where the Priests were customably shaven in token of sorrow and heavinesse for the death of their God Apis. And they were also shaven daily because they should be without filth in their quotidian Sacrifice The signification of the Priests crouns is to declare that they ought to reject terrene and Earthly substance reserving to themselves onely a competent sufficiency Anacletus first forbad Priests to have beards or long hair Siricus decreed that all those men that were twise married or wedded a Widow should be no Priests Anastasius commanded that none that was lame or maimed should be admitted to be a Priest Bonifacius instituted That no man could be a Priest before he were 30 years old for that was the age of Priests in the old Law But the Council of Laterane thought it sufficient if he were 25 years old after the example of the Levites which at that age ministred in the Tabernacle Anacletus also appointed that every Bishop should be installed and consecrated of other ancient Bishops CHAP. VI. Who devised Parishes and Diocesses the Order of Cardinals Notaries and Chamberlains AFter that the Priesthood was ordained both lest the cure should be over-great and also that every man might know what his charge was and ho far his Office extended Dionysius the year of our Lord 267 divided both in Rome and other places Churches Church-yards and Parishes to Curates and Diocesses to Bishops and commanded every man should be contented with his prescript bounds But before that Euaristus appointed titles of Cures to the Priests in Rome whose duty was to christen all that were converted from Paganism to Christian Religion and resorted thithen 〈◊〉 received â—he faith and to bury the dead And afterward Marcellus decreed that there should be 〈◊〉 in number These because they were the chief Priests in Rome and had the prerogative before the rest were named Cardinals and of them without doubt the order of Cardinals sprung first which for as much as they were in daily presence with the Bishop of Rome that then had the primary oâ— of Christ endome were had in great reputation and reverence And Innocentius the fourth of that name which was about the year of our Lord 1â—54 willing to augment and advance their dignity commanded by 〈◊〉 that from thenceforth they should riâ—â— when they came to the Bishop's Palace and wear a red hat whereby was mean that they ought to be in â—â—â—endinesse to adventure themselves for the love of Religion and spend their blood in Christ's Cause and Paulus Bishop ordained that they should have Scarlet Robes or Kirtells This order standeth of three sorts for some be Bishops and be in number sâ—x The Cardinals of Hostia Sabine Portua Tusculane Prenestine and Albane The other were either Priests or Deacons albeit in no certain or speciall number But there is another Order in Rome of Notaries which were appointed by Julius the first of that name to write the Acts of all godlâ— Martyrs and Confessors and register them for a perpetual example of constant and vertuous living Albeit I think it rather to be the invention and device of Clement which ordained seven Notaries to inroll the notable deeds of Martyrs And Antherius after did more firmly ratifie it Also Leo the first a godly and well disposed man seeing the people repair thither from all parts of the world for pardon appointed certain Officers of the Priests whom he named Chamberlains to keep the Tombs and Sepulchres of the Apostles and Martyrs that they perceiving the holy reverence about the Apostles graves might be more enflamed with devotion But all such Offices be now perverted and turned from that godly purpose to a vain worldly ostentation and pomp and be ready Merchandise in Rome the promotions be so grear CHAP. VII The Prerogatives of the Bishop of Rome and his Election ONe special Prerogative and Priviledg of the Bishop of Rome iâ— that he may change his name if it seem to him not very pleasant to his ears As to speak merrily if he be a malefactoâ—â— he may call his name Bonifacius if he be a coward he may be called Leo for a Carter Vrbanus and for a cruel man Clemens if nocent Innocentius if ungodly Pius This was the ordinance of Sergius and they say they do it after the example of Christ which changed Simon Barjona his name into Peter and of this it came to passe that every Bishop when he was elected chose the name of one of his predecessours The Bishop of Rome is also born on mens shoulders which custome came of the election of Stephanus the second whom the people for his great vertue and godlinesse with much joy of the election bare on their shoulders The manner of the pomp of bearing was admitted but the imitating and following of his vertue and sincere living was omitted Albeit it might spring of a gentile custome that was among the Romans that every rich man or high Potentate should be born of his servants in a bed The authority to choose the Bishop of Rome belonged first to the Emperour of Constantinople and the Deputy of Italy till the time of the Emperour Constantine which licenced the Cardinals and the people of Rome to elect him This was about the year of Christ 685. A few years after Gregory the third with other his Successours when they were vexed by the Lombards seeing they could not have ready help of the Emperour of Constantinople required ayd of Charls Martelle Pippin and Charls the Great King of France For which benefits Leo the third made and denounced Charlemain Emperour and gave him authority to ratifie and confirm the election of the Bishop of Rome but Nicholas the second rerestrained the election onely to the Cardinals which custome remaineth at this day The great possessions that the Bishopâ— of Rome have contrary to the example of Christ whose Vicars they name themselves and Peter's poverty their predecessor were given them by 〈◊〉 and Lâ—wiâ— Emperours And yet notwithstanding all that large benigniâ—y and kindnesse shewed to him and his Auncestors John the 12th made Othâ— King of Germany Emperour and afterward Gregory the third a Gerâ—â—â— born for to gratifie the Emperoâ—â— his Countryman Decreed that the 〈◊〉 shops of Mogunce Treverance and Câ—â—len the Marquess of Brandenburgh 〈◊〉 County Palatine Duke of Saxony and King of Bohemia should have full power to choose the Emperour about the year of our Lord 1002. Thus the Bishops of Rome have been inhanced in worldly power that they think themselves equal with Princes Kings and Emperours But as it was falsly Usurped so shall it by the Word of God be rooted out and extirpateds as an unprofitable Tree CHAP. VIII The dividing of Priests into sundry degrees A manner of Swearing and Excommunication GRegory sirnamed the Great where before time Priests and chief Priests 〈◊〉 onely used in the Congregation first divided them into
Decree made in the Council had at Lions in France and furthermore commanded that such dayes as either the holy Saints departed this life or else wrought any miracle or did any notable deed to the encrease of our Reâ—igion should be kept holy because Christians might have more opportunity to hear the Word of God and more devoutly serve him in an uniform order Then were instituted the Feasts of Saint Stephen Innocents Sylvester John Baptist the Apostles dayes Conversion of Paul our Lady-dayes Laurence Michael Martine and generally of Al Saints which was the constitution of Bonifacius the fourth For he caused that the Temple which Marcus Agrippae did edifie in honour of all the Romans Idols as the name Pantheon doth pretend was by the license of Phocas then Emperour turned into the Church of All-hallows and consecrated the 12th day of May and Gregory the fourth afterward willed it to be kept the first day of November The Feasts of the Invention and Exaltation of the Cross and Corpus Christi day were dedicated by Urban the fourth and pronounced for holy-dayes Sylvester at the suit and instance of the Emperour Constantine assigned the day of ad vincula Sancti Petri called commonly Lammas in memorial of Peter's pains persecution and punishment that he suffered for Religion Felix the first to magnifie the glorious commendation of Martyrs made a Statute that a yearly oblation should be had in memorial of them and Gregory would that Masse should be said over their bodies which thing Vigilantius thought worthy to be rejected and refused albeit the report goeth that Anacletus was of this constitution the first Authour The same Felix instituted first That the day whereon any Temple was dedicated should be hallowed of that Village or Town and made also a law That such Churches as men doubted of whether they were consecrated or no should be hallowed again And Felix the fourth did ordain That Bishops onely should dedicate them and that the same dedicated day should be kept holy yearly afterward The fashion to deify men that had done any benefits to the Common-wealth is one of the most ancient usages that I read of For antiquity even from the beginning was accustomed to make gods of their Kings which either by abundance of benefits or notable qualities and prowess had won the hearts of their Commons And specially the Romans did that with great pomp and many observances as I did declare before in the third book out of Herodian Of them our Bishops learned as by a pattern their rite of canonizing Saints and the yearly sacrifices that Gregory and Felix appointed concerned nothing else but to declare that those Martyrs were Saints and of the houshold of God Last of all Alexander the third ordained That no such divine solemnity should be given to any man openly without he were canonized and admitted to be a Saint by the Bishop of Rome his Bull because no man should choose himself any private Saint or commit any peculiar Idolatry CHAP. VII Institution of years dayes or Obites and the manner of mourning FUneral exequies that be done over dead bodies were the institution of Pelagius Albeit Isidorus ascribeth the original of it to the Apostles and he himself did augment the Rites that we use in this time Ambrose supposeth that it proceeded of the custome of the Hebrews which lamented Jacob fourty dayes and Moses the space of thirty dayes for that time is sufficient for the wise to weep in It was also the usage of antient Romanes to mourn For Numa Pompilius assigned Oblations to the infernal gods for the dead and did inhibite that a child under the age of three years should be bewailed and that the elder sort should be mourned no more Moneths then he had lived years But commonly the longest time of a Widows mourning was but ten Months and if any were married within the space again it was counted a great reproach wherefore Numa ordained that such as had mourned up before the day limitted should offer a Cow that was great with Calf for an expiation Neverthelesse if that rite were used now a dayes and namely in England we should have small store of Veals there be so many that marry within the time prescribed Plutarch writeth that the Women in their mourning layed a part all Purple Gold and sumptuous apparel and were cloathed both they and their Kinsfolk in white apparel like as then the dead body was wrapped in white cloths The white colour was thought fittest for the dead because it is clear pure and sincere and least defiled and when the time of their weeping was expired they put on their other vestures Of this Ceremony as I take it the French Queens took occasion after the death of their Husbands the Kings to wear onely white cloathing and if there be any such Widdow she is commonly called the white Queen The Jews ended their mourning after thirty days and Englishmen keep the same Rite Their mourning garments for the most part be altogether of black colour and they use to wear them a whole year continually unlesse it be because of a generall Triumph or rejoycing or new Magistrate choosing or else when they be towards Marriage But the custome of mourning is no other thing then meer superstition specially if women or men have a louring look and a laughing heart For all such lamentation helpeth nothing the dead Corps or Soul of the deceased and disquieteth sore the living The manner of washing dead bodies and specially of Noble men and anointing them was received of our Ancestry which used to wash the bodies of the dead and it was the office of them that were nearest of his Kinred to do it Soul-Masse day that is the second day of November was begun by Odilo that was Provost or Provinciall of the Monks of Cluniacenses order upon the occasion that he heard about Aetna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great weeping lamentation and crying which he supposed to be the yelling of evill spirits that bewailed because the Souls of dead men were taken from them by the petitions and sacrifices of well disposed Christians therefore he perswaded his covent in the time of John Bishop of Rome to make a general obite of all Souls the day next after the Feast of all Saints About the year of onâ— Lord 1002 our fathers received it as a godly institution full of pitiful charity and thus by processe of this Monks supposition sprung much vain superstition CHAP. VIII Of the seventh day thirtieth day old manner of burial hallowing Chalices Priests Garments with other things HOratius the Poet and Servius write that the Romans used câ—stomably the ninth day after the burial to renew the sacrifices and solemn rites of the funeral which they named in Latine Novem-diales of this we in our Religion have gathered the fashion of keeping the seventh day with Exsequies and other ordinary oblations And in England the
The Crouch or Crosse Friers began about the year of our Lord 1215. by the device of Syracus Bishop of Jerusalem which shewed Helen mother of Constantine where the Crosse lay hid and in memorial of the Cross he caused this brotherhood and Colledge of Friers to bear the Cross and yet they never knew what the Cross weighed in their bodies or in their hearts and forasmuch as they were sore wasted Innocentius the third renewed the Religion CHAP. IV. Black and Grey-Fryers the Trinity-orderâ— Brigidians Jesuits new Hermites and Bonhomes ABout the time of Innocentius the third arose two famous founders of two superstitious Sects I mean Dominick the Spaniard and Francis the Italian of the Country of Vmbria Dominick at the first was a Canon but because he could not suffer to have a superiour and was also weary of the Cloyster he invented a new fraternity named Dominicans Black-Fryers or Fryers-Preachers because they had the charge to preach the Gospel without mixture of any Pharisaical leven The new guise of their Vesture made innocent Innocentius to wonder But Honorius the third by his Bull honourably admitted them the year of our Lord 1220 and Gregory the 9th put the matter all out of doubt canonized Dominick and by his Bull under Lead allowed him for a Saint Frances that was first of the Friers Augustines thinking that sect not to be sufficiently furnished with Hypocrisie began a new trade of living in the Mount Appenninus in a place named commonly Laverna doubtless a ground worthy for such a foundation as was beside the Word of God it was set up in the time of Honorius aforesaid They were named Minoribes of the humility and lowliness of heart that they should have but that was smally regarded and farthest from their study Two years after the year of our Lord God 1229 Francis was sanctified by Gregory and made a Saint Francisoans afterward fell at contention for the rules of their profession They that failed somewhat of the unperfect perfection of them retained the name of Minorites still the other entituled themselves Observants more worthy to be called Obstinate The latter fellows were brought inâ—o England by King Edward the 4th and were greatly inhanced by the famous Prince King Henry the 7th At the same time was Clara the Virgin Countrey-woman to Saint Francis which was a great Foundress of Nuns of the same Rule that Francis gave his Covent of them sprung the bastard Penitencers in the dayes of John the 22 and the year of our Lord 1315. The Order of the Trinity under Innocentius was begun by John Matta and Felix Anachorita in France in the County of Meldine Then also was founded or else not long after in the time of Martin the fourth the Religion of Virgins or Servants by one Philip of Florencia a Physitian and Benedict the 11th confirmed it in the year of our Lord 385. The Order of Brigidians was instituted by Brigidia a Widow that was Princess of Sueta under Vrban the 5th in the year of our Lord 1370 it was as well of men as women albeit they dwelt severally by themselves The Family of Jesuits was the Invention of Johannes Columbinus in the City of Senes in the time of the same Urban the year of our Lord 1368 they were no Priests nor consecrated persons but were men of the lay sort given and addicted to prayer and had the name of Jesuits because that name of Jesus should be often in their mouth they be much like to our Beads-men in England The Sect of new Hermites began in Urbin a City in Italy in the Countrey of Umbria where Polidore Virgil was born and was the device of one Petrus an Hetrurian and they had in the same City a goodly Hospitall or Guild-Hall The Bonhomes were instituted in England by Edmund son of Richard Earl of Cornwall which was brother to Henry the third and was elected King of the Romans and heir apparent to the Empire by the principal Electors about the year of our Lord 1257. The speciall head place of that Religion was Astrige where the noble King Henry the eighth hath now a goodly Palace This Edmund brought the bloud of our Saviour as it was said into the Realm CHAP. V. The original of sacred Knights and white sect WHilest the City of Jerusalem before our Christian men had conquered it in the year of our Lord 1099 was in subjection to the Saracens the Latine Christians that lived there tributaries purchased a licence to build near unto the Holy Sepulchre dwelling houses and among other they made an Hospital of our Lady to receive the strange Pilgrims and appointed a Provost to entertain them This was in Silvester the first his time the year of our Lord three hundred twenty and four and renewed the year of Christ one thousand three hundred ninety and seven in the time of Celestine the third Bishop of Rome After the pattern of this house was devised a like house of Virgins in memorial of Mary Magdalen to receive the Women that resorted thither It began in the 2d Vrbanes dayes the year of our Lord 1099. Notwithstanding because the multitude of Latine Pilgrimes waxed very great they builded three Hospitals of Saint John Baptist as some say Albeit some think it was of John Eleemosinarius that was the Patriarch of Alexandria in the reign of the Emperour Phocas This Sect one Gerardus adorned with a white Cross in a black vesture grand Captain of these Knights was Ramundus when Clement the fifth had the See of Rome about the year of our Lord 1310 yet some affirm that the beginning of them was in the 3d Alexanders dayes the year of Christ one thousand one hundred seventy and nine and they be called of the order of Saint John or Knights of the Rhodes because they won the Rhodes from the Turks which afterwards they lost again in January in the year of our Salvation one thousand five hundred twenty three albeit they did long defend it manfully The Temples order was begun in Gelasius the second his dayes in the year of Christs Incarnation one thousand one hundred twenty and eight by Hugo Paganus and Gaufridus de sancto Alexandro they were named Templers because they kept in a part of the buildings near to the Temple they kept Bernardus rule in their living But Clement the fifth deposed them partly for that they renounced the Faith and conspired with the Turks and partly for other notable crimes The order of Teutonicks or Dutch Lords began in Jerusalem by a Dutch man whose name is not known Their office was to fight against the enemies of Christs Cross it began in the dayes of Clement the third the year of Christs incarnation 1190. Petrus Ferdinandus a Spaniard began the order of Saint James Knights that lived after St Austins rule under Alexander the third and in the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred and sixty in the same
Bishops dayes Sanctius a King ordained the Faction of Calatranean Knights which professed the rule of the Cistercienses Of the same profession be they of the Order of Jesus Christs Knights which were instituted by John the 22th Bishop of that name in Portugall to resist the Saracens Alexandrians brotherhood of Knights in the Realm of Castile that began in Gregory the ninths time about the year of our Salvation 1240 but who was Author of them is uncertain James King of Arragon did found two sects of Knights one named of S. Mary de Mercede the office of those was to ransome such as were taken Prisoners in wars by the Turks the other Sect is called Montastan Knights and they wear a Red Cross Both these Orders Gregory the 11th did allow in the year of our Lord 1000. The Order of Minimes or least-brethren were founded by one Franciscus Poula a Sicilian after the example of Frauncis his Minorites The Apostolike brethren began in the year of our Lord 1260. by the institution of Gerardus Sagarelus in the Town named Perma in Lombardy in the time of Alexander the fourth The white sect sprung up in the Alps and descended into Italy having a Priest for their Captain But Bonifacius perceiving they should do no good to his honourable estate if they continued caused their Captain to be beheaded at Viterbium as attainted of some Heresy the year of our Lord 1400. They were a great number and did no other thing but lament the state of Mankind and bewail the sins of the people There was of this fashion both men and Women and were called the white sect because they ware white cloathing CHAP. VI. The Ninivites Assyrians Antonians and Ceremonies NO lesse superstition is in the fraternity of the Ninivites although they avant themselves to have received theâ—â— manner of living from the Apostles for the end of their doings is to work their own Salvation by deeds satisfactory to God where in deed they derogate the effect and power of Christs bloud The Rites be specified with outward holiness as often assembling to prayer hyring of Chauntry priests supporting poverty and be cloathed in sackcloath and scourge one another with whips Of this painted pennance they call themselves Ninevites as though they appeased Gods wrath in the same wise as they of Nineveh did where in deed they had hearty contrition for their offences these have but pretensed holiness and penitence They began under Clement the third the year of our Lord one thousand 285. The manner of their whipping came of the Romane sacrifices and Lupercalia whereof I spake before for they used the same custome of a superstitious opinion or if a man would be curious in bolting out of the original of their beating it may appear to have proceeded of an observance of the Egyptians For the usage was there that whilest they offered a Cow with many Ceremonies to their great Idol as Herodotus witnesseth during the burning thereof they should beat one another miserably with wands or rods The title of their fraternity came of the Romans which had divers fellowships as Sodales Titii and Fratres Arvales that sacrificed to Ceres goddess of Corn. Another sort there is not onely idle but also theevish and they be called Assyrians the same that we name commonly Egyptians These as all men have heard and many have by experience proved be so light fingered that they will find two things before they lose one The men by such pilfery theft and plain stealing and Women by Palmestry blessings with like other sorcery and witchcraft furnished with lyes seduce and deceive a great number of simple people in every Countrey and Region And because they should have more liberty to speed their purposes they say It is their vow and penance is given them to go in continual pilgrimage The occasion that these vagabonds stray thus abroad came of an old Idol that they worshipped in their Paganism named the Goddess of Syria wherewith they used to gad from place to place to beg money wine milk cheese corn and other stuff as Apuleius writeth The same people now they be christened play their parts in like manner with sundry subtilties and what they get by lying picking stealing bribing they make money of and so return home laughing to scorn all those simple persons that they have thus deceived Seeing all other superstitions be abolished and rooted up it is pity that this should take still effect and be unpunished The Antonians were a counterfâ—iâ— of Anthony's perfection but they differ as much from his holiness as white fâ—om black they have a T. on their breast that meaneth Tolle teaching them to take what they can get be it Cow Ox Calf or Pigg for they offer Swine to him as they did sacrifice sheep to Bell in Babylon they were instituted in the year of Christ 324. The Ceretanes began in Ceretum a City of Vmbria and they ever used to go a begging at the latter end of Harvest when the Barns were stuff'd with corn and so like drones devour that which other have gotten with the sweat of their browes Of these valiant beggers there be in every place a great many but I cannot tell what time they were instituted and how soon they be put down it skilleth not CHAP. VII The originall of Mahomet's Sect. OF all these superstitious Sects before rehearsed there is not one so diabolical as the Sect of Mahometans as well for the filthiness of all unlawfull lusts as other outragious naughtinesse that they occupied daily to the great endamaging of Christendome and encrease of their own infidelity Of this unreverent religion Mahomet a Noble-man born in Arabia or as some report in Persia was authour his father was an Heathen Idolater and his Mother an Ismaelite wherefore she had more perceivance of the Hebrewes law This wicked plant brought up and fostered under his Parents and instructed like a mungrell in either of their lawes became expert and of a ready wit And after the death of his father and mother he was in houshold with one Abdemonaples an Ismaelite which put him in trust with his merchandise and other affairs and after his decease he married his Mistress a Widow There he fell in acquaintance with the Monk Sergius an heretick of Nestorius's sect that fled from Byzance into Arabia and by his counsell and advice this Mahomet about the year of our Lord five hundred and twenty and the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperour Heraclius began in Arabia to found a new sect and by seditious Sermons seduced much and many Countries He conquered by help of the Arabians divers Lands and subdued them as Tributaries and compelled them to live after the tradition of his laws that he gathered out of the New and Old Testaments and divers heresies of Nicolaites Manichees and Sabellians He dyed the 40th year of his age and his body was carried
and Evila of whom came the Evelites And semblably we must believe that of them came all other Nations and people of the world which be now in so great number that they cannot easily be numbred CHAP. IV. The beginning of Marriage and sundry rites of the same GOD after that he had fully accomplished and perfectly created the world and when all the creatures therein were in their kind consummate as Moses teacheth he made man last of all to be Lord and Sovereign of the whole body of the world as one of whom all his work should be subject because he was fashioned after his own likenesse And lest so worthy a creature should by death perish or the world might want his governour ruler it pleased him to make woman out of the body of man and so with the bond of Matrimony combined them together that they should not live after the manner of brute beasts therefore hath God joyned Adam and Eve in Marriage in Paradise before they knew sin that by the congression and company of these two sexes and kinds their issue might be enlarged and so replenish the whole World In this sort was Matrimony instituted albeit antiquity feigneth Cecrops King of the Athenians to have ordeyned Matrimony for which cause he was reported to have had two faces But all Countreyes did not enter like bond of Matrimony neither kept it after one fashion For the Numidians Egyptians Indians Hebrews Persians Parthians Thracians and almost all the Barbarians every one according to his substance married Wives some ten some more The Scythian the Stoicks and Athenians used their children and wives in common and copulated with them abroad openly like beasts The Messagites married every one a wife but they used them commonly Among the Arabians it is the manner that all Kinsmen should have but one wife and he that came to meddle with her should set his staff at the doore for their custome was to bear a staff albeit she lay every night by the eldest by this means they were all brethren An Adulterer was there condemned to death which was perceived by this if he were of another family or kindred Where chanced on a time a strange thing worthy to be had in memory there was a certain Kings daughter of excellent beauty which had fifteen brethren that loved her all intirely well and used one after another to resort to and keep company with her she began by such daily dalliance to be weary of their wanton company and devised this feat she prepared staves like her brothers staves and by and by as one was gone she set a staff at the door like to his and by that deceit the other when they came to the door supposing one to be within pressed no further and it fortuned on a day when they were all together in the Court one of them departed from the other and repaired to her house and when he espyed a staff at the gate thinking it to be some Adulterer for he was assured that he left his brethren in the Court he ran to his father and accused his sister of Adultery but when the matter was known it was perceived that he had falsly slandered her The Assyrians and the Babylonians bought their wives in open Market at a common price which custome among the Saracens and Arabians yet still remaineth When the Nazamones were first married they used to suffer their wives to lie the first night with all her guests in the worship of Venus and from thenceforth they kept themselves chaste and pure of living A certain people of the Carthaginians which border on Aegypt were wont to offer such maidens as should be married to the King of that Region to deflour whom it pleased him In Scotland also the usage was that the Lord of the soyl should lye with the bride before her husband but for so much as it was unfitting to be frequented among Christians their King Malcolme the third of that name about the year of our Lord M.XCIX did abolish that beastly abomination and ordained that every maid should give the Lord for the redemption of her maidenhead a Crown of Gold Some people lived single as certain Nations called Cristae and Esseni among the Hebrews which did abhor the calamities and troubles in marriage Wedlock was observed sincerely and reverently of the Romanes till Divorcement began which although it be an occasion that Women should more earnestly keep their chastity yet our Religion doth scarcely permit it One Spurius Servilius the year after the City was founded 522. Marcus Pomponius and Caius Papâ—rius being Consuls first sued a Divorce from his Wife because she was barren for which fact although he affirmed openly before the Censors that he did it only because he would have issue yet he was evil spoken of among the common sort This decree of divorcing was taken out of the Laws of Moses which made the first constitution of that statute yet was there this difference For by Moses it was onely lawfull for the Husband to forsake his Wife but the Romans decree gave them both like liberty The Rites of Marriage were divers in Rome the manner was that two children should lead the Bride and another bear a Torch before her of white-thorn in worship of Ceres that like as she with fruits of the earth doth nourish men so the new bride like an houswife should bring up her children Which manner is used in England saving that instead of the Torch there is born here a cup of Silver or Gold before them A Garland also of Corn-eares was set on her head or else she bare it in her hand or if that were not when she came home wheat was scatered abroad over her head in betokening of plenty and fruitfullnesse Also before she came to bed to her Husband Fire and water were given her which have power to purify and cleanse signifying thereby that she should be chaste and honest of her body There were besides these divers Rites which I omit The maids of Greece and Rome as it may appear by Homer and Catullus were usually accustomed to gird their Privity with a lace or swathel till the day of their Marriage The Bride anointed the posts of the doors with swines grease because she thought by that means to drive away all misfortune whereof she had her name in Latine Neither might she step over the threshold but must be born over to declare that she loseth her Virginity unwillingly with many other superstitious ceremonies which be too long to rehearse CHAP. V. The Institution of Religion and who Worshipped gods first with sacrifice IT is no doubt but men which at the first without any Governour led a barbarous and rude manner of life did highly advance their first Kings honour and prayses and by the perswasion of the Devil either for their wonderfull courage
the Grecians who found it first In this kind of writing Aristophanes Eupolis and Cratinus bare the price of the Romans Livius Andronicus found it first In a Tragedy noble personages as Lords Dukes Kings and Emperours be brought in with an high style In a Comedy amorous dalliance matters of love and deflouring of maidens be conteined Heavinesse is appropried unto a Tragedy and therefore when King Archelaus desired Euripides to write a Tragedy of him he denyed it wishing that never such thing should chance to him as should be worthy of of Tragedy for it hath ever a miserable end and a Comedy hath a joyfull end A Satyre is a Poesy rebuking vices sharply not regarding any persons There be two kinds of Satyres the one which was both among the Greeks and Romans of antient time used for the diversity of Meters much like a Comedy saving that it is more wanton Demetrius of Tharsus and one Menippus a bondman whom Marcus Varro did counterfeit were writes in this kind The second manner of Satyres is very railing onely ordeined to rebuke vice and devised of the Romans upon this occasion When the Poets that wrote the old Comedies used to handle for their arguments not onely feigned matters but also things done indeed which although at the first it was tollerable yet afterwards it fortuned by reason that they inveighed so liberally and largely at their pleasure against every man that there was a law made that no man should from thenceforth reprehend any man by name Then the Romans in the place of those Comedies substituted such Satyres as they had newly imagined Then also began the new Comedy which concerneth generally all men of mean estate and hath lesse bitternesse and railing but more pleasantnesse and pastime for the auditors Of this Menander and Philemon were Authors which asswaged all the crabbednesse of the old writings Of them Cicilius Nevius Plautus and Terentius learned to compile Comedies although as Quintilian saith they never attained to the least proportion of their Patrons because the Latine Tongue is not so fit to receive the ornaments of Eloquence as the Greek Tongue is The Satyres had the name of Barbarian gods that were rude lascivious and wanton of behaviour In this form of writing Lucilius Horacius Persius Juvenal obtained great fame and praise CHAP. X. The Devisers of Histories Prose and Rhetorick HIstories of all other Writings be most commendable because it informeth all sorts of people with notable examples of living and doth excite Noble-men to insue such activity in enterprises as they read to have been done by their Ancestors and also discourageth and dehorteth wicked persons from attempting of any hainous deeds or crime knowing that such acts shall be registred in perpetual memory to the praise or reproach of the doers according to the desert of their endeavours Pliny writeth That Cadmus Milesius first wrote Histories among the Grecians which contained the actions of Cyrus King of Persia Albeit Josephus supposeth it to be made probable that Histories were begun by the old Writers of the Hebrews as in the time of Moses which wrote the lives of many of the eldest Hebrews and the creation of the World or else to the Priests of Egypt and Babylon For the Egyptians and Babylonians have been of longest continuane very diligent in setting forth things in writing insomuch that their Priests were appointed for that purpose of putting in writing such things as were worthy to be had in memory As concerning the first writers of Prose I cannot hold with Pliny which saith Pheresides a Syrian wrote first Prose in the time of King Cyrus For it is no doubt but he that wrote Histories wrote also Prose first and Pheresides was long after Moses which was 688 years before Joatham King of the Jews In whose time the Olympiads began and this Pheresides as Eusebius writeth was but in the first Olympiad Of the Grecians Xenophon Thucydides Herodotus Theopompus flourished most in writing Histories Of the Romans Titus Livius and Caius Crispius Salustius with divers other were had in high estimation Before that time they used Annals or Chronicles which contained onely the actions and facts of every day severally The first office of an Historiographer is to write no lye The second that he shall conceal no truth for favour displeasure or fear The perfection of an History resteth in matter and words The order of the matter requireth observance of times descriptions of places the manners and lives of men their behaviours purposes occasions deeds sayings casualties atchievings and finishing of things The renour of the words asketh a brief perspicuity and sincere truth with moderate and peaceable ornaments We may be sure that by and by after men were formed they received of God the use of speech wherein when they perceived some words to be profitable and some hurtfull in uttering of them they appointed and compiled an art of speech or communication called Rhetorick Which as Diodorus saith was invented by Mercury but Aristotle affirmeth that Empedocles was first author of the Oratorial Art In Rome this seat of eloquence was never forbidden but in processe as it was perceived to be profitable and honest was had in such estimation and so many partly for their defence partly for glory and ambition employed their studies in it with such endeavour that very many of the Commonalty were promoted into the degree of Senatours and atchieved much worship by it Corax and Thisias being Sicilians gave first precepts in writing of this Science And their Countryman Leontinus Gorgias succeeded them Demosthenes was principal among the Grecians among the Romans Tullius Cicero had no fellow Now as touching the effect and property of it there be in it as Cicero writeth five parts first to invent matter to speak then formally to order his devices next to polish it and furnish it with elegant terms and choyse words and to have it in perfect memory and last of all to utter it with a comely gesture in such sort that it delight for the convenient treat ablenesse thereof doth teach and plainly declare the thing and move affections of pitty and favour in the hearts of Judges or if the cause permit or time require to excite a chearfull laughing and abundant grave severity In terms of this faculty we have this difference we call him that defendeth matters and pleadeth causes an Oratour A Rhetoritian is he that teacheth or professeth to be a Schoolmaster in that Art A Declamator is he that is occupied in feigned causes either for his own exercise or to instruct others thereby CHAP. XI Who Invented Musick and what efficacy it is of in humane affairs MUsick by the testimony of ancient Poets is very antient for Orpheus and Linus both born of the linage of the gods were very excellent Musitians And because the one by the sweetnesse
of hallowing of them and their Vestures is declared at large in the book of Exodus As for Noah which made the first Altar Melchisedech Abraham Isaac and Jacob did make their offering rather of a natural devotion then any Priestly authority After that the Levites whom we use to call Deacons were created by Moses to minister and serve Aaron in all the Sacrifices to bear the Ark and Tabernacle the holy Vessels and pitch the Camp and were discharged of all teâ—â—rene affairs Next them were chosen the Ministers which did make ready the sacrifice as Calves Oxen Sheep with such other things at the commandement of the Levites these we may call Sub-Deacons Certain other were elected to light the Tapers and Lamps named Accolites The Sextons or Porters were appointed to keep out all prophane and unclean people And Readers to preach and read the Law and Prophets on their Sabbath dayes There were moreover Chaunters and Singers to sing the Pâ—alms in the Temple whom David and Asaph did institute Conjurers were ordained by Solomon to drive evil spirits our of men All these Offices went by Succession neither was one promoted from one to another Thus was the Levitical Priesthood appointed which was but a sign and shadow of things to come that is Christ in whom resteth the perfection and compleat fulfilling of the Law CHAP. IV. Of our Priesthood how it is double What laying on of hands meaneth CHRIST JESUS our Saviour vhich was King and Priest after the order of Melehisedech in the New Testament hath instituted among us a Priesthood to offer and do the functions of the new Law and it is of two kinds or sorts The one is a spiritual Priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices In this kind Christ offered and gave up himself a consummate oblation for the sins of the whole world as Peter saith Christ died once for our sins he being righteous for us unrighteous that he might give us up to God mortified as touching the flesh but living in the spirit Of this Priesthood be all Christian men which after the example of Christ must offer our prayers thanksgiving and our bodies mottified we be all of the degree of this Kingly Priesthood as Peter and also John in the Apocalyps do bear witnesse The second Priesthood is a Ministery that Christ did ordain following the order of the Law that we might have our teachers to instruct us in the Gospel as the Jews had their Schoolmasters in the Law He did elect twelve Bishops whom he called by a new name Apostles because they were appointed to be Embassadours into all parts of the World with the mighty word of his power to carry the glad Tydings of his Gospel He assigned also 70 Disciples to whom he gave the charge and office of Preaching and teaching which in stead of Aarons Sons should be among us inferiour Priests and Seniours of Congregations and these began the order of our Priests as our Bishops had their original of the Apostles As the Apostles and 70 Disciples which were Ministers and disposers of the Mysteries of God had no other manner of consecrating but onely the vocation and election of Christ into the Office and so was Matthias chosen in the Acts into the room of Judas So were the seaven Deacons chosen to Minister to the poor people of the Congregation And Titus did choose in every Town and City of Creet Priests by the laying on of hands which was a manner of admission without any further Ceremonies whereby Authority was given them over the Congregation and boldnesse to execute earnestly his office with the assistance of the Holy Ghost And therefore in the beginning of the Church when a Bishop was consecrated there was used no other Rites or Ceremonies but onely the people to whom the Election of the Bishop belonged should pray and after the Seniours or Priests by laying on their hands admitted him to that degree Of these Peter was called chief and first because both of his ancientâ—y and also forasmuch as he was the first Elected A Bishops room is not so much an honour as it is an heavy burden not so much a laud as a load For his duty is not onely to wear a Mitre and Crosier but also to watch over the flock of the Lord vigilantly to teach with the Word diligently with example honestly and in all things to go before them uprightly and lead them in the way of Truth that they may follow the pattern of his godly living and there as it were in a Mirrour behold how they ought to reform and conform their lives And this office of the Bishoprick and Deacons was instituted by the Scripture onely for Priests in the Primative Church and Bishops were all one But the Bishops of Rome following the shadows of the old abrogate law of the Hebrews have ordained a swarm of divers other orders as Potters or Sextons Readers Exorcists Accolites Sub-deacons Deacons Priests Bishops Archbishops as a certain degree one above another whereby they should ascend to the highest dignity Caius Bishop of Rome did begin the Orders first yet some say Iginius did ordain those degrees long before Caius his time And I grant well that Iginius might be the first deviser of them and afterward Caius accomplished the work and brought it to a finall consummation The office of a Priest as Christ ordained it was to teach Baptize and Minister the Sacrament of the Altar and thanksgiving bind and loofe and judge of Doctrines Therefore let them take heed that admit such to be Priests as cannot perform the duty of that ministery For many suppose if they can mumble up a pair of Matins and say Masse they be perfect Priests CHAP. V. The manner of shaving Priests Crowns who may not be Priest what age he must be of THe common and general badge of all Priests is the shaven Crown whereby the Clergy is dissevered from the Laity and be put in remembrance by it how they ought altogether to relinquish and despise all carnal pleasure and worldly treasure and ensue after heavenly things which be eternal This as Beda writeth grew into a custome and was decreed by a constitution to the intent that the thing which was before opprobrious might grow to honour and comelinesse For Peter when he preached at Antioch was scorned and mocked because of his bald head or shaven Crown and it was a contumelious thing both among the Romans and Lombards to be shaven I think the original cause of it did proceed of the Ceremonies of the Nazarens which when they had lived long time as Josephus telleth very devoutly they shaved their heads and sacrificed the hair in the fire to God whereby they signified that they did dedicate themselves wholly to live in Godly perfection Samuel was a Nazaren and Sampson also I suppose that this Rite of the Nazarens came out of Aegypt
his word should have the weight of an Oath I could wish that our Bishops would mark and follow both those properties of these Heathen Religions for then the state of our Religion should be better case then it is and others would not enforce so lightly a Priest to the necessity of an oath which should have no other terms but yea and nay to confirm or deny their saying Beside this Flamin that was called Dialis because he was consecrated to Jupiter there were by the same Numa ordained two other one to Mars another to Quirine albeit Plutarch saith it was Romulus that instituted Priests to Jupiter and Mars Virgins Vestall were of his bringing in also and founded in honour of Vesta daughter to Saturnus The first that ever was chosen into that Religion was called Aâ—â—ata and of her all were named likewise A maid might not be under six years of age nor above ten if she were created of this Religion These continued in their profession thirty years where of the first ten they spent in learning the Rites the other ten they ministred and the last of their years they taught other Novices and when her term of years was expired she might marry or tarry in that Religion still They were found at the charges of the common chest and if any of them committed any carnal act with any man she was born in the sight of all the people out of the City and at the gate named Collina was buried quick They rode in a Wagon and other Magistrates rode to them and if they came by in time of execution the condemned was quite delivered This Religion began at Alba by the institution of Ascanius and was renued in Rome by King Numa A high Bishop was instituted also by him to have the chief stroke in all ceremonies of Sacrificing and he prescribed the dayes and places of Sacrifices and in what form they should be done He ordained also to Gradivus Mars twelve Priests named Salii because they danced in a solemn manner and went about the City with songs They ware an embroidered coat with a Brazen Breast-plate and a round Tergate It seemeth that Numa took this Rite from the Hebrews for David went before the Ark of the Lord dancing Heraulds of Arms which were called Feciales Sacardotes were ordained by him to provide that no battle were unjustly taken in hand they also made leagues established Peace or if it were not duely made they might break it and offer oblation for the offence of the Captain and the hole Army Pater Patraetus was an Officer that made all leagues or Bonds and was created by the Heraulds as Marcus Valerius first Herauld ordained Spurius Fusius first in the office of Pater Patratus After the expulsing of Kings an office called Rex Sacrificulus was appointed which should do all such customable observances as the Kings should do Albeit it was under the High Priest or Bishop the first thaâ— did bear that office was Marcus Papirius Epulones had the Office of appointing feasts and solemn Bankets to Jupiter and the other gods these were also called Sodales Titii which were ordained by Romulus after he joyned fellowship with Titus Tatius The End of the Fourth Book Polidore Virgil. The Fifth BOOK CHAP. I. Of the decking of Churches on Holy-dayes offering of Images of Wax and Tables of Miracles solemnizing first Masses of Priests THere be many superstitious Customs crept in among Christian Congregations which camâ— of an Ethnick opinionâ— and because they could not altogether be abolished and extirpated yet they were transposed to a better use and removed from Idolatry to the â—â—â—â—shing of Churches and Temples of 〈◊〉 faithfull people As trimming of 〈◊〉 Temples with hangings flowrs â—â—â—ghes and garlands was taken of the Heathen people which decked their Idols and houses with such array In like manner it is to be thought of the the of hanging up Images of Wax and Tapers before Saints or as often as any member is diseased to offer the same in 〈◊〉 as leggs arms feet Paps Oxen Horse or sheep which were hanged up in the Church before that Saint by whom as they believed they had obtained health of the said member or â—east for this came of an old Heathenish fashion of sacrifices that the Pagans offered to Saturnus and Pluto in an Isle of Italy named Cotillia whereof I spake before I think the bearing of Candles that we use on the Feast of the Purification of our Lady called Candlemas-day came of this Gentile rite also that in burning them we might worship the Saints as they honoured their false god Saturn It seemeth that Lamps and hanging lights began of the Candles that Moses set up to burn in the Tabernacles The fastening up of Tables wherein the Miracles are written for â— Monument and testimony to the posterity came of a custome as Strabo writeth that is used in Greece where the manner is that whosoever was relieved of any sicknesse or malady should hang up a Table containing the recovery of his health in the Temple of that God that had preserved him and especially there were many set up in Aesculapluâ—â— Temple at Epidaurus The use of feasting on holy-dayes and at the first Masse of Priests was borrowed also of the Gentiles which honoured the day of consecrating their Religious as solemnly at the day of their Nativity with devour and religious breakfasts and feasts calling it the Native day of their sacred personages whereof Apulâ—ius maketh mention And it is a good usage because the day of the birth bringeth but onely life the day of consecrating a Priest bringeth or else ought to procure a good and godly life Albeit 〈◊〉 Maundy-Thursday hath been the manner from the beginning of the Church to have a general drinking as appeareth by S. Paul's writing to the Corinthians and Tertullian to his Wife CHAP. XI The manner of casting money to the people New-Years gifts Dancing Maying Christmas Lords IT smelleth also of Gentility that the Bishop of Rome Emperours and Kings at their Coronation are wont to scatter money among the Commons and make Royal feasting which is a pretence or sign of the beneficence or liberality that is to come afterwards For the old Romans used the same order and institution in their Triumphs Games and Funerals as Suetonius recordeth Presenting of New-years gifts had its original thence likewise for Suetonius Tranquillus reporteth that the Knights of Rome gave yearly on the Kalends of January a present to Augustus Caesar although he were absent Which custome remaineth in England for the Subjects send to their Superiours and the Noble personages give to the Kings some great gifts and to gratify their kindnesse he doth liberally reward them with some thing again But I commend more the manner of the Italians for there the richest and most noble give to the poor inferiours it is a signification of good and prosperous fortune of all the whole year following The
use of Dancing as Livy saith came from the Hetruscans to Româ— which we exercise much on Holidayes as they did not without slander of our Religion and hurt and damage of chastity As for Masks they be so devillish that no honesty can be pretended to colour them Zacharias Bishop of Rome made a decree against it but that availeth nothing At the Kalends of May the Youth as well men as women are wont to go a Maying in the fields and bring home boughs and flowers to garnish their houses and gates and in some places the Churches which fashion is derived of the Romans that use the same to honour their Goddess Flora with such Ceremonies whom they named Goddess of fruits The Christmas Lords rhat be commonly made at the Nativity of the Lord to whom all the houshold and family with the Master himself must be obedient began of the equality that the servants had with their Masters in Saturnus Feasts that were called Saturnalia wherein the Servants have like Authority with their Masters during the time of the said feasts And this furnishing of our bellies with delicates that we use on Fastingham Tuesday what time some eat till they be enforced to forbear all again sprung of Baccbus feasts that were celebrated in Rome with great joy and delicious fare And our Midsummer bone-fires may seem to have come of the Sacrifices of Cerâ—s Goddess of Corn that men did solemnise with fires trusting thereby to have more plenty and abundance of Corn. Disguising and Mumming that is used in Christmas time in the North parts came out of the Feast of Pallas that were done with Vizors and painted Visages named Quinquatria of the Romans CHAP. III. The manner of anointing Priests Kings them that be Christned confirmed of sore sick WHen Moses had builded the Tabernacle he was commanded to make a confection of holy Ointment wherewith both the Work the Vessels Priests and also Kings which be called to that office or dignity ought to be anointed so that it came to passe that the anointing was the very token and difference whereby Kings were known among the Hebrews as the Emperours in Rome were known by their Purple Roabs Aaron and his Sons were the first anointed Priests and Samuel anointed Saul first King over Israel and so consequently it grew into a custome that Priests and Kings were anointed By which thing is signified that they be specially favoured of God and like as Oyl lyeth aloft on the water or other Liquor so the office of a Priest and dignity of a Prince surmounteth all other degrees of Ministers both in the active and also contemplative life Silvester Bishop of Rome ordained first that all that were Christned Churches and Chalices should be annointed with Oyl Our oyl that is now used is made of Oyl Olive and natural Balm Fabianus commanded that it should be renewed every Munday and Thursday Clement the first ordained that all Children and other that were Christned should be anointed again with Crisme and he instituted also the Sacrament of Confirmation supposing that no man were a perfect Christian if that Rite and Ceremony were by negligence omitted For this cause that the Holy Ghost might more plentifully be given to them by the hands of the Bishop This thing began of the example of the Apostles which sent Peter and John into Samaria to lay their hands on them that they might receive the Holy Ghost It is onely ministred by a Bishop in this wise first he asketh the name of the child and then maketh the sign of the Crosse in the forehead with the Chrisme saying I sign thee with the token of the Crosse and confirm thee with the Crisme of Salvation In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost that thou may be repleâ—ished with the Holy Spirit and have everlasting life So 〈◊〉 And then he smiteth the cheek of 〈◊〉 Child softly but if he be of a great age he giveth a sharp stroke that he may remember that mystery saying Peace 〈◊〉 with thee Felix the fourth did institute That such as were in extreams should be anointed following the example of the Apostles which as Mark wiâ—nesseth cured many diseases by anointing them and S. James speaketh of a like thing in his Epistle CHAP. IV. The beginning of Marriage of Priests when it was forbidden with other Laws touching Marriage MOses the Minister of God among the Israelites which were desirous to augment and amplifie their issue ordained that all men indifferenâ—ly as well Priests as Lay-people should take wives lest the debarring them from matrimony might be occasion of greater enormity and inconvenience among them Albeit because of the dignity of the ordet of Priesthood he made restraint that they should marry none that was taken prisoner bond-woman or divorced from their former husband and the Bishops might not be married but to Maids As concerning our Priesthood Sylvester the first after the Text of S. Paul commanded that a Priest should marry but one wife and after to live sole alone as Paul had a wife as may appear in his Epistles to the Philipians and Corinthians And Clement Bishop of Alexandria and Ignatius which was in Paul's time witnesse the same Peter and Philip had wifes and daughters whom they bestowed honestly in marriage to husbands And S. Peter seeing his Wife led to death for the profession of Christ with great joy of her constancy said Wife remember the Lord. This order the Greeks and all the East parts of Christendome do use which would not consent to the Councel of Neece wherein it was propounded That the Priests should forsake their Wives and namely Paphnutius the holy and chaste Bishop that came out of the borders of Egypt withstood that Decree very earnestly Stiricius the first forbade the Priests of the West parties and Deacons to marry the year of our Lord 337. He instituted also That he that either wedded a Widow or took a second wife could not be made Priest Pelagius the second enforced the Sub-deacons to forsake their wifes And Gregorius because he thought it violent to divorce them ordained That from his time none should be Sub-deacon unlesse he vowed Chastity before Notwithstanding the Lawes before made took no effect among the Priests of the West parts untill the time of Gregory the seventh which was the year of our Lord 1074. And here Polidore protesteth That the single life of Priests doth more harm to the Religion shame to the Order and grief to honest men then their constrained chastity profieth If they were restored to the liberty and choice it were no prejudice to the Christian Common-wealth and honesty for the Order In the beginning men married their sisters and kinswomen but Moses restrained them of the Hebrews from the first and second degrees and Fabianus forbade the third and fourth which Custome standeth now in effect Theodorus did inhibit first That a
in France The division oâ— Davids Psalter into seven parts called Nocturns according to the seven dayes in the week was the Work of Hierome at the request of Damasus Bishop of Rome which also gave Commandement that it should be read alâ—o in the Churches and added Gloria Patri to the end of every Psalm Damasus also instituted that the Psalms should be sung and said by course Though some say Ignatius did devise that before his time which thing was learned of David or Asaph for in the old Synagogue they used to sing their Psalms after that sort but our singing 〈◊〉 far from their manner For our singers cry out so loud that we hear nothing saâ—e a noise and those that be present cannot be edified with the word It were great furtherance to Religion If those singers were either banished out of the Temples or else their singing were more moderated that the words might be understood to the edifying of the Laity which is sore blinded with singing and sound of Instruments that be not fit to edify but to delight the Ears This modest singing was used by the holy Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria through all his Province and Diocess as Austin witnesseth Damasus commanded that the common Creed should be said every hour Vitalianus invented the decent tunes wherein the Hymns be sung and joyned the Organs to them Legends of Saints were made the year of our Lord 800 by Paulus Diaconus and Isuardus a Monk at the desire of Charls the Great And for as much as the Persecutions were so great that in the time of Dioclesian the Emperour there died 17000 Christians within 30 dayes space they could not particularly write all their lives but made certain general Legends of Martyrs Confessours Virgins which we now call the Common and the Fathers commanded those to be read in the Church on â—uch sSaints dayes Afterward many thinking that they should be heard rather for their much babling sake devised sundry manners of praying and divers uses as Bennet's Monks had one use Bernard's another and Dominicks brethren had one order by themselves and every Provincial Bishop made a several Use in his Diocess and all were confirmed by the Bishops of Rome CHAP. III. The beginning of â—asting Alms Advent Lent Embring dayes FAsting and Alms-deeds be as St. Augustine saith the two wings of prayer wherewith it is made stronger and lighter to fly into the presence of God and be more accepâ—able in his sight Fasting hath been used from the beginning of the World when the Fruit of the Tree of knowing good and evil was forbidden to our first Parents in Paradise because by such abstinence they might obtain and enjoy everlasting felicity Alms in like manner sprung of the infirmity and neediness of the nature of men for as they felt hunger cold nakedness and such other calamiries as be in our mortal life they were constrained to desire ayd and succour of other men as of alms Albeit Moses was the first that ever prescribed any law of giving alms as appeareth in the book of Deuteronomy Charitable alms must be so freely given that we exempt none from the use and part-taking of it and as the Scripture saith without respect of persons As for Fasting of that original proceeded further for the use of Flesh and Wine from Adam till the time of Noah was unknown And Moses forbare meat fourty dayes and Elias did likewise Our Saviour Christ fasted the same space And God pardoned the Ninivites of their crimes because they fasted with repentance The Jews also in their law so oft as they either asked any benefit of God or would pacifie his wrath or render thanks for his benefits or kept any solemn Feasts used commonly to fast And certainly he keepeth not the true fast which forbeareth flesh or foregoeth his Supper but he that diminisheth his affections abateth his anger asswageth his Pride moderateth his desires mortifieth his lusts suffereth patiently all adversities that man is the true faster Albeit the other is a coadjutor to that thing and helpeth much that purpose Therefore to the intent we might reclaim such corruptions of our old Adam The Apostles did ordain the Fast of Lent as Hierome in an Epistle to Mercella doth plainly declare Wherefore they that refer it to Telesphorus be deceived for he did not institute it first but appointed that it should be kept before Easter And added another Week to it which we call Quinquagesima This week he commanded Priests to fast more then the Laity because that they which ought to be Holier then the rest should in this ordinary Fast shew more abstinence then other The Apostles also instituted that there should be a solemn Fast for three Weeks before the Nativity of our Lord named Christmas which constitution was a while kept universally but afterwards it was resigned to the Monks and Religious persons Calistus or as some think Vrbanus did begin the Embring dayes quarterly for the preservation and amplification of fruits ordained for the sustenance of men and beasts Albeit I rather take it to be an imitation of the old Roman feasts which thrice in the year had sacrifices for the prosperous successe of their Corn. One Vinalia for their Wines The other Robigalia for all their grain lest it should be mildewed The third Floralia for all their fruits These vain superstitions the old Bishops of Rome turned to a Godly use and transported their Feasting into Fasting that they might the rather at the contemplation of our Prayers and Fasting God might prosper the increase of all fruits to the sustentation of his Creatures CHAP. IV. ☞ Watches were turned into Fasts Fasting on Fridayes and Wednesdayes naming the dayes of the Week in sundry wise IT was the manner from the beginning of our Christian Faith that forasmuch as our Saviour was born in in the night Priests did rise in the night season and sung the hours Canonicall otherwise named the Mattins and the Lay people was accustomed on those Saints Eves that were any solemn Feasts to watch at the Tombs of Martyrs Praying and singing holy Psalms Which thing the Testimony of Pliny doth approve where he writeth in an Epistle to Trajane how much number of people was slain in whom he could never espy any fault saving that before day at certain times and Feasts they arose and sung the commendation of Christ whom they called God But as time is the corrupâ—er of all worldly things So devotion began to abate and instead of Hymns they sung dissolute ballads and prayer was turned into wanton dalliance The youth went about light amorous company the eldest persons practised baudry women were not ashamed to give themselves to be corrupted in all kind of whoredome Upon this occasion the old fathers fearing lest it should grow to a further inconvenience turned the Vigils into Fasting dayes Notwithstanding the Priests used their ordinary times of Service as they were wont to do
and such Feasts were called by the name of Vigills and observed with no lesse reverence then the Fast of Lent This remedy was provided after St. Hieromes time which dyed the year of our Lord 422 when Bonifacius the second was Bishop of the See of Rome The like custome was also observed among the Aegyptians which on the Evens of their high feasts fasted and after they had slept they offered a Cow all such night Sacrifices and observances for like causes were by a perpetuall Law in Greece abrogated by Diagundas a Thebane The Fast of Wednesday and Friday was commanded by the Fathers because on the one day Christ was Crucified and on the Wednesday Judas purposed in his mind to bewray him as Apollonius the Eloquent Oratour supposed Silvester the first Bishop of Rome abhorring the memorial of the vain Gentile gods decreed that the dayes of the Week which had before the names and Titles of the Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus and Saturn should be called the first second third fourth fifth sixth and Seventh Ferie as the Jews counted their dayes from the Sabbath day He did also call the first Ferie Dominicus Dies that we name Sunday and called Saturday Sabbatum of the old holy day and rest of the Hebrews all these things were done at the Suit of Constantine then Emperour Albeit the Apostles before that time had consecrated the Sunday to the Lord because that day he rose from death and the Jews Sabbath was turned into it as may appear by the decree of Pius that ordained the Easter to be kept on the Sunday and therefore I think Silvester did but onely renew the same Act of the Sunday It was the invention of the Egyptians that the dayes were first named after the 7 Planets as Diodorus recordeth Saint Gregory was the Author that neither flesh nor any thing that hath affinity with it as Cheese Milk Butter Eggs should be eaten on such dayes as were fasted We have also a manner and usage of hallowing the Table and meat before we be set that began of the imitation of Christ which used the same fashion over the five loaves in the Wildernesse and at Emaus also he did likewise consecrate the Table in the presence of his Disciples so was the form of saying Grace after Supper taken likewise of the custome that Christ commonly kept at his Suppers The manner to read a part of the Bible at dinner time hath been of long continuance and did proceed of the Godly doctrine that Christ instructed his Disciples in at all times but namely at his last Supper wherein he treated of the perfection of all the Mysteries of our Religion And thus our fathers to keep in memory such an wholesome institution did bring in this manner of reading the Scripture at meat or meal-time CHAP. V. The original of holy-dayes Paschal Candles Birth-dayes LIke as the Jews had in their Law which was but onely a shadow of things to come holy-dayes appointed for the execution of the mysteries of their Religion whom they in one general term named Sabbath-dayes of the rest and vacation that they had from bodily labours semblably our fathers have ordained Feastival dayes in the Nâ—w Testament wherein Christian men all prophane businesses and evil matters laid apart might whol'y apply themselves to godly and spiritual meditations As the perusing and reading of Scriptures hearing of devout Sermons rendring honour to God by sacrificing praying and well doing be works fit and convenient for the holy-day and also reverencing the memorial of Saints on such dayes as be assigned to that purpose is on the holy day laudable For Oblation is onely due to God as Paul and Barnabas did openly testifie at Listra For when he had commanded by the power of the Word of God that the man which was lame from his Mothers womb should arise and walk the people for wonder and marvail of the Miracle would have done sacrifice to them but they renting their cloathes departed out of the press and with sharp words rebuked their enterprise as a thing unmeet to be done to any mortal man or worldly creature First of all the Feast of Easter was instituted by the Apostles and prescribed by Pius the First to be solemnized on the Sunday Afterward Victor that was Bishop of Rome about the 196th year of our Lord decreed That it should be kept and celebrated on the Sunday from the fourteenth day of the first moneth that was March untill the 22 of the same lest our order and account should agree with the Jews which kept it somewhat sooner then that appointment speaketh of albeit many forraign Bishops at the first refused that Constitution because they thought it not amiss to keep that Feast after the president of Saint John the Apostle who renewed the Rite of the Jews in the Feast of Easter The custome of hallowing Paschall Candles on Easter Eve was commanded by Zozinus to be frequented in every Church The manner of keeping holy the birth-day of every man was much used in Rome albeit the Persians had that usage before them For there it is the fashion that every man after his ability should with observance of dainty feasts worship the day of their birth and of them the Romans received that superstition CHAP. VI. Of the Institution of Holy-dayes and Canonizing AS you have heard that Saint John the Apostle did celebrate the Feast of Easter even so the other Apostles as it is said were authours not onely of the same Easter-Feast but also ordained That those dayes wherein our Saviour had done any mystery concerning our salvation or information should be kept holy and to the intent they might be more reverenced of their posterity they themselves kept them during their lives very devoutly as the Sundayes Advent the Nativity Circumcision and Epiphany of our Lord the Purification of our Lady called Candlemas Lent Palm-Sunday Maunday-Thursday when Christ after Supper washed his Disciples Feet Good-Friday Easter the Ascension and Whitsunday the Feast of Pentecost was before used of the Hebrews For fifty dayes after that the Lamb was sacrificed in Egypt the Law written by the hands of God was given by Moses in the Mount Oreb in the wilderness of Sinai And 50 dayes after the death of Christ who like a Lamb was offered of the Jews for our Paschal the Apostles received the law of the Spirit The Feast of transfiguration came also of the Jews for like as Moses his face was transposed into a perfect brightness after he had communed with God in the Mount so now after the shadow and vail were taken away by Christ his coming it pleased God to shew to his disciples his transfiguration as a declaration of the shadow past and a figure or signification of the Immortality to come In consideration whereof the holy fathers perceiving the use of such holy-dayes confirmed and ratified them by a
of Mary the Virgin in a Table painted And in the Sixth Council held at Constantinople by the commandment of Constantine and Justinian the second his son it was decreed That Images should be received into the Churches and worshipped with great reverence as a thing whereby the Laity might be instructed as instead of Scripture and that Incense might be burned and Tapers lighted before them This was about the year of our Lord 630 or as some take it about the 703 year or our Lord when Agatus was Bishop of Rome Afterward Constantine Bishop there confirmed that Decree and caused Images in the Church of Saint Peter and pronounced Philip the Emperour an Heretick because he had shaven and scraped away the Imagery that was in S. Sophie's Temple Not long after they were ratified and established in the Council of Nice where were assembled by the procurement of Eirene Mother of Constantine the 6th 350 Bishops The great Prophet of God Moses and his Successour Joshua divided the Land of Canaan among the Israelites assigning no part thereof to the Tribe of Levi because they were the Lord's portion saving that he gave them habitations in every Tribe and a little pasture for their Neat Sheep and other Cattle Therefore because they ministred in the Tabernacle of the Lord and executed such ceremonies as appertained to their Religion he appointed for them the first-fruits and tenths to live on And after this sort began the paying of Tythes by the Institution of Moses And Origen on the book of Numbers affirmeth that this commandement is to be observed of us after the letter without any allegory or mystical interpretation And it appeareth by Christ's words that he alloweth the literal sense of the old Law where he saith in the Gospel Wo be unto you Scribes and Pharisees ye that tythe Mint and Rue and all manner of herbs and passe over judgment and the Law of God these ought to have been done and not to leave the other undone where you may perceive how that as he commandeth one so he would not have the other omitted that be signified there litterally Eutychianus because in the Old Testament the first fruits were offered to the Lord ordained that Corn should be consecrated on the Altar as Oyl and Incense was burned in the Hebrews Synagogue and that Decree remaineth still in effect in some places But the Priests vertue is so old and mens devotion waxeth so cold that instead of the first-fruits now adayes the people use to bring on the Sundayes a few loaves of bread in some places two or three as they be disposed and those the Priest consecrateth and parteth by pieces among the people that whereas in time past they used to receive the Sacrament on those dayes now they eat this bread hallowed in memorial of it And this they do after the pattern of Christ which was ever wont to hallow bread before he either eat it or gave it to his Disciples Other Nations also used to offer their first-fruits and Tythes as the Romans offered to Hercules and Bacchus to Jupiter Mars gave to Jupiter the tenth of his prey of Lydia Urbanus a man of godly living and singular learning about the year of our Lord 222 decreed That it was lawful for Priests to receive such Rents or Lands as were given them albeit there was nothing private to any man but common to all And thus by little and little the spirituall possessions were enlarged and Bishops of Rome were greatly enriched Lucina an holy Maid of Rome made Marcellus Bishop there her Heir and Executor and afterward Constantine did largely endow the same Bishop The End of the Sixth Book Polidore Virgil. The Seventh BOOK CHAP. I. The beginning of the solitary life of Religious Persons THe matter hath been long in controversy who first began to inhabite VVildernesses for some as Saint Jerome witnesseth that have ransacked the uttermost say that Helias and John Baptist were Authors of the life solitary but as the one was more then a Prophet so the other was above the state and condition of Monks Some assign the original of it to Anthony others refer it to one Paul a Thebane surnamed Heremite But for asmuch as every man may speak his fancy in a thing doubtfull I think the institution of this Monastical life to have proceeded of the Essees a Religious brotherhood among the Hebrews that lived after a greater perfection then Monks did in their Superstitious and Fantastical Traditions as appeareth by the Eighth book of Eusebius De preparatione Evangelica Of their proceedings Anthony and Paul the Thebane took example of ordering the Rules and Precepts of their Religious Schollers Albeit it is right to ascribe the original of it to Anthony which although he were not the first yet he did much incourage the indeavours of all other to lead that life and Authorised the Discipline of Monks in Aegypt and afterward Basilius in Greece and Hilarion in Syria did much augment and amplify that purpose For this Hilarion a man of great vertue by calling on the name of Jesus healed at the City or Gaza the sons of a Noble Woman whereupon the brute of him was so noised that many out of Syria and Aegypt repaired unto him and he founded Abbeys in Palestine and instructed them with rules of living As for Anthony he lived in the Wildernesse of Thebais in Egypt and builded there an Abbey where he himself with Sarmatas Amatas and Macarius his Disciples lived in so earnest contemplation and Prayer that they lived onely with bread and water his holinesse was such that Helena mother of Constantine did commend her self and her son to his Prayers He died in the Wildernesse when he was an hundred years old the year of our Salvation 341 his Disciples Amatas and Macarius increased much the Religion after his death and Sarmatus was slain by the Saracens The institution of this state of living came I grant of a good zeal to godlinesse but the Devil perverter of all good things did so impoyson the hearts of men that they had more trust in their works then Faith in Christs bloud and then every man began new rules of works to be their own Saviours which was abominable in the sight of God CHAP. II. The division of Monastical life into sâ—â—dry Sects and factions IN the year 166 after the death of Anthony Bennet an Italian born at Nursi in Vmbria when he had lived long in solitarinesse resorted to a City of Italy named Sabblaque a City of the Latines fourty miles from Rome And because he was greatly delighted with a solitary life and also the people pressed to see and hear his preachings he departed thence to Cassine And in the time of John the first in the year of our Lord 524 he builded there an Abbey and assembled the Monks that were dispersed alone in divers places into one covent and ordered them with instructions of
manners and rules of living confirmed with three vows that is chastity willfull poverty and obedience because they should all together mortify their own will and lusts These three forenamed Vows Basilius Bishop of Caesaria did first institute and publish in the year of our Lord 383. And also assign the year of probation or Trial that Religious persons had before they were professed The Order of Cluniacenses were ordained by one Odon an Abbot at Masticense a Village of Burgundy And William Duke of Aquitane gave them an House the year of our Lord 916. in the time of Sergius the third Not long after the Religion of Camaldimenses was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna in the Mount Apenninus the year of our Lord 850. They kept perpetual silence every Wednesday and Friday they Fast they eat bread and water they go barefoot and lye on the ground In a part of the same Mountain called Vallis Umbrosa or the shadowed Valley in the year of Christs incarnation 1040. under Gregory the sixth John Gualbert began a new sect of Monks and named them of the place where the Abbey stood the Shadowed-Valley Order The Monks of Olivet sprung up as a fruit of disorder the same year that the variance was among the three Bishops and were instituted by Barnardus Ptolomous the year of Christ 1407. under Gregory the 12th The Faction of Grandimoniensers began by Steven of Avern in Aquitane or Guyen the year of our Lord 1076 under Alexander the second and had their Title of the Mountain where their Abbey stood A little after the same time Robert Abbot of Molisme in Cistersium a Forrest in Burgundy did institute the order of Cistercians albeit some ascribe this to one Ordingus a Monk that perswaded Robert to the same about the year of our Lord 1098. under Urbane the second Of this Religion was that great Clerk St. Bernard Almost an hundred years after this in the year of our Lord 1166. The order of Humiliates was devised by certain persons exiled by Fredericus Barbarussa which when they were restored to their Countrey apparelled themselves in white and lived by a kind of Vow in Prayers Penury and working wool and were admitted by Innocentius the third and other his successours Celestines were founded by Celestinus the fifth of that name Bishop of Rome in the year of our Lord 1198. In England Saint Gilbert at Tirington and Sempringham began an order called after him Gilbertines in the time of Engenius the fourth the year of Christs Incarnation 1148. The Justinians were invented by Lewis Barbus a Reâ—igious man of Venice in the Abbey of Saint Justine at Padua the year of our Salvation 1412 in the dayes of John the 24th There were also Orders of Nuns devised after the same Rules of Superstition as the other be CHAP. III. Of the Hieronymians Canons Charterhouse-Monks White-Fryers Crouch-Friers with others HIeronymians had their beginning of Saint Hierome which leaving his Native Country went into Jewry and there not far from Bethlehem builded him an house where he lived very devoutely the latter end of his life in the time of Innocentius the seventh the year of our Lord 1405. After his example other counterfeited a resemblance of perfection naming themselves Hieronymians wearing their clothes of white and a cope plaited above over their Coat girt with a lether girdle There were also certain Hermites called Hieronymians of the Foundation of one Charls Granel of Florence which made himself an Hermite of the same Religion in the Mountains of Fessulus Others there be that say one Redo Earl of Mount Granel did institute them in Fessulus in the time of Gregory the twelfth Yet there be some that say that the original of this brother-hood was instituted of Hierome in a Desart and that Eusebius of Cremona with other devout and holy men which kept conversation with him did enlarge and augment the family of that professión As concerning the Channons Reguler there be two opinions for some say that Augustine by and by after he was created Bishop brought his Channons in this rule and form of living wherein they have been so long trained and nusled up other some brag and make their vaunt that it was devised of the Apostles and of this opinion was Thomas Aquinas But Augustine was doubtlesse either the inventour of the Sect or renewer of it and therefore may be justly taken for an Author of that Faction and so was he likewise of Augustine Hermites The Channons cloathing was a white Coat and a linnen rochet under a black cope with a Scapular to cover their head and shoulders The Hermites have a contrary vesture a black coat with a scapular and another coat of white and a Lether Girdle Of these there were divers other orders As the order of St. Saviour of the Scopettines which were ordained by Steven and James two men of Scenes in the time of Urbane the fifth the year of Christ 1370. And Gregory the 11th by his consent confirmed them in their Hypocrisy The Frisonaries is another Order which began among the Hetrurians in the County of Luces that be otherwise called Lateranenses by the device of James Brixian in the time of John the 24th the year of Christ 1412 and they were amplified and increased by Eugenius the 4th The third Order is titled the brethren of St Gregory de Alga This was ordained at Venice by Laurence Justinian in the time of Innocentius the seventh in the year of our Lord 1407. with divers other Orders which forasmuch as they rose suddenly I will omit Bruno of Collen that sometime read the Philosophy Lecture at Paris did institute the Charterhouse Monks in the Diocesse of Gracionopolis at a place named Carthusia in the year of our Lord one thousand and eighty under Gregory the seventh Their life was outwardly full of painted holinesse in forbearing Flesh Fasting bread and water every Friday full of solitarinesse much silence ever pinned in and women were banished out of the house with other semblable Ceremonies The Carmelites or white Friers were as some say begun in Mount Carmelus after the example of Elias the Prophet which lived there long solitary that they were first assembled together by Almericus Bishop of Antioch the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred and seventy in the time of Alexander the third and they were also called our Lady Friers of a Chappel of our Lady that was in the Hill Carmelus Neverthelesse about four hundred years after in the time of Innocentius the third they were reformed by Albertus Bishop of Hierusalem according to the rule of Basilius and the colour of their coat was turned into white by Honorius the third where before it was Russet The other of Premonstratenses was instituted in the Diocesse of Laudune by Northbergus a Priest and the Precepts of that covent were gathered out of St Augustines rules and admitted for good by Calixtus the second in the year of our Lord 1120.
by the Saracens into a City of Persia called Mecha and laid in a Coffin of Iron Caliphas succeeded Mahomet but he was deposed for his superstition and another of the same name was substituted in his room Homar was the third that reigned and he after the conquest of the Persians wan Hierusalem and all Syria the year of our Lord 680 in the time of Agathon Bishop of Rome and Constantine the 4th Emperour This Sect waxeth daily bigger and bigger partly through the discord of Christian Princes and partly by reason of our sinfull living that daily groweth to greater enormities that deserve the heavy hand of God over us The End of the Seventh Book Polidore Virgil. The Eighth BOOK CHAP. I. Of Reliques Stations the year of Jubilee Pardons NOt long after the Martyrdome of Peter and Paul both many and that of divers sorts as well men as women by the example of their constancy were encouraged to suffer sundry kinds of torments in several parts of the World for the maintaining of Christian Religion But namely in Rome much murther of innocent blood was committed of Tyrants by many manner of punishments and a great number dyed in Christ's cause among others certain Bishops to the number of thirty and two were slain by extream persecution unless it were seven of them which by death were prevented before they attained the Crown of Martyrs Therefore considering that much Martyrs blood was spent and that specially in Rome and many from other places were conveyed thither Cletus and Anacletus Bishops there did seriously go about to reverence them For the one appointed a place where Martyrs should severally have their Sepulchres apart from the lay people and the other by decree denounced him accursed as sacrilegious that by word or deed hindred mens devotsion from visiting the Tombs of the Apostles Upon this occasion Calistâ—s the First builded beyond Tyber a Church in honour of our Lady and Constantine Emperour edified to Peter Paul and Laurence Temples This matter was by Gregory the Saint set forward to the encrease of superstitious devotion For he appointed the Letanies of Saints with Orapro nobis to be sung with Masses in certain solemn dayes in the chief Temples of the City promising them that repaired thither at such solemn Feasts clean remission of sins by his pardon And he named the pompous sacrifices Stations because they were celebrated on certain dayes limited and prescribed by Statute Bonifacius the eighth in the year of our Lord 1300 appointed the year of Jubilee or grace to be kept every hundred year with clean remission à poena et culpa to all them that visited the Temples of the Apostles Peter and Paul And this was taken up of the example of the Hebrews albeit they did keep it every 50. years or else as some think he assigned the years according to the old Feasts of Apollo and Diana which the Romans Heathen solemnized every hundred year and of that they were called Ludi seculares About fifty years after Clement the sixth decreed That it should be celebrated every fifty years as the Hebrews rite was because no man was able to attain the old Jubilee of an hundred years Last of all Sextus the fourth restrained the year of grace to the 25th year and he himself kept it at that day which was in the year of Gods grace shewed by his Son Jesus Christ to the World a thousand four hundred threescore and fifteen About the same time Pardons were much used but who was the first author of them I have not read in any Writer saving that Saint Gregory as I said before proclaimed Pardons as a reward for them that came to his Stations This seed sown by Gregory grew to a ripe Harvest in the time of Bonifacius the 9th who reaped much money for that chaff After this Alexander the sixth that was in the year of our Lord 1500 assigned the Jubilee and Stations to be had in sundry Provinces and Countries to the intent that lesse throng of people and more thrift of money might come to Rome and so the people should onely lose their money and save their labour But Moses was the first author of the Jubilee as appeareth by Josephus in the Old Testament CHAP. II. The Bishop of Romes Titles Colledges of Scribes Sealing Bulls with Lead Annates FOrasmuch as nothing is so decent for a Priest as gentlenesse nothing so fit as lowlinesse nothing more comely then humbleness according to the saying of our Saviour Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart nor nothing more against their order then pride and arrogancy Gregory the S. Bishop of Rome named himself Servus servorum Dei which thing he did not onely usurp in Title but also express in deed This name and preface was received and used of his Successours but his hearty meekness was refused as a thing that diminished their Pontifical estate Cletus added to Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem as a Salutation condigne and appertaining to vertue and godliness and a resemblant to Christs greeting which was Peace be with you or of the Hebrews that used to say in their meetings Peace be with thee And this all our Bishops have reserved to themselves as a peculiar saluting As concerning the Scribes that used to write the letters Apostolicall where before time they were wont to write for nothing or else asked very little John the 22th desirous to encrease and enlarge his substance founded a Colledge of Scribes that should write and endite letters of their own device and do other offices but they must be chosen out of his own Clerks and must pay and be dismissed of money before they could be admitted to the room He did also pay to those which had benefices of his gift and presentation all such things as belong to the Apostolical penitencers Bennet the 12th devised first and determined the price of Writs and Bulls The custome of sealing the Bishop of Romes Bulls with lead was taken up by Steven the third and Hadrian the first to the intent they should endure longer where before time the usage was to Seal in wax with a Rirg And this was the year of our Lord 772 at which time Hadrian was Bishop before those dayes I find no mention of sealing with Lead as before Carolus Magnus none of the Roman Emperours sealed letters with Gold Pius the second did create Breviators and set them in an Order which Paul deposed but Sextus afterward renewed them and also instituted a new Colledge of Solicitors and Proctors by whose Counsell and advice all Bulls and grants were made and ratified He also ordained 9 notaries of the Treasure Apostolical and assigned to every of them certain fees and profits that he might have speedy utterance of the rooms Innocentius that succeeded next Sextus devised the Colledge of Secretaries and Alexander the sixth increased the number of writers of his Briefs to the number of eighty