hee used not by the instigation of any man but out of his owne invention and and furious braine this was one That being a Necromancer hee slew Christian women being great with child and tooke the children yet unborne out of their wombes the ashes whereof he used in his execrable art to make himselfe greater in authority and power All which availed him nothing because that fighting with Constantinus the Great upon a Bridge hee was by him throwne and drowned in the river Tyber which happened in the fift yeere of his reigne having no other sepulture then the River This Emperor used to joyne the living bodies of men with other dead carcases and being chain'd mouth to mouth hee caused them to bee tumbled up and downe 65. Licinius Anno Dom. 310. LIcinius a Dacian borne An. Dom. 310. being a man knowne to be singular and rare in feates of Armes was by Galerius made Captaine Generall afterwards Co-emperor For wretched avarice and bestiality of lust hee was knowne to be most dissolute and hee was so ill bred and extravagantly drowned in ignorance that he became an enemy of all litterate and learned men terming them the skum and filth of men endeavouring by all meanes that men should shun and avoid them as a poyson or a contagious plague He grew so insolent and proud for one onely victory which hee obtained in the East that hee slighted and contemned Constantinus and began to increase his cruelty and tyranny against the Christians Whereupon Constantinus opposed himselfe and they both joyning battaile this Tyger was put to flight in the Countrey of Pannonia and intending to reinforce his cause was in his 〈◊〉 campe by his owne souldiers manacred in Thessalonica at the age of 50 yeeres and of his government 〈◊〉 and was carelesly cast into a pit having no other respective funerall 66. Martinianus Anno Domini 312. MArtinianus Anno Domini 312. a Sclavonian by Nation a man meanely borne but well experienced in the Art Military was for that cause made Generall of the Horse He was created Emperor and Caesar in Bizantium but in a short time he lost both dignity and life because being taken in Thessalia with Licinius by the expresse command of Constantine they were both murthered by the Souldiers and therefore not having left any memoriall behinde him but this example that we may see and know that many were raised to the Imperiall dignity more by sedition ambition and interest in their souldiers than by any their just desert claime or title to such a degree But it is no wonder that in a manner all or most of them died immaturely and unfortunately being they had neither a meane order or regular way of governing themselves much lesse others living for the most part dissolutely not reflecting on the Proverb Qualis vita Finis ita Live well dye well 67. Constantinus Magnus Anno Domini 312. COnstantine An. Dom. 312. a Britan by Nation a man most valiant and worthy in a manner of an Empire more than any one of his Antecessors after the death of his * I suppose iâ— is meant Constantian Clorâ—â— Father he was elected Emperor He overcame all the Tyrants of the Empire and recovered all rebellious Countries wherefore hee entered into the City of Rome in wonderfull pompe He began to persecute the Christians wherefore peradventure by the divine will and pleasure he was so infected with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable But the heavenly Grace was his assistance for being asleepe in the night hee saw a vision telling him that if he desired to recover his health hee should recall Silvester the Bishop and all the Clergy from exile Which thing he performing and being baptized he was immediately cured And increasing in devotion hee built many Churches to the glory and honâ—it of God This Emperor would say in praise of Age that Age appeared to be best in foure things Old wood best to burne old Wine to drinke old friends to trust and old Authors to read of Moreover he said that there was but this difference betweene the death of old men and young men that old men goe to death and death comes to young men This Emperour built a City called by his name Constantinople whither hee after translated the Imperiall seate And being at the age of 66 yeeres he passed to a botter life to the great griefe of all and especially of the Christians then living whom he did entirely love and cherish Hee obtained the sole Monarchy of the whole Empire and every where restored peace to the Church He was prolected 〈◊〉 in all his wars he exhorted 〈…〉 to Christianity but compelle 〈◊〉 It was thought that he was poisoned of his brothers at Nicomedia in Greece and had pompous sunorals worthy of so great a Man at the Gity of Constantinople which hee had lately builtâ— 68. Crispus An. Domini 314. ABritan by birth was Crispan An. Dom. â—14 who by his Father Constantiue was elected Emperour and honoured with the title of Casar hee was a man so proper and compleate in the beauty of person that Fausta his Mother in law sought by all meanes possible to allure and intice him to her lust unto whom he by no meanes willing to consent by his vertuous obstinacy converted her vicious love into an extreaunity of hatred insomuch that she accused him to his Father for a forcible violator of her chastity To whose words Constantine giving credit caused the vertuous young man to be miserably put to death at Pola in Histria But not long after this sallacy of the Mother in law comming to light and the innocency of the chaste young man worth an eternall memory being manifestly discovered the wicked Step mother sought to excuse the incestuous malice with the pretence of her plot to wit That Crispus should not be a hinderance to the honour of her sonnes in the Imperiall claime But at length by the perswasion of Helena who was infinitely grieved for the death of her Grand-child the wicked step-mother was put into a hot bath wherein shee breathed her last and suffered a death toâ—â— mild for such an impious and treacherous impurity This Emperor was taught and instructed in Learning by the famous Lactantius It is evident that he was singularly qualified valiant and fortunately victorious Helena his Grand mother much lamented his immature death which was not onely suddaine but mischievous and griev'd the whole Empire who by that meanes were deprived of so hopefull a Governour 69. Constantinus Anno Domini 314. COustantine was the second of that name An. Dom. 314. After the death of his Father Constantine the Great the Empire was divided into many parts but that of France Spaine the Alpes England and Scotland did befall to his charge but not contented with these hee pretended by hereditary right that also of Italy and Affrick which here demanded by way of Embassie but not obtaining his pretended cause he made
Warre upon his brother Constans Commander of those parts And after many bloody battailes he was alwayes victorious with a grievous massacre and slaughter on both fides But at length Constans gathering new forces and supplies came upon him with a terrible assault and routed him putting his souldiers to flight sword and prison most of them cut in peeces himselfe also was mortally wounded and falling from his horse he was slaine neere Aquileya at the 〈◊〉 of 25 of the which hee governed onely three This Emperor by divine assistance overcame the Almans Britans and other powerfull Nations hee recalled Athanasius from banishment and restored him to his Bishopricke of Alexandria of which hee was formerly deprived Those Warres which he raised concerning his right unto the government of Italy and Affrick did mightily oftentimes disturbe his minde Whereupon hee would usually say to his Commanders of his Armies Let there be no malice in the prosecution of my cause towards my Brother used for I grieve when I thinke that wee whom God and Nature created for union should by divellish ambition and covet ousnesse be divided Howsoever hee continued his warres undertaken though with a great reluctancy as desiring rather to imploy the souldier than advantage himselfe This Emperor had a petition offered him divers times by an old Cittizen of Rome and still he was answered by the Emperour That he had no leasure whereupon the old man said aloud Why then give over to be Emperour 70. Constans Anno Domini 314. THe division of the Empire being made upon the death of the Great Constantine the Father An. Dom. â—14 Constans one of the sonnes takes upon him the possession of â—â—ly Affrick and all the Isles of Solevonia Dalmatia Macedonia and Achata He fought against his brother and having slaine him in a short time he made himselfe master of all France In the beginning of his government hee was a famous Prince and just but afterwards altering his life wholly changed it into a worse giving himselfe solely to pleasures and solaces with such disorders which caused him insupportable paines in his limbes and especially his joynts whereby falling into a loathing and detestation of himselfe and a generall hatred of the whole Empire a conspiracy was complotted against him and a certaine Magnentius being created Emperour some to give Constans content or perhaps at his owne request slew him but lamentably as he reposed himselfe in his Pavilion at the foote of the Pyrenean Mountaines neare a place called Helena at the age of 30 and of his government 13 yeeres He governed after his 〈…〉 Italy and many other Provinâ—â—â— of the Empire and after his brother whom he slew he writ menacing to his brother Constantius for the restitution of Athanasius who lamenting the death of the Innocent Crispus doubted not to terme him a Martyr 71. Constantius Anno Domini 325. COnstantius also the sonne of Constantinus Magnus and Fausta An. Dom. â—25 was created Caesâ—◠〈◊〉 the liew of the vertuous and innocent Câ—ispus unjustly slaine as is before mentioned Hee was happy in his civill warres and wonderfully active in throwing a dart In the division of the Empire the Ensterne government was assigned him with the Seate at Constantinople In his time the Arrian Sect much flourished whereby he was much assisted whereupon there was a Councell called and held in Laodicea whither Arrius came with many of his adherents and also many Christians and many Bishops and Prelates disputing concerning matters of Faith were confined and punished by this Constantius himselfe being an Arrian But by the death of his brothers hee remaining sole and absolute in the Empire he governed warily and with prudence Neverthelesse by the Roman Senate two Emperours were created against whom he declaring open waries in battaile overthrew them and therefore by the Army hee was entituled Augustus And being 45 yeeres of age hee sickened of a bloody flux and shortly dyed being buried in Constantinople This Emperor put his Uncles and many of the Nobility to death suspecting them to have poysoned his Father Constans He declined to the Arrian Sect hee caused his Uncles sonnes Gallus and Iulianus to be brought up in good Litterature hee inhibited Magicke and Idolatry upon paine of death and dyed in the opinion of an Arrian 72. Magnentius Anno Domini 350. COnstans the aforesaid Eâ—perour raised this Magnentius of a youth An. Dom. 350. a French man by birth and although he were vemeanely borne neverthelesse hee caused him to bee trained up in the Military Art inso much that hee made him Generall of his forces in Sclavâ—nia in which government he was protected from death by Constans and in liew of requitall he slew him most ingratefully and by subtilty creepes into the Imperiall seate anno Domini 350 and comming into Italy he created his brother Caesar in Milan and gave him the Alpes in charge to secure France Magnentius afterwards fighting a battaile against Constantius who thirsted the revenge of his brothers death was by him overthrowne and vanquished with a great slaughter of his men and mustering up the residue of his Army he fled to Lions where not finding himselfe secure his life in hazard nor any hope of reâ—â—â—â—â—â— slew himselfe with a knife at 〈◊〉 of 53 and the sixth moneth of his government This Magnentius was spurd on onely Regnandi capiditate With the desire of command and seeing himselfe to fall short of his expectation every way despairing first slew his owne Mother then his Brother and lastly himselfe as I said before and by much soliciting of his friends to the Captaines souldiers interred at the place of his death 73. Decentius Anno Domini 350. DEcentius a French man born An. Dom. 350. was created Caesar in Milan as is before mentioned and instantly commanded to the Alpâ—â— for the defence and tuition of the matters of France which was noâ— toâ—â—ering and in a manner falling into an open rebellion against the Empire which perhaps would have so happened had it not beene curbed and held in action in divers parts at once which dissipated their forces and disabled them for resistance and defence This Eraperor either for non performance of any laudable acts as for the shortnesse of his life hath left not any memorable thing to posterity but onely this that having understood the unfortunate and miserable end of his brother taking it to the heart and fearing to fall into the hands of the enemies of Magnentiâ—s intended his owne death and as a 〈◊〉 impatient and surious mad mâ—â—â—â—ving not brought to perfection 〈◊〉 privated plots and designes 〈◊〉 a garter about his necke and without the helpe or hand of any man strangled himselfe 74. Iulius Apostata Anno Domini 356. JVlian being a man most learned in the Greeke An. Domini 356. and admirable in the Latin toâ—gâ—â—â—â— and of a most strong and able memory was wondrous affable courteous and liberall to all and as one aspiring greedily to
the hand oâ— conspirators at his age of 56 the 15 of April with many prodigies before and after his death In him it was questioned whether Clemency or the Sword obtained him most honour For by the first hee tâ—ed his potent enemies to be his friends witnesse his Commentaries every where But by the Sword hee won the Empire which before was a Consulate His saying was usually in judging of mens natures Baro. pag. 300. Rubicundos aâ—â—o pallidos timeo I love the well coloured 〈◊〉 but feare the pale which was proved in Cassius that gave him his first wound in the Senate-house but loved Brutus whom when he saw also to second Cassius in that Treason with 〈◊〉 tu sili surrendred his life 2. Octavianus Caesar Augustus In the 41 yeere of his reigne our Saviour Jesus Christ was borne SER GALBA IMP. CAES. AVG Octavianus Nephew of Iulius Caesar of the family of the Octavy a Roman by his Mothers side descended from the race of Kings departed out of Macedonia and came into Italy upon the immature death of his Uncle and changing his name would be called Caius Caesar the sonne of Caius Caesar and being arrived at Rome he was created Consul at the age of 20 yeeres He was a Souldier good enough hee routed Sextus Pompeius he was called Pater patriae because he adorned the City with Lawes and Edifices wherefore there were Temples and Altars erected in his Honour He overthrew M. Antonius he conquered Spaine Hungary and Slavonia In the time of his reigne all the World being then in peace our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ was borne Hee governed this Universe absolute Caesar 44 yeeres and 12 yeeres with M. Antoâ—ius and in the 76 yeere of his age within one Moneth and five dayes hee dyed at Nola by poyson to the griefe of all Macrobius testifieth this of Augustus Macrobius lib. 2. Sar. 4. that when he heard of the slaughter of the children under two yeeres which was commanded by Herod continuing his tyranny almost a whole yeere amongst which Herods sonne was one Augustus said thus Melius est Herodis porcum esse quà m filium It is better to be one of Herods hogges than one of his sonnes So impartiall is a spirit possessed with cruelty that as it makes no difference of the act so neither of persons He may and is justly called The murtherer of Innocents and so to keepe his Act in memory the Church doth keepe the day Festivall called Innocents day in memoriall of that bloody command 3. Tiberius Nero Caesar In the yeere of Christ 16. AFter the excellent and of famous memory Octavianus An. Dom. 16. succeeded the wicked and cruell Tiberius And although that in his predecessors time he had done notable exploits in Warre yet he was esteemed as the wickedst man alive He seemed unwilling to accept or undertake the Empire the more to endeare them unto him which were against it and therfore in the beginning of his government he carryed himselfe indifferently well but a while after he shewed himselfe againe in his colours sterne most cruell and as one compleate in all unspeakeable filthynesse and vice And it was questioned whether lust or cruelty in him were most eminent or gluttony all being vices unworthy the name of a Prince St. Iohn Baptist and our Saviour Iesus Christ suffered in his time He was no great enemy of the Christians but he proposed it in the Senat-house That Christ should be adored as a God Finally he dyed neare unto Naples by the Treason of his Nephew Caligula after he had governed 22 yeeres and of his age 78 What he was Seneca expresseth as Illum â rerum natura editum ut ostenderet quid summa vitia in summa fortuna possent Also Dyonisius Areopagita who lived in his time seeing the strange Eclipse of the Sun and Moone at the instant houre of our Saviours passion said Tacitâ—â— Suetonius Dec. vid. â—ut Deus natura patitur aut mundi maâ—ina dissolvitur The God of Nature â—â—rely suffers this day or else the whole â—orld is dissolved One Longinus amongst other souldiers 〈◊〉 recorded to have pierced our Saviours side with his Speare out of whose Wound came Water and Blood And Authors doe report that the same Longinus in the very perpetrating of â—he Act was strucken with blindnesse â—nd being recovered to his sight by the â—aid water blood applyed to his eyes â—id afterwards repent for this cruel act and was made Bishop of Cappadocia 4. Caius Caesar Caligula Anno Domini 39. THe election of Caligula was most pleasing to the Senate so much the more An. Dom. 39. because in his first entrance to the government hee endeauored with great subtilty to gaine and winne the good-will of all men onely seemingly just noble and generous with pleasing carriage and behaviour courting the Nobility He ordained sports feasts pastimes Stage-playes and other entertainments to â—ontent the people But in the processe â—f his government he fell into such exâ—crable villany and filthy wickednesse â—hat he would be called and adored as a God He plained mountaines made â—allies hills built towers in the deepe â—ca and all this he did with such impuâ—ity and cruelty that many would â—ather murther themselves than come â—or stay for the rigour of his sentence Lastly being become unsufferable â—o all the people of Rome hee was â—aine by Cherea receiving 30 wounds â—n the third yeere and tenth Moneth of â—is Imperiall government aged 29 â—eeres He built the Colossus and other workes of innumerable expences Spond His wife Casonia was run thorow with a sword and her yong daughters braines dasht against the walls He banished Pilate and would have had Christ adored as a God but the Senate withstood it 5. Claudius Caesar Anno Domini 43. CLaudius Uncle to Caligula An. Dom. 43. succeeded in the Empire as it were by meere accident because the people of Rome being freed from the terror of the times lately past imagined to redeeme and keepe their liberty and utterly to extinguish all the race and family of the Caesars and some making a head and themselves masters of the Capitoll gave an occasion to Claudius by nature a fearefull and heartlesse man to hide himselfe But â—â—ing found out and encouraged by a â—ouldier and betweene feare and hope â—as neverthelesse at the last made Emâ—eror In his beginning hee was most â—ercifull although he put Cherea to â—eath By his command and appointâ—ent the Water-worke called Aqua â—audia was made He caused the Lake â—ucinum to be drawne dry by the dayâ—â— labour of thirty thousand workeâ—en within the space of two yeeres â—e built the Haven of Ostia the last â—â—rtner with him in the Empire was Agrippina who through feare of him â—ad to secure her sonne of the successiâ—n poisoned him with a dish of Mushâ—mes and so he dyed the 13 of October 〈◊〉 the age of 64 whereof hee reigned â—4 and had sepulture at Rome In
the eighth yeere of his reigne hee â—ustred the City Baroniâ—â— and had to the numâ—er of three score and nine hundred and â—orty foure thousand Cittizens In the 6 yeere of his reigne the Virgâ—â— Mary departed this life at the ageâ— 72 yeeres 6. Nero. Anno Dom. 57. CLaudius being dead the Seâ—â—â— not onely gave the Imperiall government to Nero An. Dom. 57. but also swore him fealty At the first he gave such good satisfaction to all that they said He was ordayned for them by the expresse commandement of God But proceeding in his government he fell into much insoâ—â—cy and cruelty Hee had Seneca the Philosopher for his teacher and instructor but ill requiâ—ed him for hee commanded him to chuse his death for dye he must Soâ—eca desired his veines to be opened to â—et out his life He tooke all the Plate â—nd Jewels out of the Temples he cauâ—ed his owne Mother Agrippina to be â—laine and her body to be ript open â—hat he might see the place wherein he â—â—y Hee slew Poppaa his wife with a â—â—urne or kicke he studied Magicke â—nd called all the Magitians to his faâ—our but being deluded by Simon Magus that promised that he should flye â—e expelled them the Citty Lastly forsaken of all men but onely his Spado whom he had formerly caused to bee â—ut so that hee might use him at his pleasure and onely hee following his Master to the end in so much that Nero being closely pursued gave his sword to his Spado and bad him dispatch him which he refusing Nerâ— said Ergo Nero nec amicum nec iniâ—icum habet Some write that he sell into a vault of a common Jakes other that he slew himselfe He set fire on the City and from a high Tower beheld and laughed at the fire and in the repairing therof he caused the Edifices to be called Neroniana He overcame the Parthians and subdued the Britans hee greatly persecuted the Christian name and besider the putting the Apostle St. Peter and St. Paul to death he caused also an infinite number of Christians to be slaine He made Warres upon the Iewes and in the end being insupportable to God and man amongst the rebellious seditions of many Provinces and the Serate having publiquely proclaimed sentence of death against him and flying out of the City stabbed himselfeâ— to the joy of the whole World in the 32 yeere of his Age and fourteenth of his Reigne 7. Sergius Galba Anno Domini 70. SER GALBA IMP. CAES. AVG AFter the wished death of Nero the cruell An. Dom. 70. Sergius Galba of the City of Rome by birth was creâ—â—ed by the Army and by the Senate â—â—nfirmed Emperor who was no lesse â—â—temperate dogged and fiercely cruâ—ll than his predecessor He was not ignorant in the Arts liberal and well read in the Lawes He was much hated of all sorts and it was a wonder had he not reigned so short a time that he lived so long because every man slew him in conceit dayly though not in effect judging him farre unworthy such a degree giving himselfe over wholly to idle and wicked conceits In the sedition of Otho his head was strucke off in the market-place by a Souldier and his body left in the power of the people and was buried by a slave without any Ceremony at all at the age of 73 yeeres having governed seaven moneths whose death was not lamented of any because it was not knowne that ever he did good to any man His reigne being short and vicious 〈◊〉 no other memory to posterity but commemoratives of his detestable cruelty and other vices who lies ingrav'd 〈◊〉 the Imperiall City wherein hee firâ—â— drew breath 8. M. Silvius Otho Anno Domini 70. OTho of a very honorable family in Rome a man of great valour An. Dom. 70. of an able wit sonne of Lucius 〈◊〉 Consul succeeded Galba in the â—pire and gave great hopes both to 〈◊〉 Senate and CoÌ„monalty by his graâ—us abbearing and carriage of a reâ—sse and reformation of former disâ—â—ts and grievances given them by his â—â—ecessors which indeed would have followed and issued so had not the shortnesse of his government prevented and cut off this hopefull expectation For at the same time that he was created Emperor in the City of Rome Vitellius was proclaimed Emperor in Germany And neither willing to give place to the other resolved to decide and end it in the field and after many battailes Otho being worsted in despaire of the recovery of his Crowne and Dignity slew himselfe to the infinite griefe and sorrow of all the Commons in the yeere after Christ 72 and of his age 38 after the 3 Moneth and 5 dayes of his Empire and dyed at Veliteme the brevity of his reigne prescinded many and great hopes of his good government of the whole Empire 9. Vitellius Anno Domini 71. OTho being dead An. Dom. 71. every man converted his applause to Vitellius which being so in generall was confirmed by the Senate and he comes to Rome in great triumph bravely attended by his noble Army This man although he was munificent and liberall yet he was of a most cruell disposition Wherfore Vespasian being imployed in the warres of the Iews was by the army created Emperor of Rome and joyning battaile with Vitelliu tooke him prisoner binding his hands behind him with a halter about his necke the souldiers buffetting him about the face with infinite dishonour disgrace and scorne was led about in publicke and at the length with many wounds was deprived of life in that very place where hee had caused Sabinus the brother of Vespasian to be miserably slaine and together with him were slaine his owne son and his brother and all throwne into the River Tiber. I find likewise no other notable thing or quality in this man but much accused for cruelty of a slow and dull spirit and given excessively to gluttony insomuch that all Gluttons to this day passe under his name Hee lived 57 yeeres having reigned little more than 8 Moneths 10. Vespasianus In the yeere of Christ 72. UEspasian a Roman borne An. Done 72. although he were not of so noble a blood hee deserved neverthelesse for his true worth and excellent qualities of the minde to be created Emperor And having taken possession of the Imperiall Seate hee embellished and beautified the City with Amphitheaters Temples and Statues Hee was in all his actions courteous affable and benigne to all He raced and utterly destroyed the famous City of Hierusalem verifying that Prophesie of our Saviour which was That there should not be left one stone upon another Hee was most temperate in his diet and very polite neate and compleate in his person Hee made many countries tributary to the Empire Not any one vice could be imputed to him but avarâ—ce although hee acknowledged it with this excuse because that hee found the Empire very bare of monies by the reason of the extraordinary excesses
content and joyfull expectation to the whole City He visited in person the whole Empire and all the warres hee undertooke succeeded fortunate He was not very severe 〈◊〉 the Christians hee gave himselfe exceedingly to the knowledge of all manner of Arts and Sciences and any man whatsoever was expert in any knowledge he called him to Rome forbidding all that were not Proscssors to seeme to professe any their Art or Science unlesse they were Masters indeed and well able fully to instruct others in them Falling into an inourable disease hee attempted oftentimes to kill himselfe and offered rewards to any man that would kill him and many times hee sollicited many with threatnings to murther him Finally the Physitians seeking to give him content perswaded him to forbeare eating and drinking and so he did and dyed at Baiae in upper Gall at the yeeres of seaventy two and five moneths and seaventeene dayes in the two and twentieth yeere of his reigne and was conveyed to Rome He continued the persecution against the Christians and afterwards slackened it by a remisse way Hee builded Temples and dedicated them to his owne honour He prophaned the holy places about Hierusalem and being tyred with an incurable Dropsie hoâ— would faine have dyed but could 〈◊〉 Hee suffered for his effusion of Chriffian blood Lastly hee dyed through voluntary famine This being such a tedious and irkesome disease wrought such a strong impression in his conceit that death was rather to bee enjoyed than a life so diseased and miserable 16. Antoninus Pius Anno Domini 139. ANtoninus succeeded Adrianus â—y way of adoption An. Dom. 139. in which lignity hee lived upright and vertuously There were not many warres in his time because by his vigilancy hee made himselfe beloved and feared keeping all Nations in due subjection There came Embassadors dayly to Rome from all parts of the world to obtaine graces and priviledges for their countries to whom hee gave audience very courteously advising them before they speake saying Demand that which is iust and yee shall obtaine And furthermore he entertained them all in such sort that they all continued his most faithfull and obedient subjects He was called the Father of the vertues because hee was so just courteous liberall and good and above all a lover of all good men neither was there any one vice found in him Being at his Villa or Countrey-house being of the age of seaventy he dyed of a Feaver having governed the Empire 23 yeeres Whose death was lamented of all the Empire being deprived of such a Governour and Father truely pious Hee was inurn'd in Rome towards the Easterne gate The name of Pius was given him because when hee came to the Imperiall Dignity he pardoned all Delinquents 〈◊〉 Non oportet ab his rebus principatus exordium ducere In the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne hee by a speciall Edict restrained the persecution against the Christians 17. Aurelius Verus M. Aurelius Anno Domini 162. AFter the death of Antoninus Pius An. Dom. 162. Aurelius Verus together with Marcus Aurelius the Philosopher both being adopted by Antoninus began their government Aurthâ—â— Verus was the son of Aelius Verus and Comitia Calvilla This man becooâ—â— himselfe to Soria and was taxed for being extraordinarily addicted to all manner of lust And returning to Rome he added to this vice many more as sports toyes deceipts and so many other villanies that he shewed himselfe to the full in all his actions an imitator and follower of Nero and Vitelli. us All which passages his companion Marcus Aurelius dissembling because his vices might not publickly be notified to the City very wisely and to this mans satisfaction sent him against the Parthians which were now in rebellion whom he overcame with many other Countries Comming backe to Rome he brought with him all sorts of infamous lewd and vicious persons with whom hee betooke himselfe to his Mosque whom 〈…〉 now called Turkes have â—mitated for this stately sort of builling and within a little after dyed riâ—ing in his warlicke Parthian Charriot â—o refresh himselfe by the pleasantnesse of the place These were called Divi Fratres because they were both adopted by 〈◊〉 to the Empire But because 〈◊〉 was the elder brother and more faâ—ous he so carried himselfe as if hee had beene rather a Father than a Brother to his younger Brother Verus under these a fifth persecution was raised against the Christians 16. Marcus Aurelius Anno Domini 162. MArcus Aurelius a Roman by blood An. Dom. 162. continued his government after the death of his companion Verus being adopted with him by Antoninus This man was replenished with so great goodnesse and vertue that deservedly he was surnamed The Philosopher In his time there were warres dangerous Earthquakes grievous floods 〈◊〉 â—â—dations terrible dearths and most fearefull plagues The Church suffered great tribulations by his persecution Hee was little fortunate in his wife and although hee knew her to be dishonest yet neverthelesse hee would not dismisse or divorce her affirming her dowry to be the Empire which dignity amongst men was esteemed an unvaluable portion And therefore it could be no wisedome in him to goe about to lose it This Emperor being in the warres of Germany dyed of a grievous sicknesse call'd by latter Physitiâ—ans the Hemeroids at Beudâ—bone in Germany having reigned 19 yeeres whose death the whole Empire deplored to which he had beene so good a Mecâ—naâ— and most excellent Patron and by the will of some of his Councellors and as â—it is thought by the approbatioÌ„ of most of the Senate had his body in great solemnity brought to Rome and with al the â—funerall Rites tryumphantly interr'd close by the Capitoll 19. Commodus Anno Dom. 182. COmmodus a Roman An. Dom. 182. wicked and vicious succeeded his good Father Aurelius who because he was the sonne of to great a man was without any difficulty and with great applause of all in generall proclaimed Emperor Being in possession hee addicted himselfe to all wickednesse and vice Whereupon hee gave occasion to 〈◊〉 to conspire against him which he discovering hee made a fresh subâ—ect of exercising his cruelties He was â—onderous active of body and admiâ—able in throwing a Dart Hee dyed â—ost miserably by the meanes of Marâ—ia his concubine who having found 〈◊〉 booke wherein were written the â—ames of those which were condemned â—o dye and shee finding her selfe amongst the rest poysoned him and â—fter as hee was reaching or striving to â—omit as it was appointed by her he was stabbed in divers places dying at the age of thirty two yeeres having reigned thirteene leaving no notable memory of himselfe to posterity Hee caused the Sacrifices peculiar to Hercules to be offered unto himselfe favouring the Christians hee unwittingly exercised a persecution upon his owne Gentiles He led a life most exâ—orbitant and lewd and to equalize Nero every way he intended to fire the City of Rome But being hindered of his cruell
powerfull Sapores King of Persia and came off with great honour victorious Hee recovered Antioch and passing further he tooke in the great Citties of Carrâ— and Nesibo in which voyage the Grand Counceller his Father-in-law dyed in whose place he chose Philippus who became so prouâ— and insolent for the degree and honour he received that utterly contemning Gordianus esteeming 〈◊〉 now no more Emperor caused 〈◊〉 to be slaine at 20 yeeres of his age and of his Empire the fourth he received his death at Nola and 〈◊〉 buriall at Bambergh 37. Caius Valens Hostilianus This Emperor although hee is unknowne to some Historians yet thus much notice is found of him OF this Valens Hostilianus because the Historiographers make little or no mention it is thought that his Parents were unknowne and consequently little or nothing can be said of him And yet it is true that some affirme that after the death of Gordianus there was a certaine Marcus chosen by the Senate of whom there is not any essentiall relation found out but onely this that hee dyed suddainly and that in his place this Hostilianus was created by the Senate and that by a suddaine pride elation and conceit of joy falling sicke dyed suddainly although some say the above said Marcus yet living he was allotted him as fellow Emperor or partner and collegue in the command and that Hostilianus was saluted by the Title of Augustus But it is credible that both of them dying suddainly as it is supposed left no great note behind them 38. Marcus Iulius Philippus Anno Domini 246. JVlius Philippus an Arabian borne An. Dom. 246. a man of a coorfespun thread by descent but in Armes of a finer worth and hue was by Gordianus made Captaine Generall against the Persians And by little Gordianus became disesteemed of the souldiers by this mans meanes commanding them to kill him and proclaime Philippus Emperor And making peace although much disliked with the Persians marched towards Rome where hee made his son Philippus a Collegue in the Empire Hee instituted those playes called Saeculares in the memory of the first foundation of the City At that time making Decius Generall against the Goths the souldiers called their Generall Emperor against whom Philippus marched with a powerfull Army but being hated of all by reason of his too imperious command and government he was by them wounded at Verona but dyed at Vtrect Anno Domini 250 and was buried at Spiers a famous Imperiall City in Aquitaine This Emperor was a Christian and the first that received Baptisme he reigned 5 yeeres In his time the famous Cyprian flourished and was made Bishop â—â—â—â—â—rthage Apollonia the Virgin after her jawes were broken and â—eeth pulled and knocked our Josephus Baronius Spondanus by â—he command of this Emperor who â—id behold the action would rather â—oluntarily cast her selfe into the â—â—re prepared for her then speake â—lasphemy and after some other â—ruelties committed by this Emperor was converted and baptized a Christian 39. Marcus Iulius Philippus Anno Domini 246. MArcus Iulius Philppus sonne of Philippus and Severa An. Dom. 246. was made Caesar and Collegue of the Empire by his Father at seaven yeeres of his age at which time he became a Christian being baptized by his Fathers appointment together with a great number of his neaâ—â—st and dearest friends and servants 〈◊〉 holy and salutiferous action being performed by the chiefe Commanders of the Roman Empire was an occasion that many came to the knowledge of the truth and fixed their eyes upon the true light of Iesus Christ our Redeemer This Emperor was by nature so melancholy that no man living could make him once laugh although many did their best indeavours by slights and inventions This youth having reigned 7 yeers and being at the age of 14 at the report of his fathers death all over the City by the Pretorian souldiers was suddainly and cruelly slaine but by his speciall friends and those that favoured him for his Christianity his corpse was conducted to Spiers and there inurn'd not farre off from his Father 40. Decius An. Domini 250. AFter the death of the Philips An. Dom. 250. Decius an Austrian succeeds without any resistance or difficulty but was viâ—â— voce elected by the whole Senate and was called Imperator Augustus because he was a man endued with great vertue and valour very wise and prudent and well experienced in most offices and Magistracies discharged by him with singular dexterity and wisedome Briefly he was of a goodnesse that he might worthily have beene enrolled amongst the good Princes had not the Church suffered so great tribulations and afflictions under him being an Infidel and non-credent which was the seaventh perfecution which the Church of God endured Hee was victorious against the Gothes and joyning a fresh battaile with them by the treason of Trebonianus Gallus his Captaine Generall he was overthrowne And at the report of the death of his sonne Decius putting spurres to his horse and giving him the reines wilfully precipitated and cast himselfe into a deepe pit without hope of safety and to the losse of his life at the 50 yeere of his age and of his Empire the second and anno Domini 252 and buried at Spiers In the heate of his persecution hee commanded is certaine young man a Christiâ—â— to be bound and lye uppon his backe and an harlot to be sentus him to provoke him to lust which hee perceiving and feating to be overcome with pleasure â—it off his tongue and spit it in her 〈◊〉 as shee was kissing him so that the greatnesse of that paine overcome the sence of lust 41. Mesius Decius Anno Dom. 250. OF no lesse goodnes valour than his Father was this Decius even in his youth An. Dom. 250. wherfore he was chosen as partner in the Empire and by the Senate confirmed Caesar and successor to Decius his father with whom as a brave souldier hee went to the warres of the Cothes which was so bloody and terrible that the greater part of the Roman Army was slaine and put to flight and Decius the youth was mortally wounded by an arrow through his very heart where in the sight of his Father he suddainly fell downe dead from his horse moving not onely his owne souldiers but even his enemies to compassion having reigned two yeeres together with his father Decius The which news being understood by the Senate much afflicted them not so much for the slaughter and losse of so many vanant and noble Romans as for the unfortunate end of both the Emperors his reigne being 〈◊〉 absolute but with his fathers a 〈◊〉 bation the Senate and City lost not onely a good Tree but also an hopefull fruite 42. Trebonianus Gallus Anno Domini 252. AFter the great and terrible slaughter of the Roman Army in the battaile with the Goths An. Dom. 252. Trebunianus being by birth a Gaule borne at Delean by the surviving souldiers was
elected Emperor which when it was understood the Senate also confirmed the election and the title Augustus was granted unto him Seeing himselfe now in this greatnesse being very desirous to goe to Rome to the great detriment and impairing of the imperiall dignity and Crowne hee concluded a peace with the Goths making the Empire tributary and pensionary to them and as it were in their subjection For not long after the Gothes broke the peace and greivously troubled Asia and a part of Italy In these so great calamities Emilianus Captaine Generall under Gallus obtained one sole victory against the Gothes for which hee became so insolent and proud that he laboured by all meanes to winne the good-will of the southers insomuch that he was by them elected sworne Emperor Which Gallus understanding departed from the City of Rome together with his sonne whom he had already puâ—lished and declared to be his companion in the Empire and comming to try it out with Emilianus hee with his sonne were slaine in the second yeere of his government at Verona and was buried in Saxony The persecution now slackned for a time so that the exiled returned each to his home in these times a Plague taking its beginning first in Egypt was so vehement that it infected generally the whole world and lasted for the space of 10 yeeres 43. Volustanus Anno Domini 252. CAius Vibius Volusianus was by his Father Trebonianus Gallus made companion in the Empire An. Dom. 252. and in an excellent warrelike order marched against the Gothes to defend his Fathers dignity now disturbed by Emilianus who for a notable victory against the Gothes was by the souldiers elected Emperor in the time of Gallus and Volusianus Whereupon the Armies both meeting and both endeavouring to gaine the best advantage of ground to facilitate and secure the victory In the first assault and brunt being for saken of his souldiers was together with his Father miserably slâ—â—no at Bambergh in Germany but was conveyed to the City of Lorychium as is above related in the life of Trebonianus Wherfore wee cannot write any more of him to the satisfaction of the Reader which is a true lover of History but give him this onely touch in this succinct manner and brevity 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ning the lives of them both 〈◊〉 and sonne 44. Aemilianus Anno Domini 254. TO the two precedent Empâ—â—tors Aemilianus succeed An. Dom. 254. by birth an Afrcean boâ—â— in Mauritania of an obscure and altogether unknowne parentage but raised himselfe by continuall diligence in the services of warre being growne in some yeeres he served in divers degrees in the Cavallery or Horse and by Decius was made a Captaine Generall of the confines of Samaria where he became in so great esteeme with the Souldiers that by them hee was to the incredible joy of all saluted Emperor and accepted to be so by the States of the City Against whom a Generall of the Army at that time upon the Alpes Valerianus a noble man and in great repute and power not willing to consent that this Aemilianus should enjoy so great a dignity openly explained and declared himselfe unto whom even the souldiers of Aemilianus adhering being moved with the great estimation they had of Valerianus confirmed the election and with common consent slew Aemilianus in Sapoleâ—◠〈◊〉 his age of 40 yeeres after the 〈◊〉 moneth of his reigne But concerning the place of his death others write that it was in a City in Armenia the lesse and that this Emperors funerall was kept 〈◊〉 Tyre in Greece 45. Valerianus Anno Domini 255. UAlerianus the son of Valâ—â—â— Flaccus An. Dom. 255. of a most noble family among the Romans attained to the Imperiall seate by his valour and gracious behaviour as is above-said and confirmed Emperor both within and without the City with as great an applause 〈◊〉 â—â—ver any He had two sonnes the eldest of them called Galienus who was by the whole City called Caesar and successor in the Empire the second Valerianus by name was by his father likewise named and made Caesar The father was a great friend of the Christians but at the perswasion of a Magician he used them with great cruelty and his was the alâ—th persocution of the Church For which sinne it came to passe that going with a great Army against Sapores King of the Persians Valerianus was taken prisoner and amongst other disgracefull contempes 〈◊〉 to him by Sapores this was a chiefe that when he was to take horse he made the Emperor lye downe upon the ground for the King to set his foote upon his necke Afterwards his eyes were boared out and dyed thereof although some Writers are of opinion that he was flead alive and lived in that misery and servitude seaven yeeres Valerianus was held by some learned men to be that Antichrist which is spoken of in the Apocalyps heâ— was so wicked and cruell Saint Laurence suffered under him Cyprian likewise This Emperor dyed in Persia and because he fell into the hands of his enemies as is to bee thought not but by divine Justice he wanted not onely Imperiall sepulture but also his corpse was hung upon poles in the view of all 〈◊〉 owne souldiers and left rather 〈◊〉 scorne than pitty 46. Galienus Anno Domini 256. GAlienus succeeds his Father Valerianus Anno Domini 256. who by the Senate was made Caesar and by his Father Augustus Hee was yet a youth when hee tooke upon him to governe yet hee carryed himselfe very respectively giving singular good examples of behaviour and perfection of life and conversation But afterwards his Father being taken prisoner by the King of the Persians hee did not onely not endeavour to redeeme him but as it were altogether forgetting him gave himselfe to a life no lesse carelesse than dishonest and in all things contrary to his first beginnings fruitlessely spending his time in banquets baths wantonnesse lust shewes and Pageants sometimes bloody and cruell and sometimes ridiculous and pleasant By whose life the Republique was not a little debilitated and weakened and the Empire was 〈◊〉 into thirty Tyrannies to the 〈◊〉 slaughter of the Roman Ciâ—â—â—â— And in the end going against Aurâ—â—lus Prince of Sclavonia hee was slaine in the battaile having governed eight yeeres absolute and seaven with his Father Claudius being ashamed of Galiâ—nus his lazinesse began to affect the government whereby hee might revenge himselfe of the tyrannies of some which Galienus perceiving sought him but in vaine by donations to desist 47. Saloninus Valerianus Anno Domini 261. OF this Emperor there is little or no mention made in History Anno Domiâ—â— 261. and therefore it may be called none at all because hee was murdered being a of ten yeeres of age by the French not so much for his owne particular cause as it is likely in respect of his child-hood not apt to make him odious but for his fathers by whom hee was suffected in
one time molested in the East in Affricke and in Egypt wherefore he chose for his better assistance Galerius and Constantius brothers as Emperors giving each of them a charge of defending the places offended Hee much persecuted the Christians Lastly all the Empire being pacified by his industry and quiet hee voluntarily resigned the Crowne and retyring him selfe in Salona he there ended his life by poison at the age of 68 yeeres and had funebriall Rites at Milan in Italy This Emperor had a vertuous Lady to Wife called Serena who secretly professed herselfe a Christistian and much cherished and favored the Christians and perswaded those that were her Attendants to be constant to death but withall privately This Emperour caused a whole Legion 6666 of Thebean Chrjstian souldiers to be decimated that is every tenth man cut off and then by the whole Army slaine for refusing to sacrifice to the Idoâ—â— by the plot of Manimilianus his Geâ—â—rall 59. Maximianus Herculius Anno Domini 287. AMongst all impious and wâ—â—ked men this Maximiaâ—â—â— a Polander borne 〈◊〉 was the worst and a most subtile inventor of mischiefe and especially in the persecution of the Christians under Diocletianus But he was in Warre most valorous and of an exquisite judgement and discourse upon that subject whereby he obtained many victories by battailes for which returning to Rome hee pompously tryumphed At the length by the intreaty of Dioclesianus hee betooke himselfe to a private life a long time in Milan where he sojourned in quiet and very peaceable tranquility Afterwards hee retired himselfe to Marselles where he fell into such a terrible and grievous disease in his entrailes and bowels that hee could not finde any cure and by the just judgement of God hee deservedly dyed being not onely hatefull to himselfe but even to all men and was interred at Milan without any funerall ceremonies in the 68 yeere of his age 60. Val. Constantius Clorus Anno Domini 291. COnstantius Clorus a Roman borne Anno Domini â—91 was the sonne of â—â—tropius a most noble Roman and of Claudia the daughter of Clasdius Augustus for his noble valour good behaviour and carriage was by Maximinianus made Caesar The aforesaid Princes being voluntarily resigned the government of the Empire he considering the greatnesse of the weight and burthen refused all other government whatsoever but onely that of France Which he furnished with things necessary salutiferous good Lawes and customes more than ever any his Predecessors had done which are yet an ornament yea a Majesty to all the ancient Nobility of that Kingdome He subdued Britany to a then generall content and satisfaction of our Nation He molested not the Christians and under his government every man was incredibly content and satisfied Finally falling sicke at Yorke he dyed in the 13 yeere of his Imperiall dignity and at his age of 63. 61. Constantius Galerius An. Domini 304. ALthough this Galerius were ignoble by blood Anno Domini â—04 being an Hungarian by birth he was neverthelesse so famous for warlike enterprises that Dioclesianus adopted and made him Caesar After his victory gotten against Narseus he was created Augustus and he adopted Maximianus and Severus Caesars and Severus dying hee gave his succession to Licinius He was bloody â—nd most cruell against the Christiâ—ns but falling into a dangerous â—icknesse he imagined that it came â—pon him for the martyrizing and â—annishing of the Christians wherâ—ore recalling them he carnestly inâ—reated them that they would pray â—nd intercede for him to their God and commanded further that no affliction should bee inflicted upon them Whose prayers peradventure so was the Divine Will nothing avayled him but his evill rather increased and his torments augmented so that he dyed like a beast of a most cruell and filthy disease having reigned two yeeres absolute and sixteene in the company of other Caesars This Constantius shewed himselfe favourable towards the Christians and had many of his Houshold servants Christians Hee told them that unlesse they would sacriâ—â—â—â— to the Gods as formerly they hâ—â— done they should not serve him but be gone When hee saw that they went away rather then they would forsake their God hee recalled them into his service and turned away his Pagan Servants as likely to prove perfidious untâ— him who preferred honours before Religion 62. Maximianus Anno Dom. 304. MAximianus an Hungarian borne An. Dom. 304. was Nephew to Galerius wherefore hee was by him adopted and after that although hee were ignoble yet hee became to be Augustus He was neverthelesse noble in his behaviour and gesture in vertues likewise so that he might equally parallell any Soveraigne or Prince whatsoever He honoured much the learned and familiarly embraced them taking infinite pleasure and complacency in any noble Science or Study Hee was of a very quiet and temperate disposition but very amorous and a great lover of wine by which being many times overtaken he most imperiously commanded and like a mad-man wherefore hee deferred matters of state and moment unto audience and Judgement He greatly persecuted the Christians and the Church at that time suffered no small detriment Fighting a certaine battaile he was worsted much together with Licinius his Co-emperor and not willing to come into the hands of his enemies he strangled himselfe but as some report hee stab'd himselfe in Tharsus having governed 7 yeeres and had sepulture in Dacia with small ceremonies being obscurely buried 63. Severus Anno Domini 304. HOre for the cruelty against the Christians An. Domini 304. than for nobility of descent or degree of honour this name agreed to this Severus his Nation being unknowne having barbarously invented strange exquisite and new manners and wayes of persecutions against the Christian Religion and its humble servants whose constancy in the holy faith made the Tyrant amazed astonished and mad with himselfe He was by Galerius called Caesar and Augustus Whilest he was President in Affrick and in Italy the Pratorian souldiers by a seditious mutiny created Maxentius Augustus who was the sonne of Maximianus against whom Severus marching with a powerfull Army came before the Citty of Rome But within few dayes perceiving his souldiers inclining rather to Maxentius than to him and questioning his owne person and life he fled into Sclavonia which being 〈◊〉 the souldiers mistrusted they 〈◊〉 tooke him in Ravenna and by them was there most milerably murthered in the second yeare of his reigne being respectlesly interred where he was slaine 64. Naxontius Anno Domini 306. BY the reason that Maxentius was the son of Maximianus An. Dom. 306. an Hungarian by descent he was by the greater part of the Senate elected Emperor In his government hee followed the steps of his Father in persecution of the Christians yea even with a greater rigour he would exceed and goe beyond him appremiating those which could propose newest and cruellest wayes of martyrdomes and afflictions And amongst the rest of his cruelties which
est Because if it proceedes of levity it is not to be regarded if of madnesse it is to be pittied if from an iniury or wrong it is to be pardoned in them Soz. lib. 7. cap. 25. Sozomenus relateth that in the yeare 394 and the last of Theodosius that in Epitus there was a Dragon seene of such a bignesse that being dead eight yoakes of Oxen could hardly have drawne him thence In the 22 yeere of this Emperours reigne there were great losses by Earthquakes in sundry places as in the Imperiall City of Constantinople at one time there fell downe 57 Towers of the City-wall though it was new built up And not onely here but also in other places as Alexandria and in Antioch as also famine and ill sents in the Ayre by which many thousands of people and beasts perished This Earthquake endured sixe Moneths constantly overthrowing many faire and goodly Churches and Fortresses in Constantinople as also in Chersonesus it did swallow up whole Parishes it raged by Sea as well as by Land it devoured many ships nay whole Ilands but it raged most in Bithynia in Helespont and Phrygia and the Easterne Countries The Citizens of Constantinople and the Emperor Theodosius with the Patriarch Proclus left the City and remained in the fields praying to God for preservation as saith Nicephorus Lastly this incomparable Prince to his age of 50 governed most vertuously and victoriously and then to the griefe of his friends and lamentable moane of the whole Empire he deceased in Milan in the presence of Saint Ambrose Archbishop of that See and was honorably interred according to the Roman manner 82 Arcadius Anno Dom. 383. ARcadius began his reigne after the death of his Father Theodosius anno 383 An. Dom. 383. and governed together with his brother Arcadius 13 yeeres Dividing the Empire betweene them Arcadius tooke all the Easterne part and Ronorius the West and either governed his charge with singular prudence temperance and modesty overcomming all those difficulties as are wont to happen to all young beginners in Magistracy and in particular they suppressed the arrogant insolency of their Tutors appointed them by Theodosius their Father they being as yet very yong whom they put to death because they pretended to governe as their fancy served contrary to equity Neverthelesse this Arcadius was a Prince so well beloved and ruled so well and commendably that the Senate said of him That it had beene good either that hee had never beent borne or that he might never dye It was alwayes his opinion never to enterprize any Warres except it were upon great necessity saying That whatsoever Prince would live in peace and quietnesse he ought not in any case to entertaine Warres slightly or unadvisedly for a Sword is soone drawne but not so soone put up Whensoever his choler grew to be inflamed he would suddainly withdraw himselfe out of company and being alone would pronounce over all the Letters of the Alphabet each after other with leasure to the intent that in meane time his wrath and anger might waxe cold and be asswaged saying divers times to his attendants That he that cannot subdue his choler by nature must doe it by art and cunning Finally Arcadius having reduced the Empire to a peaceable tranquillity governing in great quiet falling sicke passed to another life to the generall sorrow of all at the age of 31 yeeres 83. Honorius Anno Domini 394. AFter the death of the aforesaid Arcadius â—nno Domini â—4 Honorius takes the Easterne government upon him and together with his Nephew Theodosius sonne of Arcadius he governed 15 yeeres In a very short tiâ—e hee overcaâ—â— Constantine the Tyrâ—â—t in France in the City of Arles together with a great number of his Complices ejusdeÌ„ farinae homines men of the like cruelty and condition Whensoever hee appointed any one to be punished openly he caused the common Cryer with a loud voice to pronounce this Sentence Doc not that to another which thou wouldst not have done to thee In his time the Empire was infested with most bloody and cruell warres in which alwayes by a discreet military order through the resolution of his souldiers he came off victorious with honour In the fourteenth yeere of this Emperours reigne at noone-day a strange fire from Heaven penetrating the great Church of Constantinople fastened upon the Bishops seate and consumed it Spond in Hon. Afterwards growing up like a Tree fastened upon the roofe and devoured it And lastly passing through the midst of the people without hurting any to the great amazement of all seized upon the Senate-house and burnt it to ashes Afterwards the whole Empire being pacified by this worthy Emperour Honorius and the Senate-house re-built hee fell into a grievous sicknesse whereof hee shortly after dyed in Rome after the fifteenth yeere of his Imperiall command He had two wives which dyed both suddainly before the consummation of Matrimony and Virgins both 84. Theodosius Anno Domini 402. HOnorius being dead An. Domini 402. his Nephew Theodosius tooke upon him the whole Imperiall government and governed with Valentinianus the sonne of his Aunt Placida 22 yeeres Hee found the Empire in great disquiet Hee lost Affrica and a great part of Egypt and in Hungaria in Britannia and other Countries by treason and fraudulent dealing many Citties were taken from him And because he fore-saw it at his first entrance to the Crowne hee therefore gave the West to his Consort Valentinianus He was much puzled in Affrica howsoever hee by his valour and singular prudence overcame all difficulties yea and through his great courage recovered many Countries and Provinces usurped by one Iohn and confederate with Hetius who were a cause that the Hungarians came into Italy and spoyled it Moreover there happened so great a famine in Rome that of the barkes of Trees they made Bread and the best Romans were forced to make Bread of Chesnuts yea and some gave fifty pence for a pound of flesh Josephâ—â— and it grew so scarce that many were famished and dyed with hunger and their bodies sold by their kindred at a high value insomuch that the people cryed out to the Emperour sitting to behold the festivall sports at that time of the yeere that he should impose a certaine rate for mans flesh his saying was sometimes That Emperours of all other men were most miserable because commonly the truth is concealed from them And at this time the ayre being corrupt The odosius dyed without an Heire 85. Valentinianus Anno Domini 426. UAlentinianus An. Dom. 426. the sonne of Constantius and Placida was entituled both Caesar and Augustus by his Antecessor Theodosius and by him sent to Rome against Iohn an usurper of the Empire for which service he victoriously triumphed He made truce with Gensericus King of the Vandals he warred against Attila King of the Huns and fought it out heare unto Tolosh which battaile was so cruell terrible
to satisfie the world and expresse his magnanimity he voluntarily restored him his kingdome againe giving his daughter unto him in marriage And having reduced all matters to a generall peace he fell sicke and dyed at the age of seventy three at Gemersheym and was interred at Spires 139. Adolphus AFter the death of the good old man Adolphus An. Domini 1292. Marquesse of Anassona borne â—n Nassau attained to the Imperiall dignity in the yeere of the Incarnation 1292 with the unity of consent of the Electors This man was also adorned with all the riches of vertue but very poore in wordly estate and weake in men of Armes And although he were not crowned by the Pope neverthelesse peradventure by advice and councell or at that time indiscreete not reflecting that impresses of Warre should be performed rather by superiority the better to secure the victory than by inconsiderate temerity and rashnesse hee laboured with those small forces which he had to recover some places defected from the Empire And fighting against Albertus sonne of Rudolphus now Emperour in the Countrey of Spire although hee behaved himselfe very valiantly neverthelesse through the small quantity of soldiers he was by the same Albertus overthrowne and slaine neare Spires and lyes buried there In this Emperors Reigne Anno Domini 1303 the Chaire wherein the Kings of England are crowned at Westminster was brought out of Scotland by Edward King of England which the Scots called the fatall chaire in the yeare 1310. The knight-templers in Germany France England and other countries were all cut off many of them burnt alive Chron. Montford 140. Albertus ALbertus Anno Domini 1269. the son of Rudolphus late Emperor deceased borne in Nassau a man most expert in arâ—â—es succeeding in the Empire demanded divers severall times of Boniface the Pope his coronation who being against it and repugnant would by no meanes condescend thereto Afterwards by the reason of jarres and discords betweene Philip king of France and the Pope he did not onely crowne and confirme him Emperor but gave him also the kingdome of France subjecting the king to his Imperiall government and command which was an occasion of infinite slaughters discords intestine and civill warres in Christendome This man having ever spent and emploied the greatest part of his time in warres and heroicall actions labouring day and night to recover the secure harbour of tranquillity and peace on a certaine day disembarking himselfe having passed over the Rheine he was slaine at Rheinveld in Germany by anephew of his for certaine dissentions between them which before had happened in Arabia and hath his ashes inurn'd at Keningstadt In this Albertus his time lived that famous Doctor Ioannes Duns Scotus who died at Coloyn being supposed to be dead having onely an accustomed fit of a Lethargy which afterwards was evident when they that were his friends came caused him to be taken up again having found him to be alive by many bruises on his face and his flesh eaten off of his armes and shoulders and many other signes tokens to thegriefe of many a worthy scholler 141. Henry the 7. THis Henry was Marquesse of Luxemburghe where he was borne Anno Dom. 1368. son to Henry and Beatrice elected in the yeare of grace 1308 and confirmed by Pope Clement upon this condition that at the end of two yeares he should according to the accustomed manner goe to solemnize his coronâ—tion at Rome which he persorming was entertained with all pompous manner and jncredible magnificence by the Cittizens and Communalty and after that was crowned by 3 Cardinals and there he appeased many dissentions which were then afoote in the Countrey of Italy many parts being taken His returne was by Tuscany where his soldiers did much mischiefe Being arrived at Buonconvento within 12 miles of Siena he fell grievously sicke and caused himselfe to be carried to the Bath of Macereto and that availing him nothing he returned againe to Buonconvento where his sicknesse increasing and the best Art in Phisicke working no good effect within few dayes after hee dyed and was inhumed at Pisa 142. Fredericke 3. The Popes chaire was vacant two yeares three moneths and seaventeene dayes THis Fredericke was Duke of Austria Anno Domini 1314. where hee was also borne the sonne of Albertus Caesar and elected to succeed in the Imperiall Throne At the same time 2 Emperors were chosen by the Electors viz. this Frederick Lewis and both being crowned there ensued not onely betweene them but also all the world over most cruell and bloody civill warres And each pretending his cause juridically lawfull enabled themselves to their utmost possibility with what forces they could for warre the better to march whithersoever occasion should call upon them Matters standing upon these termes each of them for his best advantage and security fortune brought them in processe of time to a meeting victory hovering over the battaile which was not without great effusion of blood on both sides But in conclusion the Catastrophe fell worst upon Fredericke to his utter ruine so he falling into a deepe melancholy was therein in a short time lost passing to another life leaving his enemy Lewis to enjoy the seate Imperiall he dyed in Austria expecting his resurrection at Murbach A Fable of this Emperor Fredericke propounded to the Embassador of King Lewis the 11. in the 6. yeare of his Reigne Charles Duke of Burgundy having planted his siege before the City of Nuce which was succoured by this Emperor and the Almaines King Lewis the 11 of France who sought nothing more than the ruine of the said Duke of Burgundy sent his Embassador to the Emperor Fredericke to pracsise and perswade with him to seize consiscate into hâ—s owne hands all those lands and signorie which the Duke of Burgundy held of the Empire and that hee for his part would doe the like for the Country of Flanders Artois Burgundy and other dependants of the Crowne of France The Emperor upon this motion made the Embassador this answer Neere unto a certaine City in Almaine did once haunt a most cruell Beare which did many mischiefes and displeasures to the inhabitants adioyning now said the Emperour it hapned that 3 merry companions aâ— they were drinking in a Taverne and having little money to pay their shot they agreed with their Host to venture upon the Beare and to kill him and then make sale of his skinne and tâ— pay him with the money and for the performance thereof they prepared themselves presently to goe and take him the bargaine being made and dinner ended they put themselves in quest of the Beare and approaching to the cave where hee was lodged the beare issued out upon them so fiercely that being surprized with a suddaine feare one of them fled away backe tewards the towne the second saved himselfe by climbing up a tree and the third being overtaken by the Beare fell downe under him as dead
of his urine hee left Rudolphus his eldest sonne Emperor himselfe passing to a better life at Ratisbon about the age of 50 or thereabouts to the discontentment of all Christendome and lyeth entombed at Lintz in Austria 154. Rudolphus THe Imperiall Majesty as it were an inheritance of the noble house and family of Austria Anno Dom. 1576. was after the death of Maximilian conferred by the Electors upon his son Rudolphus King of Bohemia and Hungary who was borne in Austria who also accepting the degree which deservedly suited with his goodnesse hee alwayes carrying himselfe in his actions as a pious and just Emperour and in particular a defender of the Christian faith Hee ordained in his Diets excellent holy lawes Continually as it appeares he laboured to reduce to the bosome of the Church both by his good example and power in Armes all those which by their owne deficiency had fallen from it Hee recovered what hee could things usurped by the Imperiall enemies and adversaries to the Christian Religion It pleased Almighty God to grant him alwayes victory and to heare the prayers of his subjects and humble honourers of the great worth of this great Caesar in the service of Christendome and the glory of that eternall Majesty upon which all others doe depend but the manner of his death and inhumation I read not of 155. Mathias THe Emperor Rudolphus had given an intimation for an Imperiall Diet in Francfort Anno Domini 1612. with a preparation to goe thither for an election of a King of the Romans although he were surprized with sicknesse and deprived thereby both of Empire and life having reigned 36 yeares Whereof Mathias King of Bohemia and Hungary having intelligence he went from Vienna to Prague and there having solemnized the funerall exequies of his late brother and leaving good order and directions for the interregne hee went to the Diet where on the 13 of Iune 1612. he was by the Electors chosen Emperor with a generall applause and proclaimed and solemnly sworne in the Church of Saint Bartholmâ—w where also upon the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist hee tooke the Iron Crowne to which solemnity he rod with 10000 horse by the reason of the concourse of so many Princes Lords to so famous a spectacle The next day he caused his wife to bee crowned Empresse This Mathias the first of that name was a Prince of a high spirit and a good souldier He swaid the Empire onely 6 years 9 moneths and 7 dayes and dyed at the age of 63 to the great griefe of all men 156. Ferdinand 2 THe Emperor Mathias being departed from Prage to Vienna where his brother the Arch-Duke MaximiliaÌ„ was An. Dom. 1619. And now there was a preparation for an Electorall Diet for the election of the Arch-Duke Ferdinando de Gratz to be King of the Romans who was already chosen King of Bohemia and Hungary after which departure the Protestants in the Kingdome of Bohemia rebelled and upon the 20. of March 1619 the afore said Mathias departed this life After that Moravia Slesia Lusaria and part of Austria rebelled likewise through the sway of some powerfull Protestant commanders and Princes who shrunk out of the coller of obedience and refused to performe homage in vigour of a cession made by Albertus the Arch-Duke brother to the aforesaid Mathias Maximilian being lately dead so that the rebellion dilated it selfe in the Kingdome of Hungary Now came on the prefixed time for the Electorall diet to be held aâ— Francfort where some of the Electors were present for the election of a new Emperor and Ferdinand himselfe as King of Bohemia and Hungarie one of the seven Electors stept in although the aforesaid BohemiaÌ„ yet persisting in their rebellion sought what possible they could to prevent him He was neverthelesse by three Electors chosen Emperour with an universall applause the 2â— day of August being the festivall day of Saint Austin Ferdinand the second of that name was borne the 9 of Iuly 1578. He was alwayes a stout defender and observer of the Roman Church and upon the 8 of November with a powerfull Army and great slaughter of the adverse party recovered the City of Prague which is the Metropolitan City of the Kingdome of Bohemia whereupon great hopes are conceived of his prosperity of government FINIS
Father changing his nature he became so cruell that like another wicked Nero he slew his owne brother Geta most miserably and cruelly excusing himselfe to the souldiers that if he had not providently slaine him Geta would have done the like to him Not content with this hee put to death a great number of the most repute and greatnesse in Rome being all friends of his dead brother Geta. In fine finding himselfe to be in disesteeme yea odious and hatefull to all he left the City pretending to visite the Empire in which voyage he did so many base vile and brutish acts that he was deprived of his odious life by the meanes of Macrinus having reigned 6 yeeres in which space all his actions were such that hee seemed rather a Stage-player than aâ— Emperor Dio writeth that when many Presages fore-told this Emperor of 〈…〉 at hand he betook himselfe to 〈…〉 Invocation of devils thereby to avoyd it and it is to be much admired that a man so affected towards all manner of extreames in wickednesse tempered himselfe from slaughter of the Christians 26. Septimius Geta. Anno Domini 218. GEta the sonne of Severus An. Doâ—â— 218. was borne at Milan This man because he was learned a lover of good and vertuous men of a mild disposition affable and courteous to all was after the death of his father by the Army called Prince of the Empire which Dignity hee managed with so great a wisedome and satisfaction of the people that he was by them reputed as a God Caracalla his brother envying this his brothers universall honour and respect he being a bloody and most wicked man not enduring him to be in his company and presence resolved secretly to poyson him and having used divers wayes and meanes but being not able covertly to effect it hee slew with his owne hands the innocent young man whilst he was with Iulia his Mother and Mother-in-law to Caracalla to the great discontent of the whole Empire Being younger brother to Caracalla was but as a Co-emperor but Crownes hardly admit the compartition even of a brother And this Geta thought to have undertake◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 life but by his brother was deprived of his life and was interr'd 〈◊〉 Pruna as Levinus Hulseus records 27. Opilius Macrinas Anno Domini 218. OPilius Macrinus an Affricran Negro An. Dom. 218. having murthered Caracalla was chosen Emperor by â—e Souldiers although hee was by â—irth ignoble Having taken the goâ—ernment upon him he made preparation to goe against Artabanus Kinâ— of Persia who to right himselfe forth wrongs done him by Caracalla camâ— towards Rome but in the way under standing of the death of his enemy 〈◊〉 came into a League with the Romanâ— This Macrinus was so cruell fierce and vicious that he was called of many * Of the Latine word MacelluÌ„ a shaÌ„bles or butchery Macellinus his house being a Butchery of men by him murthered upon no occasion at all At last Heliogabalus by the industry of a crafty old Beldam waâ— made Emperor Macrinus being now put to it to defend his Crowne and Empire was forced to try it out by Armes but being in flight and shifting for him selfe was murthered by the Souldieâ— together with his sonne Diadumenâ— whom he had chosen companion 〈◊〉 him in the government having reigne onely one yeere and two moneths aâ— was interred at St. Denis in Gaule 28. Diadumenus An. Domini 218. BAssianus being slaine by the Army An. Dom 218. Diadumenus an Affrican succeeds in the Empire together with his father who was defirous â—hat this his sonne should take upon him â—he name of Antoninus the better to seâ—ure him from the Souldiers and had â—any friends of the Kindred of Anâ—â—ninus Pius who were in great numâ—er and potent in the Citty of Rome but his dignity continued not long because in the warres against Heliogabalus having governed and commanded his Arme discreetly and to his best advantage and fought with fingular testimonies of undanted courage and valour neverthelesse dyed in the place together with his father to the great lamentation of all because the people highly honoured him in expectation of a great future to them a conformable to the greatnesse of spirit which they knew and admired in him grieving the more the losse of him because the brevity of his reigne permitted him not to leave any memoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 hind him to posterity having gâ—â—â—ned one onely yeere together with 〈◊〉 Father He was buried in Panuovia 〈◊〉 as others say in a place where is now 〈◊〉 Monastery erected in Austria 29. Heliogabalus Anno Domini 219. THe two afore-said Emperours being slaine An. Dom. 219. Heliogabalus of Roman discent immediately layes hold on the Empire Hee was borne in Phenicia of a Concubine of Caracalla's and being a youth he was made Priest of the Sunne and called Heliogabalus which in that Language signifies Priest In which dignity growing on in yeeres he bettered himselfe much in wisedome fortitude and other vertues and qualities insomuch as being created Emperour by a great slight hee entered into a league with the Parthians but after hee fell into a life so libidinous that hee had to doe with his owne Mother Hee ravisht Vestall Virgins and in his Palace he kept Wenches and Whores and men of wicked lewd and debauched life upon whom hee conferred the offices of principall note and honour in the Court with greatest graces and entertainments possibly he could Finally a great tumult amongst the people being raised against him he was together with his impious Mother having enjoyed the Empire foure yeeres slaine at Ratisbâ—â— in Germany and buried at Howtingis and how farre this Emperour exceeded all his Predecessors in villaâ—â—â— Dio and Herodian makes mentiâ—â—â— large and Capitolinus affirmes he filled the whole Empire with luxuries turpitude riotting pride and cruelty 30. Alexander Severus Anno Domini 223. ALexander Severus a Roman An. Dom. 223. was borne in Soria and was adopted by Heliogabalus he tooke upon him the possession of the Empire Anno Domini 223. In his succession the Roman Common-wealth began to take breath by the reason that this Alexander was very benigne affable courteous mercifull and a lover of wise and good men and also of the learned men and men of quality by whose hands hee would have publique matters rightly carryed and administred In his Warres he was most fortunate beginning them alwayes with good advice and dâ—â—cretion He tryumphed solemnely for his Easterne Conquests to the great content and satisfaction of the Româ—n people He tolerated the Christians to live peaceably and without molestations following the words of the Gospell Doe not that to another which thou wouldest not another should doe unto thee Finally at the instigation of Maximinus hee was slaine by the Alâ—â— souldiers having his eyes put out together with his Moâ—â—â—â— who was also a wel-willer and 〈…〉 of the Christian name upon his birth-day at 29 yeeres of his age having governed the
Empire thirteene yeeres sixe moneths and seaven dayes and his Mother lyes buried at Ratisbone Mammaa was a wel-disposed Lady notwithstanding her great care of his instruction and education yet when he came to the Empire some of his Tutors famous men he put to death and some he exiled Shee favoured Origen much and often sent for him to her at Antioch that shee might heare from him the Exposition of the Scriptures 31. Maximinus Anno Dom. 237. MAximinus a Thracian by blood although hee were ignobly borne An. Dom. 237. neverthelesse for his agility and nimblenesse he was greatly beloved of many Emperors and therefore was made Tribune and Captaine of the fourth Legion of Alexanders Army of which hee was held in such 〈◊〉 esteeme and repute that he was 〈…〉 â—ultitude of Souldiers created Emperor anno Domini 237. But after this election hee grew so wicked that hee unjustly put all the friends of Alexander to the sword After that hee flew upon the Christians and invented new and unknowne tortures for them The sixt persecution of the Church of CHRIST began in his Reigne briefly hee was so horrible that whilst he was in the Warres of Germany the whole Empire rebelled against him Last of all flying with all violence towards the City of Rome hee was cruelly slaine by the Roman souldiers together with his sonne whose heads were carryed to Rome with incredible joy of all men hee having reigned 3 yeeres In his thought hee was perswaded Appendix that he could not continue in the Empire but by cruelty Hee was first a Shepheard and came to the Empire by force of Armes and the love of his Officers which then swayed so much that none could prevaile against them The Senate was so much in awe and feare of him that they their wives and children privatly and sometime publickly offered Sacrifices to their Idols that they might never see his returne to their Citty whensoever hee was drawne out upon any affaires This Emperors body was Inhum'd at Fulda in Germany renowned for the famousnesse of the Abby with the Bishopricke belonging to it 32. Iulius Verus Maximus BY hereditary right Iulius Verus Maximus succeeds his Father Maximnus in the Empire and was by nature of so great beauty of person that very many faire Ladies loved him in extreame manner and coveted his company that they might have children like him beautifull to whose suites he as easily and facily coÌ„descending and enabled by youth giving himselfe wholly to vanity began to oversway better thoughts perhaps with those of brave clothes to set himselfe forth supposing by that way an impossibility of resistance to be made him by any Woman whatsoever were she never so beauteous Hee was most temperate in his drinke but for his belly he was an extraordinary treacher-man insomuch that he thought himselfe able to convey any Parasite whatsoever into his belly at a meale Lastly reposing himselfe with his Father was with him slaine by his owne souldiers at 18 yeeres of age the souldiers saying that it was not fit one sprigge should be left of such a tree 〈◊〉 as other Authors write he dyed of a Dropsie and had funerall rites of sepulture performed to him at Quendelbourgh not farre from Fulda the place of his fathers sepulture 33. Gordianus The History makes no mention of the yeere of his reigne wherefore I affige it not GOrdianus a most noble Affrican by the reason hee was very vertuous and temperate in his actions with great reputation goodnesse and Justice hee administred all those honourable offices and degrees which the Senate conferred uppon him This man being Vice-consul in Affricke was much against his will created Emperor Which Election being heard of all over the World waâ— accepted by the City and in particular accepted reverenced obeyed and honoured as Emperor all Italy over together with Gordian a sonne of his very young Who upon this their election made warre upon other new Emperors in which with an infinite mortality on all sides Gordianus the younger was overthrowne and slaine which the Father understanding stabbed himselfe to the great griefe of all He reigne was but of little continuance yeâ— remarkeable enough the time and dare of it not exceeding 40 dayes 〈◊〉 also departed at Quendelbourgh aâ— had his obsequies celebrated at Nagdebourgh which of late was massacred and almost subverted by the Imperialists Army under Pappenheim 34. Marcus Clodius Puppienus Anno Domini 289. CLodius Puppienus was ignobly borne An. Dom. 289. yet of a Roman extraction and noble in his actions and a Souldier of high esteeme and valour so that he acquired many governments wherein he carryed himselfe with more than ordinary prudence Justice and dexterity And Maximinus being proclaimed an enemy of the Countrey Clodius was elected Emperor by the Senate together with Balbinus upon this agreement and condition that Belbinus should attend to the government in the Citty and Clodius abroad with his Army should stand for the service of the Common good of the Countrey He fought against Maximinus performing singular and admirable service and remaining victorious he came back to Rome governing together with Balbinus rightly and justly Finally each of them intending to goe the one for the Easterne parts against the Persians and the other against the Germans they were both taken by the Pretorian souldiers out of their owne Palace and câ—â—ryed through the City and in the way unjustly slaine and had buriall close to the Quirine Mount in Rome 35. Celius Balbinus Anno Domini 239. CElius Balbinus was of an ancient family and Nobility An. Dom. 239. and for his vertues chosen Emperor by the Roman Senate as 〈◊〉 man of singular parts and goodnesse Hee shewed great liberality â—ustice and clemency towards all â—en he studied alwayes to preserve â—nd continue the peace of the Common-wealth and to the incredible satisfaction of all men hee kept the people in quietnesse whilst Clodius Puppienus fought with Maximinus in which interim had not the prudence of Celius prevented it there had beene a wonderfull mutiny and tumult in the City of Rome Maximinus having therein such powerfull friends And Puppienus after that battaile returning to Rome they both together as is mentioned before governed with an universall satisfaction but impious fortune envious at their quiet so brought about that they both were slaine by 〈◊〉 Pretorians as the life of Clodâ—â—s â—â—stifieth which is as much concernâ—â— this as this him promiscuously 36. Marcus Anthonius Gordianus Anno Domini 240. AFter the death of the two fore-men good Emperours An. Dom. 240. Gordianus a Roman by paâ—ntage was elected by the Pretoâ—ans and the Senate perceiving â—hey could not remedy these passaâ—es approved this election neverâ—â—elesse with great applause because â—e was well beloved of all in geneâ—all He had to wife the daughter of a great learned man whose advice concerning the Empire was held in great estimation Hee recovered Thracia from the Gothes he fought against that