time before he had vsurped Naupactus in Epire. He also beheaded the Bishop of the said Towne of Methone Italie was greatly afflicted by the Turkes as soone as warre against the Venetians was on a flame Charles after Emperour sonne of Phillip Arch-Duke of Austrich and of Iane daughter of the king of Castile was borne at Gaunt on the Bissext day the 25 of Februarie on S. Matthias day The Marrhans these were Iewes which made themselues Christians fearing to leese theyr goods such are commonly in Spaine and secretly obserue the Iewish ceremonies are reconciled with the Pope hauing with great summes of money acquired his good grace Naucler The Towne of Basill the ninth day of Iune made alliance with the Cantons of Swisse in the Towne of Lucerne And the tenth of August they of Schaffusen made also a perpetuall alliance with the Cantons of the Swisses in the said Towne of Lucerne They of Noremberge were discomfited by Cassimere Marquesse of Brandebourge with great effusion of bloud nigh their Towne King Lewis the 11. tooke the kingdome of Naples vnder the conduction of Sieur d'Augbini Frederic his wife and his sonnes prisoners were carried into France He recouered Bolongue vsurped by Bentiuoli and yeelded it vnto the Pope After in proper person going against the Venetians which vsurped many Lands of the Duchie of Millaine valiantly vanquished them nigh Agnadel tooke Bartholomew Balnian the conducter of that Armie and carried him prisoner into France Hee tooke againe the said vsurped Townes and many others yeelding vnto the Pope such Townes as the Venetians had taken from him The issue of the Pope Alexander was fearefull and with manifest token of the iust iudgement of God and therefore would diligently be noted As on a certaine day he had made readie an exceeding great banket for certaine rich Senators and Cardinalls and had recommended to his sonne Valentin that he should giue wine to drinke vnto one of the said Cardinalls wherein there was poyson put It came to passe that hee that had the charge to deliuer the wine vnwittingly gaue to the Pope of that flaggon wherin the poison was who being of great age was taken with a languishment and grieuouâ— paine He had by the space of eleuen yeares and certaine monethes excessiuely oppressed Italie and troubled the world Being then deteined in his bed as Iohn Baleus saith hee commaunded one of his men called Madena which amongst all them of his Court and house was his most faithfull and familiar to goe into his gardrobe or wardrope and to bring him a certaine litle booke enriched with gold and precious stones which was in an Armorie which he specified But this litle booke conteined all maners and kindes of Illusions and Enchauntments of Negromancie whereby the old man thought to enforme himselfe to be certified of the closure and ende of his life The seruant obeing the commaundement of the Pope his maister and going vnto the place specified as after hee had opened the doore he was readie to haue entred into the chamber he sawe a certaine person sit in the Popes Chaire there who was altogether like vnto his maister At the sight whereof beeing surprised with an horrible feare astonishment and and as it were halfe dead without taking the booke ranne backe againe towards Alexander vnto whom he rehearsed what hee had seene namely that in his Wardrope hee found such a Pope as himselfe set in a Chaire Alexander after he had vnderstood the thing and seeing his seruant to be exceedingly affraide suffered him to rest a while After hee did so much perswade him that he returned into the said Wardrope to see if againe hee could finde the said Pope The seruant then being entred found in the said chamber him whom before he had seene and that more is being asked by him that sate there what cause brought him into that place and what businesse hee had there Hee being taken with a sore trembling and as it were out of breath aunswered hee came to take a certaine garment for the Pope At which words the diuell beeing then in the Chaire making an horrible noise siad what Pope I am the Pope But after that those things were reported vnto Alexander his euill began to encrease and death approached A short day after a man apparelled like a Carrier or Lackey came and fiercely knocked at the chamber doore wherein the Pope was deteined sicke saying hee must needes speake with him The doore being opened and hee admitted parley with the Pope all others drew aside and the Pope and hee spake together as two vse to doo in secret causes yet men might see a great and maruellous strife and debate betwixt them two and that the Pope was not content For hee said vnto him How goes
first day of Aprill They of Magdebourge opposed themselues with might and maine against them of Wirtemberge and Leipsic and taxed and reprooued them greatly for that concerning indifferent things they had made a way and entry for the Popes doctrine The 10. of Iune the Queene of France was crowned at Saint Dennis In the said moneth of Iune Henry king of France made his entry into Paris commaunded a generall procession and dedicated it with the blood of certaine poore Christians which hee made to be burned for Religion See the booke of Martyrs Le sieur de Veruin for yeelding Bullen to the English men was beheaded at Paris and le sieur de Biex his Father in lawe was condemned to perpetuall prison The Cantons of Basil Schaffuse in Swissia made alliance with the King of France whereof euery one greatly maruelled because he persecuted their Religion with fire and blood Zurie and Berne refused that alliance Sedition in England partly for the chaunge of Religion and partly for common grounds occupied by Gentlemen for their priuate vse there was great bloodshead In the meane time the King of Fraunce tooke certaine holdes about Bologne whereby he put the English in great distresse The fault of all this was laid vpon the Duke of Somerset and therefore he was imprisoned at London This Pope Paul of the age of 82. yeares dyed the 10. of Nouember On all sides Cardinalls ranne to Rome to elect a new Pope Iulius the third of that name borne at Aretio called before Iohn Maria de Monte who was President in the Councell of Trent and Bolongne was chosen Pope the 10. of February after that the Cardinalls which were in great number had long time debated in the cōclaue Some say that this Pope promised by oath vnto the Ferneses to leaue Parme to Octauius Bernese Whilest the Cardinalls were in the Conclaue to chuse the Pope Iulius certaine Letters came into the handes of some of them which were written the 26. of Ianuary by an houshold seruant of the Cardinall of Mantoue called Cornelius Oliue to a friend of his called Hanniball Contin and with them certaine verses made in the vulgar Italian language wherein speaking of his good affection towards him the desire he had to see him he vseth so infamous and dishonest words that hardly can any recite them without shame blushing Hereof came the taunt of such as said it signified that some infamous dishonest Pope should come out of that Conclaue from whence such proceeded They which read these Letters saide as well in Italie as in Almaine they neuer read any more villanous detestable Hereby Reader maist thou iudge what the spirit is which the Papists vaunt so much to haue in their Masses in the election of their Popes The 22. of Frebury Iulius is crowned Pope by the Cardinall Cibo two daies after he had opened the gilded gate with a golden key and celebrated the yeare of Iubile which his predecessor Paul the third had so much desire to see And because of an auncient custome the new Pope might giue his red hat to whom he thought good he made Cardinall a young boy called Innocent whom he had sometimes abused whē he was Legate at Bologne notwithstanding the other Cardinalls approoued it not yea resisted it Moreouer hee receiued him into his house into the number of his Domestickes and familiars A brute went through the towne of Rome yea it was divulged by certaine diffamitorie Libells that Ganymedes was entertained by Iupiter although he was not faire This Pope himselfe dissembled it not but customably in a maner of pastime would account his follies therein Paulus Vergerius hath left in writing this Historie Pope Iulius saith hee determined to make a young youth called Innocent a Cardinal who not only came frō a father and mother of base condition but that was of a most wicked and dishonest conuersation Wherfore as on a certain day he had made this motiō in the presence of the Cardinalls that there was no man which resisted it not but that more is as certaine Cardinalls said freely I pray you what finde you in this young man who deserueth that we should doo him that honour Iulius answered And I pray you what found you in mee to doo mee that honour as to make mee Pope without any desert aduance this young man and hee will merit it The Masse which had bin banished Strasbourge the space of 21. yeares was set vp againe in three Churches the first of February A great number of children ran thither to see so straunge and new a thing The Priests were affraied at it and complained vnto the Emperour The Emperor and the King of France one after the other made publish each in their Countries very cruel Edicts against the Lutherans as they called them About the ende of May the Emperour with Phillip his sonne departed from Bruxelles to come to the Iourney at Auspourge and brought with them the Duke of Baxe captiue leauing the Lantgraue in prison at Malignes In the time of this Pope was Iohn de Case a Florentine Archbishop of Beneuent and Legate of the seate in the territorie of Venice This man who made so magnificall a profession of Popish singlenesse was not ashamed to make a Booke in Italian Rime wherein he praiseth and exalteth that horrible and detestable sinne of Sodomitry yea euen to name it a diuine worke and affirmeth that he tooke great pleasure therein and that he knew no other kind of palidiarzing or whoredome The booke was Imprinted at Venice by one Traian Naun Behold notable Archbishops of the Papall seate with such Iudges doo the Pope and his maister the diuel serue themselues in their Consistories to condemne as heretikes such as teach and write the truth with puritie In a Catalogue of bookes prohibited which he made whilest he was Legate he comprehendeth no other therein but such as make profession of the pure Euangelike doctrine Francis Spiera as is abouesaid fearing the tyrannie of tormentors renied the veritie of Iesus Christ and dyed in extreame dispaire Sleidan also makes mention of the Sodomitike booke aboue spoken of It would be here too long to rehearse the gests and deeds of Iulius the third concerning the Iubile which was in his time the Councell of Trent the confirmation of that Idol de Laureto the debate which he had with the Bishop of Aremin his Steward for a Peacock and many such like things Amongst other viands hee greatly delighted to eate the flesh of Swine Peacocks But his Phisitian had aduertised him that hee should take heed that he eate no swines flesh because it was contrary vnto the Gowt wherewith hee was often tormented but yet hee would not abstaine therefrom The Phisitian secretly aduertised the Clarke of his kitchin that no porke flesh should be serued As then there was none serued the Pope perceiuing it demaunded of his Steward where his dish of
a certaine Monke restorer of the Papaltie who made two great bookes of Counsell in the Towne of Colongne Hereby may we see how assured the foundation of Poperie is If Linus were the high Priest or soueraigne Bishop of Rome in the time of Nero it is certaine S. Peter was not there But to prooue the Institution of Popish ceremonies by the example of the Elders they say that Linus ordeined that women should not enter into the Church vnlesse their heads were couered yet that was not an ordinance of Linus but of S. Paul There is a great diuersitie in the Romish Catalogues of Bishops that hardly can the writers thereof be agreed in their differences which is a great argument that the Papaltie of Rome leanes vpon vncertaine arguments You may also see this in Cletus This yeare Vespasian war sent by Nero against the Iewes Nero hated of all and searched to be slaine killed himselfe of the age of thirtie and two yeares and the yeare of his Empire fourteene Galba Sergius succeeded of the age of 43. yeares and raigned seuen moneths He became cruell Auaricious a Glutton and a Sodomite He was slaine of his souldiers by his successor Otho in the place where men pleaded causes His head was presented to the souldiers and exposed for a derision and mockery Otho the eight Emperour like in all vices to Nero. Hee raigned three monethes He slewe himselfe with a stroake of his Poinard in his left Pap after the battaile he lost against Vitellius Vitellius Spinter the ninth Emperour raigned about seuen or eight monethes He was a great whooremoonger cruell bloudie and a Glutton It is rehearsed of him that at one supper he was serued at his Table with two thousand sundrie sorts of Fishes and seuen thousand sorts of flying Fowle he was so excessiue He was miserably slaine and drawne naked through the streetes And after hee had beene launced and pierced with many Darts was cast into Tiber. Hee was of the age of 57. yeares The yeare 71. Ignatius was ordeined the second Bishop of Antioche And in this time all Mathematicians were driuen out of Italy Fabius Quintilianus was drawne from Spaine by the Emperour Galba and brought to Rome Vespasian the tenth Emperour of Rome raigned nine yeares a man wise prudent loyall and affable modest and patient one onely vice brought dishonour vnto him namely Auarice and couetousnesse of siluer yea euen to impose tribute vpon vrine saying That of all things the smell of gaine is good As he died he said that an Emperour should die sitting The yeare 72. the Citie of Ierusalem was besieged by the Romanes There hath bene no Nation that we can gather by any Historie that hath bene so much tormented as that of the Iewes So much the more familiarly the Lord declared his mercies towards this ingrate and hard hearted people so much the more was it needful he should visibly shewe horrible signes of his anger vpon it No woe nor trouble could be imagined whereof God gaue not some proofe vnto this miserable Natition The recitall whereof may serue vs for a glasse to shewe vs what end such may attend as are obstinate and mockers of the grace of God such also as enhardeÌ„ themselues against his bountie After their reuolt which was the 12. yeare of Nero the Romanes ceased not by the space almost of sixe yeares to powre horrible euils vpon the Countrey of Iudea Although a man speak not of the waste of the country who can possibly esteem as belongeth therevnto the onely miseries of that Towne For before it was besieged by the Romanes it was horribly afflicted by domesticke enemies with so many factions of audatious Theeues which fought one against an other which of theÌ„ should commit most rapines murthers oppressions And not one of al those bands which were diuided into three principal that is to say Zelators 1. such as followed Ilion thirdly them of Simon the Gadarean and of his sonne Eleazar thought he mainteined his place well but in surmounting one an other in all manner of wickednes And finally their rage was so ouerflowne that there needed no more but only to haue an opinion of modestie and true religion for to be put to death They sought one with an other who should be the first to sley the Rich to robbe them of their goods To sley the common people such as were poore and of base condition was but to take away such as were vnprofitable and such as were like to be but a charge to the Towne alreadie threatned with a siege and to prepare the Towne to sustain a longer siege To giue to know by any one word or to shew any countenance of griefe at such vnbridled licence to all euils which were then this was called treason and to complot with the Romanes When any lamented his parent or friend wrongfully slaine hee was straight brought to some greeuous torment To pollute the Sanctuary by slaughters and murders this was to combat for the conseruation of the Temple and the Countries Religion To take away the sacred money out of the Temple and dispend it vpon dissolute villaines was to borrow their necessaries for the defence of the Ceremonies ordained of God It was held a crime worthie of death to seeke to withdrawe himselfe out of the middest of these euilles And they which remained in the Towne besides other miseries and publike griefes were constrained to see before their eyes their wiues their children and their goods to serue the appetite of all sorts of villains Finally this miserable people needed not feare any new oppression of the Romanes wherwith before they had not bene tormented euen by themselues which called themselues their defenders But after the Towne was besieged by the Romanes there was so horrible a famine that during the siege eleuen hundred thousand men dyed Besides such as were slaine by the enemies at assaults and such as were slaine when the Towne was taken and during that warre there was about 97. thousand taken Some part of them were solde others were carried to great Townes to serue for Princes pastimes in exposing them to beastes to bee torne in peeces Others were put into some paled parke where they fought till they slewe one an other Others were led into â—ands there to spend their liues The 14. day of Aprill of the foresaid yeare Titus laide siege before Ierusalem during the feast or Easter the yeare of Christ 73. vpon which day in respect of the solemnitie there were infinite people assembled The 22. of that moneth hee made platformes and Rammes and beganne to beate the Towne The 7. day of May he tooke the first wall and the new Towne called Bezeth The 12. day of the said moneth the second wall was again taken with the base part of the towne from whence the Romanes had before bene chased The 21. of the said moneth hauing gotten 2. parts of the towne
vailable 8. q. 3. c. Salus in omnibus Galen the Phisitian flourished at this time Valentine the hereticke a Platonician denied the resurrection of the flesh Hee affirmed that Christ tooke no humane flesh off the Virgines wombe but that hee passed through it as through a conduit Cerdon the Stoike said at Rome that the holy Ghost descended not vpon the Apostles but vpon himselfe Note here the saying of Tertullian namely that the Philosophers are Patriarkes of heretickes Martian the Stoike a follower of Menander made two contrary principles This Pope seeing hee named himselfe so was a learned man and made a booke intituled De Trinitate vnitate Dei. Pius first of that name 11. Pope of Rome an Italian of Aquilia ruled at Rome a 11. yeares Some say hee ordeined that Easter should be celebrated vpon the Sunday by the perswasion of Hermes who said it had bene reuealed vnto him by an Angell in likenes of a shepheard And this ordinance was after confirmed by many Pope That hee decreed punishments for Ecclesiasticall persons which administred the Sacraments of the body and bloud of Christ negligently That is to say that he that by imprudency negligently let fal vpō the earth any of the blood of Christ so speakes he should do penance 40. dayes If it fell vpon the Aultar 3. dayes If vpon the Chalice cloth 4. dayes If on any other cloth 9. dayes And that the said bloud so falne should be licked scraped or washed and after all burnt and kept for the Sacristeres By litle and litle then the Romane seate beganne to forge ordinances Also that Virgins or Nunnes should not take vpon them the vaile before the age of 25. yeares Item that if any Ecclesiasticall person did sweare or blaspheme he should be deposed and euery Laie person excommunicated Anicetus 12. Pope a Sirian ruled 10. or a 11. yeares wise and of good life Some attribute vnto him that hee ordained the Crowne for Priests He was martyred vnder Marcus Aurelius In his time Egesippus an Hebrew came to Rome dwelt there vntill Eleutherius Iustinus a Christian Phylosopher writ a booke in defence of Faith and Religion to the Emperour Antonius Pius who also was much enclined to maintaine it He writ against Martian Policarpus Bishop of Smyrna in Ionia which is in Asia the lesse aboue Ephesus came to great age Ireneus saith that he was ordeined Bishop by the Apostles and it is likely that he began his ministery the 2. or 3. of Traian S. Ierome in his Catalogue saith he was placed there by S. Iohn the Euangelist who dyed the yeare 68. after the passion of Iesus Christ as most say Ireneus reciteth of him that one day as Marcian encountred him and said vnto him Take knowledge with vs. Policarp answered him I know thee for the first sonne of Satan And Ireneus saith further There are some haue heard him say that Iohn the Disciple of Iesus went into Bathes to wash himselfe and seeing Cerinthus the hereticke there he went out and washing himselfe saying Let vs flie from hence least this house fall vpon vs where Cerinthus enemy of the truth washeth Note how the Disciples of the Apostles had this rule not to communicate with them which falsifie the truth of the Gospell Whilest Policarpus was at Rome he withdrew many from their heresies Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Verus the brother of Antonius Pius obtained the Empire 18. yeares Lucius Verus his sonne in lawe gaue himselfe to dice and to haunt the Stewes Therfore was he sent into Siria by Marcus Aurelius and at last as some say poisoned After some he dyed of an Apoplexe So Marcus Aurelius Antoninus raigned alone The fourth persecution after Nero was stirred against the Christians by Marcus Aurelius And as Eusebius saith many euils happened in Italie great pestilence warre earthquakes Invndations of waters and a multitude of Grashoppers In the meane while by the persecutions as it were continuall the Christians affaires encreased from day to day by the doctrine of the Apostles Disciples Wherof yet many then did liue that the Christian Religion tooke strong roote being thus bedeawed with the bloud of Martyrs We must not here forget the sentence of Iustine spoken in a colloquie with Trypheus Hee saith thus Men may each day perceiue that we which beleeue in Christ cannot be astonished nor turned backe Let them cut off our heads Let them crucifie vs Let them expose vs to beasts to fires or other torments and so much more as men torment vs so much more do the number of Christians encrease Euen as when a Vine is cut it is but to make it more fertile So the Vine which God hath planted and the Sauiour Iesus that is his people cannot but multiply by torments c. Melito Bishop of Sardis writ to the Emperour for the Faith and Christian Religion Apollinaris Bishop of Hierapolis was at this time Theophilus Bishoppe of Antioche writ against Martian Denis Bishop of Corinthe Iustus Bishoppe of Vienne a Martyre for the Faith Attalus Blandina Photin Bishop of Lions a Martyr also for the Faith Persecution in Asia The end of the life of Policarpus was at this time Marcus Antonius Verus and the chiefe Gouernours of the Empire caused such a persecution that it came euen to the Christians which dwelt in the Towne of Smyrna whereof Policarpus was Bishoppe and had beene a long time and was there burnt hauing serued the Church of God about three score and tenne yeares which was the seuenth of this Emperour Some say hee was of the age of foure score and sixe yeares The Prayer of Policarpus before his death is in the Eccleciast History Booke 4. His bones taken out of the fire were laide in a Sepulchre Pionius Martyre Soter an Italian 13. Pope helde the seate about tenne yeares He endured many aduersities and in the ende was Martyred He ordained that none should celebrate without two men present That Nunnes should carry Vailes on their heads That they might not touch sacred Ornaments as Chalices Corporalles and that they should not Incense in the Temple nor about Aultars In his second Decretall he calleth himselfe Pope Hee instituted that each Priest doing his Office should haue with him an other Priest If there chaunced some suddaine necessitie to happen Hee saide that an oath made imprudenly which redounded to an euill ende ought not to be kept For it were better saith he to periure himselfe then for keeping his oath to fall into a greater crime At this time Peregrine a Philosopher did publickely at Pise cast himselfe into the fire vpon vaine-glorie At this time beganne the Cataphryges heretikes by Montanus with Priscilla and Maximilla They vsed in their Sacrifices a Childes blood which they mingled with Flowre or with Breade If the Childe whose blood was drawne out dyed they held him for a Martyr If
he liued for a great Priest Montanus was of Phrygia of a Towne called Ardaba Hee called himselfe the Paraclet Hee forbadde marriage and inuented and instituted Fastes Against those Heretickes writte Apollinaris Hierapolitaine and before him Milciades and Apollonius Appelles the Disciple of Marcian whome Theodotius called the great Hereticke put a beginning to God Also that Christ appeared in a fantasticke bodie Tatianus and his followers Encratites and Seuerians in this time These abstained from all kindes of flesh and drunke no wine They blamed Marriage as well as fornication They cast off the Epistles both of S. Paul and S. Peter The Doctrine of Christian libertie beganne at this time to bee greatly obscured and by little and little the errour tooke encrease For although yet there was no forbidding to vse the good thinges or God yet the Historie of Alcibiades recited in Eusebius Booke 5. Chap. 3. sheweth that by little and little men beganne to place a certaine Religion in seruices forged at pleasure This Alcibiades was one of the Martyres which suffered death in Gaul vnder Marcus Antonius Verus the Emperour Hee vsed to liue so austerely as hee did eate onely bread and drunke water In so much that beeing in prison hee would vse no other diet Attalus a Romane a man renowned amongst the Martyrs being also imprisoned shewed Alcibiades a better way and brought him to this point that after hee vsed indifferently the creatures of God without scruple and with thankesgiuing Eleutherius borne in Greece at Nicopolis ruled at Rome 15. yeares and more Hee made a commaundement against the heresie of the Seuerans which then raigned that no Christian for any ceremonie should reiect any sort of meates whereof there is an accustomed vse Also that none should be dismissed of his Office vnlesse first hee be accused and conuinced of crime That Bishops should finish nothing in an accusation intended against a Bishop without knowledge of the Pope but they might determine by Sentences the causes of other Church people That a Clarke may not be drawne into any cause but before his Bishop from whom if there were cause of suspition he might appeale Christian Religion then greatly augmented and came into farre greater suertie then before Lucius King of England and his Countrey receiued the Faith Many Nobles of Rome with their wiues and children were conuerted and Baptized The said Lucius left his Kingdome and went to preach the Faith first in France after in Almaine where hee was martyred Smyrna in Asia whereof Policarpus was Bishop was ouerthrowne by Earthquake and for the repaire of it tributes and tallages were laid Commodus the 18. Emperour raigned 13. yeares cruel luxurious incestuous of his owne Neeses hee held in his Pallaice three hundreth Concubines and three hundreth buggering boyes In a wicked rage he slew Lucilla his sister Being at the hot houses and but pricked with a Flea he cast the maister of the house into the Furnace Ireneus Bishop of Lions flourished The Temple of Serapis burnt in Alexandria The Capitoll at Rome and the Librarie burnt by lightning Apollonius a Senator of Rome accused to be a Christian presented to the Senate a booke conteining a defence of the Christians He was beheaded because the Imperiall lawe had so ordeined it Heereby appeares that Popes or Bishops of Rome were not as at this present they are Apollonius a man of authoritie could not shunne the sentence of death onely because he was a Christian hauing so many friends at Rome The Imperiall Lawe then was that such as were in Iudgement conuicted to be Christians should be punished with death Commodus made die many Noble persons It is recited in the History of the Martyrs of Gaule that the Painims sollicited and by torments constrained the seruants of Christians to confesse of their maisters things impossible once to be imagined Namely that they did eate the flesh of litle children that they committed paldiardizes and whoredomes such as is vnlawfull to name In so much as they which before had vsed some moderation in Christians causes gaue themselues greater licence to exercise crueltie against them This happened at Lions and at Vienne Eusebius reciteth it in his Epistle of the faithfull of Lions and of Vienne in Chap. 1. of the 5. booke At Rome the Pallace and the Temple of Vesta and of Peace and the greatest part of the Towne was consumed by fire Commodus the 13. yeare of his Empire was strangled of the age of 32. yeares by the counsell of Martia his chiefe Concubine who fauoured the Christians and other her friends which he had condemned to death because they shewed him certain his insolencies but they by this meanes preuented him and little there wanted that the bodie of this Tyrant was not drawne into Tyber by the common people Aelius Pertmax the ninteenth Emperour held the Empire by the space of sixe moneths His couetousnesse caused his death for retaining his souldiers wages He was of the age of seuentie yeares Didius Inhanus of Millaine 20. Emperour raigned foure or seuen or two moneths as some say Hauing slaine his predecessor hee was slaine of his Successor of the age of 56. yeares For his auarice he was hated of all Some say he was slaine by a souldier of little estimation within his Pallaice Victor Bishop of Rome borne in Affricke ruled tenne yeares He ordeined that such as would not reconcile themselues should be depriued of the Table of the Lord. Hee instituted that vnlesse it were in cases of necessitie Catholicke Baptisme should be celebrated in the time of the feast of Easter As we may see in the first Decretall Epistle attributed vnto him It were incredible if all Historians did not witnesse it that for the day of celebratiō of the feast of Easter so great a schisme should happen in the Church that of a dissention and question thereof so terrible a warre should come and all by this Victors meanes who would needs haue the feast of Easter celebrated on the Sunday because of the mysterie of the resurrection and would not haue the Fastes broken but on that day Victor writ to Policrates who was a Ruler amongst the Bishops of Asia and gaue commaundement in his Letters whereat all the Bishops of Asia were greatly offended Septimus Seuerus Pertinax borne in Affrica 21. Emperour raigned 18. yeares and dyed of the age of 70. yeares in England Many Sinodes were held in diuers Prouinces touching the Feast of Easter vpon what day it should be celebrated and by common accord it was agreed that the saide Feast of Easter should be celebrated vpon the Lordes day on which was his Resurrection and on no other day But the Bishops of the Countrey of Asia were of a contrary opinion saying that they should keepe the customes of of their Auncestors touching that Which Victor seeing would needs haue depriued generally all the Churches of Asia and
medowes and possessions and their goods should be common and distributed to nourish Ministers the poore and Notaries called Protonotaries which writ the Acts of the Martyrs Origines the tenth yeare of the Empire of Alexander fled from Alexandria into Cesaria of Palestine for a popular sedition there Some say hee was marteried vnder Alexander For although Alexander fauoured the Christians yet were many martyred by his Officers For he made no Edict to prouide for the affaires of the Christians Pontian a Romane Bishop of Rome ruled 6. yeares or nine after Damasus Two Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him which haue this common argument with many others not to molest nor accuse Priests By Damasus it is attributed vnto him that hee should ordaine sixe Priestes 5. Deacons and 6. Bishops Martian the Scottish Historiographer saith that Pontian was sent into exile into Sardinia the first yeare of Maximin At this time at Rome were 36. Priests Cardinalls that is to say eminent and principall amongst others which especially had care of the saluation of soules Of which they say Marcellius ordained 15. to bury the dead and to baptise Children Our Cardinalls of this time would heere take their originall But indeed they beganne in the time of Innocent the fourth about the yeare of Christ 1244. Iulius Maximin borne in Thrace 26. Emperour without authoritie of the Senate but by the Souldiers because he was a great and puissant man he raigned about three yeares A man inhumane and furious he was slaine of the souldiers at the age of 60. yeares with his sonne of the age of 19. yeares and their bodies cast into the Riuer He raised the sixt persecution against the Christians and especially against the Doctors of the Church for hatred to Manea the mother of Alexander his Predecessor of whose death he was culpable and with his owne hands murdered the houshold seruants of the said Alexander The Romane Senate for hatred it bare vnto Maximin chose new Emperours to maintaine the Common-wealth namely Pupian Balbin and Gordian The two first were slaine in the Pallace at Rome by a sedition of warriors and Gordian remained alone Emperour In this time some Historiographers of small authoritie say that Syriacke was the successor of Pontian as Fasciculus tempo Henry de Hereford Bergomensis and Naucler yet is there not one approoued Author or Historiographer which makes any mention of this Siriake They say that he occupied the state a yeare three moneths and 13. dayes and that after he went to Almaigne into Colongue with a great number of Virgines and that there he was Martired with them And the reason why he was raced out of the Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome they say it was because that willingly he forsooke his dignitie against the will of the Cleargie Let euery one iudge what faith such Historians merite or such authors or forgers of Decretall Epistles attributed to Romane Bishops Celsire an Epicurian Philosopher writ then a booke which he Intituled The Truth wherein hee pursued the Christians with villanies lies Origen writ eight bookes against him Anter Damasus saith that by Nation he was a Grecian Isnarda writeth that he came to be Bishop of Rome because Pontian going away substituted him There is great difference in the supputation of the time of his gouernment Euseb giueth him a moneth Damasus 12. yeares and a moneth A Decrerall Epistle is attributed vnto him vnto the Bishops of Betique and Toledo wherein hee pronounceth it lawfull for Bishops to remoue from one place to an other if necessitie require it and the profit of the Church he was Martired vnder Maximin Fabian Bishop of Rome after Anter. a Romane gouerned 13. or 14. yeares His election is described too miraculous namely by a Doue See Eusebius 51.6 Chap. 19. Three Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him that the Constitutions of the seuen Sub-deacons which ought alwaies to be with the Notaries which gather together the deedes of the Martyrs Hee was Martired and his wife Darfosa vnder Decius vnto whom he was married before his being Bishop Gordian chosen by the Senate was a Prince of a noble heart wee finde not that hee made any cruell Edicts against the Christians After he had raigned sixe yeares he was subtilly slaine by Phillippes which succeeded him Many heresies which rose vp in former times renewed at this time At Rome Proclus mainteined the heresie of the Cataphrygians Berillus who otherwise was an excellent Doctor in Arabia fell into the heresie of Artemon which denied Christ to haue bene before his Incarnation Origines disputed against him Vnder Gordian there was so great an Ecclips that the day-light seemed an obscuritie as darke as the night There was also so terrible an Earthquake that some whole Townes were swallowed with the ouerturne of the earth Gordian obteined many victories against the Persians and chased Sapor King of the Persians euen to Antioch which then was held of the Persians He recouered both Cares and Nisible and by this meanes came it to passe that the East was brought subiect vnto the Romane Empire Iulius Capitolin rehearseth it in Gordians life To confute Berillus a Councell was held vnder Gordian at Philadelphia in Arabia where Origenes was who ouercame him and brought him into a good way M. Iulius Phillippus an Arabian with his sonne also called Phillip succeeded Gordian in the Empire They were Christians conuerted vnto the Faith by Pontian or Pontius a Romane Senator and baptized by Fabian Hee his mother Seuera and his sonne Philip desirous to resort into the company of the Christians Fabian would admit them vnto the last Vigiles of Easter although he had great desire to persist in the congregation and prayers of Christians vntill he had confessed his sinne which was a murder as is thought and ioyned himselfe with them of whose sinnes Inquest was made and so placed amongst the Repentants Eusebius Lib. 6. Chap. 34. This Philip refused not to do but accomplished whatsoeuer was enioyned him by the Bishop In the raigne of this Philip there were Heretickes in Arabia which mainteined that the soules die with the bodies and that together they shall rise at the day of Iudgement Origines went towards them beeing sent thither and confounded them There are at this day certaine Anabaptistes which say that when man dyeth his soule sleepeth vntil the day of iudgement which is an execrable heresie There were other Heretickes called Helchescites as Eusebius saith Lib. 6. Chap. 38. or Elsecians after Epiphanius and Saint Augustine which dwelt in Arabia in the Region of the Moobites They reiected the Epistles of Saint Paul and mainteined that in the time of persecution it was no sinne to renounce the Faith with the mouth if so bee the heart remained faithfull This Heresie was before sowne by Basilides and confounded by Agrippa Castor an excellent Doctor O what great hurt this wicked heresie hath
Wherefore preachest thou my Iustifications And wherefore takest thou my Testament in thy mouth c. And incōtinently shut the booke then sat he downe sheading teares and lamenting with great cry being not able to speake and all that were present wept with him Suidas addeth that hee was buried in the Towne of Tyre Euse Lib. 7. cap. 1. saith it was vnder the Emperour Gallus 255. or thereabouts and then was it betwixt the yeare 50. of his age or 69. after Nicephorus And as it may be thought he dyed in great pouertie and miserie if not in dispaire S. Ierome although he sometimes handled him rudely yet he admireth him and praiseth him because of his great knowledge in the Epistle to Pammathus and Ocean He praiseth his spirit but not his faith This should make vs walke in feare and care in our vocation Stephen borne at Rome was Bishop of Rome and the successor of Lucius The greatest paine that he had in his gouernmēt was that he opposed himselfe forcibly against S. Cyprian and all the Councell of Affricke touching the difference that then was moued to rebaptise heretikes as it is recited by Eusebius Lib. 7. ca. 2. 3. The contents of the two Decretall Epistles attributed vnto him deserue no credite The one to Hilarie Bishop and the other to all the Bishops of the Prouinces touching accusations made against Priests For it seemes not that the Romane Church was in such prosperitie then that Stephen Bishoppe thereof had no other thing to do and ordaine but with what reuerence a man must handle the Chalice and holy garments or as Isidore and Polydore witnesse of him that he was the first Inuentor of the Couerings of the Aultar Damasus attributes vnto him two ordinances in which sixe Priests fiue Deacons and sixe Bishops were ordeined and saith that after he had gouerned seuen yeares and fiue moneths he was martyred But Euseb Lib. 7. cap. 5. sheweth that hee was but two yeares in his office S. Cyprian writ vnto him certaine Epistles which are in his workes Denis Bishop of Alexandria excellent in doctrine although he suffered not martyrdome but watched in the midst of the Church therfore God preserued him from Martyrdom as Niceph. speaketh Li. 15. ca. 28. Notwithstanding he endured terrible afflictions diuers banishments in two violent persecutions vnder Decius and after vnder Valerian He died very olde and it hapned at what time the two Councells were held against Paul Samosaten An. 12. of Gallien and of Christ 288. hauing gouerned the state of Alexandria 16. yeares and the Church 17. About this time many Nations cast themselues vpon the marches of the Romanes The Countrey of Denmarke was taken out of their hands Likewise the Almaines came euē to Rauenna putting all to fire and blood This was the first waining and decreasing of the Romaine Empire For the Countrey was neuer after recouered Egipt reuolted France was lost Macedonia Pontus Asia wasted by the Gothes Pannonia by the Sarmates Zenobia Queene of the Persians ruled in the East To vnderstand all this diminution and fall of this Empire See Trebellio Pollia a Romane Historiographer Phillip Bishop of Alexandria martyred and his daughter Eugenia at Rome The great Temple of Diana in Ephesus was pilled and burnt by the Gothes A second Cerinthus hereticke promised in the kingdome to come great store of meates and women and that after a thousand yeares should bee the resurrection and the kingdome of Christ should be on earth Xistus or Sixtus the second of that name succeeded Stephen he was of Athens He was ordeined Bishop of Rome by the election of the Cleargie comming from Spaine where he was preaching There are attributed vnto him two Decretals the one to Gayus Bishop the other to the brothers of Spaine the which containe nothing but the forme of the common gouernment which they make vs beleeue was thē Item touching the vowes of Priests But we may easily see that all is forged at pleasure Damasus after his maner reciteth that hee made orders twise ordeining Priests Deacons and Bishops Bergomensis Sabellicus recite that Xistus trauelled much to take away the heresies of the Sabellians Cerinthians and Nepotians Finally that he was accused by them before Gallien and vpon his commaundement beheaded and with him 6. Deacons S. Ambrose in his Offices li. 1. cap. 41. reciteth that as he wēt to death it is said that one Laurence a Deacon spoke to him in this sort Father wilt thou goe without thy sonne And Xistus answered him My sonne I shall not leaue thee There are greacombattes for the Faith prepared for thee thou shalt follow me three dayes after In the meane while if thou hast any thing in thy treasure distribute it to the poore This Laurence was the chiefe of the seuen Deacons of the Church of Rome which had the handling of the goods deputed for almes The Gouernour of Rome being hungry of siluer and perswaded that the Church had gold siluer moueables as Candlesticks Chalices and such like things would needs haue forced Laurence to haue tolde him where those treasures were Laurence to do this hauing taken the terme of three dayes distributed it all to the poore whatsoeuer he had Then hauing gathered together on an heape all the poore lame and diseased which were maintained of almes At the day assigned hee prayed the Gouernour to goe with him to that place and shewing him al those poore and diseased people he said Behold the vessels of siluer yea the Talents in order receiue them and thou shalt adorne the Citie of Rome and enrich the Reuenewe of the Emperour and thine owne The Gouernour seeing himselfe mocked commaunded hee should be stretched on an Iron grate red hotte and soone after the tormentors laid him on it who with great courage endured that cruell and long torment and finally prayed and inuocated the Lord and so yeelded his happie soule Prudencius a Christian Poet in his booke of Crownes describeth this martirdome Denis succeeded Xistus and as Damasus saith of a Monke was made Bishop But it appeareth rather by that which Eusebius Lib. 7. Ca. 7. and S. Hierome say that he was a Priest of the Church of Rome the yeare of our Lord 266. and the 10. yeare of Gallien Two Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him In the first he exhorteth Vrbain to follow the true Religion The second distributeth and makes partitions of Churches into Parishes and Diocesses Item that two seuerall times he held orders But Eusebius saith Lib. 7. Cap. 30. that Denis died without martyrdome hauing gouerned 9. yeares Others say sixe yeares and sixe moneths The Councell of Antioche against Paul Samosetaine was celebrated in his time wherein the said Paul was condemned and cast out of the communion of the vniuersall Church and Donus a man accomplished with vertues was ordeined in his place He was the sonne of Demetrian who had ruled in that Church without
reproach Hist Eccle. Lib. 7. Chap. 17. Note how the Sonne succeeded the Father in their Bishopricks And so in Victors time Polictates a Bishop of Asia said that he himselfe was the 8. Bishop of his Auncestors Some say that Galien seeing the long horrible seruitude of his Father vnder Sapor King of Persia as is said caused to cease the persecution by publicke Edicts permitting euery one to liue after his owne lawe Hee was so giuen to his pleasures that when it was tolde him that many Countries were reuolted from him hee did but laugh In so much that his souldiers slew him at Millaine at the age of 50. yeares hauing raigned 15. yeares that is to say seuen with his Father and eight alone Thirtie Tyrants rose vp which sore afflicted the Romane Common-wealth Ignatius saith it Claudus the Emperour raigned almost two yeares Trebellius saith that in his kingdome the Gothes and diuers other people of Scythia pilled the Romaine Prouinces and that there were three hundreth thousande men of barbarous Nations which by force entred into the Romaine Territories against which people as well by sea as by land the Emperour Claudus obteined victorie the first yeare of his kingdome and finally chased them away After him Quintilius his brother was chosen of the Romane Senators and raigned but seuenteene dayes and was slaine or as some say he caused his owne foote to bleed in water hauing vnderstood that Aurelian was chosen Emperour Aurelian the Emperour is rather to be numbred amongst necessary Princes then good for so much praise as his militarie Art deserueth so much his domesticke crueltie takes from him which he exercised euen against his sisters sonne Vopiscus witnesseth that the Emperour Aurelian the first yeare of his kingdome recouered Gaule after hee had vanquished Tetrike who before occupied it this was in the yeare of Christ 274. after Eusebius He also deliuered from the Barbarians the Inhabitants of Auspourge which were besieged by the said Barbarians After this he tryumphed ouer Zenobia and the Persians hauing vanquished them Some say hee founded Orleans and Geneua renowned Townes Eusebius saith of him that he was towards Christians very peaceable at the beginning but soone after he chaunged his good opinion at the perswasion of wicked people Insomuch that he determined to persecute the Churches and letters of his Edict were written and wanted but his signet and hand for to send them vnto the Prouinces but God by his diuine clemencie hindered it For hee dyed suddenly before he could execute his will Some say a Thunderboult light nigh vnto Aurelian and such as followed him euen when he began to persecute the Christians and that soone after he was flaine by one of his houshold and familiars as hee was going the second time to warre vpon the Therikes Herein would God giue his to know that his chosen are not executed at the pleasure of men but when it pleaseth him This was the ninth persecution against the Christians which endured not long for the death of the said Tyrant It should also be noted that euen whilest Aurelian the Emperour raigned foure Tyrants inuaded the Empire namely Firmian Saturnin Bonosus and Proculus As Vopiscus saith After the death of Aurelian the Empire was voyd seuen moneths And after him Tacitus was chosen Emperour a wise and graue man but he was slaine the sixt moneth of his Empire Florian his brother tooke from him his Empire not by the Senates authoritie but of his owne will thinking it belonged vnto him by hereditary right yet notwithstanding a while after he was slain nigh Tharsus hauing raigned 60. daies Some say he caused his owne veines to be opened Probus issued from Dalmatia was declared Emperour a man excellent both in peace and warre hee raigned 6. yeares and foure moneths The first yeare of his raigne he recouered Gaul which the Barbarians and Almaines had againe occupied and brought them vnder the first obedience of the Romanes He reduced all Germanie into a Prouince He tooke away olde Tyrants and brought peace into the world So that he said there should be no more any need of souldiers which caused them so to malice him that they conspired to sley him Manes the hereticke at this time composed many bookes and almongst others one hee Intituled The Misteries of Maniche He was a Persian by Nation And seeing many abhorred his lyes and blasphemies sought all meanes to giue authoritie to his doctrine He made the King of Persia beleeue that he would heale his sonne who was greeuously sicke But after the Kings sonne was taken from the Phisitians and put into the hands of Manes he died The King of Persia caused him to be apprehended and made him to be broyled aliue vpon an hot Iron Suidas and Epipha recite it Hee was a great Magician and S. Augustine saith that the bookes of the Maniches are full of fables of Astronomie S. Ierom in the preface of the Dialogues against the Pelagians saith that the Manicheans affirmed that when they are come to the highest degree of perfection they can no more sinne no not in thought nor by ignorance Felix borne at Rome was ordeined Bishop after Denis the yeare of Christ 280. after Eusebius and the first yeare of the raigne of Probus The last Authors attribute vnto him two Epistles Decretals without authoritie of the Elders The first is written to Paternus Bishop The 2. to all the Bishops of France wherein he declareth that he had determined in a Councell that Messes should be celebrated vpō the memory of Martyrs least it might be quenched The word Messe doth manifestly enough shew the deceit and forging of those decretals For it was not yet vsed neither are there found any Authors of that time which haue written thereof Felix finally suffred martirdom after he had bin bishop of Rome 5. yeares after Euse But after Dama 4. yeres 3. months 5. daies Eutichian a Tuscā of the towne of Lunes succeeded him the year of Christ 284. the 1. yeare of y e raign of the Emp. Probus Two decretal Epistles are attributed vnto him the 1. to them of Boetia cōtaining certain doctrines of y e Incarnatiō of Christ of his body of his Crosse of his death of hell of our saluatiō Damasus attributeth vnto him a ceremony touching the oblation of Gummes fruites as Beanes Pease Raisons and such like The same Damasus saith of him if we must needs beleeue him that with his owne hands he buried 342. Martyrs and that he ordained that none should bury any Martyr without a Damaltike or a Sacerdoll coate and without fire Whosoeuer vnderstands the horror of the persecutions of this time way easily coniecture the lyes of such ceremonies Gratian the great Forger reciteth that Eutichian made many constitutions That Abbesses and Nunnes should not put vailes vpon widowes or maydens which should be Nunnes Item that such as came to Councells about
he writ to many But finally being tormented by the filthinesse and stench of the place in the end he yeelded his spirit to God the yeare 308. Eusebius a Gretian by Nation a Phisitians sonne after Damasus succeeded in the gouernment of the Romane Church in the great persecutions in the time of Maxentius the horrible Tyrant The Authours of the Ecclesiasticall history make no mention of this Eusebius The booke of Councells attribute to him three Decretall Epistles The first to the Bishoppes of Gaul The second to the Egiptians The third to the Bishoppes of Tuscane and Campania His ordinances contained in those Epistles are these in effect That sheepe shall not draw their Shepheard or Bishop into Lawe vnlesse he denie the Faith That a mayd which shall be espowsed only by words of the present time may enter into Religion That the Sacrifice of the Aultar be consecrated not in cloath of silke but in linnen cloth and such like bables which the infamous fauourers of the seate of Popes haue not beene ashamed to assigne to those good and faithfull Ministers of the Lorde to disfigure and defile with their orders this honest face of the primitiue Church which follow his head Iesus Christ in continuall persecutions to establish their seate of perdition and to pollute the bloud of those holy Martyrs But contrary Eusebius trauailed much in the haruest of the Lords word as well at Rome as other where in the time of persecutions vnder Maxentius vntill that as Christianus Mattoens saith hee finished his life by martyrdome the yeare of the Lord 309. But amongst Histogoriographers there is great diuersitie for the number of yeares Licinius born in Dare was made Augustus companiō of the Empire with Maximin Galari after the death of Seuerus the yeare of our Lord 308. He was a warlike man and Slauonia was first giuen him to gouerne after the East he was noble although he came of a pesant he shewed himselfe cruel towards the children of Galerius his ally He was an enemy vnto letters as hauing no knowledge no not to write his owne name And he called the liberall Arts a publike poyson and pestilence Euseb lib. 4. ca. 13. He deserued praise in that he repressed abuses the boldnesse insolencies of the brauest of his Court which he called the Moathes and Rattes of his Pallace He raigned 14 yeares liued 60. See Pomp. Laet. Constantine the great sonne of the Emperour Constantius and Helena S. Ambrose in his funerall Oration of Theodosius saith that hee was a seruant in a stable and was borne in England Hee was instructed in the Militarie Art vnder Galerius He tamed the Sermates a fearce Nation barbarous brought their Duke captiue to Galerius who cōceiued enuy at the glory of this yong Prince whereof being aduertised he retired from Rome towards his Father into England who dyed soone after By the fauour of Princes he was declared Emperour the yeare 309. The Senate writ vnto him Letters to aduertise him of the euil gouernment Maxentius for the great cruelties hee exercised at Rome wherevpon he marched towards Rome and pursued Maxentius who retiring into the Towne made couer Tyber with Boats nye the bridge Miluius which by subtil deceit as hee thought he made ioyne together to deceiue Constantine and to haue drown'd him whē he followed him But he himself as furious first comming out to flie not remembring his owne stratageme that hee practised for an other entred on horsebacke with a fewe people vpon the bridge where he was drowned in Tyber the 6. yeare of his Empire For this happie deliuerance honors were giuen to Constantius so he acquited Italie and Affrike For his Father had only left him the Gaulois and Spaine and would so haue contented himselfe had it not bene for the warre that Licinius raised making himselfe Cesar and was established in the East Maximian as we haue said with his great griefe had forsakē the Empire being greeued so long to lead a priuate life did his best by the meanes of Maxentius his sonne chosen Emperour to returne to the Empire but because hee succeeded therein not well he retired towards his sonne in lawe Constantine vnto whom he had giuen his daughter Fausta and sought by ambushes to cast him out of the Empire Which Fausta perceiuing well reuealed to her husband preferring him before her father Wherefore the sonne in lawe besieged him at Marcellis tooke him aliue and bad him choose whatsoeuer kind of death he would He strangled himselfe with a cord or girdle And so this wicked and bloudie man which had shead so much Christian bloud vnluckily finished his life of his age sixtie Licinius at the first had some great familiaritie with Constantine and to please him made a shew to loue the Christians in so much that he married Constance the sister of Constantine and by a mutuall consent together caused to publish lawes for the Christians but afterward comming againe to his nature and forgetting the honour that Constantine had done him began to conspire against him because Constantine so fauoured Christians whose enemie he declared himselfe alleadging this cause that in their assemblies they prayed for Constantine and not for him Licinius then beganne the persecution by his owne house after he stretched it farre by Lawes and Edicts into the Prouinces of the East forbidding especially Bishoppes to make assemblies and Sinodes Secondly that men and women to auoyd scandalles and offence not to assemble at prayers Thirdly that such as were appointed prisoners as transgressors of Edicts should not be visited nor succoured in paine to incurre the like condemnation c. He then set himselfe against the Bishops not openly for feare of Constantine but made them die secretly by his Committees Euseb Lib. 10. Chap. 8. In the Towne of Sebasta Losias killed in a poole fortie souldiers whose Martirdome Basile the great described and other Martirs which were cruelly murdered Licinius increased more and more his crueltie but the Lord sent Constantine to represse him who experimented against him the Forces of the Gaules and Italie hauing ouerthrowne him in Hungarie and pursued him into Macedonia where he repaired his forces He was chased into Asia and in the end yeelded himselfe seeing he was vanquished by sea and by land and was sent into Thessalonica to liue priuately yet could he not so escape the true vengeance of his boldnesse crueltie and infidelitie For hee was slaine by Constantines souldiers about the yeare of our Lord three hundred twentie and foure after some writers Melchiades the thirtith Bishop succeeded in the Church of Rome and was of Affrike after Damasus A man of great pietie and a true seruant in the holy Ministerie of the Gospell and in the affaires of the truth of God vntill hee was put to death vnder Maximin Galerius the yeare of the Lord 314. Read herevpon the Ecclesiasticall History of Eusebius where he reciteth diuers cruell kindes of death wherewith the
but really Iulian was instituted in his youth in pietie vnder Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia as Laetus saith but after he had tasted the Schooles of Philosophie and Rhethoricke vnder Libanius the Sophister and Maximus the Philosopher whom Valentinien the Emperour after caused to be executed for exercising Magicall Artes all that godlinesse which he had learned was chaunged into Ethnike superstition yea Eutropius saith that Iulian in his youth was a Reader in the Church of Nicomedia Moreouer he was a man learned in humane Letters and exercised in deeds of warre ambitious and cruell which he shewed hauing bin cause of the death of his brother Gallus Ierome in the Epistle to Nepotian saith that Iulian denied Iesus Christ in France Beeing then altogether revolted from Religion hee was surnamed the Apostate Hee first forbad Christians to keepe no schooles of humane Letters nor bookes of Philosophie or Poesie For he had often this word in his mouth These Galleleans so called he Christians will make warre vpon vs with our owne writings if they be once armed He liked better to proceed against Christians by long torments and insupportable griefes then by great effusion of bloud For he knew well inough that the former persecutions were the cause of the multiplication and glory of Christians Socrat. lib. 3. chap. 13. Theodoret. lib. 3. chap. 8. The chief persecution that he could deuise was to doo the same in the Temples of Painims that the Christians did in their Churches at their ordinary assemblies in Churches Lectors prayers releeuing of poore hospitalls and such like things which he opposed in the name of Painim Gods Valentinian entring one day into the Temple of Fortune with Iulian being angry at the casting of certain holy water vpon him saying that it rather defiled then clensed him strooke him that cast it But Iulian would haue constrained him to sacrifice vnto the Idolls but he chose rather to forsake all then to commit such a villanie Iulian then banished him the Court alleadging this for a shewe that he had negligently gouerned his souldiers For Iulian the most that he could dissembled that the crueltie he exercised was for the Christian Religion He tooke from Christian Churches all their goods Immunities honours and the prouision of reuenewes which Constantine had assigned thē He destroyed their churches tooke away their treasures and vessels and caused the Temples of the Painims to be repaired he suffred not them to dwell in townes but banished them vnto the extreame and outward parts of the Empire and gaue licence to vse vnto them all contumelies and shames Wherfore in Ascolon and Gaza townes in Palestine great outrages were done vnto them For Christians there were beaten euen to death They of Gaza stoned many of the faithfull opened women and filled their bellies with barley then made them be eaten with swine Theoret li. 3. cha 7. The sacred virgins were exposed naked and after they had shewed vnto them all kinds of reproaches they were cut in peeces and then cast to beasts In some places the Christians were laid aliue sacrificed vpon the Aultars of the Painims It is recited by Nicephorus li. 10. chap. 13. And when the Christians by their embassadors would haue shewed these iniuries vnto Iulian to take order therefore they had no audience allowed And if at any time he made a countenance that he would chastise them that did such outrages by countenance again he rather incited then repressed them Sozom lib. 5. chap. 15. Yea he fell into such impietie and malice to vexe the Christians that the fountaines in Antioche by his commaundements were dedicated vnto Idols in sacrifices and oblations thinking thereby to pollute the Christians and to make them to bee partakers of such abhominations whensoeuer they vsed these fountaine waters yea the flesh that came to the Butchers stall bread fruites and other such like things which were necessary for life hee made them bee sacrificed to Idolls by the Priests The Christians with great sorrowe were constrained to see a detestable and abhominable prophanation yea and to vse these fountaines and viands thus infected and polluted beeing instructed by the doctrine of S. Paul to take with a good conscience whatsoeuer came to the Butchery and that which is necessarie to the common life These were two excellent Captaines Inuentius and Maximianus who at a certaine banquet deploring this prophanation of the goods of God applyed the complaint of the captiue children in Babilon to the time of Iulian. Lord thou hast deliuered vs vnto a wicked King and wee are made slaues vpon the earth c. Which thing beeing reuealed vnto the Emperour he made them come before him They there declared their iust complaint more at large then before seeing they had the meane giuen them to speake vnto him The Emperour condemned them to grieuous torments not as Christians but as iniurious and offering opprobry and shame to his Maiestie for he greatly enuied that word and honor of Martyr And this enuy made him assay all means to torment them before hee would come to execute them by iudgement Iulian burnt with desire to goe against the Persians who had cruelly afflicted the East and affected the name of Partrike But before he enterprised that Act which was his last he promised his Gods that at his returne from this expedition he would yet commit more greeuous things against the Christians then before Ruffin Lib. 1. Chap. 36. Doret Lib. 3. Chap. 21. Of this euill will he shewed sufficient witnesse for in the middest and as it were in the heate of this Persian warre hee tooke leisure to vomit out seuen bookes against Iesus Christ although before he contented himself to write against Christians as Eutropius saith And indeed being in this expedition he prepared a Skaffolde in the Towne of Ierusalem at his returne to place there the Bishops Monkes and the faithfull of these places and to expose them vnto beasts Basile and other good Doctors did all their duties to goe hither and thither to comfort exhort Christians both publikely and particularly nor did meddle nor pollute thēselues with the abhominatiōs of the Gentiles but to detest them yea the gifts and honours which the Emperour proposed to such as renounced Christianitie Here we must not forget the Prophetike answere which a Schoolemaister in Antioche made to Libanius a Sophister when Iulian went against the Persians Libanius demaunded of him mocking Christ What thinkest thou doth the Carpenters sonne at this time The Schoolemaister answered O Sophister the Creator of al things whom thou calledst the Carpenters son makes a coffin to enclose Iulian. Soone after newes came that Iulia was slaine But behold what was the end of this cursed Apostate Iulian After he had passed the Sea Bosphore he wintered in Antioche As soone as the Spring came passing by Hierapolis hee went into Mesopotamia and after he had passed the floud hee fought against the
the Gothes Viscoths Huns and Scyths who hauing passed Danubia ran vpon Hungaria Epire and Thessalia endammaging much the countrey and burning certaine Townes He was ouercome and flying was wounded with a Dart and so fell from his horse and was put in a litle strawe-house to be healed Alanus the Victor pursued him the house whereinto he went was burnt none knowing he was retired thither This was the reward of his tirannie and crueltie against the faithfull And this came to him three yeares after the death of his brother hauing raigned fourteene yeares This battaile was the beginning of great warre that the Romane Empire after sustained Gratian sonne of Valentinian raigned eight yeares with his Vncle Valens three and with Theodosius 4. But his true Kingdome began after the death of Valens the yeare of our Lord 380. Hee reuoked from Exile the Catholique Bishoppes and put backe the Arrians He made Valentinian his litle brother on the fathers side his companion of the Empire Hauing called Theodosius out of Spaine hee gaue him part of the East Empire establishing him as a Ram-part against the Gothes and Huns which occupied Thrace and Daceas as their hereditary countreys Theodosius handled them hardly At his comming he obtained a great victorie against the Almaines But as he cherished too much some of those barbarous Nations which hee caused to come with him hyring them with Gold his owne souldiers bare him euill will insomuch that Maximus was chosen Emperour in England and passing into Fraunce with the Romane Army ouercame Gratian at Paris who fled to Lions where he was taken and killed trayterously by Androgius See Pomp. Laet. Aurel. Vict. Bapt. Egn. lib. 1. Paul Diac. lib. 1. and Oros lib. 7. chap. 33. Theodosius began his true Kingdome after the death of Gratian the yeare 386. He was of the line of Traian who was also sent by the Emperor Nerua to help the Common-wealth Theodosius maintained and amplified the Empire hee put to flight the Huns and Gothes in diuers battailes which came very farre into the Empire hee also graunted peace to the Persians Valentinian the second of that name the brother of the aforesaid Gratian on his fathers side being chased from Italie by Maximus with Iustin his mother Arrian which had wrought great troubles to Ambrose fled into the East towards Theodosius who receiued him and gaue him part of the Empire after hauing shewed him his fault and that because he rebelled against religion and persecuted the Catholiques he fel into this perill Valentinian was strangled seuen yeares at Vienna in Fraunce by his Chamberlaines at the suggestion of Eugenius and of Arbogastes So that it seemed he had strangled himselfe Theodosius tarried not long before hee ouercame Maximus vsurper of the Gaulois and Victor his sonne and Androgius their Coronell which caused Gratian to die Auenging the death of Valentinian he ouercame Eugenius the Tyrant and Arbogastes his companion in a notable victorie For the time the windes the snowe and hayle ranged themselues on his side who had fewe people in respect of the Armie of Eugenius Claudians Latine verses with exclamation witnesse it saying O welbeloued of God who gaue thee a winter armed for thy successors and made come to thy wages the Tempests and the windes c. The said Iustin hauing drawne into her errour Valentinian her sonne sought also to haue deceiued Ambrose but in vaine One day she sent a sort of souldiers to enuiron the Temple to make Ambrose come out who spake to them and said hee would not so easily forsake his place and that to wolues hee would not expose the sheepfolde nor the Temple to blasphemers And that if they determined to sley him let them do it within the temple and so should death please him Theodo li. 5. chap. 13. Reliques The beginning of adoration of Reliques may be reduced to this time Ruffin writeth of Theodosius before hee enterprised warre against Eugenius the tyrant himselfe went with the Priests visiting the Churches and before the Sepulchres of the Apostles made his Orisons and Praiers The contention betwixt Hierome and Vigilantius prest Bishop of Bercolne in Spaine doth sufficiently shewe that superstition was then come forward By the writings of Hierome which are stuffed rather with iniuries outrages then sound reasons out of the holy scriptures we may know that Vigilantius had reason to oppose himselfe to such Idolatry rather then veneration of the Martyrs The words of Hierome writing to Riparius are Thou saist that Vigilantius openeth againe his stinking mouth and spitteth his infection against the reliques of holy Martyrs calling vs which receiue them Cendrier Idolaters which do reuerence vnto dead mens bones And in the booke which he perticularly writ against Vigilantius saith One Vigilantius is risen vp which with an vncleane spirit against the spirit of Christ denieth that we must honour the Sepulchres of Martyrs condemneth Vigils c then addeth And thou sayest in thy booke that as long as we liue we may pray one for an other but after we be dead that the prayers are not heard and yet they pray for the vengeance of their bloud and cannot be heard In which thou proposest vnto me an Apogrypha Booke which thou and the like readest vnder the name of Esdras where it is written that after death none dare pray c. And thou darest out of the gulfe of thy brest vomit so filthy a mockery as to say the soules of Martyrs then loue their owne ashes and flie about them for being absent they cannot heare a poore sinner who by chance resorteth thither c. Briefly he alleadgeth for great meruailes whatsoeuer Vigilantius said but refuteth it not Hee addeth also that Vigilantius heretike saide that Alleluia should not be sung but at Easter That continencie of single life commaunded is heresie and the seede of whoordome It is also reported vnto me saith hee that against the authoritie of Paul vnto whom Peter Iohn and Iames gaue the right hands who commaunds to remember the poore thou forbiddest that any should send any comfort of money to Ierusalem for the vse of the Saints and maintainest that they doo better which vse their owne and which by litle and litle distribute fruites of their possessions then they which hauing solde their possessions giue all at once He saith yet Thou fearest and turnest away viperous tongue Monkes from their application and studie and sayest by way of argument If all men should shut themselues vp or goe into solitude who should celebrate Churches or who should gaine and winne seculer men c. Wee may know by this rehearsall that Vigilantius and other good Doctors of this time maintained that the adoration of Saints was drawne from the Ethnike superstition of the Gods into the Church of the Lord. The abuse came first from the too great praise of Saints It encreased afterward by the false perswasion of the intercession confirmed by signes and lying miracles The
Gothes then entered into Italie by the disloyaltie of Rufin which as it is said fell vpon his owne head by the iust iudgement of God Stillico a Vandall by Nation hoping to lift vp Euchere his sonne to bee an Emperour raised vp the Sueuians Vandales and Alenems and other people to the number of 200000. conducted by theyr King Redegastus or Radagastus who afterward was discomfited in the straite of Appenin After Radagastus a new Armie of Gothes came into Italie hauing for their Captaine Alricus or Alaricus who was sollicited by the Emperour Honorius to leaue the Countrey of Italie and to discend into Fraunce which then was so occupied with French Burgonians and other Nations that Honorius dispaired to hold it But as Alaricus prepared his departure Stillico thought to haue surprised him on the sudden beeing vpon Easter day there being a truce betwixt them not yet expired Alaricus the next morning came against Stillico and to be reuenged besieged the Towne of Rome Honorius being at Rauenna The treason of Stillico being disclosed hee caused him to bee beheaded so receiued hee the reward of his infidelitie Then was there found no Captaine for the warre to leuie the siege before Rome wherefore the Towne was taken by Alaricus after it had endured long time the siege This was about the fifteenth yeare of the Empire of Honorius and of the Lords Natiuitie 412. and from the foundation of Rome 1164. Alaricus neither burnt nor wasted Rome but gaue commaundement that they should be spared which fled vnto the Temples of the Christians He died soone after Adolphus succeeded him and came to Rome but by the meanes of Placidia the sister of Honorius he spared Rome and tooke his way towards Gaul and Spaine and so the Gothes left Italie and occupied Spaine which Alaricus before had inuaded and got the domination thererof In so much that the kings of Spaine that came after discended of them Diminution or the Romane Empire From henceforward the fourth Monarchie receiued such calamities that in place to rule and haue straunge people in subiection it selfe was made a seruant vnto barbarous Nations The Towne of Rome the seate of the said Monarchie in lesse then 139. yeares was foure times taken by the Gothes Vandales and other barbarous people The first is that alreadie recited by Alaricus The 2. by Gensericas the Vandall vnder Martinian the yeare 456. The 3. by Totila King of the Gothes which was the most grieuous oppression that euer Rome endured For it was taken and burnt the yeare 21. of Iustinian and from the foundation of Rome 1300. and of Christ 548. The 4. it was sacked three yeares after the other namely the yeare of Christ 551. as shall be seene in this Historie The Pope Siricius added the Anthems to the Psalmes He made a Lawe that orders that is to say the ceremonies and obseruations which they vse in the consecration of their Church-people should be celebrated and giuen by certaine spaces of time betwixt one an other Ambrose Bishop of Millaine was his familiar and writ vnto him some Epistles which are amongst his workes One in the number 49. and the other in the number 54. wherein hee calles him his Father He died about the yeare 399. hauing occupied that seate 15. yeares after Socrat. lib. 7. chap. 9. and Sozom. lib. 8. chap. 25. Anastasius the first of that name borne at Rome succeeded him and gouerned about three yeares Hee ordained that euery one should heare the Gospell standing and not sitting Hee cast out of the Ministerie such as wanted or were maimed in any of theyr members or subiect to any disease Hee ordained that none beyond the Seas should bee admitted to any Ecclesiasticall estate without hauing a Testimoniall sealed with fiue Bishops This was because of the Manechies which came from Affrike to corrupt Churches Chrysostome borne at Antioch disciple of Libanius the Sophister and an Auditor of Andragatius a Philosopher forsooke the estate of an Aduocate and followed Euagrius with two other his companiōs Theodorus and Maximus which after were Bishops after they had well profited in holy scriptures in the Monasteries For then Monasteries were publike Schooles and Abbots or Priors which gouerned them did publikely teach the holy scriptures Innocent the first of that name borne at Albe preferred the seate at Rome before all others and ordained that it should not be subiect to any other He commaunded the faithfull to fast on the Saterday to the ende that that day they might with Mary Magdalen mourne for Iesus Christ being in his graue He ordained that the Pax should be giuen at Masse and that a Temple which once had beene consecrated should be so no more Hee made certaine lawes concerning the Iewes Painims and Monkes and made the Sacrament of Vnction of such as were sicke Chrysostome was often sicke of a disease of the stomacke therfore he abstained from eating in company He was hardie and liberall in reprehension and aboue all in his publike Sermons and therefore was he hated of the Cleargie He resisted Gaiuas an Arrian who begged of the Emperour a Temple in Constantinople for his people See the Tripart Hist Chap. 6. Lib. 10. Constantinople was diuinely aided against Gaiuas who sending souldiers in the night to burne the Emperours Pallace a great multitude of armed men were seene come against them three nights which made them desist and leaue off their enterprise Chrysostome was sent in ambassage towards the said Gaiuas who had wasted all the countrey of Thrace who met the said Chrysostome and commaunded his owne children to kisse his knees and he himselfe kissed his hand Certaine Monkes Egipt Antropomorphites maintained that God had a body whereabouts came many contentions amongst the Bishops Insomuch that the Arrians and Catholiques in the night slew one an other There was an earthquake in Constantinople The siluer Image of Eudoxia was placed nigh to the Temple of S. Saphie and playes celebrated in her honour Chrysostome crieth out against it and in a Sermon vnder the name of Herodias taxeth Eudoxia whereof beeing angry she suborned people to sley Chrysostome but the people guarded him both day and night he was afterward exiled into Pontus The Church of Constantinople so increased by the Chrysostonites that many of them were put to diuers torments After his exile there happened at Constantinople in September a great haile and foure dayes after died Eudoxia See the forealleadged booke Chap. 15.16 20. The Pernitious errour of Pelagius In the time of Innocent Pope of Rome there was in the Countrey of England one called Pelagius who began to teach that we are not iustified by Gods mercie for Iesus Christes sake without Merite but that through our owne workes and naturall vertues we acquire true and perfect righteousnesse before God Against this Pelagius many good Doctors of this time writ but aboue all Augustine hath shewed that by faith onely we are Iustified
Possidonius writ his life Sedulius Possidonius Sozomenus Socrates and Theodoriretus were Authors of the Tripartite Historie which afterward was brought into one by Cassiodorus Valentinian was made Emperour with Theodosius and they raigned together the one in the East the other in the West Clodio a Painim King of France raigned 18 yeares Hee recouered from the Romaines Torney and Cambray where he was buried Superstition was now farre entred into the houses of great men In so much as Eudoxia the wife of Theodosius the yonger went vnto Ierusalem and frō thence brought the chains wherewith S. Peter was bound by Herode which were ioyned with them of Nero wherevpon afterward was instituted the feast of S. Peter in bonds Item the Relikes of S. Steuen S. Hierome in his Epistle to Eustochius counteth them otherwise Sixtus the third of that name a Romaine gouerned the state of Rome 8. yeares Hee was accused by a Priest of great credit called Bassus to haue committed Incest and to haue violated a religious woman named Chrysogonus and so did Bassus vnderstand of a seruant of the said Sixtus called Peter But in a full Sinode of 55. Bishops by Valentinian Augustus libertie was left to Sixtus to iudge himselfe For it is not lawfull saith he to iudge nor giue sentence against the hie and great Bishop He then tooke his oath that he was innocent of the matter and so was absolued by the Sinode and Bassus banished and all his goods confiscate and giuen to the Church The beginning that the Pope should not be iudged Sixtus then instituted the feast of S. Peter in bondes the first day of August in place of an other Feast which was before made for the victorie of Augustus Caesar which he obtained against Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra Suspition or Idolatrie chaunged but not abolished The Vandales which from the outward parts of Almaine vnder Gratian came into France and after into Spaine finally vnder the conduction of Genserich came into Mauritania and after sell vpon Carthage and there occupied Affricke more then 77. yeares Victor Bishop of a Towne in Numidia which is in Affricke called in Latine Cattena made a booke against the Arrians and presented it to Genseric King of the aforesaid Vandales an Arrian Polychronius Bishop of Ierusalem is chased away Hee in the time of a famine sold all his goods and gaue it to the poore For which chatitie and mercy he was after restored againe Sixtus ordeined that none should bee promoted in the Cleargie into anothers Diocesse or Parish He also before his death gaue all his goods to the poore Hillarie Bishop of Arles left all his goods and went into an hermitage where he composed the life of Saint Honorius Abb. Tritem He had done better if hee had preached constantly and opposed himselfe against the peoples vices Arcadius Probus Paschasius and Eutichius were in great estimation and honour with Gensericus but seeing he could not draw them vnto Arrianisme after many euils finally he martyred them with others yea hee cast certaine Bishoppes out of their places and bookes of Religion and the Christian faith were burnt The Councell of Ephesus the second was assembled by Theodosius wherein Eutiches the heretike was restored and Flauianus a true Catholike condemned by a false accusation For there was Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria President who was of the sect of the said Eutiches This Councell was corrected by the Councell following which was assembled vnder Leo the Pope first of that name as followeth The Towne of Rhemes was taken by Attila and put to fire and sword Nicasius Bishop of the saide place a very auncient man was slaine and his sister Eutropia put to death Leo a Tuscan first of that name gouerned the Romaine Church 21. yeares He ordained that whosoeuer vnreuerently should handle the Images of Saints should be seperated and depriued of the communion of the faithfull He added to the Masse Orate pro me fratres c. Also the Deo gratias is attributed vnto him He added to the Canon Sanctum sacrificium immaculatam hostiam Item hanc igitur oblationem c. Attila sacked all Italie At the sacking of Aquilia one of the honourablest women called Digna cast her selfe from an high Tower into the water for feare to be rauished by the Barbarians For the fairest women were reserued from death that they might be forced of those barbarous people Naucler Merouee the third King of France raigned ten yeares He also was a Painim and was not the sonne of Clodio but the maister of his horse-men Yet to him the king Clodio recommended the gouernment of his kingdome of his wife of his three children trusting vnto his loyaltie which hee had sworne and promised vnto him in the presence of his Princes But soone after the death of the said Clodio Merouee chased away his said three children and caused himselfe to be chosen King When the three children came to age they made warre vpon him and tooke from him all the Countrey of Austria Lorraine Brabant Namure and Hainault Leo ordeined that there should be but one God-father or God mother at Baptisme and at confirmation Some attribute vnto him the ordinance that Alleluya and Gloria in excelsis Deo should not be sung from Septuagesima vntill Easter Letanies were first in Constantinople and after in the West by Lupus Bishop of Troy receiued and approued Item by Mamerus Bishop of Vienna for an Earthquake that happened and further to appease it was sung the Sanctus Deus Sanctus Fortis Sanctus immortalis miserere nobis From hence-forward thou shalt see infinit superstitions traditions and heapes of Councells and Relikes He ordeined fasting the three Rogation dayes Attila Captaine of the Hunnes tooke Rome before whom Leo came at the first and obtained of him to touch nothing at Rome And Attila being asked wherefore so easily he agreed therevnto answered that hee sawe the Angell of God with a sword drawne who threatned him if hee graunted not his request Paul Diaconus The general Councel of Calcedon of 630. Bishops against Eutiches Abbot of Constantinople vnder Martian In this Councell 16. Chap. this decree is set downe If any Virgin vowe and dedicate her selfe to God and likewise a Monke it shall bee no more lawfull for them to marry but if they be found to marry then to remaine excommunicated yet we ordaine that the Bishop of the place if he thinke good may shew the same humanitie and fauour The Narration or Fable of the 17. sleepers named Malchus Maximianus Martinianus Dionisius Ioannes Serapion and Constantinus raised again as it were 200. yeares after their death and preaching the resurrection of the bodie against certaine heretikes affirming the contrary is forged about this time Long great persecution was against the Christians in the Country of Persia In so much that Theodosius made peace with them that they would cease the persecution Abb. Vsp. The Tripartite
added to the Masse Vere dignum iustum est The Canons then was made at diuers times in diuers times It is then no maruell if it be euil sowed and patched with rags and tatters without any certaine Authour He made 5. bookes against Nestorius Eutiches Item two against the Arrians and a Treatise of excommunicatiō He restored Messenus Bishop after the knowledge of his penance He excommunicated the Emperour Anastatius because hee fauoured Acarius and other heretikes He excōmunicated the king of Vandals all his people which thē in Affrike afflicted the true faithfull in fauour of the Arrias He commanded Priests that they should not communicate but in both kindes and not vnder one alone The Cleargie greatly loued waxed rich in this time and increased Gelatius in full Councell at Rome declared that in the Eucharist neither the substance of the bread and wine nor their natures are chaunged but that in them as in an Image the flesh and bloud of the Lord are represented and that in the Sacrament both are exhibited to the faithfull Hee also declared them to be excommunicated which gaue not nor tooke the Sacrament of the Eucharist whole In the first volume of the Councels Gennaduis at this time was Bishop of Marceil Anastatius a Romane second of that name Pope gouerned the Church of Rome two yeares This is the second Pope noted of heresie whose beginning was reasonably good and excommunicated the Emperor Anastatitius an Eutechian heretike but afterward he himselfe did all he could to reuoke Acetius from exile and stucke vnto him He prooued also very fauourable vnto the Nestorians and communicated with Photin a Deacon of Thessalonica wherfore many Clarks Priests and Bishops refused to communicate with him See the Chap. Anastatius distinct 9. In the moneth of September he created 12. Priests and 16. Bishops Hee died very miserably as it is saide beeing vpon the priuie where he voyded all his bowels as did Arrius Naucler Acatius Bishop of Constantinople an heretike was at this time murthered Sigeb Simmachus borne in the I le of Sardiue ruled in Rome 16. yeares The first schisme in the Romane Church The election of Popes consecrated with bloud When Simmachus was chosen an other likewise called Lawrence was ordained Simmachus in the Temple of S. Iohn de Latran and Lawrence in the Church of S. Mary the greater for which election there was great diuision in the Church In so much as the people and the Romane Senate were diuided Wherefore a Councell was held at Rauenna the King Theodoric being present wherin the election of Symmachus was confirmed Laurence was recompenced with the Bishopricke of Nycerre by Symmachus but by some of the Cleargie of Rome this same sedition began againe about foure yeares after In so much that Theodoric being grieued thereat sent to Rome one Peter Altin Bishop of Rauenna to be Pope the other two reiected But Symmachus assembled the Councell and there in the presence of all 102. Bishops made his Oration and therin so purged himselfe of all vices and crimes laid against him that he was againe elected and approoued of all and Laurence and Peter Altin were reiected yet the noise at Rome was greater and the sedition more enflamed then before For at euery faction there was bloud-shead As well Priests as Lay-men slew one an other in the streetes Finally Faustin the Consul appeased the sedition laying hand to Armes against such as were chiefe Captaines of so many euils See the fruites of the riches of the Romane Church Symmachus ordained that on Sundayes and solemne daies of Martirs they should sing Gloria in excelsis Deo adding to the Cantic the rest which are more then the words of the Angell Item that whilest the Pope liueth none should holde talke of chusing a new Pope vpon paine of excommunication He caused certaine houses to be builded nigh the Church of S. Peter for the ease of the poore and prouided them of all things necessary for liuing Vnder Trasimundus King of Vandals many Bishops of Affrike were put to exile and sent into the I le of Sardine to the number of 202. Amongst the which was Fulgentius which this Symmachus helped with siluer and redeemed many Captiues Olimpius Bishop of Carthage an Arrian beeing at the Bathes and blaspheming the Trinitie was suddenly burnt Naucler Boetius a Poet of this time whose wife was named Elphe was sent into exile by Theodorice King of the Ostrogothes and after sent to prison where he made his bookes De Consolatione Philosophiae In this time Abbies and Temples began to be founded in Fraunce and to be dedicated to the honour of Saints and called by their names The King Clouis vowed to build a Church if he obtained victorie against Allaricus King of Visegothes Hee caused to bee builded the Church of S. Geneurefue at Paris then called Saint Peter and Pauls where hee was buried He founded the great Temple of Strasbourge Gerard Bishop of Laon was married and of his wife had a sonne who succeeded him in the Bishoppricke Symmachus cast out of Rome the Manecheans and caused publikely their bookes to be burnt And made a booke Intituled The excesse of Clarkes He created 92. Priests and 107. Bishops Many Sinodes were held at Rome and one Councell at Valence in Spaine whereby they sought to force Ecclesiasticall persons to leaue their wiues Childebert the sixt King of France a cruell man raigned 45. yeares He founded the Abbay of S. Germain des prees nigh Paris where he was buried and the Abbay Du Mont at S. Michaels the Church of S. Germain del Auxerrois at Paris But the booke called Le mer des histoires sayth otherwise Hormisda Pope borne at Fresselon a Citie of Campania gouerned the Romane Church 9. yeares Hee ordained that Priests should addresse no Aultars without the licence of their Bishop That marriages should be made publikely and solemnly Suppl Chron. That no Lay-man should be chosen to be Bishop A Councell was at Rome against the Eutechians wherein it was ordained that he that had done his penance and made an honourable amends should not be admitted into any Ecclesiasticall estate Supp Chro. Many Monkes corrupted with the Nestorian heresie not leauing it by the exhortations of Hormisda but rather sowing diffametory speeches against him were banished from Rome against the hipocrisie also of which he writ He sollicited by Letters and messengers Iohn Bishop of Constantinople companion of Acarius and euen the Emperour himselfe to leaue the Eutechian heresie but not onely Anastatius despised his admonitions but iniuried his foure Embassadors saying that it belonged to an Emperour to command and not to a Pope Paulus Diaconus addeth that the Emperour Anastatius besides all this caused them to mount on the Sea to goe into Italy in a light and worne ship forbidding them to take no land in Greece but quickly passe away without taking any Porte
Anastatius a litle after died with lightning he was of the age of 88. yeares the 25. yeare of his Empire Hormisda was renowned for his great almes done to the poore and for condemning the Manichean heresie which sproong againe and for burning their bookes Boetius was put to death by the commaundement of Theodorike the Arrian Iustine the auncient Emperour raigned nine yeares In his youth he kept swine then he kept oxen after he was a Carpenters man About the age of 16. yeares he beganne to follow the warre and by craft came to the Empire For hauing receiued a great summe of siluer to buy the suffrages of Princes Captaines and other for an other he subtilly bought them for himself and so was chosen but he caused all them to die for whom he had receiued the said siluer A Councell at Gerone in Spaine at this time A Councell at Satragosse In the 7. Chapter of the said Councell it is said Whosoeuer receiueth the Eucharist and eateth it not let him be excommunicated for euer This is in the second volume of Councells In the 16. Chapter If any Clarke vpon presumption of vanitie or by dissolution make himselfe a Monke let him bee excommunicated Brigide a virgin in Scotland dyed the yeare 524. of whom many fabulous things are inuented Iustin after his election sent Embassadors vnto Hormisda the Pope to confirme the Apostolike authoritie and to bring peace to all Churches He cast out of Constantinople all the Eutechian Heretikes and Arrians and reuoked from exile all such as Anastatius the Emperour before had banished and Temples were taken from the Arrians and giuen to the Catholiques Theodorice much grieued that Iustin should againe driue away the Arrians in despight determined to torment the Town of Rome Iohn Pope the first of that name a Tuscaine gouerned the Church three yeares at Rome Hee with the Bishop of Rauenna and certaine Senators and Councellors of Rome were sent to Constantinople by Theodorice King of Italy to the end that the Emperour should restore to the Arrian Bishops and Priests their Churches otherwise he would put Rome and Italie to fire and sword As this company approached neare the towne the Emperour Iustin with all his Cleargie and all the people of the Towne met them and the Emperour casting himselfe at the Popes feete saluted him Iohn then being receiued in such honour expounded the cause of his comming and seeing hee could not bring Iustin to Theodorics will began to weep and besought him to helpe the ruine of Italie and of the Catholiques Then rose there vp a great lamentation on the Ambassadors side and of the Auditors euery one seeing Religion to be in so great hazard if the Arrians were restored and on the other side the great dissolation of Rome and Italie Finally the request of the Embassadors obtained the opinion of which was that for a time the cause of the faith might tarry behinde to procure the saluation of the Towne and of Italie The Emperour consented to the restitution of the Arrians suffering them to liue after their owne lawes and statutes but for all this the Pope Iohn and his companions got nothing heereby For the honourable entertainment which the Emperour gaue them was suspected of Theodorice wherefore hee put the Pope in prison at Rauenna where hee finally died in great miserie pouertie and infection and the other Embassadors were likewise with him This was a notable iudgement of God vppon such as set behinde the cause of Faith for a temporall commoditie Peace restored to the Catholiques in Affrike by Hilderic King of Vandales who reuoked from exile all such as his father had banished notwithstanding his father on his death-bed had charged him that he should neuer giue helpe nor support vnto Catholiques Affrike was afflicted vntill this time namely about 74. yeares Some histories say that the Towne of Antioche was by an earthquake wholly destroyed Iustinian the Emperor Iustins Nephew by his sister raigned 38. yeares He set his studie to repaire the estate of the Commmon-wealth by Bellisarius Felix the fourth Pope of that name ruled foure yeares Supp Chron. He was great Grand-father of S. Gregories father There is attributed vnto him the ordinance of extreame Vnction grounding his ordinance vpon the words of S. Iames the 5. Chapter He caused to be builded at Rome the Temple of S. Cosme and of S. Damian and repaired the church of S. Saturnin which was burnt The Feast of the Dedication euery yeare ought to bee obserued and celebrated In this time Cassiodorus compiled in one the Historie which is called Tripartite Boniface ruled at Rome two yeares and more There was great contention and discention in his election For some had chosen Discorus but hee died about a moneth after and so ceased the diuision wherefore hauing prooued the feare thereof hee ordained that three dayes after the Popes death if it were possible there should bee an other elected to shun sedition This was hee which did seperate the people from the Cleargie as they were hearing the diuine Seruice as they called it Iohn the second of that name called Mercurius borne at Rome gouerned the Church three yeares The Vandales tooke ende in Affrike 96. yeares after it was occupied by Gensericus the Tyrant an Arrian And Affrike was made tributary to the Romane Emperour by Bellisarius Iustinian sent the confession of his faith with his owne hand and seale to Iohn the second In the second volume of Councels Item he sent vnto him a Cup of Gold and two of Siluer and certaine Challices Gregorie Bishoppe of Langres was married Fascicul Temp. The Councell of Toledo the second Agapetus a Romane ruled one yeare His father was a Priest called Gordian Iustinian was seduced by Athemius the Eutychian Bishop of Constantinople Agapetus was sent to Constantinople by Theodatus King of the Ostrogothes in Italie to appease the Emperour and to haue pardon for the fault hee had committed in putting to death Queene Amalasontha the wife of Theodorice by whom he was admitted into the Kingdome Agapetus comming to Constantinople contention arose betweene him and the Emperour And after many threatnings against Agapetus Iustinian finally left his errour was quieted and cast Anthemius out of his Bishopricke and there appointed one Mennas in his place at the exhortation of Agapetus Vnto Agapetus is attributed the ordinance of Processions on Sundayes about the Temples The Temple of S. Sophie was builded at Constantinople by Iustinian Germaine Bishop of Paris excommunicated the King of Fraunce Herebert because he left his wife Iugebergne Abb. Vrsp Eleutherius Bishop of Tornay Medard Bishop of Noion Gildard Bishop of Rouan in this time Iordain a Monke after came to be a Bishop of the Gothes a Chronicler of the Ieastes of the Romanes and of the Gothes Abb. Trit Syluerius Pope or Liberius borne in Campania in Italie the sonne of Hormisda Bishop who as is said was
obserued as the Gospell which is a sacriledge to compare humane ordinances with the eternall word of the liuing God It was there also ordained that no Bigamus should be ordained Priest and that Priestes accused of the people should haue this authoritie that by oath they might purge thēselues and approue their innocencie By this meanes they would be all innocent Monkes were forbidden to carry any to baptise and women that they should not enter into anye Monasterie of Monkes In Italie after a great drought there came an innumerable multitude of Grashoppers which consumed all the graine and fruite whereof came a great famine in Italie which endured two yeares Chro. Euseb The Legends of Saintes were forged at this time of such liues as these Fathers writ Many Relikes were found out by the subtilties of Sathan As Christes Coate vppon which the souldiers cast Lottes is said to be found in a Coffer of Marble in the Towne of Zapha and frō thence carried into the towne of Ierusalem Abb. Vrsperge and Naucler Such foule absurdities merit no recitall but that the greatest of the world haue bene deceiued with these inuentions of Relikes Argentuel nigh Paris made a Banner of this Coat Agilulsphus king of the Lombards was 2. yeares before Rome and the Arrabian Sarrasins entered into Sicilie and by fire wasted it Mauricius otherwise a good Prince who had many victories especially against the Persians in the end became odious to his souldiers because of his infinit couetousnesse which is a very detestable vice in a Prince He by his auarice dissembled rapines and murthers and payed not his souldiers but not them especially which serued vpon the Frontiers of Sarmatia to resist the fiercenesse of the Scithians They remained in barraine places enduring great necessities For this cause the souldiers conspired against him and Phocas was designed Emperour Who caused his M. Maurice his head to be cut off in Chalcedone the heads also of his wife three Children Theodorus Tiberius and Constantine the rehearsall thereof is worthy memorie that Maurice seeing his children murthered by Phocas and that hee himselfe straightway must be put to death he often cryed in this voice which is in 145. Psalme and verse 12. Lord thou art iust and thy iudgements are also And so dyed of the age of 63. yeares and the 20. yeare of his Empire We may learne by the example of the Emperour who was not of the worst in great cruell temptations in such sort to bridle our thoughts that the iustice of God may alwayes haue his praise and be vnto vs a buckler against all temptations Colomban of Scotland a very renowmed Bishop dyed the yeare 598. Abb. Trit The Lombards were conuerted to the Faith by S. Gregorie who writ his Dialogues and presented them to Theodelinde the wife of Agilulphus their King Supplem Chron. Eutropius a Bishop at this time Abb. Trit Phocas 42. in number and the 19. of the Grecian Emperours of Constantinople which ruled in the East from a Gouernour of Scythia after he had wickedly slaine his maister was chosen by the vnlucky Armie whereof he had charge a verie slaue of couetousnesse who handled secret matters with Courtiers after the manner of the Persians and solde the Offices of Magistrates Iudgements and dearly loued such as tormented the people by rapine and extortion This is hee who first ordeined that Rome should first be the chiefe of all Churches yea though it were Constantinople Gregorie the first besides so many ceremonies and superstitions made certaine ordinances and gaue permissions and lycences Amongst others he suffered diuorces for the long disease of a woman which cannot yeeld her dutie to her husband if he cannot conteine vpon condition notwithstanding that he helpe and succour his said wife in her disease This is in the second Epistle to Augustine the English man And in the second volume of Councells But why then did he not rather vse moderation towardes men and women which were cast into Monasteries when they cannot conteine wherefore constraine they them not to marry See the same Epistle Hee made many bookes amongst many others the Dialogues of the miracles of Saints in foure bookes which are full of Fables whereby he pretendeth to prooue that the soules of the dead returne againe and that we must pray for them These Fables inuented to pray for the dead gaue great authoritie to Masses which after came in great credit Sauinian Pope a Tuscane after Gregorie gouerned the Church of Rome two yeares He is accounted the third Pope noted of abhominable infamie an insatiable man and a sworne enemie of his predecessor Gregorie euen to cause his bookes to be burnt He being once admonished to follow the liberallitie of the said Gregorie towards the poore he answered that he dissipated and wasted the goods of the Church to get a good report and the fauour of the people Hee passed not his Popedome without inuenting and ordaining something namely that there should bee burning Lampes kept continually in the Temple and the houres of the day should be distinguished and rung in Churches The sea of Histories Boniface Pope the third of that name a Romane after Naucler ruled in the Church of Rome one yeare fiue moneths In a Sinode at Rome of 72. Bishops 30. Priests and some Deacons it was ordained vnder paine of excommunication that none should be elected Pope or Bishop but three daies after the death of his predecessour and by the consent of the Prince or of the Lord of the place It was also ordained that all such as by gifts fauour came to any Episcopall dignitie should be excommunicated Then it followeth that all their Bishops at this day are excommunicated This Pope ordained that the Aultar should be couered with cleane cloathes That the corporall of the Aultar should be kept cleane This Phocas as is said the murtherer of his M. the Emperour ordeined Boniface Bishop of Rome the soueraigne Bishop of all Chistianitie and the Romane Church chiefe of all the Churches of the world Abb. Vrsp. The primacie then of the Romane Church was established by an homicide and a traytor who died miserably Cosroes King of the Persian vnderstanding his Father in lawe Maurice was put to death by the ambushes of Phocas detested so that treason that he rebelled against the Empire In such sort that he wasted Siria and tooke Ierusalem where there were nintie thousand men slaine And the Chronicles adde that the wood of the holy Crosse was then taken and carried into Persia and the Bishop Zacharie was also prisoner The East Empire beganne to decline The Hans likewise reuolted against the Empire and with their great multitude they ouerranne the Romane Prouinces The Persians occupied Mesopotamia and Assiria and from Ierusalem ranne euen to Cappadocia and Gallatia and succoured all the Country euen to Chalcedone On the other side the Sarrazins wasted Egipt Boniface Pope 4. of that
for Monkes that for necessitie they might not be withdrawne from holy things There was also graunted Franches and libertie to Monkes Clarkes and Priests that they should not be subiect vnto temporall Lords c. The body of S. Marke was transported from Alexandria to Venice Naucl. After this Councell there were ambushes laid for the Emperor Lewis euen his owne children angry at the second marriage of their father with one called Iudith an audatious woman He sent them farre from him namely Lotharie into Italie Pippin into Aquitane and Lewis into Bauiere Notwithstanding he was imprisoned in the Monasterie of S. Modard at Soissons Iohn le Maire declareth this Historie as followeth In the time of Gregorie the fourth saith he was held a Councell at Campaigne which was detestable and pernitious by the disordinate Prelates of France who grieued that at the former Councell the Emperour had corrected their pompes and disordered superfluities hauing caused them to leaue their Rings they conspired against him and caused the children to take Armes against their father and to take him and hold him in straight guard at Soissons the Pope Gregorie aiding in this exploit Moreouer at the said Councell or rather conuenticle and monopole the said Bishops and Prelates coniured condemned their soueraigne Prince and Lord to lay away Armes and his militarie Girlde and to dispoile himselfe of his Imperiall dignitie and in the place therof to take the Monkes Coole or Frocke O false wicked and Pharasaicall Priestly hypocrisie saith he This is not the first time that thou hast conspired in great disdaine against such as reprehend and correct thee For thou begannest at the head that is at our Lord Iesus Christ But afterward this said Emperour was againe established into his Kingdome by an other better Councell of Bishops and Prelates of France and by the conduct of certaine good Barrons and loyall Captaines of his kingdome being nigh touched with his troubles and griefes His sonnes which had imprisoned him demanded pardon for their fault and villainous enterprise and obtained it See Iohn le Maire Ebdo Archbishop of Rhemes and many other Prelates which had conspired against the king were deposed from their dignities condemned and banished out of France Chron. Sigeb Gregorie the fourth instituted the Feast of All-saints vpon the first day of Nouember Rabanus first Monke of S. Benet and Abbot of Fulden after Bishop of Magunce flourished at this time He expounded all the Bible as well the olde as the new Testament and made many other bookes Strabus a Monke of Fulden a Disciple of Rabanus was the first which made the ordinarie Close which after was augmented Tritem Bertramus Priest a learned man and well instructed in true pietie made a booke of Predestination and an other of the body and bloud of the Lord wherein he speaketh very properly of the Lords Supper He serued for a light to illuminate others in this darke time Turpin Archbishop of Rhemes wrote two bookes of the actes of Charlemaigne Abb. Trit Lewis Debonaire died of the age of 64. yeares hauing raigned 26. and was buried at Mets in the Sepulchre of his mother Hildegarde After his death rose vp a cruell time for whilst his children Lotharie Charles and Lewis were in debates and warres the Sarrasins on the other side lifted vp themselues as also the Saxons with others At a battle giuen at Fountenay a Towne of Auxerrois Lotharie fled to Aixle Chapelle and and from thence to Vienne Lotharie or Lother obtained the Empire 15. yeares The felicitie of that Kingdome acquired by Charlemaigne soone finished in this man whose Empire was diuided He had such debates with his bretheren that one day at an Easter Feast almost all the Nobilitie of France perished at a combat wherein Charles had the victorie Finally there was meanes found of agreement namely that Charles surnamed Le Chaune should be King of France Lewis King of Germanie and Lotharie who was then the eldest should haue Gaul Belgique Prouince and that portion of the Countrey which of his owne name was called Lotharinge that is to say Lorraine He already possessed Italie Lothaire left three sonnes Lewis Lotharie and Charles vnto which he made a partition to Lewis the Empire with Italie to Lothaire Austrasia and Lorraine and to Charles the youngest the Kingdome of Prouince This partition was during his life in the presence of the greatest of his Kingdome After he tooke him to a Monasterie Sergius Pope the second of that name a Romane ruled three yeares His election was confirmed by Lewis the Emperour Lothaires sonne who sent to Rome for that purpose and the said Lewis was crowned King of Italie by Sergius Nauclerus This Sergius was before called Swines Snowte and therefore chaunged his name and so gaue first occasion to his successors to chaunge their names in their election He then and they which followed esteemed more of the name which they receiue at their cursed vnction then that they receiue at their baptisme wherein there is an apparant marke of Antichrist Some there are which by reason of certaine misteries and secrets which were then reuealed count the number of the Beast from this change of the name vntill the 7. yeare of Iulius the second of that name who casting S. Peters keyes into Tiber tooke Saint Pauls Sword whereof wee shall speake in his place This Pope had a brother called Benet who outragiously vsursped to himselfe the Church goods and there was so great couetousnesse at Rome by the carelesnesse of Sergius that Bishopprickes were publikely solde to him that would giue most and no man in authoritie sought any remedie for such an enormitie which they said came because of the Sarrasins comming into Italie Yet hee was very diligent to adorne and repaire Churches and to place many holy bodies in them Supp Chron. He builded a Monasterie nigh the Church of S. Siluester Supp Chron. He added to the priuate Masse the breaking of bread into three peeces Leo Pope 4. of that name a Romane ruled 8. or 9. yeares Hee was presently chosen euen before his predecessor was buried Hee repaired many Temples which the Sarrasins had destroyed He ordained that no Lay-man should presume to enter into the Quier of the Church nor to come nigh the Priest when he sung Masse vnlesse it were to the offering For that place is ordained for them which doo diuine seruice Chron. Euseb Hee also made many Collects and Orisons as Deus cuius dextra beatuÌ„ PetruÌ„ ambulantem in fluctibus c. Item Deus quibeato Petro collatis c. Item Deus quiab ipso huis mundi principio c. Item Presta quaesumus omnipotens misericors Deus c. against the assaultes of the Sarrasins and Earthquakes He builded the Castle of S. Angelo at Rome repaired the walles and gates and builded fifteene Bulâ—arkes for the defence of the Towne And he himsefle went to warre against the
there are many examples both of the olde and newe Testament which teach as thou knowest an holy discretion I beseech it may not be greeuous to thy Fatherhood if of many I bring some fewe in this my writing The Lorde in the olde Testament hath constituted and ordeined marriage for Priests and we neuer reade that after he forbad it He saith well in the Gospell That some are chaste which make themselues chaste for the kingdome of heauen but hee addeth that all men vnderstand not this word Hee that can comprehend it let him comprehend it And therefore the Apostle saith As for virgins I haue no commandement of the Lorde but I only giue counsell Which counsell yet all cannot as thoa maist consider comprehend after the sentence of the Lord. Thou feest notwithstanding many to whome this sentence of the Gospell is pleasant and flatter themselues being more willing to please men then God and vnder a false appearance of chaslitie commit many great and enormious sinnes do subborne and corrupt other mens wiues and which is more do not abhorre to lye with Males and with brute Beasts And to the end the estate of the Church should not be so wasted and corrupted with such a pollution infection and contagious a pestilence the Apostle S. Paul commandeth faith To auoyd fornication let each man haue his wise But hypocrites corrupt this sentence and say falsly that it only appertaineth to Lay people And yet they make no difficultie nor conscience in whatsoeuer holy order they be constituted to abuse other mens wiues And all those which we cannot see without weeping are abandoned to the aforesaid sinnes and enormities surely they vnderstand not the scripture And because they haue too rudely pressed the brest therof in lieu of milk they haue drunk blood For this sentence of the Apostle namely Let each one haue his wife excepteth no person but him that hath the gift of continency or him who hath purposed to perseuer in his virginity after the Lord. Wherfore ô reuerend Father it shal be your part to see that whosoeuer either with hand or mouth hath made a vow of continency and afterward would forsake it should either be compelled to keep his vowe or else by lawfull authoritie should be deposed from his order An to bring this to passe ye shal not only haue me but all other of my order to be helpers vnto you But y e you may vnderstand that such who know not what a vow mean are not to be violently compelled thervnto hear what the Apostle saith vnto Timothy A Bishop saith he must be irreprehensible the husband of one wife Which setence least you should turne and apply only to one onely Church mark what he inferreth after He that knoweth not saith he how to rule his owne house and familie how should he rule the Church of God And likewise the Deacons saith hee let them be the husbands of one wife which haue knowledge to gouerne their owne house and children And this wife how shee is wont to be blest of the Priest you vnderstand sufficiently I suppose by the decrees of holie Siluester the Pope To these and such other holy sentences of the scripture agreeth also he that is the writer of the Rule of the Cleargie writing after this maner A Clarke must be chaste and continent or else let him be coupled in the bands of Matrimonie hauing one wife Whereby it is to be gathered that the Bishoppe and Deacon are noted infamous and reprehensible if they be diuided in moe women then one Otherwise if they doo forsake one vnder the pretence of Religion both they together as well the Bishop as the Deacon be there condemned by the Canonicall sentence which saith Let no Bishop or Priest forsake his owne wife vnder the colour and pretence of Religion If he do forsake her let him be excommunicate and if he so continue let him be discharged S. Augustine also a man of discreet holinesse saith in these words There is no offence so great or greeuous but it is to auoyd a greater euil Furthermore we reade in the second booke of the Tripartite Historie that when the Councell of Nice going about to establish the same decree would needs enact that Bishops Priests and Deacons after their consecration either should abstaine vtterly from their owne wiues or else should be deposed Then Pathuntius one of the holy Martyrs of whome the Emperour Maximus had put out the right eye hockt his legges rising vp amongst them withstood their purposed decreement cōfessing marriage to be honourable and calling the bed of matrimony chastitie and so perswaded the Councell from making that lawe declaring thereby what occasion might come of it to themselues and their wiues of fornication And thus much did Pathuntius being vnmarried himselfe and the whole Councell commending his sentence gaue place thereto and left the matter free without compulsion to the will of euery man to do therein as he thought good Notwithstanding there be some which gatte S. Gregorie for their defence in this matter whose temeritie I laugh at and ignorance I lament For they know not being ignorantly deceiued how daungerous the decree of this heresie was being made of S. Gregorie who afterward well reuoked the same with condigne fruite of repentance For vpon a certaine day as he sent to his Fish-poole for Fish and did see more then sixe thousand Infants heads which were brought vnto him out of the same Ponde or Moate did greatly repent himselfe of the Decree before made touching the single life of Priests which hee confessed to be the cause of that so lamentable a murther And so purging the same with hartie repentance altered againe the things hee had decreed before commending that Councell of the Apostle which saith That it is better to marrie then to burne Adding moreouer himselfe therevnto and saying It is better to marrie then giue occasion of death Peraduenture if those men had red with me this which so happened I thinke they would not be so rash in their dooing and iudging fearing at the least the Lords commaundement Doo not iudge that ye be not iudged And S. Paul saith Who art thou that iudgest an other mans seruant Either hee standeth or falleth to his owne maister but he shall stand for the Lord is mightie and can make him stand Therefore let your holinesse cease to compell and enforce those whom only you ought to admonish least through your owne priuate commaundement which God forbid you be found contrary as well to the old Testament as the new For as S. Augustine saith to Donatus This is onely that we doo feare in your Iustice least not for the consideration of christian lenitie but for the greatnes and greeuousnes of transgressions committed you be thought to vse violence in the executing punishment which we only desire you by Christ not to do For transgressions are so to be punished that the transgressors may
a Magitian Philosopher who had a booke none like it in the Art Magicke Gerbert sought often to steale it from him but by reason his maister kept it very carefully hee could not come by it Yet hee perswaded the Philosophers daughter with whom hee had great familiaritie to get the booke and lende it him to reade which shee did Hauing then the saide booke hee retired and fearing to be surprized with it hee vowed himselfe to the Diuell vppon condition hee would bring him to Fraunce Being returned he kept a Schoole and taught the liberall Arts with great admiration of his Auditors After he was Maister vnto Otho the the fourth of Robert sonne of Hugo Capet King of Fraunce and of Lotharie who afterward was Arch-bishop of Sens by whose helpe hee was aduaunced First to be Arch-bishop of of Rheimes as is saide and after of Rauenna and finally Pope During which time hee alwayes dissembled his Art Magicke and the communication hee had with the Diuell Of whom once desiring to knowe how long hee should liue in the Popedome the Diuell answered him that he should liue til he said Masse in Ierusalem Siluester then giuing himselfe altogether vnto his delights hoping to liue long and thinking of nothing lesse then of going to Ierusalem It came to passe that one day in Lent as he celebrated in the Church of the holy Crosse of Ierusalem he was suddenly taken with a great Feuer then did he remember y t the said place was called of y e crosse of Ierusalem so had bin seduced by the ambiguity of the answer Straight heard he great tumults of diuels in his presence being surprised with feare began to lament And although he was a very wicked man yet fel he not into dispair but seeing he must needs die called his Cardinals told vnto them all his life and the art Magicke which he had vsed to come vnto that dignitie exhorting them to liue holily and before all men cōfessed himself miserable ordeined that his body should be hewen cut in peeces but especially such of his members wherby he had worshipped the diuel and then that they all should be put in a cart and in what place soeuer the horses which drew y e cart should stay there he should be buried And it came to passe that the horses without any cōduction of man carried his body into the Church of Laterane where he was laid in a Sepulchre And at this day his Sepulchre is a pronosticke token of a Popes death R. Barnes Suppl Chron. and Nauler An Aduertisement From the time of Iohn the 8. which was the whore vntil the yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ Antichrist raigned at Rome a brazen faced harlot which had despised and troden vnder her feet holy mariage All the Popes which were within this time which conteineth about an 150. yeares were plunged in all voluptuousnes impudency and carnal villanies in arrogancy kissing of feete Sacriledges horrible dissentions homicides vnbrideled impudencies as may easily be perceiued by the discourse of those proceedings In this time now following after the thousand yeare the diuel is wholy vnchained And rightly may this time be called The kingdome of the great Dragons Siluester the second by his Necromancies began to vnloose Sathan hauing couenanted with him to haue the Popedome Benet the 9. did homage to the diuel in woods mountaines In Hildebrand or Gregory the 7. and other Popes thou shalt see what Arts they vsed Otho the 3. the 18. yeare of his Empire was poysoned by a Romane woman which had bin the wife of Crescentius at the houre of his departing from Rome by the gift of a paire of persumed gloues being poysoned And this was in reuenge of her husbands death as saith Crantius Henry second of that name Duke of Banier and Counte of Bamberge surnamed the Lame obteined the Empire by election and raigned 22. yeares Iohn Pope 19. of that name surnamed le Sec as Iohn Blundus by Nation an Italian succeeded Siluester the Magician euen in the same art and studies which he practised Berno saith that there were great cōtentions amongst the Necromancians such as were fauourers of Siluester this Iohn but in the end he carried all away Some say he was poysoned after he had gouerned 5. months This Pope gaue himself altogether to idlenes pleasure as witnesseth Crantius Hydromany was his studie He commanded the Feast of the Commemoration of the dead newly inuented and instituted in the Abbey of Clugny by Odillo as is said which was in the moneth of March to be remitted vntill the second day of Nouember and then obserued also through all Churches R. Barns and Supp Chron. The name of a Cardinall appointed as a dignitie The Historiographers say that at this time the name and appellation of a Cardinall beganne to be in great account as we see at this day Baconthorpius Ro. Barns and Carion Iohn Pope 20. borne at Rome called Fasanus was suspected to haue made away his predecessor These Popes from Siluester vntill Hildebrand gaue themselues to nothing but diabolicall arts This man after he had gouerned foure yeares fiue moneths dyed Naucl. not without some suspition of poyson In this time there was an horrible pestilence yea almost through the whole world Sigeb Fulbert Bishop of Chartres wrote these Respondes to the praise of the Virgin Marie Stirps Iesse c. Et Chorus nouae Hierusalem c. and other prayers Herman a Monke of S. Gall wrote that Salue Regina Alma redemptoris mater Trit Abb. Sergius Pope the fourth of that name a Romane gouerned the Sea two yeares and sixe moneths Suppl Chron. Burchardus first a Monke of Lob the Disciple of Albert aboue mentioned was Bishop of Wormes He compiled the auncient Canons which afterward were abridged by Gratian yea rather corrupted which is easie to iudge in comparing them together Rhenanus in his Annota vpon Tertullian Ierusalem was taken and the Lords Sepulchre destroyed by the Sarrasins and Mahumetists Nancl. and Suppl Chron. Benet Pope 8. of that name a Tusculan gouerned the Romane Church 12. yeares or thereabouts He crowned the Emperour Henry at his comming to Rome and saluted him Augustus Henry the second builded at Bamberge the Church of Saint George and prayed Benet it might be a Cathedrall Church which the Pope agreed vnto vppon condition that the saide Church should paye to the Pope euery yeare an hundreth markes of siluer and a white horse with all his furniture Platina and R. Barnes Conrade 2. of that name obteined the Empire and raigned 15. yeares Naucler He was the sonne of Herman Duke of Franconians and was called Salicus because he came of the Sicambians from whom came the Salicke lawe And the French themselues were called Salickes which vsed that lawe whereof we haue made mention in Pharamond After the death of Henry the 2. Benet was deiected frō his dignitie
15. yeares Lewis the young 7. of that name 40. King of France raigned 43. yeares He vpon superstition went into Spaine vpon pilgrimage vnto S. Iames. Ascalon was taken of the Christians beyond the sea Suppl Chron. Edessa a Citie of Mesopotamia was taken of Alaps a Prince of Turkie the Christians put to death and women violated vpon the Aultar of S. Iohn Baptist saith Naucler Fulco King of Ierusalem fell from his horse as he ran at an Hare and died Naucler and Chron. Euseb Baudwin 3. and 5. King of Ierusalem succeeded him Celestine Pope 2. of that name an Italian before called Guido a Priest Cardinall of S. Mark hauing ruled 5. monethes and 8. dayes died of the pestilence Lucius Pope 2. of that name borne at Boulongne before a Priest Card. of S. Crosse named Gerard ruled about one yeare This man willing by force to take away the dignitie of the Patrician from the Romanes was on the body wounded with the blowes of stones by the common people R. Barns And being oppressed with the Romanes hee sent vnto the Emperour who beeing occupied otherwhere could not succour him He did all he could to incite Christians to warre beyond the sea because he had receiued newes how the holy Land was in daunger to be lost for the Christians Iohn le Maire Some say he died in a sedition Others that he died of the Pestilence Supp Chron. and Fascic temp Eugenius Pope third of that name borne at Pise a Monke of Cleruaux Disciple of S. Bernard Abbotte and Cardinall of S. Anastasius at Rome ruled eight yeares and foure monethes He was constrained by the Romanes whom hee had excommunicated with Iordan the Patrice to flie from Rome and shaking the dust off his feete against his enemies hee got him into France not onely to shunne the feare of the said Romanes who with force of Armes chased him away but also to encourage and drawe on the French King Lewis to the succours of the holy Land He celebrated then a Councell at Vezelay in Burgoigne and there caused S. Barnard with his liuely voyce to vtter out all the mischiefe like to fall vnto the holy Land After which speech of S. Barnard the King vowed to giue succours to the Christian Princes beyond the Seas and the Queen Helionor his wife promised to follow him and with them many Princes Barons and Noble men of France Also the Emperour Conrade the third Alphonsus King of Spaine Henry King of England and many other Princes and Prelates yet in this voyage they did nothing worthy of memorie and this was the second vniuersall voyage as Iohn le Maire saith but the third expedition to goe into Ierusalem The first vnder Vrbain and the second vnder Paschal Anno. 1101. Eugenius also assembled a Councell at Rhemes and called thither Cardinalls and other Prelates of whom hee was consecrated as appertained And there S. Barnard confuted by disputation and vanquished Gilbert Poretaine Bishoppe of Poitiers an excellent Clarke who erred in touching the vnitie of the Trinitie There were made many decrees for Monkes that they should not leaue their Monasteries nor Baptise nor carrie children vnto Baptisme that they might not enioyne penance nor giue absolution that they might not visit the diseased nor assist the funeralls of the dead Briefly that they might not apply themselues vnto secular businesses but remaine sollitarie in theyr Monasteries That the husband or wife ought not to enter into Religion and the marriage should not be broken if one of the parties contradicted it nor without the consent of the Bishop if both parties accorded There was also ordained for the maintenance of schooles and for prouision of Doctors and Masters After those things done in France Eugenius returned vnto Rome where hee was honourably receiued of the people but soone after died at Tiber where he went to recreate himselfe His body was brought to Rome and buried in the Temple of S. Peter Suppl Chron. In this time raigned Gratian the Monke who compiled the Decretall Which Eugenius approoued and commanded to be read through all Vniuersities Supp Chron. Petrus Lumbardus Bishop of Paris compiled the bookes of Sentences Petrus Commestor wrote the Scholasticke Historie Auicen and Auerrois liued in this time excellent in Phisicke By the writings of Saint Barnard wee may knowe how in this time beeing so miserably corrupted he stroue against the impietie of Popes and the Ecclesiasticall sort See his 67. Sermon where he calleth them the Ministers of Antichrist In the Sermon 57. In the booke vnto this Pope Eugenius and in the 33. Sermon vpon the Cant. he often saith that Prelates are but pilates He reprooueth Eugenius that leauing the word of God he aduanced humane traditions Hugo Cardinall in his Postile vpon S. Iohn alleadgeth that S. Barnard said in a certaine place It seemeth ô good Iesu that all the Vniuersitie of Christians haue conspired against thee and they are the chiefe of the coniuration which obtaine the Primacie of the church At the end of his dayes hee shewed well that hee perfectly knew the true doctrine of the Iustification by Iesus Christ on whom only was his refuge reiecting all other sanctities and righteousnesse His writings yeeld a certaine witnesse of him The Emperour of Constantinople Emanuel sent victuals to the Christians beyond the Seas but like a traitetous wicked man hee mingled chalke amongst their floure whereof infinite people died He gaue also guides vnto the Emperour Conrade which conducted him through solitary places Insomuch that he lost all his souldiers As much also almost came vnto the king of France yet they both got into Ierusalem The Emperor Conrade the King Lewis and Baudwin King of Ierusalem being in Ierusalem determined to assaile Damas. Naucler Aluisius Abbot of Auchen and Bishop of Arras died in this iourney of the holy Land in a towne called Philopolis Simon Bishop of Noyon at Selencia Bishops Abbots and Monkes trotted then in voyages beyond the Seas Norway receiued then the faith which was then S. Barnard died of the age of 36. yeares Naucler Conrade the third Emperor returning from his voyage of Ierusalem died at Banberg 1152. Frederic first of that name surnamed barbarous sonne of Frederic Duke of Souanbe who was brother of the said Conrade was chosen Emperour This was a Prince of a good spirit hardie of great stature and faire of face his haire and beard was redde affable and gracious After his election hee ledde seuen times his Armie against the Italians which rebelled against him Anastasius Pope 4. of that name a Romane Abbot ruled the Romane Church one yeare or two 4. monethes and 24. daies They qualifie him a great Almes-giuer of many priuiledges vnto religious people of Challices very sumptuous and of repairing Churches Adrian 4. of that name borne in England a man learned before called Nicholas-breakspeare the sonne of one named Robert a Monke and Priest of the Temple of S. Albons
Laterane and there crowned him King of Ierusalem and Sicilie vpon condition notwithstanding to sweare to pay vnto the Romane Church yearely 40000 peeces of gold and that he should not receiue the Empire at the hands of the Almaines no not though they would thrust it vpon him The Sarrasins came into Spaine and committed a great massacre there The yeare of Christ 1267. Conradin the true and Legitimate King of Sicilie sonne of Conrade who was sonne of Frederic the second vanquised in warre by Charles Count d'Angiou and was finally taken and disclosed by a Marriner vnto whom he gaue his Ring in pawne for his passage to Pise but hee was brought vnto the Count d' Angiou and put in prison afterward by the Popes Councell he was beheaded the yeare 1268. Naples with Frederic Duke of Austriche and many others There is great diuersitie in Histories touching the taking of the said Conradin See the Chro. of the Emperors in the 2. Tome Iohn Naucler in the Generation 34. in the 2. volu See heerevpon Martin Luther in the booke against the Romane Popedome inuented by the diuell This Pope Clement demaunded a certaine Tenth in Almaine Iohn surnamed Teutonicus Glossator of the Decree and Prouost of S. Stephen d'Alberstat opposed himselfe against it and appealed to the next Councell for which appellation the said Prouost was excommunicated by the Pope and depriued of his office The Sea of Hist Clement hauing a Nephew which held 3. Benefices Ecclesiasticall constrained him to forsake two of them Naucler The said Clement died at Viterbe and the seate was vacant two yeares Gregorie Pope tenth of that name borne at Plaisance in Lombardie ruled at Rome foure yeares Before hee was called Thiband Archdeacon of Lande and was then in the parts beyond the Sea in the Citie of Acre when hee was chosen at Viterbe The Cardinalls being in the Conclaue for the election Iohn Bishop of Port mocking him said Come let vs vncouer this house for the holy Ghost cannot discend passe through so many couerings After his election he sought to pacifie the Venetians and the Geneuois Phillip 3. of that name surnamed le Hardie sonne of S. Lewis 44. King of France raigned 15. yeares The yeare of Christ 1272. Gregorie made assemble a Councell at Lyons of all the Barons and Prelates of France wherein he ruled and king Phillip met him gaue him a guard of souldiers and three strong places about Lions for the suretie of his person Iohn le Maire In the said Councell was ordained that the Pope should be chosen of the Cardinalls incontinent after the others death and that they should put the Cardinalls in sure prison wherein they should giue them neither to eate nor drinke vntill they were agreed This ordinance was then made because the seate had bene vacant almost three yeares before they could agree vpon the election In the said Councell was also accorded the tenth part of the Church goods to be giuen for sixe yeares to maintaine the warre for the conquest of the Land beyond the sea At the said Councell some sorts of Monkeries which liued of Almes were defaced namely the bretheren des Sacs the bretheren des pres the bretheren des blancs manteaux and many others Michael Paleologus then the Emperour of Constantinople came thither for the vnion of the Greeke and Latine Church which was ratified by the said Emperour And this was the third time that the Greeke Church was revnited with the Latin but it was alwaie broken as yet this third vnion was During the time of the said Councell certaine Princes of Tartaria which had followed the said Emperour Paleologus receiued baptisme Moreouer there was great disputation about the voyage vnto the holy Land which was the old practise of Popes but nothing was concluded therein S. Thomas d' Aquin going to the said Councell of Lions whervnto he was called died in the way of the age of 50. yeares Bonauenture was created Cardinall by the Pope but soone after he died Gregorie 10. returning from France to Rome and passing by Florence was required to take away the Interdict hee had forbidden them all right of warring but he did nothing therin And from thence came to Aretinum where he died After the Empire had bene long vacant and that many Ciuill warres had therevpon followed Rodolphe Count of Habspurge in Suesia was chosen king of the Romanes by the Electors a man of mean age and who had valiantly carried himself in the charge he had vnder Frederic 2. He had also bene great Maister in the Court of Ottocarus king of Bohemia who sought to hinder the election because he also aspired vnto the Empire Whilest they were chusing Rodolphe he held the seate before Baste For there were then two factions in the towne Such as fauoured the Bishop bore a Perroquet Such as fauoured the Count Rodolphe carried the Starre Rodolphe sought to place in the Towne them of the faction of the Starre which were chased out Munster After he was crowned at Aix he held certaine assemblies or Imperiall Iourneyes where the king of Bohemia was declared a Rebell who during the vacancie of the Empire vsurped Austrich Siria Carinthia and Carniota Rodolphe then with the power of the Princes occupied Austrich and droue out Ottocaire King of Bohemia and after constrained him to yeeld himselfe a vassall and to do homage Ottocairus according therevnto required that one thing might bee graunted him namely that he might not do his homage publikely For hee was very proud and shamed to bow the knees before him that before had serued him as his great Maister The Emperour agreed that it should be vnder a Pauillion But this Pauillion was made with such industrie that in drawing it would diuide in foure parts Beeing then vpon his knees and receiuing the standerd at the Emperours hand according to the custome one broke the coard of the Pauillion so that it opened on all parts in such sort that Ottocairus was seene of all dooing homage on his knees This being come vnto the knowledge of Kunegunde his wife which he had espowsed during the life of his other wife Margaret as soone as her husband returned mocked him that he had bowed his necke being adorned so pompeously before him that once had bene his seruant and so incited him to reuenge himselfe of that despight The king being thus pricked forward made warre vpon the Emperour against the oath he had taken against the aduise of the Princes of his Countrey The Emperor met him put him to flight and finally a Gentleman of Styria wounded him and being dispoiled of all that hee had was carried dead to the Towne of Austriche Anno 1279. and 14. thousand of his people were slaine besides prisoners After this Rodolphe entred into the Countrey of Bohemia and wasted it Pride intermedled with shame and disloyaltie falleth into confusion and ruine The Bishop of Olmunce made the peace and brought
for the sea came vnto Sardeigne and there attended till there was some stirre in Sicilie For the Sicilians hauing coniured against Charles and the French had assigned a day to sley them all yea without hauing respect vnto Sexe or condition of any person so soone as the sound of Bell should bee heard at euening as shall bee said heereafter But this cruell and horrible acte was not executed in the time of Nicholas but vnder Martin the fourth of that name his successor Nicholas transported to himselfe the dignitie of the Senator of Rome which Clement the fourth had giuen vnto e foresaid King Charles and ordained for a perpetuall Edict that from thence forth no King or Prince should dare to demaund such an estate or to take such a charge vpon him By the disloyaltie of this Pope it came to passe that all Flammina with the towne of Bolongne it selfe and the Exarchate of Rauenna which things had long time bene in the Seignorie and domination of the Emperors were reduced vnder the puissance of the Romish Sinagogue And besides hee alone tooke vpon him the charge as Stella saith of the office of Senator which the Church had accustomed to giue vnto Kings and Princes He inriched the Towne of Rome with new edifice and amongst others he builded an house very commodious for S. Peter and a Parke for Hares or Conneys which hee enuironed with high walles Wherein he himselfe often hunted He reedified the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul which fell with age Hee atchieued and ended a certaine house in Laterane which had long time before bene commenced Hee builded from the bottome to the top the Church called Sancta Sanctorum and set there the Apostles keyes in siluer chaines When this Hypocrite sung Masse the teares fell from his eyes Hee carried such fauour vnto the Friars that hee declared certaine doubtes which were in the rule of the Sect by a Decretall Epistle He made many ordinances for the profit and vtilitie of the Cleargie not of Christian people and made many Cardinalls of the order of begging Friars He droue from him certaine Notaires commaunding vnder paine of Excommunication that in what place souer Magistrates should bee but Annalls for a yeare Many reprooued him for that hee had made his Nephew called Berthand Count or Earle of Romagnole and had sent Latin Cardinall Iacobin his other Nephew or rather Bastard Legate into Tuscane For Platina Stella others say that he loued his owne too much In so much that whatsoeuer hee got from others hee gaue it without reason or measure For he tooke by force from certaine Romane Gentlemen their Castles and gaue them to his friends and amongst others one called Surien After he had euery where set vp the Gibellins a sort of mutinous and rebellious people into their first estate to the end they might maintaine his tirannies he placed in Florence as in other places Magistrates at his pleasure and many other domages he did vnto them This Pope had also determined to haue made two Kings of the house of Vrsini and to haue placed one in Tuscane and an other in Lombardie But as he purposed to put all these things in effect being in the Towne called Sutry he was taken with an Apoplexie of which he died suddenly and without speaking the yeare of our Lord 1291. And after some the 4. of his Popedome although by his good complection it seemed he would haue liued much longer Some say his death was foretold by one which sawe a great Invndation or ouerflowing of the Riuer of Tiber. Som say also he engendred vpon a Concubine of his a bastard whose haire and nailes were like a Beares See what Iohn de Noyan saith in his Illustrations of Beda William Durand a subtill man made at this time his booke Intituled Rationale diuinorum officiorum Albert the great Bishop of Ratisbone died in this time Martin the 4. of that name borne in France in the Towne of Tours named before Simon and Cardinal Priest of S. Cecile ruled 2. yeares and 8 monethes Being chosen by the French Cardinalls which then were in greatest number would not be crowned at Viterbe because he tooke that Towne to be interdicted for a rowte they made against the Cardinalls For they of Viterbe following one called Richard Hanniball Captaine of all such as tooke part with the Italians entered into the Conclaue tooke the Cardinalls and put them in prison after hauing not onely dispised but also giuen the chase to all them of the house of Vrsins This Pope Martin then being come into the old towne which commonly is called Oruieto vsed all the solemnities and created 8. Cardinalls that same day that he might be strongest when he came vnto combat But hee not onely receiued very courteously the King Charles comming towards him but also yeelded him the dignitie of Senator whereof he was depriued by Nicholas This euery man found not good for that it seemed it should stirre vp great seditions in the Towne seeing the Vrsins were alreadie returned and such as were of Hanniballs faction chased away For Charles was a great aduersarie of the Vrsins for the hatred he conceiued against Nicholas Yet Martin subtillly casting his affaires had in great estimation Mathew d'Aquasporta of the order of his bretheren Friars Cardinall and Bishop of Port of the house of Vrsins This Pope Martin published sentence of excommunication against Peter King of Arragon who ordeined an Army by Sea to come into Sicilie against Charles and exposed his Kingdome for a pray to the first that could get it declaring his subiects absolued of the oath of fidelitie which they had promised him naming him an vsurper of Ecclesiasticall goods and leuied an armie against him of such as had taken the Croisado All the pastime of Popes and their supporters is to stirre vp warre and dissention amongst the Princes of this world Yet Peter making no account of all this obtained the kingdome of Sicilie with the helpe of Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople who was also excommunicated as making no account of that he had promised at the Councell of Lions aboue Moreouer the Sicilians not being able longer to beare the pride and whoredomes of the French at the perswasion of Iohn Prochita coniured against Charles and slew them all at the sound of a Bell without hauing any regard to Sexe and from thence came the Prouerbe when one wisheth the death of many that they may say The Euensong of Sicilie as hath beene touched a litle before Besides this Martin amongst other acts worthy of a Pope graunted to the Romanes that they might chuse two Senators of the Nobilitie and excommunicated Paleologus Emperour of Greece He made warre against them of Forley and graunted many priuiledges vnto Begging Friars which hee knew to be like horses prepared vnto the battle and all this was still to munite and fortifie the more his tirannie
the Pope Clement in fauour of the king noted them of heresie and infamie wrongfully and vpon enuie Paral. Vrsper Some thinke that the kings of France of England and of Spaine conspired against them for the possessions and Castles which they had in their kingdomes The yeare 1309. the Sarabits Monkes which came out of Egipt began in England Their garments were of Oxe and Swines skinnes and they were tyed with cordes Iohn Clyn Hybernus The order of Paulins entred into England and placed thēselues at Glocester the yeare 1310. Chron. Caletense This Pope Clement in a well leaded Bull which is yet at this day kept by Copie at Vienna at Limoge and at Poiters in the Coffers of priuiledges commanded the Angels of Heauen to carrie into the Ioyes of Paradice and draw out of Purgatorie the soule of him whosoeuer should die in the way going in Pilgrimage to Rome Moreouer saith he we will that the paines of hell shal no way be inflicted vpon them Agrip. de vanit sciēt Iean wife of Lewis king of Fraunce after the death of her husband went to Rome and resigned the kingdome of Naples deliuering it into Pope Clements hand who after made a gift of it to Lewis duke of Angiou brother of Charles the fift king of France sauing the profits to the vse of the said Iean for her life But he enioyed it not for he died with fiue thousand men in conquering it against Charles Nephew of the said Lewis King of Hungaria who occupied the kingdome and held it foure yeares and left a sonne called Ladislaus who raigned 29. yeares at Naples by the helpe of Pope Vrbain the 6. This Pope condemned the Beghards or Begnins which would not worship the Bread of the Eucharist He commaunded that the great Maister of the Templers should be burned at Paris with one of his cōpanions in the presence of Cardinals made certain ordinances against the insolencies of the Iewes after hauing confiscated their goods He ordained that oathes deliuered by Princes were not oathes of subiection but of fidelitie and commanded that the goods of the Church should not be alienated Hee ordained that Clarkes which occupied temporall traffiques and wore precious garments should be punished and forbad Monkes all kinde of huntings as well of beastes as birdes He confirmed the Feast instituted in the honour of the bread of the Eucharist which the Papists commonly called La feste dieu God his Feast He gathered in his volume the Constitutions called Clementius and pronounced that the reliques of Saints ought to be greatly honoured He gouerned the affaires of Italie by Neapolion and Pelagura Cardinalls his Legates and added Celestine the fift to the number of Popish Confessors He set in order the constitutions of Monkes and againe declared the rule of Friars Finally this Clement being tormented one while with a flux of the belley and an other with a paine of the stomack sides deceased in a Castle called Rocquemaure vpon Rosue the yeare of the Lord 1314. his body was carried into Gascoin and the Papall seate was emptie euen till the third yeare This yeare it selfe that he died as Henry of Lucembourg Emperor determined to draw to him by force of Armes the kingdome of Sicilie vnto which he was called hee was traiterously brought to death by a wicked Monke called Bernard du Mont Polician of Domcastre who was of the conspiration of the Guelphes and yet made a countenance that he was the Emperours friend He gaue a poysoned host to this good Prince who as soone as he felt the mischiefe aduertised this traitor Monke to flie away saying vnto him Away away for if the Almanes perceiue any thing and such as doo affect mee you shall die So this wicked Iudas withdrawing himselfe to Sienes receiued the siluer that had bene promised him for the reward of his treason but hereby hee deliuered not his bretheren Iacobins For many of them perished by fire and sword with their houses as wel in Tuscane as in Lombardie and many other places The Vniuersitie of Orleance was instituted in this time Chron. of the Kings of France The yeare at Crist 1313. the King of Fraunce Phillip le bel became a Leper and therefore he caused all the Leapers of France and Flaunders as well men as women to bee burnt For he vnderstood that they had infected the waters And the Chroniclers of Almaine say that the said king became a Leper because he made the Templers die Arnold de Villa Noua an excellent Phisitian and Mathematician some say of Chalon others of Narbone was iudged an heretike because he said that Sathan had made all Christian people stray from the truth Item that the faith of Christians of his time was no other then such as diuels haue Item that such as are in Cloisters are out of Charitie and condemne themselues in falsifying the doctrine of Iesus Christ leading Christians into hell Item that the Theologians haue maliciously mingled the Dreames of Philosophers with the holy scripture Item that in the sacrifice of the Aultar the Priest offereth nothing to God and that Masses profiteth neither quick nor dead He prooued by Daniel and by Sibilla Erithra that Antichrist in a full tirannie should persecute the faithfull after the yeare 1300. Besides his Phisicke bookes he writ against the Iacobins that it was lawfull to eate flesh The cutting sword against the Thomistes The admonition of Iesus Christ to Christians Of the subtilties of false Prophets Of the misterie of the Churches Cymballs Of the consummation of the world and other bookes He was iudged an heretike by the Iacobins at Tarraeon Finally being sent to the Pope by Frederic king of Sicilie he died in the way and was buried at Genés a true champion of the Lord. Margarite Queene of Nauarre daughter of the Duke of Burbon Iean daughter of the Count of Bourgongne and wife of the Count of Poiters Blanche second daughter of the said Count of Bourgongne wife of the Count de la Marshe were taken by the kings commaundement and condemned to continuall prison for their fornications and adulteries against them manifestly prooued Yet afterward Iean Countesse of Poiters returned with her husband For it was knowne that she was not culpable of all that which was imposed on her The Adulterers that is Phillip d'Annoy which kept the Queene and his brother Gualter de Annoy which kept the said Blanch knights were scorched there genitories cut off and they drawne and hanged Schisme in the Empire There was a diuision amongst the Electors some did chuse Lois the fourth of that name Duke of Bauiere others Frederic Duke of Austrich and the one had warre against the other eight yeares In the end Lewis obtained alone the Empire and raigned 24 yeares after the Chron. of Euseb which make 32. yeares The Sea of Hist Loys Hutin sonne of Phillip le bel succeeded in the Kingdome and is
sunne-setting as Masseus witnesseth which endured a long time and shewed what a great fire should after come Moreouer there was great numbers of Grashoppers which after they had destroyed the corne euen all trees were burned As the said Pope was preparing an Armie by sea against the Turkes because the Romanes were in troubles and seditions he was so vexed in his minde that he died with griefe the yeare 1362. and was buried in the said Monasterie of Chartreux without the Towne of Auignon Vrbain fift of Limosin called before Grinnald Grisant the sonne of an English Phisitian called William Monke of S. Benet first Abbot of Auxerre and after of S. Victor nigh to Marseillis being absent in a certaine Embassage was created Pope He was a great Doctor of the Canon Lawe and an exceeding arrogant Maister He straight applied himselfe to defend the libertie of the Papall Church by couetousnesse dissolutions and pompes and chiefly serued himselfe therein with such as affectioned him most in such affaires But aboue all he sent one called Gilles a Spaniard Cardinall of S. Sabin as a Legate into Italie with full power Who as a true Executor of all his bloudie commaundements rode through all Italie and so repressed the Vicounts and other gouernours of Townes bringing vppon them great losses and hurts if they would not submit themselues vnder the obedience of the Romane Church Yues a Brittaine Priest solde his goods and gaue them to the poore and was Canonized after his death Sabell Armacan some call him Richard and qualifie him an Archbishop a learned man published conclusions against Friars teaching that it was a villainous thing for a Christian to begge without constraint Volater Baldus a Lawyer of Peruse was renowned in this time The Monasticke order of Iesuites began by Iohn Colomban and Francis Vincent of Bourgongne Volat. and Sabell They were afterward by the Popes priuiledge called the Apostolike Clarkes Brigide Princesse of Sauabe had foure sonnes and foure daughters a litle before Pope Vrbain died she went to Rome to erect the order which after she instituted Valat lib. 21. She then to accomplish her vow procured that the order of Monkes named with her name as well men as women might be confirmed The Emperour Charles merited great praise by the Bull of gold wherein he gathered many things very necessarie to maintaine publike peace Iohn king of France went into England for the deliuerance of his brother Duke of Orleance and of his sonne Iohn Duke of Berry and of many others which he left in hostage and being there died in London after was carried to S. Denis in France See Emili. lib. 8. 9. Charles fift of that name 51. king of France was surnamed le Sage Hee caused many Latin bookes to be translated into French yea bookes of holy scripture Amurathes the third Emperour of the Turkes raigned 23. yeares and was the first that entred into Europe For hee aided the Emperour of Constantinople and sent him 12. thousand men which passed into Greece This was after cause of the taking of the Couuntrey of Asia the yeare of Christ 1363. Wickliffe beganne as a breake of day the preaching of the Gospell Iohn Wickliffe an English man a man of great spirit flourished in this time and began as from a deepe night to draw out the truth of the doctrine of the sonne of God He studied in the Vniuersitie of Oxford and came to such degree of erudition that hee was thought the most excellenrest amongst the Theologians In his readings with the puritie of the doctrine which hee taught hee also liuely touched the abuses of the Popedome In so much that the Locusts that is to say the begging Monkes lifted themselues vp against him But the Lord gaue him for a Protector the King Edward during whose raigne he had great libertie in his profession Richard the said Edwards successour persecuted and banished him but as a true Champion of the Lord he remained alwaies constant euen to his death His conclusions his bookes and his doctrine shew sufficiently the gifts and graces which God had bestowed vpon him Whosoeuer will more largely know those things let him looke in the booke of Martyrs brought by vs into light since the said Wickliffe Vrbane went to Rome to pacifie Italie where hee builded many things at Viterbe and at Montlacon minding to returne into Italie And as he returned into France in hope to bring againe the Court to Rome he deceased at Marcellis not without great suspition of poysoning Sabel An Vniuersitie founded at Vienna in Austriche by Albert Duke of Austriche Planudes a Greeke Monke liued in this time hee translated Cato and other bookes out of Greeke into Latin Charles King of France often held his seate of Iustice and was altogether a man of peace neither was euer Armed Only walking nigh Paris he made his warres and other his affaires of importance by his brothers and other Committees by whom he recouered as it were all that which the English men had taken from his Father To helpe the charges of the warre he laid a Taxe vpon Salt Wine that men sold He had fiue Armies at once against the English men Gregorie Pope 11. of that name of Limosin ruled in Auignon 7. yeares 5. moneths before he was called Rogier sonne of the Earle of Benfort and Nephew of Pope Clement the sixt hee was the Disciple of Baldus the Legist who then read at Peruse Returne of the Papaltie to Rome Most of the Townes of Italie withdrawing themselues from his obedience as Volateranus saith at the perswasion of Caterine de Siene a Nunne of the order of Iacobins of Baldus his late maister parting frō France with 12. Gallies with 3. ranks of Ores returned to Rome the yeare of the Lord 1376. He pronounced sentence of Interdict against the Florentines which were the first authors of the reuolt and had seized all the Popes Townes which were about them Vpon whom finally he made strong and sharpe warre because they made no account of the thunder of his excommunications which the Legists said were of no validitie because they proceeded of hatred and enmitie Naucler Some set downe certaine causes of his returne into Italie A woman called Brigide saith Masseus returning from Ierusalem writ to Gregorie that the Lord would that the Romane Court should be turned into her house Cranzius addeth that as he reprehended a Bishop that he left his Church and followed the Court he answered him And thou saith he which art Pope of Rome and which ought to giue example to others why goest not thou to thy Bishoppricke Then transported he his seate to Rome at the perswasion of two women and of a Bishop the seuenth yeare after he was departed This Pope demaunded a tenth of all Church goods in Almaigne to gather it sent his Legate But many resisted formed appellations against the Pope saying that they could not pay it
placed in the number of Virgins Katherine de Sienes a Iacobin Because he was a very curious builder as the Papists giue him that praise he repaired the Courts of Vatican and had sooner atchieued a Castle in the Towne of Tiuoli then was thought he had begunne At Sienes where hee was borne hee builded a goodly Porch of wrought stone At a place called Corfinium he founded a Citie and named it Pientia of his owne name and builded there a vaulted Temple very sumptuous and a pleasant house and besides this a Sepulchre of Marble for his father and mothers bones See what Platina sayth thereof The Kingdome of Bosne The kingdome of Bosne stretched euen vnto Macedonia It was made tributary vnto the kingdome of Hungarie the yeare 1415. After it reuoulted from the kings obedience and made alliance with the Turke Sigismond King of Hungarie sought to chase away such as occupied it but the Turke was the stronger and reteined the Countrey of Bosne After the Hungarians got together a great Armie came into Bosne and slew the king Itrarch who was a Turke and subiected to their power all that Region and constituted a king there namely the first Christian which had yet bene There was a Prince in Ruscia called George Despot who had giuen his daughter in marriage to the Turke Hee had three sonnes Stephen George and Lazarus Lazarus succeeded his father and had but one daughter who espowsed Stephen king of Bosne who soone after his enioying the principalitie of Ruscia gouerned with a Turkish spirit full of great impietie and wicked religion But it hapned that about the yeare of saluation 1463. as hee had a great land in the higher Misia Mahomet the Turke by flatteries drew him out of the Castle where hee was and calling him to him to talke vnder the shadow of amitie laid hold on him and caused him to be scorched aliue so lost he both his life and kingdome which he had by his father By this mans temeritie and wickednesse together Ruscia and Bosne with the greatest part of Seruia fell into the Turkes obedience As the Pope Pius was at Ancone vpon his departing to goe to warre he was surprised with a slowe feauer the yeare of the Lord 1464. whereof hee died From thence he was carried to Rome and buried in the Church of S Peter One vice of Ambition saith Volaterane contaminated and defiled all the vertues of this person as he that alwaies greatly desired great estates and honours And for that cause endured hee great trauells and alwaies maintained himselfe in the fauour of Princes The warre called The publike Weale was begunne the yeare 1464. by the conspiration of the Princes of France meaning to reforme the kings affaires who tooke offices and dignities from such as had long time faithfully exercised them He greatly also vexed the Nobles and puissant of the Kingdome by demaunds The Duke of Britaine and the Count de Chaelois the Duke of Bourgongnes sonne perswaded Charles Duke of Berry to bee the chiefe Captaine and Prince of that warre and conspiration which Phillip de Commines handleth at large and truly therefore see his historie The aforesaid Pope Pius as Platina and Sabellicus recyte amongst other sentences which he vsed commonly left this in writing With great reason was marriage taken from Priests but yet there is a farre greater reason wherefore it ought to haue bene yeelded them againe He inserted also this sentence in his second booke of Councells It may be saith hee that it were not the worse if a many Priests were married For many being married Priests should be saued which in their barren singlenesse are damned He himselfe would needs abolish certaine Monasteries of S. Brigide and S. Claire commaunding them out that they might burne no more and vnder the habit of religion they should not hide whoredome saith Caelius Secundus About this time there was no small debate in Italie betwixt the Friars Minors and such as they called Bullists which of those should guard and gouerne the Nunnes there As for the discords which were betwixt the Obseruantins and the Non Obseruantins Baptista Mantuanus accordeth them in his Bucoliques in the tenth Eglogue Paul the second of that name borne at Venice the sonne of Nicholas and of Polixene called before Peter Barbe or Balbe and Nephewe of Eugenius the fourth on his sisters side beeing Cardinall of the title of S. Marke was chosen in the place of Pius and occupied the seate of Antichrist Before he was made Bope he meant to traffique as a Marchant but hearing that his Vncle Gabriel was chosen Pope he gaue his minde vnto Letters and comming to Rome he was first created Archdeacon of Bolongne after that Bishop of Ceruio consequently Cardinall and as hath bene said finally Pope and Romane Antichrist It was he who first vaunted that hee held enclosed in his breast all Lawes both diuine and humane He was a goodly man and of faire representation but of a proud spirit and very couetous to gather riches and yet more to distribute Ecclesiasticall Benefices for his owne gaine and profit As for his Popish apparell saith Platina you neede not doubt but he surpassed all his predecessors and especially in his Mitre which he maruellously inriched buying from all Countries Diamonds Saphyrs Emeraudes Chrysolites Iaspers Pearles and other precious stones of great price Thus adorned and shining he would come publikely abroad with an exceeding magnificall apparence Then would he be seene and adored of each one for that cause would he often stay Pilgrims in the towne deferring the accustomed day to shew the Snaire that at once he might be seene of more people And that hee alone might not differ from others in habits and garments he commanded by publike Edict vpon greeuous paines that none should weare redde Bonnets but Cardinalls vnto which also the first yeare of his Popedome he gaue them a cloath of the same colour for footcloathes for their Horses and Mules when they rode Platina He fought to encrease his maiestie as well by authoritie as by force of Armes All the time of his raigne he stirred great warres in Italie by his deuices and practises Hee assailed the Towne of Ariminum and others and miserably destroyed and wasted not onely the suburbes but euen the Townes themselues with Gun-shot He greatly hated the decrees and acts of Pius his predecessor and depriued also of their goods and authorities such as for their knowledge and doctrine hee should haue sought through the world and haue drawne them vnto him by gifts and promises He declared such to be heretikes as from thenceforth should but onely name an Academie or Vniuersitie eyther in sport or earnest He was of an heauie and grosse spirit and therefore loued neither Letters nor vertues As one that was giuen altogether vnto ambition dissolution and voluptuousnesse He employed all the day either in gourmandizing or waighing peeces of Gold or
the first of December vnderstanding that the French had bene vanquished at Millaine by the Emperours people and chased out of all Italie which also was not done without his meanes drinking making good cheare hee maruellously reioyced at this newes and herein suddenly died as they say Hee which neuer beleeued there was either hell or heauen after this present life There was a Poet called Sannazarius which made a Distiche that is two Latin Verses of the death of the said Leo which because they seeme to be wel made are set downe Sacra sub extrema si forte requiritis hora. Cur Leo non poterat sumere vendiderat The sence of these Verses is If you aske wherefore Leo could not take the Sacraments beeing so nigh his death the reason is he had sold them before That which is aboue spoken of the taking of Rhodes and of the wonders seene the same day that agreement was made to yeeld the Towne into the Turkes hands cannot accord with that which is spoken of the death of Leo. For it is a certaine that Rhodes was taken by Pope Adrian his successor and was yeelded to the Turkes Anno 1522. An Aduertisement touching a certaine coniecture of the supputation of time It would bee noted in this place that the yeare after the Incarnation of Iesus Christ 161. Paulus Samosatenus beeing Bishop of Antioche began to disgorge his blasphemies against Iesus Christ denying that he was the true and eternall sonne of God Which most daungerous and pernitious heresie of all others was afterward augmented by Arrius and Mahomet and is yet at this day by that Antichrist the Pope Moreouer the Monkes which began as it were the same yeare vnder Paul the first here vnto haue nourished and maintained the same heresie in theyr diuers maners of life and theyr wicked doctrines whilest Antichrist raigned in the Temple of God and dealt with preaching and teaching publikely in the Church namely by the space of 42. moneths or of 1260. dayes which is all one which dayes if wee take them for yeares as they ought adding thervnto the first number of 261. yeares they will come to the yeare 1521. after the Natiuitie of Iesus Christ But that you may vnderstand this secret That yeare was discouered that great aduersarie of God who lifted himselfe aboue all that ws called God or worshipped as God This yeare then that error which so long time had beene mainteined vnder the tyrant of Antichrist began to bee shaken and to fall because the truth and righteousnesse of Faith through the spirit of Iesus Christ were reuealed by the meanes of certaine learned persons For in the said yeare 1521. Martin Luther beeing well fortified by the spirit of God in the presence of all the Estates of the Empire assembled at Wormes confessed and maintained constantly and hardily the true doctrine of our Lord Iesus Christ which the aforesaid heretikes denied And since this confession the true Church of our Lord Iesus Christ hath againe begun to renew it selfe and his kingdome to take and gather more greater forces And the kingdome of Antichrist hath begun to diminish and approacheth his ruine This which followeth is extracted out of the book of Christien Masseus The yeare of the Lord 1515. Frances King of Fraunce receiued of Leo a Iubile that is to say pardons to sell to be published through all France which was also spread through all Christendome This was a bottomelesse depth of all euills for vnder the shadowe of fighting against the Turkes they heaped vp inestimable treasures They which had this charge and commission perswaded the simple people that whosoeuer would giue tenne French soules should deliuer the soule for whom hee gaue them from the paines of Purgatorie For they held this for a certaine rule that God would doo whatsoeuer they would according to that which is said All that you doo on earth c. So that if there had wanted but one farthing lesse then the said tenne soules they said all could profit nothing Such like marchandise displeased many good men and they began to debate this question touching the Popes power whereof the old Bishops neuer heard speake Martin Luther was then in Almaine who then began to cry very sharply against Indulgences against whom one called Iohn Bekins opposed himselfe and they two entered into great disputations and contentions touching this matter Pope Leo the tenth thundred a great processe against Martin Luther and condemned him as an heretike and reiected him from the communion of the faithfull He straight appealed vnto the Councell to come After this Leo commaunded that his bookes should be burnt at Rome and on the other side Luther burnt at Wittemberge his Canons and Popish Decretalls saying As they haue done to me so haue I done to them Thus farre Masseus The rest of this historie you may see in Sleidon Baptista Mantuanus had before exhorted the said Leo to doo his office thus speaking vnto him in the fourth booke de fastis Yet there remaineth many things for thee to doo of great importance holy Father If they be great and waightie thou must enterprise them with great courage But there are there amongst others which are most worthy wherin thou shouldest employ thy selfe and trauell therein The first is warre wherewith Italie alreadie tyred and the fields thereof bedeawed with humane bloud An other is That the Romane Court is infected with a daungerous poison which spreadeth it selfe ouer all Nations Lastly there is a Faith which is oppressed and on all sides offered a pillage vnto all cruell and barbarous Nations All these things cry after thee and demaund succours of thee helpe them for the Commonwealth of Christ staggereth and Faith is sick and alreadie nigh her death Leo hauing gathered a great summe of siluer for pardons which he sold inriched his parents bankers and listed them vp into great dignities Martin Luther a great Theologian began to preach the true and pure doctrine against the hypocrisie of Papists and from thence forward the Popedome ceased not by litle and litle to fall into ruine Francis de Valois Duke de Angoulesme as the nighest and meetest to succeed in the Crowne was King 57. yeares after the death of Lewis the 12. whose eldest daughter called Claudia he married Selim hauing driuen away and after poysoned his olde father because he liued too long was Emperor of the Turkes in the yeare 1510. Vnto this wickednesse he added the murdering of his bretheren and the strangling of his Nephewes He vanquished and droue the Sophie away and in many battailes ouercame the two Souldans Campson Tonombeus with the Mammelus and Arabians hee added to his Empire Egipt and Arabia and tooke the great Caire Afterward returning the into his Countrie an Vlcer engendred in his loynes which still encreasing as a Canker killed him the 7. yeare of his raigne See hereof Munster in his Cosmographie Paulus Iouius and Ritche the first booke Soliman the
onely sonne of Selim aforesaid succeeded him in the Empire of the Turkes Anno 1518. Soliman three yeares after tooke Belgarde in Hungarie which was the Fortresse and defence of the Christians and from thence about other three yeares he tooke Rhodes by composition hauing in his Armie 200000. Turkes and 400. Gallies and two yeares after that he destroyed the Country of Hungarie with fire sword vanquished the King of the Country and tooke Bude But the 14. of his kingdome comming to besiege Vienna in Hungarie with a great puissance he was put backe by God his grace and the force of the Almaines By nature he was hautie and glorious hauing so great dominions and victories Hee pretended that the Empire of Rome and of the West appertained vnto him For he said he was the true successour of Constantine who transported the Empire from Rome and vnto Constantinople His ordinary reuenew is of sixe millions of skutes some say seuen for each yeare and whensoeuer it pleaseth him to make warre he gaineth more thereby then he leeseth because of the great store of siluer he taketh of his subiects He hath more treasure and precious stones then all other kings together as Paulus Iouius saith who also attributeth the losse of Rhodes to the carelesnes and negligence of the Pope Maximilian deceased in Austriche the 12. Ianuary after the obteining of the Empire 27. yeares Charles 5. the sonne of Phillip Archduke of Austrich of the age of 19. yeares was chosen Emperor of Rome the 25. Iune and succeeded his graundfather Maximilian The Pope would haue hindered his election because he was king of Naples and that the kings of Naples were bound to the Pope to denounce that Empire whilest they should be kings of Naples but it was in vaine Zuinglius is called from Glarone to Zurich to read teach Theologie The bookes of Luther are burnt the Popes partakers in Almaine Luther also for his part publikely burnt at Wittemberge the Popes Canon lawe as also a new decree whereby hee was condemned and after yeelded a reason of his so doing The Emperour at the instance of Frederic of Saxonie sent the 6. of March to Luther that vnder his faith and safegard he should come to a Iourney held Wormes whither hee came against the aduise of his friends and entering there the 16. of of Aprill he came out againe the 26. of the said moneth Ferdinand the Emperours yonger brother Prince of Austrich tooke to wife Anne the onely daughter of Vladislaus King of Hungarie and of Boheme the sister of Lewis the last King of the line of Hungarie Luther apposed by Eckins the Lawyer at the Iourney at Wormes constantly maintained the truth The Emperour writ Letters to Princes wherby he declared his aduise that Luther should be abandoned to whosoeuer would sley him He is excōmunicated anathematized by Pope Leo. The Sorbonists of Paris assailed him so did Henry the 8. King of England by his owne writing Wherevpon the Pope gaue him the title of Defendor of the Church A Decree at Wormes published by the Emperours Letters Patters against Luther and his fauorites Adrian Pope sixt of that name borne at Vtrict in the country of Holland come from a poore house passed his youth in studie at Louaine norished and brought vp amongst the poore of the Colledge called du Pourcean From a Doctor in Diuinitie and Doyen of S. Peter de Louaine he was called to be a Pedagoge and Schoolemaister of Charles the fift after Emperor Erasmus hauing bene cast off as a suspected person because of the doctrine which after Luther published afterward being sent Embassador towards Ferdinand King of Spaine he obteined the Bishoppricke of Derthuse The Emperour passing into England to goe into Spaine made alliance at Windsore with Henry the 8. to espowse Marie his daughter then of the age of seuen yeares when she should be of full age Iohn Rouchlin restorer of the Hebrew tongue in Almaine this yeare died Rhodes besieged in the moneth of Iune by Soliman Emperour of the Turkes the seuenth moneth following is taken by composition to the great damage and dishonour of the Christians Christierne King of Danemarch Noruege and Snede for feare that for his great tyrannie and ill gouernment he might fall into some daughter of his person this yeare fled into Zeland with his children and his wife Isabel the Emperours sister brought vnto great necessitie We may learne by such examples to feare God his iudgements when hee chastiseth both Countries and Kings for our instruction Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France willingly departed partly drawne by the Emperors faire promises turned himselfe against the French King to the great misfortune both of his owne person and of France The bookes of a Phisitian Magician were burnt at Rome some of which were brought vnto Adrian whereof hee made great account and they were after his death founde amongst his secret papers And some thought he came to his Popedome by an euil art Paralip Chron. Abb. Vrsp The Pope Adrian after like others he had persecuted the truth of the Gospell in the person of Luther and Oecolampadius died of a death suspected of poison in September the second yeare of his Popedome Clement Pope seueth of that name a Florentine of the Sect of Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem Prior des Cappes succeeded Adrian He before was called Iulius but admonished by his familiar Cardinalls he tooke the name of Clement Functius Some write him the Nephew others the sonne of Leo others his bastard brother of the house of Medices At Zuric there was a disputation three dayes whether the Masse and Idolls should be abolished The 20. of Ianuarie following the Iourney of the Swisses was held at Lucerne where they wholy cōfirmed the Popes doctrine and condemned that of the Gospell The Swisses in common complained of them of Zuric Bourbon besieged Marceill in vaine from whence hee retired into Italie where he was pursued of the French King who tooke Millaine and in winter besieged Pauie vppon Tesin Anthonie Duke of Lorraine sharpely persecuted such as bare any fauour to Luthers doctrine About the ende of this yeare certaine Countrey-men or peasants of Snabe beganne to rise and rebell against the Count de Loupae their Lord and after their example their neighbours did the like vnder the colour of certaine charges wherewith they complained to be burdened This stirre was after verie pernitious and brought great troubles and effusion of blood A battaile giuen at Pauie betwixt Charles de Lauoy a Gentlemen of the Country of Hainaut the Emperours Lieutenant and the French King wherein the said King was taken in the combat and from thence carried by sea into Spaine Zuinglius agreed not with Luther in an Article of the Supper He said that in the words of Iesus Christ there is a figure such as there is found in infinit places of the scripture
imposed vpon him lawes of extreame rigour Amongst others that hee should subiect himselfe to that which the Pope would ordaine vpon him touching Religion The Duke wished rather to die whereat the Emperor maruelling remitted that condition but yet he tooke from him all his goods sauing 50000. Crownes which the Duke Maurice vnto whom that spoyle came should giue him yearely The 21. of May Wittemberge yeelded it selfe by that Dukes commaundement after hee had acquited to his sonne and his subiects the oath of fidelitie they ought him and Maurice tooke season thereof An example of magnanimitie and constancie more then Heroicke that is Christiā which God giueth to his in the middest of the greatest afflictions of this world The estates of the Empire assembled at Vlme There the Emperours Embassadors purposed to make a league frō thenceforward to appease all troubles if any such arise like this last But the pestilence dissipated this conspiration against the Gospell and the estates retired to Ausbourge The Lantgraue of Hesse to obey the conditions of peace proposed vnto him came vnto the Emperour at Hale and after supper as he would haue departed he was stayed He complained that hee was betrayed and promises not performed vnto him The Emperour before the estates at Ausbourge declared the cause wherefore he set him not at libertie to be this That hee exhibited not the Letters and secrets of the League of Smalcalde And taketh witnesse vnto Maurice and Brandebourge that he neuer meant him lesse then a perpetuall prisoner The doctrine of the Papists dispenseth herein namly that vnto Heretickes men should keepe no faith Peter Lewis the Popes sonne was shine at Plaisance in his Castle by a Band of 36. which had cōspired against him They hanged his body in a chaine on the toppe of the Castle walls a thing much pleasing the people He was slaine the 10. of September on the same day wherevpon his Father Pope Paul being cunning in Negromancie had warned him to take heed The end of tyrants are miserable and horrible and should put vs in mind of Gods iudgement Certaine time after he had beene cast into the graues the Plaisantines themselues massacred him with the stabs of Daggers After Dom Ferdinand de Gonsague strengthned the towne with a Garrison The Masse was abolished in England by a decree iudgement of the publike Councell of all the Realme The Venetians after the Emperours fashion made a very rigorous Edict against such as are called Lutherans One called Francis Spiera of the Citadelle a Towne of the Territories of Venice for that in the said Venice before Iohn Cuse the Popes Legate he had renounced the truth of the Gospell which hee knew fell into dispaire and of a vehement and great apprehension thereof got a great malladie and sicknesse wherein hee could no way be comforted and whatsoeuer any alleadged of Gods promises of his mercie he would still answere that they nothing appertained vnto him because he said hee had sinned against the holy Ghost And in that dispaire finished he pitiously his dayes This is a great good example worthy to be earnestly thought on Maximilian the eldest sonne of Ferdinand from Trent arriued in Spaine and in great magnificence espowsed Mary the Emperours eldest daughter his Cousin-germaine Iane the onely daughter of the king of Nauarre who before was promised vnto the Duke of Cleues was giuen in marriage vnto the Duke of Vendosme The Emperour giueth charge to certaine traytors of the truth namely Iulles Pflug Michael Sidonius and Iohn Islebe Agricula with a Secretarie of Grauiele to build a booke of Religion and called it Interim This booke shooke Almaine more then all the grieuous persecutions that had bin before It was called the Emperours booke Ellenor the dead king Francis widowe left France and retired into her brothers lowe Countries The Bourdelois in Guienne mutined against the King because of a subsidie or taxation and slew the kings Lieftenant there whereof they were by the Constable chastised He constrained themselues to make the fire and to burne all their priuiledges He caused a great number of the chiefe of the towne to be put to death They were constrained to follow the Funeralls of the said Lieftenant slaine in the habit of Criminalls carrying Torches in their hands and demaunding mercie Ambrose Blaurer Minister of Constance and with him a great number of the Bourgesses left the Towne because of Religion The Princes and Townes of Almain are sollicited and forced by the Emperour to giue answere vnto the approbation of his booke The Emperor also caused to be set out a forme of Ecclesiasticall reformation for an outward shew which after they had heard recited they approoued and promised to cause them to be obserued in their Churches with the Popes good pleasure The Duke of Wirtemberge at the alone commandement of the Emperour straightway caused the booke to be read vnto the people forbidding them to do any thing to the contrary The Duke of Saxonie being prisoner was much sollicited to receiue the Emperours booke of reformation but he still remained constant without bowing or yeelding either by threatnings or promises which was cause that his gardes began to handle him more roughly and rudely The Preacher which he alwaies till then had with him fearing danger found meanes to escape A great diuersitie of courage betwixt the two Dukes The Duke Maurice returning into his Countrey proposed the Emperours decree caused the Diuines of Leipsic and of Wirtemberge to assemble and determine therevpon Which after they had two or three times assembled they ordained of things indifferent commonly called Adiaphores In the end they set out in writing at Leipsic a forme of Religion which all Duke Maurice subiects should follow The Bishop of Strasbourge summoned the Ministers and Regents of the schoole which held the Colledge of S. Thomas to receiue the Emperours decree Bucer and Phagius with the Senates leaue departed the first day of April to goe into England whither they were called by Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Thus the Lord prouideth for his After he hath taken his truth from one place he sendeth them into an other to doe his worke there The King of Fesse in Affricke being chased by a certaine Zepziphe king his neighbour who from low estate was growne vnto that greatnesse implored helpe of the Emperour at Auspourge Whilst Religion was thus troubled in Almaine the Pope thought it good to make his profit thereof Therefore he sent their Legates into Almaine with an Indult by which power was giuen vnto them to receiue all such as they would into the bosome of the Church and to permit by the Popes authoritie to communicate the Supper of the Lord vnder both kinds and to eate all kinde of meates at all times The Ministers of the Lantgraues Country refused the Indult Phillip of Austrich made his entry into Bruxelles where his Father was and is receiued in great magnificence and pompe the
of Flaunders the 18. of Ianuary he made a solemne entry into Antwerpe In the moneth of February Henry Duke of Brunswic espowsed the sister of Sigismond king of Pologne The 26. of the same moneth died at Aitsem Frederick Count Palatin Elector now very old and there succeeded him Otto Henry his brothers sonne who long time before had receiued the Gospell and for that cause was in daunger to haue lost all his goods Shortly after he had receiued his peoples oath of fidelitie he made an Edict that no person shuld sing any Masse or exercise any other ceremonies any where in his countries Mary Queen of EnglaÌ„d did what she could that church goods and lands might be restored because Pope greatly vrged her thervnto But many Princes great Lords held them therfore it could not be done During this Parliament many Innectiue and biting bookes were dispersed in London amongst which some were sufficient to haue stirred the common people to sedition against the Spaniards and to haue with drawne the Queenes loue froÌ„ King Phillip Search was made for the authors of these libels but it was not possible to finde them out Before the Assembly was departed affaires dispatched the Bishop of Winchester the Chauncelor died of a dropsie Thomas Heth Archbishop of Yorke who had sometimes bene in Almaine with him before of Canterbury and once had knowledge of the true Religion was come into his place About the fift of Nouember died the wife of Duke Iohn Frederic of Saxonie the Lantgraues daughter The Duke of Venice Francisco Venerio was deposed from his estate for ill dealing in the charge of victualls and hauing much more regard vnto his particular profit then to the publike weale About the end of February of this yeare the Moâ—râ—aâ—â—e called Dupetit S. Bernard on the valley side of Aouste which is in the subiection of the Duke of Sauoy was seene couered with red snowe and certaine white snowe fell but the whitenesse vanished away and the rednesse remained This was notoriously knowne and seene and the red snowe touched by many inhabitants of the said Countrey These prodiges and maruels admonish vs to beseech the Lord to turne away the tribulations and calamities which the poore world ceaseth not to draw vpon it selfe by his rebellion A frost of three weekes was so sharp in December that Seine was frozen wherevpon followed great mischiefes Oziander with his new doctrine of Iustification had long time stirred trobles in Pruse but after as it were al learned people had condemned him by their writings the Duke of Pruse Albert declared by a publike writing that therein hee would follow the doctrine of the confession of Ausbourge and so enioyned the Ministers of the Churches to teach accordingly and gaue them full licence And to the end the thing might be so fully and surely accorded that the wound might no more renew and be worse Iohn Albert Duke de Megelbourge the Duke of Pruse his sonne in lawe a Prince very well instructed in Letters went into the said Countrey of Prusia and by the meanes of certaine learned people whose labour he vsed hee did so much with Iohn Functius which was hee that chiefly maintained the opinion of Ozeander that publikely he confessed his fault and withall protested that he would neuer teach but according to the tenor of the confession of Ausbourge Others did the like So the Theologians were receiued into fauour and the estate of the Church pacified The 4. day of March began to appeare a Comet which was seene by the space of 12 dayes There is a litle Towne in Aulsâ—iâ— three leagues from Strasbourge called Oberene in that Towne a certaine Gardiner the tenth of Aprill in the absence of his wife was the murderer of his owne children of a girle of the age of 7. yeares of a boy of the age of 4. yeares and of an other yet in the cradle not past sixe moneths old The 10. of may the Duke d' Arscot who was a prisoner in the wood de Vincennes nigh Paris escape and came safe into his Countrey The Bauarois sollicited their Prince Albert to haue libertie of their religion as well as they of Austrich and almost at one time the Prince seeing that Ferdinand his father in law had permitted to his people the same thing was content to doo the like And because there was then some question for siluer he suffered his subiects for a time to receiue the Lords Supper whole and to eate flesh on dayes prohibited when necessitie driues them therevnto Yet he made great protestations that he would not diuide himselfe from the religion of his Auncestors and that this should onely be till by publike authoritie it were otherwise ordained About this time certaine great Lords of Transiluania reuolted from Ferdinand There became also great mutinies in England where diuers Nobles were imprisoned others beheaded and some saued themselues in other Countries As for such as died for the truth of the Gospell we haue amply deducted their estate and extracted their confessions in our bookes of Martyrs Albert de Bauieres began the Imperiall iourney at Ratisbone in the name of king Ferdinand who then was busied in holding the estates in Bohemeâ— and Austrich The Emperor hauing attend 〈…〉 of Septembeâ— and from 〈◊〉 Countries accompanied 〈…〉 â—â—â—ior Dowary of France and Mary Queâ—â—â— of Hungary 〈…〉 cauing al the rule of the lowe Countries to king Phillip his sonne and the administration of Almaine vnto his brother King Ferdinand Dauid George who after called himselfe Iohn de Bruck borne at Delphes in Holland a very pernitious seducer author and Prince of the vilest Sect that euer was making himselfe king and immortall Christ died this yeare 1556. the 24. day of August his wife being dead a litle before He retired with his family which was very great into Basill the yeare 1544. making himselfe a fugitiue from his owne countrey for the cause of the Gospell He bought houses in the Towne and a Castle nigh the Towne called Binningen with possessions of a great reuenew It was easie for this man being very cautelous and subtill and hauing his eyes looking on all sides to gaine the hearts of many and to procure outward reputation who was greatly sustained and augmented by that he had great summes of money and very pretious moueables daily brought him from base Almaine and Flaunders There hapned certaine prodigious signes before his death One of his houses he had two in Basill was burned with fire of lightning and the other which he had sumptuously builded in the Medowes was also consumed by fire and all his pretious moueables which were therin soone after the chamber floores of his house where he made his residence fell downe suddenly yet they say nothing hapned vnto him more intollerable to beare before his death then this that one of authoritie in base Almaine came to the Towne of Basill and
of Lewis Requescens great commaunder of Castile a man in appearance of soft condition but no lesse fellonious and cruell then his predecessor in that gouernment Iohn de Austriche made warre in Barbarie about the ende of this yeare and got Tunes builded a strong Citadell betwixt Tunes and the Goulette to resist the Turkes after hee withdrew into Sicilie The great Commander meaning to driue away the Prince of Orange incamped before Middelbourge in Zeland armed a puissant Fleete about 80. vessels and the 24. of Ianuary 1574. made saile towards Zeland but his Army encountred the Princes Army In so much that after a long combat where that Commaunder commaunded not but looking ouer the Dikes to iudge of the blowes with more assurance he sawe the Spaniards ouerthrown with his Wallons wherof some were drowned others carried away prisoners and almost all their vessels lost They of Middelbourg wayed with the siege and all hope which they had of succours turned into dispaire they yeelded themselues a moneth after In the beginning of February the warre waxed hotte in Barbary betwixt the Spaniards Moores and Turkes The 18. of the same moneth Henry Duke of Aniou arriuing from France in Polongne made his entrie into Cracouia and was crowned three dayes after with accustomed solemnities About this time the Venetians beeing tyred with warre entred an accord with Selym whereat the Pope and the King of Spaine were not content Fraunce entred into new troubles They tooke them to Arms in Normandie and Poictou The king in great hast retired himselfe from S. Germaines to Paris From that time followed great chaunges in France there then seeming to be no more any question of Religion but of the estate a thing notwithstanding of longer discourse then I need now set down seeing it i◠handled in particular bookes depending vpon the history of this time The warre continued in Holland and the Spaniards encamped before Leyden but they were constrained to leaue their siege the 23. day of March to goe meete the Duke Christopher son of the Elector Palatin the Counties Lodowick and Henry de Nassan brethren which came downe in the strength of winter towards Mastriche with a good number of footmen and horsemen These Lords being aduertised that the Spaniards came to finde them aduanced themselues and encountred in a field of thornes called Morkerheide where the Lansquenets crying after siluer refused the combat insomuch that the Lords were vanquished and slaine all three vpon the fourth day of April Ioachim Camerarius a learned man amongst all the Almaine an inward and familiar friend of Phillip Melancton dyed at Leipsic beeing of the age of 74. yeares the 17. day of Aprill The 21. day died Cosme de Medices Duke of Florence and great Duke of Thuscane leauing a sonne vnto whom the state and tytle of great Duke was confirmed by the Pope The great Commaunder thinking to haue gained all by the ouerthrowe of the Count Lodowick caused a generall pardon to bee published in the Towne of Antwerpe the 23 of Aprill but none came for it so that the war continued Yet three daies after this publication the Spanish souldiers kindling a mutinie for want of their pay entred into the Towne of Antwerpe by the fauour of the Castle constraining the Burgesses to furnish them the summe of foure thousand Florents to bring this to passe they vsed great insolencies They constrained also the Gouernor and the Wallon souldiers to auoyd the towne with intent to gorge themselues the more at their ease They also set farther off the ships which had the guard of the Hauen The Princes Nauie hauing discouered these Ships got quickly hold of them and carried them away in the Commaunders view whilest he and his souldiers tooke their pastime in sacking of Antwerpe The Spaniards prceiuing that during their absence Leiden was not againe victualled returned to besiege it the second day of May and held it closer then before for in diuers places they made Forts to the number of 22. vpon large and deep dikes the most part invnited and strengthned with 2. or 3. Canons The eleuen day of May a great part of S. Markes Pallace at Venice was burned and two daies after a great number of houses at Venice with a notable losse for many Marchants There happened as much at Bruxels in Brabant the 24. of the same month and the fire tooke hold of certaine Gunpowder which was in a Tower which by the ruine thereof greatly endamaged all the Towne and slew 15. persons A great warre was then in France especially in Poictou and in Normandie Gabriel Counte de Montgommeri hauing with a fewe men sustained the siege and diuers assaultes in the Castle of Danfronc yeelded it by composition but he was reserued and carried prisoner vnto Paris where not long after by decree of the Parliament his head was cut off In the meane while the Duke of Alencon the kings yongest brother and the king of Nauarre were as prisoners in the Court and the Churches languished vnder so many confusions The last day of May Charles the ninth King of France dyed of the age of 34. yeares in the wood of Vincennes leauing his kingdome much indebted and maruellously full of broyles Henry of Valois the third sonne of Henry the second born in the yeare 1551. the 21. of September beeing in Pologne when his brother Charles dyed and vnderstanding the newes of his death departed secretly that kingdome and tooke possession of that his mother had kept for him He passed through Venice so into Piedmont where he visited Margarite the Duchesse his Aunt who dyed soone after and arriuing at Lyons in the beginning of September hee caused certaine Edicts to be published against them of the Religion who stood vpon their gard seeing their new Prince threatned them so openly A litle before his comming Henry Montmorency Marshal de Danuile and gouernor of Languedoc entred in cōference with the principals of the Religion least that prouince other nigh therevnto might come to ruine and destruction by ciuill warres and to procure some rest for France The Prince of Conde retired into Almaine The king descended into Languedoc hauing failed to take Liuron a smal Towne of Dauphine About the end of this yeare died Charles Cardinall of Lorraine one of the chiefe instruments of the troubles and confusions of France To come vnto the affaires of the low Countries The siege of Leiden hauing continued all the Sommer with appearance of extreame confusion for the besieged the third day of October following it was refreshed and victualled by the prowesse of a fewe souldiers conducted by Boisot Admirall of Holland beeing helped with the Sea-floud which the Prince by the meanes of pearcing of certaine Dikes and sluces opening had caused it to come farre euen nigh vnto the Towne The Spaniards after they had fought a litle seeing the water began to
which shee did with vsing diuers other ceremonies and in the deliuerie thereof to the Duke of Medina Sidonia who was appointed the chiefe Generall shee did pronounce openly good successe and victorie to the Duke in saying hee should returne a victorious Prince This standard was carried in procession by Dan Francisco de Gordoua who was a Spaniard and the tallest Gentleman that could bee founde hee beeing on horse-backe to the ende it might bee better seene At the solemnizing whereof there was such a number of people assembled that diuers of them perished in the thrōg There was present the Arch-duke Albertus Cardinall and Gouernour of the kingdome of Portugall the Popes Nuncio the Arch-bishop who was head Inquisitor with diuers other Nobles Prelates and Gentlemen This solemnization dured so long that Albertus fainted with fasting and his holie Nunne to comfort him caused a messe of the broath which was for her owne diet to bee brought who presented it to him which hee accepted most willingly comming from the hand of so holy a Nunne but the next yeare all her holinesse false myracles and great dissimulations was then found out and shee condemned and punished for the same M. Cyp. Val. The Nauie of the King of Spaine three whole yeares in furnishing was 125. great shippes with 20000. choyse souldiers out of Spaine and Italie 10000. souldiers 2000. peeces of Ordinance with all manner of furniture and prouision for sixe moneths at the ende of May set out from the hauen of Tagus and slowly proceeding to the Westerne coast of Spaine the 30. of Iune it came to Coronis a Port of Spaine towards the farthest North in the bounds of Gallicia and Asturia which Ptoloney calleth the hauen of the Artabrians The chiefe Generall of the Nauie was Alphonsus Peresius Duke of Medina Sidonia The Admirall by sea was Iohannes Marsinus Recaldeus of Cantabria But when hey had hoisted their sailes scarce out of the sight of the Spanish coast a tempest suddenly rising they were diuided and scattered and with contrary windes driuen into the same and the neighbouring hauens of Asturia and Biscay The King when hee vnderstood that the whole Nauy met together at Coronis commaunded that forthwith it should goe for England ioyning with the Duke of Parmaes shippes in Belgia and to set the souldiers vpon the continent S. F. Drake Vice-admirall followed them close and tooke the hindermost that slowly sailed after and in her Petrus Valdesius The Nauy of the Duke of Parma partly by aduerse windes hindered and partly by a Nauy of Zeland that lay before Dunkerke in vaine any longer expected of the Spaniards the Duke of Sidonia cast Anchor neare vnto Callaice Syr Frances Drake the next night filled eight old ships with pitch brimstone and other matter for fire a great winde blowing on their backes draue them vpon the Spanish Nauie Who fearing least their ships likewise had beene burnt cut their Anchors and departed Whom S. Frances by this stratagem so dispersed and put to flight pursued with his balls of fire and by reason of the greatnesse and height of the Spanish ships feawe of them missed Of this great Fleete 32. were sunke and taken by the English and in them 10000. souldiers the rest of the Nauie were thus scattered two were driuen to Flissingam all to beaten and wrackt the other after long sayling returned into Spaine The D. of Parma dismissed his fleet cashiered his Marriners and sent some of the souldiers to the siege of Bergam Vpsome D. Chytraeus M. Gall. Anth. Ciccarella This yeare the Duke of Bullen died at Geneua of the age of 25. yeares The most Christian Prince of Conde whom Sixtus the fift excommunicated and cursed died of poison In the same yeare H. of Lotharing D. of Guise by the commaundement of the K. of France was slaine at Blois where the Parliament was held and the day after the Cardinal his brother The Duke was 42. yeares of age and was slaine in his Clymactetic yeare If Plutarch had liued in these times hee would haue compared him to C. Iulius Caesar Genebrardus This is that wonderfull yeare of the which Iohannes Rhegiomontanus the great Mathematician wrote a Prognostication or Prophecie almost after that of Sibilla Post mille expletos Idem The like Iohannes Stofflaus a famous Astrologian and in our time that noble Gentleman Iohannes Rantzoutus foretold in his booke of Climacterike yeares and the fall of Empires Whose Prophecies haue sorted to trie euents which we haue seene this yeare First the kingdom of Poland was most miserably troubled by ciuil intestine warres by reason of foure Kings they had at once in this yeare Sigismond of Suecia Maximilian of Austrich Henry Valois and Stephen Bathor as then vnburied So likewise Suecia was vexed by sundry tumults Fredericke the second being dead foure Protectors gouerned the kingdom during his sonnes minoritie The Queene of Scots was beheaded England obteined a wonderful victorie at sea ouer the Spaniards The Sophie of Persia dyed The Turke had ill successe in Hungarie against the Christians The Hungarians likewise suffered great losses Maximilian taken captiue by the Polanders was committed to prison Italie was sore molested by the Bandetti Fraunce was incombred with ciuil broyles Germanie brought to sleep by her old religion imbraceth now that face of religion And to be briefe from the rising of the Sunne to the setting thereof there was no place in the which somewhat happened that was not worthie to be wondred at See Genebrardus The death of the Duke of Guise and of his brother caused many and the most principall Cities of France as Paris Roan Lyons Tholous and others to rebell against the King M. Cyprian Val After that the King of France had commanded the D. of Guise to be slaine and his brother Cardinall to be strangled he committed likewise to prison Charles Cardinall Burbon Legate Apostolike Peter Arch-bishop of Lions and heire of the Duke of Guise which when the Pope vnderstood he tooke it greeuously and in the highest Consistory made an oration thereof to his Cardinalls About this matter not long after hee sent an Embassador to H. of France to intreat for the deliuery of the Cardinall of Bourbon and the Archbishop of Lyons to whom was answered that for the Cardinall he might by no meanes be deliuered for that his enlargement would stirre sedition and as touching the Archbishop that it was not in him to doo whē that Guastius who had charge of the Castle of Ambois and the prisoners now being treated Lord therof no prisoner could be dismissed without paying his raunsome Whē the Pope had often in vaine sollicited the K. and was denied he thus decreed that if at a certaine time the King did not deliuer them and thirtie daies after their enlargement certifie it to the Apostolicke Sea by his Letters vnder his owne hand and seale that forthwith he was excommunicated and did incurre
maiestie And euen as he was receiuing them for his farwell a yong stripling named Iohn Castil of 18. yeares of age a Drapers sonne of Paris who was got into the Chamber amongst the preace drew neare vnto the King before he was almost perceiued of any bodie and suddenly would haue stabd him into the bodie with a knife but by reason that his maiestie was very readie to take vp the Lordes which were on theyr knees before him in his stooping hee strooke him on the face on the vpper iaw on the right side therewithall cutting out one of his teeth Wherevpon hee was apprehended by the Captaine of the Garde to whom the King commanded after hee had throwne his knife to the ground to let him goe saying that he freely forgaue him But afterwards vnderstanding that he was a Scholler to the Iesuites hee sayd and must it needs be that the Iesuites should be confounded by my mouth This villaine being brought vnto the Bishops prison freely declared the circumstance of his trayterous intent and that he was perswaded thereto by his maister a Iesuite who said that it was lawfull to kill him that hee was excommunicate of the Church that hee was not to be obeyed nor to be taken for the King vntill such time as he was allowed by the Pope For this he was executed and the Iesuites of Claremount with whom this fellow was brought vp and all other throughout the whole Realme of France were commaunded within three dayes to depart their Colledges and after 15. dayes to leaue the realme D. Chytraeus In the beginning of this yeare Amurathes the third Emperour of the Turkes the sonne of Selim in the 48. yeare of his age ended his life and Empire with much blasphemie and impatience Whom Mahomet the third beeing thirtie yeares of age succeeded who before hee performed his Father Funeralls hee caused eighteene of his brethren borne of diuers Concubines to bee strangeled and most honourably to be buried with his father in the same monument He suffered his 27. sisters to liue in Teragliuun And that no more might bee borne hee comaunded tenne of his fathers wiues to be throwne into the Sea and hauing richly furnished his owne mother he sent her to dwell in a farre Countrie Genebrardus This Mahomet is the thirteenth Emperour from Othoman Ferdinand Arch-duke of Austria the sonne of Ferdinand the Emperor and brother of Maximilian the second departed this life The one and twentieth of February likewise dyed Ernestus his brothers sonne Archduke of Austria Gouernor of the Prouinces in the lowe Countries being 42. yeares of age Idem Some of the Deputies of the Court which were sent to search Cleremount Colledge which belonged to the Iesuites hauing seized vpon many papers found among them certain written bookes made by a Iesuite Priest named Iohn Guiguard since the generall pardon giuen by the king at Paris there was written in these bookes many vile matters as well against H. the 3. as against H. the 4. now liuing containing nothing but traitorous practises for the which the Iesuite being sent for auouched by meanes whereof he was found guiltie and therefore executed The K. of France proclaimed open warres against Spaine and the Spanish Army is ouerthrowne by the Marshall of Bouillon in the Duchie of Luxembourge The King after two yeares suppliant intreaties to the Pope at the length was absolued by the Pope at Rome and receiued into the lappe of the mother Church and declared the most Christian king of France The conditions propounded were these That the king should receiue the Councell of Trent and giue commaundement that it should be kept throughout all his Realme but and if in some of his Prouinces he could not do it without danger of new seditions he should aske leaue of the Pope That hee should within the compasse of one yeare remooue the young Prince of Conde being 9. yeares of age from the company of heretikes and to bring him vp in the Catholicke Apostolicke Romane religion That he should restore all the reuenewes and goods which he had taken from his Bishops and Abbies Lastly that he should by his Letters certifie all Catholicke Princes of his conuersion and detestation of all heresies After this the Church of S. Peter which before was shut was now opened Then the Pope said to the Orators of France that as hee now opened againe to their King the doore of the Church Militant vppon earth so should his Maiestie endeuour likewise by a liuely faith and good workes to make his way into the triumphant Church of heauen D. Chytraeus Vpon the Church doore were placed the armes of the K. of France with this inscription Henricus 4. Galliae Nauarrae Rex Christianissimus Whilst Camerac is besieged by the Spaniards Phillip king of Spaine created Albertus Arch-duke of Austria and Cardinall of Toledo Generall of all his Forces in Belgia Hee was the sonne of Max. 2. Emperour and Mary the sister of Phillip King of Spaine the fift in order after Rodolphus the Emperour that now is borne in Nouember the yeare 1559. Genebrardus The D. de Maine seeing the Spaniards take other course then was accustomed his Forces slaine his credit crackt his destruction at the doore though late yet at last he sought by mediators the kings fauour which he obtained vpon this receiued grace the D. wrought the yeelding vp of Soisson Pierfont and other places to the King The Duke of Aumale who onely remained among all the chiefe Leaguers lawe being prosecuted against him in the Parliament of Paris he was found guiltie of treason in the highest degree so that his Image of likenes being made it was drawne in peeces with foure horses and his goods and lands confiscate to the King The most famous Poet and Orator of all Italy Torguatus Tassus died this yeare at Rome The Garrisons of Peronne Amiens and other places that he held for the king began againe in Ianuary their former courses against the enemies Countrie still killing and sleying certaine Spaniards and Wallons Marseill is brought to the kings subiection George Lantgraue of Hesse the sonne of Phillip a vertuous wise and religious Prince departed out of this world leauing his sonne Lodowicke to succeed him Albert Arch-duke of Austria and Gouernour of the lowe Countries entered Bruxelles with great pompe accompanied with the Dukes of Fere and Aumale and Philippus Wilihelmus the Prince of Orange his sonne Before his comming there was great hope of peace but after his arriuall he made no mention of peace for that he foresawe there would be none graunted D. Chytreus In the beginning of March the Cardinal gaue such order that the besieged within the Towne of Fere were succoured with some munition and for his first exployt against France in the beginning of Aprill did so dispose of his Armie at that time most mightie so pollitikely and secretly that in fewe dayes hee besieged assailed and
haue bin to conserue and keepe the puritie of the Euangelicall doctrine but suffering to take roote I know not how that which tasted of carnall wisedome in so much that in the place of the true end marke which the Gospell proposeth vnto vs men began to establish vnto vs all the perfection of Christianitie in sufferings and afflictions for the Gospell and in arresting abiding a litle too subtilly vpon the stay of certaine fantastike persons springing from the schoole of Philosophers so fell by litle and litle to that vnhappinesse as to transforme the holy scripture into allegorike interpretations a maruellous baite for the curiositie of humane vnderstanding and a fountaine of infinite mischiefes in the Church True it is that the first inuentors of such things thought nothing lesse then that which came after So much then did the Lord humble his people But about the end of this periode euil was seene to aduance and ceremonies encrease in such sort that men enclined vnto Indaisme and Paganisme the loue of solitude and Munkery the abstinence from marriage and from certaine viands and meates on particular dayes many Feasts and other seeds of superstition after succeeding tooke a maruellous roote So the commencement of praiers for the dead and of the sacrifice of the Masse did then discouer themselues not that the intent of such as made mention of the dead to encourage the liuing constantly to serue God and which brought of their goods into the company of the faithfull for the comfort of the poore after the celebration of the Supper was to bring in the execrable Idolatrie which long time after sprung vp There were also introducted and brought into Baptisme certaine ceremonies yet not such as the ridiculous superstitions which since haue bin forged Finally the good intent began to shewe it selfe and from thenceforth to lift vp the head vntill at the last vpon the ende of the second time of the Church it rose vp aboue the word of God As for the third periode of the first time heerein it was happie in that God during that time raised vp diuers learned persons Greekes and Latines to oppose themselues with liuely voyce at Sinodes as also by their bookes whereof wee haue some number at this day against the impietie of infinite heretikes Amongst other S. Augustine was an excellent Doctor of the Church who notwithstanding is not alwaies so cleare as is to be desired Amongst the Latines this time also brought forth other great persons yet men also which yet is more seene in the Greeke Doctors lesse pure then the Latines especially in the right knowledge of the merite of Iesus Christ and all was the want of a pure and natiue intelligence of the Lords language in the Prophetike and Apostolike bookes Their allegorike interpretations had as it were gotten the vpper hand ceremonies maruellously encreased Monkeries began to take footing the true meanes to diuide the Church and to forge a new seruice of God afterward the veneration of the Martyrs Sepulchres paintings and after Images glistered in Churches The pure doctrine of the Lords Supper began to bee falsified for want of right vnderstanding the manner of Sacramentall speeches and the vertue of the alone sacrifice of Iesus Christ Bishops especially that of Rome thrust into the world and the misterie of iniquitie formed it selfe as it afterward should come into the light For Arrianisme hauing serued for a seed to Mahumatisme and the dispising of the celestall veritie with corruption of manners maintaining the audacitie and boldnesse of the Bishops of Rome this periode finishing gaue entry vnto straunge euils wherewith the Church was ouerthrowne a litle space after Let vs now say something of the second time of the Church which we diuide into two periodes The first from Phocas about the yeare 600. vntill Charlamaine by the space of 300. yeares The second from Charlamaine vnto Charles the fift of that name Emperour about 700. yeares In the first periode of this second time of the Church as the Antichrist of the East thrust himselfe well forward that of the West established his Throne and then was the doore open to all errours which notwithstanding entred not at once but came by litle and litle into the Church Aboue all the opinion of purgatorie fire and of the sacrifice for the dead were the foundation of the Papaltie and of all that vermine of their Cleargie and infinite Sects of Monkes which like Grashoppers from the deepe pit came to spread themselues through Europe But it was in the second periode of the second time that Idolatrie and superstitions obtained the vpper hand Insomuch that the poore Church as it were buried had no more any spring neither appeared there any token wherevpon to cast her eye but onely the inuocation of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost in Baptisme And although from time to time the Lord made shine some flames and torches in the bowells of that darkenesse to redargue and weaken such as rotted in so heauie and palpable ignorance yet was their blindness so lamentable and their sleepe so deepe that for one which lifted vp the head and to whom Antichrist gaue no release nor leaue to approach witnesse all such as during this periode opposed themselues neuer so litle against his tyrannie an infinite remained liuelesse and altogether dead The Lord making himselfe admirable in the mercie which he shewed vpon some and renowned in horrible and iust punishment of their ingratitude which loued better lyes then truth Who can heere recyte the superstitions Idolatries of Antichrist his crafts and subtilties to establish his kingdome and tirannie vpon bodies and soule He had his seruants and instruments of all sorts to leane fasten encrease and multiply his Throne in the Temple of GOD carrying in his browe the name of miserie sitting in the Temple of God calling himselfe God yet vnknown of such as called themselues Christians which he put off vntill the end of the world and to I know not what fancie and dreame of an Antichrist which should be borne but a litle before the second comming of the sonne of God Briefly the great spiritual Babilon the murdresse of soules had her kingdome during this period tyrannizing the Israell of God hid and dispearced in a litle number and by her impostures blasphemies and impieties mocked the true God Father of Iesus Christ whose name auowed with the mouth shee trode vnder her feet by her abhominable errour But the Lord willing to make his worke admirable which was to ruinate Babilon to destroy the man of sin by the breath of his mouth and by the brightnesse of his comming presented himselfe in the third time and by the ministerie of people feeble and of small appearance yet driuen and drawne on with the zeale of his glory first brought in y e knowledge of tongues then the celestial truth maugre all the strengthes of the world and in
sixtie yeares hath made vs againe see all the maruells of the worlds passed in the gouernment of his Church as well in the efficacie of his word as in the vertue thereof to maintaine it to fortifie his seruants against all sorts of enemies within and without and to represse tyrants Apostates heretikes and hipocrites which we hope he will pursue more and more and we pray him to do it for the loue of Iesus Christ his sonne vntill that great Sauiour appeare in the cloudes to iudge the qucke and the dead Amen FINIS A Table of the principall things contained in this booke A. ABbey of S. Denis in France builded by Dagobert 190 Absimarus Emperor 206 Abbreuiataries created 465. destroyed 487 Acarius an heretike murdred 69 Acephali heretikes 82 Acolites 91 Achaia and other Countries brought into Prouinces 73 Acchio D. of Millain from whose helme fell the serpent 114 Adamites heretikes in Bohemia 81 Adiaphores 130 Adrian the Emperour chaunged the name of Ierusalem 34 Adrian the 4. angry because the Emp. held his right stirrop 130 Angry because hee placed his name before the Popes 136 He is choaked with a flie 140 Albertus Alasco 145 Aluaes tyrannie 636 His death 641 Amais banished Scotland 643 A Priest dieth for feare 641 A notable act of the Seignory of Venice 653 Antwerpe yeeldeth 655 Augusta 659 Augustus D. of Sax. dieth 657 A Fleet for Lisbon 671 A Iubiley 677 An act against the P. Bulls 677 Albertus made Generall 692 He winneth Callais 693 Articles concerning controuersies in religion 703 Aemilian Emp. 65 Ayme D. of Sauoy became an hermit 89 Albarit Marquesse of Toscane chaseth away the Sarrasins 55 Alban martyred 49 Appellation of the Masse 141 Albert first author of the Carmes 106 Adrian Pope a buggerer yet worshipped as God 36 His death Ibid. Aeliâ—s Pertinax 45 Alexander Seuerus Emp. 53 Albigeois or Albiois opposing themselues against Transubstantiation are ouercome 112 Albinus first K. of Lombard is slaine 67 Alcoran of the Mahomatists 190 Alcibiades Martyr of a scrupulous life 42 Almaine followed the fashion of the Romane Masse 94 Almaine changed by ciuil war 91 Alexander Bishop 13 Alexander ordaineth new ceremonies 36 Alexander martyred 42 Alex. Bishop of Ierusalem 58 Alex. 3. sent vnto the SouldaÌ„ the Image of the Emp. Barbarossa 103 He fled in his cookes attire 109 Hee treadeth vpon the necke of Fredericke Barbarossa 117 Alexander 5. poysoned 122 Alexander 6. poysoned 129 Ambrose beeing sicke receiueth the Eucharist 73 Anacletus 28. Martyr 29 Auicetus Pope 28. Martired Ibid Antonius Pius Emp. 37 Amurathes Emp. of the Turkes 452 Anastatius commandeth to worship a quaternitie 145 Anastatius the Emp. dieth with lightning 99 Annates imposed vpoÌ„ FraÌ„ce 451 Confirmed 460 Antichrist in his ful tiranny persecuteth the faithfull after the yeare 130. according to Sybilla Erithred and makes warre vpon himselfe 153 Anthonius his cohaeritikes 96 Anthonius Bishop of Nicomedia Martyred 73 Anthropomorphits 268 Antinous 36 Antioche shaketh treÌ„bleth 91 Sinketh in an Earthquake 100 Taken by Boemundus the Norman 111 Antiphones and the Introite of the Masse 145 Apollonius beheaded 44 Apostles gouerne Churches 11 False Apostles Ibid. Apostles their charge 9 A fabulous apparition of S. Michaell 61 Arabici heretikes 19 Arcadius and other martired by Genseric 83 Archilaus Herods successor 31 Archpriests and Cardinalls 54 Arrius his adherents excommunicated 103 Could not bee revnited with Alexander 105 Purgeth himselfe by oathes Armacan publisheth conclusions against the Friars 116 Armenia againe receiueth the faith 70 Arnoldus de noua villa a true and faithfull man 399 Arnold Brira opposeth himselfe against the Cleargie vsurping the temporall sword 329 Arnulphus Bishop of Lyons slain 322 Arrius Antonius persecuteth the Christians 33 Articles of the doctrine of the Valdois 339. Of the Bohe. Ibid. Artois erected vnto an Earldome or Countie 227 Asia looseth 13. Townes by earthquake 6 Asia the lesse hath flourishing Churches 8. Persecuted 49 Attyla spoyseth Aquileia and all Italy 153. Taketh Rome 224 Besiegeth Orleance 227. Is discomfited by Meronee 244 Aug. S. dieth 151 Athanasius 109 Aubriot accused of heresie is coÌ„demned to perpetual prison with bread and water 128 Augustines drawne from their Hermitages to preach in good Townes 367 AuignoÌ„ the seat for the Romane Court. 394 Auriflame the French standerd 343 Ausbourge deliuered from the Barbarians 72 Augustus Caesar 1 Aurelian Emp 64. His death 70 B BAbilon hath a Church 10 Battaile of Lepante 602 Baiazeth 4 Emp. of the Turkes slew his brother Soliman 486 Baia. is put in an Iron cage 447 Baiazeth giueth 200000. Ducats to Pope Alexander the 6. to poison GemeÌ„ his brother 451 Basilides heretikes 26 Bauier conquered 223 Beda the Venerable 118 Bellisarius makes Affrica tributary 123 Beneuent giuen to the Pope 326 Bennet the yonger cast into a fornace 190 BereÌ„garius smothered the truth vnder certaine errours 294 He speakes against himselfe Ibid. Benet 1. Pope 176 Beginning of leaden seales 200 Baron 366 Berillus heretike 33 Barnard Monke poisoned H. the 7. 223 Bishop and Priest all one 14 Bishops married 68 Bishop of Rome made vniuersall 92 Bishoppe ought to bee conuinced by 12. witnesses before hee be condemned 129 Bishops make of a Councel a conuenticle and a monopoly 248 Blasphemy new of the Popes keies 313 Blondus the Historiographer 300 Boheme tamed by Charlemaine 156 Is erected into a kingdome 302 Brought into the obedience of Otho 307 Bohemians communicate vnder both kindes 315 Make no account of the Pope â—19 Withdraw from subiection 334 They propound 4. articles in the Councell of Basill 351 Boniface Pope 116 Boniface an English man preacheth in Frise and is there Martyred 221 Burgraues 366 Bruno the first Chartreux with Hugh Bishoppe of Grenoble 307 Bulgaria made subiect to the Romane Church 221 Bull of gold 249 Bull of the Stigmates of S. Frances 110 Bullist and Friars minors doo striue for the gouernment of the Nuns 226 Burchardus compileth the auntient Canons 121 Bells in vse 30 Bell tolls at noone-tide 461 C CAligula afflicteth the Iewes 6 Calyphe the great comparable to the Pope 366 Hee dieth of famine in the midst of his great riches 371 Caluin 579 Charlemaine first called Treschristian 226 Canons obserued by the commandement of Caelestine 153 Canonization of Saints 346 Cardinalls name now in vse 282 Cardinalls alone to weare redde hats 468 Cardinalls named as principalls of the Cleargie 54 Cardinalls exalted against heretikes 58 Carmes called the bretheren of the Virgin Mary 378 Carpocrates heretike 35 Carus Emperor died being stricken with lightning 62 Cataphryges heretikes 35 Catechumenes 101.43 Cathares heretikes called Nouatians 101 Chapplers inuented 362 Cassimere 627 Carmelites 341 Conrade Emp. 263 Celsus heretike 35 Caelestinus Pope 150 Cerdon a stoicke heretike 38 Ceremonies inuented 52.180 Cerinthus heretike 40 Caesar Valentine Alex. the 6. his bastard 482 Chaldeans afflict the Iewes 76 Chanons regular or irregular instituted 307 Calixtus Bishop of Rome 52 Carus Emp. 74
Ierusalem Horrible famine The taking of Ierusalem Rom. 10. Titus Linus Naucler Cletus Chro. Euseb Anacletus Domitian Euseb Fasc Tem. The second persecution against the Christians Notaries and pronotaries The death of S. Iohn the Euangelist The Chron. of the Emper. Clement Eusebius The third persecution Suppl Chro. Singing of Psalmes auncient Fasci temp Anacletus Naucle Now none but the Priest communicateth Suppl Chro. Sinode In the first volume of Councell Heretickes Suppl Chron. S. Aug. Eusebi Sup. Ch. Eusebi Histo Ecclec Lib. 3. cap. 26. Euaristus Anno. Christ 121. Euseb Fasci Temp. marriage pub like Euseb Lucian Alexander Euseb De cense dist 2. cap. in Sacramento Dist 10.102 to Si quib 10 Dist cap. Relatum The first addition to the Lords Supper Adrian 2. Tess 2. de conse dist 2. cap. Sufficit The Popes afterward forged their decretalls Anno Christ 101. Suppl Chro. Sixtus Not to touch Challices The word Oblation The last destruction of the Iewes Barrochabas the Iewe. Telesphorus Heresies in the Church Epiphanius Gnostiques Adrian A Buggerer worshipped as God The death of Adrian Torments and cruelties against Christains Pius An. Christi 123. In the booke he writ to Strapula Higinius Pope De conse dist 1. ca. Lignae 36. Hom 10. cap. 1. Si qua nud S. August Anicetus Supp Chro. Easter celebrated vpon a reuelation made to Hermes Swearing and blaspheming Priestes Crowne Marcus Aurelius The company of heretickes daungerous Chro. of Emper The fourth persecution Soter Anno Dom. 169. Montanus Not to touch Chalices 7.9.1 ca. Illud Diuini 22. q. 4. ca. 51 quid Cataphryges S. Augustin The vse of things indifferent Alcibiades Anno Domi. 179. Commodus Lucius Naucle Chroni Euseb Naucler Chron. of the Empe. Chro. Euse Sup. Chro. Edict Imperiall Persecution Pertmax Didius Reconciliatiō Seuerus Seuerus Ireneus Bishop of Lions Quatorzians In the volume of Councells Of Tertullian A Schisme by the occasiō of Montanus The Bishops of Ierusalem The Church of the Gentiles in Ierusalem The fift persecution Zephyrim The death of Ireneus Bassianus Execrable Incest Macrin Heliogabalus Calixtus A place of S. Paul euill Interpreted Alexander Porphirius Maximin Wodden Priests Notaries and Protonotaries Pontian The beginning of the Cardinals The sixt persecution Celsus the Heretick Fabian Gordian Proclus an hereticke Sapor King of the Persians The Councell of Philadelphia Phillip The first Christian Emperours Helchesites Heretickes The death of Phillip The cause of this seuenth persecution vnder Decius Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem The torments of the Martyrs The death of Decius Gallus This persecution counted the eight The death of Gallus The Romanes tributaries Lucius Decretalls examined Decretalls attributed vnto Lucius Noetus and Sabellius The Art Magicke ouerthrew Valerian Lucian The miserie of Valerian Lucius Ed. 9. The death of Saint Ciprian The death of Lucius Athenodorus Gregor of Neocesaria The heresie of Sabellius buried Paul Samosatane The end of Origenes Stephen Suidas counteth this of Origen and Nicephorus after him The fall of Origenes The differēce of rebaptizing heretikes The death of Denis Bishop of Alexandria Sixtus Chiliastes renewed Laurence a Deacon of Rome The history of Laurence Denis The Councell of Antioche Married Bishops Hist Eccle. Lib. 5. cap. 15. Claudus Quintilius Aurelian Aurelian The ninth persecution Tacitus Florian. Probus Felix Probus Numerian slaine Carinus Dioclesian Marcelline Dioclesians pride Kissing of shooes The tenth persecution Dioclesian The Empresse Martyred Cōstantius The death of Dioclesian The ende of Galerius Constantin the great The death of Maxentius The issue of Maximinian Maximian chose his owne death Apocal. 1. li 16 Apo. 1.2 Epist ad Rusticū Momacū Vigills The Eucharist giuen to sicke persons Abuses of the Supper Ceremonies in administrating the Supper The word Messe vnused Martir Temple Donation of Constantine 96. Dist c. Cōstantinus c. Fundamenta De. electio Lib. 6 12. q. 1. c. Futuram Bizantium Constantinople Bishops Priests Cleargie Clarkes Metropolitanes Patriarke The office of a Bishop Ministers Vicars or Bishops particulers Deacons New degrees Diaconesses Diuers sorts of Auditors Prayers Confession taken from the common people Ceremonies inuented Feastes The Immunitie of Clarkes beganne Building of Temples Edicts for the Christians Reuenewes assigned to the Church The vse of the goods of the Church Immunities The poore Libraries Notaries at Rome Reward of profess Arrius a professor Arrius Hist Eccle. Li. 10. Chap. 4. Spiridian Pathuntius Hist Eccle. Lib. 10. cha b. Prouinciall Councels each yeare Catechumenes Vnlawfull gaine Ordinances against Arrius Arrius giueth in his confession Sinode of Ierusalem A tumult of the Arrians The names of dayes Donatist 3. Images chap. 60 Athanasius called to the Sinode Temples builed in Palestine Constantin the second The death of Constantine the great Constance Cōstantius 53000. slaine The cōstancy of Liberius Heretickes cruell Monkes at this time Liberius Hilarie Bishop of Poiters Eusebius Bishop of Verceil Iulian. The death of Constantius A Sinode in Alexandria Essentiall Substance Subsistence Iulian instituted in pietie Humane Letters prohibited Holy water Extreame cruelties 1. Cord. 10. fol. 25. Iulians enuy for the name of Martyr Iouinian The horrible death of Iulian. A Christian Emperour Athanasius came from exile Councell at Antoiche Peace with the Persians Two kindes of Monkes Valentiniā Cenobites Anachirites Remoboth Europe had not yet receiued Monkes Valens Monkes A Prophetike Dreame Heretikes Adolatrie at Arras Vulphilas Hist Trip. lib. 8. The electiō of S. Ambrose Gratian. The constancie of the faithfull The death of Valens Damasus Apoc. 6 2.10.11 Theodosus Translation eleuation of the bodies of Saints Vigils or watches of Saints Obseruation of dayes Obseruation of Letters Three arguments against false religion Slaunders against true doctoctrine Accōmodatiō Such Princes as opposed themselues against Paganisme S. Hieromes Translation Syricius The successors of Siluester had not the rule of Rome The right of choosing and crowning the Emperours Monicha S. Augustines mother The Papist hold that it was vpon Thursday Fastes of Angaria Arcadius Honorius Singing receiued into the Westerne Church Singing receiued in assembly from the time of the Apostles In his Commentary vpon the Iudges Contenti somno qui a missa vigiliarū vsque ad lucem conceditur ctc. Remissa peecatorū for remission of sinnes Euergumenes Missas facere to let goe Catechumenes which were not yet baptised Auditors Competitors Radagastus Rome taken by Alaricus The Kings of Spaine discēded of the Gothes Antiphonae Anhemes Orders Iohn Chrysostome Monasteries Pelagius the heretike Iustification of faith Arcadius Henorius Francion The fourth schisme The beginning of Venice The introitus of the Masse Valentiniā Abb. trip Naucler Supp Chro. Blund lib. 2. Naucler Sureties Inuention of Letanies The sea of histories Valentiniā 1. Volume of Councels Martin Abb. trip Naucler The sea of Histories Childeric Annualls of France Leo the first Suppl Chro. Leo. Zenon Zenon Denise Victoria Churches began to become rich Visigots Dedication In the first volume of Councells Anastatius Anastatius Quaternitie Naucler Gelasius Bread and wine of