that by the help of the Souldiery he kept his Chair and slighted the Emperor continued his government 13 years anno 701. John the sixth followed Sergius he still sought to promote the Papal Dignity as not having what was aymed at The better to perswade John to subscribe the General Councils Justinian sent to him a Confession of his Faith but John also refused it and gave this reason Because of certain Articles in them which were contrary to the Church of Rome This Pope ruled three years anno 704. John the seventh took the next turn but by this time the Popes of Rome began to grow great in the world and did cause others to know it The Eastern Empire was now brought low by the Lumbards in the West and the Saracens in the East that the Emperour was constrained quietly to put up all affronts from the Pope and speak him fair too It is said also that Aripert King of the Lumbards to keep John on his part gave to the Sea of Rome the Cottian Alpes Anno 705. yet John kept the Sea but three years anno 707. Zosimus the second came next to the Papal Dignity yet held it so little time that some Historians pass him by without naming Constantine followed next but did improve his time above many his Predecessors Upon offence given by the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Emperour he sent the Patriarch prisoner to Rome thinking thereby the more to please the Pope Anno 708. as yet the Emperours Exarchs at Ravenna kept the Pope under that he could not work his will but in this Popes time the Souldiers conspired against Justinian slew him and made Philipicus Bardanes Emperour By this means the Eastern Empire was brought near to ruine and a door was opened for the second Beast to enter Philipicus coming thus to the Empire thought to doe some eminent act to please the good people and so made an Edict That all Images should bee puld down in the Churches upon this the Pope took occasion to cast off the Emperor pronounced him an Heretick and forbad the people of Rome to receive the Emperours Commands his Image on their Coyn or mention him in their Service This was not so much an Excommunication as a final Deposition of the Emperour and soon after hee had his eyes put out and thrust out of the Empire This was the first Pope that proceeded so high against the Emperours and this doth sufficiently evidence that the Antichrist is now come and hath taken his Throne All this was accomplished by Constantine who governed seven years Anno 714. Gregory the second succeeded Constantine and was not inferiour to any that went before him in Pride Policy or Tyranny It is said that this Pope was so expert in Conjuring that he was called Gregory the Diabolist At this time Leo Isaurius General of the Emperours Army put down Theodotius from government and set up himself Emperour and having a little respit from the Saracens he renewed the Edict of the former Emperour against Images and hoped to maintain it in Italy But Gregory called in the Lumbards and by their help routed the Emperours Army now Gregory and the Lumbards shared Italy and by this means a huge Dominion was added to the Church Though the Lumbards had done the Pope great service in this expedition yet Gregory casts how to clear Italy to the Sea of Rome It seems the Pope feared a complyance of the Lumbards with Charls Martil of France who now grew great and to engage him for the Church Gregory sent an Ambassador to Charls with a present of the Keys of the Holy Sepulcher and St. Peters Chain These unheard of Relicks were greatly accepted and Charls Martil ratified an accord with the Pope Gregory did this for the Sea and after he had ruled seventeen years departed Anno 731. Gregory the third succeeded Gregory the first Hee Decreed in a Synod That whosoever would not doe religious honour unto Images should bee cut off from the Body and Bloud of Christ and the unity of the whole Church At this time Thrasamond Duke of Spoleto intending to revolt from Luitprand King of the Lumbards he fell in with Gregory and to ingage the Church on his Party Thrasamond delivered into the Popes handsome strong Holds which he had kept for the Lumbards and upon this ground the King of Lumbards raised an Army and came against the Duke and worsted him in that Battel The Duke fled to Rome and the King demanded him of the Pope but the Pope refused to deliver him thereupon he laid siege to Rome Gregory was now sore puzled and sent for Charls Martil to interpose upon the perswasion of Charls the King of Lumbards raised his siege and returned into Pavia and in that year Gregory dyed when he had ruled ten years Anno 741. Zachary next took place and carried on the main design stoutly and now an opportunity was offered to compleat the work Pipin Master of the Kings House to Childrick King of France had a great desire to get into the throne yet had some scruples how to be absolved from his Oath but in a little time Pipin was informed that the Pope had the power of Christ and St. Peter and could doe all things Pipin dispatches away Ambassadours to Pope Zachary about the businesse At first the Pope made a pause and thought the attempt vile but considering of what advantage this might be to the Roman Sea he put on impudence and exercised all his power Zachary deposed Childrick absolved the French people from their Allegiance and gave the Kingdom to Pipin This was such an ingagement upon Pipin that hee must not refuse the commands of his new Father the Pope and as a requital to Zachary Pipin drove the Lumbards out of Italy and gave the whole Dominion to the Church of Rome This Booty did so please Zachary that in token of thankfulnesse he confirmed Pipin in the Kingdom of France gave him the title of most Christian King and to answer this new kindness Pipin prostrated himself kist the Popes feet and sware Fealty to him Thus you have the advance of Antichrist and the ingagements of the French Crown to Peters Chair I need not seek further for the discovery of that Man of Sin that Son o Perdition spoken of by the Prophet and Apostles nor need any a sharp sight to discern him sitting in the Sea of Rome Now was that word of the Lord perfectly fulfilled spoken by the Prophets and Apostles who described the Antichrist by several marks some of which I will here observe These are the Prerogative Royal of God Almighty to dispose of Kingdoms and pardon Sin so that he who shall assume these out of the Hand of God is the Antichrist as described at large by the Apostle Paul and both these Pope Zachary took upon
Firmament of all Bishops the Top of all Churches and Sericius in an Epistle to the Bishop of Arragon said It was not lawful for any Priest of the Lord to bee ignorant of the Decrees of the Sea Apostolick And Innocent would not so wrong Peters Chair as to let any Papal Dignity fall in him and therefore claimed Authoritative Censures in all greater matters to be only in the Apostolick Sea This Innocent begged what would not bee granted for fifteen years and ceased Anno 417. Zosimus was the Successor of Innocent and strongly followed his Plea for Supremacy He supposed having had three Predecessors before him that had begged hard for Supremacy hee might well require it In the first year of his Government was held the sixth Council of Carthage where were assembled two hundred twenty seven Bishops To this Council Zosimus sent three Legats requiring the Bishops of Africk to appeal to the Sea Apostolick But Zosimus obtained it not from the Council and dyed in the second year Anno 419. Boniface the First succeeded Zosimus He was also the first Bishop of Rome that assumed and exercised Kingly Authority over Secular people which he put out in banishing the Novatians and seizing their estates He pursued the claim of Zosimus in the Council of Carthage but obtained it not yet that I may the better discover the shamelesse impudence of the Bishop and the working of Antichrist in this age Zosimus pretended to the Council that this Supremacy was given to the Sea of Rome by the Council of Nice but the Bishops knowing of no such Canon past in that Council sent Letters presently to the Bishops of Constantinople Alexandria and Antioch desiring them to send the Acts of the Nicen Council sealed up In this interim Zosimus dyed and Boniface came to the Sea but the Council finding no such Canon in the Nicene Council it was not granted and so Boniface only pursued it yet saw no end of it and dyed in the third year of his Government anno 422. Coelestine was chosen next to the Episcopal Dignity now the Bishops of Rome exalted themselves exceedingly and affected great swelling Titles Coelestine blushed not to take into protection such Bishops and Priests as were justly excommunicate and banished for Heresie and Scandal out of Africk and other Countries and took up the names of Blasphemy that these flattering Parasites put upon him the very Titles of God himself yea and sent out his roaring Bulls much threatning those Churches if they did not again receive the banished Bishops Whereupon St. Augustine writ a tart Letter to Coelestine saying wee are threatned with a Posse comitatus and force of armes to put the sentence of the Apostolick Sea into execution Let not these things be so I doe conjure thee by the bloud of Christ and by the memory of the Apostle Peter who warneth those that are set over Christian Assemblies to be meek and humble not to domineer with violence over your brethren But Coelestine was above brotherly admonition and beat on boldly through all opposition to establish Supremacy in the Roman Sea yet after nine years deceased Anno 431. In this time Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople broached his Heresie against the union of the two Natures in Christ Cyril now Bishop of Alexandria opposed this Heretick but to determine the Controversie the Emperours Valentinian and Theodosius the second of the East called the General Council of Ephesus Anno 431. in which Council Nestorius was condemned and banished Sextus came next to the Sea of Rome he was accused of several Crimes laid to his Charge before the Emperour Valentinian and was put to purge himself in a Synod called at Rome This Bishop kept the Sea eight years Anno 439. Leo the first had the next turn and in his time hee mightily advanced the Supremacy of the Roman Sea In the Government of Leo a Provincial Council was called at Constantinople about Eutiches an Abbot who maintained the Heresie of Nestorius in which Council Eutiches was condemned and degraded yet by another Council of corrupt Bishops held at Ephesus Eutiches was again restored But after there was a general Council called at Chalcedon of six hundred and thirty Bishops to re-examine the Case of Eutiches in this Council the Heresie of Nestorius was again damned and Diascorus with other Bishops deprived the thirteenth of Octob. Anno 453. Unto this Council Leo sent his Legates to accuse Diascorus and the main matter of his complaint against Diascorus was that hee had rejected the Decrees of the Roman Church In this Council also it was ordered that no Clerk should bee admitted into two Churches By this time the Bishops of Rome had got some preheminence and in this Counil had the title of Pope The Empire of Rome was now in great confusion Enemies made invasions and to fulfill the Word of the Lord Leo took his time to raise the Episcopal Throne by the woeful distractions in the Civil State the Emperour had little power and all he could doe was to preserve himself But now Leo took his opportunity to advance the Sea of Rome and though hee could exercise but little Jurisdiction yet he took upon him the Title of Pope of the Roman Catholick Church and universal Bishop Thus Leo continued one and twenty years Anno 460. Hillary was Successor to Leo of whom I find little mentioned he had the Government six years Anno 466. Simplicius followed Hillary but now there arose much strife between the Church of Rome and the Church of Constantinople which should bee supream but Leo Emperour of the East gave the Supremacy to Constantinople as being his royal City Simplicius used his utmost endeavour to reverse the Edict of the Emperour and dyed in pursute of desired Supremacy when he had ruled fifteen years Anno 481. Faelix followed Simplicius in his Papal Dignity and in his eager pursute for Supremacy in the Roman Chair but left the Work undone and departed in his ninth year of Government Anno 490. Gelasius came next to the Chair but was a man of more modesty than many that went before him He neither pleaded his Supremacy from the Nicene Council or the antient custom of the Church but held to the text Tu es Petrus This goeth not said Gelasius by Synodal Decrees but by the very voyce of the Gospel Therefore hee spake it openly that the Sea of Rome might either absolve such as were wrongfully condemned by any Council or condemn such as deserved it yet after forgetting himself hee pleaded Synodal authority saying The Canon hath so ordained it that all Churches ought to appeal to this Sea and not from it Thus Gelasius laboured subtilly to advance the Roman Sea yet held it but four years Anno 494. Anastatius the second followed Gelasius To all other evils in
him at this time when he absolved Pipin and the French people from their Allegiance to Childrick King of France and when hee deposed Childrick set the Crown upon Pipin I might give the particular Characters the Holy Ghost hath set upon Antichrist and shew how clearly they are fulfilled in the Popes of Rome above any other order of men in the world but this would swell my Discourse too much neither doe I need to go further than what I have here noted for though some Emperours have deposed Kings and disposed of their Kingdoms yet Emperours have not taken upon them to absolve from Oathes pardon Sin though some Priests have taken upon them to pardon sin yet they have not taken upon them power to dispose of Kingdoms these only have been assumed by the Popes of Rome and so the Pope is the Antichrist I have now attained my end in this Epitomy to wit to discover the Antichrist and therefore will not detain the Reader with any farther relation of this abominable blasphemous Beast yet these two things in general I may not passe which evidence the Popes Pride and fulfill the Word of God First when Zachary had brought about that design which had been so long in hatching hee was cloathed in his Pontifical Robes and caused himself to bee carried in Triumph upon mens shoulders to the Church of St. Lateran He appointed Lettanies to bee said in every Church of Rome He also caused the Sculls of the Apostles if you can beleeve it and other like Reliques to be openly shewed which were not before and from this time the Popes of Rome have been carried upon mens shoulders Secondly this is considerable the unsatisfied ambition of the Popes ceased not till they had perfectly inflaved the Roman Empire to make good tha Word of the Lord spoken by the Apostle John I saw a Woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy c. At the first the Bishops of Rome contended only for a priority of piace in Councils then for Jurisdiction over the Bishops of their Province but after they took upon them to call Councils to depose and translate Emperours and Kings at their pleasure so that while they bare the Title of Christs Vicars they blushed not to assume the Prerogatives of God Almighty and put upon their heads a Triple Crown as King of Heaven Earth and Hell All these things are published at large both by Protestant and Popish Writers to whom I referre those who desire a fuller relation in the particulars FINIS Gen. 15. 13. Exod. 12. 40 41. 1 Cor. 10 11. Mat. 24. 36 Rev. 11. 15. 2 Pet. 3. 13 Dan. 7. 26 27. Dan. 12. 10 Rev. 17. 3 Dan. 2. 28 29 31 32 33 34 35. Vers. 38. Vers. 44. Vers. 46 47 48. Isa. 11. 11 Vers. 12. Dan. 7. 1 Ver. 3 4 c. Ver. 17. Ver. 18. The Kingdom of the Saints begins with the fall of the four Monarchies Dan. 2. 38 Dan. 8. 20 21. Dan. 7. 7 Rev. 12. 3 The original of earthly Monarchy Rev. 13. 11. Rev. 17. 6 Rev. 18. 5 6. Eze. 21. 27 Psal. 2. 8 9 Rev. 15. 3 Hag. 2. 6 7 Rev. 10. 7 Acts 7. 2. 3. Gen. 12. 1 2. Gen. 17. 1 Rom. 4. 11 12. Gen. 21. 1 2 3. Gen. 25. 26. Gen. 49. 1 c. Israels going into Egypt Gen. 46. 26 27. Exo. 12. 40 41. Exo. 3. 7 11. Israels deliverance out of Egypt was about Ann. mun 2398. Gen. 46. 26. Num. 1. 46 47. Israels increase in Egypt The first institution of Judges Act. 13. 20 1 Sam. 8. 1 3 4. Vers. 5. The Original of kingly Government Heathenish Vers. 6. Kings first given with a curse Vers. 7. Ver. 11 12 c. Ver. 19 20. c. Note Rev. 12. Rev. 16. 13 15. Psal. 2. 12. c. Eph. 1. 21 22 23. Isa. 2. 2. c. first King of Israel 2848. 1 Sam. 10. 17 21. Kings by Election of the people Kingly Office hath made good men bad 1 Sam. 13. 13. 1 Sam. 31. 4. Act. 13. 21. 2888. David second King of Israel 1 Sam. 16. 12. Vers. 13. 2 Sam. 2. 4. Vers. 8. Ver. 12 13 16. Ishboshet set up by Abner 2 Sam. 3. 7. Vers. 12. Ver. 17. 20. Vers. 22. Abner kill'd by Joab Ver. 27. 2 Sam. 4. 1. Vile treason Ver. 2. Vers. 7. Vers. 8. Ishbosheth murdered Vers. 12. The due reward of treason 2 Sam. 5. 1. Psa. 51. 4. 1 Chro. 22. 8. 2 Sam. 5. 4. 5. Note 1 King 1. 2929. Solomon the third King of Israel 1 Kin. 6. 37. Vers. 38. The first Temple 7. years in building 1 King 10. 23. 1 King 11. 4. 5. Vers. 11. Vers. 12. Vers. 13. 2969. Rehoboam the first King of Judah after the division 1 King 12. 1 2 3. Vers. 4. Kings by agreement with the people Vers. 7. Vers. 8. Evil Counsel Ver. 10 11. Solomons Kingdom rent c. 1 King 14. 30. Vers. 25. 26. The first spoilling of the Temple Ver. 22 23. 2 Vers. 21. 2 Chro. 12. 2986. Chro. 12. 14. Abijah second King of Judah 2 Chro. 13. 1 2. 1 King 15. 1 2 3. Asa the third King of Judah 1 King 15. 9. Vers. 11. Vers. 13. Vers. 16. â— Vers. 10. 3020. Note Jehoshaphat the fourth King of Judah 1 King 22. 41 43. Vers. 46. 44. 2 Chro. 18. 1. and 19. 2. It 's ill siding with bad men 2 Chro. 17. and 18. and 19. 1 King 22. 42 43. 3045. Jehoram the fifth King of Judah 2 King 8. 16. 2 Chro. 21. 1 2 3 4. Vers. 6. Note Vers. 11. Idolatries commanded by the King Vers. 8. Vers. 9. The ground of revolt Vers. 12. Vers. 16. 17. Vers. 18. Vers. 19. Jehorams miserable end 20. 2 Chro. 21. 5. 3053. Azariah the sixth King of Judah 2 King 8. 25 26 27. 2 Chro. 22. 1. 2. 3. An observation for Kings An. 3054 Athaliah Queen of Judah 2 King 9. 27 28. 2 Chro. 22. 6 8 9. 2 King 11. 1. Cruel murder of children to get the Crown 2 King 11. 2 3. A Priest married the Kings sister 2 Chro. 22. 11. 2 King 11. 4. Ver. 11 12. 13. 14. 15. Ver. 20. An. 3061 Joash the seventh King of Judah 2 King 12. 1. 2 King 11. 17. Vers. 18. The King in covenant with the people 2 King 12. 2. The King corrupted by evil counsel the worship of God was laid down 2 Chro. 24. 17 18. Vers. 19. Vers. 20. They cannot prosper that forsake God Vers. 21. Zachariah kill'd for the discharge of his duty Vers. 22. Vers. 24. Vers. 25. 2 Chro 24. 23 24. Wicked Kings will undo a Nation to keep a Crown 2 King 12. 17 18. The Lord ordinâ—â—ily gives bloud for bloud 2 Chro. 24. 25. 2 King 12. 1. An. 3100 Amaziah the eighth King of Judah 〈…〉 2 King 13. 10. with the 14. 1. ver 3 5. 2 Chro. 25. 5 6. Vers. 7. Ver. 10 11 12 13. Vers. 14. Note 2 King 14. 8.
I was for some time unresolved of a Subject to write upon but seeking to the Lord in Prayer God set the sence of the old Dragons and the Whore of Babylons long-continued Tyranny over the Saints much upon my soul and I judged it was now a time seasonable and a Work necessary afresh to take a view of this old World under Monarchical Tyranny in States and under mystical Babylons usurpations over the Church of Christ. In the time of the Jewish Church-state and for some time after the New-Testament-church-state was begun Daniels four parted terrible Image and his four monstrous Beasts had all their answerable times and terms that with Christs Incarnation Johns Serpent or Dragon with seven Heads and ten Horns the Heathen Roman Empire was entered the stage of this World and acted like himself But as this Beast grew weak and fell in power the great Whore Mystery Babylon took her opportunity to get up and rides that Scarlet-coloured Beast to this day Since the Pope or Papacy hath ridden the Dragon or earthly Monarchy the Whore hath made great use of the Kings of the Earth to exercise her bloudy cruelty upon the Saints that have owned and sought those priviledges where-with the Lord Jesus Christ hath made them free What the Dragons and the Whores time and Tyranny hath been is not unknown to many Saints and light will break forth more and more to the perfect day Large and vast are those Volumes which have been written upon these four great Empires of the World and the Papacy of Rome but these for the greatest part have been written in strange Tongues and are in the studies of great Scholars to little Spiritual use When Nebuchadnezzar had taken Jerusalem and setled the Empire of Babylon in himself his desires were to know what after should come to passe in the latter daies His mind being thus busied he had a Vision of a great and terrible Image whose head was of Gold his brest and arms of Silver his belly and his thighes of Brasse his leggs of Iron his feet part of Iron and part of Clay a stone cut out without hands smote the Image upon his feet and brake them to peeces that no place was found for them and the stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole earth This Vision was revealed from the Lord to Daniel and by Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar wherein is presented the future state of the world from that time to the Kingdom of Christ or Kingdom of the Stone and end of this old World From that time the world was to bee under the successive government of four Kingdoms of which Babylon was the first And in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever The Lords revealing this dream and the interpretation of it to Nebuchadnezzar caused that Heathen King to give glory to God as God of gods and greatly honoured Daniel as honoured of the Lord to reveal the secret I may hence infer it s now a work becoming the Lords people to be inquiring after light in this Prophecie and be saying to the Lords Watch-men as those of Sier Watch-man what of the night watch-man what of the night that is how much of the time of these four Kingdoms are run out or what remains yet to be fulfilled of them when the fifth Kingdom is to begin and the watch-men may answer The morning cometh also the night that is the morning for Saints and the night for sinners It was a mercy that the Lord should have this Prophecie as a ground for faith and prayer to his people but God hath abundantly fore-told the suffering state of his Church under these four Kingdoms hath by his Prophets and Apostles which are now so plain that Saints doe run and â—ead them God Omniscient fore-seeing the need saints would have of support under so long â—â—me of sufferings gives a further discovery of these four Kingdoms to the Prophet Daniel in the first year of Belshazzer King of Babylon In this Vision these â—â—ur Kings or Kingdoms are represented â—nder four monstrous Beasts and these â—â—eat Beasts which are four are interâ—â—eted of four Kings which should arise â—â—t of the earth and for a support to the â—â—rds people the Angel also further adds â—â—at the Saints of the most High shall â—â—ke the Kingdom and possess the Kingdom for ever even for ever and ever The Babylonian Monarchy the Median and Persian Monarchy and the Grecian Monarchy are three of these four Kingdoms expresly sonamed by and to Daniel And the fourth Beast which was dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly can be no other than the Empire of Rome Time hath now interpreted who the fourth Beast is but Daniels fourth Beast and the Apostle Johns Dragon arâ— one and the same and generally understood to represent the Roman Monarchy Earth and Sea Corruption and Confusion was the original of these Kingdoms and I may as truly say Pride and Contention are the support of earthly Kings and Crowns For the sake of Saints I have gathered this Compendium of these four Kingdoms of Babylon Media and Persia Greece and Rome out of large anâ— vast Volumes to give light into Daniel Visions and Johns Revelations They that with serious thoughts shall read these few pages and run down the line of Monarchy in the several Beasts reigns do noâ— need Spiritual light to discover what implacable enmity hath at all times run the veins of Kings against King Jesuâ— and his Saints The Popes and Prelacy had the same original with earthly Monarchy and no less an enemy to the intrest of Christ and his Saints the Papacy is a Beast arising out of the earth as well as Monarchy yet hath Horns like a Lamb but speaks as a Dragon This Whore hath not only drunk but hath been drunken with the bloud of Saints and the Martyrs of Jesus as well as Monarchy and the time is now near that the Saints shall have commission from the Lord Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords not only to give Babylon bloud to drink but to reward her double according to her works in the Cup which she hath filled fill to her double I say this time is near in the whole and in part begun in England I say again and again this is my faith That the hour of Gods Judgements is come to turn the waters of his indignation upon his Churches enemies Beleevers have the Word Covenant and Oath of the erernal God for all this they have the ingagement of the faithful Almighty God that cannot Iye and why should we not expect it Surely the work is upon the wheel that turns fast and nothing but Voyces and Thunders and Earth-quakes nothing but shakings
smart of Tyranny Valerian going to War against the Persians was taken prisoner where he was made the Kings foot-stool when he got upon his horse and after flea'd alive and salted and so ended this miserable life Galienus left in Government still continued Emperour but he gave himself up to his pleasure and neglected the Publike Weale by which many Provinces took their opportunity to provide for their own safety and set up Emperours of their own In his reign also the Gothes made invasions upon the Romans all which together Gallienus grew into hatred and was soon slain Yet it is said Gallienus stayed the persecution against the Christians about An. 262. and with his father kept the Imperial Throne 15. years An. 272. Claudius next had the Empire But Historians agree not in the time of his reign or who succeeded therefore I follow Mr. Heylin who gives to Claudius one year An. 272. Quintilius had the Throne for one year and left it An. 273. Aurelianus then took his turn At first he favoured the Christians but after raised the ninth persecution against them It is said When this Emperour was about to sign his Edict against the Christians the Lord stroke that arm that he could not write his name upon which he was so terrified that he stay'd that persecution and after this sign from heaven the Church had peace through divers Emperours reigns Aurelius was a valiant Warriour and subdued divers Provinces to the Roman State Yet was after murdered by pretending friends when he had reigned 6. years An. 278. After Aurelius the Empire was vacant and no Emperour chosen for some time which never happened from Romulus to that instant Yet at length Tacitus was chosen Emperour and reigned 6. moneths Florianus then took the Scepter and held it 80. daies Probus was chosen to the Empire as some say By the nomination of Tacitus and confirmed both by the Army and Senate He by his wisdom so setled the Nations in such peace that on a time he said We shall not shortly need Armies or Garisons But this speech of the Emperour so greatly offended the Souldiers that they consulted new troubles and not long after Probus died when he had held the Crown 6. years An. 286. Carus succeeded Probus He took into Government with him his two sons Carinus and Numerianus Carus soon died and Numerianus following the Wars was slain by his father in law Upon this Dioclesian was chosen Emperour and raised an Army against Carianus but in battel Carianus lost his life when all three Emperours had reigned but 3. years Anno 289. Dioclesian now succeeded in the Empire and finding troubles and tumults arising in many places he took Maximinian into Government with him and divided the Empire into East and West That the Publike Weale might be yet more stable and better ordered Dioclesian adopted Galerius to succeed him and Maximinian chose Constantius Clorus to follow him Yet Galerius was sent to command in the East and Constantius kept the West These Emperours by this Policy kept peace at home and got Victories abroad by which they were exceedingly lift up in pride In such height was Dioclesian that he would be worshipped as God And to the rest of his sin he raised the tenth persecution against the Christians which rose very high In the 19. year of his reign neer the Feast of Easter the Emperour sent out his Edict by which he commanded all Churches to be laid even with the ground the holy Scriptures to be burnt the Pastours of Churches first to be imprisoned and then forced to offer sacrifice to idols or suffer death c. It cannot be said how much Christian bloud was shed in a little time Yet the righteous God suffered not these bloudy persecutors to go in peace to their graves In the 20. year of these Emperours Government they grew weary of their honours and resigned their Emperial trust to their Companions But Maximinus grew mad and hanged himself And Dioclesian fell into a horrible Disease his intrails and flesh rotting with innumerable lice swarming upon him and so wasted away An. 309. Though now the Empire be divided into East and West or West and East I shall only follow the Western Empire and speak only of the Eastern Emperours occasionally as this History requires Constantius now Emperour of the West had his abode in England and married Helena daughter of King Coel. Constantius was greatly affected with Religion and the worship of God which he much promoted but in the 7. year of his Government after the Resignation of the former Emperours he departed this life at York An. 316. Constantius being now dead Galerius Emperour of the East adopted Severus and Maximinus to succeed next in Government In the interim the Nobles and Souldiers at Rome elected Maxentius to be Emperour Upon this great troubles did arise and to quier both the parties up in arms the Nobility called Constantine son of Constantius out of France to deliver Rome from the Tyranny of Maxentius Constantine forthwith drew into Italy with his Army where he got the first Battel and after totally routed Maxentius neer to Rome Constantine was Proclaimed Emperour after the death of his father in England But now he had overcome his enemies he was established in the Imperial Throne Constantine bearing great affection to Licinius took him into Government and married his sister Constantia to him out of this respect that Licinius favoured the Christians But after some time his hypocrisie was discovered and it appeared that he intended secretly to murder Constantine and to raise persecution against the Christians Yet the All-wise God prevented the one and stay'd the other begun For this malicious bloudy cruelty being brought to light Constantine went against Licinius overcame him and after ruled alone Constantine now setled the afflicted Church in much peace and the Romans gave him the title of Constantine the Great It is Historied by Socrates That when Constantine was drawing up of his Army to relieve Rome from the Tyranny of Maxentius that he was yet unsetled in Religion But in the day-time there appeared a lightsome Pillar in the heavens like a Cross with this inscription In this overcome But this appearance was of these Greek characters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are the name of Christ As Euseb. This at first amazed the Emperour Yet he being assured by the restimony of others as well as himself of the reality of the vision Constantine did fully believe in Christ and in that strength prospered I will not spot paper with reciting the Popish fables reported of Constantine But without question he was a pious and peacable man and did much for the Church of God He was converted to the faith about the 41. year of his age Yet was not Baptized of long purposely
Henry the 8. and was crowned at 9. years of age In the 2. year of his reign he did so much towards reformation that the Church-service was turned into English In the Kings Minority the Duke of Somerset was made Lieutenant Protector but not long after was committed to the Tower and after was beheaded at Tower-hill King Edward about 16. years of age fell sick and died when he had reigned 6. years 5. months and odd daies An. 1554. After the death of Edward Lady Jane wife to the Lord Clifford fourth son to the Duke of Northumberland was proclaimed Queen as given to her by Edward the 6. But Lady Mary eldest daughter to King Henry had the grater party and so came to the Crown She soon restored the Pope Cardinal c. to his former Supremacy over England and dashed the reformation begun and appointed the Church-service again in Latine To make sure Queen Mary beheaded the Lady Jano Clifford the Duke of Suffolk the Lord Clifford and others to take them off from laying claim to the Crown Yet she did not sit quiet in the Throne But to compleat her sin she drunk deep of the bloud of the Saints and sent many multitudes to heaven in fiery chariots The Queen married Philip Prince of Spain Yet the Lord shut up her womb that she had no child and cut her off when she had raged over the Saints in this Nation 5. years 4. months and odd daies Anno 1559. Elizabeth sister to Queen Mary now came to the Crown she again rejected the Pope and did something towards Reformation of Religion She had great honour in the hearts of the people and was a terror to forain Nations and reigned 45. years An. 1604. After Queen Elizabeth James King of Scots descended from Margaret daughter to Henry the 7. came to the Crown of England He was a man of much learning and writ divers Books But his practice answered not his light and professions How he passed over the death of his son Prince Henry was observed by many and how the Lord reached him at last many have said more then I will write King James sawyed the Scepter of England Scotland and Ireland 22. years 3. days An. 1626. Charles succeeded his father James Contrary to the counsel once given by King James to Heary his son Charles did marry with Henerietta Maria of France a Papist and gave her the liberty of her Religion by Articles of Marriage By her interest Popery was advanced through corrupt Bishops and the true worship of God was little known in England what the life of Charles was is yet fresh in the memory of most alive at this day He set all the three Nations on a fire that yet is not quenched nor is like to be In England Ireland and Scotland the sword hath spilt the bloud of many thousands and as he was worthy the Lord gave him bloud to drink who was beheaded at White-hall West minster January 30. An. 1649. when he had born the Crown 24 years 10. months and 7. days Thus as in a Map I have represented some remarkable passages in the rise and succession of Kings from Saul to our present Age. If this little be laid up in the minds of men by this taste you may judge much of all their Lives and Reigns that is vailed under the Curtain To my best skill I have only run down sacred and prophane History and have taken the relations of others and written their Stories But if so much wickedness came to light what was done in the dark that is open to the all-seeing eye of Heaven Surely a woful sad burden have this sort of men I may well say Monsters been to all People and Nations where-ever they were And that the Dragon the Beast and all their limbs shall be utterly destroyed by Jesus Christ who is King of Kings I question not I am perswaded the work is now upon the wheel and as Jesus Christ is imbraced here will appear more and more to clear up to the Saints another way of governing his people then yet we see There is nothing hinders but our unworthiness But if I may discover what I see yet afar off I conceive the Governours call'd and set up by Jesus Christ shall be like Jesus Christ himself humble self-denying Saints such as shall set up a publike and not a self-interest Such as shall ease burdens and not oppress Such as shall deliver the poor and not seed upon them Such as shall guide the people by the rule of Gods sacred word and not make lust and self-will their law and force it by a long Sword For certain if the Lord did not leave wise-men to themselves they could not but easily reade their own ruine by multiplied examples in all times God is the same yesterday to day and for ever And in the same way that God did manifest his righteousness and justice under the sacred Scriptures the same hath been the Lords providences and dispensations in the world ever since the Scriptures were written and as the Apostle expresseth it These things were written for our examples upon whom the ends of the world are come I may say sin was the rise of Monarchy sin hath been the strength of Monarchy and Monarchy hath been the punishment of sin ever since it was Therefore when the sin of Kings grew high the Lord stirred up some to punish pull down these Kings by the shedding of much bloud and exhausting of treasure But when such had got into the Kings State they did the same that the King did before them when their sin again was full the Lord raised up others to destroy them and their Families And this is the track of times But when Jesus Christ is truly received there shall be an end of this proud oppressing sort of men the Saints shall rule then judgement and righteousness shall run down like mighty streams Now for the accomplishment of these blessed promises wait and pray till Christ say It 's done AN EPITOMY OF PAPACY THat there was a Gospel Church in the City of Rome in the times of the Apostles is clear by Divine authority And that this Church of Christ had ordinary Church Officers Bishops and Deacons I think there is no question But the better to discover the Roman Antichrist two things have been in debate amongst the godly 1 Whether the first Bishops of the Churches of Christ had and did exercise by power given from Jesus Christ a Lordly and Soveraign Jurisdiction over the Saints in their particular Churches 2 Whether the power of one Bishop or Pastor by the institution of Jesus Christ did extend to divers Churches The judgements of many learned men are published to the World upon these needful questions yet I desire to assert my thoughts in this place First That ordinary Church Officers
ought not nay may not put out a Lordly Soveraign power over the Church or Brethren is plain to all that will read it 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. Secondly That ordinary Church-Officers have not any power or charge given them over diverse Churches is plain from Scripture and Reason When Paul called the Bishops together and spake to them all present yet he presses every one to take care of his own particular Flock Acts 20. 28. If any through prejudice should seek other glosses to put upon this text to hold their own opinions they let goe natural reason and deal worse with Christian souls than they are willing to doe by their flocks of Sheep Certainly a Shepherd that takes charge of divers flocks in several places is very like to Rot them all But my business is to gather an Epitomy of the Papacy that the rise and growth of this proud scarlet Whore who rides the Roman Empire may bee yet more perfectly discovered and that the Antichrist of Rome may appear to bee the very Whore of Babylon shadowed out in Types and Figures unto John in his Revelations The Gospel was no sooner preached by the Apostles but Satan had some ministers ready to pervert the truth of it and turn away Disciples The Apostle Paul not only describes but discovered the working of Antichrist in his time Paul said then the Mystery of iniquity doth already work 2 Thes. 2. 7. that is in that very age pride end usurpation of false teachers corruption of Doctrine and Discipline grew fast on and many were drawn off from the simplicity of the Gospel to Idolatrous and Superstitious practices through ignorance and blind devotion It cannot be denied but that the first Bishops of the Church of Christ in Rome were many of them sound in the faith and sealed the truth of the Gospel with their bloud in Martyrdome yet in those times Heresies and Sects in Religion grew fast and after more and more I shall pass in silence all the first Bishops and begin with Elutherius the twelfth Bishop of Rome Elutherius was chosen Bishop of the Church at Rome in the fifteenth year of Antonius Verus the Emperour Anno 178. and governed that Church thirteen years untill this time the same Doctrin and Order in the Church which was left by the Apostles was observed in the Church of Rome In his time England received the Christian Faith and when Lucius the British King sent to Rome as a famous Christian Church and desired Elutherius to send them the Roman Lawes the good Bishop not dreaming then of a Supremacy modestly refused it and referring of the Christians to the Books of the Old and New Testament to gather out Lawes from thence urged this reason The Roman Lawes and the Emperours Lawes we may ever reprove but the Law of God wee may not out of them take yee a Law and by that Law rule your Realm of Britain At this time there was a Sect followed Marcus who denied the real suffering of Christ and that there was no resurrection of the Flesh and therefore lived in Adultery Victor succeeded Elutherius In his time there fell a great difference between the Eastern and Western Churches about the time of Easter or the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some observed it upon the fourteenth day of the Moon after the Jewish Passeover some upon the Sunday following Upon this contention many Synods of Bishops were called in all parts and so Victor called a Synod at Rome where he himself sate President In this Synod at Rome Victor took upon him to Excommunicate the Churches in Asia because they conformed not to the practice of the Western Churches But this insolent attempt of Victor was stoutly opposed and Victor overcome Soon after this Victor dyed when hee had governed twelve years anno 203. At this time sprung the Heresie of Artemon the Disciple of Theodotus a Tanner who denied the Divinity of Christ. Zephyrinus was the next Bishop of Rome and governed eighteen years Anno 221. In his time was Neotus who denied the Trinity of the Deity He called himself Moses There were also the Sect Melchisedechiani who held Melchisedech to bee greater than Christ. Some taught also that the Soul dyed with the Body yet rose again at the general resurrection Calistus now took the Chair and continued five years and dyed Anno 226. Urbanus followed Calistus and governed eight years Anno 234. Pontanus succeeded Urban and continued six years Anno 240. Anterus came next to the place It is Historied that when the Church was met upon the death of Pontanus for a new Election a Dove setled upon the head of Anterus and so the multitude cried out Anterus is worthy of the Bishoprick I repeat this as a Popish relation yet possibly this might be one of Antichrists Miracles to deceive which after were more frequent But however Anterus entred he held his honour but one Month and gave way to Fabian Fabian was Bishop of Rome and dyed a Martyr in the seventh Persecution raised by the Emperour Decius Anno 254. Cornelius followed Fabian and ruled three years Anno 257. Lucius followed Cornelius and kept the Sea not full eight months About this time was Novatus who called the Sect following him Puritans Hee refused to receive into their Fellowship again those that fell though they shewed their repentance He also denied second Marriages Stephen was chosen next Bishop of Rome and ruled two years Anno 260. In his time it was much controverted whether Hereticks converted or persons baptized by Hereticks should bee again baptized Also in Stephens Government some Bishops deposed in Spain and Africk fled to Rome and sought to bee restored by the authority of Stephen It seems Stephen was willing to close with such an opportunity or else in a brotherly way the Bishop of Rome writ to the Bishops of Spain and Africk to receive again those Bishops deposed the Bishops of Rome made other use of it in after times But whether Stephen writ to command or desire yet the Bishops to whom Stephen did write returned answer That the offenders running to Rome could not have those just Censures past upon them reversed c. Xystus came next in place and governed eleven years Anno 271. About this time the Heresie of Novatus was revived and some Bishops corrupted with it Dionysius governed nine years and died Anno 280. In this time were the Sect Origeniani These denied Marriage yet lived worse than Beasts using vile ways to keep Women from conceiving with childe Faelix had the next turn and ruled five years Anno 285. Eutychianus followed Faelix yet governed but ten Months Caius then had the rule of the Roman Church and continued fifteen years Anno 300. At this time the Heresie of the Origeniani was broached afresh by Adamantius a Priest in Alexandria and much increased These held there was
no Resurrection that Christ and the Holy Ghost were only Creatures that the Souls of men were first in Heaven and came down into bodies c. Marcelinus followed Caius who in the Persecution under Dioclesian denied Christ to save himself but soon after he sorely repented his great sin and under the same Emperour dyed a Martyr for Christ. Historians agree not about the time of this Bishops Government but it is said to bee five years Anno 305. Though this was a sad time of persecution yet then sprang the Heretick Manes of whom came the Maniches This Heretick Manes cald himself Christ and chose twelve Disciples Eusebius followed Marcellus and governed one year and seven months Anno 307. Miltiades next had the Ecclesiastical Chair he was Bishop of Rome when Constantine the Great was Emperour as appears by a Letter written from Constantine unto Miltiades about the beginning of Constantines reign untill this time the Bishops of Rome were poor and low in the world But as Constantine affected Religion and greatly tendred the growth of it so he gave revenues unto Christian Churches and especially to that of Rome I find no Chronologers setting down the time of Miltiades Government but by computation I judge hee continued six years and dyed in the fourth year of Constantines reign Anno 313. Sylvester succeeded Miltiades in the Church of Rome in the time of Constantine the Great In the time of Sylvester Arias or Arrias born in Lybia a Priest in Alexandria made great opposition against the Bishop of Alexandria and bestirred himself to get Disciples his Heresie he held was That the Son of God had a beginning of Essence c. This grew and spread much and brought great trouble to the Churches whereupon Constantine summoned a general Council at Nice some say Anno 325. some say 326. some 328 c. But in that Synod there was gathered together the chief Ministers of God of all the Churches of Europe Africk and Asia also Syrians Cilicians c. there were present also many of the Laity In this Council Arrias was condemned and the Creed ratified Sylvester continued his government twenty years and dyed anno 333. Mark was Bishop of Rome after Sylvester eight months Julius followed Mark and Governed fifteen years Anno 348. Heresies did now spread much especially the Arian Heresie whereupon the Sons of Constantine by consent called the general Council of Sardis This Council was summoned in the eleventh year after the death of Constantine and from the going forth of the Proclamation to the meeting of the Synod was one year and six months There met three hundred Bishops and Brethren of the West and but seventy six of the East The occasion of this Council was in behalf of Paulus Bishop of Constantinople and Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria These were deprived of their bishopricks by the Arrians and because these two Bishops were admitted to sit in the Council many of the Eastern Bishops rose and departed the Synod yet in that Council the Nicen Creed was confirmed Paulus and Athanasius restored and their accusers deposed It is said Julius Bishop of Rome writing to the Eastern Bishops blamed them for depriving Paulus and Athanasius in assuming that power to them that was committed to the Bishop of Rome by Divine command This was like Antichrist himself and the Popish Proctors have made great use of this to plead it for a sufficient proof of the Popes Supremacy But this attempt of Julius was condemned in the Council of Antioch about Anno 336. About this time also Monastical life began and many idle Fopperies Marriage was forbid strange Garments brought up the eating of Flesh forbid and many perswaded to leave their Possessions Liberius was chosen next Bishop of Rome Some Historians say well of him some say ill but it appears hee continued seventeen years Anno 366. By this time Supremacy had got some footing in this manner as the Christian Churches multiplied Sects and Seditions grew fast and to prevent these the Churches near Rome and other eminent Cities were made Provinces and consociated for Order and Government upon this account the Bishop of Rome with others became Metropolitan and chief Bishop in the Province and called Synods After in a Council at Antioch it was ordered That if in matters of importance the Bishops accord not that then the Metropolitan should call some Bishops of the next Province to judge and give definitive sentence Damasus followed Liberius but got the Chair with great difficulty the Sea of Rome was now greatly increased in wealth and pomp and so became a Bait to ambitious spirits and the dignity hardly obtained In the vacancy of the Sea Ursinus a Deacon of the Church made a strong Party against Damasus and the Faction was so great at the Election that the House of Prayer floated with bloud where there were left one hundred thirty seven dead bodies The pride and Usurpation of the Roman Bishops doth plainly appear by the several Lawes made by the Emperours to restrain them it is very manifest by the Epistles of Damasus that he claimed a Supremacy in the Sea of Rome in Ecclesiastical affairs but it seems the Bishops were ambitious also of the Civil Sword yet by the Emperours they were forbid to hear and determine offences between Person and Person except in matters of Religion Until this time the People had the Election of Bishops or Pastors but this great priviledge was taken from them by a Council held at Laodicea also that Lessons should bee read between certain Psalmes that the Gospel should bee read and other Scriptures upon the Sunday c. Here abominable Superstitions and Corruptions thronged fast in which I forbear to mention Now were the Sect of the Dimeritae who denied that Christ had a Soul c. Also the Massiliani a sort of idle Monks these said The Body of Christ in the Sacrament did neither good nor harm c. These were also call Euchitae c. It is said that Damasus kept the Episcopal Chair eighteen years and dyed Anno 384. Sericius succeeded Damasus Hee is said to be the first that forbid the Marriage of Priests now the name of Priest grew into fashion and was the ordinary stile of all common or inferiour Bishops Sericins governed fifteen years Anno 399. In this age were the Heresie of Proclianites who denied that Christ came in the Flesh also the Patriciani who say that God made not mans flesh but the Devil and therefore Murder themselves and others to be out of the flesh Anastatius was chosen next Bishop of Rome and continued but three years Anno 402. Innocentius next entred the stage of the Roman Sea and acted the part of Antichrist himself Damasus in an Epistle to the Bishop of Mauritiania stiled the Sea of Rome the
at last complained of to the Emperour and accused in the Council at Constantinople where by the Emperour and Council Vigilius was deposed and banished anno 556. By the power of the Emperour Justinian Pelagius the first succeeded in the Sea of Rome this offended the Bishops of Italy upon which they called a Synod at Aquilia to consult about it but Pelagius sent to them a Confession of his Faith and so pacified them and governed eleven years anno 567. John the third followed Pelagius he strongly pursued the Plea of his Predecessors for Supremacy at home and abroad Pelagius sent his Mandates to the Bishops in France and Germany Wee will and command all Bishops and Priests whatsoever to observe all the Decretals and Ordinances of our Predecessors in matters belonging to the Church and if any shall attempt the contrary let him know there is no place left for repentance to him c. If John may bee beleeved it was now a dreadful thing to transgresse the commands of the Roman Church yet these high words did not affright the Bishops and when hee had continued twelve years he dyed anno 579. Benedict the first took the next turn but in his time Narses Lieutenant of Italy being discontented with the ingratitude of the Emperor invited the Lumbards into Italy who presently came in and laid siege to Rome in which time Benedict dyed anno 579. In the same year and during the same siege Pelagius the second was chosen Bishop of Rome Rome being now besieged and Italy in uproars John Bishop of Constantinople having the favour of the Emperour Maurice got the Title of Universal Bishop and called a Council at Constantinople anno 580. but the siege of the Lumbards being now raised from the walls of Rome by violence of weather Pelagius sent presently to the Council at Constantinople and charged the Bishops to break up being no Council but a Conventicle without him and also that if they did not forth-with depart they should be Excommunicate by the Sea Apostolick And further Pelagins forbids them to acknowledge John Universal Bishop for says he If the chief Patriarch meaning himself should be called Universal by that prophane Title the name of Patriarch would be taken from all other Bishops but God forbid that it should ever fall into the heart of a Christian to assume to himself that whereby the honour of his Brethren may be abased And consider my Brethren what is like to ensue He cometh neer unto him of whom it is written This is he which is King over all the Children of Pride and so John went about to attribute to himself that which was only due to Christ c. Thus Pelagius preacht a pithy Lecture but sought only with words and John mattered not such windy weapons Pelagius continued ten years and left the Chair of Rome to Gregory the first anno 590. Gregory the first surnamed the Great took up the Weapons against John of Constantinople but John being backed by the Emperour Maurico stood stifly to uphold his new Title and the Emperour further in favour of John writ his Letters to Gregory and commanded him to keep peace This greatly troubled Gregory and thereupon he writ Letters to the Emperour and the Empresse To the Emperour he wrote thus All those who have read the Gospel know well what the Lord said to Peter c. The care and primacy of the whole Church was committed to him yet behold my Fellow Priest John seeketh to bee called the Universal Bishop I am now forced to cry Oh the times oh the manners of men Europe is now exposed for a prey to the Barbarians and yet the Priests who should lye down in the dust weeping and rolling themselves in ashes seek after names of vanity and boast in their new found prophane titles c. And Gregory to the Empress thus Maurice indeed hath done like a godly man and a religious Prince to command due observance to men of the Church But farre bee it that your time should bee defiled by the exalting of one man above others neither let it ever be said that you gave way to that crooked name of universal By this Arrogancy and Pride whas doth it else portend but that the time of Antichrist is now at hand in that hee imitates Lucifer who making light of that happinesse he possessed with others would needs aspire to a singularity above the rest lost all c. I should exceed my bounds to follow Gregory in his invectives against John of Constantinople for getting Supremacy before him and while John delighted himself in his new title Gregory took up to himself the stile of Servant of the Servants of God But in Gregories time the Emperour Maurice grew into hatred of the Souldiers and fearing the conspiracy of Phocas Maurice fled to Chalcedon Phocas heading the Mutineers was by them proclaimed Emperour and after the solemnity he pursued Maurice where he first in a barbarous manner killed his Wife and Children before his face and then murdered him Notwithstanding all this bloudy cruelty of Phocas Gregory writ abominable flattering Letters to him and his new Empresse of which I must give you a taste Gregory begins his Epistle thus to Phocas Glory bee to God on high which changeth times and translateth Kingdoms who sometimes in his Justice sendeth Princes to afflict his people and at other times in his Mercy those that lift them up again for which cause we rejoyce that thou art come to the Empire let the Heavens rejoyce and the Earth leap for joy and let all the people be glad thereof c. but in the conclusion Gregory prayes that the Emperour would take the Church of Rome into protection and bee mindful of Tu es Petrus assuring of him that for his requital St. Peter would take him and his Empresse into protection and keep him in the Empire Now you have the bottome of Gregories heart opened and his Hypocrisie fully brought to light but he soon dyed and saw not the accomplishment of his desires anno 605. Sabinian followed Gregory but dyed quickly Boniface the third now had the Roman Sea and all things concurring to accomplish the old design and especially to fulfill the Word of God it so hapned that Phocas was left by Cyriachus patriarch of Constantinople and was hated by all good people for his bloudy cruelty that the Empire was sore shaken and Italy ready to revolt Phocas now being in great straights and not knowing how to keep all quiet In this nick of time Boniface offered his service to Phocas which was so well accepted that he conferred this Honour upon the Church of Rome that Shee should be the head of all other Churches and the Bishop of Rome to be called the Soveraign and Universal Bishop Boniface now got the desired primacy and brought in the Antichrist yet continued
but eight months and dyed Anno 607. Boniface the fourth succeeded and governed six years Anno 613. Deus-dedit came next to the Sea and governed three years Anno 616. Boniface the fifth now took his turn these times were troublesome and these Popes found much opposition but to all the rest they did greatly corrupt the Worship of God and in a little time they brought in Prayers for the dead Invocation of Saints the Liturgy in a strange Language and abundance of Jewish and Heathenish Ceremonies This Pope continued five years Anno 621. Honorius the first came next to the Papal Dignity but though the name and title of universal Bishop was given to the Sea of Rome yet Papal Jurisdiction was much resisted by the Bishops Honorius hoping to subject the Bishops sided with Adelwaldus fifth King of the Lumbards who raised an Army against them but the Bishops had the better in that Battel and Honorius carried not his design at that time To give a demonstration that infallibility was not yet tied to Peters Chair Pope Honorius fell into the Heresie of the Monothelites and denied two Natures and two Wills in Christ. For this Heresie hee was condemned in the fourth Council of Toledo by 289 Bishops Also in this Council it was decreed That the Book of the Revelation should bee read in time of Masse that all men might the better know and arm themselves against Antichrist who gave life to the Beast the Roman Empire This Pope was said to rule 13 years anno 634. Severinus the first came next to rule as yet the Pope was under the jurisdiction of the Emperour and every Pope confirmed by the Exarch for the Emperour lying at Ravenna Upon the election of Severinus the Exarch made him stay a year and half for confirmation and hee lived but half a year more and dyed anno 636. Boniface the sixth succeeded Severinus and ruled two years anno 638. Theodore the first had the Papal seat he strongly pursued the claim of Jurisdiction over the Bishops but was stoutly denied it yet Victor Bishop of Carthage gave him this Title stuffed with Blasphemy To the most blessed Lord and our Honourable Holy Brother Pope Theodore c. Theodore had the Sea five years and dyed anno 643. Martin the first followed Theodore he was a great undertaker and thought to carry great things but assuming too much upon the Bishops of the East the Emperour Constans gave a check to his ambition who caused him to bee brought Prisoner to Constantinople where he dyed in banishment when he had kept Peters Chair eight years anno 651. Eugenius succeeded Martin but in his time divers Councils were held without his privity and hee could not help it He governed two years and dyed anno 653. Vitalion had the Government and not inferiour to any of his Predecessors for a high mind John Bishop of Lampeon being condemned by a Synod under Paul Arch-bishop of Candia John appealed to the Bishop of Rome who retracted the sentence of the Synod and absolved him but John was still kept out of his Sea At this time also the Arch-bishop of Ravenna under the Popes nose rejected the Supremacy of Rome But the Pope being repulsed in all the Countries about him purposed to seek honour in places further remote It is said about this time Austine the Monk was sent into England but instead of spreading the Gospel and converting souls they here broached their Popish Fopperies the Latine Service Organs Altars Tapers c. were brought into England The Popes Agents also stirred ignorantly devout Princes to inforce their Subjects to use and practise this way of seigned Worship and the better to advance the main design as the Agents found ambitious men thirsting for preheminence above their brethren these were taken into favour and honoured with preferment But the issue was by these means to bring in the Pope and transferre Causes to Rome Vitalion bare rule 15 years and dyed anno 668. Adeodate followed Vitalion the Arch-Bishop of Ravenna coming to that Sea refused to bee Consecrated by the Pope of Rome and for that offence Adeodate Excommunicated the Archbishop and the Arch-bishop paid him in his own coyn and excommunicated the Pope of Rome and this was all the Pope yet got This Pope kept the Sea five years anno 675. Domnus came next to the Pontifical Throne he continued to fight the Papal Combate for desired Supremany and what by power and what by policy he at last subjected the Arch-bishop of Ravenna to Peters Chair Anno 680 Domnus rejoyced in this addition and lived two years after it anno 682. Agatho next took Peters pretended Chair and being lift up in Domnus his uniting Ravenna to the Roman Sea hee openly pronounced That all Decrees made by the Sea-Apostolick ought to be received as if they had proceeded from St. Peters own mouth But the pride of the Prelate staid not here but writing to the Bishops he stiled himself Head of all the Churches and in a Letter to the Emperour he blushed not to say That unto that day the Church of Rome had never been stained with any Error neither would be by vertue of that promise made heretofore by our Saviour to Peter Agatho kept his happy place but two years anno 684. Leo the second held the Apostolick Sea but ten months Benedict the second followed Leo in his time he obtained of the Emperour That hee who should bee elected Pope by the Clergie People and Souldiers should have all the power at Rome and not seek to the Emperour for confirmation This was no small step to lift up the Dignity and Tyranny of the Roman Sea into the Imperial Throne but Benedict lived not out the year John the fifth was chosen according to the new establishment but dyed quickly anno 687. Upon the death of John there fell a division about the election the Clergie chose Peter the Army chose Theodore the contention was great and neither Party would yeeld but at last they all pitched upon Conon a third person and he was made Pope yet lived but eleven months anno 688. While Conon was yet sick Paschal an Arch-Deacon made a Party for him and promised large monies for Voyces but at the Election there were many stood for Theodore and some for Paschal The division was great and so lasted for two months and to prevent bloud and mischief they took Sergius a poor Priest out of the throng and made him Pope When Sergius was lift up to this high Dignity hee had nów the spirit of a Pope so that when the Emperour Justinian sent to him the Books of the general Councils to subscribe to them Sergius denied it Hereupon the Emperour was justly displeased and sent to apprehend him but Sergius so plaid his Game