The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 2 · History of century 6
CENTVRIE VI.
Patriarches of Rome.
Anastatius.TO Gelasius succeeded Anastatius the second and gouerned 1. yeere 2. months 24. dayes; hee ministred in the dayes of the Emperour Anastatius: hee was hated of the Clergie, because he admitted to his fellowship Photinus a Deacon, whom Foelix and Gelasius had excommunicated as a friend to Acatius Bishop of Constantinople.Platina de vitispontif. Platina writeth of him, that he ended his life as Arrius did, and that his bowells gushed out, when he was doing his secret busines. The verie flatterers of the Bishops of Rome are compelled to say, that some of them were fauorers of heretikes, and for that cause punished by God with extraordinarie iudgements: but I ground nothing vponupon the words of Platina, but so much as maketh against thē, whom he intendeth to flatter.
Symmachus.To Anastatius succeeded Symmachus, in the dayes of the Emperour Anastatius: and when Theodoricus king of Gothes raigned, in Italie, great sedition was among the people, at his election. The one part of the Clergie & people chusing Symmachus, the other Laurentius to be Bishop of Rome: but with common consent,Platina de vit. pontif. a Synod was appointed at Ravenna, and there the election of Symmachus was ratified, hee continued in office. 15 yeeres, 6 months, 22. dayes.
Horm…sda the successor of Symmachus sate 9. yeeres, 18. dayes: who by cōmandement of Theodoricus king of Gothes, and raigning in Italie, gathered a councell at Rome and damned the error of Eutyches of new againe.
Likewise Ambassadors were sent to the Emp. Anastatius, and to Iohn B. of Constantinople to exhort them to forsake the wicked error of Eutyches, & to acknowledge two natures in Christ, to wit, the diuine and humane nature. But Anastatius answered with proud words, Nos imperare volumus, nobis imperari nolumus. That is we will command, but wee will not be commanded. Likewise the B. of Constantinople puft vp in pride by the assistance of the Emp. despised the counsell of Hermisda. Moreouer against the law of nation, they delt in humanlie with the Ambassadors of Hormisda, Platin. de vit. Pontif.and thrust them into an old and broken ship, with straite commandement that they should not arriue at any harbour in Grecia,Note. but kept a direct course toward Italy. Notwithstanding by the prouidence of God that ship arriued safely at the coasts of Italie.
The error of the Manicheans began againe to be ouerspread in Rome. But Hormisda tooke their bookes and burnt them in the porch of the Church called Constantina.
Iohn the first gouerned the church of Rome in the dayes of Iustinus the elder,Iohn 2. to whom also he was sent Ambassador by Theodoricus, to craue that the Arrian Byshops whom hee had banished out of his dominions might be restored to their places againe: else the catholick Bishops of Italy should expect all kind of rigor at his hands. The B. Iohn with many teares perswaded the Emperour Iustinus to condiscend vntounto the petition of Theodoricus. Neuerthelesse when he returned backe againe to Italy he was cast into prison, where he ended his life, after he had gouerned the church of Rome 2. yeeres, 8. months.
Foelix 4. the successor of Iohn 1. cōtinued in office 4. yeeres 2. months,Foelix. 4. Platina. 13. daies. he excommunicated Athanasius Patriarch of Constantinople for heresie, hee ordained that Christians before their departure out of this life should be annointed with oyle.Comment. Funct. lib. 7. This custome is now kept in the Roman church, and is called the Sacrament of extreme vnction.
Foelix 4 succeeded Bonifacius 2. whom the Graecians called Agathon, Bonifacius. 2.but both names soundeth to one and the selfe same thing. The schisme that was among the people at his election ceased, by the death of his cōpetitor D…se…u… : he ministred 2. yeeres, 2. daies. In his time Eulalius B. of Carthage, submitted himself vntounto the chaire of Rome: wherupon Bōifacius tooke occasiō of insolent insulting, in so far, that he is not ashācd to writ of Aurelius B. of Carthage, August. B. of Hippo, & of the rest of the fathers, who were presēt at the 6 coūcel of Carthage that through the instigatiō of the deuil they swelled in pride against the Roman church & against his predecessors Bonifacius. 1. & Coelestinus whō his predecessors most iustly had excō municated:Hist. Magd. cent 6. cap. 10. but now (saith he) Eulalius hath cōfessed the fault of Aurelius, & of the coūcel of Carthage, & submitted himself in humble maner to the chaire of Rome: therefore he & the church of Carthage are receiued againe vntounto peace & cōmuniō of the Roman church. Marke here how they who would impaire a iot of that suprēacy whereat the church of Rome aimed, were forthwith deliuered to the deuil, how holy, modest, & learned so euer they had bin;Note. & a vain, timorous & beastly body Eulalius is preferred to Aurelius B. of Carthage, to Aug. B. of Hippo, & to a graue coūcel of mothā 200. fathers: only for this, that he submitted himself to the chair of Rome. The time is now approching, wherein it wil be clearely māifested, that supremacy was the very aple of their eye, & touch that once, there is nothing but curses to be thūdred out of mount Tarpeius euen against August. himself & against reuerent coūcils.
Ioannes 2.Iohn 2. was successor to Bonifacius: he ministred in the time of the Emperour Iustinian, 2. yeeres, 4. months: he was called for his eloquence Mercurius, or nuntius Iovis.
Agapetus.Agapetus the successor of Iohn 2. v…der the raigne of Iustiniā had scarcely liberty to attend vpō his own flocke: for immediatly after he was ordained B. of Rome, he was sent to the Emp. Iustiniā by Theodatus king of the Gothes, to pacifie his wrath: for the Emp. intended to make war against him, for the cruell slaughter of Amalasunta his wife: this was an vnhonest cause, & an vnseemely message to the B. of Rome to vndertake. It is affirmed by Historiographers, that Iustinian secretly sollicited Agapetus to the error of Eutyches, & that Agapetus answered vntounto him couragiously,Platin. de vit. Pontif. that hee supposed hee was sent to a most Christiā Emperour, but he found him to be Dioclesian.
This liberty is thought to hauehave done good to Iustinian, and that hee imbraced the true Faith more seriously then before, and deposed Anthemius Bishop of Constantinople, an Eutychian Heretique, and placed Menas a Bishop professing the true Faith, in his roome. Afterwards Agapetus died at Constantinople, after hee had beene chosen Bishoppe of Rome eleven monethes, and one and twentie dayes, and his bodie was put into a chest of leade, and transported to Rome.
Silverius the son of Hormisda, Silverius.sometime Bishop of Rome, was successor to Agapetus. Theodatus King of Gothes, compelled the Clergie to subscribe to his election: hee governed the Church of Rome at that time, when Iustinian sent Belisarius to fight against Vitiges. Theodora the Emperour Iustinians wife, sent to Silverius, desiring him that he would condiscend to the restitution of Anthemius an Eutychian Heretique, and to the deposition of Menas, Bishop of Constantinople. Silverius refused to obey such impious commandements. Therefore Theodora sendeth a commandement to Belisarius to banish Silverius, and to appoynt Vigilius Bishop of Rome, who had promised to fulfill her desires. Thus was Silverius banished to the Isle of Pontia, after hee had ruled the Church of Rome one yeere, and fiue moneths.
Vigilius succeeded Silverius, Vigilius.and ruled seventeene yeeres and six and twenty dayes. His entry to this office is inexcusable: for by open force, secret bribes, and promises to performe the impious desires of the Empresse, hee obtained the chaire of Rome: so that Onuphrius cannot finde out an excuse for his vnlawfull entry. Theodora the Empresse, vrged him to performe his promise, and to restore Anthemius. But Vigilius, as appeared, repenting of his great temeritie and rashnesse, answered, that evill promises were not to be kept: for this cause hee was led away violently to Constantinople,Note. and a cord was fastned about his necke, and he was drawne through the streets, and cast into prison: hee endured all this contempt the more patiently, because hee confessed, that for his sinnes hee had deserved greater punishment at the hands of God,Platin. de vitis Pontif. then this man. In the end hee was delivered out of prison, by the earnest request of Narses Captaine of Iustinians army in Italy, but hee dyed by the way: and hee whom so many cares could not destroy, the sicknesse of the travell destroyed him at Sicrl…e, and his bodie was transported to Rome, and buryed there. But now let vsus consider the fondnesse of Baronius, who keepeth no measure in his Historie; but as the Poet speaketh of a Ship rossed with a vehement tempest:
Tollimur in coelum subtato gurgite, & idem,
Subducta ad manes imos descendin…us vnda.
Baron. tom. 7. ann. 538.When Baronius speaketh of the entry of Vigilius, he calleth him a thiefe, a brigand, a man who entred not by the doore of the sheep-fold, a false Bishop, an Antichrist: yet soone after hee calleth him the Vicar of Christ as though by the crueltie whereby he draue his predecessor Siluerius to death he were worthy of the name of the Vicar of Christ. Albeit hee restored not Athemius, according to his impious paction with Theodora, yet hee wrote vntounto the Heretiques, Anthemius, Theodosius, and Severus; and confirmed their error by his secret missiue letters, as Morenus in his booke called Misterium iniquitatis, prooveth. His cariage in the fift generall Councell, hee being present in the towne of Constantinople, shall be declared God willing, in its owne place, the cord that was lapped about his neck, and drew him through the streets of Constantinople, could not draw out of his proud stomacke the conceite of supremacie: for hee sent his opinion in writing to the Councell, but would not bee present to sit in a lower place then Eutychius Bishop of Constantinople, and Moderator of the Councell.
Pelagius.After Vigilius succeeded Pelagius the first: hee ruled the Church of Rome eleven yeares, twelue moneths, and twenty eight dayes. In a very perillous time this charge was committed to him; namely when the Nation of the Go…s had chosen Toul… to bee their King, who was a fierce and cruell man, and was called for his fiercenesse, Flagellum Dei; that is, the scourge of God: hee led a great army from Tarvisium through Italy, destroying and wasting the countrey, whithersoever hee went, but hee set his face chiefly against Campania. By the way hee addressed himselfe in the habite of a simple souldier to mount Cassinates, where was Saint Benedict, the father of Monkes; not because he invented the Monasticke life, but because the most part of Monks adhered to the forme invented by him: hee was but lately sprung vp, in the dayes of the Emperour Iustinus the elder, and of Pope Iohn the first;Platin. de viz. Ioan. 1. yet was his name in great account, so that Totilas in a disguised habite went vntounto him, and conferred with him. Platina writeth that Saint Benedict knew him, notwithstanding of his deepe dissimulation, and with terrifying words disswaded him form vsing cruelty against Christians.
The counsell was good, but Totilus was not obedient vntounto it. He was slaine in battell by Narses, neere to Brixellum: and Teias whom the Gothes chose in his roome, was slaine in battell at Nuceria: so the Kingdome of the Gothes in Italy, was vtterly vndone by the valour of Narses. After the first comming of Theodoricus into Italy, they raigned in Italy seventy two yeeres. Now their name, dominion, and all their might is vtterly quenched. Pelagius depended much vponupon the friendship of Narses, And when Macedonius Bishop of Aquileia died, Honoratus Bishop of Millan ordained Paulinus to be his successor. Pelagius Bishop of Rome grieved at this. Neverthelesse hee complaineth not to Narses, that Paulinus was Bishop of Aquileia without his consent, but rather, because this was done without the foreknowledge of the most noble Emperour Iustinian; who like as he had delivered Istria and Venice,Pelag 1. Epist. … from the grievous bondage of Totilas; so likewise it became them to expect the Emperours answere, before they had appointed a Bishoppe in Aquileia.
Marke the hypocrisie of the Bishops of Rome,Note. vnderunder colour of obedience to the civill Magistrate, secretly creeping to their owne soveraignty, the chiefe marke whereat they continually aymed.
Iohannet 3.Iohn the third succeeded Pelagius, and governed twelue yeers, eleven moneths, and twenty six dayes. In the dayes of Iustinus the younger, who was successor to the Emperour Iustinian, did he minister in the Roman Church; and at that time when Alboinus King of the Longobards came into Italie, with a great army, with their wiues and children, and setled their aboad in that part of Italy which lyeth about the river Padus.Platin de vit. Pontif. The Empresse Sophia, had irritated Narses that valiant captaine, with contumelious words; and he gaue to her, and to the estate of the Empire, this hard meeting, that hee possessed the Longobards in Italy, weaving a web vntounto her (according as hee promised) which shee was not able all her time to vndoe againe. The Deputy of the Emperour of Constantinople, kept a part of Italy, which was not conquered by the Lombards, and this was called Exarchatus Ravennae; and the Bishop of Rome, with the assistance of the countrey, kept Rome free from the dominion of the Lombards for a short time.
At this time did Iohn the 3. governe the church of Rome. He brought in new constitutions into the church, that Chorepiscopi, otherwise called Vicarij Episcoporum, Hist. Magd. cent. 5 cap. 10.would hauehave no power at all of imposition of hands: which constitution he confirmed with a foolish reason, because none of the 70 disciples, whom Christ adioyned as helpers to the Apostles, had power by imposition of hands, to conferre the gift of the holy Spirit. Now the time is come, when every man endevoureth, with some novelty, and new toy, which hath not been heard of before, to go beyond his predecessors.
Benedictus 1.Benedict the first, continued in his charge 4. yeeres, one monethmonth, 28. dayes. He had great griefe in his time, because the prevayling power of the Lombards oppressed the countrey of Italy, and the towne of Rome was sore pinched with famine. The heart griefe hee conceived for the calami…e of the countrey, is thought to hauehave hastened his death. Neverthelesse he had this comfort, that the Emperour Tiberius the second, in whose time he ministred, sent ships loadned with corne from Egypt, to support the distressed estate of the Romanes. Tiberius was indued with many good qualities, and princely gifts: hee was valiant, godly, and liberall; and the more bountifull he was to the poore,Platin. de vit. Pontif. his riches so much the more abounded: for besides the treasures of Narses, that were brought to him from Italy, when Narses dyed; hee found also in his owne palace vnderunder a crosse of marble (which he commanded to be raised, and not to bee trod vnderunder foot any longer, but to be set in a more honourable place) there I say, he found an infinit treasure of silver and gold. Finally, when hee overcame the Persians, such quantitie of gold, silver, & precious things were atchieved, as none of his predecessors had obtained the like: so that the Proverb, hee who soweth largely, shall reape largely, had liuely performance in the person of the noble Emperour Tiberius.
After Benedict succeeded Pelagius the second,Pelagius 2 and ministred vnderunder the raignes of Tiberius and Mauritius, 10. yeers, 12. moneths, 10. dayes. Hee was elected without the foreknowledge of the Emperour, contrary to the custome observed in those dayes; but hee excused himselfe to the Emperour Mauritius, by sending Gregorius Ambassadour vntounto him, and declaring that the towne of Rome was besieged by Lombardis, so that no messenger could bee sent from Rome to Constantinople, to acquaint the Emperour with his election. The forme of the siege of Rome was this: The Emp. Mauritius had hired Sigibertus King of France, to make warre against the Lombards, and to driue them out of Italy, but his army was overthrowne by Eucharis King of the Lombards. With this victory the Lombards were puft vp, and they besieged the towne of Rome, they had also taken it, if they had not been hindred by great inundation of waters. The inundation of Tiber was extraordinary, it overflowed the wals of the towne of Rome, and brought with it a multitude of Serpents, which afterward putrifying, corrupted the aire, whereof arose a vehement pestilence in Rome, and Pelagius the second, in this contagious sicknes ended his life.
Gregorius. 1.Gregorius the first, called Magnus, succeeeded Pelagius 2. and ministred 13. yeeres, 6. months, 10. dayes. He was chosen with consent of the Clergie and people, but he was vnwilling to accept the office. And he wrote to the Emperour Mauritius, that he should not assent, neither to the desire of the Clergie,Platin. de vitis Pontif. nor people: but his letters were intercepted by the Governour of the towne of Rome, and rent in pieces. And other letters were written vntounto the Emperour, requesting him to condiscend, that Gregorius might hauehave the office, whom both Clergie and people had elected. The Emperour agreed willingly to his election, for he had beene acquainted with him in Constantinople, when he came Ambassador from Pelagius 2. to excuse his oversight in accepting the office of Bishop of Rome, before the Emperours knowledge of that purpose. Hee brought into the Romane Church the forme of the Greek Letanies, and ordayned that in their prayers, foreign should be nine times repeated. This prayer is thought to hauehave beene vttered by multiplyed repetitions, in the dayes of the Emperour Iustinius, when Antiochia was terribly shaken with a vehement earthquake, the little number that were aliue sayd; Lord hauehave mercy, Lord hauehave mercy, which in Greeke Kyrie Eleison; hee borrowed also from the Liturgie of the Iewes, Allelu-iah; and added these words vntounto the Latin service, Diesque nostros in pace disponas, that is, In peace dispose our dayes. Hee was the first that devised the stile of Servus servorum Dei, that is, the servant of the servants of God: taking occasion (as appeareth) so to doe by the arrogant attempt of Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople, called foreign, or ieiunator, who had vsurped the stile of Ocumenicke, or vniversall Bishoppe, to whom Pelagius the second, and Gregorius the first, mightily opposed themselues,Lib. 6. Indici. 16. Epist. 30. and called him the fore-runner of Antichrist, who durst vsurpe such an arrogant stile.
Note.But marke now, I pray you, how farre ambition prevailed both in the Chaire of Constantinople, and in the chaire of Rome. The humility of Christ was now layde aside, notwithstanding of their humble stiles, Servus servorum Dei: and the first occasion that was presented vntounto them of vsurpation, of the stile of vniversall Bishop, it was greedily embraced.
First, Iohn called Ieiunator, Patriarch of Constantinople, saw that the Imperiall seat was in Constantinople, and that the towne of Rome was besieged by the Lombards. Now he thoght it was time to stirre, and to advance his owne chaire aboue all chaires. And incontinent after Bonifacius the third, finding himselfe in favour with the Emperour Phocas, gladly accepted the same preheminence in his owne person, which his predecessors had damned in the person of Iohannes Ieiunator: so they were all for the most part a nest of ambitious Prelats, preaching the humility of Christ, but hunting for the supremacy foretold of Antichrist. Reade the Epistles which Gregorius writeth to Mauritius, detesting and abhorring this supremacy, whereat the Patriarches of Constantinople aymed. Amongst other things, hee saith; Exclamare compellor,Greg. lib. 4. Epist. 32. ac dicere, O tempora, ô mores: ecce cuncta in Europae partibus, barbarorumiuri sunt tradita. Destructae vrbes, eversa castra, depopulatae provinciae, nullus terram cultor inhabitat, & tamen sacerdotes, qui in pavimento, & cinere flentes iacere debuerunt, vanitatis sibi nomina experiunt, & novis ac prophanis vocabulis gloriantur: that is to say, I am compelled to cry out, O times, O manners: behold, in all the parts of Europe, all things lie vnderunder the reverence of barbarous people: townes are destroyed, castles are overthrowne, provinces are spoyled, no labourer inhabiteth the land. Notwithstanding, the Priestes, who should lie in ashes vponupon the ground, weeping, they are seeking vntounto themselues names of vanity, and they glory in prophane stiles.
Now apply these words of Gregorius the first, vntounto Bonifacius the third, and it shall be found that hee embraced the name of vanity, and the glory of prophane stiles, at that same time, when it became him better to be lying in sackecloth and ashes, and to bee mourning for the prevailing power of barbarous people, and for the barbarous butchery of Phocas the Emperour,Note. who conferred vntounto him that eminent stile, to be called Bishop of Bishops. Gregorius flattering Epistle written to Phocas, after he had traiterously murthered his master Mauritius, his wife and children, will be a perpetuall blot to the name of Gregorius. Hist. Magd. cent. 5 cap. 10.The constitution hee made concerning prohibition of marriage, to men in spirituall offices, hee was compelled in his owne time to abrogate againe; because it was not onelyonly the occasion of vncleannesse, but also of secret murthers of innocent babes, and whereas the Apostle Paul said, It was better to marrie then to burne: Gregorie was compelled to say, It was better to marrie then to murder. The sending of the Monkes, Augustine, Melito, and Iohannes, to Brittaine, was not so much to reduce them to Christian religion, which they had embraced in the dayes of Lucius King of the Brittaines, and of Eleutherius Bishoppe of Rome, as hath beene declared, in the second Centurie, the second chapter: as to conquer them to the ceremonies and rites of the Romane service.
Gregorius was the first, of whom wee reade, that writeth of sacrifices to be offered,Note. for relieving of soules tormented in Purgatorie, and hee leaneth vponupon such ridiculous fables, which hee heard of one Foelix Bishop of Centum-cellae, as it is a shame to rehearse them, but seeing they are not ashamed of lyes,Hist. Magd. Cent. 6. cap. 10. Greg lib. 4. cap. 55. let the dung of their owne inventions be cast into their owne faces: hee writeth, that a Presbyter of Centum-cellae went to the bath-house to wash himselfe, where hee found a man vncouth and vnknowne to him, but very humble and seruiceable, and after he had serued him sundry dayes, the Presbyter to requite his kindnesse, brought vntounto him two consecrated hostes, as a blessing and a reward for him who had served him so dutifully, but the man with sadde countenance, answered: This bread is holy, and I am not worthy to eate it. I was sometime Master and Proprietare of this house, but now for my sinnes I am appointed to this seruile occupation: if thou would doe a benefit to me, offer them to the Almightie God, as a sacrifice for my sinnes, and thinke that ye are heard of God, when yee cannot finde me in this place any longer. Surely, Popish Purgatorie, & soule-Masses are first grounded vponupon foolish fables, and afterward confirmed by dreames of foolish Monkes.
Patriarches of Constantinople.
EVPHEMIVS before he would annoint Anastatius to be Emperour,Euphemius. (who came to that honour by Ariadne the wife of the Emperour Zeno, whom he married) he craued a confession of his faith, with a promise sealed by his handwrite, that he should make no novation in Religion during his time.Theod. lector. lib. 2. The Emperour craued his hand-write againe, which seeing that Euphemius refused to render backe againe, the Emperour procured his deposition, and banished him, and placed Macedonius in his roome.
To Euphemius succeeded Macedonius, Macedonius. Hist. Magd. Cent. 6 cap. 10. Timotheus.to whose custodie the hand-write aforesaid was committed by Euphemius: which when he would not render, the Emperour banished him also, and commanded to slay him at Gangra, the place of his banishment.
To Macedonius succeeded Timotheus, an vnconstant man, and iustly compared to the narrow sea, that runneth betwixt Baeotia and Calchis, which floweth and ebbeth seuen times in 24. houres; so was this Bishop wauering minded, and more bent to please men, than to be approued of God. In witnesse whereof I hauehave set downe one example. The Abbot of the Monasterie called Studitum, refused to be ordained by imposition of his hands: for he said, the hands of that man,An example of Timotheus his inconstancie. who hath damned the Councell of Chalcedon, shall not be laid vponupon me: whereunto Timotheus answered, whosoeuer accuseth, or damneth the Councell of Chalcedone, let him be accursed, and when this was reported to the Emperour Anastatius, to eschew his indignation, he said the contrary, whosoeuer accepteth the councell of Chalcedone, and alloweth of it, let him be accursed.
Iohannes Cappa….Iohn of Cappadocia is not worthy that his name should be inserted in this Catalogue, a proud, avaritious, & ambitious heretique, who could neuer behaue himselfe dutifully, neither in a ciuill, nor in a spirituall calling. He was first the Emperour Anastatius his Deputie, and was deposed for aspiring to an higher place. Next, he became Patriarch of Constantinople, and aspired to the dignitie of Oecumenicke & vniuersall Bishop. It is true, that Iohannes foreign vsurped the title of preheminence, therefore this Iohannes Cappadox was laid aside as an Eutychian heretique, and the great invectiues against this vsurped authority, are chiefly set against Iohannes Ieinnator. But marke how Pelagius the second, ere Gregorius trod vponupon this pride, with a proud mind, as Diogenes did vponupon the couering of Plato his bed, he is not content to damme the decree of the Councell of Constantinople,Tom. 2. Concil. but also he affirmed that it was not lawfull to him to assemble a Councell without libertie first obtained from the Bishop of Rome, which thing no man spake before him: so Sathan wrought mightily in them both, as he doth in the children of pride and disobedience.
Iohannes Scholasticus.After him succeeded Iohn called Scholasticus, and continued not aboue one yeere. Evagrius calleth him Iohannes Sirmiensis, lib. 4. cap. 39.
Epiphanius.To Iohn succeeded Epiphanius, in the dayes of Iustinian, who blessed his armie which went to fight against the Vandales, vnderunder the conduct of Belisarius: he ministred sixteene yeeres, as Chytreus writeth.
Anthimus.The name of Anthimus is worthy of the roll of obstinate heretiques. He was Bishop of Trapezus, but by the meanes of Theodora the Emperour Iustinians wife, he was promoted to be Bishop of Constantinople. Theodora was too busie in Church affaires, and Sophia the wife of Iustinus the second was too busie in ciuill affaires. The estate both of Church, and Kingdome had beene in better plight, if both of them had beene lesse busie.
Anthimus being deposed and banished for heresie,Menas. succeeded Menas, who kept the true faith, and gouerned the Church of Constantinople sixteene yeeres.Lib. 4, cap. 9. Evagrius reckoneth Basilides in the roll of Bishops of Constantinople, & Anthimus to be Bishop of Alexandria.
To Menas succeeded Eutichius, Eutychius.of whom occasion will be offered to speake in the fift generall Councell, wherein he disputed iudiciously in the question, Whether or no it was lawfull to excommunicate heretiques after their death. His opinion concerning the bodies of the Saints after their Resurrection, that they should be subtle, like vntounto the aire and winde, and not solide and palpable, was refuted by Gregorius the first, who proued by the example of Christ his body after his Resurrection, that the body of the Saints should not be like vntounto the aire, and the winde: for Christ saith, Handle me, Luk. 24.39.and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me hauehave.
After Eutichius followed Iohn called foreign,Iohannes Ieiunator. or Ieiunator: this name he obtained by the sobrietie, and temperancie of his life. Notwithstanding when his stomacke was emptie of meat, his heart was full of pride, and he followed the footsteps of Iohannes Cappadox, and would be called vniversall Bishop, against whom Gregorius the first contended mightily, euen as Lactantius of olde contended against the Pagans, impugning the errour more mightily,Gregor. lib. 4. Epist. 32. Vsque ad epist. 40. Cyriacus. than solidly confirming the truth. It is supposed that he ministred 13. yeeres, vnderunder the Emperour Mauritius. To whom succeeded Cyriacus.
Patriarchs of Alexandria.
AFter Iohn called Tabennesiota, Iohannes.succeeded another Iohn, who kept the true faith, & was banished by Anastatius, because he would not damme the Councell of Chalcedone.
Theodosius.To Iohn succeeded Theodosius an obstinate defender of the errour of Eutiches. He was familiarly acquainted with Seuerus of Antiochia, and Anthimus of Constantinople, whereby the misery of these dayes may be easily es…ied, wherein three notable heretiques gouerned principall Townes, such as Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antiochia. He was so obstinate in his errour, that he was rather content to be banished vnderunder the raigne of Iustinian, than to renounce his errour.
Zoilus. Apollinarius.After him succeeded Zoilus, and after him Apollinarius, who was present at the fift generall Councell. To whom succeeded Eulogius, Eulogius. Petrus.and after him Petrus, who ministred vnderunder the raigne of Mauritius.
Patriarches of Antiochia.
Flavianus.AFter Palladius succeeded Flavianus, who suffered great troubles for the true faith, namely, by the cruell persecution of the Emperour Anastatius, and the calumnies of Xenaeas B. of Hierapolis (a stranger indeed from the couenant of God, as his name importeth) for he blamed Flavianus most vniustly of the heresie of Nestorius, but when Flavianus both by word & writing had cleared himselfe of that calumnie, the malice of Xenaeas ceased not: for he brought with him to Antiochia a great number of Monkes to compell Flavianus to abiure the Councell of Chalcedon. The towne supported their Bishop against a raskall number of seditious and hereticall Monkes. Notwithstanding the Emperour Anastatius infected with the heresie of Eutyches, counted Flavianus, who was most vniustly persecuted, to be the author of this tumult, and banished him, and placed Severus in his roome.
The Emperour Iustinus the elder displaced Severus, and punished him,Paulus. and appointed Paulus to be Bishop of Antiochia.
To Paulus succeeded Euphraesius, Euphrasius.who died in that fearefull calamitie of the Towne of Antiochia, when it was shaken and ouerthrowne with earthquake,Lib. 4. cap. 5. as Evagrius witnesseth.
Euphraimius was a ciuill gouernour in the East parts,Euphraimius. who pittied the decayed estate of the towne of Antiochia, and furnished all necessarie things for the repairing of the towne of Antiochia: for which cause the people were so affectioned to him, that they would hauehave him to be their Bishop. So Euphraimius becomes Bishop of Antiochia, or Theopolis, for at this time it had both these names.Lib. 4. cap. 6. Evagrius writeth, that he vndertooke the charge of the Apostolicke chaire, in which words, it is manifest, that not onelyonly the chaire of Rome, but also the chaire of Antiochia was called the Apostolicke chaire. The towne of Antiochia at this time was taken by Cosroes King of Persia, set on fire, and many of the people were cruelly slaine.Evag. lib. 4. cap. 24. Euphraimius their Bishop at this time left the towne, a perilous example, except the people had beene in safetie, and he onelyonly persecuted, yet he left behinde him so much as might redeeme all the Church▪ goods.
After Euphraimius followed Domnius. Domnius. …nastatiu….And after him Anastatius. He ministred vnderunder the Emperour Iustinian, at what time the Emperour fell into the errour of them, who saide, that our Lord Iesus in his very conception adioyned vntounto his diuine nature an immortall body, which was subiect to no humane infirmities. Anastatius opposed himselfe to the Emperours opinion, and the Bishops followed Anastatius, and not the Emperour: for this cause Iustinian was purposed to hauehave banished him, but he escaped this trouble, by the Emperours death. Neuerthelesse, he was banished by Iustinus the younger, for some alledged cause of dilapidation of Church goods: and Gregorius was placed in his roome.
Gregorius ministred in Antiochia 23.Gregorius. yeeres, vnderunder Iustinius 2. Tiberius and Mauritius: he was in great account with Mauritius, to whom he foretolde, that he would be promoted to the Imperiall dignitie. And Mauritius imployed him in great and waghtie businesse, such as in pacifying the tumult of his armie, which made insurrection against Germanus their captaine. Also he sent him Ambassadour to Cosroes King of Persia,Evag. lib. 6. cap. 18. who was astonied at the grace that was in his speeches. Notwithstanding, he was accused by Asterius a Deputy of the East, of the filthie sinne of incest: but he cleared his owne innocencie so euidently, that his accuser was with ign…minie scourged and banished. He died of the gowtes infirmitie,Euphemius. and after his death, Anastatius, whom Iustinus banished for dilapidation of Church-goods, being yet aliue, was restored to his owne place againe. To whom succeeded Euphemius.
Patriarches of Ierusalem.
Helias.AFter Martyrius succeeded Helias, a feruent defender of the true faith. Neither would he condescend to the banishment of Euphemius, Bishop of Constantinople, nor to the admission of Seuerus to be Bishop of Antiochia: therefore the Emperour Anastatius banished him.
Iohannes.To him succeeded Iohn, of whose politicke dealing in circumueening Anastatius the Emperours captaine, I hauehave sufficiently declared in the preceding history.
Petrus. Macarius. Eustochius.To Iohn succeeded Peter, and after him Macarius, and after Macarius, Eustochius, who impugned the Bookes of Origen, and draue out of his bounds the Monks of Nova Laura, defenders of the opinions of Origen: Theodorus Ascidas B. of Caesarea in Cappadocia, tooke this in an euill part. The Emperour Iustinian caused a generall Councell to be gathered at Constantinople, wherein not onelyonly the bookes of Origen were damned, but also Theodorus himselfe the defender of them. This displeased the Emperour Iustinian, because he loued Theodorus dearely: therefore he procured that Eustochius B.Iohannes. Neamus. Isicius. of Ierusalem should be remooued, and Macarius restored againe. After whom succeeded Iohannes, Neamus, and Isicius.
In this Centurie, whereas I pretermit the names of other Pastors and Doctors in the Church, I hauehave done it vponupon this consideration. I find in this Centurie, that by the irruption of barbarous people,Note. such as the Gothes, Vandales, Hunnes, Auares, Schythians, Lombards, youth was hindred from studies, many memorable bookes were burnt, ancient Languages were vtterly spoyled, learning was greatly diminished, flattery of preuailing powers increased, ambition in the West, heresie in the East, turned the estate of the Church vpside-downe, so that scarcely could men of good gifts, and keeping integritie of faith, be furnished vntounto the principall Apostolicke chaires. Now after a manner the sunne is going downe, the shadowes waxe great, the darkenesse approacheth, the Antichrist is at the doore, worthy to be welcommed with darkenesse, and decay of knowledge. What shall I now write of other Pastors and Doctors? shall I follow the foolish conceits of Historio graphers, in whose opinion the gift of miracles increased,Acts 2. when the gift of knowledge decayed: but the contrary is knowne by Scripture, that the holy Apostles, whom Christ indued with extraordinary gifts of working miraculous workes, he indued them also with extraordinary gifts of knowledge: but the writers of this time, especially Evagrius who concluded his History with the death of Mauritius, bringeth in many famous men in this Centurie, gifted with power to worke miraculous workes. But when I consider the end of these miraculous workes, they are brought in, either to confirme the sanctimonie of the Monasticke life, the adoration of the Crosse, or some other grosse superstition. Zosymas a monke is commended by him for his prophericall foreknowledge of the ruine of Antiochia, and for the miracle of the Lyon, who slew the Asse that caried his victualing to Caesarea, and likewise the Lyon by his mandate was compelled to beare that same burden which the A…e had borne to the portes of Caesarea.Evag lib. 4. cap. 26. No man is so senselesse, or ignorant, but may perceiue that this lying miracle is brought in, to the confirmation of the excellency of the monasticall life.
The miracle of Thomas B. of Apamea, tendeth to the adoration of the tree of the Cro…e. The miracle of the fire that came out of Barsaunphius shop at Gaza,Idem lib. 4. cap. 33. and consumed the most part of them who were in company with Eustochius B. of Ierusalem, is a notable lie, and tendeth onelyonly to confirme superstition. The miracle of the Image of the Virgine Marie, detesting Anatolius an hypocrite, an Idolater, and a sorcerer, and yet insinuating himselfe in familiar acquaintance with Gregorius B. of Antiochia, in the dayes of the Emperour Tiberius, any man may perceiue that this miracle is forged, not so much for detestation of hypocrisie,Idem lib. 5. cap. 18. Idem. lib. 6. cap. 22. Idolatrie, &c sorcerie, as for worshipping the Image of the Virgine with a deuout minde. The miracle of Simeones, who in his yo uth miraculously tamed a Pard, and fastened his girdle about the necke thereof, and brought it like a Catte into the Monasterie, and afterward liued vponupon the toppes of pillars, and mountaines,Idem lib. 6. cap. 21. fed with branches of trees 68. yeeres: this fable whereunto it tendeth all men doe see. And finally the golden Crosse sent by Cosroes to Sergiopolis, tendeth not onelyonly to the invocation of Saints, but also to put our trust and confidence in them, as the last words of the Epistle of Cosro▪es, and his wife Sira, clearely importeth. Now let the judicious Reader pardon me in pretermitting many things written by others, left I should wearie them by filling their eares with fables and lyes.