CHAP. I. The Originall of the Heathen gods.

WHen the spirits of the ayr (whom the Scrip­ture calleth,Ephes. 6. Rulers of this world) began to give answers of Pro­phecy, out of Images, made to resemble mortal men, and by their wicked subtlety, did pretend themselves sometimes to be of the number of good spirits, sometimes gods celestial, and sometimes the souls of valiant Lords: they brought men into such errour and perplexity, that in short space they did altogether alienate mens hearts from the religion and reverence of the true God. And for as much as [Page 2] their spirituall nature is subtile, they usurped the name of good Angels. For according to the opinion of antiquity, not onely to every man, but also to eve­ry singular place and family, were allot­ted two Angels; Whereof the one went about to endamage them: the other with all its endeavour, studied to profit them. These invaded particularly every house, conveyed themselves into mens bodies, and closely in their en­trails, imbezelled their health, procured diseases, illuded their hearts with phan­tasticall visions and dreams: and by such mischief inforced men to repair to them for help,Oracles doubtfull. and inquire their Oracles and answers; which of purpose had doubtful understandings, lest their ig­norance should be perceived. By these deceitful means they were so deified, that sundry people after divers sorts chose them gods, and with great reve­rence worshipped them. For such men as a Nation had attained any speciall Commodity by, to the furtherance or garnishing of their living,What men were deified. or builders of Cities, or Ladies excellent in Chastity, or men puissant in Arms, were honou­red for gods;Isis. Neptunus. as the Egyptians had Isis; the Assyrians, Neptune; the Latines, [Page 3] Faunus: the Romans, Quirine; Faunus. Pallas. Apollo. Jupiter. Belus. Athens, Pallas: the Delphians, Apollo; the Grecians, Jupiter; the Assyrians, Belus, and many Countries had divers other gods; and some (which is a shame to speak) worshipped brute beasts, and took them for gods; by reason whereof, the Grecians had the opinion, That the gods had their beginning of men. And thus when men withdrew their phan­tasies from Images, to the spirits invi­sible, they were perswaded that there were many gods, and of no smaller number then mortal men.

Of this variety of opinions,Opinions of the Philoso­phers. the Phi­losophers (which layed aside all private and publique affairs, employing all their study in searching out the truth) took occasion to dispute of the nature of gods diversly.Thales. Thales Milesius, which first searched such matters, said, That God was an Understanding, that made and fashioned all things of the water, as matter prejacent. Pythagoras called him, A Lively Mind, that pier­ced and passed through all things, of whom all living creatures received their life.Cleanthes. And Cleanthes defined God to be The Ayre. Anaxago­ras. Anaxagoras esteemed him to be an Infinite Mind, which did [Page 4] move it self.Chrisippus. Chrisippus thought he was a natural power, indued with godly reason. Some were of the opinion, that there were no gods.Diagoras. Diagoras and Theodorus affirmed plain,Theodorus. That there was no God at all.Protagoras. Protagoras reported, That he knew no certainty of the Gods; wherefore the Athenians banished him out of their Empire.Epicurus. Epicurus granted there was a God; but one that was neither liberal, bountifull, nor had any regard of things: that is to say, God is no God; but a cruel and unkind Mon­ster.Anaximan▪ Anaximander supposed the gods to be born, and not to dye, till after many ages. The Egyptians, because of the Ancestry of their linage, feign the gods to have begun among them, and that they were but two, and everlast­ing: the Sun, whom they called Osiris; and the Moon, that was named Isis. Notwithstanding Lactantius writeth,Saturnus fa­ther of the gods. That Saturnus was the first Father of the gods, which begat Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Pluto, and Glauca, by his Wife Ops. And for the benefits that they shewed to their Subjects, they were deified.

But in such variety of opinions, it is a thing difficult to determine the first [Page 5] off-spring of their gods, both because they be but vain, and also sprung out of mortal humanity. And again, to speak of God,To speak of the nature of God is dangerous. as he is in his supernatural es­sence, is a thing dangerous, because we can neither behold the resplendent brightnesse of his Majesty with our cor­porall eyes, nor with any quicknesse of wit, comprehend his infinite might, as the Poet Symonides did declare very well:Simonides. For when he was required of King Hiero, to shew him what thing, and of what sort God was, he desired to have one day respite; when he asked him the next day, he prayed to have two dayes: and as often as the King requi­red of him an answer, he increased the number of the dayes of deliberation: the King marvailing that he doubled so many times the dayes, inquired why he did so? For the more (said he) that I consider the thing, and muse on it, the more obscure and intricate it seemeth to me. Which thing if the Philoso­phers (which like to blind warriours, wandring in darknesse) had done, they would not have devised so many lies to offend or displease their Creator. For it is better to be ignorant in the truth, then to teach error. Therefore to con­clude [Page 6] (as Macrobius writeth) There is but one God,One God. subject to no mutability, who is One Eternall Being, of all naturall things: the cause principall who saith by his Prophet Esay, I am God, before me there was no other, nei­ther shall be after me, without begin­ning, onely everlasting, of whom Vir­gil writeth thus.

And Plato saith, There is but one God, and affirmeth that this world was created by him; and was called God, because he giveth freely to men, all things good and profitable,What God is. and is the principal fountain of all goodnesse in this world.

CHAP. II. The Principles of natural things.

ALthough it had been convenient to have begun this present Treatise with declaring the principles of natural creatures; and so consequently to have expounded the original of the gods, forasmuch as they have their beginning of the same things: yet the reverence that I have to the true God, which was before all other creatures, moveth me to begin at him, as the cause principal of the rest. Therefore as concerning the causes of things, I will shew first the minds of the Philosophers that he most probable, untill I come to the truth it self. Thales, one of the seven wise men of Greece, hath an opinion, that water was the material cause of all things. Contrariwise, Heraclitus, an Ephesian, and Hippasus, suppose all to be procre­ated of fire.Water is cause mate­rial. Fire. Empedocles saith, the four Eleme [...]ts were the causes of things, as Lucretius writeth.

Of Water, Earth, Ayre, and fiery glede:Four Ele­ments. All things natural duely procede.

[Page 8] Anaximenes thinketh all things to have their beginning of the Ayre.Ayre. Me­trodorus assirmeth the universal World to be eternal, without begining or end. Epicurus one of Democritus disciples, putteth two causes,Atomos. Atomes, or Motes, and vacuity or emptinesse, of these he saith, the four Elements come. These are the opinions of the Philosophers, that were men without the knowledge of God:The World was made of naught. but (as Moses and Josephus re­cord) the Scripture concludeth that in the beginning, God made all things of nothing; as Saint John saith, all things were made by him. And therefore (as Lactantius writeth) let no man be cu­rious in searching, of what materiall God made these great and wonderfull works, for he formed them all of no­thing, by the power of his mighty word. For as David the Prophet singeth, he spake the word and they were made, he gave Commandement, and they were created.Plato. Of the same opinion is Plato, in his book called Timeus.

CHAP. III. The procreation of Man, the diversity of Languages, and division of Nations.

THe most famous writers of natural Histories (as Diodorus recordeth)The opinions of the birth of man. spake of two sundry manners of birth, and first stock of mankind. For they which contend that the World was un­generate, and without any danger of corruption, say also that man hath been in a certain perpetuity, without begin­ning. Of this opinion, were Pithagoras, Architas, Xenocrates, and Aristotle, with other Peripateticks, affirming that all things in the eternal world, which have been, or shall hereafter come to passe, be by Generation endlesse, and with­out beginning, and have onely a circuit and course of Generations, wherein both the birth, and naturall resolution of things may be perceived.The second opinion. Other that suppose this world had both an Origi­nall cause of being, and shall also end by putrifaction, hold opinion that man had a time of his Generation.The Egypti­ans opinion of man. For this cause the Aegyptians report, that men were first born among them, as well by [Page 10] reason of the fruitfull ranknesse of the soil, and seasonableness of the Ayre, and because of the River Nilus, which for the lusty fatnesse of the slime, doth pro­create diverse kinds of beasts, and hath in it self naturally a certain nutritive power.Mice engen­dred of the mud. For in the Country of Thebais Mice be engendred of the mud: where­fore men in those parts stand in admira­tion when they behold the fore-parts of them to the brest, wallow and move sensibly in the mire, and the hinder partts not yet fashioned, and without shape.The story of Psammati­cus. Neverthelesse, Psammaticus their King, desiring to know in what Countrey, men were first begotten, de­vised this means. He caused two young Infants new born, to be delivered to his herdmen, to be brought up among his cattell, and commanded that no man should speak any word to them, be­cause he would know what word they would speak first. Then two years after when the herdmen opened thè door where they were nourished, they stret­ched out their hands, and cried Becos, which in the Phrygians language, signi­fieth bread. Thus it was known that the Phrygians were the eldest lineage, and first born. The Ethiopians do con­jecture [Page 11] themselves to be the first, be­cause no man would come out of any other place into that Region,The Aethi­opians opini­on of man. and they of that be by a general con [...]ent,Aborigines. called home-bred, and (as Diodorus saith) it is probable that those under the Meri­dional Aequator, should be the ancientest of all. For seeing the heat of the Sun drieth up the moysture of the earth, and hath also of it self, a power to give and preserve the life of things, it is like that the place which is scituate nearest to the Sun, should bring forth the first living creatures.Anaximan­der. For that cause Anax­imander taught, that men first sprung of water and Earth, warmed with lively heat. Empedocles in a manner con­firmeth the same, where he writeth that every particular member was se­verally made, and proportioned of the Earth (as a mother) and so to have been compacted, and conglutinated by heat and moisture into the perfect figure and shape of a man.

Democritus thinketh men were first made of Water and Mudde,Democritus, tempered together.Zeno. Zeno judgeth the cause of Mankind to have proceeded of the New World. And men to be onely begot­ten by the ayd and comfort of the di­vine [Page 12] fire, that is, the providence of God. As for the Poets,Poets. some feign, how man was made out of soft clay by Prome­theus. Some say, that they sprung of the hard stones that Deucalion and Pir­rha cast: And thus much is of the vain opinions of the Gentiles.God made man. But to speak the truth, (as Scripture teacheth) the beginning of man was in Jewry. For God, when he had finished the World,Adam the first man. did create the first man, Adam, of the Earth of the field of Damascus, as some think. Thus Adam, made by God, marrying his Wife Eve, was au­thour, and beginner of the whole Poste­rity and Linage. But for as much as God formed but one man, and indued him with one kind of speech onely, to utter and declare the things that he contained in his mind: men perchance will marvail, what the cause should be, that there be at this day so many diverse languages,Diversity of speeches. that according to the variety of Countries, there be sundry speeches. And therefore I thought it convenient to shew the occasion of the same. When Nimrod the son of Cham, that was son to Noe, after the universal floud, went about to withoraw men (which feared the danger of drowning) from the wor­ship [Page 13] of God,Religiou. supposing all their hope to consist in their own might and power, perswaded them to build a Tower of such altitude, that the water should not be able to overflow it.Babylon. Whilest they were thus earnestly occu­pied about their enterprise, God divi­ded their speeches in such sort, that not one of them could understand ano­ther, by reason of the discord and dis­agreeing of their languages. And thus began the diversity of tongues that we use now. The same was the occasion that the posterities of Noe were disper­sed and scattered abroad.Division of Nations. For when one could not understand another's language, it came to passe, that every man departed into sundry Provinces add Countries, and there named pla­ces, whereof they had the government; and also Cities, which they builded, af­ter their own names, as Eusebius testi­fieth. The sonnes of Noe were Sem, Sons of Noah. Cham, and Japhet. The issue of Sem was Elam, whereof the Elamites came. Assur, of whom the Assyrians were na­med.Authors of the names of Countries. Arphaxad was the first founder of the Arabians, and Lud of the Lidians: the children of Cham were Chus, that named the Ethiopians; and Mesre the [Page 14] beginner of the Egyptians. Chanaan, of whom the Canaanites had their name: the linage of Chus was Seba, whereof the Sebees came; and Evila, of whom came the Evelites. And sem­blably we must believe, that of them came all other Nations and people of the world, which be now in so great number, that they cannot easily be numbred.

CHAP. IV. The beginning of Marriage, and sundry rites of the same.

GOD, after that he had fully ac­complished, and perfectly crea­ted the world, and when all the crea­tures therein were in their kind con­summate, (as Moses teacheth) he made man last of all, to be Lord and Sove­reign of the whole body of the world, as one of whom all his work should be subject, because he was fashioned after his own likenesse.Instruction of wedlock. And lest so worthy a creature should by death perish, or the world might want his governour & ruler, it pleased him to make woman [Page 15] out of the body of man, and so with the bond of Matrimony, combined them together, that they should not live after the manner of brute beasts: therefore hath God joyned Adam and Eve in Marriage in Paradise,Marriage began in Paradise. before they knew sin, that by the congression and company of these two sexes, and kinds, their issue might be enlarged, and so replenish the whole World. In this sort was Matrimony instituted, albeit antiquity feigneth Cecrops King of the Athenians to have ordeyned Matrimo­ny,Cecrops. for which cause, he was reported to have had two faces. But all Coun­treyes did not enter like bond of Ma­trimony,The man­ners of di­vers Nati­ons in Mar­riages. neither kept it after one fashi­on. For the Numidians, Egyptians, In­dians, Hebrews, Persians, Parthians, Thracians, and almost all the Barbari­ans, every one according to his sub­stance married Wives, some ten, some more. The Scythian, the Stoicks, and Athenians, used their children and wives in common, and copulated with them abroad openly like beasts.Massagites. The Mes­sagites married every one a wife, but they used them commonly. Among the Arabians it is the manner,Arabians. that all Kinsmen should have but one wife, and [Page 16] he that came to meddle with her, should set his staff at the doore; for their custome was to bear a staff, albeit she lay every night by the eldest, by this means they were all brethren. An Adulterer was there condemned to death,Punishment for Adulte­ry. which was perceived by this, if he were of another family or kindred. Where chanced on a time a strange thing, worthy to be had in memory, there was a certain Kings daughter of excellent beauty; which had fifteen brethren, that loved her all intirely well, and used one after another, to re­sort to, and keep company with her: she began by such daily dalliance, to be weary of their wanton company, and devised this feat, she prepared staves like her brothers staves, and by and by as one was gone, she set a staff at the door like to his, and by that deceit, the other, when they came to the door, supposing one to be within, pressed no further, and it fortuned on a day when they were all together in the Court, one of them departed from the other, and repaired to her house, and when he espyed a staff at the gate, thinking it to be some Adulterer, for he was assured that he left his brethren in the Court, [Page 17] he ran to his father and accused his si­ster of Adultery; but when the matter was known, it was perceived that he had falsly slandered her.Buying of Wives. The Assyrians and the Babylonians bought their wives in open Market at a common price, which custome among the Saracens and Arabians yet still remaineth. When the Nazamones were first married,Nazamones they used to suffer their wives to lie the first night with all her guests, in the wor­ship of Venus; and from thenceforth they kept themselves chaste, and pure of living. A certain people of the Car­thaginians, which border on Aegypt, were wont to offer such maidens as should be married, to the King of that Region, to deflour whom it pleased him.The use sof Scotland. In Scotland also the usage was that the Lord of the soyl should lye with the bride before her husband: but for so much as it was unfitting to be frequented among Christians, their King Malcolme, the third of that name,Malcolme King of the Scots. about the year of our Lord, M.XCIX. did abolish that beastly abomination, and ordained that every maid should give the Lord for the redemption of her maidenhead, a Crown of Gold.Single livers Some people lived single, as certain Nations [Page 18] called Cristae and Esseni among the He­brews, which did abhor the calamities and troubles in marriage. Wedlock was observed sincerely and reverently of the Romanes till Divorcement began;Divorce­ment. which although it be an occasion that Women should more earnestly keep their chastity, yet our Religion doth scarcely permit it. One Spurius Servi­lius, Spurius Servilius. the year after the City was found­ed 522. (Marcus Pomponius, and Caius Pap [...]rius being Consuls) first sued a Divorce from his Wife, because she was barren: for which fact, although he affirmed openly before the Censors that he did it only because he would have issue, yet he was evil spoken of among the common sort. This decree of divorcing was taken out of the Laws of Moses, Moses or­dained Di­vorcements. which made the first consti­tution of that statute; yet was there this difference. For by Moses it was one­ly lawfull for the Husband to forsake his Wife; but the Romans decree gave them both like liberty. The Rites of Marriage were divers in Rome; Rites of Marriages. the man­ner was, that two children should lead the Bride, and another bear a Torch be­fore her of white-thorn, in worship of Ceres: that like as she with fruits of the [Page 21] earth doth nourish men; so the new bride like an houswife, should bring up her children. Which manner is used in England, saving that instead of the Torch, there is born here a cup of Silver or Gold before them. A Garland also of Corn-eares was set on her head; or else she bare it in her hand, or if that were not, when she came home, wheat was scatered abroad over her head in betokening of plenty and fruitfull­nesse.

Also before she came to bed to her Husband, Fire and water were given her,Fire and Water given in token of chastity. Maids of Rome and Greece. which have power to purify and cleanse, signifying thereby that she should be chaste and honest of her body. There were besides these, divers Rites which I omit. The maids of Greece and Rome (as it may appear by Homer and Catullus) were usually accustomed to gird their Privity with a lace, or swa­thel, till the day of their Marriage. The Bride anointed the posts of the doors with swines grease, because she thought by that means to drive away all misfor­tune, whereof she had her name in La­tine. Neither might she step over the threshold,Vxor ab ungendo. but must be born over, to declare that she loseth her Virginity [Page 20] unwillingly, with many other supersti­tious ceremonies, which be too long to rehearse.

CHAP. V. The Institution of Religion and who Wor­shipped gods first with sacrifice.

IT is no doubt but men which at the first without any Governour, led a barbarous and rude manner of life,Occasion of Idolatry. did highly advance their first Kings honour and prayses; and by the perswasion of the Devil, either for their wonderfull courage and vertue, or to flatter the condition of their dignity, or for some special benefit that they received by them, magnified them as gods. Where­by it came to passe, that Kings, being well-beloved of their people, le [...]t a fer­vent memorial of themselves among their subjects and posterity; by reason whereof men made Images of them,Images of Kings. to take a comfortable pleasure of the be­holding of them: Afterward because to encourage men to vertue and che­valry, they reverenced them as gods, for every valiant courage would with [Page 21] more alacrity enterprise dangerous ad­ventures for the common-weal, when they perceived the noble acts of wor­thy and puissant men, to be recompen­sed with honour and laud of the im­mortal Gods. Thus Temples began first to be builded, and service of the gods to be performed, by the ordinance of Melissus, Melissus. in the time of Jupiter, or not long before. Yet that the true and certain original may be absolutely known, let us appoint the custome of idolatry, to have begun in the time of Belus King of the Assyrians, Belus. which reigned in the 3180 year of the world whom the Babylonians first worshipped for a God, and set up an Image of him: and therefore they that think Idolatry hath endured from the begiuning of the World, are deceived. H [...]rodotus saith, that the Egyptians first builded Altars, Temples, Images, and offered sacrifice to the gods, and after taught them to strangers: Some suppose that Mercury shewed with what ceremonies gods should be honoured. Some say, it was devised by King Numa Pompilius.

Diodorus thinketh that the Aethiopi­ans did institute the Rites of sacrificingAethiopians. [Page 22] to the gods, which thing Homer in his Ilias witnesseth, where he telleth how Jupiter and the other gods went into Aethiopia to the oblations that were customably made there, and also repai­red thither to be cherished with the fra­grant odours, that perfumed the sacri­fices. And the Aethiopians received this reward of their holinesse; that they should never be conquered, but e­ver live in liberty. without any bon­dage. Lactantius affirmeth, that Me­lissus King of Creet did first sacrifice, and ordeined other solemn rites in the ce­remonies of their gods.Janus. In Italy, Janus and his son Faunus appointed sacrifices to Saturn; and after them, King Numa set up a new Religion.

Cadmus out of Venice, Cadmus. and Orpheus out of Thrace, Orpheus. brought first into Greece the mysteries, solemnities, dedicating of Images,Cecrops. and Hymns of their gods.

Albeit, Herodotus saith that Cecrops King of Athens transported all such con­stitutions and ordinances out of Egypt into Greece, and first invocated Jupiter, founded Images, set up Altars, and of­fered sacrifices, that were never seen before in Greece. But to God Almighty, [Page 23] whom we Christians honour and serve,Cain. Cain and Abel first offered;Abel. and Enos first called upon the name of the Lord.Enos.

CHAP VI. Who found the Letters, aud the number of them.

LEtters, wherein is conteined the treasure of knowledg,Letters. and by whom things notable be preserved in fresh re­membrance, after the opinion of Dio­dorus, were found by Mercury in Egypt, yet some say one Menon an Egyptian devised them:Diodorus Menon. but instead of the letters they of Egypt used to signify and declare the intents and conceits of their minds by the figures of beasts,The Egyptianss letters. Fishes, Fowls, and Trees. Pliny saith, he thought that the Assyrians excogitated the let­ters which Cadmus brought out of Phoe­nice into Greece, Pliny. which were but 16 in number.Cadmus found four­teen letters. Palamedes added four letters. A b c d e g i l m n o p r s t v. to these Palamedes added in the battel of Troy other four, viz. [...]. Simonides found as many, viz. [...]. Whose power is contained in our letters. Ari­stotle [Page 24] saith there were 18, of the old, viz. [...]. and that Epicarmus put to the other two,Epicarmus. [...] and [...]S. Hermolaus is supposed to have added sy. Herodotus writeth, how that the Phenicians that came with Cadmus to inhabite Thebes, Cadmus. brought letters into Greece, which were never seen in use there before-time. Some think the Aethiopians invented them, and then taught them to the Egyptians, that were one of their Provinces. But Eumolphus telleth unfainedly that the beginning of letters did proceed of Moses, Eumolphus. which reigning long before Cadmus dayes,Moses. taught the Jews the let­ters, and thence the Phoenicians recei­ved them, and the Greeks learned of them. Which thing is conformable to the saying of Pliny before rehearsed: for Jury is a part of Syria, and the Jews be Syrians. Neverthelesse I find by Josephus that writing was before Noe's floud,The Sons of Seth found the letters. for the sons of Seth wrote in two Pillars, one of brick and another of stone, the Science of Astronomy; where­of that of stone, in the time of Josephus remained in Siria. Philo ascribeth the invention of them to Abraham, which [Page 25] was elder then Moses, albeit I had ra­ther assign to Seths children, the begin­ning of writing. As for the Hebrew let­ters which be now,Hebrew let­ters. according to Saint Jeromes opinion, were but newly in­vented, and devised by Esdras: for be­fore that time the Hebrews and Sama­rites used all one Characters.

The old greek letters were the same that the Romans use now,Greek letters as Pliny conjectu­reth by a certain brasse Table that came from Delphos, which was dedicated and hanged up in a Library in the Temple of Minerva at Rome in his time.Evander brought let­ters into I­taly. They were brought into Italy by Evander, and the Arcadians which came into Italy, to inhabit there, as Ovid telleth in his book Defastis.

The Hetrurians had also a form of let­ters by themselves, wherein the youth of Rome was instructed, as well as in the Greek letters,Demeratus taught the Hetrurians letters. which one Deme­ratus a Corinthian taught the Hetru­rians. And like as the Grecians had enlarged the number of their lette [...]s, so the Italians following their exam­ple, put to theirs, f k q x y z h. which h is no letter,The letter F. was taken of the Ae [...]lians. but a sign of aspiration: f they received of the Aeolians, which both among the old Romanes and Aeo­lians [Page 26] had the same sound and pronun­tiation that p. with an aspiration hath, which we use in writing Greek words. And afterward Claudius Casar, as Quin­tilian writeth, appointed that it should be taken in the place of v. consonant, as fulgus for vulgus, fixit for vixit; And even so our English men use to speak in Essex, for they say Fine­ger for Vineger, Feal for Veal, and contrariwise, a Vox for a Fox, vour for four: And in processe of time it was used for ph. in Latine words. k. was borrowed of the Greeks, but no good Authour useth it in writing La­tine. q. was added because it hath a grosser sound then c. The letter x. we had also out of Greece, although (as Quintilian judgeth) we might well for­bear it, forasmuch that they used for it either c s or g s. Likewise y and z, were sent from the Grecians, and be used of us onely to write Greek words.

CHAP. VII. The Invention of Grammar.

NExt the Letters, the invention of grammer ordinarily succeeds, both because it is the foundation and ground whereon all other Sciences rest: and also forasmuch as it taketh the name of letters; For Gramma in Greek signifieth a Letter in English. Grammar is an Art that doth consist in speaking & writing without fault, so that every word have his due letters, and (as Quintilian supposeth,Two parts of Gramm is divided into two parts: the way to speak congruously, and declaring of Poets. As Tully writeth, there is required in Gramarians, the declara­tion of Poets, the knowledg of Histo­ries, exposition of words, and a certain utterance of pronunciation. It had the beginning of marking and observing what was most fit or unfitting in com­munication, which thing men coun­terfeiting in their speech, made this Art, even as Rhetorick was perceived. For it is the duty both of Grammari­ans, and Oratours to have a regard and respect, how to speak. Hermippus saith [Page 28] that Epicurus first taught the Art of Grammer,Epicurus taught Grammer first. Crates taught Grammer in Rome. and Plato espyed and per­ceived first the commodity and profit of it. In Rome, it was nothing esteemed till one Crates Malotes was sent by King Attalus to the Senate to teach it be­tween the second and third battels of Punicks, a little before the death of Enni­us the Poet. It is of all other Sciences the most special, for it sheweth a means to attain all the rest of the liberall Sci­ences. Neither can a man come or attain to any excellency in any Art, un­lesse he have first his principles of Grammer, perfectly known, and throughly perceived.

Therefore in old time Grammarians were called judges and allowers of all other writers, and for that cause they were called Critici.

In this excelled Didymus, and Anto­nius Enipho, Antonius-Enipho a Schoolma­ster. whose School Marcus Ci­cero resorted unto divers times after his affairs of the Law were ended: Nigidi­us Figulus, Marcus Varro, Marcus Va­lerius Probus, and the arrogant Palemo [...], with many other of the Greeks, Ari­starchus, Aristotle, and Theodoces were chief.

CHAP. VIII. Of Poetry, and Meter, and sundry kinds of the same.

POetry is a goodly Art:Poetry. as well be­cause no other discipline can be perceived, except a man study it vehe­mently, for it comprehendeth all other sciences: as for that, where other facul­ties be devised by the pregnance, of mans wit, this art onely is given of na­ture by a divine inspiration, without which Democritus affirmeth there could never be excellent Poets: for it procee­deth not of Art or Precepts, but of a naturall inspiration, and spiritual pow­er.Poets be cal­led holy, of Ennius. And therefore Ennius called Po­ets holy, because they be by a special prerogative commended and praised to us of God. The beginning of this art is very ancient, and, as Eusebius saith, it flourished first among the Hebrews, that were long before the Greeks. Hebrews were Au­thors of Po­etry. Moses. For Mo­ses the great Captain of the Jews, what time he led them out of Aegypt into the land of promise, passing the red Sea, which by the power of God gave place to them, inspired by the holy Ghost, [Page 30] made a song of Hexameter Verses, to render thanks to God for that benefit.

And David the holy Prophet of God,David. after he was dispatched of all his affairs in war, and escaped the assaults and dan­gers of treason, living in great peace, devised many pleasant tunable Hymns, for the praise of God in sundry kinds of Meter. For as Saint Jerome saith, the Psalter of David goeth in as good num­ber and measures,The Psalter of David. as either the Greek Planudes, or the Latine Horatius: some­time in Alcaeus number, sometime in the Metre of Sappho, sometime with half measures. What is goodlier then the song of Moses in Deuteronomy, and of Isaiah? more ancient then Solomon? more perfect then Job? Solomon. Job. Orpheus. Linus. We may wor­thily ascribe the invention of it to the Hebrews: but indeed Orpheus and Linus, and after them, Homer and Hesiodus did first polish and adorn the Art with all kind of Furniture. The Romans received it not till of latter time; for Livius Andronicus (as Tully writeth) in the 513 year after the City was buil­ded,Livius An­dronicus. (Caius Claudius Cento, and Marcus Tuditanus being Consuls) set forth the first enterlude or fable, a year before Ennius was born. Before those dayes, it [Page 31] was had in such despite, that if one had professed himself to be a Poet, he was supposed to be as bad as a murtherer, The beginner of Meter was the true God,The World was made by Metre. which proportioned the world; with all the contents of the same, with a certain order as it were a Meter: for there is none (as Pythagoras taught) that doubteth, but that there is in things Heavenly and Earthly, a kind of harmo­ny; and unlesse it were governed with a formal concord and described-num­ber, how could it long continue? All other instruments, that we occupy, be all fashioned by a manner of measure. And Diodorus assigneth the invention of Meter, which the Poets by a spiritu­all influence used in their works, to Ju­piter, as to Almighty God.

Of Meters there be divers kinds that have their name,Diverse kinds of Meter. Heroical verse. either of the thing that is described therein, (as heroical Meter is so called of the Wars of noble men that be conteined in it) wherein also Apollo gave his Oracles, therefore Pliny saith we have that Meter of Pythi­us Oracle; or of the inventour as Aesclepiadical; or of the quantity of Jambus, Archilocus found Jam­bus. because it standeth of a short and a long, which Archilocus found [Page 32] first, of the number of feet, as Hoxamo­ter and Pentameter, which is also cal­led Elegiacal, the shepheards song, Daphnis the son of Mercury found:Daphnis found the Shepheards Carolls. and other devised other songs, which I let passe, for my purpose is onely to speak of the Inventers of the Meter, and not to persecute the particulars.

CHAP. IX. The beginning of the Tragedies, Comedies, Satyres, and new Comedies.

TRagedies and Comedies,Tragedies. had their beginning of the oblations, (as Diodorus writeth) which in old time men devoutly offer'd for their fruits to Bacchus. For as the Altars were kindled with fire, and the Goat layed on it, the Quire in honour of Bac­chus, sung this Meter called a Tragedy. It was named so, either because a Goat which in Greek is called Tragos, [...]. was the reward appointed for him that was Author of the Song, or because a Goat, which is noysome to the Vines, where­of Bacchus was first inventour, was Sa­crificed to Liber: Or of the grounds [Page 33] or dregs, which in Greek is called Tryx, [...]. Visards were found by Eschylus. with the which stage-players used to paint their face, before that Eschylus devised Visards. The beginner of them, alter the mind of Horace, was Thespis, albeit, Quintilianus saith, Eschylus set forth first open Tragedies before any other, Sophocles and Euripides did fur­nish them more gallantly.Famous Tragedies. In Rome Livius Andronicus made the first Tra­gedy, wherein Accius, Paccuvius, Ouidi­us, and Seneca excelled. The Comedies began what time (the Athenians being not yet assembled into the City) the youth of that country, used to sing so­lemn verses at feasts, abroad in the Vil­lages and High wayes, for to get money: they were so named of the Greek word Comos, for a Banquetting, [...]. or Come a street, and Ode a song. Yet it is un­certain among the Grecians who found it first. In this kind of writing, Aristo­phanes, Eupolis, and Cratinus bare the price: of the Romans, Livius Androni­cus found it first.A Tragedy. In a Tragedy noble personages, as Lords, Dukes, Kings and Emperours be brought in, with an high style.A Comedy. In a Comedy, amorous dalliance, matters of love, and deflouring of mai­dens be conteined. Heavinesse is ap­propried [Page 34] unto a Tragedy, and there­fore,Archilaus. when King Archelaus desired Eu­ripides, to write a Tragedy of him, he denyed it, wishing that never such thing should chance to him, as should be wor­thy of of Tragedy; for it hath ever a mi­serable end, and a Comedy hath a joy­full end.A Satyre. A Satyre is a Poesy, rebu­king vices sharply, not regarding any persons.Two sorts of Satyres. There be two kinds of Sa­tyres; the one, which was both among the Greeks and Romans of antient time used, for the diversity of Meters much like a Comedy, saving that it is more wanton. Demetrius of Tharsus and one Menippus a bondman, whom Marcus Varro did counterfeit, were writes in this kind. The second man­ner of Satyres is very railing, onely or­deined to rebuke vice, and devised of the Romans, upon this occasion. When the Poets,Liberty of the old Sa­tyre. that wrote the old Come­dies, used to handle for their arguments not onely feigned matters, but also things done indeed, which although at the first, it was tollerable, yet after­wards it fortuned by reason that they inveighed so liberally, and largely at their pleasure, against every man that there was a law made, that no man [Page 35] should from thenceforth, reprehend a­ny man by name. Then the Romans in the place of those Comedies, substi­tuted such Satyres, as they had newly imagined.New Come­dy. Then also began the new Comedy, which concerneth generally all men of mean estate: and hath lesse bitternesse and railing, but more plea­santnesse and pastime for the auditors. Of this Menander and Philemon were Authors,Menander. which asswaged all the crab­bednesse of the old writings. Of them Cicilius, Nevius; Plautus, and Terentius, learned to compile Comedies, although (as Quintilian saith) they never attain­ed to the least proportion of their Pa­trons, because the Latine Tongue is not so fit to receive the ornaments of Elo­quence, as the Greek Tongue is. The Satyres had the name of Barbarian gods that were rude,Satyres whereof they were named. lascivious, and wanton of behaviour. In this form of writing Lucilius, Horacius, Persius, Juvenal, ob­tained great fame and praise.

CHAP. X. The Devisers of Histories, Prose and Rhetorick.

HIstories,Histories. of all other Writings, be most commendable, because it in­formeth all sorts of people, with nota­ble examples of living, and doth excite Noble-men to insue such activity in en­terprises, as they read to have been done by their Ancestors; and also dis­courageth and dehorteth wicked per­sons from attempting of any hainous deeds or crime, knowing, that such acts shall be registred in perpetual memory, to the praise or reproach of the doers, according to the desert of their endea­vours. Pliny writeth, That Cadmus Milesius first wrote Histories among the Grecians,Cadmus wrote the story of Cyrus. which contained the actions of Cyrus King of Persia. Albeit, Jose­phus supposeth it to be made probable, that Histories were begun by the old Writers of the Hebrews; as in the time of Moses, which wrote the lives of ma­ny of the eldest Hebrews,Moses did write the first Stories. and the crea­tion of the World: or else to the Priests of Egypt and Babylon. For the Egypti­ans and Babylonians, have been of lon­gest [Page 37] continuane very diligent; in set­ting forth things in writing; inso­much,Priests of Egypt wrote stories. that their Priests were appointed for that purpose, of putting in writing such things as were worthy to be had in memory. As concerning the first wri­ters of Prose, I cannot hold with Pliny, which saith,Pheresides. Pheresides, a Syrian, wrote first Prose, in the time of King Cyrus. For it is no doubt, but he that wrote Histories, wrote also Prose first; and Pheresides was long after Moses, which was 688 years before Joatham King of the Jews. In whose time the Olym­piads began; and this Pheresides (as Eusebius writeth) was but in the first Olympiad.Greek sto­ries. Of the Grecians, Xeno­phon, Thucydides, Herodotus, Theopom­pus, flourished most in writing Histories. Of the Romans;Latin sto­ries. Titus Livius, and Caius Crispius Salustius, with divers other, were had in high estimation. Before that time they used Annals or Chronicles, which contained onely the actions and facts of every day severally. The first office of an Historiographer, is to write no lye. The second, that he shall conceal no truth for favour, dis­pleasure or fear. The perfection of an History, resteth in matter and words. [Page 38] The order of the matter requireth ob­servance of times, descriptions of places, the manners and lives of men, their be­haviours, purposes, occasions, deeds, sayings, casualties, atchievings, and fi­nishing of things. The renour of the words asketh a brief perspicuity and sincere truth, with moderate and peace­able ornaments.

We may be sure,Rhetorick. that by and by after men were formed, they received of God the use of speech, wherein when they perceived some words to be profitable, and some hurtfull in uttering of them: they appointed and compiled an art of speech, or communication, called Rhe­torick. Which (as Diodorus saith) was invented by Mercury: Mercury▪ Empedocles. but Aristotle affirmeth, that Empedocles was first au­thor of the Oratorial Art. In Rome, this seat of eloquence was never for­bidden, but in processe (as it was per­ceived to be profitable and honest) was had in such estimation; and so many, partly for their defence, partly for glory and ambition, employed their studies in it with such endeavour, that very ma­ny of the Commonalty were promoted into the degree of Senatours, and at­chieved [Page 39] much worship by it;Corax and Thiseas gave rules of Rheto­rick. Corax, and Thisias, being Sicilians, gave first pre­cepts in writing of this Science. And their Countryman Leontinus Gorgias succeeded them. Demosthenes was prin­cipal among the Grecians: among the Romans,Cicero. Tullius Cicero had no fellow. Now as touching the effect and proper­ty of it,Parts of Rhetorick. there be in it (as Cicero writeth) five parts; first, to invent matter to speak; then, formally to order his devi­ces; next, to polish it, and furnish it with elegant terms, and choyse words, and to have it in perfect memory: and last of all, to utter it with a comely ge­sture, in such sort, that it delight: for the convenient treat ablenesse thereof, doth teach, and plainly declare the thing, and move affections of pitty and favour, in the hearts of Judges; or if the cause per­mit, or time require, to excite a chear­full laughing, and abundant grave seve­rity. In terms of this faculty, we have this difference; we call him that defen­deth matters, and pleadeth causes, an Oratour. A Rhetoritian, is he that teacheth or professeth to be a School­master in that Art. A Declamator, is he that is occupied in feigned causes, [Page 40] either for his own exercise, or to instruct others thereby.

CHAP. XI. Who Invented Musick; and what efficacy it is of, in humane affairs.

MUsick, by the testimony of ancient Poets,Orpheus. is very antient; for Or­pheus and Linus, both born of the linage of the gods, were very excellent Musi­tians. And because the one by the sweetnesse of his Harmony, delighted and mollified the gross hearts, and rude minds of men, it was feigned, that he made the wild beasts, as Lyons and Ty­gres, to follow him: and the praisings of god's valiant powers, and deeds of Arms of Lords, were used to be sung with Lutes at the royall Feasts; as Iompas in Virgil, and Demodocus in Homer bear witnesse.

The Finders of Musick,Finders of Musick, af­ter divers Authours. Zephus. Amphion. as Pliny sup­poseth, was Amphion the son of Jupiter by Antiope. The Grecians ascribe the finding of it to Diodorus. Eusebius saith, That Zephus and Amphion, which [Page 41] were in Cadmus's dayes, invented Mu­sick. Solinus contendeth, that the study of this Art came out of Crete, and was perceived by the ringing and shrill sound of Brasse, and so brought and traduced into numbers and measures. Polybius affirmeth, That it came from the Arcadians,Arcadians which have an exceed­ing mind to that Science. And Diodo­rus writeth,Mercury found the Concords. That Mercury found Con­cords of singing. Albeit, it is like that these onely were the first setters out of it in Greece of late time: for Josephus telleth,Tubulcain. That Tubulcain an Hebrew, the son of Lamech, which was many Ages before them, used much to sing to the Psaltery and Lute: notwithstanding, who was first procurer of it, and when it was found, it is yet uncertain. For it seemeth to have been given of nature to mankind at the beginning,Nature gave Mu­sick to men. for a spe­ciall remedy, to mitigate the cruell pains, wherein man is plunged; for a child new-born, ceaseth its crying at the singing and lulling of his Nurse. In all kind of labours,Labourers passe away the time with Songs. singing is comfort­able, the Gally-man, the Plow-man, the Carter, the Carrier, ease the te­diousnesse of their labour and journey, with carollings, and whistling: yea, [Page 42] the brute beasts be delighted with songs and noises, as Mules with bells, Horses with trumpets and shalmes, are of a fiercer stomack to their appointed Mi­nistery. And of whom (think ye) learn­ed the Birds their diversity of tunes? Who taught the Nightingale such sun­dry notes? Doubtlesse even nature was of this agreeable Harmony, the onely Schoolmistresse.Musick ma­keth men effeminate. But the Egyp­tians did forbid their young folks lear­ning of Musick, because it seduceth and maketh effeminate the hardy, courage of men. And Ephorus saith, It was ordained to delude and deceive men. Nevertheless,Socrates. Socrates wa [...] not ashamed in his old age, to learn to play on the Harp.Themistocles And Themistocles, because he refused the Harp at a Banquet, was reckoned unlearned.Salii Mar­tis. The Priests of Mars in Rome, talled Salii, sung ver­ses about the City: And especially the great Prophet David, David. which sung the Mysteries of God in Meter, frequented singing.

CHAP. XII. Who Invented Musical Instruments, and brought them into Italy.

IT is said,Mercury. that Mercury found the Harp first.Harp. For as he walked by the River Nilus after an ebbe, he found a Tortoise all withered, and nothing remaining but the sinews; which as he fortuned to strike on them, made a certain sound: and after the pattern of that, he fa­shioned an Harp, and according to the three times of the year, Summer, Win­ter,The strings in the Harp. and Spring, he put to it three strings, a treble, a base, and a mean. This Instrument he gave to Apollo, and Apollo delivered it to Orpheus: some think Amphion found it.Amphion. I find, that the Harp had seven strings, to resemble the seven daughters of Atlas, Gods of fa­vour. whereof Maia, Mercury his Mother, was one. And then after that, were two other put to, to represent the nine Muses.

Some re [...]er the originall of the Harp and Pipe to Apollo, for his Image in Delos (as they say) hath in the right hand a bow, and in the left hand the goddesses of favour. Whereof one hath [Page 44] a Harp,Shalms. another a Shalm, the third a Pipe. Shalms were at the beginning made of Cranes legs, and after of great reeds,Dardamus Trezenius. Dardamus Trezemius used first to play and sing with them. Pan an hea­thenish God, found the Pipe of small Reed first,Pipe. to solace his love. Eusebius saith, Cybele found it, and some suppose it was Apollo. Timarias played on the Harp or Lute first, without Ditty, and Amphion sung first to the Lute, but the Harp was found before by Tubal, Singing to the lute. and fashioned like the Greek letter [...].

Hermophilus first distributed the pulse, and beating of the Veins, to certain measures of Musick. And the Prophet David found divers instruments, as Re­galsRegalls. and Nebles.Nebles. The Troglodites found the Dulcimers. Dulcimers. Pises Terrenes found the brazenBrazen Trumpet,Trumpet. which the Terrenes footmen used in their warres: some think it was Tirreus, or Dirceus an A­thenian. For when the Lacedemonians made war against the Messenians, and the wars were long endured, they had answer of Apollo, that if they would win the field, they should have a Captain of Athens.

And the Athenians in despite, sent to them one Dyrceus, a lame and one ey'd [Page 45] fellow,Dyrceus Captain of the Lacede­monians. and all out of shame, yet they received him, and used his counsell, and he taught them to play on Trumpets, which were so fearfull to the Athenians, by reason of the strangeness of the noise, that they fled forthwith, and so they obtained Victory.Moses found the Trumpet Arcadians brought In­struments into Italy. Lacedemo­nians man­ner of war. Moses the valiant Captain of the Hebrews found the Trumpet, and made it of Silver. The Arcadians did first bring all Musicall Instruments into Italy, where before that time, they used onely Mountainous Pipes. Thucidides writeth, that the Lacedemonians used first in war Shalms. Clarions, and Rebecks, to the intent that when they were ready to the wars, by such playing, they might better keep array. The Romans footmen joyned, Drumslades,Drum­slades in war. with Trumpets.Pipers. Hali­attes King of the Lidians had in the bat­tell,Fidlers. against the Milesians Pipers and Fidlers, playing together, the Grecians, as they went to war, had Lutes going before them, to govern their pace, all other Countries (as we do now) used trumpets in battel.

CHAP. XIII. The beginning of Philosophy.

THe Science of Philosophy, which Tully calleth the Study of Wisdome, Searcher out of Vertue, Expulser of Vice, (according to divers opinions) was brought out of Barbary into Greece. For it's said,Magitians. That in Persia the Magi­tians (for so they called their wise men) were excellent in knowledg; in Assy­ria,Chaldees. the Chaldees; in India, the Gym­nosophists, having their name,Gymnoso­phists. because they went naked, had their part of wisdome; of which faction one Budas was chief. In France, the Druides: Druides. in Phenice, Ochus: Ochus. in Thrace, Xamolxis, Xamolxis. and Orpheus: Orpheus. in Libya, Atlas. Atlas.

The Egyptians say, That Vulcanus the son of Nilus found the first princi­ples of Philosophy. Laertius writeth, That Philosophy began in Greece, where Museus and Linus were first learned men: but Eusebius saith, That Philo­sophy,Hebrews were Au­thors of Phi­losophy. like as all other Sciences, sprung among the Hebrews, and of them the Greek Philosophers, which were a thou­sand years after Moses, learned all their [Page 47] knowledg. The name of Philosophy was not used among them, till the time of Pythagoras, Pythagoras calleth him­self, a Phi­losopher. for he called himself a Philosopher; and the study of wisdom, Philosophy: whereas formerly it was named Wisdome, and they that pro­fessed it, had the title of Wise-men. There be three parts of it;Three parts of Philoso­phy. one called naturall, another moral, and the faculty of disputing, called Logick: Naturall, treateth of the World, and contents thereof, which Archelaus brought out of Ionia unto Athens. Moral, inform­eth the life and manners of men; this part Socrates traduced from heavenly things, to the use of life, and to discern good and bad. Logick inventeth rea­sons on both parts, and was found by Zeno Eliates: Five parts. others divide it into five parts, natural, supernatural, moral, ma­thematical, and Logick. Dialogues were made first by Plato, or at the least furnished with more eloquence; for Aristotle saith, that they were devised by Alexamenus Scire [...]s.

CHAP. XIV. Astrology, the course of the Stars, Sphear, nature of the Winds.

THe Earth is most subject to the in­fluence and operation of the Pla­nets, and by the temperate seasonable­nesse of the Constellations, it bringeth forth abundance of fruits:The power of the Stars. and as Ju­lius Firmicus supposeth, the Stars have also a power in the birth of men, to make them of one fashion or other, this or that complexion, of good or bad disposition, according as the Aspects, Conjunctions or Oppositions do pro­cure.Observing of dayes. And the Egyptians have devised and appointed to every night and day its peculiar god, and what destiny, or death shall chance to him that is born on any such day.Chaldees. And the Chaldees said, that to atchieve any good or hurtful thing, the Planets help much.

By this occasion, men, through dili­gent observing of the celestial bodies, invented Astrology,Astrology. wherein the whole moveable course of the Heaven, the ri­sing, going down, and order of the Pla­nets be comprehended, which the Egyp­tians [Page 49] boast themselves to have found;Egyptians. though some say Mercury Mercury. was authour of it; and Diodorus affirmeth it to be Actinus the son of Phoebus. Neverthe­lesse, Josephus plainly declareth, that Abraham instructed them,Abraham. and the Chaldees in that Art, and thence it came into Greece;Grecians learned in Egypt. for all the learned men of Greece, as Pherecides, Pythago­ras, Thales, acknowledge, that they were disciples to the Egyptians and Chaldees.Atlas. But Pliny writeth, that At­las was the first founder of it, and there­fore the Poets feign, that he beareth Heaven on his back. Servius thinketh it was Prometheus that found it. Ne­vertheless, all these (as I suppose) were the beginners of this faculty, every man in his own Countrey onely, where he dwelled: for even from the beginning of the World,Seth his po­sterity. the sons of Seth devised first the Science of the Stars, and for as much as they feared lest their Art should perish, before it came to the knowledg of men, (for they had heard their grand-father Adam say, that all things should be destroyed by the uni­versal floud) they made two Pillars,Two Pillars preserved Astrology from the Flood. one of stone, the other of Brick, to the intent, that if the Brick wasted with [Page 50] water or storms, yet the stone should preserve the letters whole and perfect, and iu these Pillars they graved all that concerned the observance of the Stars. And therefore it is probable, that the Egyptians & Chaldeans learned Astro­logy of the Hebrews, and so conse­quently, it spread abroad in other Na­tions; and thus began Astronomy, conceived to seduce mens wits. Among the Romans, Sulpitius Gallus; in Greece, Thales Milesius perceived the cause of the Eclipse of the Sun and Moon. En­dimeon marked first the course of the Moon and her changing, as Pliny wri­teth. Pythagoras (as some say) ob­served the course of Venus, called, the Day-star; but (as Laertius supposeth) it was Permenides. The Sphear was di­vised by Archimedes a Syracusian;Archimedes but Diogenes taketh it to have been Museus; and Pliny a [...]cribeth it to Anaximander. The winds were first observed by Aeo­lus, Aeolus. as it is reported, upon this reason; The Inhabitants of the Islands about Sicily, Prognosticate by the smoke of the said Isles three dayes before, what wind they shall have; and for that cause they say that Aeolus hath do­minion over the winds. The winds, as [Page 51] some divide them,Four Winds. be four, according to the four principal Regions of the ayr; they that be more curious, make eight.Andronicus. And especially one Andronicus Cerestes which builded in Athens a Tur­ret, and set on every side of it,Images of Winds. the Ima­ges of Winds, graven against the Re­gion whence the winds came, and set them on Pillars of Marble, and in the middle he set a brazen Image of Tri­ton, which he had made, so that it would turn with the wind, and stand with his face toward the wind that blew, and point with a rod to the Image of the same Wind; which man­ner is now used in all Countries; for they set up Weather-cocks or Fans,Weather-cocks. to shew out of what Quarter the Wind bloweth.Fans.

CHAP. XV. Who Invented Geometry, Arithmetick, with other things.

NIlus, Nilus over­floweth Egypt. the most famous River of the World, from the time that the Sun is in Tropico Cancri, untill it come to the Equinoctial line in Libra again, [Page 52] doth overflow all the Downs and plain Countries of Egypt:Prognosti­cation of plenty and scarcenesse. by the altitude and deepnesse of this flood, the Egyp­tians foresee the plenty and scarsity of fruits to com. For if it increase but unto the depth of twelve or thirteen Cubits, it portendeth lack of sufficiency: if it passe fourteen, and so to sixteen, it im­porteth great plenty. In the time of Claudius Caesar, it waxed eighteen Cu­bits, which was the greatest tide. The least was in the time of the battel at Pharsalia; whereby it signified, how it abhorred the murther of the valiant Pompey.

When Nilus, with such inundations had partly diminished, partly transpo­sed, the Meers and Land-marks, where­by their portions of land were disor­dered, they were compelled often to measure their bounds afresh: for that cause the Egyptians vaunt,Egyptians found out Geometry. that Geo­metry was invented by them to mea­sure Lands. As Arithmetick by the Phoenicians, the better to perform their Merchandise.The Jews found out Geometry. But Josephus seemeth to attribute both to the Jews, saying, That God prolonged the time of their lives, because they were employed in studies to search out Astrology and Geometry; [Page 53] and the Egyptians were ignorant in Geometry and Arithmetick,Abraham taught the Egyptians Contents of Geometry. untill the time that Abraham taught them. Geometry contained the description of lengths, breadths, shapes, and quanti­ties. In this Strabo in Greece excelled, in the time of Tiberius; and Ptolomy, under Trajanus and Antoninus: In Ita­ly, Plinius and Foninus.

Measures and Weights were found by Sidonius, Measures and Weights. (as Eutropius saith) the same time that Procas reigned in Alba­ny; Ahaz in Judah; and Jeeroboam in Hierusalem. Some write, that Mer­cury devised them in Greece; Pliny ascribeth it to Phidon of Argos; Gel­lius, to Palamedes. Strabo, to one Phi­don of Elis in Arcadie. Di [...]genes saith, that Pythagoras taught the Greeks weights and measures; but Josephus affirmeth, that Cain found them first of all.

Numbers,Numbers. some say, were invented by Pythagoras; some, by Mercury: Livius supposeth, that Pallas found them.Manner of reckoning years. The manner of counting years in Greece, was by Olympiads, which contained the space of five years, as the Romans did Lustra, which contained the same number of years: and some­times [Page 54] by nails.Counting by Nails. For every year the Con­sull or chief Judge called Praetor, in the Ides of September, fastned a nail in the wall of Jupiters Temple, next joyning to the Temple of Pallas, to signify the space of years.Letters to count with. And we use to write our numbers with these seven letters. C I D L M U X. or with these Fi­gures. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9.Figures of Arithma­tick. which, be­cause they be in quotidian use, it need­eth not to declare.

CHAP XVI. Physick, and the parts thereof.

PHysick, which with remedies pro­vided by God,Inventors of Physick. doth much comfort and cure men in their maladies and di­seases, that break forth in their bodies, is thought worthily to have been inven­ted of the Gods. For it is supposed that Mercury found it among the E­gyptians, some say it was Apys their god;Apollo god of Medi­cines. or Arabus son to Apollo: some refer it to Apollo himself, because the moderate heat of the Sun is banisher of all sicknesse. Clement doth attribute the finding of it to the Egyptians in gene­ral, [Page 55] and the amplifying and enlarging of it to Aesculapius, which, beside other things,Drawing out of Teeth. found the plucking out of Teeth, Notwithstanding, whosoever found the notable knowledge of Medicines, it is no doubt but it was perceived, by what things were wholesome, and what un­wholesome. And as they observed how the sick folks used their diet,Observing of diet was the begin­ning of Physick. and marked how some for greedinesse did eat much, and some forbare their meat because of faintnesse of their stomach. Whereby they learned that abstinence was a helper and furtherer of health: and by such observance other Precepts of Physick were gathered.

It hath three parts,Three parts of Physick. one of Dieting, another of Medicines, the third of Sur­gery, for by one of these three wayes, are diseases relieved. But forasmuch as it often changeth, it was very obscure till Hippocrates did renew it:Hippocrat [...]s reduced it to an Art. and whereas they had a custome, that the Patient, being restored to health, should write in the Temple of the God that helped him, both his name, and the manner of healing, that the example might help the like disease: our of all such precedences, he gather [...]d Precepts [Page 56] of Physick, and brought it first to a for­mall Art.

In Rome, Archagathus, of Peloponue­sus, was the first Physitian,Archaga­thus the first Physitian in Rome. in the five hundred thirty fifth year of the City, (Lucius Emilius, and Marcus Livius being Consulls) and was made Free­man of the City, which was first made a Surgeon; after, for the sharpnesse of his cutting and searing, he was named a Butcher and Murtherer: and after­ward, when the number began to in­crease, they were expulsed out of Rome, Marcus Ca­to banished Physitians out of Rome. The manner of the Egyp­tians in their diseases. and banished by Marcus Cato, as Pliny telleth in his thirty sixth Book.

In Egypt and Babylon, they used no Physitians, but brought the sick persons into the streets and common places, that the men, which passed by, might tell them what manner, diet or means, they themselves had used in the like di­sease to escape it: Neither was it law­full for any man to passe by, till he had communed with the Patient. In the latter dayes,Every di­sease had a sundry Phy­sitian. the Egyptians distri­buted the Art of Medicines, in such sort, that every Disease had a diverse Physi­tian to minister in it, as one for the eyes, one for the head, others for the entrails; and likewise, other for other sicknesses, [Page 57] and so it came to passe,Famous Physitians. that all places were full of Physitians. In this Art Cas­sius, Calpitanus, Aruntius, Rubrius, Anto­nius, Musa, Galenus, Avicenna, excelled.

CHAP. XVII. The Inventours of herbs medicinable, what remedies men learned of beasts.

NAture doubtlesse,Hearbs were created for man. the Mother and Governesse of all things, did cre­ate hearbs, as may appear by many ex­amples, partly for the delectation, and partly for the Health and preservation of mens bodies. For Xanthus an Histo­riographer (as Pliny recordeth) telleth how a Dragon revived his young Faun that was slain, by the vertue of an hearb called Balin:Hearb cal­led Balin. and the Hechewall,Hechewall. if a wedge be driven into the hole of her nest (for she maketh her nest in the hole of a Tree, that she worketh with her beak) compelleth it to fall out, with an hearb that she knoweth: and some of the Indians live onely by hearbs. Appi­anus writeth,Parthians. that the Parthians, which Anthony put to flight, constrained by extream famine, chanced to eat a cer­tain [Page 58] hearb, whose nature was to make them that eat it, to forget all other things, and onely dig up stones, as if they would do some great matter; and after such extream travail died. Of such Medicines made with Herbs, Chiron, son to Saturnus, Chiron was Author of Medicines and Salves. and Phillara was the finder, and devised also salves for wounds, Sores, Biles, although some think it was Apollo, and some refer it to his son Aesculapius, whom Chiron brought up to the Samothracians. But I suppose they attributed the Invention of it to Chiron, because he found the Herb Century,Centaury was found by Chiron. wherewith he healed the wound that he had by Hercules shafts, falling on his foot, as he was handling of his weapons: Notwith­standing, Celsus saith that the Art of Physick is very ancient, but he maketh no mention of the Author of it, onely he saith,Aesclepiades abolished Physick. Aesclepiadss; which was an ex­cellent Physitian, did abolish the use of it, for asmuch as it annoyed the stomack, and engendred evill humours. Mercury found the use of Moly:Moly. Achilles, Yarow: Esculapius, Panace. Panace; and sundry men found sundry hearbs, Medicines of Ho­ney, Sol, the son of Oceanus, invented: and beasts taught men certain hearbs, [Page 59] necessary for Medicines. As the Hart stricken with an Arrow, driveth it out with Dittany;Dittany. and if he be stinged with a Spider he healeth himself with eating Pills, or a certain hearb named Cancer.Cancer. Selandine,Selandine. wh [...]ch is a soveraign hearb for the sight, was perceived by the Swal­lows, which healed the eyes of their young ones with it. The Snail or Tor­teise, ready to fight with the Serpent, armeth himself with Savery,Savery. or Marjo­ram.Marjoram. The Boar in his sicknesse, cureth himself with the Ivy.Ivy. Of the water Horse in Nylus, Letting of bloud. men learned to let bloud: For when he is weak and di­stempered, he seeketh by the River side the sharpest Reed-stalks, and striketh a Vein in his Leg against it, with great violence, and so easeth his body by such means; and when he hath done, he co­vereth the wound with the mud.

The Ibis, a bird much like the Stork of the same Country, taught Physicians to Minister Glisters: For when she is full, she purgeth her self, with her croo­ked beak, at the Fundament. The We­sil in chasing the Serpent, preserveth her self with Rue,Rue. and the Stork with Or­gany.Organy. In Greece, Orpheus, Museus, Dios­corides; In Rome, Marcus Cato, Pom­peius [Page 60] Leuius, wrote of the nature of Hearbs. Pliny thinketh that this Art was first received among the Romans.

CHAP. XVIII. The beginning of Magick, driving out of Spirits, Charms, Prophecying in sundry manners.

MAgick had its beginning of Phy­sick, and was the invention of Zo­roastres King of the Bactrians, Zoroastres found Ma­gick. which reigned eight hundred years after the siege of Troy, the same time that Abra­ham and Ninus reigned, about three thousand one hundred fourscore and five years, after the Creation of the World. Lactantius and Eusebius think it was set forth among other devillish sciences, by the evill Spirits; and Pliny calleth it of all Arts the most deceitful. It is compacted of Physick, Superstition, and the Mathematical Arts.Thessaly u­sed Magick. The Thes­salonians especially were accused, with the frequent use of this practise, the writer of this art was Hosthanes. Hosthanes wrote books of Magick. Pytha­goras, Empedocles, Democritus, Plate with divers others, s [...]iled into far Coun­tries [Page 61] to learn it: wherein Democritus was most famous, three hundred years after the City was builded, in which time, Hippocrates published the Art of Physick.

The manner to drive out spirits out of men that were possessed with them,Driving out of spirits. and Charms to heal corporall maladies, King Solomon taught,Charms. as Josephus wit­nesseth: and he saw it done by Elea­zar in his time,Eleazar dri­veth out spi­rits. before Vespasianus then Emperour. The manner to heal them was thus: He put to the nose of the possessed man a Ring, wherein was en­closed a root that Solomon had shewed, wherewith he drove out the spirit, and the man fell down: then he conjured with such Orisons and Exorcisms, as were appointed by Solomon to banish the spirit out of the Demoniak.

The Sages or Wise-men of Persia which in their language be named Ma­gi, being wholly addict to the honour­ing of their falle gods, came to such ex­tream folly, that they professed openly, that they could not onely by the obser­vation of the Stars know things to come, but also by other pretensed arts, and mumbling of some words, they could do and bring to passe any thing that they would.

[Page 62] By them were invented these 6 kinds of Magick; Necromancy, which is by raising up of dead men; as in Lucane, one raised from death, told the adven­tures of the battel of Pharsalus.

Piromancy, that telleth things by the fire and lightning; as Tenaquilla, the wife of Tarquinius Priscus, prophesied, that Servius Tullius should be King of Rome, because she saw the fire environ his head. The finding of this, Pliny referreth to Amphiaraus.

Hieromancy, that is, a kind of pro­phecying by the ayr, as by flying, feed­ing, singing of birds, and strange tem­pests of wind and hail.

Hidromancie, was prophesying by water: as Varro writeth, that a Child did see in the water the Image of Mer­cury, which in 150 verses told all the chance of War against Mithridates King of Pontus.

Geomancy, was a divination, by open­ing of the earth.

Chiromancy, is a conjecturing by be­holding the lines, or wrincles of the hands, called commonly Palmistry.

Which vain illusions, and false per­swasions, it becometh all true Christians to eschue and abhor.

CHAP. XIX. Two kinds of Divination, Soothsaying, casting Lotts, and interpreting of Dreams.

CIcero maketh two kinds of divina­tions,Two kinds of Prophe­sying. one naturall, and another artificiall. Natural is that, which pro­ceedeth of a certain commotion of the mind,Natural. that chanceth sometimes to men when they be in dreams, or sleeping: sometimes when they prophesie in manner of fury, and ravishing of mind; as Sybilla and divers other religious persons did. Of this kind were Ora­cles of Apollo and Jupiter-Hammon. Al­beit they were often false, because they came of a devillish policy, and man's subtlety: but such as come of the Holy Ghost, and not of a blasphemous mad­nesse, be true.

The artificiall consisteth in those things which come of conjectures,Artificial. old considerations, and observances of the entrails of beasts, flying of birds, casting of lots.

The regarding of the bowels of beasts began among the Hetruscians:Beholding the bowels of beasts. For as [Page 64] it fortuned a man that plowed, to raise up a deeper surrow then he was wont to do; one Tages suddenly arose out of the earth, that taught them all the feats of Soothsaying; but Pliny saith, one Delphus found it.

The divinations by looking on the feeding of birds,Feeding, flying, and chattering of birds. Theresius a Theban, de­vised. Caras first marked the chattering of them; and Pythagoras observed their flying.

Orpheus added the divination by other beasts. What store we ought to set by such divinations,Massolanus letteth the Augury. Massolanus a Jew teacheth us: When he was in the wars, a certain Prophet commanded every man to stand, till he had taken a conjecture of the bird that flew by: but Massolanus took privily a bow and shaft, and killed the bird; wherewith the Wisard, and divers others were dis­pleased: Then he said to them, Why dote ye so? can the bird, which know­eth not of her own death, tell us the casual adventures of our Journey? For if she had had any foreknowledge, she would not have come hither to have been killed of me.

Casting of Lots, Numerius Suffusius devised first at Pr [...]nest.

[Page 65] The expounding of dreams,Dreams-reading. Pliny ascribeth to Amphiction; but Trogus assigneth it to Joseph son to Jacob. Cle­ment saith, the Telmessians found it. But all these were invented to seduce men with superstitious errour, and for the commodity of them that use it.

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 [Page 67] 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 [Page 68] 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 [Page 70] 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, [Page 71] 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 [Page 72] 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 [Page 73] 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, [Page 74] 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 [Page 75] 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 [Page 76] 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 [Page 77] 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 [Page 78] 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, [Page 79] 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 [...], 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 [Page 80] 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 [Page 82] 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 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 [Page 85] 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.

[Page 86] 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.

[Page 87] 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:

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 [Page 89] 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, [Page 90] 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 [Page 91] 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 [Page 92] 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 [Page 93] 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 [Page 94] 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. [Page 95] 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.

[Page 96] 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 [Page 97] 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,

[Page 98] 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 [Page 100] 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 [Page 101] 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, [Page 102] 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 [Page 104] 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 [Page 105] 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,

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 [Page 106] 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, [Page 108] 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, [Page 109] 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 [Page 113] 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 [Page 112] 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 [Page 114] 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,

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 [Page 117] 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 [Page 118] 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. [Page 119] 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, [Page 120] 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 [Page 121] 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 [Page 123] 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, [Page 124] 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, [Page 125] 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 [Page 126] 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, [Page 127] 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 [Page 128] 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 [Page 129] 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 [Page 130] 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 [Page 131] 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 [Page 132] 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 [Page 133] 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 [Page 134] 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 [Page 135] 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, [Page 136] 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. [Page 137] 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 [Page 138] 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 [Page 139] 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, [Page 140] 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 [Page 141] 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 [Page 142] 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 [Page 143] 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.

[Page 144] 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, [Page 145] 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 [Page 146] 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 [Page 147] 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 [Page 148] 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. [Page 149] 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, [Page 150] 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 [Page 151] 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 [Page 152] 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 [Page 153] 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, [Page 154] 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, [Page 155] 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.

[Page 157] 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; [Page 158] 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 [Page 159] 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.

[Page 160] 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▪ [Page 161] 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 [Page 162] 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.

[Page 163] 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 [Page 164] 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 [Page 166] 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 [Page 167] 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 [Page 168] 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 [Page 169] 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 [Page 170] 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 [Page 171] 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 [Page 172] 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.

[Page 173] 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; [Page 174] 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 [Page 175] 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 [Page 176] 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, [Page 177] 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 [Page 178] 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 [Page 180] 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▪ [Page 181] 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 [...] [Page 183] 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: [Page 184] 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 [Page 185] 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 [Page 186] 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 [Page 187] 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 [Page 188] 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.

[Page 189] 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 [Page 191] 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, [Page 192] 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.

[Page 194] 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, [Page 195] 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.

[Page 197] 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 [Page 198] 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 [Page 199] 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 [Page 200] 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 [Page 201] 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 [Page 202] 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 [Page 203] 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, [Page 204] 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 [Page 205] 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 [Page 206] 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 [Page 208] 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.

[Page 209] 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 [Page 211] 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, [Page 212] 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 [Page 213] 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 [Page 215] 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.

[Page 216] 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.

[Page 217] 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 [Page 219] 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, [Page 220] 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 [Page 222] 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 [Page 223] 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 [Page 224] 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, [Page 225] 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 [Page 226] 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.

[Page 227] 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 [Page 229] 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 [Page 230] 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 [Page 231] 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 [Page 233] 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.

[Page 234] 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 [Page 235] 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 [Page 236] 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 [Page 237] 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, [Page 238] 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, [Page 240] 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 [Page 241] 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 [...] [Page 242] 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 [Page 243] 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 [Page 244] 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 [Page 245] 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 [Page 146] 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 [Page 247] 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 [Page 248] 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, [Page 249] 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 [Page 250] 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 [Page 251] 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, [Page 252] 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 [Page 254] 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 [Page 255] 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 [Page 257] 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 [Page 258] 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.

[Page 259] 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 [Page 260] 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.

[Page 261] 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.

[Page 262] 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 [Page 263] 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 [Page 265] 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 [Page 266] 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 [Page 267] 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 [Page 268] 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 [Page 269] 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 [Page 270] 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.

[Page 271] 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.

[Page 273] 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 [Page 274] 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 [Page 275] 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 [Page 277] 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, [Page 278] 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 [Page 280] 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 [Page 281] 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 [Page 282] 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 [Page 284] 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 [Page 285] 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 [Page 286] 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, [Page 287] 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. [Page 288] 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 [Page 289] 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 [Page 290] 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 [Page 292] 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.

[Page 293] 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 [Page 294] 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 [Page 295] 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, [Page 296] 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 [Page 297] 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 [Page 298] 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 [Page 302] 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 [Page 301] 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)

[Page 302] 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 [Page 303] 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 [Page 305] 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 [Page 306] 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 [Page 307] 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 [Page 308] 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 [Page 309] 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 [Page 310] 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 [Page 311] 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.