CHAP. I. The Original of Lawes; and who made the first Lawes.

LAW is a conſtant and perpetual good thing,Law. without which, no houſe, no City, no Country, no eſtates of men, no naturall Creature, nor the World it ſelf, can conſiſt firm and ſtable. For it obeyeth GOD; and all other things, ayr, water, land, and men, be in obedience to it. Chryſippus calleth it a knowledg of all Divine and humane matrets, commanding equity, and expulſing wickedneſſe and wrong.

There be of Laws three kinds: one natural,The Laws Natural. that is not onely appropried to man, but alſo it concerneth all other lively things either in the Earth, Sea, or Ayr. As we perceive in all kinds of living creatures, naturally a certain familiarity of male and female, procreation of iſſue, and a proclivity to nouriſh the ſame; the which proceedeth of a natural law engraffed in the hearts of every of them: Nature her ſelf, that is, God, was Author of this.

The ſecond is named the Law that all men uſe generally through all the World; as to ſhew a man the way, to communicate to men the commodity of the Elements, Water and Ayr; to this kind appertaineth the Law of Arms; and it is called in Latine, Jus gentium.

Civil Law,Civil Law. is the private Law of every Country or City, as of the Romans, Lacedemonians, and Athenians. This conſiſteth in decrees of Princes, Statutes, and Proclamations.

The chief and principal lawes were promulgate by God, confirmed after the moſt pure and perfect manner that naturall equity could deviſe or conceive, and be inſtable conſtance, and ſubject to no tranſmutation. After the example of theſe, man hath invented Laws to deſend and preſerve good men, and to puniſh and keep evil perſons in office and good order.

Such Laws Ceres made firſt,Law-makers. as Diodorus ſuppoſeth:Ceres. but others think it was Rhadamantus; and afterwards others in divers Countries deviſed and ordained Laws: as in Athens, Drac • and Solon: in Egypt, Mercury: in Crete, Minos: in Lacedemonia, Lycurgus: in Tyre, Tharandus: in Argos, Phoroneus: in Rome, Romulus: in Italy, Pythagoras; or, after the mind of Dionyſius, the Arcadians, that were under Evander as their Soveraign Lord and chief Captain. Notwithſtanding, the very true Authour of Lawes,God was the true Author of Laws. was God, which firſt planted in us the Law of Nature; and when it was corrupted by Adam, and his poſterity, he gave the written Law by Moſes to reduce us again to our firſt ſtate and true inſtinct of Nature; Moſes promulgated the firſt laws in writing. which was before all other, as Euſebius declareth.

CHAP. II. Who ordained the first governance of a Cominalty, Tyranny, with other Conſtitutions.

THe adminiſtration of a Commonweal is after three ſorts,The manner of ruling the Common-wealth. as Plato divideth it; Monarchy, where one ruleth. Ariſtocracy, when the beſt men govern.Monarchy. Democracy, or popular ſtate,Ariſtocracy. where the common people have a ſtroke in ruling the publike-weal.Democracy. Principality or a Kingdom was firſt begun by the Egyptians which could not long ſubſiſt without a King or Ruler:Kingdom began in Egypt. there reigned firſt, as Herodotus ſaith, Menes; and their manner was to chooſe him among the Prieſts of their Religion: and if it fortuned, that any ſtranger obtained the Realm by Conqueſt, he was compelled to be conſecrated Prieſt, and ſo was the election legitimate, when he was King and Prieſt. The Diadem, that was the token of the Honour-royall, had its beginning by Liber Bacchus.

The Athenians firſt ordained the ſtate of a Common-wealth,Democracie began in Athen • . that was governed by the whole Commons, as Pliny thinketh; albeit they had alſo Kings, whereof Decrops Diphyes, which reigned in Moſes's time,Firſt Kings how they behaved themſelves. was the firſt, For, as Juſtine writeth, Every City and Nation had at the beginning a King for their chief Governour; which attained to that dignity by no ambition or favour, but by a ſingular Wit, and ſober modeſtneſs, and reigned with ſuch loyalty, that ſeemed onely in title a King; in deed, a Subject.

Ninius King of the Aſſyians, Ninius did enlarge his Empire. contrary to the old • ite and cuſtome, of an ambitious deſire that he had to bear rule, firſt arrogantly uſurped the Emof all Aſia, except India. As concerning the Inſtitution of the Common-Wealth, where the Commons do all things, notwithſtanding the mind of Pliny, I ſuppoſe it began among the Hebrews,Hebrews ordained Democracy. which were ruled by a popular State many years before that Athens was built.

The form of Policy,Ariſtocracy. which is governed by the beſt, (as the Romans Common-wealth was) I cannot well underſtand when it had its original, unleſſe I ſhould aſſign it to the Thebans, which in the time of Ninius ruled the Egyptians, whoſe rule, becauſe the valiant and noble bare the authority, was called a power or potency, which was the 3185th year of the World.Theſeus firſt Tyrant. Pliny writeth, That after Theſeus, Phalaris was the firſt Tyrant; whereby it appeareth, that he thinketh Theſeus was authour of tyranny:Nemroth. but Nemroth of the linage of Noah, not long after the floud, uſed tyranny.

Bondage (as Pliny ſuppoſeth) began in Lacedemonia:Bondage. yet I find that it began among the Hebrews, and had its original proceeding of Chanaan the ſon of Cham, who, becauſe he had laughed his father Noah to ſcorn, as he lay diſſolutely when he was drunk, was puniſhed in his ſon Chanaan with penally of bondage and thraldome, a thing to them very ſtrange; and to his poſterity, grievous.

The order of manumiſſion in old time was in this manner: The Lord or Maſter took took the bond-men by the head, or ſome other part of his body, ſaying, I will this fellow be free, and put him forth of his hands.Areopagites judged in the night. The Councel of the Areopagites, (which were called ſo of the Court of Mars) were inſtituted by Selon to judge of life and death, their cuſtome was to uſe ſuch Soveraignty, and integrity in Judgment, that they heard all cauſes and matters in the night, and not in the day: to the intent they ſhould have no occaſion to regard the parties, but onely have their eye and reſpect earneſtly to the thing that was brought before them. Voyces which be uſed and occupied in Conſultations,Giving of voyces. Judgments, and Elections were firſt ordained by Palamedes.

CHAP. III. The three manner of Regiments in Rome, the beginning of Ornaments-Royall, with other matters pertaining to a Common-wealth.

ROme, which was the moſt renowned City of all the World, both for the Valour of Arms, and Civill Policy whereby it was governed, had three forms of Regiment. In the beginning it had Kings;Kings of Rome. for Romulus, which was builder thereof, reigned there; and after him, ſix other, under whom, the Principality laſted 244 years after the City was builded. Then Tarquinius being baniſhed for the notable crime and rape of Lucretia, committed by his ſon, it was ordered by two Conſuls,Conſuls in Rome. Junius Brutus, and L. Tarquinius Collatinus. They had the name and title of Conſuls, of the conſultation and proviſion which they made for the Common-wealth. They ruled the Empire, conducted Armies; and by theſe Officers, becauſe they were annuall, the years were counted. Within 12 years after the expulſing of the Kings, when 40 Cities of the Latines, Octavius Manilius, ſon in law to Tarquinius, being their captain, made inſurrection, and conſpired againſt the Romans,Dictator first in Rome. T. Largius was created Dictator or great Maſter; which office was higheſt in authority: and, as Dionyſius thinketh, it was taken of the Greeks, among whom, Ely • netae had the ſame power that Dictators had in Rome. Livius referreth the original of them to the Albanes: And the Carthaginians had alſo their Dictators.The ſpace of the Dictator's Office. This Magiſtrate was never uſed ſaving in great dangers of the Common-wealth, and it continued but ſix moneths: during that Office all other Magiſtrates were abrogated, except the Tribunate or Provoſtship of the Commons. The Conſul's duty was, to name and proclaim him, and that no time but in the night:The time of denouncing the Dictator. albeit what time the Veientes had won the Romans Camp, A. Cornelius Coſus, Marſhal of the Army, need ſo conſtraining, denounced Mamercus Aemelius for Dictator, contrary to that ſtatute, About 300 years after the building of Rome, the publike State was tranſferred from the Conſulſhip,Decrees. unto the Rule of Ten, called Decem-viri, which endured but three years; for by reaſon of the outragious luſt of Appius Claudius, againſt the Maid Virginea, they were depoſed, and Conſuls were ſubſtituted to ſupply their room. Then, the 310th year of the City, in the place of Conſuls, were choſen Marſhals or Provoſts of Armies,Tribunimilitum. whom they named Tribunes, Aulus Sempronius, Attacinus, L. Attilius Longus, and T. Colicius Sieulus. Democracie began in Rome. The authority of the Commons became daily more ſeditious, and confederacies increaſed. In ſuch ſort, that C. Cunuleius brought to paſſe, that the Comminalty married with the Nobility, and the Tribunes by their earneſt inſtance and ſuit, cauſed that the high Offices were permitted to them of the common ſort. At the 355th year of the building of the City, P. Licinius, a man of the Commons. P. Licinius Calvus was made Tribune of the Army. The 389th year, L. Sextus Lateranus attained the Conſulſhip: the 399 year, C. Martins Lateranus was created Dictator.

From this manner of Governance,L. Sylla. it was by Sylla and Marius brought to one Ruler or Prince again.C. Marius. Thus hath Rome had all kinds of adminiſtration of the Common-wealth.Royall Ornaments. The Emperial ornaments of the Kings of Rome, as fardels of rods, the ax, the garland of gold, the Chair of Ivory, the Kyrtil or Cope, Chatio • , trapped-Horſes, Rings, Coat-Armours, Robes, Mantles of Eſtate, Embroidered Gowns, with garments of Baudkyn or Motley, with all other Royal Apparrell, began among the Tuſcanes, which Tarquinius Priſons ſubdued, and uſed theſe firſt by the permiſſion and licence of the Senate. The 12 Lictours or Sergeants, Romulus firſt appointed after the manner of the 12 Nations of the Hetrurians, whom he conquered, which gave to every of their kinds, when he was crowned, a Lictour or Sergeant: whoſe duty was to wait on the Magiſtrates, and bear the Rods, and Axe of Execution. The rods (as Pliny writeth) were of birch. The inſtitution of Taxes or numbring the people, Servius Tullius King, began in Rome firſt, but Moſes long before that time numbred the Iſraelites, and therefore the firſt Tax, Subſidy, or Tribute, was ordained by Moſes among the Hebrews, and the counting of the number of the people.

Priſons, Fetters, Stocks, Gyves, Staves, with like inſtruments to puniſh malefactors, Ancus Martius (as Livy ſaith) did firſt appoint them to keep men in fear and good order.

CHAP. IV. Who ordered the Year, the diverſity of it, Moneths, Noxes, Ides, Kalends, and Prime.

HErodotus writeth that the Egyptians firſt found out the year by the courſe of the Planets, and devided it into twelve Moneths. Diodorus aſſigneth it to the Thebanes, which ſtandeth with the opinion of Herodotus, becauſe the Thebanes be a nation of Egypt, and Egypt was ſometimes named Thebe. Servius ſaith that Eudoxus found it firſt, and after him Hipparchus. Laertius aſcribes it to Thales a Mileſian, which (as he teſtifieth) firſt perceived the ſeaſons and times of the year, and parted it into 365 dayes, but that was onely among the Grecians. Joſephus witneſſeth that the year was deviſed by the Hebrews in Aegypt, before Noahs floud.Divers deviſions in the year. There be divers faſhions of dividing the year; The Archadians finiſhed their year in three Moneths, the Carians and Acarnans in ſix Moneths: there was a year that conſiſted in 30. dayes, which was counted by the change of the Moon, there was alſo the great year that ended,The great year. when all the Planets returned into one point or Line, and after the mind of Cicero, it conteined 12954. years of the Sun. Joſephus in his Antiquity ſaith it contained but ſix hundred years. The other Grecians numbred the full year with 353 dayes.Romulus ordered the year. Romulus firſt divided the year into ten Moneths, whereof March, that he named of his father, was firſt. April the ſecond had that name of Venus, becauſe ſhe was born of the froth of the Sea, which is called Aphros: May of the Antient men: June of the young men: the other he named in their order, and number, as Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, December. Albeit afterward, Quintilis was called Julius in honour of Julius Caeſar, and Sextilis was changed into Auguſtus, for the memoriall of the Emperour Auguſtus Caeſar. Notwithſtanding, foraſmuch as this year which Romulus ordered, did neither agree to the courſe of the Sun, nor changes of the adding Moon; Numa applyed it to the courſe of the Moon by adding 56.Numa added to the year. dayes, whereof he made two Moneths, the one he named January of Janus, the firſt king of the Latins, the other February of their god Februus. Afterward, Numa, ſuppoſing God to be delighted with odd numbers, gave to January, Aprill, June, Auguſt, September November, December, twenty nine dayes. To March, May, Quintilis, and Sextilis, that is July and October, thirty one dayes, and to February twenty eight dayes. Laſt of all,Julius Caeſar made the year perfect. Julius Caeſar put to the whole year, ten dayes and, ſix hours, whereof he added to theſe Moneths, January, Auguſt, and December, every of them two dayes: and to April, June, September, and November, he gave to each of them one day. In this manner Julius Caeſar accompliſhed the year perfectly, according to the courſe of the Sun: and the ſix hours every four years amounteth to one day, which cauſeth Leap-Year (as we call it) in Latine it is named Biſſextus, Leap-year. Biſſextus. becauſe every fourth year we count twice the ſixth Calends of March.

The Moneths have their name becauſe they meaſure the courſe of the Moon. Thus the year hath twelve Moneths, whereof Aprill, June, September, and November have thirty dayes,Dayes of every Moneth. all the reſt hath one and thirty dayes, ſaving February, which hath but twenty eight, In the year be 52 weeks and a day. There be 365 dayes and ſix hours. The Calends, Nones, Ides, have their appellations of the manner of the reckonning of the Romans. The firſt dayes were named Kalends, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , to call: for at every change of the Moon, the chief Ruler of the Sacrifices (called Rex ſacrificulus) aſſembled all them of the Country of Rome, in the Capitoll, and ſhewed them their Feſtivall dayes, and what it was lawfull to do that Moneth. The Nones had that name; becauſe they were the ninth day from the Ides, which Ides be the middayes of every Moneth, and had their appellation of the Hetruſians Term iduare, that ſignifieth to devide in the middle. This faſhion of counting the Moneths, endured to the 450 year of the City, and was kept ſecret among the Biſhops of their Religion till the time that C. Flavius, P. Sulpitius Avarrio, and P. Sempronicus Sophilongus, then being Conſulls, againſt the mind of the Senators, diſcloſed all their ſolemn feats, publiſhed them in a Table that every one might have perſeverance of them. The Prime, whereby we find the Conjunction of the Moon, and all moveable Feaſts, as Lent, Eaſter, Whitſonday, and ſuch like, was invented by the great Clark Saint Bernard, or of Julius Caeſar, as appeareth in the tenth book De divinis officiis.

CHAP. V. Who ordeyned the hours, dyals, and Clocks, deviding the day and night.

HOurs, which being in number 24, accompliſh the ſpace of a day and night, were ſo named of the Sun, which in the Egyptians language is called Horus. They at the firſt were appointed but 12. For H • rmes Triſmegiſtus, perceiving a certain beaſt conſecrated to their god Serapis, Mercurius Triſmegiſtus appointed 12 hours. to make water or piſſe twelve times in the day, at equall diſtance, ſuppoſed that the day ought to be devided into twelve hours.

This number did continue long, but afterward the day was divided into 24 hours. Anaximenes a Mileſian found in Lacedemonia the firſt Dial, that declared the hours by the ſhadow of the Gnomon. It was long before they were uſed in Rome, for (as Pliny writeth) in the 12 Tables, there was onely rehearſed the riſing and going down of the Sun: and a few years after, Noon or Midday was added, which the Beadle or common Crier did denounce. This was onely on clear dayes, when they might perceive the courſe and altitude of the Sun. The firſt Diall was ſet up on a Pillar openly, which ſtood behind the common Pulpit, or bar called roſtra, at the coſt of M. Valerius Meſſala, M. Valerius Meſſala ordained a Dial in Rome. Water Dial. then Conſul in the firſt Punick battel. The water-Dial was uſed firſt in Rome by P. Scipio Naſica, the 900th year of the City, to divide the hours of the day and night. Albeit it was invented by Creſibins of Alexandria. Clocks. Afterwards Clocks made of Metall were invented by ſubtil wits,Sand-Diall. and ſand-Dials were made, whoſe Authors be yet unknown. In ſome places the Clocks ſtrike 24 hour • by order;Striking of the Clocks. in other ſome, as in the Well parts of the World, it ſmiteth twice in the day. In ſuch order that the 12th hour is at noon, and at midnight. The dayes which be reckoned diverſly in ſeveral nations,Sundry Diviſions. began in Egypt, where the year and Moneths were alſo deviſed, they take all the ſpace from midnight to midnight for one day, and the Roman • uſed the ſame manner. For the Sunriſing is the beginning of all affairs, and functions, the night is a time of Counſelling: they had alſo aſſigned to every hour a ſundry Miniſtry, as Martial in his Epigram declareth.

The day was devided in ſundry wiſe. That every hour had a ſeveral office, The two firſt ſerved for ſalutation, The third for Lawyers alteration. Two next were ſpent in labour diverſly, The ſixt men might themſelves reſt quietly. The ſeventh, of Works was a reſolution, The Eighth was for wrestlers; and in Concluſion. The ninth was limitted for Mens repaſt, And ſo for the other, of time was made no waſte.

The Babylonians called the ſpace between the Sun riſings, a day: the Athenians named all that was between the goings down, a day. The Vmbrians count their day from noon to noon: but commonly from morning till night is called a day.Parts of the Night. The night was devided into four watches, whereof every one (as Hierome witneſſeth) contained three hours.

CHAP. VI. Who ſet forth Books firſt, or made a Library, Printing, Paper, Parchment, or Art of Memory.

BOoks which contain (the Monuments of ingenuous wits, and a Regiſter of all Valiant proweſſe, as Lae • tius thinketh, were firſt publiſhed 〈◊〉 Greece. Piſiſtratus made the firſt Books. Gellius ſaith, it was Piſiſtrat •• that made the firſt book, and exhibit • it to be read openly. Yet Joſephus de • clareth that the Hebrews and Prieſts 〈◊〉 Egypt and Chaldee ſet forth Books firſt.

The Athenians multiplyed the number of Books,Atheus made many books. which Xerxes carrye • from thence into Perſia, and Seleuo • king of Macedony cauſed them (man • years after) to be conveighed to Athen • again.Ptolomeus Libraries. After that, Ptolomeus King o • Egypt gathered together 700000 books which were all burnt at the battell o • Alexandria. Nevertheleſſe, Strab • recordeth that Ariſtotle did inſtitute the firſt Library,Ariſtotle had the firſt Library. and left it to Theophrastus his Diſciple, and taught the Kings of Aegypt how they ſhould order their Library: Theophraſtus left it to Melus, and of him Seepſis received it. There was alſo a very antient Library at Pergamus.

In Rome, Aſinius Pollio. Aſinius Pollio had the firſt Library, which was the occaſion that good wits employed great ſtudy in learning, to the ample furtherance and commodity of that Common-wealth. There be at this day many in Italy, but the moſt famous,F. Feltrius. is the Library which Frederick Feltrius Duke of Vrbine did cauſe to be edified. Truely the commodity of Libraries is very profitable and neceſſary; but in compariſon of the Art of Printing, it is nothing; both becauſe one man may Print more in one day, then many men in many years could write: And alſo it preſerveth both Greek and Latine Authors from the danger of corruption. It was found in Germany at Mogunce by one J. Cuthembergus a Knight;John Cuthenbergus found Printing. he found moreover the Ink by his deviſe that Printers uſe, ſixteen years after Printing was found, which was the year of our Lord, 1458, one Conradus an Almain brought it into Rome, and Nicholas Johnſon a Frenchman, did greatly poliſh and garniſh it: And now it is diſperſed through moſt parts of the World.

Before the uſe of Paper, men uſed to write in leaves of Date-Trees, and ſometimes on the bark of Trees.Men wrote in Plates of Lead. Afterward they wrote the publique writings in plates or ſheets of Lead, and their private matters in Tables and wax, for tables (as Homer teſtifieth) were before the ſiege of Troy. Paper was deviſed by King Alexander, as Varro affirmeth; it was made of a kind of fenny Ruſhes, that grew in the mariſh grounds of Egypt. But Pliny ſaith, it was uſed in the time of King Numa • that reigned 300 years before Alexander, and his books, which were found in a cheſt of ſtone in a field, by L. Pitilius a Scribe, were written in Paper. In proceſſe of time, paper, that we uſe now, was invented; it is made of, linnen cloath, beaten together in Mills for that uſe.

Parchment, as Varro witneſſeth, was found in Pergamus: albeit, Jewiſh Hiſtorians (as Joſephus ſheweth) uſed Parchment: they wrote alſo in Goats ins and ſheep-skins in old time, as Herodotus declareth.

There be divers manner of Papers, as Paper-royall, Paper-demy, blotting paper, marchants paper.

The uſage of writing by characters, is very ancient, and was found by Tyrotullius Freman, (as Euſebius ſuppoſeth), and Julius Caeſar uſed it much in ſecret and privy Counſels.

The Art ofMen of great Memory. Memory was found by Simonides in Theſſaly: For when he was invited to a banquet at a Nobleman's houſe, called Scopa, it chanced that he was ſent for to ſpeak with two young men at the gate, and ſtraightway the Banquetting-houſe fell, and deſtroyed all the gueſts. Then he, becauſe he remembred in what order and place every one ſate, delivered every man his friend to be buried. By that fact, both he perceived the order of the Art of Memory, and what commodity came to the remembrance of man by ſuch an Art. Cyrus, King of Perſia, excelled in Memory, which could call every man in his Army by name. Cyneas the Embaſſadour of Pyrrhus the day after he came to Rome, ſaluted every order of Nobles by their proper names. Mithridates could ſpeak 22 Languages. Julius Caeſar could write, read, endite, and hear a tale, all at once. Adrianus the Emperour could do the ſame.

CHAP. VII. The beginning of War, with other things concerning the ſame.

CHivalry, Mars author of Chivalry. wherein is declared the manly courage of noble Captains, was deviſed (as Tully ſaith) by Pallas: the manner of War (as Diodorus thinketh) was invented by Mars. But Joſephus telleth,Tubulcain. that Tubulcain, which was before the floud, did firſt practiſe feats of Arms: whereby it appeareth, that the uſe of Wars is of great antiquity; but it is uncertain who was the firſt Warriour. Before the finding out of Weapons, men uſed to fight with their fiſts, ſeet, and biting. And thus began battel, as Lucretius writeth: Hands and feet, tooth nail, Were firſt Weapons in battail.

Afterward they began to fight with Staves and Clubs. And therefore they aſſign to Hercules a ſtaff and a Lyons skin. For men in the beginning uſed ſtaves to revenge their injuries and quarrels, and covered their bodies with skins of wild beaſts inſtead of Armour. Palamedes ordered and ſet men firſt in array, Palamedes appointed Watches and Warding. appointed Watches and Warding to be kept,Watchwords. and Watch-words in the battle of Troy. At the ſame time Sinon found out Beacons and Fires. Pliny ſaith, that the Phenicians invented firſt the Policies of War. Diodorus affirmeth, that Mars forged firſt weapons, and armed Souldiers with them, and therefore the finding out of them, is attributed to him: but the inſtruments of War were found by divers men at ſundry times.

Helmets, Swords, and Spears, the Lacedemonians found: yet Herodotus ſuppoſeth the Targets and Salettes to be the invention of the Egyptians, and ſo to have come into Greece.

The Habergeon was deviſed by Midias Moſſenius, ſhields by Pretus and Acriſius, as they fought together.

Leg harneſs and creſts of Salettes were invented by the Carians, Javelins and Datts with thongs or ſtrings by Btolas ſon to Mars; Bills by the Thracians; Juſting Spears and More-Spikes, by Tyrrhenus: they were uſed firſt in the ſiege of Capua, that Fulgius Flaccus layed to it. Pentheſilia imagined Poleaxes, and Pykes, hunting ſtaves: bowe, Shafts, and Sythes, Jupiter's ſon invented: although Diodorus aſcribeth the invention of them to Apollo. Artabanus, whom Euſebius reciteth, ſaith, that the invention of Armour, began by Moſes; which being very young, atchieved the firſt hardy enterpriſe againſt the Ethiopians. Of all Engines of war, the Cretians found firſt the Croſs-bows; the Syrians, Quarelles or Bolts: and the Phoenicians found Brakes and Slings. Howbeit, Vegetius holdeth opinion, that Baleares, a people which dwell in the Spaniſh Seas, ordained Slings. Cranes, or Vernes, to wind up great weights, were the device of Cteſiphon. The Ramme, called in Latine, Aries, wherewith walls be overthrown, was made by Epeus at Troy. Artemo Clazemonius inſtituted the Sough or Tertiſe, called in Latine, Teſtudo, to undermine Walls. But of all other that ever were deviſed to the deſtruction of man, the Guns be moſt deviliſh, which was invented by a certain Almain, whoſe name is not known: After this ſort; It chanced, that he had in a Morter, Powder of Brimſtone that he had beaten for a medicine, and covered it with a ſtone, and as he ſtroke fire, it fortuned a ſpark to fall into the powder: ſuddenly there aroſe a great flame out of the Morter, and lifted up the ſtone wherewith it was covered, a great heighth: And after he had perceived that, he made a Pipe of Iron, and tempered the powder, and ſo finiſhed this deadly Engine, and taught the Venetians the uſe of it; when they warred at Claudius Dyke againſt the Genuates, which was in the year of our Lord, 1380.What year Guns were found. For this Invention he received this benefit, that his name was never known, left he might for this abominable deviſe, have been curſed and evill ſpoken of, whileſt the world ſtandeth.

Bellerophon (according to the judgment of Pliny) taught firſt to manage and ride Horles:Riding of Horſes. which rode the ſwift Pegaſus into a Mountain of Lybia, called Chimera, as Diodorus ſuppoſeth it was Neptune, that not onely taught to ride horſes, but alſo (as Lucane ſuppoſeth) brought to light the firſt horſe. Bridles, bits, horſe-harneſs, or trappers, the Peletronians, a Nation of Theſſaly, found; and as ſome think, the way to break and tame horſes, was learned of them; which alſo taught ſhooing of horſes. Alſo the Numidians rode their horſes without ſaddles. Carts with two horſes, and Waggons, the Phrygians firſt uſed. Chariots, Erichthonius deviſed firſt in Greece. Fighting on horſeback, the Centaures found in Theſſaly. Notwithſtanding, all the Commodities of ſuch beaſts, as Horſes, Mules, Aſſes, and all other bearing and drawing beaſts were at the beginning. For it is manifeſt, that the Egyptians and Hebrews, Aſſyrians and Arabians uſed them: but the glorious Grecians uſurp all to their own glory and ambitious praiſe and commendation.

CHAP. VIII. The Inſtitution of Olympiads, with other ſhews and games.

THere were four principal Playes or Shews in Greece;Playes or Shews. whereof the moſt principal was Olympiads: which were kept every fifth year in the Mount Olympus, and ordained by Hercules, one of the five brethren, named Idaei Dactyli, in honour and remembrance of Jupiter. Corilus. In this game, Corilus an Arcadian wan firſt the priſe (as Euſebius ſaith). Pliny affirmeth, that Hercules, ſon of Alcumena, obtained the victory there firſt.Exerciſes uſed in the Olympiads. There was wraſtling, running with horſes, and on foot, turnying, leaping, courſing with Chariots; contention of Poets, Rhetoricians, Muſitians, and diſputations of Philoſophers. The manner was then to proclaim wars, or enter leagues of peace: the reward of the victorious,The reward of the Victors. was a garland of Olive, which Tree grew there beſide. By this they counted their years, as the Romans did by Luſtra and their Councels.

The ſecond Shew was Pythii, which were in honour of Apollo, and made by Apollo himſelf, in memorial of his activity, in vanquiſhing the great Dragon Python, that was ſent by Juno, to perſecute his Mother Latona.

The third Game was Iſthmii, deviſed by Theſeus, in the worſhip of his father Neptunus, as Hercules had done by Jupiter: they had the name Iſthmii, of the narrow place in Greece, that Corinth ſtood in, where the Playes were celebrated, beſide an old Temple of Neptune, environed with a dark Wood of Peche-trees. They that wan the maſtery, had a garland of Pine-tree.

The fourth game was Nemei, named of the Forreſt Nemea. Nemei. Theſe Feaſts the Argivans kept in reverence of Hercules, that ſlew their mighty Lion whoſe skin he ware for his Armour.Pyrrhusdance. Pyrrhus dance was that wherein the Lacedemonians practiſed their youth, from 5 years of age, as a preparative to greater affairs of war. It was firſt inſtituted in Cree • by one Pyrrhus, that was one of the Cibeles Prieſts. They danced it in armour, and with weapons on horſeback, as Solinus teſtifieth.

Naked games were firſt invented by Lycaon; Funeral playes by Araſtus; wreſtling by Mercury; Dice, Tables, Tennis, and Cards, were ſound of the Lydians, a people of Aſia, and begun not for any Lucre or pleaſure, but for a Common-wealth. For when their Countrey had great ſcarſeneſſe and want of Corn, inſomuch that it was not able to ſuffice the people, they mitigated and ſwaged their hunger and ſcarcity, by taking their meat moderately one day, and by applying ſuch ſports and paſtimes the next day, to drive away the tediouſneſſe of their famine and hunger. The Cheſſe were invented the year of the world 3635. by a certain Wiſe man called Xerxes, Xerxes. to declare to a Tyratt, that Majeſty or Authority without ſtrength, aſſiſtance, and help of his ſubjects, was caſual, feeble, and ſubject to many calamities of fortune; his intent was to break the fierce cruelty of his heart, by fear of ſuch dangers as might come to paſſe in the life of man. There is a game alſo that is played with the poſtern bone, in the hinder foot of a ſheep, Oxe, • oat, Fallow or red Dear, which in Latine is called Talus. Talus. It hath four chances, the ace-point (that is named Canis, or Canicula) was one of the ſides, he that caſt it, layed down a penny, or ſo much as the games were agreed on, the other ſide was called Venus, that ſignifieth 7. he that caſt the chance, wan ſix, and all that was layed down, for the caſting of Canis. The two other ſides were called Chius and Senio: He that did throw Chius wan. 3. And he that caſt Senio, gained 4. This game (as I take it) is uſed of children in Norfolk, Chancebone. and they call it the chancebone; they play with three or four of thoſe bones together: It is either the ſame, or very like to it.

There was a game at the Dice called Vulturſu, and Hercules Baſilicns, that Plautus maketh mention of: but the inventours of thoſe games be yet unknown, albeit, it ſeemeth to be a device of the Romans; and likewiſe the Author of the game,Odd and Even. named odd or even, and holding up of hands or fingers is uncertain.

There be ſome that refer the finding of the Cards and Cheſſe to the noble Palamedes:

CHAP. IX. Certain playes of the Romanes.

LUpercal was a Cave at the foot of the mount Palatine, hallowed to Pan a Myſticall god of the Arcadians, where the cuſtome was to ſacrifice 〈◊〉 dog, becauſe he ſhould keep the Wol • from their folds.

The oblation was made in February, after this rite and faſhion. The young men all naked,The Rites of theſe feaſts. ran and courſed about wantonly and laſciviouſly, in honour of Pan, with whips and ſcourges, in their hands: and the Women offered themſelves, to be beaten with their ſcourges, ſuppoſing that it helped to the fruit fullneſſe of Children: This paſtime was inſtituted by Evander, that came out of Arcadia, Marcus Antonius, in this play being naked, let the Diadem on Julius Caeſars head.

There was alſo another Shew called Circenſis, which were celebrated in aplace walled about, named Circus, where was uſed fighting, and Courſing of Horſes, and running with Charets.

The Circus that we name Liſtes or Tiltes, were of great length, and had barres where the race ſhould begin, and at the other end was the VVager ſet, that they ran for: there was uſed in the ſame place tournying: Theſe were long uſed among the Romans, and had the title of great playes or games.

The third kind of Playes were Saturnalia, which continued five dayes in December, and were kept very coſtly and ſumptuouſly with great ſport and gladneſſe, and continual feaſts, and uſually preſented one another with gifts,

It was alſo the manner in tho • e Feſtivall dayes, that ſervants ſhould have equall power in things, and like authority, and ſit at the Table with their Maſters, becauſe in Saturns time, all things were uſed in common. Janu • ordained them in honour of Saturn ••• , (as Macrobius declareth) and ſome ſay they began in Athens.

There was alſo another game of Sword-players unarmed:Sword-Players. the occaſion of their beginning, was becauſe the Romans when they went to war, ſhould ſee Fighting, VVounds, and Swords, to the intent they ſhould be the leſſe afraid of their enemies armed, or be diſcouraged, when they ſaw the bloudy VVounds in the Field, therefore the Chief Captain or Lievtenant of the Hoſt, ſhould exhibite to the people, a Game of Fencing of Sword-players.

CHAP. X. Who found Truce, Leagues, ſundry kinds of making Triumphs and Ovations.

TRuce (that is called a Covenant of Peace for a ſeaſon) was inſtituted by Lycaon; Truce. it was taken ſometimes for years,Truce for Years. as the Romans took truce with the Veientes for fourty years;Hours. with the Cerites for an hundred: ſometimes Truce was made for hours, as Caius Pontius, a Samnite, required of the Dictator of Rome, truce for ſix hours. Leagues of peace, Theſeus did ordain in Greece; but Diodorus aſſigneth it to Mercury. Nevertheleſſe, they were in frequent uſe long before that time in Aſſyria and Egypt, and namely among the Hebrews. For Jacob made a league with Laban. And Moſes offered conditions of peace to the Princes of the Countries, by whom he paſſed: and after him, Joſhua confirmed a bond of peace with the Gibeonites. Therfore it is a great difficulty to know the inventor of it. There were divers faſhions of making Leagues, as the Romans manner was thus; The Herauld of Arms at commandement of the King, took a hogg appointed for that purpoſe, and ſmote him, ſaying; So let Jupiter ſmite him, that diſannulleth this holy league. But Polybius writeth, that the Herauld took a ſtone in his hand, and ſaid; If I p • rform and ſtand to the Covenant of this league, without guile or fraud, the gods give me all things proſperous. If I either do o • think the contrary, I pray God that I alone be deſtroyed and caſt away, as I caſt this ſtone from me; and forthwith he threw down the ſtone. When the Arabians made a league of peace, there ſtood one between the two parties, that did cut it with a ſharp ſtone, the hollow of the hand of the confederates, and with the blood that iſſued out, he anointed ſeven ſtones that ſtand between them, with raggs taken out of their garments, and invocateth Dionyſius and Urania their gods: then the Sollicirer giveth ſurety for the ſtranger or Citizen that was of his part. The like order was uſed in Amities made among friends.

The Scythians made Leagues after this manner: They filled a bowl of Wine, and mingled it with the bloud of him that ſhould enter the bond of peace, and then they wet their Arrows, Axes, Halberds and Darts in the bowl: that done, they with many words vowed and curſed themſelves, and ſo drunk the Wine, both they, and all the Nobles preſent. The ſame uſe was among traytors in their Conſpiracies at Rome.

The Barceans conſented on their leagues thus:Barceans League. they made their day of Confederacy, over a cave very privy, and ſo long as the earth continued, ſo the pact endured. Dionyſius, which was repleniſhed with the ſpo • ls of many Countries,Triumph. led the firſt Triumph; and afterward, it was received of ſundry Nations, as the Captains of Carthage, when they ſped well, triumphed. In Rome, Romulus, after he had conquered Acron King of Cenineus crowned with Laurell and carryed in a Chariot with four horſes, entred into the City triumphantly. And dedicated his prey and ſpoyls to Jupiter, as Di • nyſius writeth. Albeit, Eutropius ſaith, that Tarquinius Priſcus firſt triumphed of the conqueſt of the Sabines. Camillus led the firſt ſolemn triumph with white horſes,Camillus. a gilded Chariot, and a Garland of gold, with all the Captains following the Chariot, with chains and Fetters about their necks. And the Senate going before into the Capitol of Jupiter's Temple, where they offered a white Bull, and then returned. It was lawful for none to triumph, but ſuch as were Dictator, Conſul, or Pretor. Albeit, Cneius Pompeius, being but of the Order of Knights, triumphed, as Cicero telleth.

Ovation is a leſſe Royalty then Triumphs, and was the worſhip of ſuch, as had ended any battel, or atchieved any Feat without blood-ſhedding; or when the battel lacked any of the due circumſtances of appointing. They that came into the City with that pomp, were crowued with a garland of Myrtill; And went on foot into the Capitol, all the Senate following him, and there offered a ſheep. The firſt that had any Ovation,Posthumius Tubertus. was Poſthumius Tubertus. The Lacedemonians when they vanquiſhed their enemies by craft, policy, or dec • it, offered a Bull: when they did valiantly ſubdue them by force of Arms, they ſacrificed a Cock, according to their manner of triumph: Read Appianus Livius, or Julius Capitolinus.

CHAP. XI. Garlands or Crowns, the diverſity of them, and of Oyntments.

PLiny teſtifieth,Baccbus. that Bacchus did firſt invent and wear a garland made of Ivy on his head: and after it was taken in a cuſtome, that when they ſacrificed to any of the gods, they were to be crowned with a garland, and the oblation likewi • e. Notwithſtanding, I find that the uſe of Garlands or Crowns, is of more antiquity then Bacchus. For Moſes; Moſes. that was many years before him, made many Crowns and Garlands of gold. At the firſt, the manner was, in all Playes and Sacrifices, to make Garlands of boughs of Trees. And after they were garniſhed with variety of flowers among the Sicionians, by Pauſias, Pauſias. and Glicera his leman. Not long after, Winter Garlands, that be called Egyptian, which are made of wood or Ivory, did with many colours, began to be had in uſe. And in proceſs, they made Crowns of braſen plates gilt or covered with ſilver, called for their thinneſs, garlands. Laſtly, Craſſus the Rich did firſt ſet forth, in his Games and Shews, Crowns with ſilver and golden leaves. And conſequently there were invented many manner of Crowns. As the triumphant Crown, that the Emperour or grand Captain ware in his triumph; this was firſt made of Olive, and afterward of gold. The murall or wall crown, that was given to him that ſcaled firſt the Walls. The Camp-Crown, that was the reward of him that entred firſt in Arms, into the Camp of his enemies. Naval or Sea-Crown, which was ſet on his head, that firſt boarded his enemies ſhip. And all theſe were of gold. The Obſidionall Crown, that was worn of him that delivered a City beſieged, and was made of Graſſe. There was alſo a Civill Crown, which was a Sovereignty that a Citizen gave to him, that had valiantly preſerved him from his enemies; this was made of Oaken branches. And this manner of Crown the Athenians did firſt deviſe,Pericles. and gave it to Pericles. There were moreover Crowns of Pearls, Trench Crowns and Garlands, compoſed of the ears of Corn, which as Pliny witneſſeth, was firſt in uſe among the Romans. But Garlands made of Cynamon, woven and imboſſed with gold, Veſpaſianus did firſt conſecrate in the Capitol, in the Temple of Peace.

In ſome ſpace of years, the exceſſe of Crowns was ſuch, that the Grecians in their Banquets, crowned both their heads and Cups alſo,Cups were crowned. whereof the Ionians were authors. By this ſort of Crowns, Cleopatra empoiſoned Antonie, as Pliny writeth. And Artaxerxes uſed Crowns of Garlands in his Feaſts: to this Virgill alluded in his Aeneides, They ſet forth their golden goblettes, And crowned them with freſh chaplettes.

Oyntments (as Joſephus writeth) (though Pliny ſaith the contrary) were uſed long before the battel of Troy; for Jacob ſent to his ſon Joſeph in Egypt oyntm • nts: and Moſes, that was three hundred and fifty year before the ſiege of Troy, maketh mention of Oyntments, concerning the ſanctification of the Tabernacle, and Prieſts of the Old Teſtament. Albeit, it is not known, who was the firſt deviſer of them. Pliny and Solinus report, that Alexander, when he wan the Camp of Darius, found among other Jewels and ſpoyls a casket of oyntments, that much pleaſed him. But Herodotus doth declare, that it was in frequent uſe before Darius's time. Aethiopus deviſed Oyntments. For Cambyſes, ſon to Cyrus, ſent Embaſſadours to Aethiopus King of the Macrobians, with great preſents, whereof a box of Oyntments was a parcel. When the King had learned the manner of the confection of it, he contemned and neglected it, as a thing of no value. It is not certain when they came into Rome: but I find in Pliny, that the 565th year of the City, Antiochus being vanquiſhed, and Aſia ſubdued and conquered,Oyntments might not be ſold. P. Licinius Craſſus, and Julius Caeſar, then Cenſors, commanded that no forraign nor ſtrange Confection of oyntments ſhould be ſold in the City.

CHAP. XII. Who found out Metals, Smiths, Coals, Fire, Candles, and Bellows.

OF all Metall wherein worldly ſubſtance conſiſteth, Gold, that all men ſorely Covet to have, is the moſt precious. For the deſire hereof, they have digged in the deep bottomeleſſe Abyſſe of the Earth, and at the length (as Phalerius ſaid) they will dig Pluto out of hell for it. And Diogenes when he was asked why Gold looked ſo pale, anſwered very well, ſaying: Becauſe it hath many that lye in wait for it. Cadmus, as Pliny affirmeth,Cadmus found Gold. found it in the Mount Pangeus in Thrace, or as ſome think, it was Thoas, and Eaclis that invented it in Panchaia. Silver, Erichthonius of Athens or Ceacus found out. They report that Gold was found in Pageus, becauſe there is great plenty in that hill, as Herodotus doth write. The five brethren named Idei Dactyli, found Iron in Creet. Midacritus brought lead out of the Iſlands againſt Spain, called Caſſitrides, as Strabo declareth. Braſſe was found by Cinirs, in the Iſle of Cyprus, and Solinus ſaith it was found in Creet. Ciniras alſo deviſed the Tongs, File, and Lever. Notwithſtanding Clement ſaith, that Selementes and Damnameneus, two Jews, found Iron firſt in Cyprus, and the Pannonians Braſſe. Aristotle holdeth opinion, that Lydus a Scythian firſt taught to melt and work Braſſe,Melting Braſſe. Theophraſtus thinketh it was Delas, a Phrygian. Strabo writeth that a certain people named Thelchines, wrought Iron and Braſſe firſt, and they made a Sword named Harp, which they gave to Saturn.

The Smiths Forge ſome think the Caelybians found,Smiths • orge. and ſome ſuppoſe it were the Cyclopes, which firſt uſed the Smiths craft.

Diodorus holdeth an opinion, that Idei Dactyli and Vulcanus were Authors of Iron,Idei Dactili. Braſſe, Silver, Gold, and all mettals that are wrought with the fire.

Sothering of Iron,Sothering of Iron. Glaucus found; and Cadmus, melting of Gold. But I take it that all theſe before named found the uſe of ſuch things in their own Countries. For the uſe of all ſuch mettall was perceived in the beginning of the VVorld by Tubulcain, which was ſon to Lamech and occupied Smith-craft. Clement referreth the tempering of Iron to Delas.

Fire is ſuppoſed to be the invention of Vulcanus: Victruvius ſaith that the Trees toſſed and ſhaken with Winds, by beating together of their boughs excited fire. But it had been more convenient to have aſcribed it to the gift of God, which gave it to man to be a remedy againſt the danger of cold.

Pirodes firſt ſtroke fire out of Flint;Pirodes ſtroke fire out of Flint. Prometheus taught firſt to keep it in Matches.

Pliny telleth how the Spies in Armies and Camps, or elſe the Shepheards deviſed to ſmite fire by rubbing of two pieces of Wood together. Laurel and Ivy be beſt for that uſe. Bellows were found by Anacharſis as Strabo witneſſeth; Candles the Aegyptians invented.

CHAP. XII. Who ordeyned Coynes, Looking Glaſſes, Rings, with precious stones.

COyn, of what mettal ſoever it was made, (as it appears by Joſephus) is very antient; For Cain, Adam's ſon was very greedy, in gathering together of money: Herodotus writeth that the Lydians firſt coyned Silver and Gold to buy and ſell with. For before the ſiege of Troy, as Homer witneſſeth, men uſed to change one commodity for another. Yet in the time of Abraham, there was Money currant, for he bought the Cave to bury his Wife Sarah, of the Hittite, Ephron, for 400 Shekels of Silver, which was before the ſiege of Troy many years.

In Rome the firſt coyn of Gold was made in the 547th year of the City,Gold in Rome. and it was named a Duckat, and after, it began to be uſed in many places at ſundry times. Phedon began Silver coin in the Iſle Egina. It was minted in Rome, in the 484th year after the City was builded: the print of it was a Chariot with two horſes, and ſome with four.Janus coyns of Braſſe. Janus did cauſe Braſſe to be coyned, with a face on the one ſide, and a ſhip on the other ſide, to the intent to gratify Saturnus (which arrived there in a ſhip) by ſetting forth his memory to their poſterity and ſucceſſours. Servius Tullius firſt coyned Braſſe with an Image of a ſheep and an Oxe.Looking-Glaſſes. Looking Glaſſes of Silver were deviſed by Praxiteles in the time of Pompeius Magnus: There were alſo invented looking Glaſſes of Steel, Lead, Chryſtal-Glaſſe, and mingled ſtuffe, wherein we behold our viſages. Though it is uncertain who did firſt find them, yet Pliny ſaith that one Sidon invented them of Glaſſe.Sidon. Rings with a piece of ſtone wrought in them, be reported of Pliny to have been made of Jupiter, to keep in memory the puniſhment of Prometheus, Prometheus. for that he deluded the gods of the Element of fire and did traduce it to mans uſe, but that is a fable not to be credited. The uſe of Rings and precious ſtones is of great antiquity, for I read in Geneſis that Judah gave his daughter in Law Thamar a Ring, and broches, as pledges of his promiſe. And Moſes, who was 300 years before the battel of Troy, ſpeaketh of Rings and precious ſtones for making of the Ark and veſtures of Aaron, as Oriches and Smaragdus, or Emrode. In Rome at the firſt they uſed Rings of Iron every man ſaving the Tribunes. It was long before the Senatours had any Rings of Gold,Rings ſerved to Seal Letters. and as Macrobius writeth, they uſed them, not ſo much for trimming and decking of themſelves, as to ſeal letters with them; inſomuch that it was not permitted to any man to have more then one, and that was allowed to none but Freemen.Aman might have but one Ring Afterwards they began to grave Seals in precious ſtones. And leaſt they ſhould be broken with ſtreſſe,Rings were worn on the left hand. they ware them on the finger of the left hand, that is next the little finger, becauſe the left hand is not put to ſo much labour as the right hand, or elſe (as Macrobius ſaith) becauſe there goeth a Vein from that finger to the Heart. Rings alſo were uſed and worn of the Knights in Rome, that by them they might be diſtinguiſhed and known from the common ſort of people.

CHAP. XIV. The Original of Glaſſe, Amber, Vermilion, Mirrhe, and Cryſtall.

IN Phoenice, which is a part of Syria. at the foot of the Mount Carmel, there is a Pool called Candebea, whereof the River Belus ſpringerh, in the which, Glaſſe, as Pliny writeth, is ingendred. For it is reported that on a time when a Merchants Ship, that was fraighted with Salt-peeter (for ſo ſome expound nitrum) arrived there; and as they prepared their meat on the ſands and Seabanks: It fortuned that becauſe they had no ſtore of ſtones to bear up their Veſſels, wherein they ſod their meat, they took great pieces of Nitre out of their Ship to ſet their Victuals on, which after they chanced to be on fire, and mingled with the ſand, there ran bright flakes of this precious Liquor. By this River is Menon's Tomb, and as Joſephus writeth, the nature of that water is to turn and transform other metals into glaſſe. Amber, as Diodorus witneſſeth, was found in the Iſle Baſilia, which lyeth againſt Scythia, above Galatia in the great Ocean, where it was firſt caſt up, and was never ſeen not found in any other place before. Vermilion or Red Lead was found in Epheſus, by Gallius an Athenian. Vermilion. And it was i • Rome counted and taken for holy, inſomuch that on their Feaſtival dayes, they painted the face of Jupiters Imag • with it, and the bodies of them that triumphed; and Camillus triumphed ſo, as Pliny witneſſeth. Myrrh, which is a • humour congealed and conſtipated together with heat,Myrrh. cometh out of the Eaſt parts, and namely out of Carmania • Pompeius in his triumph of the Pyrates and Robbers on the Sea, brought it firſt into Rome. Cryſtal. Cryſtal is a ſtone that is congealed of pure water, not with cold, but by a power of divine heat, whereby it retaineth its hardneſſe, and never relenteth or melteth, and receiveth divers colours, and this is the opinion of Diodorus. But Pliny ſuppoſeth that it commeth of the Ice, extreamly Frozen. Nevertheleſſe it is uncertain who found it.

CHAP. XV. The beginning of Imagery; and of Alexander's Image.

COncerning the uſe of making Images, from whence it came, Authors differ and vary. For Macrobius citeth one Epicardus, that ſaith, it began of a ſuperſtition of Hercules, Hercules. who, according to the number of his Companions, whom he loſt in his Voyage into far Countries, when he came home into Italy, made Images of them, and caſt them down at the Bridge Sublicius, Wood-bridg. into Tyber, to the intent they ſhould be carried into their natural Countries, thinking that to be a juſt Funeral. Nevertheleſſe, he taketh it, that they came rather of the cuſtome of the Arcadians, The Arcadians manner. which, as Diodorus writeth, in their wandring abroad, repaired into Italy, and builded a Chappel to Pluto, and an Altar to Saturnus; where they pacified Pluto with the heads of men and burned the bodies to Saturn. An Oracle. For ſo they expounded their Oracle, Et capita inferno, et patri tranſmittite lumen. Give heads to Pluto the God infernal, And Saturn his father the fire luſtral.

The ſacrifices that were offered to Saturn, were named Saturnalia. After, Hercules as he paſſed through Italy, when he had conquered and ſubdued Gerion, advertiſed them to change that unlucky ſacrifice into fortunate oblations, and taught them to make Images of heads of men to Pluto: And to light Tapers of Wax in honour of Saturn. Lactantius ſaith,Prometheus made Images. Prometheus made firſt Images of ſoft Clay, and taught the way to make ſtatues: Some ſay, as Diodorus writeth, that the Aethiopians found the firſt uſe of Images, and of them the Aegyptians learned.

Notwithſtanding I find that Images were long before that time: For Rachel, when her Husband fled out of Meſopotamia, from Laban his Father in Law, did ſteal away her fathers gods, And ſome think that men took occaſion from God to make Images, who willing to ſhew to the groſſe wits of men, ſome repreſentation of himſelf, took on him the ſhape of man; ſo Abraham and Jacob • aw • him. And the Scripture ſeemeth in ſundry places to attribute to him hands, feet, eyes, and ears, which be parts and members of men. And by this means men received the manner of making Images of God, becauſe to keep him in freſh memory. And this is the true Original of Imagery. Spurius Caſſius made in Rome the Image of Ceros in braſſe.Ceres Image of Braſſe. Afterwards ſtatues of men were made, to excite and encourage valiant hearts to high enterpriſes. And for that cauſe the Athenians ſet up the Images of Hermodius and Ariſtogiton, that ſlew and expulſed the Tyrants. Leontinus Gorgias, made himſelf an Image of pure Gold, not hollow, firſt; and ſet it in Delphos the 78th Olympiad. Pharnaces cauſed one to be made of Silver like himſelf,M. Attilius made the firſt Image of Gold in Rome. which Pompey in his Triumph removed. In Italy, M. Attilius Glabrio, made the firſt ſtatue of Gold on horſeback in remembrance of his Father: There were alſo Images made of Braſſe, Ivory, Wood, and Marble.

The manner of the Romans was to ſet up their Images covered, but the Grecians uſed to form them naked, and the Romans alſo had a Rite to burn incenſe, and light Tapers before them. In this Art many were very expert, as Pliny rehearſeth.Phidias. But Phidias of Athens paſſed them all. In Rome, the kindred and family of the Macrians were acouſtomed to wear on them the Image of Alexander the great, Graven: as, men in Gold or Silver, Women in Kalls and Rings: becauſe it was reported that he ſhould archieve well in all affairs, which did bear on him Alexanders Image, either in Gold or Silver.

And therefore Auguſtus Caeſar uſed long the Image of him,Auguſtus Seal. in ſealing his letters.

CHAP. XVI. Painting, and Potters craft, or Working in Earth.

GYges a Lydian, as Pliny thinketh, did firſt invent and deviſe portraiture in Egypt. In Greece, Pyrrhus, the Couſin of Dadolus, according to Ariſtotle's mind. But Theophraſtus ſaith, that Polygnotus an Athenian found it:Polygnotus. yet Pliny agreeth neither with Theophraſtus, nor yet with himſelf: for in his 35th book, he ſaith, that Polygnotus a Thalian, did firſt paint women in ſingle apparell, and trimmed their heads with Kalls of ſundry Colours, and ſet forth Pictures to ſhew more decent, in opening their mouths, and made their Teeth to be ſeen, and the Viſages more favourable to behold; but who found it, it is uncertain. For the Egyptians ſay they had that art 600 years before it came to Greece: And they of Greece affirm it was begun by the Sicionians, and ſome of the Corinthians. Albeit, all confeſſe it began of the drawing of a man with lines. In proceſſe of time it waxed more ſumptuous with colours.The beginning of painting. Drawing pictures with lines or ſhadows Philocles an Egyptian, or Cleanthes a Corinthian, deviſed. Thelephanes a Sicionian, and Ardices of Corinthus found this Art firſt, without Colours, and Cleophantes of the ſame Country invented Colours:Cleophantus invented colours. Apollodorus obtained much praiſe with the Penſil. In this excelled Timagoras, Pithius Polygnotus, Aglaophon, with others that Pliny reciteth in the 12th Book. And Raphael Sanctus, an Vrbinate, is very excellent in expreſſing of lively Images of men in this faculty. The potters occupation that worketh all things in Clay and Earth,Potters craft Chotebus. 〈◊〉 Athenian found; as Pliny in his ſeventh book telleth.Dibutades Worker of Clay. In his 35th book he aſſcribeth the Original of it to Dibutades at Corinth: which by the help of his Daughter invented this craft. For after ſhe underſtood that a young man her lover ſhould depart into a ſtrange Nation for the tender love that ſhe bare to him, ſhe drew his Image on a Wall after the pattern of his ſhadow by Candle-light, which her father filled and faſhioned with Clay, and made it into a figure and reſemblance of his body, and dried it with the Fire, and ſet it in the common Hot-houſe where the maids and Women kept Baths: And there it remained till Mummius deſtroyed Corinth. Mummius destroyed Corinth. Some ſay it was found by Rhenus, and Theodorus in the Iſle of Samos. Demeratus. And Demeratus father to Tarquinius Priſcus King of the Romans, brought it into Italy, and after him Euchiras, and Eugranias amplified the Science more copiouſly. Liſiſtratus a Sicionion invented making of moulds, and the way to work Images in them. The Potters Wheel or frame,Potters frame. (as Ephorus ſaith) Anarcharſis a Philoſopher of the Country of Scythia, found: Some ſay it was Talus, Dadalus ſiſters Son.

The ſpecial Workmen in this Art were Demophilus, and Gorgoſus.

CHAP. I. The Invention of Husbandry, with other things concerning the ſame.

HUsbandry or tilling the ground,Husbandry. Diodorus ſaith, was excogitated by Dionyſius among the Aegyptians; Dionyſius. In Greece and Aſia, by Triptolemus Triptolemus, (as Juſtine writeth); in Italy, by Saturnus: but Virgil witneſſeth, that Ceres firſt deviſed it. Nevertheleſſe Joſephus declareth that it was found by Cain, Adams eldeſt ſon. In the beginning, men lived by Acorns,Men lived by Acorns. and other fruits of the Earth till Ceres (as Pliny telleth) taught them of Athens, Italy, and Sicily to ſow Corn, which before grew among other hearbs. Diodorus referreth the invention of it to Iſis. Albeit, Juſtine affirmeth that Triptolemus found it in the time of Erichthous▪ King of Athens: but Diodorus ſaith he learned it of Ceres, and had Commandment to teach it abroad. In Italy, Saturn inſtituted ſowing, as Macobhius re •• isieth, Pi • umnus taught men firſt to muck and compaſſe their land, and his brother Pilumnus taught men to bake and grind,Baking and grinding. Pliny ſaith, that Augeas a King in Greece taught men to dung their lands in the time of Homer, Dunging land. and Hergules afterwards publiſhed it in Italy. Yoking Oxen. Diodorus witneſſeth that Dionyſius the ſecond, yoked Oxen to the Plough firſt, where as before it was laboured by hand. Briges an Athenian, or as ſome report Triptolemus; and ſome ſay, one Oſiris found the plough: Trogus ſaith that it was Habis King of Spain that taught firſt to plow and ſow. Inſtruments of Husbandry,Plough. as Virgil ſuppoſeth, Ceres found out,Inſtruments of Husbandry. but we muſt take it, that theſe men before rehearſed, did teach it in ſundry places: for it is manifeſt, that before their time the Hebrews and Egyptians had knowledge of this Science. As Jacob, when there was a great dearth of Corn in Canaan, ſent his ſons into Egypt to buy grain. And therefore without doubt, the Hebrews did firſt find out the way of tilling the earth, grinding, with other ruſticall inſtruments. Sakres of hair were found in France, as Pliny telleth; and Boulters of Linnen, in Spain. In Egypt they were made of Fenne ruſhes, and Bull-ruſhes.

CHAP. II. Wine, Oyl, Honey, Cheeſe, and ſtrange Trees brought into Italy.

DIodorus ſaith,Wine. that Dionyſius did firſt perceive the nature of the Vine, and taught men of Greece to plant it, and to preſſe wine out of the Grape, as Saturnus did in Italy. Some ſay it was Icarius, father of Penelope, that found it in Athens. And was afterward ſlain by the Husband-men, when they were drunk. Atheneus in one place writeth,Oreſteus. that Oreſteus, ſon to Deucalion, firſt found the Vine about the Mount Aetna in Sicily. In another place he ſaith, that it was found at the City Plinthina in Egypt. Aruntes a Tirrhene, baniſhed out of his Country by Lucinon, whom he brought up of a child, carried firſt Wine into France. Seculus the ſon of Ventus, invented the firſt food of men, of the Trees; and Eumolphus an Athenian, taught the manner of ordering of them. But before all theſe, Noáh planter of the Vineyard. Noah was the firſt that either tilled the Land, or planted the Vineyard. And when he had drunk of the fruit of the grape, he was drunk.

Wine-Taverns were ſet up firſt by the Lydians, a people of Aſia, which alſo found divers games. Staphylus (as Pliny ſaith) allayed wine firſt. Drink that is made of Barley, which we call Ale, and was the common drink of the Egyptians, was deviſed by Bacchus: and he taught it to ſuch Nations, as had no grapes growing. And for that cauſe, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Germany, and all that border on the Weſt and North Seas, uſe this drink. Albeit, the Germans put Hops in it, and call it Beer. In Greece, as Diodorus affirmeth, Pallas ſhewed the Olive, and the way to make Oyl.Olive-Oyl. And Arist ••• gathered the cruddes of milk, and made Cheeſe firſt.Making Cheeſe. And the Oyl-Mill as Pliny witneſſeth, notwithſtanding the Olive was before Noah's floud: and Moſes ſpake of Oyl, that was uſed in ſacrifices, whereby it may be perceived, that the Jews invented Oyl. Juſtine ſaith, Gargorus, Gargorius. King of Curetes, found the faſhion of gathering Honey,Gathering honey. he dwelt in the Forreſt of Carcheſia in Spain. There grew no Olive in Italy, Spain nor Africk, in the time of Tarquinius Priſcus, the 174th year of the City.

And afterward, the 440th year of the City, there were ſome, howbeit, they were near the Sea. But indeed honey was gathered firſt by the Hebrews ſhepherds. The Cherry-trees, L. Lucullus brought out of Pontus, the year of the City 680. Zizipha and Tuberes, two kinds of Apple-trees, S. Papinius conveyed out of Syria and Africk, into Italy, in the time of Augustus Caſar. The Plane-tree, the Laurel-tree, the Figg-tree, and Apple-trees, with other, which is not needfull to rehearſe, were brought in by divers men, whoſe names are not ſpoken of by any Authors.

CHAP. III. Who named Beasts, inſtituted Sacrifices, Hunting, Salt, Poultries.

BEaſts,Adam named Beaſts. after they were all created in their kind, were named by Adam, with the ſame names, that they be now called.Hiperbius. Hiperbius, ſon to Mars, killed them firſt; but I rather refer that to Abel, Adam's ſon;Abel. for he did firſt offer to God the firſt begotten of his flock; and from him it ſpread abroad among the Hebrews, and alſo other Countries. Of all other, Swine were the firſt that were ſacrificed of the Gentiles, in the Sacrifices of Ceres, Goddeſs of Corn: as Varro witneſſeth, in Leagues of peace, and in Marriages. At length, they came to ſuch outragious cruelty, that they ſacrificed men.Eating of Fleſh. Fleſh was not uſed to be eaten, untill the time of Noah; and then God permitted it: but many Countries long after that, forbare and kept great abſtinence from fleſh: a • in the golden World under Saturn, men onely lived by fruits of the earth. The Prieſts of Aegypt refrained from fleſh,Prieſts of Aegypt. Eggs, and milk, becauſe, as they thought, Eggs were but tender and ſoft fleſh, and milk was bloud, ſaving that the colour was turned. And the Eſſenes in Jury, and Jupiters Prieſts in Creet, never eat fleſh.Banquets. Banquetting diſhes and delicates were made in Ionia, and then that evill cuſtome was taken up by other Countries: albeit, there were laws made in Lacedemonia by Lycurgus, and in Rome by Fannius, for the aboliſhing of ſuch exceſſive feaſting. I would ſome good man would now preſcribe a Law, to be preciſely obſerved of all men. For I think there was never ſuch riot in feaſting as there is in theſe times. Hunting and fiſhing, the Phoenicians found. Salt and Thuſe thereof was perceived by Miſor and Salech. In Rome, Q. Hortenſius, did firſt ſet forth a Pecock, at the Augurs feaſt. Poulteries of all kind of fouls, were inſtituted by Marcus Laelius Strabo, a Knight of Brunduſium. And Alexander Emperour, had alſo ſuch Poultries. Warrens and Parks were made firſt by Fulvius Hirpinus. And now they be every where uſed, but moſt commonly in England, to the great damage of good paſtures, that might feed other Cattle.Beaſts that be Badges. The Wolf, the Minotaur, the Horſe, the Boar were cogniſance of the Romans Armyes: And Caius Marius in his ſecond Conſulſhip, appointed the Eagle for a badge of his Army and Legion, with many other now adayes, which be in Coats of Arms of Noble Men.

CHAP. IV. Who found Flax, and Wool, with ſuch inſtruments and Arts as belong to the ſame, and Silk.

LInnen or Flax, as Pliny ſaith, was ſound by the beautiful Lady Arachne of Lydia, and ſhe taught alſo the way of knitting Nets to take Beaſts, Fiſh, and Fouls. Minerva inſtructed the people of Athens firſt, in ſpinning and weaving Wool: but in one place, Pliny ſeemeth to aſcribe the feat of Weaving to the Egyptians.

The Walkers or Fullers craft, was invented by Nicias, a Megarian: the Lydians in Sardis died Wool firſt.

Spindles for Wool, were firſt invented by Cloſter; ſon to Arachne. Hangings of Arras, which be uſed in Halls or Chambers, Attalus King of Aſia deviſed: and Pallas taught the uſe of cloathing or apparel, as Diodorus writeth: and Euſebius ſaith, one Vſ • a Sicilian born, made firſt cloathing and Apparrel for men, of beaſts skins: but indeed Adam, whom God did firſt create, made the firſt Leather Coats for himſelf,Adam made the firſt coat of Leather. and his Wife Eve, our old Mother, leaving thereby a pattern to all his poſterity, of that craft.

The Shoo-makers Art,Shoomakers craft. one Boethoius found. Attalus taught men firſt to Weave Gold in Cloaths. And the Phrygians invented broidring.Embroidring. The Greeks deviſed the Mantle, and the Hetrurians found the Robes of eſtate. And mingling of divers colours in Apparel, was the invention of the Babylonians. Silk, which in all Countries is occaſion of much diſſolute behaviour in Apparel, was found of the Cerites, growing on their Trees, and with wetting they comb it off, and make it fit for their uſes.

Spinning and weaving of Silk,Spinning and Weaving Silk. that commeth of Worms, Pamphila the daughter of Platis, deviſed it in the Iſle Coos. Purple colour was found, as Pollux witneſſeth, upon this occaſion; As Hercules, being in love with a beautiful Lady, named Tiro, walked on the Sea-Cliffs, his grey-Hound chanced to find a ſhell-fiſh, called a Purple;Hercules. Tiro. and when he had eaten it, the orient colour of the bloud remained on his ſnowt: which freſh colour, the Lady eſpying, threatned Hercules, that he ſhould never be admitted to her preſence, unleſſe he brought her a cloath dyed with that pretious colour. Then Hercules, willing to accompliſh his Ladies will, ſought the purple Fiſh, and carried the blood to his Soveraign Lady. And thus began the Purple-colour among the Tyrians.

CHAP. V. Buildings made of Clay, Brick, Stone, with other like matters.

MEn at the firſt lived like wildbeaſts, in caves, and alſo fed on fr • its and roots of the earth: but after they perceived the commodity of fire, and felt thereby a great comfort, againſt the vehemency of cold: ſome began to edily Co • tages of boughes of Trees, and ſome digged Caves in the Mountains,Houſes. and by often experiencing of ſuch means, they attained to a greater perfection in building. And afterward (as wits of men be inventive) they learned to faſhion building with walls,Making Walls of Houſes. that they ſet up with long props. And did wind them about with ſmall rods, and ſo daubed them: and to keep out the ſtorms, they covered them with reeds, boughes, or Fen-ſedges. Thus in proceſſe of time, they came to the Art of building, Pallas invented Building. which as Diodorus ſaith, is aſcribed to Pallas: but I rather think, that either Cain, or elſe Jobal, ſon of Lamech, found out this art.

Houſes of clay, Doxius, ſon of Gellus, did firſt invent and ſet up, taking example at the Swallow's neſt. Brick-buildings were invented by Eurialus and Hyporh • us, two brethren of Athens, as Pliny judgeth: albeit Diodorus referreth it to Vesta, daughter of Saturnus. Epimendes of Crete firſt uſed to hallow his houſe and fields,Bleſſing of • ouſes. with expiatio • s. Tyle and Slate to cover houſes, were the invention of Siniras, ſon of Agriopa; in the Iſle of Cypres.

Stone-delves or quarells were found by Cadmus in Thebes, or (as Theophraſt writeth) in Phoenice. Yet I think the Invention of ſuch Arts may more juſtly be aſcribed to Cain, or the poſterity of Seth: which did make two Pillars, one of Brick, and another of Stone, and wrote in them all the Art of Aſtronomy; at which time, I ſuppoſe, Pillars and Brick were firſt made, whereby it appeareth, that the feat of building hath been from the beginning of the World. Nevertheleſſe, I deny not, but theſe afore-named, did begin edifying in ſundry Countries.

Marble was uſed in building at Rome, of rich men, to ſhew their ſumptuous magnificence. As M. Scaurus, being Aedilis, cauſed 360 Pillars of Marble to be carried to the making of a Stage, whereon an enterlude ſhould be played: but L. Craſſus was the firſt that had Pillars of Marble. M. Lepidus made the Gates of his houſe with Marble of Numidia. He was Conſul, the year of the City 676. Mamurra, a Knight, that was Maſter of Julius Caeſar's Works in France, pinned firſt the Walls of his houſe with broken Marble. In gra • ing Marble, Dipoenus Scilus, born in Crete, flouriſhed firſt;Gravors in Marble. before King Cyrus reigned in Perſia.

CHAP. VI. Who made the first City, Tents, Temples, and Pitts.

WHen men were ſomewhat reclaimed from their brutiſh behaviour,Occaſion of making Cities. by reaſon that they were refreſhed from their extream cold, by fire, and ſuch houſes as they had deviſed; they gathered them ſubſtance and goods, to the ſuſtentation of their houſholds and families. But after they perceived that mighty and ſtrong men did invade and diſpoyl them of ſuch ſtuffe as they had, they knit themſelves together in a company, and dwelled in one circuit, which they walled about, and named it a City. Notwithſtanding there is much diverſity of opinions among Writers, which was firſt. For Pliny ſaith,Cecropia. Cecrops builded the firſt City, and called it by his own name, Cecropia, which was afterward called Athens. Strabo writeth, that Phoroneus firſt builded Argos: Argos. Dioſpolis. the Egyptians ſay, that Dioſpolis in their Country was long before: which is credible to be ſo, becauſe they be a very ancient Nation. Traſon firſt made Walls. Towers, (as Ariſtotle ſaith) the Cyclopians edifyed: but Theophraſtus thinketh the Phoenicians builded them.

And Virgil referreth that feat to Pallas. But to ſay the truth, Cain (as Joſephus declareth) made the firſt City, and named it Enochia, after his ſonne Enoch. And the young men that came of Noah his linage, by the advice of Nimroth, builded the firſt Tower, of an exceeding heighth, which was called afterward Babylon.

Tents, Jobal ſon of Lamech invented: notwithſtanding that the Phoenicians affirm, that the Nephews of Seculus found them.

Temples, as Diogenes ſuppoſeth, were found by Epimenides in Crete. But Victruvius affirmeth, that one Pithius a Carpenter, made the firſt Temple in Priene, in the honour of Pallas. Herodotus ſaith, that the Egyptians inſtituted Temples firſt. In Rome, Romulus builded the firſt Temple, to the worſhip of Jupiter Feretrius. To Almighty God, Solomon, King of the Hebrews, builded the firſt Temple (3102 years after the Creation of Adam) in Jeruſalem. Pits or Wells Danaus digged firſt, as Pliny teacheth, after he came out of Egypt into Argos, a Country of Greece. Nevertheleſſe, to tell the very originall of them,Iſaac digged Pits. Iſaac his ſhepherds digged the firſt Pitts, as appeareth in Geneſis. And Moſes cauſed Pitts to be digged in the Wilderneſſe, when he did conduct the Iſraelites out of Egypt, which was 393 years, before that Danaus came into Argos; neither was it Danaus, but his daughters, that digged the Pit at Argos.

CHAP. VII. The Labyrinths, Turrets, ſundry faſhions of Burials.

LAbyrinths, which we may call Mazes, were certain intricate and winding works, with many entries and doors, in ſuch ſort, that if a man were once entered, he could not iſſue out, without he had either a perfect guide, of elſe a clew of thred to be his conduct. There were four of them moſt notable,Four Labyrinths. as it is reported: the firſt was in Egypt, and was called of ſome the Palace of King Motherudes, of ſome the Sepulchre of Mexes: but there be other that ſay, it was builded in honour of the Sun, by King Peteſucus, or Tithoes: albeit, Herodotus ſaith▪ It was the common Tomb of the Kings of Aegypt; this ſtood a little from the Pool of Mirios. The ſecond was made in Creet, by Daedalus, at the Commandment of King Minos, wherein Theſeus of Athens ſlew the Minotaure. The third was wrought in the Iſle Lemnos by Smilus, Rhodus, and Theodorus, Carpenters of the ſame Countrey. The fourth, Porſenna, King of the Hetrurians, cauſed to be made and ſet up in Italy for his Sepulchre, it was all of Free-ſtone, and vaulted. The high Steeples or Turrets, that the Aegyptians call Pyramides, were between Memphis and Delta two Cities of Aegypt, of ſuch height, that it was marvel how the ſtone and morter ſhould be carried ſo high. One of them that was greateſt, was the work of 3040 men, in 20 years at the coſt of King Chemis, whom Herodotus nameth Cheopis. Chabreus brother to the ſame King, made the ſecond Turret, not equal in height. The third King Micerenus cauſed to be wrought, 20 foot ſhorter then his fathers was, The occaſion that they were made, as Pliny telleth, was, leſt the people ſhould be idle: and Joſephus ſaith, the Egyptians enforced the Hebrews to build thoſe Pyramides, becauſe they ſhould be in ſubjection to them, and that they might be made ſlaves and drudges: or elſe, leſt the Kings ſhould leave ſo much Treaſure to their Succeſſours, that it might move them to Sedition or Treaſon.Mauſoleum. Mauſoleum that was the Tomb of Mauſolus King of Caria, his wife Artemeſia builded moſt ſumptuouſly,Artemeſia. and for that faithfull love that ſhe bare to him, ſhe remained a Widow all her life time.

The manner of burial in divers countries, is of ſundry faſhions: as the Maſſegetes and Derbians, judge them that dye in ſickneſſe very wretches; and therefore when their Parents and kinſfolk wax aged, they ſtrangle them and eat them, ſuppoſing that it is better that They ſhould eat them, than the Worms. The Albanes, the dwelled by the Mount Caucaſus take it to be a mortal crime if they regard, or once name them that be dead. The Thracians kept ſolemnly the Funerals of the dead Corps of men, with great joy and ſolace: becauſe they be diſcharged by death from humane miſeries, and reſt in eternal felicity; and contrariwiſe at the birth of their Children they made great ſorrow and lamentation, becauſe of the calamities that they muſt ſuſtain in this miſerable life. The Women in India, take it for a great honeſty and Triumph, if they be buried with their Husband: for it is granted to her that loved him beſt. There be other diverſe manners of burying among the Pagans, and Heathen people, which foraſmuch as they exceed the bounds of humanity, and have in them no hope of Reſurrection, which I ſhall at this preſent omit, and over-paſſe them. The Romans, becauſe the dead corps,The Romans burned their dead bodies. Sylla. that died in battel, were after their burial digged out of the ground, inſtituted the manner of burning the carcaſes of men departed, which Rite was executed on Sylla, chief of all the houſe and kindred of the Cornelians, which feared leſt he ſhould be ſerved as he had uſed Marius. They had alſo in Rome, a manner of deifying, or hallowing their Emperours dead bodies, after this ſort. When the Emperour was dead, and his body reverently buried, with great exequies, they formed an Image of the Emperour, pale,, as though he were ſick, and layed it at the Gate of the Pallace, in a bed of Ivory: and the Phyſicians reſorted thither to the bed ſix dayes continually; the Lords of the Senate, and Noble Ladies and Matrons ſtanding on every ſide of the bed. The ſeventh day, the young Lords and Nobility, bare him on their ſhoulders in the bed, firſt into the old place of judgments called Forum Vetus, and then into the field named Campus Martiu • , where they choſe their Magiſtrates and high Officers, where they layed him intent builded for the purpoſe, like a Tower, and filled it with dry wood, and ſweet Oyntments, and after they had finiſhed the Rites and Ceremonies of their Law, he that ſhould ſucceed in the Empire, put a Fire-brand to the Tent, and then others did the like. And after all was burned, they let fly an Eagle out of the top of the Turret, which, as they ſuppoſed, carried the Soul of the Emperour to heaven, and from thenceforth they honoured him as a god. Commendations to the worſhip of the dead bodies at Funerals, Valorius Publicola, firſt made in the praiſe of Brutus, and that was long before the Greeks had any, notwithſtanding Gellius writeth that Solon ordained that law in Athens in the time of Tarquinius Priſo • s. Women had Commendations in Rome. The Romanes uſed to praiſe the Women at their burialls, becauſe on a time they were contented to give their Golden Jewels to make a boul to ſend to Dolphos, to the god Apollo.

CHAP. VIII. Who made Spires called Obeliſci, the marks of the broaches, the Aegyptians Letters, firſt Sanctuary.

OBeliſci, which may be called long broches or Spires, were great and huge ſtones in Egypt, made by Maſons, from the bottome ſmaller and ſmaller, of a large length, and were conſecrated to the Sun, becauſe they be long, much like to the beams of the Sun. The firſt of them was inſtituted by Mitres, which reigned in Heliopolis, being commanded by a Viſion to make it, and ſo was it recorded and written in the ſame. King Bochis ſet up four that were every of them 48 Cubits long:Rameſes. Rameſes (in whoſe time Troy was deſtroyed) reared up one, fourty Cubits of length, and another of 819 foot, and every ſide was four Cubits broad.

Ptolomeus Philadelphus made one at Alexandria of four Cubits.Ptolomeus.

And Phoron ſet two in the Temple of the Sun, of an hundred Cubits length a piece, and four Cubits broad, on this occaſion: It fortuned that this King, for a great crime that he had committed, was ſtricken blind, and continued ſo ten years, and after by Revelation at the City Bucis, it was told him that he ſhould receive his ſight, if he waſhed his eyes with the water of a woman, that was never defiled with any ſtrange man, but was alway content with her Husband. Firſt he tried his own wife, and afterwards many other, till at the laſt he received his ſight, and married her by whoſe Urine he was healed, and recovered his ſight, and all the other, with his firſt wife, he cauſed to be burnt at once. Then for a remembrance he made his oblation with the two foreſaid Spires in the Temple of the Sun. Auguſtus Caeſar brought two of theſe Broches into Rome, and ſet one in the great Tilt-yard or Liſtes, if I may call Circus in thoſe terms; the other he ſet in the field called Campus Martius: In theſe broaches for the moſt part were written Images of beaſts,The manner of Writing in Egypt. whereby their poſterity and ſucceſſours, might perceive the renown of ſuch Princes, and the manner of their • ows and oblations.

For the Egyptians uſed the Images of beaſts in the ſtead of letters, and as Cornelius writeth, they declared their minds by the figures and ſhapes of beaſts: as by the Bee they ſignified a King ruling his Commons with great moderation and gentleneſſe; by the Goſ-Hauk, they meant ſpeedy performance of their affairs.

Sanctuary (as Stacius writeth) was made firſt by Hercules Nephews in Athens, and was called the Temple of Mercy. From thence it was not lawfull to take any man violently, that repaired thither for aid and comfort: notwithſtanding Moſes which was long before Hercules, did inſtitute three franchiſed Towns, whither it was permitted for them to go, that had done any Murther unawares; o • by chance-m • dly.

Next after him,Romulus: Romulus ordained a Sanctuary in Rome, to encreaſe his Citizens, and to have more number to build the City. There was a Sanctuary in the Iſle Calvaria, dedicated to Neptune; and another in Egypt, at Canopus, conſecrated to Hercules; and another to Oſiris; and in Syria; one hallowed to Apollo. And there be many at this day in Chriſtendome, and namely in England: but now the liberty and number of them is diminiſhed, becauſe they were occaſion of great crimes and enormities.

CHAP. IX. Of Theatres, Amphitheatres, and Baths.

THeatres, were certain places, as Scaffolds with Pentiſes, wherein the people of Athens ſtood to behold the enterludes that were ſhewed: and they were made like half a Circle, with benches one above another, that they might without any impediment ſee the Playes; Dionyſius did firſt inſtitute them in Athens: in the middeſt of the Scaffold or Theatre ſtood the •• age, wherein Comedies, Tragedies, with other ſhews, were exhibited to the common ſort. Of them the Romans took example, to make ſuch Scaffolds:Covering of Scaffolds. which Quintus Carulus cauſed to be covered with linnen cloaths, and hanged it with ſilk; whereas before they had no vault to bear off the Sun or Rain. But Marcus Scaurus being Aedil, that is, having the overſight of all publike and private buildings, made the firſt in Rome, that endured for the ſpace of thirty dayes, it was made up with Pillers of Marble. Caius Curio, at his father's buriall, builded two Theatres of Timber after ſuch a faſhion, that they might in time of enterludes ſtand one contrary to another, in ſuch wiſe, that neither Play ſhould diſturb other: and when it liked him, he turned them together, and made an Amphitheatre, which was a round Scaffold full of benches of divers heighths; wherein he ſet forth a game of Sword players. Pompeius Magnus made the firſt ſtanding Theatre of free-ſtone, after the pattern that he ſaw at Mitylene, when he had ſubdued Mithridates King of Po • tus. Cains Julius Caeſar builded the firſt Amphitheatre in the Field conſecrated to Mars. In this were ſet forth Shews of wild beaſts, and Sword-players; for the manner was, that ſuch as were condemned to death, or taken priſoners in war, ſhould be caſt there to the wild beaſts to be devoured and ſlain. It was ſtrewed with ſand, leſt the bloud of thoſe that were ſlain, ſhould defile them that fought, or diſcourage their hearts: and therefore, there were certain appointed to toſſe and ſtrew the ſand. The place called Circus, that we may call Liſts o • Tyle-yards, were walled about with ſtone of a great length, wherein was uſed Courſing and Juſting, and Tourneying on horſeback and on foot by Champions and Challengers: they were firſt made in the reign of Tarquinius Priſcus, and that was called the greateſt. After that, two other were made, one by Flaminius, and the other by Nero.

The firſt Courſing,Firſt Juſting in Rome. juſting, and runing, with other exerciſes in the Liſts, were, when Spurius Poſthumius Albinus, and Quintus Martius Philippus, were Conſuls, the year of the City 567.

Hot Baths were uſed firſt privately of all men,Private Baths. according to their degree and ability, becauſe of the preſervation of health as they pretended:Common-B • ths. but in proceſs they builded common Baths and Hot-houſes to ſweat in; and the Nobles did bathe and waſh with the Commons; and finally, men and women were permitted moſt laſciviouſly to bathe together. Moſt notable baths were they that Agrippa, Notable Baths. and Nero, and Titus Veſpaſian, with other Emperours, made, as Julius Capitolinus writeth: they were both great, and alſo gorgeouſly dreſſed like Cities and bigg Towns, with all places of opportunity, to maintain exceſſive riot in all ſorts of men.

CHAP. X. Who found the Carpenters Craft, and Inſtruments of the ſame; Veſſels of divers meaſures,

DAedalus, after the mind of Pliny, firſt invented the Art of Carpentry, with theſe Inſtruments following, the Saw, Chip-Ax, and Plomline, whereby the evenneſſe of the Squares be tryed, whether they batter or hang over, the Augore or Wimble, and Glew, to joyn boards together. The Squire, the Lyn • , the Shave, the Pricker of Punch, were deviſed by Theodore a Sa • i • Notwithſtanding ſtanding, Ovid writeth, that Talus, Daedalus's ſiſters ſon, invented the Compaſs, and faſhioned the Saw after the pattern of the back-bone of a Fiſh:How the Saw was found. or as Diodorus ſaith, by the example of the jawbone of a Serpent; he found alſo the Shave: and for ſuch benefits as he did ſhew and beſtow to the uſe and profit of men, he was highly commended: But Daedalus envying that a boy, being but his Apprentiſe,Daedalus ſlew his Nephew for envy. ſhould excell his Maſter, caſt him down out of a Tower (as Ovid witneſſeth) and ſlew him. Pythagoras a Samian, deviſed another manner of rule or Squire, then this that we uſe commonly, fit for all manner of buildings, as Victruvius declareth in the ninth books. Pentheſilaea Queen of Amazons is reported to have found the Axe. Albeit, I think the invention of this Art is more worthy to be referred either to the Hebrews, which occupied ſuch Arts before Dedalus time and ſpecially in making of the Tabernacle which was curiouſly wrought;The Tyrians were cunning Carpenters. or elſe to the Tyrians, • hat were in that faculty far above the Hebrews. For which cauſe Solomon wrote to the King of Tyre for workmen to build the Temple. Speuſippus invented making of hollow Veſſels, as Barrels or Hogsheads. Veſſels of Oſiar or Wicker, as Baskets, or Hampers, with ſuch like, Ceres did firſt deviſe, as Servius writeeth.

CHAP. XI. Who ruled first on the Sea, found Ships, Merchandiſe.

STrabo writeth that Minos King of Creet had the firſt rule of the Sea:Who was ruler on the Sea first. Neptune. but Diodorus ſaith that Neptunus had the Empire of it before him, for he invented the feat of Rowing in boats, and made a Navy, and was made Admiral of it by his father Saturnus. And Pliny reporteth that King Erichthras deviſed Boats firſt, and rowed in them in the Red Sea:Erichthras deviſed Boats. ſome ſay they were ordained by the Trojans in the Narrow Seas called Helleſpontus; ſome think they were invented in the Engliſh Sea, and covered with Leather and Hides of beaſts. Danaus was the firſt that uſed any ſhip when he ſailed out of Egypt into Greece, as Pliny recordeth, although ſome ſuppoſe it to be the Samothracians, and ſome Atlas that found it. But, to ſpeak the tru • h, Noah was the firſt that made the Ship wherein he preſerved from danger of the Water,Noah made the firſt ſhip. all the living creatures that were ſaved to multiply the World, and that was the pattern that all other made their ſhips after. Jaſon firſt made a Galley, which Seſoſtrias King of Egypt uſed after him, and Eytheus made the Barge with two order of Oars on a ſide, Amocles of Corinth, that with three courſe of Oars on a ſide: the Carthaginians, that with four; and Neſichthon of Salamis, that with five Oars on a ſide, which the Romans made in the firſt Punick battel▪ Zinagoras a Syracuſan deviſed that with ſix rows of Oars. Hippius a Tyrian conceived the making of the Lighter, or Merchants ſhip. The Cirenians invented the Hoy or Gallion. Phoenicians the Keel or Demy Bark. The Rhodians the Brigantine. Cyprians the Bark. Germans the boats of one piece. Illyrians the Cock-boat or Lighters. Rudders were found by the Copians, and the broad Oars the Plateans deviſed. Sails Icar •• found, albeit, Diodorus ſaith it was Aeolus. Daedalus found the Maſt, and the croſſe piece whereunto the Sail is faſtned. Ferry Boats the Athenians or the Salaminians found: cloſe C • lleys were found by the Thaſians. The Tyrrhenes deviſed the Anchors, and Eupalamus made it with two points or Teeth; but ſome refer it to Anacharſis, who alſo invented the Graples or Tackle of a ſhip. The ſtem of the ſhip Piſeus imagined. Tiphis found the ſtern after the example of the Kite, which in her flying turneth all her body with the turning of her tail.

Minos made the firſt battel on the Sea. Merchandiſe was firſt inſtituted to furniſh men with neceſſaries, by way of exchange: but after, when Money was coined, it was occupied more for mens private wealth, then for any common profit,Philoſophers were Merchants. Carthaginians firſt Merchants. Dionyſius taught the Trade of Merchandiſe. The Hebrews did buy and ſell. and for that cauſe, Cicero calleth it a vile and ſervile craft. Albeit, Plutarch witneſſeth that Thales, Solon, Hippocrates, and Plato frequented this Art. The Carthaginians found it, as Pliny. writeth in the 7th book, but Diodorus ſaith it was Mercury that found it. And Pliny in his tenth Book, ſaith that Liber otherwiſe called Dionyſius, invented the Trade of Merchandiſe, and therefore it is to be thought that the Carthaginians learned the Trade of Merchandiſe of Dionyſius. But the Hebrews, (as Joſephus witneſſeth) uſed buying and ſelling in the time of Noah: and Joſeph was ſold to Merchants,Hebrews did buy and ſell. and carried into Egypt. The Lydians were firſt Mercers, and carriers abroad of ſtuff, as Factors, Pedlers, and Brokers do with us.

CHAP. XII. Who Inſtituted Stews, Dying of Hair, Barbers, with other things.

VEnus, Venus, a common woman. which was begotten of the froth of the Sea, (as Poets feign) was a common Harlot, and brothel of her body, and had many Children by ſundry men; as by Mars, ſhe had Harmonia; by Mercury▪ Hermaphroditus; by Jupiter, Cupido: by Anchiſes, Aeneas. And becauſe ſhe alone would not ſeem to be a whore, ſhe ordained in Cyprus, that women ſhould proſtitute themſelvs for money to all that came. And Juſtine telleth, that the manner of the Maids of Cyprus, was to get their marriage do • er, by ſuch filthy baudry. And to help further the matter, one Melampus brought out of Egypt into Greece, the rites of Bacchus's ſacrifices, wherein men uſe to company diſſolutely with women in the night, in ſuch wiſe, that it is a ſhame for Chriſtian men to ſpeak of: much like our Shews or Dances, called Masks, in England, and Bone-fires, as they be uſed in ſome parts of the Realm. But Spu. Posthumius, Albinus, Spu. Poſthumius abrogated Bacchus's Feasts. and Q. Martius, aboliſhed thoſe Feaſts; I would all Masks and Bone-fires were likewiſe baniſhed from among us Chriſtians. Yet common Women were long before Venus's time. For it appears in Geneſis, that Judah, ſon to Jacob, medled with Thamar his daughter in law, becauſe he ſuppoſed ſhe had been a whore by reaſon of her apparrel. But to let that paſs,Common women were of long time. yet it is pity to ſee among Chriſtian men, Stews and baudry maintained, as though it were for a commonweal: and honourable Matrimony ſo neglected and polluted without any fear of God. This is a doctrine of the Devil, if there be any. In Moſes laws, an advoutrer was ſtoned to death; and in Greece, in Rome, and in Arabia, and divers other Countries, he was puniſhed by death; yet among Chriſtians it reigneth unpuniſhed: God will ſtrike once for all, therefore let the Miniſters of the Law provide a godly remedy. I would wiſh, that women would follow the Pagan Lucretia, or Hebrew Suſanna; and men, Joſeph.

Medea found the dying and colouring of hair; and our women of England have not forgotten it, with other enormities, wherein ſome of the Phyſicians be greatly too blame, that teach ſuch things to that frail creature. They be aſhamed of Gods Creation and handywork in themſelves, or elſe they would not amend it.

Barbers, to ſhave and round, were inſtituted by the Abantes, becauſe their enemies in war ſhould have no occaſion to pluck them by the hair. P. Ticinius Mena brought them into Rome the 354th year after the building of the City: before, they were unſhaven. Africa •• s was wont to be ſhaven every day. There be many other things, whoſe Authors for Antiquity cannot be known; and ſome, becauſe of the negligence of men, that will not write ſuch things. No man can tell who began Clocks, Bells, the Ship-man's Compaſs, Gowns, Stirrops, Caps or Bonnets, • o that is but newly invented: becauſe in old time, men we •• ba • e-headed. Water-Mills, Organs, and Claricymbals, Tallow-Candles, reclaiming of Hawks, Rings, with many others, which for the antienty, or over-ſight of men, be in extream oblivion.

Atheneus in his fourth book, ſaith, That Cteſibius, a Barber of Alexandria, found out the Organs, and bringeth the teſtimony of Aristotle.

CHAP. I. The beginning and encreaſe of Chriſtian Religion.

THe Chriſtian Religion wherein onely reſte • the whole hope of o • ſalvation,Our Religion began of the Hebrews. began of th • Hebrews, who were so named of Heber, and lived very devoutly, before there wa • any law written; onely by a natural inclination, excited to perform juſtice and truth.

The firſt that called on the name of God,Enos called firſt on God. was Enos, then Enoch, and Noe. after them Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, who becauſe he had ſeen God, was named Iſrael, and of him the Hebrews were ſurnamed Iſraelites. Of the iſſue and Lineage of his twelve Sons, there came twelve Tribes or Generations of Jews, every Tribe bearing the name of one of them: Job alſo was a perfect godly man, and Joſeph was a mirrour of chaſtity. To theſe men the Will, Promiſes and Revelations of God were ſhewed firſt. Notwithſtanding they did not long perſevere in that perfect innocency of living, but partly for their corruptible nature, prone to vice, and partly by reaſon of the acquaintance that they had with the Egyptians, a kind of people very ſuperſtitious, and much given to Idolatry, they fell from their purity into ſuch extream blindneſſe of heart, ignorance of God▪ and idolatry, that they differed in nothing from the Gentiles and Heathen. But God as he is mercifull and long ſuffering, 205 years after that Iſrael came into Egypt, Moſes delivered the Iſraelites from bondage. and 430 years after Abrahams going thither, delivered them out of the thraldome and bondage that they were in, by the valiant Captain Moſes; and brought them through the red Sea, and Wilderneſſe, into the land of promiſe, the fruitfull land of Canaan; ye • they unkindly forgat all thoſe benefit • and returned to their old wretchedneſſe and ſinfull abominations. Laſt of all, God conſidering that neither law of nature,Gods mercy is ſhewed. nor Law written, nor his great benefits, nor preaching of his ſundry Prophets, (whom they moſt cruelly murthered) could turn them from their ſtif-necked and ſtubborn obſtinacy: To ſhew all kindneſſe poſſible,God is made Man. ſent his onely begotten Son, equal to him in eſſential power, to be incarnate of a pure maid, that at the laſt, they might by this example and Preaching, have an obedien • heart towards their Creatour, which was born (the year of the World 4997,What year Christ was incarnate. and and the 41 year of the reign of Auguſtus Caeſar) of the Virgin Mary, to be our Saviour, and interceſſour for us before the Judgment Seat of the Father, as his name Jeſus doth portend unto us.

He, by his example, teaching, and miracles,Chriſt was perſecuted to death. ſhewed the path of ſalvation▪ but they enviouſly did perſecute him to the vile dea • h of the Croſſe; nevertheleſſe, by his divine power he aroſe the third day, in the 18 • h year of Tiberius the Emperour his reign,The year of Chriſts Death and Reſurrection. and after 40 dayes he aſcended to the right hand of God, leaving power and Authority with his Apoſtles, to eſtabliſh the Commonwealth and Religion of Chriſtians; and the 10th day after his Aſcention,The Holy Ghost is ſent. he ſent the Holy Ghoſt into their hearts, to strengthen and teach them all truth. This was 33 years and 3 moneths after his Incarnation. Thus our Religion had its original, and the Apoſtles by their preaching, amplified and enlarged it very much. For Peter firſt preaching to the Jews in Jeruſalem of the cruel murther that they had committed againſt Chriſt Jeſus, converted and baptiſed in one day 3000 men and Women.Peter Converted three thouſand. And by the miracle of healing the lame man at the beautifull gate of the Temple, he ſtayed and confirmed them ſtrongly in the Faith, albeit he ſuffered perſecution greatly for the ſame: And Stephen for his faithfull teſtimony,Stephen is martyred. was ſtoned to death. Philip converted and baptiſed the Samaritanes, and a certain Eunuch of Candaces. Queen of Ethiopia; Men were firſt called Chriſtians in Antioch. the Eunuch turned the Queen with her family, and a great part of that Countrey to the faith of Chriſt. After in Antioch, the faithfull named themſelves Chriſtians.

Thomas preached to the Parthian • , Matthew in Ethiopia, Bartholomew ins India, Andrew in Scythia, John in Aſia, Peter in Galatia, Peter, Biſhop of Antioch. Pontus, Cappado • ia▪ Peter was born in Bethſaida, a City of Galilee, and brother to Andrew. He was Biſhop of Antioch ſeven years; and converted many people of Aſia: and after went to Rome, in the time of Claudius, and there preached the Goſpel with great increaſe. At the ſame time Mary the Virgin, Mary the Virgin dyed. and Mother of 〈◊〉 Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, did change her life, which was the year of our ſalvation 47▪ Not long after, Paul is converted. Paul being converted from his phantaſticall Traditions, to a Preacher of Chriſt's Goſpel, was brought to Rome, where he preached boldly the Goſpel, notwithſtanding the great perſecutions that he ſuffered for it, Paul was beheaded. and afterward ſuffered death by the way of beheading, at the commandement of Nero, Peter was crucified. the ſame day that Peter was crucified on a Croſſe. Thus daily the Congregation of Chriſtians encreaſed more and more, as the Acts of the Apoſtles, and other Hiſtories do declare it fully. Albeit there was great trouble and perſecution in every place, yet God by his power, contrary to their expectation▪ turned their cruelty to the furtherance of his Word, confirmation of the faithfull, and confuſion of them that uſed tyranny.

CHAP. II. The Inſtitution of Circumciſion and Baptiſm.

GOD, which had made promiſe to Abraham, that he ſhould be father of many Nations, and that all the world ſhould be bleſſed in his ſeed, (that is Chriſt) willing to ſtay his faith in the ſame promiſe, appointed the Covenant of Circumciſion between him and Abraham, Circumciſion. ſaying, Every male ſhall be circumciſed, and the fleſh of his fore-skin ſhall be cut round about, for a ſign of the League and Confederacy that I make with thee. Upon this Commandement, Abraham is circumciſed. Abraham then being 99 years of age, did cut his foreskin; and his ſon Iſmael's, being then 12 years old, whom he begat of Hagar his bond-maid; and all his ſervants: For this cauſe (as S. Cyprian ſaith) that he might have the firſt fruits of the blood, which ſhould afterward ſhed his holy blood for the redemption of many;Why the blood was ſhed. yea of all that believe in him. The faſhion of it was, to cut the fore-skin of a man's yard with a knife of ſtone, as God commanded Joſhua, that he ſhould make knives of ſtone, to circumciſe all the Iſraelites the ſecond time;The ſecond Circumciſion. and Moſes did circumciſe his children with a ſharp ſtone, Chryſoſtome calleth Circumciſion the firſt and moſt ancient Commandement; for there is no Nation, that gave any precepts or rules to live by, before Abraham or Moſes; and therefore it is to be ſuppoſed,Other Countries do circumciſe. that other Countries took example at the Hebrews, to circumciſe their Children, as the Phoenicians, and Arabians, the Saracens, the Ethiopians, the Egyptians, and the Colchians.

This Circumciſion of the fleſh, was a figure to us of the circumciſion of the heart,What Circumciſion ſignifieth. and caſting away of all ſuperfluous luſts, carnal deſires, and importeth a moderation and mortifying of the affects and concupiſce • ces of the old Adam; I mean the ſinful body: he that had not this ſign, was baniſhed out of the number of the people of God, and had no part in the promiſes made to Abraham.

Baptiſm, wherein is left to us a ſignification both of the mortification of the fleſh, and dying to the World, that we may walk in a new life, and alſo of the waſhing away of our ſins by Chriſt's blood, and is the token that we be of the body of the Congregation of the faithful, John Baptiſt author of Baptiſm. was inſtituted by Saint John, ſon of Zachasry, the 15th year of the Emperour Tiberius his reign, in the Wilderneſs, beſide the famous River of Jordan, where he baptized much people. This baptiſm and waſhing, was in the water, to ſsignifie the waſhing away of our ſins that ſhould be by Chriſt, which baptized in the Holy Ghoſt and fire. There were ſigns of Baptiſm in the old Law, as the Cloud, the Red-Sea, the River of Jordan. The firſt that was chriſtned of the Heathen, was Cornelius of Caeſaria, and the Eunuch of Queen Candaces.

Chriſtening of Infants was inſtituted among us, as Circumciſion of children was of the Jews celebrated the eighth day. Iginius Biſhop of Rome ordained firſt that children, which ſhould be Chriſtened, ſhould have a godfather, and a godmother, for to be witneſſe of the Sacrament that it was received. And Victor Biſhop there,When Laymen may Chriſten. did inſtitute, the one might be chriſtened either by a layman or woman in time of neceſſity, becauſe Infants were often in dange • ▪ There be three manner of Baptiſms, (as Cyprian divideth it.)Three Baptiſms. One in water, whereof John was author; another in the Holy Ghoſt and fire, whereof Chriſt was Inſtitutor: the third, in blood, wherein the children that Herod ſlew, were chriſtened.The old cuſtome of baptizing. It was alſo the manner in old time, that they which were grown in age ſhould be baptized in white apparrel, and that was wont to be at Eaſter or Whit-ſunday; onely neceſſity conſtrained otherwiſe. In the mean time, till thoſe dayes came, they were taught the myſteries of the Religion of Chriſt, which they ſhould profeſſe. Of that cuſtome I ſuppoſe the 7th Sunday after Eaſter, is called, the White-Sunday.

CHAP. III. Of the Prieſthood of the Hebrews, and degrees of the ſame.

LIke as in the Chriſtian Commonwealth there be two ſorts of men, one called the Laytie, to whom appertaineth the miniſtration of the publike weal, and all temporal affairs: the other is the Clergy, to whom belongeth the cure and charge of miniſtring the Word of God, Sacraments, and other decent ceremonies: ſo in the old Law of the Hebrews, there were two juriſdictions, one of them was Captains and Governours of the Commons: the other was the Prieſthood, that did offer up the ſacrifices, and other oblations. Of this degree of Prieſts.Aaron firſt Prieſt. Aaron and his ſons were the firſt, ordained and conſecrated by Moſes at the Commandement of God.

The manner and faſhion of hallowing of them and their Veſtures, is declared at large in the book of Exodus. As for Noah, which made the first Altar, Noah made the firſt Altar. Melchiſedech, Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, did make their offering rather of a natural devotion, then any Prieſtly authority.

After that, the Levites, whom we uſe to call Deacons, were created by Moſes to miniſter and ſerve Aaron in all the Sacrifices, to bear the Ark and Tabernacle, the holy Veſſels, and pitch the Camp, and were diſcharged of all te •• rene affairs.

Next them were choſen the Miniſters, which did make ready the ſacrifice, as Calves, Oxen, Sheep, with ſuch other things, at the commandement of the Levites, theſe we may call Sub-Deacons. Certain other were elected to light the Tapers and Lamps, named Accolites.

The Sextons or Porters were appointed to keep out all prophane and unclean people. And Readers to preach and read the Law and Prophets on their Sabbath dayes.

There were moreover Chaunters and Singers to ſing the P • alms in the Temple, whom David and Aſaph did inſtitute.

Conjurers were ordained by Solomon to drive evil ſpirits our of men.

All theſe Offices went by Succeſſion,Succeſſion in Prieſthood. neither was one promoted from one to another. Thus was the Levitical Prieſthood appointed, which was but a ſign and ſhadow of things to come, that is Chriſt, in whom reſteth the perfection and compleat fulfilling of the Law.

CHAP. IV. Of our Priesthood, how it is double; What laying on of hands meaneth.

CHRIST JESUS our Saviour,Chriſt Authour of our Prieſt-hood. vhich was King and Prieſt after the order of Melehiſedech, in the New Teſtament hath inſtituted among us a Prieſthood to offer and do the functions of the new Law: and it is of two kinds or ſorts.

The one is a ſpiritual Prieſthood to offer ſpiritual ſacrifices.Spiritual Prieſt-hood. In this kind Chriſt offered and gave up himſelf a conſummate oblation for the ſins of the whole world; as Peter ſaith, Chriſt died once for our ſins, he being righteous, for us unrighteous, that he might give us up to God; mortified as touching the fleſh but living in the ſpirit.

Of this Prieſthood be all Chriſtian men,All Chriſtian men are Prieſts. which after the example of Chriſt muſt offer our prayers, thankſgiving, and our bodies mottified: we be all of the degree of this Kingly Prieſthood as Peter, and alſo John in the Apocalyps do bear witneſſe.

The ſecond Prieſthood is a Miniſtery that Chriſt did ordain following the order of the Law,Second Prieſt-hood is a Miniſtery. that we might have our teachers to inſtruct us in the Goſpel, as the Jews had their Schoolmaſters in the Law.

He did elect twelve Biſhops, whom he called by a new name Apoſtles, becauſe they were appointed to be Embaſſadours into all parts of the World, with the mighty word of his power to carry the glad Tydings of his Goſpel.

He aſſigned alſo 70 Diſciples, to whom he gave the charge and office of Preaching and teaching, which in ſtead of Aarons Sons, ſhould be among us, inferiour Prieſts, and Seniours of Congregations: and theſe began the order of our Prieſts, as our Biſhops had their original of the Apoſtles.

As the Apoſtles and 70 Diſciples; which were Miniſters and diſpoſers of the Myſteries of God,The manner of conſecrating in the Apoſtles time. had no other manner of conſecrating, but onely the vocation and election of Chriſt into the Office, and ſo was Matthias choſen in the Acts, into the room of Judas: So were the ſeaven Deacons choſen to Miniſter to the poor people of the Congregation. And Titus did chooſe in every Town and City of Creet, Laying on of hands. Prieſts by the laying on of hands, which was a manner of admiſſion without any further Ceremonies, whereby Authority was given them over the Congregation, and boldneſſe to execute earneſtly his office with the aſſiſtance of the Holy Ghoſt.

And therefore in the beginning of the Church,The faſhion of the Primitive Church. when a Biſhop was conſecrated, there was uſed no other Rites or Ceremonies, but onely the people to whom the Election of the Biſhop belonged, ſhould pray: and after the Seniours or Prieſts by laying on their hands, admitted him to that degree. Of theſe Peter was called chief, and firſt, becauſe both of his ancient • y, and alſo foraſmuch as he was the firſt Elected.

A Biſhops room is not ſo much an honour,A Biſhops office. as it is an heavy burden, not ſo much a laud, as a load. For his duty is not onely to wear a Mitre and Croſier, but alſo to watch over the flock of the Lord vigilantly, to teach with the Word diligently, with example honeſtly, and in all things to go before them uprightly, and lead them in the way of Truth, that they may follow the pattern of his godly living, and there as it were in a Mirrour, behold how they ought to reform and conform their lives. And this office of the Biſhoprick and Deacons was inſtituted by the Scripture onely: for Prieſts in the Primative Church and Biſhops were all one.Scripture beareth theſe

But the Biſhops of Rome following the ſhadows of the old abrogate law of the Hebrews,Rome made more Orders have ordained a ſwarm of divers other orders, as Potters or Sextons, Readers, Exorciſts, Accolites, Sub-deacons, Deacons, Prieſts, Biſhops, Archbiſhops, as a certain degree one above another, whereby they ſhould aſcend to the higheſt dignity. Caius Biſhop of Rome did begin the Orders firſt:Iginius did deviſe firſt Orders. yet ſome ſay, Iginius did ordain thoſe degrees long before Caius his time. And I grant well that Iginius might be the firſt deviſer of them, and afterward Caius accompliſhed the work, and brought it to a finall conſummation.

The office of a Prieſt (as Chriſt ordained it) was to teach,The Office of a Prieſt. Baptize, and Miniſter the Sacrament of the Altar, and thankſgiving, bind and loofe, and judge of Doctrines.

Therefore let them take heed that admit ſuch to be Prieſts, as cannot perform the duty of that miniſtery. For many ſuppoſe if they can mumble up a pair of Matins, and ſay Maſſe, they be perfect Prieſts.

CHAP. V. The manner of ſhaving Prieſts Crowns, who may not be Priest, what age he muſt be of.

THe common and general badge of all Prieſts is the ſhaven Crown.The ſhaven Crown is the Prieſts badge. whereby the Clergy is diſſevered from the Laity, and be put in remembrance by it, how they ought altogether to relinquiſh and deſpiſe all carnal pleaſure, and worldly treaſure, and enſue after heavenly things, which be eternal, This as Beda writeth,Occaſion of ſhaving of Crowns. grew into a cuſtome, and was decreed by a conſtitution, to the intent that the thing which was before opprobrious, might grow to honour and comelineſſe. For Peter when he preached at Antioch, Peter was mocked for his baldneſs. was ſcorned and mocked becauſe of his bald head, or ſhaven Crown, and it was a contumelious thing, both among the Romans and Lombards to be ſhaven. I think the original cauſe of it did proceed of the Ceremonies of the Nazarens, Shaven Crowns came of the Nazarens. which when they had lived long time (as Joſephus telleth) very devoutly, they ſhaved their heads, and ſacrificed the hair in the fire to God, whereby they ſignified that they did dedicate themſelves wholly to live in Godly perfection. Samuel was a Nazaren, and Sampſon alſo. I ſuppoſe that this Rite of the Nazarens came out of Aegypt, Prieſts of Egypt were ſhaven. What the Crown ſignifieth. where the Prieſts were cuſtomably, ſhaven, in token of ſorrow and heavineſſe, for the death of their God Apis. And they were alſo ſhaven daily, becauſe they ſhould be without filth, in their quotidian Sacrifice

The ſignification of the Prieſts crouns, is to declare, that they ought to reject terrene and Earthly ſubſtance, reſerving to themſelves onely a competent ſufficiency. Anacletus firſt forbad Prieſts to have beards, or long hair.

Siricus decreed, that all thoſe men that were twiſe married, or wedded a Widow, ſhould be no Prieſts.

Anaſtaſius commanded,Lame men may not be Prieſts. that none that was lame or maimed, ſhould be admitted to be a Prieſt.

Bonifacius inſtituted, That no man could be a Prieſt,The age of Priests. before he were 30 years old; for that was the age of Prieſts in the old Law. But the Council of Laterane thought it ſufficient, if he were 25 years old, after the example of the Levites, which at that age miniſtred in the Tabernacle.

Anacletus alſo appointed,Stalling a Biſhop. that every Biſhop ſhould be inſtalled and conſecrated of other ancient Biſhops.

CHAP. VI. Who deviſed Pariſhes, and Dioceſſes, the Order of Cardinals, Notaries, and Chamberlains.

AFter that the Prieſthood was ordained, both leſt the cure ſhould be over-great, and alſo that every man might know what his charge was, and ho far his Office extended; Dionyſius, the year of our Lord 267, divided, both in Rome and other places Churches, Church-yards, and Pariſhes, to Curates; and Dioceſſes to Biſhops, and commanded every man ſhould be contented▪ with his preſcript bounds. But before that,Cures in Rome. Euariſtus appointed titles of Cures to the Prieſts in Rome, whoſe duty was to chriſten all that were converted from Paganiſm to Chriſtian Religion, and reſorted thithen 〈◊〉 received • he faith, and to bury the dead. And afterward Marcellus decreed, that there ſhould be 〈◊〉 in number.

Theſe, becauſe they were the chief Prieſts in Rome, Cardinals. and had the prerogative before the reſt, were named Cardinals▪ and of them without doubt, the order of Cardinals ſprung firſt, which for as much as they were in daily preſence with the Biſhop of Rome, that then had the primary o • of Chriſt endome, were had in great reputation and reverence. And Innocentius the fourth of that name▪ (which was about the year of our Lord,Innocentius. 1 • 54.) willing to augment and advance their dignity, commanded by 〈◊〉 that from thenceforth they ſhould ri •• when they came to the Biſhop's Palace, and wear a red hat,Cardinal Hatts. whereby was mean▪ that they ought to be in ••• endineſſe, to adventure themſelves for the love of Religion, and ſpend their blood in Chriſt's Cauſe: and Paulus, Biſhop, ordained, that they ſhould have Scarlet Robes or Kirtells. This order ſtandeth of three ſorts, for ſome be Biſhops, and be in number ſ • x.Order of Cardinals. The Cardinals of Hoſtia, Sabine, Portua, Tuſculane, Preneſtine, and Albane. The other were either Prieſts; or Deacons, albeit in no certain or ſpeciall number. But there is another Order in Rome of Notaries, which were appointed by Julius the firſt of that name, to write the Acts of all godl • Martyrs and Confeſſors, and regiſter them for a perpetual example, of conſtant and vertuous living. Albeit, I think it rather to be the invention and device of Clement, which ordained ſeven Notaries, to inroll the notable deeds of Martyrs. And Antherius after, did more firmly ratifie it. Alſo Leo the firſt, a godly and well diſpoſed man, ſeeing the people repair thither from all parts of the world for pardon, appointed certain Officers of the Prieſts, whom he named Chamberlains, to keep the Tombs and Sepulchres of the Apoſtles and Martyrs, that they perceiving the holy reverence about the Apoſtles graves, might be more enflamed with devotion. But all ſuch Offices be now perverted, and turned from that godly purpoſe, to a vain worldly oſtentation and pomp, and be ready Merchandiſe in Rome; the promotions be ſo grear.

CHAP. VII. The Prerogatives of the Biſhop of Rome▪ and his Election.

ONe ſpecial Prerogative and Priviledg of the Biſhop of Rome,The Biſhop of Rome may change his name. i • , that he may change his name, if it ſeem to him not very pleaſant to his ears. As to ſpeak merrily if he be a malefacto •• , he may call his name Bonifacius: if he be a coward, he may be called Leo: for a Carter, Vrbanus: and for a cruel man, Clemens: if nocent, Innocentius: if ungodly, Sergius invented the changing of his name. Pius. This was the ordinance of Sergius; and they ſay, they do it after the example of Chriſt, which changed Simon Barjona his name into Peter: and of this it came to paſſe, that every Biſhop when he was elected, choſe the name of one of his predeceſſours.

The Biſhop of Rome is alſo born on mens ſhoulders; which cuſtome came of the election of Stephanus the ſecond, whom the people for his great vertue and godlineſſe, with much joy of the election, bare on their ſhoulders. The manner of the pomp of bearing was admitted, but the imitating and following of his vertue and ſincere living, was omitted. Albeit, it might ſpring of a gentile cuſtome that was among the Romans, that every rich man or high Potentate, ſhould be born of his ſervants in a bed.

The authority to chooſe the Biſhop of Rome,Election of the Biſhop of Rome. belonged firſt to the Emperour of Conſtantinople, and the Deputy of Italy, till the time of the Emperour Conſtantine, which licenced the Cardinals and the people of Rome, to elect him. This was about the year of Chriſt 685. A few years after, Gregory the third; with other his Succeſſours,The Empire is removed into France by Biſhops of Rome. when they were vexed by the Lombards, ſeeing they could not have ready help of the Emperour of Conſtantinople, required ayd of Charls Martelle, Pippin, and Charls the Great, King of France. For which benefits, Leo the third made and denounced Charlemain, Emperour, and gave him authority to ratifie and confirm the election of the Biſhop of Rome: but Nicholas the ſecond, rereſtrained the election onely to the Cardinals; which cuſtome remaineth at this day.

The great poſſeſſions that the Biſhop • of Rome have, contrary to the example of Chriſt, (whoſe Vicars they name themſelves) and Peter's poverty, their predeceſſor, Charls gave the Lands to the See of Rome. were given them by 〈◊〉 and L • wi • , Emperours. And yet notwithſtanding all that large benigni • y and kindneſſe ſhewed to him and his Aunceſtors, John the 12th made Oth • , King of Germany, Otho, a German, is made Emperour. Emperour; and afterward Gregory the third, a Ger ••• born, for to gratifie the Empero •• his Countryman, Decreed, that the 〈◊〉 ſhops of Mogunce, Treverance, and C •• len, the Marqueſs of Brandenburgh, 〈◊〉 County Palatine, Princes Electors Decree by the Biſhop of Rome. Duke of Saxony, and King of Bohemia, ſhould have full power to chooſe the Emperour, about the year of our Lord, 1002.

Thus the Biſhops of Rome have been inhanced in worldly power, that they think themſelves equal with Princes, Kings, and Emperours. But, as it was falſly Uſurped, ſo ſhall it by the Word of God, be rooted out and extirpateds, as an unprofitable Tree.

CHAP. VIII. The dividing of Prieſts into ſundry degrees; A manner of Swearing, and Excommunication.

GRegory, ſirnamed the Great, where before time, Prieſts and chief Prieſts 〈◊〉 onely uſed in the Congregation, firſt divided them into Patriarchs and Archbiſhops. Patriarchs at the firſt were of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jeruſalem, and Conſtantinople; Archbiſhops had their title to be called Metropolitans, becauſe their See was in the Mother-City of the Province.The Pall is decreed to the Patriarchs. 〈◊〉 the firſt ordained, that all Patriarchs and Archbiſhops ſhou • d wear a Pall, which which doth ſignifie Meekneſs and Juſtice, wherewith they ſhould eſpecially be garniſhed. Then alſo the inferiour Orders began to be divided, as that the Arch-Deacon ſhould be above a Deacon, and Arch-Prieſt above the Prieſt, and over them the Deans; and then were ordained Canons▪ that ſing in Cathedral Churches. 〈◊〉 permitted,Changing of Biſhopricks. that a Biſhop might change his Biſhoprick for another, upon an honeſt cauſe, if he were thought ſufficient to diſcharge a greater, for his learning and godlineſſe▪ Caius firſt made a Statute, that a Prieſt might not be Convented before a Temporal Judge:A Prieſt might not be convented. but leſt any man ſhould be circumvented by fraud or guile, Eu •• chianus inſtituted, That the accuſati •• ſhould be put in writing before the Judge. Likewiſe Cornelius decreed, 〈◊〉 a man ſhould not take or require 〈◊〉 oath of a Prieſt; but onely in matter • concerning Religion and Faith.

The manner of Swearing, was in ol • time of this ſort: He that ſhould ſwe •• ▪ took a Stone in his hand, and ſaid; If I deceive you that I know, Jupiter baniſh me out of all good mens company, preſerving the reſt of the City, as I caſt away this ſtone from me. And (as Pliny 〈◊〉 write) it was not lawfull for any man to bear an Office five dayes, unleſs he were ſworn. In like manner our Biſhops, Kings, Prieſts, or other Offices-ſwear, before they be admitted to the Office.

Juſtinianne, Emperour, appointed firſt that men ſhould ſwear by the Goſpel▪ and now adayes, all that ſwear, lay their hand on the book and kiſſe it, ſaying, So help me God, and the holy Goſpel: becauſe as the Goſpel of our Religion and Faith, may for no cauſe be violated; ſo an Oath in no caſe may be broken.

The faſhion of excommunicating men that be obſtinate and diſobedient to the Officers,Excommunication. or common tran • greſſors, came (as ſome think) out of the Rites of the Jews, which baniſhed out of their Synagogue, all thoſe that ran in obſtinacy againſt their Traditions.

And ſome ſuppoſe it ſprung of the Religious folk in France, named Druides, which (as Caeſar recordeth) if either a private man or officer, were • ot conformably ordered after their Ceremonies, excluded him out of their company.

CHAP. IX. Conſecrating Nuns, taking off our Ca • kiſſing the Pope • feet, and waſhing of feet.

THe cuſtome to conſecrate Virgins, making a vow of chaſtity, was 〈◊〉 by Pius the firſt, which inſtituted 〈◊〉 that none ſhould be made, before 〈◊〉 were 25 years old;The age of Nuns at their profeſſion. and that they migh • be conſecrated at no time, but in the Epiphany or Twelf-day, Easter, Eav •• , and on the Feaſts of the Apoſtles, 〈◊〉 it were when any profeſſed, were 〈◊〉 point to dye. And Sotherus cauſed 〈◊〉 a Decree was made that no ſuch Profeſſed, ſhould touch Cope, Nuns might touch no coap nor Incenſe. or put Ince • ſe into the Cenſors the year of our Lord God 175. It ſeemeth to have begun 〈◊〉 the Apoſtles, which is proved by Pauls words, where he ſaith, let no Widow be choſen, before ſhe be threeſcore years of age, with divers like ſayings.

Lynus Biſhop of Rome, commanded that no woman ſhould enter into the Congregation or Temple,Women may not be bare head in the Church. with her head bare, which appeareth to have been taken of the Hebrews: for the Biſhop i • the old Law might not uncover his head, and in Arabia and Carthage, it 〈◊〉 taken for an unhoneſt and unreverent thing, if a Woman ſhould uncover her head,Taking off of Caps. and go bare. The taking off of our caps to our Superiours, ſignifieth that we ſhould diſcloſe, and ſhew them all ſuch things, as we have in our cuſtody.

The Rite diabolick, of Kiſſing the Biſhop of Romes feet,Kiſſing the Biſhop of Romes feet. took its original of the manner of the Romans, which in their Paganiſm, uſed to kiſs the feet of the people and other nobles, in token of obedience: as Seneca telleth how Caius Caeſar ſtretched out his left foot, that Pompeius a Carthaginian might kiſſe it.

Pompenius Laetus writeth, that the Emperours uſed to give their hands to be kiſſed of the Nobles, and then to take them up, to kiſſe their mouths, and the Commons kiſſed their knees: but Cuius Caligula, and Diocleſianus, made them to ſtoop to their feet. This Pagan example, our Chriſtian Biſhop and Gods Vicar, full uncomely, and ungodly, doth counterfeit. All other Biſhops uſed to deliver their right hand, to be kiſſed of ſuch as came to ſalute them: For the Right hand, as Pliny ſaith in the 11th book, hath in it ſelf a certain Religion, and therefore, we make all Covenants and Promiſes with it. The manner of ſaluting with kiſſes, is very ancient,Saluting With Kiſſes. for it was the manner of the Hebrews to kiſſe ſtrangers at their firſt meeting, as Jacob kiſſed Rachel, before he broke unto her, that he was of kinred; and Laban, after he knew him to be his ſiſters ſon, embraced him with his Arms, and kiſſed him. And the Romans cuſtome was to kiſſe their kinſfolk, but afterwards it was extended to further familiarity, and is now frequented very laſciviouſly. Albeit, in Rome it was an Ordinance, that Women ſhould kiſs their kinsfolk, becauſe that if Sſhe had drunk any Wine, contrary to the Law made againſt the Women, for drinking of Wine, by ſuch means ſhe might be eſpied.

Waſhing of feet, on Maundays-Thurſday, that the Prieſts uſe among themſelves,Waſhing of feet on Maundy Thurſday. and Nobles to inferiour perſons, is a counterfeit of the inſtitute of Chriſt, who to ſhew them a pattern of humility and meekneſs, waſhed the Apoſtles feet. The Kings and Queens of England that day, waſh the feet of ſo many poor men and women, as they be years old, and give to every of them, ſo many pence, with a Gown, and an ordinary Alms of meat, and kiſſe their feet, and afterwards give their gowns on their backs to them that they ſee moſt need of all the number. It is a godly inſtitute, I would there were more ſuch Ceremonies to help the poor. For they be now neglected, and not regarded, but lie dead often in the ſtreets, for lack of ſuſtenance.

CHAP. X. The Inſtitution of Prieſts called Flamines, with other Religions of the Romanes.

NUma Pompilius, the ſecond King of Rome, willing to reclaim that fierce Nation from war and Chivalry, to the regard of Juſtice, and keeping of Peace, ordained to the High God Jupiter, a Sacred perſon called Flamen Dialis, Flamen. Dialis. that is, Jupiters Prieſt.

And to advance the order, he ſet him in a Chariot of Ivory, and a coſtly Robe: but ſo ſoon as his Wife was deceaſed, he was diſcharged, and gave over his Office.

He never road out, nor might not lye one night out of the City, leſt any ſacrifices ſhould be neglected by ſuch abſence.

Swearing was clean forbidden him, becauſe an Oath is a manner of puniſhment to any free-born man, and namely to a Prieſt, which hath charge of all divine obſervances: For his word ſhould have the weight of an Oath.

I could wiſh that our Biſhops would mark and follow both thoſe properties of theſe Heathen Religions, for then the ſtate of our Religion ſhould be better caſe then it is, and others would not enforce ſo lightly, a Prieſt to the neceſſity of an oath, which ſhould have no other terms, but yea and nay, to confirm or deny their ſaying.

Beſide this Flamin, that was called Dialis becauſe he was conſecrated to Jupiter, there were by the ſame Numa ordained two other, one to Mars, another to Quirine; albeit Plutarch ſaith it was Romulus that inſtituted Prieſts to Jupiter and Mars.

Virgins Veſtall, were of his bringing in alſo, and founded in honour of Veſta, daughter to Saturnus. The firſt that ever was choſen into that Religion, was called A •• ata, and of her all were named likewiſe. A maid might not be under ſix years of age, nor above ten, if ſhe were created of this Religion. Theſe continued in their profeſſion thirty years, where of the firſt ten they ſpent in learning the Rites, the other ten they miniſtred, and the laſt of their years, they taught other Novices, and when her term of years was expired, ſhe might marry, or tarry in that Religion ſtill. They were found at the charges of the common cheſt: and if any of them committed any carnal act with any man, ſhe was born in the ſight of all the people out of the City, and at the gate named Collina, was buried quick. They rode in a Wagon, and other Magiſtrates rode to them, and if they came by in time of execution, the condemned was quite delivered. This Religion began at Alba by the inſtitution of Aſcanius, Pontifex maximus. and was renued in Rome by King Numa. A high Biſhop was inſtituted alſo by him, to have the chief ſtroke in all ceremonies of Sacrificing, and he preſcribed the dayes and places of Sacrifices, and in what form they ſhould be done. He ordained alſo to Gradivus Mars, twelve Prieſts named Salii▪ becauſe they danced in a ſolemn manner, and went about the City with ſongs. They ware an embroidered coat, with a Brazen Breaſtplate, and a round Tergate. It ſeemeth that Numa took this Rite from the Hebrews; for David went before the Ark of the Lord dancing.

Heraulds of Arms which were called Feciales Sacardotes, were ordained by him, to provide that no battle were unjuſtly taken in hand: they alſo made leagues, eſtabliſhed Peace, or if it were not duely made, they might break it, and offer oblation for the offence of the Captain, and the hole Army. Pater Patraetus was an Officer that made all leagues or Bonds, and was created by the Heraulds, as Marcus Valerius firſt Herauld, ordained Spurius Fuſius firſt in the office of Pater Patratus. After the expulſing of Kings, an office called Rex Sacrificulus was appointed, which ſhould do all ſuch cuſtomable obſervances, as the Kings ſhould do; Albeit, it was under the High Prieſt or Biſhop, the firſt tha • did bear that office, was Marcus Papirius.

Epulones had the Office of appointing feaſts, and ſolemn Bankets to Jupiter and the other gods, theſe were alſo called Sodales Titii, which were ordained by Romulus after he joyned fellowſhip with Titus Tatius.

CHAP. I. Of the decking of Churches on Holy-dayes▪ offering of Images of Wax, and Tables of Miracles; ſolemnizing first Maſſes of Prieſts.

THere be many ſuperſtitious Cuſtoms crept in among Chriſtian Congregations, which cam • of an Ethnick opinion • and becauſe they could not altogether be aboliſhed and extirpated, yet they were tranſpoſed to a better uſe, and removed from Idolatry, to the •••• ſhing of Churches and Temples of 〈◊〉 faithfull people. As trimming of 〈◊〉 Temples with hangings, flowrs, ••• ghes and garlands, was taken of the Heathen people, which decked their Idols and houſes with ſuch array.Offering Images of Wax or Tapers. In like manner it is to be thought, of the the of hanging up Images of Wax, and Tapers before Saints, or as often as any member is diſeaſed, to offer the ſame in 〈◊〉 , as leggs, arms, feet, Paps, Oxen, Horſe, or ſheep, which were hanged up in the Church, before that Saint, by whom (as they believed) they had obtained health, of the ſaid member or • eaſt: for this came of an old Heatheniſh faſhion of ſacrifices, that the Pagans offered to Saturnus and Pluto, in an Iſle of Italy, named Cotillia, whereof I ſpake before. I think the bearing of Candles, that we uſe on the Feaſt of the Purification of our Lady, called Candlemas-day, came of this Gentile rite alſo, that in burning them, we might worſhip the Saints, as they honoured their falſe god Saturn. It ſeemeth that Lamps and hanging lights began of the Candles, that Moſes ſet up to burn in the Tabernacles. The faſtening up of Tables, wherein the Miracles are written, for • Monument and teſtimony to the poſterity, came of a cuſtome, as Strabo writeth, that is uſed in Greece, where the manner is, that whoſoever was relieved of any ſickneſſe or malady, ſhould hang up a Table, containing the recovery of his health, in the Temple of that God▪ that had preſerved him, and eſpecially there were many ſet up in Aeſculaplu •• Temple at Epidaurus. The uſe of feaſting on holy-dayes, and at the firſt Maſſe of Prieſts, was borrowed alſo of the Gentiles, which honoured the day of conſecrating their Religious as ſolemnly, at the day of their Nativity, with devour and religious breakfaſts and feaſts, calling it, the Native day of their ſacred perſonages: whereof Apul • ius maketh mention. And it is a good uſage, becauſe the day of the birth bringeth but onely life, the day of conſecrating a Prieſt bringeth,☞ or elſe ought to procure, a good and godly life. Albeit 〈◊〉 Maundy-Thurſday,Drinking on Maundy-Thurſday. hath been the manner from the beginning of the Church, to have a general drinking, as appeareth by S. Paul's writing to the Corinthians, and Tertullian to his Wife.

CHAP. XI. The manner of caſting money to the people, New-Years gifts, Dancing, Maying, Chriſtmas Lords.

IT ſmelleth alſo of Gentility that the Biſhop of Rome, Emperours, and Kings at their Coronation, are wont to ſcatter money among the Commons,Caſting of money abroad. and make Royal feaſting, which is a pretence or ſign of the beneficence or liberality, that is to come afterwards. For the old Romans uſed the ſame order and inſtitution, in their Triumphs, Games, and Funerals, as Suetonius recordeth.

Preſenting of New-years gifts had its original thence likewiſe; for Suetonius Tranquillus reporteth, that the Knights of Rome gave yearly on the Kalends of January, a preſent to Augustus Caeſar, although he were abſent. Which cuſtome remaineth in England; for the Subjects ſend to their Superiours, and the Noble perſonages give to the Kings ſome great gifts; and to gratify their kindneſſe, he doth liberally reward them with ſome thing again.

But I commend more the manner of the Italians: The laudable manner of the Italians. for there the richeſt and moſt noble, give to the poor inferiours; it is a ſignification of good and proſperous fortune of all the whole year following.

The uſe of Dancing (as Livy ſaith) came from the Hetruſcans to Rom • , which we exerciſe much on Holidayes, as they did; not without ſlander of our Religion, and hurt and damage of chaſtity.

As for Masks, they be ſo devilliſh, that no honeſty can be pretended to colour them: Zacharias Biſhop of Rome, made a decree againſt it, but that availeth nothing.

At the Kalends of May, the Youth, as well men as women, are wont to go a Maying in the fields, and bring home boughs and flowers to garniſh their houſes and gates, and in ſome places the Churches: which faſhion is derived of the Romans that uſe the ſame to honour their Goddeſs Flora, with ſuch Ceremonies, whom they named Goddeſs of fruits.

The Chriſtmas Lords rhat be commonly made, at the Nativity of the Lord, to whom all the houſhold and family, with the Maſter himſelf, muſt be obedient, began of the equality, that the ſervants had with their Maſters in Saturnus Feaſts that were called Saturnalia: wherein the Servants have like Authority with their Maſters, during the time of the ſaid feaſts.

And this furniſhing of our bellies with delicates that we uſe on Fastingham Tueſday, what time ſome eat till they be enforced to forbear all again, ſprung of Baccbus feaſts, that were celebrated in Rome, with great joy and delicious fare.

And our Midſummer bone-fires, may ſeem to have come of the Sacrifices of Cer • s, Goddeſs of Corn, that men did ſolemniſe with fires, truſting thereby to have more plenty and abundance of Corn.

Diſguiſing and Mumming that is uſed in Chriſtmas time in the North parts, came out of the Feaſt of Pallas, that were done with Vizors, and painted Viſages, named Quinquatria of the Romans.

CHAP. III. The manner of anointing Prieſts, Kings, them that be Chriſtned, confirmed, of ſore ſick.

WHen Moſes had builded the Tabernacle, he was commanded to make a confection of holy Ointment, wherewith both the Work;Kings and Prieſts were anointed. the Veſſels, Prieſts, and alſo Kings, which be called to that office or dignity, ought to be anointed: ſo that it came to paſſe, that the anointing was the very token and difference, whereby Kings were known among the Hebrews, Purple Robe is the difference of the Emperour. as the Emperours in Rome were known by their Purple Roabs. Aaron and his Sons, were the firſt anointed Prieſts, and Samuel anointed Saul firſt King over Iſrael,Aaron and Saul firſt anointed. and ſo conſequently it grew into a cuſtome, that Prieſts and Kings were anointed. By which thing is ſignified, that they be ſpecially favoured of God, and like as Oyl lyeth aloft on the water, or other Liquor, ſo the office of a Prieſt, and dignity of a Prince, ſurmounteth all other degrees of Miniſters, both in the active and alſo contemplative life.

Silveſter Biſhop of Rome ordained firſt,Anointing of children Christned. that all that were Chriſtned, Churches, and Chalices, ſhould be annointed with Oyl. Our oyl that is now uſed, is made of Oyl Olive, and natural Balm, Fabianus commanded that it ſhould be renewed every Munday and Thurſday.

Clement the firſt ordained, that all Children and other that were Chriſtned, ſhould be anointed again with Criſme, and he inſtituted alſo the Sacrament of Confirmation, ſuppoſing that no man were a perfect Chriſtian, if that Rite and Ceremony were by negligence omitted. For this cauſe that the Holy Ghoſt might more plentifully be given to them by the hands of the Biſhop.

This thing began of the example of the Apoſtles, which ſent Peter and John into Samaria, to lay their hands on them, that they might receive the Holy Ghoſt.The manner of confirming. It is onely miniſtred by a Biſhop in this wiſe: firſt he asketh the name of the child, and then maketh the ſign of the Croſſe in the forehead, with the Chriſme, ſaying: I ſign thee with the token of the Croſſe, and confirm thee with the Criſme of Salvation, In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt; that thou may be reple • iſhed with the Holy Spirit, and have everlaſting life; So 〈◊〉 And then he ſmiteth the cheek of 〈◊〉 Child ſoftly: but if he be of a great age, he giveth a ſharp ſtroke, that he may remember that myſtery, ſaying, Peace 〈◊〉 with thee.

Felix the fourth did inſtitute,Extream Unction. That ſuch as were in extreams ſhould be anointed, following the example of the Apoſtles, which, as Mark wi • neſſeth, cured many diſeaſes by anointing them and S. James ſpeaketh of a like thing in his Epiſtle.

CHAP. IV. The beginning of Marriage of Prieſts, when it was forbidden; with other Laws touching Marriage.

MOſes the Miniſter of God among the Iſraelites, which were deſirous to augment and amplifie their iſſue, ordained, that all men indifferen • ly, as well Prieſts as Lay-people ſhould take wives, leſt the debarring them from matrimony, might be occaſion of greater enormity, and inconvenience among them.When a Prieſt might not marry. Albeit, becauſe of the dignity of the ordet of Prieſthood, he made reſtraint, that they ſhould marry none that was taken priſoner, bond-woman, or divorced from their former husband; and the Biſhops might not be married but to Maids.Biſhops married Maids. As concerning our Prieſthood, Sylveſter the firſt, after the Text of S. Paul, commanded that a Prieſt ſhould marry but one wife,A Prieſt might but once marry. and after to live ſole alone: as Paul had a wife, as may appear in his Epiſtles to the Philipians and Corinthians. And Clement Biſhop of Alexandria, and Ignatius, which was in Paul's time, witneſſe the ſame.

Peter and Philip had wifes and daughters, whom they beſtowed honeſtly in marriage to husbands. And S. Peter ſeeing his Wife led to death, for the profeſſion of Chriſt, with great joy of her conſtancy, ſaid; Wife, remember the Lord. This order the Greeks, and all the Eaſt parts of Chriſtendome do uſe, which would not conſent to the Councel of Neece, wherein it was propounded, That the Prieſts ſhould forſake their Wives: Paphnutius withſtood the Council of Nice. and namely, Paphnutius, the holy and chaſte Biſhop, that came out of the borders of Egypt, withſtood that Decree very earneſtly. Stiricius the firſt forbade the Prieſts of the Weſt parties, and Deacons to marry, the year of our Lord 337. He inſtituted alſo, That he that either wedded a Widow, or took a ſecond wife, could not be made Prieſt, Pelagius the ſecond enforced the Sub-deacons to forſake their wifes. And Gregorius, becauſe he thought it violent to divorce them, ordained, That from his time, none ſhould be Sub-deacon, unleſſe he vowed Chaſtity before. Notwithſtanding, Gregory eſtabliſhed the ſingle life of Prieſts. the Lawes before made took no effect among the Prieſts of the Weſt parts, untill the time of Gregory the ſeventh, which was the year of our Lord, 1074.

And here Polidore proteſteth, That the ſingle life of Prieſts doth more harm to the Religion, ſhame to the Order, and grief to honeſt men, then their conſtrained chaſtity profieth: If they were reſtored to the liberty and choice, it were no prejudice to the Chriſtian Commonwealth, and honeſty for the Order.Decrees of kindred inhibited. In the beginning men married their ſiſters and kinſwomen; but Moſes reſtrained them of the Hebrews, from the firſt and ſecond degrees: and Fabianus forbade the third and fourth; which Cuſtome ſtandeth now in effect. Theodorus did inhibit firſt, That a man might not marry that Maid, to whom his father was a God-father. It was confirmed firſt by Gregory, and after by Alexander the third, That no man ſhould marry his brother's wife, leſt it ſhould be thought to be a counterfeit of the Hebrews. Lanuch was the firſt that ever had two wives whoſe example many others enſued afterwards.

The cuſtome of purifying of women,Purification of women after Child-bearing. was taken of the Hebrews, but there is no day or time appointed for it. Nevertheleſs, for an honeſt order, they uſe commonly not to be purified before the moneth day, and then with a few honeſt Matrons, ſhe cometh accompanied to the Church, and offereth a wax Taper, and the Chriſome.

CHAP. V. Of the Temples, Church-yards; when the Croſſe was firſt had in reverence.

IN the Old Teſtament, Moſes ſet up a Tabernacle, curiouſly edified to God, wherein Supplication and Interceſſion was made to him for the 〈◊〉 of the people. And in that he made the Ark of Covenant, in the which he put the two Tables of ſtone, containing the Law of the Ten Commandements, Aaron's rod, and the pot of Manna. Solomon made the firſt Temple. After him, Solomon, King of the Hebrews, made at Hieruſalem • Temple of coſtly array, and ſumptuouſly wrought. I cannot (to ſay truth) perfectly tell, where the firſt Church of Chriſtians was builded, but by all conjecture, it ſeemeth that it was made of the Apoſtles, either in Ethiopia, where Matthew preached; or in Lower India, where Bartholomew taught; or in Scythia, where Andrew ſhewed the Word of God. Where they doubtleſſe, either cauſe new Churches to be edified, or elſe tranſpoſed the Idol's Temples, to ſerve the Chriſtians uſe, aboliſhing Superſtition, and planting the true Religion of Chriſt. Albeit, it were not againſt reaſon, to ſuppoſe there was a Temple or houſe of prayer, appointed by James at Jeruſalem.Firſt Church in Rome: In Rome the firſt that I read of, was conſecrated by Pius Biſhop of Rome, in the ſtreet called Patricius, at Novatus Baths, in honour of the Virgin Prudentia, at the requeſt and ſuit of Praredis her ſiſter. And after Calistus made a Temple to the Virgin Mary, in a place beyond Tiberis, and inſtituted a Church-yard in Apius's ſtreet, and called it after his own name. But Abraham was the firſt that made any place of burial in Hebron, Abraham ordained the firſt place of Buriall. where he bought of Ephron an Hittite, the double Cave for 300 ſhekels of ſilver, with the the ground about it; and there, was Sarah his wife, and he himſelf buried.

Noah builded the firſt Altar, and offered upon it a burned Sacrifice to the Lord. And Bonifacius the third, cauſed that they were covered with linnen cloaths. Conſtantine forbade putting to death on the Croſs. Conſtantinus when he had won the battail againſt Maxentius, by reaſon of a viſion that he ſaw of the croſſe the day of the battle, ordained, that from thenceforth, no man ſhould ſuffer death on the croſſe. And ſo in proceſſe of time, it was had in much reverence and worſhip. And Theodoſius made a law, That there ſhould no Image of the croſſe be graven in ſtone, marble, or in earth, leſt men ſhould tread on it. Hellen, Conſtantine's Mother, Hellen found the Croſſe of Chriſt. a very vertuous woman, repaired to Jeruſalem, to ſeek the Croſſe of our Lord, where with great labour and diligence, ſhe fouud it, and with it the other two, whereon the Theeves were hanged: but it was eaſe to perceive Chriſt's Croſſe by the Title, which then did remain, albeit ſore waſted and corrupted with Antiquity.

CHAP. VI. Of the ancient rite or ſacrificing; Feaſt-dayes, dedicating Temples; the myſtery of Fire, Holy Water.

CAin and Abel, Cain and Abel ſacrificed first. the two ſons of our firſt Father Adam offered in ſacrifice to God the firſt fruits of their goods. Abel his oblation was a Lamb; Cain his gift was Corn. Afterward, when the Prieſthood was ordained, Aaron and his ſons offered divers things with ſundry Ceremonies, which he ſhewed at large in the book of Leviticus.

The Gentiles almoſt all ſacrificed to the Idols men or women after ſundry rites,Men were ſacrificed by the Gentiles. Puniſhments that they ſuffered for omitting the oblations. as appeareth in the Hiſtories of Gentile-Authors. And if it fortuned, that they omitted any ſuch abominable idolatry, they had great puniſhment, deſtruction of their fruit, corruption of their water, infection of the Ayr, death of Cattel, great droughts, women had evil deliverance, with many ſuch plagues, as Dionyſius Halicarnaſſeus witneſſeth, which the ſpirits of the ayr procured to delude and ſeduce men, and confirm them in their errour.

The holy-dayes among the Jews were divers, as the Sabbath-day, the Feaſt of the new Moon, the Paſſeover, the Feaſt of unleavened bread, Pentecoſt, the Feaſt of Tabernacles, the Dedication day: which be all ſhewed largely in the Old Teſtament.

The uſe of dedicating Churches,Dedicating of Churches. is of great antiquity: for Moſes did ſanctifie the Tabernacle; and Solomon conſecrated the Temple that he builded at Jeruſalem. And Eſdras after, when they returned from the Captivity of Babylon, hallowed the Temple new again. Of them we receive our Rite of hallowing of Churches, albeit we have more ceremonies then they had.

Fire was kept continually on the Altar by the Prieſts; for without it and ſalt, could no ſacrifice be duly made, or ordinarily offered; and we in our Maſſes have ever a Taper of Wax burning. And the Emperours of Rome had Fire born before them, and the Veſtals had ever perpetual Fire in the Temple where they ſerved Vesta.

The ſpirits of the ayr, that gave doubtfull anſwers to them that enquired any queſtion of them,Oracles ceaſed at Chriſt's coming. were at the coming of Chriſt all deſtroyed. For when he was carried into Egypt, which is a Country full of ſuperſtition and Idolatry, all the Idols of that Region were overthrown, and fell to the ground at his coming thither. And in the time of Adrian the Emperour, both the wicked ſacrifices were aboliſhed, and alſo the Oracles of Apollo at Delphos, Jupiter-Hammon in Egypt, with like vanities were ſubverted by the power of God through his Son Jeſus Chriſt.

Holy Water was ordained by Alexander the firſt, to be conſecrated to drive away Spirits, and was commanded, that it ſhould be kept as well in Churches, as in private houſes for the ſame uſe: whereof are grown among the common people many ſuperſtitious errours, contrary to the Word of God.

CHAP. VII. Who ordayned Praying. Why we look Eastward, Miniſtring the Sacrament of the Altar.

FOraſmuch as we are created of God, after his own Image, for the intent to honour and ſerve him, and ſo finally to enjoy the eternal inheritance of Heaven, which we muſt attain to by Prayer, acknowledging our own infirmities, and referring us to the mercy of our moſt loving Father. It ſhall therefore be convenient to declare the inſtitution of Prayer.

Prayer therefore was from the beginning,Prayer was at the beginning. as Abel prayed, Noah, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, with other Patriarks, prayed to God in all their doubtfull affairs, and gave thanks for the good atchieving of them. Moſes and Aaron, with other, as Anna the wife of Helcanah ſhewed us an example of Prayer.Chriſt preſcribed a Prayer. But Chriſt is the firſt that did ſhew us any ſpecial form of Prayer, as appeareth in the Goſpell of Matthew. Afterwards when men began to count their Prayers, as though God were in our debt for often begging of him, there were deviſed by one Petrus Heremita a Frenchman of the City of Amiens, Bedes, to ſay Lady Pſalters on, the year of our Lord 1090. The ſame Petrus was occaſion that Pope Urbane ſtirred the Chriſtians to make a Voyage into Aſia, at which time Jeruſalem was recovered.

The manner of turning our faces into the Eaſt, when we pray, is taken of the old Heathens, which as Apuleius remembreth, uſed to look Eaſtward, and ſalute the Sun: we take it in a cuſtome to put us in remembrance that Chriſt is the Son of Righteouſneſſe, that diſcloſeth all ſecrets. But that was not lawfull for the Hebrews, as may ſeem to us by the ſetting of the Tabernacle, and they muſt ever look toward the Temple as the ſtory of Daniel declareth. Moſes when he had received the ten Commandements, aſſembling the people together, ſhewed them the will of God, and that was the firſt Sermon or Preaching: and the Prophets had without doubt open collations: And afterward John Baptiſt in the Wilderneſſe of Jury Preached, and ſo did Chriſt himſelf, and gave Authority to the Apoſtles and Diſciples by ſpecial Commandement to do the ſame.

The bleſſed Sacrament of the Altar was inſtituted by our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt,The inſtitution of the Sacrament. a little before his Paſſion in Jeruſalem at his Supper, when he had ended the Paſchal lamb, in this wiſe: He took bread, and after he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his Diſciples, ſaying, Take and eat, This is my body that ſhall be given for you; So taking the Cup, he gave thanks likewiſe, and delivered it to them, Saying, Drink ye all of this Cup, for this is my bloud of the New Testament, which is ſhed for the remiſſion of ſins. Thus under the form of bread and Wine, he gave to them particularly his body and bloud ſanctified in and by the Word. And gave commandement that like Sacrifice ſhould be made in remembrance of him.

Alexander the Biſhop of Rome did ordain that this oblation ſhould be made of ſweet bread,Alexander decreed that the Sacrament ſhould be conſecrated of ſweet bread. where before it was Leavened bread. And he commanded that water ſhould be mixt with Wine in the Cup.

CHAP. VIII. Who Sacrificed firſt after Chriſts Tradition, and increaſed the parts of the Maſſe.

EVerything at the firſt in the Miniſtery of the Lords Supper,The old Rite of conſecrating. was plain, ſincere, and without any mixture of Ceremonies, containing more vertue then Solemnity. For it is manifeſt that Peter, which either firſt of all, or elſe with the reſt of the Apoſtles, did conſecrate often times after the Rite that he had received of Chriſt, and by and by, after the Conſecration joyned to the Lords Prayer or Pater Noſter: And I ſuppoſe it was not much differing from the Maſſe that is uſed in the Church on Good Friday. Coeleſtinus ordained the prayers that the Prieſt ſaith when he reveſteth himſelf to Maſſe, or at putting on his cloaths that beginneth Judica me Deus, &c. Albeit it ſeemeth by the words of Chryſoſtome in the 11th Homily on Matthew that it was taken of the Churches of Greece and Aſia, which uſed to ſing Pſalms while the people aſſembled together. Damaſus inſtituted the confeſſion at the beginning of Maſſe, and ſome refer it to Pontianus. Kyrie eleeſon was frequented in Greece firſt, and Gregorius cauſed it to be ſaid nine times in the Latine Church. Gloria in excelſis is aſcribed of ſome to Teleſphorus, of ſome to Hilarius, of ſome to Symmachus; and the Councel of Toletane thinketh that the Doctors of the Church made it. Collect Gelaſius and Gregory gather'd. And the Grail was appointed by them alſo. Alleluya was tranſlated from Jeruſalem to the Latine Church in the time of Damaſus. The Tract, Durandus ſaith was deviſed by Teleſphorus, and Sequences were invented firſt by one Nothgerus an Abbot. The Epiſtles and Goſpel were (as Hierom writeth) uſed in the Eaſt Churches of very ancient time,S. Hierome did devide the Epiſtles and Goſpels wherefore I ſuppoſe we had the manner to read the Epiſtle and Goſpell of thoſe Churches; Yet ſome ſay Teleſphorus ordained them, and ſome ſuppoſe that Jerome at the requeſt of Damaſus did devide them, as we read them now at this day. Anastaſius commanded that we ſhould ſtand at the Goſpel in token that men ſhould be in a readineſs to defend the doctrine of the Goſpel. The firſt part of the Creed Marcus ordained to be read, after it was made by the Councel of Nicene; and the ſecond part, Et Spiritum ſanctum, that the Counſel of Conſtantinople compoſed Damaſus cauſed to be read in the Church. Eutichianus inſtituted the Offertory to be ſung whilſt the people offered ſuch things as went to the relief and comfort of the poor: The Offertory remaineth, but the poor are forgotten; as though they had no part in Chriſt, and were vile abjects of the World.

Gelaſius made the Prefaces, howbeit in the beginning they uſed but one Preface. And Secius added the Sanctus out of the Prophet Eſay. Waſhing of the hands. Waſhing of hands began either of the old Teſtament, where they did nothing with unwaſhed hands, or elſe of the Gentiles, which before their Sacrifices uſed to waſh their hands; as Heſiodus witneſſeth.

Burning of Incenſe, that was occupied in the old Teſtament by Aaron and of the Panims in their ſuperſtitious Rites, Leo the third ordained to be had in the Latine Church. The Privity of the Maſſe called the Canon was made by divers perſons, as Gelaſius made Te igitur. S • titius added Communicantes, and Alexander the firſt, that was long before them, made Qui pridie, and that was the beginning of the Canon before that time. For Alexander was 340 years and more before Gelaſius. Hanc igitur, Leo joyned; and Gregory annexed three petitions in the ſame, Dies que nostros, and ſo forth. Innocencius the firſt inſtituted, that Prieſts in the upper part of the Church, called the Chancel or Quire, ſhould kiſſe one another, and that Pax ſhould be born to the people. Bleſſing with hands and Chalices,Bleſſing with Chalices. came out of the Hebrews Ceremonies: For Aaron after he had ſacrificed, bleſſed the people. And Chriſt at his Aſcention bleſſed his Diſciples. Sergius ordain • d the Agnus dei, ſeven hundred years after Chriſt, to be ſung of the Clergy at the time of the Communion. The often turning of the Prieſt to the Altar, when he ſaith Dominus Vobiſcum or Orates fraires, came of the Hebrews rites; where, in ſacrifice time, the Prieſt turneth him to caſt the bloud of the Sacrifice on the people, and the Heathens uſed the ſame faſhion in their ſuperſtitions, and therefore doubtleſſe we had thoſe Ceremonies of them.

CHAP. IX. Why we ſay, Ite miſſa eſt, Whereof the word Maſſe and ceremony came; The firſt manner of taking the Sacrament.

WHen Maſſe is ended, the Deacon turning to the people, ſaith, Ite, miſſa eſt; which words are borrowed of the rites of the Pagans; and ſignifieth, that then the company may be diſmiſſed. It was uſed in the ſacrifices of Iſis. that when the obſervances were duly and fully performed and accompliſhed, then a Miniſter of the Religion ſhould give warning or a watch-word, what time they might lawfully depart: And of this ſprung our cuſtome of Singing, Ite, miſſa eſt, for a certain ſignification, that the full ſervice was finiſhed.

Maſſe, is an Hebrew word, (as R •• cline ſaith) and ſignifieth an oblation or ſacrifice, with all circumſtances concerning the ſame.

The Romans called all ſuch ſervice, as appertained to their gods, in one general name, Ceremonies, Ceremonies. becauſe a certain people named Cerites, received the reliques and other obſervances of the Romans Religions devoutly, and preſerved them; for when the Frenchmen by the valiantneſs of their Captain, Brennus (that was a Brittain of this Land) had won the City, for that benefit all the rites of their gods univerſally were named Ceremonies.

Alexander inhibited Prieſts, that they ſhould not ſacrifice but once in a day; and Teleſphorus permitted them to ſay three Maſſes on Chriſtmaſs day: Firſt, at mid-night, what time Chriſt was born: the ſecond, in the morning, when ſhepherds viſited him: The third, at further of the day, where afore-time it was not lawfull to celebrate before the third hour of the day.

Felix the firſt decreed,Maſſe muſt be ſaid in places conſecrated. That no Maſs might be ſaid but in places conſecrated, ſaving in the time of neceſſity, and that none but Prieſts admitted ſhould intermeddle with the myſteries of conſecration, becauſe that authority was onely given to the Apoſtles at the beginning, by whom Prieſts be meant and underſtood.

Anacletus ordained. That no Maſſe ſhould be done, but in the preſence of two at the leaſt, leſt the Prieſt ſhould ſay in vain to the walls, Dominus Vobiſcum, when none were preſent; and therefore they do evill,Corner-Maſſes be forbidden. that conſecrate in corners alone. Albeit, Gratianus referreth that to Soterus, which perchance did renew that conſtitution.

The Sacrament was uſed of our predeceſſours in the Primitive Church every day,Daily Communion. as Luke witneſſeth in the Acts of the Apostles; and Anacletus cauſed it to be renewed by a Decree, upon pain of Excommunication. And Victor denounced,Vncharitable perſons were interdicted from ſervice. That thoſe ſhould be interdicted from all ſervices, that (when they ſhould receive the Sacrament) would no • be reconciled to their Neighbours of all grudges, hatreds, and diſpleaſures.

Zepherinus, an hundred years after Anacletus, commanded, That all that profeſſed Chriſt, or bare the name of Chriſtians, being of the age of 12 or 14 years, ſhould at the leaſt once in the year, at E • ſter, receive the bleſſed Sacrament. Fabianus decreed, that they ſhould receive it three times in the year.

Innocentius the third decreed,Keeping the Sacrament ment in Churches. That the Sacrament ſhould be kept in the Churches, to the intent to be in a readineſſe at all times, leſt they that were ſick, ſhould want the ſpiritual comfort in that troubleſome time of death; and Honorius the third confirmed the ſame.

CHAP. I. Auricular Confeſſion.

ALbeit Man,We be reconciled by Christ. redeemed with the precious bloud of Jeſus Chriſt is fully reconciled to GOD, and all the heavineſſe of his diſpleaſure be appeaſed: yet the poyſoned nature of man is ſuch, the occaſions of ſin be ſo many and ſo great, that in this ſlippery way of worldly life, we muſt needs (our infirmity enforcing us thereto) fall into the ſnares of the Devil and ſin.Repentance, a remedy of ſin. But God, as he is all mercy, willing the death of no ſinner, but that he convert and live, hath left us the comfortable ſalve of repentance, as a preſent remedy againſt all ſuch incurſions of our enemy, of fragility of body, whereby we may with a good hope call to our Heavenly Father for the forgiveneſſe of our offences and treſpaſſes. For (as the Prophet Ezekiel recordeth) What hour ſoever the ſinner doth lament, and is repentant for his ſins, God (for his Son Jeſus ſake) will no longer bear them in remembrance. Therefore whoſoever with concupiſcence vanquiſhed,Deſperation is forbidden. or by luſt inforc • d, by errour deceived, or by force conſtrained, doth fall to any kind of injuſtice, let him not deſpair in his own conſcience, or miſtruſt the bottomleſſe mercy of God; but with good courage repair to this medicine, repentance and contrition of heart: Conſequently it ſhould be the Penitent's office and duty, after ſuch heavineſs taken, as it were by a vomit, to ſpue out of his conſcience all ſuch unwholſome things as might remain ſtill, engender deſperation, or imbezell his hope in the promiſes of God. For this cauſe, Confeſſion, named Auricular, that is made to the Prieſt, was at the beginning inſtituted; that men might therein open their hearts to their Curates, and receive at their hands the oyl of the Goſpel of Chriſt, to ſupple their raw and young ſores. It was the inſtitution of Innocentius the third, Innocentius did ordain Confeſſion to the Prieſt. that ſo many as were by age ſubject, or in danger to commit ſin, ſhould at the leaſt once in the year be confeſſed to their Curates, to whom it concerneth to know the behaviour of his Pariſhioners, for as much as he muſt render a ſtraight account of his cure. And therefore it is evill in mine opinion, to have theſe common Penitentiaries, which be the occaſion, that Curates give not their counſel where need is, and men thereby be more bold to ſin, ſeeing they ſhall not be rebuked by ſuch common Confeſſors, but for their money have ready abſolution, with ſmall exhortation, to amend their ſinfulneſs. This Confeſſion is proved in the Text of S. James, where he ſaith, Confeſſe your ſins one to another, and one pray for another. And alſo in the 20 Chapter of John, where Chriſt ſaith, Receive the Holy Ghost: Whoſe ſins ſoever you remit, they are forgiven them; and whoſe ſins ſoever you retain, they are retained.

CHAP. II. Mattins, ſinging of Pſalms by courſe; Legends of Saints.

MAttins with Prime and Hours, were appointed firſt by Hierome, for one Euſebius of Cremona, and divers others, that lived with him, to ſing in the Churches. And the Fathers and old Governours of Congregations, received them following the Verſe of David in the 119 Pſalm. Seven times in the day have I given and ſung praiſe to thee. Cyprian writeth that the prime and other hours took their original of Daniel. Which after the cuſtome of his Countrey, thrice in the day, Morning, Noon, and Evening, on his knees uſed to pray. It was alſo the Rite of the Heathen, to have morning Prayers,Apuleius de a ſimo an reo libro. 11. for Apuleius ſaith, that they ſung ſalutations of the new light, and ſhewed that it was prime of the day: where he meaneth by ſalutation, the morning ſongs that we call Mattins, and there declareth how the hours of the day were ſorted, and devided for Sacrifices and Prayers. Pelagius the ſecond was the firſt that commanded Prieſts to ſay them dayly,Pelagius charged Prieſts to ſay Mattins daily. that like as the juſt man falleth ſeven times o • the day, ſo by inſtant and continuall prayer, he might as often riſe and amend.

Vrbanus the ſecond, ordained the Lady Mattins to be ſaid daily, and confirmed them in the Councel, which he had at Mounte Clare in France.

The diviſion o • Davids Pſalter into ſeven parts called Nocturns, according to the ſeven dayes in the week, was the Work of Hierome, at the requeſt of Damaſus Biſhop of Rome, which alſo gave Commandement that it ſhould be read al • o in the Churches, and added Gloria Patri to the end of every Pſalm.

Damaſus alſo inſtituted that the Pſalms ſhould be ſung and ſaid by courſe,Singing of Pſalms by courſe. Though ſome ſay Ignatius did deviſe that before his time, which thing was learned of David or Aſaph: for in the old Synagogue, they uſed to ſing their Pſalms after that ſort, but our ſinging 〈◊〉 far from their manner. For our ſingers cry out ſo loud, that we hear nothing ſa • e a noiſe, and thoſe that be preſent, cannot be edified with the word. It were great furtherance to Religion, If thoſe ſingers were either baniſhed out of the Temples, or elſe their ſinging were more moderated,Our common ſingers rebuked. that the words might be underſtood, to the edifying of the Laity, which is ſore blinded with ſinging and ſound of Inſtruments, that be not fit to edify, but to delight the Ears. This modeſt ſinging was uſed by the holy Athanaſius Biſhop of Alexandria, through all his Province and Dioceſs, as Auſtin witneſſeth. Damaſus commanded that the common Creed ſhould be ſaid every hour. Vitalianus invented the decent tunes, wherein the Hymns be ſung and joyned the Organs to them. Legends of Saints, were made the year of our Lord 800 by Paulus Diaconus and Iſuardus a Monk, at the deſire of Charls the Great. And for as much as the Perſecutions were ſo great, that in the time of Diocleſian the Emperour, there died 17000 Chriſtians, within 30 dayes ſpace, they could not particularly write all their lives, but made certain general Legends of Martyrs, Confeſſours, Virgins, which we now call the Common; and the Fathers commanded thoſe to be read in the Church on • uch sSaints dayes. Afterward many thinking that they ſhould be heard; rather for their much babling ſake,Uſes in the ſervice. deviſed ſundry manners of praying, and divers uſes: as Bennet's Monks had one uſe; Bernard's another, and Dominicks brethren had one order by themſelves, and every Provincial Biſhop, made a ſeveral Uſe in his Dioceſs; and all were confirmed by the Biſhops of Rome.

CHAP. III. The beginning of • aſting, Alms, Advent, Lent, Embring dayes.

FAſting and Alms-deeds be (as St. Auguſtine ſaith) the two wings of prayer, wherewith it is made ſtronger, and lighter to fly into the preſence of God, and be more accep • able in his ſight. Faſting hath been uſed from the beginning of the World, when the Fruit of the Tree of knowing good and evil, was forbidden to our firſt Parents in Paradiſe, becauſe by ſuch abſtinence they might obtain and enjoy everlaſting felicity.

Alms, in like manner, ſprung of the infirmity and needineſs of the nature of men: for as they felt hunger, cold, nakedneſs, and ſuch other calamiries, as be in our mortal life, they were conſtrained to deſire ayd and ſuccour of other men, as of alms. Albeit Moſes was the firſt that ever preſcribed any law of giving alms, as appeareth in the book of Deuteronomy. Charitable alms muſt be ſo freely given, that we exempt none from the uſe and part-taking of it; and, as the Scripture ſaith, without reſpect of perſons.

As for Faſting,Fleſh was not eaten before Noah. of that original proceeded further, for the uſe of Fleſh and Wine, from Adam, till the time of Noah was unknown. And Moſes forbare meat fourty dayes; and Elias did likewiſe: Our Saviour Chriſt faſted the ſame ſpace.Example of Fasting. And God pardoned the Ninivites of their crimes, becauſe they faſted with repentance.

The Jews alſo in their law, ſo oft as they either asked any benefit of God, or would pacifie his wrath, or render thanks for his benefits, or kept any ſolemn Feaſts, uſed commonly to faſt. And certainly he keepeth not the true faſt, which forbeareth fleſh, or foregoeth his Supper, but he that diminiſheth his affections, abateth his anger, aſſwageth his Pride, moderateth his deſires, mortifieth his luſts, ſuffereth patiently all adverſities; that man is the true faſter. Albeit the other is a coadjutor to that thing, and helpeth much that purpoſe.

Therefore, to the intent we might reclaim ſuch corruptions, of our old Adam.

The Apoſtles did ordain the Faſt of Lent, as Hierome in an Epiſtle to Mercella doth plainly declare.

Wherefore they that refer it to Teleſphorus, Teleſphorus did appoint it before Eaſter. be deceived, for he did not inſtitute it firſt, but appointed that it ſhould be kept before Eaſter. And added another Week to it, which we call Quinquageſima.

This week he commanded Prieſts to faſt more then the Laity, becauſe that they, which ought to be Holier then the reſt, ſhould in this ordinary Faſt, ſhew more abſtinence then other.

The Apoſtles alſo inſtituted that there ſhould be a ſolemn Faſt for three Weeks before the Nativity of our Lord, named Chriſtmas: which conſtitution was a while kept univerſally, but afterwards it was reſigned to the Monks and Religious perſons.

Caliſtus, or as ſome think, Vrbanus, did begin the Embring dayes quarterly, for the preſervation and amplification of fruits, ordained for the ſuſtenance of men and beaſts. Albeit, I rather take it to be an imitation of the old Roman feaſts, which thrice in the year had ſacrifices for the proſperous ſucceſſe of their Corn. One Vinalia, for their Wines. The other Robigalia, for all their grain, leſt it ſhould be mildewed. The third Floralia, for all their fruits.

Theſe vain ſuperſtitions the old Biſhops of Rome turned to a Godly uſe,Superſtition turned into Religion. and tranſported their Feaſting into Faſting, that they might the rather, at the contemplation of our Prayers and Faſting, God might proſper the increaſe of all fruits to the ſuſtentation of his Creatures.

CHAP. IV. ☞ Watches were turned into Faſts; Faſting on Fridayes and Wedneſdayes; naming the dayes of the Week in ſundry wiſe.

IT was the manner, from the beginning of our Chriſtian Faith, that foraſmuch as our Saviour was born in in the night, Prieſts did riſe in the night ſeaſon, and ſung the hours Canonicall, otherwiſe named the Mattins: and the Lay people was accuſtomed on thoſe Saints Eves, that were any ſolemn Feaſts, to watch at the Tombs of Martyrs, Praying, and ſinging holy Pſalms. Which thing the Teſtimony of Pliny doth approve, where he writeth in an Epiſtle to Trajane, how much number of people was ſlain, in whom he could never eſpy any fault, ſaving that before day, at certain times and Feaſts; they aroſe and ſung the commendation of Chriſt whom they called God. But as time is the corrup • er of all worldly things, So devotion began to abate, and inſtead of Hymns, they ſung diſſolute ballads, and prayer was turned into wanton dalliance. The youth went about light amorous company, the eldeſt perſons practiſed baudry, women were not aſhamed to give themſelves to be corrupted, in all kind of whoredome. Upon this occaſion the old fathers fearing leſt it ſhould grow to a further inconvenience, turned the Vigils into Faſting dayes.

Notwithſtanding, the Prieſts uſed their ordinary times of Service, as they were wont to do, and ſuch Feaſts were called by the name of Vigills, and obſerved with no leſſe reverence then the Faſt of Lent. This remedy was provided after St. Hieromes time, which dyed the year of our Lord 422, when Bonifacius the ſecond was Biſhop of the See of Rome.

The like cuſtome was alſo obſerved among the Aegyptians, Egyptians Rite in Watches. which on the Evens of their high feaſts faſted, and after they had ſlept,Night Sacrifices are aboliſhed. they offered a Cow. all ſuch night Sacrifices, and obſervances for like cauſes, were by a perpetuall Law in Greece abrogated,Diagundas. by Diagundas a Thebane. The Faſt of Wedneſday and Friday, was commanded by the Fathers becauſe on the one day Chriſt was Crucified, and on the Wedneſday, Judas purpoſed in his mind to bewray him, as Apollonius the Eloquent Oratour ſuppoſed. Silveſter the firſt, Biſhop of Rome, abhorring the memorial of the vain Gentile gods, decreed that the dayes of the Week, which had before the names and Titles of the Sun,Dayes were turned into Feries. Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, ſhould be called the firſt, ſecond, third, fourth, fifth, ſixth, and Seventh Ferie: as the Jews counted their dayes from the Sabbath day. He did alſo call the firſt Ferie, Dominicus Dies, that we name Sunday, and called Saturday Sabbatum of the old holy day, and reſt of the Hebrews: all theſe things were done at the Suit of Constantine then Emperour. Albeit, the Apostles before that time, had conſecrated the Sunday to the Lord, becauſe that day he roſe from death, and the Jews Sabbath was turned into it, as may appear by the decree of Pius, that ordained the Eaſter to be kept on the Sunday:Easter is appointed on the Sunday. and therefore I think Silveſter did but onely renew the ſame Act of the Sunday. It was the invention of the Egyptians, that the dayes were firſt named after the 7 Planets, as Diodorus recordeth. Saint Gregory was the Author, that neither fleſh, nor any thing that hath affinity with it,White meats is forbidded on Faſting dayes. as Cheeſe, Milk, Butter, Eggs, ſhould be eaten on ſuch dayes as were faſted. We have alſo a manner and uſage of hallowing the Table and meat, before we be ſet, that began of the imitation of Chriſt, which uſed the ſame faſhion over the five loaves in the Wilderneſſe, and at Emaus alſo, he did likewiſe conſecrate the Table, in the preſence of his Diſciples: ſo was the form of ſaying Grace after Supper, taken likewiſe of the cuſtome that Chriſt commonly kept at his Suppers.

The manner to read a part of the Bible at dinner time, hath been of long continuance, and did proceed of the Godly doctrine, that Chriſt inſtructed his Diſciples in, at all times, but namely at his laſt Supper, wherein he treated of the perfection of all the Myſteries of our Religion. And thus our fathers, to keep in memory ſuch an wholeſome inſtitution, did bring in this manner of reading the Scripture at meat or mealtime.

CHAP. V. The original of holy-dayes, Paſchal Candles, Birth-dayes.

LIke as the Jews had in their Law, (which was but onely a ſhadow of things to come) holy-dayes appointed for the execution of the myſteries of their Religion, whom they in one general term, named Sabbath-dayes,Sabbath-dayes of the Jews. of the reſt and vacation that they had from bodily labours: ſemblably our fathers have ordained Feaſtival dayes,Holy-dayes. in the N • w Teſtament, wherein Chriſtian men (all prophane buſineſſes, and evil matters laid apart) might whol'y apply themſelves to godly and ſpiritual meditations. As the peruſing and reading of Scriptures,Works due for the holy dayes. hearing of devout Sermons, rendring honour to God by ſacrificing, praying, and well doing, be works fit and convenient for the holy-day, and alſo reverencing the memorial of Saints on ſuch dayes as be aſſigned to that purpoſe, is on the holy day laudable. For Oblation is onely due to God; as Paul and Barnabas did openly teſtifie at Liſtra. For when he had commanded, by the power of the Word of God, that the man, which was lame from his Mothers womb, ſhould ariſe and walk; the people for wonder and marvail of the Miracle, would have done ſacrifice to them; but they renting their cloathes, departed out of the preſs, and with ſharp words rebuked their enterpriſe, as a thing unmeet to be done to any mortal man, or worldly creature.

Firſt of all, Eaſter is inſtituted by the Apoſtles the Feaſt of Eaſter was inſtituted by the Apoſtles, and preſcribed by Pius the Firſt, to be ſolemnized on the Sunday. Afterward Victor that was Biſhop of Rome, (about the 196th year of our Lord) decreed, That it ſhould be kept,Eaſtet is to be kept in March: and celebrated on the Sunday, from the fourteenth day of the firſt moneth, that was March; untill the 22 of the ſame, leſt our order and account, ſhould agree with the Jews, which kept it ſomewhat ſooner then that appointment ſpeaketh of: albeit many forraign Biſhops at the firſt, refuſed that Conſtitution, becauſe they thought it not amiſs to keep that Feaſt after the preſident of Saint John the Apoſtle, S. John kept the Jewes Eaſter. who renewed the Rite of the Jews, in the Feaſt of Eaſter.

The cuſtome of hallowing Paſchall Candles on Eaſter Eve, was commanded by Zozinus, to be frequented in every Church.

The manner of keeping holy the birth-day of every man, was much uſed in Rome; albeit the Perſians had that uſage before them. For there it is the faſhion, that every man after his ability, ſhould with obſervance of dainty feaſts, worſhip the day of their birth; and of them the Romans received that ſuperſtition.

CHAP. VI. Of the Inſtitution of Holy-dayes, and Canonizing.

AS you have heard that Saint John the Apoſtle did celebrate the Feaſt of Eaſter,Eaſter. even ſo the other Apoſtles (as it is ſaid) were authours not onely of the ſame Eaſter-Feaſt; but alſo ordained, That thoſe dayes wherein our Saviour had done any myſtery, concerning our ſalvation or information, ſhould be kept holy: and to the intent they might be more reverenced of their poſterity, they themſelves kept them, during their lives, very devoutly: as the Sundayes, Advent,Feaſts inſtituted by the Apoſtles. the Nativity, Circumciſion, and Epiphany of our Lord, the Purification of our Lady called Candlemas, Lent, Palm-Sunday, Maunday-Thurſday, when Chriſt, after Supper, waſhed his Diſciples Feet; Good-Friday, Eaſter, the Aſcenſion, and Whitſunday, the Feaſt of Pentecoſt was before uſed of the Hebrews: For fifty dayes after that the Lamb was ſacrificed in Egypt, the Law written by the hands of God, was given by Moſes in the Mount Oreb, in the wilderneſs of Sinai. And 50 dayes after the death of Chriſt, who like a Lamb was offered of the Jews for our Paſchal, the Apoſtles received the law of the Spirit. The Feaſt of transfiguration came alſo of the Jews: for like as Moſes his face was tranſpoſed into a perfect brightneſs, after he had communed with God in the Mount; ſo now after the ſhadow and vail were taken away by Chriſt his coming, it pleaſed God to ſhew to his diſciples his transfiguration, as a declaration of the ſhadow paſt, and a figure or ſignification of the Immortality to come. In conſideration whereof, the holy fathers perceiving the uſe of ſuch holy-dayes, confirmed and ratified them by a Decree made in the Council had at Lions in France; and furthermore commanded, that ſuch dayes, as either the holy Saints departed this life, or elſe wrought any miracle, or did any notable deed to the encreaſe of our Re • igion, ſhould be kept holy, becauſe Chriſtians might have more opportunity to hear the Word of God, and more devoutly ſerve him in an uniform order.

Then were inſtituted the Feaſts of Saint Stephen, Feasts inſtituted at the Council of Lions. Innocents, Sylveſter, John, Baptiſt, the Apoſtles dayes. Converſion of Paul, our Lady-dayes. Laurence, Michael, Martine, and generally of Al Saints, which was the conſtitution of Bonifacius the fourth. For he cauſed that the Temple which Marcus Agrippae did edifie in honour of all the Romans Idols, as the name Pantheon doth pretend, was by the licenſe of Phocas, then Emperour, turned into the Church of All-hallows, and conſecrated the 12th day of May; and Gregory the fourth afterward willed it to be kept the firſt day of November.

The Feaſts of the Invention and Exaltation of the Croſs, and Corpus Chriſti day, were dedicated by Urban the fourth, and pronounced for holy-dayes. Sylveſter at the ſuit and inſtance of the Emperour Conſtantine, aſſigned the day of ad vincula Sancti Petri, called commonly Lammas, in memorial of Peter's pains, perſecution, and puniſhment that he ſuffered for Religion. Felix the firſt, to magnifie the glorious commendation of Martyrs, made a Statute, that a yearly oblation ſhould be had in memorial of them: and Gregory would, that Maſſe ſhould be ſaid over their bodies; which thing, Vigilantius thought worthy to be rejected and refuſed; albeit the report goeth, that Anacletus was, of this conſtitution, the firſt Authour. The ſame Felix inſtituted firſt, That the day whereon any Temple was dedicated, ſhould be hallowed of that Village or Town;Reconciliation of Churches. and made alſo a law, That ſuch Churches as men doubted of, whether they were conſecrated or no, ſhould be hallowed again. And Felix the fourth did ordain, That Biſhops onely ſhould dedicate them, and that the ſame dedicated day ſhould be kept holy yearly afterward.

The faſhion to deify men that had done any benefits to the Commonwealth, is one of the moſt ancient uſages, that I read of. For antiquity even from the beginning was accuſtomed to make gods of their Kings; which either by abundance of benefits, or notable qualities, and proweſs, had won the hearts of their Commons. And ſpecially the Romans did that with great pomp and many obſervances, as I did declare before in the third book out of Herodian. Of them our Biſhops learned, as by a pattern, their rite of canonizing Saints: and the yearly ſacrifices, that Gregory and Felix appointed, concerned nothing elſe but to declare, that thoſe Martyrs were Saints, and of the houſhold of God.The Pope muſt hallow Saints. Laſt of all, Alexander the third ordained, That no ſuch divine ſolemnity ſhould be given to any man openly, without he were canonized, and admitted to be a Saint by the Biſhop of Rome his Bull, becauſe no man ſhould chooſe himſelf any private Saint, or commit any peculiar Idolatry.

CHAP. VII. Institution of years, dayes, or Obites, and the manner of mourning.

FUneral exequies that be done over dead bodies, were the inſtitution of Pelagius, Albeit, Iſidorus aſcribeth the original of it to the Apoſtles, and he himſelf did augment the Rites, that we uſe in this time. Ambroſe ſuppoſeth that it proceeded of the cuſtome of the Hebrews, which lamented Jacob fourty dayes, and Moſes the ſpace of thirty dayes, for that time is ſufficient for the wiſe to weep in. It was alſo the uſage of antient Romanes to mourn. For Numa Pompilius aſſigned Oblations to the infernal gods for the dead, and did inhibite that a child under the age of three years ſhould be bewailed, and that the elder ſort ſhould be mourned no more Moneths then he had lived years. But commonly the longeſt time of a Widows mourning was but ten Months,Ten Months was the common time of Wedding. and if any were married within the ſpace again, it was counted a great reproach: wherefore Numa ordained that ſuch as had mourned up before the day limitted, ſhould offer a Cow that was great with Calf for an expiation.Expiation of haſty Marriages. Nevertheleſſe if that rite were uſed now a dayes, and namely in England, we ſhould have ſmall ſtore of Veals, there be ſo many that marry within the time preſcribed. Plutarch writeth that the Women in their mourning layed a part all Purple, Gold, and ſumptuous apparel, and were cloathed both they and their Kinsfolk in white apparel, like as then the dead body was wrapped in white cloths.

The white colour was thought fitteſt for the dead, becauſe it is clear, pure and ſincere, and leaſt defiled, and when the time of their weeping was expired, they put on their other veſtures. Of this Ceremony, (as I take it,) the French Queens took occaſion,French Queens in their Widdow-hood wear white cloathing. after the death of their Husbands the Kings to wear onely white cloathing, and if there be any ſuch Widdow, ſhe is commonly called the white Queen. The Jews ended their mourning after thirty days, and Engliſhmen keep the ſame Rite. Their mourning garments for the moſt part be altogether of black colour, and they uſe to wear them a whole year continually unleſſe it be becauſe of a generall Triumph or rejoycing, or new Magiſtrate chooſing, or elſe when they be towards Marriage.Mourning is ſuperſtition and Hypooriſy. But the cuſtome of mourning is no other thing then meer ſuperſtition, ſpecially if women or men have a louring look, and a laughing heart. For all ſuch lamentation helpeth nothing the dead Corps or Soul of the deceaſed, and diſquieteth ſore the living.

The manner of waſhing dead bodies and ſpecially of Noble men, and anointing them, was received of our Anceſtry which uſed to waſh the bodies of the dead, and it was the office of them that were neareſt of his Kinred, to do it.

Soul-Maſſe day, that is the ſecond day of November, was begun by Odilo that was Provoſt or Provinciall of the Monks of Cluniacenſes order, upon the occaſion that he heard about Aetna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great weeping, lamentation, and crying: which he ſuppoſed to be the yelling of evill ſpirits, that bewailed becauſe the Souls of dead men were taken from them by the petitions, and ſacrifices of well diſpoſed Chriſtians, therefore he perſwaded his covent in the time of John Biſhop of Rome, to make a general obite of all Souls the day next after the Feaſt of all Saints. About the year of on • Lord 1002, our fathers received it as a godly inſtitution full of pitiful charity: and thus by proceſſe of this Monks ſuppoſition, ſprung much vain ſuperſtition.

CHAP. VIII. Of the ſeventh day, thirtieth day, old manner of burial, hallowing Chalices, Prieſts, Garments, with other things.

HOratius the Poet, and Servius, write, that the Romans uſed c • ſtomably the ninth day after the burial, to renew the ſacrifices and ſolemn rites of the funeral, which they named in Latine, Novem-diales: of this, we in our Religion have gathered the faſhion of keeping the ſeventh day with Exſequies, and other ordinary oblations. And in England the cuſtome is to keep the 30th day or moneth-end with like Obites, as were done on the burial dayes. Or elſe it might ſeem, that this keeping of the ſeventh day,Marriage vows renew • d. was brought up after the ſame ſort among us; as in marriages they uſed in old time to renew their vo • s the 7th day. For like as that day was the ſolemn beginning of encreaſing the iſſue of mankind; ſo the ſame day of burial is or ſhould be the compleat finiſhing and end of every thing.Buriall is an end of all things. The Maſſilians in France paſſed and ſpent the dayes of their burials, with private oblations, and feaſting of their kinsfolk, without any manner of lamentation or ſorrow, which thing the Engliſh-men at this day uſe commonly to do. In burials the old rite was, that the dead corpſe was born before, and the people followed after, as one ſhould ſay, We ſhall dye, and follow after him, as their laſt words to the Coarſe did pretend. For they uſed to ſay, when it was buried, on this wiſe, Farewell, we come after thee: and of the following of the multitude, they were called Exſequies. Albeit they uſed at Kings, and Noblemens Funerals, to go before with Tapers; which cuſtome we keep ſtill.

Chalices,Chalices of Wood. wherein the blood of Chriſt is conſecrated, were at the firſt of wood, and that was the inſtitution of the Apoſtles, which would prevent all occaſion of avarice in Prieſts: but Zepherinus afterward commanded, that they ſhould conſecrate in a veſſel of glaſs.Chalices of Glaſſe. Notwithſtanding in proceſs, that cuſtome was broken. And Gratianus decreed, that they ſhould ſay Maſſe, and conſecrate with Chalices of ſilver or gold; or elſe if thoſe might not be gotten, in Chalices of Tinne; albeit ſome refer this to Vrban the Firſt. Sextus the Firſt commanded, that corporaces ſhould be of Linnen cloath onely, aud that of the fineſt, and pureſt: and he forbade, that any Lay-man ſhould handle the hallowed veſſels, and namely women were inhibited. The hallowing of Prieſts veſtures, and altar cloaths, with other ornaments of the Church, and the diverſity of veſtures of ſundry orders was taken out of the Hebrews Prieſthood, and uſed in our Church firſt by Stephen Biſhop of Rome, firſt of that name. For at the beginning, Prieſts in their Maſſing uſed rather inward vertues of ſoul, then outward apparrel of the body, which is • ather a glorious ſhew, then any godly edifying. Sabinianus decreed firſt, that the people ſhould be aſſembled together to hear ſervice at certain hours of the day, by ringing of bells: And John the 22 ordained, That bells ſhould be tolled every day three times in the evening,Ringing to Service. Tolling the Ave-Bell. and that then every man ſhould ſay three times the Ave-Maria.

The uſe of Bells came firſt of the Hebrews, where the high Prieſt or Biſhop had in the skirts of his uppermoſt veſtures little bells to ring, when he was in the holy place within the vail. And even the Vail, Hangings, Candleſticks, with other Veſſels that we uſe in the Church, came alſo of their Ceremonies. The banners that be hanged abroad in Eaſter time, are uſed to declare the triumph of Chriſt over death, the devill, and hell, and were taken of the Heathen, which in their Victories did bear banners to declare and ſignifie the conqueſt of their enemies.

CHAP. IX. Of Vowes, going bare-foot, Letanies, praying for them that ſneeſe, croſſing the mouth when men yawn.

WHen we be brought into any extream calamity, or dangerous adventure, that can by no mans power or proviſion be relieved, the urgent neceſſity conſtraining us, we fall to prayers, and vows-making, as when we promiſe to ſet up Candles, Images of wax, or ſilver, with other like, ſuppoſing thereby to obtain remedy of our grief. This cuſtome was borrowed of the Hebrews,Vows came of the Hebrews. which uſed to make ſuch vowes to God, and divers other Countries of the Gentiles uſed that rite to their falſe gods. In like manner, going bare-foot was taken up of the Jews faſhion: which in their ſickneſs and other misfortunes were wont to pray continually 30 dayes, forbear wine, ſhave their hair, and after go bare-foot to the Temple, and make oblation. This manner of Vow was ſo earneſtly uſed in the time of the Emperour Nero (when Florus was Preſident of Jewry) that Bernice, ſiſter to King Agrippa, went her ſelf bare-foot to the Temple of Hieruſalem, to obtain ſome gentleneſſe for her Countreymen at Florus his hands; but all in vain, for his avarice was ſo unſatiable, that no lowlineſs could pacifie it. Even ſo we in any of our afflictions, ſickneſs, or other heavineſs make vowes to God and his S • ints, and perform them, going to the place bare-foot in like manner as the Jews did. Supplications were ordained in a great Earthquake by Mamercus, Biſhop of Vienna, in the time of Leo the Firſt. Theſe be called of the Greek word, Letanies; and are commonly named Proceſſions, becauſe the people proceed forth along in array, two and two together, and go from place to place praying loud. They be called the leſs Letanies. And Agapetus, as it is reported, firſt apoointed them to be ſung every Sunday in or about the Church; although it ſeems by Tertullian's words, that they have been uſed from the beginning of the Church; and therefore it may be ſuppoſed, that Mamereus did onely renew the cuſtome. Afterward Gregory ordained the great Letanies, called ſeptiformis Letania the ſame time that much people in Rome periſhed through a great Plague of ſwelling of the privy members, which came of a corrup • ayr, that was poyſo • ed with Adders and Snakes, that were caſt out of Tyber at a marvellous high Tide.

There was another Plague, whereby many as they ſneeſed dyed ſu • denly; whereof it grew a cuſtome, that they that were preſent when any man ſneeſed, ſhould ſay, God help you.

A like deadly Plague was ſometime in yawning; wherefore men uſed to fence themſelves with the ſign of the Croſs: both which cuſtomes we retain ſtill at this day. In all other extern affairs that we go about, we uſe to ſign our ſelves with the token of the Croſſe. And this hath been the uſage from the begining of the Church.

CHAP. X. Of Images, Tythes; and who permitted the Clergy to have poſſeſſions.

AT the firſt there was no Imagery nor Pictures in the Churches, but all occaſions of Idolatry were withdrawn according to the commandment of the old Law. Notwithſtanding, it crept in among Chriſtians by little and little, and men made Images of Chriſt on the Croſſe, after the example of Moſes which ſet up brazen Serpent, and Abagarus Duke of Ediſſenians, Abagarus. a Nation beyond the River Euphrates, ſent a Painter to draw the Image of our Saviour Jeſus: but for as much as he could not behold the brightneſs of his face, Chriſt laid a napkin on his face, wherein he by his divine power printed the reſemblance of his viſage, and ſent it by the Painter to the Duke. A little napkin was given by him (as it is ſaid) to a woman, that had the bloody flux, whoſe name, new Writers ſay, was Veronica; and Luke the Evangeliſt had the Image of Mary the Virgin in a Table painted. And in the Sixth Council held at Conſtantinople by the commandment of Conſtantine, and Juſtinian the ſecond his ſon, it was decreed, That Images ſhould be received into the Churches, and worſhipped with great reverence, as a thing whereby the Laity might be inſtructed, as inſtead of Scripture, and that Incenſe might be burned, and Tapers lighted before them. This was about the year of our Lord 630; or as ſome take it, about the 703 year or our Lord, when Agatus was Biſhop of Rome. Afterward Conſtantine, Biſhop there, confirmed that Decree, and cauſed Images in the Church of Saint Peter, and pronounced Philip the Emperour an Heretick, Philip, Emperour, is proclaimed an Heretick. becauſe he had ſhaven and ſcraped away the Imagery that was in S. Sophie's Temple. Not long after, they were ratified and eſtabliſhed in the Council of Nice, where were aſſembled by the procurement of Eirene, Mother of Conſtantine the 6th, 350 Biſhops.

The great Prophet of God, Moſes, and his Succeſſour Joſhua, divided the Land of Canaan among the Iſraelites, aſſigning no part thereof to the Tribe of Levi, becauſe they were the Lord's portion, ſaving that he gave them habitations in every Tribe, and a little paſture for their Neat, Sheep, and other Cattle. Therefore, becauſe they miniſtred in the Tabernacle of the Lord, and executed ſuch ceremonies, as appertained to their Religion, he appointed for them the firſt-fruits and tenths to live on. And after this ſort began the paying of Tythes, by the Inſtitution of Moſes.

And Origen on the book of Numbers affirmeth, that this commandement is to be obſerved of us after the letter, without any allegory or myſtical interpretation. And it appeareth by Chriſt's words, that he alloweth the literal ſenſe of the old Law, where he ſaith in the Goſpel, Luke 11. Chriſt alloweth Tythes. Wo be unto you Scribes and Phariſees, ye that tythe Mint and Rue, and all manner of herbs, and paſſe over judgment and the Law of God, theſe ought to have been done, and not to leave the other undone: where you may perceive how that as he commandeth one, ſo he would not have the other omitted, that be ſignified there litterally. Eutychianus (becauſe in the Old Teſtament, the firſt fruits were offered to the Lord) ordained, that Corn ſhould be conſecrated on the Altar: as Oyl and Incenſe was burned in the Hebrews Synagogue, and that Decree remaineth ſtill in effect in ſome places. But the Prieſts vertue is ſo old, and mens devotion waxeth ſo cold, that inſtead of the firſt-fruits, now adayes the people uſe to bring, on the Sundayes, a few loaves of bread; in ſome places two or three, as they be diſpoſed, and thoſe the Prieſt conſecrateth and parteth by pieces among the people; that whereas in time paſt, they uſed to receive the Sacrament on thoſe dayes, now they eat this bread hallowed in memorial of it. And this they do after the pattern of Chriſt, which was ever wont to hallow bread, before he either eat it, or gave it to his Diſciples.

Other Nations alſo uſed to offer their firſt-fruits and Tythes,First-fruits were offered of divers Countries. as the Romans offered to Hercules, and Bacchus to Jupiter; Mars gave to Jupiter the tenth of his prey of Lydia. Urbanus, a man of godly living, and ſingular learning, about the year of our Lord 222 decreed. That it was lawful for Prieſts to receive ſuch Rents or Lands,Poſſeſſions are permitted to the Clergy. as were given them; albeit there was nothing private to any man, but common to all. And thus by little and little, the ſpirituall poſſeſſions were enlarged, and Biſhops of Rome were greatly enriched. Lucina an holy Maid of Rome, made Marcellus Biſhop there, her Heir and Executor; and afterward Conſtantine did largely endow the ſame Biſhop.

CHAP. I. The beginning of the ſolitary life of Religious Perſons.

THe matter hath been long in controverſy, who firſt began to inhabite VVilderneſſes, for ſome (as Saint Jerome witneſſeth) that have ranſacked the uttermoſt, ſay that Helias and John Baptist, were Authors of the life ſolitary: but as the one was more then a Prophet, ſo the other was above the ſtate and condition of Monks. Some aſſign the original of it to Anthony, Beginning of Religion. others refer it to one Paul a Thebane ſurnamed Heremite. But (for aſmuch as every man may ſpeak his fancy in a thing doubtfull) I think the inſtitution of this Monaſtical life to have proceeded of the Eſſees, a Religious brotherhood among the Hebrews, that lived after a greater perfection, then Monks did in their Superſtitious and Fantaſtical Traditions, as appeareth by the Eighth book of Euſebius. De preparatione Evangelica.

Of their proceedings Anthony, and Paul the Thebane, Paul the Hermite. took example of ordering the Rules and Precepts of their Religious Schollers. Albeit, it is right to aſcribe the original of it to Anthony, which although he were not the firſt, yet he did much incourage the indeavours of all other, to lead that life, and Authoriſed the Diſcipline of Monks in Aegypt, and afterward Baſilius in Greece, and Hilarion in Syria, did much augment and amplify that purpoſe. For this Hilarion a man of great vertue, by calling on the name of Jeſus, healed at the City or Gaza, the ſons of a Noble Woman: whereupon the brute of him was ſo noiſed, that many out of Syria and Aegypt, repaired unto him, and he founded Abbeys in Palestine, and inſtructed them with rules of living. As for Anthony he lived in the Wilderneſſe of Thebais in Egypt, and builded there an Abbey, where he himſelf, with Sarmatas, Amatas, and Macarius, his Diſciples, lived in ſo earneſt contemplation and Prayer, that they lived onely with bread and water, his holineſſe was ſuch that Helena, mother of Conſtantine did commend her ſelf and her ſon, to his Prayers. He died in the Wilderneſſe when he was an hundred years old, the year of our Salvation 341, his Diſciples Amatas and Macarius increaſed much the Religion after his death, and Sarmatus was ſlain by the Saracens. The inſtitution of this ſtate of living came, I grant,Religion hath grown to ſuperstition. of a good zeal to godlineſſe, but the Devil, perverter of all good things, did ſo impoyſon the hearts of men, that they had more truſt in their works, then Faith in Chriſts bloud, and then every man began new rules of works to be their own Saviours, which was abominable in the ſight of God.

CHAP. II. The diviſion of Monaſtical life into ſ •• dry Sects and factions.

IN the year 166, after the death of Anthony, Bennet an Italian, born at Nurſi in Vmbria, when he had lived long in ſolitarineſſe, reſorted to a City of Italy, named Sabblaque, a City of the Latines, fourty miles from Rome. And becauſe he was greatly delighted with a ſolitary life, and alſo the people preſſed to ſee and hear his preachings, he departed thence to Caſſine. And in the time of John the firſt,Bennet builded an Abbey at Caſſinum. in the year of our Lord 524, he builded there an Abbey, and aſſembled the Monks, that were diſperſed alone in divers places, into one covent, and ordered them with inſtructions of manners and rules of living, confirmed with three vows, that is, chaſtity, willfull poverty, and obedience, becauſe they ſhould all together mortify their own will and luſts.

Theſe three forenamed Vows,Three Vows Baſilius ordained. Baſilius, Biſhop of Caeſaria did firſt inſtitute and publiſh, in the year of our Lord, 383. And alſo aſſign the year of probation or Trial, that Religious perſons had before they were profeſſed.

The Order of Cluniacenſes, were ordained by one Odon an Abbot at Maſticenſe, a Village of Burgundy. And William Duke of Aquitane gave them an Houſe, the year of our Lord 916. in the time of Sergius the third. Not long after, the Religion of Camaldimenſes was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna, in the Mount Apenninus, the year of our Lord 850. They kept perpetual ſilence, every Wedneſday, and Friday they Faſt, they eat bread and water, they go barefoot, and lye on the ground. In a part of the ſame Mountain called Vallis Umbroſa, or the ſhadowed Valley, in the year of Chriſts incarnation 1040. under Gregory the ſixth, John Gualbert began a new ſect of Monks, and named them of the place where the Abbey ſtood, the Shadowed-Valley Order.

The Monks of Olivet ſprung up as a fruit of diſorder, the ſame year that the variance was among the three Biſhops, and were inſtituted by Barnardus Ptolomous, the year of Chriſt 1407. under Gregory the 12th. The Faction of Grandimonienſers, began by Steven of Avern, in Aquitane or Guyen, the year of our Lord 1076, under Alexander the ſecond, and had their Title of the Mountain where their Abbey ſtood. A little after the ſame time, Robert Abbot of Moliſme, in Cisterſium a Forreſt in Burgundy, did inſtitute the order of Ciſtercians; albeit, ſome aſcribe this to one Ordingus a Monk, that perſwaded Robert to the ſame, about the year of our Lord 1098. under Urbane the ſecond; Of this Religion was that great Clerk St. Bernard.

Almoſt an hundred years after this in the year of our Lord 1166. The order of Humiliates was deviſed by certain perſons, exiled by Fredericus Barbaruſſa, which when they were reſtored to their Countrey, apparelled themſelves in white, and lived by a kind of Vow, in Prayers, Penury, and working wool, and were admitted by Innocentius the third, and other his ſucceſſours.

Celeſtines were founded by Celeſtinus the fifth of that name, Biſhop of Rome, in the year of our Lord, 1198. In England Saint Gilbert at Tirington, and Sempringham, began an order called after him Gilbertines, in the time of Engenius the fourth, the year of Chriſts Incarnation 1148.

The Justinians were invented by Lewis Barbus, a Re • igious man of Venice, in the Abbey of Saint Juſtine at Padua, the year of our Salvation 1412, in the dayes of John the 24th. There were alſo Orders of Nuns deviſed after the ſame Rules of Superſtition, as the other be.

CHAP. III. Of the Hieronymians, Canons, Charterhouſe-Monks, White-Fryers, Crouch-Friers, with others.

HIeronymians had their beginning of Saint Hierome; which leaving his Native Country, went into Jewry, and there not far from Bethlehem, builded him an houſe, where he lived very devoutely, the latter end of his life, in the time of Innocentius the ſeventh, the year of our Lord, 1405. After his example, other counterfeited a reſemblance of perfection, naming themſelves Hieronymians, wearing their clothes of white, and a cope plaited above over their Coat, girt with a lether girdle.

There were alſo certain Hermites called Hieronymians, of the Foundation of one Charls Granel of Florence, which made himſelf an Hermite of the ſame Religion, in the Mountains of Feſſulus. Others there be, that ſay one Redo, Earl of Mount Granel, did inſtitute them in Feſſulus, in the time of Gregory the twelfth. Yet there be ſome that ſay, that the original of this brother-hood, was inſtituted of Hierome in a Deſart,Euſebius of Cremonen • es and that Euſebius of Cremona, with other devout and holy men, which kept converſation with him, did enlarge and augment the family of that profeſſión.

As concerning the Channons Reguler, there be two opinions: for ſome ſay that Augustine by and by, after he was created Biſhop, brought his Channons in this rule and form of living, wherein they have been ſo long trained and nuſled up: other ſome brag, and make their vaunt, that it was deviſed of the Apoſtles, and of this opinion was Thomas Aquinas. But Augustine was doubtleſſe, either the inventour of the Sect, or renewer of it, and therefore may be juſtly taken for an Author of that Faction, and ſo was he likewiſe of Augustine. Hermites.

The Channons cloathing was a white Coat, and a linnen rochet under a black cope, with a Scapular to cover their head and ſhoulders: The Hermites have a contrary veſture, a black coat with a ſcapular, and another coat of white, and a Lether Girdle. Of theſe there were divers other orders. As the order of St. Saviour of the Scopettines, The Order of Cannons or Hermites. which were ordained by Steven and James, two men of Scenes, in the time of Urbane the fifth, the year of Chriſt, 1370. And Gregory the 11th, by his conſent, confirmed them in their Hypocriſy.

The Friſonaries is another Order, which began among the Hetrurians, in the County of Luces, that be otherwiſe called Lateranenſes, by the device of James Brixian, in the time of John the 24th, the year of Chriſt 1412, and they were amplified and increaſed by Eugenius the 4th.

The third Order is titled the brethren of St Gregory de Alga. This was ordained at Venice by Laurence Juſtinian, in the time of Innocentius the ſeventh, in the year of our Lord, 1407. with divers other Orders; which foraſmuch as they roſe ſuddenly, I will omit.

Bruno of Collen, that ſometime read the Philoſophy Lecture at Paris, did inſtitute the Charterhouſe Monks, in the Dioceſſe of Gracionopolis, at a place named Carthuſia, in the year of our Lord one thouſand and eighty, under Gregory the ſeventh. Their life was outwardly full of painted holineſſe, in forbearing Fleſh, Faſting, bread and water every Friday, full of ſolitarineſſe, much ſilence, ever pinned in, and women were baniſhed out of the houſe, with other ſemblable Ceremonies.

The Carmelites or white Friers, were as ſome ſay, begun in Mount Carmelus, after the example of Elias the Prophet, which lived there long ſolitary, that they were firſt aſſembled together by Almericus Biſhop of Antioch, the year of our Lord, one thouſand one hundred and ſeventy, in the time of Alexander the third, and they were alſo called our Lady Friers, of a Chappel of our Lady, that was in the Hill Carmelus. Nevertheleſſe about four hundred years after, in the time of Innocentius the third, they were reformed by Albertus Biſhop of Hieruſalem, Carmelites cloathing is changed. according to the rule of Baſilius and the colour of their coat was turned into white by Honorius the third, where before it was Ruſſet.

The other of Premonſtratenſes was inſtituted in the Dioceſſe of Laudune, by Northbergus a Prieſt: and the Precepts of that covent, were gathered out of St Auguſtines rules, and admitted for good by Calixtus the ſecond, in the year of our Lord 1120.

The Crouch, or Croſſe Friers began about the year of our Lord, 1215. by the device of Syracus Biſhop of Jeruſalem, which ſhewed Helen mother of Conſtantine, where the Croſſe lay hid, and in memorial of the Croſs, he cauſed this brotherhood and Colledge of Friers to bear the Croſs; and yet they never knew what the Croſs weighed in their bodies or in their hearts, and foraſmuch as they were ſore waſted, Innocentius the third renewed the Religion.

CHAP. IV. Black and Grey-Fryers, the Trinity-order • Brigidians, Jeſuits, new Hermites, and Bonhomes.

ABout the time of Innocentius the third, aroſe two famous founders, of two ſuperſtitious Sects, I mean Dominick the Spaniard, and Francis the Italian, of the Country of Vmbria, Dominick, at the firſt was a Canon; but becauſe he could not ſuffer to have a ſuperiour, and was alſo weary of the Cloyſter, he invented, a new fraternity, named Dominicans, Black-Fryers, or Fryers-Preachers, becauſe they had the charge to preach the Goſpel, without mixture of any Phariſaical leven. The new guiſe of their Veſture, made innocent Innocentius to wonder.

But Honorius the third by his Bull honourably admitted them,Dominick is Canonized. the year of our Lord 1220; and Gregory the 9th put the matter all out of doubt, canonized Dominick, and by his Bull under Lead, allowed him for a Saint.

Frances, that was firſt of the Friers Augustines, thinking that ſect not to be ſufficiently furniſhed with Hypocriſie, began a new trade of living, in the Mount Appenninus, in a place named commonly Laverna: doubtleſs a ground worthy for ſuch a foundation, as was beſide the Word of God; it was ſet up in the time of Honorius aforeſaid. They were named Minoribes, of the humility, and lowlineſs of heart, that they ſhould have; but that was ſmally regarded, and fartheſt from their ſtudy. Two years after the year of our Lord God, 1229, Francis was ſanctified by Gregory, Francis is made a Saint. and made a Saint. Franciſoans afterward fell at contention for the rules of their profeſſion. They that failed ſomewhat of the unperfect perfection of them, retained the name of Minorites ſtill; the other entituled themſelves Obſervants, more worthy to be called Obſtinate.

The latter fellows were brought in • o England by King Edward the 4th, and were greatly inhanced by the famous Prince, King Henry the 7th.

At the ſame time was Clara the Virgin, Countrey-woman to Saint Francis, which was a great Foundreſs of Nuns, of the ſame Rule that Francis gave his Covent: of them ſprung the baſtard Penitencers in the dayes of John the 22, and the year of our Lord 1315.

The Order of the Trinity under Innocentius, was begun by John Matta, and Felix Anachorita in France in the County of Meldine. Then alſo was founded, or elſe not long after, in the time of Martin the fourth, the Religion of Virgins or Servants, by one Philip of Florencia, a Phyſitian; and Benedict the 11th, confirmed it, in the year of our Lord, 385.

The Order of Brigidians, was inſtituted by Brigidia a Widow, that was Princeſs of Sueta under Vrban the 5th, in the year of our Lord 1370, it was as well of men as women, albeit they dwelt ſeverally by themſelves.

The Family of Jeſuits, was the Invention of Johannes Columbinus, in the City of Senes, in the time of the ſame Urban, the year of our Lord 1368; they were no Prieſts, nor conſecrated perſons, but were men of the lay ſort, given and addicted to prayer, and had the name of Jeſuits, becauſe that name of Jeſus, ſhould be often in their mouth; they be much like to our Beads-men in England.

The Sect of new Hermites began in Urbin, a City in Italy, in the Countrey of Umbria, where Polidore Virgil was born; and was the device of one Petrus an Hetrurian, and they had in the ſame City a goodly Hoſpitall or Guild-Hall.

The Bonhomes were inſtituted in England by Edmund ſon of Richard Earl of Cornwall, which was brother to Henry the third, and was elected King of the Romans, and heir apparent to the Empire, by the principal Electors about the year of our Lord 1257. The ſpeciall head place of that Religion was Aſtrige, where the noble King Henry the eighth hath now a goodly Palace. This Edmund brought the bloud of our Saviour, as it was ſaid, into the Realm.

CHAP. V. The original of ſacred Knights, and white ſect.

WHileſt the City of Jeruſalem,Grave-keepers, or Sepulchre-Knights. before our Chriſtian men had conquered it, in the year of our Lord, 1099, was in ſubjection to the Saracens, the Latine Chriſtians, that lived there tributaries, purchaſed a licence to build near unto the Holy Sepulchre dwelling houſes, and among other they made an Hoſpital of our Lady to receive the ſtrange Pilgrims, and appointed a Provoſt to entertain them.

This was in Silveſter the firſt his time, the year of our Lord three hundred twenty and four; and renewed, the year of Chriſt one thouſand three hundred ninety and ſeven, in the time of Celeſtine the third, Biſhop of Rome.

After the pattern of this houſe, was deviſed a like houſe of Virgins in memorial of Mary Magdalen, to receive the Women that reſorted thither. It began in the 2d Vrbanes dayes, the year of our Lord 1099. Notwithſtanding becauſe the multitude of Latine Pilgrimes waxed very great, they builded three Hoſpitals of Saint John Baptiſt, as ſome ſay; Albeit, ſome think it was of John Eleemoſinarius, that was the Patriarch of Alexandria, in the reign of the Emperour Phocas. This Sect one Gerardus adorned with a white Croſs in a black veſture: grand Captain of theſe Knights was Ramundus, when Clement the fifth had the See of Rome, about the year of our Lord 1310, yet ſome affirm that the beginning of them was in the 3d Alexanders dayes, the year of Chriſt one thouſand one hundred ſeventy and nine:Knights of the Rhodes. and they be called of the order of Saint John, or Knights of the Rhodes, becauſe they won the Rhodes from the Turks, which afterwards they loſt again in January, in the year of our Salvation, one thouſand five hundred twenty three, albeit, they did long defend it manfully.

The Temples order was begun in Gelaſius the ſecond his dayes,Templer-Knights. in the year of Chriſts Incarnation, one thouſand one hundred twenty and eight, by Hugo Paganus, and Gaufridus de ſancto Alexandro: they were named Templers, becauſe they kept in a part of the buildings near to the Temple, they kept Bernardus rule in their living. But Clement the fifth depoſed them, partly for that they renounced the Faith, and conſpired with the Turks, and partly for other notable crimes.

The order of Teutonicks, or Dutch Lords,Dutch-Lords. began in Jeruſalem by a Dutch man whoſe name is not known; Their office was to fight againſt the enemies of Chriſts Croſs, it began in the dayes of Clement the third, the year of Chriſts incarnation 1190. Petrus Ferdinandus a Spaniard began the order of Saint James Knights,Knights of St James. that lived after St Austins rule, under Alexander the third, and in the year of our Lord, one thouſand one hundred and ſixty, in the ſame Biſhops dayes.

Sanctius a King, ordained the Faction of Calatranean Knights, which profeſſed the rule of the Ciſtercienſes.

Of the ſame profeſſion be they of the Order of Jeſus Chriſts Knights, which were inſtituted by John the 22th Biſhop of that name, in Portugall to reſiſt the Saracens.

Alexandrians brotherhood of Knights in the Realm of Castile, that began in Gregory the ninths time, about the year of our Salvation 1240, but who was Author of them is uncertain. James King of Arragon did found two ſects of Knights,Knights of St Mary de Mercede. one named of S. Mary, de Mercede: the office of thoſe was to ranſome ſuch as were taken Priſoners in wars by the Turks: the other Sect is called Montaſtan Knights,Mounteſians. and they wear a Red Croſs. Both theſe Orders Gregory the 11th did allow, in the year of our Lord, 1000.

The Order of Minimes or leaſt-brethren, were founded by one Franciſcus Poula a Sicilian. after the example of Frauncis his Minorites.

The Apoſtolike brethren began in the year of our Lord 1260.Apoſtolike brethren. by the inſtitution of Gerardus Sagarelus, in the Town named Perma in Lombardy in the time of Alexander the fourth.

The white ſect ſprung up in the Alps, and deſcended into Italy, having a Prieſt for their Captain. But Bonifacius perceiving they ſhould do no good to his honourable eſtate if they continued, cauſed their Captain to be beheaded at Viterbium, as attainted of ſome Hereſy, the year of our Lord 1400. They were a great number, and did no other thing but lament the ſtate of Mankind, and bewail the ſins of the people. There was of this faſhion both men and Women, and were called the white ſect, becauſe they ware white cloathing.

CHAP. VI. The Ninivites, Aſſyrians, Antonians, and Ceremonies.

NO leſſe ſuperſtition is in the fraternity of the Ninivites, although they avant themſelves to have received the •• manner of living from the Apoſtles: for the end of their doings is to work their own Salvation by deeds ſatisfactory to God, where in deed they derogate the effect and power of Chriſts bloud.Rites of Ninevites. The Rites be ſpecified with outward holineſs: as often aſſembling to prayer hyring of Chauntry prieſts, ſupporting poverty, and be cloathed in ſackcloath, and ſcourge one another with whips.

Of this painted pennance they call themſelves Ninevites, as though they appeaſed Gods wrath in the ſame wiſe, as they of Nineveh did, where in deed they had hearty contrition for their offences: theſe have but pretenſed holineſs and penitence. They began under Clement the third, the year of our Lord, one thouſand, 285.

The manner of their whipping came of the Romane ſacrifices, and Lupercalia, whereof I ſpake before; for they uſed the ſame cuſtome of a ſuperſtitious opinion: or, if a man would be curious in bolting out of the original of their beating, it may appear to have proceeded of an obſervance of the Egyptians, An uſage of the Egyptians. For the uſage was there, that whileſt they offered a Cow with many Ceremonies to their great Idol, as Herodotus witneſſeth, during the burning thereof, they ſhould beat one another miſerably with wands or rods.

The title of their fraternity came of the Romans, which had divers fellowſhips, as Sodales Titii, and Fratres Arvales that ſacrificed to Ceres, goddeſs of Corn. Another ſort there is, not onely idle, but alſo theeviſh, and they be called Aſſyrians, the ſame that we name commonly Egyptians. Theſe, as all men have heard, and many have by experience proved, be ſo light fingered, that they will find two things, before they loſe one.

The men by ſuch pilfery,Craf • s of the Eygptians. theft, and plain ſtealing, and Women by Palmeſtry, bleſſings, with like other ſorcery, and witchcraft, furniſhed with lyes, ſeduce and deceive a great number of ſimple people in every Countrey and Region.

And becauſe they ſhould have more liberty to ſpeed their purpoſes,The Egyptians excuſe. they ſay, It is their vow, and penance is given them to go in continual pilgrimage.

The occaſion that theſe vagabonds ſtray thus abroad, came of an old Idol that they worſhipped in their Paganiſm, named the Goddeſs of Syria, Goddeſs of Syria. wherewith they uſed to gad from place to place to beg money, wine, milk, cheeſe, corn, and other ſtuff,Libro 8. deaſmo aureo. as Apuleius writeth.

The ſame people now they be chriſtened, play their parts in like manner with ſundry ſubtilties: and what they get by lying, picking, ſtealing, bribing, they make money of; and ſo return home, laughing to ſcorn all thoſe ſimple perſons that they have thus deceived.

Seeing all other ſuperſtitions be aboliſhed and rooted up, it is pity that this ſhould take ſtill effect, and be unpuniſhed. The Antonians were a counterf • i • of Anthony's perfection; but they differ as much from his holineſs, as white f • om black; they have a T. on their breaſt, that meaneth Tolle, teaching them to take what they can get, be it Cow, Ox, Calf, or Pigg; for they offer Swine to him, as they did ſacrifice ſheep to Bell in Babylon; they were inſtituted in the year of Chriſt 324.

The Ceretanes began in Ceretum, a City of Vmbria, Ceretanes play in Summer, and beg in Winter. and they ever uſed to go a begging at the latter end of Harveſt, when the Barns were ſtuff'd with corn; and ſo like drones devour that which other have gotten with the ſweat of their browes.

Of theſe valiant beggers, there be in every place a great many: but I cannot tell what time they were inſtituted; and how ſoon they be put down, it skilleth not.

CHAP. VII. The originall of Mahomet's Sect.

OF all theſe ſuperſtitious Sects before rehearſed, there is not one ſo diabolical, as the Sect of Mahometans, as well for the filthineſs of all unlawfull luſts, as other outragious naughtineſſe, that they occupied daily, to the great endamaging of Chriſtendome, and encreaſe of their own infidelity.

Of this unreverent religion, Mahomet a Noble-man, born in Arabia, or as ſome report, in Perſia, was authour: his father was an Heathen Idolater, and his Mother an Iſmaelite: wherefore ſhe had more perceivance of the Hebrewes law. This wicked plant, brought up and foſtered under his Parents, and inſtructed like a mungrell in either of their lawes, became expert, and of a ready wit: And after the death of his father and mother, he was in houſhold with one Abdemonaples, an Iſmaelite, which put him in truſt with his merchandiſe, and other affairs; and after his deceaſe, he married his Miſtreſs, a Widow. There he fell in acquaintance with the Monk Sergius, an heretick of Neſtorius's ſect, that fled from Byzance into Arabia: and by his counſell and advice, this Mahomet, about the year of our Lord five hundred and twenty; and the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperour Heraclius; began in Arabia to found a new ſect, and by ſeditious Sermons ſeduced much and many Countries. He conquered by help of the Arabians divers Lands, and ſubdued them as Tributaries, and compelled them to live after the tradition of his laws, that he gathered out of the New and Old Teſtaments, and divers hereſies of Nicolaites, Manichees, and Sabellians. He dyed the 40th year of his age, and his body was carried by the Saracens into a City of Perſia, called Mecha, and laid in a Coffin of Iron.

Caliphas ſucceeded Mahomet; but he was depoſed for his ſuperſtition, and another of the ſame name was ſubſtituted in his room.

Homar was the third that reigned; and he, after the conqueſt of the Perſians, wan Hieruſalem, and all Syria, the year of our Lord 680, in the time of Agathon Biſhop of Rome, and Conſtantine the 4th, Emperour. This Sect waxeth daily bigger and bigger, partly through the diſcord of Chriſtian Princes; and partly by reaſon of our ſinfull living, that daily groweth to greater enormities, that deſerve the heavy hand of God over us.

CHAP. I. Of Reliques, Stations, the year of Jubilee, Pardons.

NOt long after the Martyrdome of Peter and Paul, both many, and that of divers ſorts, as well men as women, by the example of their conſtancy, were encouraged to ſuffer ſundry kinds of torments in ſeveral parts of the World, for the maintaining of Chriſtian Religion. But namely in Rome,Many Biſhops of Rome ſuffered Martyrdome. much murther of innocent blood was committed of Tyrants by many manner of puniſhments, and a great number dyed in Chriſt's cauſe: among others, certain Biſhops, to the number of thirty and two, were ſlain by extream perſecution, unleſs it were ſeven of them, which by death were prevented before they attained the Crown of Martyrs. Therefore conſidering that much Martyrs blood was ſpent, and that ſpecially in Rome, and many from other places were conveyed thither; Cletus and Anacletus, Biſhops there, did ſeriouſly go about to reverence them. For the one appointed a place where Martyrs ſhould ſeverally have their Sepulchres apart from the lay people; and the other by decree, denounced him accurſed as ſacrilegious, that by word or deed hindred mens devotsion from viſiting the Tombs of the Apoſtles.

Upon this occaſion, Calist • s the Firſt, builded, beyond Tyber, a Church, in honour of our Lady: and Constantine, Emperour, edified to Peter, Paul, and Laurence, Temples. This matter was by Gregory the Saint ſet forward, to the encreaſe of ſuperſtitious devotion: For he appointed the Letanies of Saints, with Orapro nobis, to be ſung with Maſſes in certain ſolemn dayes in the chief Temples of the City, promiſing them that repaired thither at ſuch ſolemn Feaſts, clean remiſſion of ſins by his pardon. And he named the pompous ſacrifices, Stations, becauſe they were celebrated on certain dayes limited and preſcribed by Statute. Bonifacius the eighth, in the year of our Lord 1300, appointed the year of Jubilee, or grace, to be kept every hundred year with clean remiſſion à poena et culpa, to all them that viſited the Temples of the Apoſtles Peter and Paul. And this was taken up of the example of the Hebrews, albeit they did keep it every 50. years; or elſe, as ſome think, he aſſigned the years according to the old Feaſts of Apollo and Diana, which the Romans Heathen ſolemnized every hundred year; and of that they were called Ludi ſeculares. About fifty years after, Clement the ſixth decreed, That it ſhould be celebrated every fifty years, as the Hebrews rite was, becauſe no man was able to attain the old Jubilee of an hundred years. Laſt of all, Sextus the fourth reſtrained the year of grace to the 25th year, and he himſelf kept it at that day, which was in the year of Gods grace ſhewed by his Son Jeſus Chriſt to the World, a thouſand four hundred threeſcore and fifteen. About the ſame time, Pardons were much uſed, but who was the firſt author of them, I have not read in any Writer, ſaving that Saint Gregory (as I ſaid before) proclaimed Pardons as a reward for them,Pardons were profitable to the purſe. that came to his Stations. This ſeed ſown by Gregory, grew to a ripe Harveſt in the time of Bonifacius the 9th, who reaped much money for that chaff. After this, Alexander the ſixth, that was in the year of our Lord 1500,Jubilee ſent into all Countries. aſſigned the Jubilee and Stations to be had in ſundry Provinces and Countries, to the intent, that leſſe throng of people, and more thrift of money might come to Rome, and ſo the people ſhould onely loſe their money, and ſave their labour. But Moſes was the firſt author of the Jubilee, as appeareth by Joſephus in the Old Teſtament.

CHAP. II. The Biſhop of Romes Titles, Colledges of Scribes, Sealing Bulls with Lead, Annates.

FOraſmuch as nothing is ſo decent for a Prieſt as gentleneſſe,Titles of the Biſhop of Rome. nothing ſo fit as lowlineſſe, nothing more comely then humbleneſs, according to the ſaying of our Saviour, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, nor nothing more againſt their order then pride and arrogancy, Gregory the S. Biſhop of Rome, named himſelf Servus ſervorum Dei, which thing he did not onely uſurp in Title, but alſo expreſs in deed. This name and preface was received and uſed of his Succeſſours, but his hearty meekneſs was refuſed, as a thing that diminiſhed their Pontifical eſtate. Cletus added to Salutem et Apoſtolicam benedictionem, as a Salutation condigne and appertaining to vertue and godlineſs, and a reſemblant to Chriſts greeting,Chriſts greeting. The Hebrews ſaluting. which was Peace be with you; or of the Hebrews, that uſed to ſay in their meetings, Peace be with thee: And this all our Biſhops have reſerved to themſelves as a peculiar ſaluting.

As concerning the Scribes that uſed to write the letters Apoſtolicall, where before time they were wont to write for nothing, or elſe asked very little; John the 22th, deſirous to encreaſe and enlarge his ſubſtance, founded a Colledge of Scribes that ſhould write and endite letters of their own device, and do other offices, but they muſt be choſen out of his own Clerks, and muſt pay and be diſmiſſed of money, before they could be admitted to the room. He did alſo pay, (to thoſe which had benefices of his gift and preſentation) all ſuch things, as belong to the Apoſtolical penitencers. Bennet the 12th deviſed firſt,Bulls ſealed with Lead. and determined the price of Writs, and Bulls. The cuſtome of ſealing the Biſhop of Romes Bulls with lead, was taken up by Steven the third, and Hadrian the firſt, to the intent they ſhould endure longer, where before time the uſage was, to Seal in wax with a Rirg. And this was the year of our Lord 772, at which time Hadrian was Biſhop: before thoſe dayes I find no mention of ſealing with Lead as before Carolus Magnus, Carolus Magnus ſealed firſt with Gold. none of the Roman Emperours ſealed letters with Gold; Pius the ſecond did create Breviators, and ſet them in an Order, which Paul depoſed; but Sextus afterward renewed them, and alſo inſtituted a new Colledge of Solicitors, and Proctors, by whoſe Counſell and advice, all Bulls and grants were made and ratified. He alſo ordained 9 notaries of the Treaſure Apoſtolical, and aſſigned to every of them certain fees and profits, that he might have ſpeedy utterance of the rooms. Innocentius that ſucceeded next Sextus, deviſed the Colledge of Secretaries, and Alexander the ſixth increaſed the number of writers of his Briefs, to the number of eighty and above.

The ſummoners and catch-poles, that were hangers unto thoſe Breviatours, were by Nicolas the third put out of office, leſt all the poor ſheep ſhould be • lay'd to the quick. But all this filled not ſo much the Popes Coffers in 7 years, as his Annates did in one. Annates he called the yearly revenues or half part of the fruits, of a Benefice or ſpiritual promotion, that he received of the new incumbents. Theſe began firſt at his own Benefices,A general decree of Annates. whereof he was patron. And Clement the fifth generally decreed it▪ in the year of our Lord, 1305, Bonifacius the ninth, and John the 22th renewed the Decree for fear of forgetting, becauſe it helpeth much the purſe.

CHAP. III. Of the Sect of Simoniakes, Hereticks, and Schiſms.

PHilip the Deacon, when he had by his preaching, converted them of Samaria to Chriſts Religion, among many other, he turned one Simon a Magician and inchanter, and Baptiſed him. In ſhort ſpace after, Peter and Joh • were ſent thither, to confirm them in the Faith, by giving them the Holy Ghoſt, through laying on of hands, this Simon perceiving the feat of Peter, that he could by laying on of hands, give the Holy Ghoſt,Simon profered mony for to have power to give the Holy Ghoſt. profered to give a large ſum of money to have that power taught him, whereas he ſhould rather have obtained it by Faith and godlineſſe. Peter moved at thoſe words, with anger ſaid, Thy money ſhall turn to thy deſtruction, becauſe thou ſuppoſeſt the gift of God to be bought with money; neither ſhalt thou have any portion or d • al of this charge, for thy heart is not upright before God. Thus rejected of his ſuit, he became a great enemy to Peter, and in Rome ſeduced by his Magick much people,Simon was made a god. inſomuch that he was taken and proclaimed by Neroes Charter a god, with this title, Simon deus ſanctus.

But Peter with the ſword of Gods word, after long conflict of words, and contention of miracles, between the Capitol or Councel-chamber, and the Mount Aventine cauſed that, as he was by his Magical exorciſms lifted up,Simon • did fly in the Ayre. and flying in the Ayre, he had ſuch a fall that he brake his Leg, and it coſt him his life in Aretia, Simon brake his Leg. where he lay at Surgery for the healing of his leg.

Of him, all that buy and ſell the gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, and ſay the World was not of the creation of God, but proceeded of a power above, were named Simoniakes: and ſome call them that buy or ſell Benefices, and ſpiritual promotions, which thing (although it be often uſed) is plainly forbidden by the Scriptures. Next Simon ſucceeded his Diſciple Menander, a Samaritane born, which called himſelf a Saviour ſent from heaven, to preſerve and ſave men; and promiſed them that received his Baptiſm, ſhould live immortally: he did more harm, and perverced more than his Maſter Simon had done.

In the ſame year the hereſy of the Nicolaitans began, which taught that VVives ſhould be uſed in common; as the Anabaptiſts do now at this time.

Then alſo Corinthus enterpriſed, to mix the new Law with the old, affirming, Circumciſion ought to be obſerved and kept; and that after the Reſurrection, men ſhould live a thouſand years in carnal luſts and pleaſures. In thoſe dayes Ebion his hereſie brake out, which ſaid, That Chriſt was not before his Mother. John did write his Goſpel: againſt Hebion. Againſt this fellow, John wrote his Goſpel, laſt of all the Evangeliſts. About that time were other divers hereticks; as Baſilides, that affirmed, there were two beginnings, principal cauſes of things contrary: and his Scholler Marcion a Stoician, that denyed Chriſt to be the Son of God: and Valentian, that ſaid, Chriſt took no fleſh of the Virgins body, but paſſed thorow her, as it were, through a Pipe or Conduit. Then alſo Montanus named himſelf, the Comforter, or Holy Ghoſt. Apelles was then alſo, which ſaid, Chriſt was but a phantaſie in the ſight of men: and Sabellius, that ſaid, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt, were but one Perſon: and Paulus Samoſatenus, which denyed the two Natures to be in Chriſt, and that he began but of his Mother, and that ſhe had after him more children by Joſeph. And thus began Hereticks firſt to ſpring up. As for Schiſms, which ſprung of ſuch hereſies and erroni • us opinions, Novatianus a Prieſt of Rome was the firſt author, in the year of our Lord 255, in the time of Cornelius Biſhop of Rome: He named his diſciples Mundi, that is, pure and clean; and he affirmed, that offenders ought not to be admitted, but rejected, although they were penitent for their ſins: Which opinion, the Anabaptiſts now maintain. He was condemned by Cornelius Biſhop of Rome, as an heretick, with all his adherents. About 80 years after, in the reign of Conſtantine the Great, Arrius a Prieſt of Alexandria, was the beginner of a Sect and Schiſm, that denyed the Son to be of the ſubſtance of God the Father; but this was convict in the Council of Nicene, albeit not extinct.

The third Schiſm was, when Damaſus was Biſhop of Rome, wherein they contended, not only with voyces and words, but alſo with violence and weapons, by reaſon of the ambition of the Biſhops there aſſembled.Schiſms of later times. Other Schiſms have ſprung in our time, to the great diſquietneſs and confuſion of Chriſtian Religion, and deſtruction of Commonwealths, which I pray God may be redreſſed and ſtayed, to the honour of Him, to the confirmation of the faithful, to the ſubverſion of hypocriſie, to the advancement of Gods Word, to the mitigating of the trouble of publike weals, to the eſtabliſhment of perpetual unity of heart, and continual peace, all diſſention and war extinguiſhed.

CHAP. IV. When the firſt General Council was kept, and which were allowed by the Fathers.

THe cuſtome of aſſembling Councils, to take deliberation of things doubtfull, or matters ſerious, is of great ancientry, as well among the Hebrews, as other Nations: And by ſuch a manner of Council, Matthias elected by a Council. was Matthias ſurrogated and ſubſti • uted in the ſtead of Judas, into the number of the Apoſtles. And by a Couucil holden at Jeruſalem the Apoſtles diſcharged the Gentiles of Moſes's law.

Cornelius was the firſt, as plainly appeareth, that called together any Council; and that was in Rome, of 600 Biſhops, and as many Prieſts, wi • h a great multitude of Deacons. In this Council, the hereſie of the Novatians was convicted. And at the ſame time ſate alſo a Council at Carthage, where Saint Cyprian was Biſhop. Euſebius wri • eth alſo, That once in the dayes of Dionyſius, and likewiſe in the time of Felix, the Fathers ſummoned another Council at Antioch, to condemn Paul Samoſatene, which denyed the two Natures of Chriſt, as is aforeſaid.

Five other Councils were celebrated in the reign of Conſtantine the Emperour, and all were in Greece; One at Nicea,Council of Nicea. a City of Bithine, where were gathered 318 Biſhops to confute Arrius and his Sect. This was the year of Chriſt 324, the ſame time that Sylveſter the Firſt was Biſhop of Rome.

The ſecond was at Conſtantinople, Council at Conſtantinople. when Damaſus was Biſhop of Rome, wherein Macedonius and Eudoxas were condemned, becauſe they did deny the Holy Ghoſt to be God.

The third was at Epheſus, Council at Epheſus. Celeſtine the Firſt then occupying the See of Rome. There, was Nestor's hereſie aboliſhed, that ſaid, Mary the Virgin was Mother of Chriſt a man, but not as he was of God; and that the Perſon of the Godhead and his Manhood were two ſundry Perſons.

The fourth was at Chalcedonie, Council at Chalcedon. under Leo the Firſt, where Eutyches an heretick was condemned: Theſe four Saint Gregory thought worthy to be admitted and allowed to the eſtabliſhing of our Religion.

The fifth was ſolemnly kept at Bizance, Council at Bizance. at the Commandment of Vigilius Biſhop of Rome: and in this was Theodorus reaſoned with, which affirmed, that Mary did bear onely a man, and not God and man; for that cauſe the Council there then decreed, That Chriſt's Mother ſhould be called Theotocos, or Deipara, that is, Bearer of God: and the Acts of this Council were received by Gregory.

The ſixth Council, Conſtantine the fourth, at the requeſt and ſuit of Agathon, called alſo at Bizance, where 200 Biſhops condemned Macarius of Antioch. This Council was accepted by Hadrian the Firſt. That no Council might be legitimate, or lawfully aſſembled without the Biſhop of Rome's conſent and aſſenr, was the conſtitution and decree of Marcellus the Firſt; and afterward, Julius Damaſus, and Gregory, ratified the ſame.

Martin the Fifth made a Law, That every tenth year the Biſhop of Rome, and all Chriſtian Princes ſhould meet together, to conſult of matters concerning our Religion and Chriſtian Faith. It was decreed at the Council of Nicene, That every Biſhop ſhould twice yearly have a Synod or Senes general within his Dioceſs, to correct and reform ſuch things as were out of order. But now the matter is ſo handled, that Senes, be onely Courts to gather their Senage and Proxy; with a Proceſſion, and a Sermon that the half underſtand not: other correction I hear of none.

CHAP. V. Of the first perſecutors of Chriſtians; and firſt Martyrs.

CHRIST,Chriſt was a witneſſe of the truth. which came into this World, and was Incarnate, to bear witneſſe unto the truth, had for his true teſtimony, great envy of the Jews; inſomuch, that they perſecuted him to the vile death of the Croſs, for his earneſt record and report of the truth: and they did no leſſe purſue the Apoſtles and Meſſengers of the truth. For when they, following the example of their Maſter, did openly declare the Word of truth, and namely Peter did ſorely rebuke the wickedneſſe of the Jewes, in putting to death Chriſt the author of life, advertiſing them to repent and amend: the Jewes were ſo furious, that firſt they murthered Stephen, as the Acts of the Apoſtles teſtifie, becauſe he was a vehement witneſſe of the truth. Stephen diſputed with all the Learned men of J • wry. This Stephen did two years continually, after Chriſt's death, diſpute with all the Learned men of Alexandria, Cyrene, Cilicia, and Aſia, and by heavenly wiſdome, confounded their worldly reaſons, and humane learning. Wherefore they were ſo ſore vexed with hate and malice againſt him, that they violently thruſt him out of the City, and then cruelly ſtoned him to death. Stephen is ſtoned to death. Thus Stephen was the firſt open maintainer and defender of our Chriſtian Religion. Afterward, as Luke telleth, Stephen firſt open defender of our faith. ſo bitter and ſharp perſecurion did burſt out againſt the Chriſtians that were in Jeruſalem, that they were enforced to ſtray abroad, and were ſcattered throughout all Jewry and Samariae, ſaving that the Apoſtles remained and ſo journed ſtill at Jeruſalem. Notwithſtanding, this perſecution was the occaſion of great furtherance of the Goſpel, by reaſon they ceaſed not, but preached ſtill the word every where, with great increaſe, and augmenting of the faithfull number.

Among the Heathen Nations, Nero firſt perſecutor of of all the Heathen Princes. Nero was the firſt Prince that perſecuted our Religion univerſally; and put Peter and Paul to death, and conſequently many other innocents were ſlain cruelly. For when of a devilliſh mind that he had, he could not ſpare even his Country; but either for diſpleaſure of the ruinous houſes, which grieved him to behold, or elſe deſirous to ſee a reſemblance of the burning of Troy, Half Rome was burned by Nero. he ſet on fire the moſt part of the City of Rome, with ſo huge a flame, that it burned ſix dayes, and ſix nights continually, to the impoveriſhing of many thouſands of rich Citizens. Then to mitigate the ſhamefull and abominable deed, and to ſtint the bruit and ſlanderous report, that went on him for that flagitious fact, there were forged falſe witneſſes, to ſay, the Chriſtian men did this act; and ſo, many ſimple innocents ſmarted for that Tyrant's pleaſure: and to obdurate himſelf in miſchief, he proclaimed an open Perſecution againſt all that profeſſed the Name of Chriſt. Not long after, Domitian renewed another affliction of the Chriſtians:Perſecution done by the Emperour. and Trajanus raiſed the fourth. Marcus Antonius, and Lucius Aurelius Commodus ſtirred up the fifth Perſecution. Aelius Pertinax moved the ſixth. Maximinus procured the ſeventh. Decius, the eighth. Valerianus the ninth. Aurelianus cauſed the tenth. Diocleſian made the greateſt Perſecution. And Diocleſianus began the eleventh, which was ſoreſt, ſharpeſt, and of longer continuance then any of all the reſt: in ſuch ſort, that Scripture-books were burned, and Churches plucked down, Chriſtian Magiſtrates that did bear any office; were depoſed, Souldiers were enforced to deny their faith; or elſe forego their goods, and forbear their lifes, by a general Proclamation. Neither were the three cruel Tyrants. Maxentius, Licinius, and Maximianus behind with their parts, but were as buſie as the beſt, to procure trouble to the Chriſtian people.

Constantinus born in England, Conſtantinus firſt defended the Chriſtian Faith. then called Britain, was the firſt Chriſtian Emperour, that advanced and defended the cauſes of our Religion, and preſerved Chriſtian men in peace and quietneſſe.

In all theſe Perſecutions, many did ſuffer Martyrdome, as divers Hiſtories record; Stephen was the firſt Martyr. but Stephen was the firſt Martyr of the New Teſtament. For John Baptiſt died before the conſummation of the old Law. After this example many other enſued, and ſuſtained like croſſes for the truth ſake; which all now reign with God. To whom alone be all glory, honour, and praiſe, world without end, So be it.

CHAP. I. Of Buttons, and other Garments of the Ancients.

THe Invention of a Button is a thing worthy of conſideration, wherewith the Antients did faſten their Coats together, or ſometimes their Girdles. In its loweſt part it had the biggeſt circumference, and ſo went ſmaller towards the top like a Pyramide; it was made and joyned to the rayment with a Golden or Brazen thred, that it might without out difficulty be moved backwards and foreward.

The moſt noble and rich men had their Buttons made of Gold.The ſeveral materials of Buttons. The men ſort of people uſed Silver. The pooreſt Braſſe or Iron. Souldiers did wear Silver Buttons. But Aurolianus at firſt allowed them to be made of Gold for this Souldiers (as Vopiſcus teſtifies). Emperours had the ſummity or top of their Buttons made of Jewels, and ſometimes the whole Button it ſelf. The Emperour Leo commanded that ſouldiers ſhould uſe ſuch Buttons as were onely precious for Gold, and rare workmanſhip, but not ſuch as were enriched with jewels, becauſe thoſe did belong to the uſe and ornament of the Emperour onely. Commanders among other rewards, were wont to give a Golden Button to thoſe Souldiers that had fought with a generous and ſtout courage, as Livy often mentioneth.

The Antients uſed to wear a ſhort Coat under their Gowns,Short Coats. ſuch as Deacons, and Sub Deacons uſe, and all did gi • d them except the Senatours, who did wear a purple Coat called Latus-Clavur? For they faſtned the ſides of it together, with Godlen Buttons, which were called in Latine, Latos Clavos, and therefore they did not gird their Coats. This kind of Garment was the token of Senatours.

When it was cold,Cloaks. they did wear a Cloak under their Gowns which was fringed, and Knights moſt commonly uſed it, as Iſidore declareth.

In Rainy weather, (as Martial ſaith) they did put on a Cloak made of Leather or skins, which they did wear above their Coat. They went without Hoſe to cover their legs, and for that cauſe when the duſt remained on them, they waſhed them every day (as Quintilian aſſerts). Pompey having a ſwelling upon his ſhin, covered it with a binding of linnen, and a Bracelet, ſo that a certain man ſaid in ſport, that he ware that on his leg, which Kings did bear on their heads. Footmen did wear hoſe or legharneſſe, which the Latines called Calige, whence the Souldiers were called Caligati. Likewiſe they had ſhort-Cloaks or Caſſocks, which faſtned under their Chin, and when they were ready to fight, they caſt it upon both their ſhoulders; and, that they might be nimbler to reſiſt their enemies, they girded it about them, (as Plutarch doth recite)

Noble-men and horſemen, did put on Boots made of Hides, that came up to their knees; and from thence upwards, they were armed with Iron.

There is a great doubt riſen, whether the Ancients uſed a covering for their heads or no: ſeeing that it is neither manifeſt in ancient coins nor ſtatues. Certainly they uſed not a Hat, which repreſented the one half of an Egg ſhell, when it was cut in the middeſt, for that was given to ſuch that were manumitted from their ſervitude. Moreover, Suetonius relates, that Julius Caeſar having found that the deformity of baldneſſe was obnoxious, becauſe of the jeers of detractors, he accuſtomed to turn back the hair which grew behind his Crown to cover the baldneſſe of his head: but when he could not hide it ſufficiently by this means, he uſurped the cuſtome of wearing a Crown of Laurell continually; which care had been ſuperfluous, if any covering for the head had been in uſe.

But this may be ſaid that the invention of Hats was uſed to defend the people againſt the Sun. And on the contrary Plutarch writes that Sylla did riſe to no man, nor uncover his head, but when Pompey came. Varro affirms, that according to the inſtitutions of the Ancients, every one was to uncover his head to any Magiſtrate paſſing by, and that more for health then honour: which Controverſy I will not determine, but leave this field to others, wherein they may exerciſe themſelves.

It plainly appears, that in the year one thouſand one hundred and ſeventy, there was a certain ſort of Hats, that was black, and aſcended ſmaller towards the top, like a Pyramide. And Nicetas, in the life of Alexius Comnenus, writeth, that when the Emperour Andronicus Comnenns was created, a certain Hat which he had, being taken off, in the place thereof there was a Purple or red Mitte put upon his head.

CHAP. III. Of the Bezoar Stone.

THe Bezoar Stone was unknown in former ages.Bezoar. Some ſuppoſe it to be the tears of a Hart, which, having devoured a Serpent, and caſting it ſelf into the water to expell the poyſon, is wont to weep exceedingly: and then the tears being hardened, and fallen upon the Land, are ſaid to be Bezoar. But that is falſe. Yet it is true, that thoſe tears have that vertue, though it be not the right Bezoar, which is bred in Mauritanta, and hath wonderfull effects againſt any poyſon.

If you take twelve grains of it in wine,Its power. it utterly expels all ſorts of poyſon preſently. It hath the ſame effects, if you lay it upon the bite of a Serpent: and it defends a man's perſon, ſo that no poyſon can hurt him. It is good againſt the Plague, and peſtilen ial Feavers, and its uſe is wonderfull in many diſeaſes and infirmities. The Arabians had the knowledg of it firſt, as Rhaſis ſaith, who writ of i • , and lived in the reign of AL-Manſor, the great King of Mauritania. The Latines and Graecians never knew this pretious ſtone.

CHAP. III. Of Alchymy.

Alchymia, Alchymy. ſignifieth Infuſion or Steeping; For Chymia, in Greek, denotes Infuſio in Latine; and Al, is an Arabian Article, ſignifying Hic.

There is a great controverſie when Alchymy was invented. For neither Pliny (though he was otherwiſe a moſt diligent author) nor any Greek or Latine Writer make any mention of it. But I believe that it is very ancient; for Suidas writeth, that the Art of Alchymy endured till the time of the Argonauts, when Jaſon went to take away the golden Fleece; which was nothing elſe then a certain book, that taught to turn other Mettals into gold: For thoſe that invented that ſtory, concealing its name, called it, the Golden Fleece.

The Egyptians profeſſed that Art very much, in the reign of the Emperour Diocleſian: who, hating them, becauſe they made an inſurrection, burned their writings concerning their diſtilling of Gold and Silver, leſt being made rich by this Art, and having gotten plenty of money, they ſhould rebell again. The Emperour Diocleſian was created in the year 287; ſo that this Art was rather renewed, than new.

Many things were ingeniouſly invented in this our Age, which were totally in former times unknown.

Among which Latten,Latten. • which is called Lato, may be recorded; which is made bright with ſome certain powder which is mixed with it, and maketh the ſhining of the Mettal, which is not reall; Becauſe if a Spoon of the ſame Latten be dipped in the ſame powder, the pure braſs, as it was at firſt, will return to the ſight; for the duſt being conſumed, it loſeth the counterfeit brightneſſe.

The Artiſts of Alchymy have invented a means to make a Saphyr white,A Saphyre made white. ſo that it may ſeem to be Adamant: And ſo it is wont to be faſtned in Rings, that no man, though never ſo skillfull, can diſcern it to be a Saphyr. I ſaw a tryal of it amongſt the Lapidaries of Venice; for a diſpute being riſen, and a wager laid, Whether the ſtone which was put in the Ring, were a Saphir or an Adamant; the anſwer was, it was an Adamant; and ſuch as were skillfull in this Art, ſaid that that Saphir could not be diſtinguiſhed from an Adamant.

Alchymiſts alſo produce a certain kind of Tin,Tin like Silver. which you would think were true Silver, which being ſtruck with a Hammer, remains firm and conſtant the ſame, but not in a Veſſel, which is called Lacopella, or Cupella: and they have many other notable inventions.

Likewiſe they have found out ſtrong waters,Aqua-fort is wherewith they ſeparate Braſſe from Silver and Gold, which could not be done in ancient times, (as Vlpianus the Lawyer affirms in lib. 5. §. 3. ff. De rei vindicat. Where he ſaith, that if Braſſe were mixed with Gold, it could not be deducted. Thoſe ſtrong waters do wonderfully trouble the ſight, when they ſeparate Gold from Silver. For the Silver may be ſeen to aſcend through the middle, as if it were ſome certain Column; and it is changed into green, red, and other colours, and at laſt it is ſcattered in the water, ſo that the Silver can be ſeen no more, but all is full of water, the Gold remaining in the Bottom.

The Cupella was lately found; that admirable veſſel is made of a bone of an Oxe.Cupella. In this, Gold and Silver is put to be poliſhed and purged of all ſpots and blemiſhes, wherein nothing but even the very pure refined Gold remaines. The Gold or Silver being involved in a thin leaf of Lead, is caſt into that little Veſſel, which is put on the fire, and then the Cupella or little Veſſel conſumes all the other mettal which is in it, but leaves the true Gold or Silver, which lyeth in the bottome without any mixture, untouched.

But there is a doubt whether Alchymy be lawfull or no?Whether Alchymy be lawful or not? And truly the interpreters, as well of the Civill, as ſpiritual or Canon Law, affirm with one conſent; that though at the firſt ſight it may ſeem to be concluded negatively, foraſmuch as it belongs to God alone to change one ſubſtance into another, becauſe no man though of never ſo great fame, can perform that; And therefore the Devill when he tempted Chriſt, as if he were in doubt, whether he were the Son of God, or no; ſaid, If thou art the Son of God, cauſe that theſe ſtones may be made bread, that is, Do ſomething which onely belongs to God to do. Yet they concluded at laſt, that Alchymy was lawfull. And upon this Argument • , viz. becauſe all mettals proceed out of Sulphur and Quick-ſilver, which the Alchymiſts call Mercury, which if they receive Ayre, Water, and Heat ſufficient, are turned into Gold, but if they want a fit temper, that they cannot be brought to that perfection, then they make Silver, Tin, Lead, or Braſſe, according to the influence and diſpoſition of the Elements. Therefore humane Art doth not turn one ſubſtance into another, but heat and temperament; Sulphur and Quickſilver having the force and power to turn into Gold, and if it cannot be done by reaſon of ſome defect, then the Alchymiſts do ſupply that heat and temperament by their Art, which will bring the Sulphur into the ſubſtance of Gold, as well as if it had been natural. John Andrea, a noted interpreter of the Pontifical Law; writeth, that Arnoldus de villa nova, turned Braſs into little Rods of Gold, in the Roman Court, many Cardinals being preſent; and preſently departing, he left it to any ſort of trial. The Art may be true, but I believe that there are very few, yea, ſcarce one that is expert in it. For thoſe that profeſſe it, are either Fools, or much inclined to poverty. Therefore it is an ancient Proverb, I never ſaw a rich Alchymist.

CHAP. IV. Of Distillation.

DIſtillation was invented after that the Roman Empire was eſtabliſhed. It is credible, that it was found at the ſame time, in the exerciſe of Alchymy. Some ſay, that a certain Phyſitian, having a diſh upon the Table full of hearbs, being ſuddenly called to viſit a ſick perſon, covered that diſh with another, and then went away: but being returned, he found the uppermoſt diſh moiſtned: and hence conſidering that he might eaſily extract juices, he bent his wit ſo far, that thence he made the beginning of Diſtillation. Others having imitated him, by practiſing that Art, have made it perfect. That Art is profitable, becauſe out of it came Aquavitae, Oyl of Cinnamon, and innumerable other Liquors, which are of very great effect. By this means it happens that all thoſe waters out of Succocory, Capers, and other hearbs, which are wont to be adminiſtred to ſick perſons, are now diſtilled: whereas formerly they were onely boyled, and the Decoction given to the Patients.