of the Lorde and was consumed with vermine and died miserably because hee yeelded no glorie vnto God and so the persecution ceased Heere is a second mirrour of Gods iudgement against such as oppresse the Church Saint Paul after his conuersion returned fiue times to Ierusalem At his last beeing there hee recited the Historie of his Ministerie in the assembly of the Elders of the Church His preachings were greatly spread abroad neither ceased hee to plant the Gospell wheresoeuer he went as it appeareth in the Acts. He preached at Rome by the space of two yeares although he was a prisoner Where before there was an assembly of the faithfull as the Epistle to the Romanes witnesseth Philippe the Apostle preached in Samaria where there was a Church which retired thither after the death of Saint Steuen In Azote the Church assembled from thence it went into the Maritine Townes Peter the Apostle also preached the Gospell in many Townes as is at large seene in the Historie of the Acts. Origine in his Tome vpon Genesis saith it seemeth that Peter preached in Pontus Galatia Asia Bithinia and Cappadocia to the dispearced Iewes There was also a Church in Babilon as he himselfe witnesseth in the fist of his first Epistle In Phinicia and Siria in Tyre Sidon Serentia Silicia Pamphilia Pisidia Attalia Lycaonia Also in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia Bithinia Misia and Phrigia Vnto these did S. Peter write The seuen Churches of Asia are named in the Apocalips namely Ephesus Smirna Pergamus Thyatirus Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicia Aboue all the Church of Antioche was most famous where the Disciples were first called Christians Some say this was the thirtie and eight yeare after Christ others fortie Paul and Barnabas remained there one whole yeare Acts. 11. and 13. Saint Iohn the Apostle and Euangelist after hee had preached the Gospell through all Asia he finally retired into the Towne of Ephesus where he remained many yeares From thence the Church might easily spread it selfe into Europe which was nigh therevnto Now we see the beginning of the Kingdome of Christ and as it were a renewment of the world About the yeare 42. the vengeance of God fell vpon Pilate For after the Iewes had accused him of too great crueltie Lord Vitellius then Gouernour of Siria commaunded him to goe to Rome to answere the accusations that were to bee laid against him But as hee was in the way hee died Tiberius as Iosephus reciteth in the eighteenth of Antiquities Chapter fiue Eutropius in his seuenth booke saith that Pilate was nipped and pinched with so great anguishes because Caligula troubled him that striking and beating himselfe with his owne hands he sought to destroy himselfe See Eusebius in his 2. booke Chap. 7. This same yeare it is held that Saint Mathew writte his Gospell in Iudea The same yeare the Tetrach ship of Herodes was deliuered to Agrippa and a great discomfiture now the second time was made of the Iewes in Babilon See Iosephus in the last Chapter of his Antiquities Claudius the fift Emperour was chosen to the Imperial dignitie the aforesaid yeare and raigned fourteen yeares and nine moneths Herodes Agrippa the yeare 15. and the third of Claudius held the Kingdome of Iudea of the gift of Caligula and Claudius Beeing departed from Rome to come to Ierusalem hee thought good to make a shew to the Iewes that he loued their Religion and after to gratifie the high Priests he put to death certaine of the faithfull At this time Churches were gouerned by the Apostles which were instructed in the schoole of the sonne of God and therefore there is no gouernment to be compared to this Yet in this time the dwell had his instruments in Churches gouernment that is to say false Apostles and false bretheren Euen alreadie wrought he the secret of Iniquitie by his Antichrist 2. Thessa 2. and 1. Iohn 2. and 4. There were Heretickes Titus 3. Dogges Philip. 3. Wolues and men speaking peruerse things Acts 20. People which were neither hotte nor colde Apoca. 3. If at this time Sathan had such license how bolde thinke we will he be now that they are gone Amongst them which now gouerned the Church some were giuen Apostles to visit Churches Their charge was to sowe the Gospell throughout the world They had no place assigned Besides the twelue Paul and Barnabas are called Apostles Acts 14. Epaphroditus is called the Apostle of the Philippians Philippians 2. Andronicus and Iunia are called notable amongst the Apostle Romanes sixteene Prophets are they which had the gift not onely to Interpret scripture but also to apply it to the true vse S. Paul preferreth Prophecie before all other gifts Euangelistes hadde an office which came nigh vnto the Apostleship The difference was onely in the degree of dignitie Of this estate was Timothie and his like which succoured the Apostles 2. Timoth. 4.5 Philip is called an Euangelist Act. 21. b. 8. Doctors were for the conseruation of the puritie of Religion that the holy doctrine might bee kept and published Saint Luke ioyneth Prophets with Doctors Acts. 13. a. 1. Priest signifieth Auncient not for that they were of an age but because age commonly hath with it more wisedome experience and grauitie Vnder this name are comprehended as well Pastors as such as were ordeined for the Regiment of the Church S. Peter calles himselfe Priest shewing thereby that it was a common name Deacons is a general name of seruice but is taken for such as had the charge to dispence the Almesses Actes 19. a. 22. Ministers or seruants are called Adioints or such as accompanied the Apostles in their viands Timothie and Erastus ministred to S. Paul Act. 19. a. 22. Bishop and Priest was then one same name and office Saint Hierome in his Epistle to Euagoras witnesseth it But afterward whilest Schismes endured one was chosen from amongest the Priests and set in the most principall place and called Bishoppe or Superintendent And therefore the office of Bishoppe was after helde to bee higher then the Priests Saint Paul commaunded Titus to place in euerie Towne Priests or Bishoppes Titus 1. a. 5.6.7 See Acts 20. f. 28. With the good seede which was all ouer as is said dispersed there beganne also heresies to be cast into the Lords field The first and most pernitious were the Simoniaques The originall whereof was Simon Magus borne in a Towne of Samaria which Iustin calleth Triton and Eusebius Gitton a man exercised in Letters who by his Arts enchaunted many in Samaria before Philip had conuerted them As is recited in the Acts. Chap. 8. After S. Peter had discouered his wicked Hipocrisie hee went away in such despite that making a mingle-mangle of the dreames of Philosophers and Painims with the religions of the Iewes and that which he learned of the Gospell he corrupted and transferred to his owne person that which was spoken of Iesus Christ of the holy Ghost and of the saluation of man
vailable 8. q. 3. c. Salus in omnibus Galen the Phisitian flourished at this time Valentine the hereticke a Platonician denied the resurrection of the flesh Hee affirmed that Christ tooke no humane flesh off the Virgines wombe but that hee passed through it as through a conduit Cerdon the Stoike said at Rome that the holy Ghost descended not vpon the Apostles but vpon himselfe Note here the saying of Tertullian namely that the Philosophers are Patriarkes of heretickes Martian the Stoike a follower of Menander made two contrary principles This Pope seeing hee named himselfe so was a learned man and made a booke intituled De Trinitate vnitate Dei. Pius first of that name 11. Pope of Rome an Italian of Aquilia ruled at Rome a 11. yeares Some say hee ordeined that Easter should be celebrated vpon the Sunday by the perswasion of Hermes who said it had bene reuealed vnto him by an Angell in likenes of a shepheard And this ordinance was after confirmed by many Pope That hee decreed punishments for Ecclesiasticall persons which administred the Sacraments of the body and bloud of Christ negligently That is to say that he that by imprudency negligently let fal vpō the earth any of the blood of Christ so speakes he should do penance 40. dayes If it fell vpon the Aultar 3. dayes If vpon the Chalice cloth 4. dayes If on any other cloth 9. dayes And that the said bloud so falne should be licked scraped or washed and after all burnt and kept for the Sacristeres By litle and litle then the Romane seate beganne to forge ordinances Also that Virgins or Nunnes should not take vpon them the vaile before the age of 25. yeares Item that if any Ecclesiasticall person did sweare or blaspheme he should be deposed and euery Laie person excommunicated Anicetus 12. Pope a Sirian ruled 10. or a 11. yeares wise and of good life Some attribute vnto him that hee ordained the Crowne for Priests He was martyred vnder Marcus Aurelius In his time Egesippus an Hebrew came to Rome dwelt there vntill Eleutherius Iustinus a Christian Phylosopher writ a booke in defence of Faith and Religion to the Emperour Antonius Pius who also was much enclined to maintaine it He writ against Martian Policarpus Bishop of Smyrna in Ionia which is in Asia the lesse aboue Ephesus came to great age Ireneus saith that he was ordeined Bishop by the Apostles and it is likely that he began his ministery the 2. or 3. of Traian S. Ierome in his Catalogue saith he was placed there by S. Iohn the Euangelist who dyed the yeare 68. after the passion of Iesus Christ as most say Ireneus reciteth of him that one day as Marcian encountred him and said vnto him Take knowledge with vs. Policarp answered him I know thee for the first sonne of Satan And Ireneus saith further There are some haue heard him say that Iohn the Disciple of Iesus went into Bathes to wash himselfe and seeing Cerinthus the hereticke there he went out and washing himselfe saying Let vs flie from hence least this house fall vpon vs where Cerinthus enemy of the truth washeth Note how the Disciples of the Apostles had this rule not to communicate with them which falsifie the truth of the Gospell Whilest Policarpus was at Rome he withdrew many from their heresies Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Verus the brother of Antonius Pius obtained the Empire 18. yeares Lucius Verus his sonne in lawe gaue himselfe to dice and to haunt the Stewes Therfore was he sent into Siria by Marcus Aurelius and at last as some say poisoned After some he dyed of an Apoplexe So Marcus Aurelius Antoninus raigned alone The fourth persecution after Nero was stirred against the Christians by Marcus Aurelius And as Eusebius saith many euils happened in Italie great pestilence warre earthquakes Invndations of waters and a multitude of Grashoppers In the meane while by the persecutions as it were continuall the Christians affaires encreased from day to day by the doctrine of the Apostles Disciples Wherof yet many then did liue that the Christian Religion tooke strong roote being thus bedeawed with the bloud of Martyrs We must not here forget the sentence of Iustine spoken in a colloquie with Trypheus Hee saith thus Men may each day perceiue that we which beleeue in Christ cannot be astonished nor turned backe Let them cut off our heads Let them crucifie vs Let them expose vs to beasts to fires or other torments and so much more as men torment vs so much more do the number of Christians encrease Euen as when a Vine is cut it is but to make it more fertile So the Vine which God hath planted and the Sauiour Iesus that is his people cannot but multiply by torments c. Melito Bishop of Sardis writ to the Emperour for the Faith and Christian Religion Apollinaris Bishop of Hierapolis was at this time Theophilus Bishoppe of Antioche writ against Martian Denis Bishop of Corinthe Iustus Bishoppe of Vienne a Martyre for the Faith Attalus Blandina Photin Bishop of Lions a Martyr also for the Faith Persecution in Asia The end of the life of Policarpus was at this time Marcus Antonius Verus and the chiefe Gouernours of the Empire caused such a persecution that it came euen to the Christians which dwelt in the Towne of Smyrna whereof Policarpus was Bishoppe and had beene a long time and was there burnt hauing serued the Church of God about three score and tenne yeares which was the seuenth of this Emperour Some say hee was of the age of foure score and sixe yeares The Prayer of Policarpus before his death is in the Eccleciast History Booke 4. His bones taken out of the fire were laide in a Sepulchre Pionius Martyre Soter an Italian 13. Pope helde the seate about tenne yeares He endured many aduersities and in the ende was Martyred He ordained that none should celebrate without two men present That Nunnes should carry Vailes on their heads That they might not touch sacred Ornaments as Chalices Corporalles and that they should not Incense in the Temple nor about Aultars In his second Decretall he calleth himselfe Pope Hee instituted that each Priest doing his Office should haue with him an other Priest If there chaunced some suddaine necessitie to happen Hee saide that an oath made imprudenly which redounded to an euill ende ought not to be kept For it were better saith he to periure himselfe then for keeping his oath to fall into a greater crime At this time Peregrine a Philosopher did publickely at Pise cast himselfe into the fire vpon vaine-glorie At this time beganne the Cataphryges heretikes by Montanus with Priscilla and Maximilla They vsed in their Sacrifices a Childes blood which they mingled with Flowre or with Breade If the Childe whose blood was drawne out dyed they held him for a Martyr If
medowes and possessions and their goods should be common and distributed to nourish Ministers the poore and Notaries called Protonotaries which writ the Acts of the Martyrs Origines the tenth yeare of the Empire of Alexander fled from Alexandria into Cesaria of Palestine for a popular sedition there Some say hee was marteried vnder Alexander For although Alexander fauoured the Christians yet were many martyred by his Officers For he made no Edict to prouide for the affaires of the Christians Pontian a Romane Bishop of Rome ruled 6. yeares or nine after Damasus Two Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him which haue this common argument with many others not to molest nor accuse Priests By Damasus it is attributed vnto him that hee should ordaine sixe Priestes 5. Deacons and 6. Bishops Martian the Scottish Historiographer saith that Pontian was sent into exile into Sardinia the first yeare of Maximin At this time at Rome were 36. Priests Cardinalls that is to say eminent and principall amongst others which especially had care of the saluation of soules Of which they say Marcellius ordained 15. to bury the dead and to baptise Children Our Cardinalls of this time would heere take their originall But indeed they beganne in the time of Innocent the fourth about the yeare of Christ 1244. Iulius Maximin borne in Thrace 26. Emperour without authoritie of the Senate but by the Souldiers because he was a great and puissant man he raigned about three yeares A man inhumane and furious he was slaine of the souldiers at the age of 60. yeares with his sonne of the age of 19. yeares and their bodies cast into the Riuer He raised the sixt persecution against the Christians and especially against the Doctors of the Church for hatred to Manea the mother of Alexander his Predecessor of whose death he was culpable and with his owne hands murdered the houshold seruants of the said Alexander The Romane Senate for hatred it bare vnto Maximin chose new Emperours to maintaine the Common-wealth namely Pupian Balbin and Gordian The two first were slaine in the Pallace at Rome by a sedition of warriors and Gordian remained alone Emperour In this time some Historiographers of small authoritie say that Syriacke was the successor of Pontian as Fasciculus tempo Henry de Hereford Bergomensis and Naucler yet is there not one approoued Author or Historiographer which makes any mention of this Siriake They say that he occupied the state a yeare three moneths and 13. dayes and that after he went to Almaigne into Colongue with a great number of Virgines and that there he was Martired with them And the reason why he was raced out of the Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome they say it was because that willingly he forsooke his dignitie against the will of the Cleargie Let euery one iudge what faith such Historians merite or such authors or forgers of Decretall Epistles attributed to Romane Bishops Celsire an Epicurian Philosopher writ then a booke which he Intituled The Truth wherein hee pursued the Christians with villanies lies Origen writ eight bookes against him Anter Damasus saith that by Nation he was a Grecian Isnarda writeth that he came to be Bishop of Rome because Pontian going away substituted him There is great difference in the supputation of the time of his gouernment Euseb giueth him a moneth Damasus 12. yeares and a moneth A Decrerall Epistle is attributed vnto him vnto the Bishops of Betique and Toledo wherein hee pronounceth it lawfull for Bishops to remoue from one place to an other if necessitie require it and the profit of the Church he was Martired vnder Maximin Fabian Bishop of Rome after Anter. a Romane gouerned 13. or 14. yeares His election is described too miraculous namely by a Doue See Eusebius 51.6 Chap. 19. Three Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him that the Constitutions of the seuen Sub-deacons which ought alwaies to be with the Notaries which gather together the deedes of the Martyrs Hee was Martired and his wife Darfosa vnder Decius vnto whom he was married before his being Bishop Gordian chosen by the Senate was a Prince of a noble heart wee finde not that hee made any cruell Edicts against the Christians After he had raigned sixe yeares he was subtilly slaine by Phillippes which succeeded him Many heresies which rose vp in former times renewed at this time At Rome Proclus mainteined the heresie of the Cataphrygians Berillus who otherwise was an excellent Doctor in Arabia fell into the heresie of Artemon which denied Christ to haue bene before his Incarnation Origines disputed against him Vnder Gordian there was so great an Ecclips that the day-light seemed an obscuritie as darke as the night There was also so terrible an Earthquake that some whole Townes were swallowed with the ouerturne of the earth Gordian obteined many victories against the Persians and chased Sapor King of the Persians euen to Antioch which then was held of the Persians He recouered both Cares and Nisible and by this meanes came it to passe that the East was brought subiect vnto the Romane Empire Iulius Capitolin rehearseth it in Gordians life To confute Berillus a Councell was held vnder Gordian at Philadelphia in Arabia where Origenes was who ouercame him and brought him into a good way M. Iulius Phillippus an Arabian with his sonne also called Phillip succeeded Gordian in the Empire They were Christians conuerted vnto the Faith by Pontian or Pontius a Romane Senator and baptized by Fabian Hee his mother Seuera and his sonne Philip desirous to resort into the company of the Christians Fabian would admit them vnto the last Vigiles of Easter although he had great desire to persist in the congregation and prayers of Christians vntill he had confessed his sinne which was a murder as is thought and ioyned himselfe with them of whose sinnes Inquest was made and so placed amongst the Repentants Eusebius Lib. 6. Chap. 34. This Philip refused not to do but accomplished whatsoeuer was enioyned him by the Bishop In the raigne of this Philip there were Heretickes in Arabia which mainteined that the soules die with the bodies and that together they shall rise at the day of Iudgement Origines went towards them beeing sent thither and confounded them There are at this day certaine Anabaptistes which say that when man dyeth his soule sleepeth vntil the day of iudgement which is an execrable heresie There were other Heretickes called Helchescites as Eusebius saith Lib. 6. Chap. 38. or Elsecians after Epiphanius and Saint Augustine which dwelt in Arabia in the Region of the Moobites They reiected the Epistles of Saint Paul and mainteined that in the time of persecution it was no sinne to renounce the Faith with the mouth if so bee the heart remained faithfull This Heresie was before sowne by Basilides and confounded by Agrippa Castor an excellent Doctor O what great hurt this wicked heresie hath
Pope of Rome gouerned the Romane Church a yeare fiue moneth and 12. dayes Naucler He was by force promoted to his dignitie by Theodatus King of Italie who corrupted by siluer constrained the Cleargie to chuse Syluerius without the consent of the Emperour Theodora the wife of the Emperour Iustinian at the instigation of Vigilius Deacon required Syluerius to call again from exile Anthemius and to restore him to the dignitie from which he had bene cast and depriued for his heresie and so to put out Mennas Syluerius would not do this Bellisarius had commission to depriue him of the Popedome and to appoint vnto it Vigilius who subborned false witnesses which affirmed that Syluerius had intelligence with the Gothes and that he would haue deliuered them the Towne of Rome Wherefore Syluerius was constrained to giue place and goe into exile In the second volume of Councells At this time Italie was greatly afflicted with an extreame famine Maurus a Romane and Faustus an Italian Disciples of Saint Benet were sent into France to teach the Monastike life and at the request of the French men who sent messengers to S. Benet to the Mount Cassim Amator a Bishop sent some siluer to Siluerius to maintaine him in exile Syluerius gaue sentence of excommunication against Vigilius The Feast of Purification was at that time instituted in Constantinople to appease a great pestilence Abb. Vrsp. This is Candlemas which then was called Hypapanthy that is to say an encounter or meeting For then Simeon founde Christ whom hee hadde so long attended Liberius made fiue bookes of the Incarnation of out Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and a booke against the Bishops of Affrike Iustinian compiled the Romane lawes first the Code containing 12. bookes Secondly the Digestes Thirdly the Institutes Fourthly an Epitome of Lawes The warre in Italie against the Ostrogothes by Bellisarius Leonard Attelin Iustinian in his new Constitutions ordained that all Bishops and Priests should celebrate the prayers of Baptisme and of the Lords Supper with an high voyce and with words vnderstood of all Christians to the end that the spirits of the Auditors might be lifted vp with greater deuotion to sing praises vnto the Lord. Vigillius borne at Rome gouerned the Romane Church 14. yeares after Naucier or 8. yeares 6. moneths and 26. dayes after others hee entred wickedly into the papacie It was hee also that ordained that the Masse should be said towards the East Rome was taken and burnt by Totila at this time The first vniuersall Councell was now held at Constantinople of 165. Bishops by the commaundement of Iustinian the Emperour and at the request of Vigilius against Anthemius Seuerus Peter of Antioche Zona and other heretikes who said that the Virgin Marie brought forth Iesus Christ onely Man and not God and man There againe it was agreed that it is well said Marie the mother of God The yeare of Christ 551. Rome was taken the second time of the Gothes by Totila the scourge of God before whom came Vigilius or after Nauclerus Pelagius In this time besides the warre and famine which was in Italie there was also a sore plague in so much that houses were inhabited by sauage beasts Benet the younger was cast into a burning furnace by the commaundement of Totila Herculien Bishop of Peruse had his head sawne off by the same In this time were held the Councels of Orleance the second and third or fourth and fift after some In the 10. Chapter of the second Councell it was ordained that a Christian should not take a Iewe to wife nor that a Christian woman should marry a Iewe and such communication was vnlawfull and if they were ioyned they ought to bee seperated In the third Councell wherein Honoratus Arch-bishoppe was President Chapter 2. it was ordained that no Priest Deacon or Subdeacon should haue the company of his wife otherwise that he should be deposed from his office and remitted into the communion of Lay-people In the 16. Chapter it was ordained that the Deacon before 25. and the Priest before 30 yeares should not be ordained Many in this time were infected with the Priscillian heresie abstaining from eating flesh A Councell held now at Auuerne Vigillius being come to the Popedome by the deceit and subtilties of the Empresse Theodora shee commaunded him to come vnto Constantinople and to restore Athemius as hee had promised but hee refused to doo it saying that iustly he was cast out by Agapetus and Syluerius and that therefore he was not bound to keepe his promise which hee made against all right and reason Theodora very angry hereat sent an Embassage to Rome to drawe Vigillius into Lawe for the iniurie done by him in casting Syluerius into exile Item for the plot by him laid for the death of a young man of the chiefe Nobilitie called Asterius and of one which was his Secretarie Vpon these matters the Embassador arriuing at Rome was aided of the Romanes and they tooke Vigilius and lead him to Constantinople and as hee embarked the people cast stones at him with these Imprecations A famine bee with thee a mortalitie be with thee thou hast done a thousand mischiefes to the Romanes euill enough maiest thou finde where thou goest Doo said hee what you will vnto mee for I haue well deserued it And as he approached nigh vnto Constantinople a great multitude of the Cleargie mette him and conducted him into the Towne Theodora in the meane while ceased not to sollicite Vigillius of his promise and to restore Anthemius To whom Vigilius saide that hee would rather endure all things whatsoeuer then doo it He was grieuously afflicted iniuried and outraged and drawne out of the Temple of S. Sophie or Euphemie whereinto hee was fledde for safetie and refuge One put a rope or corde about his necke and ledde him all ouer the Towne from morning till night This done hee was put in prison fed with bread and water and finally sent into exile with the Cleargie which accompanied him at his entrie After the death of Theodora hee was called againe with all such as went with him at the request of the Captaine Narses but in the way he fell sick and died in Sicile at the Citie of Siracusa Denis Abbot a Romane made the great Pascall Cicle in this time Item a booke of the reason of the Feast of Easter Abb. Trit Arator a Subdeacon at Rome wrote the Acts of the Apostles in Hexamiter Verses Radegonde Queene of Fraunce the wife of Clotharius who was King of France after the death of his brother Hildebert Pelagius a Romane gouerned the seate 12. yeares hee was accused to haue bene the principall cause of all Vigilius his euills But in the presence of the Cleargie and people and in the presence of Narses he mounted the Chaire and publikely swore that he neuer did any euill vnto Vigilius and so escaped and was absolued It is hee who
Bishop of Constantinople tirannized ouer the faithful by imprisonment exile and other torments Naucl. Chron. Abb. Vrsp and Fascic temp At this time were Vincent Bishop of Beanuais and Foursy the King of Ireland his sonne who came into France with two of his brethren Aubert Bishop of Cambray Gertrude others all which after their deathes were called Saints Clouis the 12. King of France raigned 17. yeares This King in a time of famine tooke all the gold and siluer wherwith his father Dagobert had adorned the Chappels of Martyrs yea and one of the Armes of S. Denis to giue to the poore to relieue them For that cause the Monkes deuised that he became a foole and out of his wittes in the ende of his dayes Chron. de Regib Fr. Martin Pope first of that name an Italian ruled at Rome sixe yeares and more At the beginning of his Popedome he sent Messengers to Constantinople to Paul the Patriarke to reduce him from his heresie but so much wanted therein his amendment that euen abusing the authority of the Emperor an heretike like himselfe hee caused the saide messengers to bee throwne out whereat the Pope Martin being mooued assembled a Councell at Rome of 150. Bishops and condemned Paul the heretike agreeing with the condemnation of Pyrrhus Cyrus Sergius and others Then the Emperour Constance sent Olimpus Exarke into Italie and commaunded him to make haste either to sley Pope Martin or to take him and bring him Againe Constance sent to Rome Theodorus Calliopa who by subtiltie tooke the Pope and hauing bound him in chaines brought him to Constantinople and from thence was hee banished and sent into a Citie of Pontus where he finished his daies after many and great miseries and the seat was vacant three moneths Supp Chron. In this time were held the Councell of Toledo 8.9 and 10. In the 10. there was an ordinance against Bishops which gaue Monasteries and benefices Ecclesiastical to their parents which was now made of no valewe In the 4. Chap. it was ordained that Nunnes should make a profession and vow of chastitie and that they should be apparelled in an other sort from others to be knowne Ierusalem was taken by the Mahometists Some as Nauclerus say that it was in the time of Agathon Pope and of the Emperour Constantine the sonne of this Constance Rhodes taken by the Sarrasins The Iles Ciclades were wasted by them and Sicile forraged Naucl. At Rome there appeared great signes fire fel from heauen and great thunder lightnings and invndations of waters whereof great pestilence followed Fasci Temp. and Nauclerus Eugenius Pope the first of that name a Romane ruled at Rome about three yeares He ordained that Bishops should haue prisons to punish crimes and faults of Clarkes That Priests houses should be scituate and builded nigh Churches Supp Chron. That none bee kept in Monasteries against their wills One named Peter succeeded Paul the heretike at Constantinople and was of the same heresie His Letters were recited at Rome and the Pope was hindered by the people from celebrating vntil he had cast them away because they denied two natures in Christ Naucler Claudus Arch-bishop of Besancon afterward Abbot of the Abbey of S. Eugenius was renowmed about this time through Burgoine Fasci temp And after his death they made that abhominable Idoll which is at S. Claud. in the Countie of Burgoine The children of Arikert King of the Lombards whilest they stroue one with an other the one was slain and the other a fugitiue first into Bauiere after into France Naucl. At the Councell of Calibone in the Prouince of Narbone held in this time Theodoric Bishop of Arles was accused to haue done somewhat against the Ecclesiasticall statutes and Canons and because he appeared not hee was suspended out of his Bishoppricke vntill the next Councell Vitalian Pope an Italian ruled at Rome 14. yeares and more It was he who first ordained singing in the Romane Church and agreed it with Organes by the consent of Rodoaldus King of the Lombards who beeing taken in adulterie with a wife of Lombardie was slaine by her husband It is not found that hitherto the Romane Church had full domination in the Towne of Rome other goodly things it pretendeth since the death of Constantine the great vnlesse it were vnder certaine too soft Emperours and yet then not much But to this Vitalian the Emperour by singular grace confirmed the priuiledges of the Church which notwithstanding he after brake and made them of no force Fasci temp and Naucler Constant the Emperor caused to be assembled a Sinode and abiured his heresie and after came to Rome with a great company with Cierges in their hands and so entred into the Temple but he shewed well it was not vpon deuotion but to see where the Treasures were to take and carrie them away Hee was there to visit it fiue dayes Afterward hee tooke away all that was delicate in his eyes He tooke away more ornaments and riches he alone in 7. dayes then the Barbarians had done in 258. yeares Naucl. and Supp Chron. He was greatly hated at Constantinople for his cruelties and for causing to die in exile Pope Martin in such miserie and for cutting the tongue and hand from Maximin Wherefore he sought againe to bring the Emperiall seate to Rome and kept his Court sixe yeares in Sicilie Abb. Vrsperg where hee did many great euills as is recited by Paulus Diaconus He was slaine in Sicilie being in the Bathes this yeare 669. and of his Empire 27. Mizizius otherwise called Mitius or Missessius was constituted Emperour and raigned about sixe moneths Constantine the fourth sonne of Constant commonly called Le Barbu the bearded came against him and caused him to die and all such as had bene of the conspiracie against his father After these things were done he raigned from the beginning with his brethren Tiberius and Heraclius Abb. Vrsp. But after according to Naucler alleadging Blundus and Pius his abbreuiator he caused their noses to be cut off least they should after come to the Empire so that his sonne Iustinian might raigne The Councell of Toledo 11. in this time Dado Bishop of Ruoan writ three bookes of the life of S. Eloy Bishop of Noyon Abb. Trit Clotaire the third of that name and the 13 king of France raigned foure yeares Note Reader touching the Kings of France which follow that from this Clotaire vntill Pipin and Charlemaine they did nothing worthy of any great memorie but became vnprofitable and full of cowardise so that they had not like authoritie as either their predecessors or successors They had as it were nothing but the bare names and titles of Kings For the Maiors or Prouostes of the Pallace which then were as it were the Constables or great Maisters had the administration of all matters of the Kingdome as well those of warre as of peace and all was
Romane ruled at Rome 10 moneths He was humble and soft Naucler He restored at his great charges the Churches of S. Peter and S. Laurence of S. Valentin and S. Marie aux Martyrs Supp Chron. and gaue to the said Churches many Vessels of Golde and Siluer and many vestments and ornaments The election of the Pope taken from the Emperour The Emperour Constantine mooued with the Popes sanctetie ordained that the election of the Pope from thence forward made of the Cleargie and Romane people should bee stable and sure without any more attending the authoritie of the Emperour or of his Lief-tenant Exarche of Italie without whose authoritie before it was not ratified Naucl. and Supp Chron. Iohn Pope fift of that name of Antioche in Siria gouerned the Romane Church a yeare a man moderate and subiect to diseases He was consecrated as also was Leo the second by three Bishops of Ostia Portensis and Veliterus And this maner was alwaies after obserued The Bishop of Ostia as hee sung Masse put the Crowne on his head Before hee was onely ledde to the Chaire of S. Peter and beeing there set he was holden the true Pope without other ceremonie The Emperour Constantine died at Constantinople hauing raigned 17. yeares Conon Pope borne at Rome gouerned the Church of Rome one yeare Fasci temp After the death of Pope Iohn the fift there was great contention about the Popes election for the people or the Cleargie elected one called Peter Archbishoppe The Romane Gendarmie corrupted by siluer did chuse Theodorus a Priest a pernitious man After long strife betwixt these two Conon by all their agreements was confirmed He fell sicke incontinently after his election wherevpon he died Some said he would neuer occupie himselfe in secular matters Iustinian or Iustin Emperour second of that name sonne of Constantine the fourth began to raigne of the age of 16. yeares Hee gouerned himselfe so ill that after tenne yeares of his raigne hee was banished See the Sea of Histories Quilian an holy Scottishman preached in Franconia He conuerted Gosbertaine Duke of the same Countrey who kept Ceilam Sillam or Gelana his brothers wife And for that he preached that he ought to leaue her she made him secretly be slaine Fasci temp and Sigeb Beda the Venerable in this time made many bookes and wrote the liues of many Saints Abb. Trit Sergius Pope a Sirian ruled at Rome tenne yeares after Chron. Euseb a noble restorer of Churches There was a great contention and debate for the election of the Pope after the death of Conon Some had chosen Theodorus a very rich man Others Pascall Arch-deacon who had promised a great summe of money to Iohn Platina Exarche if hee were chosen Each of them maintained his election ambitiously But the Cleargie and Romane people seeing that this sedition would cause effusion of bloud tooke counsell to remedie it Wherefore they chose Sergius reiecting the two others The said Sergius was carried into the Church of Laterane and hauing broken the gates they cast out the factious and constrained Theodorus and Pascall to salute Sergius Pope and approoue his election Pascal accused and conuicted of Art Magicke was sent to a Monasterie and there died obstinate Naucler It is attributed vnto him to haue founded a good part of the holy Crosse which euery yeare they worship at Rome Nauclerus Beleeue this who list For in the time of Heraclius the Emperour it was carried to Constantinople The Church of Aquilea not wholly approouing the first after Naucler Chron. Segeb. Paul Diac. or sixt after Fasci Temp. Councell of Constantinople was reduced by Sergius In this time the Saxons yet Painims receiued the Christian Faith by the meanes of this Sergius After Suppl Chron. The yeare 688. Ebroine a French Tyrant was slaine in his bedde Theodoricke the King of Franc was buried in the Abbey of S. Vaast of Arras whereof hee was founded with his wife called in her Epitaph Doda Clouis third of that name King of France 16. raigned 14. yeares Sergius sent Vmbred to the Frisons to conuert them to the faith Rabed their Duke would not accord thereunto alleadging that it were more meete to followe many then fewe But afterward beeing vanquished in warre by Pippin Grand-maister of Fraunce the Frisons receiued the Faith beeing instructed by Willibrot Bishoppe or Clement after some The Emperour Iustinian broke his faith giuen to the Sarrasins and fought against them wherein he was not happie And after without necessitie brake the peace which his father hadde made with the Bulgarians and entered into the one and the other Misia where hee put all to fire and sword but the Bulgarians ceazed vppon the passages and straights and shut them in so well that they constrained them to doo what they would Hee beeing returned to Constantinople did so many euils to the Christians that euerie one hated him so that they conspired against him and chased him away Leontius vsurped the Empire tooke Iustinian and cut his nosthrills and sent him into exile into Pontus and raigned three yeares Some call him Leond second Emperour 68. The Sarrasins seeing such troubles among the Christians came into Affrica Childebert second of that name 17. King of France raigned 18. yeares Hee founded the Abbey of S. Albane in Angiers Lambert Bishop of Liege was reuoked from exile but because hee reprehended the adulterie of Pippin hee was cruelly slaine by Dodon brother of the Adulteresse The saide Dodon and his complices perished miserably within a yeare Hubert succeeded the Bishop of Liege The Histories of France Absimarus otherwise called Tiberius borne at Constantinople was chosen Emperour by the Souldiours for the negligence which they sawe in Leontius that no aide was sent vnto them for the guard of Affrike which they had recouered of the Sarrasins Absimarus then came from Constantinople and tooke Leontius and cut off his nose and imprisoned him in a Monasterie He raigned seuen yeares Naucler Abb. Vrsp. Iohn Pope sixt of that name a Grecian ruled at Rome 3. yeares After the maner of other Popes he was very curious to repaire Churches to adorne Aultars and redeeme captiues with the papall treasure Some write him a Martyr vnder the kings of Lombardie for defending the rights of the church Fasci temp The Venetians at this time beganne to haue a Duke to hinder quarells and disorders of such as gouerned and the enuie which the Lombards bare to their libertie but after as it were repenting themselues they caused many of their first Dukes to die Moreouer the Dukes ornaments differed not from those of a King and all the Senates Letters the publication of them were in the Dukes name yet he had not the bridle loose for a full authoritie Westfalia after some was conuerted to the faith about this time Iohn Pope 7. of that name ruled at Rome two or three yeares diligent to adorne and repaire Churches
for Monkes that for necessitie they might not be withdrawne from holy things There was also graunted Franches and libertie to Monkes Clarkes and Priests that they should not be subiect vnto temporall Lords c. The body of S. Marke was transported from Alexandria to Venice Naucl. After this Councell there were ambushes laid for the Emperor Lewis euen his owne children angry at the second marriage of their father with one called Iudith an audatious woman He sent them farre from him namely Lotharie into Italie Pippin into Aquitane and Lewis into Bauiere Notwithstanding he was imprisoned in the Monasterie of S. Modard at Soissons Iohn le Maire declareth this Historie as followeth In the time of Gregorie the fourth saith he was held a Councell at Campaigne which was detestable and pernitious by the disordinate Prelates of France who grieued that at the former Councell the Emperour had corrected their pompes and disordered superfluities hauing caused them to leaue their Rings they conspired against him and caused the children to take Armes against their father and to take him and hold him in straight guard at Soissons the Pope Gregorie aiding in this exploit Moreouer at the said Councell or rather conuenticle and monopole the said Bishops and Prelates coniured condemned their soueraigne Prince and Lord to lay away Armes and his militarie Girlde and to dispoile himselfe of his Imperiall dignitie and in the place therof to take the Monkes Coole or Frocke O false wicked and Pharasaicall Priestly hypocrisie saith he This is not the first time that thou hast conspired in great disdaine against such as reprehend and correct thee For thou begannest at the head that is at our Lord Iesus Christ But afterward this said Emperour was againe established into his Kingdome by an other better Councell of Bishops and Prelates of France and by the conduct of certaine good Barrons and loyall Captaines of his kingdome being nigh touched with his troubles and griefes His sonnes which had imprisoned him demanded pardon for their fault and villainous enterprise and obtained it See Iohn le Maire Ebdo Archbishop of Rhemes and many other Prelates which had conspired against the king were deposed from their dignities condemned and banished out of France Chron. Sigeb Gregorie the fourth instituted the Feast of All-saints vpon the first day of Nouember Rabanus first Monke of S. Benet and Abbot of Fulden after Bishop of Magunce flourished at this time He expounded all the Bible as well the olde as the new Testament and made many other bookes Strabus a Monke of Fulden a Disciple of Rabanus was the first which made the ordinarie Close which after was augmented Tritem Bertramus Priest a learned man and well instructed in true pietie made a booke of Predestination and an other of the body and bloud of the Lord wherein he speaketh very properly of the Lords Supper He serued for a light to illuminate others in this darke time Turpin Archbishop of Rhemes wrote two bookes of the actes of Charlemaigne Abb. Trit Lewis Debonaire died of the age of 64. yeares hauing raigned 26. and was buried at Mets in the Sepulchre of his mother Hildegarde After his death rose vp a cruell time for whilst his children Lotharie Charles and Lewis were in debates and warres the Sarrasins on the other side lifted vp themselues as also the Saxons with others At a battle giuen at Fountenay a Towne of Auxerrois Lotharie fled to Aixle Chapelle and and from thence to Vienne Lotharie or Lother obtained the Empire 15. yeares The felicitie of that Kingdome acquired by Charlemaigne soone finished in this man whose Empire was diuided He had such debates with his bretheren that one day at an Easter Feast almost all the Nobilitie of France perished at a combat wherein Charles had the victorie Finally there was meanes found of agreement namely that Charles surnamed Le Chaune should be King of France Lewis King of Germanie and Lotharie who was then the eldest should haue Gaul Belgique Prouince and that portion of the Countrey which of his owne name was called Lotharinge that is to say Lorraine He already possessed Italie Lothaire left three sonnes Lewis Lotharie and Charles vnto which he made a partition to Lewis the Empire with Italie to Lothaire Austrasia and Lorraine and to Charles the youngest the Kingdome of Prouince This partition was during his life in the presence of the greatest of his Kingdome After he tooke him to a Monasterie Sergius Pope the second of that name a Romane ruled three yeares His election was confirmed by Lewis the Emperour Lothaires sonne who sent to Rome for that purpose and the said Lewis was crowned King of Italie by Sergius Nauclerus This Sergius was before called Swines Snowte and therefore chaunged his name and so gaue first occasion to his successors to chaunge their names in their election He then and they which followed esteemed more of the name which they receiue at their cursed vnction then that they receiue at their baptisme wherein there is an apparant marke of Antichrist Some there are which by reason of certaine misteries and secrets which were then reuealed count the number of the Beast from this change of the name vntill the 7. yeare of Iulius the second of that name who casting S. Peters keyes into Tiber tooke Saint Pauls Sword whereof wee shall speake in his place This Pope had a brother called Benet who outragiously vsursped to himselfe the Church goods and there was so great couetousnesse at Rome by the carelesnesse of Sergius that Bishopprickes were publikely solde to him that would giue most and no man in authoritie sought any remedie for such an enormitie which they said came because of the Sarrasins comming into Italie Yet hee was very diligent to adorne and repaire Churches and to place many holy bodies in them Supp Chron. He builded a Monasterie nigh the Church of S. Siluester Supp Chron. He added to the priuate Masse the breaking of bread into three peeces Leo Pope 4. of that name a Romane ruled 8. or 9. yeares Hee was presently chosen euen before his predecessor was buried Hee repaired many Temples which the Sarrasins had destroyed He ordained that no Lay-man should presume to enter into the Quier of the Church nor to come nigh the Priest when he sung Masse vnlesse it were to the offering For that place is ordained for them which doo diuine seruice Chron. Euseb Hee also made many Collects and Orisons as Deus cuius dextra beatuÌ„ PetruÌ„ ambulantem in fluctibus c. Item Deus quibeato Petro collatis c. Item Deus quiab ipso huis mundi principio c. Item Presta quaesumus omnipotens misericors Deus c. against the assaultes of the Sarrasins and Earthquakes He builded the Castle of S. Angelo at Rome repaired the walles and gates and builded fifteene Bulâ—arkes for the defence of the Towne And he himsefle went to warre against the
or 10. yeares 6. or 7. moneths and 8. or 10. dayes after the diuersitie of writers In this time Crescentius Momentanus a Consull of Rome had vsurped rule ouer the Towne of Rome and perswaded the Romanes Italians to take againe the Empire Hee so persecuted this Pope Iohn that hee was constrained to flie out of Rome and to soiourne in Tuscane and Lombardie But when he heard that the said Iohn had now the third time sent for succors of the Emperor Otho he sent messengers towards the said Pope to recall him At whose request the Pope returning Crescentius demaunded pardon of him Otho desiring to haue the Emperial crowne hauing gathered together a great army and before hee entred Rome hee made a peace betwixt the Duke of Beneuent and the Duke of Capuae from thence hee came to Rome and was crowned by Gregorie 5. of that name his cofin before called Bruno son of Duke Otho of Saxonie whō he made Pope in the place of Iohn maugre the Romans and by him was crowned Emperour Certain time after Crescentius Conful of Rome corrupted with auarice procured y t the Bishop of Plaisance who was a Grecian by nation a very pernitious man was constituted Pope was called Iohn 18. and held the seate 10. months Gregorie then retyred towards the Emperour to bee reuenged of the iniurie was done him The Emperour sore mooued at that outrage with great power returned to Rome Crescentius vnderstanding of his cōming not trusting in the Roman people caused the Castle de S. Angelo to be fortified And as these things were in doing the Emperor besieged the towns The Romane people more meet for seditiō then to fight desired pardō of y e Emperor opened the gates vnto the Almains Crescentius Pope Iohn being destitute of Councel retired into the fort of the said Castle Some by treason promised them assurance if they would demand pardon of the Emperor They then came downe as they came were surprised Pope Iohn after his eies were put out his mēbers mutilated he was slain Crescentius was set vpō a Mare his face towards the taile his nose eares being cut off hee was led before the Towne for a spectacle vnto all Some say he was hanged without the towne others say his head was cut off R. Barns Therfore Gregory being restored into his Bishoprick seeing the troubles y t in time past had bin for the electiō of Emperors and the variable issues therof assembled a Councel wherein the first ordinance establishment of Electors was decreed to the end the dignitie Emperial should no more remain in one house family by successiō of line This electiō then was giuē to the Germanike natiō which yet holdeth it at this day Sixe Princes were established three Ecclesiasticall that is to say the Archbishoppe of Magunce of Treuers and of Colongne the three other secular were the Marquesse of Brandeberge the Duke of Saxonie and the Counte of Palatine vnto which was giuen the right and power for euer to elect the Emperour With them was ioyned the Duke of Boheme Boheme then had not obteined the title of a kingdome as the seuenth to accord them if peraduenture they were euen in yeares If it be demaunded wherfore so high a dignitie of election was not rather committed to other Princes which then were puissant namely he of Bauieres Sueuia and Franconia Historiographers make no mention thereof But if it be lawfull to set downe some appearance of cause it is certaine that Boheme was a Country meete to maintaine the right of election as a Countrey inuited by nature Saxonie had that honour because the Emperour descended out of that house as also for that it is a very large and puissant Country The Country of Brandeberge held then also on the house of Saxonie and it is likely the Emperour Otho desired to aduaunce that which was of his owne house The Counte Palatine sued to haue that prerogatiue by reason of the posteritie of Charlemaigne For the Countie of Palatine was then of the line of Charlemaigne After that this election was thus established the Italians stirred many troubles against the Emperour new matter of sedition wanted not therevnto Whilest Iohn 18. ruled at Rome and that Gregorie the fift was absent and deiected as is said one called Odillo a Monke and afterward the Abbot of Clugni instituted in his Monastery the day of All-soules the next day after All-saints which institution was incontinently receiued and approoued by all the Church The occasion hereof was that this ignorant Monke had vnderstood of an Hermite returning from Sicilie that great noyses and lamentations were heard in the Mountaine Aetna who hee thought were the soules of the dead which suffered paine in Purgatorie therefore hee thought they might be helped by Orisons and prayers See Iustine in his booke 3. Chron. Sigeb and Polyd. Verg. lib. 6. cha 9. The house of Sauoye issued from the Dukes of Saxonie as is said is raised into a Counte The Emperor Otho espoused the daughter of the King of Arragon a very intemperate woman who maintained a young man in womans array as one of her Chamber-maides but the thing discouered the adulterer who was burnt aliue and by intercession of friends the Empresse was reconciled but for all this she desisted not from perseuering in her incontinences often requiring men before she were required In the Towne called Modena in Italie she was imbraced with the loue of a Count very faire and of good grace and sought by all meanes to cause him to condiscend to her luxutious desire which he would not fearing the losse of his estate She accused him to the Emperour saying he solicited her of dishonour The Emperour angred hereat in his furie caused him to be beheaded But the truth afterward being knowne she was burnt aliue and foure goodly places were giuen to the wife of the saide Counte in recompence Ammonius a Monke of Fleury in this time wrote a booke of the myracles of S. Benet and Herigerus Abbot of Lob wrote an other of the dissonance of the Church an other booke of the diuine office Also of the bodie and blood of the Lord and others Abb. Trit Robert 36. King of France raigned 34. yeares a learned and very studious man He went to Rome vpon deuotion The Sea of Histories Constance his wife founded the Abbey of Poissi wherin she was buried The same Siluester Pope second of that name of the Countrey of Aquitane called before Gilbert or Gerbert a Magician Nigromancer as hath bene saide came to the saide seate by the art of the diuel vnto whom he had done homage that all his affaires might goe after his wish In his youth he was a Monke of Fleury in the Diocesse of Orleans but for the ardent desire hee had of learning left his Abbey got him to Siuile in Spaine which then the Sarrasins held and gaue himselfe to
the Popedome of Benet R. Barnes There was great trouble in Hungarie vnder the King Andrewe and after vnder his brother Vela against such as demaunded againe to returne vnto their Paganisme and auncient superstition Naucler Clement Pope second of that name before called Werdigerus or Singerus or Sindegerus Bishop of Bamberge was Canonically elected in full Councel after that the foure others aboue named were deposed He crowned the Emperour Henry the third and his wife Agnes on a day of the Natiuitie of Christ Naucler Henry before he departed from Rome constrained the Romanes by oath to renounce their right of election without any more medling therein thereafter to auoyd Schismes and scandales which commonly rise of such election Others say the poore gaue them that commaundement and defence Naucler The Romanes after the Emperours departure forgetting their oath impoysoned this Pope after he had gouerned nine moneths Some say that Stephen his successour who was called Damasus was authour thereof Benno saith it was Gerard Brazure a friend of Theophilact and of Hildebrand a man expert in poysoning In this time men forged Visions and miracles to establish the Sacrament of the Masse which then was called of the Aulter Many durst not speake what they thought therein for feare of Popes The wickednesse of Popes merited that the power of election should be taken from Ecclesiasticall persons by the iust iudgement of God saith Nauclerus This Pope was poysoned soone after the Emperours departure Damasus Pope second of that name otherwise called S. Stephanus Baguiarius borne in Bauiere Bishop of Brixe ruled by force the seate 23. dayes as Histo and Chron. say For he occupied the Popedome without election either suffrage of people or Cleargie R. Barnes Leo Pope 9. of that name an Almaine of the Countrey of Alsac the Earles of Ausperge and being Count or Earle of Etisheim called Bruno Bishop of Tulles a man of good nature was sent to Rome by the Emperour at the request of the Romanes and being chosen Pope gouerned fiue yeares two moneths sixe dayes after Suppl Chron. Some say that as he came to Rome Hugo Abbot of Clugny and Hildebrand the Monke encountred and met him in his pontificall attire they perswaded him to take off that habite and to enter into Rome in his vsuall and priuate attire vpon this reason that the Emperour had not giuen him the right to chuse the Pope but only the people and Cleargie of Rome Bruno agreeing to their speech confessed his fault and accused himselfe that he had rather obey the Emperour then God At Hildebrandes perswasion the Cleargie elected him for this that hee confessed that the election ought to appertaine to the Cleargie and not to the Emperour Leo then to recompence Hildebrand created him Cardinall and committed vnto him the Church of S. Paul The yeare of Christ one thousand fiftie one Leo assembled a Councell at Verseil where was first handled the opinion of Transubstantiation although that word was not inuented of long time after and there was condemned the opinion of Iohn Scotus of Bertramus and Berengarius Doctor borne at Tours Arch-deacon of Angiers who maintained the opinion of Scotus and of Bertramus touching the Eucharist In the said Councell Berengarius appeared not but sent thither two Clarkes and as they would haue excused Berengarius and haue told the reason they were laid hold on and put inprison Behold how they disputed O Ecolampadius These be the pooceedings of the aduersaries of the truth to ioyne tyrannie with ignorance Berengarius had Lanfrancus for his aduersary who maintained the opinion of Pascasius the first author of this doctrine against Scotus and Bertramus Hubert Cardinall Rogerius Guimondus maintained Lanfancus his part which mingled subtilties with outrages against Berengarius who shewed himselfe litle constant For although he had the truth on his side yet had he a certaine hatred against Lanfrancus Rogerius mingled with glory hope of victorie which made him loose the desire he had to maintaine the puritie of the doctrine For he mingled withal certain speeches of marriage the Baptisme of litle children and therfore they stifled amongst some errours by his fault So commeth it to passe whē without the feare of the Lord we wil maintaine the cause of the Gospell O Ecolamp At this time the Emperour caused a Sinode to be held of an hundreth and thirtie Bishops at Magunce Some write that Leo was there and there it was ordeined that the Clarks should nourish no dogges for hunting nor hawkes That Clarkes should deale with no secular nor prophane affaires That none should be admitted or receiued into a Monasterie for a Monke vnlesse hee were of a lawfull age and that hee should come in of his owne good will without constraint Simony and marriage was forbidden Priests That the houses of Clarkes should be builded nigh vnto Temples and Churches 12. quest 2. cha Necessaria Henry the third gaue to Leo the Towne and Countrey of Beneuent to redeeme the yearly rent of an hundred marks paid as is aboue said yearely out of the Cathedrall Church of Bamberge and Leo confirmed the priuiledges graunted to the said church accorded to the said Archbishop the Mantle which they call Palilium to vse three times in the yeare At Easter at the Feast af S. Peter and S. Paul and vpon S. George his day the Patrone of that Church Naucler Vpon the aforesaid Sinode Nicholas a Monke of Constantinople writ a Booke against the Latines Intituled De nuptijs Sacerdotum Of the marriage of Priests which was condemnemned by Hubert the said Popes Legate and sent to Constantinople Trit Abb. This Pope being at Ratisbone the Legates of Paris being present approued the Relickes of S. Denis whereof there had bene a long doubt whether they were Saint Denis his Relickes or no. Chron. Abb. Vrsp. Vnder Henry the third the Hungarians returned vnto Paganisme and hauing reiected the Faith put to death all their Bishops and Cleargie Naucler Vpon a Christmas day Leo the ninth and Henry the third being at a great Masse in the Towne of Wormes after the Subdeacon had sung the Epistle in the accustomed maner and Tune the Pope presently deiected depriued him of his office because he sung the Epistle in the Popes presence in an other Song and Tune then the Romane Church did The Arch-bishop of Wormes who saide Masse that day greeued that his Subdeacon should be so handled after the Gospell was sung retyred into his Episcopall seate leauing his office vnperfected saying he would make no ende if the Pope would not restore his Subdeacon to his former state The Pope because hee would not hinder that the seruice should not be ended restored his Subdeacon R. Barn Albert. Crane lib. 4. Saxo. ca. 45. Anne Queene of France wife of Henry the first founded in the Towne of Senlis a Church of S. Vincent where are Regular Chanons and an other in the suburbs where were
depriued both of his wife and of his Principalitie and dyed without children Naucler and Corno Abb. Calixtus prepared an Armie against Roger but the Popes death came betwixt and Innocent the second pursued the enterprise One called Iohn a Patriarke of the Indians came vnto Rome and rehearsed to the Pope and Cardinalls in a Councell that by a myracle S. Thomas the Apostle came euery yeare to giue the Eucharist vnto the good and refused the wicked Naucler Miracles and apparitions are on all sides forged The Emperour Henry the fift bearing a long time an hatred vnto the King of France assembled a great Armie to runne vpon him taking occasion that hee was at the Councell which the Pope Calixt held at Rheimes wherein he was excommunicated and vaunted that he would destroy the Citie of Rheims where the said Councell was held but when he perceiued the Kings power which met him with the precious standard called the Auriflame he desisted from his enterprise and returned into his Country Iohn le Maire Pomerania receiued the Christian Faith Nancler Honorius Pope second of that name borne at Imola in Italie a man of base condition yet learned gouerned the Romane Church 5. yeares 2. moneths Before he was called Lambert Bishop of Ostia and was promoted rather by the ambition of some then by the consent of the good Supp Chron. He inuested Roger of the Duchy of Pouille after the said Roger had done vnto him homage who also was King of Sicilie The same Robert author of the order of Premonstre went to Rome vnto the Pope obteined what he desired cōcerning y e order Nauc Arnulphe Arch-bishop of Lion had at this time a singular grace in preaching who after he had preached in Fraunce and Italie came vnto Rome But because in his Sermons he rebuked too sharply the vices the delights and pompes of Church-men he was slaine Honorius feined to be grieued therat yet he made no search for the murderers Plat. and Sabel Bonifa Simo. say that hee did this in fauour both of the Nobilitie and of the common people The yeare of Christ 1125. Henry the 5. died in the Citie of Vtreict without heire male Lothaire in the Almaine tongue Luder the sonne of Count Gebhard who was slaine in the warre by Henry the fourth as hath bene said being created Duke of Saxonie was chosen Emperour a man of great industry and prudence and persecuted the race of the Emperour Henry whereof arose many troubles For Frederic and Conrade Dukes of Souanbie were a long time Rebels vnto him Finally S. Barnard Abbot of Cleruax reconciled these two brethren with Lothaire Hugo a Saxon by Nation and surnamed of Victor a Theologian of Paris was at this time in Paris Amongst his writings are found many complaints against the disordinate life of Clarkes in this time It is he whom some say that at Masse as he lifted vp the body of our Lord there appeared a litle childe which said vnto him Eate me And he abhorring it said hee could not eate him vnlesse he hid himselfe againe vnder the bread and straight it came so to passe and he eate him Who sees not that this is a fable inuented to proue the new doctrine of Pascasius and Lanfrancus And yet this is against their doctrine and especially against that of Thomas Aquine in the third part question 76. Charles Count of Flaunders Nephew of Lewis King of France was traiterously murthered as hee was on his knees in the Church of S. Donatus in Brugis in Flaunders The murtherers were certaine villaines of the Countrey which were grieuously punished in sundry maners Sigeb Baudwin the second who was the third King of Ierusalem died in a Monkes habit whom Fulco succeeded Naucl. Chron. Sigeb Innocent Pope 2. of that name a Roman gouerned 14. yeares After his coronation he attempted mortall warre against Roger the Norman Who first named himselfe King of Naples but in the end Innocent was ouerthrowne in battaile and ledde away prisoner Whilest he was in prison the Romanes elected Peter Leon the sonne of a puissant Romane Citizen But Innocent after he had agreed with the said Roger was constrained to goe into France for succour towards King Lewis le Gros of whom hee was honourably receiued Being come into France he held two Councells one at Auerne and an other at Rhemes in Campaigne From France he retired towards the Countrey of Liege where he found the Emperour Lothaire who also promised all the assistance he could by meanes of which hee returned into Italie Anacletus the Antepope stole away all the treasures and Reliques of the Church to wage them which were of his band he died with griefe and his Cardinals craued pardon In the Councell held at Rheimes Subdeacons were commaunded to liue without marriage vnder paine to loose theyr Benefices There became a contention betwixt the Pope the king of France because that after the death of Alberic Archbishop of Bourges the Pope sent one called Peter by him consecrated Archbishop of the said place to reside and rule there but the King reiected him neither was be receiued into the Towne because he was created without his knowledge Sigeb Innocent agreed set a peace betwixt the towne of Pise and the towne of Genues and raised them vp vnto Archbishops A Sinode at Rome at this time ordained that no Lay-man should presume to lay hand vpon a Clarke vnder paine of excommunication from which none could absolue him but the Pope vnlesse he were at the poynt of death for then his Bishop might absolue him 17. Quest 4. Chap. Si quis suadente diabolo In this time was Richardus de sancto victore and Hugo a Monke of Corbie in Saxonie who wrote the booke de clanstro animae Peter de Balard an hereticke of this time said that the passion of our Lord Iesus Christ was onely giuen vs for an example of patience of vertue and of loue he shewed vnto vs. Wherefore he was condemned with all his writings by the Pope Innocent S. Barnard writ against him Writers say that one called Iohn of Time if it be a thing worthy the credite liued 361. yeares that is to say from the time of Charlemaigne whose Councellor he was and died in this time Naucler and Suppl Chron. The Emperour Lothaire went to Rome to restore Innocnt according to his promise The faction of the Guelphes for the Pope and of the Gibellins for the Emperour began in this time Naucler Lothaire returning from Italie the second time after hee had deiected Roger of Pouille and Calabria died of the pestilence nigh Trent amongst the Mountaines in a poore lodging saith Naucler But Palin saith that he died at Verona the 13. yeare of his Kingdome and the 7. of his Empire leauing one daughter called Gertrude Conrade 3. of that name Duke of Souabe sonne of Frederike of Haulte Staufen and of Agnes daughter of Henry the fourth obtained the Empire
but euen our owne soules and not onely as is said in an other place to leaue their father and mother but also to hate them yea our owne liues Briefly Iesus Christ would that we should be readie to forsake all when the confession of his truth requireth it There are learned people of our age which say they haue seene foure bookes which he writ Intituled a Collection of the Catholike and Canonicke scripture He writ also a booke Intituled the fiftie markes and signes of false Prophes Hee writ against Bonauenture who then was the chiefe Buckler of the begging Friars Matheus Paris an English Historiographer writes that in this same time there was in the schoole of Paris great disputations against Monkes which by multitude would needs oppresse and oppugne all the schoole hauing forged a new booke full of errors and blasphemies which they then reiected and intituled Euangelium eternum that is the euerlasting Gospell which they would needs bring into light But to appease this tumult there were sixe delegates of all the schoole which were of the greatest estimation in all the Vniuersitie amongst which was Guilliam de S. Amour to send them to Rome vnto the Pope and shewe the insolencies and blasphemies of those Monkes The Monkes also sent thither on their part and after great contention their errors were condemned touching their eternall Gospell But the Pope with certaine Cardinals Monkes repressed nothing the tirannie of the begging Friars thinking it was needfull that such his black gard should become mightie ouer all These be the words of Matheus Paris who was in this time Wee also finde a booke written in this time intriuled de periculis mundi of the daungers of the world which the Papists attributed vnto Guilliam de S. Amour making him alone of that opinion but it seemeth to haue bin written by many and conteineth complaines against those new rising Monkes with an aduertisement vnto the Church that by them great mischiefes would follow This S. Amour was condemned an heretike wherevpon great stirres fell out amongst the schooles at Paris but to obey the Popes commaundement Guilliam S. Amour was banished from France We heare that some of his bookes are yet at this day in the librarie at Sorbone and many other Doctors haue since written the like as in our discourse shal be said Truth is alwaies banished yet still getteth the vpper hand of all Alexander being come to Viterbe to make peace betwixt the Venetians and Geneuois died there and the seate was vacant foure moneths Albert the great and other studious people were at this time at Paris An Aduertisement From Siluester the 2. that diuellish Magician vntil this time 1260. Popes haue raigned as Incarnate diuels in all trumperies deceites oppressions of the good and manifest tirannies Their Cardinalls Legates and Bishops haue come out from them as Sathans to trouble the world The greatest Monarkes haue bene tormented by their infernall furies Examples for all are the two Emperours Henry the fourth and fift the two Fredericks first and second and other Princes of the earth From henceforward from Innocent the fourth and Alexander the fourth the Popes by a new forged Armie established and priuiledged by them they wasted and destroyed all that is to say by foure Sects of Mendicant Monkes which like true Locusts deuoured and consumed by their Sophistike doctrine whatsoeuer was greene of the word of God From which like theeues which enter into the sheepfolde by breaches and mines nothing can bee looked for henceforth but thefts robberies persecutions and murthers of the true faithfull which God gaue and raised vp to maintaine the eternall veritie Vrbain Pope 4. of that name French borne at Troy in Campagne a Monke of the order of Cysteaux Patriarke of Ierusalem ruled at Rome three yeares one moneth and foure dayes The Greekes recouered Constantinople which the French had held 55. yeares Chron. of the Kings of France and the Sea of Hist. Vrbain instituted the Feast of the Sacrament and the Octaues with Indulgences whereof he was free to such as obserued the said Feast Martin fift Pope doubled them and added yet others to such as fasted the eue and as went to the Precession and Communion that day S. Thomas d' Aquin Iacopin made the office of the said feast with the Prose and the Hymne and sent it to the Pope who for a recompence of such an inuention sent him a Doue of siluer c. Naucler The yeare of Christ 1263. Vrbaine sent to S. Lewis King of France that he would send him his brother Charles Count Angiou and Count de Prouence with a good Armie then hee would crowne him King of Sicilie and giue him Pouille Calabria Hee said that the said Kingdome was held of the Romane Church and that the king of Sicilie was the Popes man Vrbain caused the Croisado to be preached in France against Manfroy who occupied the said Sicilia The said Charles came and marched in battaile against Manfroy and after against Conradin and ouercame them both and so obtained the Lands but the end was miserable For the Sicilians after in the yeare 1282. rebelled against him maintaining the quarell of the king of Arragon whom they would needs haue for their king And they marked the doores and gates of whatsoeuer houses the French men lay in in the Countrey then at an euening slew them all indifferently and opened which they knew to be great with childe with the French men and cast away their fruite that there might remaine none of that generatiō in that Countrey This occasion was afterward ordinarily called The Euensong of Sicilie In this time Bonauenture Generall of the Friers wrote two bookes against M. Guilliam de S. Amour The one of the pouertie of Christ and the other an Apologie of the poore The Bishoppricke of Ratisbone was offered vnto him but he refused it louing better to follow his studies and died of the age of 80. yeares Chron. Abb. Vnder this Pope the Idolatrie of Chaplets was inuented at Amiens in Picardie called Peter the Hermit See Peter Viret of the spring of Chapelets The Souldane made a great Armie in Siria A Comet seene 3. monethes together This Pope died at Peruse and for troubles the seate was vacant 10. monethes Clement Pope fourth of that name borne at Narbone ruled at Rome 3. yeares 9. monethes and 21. dayes before hee was called Hugo Falcodius hee had bene an aduocate and was after the king of France his Councellor After the death of his wife he was Bishop of Puy and after Archbishop of Narbone lastly Cardinall and Bishop of Sabine Finally by the Pope Vrbane hee was sent into England for the reformation of peace and being in that Legation was chosen Pope at Peruse after the death of Vrbain He caused to come info Italie Charles brother of the king of France and made him Senator of Rome and sent two Cardinalls into the Church of
the Count de Lodron theyr Captaine After by the space of certaine moneths hee remained peaceable in his gouernment of the lowe Countries which he forraged at his pleasure heaping vp a maruellous bootie to himselfe The third ciuill warre tooke an end in France and the Edict of pacification was published in the Parliament of Paris the 11. day of August Iohn Brencius a Minister in the Duchie of Witemberge of the age of 69. yeares and who had begun to preach write after the first Doctors of our time died the 11. day of September Certaine yeares before his death he had published by diuers Imprinted bookes a new opinion to maintaine the carnall presence of Iesus Christ in his holy Supper The summe of this opinion willing to attribute to the flesh of Iesus Christ a presence in all places as well as to his diuine nature was that the humane and diuine nature being inseperably vnited in one alone person the humane is in each place as well as the diuine But in the explication of this mysterie he maintained that the personall vnion of these two natures in Iesus Christ doo onely signifie that they are together not otherwise in Iesus Christ then in S. Peter and other seruants of God according to the essence But as to the efficacie that all the properties of the diuine nature are really and indeed dispersed and communicated to the humane nature so that thereby hauing egall maiestie and power with the diuine the said diuine nature worketh and doth nothing without it Although the authoritie of this person serued to the increase of this dangerous errour yet there wanted not for many learned men which opposed themselues betimes against this errour and prooued euen to Brencius himselfe without that either he or any of his Disciples could answer pertinently therevnto that if such an opinion of the vbiquitie of the flesh of Iesus Christ and of the personall vnion of the two natures according to the definition of Brencius were true the two natures of Iesus Christ should be seperated euen according to the essence as well in Iesus Christ as in S. Peter and other the faithfull and Christ should be God after the flesh Behold a blasphemie which establisheth the heresie of Nestorius seperating the two natures of Christ and which on the other side confoundeth the properties of those two natures as did the heretike Eutiches Notwithstanding that they discouered to Brencius the absurdities and blasphemies rising vpon his opinion yet left not he to maintaine it hauing a Disciple called Iames Andreas who with certaine other that after rose vp added errors vnto errors And which is worse Brencius in the end of his life in the place to humble himselfe before God for so molesting the Churches in the making of his testament thundred against the Churches which approoued not his vbiquitie being so farre audacious euen he alone who could not vnto the purpose reply to the arguments of certaine Doctors which liuely refuted him as to condemne all the Churches of France England Scotland Suetia and others This testament was maintained by his Disciples and from that time till this instant hath caused great euils and kindled a fire which cannot be extinguished if God set not too his hand in some especiall maner The last day of October East and West Friseland Holland Zeland Brabant and other places thereabouts were sore tormented and beaten with a straunge tempest of windes and two dayes after the Sea swelled and hauing broken and ouerthrowne her dikes and leuies drowned many Countries and infinite people and cattaile with such an astonishment of all that it was feared all the lowe Countries would haue bene swallowed vp There happened as much in the Balthike sea especially at Hambourge There was also great ouerflowings of waters in France about the end of this yeare About this time the Turke made quicke warre vpon the Venetians in the I le of Cyprus with a puissant Army which by assault tooke Nicosia one of the greatest Townes thereof wherein there was made a cruell and bloudie butcherie of the besieged in the moneth of September The fourteenth day of Nouember Phillip King of Spaine espowsed his Nieco Mario the daughter of the Emperor Maximilian The 17. of Nouember a great Earthquake hapned at Venice Ferrara and other places of Italy whervpon followed maruellous tuines and desolations especially at Ferrara The 26. and others following Charles King of Fraunce espowsed at Mezieres Elizabeth the daughter of the Emperor Maximilian The 16. of December the Riuer of Rhene so ouerflowed that in 80. yeares had not beene seene the like wherevpon many discourses published remembring the miseries passed and the wonders happening teach vs euery one to feare and preuent the euils to come The 11. of the same moneth the Emperor assembled the estates at Spire to prouide for the affaires of Almaine and to giue audience vnto straunge Embassadors The Kings of Denmarke and Snede made peace together the 13. of the same moneth hauing bene at warre together 10. yeares or there abouts The 20. of that moneth the Embassadors of the Protestant Princes made a long oration to the King of France beeing then at Villers to exhort him aboue all things to keepe his Edict of pacification which he promised to doo The French Churches lifted vp their heads after many stormes Ieachim Elector of Brandebourge died the second day of Ianuary and 11. dayes after deceased also his brother Iohn Marquesse of Brandebourge The 13. day of March Iohn Vaiuoda of Transiluania suffering himselfe to be gouerned by a pernitious heretike called Blandrata one that counterfeited himself a Phisitian was slaine by the drugges of the said Blandrata and died without heires by meanes whereof Stephen Bathory was chosen Vaiuoda in his roome The 28. day of May began a disputation betwixt Peter Datherius Minister of the Gospell and 15. Preachers Anabaptists in the presence of Frederick Elector Palatin who had giuen them safe conduct The Articles in the disputation to the number of 13. touched that which is in chiefe debate at this day betwixt them and the reformed Churches namely of the authoritie of Canonicke bookes of the old and new Testament of the vnitie of the diuine essence and of the destination of the three persons subsisting therein of the one flesh and humane nature of Iesus Christ borne of the Virgin Mary of the Israelitike and Christian Church of originall sinne of little children of iustification of the resurrection of the flesh of excommunication and diuorce of the proprietie and possession of goods of the Magistrate and of criminall iustice of an oath of the Baptisme of litle children and of the communion of the body and bloud of Iesus Christ in the Supper This disputation was set downe in writing and continued from the 28. of May vntil the 19. of Iune without any fruite because of the obstinacie of the Anabaptists
which shee did with vsing diuers other ceremonies and in the deliuerie thereof to the Duke of Medina Sidonia who was appointed the chiefe Generall shee did pronounce openly good successe and victorie to the Duke in saying hee should returne a victorious Prince This standard was carried in procession by Dan Francisco de Gordoua who was a Spaniard and the tallest Gentleman that could bee founde hee beeing on horse-backe to the ende it might bee better seene At the solemnizing whereof there was such a number of people assembled that diuers of them perished in the thrōg There was present the Arch-duke Albertus Cardinall and Gouernour of the kingdome of Portugall the Popes Nuncio the Arch-bishop who was head Inquisitor with diuers other Nobles Prelates and Gentlemen This solemnization dured so long that Albertus fainted with fasting and his holie Nunne to comfort him caused a messe of the broath which was for her owne diet to bee brought who presented it to him which hee accepted most willingly comming from the hand of so holy a Nunne but the next yeare all her holinesse false myracles and great dissimulations was then found out and shee condemned and punished for the same M. Cyp. Val. The Nauie of the King of Spaine three whole yeares in furnishing was 125. great shippes with 20000. choyse souldiers out of Spaine and Italie 10000. souldiers 2000. peeces of Ordinance with all manner of furniture and prouision for sixe moneths at the ende of May set out from the hauen of Tagus and slowly proceeding to the Westerne coast of Spaine the 30. of Iune it came to Coronis a Port of Spaine towards the farthest North in the bounds of Gallicia and Asturia which Ptoloney calleth the hauen of the Artabrians The chiefe Generall of the Nauie was Alphonsus Peresius Duke of Medina Sidonia The Admirall by sea was Iohannes Marsinus Recaldeus of Cantabria But when hey had hoisted their sailes scarce out of the sight of the Spanish coast a tempest suddenly rising they were diuided and scattered and with contrary windes driuen into the same and the neighbouring hauens of Asturia and Biscay The King when hee vnderstood that the whole Nauy met together at Coronis commaunded that forthwith it should goe for England ioyning with the Duke of Parmaes shippes in Belgia and to set the souldiers vpon the continent S. F. Drake Vice-admirall followed them close and tooke the hindermost that slowly sailed after and in her Petrus Valdesius The Nauy of the Duke of Parma partly by aduerse windes hindered and partly by a Nauy of Zeland that lay before Dunkerke in vaine any longer expected of the Spaniards the Duke of Sidonia cast Anchor neare vnto Callaice Syr Frances Drake the next night filled eight old ships with pitch brimstone and other matter for fire a great winde blowing on their backes draue them vpon the Spanish Nauie Who fearing least their ships likewise had beene burnt cut their Anchors and departed Whom S. Frances by this stratagem so dispersed and put to flight pursued with his balls of fire and by reason of the greatnesse and height of the Spanish ships feawe of them missed Of this great Fleete 32. were sunke and taken by the English and in them 10000. souldiers the rest of the Nauie were thus scattered two were driuen to Flissingam all to beaten and wrackt the other after long sayling returned into Spaine The D. of Parma dismissed his fleet cashiered his Marriners and sent some of the souldiers to the siege of Bergam Vpsome D. Chytraeus M. Gall. Anth. Ciccarella This yeare the Duke of Bullen died at Geneua of the age of 25. yeares The most Christian Prince of Conde whom Sixtus the fift excommunicated and cursed died of poison In the same yeare H. of Lotharing D. of Guise by the commaundement of the K. of France was slaine at Blois where the Parliament was held and the day after the Cardinal his brother The Duke was 42. yeares of age and was slaine in his Clymactetic yeare If Plutarch had liued in these times hee would haue compared him to C. Iulius Caesar Genebrardus This is that wonderfull yeare of the which Iohannes Rhegiomontanus the great Mathematician wrote a Prognostication or Prophecie almost after that of Sibilla Post mille expletos Idem The like Iohannes Stofflaus a famous Astrologian and in our time that noble Gentleman Iohannes Rantzoutus foretold in his booke of Climacterike yeares and the fall of Empires Whose Prophecies haue sorted to trie euents which we haue seene this yeare First the kingdom of Poland was most miserably troubled by ciuil intestine warres by reason of foure Kings they had at once in this yeare Sigismond of Suecia Maximilian of Austrich Henry Valois and Stephen Bathor as then vnburied So likewise Suecia was vexed by sundry tumults Fredericke the second being dead foure Protectors gouerned the kingdom during his sonnes minoritie The Queene of Scots was beheaded England obteined a wonderful victorie at sea ouer the Spaniards The Sophie of Persia dyed The Turke had ill successe in Hungarie against the Christians The Hungarians likewise suffered great losses Maximilian taken captiue by the Polanders was committed to prison Italie was sore molested by the Bandetti Fraunce was incombred with ciuil broyles Germanie brought to sleep by her old religion imbraceth now that face of religion And to be briefe from the rising of the Sunne to the setting thereof there was no place in the which somewhat happened that was not worthie to be wondred at See Genebrardus The death of the Duke of Guise and of his brother caused many and the most principall Cities of France as Paris Roan Lyons Tholous and others to rebell against the King M. Cyprian Val After that the King of France had commanded the D. of Guise to be slaine and his brother Cardinall to be strangled he committed likewise to prison Charles Cardinall Burbon Legate Apostolike Peter Arch-bishop of Lions and heire of the Duke of Guise which when the Pope vnderstood he tooke it greeuously and in the highest Consistory made an oration thereof to his Cardinalls About this matter not long after hee sent an Embassador to H. of France to intreat for the deliuery of the Cardinall of Bourbon and the Archbishop of Lyons to whom was answered that for the Cardinall he might by no meanes be deliuered for that his enlargement would stirre sedition and as touching the Archbishop that it was not in him to doo whē that Guastius who had charge of the Castle of Ambois and the prisoners now being treated Lord therof no prisoner could be dismissed without paying his raunsome Whē the Pope had often in vaine sollicited the K. and was denied he thus decreed that if at a certaine time the King did not deliuer them and thirtie daies after their enlargement certifie it to the Apostolicke Sea by his Letters vnder his owne hand and seale that forthwith he was excommunicated and did incurre
he gently inuited thē to require peace but seeing they would not he caused his platformes to be set vp against the fort called Antonia nie the 3. wal which the Iewes burnt but a new wall was made by y e Romans enuironed all the Towne to hinder the lewes from flying and seeking victualls The first day of Iuly Titus mooued with compassiō for the people which suffered and endured so much by the hard obstinacie of some beganne to beate Antonia and the third wall The sixt day fell one part of the wall of the Fortresse on that side where the Iewes had a conueyance out of the Towne The eight day of the moneth of August the Iewes repressed by great outrages and blowes of arrowes Heraulds were sent by Titus to make them harken vnto peace that the Temple might haue bene spared The temple was taken by force and against the Edict and defence of Titus it was burnt The 20. day he began to batter the high Towne which is called the Citie of Dauid after the Iewes had againe refused peace The seuenth day of September this high Towne was taken whereof the Temple was the Fortresse as Antonia was the defence of the Temple The eight day of the said moneth all the Towne was put to fire and bloud The 24. day of October Titus celebrated the day of his brother Domitian his Natiuitie in a Taritine Towne of Cesaria and there he made pastimes of diuers sorts wherein were brought about three thousand Iewes Captiues Some were dispatched by beasts others were set in order of battaile to sley one an other The like was done in Berith a Towne of Siria the 27. of Nouember Where Titus celebrated the Natiuitie of his Father Vespasian When we heare this Summarie recitall which is not the tenth part of the euils and fearefull calamities that this miserable Nation endured let vs not stray into foolish imaginations but thinke with our selues if God spared not the naturall braunches what shall become of vs. Let vs behold the benignitie and seueritie of God His seueritie vpon them that are fallen his benignitie vpon vs which are planted in the place of the Iewes This same yeare Vespasian caused them to be sought which were of the family of Dauid for that there was a great persecution against the Iewes Cesennius Gouernour of Siria chased Antiochus King of Comageniens out of his kingdome sent him captiue to Rome In this time Lucilius Bassus was sent Embassador into Iudea There happened a sedition in Alexandria wherein many Iewes were slaine Achaia Licia Rhodes Bizantum Samathrachia Cilicia and Comagene which before were free and vnder the iurisdiction of Kings friends and confederates of the Romanes were made seruants and reduced into Prouinces Ascanius Pedianus an Historiographer flourished at this time who in the 73. yeare of his age became blinde and liued yet 12. yeares in great honour An Earth-quake ouerthrew three Townes in Ciprus Titus the eleuenth Emperour Vespasians sonne raigned two yeares and twentie dayes Hee was liberall and gentle eloquent in the Greeke tongue Hee vsed to say that none ought to goe from the presence of a Prince sad or desolate Linus Bishop of Rome by the commaundement of the Consul Saturnine was beheaded vpon false accusation for Art Magicke The 2. yeare of Titus horrible things happened in Campania which is now called Terra Dilauoro the Land of labour The mount Vesnue which lookes toward the Sea on Naples Coast and hath comming out of it as it were great springs of fire burst in sunder at the top and cast out so great flames that it burnt the Townes adiacent with the men therein There came also at Rome a litle time after when all men were ignorant of that which happened in Campania great and horrible calamites in so much that many were of opinion that all things would be ouerthrowne and the Sunne would fall on the earth for the multitude of ashes and smoake which were dispearsed in the ayre The yeare following Titus went to see the calamitie which was come and in the meane while many things were burnt at Rome and the fire came out of the earth For the Bathes of Agrippa the Temple of Serapis and Ifis the Theatre of Balbus the Pantheon the Parkes and many other places were altogether consumed with fire whereby may be coniectured of others which perished by the same fire Dion reciteth all this at large The Amphitheatre was now builded at Rome by Titus These things are recited to the ende that by the knowledge of such iudgements of God we may learne to feare him Cletus a Romane Bishop of Rome gouerned a 11. yeares He approued the visitation of Saint Peter saying that such visitation was much better then a fasting two yeares This was the first Bishop that put in his Letters Salutem Apostolicam benedictionem There are none of the Elders which make mention of this Cletus neither do they sufficiently expound if Cletus and Anacletus were two or both one Onely Damasus speaketh but yet so confusedly that there can be no agreement of the time Titus the Emperour of the age of 42. yeares nigh to his death lamented sore Saying must I die and neuer deserued it He was deified by the authoritie of the Senate after his death There you may see how the Panim Gods came created and forged by the wills of men Iosephus an Historiographer and a Iewe flourished at this time He was Duke of the Hebrewes Hoast and being Titus his prisoner was set at libertie which hee vsed in composing seuen bookes of the Iewdaicall Historie which he presented to Vespasian and Titus who set vp an Image of him at Rome The 72. yeare which was the second yeare of the raigne of Titus Linus hauing gouerned the Church of Rome 12. yeares resigned the office to Anacletus who was the second Bishop of Rome Ireneus and Eusebius doo witnesse this without making any mention of Cletus which some say was the successor of Linus Domitian the 12. Emperour raigned 15. yeares and sixe moneths This man was exceeding wicked cruell adulterous chollericke a coward proud a rauener He committed Incest with his brothers daughter whom he rauished and tooke out of her husbands hands Three Virgin Vestalls were buried aliue for whoordome Domitian hauing by publike Edicts commaunded that he should be called Lord and God caused Images of himselfe of gold and siluer to be erected He cast out of Rome all Philosophers he sent into exile many Senators and Nobles and some he slew He builded the Pantheon at Rome He stirred the second persecution against the Christians and caused all such to be put to death as he found to be of the stocke of Dauid For he feared the comming of Christ Afterward he caused the persecution to cease S. Denis Rusticus and Eleutherus preached the Gospel in Fraunce The yeare 87. Albilius was constituted the second Bishop of Alexandria and
he liued for a great Priest Montanus was of Phrygia of a Towne called Ardaba Hee called himselfe the Paraclet Hee forbadde marriage and inuented and instituted Fastes Against those Heretickes writte Apollinaris Hierapolitaine and before him Milciades and Apollonius Appelles the Disciple of Marcian whome Theodotius called the great Hereticke put a beginning to God Also that Christ appeared in a fantasticke bodie Tatianus and his followers Encratites and Seuerians in this time These abstained from all kindes of flesh and drunke no wine They blamed Marriage as well as fornication They cast off the Epistles both of S. Paul and S. Peter The Doctrine of Christian libertie beganne at this time to bee greatly obscured and by little and little the errour tooke encrease For although yet there was no forbidding to vse the good thinges or God yet the Historie of Alcibiades recited in Eusebius Booke 5. Chap. 3. sheweth that by little and little men beganne to place a certaine Religion in seruices forged at pleasure This Alcibiades was one of the Martyres which suffered death in Gaul vnder Marcus Antonius Verus the Emperour Hee vsed to liue so austerely as hee did eate onely bread and drunke water In so much that beeing in prison hee would vse no other diet Attalus a Romane a man renowned amongst the Martyrs being also imprisoned shewed Alcibiades a better way and brought him to this point that after hee vsed indifferently the creatures of God without scruple and with thankesgiuing Eleutherius borne in Greece at Nicopolis ruled at Rome 15. yeares and more Hee made a commaundement against the heresie of the Seuerans which then raigned that no Christian for any ceremonie should reiect any sort of meates whereof there is an accustomed vse Also that none should be dismissed of his Office vnlesse first hee be accused and conuinced of crime That Bishops should finish nothing in an accusation intended against a Bishop without knowledge of the Pope but they might determine by Sentences the causes of other Church people That a Clarke may not be drawne into any cause but before his Bishop from whom if there were cause of suspition he might appeale Christian Religion then greatly augmented and came into farre greater suertie then before Lucius King of England and his Countrey receiued the Faith Many Nobles of Rome with their wiues and children were conuerted and Baptized The said Lucius left his Kingdome and went to preach the Faith first in France after in Almaine where hee was martyred Smyrna in Asia whereof Policarpus was Bishop was ouerthrowne by Earthquake and for the repaire of it tributes and tallages were laid Commodus the 18. Emperour raigned 13. yeares cruel luxurious incestuous of his owne Neeses hee held in his Pallaice three hundreth Concubines and three hundreth buggering boyes In a wicked rage he slew Lucilla his sister Being at the hot houses and but pricked with a Flea he cast the maister of the house into the Furnace Ireneus Bishop of Lions flourished The Temple of Serapis burnt in Alexandria The Capitoll at Rome and the Librarie burnt by lightning Apollonius a Senator of Rome accused to be a Christian presented to the Senate a booke conteining a defence of the Christians He was beheaded because the Imperiall lawe had so ordeined it Heereby appeares that Popes or Bishops of Rome were not as at this present they are Apollonius a man of authoritie could not shunne the sentence of death onely because he was a Christian hauing so many friends at Rome The Imperiall Lawe then was that such as were in Iudgement conuicted to be Christians should be punished with death Commodus made die many Noble persons It is recited in the History of the Martyrs of Gaule that the Painims sollicited and by torments constrained the seruants of Christians to confesse of their maisters things impossible once to be imagined Namely that they did eate the flesh of litle children that they committed paldiardizes and whoredomes such as is vnlawfull to name In so much as they which before had vsed some moderation in Christians causes gaue themselues greater licence to exercise crueltie against them This happened at Lions and at Vienne Eusebius reciteth it in his Epistle of the faithfull of Lions and of Vienne in Chap. 1. of the 5. booke At Rome the Pallace and the Temple of Vesta and of Peace and the greatest part of the Towne was consumed by fire Commodus the 13. yeare of his Empire was strangled of the age of 32. yeares by the counsell of Martia his chiefe Concubine who fauoured the Christians and other her friends which he had condemned to death because they shewed him certain his insolencies but they by this meanes preuented him and little there wanted that the bodie of this Tyrant was not drawne into Tyber by the common people Aelius Pertmax the ninteenth Emperour held the Empire by the space of sixe moneths His couetousnesse caused his death for retaining his souldiers wages He was of the age of seuentie yeares Didius Inhanus of Millaine 20. Emperour raigned foure or seuen or two moneths as some say Hauing slaine his predecessor hee was slaine of his Successor of the age of 56. yeares For his auarice he was hated of all Some say he was slaine by a souldier of little estimation within his Pallaice Victor Bishop of Rome borne in Affricke ruled tenne yeares He ordeined that such as would not reconcile themselues should be depriued of the Table of the Lord. Hee instituted that vnlesse it were in cases of necessitie Catholicke Baptisme should be celebrated in the time of the feast of Easter As we may see in the first Decretall Epistle attributed vnto him It were incredible if all Historians did not witnesse it that for the day of celebratiō of the feast of Easter so great a schisme should happen in the Church that of a dissention and question thereof so terrible a warre should come and all by this Victors meanes who would needs haue the feast of Easter celebrated on the Sunday because of the mysterie of the resurrection and would not haue the Fastes broken but on that day Victor writ to Policrates who was a Ruler amongst the Bishops of Asia and gaue commaundement in his Letters whereat all the Bishops of Asia were greatly offended Septimus Seuerus Pertinax borne in Affrica 21. Emperour raigned 18. yeares and dyed of the age of 70. yeares in England Many Sinodes were held in diuers Prouinces touching the Feast of Easter vpon what day it should be celebrated and by common accord it was agreed that the saide Feast of Easter should be celebrated vpon the Lordes day on which was his Resurrection and on no other day But the Bishops of the Countrey of Asia were of a contrary opinion saying that they should keepe the customes of of their Auncestors touching that Which Victor seeing would needs haue depriued generally all the Churches of Asia and
brought to the Church in persecution Phillip and his Courtiers receiued the doctrine of the Gospell and renounced all Painim Idolatries But this felicitie endured not long for the Church For as Phillip did to his predecessor so was done vnto him by his successor Decius yea and to his sonne who was slaine at Rome and the Father at Verone This was their ende after they had raigned 7. yeares Decius Phillip Decius borne at Bubalie a Towne of base Panonia was chosen after Phillip Hee was a Prince worthie praise but that hee stirred the seuenth persecution against the Christians because of the euill will hee bare to his predecessor Phillip Euseb Lib. 6. Cap. 39. This hatred as Sabellicus and Bergomensis say proceeded hereof that the two Phillips being in perill of death gaue their treasures to Fabian Saint Ciprian rehearseth other more vrgent causes And these be his words in his fourth booke and fourth Epistle We must needs confesse that this waste which hath pilled our Flocke and the theft yet at this day practised comes because of our sinnes for that we hold not the way of the Lord but giue our selues to gaine to pride to enuies and dissentions c. Of this persecution Nicephorus saith in Lib. 5. Cap. 29. that it was as possible to number them that suffered in this persecution as to account the sand of the sea Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem honoured for his pietie once was drawne before the Gouernours seate in Cesaria and after hee had made a confession of his faith he died in prison Babilus Bishop of Nichomedie Asclepiades of Antioche Germanie Theophile Cesarius Vital Polychronius Bishop of Babilon Serapion Apollonia a Virgin and infinit others were martyred in this horrible persecution Aboue all other Townes Alexandria then was as a scaffolde when the faithfull mustered See Eusebius Lib. 6. Chap. 40. Diuers kindes of torments were vsed against the Martyrs as Eusebius saieth As sharpe needles against the face and eyes bursting betwixt stones burning pearsing the entralles casting downe from high places to lower tearing in peeces by cardes of Iron plates being applied to their sides the rage of sauage beastes condemnation to digge mettalls c. Saint Ciprian beeing in exile writ verie consolatorie Letters to them which suffered such euilles And as Tertullian in his time defended the Christians against Scapula So also did Saint Ciprian the like against Demetrian a Painim Gouernour shewing thereby that the calamities of the world are fully imputed vnto the Christians Denis of Alexandria writ that after the publication of Decius Edict confirmatiue of this horrible persecution many of the most excellent shewed themselues so fearefull that of their owne motion they made abiurations and sacrificed vnto Idols Ciprian made a Sermon of such as fell namely of such as perseuered not in the confession of Iesus Christ There hee sets downe examples of Gods punishment of such as abiured hee affirmeth that many of them were tormented with euill spirits Hee saith one became dumbe incontinent after hee had renounced An other also after his renouncing comming to take the Supper with others found in stead of bread ashes Also a maide taken with a diuel bitte off her tongue with her teeth Many things are attributed to Fabian conteined in Gratians decree which are not worth rehearsing and as vnworthy that Bishop Beda and Eusebius write that Fabian suffered Martirdome at the beginning of Decius raigne For he bare him euill will because Phillip gaue him his treasures Eusebius in his Chronicle saith that Fabian gouerned the Romane Church 13. yeares Damasus and Marian the Scot say 14. Origene writ to Fabian touching the puritie of doctrine as Euseb Lib. 6. Chap. 6. Decius died miserably before hee had raigned two whole yeares Pomponius writeth that in a warre against the Gothes hee was swallowed vppe of a Gulphe into the which he cast himselfe that he might not fall into his enemies hands Hereupon note the saying of S. Cyprian Cyprian in his booke against Demetrian toucheth it saying Certaine we are that all that we endure shall not long be vnpunished And so much more as the outrage of persecution shall be great so much the greater shall the vengeance be for that persecution and so much the more manifest Although we keepe not in memory things of olde yet the doctrines of things newly happening do suffice that in very little time and so suddenly so horrible a vengeance hath followed c. Gallus and Volucian his Sonne ioyntly succeeded in the Empire Hee was otherwise called C. Verus Trebonian of Gaul Hee was happie enough at the beginning as Denis writeth but continuing the persecution which fell into his hands by his predecessors he prospered not For before two yeares were passed hee and his sonne Volusian were miserably slaine in a warre against Emilian hauing before gotten an opprobry vnto the Romane people to make thē tributary vnto the Scythians by an alliance he made with them as Eutropius and Pomponius Laetus write Cornelius a Romaine was three yeares Bishop of Rome By the Epistle of the Romane Cleargie written to Saint Cyprian we may knowe that the Romane seate was vacant certaine time and that Cornelius succeeded the Bishop Fabian at the beginning of the raigne of Gallus and Volusian Saint Cyprian defended his election against the calumniations of Nouatus the hereticke saying in his fourth booke and Epistle to Antonian that he occupied not his Bishoppricke by bribes nor of his owne desire neither by violence as many doo which are swelled with their owne pride but that hee came thither by the will of God then when the Tyrant envenomed with mortall hatred against Priestes the seruants of God vttered horrible menacies The things then attributed vnto Cornelius in his Decretall Epistles how can they agree with so excellent a Doctor who alwaies was at the combat As that which is written in his first Epistle that at the request of a noble woman he caused to be transported the body or rather the rotten bones of S. Peter and S. Paul which long time had bene kept in a Sepulchre The second Epistle is to Ruffinus a Bishop of the East touching the maners of Priests Eusebius and Saint Hierome who most diligently writ of this holy person make no mention of those Epistles but they mention his determination to haue a Councell held at Rome against Nouatus Damasus and others haue written that Cornelius was banished and finally Martired vnder Decius but S. Hierome transferreth his administration to the time of the Emperours Gallus and Volucian whose authoritie we haue followed Eusebius 51.7 cap. 2. writeth that Cornelius gouerned the Church of Rome three yeares yet in his Chronicle he giueth him but two Lucius succeeded Cornelius he was a Romane Eusebius saith he was not a Bishop 8. whole moneths Nauclerus Platina and Sabellicus giueth him 3. yeares and more Gratian attributes vnto him this decree that Priests
Saints of that time were persecuted Carsulan Platina Stella and other of the Popes flatterers attribute wrongfully to these holy Martyrs of the Lord Iesu whole Chariots full of lying decrees to the ende the diuellish ordinances of their ceremonies or rather blasphemies might be approued by their authoritie They attribute vnto him the forbidding of Fastes on the Sundayes or Thursdayes because on them the Painims celebrated the solemnities of their God Saturne Item a decretall touching Baptisme and the Confirmation De consecratione distinct 5. cap. Spirit sanct cap. De his c. Note this for the Bishops of the Romaine Church vntill Siluester the first But what man would thinke that poore and simple Ministers of the word and Pastors of the Church such as then were the Bishops of Rome inhabiting in ditches and caues attending nothing vnder those Tyrants from day to day but only death could haue thought vpon this pride arrogancy which after those Popes vsed in buildings and other ordinances seeing they had neither Temples nor houses whether they might retire Peace was not yet giuen to the Church They yet enioyed not that vnprofitable Idlenesse nor the soueraigne delights of this world nor that whoore which by litle and litle rose vp had not yet her bedde ready yet such haue bene the inuentions of false Prophets to set out the whoores body and so is the Popes Sinagogue founded vpon so euident lies as nothing more Assuredly it were great folly to giue faith to such ridiculous dreames of Sathan forged for the gaine and profits of Priests Better therefore it is in this case to prooue the spirits namely whether they be of God or not as it is said 1. Iohn Chapter 4. seeing many false Prophets are come into this world Vntill this time Pastors were as Starres in the Firmament of the Church shining as well in doctrine as in good example they were also garded by the right hand of him that walked in the middest of the seuen Candlestickes Hitherto men esteemed them as Angels preaching the word of the Almightie God without fiction yea that more is hitherto they were figured by the white horse because in the ministerie they carried the victorious Iesus Christ as well in their hearts as in their bodies and as well in mouth as worke Ceremonies in the celebration of the Supper The memorie of the Lords Supper was not performed but in publike assemblies and therefore the Synode of Gangre vnder the Emperour Constans condemned Eustace Bishop of Seluste in Armenia because contrary to the order of the vse of the Church he permitted some which disdained to come into the Church to Communicate in particular houses Socrat. Lib. 2. Cap. 43. Neither was it lawful to celebrate the Supper in a prophane place as appeareth by Athanasius in the Epistle to them of Antioche Hierome against Iouinian reprehendeth the maner of doing in other Christians at Rome which Communicated in houses Wherfore said he entred they not into Churches c. Deacons distributed the Supper of the Lorde Priestes beeing present with one diuiding the Eucharist and this was after the Canon of the Councell of Nice The Priests distributed the Cup of the bloud of the Lord Doctors of this time often call it Cup or Mistike vessell S. Hierome writing of vessells to distribute the Lords Supper in saith of a Bishop of Tholouze called Exuperius There was nothing so rich as that which carried the body of our Lord in an Osier basket and the bloud in a Glasse By the first booke of Euseb of the Euang. 92. Demonst Chap. 10. One may easily knowe that Christians daily celebrated the memorie of the body and bloud of Iesus Christ And S. Ambrose in his fift booke of Sacraments Chapter 4. reprehendeth the Easterne Churches because they communicated but once a yeare In the Churches of Affrike they which should communicate passed the night in watchings prayers As Athanasius reciteth in the Apologie of his flight adding that all mutually ought before to be reconciled together And in the Westerne Churches al communicated except the Catechumenistes and such as did penance as appeareth by Hierome vpon the 7. Chapter of the 2. to the Corinthians About this time water was giuen with wine as appeareth by S. Ambrose first Chapter of his fist booke of Sacraments They put saith he into the Cup wine then water c. which being mingled was consecrated with the wine The maner of the Churches was to giue the Eucharist in the hand of him that tooke it as appeareth by the words of S. Ambrose to the Emperour Theodosius Reachest thou out thy hands which yet are bloudie and which yet distill the bloud by thee shead to take the holy body of the Lord Darest thou apply to thy mouth the precious bloud of the Lord c. The Priest as he distributed the bread said Take the body of the Lord and in distributing the wine Take the bloud of Christ and at both the Communicant answered Amen Ambrose in the 4. booke of Sacraments Chap. 5. To such as were nigh their deaths they brought the Eucharist Horatius a Priest of the Church of Verseil carried it to Ambrose nigh his death Paulinus in the life of S. Ambrose reciteth it May abuses began in this time to arise Such as made any great voyage either by sea or land carried the Eucharist as appeareth in the Oration of Saint Ambrose vpon the death of Satyrius Touching the ceremonies vsed in administring the Sacrament Denis hath left by writing that which followeth The Bishop hauing ended the prayers before the Aultar began to perfume and compasse all the place after returning to the Aultar he began to sing Psalmes and all followed This done the Ministers in order read something of the holy scripture That read they caused the Catechumenistes with the Enenguinians to goe out and such as were admitted to penance One part of the Ministers kept themselues before the portall of the Temple shut the others did such things as belonged to their charge Such as are elected to minister with the Priests presented the bread before the Aultar and the Cup of blessing Whilest all the Churchmen sung praises and Himnes to the Lord the Bishop which said the praiers pronounced peace to all And after euery one had saluted one an other the Priests and the Bishop washed their hands with water After the Bishoppe in the middest of the Aultar enuironed with Priests and Ministers began to praise and magnifie the workes of the world and propose to the people the signes of the Supper and to declare them vnto them and inuite them to the participation thereof which finally ended in thankes-giuing c. The word Messe was not found amongst the writers of this time And as for the two preparatiue prayers of the Priest meaning to say Masse which are shufled into the workes of Ambros Erasmus himselfelfe iudgeth them not to be S. Ambroses They
of the poore he caused the vessells vailes and other precious things of the Temple to be solde Sozomene lib. 4. cap. 25. And Hierome ad Rusticum accuseth Bishops which vsurpe and make proper that which is common If the liberalitie of Emperours failed the Churches defrayed the charges of Bishops and all others that went to Sinodes Theodoret. lib. 2 cap. 16. Libraries The bookes of the holy scripture which for the most part were lost during the persecutions at this time by the benificence of the Emperour Constantine were written in great dilidence and with magnificence worthy of such an Emperour By the witnes of Athanasius it is plain inough that in the Chrians Temples there were Libraries and therein he accuseth the impietie of the Arrians which tooke out these bookes burnt them Hierome against Rufin makes mention of the Librarie at Cesaria It appeares by the Acts of a Romane Sinode held vnder Siluister that the Romane Church mainteined certaine Notaries to write the acts of the Martirs Schooles There were also Schooles of two sorts Ethnicks or Philosophicall and Ecclesiasticall Nazianzenus in the death of his brother Cesarius makes mention of the Schooles of Palestine wherein he learned Rhethoricke Lactantius held that of Nicomedia Ephiphanius a Sophister kept that of Laodicea That of Cesaria in Cappadocia was renowned bicause Constantius caused Gallus and Iulian his children to be taught there But aboue al that of Alexandria was most famous for blind Didimus who ruled there Rufin Lib. 2. Cap. 7. And Basilius calleth it a goodly shape of all doctrine In Europe that of Athens because of letters was of most acount wherin Iulian had for condisciples Basile and Gregorie Nazianzenus as the said Gregorie witnesseth in his Inuectiue against Iulian. Victorinus Affrican taught at Rome Rhethorike See Hierome in his Treatife of Illustrious men The Salarie or reward was to professors payde after the lawe of Constantine conteined in the title de profess med in the Code At this time there was a man called Arrius a professor in the schoole of Alexandria in Egipt whose Heresie did miserably torment and distract the vnion of the Church He was a man swelled with ambition and presumption One day hauing heard in the congregation of the faithfull Alexander Bishop of Alexandria subtilly and learnedly disputing of the diuine essence after he had shewed that the vnitie thereof was in a priuitie Arrius Logician rather then a Theologian began to dispute and vomit out the pâ—ison he had long time gathered Epip Lib. 2. Tome 2. Necesie 69. rehearseth that Arrius was now found in an errour that Melitius a Bishop in Thebaide accused before Alexander his Bishop who after that looked to him more narrowly and tooke heed to his subtilties Such a care had Bishops at this time one of an other that no euill should goe forward Arrius maintained the Sonne of God to be a creature and the holy Ghost created of him But with what arguments and babble of words he vsed to confirme his error it should be superfluous to rehearse There are long Epistles of Arrius to Alexander and of Alexander to all Churches by which one may more at large know the spring of all this infection Alexander at the beginning sought to stop this euill by silence But seeing that Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia tooke vpon him the cause of Arrius in hatred of the Church of Alexandria Alexander not onely published the Apostasie of Arrius but also excommunicated him and his adherents as Heretickes and Schismatickes which would maintaine that God was sometimes without being Father and that the Sonne was a creature and made who knew not perfectly and exactly the Father It is straunge how so cursed an errour should in so litle time subuert so many Bishops yea the most learned not onely of the East Church but of the West also Epiph. saith that Arrius being chased away went into Palestine But Alexander hasted Letters euery where to the number of seuentie to aduertise the Bishops of Arrius his doings who was receiued of his Protector Eusebius Arrius in the meane time sent Letters to Alexandria naming him Pope and his Bishop The great Councell of Nice Anno domini 320. These debates and contentions brought great dolour and care vnto the good Emperour Constantine and incontinent to giue order therefore seeing this euill from day to day got the vpper hand sent Hosius Bishop of Corduba in Spaine to Alexander a man of great pietie and authoritie with his Letters Patents to the Church to finde meanes to extinguish this fire whose flames were blowne all ouer Eusebius reciteth the Tenure of Constantines Letters full of all pietie in the life of the said Emperour Lib. 2. Hosius furnished with these Letters came into Egipt and did all that he could to agree Alexander Arrius but in vaine Whereof the Emperour being aduertised was more grieued then before at the request of the Bishops and instance of Alexander as witnesseth Rufin lib. 1. cap. 1. ordained at his owne charge an vniuersal Sinode at Nice a town of Bithinia the yeare of Christ 320. after some and the yeare of his Empire 17. At which Sinode from all the parts of the earth came Bishops and the number was 250. after Socrates li. 1. ca. 8. besides Priests Deacons A colites other multitudes Theodoret. li. 1. ca. 7. saith 318. Bishops and this is about the number wherof the most part of the Elders agree that haue written thereof Some say that the Emperour before he assembled this generall Sinode had caused Arrius to come vnto him and in the presence of some Bishops hauing enquired of his heresie Arrius with an oath answered that he bred no heresies then straight the Emperour in the presence of all said If thou hast sworne with a good conscience that thy oath be made with a full faith then departest thou an Innocent But if falsly thou callest God to witnesse let him whom thou hast offended take vengeance So many spake for him which he before had gained Notwithstanding the Emperour writ large Letters that men should take heede of Arrius that they builded not their Faithes vpon his heresies These letters beganne with these words Constantine the great Augustus c. The place for the Sinode was in the Emperours Pallace wherein hee had placed seates couenable and conuenient for each state and degree The Emperours seate was in the first ranke and it was couered with Golde as Eusebius saieth in his life Liber 3. Hee himselfe made the first exhortation to enter into the matter wherevnto by consent of all Eustachius Bishop of Antioche had charge to answere The Emperour the better to agree with them proposed the great crueltie and tirannie of the persecutions passed that now peace was open vnto them and that it should be a straunge thing the outward enemies being vanquished to stirre vp warres within Theodoret. Lib. 1. Cap. 7. Amongst the Bishops which were there assembled
the meanes of Constantia hee himselfe then perswaded touching Arrius namely that hee thought no otherwise then the Councell did Constantine then sent Letters to call againe Arrius who came to Constantinople with Euzoius a Deacon who also had bene deposed by Alexander They by the Emperours commaundement gaue in a disguised and couert confession the beginning whereof was We beleeue in God the Father almightie and in our Lord Iesus Christe his sonne begotten of the Father before all worlds God and Word by which all things were created as wel in heauen as in earth who came downe and tooke humane flesh and suffered death was raised againe and ascended into heauen should come againe to iudge the quick the dead c. The rest is in Sozomen lib. 2. chap. 27. After Constantine had seene this confession he asked them if with a good hart they thought as they spake Arrius affirmed yea Constantine mistrusting his owne iudgement sent Arrius with his adherents to an assembly of Bishops which then was at Ierusalem commanding them diligently to examine the cōfession of Arrius that is if he had reuoked his error if Alexander did him wrong or no. The Sinode of Ierusalem aduertised of the Emperors will sent Letters to the Bishops of Egypt Thebaid and Libia exhorting them that according to the witnesse of the Emperour Arrius might be receiued into the Communion The Arrians strengthened with these witnesses came againe into Alexandria and thrusting themselues into company Athanasius who then hadde the charge of Alexandria would not admit them Arrius returned to Constantinople to make his complaints against Athanasius there likewise hee sought to bring himselfe by force into that Church but Alexander who had the gouernment thereof opposed himself against him saying that the author of such an heresie and a perturber of so many Churches ought not to bee receiued This came to a great contention the Eusebians threatning they would cause Alexander to bee banished Certaine dayes following the Arrians concluded to introduce Arrius by force into the Church But Alexander placing his force in the Armour of pietie entred ouer night into the Temple accompanied with two of his household and with teares passed all the night in Orisons and prayers to the Lord that hee would not suffer that rauishing wolfe lately couered with a Lambes skinne to thrust into his flocke Some say that he added these words in his prayer O Lord if it be thy will and that by thy iust iudgement which is inuestigable this wolfe be admitted into thy Church deliuer mee thy poore seruant from this present life The next morning of this determination Arrius enuironed with a great multitude of Eusebians was ledde to be brought into the Temple as in a triumph but when they were come to the place called the Market place of Constantinople Arrius was suddenly taken with a feare and an astonishment within him which caused a paine in his belly so that leauing the company he was constrained to goe into a secret place to purge his belly the company which should accompany him to the Temple attended him in the meane while but seeing him tarry long some went to the easing place and found Arrius dead vpon the siege his entrails being come out at his fundament This was the end of Arrius which greatly feared his companions who to couer so foule and infamous a death said he was suddenly suffocated and choked with a disease of the stomacke Others that he was poisoned Some said that too great ioy had stifled him yet none could say but this was a iust iudgment of God vpon him Athanasius Lib. I. against the Arrians and the Epist to Serapion Sedulius a Christian Poet reciteth it in his Verses Siluester called the dayes otherwise then before for the day of the Sunne le Dimanche the other dayes Feries 2.3.4.5.6 and Samedi for the day of Saturne Antonie being in Egypt in the wildernesse Constantine writ vnto him to pray to God for him and for his children Victorinus of Affrike an Orator was also of this time and Donatus of whom came the Donatist heretickes against which S. Augustine writeth The constitutions attributed to Siluester touching the consecrattion and vse of creame to marke such as were baptized and annoynt such as were nigh death and such other inuentions are in the booke of Councels whereof Luitprandus Platina and Sabellicus make mention in their bookes and speak of them after their owne iudgement Councells in diuers places After the Councell of Nice Siluester at the commaundement of Constantine made assemble a Sinode at Rome of 277. Bishops wherin there was condemned Arrius Photinus Sabellius with one Calixtus as the booke of Councels shewes And againe by a Sinode following the decrees of the Councell of Nice were confirmed and the solemnitie of Easter established to be obserued on the Sunday from the 14. of the Moone vntill the 21. The multitude of Councels and Sinodes multiplied traditions vpon traditions and brought in great errours and the good and holy constitutions of Nice were soone after by such meanes contradicted 1. At Neocesaria in Pontus Polemoniake betwixt Paphlagonia and Armenia was instituted that none should be a priest before the age of 30. yeares 2. At Elebert in Spaine Bishops Priests Deacons and Subdeacons were commaunded to abstaine from theyr wiues and not to haue children otherwise that they should bee deposed That there should be no Images in the Temples of Christians If any broke an Image and were murdered because it is not written in the Gospell neither is there read that it hath bene done by any of the Apostles it pleased the Councell that such a one be not admitted nor receiued into the number of Martyrs 3. At Rome it was ordained for Churchmen that none should accuse them nor draw them into lawe 4. At Arles the first counsell was giuen to young people by no meanes to marry againe if by chance for adulterie they bee seperated from their wiues 5. At Gangia in Paphalagonia they excommunicated and anathematized such as condemned them that eate flesh so that it were not offered vnto Idols c. Item they excommunicated such as iudged a married Priest ought not to excercise his ministerie because of his marriage and likewise such as abstained from their ministerie At this time vnder the shadowe of chastitie and virginitie men began to despise marriage as appeareth by the first ninth tenth fourteenth and fifteenth Chapter of the said Councell where all such as blame marriage and leaue their children or the wife her husband or the husband his wife to liue in continencie are excommunicated 6. At Arles the second was ordained the contrary that none should be admitted into the Ecclesiasticall estate vnlesse he promised to renounce the bonds of marriage The Iberians were conuerted to the faith they are of Asia vnder the climate of Pontus namely the King the Queene the Nobilitie and al the people by the preaching of
learne the Magike Art by the law Culpasimilis Cod. de maleficis mathematicas Finally the Lord ordained this Emperor Theodosius as a second Iosias wholly to roote vp all the Idols Temples Thod li. 5. ch 20. On the other side the Doctors of the Church were exceeding carefull to refute all this false religion of the Painims and Ethnikes Arnob. Lactantius Theodoret and the most part of them which writ in that time vnto whose bookes we send them that will know more at large Damasus builded certaine Temples and adorned them with gifts he gaue fields and possessions and bathes to the Cleargie He augmented certaine straunge facions of seruing of God He approued S. Hieromes translation of the Bible The hearts of the Archbishops of Rome began to be taken with too much ambition After this Damasus as hee could diligently calculate times to the end that in time to come in the Romane seate might bee placed Bishoppes of renowme hee drew briefly in writing the liues and statutes attributed to his predecessors Bishops of Rome yet this was not without manifest lies As for his faith and doctrine Theodoret giueth great witnesse he had a good opinion of the Trinitie and by his Epistle to the Bishops assembled at a Sinode at Constantinople exhorted them to maintaine the holy doctrine of the sonne of God But in his Epistles although he call the Bishops vnto whom he writ his brothers yet he sheweth himselfe too much giuen to eleuate the dignitie of the Romane seate For he thus beginneth his aforesaid Epistle to them of Constantinople In the reuerence deare children which you owe to the Apostolike seate you doo much for your selues c. Theod. Lib. 5. Chap. 9. He had many combats to maintaine the doctrine of the Councell of Nice especially against Auxentius of Millan Hee condemned many heretikes and amongst others the Apollinaries at a Councell of many Bishops at Rome Hee had firme amitie with Hierome who in his writings gaue great witnesse of him Virgin Doctor of the Virgine Church in his Preface vpon the foure Euangelists calleth him great Priest Athanasius in his Epistle to the Bishops of Affrike calleth Damasus his very deare companion in the Ministerie c. Gregorie Nazianz calleth Damasus happie in his Epistle to Clidonius Damasus dyed of the age of 80. yeares in the raigne of Theodosius witnesses Hierome and Suidas after hee had administred his Bishopricke 18. yeares the yeare of Christ after Naucle 385. but after Prosper the yeare 387. Aduertisement From the time of Siluester the first and others after him the Bishops or Archbishops of Rome being inriched by gifts munificences of many began to liue at their ease and to receiue vnvsed apparell as Miters and other pontificall ornaments to make themselues to be accounted of and to prepare the seate for the great Antichrist by their traditions and canons yet neither Siluester nor his successors till Boniface the 9. who was about the yeare 1390. were Lords of Rome much lesse did they holde the domination of the West For wee haue seene that Liberius was sent into exile by Constantius that Iulius implored the aide of Constantius for Athanasius against the furie of the Arrians and that Damasus by vertue of the Letters of Theodosius called the Easterne Bishop vnto the Sinode of Rome And as for the right to choose the Emperours to Crowne them and put on their Imperiall purple and such other solemnities requisite it was partly done by ordinary souldiers And the Emperours Constantine the great Iulian Iouinian Valentinian the first and second were created Emperours and Cesars by the Campe of souldiers Constantine ordained his three sonnes Valens was ordained by his brother Theodosius by Gratian. Arcadius and Honorius by the Father It is not read in any approued Author of this time that any Romane Bishop thrust himselfe in to choose or crowne an Emperour Theodo lib. 5. chap. 6. saith that Theodosius in a dreame sawe Meletius Bishop of Antioche who gaue vnto him the Mantle and the Imperiall Crowne Syricius a Romane the sonne of one Tiburtius succeeded Damasus There are attributed vnto him many ordinances Hee put such as were Bigami that is such as were married twise from the misteries of the Masse and was the first that admitted Monkes to receiue Ecclesiasticall orders because of their continencie which before were not accounted no not amongst Clarkes Fastings and abstinencies The varieties and multiplications of Fastings certaine dayes at this time engendred great disputations and contentions Augustine in his Epistle to Casulan writeth that some men fasted on the Wednesday because Iesus Christ was solde that day And on the Fryday because hee was then on the Crosse As for fasting on Satterdayes there was great strife They of Millain and of the East maintained that none ought to fast on it because Iesus Christ rested that day in the Sepulchre And contrary the Romanes and Affricanes and others fasted it because Christ was cast euen to the ignominie of the Sepulchre P. Martir Monicha S. Augustines mother comming from Affrike to Millan seeing none fast there on the Saterday maruelled greatly Augustine her sonne beeing then not yet baptised came to Ambrose and prayed him in the name of his mother to expound what were best to be done therein Doo answered Ambrose as I doo Augustine by this answere thought he should not fast vpon Saterday because Ambrose fasted not but hee declared his meaning more plainely in these words When I am at Rome I fast on the Saterday because there they fast but when I am returned to Millan againe I there fast not Men attribute to Melchiades Bishop of Rome aboue mētioned the ordinance not to fast on the Sunday nor Thursday because Christians fastes should bee farre from the fastes of Ethnikes and heretikes Epiphan also bringing the reason wherefore wee should fast on the Wednesday saith because Christ that day ascended into heauen And that it is written when the Spowse shal be taken away that then the Apostles shall fast c. and this hee affirmeth to bee a tradition of the Apostles I leaue other Fastes of Angaria that is to say of torment when some calamitie comes and other differences and abstinences and meates which were after inuented as these discourses in their place shall shewe Superstition hath peruerted the exercises of pietie despight or negligence hath caused them to be forgottē in the Church which are two extremities that all the faithfull must shunne Theodosius after hee had established peace in the Church and caused many publike Sinodes to be assembled died at Millain of the age of 50. yeares and raigned 17. that is to say 6. with Gratian and 11. after The same yeare his body was carried to be buried in Constantinople See Aurel. Vict. Pomp. Laet. Paul Diac. lib. 12. Ambrose lamented his death and made a funerall oration wherein amongst other things hee said I loued this Prince who when his soule
Historie lib. 9. chap. 43. and others make mention that S. Iohn Baptist reuealed his head to two Monkes which were hid nigh an house and after that the said head was transported into Edissa a Citie in Phinitia where he was honoured Monkes beare witnesse in their owne cause But how came this head from thence vnto Amiens in Picardie where hee is adored See Iohn Caluin in his booke of Relikes Leo made many Epistles euen 66. in number Saint Germaine Bishop of Anxerre Seuerus Bishop of Treners Lupus Bishop of Troy were againe sent into England against the Pelagian heresie Many Councels were held at this time after that of Chalcedone The first at Auranges a Towne in the Prouince of Narbone The second at Valens The third Councell of Carpentras The fourth at Arles The fift at Venice The sixt at Tours In the Councell of Tours the censure Ecclesiastical against Priests marriages was moderated which was to be excommunicated and depriued of the Communion which was permitted them only vpon condition they should not come to higher degree or dignitie and that they should abstaine from celebrating and administring to the people Archephali heretikes in this time which cast off the Councell of Chalcedone Eucherius Bishop of Lions in this time sent a booke conteining the praise of Hermits liues to S. Hilarie Bishop of Arles who went into an Hermitage as is said Item an other booke De contemptu mundi In this time the wisest gaue themselues to write the praises of virginitie and of a contemplatiue and monastike life The bookes of the Manicheans were burnt in Rome Theodosius dyed of the pestilence at Constantinople Earthquakes Comets and other tokens were seene in heauen Anian Bishop of Orleans Lupus Bishop of Troy Nicasius Bishop of Rhemes were martyred Valentinian the Emperour slaine at Rome of his people by the fraud of Argobastus Martian chosen Emperour raigned 7. yeares he made alliance with the Vandales It was he which was wont to say that a Prince ought not to take armes as long as it is lawfull to liue in peace Rome was taken againe by Gensericke towardes whom also went Leo and entreated of him that the Towne might not be put to fire and sword Some say hee intreated nothing at this time Orleans was besieged by Attila about this time after he had wasted Almaine and a great part of France but before Orleans his people were discomfited by Merouee King of France and there was slaine 180000. men That which is said of Geneuiesue virgin at Paris is reported of this time This is now the great Diana of the Parisians Martian the Emperour was slaine at Constanstinople by the conspiracie of his owne men Childeric the fourth King of France a Panim raigned 26. yeares a man subiect to leachery which to maintaine hee laide great taxes vpon the people wherevppon hee was reiected from the kingdome A Gouernor of Soisson and Meion of called Giles a Romane succeeded in his place and raigned eight yeares but after Childeric was restored After Childeric was called againe hee gouernerned wisely vertuoufly and valiantly hee put to flight his enemy Giles and sacked the Townes of Treuers and Coloigne and hee retyred to Treuers After also he conquered Orleans and all the Countrey along the Riuer of Loire vntill Angiers and then brought all the Countrey of Angiou vnder his subiection He tooke also the Cittie of Trect and all the Countrey along the Riuer of Rhene and greatly encreased the Kingdome of France He vsed great ingratitude towardes Basin King of Lorraine called Thoringe who had kindly entertained and maintained him all the time hee was depriued of his kingdome For hee receiued the wife of the saide Basin and tooke her for his owne wife Leo Emperour first of that name a Grecian left for his successor Leo who was of Ariadne his daughter and of Zenon He sent Basalike a warriour against Gensericke King of the Vandales Constantinople and a great part of Italie was as it were in perpetuall trouble vnder this Emperour who raigned about 17. yeares Hilarie borne at Sardes Bishop of Rome ruled 7. yeares His time was full of troubles These ordinances are attributed vnto him That no Romane Bishop should chuse him a successour And this constitution stretched to all Ecclesiasticall dignitie Naucler and Suppl Chronic. That a Clarke should receiue no Inuesture of a Laie person That none should be admitted vnto orders if he were not learned and hauing all his members In a Sinode at Rome of fiftie Bishoppes it was ordained that the Decrees of the Apostolike seate should be receiued and published vniuersally There also it was ordained that the Bishop might correct that which his predecessor had euil ordeined This Pope confirmed the domination and principalitie of the Apostolike seate He made three Epistles He depriued a Bishop of his dignitie called Ireneus because by ambition he had left his Church to goe into an other which was by Canons forbidden Remy Bishop of Rhemes and Patricius his brother was Bishop of Soissons Simplicius Tiburtin succeeded Hilarie and gouerned the Romane Church 15. yeares and more after some He declared as his predecessor that the Romane Church was the chiefe and principall He builded many Temples and dedicated them Hee instituted that in the Church of Peter and Paul there should be seuen Priestes to heare the penitents and to Baptise them In the first volume of Councells Leo the younger was left a childe successor of the Empire by his Grand-father on the mothers side and hauing gouerned a yeare he was content that his Father Zeno should raigne for him In so much that with his owne hands he placed the Diademe vpon his Fathers head That which is said of king Arthur is of this time Zenon Isaurike Emperour raigned 16. or 17. yeares He was an Arrian a cruell man He was buried aliue being drunke by his wife Arriadne The English men came farre into France The Arrians exercised great cruelties Honorius an Arrian king of Vandals persecuted greatly the Christians in Affrike more then 4976. were exiled in diuers places without sparing sexe or age afterward at diuers times and with diuers punishments were put to death Some had their hands cut off some their tongues Certain times after vnder the shadow of a Councell hee made assemble all Bishops Doctors and other Catholikes to the number of 324. after Paulus Diaconus but after others 444. he sent into exile caused the Tēples to be shut vp against Catholikes gaue them to the Arrians One Bishop called Laetus was burnt to the end to feare others The Bishop of Carthage Eugenius with more thē 500. of the Cleargy were banished But 2. yeres after Honorius died miserably of vermine And Gonthamundus succeeded him He reuoked Eugenius from exile At the request also of whom all the others were called home and the Churches opened An horrible famine in Affrike Naucler It is a
added to the Masse Vere dignum iustum est The Canons then was made at diuers times in diuers times It is then no maruell if it be euil sowed and patched with rags and tatters without any certaine Authour He made 5. bookes against Nestorius Eutiches Item two against the Arrians and a Treatise of excommunicatiō He restored Messenus Bishop after the knowledge of his penance He excommunicated the Emperour Anastatius because hee fauoured Acarius and other heretikes He excōmunicated the king of Vandals all his people which thē in Affrike afflicted the true faithfull in fauour of the Arrias He commanded Priests that they should not communicate but in both kindes and not vnder one alone The Cleargie greatly loued waxed rich in this time and increased Gelatius in full Councell at Rome declared that in the Eucharist neither the substance of the bread and wine nor their natures are chaunged but that in them as in an Image the flesh and bloud of the Lord are represented and that in the Sacrament both are exhibited to the faithfull Hee also declared them to be excommunicated which gaue not nor tooke the Sacrament of the Eucharist whole In the first volume of the Councels Gennaduis at this time was Bishop of Marceil Anastatius a Romane second of that name Pope gouerned the Church of Rome two yeares This is the second Pope noted of heresie whose beginning was reasonably good and excommunicated the Emperor Anastatitius an Eutechian heretike but afterward he himselfe did all he could to reuoke Acetius from exile and stucke vnto him He prooued also very fauourable vnto the Nestorians and communicated with Photin a Deacon of Thessalonica wherfore many Clarks Priests and Bishops refused to communicate with him See the Chap. Anastatius distinct 9. In the moneth of September he created 12. Priests and 16. Bishops Hee died very miserably as it is saide beeing vpon the priuie where he voyded all his bowels as did Arrius Naucler Acatius Bishop of Constantinople an heretike was at this time murthered Sigeb Simmachus borne in the I le of Sardiue ruled in Rome 16. yeares The first schisme in the Romane Church The election of Popes consecrated with bloud When Simmachus was chosen an other likewise called Lawrence was ordained Simmachus in the Temple of S. Iohn de Latran and Lawrence in the Church of S. Mary the greater for which election there was great diuision in the Church In so much as the people and the Romane Senate were diuided Wherefore a Councell was held at Rauenna the King Theodoric being present wherin the election of Symmachus was confirmed Laurence was recompenced with the Bishopricke of Nycerre by Symmachus but by some of the Cleargie of Rome this same sedition began againe about foure yeares after In so much that Theodoric being grieued thereat sent to Rome one Peter Altin Bishop of Rauenna to be Pope the other two reiected But Symmachus assembled the Councell and there in the presence of all 102. Bishops made his Oration and therin so purged himselfe of all vices and crimes laid against him that he was againe elected and approoued of all and Laurence and Peter Altin were reiected yet the noise at Rome was greater and the sedition more enflamed then before For at euery faction there was bloud-shead As well Priests as Lay-men slew one an other in the streetes Finally Faustin the Consul appeased the sedition laying hand to Armes against such as were chiefe Captaines of so many euils See the fruites of the riches of the Romane Church Symmachus ordained that on Sundayes and solemne daies of Martirs they should sing Gloria in excelsis Deo adding to the Cantic the rest which are more then the words of the Angell Item that whilest the Pope liueth none should holde talke of chusing a new Pope vpon paine of excommunication He caused certaine houses to be builded nigh the Church of S. Peter for the ease of the poore and prouided them of all things necessary for liuing Vnder Trasimundus King of Vandals many Bishops of Affrike were put to exile and sent into the I le of Sardine to the number of 202. Amongst the which was Fulgentius which this Symmachus helped with siluer and redeemed many Captiues Olimpius Bishop of Carthage an Arrian beeing at the Bathes and blaspheming the Trinitie was suddenly burnt Naucler Boetius a Poet of this time whose wife was named Elphe was sent into exile by Theodorice King of the Ostrogothes and after sent to prison where he made his bookes De Consolatione Philosophiae In this time Abbies and Temples began to be founded in Fraunce and to be dedicated to the honour of Saints and called by their names The King Clouis vowed to build a Church if he obtained victorie against Allaricus King of Visegothes Hee caused to bee builded the Church of S. Geneurefue at Paris then called Saint Peter and Pauls where hee was buried He founded the great Temple of Strasbourge Gerard Bishop of Laon was married and of his wife had a sonne who succeeded him in the Bishoppricke Symmachus cast out of Rome the Manecheans and caused publikely their bookes to be burnt And made a booke Intituled The excesse of Clarkes He created 92. Priests and 107. Bishops Many Sinodes were held at Rome and one Councell at Valence in Spaine whereby they sought to force Ecclesiasticall persons to leaue their wiues Childebert the sixt King of France a cruell man raigned 45. yeares He founded the Abbay of S. Germain des prees nigh Paris where he was buried and the Abbay Du Mont at S. Michaels the Church of S. Germain del Auxerrois at Paris But the booke called Le mer des histoires sayth otherwise Hormisda Pope borne at Fresselon a Citie of Campania gouerned the Romane Church 9. yeares Hee ordained that Priests should addresse no Aultars without the licence of their Bishop That marriages should be made publikely and solemnly Suppl Chron. That no Lay-man should be chosen to be Bishop A Councell was at Rome against the Eutechians wherein it was ordained that he that had done his penance and made an honourable amends should not be admitted into any Ecclesiasticall estate Supp Chro. Many Monkes corrupted with the Nestorian heresie not leauing it by the exhortations of Hormisda but rather sowing diffametory speeches against him were banished from Rome against the hipocrisie also of which he writ He sollicited by Letters and messengers Iohn Bishop of Constantinople companion of Acarius and euen the Emperour himselfe to leaue the Eutechian heresie but not onely Anastatius despised his admonitions but iniuried his foure Embassadors saying that it belonged to an Emperour to command and not to a Pope Paulus Diaconus addeth that the Emperour Anastatius besides all this caused them to mount on the Sea to goe into Italy in a light and worne ship forbidding them to take no land in Greece but quickly passe away without taking any Porte
Cardinall Deacon he wrote Saint Gregories life in foure volumes Lewis the Emperour being in Italie dyed hauing raigned 19. yeares and was buried at Milaine His successour was Charles the second of that name surnamed le Chauue the sonne of Lewis le Debenaire of his second wife Iudith vncle of the dead Lewis the second After he was King 36. yeares he heard say that the Emperour his Nephew was dead and incontinent went to Rome to receiue the Crowne of the Empire hauing ordeined Boso his wiues brother King of Prouince Pope Iohn in a small time crowned three Emperours and after gaue occasion of great contention and warre First hee crowned Charles le Chauue who two yeares after he came into Italie to driue the Sarrasins out of the kingdome of Naples was taken with a Feuer at Mantone where hee dyed being poysoned by his Physitian a Iewe called Zedechias the yeare 878. hauing bene King 36. yeares and Emperour two yeares and was buried at Verseile and after as some say was transported to S. Denis The Pope vnderstanding of his death would that his sonne Lewis le Begne should be chosen Emperour But the Romanes contradicted it and would that Charles the third surnamed le Gros sonne of Lewis king of Germanie it should be chosen The Pope remaining still in his opinion was sent to prison but he escaped by the helpe of his friends and fled into France where he remained a yeare first in Arles and after at Lions Finally some say at Troy in Champaigne where he assembled the Councell of the French Church and there created and crowned Lewis le Begne Emperour and saluted him Augustus In the meane while Charles the third was at Rome kept it He sent for the Pope who returned to Rome and pronounced that the saide Charles might dwell at Rome and crowned him Emperour And so they raigned together two yeares Finally Lewis was poysoned and Charles raigned alone 12. yeares Plat. Florent and Robert Barns This Pope at the same Councell gaue to the Flemings a Bishop in Tornay Lewis le Begne two yeares after he was crowned in France 1. of that name died at Champaigne and left his wife great with childe who after brought foorth Charles le simple Nauclerus Charles called le Gros the sonne of Lewis King of Germaine being at Rome occupied the Empire and raigned alone And by him the Empire or the French men returned to the Almaines Naucler and R. Barns and came not at the wish of the French nor according to the imaginations and subtill deuices of the Pope This Pope Iohn ordeined that such as offended in Sacriledge should be excommunicated amerced at thirtie pound of siluer 22. quest 4. Chap. Quisquis Iohn le Maire saith that this Pope was a cruell man and disgraded Formosus Bishop of Portensis which was an occasion of many mischiefes Fasci temp Some Historiographers say it was for that he was the cause that the said Iohn Pope was imprisoned at Rome Finally he was poisoned or as some say slaine with the blow of a Mallet vpon a conspiracie made against him Chron. Abb. Vrsp R. Barns Pascasius about this time was Abbot in Saxonie he writ a Booke of the Euchariste and most men followed his opinion which pleased the Schoole-men more then the opinion of Iohannes Scotus or of Bertramus which were reiected as shal be told in his place Martin second of that name a French man by euil arts entered into the Popedome Supple Chron. and gouerned a yeare and fiue moneths before he was called Marin Betwixt Martin Pope second of that name and Adrian the third Sigebert and Visperge place Agapetus but other Historiographers make no mention of them Adrian Pope the third of that name ruled at Rome a yeare and three moneths Hee ordeined that from thenceforth the Emperours should not meddle with the election of the Pope And that his aurhoritie therein should be no more any thing requisite but that the election of the Cleargie should be free Dist 62. chap. Nullus chap. Adrianus Hee made this Lawe whilst the Emperour was occupied in the warre against the Normains which then endured not long For Leo the eight Pope did ordaine cleane contrary as shall bee saide afterward Platina saith heere that William Pyon Duke of Aquitane and Counte Auerne founded the first Monasterie of the order of Clugny vnder the rule of Saint Benet and made Berno Abbot there after whome Odo succeeded who hauing bene a Musitian at Tours came to be a Monke at Clugny Chron. Sigeb The Emperour Charles became iealous of his wife for the great familiaritie shee had with Luitwaldus Bishop of Verseil who in a full assembly protested that hee neuer had her company Shee notwithstanding accepted the diuorce and withdrew her selfe vnto the couent d'Aulaui where shee made an end of her dayes Sigeb and P. Phrig 9. At this time the Normains Northerne people did great hurt in France after they had spoyled Artois Cambray Liege Brabant Gelders and Treuers c. Charles being not able to resist them finally agreed with them in giuing in marriage the daughter of Lotharie his cousin germain called Gille to Geffrey or Rotfrid their King and assigned for her dowrie the Countrey of Frise vpon condition he should be baptised Notwithstanding those Normains afterward afflicted France and besieged the Citie of Paris as shall be said The subiects of Charles le Gros greeued at his cowardlinesse because he let France be so outraged by the violence and crueltie of the Normains and that also hee had forsaken his wife a good woman they deposed him as vnworthy and vnprofitable for the gouernment of the Empire and gaue him a Curator named Arnulfe or Arnould who was his brothers sonne Some say that Charles le Gros finished his dayes in great pouertie in the Abbey of the rich Angell called in Alemand Richenna nigh vnto Constans by the Lake without any great honour of Sepulchre Others say he was strangled by his owne people This is a glasse for great Princes of the world and an excellent patterne of the humaine condition Arnulphus thē his Nephew by his brother Carloman Duke of France Orientall which then was called the Teutonique Kingdome comprehending Bauier Sorabe Saxe Turinge Frise and Lorraine was made Emperour Hee was a valiant man and repressed the Moranians and Slauonians after hee made strong warre vpon the Normains nigh the Riuer of Mense Stephen Pope fift of that name ruled 6. yeares ten moneths in the Romane seate It was in his time that the tale of S. Michael in the Mount Bargamus in Pouile is said to bee true There was one of his Decretals to Hubert Arch-bishop of Manyeance 2. G. v. c. Consuluisti ordeined the song of Crosse de consecrat 6. dist v.c. Nunquid Odo 31. King of France raigned nine yeares He was Tutor vnto Charles le Simple and crowned King to resist the Normains which then
nothing and he should be in suretie but hee would not returne Wherefore he caused a Councell to be held wherein the Pope was condemned and deposed for his euill life And there was substituted in his place Leo a Romane 8 of that name but soone after the Emperours departure the seditious and inconstant Romanes droue away Leo and recalled the aforesaid Iohn receiuing him in great pompe Leo got him to the Emperour who fearing to molest the Church with a greater schisme permitted the said Iohn to hold his seate But finally beeing surprised in adulterie hee was slaine by the womans husband Robert Barns Chron. Sigeb Nauclerus and Iohn Maire Conferre good Reader these Popes with the first and see the difference The yeare of Christ 958. there hapned at Venice a memorable thing The Duke of Venice Peter of Candie was besieged in his Ducall Pallace and the Venetians angrie against him set fire on the Pallace in so much that not onely the Pallace burnt but also the Church of S. Marke nigh vnto it and more then three hundreth houses about it And as the Duke thus pressed retired into a secret place of the Pallace which was not yet touched with fire the people altogether enraged hauing found him holding yet his onely sonne a young Infant betwixt his armes and requiring vpon both his knees and in great pittie the mercie of the people they were not content most cruelly to murther him with his innocent sonne and wife but after their deathes the bodies of the father and sonne were carried vnto the butcherie and hewen in peeces and after cast vnto dogges Iohn le Maire and Sup. Chron. The cause of this massacre was because he had constrained his first wife to make her selfe a Nunne to the ende hee might with colour espouse the sister of Hugo Marquis of Hetruria of whom he had alreadie had one sonne Wherefore hauing married her the Allies and kinsfolkes of his said wife stirred the people vnto sedition and so they perished vnhappily Supp Chron. About this time flourished Windichinne a Monke of Corney in Saxonie Smaragdus Abbot of S. Michael of the order of S. Benet wrote the booke called Diadema monachorum a right Monkish booke Item vpon the rule of S. Benet and vpon the Psalter another two vpon the Euangelists and Epistles Item one of diuers Sermons Trit Abb. Spauher Benet Pope fift of that name a Romane ruled after Nauclerus 6. monethes and 5. dayes or 2. moneths and 5. dayes after Supp Chron. hee was chosen by the Romanes against the Emperours will after Iohn was slaine in adulterie The Emperour vnderstanding these newes returned to Rome besieged the Towne and so afflicted it that they were cōstrained to present Benet vnto him at his pleasure The Emperour restored Leo to the seate and Benet was depriued not onely of the papall dignitie but disgraced also of his Sacerdotall and after banished and sent into Almaine where hee died in the Towne of Mamburge others say he was put in prison and there strangled Leo then eight of that name a Romane was restored into the Popedome and raigned a yeare and foure moneths This Pope minding to shunne the fury of the Romanes which proceeded to the Popes election by corruptions menaces and subtill deuices ordained in a full Sinode that none should be made Pope without the consent of the Emperour vnto whom aboue belonged the right of election from Charlemaine and others Naucler and 63. dist cap. in Sinodo He restored also to Otho all the donations made to the Romane Church And this was it which they say Constantine Iustinian Pippin Charlemaigne Lewis le Debonaire and Arit part had giuen to the Church All this he reuoked and accorded to Otho the first of that name and to his successors to the end to keepe Italie from oppressors R. Barns The Abbey of S. Quintin in Vermandois was in this time founded Chron. Sigeb Richard Duke of Normandie founded and restored many Churches and Abbeys amongst others the Abbey of Fesanan of S. Ouan at Roan and the Abbey of S. Michael nigh the Sea An Aduertisement Note heere Christian by the passed and subsequent Histories how in this time Christian Religion was so annihilated that it was altogether set to gather dead bones to build Churches and Monasteries to reare vp and transport dead bodyes to honour reliques to dreame miracles to make themselues Monkes and Nunnes to dedicate and consecrate Churches to compose Hymnes and praises of Saints to sing and pray for the dead and such like ceremonies About this time also began the fourth pestilence of the Church that is to say the Schoole Diuinitie mingled with Aristotles Philosophie which after engendred Transubstantiation and other new doctrines by the Questionaries as thou shalt vnderstand by this discourse Iohn Pope 14. of that name an Italian a Bishops sonne called Iohn gouerned Rome sixe yeares eleuen monethes and tenne dayes Supp Chron. Hee beeing apprehended by Peter Prouost of Rome was put in prison in the Castle of S. Angelo where he remained a 11. monethes but when they heard say the Emperour Otho came against them with a strong hand they tooke him out and established him Some say he was sent into exile banished into Campania frō whence he came again after 2. monethes For the Emperor tooke vngeance on thē that persecuted him causing many of them to die by diuers kindes of death such as were found culpable of the fact and banished some into Saxe As for Peter Prouost he was deliuered to the Pope to doo with him at his pleasure Who gaue him into the tormenrers hands so hee was vnapparelled and his beard being cut off he was set vpon an Asse his face towards the taile and his hands bound vnder the taile of the said Asse and so was ledde through the Towne and beaten with Roddes After this he was againe brought to prison and finally sent into exile in Almaine Naucler Iohn Pope in recompence of the benefite receiued of Otho called and declared Otho the second sonne of Otho the first Augustus Palin In the time of this Pope Theodorike or Deodorike Bishop of Mets caused infinit holy bodies to be transported from Italy into France with a peece of S. Stephens Chaine and a part of S. Lawrence Grate which the Pope Iohn gaue him Chron. Sigeb These bee the Iewels of this darke time The King of Denmarke and all his Countrey were conuerted to the faith by Popon Clarke Chron. Sigeb Benet Pope sixt of that name a Romane ruled a yeare and sixe moneths He was put in the prison S. Angelo wherein he was strangled by one called Cinthius or Cincius Others say he dyed of hunger for which iniurie he neuer did Iustice nor vengeance Naucler Roger Bishop of Liege founded the Abbey of S. Iohn the Euangelist in the I le of Flaunders Chron. Sigeb The heroicall acts of this Emperour Otho the first do sufficiently shewe him to bee one
of a Regular Chanon he was made Bishop Cardinall and after Pope ruled at Rome fiue yeares and sixe monethes He was sent vnto Norway by Eugenius the third Pope to preach the faith and when he had instructed the people of the said Countrey he was chosen Pope Beeing receiued the Romanes prayed him to leaue the administration of the towne free to Consuls and Magistrates after their auncient maner which be refused wherat the Romanes grieued did many euils vnto a Cardinall In so much that Adrian set all the Citie of Rome vnder an Interdict or excommunication After his election he would by no meanes go to the Church of Laterane to be consecrated vntill first Arnold bishop of Brixe were cast out of the Towne who opposed himselfe against the Administration of ciuill things and of the temporall sword which the Cleargie had vsurped And therefore he called him an heretike solliciting the Romane people to maintain their libertie Magistracie and other offices R. Barns Of this same time was Peter de Blois who in his writings touched the wickednesse of the Cleargie-men In a certaine Epistle which he writeth to a Bishops Officiall he admonisheth him to come out of Babilon detesting the tirannie of Bishops and their Officials calling them infernall harpies which do but powle and sheere the Church of Iesus Christ He often calleth the Cleargie Siria Edom Calues of Bethel Idols of Egipt the fatte of Samaria Priests of Baal and Iudges which forge vniust lawes and many such like names he giueth them This saith he of Rome At Rome all is subuerted by gifts Monkes may do all things by siluer and redeeme by annuall pentions all wickednesse of the flesh There filthinesse began to be sung in the Tabernacle of Geth in the streets of Ascalon So was he made the Prince of Sodome and his Disciples after him are set in the chaire of pestilence Such writing should be noted for their excellencie and raritie The yeare of Christ 1155. Frederic went into Italy Adrian met him euen at Sutry hoping by the Emperours meanes to reuenge himselfe vpon his enemies And as hee arriued at the Emperours lodging the Emperour hasted to meete him and as he lighted he held the left stirrope of his horse and taking him by the hand ledde him into his Castle The Pope greatly disdaining held as a mockery that the Emperour at his lighting held his left stirrope and not his right Insomuch that he departed from his Castle much offended discontent The next morning the Emperour dissembling all like a wise man calling the Pope as hee met him againe held his right stirrope at his lighting For hee had not forgotten his lesson of the day before After they went to Rome and there Frederic was crowned by Adrian at S. Peters and returned into Almaigne Ri. Barnes Iohn of Salisbury Bishop of Chartres was in this time who sharply opposed himselfe against the wickednes of Popes and Cleargie He writ a booke Intituled Obiurgatorium Cleri In his booke Intituled Policraticus he saith thus In the Romane Church are set Scribes and Pharisies loading mens shoulders with insupportable burthens The great Bishop is heauy vnto all yea importable His Legates cast themselues so into the fields as if Sathan were come from the Lorde to torment the Church Iudgement amongst them is no other thing but a true marchandise They esteeme of gaine as of pietie it selfe They iustifie the wicked by gold and siluer and reioyce in wickednes They eate the sinnes of the people They are apparelled nourished in all luxurie whilest the true worshippers worship the Lord in spirit He that sticketh not vnto their doctrine either is he iudged an hereticke or a schismaticke c. Often were there such Doctors in the Church but they durst not speake nor write of all that was needfull In a booke Intituled Speculum that is to say the Glasse It is said that that good Bishop Iohn amongst other complaints hath bene sometimes heard say to the Pope Adrian the fourth his very familiar friend these words The Pope indeed is truly the seruant of seruants because he serueth the Romanes seruants of couetousnesse The same Pope Adrian was heard say to the said Bishop Iohn That there were many Popes which rather succeeded Romulus in murders paracides then S. Peter in feeding of sheep Romulus the first founder of the Citte of Rome slewe his owne brother Remus and so the walls were dedicated in that Parricide Adrian excommunicated William the sonne of Rogier king of Sicily and Pouille and absolued his subiects of their oathes towards him but seeing he profited nothing by that meanes he incited Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople Emanuel promised the Pope to deposed the said William Onely he demanded three Maritime or Sea Townes if he came to his purpose These conuentions made in the meane while the Grecians occupied Pouille and wasted it William vnderstanding these practises prayed the Pope to be reconciled vnto him and that hee would onely graunt him the title of king of the two Sicilies and he would restore him whatsoeuer he demanded yea he would giue of his owne The Pope was content but the Cardinalls kept him from it William then went into battaile against the Grecians and obtained the victorie droue the Grecians out of Pouille and recouered it The Captaine prisoners were bound with chaines Afterward he went against Beneuent and besieged it The Pope and his Cardinalls which by chance were there are prisoners and constrained to demaund peace and to agree wiih him The Pope first absolueth him of his excommunication and pronounceth and declareth him King after hauing done him homage to hold his Land Seignory of the holy Father Adrian returned to Rome and straight fel vnto cōtention For the Consuls would maintaine their franchise ancient libertie Wherfore fearing because the Interdict endured yet he got himselfe Anagnia or Arignianum R. Barns Frederic was not content that the Pope without his knowledge had graunted the title and right of Sicilia because he was thereby defrauded of the Inuestures also for that the Popes Legates pilled so the Countries subiect vnto his Empire Because the Pope began secretly through all the Empire to sowe reasons to retire his subiects from his subiection Wherefore he demaunded homage of the Bishops of the Germaine Nation and oath of fidelitie hee forbad that any should appeale vnto the Romane Sea He commaunded the Popes Legates which appealed not to him to get them out of his Countries The Pope very much grieued at all those things as also that the Emperour set his owne name before the Popes in his Letters missiues which he sent writ Letters vnto him rebuking him for those foresaid things admonishing him to amēd The Emperor answered them frō point to point First that iustly by good right he set his name before his seeing the Pope oweth all humilitie to the Emperour as Christ hath taught And if Popes haue
things to this passe that Wencelaus son of Ottocaire should take to wife Gertrude the Emperors daughter on the other side Rodolphe the Emperour his sonne should espowse Agnes the daughter of Ottocaire Austrich also came vnto the Emperours sonne Albert. The Tartarians Till this time the Tartarians were vnknowne in Europe Now they shewed themselues and finally entred into Hungarie with fiue hundreth thousand men from thence into Polonia Schlesia Morauia See Monstre lib. 4. Some recite that in this time Haalon King of the Tartarians ouercame the Countries of Persia and tooke Babilon then called Baldaca with the great Caliphe who in the Mahumetist lawe is to bee compared vnto the Pope of Rome in authoritie and treasure This Haalon hauing the Caalipho prisoner as is said inuented and ordained in a great mockerie his death in this sort It is conuenient saith hee that that man speake of the Caliphe which loued so much gaine should be nourished with precious viands go then and place him in the middest of heaps of gold and precious stones and let him vse such meates As then he had certaine time bene kept in great affluence of gold and siluer and in the middest of these riches he died with hunger See Paralip Vrsp. Innocent Pope fift of that name borne at Burgongne after Supp Chron. and Cor. Abb. Or in Lombardie after Fasci Temp. before called Peter de Tarentaise Prior Prouinciall of the Iacobins in France Maister and Doctor in Theologie Archbishop of Lyons Cardinall d' Ostia and great Penitenciary of the Pope See how these Grashoppers Mendicants enter alreadie into power to appoint ouer them the King Abadon as is spoken Apocalips 19. Whilest this man was Bishop of Ostia and Cardinall whose office it is to consecrate the Pope Bonauenture Friar was also Cardinall and Bishop of Albe This Peter or Innocent beeing chosen Pope came soone after to Rome Where hauing bene crowned in the Church of S. Peter that hee might rest at his pleasure he sent Embassadors men of great authoritie which commaund them of Tuscane which had conspired to destroy the Pisans and the Geneuois and Venetians beeing at deadly foode to lay downe their Armes vpon paine of excommunication The Embassadors of Charles King of Sicilie were also there present by meanes of whose authoritie hee hoped things should more easily haue such issue as they desired The Tuscanes straight did what was commaunded them And aboue all the Florentines which also for that cause he declared and absolued of the Interdict which Gregorie his predecessor had published against them But the Geneuois Venetian whose hearts had of long time beene inueterated consumed one an other by losses and mutuall victories which notwithstanding Innocent would haue made consent vnto that he pretended if he had longer liued he tooke the matter so much to heart But he dyed sixe moneths and two daies after he was chosen Pope the same yeare of his predecessour Gregorie and was buried in the Church of Laterane This saith Carsulanus although he had determined to do many things yet did nothing worthie of memorie because he was preuented by death This Pope as Platina saith displeased much the secular Priests because that being at Viterbe after he had heard the processe that was betwixt them and the Iacobins touching the sepulcure of Clement the fourth hee ordeined by sentence that his bodie should be buried by the said Iacobins Rodolphe Adrian Pope fift of that name borne at Genes of the house of Tolisques before called Othobonus was created Pope at Rome in the Pallace of Lateran after the death of Innocent his vncle hauing bene ordeined by him Cardinall Deacon of Saint Adrian and sent into England with large power to leuie a great summe of money But as hee sought to appease certaine discordes betwixt the King and his Barons that hee might dispatche his businesse the more easilie hee was clapt vp in prison by the Londiners but finally deliuered againe The yeare of our Lorde 1266. hee helde a Sinode in Northumberland and an other at London whether resorted a great number of Bishoppes and Priests There after they had brought to such estate as he thought good the things appertaining to the Popedome hee published certaine lawes which in time to come England should vse in such things as concerned Popery He declared wicked all such Bishops as had rashly followed the Princes part against King Henry the third which yet were absolued by him partly by gifts presents and partly because he was constrained vnto a quicke transportation to the Pope of Rome Being then created Pope of Rome he tooke incontinently his way towardes Viterbe and sought to bring into Italie the Emperor Rodolphe to diminish the power of Charles King of Sicilie this was hee which a little before they had lifted vp into that roome against all iustice and equitie who at that time did his pleasure and as he would at Rome But Rodolphe being wrapped in warre against the Bohemians could not satisfie Adrians request As for Charles meaning to flie the enuie against him transported into Achaia all his forces which he had prepapared to make warre to the end by that meane to make a way to be Emperour of Constantinople Adrian had a will saith Platina to cause that all Seignories belonging vnto the Church should come into great assurance against such as oppressed them and to reduce into an other forme the constitution of his predecessour Gregorie touching the shutting vp of Cardinalls at the Popes election But death hindered his enterprises and opposed it selfe against the greatnes of his courage What could he do saith Wicelius Apostate of the truth that was a Pope but of fortie dayes For be deceased at Viterbe the yeare 1276. before he could be consecrated and was enterred in the Couent of Friars the fourth day of his Popedome and the seat was vacant about 28. dayes Many debates and contentions happened amongst the Bishops and Pastors against the Mendicant Monkes which troubled Churches because whether Bishops Priests would or no they would ascend into Pulpits to preach Amongst such as complained of them besides Guilliam d'Amour of whom we spake before there was Bernard the Glossator of the Decretalls Godfrey des Fountaines Henry de Gaud and many others Laurent an English man Doctour of Paris in this time maintained the opinion of Guilliam de Saint Amour and writ against the Monkes a Booke conteining an admonition against false Prophets and an other by which he defendeth the said de Saint Amour The Booke that the bogging Friars set out Of the eternall and spirituall Gospell to eâ—â—â—â—ct the true Gospell of our Lord was publikely burnt and to couer their filthinesse and impudencie they saide that a certaine Monke which long time before was dead had made it Iohn 22. of that name of Portugal borne in the Towne of Lisbone making profession of Phisicke called before Peter of Portugall of a Cardinall and
for the sea came vnto Sardeigne and there attended till there was some stirre in Sicilie For the Sicilians hauing coniured against Charles and the French had assigned a day to sley them all yea without hauing respect vnto Sexe or condition of any person so soone as the sound of Bell should bee heard at euening as shall bee said heereafter But this cruell and horrible acte was not executed in the time of Nicholas but vnder Martin the fourth of that name his successor Nicholas transported to himselfe the dignitie of the Senator of Rome which Clement the fourth had giuen vnto e foresaid King Charles and ordained for a perpetuall Edict that from thence forth no King or Prince should dare to demaund such an estate or to take such a charge vpon him By the disloyaltie of this Pope it came to passe that all Flammina with the towne of Bolongne it selfe and the Exarchate of Rauenna which things had long time bene in the Seignorie and domination of the Emperors were reduced vnder the puissance of the Romish Sinagogue And besides hee alone tooke vpon him the charge as Stella saith of the office of Senator which the Church had accustomed to giue vnto Kings and Princes He inriched the Towne of Rome with new edifice and amongst others he builded an house very commodious for S. Peter and a Parke for Hares or Conneys which hee enuironed with high walles Wherein he himselfe often hunted He reedified the Churches of S. Peter and S. Paul which fell with age Hee atchieued and ended a certaine house in Laterane which had long time before bene commenced Hee builded from the bottome to the top the Church called Sancta Sanctorum and set there the Apostles keyes in siluer chaines When this Hypocrite sung Masse the teares fell from his eyes Hee carried such fauour vnto the Friars that hee declared certaine doubtes which were in the rule of the Sect by a Decretall Epistle He made many ordinances for the profit and vtilitie of the Cleargie not of Christian people and made many Cardinalls of the order of begging Friars He droue from him certaine Notaires commaunding vnder paine of Excommunication that in what place souer Magistrates should bee but Annalls for a yeare Many reprooued him for that hee had made his Nephew called Berthand Count or Earle of Romagnole and had sent Latin Cardinall Iacobin his other Nephew or rather Bastard Legate into Tuscane For Platina Stella others say that he loued his owne too much In so much that whatsoeuer hee got from others hee gaue it without reason or measure For he tooke by force from certaine Romane Gentlemen their Castles and gaue them to his friends and amongst others one called Surien After he had euery where set vp the Gibellins a sort of mutinous and rebellious people into their first estate to the end they might maintaine his tirannies he placed in Florence as in other places Magistrates at his pleasure and many other domages he did vnto them This Pope had also determined to haue made two Kings of the house of Vrsini and to haue placed one in Tuscane and an other in Lombardie But as he purposed to put all these things in effect being in the Towne called Sutry he was taken with an Apoplexie of which he died suddenly and without speaking the yeare of our Lord 1291. And after some the 4. of his Popedome although by his good complection it seemed he would haue liued much longer Some say his death was foretold by one which sawe a great Invndation or ouerflowing of the Riuer of Tiber. Som say also he engendred vpon a Concubine of his a bastard whose haire and nailes were like a Beares See what Iohn de Noyan saith in his Illustrations of Beda William Durand a subtill man made at this time his booke Intituled Rationale diuinorum officiorum Albert the great Bishop of Ratisbone died in this time Martin the 4. of that name borne in France in the Towne of Tours named before Simon and Cardinal Priest of S. Cecile ruled 2. yeares and 8 monethes Being chosen by the French Cardinalls which then were in greatest number would not be crowned at Viterbe because he tooke that Towne to be interdicted for a rowte they made against the Cardinalls For they of Viterbe following one called Richard Hanniball Captaine of all such as tooke part with the Italians entered into the Conclaue tooke the Cardinalls and put them in prison after hauing not onely dispised but also giuen the chase to all them of the house of Vrsins This Pope Martin then being come into the old towne which commonly is called Oruieto vsed all the solemnities and created 8. Cardinalls that same day that he might be strongest when he came vnto combat But hee not onely receiued very courteously the King Charles comming towards him but also yeelded him the dignitie of Senator whereof he was depriued by Nicholas This euery man found not good for that it seemed it should stirre vp great seditions in the Towne seeing the Vrsins were alreadie returned and such as were of Hanniballs faction chased away For Charles was a great aduersarie of the Vrsins for the hatred he conceiued against Nicholas Yet Martin subtillly casting his affaires had in great estimation Mathew d'Aquasporta of the order of his bretheren Friars Cardinall and Bishop of Port of the house of Vrsins This Pope Martin published sentence of excommunication against Peter King of Arragon who ordeined an Army by Sea to come into Sicilie against Charles and exposed his Kingdome for a pray to the first that could get it declaring his subiects absolued of the oath of fidelitie which they had promised him naming him an vsurper of Ecclesiasticall goods and leuied an armie against him of such as had taken the Croisado All the pastime of Popes and their supporters is to stirre vp warre and dissention amongst the Princes of this world Yet Peter making no account of all this obtained the kingdome of Sicilie with the helpe of Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople who was also excommunicated as making no account of that he had promised at the Councell of Lions aboue Moreouer the Sicilians not being able longer to beare the pride and whoredomes of the French at the perswasion of Iohn Prochita coniured against Charles and slew them all at the sound of a Bell without hauing any regard to Sexe and from thence came the Prouerbe when one wisheth the death of many that they may say The Euensong of Sicilie as hath beene touched a litle before Besides this Martin amongst other acts worthy of a Pope graunted to the Romanes that they might chuse two Senators of the Nobilitie and excommunicated Paleologus Emperour of Greece He made warre against them of Forley and graunted many priuiledges vnto Begging Friars which hee knew to be like horses prepared vnto the battle and all this was still to munite and fortifie the more his tirannie
sunne-setting as Masseus witnesseth which endured a long time and shewed what a great fire should after come Moreouer there was great numbers of Grashoppers which after they had destroyed the corne euen all trees were burned As the said Pope was preparing an Armie by sea against the Turkes because the Romanes were in troubles and seditions he was so vexed in his minde that he died with griefe the yeare 1362. and was buried in the said Monasterie of Chartreux without the Towne of Auignon Vrbain fift of Limosin called before Grinnald Grisant the sonne of an English Phisitian called William Monke of S. Benet first Abbot of Auxerre and after of S. Victor nigh to Marseillis being absent in a certaine Embassage was created Pope He was a great Doctor of the Canon Lawe and an exceeding arrogant Maister He straight applied himselfe to defend the libertie of the Papall Church by couetousnesse dissolutions and pompes and chiefly serued himselfe therein with such as affectioned him most in such affaires But aboue all he sent one called Gilles a Spaniard Cardinall of S. Sabin as a Legate into Italie with full power Who as a true Executor of all his bloudie commaundements rode through all Italie and so repressed the Vicounts and other gouernours of Townes bringing vppon them great losses and hurts if they would not submit themselues vnder the obedience of the Romane Church Yues a Brittaine Priest solde his goods and gaue them to the poore and was Canonized after his death Sabell Armacan some call him Richard and qualifie him an Archbishop a learned man published conclusions against Friars teaching that it was a villainous thing for a Christian to begge without constraint Volater Baldus a Lawyer of Peruse was renowned in this time The Monasticke order of Iesuites began by Iohn Colomban and Francis Vincent of Bourgongne Volat. and Sabell They were afterward by the Popes priuiledge called the Apostolike Clarkes Brigide Princesse of Sauabe had foure sonnes and foure daughters a litle before Pope Vrbain died she went to Rome to erect the order which after she instituted Valat lib. 21. She then to accomplish her vow procured that the order of Monkes named with her name as well men as women might be confirmed The Emperour Charles merited great praise by the Bull of gold wherein he gathered many things very necessarie to maintaine publike peace Iohn king of France went into England for the deliuerance of his brother Duke of Orleance and of his sonne Iohn Duke of Berry and of many others which he left in hostage and being there died in London after was carried to S. Denis in France See Emili. lib. 8. 9. Charles fift of that name 51. king of France was surnamed le Sage Hee caused many Latin bookes to be translated into French yea bookes of holy scripture Amurathes the third Emperour of the Turkes raigned 23. yeares and was the first that entred into Europe For hee aided the Emperour of Constantinople and sent him 12. thousand men which passed into Greece This was after cause of the taking of the Couuntrey of Asia the yeare of Christ 1363. Wickliffe beganne as a breake of day the preaching of the Gospell Iohn Wickliffe an English man a man of great spirit flourished in this time and began as from a deepe night to draw out the truth of the doctrine of the sonne of God He studied in the Vniuersitie of Oxford and came to such degree of erudition that hee was thought the most excellenrest amongst the Theologians In his readings with the puritie of the doctrine which hee taught hee also liuely touched the abuses of the Popedome In so much that the Locusts that is to say the begging Monkes lifted themselues vp against him But the Lord gaue him for a Protector the King Edward during whose raigne he had great libertie in his profession Richard the said Edwards successour persecuted and banished him but as a true Champion of the Lord he remained alwaies constant euen to his death His conclusions his bookes and his doctrine shew sufficiently the gifts and graces which God had bestowed vpon him Whosoeuer will more largely know those things let him looke in the booke of Martyrs brought by vs into light since the said Wickliffe Vrbane went to Rome to pacifie Italie where hee builded many things at Viterbe and at Montlacon minding to returne into Italie And as he returned into France in hope to bring againe the Court to Rome he deceased at Marcellis not without great suspition of poysoning Sabel An Vniuersitie founded at Vienna in Austriche by Albert Duke of Austriche Planudes a Greeke Monke liued in this time hee translated Cato and other bookes out of Greeke into Latin Charles King of France often held his seate of Iustice and was altogether a man of peace neither was euer Armed Only walking nigh Paris he made his warres and other his affaires of importance by his brothers and other Committees by whom he recouered as it were all that which the English men had taken from his Father To helpe the charges of the warre he laid a Taxe vpon Salt Wine that men sold He had fiue Armies at once against the English men Gregorie Pope 11. of that name of Limosin ruled in Auignon 7. yeares 5. moneths before he was called Rogier sonne of the Earle of Benfort and Nephew of Pope Clement the sixt hee was the Disciple of Baldus the Legist who then read at Peruse Returne of the Papaltie to Rome Most of the Townes of Italie withdrawing themselues from his obedience as Volateranus saith at the perswasion of Caterine de Siene a Nunne of the order of Iacobins of Baldus his late maister parting frō France with 12. Gallies with 3. ranks of Ores returned to Rome the yeare of the Lord 1376. He pronounced sentence of Interdict against the Florentines which were the first authors of the reuolt and had seized all the Popes Townes which were about them Vpon whom finally he made strong and sharpe warre because they made no account of the thunder of his excommunications which the Legists said were of no validitie because they proceeded of hatred and enmitie Naucler Some set downe certaine causes of his returne into Italie A woman called Brigide saith Masseus returning from Ierusalem writ to Gregorie that the Lord would that the Romane Court should be turned into her house Cranzius addeth that as he reprehended a Bishop that he left his Church and followed the Court he answered him And thou saith he which art Pope of Rome and which ought to giue example to others why goest not thou to thy Bishoppricke Then transported he his seate to Rome at the perswasion of two women and of a Bishop the seuenth yeare after he was departed This Pope demaunded a tenth of all Church goods in Almaigne to gather it sent his Legate But many resisted formed appellations against the Pope saying that they could not pay it
a S. Snairy placed it in an Abbey of theyr order called Cadoyn in the Diocesse of Cahors Annales of France How then say they it is at Chambery The Sect of white Mantles in Italie was destroyed For Boniface the 9. made take ther Rector and caused him to die Some say he was burnt See Naucler The Trinetois otherwise called the Bretheren of the redemption of Captiues which was also called the order of Inham multiplied greatly The Turelupins are persecuted they were otherwise called the poore of Lyons many were burnt in Frāce with their babes Iohn Hus. The light brought in by the writings of Wickliffe greatly profited such as came after him and aboue all to Iohn Hus who also cleansed the fountaines of the Gospell which were filled not onely with infectious clay and mire but also euen with mortall poyson which the begging Monkes and prophane Schoole-philosophie had tempered And although the vertue that God had giuen to this person meriteth a longer recitall of his beginning yet we will send the Readers to the booke of Martirs since Wickliffe and Hus. As for vs we haue chiefly to render thankes vnto God that through him and other true faithfull he hath sent vs the light of his Gospell The Pope Benet gaue to Charles the sixt king of France the tenth part of all Ecclesiasticall goods partly that the king should maintaine and defend him and partly to the end hee himselfe might bee partaker of the bootie And as hee made his residencie in his Countrie of Catalongne in a strong Castle called Pauiscole maintaining himselfe to be the true Vicar of Iesus Christ he was condemned many waies by the authoritie of the said Councell He assembled a Councell at Parpignan and created many Cardinalls Finally dying at Pauiscole the yeare of our Lord 1424. he commaunded his Cardinall that straight they should chuse an other in his place and they elected one called Giles Munios Chanon of Bercelone and named him Clement the 8. He incontinently at the Instigation of the king Alphonsus created Cardinalls and did all that which Popes are accustomed to do But after that Pope Martin the first had agreed with the king Alphonsus Giles by his commaundement renounced all the rights which he pretended in the Popedome and was declared Bishop of Maiorque and the Cardinalls created by him willingly renounced their dignities of Cardinalls The witnesse of Mathias Flactius of Esclauonia a diligent Author extracted and taken out of Theodoric of Nyem shall not bee heere impertinent who made a Chronicle of that schisme comprised in three bookes Theodoric of Nyem saith he who was a very familiar Secretarie to a certaine Pope and a good and a wise man hath faithfully described the historie of this schisme which hath bene amongst Popes by the space of 39. yeares before the Councell of Constance Good God what subtilties what fraudes what wickednesse and what straunge acts rehearseth he of those Popes and good spirituall Fathers in that Historie whereby they mocke God all Religion and the Church of Iesus Christ yea molest and do subiect it to their tirannie And surely I cōfesse that although before I had read heard and seene many of their villainies and that therefore I had conceiued in my selfe an euil opiniō of the malice of that Antichrist and of his children yet after I had read this booke I perceiued that they were ten times more wicked then euer I could haue thought before In the same booke also he saith that such are not worthy of the title of Emperour which make a countenance not to see yea dissemble the execrable wickednesse of Popes tirannies Chrysoloras of Constantinople taught Greeke Letters in Italy which 700. yeares before had not bene in vse whose daughter espowsed at Constantinople Francis Philelphe Bertholde Schwartz Monke and Alchemist was the first of Gunnes and Artillerie about this time Scotland conuerted to the Faith Wencelaus Emperour for his cowardise and couetousnesse was deposed from the Empire and his Nephewe elected Iosse sonne of Iohn Henry Marquis of Morauia who was the brother of Charles the fourth of that name Marquis of Brandebourge an vnprofitable man was chosen king of the Romanes by some before Robert as some say being now old because he was the vncle of Wencelaus yet he was neuer crowned For there passed not sixe monethes after his Election Robert or Rupert Duke of Bauiere and Count Palatin of Rhene was chosen after Frederic Duke of Brunswic and of Lunebourge This Frederic was a valiant Prince wise and exercised in Armes and truly worthy to gouerne the Empire but there was long time enmitie betwixt him and the Archpriest of Magunce For before he was crowned the Count of Waldec hauing charge of this gentle Archbishop hee slew him villainously which was cause of great hurly burly and tumult throughout all Almaine vntill the Princes Electors assembled in the Towne of Bopert where they Elected Robert Count Palatin a man well exercised in deeds of warre and a great louer of Iustice but of a small stature But willing to enter into Aix la Chapelle to be crowned the Citizens were against it saying that in that case they could not fauour Robert because as yet they were not absolued of the oath they had giuen to Wencelaus But that the election might not be vnprofitable the Bishop of Colongne crowned Robert in the Towne of Colongne After this Robert made preparation to goe to Rome the yeare 1402. to receiue the Imperiall Crowne but hee was hindred by the Venetians and Millanois and so could not execute that which he had enterprised Hee dyed at Oppenhem the tenth yeare of his Empire and was buried in the Towne of Heidelbourge Innocent the seuenth borne at Sulmo before called Cosmar de Peruse Priest Cardinall of the title of Saint Crosse all Italie beeing in great trouble was created Pope after Boniface the ninth This Pope as Platina saieth beeing yet a Cardinall vsed customably to reprehend the negligence and pucillanimitie of Popes saying that with their carelesnesse the schisme and trouble which was thē so great as well in the Romane Church as in the common-wealth tooke yet no end But being mounted into the Papall seate and in some things following the fashions of Vrbain and Boniface his predecessors which he reprehended being a priuate person not onely he did the things which he condemned so sore before but he could not so much as beare that one should speake to him thereof He gouerned the affaires in such confusiō that once the Citizens of Rome beeing come towards him to require him that they might haue their old libertie be put in possession of the Capitoll of the bridge Miluins and of the Fortresse of Adrian And that that pernitious schisme which was in the Church might be takē away wars seditions banished remonstrating that to do the same the king of France promised to deliuer his hand and that
The Historie of the reuoult of England To the ende the Lord may be knowne in his iudgements which daily happen and that he which is to day aloft may take heed hee fall not let vs harken vnto that infamous revoult of England and see how they returne to their first vomite The Wednesday the 28. of Nouember of this yeare the Parliament of England was assembled and in the presence of King Phillip and Queene Marie the Cardinall Poole expounpounded his Legation and exhorted them to the holy seate of the Pope shewing them how greatly bound they were to God who now enlarged vpon them his diuine grace prouiding for them such Princes as they had After he declared vnto them how the holy Father the Pope vsed towards them his benignitie and clemency by him his Legate greatly thanking them that they had receiued him and placed him in his Country and Nobilitie whereof he had bene long depriued and that therefore he held himselfe more bound to procure they might be restored into the Ecclesiasticall Court as his desire was This vile Apostate of the truth calleth that stinking Court of Rome the celestiall Court After he had thus spoken be withdrew himselfe to the end to giue respet vnto the Lords of the Parliamēt to resolue thervpon what to doo The Chauncellour of England straight tooke the Cardinalls wordes and shewed how they had cause to thanke God who had raised them vp such a Prophet out of their owne seed to procure their saluation as the reuerend Legate did Insomuch that all with a common accord concluded to cōsent vnto the vnion obedience of the Romane church The Thursday following they ordained to agree vnto that which the Cardinall had saide so that vpon a common accord they presented a supplication wherein they prayed the King and Queenes maiesties as heads of the kingdome that they would pray the Popes Legate that they might haue absolute remission of their sinnes and errours promising to make voide all such lawes as they had before established against the authoritie of the Romane seate whervnto they would sweare neuer to contradict The King sent the said supplication to the Legate and the day after assembled the Parlament in the place where the king and the Queene with the Cardinall Legate were set And the Chancelor rose vp with great reuerence an high voice vttered the resolutiō made by the Lords of the Parliament praying in the name of all that they wold accept the supplicatō written in Latin tongue shut sealed by the said Chancellor The supplication being opened by the Legate was deliuered vnto the Chancellor to publish hee red it with an high voice and that done demaunded of all them of the Parlament if their wills were according to the tenor thereof and they all answered yea Vpon this the King Queene rose vp and presented the said supplicatiō to the Legate who red it then presented he the Bulles of his Legation which were red also to make appeare vnto them the authoritie hee had from the holie Father to absolute them That is to say to plunge them into the deepe pit of hell That done the Reuerend made them an Oration in their own language shewing penance which pleased God and that the Angell of Paradice reioyce more at a sinner repenting his sinnes then of ninetie nine iust persons and vpon that brought for his examples cōtrarily drawne to furnish out his impudencie falsly abusing the word of God After he had ended he rose vp and the King and Queene fell vpon their knees before him calling vpon God and the holy Saints that hee would pardon the penitent people of England the authoritie of whose person he representeth Then the Legate pronounced a generall absolution which done they all departed with the King the Queene and the Legate towards their Chappell where was sung Te Deum and after the saide Legate had made his triumphant entries hee yeelded all power and authoritie to the Bishops the first Sunday of Aduent as they call it on which day the Bishoppe of Winchester an other Apostate of the truth made a Sermon after a solemne Masse taking for his Theame Nunc tēpus adest de somne surgere that is It is now time to awake As if before in the time of the Gospell vnder the raigne of king Edward of England they had still slept But that awaking shall be deare sold vnto all such Organes and Instruments of Sathan which haue caused so many murders and bloudshead of Gods children since that time in the Realme of England See the booke of Martyrs A more horrible vengeance of God cannot come to a Countrey then when God withdrawes his light therefrom Ferdinand sent out of their Countrey 200. Ministers of the faithfull in the kingdome of Boheme Touching the true Martyrs of the Lord executed this yeare in England vnder the tyranous raigne of Queene Mary and the disputations held betwixt the Popish Doctors and them of the true Religion See the fourth part of the bookes of Martyrs A Iourney of the Empire was held at Ausbourge and although fewe Princes came thither Ferdinand made a long Oration the fift of Februarie of two principall poynts The first of Religion by reason whereof he said all the disorder and destruction of Almaine happened and that it might be remedied by disputations and communications of Theologians as once had beene begun The second was to helpe and succour the afflicted estate of the warre past and punish such as made the troubles Melancton and other learned people by their Letters comforted the Ministers of the Churches of Boheme which were dispersed ouer Misnia Casal a Towne nigh vnto Po was taken by the French vnder the conduct of Brisac the 3. of March Marcel second of that name a Tuscan by Nation called before Marcel Ceruin succeeded and was borne in a place called the Monte Pelicien in the territories of Florence Of a Cardinall of the title of the holy Crosse in Ierusalem was created Pope by the common consent of all the Cardinalls which were in the Conclaue the 9. day of Aprill 1555. The day following he receiued the Pontificall ornaments in the Church of Laterane but he would not change the name that he receiued at his baptisme Being come vnto the Papacie he was an enemie vnto the Gospell as before he was Pope you may see he was euer In his youth he had some litle profited in humane Letters and so kept the schooles Afterward as Paul the third had created Cardinall Alexander Farnesius the sonne of Peter Lewis his bastard sonne hee gaue his this Marcel for a Schoolemaister Certaine time after the Cardinall Alexander leauing there the studie of Letters applyed himself altogether to handle the affaires wherein as well he as also Paul his grandfather serued themselues with Marcel who was their Secretary The Bishoppricke of Nichastre being vacant hee was made Bishop of that Church yet he alwaies liued
the consent of all the Cardinalls This man being in Venice in his hypocrisie inuented a new Sect of Monkes called Iesuites as if our Sauiour Iesus had ingendred such Popish Idolaters After this beeing made Cardinall as he departed from Venice to Rome he said vnto his Monkes which asked him whither he went Whither I go you cannot come now Abusing the scripture and prophaning the Lords words hee meant hereby that he left them shut vp in a Cloister in pouertie and miserie that he went vnto Rome to come vnto an high and mightie estate and dignitie wherevnto they could not come He writ a booke sometimes vnto Paul the third touching reformation of the Church but being become Pope he cared neither for Iesus Christ nor his Church In that booke he confirmeth almost all the poynts that we vse to reprehend in the Papists namely that the Church is so ruinated in Poperie that it is no more the Church of Iesus Christ but of the diuell For saith he Popes heape vp Doctors after their owne fancies and desires That Cardinalls and Bishops are cause that the name of Christ is blasphemed amongst people which vnder the colour of keyes gather great summes of money That wicked people are prouided for That Symoniacke Marchandices are greatly practised That Prelates burne with ambition and couetousnesse That horrible sinnes and iniquities are committed in Monasteries That the Towne of Rome is full of whoredomes and many such like More enormious and wicked things are committed at Rome then that which Theatin rehearseth in that booke for hee there only toucheth the vices abuses that are found in their common maner of liuing without making any mention of the contempt of the doctrine there vsed On Thursday the 16. day of May of this yeare there hapned a tumult at Geneua about 10. of the clocke in the night by the conspiracie of some which had for their stirrers Captaines certaine of the petit Councell of the Towne which not being able to beare so happie a prosperitie of the Gospell determined to chase away such as into that Towne had come from France to shun persecutions And as in the night time they ranne too and fro they cryed as for a false ensigne and token that the French were in Armes and the Towne betrayed but the French men stirred not out of their houses The commotion was bridled and stayed by certaine Lords of the Towne As for the seditious people some amongst them were executed others saued themselues by flight But the cause wherefore they would haue driuen away the French amongst others was because lately there were many of them receiued for Burgesses by meanes whereof their faction was weakened and the other part strengthned by the number of the new Burgesses which had bene added therevnto The French at this time raced many Castles by the Count Montferrat that they might haue victuals in greater assurance For if the enemie had occupied them Casal had bene brought into great necessitie In these parts was there a Towne called Vlpian which is of great importance The Spaniards held it then and it was revictualled at the comming of the Duke of Albe who had gathered together a great number of people Mariembourge also which the yeare before had beene taken in the lowe Countries from the Emperour was at the same time againe victualled by the French In the Countrie of Grisons there is a Towne nigh Italie called Lucarne which appertaineth vnto the whole communaltie of the Swisses The Citizens thereof required that they might be permitted to liue according vnto the reformation of the Gospell But because their Superiours and they were not of one Religion there was vpon deliberation diuers opinions Some agreed vnto their demaund others sought to hinder it So that there appeared towards some intestine and ciuill dissention yet in the end they of the Towne preuailed which wished that they should remaine in the Religion of their Auncestors and that they amongst them which accorded not therevnto might goe dwell otherwhere So were there found a great number which forsooke their naturall Countrey and withdrew vnto Zurich where they were receiued ioyfully and much relieued in their pouertie A great number of Vessels laden with all kindes of Marchandize came by Sea from Spaine towards Flaunders but vpon the coast of Normandie they were assailed with all force by the French which had espied them The combat amongst them was horrible many ships both of the one part and of the other were burnt and many sunke many a valiant man died there as wel by the sword as by burning and drowning The French in the end carried away some number of ships which they tooke into Diepe Hauen from whence they departed This happened in the moneth of August in the end of which moneth Phillip of Austrich repassed from England into Flaunders accompanied with a great number of English Gentlemen to finde the Emperour his father at Bruxels In September George Count de Montbellard the Duke of Wittemberge his Vncle tooke to wife Barbe the Lantgraues daughter The dissention of the Lords Supper and the presence of Christs body which had continued the space of thirtie whole yeares amongst the learned renewed againe in this time and there were published by certaine Ministers of Hambourge and Breme certaine litle bookes namely against Caluin and Iohn Alasco Caluin after answered them in earnest so did also Bullinger and Alasco who dedicating his booke to the King of Polongne greatly complained that without knowledge of the cause that without any disputation or amiable talke but onely vpon a certaine preiudice their doctrine was condemned after the maner of the Papists who in lieu of arguments from holy scripture proceed not but by force and commaundement The Marquesse of Marignan dying at Millaine the Cardinall of Trent was sent into Lombardie by the Emperour and King Phillip to bee there Gouernour At Naples the Duke of Albe was constituted About Christmas day the Pope according to his custome created new Cardinalls and amongst others Iohn Gropper the Archbishop of Cologne his Councellor Then also the Cardinall Poole being made Deacon Cardinall prest as they say began to say Masse For by the Popes lawe Deacons haue not yet that power In the beginning of Ianuarie happened great stormes and tempests in Saxonie Misne and Boheme Thunders and Lightnings which endaungered many places especially Churches In the same moneth at Vitodur in Suetia a litle Towne within two leagues of Zurich appeared in the night in one of the towers of the Church there a sparkling fire making such a noise as the Burgesses on all sides ran to put it out being come thither they found no flame yet it twise appeared that is to say the 4. 14. of the said moneth After this certaine of the Cantons of Suetia sollicited by the Pope got them to Rome whereas many maruelled King Phillip after he had receiued of his father the gouernment
the English men gaue ouer Hance de grace or New Hauen vnto the French king The same time they of Lubec and the king of Denmarke made warre vpon the king of Snede Henry de Brunswic made many courses into Almaine into the lands of the Bishop of Munster The eight day of September Maximilian king of the Romanes was crowned king of Hungary The 24. of September Charles the ninth king of France caused his Maioritie to be published declaring to the Parliament of Paris that he would take vpon himselfe the managing of the affaires of the kingdome The 28. was published and affixed at Rome on the part of the Cardinals Inquisitors a monitorie personal adiournament against Iane d' Albret Queene of Nauarre who because of the profession of the Gospell was cited to Rome to answere in the Popes consistory therefore and for want of appearance within sixe moneths her Countrey to be giuen vnto the first conquerer thereof and her vassalls and subiects absolued from their oath of fidelitie This was but a subtill deuice tending to an other end and the king of France tooke into his hand the cause of this Princesse so that for that time the Popes thunderclaps turned into smoake The second day of October the Bishop of Wirtzbourge was slaine his Towne occupied and raunsomed wherevpon followed great troubles in Almaine and at that time of Automne the pestilence was vehement in the quarters about Francfort Nuremberge and in the coastes about the Balthique Sea which carried away nigh three hundreth thousand persons The ninth day of Nouember the Armies of Denmarke and Snede encountred together and had a bloudie battaile wherein were slaine 3000. Snedes with great losse of their Artillery and baggage The fourth day of December was ended the Councell of Trent Betwixt the first and last session whereof were eightteene yeares In it all the Articles of the Popish doctrine were confirmed There was a great strife betwixt the Embassadors of France and of Spaine for the primer seat but he of Spaine got it at that time In the same yeare and the 13. day of August died Wolfangus Musculus Doctor in Theologie at Berne a man who by his writings greatly serued and yet doth the Churches of God He was then of the age of 66. yeares The 26. of Ianuary 1564. the Lithuaniens got a great victorie vpon the Muscouites which lost nine thousand men vpon the field with their baggage and many flying perished in pooles and Isy Marishes The first day of February died at Marpurge a Towne of Hesse Andrew Hiperius a very learned Theologian amongst thē of our time who left many profitable bookes to the edification of the Churches of God He was then of the age of 53. yeares In the moneth of April Frederick Elector Count Palatin came with Christopher Duke of Wirtemberge into the Abbey of Malbrun nigh to Spire where by the space of 7. daies their Diuines disputed some against others of two Articles in the doctrine of the holy Supper that is to say of the vbiquitie or presence of the body of Christ Iesus in all places and the interpretation of the words of the holy Supper This is my body After long contestations and strifes they departed without according any thing and after that their debate waxed hotter to the ruine of Churches and to the great contentment of the Pope and his adherents The 27. of May about eight of the clocke at night dyed Iohn Caluin a professor in Theologie a Minister of the word of God in Geneua a person of singular pietie memorie viuacitie of iudgement and admirable diligence of a solide doctrine wherin he hath comprehended the pure Theologie as his writings read without preiudice or sinister affection do apparantly shewe He was moreouer endowed with incredible zeale and prudencie in all the course of his Ministery hauing serued to the aduancement of the doctrine of the Gospel and to the edification of the Churches amongst all the excellent persons raised vp in our time to ruinate the tyrannie of Antichrist and to establish the throne of the celestial veritie He was of the age of 55. yeares saue one moneth and 13. daies he was buried without pompe hauing left many bookes very profitable for such as would seeke to aduance and goe forward earnestly in the intelligence of the holy scripture and an honorable memorie vnto all reformed Churches About this time the Maritimal and Sea Armies of the kings of Denmarke and Snede encountred vpon Balthique Sea in battaile wherein the Snedes remained victors and carried away three great ships of warre with a number of prisoners which the king of Snede caused afterward to be cruelly handled But about the end of Iune they of Denmarke and Lubec had their reuenge and ouercame the Snedes vpon the Sea conquering one ship though inexpugnable vntill then after hauing sunke many moe The Emperour Ferdinand a gentle and peaceable Prince died the 25. day Iuly at Vienna in Austrich hauing liued 61. yeares foure moneths and an halfe leauing for successor to the Empire his sonne Maximilian who soone after was elected and crowned The beginning of his yeare 1565. was very sharpe and colde in many Countries of Europe and there fel an extraordinary quantitie of snowe which beeing frozen and after melted in the spting time there followed great Invndations The Churches of France maintained themselues in some estate whilest the young King guided by his Councell made his voyage of Bayonne A warre in Hungary against the Turkes with losses and ruines on both parts The Churches in the lowe Countries began also to lift vp their heads especially vnder Charles the fift The encrease of the French Churches encouraged them they also published their confession of faith The Ecclesiasticke Romanes that which afterward came to pass e amongst other practises sought to establish the Spanish Inquisition and certaine yeares before made new Bishops to the end more easily to maintaine the Popes authoritie After this erection by the space of foure or fiue yeares whilest Margarite Dutches of Parma gouerned the lowe Countries for her brother the king of Spaine some ceased not to cōtend against others by remonstrances bookes and diuers practises some to abolish others to giue entry and authoritie vnto the Inquisition The I le and Towne of Malte was furiously assailed by the Turkes in the moneth of May but they were Iustained and pushed backe by the knights of Malta being assisted with the succors which were sent from many places In the monethes of Iune and Iuly were great deluges and ouerflowings of waters in diuers quarters of Almaine especially in Thuringe A very sharpe warre was in Hungarie betwixt the Turkes and the Almaines with diuers accidents that befell on both sides The eight of December the Pope Pius the fourth died of the age of 66. yeares and 8. moneths hauing bene Pope about six moneth
preserued in the middest of the fiercest waues As is said in Esay 60. Thou shalt haue no more the Sunne to shine by day neither shall the brightnesse of the Moone shine vnto thee For the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and thy God thy glory and thy Sunne shall neuer goe downe neither shall thy Moone be hid for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and the dayes of thy sorrow shall be ended The assurance then of the Church ought not to be considered according nor in regard of things present because it is established in God and feareth no chaunges For God is her light so that she hath no need to borrow any brightnesse from either Sunne or Moone And although the faithfull be not depriued of the commodities of this present life but rather there is nothing either in heauen or earth which God hath not created for the loue of them seeing he hath a particular care of them yet is there one thing much more excellent which the children of God do enioy namely the heauenly light which from all times hath bene cast on it We must then lift vp our spirits vnto God who gouerneth all both aboue and below and not attribute any thing to Fortune as prophane men doo heereunto men pretend to bring all the faithfull Therefore hither men come not to feede the spirit of foolish curiositie or here to learne any thing to babble with vaine ostentation or to take pleasure to heare a well adorned language and assoone as the eyes are taken from off the booke all fruite of that reading is lost but there is neither fact nor chance nor issue which euery man oght not to borrow for himselfe If he finde that some vertuous and well liuing man hath bene well beloued of God and honoured of men that vertue ought to be vnto him as a flame to lighten his heart that following such a man he may come to a like felicitie If contrary he encounter and light on one who for his vices fell into some greeuous inconueniences it is an example to serue him for a bridle that hee do not precipitate and throw himselfe headlong into the same ditch and aboue all such as haue great dignities and are called to doo great things so much more as their ruine is daungerous so much more also ought they to be carefull to looke how faithfully they acquite themselues in their charge committed vnto them But well hath one said that The Historie is a treasure which should neuer depart from the hands wherwith men being aided may more commodiously handle their affaires like to such as they finde registred in histories seeing that almost alwaies alike causes happen and come to passe This small aduertisement may profit if it light not vpon crooked and brutish spirits vnto whom this labour will not be profitable but onely vnto such as with an honest pleasure will ioyne a good desire to carry an humble reuerence to all the workes of God But then O Church of God seeing all things come and are done for the loue of thee it is good reason that thy litle estate or rather glasse of thy condition of that thou hast endured since the comming of thy espouse be dedicated and consecrated vnto thee On the one side thou shalt know the heretikes schismatikes mockers contemners with the tyrants and violent oppressors which haue done vnto thee a thousand euils but on the other side thou shalt see Iesus Christ the stronger who hath not declared himselfe thy head for a world or two but for euer a protector of thine And now is there any vnderstanding that can cōprehend lesse tongue to expresse what he hath done for thee in these last dayes when from thy renting and treading vnder foote we see so many children each where of so fruitfull a mother O admirable bountie O indicible ioy and consolation to see the meruailes of the Lord in these last times Let vs pray that hee will continue that hee hath begun and aduanced to his glory and honour So be it Thine in the Lord Iohn Crispin The order of the Bishops and Pope of Rome after this Booke SAint Peter vpon false tokens called the first in number of the Bishops of Rome Linus Cletus Clement Anacletus Euaristus Alexander Sixtus or Xistus Telesphorus Higinus Pius 1. Auicetus Soter Eleutherius Victor Zephirin or Seuerin Calistus Vrbain Pontian Antherus Fabian Cornelius Lucius Stephanus Zistus 2. Denis Felix Eutichien Caius Marcellin Marcel Eusebius Melchiades Siluester Marcus Iulius Liberius Felix Damasus Siricius Anastasius 1. Innocentius 1. Zozimus Boniface 1. Celestinus 1. Sixtus 3. Leo 1. Hilarius Simplicius Felix 3. Gelatius Anastasius 2. Simmachus Hormisda Iohn 1. Felix 4. Boniface 2. Iohn 2. Agapetus Siluerius Vigilins Pelagius 1. Iohn 3. Benit 1. Pelagius 2. Gregorie 1. Sauian or Sabinian Boniface 3. Boniface 4 Deus dedit Boniface 5 Honorius Seuerin Iohn 4 Theodorus 1 Martin 1 Eugenius 1 Vitalian Adeodatus Donus Agathon Leo 2 Benit 2 Iohn 5 Conon Sergius Iohn 6 Iohn 7 Sisinius Constantine 1 Gregorie 2 Gregorie 3 Zacharie Stephen 2 Paulus 1 Constantine 2 Stephen 3 Adrian 1 Leo 3 Stephen 4 Paschal Eugenius 2 Valentine 2 Gregorie 4 Sergius 2 Leo 4 Iohn 8 Benit 3 Nicholas 1 Adrian 2 Iohn 9 Martin 2 Adrian 3 Stephen 5 Formosus Boniface 6 Stephen 6 Romaine Theodorus 2 Iohn 10 Benit 4 Leo 5 Christopher Sergius 3 Anastasius 3 Lando Iohn 11 Leo 6 Stephen 7 Iohn 12 Leo 7 Stephen 8 Martin 3 Agapetus 2 Iohn 13 Benit 5 Leo 8 Iohn 14 Benit 6 Donus 2 Boniface 7. Benit 7 Iohn 16 Iohn 17 Gregorie 5 Iohn 18 Siluester 2 Iohn 19 Iohn 20 Sergius 4 Benit 8 Iohn 21 Benit 9 Siluester 3 Gregorie 6 Clement 2 Damasus 2 Leo 9 Victor 2 Stephen 9 Benit 10 Nicholas 2 Alexander 2 Gregory 7 Victor 3 Vrbaine 2 Pascall 2 Gelasius 2 Calixtus 2 Honorius 2 Innocent 2 Celestine 2 Lucius 2 Eugenius 3 Anastasius 4 Adrian 4 Alexander 3 Lucius 3 Vrbain 3 Gregorie 8 Clement 3 Celestine 3 Innocent 3 Honorius 3 Gregorie 9 Celestine 4 Innocent 4 Alexander 4 Vrbain 4 Clement 4 Gregorie 10 Innocent 5 Adrian 5 Iohn 22 Nicholas 3 Martin 4 Honorius 4 Nicholas 4 Celestine 5 Boniface 8 Benit 11 Clement 5 Iohn 23 Benit 12 Clement 6 Innocent 6 Vrbain 5 Gregorie 11 Vrbain 6 Clement 7 Boniface 9 Benit 13 Innocent 7 Gregory 12 Alexander 5 Iohn 24. Martin 5. Eugenius 4. Felix 5. Nicholas 5. Calixtus 3. Pius 2. Paul 2. Sixtus 4. Innocent 8. Alexander 6. Pius 3. Iulius 2. Leo 10. Adrian 6. Clement 7. Paul 3. Iulius 3. Marcel 2. Paul 4. Pius 5. Gregorie 13. FINIS A Table of the Romaine Emperours with the declaration of the yeares which euery one raigned AVgustus raigned 56. yeares that is to say 12. with Antonius and Lepidus and 44. alone The yeare 42. of his Empire was our Sauiour Iesus borne  yeares moneths
Tiberius 23.  The 18. yeare of his Empire was Christ crucified Caligula 3. 10. Claudius 13.  Nero 14. 7. Galba 14 7 Otto  3 Vitellius  8 Vespasian 9. or 10.  Titus 2  Domitian 15  Nerua 1  Traian 19 6 Adrian 22 or 20  Antonius Pius 23  Marc Antonin 18  Commodus 13 or 12  Pertinax  6 Iulian  4 or 3 Seuerus 18  Antonius Caracalla 6  Macrin 1  Heliogabalus 4  Alexander 13  Maximin his son 3  Gordian 6  Phillip 6. or 5.  During the raigne of this Emperour one 1000. yeares is accounted since the building of Rome Decius 2  Gallus his son 2  Eucilian of some is not accounted Valerian 6  Gallien 9  Egnatius saith he raigned 15 yeares namely 8. alone and 7. with his father Valerian Claudius 2  Aurelian 5. and a halfe  Tacitus 6  Florian  2 Probus 6 4 Carus with his two sonnes Carin and Numeran Diocletian and Maximini or Maximinian 15  These two freely resigned the Empire Constans Maximin 2  Maxencius 2. alone and with Licinius and Constantin 16.  Constantine the great alone 13. yeares  Constantine Constant and Constans his 3. sonnes diuided the Empire The first raigned 3  The second 13  The third 24  Iulian the Apostate 1 7 Iouinian or Iouian  7 Valentinian 11 with Valence his brother 3  Gratian with his father Valentinian 8 with Valens his vncle 3  Theodosius 4 or 6  Theodosius alone 11  Arcadus and Honorus his brother Theodosius 2 26  Valentinian 5  Martian 7  Leo 1 18  Leo the yong 1  Zeno 17  Anastatius 27  Iustin 9  Iustinian 38  Iustin 2 11  Tiberius 2 7  Mauricius 20  Phocas 8  Heraclius 29. or 31 after some Constantine  4 Heraclenas 2  Constans 28  Constantine the bearded   Iustinian after some 10.  Leoncius 3  Absimarus or Tiberius 7.  Phillippicus 1 5 Anastasius 3. after some one yeare and 3. moneths Theodosius 1  Leo Isaurian 24  Constantine Coproninius 35.  Leo 4. 5. after some one yeare Constantine 10  His mother Himene alone 3. yeares  Charlemaigne made Emperour Wee account from Augustus till Charlemaigne was crowned Emperour about 843. yeares From the building of Rome 1550. or as some say 1530. The names of the Emperours of Constantinople after Charlamaigne NIcephorus and Stauracius his sonne 9 yeares Michael Curopleus 11 yeares Leo Armenian 7 yeares Michael le Begne 8 yeares Theophilus 12 yeares Michael his sonne 14 yeares Basile 20 yeares Leo the Philosopher 25 yeares Alexander 1 yeares Constantine 39 yeares Romaine Lecapen 26 yeares Romain Leon 13 yeares Nicephorus 6 yeares Iohn Zimiscus 6 yeares Basile and Constantine 53 yeares Romain Argiropilus 5 yeares Michael de Paphlagonia 7 yeares Constantine Monomache 12 yeares Theodora the sister of Zoe 2 yeares Michael 1 yeares Isaac 2 yeares Constantine Ducas 7 yeares Romain Diogeues Michael Constantius sonne 6 yeares Nicephorus Botoniate 3 yeares Alexius Commene 27 yeares Calcian 25 yeares Manuel 38 yeares Alexie 3 yeares Andronice 2 yeares Isacie Angel Alexie Alexie the yonger Baldwin Earle of Flanders 6 yeares Henry 11 yeares Peter of Auxerre Robert his sonne Balwin Michael Paleologus 11 yeares Andronicus Andronicus the yonger Iohn Paleologus Manuel Iohn Constantine The rest of the Romaine Emperours after Charlamaigne LEwis the gentle his sonne raigned 26. yeares Lotharie 15 yeares Lewis 2 19 yeares Charles the bald 2 yeares Lewis the stutter 2 yeares Charles the grosse 10 yeares Arnulphe 12 yeares Lewis 3 12 yeares Conrade 7 yeares Henry 1 17 yeares Otthon 1 37 yeares Otthon 2 10 yeares Othon 3 18 yeares Henry 2 24 yeares Conrade 2 15 yeares Henry 3 10 yeares Henry 4 1 yeares Henry 5 20 yeares Lothaire or Luder 13 yeares Conrade 3 16 yeares Frederic Barberosse 37 yeares Henry 6 8 yeares Phillip 8 yeares Othon 4 4 yeares Frederic 2 44 yeares Some say 33. yeares others 37. yeares A Schisme in the Empire 23. yeares as some say others say 28. yeares William of Holland 2 yeares Rodolph 1 18 yeares Adolphe 1 6 yeares Albert 1 10 or thereabouts yeares Henry 7 5 yeares Lewis 6 33 as some say yeares Charles 4 33 yeares Wencelaus 22 yeares We passe ouer Iosse and Robert because of the schisme in the Empire Sigismond 29 yeares Albert 2 2 yeares Frederic 3 53 yeares Maximilian 1 25 yeares Charles 5 29 yeares Ferdenand 1 yeares Maximilian 2 14 yeares Rodolphe 2. at this present raigning yeares FINIS THE ESTATE OF THE Church with the discourse of times since the Natiuitie of our Lord Iesus Christ vntill this present yeare 1601. IT was foretolde by Daniell that the Messias should bee borne vnder the fourth Monarchie which Iulius Caesar constituted about 47. yeares before the Natiuitie of our Lord after he had brought the Romane Empire vnder his subiection Pompey before tooke by force and pilled the Towne of Ierusalem and then the Scepter and politicke gouernment of the Iewes began to stoupe See Iosephus in the 14. booke of Antiq. Chap. 2. This came in the yeare of the world 3903. and threescore yeares before Christ Augustus the sonne of Iulius Caesars Sister succeeded his Vncle beeing adopted of him Vnder whose Empire the eternall sonne of God was borne taking flesh of the Virgin Mary in Bethelem a Towne of Iury the yeare of the worlds creation 3963. This is the seede which burst the Serpents head and deliuered vs from the mortall sting thereof This is the soueraigne head of the Church without which the body thereof can haue no forme He takes a particular care thereof and causeth his presence to be there felt with efficacie And in the middest thereof will be inuocated serued honoured and glorified The state whereof is to be deducted in this discourse So soone as Christ the true annointed of God was borne and manifested in the world Herod stirred great persecution The occasion thereof was by the wise men which came from the East which brought newes of the Messias to them of Ierusalem He caused all the children in the coasts of Bethelem to be slaine which were two yeares old and vnder This Herod who obtained of Augustus the title and dignitie of King in Iudea was the sonne of Antipater the Idumeen sonne of an other Herod which was a Secretary in the Temple of Apollo in the Towne of Ascalon Philo the Iewe rehearseth that in the 13. yeare of his kingdome he killed the ordinarie Iudges of the house of Dauid and substituted others in their places Hee was brought into such a rage that hee made sley his owne sonne which he had of a wife of the line of Iuda Macrobius reciteth that when Augustus heard it rehearsed hee said It were better to be Herods Swine then his Sonne His execrable
which they chose from among the people hauing charge of things which belonged to the Temple to Iustice and the gouernment of the Church When Iesus had chased from the Temple the buyers and sellers the next morning the high Priests and Elders of the people came to him asking by what authoritie he did those things Math. 21. About the 20. yeare of Christ and the fift of Tiberius as Eusebius saith in his Chronicle thirteene Townes of Asia were ouerthrowne by an Earthquake namely Ephesus Sardis Mesthenes Megechiere Cesarea Magnesia Philadelphia Hincel Tenus Cume Mirthina Apollonia Diahyrcania Such iudgements of God ought to serue for aduertisements and instructions vnto vs. Our Lord Iesus Christ exercised his Ministerie and office the space of three yeares three moneths and tenne dayes and the beginning is taken from his thirtieth yeare because in S. Luke it is said that Iesus began to be about thirtie yeares of age He suffered death and passion the yeare 34. according to the supputation of many authors Caius Caligula was an horrible Monster who by his wicked life despited heauen and earth vttering his furie through all the iurisdictions of the Romane Empire and by his Edicts would needs make himselfe a God But finally he was taken with a straunge death Iosephus maketh a singular recitall thereof in the 1. Chapter of the 20. booke of Antiquities Chareas Sabinus Aquila and others which of long time had conspired his death slew him cruelly after he had raigned three yeares tenne monethes and eight dayes His body as Suetonius rehearseth was secretly carried to the Gardens of Lamius and being halfe burnt was couered with a litle earth He was of the age of 24. yeares Such a Tirant who had prouoked both God and men against him could no otherwise end his daies Caligula banished Herod the Tetrarch who went to Rome at the perswasion of Herodias the yeare 40. into the Towne of Lions in Gaul where he died in pouertie with the said Herodias his harlot The same yeare the Iewes endured great afflictions One was at Alexandria vpon this occasion Caligula had ordained that through all the Iurisdiction of the Romanes there should be builded vnto him Temples and Aultars where they should worship him as God The Iewes alone resisted his impietie Then were there many Grecians in Alexandria who wished death vnto the Iewes therefore then they tooke occasion to make them odious vnto the Emperour except they obeyed his ordinance When it came to proofe the Iewes resisted it strongly and the sedition about it was such that many were slaine on both sides The cause was finally debated at Rome and Caligula a peruerse man made chase away Philo the Iewe who pleaded the Iewes cause Who then said It behooueth vs whom the Emperour hateth to take courage For it is necessarie that God should helpe when humane succours faileth Caligula vsed to say Would to God the Romane people had but one Head The Iewes also were greatly afflicted in Babilon of the Chaldeans and in Seleucia of Siria There were two brethren Iewes of base condition the one named Asniens and the other Anileus the which being Robbers and Theeues they gathered together a great number of Rake-hells and disordered persons Artanabus seeing this euill encrease thought good to remedie it But it was too late And finally mooued with the prowesse of these two yoong men receiued them into amitie and gaue them the gouernment of the Kingdome of Babilon See Ioseph in the 18. Booke and last Chapter Iesus Christ ascended visibly into Heauen to confirme his Resurrection the better and the glorie of his Kingdome 40. dayes after his Resurrection His Disciples yet dreamed of an earthly kingdome of Messias asked of him if he would not begin it But Iesus Christ after he had spoken of the eternall Kingdome and had blessed them was lifted vp aloft and a bright Cloude receiued him into Heauen where he sitteth at the right hand and power of God Now then we must consider what aduancements and encrease the Primitiue Church made by the Apostles and their Disciples that all the faithfull may know that Iesus Christ the King of glory remaineth not Idle in Heauen but by an admirable manner maintained gouerneth and aydeth his that his Gospell may be sowne through the world But as God shewed that honour to the Land of Canaan as to giue it the promises touching the Redeemer so there also by his death he obtained saluation vnto mankinde Aboue all Countries Asia the lesse had at that time the most flourishing Churches After the Ascention of Christ there was an excellent Church in Ierusalem In the first of the Acts it is recited that there were about sixe score persons at the beginning The holy scripture calleth Churches the publicke assemblies of many faithfull Tenne dayes after the Ascension was the Feast of Pentecost The Lord Iesus then raigning in Heauen at the right hand of his Father powred visibly and sensibly the holy Ghost vpon the Apostles which then were assembled at Ierusalem The word of the Lord tooke his course and the number of the faithfull by litle and litle encreased in Ierusalem by the preaching and miracles of the Apostles Behold the booke of the Acts for the first preachings and the persecutions which came after the death of our Lord. The 34. yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ and the 19. of the Kingdome of Tiberius after the death of S. Steuen the high Priests of Ierusalem stirred more and more grieuous persecutions against the Church Saul which is also Paul was chosen to persecute the faithfull for before his conuersion he burnt with false zeale espying into each house and drawing into prison all he could catch S. Ierome reciteth that S. Paul his parents dwelt in Sischal a Towne of Iuda but when the Romanes tooke the Countrie they went into Tharsis which is in Cilicia where Paul was borne His father was a Iewe of the Tribe of Beniamin and a Burgesse of Rome Act. Chap. 22. Many then were Martired others were constrained to retire themselues into Countries adiacent which occasioned the Gospell to be further spread abroad About the yeare fortie and fiue after the Natiuitie of our Lord Iesus Christ and twelue yeares after his Resurrection the third yeare of Caligula a great persecution was stirred by Herode Agrippa against the Christians wherein Iames the brother of Iohn was beheaded Peter put in prison but the Angell of the Lorde drewe them out most miraculously Soone after the Lord reuenged the death of his For it happened that this Herode went to Cesarea The cause was for that hee hadde enterprised a warre against the Tyrrians and Sidonians which they preuented by gaining the Chamberlaine Blastus and demaunding of a peace One day Herode sumptuously adorned sate downe in Throne and spake to them and the people made an acclamation as if GOD himselfe hadde spoken vnto them But Herode was incontinently strooken by the Angell
And as the light of the Gospell got aboue his mysts and cloudes he came to Rome in the time of Claudius the Emperour leading with him an whore called Selene or Helena which he had drawne out of the common Stewes of Tyre in Phinicia he called her the first conception of his vnderstanding and the mother of all by whom from the beginning hee had conceiued to make Angels and Arch-angels He attributed also vnto her almost all things which the holy Scripture yeeldeth vnto the eternall word of God in the creation Hee said also of himselfe that he was the soueraigne God which descended and was transfigured to correct things which had bene euill administred by the Angels And although he appeared in an humane forme yet was he not man and although men thought he suffered in Iudea yet he suffered not So promised he saluation to all them which would trust in him and in his Selene and full libertie to do whatsoeuer their appetite desired For men should be saued by his grace and not by their owne good workes For such workes were not after his nature but from his Angels which by his permission had made the world and had imposed such workes vpon men to drawe them into bondage Behold heere the doctrine of this Maister who afterward brought out the like fruite as pailliardizes adulteries thefts drunkennesse blasphemies against the true God and other the like fruites Briefly Ireneus calleth him the fountaine and father of all Heretickes in the Preface of his third booke of Heresies Of his manner of death Epiphanius accordeth not with Theodoretus Menander the Disciple of this Simon was also a Magician The yeare fortie foure as many thinke Saint Peter came to Rome and gouerned that Church twentie and fiue yeares but hardly can they shewe that he was at any time there nor at what time nor vnder what Emperour For first if Saint Peter were at Rome he came not to Rome at the time they say namely in the yeare fortie foure after the Natiuitie of our Lord Iesus and that which they say that hee ruled the Church twentie and fiue yeares hath no likelihood For it may easily be gathered from the Epistle to the Galath that hee was in Ierusalem the yeare 51. where the Apostles great Councell was held Let the yeares be numbred The yeare thirtie and fiue S. Paul was cōuerted to which adde seuenteen euen vntill that Councell and it comes to fiftie and two How could he then before seuen yeares bee at Rome If hee were there he returned soone But S. Luke then would not haue concealed it if it had beene so neither is it found in any Historie of credit that after Saint Peter was entred Rome hee left that place to returne into the Towne of Ierusalem Moreouer it is certaine he was not at Rome the yeare fiftie eight and three score And that it is so when Saint Paul was ledde thither prisoner he remained there in an hyred house two yeares Heereof Saint Luke makes no mention of Saint Peter And by the second Epistle to Timothie it may be plainely knowne that Saint Peter was not at Rome at the time that S. Pauls death was so nie For then S. Paul hauing occasion to make mention of all that was with him would not haue forgotten Saint Peter if hee hadde beene there Many wise and good men haue handled this matter at large vnto which I referre you The same yeare Herod the brother of Agrippa was made King of Calcide The yeare 45. S. Marke the Disciple of Saint Peter preached Iesus Christ in Egypt and Euodius was first ordeined Bishop of Antioche And there was Iames the brother of Iohn beheaded and Peter deliuered from prison by the Angell The yeare 46. which was about the ninth and tenth of the Kingdome of Claudius the Emperour there was a great Famine through all Greece at Rome and in other parts of the earth and this Famine was foretolde in Antioche by the Prophet Agabus Who being mooued with that hee heard say of the Churches prosperitie of Antioche departed from Ierusalem to come thither with other faithfull Dion and Eusebius make mention of this Famine At this time Helena Queene of the Adiabenians and the King Isares were accounted to serue God faithfully Iosephus speaketh amply thereof in his Antiquities Lib. 15. Chapter 2.3 and 5. The same yeare Agrippa who was called Herodes died after a straunge maner In an assembly at playes he suffered the people to call him God and therefore the Angell strooke him for that he gaue not glory vnto God and he was consumed with Lice Iosephus reciteth it at large and herevnto agreeth the holy scripture But it is worthy to be noted that when he felt the horrible pangs of death beholding his friends he said Looke vpon your God I am now constrained to chaunge my life And the necessitie imposed vpon me redargueth your lye You called me Immortall but now behold how I am drawne to death Iosephus reciteth these things more at length in his Antiquities His Kingdome was chaunged into a Prouince and Cuspins Fadus was made Gouernour of the Iewes The yeare fortie and seuen Abbarus raigned ouer the Arabians and Cassius Longinus was made Gouernour of Siria The yeare 48. Marie our Lords mother died after the common opinion of the age of fortie nine yeares Nancle See also Epiphanius Lib. 3. of heresies If we will beleeue some dreames shee was in body carried vp to Heauen but that tale is so friuolous as he that cannot see it is more then blinde Vpon such foundations Papists began by litle and litle to build the Articles of their faith namely vpon tales and dreames The Councell of Ierusalem recited in the 15. of the Acts was about this yeare and the 6. of the Kingdome of Claudius and the 14. yeare after the conuersion of S. Paul as appeareth by that which is rehearsed in the Galath 2. The same yeare during the said famine Tiberius Alexander was made Gouernour of the Iewes The yeare 49. which was the seuenth of the Emperour Claudius there was so great a sedition in Ierusalem vpon Easter day that twentie thousand men were stifled betwixt the gates as Iosephus saith but as others thirtie thousand The same yeare Cumanus was Gouernour of Iudea and Quadratus of Siria In the 50. yeare a numbring was made of the people of Rome and there were found three skore and foure hundreth thousand an hundreth three and fortie The same yeare Herod the brother of Agrippa dyed and his Kingdome was giuen to Agrippa the younger This was he that gaue audience to S. Paul Act. 25. The same yeare were seene three Sunnes which by litle and litle ioyned themselues together There was also an horrible Famine in Greece and the Iewes were chased from Rome by Claudius The yeare 52. S. Paul did that which is conteined in the 21.17 and 18. Chap. of the Acts. This yeare he came first to Corinthe where
one seditious guiltie of treason was giuen in charge to 10. souldiers or rather tormenters to be led to Rome and be put to Lions wherof Ignacius himselfe saith I haue had to fight with beasts from Siria to Rome by sea by land night and day amongst 10. Leopards c. Ireneus in his fift booke speaking of Ignacius beeing condemned to beasts he said saith he I am the wheat of Iesus Christ and shal be grinded with the teeth of beasts to the end I may be made the bread of God Alexander the 7. Bishop of Rome was a Romane and gouerned 10. yeares namely from the 12. yeare of Traian til the third of Adrian Many things are spoken of the integritie of his life wherby many of the Romane Senators were drawne to the Christian faith seeing in him vertues truly Episcopall yet it is attributed vnto him that he should first bring in new ceremonies of the Church as the holy water so keepe in houses and Churches against the diuell and for remission of sinnes Also to mingle wine and water together at the Lords supper Also the Asperges vpon the people Also that Bread should be without Leauen and not commō bread as before They make him the first which by decree excommunicated them who resisted Apostolicke messengers He ordeined that no Clarke should be accused and drawne before a secular Iudge he is said to be the first which added to the Lords supper Caena pridie quà m pateretur made that ouerture to his successors to adde thervnto which haue not since ceased vntill the whole Supper of the Lord was corrupted and chaunged Also he ordeined to celebrate but once a day Note heere generally for the Bishops which were first at Rome that many Epistles haue bene attributed vnto them which mention greater number of Ceremonies then there is in other Churches and such as were vnknowne to them which writ in that time which made them then suspected For the Popes which came after haue made those first Bishops their buckler for authors of their lyes and dreames Alexander receiued the Crowne of Martirdome vnder the Emperour Adrian by the commaund of his Gouernour Aurelian who demaunded of Alexander why hee held his peace when the fire was lightned about him to burne him He answered that he was speaking to God signifying that he prayed and therefore it was not lawfull for him to speake vnto men Honorius and Nauclerus Dion rehearseth of the Emperour Traian that before he died his members were retracted and al his body senslesse His sences also were dulled and after that he became to be full of the dropsie and greatly swelled He finally died in Selinion a Towne of Cicile Some say his body was brought to Rome and deified by the Senate after his death after the maner of the Romanes Although this Prince had great politicke vertues yet is he to be placed in the third ranke of the cruel enemies and persecutors of the Church of God Adrian the 16. Emperour raigned 22. yeares gentle and cunning in all knowledges He persecuted the Christians But when he knew the truth of their life he caused the persecution to cease Quadratus Bishop of Athens the Apostles Disciple presented an Apologeticke booke to the said Adrian in defence of the Christian Faith Aristides a Philosopher of Athens a faithfull man made a like Booke wherevpon Adrian sent to Minutius Fundanus Proconsul of Asia that he should no more persecute the Christians But if they did any thing against lawes he would that he should therein deale according to the qualitie of the crime And if any slaunderoufly accused them he commaunded such should be chastised for their malice Nicomedia and Nice were ruinated by an Earthquake and afterward restored by the liberalitie of Adrian Euseb Chro. All euils which came to men were laide vpon the Christians saying they came all for their cause whether they were Earthquakes warre or other calamities Sixtus or Xistus a Romane 8. Bishop of Rome ruled about 10. yeares He decreed that none should touch the consecrated ornaments Vessels Challices c. vnlesse they were Church-men He added to the Communion of the Eucharist Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth He graunted this priuiledge to Clarkes that they might appeale from their Bishop to the Apostolicke Sea In his Decretalls he is called Arch-bishop of the Romane Church Item vniuersall Bishop of the Apostolicke Church About this time those words Arch-bishop Metropolitane and Clergie beganne to be vsed in Epistles He appointed certaine punishments for Priests or Ministers that were negligent in baptizing Children before their deaths At this time the Supper of the Lord was called Eucharist The words Sacrifice or Masse were not yet brought in And although Ireneus sometimes called the Eucharist Oblation hee declares his meaning therein in his 4. Booke and 34. Chapter We make vnto him an Oblation saith he not as to him which stands in need thereof but as giuing him thankes for the good he hath done vnto vs. And againe he willes also that we giue offerings at the Aultar and often and without ceasing But the Aultar is in heauen saith he and thither must we addresse our prayers and Oblations It may well be that then this word Oblation was in common vse because the custome then was to offer Loaues of bread in great abundance for the vse of the Supper wherewith the Ministers liued and the poore were nourished The Iewes surprised with a new rage beganne againe to take armes against the Romanes Dion saith the occasion thereof was for that Adrian had builded there a Temple to Iupiter and placed there Idols of the Gentiles The Iewes chose for their Captaine Barrochabas who named himselfe the sonne of the Starre This man exercised great crueltie against Christians because they woulde not ioyne with the Iewes But Adrian repressed those seditious people and famished them and tooke away their waters and finally discomfited them nigh to Bethera a little Towne by Ierusalem and in one onely battaile hee slew fiftie eight thousand men After Nicephorus Ancelme speaketh of fiftie thousand Iewes slaine fiftie holdes taken and nine hundred eightie fiue Villages destroyed as well by famine as by fire and bloud and all the rest of the Iewes miserably driuen from Ierusalem into far Countries and sold ouer all the world The Emperour Adrian would not that the Citie of Ierusalem should any more retaine his auncient name but hauing againe made it he called it by his owne name Aelia Capitolina Honorius and Eusebius say that hee made Edicts be published whereby it was not lawfull for the Iewes no not so much as to regard a farre off their Country of Iudea The first so terrible a destruction might haue sufficiently taught them that the kingdome was taken from them as the Prophets had foretold But God would that a second time they should feele a punishment almost as horrible
Deacons and other Ministers of the Aultar ought to bee chosen such as they can keepe themselues without marrying and that no Clarke should frequent the company of women There is attributed vnto him an Epistle written to the Bishops of Spaine and Fraunce wherein is proposed a kinde of gouernment which seemes not to agree with the time of Lucius Therein is ordeined that in all places there should be two Priests and three Deacons with a Bishop to keepe him company wheresoeuer he went as witnesses of his life As if then there had bene so great tranquilitie as a Bishop might goe take his pleasure or shewe himselfe with great companies The yeare 257. the heresie of Noetus and Sabellius after Theodoret got a passage although before it had beene debated in Affrike by Praxeas and Hermogenes They said that God the Father suffered and therefore S. Augustine saith they were called Patripassians Many Histories make mention of an horrible pestilence in the time of Gallus the infection whereof came into Aethiope and after it had consumed the Southerne people it came into the East and there laid holde on the other parts of the world so that many places were left desolate And this wound endured so long time that scant it finished before the end of tenne yeares Of this so terrible and extraordinary an euill S. Ciprian tooke an argument to make his booke Intituled Of the crueltie Emilian succeeded Gallus and Volusian after he had slaine them Hee was a man of base condition issuing from Mauritaine and was Emperour but three moneths Valerian Licinius Valerianus chosen Emperour a man of noble race excellent in knowledge and honestie an examplarie of a true Censor and Senator in all his life But in him all these vertues were defaced First for that he ioyned with him in the Empire his sonne Galien who was a monster in all abhominarion Item by the persecution that he stirred against the Christians Of all the Emperours there was not one before him which at the beginning hadde beene so soft and milde towards Christians yea familiar in so much as his Court was full of them But after he gaue himselfe to Deuines and Aegyptian Enchaunters hee was perswaded to put to death the seruants of GOD as they which hindered those wicked Enchaunters to kill poore children and to offer vppe the sonnes and daughters of theyr miserable parents A litle after hee had begunne to persecute the Christians hee went to make warre vppon the Persians and in a battaile hee was taken aliue Sapor King of the Persians vsed such crueltie towards Valerian who was of the age of seuentie yeares that when hee mounted on horsebacke hee serued himselfe with Valerians backe to get vp Eutropius Pollio Aurelius Victor Sabellicus and Laetus doo recite this and say hee vsed his age in this miserable seruitude Eusebius in the Oration which hee made heereof to the whole congregation of the faithfull saith that Sapor commaunded that Valerian should bee scorched and salted Gallienus raigned then alone and gaue himself to Idlenesse dissolution and whoordome In his time there was no place in all the Romane Iurisdiction except Italie alone wherein there were not seditions and rebellions Trebellius an Historiographer accounteth thirtie all which at one time were named Emperours some in one Region and some in others Cilicia Cappadocia and Syria were pilled and wasted by the Persians vnder Sapor The Almaines after they had tormented the Gaules entred by force into Italie The Gothes pilled Pontus Asia Macedonia and Greece See the Romane Histories Vnder his rule monstrous things came to passe horrible ouertures and Earthquakes whereof many there were which died of excessiue feare Rome was shaken Libia trembled Aurelius Victor saith that Gallien was slaine with his sonne at Millaine or with his brother Valerian as Eutropius saith They which haue set downe in writing the Romane affaires were of opinion that these mischiefes happening to the Romane Empire came by the wicked gouernment of the Princes But we thinke that the iudgement and vengeance of God prouoked by the former persecutions as well of others as of himselfe fell vpon them S. Ciprian hauing bene sent into exile vnder Valerian and Gallien by Paternus gouernour of Affrike and vnder Maximus who succeeded him in the gouernment was finally beheaded in the time of Lucius after Sabellicus Marianus Scotus saith that Lucius Bishop of Rome was banished for the confession of Christ in the persecution of Valerian and Gallien and that afterward he was permitted to return vnto his Ministerie and that finally he was beheaded and so might he be Bishop the space of three yeares and more Theodorus and Athenodorus Bishops of Pontus in this time Theodorus was after called Gregorie as Eusebius saith Lib. 6. Cap. 30. These two hearing the great renowne of the learning of Origine came to Cesaria where Origine read publikely hauing forsaken Alexandria and were perswaded by Origen to let goe their Philosophie and to apply themselues vnto the holy scriptures Basile the great said that the heresie of Sabellius was extinguished by this Gregorie the great If Nicephorus deserue credit Theodorus or Gregorie liued very long namely vnto the time of Dioclesian Yet Basile in his 62. Epistle which is to the Neocesarians writeth that hee was not very olde when he died Paul called Samosatenus of the Towne of Samosate which is in Mesopotania of Siria vpon the floud Enphrates was ordeined Bishop of Antioch after Demetrius the thirteenth yeare of Galien The Bishops which assisted the Councell of Antioch to refute his wicked doctrine and blasphemies against God and the Lord Iesus haue sufficiently witnessed of him We may not here let passe the Historie of Origines end that is that after the yeare wherein Demetrius ordeined him in the office of Catechist vntil the time he died it seemeth he trauelled fiftie two yeares and more and the most part of that time hee employed in teaching writing busie in the affaires of the Church and refuting of heresies In so much that Athanasius saith of him that hee was admirable of great labour Finally after he had constantly endured many greeuous torments he was led before an Aultar vnto which they had brought a wicked Aethiopian and there was proposed vnto him two things the one either to offer vp sacrifice vnto the Idoll or else abandon his body to the villainous Aethiopian Origen made a signe that hee had rather offer sacrifice Then they thrust a Sensor into his hand For which Impietie he was after excommunicated out of the Church of Alexandria from whence hee retyred into Iudea and being come to Ierusalem the Priests and Elders requested and after constrained him to speake in the congregation of the faithfull because he was a Priest Origen rose vp as if he should make a Sermon but hee only recited his Theame of the 50. Psalme And God said to the Preacher
Wherefore preachest thou my Iustifications And wherefore takest thou my Testament in thy mouth c. And incōtinently shut the booke then sat he downe sheading teares and lamenting with great cry being not able to speake and all that were present wept with him Suidas addeth that hee was buried in the Towne of Tyre Euse Lib. 7. cap. 1. saith it was vnder the Emperour Gallus 255. or thereabouts and then was it betwixt the yeare 50. of his age or 69. after Nicephorus And as it may be thought he dyed in great pouertie and miserie if not in dispaire S. Ierome although he sometimes handled him rudely yet he admireth him and praiseth him because of his great knowledge in the Epistle to Pammathus and Ocean He praiseth his spirit but not his faith This should make vs walke in feare and care in our vocation Stephen borne at Rome was Bishop of Rome and the successor of Lucius The greatest paine that he had in his gouernmēt was that he opposed himselfe forcibly against S. Cyprian and all the Councell of Affricke touching the difference that then was moued to rebaptise heretikes as it is recited by Eusebius Lib. 7. ca. 2. 3. The contents of the two Decretall Epistles attributed vnto him deserue no credite The one to Hilarie Bishop and the other to all the Bishops of the Prouinces touching accusations made against Priests For it seemes not that the Romane Church was in such prosperitie then that Stephen Bishoppe thereof had no other thing to do and ordaine but with what reuerence a man must handle the Chalice and holy garments or as Isidore and Polydore witnesse of him that he was the first Inuentor of the Couerings of the Aultar Damasus attributes vnto him two ordinances in which sixe Priests fiue Deacons and sixe Bishops were ordeined and saith that after he had gouerned seuen yeares and fiue moneths he was martyred But Euseb Lib. 7. cap. 5. sheweth that hee was but two yeares in his office S. Cyprian writ vnto him certaine Epistles which are in his workes Denis Bishop of Alexandria excellent in doctrine although he suffered not martyrdome but watched in the midst of the Church therfore God preserued him from Martyrdom as Niceph. speaketh Li. 15. ca. 28. Notwithstanding he endured terrible afflictions diuers banishments in two violent persecutions vnder Decius and after vnder Valerian He died very olde and it hapned at what time the two Councells were held against Paul Samosaten An. 12. of Gallien and of Christ 288. hauing gouerned the state of Alexandria 16. yeares and the Church 17. About this time many Nations cast themselues vpon the marches of the Romanes The Countrey of Denmarke was taken out of their hands Likewise the Almaines came euē to Rauenna putting all to fire and blood This was the first waining and decreasing of the Romaine Empire For the Countrey was neuer after recouered Egipt reuolted France was lost Macedonia Pontus Asia wasted by the Gothes Pannonia by the Sarmates Zenobia Queene of the Persians ruled in the East To vnderstand all this diminution and fall of this Empire See Trebellio Pollia a Romane Historiographer Phillip Bishop of Alexandria martyred and his daughter Eugenia at Rome The great Temple of Diana in Ephesus was pilled and burnt by the Gothes A second Cerinthus hereticke promised in the kingdome to come great store of meates and women and that after a thousand yeares should bee the resurrection and the kingdome of Christ should be on earth Xistus or Sixtus the second of that name succeeded Stephen he was of Athens He was ordeined Bishop of Rome by the election of the Cleargie comming from Spaine where he was preaching There are attributed vnto him two Decretals the one to Gayus Bishop the other to the brothers of Spaine the which containe nothing but the forme of the common gouernment which they make vs beleeue was thē Item touching the vowes of Priests But we may easily see that all is forged at pleasure Damasus after his maner reciteth that hee made orders twise ordeining Priests Deacons and Bishops Bergomensis Sabellicus recite that Xistus trauelled much to take away the heresies of the Sabellians Cerinthians and Nepotians Finally that he was accused by them before Gallien and vpon his commaundement beheaded and with him 6. Deacons S. Ambrose in his Offices li. 1. cap. 41. reciteth that as he wēt to death it is said that one Laurence a Deacon spoke to him in this sort Father wilt thou goe without thy sonne And Xistus answered him My sonne I shall not leaue thee There are greacombattes for the Faith prepared for thee thou shalt follow me three dayes after In the meane while if thou hast any thing in thy treasure distribute it to the poore This Laurence was the chiefe of the seuen Deacons of the Church of Rome which had the handling of the goods deputed for almes The Gouernour of Rome being hungry of siluer and perswaded that the Church had gold siluer moueables as Candlesticks Chalices and such like things would needs haue forced Laurence to haue tolde him where those treasures were Laurence to do this hauing taken the terme of three dayes distributed it all to the poore whatsoeuer he had Then hauing gathered together on an heape all the poore lame and diseased which were maintained of almes At the day assigned hee prayed the Gouernour to goe with him to that place and shewing him al those poore and diseased people he said Behold the vessels of siluer yea the Talents in order receiue them and thou shalt adorne the Citie of Rome and enrich the Reuenewe of the Emperour and thine owne The Gouernour seeing himselfe mocked commaunded hee should be stretched on an Iron grate red hotte and soone after the tormentors laid him on it who with great courage endured that cruell and long torment and finally prayed and inuocated the Lord and so yeelded his happie soule Prudencius a Christian Poet in his booke of Crownes describeth this martirdome Denis succeeded Xistus and as Damasus saith of a Monke was made Bishop But it appeareth rather by that which Eusebius Lib. 7. Ca. 7. and S. Hierome say that he was a Priest of the Church of Rome the yeare of our Lord 266. and the 10. yeare of Gallien Two Decretall Epistles are attributed vnto him In the first he exhorteth Vrbain to follow the true Religion The second distributeth and makes partitions of Churches into Parishes and Diocesses Item that two seuerall times he held orders But Eusebius saith Lib. 7. Cap. 30. that Denis died without martyrdome hauing gouerned 9. yeares Others say sixe yeares and sixe moneths The Councell of Antioche against Paul Samosetaine was celebrated in his time wherein the said Paul was condemned and cast out of the communion of the vniuersall Church and Donus a man accomplished with vertues was ordeined in his place He was the sonne of Demetrian who had ruled in that Church without
reproach Hist Eccle. Lib. 7. Chap. 17. Note how the Sonne succeeded the Father in their Bishopricks And so in Victors time Polictates a Bishop of Asia said that he himselfe was the 8. Bishop of his Auncestors Some say that Galien seeing the long horrible seruitude of his Father vnder Sapor King of Persia as is said caused to cease the persecution by publicke Edicts permitting euery one to liue after his owne lawe Hee was so giuen to his pleasures that when it was tolde him that many Countries were reuolted from him hee did but laugh In so much that his souldiers slew him at Millaine at the age of 50. yeares hauing raigned 15. yeares that is to say seuen with his Father and eight alone Thirtie Tyrants rose vp which sore afflicted the Romane Common-wealth Ignatius saith it Claudus the Emperour raigned almost two yeares Trebellius saith that in his kingdome the Gothes and diuers other people of Scythia pilled the Romaine Prouinces and that there were three hundreth thousande men of barbarous Nations which by force entred into the Romaine Territories against which people as well by sea as by land the Emperour Claudus obteined victorie the first yeare of his kingdome and finally chased them away After him Quintilius his brother was chosen of the Romane Senators and raigned but seuenteene dayes and was slaine or as some say he caused his owne foote to bleed in water hauing vnderstood that Aurelian was chosen Emperour Aurelian the Emperour is rather to be numbred amongst necessary Princes then good for so much praise as his militarie Art deserueth so much his domesticke crueltie takes from him which he exercised euen against his sisters sonne Vopiscus witnesseth that the Emperour Aurelian the first yeare of his kingdome recouered Gaule after hee had vanquished Tetrike who before occupied it this was in the yeare of Christ 274. after Eusebius He also deliuered from the Barbarians the Inhabitants of Auspourge which were besieged by the said Barbarians After this he tryumphed ouer Zenobia and the Persians hauing vanquished them Some say hee founded Orleans and Geneua renowned Townes Eusebius saith of him that he was towards Christians very peaceable at the beginning but soone after he chaunged his good opinion at the perswasion of wicked people Insomuch that he determined to persecute the Churches and letters of his Edict were written and wanted but his signet and hand for to send them vnto the Prouinces but God by his diuine clemencie hindered it For hee dyed suddenly before he could execute his will Some say a Thunderboult light nigh vnto Aurelian and such as followed him euen when he began to persecute the Christians and that soone after he was flaine by one of his houshold and familiars as hee was going the second time to warre vpon the Therikes Herein would God giue his to know that his chosen are not executed at the pleasure of men but when it pleaseth him This was the ninth persecution against the Christians which endured not long for the death of the said Tyrant It should also be noted that euen whilest Aurelian the Emperour raigned foure Tyrants inuaded the Empire namely Firmian Saturnin Bonosus and Proculus As Vopiscus saith After the death of Aurelian the Empire was voyd seuen moneths And after him Tacitus was chosen Emperour a wise and graue man but he was slaine the sixt moneth of his Empire Florian his brother tooke from him his Empire not by the Senates authoritie but of his owne will thinking it belonged vnto him by hereditary right yet notwithstanding a while after he was slain nigh Tharsus hauing raigned 60. daies Some say he caused his owne veines to be opened Probus issued from Dalmatia was declared Emperour a man excellent both in peace and warre hee raigned 6. yeares and foure moneths The first yeare of his raigne he recouered Gaul which the Barbarians and Almaines had againe occupied and brought them vnder the first obedience of the Romanes He reduced all Germanie into a Prouince He tooke away olde Tyrants and brought peace into the world So that he said there should be no more any need of souldiers which caused them so to malice him that they conspired to sley him Manes the hereticke at this time composed many bookes and almongst others one hee Intituled The Misteries of Maniche He was a Persian by Nation And seeing many abhorred his lyes and blasphemies sought all meanes to giue authoritie to his doctrine He made the King of Persia beleeue that he would heale his sonne who was greeuously sicke But after the Kings sonne was taken from the Phisitians and put into the hands of Manes he died The King of Persia caused him to be apprehended and made him to be broyled aliue vpon an hot Iron Suidas and Epipha recite it Hee was a great Magician and S. Augustine saith that the bookes of the Maniches are full of fables of Astronomie S. Ierom in the preface of the Dialogues against the Pelagians saith that the Manicheans affirmed that when they are come to the highest degree of perfection they can no more sinne no not in thought nor by ignorance Felix borne at Rome was ordeined Bishop after Denis the yeare of Christ 280. after Eusebius and the first yeare of the raigne of Probus The last Authors attribute vnto him two Epistles Decretals without authoritie of the Elders The first is written to Paternus Bishop The 2. to all the Bishops of France wherein he declareth that he had determined in a Councell that Messes should be celebrated vpō the memory of Martyrs least it might be quenched The word Messe doth manifestly enough shew the deceit and forging of those decretals For it was not yet vsed neither are there found any Authors of that time which haue written thereof Felix finally suffred martirdom after he had bin bishop of Rome 5. yeares after Euse But after Dama 4. yeres 3. months 5. daies Eutichian a Tuscā of the towne of Lunes succeeded him the year of Christ 284. the 1. yeare of y e raign of the Emp. Probus Two decretal Epistles are attributed vnto him the 1. to them of Boetia cōtaining certain doctrines of y e Incarnatiō of Christ of his body of his Crosse of his death of hell of our saluatiō Damasus attributeth vnto him a ceremony touching the oblation of Gummes fruites as Beanes Pease Raisons and such like The same Damasus saith of him if we must needs beleeue him that with his owne hands he buried 342. Martyrs and that he ordained that none should bury any Martyr without a Damaltike or a Sacerdoll coate and without fire Whosoeuer vnderstands the horror of the persecutions of this time way easily coniecture the lyes of such ceremonies Gratian the great Forger reciteth that Eutichian made many constitutions That Abbesses and Nunnes should not put vailes vpon widowes or maydens which should be Nunnes Item that such as came to Councells about
he writ to many But finally being tormented by the filthinesse and stench of the place in the end he yeelded his spirit to God the yeare 308. Eusebius a Gretian by Nation a Phisitians sonne after Damasus succeeded in the gouernment of the Romane Church in the great persecutions in the time of Maxentius the horrible Tyrant The Authours of the Ecclesiasticall history make no mention of this Eusebius The booke of Councells attribute to him three Decretall Epistles The first to the Bishoppes of Gaul The second to the Egiptians The third to the Bishoppes of Tuscane and Campania His ordinances contained in those Epistles are these in effect That sheepe shall not draw their Shepheard or Bishop into Lawe vnlesse he denie the Faith That a mayd which shall be espowsed only by words of the present time may enter into Religion That the Sacrifice of the Aultar be consecrated not in cloath of silke but in linnen cloth and such like bables which the infamous fauourers of the seate of Popes haue not beene ashamed to assigne to those good and faithfull Ministers of the Lorde to disfigure and defile with their orders this honest face of the primitiue Church which follow his head Iesus Christ in continuall persecutions to establish their seate of perdition and to pollute the bloud of those holy Martyrs But contrary Eusebius trauailed much in the haruest of the Lords word as well at Rome as other where in the time of persecutions vnder Maxentius vntill that as Christianus Mattoens saith hee finished his life by martyrdome the yeare of the Lord 309. But amongst Histogoriographers there is great diuersitie for the number of yeares Licinius born in Dare was made Augustus companiō of the Empire with Maximin Galari after the death of Seuerus the yeare of our Lord 308. He was a warlike man and Slauonia was first giuen him to gouerne after the East he was noble although he came of a pesant he shewed himselfe cruel towards the children of Galerius his ally He was an enemy vnto letters as hauing no knowledge no not to write his owne name And he called the liberall Arts a publike poyson and pestilence Euseb lib. 4. ca. 13. He deserued praise in that he repressed abuses the boldnesse insolencies of the brauest of his Court which he called the Moathes and Rattes of his Pallace He raigned 14 yeares liued 60. See Pomp. Laet. Constantine the great sonne of the Emperour Constantius and Helena S. Ambrose in his funerall Oration of Theodosius saith that hee was a seruant in a stable and was borne in England Hee was instructed in the Militarie Art vnder Galerius He tamed the Sermates a fearce Nation barbarous brought their Duke captiue to Galerius who cōceiued enuy at the glory of this yong Prince whereof being aduertised he retired from Rome towards his Father into England who dyed soone after By the fauour of Princes he was declared Emperour the yeare 309. The Senate writ vnto him Letters to aduertise him of the euil gouernment Maxentius for the great cruelties hee exercised at Rome wherevpon he marched towards Rome and pursued Maxentius who retiring into the Towne made couer Tyber with Boats nye the bridge Miluius which by subtil deceit as hee thought he made ioyne together to deceiue Constantine and to haue drown'd him whē he followed him But he himself as furious first comming out to flie not remembring his owne stratageme that hee practised for an other entred on horsebacke with a fewe people vpon the bridge where he was drowned in Tyber the 6. yeare of his Empire For this happie deliuerance honors were giuen to Constantius so he acquited Italie and Affrike For his Father had only left him the Gaulois and Spaine and would so haue contented himselfe had it not bene for the warre that Licinius raised making himselfe Cesar and was established in the East Maximian as we haue said with his great griefe had forsakē the Empire being greeued so long to lead a priuate life did his best by the meanes of Maxentius his sonne chosen Emperour to returne to the Empire but because hee succeeded therein not well he retired towards his sonne in lawe Constantine vnto whom he had giuen his daughter Fausta and sought by ambushes to cast him out of the Empire Which Fausta perceiuing well reuealed to her husband preferring him before her father Wherefore the sonne in lawe besieged him at Marcellis tooke him aliue and bad him choose whatsoeuer kind of death he would He strangled himselfe with a cord or girdle And so this wicked and bloudie man which had shead so much Christian bloud vnluckily finished his life of his age sixtie Licinius at the first had some great familiaritie with Constantine and to please him made a shew to loue the Christians in so much that he married Constance the sister of Constantine and by a mutuall consent together caused to publish lawes for the Christians but afterward comming againe to his nature and forgetting the honour that Constantine had done him began to conspire against him because Constantine so fauoured Christians whose enemie he declared himselfe alleadging this cause that in their assemblies they prayed for Constantine and not for him Licinius then beganne the persecution by his owne house after he stretched it farre by Lawes and Edicts into the Prouinces of the East forbidding especially Bishoppes to make assemblies and Sinodes Secondly that men and women to auoyd scandalles and offence not to assemble at prayers Thirdly that such as were appointed prisoners as transgressors of Edicts should not be visited nor succoured in paine to incurre the like condemnation c. He then set himselfe against the Bishops not openly for feare of Constantine but made them die secretly by his Committees Euseb Lib. 10. Chap. 8. In the Towne of Sebasta Losias killed in a poole fortie souldiers whose Martirdome Basile the great described and other Martirs which were cruelly murdered Licinius increased more and more his crueltie but the Lord sent Constantine to represse him who experimented against him the Forces of the Gaules and Italie hauing ouerthrowne him in Hungarie and pursued him into Macedonia where he repaired his forces He was chased into Asia and in the end yeelded himselfe seeing he was vanquished by sea and by land and was sent into Thessalonica to liue priuately yet could he not so escape the true vengeance of his boldnesse crueltie and infidelitie For hee was slaine by Constantines souldiers about the yeare of our Lord three hundred twentie and foure after some writers Melchiades the thirtith Bishop succeeded in the Church of Rome and was of Affrike after Damasus A man of great pietie and a true seruant in the holy Ministerie of the Gospell and in the affaires of the truth of God vntill hee was put to death vnder Maximin Galerius the yeare of the Lord 314. Read herevpon the Ecclesiasticall History of Eusebius where he reciteth diuers cruell kindes of death wherewith the
containe also errors contrary to the doctrine of him As the adoration of the Sacrament the Inuocation of Saints and chiefly of the Virgin Marie The Emperour Constantine hauing ouercome all these tyrants namely Maxentius Maximian and Licinius the Lord gaue rest to his Church which was almost ruinated and troden vnder feete and gaue a gentle spirit to Constantine to repaire by a Monarchy the great dissipation and discord which the misgouernment of many had brought Constantine was long ere hee could vnwrap himselfe out of his auncient and Ethnicke superstitions his wife Fausta maintaining him therein but after hee sawe himselfe peaceable in his Empire there was courage giuen vnto him to applye his power vnto the matters of the Church True it is as for Baptisme that hee deferred it a long time because hee alwaies determined to goe against the Persians and vpon deuotion without knowledge to be baptized in Iordain Eusebius reciteth it in his life yet after all hee honoured it and authorized it by Edicts and Lawes which hee caused to be published Hee had a burning heart to the Faith and was maruellous carefull to helpe the necessities of the Church hee was of nature soft and benigne and delighted in all good workes and not onely reuoked the tyrannicke and cruel lawes that were before made against Christians but gaue to Churches great priuiledges It was not inough for him to account Ministers equall to himselfe but hee honoured and preferred them before him as representing the diuine Maiestie And by such meanes hee was both loued honoured and cherished not as an Emperour but as a Father Euseb Siluester a Romane was constituted Bishop of Rome after Melchiades and gouerned the Church a long time Being ordeined Bishop he exercised not onely the office of a Pastor in teaching but also in reprehending the vices of the Cleargie There are attributed vnto him certain miracles by which he drew many to the Christian faith When Maxentius raigned at Rome to shunne his crueltie Siluester retired out of Rome and remained a certain time at the Mount Soracte and returned vnder Constantine after the death of the said Tyrant Constantine established many lawes First that Christ should be worshipped of all as the true God Item that whosoeuer should doo iniurie to any Christian the halfe of his goods should be confiscated Hee permitted all such as were vnder his Empire not onely to be Christians but also to found and build Temples The word Martir was vsed in the time of Constantine then when in remembrance of the Martirs men builded Temples and about the thirtieth yeare of Constantine a Temple called Martirium Magnum was builded in Ierusalem in the place called Cranium See Sozom Ich. 2. Cap. 26. Constantine caused to bee made a Tabernacle in forme of a Temple which he commaunded to be carried when he went to the warres wherein he held the assemblies of the Christians Sozom. Lib. 1. Chap. 8. Touching the Donation attributed vnto him that is to say that he gaue Rome Italie and other Westerne Prouinces to Siluester as the Romane Bishops pretend it is a matter inuented or at least doubtfull and euen the Popes owne decrees are against it The two last Chapters make no mention of other Prouinces but onely of the Towne of Rome no nor in the auncient volumes of decrees is there any mention nor any thing found in any Author of that time as Antonine saith in his Chronicles See Naucler Of this matter see Laurencius Valla and Iohn le Maire in his Treatise of the difference of Schismes and Councells of the Church Constantine determined to build a Towne of his name and elected Bizantium for it which he compassed with ditches and the Towne builded in the middest he called Constantinople of his name there establishing the Emperial seat of his Empire Bizanzium was an auncient Towne which a litle before was destroyed by Gallien and Pertinax but Constantine restored it and adorned it with rich ornaments brought from all the parts of the world in so much the Hierome writeth that Constantine stripped naked as it were all the Townes of the world to embellish this new Rome For he transported from the Castle which was at Ilion the chiefe Towne of Troy the Palladium and from Troas the Image of Apollo which was of Brasse and of a maruellous greatnesse From Rome a piller of Porphire called Coclis which he enuironed with diuers mettalls and placed it in the market place paued with stones Before wee come to the successors of Siluester wee will briefly touch the estate of the Church at that time And first Of the Ecclesiasticall degrees There were of olde three Ecclesiasticall degrees namely the Bishop the Priest and the Deacon with the Ministers and company of the faithfull Ambrose in his booke of the Sacerdotall dignitie Hierome to Nepotian saith that Bishops and Priests were all one sauing that the Bishop was a name of dignitie and Priest was a name of age but in respect of schismes and necessities happening in the Church there was made a distinction Ambrose in the aforesaid booke witnesseth that the ordination is alike for both are Priests but the Bishop is the chiefe Priest Other names as Subdeacons Acolites and Exorcists came after The name of Cleargie was receiued in this time to signifie all Ecclesiasticall offices and dignities Euseb Lib. 10. Chap. 2. Hierome to Nepotian yeeldeth this reason of the name Cleros saith he in Greeke signifieth Lot in Latine therefore are Clarkes named because they are of the lot and of the inheritance of the Lord or for that the Lord is their Lot that is to say their part and heritage Afterward men called Clarkes such as euery Church nourished at the owne charge to serue after for the ministerie of the Church Metropolitanes were so called by reason of the principall and chiefe Townes whereof they were Bishops and so Zozomen Lib. 3. Cap. 16. He calleth Basile Metropolitane of Cappadocea And the same in Lib. 2. Chap. 8. saith the like of an Archbishops name Patriarke was named the Bishop of all the Prouince Socrates Lib. 5. Chap. 8. The office of a Bishop was to teach the people as also the Priests But in the Church of Alexandria after the poyson of Arrius the Bishop alone had that charge Socrates lib. 5. chap. 22. The ordination of Ministers appertained to the Bishop which is all the right of preheminence that they had aboue Priests as S. Ierome saith to Euagrius Vicars of Bishops are found in the Canons of the Councell of Ancyra Neocesaria and Antioch Chorepiscopi and Basile vseth that name in the Epistle fiftie and foure Amongst the generall Epistles there is one found vnder the name of Damasus to Prosper wherein Damasus beeing asked answereth that Vicars called Chorepiscopi were no more but Priests and that they could not consecrate Priests Deacons Subdeacons nor Virgines nor Aultars neither dedicate
Churches or like things contained in the Epistle whereof let each man iudge considering that time wherein Damasus was To Priests or Lords it appertained also to take vp debates and controuersies It appeareth by Epiphanius Lib. 2. Tom. 2. Heresie 69. that they were also sent Embassadors to Councells to accuse Heretickes The custodie of Ecclesiasticall goods belonged vnto them Sozomen Lib. 5. Chap. 8. saith that Theodoretus a Priest of Antioche was Gardian of the precious vessells Deacons administred onely and executed Ecclesiasticall charges They were carried vnto publike disputations to play the Notaries and gather together the Actes As appeareth in the example of Athanasius who came with his Bishop Alexander then an olde man to the Councell of Nice and did greatly helpe and aide Alexander to discouer and confute the fallacies of heretickes Rufin lib. 1. chap. 14. The constitutions of Siluester as is conteined in the 1. Tome of Councells makes those degrees A commaundement of Subdeacons to obey Deacons and Acolites Subdeacons Exorcistes to obey Acolites Lectors Exorcistes Porters Lectors and to Porters the Abbot and to the Abbot the Monkes Exorcists after Epiphanius were such as interpreted one tongue by an other either at Lectors or at Colloquies In the Code of Theodosius there are certaine constitutions which make also mention of Diaconesses which was a ministry of women for the visitation and inspection of bodies Each Towne had his Bishop Ruffin lib. 1. cap. 6. saith that in the 10. Canon of the Councell of Nice it was forbidden that in any Cities should be two Bishops to the end that the order of Ecclesiasticall gouernment as proceeding from one head might be distributed into diuers actions to Priests and Deacōs wherof the number was indifferent although ordinarily it was of seuen according to the 14. Canon of the Councell of Neocesaria The Eccclesiasticall administration Basile diuideth the Auditors of Gods word into two companies the one of such as were rude and the other of such as had made some progresse therin Ambrose distinguisheth them into Lay-men Clarkes in his booke of the Sacerdotall dignitie chap. 2. Hierome vpō the expositiō of the 7 chap of the 2. to the Cor. diuideth them into 3. that is Catechumenes faithfull and penitent Praiers were ordinarily made for all things necessary for the prosperitie of the Empire for the health of the Church for publique tranquilitie for enemies and for such as were not yet conuerted See Socrates lib. 2. cap. 37. Nectarius first tooke away in the Church of Constantinople the ceremony ordained for penance and confession wherein a Priest particularly applied absolution ordained that each one after the witnes of his conscience should approach the cōmunion The occasion of this defence came of a woman of a noble house who hauing confessed to a Priest that shee had had the company of a Deacon in the Church the Priest reuealed this scandal to the said Bishop and the ceremony of confession was abolished Socrates lib. 5. chap. 9. In the time of Constantine many ceremonies vnnecessary and euill agreeing with the word of God were brought in as candles lighted in the day time which this Costantine instituted in Temples newly by him builded and consecrated worthy ornaments and other things altogether superfluous and superstitious which other Churches then tooke vp Bishops also at this time denounced to their people Feast-dayes As Basile rehearseth of himselfe that he denounced in a Sermon the feast-day of a Martyr Iulitta One new thing not vsed in times past was now brought in The Emperour Constantine gaue power to Clarkes to appeale from ciuill Magistrates to Bishops which thing was the first that gaue occasion to Antichrist to chaunge transforme the kingdome of Iesus Christ into a polliticke kingdome by litle litle to lift himselfe vp aboue Magistrates of Ministers and Doctors to become Dictators and Kings leauing the charge of soules A new thing also of this time the care to build Temples was committed to Bishops As Constantine cōmitted to Macarius Bishop of Ierusalem the building of a Temple which he willed should be builded in the place where the Sepulchre was Sozomene in his 4. booke and 13. chap rehearseth that Basile builded the Tēple of the Towne of Ancyra in Gallatia A new charge also was giuen to Bishops of this time to consecrate Temples to seeke out transport frō place to place reliques of Saints As we may see in the 85. Epistle of S. Ambrose Such graunts peruerted the true office of a Bishop which is to teach and feed the flocke with the pure word of God Of the goods of the Church The Church of this time began to be enriched by gifts largitions munificēces of Princes Maximin feeling himself taken with a greeuous disease made an Edict for the Christians that the houses lands possessions takē away in times of persecutiōs should be restored to the true possessors Euseb li. 9. ch 10. The Emperor Cōstantin not only caused that which had bin takē frō the Christiās to be again restored but also caused to be sold for the cōmoditie of the poore of the Church all the most precious Images of the Heathens Sozomene lib. 2. chap. 5. Moreouer he withdrew from the Reuenewes of euery Towne a certain Impost and ordained it for the profit of the Church and cleargie thereof commaunding by Edict that that gift should passe to them successiuely for euer The same Sozomene li. 1. chap. 3. li. 5. chap. 5. He commaunded further to bring to the treasurie of the Church their goods who had bene martyred which left no children nor kinsfolkes their heires As Eusebius reciteth in the life of Constantine li. 2. Hee willed also that men should distribute Corne in common to the poore Basile in his Epistle 104. witnesseth that many dedicated whole houses to the profit of Churches yea some of their owne motion all their substance vnto Churches which not being permitted daring the raigne of other Emperours was permitted and lawfull by the constitution of Constantine contained in the lawe Ei eod De sacro sanct Eccles The vse of the goods of the Church was applied to sustaine the poore pilgrimes Yet Ambrose in his first booke of Offices chap. 56. excepteth such as had any goods and reuenues of their owne to maintaine them And Hierome in the Epistle to Damasus admonisheth that amongst Clarks there should be none but such as were nourished at the charges of the Church and that had no patrimony or that had no other meanes to sustaine themselues Besides the wages and oblations which Constantin gaue he also granted in all places Immunities to Priests which also the heires of Constantine ratified See the Code de epischo cleris After Ministers the chiefe care was of the poore whose Proctors the Deacons were Cyrillus Bishop of Ierusalem is praised because in a great dearth for the succour and helpe
was ready to depart from his body had more care of the state of the Church then of the dolours of his death This care for Religion is a singular vertue worthy of a Christian Prince Archadius and Honorius the children of Theodosius and of Placille his wife a vertuous Ladie raigned after their mother the yeare 397. Arcadius was Emperour of the East and Honorius of the West Their father ordained them Tutors before hee died to Arcadius Rufin and to Honorius Stillico and Gildo was also Instituted Gouernour of Affrike Honorius then ruled the Empire at Rome his brother gouerning that of Constantinople Three yeares after this Gildo Gouernor of Affrike carried himselfe as Maister and Lord but afterward he was ouercome by Mascezel his brother whose children he had slaine The Westerne Church about this time receiued the fashion to sing Augustine in his Confessions the 9. booke saith it was by the meanes of Ambrose For in the time of the Arrian fury this holy person being constrained by the people to remaine in the Temple yea euen in the night time fearing it should haue bene deliuered to the Arrians accustomed the people to sing Psalmes and Hymnes to put off griefes and passe away the time The East Church from the beginning receiued singing as appeares by Plinie to the Emperour Traian who was at the time that Iohn the Euangelist liued But Augustine in the same booke confesseth he failed therein in that hee gaue more attention to the Song then to the words that in it are passed and accused that sinne for that the voyce and the Song are made for the word but not the word for the Sōg In that place likewise he reciteth the maner of the Church of Alexandria vnder Athanasius See also Hierome vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians Whensoeuer you assemble as S. Paul saith if each one sing Psalmes or Doctrine or Reuelation or Language or interpretation let all be done to aedification 1. Cor. 14. f. 26. The appellation of the Masse The communion of the Eucharist at this time to be called Missa It is twise found in S. Augustine namely in his Sermon of Time 237 wherein hauing exhorted men to pardon iniuries done to one another saith You must come to the Masse of the Catechumenes There we pray Pardon vs our offences as wee pardon them which wee haue offended c. And in an other Sermon 91. he saith In the historie which is read at Masses c. Many doubt whether these Sermons bee S. Augustines But Peter Martir a Diuine of Zurike saith the stile and sentences seeme to bee S. Augustines I am of opinion saith he that in that time of S. Augustine it beganne onely to bee vsurped For if it had beene vsuall S. Augustine would haue oftner made mention of it seeing hee vsed to applye his Sermons after the common manner of speech Iohn Cassian liued in this time vnder the Emperour Honorius The heretikes chased him from the Church of Ierusalem hee came to Marcellis and liued there a Monastike life The word Masse is found in his writings Lib. 3. Chap. 7. and 8. but in an other signification then for the holy Communion that is for the accomplishment and the ende of the congregation of the faithfull For speaking of the sleepe of Monkes he saith Being contented with the time that is permitted to them to sleepe that is from the Masse of the Vigiles vntill the light of the day c. vnderstanding by these words the time wherein they ended the Vigiles As for the deriuation of the name euen as the Latine Doctors which were before this age vsed the word Remissa for remission Tertullian Lib. 4. against Martion in the leafe 24. and Ciprian in his booke of the good of patience so it seeemeth afterward they said Missa for Missio or Demissio that is sending away when the Catechumenes went out of the Temple For after the holy scripture was read in the assembly and that the Sermon was done the Deacon with a loude voyce pronounced Goe or goe out Cathechumenes After this the Cathechumenes went out with the Euergumenes that is to say they which were handled with euil spirits and thirdly such as did penance Dionisius in his Hierarchie makes mention of these orders and so the Latine Church called the celebration of the Eucharist Messe because it was done after the dimission or sending away of the Catechumenes and such as were not capable to bee admitted therevnto And in this signification Ambrose saith Missas facere for sending or letting goe This is the opinion of Peter Martir in his Commentaries vpon the Iudges Some haue said that the word Missa was deriued of the Hebrew word Mas because the gifts which the faithfull offered were said to be presents and sent And the occasion hereof came of the oblations which the Iewes offered at their feast of Pentecost If it were so the Papists abused the word Masse for they will not name it of the almes and gifts which are giuen there but of the oblation they make of the body and bloud of Christ for the quick and dead P. Martyr Catechumenes signified such as were instructed in the faith and were not yet baptized The word is deriued from the Greeke word which signifieth to teach especially by liuely voyce Tertullian calleth them sometimes Hearers or Auditors Augustine calleth them Competitors For before they were admitted to be baptised at Easter they gaue vp their names 40. dayes before During which time the Pastors not onely got information of their faith and doctrine but also of theyr life P. Martir The Papistes Apes of antiquitie had it in custome to send their children to schoole in Lent Rufin before named French by Nation tempted with pride sent presents and siluer to Alarike King of Gothes and stirred him to raise vp warre against Archadius perswading him that that young Prince affrighted would leaue him the Empire His practise was dicouered and Stilico pursued him The souldiers cut off his head and his right hand and after carried them into Constantinople for a shewe See Pomp. Laet. Deuastation of the fourth Monarchie The yeare of the Lord 405. the Gothes entred into Italie with a great and fearfull company But because there is often mention of them we will briefly touch the history of their originall The appellation of Gothes doth not only comprehend one people but many that is to say Gothes Vandales Rugians Hunnes c but the Gothes properly were they which from the I le of Gothland occupied a great part of Lifsland Procopius an Historiographer saith they were Cymmerians and Greekes Being come into Thrace and Hungarie the Romane Emperours sought to driue them backe but could not The first greatest battaile of the Romanes against them was vnder the Emperour Decius wherein he was slain But after the Vandales and Huns comming from Scithia did driue away the Gothes and placed their seates in Hungaria The
because by it wee embrace him that iustifieth vs that is to say Christ our Lord with whom it vniteth and ioyneth vs. In such sort that we are made partakers of him and all the goods he hath and that frō thence good workes should come that is from Iesus who is within vs by the force and free efficacie of whom we begin to will that which is good and to employ our selues therein Zozimus a Grecian by Nation hee ordained that on the Saterday before Easter waxe should in euery Parish bee blessed That Deacons shoule hide their windowes with a cloath And that Clarkes should not publikely drinke He ruled about two yeares The Pelagian heresie was condemned of the Bishops at the Councells of Ephesus Carthage and Mitiuitaine Before Pelagius England knewe not what superstitious Monkery meant neither yet learned to preferre by vaine and friuolous allegories the righteousnes of workes before the merit of Iesus Christ But this Pelagius begun to broach this pestilent heresie vnder Maximus King of Englande the yeare of Christ 390. The Doctors which were before this Pelagius vsed in their writings this word Merite in the signification to obtaine or attaine Peter Martyr The beginning of the Kings of France THe French-men are said to be issued of the Troians and as Histories say came after the destruction of Troy with the Duke Francion to the pooles of Meotides which at this day is called the Golfe de la Tana aboue and something farre frō Constantinople as men draw towards the North neare there they builded a Towne which they inhabited vntil the time of Valentinian the Emperour sonne of Valentinian and the brother of Gratian also Emperours They were honoured by the said Emperour and made free of paying tribute for 10. yeares in consideratiō that they reduced the Almanes vnder the obedience of the Romanes But afterward when the tribute came again to be laid vpon them and they vnwilling to subiect themselues they forsooke the Country and came with their Duke Marcomir into Franconia which is betwixt Saxe and Almaine Pharamond the sonne of Marcomir was chosen for their King and began to raigne ouer them the yeare of the worlde 4383. and of Iesus Christ 420. vnder whom first they vsed Lawes and appointed foure Nobles which iudged of causes and differences betwixt men Then was the Salike Lawe made which stood vpon many articles amongst which there was one which tooke frō daughters the right to succeed in the Crowne and Realme of Fraunce Hee raigned 11. yeares Paul Emil. the first booke Boniface the first of that name a Romane ruled at Rome 4. yeares His Father was a Priest called Iucundus The fourth schisme was by a Priest called Enlalius who was also ordeined whereof came great dissention and schisme which endured 7. moneths but finally Boniface was approued The sixt Councell of Carthage after some the seuenth S. Hierome died of the age of 91. yeares The Affricane Councell was now which is a confirmation and recapitulation of the Councels of Carthage The titles of the Canons are in the number 105. Boniface renewed certaine decrees attributed to his predecessors Amongst others that none should be ordeined a Priest before the age of 30. yeares c. Also that no woman or Nunne might touch or wash the Priests ornaments which are holy The Hunnes a cruell and barbarous people which came out of Scithia did great hurt all ouer and at their comming into Italie many fled towards the Adriatike sea and tooke place in those litle Iles which were in great number and liued as they could of fishing After they beganne to make certaine buildings in these Iles and principally in that which is called Miroalto it being the chiefest of them There was at this time many Churches in Italie Sozom. reciteth them lib. 4. cha 24. where hee makes mention of the faithful which retired into the places where is now builded the Towne of Venice in the Adriatike Sea There is also heereof made mention in the Epistle of the Romane Sinode which was held vnder Constantine Theodor. Liber 2. Chapter twentie and two The Emperour Honorius being at Millan and vnderstanding the dissention for the electiō of the Romane Bishops deposed them both and writ to Boniface that whē two were elected he would ordain that neither should be allowed notwithstanding for this time he allowed the election of Boniface Boniface by his Legate Faustin Bishop a fierce and proud man and Philip and Esellus Priests proposed to the sixt Councell of Carthage that it might be graunted that appellations of Bishops might be sent to Rome and that no Councell should be allowed vnlesse he send thither his Legate to doo it and alledged for his speech the decree of Nice The Bishops caused the bookes to be searched and the Registers of the Councell if it were so Also they caused to come from Constantinople a Copie of the said Councell but finding it not to be so as the said Boniface had alledged by his Legate his request was reiected See the Epistle of the said Councell of Affricke to Boniface and to Celestine in the first volume of the Councells Note here by what meanes the Popes sought to obtaine their primacie Celestine first of that name a Romane or of Campaine after some He ordeined that the Introitus of the Masse should be of some Psalme Dauid yea and the Graduall which they call the Offertorie and added vnto the thē Praiers with the song Naucler Also that the Priest should say before the Introitum the 43. Psalme Indica me Deus Supl. Chron. Item that they should sing three Sanctus Abb. Vsp This said yeare 426. the Emperour Honorius died The third generall Councell at Ephesus against Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople of 200. Bishops It was there concluded that Iesus Christ is one alone person in two natures and that the Virgine Marie by good right is called the mother of God Cyrillus Bishop of Alexandria assisted there Theodosius the younger alone obteined the Empire and raigned 26. yeares Celestine gaue commaundement to all Ecclesiasticall persons to know and obserue the Canons He sent Palladius a Greeke and Patricius into Scotland and Ireland preach the faith He sent into England Saint Germaine Bishop of Anxerce against the Pelagian heresie He ordeined that none should attempt any thing in an others parish Item that no Bishop should be ordeined against the wil of the people but that the consent of the Cleargie and of the people was requisite The Church in that time was greatly troubled and especially in Affrike the Ecclesiasticall people were cast into exile and martyred by Gensericus of the Vandales Palladius composed the life of S. Iohn Chrisostome S. Augustine Bishop of Hipone of the age of seuentie sixe yeares dyed after he had gouerned the said Church fortie sixe yeares the third moneth after his Towne was besieged by the Vandales euen when he writ against Iulian a Pelagian Bishop
Anastatius a litle after died with lightning he was of the age of 88. yeares the 25. yeare of his Empire Hormisda was renowned for his great almes done to the poore and for condemning the Manichean heresie which sproong againe and for burning their bookes Boetius was put to death by the commaundement of Theodorike the Arrian Iustine the auncient Emperour raigned nine yeares In his youth he kept swine then he kept oxen after he was a Carpenters man About the age of 16. yeares he beganne to follow the warre and by craft came to the Empire For hauing receiued a great summe of siluer to buy the suffrages of Princes Captaines and other for an other he subtilly bought them for himself and so was chosen but he caused all them to die for whom he had receiued the said siluer A Councell at Gerone in Spaine at this time A Councell at Satragosse In the 7. Chapter of the said Councell it is said Whosoeuer receiueth the Eucharist and eateth it not let him be excommunicated for euer This is in the second volume of Councells In the 16. Chapter If any Clarke vpon presumption of vanitie or by dissolution make himselfe a Monke let him bee excommunicated Brigide a virgin in Scotland dyed the yeare 524. of whom many fabulous things are inuented Iustin after his election sent Embassadors vnto Hormisda the Pope to confirme the Apostolike authoritie and to bring peace to all Churches He cast out of Constantinople all the Eutechian Heretikes and Arrians and reuoked from exile all such as Anastatius the Emperour before had banished and Temples were taken from the Arrians and giuen to the Catholiques Theodorice much grieued that Iustin should againe driue away the Arrians in despight determined to torment the Town of Rome Iohn Pope the first of that name a Tuscaine gouerned the Church three yeares at Rome Hee with the Bishop of Rauenna and certaine Senators and Councellors of Rome were sent to Constantinople by Theodorice King of Italy to the end that the Emperour should restore to the Arrian Bishops and Priests their Churches otherwise he would put Rome and Italie to fire and sword As this company approached neare the towne the Emperour Iustin with all his Cleargie and all the people of the Towne met them and the Emperour casting himselfe at the Popes feete saluted him Iohn then being receiued in such honour expounded the cause of his comming and seeing hee could not bring Iustin to Theodorics will began to weep and besought him to helpe the ruine of Italie and of the Catholiques Then rose there vp a great lamentation on the Ambassadors side and of the Auditors euery one seeing Religion to be in so great hazard if the Arrians were restored and on the other side the great dissolation of Rome and Italie Finally the request of the Embassadors obtained the opinion of which was that for a time the cause of the faith might tarry behinde to procure the saluation of the Towne and of Italie The Emperour consented to the restitution of the Arrians suffering them to liue after their owne lawes and statutes but for all this the Pope Iohn and his companions got nothing heereby For the honourable entertainment which the Emperour gaue them was suspected of Theodorice wherefore hee put the Pope in prison at Rauenna where hee finally died in great miserie pouertie and infection and the other Embassadors were likewise with him This was a notable iudgement of God vppon such as set behinde the cause of Faith for a temporall commoditie Peace restored to the Catholiques in Affrike by Hilderic King of Vandales who reuoked from exile all such as his father had banished notwithstanding his father on his death-bed had charged him that he should neuer giue helpe nor support vnto Catholiques Affrike was afflicted vntill this time namely about 74. yeares Some histories say that the Towne of Antioche was by an earthquake wholly destroyed Iustinian the Emperor Iustins Nephew by his sister raigned 38. yeares He set his studie to repaire the estate of the Commmon-wealth by Bellisarius Felix the fourth Pope of that name ruled foure yeares Supp Chron. He was great Grand-father of S. Gregories father There is attributed vnto him the ordinance of extreame Vnction grounding his ordinance vpon the words of S. Iames the 5. Chapter He caused to be builded at Rome the Temple of S. Cosme and of S. Damian and repaired the church of S. Saturnin which was burnt The Feast of the Dedication euery yeare ought to bee obserued and celebrated In this time Cassiodorus compiled in one the Historie which is called Tripartite Boniface ruled at Rome two yeares and more There was great contention and discention in his election For some had chosen Discorus but hee died about a moneth after and so ceased the diuision wherefore hauing prooued the feare thereof hee ordained that three dayes after the Popes death if it were possible there should bee an other elected to shun sedition This was hee which did seperate the people from the Cleargie as they were hearing the diuine Seruice as they called it Iohn the second of that name called Mercurius borne at Rome gouerned the Church three yeares The Vandales tooke ende in Affrike 96. yeares after it was occupied by Gensericus the Tyrant an Arrian And Affrike was made tributary to the Romane Emperour by Bellisarius Iustinian sent the confession of his faith with his owne hand and seale to Iohn the second In the second volume of Councels Item he sent vnto him a Cup of Gold and two of Siluer and certaine Challices Gregorie Bishoppe of Langres was married Fascicul Temp. The Councell of Toledo the second Agapetus a Romane ruled one yeare His father was a Priest called Gordian Iustinian was seduced by Athemius the Eutychian Bishop of Constantinople Agapetus was sent to Constantinople by Theodatus King of the Ostrogothes in Italie to appease the Emperour and to haue pardon for the fault hee had committed in putting to death Queene Amalasontha the wife of Theodorice by whom he was admitted into the Kingdome Agapetus comming to Constantinople contention arose betweene him and the Emperour And after many threatnings against Agapetus Iustinian finally left his errour was quieted and cast Anthemius out of his Bishopricke and there appointed one Mennas in his place at the exhortation of Agapetus Vnto Agapetus is attributed the ordinance of Processions on Sundayes about the Temples The Temple of S. Sophie was builded at Constantinople by Iustinian Germaine Bishop of Paris excommunicated the King of Fraunce Herebert because he left his wife Iugebergne Abb. Vrsp Eleutherius Bishop of Tornay Medard Bishop of Noion Gildard Bishop of Rouan in this time Iordain a Monke after came to be a Bishop of the Gothes a Chronicler of the Ieastes of the Romanes and of the Gothes Abb. Trit Syluerius Pope or Liberius borne in Campania in Italie the sonne of Hormisda Bishop who as is said was
it was ordained in the 2. Chapter that in Churches the Apostles Creed should be recited euery Sunday with an high voyce that the people might be better disposed to the Cōmunion after they had made a confession of their faith The Visegothes conuerted to the Catholique faith left the Arrian heresie by the means of their king Recaredus or Richandus and Leander Bishop of Siuile The confession of their faith was sent to the said Councell of Toledo The Councell of Mascon first and second wherein the oblations and offerings of bread and wine are commaunded for remission of sinnes This ordinance is wholly against the word of God and the merite of Iesus Christ by whom alone comes remission of sinnes And this is the beginning of the establishment of merites Great abundance of waters were in Italie and principally at Rome wherewith many were drowned and of the corruption of the dead bodies came a great pestilence Pelagius died of the plague at Rome Pretextatus Bishop of Rouan was called from exile Fredegonde was slaine in the Church on Easter day at the sollicitation of whom this Bishop was exiled Gregorie Pope first of that name a Romane ruled at Rome 14. yeares or after some 13. yeares tenne moneths and sixe dayes This man was called one of the foure Doctors of the Church with S. Augustine S. Hierome and S. Ambrose His Father was a Senator of Rome and of the estate of Seneshall or Captaine The said Gregorie was a Monke after a Deacon and finally the Romane Bishop In this time the Emperors cōfirmed the election of Popes and Churches There arose in this time a great contention for the premacie of the Church For Iohn Bishop of Constantinople was in a full Sinode of the Grecians published and declared the vniuersall Patriarke and the Emperour Maurice commaunded the said Gregorie to obey that Patriarke of Constantinople But Gregorie could not endure that any Bishoppe should be vniuersall ouer all others whervpon it came that he called himselfe Seruant of the Seruants of God See Gregorie in the 32. Epistle to Maurice and 38. to Iohn Patriarke See Iohn Caluin in the Institution of Christian Religion Note here Reader that after the persecutions before Siluester and the heresies before Gregorie now the Church lifteth it self vp by ambition of preheminence which engendred such a combat betwixt the East Church and the West that since that time that schisme is not yet ended The Emperour Maurice was sharply reprehended by Gregorie for that he constrained Ecclesiastical persons to go to the warres the which Gregorie resisted greatly Gregorie sent into England after Naucler or Ireland certaine great persons to preach the Faith and amongst others one called Augustine and Melitus and other Monkes Instituted in the rule of S. Benet to plant that order there and their labour prooued so well that from thence came great troupes of Monkes into France and Almaine Of the number of these Irish Monkes was Colomban and his Disciple Gallus who after preached in diuers places of Almaine and finally hee retyred into a sollitarie place which at this day is called S. Gaul in Suisse Great libertie and immunitie was graunted vnto Blacke Monkes by the Pope Gregorie at the Councell of Lateran by the consent of the assembly In this time raigned Seuerus Bishop of Marseil who caused the Images of Saints and of Christ to be broken seeing the people worshipped them Gregorie reprehended him for breaking them but praised him that hee forbad the worshipping of them See the Register or the booke of his Epistle the 10. part Epistle 4. And Pollidorus Virgil. lib. 6. chap. 13. The building of the Masse The greatest part of the ceremonies thereof came from this Gregorie For he brought the office of the Church as they call it into a forme So that at this day it is called the Gregorian Office He brought all the Masse into certaine lawes and almost such as it is at this day And therefore many say he was the Authour thereof And although he constrained none to follow the Romane forme as hee testifieth to Augustine Bishop of Canterbury yet all Churches followed the manner to celebrate their Masses after the Romane Church the English men by the said Augustine the Spaniards France and after Almaine by Boniface Bishop of Magunce who was of great renowne He made the Antiphones and Introite of the Masse of some verse of the Psalmes Item the Kyrieleison should be sung nine times the Alleluia in the end of the Offertorie of the Communion At the beginnig of the Canonicall houres Deus in adiutorium and in the end of euery Psalme Gloria patri filio c. Item that the Pater Noster should be sung with an hie voyce ouer the consecrate hoste He added to the Canon of the Masse Diesque nostros in tua pace disponas c. And made the Supper with his people in the language of his Country which was Latin common and intelligible to all as he witnesseth in the preface vpon Ezechiel In the Register of his Epistles in the 8. part and 7. Epistle he saith the Canon that is to say the prayer which the Priest saith in secret ouer the Eucharist was made by one called Scolasticus This word Masse was inuented in his time although as aboue the Supper of our Lord be called Messe of the writers who called it with a common name of their time as is said But you must heere note that so oft and wheresoeuer the Church was assembled the Bishops preached to the people and principally at Masse And this custome endured yet in Gregories time but after it was omitted by ignorant Bishops a multitude of ceremonies were brought in in the place of preaching Henry Bullinger He instituted it Rome the great Letanies on S. Markes day against the pestilence which was then with the Procession of order The first conteined all the Cleargie The 2. the Abbots and Monkes The 3. the Nunnes The 4. the Children The 5. Laie-men The 6. Widowes The 7. married women And caused there to be carried the Image of the virgin Marie The people died neezing whereof comes yet at this day that when one neezeth they say God blesse you He instituted a great part of the stations at Rome chiefly such as are made to S. Peter He ordeined for the great multitude of people which resorted to Rome to the said stations and patrons certaine Priests to keepe the Sepulchres of the Apostles and called Chamberlaines which afterward were deputed to keep the Popes Chamber And Leo the tenth made a Colledge of them Briefly this Pope Gregorie vpon deuotion which was not according to knowledge brought into the church a great masse of superstition which by little and little suffocated and choked the true Religion which remained In his time in a certaine Sinode of twentie foure Bishops assembled at Rome the foure generall Councells were approued to be
name borne of the Countrey of Marses in the Citie of Talleric a Phisitians sonne gouerned the Romane Church the space of seuen yeares At the request of this Pope the Emperour Phocas commaunded that the old Temple of Pantheon wherin were all the Goddes and Goddesses of the Painims should be consecrated and dedicated to the honor of the virgin Mary and of al Saints And then was insttiuted the Feast of All-Saints in the Moneth of May which after was brought to the first of Nouember See how those Fathers rather chaunged then chased away superstitions Leontius Bishop of Naples in the I le of Cyprus made a booke of the life of S. Iohn the Almes giuer Bishop of Alexandria Abb. Tris. After the death of Boniface the fourth the seate was vacant 7. moneths and 25. dayes for the great discentions which were at Rome The yeare of Christ 612. Phocas was miserably slaine by the souldiers of his guard Abb. Vrsperg Others say that Heraclius and Priscus slew him cutting off his hands feete Others adde that his priuie member was cut off Finally after his head was cut off his body was burnt See the ende of this wicked Tyrant who caused so many good people to die All his brethren and parents had like ende and his race was vtterly extinct The Romane seate is worthie to haue had such a monster to authorise his primatie aboue all Churches Heraclius the sonne of Heraclien succeeded Phocas When his Father a Captaine in Affrica marched from Affricke into Egipt and Asia with a great Army the Persians being out of feare of him assailed Affricke and brought it into their subiection Corfrees King of the Persians would neuer receiue any conditions of peace vnlesse they renounced Christian Religion The Bishop Didier of Vienna was stoned at the commaund of Theodorus King of Soissons Deus of dedit or Dorothea a Romane Pope ruled three or foure yeares His Father was a Subdeacon after some He ordeined that no Christian should take in mariage his Gossip Item that the sonne of a Gossip or Suertie should not take in marriage the daughter that his Father had held at the Font And ordeined this so straitly that if the Father or Mother carried their childe to Baptisme that they should be seperated notwithstanding that the wise might receiue her dowry and that after a yeare she might marry again in any other place There happened a great Earthquake at this time in the moneth of August and after a great mortalitie The Councell of Auxerre in this time wherein it was decreed that it was a thing vnlawfull that the Estrenes should be giuen the first day of the yeare calling them diuellish ceremonies because of the obseruation of the day In the 12. Chapter there was forbidden to giue vnto dead bodies the Eucharist or the Paxe to kisse In the 21. Chapter it is not lawfull for a Priest to lye with his wife nor for Subdeacon nor Deacon In the 24. and 25. Chapter it is not lawfull for Abbots nor Monkes to goe to marriages nor to haue commothers nor to present children to Baptisme In the 31. Chap. it was forbidden to take his cousin Germaine or the issue of cousin Germaine in marriage In this time were Loup Arch-bishop of Sens Amand and Bauon in Flaunders And Priscian after Abb. Trit and Eloy Bishop of Noyon after the Sea of Histories Cosroes King of the Persians was vanquished by Heraclius And Anastatius a Persian Monke was martyred for the faith with 70. others He was hanged three houres by one hand and after be headed Abb. Vrsp Boniface Pope 5. of that name borne at Naples gouerned the Church fiue yeares This was hee who first ordeined that offenders which saued themselues in Churches should haue Immunities and priuiledges and that from thence they should not be deliuered by force but that such as committed Sacriledge in all places should be excommunicated The waine and decaie of the Romane Empire The Romane Empire began to fall For whilest Christians were at warres one with an other the Sarrasins occupied Egipt and Affrike and do yet holde them And in the space of an 120. yeares all Asia was lost from the Christians Also the best part of Europe was occupied because of the couetousnesse discention and carelesnesse of the Emperours and Popes which mused and studied vpon lesse matters namely to forge naughtie inuentions and ordinances vpon ordinances Cyrus Bishop of Alexandria seeing the Sarrasins came into Egipt and that there was no succours on the part of the Emperour Heraclius a carelesse man yeelded himselfe tributarie to the said Sarrasins at a certaine annuall summe vpon which condition they returned back He was after accused before the Emperour as he who transported the riches of Egipt to straungers Wherefore he was deposed and Manuell of Armenia ordeined in his place who would not pay the said tribute whervpon the Sarrasins came againe into Egipt and occupied it Which the Emperour vnderstanding repented himselfe and sent Cyrus in Embassage towards the Sarrasins to cause them to goe out of Egipt and they should haue their said annuall tribute But one of them answered in these words Canst thou Cyrus saide he plucke downe this piller He answered no. As impossible said he it is that we should leaue Egipt By like pride many Countries haue bene lost Many common-wealths by tributes haue bene maintained in peace Faith promised euen to enemies must be kept The encrease of the kingdome of France From the yeare of saluation 514. hitherto the kingdome of France was diuided into certaine kingdomes because the kings of France had many heires One kingdome was called Austrasia comprehended Lorraine and Brabant and that which is betweene Rhene and Mense from Culloine to the Countrie of Alsasia The other called Neutria which comprehends the Regions which are betwixt Mense and Loire and Paris was the chiefe Towne thereof The third was called the kingdome of the Soisons In this diuision of Gaul the kingdome of Arles tooke also his beginning which had vnder it Sauoy the Countrey of the Switzes Zepingen Haspurge and Dauphine but at this time those particular kingdomes returned into a Monarchie Car. Dagobert the 11. King of France possessed first Austrasia after he ioyned vnto it the kingdome of Burgoine and finally was made Lord almost of all France and the name of France was then vniuersall for all those kingdomes When Dagobert dwelt in Austrasia his Pallace was in Alsatze And he builded a Castle at Rufach called Eisenburge he also builded many Monasteries of S. Benet wherevnto he gaue great reuenewes and chiefly to that of Wittenburge within 8. leagues of Strasbourge on the side of Rhene An other at Surbourge two leagues from Wittenburge Item an other at Haselach hard by Strasburge in the West mountain He also brought the church of Strasburge to a Bishoppricke and enriched it with great reuenewes Heereby note that France was then
Imperiall gouernment and caused all Images to be cast downe in Temples and raigned aboue 7. yeares At this time a Sinode was held in Spaine in a Towne cal Eliboris or Granado where were congregated nineteene Bishops and thirtie sixe Priests Felix Bishop of Aquitaine was President there Amongst other points there was principally concluded that there should be no Images nor paintings in Churches The yeare 793. an other Sinode was held at Francford by the Bishops of Almaigne Franconia The Pope Adrian knowing this sent two Bishops Stephen and Theophilacte to vrge the Decree made for Images at the Councell of Niece by the meanes of Hirene In so much that the Sinode held at Eliboris in Spaine was at the said Francford condemned Abb. Vrsp Seeing now Iesus Christ was left to be portraied by the preaching of his pure word Images were admitted into the Temples of Christ therefore no maruell if so many contentious follow Hirene greeued to be depriued of the Empire by presents sollicited certaine Captaines to kill her sonne They watched him and put out his eyes vpon such a day as he had put out the eyes of his Vncle after Nicephorus fiue yeares before then put him in prison where he deceased fewe dayes after Hirene then his mother gouerned alone by the space of three yeares Shee also caused to be taken out of his graue the bodie of Constantine the fifth Father of her dead husband and made it publikely to be burnt and the Ashes thereof to be cast into the Sea because in his life time he had broken Images This did she at the Instigation of Theodorus Bishop who fauoured the Pope touching Images Henry Bullenger Alcuin or otherwise Albin Disciple of Beda the Venerable Monke and after Abbot of S. Martin of Tours Charlemaignes maister made three bookes of the Trinitie and many other bookes Also the life of S. Vaast Bishop of Arras Abb. Trit Charlemaine during his raigne caused 6. or 7. Councels and Sinodes to be held whereof fiue that is to say at Magunce Wormes Rhenes Tours Arles were assembled against the abuses of Ecclesiasticall persons which then were very great and did much displease the Emperour Charlemaigne Ansegisus Abbot of this time made foure bookes of the Decrees of Charlemaigne and of his sonne Lewis Amongst other things and aboue all he wold that Bishops should preach to the people the true doctrine drawne out of the holy Scriptures and not otherwise Therevpon alleadging the saying of Gregorie That the Priest which goeth without the care of preaching lightly lighteth against himselfe the wrath of the hid Iudge He also ordeined that no man should make profession of Monachisme without demaunding the Kings licence to shun many fraudes He would fewe Feasts should be ordeined He repressed the superfluitie of Priests and ordeined that they should be norished of the Ecclesiastical reuenews with y e poore He one day sharply reprehended the Archbishop of Magunce called Boniface because he had vsurped a Crosse all couered with gold and enriched with precious stones as an Imperiall Scepter For occasion thereof being offered in a publike assembly he said to him in choller Is it thus you make profession of the Crosse of Christ Do you thus feed the flock being rather in order of an Emperour then a shepheard An other which on S. Martins euen was made Bishop and for ioy therof forgetting to come the next day to the Temple was dismissed by Charlemaigne saying What wil he do hereafter when at first he is so forgetful of his office Also one other hauing receiued a great benefice for ioy being vpon horseback cast himself downe with great agilitie before the Emperour To whom the Emperour said So farre as I see you are an able man and a good horseman I haue need of you Leaue hardly this benefice to some weaker man Auentinus the Historiographer in his bookes of the Annales of Bauaria We may see by the recitall hereof that Popes had not that soueraigne power which afterward their successours vsurped The Emperours called Sinodes and proposed statutes and decrees and conferred and bestowed benefices At Francfort whilest Charlemain wintered there a Councell was held wherin the decree of the Councell of Niece held by Hirene touching Images as is saide was declared false and altogether condemned And although the Popes Factors as Vrspergensis and others do passe and dissemble it yet so is the truth And that the Pope Adrian sent thither his Embassadors Stephen and Theophilacte Bishop There also was condemned the heresie of Felix and Eliphandus which acknowledged their fault and asking pardon were restored to their dignities Charlemaigne caused a booke to be published in his name which agrreed with the Articles of the said Councell Yea and moreouer he answered two bookes which were found written by Adrian to Therasius Patriarke and to the Emperour of Constantinople By this writing Charlemaigne taxeth and couertly condemneth Adrian without naming him Idolater There was also a Councel held at Cauaillon vnder Charlemaigne wherein amongst other superstitions which were there condemned that of Pilgrimages in respect of Religion was sharply repressed in the 45. Canon Alledging that saying of S. Hierome Men should not be praised because they haue seene Ierusalem but because they haue liued well Leo the third of that name borne at Rome after he had receiued the Papall dignitie Incontinently sent to Charlemaigne the Keyes of S. Peter the Ensigne or Gonfanon as they call it of the Towne of Rome with other presents requiring him that he would doo so much that the people of Rome might yeeld themselues subiect to the Pope in deliuering him their oath of fidelitie For he feared the people one day would not stoope vnder his tyrannie But Charlemaigne willing to do a thing pleasing Leo sent a certaine Abbot called Agilbert who by the Emperours commandement constrained the Romane people to sweare fidelitie to the Pope For this cause the people conceiued such an hatred against the Pope that hauing found some which stirred them more to execute their fury and to serue them for guides Captaines as one day he went a procession hauing cast him from his horse they spoiled him of his pontificiall apparell and beat him well In which tumult none put out his eyes nor cut out his tongue as the Papists affirme teaching that straightway he was diuinely healed by so manifest lies to amplifie his authoritie but indeed hee was only put in prison in the Monasterie of Saint Erasmus as Mantuan saith in his fourth booke des Fastes Finally as Charlemaigne came to Rome the people knowing how hee was affectioned towards the Pope for the feare they had of him changed the anger they had cōceiued against Leo into fauour and durst not enterprise to proue the crimes whereof they accused him After then they had bene examined touching his life they cryed all with one voice That the Apostolike seate ought not to be iudged by a
Laie person By which answere Charlemaigne being appeased after also that Leo had affirmed by an oath that he was not culpable he declared him absolued and innocent The Pope for these benefites willing to yeelde some pleasure on Christmas day assoone as the King was come from the Church he put the Crowne on his head and pronounced Charlemaigne Emperour of the Romanes without that he had aspired to receiue the Imperiall Crowne And all the Romane people cryed saying Life and victorie be to the thrice Christian Charles alwaies August Crowned of God great and peaceable Emperour And whereas before they vsed to call him by the name of Patrician he was called Emperour the yeare of his raigned 23. and of our saluation eight hundreth and three Hirene Empresse of Constantinople hearing what had beene done at Rome sent three Embassadors towards Charlemaigne to confirme the peace Charlemaigne on his side also sent his Embassadors towards the Empresse for a greater confirmation of peace demaunding her in marriage wherevnto she had consented but for the hinderance by ambushes laid against it as if she would haue solde the Empire by her marriage to strangers Nicephorus then was crowned Emperour and Hirene chased away who passed the rest of her life in exile Nicephorus sent his Embassadors to Charlemaine to renew the alliance vpon those conditions That both should be called Augustes and bretheren together the one of the East and the other of the West That in Italie which is on the side beyond Naples and on the other side beyond Sipont namely all that which stretcheth towards the Sea should belong vnto the Greeke Emperour and the rest to the French Emperour That Venice should be in the middest and as the limitte and border betwixt those two Empires and acknowledge the Maiestie of them both That the Venetians should be subiect neither to the one nor the other but should vse their owne lawes and be the friend of both whether in peace or warre Some say that the Emperour after his Coronation said that if he had knowne the Popes enterprise he would not that day haue entred into the Church Aduertisement Although successiuely there were alwaies Emperors of Constantinople which kept the Romane Empire vntill the Towne was occupied by the Turkes yet because the true brightnesse and Maiestie of the name and of the tuition of the Empire and of Italie was in Charlemaine and his successors we leaue in Nicephorus the Greeke Emperours because they haue not bene like these Therefore leauing the East namely that of Constantinople we will set downe in order the Emperours of the West namely of Rome Charlemaigne then deliuered the Romane seate from all molestations of forraine Princes and atchieued that for which principally hee came into Italie that is to say at the siege of Pauie hauing constrained Didier the last King of the Lombards to yeeld himselfe hee got possession of all Lombardie And to the ende they should no more molest Italie hee droue them away as seditious persons and sent Didier Captiue with his wife and children into the Towne of Liege Paul Diaconus an Historiographer and Secretarie to the said Didier was ledde with him and from that time Charlemaigne made his the Kingdome of Lombardie leauing all the Townes of Italie in theyr accustomed libertie to the ende hee might giue no occasion of trouble vnto the Greeke Emperour About this time Acayus the 65. King of Scots made the first alliance with King Charlemaigne and with Fraunce which hath endured euer since and yet at this present is maintained betwixt these two Nations Tassilo Duke of Bauiere moouing warre against Charlelemaigne lost his Countrey and was put in a Monasterie with his sonne and although hee was Charlemaignes kinsman yet for his faith before violated hee vsed this seueritie towardes him Nicephorus raigned at Constantinople eight or nine yeares whom the Romanes would not acknowledge for Emperour wherevpon there rose great enuie and hatred betwixt them of the East and of the West A Schisme betwixt them of the East and of the West Whatsoeuer agreement was made there was stil enuie and enmitie betwixt the East and the West Emperours and they could not suffer one an other yet this dissention hapned not onely betwixt them but also betwixt the East and the West Churches wherof altogether the Pope was cause in intent to withdrawe and exempt himselfe from the obedience of him of whom he held all his good Charlemaigne inriched many Churches Abbeys and Bishoppricks especially in Almaine the Bishoppricks of Magunce Strasbourge Colongne and Treuers giuing them great priuileges Briefly there were fewe renowmed Churches in Germanie nor in all the two Frances which hee endowed not with some goods and reuenewes Iohannes Scotus a Monke of S. Benet a Disciple of Beda and a companion of Albin or Alcuin Charlemaignes maister wrote vpon S. Mathewe three bookes and other things Abb. Trit Hinmarus Bishop of Rhemes before Monke of S. Deuis wrote two bookes of the life of S. Remy Bishop Tritem Charlemaigne at the last got the vpper hand of the Hungarians and tooke great riches from them for it had bene two hundreth yeares that they did no other thing but pill and spoile all other Nations without beeing pilled themselues After he tamed the Bohemians hauing ouercome their King called Lechon And so in the ende Charlemaigne was peaceable of Italie France Almaine Hungarie and Bohemia So oftentimes the Lord sends puissant Monarkes to repaire things confused as also to represse the insolencie and disordinate dealings of great persons dispersed on the earth Charlemaigne of the age of 72. yeares died at Aix in Almaine of a Feauer and a Plurisie the yeare of his raigne 46. of his Empire 14. and the yeare of Christ 814. hauing instituted the Vniuersitie of Paris and Pauie Lewis Charlemaignes sonne by his wife Hildegarde surnamed Le Debonaire because he was of a soft and gracious spirit was after the death of his father pronounced Emperour by the chiefs of the Kingdome Stephen fourth of that name a Romane being substituted in the place of Leo three monethes after went into Fraunce towards Lewis Debonaire the Emperours to the ende to purge himselfe concerning his election for that against the decrees of Adrian and Leo his predecessors hee had beene chosen and confirmed Pope by the Cleargie and the people of Rome without the counsell and authoritie of the Emperour Wherein we see that the Romane seate is so faithfull an obseruer of her owne lawes and ordinances that the first that succeeds him which made them breakes and transgresseth them But to the end that this flatterer vsing hipocrisie might the rather for a time abuse Lewis hee set on his head a faire Crowne which hee brought with him and an other on the head of the Queene Hirmingarde calling her Auguste or Empresse But the subtil Foxe being recompenced by the Emperour returning and the
Church of Reate in Italie euen then falling vacant he would not consecrate the Bishop who was chosen there vnlesse hee would first acknowledge that the Emperour should approoue his election But see what followed after As soone as he was come to Rome he beganne to thinke that the right and preheminence giuen to Charlemagine and his successers might bring with it many mischiefes therefore taking the greater hardinesse by the softnesse and benignitie of Lewis thought it good to abolish such a right and there vpon pronounced that the Popes election ought to be in the power of the Cleargie of the Senate and of the Romane people yet fearing to prouoke the Emperours anger against him he added this Interpretation namely that it should be very lawfull for them to elect the Bishop of Rome without the authoritie of the Emperour but that it should not be lawfull to consecrate him without the Emperours presence or his Embassadors So by this meanes for a certaine time were the Emperours kept from the election of the Pope Yet because Stephen occupied not the seate past eight moneths hee could do litle of that hee forethought to encrease his authoritie But he died in his accustomed superstition Anno domini 817. Pascal first of that name a Romane Monke following the traine of Stephen his predecessor was chosen Pope by the Cleargie and people of Rome without the consent of the Emperour And as the Emperour complained of this election Pascal subtilly purged himselfe by his Embassadors sent thither By tract of time this subtill and malitious Pope seeing there was daunger if he longer deferred to augment his authoritie so straungely enchaunted the Emperour Lewis insomuch as he bare great honour to the Romane Church that he consented to remit into the hands of the Cleargie and the people the right of electing of the Pope which had beene giuen before to Charlemaigne and also that hee should by his Letters confirme all Donations made by his predecessors although they were made of things acquired by vniust vnlawfull violence This hee did as one ignorant of their cautelous and deceitfull dealings and sealed them with his seales But after he had Crowned at Rome Lotharie his sonne Emperour to the end that by that meanes he might more easily compasse that which he sought he did so much by treason and secretly that Theodorus and Leon officers of the Emperours house which faithfully held their maisters part had their eyes put out and after their heads cut off by the meanes of certaine mutinous and seditious people And although he were accused to the Emperour as well for the sedition which had bene stirred as for the murder against their persons committed after he had assembled a Sinode of a certaine number of Bishops he purged himselfe by oath Notwithstanding he accused of treason them which were slaine and pronounced that by good right they had bene slaine declaring them to be absolued which murthered them Behold the holinesse of these holy Fathers in their kingdome of perdition Pascal honoured with a most magnificall Sepulchre in the Towne two thousand bodies if he faile not in his account of Saints before dead which were buried in Church yardes He builded all new the Temple of S. Praxides and set in it the bodies of S. Cecilie Tiburcius Valerian Maximian and other Martyrs also of S. Vrbain and other Bishops He reedified some Churches which were like to fall with great age Lewis vpon great deuotion he had to the Apostolike Sea bestowed vpon the people and Cleargie of Rome the power to choose the Pope and the Bishops which authoritie belonged to the Emperours But hee reserued this prerogatiue that the Pope beeing chosen hee should alwaies send to the Emperours to confirme amitie Naucler The Emperour also ratified the donation made to the Pope of Rome by his predecessors and signed it with his owne hand and his three children tenne Bishops eight Abbots and fifteene Earles The Copie of these Letters are in Volateran in the third booke of his Geographie Pascal then tarried not long after to commaund vnder paine of excommunication that none should presume to receiue an Ecclesiasticall Benefice of a Lay-man whosoeuer hee be Supp Chro. Great signes and maruells happened in this time In Saxe a great Earthquake so that many villages as Vrsp saith perished by fire In diuers places it raigned stones amongst haile which slew men and beasts Naucler Eugenius Pope second of that name borne at Rome ruled three yeares A Schisme rose vp in the Church and there was great discord amongst the Cardinalls some choosing Sozimus but finally Eugenius obtained the Papacie for he had in him great appearance of holinesse At this time a Peace was confirmed betwixt Leo Emperour of Constantinople and Lewis the Romane Emperour Naucler The King of Denmarke named Hariolus cast out of his Kingdome by the children of Godfrey came for succours to the Emperour Lewis and obtained helpe to be restored into his Kingdome Chron. Sigeb Translation of holy bodies Now was translation of the bodies of many Saints from Italie into Almaine France and England Fascic temp This was all the Religion of this time Michael Emperour of Constantinople sent Embassadors towards Lewis Debonaire to vnderstand his opinion towching the Images of Saints namely whether they should keepe them or reiect them Lewis sent them to Pope Eugenius to heare his opinion Bonif. Simoneta This Emperour Michael sent to Lewis the bookes of the Hierarchie of S. Denis Chro. Sigeb Lotharie King of Italie came to Rome and was royally receiued of Pope Eugenius hee reformed the estate of the Towne and all Italie and ceased all partialities and appointed at Rome Magistrates to do right to the people Naucler Blond Valentine second of that name Cardinall and Deacon a Romane gouerned at Rome onely fortie dayes an eloquent man Bonif. Simoneta Organes became first in vse in France about this time by a Priest called Gregorie who learned his cunning therein in Greece See the Hist of France Gregorie Pope fourth of that name a Romane ruled at Rome 16. yeares This Pope would neuer accept the Popeship vnlesse first the Emperour would approoue his election and therof he was certified by an Embassage which the Emperour sent to Rome to examine the said election Naucl. and Abb. Vrsp The Sarrasins with the Souldan of Babilon came into Rome and of the Church of S. Peter made a stable for horses and wasted Pouille Calabria and Sicilie and pilled and spoiled all where they went Chron. Euseb and Naucler Naucler saith that in the Councell held at Aixle Chapele vnder this Pope the yeare of Christ 830. there was ordained a meane and rule for Monkes Nunnes Canons and others to liue in There was also ordained that euery Church should possesse rents and reuenewes that so Priests might haue whereon to liue and so to keepe them from applying themselues to any prophane thing or dishonest gaine Prebendes were ordained
Fribourg in Brisgoye Naucler Paschall assembled a Councell at Laterane wherein hee reuoked the right of Inuestures accorded vnto Henry the fift whereby arose a new schisme And the Popes Legates declared the said Henry to be excommunicated whereof rose great euils For the Emperour returned to Rome the second time and the Pope Paschall was constrained to flie S. Barnard of the age of 22. yeares accompanied with 30. persons entred into the Religion of the Cisteaux in the time Stephen liued the third Abbot of that place It rayned bloud in the field Emilian and Flaminian in the moneth of Iune nigh Rauenna and Parma without and within Chron. Sigeb and Palin The Monasterie of Cleruaux was founded whereof S. Barnard was the first Abbot being of the age of 27. yeares and was there by the space of 36. yeares Naucler The fruites of the warre of Ierusalem Foure orders came from Ierusalem Naucler 1. The order of Chanons of the Sepulchre of the Lord and they had double redde crosses 2 The order of the knights of S. Ihon otherwise called the knights of Rhodes and they weare blacke apparell with a white Crosse on their brests 3 The order of Templers which haue the white habit and the redde Crosse 4 The order of Teutoniques or Almaignes or otherwise the knights of the Virgin Mary which had a white habit and a blacke Crosse The Pope Paschal sent to the Bishop of Palerme in Sicilie the Archiepiscopall Pall yet with a condition that by oath he should binde himselfe to the Pope of Rome The said Bishop humbly sent him word that hee maruelled and with him the Princes and Councellours of Sicilie how the Pope demaunded an oath of a Bishop seeing Iesus Christ in S. Mathew cha 5. had forbidden to sweare and that it was not found by any Councell that it was lawfull to exact such an oath The Pope sharpely answered in these tearmes Thinkest thou saieth hee that any Councell can prescribe a Lawe to the Romane Church Knowest thou not that all Councels haue their perfection and vertue by the Romane Church Martin Luther In this time liued Hiltpert or Hildebert Bishop of Mons a fauourer of Transubstantiation as well as Ancelme Matilde or Mehaut Countesse of the age of 66. yeares died and gaue her goods by Testament vnto the Romane Church R. Barnes The Emperour Henry was defrauded by the said Testament for he was cousin of the said Countesse which after gaue occasion of great stirres and murthers R. Barnes Naucl. Baudwin second King of Ierusalem dyed and Baudwin his Nephewe surnamed Burgo was created the third King of Ierusalem Gelasius Pope 2. of that name was a Monke of Mountcassin Chauncellour of the Romane Church named Iohn borne at Gayotte a Citie of Campaigne in Italie Soone after his election he was apprehended by Cincius a mightie man imprisoned but incōtinently he was deliuered by the people The Emperour sent his Armie to Rome Gelasius fearing his comming fledde to Gayette The Emperour created an other Pope a Spaniard called Maurice otherwise Burdin Archbishop of Bracare which was called Gregorie the eight This done the Emperour returned into Almaigne and then beganne the eighteenth Schisme Gelasius condemned the Emperour and the Antepope and sent into Almaigne the Bishop Prenestin to publish the excommunication against the said Henry the fift R. Barnes Gelasius secretly came to Rome but he was knowne of his enemies and with much adoo escaping went for refuge into Fraunce Suppl Chron. He ordeined a Councell at Rheimes whither came bare-footed Robert of Lorraine founder of the order and place of Premonstre and entreated of the Pope Gelasius licence to preach the word of God and also authoritie and confirmation of his order Naucl. Chron. Sigeb This Pope had alreadie dedicated the great Church of Saint Laurence at Florence and had there placed the Ashes of S. Iohn Baptists bones newly brought from Mirrhe confirming them and approuing them for the true Ashes of S. Iohn Supp Chron. This Pope Gelasius died of a pleurisie at Clugny where hee was also buried hauing ruled at Rome a yeare sixe moneths Calixt 2. of that name succeeded him was 5. yeares Pope before called Guy or Guido of Burgongne after Fasc temp and the Sea of Histories or brother after Supp Chron. He was Doctor in the Ciuil Lawe and in Theologie Without contradiction he was chosen of the Cardinalls and honourably receiued at Rome When the Antepope Burdin heard those newes he met him thinking to haue hindered him but he profited nothing for he was in full battell ouercome with the French helpe And being taken by the Pope Calixt and by the Cardinal of S. Grisogon chiefe of his armie he was set vpon a Camell his face towards the taile and in such sort hee made him goe at his entrie then imprisoned him Iohn le Maire Fasc temp Eghardus saith that the said Antepope was powled made a Monke because whē he resided at Sutry he was a partie of many robberies committed vpon such as went and came to Rome Chron. Sigeb Calixtus made continue the Councell at Rheimes in Champaigne which Gelasius had commenced wherein he excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fift as an enemy of the church This excommunication was about the cause of the quarrell of the Inuestures of Bishops Iohn le Maire Henry the fift fearing to be deposed from his Empire as his Father was accorded the right of Inuestures in a full Councell it Rome vnto Calixtus Supp Chron. Calixtus ordeined that the Bishop of Compostella should be made an Arch-bishop for the reuerence of the bodie of Saint Iames who rested there And hee made a booke full of Fables of the miracles of the said S. Abb. Trit He appointed the foure times for taking orders as they call them for before they did take them only three times in the yeare He excommunicated such as tooke siluer for Baptisme and for burying Chron. R. Franc. By this Decree Popish Priests should be excommunicated He founded a Monasterie of the order of Cisteaux called Boneuan Fasc temp He ordeined it should not be lawful for any Bishop to turne from the Romane Church neither to contrary it For said he euen as the Sonne is come to do the will of his Father So it behoueth all Christians to do the will of their Mother that is to say the Romane Church Dist 12. ca. Non decet See how this brazen faced harlot of Rome alleadgeth scripture and is not ashamed to call her selfe a Mother He excommunicated all such as molested Pilgrimes which went to Rome 24 q. 3. chap. Si quis William Duke of Pouille preparing himselfe for the voiage of Constantinople to take vnto wife the Emperor Alexis his daughter recommēded his country to the Pope Calixt doubting the ambitiō of Roger his cosin who failed not incōtinently after the departure of the said William to seize vpon Calabria Pouille Insomuch as William was
15. yeares Lewis the young 7. of that name 40. King of France raigned 43. yeares He vpon superstition went into Spaine vpon pilgrimage vnto S. Iames. Ascalon was taken of the Christians beyond the sea Suppl Chron. Edessa a Citie of Mesopotamia was taken of Alaps a Prince of Turkie the Christians put to death and women violated vpon the Aultar of S. Iohn Baptist saith Naucler Fulco King of Ierusalem fell from his horse as he ran at an Hare and died Naucler and Chron. Euseb Baudwin 3. and 5. King of Ierusalem succeeded him Celestine Pope 2. of that name an Italian before called Guido a Priest Cardinall of S. Mark hauing ruled 5. monethes and 8. dayes died of the pestilence Lucius Pope 2. of that name borne at Boulongne before a Priest Card. of S. Crosse named Gerard ruled about one yeare This man willing by force to take away the dignitie of the Patrician from the Romanes was on the body wounded with the blowes of stones by the common people R. Barns And being oppressed with the Romanes hee sent vnto the Emperour who beeing occupied otherwhere could not succour him He did all he could to incite Christians to warre beyond the sea because he had receiued newes how the holy Land was in daunger to be lost for the Christians Iohn le Maire Some say he died in a sedition Others that he died of the Pestilence Supp Chron. and Fascic temp Eugenius Pope third of that name borne at Pise a Monke of Cleruaux Disciple of S. Bernard Abbotte and Cardinall of S. Anastasius at Rome ruled eight yeares and foure monethes He was constrained by the Romanes whom hee had excommunicated with Iordan the Patrice to flie from Rome and shaking the dust off his feete against his enemies hee got him into France not onely to shunne the feare of the said Romanes who with force of Armes chased him away but also to encourage and drawe on the French King Lewis to the succours of the holy Land He celebrated then a Councell at Vezelay in Burgoigne and there caused S. Barnard with his liuely voyce to vtter out all the mischiefe like to fall vnto the holy Land After which speech of S. Barnard the King vowed to giue succours to the Christian Princes beyond the Seas and the Queen Helionor his wife promised to follow him and with them many Princes Barons and Noble men of France Also the Emperour Conrade the third Alphonsus King of Spaine Henry King of England and many other Princes and Prelates yet in this voyage they did nothing worthy of memorie and this was the second vniuersall voyage as Iohn le Maire saith but the third expedition to goe into Ierusalem The first vnder Vrbain and the second vnder Paschal Anno. 1101. Eugenius also assembled a Councell at Rhemes and called thither Cardinalls and other Prelates of whom hee was consecrated as appertained And there S. Barnard confuted by disputation and vanquished Gilbert Poretaine Bishoppe of Poitiers an excellent Clarke who erred in touching the vnitie of the Trinitie There were made many decrees for Monkes that they should not leaue their Monasteries nor Baptise nor carrie children vnto Baptisme that they might not enioyne penance nor giue absolution that they might not visit the diseased nor assist the funeralls of the dead Briefly that they might not apply themselues vnto secular businesses but remaine sollitarie in theyr Monasteries That the husband or wife ought not to enter into Religion and the marriage should not be broken if one of the parties contradicted it nor without the consent of the Bishop if both parties accorded There was also ordained for the maintenance of schooles and for prouision of Doctors and Masters After those things done in France Eugenius returned vnto Rome where hee was honourably receiued of the people but soone after died at Tiber where he went to recreate himselfe His body was brought to Rome and buried in the Temple of S. Peter Suppl Chron. In this time raigned Gratian the Monke who compiled the Decretall Which Eugenius approoued and commanded to be read through all Vniuersities Supp Chron. Petrus Lumbardus Bishop of Paris compiled the bookes of Sentences Petrus Commestor wrote the Scholasticke Historie Auicen and Auerrois liued in this time excellent in Phisicke By the writings of Saint Barnard wee may knowe how in this time beeing so miserably corrupted he stroue against the impietie of Popes and the Ecclesiasticall sort See his 67. Sermon where he calleth them the Ministers of Antichrist In the Sermon 57. In the booke vnto this Pope Eugenius and in the 33. Sermon vpon the Cant. he often saith that Prelates are but pilates He reprooueth Eugenius that leauing the word of God he aduanced humane traditions Hugo Cardinall in his Postile vpon S. Iohn alleadgeth that S. Barnard said in a certaine place It seemeth ô good Iesu that all the Vniuersitie of Christians haue conspired against thee and they are the chiefe of the coniuration which obtaine the Primacie of the church At the end of his dayes hee shewed well that hee perfectly knew the true doctrine of the Iustification by Iesus Christ on whom only was his refuge reiecting all other sanctities and righteousnesse His writings yeeld a certaine witnesse of him The Emperour of Constantinople Emanuel sent victuals to the Christians beyond the Seas but like a traitetous wicked man hee mingled chalke amongst their floure whereof infinite people died He gaue also guides vnto the Emperour Conrade which conducted him through solitary places Insomuch that he lost all his souldiers As much also almost came vnto the king of France yet they both got into Ierusalem The Emperor Conrade the King Lewis and Baudwin King of Ierusalem being in Ierusalem determined to assaile Damas. Naucler Aluisius Abbot of Auchen and Bishop of Arras died in this iourney of the holy Land in a towne called Philopolis Simon Bishop of Noyon at Selencia Bishops Abbots and Monkes trotted then in voyages beyond the Seas Norway receiued then the faith which was then S. Barnard died of the age of 36. yeares Naucler Conrade the third Emperor returning from his voyage of Ierusalem died at Banberg 1152. Frederic first of that name surnamed barbarous sonne of Frederic Duke of Souanbe who was brother of the said Conrade was chosen Emperour This was a Prince of a good spirit hardie of great stature and faire of face his haire and beard was redde affable and gracious After his election hee ledde seuen times his Armie against the Italians which rebelled against him Anastasius Pope 4. of that name a Romane Abbot ruled the Romane Church one yeare or two 4. monethes and 24. daies They qualifie him a great Almes-giuer of many priuiledges vnto religious people of Challices very sumptuous and of repairing Churches Adrian 4. of that name borne in England a man learned before called Nicholas-breakspeare the sonne of one named Robert a Monke and Priest of the Temple of S. Albons
happened by the dissention of the Christians and rashnesse of such as were Crossed saith Fascic tempo There was mortall warre betwixt the Geneuois and they of Pise for the I le of Corsike but finally the Pisans were vanquished vpon the sea and more then twelue or sixteene thousand men slaine with a losse of fortie eight Gallies Fasci Temp. And other ships besides them were sunke and drowned Suppl Chron. The Tartarians got hold of the kingdome of Constantinople and a great part of that Empire The same Nicholas Pope dyed of griefe that all things happened not after his wish seeing so manifold calamities all ouer and especially at Rome The Cardinals after his death retired to Peruse that their election might be more sure but in two yeares and three moneths they could not accord Suppl Chron. Rodolphe the Emperour dyed also the yeare of his age 73. of our saluation 1291. of his Empire 18. He had for his wife Anne Countesse of Hohemberg which was buried at Basle with her sonne Herman who was drowned in Rhene Adolphe Count of Nassau was chosen Emperour by certaine of the Electors and Albert Duke of Astrishe by other yet Adolphe was crowned at Aix the Chappell His brother who was Archbishop of Magunce helped him much He raigned sixe yeares and after was deposed by the Electors For besides that he was not puissaunt enough in domestical faculties to sustaine that Imperiall dignitie he also despised the Princes of the Empire and dignified diuer without merite He committed adulterers violated Virgines Nunnes and Widowes he enterprised warre against Fraunce because of the kingdome of Arles but he executed no memorable thing sauing that he ledde an Armie into Thuringe and Misne to pacifie contentions betwixt Albert Lantgraue of Thuringe and his sonne Dietere and others Celestine fift of that name an Esermen by Nation which is a place nigh the Towne of Sulme by profession an Heremite and before called Peter Moron after that briberies of the Cardinalls which had endured the space of two yeares had taken ende by the fauour of Charles the second of that name King of Naples and of the Cardinall Latin was declared Pope Incontinently after his election he went to Aigle and caused to come before him all the Cardinalls and created new to the number of twelue amongst which there were two Hermites Ptolomie and Laques haue written that at his installing were two hundreth thousand men In the first Consistory he held saith Christian Masseus as he went about to reforme the Romane church to the ende the Cleargy therof might serue for an example to others he incurred so the maleuolence indignation of many that grinding their teeth against him they called him sot and dotard One of these companions called Benet suborned an other who making a crany or hole in his Chamber many nights cried as it had bin an Angel from heauen Celestine Celestine renounce thy Papacie For that charge exceedeth thy Forces Some also in the day time counselled him to giue ouer his Popedome and prouide for his saluation The king Charles was aduertised of these things getting their Pope to come to him he praied him as much as was possible that he would not reiect such a dignity which was giue him from heauen wherevnto he answered I wil do what God will As hee returned from Naples it may bee hauing no rest in his conscience on the Vigile of Saint Luce he dismissed himselfe of that charge and hasted to returne into his Hermitage All this rehearseth Masseus yet first he made a constitution by the consent of all that it should be lawfull for a Pope to giue ouer such a charge Which constitution Boniface 8. his successor a man subtill and malicious confirmed and placed if in the 6 booke of his Decretalls Moreouer the said Boniface his successor fearing that the people despising him would cleaue vnto Celestine he caused him to be put in close prison where he kept him euen till his death He died then in prison the yeare of our Lord 1295. the 10. day of May two yeares and fiue moneths after he had bene chosen Pope The Sect of Monkes called Celestines had their name and originall of him Arlot general of the order of Friars who made the Concordances vpon the Bible liued in this time Abb. Trit Boniface 8. of that name borne in Campania in the Towne of Anagnia called before Benet de Gauete one of the chiefe Councellors of Celestine his predecessor beeing at Naples was thrust into his place by a maruellous treason Being Cardinall Priest of S. Martin in the Mountaines he desired so to come vnto the Papall dignitie that he left nothing behind either of ambition or fraud that he thought might bring his purpose to passe Againe hee was so arrogant that he despised almost all men in respect of himselfe This is he of whom it is commonly spoken That he entred as a Foxe raigned as a Lyon and died as a dogge For it was he that sollicited Celestine to depose himselfe and so hee entered like a Foxe he gouerned like a Lyon in so much that hee was so arrogant and cruell to the end so that he called himselfe Lord of all the world but he died like a dogge For his end was miserable and all his deeds were reprooued as may be seene by his Historie He said as Marius witnesseth that he shut Celestine in prison not for any enmitie towards him but for feare the authors of sedition by his conduction should do him and the Romane Church any domage But who will not say that this Boniface was an horrible monster and an ignorant person hauing circumuented despoiled and finally murdred in prison a simple man which was his father After that the Princes of Almaine had chosen Albert Duke of Austrich Adolphe hauing on his side Otho Duke of Bauiers Raoul Count Palatin and certaine Imperiall Cities gaue battaile against Albert nigh Spire which was sharpe and cruell wherein Adolphus was slaine the yeare of his Empire 6. or 8. after some Albert Duke of Austrich sonne of Rodolphe the Emperor was againe chosen by the Electors and crowned at Aix the Chapple the yeare 1298. Hee gaue the gouernment of the Duchie of Austrich to his sonne Rodolphe and gaue him in marriage Blanch the sister of Phillip king of France He made many warres That against the Bishop of Salisburie was for certaine Salt-wells For this Bishop being prouoked by Albert caused to be destroyed the place where the Salt was made The Emperor who could not be ouercome was impoysoned but the Phisitians gaue him such remedies that the venome came out at his mouth and nosthrills The force thereof was so great that it wasted one of his eyes and hee was called Borgne Hee was a magnanimous and valiant Prince He demaunded of Boniface to be crowned but he refused him saying hee was vnworthy of the Empire because hee
ambitiously and wickedly he came to be Pope He demaunded of the Ecclesiasticall Lords vpon whom they had the foundations and reuenewes of their Churches and Benefices After he turned him towards the Princes Barons and Knights and said vnto them And you Nobles and Vassalls what hold you for your King All they which were there answered with one voyce that they held their lands and their goods vnder the kings hand Then the king replied and said Yet you see what force and tirannie Boniface practiseth as if you and all the Realme of France were subiect vnto the Romane Church as now he vsurpeth the title of the Emperour of Almaine and hauing three times the said Duke Albert of Austrich saith himselfe is Emperour and Lord of all the world and in token thereof hee hath newly giuen the Empire to the Duke Albert yea euen the title of the Crowne of France These things thus proposed and brought to deliberation the king interiected an appellation from the Pope to the generall Councell and ordained by publike Edict vpon great pains that none should bee so hardie to drawe or transport any gold or siluer out of his kingdome for the affaires of the Romane Court and caused to guard all the Bridges Portes and passages On the other side Boniface the eight sought by Ecclesiasticall censors enmitie betwixt the Emperour and the King Yet notwithstanding they accorded meeting together in the plaines of Vuancoulers But the end was this that to tame the arrogancie and malice of this Pope the king secretly dispatched two hundreth men of Armes vnder the conduction of one named Sarra Colonnois a Romane and of an other Captain called Nogaret which secretly passed from Marceille and by night tooke the Pope in his house which was in Anagnia in the kingdome of Naples and carried him prisoner with the aide of the Gibelins to Rome where he died 24. dayes after or 35. dayes after Chron. Abb. of griefe and age and all his goods and treasures went to pillage Iohn le Maire Iohn the Monke Cardinall the founder of the Colledge of Picars at Paris came into France at the Popes commandement The Sea of Histories The memorable battaile of Courtray in Flaunders which the French lost and wherin a great part of the Nobilitie of France perished The Sea of Histories Benet 11. of that name a Lombard by Nation borne at Treuis called before Nicholas of the order of Iacobius borne of parents of base condition his father was a sheepheard after he was made Cardinall of Ostia he was chosen Pope a man of a cautellous and subtill spirit and therefore pleased Boniface exceedingly Incontinently after he was come vnto the Papaltie hee sought to pacifie Italie and therefore went to Peruse but hee fell sicke there and deceased and was buried in the Iacobins A certaine Abbesse presented vnto him poysoned figges whereof he died This was after prooued And Leander affirmeth that he died of poyson The seate was emptie about a yeare The yeare of Christ 1304. Phillip le bel King of France founded in the honour of S. Lewis the Abbey of Poisy where hee placed Nunnes of the order of the Friars preachers and after his death his heart was carried thither and buried The Sea of Histories The first Emperor of the Turkes The wickednesse of men being come to the fulnesse of all impietie Ottomanus a Turk began to raigne about this time and raigned 28. yeares He began by litle and litle to vsurpe vpon Europe The occasion was for that the Emperours of Greece demanded helpe of the said Turkes against the Bulgarians But they seeing the Countrey fit for them vsurped vpon the Emperour first in Thrace and after in Misia superiour and inferiour Macedonia Achaia Peloponesus Epirus Dalmacia and a great part of Illyria and Pannonia and finally into Hungaria The yeare of Christ 1306. the first League of Swissers was made of three Cantons namely Suits Vry and Vnderuald Naucler Peter Casiodore an Italian a Noble man and well instructed in pietie was in this time Hee writ vnto the Enghsh men not to carrie the importable yoake of the Romane Antechrist shewing the extortions and extreame seruitude of England which the Popes of that time had multiplied The Epistle beginneth Cui comparabo te c. which I haue here inserted transcribed and translated out of an old booke found in the church of S. Albans in England To the noble Church of England which serueth in bondage Peter the sonne of Cassiodore a Catholique souldier and deuout Champion of Iesus Christ desireth saluation and deliuerance from the yoake of captiuitie and to receiue the price and reward of libertie The Scribes and Pharisies placed themselues in Moyses Chaire c. It followeth after To whom shal I compare thee or to whom shal I say thou art like thou daughter of Ierusalem to whom shall I equall thee thou virgin daughter of Sion For thy ruine is great as the Sea thou art become sollitarie and without any sollace being all the day ouerwhelmed wilh heauinesse Thou art deliuered into the hands of him from whence thou canst not relieue thy selfe without the aide of some one which will lift theee vp For the Scribes and Pharisies beeing set vpon Moyses Chaire that is to say the Romane Princes being thy enemies are vpon thy head and enlarging their Philacteries and desiring to inrich themselues with the marrowe of thy bones impose heauie and insupportable burthens vpon the shoulders of thee and thy Ministers and bring thee vnmeasurably vnder the charge of paying tribure thou which euer hast bene free Let all occasion and matter of maruelling cease For thy mother which had rule ouer the people hauing espowsed her subiect hath appointed thee for a Father and before all others hath eleuated thee Bishop of Rome who in no paternall act sheweth himselfe to be such an one Very true is is that hee spreadeth out his skirtes and sheweth by experience that he is thy mothers husband For often he bringeth to memorie in his heart this sentence of the Prophet Take thee a great volume and write therein as with a touchstone after the maner of men Hastâ— thee to the spoile dispatch thee of pilling and spoiling When the Apostle said Euery high Priest beeing taken of men is constituted for men in things which are concerning God Doth not this shewe that men must not occupie themselues with spoiles and rapines to impose censors and annuall rents nor to destroy men but to the end he might offer gifts and sacrifices for sinnes and that he might haue compassion of the ignorant and sinners And also we read of Peter who was a Fisher whose successor he saith he is that after the resurrection of Iesus Christ he returned to his fishing againe with the other Apostles who when he could take nothing on the left side of the ship by the commaundement of Iesus Christ he turned himselfe towards the right hand and drew the Nets to ground
was at the instance of Phillip le Bell. After he was aduertised of his election he departed from Burdeaux and came to Lyons and sent word that all the Cardinalls then in Italie should appeare there wherevnto they all obeyed without delay or contradiction and the coronation of the said Pope was made publike and solemne in the Church of S. Iust But this ioy and pompe was troubled For as an innumerable people were mounted vpon an old wall of S. Iust to see this great pompe and noblenes the said wall fell and flew duke Iohn of Britaine the King was there wounded and the Pope throwne ouer his horse and rudely troden vnder feete in so much that he lost a rich Carbuncle out of his triple crowne esteemed at 6000. Florents of Gold and more then 12. other notable persons were there wounded and died After the Pope Clement was crowned the king tooke leaue of him and went to marrie his sonne Lays Hutin to the daughter of the Duke of Burgongne called Margarite The Pope on the other side left Lion and made his residencie in Auignon This was the first of the Popes that kept there his Romane Court where it abode the space of 73. yeares before it returned to Rome Iohn le Maire After the end of this solemne pompe and that all things were appeased he created many French Cardinalls But hee made not one Italian onely he restored that dignitie of a Cardinall to Iohn and Iames of the house of Colomnois Moreouer he sent to Rome three Cardinalls with the power of Senators by whose direction the Towne and all Italie was gouerned He gaue to Frederic king of Sicilie the Ile of Sardeigne which was occupied by the Sarrasins vpon this condition that in chasing them away he might incontinently recouer it The yeare 1306. the Iewes were pilled and reiected Fraunce Albert the Emperour riding in the fieldes about noone was slaine by his Nephewe and other Princes of Austrich his companions Munster This iudgement might bee because in warre he had persecuted the Emperour Adolphe who although he was his inferiour vnto him in power yet was he ordained of God and ought him obedience But such murthers remaine not vnpunished Hiero. Marius adding to the words of Platina sayth thus Clement the fift because he desired not to serue others as Iesus Christ commaunded his disciples but rather to be serued euen of Emperors ordained that Emperours chosen in Almaine although they tooke the name of King of the Romanes yet they should receiue of the Pope the rights and name of the Emperour Moreouer that when the Emperour should bee dead whilest the Empire was vacant the gouernment of the townes of Italie subiect to the Emperor should be in the Popes power The Romane Court transported into France where it remained 74. yeares This Clemens who was a publike whoremonger and a great maintainer of harlots Chron. Herm. and Paralip Vrsp. placed the papall seate in Auignon to the end the better to enioy his delights and pleasures He celebrated the generall Councell of Vienne the yeare of our Lord. 1311. wherein he cruelly abolished the order of the Templers to the end to confiscate their goods with their spoiles raised vp the Hospitaliers into dignities called the knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem which had conquered the I le of Rhodes vpon the Sarrasins The Knights of the Rhodes succeeded in the goods of the Templers The Pope excommunicated the Venetians because they had vsurped Ferrare which was of the Churches patrimonie and caused the Croisado to be published against them in Italie till they were constrained to yeeld the said seignorie of Ferrare which they had vsurped of a Lord called Frisius Estensis who had slaine his father to gouerne at Ferrare being notwithstanding aided by the Venetians to doo that wicked act Item he excommunicated the Florentines and them of Luques Henry the 7. would needes make himselfe to be crowned at Rome but it was not without great contradiction and effusion of bloud Robert King of Sicilie sonne of Charles the second King of Pouille was condemned of the said Henry to bee beheaded Clement graunted to all such as coiced themselues against the Turke that at their pleasures and will foure soules should be deliuered from purgatorie But the Theologians of Paris detested this and reprooued it saith Agrip. de vanit This Pope persecuted such as they named Fratricelli and one called Dulcinus of Navarre and published against thē the Croisado for that purpose seruing themselues with the Iacobins The Dulcins were named of that Dulcinus who was executed with his wife Margarite Naucler He had bene taught of one called Gerard. They which detested them and haue written their maner of doings say that they wore white Mantles long haires sometimes walking barefooted sometimes shod Item that they named themselues the order of the Apostles and they preached saying Repent for the kingdome of heauē is at hand Moreouer they said that the authoritie which Christ gaue vnto his Church was expired for the malice of the Prelates And that the Romane Church was reprooued because it was an whore Also that they were the Church followed the rule of the Apostles That all the Popes since Siluester were Preuaricators and vsurpers because they liued not in true humilitie and that therefore men ought not to giue them Tythes Many of Dulcius adherents were taken to the number of 114. persons dwelling in the Mountains of Verseil in Piemont Rhodes in this time wes reconquered of the knights of the Rhodes which before were driuen away Henry 7. of that name sonne of Henry Count of Luxembourg and of Beatrix his wife was chosen Emperour He was not rich of goods that his father had left him but he was the excellentest Prince of his time as well in prudence as in the glory of praise-worthy deeds From the death of Frederic the 2. vntill the yeare 1308. wherein this man was elected the Kings of the Romanes had not entred into Italie namely Rodolphe Adolphe and Albert and therefore almost all the townes of Italie subiect to the Empire were reuolted After Henry was crowned at Aix he determined to enter Italie to be sacred of the Pope but it was not without great danger for great Ambushes which were laid for a him at Millaine by Guido Turrian See the Chronicles of the Emperours Many Templers of the kingdome of France by the commaundement of the Pope and King for certaine accusations were condemned and burnt without Paris Twelue or nine Articles contrary to the faith were imposed vpon them which notwithstanding Iohn Bocace a Florentine excuseth in his 21. Chapter of his 2. booke of the cases of vnfortunate Nobles Their order endured 184. yeares all their goods were confiscated and giuen to the knights of the Rhodes Others say that the best part of their goods was giuen to the king by the Popes consent Chron. of the French Kings Hermanus saith that
I that am Pope But although it displeased the others which were there present yet they must needs dissemble it so furious terrible and enuironed with souldiers was hee After his election he remained a certaine time at Bolongne then went he to Rome it beeing the chiefe of his enterprise There he assembled a Sinode to the end to giue the Imperiall Crowne to Sigismond In the first Session of this Sinode as the aforesaid Iohn was sitting on an high seate after the Masse of the holy Ghost was sung there came an Owle who placing her self vpon one of the balkes of the Temple and looking directly vpon the Pope saluted him in a straunge maner with his fearefull song Such as were there present began to wonder looking one at an other and also casting their view vpon the Pope they could scant keepe themselues from laughing As for Iohn hee began to bee much ashamed to sweate and to bee sore anguished and tormented in himselfe Finally finding no other meane whereby hee might remedie his so great confusion after hee had giuen leaue to such as were there assembled he rose vp and retired There was an other Session after this wherein came the like For this Owle could not bee chased away neyther for any cryes no nor yet for stones and staues which were cast at him There were then many which by this spectacle were induced to beleeue that such spirituall pillers haue long time gouerned the Church of Rome Nicholas Clemengis Archdeacon of Baieux reciteth this Historie in his Epistles A Councell assembled at Constance To put end to the aforesaid discords and slaunders they were forced to assemble a general Councel for which the place was assigned at Constance This was against the Pope Iohns wil who desired it might be held in such a place wherein hee had more powre then the Emperour See Naucler Leonard Aretin who were in this time In the said Councell finally appeared Pope Iohn the 24. of that name and arriued at Constance vpon S. Simon and Iudes euen Anno. 1414. Likewise the Emperour Sigismond came thither on Christmas euen after midnight with the Empresse his wife and many other Princes Counts Barons and Nobles which were in number about 30940. persons Courtiers saith the Sea of Histories With the Pope Iohn arriued foure Patriarkes twentie and nine Cardinalls 47. Archbishops and 160. Bishops See Naucler On Christmas day the Pope sung three Masses one at midnight one in the morning and one at noone and Sigismond attired Deacon like sung the Gospell Exijt edictum a Cesare c. Naucler This Councell endured three yeares and seuen weekes after some or about foure yeares after Naucler and there was 46. Sessions See the 2. volume of Councells The yeare 1414. the king of France laid siege before Champaine and it was taken by composition Hee tooke Soissons and after laid siege before Arras but a peace was made by the Duchesse of Holland sister of the Duke of Burgongne The Sea of Hist The Friday after Candlemas day as they call it there arriued at the Councell sixe Cardinalls of Pope Gregories the 12. which approoued the Councell by the authoritie of the said Gregorie Naucler The yeare 1415. was the battaile of Blangy betwixt the English and French wherein the chiefe bloud of Fraunce was shead and it was commonly called La male Iournee The Sea of Histo. In this time Wencelaus king of Boheme was required by the Councell to send Iohn Hus who went thither with the Emperours safe conduct There went with him also Ierome of Prage with one onely Clarke They were admonished and greatly sollicited to desist from their opinions but they were constant They maintained that they were true in their propositions and reasons being founded on the truth of the holy Gospell And contrary that the Romane Church had withdrawne it selfe from the truth and the Apostles doctrine c. See a more ample declaration of this Historie in the first part of the booke of Martyrs They were both condemned to be burned Iohn Hus was first executed about the fourth day of the moneth of Iuly the yeare 1415. and a good while after Ierome of Prage was also burnt in the moneth of September They endured death constantly and merily went to the fire glorifying the Lord euen in the middest of the flame Their Ashes were cast into the Lake of Constance The Bohemians vnderstanding what was done at Constance against their Doctors sacked and spoiled all the Couents and Monasteries of the Countrey and fired them and from that time withdrew themselues from the subiection of the Romane Pope as is said In the said Councell Iohn Wickliffe an English man was condemned an heretike and although dead yet his bones were condemned to be vnburied Also Lay-people were inhibited to communicate the Sacrament vnder both kindes There was also a Decree that the Councell was aboue the Pope and not contrarie That the Councell hath full power to correct iudge and depose the Pope yea to ordaine of all things and not the Pope to Iudge correct or chaunge Decrees and Statutes of the Councell Iohn 24. Pope seeing that in the said Councell many crimes were obiected against him fled away in a disguised habit by the helpe of the Duke of Austrich Frederic and by the Councell of the Archbishop of Magunce although the Emperour did all he could to hinder it Naucler He fledde first to Shaffufe and from thence to Lusemberge and after to Fribourge to take his way towards the Duke of Bourgongne if hee could get thither Naucler The Duke Frederic was cyted in full Councell by the Emperour and that many times And for that hee appeared not the Emperour absolued his subiects of the oath of disobedience which they ought vnto the Duke Also hee depriued him of all his riches and goods and gaue his goods to such as could take and occupie them This gaue many occasion to assaile his person and his goods whereof yet at this day the Cantons and the Valesans hold many places as Bade Melingen Prenigarten Wallestat Diossenhosen which they got by force of Armes Others occupied other Townes and places See Naucler Iohn was taken and brought to Constance and there deteined prisoner at Richman After they prooued against him 40. criminall Articles He was deposed by all the Councell the Wednesday of Trinitie 14. and 15. and hee himselfe approoued his deposition In the second Volume of Councels there is mention made that more then 54. Articles were proposed and proued against him to euery of which he answering cryed Ah I haue yet committed a greater crime namely I haue passed the Alpes and am come into Almaine After his condemnation hee was giuen vnto the Count Palatin who kept him three yeares in Menhen he was not suffered to haue any Italian with him no not his Chamberlaine his Gard were all Almaines and he spake vnto them by signes onely Naucler After the deposition of Pope
Nicholas held a Iubile at Rome wherat there was such a multitude of people that many were stifled as they entred and came out of Churches There perished more then 200. persons besides an infinit number which fell into the floud as they passed ouer the Bridge of S. Angelo This is the reward that such deserue that leauing the truth follow the inuention of Antichrist Amurathes Turke second of that name died after he had raigned 31. yeares whom Mahomet the second succeeded This Amurathes tooke the Lord of Seruia and Mesia and occupied Sophia c. Also he tooke captiues three of his children whereof two were males and put out their eyes with an hotte Iron and the third a maide hee tooke to wife He made warre vpon the Venetians and occupied Thessalonica which at this day is called Salonike The yeare 1453. the 28. day of May after Naucler or of March after some Mahomet the second surnamed the great sonne of Amurathes by the cowardise of Iohn Iustinian of Genoua tooke Constantinople hauing with him 300000. fighters The siege endured 60. dayes Michael Paleologus a Grecian tooke it of the French by the helpe of the Geneuois The said Ionh Iustinian was made king by the space of three daies as the Turke had promised him but the fourth day he was be headed saith Fasci Temp. The Patriarke and all the Christians were slaine without any mercie They had sent to demaund helpe of the Pope and the Christians but no helpe came It is impossible to recyte the horrible crueltie which was there exercised Constantine the last Emperour of the last Greekes as he fled was encountred and murthered nigh the gates His head was stucke on the top of a Launce and carried about the Towne Mahomet also caused to be erected an Image of a Crucifixe and did write vpon it This is the God of the Christians and commaunded to cast dung and other filth against the said Image The Emperours wife with her daughters and the most noblest Damzels there were brought before Mahomet and after he had done them all the shame he could yea the greatest villanies of the world he caused theyr bodies to be cut in peeces Such examples of so extreame crueltie ought to induce vs to abhorre so barbarous an enemie and to detest the Papists Idolatrie which by the adoration of Images are the cause wherefore the passion of Iesus Christ is thus slaundered The King of France recouered all the Townes which the English held in France except the Towne of Callais The Sea of Histories In this time flourished Nicholas Perotus Ioannes de turre oremata a Iacobin Doctor in Theologie Bishop and Cardinall Nicholas Canonized S. Bernardine of Senes a Friar Chron. Euseb He was a louer of Letters and learned people greatly loued such Bookes were also presented and dedicated vnto him on all sides For hee stirred such as were learned to translate Greeke Authors into Latin Naucler He couered with lead S. Marie the round auntiently called the Pantheon he repaired the Church of S. Stephen he also builded the Church of S. Theodore repaired the bridge Miluius paued many streetes hee gaue to many Churches vessels of gold and siluer and many Crosses adorned with precious stones The yeare 1455. the 25. of March Nicholas the 5. died of a Feauer hauing bene sore troubled with the taking of Constantinople Naucler The Sea of Hist saith he was poisoned as was found by effect when he was opened Scanderbeg so called of the Turkes when he was circumcised for before he was called George Castriot was giuen in Hostage by his father king of Epire and Albania of old called Macedonia to Amurathes the 7. Emperour of the Turkes who after he had in many deedes of Armes experimented his prowesse made him chiefe of the Armie against the Hungarians vnto whom he yeelded himselfe and moreouer constrained Bassa the Turkes Secretarie to write Letters to the Gouernours of the Towne and Countrey of Croya whereby was sent in the name of Amurathes that the said Towne should be deliuered into his gouernment So subtilly recouered he his Countrey about this time But Amurathes fell vpon Egipt with a great power after hauing in vaine besieged Croya many monethes he died of griefe Calixtus or Calistus the third of that name a Spaniard called before Alphonsus Borgia being alreadie of a great age by the consent of the Cardinalls succeeded Nicholas a man onely learned in the Lawe or right Canon Some say he was first Secretarie to Alphonsus King of Arragon and was made Bishop of Valence by Martine the fift and vnder Eugenius was made Cardinall of the title of foure Crownes as commonly they say at Rome de Sant quatre As soone as hee had receiued the Papall dignitie hee published warre against the Turkes according to a vow hee had made But by the dutie of his office hee ought rather to haue sought peace with all men Painims should be taught and not assailed by warre The Turke Mahomet went into Hungarie against Alba and was vanquished and more then fortie thousand of his people perished Naucler Iohn Huniades a vertuous Captaine at the iournie of Albe died shortly after the said victorie But the Pope the better to execute so couragious an enterprise sent preachers like himselfe in capacitie and couetousnesse with Bulles and Indulgences That is certaine begging Friars garnished with power like the Scorpions of the earth The principall of them all were Iohn Capistran and Robert de la lice of the order of Friars and hypocrites which euery man receiued with great admiration These men knowing the Popes subtiltie and hauing no certaine hope that they could gather much money out of the Iubile did all their businesse and trafficked by the the meanes of feigned prayers full of hypocrisie of Letanies of Images of crosses of songs of ringing of Bells and of their pastie God to the end they might fill all the purses budgets and sacks of their maister Calixtus ceased not by his Embassadors to exhort other Christian Princes to enterprise that warre as a thing very necessarie and holy Therefore sent he to all Priests that as they sung Masse they should pronounce certaine Prayers or Collects against Painimes and Turkes He also commanded that at noonetime a Bell should toll as there was done at night to salute the Virgin Marie to the end that as Stella the good Popish Theologian saith they which ordinarily fight against the Turkes might be helped by that prayer This is also the reason saith he wherefore hee ordained the Feast and seruice of the transfiguration of Iesus Christ and commaunded it should bee celebrated with like pardons and Indulgences as that of the Feast of the body of Iesus Christ This was for the victorie which the Christians had against the Turkes the sixt day of August before Albe in Hungarie Hee sent also towards the Armenians and Persians to sollicite them to doo the like against the Turkes and caused certaine
the first of December vnderstanding that the French had bene vanquished at Millaine by the Emperours people and chased out of all Italie which also was not done without his meanes drinking making good cheare hee maruellously reioyced at this newes and herein suddenly died as they say Hee which neuer beleeued there was either hell or heauen after this present life There was a Poet called Sannazarius which made a Distiche that is two Latin Verses of the death of the said Leo which because they seeme to be wel made are set downe Sacra sub extrema si forte requiritis hora. Cur Leo non poterat sumere vendiderat The sence of these Verses is If you aske wherefore Leo could not take the Sacraments beeing so nigh his death the reason is he had sold them before That which is aboue spoken of the taking of Rhodes and of the wonders seene the same day that agreement was made to yeeld the Towne into the Turkes hands cannot accord with that which is spoken of the death of Leo. For it is a certaine that Rhodes was taken by Pope Adrian his successor and was yeelded to the Turkes Anno 1522. An Aduertisement touching a certaine coniecture of the supputation of time It would bee noted in this place that the yeare after the Incarnation of Iesus Christ 161. Paulus Samosatenus beeing Bishop of Antioche began to disgorge his blasphemies against Iesus Christ denying that he was the true and eternall sonne of God Which most daungerous and pernitious heresie of all others was afterward augmented by Arrius and Mahomet and is yet at this day by that Antichrist the Pope Moreouer the Monkes which began as it were the same yeare vnder Paul the first here vnto haue nourished and maintained the same heresie in theyr diuers maners of life and theyr wicked doctrines whilest Antichrist raigned in the Temple of God and dealt with preaching and teaching publikely in the Church namely by the space of 42. moneths or of 1260. dayes which is all one which dayes if wee take them for yeares as they ought adding thervnto the first number of 261. yeares they will come to the yeare 1521. after the Natiuitie of Iesus Christ But that you may vnderstand this secret That yeare was discouered that great aduersarie of God who lifted himselfe aboue all that ws called God or worshipped as God This yeare then that error which so long time had beene mainteined vnder the tyrant of Antichrist began to bee shaken and to fall because the truth and righteousnesse of Faith through the spirit of Iesus Christ were reuealed by the meanes of certaine learned persons For in the said yeare 1521. Martin Luther beeing well fortified by the spirit of God in the presence of all the Estates of the Empire assembled at Wormes confessed and maintained constantly and hardily the true doctrine of our Lord Iesus Christ which the aforesaid heretikes denied And since this confession the true Church of our Lord Iesus Christ hath againe begun to renew it selfe and his kingdome to take and gather more greater forces And the kingdome of Antichrist hath begun to diminish and approacheth his ruine This which followeth is extracted out of the book of Christien Masseus The yeare of the Lord 1515. Frances King of Fraunce receiued of Leo a Iubile that is to say pardons to sell to be published through all France which was also spread through all Christendome This was a bottomelesse depth of all euills for vnder the shadowe of fighting against the Turkes they heaped vp inestimable treasures They which had this charge and commission perswaded the simple people that whosoeuer would giue tenne French soules should deliuer the soule for whom hee gaue them from the paines of Purgatorie For they held this for a certaine rule that God would doo whatsoeuer they would according to that which is said All that you doo on earth c. So that if there had wanted but one farthing lesse then the said tenne soules they said all could profit nothing Such like marchandise displeased many good men and they began to debate this question touching the Popes power whereof the old Bishops neuer heard speake Martin Luther was then in Almaine who then began to cry very sharply against Indulgences against whom one called Iohn Bekins opposed himselfe and they two entered into great disputations and contentions touching this matter Pope Leo the tenth thundred a great processe against Martin Luther and condemned him as an heretike and reiected him from the communion of the faithfull He straight appealed vnto the Councell to come After this Leo commaunded that his bookes should be burnt at Rome and on the other side Luther burnt at Wittemberge his Canons and Popish Decretalls saying As they haue done to me so haue I done to them Thus farre Masseus The rest of this historie you may see in Sleidon Baptista Mantuanus had before exhorted the said Leo to doo his office thus speaking vnto him in the fourth booke de fastis Yet there remaineth many things for thee to doo of great importance holy Father If they be great and waightie thou must enterprise them with great courage But there are there amongst others which are most worthy wherin thou shouldest employ thy selfe and trauell therein The first is warre wherewith Italie alreadie tyred and the fields thereof bedeawed with humane bloud An other is That the Romane Court is infected with a daungerous poison which spreadeth it selfe ouer all Nations Lastly there is a Faith which is oppressed and on all sides offered a pillage vnto all cruell and barbarous Nations All these things cry after thee and demaund succours of thee helpe them for the Commonwealth of Christ staggereth and Faith is sick and alreadie nigh her death Leo hauing gathered a great summe of siluer for pardons which he sold inriched his parents bankers and listed them vp into great dignities Martin Luther a great Theologian began to preach the true and pure doctrine against the hypocrisie of Papists and from thence forward the Popedome ceased not by litle and litle to fall into ruine Francis de Valois Duke de Angoulesme as the nighest and meetest to succeed in the Crowne was King 57. yeares after the death of Lewis the 12. whose eldest daughter called Claudia he married Selim hauing driuen away and after poysoned his olde father because he liued too long was Emperor of the Turkes in the yeare 1510. Vnto this wickednesse he added the murdering of his bretheren and the strangling of his Nephewes He vanquished and droue the Sophie away and in many battailes ouercame the two Souldans Campson Tonombeus with the Mammelus and Arabians hee added to his Empire Egipt and Arabia and tooke the great Caire Afterward returning the into his Countrie an Vlcer engendred in his loynes which still encreasing as a Canker killed him the 7. yeare of his raigne See hereof Munster in his Cosmographie Paulus Iouius and Ritche the first booke Soliman the
into Flaunders He passed then through France from Spaine with great receiuing and entertainment of the king and his subiects The Emperor and the King sent their Embassadors to the Venetians to ioyne with them for making warre vpon the Turke but without any thing beeing mooued with that Embassage they incontinently sent towards the Turke to make peace with him Some say they were behinde counselled herevnto by the French Embassador They of Gaunt are punished by the Emperour many are beheaded and otherwise punished and after he had taken their liberties from them he caused a strong Forte to be there builded to bridle them The French king seeing himselfe out of hope to recouer Millaine he began to contract with the Duke of Cleues cōcerning a marriage betwixt him and the Princesse of Nauarre Iohn de Vainoda king of Hungarie died leauing a little child called Stephen borne of Elizabeth daughter of Sigismond king of Polonia Phillip Chabot Admirall of France is condemned at Melnue vpon treason and in seuen hundreth thousand Scutes as a fine and after banished into the wood of Vincenne but a litle after hee was againe restored vnto all his goods and estates The disputation of Remsbourge began in Aprill betwixt the Protestants and them which they called Catholickes Phillip Melancton Bucer Pistorius other Theologians were there on the Protestants side against Eccius Iulles Pffug and Iohn Gropper Caesar Fregosa and Antonie Rincon which the French king sent Embassadors to the Turke as they passed the Pan to drawe towards Venice they were taken by the Imperialists and put to death The Marquesse Alphonsus Daual the Emperours Lieftenant in Lombardie is accused of that murder by the Lord de Langeay The King dispatcheth his Embassadors to the Iourney at Reiusbourge to complaine of that wicked act After hee stayed at Lyons George d'Austriche bastard sonne of the Emperour Maximilian Archbishop Valence as he passed through Fraunce from Spaine vnto the Emperour who was in the lowe Countries Francis sonne of Anthonie Duke of Lorraine espowsed Christierne widowe the daughter of Christierne king of Denmarke which displeased the king of France Ferdinand besieged Bude a Towne in Hungarie where the Queene Dowairie was shut vp with her litle sonne but the Turkes comming downe in great numbers in the moneth of Iuly he was glad to leaue his siege The Turkes arriuing a litle while after tooke the Towne of Pest and discomfited a great part of Ferdinands people After whether the said Dowairie would or no he forced her to appropriate Bude vnto him vnder the colour that shee could not defend it against Ferdinand So the litle King and his mother were banished into Transiluania The Emperour came to Lupues to speake with the Pope And to hinder the Turke of an other side to withdraw him from Hungarie hee embarked himselfe with his Armie in the Porte of de Venere and passing by the Iles of Corseigne Maiorque and Minorque he made saile to Argiere where he tooke land the third of October but there arose a great and horrible tempest of the sea which scattered and dispearsed a great number of his sayles so that hauing lost a good part of his Artillery and almost all his furniture of warre he was constrained to retire into Spaine The French after they vnderstood of this losse tooke occasion to mooue warre The principall Lords of Austriche euen to the number of 24. and with them tenne Cities presented a request vnto the King Ferdinand the third of December at Prague to this end that according to the decree of the last Iourney at Reiusbourge they might reforme their Churches Ferdinand answered that that that Decree onely appertained vnto the Protestants therfore he commaunded them to attend the issue of a generall or Nationall Councell of Almaine promised by the Emperour at the said Reiusbourge The beginning of the Councell of the Trent Paul Pope published the Councell at Trent the first day of Nouember Edicts of extreame rigour were published at Paris against such as they called Lutherans namely to bring vnto certaine deputed Theologians all such as were any thing spotted therewith And that all Stationers and Booke-binders should bring in within a certaine time all suspected bookes Priests also had set downe a certaine forme of Interrogating such as came to confession if they knew any Lutherans A generall Procession on is made and Geneuiefue the Parisians Goddesse trotted through the streetes in great pompe The French king sent the Lord de Longueuil to the Duke of Cleues there with Martin de Rossem to leauie people and to attend occasion to begin their enterprise After in the moneth of Iuly following warre is denounced to the Emperour Longueuil Rossem pilled spoiled in Brabant all the Countrey but they wanted powder and furniture for Artillery They of Rochel in Xantoinge mutined against the king for a Garrison placed there against the custome and for extreame tollages Gernac is sent thither by the king Whilest the king goeth vnto Parpignan Guillame Poyet Chauncellor of Fraunce is by iustice apprehended in the night time in his bed and lead to prison who foreseeing this tempest made himselfe a Priest a litle before to shun the punishments which he knew to be due for his deserts The Papall Priesthood serueth for a good cloake to couer all maner of infection The Scots about the beginning of December fought very vnluckily against the English The cause of the warre was because the king of Scotland came to Yorke as he had promised to end a controuersie which they had together about the limits of their Countries The Emperour made Crowne his sonne Phillip king of Spaine and gaue him in marriage Marie the daughter of Iohn king of Pontugall Sigismond the sonne of Sigismond king of Pologne tooke in marriage Elizabeth the daughter of Ferdinand king of the Romanes Clement Marot retiring to Geneua set out in French verses 20. Psalmes of Dauid He had before published 30. at Paris wherevpon he was persecuted by the Sorbonists The Emperor and Henry of England ioyned themselues to make warre vpon the French king who tooke Landrecy and fortified it The Hauen and Towne of Nice taken and the Castle besieged by the Prince d' Anguien after that Barbarossa conducted by the Captaine Poidin had taken land with his Armie by Sea at Tolon The Duke of Cleues chastised by the Emperor forsooke the alliance of France The Princesse of Nauarre in the way against her will with the Cardinall de Ballay for her conduction vnto Cleues was stopped with great ioy of the marriage broken Trouble in Scotland by such as demanded that their young Queene might be accorded vnto Edward sonne of king Henry The king of France did so much that he pacified the Nobilitie to drawe vnto himselfe that alliance The Vauldois a people in Prouence are put to the spoyle for the Gospell wherefore the Historie is faithfully described and
first day of Aprill They of Magdebourge opposed themselues with might and maine against them of Wirtemberge and Leipsic and taxed and reprooued them greatly for that concerning indifferent things they had made a way and entry for the Popes doctrine The 10. of Iune the Queene of France was crowned at Saint Dennis In the said moneth of Iune Henry king of France made his entry into Paris commaunded a generall procession and dedicated it with the blood of certaine poore Christians which hee made to be burned for Religion See the booke of Martyrs Le sieur de Veruin for yeelding Bullen to the English men was beheaded at Paris and le sieur de Biex his Father in lawe was condemned to perpetuall prison The Cantons of Basil Schaffuse in Swissia made alliance with the King of France whereof euery one greatly maruelled because he persecuted their Religion with fire and blood Zurie and Berne refused that alliance Sedition in England partly for the chaunge of Religion and partly for common grounds occupied by Gentlemen for their priuate vse there was great bloodshead In the meane time the King of Fraunce tooke certaine holdes about Bologne whereby he put the English in great distresse The fault of all this was laid vpon the Duke of Somerset and therefore he was imprisoned at London This Pope Paul of the age of 82. yeares dyed the 10. of Nouember On all sides Cardinalls ranne to Rome to elect a new Pope Iulius the third of that name borne at Aretio called before Iohn Maria de Monte who was President in the Councell of Trent and Bolongne was chosen Pope the 10. of February after that the Cardinalls which were in great number had long time debated in the cōclaue Some say that this Pope promised by oath vnto the Ferneses to leaue Parme to Octauius Bernese Whilest the Cardinalls were in the Conclaue to chuse the Pope Iulius certaine Letters came into the handes of some of them which were written the 26. of Ianuary by an houshold seruant of the Cardinall of Mantoue called Cornelius Oliue to a friend of his called Hanniball Contin and with them certaine verses made in the vulgar Italian language wherein speaking of his good affection towards him the desire he had to see him he vseth so infamous and dishonest words that hardly can any recite them without shame blushing Hereof came the taunt of such as said it signified that some infamous dishonest Pope should come out of that Conclaue from whence such proceeded They which read these Letters saide as well in Italie as in Almaine they neuer read any more villanous detestable Hereby Reader maist thou iudge what the spirit is which the Papists vaunt so much to haue in their Masses in the election of their Popes The 22. of Frebury Iulius is crowned Pope by the Cardinall Cibo two daies after he had opened the gilded gate with a golden key and celebrated the yeare of Iubile which his predecessor Paul the third had so much desire to see And because of an auncient custome the new Pope might giue his red hat to whom he thought good he made Cardinall a young boy called Innocent whom he had sometimes abused whē he was Legate at Bologne notwithstanding the other Cardinalls approoued it not yea resisted it Moreouer hee receiued him into his house into the number of his Domestickes and familiars A brute went through the towne of Rome yea it was divulged by certaine diffamitorie Libells that Ganymedes was entertained by Iupiter although he was not faire This Pope himselfe dissembled it not but customably in a maner of pastime would account his follies therein Paulus Vergerius hath left in writing this Historie Pope Iulius saith hee determined to make a young youth called Innocent a Cardinal who not only came frō a father and mother of base condition but that was of a most wicked and dishonest conuersation Wherfore as on a certain day he had made this motiō in the presence of the Cardinalls that there was no man which resisted it not but that more is as certaine Cardinalls said freely I pray you what finde you in this young man who deserueth that we should doo him that honour Iulius answered And I pray you what found you in mee to doo mee that honour as to make mee Pope without any desert aduance this young man and hee will merit it The Masse which had bin banished Strasbourge the space of 21. yeares was set vp againe in three Churches the first of February A great number of children ran thither to see so straunge and new a thing The Priests were affraied at it and complained vnto the Emperour The Emperor and the King of France one after the other made publish each in their Countries very cruel Edicts against the Lutherans as they called them About the ende of May the Emperour with Phillip his sonne departed from Bruxelles to come to the Iourney at Auspourge and brought with them the Duke of Baxe captiue leauing the Lantgraue in prison at Malignes In the time of this Pope was Iohn de Case a Florentine Archbishop of Beneuent and Legate of the seate in the territorie of Venice This man who made so magnificall a profession of Popish singlenesse was not ashamed to make a Booke in Italian Rime wherein he praiseth and exalteth that horrible and detestable sinne of Sodomitry yea euen to name it a diuine worke and affirmeth that he tooke great pleasure therein and that he knew no other kind of palidiarzing or whoredome The booke was Imprinted at Venice by one Traian Naun Behold notable Archbishops of the Papall seate with such Iudges doo the Pope and his maister the diuel serue themselues in their Consistories to condemne as heretikes such as teach and write the truth with puritie In a Catalogue of bookes prohibited which he made whilest he was Legate he comprehendeth no other therein but such as make profession of the pure Euangelike doctrine Francis Spiera as is abouesaid fearing the tyrannie of tormentors renied the veritie of Iesus Christ and dyed in extreame dispaire Sleidan also makes mention of the Sodomitike booke aboue spoken of It would be here too long to rehearse the gests and deeds of Iulius the third concerning the Iubile which was in his time the Councell of Trent the confirmation of that Idol de Laureto the debate which he had with the Bishop of Aremin his Steward for a Peacock and many such like things Amongst other viands hee greatly delighted to eate the flesh of Swine Peacocks But his Phisitian had aduertised him that hee should take heed that he eate no swines flesh because it was contrary vnto the Gowt wherewith hee was often tormented but yet hee would not abstaine therefrom The Phisitian secretly aduertised the Clarke of his kitchin that no porke flesh should be serued As then there was none serued the Pope perceiuing it demaunded of his Steward where his dish of
vnto the people The 18. day of May Charles the ninth of that name sonne of Henry de Valois and of Catherine de Medicis was sacred king at Reimes in Campagne and soone after crowned at S. Denis in France The Churches of his kingdome to the eye-sight flourished to the preiudice whereof was made an Edict called of Iuly notwithstanding which they maintained themselues with great testimonies of the blessings of God In the meane while the king of Nauarre the first Prince of the bloud next vnto the kings brethren sent for Peter Martyr and Theodore de Beza to be at the disputation of Poissy which were sent thither by the Lords of Zurich and Geneua The 24. of August the Prince of Conde was recōciled by the King and his Councell with the Duke of Guise who vpon the Princes words which he spake on high I hold him and them for villaines which haue caused my imprisonment answered I beleeue so it nothing toucheth me Soone after the gouernmēt of the kingdome during the kings minoritie who was then but ten yeares old an halfe was cōfirmed to the queene mother In the meane while the deputies of the Churches and certaine other Ministries with safe conduit arriued at Poissy presented vnto the king a request for the order of the disputation and also the confession of their faith who with good countenance receiued thē promising to communicate their requests vnto his Councell make them an answere by his Chancelor In the beginning of September many requests were presented to set forward that which was begun and finally the 9. of the said moneth in the presence of the King Prince Lords and notable persons of the kingdome of France as wel of y e one as the other religion Theodore de Beza in the name of all the French Churches after publike inuocatiō of the name of God made long oration cōprehending a summary of all the Christian doctrine held preached by the Ministers of the reformed Churches and his oration finished he presented their cōfession of faith which was receiued deliuered into the hands of the prelates to prepare themselues to answer it But they opposed themselues only against two Articles of that oratiō The one of the Supper and the other of the Church and pronounced their answere by Charles Cardinal of Lorraine who had for his maister Claude Despence a Doctor of Sorbone who once shewed some seed of religion This answere hauing bene made certain daies after the oration the Ministers prayed that they might reply straight way but it was deferred to an other day and audience was giuen them but not so notable as the first thē fel there out a sharp disputation which began an other time after a third oration Then entred into conference fiue of the Romane Churches side with fiue of the reformed Churches who after a long disputation vpon the matter of the Supper retired without according any thing assuredly Frō the end of this moneth vntil the end of this yeare diuers leagues factions were made against the Churches seditiōs were stirred at Paris and in other places against the Christians assembling to heare the word of God the kings councel being occupied to prouide by some Edict against the mischief to come to procure rest for the kingdome About this yeare died Shuvenckfeld a very pernitious heretike who by his wicked doctrine greatly endamaged the Churches of Almaine The summe of his principall errours was to reuiue and renew againe the heresie of Eutiches For hee maintained that the humaine nature of Iesus Christ ought no more to be called a creature but we must think that it is at this day swallowed vp by the diuine nature by that meanes cōfounding the two natures Vpon this foundation so badly placed he established other mōstrous opinions the fault was in not wel cōsidering the vniō of the two natures in Christ and the communicatiō of the properties But these opinions are not dead with him but contrary haue bene renued promoted by such who will needes at this day haue the the humaine nature of Christ infinit In the moneth of Ianuary which was then 1591. because they then began the yeare at Easter and at this present we begin it the first of Ianuary an assembly was made of the most notable persons of all the Parliaments and other renowmed people besides the priuie Councellors which decreed and set foorth that notable Edict named of Ianuary which permitted free exercise to them of the Religō through all the kingdome of France prouiding good securitie for all people and rest for the Common-wealth Many thought that hereby the Churches should haue rest when soone after newes arriued of the massacre of Vassi committed by Francis the Duke of Guise who in his owne presence caused 42. persons of the Religion to be slaine and a great number others to be wounded being all assembled to heare the word of God This was the beginning of the ciuil warres of France For the Duke of Guise and his partakers tooke Armes on the one side The Prince of Conde the Admirall and others meaning to maintaine the Royall authoauthoritie the Edict of Ianuary and the Churches that were vnder the protection and defence thereof opposed themselues against them by Armes also and the war began through all the kingdome where infinit cruelties were exercised in diuers places against them of the Religion as the history of our time maketh mention Many Townes Fortresses were besieged carried away by assaults sacked spoiled more cruelly thē by the most barbarous people in the world diuers encounters bloodie battailes namely that of Dreux wherein the two chiefe Captaines of both partes remained prisoners many of the Nobilitie and souldiers as well Straungers as French were slaine Churches dissipated and dispersed in most part of the Prouinces and a maruellous desolation in infinite Families Maximilian the Emperour Ferdinands sonne was declared king of the Romanes the 14. day of Nouember and sixe daies after he was crowned two moneths before he was crowned king of Boheme Peter Martyr borne at Florence an excellent Theologian and professor of Theologie at Zurich where he writ bookes full of great and sound doctrine died the 12. day of Nouember being then of the age of 63. yeares The ciuill warre continued in France notwithstanding the taking of the Prince of Conde and the Constable The Duke of Guise hauing laid siege before the Towne of Orleance being kept by them of the Religion was wounded in the shoulder with a Pistoll shot the 18. day of February and died certaine dayes after in great torments By this meanes Orleance was deliuered a peace concluded the moneth following the Edict of Ianuary abolished in the most part of the Articles to the great disaduantage of them of the Religion which notwithstanding tooke hart and in the quarters maintained themselues in their accustomed order In the moneth of Iuly
of Lewis Requescens great commaunder of Castile a man in appearance of soft condition but no lesse fellonious and cruell then his predecessor in that gouernment Iohn de Austriche made warre in Barbarie about the ende of this yeare and got Tunes builded a strong Citadell betwixt Tunes and the Goulette to resist the Turkes after hee withdrew into Sicilie The great Commander meaning to driue away the Prince of Orange incamped before Middelbourge in Zeland armed a puissant Fleete about 80. vessels and the 24. of Ianuary 1574. made saile towards Zeland but his Army encountred the Princes Army In so much that after a long combat where that Commaunder commaunded not but looking ouer the Dikes to iudge of the blowes with more assurance he sawe the Spaniards ouerthrown with his Wallons wherof some were drowned others carried away prisoners and almost all their vessels lost They of Middelbourg wayed with the siege and all hope which they had of succours turned into dispaire they yeelded themselues a moneth after In the beginning of February the warre waxed hotte in Barbary betwixt the Spaniards Moores and Turkes The 18. of the same moneth Henry Duke of Aniou arriuing from France in Polongne made his entrie into Cracouia and was crowned three dayes after with accustomed solemnities About this time the Venetians beeing tyred with warre entred an accord with Selym whereat the Pope and the King of Spaine were not content Fraunce entred into new troubles They tooke them to Arms in Normandie and Poictou The king in great hast retired himselfe from S. Germaines to Paris From that time followed great chaunges in France there then seeming to be no more any question of Religion but of the estate a thing notwithstanding of longer discourse then I need now set down seeing it i◠handled in particular bookes depending vpon the history of this time The warre continued in Holland and the Spaniards encamped before Leyden but they were constrained to leaue their siege the 23. day of March to goe meete the Duke Christopher son of the Elector Palatin the Counties Lodowick and Henry de Nassan brethren which came downe in the strength of winter towards Mastriche with a good number of footmen and horsemen These Lords being aduertised that the Spaniards came to finde them aduanced themselues and encountred in a field of thornes called Morkerheide where the Lansquenets crying after siluer refused the combat insomuch that the Lords were vanquished and slaine all three vpon the fourth day of April Ioachim Camerarius a learned man amongst all the Almaine an inward and familiar friend of Phillip Melancton dyed at Leipsic beeing of the age of 74. yeares the 17. day of Aprill The 21. day died Cosme de Medices Duke of Florence and great Duke of Thuscane leauing a sonne vnto whom the state and tytle of great Duke was confirmed by the Pope The great Commaunder thinking to haue gained all by the ouerthrowe of the Count Lodowick caused a generall pardon to bee published in the Towne of Antwerpe the 23 of Aprill but none came for it so that the war continued Yet three daies after this publication the Spanish souldiers kindling a mutinie for want of their pay entred into the Towne of Antwerpe by the fauour of the Castle constraining the Burgesses to furnish them the summe of foure thousand Florents to bring this to passe they vsed great insolencies They constrained also the Gouernor and the Wallon souldiers to auoyd the towne with intent to gorge themselues the more at their ease They also set farther off the ships which had the guard of the Hauen The Princes Nauie hauing discouered these Ships got quickly hold of them and carried them away in the Commaunders view whilest he and his souldiers tooke their pastime in sacking of Antwerpe The Spaniards prceiuing that during their absence Leiden was not againe victualled returned to besiege it the second day of May and held it closer then before for in diuers places they made Forts to the number of 22. vpon large and deep dikes the most part invnited and strengthned with 2. or 3. Canons The eleuen day of May a great part of S. Markes Pallace at Venice was burned and two daies after a great number of houses at Venice with a notable losse for many Marchants There happened as much at Bruxels in Brabant the 24. of the same month and the fire tooke hold of certaine Gunpowder which was in a Tower which by the ruine thereof greatly endamaged all the Towne and slew 15. persons A great warre was then in France especially in Poictou and in Normandie Gabriel Counte de Montgommeri hauing with a fewe men sustained the siege and diuers assaultes in the Castle of Danfronc yeelded it by composition but he was reserued and carried prisoner vnto Paris where not long after by decree of the Parliament his head was cut off In the meane while the Duke of Alencon the kings yongest brother and the king of Nauarre were as prisoners in the Court and the Churches languished vnder so many confusions The last day of May Charles the ninth King of France dyed of the age of 34. yeares in the wood of Vincennes leauing his kingdome much indebted and maruellously full of broyles Henry of Valois the third sonne of Henry the second born in the yeare 1551. the 21. of September beeing in Pologne when his brother Charles dyed and vnderstanding the newes of his death departed secretly that kingdome and tooke possession of that his mother had kept for him He passed through Venice so into Piedmont where he visited Margarite the Duchesse his Aunt who dyed soone after and arriuing at Lyons in the beginning of September hee caused certaine Edicts to be published against them of the Religion who stood vpon their gard seeing their new Prince threatned them so openly A litle before his comming Henry Montmorency Marshal de Danuile and gouernor of Languedoc entred in cōference with the principals of the Religion least that prouince other nigh therevnto might come to ruine and destruction by ciuill warres and to procure some rest for France The Prince of Conde retired into Almaine The king descended into Languedoc hauing failed to take Liuron a smal Towne of Dauphine About the end of this yeare died Charles Cardinall of Lorraine one of the chiefe instruments of the troubles and confusions of France To come vnto the affaires of the low Countries The siege of Leiden hauing continued all the Sommer with appearance of extreame confusion for the besieged the third day of October following it was refreshed and victualled by the prowesse of a fewe souldiers conducted by Boisot Admirall of Holland beeing helped with the Sea-floud which the Prince by the meanes of pearcing of certaine Dikes and sluces opening had caused it to come farre euen nigh vnto the Towne The Spaniards after they had fought a litle seeing the water began to
Yet notwithstanding the Churches were redressed and encreased in diuers places maugre the rage deuices of Sathan whilest the king called the Estates to Blois where he made his entry the 18. day of Nouember and all the remainder of the yeare after was imployed vpon diuers conferences amongst the Deputies The affaires of the lowe Country bore themselues as followeth In the moneth of February 1576. the Prince of Orange obtained a Fortresse of great importance called Crimpen in Holland whereby hee warranted Suindree and all other places thereabouts During the siege of Ziriczee the Commander died of the pestilence at Bruxelles the 5. day of March Then the gouernment of the lowe Countries was by the king remitted into the hands of the Councell of the Estate In the moneth of May following Ziriczee being not able to hold out any lōger was yeelded to the Spaniards who straight after began to mutenie vnder colour of paiments due vnto them and determined to haue surprised Bruxelles so to pay themselues The Inhabitants hereof aduertised prouided so well for theyr assurance that the Spaniards found the gates shut wherat they were so despited that without any resistance about the ende of Iuly entring Alost a Towne situate betwixt Gaunt Malines and Bruxelles they vsed there the inhabitants as in a place takē by assault And bicause they continued their disorders by the winking of certaine of the Councell of estate In the beginning of September the Captaine of Bruxelles well accompanied entred into the Pallace and in the name of the Estates of Brabant cōstituted prisoners amongst others the Counties of Mansfield and de Barlaiment Assonuile Councellor Barti Scharemberg Secretaries Soone after the Spaniards were declared Rebels enemies to the King his country by an Edict of the Councell of Estate published the 22. of September For all this the Spaniards left not running hither and thither putting to flight all such as in the field made head against them and by the intelligence they had with the Lansquenets they entered into the towne of Mastricht which they pilled This done they ioyned themselues together marched towards Antwerpe arriuing there they got in at the Citadel or Castle the 4. of Nouember and sodenly assailed the companies of souldiers and all the inhabitants of the Towne with a maruellous fiercenes resolution during many daies pilling sacking spoyling the towne one of richest fullest of marchandise in all Europe they massacred slew many thousands of persons of all ages sexes Estates and of diuers Countries burnt one of the richest quarters of the Towne with the magnificall and most sumptuous house thereof briefly they committed there all maner of wickednes The Estates of the fifteene Prouinces which till then had bene Spanish hauing learned to their cost that they which thus handled them looked for nothing so much as wholly to ruinat and destroy them made a peace with the Princes the States of Holland Zeland the 8. day of Nouember in the Towne of Gaunt During all those tempests God conserued the reformed Church of Antwerpe and certaine others also as sometimes in Babilon he conserued the companions of Daniel in the middest of the burning Fornace and Daniel himselfe in the Lyons den Incontinently after the spoyling of Antwerpe the Almaines would needs remooue their goods to Valenciennes but they were preuented by the Inhabitants and driuen away out of the Towne the 10. day of Nouember They of Groninghe in Friseland maintained themselues in the like sort and arrested prisoner their Gouernour who meant to haue spoyled theyr Towne And at this time all the lowe countries were in armes readie to runne vpon the Spaniards extreamly hated of them all Iosias Sinder an execellent Theologian professor of holy letters at Zurich dyed the second day of Iuly in his age of 45. yeares He left some bookes which were full of solide doctrine and especially exceellently refuting the Antitrinitaries and Vbiquitaries Stephen Bathori Vaiuoda of Transiluania hauing beene crowned King of Polonia the first day of May tooke order for the affaires of his kingdome and prepared himselfe for the war against the Moscouite He left the churches of Poland in peaceable estate The Emperour Maximilian hauing held his last Imperiall Iourney at Ratisbone dyed the 12. day of October beeing about the age of 55. yeares Rodolphus his eldest sonne King of the Romanes of Hungarie and of Boheme succeeded his Father Maximilian in the Imperiall dignitie being the second of that name Assoone as he was proclaimed Emperor he caused the Embassadors of Poland to be released and sent to Amurath to demaund truce which was without any difficultie graunted because that the Turke hauing had aduertisement of the warre which the king of Persia prepared against him could not any way assure himself to make resistance in so many places his Empire elsewhere being sorely weakened by the iust punishment of God with plague and famine Ieronimo Conestagio Frederic Elector Palatine of Rhene a Prince fearing God greatly affectionating true Religion the ornament true Iosias of all Almaine died the 22. of October being 26. years of age His eldest sonne Lewes succeeded him in the dignity of princely Electorship who chaunged the doctrine discipline which his father had happily established in the Countie Palatine In the moneth of Ianuary February and March the Estates of France were at Blois where the last Edict of pacification on was reuoked after infinit practises and the Duke Alenson forsooke the part of Polititians and of them of Religion From thence followed in sommer next a new warre against them of the Religion which lost the Townes de la Charite vpon Loire Issoire in Auuerne Melle and Brouage in Guien with great desolations especially at Issoire The Marshall also Danuile forsooke his confederates and did the worst he could vnto the Churches of Languedoc finally a sixt Edict of pacification was treated of at Bergerac and agreed on at Poitiers in the moneth of September by the meanes whereof the former was abolished and the Churches more troubled then euer they were insomuch that after that they had nothing assured yet notwithstanding God maintained them in many places against the opinion of great and title In old Saxonie which we now call Westphalia Salentinus Bishop of Padeborne and Archbishop of Coloine being the last of the honourable house of Eisenberge voluntarily resigned both his Bishopprickes and tooke to wife Antouia Witelma the daughter of Iohn Counte of Arenberge and sister to Charles Arenberge Whom in the Diocesse of Padeborne Henry Duke of Saxonie Archbishop of Breme succeeded and in the Electoriship Gebardus Truchesses the sonne of William Lord of Walnogh Dauid Chytreus Iohn de Austrich the bastard sonne of the Emperor Charles the fift was sent as Gouernor into the lowe Countries He before hee entered into Brabant confirmed the pacification of Gaunt and made an accord with
all that yeare passed in doubtfulnesse in regard of the Churches and the estate of France Warre began in Flaunders in Brabant betwixt Iohn de Austria and the Estates he gained a battaile the last day of Ianuary and after he got Giblon Louaine Arcscod Tiltmond Diest and Sichem and in this last handled most discourteously the officers of the place The 8. of February the Towne of Amsterdem by capitulation with the Prince the estates of Holland revnited themselues with the other Townes of the Countrie vnder the Princes gouernment The estates at the same time sent their Embassador to the Imperiall iourney where they shewed the iustice of their cause and demaunded succours The Duke Cassimire prepared himselfe with an Army the Queene of England also promised to furnish them with men and money Cassamire by the counsell of Imbysa Consull of Gaunt and Borhutus was requested by those of Flaunders to take the Earldome vpon him came to Gaunt where he found Petrus Dathenus and others the chiefe of the congregation by whom the Citizens being stirred vp thrust out all the Masse Priests and Monkes out of the Citie and put their goods into their treasurie to serue afterwards for the necessary vse of the Common-wealth and by a booke set forth by them they drew others to the free libertie not onely ciuill but also to a libertie of conscience and religion From thence Cassamire in the beginning of the next yeare came to the Queene of England for money to pay his souldiers Alexander Farnese Prince of Parma the sonne of Octauius the Nephewe of Peter and Pope Paulus the 3. his Nephewes sonne was created Duke of Parma by the King of Spaine D. Chytraeus The Iesuites and certaine Friars were thrust out of Antwerpe in the moneth of May as then Phillits a Towne yeelded it selfe by composition to the Spaniard Kempens was besieged taken by the estates A noble encounter hapned betwixt thē and Iohn de Austria who had the worst the first of August In the moneth of August a free exercise of the reformed Religion was permitted in Antwerpe by Mathias Arch-duke chiefe Generall and Lieftenant of the Prince of Orange and the authoritie of the estates So the libertie of Religion was proclaimed vpon these conditions that the reformed should not hinder or trouble either by themselues or others the rights and exercises of the olde Religion nor should offer any iniurie reproach or violence to any one for the diuersitie in Religion that they should obey the political Magistrates beare the like taxes impositiōs with other Citizens that they shuld haue no Sermons but in such places as the Magistrates appointed that the Ministers should swear to preach nothing scandalous or seditious in their Sermons that no man shuld spoile any holy place or breake any Images nor should sell any ballads or libels reproachful to the other religiō c. These the Gouernor the Deputie of Brabant the Praetor Senate of Antwerpe promised to receiue into their charge and patronage This libertie of religion they of Gaunt with the Hollanders and Zelanders embraced To the which a litle after the States of Geldria condiscended But the Hannonians Artesians taking in very ill part that the Catholick Roman religion which they professed at Bruxelles they would constantly retaine before the Emperror the King of Spaine and other Princes should now be left and abolished of thē of Gaunt in whose Citie their protestation was made seperated themselues frō the other estates who had changed their religion by bookes published accused them of their inconstancie and periurie And therein protest that they wil be faithful maintainers defenders of the Catholick Romane faith and true liegemen to the king if he would conserue their priuiledges These were presently called Malcontents who forthwith made war vpon them of Gaunt deadly hating them for this change They of the reformed religion at Antwerpe desired to haue their religious exercise which they obtained with fewe Churches namely the Chappell of the Castle the Temple of the Iesuits of the Iacobins S. Andrewes and halfe of the Friars Certain daies after the Protestants of Ausbourge obtained also certain tēples The Emperor the King of France sought to make some agreement betwixt the parties but it came to nothing On the other side Cassimere hauing soiourned in the Countrey of Zutphen certaine time for the muster of his people being in number 4000. footmen 6000. horsmen came into Brabant and ioyned with the Estates the 26. of August Iohn de Austria died of the pestilence in his campe nigh Nance the 21. of Octob. Alexander Prince of Parma succeeded him in his charge The Malcontents made war vpō the Gauntois vnder the conduct of Sieur de Montignie the Cardinall of Granuell his brother This league did after maruellously hinder the proceedings of States affaires and vnder that ouerture the Spaniards who could not long haue stood do hitherto maintaine themselues The 20. of Nouember the Towne of Deuentry yeelded it selfe by composition vnto the Estates Mathew Hamond by his trade a ploughwright three miles frō Norwich was conuented before the Bishop therof for that he denied Christ to be our Sauiour For this and many other heresies he was condemned in the Consistorie and burned in the Castle ditch of Norwiche About the end of the yeare they of Alenson forsooke the Estates to draw into France The Prince of Orange appeased the troubles which hapned at Gaunt Almaine was then in quiet in regard of ciuill affaires but greatly troubled by the practises and factions of certaine Disciples of Brencius the father of the Vbiquitaries whereof after followed many disputations without any conclusion of the mater They which desired a truce of peace in the Church attended no other thing by the sollicitation of so many wandering spirits but some great troubles in both the politicke and Ecclesiasticall estates if God be times remedie not the same by the wisedome of the Princes and States of the Empire At this time the Irish men rebelled in diuers parts of that kingdome pretending the libertie of Religion and complained to the Pope taking for their leader the Earle of Desmond Onrake and some other of the sauage Irish affirming that if they were aided they would easily drawe the whole Countrey from the Queenes obedience The Pope did communicate this with the Catholicke King exhorting him to vndertake this action as most godly and to succour this people the which they resolued to do But for as much as the Queene of England did seeme in words friend vnto the King and did as the Spaniards supposed couertly vnderhand assist the Prince of Orange in Flaunders against him the King would likewise walke in the same path and make a couert warre against her They concluded to assist this people in the Popes name but secretly at the Kings charge To this effect they leuied certaine footemen in
died when he had raigned 10. yeares Him followed in this way of all flesh Mahomet the seruant of God King of Persia who all his raigne held warre with the Turke with equall fortunes And in Saxonie Fredericke Duke of Saxonie The 20. of October Iames the King of Scots was besieged by his subiects and taken in the Castle of Saint Damian Those Dukedomes and Seignories which many yeares before Iohn Basilides Prince of Moschouites had taken from the Polanders the aforesaid Stephen recouered again and annexed them to the crowne he shewed himselfe of a dauntlesse spirit against the Turke for when according to the auncient custome he demaunded certain Forces to maintaine his warres against the Sophy of Persia hee denied him saying that the white Eagle of Poland which before was vnfeathered and of no force was now become young againe full fledged and had whet and sharpened her bill and talents Anch. Cicar This yeare Maister Thomas Cauendish began his voyage about the world vpon the twentie one of Iuly entering in at the straight of Magellan and returning by the Cape bona Speranza Which voyage hee finished to the space of two yeares and lesse then two moneths arriuing at Plimmouth the ninth of September 1588. Maister Richard Haklnit In the beginning of this yeare Syr William Standley traitorously yeelded vp those Townes of the which he was made Gouernour by the Earle of Leicester After the death of Stephen King of Poland the Polanders were carefull for the election of a new Some thought it best to offer it to the Emperour who had succeeded without any other election his Father Maximilian the chosen King of Poland If hee had come to the possession thereof Some proposed the Duke of Parma because hee was a wise and valiant souldier and for that he was the Nephew of Cardinal Farnese who when he was Protector of this Realme was verie kinde and liberall to the people Many had liking to the Prince of Transiluania and to Cardinall Bathoraeus and the Duke of Ferrrara Nobles likewise were desirous of it amongst whom Samoscius the high Chauncellour whom Stephen had preferred to such height of honor that nothing was thought wanting in him for the perfection thereof but the title of a King was thought most fit But all these were excluded and there were yet two other competitors Sigismond Prince of Suecia and Maximilian Archduke of Austria and brother to the Emperour Maximilian is chosen of the one part Others proclaimed med Sigismond a young Prince of twentie yeares of age or there-about These two were both called to the possession of a kingdome who hearing thereof made speedie haste thereto Maximilian first came with his Armie consisting of sixteen thousand horse and foote and pitched his Tents in a field neare the Citie of Craconia and sent to the Citizens that he might be crowned The Cracouians would by no meanes admit him but sent Letters to the Prince of Suetia that hee would come who with great ioy was receiued and crowned Now the Polanders thought themselues strong enough for the Muschouites whose Duke they called the Dragon of the North and against whom they beare an innated hatred Chytraeus And. Cicarell Gen. The Duke of Guise perceiuing the Army of Rutters to be a body dispearced hauing nothing but the legs and Armes executed vpon them that which he had determined from the first day of their entrie which was vpon the Generalls lodging and so by striking the shepheard diuided the flocke as Caesar did at the battaile of Pharsalia The Pope the King of Spaine and the Duke of Sauoy made fiers of ioy and pronounced the praises of the Duke of Guise The Pope sent him a sword engrauen with burning flames The Duke of Parma had sent him his Armes saying that among all the Princes of Europe it belonged only to Henry of Lorraine to beare Armes and to be a commaunder in the warres After many broiles betweene these two elected Kings of Poland Max was constrained to leaue Poland but hee was pursued by Samoscius the Chauncelor and at Pitscha he besieged him and tooke him prisoner In this yeare 1588. Maria de la Visitatione Prioresse of the Monasterie de Annūciada in Lisbone was held for wonderful holy whose hypocrisie and false myracles were discouered and publikely condemned Her the fond people called the holy Nunne Another Franciscan I should haue said a Dominican a feawe yeares since rose vp in Lisbone who they said had the fiue wounds of Christ as had S. Francess and many other things they say of her One Stephen de Lusignan a Dominican Friar who collecting all he could get to extoll her compiled a booke in French and dedicated the same to the Queene of Fraunce Imprinted at Paris by Iohn Bessant 1586. In the beginning of the booke shee is pictured like a Dominican Nunne with a blacke mantle and a white rolle a coate and white loose habit vpon the Mantle and on her head a crowne of thornes the Crucifix on high set ouer her and falling towards her with rayes from the wounds which reach to the feet and hands of the Nunne that out of the same commeth a heart which she holdeth betwixt the fingers of her right hand a Dragon she hath vnder her feete a Dominican Friar before her kneeling and a secular man and woman and at her left side a paire of Beads hanging The title of the booke is this The great miracles and the most holy wounds which this present yeare haue happened to the right reuerend mother now Prioresse of the Monasterie de la Anunciada in the Citie of Lisbon in the Kingdome of Portugall of the order of preaching Friars approoued by the reuerend Father Friar Lewis de Granada and by other persons of credit M. Cyp. Val. So famous was the holinesse of this Nunne that Cardinall Albertus of Austria sent information to Pope Sixtus the fift To whom the Pope wrote this Letter With great ioy haue wee read that thou hast procured to bee written the vertues of the Prioresse of the Monasterie Anunciada of the most holy Virgin And of the great benefites which God hath shewed her we pray thy diuine goodnesse from day to day to make her more worthy of his grace and to inrich her with his heauenly gifts for the glory of his name and ioy of his faithfull Giuen in S. Maries at Rome with the litle Ring of the fish Fredericke the second king of Denmarke the 30. yeare of his raigne and 54. of his age departed this life at Arderfoa in Zeland whom Christian the fourth of eleuen yeares of age succeeded In the moneth of Aprill 1588. Phillip the second of that name King of Spaine pretending to send his inuincible Fleete for the conquest of England made choyce by the aduice of the Prioresse of the Monasterie of the Anunciada whose name was Mary of the visitation as most worthy for her holinesse to blesse his Standard royall the
haue bin to conserue and keepe the puritie of the Euangelicall doctrine but suffering to take roote I know not how that which tasted of carnall wisedome in so much that in the place of the true end marke which the Gospell proposeth vnto vs men began to establish vnto vs all the perfection of Christianitie in sufferings and afflictions for the Gospell and in arresting abiding a litle too subtilly vpon the stay of certaine fantastike persons springing from the schoole of Philosophers so fell by litle and litle to that vnhappinesse as to transforme the holy scripture into allegorike interpretations a maruellous baite for the curiositie of humane vnderstanding and a fountaine of infinite mischiefes in the Church True it is that the first inuentors of such things thought nothing lesse then that which came after So much then did the Lord humble his people But about the end of this periode euil was seene to aduance and ceremonies encrease in such sort that men enclined vnto Indaisme and Paganisme the loue of solitude and Munkery the abstinence from marriage and from certaine viands and meates on particular dayes many Feasts and other seeds of superstition after succeeding tooke a maruellous roote So the commencement of praiers for the dead and of the sacrifice of the Masse did then discouer themselues not that the intent of such as made mention of the dead to encourage the liuing constantly to serue God and which brought of their goods into the company of the faithfull for the comfort of the poore after the celebration of the Supper was to bring in the execrable Idolatrie which long time after sprung vp There were also introducted and brought into Baptisme certaine ceremonies yet not such as the ridiculous superstitions which since haue bin forged Finally the good intent began to shewe it selfe and from thenceforth to lift vp the head vntill at the last vpon the ende of the second time of the Church it rose vp aboue the word of God As for the third periode of the first time heerein it was happie in that God during that time raised vp diuers learned persons Greekes and Latines to oppose themselues with liuely voyce at Sinodes as also by their bookes whereof wee haue some number at this day against the impietie of infinite heretikes Amongst other S. Augustine was an excellent Doctor of the Church who notwithstanding is not alwaies so cleare as is to be desired Amongst the Latines this time also brought forth other great persons yet men also which yet is more seene in the Greeke Doctors lesse pure then the Latines especially in the right knowledge of the merite of Iesus Christ and all was the want of a pure and natiue intelligence of the Lords language in the Prophetike and Apostolike bookes Their allegorike interpretations had as it were gotten the vpper hand ceremonies maruellously encreased Monkeries began to take footing the true meanes to diuide the Church and to forge a new seruice of God afterward the veneration of the Martyrs Sepulchres paintings and after Images glistered in Churches The pure doctrine of the Lords Supper began to bee falsified for want of right vnderstanding the manner of Sacramentall speeches and the vertue of the alone sacrifice of Iesus Christ Bishops especially that of Rome thrust into the world and the misterie of iniquitie formed it selfe as it afterward should come into the light For Arrianisme hauing serued for a seed to Mahumatisme and the dispising of the celestall veritie with corruption of manners maintaining the audacitie and boldnesse of the Bishops of Rome this periode finishing gaue entry vnto straunge euils wherewith the Church was ouerthrowne a litle space after Let vs now say something of the second time of the Church which we diuide into two periodes The first from Phocas about the yeare 600. vntill Charlamaine by the space of 300. yeares The second from Charlamaine vnto Charles the fift of that name Emperour about 700. yeares In the first periode of this second time of the Church as the Antichrist of the East thrust himselfe well forward that of the West established his Throne and then was the doore open to all errours which notwithstanding entred not at once but came by litle and litle into the Church Aboue all the opinion of purgatorie fire and of the sacrifice for the dead were the foundation of the Papaltie and of all that vermine of their Cleargie and infinite Sects of Monkes which like Grashoppers from the deepe pit came to spread themselues through Europe But it was in the second periode of the second time that Idolatrie and superstitions obtained the vpper hand Insomuch that the poore Church as it were buried had no more any spring neither appeared there any token wherevpon to cast her eye but onely the inuocation of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost in Baptisme And although from time to time the Lord made shine some flames and torches in the bowells of that darkenesse to redargue and weaken such as rotted in so heauie and palpable ignorance yet was their blindness so lamentable and their sleepe so deepe that for one which lifted vp the head and to whom Antichrist gaue no release nor leaue to approach witnesse all such as during this periode opposed themselues neuer so litle against his tyrannie an infinite remained liuelesse and altogether dead The Lord making himselfe admirable in the mercie which he shewed vpon some and renowned in horrible and iust punishment of their ingratitude which loued better lyes then truth Who can heere recyte the superstitions Idolatries of Antichrist his crafts and subtilties to establish his kingdome and tirannie vpon bodies and soule He had his seruants and instruments of all sorts to leane fasten encrease and multiply his Throne in the Temple of GOD carrying in his browe the name of miserie sitting in the Temple of God calling himselfe God yet vnknown of such as called themselues Christians which he put off vntill the end of the world and to I know not what fancie and dreame of an Antichrist which should be borne but a litle before the second comming of the sonne of God Briefly the great spiritual Babilon the murdresse of soules had her kingdome during this period tyrannizing the Israell of God hid and dispearced in a litle number and by her impostures blasphemies and impieties mocked the true God Father of Iesus Christ whose name auowed with the mouth shee trode vnder her feet by her abhominable errour But the Lord willing to make his worke admirable which was to ruinate Babilon to destroy the man of sin by the breath of his mouth and by the brightnesse of his comming presented himselfe in the third time and by the ministerie of people feeble and of small appearance yet driuen and drawne on with the zeale of his glory first brought in y e knowledge of tongues then the celestial truth maugre all the strengthes of the world and in
onely sonne of Selim aforesaid succeeded him in the Empire of the Turkes Anno 1518. Soliman three yeares after tooke Belgarde in Hungarie which was the Fortresse and defence of the Christians and from thence about other three yeares he tooke Rhodes by composition hauing in his Armie 200000. Turkes and 400. Gallies and two yeares after that he destroyed the Country of Hungarie with fire sword vanquished the King of the Country and tooke Bude But the 14. of his kingdome comming to besiege Vienna in Hungarie with a great puissance he was put backe by God his grace and the force of the Almaines By nature he was hautie and glorious hauing so great dominions and victories Hee pretended that the Empire of Rome and of the West appertained vnto him For he said he was the true successour of Constantine who transported the Empire from Rome and vnto Constantinople His ordinary reuenew is of sixe millions of skutes some say seuen for each yeare and whensoeuer it pleaseth him to make warre he gaineth more thereby then he leeseth because of the great store of siluer he taketh of his subiects He hath more treasure and precious stones then all other kings together as Paulus Iouius saith who also attributeth the losse of Rhodes to the carelesnes and negligence of the Pope Maximilian deceased in Austriche the 12. Ianuary after the obteining of the Empire 27. yeares Charles 5. the sonne of Phillip Archduke of Austrich of the age of 19. yeares was chosen Emperor of Rome the 25. Iune and succeeded his graundfather Maximilian The Pope would haue hindered his election because he was king of Naples and that the kings of Naples were bound to the Pope to denounce that Empire whilest they should be kings of Naples but it was in vaine Zuinglius is called from Glarone to Zurich to read teach Theologie The bookes of Luther are burnt the Popes partakers in Almaine Luther also for his part publikely burnt at Wittemberge the Popes Canon lawe as also a new decree whereby hee was condemned and after yeelded a reason of his so doing The Emperour at the instance of Frederic of Saxonie sent the 6. of March to Luther that vnder his faith and safegard he should come to a Iourney held Wormes whither hee came against the aduise of his friends and entering there the 16. of of Aprill he came out againe the 26. of the said moneth Ferdinand the Emperours yonger brother Prince of Austrich tooke to wife Anne the onely daughter of Vladislaus King of Hungarie and of Boheme the sister of Lewis the last King of the line of Hungarie Luther apposed by Eckins the Lawyer at the Iourney at Wormes constantly maintained the truth The Emperour writ Letters to Princes wherby he declared his aduise that Luther should be abandoned to whosoeuer would sley him He is excōmunicated anathematized by Pope Leo. The Sorbonists of Paris assailed him so did Henry the 8. King of England by his owne writing Wherevpon the Pope gaue him the title of Defendor of the Church A Decree at Wormes published by the Emperours Letters Patters against Luther and his fauorites Adrian Pope sixt of that name borne at Vtrict in the country of Holland come from a poore house passed his youth in studie at Louaine norished and brought vp amongst the poore of the Colledge called du Pourcean From a Doctor in Diuinitie and Doyen of S. Peter de Louaine he was called to be a Pedagoge and Schoolemaister of Charles the fift after Emperor Erasmus hauing bene cast off as a suspected person because of the doctrine which after Luther published afterward being sent Embassador towards Ferdinand King of Spaine he obteined the Bishoppricke of Derthuse The Emperour passing into England to goe into Spaine made alliance at Windsore with Henry the 8. to espowse Marie his daughter then of the age of seuen yeares when she should be of full age Iohn Rouchlin restorer of the Hebrew tongue in Almaine this yeare died Rhodes besieged in the moneth of Iune by Soliman Emperour of the Turkes the seuenth moneth following is taken by composition to the great damage and dishonour of the Christians Christierne King of Danemarch Noruege and Snede for feare that for his great tyrannie and ill gouernment he might fall into some daughter of his person this yeare fled into Zeland with his children and his wife Isabel the Emperours sister brought vnto great necessitie We may learne by such examples to feare God his iudgements when hee chastiseth both Countries and Kings for our instruction Charles Duke of Bourbon Constable of France willingly departed partly drawne by the Emperors faire promises turned himselfe against the French King to the great misfortune both of his owne person and of France The bookes of a Phisitian Magician were burnt at Rome some of which were brought vnto Adrian whereof hee made great account and they were after his death founde amongst his secret papers And some thought he came to his Popedome by an euil art Paralip Chron. Abb. Vrsp The Pope Adrian after like others he had persecuted the truth of the Gospell in the person of Luther and Oecolampadius died of a death suspected of poison in September the second yeare of his Popedome Clement Pope seueth of that name a Florentine of the Sect of Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem Prior des Cappes succeeded Adrian He before was called Iulius but admonished by his familiar Cardinalls he tooke the name of Clement Functius Some write him the Nephew others the sonne of Leo others his bastard brother of the house of Medices At Zuric there was a disputation three dayes whether the Masse and Idolls should be abolished The 20. of Ianuarie following the Iourney of the Swisses was held at Lucerne where they wholy cōfirmed the Popes doctrine and condemned that of the Gospell The Swisses in common complained of them of Zuric Bourbon besieged Marceill in vaine from whence hee retired into Italie where he was pursued of the French King who tooke Millaine and in winter besieged Pauie vppon Tesin Anthonie Duke of Lorraine sharpely persecuted such as bare any fauour to Luthers doctrine About the ende of this yeare certaine Countrey-men or peasants of Snabe beganne to rise and rebell against the Count de Loupae their Lord and after their example their neighbours did the like vnder the colour of certaine charges wherewith they complained to be burdened This stirre was after verie pernitious and brought great troubles and effusion of blood A battaile giuen at Pauie betwixt Charles de Lauoy a Gentlemen of the Country of Hainaut the Emperours Lieutenant and the French King wherein the said King was taken in the combat and from thence carried by sea into Spaine Zuinglius agreed not with Luther in an Article of the Supper He said that in the words of Iesus Christ there is a figure such as there is found in infinit places of the scripture