and seat as appeares out of that which we haue before mentioned was by the Emperour Charles redintigrated and as it were a new bodie re-assumed beautie and feature after so many and so great Prouinces were reduced into one mans principalitie Nicephorus the other Emperour in the East was much displeased hereat but Charles by his humanitie and kindenesse appeased him and interchanging presents both of them liued in amitie and the certaine bounds of each Empire were set out Besides other assemblies he had a Councell at Rhemes wherin amongst many others one decree was that Bishops should diligently peruse the holy Scriptures and Preach the Word of God There was a Councell also held at Mentz the yeere before his death and others some yeeres before at Tours Chaalons and Arles about reformation of the Church as they deliuer it that liued in those times Then constituting his sonne Lewis heire of his kingdome and of the Empire died at Aix a towne in Gallia Belgica aged seuenty yeeres in the yeere after Christs birth eight hundred and fourteene after hee had beene Emperour almost fourteene yeeres the first of any Germane aduanced to that dignitie In his time there were onely one and twenty Metropolitane Cities as they call them throughout Italie Germanie and France as Rome Rauenna Millaine Friuly Grado Cullen Mentz Saltzburgh Triers Roane Sens Besanson Lyons Rhemes Orleans Vienna Monstier Iuerdun Burdeaux Tours and Burges in Berry Pipin his Father committed the Exarchat taken from the Lombards into the Bishops of Romes hands as aboue said which indeed is so deliuered to memorie and it is reported that hee directly gaue it to them but that very many call into question Eginardus one very familiar with y Charles him and his sworne Scribe writes that hee more dearely esteemed of that Church which they call S. Peters in Rome then any other and that a great masse of gold siluer and iewels was transported thither and very many gifts sent from him to the Popes for herein he vsed extraordinary diligence that by his meanes and procurement the Citie of Rome might inioy her ancient authoritie and S. Peters Church might not onely remaine safe and secured vnder his patronage but also flourish in wealth aboue other Churches Thus much onely he writes but of the donation of so many and such potent Cities within the bounds of the Empire not a word nay it is written that after his fourth comming into Italie when hee was created Emperour he ordered not onely the publike affaires but also both ecclesiasticall and priuate concerning the Pope the Citie of Rome and all Italie For when he was not yet Emperour but onely King of France hauing vanquished Desiderius King of the Lombards as aboue faid he came to Rome and had a Councell in which as their bookes relate Adrian the first together with the whole Councell granted him the right and power of electing the Pope as also disposing of the sea Apostolique as they tearme it and confirming Bishops Eginardus attributes to this Charles many vertues worthie of a Prince as temperance modestie frugalitie loue to religion learning eloquence and knowledge not onely of the Latine but also of the Greeke tongue withall his exceeding care and diligence in educating and nurturing vp his children to the same course He also as it is written founded the Academie of Paris as well of his owne accord as also by the instigation of z Commonly called Alcoinus an English man so Bede and others Albinus his Tutor for learning of the arts as Eginardus reports He also gaue Germane names to the twelue moneths and to the windes which they now vse whereas before that time as the same writer relates the French vsed partly Latine partly barbarous names And thus farre in Preface-wise touching the Germanes and the Emperour Charles henceforward I le briefly run ouer and shew after what manner this part of the Romane Empire in the West hard and sharpe restored and recollected by Charles againe decaied which being diuided fell into many mens dominions who held the same as their proper right not acknowledging the fountaine from whence they flowed Insomuch as that Maiesticall and so much renowned sublimitie of the Romane Empire is nothing else at this day then a certaine slender shadow of a great bodie after it was shrunk from such an huge masse to Germanie one onely particle of Europe Last of all I le briefly explaine how Daniel foretold this interchangeable course of Monarchies and fall of the Romane Empire Now Lewis Charles his son Lewis l. 814 an 26. m. 14. d. 24. another Germane Emperour renewed amitie with Leo Armenius Emperour of Greece and Pope Leo dying in the third yeere of his raigne his successor Stephen the IIII. comming into France consecrated a Emperour him at Rhemes To this Pope Paschalis succeeded who by reason the Emperour interposed not his authoritie diligently and earnestly excusing the fact alledged that the Papacie was obtruded vpon him altogether against his will The Papall bookes haue it that this Lewis the Emperour confirmed to this Paschalis and to the rest after him both the possession of goods and also permitted a free election that whomsoeuer all the Romans should iudge fit for that dignitie he should be accounted Pope But I see not what credence can be giuen to such kinde of writings as these for they so iarre amongst themselues and are so patcht together without all method that it cannot bee vnderstood what should follow Lewis had three sonnes Lotharius whom hee elected Collegue in the Empire and his Kingdome Charles who succeded his deceased brother b In France Pipin he set ouer Aquitania and Lewis ouer Bauaria Vpon a rebellion raised The Emperour Lewis deposed by his owne sonnes an 833. hee being taken by his sonnes and deposed from his Kingdome was confined to a Monasticall life at Compeigne a towne of the Sâ—issons The French Annall writers report that the ecclesiasticall Prelates whose hautinesse and riot hee desired to restraine conuocating some assemblies at Aix stirred vp those broyles against him and prouokt his sonnes to put in practice this so impious a fact Restored the sixt moneth following But being set at liberty the sixt moneth following to the great contentment of the people hee recouered his Kingdome and all more Because the place serues let vs by the way take a view of the many Nationall Synods held in France for next after that beforementioned at Aix there was another at Troy in Champaigne after that at Rhemes Tours Digion Paris Lyons Vienna Auinion Vierron Orleans and many more in the same places for when the affaires of the Common-wealth so required the Kings themselues conuocated aswell the States Ecclesiasticall as others for reforming of publike enormities In like manner Lewis the twelth at bitter enmity wiâ—h Iulius the second assembled a Councell of his owne people at Tours and Lyons in the yeare of Grace 1510. and 1511. Now to the
before that time After Alexanders death his spacious Empire was diuided amongst his Nobles Ptolomeus Laomedō Antigonus Cassander Leonatus Eumenes Python Lysimachus Antipater Meleager Seleucus but the chiefe of those was Seleucus afterwards made King of Syria as also Ptolomeus of Egypt Antigonus of the lesser Asia and Cassander of the Macedons Greece hauing quite cut off all Alexanders alliance This Lysimachus is he whom Alexander being on a time angry with caused to be shut vp w th a Lyon but whē he heard how hee had killed the beast highly esteemed of him Now most grieuous warres as it is common arose betwixt those forenamed successors and their sonnes and Nephewes for the mind once corrupted w th ambition can admit no rest but plots how to augment its own power by committing iniury vpon other men And all these Countries being most miserably afflicted with those wars by reason they were continuall by little and little grew into subiection to the Romanes who extending their dominions farre and wide made vp the fourth and last Monarchy whereof I am now to speake But amongst Alexanders successours in this Kingdome of Aegypt Ptolomeus Philodelphus was one a most laudable Prince For he as much as in his lay kept peace with all stirred vp the liberall sciences appointing stipends for schollers erected a most copious Library and commanded the books of Moses and the Prophets to be translated into the Greeke tongue The beginning of the city of Rome therefore was at that time when Salmanassar before mentioned raigned in Assyria that is in the first yeare of the seuenth Olympiad according to Plutarch and of the world 3212. when as almost 400. yeares before Rome built 3212. Aeneas had begun his raigne in n A part of Italy Latium after the Troian warres which Homer left to the memory of posterity of whose o Herodotus Dion Halicarnass Solinus and Gellius as Meibomius notes writeth of his time time as likewise of his p Gellius also writes of his Countrey country there is no certainty extant onely Cicero writes that many years before the building of Rome and Romulus there was such a man Howsoeuer there is no prophane writing of more antiquitie then his Poem for as Horace saith Many braue worthies flourisht ere those daies When Agamemnon shin'd whose bootlesse praise Hath not the force t' attract one liquid eie For lasting night with blacke obscuritie In ignorance inuelopt hath their names Wanting no Herald to proclaime their fames Cicero also signifies as much who writes that there was not the tract of an Orator to bee seene before Homers time As for the originall of Rome it was but meane and in a manner contemptible but because God hath so ordained as afterwards it shall be declared it grew vp to the height of potency In their first beginning seuen Kings raigned ouer them 244. yeares And in Seruius Tullus the sixt Kings raigne Solon and Pisistratus flourisht in Athens and Pythagoras in Italy as Cicero writes At what time Tarquinius the proud was expell'd He writes also that in this Seruius Tullus his raigne Athens had then stood about 700. yeares Hauing expell'd their Kings the gouernment of their State was translated to two Consuls whose office was annuall The first was Lucius Iunius Brutus one no lesse vehement and diligent about expulsion of the Kings and setting vp the liberty of his Countrey then vigilant and valiant in preseruation thereof For when his owne two sonnes Titus and Tiberius amongst other Noblemens sonnes of Rome had commun'd together in priuate consultations about calling in againe of the Tarquins after the matter was openly disclosed he put them to open death Hee also abrogated his Collegue Tarquinius Collatinus his authority who was his associate in expelling of the Kings as also coadiutor in his Councells Cicero defends this fact as iust and saith it was no lesse profitable then honourable to his Country that thereby both the name of the Tarquins and the remembrance of the Kingdome might bee extinguished But in this variable fortune of the Romans when all q Tuscanie Hetruria had conspired against them three hundred of the a 306. as Liuie Florus Ouid c. Fabies marched out of the Citie against the enemie and were all slaine sauing a childe which was left at home and so left aliue who afterwards raised the house againe this happened in the thirty three yeere after the expulsion of the Kings By reason of the troublesome state of the Common-wealth Ambassadours were sent into Greece in the three hundred yeere after the building of the Citie to fetch from thence the lawes which the Citie of Rome should vse After their returne the forme of gouernement of the Common-wealth was changed and the r Tenne Noblemen appointed to gouerne in stead of Consuls Decemvirs were put in authoritie with the gouernement therof but this order held not full three yeeres for Appius Claudius one of the Decemvirs by his lewdnesse in violently carrying away a Virgin daughter to Lucius Virginius a Citizen of Rome to serue his lust gaue occasion to the people wholly to subuert this order So the gouernement returned to the Consuls but those two held it but a few yeeres and then two ſ Much like our Knight Marshals at this day Tribunes of the Soldiers were constituted with Consular authoritie but they before their yeere was out left off their office and made roome againe for the Consuls and at this time which was in the three hundred fifteenth yeer of Rome built Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus the Dictator caused Caius Seruilius Hala master of the Cauallery to kill Spurius Melius also pluckt downe his house because hee indeauoured by his lauish liberalitie of corne in the Citie to procure the Kingdome Two yeeres after this the gouernement was reduced to the Tribunes of the Soldiers who afterwards were not bipartite but more were created at one and the same time as the people pleased and the state of the Common-wealth required This kinde of gouernment continued almost 70. yeeres and among the rest in this office flourisht Marcus Furius Camillus inferiour to none for valour who though hee had done worthy seruice for the Common-weale yet his ingratefull country thrust him out into banishment after hee had beene Tribune of the Soldiers the fourth time but after hee had recouered the Citio out of the hands of the t Inhabiting in and about Sons in Gallia Gallisenons who had taken it and vanquisht the enemie was restored to his former dignity and within two yeeres after made u He had power regall and was neuer chosen but when the Common-wealth was in great danger and could not hold his place aboue half a yeere Dictator A few yeeres after this Marcus Manlius he that defended the Capitoll against the Gaules being suspected of affecting soueraigntie was pitcht headlong from the top of the hill Tarpeium and a law made that no man descending from the stocke
purpose Lotharius 840. an 15. m. 3. d. 10. Lewis dying was buried at Metz and Lotharius then vp in Armes against his brothers succeeded which warre at length quenched and a new diuision made Germanie fell to Lewis and part of France from the Riuer Maze to the Rhyne to Charles France from the Brittish Ocean and Pyrene Mountaines to Maze Lotharius besides that he was Emperour held Italy and the Prouince of Narbon To him his sonne Lewis the II. succeeded Lewis II. 855. an 19. m. 10. who repressed the Sarazens breaking into Italy In his raigne amongst others Adrian the II. was Pope created as their bookes haue it contrary to the Emperours assent by the Romane Nobility Citizens and Clergy as they call them For although the Emperours Deputies were in the City yet were they not called to the Election who taking it in ill and discontented part receiued their answer that it was not done in any contempt against the Emperour but in caution for future times lest that custome of expecting the Emperours Deputies at the Popes Creation should grow vp as necessary They report that with this answer they were not onely well pleased but also in reuereÌ„ce humbly saluted the Pope Now here we may see a certaine wonderfull varietie and inconstancy in their writings for if Lewis the I. granted them a free election as they boast and as it is mentioned a little about why did Lewis the II. his grand-child take this for an iniury offered him But howsoeuer the case stands the title of that decree which is in Gratians Centons is euidently false for it is attributed to Gregory the IIII. whereas hee departed his life twenty and two yeares before Adrian the II. was made Pope Did he write a history when hee was dead of those things which happened afterwards Nicholas the I. was the next before Adrian A very long Epistle of his to Michael Emperour of Greece concerning his power ouer all Churches is extant For Ignatius was remoued from his Bishopricke at Constantinople and Photius placed without the Bishop of Romes consent as also the Images were throwne downe He therefore with all the vehemency hee could exclaimes against this Many of his decrees also are extant full of Papall Maiestie Charles King of France as abouesaid notwithstanding his other elder brother Lewis the King of Germanies resistance marches in all hast into Italy and is consecrated by Iohn the eight Pope of Rome In his second expedition into Italy at the Popes request Charles the Bald 875. an 2. m. 2. for repression of the Sarazens who had againe inuaded Campania he dyed at c Poisoned by Zedechias a Iew. Mantua His son Lewis surnamed the Stammerer was his successour Lewis the Stammerer 877. an 2. m. 6. d. 5. Charles the Grosse 879. an 8. m. 7. but he raigned onely two yeares After him the gouernment of the Empire came to Charles the Grosse son of Lewis King of Germany who his two brothers being dead held all Germany Italy and France and chased out the Sarazens who infested Italy The Normans first comming into Normandy in France for a while also making war against the Normans a people of Lower Germanie then annoying Belgia at length granted them that part of France which to this day retaines their name Next after him Arnulphus his brothers sonne was Emperour Arnulphus 887. an 12. m. 1. d. 19. a worthy Prince He marching into Italy to set Pope Formosus at liberty from his aduersaries takes Rome and tooke reuenge vpon the Authors of that sedition In the time of his raigne the Hunnes being chased out of Scythia breake into Pannonia and marching into Germanie Lewis the III. Arnolphus his son being then Emperour got a notable victory not far from the Riuer Laech and then ouerran Bauaria Sueuia d In Germany betwixt Sueuia and Hassia Francia and Saxony with bloodshed robberies and fire Arnolplus Emperor a Councell of two and twenty Germane Bishops was held at Triburia sometimes a towne vpon the banke of the Riuer Maine where amongst many other one decree was That no man should sell a burying place for the dead and that no Layman as they call them should bee buried within the Church About this time a mighty vproare burst-forth throughout Italy For Berengarius and certaine other Nobles of Italy loaden with multiplicity of fauours from Charles the Bald conspired against France at what time Charles the Grosse raigned but their attempts there prouing frustrate they bend their minds for Italy which by long and mutuall conflict as it is common they harraze with mercilesse outrages At length the victorie falling to Berengarius hee got the Kingdome of Italie where after hee had taken Lewis the Emperour he put out his eyes as histories relate About this time also that no parcell of calamity might be wanting the Sarazens Africans and Hungars most outragiously ouerrunne Italy Thus whilst the state of most beautifull Religion vnder the Berengarians Hugo Rudolphus Lotharius Albertus and certaine others was so dolefull and miserable and Lewis the Emperor dying in the time of those broiles the Germanes but more especially the Saxons and Francons proclaime Otho Prince of the Saxons and Thuringes Emperour but hee strucken in yeares perswades them to take Conradus Duke of Franconia Conrade I. 911. an 7. m. 6. who being created Emperour ordered all affaires according to Othoes direction and soone after Othoes death when he himselfe was very dangerously sicke calling together his prime Nobility requested them to acknowledge Othoes son Henry then absent for Emperour This was that Henry vulgarly called Henry the e Because of his great delight in hawâ—ing Falconer Henry the Falconer 919. an 17. Thus wee see after what manner the Imperiall splendor and dignity fell from the French and Charles the Great his lineage to the house of Saxony These two Emperours Conradus and Henry were not consecrated as they call it by the Bishop of Rome and for that cause are left out by many moreouer it is written that this Henry neglected the Popes offered ceremony of consecration and that hee should say that hee was content with the acceptance and suffrages of good men Within a while after this Arnolphus the Euill Duke of Bauaria intended to bring about the sway of gouernment into his owne hands whereupon forces being mustered vp on both parts when both the Armies stood in battell ray at Ratisbon the Emperour calls him out to priuate parley putting him in mind how he was created Emperour by the most part of the people of Germany and dehorting him from ieoparding the liues of so many thousand men most whereof were innocent and ignorant of the cause of the warre changed his intention and so broke off the battell In like manner Burchardas Duke of Suenia rebelled but shaken with the Emperours puissance came to composition The Hungars againe spoile Saxony but after their chieftaine was taken make a nine yeares truce The
subiect most beautifull and altogether necessary for the societie of mankinde yea this gift euen heauenly drawne out and conuaied from the mid-fountaines of Philosophie to it 's former splendor and equitie which their indeauours merit not onely publike commendation but also remuneration After his death there was a vacancie for almost 22. yeeres A vacancie in the Empire for the space of 22. yeers after Fredericke the II. his decease first one then another being elected who notwithstanding held not the sway of gouernement in those troublesome times In the meane time the Kingdome of Naples fell from the Emperour Frederickes house into the hands of the French and afterwards Sicilie also For the Popes relied vpon the French power though soone after most cruell warres insued about those Kingdomes betwixt the house of Arragon and the house of Angiers in France but that appertaines not to this place When the Common-wealth had floated in this state as aforesaid for so many yeers together Rudolphus Habspurgh 1273. an 17. m. 9. d. 16. Rudolphus Habspurgh is created Emperour He in the beginning of his raign appeased those commotions spread throughout Germanie And after some Diets ended marches out against Ottacar King of Bohemia then in rebellion whom he inforced to conditions of peace which he notwithstanding by his wiues instigation not long after breakes and marching the second time into Austria is slaine in battell Ladislaus Cunus King of Hungary aided the Emperour Rudolphus At length a peace being concluded with the Bohemians by r Iutta the Emperous daughter was married to Wencislaus King of Bohemia Ottacars sonne marriage the Emperour gaue Austria which the King of Bohemia had held many yeeres together to Albertus his sonne and being hindred by diuers businesses in Germany went not downe into Italie neither was he inclined much that way howsoeuer for it is reported of him that hee would sometimes merrily tell a tale of the Foxe that would not visit the Lyon lying counterfeitly sicke in a certaine denne because hee was affrighted with the footsteps of other beasts of which none had returned notwithstanding he deputed a Gouernour in Italie in manner of Vice-Emperour and as it is written confirmed the often mentioned Countrey of Flaminiae and the Exarchie to the Church of Rome when hee saw very small commoditie returne to him from those parts For the Emperours wearied with perpetuall dissention and variance with the Popes became more remisse neither would the Popes euer bee at quiet till they had remoued them forth of the Coasts of Italie and therefore in a manner shelrring themselues vnder the wings of the French Kings and fostering their factions by the Bishops of Germany at length effected their owne wished desires But here by the way let vs call to minde the interchangeable course of estates when as they who were secure had their being and held their place and dignitie by fauour of the Emperours were inriched by their goods and liberalities both arrogated dominion ouer them and also defrauded them of their patrimony For they keepe to themselues not onely a good part of Italie but haue also strictly obliged the Kings of Sicilie and Naples to their partie which two kings both pay thē yeerely tribute and also are forbidden to vndertake the imperiall dignitie without their permission and when they receiue possession from them amongst other clauses that is one part of their oath That memorable massacre of the French through out Sicilie happened in Rudolphus the Emperours time For they being in possession of that Country where after soldiers fashion playing many insolent and outragious prankes were by secret conspiracie after a signe giuen all put to the sword when the Bell rung to euening prayers This Massacre is cōmonly called the Sicilian Vespers The Sicilian Vespers 1281. which was committed vpon Easter day in the yeere 1281. Rudolphus vpon a summe of money paid infranchised and set charge-free many Cities in Italie belonging to the Empire as the Bononians Florentines Genowaies Lucans and others After this assembling the Princes at Franckeford he desired but in vaine to haue his sonne Albert assigned his successor Rudolphus dying Adolphus of Nassaw 1292. an 6. m 5. d. 7. Adolphus of the house of Nassaw succeeded who not long after beganne to picke quarrels with Albertus Arch-duke of Austria and moreouer offending the Princes of Germanie by his demeanour as also the Archbishop of Mentz by whose helpe hee was made Emperour is deposed and Albertus Arch-duke of Austria Rudolphus his sonne is elected who vniting his forces hauing the Princes aid makes forward toward Adolphus when giuing him battell in the Bishopricke of Spire Adolphus being grieuously wounded by Albertus was soone after slaine by the rest of the souldiers After this victorie Albertus 1298 an 9. m 9. d. 5. Albertus to confirme his owne title lest any might report that his former election was vniust desired to bee solemnly created Emperour which done Pope Boniface the VIII reclaimed denying to ratifie what the rest of the Princes had done but within a while after when Philip the Faire King of France and hee fell into bitter dissention hee approoued of Albertus and spoke much in praise of his progenitours At length Albertus was slaine by his owne kinsmen as hee was marching into Bohemia hauing all in readinesse to intrude his sonne Fredericke into that kingdome This Pope Boniface added a sixth Booke to Gregory the IX his decretall Epistles which are contained in fiue Bookes Amongst the rest he made a decree that it might be lawfull for the Pope to dispossesse himselfe of the Papacie for is written that he himselfe by sinister meanes perswaded Caelestine the V. thereunto whom hee succeded After Albertus Henry Henry the VII 1308. an 4. m. 9. of that name the VII of the house of Luxemburgh is created Emperour He hauing by marriage made his sonne King of Bohemia goe downe into Italie the estate whereof was at that time most miserable For euer since Fredericke the II. his decease about 57. yeers the Emperour neglected Italie which caused the sundry dilacerations therof from them by the greater Nobles especially by the ſ Two Noble families in Sueuia which afterwards remoued into Italie Guelphs and Gibelines which two factions haue many retainers in those parts He therefore first of all constitutes Gouernours ouer the Cities and free burroughs throughout Lombardie and swore the inhabitants to his subiection then resting a while at Millaine indeauouring but all in vaine to reconcile the before-mentioned factions where when Turianus Gouernour of the Citie had complotted to assaile him vnawares after discouerie of the conspiracie and suppression of his aduersaries hee commits the gouernement of the Citie to a Vicount All the Cities in that Country yeelded into his power and protection onely Brescia rebelled the walles whereof hauing after a long siege taken it hee demolisht Then marching through Genua and so striking ouer to Pisa arriued at Rome and
And I doubt not of your owne voluntary propension that way as much as your age can beare and your Tutors their diligent vigilancie Wherefore Illustrious Prince proceed auspiciously and as you are borne to the gouernement of a Common-wealth so furnish your selfe with such ammunition as is both perpetuall and will affoord infallible aid and not onely extenuate the labour which you must sometimes vndergoe in gouerning an ancient Prouince but also make it easie and pleasant From Strasburg Anno Dom. 1556. IOHN SLEIDAN of the foure chiefe Mōnarchies OR The key of History The first Booke BEfore I treat of the foure chiefe and principall Monarchies of the world Babylon Persia Greece and Rome I must speake a word or two of the great difference about computation of yeeres from the beginning of the world for the Hebrewes Eusebius S. Austin Alphonsus and Mirandula doe exceedingly vary amongst themselues But because almost all the learned men of our times doe in this point follow the account of the Hebrewes I also seeing the case so stands will tread in their steppes And first of all that I may come to my purpose I meane the first Monarchie passing by those occurrents which happened in the a Gen. 1 2 3 4 5 6 chap. first age of all as also the narration of the Flood sit hence all those are contained in holy Scriptures and cannot be better exprest I le take start at that time when the race of mankinde being reduced to a very small number begunne after that the * Moles massie multirude of waters was againe dispersed and the earth made drie to increase anew The time of the Flood is referred to the yeere of the world 1656. and b Gen 5. Mathusalah the seuenth from Adam died at that very time being 969. yeeres of age c Gen 7. Noah Mathusalah his * Nepos Grandchild by his sonne Lamech being then 600. yeeres of age and by Gods especiall fauour preserued together with his familie now when the number of men begunne to multiplie by little and little was the first that caused his children and posteritie by remoouing into seuerall Countries to inhabite the earth and build themselues cities and afterwards about the hundreth yeere after the Flood allotted to each of them his proper Prouince At which time Nimrod Noahs Grand-childes sonne together with his retinue inhabited the land of the Chaldees but at length the multitude of men still multiplying many were necessarily inforced to remoue and seeke out new seats and Colonies They before their departure desirous to leaue their perpetuall memoriall behinde them did thereupon d Gen. 11. It is credible that hereupon the Poets took occasion to make that fiction of the Giants who beaping moantaine vpon mountain went about to ouerthrow the gods Michael Glycas writes that there were forty yeers spent about building of this Tower Nimrod being their Chief-taine beginne to build a Citie and within that a Tower of transcendent height And forgetting Gods wrath which had so lately swallowed vp the whole Globe of the earth whereof Noah without all doubt had very much very often and diligently preached to them intended to extend the fame of their owne names by vaineglorious and ambitious workes But God herewith offended made frustrate these their enterprises sending amongst them a confusion of tongues whereas before that time there was but one and the same kinde of language all the world ouer Thus being constrained to surcease their begunne worke they departed into seuerall parts of the world From this confusion of tongues the citie called Babell took the name frō the time I mean frō the 131. yeer after the Flood or therabouts the kingdome of the Chaldees Babylonians took the beginnings The first King thereof was Nimrod before spoken of who as it is written ruled 56. yeeres The Scripture stiles him the e Gen. 10. 1 Chron. 5. Mich 5. The land of Babylon is called the land of Nimrod mightie Hunter and attributes to him strength and puissance Others call him Saturne and report that in the 45. yeere of his raign he sent away certaine Princes of Colonies hither and thither as Assur Madas Magog and Mosech Those erected kingdomes after their owne names as Assyria Media f Suidas writes that the Persians were so called but Melanctho◠think them to be the now Turks Magog and Mosco the two first whereof doe wholly belong to Asia and the third and last to Asia and Europe The Scripture makes mention of this g Assur Gen. 10. Belus Assur and that Niniue was by him builded Iupiter Belus succeeded his Father Nimrod who as historie speakes possessed all the Country from the sunne-serting to Sarmatia in Europe and afterwards made warre against Sabbatius King of Saga whom not he by reason hee was preuented by death Ninus the first Monarch about 1905. of the world but his sonne Ninus subdued who extending his dominions farre and wide was the first that euer tooke vpon him a Monarchie Noah died 350. yeeres after the Flood and about the 18 yeere after his death b Gen. 11. Abraham the tenth from Noah so commanded by God left his Country being then 75 yeers of age and in i Gen. 17. 24 yeere after that God made a couenant with him by ordaining the circumcision In the k Gen. 21. 100 yeere of his age his sonne Isaac was borne vnto him hee liued after that 75. yeeres for the tearme of mans life was now much shortened The manner of his Grand-childe l Gen. 37. Iacobs life and vpon what occasion he went downe into Egypt and there dyed how afterwards his posteritie remained in Egypt for some ages oppressed with most grieuous bondage and by Gods fauour brought out and set at libertie by his seruant Moses the holy m From the 30 ch of Gen. to the 14. of Exod. Scriptures declare This departing of the children of Israel out of Egypt is referred to the yeere of the world 2454. that is 430 yeeres after the promise made to Abraham as n Gal. 3. S. Paul hath it After Moses the children of Israel were gouerned by Iudges till the daies of Saul whom Dauid another King of the same people succeeded Now let vs returne to the Empire of Babylon Ninus being dead his wife Semiramis succeeded him in his Empire Semiramis who in riches victories and triumphs was inferiour to no mortall Prince She inlarged the towne of Babylon and made it a citie of sufficient greatnesse adorning it with diuers faire buildings and inuironing it with a wall Shee subdued Aethiopia and made warre also in India Her sonne Zameis the fifth King Zameis performed nothing worthy of memorie Arius but Arius who next succeeded him conioyned the Bactrians and Caspians to his Empire It is written that Aralius his successor was renowned for his wit and prowesse Aralius but what he atchieued is not committed to writing The next
being sleighted off by the Senate he marches to e Marsiles in France Massilia where the gates were shut against him hereupon rigging his Nauie he besieges it both by sea and land and there leauing his Deputies sets forward into Spaine where at length hee compels Petreius and Africanius two of Pompeyes Captaines together with the whole Armie to yeeld Then he returns to Massilia which City despairing of all ayde presently yeelds to his power and after he was made Dictator in his absence by Marcus Lepidus the Praetor repaires to Rome calls an assemblie and is created Consull together with Publius Seruilius Isauricus soone after hauing setled the affaires of the City hee strikes ouer into Greece and at length ouerthrew Pompey in Thessaly in a maine battell Pompey ouerthrowne 3921. and disbanded him though his Army farre exceeded Caesars Pompey thus put to flight arriues in Egypt Ptolomy Dionysius Ptolomy Auletes son being then King thereof which Auletes when he was expelled his Kingdome Pompey had restored by Aulus Gabinius as aforesaid In regard of which benefit hee expected aid and protection from that Countrey but the King being a child his Nobles either despising Pompeyes fortune or else fearing some troubles treacherously kill him And slaine Caesar pursuing Pompey arriues at Alexandria with 3200 men and there first of all had notice of Pompeyes death Cicero passing his censure vpon both of theÌ„ If in the last war saith he Pompey had abated somewhat from his austere grauity and and Caesar much from his ambition wee should haue had both a firme peace and some Common wealth left vs. The King of Aegypt was then in warres with his sister Cleopatra Hereupon Caesar being at Alexandria would haue their controuersies rather decided by course of law before himselfe then by ciuill warres amongst themselues because hee was Consull of Rome and some yeares before there was a coÌ„federacy agreed vpon with Ptolomy the Kings father by decree and consent of the Senate But the States tooke this most hainously complaining that their Kings Royall Maiesty was ecclipsed in calling him to sit in iudgement vpon their controuersies Thus incensed in minde they prepare to make warre against Caesar but he after much danger getting the vpper hand did not reduce it into the forme of a Prouince but tollerated Cleopatra and her yonger brother the King being slaine to hold the Kingdome From thence marching into Syria and afterwards into Pontus hee put to flight King Pharnaces Mithridates his sonne and setled peace in Cappadocia Armenia Gallo-Greece Pontus and Bythinia Forthwith returning into I talie and so to Rome about the middle of Winter at the Winter * Solstitium Sun-sted he strikes ouer from f A towne and promontory in Sicilie Lilybeum into Africa though warned by a chiefe Soothsayer not to take his voyage before the end of Winter Scipio and Cato Marcus Portius Catoes Nephewes sonnes were fled thither from the battell at g Where Pompey was ouerâ—hrowne Pharsalia and hauing gathered together a great Army drew King h King of â—â—aâ—â—itâ—nia Iuba into confederacy with them Cesar marching thither ouerthrew and destroied them all but Cato lest hee should fall into his hands killed himselfe at i Now called Biserta in Barbarie Vtica which fact Cicero defends and saith that it was better for him whom nature had indued with incredible grauitie so to doe then to behold the face of a Tyrant This Cato was of the sect of the Stoickes and would oftentimes maintaine strange opinions in the Senate as though he were versed in Platoes politickes as Cicero saith and not in the refuse off-spring of Romulus Afterward Cesar repaires to Rome and hauing triumphed ouer Gallia Egypt Pontus and Affrica set forward to Spaine where he warred against and subdued Sextus Pompeius Thus hauing vanquished all his aduersaries and setled a peace in many Nations farre and wide in the fift yeere after the beginning of his ciuill warres The fourth Monarchie begun by Caius Cesar An. 3925. being 300. yeeres and odde after Alexander the Great he returns to Rome where after hee had triumphed ouer Hispaine hee assumed the offred title and authoritie of perpetuall Dictator and swaied the Senate according to his owne will hee in a manner hauing the sole bestowing of all honours and publike offices conferring them vpon whom he pleased thereby incurring many mens ill-will And now the state of the Common-wealth being altered and the supreame gouernment thereof reduced to one mans principalitie those conspiracies then in brewing against him were at length broached For in the fift moneth after his returne to Rome Caius Cesar slaine hee was slaine in Pompeys * Curia Court-house on the Ides of March and by those very men whom by his late shewed kindnesse hee had obliged to him as also pardoned them for seruing against him in the Pompeian warre Those were Marcus and Decius Brutus Caius Cassius Cneius Domitius Caius Trebonius Quintus Tullius Cimber two of the Sernilioes Casea Hala and many more Marcus Antonius the Consull Cesars Collegue indicted Cicero also before the Senate as guilty of the murther for that Marcus Brutus presently after Cesar was slain holding vp his dagger on high shouted aloud and nominated him congratulating him for recouerie of their libertie Many report that Caius Cesar spake to Marcus Brutus in Greeke as hee rushed vpon him and called him sonne how they take it I know not but it is euident out of Cicero that Brutus was fifteene yeers yonger then he Caius Cesar made diuers lawes some whereof when he was Consull and other some when he was Dictator which after his name were called the Iulian lawes as about distribution of lands concerning violence Maiestie extortion Priest-ships vsurie Others lawes there were which goe vnder his name but were made by Octauius All commend him for his clemency and Cicero giues him praise for his wit quicknesse reason memorie learning prouidence diligence but hee stormed grieuously at his authoritie yet secretly and in an Epistle to Atticus Thou shalt perceiue saith he that this kingdome can scarce hold halfe a yeere together But in al those proceedings Cicero carried himselfe very wauering and inconstantly for during the warre he followed Pompeyes partie and his camp although hee reprehended his discouragement of minde and cowardise and in his Epistles to his friends hee cals Cesar a war-waging Tyrant and monster But after Pompey was put to flight and slaine and Cesar had pardoned many of his aduersaries he changes his stile and in three set Orations extolled him with praises to the very heauens Further when Cesar heard that there was treason plotted against him and would often say that hee had liued long enough he beseeches and requests him to reiect that opinion for although hee was full fraught with glory and in that regard for himselfe had liued long enough yet hee had not liued long enough for the Common-wealth which could not be
king of the Gothes wholly bent himselfe to the warre Athila neuerthelesse proceeds and in the Downes of Chaalons which part of France in regard of the plaines is Champaigne was this most dismall battell fought in which as it is recorded 180000. men were slaine And Athila losing the day determined to kill himselfe lest he should fall aliue into the hands of his enemies Howbeit king Theodoricus his sonne following Aetius the Lieutenants counsaile returned home with his forces to succeed his deceased Father whereby Athila getting time to recollect himselfe retires into Pannonia and leaying new forces marches full swoln with reuenge into Italiâ— where at length winning the Citie of Aquilleia first wearied out with a long-continuing siege sackt and burnt it Then forthwith he takes Concordia Padua Vicentia Verona Brescia Bergamo Millaine and Pauie and so pillaging vp and downe o Romandiola Flaminia incamped at the meeting of the Riuer of Mencius and Po where deliberating about his passage to Rome with his Armie Leo the first of that name Bishop of Rome comes to him and so farre preuailed that altering his intent he not onely surceased his expedition to Rome but also quite remouing out of Italie returned into Pannonia where within a while after he ended his daies This was that Leo many of whose Epistles to Theodosius the second and Martianus the Emperour are extant wherein he partly apologizes for his absence from the Councels by them conuocated and intreats them not to bee offended for sending thither of his Legates and partly also requests that they would designe some place in Italie rather then in Asia for the celebrating of Councels but he obtained nothing Whilest Athila thus raged vp and downe Italie the Citie of Venice was builded Venice begunne to be built An. 430. when many of the abler sort leauing the adioyning places betooke themselues to those sea-sands little Islelands and hillockes as into some harbour Thus meane and in a manner desperate and miserable was the beginning of this Citie which now as we see is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse They reckon 805. Dukes till this time the first whereof was p Some Authors call him Paulutius Anafestus and write of his beginning in Anno Dom. 697. and after their Citie built 282. Paulus Anazatus in the yeere of grace 706. being 252. yeeres after the beginning of the building of their Citie Afterwards when Valentinianus was slaine Gensericus King of the Vandals sailing ouer with a Nauie from Affrica into Italie marches with an exceeding great armie being aided by the Moores towards Rome and takes the Citie in a manner left quite desolate but at the earnest request of Leo the Bishop who also as aforesaid appeased Athila hee forbore fire and sword The Citie-sackt captiues were transported to Carthage in great troopes The enemies after this infest Campania with grieuous outrages rase Capua Nola Naples and other Cities those who suruiue the sword they condemne to the irons and growne rich with the wealth of Italie returne into Affrica Martianus Emperour of the East a Prince of a calme nature inioyed peace hee was wont to say That it was not sitting for a Prince to take armes as long as he might liue in peace In his raigne The fourth Councell at Chalcedon in Bythinia and by his command a very great Councell was assembled at Chalcedon wherein Eutyches who confounded the two natures in Christ was condemned There amongst the rest it was decreed that no Clerke as they call them should bee admitted to the Churches of two Cities Pluralitie of liuings as wee tearme it was not then heard of which now is growne so ordinarie as nothing is more common And almost within our memorie that custome crept in amongst other blemishes of the Church that the Pope may conferre two Bishoprickes vpon one man If now therefore he would restore the custome in this behalfe which was held in the next precedent age hee should doe his dutie but seeing that cannot be can we suppose it euer to be granted that matters shall be amended according to the holy Scriptures and decrees of the Apostles and primitiue times No they toile in vaine that ballance the deedes of the Popes with the rules of ancient Religion Martianus dying in the seuenth yeere of his Empire Leo 457. an 17. Leo succeeded him and Auitus when Gensericus after the taking of Rome was returned into Affrica succeeded Valentinianus at Rome and in the West next to him Majoranus then Seuerus and after him Anthemius after those followed others but nothing eminent who perished in their mutuall massacres and treacheries and raigned but a while insomuch that now the other part of the Roman Empire in the West stood in great danger Nothing memorable is recorded of Leo the Emperour but that he entred into amitie and league with the Gothes then wasting Illyricum and an Epistle or two of Leo the Bishop of Romes to him Zeno 474. an 17. m. 2. d. 7. are extant Zeno q Called Isauricus because he was borne in Isaurica in Cicilia Isauricus was his successor Among stthose also who ruled in Rome after Valentinianus his death Augustulus was one in whose raigne Odoacer with a maine armie of Herulians and Syrians out of Pannonia inuades Italie takes Orestes a Nobleman of Rome who was fled to Pauie with his forces puts him to death sackes and burnes the Citie and marching on takes in the whole Country as far as Rome Augustulus deiected in minde voluntarily resignes his Empire Odoacer enters the Citie and obtaining the kingdome of Italie gouerned without resistance fourteene yeeres But at length Theodorieus King of the East-Gothes sent by Zeno the Emperour marching from Constantinople ouerthrew the r Part of the Gothes Gepides and Bulgarians opposing him and so making his way through Mysia and Pannonia arriues in Italie and incampes himselfe not farre from Aquileta whither Odoacer afterwards repairing a sharpe battell insued Odoacer losing the day fled but recollecting his forces ioynes battell on fresh and is againe ouerthrown most part of his armie lost some whereof perished in battell others in Å¿ A Riuer running through Verona Athesis Hee flies amaine towards Rome where shut out he spoiles the Country about and comes to Rauenna there at length after three yeeres siege vpon the Cities yeelding she was taken and put to death Odoacer thus cut off Theodoricus became Lord of Italie marches to Rome where hee assembled two Councels of Bishops whom hee called together out of sundry Prouinces of Italie to sit vpon t Pope of Rome Symmachus his cause whom the greatest part refused as one vnworthy and falsly created This Theodoricus was an Arian as the Papall bookes haue it His sirname was u Because of his victory at Verona Veronensis and was descended from that Theodoricus abouementioned who was slaine in the battell against Athila King of the Hunnes Odoacer was a * Of Rugerland in Pomerania Rugian a people
Emperour after this trayning vp his subiects in feats of Armes vanquishes the Dalmenincians takes the City of Prague together with Wenceslaus Duke of Bohemia making that countrey tributary to him In maine battell he ouerthrew the Hungars then againe after the truce ended breaking into Saxony and distributed the tribute which the Saxons paid them amongst the poore He intended to haue gone to Rome Otho the Great 936. an 36. m. 10 d. 6. but hindered by sicknesse constitutes his elder son Otho heire of the Empire He commenced wars many yeares together against the Bohemians then in rebellion as also vanguisht and put to flight the Hungars who then also striking ouer the Rhyne in the Vangions Countrey Of Worâ—â—bs had made an inroad into Franconia with intent to march on from theÌ„ce and pillage in Saxony Hee brought Burgundy vnder his subiection and afterward marching with a great Army into Italy and vanquishing the Berengarians there maried his second wife Aditheida Luitholdus his sonne hereat displeased practises treacherie against him hauing Coadiutors euery where in readinesse to serue his plots and amongst the rest Conradus Duke of Sueuia his sisters husband But his father besieging him at Ratisbon he first brought into distresse humbly craues and obtaines pardon After this the Hungars hauing forraged France breake into Germany in greater multitudes then at any time before and encampe themselues neere Auspurgh on that place which takes name from the Riuer Lych. The Emperor marching thither with the Saxons Franks Sueuians Bauarians and Bohemians after a doubtfull and long battle put almost all the enemies forces to the sword and caused some of their Chieftaines to bee hanged Then returning into Saxony after he had setled the affaires there makes a new expedition into Italy but before his iourney constituted his sonne Otho Collegue in the Empire At length arriuing at Rome he assembles a Councel where hee sate President and deposed Pope Iohn the XII for his offences in whose place he appointed Leo of that name the VIII A decree of his is extant incerted in the Papall Law where he sayes that hee conferres to Otho the Emperor and to his successors for euer the authority of choosing Popes disposing of the See Apostolike and confirming of Bishops as also pronounces a most seuere punishment against those who not expecting the Emperors approbation consecrate Bishops See here another Decree contrary to some other before After this there is the forme of an oath added by which as they report the Emperor Otho bound himselfe to Pope Iohn but it s not added who this Pope Iohn was nor of what numbâ—r â—n name either this Iohn or Otho were And surely it is wonderfull that matters of such importance and moment should be so negligently put into writing Now if Otho the I. tooke this oath then this obiection may hold against him That whereas in this forme before-mentioned amongst other things he sweares not to procure any danger to the Popes life nor to abrogate his honor and dignity but how can this appeare when as he as we said before remoued Iohn out of his place and ordained another Let him that can reconcile this Otho by reason of the new broiles marches againe into Italy where hauing setled the affaires and returning home dyed about the beginning of May and was buried at Maidenburg in the yeare of Grace 974. In regard of his noble exploits and surpassing prowesse Hee 's stil'd the Great Henry D. of Bauaria rebelled against Otho the II. Otho II 973. an 10. m 7. d. 2. but the sword reduc'd him to his duty Lotharius was then King of France whose brother Charles was by the Emperour created Duke of Lorraine vnder condition that hee should bee a * Beaesiciarius Leige-man of the Empire Henry the Emperour as the Annals report got this Prouince from Charles the Simple King of France and entailed it to his successours in order But Lotharius displeased hereat on a sudden leauying an Army speedily meets him at Aix and had almost discomfited the Emperour before hee was aware The Emperour to reuenge this affront musters vp forces marching on as far as Paris at length not without great blood-shed on both sides concludes a peace Returning home and from theÌ„ce making an expedition to Rome hee commenced warre against the Greekes who held Calabria and Apulia where after his Army was defeated he was intercepted by Pyrats as he fled by sea but not being knowne who he was they dismist him vpon a summe of money paid in hand and so returning to Rome besieges Beneuento with the remainder of his forces takes and sets fire on it And not long after wounded with a dart in a battle against the Greekes and Sarazens departed his life and was buried at Rome To him his sonne Otho succeeded by consent of the Nobility Otho Iâ—I 983. an 17. m. 1. d. 21. and was consecrated at Aix He created one Bruno a Germane Pope afterwards called Gregory the fift But Crescentius a Consull of Rome set vp Iohn Bishop of Placentia in opposition to him The Emperour therefore comming to Rome inflicts a heauy and ignominious punishment vpon Crescentius and his Complices and caused Iohn of that name the XVII his eyes to be put out The Emperour in regard of the perpetuall dissensions about succession in the Empire ordained with the Popes help That certaine of the prime Nobility in Germanie should bee authorised with right and power of electing the Emperours lest that any man hereafter should set vpon that dignity as hereditary The Electorall Princes of Germany constituted 〈◊〉 the yoâ—â— of Christ 1000. This Decree was made about a thousand yeares after Christs birth Robert then raigned in France a Prince that loued peace and learning The Annalls exâ—oll him for building many Churches and amply endowing them as also going in pilgrimage to Rome This Emperor Otho granted to Bâ—leslaus Duke of Polonia regall dignity and immunity The beginning of the kingdome of Polonia 9 â— as their Annalls haue it This therefore is the beginning of that Kingdome Otho after this returning out of Italy g He was poisoned by a paire of gloues giuen him by Cresentius aforesaid his widow Henry II. or the Lome 1001 an 23. m. 5. d. 16. dyed The next Emperour after him was Henry of that name the II. Duke of Bauaria kinsman to Otho the great D. of Saxony and Emperour He hauing setled a peace in Germany and drawne on some of his aduersaries into amity by his extraordinary kindnesse and subdued other some marched into Italy there restoring Apulia to the Empire which the Sarazens had taken Then after his consecration by Benedict the VII sending away his Army into Germany He himselfe taking his iourney through the Sequans Countrey came to an enterueiw with Robert the French King where a confirmation of amity was established on both sides This Emperour was greatly loued of the Clergie for hee was very liberall
was crowned by some of the Cardinals because Pope Clement the V. hauing left the Citie was remoued into France and kept his Court at Auinion When the Cardinals required the oath of him which they said was to bee giuen to the Pope hee refused it and would not haue any such kind of oath to be thereby bound to the Pope vpon notice hereof the Pope to inlarge his owne power expounded that generall forme of the oath at large and annexed it to the rest of his decrees now extant For he himselfe also preferred many lawes which retaine their name from him and are called the Clementines The knights of the Temple supprest about 1308. Now also those Knights called the Templars being very puissant were by the same violence put to death and made away in diuers places Philip the Faire King of France by the Popes permission seized vpon a great part of their Reuenues Soone after the name and memorie of them was condemned and by the French nationall Synod at Vienna their lands were giuen to those called the Knights of the Rhodes At this time also the Vniuersitie of Orleans was founded by King Philip and Pope Clements authoritie After the Emperour Henries t He was poisoned by a Monk with a cup of Wine in the Communion decease and buriall at Pisa being poisoned as it was strongly suspected there followed most bitter contentions about the election for Fredericke Archduke of Austria the Emperour Alberts sonne Lewis 1314 an 32. m. 11. d. 24. Fredericke of Austria opposeth him and is elected Emperour also and Lewis Duke of Bauaria were competitors for the Empire The Archbishop of Mentz crowned Lewis at Aix and the Archbishop of Cullen Fredericke at Bena and Pope Iohn the XXIII proclaimed them both Emperours but of the two was more inclined to Fredericke which proclamation increased the flame of discord Forces being mustered vpon both sides a sharpe battell was fought at Esling a towne in Sueuia but in a manner with equall fortune and soone after another in Bauaria with stronger forces Fredericke the other Emperour taken prisoner 1323. in which the Archduke Fredericke was taken prisoner losing a good part of his Armie afterwards he was see at libertie and returning home died within a few yeeres after Lewis the Emperour hauing thus compast the Empire marches downe into Italie in despight of the Pope constitutes Gouernors ouer al the Cities free-burroughes and is crowned at Millaine by the Archbishop there from whence hauing sent his Ambassadours to the Pope at Auinion againe and againe about his solemne inauguration and there failing he goes to Rome after he had setled the affaires of Millaine At Rome hee was entertained with exceeding great ioy and crowned by one or two of the Cardinals but the Pope ingeminating his excommunication he by the aduise of his Nobles creates another Pope and after this fashion continued these most deadly flames of hatred betwixt them not without most scandalous criminations cast forth on both sides The French Annall-writers report that Charles the Faire King Philips sonne was the first that granted Pope Iohn Tenths of Ecclesiasticall goods in France and shared the prey betwixt themselues but the Popes chiefe aime in procuring this was to furnish himselfe with money against the Emperour After the Emperour was returned into Germany the Pope dies and his successor Benedict the XII both excommunicated and depriued him of his dignitie Whereupon the Emperour conuening the Princes at Franckeford in a solemne speech complaines of the Popes iniuries explaines the reasons of his allegiance produces and declares the ancient lawes of the Empire withall shewing that the Bishop of Rome had nothing to doe with the Common-wealth of the Empire For he who is elected by the Princes consent is truely Emperour without any assent consent or consecration from the Pope all that being but a ceremonie which by little and little crept vp and now is growne too high to the great dishonour and indammagement of the Empire After this Pope Benedict dying Clement the VI. succeeded one farre more violent then any before him who in vehement manner propounded certaine ignominious conditions vpon refusall whereof hee grew a great deale more furious sharpely admonishing the Princes to choose another Emperour within a certaine time by him limited which if they would not dae hee would take care that the Church should not want a Patrone and Aduocate any longer Whilest the Common-wealth was thus tossed the Emperour Lewis departed this life and Charles King Iohn his sonne Henry the VII his Nephew was elected King of Bohemia A little before this began the occasion of that cruell war betwixt the French and English When Charles the Faire King of France dying without issue male which was in the yeere 1327. Edward king of England of that name the III. being sonne to Isabel King Charles his sister challenged the Kingdome as due to him but the Estates of France which are called the Peeres set the crowne vpon Philip of Valeis cozen germane to the deceased King Charles excluding not onely King Edward the sisters sonne but also King Charles his posthume daughter alledging that the inheritance of that kingdom did in no wise appertaine to daughters hereupon insued that bloody warre scarce yet quenched The beginning of the Emperour Charles the IIII. Charles the IIII. 1346. an 32. m. 7. d. 14. his raigne was troublesome and the Imperiall dignitie was offred to Edward the third King of England but hee as it was reported refused it being hindered by the French wars After the quenching of sundry combustions in Germany the Emperour Charles goes downe into Italie and by consent of Pope Innocent the VI. then being in France is crowned at Rome by some Cardinals vpon condition not to stay any longer either at Rome or in Italie Hee returnes to Millaine and granted the office of perpetuall Vice-Emperour for Lombardie to the house of the Viscounts who then bore great sway in Millaine in respect of which honour they gaue him an huge masse of money and not they onely but others also vpon whom hee had bestowed any thing which act much extenuated the Emperours authority in that Country After his returne out of Italie he summoned a Diet of the Princes and there preferred that decree of the Empire called the t Containing the lawes and rites to be obserued in the election of the Emp as also the dignitie and office of each Elector and other Princes and Nobles Golden bull lastly he assignes his sonne Wenceslaus his successor in the Empire which as it is wriâ—ten he procured with great difficultie though with large rewards and not long after died In his raigne Iohn King of France Philip of Valois his sonne together with his yongest sonne Philip afterwards Duke of Burgundie sirnamed the Stout or the Bold was in pitcht field neere Poictiers taken prisoner by the English who were then in possession of a good part of Aquitaine and the
Empire I passe ouer in silence those neighbouring Kings and other Princes that day by day catch snatch away as much as they can from this feeble and saplesse little body which scarce cleaues to the bones striuing to bring that into their owne dominions which belonged to the Common-wealth But to come to an end in some time let vs lend our attention to Daniels prophecie concerning all that is spoken We haue treated of the Image that Nabuchodonozar saw in his dreame whereto wee will returne againe but in the interim take a view of some other places In his VII Chap. he describes the foure beasts which in a dream he saw cōming out of the Sea A Lyon a Beare a Leopard and the fourth and last he saies was terrible and dreadfull to behold The Lyon signifies the kingdome of Assyria the two wings which he had are as it were the two members of that Empire Babylon and Assyria By the Beare is vnderstood the kingdome of Persia by which Babylon was conquered the three ribs which hee saies were in his mouth betwixt his teeth are the three chiefe Kings of that Monarchie Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes who were more famous then the rest and eate much flesh as he speakes that is brought many nations into their subiection The Leopard is Alexander the Great or the Greeke Empire his foure wings heads are the foure kingdomes which rise out of that Monarchy after Alexanders death The fourth and last Beast is the Romane Empire the tenne hornes are his members or Prouinces such as were Syria Aegypt Asia Greece Affricke Spaine Gallia Italie Germanie Brittaine for all those they held Now a certaine little horne grew vp and shot forth amongst the tenne hornes which pluckt away three hornes from those ten This notifies the kingdome of Mahomet or the Turke which from a small beginning budding forth of the Romane Monarchy seized vpon three of the chiefest parts thereof Egypt Asia and Greece Further this little horne hath eyes and was reproachfull against God For Mahomet vented a new kinde of doctrine which was well liked of by his followers as carrying some shew of wisedome in it Those are the eyes but indeed hee blasphemes God For hee abolishes the Bookes of the Prophets and Apostles and acknowledges no benefit by Christ but reproachfully railes against all doctrine concerning Christ Further that little horne saith he shall make warre with the Saints and sore afflict them till the Ancient of daies shall come to iudgement who hath neither beginning nor end whereby it clearely appeares that within the time of this Empire the tearme of this world shall haue an end and shall neuer be againe but after the dissolution of all earthly Principalities then shall follow that perpetual kingdome whereof Christ shall be Prince and Head In his eight chapter the Prophet Daniel describes the Ramme and the Goat which the Angell afterwards plainely interprets saying the Ram with two hornes betokens the Kings of the Medes and Persians and the Goat the Greeke Empire and the great horne in his forehead the first king of that Empire and that foure hornes succeeded after that horne was broken it signifies saith he that foure kingdomes shall rise out of that Empire but not to bee compared to that first King for strength and puissance Here we may see how properly and infallibly the Prophet Daniel portraies Alexander the Great two hundred yeeres and more before his raigne For it shall so fall out saith hee that the Goat shall not touch the earth that is he should runne ouer his warres with exceeding celeritie and no man should be able to deliuer the Ramme out of his hand for Alexander raigned onely twelue yeeres in which little inch of time hee almost subdued all Asia as wee haue aboue shewed And though the Medes and Persians were of incredible strength yet in three set battels Darius was ouerthrowne and lost his life and his Empire both at once Many write that when Alexander came to Ierusalem the High-Priest read that place of Daniel to him which exceedingly reioyced him Againe that another horne should rise from amongst those foure hornes at first but small but afterwards very powerfull which should grieuously oppresse the Sanctuary herely saith hee hee foretells those most bitter persecutions which the Iewes should suffer vnder Alexander the Great his successors the Kings of Egypt and Syria betwixt whom the Country of Iudea lies For the Iewes haue felt that horne which rose out of the foure hornes in Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria that most cruell destroier Hither also we must apply the eleuenth chapter wherein he speakes againe of Alexander the Great and so copiously and properly that it may rather seeme an Historie then a Prophecie But now again let vs return to Nabuchodonozors Image whereof vpon occasion wee spoke in our first booke as for the interpretation thereof concerning the three first Monarchies I will not repeat it because it is both perspicuous as also made good by the times themselues onely we will speake something of the fourth because it both properly appertaines vnto vs who liue in it and is more exactly described by Daniel It shall be of iron saith he which shall breake in pieces and bring all the rest of the Monarchies in subiection to it there needs not many words in explanation hereof for the matter it selfe speakes and it manifestly appeares out of the historie of those Monarchs which wee haue reckoned vp But the Images feet and the toes of the feet are part of iron part of potters clay As the foot of a mans body is diuided into toes so the Romane Empire after it hath for a while continued strong being supported by iron legges and incircled the whole world in its circumference shall fall into toes and that massie body shall be dissolued This also is plainely effected and needs no explication for at this day what is more diuided then the body of that most spacious Empire And though the case thus stand yet because the sole of the foot is of iron the foundation shall remaine and shall neuer bee extinguished but the reliques title and dignitie thereof shall endere till Christ at his comming shall set a period to all humane things but it is cleare as noone day and beyond all doubt that it is now at the lowest ebbe That goodly tree is fallen but the root stickes fast and remaines yet not hauing any sappe and therefore vnable to grow vp and increase againe but quite dead and withered yet no force of man shall bee able vtterly to extirpate this roote and foot-soale of iron nature but it shall sticke fast grounded in the earth till the whole world shall be destroied Hereof also wee haue had experience for many haue often attempted the subuersion of this small and slender parcel of the Empire as the Popes of Rome and lastly the Turkes who though they haue done great matters and it may bee promise greater to themselues yet