Miracles followe to back his Sermons Of which some have pitcht upon 34. others have reckoned 57. Simon de Cassia Salmeron A Lapide Io. 2. Math. 15. Math. 7. all may be disposed according to the places in which they were performed As 1. In Galilee The turning of water into Wine dispossessing the Woman of Canaans daughter The curing of one Deafe that had an impediment in his speech by puting his fingers into his eares and touching his tongue with his spittle 2. In Capernaum The curing of a Noble mans sonne Io. 4. Mar. 2. Math. 9. at a great distance Of the Paralitique that was brought in a bed and let downe through the roofe of the house before him Of the raising of Iairus daughter c. 3. Beyond Iordane the dispossession of a Legion of Divells Mar. 5. and sending them into the heard of Swine 4. On the Sea in commanding the wind and waters walking on the waters assembling the Fishes at his pleasure to be taken whereof one brought mony in his mouth to pay tribute 5. Math. 57. Io. 6. Math. 14. 15. Luk. 7. In the Wildernesse by feeding 5000 with five Barlie loaves and two fishes and 4000 at another time in the like miraculous manner 6. In Iudea The raising of the Widowes sonne of Naim and of Lazarus when he stunke in his grave are Wonders never elsewhere heard of 7. And lastly in Ierusalem Jo. 11. Io. 5. Io. 9. The quiting of the impotent man at Bethesda of his eight and thirty years languishing The opening of the eyes of him that was borne blind with like which to these places may be referred 9. These were intermixed with his Conferences Conferences distinguishable by the parties conferred with So we have his discourse with 1. Nicodemus of Regeneration and Salvation by his lifting up from the biting of the old Serpent Jo. 2. as the Israelites were cured by Moses Serpent in the Wildernesse 2. With the Woman of Samaria at Iacobs well Ib. 4. concerning the comming of Messias and Gods spirituall Worship 3. With the Pharisees of Traditions Sabboth math 15. and the Author of his Doctrine and Miracles 4. Ib. c. 22 Luke 10. With the Sadduces concerning the Resurrection 5. With the Lawyers about the First and Greatest Commandement and who may be tearmed our Neighbour 6. With the People Jo. 6. touching the Bread of Life and spirituall Manna and their senselesnesse in not acknowledging the Messias 7. With his Disciples and followers Math. 20. Mar. 10. affecting supremacy and being disheartned at his low condition and foretelling them of greater sufferings that should fall upon him 10. Sufferings Math. 26. Mar. 14. Luk. 22. v. 52. These sufferings he endured 1. In Gethsemane when he was in his greatest Agony exceeding sorrowfull very Heavy to the death prayed and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood 2. In his apprehending by the Chiefe Priests Captaines of the Temple Iudas and the rascall multitude Luk. 23. 3. In the Ecclesiastique Consistories of Annas and Caiphas 4. In Herods Court by Jeerings and Mockings and returning him to Pilate in a robe of Scorne 5. Vnder Pilates hands where he was tumultuously voted to be crucified against the Iudges acquitting of him and a seditious Murtherer accepted before him Io. 19. 6. In his Crowning with thornes spitting upon scourging and burthened with his own crosse by the executioners after his condemnation 7. In his torments on the Crosse by mockings revylings relieving only with Gall and Vineger piercing his side after he was dead When the Heavens put on their blacks the earth staggered the Rocks rent the graves opened the Temples vayle was torne from the top to the bottome at such transcendent Impieties for continuall remembrance of which we have the Sacrament Instituted solemnly by himselfe at his last Supper 11. Triumphs Colloss 2.15 And upon this Consummatum est or Finishing succeeded his Triumphs 1. Over Principalities and Powers of darknesse by spoyling them and shewing them openly 2. Over the Grave and Death by his Resurrection 3. Over all oppositions and Impediments Act 1. by his forty daies conversing with his Apostles in tenne infallible apparitions instructing them in those things that pertaine to the Kingdome of God Io. 20. Math. 28. 4. In giving them full Commission to teach and list all Nations by Baptisme In the name of the most Sacred Trinity Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and to remit and retaine sinnes by virtue of the Holy Ghost which he breathed upon them 5. In trampling the World under foot by his Glorious Ascension 6. Ruling in the midst of his Psal 110. and his Churches enemies by the rod of his strength as he sits at the right hand of the Father 7. And last of all by sending of the Holy Ghost to furnish his Apostles and their Successors for the propagating of the Gospell to the utter dissolving of all the depths of Saetan and his incessant Machinations The ridiculous paralell of Apollonius Tyaneus with our Saviour by Hierocles and the malitious exceptions of R. Nizachon against his doings and Miracles are fully answered by Eusebius and Munster in Math. Hebraice 12. About this fulnesse of Time Gal. 4. in our Saviours being upon earth appeared 1. The great Witts for Poetry Virgil Ovid Horace c. for Oratory Cicero for History Salust Livy Trogus Pompeius Strabo the Geographer 2. Triumphant Warriors Pompey Julius Caesar Augustus 3. Notorious Impostors Simon Magus who proclaimed himselfe to appeare as God the Father to the Samaritanes Ireneus l. 2. God the Sonne to the Jewes and God the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles Theudas a Magitian that missed a multitude to passe over Iordan which he bore them in hand should divide it selfe but himselfe and those with him were all slaine or scattered Act. 5.36 Judas of Galilee who would not indure to pay Tribute or acknowledge any Lord which some make the reason that our Saviour and his Apostles were so punctuall against this madnes least they should be thought such Galileans Euseb E. H. l. 4. c. 6. Dion Cassius in Hadriano as favoured Rebellion such a one was Barcochebas afterward a fatall Comet who with his new light was the destruction of 50000 of his followers 4. Silencing of Oracles as that of Delphos where Augustus Caesar urging the Divell for an answere was told that an Hebrew child had stop'd his mouth and sent him with a Mittimus to Hell and therefore he might spare labour or cost Peucer de Oraculis to consult with him any more The like was the Lamentation for the death of the great God Pan in Plutarch 5. The discovery of the Abomination of the Idoll Priests in Rome upon the abusing of the noble Matrone Paulina by Decius Mundus whom he could not bring to his Lure by mony but had his will of under the maske of Anubis to which Doggs head she was
Broughton Tremelius The Name of the Lord began to be Prophaâ—ed 2. Hence some gather the beginning of Idolatry which other deferre till after the flood A separation is apparent in this mans daies betweene the prophane Caynites and those Godly Setheans And likely it is that then began the Assemblies perchance on the Seventh day blessed and hallowed of God for publique Worship De Monach C. 5. Gen. 5.10 3. Bellarmine will needs fetch from hence the Originall of Monkery but this Enosh was married gat Sonnes and Daughters and amongst them to succeed him 4. CAINAN of whom we finde nothing Registred but how long he lived and that he begat 5. MAHALALEEL as he did 6. IARED and he 7. ENOCH whose Prophesies we have mentioned in the Epistle of S. Jude Vers 14. Origen and the Author of the Testament of the twelve Patriarkes cite divers passages out of them As 1. of the number and names of Starres 2. Of the wooing of Mortall Beauties by the wanton descending Angells 3. Of the Gyants from that brood 4. Of the death of Christ by the Jewes and their ruine by it 5. Of the Drowning and Burning of the World and more to that purpose 2. These were not only in the hands of Origen and Tertullian but of S. Hierom Augustin Bede and others notwithstanding S. Augustin brands them for counterfeit and none warrant them 3. This Enoch the seventh from Adam died not as other men but after he had spent so many yeares upon earth as there be daies in a yeare he was transsated hence by God A. M. 987. The most part of them For herein they cannot agree with whom he had walked though he lived in the state of Marriage 4. The Papists say he is reserved alive in Paradice whence Adam was expelled with his companion Elias who shall both come in person to oppose Antichrist and then be slaine of him then revive and so at length be taken up into Heaven This is to quit the Pope Bellarm. de Pontif. Rom. L. 3. Aetat 5. from suspicion of being Antichrist seeing Enoch and Elias have not yet come in person to testifie against him Gobeline Parson relates that such a man was found by Alexander the Great in the East-Indies lying in a Golden bed in the Mountaine of the Sunne who well might be thought to be this Henoch but let them feed on their fancies The shortnesse of this mans time upon earth was recompensed by the age of his Sonne 8. METHUSALAH 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the longest liver we read of for Adam and He take up all the space betweene the Creation and the Flood 2. His age was 969 yeares of which he might spend 346 with Adam to informe himselfe and almost 100 with Sem to teach Posterity But his longest life had a period before the Flood and a Successour his Sonne 9. LAMECH different from that Lamech of Caines race who being a blind Archer slew his Grandsire Caine. and the Boy that led him for directing him to do it if we beleive Torniellus who cites divers Fathers to justifie this groundlesse Fancy 2. Of this holy Lamech is registred the notable Propheticall speech at the birth of his Sonne Gen. 5.29 10. NOAH who was to be a Comforter to the world by Rest in the greatest extremities as the name importeh being derived either from Nacham to Comfort or Nuach to Rest the last of the ten Antediluvian Patriarches Out of whose names a great Hebritian hath left this observation Adam Earthy Cain Possession Abel Vanity sheweth that all Earthy Possession is Vanity Seth may be set in Abels place yet not so fixed but that reason will be for naming of his Sonne Enosh Sad. man or Sorrowfull He begets Cainan Lamentation from him succeeds Mahalalcel a praiser of God This holds not among all but Jared notes a descending Enoch that followes in the seventh place signifies one dedicated to God among so many wicked He of the shortest abode here upon earth of all his ranke leaves the longest liver Methusalah whose name speakes thus much He dying God sendeth whom Lamech what to do his name tells us to strike not to destroy all but as Noahs name Comforteth to preserve God's chosen in rest This Noah by the Heathens was termed in scorne Prometheus and fained to be chained to Caucasus with a Vulture feeding on his Intrals in regard of his foretelling the worlds destruction and providing an Arke to escape it neare the mountain Caucasus 120 yeares before it came Likewise he is called Ogyges for opening a gate for the preservation of Mankind Saturne as being the worlds Seed or Seminarie Hercules the publique Breeder Deucalion in whose time fell the great Inundation described by Ovid. Janus Bifrons that found Wine and look'd into both Worlds both before and after the Flood For to this Flood have reference all the Heathenish great Inundations To this purpose runnes the verse in Eusebius Sol Osyris idem Dionysius Oriu Apollo All those in truth were but the same And differ only in the name Which may be gathered from Plutarch who affirmes that Deucalion sent a Dove to try whether the waters were dryed This Flood lasted a whole yeare which confirmes that in the long-lived Fathers their yeares were Solar not Lunar or Months as some have imagined 2. COntemporary in this Intervall were the line of Cain amongst whom we have 1. the first City Enoch 2. Poligamie brought in by Lamech who being a blind Archer is said to have slaine his great Grandsire Cain Gen. 4. and the Lad that led him for misdirecting him 3. Jabal the Father of Tent-making and Hearding Catell 4. Jubal for instrumentall Musicke 5. Tubal-Cain the first forger of Brasse Iron Hartman Schedel 6. And some say his Sister Naamah began Carding and Spinning to cover nakednesse rather then with Figge leaves or with Beastes Skinnes 7. Likely it is that amongst the Poets the Garden of Adonis might have relation to this in Eden Nectar and Ambrosium to the Tree of Life Euridices wounding by a Serpent to the Serpent poysoning our Mother Eve Mercury Apollo and Vulcan to Jabal Jubal and Tubal-cain Venus to Naamah Their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or God-making to the translation of Enoch Their God-wenching Gen. 6.2 to the dissolute doings between the Sonnes of God and the Daughters of Men. Which things they might have by hear-say and worke on at their pleasure to be noted by the way not insisted upon Matters of Enquiry and Discourse 3. WHETHER 1. The World began in Spring or Autumne 2. The Seat of Paradice may be punctually assigned 3. Abel slew the same Serpent the Divell had abused to seduce his Mother 4. Enoch with Elias be reserved in Paradice to come against Anti-christ and to be slaine by him 5. The Book of his Prophecies extant among the Fathers might passe for authenticall 6. Cain were slain by Lamech his Grandchild a blind Archer 7.
with Odoacer and his Heruli as Leo had done with Atylas and his Hunnes but that Rome was sacked by their incursion 2. Two things were notable in this mans time the rectifying of the Cyclus Paschatis or Golden Number by Victorinus of Aquitany and the bringing in of the Letany which is yet retained amongst us by Mamertus Claudius of Vienna for the averting of Gods heavy Judgments and imploring his mercy Whence we have the Rogation Weeke about the Ascention 3. Hilarus is said also to have decreed that no Minister should Marry any other Woman but a Mayd by which it appeareth that Ministers might then Marry But 15. A.D. 467 SIMPLICIUS the Tiburtine busied himselfe in no such simple matters He built Pallaces took upon him the Jurisdiction of the Church of Ravenna decreed that none of the Clergy should hold a Benefice of any Lay man upon his adorning St Andrewes Church in Rome amongst other he hath these invitatory verses Plebs devota veni perque haec commercia disce Terreno censu regna supernapeti Come heare and learne you rowt devour To purchase Heaven out of doubt 16. A.D. 483 FAELIX the 3d the sonne of a Romane Priest was not so stirring at home notwthstanding he opposed the Enoticon or proposall of Vnion by the Greeke Emperonr Zeno to the great consusion of both Eusterne and Westerne Churcheâ— 17. A.D. 492 GELASIUS an African Bishops sonne did more good in ordering the Canon of Scripture and branding counterfeit Books which passed before for Authenticall 2. Bellarmine and Baronius be of the opinion that the Tract under his name De duabus Christi naturis contra Eutychetem Biblioth Pat. Colon. 1618. Tom. 5. belongeth to Gelasins Cycizenus not to a Pope who would never have justified Eusebius whom he had otherwise censured for an Arian nor speak against Transubstantiation 3. A large Catalogue of Cardinals made by him is Registred by Ciaconius and the Dedication of S. Michaels Church the Popes Patrone and the French Kings Farre short of this man came 18. ANASTASIUS the second a Romane A.D. 497 that had his place he notwithstanding presumed to Excommunicate Anastasius the Greeke Emperour as Platina reports for favouring the Heretique Acatius whose Heresy afterward himselfe favoured and communicated with Photinus till at length with Arius he purged out his bowels into a Privy 19. SYMMACHUS the Sardinian then is chosen A.D. 499 but not without great opposition of one Lawrence which continued some years after This Onuphrius makes the fourth but Ciaconius the fifth Schisme 2. No extraordinary matters were done by him but that he took order with the stubborne soule of one Paschatius to be well chastized in Purgatory after his death as Gregory toucheth in his Moralls Lib. 4. c. 40. COntemporary with these were 1. The eminent Fathers of the Lattaine Church Ambrose Hierome Augustine and Gregory the great and those of no lesse esteeme in the Greeke Athanasius Basil Nazianzene with Chrysostome which opposed themselves against the 2. Heresies of the Arians under whom the whole World groaned That denyed our Saviours God-head Manicheans that rejected his word together with the Pelagians who withstood his Grace and Donatists who rent in peeces his Church In which conflict they were backed as before with the famous Councell of Nice to quell Arius so successively with the Generall Councell of Constantinople against Macedonius denying the Deity of the Holy Ghost and that of Ephesus which condemned Nestorius for his Blasphemy against our Saviour and his blessed Mother upon which followed the Councell of Chalcedon against Eutyâ—hes confounding our Saviours Natures to be handled with the rest distinctly in the History of Councells 3. As also of the Irruptions of the Goths Vandalls Huns and Herul which heaped on massaeres of Martyrs INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The giving of the Pall were first brought in by Pope Marcus and belong only to Arch Bishops 2. Athanasius Creed depend on the records of Rome from whence it was set forth long after the framing of it in the time of Pope Julius 3. S. Hierome were ever Cardinall or wore such a Hat as the Painters bestow upon him 4. Zozimus Boniface and Celestine forged a Canon of the Councell of Nice to justify their unjust claime of Appeales to the Sea of Rome 5. S. Augustine with the rest of the African Bishops assembled in the Councell of Carthage that withstood them in it dyed excommunicated by them for it 6. The Rogation weeke and the Letany had its originall from Claudius Mamercus of Vienna 7. Pope Anastasius might legally excommunicate Anastasius the Greek Emperour SECT V. Patriarchs MVch adoe hath been to passe those nineteen forementioned Popes for Tollerable Arch-Bishops more will be required to justify the fourteene following for good Patriarchs of which 1. HORMISDA of Campania An. D. 514 first had the title from Iustine the Emperour He was so pert upon it as to Excommunicate Anastasius the Emperour because he stood upon that it was the Emperours part to command and not to veyle bonnet to Bishops 2. IOHN the first a Tuscane that succeeds A.D. 523 was a man of more excellent parts and piety As Theodoricus King of Italy had been the death of learned Boethius and prudent Symmachus so after he had sent this Iohn to Justine the Easterne Emperour to intercede for the Arians which he did not according to his instructions but wrote to the Bishops of Italy to stand out for the truth upon his returne he was sent to Ravenna and there died of Famine in a stinking and noysome Prison Some strange things are related of this man as that when he had once backt a Gentlewomans horse of Corinth the Nagge before gentle would never permit any after to ride him That he restored to a blind man his sight in the gate of Constantinople and that after his death he was seen by an Hermit with Symmachus hiâ— Companion to throw the soule of the Tâ—râ—nt Theodoricke the Arian into Lapari to be tormented This mans hard hap deterres not 3. FOELIX the fourth a Samnite to venture on his place An. D. 526 but his zeale was not so forward to indanger much himselfe He Excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople farre enough from him and at home divided the Charcell from the Church commanded extreme unction to be ministred to men a dying Benedict the father of Monkery Priscian the Grammarian and litle Denise the maker of the Cicle for Easter ard said to be of this mans time as 4. A.D. 530 BONIFACE the second of Rome was his successour but with much adoe being strongly opposed by Dioscours who dyed shortly in the quarrell and so this sixth Schisme was appeased 2. He end eavoured to establish a decree that every Pope should chuse his successor but it was so withstood by the Clergy that he was faine to disanull it himselfe And 5. A.D. 531 IOHN the second his Countryman came not in by his chusing 2. This man was surnamed Mercury for his
followers goe to wrack untill God raised up the valiant John Ziska to yeeld them some comfort INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The Schoolemen with their Niceties of the Canonists by their Extravagancies more corrupted the Simplicity of the Gospell 2. The malitious throwing of Ashes by Boniface the eight into Arch-Bishop Porchets eyes were a way to cure his blindnesse 3. Rome could be counted the Mother Church as long as the Popes kept their residence in Avignion 4. The chayning of Francis Dandalus under the Popes table with the doggs were a fit entertainment for an Embassadour of State 5. It savoured of Divinity or Humanity in Paul the second and Sixtus the fourth to pronounce all Vniversity men to be Heretiques 6. The Inventions of Printing and Gunpowder have done more harme then good 7. Alexander the sixt had a pattent from the Divell to bestow the West Indies upon the King of Spaine SECT X. The seaventh Ranke of Incurable Babilonians AFter Devouring Abaddons to fill up the mystery and measure of Iniquity succeeded for the space to this time almost of an 150 yeares Incurable Babilonians Curavimus Babylona non est sanata for the rest of the men that were not killed by those Plagues repented not of their 1. Rev. 21.9 Murthers 2. Sorceries 3. Fornications 4. Thefts as it appeareth in the particulars of 1. A.D. 1503 IULIUS the second a Genoway Sixtim the fourth his Nephew perchance his Sonne he was more addicted to Warre then Writing or teaching his flock 2. Whereupon he is said to have throwne Peters Keyes into Tyber with words to this purpose Hic gladius Pauli nunc nos defendat ab hoste Quandoquidem clavis nil juvat ista Petri. This sword of Pauls must us defend from foes Sith Peters keyes serve not to beare off blowes 3. He breaking his Oath in not celebrating a Councell as he had sworne to do moved some Cardinals to assemble at Pisa and Depose Him but he easily avoyded that by a Counter-Councell at Laterane 4. Lewis of France was Excommunicated by him but he reckoned little of it and coyned Money with his inscription Perdam Babilonem I will destroy Babylon 5. He dispensed with our Henry the eight to Mâ—rry his Brother Arthurs Wife Abused two ingenuous Youths sent by Queen Anne of France to be bred in Italy of which one wrote Venit in Italiam spectabilis indole rara Germanus redijt de puero mulier To Rome a German came of faire aspect But he return'd a woman in effect And the Pope himselfe is passed with this Tetrastick Genua cui Patrem genetricem Graecia Partum Pontus unda dedit num bonus esse potest Fallaces Ligures mendax est Graecia Ponto Nulla fides in te haec singula IVLE tenes He that from Greece and Genua had his blood And on the Waves his Birth can he prove good The Genoway cheat the Greeks men lyars call The Sea perfidious Julius hath these all He sainted one Mother Frances a Romane Matron for preserving her chastity by melted Lard c. At Mantua was then Preached by Ptolomy Lucensis a Cistertian that our Saviour was not conceaved in the Virgins Wombe but in a place neere her heart of three drops of blood Of these times Maximilian the Emperour was wont to say Deus aterne nisi vigilares quam male esset mundo quem regimus nos ego miser venator ebriosus ille Sceleratus Julius O eternall God if thou should not watch over us how ill would it goe with the world which we governe I a miserable Hunter and that Drunkerd and wicked Julius After this martiall Pastor came joviall 2. LEO the tenth the Duke of Florenc's Sonne An. 1512 made Cardinall at thirteene yeares old and Pope at 38. 2. He favoured Scholers because they should claw him as Erasmus and others did not that he set more by Learning then the profession of Christianity which he told Cardinall Bembus he esteemed to be but a profitable fable 3. In the making 30 Cardinals to strengthen his own designes a tempest arose that shooke the Statua of Christ out of his Mothers armes and Peters Keyes out of his hands As in his predecessors dayes Alexander the sixth the like tempest had beat downe the Angel from the topp of St Angelo and the Owle that appeared to the Councell of Laterane pretended no good 4. At the Councell of Laterane held by this Leo to voyd that of Pisa he was termed by Sycophants the Lyon of the tribe of Iudah to whom all power was given both in Heaven and in Earth whom all Kings must adore Ps 72. But as Mancimellus Machiavell Guiccardine Mantuan Sanavarola had partly discovered the Popish Impostures before in Alexander the sixth so Philippus Decius Stapulensis Budeus Mirandula Erasmus make way for Luthers reformation in these times which began on this occasion 5. Leo's luxury wanted money of his own store to bestow on his Sister Magdalon for a Dowry This must be raised by Indulgences sent into Germany The Fryers quarrell who should have the honour and profit of the sale The Dominicans carry it from the Augustines Luther stomackes at it and writes against the Huckster Tercelius The Pope is interessed in the businesse Luther stands out is backt by Princes and learned men who were weary of the Popes tyranny 6. The French urge the pragmaticall sanction and the Councell of Constance for their liberty who having an overthrow in Italy so overjoyed his Holinesse that immediatly thereupon he dyed of which Sannazarius Sacra sub extrema si forte requiritis hora Cur Leo non poterat sumere vendiderat Why Leo dyed unhousled then 't was told him He could not have such rites for he had sold them His successor was 3. A.D. 1521 HADRIAN the fixth a Low-Country man He makes a great shew in his first entrance to urge a Reformation for which purpose he instructs his Legate Cheregate to the Princes of Germany They are much animated by this overture and furnish the Legate with an hundred grievances of their Nation Centum Gravamina vid. Fascical Rerum Expetendarum which they desire might be redressed 2. But greater matters diverted his Holinesse Then Lutherans began to spread the Turkes to approach These and the like Corrosiues and perchance a dramme to help it onward so broake him that in the second year of his Papality he left this Inscription on his Tombe Hadrianus Sextus hìc situs est qui nihil sibi infaelicius in hac vita quà m quod imperaret duxit Here lies Hadrian the fixt who held it his greatest unhappinesse that in this life he had been Pope He wrote upon the fourth of the sentences and a Large Epistle to the Duke of Saxony A farre worse man came after him 4. CLEMENT the seaventh a Florentine An. 1524 and Nephew or sonne to Leo the tenth he matcheth his Neice Catherine with the House of France whereby she came afterwards to be the Famous Queene Mother 2.
German Illyrian and warres with Pyrrhus in their own Territories In Asia the Syrian Parthian and strong opposition of Methridates and his adherents In Africa the three famous Punick Warres untill Carthage was razed by them And the stubborne resistance of Jugurtha at larg recorded in particular Histories as Insurrections amongst themselves of their discontented slaves of Catiline and Sertorius the bloudy ruptures between Marius and Scylla Pompey and Caesar Tantae molis erat so waighty a matter iâ— was to lay the foundation and erect the Trophies of the Fourth Monarchy of the Romanes 5. As for matters of the Church and progresse of Learning in this Period between Alexander and Caesar We find the Temple of Jerusalem surprised by Crassus and Pompey with their disasterous ends upon it and the Iewes brought under the yoake of Herod the Idumean But humane Learning never attained that splendor as then it did amongst the Graecian Philosophers especially severed by their distinct Schooles of Academicks Peripatetiques Stoicks Cynicks Epicures Pythagoreans and Sceptiques too numerous to be rehearsed INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Alexanders expedition against the Persian were rather of ambitious venturing then of just cause given 2. â—â—v Hist l. 9. c. 17. If he had turned his Forces Westward he had met with his match in Papyrius Cursor amongst the Romanes 3. His entitling himselfe Jupiter Hammons sonne distasted him more with his owne then advantaged him with strangers 4. His proceeding against his old valiant Generall Parmenio and his brave sonne Philotas had sufficient ground to exequte them for Traytors 5. Antiochus Epiphanes may passe for a fit type of Antichrist 6. The first Library of note were that of Ptolomeus Philadelphus in Aegypt 7. The change of Kings of diverse families in the Macedonian line were the chiefe cause of subduing them by the Romane Conquest FOVRTH MONARCHY of the Romanes PERIOD IIII. 1. THe Fourth Period from Iulius Caesar to Constantine the Great begins the Fourth Monarchy of the Romanes and takes up the space of about 355 years under forty Pagan Emperours whereof the first was 1. IULIUS CaeSAR A.M. 3902 His exploits are famous in the 1. Gallish 2. Germane 3. British 4. Civill warres against Pompey and his adherents 5. Alexandrian for setling Cleopatra with whom he was too intimate 6. African against Cato who slew himselfe at Vtica And 7. Spanish Warres against Sextus Pompeius In all which he is reckoned by some to have been victorious in fifty set Battles 2. Having gotten the perpetuall Dictatorship Plutarch He reformed the Calender as now we retaine it in the Iulian years account and left the Month Iulius for continuance of his name 3. To this valour he wanted not Learning or Language for the Registring his own Acts a touch whereof is extant in his seaven Bookes de Bello Gallico and three other de Bello Civili 4. Cicero cries him up also for a most pertinent and accomplished Orator 5. In Martiall affaires Plutarch so paralells him with Alexander that he carries the Bucklers from him though from spotts which are usually noted in Heroicall dispositions Alexander may be observed more Free 6. This honour he gained to leave the name of Caesar to all his successours whereof his Parallell came short His quick dispatch is noted in Veni Vidi Vici I came saw overcame the great forces that Pharnaces Mithridates sonne of Pontus had levied against him 7. His Motto was SEMEL QVAM SEMPER Ibid. Better it is once to dye then to live alwaies languishing It fell out with him accordingly For sitting in the Senate-house he was brutishly murthered with 23. wounds the most part given by them whose lives he had preserved which it should seem he intimated to Brutus in his last words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What and thou my sonne His successor was his sister Julias naturall and his adopted sonne 2. A.M. 3907 AUGUSTUS Caesar borne in Cicero's Consulship who exhorts his brother Quintus in his Government to immitate the prudence of Octavius who was Augustu's father 2. Before he could secure himselfe Anthony and Lepidus were wisely to be dealt with A Triumvirate was patched up between them for signing of which Lucius Caesar Augustus own Vnkle old Cicero his faithfull Advocate and Paulus the brother of the High Priest Lepidus must be proscribed to be executed so little reckoning is made of other obligations where the condition runnes for Soveraignty But this knot was quickly dissolved the three sonnes growing into one Lepidus dyes Anthony overthrown at Mutina and Actium made himselfe away 3. Augustus having vanquished all his opposites at home and Enemies abroad with incredible successe and Celerity except in that one shamefull defeat of Q. Varus against Arminius shuts up the Temple of Ianus in token of an universall peace Vid. Alsted Hist c. 21. 4. Then was the Prince of Peace our Saviour borne the 42. of this Emperours Raigne and in the year of the world as amongst 28 differences we pitch upon with Luther and Lucidus 3960. some think this variety of account especially between the Greeks and Latines happened by reason it was usuall amongst the Ancients by these figures 1.2.3.6 mystically to insinuate the Sacred Trinity in 1.2.3 and unity in 6. which mixed with the years of the World by those who knew not what it meant brought the account so much out of square that by subduction of that additament may be thus rectified Eusebius counts from the Creation to the Nativity 5199 years from which subduct 1236 the forementioned mysticall summe and the remainder will be 3963. but three years exceeding Luthers reckoning which we follow 5. But those matters were least thought on by those whom Gods providence made chiefe actors in it Psal 49. Man in honour may be compared to Beasts that Perish Augustus thus advanced in the eye of the world finds his discontents at home in his Children His daughter Iulia by his wife Scribonia and her issue had not the best report It is doubted whether Ovid were too familiar with hir somewhat there was more then his bookes de Arte Amandi that caused him to be banished He was wont to wish that he had never been Married or been a Father Sueton. and to terme his daughter the Impostumes of the World 6. Vomicas Carcinomatâ— Yet this rigid Father could take Livia Drusilla from her Husband Taberius Nero when she was great with child with Drusus and she humour'd him so pleasingly all his life though he had no issue by her that his last words were O Livia remember our marriage and Adieu so shee did Tociâ—m and 't is thought had a finger in setting him going 7. He affected Maecenas for his secrecy Agrippa for his patience and Virgill for his rare gift in sublime Poetry was wont to say that he received Rome of Bricke but had left it Marble His Motto was FESTINA LENTE 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eucipid in Phaenissis SAT CITOSI SAT BENE
thereof laid it upon the Christians 4. Was Author of the first grand Persequntion wherein St Peter as it is said and St Paule were Martyred at Rome with others innumetable and Jacobus Justus at Jerusalem Whereupon Tertullian inferr'd that the Gospel must needs be a pretious thing because Nero hated it 5. The Company he most affected were Witches Bauds Sycophants Fidlerâ— Coachmen Stageplayers guelded Ganimeds of whoÌ„ he would have turned Sporus into a woman and Married Whereupon one wished that his Father had had no other Wife whence past these Pasquils upon him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nero Orestes Alâ—maeon registred for Kill-mothers 6. Although he used for a Motto QVAEVISTERRA ARTEM ALIT All Countries yeeld a being to aman of Parts and Arts in reference to his own skill which he cheifly stood upon yet that was more genuine unto him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only whem I am dead but while I live let Heaven and Earth be turned into a Chaos 7. Continuing to be so intolerable his Souldiers fell off from and the Senate adjudged him to be whipt to death like a Rogue which exeqution he prevented by killing himselfe having no friend or foe left that would do so much for him His successour was old 7. GALBA a sowre Souldier and strict in Discipline An. Ch. 67 so that when he came to the Army the buzz went amongst the vulgar Disce Militare miles Galba est non Getulicus Stand to your tackling Galba comes amongst you not remisse Getulicus 2. As the Army advanced him for hope of promised gaine so for non-payment they quickly Rebelled against him 3. His Motto could not stop their mouthes LEGENDVS EST MILES NON EMENDVS A Souldier must be chosen not bought Whereupon they basely slew him and set up in his place 8. OTHO a Complementing Courteour An. Ch. 68 well beloved of the most of his Souldiers but unhappy in his advancement 2. He was overthrown in three Skirmishes rather then Battles despaires of his condition 3. His Motto VNVS PRO MVLTIS he would rather dye himselfe then draw on the death of a multitude This he wrought by his owne hands whereupon Ausâ—nius passes him with this Epitaph Fine tamen laudandus erat qui morte decora Hoc solum fecit â—obile quòd perijt Whatsoere his life was sure his death was faire Noble in this for being his owne slayer His Competitor that forced him to it 9. A. C. 68 VITELLIUS had lesse credit and comfort in his place a debaucht wretch and bloudy beast whose word was BONVS EST ODOR HOSTIS MELIOR CIVIS OCCISI The smell of a dead enemy is good but better of a dead Citizen 2. But such divillish dispositions are most commonly paid in their owne Coyne 3. He was quickly forsaken of his Partizans drag'd through the street pelted with myre and filth hackt and tormented with Weapons and so per scalas Gemonias by the growning stayres throwne into Tybur as he had barbarously used the Brother of 10. A.C. 69 VESPAEIAN that succeeded him who was of a meaner house then those that went before but by his Virtue Valour and moderation overtopped them 2. He was designed to quell the Iewes that rebelled wherein he prospering with the best approbation Vpon the Souldiers setting up elsewhere other Emperours after the death of Nero his followers took upon them to doe the like and Galba Otho and Vitellius in a trice cutt off their Choyce stood by the applause of all 3. At his entrance he repaired the Cities ruines shewed himselfe averse from Flatterers base lusts and revellings by which his Predecessors became infamous â—ueton 4. It is said that he miraculously cured a blind man and one that was lame but this might be but a device to gaine popular reputation 5. His easinesse to passe by injuryes appeared in the bestowing nobly of Vittelliu's his Competitors Daughter and giving a large Portion with her 6. He much relyed on Predictions Iosephus the Historian foretold him he should be Emperour and then should free him from Imprisonment 7. His Covetuousnesse is taxed by most which his Motto importeth LVCRI BONVS ODOR EX RE QVALIBET But this is capable of a good meaning which his practice verified Of gaine contenting is the smell If gotten and disposed well His end was manly in this parting resolution Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori an Emperour should dye standing as he did leaving his place to his sonne 11. TITUS before his comming to raigne A. C. 79 he gave shrewd suspition of Luxury in entertaining of Beronice and her trayne from whom afterward he was unwillingly severed Of crueliy in murdering Aulus Caecinna through a jealous humour when he friendly invâ—ted him to supper of Avarice in extorting from others that belonged not to him so that diverse misdoubted he would prove another Nero. But his sweet and prudent Government quickly wiped off all those aspersions In so much that he was termed Delitiae humani generis the delight of mankind 2. It was a principle he held that the courtisie of a Prince should dismisse no Suiter with a sad Countenance And sitting on a time in company O my friends saith he I have lost a day in regard he had spent it without doing some good 3. His Conquest of Ierusalem made him famous not only for the difficulty of the thing as for his moderate carriage in it bearing with the desperate stubbernesse of the Beseiged and shedding Teares at the burning of the Temple when he could not help it 4. The imprecation of the Jewes at our Saviours voting to Death His bloud be upon us and our children There took place in full measure and in the same mett to their Mâ—ssias For so many of them were then Crucified De Bellâ— Iud. l. 6. c. 32. that by relation of their owne Iosephus there remained no more space to set Crosses in nor any more Crosses to crucifie bodies upon Thus was accomplished the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel and repeated by our Saviour being 490 weeks of yeares as the more passable opinion is from the second yeare of Darius Nothus who gave way to the reedifying finishing of the second Temple 5. Vpon this successe a suspition grew that he affected the Deposing of his Father but his hasting to him and continued observance of him soone cleared him from any such intention 6. His brother Domitian could not be so excused for plotting against him whom notwithstanding convicted he freely pardoned 7. His Symbole was PRINCEPS BONVS ORBIS AMOR. All the world falls in love with a good Prince He seemed the better through the wickednesse of his Brother 12. DOMITIAN that followed him 1. Never towardly from his childhood 2. Being Emperour he would retyre himselfe frequently to stab flies whence one asking who was with his Majesty Belzebub Muscicapitaveus it was aptly applyed truly not a Fly 3. He set on foot the second grand persecution against the Christians wherein St
of which one saith Lege Luge S â— Paul gives a hint to the Romanes Rom. 11.21 If God spared not the naturall branches take heed least he also spare not thee Their City and Temple were ransackt by Titus but put under the Plough and the whole nation scattered as at this day by Adrian for their obdurate perversenesse 3. Here appears the greatest opposition that Philosophers Oratours Politicians and Magicians could make against the Gospel but ever in the end were worsted Celsus Porphyry Hierocles with his Apollonius Tyaneus and the like Mountebankes how palpably were they convinced and made ridiculous by Iustine Martyr Tertullian Origen Eusebius c. in their Apologies remaining at this day 4. Neither was Satan permitted as formerly to hold up his party by his Oracles Enthysiasts and other delusions which were silenced and discovered to be cheats and as Dagon broken before the Arke to the wonder of their wisest votaries 5. Notice may be taken of the reiterated breaches in this Monarchy under the bruitish Lusts and Tyrannizing of diverse of their Emperours which those of better temper were not able to repaire 6. Insolency of Souldiers who made and unmade whom they pleased and often so many at one time that one devoured an other 7. And lastly by the irruptions of the Goths and Persians who took the hint to overthrow that which they found so tottering may perswade domestique unity to prevent forraine enmity INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Tiberius or Nere were the more insufferable Tyrant 2. Caligula or Caracalla were the veriest Monsters 3. Massilina or Agrippina proved the worst wife to Claudius 4. Domitian or Commodus more degenerated from their Ancestours 5. Antoninus Pius or Philosophus were the greater Schollers 6. Trajan or Adrian were the better Governours 7. Decius or Dioclesian were the heavier persecutors FIFTH MONARCHY of Easterne Greekes PERIOD V. 1. THe Fifth Period is from Constantine the great to Charles the great and containeth the Dynasty of the Easterne Greekes for the space of 455 years in a line of thirty three Emperours Wherein wee have 1. An. C. 306 CONSTANTINE the Great the sonne of Constantius Chlorus not by his second Wife Theodosia which Dioclesian put upon him but by the virtuous Helena his first Wife â—â—crat l. 1. a Brittish Lady who found the Crosse of our Saviour in Iernsalem for which the Pope set up an Holy-day 2. He translated the Emperiall seat from Rome to Bizantium which he builded as it were a new and called after his own name Constantinople built Churches encouraged Schollers and was so respective of the Clergy that he professed If he found any blemishes in Bishops he would rather cover them with his own parple robe then they should be divulged to the disgrace of the calling 3. The Famous Councell of Nice was assembled by him and graced by his presence wherein receiving diverse papers of dissenting Bishops accusing each other he burnt them without farther adoe to perswade them to unity 4. The hard dealing with his worthy sonne Crispus whom he had by a Concubine through the wrong suggestions of his lustfull wife Fausta is excused by none and the truth afterwards appearing the Empresse deservedly suffered for it 5. The Donation of the Church of Rome put upon him is found to be a forgery In his time Iberia and India received the Gospell his Subjects were freed from taxes and protected against the incursions of Forraigne enemies 6. In his latter time he was wrought by his sister Constantia to favour the Arians whom the Councell of Nice had condemned Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia the chiefest prop of that Heresy is said to have Baptized him a little before his death not Pope Sylvester the first as the Romanists have fained 7. His Symbole was IMMEDICABILE VVLNVS ENSE RESCINDENDVM EST When there is no hope of curing men must fall to cutting Of his three sonnes amongst whom he divided his large Empire the youngest 2. An. C. 337 CONSTANTIVS succeeded in the East whose line we take as most eminent and lesse interrupted touching on the other Brethren as Contemporaries Of which Constantine the eldest not content with his share of France Spaine and Britaine would needs encroach upon his brother Constance who had Jtaly and Africke but was quickly slaine in the prosecution 2. Constance thus having gotten all the West proves a great upholder of Paulus Patriarch of Constantinople and Athanasius of Alexandria the most eminent sticklers against the Arians whom Constantius of Constantinople stood for But Magnentius whose life he had formerly saved from the Souldiers fury treacherously Rebelled against him and slew him but received the same measure from Constantius his brother who remained then sole Emperour all competitors being so happily extinguished 3. He admitted his Aunt Constantia Lucinius relict to live with him in the Court Her an insinuating Arian Priest had perverted to be of his sect she infects the Emperour who becomes so eager in furthering it Hierom. that Jngemuit totus Mundus the whole world saith a Father groaned under the pressure of that Heresy 4. Paul of Constantinople is banished Athanasius tossed up and downe the World to save his life from his persecutors one George usurps his Sea of Alexandria who afterward for his cruelty being slaine by the Pagans was Sainted by his Partizans some would have him to be our Saint George a Horse back which is not likely 5. Manifest it is that this persecution of the Arians was no lesse bloudy and barbarous then the worst of the former tenne amongst the Pagans 6. His Motto was PATIENS SIT PRINCIPIS AVRIS A Prince must have a patient care but to faithfull Councellors not fawning flatterers 7. He associats to himselfe his Nephew Gallus who growing upon some performed service too Insolent was soon rid out of the way and 3. A.C. 361 IULIAN his brother takes his place whom Constantius by reason of his death intervenient could not hinder from being his successour Socrat. l. 3. c. 1. His successe against the Galls and Germanes cry'd him up amongst the Souldiers 2. Constantius suspecting his pronenesse to Paganisme sent him to be carefully grounded in Christianity to Nicomedia where he caused himselfe to be shaven and became a Lecturer in publique but he frequented by stealth the company of Libanius the Sophist and Maximus the Philosophicall Magician with Jamblicus the Pythagorean who warped him wholly to their bent which brake out afterward 3. In the begining of his Government he recalls the Orthodox Bishops banished by Constantius for hatred to his predecessour not for any respect to Religion as also he endeavoured to reedify the Temple of Jerusalem not in favour of the Jewish profession but to spite the Christians to whom he forbad the use of Heathen Writers telling them in scorne that their own more sublime Learning might suffice And when they complained of injuries done them by Heathen your God saith he hath taught you to swallow all