History of the First Ten Persecutions, History 5

History of the First Ten Persecutions · History 5

CENTVRIE V.

CHAP I OF EMPEROVRS.

Arcadius, and Honorius.

THE good Emperour Theodosius left behind him two sonnes, Arcadius to gouerne the East parts, and Socrat. lib. 6. cap. 23Honorius the West. Arcadius reigned 14. yeeres: Hee was a meeke and godly Emperour, but not couragious as his father had bene. His simplicitie was abused by Eudoxia his wife, Ruffinus his chiefe Counseller, and Gania his chiefe Captaine. Eudoxia was offended at the freedome that Chrysostome vsed in reprouing of sinne: And by the meanes of Theophilus B. of Alexandria procured his deposition. Theophilus had gathered a Synode at the oake of Chalcedon: because Chrysostome beeing warned, refused to compeare, they conuict him of contumacie, and deposed him: after deposition followed banishment, from which the affectioned minds of the people toward their Pastor constrained the Emperour to reduce him againe: yet Eudoxia continued in her malice, and procured by the p. 2meanes of Theophilus, his second deposition and banishment, with commandement to iourney his weake body with excessiue trauailes from place to place vntill he concluded his life.Sozom. lib. 8. cap. 28.

Reffinus stirred vp Alaricus King of the Gothes to fight against Arcadius, secretly presuming to the kingdome, but his tre sonable interprises beeing espied, he was slaine, & his head and right hand were hung vp vponupon the port of Constantinople.

Gama of a simple souldier was made generall commander of Arcadius his armie: he waxed insolent and proud, affected the Kingdome, beeing in blood a stranger, of the Nation of the Gothes, in religion an Arrian. Hee craued a petition of the Emperour, that he might hauehave one of the Churches of Constantinople whereinto hee might serue GOD according to his Th…od lib. 5. cap. 32owne forme: but this petition by the prudent aduise of Chrysostome giuen to the Emperour, was reiected, and the pride of Gaina for a time was something abated.

Honorius reigned in the West, a'l the dayes of his brother Arcadius, and 15. yeere after his death. The whole time of his gouernment was very troublesome. Gildo his lieuetenant in Hist. Magd. cont. 5. cap. 3Africke vsurped the dominion of Africke, and Maseelzer his brother, who at the first detested treasonable interprises in his brother, yet afterward followed his brothers footsteps, and receiued the iust deserued reward of his vnconstancie, for hee was slaine by his owne souldiers. In like maner Stilico the Emperours father in law (for Honorius maried his daughter) and the Emperours chiefe Counseller, presumed to drawe the Kingdome to Eucherius his sonne, and stirred vp the Uandales, Burgundians, Almans, and diuerso others to inuade the Kingdome of France, to the end that Honorius beeing ouercharged with the multitude of vnsupportable businesses, might permit Stilics to set forward to the designes of his own heart. About this time Rhadagisus a S…ythian accompanied with an armie of two hundreth Funct. chron.thousand Gothes, came to Italie. And the helpe of Valdinus and Sarus captaines of the Hunnes and Gothes beeing obtained, Rhadagisus was suddenly surprised, himselfe was taken & strangled, many were slaine, the most part were sold, whereupon followed incredible cheapnesse of seruants, so that flockes of seruants were sold for one piece of gold in Italie.

p. 3The next great trouble came by Alaricus King of the Westerne Gothes, who inuaded Italie, and camped about Ravenna, with whome Honorius entred into a capitulation, and promised to him and his retinue a dwelling place in France. The Gothes Compend. T…d. catalog. Caesarum.matched toward their appointed dwelling place: But Stilico the Emperours father in law followed after them, and set vponupon them at vnawares, when they suspected none euill, and slew a great number of them. By this the Emperour clearely perceiued the treason of Stilico, and caused him and his sonne to be slaine, but to his owne great hurt, he appointed no generall cōmander of the armie in his place. Alaricus and his armie were inraged, partly by their losse, and partly by remembrance of the couenant made with them, and incontinent violated: Therefore they turned backe againe, & inuaded Italie with all their might, and besieged Rome two yeeres, and tooke it in the yeere of our LORD 410, or as some reckone 412. In the mids of burning, slaying, Platin. in vita Zosimi 1robbing & militare outrage, some fauour was showne by the expresse commandement of Alaricus to such as fled to Christian Zozom. lib. 9 cap. 9Churches for safetie of their liues. Alaricus led his armie from Rome, and was purposed to saile to Africke, there to settle his abode, but beeing driuen backe with tempestuous windes, hee wintred in Consentia where hee ended his life. Alaricus in his lifetime had giuen in marriage Placidia the sister of Honorius to Ataulphus his neerest kinsman, and Ataulphus after the death of Functii chronic.Alaricus reigned ouer the Gothes. The Gothes vnderunder the conduct of Ataulphus retarned backe againe to Rome. Placidia through her intercession purchased great well to the towne of Rome: the Gothes abstained from burning, and shedding of blood, and addressed themselues toward France and Spaine.

Theodosius 2. and Valentinian 3.

AFter Arcadius reigned his sonne Theodosius the second 42. yeeres. His vncle Honorius gouerned in the West: After whose death the whole gouernment perteined to Yheodosius, who associated vntounto himselfe Valentinian the third, the sonne of Placidia his fathers sister. Theodosius in godlines was like vntounto his grandfather, in collecting a great labrarie of good bookes, nothing inferiour to Ptolemaus Philadelphus. In collecting in one p. 4short summe the lawes of kings & princes: he tread a path whereinto Iustinian walked, following Theodosius example, and benefited all men desirous of learning. His house was like vntounto a sanctuarie for exercises of reading of holy Scripture, and deuote Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 22 Idem lib. 7. cap. 42. Hist. Magd. cent. 5. cap. 3prayers. He was of a meeke and tractable nature almost beyond measure: his facilitie in subscribing vnread letters was corrected by the prudent aduise of his sister Pulcheria. In these two Emperours time the estate was mightily crossed and troubled by strangers. By the procurement of Bonifacius deputie of Africke, the Vandales vnderunder the cōduct of Gensericus their King came into Africke, tooke the towne of Carthage, & other principall townes and settled their abode in that countrie. Valentinian 3. Emperour of the West was compelled to bind vp a couenant with the Vandales, and to assigne vntounto them a limited bounds in Africke for their dwelling place.

The Vandales were partly Pagans and partly Arrians, whereby it came to passe that the true Church in Africke was persecuted with no lesse inhumanitie, and barbarous crueltie by Gensericus King of the Vandales, than it was in the dayes of the Emperour Dioclesiane. Attila King of the Hunnes encombred the Romane empire with greater troubles. Theodosius Emperour of the East bought peace with payment of a yeerely tribute of gold to Attila. Valentinian the third by the meanes of Aëtius his chiefe Counseller allured Theodoricus King of the Westerne Gothes to take his part. The parties fought in the fieldes called Catalaunici a great fight, whereinto a hundreth and fourescore thousand men were slaine. And Theodoricus King of the Gothes in this battell lost his life. Attila was compelled to flee. Thrasimundus the sonne of Theodoricus was very willing to pursue Attila, for desire hee had to reuenge his fathers slaughter, but hee was stayed by Aëtius. This counsell seemes to bee the occasion of his death: for Valentinian commanded to cutt off Aëtius. Attila finding that the Romane armie was destitute of the conduct of so wise a gouernour, as Aëtius was, hee tooke courage againe, and in great rage set himselfe against Italie, tooke the townes of Aquileia, Ticinum and Millane, sacked and ruined them, and set himselfe directly against Rome, of intention to hauehave vsed the like crueltie also against it. But Leo bishop of Rome went p. 5foorth, and with gentle words so mitigated his mind, that he left sieging of the towne of Rome. Soone after this Attila died, the terrour of the world, and the whip wherewith GOD scourged many nations.

Valentinian the thirde, after he had reigned in whole 30. yeeres, was cut off for the slaughter of Aetius. Maximus vsurped the Kingdome, and violently tooke vntounto himselfe Endoxia the relict of Valentinian: but she was relieued againe by Gensericus King of Vandales, who led an armie to Rome, and spoyled the towne, relieued Eudoxia, and caried her and her daughters to Africke, and gaue Honoricus his sonne in marriage vntounto her eldest daughter. Maximus was cut in pieces by the people, and his body was cast into Tyber. From this time foorth the Empire vtterly decayed in the West, vntill the dayes of Carolus Magnus, Euagr. lib. 2. cap. 16so that Auitus, Richimex, Maioranus, Severus, Anthemius, Olybrius, Glycerius, Nepos, Orestes, and his sonne Augustulus, they continued so shorte time, and gouerned so vnprosperously, that their names may bee left out of the rolle of Emperours.

Nowe to returne againe to Theodosius Emperour in the East, a King beloued of GOD, in so much that by praier he obtained of GOD a wonderfull deliuerance to Ardaburius captaine of his armie. When his vncle had ended his life, Ardaburius was sent against a tyrant Iohn, who did vsurpe the Kingdome in the West. The ship whereinto Ardaburius sailed by tempest of weather was driuen to Rauenna, where the tyrant Iohn tooke him prisoner. Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 23Aspar the captaines sonne, beeing conducted by an Angell of GOD (as Socrates writtteth) entred into Rauenna, by the passage of the loch, which was neuer found dried vp before that time: the portes of the towne were patent, so that Aspar and his armie entred into the towne, slew the tyrant Iohn, and relieued Ardaburius his father. This miraculous deliuerance is thought to bee the fruite of the effectuall prayers of the godly Emperour. His death was procured by a fall from his horse, after which hee was diseased, and died: an Emperour worthie of euerlasting remembrance.

p. 6Martianus.

MARTIANVS by the meanes of Pulcheria the sister of Theodosius was aduanced to the Kingdome, with whome Valentinian the thirde, of whome I hauehave already spoken, reigned 4. yeeres. Martianus, albeit he obtained the gouernment Catalog. Caesaru…min a time most troublesome, when the Gothes, Vandales, Hunnes, and Herulis had disquieted the estate of the Romane empire out of measure, yet by the prouidence of GOD the short time of his gouernment was peaceable, for he reigned not fully Euagr. lib. 2. cap. 87. yeere, and he left behind him great griefe in the hearts of the people, because a gouernement so good and godly endured so short time. Anent the councell of Chalcedon assembled by him, it is to be referred vntounto the owne place.

Leo.

AFTER Martianus succeeded Leo, and gouerned 17. yeeres. He was godly and peaceable, not vnlike to Martianus his predecessor. Hee interponed his authoritie to suppresse those who proudly despised the councell of Chalcedon, and obstinatly maintained the heresie of Eutyches. Notwithstanding the madnes and rage of Eutychian heretiques began in his time, immediatly after the report of the death of Martianus. Procerius B. of Alexandria was cruelly slaine by them in the Church, Euagr. lib. 2. cap. 8harled through the streets, and with beastly cruelty they chewed the intrals of his body, hauing before ordained Timotheus to bee their bishop. The Emperour banished Timotheus beeing first foreseene, that not onelyonly Leo bishop of Rome, but also all other bishops of chiefe account, damned the ordination of Timotheus. The terrible earthquake which destroyed a part of Idem cap. 12 & 13.Antiochia, and the more terrible fire which wasted a great part of Constantinople, were fore-running tokens of the great desolation that should ensue by the detestable heresie of Eutyches.

p. 7Zeno.

THE Emperour Leo left his Kingdome to his nephew the sonne of Zeno called Leo, but hee fell sicke and died, when he had scarce reigned 1. yeere. So his father Zeno had the emperiall soueraignitie 17 yeeres: he was of a bad religion, dissolute in manners, intemperate, effeminate, and hated of all men. Therefore Basiliscus conspired against him, and Zeno fled. Basiliscus Evagr. lib. 3. cap. 3.was a persecuter of the true faith, damned by his encyclicke letters the Councell of Chalcedon: restored Eutychian bishops to their places againe: such as Timotheus Arideus to Alexandria, Petrus Cnapheus to Antiochia, Paulus to Ephesus: fiue hundreth preachers were found, who subscribed Basiliscus Idem lib. 3. cap. 5letters, and cursed the councell of Chalcedon. So great a plague it is, either to hauehave ignorant Pastors, who know not the trueth of GOD, or cowardly teachers, who will suffer no rebuke for the knowne trueth of GOD. Zeno returned to his Kingdome againe within 2 yeres: he banished Basiliscus to Cappadocia, where Idem cap. 8 & 11he was slaine with his wife and children. He abolished the encyclicke letters of Basiliscus, and eiected Petrus Cnapheus out of Antiochia, and Paulus out of Ephesus. Timotheus of Alexandria was old, infirme, and neere to the last period of his life, els also he had bene eiected out of Alexandria: for Zeno, not for louelove of the true faith, but for hatred of the name of Basiliscus endeuoured to vndoe all that he had done.

VnderUnder the reigne of Zeno came Odoacer assisted with people of Pannonia called Rugi, Turcilingi, and Heruli, and inuaded Italie, and slew Orestes at Papia, and compelled his sonne Augustulus, Hist. Magd. cent. 5. cap. 3to denude himselfe of emperiall honours: so that the Romane empire, as it beganne in the person of Augustus Caesar, so likewise it ended in the person of Augustulus the sonne of Orestes. Odoacer would not vsurpe the glorious title of an Emperour, but called himselfe King of Italie, and reigned 14, yeeres. Zeno on the other part stirred vp Theodoricus King of Gothes to expell Odoacer out of Italie. Theodoricus encountred with him diuerse times, and preuailed. In end he besieged him in Ravenna, vntill a couenant of peace was bound vp betwixt them, but it lasted short time: for Theodoricus vnderunder pretence of p. 8friendship, called Odoacer & his sons to a banket, & caused them cruelly to be slain. Afterward he reigned himselfe alone in Italic 33, yeres. he reedified the townes in Italie which by violence of warres had bene wasted & made desolate, & was well beloued of the people: & albeit in religion he was an Arrian, yet he abstained from persecution of those who professed the true faith.

The Eutychian persecution is alreadie begun, but the Arrian persecution is not as yet ended. Hunnericus sonne of Gensericus H…st. Magd. ibid.King of Vandales, was an Arrian persecuter so vnmercifull, that in Africke where his dominion was, he had neither compassion on sexe or age: he banished at one time fiue thousand professors of the true faith. And such as were infirme and weake, & could neither trauell by foot nor horse, he commanded cords to bee knit to their legges, and to traile them through the rough places of the wildernes, and by such merciles dealing, the death of many innocent people was procured: but the LORD suffered not this crueltie to be vnpunished: for the LORD plagued the Vandales with famine, and pest, and Hunnericus was so long tormented with venemous biles, that in end he was cōsumed with vermine, and in great miserie ended his most wretched life.

In this Centurie studying to brevitie, I hauehave ouerpassed some remarkable thinges, such as the deceitfull practises of the wise men of Persia, to diuert the affection of their King Isdige…des from the louelove he caried to Maruthas bishop in Mesopotamia, and Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 8.Embassadour of Theodosius 2. This historie is set downe at length by Socrates. In like maner the calamitie of the Iewes who dwelt in the Islle of Candie, and were piteously abused by a deceiuing fellow, who called himselfe Moses, and promised to lead them through the Mediterran sea, to their owne lande, as Moses ledde the people of Israel through the read sea: this calamitie read in the 7. booke of the ecclesiastical historie of Socrates. chap. 38. The Jewes were cōmanded to cast themselues into the sea, & to swim vntounto a rocke: but they were drowned in the sea. & dashed vponupon the hard rocke, and by the meanes of Christian fishers some …. ….few escaped. This historie is referred vntounto the 434. yeere of our LORD: so that it sell foorth vnderunder the reigne of Theodosius 2. The miraculous conucrsion of the Burgundians to the faith of CHRIST about the same time I hauehave of purpose ouerpassed, willing to be short, & to giuegive a viewe of the historie to those who are desirous to read

p. 9CHAP. II. Of Pastors and Doctors.

Patriarches of Rome.

AFTER Siricius succeeded Anastatius, and gouerned the Church of Rome 3. yeeres. About the yeere of our LORD 401. he entred into his office, Anastatius. Socrar lib. 7. cap. 9. Platina d… vitis pontif. Innocētius 1. Socrat lib. 7. cap. 9.vnderunder the reigne of Honorius. He made a constitution, that men should not sit, but stand when the gospell was read. After him succeeded Innocentius, and continued in his office 15. yeeres: hee was an aduersare to the Novatians, and Pelagians, and was friendly to Iohn Chrysostome, whose deposition Eudoxia the Emperours wife had procured. Innocentius sent to Honorius, and Arcadius 5. Bishops, and two Presbiters, to procure the appointment of a generall councill, whereinto the cause of Chrysostome might be examined: for he counted the gathering of an aecumenicke Councill the only remedy Sozom. lib. 8 cap. 26whereby the vehement tempest of so great commotions as followed the deposition and banishment of Chrysostome, could be settled: but the aduersares of Chrysostome procured the messengers Ibid. cap. 28.of Innocentius to be ignominiously entreated, & sent backe againe. Heere let the iudicious Reader marke that the power of conuocating generall Councills appertained to the Emperour, and not vntounto the bishop of Rome. In this mans time (according to mine opinion) the Romane Church began to swell in pride, and to vsurpe iurisdiction ouer other Churches, hauing no better ground than a personall and temporall act of the Councill of Sardica.

Zosimus the successor of Innocentius continued not aboue the Zosimus. Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 11.space of a yeere and 5. moneths in office, or 2. yeeres, as Socrates writteth. To him Platina ascribeth this constitution, that no seruant should bee assumed into the clergie, but he lamenteth, that not onelyonly seruants, but also the sonnes of strange women, and flagitious persons, were admitted to spirituall offices to the great detriment of the Church. He sent Faustinus a B. to the Councill of Carthage, with 2. presbyters of the Romane Church p. 10to craue that no matter of moment and importance should be Platin de …it. Zosimi.done without aduise of the Romane Bishop. Hee pretended an act of the Councill of Nice alloting this great dignitie to the foreignRomane chaire: but after diligent search of the principall registers … Hist. Magd. cen. 5. cap. 10no such act was found. I expected that Onuphrius now should hauehave compeared, & in so maine a point said some thing to the cause, which with tooth & naile he defendeth, but in his annotations I see nothing except a diuersitie of counting of yeres, for in his reakoning Zosimus cōtinued 3. yeres, 4. months.

To Zosimus succeeded Bonifacius 1. and gouerned 3. yeeres. At his election there was a schisine in Rome. Some elected Bonifacius, Bonifacius 1.others Eulalius to be their bishop. The Emperour Honorius banished them both from Rome, but after 7. moneths Bonifacius was Socra lib. 7 cap. 11restored, and was B. of Rome: at this time they were bishoppes of Rome, to whom the Emperour gaue allowance, but they were not Emperours, to whom the B. of Rome gaue allowance.

After Bonifacius, Coelestinus gouerned the Church of Rome, 8, yeeres, 10. months, 17. dayes. He was an aduersare to the Novatians, Coelestinus 1. Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 11Pelagians, and to Nestorius & his adherents. Socrates taketh him vp right, that he was bitter against the Novatians, for desire of preheminence. In Constantinople they who professed the true faith, had libertie to conueene, albeit in matters of discipline their opinion was not sound: but Coelestinus silenced Rusticola the bishop of the Nouatians for desire to hauehave all bishops stouping vnderunder his soueraignitie. Marke the words of Socrates in the Latine translation bearing these words: Romano Episcopatu Socrat. ibid.iam olim perinde at que Alexandrino ultra sacerdotii limites ad externum dominatum progresso: that is, the bishopricke of Rome, euen of old, hauing stepped beyond the limites of priest-hood to an externall domination, as the bishopricke of Alexandria had done before. Pelagius had propagated his heresie in the Isle of Britaine. But Coelestinus hindred the propagation of a wicked heresie, by sending Germanus to the Brittones, and Palladius to the Scots. Coelestinus more impudently than his predecessors, Innocentius, Zosimus, and Bonifacius, vrged a submission of the Churches Hist. Magd. …. 5 cap. 10of Carthage vntounto the Romane chaire, and that they should accept in fauour Appiarius whome they had excommunicated for his appellation from his owne bishop to the bishop of Rome: but the fathers of the 6. Councill of Carthage would neither absolue Appiarius before his repentance were knowne, neither would they stoup vnderunder the iurisdiction of the Romane Church.

To Coelestinus succeeded Sixtus 3, & cōtinued in office 8 yeeres, Xystus or Sixtus.19. dayes. Hee was accused of the crime of Adulterieby Bassus: but Sixtus was found innocent, & Bassus was found a calumniator & a false accuser: therefore he was banished by the Emperour Platina de vitis pontif.Valentinian 3. & his goods were appointed to goe to the vse of the Church. Bassus after his banishment desired to be receiued againe in fauour with Sixtus, but his petitiō was reiected as if hee had sinned against the holy Ghost. Notwithstanding the flatterers of the chaire of Rome writteth that Sixtus buried Hist. Magd. cen. 5. ca. 1…Bassus his accuser with his owne handes, which seemeth to bee repugnant to his vnmercifull forme of dealing in his life-time.

After Sixtus Leo a deacon in Rome, & absent out of the town, Leo.was chosen to be bishop of Rome, & ruled 21. yeeres, 1. month, 13. daies: he stirred vp the Emp. Theodosius 2. to appoint a Councill Platina de vit. pontif.for suppressing the error of Eutyches, wherinto it was rather confirmed than suppressed by the craft of Dioscorus B. of Alexandria, wherof I shal speake hereafter, GOD willing, & how Eutyches was cōdemned in the Councill of Chalcedon vnderunder the reigne of Martianus. His wisdome & eloquence in mitigating the furie of Attila hath bene handled in the preceeding historie. Amongst Hist. Magd. cent. 5. cap. 10his constitutions none is more louable then his constitution against ambitious men, who presumeth continually to high places. Hee ordained that they should be depriued both of the higher, and the lower place: of the lower place for their pride, because they had proudly despised it: of the higher, because they had auaritiously suted it. In discipline nothing is better than to beare downe those place-mongers, whereby it commeth to passe, that prerogatiue of place is preferred to prerogatiue of gift, Followed Hilarius & cōtinued 7. yeere, 3. months, Hilarius 1. Simplicius.10. dayes. To whom succeeded Simplicius, & cōtinued 15. yeeres 1, month. 7. dayes. Felix 3. was the successor of Simplicius, and Foelix. 3.continued 8. yeeres, 11. months, 17. dayes. He gouerned the Church of Rome in the time of the Emperour Zeno, and in the time, when Odoacer and Theodoricus contended for the superioritie of Italie: he was nothing inferiour to his antecessors in p. 12Platina de vit. Pentis.zeale to aduance the supremacie of the Romane chaire: for hee excommunicated Acatius B. of Constantinople, because he craued not his aduise in receiuing Petrus Moggus in fauour, like as he had craued his aduise at the first when hee excommunicated him. This Petrus Moggus was an Eutychian heretique, and was iustly excommunicated by Acatius, who vsed the aduise of Foelix B. of Rome, in excommunicating him. But when Petrus Moggus testified his repentance by his supplicant bill, containing Hist. Magd. cent 5. cap. 10the recantation of his error, Acatius absolued him. This grieued the proud stomacke of Foelix, because his aduise was not craued in all things. Therefore he excommunicated Acatius, as said is. Acatius little regarding the pride of the Romane bishop, gaue to Foelix an hard meeting: for hee both excommunicated Foelix, and razed his name out of the rolle of Bishops. Ambition was the first great cancker-worme that consumed and defaced the beautie of the Church of Rome.

Gelasius the successor of Foelix, an Africane borne, ruled 4. Gelasius 1yeeres, 8. moneths, 17. dayes. The estate of Italie was so troubled by the incursions of barbarous people, that the maners of the people were altogether dissolute (for hee ministred in the last yeeres of Theodoricus King of Italie) therefore hee endeuoured to establish discipline in the Church: hee claimed superioritie ouer all Churches more manifestly than any of his Hist. Magd. cent. 8. cap. 10predecessors had done, for hee affirmed that the Church of Rome should iudge all Churches, and should bee iudged by no Church, and that the right of Apellation to the bishop of Rome from all partes in the world, was not a supposititious act of the Nicene Councill, as the 6. Councill of Carthage had determined, but that it was autentique, and a Right giuen by them in deede to the Romane Church: neither would hee be reconciled with the Orientall bishops in any cace, except they would first allow the excommunication of Acatius, and raze his name out of the rolle of Bishops Platina writteth that hee did excommunicate Platin. de …. Pontif.the Emperour Anastatius a fauourer of the Eutychian heresie, but this example once begun, was practised in most prodigall maner by the bishops of Rome against Emperours, who maintained no heresie.

p. 13Patriarches of Constantinople.

IOHN CHRYSOSTOME succeeded to Nectarius in the Iohn Chrysostome.dayes of Arcadius, and Honorius: hee had bene an helper to Flavianus B. of Antiochia, from whence hee was transported by the authoritie of the Emperour Arcadius, and ordained bishop Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 27of Constantinople, sore against the heartes of the people of Antiochia. In Oratrie hee had profited in the schoole of Libanius, in Philosophie in the schoole of Andragathius beyond his fellowes. Zozom. lib. 8 cap. 2His libertie in reproouing of sinne both in Court and Clergie, procured against him the hatred of Eudoxia the Emprice, and the hatred of the Clergie, who could not suffer their corrupt maners to be reformed. Theophilus B. of Alexandria was opposed to Chrysostome from the verie first time of his ordination: for hee endeuoured to hauehave Isidorus a Monke brought vp in the wildernes of Schethis, & afterward a Presbyter in Alexandria to bee seated in Constantinople: but when his plotted course failed, he became an enemie to Chrysostome, and gladly embraced all occasions, whereby hee might procure his deposition: how hee was vniustly deposed, banished, and iourneyed to death by the malice of Eudoxia, and Theophilus it hath beene sufficiently declared in the preceeding historie. Other things (Godwilling) shall be handled in the description of the life of Theophilus. Chrysostome gouerned the Church of Constantinople 7. yeeres.Chytr. chron.

After Chrysostome, Arsatius the brother of Nectarius an aged Arsatius.man (for he was fourscore yeere old) ministred in Constantinople scarce 2. yeeres.

Atticus the successor of Arsatius ministred 21. yeeres, Hee Atticus.was admitted to this office in time of the minoritie of Theodosius 2. at what time Antbemius his counseller (a man in wisdome Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 1, 2. Sozom. lib. 8 cap. 27. Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 34 Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 4.inferiour to none who liued in his time) gouerned the affaires of the Kingdome. Atticus was not vnlearned, he was godly and prudent: he insert the name of Chrysostome into the rolle of Bishops, and in the publicke Liturgie made an honourable commemoration of his name, & perswaded Cyrillus B. of Alexandria to doe the like. Socrates affirmeth that GOD by his ministrie wrought miraculous workes, and that a lewe sicke of the p. 14palsie was baptized by him in the Name of IESVS, and immediatly after Baptisme was healed from his disease. In staying the progresse of superstition, whereinto people, euen at this time were enclined, hee kythed himselfe prudent: for some of the people of Constantinople resorted to the sepulchre of Sabbatius to pray, & to doe some worship to the defunct: but Atticus Hist. Magd cent 5. cap. 10caused his body in the night season to be raised, & to be buried in another place vnknowne to the foresaid superstitious people, & so they left off their resorting to the sepulchre of Sabbatius.

Sisinnius after Atticus ministred 2. yeeres. Nestorius followed him in office, but his name is to bee reade in the catalogue of Sisinnius.heretiques. Next to Nestorius was Maximianus, who continued not aboue 2. yeeres, and 5. months. To whom succeeded Proclus, Maximianus. Proclus.and continued 12 yeeres.

Flauianus after Proclus ministred in the dayes of Theodosius the second, a faithfull man in his calling, but scarcely did hee Flauianus.compleet 2. yeeres in his ministrie. He deposed and excommunicated Eutyches an Abbot in Constantinople, the authour of a pernitious heresie. Hee was cruelly tramped vnderunder foot in the second Councill of Ephesus called foreign, that is, a councill of brigandrie, Dioscorus B. of Alexandria, in that Councill fauoured the opinion of Eutyches, and by tumultuare dealing, so oppressed Euagr. lib. 1. cap. 10Flavianus, that he procured his death, They who attribute too much to the authoritie of Councills, let them fasten their eyes vponupon this Councill, and learne, that pos… ly Councils may erre, and that Patriarches, such as Dioscorus was, may erre euen in matters of faith.

To Flauianus succeeded Anatolius, and gouerned 8. yeeres. And after him Gennadius 13. yeeres. Acatius the successor of Gennadius Anatolius.ministred 17. yeeres vnderunder the Emperour Zeno. Hee gaue Gennadius Acatius.a good proofe of his constancie in the true faith, at that time when Basiliscus (who draue Zeno from his Kingdome) condemned the Councill of Chalcedon, and compelled bishops to subscribe to the errour of Eutyches. The great dissention that fell out betwixt him and the Romane bishops, for Petrus Moggus B. of Alexandria, and Petrus Cnapheus B. of Antiochia, it was not for communicating with them before they renounced their error, as some learned men do affirme, but for plaine emulatiō, p. 15such as was of old betwixt Pompeius & Caesar, the one could not Functii comment. in chronol.abide a cōpanion, the other could not abide a superior. The Romane Church manifestly cōtended for superiority: the Church of Constantinople on the other part perceiuing what aduantage the Hist. Magd. cent. 5 cap. 1…Romane bishops took of this, that their counsel was craued, they left off the doing of it. And this moued the proud stomacke of Gelasius (after the death of Acatius) to brast out in these arrogant G…lasius in epift. ad Dardan. 11.words, that the Church of Rome had power to iudge of all other Churches, but no Church had power to iudge of the Church of Rome, yea, and Platina a late writer groundeth the supremacie of the bishop of Rome vponupon this, that Acatius B. of Constantinople Platin. de vit. Simpliciiwrote vntounto him, to damne the heretical opinion of Petrus Moggus B. of Alexandria: albeit the faith of PETER was grounded Matth. 16.Matt 16vponupon a sure rocke, yet the supremacie of the Romane bishops is grounded only vponupon such sandie ground, as Platina and other flatterers of the Romane chaire doe cast out in their writings.

After Acatius succeeded Phrauitas. otherwise called Flauitas Phrauitas.& continued scarse 4. month: some thinke that GOD in wrath shortned his dayes, because that by vnlawfull meanes hee attained Hist. Magd. cent. 5. cap. 10to that dignitie to bee B. of Constantinople. The Synodicke letter of Petrus Moggus B. of Alexandria written to Flauitas, and pondered by his successor Euphemius, wherein Petrus Moggus accurseth the Councill of Chalcedon, it will clearely prooue inconstancie in Petrus Moggus, but not a fault in Acatius: for many Evagr. lib. 3. cap. 23.are like vntounto dogs, who returne vntounto their vomite againe, & this blame must rest in the bosome of fickle & vnconstant men, & not in the bosome of honest men who are deceaued by them.

Euphemius succeeded to Flauitas, & ministred vnderunder the reigne Euphemiusof Zeno and Anastatius, & would not compleet the ceremonies of the inauguratiōn of Anastatius vntill the time that by his oath Hist. Magd. cent. 4. cap. 10.and hand writ, hee promised to be a desender of the true faith & of the actes of the Councill of Chalcedon. This hand-writ Anastatius craued to be deliuered backe againe to him, which when he could not obtaine, Euphemius was compelled to flie for safetie of his life. When he pondered the Synodicke letter of Petrus Moggus, hee abhorred his name, & inserted againe the name of Foelix B. of Rome into the catalogue of bishops, which was razed & cancelled by Acatius one of his predecessors.

p. 16Patriarches of Alexandria.

THEOPHILVS ministred in Alexandria in the dayess of Theodosius, and of his sonnes Arcadius and Honorius, a man Theophilus.both reproouable in his life, and inconstant in his faith. Hee sent Isidorus a Monke to Rome, there to lurke secretly, and to expect the euent of the battell that was to be foughten betwixt Theodosius and Maximus, and to congratulate the victor. When he returned from Rome hee endeuoured to promote him to the bishopricke of Constantinople: but Iohn Chrysostome was preferred to him. After this, he can not keepe friendship with Isidorus, whome hee intended once to hauehave preferred, but vponupon a light occasion cast him off, and excommunicated him, because Isidorus would not deliuer to him the money left in testementall legacie to be distributed to the poore. This money which Theoplnlus sister had left to the vse foresaide, Theophilus craued that it might bee put in his handes, to bee employed to building and repairing of Churches: but Isidorus answered, that the money Sozom. lib. 8 cap. 12.put in his custodie should be bestowed according to the will of the defunct. And that it was a worke more acceptable to GOD to support the poore, who were the liuing temples of GOD, then to build olde and ruinous walles. Therefore Theophilus hated, and excommunicated Isidorus: for this cause Isidorus left Alexandria, and addressed himselfe to the wildernes of Schethis, where hee complained to Ammonius, Dioscorus, Eusebius, and Enthymius called Longifratres of the iniurie that Theophilus had Sozom. ibid.done vntounto him, who intreated Theophilus to receiue Isidorus in fauour againe, and to admit him to his communion: but Theophilus gaue vntounto them an euill reward for their trauailes, for hee hated them, and finding that there was diuers opinions amongst the Monkes of Nitria and Schethis, hee put fuell to the fire, to the ende that diuersitie of affection might bee added to diuersitie of Opinion: a man in all his courses malitious and deceatfull. Longi fratres fled to Constantinople to complaine to the Emperour Arcadius of the malitiousnes of Theophilus, and they were humanely and courteously receiued by Chrysostome, but not admitted to the participation of the holy mysteries, vntill their cause had beene first iudged. To the rest of the Monkes p. 17who dwelt in Nitria & Schethis the malice of Theophilus was not vnknowne. And 500. of them (especially such as were Anthropomorphite) came from the wildernes of N…ia, of intention to hauehave slaine Theophilus, but he met them, & with gentle and flattering Socrat. lib. 6. cap. 7.words lenified their anger, for hee said vntounto them: Brethren, I see your faces as the face of GOD. They took his words in this sense, as if he had said, that GOD was fashioned according to the liken…sse of a mans body. Therefore they desir…d him to abiure the doctrine of Origen, which thing he willingly did, for he hated the bookes of Origen: and so hee escaped the danger. The next pract…se of his malice was against Iohn Chrysostome B. of Constantinople, whom he hated, because he had receiued & courteously intreated Isidorus, & Longi fratres, who came to Constantinople, of intention to accus… him. In this matter he dealt deceitfully like vntounto a crastie foxe lying in waite, vntill he found occasion to set on. First, he reconciled himselfe to Epiphanius bishop of Salamin in Cyprus, and moou…d him to gather a Councill in Cyprus for damning the bookes of Origen, and to w…ite to Iohn Chrys…stome, that he should doe the like in his bou…ds: but Chrysostome tooke litle regard of the Councill of Epiphanius, other things were more necessare than to trouble the memoriall of a man that was dead long agoe. Theophilus was glad to hauehave this vantage, that Epiphanius a man of g…eat account was on his side, and so soone as hee found that Eudoxia the Emperour A…cadius wife with courteours and some of the Clergie were incensed against Chrysostome, hee was in readines as a firebrand of Satan to execute all euill turnes. So the man of GOD (as hath beene declared) was deposed, banished, and vniustly put to death by Eudoxia and Theophtlus two chiefe procurers of it.

…yrillus the nephew of Theophtlus of his brothers side, succeeded Cyrillus.to Theophtlus, and ministred 32. yeeres: a man learned, zealou… an lactiue: his ministration was vnderunder the reignes of Theodo…s 2, & Ualentinian 3. He was an aduerfare to here…ques, in his dayes, especially to Nestorius B. of Constantinople. who denied the personall vnion of the diuine and humane Nature in CHRIST, whose opinion as hereticall, was damned in the Councill of Ephesas. Cyrillus caried some greater pompe & maiestie than became the preachers of the humilitie of CHRISTS p. 18crosse. For he reuenged the iniurie that the Lewes had done vntounto Christians in the night time, by setting vponupon their Synagogues, slaying a great number of them, banishing others, & distributing their substance as a prey to the multitude that followed …. lib. 7: cap. 13.him. The Iewes had dwelt in Alexandria from the dayes of Alexander the great to that time, but now by furie of Cyrillus they were vtte…ly vndone and scattered. Orestes the deputie of Theodosius 2. was in the towne, to whom Cy…illus wold not complaine of the iniurie done by the Iewes against Christians, but at his owne hand vsurping the office of the ciuill Magistate hee set vponupon the Iewes, slew, scattered & spoyled them, as hath bene aboue mentioned. This was the ground of vnsupportable discord betwixt Orestes and Cyrillus, in so much, that 500. Monks of Nitria came out of the wildernes to Alexandria,, to support …. lib. 7. cap. 14.Cyrillus their bishop: One of them called Ammonius wounded the gouernour Orestes, and when he was taken & punished vntounto the death, Cyrillus called him a Martyre, buried him in the Church, changed his name, and called him foreign, that is, admirable. The Romane bishops claimed to a superioritie ouer their brethrene, but Cyrillus B. of Alexandria plainly pretended to a superioritie ouer ciuill Magistrats. This moued Socrates writing of Coeles…inus 1, to say, that the bishops of Rome and Alexandria had stepped beyond the limites of priesthood, to the affectation of an externall domination. The bishops of Rome kept …. lib. 7. …. 1 1their owne pride, and borrowed from Alexandria a proud usurpation of domination ouer ciuill Magistrats: but the wise prouidence and prouident wisdome of our GOD would hauehave the mouthes of the bishops of Rome opned to condemne that ciuill domination which their successors afterward most proudly vsurped. Marke what Gelasius writeth, that before the comming ….of CHRIST some persons, such as Melchisedeck, were both Kings and Priests. This (saith he) Sathan imitating in his members wold hauehave Pagan Emperours to be called Pontisicesmaximi, & Imperatores: but when he came who was indeed both King & Priest, (to wit) CHRIST, neither did the King take vponupon him the priestly dignitie, neither the priest the kingly authoritie.

Dioscorus, who succeeded to Cyrillus, his name is to be read in the catalogue of heretickes, but Proterius was the true successor, p. 19Prote…ius.in regard he kept the faith, but he was cruelly flaine by the Hest. Magd. cent. 5. cap. 10fauourers of Dioscorus, immediatly after the death of the Empetour Martianus.

Timotheus Salophaciolus ministred in Alexandria 23 yeeres, 6, Timotheus Salophaciolus. Euagr. lib. 2. cap. 1 1months, in the dayes of Zeno & Basihscus, Albeit Basihscus aduanced another Timotheus, furnamed Aelurus to be B. of Alexandria, yet when Zeno was restored to his soueraignitie againe Salophaciolus receiued his place againe.

After Timotheus Salophaciolus followed Ioannes Tabennesiota whom the Emp. Zeno iustly hated for his periurie: for hee came Io annes Tabennesiotu. Hist. Magd. cen. 5. ca. 10ambassadour to the Emperour & craued, that when their B. was dead, the Church of Alexandria might hauehave libertie to choose their own bishop: the Emp. suspected that he was ambitiously suting the place to himselfe, & therefore did bind him with an oath, that when the place should happen to vaike, hee should make no moyen to possesse himselfe into that rowme: but hee did the contrare & accepted the place: therefore the Emp. Zen… banished him: he fled to Foelix B. of Rome, who being misinformed by Ioannes Tabennesiota made him to thinke, that hee was persecuted for the true faith, as Athanasius was, who fled to Iulius bishop of Rome: but the Emperours letter assured him of the contrarie, that hee was banished for periurie. Petrus Moggus who followed, is to bee reckoned in an other catalogue.

Patriarches of Antiochia.

To Flavianus in Antiochia succeeded Porphyrius, whose ordination Porphyrius Socrat. lib. 7. cap. 9was more secret than becomes the ordination of bishops to be, in absence of the people, when they were deliting themselues with the sight of stage playes in Daphue. He consented to the deposition of Iohn Chrysostome. No Man whom I hauehave read, maketh reuerent record of him, except Theodoretus, who possibly doth not examine him narrowly, but for the dignitie Theodorot. lib. 5. cap. 35of his place letteth him passe with a note of commendation.

After Porphyrius succeeded Alexander, a man much cōmended by Theod. for eloquence, but more for peace: for he was p. 20Alexandrnot onelyonly an instrument to quiet the estate of his own Church of Antiochia, but also to quiet the estate of other Churches, and hee was the fi…st who inserted the name of Iohn Chrysostome into the catalogue of holy bishoppes, and pe…swaded others to doe the same. Theodotus was his successor 4. yeeres, of whom little is Theodotus. Ioa…nes G…mmaticas.written.

To Theodotus succeeded Ioannes Gram…aticus & ministred 18. yeere. In his time the Councill of Ephesus was assembled by Theodosius 2. and Valentinian 3. In it there was a pitifull distraction betwixt Iohn B of Antiochia and Cyrillus B. of Alexandria for a light c…se. Not because John B. of Antiochia fauoured the her…sie of N…storius: but in r…spect hee thought Cyrillus too hastie in giuing out a definitiu. sentence before the full number of his brethren were assembled together. This dissention was afterward reconcil…d, and Ioannes sent to Cyrillus Paulus Emisenus, and craued his f…iendship, and was reconciled with him.

Domnus the successor of I…annes was an vnconstant man. Hee Domnus.consented to the deposition of Eutyches. and afterward in the Councill called foreign hee consented to th… reposition of Euty…hes. He receiued a iust recompence of his vnconstancie: for the second Councill of Ephesus deposed him, and ordained Maximus B. of Antiochia

Maximns was admitted B. of Antiochia by the second Councill Maximu…of Ephesus. H…e was present at the Councill of Chalcedon, whereinto albeit the second Councill of Ephesus was damned as hereticall, and all the actes of it were abrogated, yet they gaue allowance to the deposition of Domnus. and to the admission …. lib. 2. cap ultim….of Maximus, which thing came to passe by this occasion, Leo B, of Rome had receiued Maximus to his communion before the Councill of Chalcedon (albeit hee had receiued ordination from an hereticall Councill) and the ambassadours of Leo were …. Magd. …. 5. …ap. 10.pr…sidents in the Councill of Chalcedon: therefore they ouerpassed lightly, and with allowance any fact that was done by the B. of Rome. But all the world was set in busines, when Acatius receiued in fauour Petrus Moggus, because it was done without foreknowledge of the Bishop of Rome.

To Maximus succeeded Martyrius, who beeing absent at Martyrius.Constantmople for necessar affaires of his own Church, Petrus Gnapheus stale away the hearts of the people from him, so that at his p. 21returning he was compelled to leaue Antiochia, with this goodnight, Theo… … lib. 1.I forsake a disobedient Clergie, arebellious people, and a defiled Church, reseruing vntounto my selfe the dignitie of Priesthood.

Petrus Gnapheus for his desertes is worthy to bee reakoned in Petrus Gnapheus.the rolle of heretiques. First, he supplanted Martyrius by vnhon…st meanes in the dayes of the Emperour Leo. Secondly hee ordained a clause to bee added to that part of the Liturgie, which is called trisagios, sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus immortalis. To this (I say) he added, qui crucifi…us est pro nobis, which Hi…. Mag…. …nt. 5. cap. 10forme of speaking (albeit foreign may tollerate it to be spoken) was said by him in an hereticall sense, as if the diuinitie had suffered paine. Thirdly he attributed diuine honours vntounto the Virgin MARIE, and ordained that her name should bee in called vponupon in the publicke prayers' of the Church. Hee was banished by the Emperour Leo, and restored by Basiliscus: hee damned the Councill of Chaloedon, and was banished the second time by the Emperour Zeno, and excommunicate by F… lix B. of Rome, & Acatius B. of Constantinople. Stephanus succeeded Stephanus.in his rowme, and was incontinent made out of the way by the faction of Gnapheus. Calandion succeeded to Stephanus, and hee Calandionlikewise was banished by the Emperour Zeno. In end Petrus Gnapheus subscribed the henoticke letters of Zeno (these were letters containing a summe of the true faith, an approbation of godly Councils, and a protestation of vnitie with godly Bishops) foreign in the greeke language signifieth vnitiue or coniunctiue, and henoticke letters were letters to procure peace and vnion in the Church. By these meanes Gnapheus obtained his place againe, and is reakoned in the Catalogue of Bishops only for the subscription of the Emperours henoticke letters.

Patriarches of Jerusalem.

To Cyrillus succeded Ioannes Nepos. After him Polythronius ministred in Ierusalem. Hee was oft accused, and oftentimes Ioannes Nepos. Polythronius.absolued. His chiefe accusation was this, that he counted hims…lfe the supreme bishop of all bishops. Sixtus 3. B. of Rome was serious in this turne, because hee thought that the apple of his eye was touched when supremacie was spoken of. Therefore hee p. 22sent 8. ambassadours to Jerusalem: a Conncill of 70. bishops was gathered, & Polyth…onius was found innocent. Notwithstanding he was conuict of some other faultes, nam…ly that hee refused to consecrate a Church vntill 10. pounds of gold were payed vntounto him: for this cause he was ordained to dwell without the town, a Vicar to supplie his roome, and a portion to bee allotted to him for his sustentation. This portion appointed for his sustentation, when hee sawe the people of Jerusalem pinched with famine, he sold it, and supported their necessitie, and was for his louing affection to his flocke, restored to his office againe.

To him succeeded Iuvenalis, whose vnconstancie GOD iusily punished. He was present at the first Councill of Ephesus, & consented Iuvenalis.to the excommunication of Nestorius. Hee was present likewise at the second Councill of Ephesus, and consented to the restitution of Eutyches. Hee was deposed in the Councill of …. lib. …. cap. 10.Chalcedon, & receiued in fauour againe after humble confession of his fault. This is that famous author, whome the Romane Church citeth for the fable of the Assumption of the Virgine MARIE. When hee returned to Ierusalem, a number of turbulent Monks arose vp against him, and desired him to accurse the Councill of Chalcedon, which when hee refused to doe, they chused another bishop called Theodosius: but the Emperour Martianus commandement was strait to fetch Theodosius aliue vntounto him: therefore he fled, and Juvenalis returned againe vntounto his place. The names of Anastatius and Martyrius who followed Iuvenalis, for their assenting to Basiliscus, and to Petrus Gnapheus Ana…tatius. Mattyrius.are not worthie to be insert in this catalogue.

Of other Pastors and Doctors.

THeodoritus was B. of Cyrus a towne in Syria, whose builder seemes to hauehave beene Cyrus King of Persia, a man of excellent learning, liued vnderunder the Emperours, Theodosius 2. Valentinian Theodoritus.3. and Martianus. Hee had the ouersight of eightie parishes lying within his ample diocie. He is bold to affirme in a cerraine Epistle written to Leo bishop of Rome, that by his trauailes a thousand soules within his bounds were reclaimed from the heresie of Marcion. Hee fell into many lamentable p. 23troubles. The ground of all was the extraordinare louelove hee caried toward his owne Patriarch Iohn B. of Antiochia. For like as he accompanied him to the Councill of Ephesus, so likewise hee concurred with him in the deposition of Cyrillus B. of Alexandria, and Memnon B. of Ephesus: but the Councill gathered at Ephesus tooke triall in the cause of Cyrillus and Memnon, and absolued them, and damned Iohn B. of Antiochia, & his complices, Theodoritus was one of the number. The second trouble followed vponupon the necke of the first: for by instigation of his patriarch John he wrote against the 12 heades or 12. theses of Cyrillus written against Nestorius, wherein he mistaketh the doctrine of Cyrillus, as if he had falne into the errour of Apollinaris: but after that Cyrillus wrote a declaration of his owne meaning, it was found that both Cyrillus and Theodoritus professed one faith, and they were reconciled. Neuerthelesse Theodoritus was damned in the second Councill of Ephesus for writting against Cyrillus, neither beeing cited, accused nor conuict of any fault. Theodoritus complained to Leo B. of Rome, of the outrage of Dioscorus bishop of Alexandria, who had damned him in a Councill before hee was heard. Leo absolued him, and the Councill of Chalcedon, after hee had pronounced Anathema against the errours of Nestorius and Eutyches, they in like maner absolued him. And finally after his death in the 5, generall Councill, his writings against the 12. heades of Cyrillus were damned. All these troubles proceeded from one and the selfesame ground, to wit, vponupon the extraordinarie louelove hee caried toward his patriarch Iohn. This one thing laid aside, he was nothing inferiour to the most wise, acurate, and learned writers of the ancient time. In the first of his learned dialogues called foreign, he prooueth that the Word became flesh without Theod. dialogi 1. cap. 8.changing of the diuine Nature into the humane Nature, or the humane Nature into the diuine. Euen as in the Sacrament of the Supper of the LORD the bread becomes the body of the LORD, not by changing the substance of it, but by assuming by grace an other vse than it had, the very symbol obtaineth the name of the thing represented by the symbol. When Papists doe read the dialogues of Theodoritus, let them leaue off to brag of the antiquitie of the doctrine of Transsubstantiation, p. 24and take them to the Monke Damascene the first author of their foreign: he continued at least 30 yeeres in his ministrie, and ended his life as is supponed, vnderunder the reigne of Leo the first.

Augustine in his young yeeres was infected with the errour of Augustinus.the Manicheans. His mother Monica watered her face many times with teares, in her prayers begging at GOD his conuersione to the trueth. GOD heard her prayers: hee was sent to Millan to be a teacher of Rhetoricke, by the preaching of Ambrose B. of Millan, and the deuote behauiour of the people in singing Psalmes to the praise of GOD, the like whereof Augustine had neuer seene in any place before: for men in earth praising GOD with ardent affection seemed to represent the Angels of heauen, who incessantly praise GOD with vnsp…akable delite, Also with the reading of the life of Antonius the heremite, he was wonderfully moued, & beg…n to dislike his former conuersatiō, which he had spent in worldly ple…sures, and went vntounto a quiet garden, accompanied with Alipius: with many teares he bewa…led the insolencie of his bypast conuersation, wishing the time to be now come, whereinto without farder delay his soule should be watred with the dew of the conuerting grace of GOD. And as he August. … lib. 8. cap. 12.was powring out the griefe of his wounded heart to GOD with a flood of teares, hee heard a voyce saying vntounto him tolle & lege, and againe, tolle & lege, that is to say, take vp and read, take vp and read. At the first heating, he took it to hauehave bene the voyce of boyes or maides speaking in their play such wordes one to another: but when he looked about, and could see no body, he knew it to be a celestial admonition warning him to take vp the booke of holy Scriptu…e (which he had in the garden with him) and read. Now the first place that fe…l in his hands after the opening of the booke was this: Not in gluttonie, nor drunckennes, nor in chambering, nor wantonnesse, nor in strife or enuying: but put on the Rom. 13. ver. 13, 14Rom 13:13Rom 13:14Lord Jesus Christ, and take no thought of the flesh, to fulfill the l…stes thereof. At the reading whereof he was so fully resolued to forsake the vanities of the world, & to become a Christian that immediatly thereafter he was baptized by Ambrose B. of Millan, with his compenion Alipius, and his sonne Adeodatus. After this he returned to Africke, and was coadiutor to Valerius B of Hippe, as Chrys…stome was to Flauianus in Antiochia: and …fter p. 25them also with extraordinarie giftes of knowledge: but the writers of this time, especially Evagrius who concludeth his historie 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 ende of these miraculous workes, they are brought in, either to confirme the sanctimonie of the monasticke life, the adoration of the Grosse, or some other grosse superstition. Zosymas a Monke is commended by him for his propheticall foreknowledge of the ruine of Antiochia, and for the miracle of the Lion, who slewe the Asse that caried his victualing to Caesarea, and likewise the Lion by his mandate was compelled to beare that same burden which the Asse had borne to the portes of Caesarea. No man is so senslesse, or ignorant, but may perceiue that this lying miracle is brought in, to the confirmation Evagr lib. 4. cap. 26.of the excellency of the monastick life The miracle of Thomas B of Apamea, tendeth to the adoration of the tree of the Crosse. The miracle of the fire that came out of Barsaunphius shop Idem lib. 4. cap. 33.at Gaza, & consumed the most part of them who were in companie with Eustochius B of Jerusalem, is a notable lie, and tendeth onelyonly to confirme superstitition. 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, Idem lib. 5. cap. 18. Idem lib. 6. cap. 22.not so much for detestation of hypocrisie, Idolatrie, and sorcerie, as for worshipping the Image of the Virgine with a deuote minde. The miracle of Simeones who in his youth 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, sed with branches of trees 68. yeeres: this fable whereunto it tendeth all men doe see. And finally the golden Crosse sent by Idem lib. 6. cap. 21.Cosroes to Sergiopolis tendeth not onelyonly to the invocation of Saintes, but also to put our trust and confidence in them, as the last wordes of the Epistle of Cosroes, and his wife Sira, clearly proporteth. No we let the iudicious Reader pardone mee in pre…ermitting many things written by others, lest I should wearie them by filling their eares with fables and lyes

p. 26CHAP. III. Of Heresies.

IN this and the next Centurie, I finde that the error of Eutyches is like vntounto a root of bitternesse, which budding out with new branches, not seene before, but fostered with the venemous sappe of the old root that seemed to bee abolished, did mightily perturbe the Church. The errour of the Monothelites was but a branch of the errour of Eutyches, but this belongeth to the seuenth Centurie. In this Centurie a great number of people, especially of Monkes, fauouring the heresie of Eutyches spake against the Councill of Chalcedone, these were called foreign, because they had no principall heade vponupon Acephali.whom they depended and they were ante…iour to Anthimus, or Anthimius B. of Constantinople, and to Theodosius B. of Alexandria, and Severus B. of Antiochia: therefore they were not called Anthimians, Theodosians, or Severues, but indeede they might hauehave beene called Eutychians: alwayes the vulgare name giuen vntounto them was foreign.

Another branch, which sprang vp from the root of Eutyches foreign.heresie was the errour of those who supponed that the flesh of CHRIST was voide of all kinde of humane infirmitie, expresly contradicting holy Scriptures, which attributeth to the body of CHRIST hunger and wearines, and other infirmities, which Matth. 4. Ioan. 4.Matt 4John 4he voluntarily accepted for our sakes. And where it is said, that the LORD IESVS did eate and drinke. To this they answered, that hee seemed to eate and drinke as hee did after his …esurrection, but hee had no necessitie of eating and drinking, but the veritie of his death stoppeth the mouthes of these heretiques: for CHRIST was content to taste of all our infirmities, death it selfe not except, that we might know he will be a mercifull Heb. 5. vers, 2.Heb 5high Priest, because he hath tasted of our infirmities, and can hauehave compassion of those who are in trouble. In this opinion was the Emperour Iustinian in his olde dayes, whose vices did almost equall his vertues, especially in comporting so p. 27much with Theodora the Empresse, to the great aduancement of the errour of Eutyches, and hinderance of the Gospell.

In this Centurie the defenders of the bookes of Origenc, such Originist….as Theodorus Ascidas B. of Caesarea Cappadocia, and the Monkes of Nova Laura, whom Eustochius B. of Jerusalem eiected out of their monasteries were counted heretiques, as wil be declared hereafter (Godwilling in the head of Councills.

Finally, there were some heretiques, who durst derogate …perfection of knowledge to the Sonne of GOD in his diuine Nature: these were called Agnoitae, whome I leaue as buried in the dust, and according to their name, neuer worthy to hauehave beene knowne in the world.

CHAP. IIII. Of Councills.

THE schisme that fell out in the election of Symmachus The councill of R… venna.was the cause of the gathering of the Councill of Rauenna. Laurentius was his competitour. In this Councill it was found that Symmachus was first ordeined, and that the most part both of Clergie and people adher…d to him: therefore he was declared to be bishop of Rome and Lanrentius was ordeined bishop of Nuceria.

The multiplied number of Councills in Symmachus time, all Sixe Councils holden at Rome in Symmach… time.conueened by the authoritie of Theodoricus King of Gothes, who reigned in Italie. All this number of Councills (I say) was assembled for matters of litle importance, except the fourth and fifth Councill, whereinto a lible of accusations was giuen in against Symmachus, but he compeared not before the Councill to answere, yet was hee absolued by the most part of the Councill (beeing his owne fauourers) chiefly for this reason, p. 28because they thought that the high Pricst should be iudged by no man, but his doings should bee examined onelyonly before the Trihunall of GOD. Marke how this matter goeth: the bishoppes Hi… Magd. …nt 6. …ap. 9of Rome are lying vnderunder the feet of the Gothes, neither hauehave they libertie to assemble themselues together, except that licence be sought, and obteined from Theodori…us King of Gothes. Not withstanding supremacie that great Idole, whereat they aimed continually, runneth so high in their heades, that the flatterers of the bishop of Rome would absolue him, as a man whose actions came not vnderunder the iudicature of mortall men. His accusers protested in write, that if the successours of PETER should b…e iudged by no man, then with the …est of the priui'edges of their chaire, they had also a p…iuiledge to sinne, and to doe what they pleased.

The Councils of Spaine called Ilerdensc, and Val…ntinum, assembled The councils in Spain… …alled Ilerdense & …in Valentia are very obscure Councils. In the one …ight bishoppes were present: in the other sixe bishoppes. Many new and superstitious Canons were made in these assemblies, and farder I see nothing. In the first called Ilerdense a prohibition of mariage in time of Lent, and three weekes before the sestiuitie of Iohn the Bap…st, and betwixt the dayes of the Aduent of our LORD, and the dayes called Epiphania. In the other Councillit was appointed, that in the ordinarie seruice the Gospell should be read after the Epistle. partly in respect that all the people of GOD hauehave entresse to heare the wholesome precepts of their Sauiour, and partly, in respect that by such hearing, some were found to bee conuerted to the faith, where of it may bee perceiued, that the Gospell was read vntounto the people into a know…e and intelligible language, els it could not worke faith in the heartes of the hearers.

In the twentieth yeere of the reigne of the Emperour Anaslatius The councill of Sid…a nationall Councill was assembled at Sidon of eightie bishops, by the procurement of Xen…as B. of Hierapolis, for vndoing the Councill of Chalcedone. The Emperour had al eadie banished Euphemius, and Macedonius bishops of Constantinople, Yet he found that Flavianus B. of Antiochia, and Helias bishop of Ierusalem altogether disliked and reprooued his proceedings, neither could they admitte the lawe of oblinion, called in the p. 29Greeke language foreign, which the Emperour would hauehave brought in, to pacifie controuersies in the Church, as ciuile controuersies, at some times hauehave beene pacifi…d: for this cause the Emperour Aanastatius set himselfe directly against the trueth of GOD, and gathered this Councill, to vndoe the authoritie of the Councill of Chalcedone. Flavianus, & Helias would not bee present at this vngodly Councill, whereinto they damned the Councill of Chalcedone, yet they abstained from damning Flavianus, and Helias, for a time. Neuerthelesse by continuall accusations of these two bishops, as if they had bene mockers of all the Emperours doings, they procured their banishment, as hath bene declared in the preceeding historie.

In the 22. yeere of the reigne of Anasta…us, and vnderunder the reigne of Clodoueus King of France, conueened 32. bishops in the The first Councill of Aurelia.towne of Aur…lia, of purpose to settle some order in Ecclesiasticall discipline, which through iniurie of time, and irruption of barbarous people into the countrie of France, had beene brought to great dissolution and misorder. The Canons of this Councill are coincident for the most part, with the Canons of all other Councils.

The two former Councils assembled in Spaine, namely Ilerdense, The Co… cill of Gerunda and Casaraugustaand Valentinum, were vnderunder the reigne of Theodoricus. Now these two Gerundense and Casaraugustanum are ce…ebrated vnderunder the same King, to wit, Theodo…us of the nation of the Gothes reigning in Spaine. In Gerunda seuen bishops conueened, made Ecclesiasticall constitutrons, chiefly anent Baptisme, that Catechumeni should bee baptized on Pas…he day, and at Pentecoste, when most s…lemne conuentions of people were gathered. They who were vnderunder inf…mitie and sicknesse, might bee baptized Canon 4.at any time, and the infant, which was likely to die, mightlee Canon, 5.baptized that same day where into it was borne. In Caesaraugusta elenen bishoppes seeme to hauehave beene conueened. They forbid Canon, 2.fasting vponupon the LORDS day, for supersution, or for respect of times, or for perswasion. It would appeare that this Councill had a desire to abolish the rites and customes of the Matichean heretiques, who were accust…med to fast vponupon the Lords day.

In the dayes of Hormisda by the mandate of Theodoricus King p. 30The Coū cill of Romeof Gothes reigning in Italie, a Councill was assembled at Rome vponupon this occasion. It was thought meet by the Emperour Anastatius, Theodoricus King of Italie and many others, that a Councill should be conueened at Heraclea for deciding controuersies in religion. Many bishops resorted to Heraclea aboue the number of 200, but Anastatius suffered no Councill to be holden, thereby incurring the great blame of inconstancie, and carelessenesse in seeking out the trueth: for this cause Theodoricus willed Hormisda bishop of Rome to gather a Councill at Rome, whereinto the errour of Eutyches is damned of newe againe, and ambassad ours are ordeined to bee sent to Anastatius the Emperour, and to the bishop of Constantinople, to diuert them, if possible were from the errour of Eutyches, but howe in humanely the ambassadours were intreated, it hath beene declared in the description of the life of Hormisda.

VnderUnder the reigne of the Emperour Iustinus a Synode was gathered The Coū cil of Constantinople Hist. Magd. cont. 6 cap. 9in Constantinople by Ioannes Cappadox. Many grieuous accusations were giuen in against Severus B. of Antiochia, such as sacrilegious spoyling of Temples, vnderunder pretence of eschewing causes of Idolatrie, he tooke away the golden doues that hung aboue the fontes, and the altars, and h…e vttered many blasphemous speeches against the Councill of Chalcedone. Ioannes Cappadox, albeit hee was of a bad religion himselfe, yet the authoritie of the Emperour, and consent of the Councill procured that Severus should be damned of heresie, whom the Emperour also banished, and (as some affirme) punished him also by commanding that his blasphemous tongue should bee cut out. In like maner the Monks of Apamea in a Council conueened The Synode of Syriasecund▪in Syriasecunda accused Severus of bloody cruelty, & oppression, in besieging of Monastries slaying the Monks, & spoyling their goods. The like accusation was giuen in against Peter B. of Apamea, which accusations beeing sufficiently proued by vnsuspect witnesses this Council damned Severus, & Petrus B. of Apamea.

In the fifth yeere of King Abnaricus was the second Councill of Toledo conueened, partly for renuing the ancient constitutions The secōd Councill of Toledo.of the Church, and partly for making new constitutions belonging to Ecclesiasticall discipline. It was ordeined that children whome their parents had dedicated to the Church, p. 31they should not be admitted to the office of a Subdeacon, vntil they were 18. yeeres of age, neither to the office of Deacon, before they were 25. yeeres old, and at the beginning of their admission to the office of a Subdeacon, namely when t…ey …re full 18. yeeres olde (and not before that time) they should bee presented before the Clergie, and people to make an open declaration, whether they were of purpose to leade a continent life, or to marie, and these who protested they had not the gift Canon. 1.of continencie, are tolerated by the first Canon of the second Councill of Toledo to marrie.

In the yeere of our LORD 551, and in the 24. yeere of the The 5. general councill holden at Constantinople.reigne of the Emperour Iustinian, was a generall Councill assembled at Constantinople. The principall causes of this meeting are expresly set downe by Evagrius lib. 4. cap. 38. First in re…pect of the controuersie betwixt Eustochius B. of Ierusalem, and Theodorus Ascidas B. of Caesarea Cappadocia. Eustochius cast out the Monkes of Nova Laura, who obstinately defended the errours of Origen. Theodorus Ascidas assisted them, and saide, that Eustochius B. of Ierusalem had dealt cruelly, and inhumanely with his brethren, to pacifie this controuersie was this Councill conueened: Also great disputation was in the Church anent the bookes of Origen, of Theodorus B. of Mopsuesta, and some writings of Theodoritus B. of Cyrus, and Ibas B. of Edessa: this was the second cause of this great conuention to put an ende vntounto these contentious disputations. At this time MENAS was bishop of Constantinople, but hee ended his life in the very time of the generall Councill. The first question mooued in the Councill was this: Whether or no men who were deade, and had ended their course, might lawfully bee cursed and excommunicated. To this EVTYCHIVS (a man before this time of no great account) answered: That … as IOSIAS not onelyonly punished Idolatrous Priestes who were 2. Reg 23. vers. 16.2 Kgs 23:16aliue, but also opened the graues of them who were dead, to dishonour them after their death, who had dishonoured GOD in their lifetime: euen so the memorialls of men might be accursed after their death, who had harmed Christes Church in their lifetime. This was thought by the Fathers of the Councill to be pertinently spoken, & when his answer came to the eares p. 32Evag. lib. 4. cap. 38.of the Emperour Iustinian, hee appointed that hee should be or deined bishop of Constantinople, for Menas died suddenly in time of the Councill. Vigilius B. of Rome was in Constantinople in time of this Councill, but would not bee present at the Councill, lest the dignitie of the Romane chaire should bee impaired, if the Patriarch of Constantinople had beene equalled with him in honour, for Eutychius after Menas, was moderator of the Councill. The generall conuention tooke thi… effect, That the writings of Theodorus B. of Mopsuesta were vtterly condemned, and the replyes of Theodoretus to the 12. heades of Cyrilus, together with the letter of Ibas written to Maris a Persian were damned. Finally the errours of Origen were damned, and Theodorus Ascidas, together with the Monks of Nova Laura, who defended the errors of Origen, all were excommunicated, and the 4. preceeding generall Councils were confirmed with full allowance. The Councill of Mopsuesta immediatly following, tended onelyonly to this, to knowe when the name of Theodorus sometime B. of Mopsuesta a towne of Cilicia, was razed out of the rolle called sacra dipiycha. And the ancients both of Clergie & people, assured the Emperour Iustinian that the name of Theodorus was razed out of the rolle of holy bishops before their time.

VnderUnder the reigne of Childebertus King of France, were frequent The secōd, thirde, fourth and fifth Councils of Aurelia.meetings of Bishops in Aurelia a towne of France commonly called Orleans. Many superstitious constitutions were hatched amongst them, especially anent prohibition of mariage, for this doctrine of Deuils had now gotten great vpper hand in the West. The verse of Homer may bee written in the frontispice of these Councills foreign: that is, It is a shame to tarie long, and to returne emptie. If they met so oft, some fruites worthie of their meeting should hauehave beene brought out to the world, but it is a wearisome thing to trauell a long time in the wildernesse of Arabia, albeit in it there bee large fieldes, yet it is a barren ground, and the paine of wearisome trauelling is not recompensed with the delite of any refreshment that can bee had there. This I write, not to hinder any man from the reading of these Councils also: for some good things are to bee found in them, but to wish that the short time we hauehave to liue in this world should not be vnfruitfully spent.

p. 33In the second Councill simonie is damned, & the receiuing Canon, 4.of money for admitting a man to a spirituall office is vtterly detested.

In the thirde Councill periurie is abhorred in a man Canon 8.hauing a spirituall calling, but softly punished by 2. yeeres excluding of him from the communion.

In the fourth Councill, it is ordeined that in the offering of Canon, 4.the holy Calice, nothing shall be presented, except wine onelyonly, vnmixed with water, because it is a sacrilegious thing to transgresse the holy mandate and institution of our Sauiour CHRIST.

In the fifth Councill it is condescended, that no man shall Canon 10.be ordained bishop, without consent of King, Clergie and people, according to the ancient constitutions of the Church, and that no spirituall office shall be bought by money.

The heape of constitutions anent the keeping of Pasche day and Lent, anent the prohibition of mariage betwixt Christians and vnconuerted Iewes, anent seruants not to bee admitted to Ecclesiastical orders, anent assemblies to be at the least yeerely conuocated by bishops, anent Ecclesiasticall rents not to be dilapidated. The nature of a short Compend cannot permit mee to insist in such things.

VnderUnder the reigne of Theodobertus King of France, the Fathers who were present at the Councill, of Aurelia, conueened also The council of ….in the Council of … & ordeined that no man should presume to the office of a bishop by the fauour of m…n …, but by the merites of an honest and ….

That the dead body of a bishop in time of … not be couered with the pall, otherwise called Opertor… … corporis which couered the Altar, lest the honour done to the body, should be a polluting of the Altar with many other constitutions, which of purpose I ouerpasse with silence

VnderUnder the reigne of Aribertus King of France, a Council was The council of Tours. Canon 5.assembled at Tours. In this Councill it was ordeined, that the Clergie & people in eueryevery Congregatiō should prouide support for their owne poore, & not permit them to wander to vncouth places: for indeed this custome of wandering hath brought in Atheisme amongst the poore, when they leaue their owne p. 34Congregation, they leauealso their owne Pastor, who attended vponupon their conuersation, and they fall into the snare of the deuil.

It was also statute and ordeined, that a bishop should count Canon 13.his wife as his sister, and that he should no maner of way companie with her, and for this cause hee should hauehave Presbyters, & Deacons so familiarly conuersant with him, that they might beare testimonie of his honest behauiour, to wit, that he neuer companied with his wife. The Romanists who count the prohibition of marriage to bee the soule of their religion, could not ouerpasse this Canon without a censure Now let vsus heare what Censura saith. Intellige hunc Canonem uixta usum Orientalis ecclesia, in qua co…iugatus promovebatur adsacerdotium: that is, Vnderstand this Canon according to the custome of the Orientall Church, wherein a maried man was promoted to the Priesthood: well excused. The bishops of Rowen, Burges, Tours, &c. are conueened in the towne of Tours, to prescribe rules to the Orientall Church, or at least rules vntounto their owne bishops to liue after the forme of the Orientall Church, which neuer came in their mind to doe, as may evidently be knowne by the sixt generall Councill,

Moreouer, it was statute, and ordeined, that no Priest, or Monke should receiue in bed with him another Priest or Monke, Canon 15.to the ende they might bee so vnreproouable, that they would abstaine from all appearance of euill.

In this Councill was set downe very strict prohibitions, that no man should oppresse the Church, and conuert vntounto his own vse Canon, 25.any thing duely belonging to them, lest he incurrethemalediction of Iudas who was a thiefe, and kept the bag and conuerted to his owne vse a part of that money which belonged to the poore.

In the Councill holden at Paris, order was taken concerning The council of Paris.admitting of bishops to their offices that no man should be admitted bishop, without the full consent of Clergie and people, and that no man should presume by fauour of Princes onelyonly, without the consents foresaide, to become bishoppe in any place.

Recaredus King of Spaine, and of the discent of the Gothes, who The third Councill of ….were miserably insected with the Arrian heresie, assen bled 2 p. 35Councill of 62. bishops at Toledo, where he renounced the Ar… heresie, and embraced the true faith, and the whole nation of the West Gothes in Spaine did the like, about the yeeee of our LORD 585.Hist. Magd. …. 6. cap. 9 A Council at Constantinople.

VnderUnder the reigne of Mauritius a Councill was assembled at Constantinople, for trying of the cause of Gregorius B of Antiochia, whom Asterius Deputie in the East had accused of incest: but Gregorius was declared to bee innocent, & his accuser was scourged with roddes, and was banished. In this Councill the name of Oecumenick bishop was attributed to Iohn Patriarch of Constantinople.

The first Councill of Matiscon was assembled about the time Three Councils at Matis…. Canon. 8.of Pelagius 2, as the second Tome of Councills recordeth. In it commandement was giuen, that no man of the Clergie should cite another man hauing a spirituall office before a seculare iudge.

And that a bishop or Presbyter should not intangle himselfe Canon 11.with carnall lust, after hee is promoted to so high dignitie, but the woman who before was his wife, nowe let her bee his sister, and let the husband bee changed into a brother. Marke how subtilly Sathan vnderunder pretence of lothing matrimoniall chastitie, is bringing in, all kinde of vncleannesse into the Church.

The second Councill of Matiscon was conueened in the 24. yere of the reigne of Gunthrannus king of France. In it complaint was made, that Baptisme was ministred vsually vponupon …ry holy day, insomuch, that vponupon Pasche day, scarce were two or Canon 3.three found to be presented to Baptisme This they ordeined to bee amended, and that no man (except vponupon occasion of infirmitie) presume to present his child to Baptisme, but to attend vponupon the festiuall dayes prescribed of olde, that is, Pasche and Whitsonday.

Also it was statute and ordeined, that the Sacrament of the altar should be ministred before any communicant person had Canon 6.tasted of meat or drinke.

That no person who fleeth to the Church as to a citie of refuge, be drawne backe againe by violence, from the bosome of Canon 8.the Chuch, or be harmed into that holy place.

That a bishop must not bee attached before a secular iudge.Canon 9.

p. 36That the houses of bishops shall be kept holy with exercises Canon 13.of prayers and singing of Psalmes, and shall not bee defiled with the barking of dogges, and muting of hankes.

That seculare men shall doe reucrence to those who are of Canon 15.the Clergie, euen vntounto the lowest degree of them, in such sort that if the secular man doe meete any of the Clergie walking on foot, he shall honour him by vncouering his head: but if the seculare man be riding on horsebacke, and the Clergie man on foote, then the secular man shall light downe from his horse, and shall doe reuerence to the Church man: this age smelleth of Antichristian pride.

In the third Council at Matiscon there is nothing to be read but a contentious disputation betwixt two bishops, Palladius & Bertramus, & foolish questions scarse worthy to bee disputed in Grāmer schooles, Whether or no a woman may be called homo.A Council at Rome.

In the yeere of our Lord 595, & in the 13. yeere of the reigne of the Emp. Mauritius, Gregorius 1. bishop of Rome assembled a Council at Rome of 24. bishops, 34. presbyters, whereinto first of all he confirmed the first foure generall Councills.

He ordeined that at the celebration of the Masse there should be lesse singing & more reading of Psalmes and Gospel, because weake people transported with the delite of a sweet & delicate voyce, marked not how men of a lewd life drew neere vntounto the Altar of GOD.

He ordeined also that laicke boyes should not be cubiculars to the bishops of Rome, but that Presbyters, Deacons, or Monks should be witnesses of the honestie of their secret conuersation

And that the beare whereinto the body of the B. of Rome is brought forth to bee buried shall not bee oue. spred with any coue…ing aboue the beare.

That for ordination of men in spirituall offices, no reward shall be craued. For like as the bishop should not sell the imposition of his hands, euen so the minister or notare should not sell his voyce and pen. If hee who is ordeined, voluntarlly giueth any thing as a testimonie of his thankfulnesse, this is not forbidden to be receiued.

Gregorius standing before the place where the body of S. PETER is buried, pronounced many Anathems, whereinto the p. 37rest of the assemblie with vniforme consent, saide, Amen. Amongst the rest, the Presbyter or Deacon, who marrieth a wise is deliuered to the deuill, and a man who marieth his owne spir…tuall sister (whome in our language, we call his gossope) hee is likewise deliuered to an euill Heard to bee kept. Albeit Gregorius bee not counted the worst amongst the bishoppes of Rome, yet when hee followeth not the certaine rule of the written worde of GOD, hee is wandering in the mist as boldly as others did before him.

The Councills which I hauehave ouerpassed with silence, such as Gradense, Bracearense, Lateranense, Lugdunense, Pictaviense, Metense: lest I should ouer charge a litle booke with an vnnecessarie burthen, or trouble the reader with reading of superstitious rites, damning of old heresies, and of eueryevery contentious disputation, more duely belonging to ciuile iudges than to spirituall conuentions, I reserre mine excuse in this to the wisdome of the iudicious Reader.