although her Motto was VIVE VT VIVAS Live that thou maist live being quickly deposed and banished by Nicephorus in the East when Charles in the West laies the ground for the Government of the Westerne Frankes that follow 2. COntemporary with this Period fall in to be noted especially 1. The divisions of the Empire First between the sonnes of Constantine the great Constantius Constantine and Constans but the two latter passing away without Issue the whole returned to Constantius In whose successours the second Division was between Arcadius and Honorius the sonnes of Theodosius the great Wherein with the line of Arcadius which is taken as most eminent the successors of Honorius are usually ranked as contemporary in this descent 1. Honorius much vexed by Alaricus the Gothe drawn upon him by his perfidious leader Stilico 2. Valentinian his Nephew by Ataulphus and his sister Placidia who ill rewarded with death his noble leader Aetius that gave the great overthrow to the Hunne Atila 3. Maximus an usurper soon in soon out 4. Avitus 5. Majoranus 6. Severus with 7. Anthemius by mutuall plots consuming one another 8. Olibrius and 9. Glycerius of no better note 10. Julius Nepos who depoieth Glycerius 11. Orestes that outed Nepos 12. Augustulus Orestes sonne leaves all to Odoacer King of the Heruli and so as this Westerne line of Emperours began in Augustus it had its Period in Augustulus With these fall in 3ly the irruptions of the Barbarians to the renting and plundering of the Empire 1. by Alaricus 2. Genserick 3. Atila 4. Totilas 5. Radigisus 6. Ricimer 7. Odoacer who sacked the City of Rome it selfe And the Heruli brought in by Odoacer the Gothes under Theodoricus and the Lombards conducted by Alboinus erected Kingdomes in Italy it selfe which the Exarches of the Emperours were faine to comply with 4. Against these Belesarius Narses Aetius and others appeared in the defence of the Church and State not inferior to any famous Chieftains that had gone before them or succeeded though they were requited as diverse others have been with most barbarous ingratitude 5. In this Period also are conspicuous three monsters as three heads of Cerberus thrust out about the same time Phocas the Arch traytor that butchered his Soveraigne and all his Family 2. Boniface the third that purchased by the basest Symony the Antichristian Supremacy from that Arch-traytor 3. And Mahomet the Arch-impostor appoynted by God to be a scourge to all Christendume for the Ambition Luxury and Idolatry that then so raigned in it 〈◊〉 Notice may be taken of the virulent persecution by the Arians and fraudulent plots of Julian the Apostate for Paganisme and Popes for Images proving farre more dangerous and divellish to right believers then the violent persecution of the Heathen Emperours 7ly To stand in the gappe against all which Fathers to confute Councells to convince Princes to uphold and protect them Martyrs to seale the truth with their blood never appeared more or more resolute then within the compasse of this Period which may well be held the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or chiefe vigour of the Church INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Constantine the Great before his death became an Arrian 2. The Donation to the Church of Rome fathered upon him be forged 3. Christianity received any prejudice by Julians prohibiting the reading of Heathen Writers 4. St Ambrose austeere carriage to his Soveraigne Theodosius in poynt of discipline may be warrantably imitated 5. More Law were lost in Iustinians digesting of it as it is then preserved 6. The Graecians were in the right in withstanding the Popish patronizing of Images in Churches 7. The Turkish Alcoran or Popish Legends be more fabulous foolish and pernitious SIXT MONARCHY of Westerne Frankes PERIOD VI. THe Sixt Period from Charles the Great to Rodulph of Auspurge sets forth the Government of the Westerne Frankes for the space of 472 yeares and had in it 25 Emperours 1. CHARLES the Great Sonne of Pipine An. C. 802 and Grand-Child to Charles Martell of France whose great service for Christendome against the Saracens trod a path for this man to goe further 2. He setled the French distractions queld the Saxons often Rebellion subdued the Danes pacyfied Bobemia overthrow the Saracens and Hunnes expelled the Lomberds with their King Desiderius after their long tyrannizing in Italy 3. Proceeding afterwards to Rome and composing the differences there between the Pope and People to the seeming content of all parties Pope Leo the third seriously and solemnely as though it had bin in his gift bestowes upon him the title of Emperour with the applause of all and his modest acceptation 4. Notwithstanding to strengthen his interest he transacts both with Ireno the Empresse then of the East between whom and himselfe and their sonne and daughter was a treaty of Marriage which took not and also with Nicephorus Irenes successour which quitted him from usurping that he had by composition 5. His aversnesse from allowing the Popish upholding Images appeares in a Councell he held at Frankford and his writiag against the 2. Councell of Nice He Erected three Vniversities Bononia Papia Paris of which Paris the cheifest had its especiall rules and ordering from Alcuinus our Oxford man who was the Emperours Tutor 6. Whatsoever is pretended of Constantines it was Pipines and Charles Donations that set Rome on floate and the rather for the good service Pope Zachary did in the Deposing Childerick the lawfull King of France which was the advancing of Pipine to be a King and his sonne an Emperour 7. His Motto was CHRISTVS REGNAT VINCIT TRIVMPHAT Christ raignes Conquers and Triumphes expresses his Christian humility in all his greatnesse After so many Battles and hazards He dyes peaceably in a good age leaving his sonne 2. A.C. 814 LUDOVICUS Pius to succeed him This man is said to have confirmed all the Donations of his Father and Grandfather to Rome with remitting unto them the choyce of their Popes amongst themselves Distinct. 63. but that Canon Ego Ludovicus where the Grants are contained is suspected to be forged 2. Pezelius He renewed the League with the Greeks repressed the Tumults amongst the Britons and Bulgarians cut of his Cosen Bernards head King of Italy for affecting the Empire 3. For adhering constantly to his second wife Iudith which the Clergy pretended was too neare of Kin to him by their Canons the sonnes of his former wife Rebell against him and imprison him and his Clergy makes bold to Excommunicate him but he was soone restored again upon better consideration all matters well composed 4. He caused the Bible to be translated into the Saxon Tongue without contradiction for ought we find of the Popes then being 5. His saying was OMNIVM RERVM VICISSITVDO Every thing takes its turne and seldome comes a better It proves here in his sonne 3. An. C. 841 LOTHARIUS who quarrelling at his first entrance with his brother Lewes and Charles was twice overthrown
to Babylon then expresseth his syncere repentance by hearty prayer not in the words perhaps but in the sence of that Apocryphall prayer which goes under his name 3. Returnes again to his Kingdome Reformes effectually dyes religiously and leaves 15. Ib. AMON his sonne to succeed 1. This man being of sufficient age could not be warned by his Fathers example but restores Idolatry at the highest and humbled not himselfe but persists in his folly 2. Till his servants conspir'd and slew him in his own house which the people took so indignly that the Traitors had quickly what they deserved And 16. 2. Kings 22. 2. Chron. 34. IOSIAH his sonne was made King in his steed of whom too much good cannot be spoken He began betimes to reforme Religion and repaire the Temple brings the book of the Law againe to light which was formerly lost celebrates a solemn Passeover beyond all the Kings that were before him 2. In an unadvised expedition against Necho of Aegypt he got his deaths wound by an arrow in the valley of Megiddo returnes and dyes at Ierusalem and 3. Ib. 35. 2. Chr. 35.25 was buryed with the great Lamentation of the Prophet Ieremiah and all his Subjects who setled his sonne 17. JEHOAHAZ in his place but long he could not hold it Ib. 36. For after three monthes Pharao Necho comes upon him broken by his Fathers Disasters and carries him Captive into Aegypt Sets Eliachim his brother in his place whom he calleth 18. IEHOIAKIM This man farre degenerating from his Fathers vertues is within a dozen yeares carryed prisoner to Babylon by Nebuchad-nezzar 2. Chr. 3â— with all the Riches of the Temple His sonne Jechoniah or Choniah or 19. IEHOIACHIN is left in his place which he received young managed ill and kept not long For within a yeare Nebuchad-nezzar was also upon him Ib. and carryed him away to Babylon prisoner with his Mother and all his Princes and Officers even to the very Smiths and Artizans where 't is thought he dyed upon the way and had no better buriall then an Asse as Jeremiah had foretold Jer. 22.19 His Vncle Mataniah is put King in his place and called 20. ZEDEKIAH He Rebels against his advancer Nebuchadnezzar contrary to the advice of Jeremiah the prophet and his Oath of Allegiance he had taken Jerusalem after two yeares seige ransackt the King laid hold on 2. Chr. 36.13 the Temple City and all Defaced 2. He was brought to Nebuchad-nezzar at Riblah had his sonnes slaine before him that he might not only feele but see his Woe Afterward his Eyes were put out and he carryed Captive to Babylon where he ended his Woefull daies 3. Ib. One Gedaliah was left behinde to governe the scattered people who were too many and worthlesse to be carryed so farre but he was trayterously slaine by the Treason of Ismael the sonne of Nethaniah and his Confederates They hurryed the people with Jeremiah the Prophet into Egypt 4. Evilmerodach Nebuchad-nezzars sonne and successour dealt kindly with Jehojachim in Babylon but releaseth not the Captivity 2. COntemporary with these were as it appeareth out of the second of Kings and Chronicles 1. The Kings of Israel 1. Politique Ieroboam who got little by Treason and Idolatry for 2. Debosht Nadab his sonne was rooted out with all his House by 3. Boysterous Baasha His son 4. Drunken Elah with all that Familie were on the suddain made away by 5. Rash Zimri He raigned but seven daies before 6. Stout Omri forced him to burne himselfe with the Palace in Tirzah Omri stood longer bought Samaria setled himselfe there in his Idolatrous courses and left 7. Vxorious Ahab his sonne to succeed him He with his Zidonian virago Iezabell â— Kings 21. proves worse then his Ancestors Extorts Naboths Vineyard from him where afterward dogges lickt his blood Yet left his sonne 8. Mopish Ahaziah his successour 2. King 1. who dyes by a fall of which Beelzebub of Ekron could not cure him And leaves the Kingdom to his stirring brother 9. Iehoram This man was taken off by 10. Furious Jehu who makes also an end of the Masculine Iezabell with all the breed of that Line He did well in executing the Baalites but the touch of Ieroboams politique Idolatry tainted all his other good parts His sonne 11. vexed Jehoahaz followes who notwithstanding Gods favour in easing him could not be staved of from Ieroboams Policy 12. Ioash his sonne follows in the same rode Rifled Ierusalem when he had overthrowne Amaziah Leaves the 13. Valiant Ieroboam his successour who somewhat refreshed the State and so leaves it to the 14. Vnfortunate Zachariah he was traiterously slaine by 15. Shallum who made an end of Iehu's race but held the Throne but a month before 16. Menahem tooke him off He left the Kingdome to 17. Pekaiah his sonne But 18. Pekah the sonne of Remaliah soone outed him and held it He was traiterously slaine by 19. Hoshea the sonne of Elah he with the ten Tribes carried captives by Shalmaneser of Assyria 2. Kings 17. 2. Also Prophets 1. That Man of God who came from Iudah 1. Kings 13. and startled Ierobeam in his Calvish sacrificing at Bethel by the renting of the Altar and withering of the hand stretched out to apprehend him 2. Elijah and Elisha eminent for Miracles 3. Besides those Greater and lesser Prophets whose Writings we have 3. With whom fell in 1. the Division of the Assyrian Monarchy through Sardanapalus effeminate Luxury between Phul-Bellock and Arbaces 2. The Founding of Rome by Romulus with the successe of the six Kings following 3. Lycurgus and his Lawes for the Lacedemonians 4. Midas of Phrigia with Asses cares 5. The seven Wise-men of Greece 6. Pharao-Necho's vaine attempt to joyne Nilus with the Red-Sea 7. The building of Carthage by Dido above 200 years after Aeneas death Which discredits Virgils Poem of the hot Affection between them Jnquiries 3. WHETHER 1. Zachariah Jehojadahs sonne were the same our Saviour speaks of in the Gospell Mat. 23.35 2. Vzziahs Mathemeticall Instruments were of the same kinde with those of Archimedes in Plutarch 3. The shadow went back only in Ahaz dyall not the Sunne in the Heavens 4. The captivity of the Tenne Tribes peopled Tartary and the West-Indies 5. Iehojachim had any markes of Inchantment upon him 6. Elisha Prophesied the better by hearing of a Musicall instrument 7. He gave a Toleration to Naaman to be present at Idolatrous Worship SECT II. The time of the Captivity of Babylon 1. THe Captivity of the tenne Tribes by Salmanasar and of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar hath put a period to the first Dynasty in the succession of Kings The second Dynasty here runs along in the continuance of the Captivity for the space of 70 years wherein it is sufficient to note these eminent men 1. DANIEL of the Bloud Royall who was carried away but young with King Ioakim 2. His sober Dyet
and set free 120000 Iewes from slavery at his own cost 10. NAHUM MASHETH was sharer in the same happinesse whose successor was 11. AMOS SYRACH 'T is said the fosse or Cut between Nilus and the Red sea which Pharao Necho and Darius had attempted in vaine was then finished by Ptolomeus Philadelphus after Amos 12. MATHATHIAS SILOAH is only named his sonne 13. IOSEPH IUNIOR alias Arses is in great esteeme with Ptolomeus Euergetes as also were Ioseph and Hirc anus of the Priests stock great Courteors then in Aegypt about which time Ecclesiasticus was written by Iesus the sonne of Syrach In this line of David 14. IANNES HIRCANUS primus is accounted the last He defeateth the Arabians in some Battles and so wearied with the extremity of the times is gathered to his Ancestors COntemporary with these were 1. High-Priests eminent to be taken notice of above the rest 1. Ioshua assistant to Zorobabel 2. Ioachim who is said to have written the booke of Iudith and Iaddus that met in his Priestly vestments Alexander the great comming with an intent to plunder Ierusalem but he so pacified him that he offered Sacrifices to God according to the High Priests direction was much taken with the Prophesy of Daniel then shewed unto him concerning the Greeke Goat that should break the Persian Ramme Dan. 8. whereupon he granted to the Jewes whatsoever they demanded of him Ioseph Antiq. l. 11. c. 8. 2. Externall accidents 1. The Battles of 1. Marathron 2. Thermopylae 3. Salamina and 4. Platea wherein the Greekes had notable victories over the Persians and thereupon instituted Cock-fighting 5. Coriolanus and Alcibindes flying off and vexing their Countreys 6. The Warre◠between the Persian brethren Artaxerxes and Cyrus and the honourable retreat of Xenophon with his 10000 Greeks with all the businesse that happened from Cyrus and his Persian successors those of Alexander the Great and his successors unto Antiochus Epiphanes INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The forenamed Chieftaines of the line of David had any authority of Magistrates amongst their Countrymen 2. Ioseph Antiq. l. 11. c. 7. The killing of Iosuah in the Temple by Iohn his brother the High Priest polluted the Temple and made Iohn irregular 3. Ib. Ib. l. 13. c. 6. The Temple in mount Garesim erected by Sanballet for Manasses his Sonne in Law or that of Onias in Aegypt were any way tollerable 4. Simeon the High-Priest were author of the Book called the third of Maceabes which in order should be the first 5. The Greeke translation we have under the name of the Septuagint be undoubtedly theirs 6. There were ever a ditch or Cutt perfected to make the Mediterranean and the Red Sea meet 7. Iesus the sonne of Sirach that wrote Ecclesiasticus were one of the seaventy Interpreters SECT II. Maccabees 1. THe second Dynasty Incidit interregnum Iudaicum per Annos 62. Alst is of the Asmonei or Maccabees extraordinarily raised up by God to defend true Religion In this are reckoned 1. MATHATHIAS of Modin who 1. killed an Apostate Iew by the Altar together with the Kings commissioner 2. Afterwards destroyed the Heathenish Altars and circumcised the Iewish Children by force 3. Giveth directions to his sonnes to be resolute in their profession and defence of their Countrey and so dies honourably leaving to succeed him in the quarrell his sonne 2. IUDAS MACCABEUS so termed of foure Letters which he carried in his Standard M. C. B. I. which intimate by the Iewes Rashitiboth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is like among the Gods unto thee Ichovah Exod. 15.11 though others think otherwise He 1. overthrew Apollonius with his great host comming against him out of Samaria and took his Sword from him which he after used And 2. 1. Mac. 4.57 Seron a Prince of the Army of Syria 3. Then Gorgias and Lysias with their Armies purifieth the Temple polluted by Antiochus and in memory thereof appoynted the Feast of the Dedication honoured by our Saviours presence Ioh. 10.22 4. Overcame the Idumeans Ammonites and others 1. Mac. 6.46 with their great Leader Timotheus 5. Encounters Eupators huge Host where valiant Eleazar slew the Elephant that crushed him with his fall makes a league with the Romanes 6. Defeats and kills Nicanor Demetrius Generall with all his host Ib. 9.18 7. At length venturing with 800 men upon Bacchides that had 20000 foote and 2000 horse after a most resolute rowting of the right wing he was enclosed by the left wing and so slaine 3. JONATHAN his brother succeeeds him Who 1. having revenged the death of his brother Iohn Ib. ◠37. at the great marriage of Ambri with a few breaks through Bacchides great Army endangereth the Generall himselfe in his passage slayes a 1000 men swims over Jordan with his company and so quits himselfe 2. By the hand of God stopping the mouth of Alcimus with a deadly palsey he is delivered from that treacherous High-Priest who had mastered the Hasideans and was pulling downe the Monuments of the Prophets 3. Discomfited Bacchides before Beth Basim and forced him to a Peace 4. Sticks to Alexander the sonne of Epiphanes who named him High-Priest and defeats Apollonius the Generall of Demetrius and an host of strangers when his own men had left him 5. Reneweth the league with the Romanes and Spartanes 6. Is betrayed and slaine by the Vsurper Tryphon leaving his brother 4. SIMON who was chosen in his place 1. He was deceived by Tryphon of an 100 talents which he sent with Jonathans two sonnes to redeeme their Father but lost all 1. Mac. c. 13 14. 2. He wan Gaza and the Castle of Ierusalem continues the League with the Romanes and Lacedemonians 3. Overthrowes by his sonnes Cendebeus Antiochus Captaine 4. So governes that he is stiled the High and chiefe Priest Governour and Prince of the Iewes 5. Ib. c. 6. Is betrayed by his Sonne in Law Ptolomey and slayne with his two Sonnes Mathathias and Iudas at a Banquet in Hiericho but 5. IOHANNES HIRCANUS the third brother escaped to succeed the Father and revenge the parricide 1. He besieged treacherous Ptolomy in the Castle of Dagon but left the Siege at the woefull sight of the tortures of his mother who notwithstanding animated him to persist in his purpose 2. Ioseph Antiy l. 13 c. 14. 15. He bravely defended Jerusalem against the siege of Antiochus Sedites of whom he purchaseth his peace with a great summe of Mony supplyed with an advantage out of the Sepulcher of David 3. Ib. c. 16. He recovereth many places in Syria and demolisheth the Temple on Mount Garisim which had stood 200 years causeth the Idumeans to be circumcised that resolved to stay among the Iewes reneweth the League with the Romanes 4. Vtterly razeth Samaria falls off from the Pharisees to the Sadduces 5. Being in a manner Prince Priest and Prophet after 31. years rule dyes leaving his government to his Sonnes 1. COncurrent are
here 1. Iewish Priests 1. Nason that bought the place 2. Menelaus that out bid him but had little comfort of his bargaine 3. Alcimus the betrayer of his Countrey the last of the race of Aaron 4. Then Jonathan 5. Simeon 6. Iohannes Hircanus of Mathathias stock injoy it 2. Onias building a Mock-Temple at Heliopolis in Aegypt 2. Macc. 7. for the Iewes of those parts 2. Heliodorus whipping by an Angell for offering to trake the Temples Treasure 3. The horrible persecution of Epiphanes specified in old Eleazarus in the Mother and her Seaven Sonnes 4. In the death of Razis who to escape Nicanors hands strangely slew himselfe 5. The rising of the Sects of Pharisees Sadducees and 3. 2. Macc. 14.41 The quarrels with various successe between the Seleucidae and the Lagidae untill the end of the brethren Antiochus Grypns and Cycicenus INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The second booke of Maccabees be the same Authors with the former and may be reconciled with it 2. Mattathias might lawfully slay an offendor being no Magistrate 3. Forced circumcision practised by Mattathias and John Hircanus may be approved 4. Hircanus taking 3000 Talents out of Davids sepulcher for secular uses were not a kind of Sacriledge 5. He might not more providently have altered the property of the Temple on Mount Garesin then have utterly razed it 6. The Pharisees Saducees and Essenes were unknown to ancient times before the Jewes commerce with the Grecians 7. Rasis resolute killing of himselfe may be rather pittied then defended SECT III. Kings 1. THe Asmonei thus farre contented themselves with the title of Governours or High-Priests now they aspire to be Kings In which descent followes 1. ARISTOBULUS the eldest sonne of Iohannes Hircanus 1. He associates to him in the government his brother Antigonus but quickly by his wife 's Salomes perswasion makes him away 2. He imprisoneth his three younger brethren and starved his own Mother upon suspcition she affected the Kingdome 3. For which his conscience torturing him after a years Reigne he dyes miserably 2. ALEXANDER IANNaeus his brother released by Salome out of prison succeeds him for which kindnesse he marries the widdow 2. With much adoe he getteth Ptoleenais receives two overthrowes by Lathurus who was banished Aegypt by his Mother Cleopatra 3. The Pharisees are hard against him of whom he dispatched at once 50000. 4. Notwithstanding finding by experience how they led the vulgar he exhorteth his Wife to close in with them and to be ruled altogether by them This counsell 3. ALEXANDRA alias Salome his wife wisely followes and so gets the government 2. The Pharisees doe what they list and tyrannize over the contrary faction The Queen growes to be of 73 years of age and much broken after nine years Raigne dyes his eldest Sonne 4. HIRCANUS whom she before had made High-Priest succeeded by right This he being but a soft man hardly maintained by the helpe of Antipater the Idumean and Aretas King of Arabia who drove Aristobulus his brother that withstood him out of Jerusalem 2. The matter came to be disputed who should be King between the brethren Hircanus and Aristobulus before Pompey the Great He takes with Hircanus makes a breach on the Temple laies open the Holiest of Holies 3. And having done what he list hasteneth to Rome carrying with him Aristobulus prisoner with his two Sonnes and two Daughters but his sonne Alexander escaped by the way Antigonus was led on and there kept for a while 4. Hircanus held up by Antipater and the Pompeian faction at length falls into the hands of Antigonus his brother Aristobulus sonne who cutts off his eares and sends him Prisoner with Pacorus and Barzaphanes the Parthians where he was well used by their King Phraates and returned back againe to his Countrey There at the age of 80 years he was put to death by Herod who with his Father and Brethren formerly had stood so for him Competitour with this Hircanus was his Brother 5. ARISTOBULUS the second he was the more Active man and by composition had the Kingdome left to him by his brother Hircanus but that Antipater with his sonnes backed by Pompey revived Hircanus title 2. He being freed from his imprisonment at Rome by Julius Caesar to returne into his Country was poysoned by the way by some of Pompey's Faction His sonne Alexander having stirred in Iewry as much as he could to make way for him 3. This Alexander had to wife Alexandra his unkle Hircanus daughter which bare him the two paragons of that time for beauty Aristobulus and Mariamne At length himselfe at Pompeys direction is beheaded at Antioch by Scipio In whose right and revenge his Brother 6. ANTIGONUS shewes himselfe Backed by the Tyrians Parthians and other friends Invades Galily takes Jerusalem held it for a while but at length is taken by Socius the Romane leader after sixe months Seige Thence was he sent to Antony who dispatched him at Antioch In all this 7. HEROD had the chiefest stroke who then had none to withstand his usurpation He was the sonne of Antipater the Idumean a Rich Wife and expert man a great friend to Hircanus and upholder of him against his brother Aristobulus 2. In all which excellent parts this second sonne of his Herod came nothing behind him 3. For executing Ezechias the Thiefe with his associates he is questioned before the Sanedrim where downright Sanreas tells him his owne but he was grown too stiffenecked for such a curbe 4. Vpon the death of Caesar touching with amorous Cleopatra of Aegypt by the bye he gets to Rome There by Antony's means whom he had well bribed and still observed he is proclaimed King of Iudea 5. Returnes and by great industry valour and Policie settles himselfe in it makes away with all the Bloud-Royall that might question his title Amongst which the sweet Aristobulus in sport is duckt to death by his fellow Swimmers And the beautifull Mariamne his sister through Herods deerest wife is executed as also her Mother Alexandra afterwards for pretended Treason 6. This barbarous cruelty is extended farther to his own Children so that Augustus said he had rather be Herods swine then his Sonne 7. He was magnificent in buildings expressed in Samaria called by him Sebastia Caesarea his own pallace at Ierusalem but especially in the third Temple by him erected 8. He escapeth many conspiracies but at length after the mercilesse butchery of the Infants of Bethlem and other villanous massacres the hand of God seazeth upon him so that he dies of a most horrible and loathsome disease In his time 3959. from the Creation our Saviour Christ Iesus was borne The beginner of the last period COncurrent with these times were the 1. High-Priests 1. Alexander Ianneus 2. Hircanus first put in by his Mother Alexandra 3. Aristobulus his brother 4. Ananelus a base fellow foysted in by Herode and outed againe by him to make way for 5. Aristobulus Mariamne's brother who was treacherously
Miracles followe to back his Sermons Of which some have pitcht upon 34. others have reckoned 57. Simon de Cassia Salmeron A Lapide Io. 2. Math. 15. Math. 7. all may be disposed according to the places in which they were performed As 1. In Galilee The turning of water into Wine dispossessing the Woman of Canaans daughter The curing of one Deafe that had an impediment in his speech by puting his fingers into his eares and touching his tongue with his spittle 2. In Capernaum The curing of a Noble mans sonne Io. 4. Mar. 2. Math. 9. at a great distance Of the Paralitique that was brought in a bed and let downe through the roofe of the house before him Of the raising of Iairus daughter c. 3. Beyond Iordane the dispossession of a Legion of Divells Mar. 5. and sending them into the heard of Swine 4. On the Sea in commanding the wind and waters walking on the waters assembling the Fishes at his pleasure to be taken whereof one brought mony in his mouth to pay tribute 5. Math. 57. Io. 6. Math. 14. 15. Luk. 7. In the Wildernesse by feeding 5000 with five Barlie loaves and two fishes and 4000 at another time in the like miraculous manner 6. In Iudea The raising of the Widowes sonne of Naim and of Lazarus when he stunke in his grave are Wonders never elsewhere heard of 7. And lastly in Ierusalem Jo. 11. Io. 5. Io. 9. The quiting of the impotent man at Bethesda of his eight and thirty years languishing The opening of the eyes of him that was borne blind with like which to these places may be referred 9. These were intermixed with his Conferences Conferences distinguishable by the parties conferred with So we have his discourse with 1. Nicodemus of Regeneration and Salvation by his lifting up from the biting of the old Serpent Jo. 2. as the Israelites were cured by Moses Serpent in the Wildernesse 2. With the Woman of Samaria at Iacobs well Ib. 4. concerning the comming of Messias and Gods spirituall Worship 3. With the Pharisees of Traditions Sabboth math 15. and the Author of his Doctrine and Miracles 4. Ib. c. 22 Luke 10. With the Sadduces concerning the Resurrection 5. With the Lawyers about the First and Greatest Commandement and who may be tearmed our Neighbour 6. With the People Jo. 6. touching the Bread of Life and spirituall Manna and their senselesnesse in not acknowledging the Messias 7. With his Disciples and followers Math. 20. Mar. 10. affecting supremacy and being disheartned at his low condition and foretelling them of greater sufferings that should fall upon him 10. Sufferings Math. 26. Mar. 14. Luk. 22. v. 52. These sufferings he endured 1. In Gethsemane when he was in his greatest Agony exceeding sorrowfull very Heavy to the death prayed and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood 2. In his apprehending by the Chiefe Priests Captaines of the Temple Iudas and the rascall multitude Luk. 23. 3. In the Ecclesiastique Consistories of Annas and Caiphas 4. In Herods Court by Jeerings and Mockings and returning him to Pilate in a robe of Scorne 5. Vnder Pilates hands where he was tumultuously voted to be crucified against the Iudges acquitting of him and a seditious Murtherer accepted before him Io. 19. 6. In his Crowning with thornes spitting upon scourging and burthened with his own crosse by the executioners after his condemnation 7. In his torments on the Crosse by mockings revylings relieving only with Gall and Vineger piercing his side after he was dead When the Heavens put on their blacks the earth staggered the Rocks rent the graves opened the Temples vayle was torne from the top to the bottome at such transcendent Impieties for continuall remembrance of which we have the Sacrament Instituted solemnly by himselfe at his last Supper 11. Triumphs Colloss 2.15 And upon this Consummatum est or Finishing succeeded his Triumphs 1. Over Principalities and Powers of darknesse by spoyling them and shewing them openly 2. Over the Grave and Death by his Resurrection 3. Over all oppositions and Impediments Act 1. by his forty daies conversing with his Apostles in tenne infallible apparitions instructing them in those things that pertaine to the Kingdome of God Io. 20. Math. 28. 4. In giving them full Commission to teach and list all Nations by Baptisme In the name of the most Sacred Trinity Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and to remit and retaine sinnes by virtue of the Holy Ghost which he breathed upon them 5. In trampling the World under foot by his Glorious Ascension 6. Ruling in the midst of his Psal 110. and his Churches enemies by the rod of his strength as he sits at the right hand of the Father 7. And last of all by sending of the Holy Ghost to furnish his Apostles and their Successors for the propagating of the Gospell to the utter dissolving of all the depths of Saetan and his incessant Machinations The ridiculous paralell of Apollonius Tyaneus with our Saviour by Hierocles and the malitious exceptions of R. Nizachon against his doings and Miracles are fully answered by Eusebius and Munster in Math. Hebraice 12. About this fulnesse of Time Gal. 4. in our Saviours being upon earth appeared 1. The great Witts for Poetry Virgil Ovid Horace c. for Oratory Cicero for History Salust Livy Trogus Pompeius Strabo the Geographer 2. Triumphant Warriors Pompey Julius Caesar Augustus 3. Notorious Impostors Simon Magus who proclaimed himselfe to appeare as God the Father to the Samaritanes Ireneus l. 2. God the Sonne to the Jewes and God the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles Theudas a Magitian that missed a multitude to passe over Iordan which he bore them in hand should divide it selfe but himselfe and those with him were all slaine or scattered Act. 5.36 Judas of Galilee who would not indure to pay Tribute or acknowledge any Lord which some make the reason that our Saviour and his Apostles were so punctuall against this madnes least they should be thought such Galileans Euseb E. H. l. 4. c. 6. Dion Cassius in Hadriano as favoured Rebellion such a one was Barcochebas afterward a fatall Comet who with his new light was the destruction of 50000 of his followers 4. Silencing of Oracles as that of Delphos where Augustus Caesar urging the Divell for an answere was told that an Hebrew child had stop'd his mouth and sent him with a Mittimus to Hell and therefore he might spare labour or cost Peucer de Oraculis to consult with him any more The like was the Lamentation for the death of the great God Pan in Plutarch 5. The discovery of the Abomination of the Idoll Priests in Rome upon the abusing of the noble Matrone Paulina by Decius Mundus whom he could not bring to his Lure by mony but had his will of under the maske of Anubis to which Doggs head she was
publique Thiefe who after was made Bishop 5. Euseb Eccles Hist l. 3. c. 20. PHILIP of Bethsaida Preached as 't is thought the Gospell in Phrygia and lyeth buried at Hieropolis 6. BARTHOLOMEW is said to have gone as farre as India and to have Preached where some say he was cudgelled to death some Crucified some that he was flayne a live some that he was Beheaded But Peter de Natalibus affirmes that all these tortures were inflicted on him successively Visars in Ps 22. Father Ambrose Chircher a great travailer of late in the Easterne parts tells us of a Tradition they have in China that one Olo Puen was brought thither from Iudaea in the Cloudes and Preached Christianity amongst them whereof he left 27. Tomes behind him more 't is to be thought then can be shewen of S. Bartholomews 7. THOMAS is reckoned the Apostle of the Parthians Medes and Persians where he was slaine with a dart and lyes buried 8. MATHEW wrote the first Gospell some think in Hebrew It is not known who translated it 2. He is said to have been entertained Act. 8. by the Eunuch of Queene Candace in Aethiopia where he Preached the Gospell converted the People and was Married 9. IAMES of Alpheus otherwise called Oblias or Iustus succeeded Iames of Zebedee in the Bishoprick of Ierusalem 2. Concludes the Councell there as President notwithstanding the presence of Peter 3. Leaves a Catholique Epistle for the animating of Faith by Workes 4. Was Martyred at Ierusalem after he was thrown downe from a Pinnacle of the Temple by a fullers club 10. LEBBEUS alià s Thaddeus Math. 10. Act. 1. Act. 15.22 or Iudas surnamed Barsabas the Brother of Iames from him we have an Epistle to the same purpose with the 2d of S. Peter 2. He was made commissioner with Silas to carry the Councells of Ierusalems decrees to them of Antioch He is said to have gone to King Agbarus of Edessa and to have cured and converted him and his according to the Letter of our Saviour Euseb Ecclesâ— Hist returning an answere to a Letter of Agbarus first sent unto him And there he lyes buried 11. SIMON the Canaanite or Zelotes is said to have done somewhat in Africke to be crucified in Brettannia saith Dorotheus Volaterane calls it Betani Peter de Natalibus Bethania which is most like that if he were Bishop as some say of Ierusalem he might there suffer 12. MATHIAS came to be an Apostle by election into the place of Iudas Iscariot who is reported to have slain his Father married his Mother and betrayed his Master 2. His Diocesse fell out to be Aethiopia about the Haven Hissus and the river Phasis amongst Men-eaters where he dyed All which Relations may be noted for Monkish evaporations To which these Twelve may be added 6. St PAUL first Saul a persecutor Act. 9. then taken off in a miraculous manner by Christs call from heaven 2. whereupon he lyes three dayes at Damascus in an extasie at what time 't is thought he was rapt into the third Heaven and made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taught by Christ himselfe then restored to his sight and Baptized by Ananias 3. From thence he goes into Arabia Act. 9. 2 Cor. 11. Gall. 1 18. and having spent there three yeares in Preaching returnes to Damascus but hardly thence escapes in a Basket and comes to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see Peter or conferre with him in Jerusaleâ— after Iames of Zebedees Martyrdome and a little before the imprisoning of S. Peter 4. But having notice in a vision that it would be bootlesse and dangerous for him to stay there longer he betakes himselfe to Tarsus his owne Country the Metropolitane City in Cilicia but staid not long there before Barnabas came to fetch him away to Antioch the chiefe City of Syria to help him in his charge which the Church of Jerusalem had there designed him for confirming of those Gentiles which some of the dispersion of the Jewes had formerly instructed 5. This they performed with that Alacrity and successe Act. 11. that from Antioch we had first the name of Christians Thither when Agabus had repaired to them and Prophecied of a Dearth at hand they were sent with a Collection by the Church of Antioch to help the poore Brethren in Ierusalem Thence returning they brought Iohn Marke with them 6. Not long after both of them by expresse command of the holy Ghost after Prayers and Imposition of hands are dispatched taking Marke with them to that Bienniall Circuit wherein Sergius Paulus Proconsul of Paphus was converted Elymas Bar-Iesu confounded many Cities and Countries blessed by the light of the Gospel Paul at Listra stoned where a little before he had bin with Barnabas deified Notwithstanding under Gods protection having gotten Titus with them instead of Marke which went to Jerusalem they returned againe to Antioch 7. There a quarrell then being set a foote by some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 false Brethren Gal. 2.4 Act. 15. concerning the Abrogation of Iewish Ceremonies he passed to the Councell of Ierusalem where the businesse was decided And then returnes to Antioch where he made bold to reprove Peter 8. Then makes a journey with Silas into Asia to confirme the Churches a little before there by him planted 9. That being done he comes from Troas over into Europe visits Macedon Thessalonica Corinth Athens Achaia 10. At length returnes to Ierusalem Act. 25 26 27 28. is there Apprehended Thence sent to Caesaria answers before Felix Festus and Agrippa appeales to Caesar is sent thence to Rome escapes in the journey Shipwrack and the Viper in Malta 11. Gets from thence opportunity to make an excursion to Plant and confirme Churches Returnes againe to Rome and is Martyred as 't is thought under Nero. 12. Companions he had of his Travels and Preaching Barnabas Luke the Physitian of Antioch from whom we have this excellent Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles dedicated to Theophilus who converted to Christianity converted his house to be a Church Marke the Evangelist Silas Timotheus Titus Aquila and Priscilla And in his European journey Sopater Aristarchus Secundus Gaius Tychicus and Trophimus 13. We have foureteene Epistles of his some written to whole Churches some to particular Men some before his Bonds some in them in this order Before his Imprisonment two to the Thessalonians one to Titus one to the Galathians two to the Corinthians one to Timothy one to the Romans In his Imprisonment one to the Philippians one to the Colossians one to Philemon one to the Ephesians one to the Hebrewes and last of all a second Epistle to Timothy 14. That Epistle of his to the Laâ—diceans is meerely Imaginary and those between him and Seneca forged The subscriptions for Timothy and Titus being Bishops of Ephesus and Crâ—te are carped at only by Wranglers 7. For the seaventy Disciples we have their Commission from our Saviour Luke 10. but not their names Peter
with Odoacer and his Heruli as Leo had done with Atylas and his Hunnes but that Rome was sacked by their incursion 2. Two things were notable in this mans time the rectifying of the Cyclus Paschatis or Golden Number by Victorinus of Aquitany and the bringing in of the Letany which is yet retained amongst us by Mamertus Claudius of Vienna for the averting of Gods heavy Judgments and imploring his mercy Whence we have the Rogation Weeke about the Ascention 3. Hilarus is said also to have decreed that no Minister should Marry any other Woman but a Mayd by which it appeareth that Ministers might then Marry But 15. A.D. 467 SIMPLICIUS the Tiburtine busied himselfe in no such simple matters He built Pallaces took upon him the Jurisdiction of the Church of Ravenna decreed that none of the Clergy should hold a Benefice of any Lay man upon his adorning St Andrewes Church in Rome amongst other he hath these invitatory verses Plebs devota veni perque haec commercia disce Terreno censu regna supernapeti Come heare and learne you rowt devour To purchase Heaven out of doubt 16. A.D. 483 FAELIX the 3d the sonne of a Romane Priest was not so stirring at home notwthstanding he opposed the Enoticon or proposall of Vnion by the Greeke Emperonr Zeno to the great consusion of both Eusterne and Westerne Churcheâ— 17. A.D. 492 GELASIUS an African Bishops sonne did more good in ordering the Canon of Scripture and branding counterfeit Books which passed before for Authenticall 2. Bellarmine and Baronius be of the opinion that the Tract under his name De duabus Christi naturis contra Eutychetem Biblioth Pat. Colon. 1618. Tom. 5. belongeth to Gelasins Cycizenus not to a Pope who would never have justified Eusebius whom he had otherwise censured for an Arian nor speak against Transubstantiation 3. A large Catalogue of Cardinals made by him is Registred by Ciaconius and the Dedication of S. Michaels Church the Popes Patrone and the French Kings Farre short of this man came 18. ANASTASIUS the second a Romane A.D. 497 that had his place he notwithstanding presumed to Excommunicate Anastasius the Greeke Emperour as Platina reports for favouring the Heretique Acatius whose Heresy afterward himselfe favoured and communicated with Photinus till at length with Arius he purged out his bowels into a Privy 19. SYMMACHUS the Sardinian then is chosen A.D. 499 but not without great opposition of one Lawrence which continued some years after This Onuphrius makes the fourth but Ciaconius the fifth Schisme 2. No extraordinary matters were done by him but that he took order with the stubborne soule of one Paschatius to be well chastized in Purgatory after his death as Gregory toucheth in his Moralls Lib. 4. c. 40. COntemporary with these were 1. The eminent Fathers of the Lattaine Church Ambrose Hierome Augustine and Gregory the great and those of no lesse esteeme in the Greeke Athanasius Basil Nazianzene with Chrysostome which opposed themselves against the 2. Heresies of the Arians under whom the whole World groaned That denyed our Saviours God-head Manicheans that rejected his word together with the Pelagians who withstood his Grace and Donatists who rent in peeces his Church In which conflict they were backed as before with the famous Councell of Nice to quell Arius so successively with the Generall Councell of Constantinople against Macedonius denying the Deity of the Holy Ghost and that of Ephesus which condemned Nestorius for his Blasphemy against our Saviour and his blessed Mother upon which followed the Councell of Chalcedon against Eutyâ—hes confounding our Saviours Natures to be handled with the rest distinctly in the History of Councells 3. As also of the Irruptions of the Goths Vandalls Huns and Herul which heaped on massaeres of Martyrs INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The giving of the Pall were first brought in by Pope Marcus and belong only to Arch Bishops 2. Athanasius Creed depend on the records of Rome from whence it was set forth long after the framing of it in the time of Pope Julius 3. S. Hierome were ever Cardinall or wore such a Hat as the Painters bestow upon him 4. Zozimus Boniface and Celestine forged a Canon of the Councell of Nice to justify their unjust claime of Appeales to the Sea of Rome 5. S. Augustine with the rest of the African Bishops assembled in the Councell of Carthage that withstood them in it dyed excommunicated by them for it 6. The Rogation weeke and the Letany had its originall from Claudius Mamercus of Vienna 7. Pope Anastasius might legally excommunicate Anastasius the Greek Emperour SECT V. Patriarchs MVch adoe hath been to passe those nineteen forementioned Popes for Tollerable Arch-Bishops more will be required to justify the fourteene following for good Patriarchs of which 1. HORMISDA of Campania An. D. 514 first had the title from Iustine the Emperour He was so pert upon it as to Excommunicate Anastasius the Emperour because he stood upon that it was the Emperours part to command and not to veyle bonnet to Bishops 2. IOHN the first a Tuscane that succeeds A.D. 523 was a man of more excellent parts and piety As Theodoricus King of Italy had been the death of learned Boethius and prudent Symmachus so after he had sent this Iohn to Justine the Easterne Emperour to intercede for the Arians which he did not according to his instructions but wrote to the Bishops of Italy to stand out for the truth upon his returne he was sent to Ravenna and there died of Famine in a stinking and noysome Prison Some strange things are related of this man as that when he had once backt a Gentlewomans horse of Corinth the Nagge before gentle would never permit any after to ride him That he restored to a blind man his sight in the gate of Constantinople and that after his death he was seen by an Hermit with Symmachus hiâ— Companion to throw the soule of the Tâ—râ—nt Theodoricke the Arian into Lapari to be tormented This mans hard hap deterres not 3. FOELIX the fourth a Samnite to venture on his place An. D. 526 but his zeale was not so forward to indanger much himselfe He Excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople farre enough from him and at home divided the Charcell from the Church commanded extreme unction to be ministred to men a dying Benedict the father of Monkery Priscian the Grammarian and litle Denise the maker of the Cicle for Easter ard said to be of this mans time as 4. A.D. 530 BONIFACE the second of Rome was his successour but with much adoe being strongly opposed by Dioscours who dyed shortly in the quarrell and so this sixth Schisme was appeased 2. He end eavoured to establish a decree that every Pope should chuse his successor but it was so withstood by the Clergy that he was faine to disanull it himselfe And 5. A.D. 531 IOHN the second his Countryman came not in by his chusing 2. This man was surnamed Mercury for his
put into his place But his Wenches and Friends when Otho had turned his back soon got him in againe 4. From this gallane our Saint Dunstane purchased with a round summe of Mony an Inhibition against Priests Marriages which caused here at that time no small stirre 5. At length taken in the Act with a resolute mans wife this Pope met with a gash that within eight daies set him packing to another world His friends thrust into his place 30. BENEDICT the fifth a Citizen of Rome A.D. 964 But Otho the Emperour returning disanulled the Election and took Benedict with him into Germany where he dyed in banishment setling 31. LEO the eight his fellow Citizen in his place A.D. 965 To gratifie which kindnes 2. he crownes Otho Emperour remitts unto him the right of Chusing Popes for which was ratified unto the Papacy Constuntines or rather Pipins and Charles the Great 's Donations 3. Ciaconiâ—â— therefore cals him an Anti-Pope It should seeme he was too honest to be well liked of or to governe long 32. IOHN the 14 Bishop of Narvia A.D. 965 some say the Sonne of Iohn the twelfth steps into his roome 2. Against whom the Romans make head and Imprison him Bal. Otho the Emperour frees him and delivers Peter the Ringleader of them Governour of the City into his hands whom he most ignominiously put to Death 3. In his time Bells began to be Baptized and to have names given them Harder was the hap of his Countryman and Successor 33. A.D. 972 BENEDICT the sixth For Cynthius a potent Cityzen of Rome Imprisoned him in the Castle of St Angelo for some prancks he had played where he was soone made away least he should complain and bring in Caesar upon them as others had done 2. It should seem saith Platina he deserved to be so used for that they that did it were not called to a reckoning for it This made 34. A.D. 972 DONUS the second that followed a Romane also the waryer of him 2. The Polonians desired to have their King Crowned â—aleus Plat. Ciac Chronol but sped not because as it is like they came empty handed 3. Writers much complaine of the obscurity of these times Vide Soeculum infoelix saith Bellarmine Take notice of an unhappy age in which were not to be found any famous Writers or Councels The Popes little cared for the Common good but yet he adds it fell out well by Gods Providence that there sprang up then no new Heresies Neither could there well because little Religion was then on foot besides Superstition and Heresies In these times by indirect meanes crept in 35 BONIFACE the seaventh A.D. 974 surnamed France but the Citizens made head against him he stole away the Church Implements and Treasure and fled to Constantinople John the 15th is put into his place but he returns and buyes him out recovers the place againe but soone dyes of an Apoplexy-Baronius saith he was rather a Theife a Murderer and a Traytor to his Country then a Pope His usage shewed him to be such to 36. A.D. 984 IOHN the fifteenth a Lombard who being made Pope upon Boniface's flying to Constantinople at his returne was Imprisoned by him and there made away some say by Famine and stench of the place others that Ferrareus Boniface's Father did the deed Next after comes 37. A.D. 975 BENEDICT the seaventh according to Bale and Bellarmine but is put before by Platina and Ciaconius 2. He Crowned Otho with his Wife Theophania in the Church of Laterane and turn'd out Gilbert the Conjurer from the Archbishoprick of Rhemes 38. An. D. 985 IOHN the sixteenth a Remane the sonne of Leo a Preist begotten in Matrimony then followes a man altogether for the enriching of his kindred Plat whereby the Clergy hated him but that was after taken up for a Custome To him succeeds another Romane 39. IOHN the seaventeenth An. D. 995 commended for a great Scholar he found such opposition of Crescentius the Romane Consul that he was faine to quitt Rome and shelter himselfe in in Hetruria 2. But Crescentius fearing he would bring in Otho the Emperour upon him went and so submitted himselfe that John returned and all was well Next a Kinsman of the Emperours one Bruno a Germane takes the plate by the name of 40. GREGORY the fifth Against this man A.D. 996 Crescentius the Consull also makes head drives him from Rome and places John a Grecian in his Seat But Gregory returnes and by the Emperours Forces subdues his Enemies and puts them to death ignominioussy 2. After wards appoints the seaven Electors for chusing the Germane Emperours which constitution was then ratifyed by the then Emperour Otho 3. Bale with Platina reckoneth this Anti-pope John amongst the number of Popes by the name of Iohn the 18 but Ciaconius and Bellarmine with greater reason omit him and such were the pollicies and pollutions under the Regiment of the great Whore and her Minions 2. IN this dissolute and sharking period little good could be expected notwithstanding in it may be notice taken of 1. Translating the Empire from the French by Pope Agapetus plotting to Otho Magnus the Germane where it yet continues 2. The controversy betweene Photius and Ignatius for the Patriarchship of Constantinople 3. Theophylact Luitprandus and Erigina Scotus may passe here for Schollers 4. The miserable death of Hatto Arch-bishop of Mentz by Mice which a Tower built in the River Rhene could not guard him from nor any other forces he had about him see the story and picture in Munsters Geography INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The story of Pope Johan may passe for a true History 2. Maroziahs and her Daughters Pope-making discovered not the skirts of the Whore of Babylon 3. Bastards Bribers and Atheists may be acknowledged for Christs Vicars or Saint Peters successors 4. Priests marriages be not more tollerable then Popes insatiable Beastlinesse 5. Boniface the seaventh robbing the Church treasury and purchasing with it afterwards the Popedome which he had forfeited include not in it Sacriledge and Symony 6. The quarrelling concerning Formosus and his doings represent not the snarling of doggs about a carcasse 7. It were not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Popes to take upon them the deciding of the businesse of Photius in the Patriarchship of Constantinople SECT VIII The fifth Ranke of Aegyptian Magitians THE body of the two Witnesses were to lye in the streets of the great Citty which spiritually is called Sodome and Aegypt Of the Luxurious Sodomites we have taken a view Rev. 11. Glutted Luxury soon degenerates into divellish Sorcery These Aegyptian Magitians for the next 240 years take place in this order 1. SYLVESTER the second a French man An D. 999 brought up in the Abby of Floriack where Necromancy at that time was held an eminent piece of learning 2. To perfect his skill that way he gets to a Saracen in Sivill and cozens him of his chiefe Conjuring Booke by
and Iohn de Rupe-Scissâ 5. Raymund of Pinnasort a Spaniard of Bercinona composeth the booke of Decretalls Plat. Ciacon whi◠this Pope alloweth In these courses especially against the Emperour old 40. CELESTINE the fourth a Lumbard An. 1241 would have persisted but that almost at his first entrance he tooke a potion that marred his stomack and sent him to his predecessors One Robert Sommerton or Sommerlet an English man because he was upon election to be Pope by the like means was set going the same way 21. weeks the place lies voyd till the Emperour at the request of Baldwine the Easterne Emperour and Raymund of Tholose freed the Cardinalls he had in Prison to goe to an Election Revel 13. This pack of Sorcerers by some is tearmed the Kingdome of the Dragon 2. IN the compasse of this Period are found 1. Besides a knot of Conjurers and Poysoners 2. A Crew of Divelish Rebells abusing Religion to varnish their damnable designes 3. A rable of Orders of Munks that disorder all things 4. Wrangling Sophistry set on foot by Lanfranch Lombard Albertus Magnus with otheir Sects and Factions 5. Canonists glosing and descanting upon their Master Gratian the Collector of the Decrees 6. Comestor with lying Legendaries 7 Hildegardis Katherine of Seene and some other such Shee-Prophetesses notwithstanding Anselme and Bernard and the Hugoes de Sancto Victore and de Sancte-Claro are of better account The vexations of the poore Waldenses and barbarous usage of Learned Beringarius were wonderfull and of long Continuance as their Histories set out at large doe manifest INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Necromancy may be a tollerable way to Ecclesiasticall preferment 2. Pope Sylvesters Brazen head were the same with our Roger Bacons or of any other temper 3. Iohn Gratian the Conjurer had the Popedome at an easy rate for 1500l of Benedict the 9th 4. The Sub-Deacon that poysoned Pope Victor the third in the Chalice and Hildebrand that threw the consecrated host in to the fire believed Transubstantiation 5. Hildebrand aliàs Gregory the 7. poysoned sixe or seaven Popes before he could get the place for himselfe 6. Saladine with the Saracens did lesse hurt to Christianity in the East then the Popes with their Complices in the West 7. The Waldenses in the maine held the same opinions with the Protestants of latter times SECT IX The sixth Ranke of Devouring Abaddons FRom Aegyptian Magitians we fall upon Devouring Abaddons who strengthned their side by multitudes of Monkish Ianizaries that wasted for about 250. years following all that lay before them the leader of these was 1. INNOCENT the fourth of Genua A. 1243 he denounced the fourth Excommunication against the Emperour Frederick who had been his greatest friend held a Councell at Lions and deposed him set Henry of Thuring in his place and after him William of Holland and a great company of Crusiados that the Pope had marked for his own beasts but the Emperour crossed their Crownes as he met with them and Nobly defended himselfe untill he was poysoned at length by the Popes meanes and finally smothered by his bastard Manfred 2. This Pope was the only Patron of the foure orders of begging Locusts Dominicans Franciscans Carmelites and Augustines who hatched under him those addle eggs of Summaries Sophismes Repertories Reductories Quodlibets Exorcismes Breviaries Ritualls and the like 3. He offered to sell the Kingdome of Sicily to Henry the third at a reasonable rate being none of his own and quarrelled with our Robert Grostead Bishop of Lincolne who withstood him stoutly and contemned his Excommunication 4. And after his death is said to have minded the Pope by a thumpe on his side with his Crosyers staffe and this Item Veni miser in judicium Dei come wretch to Gods judgement and so eased the world of this Tyrant He left behind him Apparatum ad decretales an Apology against Peter de Vineis with other tracts mentioned by Ciacon and his successor a Campanian 2. ALEXANDER the fourth A.D. 1254 This man is all for Apulia Excommunicated Munfred diverted the money gathered to recover the Holy Land to work his own ends at home pilled England so farre that Fulke Bishop of London exclaimed against him one Leonard told his Legate that Churches were under the Popes tuition not fruition to defend not to expend and a Clearke he sent to be Prebend of Paules against the Kings Chaplaine was slaine in a tumult 2. He made for money Richard Earle of Cornwall Henry the thirds brother King of Germany whereupon a rime was made Nummus ait pro me nubet Cornubia Romae My purse tells me a quick dispatch 'Twixt Rome and Cornwall for a match Condemnes the bookes of William de Sancto Amore leaves 3. A. 1261 VRBANE the fourth his successor being formerly a Patriarch of Ierusalem He continued his sting against Manfred of Sicily and wrought Charles the King of France his Brother to be his death 2. Withstood the Romanes as much as he could who had set up a new Magistrate amongst them called Bandenses having power of life and death 3. Vpon solicitation by Eva an Anchoresse but as Onuphrius will have it by a drop of bloud distilling from the host in a Priests hand he instituted the feast of Corpus Christi day 4. Albertus Magnus and Aquinas are referred to this mans time 4. An. 1265 CLEMENT the fourth a French man is next who had before a Wife and three children 2. He brings in the French to get Naples sent Octobonus into England to take the value of all Church Revenues But he summoned by Death to a reckoning in a great Hubbub of the Cardinalls 5. A. 1271 GREGORY the tenth a Lombard was thrust into his place whereupon came the verses Papatus munus tulit Archi diaconus unus Quem Patrem Patrum fecit discordia fratrum An Arch-deacon the Papall Incomes gathers Whom Brethrens discord Father made of Fathers 2. He held a Councell at Lions at which was present Mychael Paleologus the Greeke Emperour and acknowledged the Laterane tenent of the proceeding of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Sonne which twelve times before they had withstood 3. Bonaveuture was by him made Cardinall and Peter de Turantesia Cardinall of Hostia Radulphus of Auspurge Crowned Emperour but would not goe to Rome to have it Quia vestigia as he said ipsum terrebant because the Foxe saw no safe returne Peter de Tarautasia succeeds him by the title of 6. INNOCENT the fifth a Burgundian An. 1276 the first Pope of the begging Fryars being the same Peter Tartaret that wrote upon the Sentences and other workes 2. He endeavoured to set Peace amongst all but dyed before he could effect any thing 7. HADRIAN the fifth a Genoway followes A. 1276 named before Octobonus the same that kept so great a stirre here in England in the Raigne of Henry the third 2. Platina Vide Pitgah Evang. p. 182 He dyes before he was consecrated some say
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which hinders not a speedy execution of that which is deliberately resolved upon His successor was 3. An. Ch. 14 TIBERIUS the Sonne in Law only of Augustus which his wife Livia brought him begotten of her former husband Tiberius Nero and his brother Drusus in her belly to boote 2. In his first imployments he proved victorious against the Germanes and others with his brother Drusus which caused Augustus to adopt him and marry his daughter Iulia to him from whom he was quickly divorced by her Fathers consent 3. He made himself shye in undertaking the charge of the Empire but entring like a Fox as it is said of Boniface the eight raigned like a Lyon and dyed like a Dogg 4. In the 15 some say the 18th yeare of his Tyranny our Saviour suffered whom he would have deified but the Senate withstood it 5. Seianus his great Favorite was worryed by him and his daughter deflowred by the Hangman to make her lyable to accompany her father 6. His latter time was most unnaturally spent in prodigious cruelty and bestiality Sueton. so that he was rightly Characterized by Theodorus Gadareus his Tutor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Durt kned with bloud and by others instead of Claudius Tyberius Nero Caldius Biberius Mero 7. Lastly as he and his Mother Livia had a hand in making away Marcus Agrippa the right Heire to Augustus so 't is thought his successour took a course to hasten his passage to his Ancestors Then after he had contrary to his Motto which was MELIVS EST TONDERE QVAM DEGLVBERE a long time not only fleeced but devoured the sheepe a worse if worse might be follows him 4. An. Ch. 37 CAIUS Caligula It must be remembred that Livia brought with her to Augustus two sonnes by her former Husband Tiberius and Drusus Tiberius raigned next after him Drusus died in the Germane Warres leaving two sonnes behind him Germanicus and Claudius This Caligula was the sonne of Germanicus by Agrippina Daughter of Julia and Grandchild to Augustus who after many rare Atchivements died in Germany 2. In the beginning of his Government he vented his spite to the Iewes for denying him religious worship sets up his Statue in the Temple of Ierusalem by the title of Iupiter Caius Enseb Eccles Hist l. 2. c. 6. Ioseph Antiq. l. 18. gave favourable Audience to Appion declaiming against them but would not heare Philo in their defence 3. His Lust was Monstrous in erecting Stewes in his Palace Deflowring his own Sisters sparing neither Matrones nor Maydes that he had a mind unto 4. His cruelties Devillish exercised as it were in hatred of maenkind and fretted that no heavier calamities fell upon the world in his dayes 5. His courting of the Moone to be his Paramour bringing Cockleshels to Rome from Germany as spoyles of the Conquered Ocean Inviting his Horse Jncitatus and entertaining him with a Golden Manger full of Provender and vessels of the best Wine to drinke Sueton. promising to make him Consull with the like freaks of frenzy need not to be insisted upon 6. His Tragicall Motto was ODERVNT DVM METVVNT he passed not for the hatred so he might be a Bugbeare to all men To which purpose he must be Iupiter Hercules what not Yet any Crack of Thunder drave him to shelter himself under his Bed 7. A good end for such a Monster could not be expected which befell him from Cassius Charea and Cornelius Sabinus his officers neare about him His Wife Caesonia and Daughter were slaine together with him into his place was hoysted his Vncle 4. CLAUDIUS in a strange manner An. Ch. 41 for certaine Souldiers in a hurry going to Plunder the Pallace one perceiving the feet of a man hidden in a hole plucks him out by the heeles This proves to be Claudius who falling on his knees and desiring his life might be spared the Souldiers lift him up on their shoulders and proclaime him Emperour This tooke so with the multitude that the Senate for their own safety were faine to give way unto it 2. At his first entrance he shewed more discretion then was expected from him He would not be honoured with Sacrifices Banished the Iewes out of Rome for their tumults provided for the Poore in a great Famine Act. 18. ◠Act. 11.28 foretold by Agabus 3. Neither were his Atcheivements abroad of lesse consequence in Germany and Africa by his Commanders In our Brittany he was in Person and so setled affaires that he returned with the title of Britannicus A Phoenix in his time was seene and seldom before or since 4. Sextus Aure◠Victor His Mother was wont to terme him a Monster begun not perfected by nature so that it past for a Proverbiall disgrace stultior Claudio a veryer foole then Claudius But he lost himselfe not so much by doing as suffering indignities His Wife Messallina was not satisfied to outvy all Strumpets in the Stewes but needs she must Marry publiquely a young Gallant C. Sylius in her Husbands absence but this impudence cost her her life 5. Pallas Narcissus and other ministers about him took the vantage of his easie disposition egregiously to cheate him and deride him Of this crue Faelix was preferred to be Governour in Iudea Act. 23. whom St Pauls Sermon of Temperance and Iudgement to come in the presence of his Minion Drusilla made to tremble 6. In his time Simon Magus plaied his pranks in Rome got to be honored as a God but that St Peter encountred him there to his neck-breaking we find not It would do well that this Emperours Law against freed men ingratefull to their Patrons should be retracted to their former slavery were severely exequted in these Rebellious times 7. Sparkes of a generous minde howsoever damped by a crazy body appeare in his Motto GENERIS VIRTVS NOBILITAS It is virtue not Scutchions or Images of Ancestours makes men Noble 8. His Wife Agrippina worse if it might be then his former Messalina poysoned him at length in a Mushrome of which Seneca makes good sport In Apocolocyntosi de Morte Cloudii and of his deifying to assure the succession of her sonne 6. An. Ch. 54 NERO which she had by her former Husband Domitius Aenobardus who was wont to say that from him and Agrippina nothing could proceed but for publique mischeife 1. The first five yeares of his Government were such that Traiane was wont to say none ever had attained to the perfection of them 2. But afterward he brake out into all Villanies of Lusts with Catamites and Strumpets of all sorts wherein he spared not his owne Mother and slew her afterward with the most unnaturall abusing of her dead Corps Of Butchery in making away his Wife Octavia and kicking to death being great with Child his beloved Poppaed not sparing Seneca and Burrhus his faithfull Councellours sending Lucan the Poet to accompany them 3. He set Rome on fire and for excuse
Freed from this hazard Eudoxia his Wife and Gaina his Generall led him at their pleasure whereby the famous Chrysostome reproving freely their plotts for Arianisme was twice banished and from the last never returned 3. His Symbole was SVMMA CADVNT SVBITO The higher the ascent the more subject to ruine and danger in the fall After his death his sonne 10. A.C. 408 THEODOSIUS the second succeeds him He was commended by his Father to the Tuition of Isdegird King of Persia but Anthonius at home and his Sister Pulcheria were his best instructers 2. His sweet disposition and love to Learning appeared in his readinesse to pardon offences and erecting a Library little short of Ptolomeus Philadelphus in Aegypt 3. By procurement of his Sister Puleheria he tooke to Wife Eudocia the Daughter of one Leontius a Philosopher for her rare parts of behaviour Learning and Beauty of whom he became afterwards causelessly Jealous which put her upon a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem where the Priests had got a Text Domine in Eudocia tua to put her to great expences to Build for their conveniency * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ps 51.18 4. Gothes and Vandalls under their Leaders Attyla and Gensevick much infested the Empire For withstanding of whom he associates unto him his Cozen passed by the name of Valentinian the third His Generall Aetius gave the great overthrow to Attila in the Feilds of Catalaunia whom his ungratefull Master requited with death for his service Better sped Ardaburius for his rooting out Iohn â—he Vsurper having his deliverance as it is conceived wrought by Miracle 4. It may not be omitted what course Pulcheria took with this Prince to make him the more wary for signing Bills which were brought unto him without reading them or considering what they contained Among a bundle brought unto him she puts in one wherein was contained that he sold his Empresse for a Slave This passed under his hand amongst the rest which when he saw he was sufficiently lessoned to consider what he granted 6. A care was taken by him to gather out of a heape of unordered Lawes such as were of speciall use for his Government and so to be sett downe that those which were to observe them might know them 7. His Motto was TEMPORI PARENDVM we must fit us as farre as it may be done with a good Conscience to the time wherein we live with Christian prudence He dyed with a fall from his Horse and left to succeed him 11. An. C. 450 MARTIANUS an ancient man and an experienced Souldier Pulcheria that had the cheife hand in her Brother Theodosius dayes for most matters of Government was content to take him for her Husband to rule as she had done in a manner before 2. He aymed at Peace above all things being superannuated for action 3. Wherefore his saying was PAX BELLO POTIOR Give me peace and let others quarrell In which he dies and 12. An. C. 456 LEO THRAX takes his place a worthy man and so propense unto mercy that his Embleme was REGIS CLEMENTIA VIRTVS No virtue sets forth a Prince more then Clemency 2. He had much adoe with Asper a potent Gothe who forced him to designe his sonne Ardabarius to be his successor but it was done with such dislike of the Senate and People that the Heads both of father and sonne paid for it 3. He professed that he rather would have Philosophers then Souldiers in his pay designes his Grand child to succeed him by the title of Leo the second but he waved it by a rare example and confer'd it upon his Father 13. An. C. 474 ZENO whom he Crownes with his owne hands and dyes soone after This man was as mishapen in bodie as untoward in manners 2. Whereupon his Wife Berrina thrust in Basiliscus her brother into his Throne who held it for a while with little content to the Subjects which made him to be soone discarded and Zeno returnes to governe againe 3. Where continuing his habituall disordinarilesse it brought him to a kind of Apoplexy In a fitt of which he was buryed alive but recovering in his Sepulcher and crying for help his Wife Ariadne was so kind to denye it him His word was MALO NODO MALVS CVNENS an ill wedge to an ill block must be fitted accordingly No sooner was he so disparched but 14. An. C. 491 ANASTATIUS Dicorus had his place and wife together so called for having the pupills of his eyes of diverse colours one black the other gray 2. He proved a great patrone of the Eutychians which procured great stirres in the Church and hard measure to the right beleevers In his time Bizantium was delivered by the burning glasses of Proclus which set the Beseigning Navy on fire and Cabades of Persia escaped out of prison by prostituting his faire Queene to the Goalor 3. His word was MELLITVM VEN ENVM BLANDA ORATIO Smooth talke proves often sweet poyson He is said to have bin warned in his sleepe to do no hurt to Justine and Justinian whom he had designed to be made away for plotting against him Himselfe was slaine with a Thunderbolt and 15. An. C. 518 IUSTINUS succeeds him who was first a Swineherd then a Herdsman then a Carpenter from thence a Souldier and so Emperour 2. He proved a great upholder of the Nicene Faith though himselfe had no Learning at all 3. It it worth the noting how so low a Swaine should come to that top of honour Vpon Anastasius death Amantius a stirring and a rich Courteour put a great summe of money into his hand to purchase the Empire for his friend Theocritianus which plott if it took would easily make both them gayners by the bargaine But Justin wisely employed the money for himselfe got the thing and soone took order with the Hucksters to have a Quietus est from restitution of the mony 4. Much adoe he had with Theodorick that perfidious Arian Gothe who put to death the worthy Symmachus and learned Boethius 5. The ruine of Antioche by an Earthquake almost brake his heart His word was QVOD PVDET HOC PIGEAT That should greive most which is shamefull in it selfe and done against Conscience He took order that his Sisters sonne 16. A.C. 527 IUSTINIAN should have his place This man is stiled the Father of the Civill Law which by the Iudgement and industry of Trebonian and other Coadjutors was digested in that forme we now have it 2. The stubborne Gothes and Vandalls were never so shattered as they were by his Valiant Leaders Of which Belisarius may be paralleld with any of former times he brought Vitiges and Gillimer their Kings Captives to his Master and cleared him from the rest of all his Enemies And yet Theodora the Empresse in favour of the Euticheans so persecuted him that in his old age his eyes were put out and at the Temple of St Sophy built newly by the Emperour forced to beg Date panem Belisario quem
virtus extulit invidia depressit Give a Crust to old Procoplut blind Belisarius whom virtue advanced but envy hath brought to this misery 3. All the rest of his actions as the sending the holy Vessels taken by Titus out of the Iewish Temple to Ierusalem to be disposed of by the Christian Bishops The revenging of the death of Queene Amalasunta upon the Barbarous contrivers of it can no way wipe of his savage ingratitude to so worthy a man 4. In his latter time it should seeme he began to forget himselfe and he that had prescribed Lawet to the world was faine to submit at home to Gynaecocracy His word was SVMMVM IVS SVMMA INIVRIA The rigour of the Law may prove injurious to conscience He forgott not to leave his Daughters some say his Sisters sonne 17. An. C. 565 IUSTINUS the second to succeed him a man that had nothing commendable in him a coveteous wretch a Pelagian and altogether ruled by his wife Sophia 2. Shee envying the prosperous successe of the Valiant Narses against the Gothes sent him word that she would have him come home from Italy and spinne but he returned such a message that he would spinne such a Thred that neither she nor hers should be able to untwist And so he did thereupon by bringing in the Lombards which the Emperours Exarches then first set up were not able to expell 3. His Motto was LIBERTAS RES INESTIMABILIS Liberty is unvaluable He associates to himselfe 18. A.C. 578 TIBERIUS who succeeds him by the name of Tiberius the second but this was a Christian and a worthy man Tiberius Nero was neither His religious care of the poore was rewarded as it were by miracle For walking on a time and observing a crosse in the Pavement under his feet He commanded it should be removed to a place of more reverent esteeme Which being performed such a masse of Treasure was discovered under it that furnished afterward his liberality and employments 2. The proud Cosroes of Persia who at first rejected his Embassadours at last was made stoope by a potent Army which he durst not grapple with the conceipt whereof so brake his heart that he will'd his Successour not to oppose the Romane Empire 3. By reason of his employment in the East the Gothes strengthned themselves in the West Amongst which Lemugildus a King in Spaine proved so feirce an Arian that he executed his own sonne Elmingildus for being a Catholique 4. His saying was STIPS PAVPERVM THESAVRVS DIVITVM The truest Treasure of the Rich is the Almes given to the Poore 5. The best Epitaph for a Prince in his opinion was to leave a good Successour behind him Whereupon growing old and weake he chose 19. A.C. 586 MAURITIUS to be his successor to whom he gives Constantina his daughter together with the Empire in Marriage and so dyes in Peace 2. The Abilities of this man were found by the Persians to their losse and Caganus with his hardy Scythians which he suppressed and drave the Hunnes out of Pannonia 3. His Symbole was QVOD TIMIDVM IDEM ET CRVDELE None so cruell as a Coward He found it so by his Tragicall experience For upon deniall of redeeming some of his captive Souldiers from Caganus at an easy rate whether it were out of covetousnesse for which he was branded or dislike of their rashnesse that had inthralled themselves vantage was taken by 20. PHOCAS a barbarous saucy Centurion of his Army A.C. 602 to affront depose him and make him most brutishly away with his Empresse and all their Children and kindred 2. This is the right craggy Rock upon which the Popish Supremacy is built so that Boniface the third Act. 22.28 might well use the text of Claudius Lycius to St Paul with a great summe obtained I this freedome 3. Some feare of vengeance discovered it selfe in his Motto FORTVNAM CITIVS REPERIAS QVAM RETINEAS It is easyer to get then to hold an unlawfull booty When his basenesse lust cruelty and ignominious ruining of the Empire had incensed all men against him He with all his were served as he had used his master Mauritius and in some measure more shamefully his Privy parts were cut off and his mangled body boyled in a great brasen Furnace called the Oxe by 21. HERACLIUS that succeeded him A.C. 610 Lieutenant of Africk He recovered to the Empire Syria Aegypt and Jerusalem together with the Crosse of Christ which the Pagans had gotten This thence was carryed to Constantinople and afterward to Rome 2. Cosroes of Persia that insolently incroached upon the Empires was so rowted by him that upon his discomfiture he was slaine of his own sonne who succeeding a peace was straight concluded 3. His Motto A DEO VICTORIA It is God that gives victories forted well with his former Actions but the sequell was not correspondent 3. He turnes Monothelite Incestuously Marries with Martina his own brothers daughter and makes a Law that others might doe the like This drove on the Saracens who for want of pay revolted from him followed the Impostor Mahomet who about that time set forth his nonsence poysoning Alcoran 4. The Emperour struggles to make head against thē but Gods hand was not with him the Saracens give him a great overthrow and another time like the losse of Zanacherib 52000 men of his Army were found dead in one night without any apparent executioners 5. His incest was followed by a strange priapisme which togither with a dropsy ended his daies His sonne 22. An. C. 642 CONSTANTINE by a former Wife enjoyed his place for foure Months but then was poysoned by Martina his step-mother to make way for her sonne Heraclionas 2. But the plot held not Her tongue was cut out and her sonnes nose cut off both were banished by the Senate of Constantinople 3. His word is said to be INSANIA LAETA VOLVPT AS EXCESSIVE Pleasure is but a kind of Madnesse His sonne 23. An. C. 642 CONSTANS was set in his place a Monothclite for withstanding which Heresy he dealt barbarously with Martine Bishop of Rome whose hands and tongue he cut off and then banished him shamefully plundered Rome which he said he would make glorious 2. The Saracens overthrew him and prevailed mightily every where with their new Alcaron dotages 3. His word was PARENDVM NECESSITATI Necessity must be obeyed He was slaine in Scicilia by his Souldiers and 24. An. C. 669 CONSTANTINE his sonne obtaines his place He was tearmed Pogonatus for his bringing home a beard with him from the Warres whereas he went forth without it He slew Mezentius his competitor who was cause of his Fathers death overthrew the Saracens and made them tributaries made Peace with the Bulgarians by leaving them Misia to inhabit 2. He held the great Counceli in Trullo against the Monothelites in which Pope Honorius was condemned for maintaining that Heresy 3. His word was QVOD CITO FIT CITO PERIT Quickly come quickly gone Hast
by them Charles getting from him for his share France and Lewes Germany leaving only to him Italy with Gallia Narbonensis and Austrasia which he termed by his owne name Lotharingia to uphold the title of the Emperour which they sought not after 2 In his time the Saracens Plundered Italy which he could not help and Pope Iohan had gotten St Peters Chayre whose sexe could not be so well discerned saith Chalcondilas because the Popes usually shave their Beards 3. He is passed with this Symbole VBI MEL JBI FEL Gall commonly accompanies hony which broke him so much that he quâ—â—ted his Empire and betooke himselfe to a Monastery where he ended his dayes leaving his charge to 4. LUDOVICUS the second his sonne 1. An. C. 856 He repressed the Saracens in Italy subdued the Slavonians and brought them to Christianity Wanted not will but power to doe more good 2. At the Election of Adrian the second without notice given to his Embassadours then being in Rome he was sleighted with this excuse that no contempt was meant therein but a prevention of an ill conceipt that a Pope could not be chosen if such a presence were wanting 3. His saying was PAR SIT FORTVNA LABORI I aske but successe according to my paines taking He dyes without Issue and left the King of France his Vncle 5. CHARLES the Bald to succeed him in the Empire An. C. 876 He was first withstood by his elder Brother Lewes of Germany but his death ended the quarrell 2. He expells the Saracens out of Rome and raigned not so long to doe any great matters Bertram was set on worke by him concerning the Corporall Presence which then began to be grosly maintain'd in the Sacrament 3. His saying was QVOD PASTORI HOC OVIBVS The flock never thrives in the Pastors miseries He is thought to be poysoned by a Iew his Physition in Italy leaves his sonne 6. LEWES the Stammerer Crown'd by Pope John in France An. C. 878 but not acknowledged in Rome 2. He meant well but wanting health time performed little 3. His Motto was that of Galba's MILES LEGENDVS NON EMENDVS he dyed quickly left his Cosen of the elder house his successour 7. A.C. 880 CHARLES the Fat He had France Germany and Italy togither with the title of the Empire 2. And notwithstanding his unwildinesse of body did much against the Saracens and drove them from Italy The Normans and Belgians put him to more trouble to whom he was constrained to grant those Territories they ever since have kept 3. Those sad times set on some to write Threnos Germaniae the Lamentations of Germany according to his Motto OS GARRVLVM INTRICATOMNIA A prating tongue puzzells all businesse of consequence He proving unfit for Action some say was deposed others that he dyed with griefe and want All agree that 8. A.C. 888 ARNULPHUS his Nephew followed him he quelles the tumultuous Normans and in managing other affaires of the Empire shewed himselfe an able man 2. But falling upon Rifling of Churches Gods vengeance overtook his Sacriledge most say he died of the lowsy disease others that he was poysoned by Guido's wife whose Husband he had caused to be ignominiously hanged 3. His word was FACILE VOCABIS CACODEMONEM SED NON FACILE REPVLERIS It is easy to raise a Divell but not so easy to be rid of him His sonne 9. A.C. 900 LEWIS the fourth is advanced to his place 1. Never were the times more dissolute and dangerous then in this mans daies Beringarius and Lewis the sonne of Boson in Italy the Hungarians Germans and Saracens on all sides come upon him In Rome all things were carried by Maroziah the strumpet and her breed with whoÌ„ the Lombards were associated 2. His word was MVLTOKVM MANVS PAVCORVM CONCILIVM Few directors will guide many hands 3. In him some say ended the line of Charles the Great The Imperiall dignity being conferred upon 10. A.C. 912 CONRADUS Duke of Franconia It was offered by the Nobles to Otho Duke of Saxony but he excused himselfe through his age and commended Courade unto them which some make to be of the kindred of Great Charlesâ— 2. He grew Jealous of Henry old Otho's sonne and carried a hard hand over him but at length commended him to his successor 3. His word was FORTVNA CVM BLANDITVR FALLIT Fortune failes when she fawnes This 11. HENRY the first that succeeds A.C. 920 in the unquestion'd Germane line was termed Auceps the Faulkoner because he used much that kind of recreation 2. Chron. Chronicer He was so farre from sueing to the Pope to be Crowned that he refused that complement offered unto him 3 Purchased as one saith the holy Lance wherewith our Saviours side was pierced Hedio with some of the nailes to the bargaine of Radulphuâ— King of Burgundy giving him great guifts and part of Suevia for it which shewes that he was religious in his way 3. He overcame Arnold of Bavaria his competitor by perswasion the Hungarians Bohemians and Dalmatians by force Sleidan pacified all Germany and divided it into Marquisates 4. He founded Bishopricks brought in the martiall exercise of Tilting 5. His word was TARDVS AD VINDICTAM AD BENEFICENTIAM VELOX It is a Princely mind to be readier to gratify then to take revenge Vpon his peaceable death 12. OTHO the first his sonne takes his place An. C. 937 whose Symbole shewed his generous disposition AVT MORS AVT VITA DECORA Better it is to dye bravely then to live ignominioâ—sly 2. In France he freed King Lewis imprisoned by his Rebellious Subjects In Bohemia he expelled Bolislaus for murthering his own Brother From Italy he drove Beringarius King of the Lombards in Rome deposed that monster John the 12. setled Leo the 8. in his Chaire 3. For marrying a second Wife his sonne Laitholdus which he had by Editha his first wife our King Edmunds daughter rebelled against him but being overcome and submitting out of a fatherly affection was received againe into favour 4 Howsoever he was contented being in Rome to be Crowned by the Pope yet he left a decree that no Pope should be elected without the Emperours consent 5. After manifold Heroicall exploits atchieved by him in all parts of his Dominion he attained the Epethite of Magnus with Constantine and Charles dyed in the bed of Honour and left 13. An. C. 973 OTHO the second his sonne to inherit his royalties and virtues 1. His opposite the quarrelling Henry Duke of Bavaria was quickly quelled by him 2. He was termed the pale death of the Saracens for the often overthrowes especially in Apulia given them 3. The Greeks notwithstanding under the conduct of Basilius their Emperour and Constantine his sonne had the hand over him in a set Battell in such sort that he was faine to swimme for his life and escape in a Fishers boate whence falling amongst Pyrats he hardly freed himselfe 4. His word was PACEM CVM
458 amongst which Ethelbert was most eminent for first receiving the Christian Faith brought from Rome by Austine and for converting Sebert King of the East-Angles to Christianity and assisting him in building Paules in London and St Peters in Westminster as he himselfe built the Cathedrall of St Andrewes in Rochester 6. An. C. 488 SOUTH-SAX from Ella to Adhumus had about tenne Kings Authors agree not in the reckoning of which Adlewolf was the first Christened It quickly fell into the hands of Ina of West-Sax 7. An. C. 527 EAST-SAX from Erchwin to Swithred had thirteene Kings whereof Sigebert the third was the first Baptized by Mellitus Bishop of London 8. Amongst the fourteene Kings of the EAST-ANGLES An. C. 575 from Vffa to Edmund Kadwallus appeared the first Christian but held not so long Etheldreda King Inah's Daughter twice Marryed kept her Virginity and thence gained the Title of St Audrie Edmund the last King for his profession was shott to death by the Danes honoured from Rome with a Sainâ—-ship and at home insteed of a Tombe with the Title of the Towne of St Edmunds Bury 9. An. C. 527 Of the twenty Kings of MERCIA from Crida to Elfird Christianity was first received by Penda that Founded Peterborough as Ethelbald did the Monastery of Crowland and Offa of St Albans 10. An. C. 617 NORTHUMBERLAND had in it two Provinces Diera and Bertitia which in their severall Governments had about 24 Kings from Ida to Ethelbert five Danes thrust in amongst them Raigned successwely for a while till the Government returned to the West-Saxons in the time of Ethelstane and his brother Edmund Here Edwin was the first King Christened Speed whose deliverance from the furious Ethelfride by faithfull Redwall of the East-Angles and the glorious Victory he had over him afterwards his Marriage with Ethelburg the Kentish Princesse a great meanes of his conversion his preservation from a desperate Villaine by the interposition of his servant Lilla who undertook a fatall thrust of a poysoned weapon to save his Masters life and lastly his overthrow and death by Penda are matters of especiall note as also the Acts of Oswall that was Sainted and left the name to Oswalstere in Shropshire The humility of Oswin Beds Speed and the piety of Oswie that miraculously overthrew the Tyrant Penda of Mercia are worth the reading 11. Amongst the 19 Kings of WEST-SAXONS from Cerdicus Kingills is registred to be the first Christian Ive or Ina to have made good Lawes set forth in the Saxon and Latine Tongue by Mr William Lambard and to have granted to Rome Peter-pence Ethelburg King Bithrick's Wife that sled for attempting to poyson her Husband into France where by reason of her exceeding beauty she was put to the choyce to Marry either Charles or his Sonne she pitching on the Sonne missed both and was thrust into a Monastery From the Tyranny of this Bithrick fled 1. An. C. 800 EGBERT first to Offa of Mercia and then into France where he served in the Warres under Charles the great There he became so accomplished a Souldier that returning he vanquished the petty Kings left behind him and turned the Heptarchy into a Monarchy 2. He was Crowned at Winchester King of the whole Kingdome which then of his Angles brought with him and followers in all his Conquests He caused to be called England 3. The Danes then beginning to Invade are repelled His Daughter Editha the Nunne is Sainted his Eldest sonne 2. An. C. 837 ETHELWOLFE succeeds him He took for his first wife Osburga his Butlers daughter Hath good successe in diverse Battles against the intruding Danes 2. For placing the Lady Judith the King of France's Daughter whom he had taken for his second Wife in a Chaire by him at his right hand he was threatned to be Deposed by Adelstane Bishop of Sherburne his owne sonne by his former Wife who in those dayes was a Prelate of great power as was also Swithene Bishop of Winchester by whom the King was much advised to his advantage But this presumption was intolerable and by Royall Prudence soone hushed 3. He ordained that Tithes and Church Lands should be free from all Taxes and Regall services Of the diverse Children that he had by his first Wife his Eldest sonne 3. An. C. 857 ETHELBALD succeeds He blasted all his eminent parts of Valour and Policy by taking Iudith his Stepmother to be his Wife so that she must lye in Bed by his side who might not fit in a Chaire by his Father 2. This prodigious Incest was soone punished from heaven by his untimely death His Wife without Issue returning to the Emperour her Father was intercepted by the way and forced by Baldwin Forrester of Ardenna who at length appeasing her Father was made by him Earle of Flanders from whom this Iudith descended Maud the Wife of our William the Conquerour 3. In this Vacaency the next brother to Ethelbald 4. ETHELBERT takes his place An. C. 860 Much adoe he had to resist the Danes who swarmed continually about him he withstood them manfully for the time and Forces which he had but by his death a greater storme fell upon his Brother 5. ETHELRED that Raigned next In his time Hungar A.Ch. 866 and Hubba men of excessive strength and feirenesse entered this Land with great Forces and harrowed wheresoever they set footing especially being Pagans Levelled all Sucred places with the ground 2. To avoyd their fury and preserve their owne Chastity the Nunnes of Codingham by a rare example cut off their owne Lipps and Noses St Edmund by these Barbarians gained the Crowne of Martyrdome and to make them the more irresistable Streg and Halden two Danish Kings furnish them with fresh supplies whom the Earle of Berkshire ropelled neere Englefield and cut off one of the new-come Leaders 3. This while Ethelred is not Idle but every where so bestirres himselfe that he proves Victorious against them in nine sett Battles fought in one yeare wherein with one of their Kings nine Earles of the Danes were slaine In the end at Merton he received his deaths wound and left his torne Kingdome to the brave 6. ALFRED or Alured his Brother A.Ch. 871 Vpon him three more Danish Kings as though Hell had bin brake loose Guerthren Eskittle and Ammond are poured like haile-shott with their innumerable followers 2. To whom by Wilson Exeter and Abingdon he gave great overthrowes and no lesse then seven times in one yeare Routed and Scattered them 3. Notwithstanding by their obstinate reinforcing he was once brought to that extremity that he was forced to leave his Companies and lurke in Somersetshire Marishes where righting his bow and arrowes by the fire in a poore Cottage he was sharply blamed by the housewife for letting a Cake on the hearth burne for want of turning 4. From thence under the habit of a Fidler he ventures among the Enimies and having noted their loosenesse and many secret intentions returnes to
his Crowne for seaven years which he penitently submitted unto but held on his lascivious courses 3. It was a successefull device to free his Country from Wolves by injoyning the Prince of North-Wales to bring him yearly 300 skinnes of them for a Tribute and another Ordinance he made for putting pinnes in cupps that none should quaffe whole ones 4. Vpon the river Dee he had seaven petty Kings to row his Barge to shew his greatnesse 5. After his death great stirre there was who should succeed him Elfrida the Queene and the Duke of Mercia interposed strongly for her sonne Ethelred but Dunstane and the Monkes carried it for 13. EDWARD the sonne of his former wife An. C. 975 Ethelfreda the White In this mans time the greatest troubles were between the Matried Clergy and Monkes Duke Alfarus standing for the Married men and Dunstane for the single 2. At an Assembly in Winchester the married Priests lost the day by the decision of a Woodden Rood which never spake before nor after and at another meeting the ruine of the House with the preservation in it of St Dunstane and his party ruind the poore Priests cause although manifest delusion appeared in both 3. The end of this young King was lamentable being stab'd by his Step-mothers treachery when he was drinking a cup of Wine on Horse-back when he in kindnesse came to visit her through which wound fainting and falling from his Horse he was drag'd to death by his foot intangled in the stirrop This made a bloody way for the succession of his brother 14. An. C. 978 ETHELRED or Egelred who had little comfort in it For the Danes grew upon him so fiercely that he was forced to purchase his Peace from them with great summes of Mony to the undoing of his poore Kingdome who yet never rested contented but multiplied the oppression of the Subject enforcing them to drudge to maintain these Lurdan's idle 2. To put a period to this insufferable Vassalage a Bloudy Massacre was executed upon them by the Kings secret Commission A.C. 1012 on St Brices day but such brutish courses never find a wished close 3. The Danes rather exasperated to revenge then any way thereby dismaied returne with Swaine their King and desolate all the Country The perfidious Earle Edrick with other of the Clergy and Nobility underhand abet them the King opposeth to his power but with extreame difficulty 4. After the death of Swaine who some say was miraculously gored by St Edmunds Sword for his Sacriledge in Thetford Canutus his Sonne arrives with greater forces The King dyes after a lingering sicknesse 5. His second Wife was Emma tearmed the flower of Normandy Duke Richards daughter by whom he had diverse children but more by his first Wife Elgiva of which 15. EDMUND surnamed Ironside succeeded in valour and performance if not beyond surely not inferior to any of his Predecessors 2. He raised the Siege of London worsted the valiant Canutus foure times at least in plaine field and had in all likelyhood rid England of him if the Traytor Edrick and others of the perfidious Clergy and Nobility had not secretly assisted him 2. In a Duell between him and Canutus in the I le of Alney he overmatched the stout Dane and wounded him to be supplicant By compact they divide the Kingdome between them 3. But that Villanous Duke Edrick found the means to have this excellent Prince gored as he sate on a Draught for whose head presented to Canutus he had his own exalted upon a Pole above the rest of his Peeres as it was promised him An Advancement fit for betrayers of their King and Country 2. THis Distance runs a long with the Period of Charles the Great and his successors from whose Military Discipline our Egbert learned to Conquer and bring dismembred Polyarchies and Heptarchies into the best kind of Government which hath been approved by all to be Monarchy 2. Notice may be here taken of the continued irruptions of the Northerne Nations to infest the Southerne whom they excelled most commonly so much in boysterous strength and number as they came short of them in Learning Civility and Policy wherein the providence of God appeared that the Conquerors should be Conquered by those they had subdued being of Pagans made Christians and of boysterous Tyrants submissive brethren so that malum ab Aquilone became bonum Aquiloni by Divine disposition which permiteth not evill but to produce good out of it 3. Learning so stifled by tumults of former ages begins here to bud againe by Alcuinus Beda but especially by King Alfreds liberality encouragements and good Example INQVIRES 3. Whether 1. The Saxon Heptarchy were distinctly visible at any one time or grew up more successively by degrees 2. Alfred were the first founder of the Vniversity of Oxford or only a munificent Reviver 3. The Relations of the humorous carriage and strange atchievements of Guy of Warwick be for the most part put upon him without ground 4. The Nunnes of Codingham did well by mangling their faces to preserve their chastity 5. The miracles ascribed to St Dunstane were rather deluding sleights or Divelish Magick then Acts of Piety 6. Edward basely stabbed by his Step-mothers treachery may be justly held a Martyr 7. Ethelreds Massacre of Danes may passe for warrantable Policy Of the Danes DYNASTY III. THe third Dynasty that outed the Saxons and possessed their Dominions is that of the Danes who partly invited by Beorn Bocador Vice-Roy of Northumberland Speed to revenge the ravishing of his Lady by Osbright and partly taking occasion from the murther of Lothbrook alias Lether-breech by Benick St Edmunds Faulkouer for which no satisfaction could be obtained never desisted to Invade the whole Realme till they became sole Masters of it In this Dynasty or Government we have but three Danes and two others in this succession 1. CANUTUS the Conquerour A.C. 1018 a Valiant and prudent man He was an enimy to Dissemblers Traytors and Flatterers for the Nobility that to curry favour with him assented to the Disinheriting of Ironsides Issue were ever after slighted by him and came to Dishonourable ends The Traytor Ederick vaunting his good service in murthering his Soveraigne he caused to be executed with the extreamest and disgracefull tortures And a company of Flatterers that extolled his Greatnesse and Power to be unmatchable he caused to place him in a Chayre where the Sea Ebbs and Flowes at South-Hampton that by the disobedience of the Tyde that would not stop at his Command but presum'd to dash his Royall Garments they might learne how Low man is at the Highest not to applaud his fortune but feare his fall 2. By the valour of Earle Goodwin and English he drove the Vandales out of Denmarke which fell to him by his brother Swaynes death and got the neighbouring Norway by subduing Olave the King who had quarrelled with him without any provocation In like manner he vanquished Scotland so that
handsomenesse and comely dauncing which by chance he beheld among her country companions 2. After the overthrow of Harold with little lesse then the losse of 68000 men on both sides in Battle field he quickly brought under the rest of the Kingdome The Kentish men circumvent him by a stratageme and thereby retained their ancient Customes and Liberties 2. Edgar Etheling the right heire formerly wronged by Harold with the discontented Earles Edwin and Morcar make some resistance but to no purpose Edgar flyes with his Mother and Sisters into Scotland where King Malcolme entertaining them nobly takes Margaret his Sister to Wife and by his constant and effectuall standing for him Edgar was reconciled unto the Conquerour and had Royall allowance from him 3. To those insurrections that here vexed him his eldest sonne Robert added a more unnaturall in Normandy which he hastening to appease was in Battle Vnhorsed by his own sonne whom upon submission he was content to pardon for the time 4. The Church found no friend of him whose Revenues he alienated and burthened with unusuall taxes not sparing the poore meanes of Vniversity Colledge in Oxford which must be diverted from the Students 5. Besides the imposing of the Norman Lawes he left the Doomesday Booke in the Exchequer containing a Survay in generall of all England For a groat to short in payment of some dues required he forced the Monkes of Ely to lay downe a 1000 markes notwithstanding for all this the Pope bucks him and allowes his doings and Title 6. He depopulated about thirty miles in compasse Cambden iâ— Hantshire and outed the Inhabitants to make a forrest for Wild-beasts which pleasured not himselfe so much as it proved unluckie to his Posterity The plainnesse of these times of Letting Lands is worth the comparing with the intricate prolixity of our times Then it passed for good From me and mine to thee and thine As good and as faire as ever they mine were To witnesse that this is sooth I bite the white waxe with my tooth But now we find it otherwise 7. After all these transactions abroad he is summoned by Death as he was in Normandy but had the place of his buriall compounded for before he was interred and then the Grave proved too little for him that had proved so great a Conqueror in the World His second sonne 2. A.C. 1087 WILLIAM Rufus by Arch-Bishop Lanfrankes working for him gets the place 1. He is strongly opposed by his elder brother Robert whom he calmeth with promising faire words without performance and Robert joynes in the famous expedition to the Holy Laud with Godfrey of Bullaine 2. As his Father began so he persisted to withstand Papall intrusions He sleighted the Popes Binding Loosing and held it bootlesse to invocate Saints Curbed Anselme Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and taxed the then swelling Clergy for their Pride Luxury Idlenesse and Avarice Heard a Disputation of the Iewes who bribed him to favour them against the Christians but they lost the day and their mony togither 3. A Groome of his chamber on a time bringing him a paire of Breeches of three shillings price was blamed of him and commanded to furnish him with a paire fit for a King that should cost a marke He goes and presenting him with a meaner paire which he said cost so much yea Bellamy or by St Lucies face saith the King they are well bought such was the frugality of those times and difference from ours 4. His liberality to Religious persons and places shewes that he was not voyd of Religion though he could not endure Appeales to Rome and his building the Towre in London and Westminster Hall of 270 foot in length and 74 in breadth are sufficient testimonies of his Magnificence 5. His death was casuall by the glance of an arrow from a tree Cambden in Hantshire ex G. Mapes shot by Sir Walter Tirrell at a Stagge in the New Forrest wherein foure Abbies and thirty fixe Parish Churches had been demolished with the removing of all the Inhabitants to make roome for Beasts or Doggs game as one calls it Rex cervum insequitur Regem vindicta Tyrellus Non bene provisum transfixit acumine ferri The King the Stagge vengeance the King doth chase Tyrells hard hap concludes this Tragick case Also Richard his brother and Robert his Nephew came to their untimely ends in the same place so dangerous it is to prove Abaddons especially in consecrated things A Colliars Cart that removes him thence brake in the way and left him in the dirt whence he was after taken and buried as a King in Winchester dying without issue his Scepter descended to his brother 3. A.C. 1100 HENRY the first surnamed Beauclark for his Learning He was wont to say that an unlearned King was a Crowned Asse 1. Great stirres he had with his brother Robert who returning from Ierusalem where he was made King to possesse England but missed of it and at length lost Normandy togither with his eyes by his unnaturall brother 2. He Married Maud King Malcolmes daughter of Scotland by her Mother Margaret lineally descended from Edmund Ironside to strengthen his title to the Kingdome 3. As his predecessors did so he stoutly denyes the Popes incroachings Curbs Anselme that continued Romes agent establisheth the Lawes of Edward the Confessor Holinshed and addes other convenient of his owne 4. A.C. 1114 He is said to have held the first Parliament which he ordained should consist of Three Estates of which himself was the Head Martin A great Bickering began in his time between Canterbury and Yorke for priority which continued a long time after till Canterbury carried it And Cardinall Cremensis the Popes Legate sent hither to interdict Priests Marriages was taken in the Act with a common strumpet which he excused in saying he was no Priest himselfe but a corrector of them 5. The drowning of his sonne William with diverse other Nobles was repaired in some sort by the Marriage of Maud his Daughter first with Henry the fifth Emperour of Germany and he dying without Issue next with Jeffery Plantagenet Earle of Anjoy by whom she had Henry Fitz Empresse Heire apparant to the Crowne But his Grand-father dying unexpectedly by eating of Lampresse and he not upon the place 4. STEPHEN of Blois steps in A.C. 1135 sonne to Adeliza daughter to the Conquerour and holds it which was the cause of no small stirres and blood-shed especially it being against his Oath which he had taken with the Nobles for the Empresse Mauds succession and first brake it The Bishops excused it that it was for the good of the Church but Perjury promotes not Piety 2. Lesse he could not expect then continuall oppositions from the Empresse and her sonne Henry to recover their right wherein after various successe and windings on either side At the Battle of Liucolne notwithstanding his Herculian laying about him with his slaughtering Axe the King himselfe was taken Prisoner