The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 3 – Book 4

The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ · Book 3 – Book 4

p. 495THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE HISTORY of the Church, containing a short summe of all the Heretiques and Heresies, which sprang vp since the dayes of Christ, vntill this present.

CENTVRIE I.

AS it is the accustomed dealing of Satan, to pervert men by drawing them from the simplicity of Gods truth: So it standeth well with the iustice of God, to giuegive over men to strong delusions, who will not beleeue the truth of God. Therefore in the third head we are to speake of Heretiques, that sprang vp in this age.What heresie is. Heresie I count to be an opinion repugnant to the grounds of our p. 496Christian faith, obstinately maintained by those that professe the name of Christ. As touching them who lead an evill life, yea and in effect deny the Sonne of God, by a prophane conversation, but maintaine an opinion that it is lawfull so to doe, they may be counted Atheists, or carnall Gospellers, and not Heretiques.A difference betwixt carnal Gospellers, Infidels, weake Christians, & Heretiques. Iewes and Turkes also who deny the divinity of Christ, because they doe not professe the Name of Christ, we call them Infidels, but not Heretiques. And the Corinthians, who erred in some fundamentall points of the Christian faith; yet seeing they maintained not their error with obstinate mindes, but yeelded to the wholesome doctrine of Paul, no man doth count the Corinthians Heretiques, but infirme and weake Christians. And the Apostle himselfe writing to them, calleth them Gods building,1 Cor. 3.9.1 Cor 3:9 and Gods husbandry. But when these three things concurre together, that men professe the Name of Christ, and yet they maintaine opinions repugnant to the very grounds of true faith, and will not receiue instruction, but obstinately persevere in their error, they are to be counted Heretiques. Of this number was Simon Magus the father of Heretiques,Simon Magus. who being confounded in Samaria, by the great power of God which appeared in the Ministery of Philip, Act 8.Acts 8and of Peter; hee fled from the East to the West, and came to Rome, where hee prevailed so farre, in short time hee was counted a god, and an image was set vp for him, with this superscription, Simoni deo sancto, that is, to Simon an holy God. Thus the Romanes who, in the dayes of Tiberius, refused to acknowledge the divinity of Christ, in the dayes of Claudius they honoured a Sorcerer,Note. and a seducing Heretique with divine honours. He taught them who followed him, to fall downe before pictures and images, and in speciall to worship his owne image,Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 13. & 14. and the image of Helena, a certaine woman who accompanied him in his iourney form Asia to Rome.

After Simon sprang vp another Suppost of Satan, called Menander, Menander.like to his master Simon in many things; for he was both a Samaritane, and a Sorcerer, but in absurdity of p. 497monstrous opinions, hee was farre beyond Simon: for hee sayd that the world was created by Angels, and that he himselfe was sent from aboue to saue the world, and by vertue of his Baptisme, men should bee made immortall, euen in this world;Euseb. l. 3. c. 26. in such sort, that they should neither waxe old, nor taste of death. This heresie Epiph…ius compareth to Aspido-gorgon in Egypt, a great Serpent inclosed into a vessell of Earth, with many other Serpents;Simile. after hee hath devoured all the rest of the Serpents, hee beginneth to gnaw his owne tayle for hunger,Epiph. contra heres. and to destroy himselfe: so did this heresie vndoe it selfe, by promising great things, which Menander could not performe, neither in himselfe, nor in others.

In this age also sprang vp Ebion, Ebion.who denyed the divinitie of Christ, and sayd hee was onelyonly a man, begotten betweene Ioseph and Marie, and that the observation of Moses Law was necessary to eternall life: his followers were called Ebionites, either by the name of their master Ebion, or else as Eusebius thinketh, for their poore and beggerly opinion they had of Christ,Euseb. l. 3. c. 27. supposing him only to be a man: for Ebion in the Hebrew language, signifieth one that is poore. These Ebionites damne all the Epistles of Paul, and count him an Apostate from the law, and they admit no part of the New Testament for Canonicke Scripture, except the Gospell of Matthew.

Cerinthus about the same time was the author of strange revelations,Cerinthus. which hee sayd hee received from the Angels, that after the resurrection from the dead, Christ should hauehave an earthly kingdome in this world: and that the subiects of Christs kingdome should eate and drinke, and marry, and keepe holy dayes, and offer sacrifices; for hee himselfe was a man given to fleshly lusts, and hee imagined that the pleasures of Christs kingdome should consist in fulfilling the concupiscence of the flesh.Euseb. l. 3. c. 18.

Likewise in this age sprang vp the errour of the Nicolaitans, vponupon this occasion,Nicolaitans Strom. 3. act. 6. as Clemens Alexandrinus doth write. One of the Deacons chosen by the Apostles to hauehave p. 498the oversight of the poore, had a beautifull woman to his wife, and was accused of over much iealousie. To purge him selfe of all suspition of that fault, hee brought his wife into the midst of his brethren, and sayd, he was content that any man should marrie her. Of which words many tooke occasion to liue promiscuously like beasts, no man having his owne proper wife, but making them all common.

Howbeit, Nicolaus is sayd to hauehave lived himselfe in matrimoniall chastity,Euseb. l. 3. c. 29. contenting himselfe with his owne wife alone. Neverthelesse his foolish and vnadvised speech, were the occasion of a most wicked and damnable error of the Nicolaitans, whereof the Lord speaketh in the Revelation of Iohn, Apoc. 2.Rev 2that he hated it. This is that heresie which Gregorie the seventh imputed to all married Priests, but with what equity, marriage ordained by God, and honorable among all men, can bee called an heresie, or hated of the Lord, Let the Christian Reader iudge.

p. 499CENTVRIE II.

IN this second Centurie Sathā enuying the propagation of the Gospel, sent forth a pernicious swarme of heretikes, such as Saturninus of Antiochia, & Basilides of Alexandria, the one of them thorow Syria, & the other through Egypt dispersed the venome of their heretical doctrine. To whom Eusebius addeth Carpocrates, Euseb. l. 4. c. 7. Gnostici.most properly counted the father of the heretikes called Gnostici, they receiued this name, because they professed a knowledge of darke and hid mysteries. The golden age of the Apostles & Euangelists was now spent, & false teachers tooke the greater incouragement to teach a doctrin of deuils, disallowing marriage & cōmanding fornication, & practizing abominable & filthie things, which mine owne heart abhorreth to thinke vponupon. What necessity droue Epiphanius in particular to manifest to the world the detestable and execrable misteries of those Heretikes I cannot tel,Epiph. contra heres. One thing I know, that it shuld not be comely in my person to offend the chast eares of Christians by renuing the memorial of that beastly vncleā …es wherof Epiphanius expresly writeth.August. Index haeres ad quod vult deum. They were justly called Borboritae or Caenosi because they were filthily pollued in the mire of vncleānes. The followers of Carpocrates had in secrete places, images of gold & siluer, which they called the images of Iesus & therewith al the images of Pithagoras, Plato, & Aristotle; & they worshipped thē al.Epiph. contra heres. So that the worshipping of images & the adoratiō of the image of Iesus himself is not a custome borrow…d frō the ancient fathers of the first 300. yeeres, but rather a custome borrowed frō old heretikes, such as Carpocrates and his follower Marcellina. By their vnhonest & filthy conuersation it came to passe, that the true professours of the Gospell were vilely slandered by persecuting Pagans, objecting to Christians the bankers of Thyestes, and the chambering of Oedipus as is said before.Euseb. l. 4. c. 7. This superlatiue degree of excessiue vncleannesse could not indure long, because eueryevery one of these Heretikes; Saturninus, Basilides, and Carpocrates, with augmentations of new inuented absurdities, changed the fashion and countenance of their error, and so in the ende it euanished. p. 500But the beautie of the true Church of Christ,Note. euer like vntounto it selfe, in grauitie, sinceritie, libertie, temperancie, and holinesse of vnreprouable conuersation, brightly shined among the Grecians and Barbarians.

Euseb. ibid.The countrie of Valentinus was vnknowne to Epiphanius. Hee was brought vp in learning in the schooles of Alexandria.Valentinus. In his foolish opinion of the pluralitie of Gods as well masculine as feminine, the multitude of heauens, and ages or eternities, which he called foreign thirtie in number, deepenesse and silence being beginning of all the rest. In this his opinion (I say) Epiphanius conjectureth that he hath followed Hesiodus in his Theogonia:August. Index haeres. yet the man, being ambitious, by permutatiō of names, he would seeme to hauehave bin the author & finder out of these mysteries. Against whom Ireneus hath written fiue bookes wherein hee both discouereth and also refuteth the vanitie of his errour.Marcus Marcus one of his disciples a notable sorcerer inuented a new forme of Baptisme, to baptize in the name of the vnknowne father of all things, & in the name of the veritie the mother of all things, and in the name of him who descended vponupon Iesus.Euseb. eccles. hist. l. 4. cap. 11. All the disciples of the schoole of Valentinus are called Gnostici with the forenamed Heretikes, Saturninus, Basilides, and Carpocrates, they all denied the resurrection of the body, and supposed that saluation did belong onelyonly to the soule of man. Valentinus and his disciple Marcus, with Colorbasus and Heracleon, all their opinions were so intricate and obscure, that men of meane vnderstanding could not conceiue them, and men of deepe iudgement would not conceiue them, because they had not spitted out their braines (as Epiphanius speaketh) that is, their head was not so voide of wisdome as to hearken to the new inuented toyes of braine-sicke men.

Cerdon. Marcion.Cerdon and Marcion were authors of the opinion of two gods, or two beginnings, the one they called the authour all good things, the other the author of all euill things. They denied the verity of Christs humane nature and the veritie of his sufferings, whereupon of necessity followeth this conclusion, that we are not saued indeed, but only (to vse Marcions p. 501own words) putativè, that is in fantasie or supposition. The death of Christ is the true ground of our saluation, if he only seemed to die, & died not indeed, then we seeme to be saued but are not saued indeed. They denied also the resurrection of the body.August. Index haeres. Marcion was justly called by Polycarpus Primogenitus diaboli,Euseb. l. 4. c. 14. that is, the first borne of the deuill. This heresie by the worke of that old serpent was dispersed in Italy, Egypt, Palestina, Arabia, Syria, Cyprus, Thebaida, Persia, & in many other places. This is the cause wherefore Tertullian, & after him, Epiphanius inveighes so sharply against this pestilēt heretike Marcion. He was the inuenter of a strange and new custome in Baptisme, that after a man hath bin once baptized he may be baptized again the second time, & third time also. This he did to wash away & put in obliuiō the foule fault of whordome committed by him. His father was a Preacher of Gods word in Pontus, & he himselfe had vowed chastity, & afterward polluted himselfe with whoredom, & was cast out of the church by his owne father, & when he came to Rome at the time when Hyginus (the ninth B. after the martyrdome of the two great Apostles) was lately departed this life, he was not admitted to the fellowship of the Church of Rome: therefore he joyned himselfe to the fellowship of Cerdon and augmēted his errour. To the two beginnings of Cerdon he added the third in this maner. First he said there was one supreme & vniuersall God, & him he called the good God, who created nothing that is in this world. Secondly there was a visible God who was Creator and maker of all things, and thirdly there was the deuill as mid-thing betweene the visible & inuisible God.Epiph. contra haeres. No heresie sprang vp in this Centurie that was so vniuersally ouer-spred in many nations and countries as the heresie of Marcion was. So bent is the corrupt nature of man to follow a doctrine of lies, when it is coloured with a shew and pretence of reuerence toward God. For they feared to attribute the making of any thing that is euill to God, who is infinite in goodnesse. But this was needlesse feare, because creatures which now are euill, they hauehave not this wicked disposition by the creation of God, but by their p. 502owne voluntarie defection from the first estate wherevnto God created them. Lucianus and Apolles were the disciples of Marcion whom many did follow, in so much that Marcionists were called Lucianistae and Apelleiani. Neuerthelesse Apelles could not agree with his master Marcion in al things: for he graunted that Iesus Christ the son of the good God had a true body, yet not made of the substance of the Virgin Mary, but of the foure elements, & that he died & rose againe not putative as Marcion said, but truely and in very deede, yet he thought that this true body of Christ like as it was composed of the elements, so likewise after his resurrectiō he dissolued it into the foure elements, and afterward returned to heauen from whence he came. This errour Epiphanius abhorreth for many great absurdities. First (saith he) did Christ build vp againe that Tabernacle which men destroyed, to the end that he himselfe incontinent after the building of it should destroy it againe by a dissolution of it into the elements? Secondly if Christ dissolued his owne body, why would he not let his disciples see at least the relikes of his body resolued into elements, to the end they might hauehave honored the relikes of his dissolued body, as the woman came to the sepulchre with precious oyntments to hauehave honoured his dead body. Thirdly (saith he) Apelles speaketh of Christes body after his resurrection, that which neither Christ, nor his Apostles euer spake of that blessed body. This is the right way to vndoe heresies, to bring them to the right balance of the mouth of Christ,Note. and writings of his holy Apostles, and then heresies cannot consist and stand.

In the dayes of Antoninus and L. Verus the authors of the fourth persecution;Tatianus. Tatianus a Syrian came to Rome and was conuerted to the true faith by Iustinus Martyr, during whose lifetime hee maintained no errour openly: but after the death of Iustinus hee became the authour of the sect Encratitae,Encratitae. who were so called, because they abstained from wine, eating of flesh and creatures quickned with a sensitiue life. They damned marriage and blasphemed the Epistle of PAVL.Euseb. l. 4 c. 28. This they did no doubt, p. 503because Paul in his Epistles calleth the prohibition of marriage, and the prohibition of meates appointed by God for the vse of men with thankesgiuing,1 Tim. 4.1 Tim 4 to be a doctrine of Deuils.

Montanus a man of Phrygia seduced two women,Montanus. Cataphryges. Iohn 14.John 14 Priscilla and Maximilla to leaue the companie of their husbands, and to be his prophetesses. He called himselfe the holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to instruct his disciples in all truth. He instituted lawes concerning fasting, and damned the second marriage, and affirmed that Paul gaue libertie to widowes to marrie,August. Index haeres. Euseb. lib 5. cap, 14 and 16. because hee knew the will of God, but onelyonly in a part.

I purposely passe ouer the rable of obscure Heretikes, such as Ophitae, Caiani, Sothiani, and such like: of whom notwithstanding Epiphanius vouchsafeth to write at length, no doubt to manifest the corruption of mans nature, stouping sometimes so basely, that not onelyonly they hearken to the counsel of the old serpent the deuill, but also they worship the very instrument of the Deuill, viz. the serpent, as these Ophitae did. Againe, some Heretikes magnified Cain and called him their father.Simil. And others gaue to Seth the honour due to Christ. So it commeth to pasle, that men destitute of the grace of God that commeth from aboue, are like vntounto drunkards staggering on the right hand, and on the left hand, and falling on their faces, and beating out their owne braines. Sometimes they extoll wicked men like vntounto Cain, and fall at the left hand: at other times they praise good men like vntounto Seth with excessiue prayses, and with derogation of the glorie of Christ, and fall at the right hand. And at sometimes are so benummed, that they spare not to set the verie deuill & his instruments in the chaire of God, and fall like drunken fooles on their faces, and knocke out their owne braines.

Let no man maruell wherefore the name of Aquila a man of Pontus and Theodosion of Ephesus,Aquila and Theodosion rather Apostats then Heretikes are not reckoned in the roll of Heretikes in this age. True it is that they once professed the faith of Christ, and made defection againe, but this defection made not a diuision into the Church which is p. 504the body of Christ, because they ioyned themselues to the vnbeleeuing Iewes, who vtterly denied the diuinity of Christ, and therefore of Christians became infidels rather then heretikes. Like as no man calleth the Emperour Iulian an heretike, but an apostate: so Aquila and Theodosian were notable apostates from the faith of Christ. How they laboured to peruert by sinistrous translations of places of Scripture giuing cleare testimony of Christ who was borne of a virgin, Eusebius declareth.Euseb. l. …. …. …. The translation of the Septuagints foreign, that is, Behold a virgin shall conceiue, Isa. 7. was translated by them, foreign, Behold a young woman shall conceiue. But this bad translation of Apostat christians and Proselites of the Iewes so well liked of the Iewish nation, could neuer take place in the Church of Christ: because the Propher Isaiah in that chapter is speaking of a miraculous signe which God will giuegive vntounto his people to confirme their faith, such as is the birth of a virgin, which indeede is a miraculous worke, but the birth of a yong woman that hath an husband is no miracle.

p. 505CENTVRIE III.

IVstly did Epiphanius compare an heretike to a Moul;Simile. a beast in quantitie litle, h…rking in subterraneall holes, and yet working great harme to wel labored ground. neverthelesse when it hapeneth that this noysome and blind beast creepeth out of her hole, and runneth vponupon the superfice of the earth, she is a ridiculous, wandering, & feeble, beast; she cannot see the hole out of which she hath crept forth, and she is easilie taken and slaine. Euen so heretikes so long as they lu…ke in secret, they peruert the hearts of many simple and ignorant people: but when they set out their heads, and their doctrine is examined by the light of Gods euerlasting word,Note. they are found to be ridiculous & feeble beasts. In the former Centuries by way of preterition I passed by many obscure heresies, the like order I intend God willing to keepe in this Centurie also.

The heretikes called Artotiritae who added vntounto the administration of their Sacrāent cheese vntounto the bread.Artotiritae. Alogi. Alogi who reiected the writings of the holy Apostle Iohn, and said they were written by Cerinthus: although, the Euangelist Iohn of purpose, wrot the Historie of his Gospell against Ebion and Cerinthus.

Adamiani, Adamiani.who had their conventicles in subterraneal places called Hypocausta, because that vnderunder the place of their meetings, a fornace of fire was kindled to warme the place of their conventions: for they vnclothed themselues when they entered into it, and stood naked, both men and women, according to the similitude of Adam & Eua before their fall.

Theodos… who denied the diuinitie of Christ,Theodos…. taking the p. 506name of their sect, from a miserable man in Constantinople called Theodatus, who in time of persecutiō for louelove of temporall life, denyed the king of glory Iesus Christ, and when this filthie denyall was obiected to him as a reproach of a cowardly hart, he answered that he denied not God, but man; by this answere signifying that Christ was man only, and not God māifested in our nature.Melchised…ciani Bardesianistae Valesii. Melchisedeciani magnified Melchisedecke aboue Christ. Bardesianistae were but a branch of the heresie of the Valentinians & Gnostici, who denied the resurrectiō, as is already declared in the second Centurie. Valesii, who gelded themselues. Angelici, whose name was better knowne to Epiphanius then the original of their sect. Apstolici, who would hauehave possessions,Apostolici. but reioyced in voluntarie pouertie, & detected marriage, giuing out a sentence against themselues, that they were vncleane, because they were procreated by marriage. Origeniani, Origeniani.& Turpes. These were vile & filthy beastes, not abhorring from whordome, but from procreation of children, to the end they might seeme to bee chaste.Gen. 38.9.10 Epiphaen contra haeres. lib. 2.Gen 38:9Gen 38:10 They were like to Onan the sonne of Iudah whom the Lord destroyed Al these heresies mentioned by Epiphan. I passe by almost with silence, because they were like vntounto abortiue birthes, & continued not long to perturbe the peace of the Church.

Now concerning other Heretickes, by whose venemous doctrine the Church of Christ had great strife and perturbation. Artemon and Beryllus Bishops of Bostra in Arabia denied the diuinitie of Christ,Artemon. and affirmed that he was not existent before hee tooke flesh of the Virgin. With Beryllus Origen conferred, and reduced him backe againe to the true faith and therefore I set not his name in the Catalogue of Heretikes, because he added not vntounto the fault of his bad opinion an obstinate defending of the same.Euseb…l. 6. c. 33. Helcesa…tae.

The heresie of Helcesaitae otherwise called Sampsei, because of the short continuance of it, is scarce worthy to be reckoned. They mixed the religion of the Iewes, Gentiles, and Christians, together; but were more addicted to the supperstition p. 507of the Iewes,Epiph contra …eres lib. 2. then to any one of the other two. They reiected the writings of the Apostle Paul, and affirmed that a man who denyed the Lord with his mouth, in the time of persecution, if so be hee adhered to the faith in his heart, hee had committed no sinne. They carryed about with them a singular book, which they sayd was sent downe from heaven,Coment. Funt. in Chron. and they promised remission of sinnes to every man who would hearken to the words of that booke.

Novatus a Presbyter at Rome,The nature of contentious spirits. was a man of a contentious spirit, and men that are humorous, high-minded, and contentious, they are wise to doe evill, but they can do no good. Such a man was Novatus, who disquieted with schisme, and heresie, two of the most notable Churches in the world at that time, viz. Carthage and Rome, by giving out a rigorous sentence against those, who in the time of persecution had fallen, albeit they had repented after their fall, and all outward tokens of vnfained repentance had beene seene in them; yet his opinion was, that they should not be admitted againe to the fellowship of the Church. This opinion was not onelyonly repugnant to the wordes of Isai, Ezech. 18. Mat. 11. and to innumerable moe places of sacred Scripture, but also it was a foolish opinion, advancing the kingdome of the divell, and not the kingdome of God. For the two great wheels of the cart of the divell,Note. whereby he carryeth men headlong to hell, are presumption and desperation: and merc…lesse Novatus teaching a doctrine that strengthened not the knees of the weake, hee did what in him lay to moue sinners to despaire. There Cyprian Bishop of Carthage, who excommunicated him, and Cornelius Bishop of Rome,Euseb. l. 6. c. 43. who did the like, with the advice of a graue and worthy Councell, gathered at Rome, are to bee counted wise men: because they endevoured timely to suppresse those errours that weakened the hearts of the children of God.

I reade of no heresie preceding the heresie of Arrius and Eutiches, Reasons why the Novatian heresie continued long in the Church.that continued longer time in the Church of God, then the heresie of Novatus; partly, because it crept p. 508in vnderunder pretence of zeale, to the glory of God, and vnderunder pretence of a detestation of sinne: partly also, because the Novatian Heretiques, in the question concerning the divinity of Christ,…oto…. …ib. … …p. …. were conformable to the opinion of the true Church. Thirdly, because in the time of the Arrian persec…ion, the Novatians were banished, and troubled with no lesse hat…full malice and despite, then the members of the Church were: yea and the true Catholiques and Novatians, being companions of one and the selfe-same suffering, were content also to giuegive their liues one for another. And the foresayd author saith, Parúmque abfuit quin coadunarentur, that is,… They were neere-by vnited, and agreed together, to wit, the true Catholiques and Novatians. But what was the impediment that hindred their vnion? Reade the Historie, and it shall not be found in the true Catholiques, but in the obstinacy and wilfulnesse of the Novatians. And so it falleth out at all times,… that men who are the authors of heresies and schismes, are also the principall hinderers of the redintegration of the vnion of the Church.

The razing and demolishing of the Temple of the Novatians, in Cyzicum, a famous towne of Bithynia, together with the calamity of the people of Mantinium, a towne of Paphlagonia, cleerely prooveth, that the Novatian heresie continued vntill the dayes of Constantius the sonne of Constantine, an Arrian Emperour, and a persecuter of the true faith. The favour that they obtained in the dayes of Iulian, I passe over with silence. But in the dayes of the raigne of Theodosius, the Novatians by the Emperours edict, were permitted to hauehave publique conventions in Constantinople, to enioy such priviledges as other Christians had, and to possesse the Oratories and Temples, wherein they were accustomed to ser…e God. All this toleration and liberty was granted to them by the good Emperour Theodosius, because in the head of Doctrine concerning the divinity of Christ, they damned the Arrians,Soc. l. …. c. 10. Hi…. Magd. C…nt. 3. …. …. & agreed with the Homousians. The Magdeburg historie saith, that this heresie continued in Constantinople to the time that it was conquered by the p. 509Turkes, I hauehave written of this heresie at great length, to admonish all true Christians, that it is not enough to adhere to some points of the true faith,Note. and to suffer persecuion for righteousnes at sometimes, and to louelove brotherly fellowship at some times, so that we are content to sacrifice our life for our brethren: all these things did the Novatians, and were favoured by the Emperour Theodosius, as is sayd, yet they were both Schismaticks & Heretiques, because they would be wiser then God, and debarre them, from the bosome of Christs compassions, whom Christ inviteth to come vntounto him,Mat. 11.…8Matt 11:8 saying; Come vntounto me all yee that are weary and laden, and I will ease you.

Let the example of the Novatians admonish men who studie to singularity, and to bring in new customes or opinions in the Church of God, to take heed that their opinions bee not repugnant vntounto the written Word:Notes left, after they hauehave continved a long time, in the end they bee reiected as opinions, foolish, vaine, hereticall, and not agreeing with the Scriptures of God. His followers were called foreign, or Puritans.Enseb, …. c. 43 Hist. …. cen…. 3. cap. … Let this name rest in the bosome of Hereticks. And men who are not guilty of the faults, that were in the Novatians, if they be vndeservedly charged with this name given of old to Heretiques, let them say with humble hearts, that in one sense they are foreign, because they are purged from sinne in the fountaine of the blood of Christ.1 Ioh. 3.….1 John 3 But in no other sense and meaning, can true Christians bee called foreign, except onelyonly in this, because their sinnes are freely forgiven in Christ, and God hath begun the worke of sanctification in them, to bee a testimony that they are planted in the stocke of Christ, In this sense speaketh the Evangelist Iohn, Ioh. 15.3John 15:3foreign, that is, Now are yee cleane, through the word that I hauehave spoken vntounto you.

The heresie of Sabellius began to shew it selfe vntounto the world,Sabellians about the yeere of our Lord 257. vnderunder the raigne of Gallus. It was set forth by Nortus in Ptolemaida, afterward by Hermogenes, and Prazeas, and last it was propagated p. 510by Sabellius the disciple of Noetus. Alwaies the heresie rather taketh the name from the disciple, then from the master. They confessed that there was but one God onelyonly, but they denyed that there were three distinct persons in this one Godhead, viz. the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost. By this their opinion, they confounded the two Greeke words, foreign and foreign, as if there were no difference betwene them. No man dare presume to say, that in God there are three distinct substances, therefore Sabellius and his adherents sayd, that there were not three distinct substances or persons in the Godhead, but the three names of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, were given to one person only, but pointed not out distinction of persons or substances in the Godhead.Ruffin. l. 1. c. 29. By this opinion they were compelled to grant, that it was the Father who cloathed himselfe with our nature, and dyed for our sinnes, and they were called Patrispass…ani, because their opinion imported that the Father suffered.

In the raigne of Gallienus, and about the yeere of our Lord,Nepotiani. 264. a certaine Bishop in Egypt, called Nepos, began to affirme, that at the later day the godly should rise before the wicked, and should liue with Christ heere in the earth, a thousand yeeres, in abundance of all kinde of delicate earthly pleasures. The ground of this errour, was the misvnderstanding of the words of the Revelation of Iohn, chap. 20. vers. 5.6. In refuting of this heresie, Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria, bestowed his travels with good successe: for hee disputed against Coracion, a man professing this errour in Arsenoitis, a place of Egypt, whom hee refuted in presence of many brethren, who were auditors of that disputation, for the space of three dayes, from morning till evening. So that in the end Coracion yeelded,Euseb l. 7 c. 24. and promised that hee should not maintaine any such opinion in time to come.

About that same time, that is, in the time of the raigne of Gallienus, Samosatenus.Claudius, and Aurelianus: Paulus Samosatenus Bishop of Antiochia, a pestilent fellow, denyed the divinity of the Sonne of God, and affirmed that Christ obtained the p. 511name of the Sonne of God, through his vertuous behaviour and patient suffering; but he was not naturally and truely the Sonne of God, begotten of the substance of the Father. His life correspondent to his doctrine, was wicked and prophane. He was so covetous of vaine-glory, that he built vntounto himselfe in the Church a glorious seat, according to the similitude of a princely throne, and from this seat hee spake vntounto the people, whom he was accustomed to reproue with sharpe words, if they had not received his words with cheerfull acclamations and shoutings, such as were wont to bee vsed in Stage-playes. The Psalmes also that were sung in Church,Euseb. l. 7… c. 30. to the praise of God, hee abrogated, and was not ashamed to hire women, to sing his owne praises in the Congregation of the Lords people. For this his damnable doctrine and lewd life, he was most iustly deposed by the Councell convened at Antiochia, and excommunicated by all Christian Churches in the whole world, and was so detested by all good men, that F…rmilius Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, and Dionysius Alexandrinus, who for his olde age might not travell, and be present at the Councell of Antiochia, yet they both damned the Heretique Samosatenus, by their letters sent to the Congregation of Antiochia, but not to the Bishop thereof, because hee was not worthy that any man should salute him, either by word or writ.

Manes a Persian,Manes, and Manichei. otherwise called Manicheus, a man furious and mad, answering well vntounto his name, set forth the venome of his heresie, in the time of the raigne of Diclesian, a man both in speech and manners, rude and barbarous, in inclination divelish:Euseb. l. 7. c. 31. yet hee durst to call himselfe the holy spirit, as Montanus had done before, and to represent Christs actions in chusig vntounto him twelue disciples, whom hee sent forth to propagate his errors, into diverse parts of the world. His heresie contained a masse, or venomous composition of old extinguished errors, which hee renued and massed together; such as the error of Cerdon and Marcion, concerning two beginnings. The error of Encratitae, in prohibition of meates, which God hath appointed for the vse of man with p. 512thanksgiving, specially flesh and wine. Hee vtterly reiected the old Testament, as many other Heretiques had done before him. Hee ascribed not sinne to the free will of man, and his voluntary defection from the estate of his first creation, but to necessity, because mans bodie was made of the substance of the Prince of darknes. This was that heresie wherewith Augustine was infected before his conversion, but the Lord who brought forth light out of darknesse, and made Paul, sometime a Persecuter, to be a Preacher of his Gospell, and Cyprian a Sorcerer, to be a worthy Preacher and Martyr: this same gracious Lord, I say, in the multitude of his vnspeakeable compassions, drew Augustine out of this filthy myre of abhominable heresie, and made him liste vntounto a bright starre, sending forth the beames of light to comfort Gods house. The opinion of Manes concerning the creation of the world, and the creation of man, the manifestation of Christ in our nature, rather in shew and appearance, then in verity; and the horrible abhomination of their vile Eucharist, no man can be ignorant of these things, who hath read but a little of the bookes of Augustine, written against the Mani…heans. In the end, like as Manes exceeded all the rest of the Heretiques in madnesse of foolish opinions: even so the Lord pointed him out among all the rest, to be a spectacle of his wrath and vengeance. For the King of Persia hearing of the fame of Manes, Gods iustice against Manes.sent for him to cure his sonne, who was deadly diseased: but when hee saw that his sonne died in his hands, hee cast him into prison, and was purposed to put him to death: but he escaped out of prison, and fled to Mesopotamia. Neverthelesse the King of Persia vnderstanding in what place Manes did lurke, sent men who pursued him, tooke him and excoriated his body,Soc. l. 1. c. 22. and stopped his skin full of chaffe, and set it vp before the entry of a certaine Citie of Mesopotamia. If any man bee desirous to hauehave greater knowledge of this remarkeable Heretique, both in respect of his life and death, hee may reade the fore-mentioned chapter of the Ecclesiasticall history of Socrates, and he shall finde, that the first man p. 513called Manicheus, who renued the error of two beginnings, was a man of Scythia. He had a disciple, first called Buddas, afterward Terebynthus, who dwelt in Babylon. This man Terebynthus, was the composer of these bookes which Manes gaue out vnderunder his owne name. Manes was but a slavish boy, bought with money by a woman of Babylon, in whose house Terebynthus had lodged, and shee brought vp the boy at schoole: his name was Curbicus when he was bought, but when this woman died, shee left in legacie to Curbicus, the money and bookes of Terebynthus, and he went from Babylon to Persia, changed his name, and called himselfe Manes, and set forth the bookes of Terebynthus, Note.as if they had beene composed by himselfe, so that he added vntounto the rest of his villanies, this fault also, that he was from his very youth a dissembling and deceitfull fellow.

After Manes, Hieracitae.sprang vp Hierax, who spake of the Father, and the Sonne, as of two lights different in substance. Hee damned mariage, denyed the resurrection of the bodie, and excluded infants from the kingdome of God. Marke in this Catalogue of heresies of the first three hundred yeeres,Epiph. contra heres. Hist. Magd. how many of the divels trumpeters sounded the doctrine of the prohibition of marriage. The Nicolaitans, Gnostici, Encratitae, Montanistae, Apostolici, Origeniani, called Turpes,Note. Manichei, and Hieracitae. Satan hateth mariage, to the end that his kingdome might be advanced by fornication, and all kind of vncleannesse.

p. 514CENTVRIE IV.

OLd heresies before mentioned, such as the heresies of the Novatians, Sabellians, and Manicheans, did more hurt in this Centurie, then in the time wherein they were first propagated; as appeareth by the books and Sermons of learned Fathers, seriously insisting to quench the flame of hereticall doctrine, which was kindled before their time.

Meletiani.In this Centurie the plurality of Heretiques did most mightily abound.Soc. l. 1. c. 6. Theod. l. 1. c. 8. Aug de heres. Theod. l. 1. c 9. Meletius a Bishop in Thebaida, was deposed by Peter Bishop of Alexandria (who suffered martyrdome vnderunder Dioclesian) because hee was found to hauehave sacrificed to Idols. After his deposition he was factious and seditious, raysing vp tumults in Thebaida, and practizing tyranny against the chaire of Alexandria: and his disciples were found to hauehave communicated with the Arrians. The Councell of Nice suffered Miletius to enioy the name of a Bishop without power of ordination.

Arriani.In the yeere of our Lord 324. sprang vp Arrius a Presbyter in Alexandria, who denyed that the Sonne of God was begotten of the substance of the Father, but that hee was a creature, and made of things not existent, and that there was a time wherein the Sonne was not.Theod. l. 1. c. 4. Alexander Bishop of Alexandria, dealt with him to reclaime him from his hereticall opinions: but his travels were spent in vaine. Therefore Alexander was compelled to vse the last remedie, to depose and excommunicate Arrius, with his complices, to wit, Achilles, Euzoius, Aethalus, Lucius, Sarmata, Iulius, M…nas, Arrtus alter, and Helladius. This excommunication had allowance by the Bishops of Thebaida, Pentapolis, p. 515Lybia, Syria, Lycia, Pamphylia, Asia, Cappadocia, and many other places. But Arrius an head strong heretike was incorrigible: neither the letters of the good Emperour Constantine, nor the trauelts of Osius Bishop of Cordubae, could worke any amendment in him. He laboured to fortifie himselfe in his hereticall opinion, especially by the assistance of Eusebius B. of Nicomedia, a perilous & deceitful man. Arrius was condemned by the Councel of Nice, & was banished by the Emp. Constantine. Albeit he was reduced againe from banishment by the meanes of Constantia, the Emp. sister, & of an Arriā presbiter, whom she cōmended to the Em. her brother when she was concluding her life:Socrat. l. 1. c. 38 Yet the Lord punished the insolent pride of this heretike, with a shamefull & vnquoth death, as hath bin already declared. This heresie was propagated by Constantius, by Iustina, and her sonne Valentinian the second, by the Emp. Valens, and by the kings of Gothes and Vandalles. The principall defenders of the heresie were Eusebius B. of Nicomedia,Socrat. l. 2. c. 18 Menophantes, B. of Ephesus, Theogonius B. of Nice, Vrsatius B. of Sygdonia, and Valens B. of Mursa, in vpper Panonia, Theonas B. in Marmarica, Secundus B. of Ptolemaida in Aegypt, Maris B. of Chalcedon, Narcissus B. in Cilicia, Theodorus B. of Hearaclea in Thracia, and Marcus B. of Irenopolis in Syria. In the number of most impudent Arrian Bishops, was Ishyras, the chiefe accuser of Athanasius, to whom the Arrians gaue the wages of iniquity, and ordained him B. of Mareotis:Sozom. lib. 2. cap. 25. The ouer-throwing of the holy Table, the breaking of the holy Cup, the burning of the holy bookes, the slaughter of Arsenius, & many other accusations were all forged against Athanasius by Ishyras, for hope of reward. Eulalius, Euphronius, Placitus, Stephanus, Leōtius, Spado, and Eudoxius, Bishops of Antiochia…all these were defenders of the Arrian heresie, with many others of whom I will hauehave occasion to spèake hereafter.

Albeit Anomaei were a branch of the stocke of the Arrians,Anomaie. yet they differed from other Arrians in this, that they abhorred from the word foreign, which other Arriās embraced. The principall authors of this heresie were Acatius p. 516Ennomius, and Aetius, whereof it came to passe, that some called them Acatiani, others Eunomiani, and some Aetiani. Acatius in the Councell of Seleucia manifested the Hipocrisie of his deceitfull speeches,Sozom. lib 4. cap. 22. because in his books he had called the Son of God foreign, that is of like Substance with the Father: he was demaunded in what sence he had so written? he answered, that the Sonne of God was like vntounto the Father in will, but not in substance. Eunomius bishop of Cyzicus in Bythynia, was the inuenter of this miserable Heresie of Anomaei, a man who delighted in multitude of wordes as many Heretikes doe.Sozom lib. 6. cap. 26. Sozomen blames him for altering the custome of thriee dipping the water in Baptisme. The people of Cyzicus complained to the Emp. Constantius, Theod. l. 2. c. 29.of the bad and reprobate opinion of Eunomius. The Emperour was offended against Eudoxius bishop of Constantinople who had placed him in Cyzicus.Basil contra. Eunomium. Numb. 25. ver. 14.15.Num 25:14Num 25:15 Hereof it came to passe, that Eudoxius (who was of that opinion himself, but durst not auow it) sent secret aduertisement to Eunomius to flie out of Cyzicus. Basilius Magnus in his fiue bookes written against Eunomius, as it were filled with the spirit of Phineas, who with one speare killed Ombri and Cosbi: euen so Basilius with one penne, confounded both Eunomius, and his master Aëtius. This Aetius was a Syrian, admitted to the office of a Deacon by Leontius Spado: he spake vnquoth things of the Trinitie, and was justly called an Atheist. The Emp. Constantius, albeit he loued other Arrians,Theod. l. 2. c. 28. yet he disliked Anomei, and procured his deposition and excommunication, by the Bishops who came to Constantinople from Ariminum and Seleucia. Eudoxius first Bishop of Germanitia, in the confines of Cilicia, after Bishop of Antiochia, & last Bishop of Constantinople, a hunter for preheminence of place: he was a fauourer of the sect of Arrians,Theod. l. 2. c. 25. called Anomei, or foreign: yet he had the heart of a beast, for neither would he embrace the true faith, neither durst he defend the lye whereunto his heart was inclined. But in the Councell of Constantinople, holden after the Councels of Ariminum and Seleucia, he transferred all the blame vponupon Aëtius, whom the Emperour banished: so p. 517that it is a strange thing,Theod. l. 2. c. 27. that this errour should hauehave had the name also from such a feeble patron as Eudoxius was, to be called the errour of Eudoxiani.

Macedonius, Macedoniani, or foreign.rather by the authoritie of the Emp. Constantius, then by the consent of the people, was made Bishop of Constantinople. Paulus lawfull Bishop of Constantinople, was banished to Cucusus, a towne of Armenia, and there hee was strangled by the Arrians, also. 3150. of the people were slaine and troden vnderunder feete, at his violent entrie. This bloody Tyrant denyed the diuinitie of the holy Ghost. He was deposed by the Emperours procurement,Soc. l. 2. c because hee durst presume at his owne hand to transport the bones of the Emp. Constantine from one Church to another. His followers were abhorred more then any other branch of the Arrian heresie,Soc. l. 4. c. 12. for their inconstancie. They sent Messengers to Liberius Bishop of Rome, and consented in all points to the Nicene Faith: but afterward, like vntounto dogges, they returned to their vomit a gaine. Hee was damned, as a notable heretike, by the second Generall Councell gathered at Constantinople, by the Emperour Theodosius, Anno. 386. He died in a little Village neere to Constantinople, and Eudoxius obtained his place.

Photinus Bishop of Sirmium in Illyria,Photiniani. was the Disciple of Marcellus Bishop of Ancyra in Galatia: These two renewed both the heresie of Sabellius and Samosatenus, and augmented the blasphemous opinion of Samosatenus, with this addition.Secrat. l. 2. c. 19 That the kingdome of Christ was not euerlasting, but it had a beginning, when he was borne of the Virgin, & should hauehave an end at the latter day. This heresie hath the name from the disciple, and not the master, in regard that Marcellus continued not so obstinately in his errour, as did Photinus his disciple, but renounced his errour, & was receiued into the fellowship of the Church,Hist. Magd. cent. 4. cap. 11. in the Councell of Sardica: but Photinus was deposed at the Councell of Sirmium, and banished by the Emperour Constantine Neuerthelesse, after his deposition & banishment, he continued obstinately in his errour, & wrote bookes both in Latine and p. 518Greeke, in defence of his heresie: whereby his name became infamous, and he was counted the author of this heresie.

Audaei, or Anthopomorphitae.Audaeus was a man of Syria, vnderunder the raigne of Valentinian, and his brother Valens: He published an errour, That God was like the similitude of a mans bodie. This errour hee conceiued through wrong vnderstanding of the words of Scripture, wherein it is said, Let vsus make man in our owne Image, Gen. 1. verse 21.Gen 1:21according to our likenesse. With this errour many vnlerned Aegyptian Monkes were intangled. They pretended great innocencie and chastitie in their liues, and separated themselues from the societie of the Church,Theod. compend. beresium. couering their impietie with this pretext, that they saw vsurers and vncleane persons tolerated in the Church.

Messaliani.About this time, saith Theodoretus, that is, in the dayes of Valentinianus and Valens, sprang vp the heresie of Messaliani. Albeit this name be vnquoth, yet the Greeke names giuen vntounto this heresie are more significatiue: they were called foreign, because they counted prayer the onelyonly exercise necessary to the children of God, euen as if a man could talke with God by prayer,Note. before he hath first heard God talking with him by the preaching of the Word.

Likewise they were called foreign, that is, men rauished in the spirit,Theod lib. 4. cap. 11. after long continuance in prayer. When they were transported, and out of their wits, then they supposed, that the holy spirit was sensibly infused into them, whereby their bodies were made free of all perturbation, and their soules were auerted from all inclination to euill, in such sort, that they had no neede of fasting to subdue their bodies, nor of Doctrine to restraine the disordered affections of their soules.Theod. ibid. This Pestilent heresie was ouerspred in many places: but it was mightily suppressed by Letoius B. of Meletina, Amphilachius B. of Iconium in Lycaonia, & Flaniāus B. of Antiochia, who with great dexterity drew out a cōfession out of the mouth of Adelphius, an aged man, & a propagator of this heresie in Edessa. This Heresie, albeit it had many patrons, such as Dadoes, Sabas, Adelphius, Hermas, Simeones, yet from none of them it receiued the name, but p. 519rather from the actions and passions wherevnto they inclined.

Apollinaris Bishop of Laodicea in Syria,Appollinaris. gloried in the quickenesse of his wit, and delighted to make contradiction to eueryevery thing that any man could speake: and so it came to passe (as Ruffinus writeth) Heresim ex contentione generauit, Ruffin. l. 2. c. 20.that is to say, Through contention he procreated an heresie: affirming that in the dispensation of Christes Incarnation, hee assumed the body of a man onelyonly, but not the soule of a man because his diuinitie supplied the place of his soule. And when hee was argued by euident places of Scripture, that Christ in his humane nature was a perfect man, hauing not onelyonly a body, but also the soule of a man: as when he sayd, His soul was heauy vntounto the death:Marke, 14. verse, 34. left he should hauehave seemed to bee vtterly conuinced and ouercome: hee confessed that Christes bodie was quickned with a naturall life: but the diuinitie o f Christ was in place of a reasonable soule. This heresie was damned in Councels conueened at Rome, Alexandria, and Constantinople. Hee augmented the schisme at Antiochia, where there had beene alreadie three factions, to wit, Eustatiani, Meletiani, and Pauliniani. Now Apollinaris dwelling in Laodicea a towne of Syria,Theod lib. 5. cap. 3. neere approaching to Antiochia: hee was the author of the fourth faction. In the dayes of Iulian hee compiled histories of Scripture, in Greeke Poesie. In the dayes of Valentinian and Gratian, Itrom in Catal. Theod l. 5 c. 4. Soz…m. lib. 6. cap. 25.he defended his Heresie. In the dayes of the Emperour Theodosius he concluded his life. His sonne, in name, learning, and bad vse of excellent gifts, was like vntounto his father. Vitalius presbiter in Antiochia was a serious defender of the heresie of Apollinaris, in so much, that the followers of Apollinaris were called Vitaliani.

Donatus was a Bishop in Numidia,Donatista. who contended with vnsupportable hatred against Cecilianus Bishop of Carthage, challenging him,August Epist. 152. that he had receiued ordination from Foelix Altungensis, who was proditor: that is, who in time of persecution had deliuered the booke of holy Scripture to be burnt: or, as others say, because hee admitted to an Ecclesiasticall p. 520office, a Deacon, who had committed the like fault. The cause of Cecilianus was oft agitat before the Councell of Carthage, before Miltiades B. of Rome, before the Councell of Arles, and by the Emp. Constantine: but the Donatistes at all times succumbed in probation. Therefore they were enraged, because they could not accomplish their wicked designes against Cecilianus: & they fell from the vnity of the Church. Inueterate schismes oft times turne to Heresies. So the Donatists in the end were defenders of Hereticall opinions: namely, that the Catholicke church was no where els to be found, but only in that corner of Africke, wherein they themselues dwelt: and that Baptisme was not effectual, except it had bin ministred by one of their societie. Of all the branches of this heresie,August de heres. ad quod vult Deum. Circūcelliones was the most reprobate branch: a people cruel & sauage, not only against others, but also against themselues, throwing themselues headlong frō high places, or casting themselues in fire and water: and this sort of death they counted Martyrdome. The diuersitie of names wherewith this Heresie was pointed out, clearely declares, that the Donatistes wanted not a great number of fauorers: for they were called Parmeniani, Rogatistae, Cirtenses, and Maximianistae. Against this Heresie, and the Heresie of the Pelagians, August. Bishop of Hippo, contended with mightie grace, as likewise against the Heresie, of the Manicheans, wherein he had bin nursed himselfe.

Collyridiani.Collyridiani were a sort of superstitious people, who worshipped the Virgin Marie, the mother of our Lord, with diuine adoration, and with baking little pasties (which in the Greeke language are called foreign) which they offered to the Virgin Marie, Epiph. contra beres.as to the Queene of Heauen. Epiphanius counts them Heretikes, because the Virgin Marie, albeit shee be a blessed woman, yet is shee not God.

Many late heresies are nothing els, but a renewing of old & decayed heresies.Priscillianistae. Such was the heresie of Priscillianus, a man of Noble birth in Spaine, very eloqvent, rich temperate, with great show of humilitie, who easilie insinuated himselfe in the fauour of the people. In his youth hee was inclined p. 521to Magical Arts,Hist. Magd. Cent. 4. cap. 11. and renewed the heresie of Gnostici, who disallowed Marriage, and commended fornication. Some Bishops of Spaine were entangled with this heresie: such as Iustantius, Salvianus, and Helpidius, whom Adygimus Bishop of Corduba damned in a Coūcell gathered at Caesaraugusta. This was done in the dayes of the Emp. Gratianus & Valentinian. The great Citie of refuge to heretikes, was to addresse themselues to the Bishop of Rome, and to leane vnderunder his shadow: But Damasus, who was bishop of Rome at this time, would not admit these Heretikes to his presence: Neither would Ambrose Bishop of Millane, to whom they addressed next, in any wise accept of them: when al other means failed them, last of al with buddes and bribes they sollicited the Emp. cubiculers, & were sent backe againe to enjoy their owne places. Neuerthelesse, God suffered not Priscillianus to escape punishment, for hee was conuict of sorcery, and was punished to the death, after the death of Valentinian the second, whether by Maximus an vsurper of the Emperiall Soueraintie, or by Theodosius, I am not certaine.

Lucifer was Bishop of Calaris in Sardinia.Luciferiani. He was present at the Councell of Millan, and was banished by Constantius, because hee would not consent to the deposition of Athanasius. Hee was reduced from banishment by the Emperour Iulian. Sozom. lib. 5. cap. 13.Hee visited Antiochia a towne miserably distracted with Schismes, and by ordaining Paulinus Bishop of Antiochia, hee rather augmented then lessened the schisme: he perceiued that this his fact was disproued by Euseb. Bishop of Vercellis, and many others, therefore he and his followers, did not communicate with such as disproued the ordination of Paulinus. This seemeth rather to be reckoned in the catalogue of schismes,Theod. compend. heresium. then of heresies: and Theod. disprouing Lucifer, saith, that hee made faith to be foreign, but he saith not foreign, that is, a weapon of contentions, but not a weapon of heresie.

These who supposed,Antidicomarianitae. that after the Natiuitie of the Lord, the Virgin Marie companied with her husband Ioseph, and did beare children to him, were called Antidicomarianitae. p. 522In this opinion was Helvidius, August de haeres.a man more curious then wise. The opinion of the Fathers of the Church, not repugnant to Scripture, was this, That like as no man did lie in the sepulchre wherein Christ was buried before him, Euen so in the wombe wherein hee was conceiued, no man was conceiued after him: so the Fathers tooke the words of the Apostolicke symbole, foreign, as if it had beene said, foreign, that is, borne of Mary a perpetuall Virgin. In holy scriptures by the brethren of our Lord is meant the kinsmen of the Lord according to the flesh, to which exposition the consent of Ancient and Neotericke writers for the most part agreeth.

MetaugismouisaAugustine cites out of Philaster a sort of heretikes, called Metangismonitae, whose heresie sounded to this. That the sonne is in the Father, according to the similitude of a little vessel comprehended within the compasse of a greater vessel: foreign in the Greeke Language signifieth a vessell,Note. and foreign signifieth the entering of one vessel within another, which in our language cannot be expressed by one word, as it is in the Greeke.

Seleuciani or Hermiani.From Seleucus & Hermias this heresie had the name: where they dwelt, or in what Emperours daies this heresie was propagated, August. maketh no mention: their opinions were most abominable: namely, that the Masse, whereof God created the elements, was coeternall with him: and that the Angels, and not God, created the soules of men: that Christ in his ascension vncloathed himselfe of the flesh of man, and left it in the Globe of the Sunne. They receiued not baptisme by water. They denyed the resurrection of the dead, supposing that by new generations, one succeeding to another, that is performed which in Scripture is written concerning the resurrection.

The rest of heresies of this age, were all obscure, and had few followers,Proclianitae. such as Proclianitae, who denied that Christ was come in the flesh:Patriciani. Patriciani, who affirmed, that the body of man was formed by the deuil,Ascitae. & not by God: Ascitae, who carried about with them the new vessels, to represent p. 523that they were vessels filled with the new wine of the Gospell: Patalorynchitae, Patalorynchitae, or foreign. Aquar….foolish men, who counted it religion to stop their breath with their fingers, and to vtter no intelligible speech: Aquarij, who in stead of wine receiued water in the holy Sacrament. The beginning of this errour seemes to hauehave beene in the dayes of Cyprian. Coluthiani denyed,Coluthiani. that any evill, either of sinne or punishment, came of God.Floriani. Floriani, who by the contrary affirmed, that God created creatures in an evill estate. The eight heresies which Philaster cōmemorates without any name, either taken from the Author, or from the heresie it self, Augustine scarcely will reckon them into the roll of heresies.

p. 524CENTVRIE V.

Pelagiani.PElagius, Brito, and his followers, Iulianus, and Coelestius, mantained damnable heresies, in the dayes of Arcadius and Honorius. Their pernitious heresies may be easily knowne by the learned writings of Augustine, who directly impugneth the Pelagians, and by the Councels of Arausio in France, and Milivetanum in Numidia, which damned the error of the Pelagians. They affirmed that men by nature were able to fulfill the whole lawe of God, howbeit more easily and better, if they were supported by the grace of God. They denyed moreover, that there was originall sinne, and sayd, the posterity of Adam were sinners by imitation of Adams sinne, but had not received sinne by carnall propagation. They said moreover, that children had not need to be baptized for remission of sinnes, and that godly fathers in Scripture, when they confessed their sinnes, they did it rather for example of humility, then for necessity and guiltinesse of sin. This pestilent heresie was spread abroad in many places, but chiefly in the Isle of Brittaine, because Pelagius being driven from Rome, came to the Isle aforesaid, and infected it with his error, but by the diligent travels of Germanus Altisidorensis, and Palladius, sent from Coelestinus Bishop of Rome, both England and Scotland were freed from that error.

Nestorius.Nestorius Bishop of Constantinople, lived in the dayes of Theodosius the second. Hee was an eloquent man, but his head wanted braines, when hee spake against the personall vnion,Evag. l. 1. c. 7. of the divine and humane nature of Christ. He denyed that the Virgin Marie could bee called foreign, p. 525or Deipara, that is, the mother of God, but only foreign, that is the mother of Christ. Hee was condemned as an Heretique in the Councell of Ephesus, and banished by the Emperour Theodosius, to the wildernesse of Thebaida, and was plagued by God with extraordinary iudgements, as other Heretiques had beene before:Note. for his blasphemous tongue was consumed with wormes, and rotted in his mouth, and so hee ended his wretched life most miserablie.

Eutyches was an Abbot in Constantinople:Eutychiani. hee fell into an errour farre different from the heresie of Nestorius: for Nestorius would not grant the personall vnion of two natures in Christ,Euag. l. 1. c. 9. but Eutyches confounded the natures, and would hauehave the humane nature so swallowed vp by the immensitie of the divine nature in Christ, that there was nor two natures in Christ, but one onelyonly, to wit, the divine nature. He was condemned in the Councell of Chalcedon, as will bee declared hereafter (God willing). This heresie much perturbed and troubled the Church, in respect of the fautors, and favourers thereof, both in Policie and Church. Chrysaphius, a principall ruler in the Court of Theodosius the second: Basiliscus and Anastatius Emperours, were favourers of this heresie, and of Bishops not a few; such as Dioscorus Bishop of Alexandria: Timotheus Aelurus, who entred into the chaire of Alexandria like vntounto a Wolfe, with sheading the blood of Proterius the true shepheard, and Petrus Moggus Bishoppe of Alexandria, and Petrus Gnapheus Bishoppe of Antiochia: all these maintained the heresie of Eutiches a long time. And now appeareth the fruit of humane wisedome, who chose Patriarches to suppresse heresies, and yet they are the principall maintainers of it. Likewise a multitude of wicked men, specially Monkes cryed out against the decrees of the Councell of Chalcedon (which were assembled by the authority of the Emperor Martianus) these were called foreign,Note. because they had no principall head, vponupon whom they depended: p. 526all these countenanced the heresie of Eutiches, whereby it became the more pernicious to the Church.

It is to be vnderstood that old heresies, such as the heresie of the Manicheans, and the heresie of the Donatists sprung vp of later time, were in vigour and strength as yet, whereby it came to passe, that Augustine is compelled to write in his time against many Manicheans, such as Faustus, Fortunatus, Felix, Secundinus; and against Donatists, such as Gandentius, Parmenianus, Emeritus, Ticonius: so that it is evident, that the Church in this Centurie, and in the former, was chiefly perturbed with the multitude and diversitie of heresies.

p. 527CENTVRIE VI.

IN this and the next Centurie, I finde, that the error of Eutyches is like vntounto a roote of bitternesse,Simile.. which budding out with new branches not seene before, but fostered with the venomous sappe of the old roote, that seemed to bee abolished, did mightily perturbe the Church. The error of the Monothelites was but a branch of the error of Eutyches, of which hereafter.

In this Centurie a great number of people, especially of Monkes, favouring the heresie of Eutyches, spake against the Councell of Chalcedon: These were called foreign, because they had no principall head,Acephali. vponupon whom they depended, and they were anterior to Anthimus, or Anthimius Bishop of Constantinople, and to Theodosius Bishop of Alexandria, and Severus Bishop of Antiochia: therefore they were not called Anthimians, Theodosians, or Severites, but indeed, they might hauehave beene called Eutychians, but the vulgar name given vntounto them, was foreign.

Another branch which sprang vp from the root of Eutyches heresie,foreign. was the errour of those who supposed that the flesh of Christ was voyd of all kinde of humane infirmitie, expresly contradicting holy Scriptures, which attributeth vntounto the body of Christ,Mat. 4. Iohn 4.Matt 4John 4 hunger, and wearinesse, and other infirmities, which hee voluntarily accepted for our sakes. And where it is sayd, that the Lord Iesus did eat and drink: to this they answered, that hee seemed to eaté and drinke, as hee did after his resurrection; but hee had no necessity of eating and drinking. But the verity of his death, stoppeth the mouth of all these Heretiques: for Christ was content p. 528to taste of all our infirmities (death it selfe not excepted) that we might know hee will be a mercifull high Priest,Heb. 5.2.Heb 5:2 because hee hath tasted of our infirmities, and can hauehave compassion on those who are in trouble. In this opinion was the Emperour Iustinian in his old dayes, whose vices did almost equall his vertues, especially, in comporting so much with Theodora the Empresse, to the great advancement of the error of Eutyches, and hinderance of the Gospell.

Originesta.In this Centurie, the defenders of the bookes of Origen, were Theodorus Ascidas, Bishop of Caesarea Cappadocia, and the Monkes of No…a Laura, whom Eustochius Bishop of Ierusalem, eiected out of their Monasteries, as shall bee declared hereafter.

Agnoita.Finally, there were some Heretiques, who durst derogate perfection of knowledge to the sonne of God in his divine nature:Note. These were called Agnoitae, whom I leaue as buried in the dust, & according to their name, never worthy to hauehave beene knowne in the world.

p. 529CENTVRIE VII.

IN this age, partly through the malice of Satan, and partly through the power of the wrath of God, punishing the contempt of his truth, heresies did mightily abound:Platin. in vit. Ioan. 4.John 4 for the heresie of Arrius began to reviue againe, and many of the Kings of Lombardis were addicted vntounto it: in speciall, Rhotaris, the sonne of Arioaldus, who appointed, that in every towne of Lombardie there should be two Bishops, having equall authority, the one a Catholick Bishop, the other an Arrian. In England and Scotland, the heresie of Pelagius was renewed, as Beda testifieth. The Monkes of Syria propagated the heresie of Nestorius, as Platina recordeth in the life of Donus the first. The heresies of Severitae, Apartodotitae, Momphysitae, Acephali, Theopafcitae, Iacobitae, Armenij; all were Eutichian Heretiques, differing one from another in some ceremonies, in absurditie of speeches, in authors whom they principally admitted and followed, in places where the heresie chiefly increased, and in their carriage. Likewise Staurolatrae were Eutychian Heretiques: but the worshipping of the Crosse, was a note distinguishing them from other Heretiques, of their owne opinion. Priscillianistae were Heretiques, who borrowed absurd opinions from Samosatenus, and Photinus, from Cerdon, and Marcion, and from the Manicheans: but all these ancient errours, were sufficiently refuted in ancient times.

The heresie of the Monothelites,Monothelitae. was a branch of the heresie of Eutyches, by a secret and crafty conuoy, insinuating it selfe into credite againe, after it was condemned in the p. 530Councell of Chalcedon. The authors of this heresie, were Sergius, Pyrrhus, and Paulus, Patriarches of Constantinople; and Macarius Patriarch of Antiochia; Cyrus Patriarch of Alexandria; Petrus Bishop of Nicomedia, with many others. They denyed not directly the two natures of Christ personally vnited: but onelyonly affirmed, that after the vnion of the natures, there was onelyonly one will, and one operation in Christ: whereas the holy Scriptures attribute vntounto Christ, as hee is man, the action of sleeping: and to Christ in respect of his divine nature, the action of compescing and calming the rage and stormy tempest of blowing windes, and swelling Seas. This heresie was damned in the sixt generall Councell, as wee shall heare (God willing) in its owne place.

p. 531CENTVRIE VIII.

MAny were accounted heretikes in this age, because they worshipped God sincerely according to the rule of his owne blessed word, and would not giuegive consent to the fond errours of the Roman Church. But some were counted heretikes iustly, and without all controuersie, as namelie they who call Christ in his human nature the adoptiue son of God.Falician…. This wicked heresie repungeth vntounto the celestiall Oracle, which the three Apostles heard in the holy mountaine, This is my wellbeloued sonne in whom I am well pleased, we are adopted in Christ to be the sons of God. But Christ, euen in his manly nature is the son of God by the excellent prerogatiue of personall vnion with the diuine nature. It is not certainlie knowne, whether Elipandus Bishop of Hispalis, or another named Foelix, with whom some affirme that Elipandus consulted about this damnable opinion, was the author of this damnable heresie.

p. 532CENTVRY IX.

Iconolatra.THey who of old were accustomed to condemne Heresies, now they are become the chiefe patrons and maintainers of adoration of Images, a notable heresie: whose Pusillanimitre argueth, the weakenesse of their cause: For vnderunder the raigne of Lodouicus Pius Claudius Taurinensis wrote bookes against the adoration of Images: and the Emperour by a publike edict commaunded them who were disposed to answere to his bookes, to answere whilst Claudius was aliue. But Ionas Bishop of Orleans concealed and obscured his bookes, during Claudius lifetime, but after his death with impotencie of railing words, rather then with power of solide arguments hee indeuored to refute Claudius Taurinensis.

Let the iudicious reader without partialitie, peruse the bookes of Ionas Bishop of Orleans, and the verie stinking breath of the aduersarie of the truth, shall giuegive great allowance to the truth of God.

Godescalcus.Godescalcus, a man of the low Countries, is reckoned in the number of Heretikes of this age, about the yeere of our Lord, 849. Because hee spake of Predestination perilouslie, to witt that these who were Predestinated to life by the decree of Gods Predestination, were forced to doe well: and those who were Predestinated to condemnation, were forced by the decree of God to doe euill. Concerning old extinguished heresies, p. 533as the Manicheans, Arrians, Donatists, and such like, who preased to build vp the walls of Iericho, which God had destroyed, there is no necessitie to speake; because these were vaine attempts wiihout any successe.

p. 534CENTVRIE X.

IN this age darkenes had gotten such vpper hand that the eye it selfe was darkened as our Lord speaketh. The Spirit of errour so possessed the verie teachers,Most part of … this age Idolaters. that the most part of them worshipped Images, yea the verie elements in the holy Sacraments of the Supper. Churches were replenished with the bones of dead men, whereunto the people kneeled, worshipping dead bones in place of the liuing God. And the small sparke of knowledge which remained not extinguished seemeth to be in the people, rather then in the Pastours: for the people saw that the Preachers entered not at the right doore,Ioh. 10.John 10 but rather like vntounto thiefes & robbers they entered by bribes and gifts into spirituall offices, and therefore the Historie recordeth that Henricus Auceps when hee did fight against the Hungarians made his vowe to God,Note. that if the Lord would giuegive him victorie against his enemies, hee would purge his countrie from Simonie, which was an euident token,The heresie of Simon Magus renued. that the vilde heresie of Simon Magus in buying and selling spirituall things did at this time mightily abound.

p. 535CENTVRIE XI.

IN this Centurie the Pope had such vpper-hand both ouer Princes and Pastors: that they accounted eueryevery thing that displeased them to be heresie. The inuestment of Bishops by secular men,Note. was called Simonie; and marriage of Priests was called the Heresie of the Nicolaitans: Likewise betweene the Latine and Greeke Church fell out such contention for a matter of small importance, that they accounted one another to be heretikes.

The Greeke Church called the Latines Azymitae, Azymitae.because they celebrated the Lords supper with vnleauened bread, and the Latine Church on the other part called the Greeke Church Fermentarij, Fermentarij.because they vsed leauened breade, yea and the Roman Church in this age so obstinately maintained the errour of Transubstantiation, that they accounted all them heretikes who dissented from their opinion.

p. 536CENTVRIE XII.

Petrus Abelardus.IN this Centurie is found a French man, Petrus Abelardus an accurat Philosopher, who vttered vncouth things concerning the blessed Trinitie. That the holie spirit was the soule of the world, and that hee was not of the substāce of the father, whose opinions were dāned by the Theolgues of Paris, & by Bernard of Clarauall, in the Councells of Seison and Senon; as also by Pope Innocentius the second: after he had receiued this foyle, hee entered into the Monasterie of Cluniacke, where he concluded his life.

p. 537CENTVRYE XIII.

AMongst Heretikes in this age were reckoned Albigenses, Albigenses.so called from the name of the part in France where they dwelt. They were fauoured and assisted in many parts of France, but namelie in Tolosa, not only by the inferiour sort, but also by the Count himself. It is to be lamē ted that the heads of their doctrine are not acuratly set downe by the writers of this age. For it is verie likely that they hauehave taught otherwise then their aduersaries doe report of them, who attribute vntounto them the errours of the Manicheās, who supposed that there were two Gods, the one authour and creator of good things, and the other of euill things. Alwaies it is certaine that they counted the Clergie of the Romane Church a corrupt rable.The Pope pursueth the Albigenses. And for this cause Innocentius the third sent vntounto France twelue Abbots of the Christian order with Didatus Bishop of Oxfurd, and Dominicus who was afterward the author of a new sect of Dominike Friers. All those came to France for cōfutation of Albigenses. But when the Pope perceiued that they yeelded not to his foresaid Ambassadours, he pursued them with cruel warres, and sent out an armie against them vnderunder the conduct of Leopold Duke of Austria, and Simon Count of Montfort; who vsed great crueltie against the townes of Bitera, Carcassus, Vaurus, Careum, Apistaginum, Galliacum, Causacum, Funum Marcelli, Fanim Antonij, Modacum, and diuers others, wherein Albigenses had their residence.Note. In the towne called Castra Mineruae an hundreth and twentie were burnt quicke.

In Paris about the same time 14. Priests were accused as guiltie of this sect, and ten of them were burnt with fire, one at London. At Penuense, Agenois Castrum which was long p. 538besieged, 74. Souldiers were hanged, the rest who would not recant their opinions were burnt with fire. Yet after this the French armie being troubled with other warres, the Albigenses increased of new againe, and were supported by Raymond Count of Tulosse, and Peter king of Arragon, against whom Simon of Montfort leading out his armie slew of their host twentie thousand men.

In Avinion Lewis the eight, for suppressing of their sect dimolished the walls of the towne, & razed from the groūd 300 houses in Avinion, and was minded to hauehave vsed greater rigour, if hee had not bin preuented by death.

Almaricanus.Almaricus a man of Carnotum a towne in France, vttered strange opinions cōcerning God, whom hee affirmed to be the essence of all creatures, & the soule of heauen, & that all creatures should be counerted into the substance of God againe, with many other foolish things, who was refuted by the Schoole of Paris, and after that he had appealed to the B. of Rome, was sent backe againe to recant his errour, which thing also he did, rather with his mouth then with his heart. Likewise about Tullouse sprang vp certaine heretikes called Patereni and Gazari from the authors of this sect,Patereni. Gazari. who affirmed that married men were not in the state of grace, & could not be saued. This opinion was damned in the Councell of Lateran.

Fratricelli.In this age also sprang vp Begardi, Beginae, and Bizochi, who are all reckoned to be of the sect of Fratricelli, who imagined that a man might attaine in this world to the estate of such perfection that he might be altogether voide of sin. And that he who had attained thereto, was neither vnderunder subiection to ciuill nor spirituall gouernours, but was freed from all subiection to mortall men, and that they had no neede of prayer and fasting, and such other exercises whereby increase of grace is obtained.

p. 539CENTVRIE XIV.

POpe Iohn the 23. of that name,An heresie of Pope Iohn the 23. taught that soules so soone as they were dispoyled of the bodie, should not see God before the last iudgement. Against whom Thomas Wallafe a Iacobin, an English-man, opposed himselfe, but was thrust in prison. Afterward Pope Benet who succeeded Pope Iohn, made a decretall, wherein hee confuted, and condemned as hereticall, the doctrine which his predecessor Iohn had publiquely preached, touching the happy soules; and it was determined and declared, that the soules which had nothing to purge, incontinent as they are departed from the bodie doe see the face of God.

p. 540CENTVRIE XV.

An heresie of the Councell of Basill.THE Councell of Basill confirmed that the Virgin Marie was conceived without originall sinne.

CENTVRIE XVI.

The heresie of the Anabaptists.WHen the Gospel began to spring vp in Germany, thorow the malice of Satan sprang vp also a Sect of pestilent Heretiques, called Anabaptists: so called by reason they thinke that Infants should not bee baptized vntill they come to perfect age, and can giuegive a confession of their owne faith. They maintaine wicked opinions concerning Christ himselfe,The Anabaptists opinion. his Word, his Church, his Magistrates. Concerning Christ, that hee tooke not flesh and blood of the Virgin, but brought it from heaven: concerning the Word, that God not onelyonly revealeth his will, by the written Word, but also by visions and dreames, wherevnto the Anabaptists do leane more then to the Word: concerning the Church, that it is not a true Church wherein there is any spot or wrinckle: concerning Magistrates, that their office vnderunder the New Testament, is not a calling approved of God. Some other wicked opinions they maintaine, but these are the chiefe. And it was no wonder, that men who had layd such p. 541grounds of seditious doctrine, were also found in their liues to be authors of very seditious commotions, and insurrections against Princes.Tho. Muntzerus an Anabaptist maketh insurrection, is overcome and beheaded. Like as Thomas Muntzerus, one of the first Fathers of this sect, gathered a great number of common people, who made insurrection against their superiours; and albeit this first attempt of the Anabaptists succeded very vnprosperously (for the Princes of Germany overcame in battell those seditious people, and tocke Thomas Muntzerus himselfe, and beheaded him, whose memorie was so perturbed with beastly feare, that hee could not recite the beliefe (but the Duke of Brunswicke was constrained to recite it before him, and hee followed after him for lacke of memorie) yet others would not take warning by him to abstaine from the like seditious attempts. For in the yeere of our Lord,Ioh. Leidensis an Anabaptist, vsurpeth a kingly authority, banisheth the Citizens of Munster. Cniperdolingus a false Prophet 1533. Iohannes Leidensis a Taylor of Holland, came to a towne of Westphalia, called Munster, and hee had seduced many, and increased the number of his faction, hee expelled and banished the Citizens of Munster, and vsurped to himselfe a kingly authority, being assisted with the support of Cniperdolingus, a vaine man, and a false Prophet, who affirmed that it was revealed to him by God, that Iohannes Leidensis should hauehave the dominion of the whole world, and that he should raise vp a mightie army, and destroy the Princes of the world, and should onelyonly spare the simple multitude, so many of them as would forsake impiety, and imbrace righteousnes. Likewise hee affirmed that it was the will of God, that Iohannes Leidensis should send throughout the whole world eight and twentie Apostles,Leidensis sendeth 28. seditious Apostles, who were all destroyed one excepted. to exhort the world to repentance, and to receiue the doctrine of the Anabaptists, which thing Leidensis was willing and readie to performe.

But the Princes of Germany, and the Princes of other Countries, tooke those seditious Apostles, and gaue vntounto them the reward which seditious Preachers iustly deserved; so that of all the number of his Apostles onelyonly one (who by fleeing conveyed himself away) escaped the punishment p. 542of Death. Thus Iohannes Leidensis, was called King of new Ierusalem, and tooke vntounto himselfe many wiues, of whom also hee beheaded one in the open market-place, because she had compassion of the poore besieged people of Munster, of whom many died through famine. For the Bishop of Munster assisted with the Princes of Germany, besieged the town very strictly, and in the end prevailed, and tooke this new made King,Ioh. Leidensis and his false Prophet taken and condemned to death. Cniperdolingus, his false Prophet aliue, and adiudged them not onelyonly to be hanged in chaines of iron, but before their hanging, to hauehave their flesh seared with hot iron pincers. Thus came the authors of this most vnhappy sect, vntounto a most miserable and shamefull destruction.

Of this Sect of Anabaptists, sprang vp in Holland an impudent fellow David Georgius, David Georgius an Anabaptist, affirmed himselfe to be Christ, flieth to Basill, and there seduceth many, whose bodie was raised out of the graue and burnt.who affirmed that hee was Christ, the Messias and Saviour of the world, yet for feare of punishment hee fled out of the Low Countries, and came to Basile, where he remained vntill the day of his death; all which time, hee not only obscured his blasphemous errors, but also behaved himselfe in outward show so humbly, and modestly, that hee was in good account, and became wealthy also. Yet after his death, it was knowne that he had seduced many, with his blasphemous errours. Therefore the Councell of Basile commanded, that his body should bee raised out of the graue, and burnt with fire, in token of their detestation of his abhominable errors.

Servetus a Spaniard, renueth the doctrine of ArriusAbout the same time also, sprang vp Michael Servetus, a Spaniard, who renewed the blasphemous doctrine of Arrius; affirming that God the Father, is onelyonly the true God, and that neither the Sonne nor the holy Spirit is eternall God: but that the Sonne is a creature, and had the beginning of existence when God created the world. He was taken in the towne of Geneva & cast in prison; but he would not be reclaimed from his blasphemous errors. Therefore the Councell of the towne thought meet with flames of fire to stoppe the breath of this blasphemous man,The Councell of Geneva cō demned him to be burnt. who durst set his mouth against the heauen to blaspheme the Sonne of God. After his death, many were found who maintained p. 543his errors, as namely, Valentinus Gentilis, Gregorius Blandrata a Physitian in Italy, Matheus Gribaldus a Lawyer, and Paulus Alciatus, with many others. Amongst whom Valentinus Gentilis was bold to put in print his blasphemies, and he called the summe of faith set forth by Athanasius, Symbolum Satanasi, calling Athanasius himselfe Satanasius; but after hee had blasphemed the Sonne of God a while,Vallent. Gentilis a maintainer of the doctrine of Servetus, condemned to death at Berne both by word and writ, in the end hee was taken in the towne of Berne, where hee suffered the iust deserved punishment of death.

Many other sprang vp in this age, who were teachers of false and hereticall doctrine; but because they had few followers, so that the errour died with the author thereof, wee hauehave no great need to enroll their names and errors in this booke at large, but shortly to poynt them out.

Gasper Suenkefeldius, Gasper Suenkfeldius.a man borne in Silesia, maintained this errour, that the outward ministerie of the Word and Sacraments was not necessarie to eternall life, because that by the illumination of Gods holy spirit, without the ministerie of the Word, men might be saved.

Andreas Osiander thought that Christ was our Mediatour onelyonly in respect of his divine nature:Andreas Osiander. and on the other part Stantcarus (refuting Osiander) fell into the contrarie extremitie, that Christ was Mediatour onelyonly in respect of his humane nature.Stancarus.

Flaccius Illiricus, Flaccius Illyricus.supposed originall sin was a substance.

Huberus beleeved that all men were elected vntounto eternall life:Huberus. Fancis. Puccius. and Franciscus Puccius, defended this opinion, that all men of whatsoever religion they were, should bee saved, if they led not a very impious life, and evill conversation.

Finally, in this age was cleerly discovered that hee who sate in the chaire of Christ,Antichrist and his adherents Heretiques. as Christs Vicar, was the very Antichrist; and they who depend vponupon the Pope, as generall Bishop of all Christs sheepe, were notable Heretiques, giving the glorie of Christ to Antichrist: denying the sufficiencie of the written Word, bowing and kneeling to Images, praying to creatures, and accounting them mediators p. 544of their intercession, sacrilegiously imitating the holy Sacrament of the Supper, and taking from the people the vse of the Cup, offering dayly a new propitiatorie sacrifice for sinne, as though Christs sacrifice once offered vp vponupon the Altar of the Crosse, were imperfect; damning marriage in some persons, and forbidding meates, which God hath allowed to bee eaten with thanksgiving: with many other errors which the Lord hath cleerly detected to hauehave beene a long time by-past in the Romane Church.

Here endeth the third Booke.

p. 545THE FOVRTH BOOK OF THE HISTORY of the Church, containing a short Compend of all the Councels, together with their severall Canons, since Christs dayes to this present.