History of the First Ten Persecutions, History 8

History of the First Ten Persecutions · History 8

p. 113THE VIII. CENTVRIE.

CHAP. I. OF EMPEROURS.

PHILIPPICVS.

AFTER IVSTINIAN the second was slaine, PHILIPPICVS reigned two yeeres, and nine monethes. Great dissention fell out betwixt the Emperour Philippicus and Constantine Bishop of Rome, for razing (as appeareth) the pictures of Fathers, who were present at the sixt Generall Councell, which beeing pictured in the Temple of Sophia, were abolished by the commandement of Philippicus. Constantine Bishop of Rome declared the Emperour an heretique, and commanded, that his name shoulde bee rased out of charters. This was the first great, direct, and violent opposition, that the Bishops of Rome attempted against noble Emperours. Philippicus was taken, and his eyes were put out by Anastasius, otherwise called Artemius, his Secretarie, who reigned in his stead.

p. 114ARTEMIVS.

ARTEMIVS, otherwise called Anastasius, reigned one yeere and three monethes: hee deposed Ihonne patriarch of Constantinople, who kept not the true faith: and placed Germanus in his steade. Hee was taken by Theodosius, and sent prisoner to Nice, and from thence to Thessalonica, where hee was compelled to renounce his Emperiall dignitie, and to be cloathed with the habite of a Monke.

THEODOSIVS.

THEODOSIVS reigned scarce one yeere: and when hee heard that Leo Isaurus, gouernour in the East partes, was saluted Emperour by the armie, hee willinglie gaue ouer his Emperiall dignitie, and liued a priuate and peaceable man.

LEO ISAVRVS.

LEO ISAVRVS reigned twentie foure yeeres: great commotions were in his time, both in Church and policie: In Church-affaires, hee was an hater of Images, and burnt images made of wood, other images hee melted, and misfashioned: against whome Gregorius the seconde, puft vp with antichristian pride, hee opponed himselfen, …t only allowing worshipping of images, but also forbidding to paye tribute to the Emperour Leo. The Emperour on the other part irritated with the proude attempts of Gregorius the second: he vsed indirect meanes to cut him off: but the enterprises of his deputies Marinus, Paulus, Eutychius, and their followers, succeeded vnprosperously. Moreouer, the Bishop of Rome sought support from the Lombardis, who had beene at all times preceeding enemies to the chaire of Rome: yet in Leo his dayes they were bounde with the bishop of Rome in a couenant of friendship, for none other cause, but this onelyonly, to shake off the yoke of the Emperours obedience. And when the bishop of Rome sawe that the Emperour had great businesse in warres against the Saracens, he thought it a sit occasion to drawe the dominion of Italic vntounto his owne subjection: and Hist. Magd, Cent. 1. cap. 3.therefore, with aduise of his Clergie, hee both excommunicated p. 115the Emperour, as a destroyer of the images of the Saincts, and disauthorised him of his Emperiall soueranitie, So early began the increasing grandour of the Antichrist, to sende foorth the thuńder-boltes of cursinges against the annointed of the Lord. In this Emperours dayes the Saracenes passed ouer the Straites, inuaded the kingdome of Spaine, slewe Rodericus king of Gothes, and his sonne, and put an ende to the kingdome of the Gothes in Spaine, after they had reigned 346. yeeres: and being incited by Eudo, Duke of Aquitania, they marched towardes France: but Platin. in vit. Greg. 2.thorowe the valour of Carolus Martellus, a man of noble birth in France, they were so encountered, that three hundreth thousand, and threescore and ten thousand Saracenes were slaine, and the countrey of France was made free of the feare of y^e Saracens.

CONSTANTINVS COPRONYMVS.

AFTER LEO, his sonne CONSTANTINVS COPRONYMVS reigned 35. yeeres: (Chytreus reckoneth onlie 23. yeeres) because hee hated the worshipping of images, (which errour had taken deepe roote in this age) the writers of the historie of this time hauehave dipped their pennes in gall and worm-wood to blaspheme the honourable name of Constātinus: but whatsoeuer Paulus Diaconus, or zonaras hauehave written to his disgrace, his name will bee in honourable account and regarde in the Church of CHRIST. The Senate, and the people, of Constantinople, addicted to the worshipping of images, hated the Emperour, and were glad of the false rumoured tithings of his death, when hee went to fight against the Arabians, & they chose Artabasdus to bee Emperour in his steade. But Constantine returned to Constantinople, besieged the towne, and recouered his owne kingdome againe. Hee gathered a Generall Councell in Constantinople, anno 755. wherein the worshipping of images was damned, as shall bee declared (God willing) in its owne place. In this Emperours dayes were warres betwixt the kings of Lombardis, and the Bishops of Rome: but the Romane Bishops begged the helpe of Carolus Martellus against Luitprand, and the helpe of Pipinus against Aistulphus, and the helpe of Carolus Magnus p. 116against Desiderius, all kinges of Lombardis: and so by continuall imploring the helpe of the Nobles & Kinges of France, the Lombardes were vtterly fubdued, the chaire of Rome was inriched, the reuenewe of the Emperour of the East was impaired, and a ground was laide of the aduancement of the kinges of France to the Emperiall dignitie. In this Emperours dayes the Turkes, or Schythians, inuaded the Armenians, and molested the Saracenes, and some countreys of Asia minor, in ende they accorded with the Saracenes: But this agreement could not bee perfected without Platina in vit. Steph. 2condition, That the Turkes in Persia shoulde vndergoe the name of Saracenes, hoping thereby that they woulde easily embrace the Mahometane religion, wherein their exspectation was not frustrate.

In the yeere of our Lord 579. and in the 18. yeere of the reigne of Constantine, a wonderfull thing fell out amongst the wise men of Persia, called Magi, and Maurophori Persae: they perswaded both themselues, and others also, That if any man would fell all that hee had, and throwe himselfe headlonges from the walles of the cities, his soule should incontinent bee tranfported Funct. comment. lib. 8to heauen. So prone and bent is the corrupt nature of man to leane vponupon vaine hopes, and to belceue promises which GOD hath not made.

LEO the sonne of COPRONYMVS.

LEo the son of Constantinus Copronymus reigned 5. yeeres: he followed the foote-steps of his father in zeale against worshipping of images: and punished the Groomes of his owne chamber, such as Iames, Papias, Strateius, and Theophanes, for worshipping of images. The superstitious writers of the historie of this time, such as Zonaras, and Paulus Diaconus, reckon the aforesaid persons in the Catalogue of holy Confessors: But Christ, he will neuer count them to be His martyrs, who fight obstinatelie against his trueth, euen vntounto the death: neither will Hee count them to be His Confessors who suffer justly inflicted punishmēt for contempt of the lawes of Magistrates, beeing agreeable to the law of God.

p. 117IRENE, and CONSTANTINVS her sonne.

AFter the death of Leo, reigned Irene his wife, with her sonne Constantine ten yeeres. Afterwardes Constantine deposed his mother from her authoritie, and reigned alone 7. yeeres. And Irene on y^e other part, taking this indignitie done vntounto her grieuously, she spoyled her sonne both of his eyes, & of his Empire, cast him into prison, where he died for heart griefe: and she reigned againe 4. yeeres after her sonnes imprisonment: So all the yeeres of the reignes of Irene & her sonne, conjunctly and …euerally, first & last, were 21. yeeres. This Empresse was superstitious, malicious, craftie, & infortunate. She was a superstitious defender of the worshipping of images. A malicious & venomous hater of the name of Constantinus Copronymus, whose dead body she commanded to bee brought out of his graue, to bee burnt with fire, resolued into ashes, and to be casten into the sea. (albeit Constantine was her owne father in lawe) The mercies of the wicked Prouerb. 12are cruell. Her craft appeared in bringing her forces to Constantinople, in the sixt yeere of her reigne, vnderunder pretence of fighting against the Arabians, and in disarming of them whom she knew to hauehave beene aduersaries to worshipping of images, & sending them in ships to the places from whence they came: For before the dayes of Constantinus Copronymus, the towne of Constantinople, by famine & pestilence, being besieged 3. yeeres by the Saracens, was miserably dispeopled, so that 30000. of the people of Constantinople died. But Copronymus, for repairing of that losse, sent Platina in vita Greg. 2for strangers, and replenished the towne with new inhabitantes. These strangers she sent back againe, to the places from whence they came, especially, because in populare commotion they had Funct. comment. in chron. lib. 8set themselues in armes, and minassed the Fathers conuened in Constantinople, by Irene and her sonne, for allowance of adoration of images. Shee was infortunate, because the Empire of the East was so extenuate in her time, that it was rather like vntounto a shaddowe, than vntounto an Empire. So that in the subsequent historie I will forget (after a manner) the Emperours of the East, and make mention of the Emperours of the West. Now, Irene was deposed, and banished, by Nicephorus, who reigned eight yeeres after her banishment.

p. 118CHAP. II. Of Popes, Patriarches, Pastors, and Doctors.

AFTER Pope SERGIVS succeeded IOANNES Jhonne the six….the sixt, and continued three yeeres and three monethes. And after him Pope Ioannes the seuenth continued two yeeres and seuen monethes he liued in the dayes of Iustinian the Jhonne the seuenth.second, who sent Ambassadours vntounto him for procuring an vnion betwixt the Churches of the East and the West, because they differed in opinions concerning the Canons of the sixt Generall Councell, wherein prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices, was disalowed, and the Patriarch of Constantinople was equalled in authority to the Patriarch of Rome. These Ambassadours aforesaide returned from Pope Ihonne the seuenth without any answere: which proud carriage, or as others doe thinke, a cowardly forme of dealing all writers doe vituperate. And after him succeeded Sisinius, who continued not aboue twentie dayes in his Popedome.Sisinius.

After Sisinius succeeded Constantine the first, and gouerned seuen yeeres, and twentie dayes. His Popedome was vnd…r the Constantine the first.reignes of Iustinian the seconde, Philippicus, and Anastasius. The Emperour Iustinian supported him against Foelix bishop of Rauenna, who had refused to paye to the bishop of Rome the summe of money imposed to him in time of his ordination: so that Foelix was taken prisoner, by the Emperours Admirall, and sent to Constantinople, where his eyes were put out, and hee was banished to Pontus. Against the Emperour Philippicus, he contended, as one hauing authoritie to rase the name of the Emperour out of charters, as hath beene alreadie declared. This is the Pope who was made judge betwixt the bishops of Ticinum and Millane, who contended for superioritie: And Constantine eximed the bisshop p. 119of Ticinum from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Millan: but in such way, as he should be subject to the Church of Rome. The Emperour Iustinian the seconde, sent for pope Constantine, who came to Constantinople, and from thence went to Nicomedia, where hee met with the Emperour, and the Emperour kissed his feete. Marke the growing, and daylie increasing pride of the Romane Antichrist.

After Constantine succeeded Gregorius the second, & continued sixteene yeeres, nine monethes, and eleuen dayes. Hee liued vnderunder Gregorius the second.the reigne of the Emperour Leo Isaurus, whom he rashly excommunicated for abolishing of images. Also hee drewe awaye from the obedience of the Emperour, the countreys of He speria, Aemilia, Liguria, and other parts of Italie, forbidding them to paye tribute to the Emperour, expresse contrarie to Christes commandement, Matth. 22. 21. where He saith, GiueGive vntounto Caesar that which is Caesars, &c. and this Christ spake concerning paying of tribute.

Gregorie the thirde gouerned ten yeeres, eight monethes, and 24. dayes, and followed the foote-steps of his predicessor, both Gregorius the third.in aduancing the doctrine of the worshipping of images, and in with-drawing the people of Italie from the obedience of the Emperour. More-ouer, he gathered a Councell at Rome, wherein the worshipping of images had allowance. And the Emperour Leo was both excommunicated, and likewise, so farre as in him laye, depriued of his Emperiall dignitie. So early did the beast of Rome, euen in ciuill matters, vsurpe authoritie ouer the Princes and Monarches of the worlde. In his dayes the towne of Rome was besieged by Luitprand king of Lombardis. But Carolus Martellus, a noble prince in France, beeing sollicited by the letters of Gregorie, to support the distressed estate of the Church of Rome, hee perswaded Luitprand to desist from molesting and befieging the towne of Rome.

After Gregorie the third succeeded Zacharias the first, and continued ten yeeres, foure monethes, and foure dayes: In antichristian Zacharias the first.pride hee surpassed all his predecessors, distributing the kingdomes of the worlde at his pleasure: For hee procured, that Pipinus, the sonne of Carolus Martellus (who was but a subject, and a ruler of the kinges house) shoulde bee annointed king of p. 120France, and that Childericus, the lawfull successour of the kingdome, Funct. comment. in chron. lib. 8should hauehave his head shauen, and bee thrust into a Monasterie. Likewise he procured, that Carolomannus, the elder brother of Pipinus, should be a Monke of the Order of Sainct Benedict, in the Monasterie of Cassinates. Rachis also, king of Lombardes, after he had reigned foure yeeres, gaue ouer his kingly authority, and entered into a Monasterie, and exhorted his wife and children to doe the like: and so his brother Aistulphus obtained the kingdome. Pipinus was annointed king of France, by Bonifacius, at the commaundement of pope Zacharias, anno 750. or as Platina reckoneth, anno 753. What recompense of reward Pipinus rendered to the chaire of Rome, for this beneuolence, or rather this manifest iniquitie of Zacharias, it will bee declared in the description of the life, gouernement, and carriage of Stephanus the seconde, if the Lord please.

AFTER ZACHARIAS succeeded STEPHANVS the second, and ruled fiue yeeres, & one monethmonth. In his time Aistulphus, Stephanus the second.king of Lombardes besieged Rome, at two diuerse times, and Stephanus implored the aide and assistance of Pipinus king of France at both times. At the first time Pipinus besieged. Aistulpbus in Papia the chiefe citie of the residence of the kinges of Lombardes, and compelled him to restore to the chaire of Rome all the townes and lands which by violence he had reaued from them. But at his second comming, hee not onelyonly relieued Rome from the siege of the Lombardes, but also bestowed vponupon the chaire of Rome the dominions of Rauenna and Penta-poles, appertaining to the Emperour of the East, and which they enjoyed since the death of Narses 170. yeeres. In so doing, there was Tlatina in vita Step. 2such bargaining betwixt the kinges of France and the popes, as was of olde betwixt Herod and the Iewes, he gratified them with the blood of Christes Apostles, and they gratified him on the Acts 12.Acts 12other part by giuing to him the glorie of God: Euen so, Zacharias, bishop of Rome, bestowed vponupon Pipinus the kingdome of France, which duely appertained to another: and Pipinus againe bestowed vponupon the chaire of Rome the dominions of Rauenna and Pentapolis, which duely appertained to the Emperour of the East.

It shall not bee amisse to make a particulare rehearsall of the p. 121townes & territories bestowed vpō the Church of Rome, by the donation of Pipinus, but not of Constantine, as they hauehave rumoured most fabulously many yeeres agoe: INPRIMIS, Rauenna, Bononia, Imola, Fauentia, Commaclum, Hadria, Pompilii Forum, Leuii Forū, Cesena, Bobium, Ferraria, Ficoclas, and Gabellum: all these townes were vnderunder the dominion of Rauenna. And in Pentapolis, Ariminum, Pisaurum, Concha, Fanum, Senogallia, Ancona, Auximum, Humanam, Aesium, Sempronii Forum, Mons Feretri, Urbium, Balmense territorium, Callas, Luceolos, Eugubium, together with the Castles and Landes appertaining to these townes, to wit, the Prouinces called in our time Romandiola, and Marca Anconitana, and of olde Aemilia, Flaminea, and Picenum. Thus wee see what a rich rewarde the chaire of Rome obtained for their defection from the Emperours of the East, and their fauour towards the kings of France. Also, for further confirmation of friendship betwixt the bishops of Rome, and the kings of France, pope Stephanus the second procured, that he should bee inuited to bee witnesse at the baptisme of the king of France his young sonne, at which time, as a man couetous of vaine glorie, he suffered Pipinus, and Charles his son, to kisse his feete, and to holde his stirrope, and to lead his horse by the bridle: and finally, hee was content to bee mounted vp, and carried vponupon the shoulders of men, leauing behind him an example of stinking pride to the posteritie after following.

After Stephanus the seconde, succeeded his brother Paulus the first, who continued 10. yeeres, and one monethmonth. In antichristian pride he was nothing inferiour to his predecessours, for he sent Paulus the first.Ambassadours to the Emperour of the East Constantinus Copronymus, to exhort him to restore againe the images of the Saincts, which hee had demolished, with intermination of cursing if hee refused to bee obedient to the popes counsell. In his time Aistulphus king of Lombardes died, and Desiderius the last king of Lombardes reigned in his stead.

Constantine the brother of Desiderius king of Lombardis succeeded Constantinus the second.to Paulus the first, a man admitted to the popedome before he had receiued Ecclesiasticall orders: therefore he was hated of the people of Rome, and denuded of his papall dignitie, after hee had continued one yeere and one monethmonth: some writers affirme, that his eyes were thrust out, and that hee was sent p. 122to a Monasterie: others affirme, that he was burnt with fire, by the hatefull malice of the Romanes.

To him succeeded Stephanus the thirde, who ruled 4. yeeres, 5. monethes, and 27. dayes: hee gathered a Councell at Rome, Stephanus the third.in the which 12. bishops of France, sent thither by Charles de Mame, were present, with the bishops of Italie, who disauthorised Constantine his predecessour, & annulled all his decrees. Likewise, they damned the 7. Generall Councell conuened in Constantinople by Constantinus Copronymus, wherein the worshipping of images was disallowed. But in this Laterane Councell assembled by Stephanus the thirde, the worshipping of images getteth allowance. And it was thought, that God and the Sainctes were in deterior case, than mortall Princes, incase that images might be made to represent mortall Princes, but not to represent God and his Saincts. It was rumoured in this popes time, that Charls Platina in vita Steph. 3king of France was of intention to marrie Bertha, the daughter of Desiderius king of Lombardes. Stephanus fearing lest this marriage should vndoe the friendship lately contracted betwixt the bishops of Rome. and the kings of France, disswaded Charles from the marriage aforesaid, as if the marriage of a woman of the kinred of the Lombardes, were a mixing of darknesse with light, and of Belial with CHRIST. And the minassing letter of Stephanus the third preuailed so farre at the hands of Charles the great, that he repudiated Bertha the daughter of Desiderius, his lawfull married wife, after he had cohabited with her one yeere: and he married another woman named Hildegarde, of the Dukerie of Sweue. These are the fruits of antichristian pride, to threaten the torments of hell against the princes of the worlde for marriage, if so be they fore-see anie damnage may redound to the chaite of Rome by the marriage of princes.

After Stephanus the thirde, succeeded Adrian the first, and gouerned 23. yeeres, ten monethes, and seuenteene da…es. In his dayes Charles the Great came into Italie with an armie, and banished Adrianus the first. Platina in vita Adti. 1Desiderius king of Lombardes, his wife, and children, to Lions in France, and vtterly suodued the kingdome of the Lombardes, which had continued in Italie 204. yeeres. Nowe in the yeere of our Lord 776. this kingdome was abolished & vndone, by Charles the Great king of France, for the fauour he carried towards p. 123the chaire of Rome. Likewise, he augmented the donation of his father Pipinus, and he bestowed vponupon the Church of Rome the Isle of Corsica, and the places interjacent betwixt Luca and Parma, with the Dukedomes of Spoleto and Beneuento. This being Funct. comment in chronol li. …done, Charles returned backe againe to France, carying with him Bertha his brothers wife, and hir children, who came to Adrian bishop of Rome, hoping for fauour at his handes, and that hee should hauehave annointed her sonnes to be kings of France, seeing Carolomannus their father was now dead but hee deliuered them into the hands of Charles, and so Charles the Great reigned without exception, as absolute commander of France. Irene the Empresse of the East, during the time of Adrians popedome, assembled a great Councell at Nice in Bythinia, where the adoration of images was allowed. In this Councell the popes Ambassadours were present, and his owne letter was read in the Councell: no man gaue greater allowance to the worshipping of images, than pope Adrian did, as shall be declared (God willing) in the head of Councels. It is to be marked, that Platina, writing of the death of Constantinus Copronymus, is compelled to beare witnesse to the trueth, and testifie, that the opinion of the leprosie of Constantine the Great was a notable fable, and that it sprang vp by occasion of the disease of Constantinus Copronymus, the father in law of the Empresse Irene.

To Adrian succeeded Leo the third, and gouerned 21. yeeres: he was hated by Pascalis and Campulus, who lay in waite for him Leo the third.at the Church of Sainct Syluester, threw him downe to y^e ground, spoy led him of his pontificall garments, beate him with manie strokes, and finally, cast him into prison and bands: but he escaped by the meanes of a cubiculare, named Albinus, & lurked in the Vaticane vntill the time that Unigisius, duke of Spoleto, conuoyed him safely vntounto his boundes. At this time Charles king of France had warres against the Saxones. The bishop of Rome, who came to him to complaine of the injuries which hee had receiued, was sent back againe verie honourably, accompanied with the souldiours of Charles king of France: and with promise that hee shoulde without delay addresse his journey towardes Italie. When Charles came to Italie, the popes enemies were so dashed with feare, that they durst not appeare to accuse him: and the p. 124Clergie of Rome thought meete, that no man shoulde judge of the Apostolike chaire, but the bishop of Rome should be his own judge. Leo tooke the booke of the Gospell in his handes, and swore, that he was innocēt of all y^e crimes objected against him: Hist. magd. Cent. 8. c. 10and so he was absolued: & Pascalis & Campulus, the friēds of y^e late deceassed pope Adrian, were counted worthy of death: but pope Leo intercided for safetie of their liues: so they were banished to France. For this benefite, Leo caused Charles to bee declared Emperour of the West, and crowned him with the Emperiall Diademe. And from that time forwardes, the custome beganne, that Emperoures shoulde receiue their Coronation from the Bishop of ROME. Notwithstanding of this, it was ordained, that no man shoulde bee elected Bishop of ROME, without aduice of the Emperour of the West, and without receiuing inuestment from him.

THE Patriarches of Constantinople in this CENTVRIE, were Patriarches of Constantinople.placed and displaced according to the changeable conceits of the Emperours. VnderUnder the reigne of Iustinian the seconde, Cyrus was Patriarch, whom Philippicus remoued, and aduanced one named Ihonne, who had fore-tolde, that he should be made Emperour. This Ihonne was infected with the heresie of the Monothelites, and was remoued by Artemius, by whome Germanus was aduanced to the chaire of Constantinople. Germanus continued vntill the reigne of Constantinus Copronymus: Hee was deposed and excommunicated by the Generall Councell assembled by Constantinus, because hee allowed the worshipping of images.

To him succeeded Anastasius, who albeit hee disliked images, yet hee was vnthankefull to the Emperour, and fauoured the seditious attemptes of the people of Constantinople, who aduanced Artabasdus to the Emperiall dignitie. More-ouer, hee slandered the Emperour, as if he had spoken against the diuinitie of Christ. Hee receiued a just recompense of his vnthankefulnesse: for hee was deposed, and scourged, and set vponupon an Asse, with his face towards the Asses taile, and made a ridiculous spectacle to the people.

After him, Constantine, a Mōke, was made Patriarch, who at the first seemed to damne images: but afterward he was found to be a maintainer and allower of them. The Emp. banished him to p. 125Iberia, where hee spake contumeliouslie both of the Emperour and of the Councell holden at Constantinople: therefore hee was brought backe againe from banishment, and was beheaded, and his bodie was trailed through the towne with a corde, & casten into a pit, where the bodies of male-factors were accustomed to bee casten.

After him succeeded Nicetas, a man vnlearned, & aduāced by the Em. Const. Copron. for none other cause but only for his zeale against the worshipping of images. After him succeeded Paulus Cyprius, who in the dayes of Const. Copron. damned the worshipping of images: but afterward repented: & vnderunder the reigne of Irene entered into a Monastery, & lamented, that he had cōsented to the abolishing of images. The vaine repentance of this timorous and superstitious man, was the chiefe occasion of the conuocation of the seconde Councell of Nice, by the Empresse Irene. To him succeeded Tarasius, who was present at the second Councell of Nice, and gaue allowance to the adoration of images.

The preuailing power of the Saracenes in Alexandria, Antiochia, and Hierusalem, did so obscure the names of the Patriarches of these cities, that I hauehave no remarkeable thing to write of them in this CENTVRIE.

IN this declining age, wherein spirituall grace dayly decayed, Of Pastors and Doctors.and nothing encreased except an heape of earthly treasures, which God permitteth to be powred into the bosomes of them who louelove the wages of iniquitie. Alwayes, euen at this time some men of good literature and learning did manifest themselues vntounto the world, such as Bonifacius bishop of Mentz. Damascene alearned Monke, Paulus Diaconus a learned writer of histories, and Beda a man counted venerable in his time: yet all these were miserably infected with the superstitions of their time, such as the opinion of Purgatorie, inuocation of Sainctes, and worshipping of Images, and prohibition of Marriage.

Bonifacius was a man borne in ENGLAND, in a place neare adjoyning to EXCESTER: he was familiarly acquainted with fiue popes, to wit, with pope Constantinus the first, Gregorius the seconde, Gregorius the thirde, Zacharias the first, and Stepanus the seconde: And by them hee was aduaunced to manie honours, First, to be the Popes Legate in ENGLAND, GERMANIE, and FRANCE, and afterwardes to bee Archbishop of Mentz. All his studies and trauels tended to this, to bring the people of ENGLAND, Germanie, and France, to the subjection of the Romane bishop, and to a conformitie to the superstitions of the Romane Church. In the name, and at the commandement of pope Zacharias, he disauthorised Childericus king of France, thrust him into a Monasterie, and anointed Pipinus, the sonne of Carolus Martellus to be king of France. So zealous was hee to performe all the desires of the Romane bishops, by whome also his name was changed: for hee was first named Vinofridus, but the bishops of Rome, who delited in his seruice, called him Bonifacius. After he had serued the Romane bishops in slauish subjection 36. yeeres, hee was slaine by Pagans, because he had anointed Pipinus king of France, and for hope they had to enrich themselues by his coffers, in the which, when they had opened them, they found nothing, except bookes, and reliques of Saincts, whereof they made no account. And his bodie was buried in the Monasterie of Fulda.

Damascene, a superstitious Monke, the disciple of Cosinas, liued Ioannes Damascenus.vnderunder the Emperours Leo and Constantinus Copronymus: hee was a long time in companie of the Saracenes, and with the prince of Saracenes he went to the sepulchre of Mahomet, and like vntounto a timorous bodie, worshipped the bones of Mahomet, fearing to Hist. magd. Cent. 8. c. 10hauehave beene put to death, if hee had not done such homage. Hee was a patron of worshipping of images, and was excommunicated in the Generall Councell assembled by Constantinus Copronymus. It is written by Ihonne patriarch of Hierusalem, in the historie of Damascens life, that the prince of Saracenes was mooued to indignation against him, by a deceitfull letter, sent from the Emperour Leo Isaurus, in the which Damascene was charged as a man willing to hauehave betrayed the towne of Damascus into the hands of the Emperour Leo. VponUpon this occasion (saieth Ihon patriarch of Hierusalem) the prince of Saracenes cut off the hand of Damascene: and on the other part, Damascene, by humble kneeling before the image of the Virgine Marie, was miraculouslie cured, and restored againe to the power of his hand. But this is like to the rest of Popish fables, and lies: For Damascene writeth manie notable fables, for confirmation of adoration of images. p. 127And incase a miracle had bene wrought in his owne person, by prostrating himselfe before an image, Damaescene had no manner of waye ouer-passed with silence the memoriall thereof. But wee hauehave to doe with aduersaries, who are not ashamed of lies. Damascene was a diligēt reader of the bookes of ancient Fathers, as appeareth by his foure bookes, De Orthodoxa Fide: but not so diligent a reader of holy Scripture, which is the ground of manifolde errours. His historie of Iosophat, king of India, is knowne to bee a Monkish fable.

Paulus Diaconus, of the kinred of the Lombardes, became a Deacon in Aquileia: hee was carried captiue into France, in the Paulus Diaconus.dayes of Charles the Great, who besieged Papia, banished Desiderius, and made an ende of the kingdome of the Lombardes. Afterwards he was accused of treason and conspiracie against Charles king of France. His malicious and hatefull accusers were bent to hauehave had his hands cut off, or his eyes put out: but K. Charles pittying him for his learning, was content that he should be banished to the Ile of Diomedes. From thence hee fled, and came to Beneuentum, where Arachis was dwelling, who had married Adelperga, the daughter of Desiderius. In his pallace it is thought hee writ his sixe bookes, De rebus gestis Longobardarum. After the death of Arachis hee came to the Monasterie called Cassinense, where hee ended his life.

Beda, a man borne and brought vp in ENGLAND, was called venerable, and was in great account in his time. OnelyOnly hee was Beda.miserably intangled with deceitfull antichristian errours, vniuersally ouerspred in his dayes, such as inuocation of Sainctes, worshipping of Reliques, opinion of Purgatorie, and of support that might be had by saying of Masses. In writing, reading, and praying, hee was a man of incessant paines. Nothing is found in him more commendable, than his patient suffering of the agonies immediately preceeding his dissolution, with a desire to be Albertus Gallus, with some learned mē of Scotlād, witnesses to the trueth of God.dissolued, and to be with Christ.

Albertus Gallus, a Bishop in some part of France, a learned and godly man, opponed himselfe mightily to Bonifacius, the footegroome of the Romane Antichrist, with whome concurred two Iearned men borne in Scotland, named Clemens presbyter, and Samson, and offered to prooue both by worde and writing, that Bonifacius was an author of lies, a troubler of the peace of Christians, and a corrupter and deceiuer of the people. But pope zacharias excommunicated them before they were heard in a lawfull Assemblie, and gaue power to his foote-groome Bonifacius, Hist. magd. Cent. 8. c. 10to depose them, & procured at the hands of the king of France, that they should be casten into prison, and bound with bandes, as schismatiques, false teachers, and sacrilegious men. Such rewarde men receiued, who were witnesses to the trueth of God, and reprehended any corruption of the Romane Church. In like manner, Joannes Mailrosius, and Claudius Clemens, learned men of Scotland, sent by king Acha…us, to Charles king of France, and the first professors of learning, in the Academie founded by Charles the Great in Parise: these two likewise were disliked of the Romane Church, because they could not assent to all y^e superstitions of that Church in this age so miserably deformed.

CHAP. III. OF HERETIQUES.

MANIE were counted Heretiques in this age, because they worshipped God sincerelie according to the rule of His owne blessed worde, and woulde not giuegive consent to the fonde errours of the Romane Church. But some were counted Heretiques justly, and without all controuersie, as Foeliciani.namely, they who called Christ, in his humane nature, the adoptiue sonne of God. This wicked heresie repugneth vntounto the Celestiall Oracle, which the three Apostles hearde in the holie mountaine, This is my welbeloued sonne, in whome I am well pleased. Matth. 17 2. Petr. 1Matt 17:2We are adopted in Christ, to be the sonnes of God. But Christ, euen in his manly nature, is the sonne of GOD by the excellent prerogatiue of personall vnion with the diuine nature. It is not certainly 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. 129CHAP. IIII. OF COUNCELS.

IN the yeere of our LORD 712. a Councell was assembled at LONDON, where 'Bonifacius A Council at LONDONwas present, and Brithuvaldus the chiefe Prelate of ENGLAND, and the kings of Saxons domining in ENGLAND were commanded vnderunder paine of cursing to bee present at this Councell. The purposes intraited in this Councell were two, to wit, concerning the adoration of images, and prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices. About worshipping of images no disputation was heard, whether that forme of seruice did agree with the written worde of God, or not. This was counted a sufficient warrande for bringing images into places of Adoration, and for worshipping them (especially the image of the Virgine Marie) that Eguvinus, a superstitious Monke in England, of the Order of S. Bennet, who afterwardes was made a Bishop. Hee affirmed, that the Virgine Marie appeared vntounto him in a dreame, & declared, that it was her will that her image should bee set vp in Churches & worshipped. These dreames once confirmed by the oath of Eguvinus, and approued by Constantine bishop of Rome, and obtruded by Bonifacius the Popes Legate, they were embraced in ENGLAND, with little contradiction in such a corrupt time.

The other purpose entraited in this Councell, was prohibition of marriage to men in spirituall offices. This doctrine of the Romane Church was not receiued without reluctation of the Clergie. Alwayes, a ground was laide, wherevpon followed a building of the doctrine of Deuils.

p. 130ABout the same time, that is, about the yeere of our LORD 712. it is supposed, that the Emperour Philippicus gathared The Councell of Constantinople vnderunder Philippicus.a Councell at Constantinople, for vndoing of the sixt Generall Councell, in the which the errour of the Monothelues was condemned, and that he did this according to a promise made to a monke named Ihonne, who fore-tolde him that hee shoulde bee made Emperour, and craued this promise of him, that when hee should bee aduanced to the Emperiall dignitie, hee shoulde vndoe the sixt Generall Councell. But the writers of this Historie doe not make particular mention of the Fathers who were present at this Councell. The rest of the Historie is cleare. that Philippicus razed the pictures of the Fathers who had bene present at this Councell, and were pictured in the Temple of Sophia: and that on the other part, Pope Constantine the first not onelyonly caused the same effigies to bee pictured in the portch of the Church of Sainct Peter at Rome, but also procured that y^e Emperours name should bee rased out of Charters, and that his effigie should not bee ingrauen in any kinde of coyned mettall. Also it is cleare, that Philippicus remoued Cyrus from his office, and placed in his rowme Ihonne, who fore-tolde him that hee shoulde bee Emperour.

IN the yeere of our LORD 714. pope Gregorius the second A Councell at Rome, assembled by Gregovius the second. ☞ Sigebert. in Chron.assembled a Councell, in the which two bishops of Britanie, to wit, Sedulius, and Fergustus, were present. It was ordained, that Masses shoulde bee cel…brated publikely in Temples, which custome was not in vse before. In the seconde Tome of Councels, this Synode is referred to Gregorius the third. A great number of the Canons of this Councell do concerne marriage, That no man should take in marriage a woman who was the relict of a presbyter or a deacon, or a nunne, or his spirituall sister, or his brothers wife, or his neece, or his mother in lawe, or daughter in law, or his neare cosines, or a womā whom by theft or rauishing hee hath ledde away. And that no man should consult with inchaunters and sorcerers. And that no man shoulde violate the mandates of the Apostolicke chaire: no, not in a matter of an haire.

p. 131GREGORIVS the third, after he had receiued a mandate from the Emperour Leo, concerning abolishing of images, A Councell at Rome, assembled by Gregorius the third.he assembled a great Councell at Rome, of 903. bishops: in the which the Emperour Leo was excommunicated, and depriued of his Emperiall dignitie. Here marke the tyrannie and fiercenesse of the Antichrist, who gaue such authoritie to a Romane preacher, to dismount the Monarches of the world from their royall thrones? Yet Gregorius the thirde attempted such high matters, because the Em. Leo had disallowed the worshipping of images. Likewise, by his instigation the whole countr…y of Italie refused to pay tribute to the Em. Now is the banner of the Antichrist displayed against the Emp. and this is a fore-running token of the hatefull inimirie which is to ensue betwixt the popes and the Emperours which (God willing) shall be declared in i…s own time. Likewise, Anastatius patriarch of Constantinople, was condemned and excommunicated in this Councell. To fauour the Emperour, and to dislike the worshipping of Images, were two irremissable sinnes, and meriting the great Anathems of the bisshop of Rome.

IN the yeere of our LORD 742 and in time of the reigne of Charles the Great, and vnderunder the popedome of Zacharias y^e first, A Councell holden in France, …y Bonifacius Archbish…p of Mentz.Bonifacius Archbishop of Mentz assembled a Councell of the bishops pre…byters, and Clergie of France for reformation of abuses in that countrey: or rather as the trueth is, to bring the countrey of France (as hee had alreadie brought manie parts of Germanie) to a conformitie with the superstitious rites of the Romane Church. It is to be marked, that this Nationall Councell was assembled by the mandate of king Charles, howsoeuer Bonifacius ordered the affaires of the Councell.

It was ordained, That Synodes shoulde bee kept yeerelie, and that Clergie men shoulde not put on armour, and goe to warre-fare, except one or two bishops, with their presbyters Canon 1.and chaplens, to prescribe pennance to them who shoulde happen to confesse their sinnes: And that hunting and halking, and such idle pastimes shoulde not bee vsed by the Clergie.

p. 132That euerie presbyter shall bee readie to giuegive account of his Canon 2ministerie to his owne bishop in time of Lent, especiallie concerning his ministration of Baptisme, the summe of his Catholicke Faith, the forme of his Prayers, and the order of his saying of Masses.

That none vncouth bishop or presbyter be admitted without Canon 3the triall and allowance of a Synode.

That presbyters and deacons bee not cloathed as seculare Canon 4men, with short cloakes: but with the habite of men who are in spirituall offices: And that no woman cohabite in the house with them.

That euerie bishop hauehave a care within his owne boundes to Canon 5abolish all Heathnicke superstitions.

IN the yeere of our LORD 755. and in the thirteenth The seuenth Generall coū cell assembled at Constantinople.yeere of the Empire of Constantinus Copronymus, a Generall Councell of three hundreth and thirtie and eight bishops was assembled at Constantinople, by the commandement of the Emperour. In this Councell the worshipping of images was damned, and the placing of them in Oratories and Temples, where the diuine Majestie is worshipped, was forbidden, as a custome borrowed from Pagans, who had no hope of the resurrection, and therefore solaced themselues with pictured similitudes of their friendes, as if they had beene bodilie present with them. Yea, for three principall causes they damned the worshipping of images: First, because the worshipping of them is repugnant vntounto holie Scripture: Secondlie, because the diuine and humane nature beeing vnseparablie vnited in CHRIST, and the diuine nature cannot bee presented by an image: therefore it is not meete to represent His manlie nature by an image, lest wee shoulde seeme to separare the two natures in CHRIST. And thirdlie, because the writinges of auncient Fathers doe vtterlie condemne the worshipping of Images, such as Epiphanius, Eusebius, Gregorius Theologus, Athanasius, Amphilochius, Chrysostomus, and Theodorus bishop of Ancyra. It were a prolixt thing to make a rehearsall of the sentences of all the forenamed Fathers: therefore, for breuities cause, I will heere on…ly make choise of one place, which is this: Eusebius Pamphili, writing p. 133to Constantia the Empresse, who was desirous that the image of CHRIST shoulde bee sent vntounto her, hee returneth vntounto her this answere: Because yee hauehave written vntounto mee to sende vuto you the image of CHRIST, I woulde gladlie vnderstande what Histor. Magd. Cent. 8. Cap. 9.image of CHRIST yee are inquiring for: whether it bee that true and vnchangeable nature, bearing the charactor and ingrauen similitude of the person of the Father? or if it bee the image of the shape of a seruant, which CHRIST tooke vponupon him for our sakes? As concerning His diuine nature, I hope yee are not sollicitous to seeke the image thereof, beeing sufficientlie instructed, that no man knoweth the Father, except the Sonne, and on the other part, no man knoweth the Sonne, except the Father. But if yee desire the similitude of mans nature, wherewith Hee cladde Himselfe for our sakes, vnderstande, that the splendor and shining brightnesse of His glorie cannot bee represented with dead colsures, and shaddowed pictu…es: For euen His Disciples in the mountaine were not able to abide the brightnesse of His shining face (Matth. Chap. 17. vers. 1. Mark. Chap. 9. vers. 2. Luk. Chap. 9. vers. 28.) howe much lesse are wee nowe able to abide the celestiall splendor of His glorified bodie?

In this Councell Germanus bishop of Constantinople, G…orgius Cyprius, and Damascene a Monke who were principall defenders of the worshipping of images, were excommunicated.

In the Canons of this Councell, which were nineteene in number, inuocation of Sainctes hath allowance in the fisteenth and seuenteenth Canon. So that in this Councell also is presented vntounto vsus a viue paterne of the weaknesse of Councels. Like as in euerie sacrifice there was dungue, so likewise in euerie Councell there is found some note of infirmitie and weaknesse. And it is a foolishe thing to adhere to all the ordinances of Councels, except they doe agree in all pointes with the written worde of GOD.

IN the yeere of our LORD 788. and in the eight yeere of The second Councel of Nice.the reigne of Irene, and her sonne Constantine, a Councell was assembled at Nice in Bythinia, of three hundreth and fiftie Bisshops. The A…hass dours of Adrian the first, bishop of Rome, were present in this Assemblie. Basilius bishop of Ancyra, Theodorus, bishop of Myra, and Theodosius, bishop of Amorium, offered p. 134to the Councell their supplicant letters, confessing, that they had sinned in condemning the worshipping of images in the Synode assembled by Constantinus Copronymus. These reedes, shaken with the winde and vnconstant fooles, were accepted in fauour, as a preamble vntounto this malignant Councell. The epistle of Adrian, bishop of Rome, was openlie read in the Councell, approuing the worshipping of images. His letter was full of fables and lies, such as the fable of the leprosie of Constantine, and of the shedding of the blood of innocent babes to procure remedie against his sicknesse, and the baptisme of Constantine by Syluester, the miraculous restoring of the Emperour to health after his baptisme, and of the images of Peter and Paul, produced to Constantine before his baptisme. Such a Legend of lyes no Councell could hauehave heard read in their audience, if it had not beene a time in the which the mysterie of iniquitie was effectuallie working: For the historie of the life of Constantine, written by Eusebius, expresselie prooueth the contrarie: to wit, that Constantine was not leprous, but rather a man of a cleane and vnspotted bodie: and that hee was not baptized by Syluester in Rome, but by Eusebius in Nicomedia. Notwithstanding, the letter of pope Adrian was accepted and allowed by the Councell. And it was ordained, That the images of CHRIST, of the blessed Virgine Marie, and of the Sainctes, shoulde not onelie bee receiued into places of Adoration, but also shoulde bee adored and worshipped: And the honour done to the image, is thought to redounde to him (or her) who is repres…nted by the image, according to the wordes of Basilius Magnus. But Basilius Magnus is writing in that place of CHRIST, the Ba…l. contra Eunomium, lib. 1.image of the inuisible GOD, and not of images made with mens handes.

The Fathers of this Councell, as it were bewitched by the delusions of the Deuill, were not ashamed to confirme the adoration of images, by lying miracles, and by a foolish confabulation betwixt the Deuill and a Monke, whome Sathan ceassed not to tempt continuallie to the lust of vncleannesse, and would make none ende of tempting him, except hee woulde promise to desist from worshipping the image of the Virgine Marie. p. 135But argumentes taken from the fables of Monkes, and delusions of the Deuill, are not to bee hearkened vntounto, in a matter expresselie repugnant to the written word of God.

IN the yeere of our LORD 794. CHARLES THE, GREAT, King of FRANCE, assembled a great Councell The Councell of Frankford.at FRANKFORD: partlie in regarde of the heretique Foelix, who called CHRIST the adoptiue Sonne of GOD in his humane nature, and was condemned in a Councell assembled at RATISBONA, ANNO 742. but hee was returned to his vomite againe: and therefore was of n…we againe condemned, as a notable heretique, in the Councell of FRANKFORD partly also in respect of the great disputation that arose euerie where concerning the worshipping of images, disallowed in the Councell of Constantinople, and allowed in the seconde Councell os Nice.

Not onelie the bishops of France, but also of Germanie and Lombardie, as Prouinces subdued to the King of France, were present at this Councell. Likewise, Pope Adrian sent his Ambassadours, Theophilactus and Stephanus, to the Councell. And Charles himselfe, King of France, was present in the Councell of Frankford. The Ambassadours of pope Adrian produced the actes of the seconde Councell of Nice, hoping that the Councell of Frankford shoulde hauehave giuen consent and allowance vntounto the same. But the Fathers of this Councell collationed the actes of the Councell of Constantinople, with the actes of the seconde Councell of Nice. And they disallowed in the Councell of Constantinople the strict prohibition to picture images, either in Temples or other places. And in the seconde Councell of Nice they disallowed the Act of worshipping of images, and of honouring them with garmentes, incense, candles, and kneeling vntounto them: counting the afore-saide Act to bee so impious, that the Councell in the which it was concluded, was neither worthie to bee called Catholicke nor Oecumenicke. The argumentes whereby the seconde Councell of Nice endeuoured to approue the adoration of images, are all refuted in the Councell of Frankford, as I hauehave declared alreadie in a Treatise concerning worshipping of Images.

Concerning the argument taken from the authotitie of Epiphanius, who in his booke called Panarium, reckoneth not the worshippers of images in the roll of Heretiques: it is answered by the Councell of FRANKFORD, that incase Epiphanius had counted the haters of the worshippers of images Heretiques, hee had likewise inferted their names in the catalogue of Heretiques: but seeing hee hath not so done, the Councell of Nice had no just cause to triumph so much in this friuolous argument, which maketh more against them, that it maketh for them.

More-ouer, in the Councell of FRANKFORD, the Epistle of Epiphanius, written to Ihonne, bishop of Hierusalem, was read, wherein hee disalloweth the verie inbringing of images into Churches: and this Epistle was translated out of Grieke into the Latine language, by Ierom. The Epistle is worthie to bee read. Reade it in the Magdeburg Historie, Cent. 8. Chap. 9.