hath been fulfill'd in it and upon it that there is little to be accomplished I shall wholly pass over the State of Rome under all these former Governments and onely speak to the Imperial When the Romans had ended their War in France Civil War arose amongst themselves between Julius Caesar and En. Pompey his kinsman Pompey and Caesar were both Roman Generals and had great interest in the people But Pompey laying his design to get into sole power would have Caesar put out of his Consulship unlesse he would disband his Army Caesar could not think himself safe to dismiss his Souldiers yet did offer that he would do it if Pompey would do the like Yet this equal motion not being accepted Caesar presently speeded to his Army in France marched into Italy and there possessed himself of divers strong Holds This news being brought to Pompey he rallied his Army and gave Battel to Caesar. But in this Fight Pompey's Army was routed and Pompey himself fled into Egypt But where Pompey looked for requital of former kindness his low estate was now despised and Ptolomy King of Egypt fearing uprores in his Country by harbouring Pompey he caused Pompey to be treacherously slain and so Caesar came to sole power In the 5. year of this Civil War Julius Caesar returned to Rome and now enemies being vanquished abroad and the people pacisied at home Julius Caesar had the honour of Dictator but having the power of the sword he assumed Supreme Authority to himself chose Senators of his own party and conferred honours and Offices of the Weale-publike upon whom he pleased By this usurpation Caesar was lost much in the affections of the people in general and hated by divers So that conspiracies were made against him and at last he was murdered in the Senate the 15. of March the 5. moneth after he came to Rome by those he had shewn great kindness to The Roman Monarchy here took beginning and from hence I intend to trace the Emperours so long as the Roman Empire lasted and give a view to the world what beastly Monsters most of them were according to the Visions of them to Daniel After the death of Julius Caesar Octavius Augustus Caesars sisters son drew the Souldiers after him and pretended to put himself into Arms for the Wealepu like At this time the Government of Triumviri were established and the Rule given to Augustus and two of his friends But the greedy ambition of sole Authority ingendred strife amongst the three Governours M. Lepidus was soon deposed for conspiring against Augustus And not long after Augustus made War upon Antonius who had married the sister of Augustus for putting her away and marrying the Queen of Egypt In this War Augustus overcame and made Antonius and Cleopatra his new wife to kill themselves And thus Augustus came to the Empire of Rome Historians say Our Saviour Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin in the 42. year of the reign of Augustus That Christ was born in the reign of Augustus the Scripture assures us but to finde out the particular year of his reign we must consult Chronologers John Sleidan saith It was the 29. year of Augustus c. Yet these may be thus reconciled accounting 13. years of Augustus his reign as Triumviri and 29. in sole Government as Emperour the birth of Christ falls in the 42. year of Augustus after which he reigned 14. years and in all 56. and died Anno Christ. 15. After Augustus Tiberius his son in law took the Empire At first he seemed hard to be perswaded to accept the Crown and for some time did nothing of moment without the Senate But when he was well setled in the Throne he did what he pleased In the 15. year of Tiberius Jesus Christ was Baptized and entered upon his publike Ministry and suffered death in the 18. or beginning of the 19. of the reign of Tiberius Cytreus upon the 21. of Mat. hath it thus Our Saviour Christ Jesus when he had lived here on earth 33. years and something more suffered death for the Salvation of mankinde the 25. day of March in the 18. year of the reign of Tiberius In his reign also Steven was stoned John Baptist beheaded and Paul called In all Tiberius reigned 22. years and odd moneths An. Christ. 37. Caius Caligula now took the Imperial Scepter This Emperour abounded in cruelty Idolatty and pride forgetting he was but dust he claimed to himself the honour of God causing the people to pray to him and dedicated the Lords holy Temple in Jerusalem never before so defiled to new Caius as a famous God In the time of Caius Pilate who past Sentence of death upon Christ fell into a tormenting disease and to end his misery kill'd himself Also Herod that beheaded John was put down and banished Caius himself was also slain by his own Guard when he had reigned 3. years and 10 moneths An. 42. Claudius Uncle to Caius came next to the Throne He was a great Warrior and reduced many Countries to obedience to the Roman Scepter amongst others this Nation of England and married his daughter to Arviragus the King and in memory of that great solemnity he built Kaerlow now Glocester An. 44. When Claudius had borne the Crown 13. years 8. moneths and 20. daies he died An. 56. Nero took the next turn He past the former part of his reign quietly But after he was setled he fell into abominable wickedness his malice carried him beyond the bounds of humanity that he tormented to death his own mother his brethren and his wife Nero to all other evils raised the first persecution against the Christians In this persecution Peter and Paul the Apostles suffered Martyrdom and by this means the Gospel was much spread at which time it 's said The Gospel was brought into England by Joseph of Arimathea Upon the cruelty of Nero divers Countries rebelled and great troubles were raised in the Roman State but to prevent a deserved death by the sentence of the Senate Nero became his own executioner when he had reigned 13. years and 8. daies An. 69. The Empire at the death of Nero was in great disorder and the Sword bare the greatest sway By this means Galba was set upon the Throne yet he kept it but 7. moneths and 7. daies but was beheaded Otho succeeded Galba yet he continued his honour but for 3. moneths and he was slain Vitellius took the next turn who was Emperour but 8. moneths and he was dispatched Vespatian being now General of the Roman Armies sent against the Jewes the Army proclaimed Vespatian Emperour of Rome Hereupon the Emperour left the Government of the Army to his son Titus and himself returned to Rome At this time the Lord fulfilled the word of Prophesie in a great measure upon
which people eat mans flesh In the 8. year he subdued Scotland and made them do homage In England he left no natural Noble man to bear rule but so impoverished the Nation by great Taxes that much Tillage was laid down and good ground laid wast many miles together When the Tyrant had brought the nation into extream poverty he imposed upon them an Oath of allegiance and went into Normandy and not long after falling to War with the King of France he was over-heat in his fat body by his harness upon him and got a painful disease and dyed the 9. of Sept. when he had reigned 20. years 10. moneths and about 25. daies Anno 1008. William Rufus the 3. son of Duke William took advantage of his elder brother Roberts absence stepped into the Royal Throne and began his reign from the death of his father Most of the Nobility stood for Robert and raised war against William But by pleasing words and fair promises he gained some of them to him and then subdued the rest by force After Robert claimed his right to the Crown and William refusing to surrender they fell to War and at length agreed that if either of them had not issue the Crown should descend to the survivers In the 11. year of Williams reign all the Lands belonging to Earl Godwin whose son proved a perfidious perjured man by the breaking in of the Sea was utterly overwhelmed with water which is added to the vast Ocean and still bears the name of Goodwins sands King William was one that fulfilled the curse of God upon that kind of Government for it is recorded of him that he did not only shave but slea the people of England But the just had of God found him out and at last Sir Walter Terril shooting at a Deer in New Forrest which his father had made a Forrest by the destorying the People and Town 30. miles together the King being there hunting the righteous Lord guided the Arrow to Williams brest of which wound he fell dead and spoke no word Some of his men laid the dead body upon a Colliers Cart drawn with one poor horse which came by accident which carried him to Winchester where he was buried the day after at whose burial men could not weep for joy He reigned 12. years 10. moneths and about 22. daies An. 1101. Henry brother to Rufus the 4. son of William Duke of Normandy who for his learning was called Beau-Clark got into the Throne after his brother William Rufus At first he abated the taxes and reformed the Laws But Robert Duke of Normandy returning from the holy Wars made War upon his brother Henry for the Crown of England At this time Robert was appeased with money but upon this quarrel was raised a second and third War Till at last Henry took Robert prisoner and Duke Robert endeavouring escape was taken and then Henry caused his brothers eyes to be put out and kept close prisoner to his death King Henry in a Council or Parliament had power given him over the Clergy But he took their Money and suffered them to do what they pleased And unto all other his black sins It 's plain he was a whore-monger for he made Robert his Bastard-son first Earl of Golcester Many dreadful judgements and great signs of Gods displeasure were manifested upon the Land about these times Yet Henry ruled 35. years and 4. moneths and died the first day of December An. 1136. Steven Earl of Bulloin son to Alice daughter to William the Conqueror claimed the Crown of England and succeeded his Uncle Henry He was a gallant Souldier and much favoured and eased the people But the Nobles of England sent for Maud King Henry's daughter who was married to the Emperorr of Rome of the French line and promised her to possess her in the Throne of England At this time also the King of Scots invaded the North parts and woful desolations were made in the Land by Armies on all sides But at last Steven made peace by adopting Henry son to Maud to succeed him in the Kingdom so Steven died in peace the 25. day of October when he had reigned 18. years 10. moneths and odd days An. 1155. Henry the 2. called Henry Plantagenet next took the Royal Scepter And now again the Saxon line was restored Maude daughter to King Henry son to William the Conqueror was first married to the Emperour and after to Geffery Plantagenet Earl of Angeou and Duke of Normandy by whom he had this Henry who married Elianor descended from Malcolme a Saxon. It was observed of this King that he was unsteadfast or unfaithful in his promises and a wedlock breaker He caused his son Henry to be Crowned in his life-time who married the King of France's daughter But Henry and his brethren raised great Wars against their father who died the 6. day of July An. 1189 when he had reigned 34. years 9. moneths and 12. days Richard the 2. son to Henry the 2. took the Crown of England He sold great possessions and immunities from the Câ—own and after pretending that he had 〈◊〉 his Seal caused all that had purchased to have their Deeds and Patents sealed again Richard left the Government of England with a Chancellor and went into Normandy and there he agreed with the King of France to go to Jerusalem In his absence John his brother set up himself King But upon Richards return John was perswaded by his mother to lay down the Crown and Richard was again crowned King of England the 12. day of March and then he entered again upon all the Lands he had sold unless they would buy them again How this man loved Money and let go Conscience any may judge But after he was shot with a poyson'd dart of which he died the 6. day of April or the second moneth An. 1200. when he had reigned 9. years and 9. moneths John now succeeded his brother Richard He was divorced from his wife and married another Amongst other the great evils he brought upon England this was not the least That he resigned his Crown with the Realms of England and Ireland to the Pope The Barons fell at difference with the King and obtained help from France upon which the King sleeing up and down ended his miserable life at Newark Castle as some say by poyson But when he was dead his servants divided what he had not leaving enough to cover his dead body and then left him He died the 19. of Octob. Ann. 1217. when he had run out 17. years and 6. moneths with some odd daies Henry the eldest son of Richard by a second wife or Concubine was set upon the Throne at 9. years of age Upon this the French withdrew out of the Nation He took to wife Elianor daughter of Raymond Earl of
his people This division gave hope again to the Danes to set up themselves in the Nation and in a little time they grew so great Etheldred was content to give them yearly tribute of 1000. li. to purchase his peace to sit in the Throne But the Danes finding Etheldred willing to lye down to the burthen while his people had money to pay by degrees they enhanced the 1000. li. per. an to 48000. li. per. an and when the King could not pay the tax he secretly laid a plot to which the people oppressed readily comply'd to pay the Danes for all together So upon the 12. day of Novemb. 1012. the Saxons kill'd all the Danes in the night In revenge of this Massacre Swain King of Denmark invaded England with fire and sword and possessed himself of this Monarchy All the strength that Etheldred could raise was no ways able to repel these conquering Danes but King Swain tyrannized over the Saxons Etheldred died when he had reigned 38. year An. 1014. Swain King of Denmark left his son Canutus to rule in England But Edmund called Iron-side a valiant man son to Etheldred set up himself in the Kingdom after his father and made War upon Canutus the new King of the Danes Many bloudy battels were fought between the Danes and the Saxons and neither part prevailed so that the Kings agreed to end the quarrel for the Empire between them These stout Kings fought hand to hand for the Crown In which Combat they manifested their skill in arms as well as courage and wearied out themselves in fighting but neither overcame and so they agreed to divide the Nation between them this was accordingly done But not long after Edmund was treacherously murdered by one that thought thereby to be preferred by Canutus Yet Canutus like a man of worth hated that wicked murder of so gallant a Prince and for his reward caused the Murderer to be tormented to death and cast into a Ditch Yet here the Kingdom of England was only reduced under Canutus An. 1018. Canutus having thus brought the Nation of England unto the Government of the Danes He put to death the next heir apparent of the Saxons which was in England But the better to confirm the Kingdom to him he propounded a motion of a Marriage with the Widow of Etheldred who was fled into Normandy with two of her sons Emma the widow agreed to match with Canutus upon condition that the Kingdom of England should be confirmed unto the children begotten of her Shortly after she bare a son to Canutus called Hardie Canutus By this Affinity Canutus strengthened himself greatly and subduing the Scots was King of England Scotland Denmark and Norway and reigned 20. years An. 1028. Hardie Canutus having his residence in Denmark Harold son to Canutus by a former wife by assistance of the Danes set up himself King of England Harold knowing by what interest he was brought in and setled in the Throne he displaced the English and put the Danes into places of Honour and Trust. He banished Emma and put Alured her youngest son by Etheldred to death and reigned 3. years An. 1041. Hardie Canutus after the death of his brother Harold possessed the Crown of England and in hatred of his brothers wickedness caused Harolds body to be digged out of the earth and cast in into the Thames But Hardie Canutus being at a marriage feast died suddenly in the midst of his cups in the third year of his reign in England An. 1043. Here ended the Line of the Danish Kings and the Saxons again restored Edward the remaining son of King Etheldred was again brought into England and crowned at Winchester He released the money paid to the Danes call'd Danes-gift He also collected a body of Common Laws He cured the swelling of the Throat since called the Kings evil And for holiness of life was called Sr. Edward and Edward the Consessor King Edward took to wife Edgiâ—ha the daughter of Earl Godwin but died without issue when he had reigned 23. years and 6. moneths and odd daies An. 1067. In the life time of Edward he made Harold son to Earl Godwin Regent of England in the non-age oâ— Edgar grand-child to Edmund Ironside who was the heir apparent to the Crown until he should come to age Unto which Edward the Confessor took an Oath of Harold But when Edward was dead Harold refused the Regentship and crowned himself King of England which shortly after brought distraction upon him and misery to all the Nation Yet for all I may not pass in silence the good nature of the man that he had some respect to Prince Edgar For though he took his Kingdom yet Harold gave him the Earldom of Oxford and above all spared his life But the righteous God soon raised black clouds and sad storms to disquiet Harold with his dear purchased Crown and the whole Nation for their wicked compliance with a sorsworn King Harold King of Norway came with a great Army to fall upon England both by Sea and Land And while Harold of England was preparing to encounter the King of Norway William Duke of Normandy landed a compleat Army in England the 28. of September An. 1067. and claimed the right to the Crown of England by gift from Edward the Confessor This the Duke pretended and what small probability there is to assert the truth of it men may easily judge by Edwards care to set up Edgar the next in succession of bloud Harold of England at this time had much wasted his men in a great battel fought with Harold of Norway But having got the better of that enemy he rallied his wearied Souldiers to fight William Duke of Normandy a new competitor for his ill got Crown In this battel Harold was slain and the Normans got the Victory and the Kingdom together where there fell with their King 66654. English Souldiers when Harold had reigned but 3. moneths An. 1067. Here ended the Race of Saxon Kings in England Normans Kings of England WIlliam Duke of Normandy called William the Conqueror was a Bastard-son of Robert Duke of Normandy who began his reign over England the 14. day of October 1067. or by many 1066. Upon these Wars Edgar the true heir to the Crown of England fled into Scotland and many English men with him who after raised an Army and came into England and besieged York where William had a Garison for himself Edgar got the City and possessed it But William came with a great Army and dâ—ave Edgar back to Scotland At Williams first coming to the Crown very considerable Cities in England stood against him so that he was established in the Throne by shedding of bloud of much innocent bloud which God hath and will yet judge some for In the 4. year of his reign was a dreadful Famine in
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
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
Provence In his time there fell great strife between the King and the Barons At first they kept Parliaments apart and after their consultations raised Armies and in a battel the King with his sons Edward and Richard and many Nobles were taken prisoners But Edward being set at liberty got up an Army and fell on afresh so at last the Earl of Leicester and many great ones were slain in the battel of Evesham This begot bloudy wars and brought woful desolations to poor England And to the merciless sword the Lord brought fearful judgements of Plagues Famine Earthquakes and many other strange wonders in heaven and earth But Henry resigned all to death the 16. of November 1273. when he had reigned 56. years and 28. days Edward the eldest son of Henry succeeded his father He married Elianor the daughter of the King of Spain in his fathers life-time Ann. 1254. King Edward banished the Jewes this Nation In the memory of Queen Elianor he built stately Crosses where the Corpes rested every night In his reign there was great wars with the French Welch and especially with the Scots who oft rebelled but were as oft subdued yet in those wars the King got a bloudy Flix of which he died the 7. of July An. 1308. when he had reigned 34. years 7. moneths and odd days Edward the 2. succeeded his father He was said to be a dissolute Prince hated of his Nobles and contemned of the Common people He married Isabel daughter to the French King In his time also the Scots rebelled vanquished the Kings Army and after besieged him in York and burnt the Suburbs The Barons also raised War against the King for defending Piercy and the Spencers his creatures against justice In which straits the King sent the Queen to mediate with her brother the French King She took with her her son Edward But she not returning so soon as her husband appointed her and with all discovering some compliance with some Nobles sled out of England to France the King proclaimed them all to be banished But the Queen her son Edmund Woodstock all of Kent the Kings brother with many Nobles came into England and joyned with the Barons and City of London by which they raised a great Army took divers strong Holds and at last the King and his creatures The King was committed prisoner to the Earl of Lancaster but the creatures were hanged headed and quartered The Queen her son and Barons came presently to London and the next day called a Parliament where the King was deposed when he had reigned 19. years 6. moneths and some daies An. 1328. Edward the eldest son of Edward the 2. was set up in his fathers stead at 14. years of age It is said His father was soon after murdered in Corfe-Castle But the young King was much ordered by his mother A peace was made with the Scots and Daviâ—â— Scotland married Joan King Edwards â—â—ster But to keep all quiet at home the old Queen who contrived the death of King Edward her husband also plotted the death of his brother the 〈◊〉 of Kent and caused him to be beheaded at Winchester the 3. year of King Edward the 3 's reign In the 6. year of Edward the Scots rebelled and possessed Barwick The King laid siege before them and the Scots endeavoured with their Forces to raise the siege But were overcome in battel where were shin of the Scots 8. Earls with 1300 horse and 35000. footmen Upon this Barwick was delivered the King placed Edward Baliol Governour who was after King of Scotland About the 11. year of this King War arose with France King Edward â—â—ised a Navy of about 200. sail of Ships and went to Flanders where in a Sea-sight he overcame the French and Normans and stiled himself King of England and France Thiâ— King took Calice and made great inroads and woâ—â— desolations in France and the 〈◊〉 iâ— the Scots upon England They burnt Calice Penneth and came killing and burning down to Durham But after King Edward made peace both with the French and Scots upon honourable terms After this the King of Spain was driven out of his Kingdom by his Bastard brother and Edward Prince or Wales went to the Kings relief with a great Army and in a battel put the Bastard to flight King Edward reigned 50. years and 4. months who departed this life the 21. of June An. 1378. Richard the son of Prince Edward his father being dead succeeded his Grand-father Edward the 3. He came to the Crown at 11. years of age As he was young he hearkned to young Counsellours and neglected his old and wise Council which brought sad troubles to the Nation and woful misery to himself In the first year of his reign the French made great inroads and wasted many Towns in England and at this time Guns were invented The King in these straits laid a great Tax upon the Nation Upon which some Countries rose in Arms went to London and did great hurt but were after appeased by the King through fair promises This Richard married Anne daughter to the King of Bohemia who brought hither the use of women riding side-ways on horseback Some Earls and Barons seeing the King missed and the Nation misgoverned by a few persons they considered how it might be reformed and thereupon raised an Army of 40000. and came to London to the King upon this the King called a Parliament suddenly in which Parliament Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of England and divers others were convicted of Treason and put to death An. 1388. Richard sent to the City of London Ann. 1392. to borrow of them 1000. li. but they refusing he called the Maior Sheriffs and Aldermen of London to a Council at Nottingham and there appearing the King Arrested and imprisoned them and nulled all their liberties Queen Anne dying the King took Isabel the King of France's daughter to wife and so made peace there The King now grew high again and put to cruel death the Earl of Arundel and divers others for dealing with him about his ill Government This King shed much bloud of the Nobility and Bishops besides others which lay in the bosoms of many and not forgot though he carried it with a high hand But the King going into Ireland Henry Duke of Hereford and Lancaster with others who were out of the Land came into Yorkeshire to whom went the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Westmerland and many Lords and gathering up an Army they laid siege to Bristol where they took the Lord Treasurer and some others and beheaded them The King hearing of this hasted out of Ireland and landed in Wales and more fully understanding the Dukes strength took to the Castle of Conway and desired a Treaty The Duke of Lancaster met the King but the
Mar. 2. 12. Sleidan Heilen Heylin Scriptures Harmony Mat. 1. 7. Sleidan Mar. 1. 5 6. Dan. 11. 2. Dan. 2. 32. Dan. 5. 8. Heylin Paradise Heylin Abomination of desolation set up by Antiochus 1 Mac. 4. 41 52 1 Mac. 6. 16 1 Mac. 7. 1. and 10. 50. 1 Mac. 10. 51. Dan. 11. 27 1 Mac. 10. 67. 1 Mac. 11. 8 9 10. 1 Mac. 11. 17 18 19 Mac. 11. 38 39 40 54 55. Here was killing to get a Crown 1 Mac. 13. 31 32. and 14. 1 2 3. 1 Mac. 15. 10 11 12 13 14. Ver. 37 39 1 Mac. 16. 8 9. Maginus Merula Romes first building about Anno mun 3230. Sleidan Funke Dan. 7. 7. Rev. 12. 3. Rev. 17. 9 12. Rome built upon seven hills Rome had 7. several Governments Abbot Note A false friend Plutarch Augustus first Emp. of Rome An. mun 3848. The birth of Christ. 3891 Luk. 2. 1. An. 15. Tiberius the 2. Emp Sleidan Luk. 3. 1 21 23. Mat. 3. 13. and 4. 1 15. Christ's Bapt. and Death Cytreus An. 37. Caius thâ— 3. Emperour Euseb. Sleidan The miserable end of Pilate who condemned Jesus Christ. An. 42. Claudius the 4. Emperour Flor. Hist. Euseb. An. 56. Nero the 5. Emperour The first persecution The Gospel brought to England Euseb. An. 69. Galba the 6. Emperor Otho the 7. Emperour Vitellius the 8. Emperour Vespatian the 9. Emperour Jerusalems destroy'd by fire and sword Joseph Euseb. Titus the 10. Domitian the 11. Emperour The second persecution The Revelation given to John Rev. 1. 9. Euseb. Nerva the 12. Emper. Peace to the Church Dorotheus Trajan the 13. Emper. The third persecution Adrian the 14. Emp. The Jewes dispersion c. Ann. 136. Euseb. Joseph An. 139. Pius the 15 Emperour An. 162. Verus the 16. Emperour raised the fourth persecution An. 181. Commodus the 17. Emp. An. 194. Pertinax the 18. Emp. Severus the 19. Emp. raised the fifth persecution An. 212. Caracalla the 20. Emperour An. 220. Macrinus 21. Heliogabalus 22. Alexander the 23 Emp. Sleidan An. 238. Maximinus the 24. Emperour Euseb. Sleidan An. 241. Gordianus the 25. Emp. Euseb. An. 247. Philip the 26. An. 254. Decius the 27. Emp. Euseb. Sleidan An. 255. Gallus the 28. Emp. Sleidan An. 257. Amilianus the 29. Emp. Sleidan Valerian the 30. Emperour The eighth persecution Clarks Martyr Gallienus the 31. Emp. Sleidan Euseb. An. 272. Claudius the 32. Emp. An. 272. Quintilius 33. Aurelius the 34. Emp. The ninth persecution add how it was suddenly stayed Euseb. The Empire vacant Tacitus 35 Florianus 36. Probus the 37. Emp. Sleidan Euseb. An. 286. Carus the 38. Numerianus the 39. Carianus 40. Euseb. Sleidan An. 289. Dioclesian the 14. Emp. The division of the Empire Dioclesian worshipped as God The tenth persecution Scriptures burnt The woful end of persecutors Euseb. An. 309. Constantius the 42. Emp. of Rome Constantine the great the 43. Emp. Sleidan Socrates In the life of Constantine lib. 1. c. 22. 25. Socrates Sleidan The division of the Empire by Constan. Constantines Baptism An. 340. Constantius the 2. the 44. Emp. The Roman Empire again united Socrates An. 365. Julian call'd the Apostate the 45. Emp. Socrates Devilish Policy Julians persecution The last building and utter destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem Socrates An. 367. Jovinian the 46. Emp. Valentinian the 47. Emperour Sleidan Socrates An. 380. Valens the 48. Emp. Socrates An. 383. Gratian the 49. Emp. Sleidan An. 391. Theodosius the 50. Emp. Socratos An. 414. Honorius the 1. Emp. of Rome The Empire again divided Valentinian the 52. Emp. Avitus the 53. Emp. Majorinus the 54. Emp. Severus the 53. Emp. Anthemius the 56. Emp. Olimbrius the 57. Emp. Glicerius the 58. Emp. Nepos the 59. Emp. Orestes the 60. Augustulus the 61. and last Emp. of Rome Stowe England one of the Dragons ten horns Sleidan Camden Stowe This Horn took the Crown England cast off the Roman Government An. 441. Vortiger the 1. King of Brittain An. 447. Stowe The first coming of the Saxons into England An. 452. King Vortiger deposed An. 454. Vortimer the 2. King of Brit. poyson'd by his mother in law An. 460. Vortiger King the second time The treachery of Hingest The first Kingdom of the Saxons in England An. 466. Ambrose 3 King of Brit. The setting up of the stones upon Salisbury Plain about An. 467. Ambrose poysoned An. 49â— Uter Pandragon the 4. Brit. King An. 516. Arthur the 5. King of Brit. The just end of an Usurper An. 532. Constantine 6. King of Brit. An. 535. While diverse did strive for the Crown the Saxon got the Kingdom An. 578. Vortipor the 8. King of Brit. An. 582. Malgo the 9. King An. 586. Cara the last King of Brit. An. 588. The Saxons possâ—ssâ—d of all Eng. land Stowe The Saxons Heptarchy The Saxon Heptarchy lasted 284. years Danes first entered England The Danes second coming to England An. 871. Alfred 1. Monarch of England The university of Oxford founded Stowe An. 900. Edward the 2. Saxon Monarch An. 924. Athelstain 3. Saxon Monarch An. 939. Edmund 4. Saxon Monarch An. 944. Eldred Protector made himself King An. 953. Edwin 6. Saxon King The King deposed An. 957. Edgar 7. Saxon King An. 973. Edward the 8. King murdered An. 976. Etheldred the 9. Saxon King A wicked King was the ruine of the Nation The Lur-Danes or Lord Danes murdered The Danes Conquered England An. 1014 Swain the first Danish King left Canutus in Rule England divided between the Danes and Saxons The just reward of a Traytor England reduced again to the Danes Canutus murdered the heir apparent of the Saxons Canutus married the Widow of Etheldred Harold 2. Danish King of England Kings rule by might and not right An. 1041 Hardie Canutus the 3. Dan. King and last An. 1043 Edward the 4. the 11. Saxon King The Kings-evil first healed by the King An. 1067 Harold the 2. King It is a dreadful thing to break a solemn Oath to get a Crown England punishâ—d for Harolds perjury Small pretences will serve to claim a Kingdom Gods speedy and sad recompence upon Harold for breaking Oath made before God William a Bastard the 1. K. of the Norman Race in England Stowe It 's ordinary to swim thâ—ough blood to a Crown A great Famine in England An. 1071 England reduced to extream misery The King sweatted An. 1088 William Rufus Norm King The family and 〈…〉 judged by God The just judgement of God upon William for his fathers and his own op pression Tyrants dead are basely esteemed An. 1101 Henry 1. the 3. Norm King A cruel butcherly brother to take his Crown liberty and life The first King that bad power over the Clergy in England An. 1136 Steven the 4. Norm King England hath paid dear for the pride averice and murder of Kings An. 1155 Henry the 2. The Saxon line again restorâ—d by marriage A Crown sâ—ts the children against their father An. 1190 Richard the 1. The Kings fraud to get