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 dutch- 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
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
Patriarchs and Archbishops Patriarchs at the first were of Rome Antioch Alexandria Jerusalem and Constantinople Archbishops had their title to be called Metropolitans because their See was in the Mother-City of the Province 〈◊〉 the first ordained that all Patriarchs and Archbishops shouâ—d wear a Pall which which doth signifie Meekness and Justice wherewith they should especially be garnished Then also the inferiour Orders began to be divided as that the Arch-Deacon should be above a Deacon and Arch-Priest above the Priest and over them the Deans and then were ordained Canons that sing in Cathedral Churches 〈◊〉 permitted that a Bishop might change his Bishoprick for another upon an honest cause if he were thought sufficient to discharge a greater for his learning and godlinesse Caius first made a Statute that a Priest might not be Convented before a Temporal Judge but lest any man should be circumvented by fraud or guile Euâ—â—chianus instituted That the accusatiâ—â— should be put in writing before the Judge Likewise Cornelius decreed 〈◊〉 a man should not take or require 〈◊〉 oath of a Priest but onely in matterâ— concerning Religion and Faith The manner of Swearing was in olâ— time of this sort He that should sweâ—â— took a Stone in his hand and said If I deceive you that I know Jupiter banish me out of all good mens company preserving the rest of the City as I cast away this stone from me And as Pliny 〈◊〉 write it was not lawfull for any man to bear an Office five dayes unless he were sworn In like manner our Bishops Kings Priests or other Offices-swear before they be admitted to the Office Justinianne Emperour appointed first that men should swear by the Gospel and now adayes all that swear lay their hand on the book and kisse it saying So help me God and the holy Gospel because as the Gospel of our Religion and Faith may for no cause be violated so an Oath in no case may be broken The fashion of excommunicating men that be obstinate and disobedient to the Officers or common tranâ—gressors came as some think out of the Rites of the Jews which banished out of their Synagogue all those that ran in obstinacy against their Traditions And some suppose it sprung of the Religious folk in France named Druides which as Caesar recordeth if either a private man or officer were â—ot conformably ordered after their Ceremonies excluded him out of their company CHAP. IX Consecrating Nuns taking off our Caâ—kissing the Popeâ— feet and washing of feet THe custome to consecrate Virgins making a vow of chastity was 〈◊〉 by Pius the first which instituted 〈◊〉 that none should be made before 〈◊〉 were 25 years old and that they mighâ— be consecrated at no time but in the Epiphany or Twelf-day Easter Eavâ—â— and on the Feasts of the Apostles 〈◊〉 it were when any professed were 〈◊〉 point to dye And Sotherus caused 〈◊〉 a Decree was made that no such Professed should touch Cope or put Inceâ—se into the Censors the year of our Lord God 175. It seemeth to have begun 〈◊〉 the Apostles which is proved by Pauls words where he saith let no Widow be chosen before she be threescore years of age with divers like sayings Lynus Bishop of Rome commanded that no woman should enter into the Congregation or Temple with her head bare which appeareth to have been taken of the Hebrews for the Bishop iâ— the old Law might not uncover his head and in Arabia and Carthage it 〈◊〉 taken for an unhonest and unreverent thing if a Woman should uncover her head and go bare The taking off of our caps to our Superiours signifieth that we should disclose and shew them all such things as we have in our custody The Rite diabolick of Kissing the Bishop of Romes feet took its original of the manner of the Romans which in their Paganism used to kiss the feet of the people and other nobles in token of obedience as Seneca telleth how Caius Caesar stretched out his left foot that Pompeius a Carthaginian might kisse it Pompenius Laetus writeth that the Emperours used to give their hands to be kissed of the Nobles and then to take them up to kisse their mouths and the Commons kissed their knees but Cuius Caligula and Dioclesianus made them to stoop to their feet This Pagan example our Christian Bishop and Gods Vicar full uncomely and ungodly doth counterfeit All other Bishops used to deliver their right hand to be kissed of such as came to salute them For the Right hand as Pliny saith in the 11th book hath in it self a certain Religion and therefore we make all Covenants and Promises with it The manner of saluting with kisses is very ancient for it was the manner of the Hebrews to kisse strangers at their first meeting as Jacob kissed Rachel before he broke unto her that he was of kinred and Laban after he knew him to be his sisters son embraced him with his Arms and kissed him And the Romans custome was to kisse their kinsfolk but afterwards it was extended to further familiarity and is now frequented very lasciviously Albeit in Rome it was an Ordinance that Women should kiss their kinsfolk because that if Sshe had drunk any Wine contrary to the Law made against the Women for drinking of Wine by such means she might be espied Washing of feet on Maundays-Thursday that the Priests use among themselves and Nobles to inferiour persons is a counterfeit of the institute of Christ who to shew them a pattern of humility and meekness washed the Apostles feet The Kings and Queens of England that day wash the feet of so many poor men and women as they be years old and give to every of them so many pence with a Gown and an ordinary Alms of meat and kisse their feet and afterwards give their gowns on their backs to them that they see most need of all the number It is a godly institute I would there were more such Ceremonies to help the poor For they be now neglected and not regarded but lie dead often in the streets for lack of sustenance CHAP. X. The Institution of Priests called Flamines with other Religions of the Romanes NUma Pompilius the second King of Rome willing to reclaim that fierce Nation from war and Chivalry to the regard of Justice and keeping of Peace ordained to the High God Jupiter a Sacred person called Flamen Dialis that is Jupiters Priest And to advance the order he set him in a Chariot of Ivory and a costly Robe but so soon as his Wife was deceased he was discharged and gave over his Office He never road out nor might not lye one night out of the City lest any sacrifices should be neglected by such absence Swearing was clean forbidden him because an Oath is a manner of punishment to any free-born man and namely to a Priest which hath charge of all divine observances For
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.
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
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
succeeds both because it is the foundation and ground whereon all other Sciences rest and also forasmuch as it taketh the name of letters For Gramma in Greek signifieth a Letter in English Grammar is an Art that doth consist in speaking writing without fault so that every word have his due letters and as Quintilian supposeth is divided into two parts the way to speak congruously and declaring of Poets As Tully writeth there is required in Gramarians the declaration of Poets the knowledg of Histories exposition of words and a certain utterance of pronunciation It had the beginning of marking and observing what was most fit or unfitting in communication which thing men counterfeiting in their speech made this Art even as Rhetorick was perceived For it is the duty both of Grammarians and Oratours to have a regard and respect how to speak Hermippus saith that Epicurus first taught the Art of Grammer and Plato espyed and perceived first the commodity and profit of it In Rome it was nothing esteemed till one Crates Malotes was sent by King Attalus to the Senate to teach it between the second and third battels of Punicks a little before the death of Ennius the Poet. It is of all other Sciences the most special for it sheweth a means to attain all the rest of the liberall Sciences Neither can a man come or attain to any excellency in any Art unlesse he have first his principles of Grammer perfectly known and throughly perceived Therefore in old time Grammarians were called judges and allowers of all other writers and for that cause they were called Critici In this excelled Didymus and Antonius Enipho whose School Marcus Cicero resorted unto divers times after his affairs of the Law were ended Nigidius Figulus Marcus Varro Marcus Valerius Probus and the arrogant Palemoâ— with many other of the Greeks Aristarchus Aristotle and Theodoces were chief CHAP. VIII Of Poetry and Meter and sundry kinds of the same POetry is a goodly Art as well because no other discipline can be perceived except a man study it vehemently for it comprehendeth all other sciences as for that where other faculties be devised by the pregnance of mans wit this art onely is given of nature by a divine inspiration without which Democritus affirmeth there could never be excellent Poets for it proceedeth not of Art or Precepts but of a naturall inspiration and spiritual power And therefore Ennius called Poets holy because they be by a special prerogative commended and praised to us of God The beginning of this art is very ancient and as Eusebius saith it flourished first among the Hebrews that were long before the Greeks For Moses the great Captain of the Jews what time he led them out of Aegypt into the land of promise passing the red Sea which by the power of God gave place to them inspired by the holy Ghost made a song of Hexameter Verses to render thanks to God for that benefit And David the holy Prophet of God after he was dispatched of all his affairs in war and escaped the assaults and dangers of treason living in great peace devised many pleasant tunable Hymns for the praise of God in sundry kinds of Meter For as Saint Jerome saith the Psalter of David goeth in as good number and measures as either the Greek Planudes or the Latine Horatius sometime in Alcaeus number sometime in the Metre of Sappho sometime with half measures What is goodlier then the song of Moses in Deuteronomy and of Isaiah more ancient then Solomon more perfect then Job We may worthily ascribe the invention of it to the Hebrews but indeed Orpheus and Linus and after them Homer and Hesiodus did first polish and adorn the Art with all kind of Furniture The Romans received it not till of latter time for Livius Andronicus as Tully writeth in the 513 year after the City was builded Caius Claudius Cento and Marcus Tuditanus being Consuls set forth the first enterlude or fable a year before Ennius was born Before those dayes it was had in such despite that if one had professed himself to be a Poet he was supposed to be as bad as a murtherer The beginner of Meter was the true God which proportioned the world with all the contents of the same with a certain order as it were a Meter for there is none as Pythagoras taught that doubteth but that there is in things Heavenly and Earthly a kind of harmony and unlesse it were governed with a formal concord and described-number how could it long continue All other instruments that we occupy be all fashioned by a manner of measure And Diodorus assigneth the invention of Meter which the Poets by a spirituall influence used in their works to Jupiter as to Almighty God Of Meters there be divers kinds that have their name either of the thing that is described therein as heroical Meter is so called of the Wars of noble men that be conteined in it wherein also Apollo gave his Oracles therefore Pliny saith we have that Meter of Pythius Oracle or of the inventour as Aesclepiadical or of the quantity of Jambus because it standeth of a short and a long which Archilocus found first of the number of feet as Hoxamoter and Pentameter which is also called Elegiacal the shepheards song Daphnis the son of Mercury found and other devised other songs which I let passe for my purpose is onely to speak of the Inventers of the Meter and not to persecute the particulars CHAP. IX The beginning of the Tragedies Comedies Satyres and new Comedies TRagedies and Comedies had their beginning of the oblations as Diodorus writeth which in old time men devoutly offer'd for their fruits to Bacchus For as the Altars were kindled with fire and the Goat layed on it the Quire in honour of Bacchus sung this Meter called a Tragedy It was named so either because a Goat which in Greek is called Tragos was the reward appointed for him that was Author of the Song or because a Goat which is noysome to the Vines whereof Bacchus was first inventour was Sacrificed to Liber Or of the grounds or dregs which in Greek is called Tryx with the which stage-players used to paint their face before that Eschylus devised Visards The beginner of them alter the mind of Horace was Thespis albeit Quintilianus saith Eschylus set forth first open Tragedies before any other Sophocles and Euripides did furnish them more gallantly In Rome Livius Andronicus made the first Tragedy wherein Accius Paccuvius Ouidius and Seneca excelled The Comedies began what time the Athenians being not yet assembled into the City the youth of that country used to sing solemn verses at feasts abroad in the Villages and High wayes for to get money they were so named of the Greek word Comos for a Banquetting or Come a street and Ode a song Yet it is uncertain among
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