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
one seditious guiltie of treason was giuen in charge to 10. souldiers or rather tormenters to be led to Rome and be put to Lions wherof Ignacius himselfe saith I haue had to fight with beasts from Siria to Rome by sea by land night and day amongst 10. Leopards c. Ireneus in his fift booke speaking of Ignacius beeing condemned to beasts he said saith he I am the wheat of Iesus Christ and shal be grinded with the teeth of beasts to the end I may be made the bread of God Alexander the 7. Bishop of Rome was a Romane and gouerned 10. yeares namely from the 12. yeare of Traian til the third of Adrian Many things are spoken of the integritie of his life wherby many of the Romane Senators were drawne to the Christian faith seeing in him vertues truly Episcopall yet it is attributed vnto him that he should first bring in new ceremonies of the Church as the holy water so keepe in houses and Churches against the diuell and for remission of sinnes Also to mingle wine and water together at the Lords supper Also the Asperges vpon the people Also that Bread should be without Leauen and not commō bread as before They make him the first which by decree excommunicated them who resisted Apostolicke messengers He ordeined that no Clarke should be accused and drawne before a secular Iudge he is said to be the first which added to the Lords supper Caena pridie quà m pateretur made that ouerture to his successors to adde thervnto which haue not since ceased vntill the whole Supper of the Lord was corrupted and chaunged Also he ordeined to celebrate but once a day Note heere generally for the Bishops which were first at Rome that many Epistles haue bene attributed vnto them which mention greater number of Ceremonies then there is in other Churches and such as were vnknowne to them which writ in that time which made them then suspected For the Popes which came after haue made those first Bishops their buckler for authors of their lyes and dreames Alexander receiued the Crowne of Martirdome vnder the Emperour Adrian by the commaund of his Gouernour Aurelian who demaunded of Alexander why hee held his peace when the fire was lightned about him to burne him He answered that he was speaking to God signifying that he prayed and therefore it was not lawfull for him to speake vnto men Honorius and Nauclerus Dion rehearseth of the Emperour Traian that before he died his members were retracted and al his body senslesse His sences also were dulled and after that he became to be full of the dropsie and greatly swelled He finally died in Selinion a Towne of Cicile Some say his body was brought to Rome and deified by the Senate after his death after the maner of the Romanes Although this Prince had great politicke vertues yet is he to be placed in the third ranke of the cruel enemies and persecutors of the Church of God Adrian the 16. Emperour raigned 22. yeares gentle and cunning in all knowledges He persecuted the Christians But when he knew the truth of their life he caused the persecution to cease Quadratus Bishop of Athens the Apostles Disciple presented an Apologeticke booke to the said Adrian in defence of the Christian Faith Aristides a Philosopher of Athens a faithfull man made a like Booke wherevpon Adrian sent to Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia that he should no more persecute the Christians But if they did any thing against lawes he would that he should therein deale according to the qualitie of the crime And if any slaunderoufly accused them he commaunded such should be chastised for their malice Nicomedia and Nice were ruinated by an Earthquake and afterward restored by the liberalitie of Adrian Euseb Chro. All euils which came to men were laide vpon the Christians saying they came all for their cause whether they were Earthquakes warre or other calamities Sixtus or Xistus a Romane 8. Bishop of Rome ruled about 10. yeares He decreed that none should touch the consecrated ornaments Vessels Challices c. vnlesse they were Church-men He added to the Communion of the Eucharist Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth He graunted this priuiledge to Clarkes that they might appeale from their Bishop to the Apostolicke Sea In his Decretalls he is called Arch-bishop of the Romane Church Item vniuersall Bishop of the Apostolicke Church About this time those words Arch-bishop Metropolitane and Clergie beganne to be vsed in Epistles He appointed certaine punishments for Priests or Ministers that were negligent in baptizing Children before their deaths At this time the Supper of the Lord was called Eucharist The words Sacrifice or Masse were not yet brought in And although Ireneus sometimes called the Eucharist Oblation hee declares his meaning therein in his 4. Booke and 34. Chapter We make vnto him an Oblation saith he not as to him which stands in need thereof but as giuing him thankes for the good he hath done vnto vs. And againe he willes also that we giue offerings at the Aultar and often and without ceasing But the Aultar is in heauen saith he and thither must we addresse our prayers and Oblations It may well be that then this word Oblation was in common vse because the custome then was to offer Loaues of bread in great abundance for the vse of the Supper wherewith the Ministers liued and the poore were nourished The Iewes surprised with a new rage beganne againe to take armes against the Romanes Dion saith the occasion thereof was for that Adrian had builded there a Temple to Iupiter and placed there Idols of the Gentiles The Iewes chose for their Captaine Barrochabas who named himselfe the sonne of the Starre This man exercised great crueltie against Christians because they woulde not ioyne with the Iewes But Adrian repressed those seditious people and famished them and tooke away their waters and finally discomfited them nigh to Bethera a little Towne by Ierusalem and in one onely battaile hee slew fiftie eight thousand men After Nicephorus Ancelme speaketh of fiftie thousand Iewes slaine fiftie holdes taken and nine hundred eightie fiue Villages destroyed as well by famine as by fire and bloud and all the rest of the Iewes miserably driuen from Ierusalem into far Countries and sold ouer all the world The Emperour Adrian would not that the Citie of Ierusalem should any more retaine his auncient name but hauing againe made it he called it by his owne name Aelia Capitolina Honorius and Eusebius say that hee made Edicts be published whereby it was not lawfull for the Iewes no not so much as to regard a farre off their Country of Iudea The first so terrible a destruction might haue sufficiently taught them that the kingdome was taken from them as the Prophets had foretold But God would that a second time they should feele a punishment almost as horrible
the Market place and incontinently burnt ordeining the paine of death to the gainsaiers Hee depriued Germaine Patriarke of Constantinople of his dignitie Heere beginne Popes to lift vp their hornes against Emperours and to oppose themselues against them For this Pope durst excommunicate the Emperour Leo the third in full Sinode because he desired to abolish the adoration of Images The office of Exerchate ceased then in Italie which had endured 164. yeares or thereabouts and was occupied of the Lombards Supp Chron. and Naucler Touching the Kings of France Because of the great troubles which at this time were in the kingdom of France the greatest part of the kings of France was created after the appetite of him who was maister of the Pallace The kings had but the title their pleasures to build Monasteries and Temples as they thought good This Maister of the Pallace had the Gendarmie in his power as the Gardian and Protector of the dignitie royall This endured vntill these maner of kings were extinct and that the administratiō Royall was deuolued into the family of Pippin le Court which is the 22. king of France the sonne of Charles Marteil Maister of the Pallace bastard sonne of Pippin le Gros Duke of Austrasia a valiant man and an excellent warriour Theodoricke Cala the 20. king of France had the title and dignitie of a king and raigned 15. yeares The Sarrasins of Spaine which they had occupied came into France being called by Erido king of Aquitane who felt himselfe too weake to resist Charles Martel These Sarrazins discended in number 400000. with their wiues children and seruants as meaning to occupie all France wasting destroying all places where they came Endo who was their hoste to inuite them thither seeing so great a multitude made an agreement and retyred on the side of France And Charles Martel met these Sarrasins in Tourrain and made an incredible slaughter of them So that their king Abdirama was there slaine and on the side of France there were no more slaine but 1500. It should be an incredible thing if besides the Historiographers of France straunge writers had not witnessed the same this so miraculous a deliuerance from so barbarous and horrible a multitude beeing so autenticke and so generally knowne The Eccleciastical people of France durst make the world beleeue with lye and all that this Charles Martel was damned because hee exacted certaine tenths of the goods of the Church to help the charges of this so daungerous a warre Can there any Ingratitude or Couetousnesse be greater then is in this Papall Priesthood Eucherius Bishop of Lion of great authoritie a little after the death of Charles Martel namely the yeare 742. saith hee sawe in a vision Charles Martel in the paines of hell because he had vsurped the goods of the Church and had not restored them as he promised Fasci temp And others recite it A lye which is for the profit of the Priests kitchin Incontinently findes his witnesses yea by horrible absurdities Iohn Damascene was in this time Eutrop. and maintained the Popes quarrels touching Images Gregorie Pope third of that name a Sirian gouerned at Rome 10. yeares and more This Pope was cause that all Italie departed from the domination of the Empire because Leon the Empeour would that in Churches there should be no Images of Saints And therefore the Pope made a Councell at Rome to be held where were assembled as many Bishops as hee could get And there it was decreed that we may lawfully honour Images And a generall sentence was pronounced against all violators and gainsaiers of their Canonike conclusiō and they excommunicated the Emperour and depriued him of his dignitie Emperours here may take a good example that they suffer not themselues to be led by Popes least finally they loose their Empires Gregorie restored many Monasteries and builded new adding great lands and reuenewes vnto them for the Monkes liuing He commaunded Priests to make a commemoration of the dead and to pray for them and writ to Boniface Archbishop of Magunce that Christians might offer for their Parents which died faithfully Naucler Some attribute this to Gregorie the 2. in the 2. volume of the Councells He added to the seruice of the Masse Quorum solemnitas hodie in conspectu tuae maiestatis celebratur c. Domine Deus noster in toto orbe terrarum Chron. Sigeb Some Monasteries were richly founded in Almaigne at Fulden at Herfelden and other places Fasci Temp. Rome was besieged by Luitprandus King of Lombardes wherefore Gregorie sent to Charles Martel King Pippins Father the keyes of the holy Sepulchre and S. Peters bands with other goodly gifts to the ende it would please him to deliuer and take the Romane Church from the seruitude of the Lombards Charles Martel writ to Luitprandus and intreated that which the Pope desired Naucler Before when the Citie of Rome endured any violence by other Princes she vsed to demaund helpe of the Emperour of Constantinople but Gregorie the third would not do this So that the tutorship of the Romane Church was transported from the Emperour of Constantinople to other Princes by that meane came it to passe that Rome is retired and exempted from the obedience of the Emperour of Constantinople Naucler The Masse beganne to be sung Paulus Diaconus lib. 6. chap. 17. saith that Luitprandus king of Lombards was the first of those kings which out of Singers did elect Priests and Clarkes to sing Masse which fashion afterward was augmented in the time of Gregorie the fift by the inuention of Robert Bishop of Chartres wherevpon the Song was called of the said Gregorie Gregoriall Song Note that Singing came into the Church by the Lombards which Gregorie the first of that name had renounced Hen. Bullenger Lieuen an English Priest preached in the Countrey of West-falia Fasci temp They of the Towne of Gaunt in Flaunders vse great Idolatries vnto him The Popes come now as into their chiefe force Childeric third of that name 21. King of France hauing raigned nine yeares was chased away and constrained to make himselfe a Monke So from Pharamond vnto Pippin we account 331. yeares From Merouee 302. From Clouis the first made a Christian 252. Zacharie Pope borne in Greece ruled at Rome 10. or a 11. yeares an Inuentor of Cappes and other ornaments tissued of Gold and stones He assigned certaine rents and lands to Priests to liue on and for Lampes in Churches He forbad the Venetians vnder paine of excommunication that they should no more sell Christians as slaues to the Sarrasins as they accustomed to do Pippin surnamed le Court of a Maister of the Pallace became by ambition the 22. King of France and besought the Pope that by his authoritie hee would confirme the kingdome vnto him Chilperic then King of France after hee had raigned nine yeares became a Monke by the aduice and authoritie
Fribourg in Brisgoye Naucler Paschall assembled a Councell at Laterane wherein hee reuoked the right of Inuestures accorded vnto Henry the fift whereby arose a new schisme And the Popes Legates declared the said Henry to be excommunicated whereof rose great euils For the Emperour returned to Rome the second time and the Pope Paschall was constrained to flie S. Barnard of the age of 22. yeares accompanied with 30. persons entred into the Religion of the Cisteaux in the time Stephen liued the third Abbot of that place It rayned bloud in the field Emilian and Flaminian in the moneth of Iune nigh Rauenna and Parma without and within Chron. Sigeb and Palin The Monasterie of Cleruaux was founded whereof S. Barnard was the first Abbot being of the age of 27. yeares and was there by the space of 36. yeares Naucler The fruites of the warre of Ierusalem Foure orders came from Ierusalem Naucler 1. The order of Chanons of the Sepulchre of the Lord and they had double redde crosses 2 The order of the knights of S. Ihon otherwise called the knights of Rhodes and they weare blacke apparell with a white Crosse on their brests 3 The order of Templers which haue the white habit and the redde Crosse 4 The order of Teutoniques or Almaignes or otherwise the knights of the Virgin Mary which had a white habit and a blacke Crosse The Pope Paschal sent to the Bishop of Palerme in Sicilie the Archiepiscopall Pall yet with a condition that by oath he should binde himselfe to the Pope of Rome The said Bishop humbly sent him word that hee maruelled and with him the Princes and Councellours of Sicilie how the Pope demaunded an oath of a Bishop seeing Iesus Christ in S. Mathew cha 5. had forbidden to sweare and that it was not found by any Councell that it was lawfull to exact such an oath The Pope sharpely answered in these tearmes Thinkest thou saieth hee that any Councell can prescribe a Lawe to the Romane Church Knowest thou not that all Councels haue their perfection and vertue by the Romane Church Martin Luther In this time liued Hiltpert or Hildebert Bishop of Mons a fauourer of Transubstantiation as well as Ancelme Matilde or Mehaut Countesse of the age of 66. yeares died and gaue her goods by Testament vnto the Romane Church R. Barnes The Emperour Henry was defrauded by the said Testament for he was cousin of the said Countesse which after gaue occasion of great stirres and murthers R. Barnes Naucl. Baudwin second King of Ierusalem dyed and Baudwin his Nephewe surnamed Burgo was created the third King of Ierusalem Gelasius Pope 2. of that name was a Monke of Mountcassin Chauncellour of the Romane Church named Iohn borne at Gayotte a Citie of Campaigne in Italie Soone after his election he was apprehended by Cincius a mightie man imprisoned but incōtinently he was deliuered by the people The Emperour sent his Armie to Rome Gelasius fearing his comming fledde to Gayette The Emperour created an other Pope a Spaniard called Maurice otherwise Burdin Archbishop of Bracare which was called Gregorie the eight This done the Emperour returned into Almaigne and then beganne the eighteenth Schisme Gelasius condemned the Emperour and the Antepope and sent into Almaigne the Bishop Prenestin to publish the excommunication against the said Henry the fift R. Barnes Gelasius secretly came to Rome but he was knowne of his enemies and with much adoo escaping went for refuge into Fraunce Suppl Chron. He ordeined a Councell at Rheimes whither came bare-footed Robert of Lorraine founder of the order and place of Premonstre and entreated of the Pope Gelasius licence to preach the word of God and also authoritie and confirmation of his order Naucl. Chron. Sigeb This Pope had alreadie dedicated the great Church of Saint Laurence at Florence and had there placed the Ashes of S. Iohn Baptists bones newly brought from Mirrhe confirming them and approuing them for the true Ashes of S. Iohn Supp Chron. This Pope Gelasius died of a pleurisie at Clugny where hee was also buried hauing ruled at Rome a yeare sixe moneths Calixt 2. of that name succeeded him was 5. yeares Pope before called Guy or Guido of Burgongne after Fasc temp and the Sea of Histories or brother after Supp Chron. He was Doctor in the Ciuil Lawe and in Theologie Without contradiction he was chosen of the Cardinalls and honourably receiued at Rome When the Antepope Burdin heard those newes he met him thinking to haue hindered him but he profited nothing for he was in full battell ouercome with the French helpe And being taken by the Pope Calixt and by the Cardinal of S. Grisogon chiefe of his armie he was set vpon a Camell his face towards the taile and in such sort hee made him goe at his entrie then imprisoned him Iohn le Maire Fasc temp Eghardus saith that the said Antepope was powled made a Monke because whē he resided at Sutry he was a partie of many robberies committed vpon such as went and came to Rome Chron. Sigeb Calixtus made continue the Councell at Rheimes in Champaigne which Gelasius had commenced wherein he excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fift as an enemy of the church This excommunication was about the cause of the quarrell of the Inuestures of Bishops Iohn le Maire Henry the fift fearing to be deposed from his Empire as his Father was accorded the right of Inuestures in a full Councell it Rome vnto Calixtus Supp Chron. Calixtus ordeined that the Bishop of Compostella should be made an Arch-bishop for the reuerence of the bodie of Saint Iames who rested there And hee made a booke full of Fables of the miracles of the said S. Abb. Trit He appointed the foure times for taking orders as they call them for before they did take them only three times in the yeare He excommunicated such as tooke siluer for Baptisme and for burying Chron. R. Franc. By this Decree Popish Priests should be excommunicated He founded a Monasterie of the order of Cisteaux called Boneuan Fasc temp He ordeined it should not be lawful for any Bishop to turne from the Romane Church neither to contrary it For said he euen as the Sonne is come to do the will of his Father So it behoueth all Christians to do the will of their Mother that is to say the Romane Church Dist 12. ca. Non decet See how this brazen faced harlot of Rome alleadgeth scripture and is not ashamed to call her selfe a Mother He excommunicated all such as molested Pilgrimes which went to Rome 24 q. 3. chap. Si quis William Duke of Pouille preparing himselfe for the voiage of Constantinople to take vnto wife the Emperor Alexis his daughter recommēded his country to the Pope Calixt doubting the ambitiō of Roger his cosin who failed not incōtinently after the departure of the said William to seize vpon Calabria Pouille Insomuch as William was
which they chose from among the people hauing charge of things which belonged to the Temple to Iustice and the gouernment of the Church When Iesus had chased from the Temple the buyers and sellers the next morning the high Priests and Elders of the people came to him asking by what authoritie he did those things Math. 21. About the 20. yeare of Christ and the fift of Tiberius as Eusebius saith in his Chronicle thirteene Townes of Asia were ouerthrowne by an Earthquake namely Ephesus Sardis Mesthenes Megechiere Cesarea Magnesia Philadelphia Hincel Tenus Cume Mirthina Apollonia Diahyrcania Such iudgements of God ought to serue for aduertisements and instructions vnto vs. Our Lord Iesus Christ exercised his Ministerie and office the space of three yeares three moneths and tenne dayes and the beginning is taken from his thirtieth yeare because in S. Luke it is said that Iesus began to be about thirtie yeares of age He suffered death and passion the yeare 34. according to the supputation of many authors Caius Caligula was an horrible Monster who by his wicked life despited heauen and earth vttering his furie through all the iurisdictions of the Romane Empire and by his Edicts would needs make himselfe a God But finally he was taken with a straunge death Iosephus maketh a singular recitall thereof in the 1. Chapter of the 20. booke of Antiquities Chareas Sabinus Aquila and others which of long time had conspired his death slew him cruelly after he had raigned three yeares tenne monethes and eight dayes His body as Suetonius rehearseth was secretly carried to the Gardens of Lamius and being halfe burnt was couered with a litle earth He was of the age of 24. yeares Such a Tirant who had prouoked both God and men against him could no otherwise end his daies Caligula banished Herod the Tetrarch who went to Rome at the perswasion of Herodias the yeare 40. into the Towne of Lions in Gaul where he died in pouertie with the said Herodias his harlot The same yeare the Iewes endured great afflictions One was at Alexandria vpon this occasion Caligula had ordained that through all the Iurisdiction of the Romanes there should be builded vnto him Temples and Aultars where they should worship him as God The Iewes alone resisted his impietie Then were there many Grecians in Alexandria who wished death vnto the Iewes therefore then they tooke occasion to make them odious vnto the Emperour except they obeyed his ordinance When it came to proofe the Iewes resisted it strongly and the sedition about it was such that many were slaine on both sides The cause was finally debated at Rome and Caligula a peruerse man made chase away Philo the Iewe who pleaded the Iewes cause Who then said It behooueth vs whom the Emperour hateth to take courage For it is necessarie that God should helpe when humane succours faileth Caligula vsed to say Would to God the Romane people had but one Head The Iewes also were greatly afflicted in Babilon of the Chaldeans and in Seleucia of Siria There were two brethren Iewes of base condition the one named Asniens and the other Anileus the which being Robbers and Theeues they gathered together a great number of Rake-hells and disordered persons Artanabus seeing this euill encrease thought good to remedie it But it was too late And finally mooued with the prowesse of these two yoong men receiued them into amitie and gaue them the gouernment of the Kingdome of Babilon See Ioseph in the 18. Booke and last Chapter Iesus Christ ascended visibly into Heauen to confirme his Resurrection the better and the glorie of his Kingdome 40. dayes after his Resurrection His Disciples yet dreamed of an earthly kingdome of Messias asked of him if he would not begin it But Iesus Christ after he had spoken of the eternall Kingdome and had blessed them was lifted vp aloft and a bright Cloude receiued him into Heauen where he sitteth at the right hand and power of God Now then we must consider what aduancements and encrease the Primitiue Church made by the Apostles and their Disciples that all the faithfull may know that Iesus Christ the King of glory remaineth not Idle in Heauen but by an admirable manner maintained gouerneth and aydeth his that his Gospell may be sowne through the world But as God shewed that honour to the Land of Canaan as to giue it the promises touching the Redeemer so there also by his death he obtained saluation vnto mankinde Aboue all Countries Asia the lesse had at that time the most flourishing Churches After the Ascention of Christ there was an excellent Church in Ierusalem In the first of the Acts it is recited that there were about sixe score persons at the beginning The holy scripture calleth Churches the publicke assemblies of many faithfull Tenne dayes after the Ascension was the Feast of Pentecost The Lord Iesus then raigning in Heauen at the right hand of his Father powred visibly and sensibly the holy Ghost vpon the Apostles which then were assembled at Ierusalem The word of the Lord tooke his course and the number of the faithfull by litle and litle encreased in Ierusalem by the preaching and miracles of the Apostles Behold the booke of the Acts for the first preachings and the persecutions which came after the death of our Lord. The 34. yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ and the 19. of the Kingdome of Tiberius after the death of S. Steuen the high Priests of Ierusalem stirred more and more grieuous persecutions against the Church Saul which is also Paul was chosen to persecute the faithfull for before his conuersion he burnt with false zeale espying into each house and drawing into prison all he could catch S. Ierome reciteth that S. Paul his parents dwelt in Sischal a Towne of Iuda but when the Romanes tooke the Countrie they went into Tharsis which is in Cilicia where Paul was borne His father was a Iewe of the Tribe of Beniamin and a Burgesse of Rome Act. Chap. 22. Many then were Martired others were constrained to retire themselues into Countries adiacent which occasioned the Gospell to be further spread abroad About the yeare fortie and fiue after the Natiuitie of our Lord Iesus Christ and twelue yeares after his Resurrection the third yeare of Caligula a great persecution was stirred by Herode Agrippa against the Christians wherein Iames the brother of Iohn was beheaded Peter put in prison but the Angell of the Lorde drewe them out most miraculously Soone after the Lord reuenged the death of his For it happened that this Herode went to Cesarea The cause was for that hee hadde enterprised a warre against the Tyrrians and Sidonians which they preuented by gaining the Chamberlaine Blastus and demaunding of a peace One day Herode sumptuously adorned sate downe in Throne and spake to them and the people made an acclamation as if GOD himselfe hadde spoken vnto them But Herode was incontinently strooken by the Angell
the nigh Prouinces therof of the Churches communion and societie and sent out Letters to declare them excommunicated whereof hee was greatly blamed and reprehended And especially of Ireneus Bishop of Lions by Letters which hee sent vnto him That there was great folly for the difference of a Ceremonie to breake the peace and vnion of Churches and to stirre vp Schisme therein Alleadging to his purpose that the diuersitie of Fastes neuer broke the vnion of Churches and so no more should they in this Eusebius in the Ecclesi Hist Lib. 5. Chap. 5. With this warre the tranquililtie of Churches are troubled and the doctrine of Christian libertie obscured The Romanes ceased not to molest them of Asia to subscribe to their opinion and they became so outragious therein that they which obserued the Feast of Easter the fourteenth of the Moone were called Quatorzian Heretickes condemned as Nicepho reciteth Lib. 4. Chap. 39. This Schisme gaue Montanus and other heretickes occasion and ouerture to lift vp themselues at this time in Phrygia They published certaine lawes touching Fasts Also to breake marriages Affirming that the holy Ghost had not taught all to the Apostles and that he had in himselfe the gift to conferre the graces of the holy Ghost And other such blasphemies whereby hee looked to come vnto some Primacie The Romaine Bishoppes now became more audacious to forge new Ceremonies yea and that to force them vpon other Churches The authoritie to excommunicate conuerted into abuse and so became despised because of not obseruing certaine humaine traditions The dissention touching the obseruation of Easter caused sixe principall Councells to be assembled Euseb Lib. 5. Chap. 23. Victor in his second Decretall calls himselfe Arch-bishop of the Romane and vniuersall Church Tertullian a Priest of Carthage who otherwise did well serue the Christian Church finally reuoulted and drewe him selfe vnto the enraged Prophecie of Montanus Saint Hierome alleadgeth this the occasion That Tertullian beeing ledde with enuie and hatred of the Church of Rome could not at the last endure the arrogancie thereof He held one errour touching the Kingdome of Christ and the voluptuous life of the faithfull in this world before the consummation of all things Hee maintained the superstitious and ridiculous Fastes of Montanus calling him in many places the Comforter He brought in extreame vnction after Baptisme the signe of the Crosse offering for the dead and for feasts of Natiuities and other the like dreames of the Montanists His writings witnesse that he was very desirous of Martyrdome and that a Christian man ought not only to beare it constantly but to purchase and seeke it also Ammonius the Phylosopher Origens Schoole-maister perswaded in the Christian faith euen vntill death Although Porphirius say of him that he reuolted Victor with good cause depriued of the communion of the Church an hereticke called Theodotus who was a blasphemer and prince of the heresie which afterward Antemon followed and Paule Samosathonus reuiued For hee was the first that durst say publikely at Rome that Iesus Christ was but pure man of mans seed procreated as well as others See Nice Lib. 4. chap. 21. An other Schisme or diuersitie of iudgements touching the heresie of Montanus and his companions and also of Prisca and Maximilla Prophitesses which Montanus had filled with his fury Some said they were taken with a Spirit of Prophecy and that that they said were Oracles Others maintained that contrary to the custome of true Prophets they were transported and carried away in their mindes and taken with furie and extasie they were also giuen to couetousnesse and ambition contrary to the scripture which forbids Prophets to take gold or siluer The faithfull of Asia assembled many times to examine those doctrines and so newly forged Prophecies The faithfull of Gaul writ their opinion touching the furious errors of Montanus and sent Ireneus into Asia with Letters See Euseb Lib. 5. Chap. 4. This Schisme as it was to the condemnation of Montanus and his complices so the true Church was aduertised more neerly to trie spirits whether they were of God or no. Whatsoeuer heauie chastisements the Iewes before had the Lord forgat not his mercy but gaue sufficient witnesse that he calleth his enemies to repentance He preserued Doctors and Pastors and a litle number of faithfuls in Ierusalem which honoured the true God From the sacking or destruction that Titus made vntill that of Adrian the Church of Ierusalem had successiuely 15. chiefe or high Bishops Euseb numbreth them Lib. 3. Chap. 5. After the destruction made by Adrian the Emperour there was no more any Church gathered of the Iewes at Ierusalem but onely of the Gentiles and of them were there Bishops ordeined Al the Iewes were driuen away as it is said by Adrian Marcus then issued of Gentiles was chosen the 16. Bishop the 10. yeare of the Emperour Antoninus after Cassianus the 17. Publius the 18. Maximus the 19. Iulian the 20. Gaian the 21. Symmachus the 22. Caius the 23. Iulian 2. the 24. Capita the 25. Thus dooth Eusebius rehearse it Lib. 5 Chap 12. And in this time wherein we now are that is vnder the Emperour Commodus Maximus the 2. was the 26. Antoninus 27. Valens 28. Dolichian 29. Narcissus 30. Elius 31. Garmanian 32. Gordius 33. Narcissus 2.34 or rather Narcissus the first returning from the Desart whither he withdrew himselfe for that his enemies had accused him to liue vnchastely of whom Eusebius saith that he had the gift to worke miracles and that his false accusers were punished according to the Imprecations which euerie one made As for the time of all these Bishops Euseb saith that he could not well discerne namely in what time euery one of them gouerned the Church Seeing then the Church of the Gentiles had already their habitation in this place the Lord would declare that the true Messias was come and so we need looke for no other This numeration here made of the Bishops of Ierusalem sheweth that other Churches may well number their Bishops as that of Rome glorifieth her selfe in the continuation of hers After the fift persecution raised by Seuerus against the Christians came ciuill warres amongst the Romanes Ireneus had liued long inough in the middest of so many persecutions The greatest renowne that he had was vnder the Emperour Commodus As for the contention concerning the feast of Easter the time in the which it was most lighted was the 4. yeare of the Empire of Seuerus He then bore the Office of a Minister 23. yeares The errour of the Chiliastes was attributed vnto him yet it is not expresly seene in his writings we haue at this day The manner of his death is vncertaine They which haue written of the Martyrs say that he and a great multitude of his sheepe were finally slaine for the confession of the name of Christ vnder Seuerus Leonides the father of Origenes martyred for the Faith
vnto whō Origenes his sonne being but of the age of eighteene yeares said O good father take heed that for vs you chaunge not your purpose This Origen after his fathers goods were confiscated for the Faith he nourished his mother and 6. brethren by being a Schoole maister Zephyrim a Romane the 14. Bishop of Rome ruled seuenteene yeares as Eusebius saith In the first Tome of Councells we finde two of his Decretall Epistles one vnto the Bishops of Cicilie the other to them of Egipt which represent vnto vs no other forme of gouernment then that we see described almost in all the Epistles attributed vnto the Bishoppes of Rome In the first hee makes mention of iudgements which ought to be constituted by 12. Iudges in causes of Patriarkes and Primates Not to admit indifferently all such as accuse Priests He sought to establish the Supremacie and that men should appeale vnto the Apostolicke seate of Rome And therefore he called himselfe Arch-bishop In the second hee establisheth certaine ceremonies in Priests orders to elect such as were wise and approued and in the presence of all Damasus attributed vnto him the decree to vse in the Eucharist Cuppes of Glasse or Tinne and not of wood Also to receiue the Eucharist once at the least in the yeare from the age of 12. and aboue It shall afterward be shewed what estimation men ought to make of those things and of the Epistles called Decretalls which are attributed vnto the Romane Bishops He excommunicated Natalius the Confessor for ioyning with Heretickes ouer whom he suffered himselfe to be made Bishop Zephyrim would not receiue him to his repentance vnlesse openly he shewed good tokens thereof Bassianus Antoninus surnamed Caracalla the 22. Emperour of Rome raigned sixe or seuen yeares after some Incestuous and cruell he tooke his mother in lawe to wife called Iulia and slew his brother Geta and his Vncle. Of his Cousin called Saeuis or Seua or Semyamira or Seulasyra he engendered Heliagabalus who was after Emperour He was slaine of the age of 43. yeares by the Ambush of Macrinus his successor as he discended from his horse and drew aside to make water Papinianus a Lawier was slaine by the Emperour because he allowed not the murder commited against his brother Geta. Macrin Optius the 23. Emperour borne at Marusia raigned a yeare and two monethes a man lasciuious shamelesse in words impudent sacralegious and bloudie hee was slaine with Diadumenus his sonne of the age of 50. yeares and more Heliogabalus called Varius Heliogabalus the 24. Emperour raigned foure yeares He was rather a Monster then a Prince as giuen to al vncleannesse filthinesse a contemner of all Religion except he reuerenced the Sunne whose high Priest hee had bene and therefore called himselfe Heliogabalus Hee died of a death worthy his life slaine by a military tumult with his mother and their bodies were drawne through the streets and after cast into Tiber. He raigned two yeares eight moneths and adopted Alexander Seuerus He builded a Citie called Oresta where he commaunded to sacrifice humane Hostes and reasonable creatures Calixtus or after Eusebius Calistus a Romaine the 15. Bishop of Rome ruled sixe or seuen yeares The Epistles attributed vnto him shewe the forme of his gouernment One vnto Benit the Bishop and the other vnto the Bishops of Gaul There is attributed vnto him an Edict common to all Bishops that no accusation should be receiued against Clarkes and commaunded that each one should take heed they made no conspiration against Bishops It is credible in the time wherein persecutions were continually kindled that such an Edict should be commaunded the faithfull which scant durst shewe themselues Item that none might communicate with such as were excommunicated And that marriages of Cousin-germaine should not bee admitted and if they were made to breake them In one of his Epistles there is an euill exposition that the wife of a Bishop is interpreted a Church or a Parish of which it is not lawfull during his life to dispose any thing without his will nor to enioy the company that is to say ordination of an other The first decretall instituteth the Fast of the foure times and seasons of the yeare Damasus saith that he ordeined a Fast of three times because of Corne Wine and Oyle And further That Calixtus made three times orders in December and ordeined sixteene Priests foure Deacons and eight Bishops in diuers places and finally that hee suffered Martirdome vnder Alexander the Emperour It is vncertaine whether it was this Calixt that made the ordinance for the single life of Priests For concerning this the two Decretalls attributed vnto him make no mention thereof neither is it found in the first volume of Councells Againe in the Councell of Nice there is nothing alleadged of the said ordinance yea and that more is there was made there a statute to the contrary at the exhortation of Pathuntius as shall be said after Alexander Seuerus the sonne of Mamea the 25. Emperour was excellent and vertuous he raigned 13. or 14. yeares a friend of the Christians his mother had beene instructed by Origen he was slaine with his mother of the age of 19. yeares by treason by Theeues which in the time of Heliogabalus hauing bene in honour had bene cast out from their dignities and offices He caused to be published this lawe to be inuiolably kept Doo to an other no other thing then thou wouldest should be done vnto thy selfe Porphirius of Cicile a Philosopher left the Faith and was an Apostate in despite of the Christians of whom he said hee had bene iniuried Vlpianus a Lawier in this time Vrban a Romane Bishop of Rome ruled eight or nine yeares Damasus saith he was of an holy life So that he drew certaine Gentlemen as Tiburcius and Valerian S. Cecile her husband to the Christian faith Some attribute vnto him a Decretall Epistle to all Bishops speaking of a common life such as was in the time of the Apostles but he speakes not as it was Some attributes vnto him Edicts to assure the Gods of the Church as they call them And he speakes a litle of the vowe of such as promise to possesse nothing of their owne He Instituted the confirmation after Baptisme by imposition of the Bishops hands to obtaine the holy Ghost and that they are made full Christians c. There is none but he may see herein not onely a Sacriledge but also an execrable blaspemie forged in the shop of this slauish Decretists Damasus attributeth vnto him the ordinance that the Communion Cuppes should be no more of Glasse but either of Siluer or at the least of Pewter Wherevpon Boniface Bishop of Magunce said In old time goldē Priests vsed wodden Chalices but now wodden Priests vse Golden Chalices That Confirmation ought to be with Creame That the foure times Fast ought to be obserued That Churches should haue lands
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
Bishop of Constantinople tirannized ouer the faithful by imprisonment exile and other torments Naucl. Chron. Abb. Vrsp and Fascic temp At this time were Vincent Bishop of Beanuais and Foursy the King of Ireland his sonne who came into France with two of his brethren Aubert Bishop of Cambray Gertrude others all which after their deathes were called Saints Clouis the 12. King of France raigned 17. yeares This King in a time of famine tooke all the gold and siluer wherwith his father Dagobert had adorned the Chappels of Martyrs yea and one of the Armes of S. Denis to giue to the poore to relieue them For that cause the Monkes deuised that he became a foole and out of his wittes in the ende of his dayes Chron. de Regib Fr. Martin Pope first of that name an Italian ruled at Rome sixe yeares and more At the beginning of his Popedome he sent Messengers to Constantinople to Paul the Patriarke to reduce him from his heresie but so much wanted therein his amendment that euen abusing the authority of the Emperor an heretike like himselfe hee caused the saide messengers to bee throwne out whereat the Pope Martin being mooued assembled a Councell at Rome of 150. Bishops and condemned Paul the heretike agreeing with the condemnation of Pyrrhus Cyrus Sergius and others Then the Emperour Constance sent Olimpus Exarke into Italie and commaunded him to make haste either to sley Pope Martin or to take him and bring him Againe Constance sent to Rome Theodorus Calliopa who by subtiltie tooke the Pope and hauing bound him in chaines brought him to Constantinople and from thence was hee banished and sent into a Citie of Pontus where he finished his daies after many and great miseries and the seat was vacant three moneths Supp Chron. In this time were held the Councell of Toledo 8.9 and 10. In the 10. there was an ordinance against Bishops which gaue Monasteries and benefices Ecclesiastical to their parents which was now made of no valewe In the 4. Chap. it was ordained that Nunnes should make a profession and vow of chastitie and that they should be apparelled in an other sort from others to be knowne Ierusalem was taken by the Mahometists Some as Nauclerus say that it was in the time of Agathon Pope and of the Emperour Constantine the sonne of this Constance Rhodes taken by the Sarrasins The Iles Ciclades were wasted by them and Sicile forraged Naucl. At Rome there appeared great signes fire fel from heauen and great thunder lightnings and invndations of waters whereof great pestilence followed Fasci Temp. and Nauclerus Eugenius Pope the first of that name a Romane ruled at Rome about three yeares He ordained that Bishops should haue prisons to punish crimes and faults of Clarkes That Priests houses should be scituate and builded nigh Churches Supp Chron. That none bee kept in Monasteries against their wills One named Peter succeeded Paul the heretike at Constantinople and was of the same heresie His Letters were recited at Rome and the Pope was hindered by the people from celebrating vntil he had cast them away because they denied two natures in Christ Naucler Claudus Arch-bishop of Besancon afterward Abbot of the Abbey of S. Eugenius was renowmed about this time through Burgoine Fasci temp And after his death they made that abhominable Idoll which is at S. Claud. in the Countie of Burgoine The children of Arikert King of the Lombards whilest they stroue one with an other the one was slain and the other a fugitiue first into Bauiere after into France Naucl. At the Councell of Calibone in the Prouince of Narbone held in this time Theodoric Bishop of Arles was accused to haue done somewhat against the Ecclesiasticall statutes and Canons and because he appeared not hee was suspended out of his Bishoppricke vntill the next Councell Vitalian Pope an Italian ruled at Rome 14. yeares and more It was he who first ordained singing in the Romane Church and agreed it with Organes by the consent of Rodoaldus King of the Lombards who beeing taken in adulterie with a wife of Lombardie was slaine by her husband It is not found that hitherto the Romane Church had full domination in the Towne of Rome other goodly things it pretendeth since the death of Constantine the great vnlesse it were vnder certaine too soft Emperours and yet then not much But to this Vitalian the Emperour by singular grace confirmed the priuiledges of the Church which notwithstanding he after brake and made them of no force Fasci temp and Naucler Constant the Emperor caused to be assembled a Sinode and abiured his heresie and after came to Rome with a great company with Cierges in their hands and so entred into the Temple but he shewed well it was not vpon deuotion but to see where the Treasures were to take and carrie them away Hee was there to visit it fiue dayes Afterward hee tooke away all that was delicate in his eyes He tooke away more ornaments and riches he alone in 7. dayes then the Barbarians had done in 258. yeares Naucl. and Supp Chron. He was greatly hated at Constantinople for his cruelties and for causing to die in exile Pope Martin in such miserie and for cutting the tongue and hand from Maximin Wherefore he sought againe to bring the Emperiall seate to Rome and kept his Court sixe yeares in Sicilie Abb. Vrsperg where hee did many great euills as is recited by Paulus Diaconus He was slaine in Sicilie being in the Bathes this yeare 669. and of his Empire 27. Mizizius otherwise called Mitius or Missessius was constituted Emperour and raigned about sixe moneths Constantine the fourth sonne of Constant commonly called Le Barbu the bearded came against him and caused him to die and all such as had bene of the conspiracie against his father After these things were done he raigned from the beginning with his brethren Tiberius and Heraclius Abb. Vrsp. But after according to Naucler alleadging Blundus and Pius his abbreuiator he caused their noses to be cut off least they should after come to the Empire so that his sonne Iustinian might raigne The Councell of Toledo 11. in this time Dado Bishop of Ruoan writ three bookes of the life of S. Eloy Bishop of Noyon Abb. Trit Clotaire the third of that name and the 13 king of France raigned foure yeares Note Reader touching the Kings of France which follow that from this Clotaire vntill Pipin and Charlemaine they did nothing worthy of any great memorie but became vnprofitable and full of cowardise so that they had not like authoritie as either their predecessors or successors They had as it were nothing but the bare names and titles of Kings For the Maiors or Prouostes of the Pallace which then were as it were the Constables or great Maisters had the administration of all matters of the Kingdome as well those of warre as of peace and all was
This is from henceforth the chiefest studio of Popes and Papists Iustinian hauing had succours from Bulgaria and Turkey came to Constantinople and againe obtained the Empire and raigned sixe yeares He caused to be set out of prison Leontius and Tiberius beeing bound with chaines which hee made to be tied to the tailes of horses and being so drawne through the streetes were brought againe and troden vnder feete and finally caused them to be beheaded All their partners were put to diuers torments and great vengeance vsed towards them He put out the eyes of Gallinicus Patriarke of Constantinople and sent him to Rome into exile and in his place appointed Cyrus Abbot who had assisted him when he was in exile and foretold him his restitution The Sarrasins vnderstanding the debates betwixt the Emperours occupied againe Affrike and Libbia and a part of the kingdome of Spaine and the kingdome of Graneda Supp Chrn. and Naucl. The faith began almost to bee cleane extinct in the East because of the Lawe of Mahomet Beda the Venerable writ then to the Christians Princes to driue the Sarrasins out of Spaine but he spake to the deafe Sisinnius Pope otherwise Sosinus a Sirian ruled onely 20. dayes For being tormented with the Gout both in feete and hands and not being able to eate he died suddenly The 7. schisme was betwixt him and Dioscorus and a great combat for the Papacie The said schisme continued long time by his successors A Famine at Rome by the space of three yeares sharpe and rude Constantine Pope a Sirian ruled at Rome seuen yeares greatly beloued of euery one for he helped the people much during this famine Iustinian commaunded him to come to him to Constantinople which hee did and being arriued the Emperour embraced him and falling on the earth kissed his feete and demaunded pardon of him for all his faults and that he would pray to God for him and after receiued the Eucharist of him and then were renewed and confirmed the priuiledges of the the Romane Church Supp Chron. Abb. Vrsp. Iustinian chaunged nothing his life passed but that hee bare himselfe otherwise towards the Romane Sea then he was wont to doo and maintained it For vnderstanding that Felix Arch-bishop of Rauenna would not yeeld accustomed obedience to the Pope that was to send a certaine breuiat wherein he should acknowledge his obedience due and a certaine summe of money the Emperour sent a Captaine to Rauenna called Theodorus who reprehended Felix and sent him bound to Constantinople who was afterward sent into exile into Pontus and after both his eyes were put out Many Citizens also of Rauenna were exiled with him and others put to death and their goods confiscate and the Towne taken by force as it is aboue said Naucl. Constantine admonished Iustinian to attempt nothing against Phillippicus who was exiled into Pontus wherevnto notwithstanding after hee obeyed not but sent against him but his people followed the part of Phillippicus and they came to Constantinople whom Iustinian met Phillippicus Bardanius Captaine of the warre had the victorie of Iustinian and caused his and his sonnes head to be cut off and raigned Emperour a yeare and fiue monethes He was of the Sect of the Monothelites and sent Cyrus a Catholique Bishop into exile into Pontus or as Paul Diaconus saith into his Abbey and appointed Arch-bishop in his place one Iohn a Monke of his Sect. Supp Chron. The beginning of the contention for the Images of Saints Phillippicus made an Edict that all the Images of Saints should be taken from Churches and that by the consent of Iohn Patriarke of Constantinople for which cause Constantine Pope excommunicated them and declared them heretikes in a Sinode at Rome hee likewise ordained that the Image of the said Emperour should not be receiued nor ingrauen in Gold Siluer Brasse or Leade no not his name nor his figure should not be receiued nor mention made of him in the praiers of their Masse Abb. Vrsp Idolatrie findes the Pope his Defender But it is no maruell Seeing the second Commaundement Thou shalt make thee no grauen Image c. is omitted in the Commandements which the Romane Church approoueth which is a sacriledge against the word of God Note that from henceforward the Romanists condemne for heretikes such as agree not to their opinions On the euen of Pentecost the Emperour Phillipicus after he had dined as he was about to repose himselfe was taken and bound and his eyes put out Vrsp. Anastatius or Arthemius was chosen Emperour and raigned three yeares He hauing sent an Armie into Egipt against the Sarrasins the souldiers created an other Emperour called Theodosius who comming to the Empire caused Anastatius to be made a Priest to the end he might no more thinke of the Empire Yet after thinking to returne thither by the helpe of the Bulgarians hee was drawne out Dagobert second of that name the 18. King of France raigned 14. yeares Gregorie Pope second of that name a Romane ruled 16. yeares and 8. moneths Naucler Hee sent Boniface otherwise called Wenefride an English Monke into Frisia to preach the faith where hee was martyred and where before one called Vuillibrordus hadde preached in the time of Pope Sergius Nauclerus Tiber ouerflowing his bankes at Rome destroyed the countrie Gregorie ouer all the Towne made often supplications and processions Theodosius third of that name borne at Constantinople obtained victorie against Anastatius and constrained him to leaue the Empire and make himselfe a Monke and raigned one yeare Paulus Diacon He caused againe Images to be restored vnto Temples which Phillippicus had taken away and therefore he was held for a good Catholique Leon an Isaurian by Nation third of that name chiefe of the Army which was in the East against the Sarrasins depriued Theodosius of his Empire and raigned 24. yeares He was called Iconomachus that is to say an Impugner of Images Constantinople was besieged three yeares by the Sarrasins and Arabians but they which besieged them bare as much euil as the besieged because of famine and pestilence There was also a great famine in the Towne In so much that some write that there dyed 30000. persons After the siege was leuied Leon went into Sicilia and Italie and beganne to cast Images out of their Churches This was the 10. yeare of his Empire The Emperour Leon made an Edict to take away burne all the Images Gregorie opposed himselfe against it and gaue commaundement to all Christians not to obey the said Edict In so much that they of Rauenna and the Venetians rebelled wherein the Exarche and his sonne were slaine Supp Chro. Rome and as it were all Italie withdrew their obedience from the Emperour and would paie him no taxes nor tributes Leo notwithstanding caused to be published againe That all Images and statues of gold siluer or brasse marble wood should be brought into
grace wel to gouerne the Church Sup. Chron. Naucler The Emperours Embassadors came and confirmed his election He visited the diseased nourished the poore cōforted the desolate and defended Widowes and Orphanes Supp Chron. Hee ordained that the Pope by his corporall presence should honour the obsequies of a Bishop Priest and Deacon Boniface Simoneta And commaunded all the Cleargie to assist the Funeralls of a Pope R. Barns He was deposed from his Papacie by the conspiracie of certaine wicked persons and a Cardinall called Annastatius vsurped the seate but after he was reiected and sent to prison and Benet was restored by the Emperours Embassadors Chron. Sigeb The English men came into France about this time and wasted it Chron. Euseb Nicholas Pope the first of that name a Romane ruled at Rome about tenne yeares or after Nauclerus seuen yeares He was esteemed so holy that after S. Gregorie the great there was found none comparable to him He was created Pope in his absence and placed in the Apostolike seate against his will R. Barns He builded the Temple or Church of the Virgin Marie which men call Lanoue The same He made many decrees amongst others he ordained that that Emperours and secular Princes should be reiected from the Counells of the Church vnlesse there were some question of Faith Dist. 91. Cap. Vbinam Item that secular men should not iudge the life of Clarkes Dist 28. Cap. Consulendum Item that it should not bee lawfull for any to preiudice or contradict his iudgment neither to reprehend his sentence and opinion nor to iudge of his iudgement 9. q. 3. Patet Item that the Pope may not be bound nor vnbound by any secular power because he is called God Dist 96. Cap. Satis euidenter Item that Bishops ought not to goe on warrefare but occupie themselues in Prayers and Orisons 23. quest 8. Cap. Reprehensible Item that hone should assist at the Masse of a married Priest Dist 32. Cap. Nullus Item hee commaunded to take the Sacraments euen of such Priests as were of wicked life if they be not reiected of Bishops or excommunicated for some notorious crime 11. quest 8. Cap. Sciscitantib Item hee would that the decrees of his predcessors and their Epistles should obtaine euerie where vertue and authoritie By his authoritie the Sequences were newly added and sung at Masse at the sollicitation of Norgerus Abbot of S. Gall who after was Bishop of Liege Abb. Trit He writ a long and very rude Epistle vnto Michael Emperour of Constantinople in mainteinance of his Apostolike Primacie He ordained that no secular Prince should presume to vsurpe things belonging vnto Priests Hee excommunicated Lotharius brother of the Emperour Lewis because hee kept two wiues Theoberge and Galdrada and sent a writing against him to the Bishoppes of Fraunce Almaine and Italie 2. quest 1. Cap. Scelus Item to Charles le Chauue Vncle of the said Lotharie 2. quest 1. cap. An non Moreouer hee excommunicated and depriued of their dignities the Arch-bishoppe of Treuens Theogaldus and the Arch-bishoppe of Coloigene Gontarius because that consenting to the diuorce they maintained and defended the said Lotharie 9. quest 3. cap. Precipue cap. Thegaldum Wherevppon Lotharie seeing himselfe accused and also that they proceeded against him by excommunication he tooke againe Theberge his wife and reiected Galdrada but straight after hee againe forsooke his wife and called again Galdrada and after could neuer be seperated from her for any correction Naucler Iohn Arch-bishop of Rauenna meaning to maintaine the auncient libertie of Rauenna which Constantine and Iustinian the two Emperors and Leo the second Pope had taken from them was cited to appeare at Rome and because hee appeared not he was depriued of his dignitie The said Arch-bishop went to the Emperour and besought him to entreate the Popes licence to goe to Rome to defend his cause without daunger which the Pope graunted at the Emperours request The Arch-bishop admitted to pleade his cause before many Prelates confessed himselfe giltie of Treason towards the Pope and therefore demaunded mercy and pardon of all them which were present The Pope receiued him into grace vpon certaine conditions namely that in full Sinode he should purge himselfe of heresie That each yeare he should goe to Rome That he should cease consecrating of Bishops although they were Canonically elected vnlesse it were by the authoritie of the Pope graunted by his Letters That he should chaunge nothing of Ecclesiasticall goods without the Popes licence vnder paine of excommunication The Bishop of Strasburge called Ratholdus otherwise Radulphus sent to Rome a Priest of his Diocesse conuicted to haue slaine his mother vnto whom although there was enioyned hard penance yet the Pope permitted him to keepe his wife with him to auoyd the daunger of fornication See 33. quest 2. chap. Latorem and Renamus in the annotations vpon on Tertullian in the ende But this Pope Nicholas made great haste to publish constitutions and decrees touching the singlenes and continencie of Clarkes but he could obtaine nothing therein A Bishop also of Aspurge in Almaigne called Huldric greatly resisted the said decrees and writ an Epistle to Pop Nicholas which is worthie wholy to be here inserted to confound the Popish errour of the singlenes of Priests I haue therefore translated it word by word from his Latin originall as followeth Huldric Bishop only in name as a sonne promiseth and beareth loue and as a seruant feare to Nicholas his Lord Father and vigilant Pastor of the holy Romane Church Father and Lord after I knew thy Decrees made vpon the singlenes of Priests lately brought vnto mee to be farre from discretion a feare vexed me with a sadnesse I say feare because it is commonly said that the sentence of the Pastor be it iust or vniust is to be feared I was also afraid that the weake Auditors of the scripture which sildome obey a iust sentence yea often cast it off as if it were vniust will not binde themselues vpon commaundement vnto an errour or an importable transgression for the pleasure of his Pastor On the other side heauinesse and compassion moued me For I see not by what meanes the members can be guarded when the head is deteined with so greeuous a maladie For what thing is more greeuous or more worthie of compassion towardes all the Church then when the Bishop of the Seate vnto whom appertaineth the examination of all the Church withdraweth himselfe and straieth yea though neuer so little from holy discretion Assuredly thou art not a little out of the way when thou wouldest that Clarkes whom thou shouldest admonish to keepe chastitie of marriage should be compelled by violence and imperious force to keepe themselues continent For is not this violence yea euen after the common iudgement of all that haue knowledge when any is constrained to keepe a particular Decree against the Institution of the Gospell and doctrine of the holy Ghost And seeing
Cardinall Deacon he wrote Saint Gregories life in foure volumes Lewis the Emperour being in Italie dyed hauing raigned 19. yeares and was buried at Milaine His successour was Charles the second of that name surnamed le Chauue the sonne of Lewis le Debenaire of his second wife Iudith vncle of the dead Lewis the second After he was King 36. yeares he heard say that the Emperour his Nephew was dead and incontinent went to Rome to receiue the Crowne of the Empire hauing ordeined Boso his wiues brother King of Prouince Pope Iohn in a small time crowned three Emperours and after gaue occasion of great contention and warre First hee crowned Charles le Chauue who two yeares after he came into Italie to driue the Sarrasins out of the kingdome of Naples was taken with a Feuer at Mantone where hee dyed being poysoned by his Physitian a Iewe called Zedechias the yeare 878. hauing bene King 36. yeares and Emperour two yeares and was buried at Verseile and after as some say was transported to S. Denis The Pope vnderstanding of his death would that his sonne Lewis le Begne should be chosen Emperour But the Romanes contradicted it and would that Charles the third surnamed le Gros sonne of Lewis king of Germanie it should be chosen The Pope remaining still in his opinion was sent to prison but he escaped by the helpe of his friends and fled into France where he remained a yeare first in Arles and after at Lions Finally some say at Troy in Champaigne where he assembled the Councell of the French Church and there created and crowned Lewis le Begne Emperour and saluted him Augustus In the meane while Charles the third was at Rome kept it He sent for the Pope who returned to Rome and pronounced that the saide Charles might dwell at Rome and crowned him Emperour And so they raigned together two yeares Finally Lewis was poysoned and Charles raigned alone 12. yeares Plat. Florent and Robert Barns This Pope at the same Councell gaue to the Flemings a Bishop in Tornay Lewis le Begne two yeares after he was crowned in France 1. of that name died at Champaigne and left his wife great with childe who after brought foorth Charles le simple Nauclerus Charles called le Gros the sonne of Lewis King of Germaine being at Rome occupied the Empire and raigned alone And by him the Empire or the French men returned to the Almaines Naucler and R. Barns and came not at the wish of the French nor according to the imaginations and subtill deuices of the Pope This Pope Iohn ordeined that such as offended in Sacriledge should be excommunicated amerced at thirtie pound of siluer 22. quest 4. Chap. Quisquis Iohn le Maire saith that this Pope was a cruell man and disgraded Formosus Bishop of Portensis which was an occasion of many mischiefes Fasci temp Some Historiographers say it was for that he was the cause that the said Iohn Pope was imprisoned at Rome Finally he was poisoned or as some say slaine with the blow of a Mallet vpon a conspiracie made against him Chron. Abb. Vrsp R. Barns Pascasius about this time was Abbot in Saxonie he writ a Booke of the Euchariste and most men followed his opinion which pleased the Schoole-men more then the opinion of Iohannes Scotus or of Bertramus which were reiected as shal be told in his place Martin second of that name a French man by euil arts entered into the Popedome Supple Chron. and gouerned a yeare and fiue moneths before he was called Marin Betwixt Martin Pope second of that name and Adrian the third Sigebert and Visperge place Agapetus but other Historiographers make no mention of them Adrian Pope the third of that name ruled at Rome a yeare and three moneths Hee ordeined that from thenceforth the Emperours should not meddle with the election of the Pope And that his aurhoritie therein should be no more any thing requisite but that the election of the Cleargie should be free Dist 62. chap. Nullus chap. Adrianus Hee made this Lawe whilst the Emperour was occupied in the warre against the Normains which then endured not long For Leo the eight Pope did ordaine cleane contrary as shall bee saide afterward Platina saith heere that William Pyon Duke of Aquitane and Counte Auerne founded the first Monasterie of the order of Clugny vnder the rule of Saint Benet and made Berno Abbot there after whome Odo succeeded who hauing bene a Musitian at Tours came to be a Monke at Clugny Chron. Sigeb The Emperour Charles became iealous of his wife for the great familiaritie shee had with Luitwaldus Bishop of Verseil who in a full assembly protested that hee neuer had her company Shee notwithstanding accepted the diuorce and withdrew her selfe vnto the couent d'Aulaui where shee made an end of her dayes Sigeb and P. Phrig 9. At this time the Normains Northerne people did great hurt in France after they had spoyled Artois Cambray Liege Brabant Gelders and Treuers c. Charles being not able to resist them finally agreed with them in giuing in marriage the daughter of Lotharie his cousin germain called Gille to Geffrey or Rotfrid their King and assigned for her dowrie the Countrey of Frise vpon condition he should be baptised Notwithstanding those Normains afterward afflicted France and besieged the Citie of Paris as shall be said The subiects of Charles le Gros greeued at his cowardlinesse because he let France be so outraged by the violence and crueltie of the Normains and that also hee had forsaken his wife a good woman they deposed him as vnworthy and vnprofitable for the gouernment of the Empire and gaue him a Curator named Arnulfe or Arnould who was his brothers sonne Some say that Charles le Gros finished his dayes in great pouertie in the Abbey of the rich Angell called in Alemand Richenna nigh vnto Constans by the Lake without any great honour of Sepulchre Others say he was strangled by his owne people This is a glasse for great Princes of the world and an excellent patterne of the humaine condition Arnulphus thē his Nephew by his brother Carloman Duke of France Orientall which then was called the Teutonique Kingdome comprehending Bauier Sorabe Saxe Turinge Frise and Lorraine was made Emperour Hee was a valiant man and repressed the Moranians and Slauonians after hee made strong warre vpon the Normains nigh the Riuer of Mense Stephen Pope fift of that name ruled 6. yeares ten moneths in the Romane seate It was in his time that the tale of S. Michael in the Mount Bargamus in Pouile is said to bee true There was one of his Decretals to Hubert Arch-bishop of Manyeance 2. G. v. c. Consuluisti ordeined the song of Crosse de consecrat 6. dist v.c. Nunquid Odo 31. King of France raigned nine yeares He was Tutor vnto Charles le Simple and crowned King to resist the Normains which then
at Siennes in Tuscane ruled at Rome 12. yeares and one moneth rather a Monster in nature then a man Hauing abandoned the Monasterie of Clugny where hee was a Monke and being come to Rome he insinuated himselfe into the familiaritie of Laurence an Archpriest of whom hee learned Magike Arts and Negromancie which Arts the said Laurence being yet young had learned of that diuellish Monster Syluester Pope second of that name with certaine others There was a certaine particular intelligence betwixt this Laurence Thoaphilacte Iohn Gratian and Hildebrand all Archpriests or Cardinalls of the Sinagogue of Rome Wherfore Hildebrand did whatsoeuer he would with Theophilacte whilest hee was in the Popes office vnder the name of Benet the ninth But which is more vntill he came to be Pope nothing was done vnder the other Popes but at his pleasure When hee list as Benno saith he would shake his skirtes and fire would come out like sparkes and by such miracles he abused the eyes of simple people as if it had bene some signe of sanctetie And therefore saith Benno when the diuell could not persecute publikely Iesus Christ by the Painims he disposed himselfe fraudulently to destroy his name by that false Monke vnder the shewe and colour of religion Authors rehearse that this Hildebrand poysoned seuen or eight Popes by the seruice of Gerard Brazut to the ende by that meanes he might the sooner come vnto the Papacie Yet during those great troubles he handled all things so subtilly that none doubted he by any meanes aspired to the seate And although he was not Pope by name yet in effect he was the Organe and onely Instrument of him that was ordained Pope or of all his wicked inuentions and by litle and litle he practised vnder the other Popes that which he executed in his owne Popedome This notable Hypocrite vnder the colour of Canons and a certaine pietie hee did whatsoeuer hee would although he was the most vniust and the wickeddest in the world He accused Alexander the second his Lord and Maister because he had sought succours and helpe of the Emperour against his aduersaties and said it was not reasonable according to Canons that he should enioy the Papall dignitie which had demaunded succours of a prophane Prince Hauing dismissed the said Alexander of his dignitie he imprisoned him and caused him secretly to die and incontinently vsurped the Papall seate whilest men prepared for the obsequies and funeralls of the dead He communicated his siluer and counsell with Brazut and certaine Iewes his familiars by the meanes of which he found many tongues at his hire which cried with an high voyce yea euen before Alexander was buried S. Peter the Apostle hath chosen Hildebrand and they placed him in the Papall Chaire vnder the name of Gregorie the 7. And this was done the 1000 yeare after the destruction of Ierusalem In the which yeare the 6. Vicars of Sathan began to attribute vnto themselues openly the name of God and the office and vertue of Iesus Christ true God and true man For as soone as the said Gregorie had bin declared and ordained Pope the same was proclamed that the true Vicar of Christ Iesus was chosen And also the same Gregorie appropriated vnto himselfe that which is said of Iesus Christ in the second Psal Hee ouerthrew the lawes of God in forbidding marriage to Priests and casting kings out of their seats It was he which shead out the first seeds of the warre of Gog Magog which were the most pernitious and bloudie that euer was and which his familiar Vrbain 2. of that name afterward pursued Baleus Anglus The beginning of the mischiefes and extreame calamities of Croysades against the Turkes vnder a shewe of recouering Ierusalem Benno a Crdinall rehearseth the history folowing One day saith he as Gregorie came frō Albe to Rome he forgot to bring with him a booke of Negromancie which he held very deare and without the which hee neuer went or at least very seldome Whereof remembring himselfe at the doore of Laterane hee called hastily two of his most familiars which accustomed to serue him in all his wickednesse and villanies and commaunded them that they should bring him the said booke with all expedition straightly charging them that they should not presume so much as to open the booke by the way and that vpon curiositie they should not enquire vppon the secrets thereof But the more he commanded them the more inflamed he their curiositie diligently to seeke the secrets thereof As then returning they had opened the booke and had curiously read the diuellish commaundements of that Art suddenly the Angells of Sathan presented themselues the multitude of which and the horror of them brought those two young men almost out of their wits that with much adoo could they come to themselues And as they themselues rehearsed it those euil spirits insisted strongly saying Wherefore haue you called vs wherefore haue you disquietted vs Commaund vs quickly what you will haue vs to doo else we will fall vpon you if you keepe vs any longer here One of the young men then answered cast vs downe these walles straight And saying so hee shewed thē with the hand certaine high walles nigh the towne of Rome which in a moment these euill spirits ouerthrew to the earth They then thus terrified trembling almost out of breath scantly could come to Rome vnto their maister Behold what Benno saith who was in that time Gregorie being come to the papall dignitie began incontinently to sollicite that the Canons which his predecessors had made by his cautelous Councell touching Simonie and singlenesse of life in Priests and Monkes should be obserued not to the end hee might wholy abolish the wicked and detestable marchandise which was made of Ecclesiasticall Benefices but that vnder some colour of honestie hee might take from Princes the power to conferre and bestow them and to the end that by that meane all Bishops might be reduced and brought vnder the power and authoritie of the Romane seate which because of the right of Inuesture were obliged and beholding vnto Princes more then vnto the Pope of Rome And although that the Emperour Henry were the greatest of all Princes yet this arrogant and proud marchant iudged it best first to touch and deale with him tragically for the cause of Simonie Hee assembled a Councell at Rome in the place of Laterane touching these things but the Emperour beeing hindered because of his warres could not intend to debate his right in the Sinode The Pope notwithstanding had taken the matter so at heart that for that cause he ceased not to vse both treasons and murders and that more is he stirred in many places intestine and inward warres which engendred all maner of calamities For first he laide ambushes for the Emperour hee sought by diuers meanes to cause him to die In so much as hee sought to haue slaine him euen in the Church
and that this Tobias did take vp the said childe for that purpose called Simon and hauing offered him in the full assemblie of the Iewes in the house of the saide Samuel they clasped his necke with pinsons to keepe him from crying then stretched his armes on a Crosse cut off his priuities after his right eye-lid then each one pricked him with sharpe Instruments euen to death and lastly cast him into the floud After information made of this execrable murder all they were executed which were attainted about this deed doing in the said Towne of Trent The Common-wealth of Florence Although in the time of the Emperor Henry the seuenth the Florentines receiued Robert King of Naples to bee their Protector to resist the Gibellins or Imperialistes so much hated they the Emperours of Almaine yet about this time Cosme by surname Medices flourished in that Towne in great preheminence prudence and authoritie and was held as a Prince and chiefe of the Towne He led the Senate at his pleasure inriched the poore Citizens builded many places for more and more to maintaine his authoritie But after that Cosme was dead in the yeare 1464. hee left a sonne called Peter who also was mightie in the Towne Vnto whom succeeded in the administration of the Common-wealth Lawrence de Medices his son who with his brother Iulian augmented the Seignorie of Florence And because this greatly displeased certaine Bishops Cardinalls and other Lords they made a conspiracie together and came to Florence the yeare 1478. which with one of the noblest of the Towne called Francisquinus de pactis dissembling their hatred entred into the Tmple and as they lifted vp the Host they slewe Iulian and wounded Lawrence who escaped their hands But the Malefactors thought they had done an act greatly pleasing to the Citizens to recouer libertie but they were deceiued for they were all taken and neither Priest nor Bishop pardoned Frodesque Saluiat Archbishop of Pise who said the Masse was giuen to the slaughter-man and hanged at an high window in his habit for hee had sung Masse in his coate of Male. The Pope being grieued at these dooings excommunicated Lawrence de Medices and stird vp Ferdinand king of Sicilie Alphonsus Duke of Calabria and Frederic Duke of Vrbin against the Florentines to be reuenged of them But Lawrence seeing he was not puissant enough to sustaine such enemies by the consent of the Citizens got him to a shippe and secretly came into Sicilie to the King Ferdinand himselfe and promised him tribute if he and his would leaue that enterprise begunne at the Popes instance Which was done the towne with all the countrie by that meanes was deliuered from the destruction of the enemies The Pope heereat was more inflamed then before but the Venetians gaue aide vnto the Florentines against the Pope after they had made peace with the Turke who during these stirres besieged Rhodes and got it the yeare 5488. In this time began the superstition to toll a Bell at noone as a pardon called the Aue Maria pacis which the King had entreated of the Pope The yeare of Christ 1475. the great Iubile alreadie ordained and commaunded by Paul the second was confirmed by Sixtus and obserued at Rome this yeare Charles the sonne of Phillip Duke of Bourgongne agrreed with King Lewis the 11. Frederic the Emperour refused to erect Bourgongne for a Kingdome whereat Charles was mooued therefore he besieged Nisse which is a Towne placed in the territories of Colongne and held it during a yeare besieged Hee did it to gaine vpon the Empire the Diocesse of Colongne but the Emperour prepared a great power to meete him and to leuie the siege In the ende they accorded so that Maximilian the sonne of Frederic should take in marriage Marie the onely daughter of the saide Duke of Bourgongne After these things the said Charles fought twise against the Swisses vnluckily enough for this cause About the years 1460. Sigismond Duke of Austrich engaged to Charles Duke of Bourgongne his lands which he had as well on this side as beyond Rhene namely Sungaw Brisgaw the blacke Forrest and the Townes scituate vpon Rhene for 7000. Florents Great mischiefes came herevpon For the Duke of Bourgongne appointed ouer those Lands as Gouernor general Peter de Hagenbach who exceedingly tormented them of Mulhuse and Swisses About this time Charles Duke of Lorraine died of the pestilence at Nancy which gaue occasion to Charles Duke of Bourgogne to see if hee could conquer Lorraine by force taking the cause against Rhene the successor of Lorraine that Charles his predecessor was bound vnto him in a certaine sum of money and by the same meanes though also to vsurpe the royall title of Sicilie and Ierusalem Peter de Hagenbach Count of Thiersteine greatly molested the subiects of Sigismond Duke of Austrich who had lately after long warres made peace with the Swisses Wherevnto they of Strasbourge Sicistad Colmar and Basill had sealed And the money due vnto the Duke of Bourgongne was committed into the hands of a Changer or Banquer of Basill and the paiment signified to the Duke of Bourgongne by an Herauld After they proceeded against Peter de Hagembach who being taken prisoner was solemnly disgraded of his order of knighthood and publikely beheaded after he had gouerned the said lands engaged three yeares and an halfe The Duke of Bourgongne hearing hereof determined to reuenge the death of his Gouernour and assembled an Armie being also aided of the Duke of Millaine and the Duchesse of Sauoy and tooke Lansanua a confederate of the Swisses From thence hee besieged the Towne and Castle of Granson solliciting them to yeeld when they had yeelded the Duke caused to hang 80. and to drowne in a lake nigh the Towne 200. Such an act greatly stirred the Swisses and not only them but also whole high Germanie which with the Armie of the Duke of Austrich of which the conducter was Herman d' Extingen chased from Granson the Duke and slew one part of his Armie lost his Artillerie and his furniture for warre which was very magnificall After they tooke downe their companions which the Duke had hung vp and hanged in their places as many Bourguignons Gelatius Maria Duke of Millaine on S. Stephens day in the Church of S. Stephen being at Masse was slaine by a Citizen of Millaine called Andrew de Lupagnano who making a shewe to speake vnto him stabbed him in the stomacke He said the cause was for that the Duke deteined from him vniustly certaine possessions that he kept his wife and further hindred that iustice could not be done him touching an Abbey for which he had paid at Rome during vacation and the Duke would haue had an other to haue had it Sixtus cast the Manfrois Lords of the Towne of Imola namely the father and the sonne out of the Seignorie and gaue it to one of his houshold Likewise he deiected the Gouernours of Forliue and
warring delighted in nothing but a dastardly idlenesse ful of sloath which brought with it nothing but diuers concupiscences fraudes pleasures pompes gourmandizes dissolutions pailliardizes and Idolatries He erected a new Colledge of Secretaries for his owne profit augmenting the number of them which were there before He builded a new Pallace and an house of pleasure of a new fashion He was the first of all the Popes which in an invsuall maner aduanced his bastards vnto honour and riches For hee gaue certaine Townes nigh Rome vnto his bastard Francis and greatly inriched his daughter called Theodorine which he married vnto a very rich man of Genoa Charles eight of that name King of France succeeded his father Lewis the 11. being of the age of 14. yeares The three Estates were solemnly assembled at Tours for the Kings person Hee was very conscionable yeelding vnto the King of Spaine the Countes of Roussillon and Parpignant Hee conquered the kingdome of Naples and the Princes and Gentlemen went thither of their owne charge At Rome the Pope declared him Emperour of Constantinople The King Alphonsus and his sonne Ferdinand for feare retired into Sicilie and Charles entred triumphantly into Naples Then the Lords and Townes in Italie banded themselues against the King to enclose him at his returne yet he got through with a great victorie ouer them at Fonnone for he had fewe people against many and as vanquisher returned into France But at the end of the yeare Naples reuolted vnto the said Ferdinand King Lewis the 11. would not that his sonne Charles should learne any part of the Italian tongue but onely this Prouerbe Qui nessit dissimulare nescit regnare that is hee that cannot faigne and dissemble knowes not how to raigne A poore lesson better beseeming a Tyrant then a King M. Iohn an English man a Priest in this time was burnt at Paris in the place called the Swine Market because in the morning of the day then called Corpus Christi in the great Church of our Lady in the Chappel dedicated vnto S. Crispin and Crispinian he tooke from a Priest that sung Masse his Host and cast it on the ground The Pope Innocent absolued the Venetians which had bene excommunicated by Sixtus for acts before recited and solde pardons and Indulgences as well for the liuing as for the dead He inriched with great presents many Temples through Italie He gaue vnto the Augustins of Bergoine a Church of siluer of an exquisite and maruelous worke He by his Bulles permitted to them of Norway that they ought to sing Masse without wine Moreouer seeing that Pardons nor the Iubile nor the warre against the Turkes serued him any thing to gather siluer hee inuented a new maner of gathering siluer For he found inclosed in an old wall the title which was set vpon the Crosse of Iesus Christ written in three languages Iesus of Nazareth c. with the Iron of the Launce wherwith Christ his side was pearsed Being hindred by a long disease he could not accomplish that which he purposed in his courage But the yeare of our Lord 1492. he deceased out of this world There was a Poet called Marcellus who made an Epitaph in Latin Verses whose sence is this What needest thou seeke witnesses to know whether Cibe be male or female Behold onely the great troupe of his children they will yeeld a certaine testimonie thereof He begot eight sonnes and as many daughters It is not without cause that Rome calls him Father c. The Towne of Arras was againe taken by the Flemmings in the nigh time The keyes of one of the Towne gates was counterfeited and giuen to foure of the conspiracie poore Mechanikes the one of which was called Grisard who had an ordinarie garde of the gate and vsed customably vpon the wall to sing with an high voyce What houre is it It is not time What houre is it It is not day This was to aduertise the enemies when they should approach And when they were nigh hee sung an other Song Marchez la duron duraine marchez la duron durean So the Towne of Arras was by him deliuered into the Emperours hand without any effusion of bloud Horrible things of Roderic Borgia To shewe the horrour of that abhominable seat of Rome it shal not be impertinent to declare how and by what meanes a Spaniard came thither In the time of Innocent the 8. after that Borgia was placed in the number of the Cardinalls and Fathers of the Romane Church his affection was incessantly set to mount higher and to that ende hee inuented each day all the meanes hee thought good and meete to enioy the accomplishment of his desires Finally he gaue himselfe to the diuellish Art of Necromancie to the end that by the helpe of diuells and euill spirits he might enter into the way whch he sawe shut to him as well by the riches as the great credit and prerogatiue of his companions After hee had certaine time employed his studie and diligently watched about the cursed and dammable Art of Necromancie he began to inquire of his diuels wherewith he prooued very familiar if they would not sauour him so much as in the pursuite of the Papall dignitie they would giue him support and helpe Wherevnto they readily agreed but yet vnder this especiall rescription and couenant that by certaine words he should deliuer an oath to shewe himselfe in all things a faithfull protector of Sathan To which this Cardinall of a wicked minde consented onely he required that when hee should come to do his homage and take his oath the diuell would not appeare vnto him in any hideous and fearefull forme but rather vnder some humane forme namely vnder the person of a Protonotaire which hauing graunted him at the time assigned and established on a Sommers day the Cardinall beeing retired into a place called Montcauallus being alone in a chamber the saide Protonotaire presented himselfe vnto him like a man of meane age honourably apparelled who after certaine talke helde betwixt them hee assured the Cardinall that hee should bee Pope Then Roderic Borgia beeing very ioyous began to inquire of him how long hee should raigne This Protonotaire deliuered him a very ambiguous answere namely that hee should raigne the space of eleuen and eight the Cardinall foolishly promised himself the time of 19. yeares in his Papall dignitie although Sathans meaning was but 11. yeares and 8. monethes After Pope Innocent was dead by pluralitie of voyces hee was established Pope And because there should be no want at the solemnities he named himselfe Alexander the sixt before named Roderic Borgia borne at Valence in Spaine the Nephewe of Calixtus late Pope third of that name As one that long time had had the handling of the office of Vice-chauncellor hee knew all the estate of the Court of Rome and knew all the councels and enterprises of the Princes and Communalties of Italie Being then placed
at large The Councell of Laterance was begunne by Iulius this yeare 1512. Leo his successor continued the said Councell the ende whereof was the 16. of March 1517. This horrible monster died the yeare following after he had begun the said Councell that is the yeare 1513. hauing committed an infinit number of murders and wickednesses vnheard of before he died the yeare 1513. the 21 of Februarie before the Councell which he had assembled at Rome was ended See Functius in his Commentaries There was an Almaine called Conrade Garbelius who made of him Tetrastike in Latine verses whereof the sence was this Hee that hath for his father a Genoua for his mother a Grecian and that is borne in the Sea it is impossible he should be good The Genouaes are deceiuers the Grecians are lyars and there is no securitie nor faithfulnesse in the Sea Thou Iulius hast in thee all these things We read a certaine Commētarie of the Doctors of Paris against the Lutherans being drawne on by a diuellish rage had by force the carnall company of two young children of a noble house which the Queene Anne of France had sent to Roberte Cardinall of Nantes to teach Melancton amongst others hath written certaine Latine Verses how that Iulius meaning to go to warre cast S. Peters keyes into Tiber and tooke the sword of S. Paul saying Seeing the keyes of S. Peter serue vs to no purpose it may be S. Pauls sword will do something Gaston de Fouex the Kings Nephewe was sent into Italie and tooke Bolongne and Bresse by force The Swisses alreadie practised by the Pope passed into Italie On Easter day the yeare 1512. the French got a battaile at Rauenna and tooke the Towne against the Pope the Spaniards and the Venetians Gaston died there aduauncing himselfe with too small a company vpon his enemies Iulius practised with the Emperour and the King of England to assaile the King of Fraunce in diuers places of his Kingdome Ferdinand king of Spaine tooke and occupied against all right vnder colour of excommunication the Arrathame of Iulius the kingdome of Nauarre The King of England beeing assured of succours from Flaunders discended to Calais but the king of Scotland Iames the fourth and the king of France his Allie entered into his Countrey but lost a great battaile and was himselfe slaine They did litle in Guien or Normandie whether they sent two Armies Afterward the French and they fought vpon the Sea Two faire Ships well furnished that is the Regent of England and the Cordelier of France grapled one with the other And the most part of such as were within were either burnt or drowned A peace was published betwixt the King and the Venetians The English men besieged Terwine At the Iourney of Sporrs the French fared ill The Townes of Terwine and Tornay were taken by the English Anne de Britaine the wife of king Lewis the 12. and before the widowe of Charles the eight dyed at this time leauing two daughters Claudia which afterward espowsed Francis de Valois and Renee at this present widowe of the Duke of Ferrara Leo the tenth of that name borne at Florence of the house of Medices before called Iohn de Medices being Cardinall of the title of S. Mary in Dominica beyond all mens expectation was elected Pope and succeeded Iulius Hee had beene very diligently instructed in good Letters in his first youth and had had learned schoolemaisters Amongst others Angelus Politian a man very learned as well in the Greeke as Latin tongue this was the cause he loued so much men of learning and knowledge Being of the age of thirteene yeares hee was chosen Cardinall by Innocent the 8. and in the 30. of his age he was chosen Pope of Rome This Leo of his owne nature was debonaire gentle and peaceable but he was too much gouerned by such as were enemies of rest and cruell after whose wills many things were done very disloyally The King Lewis died the first day Ianuarie 1514. hauing raigned 17. yeares He was called the Father of the people a title which fewe kings had after him The greatest pleasure that Pope Leo had was delicately to nourish himselfe in all things pleasant to the flesh and such delights as would soonest drawe men into all wicked concupiscences He tooke great pleasures in Singers and Musitians to recreate his spirit at Table as hee dranke and made good cheare Hee bare an irreconciliable hatred vnto the Gospell of the kingdome of God which he persecured in the person of Luther and many others For as one day the Cardinall Bembo vttered before him a certaine thing drawne from the Gospell he answered him mocking It hath euer sufficiently bene knowne what profit that Fable of Iesus hath brought vs and our company This marchant gaue hereby sufficiently to be knowne that he was that Antichrist which S. Paul called the man of sinne and the sonne of perdition He spread abroad through the world certaine pardons and Indulgences full of all impietie yea and ridiculous to the end to heape vp siluer to maintaine his pleasures to nourish his whores and enrich his bastards And heerein he serued himselfe with Mendicant beggers which in infinit number traced and ranne ouer all Christian kingdomes One called Sampson of Millaine a Friar heaped vp by that meane so great a summe of siluer in diuers Countries that the world was astonished thereat as a thing contrarie to nature For he one day offered the summe of an hundreth and twentie thousand Ducats for the Papacie This Pope Leo created in one day one and thirtie Cardinalls and by that meanes pursed vp a great sum of siluer And that same day were seene very horrible signes and wonders the yeare 1521. at which time Soliman Emperor of the Turkes tooke Rhodes On the day of Christs Natiuitie as Leo went out of his chamber to goe sing Masse at the breake of the day after their maner a marble couer well couched and laid fell suddenly downe so that many of his company were there slaine and amongst others the Captaine of the Swisses gard By such a presage God shewed that the Popedome should shortly perish because of the enormeous and detestable wickednesse committed therein He greatly inriched at other expences his bastards and erected and lifted them vp to principalities and dignities as well Secular as Ecclesiastice Hee created Duke of Mutine Iulian whom some said was his Nephewe his sisters sonne and Laurence Duke of Vrbin and married the one that is to say Iulian with the Duke of Sauoyes sister and the other with the the daughter of the Countesse of Bolongne But hee had depriued the true Duke of Vrbin of the possession of the Duchy to the ende hee might establish one of them in his place hee sought also to doo the like to the Duke of Ferrara but it was in vaine As for his Nephewe Iulius hee made him a Cardinall The yeare 1421. and
raised by the Duke of Parma in all this space the Pope sent no succour to the confederates Anth. Cicarrella Phillip K. of Spaine was much displeased with the Pope for that he would not aide the confederates nor excommunicate those Princes and Prelates which followed the K. of Nauarre The K. therfore vrged that there might be a protestatiō made therof against the Pope But the Pope iustified his cause before the Cardinals shewing that hee alwaies behaued himselfe vprightly in the French affaires wherfore certain Cardinals were appointed who should vnderstand both the causes of y e Popes and the kings so that no protestation might be made A litle before some difference hapned between the Pope and Count Oliuer the kings Embassador for that cause the K. sent the D. of Soisson for the French businesses but what time this Legate came he was fallen very sicke so that no conference was had about so waightie a cause Anth. Cicarr This Sixtus was very couetous for he sold many offices which before were giuen gratis When newes came to him Rome of the King of France his death he made a solemne oration in the Consistory of Cardinals the 11. of September 1589. where he not onely compared the treason of this cursed Iacobine Friar with the act of Eleazar and of Iudith but said also that it surpassed thē Of Eleazar is made mention 1. Machab. 6. who seeing an Elephant more mightie then the rest armed with the Armes of the king supposing that King Antiochus was vpon him to deliuer his people and purchase eternall glory he aduentured himselfe and ranne couragiously to the Elephant through the midst of the squadron killing on the right hand and on the left and all sides throwing downe vntill he came vnder the Elephant and placing himselfe vnder him slew him the Elephant fell to the ground vpon him and there he died Iudith cut off the head of Holophernes The warre that Antiochus and Holophernes made against the people of God was most vniust the war which H. the 3. made against the League which had cōspired against him to kill him was most iust so that herein was he no tyrant This Pope likewise not thus satisfied forbad that any obsequies honors accustomed to be made for the dead should be made for him and commaunded also that they should nor pray for him M. Cyp. Valerian This yeare in the moneth of Aprill the Queene of England commiserating the wrong of D. Antonio the exiled King of Portugall sent a well appointed Nauie to Vlisbone vnder the conduct of Syr F. Drake and Syr I. Norris Where they tooke many Spanish ships richly laden with all manner of Marchandize Thē landing their souldiers they tooke Cascais a neighbouring Towne to Lisbone and a Suburbe But the plague encreasing in their ships they went no further but returned for England and by the way forbidden the coasts of Germanie by reason of their contagious sicknesse many of them died miserably This Pope through the deuotion request of the most Catholicke K. of Spaine ordained to bee made the processe of the miracles of Friar Lewis de Beltram in Aragon one of the order of the Friars of S. Dominicke to put him in the number and Catalogue of the Saints M. Cyp. Val. William Tedder and Anthony Tirrill Seminary Priests recanted their erronious opinions at Pauls Crosse This yeare in Italy fell such store of raine as neuer was remembred the like before And at Rome was a great aboundance of waters that Tybris could not be held within his bounds but twise breaking forth so ouerflowed the Citie that they went vp and downe the streetes in boates At Venice which containeth in circuite 8. Italian miles 25. Ilands Parishes 62. Monasteries 41. and 400. common bridges which euery yeare receiueth onely out of custome and toll twentie hundred thousand Ducats which is a Citie in the midst of the Sea built vpon piles without walles most famous throughout al the world the Adriatique Sea did so arise that the chanels of the citie with the abundance of the water fallen did so rage and swell that they had no other thought but the whole Citie would haue bin drowned Genebr After this followed a great dearth Cicar Anne the sister of Christiā the 4. K. of Denmarke daughter of Frederick the 2. is married to Iames the 6. K. of Scots D. Chytr In the higher Germanie Iohannes Starmius Rector of the Vniuersitie of Strasbourge a very learned and studious man departed this life the 92. yeare of his age Idem Pope Sixtus the first yeare of his Popedome laid vp in the Castle of S. Angelo tenne hundred thousand Ducats with this decree that no part of this treasure might be expended or errogated vnlesse it were in the recouery of the holy Land or a generall expedition against the Turke and not then till the Armies were ouer the Sea and vpon the Turkish shore Or that there were such an exceeding dearth scarcitie or pestilence or some Christian Prouince were in distresse or like to fall into the hands of the Infidels and enemies of the Church which cannot be recouered without money Anth. Cicarrella Frances Ket M. of Art of Wimondham in Norfolke was conuented before Edmund Bishop of Norwiche for holding diuers detestable opinions against Christ our Sauiour and was therefore burned nigh the Citie This yeare died Iohannes Sturmius in high Germanie being of the age of foure score and two yeares hee was Rector of the Vniuersitie of Argentine a very learned and religious man In the same yeare and for the same vse the Pope laid vp tenne thousand Ducats more for the recouerie of some kingdome in the possession of the enemies of the Church of Rome to these two treasures he added thirtie hundred thousand more so that after his death were left about fiue Millions 1.500000 Crownes Anth. Cicarrella In the moneth of Ianuary the marriage of the king of Scots to Anne the daughter of Fred. the 2. was solemnized with great and royall pompe at Crouebourge Genebrardus All Saxonie this yeare was in quiet In the beginning of March the Duke de Maine with all his troupes came to the Riuer of Seine therby to passe ouer the bridge of Mante whereof the king being aduertised prouided for his affaires and the 12. of the same moneth he set forward to meet his enemies and at Yurie he did many notable exploits and had the victorie Of the horsmen there were about fifteene hundred slaine and drowned and about 400. taken prisoners Amongst the dead was knowne to be slaine the E. of Egmont who was Colonell of the troupes sent by the Duke of Parma one of the Dukes of Brunswicke Chastegueray with others More then 20. Coronells of horsmē was at this time wonne by the K. among the which was the white Cornet the chief standard belonging to the Spanish Generall and to the Flemings the Cornet of the Rutters and more then 60.
touching the Eucharist generally receiued 245 Elutherius Bishop of Lyons and his dreames 78 Eugenia daughter of Phillip king of Alexandria martyred 76 Eutalius Priest cause of the 4. Schisme 137 Euaristus B. 30. Martyred Ibid. Elutherius Pope 43 Eutichian K. of Rome 71 Eutychians and Arrians reiected from Constantinople 79 Exarches in Italy 176 Exarches cease in Italy 211. Is giuen to the Pope 218. asked againe by Constantine Excommunication conuerted into abuse 257 Excommunication written with Inke mingled with wine in the Challice 239. For temporall goods 329 Exorcists 91 Eusebius Bish of R. 18 Euerguacenes 143 F FAbian Bishop and his election miraculous 56 Martyred with his wife Darfosa Ibid. Fable of the Stigmates of S. Frances 389 Fausta maintaineth her husband Costantine in superstition 100 Faelix Bishop and his Decretalls and martyrdome 82 Faelix Bishop of Rauenna hath his eyes put out 202 Faelix and Elephandus condemned for heresie which they repent 226 Faelix 5. renounceth the Popedome 480 Ferrara vsurped by the Venetians 110 Feasts denounced to the people 93 Feasts of all Saints instituted 112 Feasts of the Sacrament called Feste Dieu 121. Confirmed 149 Fastings 139 Feast of the speare and nailes Feast of the transingration Feast of dedication 716 Festus gouerneth Iudea 19 Flagellers or whippers 117 Flaunders made a Countie 290 Flower-delyce of France 426 Forbidding to eate flesh annathenized 235 Florentines buy their libertie Florentines interdicted 440 Absolued by Vrban the 6. 446 Florian brother of Tacitus 70 Vsurped the Empire and is slaine Ibid. Florus mooued the Iewes to war 18 Fraunce followeth the fashion of the Romane Masse 207 France diuided into certain kingdomes 197 France agreeth in their Ecclesiasticall singing with the Romanes 256 Frances Dandalus D. of Venice 425 Frances Curiario Vicar of the Empire taken of the Venetians and slaine in prison 452 S. Frances canonized 383 Frances Petrarke 420 Fratricelli condemned and persecuted 384 Fredegunda sleyeth Chrisperic 203 Fredegunda flaine in the Church Ibid. Frederic Barbarossa goeth into Italy 329 Hee is excommunicated of Alexander the third 344 Felix Bishop of Rome 71 Formosus Pope 258 Ferdinand 1. 554 Frederic Barbarossa is surprised by the Souldan and set at libertie 273 Troden vnder foote by Alexander the third 348 Frederick the 2. declared an enemie to the Church 389 He is constrained to lead an Armie into Siria 390 Frederick the 2. excommunicated and depriued of his Empire by Innocent the 4. 393 Frederick 2. being angred at the Pope made many notable persons die 363 Frederick D. of Austrich beheaded at Naples with others 399 Frederick Count of Misne elected Emperour 441 Frederick D. of Brunswic elected Emp. slaine by the Count de Waldec 317 Frisons receiue the faith 266 Frodesque Saluiat Archbishop of Pise hanged 479 Fulco succeeded Baudwin in the Kingdome of Hierusalem 363 Fuscus ouercome by Derpains 300 Fulbert Bishop of Chartres made Stirps Iesse 322 G GAmma inuented 284 Galeaze Duke of Millaine 456 Galerius Max. eaten with wormes 80 Gallien Emperour 72 Gallus Emp. he and Vclutian are slaine Ibid. Ganclon betrayeth the Peeres of France 257 Gantier Diuelot slaine in the Church 78 Gautlier d' Annoy an adulterer scorched and hanged 430 Geneua and Orleance founded by Aurelian Geneua ordaines a Duke 80 Geneuiefue the Parisians Diana 179 Gregorian Calender 642 Refused 647 Gregory 13. Pope dieth 651 Gregory the 14. 677 Gerard Brazut Hildebrands instruments to kill Popes 537 Gibelins set vp 357 Gnostiques 35 Godfrey of Bullen king of Ierulem 353 Gratian perswades 3. Popes 19. to depose themselues 306 Greekes graunt Purgatory and the Pope to be primate of the Church 427 Gregory one of the foure Doctors of the Church 206 Gregory calleth himselfe the seruant of seruants 79. And will not iudge an vniuersall Bishop Ibid. Gregory celebrateth the Supper in the vulgar tongue Ibid. Gregory the 2. Pope opposeth himselfe against the ordinance to burne Images 190 Gregory the fourth accepted not the Popedome vnlesse the Emperour allowed the election 221 Gregory Alias Hildedrand defended Symonie and single life 345 Gregory the seuēth cast the Host into the fire Ibid. Gregory the 7. a liuely picture of Antichrist Gregory the 7. after his death tormented in hell doth great myracles 340 Guelphes the Popes fautors and Gibelins the Emperours 390 Guilbert Archbishop of Rauenna taken vp againe 16. yeares after buriall 256 Guido Aretine the first inuentor of the Gamma the notes 284 Guillaine Pion Duke of Aquitaine founder of the first Monasterie of the order of Augustine Friars 219 Guillian Orseure shewed that the Pope is Antichrist 227 Guillaine Count de Holland chosen Emperour against Frederick the second 257. Is slaine Ibid. Guiniard Bishop of Nantes martyred 294 Guisards audition 300 Guy de Lusingam last king of Ierusalem 357 Gaule began to be called France 188 Gordian Emperour 56 Grashoppers out of the bottomelesse pit 461 Guns inuented 432 H HAalon K. of the Tartarians ouercommeth the Persians 177 Helchesites heretikes 25 Henry the 8. Emperour inuented the combat of tournies 65 H. the 3. vpon his marriage day draue away all Morris-players and such like 284 H. the 4. Emperour sheweth a deiection of heart vnworthy an Emperour 130 H. 4 poysoned by his sonne vnburied by the space of 5. years 315 H. the 5. resigneth the inuestitures to the Pope 334 H. Lātgraue of Thuring elected Emperour dieth 361 H. the 6. will needs bee crowned at Rome 349 H. the 7 poysoned in an Host. 357 H. the 1. K. of England depriued of his right by an Archbishop 223 Henry Carperell Prouost of Paris a false Iudge condemned 422 Heliogabalus Emp. 51 Hilary 1. Pope 157 Herculian Bishop of Peruse hath his head sawne Heresie of Ebion 29. Nicholaits 29. Menander 29. Basilides 35. Saturnine 35. Cerinthus 40. Valentine 35 Marcian and Montanus 35 Carpocrates Gnastici 35. Cerdin 38. Cataphryges 42. Apalles 42. Talianus 142. Fratricelli 420. Seuerians 43 Theodorus 57. Proclus and Berillus 62. Noetus and Sabellius 64. Of the Manichees 71. Arrius 95. Pelagius 82. Acephales 84. A quaternitie 47. Of many Monkes 22. Of Iohn Bishop of Constantinople 302. Athenians and others 89. Prifallian 30.12 Monothelites 214. Of Constantius 363. Of Paul the successor of Pyrrhus 249. Of Peter the successor of Patriarch 223. Constant by him abiured 229. Of Machoris Bishop of Antioche Monothelite 215 Heresie of a Councell 309 Heresie pernitious of Transubstantiation 359 Herman of Saxe elected Emperour 257 Herod stirreth persecutiō 2. And dieth by a horrible iudgement Ibid. Herod Antipas beheaded Iohn 4 Herod Tetrarch banished to Lyons 6 Herodes Agrippa beheaded Iames. 9. His death 15 Herodias wife of Phillip Herodes 4 Houres Canonicall sung by note 357 Hildebrand causeth eight Popes to die 427 Hildericke king of the Vandales restoreth the Catholickes 461 Hirene assembleth a Councell at Nice 222. Causeth her sonnes eyes to be put out 223 Holland erected into a Countie 259 Homousis and Essence 99 Hungarie and Boheme become one kindome 371 Honorius
was Bishop 12. yeares The yeare 88. Domitian by the conduction of Fuscus passed ouer Danaw and ledde his Army against Dorpaneus King of the Gothes or of the Dares The Gothes ouercame the Romanes and Fuscus was slaine and the Campe pilled or spoiled Clement a Romane the fourth Bishop of Rome ruled nine yeares He instituted notaries to write the acts of the Martirs their constancie and patience for example and perpetuall remembrance Domitian of the age of 45. yeares was slaine in his Pallace by the coniuration of his familiar friends consent of his wife He was buried without any honor all his Images cast down The Senate disanulled all his ordinances and called againe such as he had exiled S. Iohn the Euangelist from his exile of Pathmos which is an I le in the sea Egea which is betwixt Asia the great the lesse returned into Ephesus where he died of the age of an hundreth yeares or there abouts and was there buried Nerua Cocceius now olde was made the 13. Emperour and raigned one yeare 4. moneths He died at the age of 71. yeares Being Emperor he pronounced al Christians absolued whether accused or banished and called them backe Hee was wont to say that men must rather respect a mans vertue then his race or country He was by the Senate deified Now rose there many heresies in the Church after the death of the Apostles Traian a Spaniard the 13. Emperour raigned 19. yeares 6. moneths and 15. dayes Hee was greatly praised of Historiographers as a debonaire and gentle Prince yet he persecuted the Christians Vnder him was Clement martyred Foure Townes perished in Asia and two in Greece with Earthquakes The third persecution made against the Christians in the time of Traian He feared some hurt should haue come to the Romane Empire by the encrease of Religion There were each day a great number of Martyrs slaine In so much that Plinie the younger hauing then the administration of a Prouince namely Bithinia and seeing the great number of men which then dyed writ to the Emperour how each day many thousands of persons were put to death yet was there not found that they committed any fault neither did any thing against their Romane lawes but only for that they sung certaine Hymnes and Psalmes afore day to a certaine God they called Christ And finally that Adulteries Homicides Thefts and other crimes were prohibited them and did keepe themselues from such faults liuing carefully according to common Lawes Wherevnto the Emperour gaue answere and commaundement to make no more any Inquisition against Christians Yet was not thereby the occasion taken away from them which had a will to shew cruelty against Christians Timotheus a Martyr in this time Anacletus 5. Bishop of Rome borne in Greece an Athenian ruled two moneths and ten dayes We now enter into the times which were incontinent after the Apostles and take their beginning in the kingdome of Traian Anacletus ordeined that no Clarke should weare a beard and commaunded all the faithfull that were at the administration of the Lords Supper either to communicate or to be driuen out of the Temple Eusebius placeth Anacletus in the place of Cletus after Linus and after Clement immediately he makes mention of Euaristus which is the cause of the discord that is found amongst Historians in this place Anacletus ordeined that the Cleargie two times in the yeare should haue Sinodes or Congregations for the affaires of the Church In his writings amongst other things he admonisheth the people to carrie honour and reuerence to their Ministers and to support them He that speaketh euill of a Minister saith he speaketh euill of Christ and he iudgeth him to be seperate from Christ He was put to death vnder Traian Heresies at this time grieued the Church within and publicke persecutions without 1. Cerinthus the Hereticke held that Moyses lawe must bee kept alone Also that Christ was not risen againe but that hee should rise againe He made the Kingdome of Christ carnall 2. Ebion held Christ to be a pure man engendred as others And he called S. Paul the Apostle of the Lawe 3. Menander a Nigromancian c. 4. Basilides these did infinitely spread their imaginations touching the procreation of their Gods and Angels And to yeeld the more astonishment they vsed disguised and barbarous words 5. The Nicholaites would women to be common 6. Saturnin following Simon Magus said also that men might vse women indifferently as the Nicholaites Papias Bishop of Hierapolis Policarpus Bishop of Smirna Ignatius Bishop of Antioche good and Catholicke Pastors Disciples of S. Iohn the Euangelist See how God destituted not his Church of true Pastors to withstand Heretickes Euaristus the 6. Romane Bishop ruled 8. or nine yeares He ordeined that seuen Deacons should be chosen in euery Citie which should marke and keepe by the Bishop as hee preached and taught the people He appointed them also for witnesses of the word of God that none might impose that he had preached euill against the truth He ordeined that marriages should be publikely solemnized in Churches That the Church should obey his Bishop and that the Bishop should not leaue his Church during his life no more then the woman her husband There be two Epistles found of him In the first he makes that Apostolicke seate head of the Church wherevnto he wils that all doubtfull affaires should be brought yet in his second Epistle he contradicts it In Gallatia three Cities perished with an Earthquake Eusebius Euaristus was Martired the last yeare of the Empire of Traian The Pantheon of Rome burnt with lightning Lucian the Apostate and Atheist composed his dialogues vnder Traian The towne of Antioch was so shaken that euen the Mountaines nigh did shake and quake yea euen the Mount Cassius the highest in Siria the Flouds there dried vp and the earth sounded in a strange maner Tiles falling clattered in such sort and the cries of men ouerthrowne were so fearefull and with dust the obscuritie was so thick that there was neuer seene or heard speake of so straunge things The Emperour Traian was then there and likewise people of all Nations of the Romane Empire Dion writeth this horrible confusion the calamities which proceeded this Earthquake which happened at Antioch Ignacius Bishop of Antioch was led prisoner to Rome to be cast vnto beasts and so to be aspectacle vnto the people As he went from Siria to Rome and passed through the Countrie of Asia in all places where he came he preached to the people and Churches the Christian faith exhorting them to perseuer and keepe themselues from the infection of Hereticks which then began to spring in carefully keeping the doctrine receiued of the Apostles The cause was that in Antioch hauing reprehended the Idolatrie of Traian he was apprehended as