professing the true faith in his roome Alwayes Agapetus died at Constantinople after hee had beene chosen B. of Rome 11. moneths 21. dayes and his body was put into a chest of lead and transported to Rome Siluerius the sonne of Hormisda sometime B. of Rome was successor to Agapetus Theodatus King of Gothes compelled the Clergie to subscribe to his election he gouerned the Church of Rome at that time when Iustinian sent Belisarius to fight against Vitiges Theodora the Emperour Iustinians wife sent to Siluerius desiring him that hee would condescend to the restitution of Anthemius an Eutychian heretique and to the deposition of Menas B. of Constantinople Siluersus refused to obey such impious commandements Therefore Theodora sendeth a commandement to Belisarius to banish Siluerius and to appoint Vigilius B. of Rome who had promised to fulfill her desires Thus was Siluerius banished to the Isle of Pontia after hee had ruled the Church of Rome one yeere 5. moneths Vigilius succeeded to Siluerius and ruled 17. yeeres 26. dayes His entrie to this office is inexcusable for by open force secret bribes and promises to performe the impious desires of the Emprice he obtained the chaire of Rome so that Onuphrius cannot finde out an excuse for his vnlawfull entrie Theodora the Emprice vrged him to performe his promise to restore Anthemius But Vigilius as appeared repenting of his great temeritie and rashnes answered that euill promises were not to be keeped for this cause he was led away violently to Constantinople and a cord was fastned about his necke he was drawne through the streetes and cast into prison hee indured all this contempt the more patiently because hee confessed that for his srâ—…nes he had deserued greater punishment at the hands of GOD than this was In end he was deliuered out of prison by the earnest request of Narses captaine of Iustinians armie in Halie but he died by the way and he whom so many cares could not destroy the sicknes of the grauell destroyed him at Sicile his body was transported to Rome and buried there But now let vs consider the ineptitude of Baronius who keepeth no measure in his historie but as the Poet speaketh of a ship tossed with a vehement tempest Tollimur in coelum sublato gurgite iâ—…dem Subducta admanes imos descendimus unda When Baronius speaketh of the entrie of Vigilius he calleth him athiefe a brigand a man who entred not by the doore of the sheepe-fold a false bishop an Antichrist yet soone after he calleth him the Vicar of Christ as though by the crueltie whereby he draue his predecessor Siluerius to death hee was incontinent worthy of the name of the Vicar of Christ. Albeit hee restored not Anthemius according to his impious paction with Theodora yet hee wrote vnto the heretiques Anthemius Theodosius and Severus and confirmed their errour by his secret missiue letters as Morneus in his booke called Misterium iniquitatis Proueth His cariage in the fift generall Councill he beeing present in the towne of Constantinople shall be declared God willing in the owne place the cord that was lapped about his necke and drewe him through the streetes of Constantinople could not draw out of his proud stomacke the conceate of supremacie for he sent his opinion in write to the Councill but would not be present to sit in a lower place than Eutychius B. of Constantinople and moderator of the Council AFTER Vigilius succeeded Pelagius 1 hee ruled the Church of Rome 11. yeeres 10 moneths 28. dayes In a very perilous time this charge was committed to him namely when the nation of the Gothes had chosen Totilas to be their King who was a fierce and cruell man and was called for his fiercenes Flagellum Dei that is the scourge of GOD he led a great armie from Taruisium through Italie destroying and wasting the countrie whithersoeuer he went but he set his face chiefly against Campania By the way hee addressed himselfe in the habite of a simple souldier to mount Cassinates where was S. Benedict the father of Monkes not because he inuented the Monasticke life but because the most part of Monkes adhered to the forme inuented by him he was but lately sprung vp in the dayes of the Emperour Iustinus the elder and of Pope Iohn the first yet was his name in great account so that Totilas in a disguised habite went vnto him and conferred with him Platina writeth that S. Benedict knew him notwithstanding of his deepe dissimulation and with terrifying words disswaded him from vsing cruelty against Christians The Counsell was good but Totilas was not obedient vnto it He was slaine in battell by Nases neere to Brixellum and Teias whome the Gothes choosed in his rocme was slaine in battell at Nuceria so the Kingdome of the Gothes in Italic was vtterly vndone by the valour of Narses After the first comming of Theodoricus into Italie they reigned in Italie 72. yeeres Now their name dominion and all their might is vtterly quenched Pelagius depended much vpon the friendship of Narses And when Macedomus B. of Aquileia died Honoratus B. of Millan ordained Paulinus to be his successour Pelagius B. of Rome grieued at this Neuerthelesse hee complâ—…ineth not to Narses that Paulinus was made bishop of Aquileia without his consent but rather because this was done without the foreknowledge of the most noble Emperour Iustinian who like as he had deliuered Istria and Venice from the grieuous bondage of Totilas so likewise it became them to expect the Emperours answere before they had appointed a bishop in Aquileia Mark the hypocrisy of the bishops of Rome vnder colour of obedience to the ciuile Magistrate secretly creeping to their owne soueraignity the chiefe marke whereat they continually aimed Iohn 3. succeeded to Pelagius gouerned 12. yeres 11 months 26. dayes In the dayes of Iustinus the younger who was successor to the Emp. Iustinian did he minister in the Romane Church at that time when Alboinus King of Longobards came into Italie with a great armie with their wiues children setled their abode in that part of Italie which lieth about the riuer Padus The Emprice Sophia had irritate Narses that valiant captaine with contumelious wordes and he gaue both to her to the estate of the Empire this hard meeting that hee possessed the Longobards in Italie weauing a web vnto her according as he promised which she wâ—…s not able all her time to vndoe againe The Deputie of the Emp. of Constantinople kept a part of Italie which was not conquessed by tâ—…e Lombards this was called Exarchatus Ravenna the B of Rome with assistance of the countrie kept Rome free from the dominion of the Lombards for a short â—…ime At this time did Iohn 3. gouerne the Church of Rome He brought â—…n newe constitutions in the Church that Chorepiscopi otherwise called Vicarâ—… Episcoporum should haue no power at all of
Nature The Fathers of the Council vpon this ground damned Neslorius as an hereticque and Nestorius on the other part gathered the bishoppes of his owne faction and damned Cyrillus B. of Alexandria and Memnon B of Eâ—…hesus After this Iohn Patriarch of Antiochia came to Eâ—…hesus whose comming rather increased than diminished the schisme for hee was to angrie against the precipitation and hastines of Cyrillus that he would not adioyne himselfe to the Councill hereupon followed mutuall excommunications Iohn Patriarch of Antiochia excommunicated Cyrillus and Memnon and they on the other part excommunicated him and his retinue who came not to the Council yet in the mercie of GOD this schisme that fell out last amongst good men was cured they were reconciled the heretique Nestorius was banished to Oasis Before Theodosius 2. had ended his life Flavianus bishop of Constantinople had gathered a particulare Councill and damned Eutyches an abbot of Constantinople because he affirmed that in CHRIST after the vnton of the diuine and humane natures there was no longer two natures but one allanerly composed of both the natures This absurd Opinion Flavianus damned as hereticall Notwithstanding Chrysaphius the chiefe gouernour of the Emperours palace was a friend to Eutyches and a fauourer of his heresie And hee procured at the Empeâ—…cuts hands that Eutyches cause should be iudged in a more frequent assemblie to be gathered at Ephesus and wherein Dioscorus B. of Alexandria should be moderator In this assembly Dioseorus dealt imperiously like vnto an head-strong hereticâ—…e He called vpon Eutyches required a consession of his faith which when hee had giuen not expecting the votes of others who were present with clamour and outcrying he gaue allowance vnto it as if no more were requisit in a Councill except onely the suffrage and vote of the moderator Likewise hee suffered not the letters of Leo B. of Rome sent to the Councill to be read Thirdly he absolued Eutyches and 300. Monkes all intangled with this heresie whom Flavianus had iustly excommunicated last of all he excommunicated Flavianus caused him by the tumult of his factioners to be so rudely and vncourteously intreated that he was trode vnder soot and was so wounded that within three dayes after he ended his life for this cause this Councill was called a Councill of brigandrie The Councill of Berytus in Phoenicia whereinto the cause of Ibas B. of Edessa whom Dioscorus had deposed was wakned and he was iustified and absolued I purposely passe by because the controuersie against Ibas will be discussed in a greater assembly And the Councill called Agathense in France wherein albeit there be a great number of Constitutions yet nothing is more remarkable in it than this that they grant they had libertie to meete together by commandement of Alaricus King of Gothes who at that time had soueraignitie in that parte of France called Gallia Narbonensis where the Councill was gathered so that in all Countries Councils both generall and nationall were conueened by the authoritie of Princes In the yeere of our LORD 454 in the 3. yeere of the reigne of the Emp. Martianus a general Councill was assembled at Chalcedon a towne of Bythinia lying directly ouer against Constantinople Martianus the Emperour was in person present at the Councill and of Bishoppes and reuerend Fathers from all partes of the world sixe hundreth and thirtie The like whereof hapned not in any generall Councill preceeding this time The Patriarches were all present at this Councill either in proper person or by their ambassadours Anatoliâ—… B. of Constantinople Dioscorus B of Alexandria Maximus B. of Antiochia 〈◊〉 B. of Ierusalem and in stead of Leo B. of Rome his ambassadours Pascasianus a bishop Lucentius Bonâ—…facius and Basilius Presbyters with a Christian brother â—…ulianus Martianus entreated all the Fathers of the Councill to thinke that he gaue his presence to the convention not for ostentation of his power or vertue but only for desire that the true faith should be confirmed and established and that by his authority all tumults of men disobedient to the Councill might bâ—…e â—…epressed Aboue all crauing of them or rather charging and commanding them that they should decerne nothing repagnant to the actes of the Councill of Nice The ambassadours of Leo B. of Rome craued that Dioscorus B. of Alexandria should not sit in the Councill as a â—…udge but that he should stand and answere to things that were to be obâ—…ected vnto him Which petition beeing granted Eâ—…sebius B. of Dorileum stood vp and accused him of three things First that hee had beene an aduersarie to the true faith in absoluing Euâ—…yches a notable here ique in the second Councill of Ephesus Secondly that he was a murderer of Flavianus B. of Constantinople a constant defender of the true faith and thirdly that hee had done himselfe wrong in deposing him without a cause and herewith he desired his letter to be read The Councill not only read his letter accusatorie but also read all the acts of the 2. Councill of Ephesus heard the reports of bishops who were present at that Councill of Brigandrie and had consented against their hearts to the deposition of Flavianus because Dioscorus had bands of souldiers sent by Chrysaphius in name of the Emp. Theodosius 2. to compell simple men to obey all his desires All this beeing considered together with his vnmanerly rudenes who would not suffer the letter of Leo B. of Rome to be read in the Councill foresaid and finally that hee had most vniustly and vnaduisedly excommunicate Leo B. of Rome The Councill of Chalcâ—…on cited Dioscorus the ground of this controuersie but he compeared not therefore he was damned as an heretique together with Eutyches and Juvenalis B. of Jerusalem and it was ordained that men should beleeue that the natures of CHRIST albeit they were vnited yet were they not confounded as Eutyches heretically had affirmed Likewise all the actes of the second Councill of Ephesus were abrogated and rescinded except the doposition of Domnus B. of Antiochia and substitution of Maximus in his place Moreoâ—…er Thâ—…odoretus B. of Cyns and Ibas B. of Edessa who had bene vniustly deposed in the second Councill of Ephesus were both restored to their places after they had clearely damned the heresies of Nestorius and Eutyches In the cause of Bassianus and Stephanus who contended both for the bishopricke of Ephâ—…sus it was ordained that both of them should bee remooued from that dignitie as men who by vnlawfull meanes had aspired to ecclesiasticke offices and a third person should haue the office Finally it was statute and ordained in this Councill that Anatolius B. of Constantinople and his successours should haue the chiefe dignitie next vnto the chaire of Rome It is to bee marked that Protâ—…rius B. of Alexandria to whom the place of old belonged albeit he was present in the Councill yet hee made none obstacle vnto
be miserably disioyned if such things be not comported with by the fauourable Reader it will bee hard to abridge this head of Councels to the contentment of a learned Reader This Councell of Bracara by Caranza is called the first Councell of Bracara In it manie olde opinions of the Prisc◅llianistes and Manicheans concerning prohibition of Marriage meats are damned together with the heresies of Samosatenus Photinus Cerdon and Marcion Canons set foorth in this Councell are so coincident with the Canons of other Councels that there is no necessitie to make rehearsall of them In the 30. can of this Councell it is ordained That no poesie shall bee sung in the Church except the psalter of the olde Testament IN the 4. yeere of Bambas king of Gothes 8. bishops were assembled in Braga In the beginning of the Councell for confession of their faith they made a new rehearsall of the summe of the Nicene faith After this they set down 8. ordinances in manner following 1. That all superstitious opinions beeing rejected bread and wine mixed with water onelie should be offered in the Sacrifice and not the liquor of milke nor pure vnmixed wine nor bread dipped in wine H◅ere marke that the giuing of vnmixed wine to the people in the Sacrament or Sacrifice is called superstition such bitter fruites doe ensue vpon magnifying the traditions of men that Christes owne institution is called superstition 2. That vessels dedicated to God bee not abused and employed to seculare and humane vses 3. A Presbyter when hee saieth Masse let him bee clothed with his Orarium on both his shoulders and bee signated on his brest with the signe of the Crosse. 4. Let no person of the Clergie cohabite with women no not with their owne sisters without witnesses of their conuersation 5. Vpon Festiuall dayes reliques enclosed in an arke shall bee borne vpon the shoulders of the Leuites as the Arke of GOD in the olde Testament was accustomed to bee borne 1. Chron. 15. 15. and not about the necke of a bishop and incase the bishop will needes carry them himselfe then shall he walke on foote with the rest of the people not be carried in a coach by his deacons Here marke how mens traditions are equalled to the commandemēt of God 6. Presbyters Abbots and Leuites for the dignity of their calling shall not be punished with stripes by the bishop lest in dispersoning the principall members of his owne body hee bring himselfe into contempt of his subjectes 7. Let no honour bee solde for promise of rewards 8. Let gouernours of Churches haue a greater regarde to the weale of the Church than to their own particular affaires In end thanks is giuē to God to the king for their meeting they subscribe the fore-named ordinances Here marke that in the countrey of Spaine the king still keepeth in his owne hand power of conuocating Councels IN the yeere of our Lord 681. in the 12. yeere of the reigne of Constantinus Pogonatus a generall Councell was assembled at Constantinople by the authority of the Emperour and not by the commandement of Pope Donus nor Agatho his successor nor of Leo 2. the successour of Agatho as the Diuall letter of Constantine directed to Pope Donus and receiued and obeyed by Pope Agatho clearly testifies As for the number of bishops cōuened there is an infinite discrepance betwixt the authors who make rehearsal of their number the least number reckoned is 150. The question discussed in this Assemblie was about the willes and actions of Christ. Macarius patriarch of Antiochia Stephanus his disciple partinaciously defended the errour of the Monoth◅lites confirming also their opinion by the testimony of Honorius sometime bishop of Rome whose letters written to Sergius sometime bishop of Constantinople being read in the opē audience of the Councell made it clearly known that he also was infected with the errour of the Monothelites For this cause Honorius b. of Rome Sergius Pyrrhus and Paulus bishops of Constantinople Cyrus b. of Alexandria and Macarius b. of Antiochia were all excommunicated likewise Polychronius a ridiculous Monke and his complices were excommunicated and with great shame and ignominy rejected from the fellowship of the Church For he offered to proue the opinion of the Monothelites to bee the trueth of God by writing the summe of that opinion in a paper and ouer-spreading it vpon a beere wherein a dead man was laide hee put the Councell in hope that hee shoulde raise the dead man to life againe but after triall hee was founde to bee a lying and a deceitfull fellowe and hee likewise was excommunicated This Councell made no Canons and Constitutions concerning Church discipline as other Councels had done before For this cause Iustinian the second the sonne of Pogonatus gathered these same Fathers who had bene in the preceeding Counc◅ll to perfect the worke which they had begun They made manie Constitutions but two in speciall which displeased the Romane Church First they annulled the doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning prohibition of Marriage to men in spirituall offices Secondly they ordained the Patriarch of Constantinople to bee in equall authoritie with the Pope of Rome These Constitutions and Canons Pope Sergius refused to subscribe albeit his ambassadoures in his name had subscribed them in Constantinople BAmbas King of Gothes resigned the title of his Royall authoritie to Euringius and he was content to bee shauen and enter into a Monasterie In the first yeere of the reigne of Euringius 33. bishops with some abbots 13. noble men of Court conuecned at Toledo The King amongst many other things protested that hee was content that whatsoeuer thing in his lawes seemed repagnant to reason it should be corrected by the prudent aduise of this Councell The Fathers of this Councell for confession of faith adhered vnto the Councell of Nice After this the hand-writinges and seales of Bambas and the nobles of his Court and the testimonie of I◅lianus Arch-bishop of Toledo are presented whereby it was knowne that Bambas had resigned his gouernement in fauour of Euringius willing them to choose him to bee his successour So it came to passe that Euringius was solemnly proclaimed to bee King and the people were assoyled from the oath of alleadgeance made to Bambas and were astricted to the obedience of King Euringius In this Councell it was forbidden that newe bishoprickes should be erected in villages and the bishop of Emerita begged pardon for this that he had ordained a bishop in a certaine village being comp◅lled so to doe by the cōmandement of King Bambas They who stand at the Altar and sacrificeth are commanded to eate of the sacrifice as often as they offer it The actes made in preceeding Councels against the Iewes were renewed and amplified in this Councell and thankes was giuen to God and the King for their meeting Other Councels of Toledo vnder the reignes of Euringius and Egita
pen of Prophets in writing may guide also our hearts in reading With this ignorance of the meaning and true sense of holy Scripture is joyned an vnspeakable and deuilish pride for they make no account of any body vnder heauen but of themselues alanerly and hypocrites haue their owne opinions in so wonderfull admiration that they stop their eares from hearing all wholesome admonition which pertinacie and pride is the cause wherefore the Apostle PAVL calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is condemned of themselues Titus 3. For like as there are some persons so bent to destroy their owne bodies that it is not possible to the vigilant attendance of friendes to keepe them from mischiefe and harme the experience whereof kythed in PORCIA the daughter of CATO and wife of BRVTVS euen so there are a number of men caried so headlong to hell that no wholesome doctrine or admonition can be heard because like to the Gadarenes swine the swift pace of their race cannot be stayed vntill they be drowned in the lake Of this cause of heresie NAZIANZEN writeth ad Cledonium that the heretique APOLLINARIS counted of his owne songs as we count of the olde and newe Testament euen so his associates counted his songs and rhymes to be the third testament In like maner the heretique MARCION was a patterne of incorrigible pride who came to Rome after the death of HYGINVS and when he heard that he was not admitted to an ecclesiasticall office hee demanded of the preaching Elders there what was the meaning of Christes words when hee saide That no man pieceth an olde garment with a piece of new clothe for that that should fill it vp taketh away from the garment and the breach is worse Mat. cap. 9. ver 16. 17. In their answere they declared the true meaning of Christes words But the proud stomacke of an head-strong Heretique applyed the parable to himselfe and auouched that he should make a remedilesse breach among them because they had refused to receiue him into their fellowship Epiphan contra hareses which thing he endeuoured to performe vntill his last breath Heresie was propagated and increased rather in the Halcyon dayes of CONSTANTINE VALENTINIAN THEODOSTVS and MARTIANVS then in the wofull dayes of NERO DOMITIAN TRAIAN ANTONINVS SEVERVS MAXIMINVS DECIVS VALERIAN AVRELIAN DIOCLETIAN through the wise prouidence and wisdome of God who would not at one time ouercharge his Church with vnsupportable burthens neither would he suffer his Saints to be tempted aboue their strength For if heresies had bene in number as many and in power as strong before the daies of CONSTANTINE as they wer after his dayes it had bene hard till haue borne foorth so many mightie assaultes but our mercifull Lord would haue the faith and patience of his Saints to be tried by persecuting tyrants in some ages and againe the knowledge of the Church to be tried mightily by Heretiques in other ages So that wee shall finde moe heresies springing vp in the 4. Centurie then in all the preceeding 3. Centuries yea if it had pleased that godly father AVGVSTINE to haue abridged his abridgement of heresies written ad Quod vultdeum the number of heresies in the first 300. yeeres should not be found great But AVGVSTINE diuiding these Heretiques who were called Gnostici in three bandes to wit in Saturniniani Carpocratiani and Basilidiani who all were but one rancke of Herctiques he maketh the number to seeme greater then it was And in like maner dâ—…iding the Moâ—…tanists in Pepuziani Cataphâ—…yges Prisâ—…lliani and Montanistae maketh also the number to seeme great how beit all these foure are but one heresie receiuing sometimes a name from the author MONTANVS sometime froÌ„ the countrie of Phrygia whereinto this heresie was bred soâ—…time froÌ„ the town of Phrygia called Pepuzum where they dwelt sometimes from the false prophetesse PRISCILLA who propagated the error of MONTANVS In like manerthere were many obscure heresies who could finde few or no followers because it seemeth that the heresie died as soone as the Heretique such as Helcâ—…saitae Caiani Scâ—…hiani And there is no great necessitie to discourse of such abortiue birthes as incontinent died before they came to any kinde of ripenesse EVSEBIVS saith haeresis helce saitarum simul etiam at que coepit extincta est That is the heresie of Helcesaitae mmediatly after it was begun it was quenched Euseb lib. 6. cap. 38. And finaily AVGSTINE reckoneth among Heretiques of the first 300 yeeres Tessaresâ—…aidecataitae in the Latin Quaterdecimani who maintained no opinion repugnant to the grounds of faith but onely kept Easter vpon another day then the Romaine Church did obserue it But albeit heresies sprang vp in the dayes of good Emperours yet were they not fostered and nourished by them but by all possible meanes were abandoned but God punishing the contempt of the truth and the loue of false and lying doctrine suffered an euill Emperour to rise after a good such as CONSTANTIVS after CONSTANTINE and ANASTASIVS after MARTIANVS and these euill Emperours by their own profession countenance authoritie strengthened the heresies of ARRIVS and EVTYCHES which were bred in the dayes of the good Emperours forenamed so that the strength of an heresie was borne out by the arme of man allanerly and it was not a plantation that our heauenly father had planted and therefore in end behooued to be rooted out Then marke the power of the wrath of God against Heretiques heresies and sometimes against the very places of their meetings It is knowne that ARRIVS brast asunder as IVDAS did and that his bowels gushed out a just recompense of his troubling of the intestine peace and bowels of the Church of God MONTANVS and his two mad prophetesses PRISCILLA and MAXIMILLA hanged themselues as IEROM doth write citing APOLLONIVS for his authour Ierom. catal script PAVLVS SAMOSATENVS a man leper both in soule and body was excommunicat in all Churches professing Christ in the whole world and by the authoritie of the Emperour as shall be declared Godwilling with shame and ignominie was driuen from his vsurped chaire in Antiochia MANES was excoriat by the king of Persia. The bad fortune of the priests of BAAL contending against HELIAS and slaine at the brooke Kâ—…shon 1. Reg. 18. ver 40. The most infortunate condition of AMAZIA the priest of Bethel whose wife became an harlot in the citie and his sonnes and daughters fell by the sword and his lande was diuided by line and himselfe died in a polluted land Amos 7. ver 17 All these examples I say declare that terrible is the wrath that the Lorde will powre out against false prophets and false teachers In like manet the heresie of ARRIVS when it was at the very height beganne to shed it selfe into three contrarie opinions as a kingdome diuided in it selfe and could no longer stand some were still called Arrianes and vtterly denied that the Sonne of God was 〈◊〉
Constantine The Arrians finding themselues to be vtterly rejected by Athanasius they addressed themselues to Constantinople vnder the conduct of Eusebius bishop of Nicomedia and threatned Alexander that incase hee woulde not voluntarily receiue Arrius into the fellowship of the Church then they should bring him in authorized with the Emperours commande to the grieuance of his heart Alexander clothed himselfe with the armour of GOD and all the night long prayed in this sence LORD if Arrius be to be receiued to morrow into the communione of thy CHURCH then let thy seruant depart in peace and destroy not the just with the wicked but LORD if thou wilt spare thy CHURCH whereunto I am assured thou wilt be fauourable then LORD turne thine eyes toward the wordes of the Eusebians and giue not thine inheritance to a desolation and reproach and cut of Arrius lest while he entreth into the CHURCH his heresie also seeme to enter with him and so no difference seeme to bee betwixt Pietie and Jmpietie The day next following the prayer of Alexander Eusebius bisshop of Nicomedia with his retinue came with great confidence pompe to performe all which they had threatned they would doe But Arrius was compelled to goe to a secret place whereinto his bowels gusihed out and hee concluded his wretched life with ignominie and shame To Alexander succeeded Paulus His lot was to gouerne this Church vnder the reigne of an Arrian Emperour Constantius who rejected him and seated Eusebius bishop of Nicomedia in his place But this great parrone of the Arrian Heresie scarcely was placed in Constantinople when he ended his life The Homousians receiued againe Paulus to bee their bishop The Arrians choosed Macedonius This was the câ—…use of great debate in Constantinople and the people diuided in factions hatefully inuaded one another The Emperour hearing of the tumult sent Hermogenes the generall commander of his horsâ—…-men to remoue Paulus from Constantinople Hermogenes was very ready to execute the Emperours commandement but the people being affectioned toward their Pastor arose vp with popâ—…re tumult compassed the house of Hermogenes set it on 〈◊〉 slâ—…w himselfe and fastned a corde to his legges and trailed him along the streetes For this cause the Emper. Constantius willing to punish the authors of this tumult hastened to come to Constantinople The people went foorth to meete him and with reares confessed their fault and craued pardon The Emperour absteined from punishing them vnto the death but he cutted off the one halfe of the victuall which the liberalitie of his father had bestowed vpon Constantinople to bee payed yeerely out of the tributes of Aegypt He banished Paulus the second time and seated Macedoâ—…ius in Coâ—…stantinople not without effusion of blood Paulus was againe restored by the meanes of the Emp. Constans but after the death of Constans he was banishâ—…d to Cucusus a towne of Armenia where he was strangled by the bloody Arrians The Church of Constantinople was miserably troubled with Arrianisâ—…ne vnder the reignes of Constantius Valens The reignes of Graiianus and Theodosius was a breathing time to the professors of the true Faith At this time Nazianzenus a constant defender of the Faith was chosen Bishop of Constantinople who notwithstanding voluntarily left the great Citie in regarde the Bishops assembled in the second generall Councill gaue not a full and uniuersâ—…ll consent to his admission Yet gaue they all without hesitation their consent to Nectarius a man of noble birth of the countrey of Cilicia at that time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and who had receiued no ecclesiastical preferment before that time This man I say they made Bishop of Constantinople with full consâ—…nt and allowance both of the Councill and people ouerpassing Nazianzenus so fraile are the cogitations of men euen in generall Councils that they are oft times more ruled with affection then reason Nectarius continued in that office vntill the third yeere of the reigne of Arcadius that is vntill the yeere of our LORD 401. In his time the confession of sinnes done in secrete to presbyter poenitentiarius was abrogated in the Church of Constantinople vpon this occasion as Socrates writeth A certaine noble woman was confessing in secret her sinnes to presbyter poenitentiarius and shee confessed adultery committed with one of the Church Deacons Eudaemon this was the name of the father confessor gaue counsell to Nectarius to abrogate this custome of auricular and secrete confession because the Church was like to bee slandered and euill spoken of by these meanes Socrates can scarse giue allowance to this fact of Nectarius in respect that by abrogation of this custome the vnfruitfull works of darknesse were lesse coargued and reproued But Socrates considered not that CHRIST when hee talked with the Samaritane woman at the Well sent away his disciples to buy bread to the ende the poore Samaritane sinner might more freely poure out her secrete sinnes in the bosome of CHRIST who knew all thinges that were done in secrete It is not my purpose to contend with Socrates he is writing an historie I am writing but a short Compend of an historie hee taketh libertie to declare his judgement concerning this fact of Nectarius in abrogating confession of secrete sinnes to pres byter poenitentiarius No man can blame mee to write my judgement concerning auricular confession It is in our dayes not like vnto the mantle where with Sem and Iapheth couered the nakednesse of their Father Noe but it is in very deed a lap of the mantle of the deuill couering the nakednesse of his children that is the horrible treasons that are plotted in secrete by the children of the deuill against Christian Magistrates Nowe is auriculare consession for greater causes to bee abrogated then of olde presbyter poenitentiarius was discharged by Nectarius Bishops of Hierusalem TO Thermon succeeded Macarius anno 318. about the 7. yeere of the reigne of Constantine In his time it is thought that Helena the mother of Constantine founde the Crosse of CHRIST but Ambrose writes that shee worshipped it not for that saith he had beene Gentilis error vanitas impioram that is an errour of Pagans and vanitie of vngodly people But now to lay aside the inexcusable fault of adoration of the tree wherevpon our LORD suffered What necessity had Helena to bee so serious to seeke out this tree and to commit it to the custodie of all posterities seeing that Ioseph of Arimathea who sought the body of IESUS at the hands of Pilate to the end he might burie it honourably yet sought he not the tree whereon CHRIST was crucified which with little adoe might haue bene obtained Secondly during the time that the Crosse was easie to bee found and eâ—…sie to haue bene discerned from other crosses How could the blessed virgine the mother of the LORD and holy Apostles haue committed such an ouersight in not keeping
dâ—…liuered not the subscriptions foresaide yet hee constantly refused to deliuer them and the Emp. both admired and commended his constancie Barses bishop of Edessa in Mesopotamia Eulogius and Protogenes presbyters there vnder the reigne of Valens were banished to Antinoe in Thebaida whose trauailes GOD wonderfullie blâ—…ssed to the conuersion of many soules to the kingdome of GOD Theodulus bishop of Trianopolis Amphilochius bishop of Iconium in Lycaonia Pelagius Laodicenus whose name is the more famous for his insolent fact for he maried a young woman the first night after her mariage hee perswaded her to preferre Virginall chastitie to matrimoniall copulation Antiochus the brother sone of Eusebius Samosatenus could not abide the imposition of the hands of an Arrian bishop Leâ—…oius bishop of Meletina in Arâ—…enia who brunt the Monastrees or rather as Theodoretus writes the Dennes of theeues whereinto the Heretiques called Massaliani had their abiding Ephem Syrus a man borne in Nisibis brought vp in the wildernesse was counted a famous Writer in the Syriah language The bookes shrowded vnder his name are thought for the most part to be supposititious Aeas who liued in companie with Zenon Bishop of Maioma neere vnto Gaza is much reported of because hee maried a young woman procreated three children with her and in end left her and entered into a Manastrie forgetting his matrimoniall couenant Zebennius Bishop of Eleutheropolis in Phaenicia to whom Sozomenus affirmeth that by diuine reuelation the places were manifested whereinto the bodies of the Prophets Habacâ—…k and Micheas were buried So superstitious are Ecclesiasticall Writers already become that the searching out of thinges nothing appertaining to eternall life are ascriued to diuine reuelations The judicious reader will pardon mee that I write not in particulare of the liues of aâ—…l the fore-mentioned Bishops and Pastors because the nature of a short COMPEND cannot permit it to bee done Bishops and Doctors in Africke IN Africke ouer and besides the Bishops of Alexandria was Didymus a Doctor of the schoole of Alexandria who through occasion of a dolour that fell into his eyes became blind from his very youth Yet by continuall exercise of his minde hee became excellently learned in all Sciences But aboue all thinges the exact knowledge of diuine SCRIPTURES made him a terrour to the Arrians Manie doe write that the verie last period of time whereinto Iulian the Apostate concluded his wretched life was reuealed to Didymus in a dreame and that hee againe tolde it to Athanasius who lurked secretly in Alexandria during the time of the reigne of Iulian. Arnobius was an Oratour in Africke afterward hee became a Christian and craued to bee baptized Christian Bishops linguered to conferre the holy Sacrament to a man who had bene a hater of Christian Religion of a long time Yet hee freede himselfe from all suspition of Paganisme by writing bookes wherein hee confuted the Idolatrie of the Pagans and was baptized about the yeere of our LORD 330. Anent the suffering of our LORD hee writes verie judiciously That like as the beames of the Sunne that shine vpon a tree when the tree is cutted the Sunne beames cannot bee cutted Euen so in the suffering of CHRIST the diuine Nature suffered noe paine Lactantius Firmianus was the Disciple of Arnobius In eloquence he was nothing inferior to his Maister yet it is thought that hee impugned errours with greater dexteritie then hee confirmed the Doctrine of the Trueth Optatus Bishop of Meleuitanum in Africke in the dayes of Valentinian and Valens set his penne against the Donatistes especially against Parmenianus whose absurde assertion hee clearelie refutes First whereas the Donatistes affirmed that the CHURCH of CHRIST was onely to bee founde in a corner of Africke Hee refutes it by Scripture wherein it is written Aske of mee and I will giue thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the endes of the worldâ—… for thy possession This place proues the CHURCH to bee Catholicke Also whereas they saide that Baptisme was not auaileable except some of their sect had beene present at the administration thereof hee answereth That when GOD first created the Element of water the presence of the Trinitie was powerfull in operation to create water albeit none of the Donatistes were then present Euen so the Trinitie can worke effectually in Baptisme albeit none of the Donatistes bee present Yea and that it was GOD the author of Baptisme and not the Minister that did sanctifie according as it is written Wash mee and I shall bee whiter then the snowe c. Bishops and Doctors of Europe ACHOLIUS Bishop of Thessalonica baptized the Emperour Theodosius after here returned from the slaughter of Maximus The Emp. fell sicke by the way before hee came to Constantinople and was desirous to be baptized Neuerthelesse he would not suffer Acholius to baptize him vntill he was assured that Acholius was not spotted with the Airian Heresie After baptisme the Emperour recouered his health againe Acholius was brought vp in Monastries like as Epiphanius many other worthie men were brought vp Hilarius Bishop of Poitiers in FRANCE liued vnder the reigne of Constantius a man in Religion constant in maners meeke and courteous Hee was banished immediately after the Councill of Millane to Phrygia as some suppose Theodoretus writeth that hee was banished to Thebaida and relieued againe from banishment vnder Iulian. But it is more apparent that hee remained in Phrygia vntill the Councill of Seleucia vnto which Councill he was brought from banishment not by any speciall commandement from the Emp. but by a generall commandement giuen to his deputie Leonas to assemble together the Bishops of the East Vnder pretence of obeying this commandement Hilarius beeing banished in the East was brought to the Councill of Seleucia from Seleucia he went to Constantinople The Emp. refused to heare him reason with the Arrians in the matters of Faith but gaue him liberty to returne to his owne countrey againe Hee tooke great paines to purge the countrey of FRANCE from the poison of Arrian heresie and he preuailed so farre that Ierom compares him to Deucalion who both sawe the flood of waters ouer-flowing Thessalia and the abating of them also Euen so Hilarius sawe both the growth and decay of Arrianisme in FRANCE Hee liued sixe yeeres after his returning from banishment and concluded his life vnder the reigne of Valentinian Ambrose the sonne of Symmachus was a man of noble parentage vnder the Emp. Valentinian he was gouernour of Liguria At this time Auxentius bishop of Millane an Arrian died Great sedition was in the towne for the election of a newe bishop euery man contending to haue a bishop chosen of that faith which he himselfe best liked Ambrose fearing the vndoing of the towne by this intestine contention exhorted them to unitie and concord with words and reasons so perswasiue that
are transported with incertainetie of doubtfull opinions so that albeit they bee met together to settle others in the certainetie of the true Faith yet they themselues are so wauering minded that they can neuer bee at rest Like as the Arrians not content with the summe of Faith set downe at Nice assembled themselues many times set downe 9. diuers formes of Faith as Socrates recordeth yet coulde they neuer agree vpon one certaine forme of Faith which they woulde not alter Likew◅se in the affaires of Discipline so great discrepance of opinion was founde that neither Councill agreede with Councill nor Bishop with Bishop nor yet Bishops with Councils The Councill of Ancyra thought expedient for order taking with those who had sacrificed vnto Idoles in time of persecution that vnto Bishops should bee adjoined Chorepiscopi that is Countrey Bishops or Landward Bishops to whom they gaue not power to ordaine Elders and Deacons but onely Readers and Subdeacons Damasus Bishop of Rome coulde not agree to this subordinate order of Bishops called Chorepiscopi The Councils of Neocaesarea Antiochia liked of this forme of gouernament Other Councils in not making mention of this name declared their misliking so that this abuse likewise of diuersity of opinions frequently altered both in Doctrine and Discipline impaired much the authoritie of Councils Before I declare who hath power to conuocate Generall Nationall Councils something is to bee premitted concerning the assemblies vpon the LORDS holy Sabboths These assemblies of all other were counted moste holy in so much that when the Princes of the people of Israel were to conueene with Moses to consult concerning matters of ciuil gouernament they were warned so to doe by the blowing of one of the siluer trumpets onely but when both the siluer trumpets did blowe then the people were warned to conueene at the doore of the Tabernacle for the exercise of diuine seruice which as it was of all Conuentions most holy so in like maner it was foresignisied in most solemne maner These holy meetinges were warranded by the LORDES expresse commandement Remember the Sabboth day to keepe it holy c. And in the new Testament Christians hauing receiued power to meete together in CHRISTES Name with promise that CHRIST woulde bee amongst them they conueened secretely to the hearing of the worde and ministration of the Sacramentes albeit they were most straitely inhibited so to doe by the Edictes of persecuting Tyrantes and these who were comprehended and put to death for their conuentions profession they died Holy Martyres how soeuer the Pagans did put them to death as traitors because they disobeyed the Emperours commandement both in their conuentions and profession Yet this ground beeing once laide that they died Holy Martyrs it wil follow that Christians haue power to conucene to heare the worde preached especially vpon the LORDES day albeit all the Princes of the worlde woulde forbid them to meete And this libertie granted by CHRIST and sealed vp by the blood of innumerable martyrs Confirmed also by the lawes of Christian Princes euer since the reigne of Constantine it will continue vnto the blessed appearance of the LORD IESUS to judge the world albeit all the enemies of the Gospell of CHRIST shoulde grinde their teeth and fret against this libertie These fore-saide weekely conuentions are necessarie at all times and in all ages euen albeit there were no H◅retique nor Scismatique in the worlde to diuert people from the trueth of GOD because euen the best of vs all is but like vnto a barren husbandrie that hath neede continually to bee dressed and laboured and watered with the streames of the riuers of the Sanctuarie of our GOD lest wee wither in the barrennesse of a corrupt nature But Councils Generall or Nationall are not necessarie at all times but onely when the peace of the Church is troubled with Heresie and Schisme or an uniuersall ouer-spreading scab of corrupt maners and at such times it is meete that Pastors acquaint the supreame Magistrate with the danger who hath not neede at all times to conuocate a Councill except the maladie that hee would rem◅die be vnsupportable After this wise forme of dealing did Constantine send Osius Bishop of Corduba to Aegypt to see if by his trauels the Heresie and Schisme springing vp in Alexandria could bee timously suppressed but when the good Emperour sawe that this Gangrene dayly increased then there was no remedie but to gather a Generall Councill for suppressing of Heresie and for keeping of intestine peace into the Church of CHRIST Now to proue that Nationall and Generall Councils ought to bee gathered by Monarches and Princes In the olde Testament the great Conuentions at Carmell Silo and Mizpeh were assembled by Princes and the assembly conueened at Mizpeh by Samuel hee gathered it as a ciuill Gouernor of the land and not in so farre as hee was a Prophet for as yet Saul was not allowed by the people to bee king The Conuention appointed at Gilgal was with the expresse consent and allowance of King Saul who was also personally present at that Assemblie In the new Testament the assembly of the Apostles at Hierusalem albeit it was gathered without the knowledge and allowance of the Emperour Cluadius in whose time it was assembled Yet the Apostles had such extraordinary warrandes of the Spirite such extraordinary giftes and their painefull trauels fell in such an extraordinary time when there was no Christian Magistrate fauouring the Gospel that hee who furnished vnto them courage to preach without libertie granted vnto them by Princes furnished also courage and grace vnto them to meete at Hierusalem for the well of the Church without the fore-knowledge and allowance of the Emperour Claudius But thinges done extraordinarily leane vnto their owne extraordinary warrandes and are no impediment to vs to proceede and to speake of thinges that are ordinary And it is to be noted that euen during the time of the 10. Persecutions Christians neglected not to seeke the support of Emperours against Heretiques whē it could be obtained as clearelie appeareth by the ninth Persecuting Emperour Aurelian who with his ciuil authority assisted the Synode of Antiochia against Samosatenus as hath beene declared in the thirde CENTURIE and the Church had craued the support of the Emperours authoritie to that effect From the dayes of the Emperour Constanti◅e vntill the yeere of our LORD 1215. the Emperours were in use to conuocate Councils But Innocentius the thirde to whose tuterie Fredericke the seconde was recommended by his father Henrie the sixt more like to the successour of Iudas then the successour of Peter made Otto Duke of Saxon Emperour in prejudice of Fredericke vntill the spirit of dissention fell betwixt Otto and Pope Innocentius the thirde Then was Otto excommunicated and the Empire was giuen to Fredericke the seconde to whom it rightly belonged Notwithstanding Pope Innocentius tooke vpon him boldnes to
imposition of hands which constitution he confirmed with a foolâ—…sh reason because none of the 70. disciples whom Christ adioyned as helpers to the Apostles had power by imposition of hands to coÌ„fer the gift of the holy Spirit Now the time is come wheÌ„ euery man endeuoureth with some nouelty and new toy which hath not bene heard before to goe beyond his predecessors Benedict 1. continued in his charge 4. yeres 1. months 28 dayes Hee had great griefe in his time because the preuailing power of the Lombards oppressed the countrie of Italie the town of Rome was sore pinched with famine The heart griefe he conceiued for the calamitie of the country is thought to haue hastned his death Neuerthelesse he had this comfort that the Emp. Tibâ—…rius 2. in whose time hee ministred sent shippes loadned with cornes froÌ„ Aegypt to support the distressed estate of the Romans Tiberius was indued with many good qualities princely gifts he was valiant godly and liberall and the more bountifull hee was to the poore his riches so much the more abounded for beside the treasures of Narses that were brought to him from Italie when Narses died he found also in his owne palace vnder a crosse of marble which he commanded to be raised and not to be tread vnder feet any longer but to be set in a more honorable place there I say he found an infinite treasure of siluer gold Finally when he ouercame the Persians such quantitie of gold siluer precious things were atchieued as none of his predecessors had obtained the like so that the prouerbe hee who soweth largely shall reape largely had viue performance in the person of the noble Emperour Tiberius After Benedict succeeded Pelagius 2. and ministred vnder the reignes of Tiberius Mauritius 10. yeeres 12. months 10. dayes Hee was elected without the foreknowledge of the Emperour contrare to the custome obserued in those dayes but he excused himselfe to the Emperour Mauritius by sending Gregorius ambassadour vnto him and declaring that the towne of Rome was besiâ—…ged by Lombardis so that no messenger could bee sent from Rome to Constantinople to acquaint the Emperour with his election The forme of the siege of Rome was this The Emperour Mauritius had hired Sigibertus King of France to make warre against the Lombards and to driue them out of Italie but his armie was ouerthrowne by Eucharis King of Lombards with this victorie the Lombards were puft vp and they besieged the towne of Rome they had also taken it if they had not bene hindered by great inundation of waters The inundation of Tiber was extraordinarie it ouerflowed the walles of the towne of Rome and brought with it a multitude of Serpents which afterward putrifying corrupted the aire whereof arose a vehement pest in Rome and Pelagius 2. in this contagious sicknes ended his life Gregorius 1. called Magnus succeeded to Pelagius 2 and ministred 13. yeeres 6. moneths 10 dayes He was chosen with consent of the Clergie and people but he was vnwilling to accept the office And hee wrote to the Emperour Mauritius that he should not assent neither to the desire of Clergie nor people but his letters were intercepted by the gouernour of the towne of Rome and rent in pieces And other letters were written vnto the Emperour requesting him to condescend that Gregorius might haue the office whom both Clergie and people had elected The Emperour agreed willingly to his election for he had beene acquainted with him in Constantinople when he came ambassadour from Pelagius 2. to excuse his ouersight in accepting the office of the bishop of Rome before the Emperour was foreseene of that purpose He brought into the Romane Church the forme of the Greeke Letanies and ordained that in their prayers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should bee nine times repeated This prayer is thought to haue beene vttered by multiplied repetitions in the dayes of the Emperour Iustinus when Antiochia was terribly shaken with a vehement earthquake the few number that were aliue saide LORD haue mercie LORD haue mercie which in Greeke Kyrie Eleison hee borrowed also from the Liturgie of the Iewes Allelu-iah and added these wordes vnto the Latine seruice Diesque nostros in pace disponas that is in peace dispone our dayes He was the first that deuised the stile of Seruus servoram Dei that is the seruant of the seruants of GOD taking occasion as appeareth so to doe by the arrogant attempt of Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or iciunator who had vsurped the stile of Oecumenick or vniuersall bishop to whom Pelagius 2. and Gregorius 1. mightily opponed themselues and called him the forerunner of the Antichrist who durst vsurpe such an arrogant stile But marke now I pray you how farre ambition preuailed both in the chaire of Constantinople and in the chaire of Rome The humilitie of Christ was now laide aside notwithstanding of their humble stiles servus servorum Dei and the first occasion that was presented vnto them of vsurpation of the stile of vniuersall bishop it was greedily embraced First Iohn called Ieiunator Patriarch of Constantinople saw that the Emperiall seate was in Constantinople and that the towne of Rome was besieged by the Lombards Now he thought it was time to stirre and to aduance his owne chaire aboue all chaires And incontinent after Bonifacius 3. finding himselfe in fauour with the Emp. Phocas gladly accepted that same preheminence in his owne person which his predecessors had damned in the person of Ioannes Ieiunator so they were all for the most part a nest of ambitious Prelats preaching the humilitie of CHRIST but hunting for the supremacie foretold of the Antichrist Read the Epistles which Gregorius writeth to Mauritius detesting and abhorring this supremacie whereat the Patriarch of Constantinople aimed Amongst other things he saith Exclamare compellor ac dicere O tempora ô mores ecce cuncta in Europae partibus barbarorum iurisunt tradita Destructae urbes euersa castra depopulatae prouinciae nullus terram cultor inhabitat tamen sacerdotes qui in pavimento cinere flentes tacere debuerunt vanitatis sibi nomina expetunt novis ac prophanis vocabulis gloriantar that is to say I am compelled to cry out O times O maners beholde in all the parts of Europe all things lye vnder the reuerence of barbarous people townes are destroyed castles are ouerthrowne provinces are spoyled no labourer inhabiteth the lande Notwithstanding the Priests who should lye in ashes vpon the ground weeping they are seeking vnto themselues nâ—…nâ—…s of vanitie and they glory in prophane stiles Nowe apply these wordes of Gregorius 1. to Bonifacius 3. and it shall be found that hee embraced the name of vanitie and the glory of prophane stiles at that same time when it became him better to be lying in sackecloth and ashes and to be mourning for the preuailing power of barbarous people and
Lombardes were vtterly fubdued the chaire of Rome was inriched the reuenewe of the Emperour of the East was impaired and a ground was laide of the aduancement of the kinges of France to the Emperiall dignitie In this Emperours dayes the Turkes or Schythians inuaded the Armenians and molested the Saracenes and some countreys of Asia minor in ende they accorded with the Saracenes But this agreement could not bee perfected without condition That the Turkes in Persia shoulde vndergoe the name of Saracenes hoping thereby that they woulde easily embrace the Mahometane religion wherein their exspectation was not frustrate In the yeere of our Lord 579. and in the 18. yeere of the reigne of Constantine a wonderfull thing fell out amongst the wise men of Persia called Magi and Maurophori Persae they perswaded both themselues and others also That if any man would fell all that hee had and throwe himselfe headlonges from the walles of the cities his soule should incontinent bee tranfported to heauen So prone and bent is the corrupt nature of man to leane vpon vaine hopes and to belceue promises which GOD hath not made LEO the sonne of COPRONYMVS LEo the son of Constantinus Copronymus reigned 5. yeeres he followed the foote-steps of his father in zeale against worshipping of images and punished the Groomes of his owne chamber such as Iames Papias Strateius and Theophanes for worshipping of images The superstitious writers of the historie of this time such as Zonaras and Paulus Diaconus reckon the aforesaid persons in the Catalogue of holy Confessors But Christ he will neuer count them to be His martyrs who fight obstinatelie against his trueth euen vnto the death neither will Hee count them to be His Confessors who suffer justly inflicted punishmēt for contempt of the lawes of Magistrates beeing agreeable to the law of God IRENE and CONSTANTINVS her sonne AFter the death of Leo reigned Irene his wife with her sonne Constantine ten yeeres Afterwardes Constantine deposed his mother from her authoritie and reigned alone 7. yeeres And Irene on the other part taking this indignitie done vnto her grieuously she spoyled her sonne both of his eyes of his Empire cast him into prison where he died for heart griefe and she reigned againe 4. yeeres after her sonnes imprisonment So all the yeeres of the reignes of Irene her sonne conjunctly and ◅euerally first last were 21. yeeres This Empresse was superstitious malicious craftie infortunate She was a superstitious defender of the worshipping of images A malicious venomous hater of the name of Constantinus Copronymus whose dead body she commanded to bee brought out of his graue to bee burnt with fire resolued into ashes and to be casten into the sea albeit Constantine was her owne father in lawe The mercies of the wicked are cruell Her craft appeared in bringing her forces to Constantinople in the sixt yeere of her reigne vnder pretence of fighting against the Arabians and in disarming of them whom she knew to haue beene aduersaries to worshipping of images sending them in ships to the places from whence they came For before the dayes of Constantinus Copronymus the towne of Constantinople by famine pestilence being besieged 3. yeeres by the Saracens was miserably dispeopled so that 30000. of the people of Constantinople died But Copronymus for repairing of that losse sent for strangers and replenished the towne with new inhabitantes These strangers she sent back againe to the places from whence they came especially because in populare commotion they had set themselues in armes and minassed the Fathers conuened in Constantinople by Irene and her sonne for allowance of adoration of images Shee was infortunate because the Empire of the East was so extenuate in her time that it was rather like vnto a shaddowe than vnto an Empire So that in the subsequent historie I will forget after a manner the Emperours of the East and make mention of the Emperours of the West Now Irene was deposed and banished by Nicephorus who reigned eight yeeres after her banishment CHAP. II. Of Popes Patriarches Pastors and Doctors AFTER Pope SERGIVS succeeded IOANNES the sixt and continued three yeeres and three monethes And after him Pope Ioannes the seuenth continued two yeeres and seuen monethes he liued in the dayes of Iustinian the second who sent Ambassadours vnto him for procuring an vnion betwixt the Churches of the East and the West because they differed in opinions concerning the Canons of the sixt Generall Councell wherein prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices was disalowed and the Patriarch of Constantinople was equalled in authority to the Patriarch of Rome These Ambassadours aforesaide returned from Pope Ihonne the seuenth without any answere which proud carriage or as others doe thinke a cowardly forme of dealing all writers doe vituperate And after him succeeded Sisinius who continued not aboue twentie dayes in his Popedome After Sisinius succeeded Constantine the first and gouerned seuen yeeres and twentie dayes His Popedome was vnd◅r the reignes of Iustinian the seconde Philippicus and Anastasius The Emperour Iustinian supported him against Foelix bishop of Rauenna who had refused to paye to the bishop of Rome the summe of money imposed to him in time of his ordination so that Foelix was taken prisoner by the Emperours Admirall and sent to Constantinople where his eyes were put out and hee was banished to Pontus Against the Emperour Philippicus he contended as one hauing authoritie to rase the name of the Emperour out of charters as hath beene alreadie declared This is the Pope who was made judge betwixt the bishops of Ticinum and Millane who contended for superioritie And Constantine eximed the bisshop of Ticinum from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Millan but in such way as he should be subject to the Church of Rome The Emperour Iustinian the seconde sent for pope Constantine who came to Constantinople and from thence went to Nicomedia where hee met with the Emperour and the Emperour kissed his feete Marke the growing and daylie increasing pride of the Romane Antichrist After Constantine succeeded Gregorius the second continued sixteene yeeres nine monethes and eleuen dayes Hee liued vnder the reigne of the Emperour Leo Isaurus whom he rashly excommunicated for abolishing of images Also hee drewe awaye from the obedience of the Emperour the countreys of He speria Aemilia Liguria and other parts of Italie forbidding them to paye tribute to the Emperour expresse contrarie to Christes commandement Matth. 22. 21. where He saith Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars c. and this Christ spake concerning paying of tribute Gregorie the thirde gouerned ten yeeres eight monethes and 24. dayes and followed the foote-steps of his predicessor both in aduancing the doctrine of the worshipping of images and in with-drawing the people of Italie from the obedience of the Emperour More-ouer he gathered a Councell at Rome wherein the worshipping of images had
yeere of our LORD 712. a Councell was assembled at LONDON where ' Bonifacius was present and Brithuvaldus the chiefe Prelate of ENGLAND and the kings of Saxons domining in ENGLAND were commanded vnder paine of cursing to bee present at this Councell The purposes intraited in this Councell were two to wit concerning the adoration of images and prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices About worshipping of images no disputation was heard whether that forme of seruice did agree with the written worde of God or not This was counted a sufficient warrande for bringing images into places of Adoration and for worshipping them especially the image of the Virgine Marie that Eguvinus a superstitious Monke in England of the Order of S. Bennet who afterwardes was made a Bishop Hee affirmed that the Virgine Marie appeared vnto him in a dreame declared that it was her will that her image should bee set vp in Churches worshipped These dreames once confirmed by the oath of Eguvinus and approued by Constantine bishop of Rome and obtruded by Bonifacius the Popes Legate they were embraced in ENGLAND with little contradiction in such a corrupt time The other purpose entraited in this Councell was prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices This doctrine of the Romane Church was not receiued without reluctation of the Clergie Alwayes a ground was laide wherevpon followed a building of the doctrine of Deuils ABout the same time that is about the yeere of our LORD 712. it is supposed that the Emperour Philippicus gathared a Councell at Constantinople for vndoing of the sixt Generall Councell in the which the errour of the Monothelues was condemned and that he did this according to a promise made to a monke named Ihonne who fore-tolde him that hee shoulde bee made Emperour and craued this promise of him that when hee should bee aduanced to the Emperiall dignitie hee shoulde vndoe the sixt Generall Councell But the writers of this Historie doe not make particular mention of the Fathers who were present at this Councell The rest of the Historie is cleare that Philippicus razed the pictures of the Fathers who had bene present at this Councell and were pictured in the Temple of Sophia and that on the other part Pope Constantine the first not onely caused the same effigies to bee pictured in the portch of the Church of Sainct Peter at Rome but also procured that the Emperours name should bee rased out of Charters and that his effigie should not bee ingrauen in any kinde of coyned mettall Also it is cleare that Philippicus remoued Cyrus from his office and placed in his rowme Ihonne who fore-tolde him that hee shoulde bee Emperour IN the yeere of our LORD 714. pope Gregorius the second assembled a Councell in the which two bishops of Britanie to wit Sedulius and Fergustus were present It was ordained that Masses shoulde bee cel◅brated publikely in Temples which custome was not in vse before In the seconde Tome of Councels this Synode is referred to Gregorius the third A great number of the Canons of this Councell do concerne marriage That no man should take in marriage a woman who was the relict of a presbyter or a deacon or a nunne or his spirituall sister or his brothers wife or his neece or his mother in lawe or daughter in law or his neare cosines or a womā whom by theft or rauishing hee hath ledde away And that no man should consult with inchaunters and sorcerers And that no man shoulde violate the mandates of the Apostolicke chaire no not in a matter of an haire GREGORIVS the third after he had receiued a mandate from the Emperour Leo concerning abolishing of images he assembled a great Councell at Rome of 903. bishops in the which the Emperour Leo was excommunicated and depriued of his Emperiall dignitie Here marke the tyrannie and fiercenesse of the Antichrist who gaue such authoritie to a Romane preacher to dismount the Monarches of the world from their royall thrones Yet Gregorius the thirde attempted such high matters because the Em. Leo had disallowed the worshipping of images Likewise by his instigation the whole countr◅y of Italie refused to pay tribute to the Em. Now is the banner of the Antichrist displayed against the Emp. and this is a fore-running token of the hatefull inimirie which is to ensue betwixt the popes and the Emperours which God willing shall be declared in i◅s own time Likewise Anastatius patriarch of Constantinople was condemned and excommunicated in this Councell To fauour the Emperour and to dislike the worshipping of Images were two irremissable sinnes and meriting the great Anathems of the bisshop of Rome IN the yeere of our LORD 742 and in time of the reigne of Charles the Great and vnder the popedome of Zacharias the first Bonifacius Archbishop of Mentz assembled a Councell of the bishops pre◅byters and Clergie of France for reformation of abuses in that countrey or rather as the trueth is to bring the countrey of France as hee had alreadie brought manie parts of Germanie to a conformitie with the superstitious rites of the Romane Church It is to be marked that this Nationall Councell was assembled by the mandate of king Charles howsoeuer Bonifacius ordered the affaires of the Councell It was ordained That Synodes shoulde bee kept yeerelie and that Clergie men shoulde not put on armour and goe to warre-fare except one or two bishops with their presbyters and chaplens to prescribe pennance to them who shoulde happen to confesse their sinnes And that hunting and halking and such idle pastimes shoulde not bee vsed by the Clergie That euerie presbyter shall bee readie to giue account of his ministerie to his owne bishop in time of Lent especiallie concerning his ministration of Baptisme the summe of his Catholicke Faith the forme of his Prayers and the order of his saying of Masses That none vncouth bishop or presbyter be admitted without the triall and allowance of a Synode That presbyters and deacons bee not cloathed as seculare men with short cloakes but with the habite of men who are in spirituall offices And that no woman cohabite in the house with them That euerie bishop haue a care within his owne boundes to abolish all Heathnicke superstitions IN the yeere of our LORD 755. and in the thirteenth yeere of the Empire of Constantinus Copronymus a Generall Councell of three hundreth and thirtie and eight bishops was assembled at Constantinople by the commandement of the Emperour In this Councell the worshipping of images was damned and the placing of them in Oratories and Temples where the diuine Majestie is worshipped was forbidden as a custome borrowed from Pagans who had no hope of the resurrection and therefore solaced themselues with pictured similitudes of their friendes as if they had beene bodilie present with them Yea for three principall causes they damned the worshipping of images First because the worshipping of them is
Godefridus King of Denmarke a fearce aduersary against the Christians who dwelt in Saxonie Likewise he subdued the Sclavonians and Bohemians enemies to Christian Religion and was justly called Magnus for his great exploytes valiant acts which God prospered in his hand Pipinus the sonne of Emperour Charles was declared King of Italieâ—… who died before his father and after his death he appointed Bernard his nephew to reigne in Italie with expresse commandement That he should be obedient to his sonne Ludouieke whom hee ordained to be successour to himselfe in the Emperiall office So the Emperour Charles full of dayes died in the 71. yeere of his age and was buried in AKEN LVDOVICVS PIVS AFter Charles succeeded his sonne Ludouicus Pius and reigned 26. yeeres For his gentle and meeke behauiour hee was called Pius Hee receiued the Emperiall Diademe from Stephanus the fourth at Aken Bernard his brothers sonne forgetfull of the mandate of Charles the Great rebelled against Ludodouicus Pius and was beheaded at Aken Likewise his owne sonnes assisted with Hugobortus Bishop of Lions and Bernhardus Bishop of Vienne and other bishops who did excommunicate the Emperour for adherence to Iudith his wife they behaued themselues very vnduetifully towards their father Neuerthelesse hee freely pardoned his sonnes and accepted them againe into fauour Also Fredericke bishop of Wtrecht threatned to excommunicate the Emperour if he did not for sake the company of Iudith his welbeloued wife and daughter to the Duke of Bauaria because shee was his neare kinswoman to wit in degrees of consanguinitie forbidden in the Popish law The Empresse willing to be reuenged of the bishop she hired two gentlemen who set vpon him after Church seruice and slewe him in his Priestly garments In his time also the Saracenes in hudge numbers like vnto Locusts swarmed out of Aegypt and Africk and inuaded the Isle of Sicill By cutting down all fruitful trees burning Townes Temples and Monasteries and by killing bishops priestes and monks they brought the Isle to an vtter desolation Gregorie the fourth at this time was Pope and hee exhorted the Emperour and his sonne Lotharius to support the distressed estate of the Isle of Sicill They answered That albeit that matter duely belonged to Michael Emperour of Constantinople yet neuerthelesse they refused not to vndertake the worke vpon the common charges of the countrey Nowe whilest these thinges were in reasoning Bonifacius Count of Corsica and his brother Bertarius with support of the people of Hetruria arriued with a Nauie at Africke and betwixt Vtica and Carthage encountered with the Saracenes foure times and slew of them so great a number that they were compelled to recall their forces backe againe from Sicill Like as of olde the Carthaginians vexed by Scipio recalled Hanniball for the safety of his owne countrey So Bonifacius returned backe againe with an armie victorious and richly ladened with the spoyle of his enemies Nothing was more vnprouidently done by the good Emperour Ludouicus Pius than the ouer-giuing of that right voluntarily conferred to Charles his father by Adrian the first and Leo the third to wit That no man should be elected Pope without the consent and allowance of the Emperour This fore-saide right Ludouicus gaue ouer to the Clergie and people of Rome onely the Romanes for keeping of friendship should sende an Ambassadour to the Kinges of Fraunce declaring whome they had elected to bee Pope Heereby a patent doore was opened to all mischiefe which after followed and to that horrible contention betwixt Emperoures and Popes concerning investment of Bishops In his time three Emperoures reigned in the East at Constantinople to wit Leo Armenius Michaell Balbus and Theophilus Leo Armenius reigned seuen yeeres Hee banished Nicephorus Patriarch of Constantinople for defending adoration of Images Michaell Balbus slew Leo his predicessour whilest hee was praising God in the Church and reigned in his steade nine yeeres In his time the Saracenes mightilie preuailed a number of them issued out of Spaine and tooke the Isle of Candie Another companie comming from Africke wasted the Isle of Sicill Theophilus reigned tenne yeeres and faught against the Saracenes who did oppresse the Countrey of Asia but hee had no good successe LOTHARIVS LOTHARIVS the sonne of LVDOVICVS PIVS was declared King of Italie and Augustus before his fathers death Hee was anointed by Pope Pascalis in the Church of Sainct PETER and hee reigned fifteene yeeres Great hostilitie and bloodie warres fell out amongst the children of Ludouicus Pius to wit Lotharius Lewes Charles and Pipinus for diuiding of their fathers Landes In this ciuill dissention the Nobilitie of Fraunce was so miserably weakened that the Normandes and Daines tooke boldnesse to inuade the Countreye of Fraunce which they vexed for the space of twentie yeeres In the East after Theophilus had concluded his life his sonne Michael with his mother Theodora gouerned the estate Michael reigned foure and twentie yeeres Theodora continued onlie eleuen yeeres Shee persecuted those who woulde not worship Images albeit her husband before his departure from this life had seriously admonished her that shee should not trouble the Church for restoring of Images LVDOVICVS the second LVDOVICVS the seconde and sonne of Lotharius reigned twentie yeeres and one The intestine dissention betwixt him and his brother Charles seemeth to bee like vnto an hereditarie sicknesse Howsoeuer the Emperour Ludouicke had dishonour thereby because the reballes of Charles desired the Emperoures protection against his owne brother which when hee had graunted the rebelles were reconciled againe with their owne King Charles and the Emperour with dishonour was compelled to retire from his brothers Dominions In the East Michael Emperour of Constantinople slew his brother Theoctistus and thrust his mother Theodora and her sisters into a Monasterie and reigned himselfe alone after his mothers deposition thirteene yeeres So the whole time of the gouernement of Michael was twentie and foure yeeres Hee faught against the Saracenes but very vnprosperously and was slaine by Basilius who reigned in his steade seuen yeeres CAROLVS CALVVS LVDOVICVS the second dying without children his brother Carolus Caluus king of Fraunce obtained at the handes of the Bishop of Rome by many liberall giftes to bee annointed Emperour He continued Emperour not aboue two yeeres and was poysoned by one Sedekias a Iewe whome hee vsed for his Physition CAROLVS CRASSVS CAROLVS CRASSVS was the sonne of Lewes king of Germanic he reigned 10. yeere Carolus Balbus the son of Carolus Caluus was incontinent cut off by death Therefore I haue ouer-passed his name with silence In this Emperoures time the Normandes and Daines made such horrible excursions and desolations in FRAVNCE that the Emperour who came with a great Armie to support the distressed estate of Fraunce was compelled to make peace with them anno 888. and assigned vnto them that part of Fraunce which lieth beyonde Seane towardes the Britannicke Ocean to bee their habitation which hath the name of Normandie vntill
person which indignitie done vnto him hee tooke it so grieuouslie that hee bounde himselfe by an oath That hee shoulde neuer see the Towne of ROME nor returne againe to his Bishopricke for hee was Episcopus PORTVENSIS But Pope MARTINVS absolued him from his oath and repossessed him into his Bishopricke againe and in ende hee was made Pope as saide is Neuerthelesse the faction of his competitor SERGIVS ceassed not to vexe and molest FORMOSVS so that hee sent secrete aduertisement vnto ARNVLPHVS the Nephewe of Carolus Crassus to come to ROME who came with an Armie and was crowned Emperour by Formosus as hath beene alreadie declared To Formosus succeeded Bonifacius the sixt who concluded his course after he had continued twentie and sixe dayes After Bonifacius the sixt succeeded Stephanus the sixt and ruled one yeere and three monethes Hee not onely annulled all the Decrees of his Predecessor Formosus but also caused his dead bodie to bee taken out of his graue and cutte off his three fingers wherewith hee was wont to consecrate persons admitted to spirituall offices and threwe them into Tyber and caused all them who had receiued ordination by Formosus to receiue newe ordination This fact of Stephanus the sixt is so full of vncouth and vnnaturall inhumanitie that Onuphrius denieth that any such thing was done whose impudencie Morneus discouereth by the testimonie of Luitprandus who liued at that same time and was a Deacon of the Church of Ticinum and maketh mention of this vile fact not without horrour and detestation thereof Baronius is not so impudent as Onuphrius and will not denie the fact but extenuateth the atrocitie and vilenesse thereof for hee saieth Non fuit error in side sed violenta tyrannis in facto that is to saye It was no errour in the faith but a violent tyrannie in the fact And like wise hee annulled the inauguration of the EMPEROVR ARNVLPHVS and annointed ALBERT or Lambert Marques of Tuscia who followed the Popes course to bee Emperour Nowe is the Popedome encreased to the measure of a full strength when they dare authorise and disauthorise place and displace Emperoures at their owne pleasure So that there remaineth nothing but to enter into grippes with the Emperour to throwe him downe to the grounde and to treade vpon the excellent honour of his Soueraignitie which in the next CENTVRIE will follow To Stephanus succeded Romanus and continued onely three monethes Hee abrogated the Decrees of Stephanus his predecessour Theodorus the successour of Romanus continued in his Popedome twentie dayes onely In this short time hee allowed the Decrees of Formosus Patriarches of Constantinople PAtriarches of Constantinople in this Centurie were changed according to the disposition of Emperoures fauouring or disliking the worshipping of Images Nicephorus was a defender of adoration of Images and was banished by the Emperour Leo. Theodotus againe Antonius and Syngelus who had beene Schoole-masters to the Emperour Theophilus were haters of Images But after the death of Theophilus Theodora his Wife aduaunced Methodius a superstitious man and an obstinate defender of adoration of Images and intercession of Sainctes Concerning Ignatius and Photius and the great troubles that arose about placing and displacing of them occasion will bee offered to speake of these thinges in the head of Councels Of other Pastors and Doctors IN this corrupt and backe-sliding age wherein the Romane Antichrist had so great vpper-hande the head of Councels will compell mee to make mention of the names of a number of Learned men At this time the name of Claudius Taurinensis putteth a great number of the rest out of my remembrance because hee was a faithfull witnesse vnto the trueth of God in a difficill time Hee was a man borne in Spaine and vnder the reigne of Ludouicus Pius hee was made Bishop of Thurin in P◅emont At his first entrie to his Bishopricke hee threwe the Images out of his Church affirming that the Sainctes who in their lifetime were not content to bee worshipped much lesse coulde they bee content to haue their pictures worshipped after their death In speciall hee condemned the worshipping of the Crosse. affirming that if it shoulde bee worshipped because Iesus died vpon it then the Shippe in the which Christ sailed the Asle whereupon Christ did ride into Hierusalem and infinite other thinges which Christ touched by the like reason behoued also to bee worshipped Concerning the Bishop of Rome he said that hee was not to bee counted an Apostolicke Bishop who sate in the Apostolicke Chaire but hee who fulfilled an Apostolicke office Hincmarus bishop of Rhemes liued vnder Carolus Magnus and continued in office almost vntill the reigne of the Em. Arnulph He had great strife with his nephew Hincmarus b. of Laudunum who refused to be vnder his Diosie and appealed from him vnto the b. of Rome Likewise in the cause of Rhotardus b. of Soission whom Hincmarus deposed and remoued from his office Nicolaus the first b. of Rome absolued him Hadrian 2. gaue him commandement to excommunicate C. Caluus k. of Fraunce his soueraigne lord but hee refused to performe such an vnlawfull commandement and writ vnto the Pope to be circumspect and not precipitate rashly his sentences of excommunication The question wherunto Hadr. 2. was so serious was about diuision of lāds betwixt C. Caluus his brother Lotharius C. Caluus denied that hee did vnjustly inuade any of his brothers landes but landes duely belonging vnto himselfe by paction and couenant And the Nobles of the countrey saide that it was a strange and an vnaccustomed thing that the Pope would take vpon him to be judge in a controuersie concerning the Titles and Rights of Kingdomes because hee coulde not bee both a Bishop and a King CHAP. III. Of Heretiques THEY who of olde were accustomed to condemne Heresies nowe they are become the chiefe Patrones and maintainers of adoration of Images a notable heresie whose pusillanimitie argueth the weaknesse of their cause for vnder the reigne of Ludouicus Pius Claudius Taurinensis wrote bookes against the adoration of Images and the Emperour by a publicke edict commanded them who were disposed to answere to his bookes to answere whilest Claudius was aliue But Ionas bishop of Orleans concealed and obscured his bookes during Claudius lifetime But after his death with impotencie of railing wordes rather than with power of solide arguments he endeuoureth to refute Claudius Taurinensis But I entrait the judicious Reader without partialitie to reade the bookes of Ionas bishop of Orliens the very stinking breath of the adversary of the trueth shall giue great allowance to the trueth of God Godescalcus a man of the Lowe Countreyes is reckoned in the number of Heretiques of this age about the yeere of our Lord 849. because hee spake of Predestination perilously to wit that these who were predestinated to life by the decree of Gods predestination were forced to doe well and those who were predestinated to