more than Seventy Antoninus ' â— Death Years From Christ 261. Marcus Aurelius whom Antoninus had Marcus Aurelius Lucius Verus Successors Anicetus Bishop of Rome Adopted and Lucius Verus Adopted by Aurelius succeeded him Anicetus Bishop of Rome Justin the Apologist for the Christians with a great Number of others were Crowned Martyrs in the Persecution Marcus Aurelius raised up against them From Christ 162. War against the Parthians In the beginning of his Reign he had sent his Colleague to make War against the Parthians but Lucius Verus a debauch'd Man staying at Antioch to take his Pleasures sent his Lieutenants upon that Expedition which proved very successful to the Romans the Parthians having been defeated in many Rencounters From Christ 165. Polycarpus Bishop of Smirna and Disciple St. Polycarp of St. John the Evangelist ended his long Life by a glorious Martyrdom In like manner suffered Photinus Bishop Martyrs of Lyons of Lyons where many of his Flock instructed by him in their Faith received the same Happiness From Christ 167. Lucius Verus died as he came back from Lucius Verus ' s Death Illyria with Marcus Aurelius After his Death Marcus Aurelius found him better dispos'd to receive the Apologies presented Apologies for the Christians to him by Meliton Bishop of Sardis and the Philosopher Athenagâ—ras who so far prevailed to mitigate the Persecution Yet the Idolaters persevered to sacrifice many Christians to their Hate even at Rome Bishops of Rome where Soter Bishop and Successor to Anicetus suffered Martyrdom From Christ 170. The Persecution at length wholly ceased The Persecution ceases by the miraculous help that Aurelius received from Heaven by the fervent Prayers of the Christians which composed a Legion of the Army he had brought to fight against the Macromans This Legion was called the Thunderers The Thundering Legion because it had prevailed with Heaven to extirpate the Barbarians by a Tempest that discharged itself only upon them without falling on the Romans From Christ 173. Nevertheless Aurelius was forc'd to quit that War in order to compose a Civil A Civil War War broke out in Syria by the Pro-Consul Cassius Aurelius having happily concluded it The Exploit of Marcus Aurelius return'd to the Northern Parts against the Germans Panonians and Sarmatians all which he overcame with great Glory He died as he lived with that Constancy Marcus Aurelius ' s Death and Resolution worthy a Stoick Philosopher as he profess'd himself to be From Christ 180. His Son Commodus succeeded him in the Commodus ' s Son and Successor Empire but not in his Vertues The first five Years of his Reign were only remarkable for excessive Debaucheries From Christ 185. However the Church enjoying Peace Eleutherius Successor to Soter Bishop of Bishops of Rome Rome died of a Natural Death He was the first Bishop of that City who died so Many Hereticks disturbed this outward Hereticks Peace by their extravagant Opinions such as were those of the Adamites Abelites Sethites Ophytes and Cainites with others more dangerous as those of Theodâ—sien of Praxeus Hermogenes and of Artemâ—n Enemies to the Divinity of Jesus Christ. Tertullian a Priest of Lyons and Irenaeus Tertullian Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons disputed on the contrary for the true Doctrine by their Learned Works but the first had the Misfortune to yield to the Errors of Montanus and the Encratites The Learned Men who flourish'd since Trajan to this time were Appian Aelian Learned Men. Pausanias Justin the Abreviator of Trogus Pompeius Historians Ptolomy the Geographer Diogenes Laertius Athneus Apuleus Julius Pollux Maximus of Tyre Rhetoricians and Philosophers Marullus the Poet. Among the Christians Egesipus the Historian In the last Seven Years of Commodus the Empire was rendred desolate by the Plague and Famine and Rome particularly by a horrible Fire and by a terrible Earthquake This Monster of a Prince being not in the least reclaimed by all these Calamities still persevered in his most dissolute Debauches till the World being no longer able to suffer them he was poyson'd and Commodus ' s Death then strangled by a Faction of his own Domesticks From Christ 192. Helvius Pertinax chosen by the Conspirators Pertinax his Successor to succeed him was received with Joy by the Senate and People by reason of his good Qualities which recompenc'd the Meanness of his Birth But the Praetorian Bands suffering with Regret the want of those licentious Liberties to which they had been accustomed during the former Reign killed him within less than He is kill'd three Months After that the Murtherers retired and fortified themselves in their Camp crying out That the Empire was to be sold For in effect they bestowed it on Didius Julianus Didius Julianus his Successor who gave them more Money than was offered them by his Competitor Sulpitius Son-in-Law to Pertinax So the Senate and People chose an Emperor after this manner who in himself was very debauch'd From Christ 193. In the mean time three Generals of the Armies were proclaimed Emperors in three Three other Emperors several Provinces Pescenius Niger in Syria Albinus in Great Brittain Septimus Severus in Illyria and Panonia Severus being more politick than the others came into Italy with design as he said to incite the People to Revenge the Death of Pertinax The Senate encouraged by his Conduct Arraigned and Condemned Didius Julianus who was executed The Death of Didius Julianus Severus Emperor so that Severus coming to Rome was there received and acknowledged Emperour by the Senate and People The Year following he went into the East against Niger who was kill'd after The Death of Niger he had been overcome in a Battle in Cilicia From Christ 194. At that time there arose a Dispute touching The Dispute about Easter-Day the Day of the Celebration of Easter between Victor Bishop of Rome and the Bishops of Asia The Bishop of Rome would have it celebrated the Sunday after the 14th of the New Moon of March The others to be celebrated on the 14th of that Moon precisely on that Day of the Week it should happen From thence they were called the Quarto Decimans Quarto Decimans Tho' the Business was of no great Importance yet the learned Church-men were so inflamed by the Dispute that reciprocal Excommunations past between Victor Bishop of Rome and the Asian Bishops From Christ 197. Tho' Severus was overcome by Niger yet he had the good Fortune to defeat Albinus who afterwards killed himself near Thâ— Death of Albinus Lyons the Battle between them was so bloody that the River Arar thereby changed its Colour and was since called Sangone and by abbreviation Saone From Christ 198. The City of Lyons was of Albinus's side even all the Inhabitants were Christians Severus took that occasion to persecute Severus persecutes the Christians St. Ireneus Martyr the Faithful He put
long time like a Monk he had brought over with him Paula and his Daughter Eustochia the best qualified Ladies in Rome After he had made a great Friendship with Ruffinus a Priest of Aquilia he broke it off Ruffinus with him when he found him to be an Origenist He writ most severely against Vigilantius Vigilantius a Spanish Priest who was an Enemy to the unmarried Clergy he also vigorously oppos'd the Errors of Helvidius who Helvidius denied the Honour due to the Holy Virgin Mother of our Saviour At this time flourrish'd Paulus Orosius Paulus Orosius Author of the Seven Books of the Universal History from the Creation of the World to his time The Emperor Honorius The Death of Honorius died of a Dropsie Aged Thirty Nine Years having Reign'd Twenty Eight Some time before his death he conferred the Title of Emperor Augustus on Constance his Brother-in-law who marry'd Placidia Widow to Astolfus King of the Goths Constance died not long after he was Marry'd leaving Valentinian his Son under the Tuition of his Mother Placidia she and her Son lived at Constantinople when Honorius died so Italy being destitute of the Royal Presence of the Princes John the Tyrant John a Prefect of the Praetorian Bands took upon him the Title of Emperor Placidia having heard of it marches with her Son to Fight the Tyrant who was taken by surprize at Ravenna by the means of some Officers faithful to the Princes He was brought Prisoner to them at Aquilia when they there were and where the Rebel had his Head cut off His Death so the Empire was divided between the Theodosius the 2d and Valentinian the 3d. Emperors Bishops of Rome two Cousins Theodosius the Second and Valentinian the Third The first keeping his Court at Constantinople and the other at Rome From Christ 423. Boniface Bishop of Rome and Successor to Innocent died in the same Year as Honorius the Emperor Count Boniface Governour of Africk incensed on a false Accusation that Placidia Regent of the Western Empire design'd to put him out of his Government called Tâ—â— Vandalls in Africk Genseric their King The Death of St. Augustin the Vandals out of Spain into Africk of which they easily took Possession under the Conduct of Genseric their King St. Augustin Bishop of Hippo in the same Province of Africk died a little before the taking of that City by the Vandalls This Great Father of the Church opposed the Errors of the Manichees though he had been infected with them in his Youth he boldly Combated against the Errors of Pelagius thâ— Heritick The Council of Carthage and of Mileva Pelagius who at that time declared himself an Enemy to our Saviour Christ They were Condemned in two Councils held at Carthage and at Mileva at the same time Pelagius had two Disciples Celestius and Julien Celestius was wholly of the Opinion of his Master Julien was not altogether of that Opinion but acknowledged a necessity of the Grace of Jesus Christ for the Conversion and intire accomplishment of Salvation he affirmed that the Beginnings and Inclinations depended on the will of Man John Cassian a Monk who had been a John Cassian Disciple of St. John Chrisostome being retired to Marseilles infected the Priests and Monks of that City and all thereabouts with this Error of Semipelagianism Prosperus of Aquitaine opposed it most Prosperus of Aquitaine Vigorously in Gaule as his Master St. Augustin had done in Africk At this time flourish'd in Gaule Severus Sulpitius Author of the two Books of the Learned Men. Sacred History And in the East Theodoret Bishop of Cir who Writ the Ecclesiastical History from Constantine to Theodosius the Younger Genseric King of the Vandals took Carthage Carthage taken and made it the Metropolis of the Kingdom he Establish'd in Africk In the same Year Theodosius assembled a The Council of Ephesus against Nestorius Council at Ephesus to enquire into the Opinion of Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople who asserted two Persons in Jesus Christ This Error was condemned there Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria by the Council in which presided Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria John Bishop of Alexandria in Thrace pretending that that precedency belonged to him because that Ephesus depended on his Metropolis and had drawn away several Bishops to its Faction among others Theodoret Bishop of Cir with whom he had Assembled another Council in the same City of Ephesus not to countenance the Errors of Nestorius but to demonstrate that they had mistaken the Forms of Proceeding In the mean time Affairs were embroiled to that Degree that the Emperor not being able at first to discover the Truth imprisoned Cyrillus and Nestorius but at last being better informed of the justice of the Cause he set Cyrillus at Liberty and sent Nestorius The Death of Nestorius to utter Banishment where he died Miserably From Christ 432. Caelestin Bishop of Rome died the Year Bishops of Rome after that Council was held He had there his Legats who Subscribed to the Condemnation of Nestorius who had been already Condemned at Rome in a Council which had been there Assembled by the same Caelestin Sixtus the Third his Successor held the See Eight Years during which time all was very quiet in the Church From Christ 440. But the Church was again disturbed in Eutychus the Heritick the East by Eutychus a Priest and Abbot of the Monks of Constantinople who by an Error contrary to that of Nestorius asserted but one Nature in Jesus Christ he found so many Adherents among the A false Câ—uncil at Ephesus Eastern Bishops that a great number of them being Assembled at Ephesus his Error was approved of in that false Council where things were carried with that Violence that Flavian who had been made Flavian Bishop of Constantinople Bishop of Constantinople in the place of Nestorius for having oppos'd the Judgment of the Council that favoured Eutychus suffer'd Martyrdom not by the hands of the Pagans but by those of Barsumas an Abbot and of Dioscorus Bishop of Alandria and President of the Assembly From Christ 449. These great Troubles were redrest at Pulcheria Sister to Theodosius the return of Pulcheria to the Court of her Brother Theodosius There had been formerly some Disgust between her and her Sister-in-law Eudosia Eudosia his Wife which had obliged that Empress to retire to Jerusalem where she had wholly Devoted her self to Piety and Charity towards the Poor From that time the Eunuch Chrisapius Chrisapius was become so great a Favorite to Theodosius that Pulcheria making that Minister jealous of her was removed but the pressing necessity of Affairs obliged Theodosius to recall her she made her Brother highly sensible of the ill Conduct his Favorite used in Governing the Empire and of his most inveterate Malice to foment the Troubles of the Church so the Eunuch having been punish'd
was King Gilimer and so put an end to the Kingdom of the Vandals in Africk which had lasted Ninety five Years under four Kings since Genseric From Christ 534. John the Second Bishop of Rome had Bishops of Rome succeeded Boniface and Agapetus was Successor to John Agapetus died in a Voyage to Constantinople where Theodatus King of the Ostrogoths in Italy had sent him to excuse the Murder that this Theodatus the Usurper had committed upon Amalazunta and her Son Athalaric who were allied to Justinian Vitige having succeeded Theodatus Justinian sent Bellisarius against him This great Captain met with the like good Fortune in Italy as he had in Africk He made himself Master of Rome and took Vitige whom he brought to Constantinople to Justinian From Christ 540. During this War there hapned a very great Scandal in the Church of Rome Silverius A Schism of Silverius and Vigilius had succeeded Agapetus the Deacon Vigilius bad promis'd Theodora the Wife of Justinian who was an Eutychian to favour those of that Party if she would put him in the place of Silverius which was effected by the means of Bellisarius who executing the Commands of the Empress turned out Silverius who died in Banishment at the end of two Years and put Vigilius in his place From Christ 542. This same Year was remarkable by abolishing the Consulates of the Roman Empire The abolishing the Consulates It was believed that Justinian did it by the Advice of Trebonianus who was enraged for having been disappointed of that Dignity to which he had aspired Hildebauld had been set up by the Ostrogoths Kings of the Ostrogoths of Italy in the place of Vitiges Then Hildebauld being killed by the Great Persons of that Nation they chose Totyla for their King who was very worthy of their Choice as well by his Birth as by his personal Qualities Bellisarius had been recalled from Italy by Justinian to go and make War against the Persians but was again sent back into Italy to oppose Tâ—tyla wher 's Bellisarius Totyla finding he had not sufficient Forces to maintain a War with Honour against that King prevailed with Justinian to recal him a second time in order to send him against the Persians who had broke the Peace that Bellisarius had made with them in the Name of Justinian So Totyla regained almost all that Bellisarius His Exploits had conquered of the Ostrogoths in Italy and particularly Rome all which was done in the space of eight Years From Christ 550. In this term of time hapned the Death of St. Benedict the famous Institutor of the St. Benedict Monks in the West And at that time Silverius Bishop of Rome died of the Miseries he suffered in his Exile In that space also Vigilius who usurp'd Vigilius sent to Constantinople the Sea of Rome during the Life of Silverius was sent for to Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian to answer an Accusation of many heinous Crimes alledged against him The Historians differ about the manner how the Emperor received him yet they all agree in observing the inconstant variation of the Conduct of Vigilius towards the Emperor who was then Orthodox and towards the Empress Theodora Wife to Justivian who was an Eutychian The Eastern Church being in great Trouble occasioned by this Heresie Justinian ordered a Council to be assembled A Council at Constantinople at Constantinople of more than One hundred and sixty Bishops Vigilius who was in that City opposed the holding of the Council but at last he was compelled to consent to it by the Emperour's Authority From Christ 553. The principal Design of assembling that Council was to condemn Eutychianism and its Consequences But it served only to condemn what was called The Three The three Chapters condemned Chapters against which the Emperor did passionately protest Which were Propositions pretended to favour Nestorianism and were attributed to three famous Bishops of the last Age viz. Theodorus of Mopsuesta Theodâ—â—t of Cyr and Ibas of Edessa tho' in the Council of Macedonia they had been acquitted of all Suspicion of Heresie after a strict Examination of those Propositions As for Vâ—gilius who was at Constantinople he refused to represent the Council because Eutychius Bishop of Constantinople had declared that he would not give place to him or else that there should be an equality between them Vigilius being come to Constantinople out The Inconstancy of Vigilius of Complaisance to the Emperor had condemned the Three Propositions but being very angry with the Council he retracted his Condemnation sending a Declaration of it to the Council The Emperor offended at this ill Conduct of his sent him to Banishment where he remained but a short time being soon after recalled upon his Submission to the Emperor's Will in approving the Council and by condemning the Three Chapters He approved the three Chapters From Christ 554. By this means he had leave to return to Rome but before he could arrive there he died in Sicily His Death Before that time the Emperor had named for that See Pelagius a Deacon yet gave Liberty to the Romans to receive for their Bishop him of the two they should like best By Virtue of this Nomination and without any other Formality Pelagius stood for His Successor Bishop Which displeased the Romans so much that upon his coming to Rome he found not one Bishop to Consecrate him so that this Ceremony was performed by one Andrew a Priest of Ostia From Christ 555. Two Years were expir'd when Narses Narses in Italy the Eunuch who had a very Couragious Spirit and highly experienc'd in the Art of War went into Italy against Attyla whom he overcame and killed in Battle He became Master of Rome and of many other Citys in the four following The end of the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths Years he compleated the intire ruine of the Ostrogoths in Italy having defeated and killed in Battle Teia Successor to Totyla From Christ 559. In the mean time Bellisarius made War Bellisarius sent against the Persians very successfully against the Persians which he ended at last by a Peace he made with them to the Glory and Advantage of the Romans About the end of this Year died Pelagius Bishop of Rome He was very much Bishops of Rome disgusted by the Romans both for the manner of his entring upon the Episcopate for his approving the Council of Constantinople and for Condemning the three Chapters which made the Bishops of Millan and Ravenna to separate from his Communion and Assembled themselves in A Council at Aquileia a Council at Aquileia with the Bishops of their Provinces where they declared against the last Council of Constantinople The four Sons of Clouis as has been mentioned shared their Fathers Kingdom Clodomir one of them was slain in a Battle against the Burgundians and his Children were kill'd by their Uncles Clotaire and
who was chose in his place abusing the Peoples Favours declared himself King of Italy He enjoyed that Royalty but a very short time for he was soon after killed by those who had chosen him Deodatus Bishop of Rome and Successor Bishop of Rome to Boniface the Fourth died and had for his Successor Boniface the Fifth The eight following Years were spent A War against the Persians by Heraclius in making War against Cosroes King of Persia who had seized on a part of Asia the Lesser and of all Syria Heraclius drove him from thence and pursued him even beyond Euphrates having gained many Advantages over him in all Rencounters From Christ 625. Boniface the Fifth Bishop of Rome being Bishop â—f Rome dead Honarius succeeded him From Christ 626. Cosroes having chose his younger Son Kings of Persia for his Successor was for that Reason killed by his eldest Son Siroâ—s who by that means ascended the Throne and presently concluded a Peace with Heraclius restoring to him among other Condititions a piece of the Wood of the Cross A piece of the Cross on which it was said our Saviour was crucified Heraclius believing it carried it back to Jerusalem from whence Cosroes had brought it From Christ 628. Anastatius Bishop of Antioch framed the Heresie of the Monothelites which was Monothelites a Sequel of Eutychianism Mahomet died He had begun to publish Mahomet his Errors in the twelfth Year of this Age in Ziden a City of Arabia Faelix his Native Country where his Doctrine being not at all relish'd he was constrained to fly to Meccha where he was well receiv'd From the Time of his Flight which hapned in the Two and twentieth Year of this Century they took their Aera or Epoche which they call Elgeir that is The Egira of the Mahumâ—tans to say the Flight which is termed Egira by Corruption From Christ 631. In the space of nine Years after his Retreat he seduc'd all Arabia and a part of Persia After his Death his Father-in-Law Abubeker Abubeker Câ—â—im conquered the rest of the Country with Isdigerdes Son of Siroes who murthered his Father With the Death of Isdigerdes ended the Dinasty of the Kings of Persia originally of that Country The remainder of Persia having been conquered by Abubeker who was then made Caliph of the Mahometans which Dignity empower'd him with an absolute Authority over them as well Spiritual as Temporal From Christ 632. Omar Successor to Abubeker and Son-in-Law Omar Successor to Abubeker His Conquests to Mahomet conquered in six Years from Heraclius Mesopotamia Syria with Palestine Aegypt and all the Coasts of Africk which at present is called Barbary From Christ 638. Pope Honorius died It appeared by his Honorius a Monothelite Writings that he approved the Errors of the Monothelites From Christ 639. The See of Rome had in a short time Popes of Rome these three Popes Severinus John the 4th and Theodorus From Christ 641. Heraclius died He was infected with The Death of Heraclius Monothelitism by the three Patriarchs of the three great Sees in the East Sergius of Constantinople Cyrus of Alexandria and Anastatius of Antioch Constantine the Third succeeded his Father Constantine the III. Emperor Heraclius This new Prince was poyson'd at the end of four Months by his Step-Mother Martina the Widow of Heraclius who by that means plac'd on the Throne her Son Heracleon whom she had by Heraclius But the Senate and People soon after expelled this Woman and having cut off the Nose and Ears of her Son Heracleon set on the Imperial Throne Constant the Second Son to Constantine the Constantine the II. Emperor Third and Grand-son to Heraclius From Christ 642. Dagobert succeeded his Father Clotaire the Second and Aripert to whom his Father Kings of France had given Aquitain being dead without Issue his Brother Dagobert was King of The Abby of St. Denis all France He founded the famous Abbey of St. Denis near Paris From Christ 644. In his Life-time he gave Austrasia to his eldest Son Sigibert when he died he left the rest of his Kingdom to Clâ—uis the Second his younger Son Both of the Kings being very young their Persons and their Kingdoms were governed by the Majors of their Courts and from Majors of their Palaces thence those who possess'd this high Charge and Command began to assume a Sovereign Authority in France which was continued by their Successors From Christ 649. Pope Theodorus died He had condemned a Type or Form of Confession of the Popes Faith of the Monothelites framed by Pyrrhus Patriarch of Constantinople and other Patriarchs of Constantinople had maintain'd it under the Emperor Constant Theodorus had condemned this Type in a Council at Rome where the Condemnation had been signed with Ink mix'd with Wine of the Eucharist Martinus Successor to Theodorus did also condemn this Type and for that very The Type of the Monothelites Cause the Exarch Calliopas sent him Prisoner to Constantinople to Constant who banish'd him into the Taurick Chersonese where at five Years end he died of extream Want From Christ 654. In the mean time the Mahometan Arabs who began to be called Saracens made The Saracens Their Conquests The Coloss of Rhodes broke in pieces themselves Masters of Syria of the Isle of Rhodes and of part of Sicily At Rhodes they broke in pieces the famous Colossus fallen down about a thousand Years before They sold it in several Pieces to a Jew who was forc'd to employ Nine hundred Camels to carry them away After the taking of Rhodes the Saracens Constantinople besieged by the Saracens besieged Constantinople but were repuls'd tho' they gained a Naval Victory where there was so much Blood spilt that the Sea was coloured with it The Exarch Calliopas ordered Eugenius Popes to be sent to Rome in the place of the banish'd Martinus after whose Death Eugenius possess'd the Chair again six Months Vitallianus was his Successor From Christ 655. Haly one of the Sons-in-Law of Mahomet Haly Caliph after he had for some time disputed the Dignity of Caliph of the Saracens with one Mahuvias at last he willingly gave place to him From Christ 660. Constant forc'd his Brother Theodosius to be a Deacon in the Church and after that he cruelly put him to Death The great Remorse he had after it made him to leave Constantinople He past into Sicily and from thence to Rome where the Pope Constant comes to Rome with all his Clergy went out to meet him The Romans express'd exceeding great Joy to see an Emperor there when they had been deprived a long time of that Honour But their Joy was soon turn'd to Sorrow for Constant plundered them with as much Barbarity as ever the Goths and Vandals had done Clouis the Second had left for his Successor Kings of France Clotaire the Third King of Neustria or
expelled him shamefully He fled into Gaule to Constantine Constantius Chlorus the Father of Constantine being dead in great Britain his Son had there been Constantin Emperor saluted Emperor by the Army then having past into Gaule he was there acknowledged with the same Title his Wife Minervina was then dead by whom he had a Son named Crispus he not only received Maximinian into his favour but made him his Father-in-law by marrying his Daughter Fausta But Maximinian having taken measures to seduce the Army of Constantine his own Daughter to whom he had imparted his designs discovered it to her Husband so the Traytor was obliged to fly but being followed very close he was at last taken in the City of Marseilles where he was strangled either by Maximinian strangled the command of Constantine or that he strangled himself out of Despair From Christ 309. In the mean time Maxentius was Master of Rome and all Italy where he exercised very great Tyrannies especially against the Bishop of Rome Christians he put to death Marcellus Successor to Marcellinus but Eusebius who succeeded Marcellus died of a fit of Sickness at the end of two Years having held the See but two Years From Christ 311. The 〈◊〉 agaiâ—sâ— Constantin and Maxentius The Vision of the Cross The Romans wearied with the Tiranny of Maxentius sent for Constantine to help them It is said that being on his way he beheld the Vision of a Cross shining with a most glorious Light that appeared to him in the Air at Noon-day with an Inscription that promist him Victory which made him send for Rheticius Bishop of Autune he having seen the same Vision near that City so that by the care of that Holy Bishop Constantin being fully instructed in the truth of Christianity made publick profession of it all the Cities of Italy which he found in his way surrendered voluntarily At his approach to Rome there was a Bloody Battle between him and Maxentius in which after a vigorous Resistance Maxentius was overcome Maxentius ' s Death Constantin Emperor and slain so that Constantine was received with Triumph at Rome and with a general Joy was acknowledged Emperor throughout the Western parts It was in this remarkable year that the Roman Indiction began which was the The Roman Indiction Revolution of Fifteen Years beginning at the year of Rome 1065 the number that makes Seventy one Fifteens After the Death of Severus Maximinian Galerus had created Caesar Licinius his old Caesar Licinius Companion in Arms a little while after Galerus died of the lousie Disease so the Empire was divided between Constantine who had all the Western parts except Illyria and Panonia Licinius was master of Greece and Thrace and Maximin possest the Provinces of Asia Licinius having espoused Constantia the Sister of Constantine these two Emperors made an Edict in favour of the Christians The Death of Maximin Maximin continuing to persecute them till at length he died at Tharsus of a languishing Disease The Provinces under his Government fell to Licinius then Constantine and Licinius condemned by an Edict the memory of Maximin as a Tyrant From Christ 314. Dioclesian died the Year before of a natural Dioclesians ' s Death Distemper as some Write or as others will have it that he poisoned himself out of despair to find the Christians were so much favoured by the two Emperors Melchiades Bishop of Rome died the same Bishops of Rome Year he had been appointed with some other Bishops of Italy by Constantine to examine The Donatists the Schism of the Donatists in Africk who refus'd to acknowledge Cecilian Bishop of Carthage because he had been put in the place of Mensurius accused to have delivered the Books of Holy Writ to the Idolaters during the Persecution Constantine employed the following ten The Exploits of Constantine Years in several Expeditions against the Barbarians who attack'd the Frontier Provinces of the Empire in all which he succeeded with great Glory For he defeated them in all Rencounters so that they were disabled to make any further Attempts against him Licinius who had only favoured the Christians in Complaisance to Constantine discovered at length his Aversion to them Whereupon Constantine took that occasion The Quarrel between Constantine and Licinius to fall out with him This Rupture brought them to a Battle in which Licinius was overcome Constantine pardoned him because he was his Brother-in-Law But Licinius finding himself freed from this first Misfortune raised another Army and was again defeated near Chalcedon At that time Constantine compell'd him to resign his part of the Empire The Vanquish'd taking it for a Favour that the Conqueror had given him his Life suffering him to live at Thessalonica But as he could not be satisfied to live in Peace and as he still endeavoured by his secret Practices to set up his Party again Constantine ordered him to be strangled The Death of Licinius From Christ 324. Thus Constantine Reigned sole Emperor Constantine sole Emperor acknowledg'd as well in the East as in the West The Empire being then at Peace Constantine applied himself to make Justice and Piety flourish and endeavoured to give that Peace and Quiet to the Church she had not 'till then enjoyed having been not only turmoil'd abroad by the Persecutions of Idolaters but harrass'd at home by the Opinions of Hereticks particularly of those who were called Arrians from Arrius the Heretick the Name of Arrius a Priest of Alexandria an Enemy to the Divinity of Jesus Christ To redress this intestine Disorder of the The Council of Nice Church Constantine commanded a Council to be assembled of a great Number of Bishops in the City of Nice in Bythinia From Christ 325. There they condemned the Errors of Arrius condemned Arrius and consequently made Canons of Discipline and Ecclesiastical Polity Particularly they ordained the Paschal Cycle The Paschal Cycle or the Golden Number called the Golden Number containing the Lunary Revolutions compleated in Nineteen Years to the end that by that all the Churches might regulate their Celebration of Easter This Year was fatal to the Family of Constantine by the Death of Crispus whom The Death of Crispus the Son of Constantine Constantine had by Minervina his first Wife Fausta his second Wife having in vain sollicited this young Prince to gratifie the Passion she had for him His refusal made her to accuse him of solliciting her Chastity Constantine unadvisedly believing her put his Son to Death and after that did the like to Fausta having discovered her The Death of Fausta his Wife Treachery by putting her into a Bath which he caused to be heated boyling hot And this to comfort his own Mother Helena afflicted to extremity for the Death of her Grand-child In the mean time Christianity flourisht Christianity receiv'd under the Protection of this mighty Prince insomuch that powerful Nations
abroad embrac'd the Truth of the Gospel The Abyssinians by the means of Edesius In the Indies and Frumentius Brothers whose Father Meropius a rich Merchant of Tyre had brought them young into Abyssinia when they were grown up Men they preach'd the Gospel with that success that they built there many stately Churches which were approved of by Athenasius Bishop of Alexandria who ordained one of the Brothers Bishop of those parts who came from thence to give him an Account of what they had done there relating to the Church A Woman taken in the Wars by the In Iberia Iberians gave them their first Knowledge of the Gospel So that when they had embrac'd it they address'd themselves to Constantine who sent them Preachers to perfect their Instruction He also sent others into Armenia to Tyridates In Armenia King of that Country who had been called to the Faith of Christ by a Vision From Christ 328. The two following Years were also very remarkable from the Foundation of New Rome which from the Name of its Constantinople New Rome Founder was called Constantinople upon the Bosphorus of Thrace in the place wherâ— was the ancient Byzantium There he erected Buildings as well publick as private which were so numerous and magnificent as rendred it not inferiour to ancient Rome He establish'd the same Constitution of Government with the very same kind of Magistrates as at Rome designing that it should be the Seat of the Empire From Christ 330. Constantia Sister to Constantine and Widow to Licinius had among her Domesticks a Priest in outward appearance a Man of Vertue but proved to be an Arrian Constantia dying recommended him to her Brother the Emperor This Priest having insinuated himself into the Emperor's The Affairs of the Arrians Favour perswaded him That Arrius had been unjustly condemned and that he ought to be heard a second time Constantine complied and being deceived by this Arch-Heretick he sent Arrius back to his Church in Alexandria But Athenasius who was then Bishop Athenasius Bishop of Alexandria refusing to receive him the Enemies of Athanasius assembled a Council at Tyre where he was condemned by the Arrians who were there very numerous and afterwards was banish'd to Treves where he was kindly received by Constantine eldest Son to the Emperor and by Maximus Bishop of that City From Christ 336. Silvester Bishop of Rome and Successor Bishops of Rome to Miltiades died Arrius triumphing in his Re-establishment came to Constantinople where disposing himself to enter by Force into the Church he died in a most shameful manner As is related by the Ecclesiastical The Death of Arrius Writers Constantine finding himself very much The Death of Constantine weakned by a Disease that made him to languish for a long time he was baptized in the Suburbs of Nicomedia and died a few Days after As Eusebius of Caesarea reports in his Book of the Life of this Emperor who assisted at his Baptism Which shews the falseness of what others have writ a long time since That Constantine had received this Sacrament at Rome from the Hands of Silvister with all the Circumstances they remark'd as true as the pretended Donation of Rome which they alledge Constantine made to this Pope and to his Successors Constantine left behind him three Sons who according to their Father's Testament shared between them the Empire Constantine the eldest had the Gauls His three Sons Emperors Spain Germany and the Brittannick Isles Constance the second had Thrace with all the East comprizing Aegypt Constant the third Italy Illyria Greece and Africk They Reigned in Peace for three Years at the end of which Constantine shewing that he was not content with his own share set upon Constant in his own Country their two Armies met near Aquilia where Constantine being killed before he was The Death of Constantine the Second acknowledged the Provinces under his Rule submitted themselves to Constant Constantine the second with his Brother Constant making a constant Profession of the Faith of the Council of Nice had prevailed with Constance to re-establish Athanasius in his Bishoprick but he was again put out by a Council held at Antioch the Number of the Arrians prevailing against the Orthodox Party But he being return'd to Rome Bishop Julius Successor to Marcus did there Bishops of Rome assemble a Council who asserted the Innocency of Athanasius The Eastern Bishops who had not been at that Council did not acquiesce to it and therefore call'd another Council composed of Bishops of both parts of the Empire The Council of Sardis to assemble at Sardis in the upper part of Illyrâ—a Osius Bishop of Cordova was there chose to preside over 170 Bishops who were there met as well Eastern as Western As the Number of the last was somewhat greater than the first it was so decreed that Athanasius should be re-invested in his Bishoprick But the Eastern Bishops reassembled at Philippolis in Thrace and there Assembled at Philippolis made Decrees contrary to those of Sardis However Athanasius did not fail to return to his Church For Constance could not refuse to re-establish him by reason of the pressing Instances that Constant urg'd in his behalf Constant was truly Orthodox as to his Faith but given up to his Pleasures neglecting much the Care of his Affairs it was easie for Magnentius one of the chief Officers of his Army to take away his Life and to cause himself to Constant killed by Magnentius the Tyraâ—â— be received Emperor by the Army in Rome it self Constance having heard the News while he was making War against the Persians made a Peace with them and created Caesar his Cousin Gallus to Govern in his Gallus Caesar Absence in the East and so marched Westward against Magnentius From Christ 350. This War lasted two Years before the two Armies came to a decisive Battle at last it was fought near to Murza in Pannonia Magnentius was there worsted but Magnentius 〈◊〉 come not so much as to hinder him from retreating in good Order towards Gaul Constance followed him and wholly routed his Army near Lyons The Vanquish'd Killed himself kill'd himself out of Despair after he had with his own Hands killed his Mother and some of his nearest Relations From Christ 353. Constance thereupon being acknowledg'd sole Emperor exercis'd his Power most cruelly towards his Cousin Gallus Caesar The Death of Gallus Caesar whom he put to Death upon light grounded Suspicions and even against the Orthodox Bishops who agreed to the Decisions of the Council of Nice to which Constance was averse being an Arrian So Constance an Arrian that he expelled Athanasius from his See and persecuted him even to the Hazard of his Life From Christ 355. They put in his place a most wicked Man called Georgius who committed a thousand Mischiefs in that Church Liberius was likewise expelled at the See of Rome because
as he deserv'd the Government was Re-establish'd in its right Method The Emperor perswaded by his Wife and pious Sister resolved to Assemble a Council to Redress the Divisions of the Church but he could not execute his Resolution being prevented by Death which seized on him that Year in The Death of Theodosius the Fiftieth of his Age and the Forty Third of his Reign A Prince without Vice Pious and of an extraordinary Good Temper but Weak and very easie to be Governed by those who were near him From Christ 450. He dying without Issue the Senate People and Soldiers chose with a common suffrage Martian for their Emperor Martian Emperor who from a common Soldier rose by his Valour and great Conduct to the highest Commands in the Army Pulcheria having Pulcheria Marrys him procur'd by her Interest to raise him to this high Dignity marry'd him on this Condition as the Historians of that time have Written That they should live Chastly together as Brother and Sister From Christ 451. A little while after by the Authority of the two Emperors Valentinian and Martian a Council was Assembled of Six Hundred The Council of Chalcedon and Thirty Bishops in the City of Chalcedon The Errors of Eutychus were there Condemned and their Author Banish'd as also some Bishops his Adherents among others Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria The Council confirmed what had been already Decreed by that of Constantinople under Theodosius the Great touching the Equality of Precedence between the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople notwithstanding the Displeasure resented by the Legats of Leo Bishop of Rome Attyla King of the Huns was come with Attyla King of the Huns. a formidable Army which reach'd from the Banks of Tanais even unto the heart of Gaule Ravaging and Destroying all that dared to oppose him The City of Orleans refused to Surrender and while he besieged it Aetius Prefect of the Gaules made a League with Meroveus King of the French Theodorick King of the Goths and Gondicar King of the Buâ—gundians against this common Enemy The Confederates came to meet him before Orleans with their united Forces so soon as they approach'd Attyla raised the Siege and retreated they follow'd and overtook him in the Cataulaunike Plains where they overcome him with a mighty Slaughter of Overcome near Chalons Men. After this great Overthrow he retired into Illyria where he gathered together another Army greater then his first he came back into Italy took and destroyed Enters into Italy Aquilia and after that all the other Towns he past through so that he might have gone even to Rome if he had not been diswaded from going there by Bishop Leo who came to meet him and prevailed with him to March another way He past a second time into Gaule where Is again defeated in Gaule he was once more Defeated by Torismond King of the Goths and Sangiban King of the Allanes so being forc'd to retire he stopt in Panonia with his Huns from whom Panonia called Hungary that Province was called Hungary There as he was Celebrating his Nuptial with a Young Lady a Daughter of the King of the Bactrians who voluntarily had followed him he Gorged himself so Excessively The Death of Attyla with Eating and Drinking that it choak'd him From Christ 352. The People round about Aquilia and other neighbouring Counties of the Continent to preserve themselves from the Fury of Attyla retired to the Islands at the end of the Adriatick Sea which gave there the first Beginning to that wonderful City which from the Name of Heneti or Veneti was called Venice which by process of Venice time is become chief of a powerful Republick The British Islanders being infested by the frequent Incursions of the Scots or Picts applied themselves to Aetius Prefect of the Gauls to help them against their cruel Enemies He could not well supply them with Succors having to deal with Attyla and other Barbarians who ravaged Gaul Whereupon the Britains implored the Aid of the Saxons Who came over under the Command of Hengist with so vast an Army that in a little time they became Masters of that Country which took the Name of England Whether it was from the Angles the The Saxons in Britain chief People of the Saxons or else from Hengist by Contraction with the Word Land which signifies the Earth from The Name of England whence was derived the Name of England Valentinian was an imprudent Prince and was also wicked and debauch'd He The Death of Aetius put to Death Aetius Prefect of the Gauls upon false grounded Suspitions of his Fidelity And to fill up the Measure of his great Injustice he made use of a cunning Stratagem to violate the Wife of the Senator Maximus Grand-son to that Maximus who had taken the Title of Emperor and had been overcome and killed by Theodosius the Great This last vâ—â—lent Act of Valentinian cost him his Life For the Wife of that Senator died with extream Grief for the irreparable Injury she sustained Her Husband to Revenge himself seduc'd the Soldiers The Death of Valentinian III. who without making it known who did set them on killed Valentinian So Maximus having made an Interest Maximus Emperor with the Paetorian Bands they proclaimed him Emperor and the Senate acquiess'd to it more willingly because he married Eudoxia Daughter to Theodosius the Younger and Widow to Valentinian From Ch. 455. Maximus reap'd small Advantage by his Treason he was so indiscreet to discover the Secret to his new Wife thinking by that means to give her a full Assurance of his Loyal Love But the only Effect it wrought upon her was to make her resolve to Revenge the Death of her first Husband by that of the Second To which end she privately sollicited Genseric King of the Vandals to come into Italy Where he arrived with that Expedition that Maximus being not in a Condition to resist him fled from Rome to save himself in the Mountains but he was stoned to Maximus killed Death by the People enraged against him for his base Flight From Christ 456. Three Days after Genseric had entred Genseric takes Rome Rome and wasted it more cruelly than the Goths had done he had not time to ruine it utterly For the Winter approaching obliged him to set Sail for Africk to secure the vast Riches he had plundered and the great Number of Illustrious Prisoners he had taken among whom were the Empress Eudoxia with her two Daughters Eudoxia and Placidia After Genseric was retreated Avitus was acknowledg'd Emperor of Rome The Avitus Emperor Army of the Gauls having before proclaimed him But the Romans soon grew weary of him finding his Court composed not only of Gauls but also of Officers and Soldiers of his Army being the most part Barbarians Finding himself to be very much hated for that Cause he willingly resign'd up the Empire and retired to
of the Sects of the Theopaschytes Eutychians From Christ 492. Faelix had also condemned Acacius Bishop of Constantinople because he had consented out of Complaisance to the Emperor Zeno that those two Hereticks might possess those two great Sees Theodoric Sur-named Veronensis from his taking that City King of the Ostrogots or Eastern Goths had rendred considerable Services to the Emperor Zeno and as a Recompence he demanded to have his Consent others say Zeno invited him to make War against Odoacre King of Italy to which he willingly complied So Theodoric having past into Italy there The War between Odoacre and Theodoric was a bloody War between him and Odoacre Both of them behaved themselves very bravely so that the Business could not be decided by Arms. At length Theodoric being more politick after he had besieged Odoacre above three Years in Ravenna made use of very indirect Ways He proposed an Agreement and during the Treaty he invited Odoacre to a Banquet where he had him treacherously killed So ended Odoacre killed by Theodoric The Kingdom of the Ostrogots in Italy The French Christians the Kingdom of the Herules in Italy and then began that of the Ostrogots which Theodoric firmly established From Christ 493. The French embrac'd Christianity with their King Clouis by the Ministry of St. Remy Bishop of Reims Some time before Clouis had put out of Gaul all who remained of the Romans so that there was none of them left From Christ 496. Gelasius Bishop of Rome Successor to Bishops of Rome Faelix died Gelasius was to be commended that he made a just Collection of the Canonical Books of Scripture and to have set down as Apocriphal many that past before for Canonical From Christ 498. Anastatius the Second his Successor having held the See but two Years there arose a Schism between Symachus and Laurentius both chose by different Factions of the Clergy and People This Division caused many Disorders and also Murders which continued to the End of this Age. From Christ 500. The Sixth Age. AT the Beginning of the Sixth Age the East afforded nothing remarkable for History From Christ 501. But in the West Theodoric expelled out of Pannonia the Bulgarians who had made an Incursion there From Christ 505. Clouis had married Clotilda Niece to The Exploits of Theodoric Gondibald King of the Burgundians This King had put to Death three of his Brothers one of whom was Father to Clotilda which occasioned a War between Clouis and Gondebald in which the latter conquered the greatest part of Burgundy only Savoy and Provence remained to Gondemar Son to Gondebald From Christ 506. Clouis added to this Conquest all that Clouis ' s Exploits the Wisigots possess'd in Gaul after he had vanquish'd and killed their King Alaric in a Battle fought near Poitiers and after that having overcome Amalaric the Son of Alariâ— near Bourdeaux the Vanquish'd fled for Refuge to Theodoric King of Italy who was his Grand-father by the Mother's side And by his help Amalaric recovered almost all he had lost in Gaul From Christ 509. This unfortunate Success with some others that attended Clouis towards the end of his Life reduc'd him to an extream Melancholly and so very much indisposed him that he died in his middle Age. His Death From Christ 511. According to his last Will his four His Four Sons Sons divided his Dominions among them and each of them had the Titles of King of the French Symachus Bishop of Rome Successor to Bishop of Rome Anastatius the Second died From Christ 514. Anastatius Emperor of the East had applauded and congratulated the Conquests Anastatius Emperor of Clouis by a solemn Embassy and sent him the Consulary Ornaments with a rich Crown which Clouis consecrated to the Church of St. Peter's at Rome While Anastatius reigned he favoured the Eutychians He was afraid of Thunder and built him a round House to secure himself from it but all in vain For in a violent Storm of Thunder and Lightning His Death he was found dead in his Bed-Chamber at the Age of 88 Years From Christ 518. Justin his Successor who from a very Justin his Successor low Birth having been a common Soldier rose to the highest Command in the Army and in the Empire He redress'd those Disorders had been a long time in the Church by a Schism between the Western and the Eastern Churches occasioned by Acatius who notwithstanding the Excommunications of Faelix Bishop of Rome had discoursed with the two Peters Mungus and Foulon Bishops of Alexandria and Antioch who favoured the Theophasticks Hormisdas Bishop of Rome and Successor Bishopâ— of Rome to Symachus died John who succeeded Hormisdas was sent by King Theodoric in an Embassy to the Emperor Justin upon whose Head he set the Imperial Crown The first that ever was Crowned by the Roman Pontiff For which at his Return Theodoric under pretence that he had not faithfully acquitted himself of his Commission put him in Prison where he died of extream Want From Christ 526. Theodoric upon false Suspicions had put Simmachus and Boetius to Death Symachus with his Son-in-Law Boetius who were qualified for Consuls and were Persons of high Merit Theodoric being one Day at Table imagined he saw the Head of Symachus instead of the Head of a great Fish served up before him which put him into so great a Fright that he fell into a violent Fever of which he died leaving his Dominions to Athalaric The Death of Theodoric Son of his Daughter Amalazuntha Widow of Euthairc Aurelius Cassidorus a very Learned and Orthodox Person was Secretary to Theodâ—ric tho' that Prince was an Arrian yet Cassiodorus The Tripartite History Cassidorus after the Death of his Master retired from the World and compiled many excellent Works among others the Tripartite History taken from that of Eusebius Socrates and Zozimenus adding to it what happened since the last even to his Time The good and pious Emperor Justin dying had his Nephew Justinian for his Successor The Death of Justin Justinian his Successor who in the beginning of his Reign caused to be collected and put in order the Roman Laws Among the Civilians who laboured Tribonien the Civil Lawyer three Years about them the famous Trebonianus was particularly taken Notice of This great Work consisted of fifty digested Books or Pandects the four first of Institutes and those which contained the New or Authentick Constitutions From Christ 530. Faelix the fourth Bishop of Rome who Bishops of Rome succeeded John died this Year and had for his Successor Boniface who kept not the See above eleven Months Bellisarius went by Order of Justinian Bellisarius in Africk his Master to make War against the Vandals in Africk having ruined their Forces in the Field he besieged and took Carthage The end of the Kings of the Vandals in Africk in which
Childebert and the Successors to Thierry were extinct in Theobald who died without Issue so that Childebert also leaving no Children all the French Monarchy devolved to Clotaire the only remaining Son of Clouis From Christ 560. He enjoyed this Soveraign power but two Years after his death his four Sons French Kings divided again the Monarchy Childebert was King of Paris Gontran of Orleans Chilperic of Soissons and Sigebert of Mets or Austratia From Christ 562. The Great Captain Bellisarius died in The Death of Bellisarius disgrace with his Prince and by that means fell into so great Poverty that History observes it as a very extraordinary Example of the instability of humane Affairs though there are some Writers who not only doubt of what has been remark'd of him but say on the contrary that he died in the greatest height of Glory and Riches cherish'd by Justinian as he deserved for the great services he had rendered to the Emperor and Empire Others say it was John the Exconsul who carried on the Wars in Africa after Belisarius who was depriv'd of all his Dignities and reduc'd to Beggary by Justinian Justinian died he had done things worthy The Death of Justinian of Eternal Memory but he eclipsed the Glory of them having showed himself too Passionate in Business of very little importance concerning Religion yet by his Obstinacy he disturbed the Peace of the Church and was at last infected with Eutychian Errors From Christ 565. Justin the second of that Name Son Justin the II. his Successor to the Sister of Justinian succeeded him in the Empire A vicious Prince and very cruel to one Justin his near Kinsman whom he put to death out of Envy sugjested against him because of the Reputation he acquired by his excellent Qualities He was ungrateful to Narses whom he treated ignominously after the great Services this brave Eunuch had rendered to The History of Marses The Lombards in Italy the Empire which occasioned considerable Disorders for Narses incenst by his ill usage called the Lombards into Italy Neither Beâ—isarius nor Narses are to be thought to have been Eunuchs according to the common Acceptation of the Word but rather Lord Chamberlains to the Emperor Eunuchs being one who looks afther the Chambers of a Prince These People originally from Scythia had planted themselves in the Northern part of Germany from whence invited by Narses they were brought into Italy by Albovin or Alboinus their King who easily became Masters of Friouli having taken Aquileia and afterwards Pavia and Millan with all that part of Italy which from the Name of this People is still called Lombardy In the mean time Narses being dead the Emperor sent Longinus into Italy with the Title of Exarke he and his Successors The Exarkâ—â—e of Ravenna Bishop of Rome in that Command made their usual residence at Revenna a Neighbouring City to the Lombards with design to oppose them John the Third Bishop of Rome and Successor to Pelagius died From Christ 572. Albouin King of the Lombards having Albouin King of the Lombards at a great Feast made his Wife Rosamunda drink out of a Cup made of the Scull of her Father this cruelty so incensed her that she caused her Husband to be kill'd From Christ 574. The Lombards put in his place Clophis or Clephes who died within a Year the People The Duke of Lombardy being wearied with the Kingly Government chose Thirty Dukes to whom the Administration of the Kingdom was committed From Christ 575. Bishop of Rome Benedict or Bonosus Successor to John the Third died From Christ 577. Justin by his Debaucherys fell into a Justin the second 's Death Tiberius the second Emperor great weakness of Body and Mind and at length died Tiberius who had Governed during the infirmity of Justin succeeded him at his Death with a general applause as his great Qualities deserv'd being reproved by his Wife for being too liberal to the Poor he reply'd God would repay him and soon after found a vast Treasure which had been hid by Narses the Eunuch In the four Years of his Reign the Exarks maintained a War in Italy against the Lombards while Mauritius the Lieutenant of Tiberius made War against the Persians with great Glory and Advantage so that this brave chief not only obtain'd the Honour of a Triumph but also to marry the Daughter of his Master and to be His Death Mauritius his Successor design'd his Successor in the Empire at length Tiberius being dead Mauritius took his place with the applause of the Senate and People From Christ 583. Lenigildus King of the Wisigoths submitted Kings of the Wisigoths in Spain himself with all that the Sweveâ— were possest of viz. Lusitania and some other parts more Northern of that Country where six or Seven Swevish Kingâ— The end of the Swevish Kings in Spain had Reigned successively for the space of a Hundred and Seventy Years The Lombards took away the Government Kings of the Lombards of their States from their Thirty Dukes and re-establish'd their Monarchy by setting Antaris rather Autharus on the Throne the Son of Cleophis or Clephes who had been their King Under this Antaris or Autarus his Subjects who till that time were Idolaters They become Christians embrac'd Christianity But by great misfortune they who Catechized them being Arrians infected them with their Errors On the contrary the Wisigoths in Spain of Arrians became Catholicks with their King Ricaredus the Son and Successor to Lewigildus Hermenigildus the Eldest had before made profession of the Catholick Faith by the perswasion of his Wife a French Princess which caused a great difference between this Prince and his Father who was extreamly bigotted to Arrianism so that at last they came to an open War wherein Hermenigildus being taken Prisoner his Father caused him to be beheaded Pelagius the second Bishop of Rome Bishop of Rome Successor to Benedict died of the Plague which desolated Italy From Christ 598. Antaris or Autharus King of the Lombards Kings of the Lombards being dead they gave to Theodolinda his Queen Dowager the power to name a Successor for her Bed and for the Throne She chose Aigulphus to whom as well as to all the Kingdom she procured the greatest Happiness perswading them to become Catholicks In the six Become Catholicks Years that followed this Conversion Aigulphus or Egilolphus enlarged his Kingdom by the conquest of Perousia Spoletta Beneventum and Cortona Of the four Sons of Clotaire Charibert Kings of the French King of Paris dying without issue Male Sigibert King of Metz and Chilperic King of Soissons quarrelled about the Succession Sigibert having overcome Chilperick in Battle took Paris but he was killed soon after by the Intriegues of Fredegonda whom Chilperic had espouzed in the place of Audery his lawful Wife so Chilpric became Master of Paris yet but for a
formerly King of Italy and Emperor Henry Son and Successor to King Robert gave the Dutchy of Burgundy to his Brother Robert From Christ 1033. Raoul the Third and last King of Burgundy dying without Issue left by his Testament his Dominions to the Emperor The Kingdom of Aries 〈◊〉 to the Empire Conrad his Brother-in-Law who married his younger Sister By which Act he wrong'd his eldest Sister Wife to Eudâ—s Count of Champaign Zoe Wife to Romanus Argirophylus caused him to be killed and married her Gallant Michael of Payhlagonia and by her Interest Michael of Paphlagonia plac'd the Second Husband on the Throne at Constantinople From Christ 1034. At this time Humbert was Count of Maurienna From him are descended the Counts and Dukes of Savoy Others derive their Extraction from the House of Saxe viz. from Lewis the Blind King of that Country Son to Bâ—son and Son-in-Law to Charles the Bald. Bennet the Ninth had succeeded John the P 〈…〉 Twentieth The Romans scandalized at his debauch'd Life expelled him from that See and chose John Bishop of Salina under the Name of Silvester the Third A Person of as wicked a Life as the other who was also for that very reason deposed and Bennet restored who to avoid to be T 〈…〉 Rome too narrowly observed in his Debauches retired into the Country after he had sold his Papacy for the Sum of Fifteen hundred Pounds in Gold to a Priest named Gratian who took the Name of Gregory the Sixth In a short time after these two deposed Popes came back to Rome So that there were three Popes sitting together Bennet the Ninth at St. John de Lateran Gregory the Sixth at St. Peter's and Silvester the Third at St. Maria Major From Christ 1045. Henry the Third Son and Successor to Conrad the Second came to Rome to redress this Scandal where in a Synod he caused the three Popes to be deposed and Sugger Bishop of Bamberg was elected in their place under the Name of Clement the Second From Christ 1046. The Emperor Henry confirmed the Principality of la Pouille to Humphry and Drogon Norman Princes of la Pouille two Brothers and Normans by Birth who had conquered it from the Saracens The Emperor being returned into Germany Bennet who was deposed caused Clement to be poyson'd and re-seated himself in the Chair But the Romans not being Popes able to endure his most leud Life address'd themselves to the Emperor to give them a Pope He sent them Bappo Bishop of Frizingen who was called Damasus the Second He was poyson'd in the same manner as Clement his Predecessor Then Bennet again enjoyed the Papacy for six Months but then was forc'd to give place to Bruno Bishop of Toul Son to the Count of Hapsburg who was sent by the Emperor and took the Name of Leo the Ninth From Christ 1049. Michael the Paphlagonian had confined his Wife Zoe to a Monastry This Emperor being dead his Nephew Michael Colophates Emperor of the East Michael Colophates ruÌ„led the Empire only four Months For the People deposed him and set on the Throne Theodora Sister to Zoe but the latter leaving her Monastry Theodora Zoe Constantine Monomacus re-assumed the Empire and gave it to her Third Husband Constantine the Ninth called Monomacus At that time Guy was Count of Grenoble The Dauphins of Viennois Berengarius Arch-Deacon of Anger 's from whom are descended the Dauphines of Viennois Berengarius Arch-Deacon of the Church of Anger 's profess'd the Doctrine touching the Eucharist affirming That the Body and Blood of Christ was in the Bread and Wine not naturally or substantially but sacramentally Which in the Ninth Age had been supported by Ratrum and other learned Men of that Time against Paschasius He was a Man of that great Learning that coming to Rome the Pope rose up to meet him saying He admired his Wit and Parts Berengarius was condemned in a Council held at Verceil by the Authority of Pope Leo being first opposed by Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Guitmund Arch-Bishop of Aversa From Christ 1050. This Pope being dead the Emperor put Popes in his place Guebard Bishop of Aichstat the Son of a Bavarian Count who took the Name of Victor the Second Constantine Monomachus being dead Theodora remounts the Throne but the Eunuchs of the Court again dethroned her and elected in her place Michael the Sixth Surnamed Stratioticus In the three Years that Victor was Pope he twice condemned Berengarius First in a Council held at Florence where the Pope was in person The Second time in a Council held at Tours by Hildebrand his Legate Berengarius made his Personal Appearance before this last Council where he was condemned yet he preserved himself from the Penalties declaring he believed as the Church believed concerning the Eucharist Henry the Third called the Black Prince dying left a Son of the same Name not above Seven Years old For which reason he was under the Guardianship of the Empress Agnes his Mother Stephen the Tenth from a Monk of Mintcassin was made Pope who took occasion by reason of the Nonage of that Emperor not to demand to be Confirmed This Pope being dead the Counts of Tusculum plac'd Bennet the Tenth their Kinsman in the Papal Chair But the Cardinals who began to assume to themselves the Right of chusing Popes having The power of the Cardinals had no Voices in the Election of Benet assembled themselves in a Council at Florence where Benet was deposed and Gerrard Bishop of that City seated in his place by the Name of Nicolaus the Second From Christ 1059. He assembled a Council at St. John de Lateran where Berengarius appeared and Berengarius râ—treats pronounc'd his Retraction composed by Cardinal Humbert importing That the Body of Christ is sensibly in the Eucharist chewed and broken with the Teeth of the Communicants This was done by the compulsion of Pope Nicholas the Second In the same Council marryed Priests who were called Nicolaits were condemned in imitation of the Decrees of several preceding Popes At Constantinople Michael Stratiocus was consined to a Monastery by Isaac Comnenus who was proclaimed Emperor and two Constantin Ducas the Tenth of that Name years after voluntarily resigned up the Empire to Constantin the Tenth surnamed Ducas From Christ 1061. After the Death of Nicolas the Second a Council Assembled at Basle by the Emperor Henry the Fourth chose for Pope Cadclus Bishop of Parma under the name Popes of Honorius the Second On the other side the Cardinals elected at Rome Anselmus Bishop of Luca by the name of Alexander the Second who after many bloody Skirmishes at last prevailed and was acknowledged for Pope by a Council assembled at Mantuc by the Authority of the Emperor From Christ 1065. William the Bastard Duke of Normandy William the Conqueror King of Enland made himself Master of England and had the Surname of Conqueror
refused to stand to the judgment of that Synod And thence arose a new Schism among the Protestants A dreadful Comet began to appear the A dreadful Comet Tail of which was above sixty four degrees in length Queen Ann of England died From Christ Queen Ann died 1618. The City of Pleurs in Rhaetia ruined by the fall of a Mountain tumbling upon it when 1500 people were buryed in the Ruines The Destruction of the Spanish Army The Spanish Army destroyâ—d by the Venetians sent against the Venetians Tumults in Bohemia by reason that some of the Evangelick Nobility were offended that their Grievances were slighted by the Emperor's Counsellors upon An Insurrection in Bohemia which they entered the Council Chamber and threw three of the Counsellors out of a Window thirty yards high into the Castle-Yard by which fall however none of them got any harm At Venice was discovered a Conspiracy of certain Ruffians who proposed to themselves A Conspiracy at Venice discovered to break into the Senate-House kill the Senators burn the Arsenal throw down the Bridges and to lay waste the whole City but most of them were taken and all who did not make their escapes were punish'd according to their Deserts In this year died Cardinal Peronne The Death of Cardinal Peronne A great Fight between the Turks and the Persians where the Turks lost Fourty thousand Men and the Persians Nine thousand But tho' the Persians got the Victory A Fight between the Turks and the persians yet having lost so many Men they offered the Turks Peace with an Anual Tribute of Silk which the Turks willingly accepted From Christ 1618. John Barenevelt condemned to death Barnevelt ' s death by the States General under pretence that he had disturbed the Peace and Order of the Republick but on the Scaffold he publickly protested that he died for defending the Liberty of his Country Hogerbet and Grotius were condemned to perpetual imprisonment but Grotius made his Escape about a year after and fled to Paris where he printed his Apology for those who presided over Holland in the year 1618. a Work very worthy to be read In March Mathias the Emperor died The Emperor Mathias ' s death in whose room sometime after was elected Ferdinand the Second his Son King of Bohemia Sir Walter Rawleigh Beheaded The Administrators of the Kingdom of Bohemia upon the Abdication of Ferdinand Frederic Elector Palatine Crowned at prague made choice of Frederic the Elector Palatin for their King who was Crowned at Prague A new Order of Knighthood instituted at Vienna by certain Catholick Princes as A new Order of Knighthood the Duke of Nevers Prince Radzeville the Duke of Saxon Lawenburgh and others who took an Oath to prosecute all Infidels and to defend the Catholick Religion having for their Badges a Cross with the Effigies of the Holy Virgin which they wore on their Cloaks Bucquoy having utterly defeated Mansfeild did over-run Bohemia Prince Charles of Spain Crowned King The prince of Spain King of portugal of Portugal The Prince of Conde released from his The Prince of Conde released Imprisonment returned to Paris and was congratulated by the Peers and Princes of Franee Ann Queen of England died From Queen Anns Death ARebellion against the Emperor Christ 1619. The Bohemians Austrians and Hungarians rebel against the Emperor A great Battle fought between the Imperialists and Frederic the Palatins Army The palatin's Army beaten by the Imperialists where the Impeâ—â—lists proved Victors Frederic fled and the next year took Refuge in Holland where he spent the remainder of his days with his Queen and Children so Bohemia with the adjoining Provinces returned to the Obedience of the Emperor Spinola with a numerous Army entered Spinola entered the Palatinate the Palatinate and in a short time took many Towns The Civil War against the Protestants The Civil War in France began in France The Inhabitants of Bearn refusing to obey the King's Edict by which they were commanded to quit all Ecclesiastical Livings and to restore them to the Popish Bishops for the King going thither constrained them to yield Obedience and gave the Cities which the Protestants held to be kept by the Catholicks The Polanders with an Army of Ninety The Polanders beaten by the Turks thousand Men invading Walachia were all cut off by the Turks except a few who made their escape and the great Chancellor of the Crowns Head was carried to Constantinople Sigismund the Third King of Poland The King of Poland wounded wounded by a Ruffian who being taken was torn with Horses his Members burnt and his Ashes thrown into the Air. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden married Gustavus marriage with the Daughter of Brandenburgh with Mary Elenora the Daughter of John Sigismund Elector of Brandenburgh From Christ 1620. Frederic the Elector Palatine was proscribed by the Emperor A West-India Company first erected by A West-India Company erected by the States of Holland the United Provinces to which the States granted the same Priviledges as to the East-India Society A General Assembly of the Protestants from all parts of France held at Rochel The Hugonots rebel and are beaten by the King of France where they resolved to take up Arms in their own Defence against the Religion which their Enemies profess'd Whereupon the King undertook an Expedition against them At which time Mornay du Plessis delivered up Saumurs to him of his own accord Afterwards the King besieged the City of St. Angelo and forc'd it to a Surrender and then took above sixty other Towns in Xantoign and Gascony part by force part by fear but he could not get Montauban which he besieged in Autumne where the Duke of Mayenne was killed by a Musket-Shot in the Head which News coming to Paris the Rabble Charenton burnt incensed with Fury ran to Charenton and sâ—t the Protestant Church on fire which was reduced to Ashes Gustavus King of Sweden took Riga King of Sweden takes Riga the Metropolis of Livonia The Truce for twelve years between Philip of Spain and the States General being expired the Arch-Duke Albert desired earnestly to have it expired but the States absolutely refused it Paul the Fifth departed this Life in the Sixty ninth year of his Age and Gregory Popes the Fifteenth was chosen in his place Philip the Third departed this Life in The Death of Philip the Third the Forty third year of his Age his Son Philip the Fourth succeeded him Albert Arch-Duke of Austria Governour The Death of the Arch-Duke of Austria of the Low-Countries died in July and in September following died Cardinal Bellarmine From Christ 1621. The Death of Cardinal Bellarmin Heydelbergh for some time besieged by Tilly the Imperial General was at length by him taken by Storm and given up to the plunder of the Soldiers who exercised Heydelbergh taken by
long Siege surrendred upon honourabe terms to the Elector of Brandenburgh Stetin taken by the Elector of Brandenburgh Gâ—â—nt sarrâ—ndred to the French The City of Ghent surrendred to the King of France Phillipsburgh besieged by the Imperialists was taken by composition Admiral De Ruyter engaging with thâ— French in the Mediterranean received his deaths Wound and died in the Bed of Honour The denth of Admiral de Ruyter in the seventy year of his Age. The Danes in conjunction with the Hollanders did beat the Swedish Fleet consisting of 40 Men of War and then landing in Schonen took several Towns from the Swedes But in the midst of their Victories near Helmstade were defeated by the Swedes with a great loss And after that they lost a second Battel to the Swedes near the City of Lunden where after a bloody Fight above 9000 Men were killed on both sides A Battel between the Prince of Orange Cambray and St. Omers taken by the French and the Duke of Orleans at Mount Cassel After which Cambray and St. Omers were taken by the French Cardinal Benedict Odescalchi was chose Pope in the room of Clement X. who died Popes in the 87th year of his Age. He assumed the name of Innocent XI And it was said that Donna Olimpia a cunning Woman and powerful in the Court of Rome prepared the way for him to that Dignity From Christ 1676. The Swedes did again defeat the Danes in a terrible Conflict near Landscroone On the other side the Danes overcame the Swedes in a Sea-Fight and took several of their Men of War A Peace concluded at Nâ—meghen between Luxemburgh quitted the Siege of Mons. the French and the Dutch The Prince of Orange forced the Duke of Luxemburgh to quit the Siege of Mons. Dr. Oats made the first discovery of the Popish Plot upon which Sir Edmundsbury The death of St. Edmundsbury Godfrey Coleman hang'd Messina submitted to the Spaniard The peace between France Spain Godfrey was murthered and one Coleman who called himself the Duke of York's Secretary was executed at Tyburne as were afterwards several others Messina in Sicily wearyed with the French Government submitted it self to the Spanish Monarchy From Christ 1678. The Peace between France and Spain concluded at Nimeghen proclaimed in both Kingdoms A most grievous Persecution of the Hugonet's in France The King of Spain married the Daughter The K. of Spain married the D. of Orleans Daughter of the Duke of Orleans which displeased the Emperor A great disorder in England by reason of several Persons who did second Dr. Oats in the further discovery of the Popish The D. of York sent into Flanders and after into Scotland Plot while the lower House of Parliament used all their endeavours to disinherit the Duke of York for being a Papist Upon which the Duke was sent out of the way first into Flanders then into Scotland From Christ 1679. The Elector Palatin built a new Church at Fredericksberg which was dedicated to Concord and consecrated by a Lutheran Doctor with whom were joined a Roman Catholick Priest and a Calvinist Minister The King of France by sundry Acts of Hostility committed in Alsatia the Palatinate and in the Bishoprick of Treves disturbed the Peace concluded but the year before The Duke of Mantua sold the strong Casal â—old to the French Lord Stafford beheaded Town of Casal to the French The Lord Stafford being found guilty of High Treason by his Peers was Beheaded upon Tower-Hill Charles Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Prince Elector was created Knight of the Garter and installed at Windsor The Parliament sate at Oxford but was on a sudden dissolved The death of Don John of Austria Don John of Austria departed this life From Christ 1680. A Diet held at Francfort on the Mayne where the Articles of the Treaty at Nimegen in Controversy were argued with the King of France who made slight of that Treaty and had offered several Injuries to the Princes bordering upon the Rhyne for contrary to his Faith given he seized Strasburgh took by the French on Strasburgh and caused the Cathedral to be consecrated a-new by the Bishop of Furstemberg for the use of the Roman Catholicks The Hugonots by reason of their being The Hugonots came 〈◊〉 England so cruelly persecuted did fly out of France into England and Holland The Hungarians were promis'd their freedom with the restitution of their Liberties by the Emperor But the free Exercise of their Religion being denied them by the persuasions of the Jesuites those promises came to nothing The Pope was angry with the King of France for assuming the Collation of Ecclesiastical Benefices upon which the Gallican Clergy being assembled gave their Opinions for the King A Peace between the Emperor of Morocco A peace between the Emperor of Morocco and the King of England and the King of England for four years An Ambassador from Muscovy arrived in England And in the same year also came another Embassy from the King of Fâ—z and Morocco and a Peace was concluded with the Mâ—â—rs The death of Thomas Thynne 〈◊〉 Count Conningsmark caused Thomas Thynn Esq to be basely murthered Conningsmark was acquitted but his Accomplices were Hang'd From Christ 1681. In the Diet of Francfort the Affair of the Reunions unjustly challeng'd by the King of France began to be disputed with the French Ambassadors but because the French Ambassadors refused to treat with the Germans in the Latin Tongue according to custom but persisted to give in their Memorials in the French Language the Diet broke up reinfecta The King of Denmark Elector of Brandenburg and the Bishops of Cologne and Munster enâ—er into a mutual League which many interpreted to be done in favour of the King of France The King of France ordered the Walls of the City King of France took the City of Orange The Gallican Decree against the Pope of Orange to be pull'd down and took the Principality from the lawful possessor the Prince of Orange The Galâ—â—an Clergy assembl'd at Paris decree in opposition to the Court of Rome that the Pope had no power to absolve Subjects from their Oath of Fidelity to their Sovereign that a universal Council was above the Pope that the Popes Authority was limited by the Canons of the Church and that the Pope was not infallible The Great Duke of Muscovy being removed by The Death of the great Duke of Muscovy Count Teckley submitted to the Turks Four Bantam Ambassadors poyson after many Tumults and Slaughters his two Sons agreed to divide the Empire between â—em Count Teckly did put himself under the protection of the Turks and possessed himself of Cassâ—via 〈◊〉 and the Fort of Villeck Four Bantam Ambassadors arrived at London and two of them Knighted by King Charles The Morocco Ambassador entertain'd at Oxford Prince Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine died of a Fever and Plurify in the sixty third year of his Age. From Christ 1682. 〈◊〉 besieged by the Tâ—rks and the Siege raised The death of prince Rupert Vienna besieâ—ed by the Turks by the King of Poland in conjunction with the Duke of Lorrain At the same time the King of Poland and the Duke of Lorrain pursued the flying â—nemy and defeated them on a bloody Battel near Baâ—can after which follow'd the surrender of Graâ— Because the Spaniaâ—d rejected the Demandâ— of the French the King of France fell upon Oudenard and Oudenard and Dixmude took by the French P. George of Denmark married to the Lady Ann. Dixmude and took them Prince George of Denmark arrived at Whitehall and was marryed to the Lady Ann the younger Daughter of the Duke of York Judgment given against the ancient Charter of the City of London in the King's Bench Court From Christ 1683. The Emperor King of Poland and the Republic of Venice enter into a League against the Turks A Truce for twenty years between the Emperor the States of the Empire and the King of France consented to by the Emperor provided it should be no way prejudicial to the Treaties of Westphalia and Nimeghen A Truce also concluded for the same Term between the States General and the French King contrary to the Advice of the Spaniard Swede and others The French Bomb the flourishing City of Genoa The French Bomb Genoa The Tyde ran strong against all that had stood up for the ancient Liberties of England and all the Corporations Cities and Towns in the Kingdom were forced to surrender their Charters and accept of new ones from the Court. The death of King Charles II. Charles II. died at Whitehall as it was said of an Apoplexy and the same day James Duke of York was proclaimed King in his room FINIS