Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny

THE EPISTLE VNTO THE RBADER.

E Ven as the Revelation and other places of Scriptures (good Reader) do • foretell Antichrist to come, so this History declareth the fulfilling of those prophecies in all points: all the Martyrs died in this faith, that the Pope is Antichrist. I could bethink myself of no instruction so profitable for the reading of this Book, as to give thee a few rules to manifest unto thee that the Popedom is that Antichrist; which I will endeavor to declare unto thee by these rules following: first, by his outward place of abode; secondly, by his inward and spiritual throne; thirdly, by his doctrine; fourthly, by his conditions; fifthly, by the height, breadth, length and ruin of his Kingdom. I will but open the way unto thee, this Book shall prove by experience my sayings to be true.

Touching his outward seat, Revel. 17. 18. it is the City that then did reign over the Kings of the earth, which was Rome: the place is also described in the ninth verse, to be compassed about with seven mountains. This Book shall prove that Rome hath seven mountains about it. In the same verse, this City hath had five kings that were then fallen, another King did reign, which was the Emperor, when the Revelation was made, and another was to come afterward. This book shall teach thee, that the seven Kings signify seven manner of Gouernments in Rome, of which five was fallen, the Emperor then reigned, and after the Pope should reign there: so the Holy Ghost hath pointed out Rome, as plainly as can be, the place of Antichrists Kingdom.

Touching his inward or spiritual seat, S. Paul 2. Thess. 2. 24. saith, He sitteth as God in the Temple of God: Antichrist signifieth an adversary of Christ; and if it had been meant of the Turk, or any other adversary that did not profess Christianity, he might easily be seen without so many revelations: but he is, according to the description of a false Prophet, Mat. 7. 15. a most grievous Wolf to Christ's Lambs, and yet so covered with a sheep's skin, that it is impossible to know him without the spirit of God. Outwardly he seemeth to be a good tree, but his fruit is nothing but thorns and thistles to destroy God's children. Matth. 24. 24. Christ calleth them false Christ's and false Prophets, prophesying, that they shall do such wonders, that if it were possible they should deceive the elect; so thou seest the Antichrist which is prophesied of must be a professor of Christ, as the Pope is, which calleth himself the Catholic Church, but he is the only adversary thereof, as this book will teach thee by experience.

Touching the third point, to know him by his doctrines, 1. Tim. 4. 1: They shall depart from the faith, and follow doctrines of devils, and speak lies through hypocrisy: they shall have their consciences seared with an hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats: and they teach the same superstitious doctrines that S. Paul warneth us from Coloss. 2. 16. Let no man condemn you in meat and drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or a new Moon, nor Sabbaths, nor make you forsake Christ the head in worshipping Angels, neither let them burden you with traditions, as touch not, taste not, handle not, which things have a show of wisdom, in that the professors be voluntary religious, and humble their minds, and spare not their bodies, nor have their bodies in any estimation, but all is nothing but to fulfill a fleshly religion: and Jude in his twelfth verse compareth them to clouds which in a drieth seem to bring rain but do not: for, though they make great promises of feeding of souls, yet there is no true hope of remission of sins, nor assurance of eternal happiness in their doctrines. And in 2. Pet. 2. 17. he calleth them Wells, not with a little water, but quite without water: for although by name they profess the Trinity, yet their doctrines of every person of the Trinity, and of all other points of religion, are contrary to wholesome doctrine, they maintain their doctrines, though falsely, under the names of the Scriptures, the Catholic Church, and the ancient fathers▪ this is the golden cup that the Church of Antichrist holdeth in her hand, Revel. 17. 4. but it is full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications: so if thou mark this book, it is easy to know Antichrist by the falseness and wickedness of all his doctrines, yet coloured over with glorious shows of truth and wholsomnesse, yea, although thou haddest no other means to discern him by.

Touching the fourth point of the conditions of Antichrist, Jude in the eleventh verse, saith, They follow the way of Cain: all the persecutions of God's children before times were but types and prophecies of the Papists in killing their brethren, as Cain did, because they please God better then they. The abominable desolations of Nebuchadnezzar, and of Titus and Vespasian of the material Temples were but prophecies of the Papists abominable desolations of God's Saints. For this cause Antichrist is called in the Revelation a great red Dragon, a Serpent, and a cruel Beast. S. John Revel. 17. 6. foresaw the Church of Antichrist, drunken with the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ. And although he had seen all the persecutions that were before or in his time, yet he wondered at the blood that he foresaw that the Papists should shed with a great marvel.

Jude in his 12. verse saith, They are cast away in the deceit of Baalams wages: for as Balaam, though he knew the Israelites to be the blessed of God, yet he would have cursed them for lucre sake if God would have suffered him, so the Papists maintain doctrines which they know to be false, and commit all their murders of God's children, only to maintain their Kitchen pleasures, honor, glory, riches, and other worldly respects, as it shall plainly appear unto thee in this Book.

In 2. Pet. 2. 14. Their eyes are full of adultery, and they cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. This Book will show thee how inspeakeably wicked they are, according to this prophecy: they are spiritually called Sodom, because in that case they exceed in wickedness the Sodomites. These and many other wicked conditions of theirs, are plentifully prophesied of in the Scriptures; and thou shalt see the true performances of the prophecies in this book, w ^ch wicked conditions shall plainly show the Pope to be Antichrist.

Touching the height of Antichrists Kingdom, Revel. 17. 3. the Church of Antichrist is said to sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, which is the Pope, who is a bloody beast to God's children, & takes all God's names blasphemously to himself: and verse. 4. he & his Church are arrayed with purple & scarlet, and decked with gold, precious stones & pearls; and how gloriously the Pope and his Church hath been set forth, & how rich they have been, according to this prophecy, this book will show thee. In 2. Thess. 2. 14 He sitteth as God in the Temple of God, and exalteth himself above all that is called God. C. Caesar Caligula the Emperor, which used to sit in the Temples of the Idols, to be honored as God, & caused his picture to be set up to be worshipped in all Temples, and in the Temple of Jerusalem, yet was he not such an abominable Idol as the Pope maketh himself to be: he is the Gaoler of Purgatory, and thither comes (as he saith) all the souls of Christians, except some few, to whom for building some religious houses, and for being otherwise a special maintainer of his kingdom: he giveth a special prerogative, immediately to go to heaven: these souls his prisoners he punisheth how, and as long as he list, and at his pleasure he throweth any of them into hell, or sendeth any of them into heaven. Of the revenues of this Jail hath all the Popes riches, honor, & superiority above Emperors, and Kings proceeded: he hath taken from Christ the honor of pardoning sins to himself: God made man of clay, but the Pope and all his shavelings can daily make God of a piece of bread. In these, and many other respects (as this book will teach thee) doth the Pope exalt himself as God, according to this prophecy; and he exalts himself above all kings, which are called God's, and at his pleasure with excommunications can cast them out of heaven and out of their kingdoms, as himself saith: he hath trode upon Emperors, & made them kiss his feet, hold his stirrups, and lead his horse. He made the Emperor Hen. 4. his wife and his child to wait three days and three nights bare-foot in winter at his gates, to sue to him for his favor, and gave away his Empire in the mean time. This prophecy of Antichrists exaltation above Princes, is verified in none but the Pope.

Touching the breadth of his kingdom, it is not said he shall exalt himself above one or two, but above all that are called God, w ^ch are all Christian rulers, spiritual & temporal, to whom God vouchsafeth this name, because he ruleth and instructeth by them, and dwelleth in them, if they be good: this declareth the large limits of his kingdom. And as he is said here to exalt himself above all Kings, so Reu. 17. 3. he is said to have ten horns; and in ver. 12. they are interpreted to be ten Kings, which shall give their power and authority unto the beast, that is to say, the beastly Pope, and fight with the Lamb, that is, they shall be the Popes Butchers to destroy God's children; and as the prophecies foretell such an Antichrist as shall reign over all Christian Princes, so this story shall show thee the true fulfilling of this prophesy in the Pope.

Touching the length of his Kingdom, it is prophesied Antichrist shall reign three years and a half; and in Revel. 12. three times and a half: these times and these years are all one; so is the forty two months, Revel. 13. 5. for there be so many months in three years and a half: the same likewise is the 1260. days in Revel. 12. 6. for there be just so many days in three years & a half, at 360. days to the year, which was the number of the days of the Jews year. And it is common with the prophets to set down a day for a year; so by these prophecies Antichrist must reign 1260. years, which is just so many years as Christ preached days: and Gregory the first showeth that Antichrist began when one Bishop exalted himself above all others. And though there were many Popes before him which did exalt themselves above all other Bishops, yet he would not but have himself called, Seruus seruorū Dei.

Wherefore Sabinianus which succeeded him in the popedom, was a malicious detractor of his works, as thou mayest see in this book. Antichrist was not at his height until Hildebrand had gotten above the Emperor, for then he was above all that was called God; yet Antichrist began when the Bishop of Rome, being the least of all the four Patriarchs, exalted himself above all other Bishops, which was about the year of Christ 400. for then began pride and superstition to creep into the Church, and Anno 666. according to the number of the name of the beast in Reu. 13. 18. Latin service was set up in England and all other places, and mass • s, ceremonies, letanies, and other Romish ware, which was long before Hildebrands time. And if we account the aforesaid 1260. years of Antichrists reign from thence, there remaineth but about 46. years to come, until God shall call together the kings of the earth to destroy Rome.

Touching the fall of his kingdom, Mat. 24. 22. If God should not shorten his kingdom, none of God's children could be saved from his cruelty: but for the elects sake, Reu. 11. 13. God first destroyed the tenth part of his Kingdom: thou mayest note in this book when this prophecy was fulfilled; and Reu. 8. at the blowing of the four first Trumpets, the third part of all his kingdom is destroyed: which prophecy we see fulfilled at this day, for the third part of his kingdom are wholly become Protestants, yet Revel. 11. 22. the Church of Antichrist is not heerewith moved to repent of her murders, sorceries, fornications, and thefts, but Reu. 18. 7. glorieth her self that she is a Queen, and shall be no widow, that is, she shall never lose her Spouse the Pope, therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death, sorrow, and famine, and she shall be burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God which will condemn her. The means of her destruction is set forth, Reu. 17. 16▪ the ten kingdoms that first took her part against God's children shall hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh and burn her with fire, for God doth put into their hearts to fulfill his will. The manner of the destruction of Rome and the Popedom, is declared Reu. 19. 17. as fowls gather together to a dead carcass, so God shall gather all Nations together to war against Rome, and shall take her and the Pope, the false Prophet that worketh miracles, whereby he deceived all that received his mark, and worshipped his Image: and they shall not only be destroyed in this world, but they shall be cast alive into a lake burning with fire and brimstone, to wit, into eternal damnation: and Reu. 18. 20. the Angels and all God's children are exhorted to rejoice at her destruction, and verse. 21. Rome shall be destroyed with such violence as a Mill-stone falleth into the Sea, and there shall never anymore Mill grind any light corn, or any be married in Rome, but it shall ever after be a desolate wilderness, as Babylon was. They that cannot behold Antichrist in this Glass, 2. Cor. 4. 3. it is a sign the Devil, the God of this world, hath blinded their eyes: but as Solomon when he dedicated the Temple, prayed God to hear everyone that prayed therein, so I beseech God with his holy spirit to illuminate all that shall read this book, that they may plainly see the pope to be Antichrist, and to fly from him lest they be partakers of his punishment in this world, and in the world to come.

AN ABSTRACT OF ALL THE HISTORIES OF THE CHURCH from CHRIST to this day. 1614.

THE FIRST BOOKE.

I N describing the whole State of the Prim • tiue, and latter times of the Church: First shall be declared the suffering time of the Church▪ 300. years after Christ: secondly, the flourishing time of the Church, 300. years more: then the declining of true Religion, 300. years more: sourthly, of the reign of Antichrist since Satan was loosed. Lastly, of the reforming of the Church in this last three hundred years.

In the tractation of all which things, the Christian Reader may by experience observe two special points: First, the Nature of the World: Secondly, the condition of the Kingdom of Christ: By the World is meant, all that by ignorance know not Christ, and that will not believe him, or that persecute him. The Kingdom of Christ, are the believers in Christ, and take his part against the World; and though they be much fewer then the other, and always lightly hat • d and molested of the world, yet they are they whom the Lord doth bless, and ever will: and Christ's Subjects which we call the Ui •• b • e Church, the • e are of two sorts; first, of such as only outwardly profess Christ; secondly, of such as by e • ection inwardly are joined to Christ: the first, honor Christ only in their lips, and partake the outward Sacrament, but not the inward blessing: the second, in word and heart truly serve Christ, and partake with the outward Sacrament the Grace of Christ.

And as between the World & Christ's Kingdom▪ there is a continual resistance, so between these two parts of the Uisible Church oft groweth mortal persecution, so that the true Church hath no greater enemies then her own Professors, which happened in the time of Christ, and other times, but especially in the persecution of Antichrist.

Who should rather have received Christ then the Scribes and Pharisees, and who persecuted and rejected him more? they refused Christ to be their King, and chose Caesar, who after destroyed them, whereby we may learue the daung • r of refusing the Gospel.

The like example is to be noted in the Romans, for when Pontius Pilate had cer • ified Tiberius Caesar of the doings of Christ▪ of his Miracles, Resurrection, and Ascension, and how he was received of many as God, he did believe, and willed the Senate that Christ might be adored as God, but they refused, because he was consecrated before the Senate of Ro •• e had so decreed and approved him, so obeying the Law of Man more then of God: they refused him, and contented themselves with the Emperor, and as they preferred the Emperor and rejected Christ, God justly stirred their Emperors against them, that the Senators were almost all devoured by them, and the Citty it self horribly afflicted three hundred years, for at last the same Tiberius was a sharp Tyrant to them, who spared not his own Mother and Nephews, and of his Princes and Counselors, he left but two or three alive: Many were condemned with their Wives and Children, Maides also first deflowered, then put to death. Pilate, under when Christ was crucif • ed, was deprived by him, and banished to Lions, and there slew himself, and Agrippa by him was cast into Prison. In the seventeenth of his reign Christ suffered.

After whose death this Tiberius Nero lived six years, during which time no persecution was in Rome against the Christians through the commandment of the Emperor.

• fter him succeeded C. Caesar Caligula, Claudius Nero, and Domitius Nero, which three were likewise scourges to the Senate and people of Rome. The first took other men's wives from them, and deflowered three of his own Sisters, and banished them, he commanded himself to be worshipped as a God, and Temples to be erected in his name, using to fit in the Temples amongst the God's, and made his Image to be set up in all Temples, and in the Temple of Jerusalem: he wished all the people of Rome had but one neck, that at his pleasure he might destroy them. By him Herod, that killed John the Baptist, and condemned Christ, was banished, where he died miserably. Caiaphas, which sat upon Christ, was at the the same time removed from the high Priests room. The Tribunes slew this Caligula in the fourth year of his reign, there was found in his Closet two Libels; one called the Sword, the other the Daggar, in which were contained the Names of the Senators and Nobles of Rome which he had purposed to put to death, and there was found in a Coffer diverse • inds of poisons for the purpose to destroy a number of people, and being thrown into the Sea, they destroyed a great number of Fishes.

Claudius Nero, which succeeded Caligula, reigned thirteen years, with no little cruelty, but Domitius Nero, which succeeded Claudius reigned fourteen years, with such cruelty, that he slew the most part of the Senators, and all the Order of Knighthood: He abstained not from his own Mother, his Sister, or any degree of his Kindred in monstrous uncleanness and Incest, and ca • sed them, with his Brother, his own Wife great with child, and his Master Seneca to be put to death, together with Lucan, and diverse of his Kindred. He made Rome to be set on fire in twelve places, which continued six days and seven nights, to see the example how Troy burned, and the while sang verses of Homer. He laid the sauit upon the Christians, and caused them to be persecuted, at last the Senate proclaimed him a public Enemy, and condemned him to be whipped through the City to death, and for fear he fled, and slew himself, complaining he had neither friend nor enem • would do it for him. In the latter end of his reign Anno 69. Peter and Paul were put to death for the faith of Christ. Thus you see the just judgment of God from time to time, on those that contemn Christ and will not receive him, by this destruction of the Romaines, by their Emperors, and by their civil wars, and 5000. Romans slain at one time by the fall of a Theater.

But most especial by the destruction of the Jews, which in the year 73. and three years after the suffering of Peter and Paul, was destroyed by Tytus and Vespasian to the number of eleauen hundred thousands, besides them that were slain in Galily, and 17000. were sold for slaves, and 2000. were brought with Tytus in triumph, and part devoured with wild beasts, and the rest most cruelly slain. Whereby all Nations may take example to reject the verity, and much more to persecute them which be sent of God for their salvation, likewise the Emperors themselves for persecuting Christ in his members, escaped not without their just reward, as in this Story hath and hereafter will appear.

Stephen was the first Martyr; the same day that he suffered, Nicanor one of the Deacons with two thousand suffered for the faith, after Herod slue James the brother of John, whose accuser repented and confessed himself to be a Christian also, and was beheaded with him.

Simon one of the Deacons was after Bishop of Bosrum in Arabia, where he was burned, and Parmenas another of the Deacons suffered for the faith.

Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Germans, Hereaconies, Bactries, and Magies, and was slain with a Darte in Calamia a City of Judea.

Simon Zealots preached in Mauritania, Aphricke and Brittayne, who was Crucified.

Judas Thaddeus, brother of James, preached in Mesopotamia and in Edisseus, and the King there slew him in Berito a Citty thereof.

Simon the brother of Jude and James the younger, the son of Mary Cleopha and Alpheus, as Dorotheus writeth, was after James Bishop of Jerusalem, and crucified in Egypt, Trayanus being Emperor, but Abdias writ he was slain with his brother Jude by the people of Suauir in Persidis.

Mark was Bishop of Alexandria, he preached in Egypt, and there was drawn with ropes to the fire and burned in the reign of Trayanus.

Bartholomeus preached long time to the Indians, and translated St Matthews Gospel into their languadge, did many Miracles there, and after many persecutions in Albania of Armenia, he was beaten down with staves, crucified, excoriated and beheaded-

Andrew, Peters brother, was crucified at Patris in Achaya (by Egeas) embracinge the cross and rejoicing therein.

Matthew converted Ethiopia and Egypt, Hercan the King sent one to run him through with a spear.

Matthias preached to the Jews, and they stoned and beheaded him.

Phillip preached to the barbarous Nations who crucified and stoned him at Hirapolis of Phrygia, where he and his Daughters with him were burned.

The Jews required James to stand upon the Battlement of the Temple and dissuade the people from Christ, but he preached him there and was thrown down headlong and stoned, where he was buried, at which time the Jews put many other to death for the testimony of Christ.

THE SECOND BOOKE Containing the next 300. years.

B Y these Persecutions hitherto, we may understand that what the fury of Satan and rage of men could devise to do by death or torments, all was to the utmost attempted to extinguish the Name and Religion of Christ, yet notwithstanding the wisdom of the world and the strength of men, Christ hath the upper hand as thou seest.

Now because the tying up of Satan giveth the Church rest▪ we will leave the affairs of the Uniuersall Church, and prosecute the Histories of our Country of England and Scotland, beginning with King Lucius, with whom the Faith began first in this Realm.

The Papists do earnestly contend, that the Faith of Christ was first brought and received into England from Rome, both in the time of Eleutherius their Bishop, in the year 180. and also in the time of Augustine, whom Gregory sent hither in the year 600. but it is proved otherwise by these seven Arguments.

1 Gildas affirmeth, that Britain received the Gospel in the time of Tiberius the Emperor, under whom Christ suffered, & saith farther, that Joseph of Arimathia, was sent of Philip the Apostle from France to Britain, in the year 63. and remained here all his time, and founded the Faith amongst the Britain's.

2 Tertullian, living about the time of Elutherius, testifieth how the Gospel was dispersed by the Apostles, reckoneth Brittany amongst the Countries converted by them.

3 Origen, before the days of Elutherius, said the Britain's consented to Christianity.

4 Bede affirmeth, that 1000. years after Christ, Easter was kept in Britain after the manner of the East Church, on the fourteenth day after the full Moon, what day soever it was, and not on sunday as we do, whereby is gathered, the first Preacher came from the East, rather then from Rome.

5 Nicephorus Lib. 2. Cap. 4. saith, Simon Zealots spread the Gospel in Brittany.

6 Petrus Cluniensis saith, that the Scots in his time celebrated Easter after the manner of the Greeks and as the Britain's, were not under the Romain order, nor under their Legate in the time of Gregory, nor would admit any primasie of the Bishop of Rome above them.

7 By the Epistle of Elutherius to Lucius, it appeareth that Lucius had received the Faith before he wrote to Elutherius, for the Romaine Laws.

Elutherius might help some-thing to convert the King, and to increase the Faith, but was not the first that planted it, but if it were so, it maketh nothing for them, for he challenged no such Supremacy as they do, and was far from their errors and superstitions.

The Chroniles write, that about the year 180. King Lucius, Son of Coylus, which built Colchester, hearing of the miracles of Christians in his time, writ to Elutherius Bishop of Rome to receive the Faith; the good Bishop sent him certain Preachers, which converted the King of the Britain's, and baptized them, there were the twenty eight Priests called Flamines, which they turned to twenty eight Bishops, and three Arch-Flamins, to three Arch-bishops, to wit; London, York, and Glamargan by Wales. Thus all the Realm settled in good order, Lucius sent again to Elutherius for the Romaine Laws, thereby likewise to govern the Realm.

Unto whom Elutherius wrote again: we may reprove the Law of the Romaines, but the Law of GOD we cannot reprove: you have with you both partes of the Scriptures, out of them, by God's grace, with the council of your Realm, take yea Law and rule your kingdom of Britain, for you are God's Uicar in your kingdom.

The Faith thus received of the Britain's, continued and flourished 216 years, until the coming of the Saxons, who then were Pagans: whilst Britain had thus received the Faith, the Emperors of Rome were Infidels, wherefore much trouble wos sought against them, as it was against all parts of Christendom.

Lucius, after he had reigned about 77. years, died without issue: whereupon followed great misery and ruin to the Realm, for sometime the idolatrous Romaines, and sometimes the Britain's reigned, as violence and victory would serve; one King murdering another, until at length the Saxons deprived them both.

Some write▪ but falsely, that King Lucius, after he was baptized, forsook his kingly Honor and the Land, and became a Preacher in France and Germany, and other places, and was made Doctor and Rector of the Church of Cureac, where he was martyred, but this fancy is contrary to all our English Stories, which do agree that he having founded many Churches, and given great liberalities to the same, deceased in great tranquility in his own Land, and was buried at Gloucester.

Between the time of King Lucius, and the entering of the Saxons, there reigned after Lucius Seuerus a Romaine: after him Bassianus, a Romaine; after him Cerausius, a Britain; after him Alectus, a Romaine; after him Asclepiodotus, a Britain; after him Coilus, a Britain; after him Constantius, a Romain; after him Constantine, a Britain, by Helena his Mother, the Daughter of King Coilus, and Wife of Constantius. Constantine first made the walls of London and Colchester: when the Romaines ruled it, it was ruled by Infidels, and when the Britons ruled, by Christians; yet no persecution was raised in it, until the tenth persecution, which was so cruel, that all our English Chronicles report, that all Christianity almost in the whole land was destroyed, Churches subverted, and the Scriptures burned, as before is shown.

It is worthy to be noted, that Constantine, that worthy Emperor, was not only a Britain borne, but his Mother Helena, Daughter of King Coilus a Britain, but also by the help of the Britain's Army, which Constantine took with him, with great victories he obtained the peace of the Uniuersall Church, having three legions with him out of this Realm, of chosen Soldiers.

After, Maximinian took all the power that was left of fighting Men, to subdue France, and after sent for 100000. Soldiers more at once, at which time Conanus his Partner sent for 11000. Uirgines out of Britain, which were drowned and spoiled by the way by Infidels, because they would not pollute themselves with them.

Thus Britain being destitute of strength, had been oppressed by Guanus and Melga, had not Guethl •• us Arch-bishop of London, and Constantine, Brother to Aldranus, defended the Realm and State of Religion.

Then came Vortigerne, who murdered Constance his Prince, and inua • ed the Crown, and fearing Constance his two brothers, he sent for aid of the Saxons, and married with the Daughter of Hengist, but not long after he was dispossessed of his kingdom by the said Hengist, and the Saxons being all Infidels, and the Britain's were driven out of the Country. Two hundred seventy one of their Nobles at one meeting at Almesbury, being subtly slain by the Saxons, or at a place called Stonehenge, by the Monument of which Stones, there hanging, it seemeth the Noble Britain's were there buried. I pass over the fabulous Story of the Welchmen, of bringing these Stones from Ireland by Merlin. Some Stories record, they were slain, being bid to a banket: Thus came the Angles and Saxons fi • st into this Realm, being yet Infidels, about the year 469. they were diverse times driven out by Aurelius Ambrosius, and his Brother Vter, but they returned again, and at length possessed all, and drove the Britons into Wales. Hengistus reigned 43. years and died in Kent, Galfridus saith he was taken in the war of Aurelius Ambrosius, and beheaded in the 39. year of his reign.

His Son Offa succeeded him twenty four years, Octa and Imericus his sons succeeded him, 53. years, and were slain by Vter Pendragon.

The Saxons divided the Realm into s • auen Kingdoms: to the first Kent; to the second Sussex and Surrey; the third West-sex, the fourth East • sex; the fifth Cambridgeshire, Norffolke, and Suffolk: the sixth, the Countries of Lincoln, Leicester, Huntingdon, Northampton, Oxford, Darby, Warwick: the seventh was King of Northumberland: they continued so a while with great Wars amongst themselves, at length all came to the possession of the West-Saxons. This • ingdome began in the year 522. and continued until about the coming of William the Conqueror, which was 554. years.

Saint Paul's Church in London was built by Ethelbert, King of Kent, and Sigebert King of Essex, when Ethelbert turned unto the Faith. Malmsburie writeth, that Mauricius the Kings Chancellor, then Byshoppe of London, did first begin this famous building of Paul's, and after Richard his Successor, bestowed all the rents of his Byshoppricke upon the same, and it may be the first Church was overthrown by the Danes, and re-edified by these Bishops.

These Kings of the Britain's reigned in Wales and Cornewall, Vortiger, Vortimer, Vortiger again, Aurelius Ambrosius, Vter Pendragon, Arthur, Constantius 3. Aurelius Conanus, Vortiperius, Malgo, Carecius.

The sins of the Britain's was the cause of the just judgment of God against them, as out of an old Author, and partly out of Gildas doth appear: These be the words of the Author: There following Constantine, and others above named, out of the Realm all the Nobility, when the rascal sort had gotten their places, and through abundance of riches were surprised with pride, they fell into so great Fornication as never was heard of, and unto all manner of wickedness, that man's Nature is inclined unto; hating the truth, loving lies, regarding evil instead of goodness, receiving the Devil instead of an Angel of light, choose such for their Kings as were most cruel, and if any seemed to be humble and favor the truth, they hated and backbited him as a destroyer of Britain, and not only the secular men did thus, but also the Bishops and Teachers, therefore it was no marvel that such a people should loose their Country which they had so defiled.

As there were many wicked Kings among the Saxons, so there were some very good, but none almost frō the first to the last, which was not either slain in war or murdered in peace, or constrained to make himself a Monk, whether it were the just judgment of God, because they had violently dispossessed the Britons, they were not only vexed of the Danes, conquered of the Normans, but more cruelly devoured themselves.

Ethelbert King of Cambridgeshire, Norffolke, and Suffolk, came peaceably to King Offa, for dispousage of Athilrid his Daughter, and by the Council of King Offa, his Wife was secretly beheaded. Wherevpon Offa, through repentance, made the first peter-pence to be given to S. Peters Church at Rome.

One Lothbrooke a Dane of the Kings blood, being a hawking by the Sea-side in a little Boat, was cast by weather upon the Coast of Norffolke, and being brought to King Edmund, he retained him in great favor, at length he was privily murdered by one Bericke, which being known, Bericke was sent away in Lothbrookes Boat without tackling, and was driven into Denmark, and being seen in Lothbrookes Boat, and examined of Lothbrooke, he falsely said the King had killed him. Wherevpon Iugner and Hubba, Lothbrookes Sons, gathering an Army of Danes inuauaded first Northumberland, then Norffolke, and sent to King Edmund to devide his Treasures to him, and be subject to him, else he would dispossess him of his • ingdome, he answered he would not be subject to a Pagan Duke, unless before he become a Christian, then the Danes besieged his house, but he fled and pitched a field with them, but the Danes prevailing, he fled to the Castle of Halesdon, where they took him and bound him to a stake, and shot him to death.

Seven or eight Kings are highly commended in the Histories for leaving there Kingdoms, and becoming Moonkes, but they are more to be discommended for leaving their calling, wherein they might so much benefit the Church.

There were four Persecutions in England, before Agustine came into England: the first under Dioclesian; the second, by the invading of Gnarius and Melga, one captain of the Huns, the other of the Picts, after they had slaughtered 11000. Uirgines, as before made a rode into Britain, hearing it wanted strength, and murdered Christians and spoiled Churches without mercy: the third by the Saxons, who destroyed Christ's Saints and the Churches, until Aurelius Ambrosius restored again the Churches: the fourth, Gurmundus King of the Africans joined with the Saxons, and wrought much grievance to the Christians of the Land, which persecution remained to the time of Ethelbert the fifth King of Kent.

In the t • me of Ethelbert, the faith was received of the Saxons; by this means Gregory Bishop of Rome, seeing Britain Children to be sold in Rome, very beautiful, understanding what Country they were of, pitied that the Country which was so beautiful, and angellicall, so to be subject to the prince of darkness: Wherefore he sent thither Agustine with about forty Preachers with him, and when they were apaled and would have turned back again▪ Gregory emboldened and comforted them with his Letter, so they came to the I will of • henet in Kent, Ethelbert as before was King of Kent, he had married one Berda, a French Woman, upon condition she should use the Christian Religion with one Lebardus her Bishop, Agustine sent to the King, signifying he was come from Rome, bringing with him glad tidings to him and all his people of life and salvation, if he would so willingly hearken unto it, as he was gladly come to preach it unto him. The King having heard of this Religion by his Wife, came to the place where Agustine was, Agustine against his coming erected a Banner of the Crucifire (such then was the grosenesse of the time) and preached to him the word of God, the King promised they should have all things necessary, and none should molest them▪ and gave them free leave to preach to his subjects, and convert whom they might to the Faith.

When they had this comfort of the King, they went with procession to Canterbury, singing Alleluia, with the Litany that was used at Rome in the great plague, We beseech thee O Lord in all thy mercies, that thy fury and anger may cease from this Citty, and from thy holy house, for we have sinned, Alleluia, they continued in the same Citty preaching and baptizing, in the old Church of S. Martin, where the Queen was wont to resort, until the King was converted, at length the King seeing their miracles, and their godly conversation, he heard them gladly, and was converted in the thirty six year of his reign, Anno 586. After him innumerable daily were adjoined unto the Church, whom the King did specially imbrase, but compelled none, then the King gave Agustine a place for his Bishops Sea, at Christ's Church in Canterbury, and built the Abbey there, where after Agustine and all the Kings of Kent were buried, which now is called S. Augustine.

Then Agustine by the commandment of Gregory, went into France to the Bishop of Arelatensis, to be consecrated Arch-bishop, and so was then Agustine sent to Gregory, so declare how they had sped, and to be resolved of diverse questions, how Bishops should behave themselves towards their Clarke, of offerings and Ceremonies, and what punishment for stealing Church goods, and such like, to no great purpose; therefore if thou beest disposed to see them, I refer thee to the Book at large.

Gregory, after he had sent resolutions to these questions, sendeth moreover more Coadiutors, as Melitus, Iustus, Paulinus, and Ruffianus, with Books and implements necessary for the English Church, and in reward of Augustine's pains, he sent him a Pal only to be used at the solemnity of the Mass, and granteth two Metropolitan Seas, London and York, but granted to Agustine during his life, to be chief Arch-bishop of all the Land, and that they should not destroy the idolatrous Temples, but convert them to Christian uses, and that Augustine should not be proud of the miracles that God wrought by him, & that he should remember they were not done for him, but for their conversion, whose salvation God sought thereby.

Then he wrote to King Ethelbert▪ first he praised GOD, then the King, by whom it pleased God to work such goodness of the people, then exhorted him to persevere in his profession, and to be zealous therein, to convert the multitude, and destroy Idolatry, and to govern them in holiness of conversation, according to the Emperor Constantine the Great, comforting him with the promises of life, and reward to come.

Augustine receiving his Pall, as above said, and of a Monk being made an Arch-Bishop, he made two Metropolitans, as Gregory commanded; then Augustine assembled the Bishops and Doctors of Britain, in this assembly, he charged the Bishops that they should preach the Word of GOD with him: also, that they should reform certain rites and usages in the Church, especially for keeping of Easter, and baptizing after the manner of Rome, the Scots and Britain's would not agree thereto, refusing to leave the custom which they so long time had continued. Beda, Fabianus, & others, write of a miracle wrought upon a Blind Englishman, when the Britain's could not help him. Augustine kneeling down and praying, restored him to sight before them all, for a confirmation (as these Authors say) of keeping of Easter, I leave the credit of the miracle to the Authors of whom I had it.

Augustine gathered another Sinode, to the which seven Bishops, and the wisest Men of the famous City of Bangor came, they took council of a holy man whether they should be obedient to Augustine, he had them agree to him if he be the Servant of GOD, and you shall know it by his humbleness and meekness, you are the greater number, if he at your coming into the Sinode arise up and courteously receive you, perceive him to be an humble and meek man: but if he shall contemn and despise you, despise you him again; thus the Britain Bishops entering into the Council, Augustine after the Romish manner keeping his Chair, would not remove, wherefore they being very much offended thereat, after some heat of words, departed in great displeasure, to whom Augustine said: If they would not receive peace with their Brethren, they should receive war with their Enemies.

There was in Bangor in Wales an exceeding great Monastery, wherein was two thousand and one hundred Monks, the Monks came out of this Monastery to Chester, to pray for Brocmayle, fighting for them against the Saxons, Ethelbert King of Northumberland seeing them intenti • e to their prayers, and perceiving it was to pray for their Consul; he said, although they bear no Weapon, yet with their prayers and preaching they persecute us, he commanded his men to kill them, who killed, or rather martyred 1100. of them. The Authors that wrote this, say that the forespeaking of Augustine was verified on them, but Galfridus Monumetensis, saith, that Ethelbert the King of Kent being converted by Augustine to Christ's Faith, seeing the Britain's deny their subjection to Augustine, therefore stirred up the said Ethelfrid to war against the Britain's.

After Augustine had baptized 10000. in a River called Swale by York, on a Christmas day, perceiving his end to draw near, ordained Laurencius his Successor: by his Baptizing in Rivers it followeth there was then no use of Fonts, and the Rites of baptizing in Rome was not then so ceremonial, nor had so many trinkets as it hath since: and not long after Augustine died, after he had sitten Arch-bishop 15. or 16. years. About this time also Gregory died, who was called the basest of all the Bishops before him, and the best of all that came after him.

Ranulphus Cestrensis writeth, that John the Patriarch of Alexandria, as he was at prayer, there appeared unto him a comely Virgin▪ having on her head a Garland of Olive Leaues, which named her self Mercy, promising him if he would take her to Wife, he should prosper well: After that day this Patriarch was so merciful to the poor, that he counted them his Masters, and himself as Steward unto them.

Gregory withstood the pride of John, Patriarke of Constantinople, which would be the Uniuersall and Cheefe Bishop of all others, calling him the fore-runner of Antichrist, he brought in the Title of the Pope, Seruus seruorum Dei.

Sabinianus succeeded him two years, a malicious Detractor of his works, after him succeeded Boniface the third, one year.

After Phocas had murdered his own Master Mauricius the Emperor and his Children, thinking to establish the Empire to himself by friendship of his people, and especially with the Pope, he granted Boniface all his Petitions, and to be Uniuersall head Bishop over all Churches. Hiraclius the Emperor that succeeded Phocas, cut of his hands and feet, and threw him into the Sea, but Rome would not so soon loose the supremacy once given, as the giver lost his life: forever since they have maintained the same with all force and policy, by the word of Gregory. Boniface may well be called the fore-runner of Antichrist, as Gregory brought in the Style of Seruus seruorum Dei; so he brought in Volumus & mandamus, Statuimus & praecipimus.

Besides the building of Paul's, as aforesaid, by Ethelbert King of Kent, and Sigebert King of Essex: Ethelbert also founded the Church of S. Andrew in Rochester. Moreover, he caused a Cittizen to make Westminster Abbey, which was enlarged and new built by Edward the Confessor, and new re-edified by Henry the third, and when he had reigned 56. years he died, Anno 616.

The foresaid Ethelfrid King of Northumberland, after the cruel murder of the Monks at Bangor, was not long after slain in the Fielde of Edwin, who succeeded him in his Kingdom. First this Ethelfride envying this Edwin, persecuted him, who having fled from him, as he sat in his Study a Stranger appeared unto him and said; I know thy thought and heaviness, what wouldst thou give him that should deliver thee out of this fear, and make thee a mightier King then any of thy Predecessors, and show thee a better way of life then ever was sh • wed to any of thy Ancestors? wilt thou obey him and do after his council? yea, said Edwin, promising with all his heart so to do, and the stranger laying his hand on his head, he said; when this is come to pass remember thy tribulation, and the promise which thou hast made, and with that he vanished away. Presently a Friend of his came to him, and said, the heart of King Redwaldus is with thee. This Redwaldus suddenly assembled an Hoast, wherewith he suddenly gave Ethelfride battle, and slew him, whereby Edwin was quietly King of Northumberland. He married the Daughter of Ethelbert King of Kent, Edwin yet remained a Pagan, albeit his Queen a Christian, and Paulinus the Byshoppe ceased not to persuade him to the Christian Faith. When Paulinus saw the King so hard to be converted, he prayed to God for his conversion, who reuealer unto him the Uision before mentioned; whereupon Paulinus coming to the King, he lay his hand • on the Kings head, and aked if he knew that token; the King be • ring the Uision, and remembering the token, would have fall • en at his f • ete, but suffe • ed him not, saying; O King, you have vaquished your enemies and obtained your Kingdom, now receive the Faith of Christ, as you promised, whereupon the King was baptized of Paulinus at York▪ with many of his servants, and his Idolatrous Priests, which by their old Law mustride but upon Mar • s, ga • e upon Horses, and rode and destroyed all the Altars of their Idols, and their Idols Temple. After this conversion, was so great peace in the Kingdom o • Edwin, that a woman, laden with gold, might go safe from the one side of the Sea unto the other, and by all his high ways he chained a Bowle of brass at every Fountain, for passengers to refresh themselves with, and no man took them away during his life.

King Oswald, a Christian, by prayer unto God, with a little company ouerc • me Cadwallo, and Penda the Britain • King, which with a mighty Host came against him. There is much commendation in writing of this Oswalds zeal in religion, and piety towards the poor; he sent into Scotland for a Bishop called Aydanus, a famous Preacher, as he preached to the Saxons in the Scottish tongue, the King understanding the Scottish tongue, he disdained not to preach and expound the same to his Nobles in the English tongue.

King Oswald being at Dinner on Easterday, one brought him word there was a great company of p • re people in the streets which asked alms of him, be commanded the meat prepared for his own Table to be carried unto them, and brake a si •• er Platter in pieces and sen • it amongst them: by his means Kinigillus King of the West Saxons was converted to Christ's Faith, and after he had reigned 9. years, he was slain by the said Penda, who was after slain by Osway brother to Oswald, and succeeded him in his Kingdom, together with his Cosin Oswine.

This Oswine gave Aydanus, the Scottish Bishop aforesaid, a principal Horse, with the trappers and appurtenances, and as he w • s riding upon this kingly horse, a poor man craved his charity, who having nothing else to give him, gave him his hor • e garnished as he was; wherefore, as he came to Dinner, he King chi • e him, he answer • ; O King, set you more prize by a horse, then by Chr • st? Then the King prayed him to forgive him, and he would not henceforth find fault with him for giving away any of his Treasure: then Aydanus wept, and being asked wherefore he wept, he answered, for that this King cannot live long, this people is nto worthy to be • uled by such a Prince, which shortly came to pass, for Osway caused him traterously to be slain.

One Benedict, a great man with Osway, that brought up Bede from his youth▪ • orsooke Oswayes house, and all his kindred, to serve Christ; he was the first that brought up the Art of glazing in windows.

About this time there was a Counsel bolden at Ste • ne-halt, for the right observing of Easterday. King Osway began with an Oration, that it was necessary • or such as served one God, to live in an uniform order, and such as looked for one kingdom in Heaven, should not differ in celebration of heavenly Sacraments: then, by his commandment, Colman Bishop, said he received the order of keeping Easter the 14. day of the first Moneth, from his Auncesters, Forefathers, and from John Evangelist: to which▪ at the Kings commandment, Wilfride answered, Easter is kept always on the Sunday, as we keep it in Rome, where Peter and Paul taught, in Italy, France. Afric, Egypt, Greece▪ and in all the world. I will not reprove Saint John which kept the rights of Moses Law according to the letter, the Church being yet Jewish in many points, they could not reject Images invented of the Devil, which all believers ought of necessity to detest, least they should offend the Jews; therefore Saint Paul circumcized Tymothy, therefore he shaved his head, and Sacrificed in the Temple: all this was done only to eschew the offense of the Jews. Therefore • ames said to Paul; Thou • eest brother how many thousand Jews do believe yet all are zealous of the old Law; yet, since the Gospel was preached, it is not lawful for the faithful to be circumcized, nor to offer Sacrifices of carnal things to God: but Peter remembering that the Lord did rise from death the first day after the Sabbath, instituted Easter on that day, and not according to the Law, and though your forefathers were holy men, what is their fewness, being but a corner of an Island, to be preferred before the universal Church of Christ? Then said the King; Did the Lord give the kingdom of Heaven unto Peter? And they both answer • d, yea; then the King concluded: being Saint Peter is the Door-keeper of Heaven, I will obey his Orders in every point, least when I come to the gates of Heaven he shut them against me, and with this simple reason they consented.

Ethelwood preached unto the people in Southsax, and converted them to Christ in the time of whose baptizing, the rain, which before they lacked three years, was given them plenteously, whereby there great famine slacked.

About this time, the detestable sect of Mahomet began to take place, which well agrees with the number of that beast signified in the Revelation 666. Of Mahomet came the Kingdom of the Haarines, now called Saracens, to whom he gave many Laws: they must pray Southward, Friday is their Sunday, called the day of Venus, he permitted them to have as many Wives as they were able to maintain, and as many Concubines as they list: they must abstain from wine, excep • on solemn days: • hey were to worship one only God Omnipotent. Moses and the Prophets were great▪ but Christ was greatest, being borne without man's seed, and taken up into the Heaven, with many such Laws; at length the Sarasins were wholly conquered by the Turks.

Theodorus was sent into England by Vitellianus Pope, and diverse other Monks with him, to set up Latin Service in England and Mas • es, Cerimonies, Litanies, and other Romish ware, he was made Archbishop of Canterbury, and began to play the Rex in placing and displacing Bishops at his pleasure. He held a Provincial Counsel at Therford, the contents thereof were the uniformity of keeping Easter, that no Bishop should intermeddle in another's Di • cesse, that Monasteries should be free from Jurisdiction o • Bishops, that Monks should keep the obedience they first promised, and not go from one Monastery unto another without leave of the Abbot, that none of the Clergy should be received in another Diocese without Letters Commendatory of his Bishop, that foreign Bishops and Clergy men should be content with the hospitality offered them, and not meddle in any Bishops Jurisdiction without his permission, that once a year a Provincial Sinod should be kept, that no Bishop should prefer himself before another, but according to his time of consecration, that as the people increased, so the number of Bishops should be augmented.

The next year was the sixth general Counsel of Constance, where this Theodore was present, under Pope Agatho; Marriage there was permitted to the Greek Priests, and forbidden to the Latin: in this Counsel the Latin Mass was first openly said by John Portuensis the Popes Legate.

Colfride, Abbot of Shirwin in Northumberland, writ to Naitonus King of Picts, that shaven Crowns was necessary for all Priests, and Monks, for restraint of their lusts; and that Peter was shaven, in remembrance of the Passion of Christ, so we must wear the sign of his Passion on the top of our head, as every Church beareth the holy Cross in the front thereof, that by the defense of that banner it be kept from evil Spirits; and exhorted him to imitate the Apostolic Churches, and, when he died, the Prince of the Apostles would open Heaven gate to him; whereat the King rejoiced, and kneeling down, thanked God that he was worthy to receive such a present from England, and made Proclamation for the performance.

When Iue, King of the West Saxons, had ruled them 37. years, he was persuaded by his wife Etheburge, to go to Rome to be made a Munke, when the king an • she had rested in a fair Palace, richly adorned, she commanded all the rooms in the Palace to be strewed with Dung of vile beasts, and hogs and beasts to be laid therein▪ and a Sowe and pigs in her chamber, then she brought the King to visit the Palace, and said, My Lord, where are now the rich▪ clothes of gold and silver▪ that we le • t here? where are the pleasant Seruitors, delicacies, and costly dishes that we lately were served with? We shall vanish away as suddenly as these worldly things be passed, our bodies that are now delicatly kept, shall turn unto the filth of the earth: therefore busy you to purchase the Palace that ever shall endure, by means of these, and other words, the King resigned his Kingdom unto Etheraldus his Nephew, and for the love of Christ, in the habit of a poor man, accompanied with poor men▪ went to Rome; and his wife went into the Nunnery of Barkin, seven miles from London, where, after she had been Abbess a certain time, she died. This • ue was the first King of the Saxons, that made Laws for his Country.

In this time was Beda, a man of worthy memory, he was a Priest of the Monastery of Peter and Paul, at Wire; at 7. years old, he was committed to the education of Benedict▪ as before; at 19. years old • e was made Deacon, and at 30, Priest. He wrote 37. Uolumes; in his Treatise upon Samuel, he said; If my exposition bring no utility to the readers, yet it conduceth not a little to myself, that whilst my cogitation was upon them, I had little mind of the slippery intisements of the world: he continued in diligent study, until the age of 62. years, and in his latter end, whilst he was sick seven weeks, he translated the Gospel of Saint John into English.

Celulphus, king of Northumberland, when he had reigned 8. years was made a M •• ke in the Abey of Farne▪ where, by his means, Licence was given to the Monks of that house to drink wine, or Ale, which before, by the institution of the aforesaid Aydanus, drunk nothing but milk and water.

Cutbert, Archbishop of Canterbury, collected a great Sinod, where these decrees were enacted, that Bishops should be more diligent in seeing to their Office, then in admonishing the people, and live in peace one with another, and once a year go about all the Parishes of their Diocese. That they should admonish Abbots, and Monks, to live Regul • rly, and Prelates not to oppress their infertours, but love them▪ that none should be admitted to Orders, before his life was examined: that the reading of holy Scrip • ures shou • d be more frequented in Monasteries: that Priests should not dispose secular businesses: that they should take no money for baptizing: that they should teach the Lord's prayer and Creed in the English tongue: that they should join in their Ministry after one uniform manner: that they should sing in the Church with a modest voice: that the Saboth be reverently observed: that the 7. Canonical Powers be observed every day: that the Rogation days should not be omitted: that a Festiual day for all Saints should be celebrated, and a Feast of S. Gregory an • S. Austin, our Patron, should be observed▪ that the fasts of the 4. times should be kept: that Churchmen should not give themselves to drunkenness: that the Communion should not be neglected of the Clergy, nor 〈◊〉 : that Laymen should be examined, and well tried, before they become Monks: that Monks should not live amongst Lay-men: that public prayer should be made for Kings, and Princes.

Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz, a Martyr, an English man, wrote a Letter to King Ethelbert, and rebuked him for abstaining from Marriage, that he might live in luxuriousness with Nuns, and that, he heard the chief of hi • Kingdom, by his example, forsook their wives, and lived in adultery with Nuns; whereby appeareth the great disorder of life that always hath been in these Religious houses of Nuns, whose vow of coacted chastity hath never been good to Church or Common-wealth; and this Boniface, and others were most to blame, for that they g • u • occasion thereof, by maintaining such superstitious orders of lascivious Nuns, and other religious, restraining them from lawful Marriage. For we find of him in Stories, that, he being the Popes Legate, built Monasteries, Canonized Saints▪ commanded Relics to be worshipped, permitted religious Fathers to carry about Nuns with them a preaching; and he founded the great Monastery of F • loa in Germany▪ of English Monks, in which, no woman might enter, but only Leba and Sec • a two English Nuns, and by him Childericus, king of France was deposed, and Pipinus▪ the betrayer of his master, made king. From this Boniface proceeded that detestable doctrine; that in case the Pope lived most filthily, and neglected himself, and all Christianity, and led inumerable Souls with him to Hell▪ yet ought no man to rebuke him, because he hath power to judge all men, and ought to be judged of no man.

Pope Gregory the 2. Pope Gregory the 3. Pope Zacharias, and Pope Constantine the 1. wrought great masteries against the Greek Emperors, Philipicus and Leo, and others, for the maintaining of Images in Churches, of whom Philipicus lost both his Empire, and his eyes: and Leo was excommunicated for the same cause. This Gregory then brought into the Mass Canon, the clause for Relics, and the Sacrifice for the dead. And Zacharias brought in the Prieste Uesture, and Ornaments; and Constantine was the first that gave his feet to be kissed of the Emperors.

The aforesaid Pipinus, which was the betrayer of his said master Childericus king of France, and by the Pope made king in his steed, to gratify the Sea of Rome for this benefit to him, gave unto the said sea, the Princedom of Rauenna, and the Kingdom of Lombards, and many other great possessions of Italy, with all the cities thereunto adjoining unto the borders of Venice; and this no doubt, is the same which falsely hath been thought to ha • e been the Donation of Constantine.

To this Pipinus was sent first into France the invention of the Orgaines out of Grecia, by Constantine Emperor of Constantinople, in the year 757.

Pope Stephanus succeeded pope Constan • inus, and Paul the 1. succeeded him; he thundered great Excommunications against Constantine Emperor of Constantinople, for plucking down Images, set up in the Temples, notwithstanding he neglecting his cur • es, destroyed Idolatry to the end of his life.

Then Constantine the 2. came to be Pope, a Layman, & brother to Deside • ius, king of Lumbardy, but he was shortly deposed, thrust into a Monastery, & his eyes put out.

Stephanus the 3. succeeded Paul, he condemned the seventh Council of Constantinople for Heretical, because the worshipping of Images was condemned there: he advanced the veneration of Images, commanding them, most Ethnically, to be incenced. In this time Charles the great reigned▪ by whom the Pope caused D • siderius, the Lombard, King to be deposed.

Pope Adrianus the 1. succeeded him, he added more then all the other to the veneration of Images, writing a Book for the adoration and utility of them▪ commanding them to be taken for Lay-men's Calenders. As Pope Paul before him, made much of Petronel, Peters daughter, so this Adrian clothed the body of Peter all in silver, and covered the Altar of S. Paul, with a pall of gold. He confirmed, by revelation, the Order of S. Gregory's Mass, before the order of S. Ambrose his Mass: in this manner, both the Mass books were said upon the Altar of S. Peter, and the Church door shut and sealed by many Bishops, who continued in prayers all night, that the Lord would show by some evident sign which of these Seruices he would have used; and in the morning they found Gregory's Mass book plucked in pieces, and scattered about the Church, and Ambrose his book lay open in the same place where it was laid; Pop • Adrian expounded it, that as the leaves of Gregory's book were sattered all over the Church, so should Gregory's book be used throughout the world, and that Ambrose his Service should only be used in his own Church, where he was Bishop, so Gregory's Mass had only the place, and hath to this day.

Charles, the son of the aforesaid Pipinus, confirmed the gift of his Father unto the Pope, and added thereunto the city and Dominion of Venice, Histria, the Dukedoms of Foroinliense, Spoletanum, Be • e • entanum, and other more possessions to the patrimony of Peter, making him the Prince of Rome and Italy, wherefore the Pope entitled him, most Christian King, and ordained him only to be taken for Emperor, and made him Patricium Romanum; and Caroloman, Carolus his eldest brother, being • ead, Bertha his wife, with her two children, came to Pope Adrian, to have them confirmed into his fathers Kingdom: the Pope, to show a pleasure to Carolus, would not agree, but gave her, and her two children, and Desiderius the Lombard king, with his whole Kingdom, wife and Children, into the hands of Carolus, who led them into France, and kept them in servitude during their lives.

By this Adrian, and Pope Leo his successor, was Carolus Magnus proclaimed Emperor, and the Empire translated from the Grecians to the Frenchmen, in the year 801. where it continued about 102. years, until the coming of Conradus and his Nephew Otho, which were Germans, and so hath continued amongst the Almains until this time. This Charles built as many Monasteries, as there be letters in the A. B. C. he was beneficial to the poor, but chiefly to Churchmen; he held a Council at Frankford, where was condemned the Council of Nice • e Irene, for setting up & worshiping Images.

Egbert succeeded Ceolulphus, and when he had reigned 20. years in Northumberland, was likewise shorn Monk, about the time of the death of Ceolulphus, in his monastery. In the year 754. the cities of Weire, London, York, Doncaster, with others▪ were burnt.

In the year 780. it rained blood it the city of York, it fell from the top of S. Peters Church, the Element being clear▪ out of the North part of the Temple, & some expounded it to be a token of the coming of the Danes, which entered thi • land about 7. years after.

In the year 784. Irene Empresse of the Greeks, by the means of Pope Adrian, took up the body of Constantine Emperor of Constantinople, her husbands father, and burned it, and caused the ashes to be cast into the sea, because he disanulled Images, as afore is said; afterwards reigning with her son Constantine the sixth being at disscen • ion with him▪ she caused him to be cast into prison, and his eyes to be put out, so cruelly, that within short time he died: after, she held a Council at Nice • , where it was decreed that Images should again be restored to the Church, which Council also was repealed by another Council holden at Frankeford, by Charles the great▪ wherein he did greatly lament, that no • so few as 300. Bishops of the East did decree that Images should be worshipped, which the Church of God hath always abhorred; at length she was deposed by Nicephorus, who reigned after her, and after, according to the just Judgment of God, ended her life in much penury and misery.

The first Cross and Altar that was set up in this Realm, was in Heuenfield in the North, upon the occasion of Oswald king of Northumberland, fighting against Cadwalla, where he in the same place set up the sign of the Erosse, kneeling, and praying there for victory.

The Church of Winchester was founded by Kingilsus, king of the Mercians, and finished by his son. Anno 636.

The Church of Lincoln founded by Paulinus Bishop 629.

The Abbey of Westminster begun by a citizen of London, by the instigation of Ethelbert King of • ent. 614.

The Schools of Cambridge erected by Sigebert king of East Angles, 636.

The Monastery of Malmesbury, by Meldulphus a Scot, 640. after enlarged by Agilbet Bishop of Winchester.

The Monastery of Gloster, built by Opricus king of Mercia, 679.

The Monastery of Maybrose by Aydanus the Scottish Bishop.

The Nunnery of He • renton, by He • y, which was the first Nun in Northumberland.

The Monastery of Hetesey, by Osway king of Northumberland, who with his Daughter Elfred, gave possessions for twelve Monasteries, 657.

The Monastery of S. Martin in Dover, built by Whitred king of Kent.

The Abbey of Lestingie, by Cedda, whom we call Saint Ced, 651.

The Monastery of Whithy, by Hilda, daughter to the Nephew of king Edwin▪ 657. she built also another Monastery, called Hacanus, not far • hence.

The Abbey of Abbington, built by Sissa, king of Southsaxons, 666.

Saint Botulph built an Abbey on the East side of Lincoln, called Ioann • , 654.

The monastery in Eli, founded by Etheldred, daughter of Anna K. of east Angles, 674.

The Monastery of Chertsey in Southery, founded by Erkinwald, Bishoy of London 674. he founded also the Nunnery of Barkin.

The Abbey of Peterborough founded by King Ethelwald, 675.

Bardnere Abbey, by King Etheldredus, 700.

Glastenbury, by Iue King of West Saxons, 701.

Ramsey, by one Aylewinus a Nobleman, 973.

King Edgar built, in his time, forty Monasteries, he reigned, Anno 678.

The Monastery of Wincombe, built by king Kenulphus, 737.

Saint Albons, built by Offa, king of Mercians, 755.

The Abbey of Eusham by Egwinus Bishop, 691.

The Abbey of Ripon in the North, by Wilfridus Bishop, 709.

The Abby of Echlingheie by king Aluredus 891.

The Nunnery of Shaftsbury, by the said Aluredus, the same year; so you see that Monasteries began to be founded by the Saxon kings, within 200. years after they were converted; these had a zeal, but they lacked the true Doctrine of Christ, especially that Article of free Justification by Faith▪ of Jesus Christ: for lack whereof▪ as well the builders, as they that were possessed in the same, have both run the wrong way, and been deceived: for so much as they did these things seeking thereby merits with God, remedy for • heir souls, and remission of sins, as doth appear, testified in their own Records, besides the 7. or 8. Kings that forsook their Kingdoms to be Monks; there were many Queens and Kings daughters entered into Nunneries at that time, as thou mayest see them in the book at large, named.

THE THIRD BOOKE Containing the next 300. years, from the reign of King EGBERTVS, unto WILLIAM the Conqueror.

E Gbertus, King of the West Saxons, having put down all the other Kings he governed • oly.

King Brithricus doubting Egbert, because he was of the kings blood, was chased out of the land into France; where, hearing of the death of Brithricus, he came home, and • btained the Crown.

King Bernulphus, and other kings, had him in deri ••• on, and made diverse scorning Rimes of him; after he assembled his Knights, and fought with Bernulphus, in a place called Elmeden, and there was ods, six or eight against one; yet Egbert, through the help of God, gat the victory, at length he subdued all the Kings, and joined their Dominions to his, Kingdom: he w • nne also the town of Chester from the Britain's, or Welchmen, which they possessed until this time: then he called a Counsel at▪ Winchester, where he was Crowned King over this land, and where before it was called Britain, he sent into all costs, and charged them straitly that henceforth the Saxons should be called Angles, and the land Anglia.

About the third year of his reign, the Danes which a little before had made horrible destruction in Northumberland, as before, entered the second time, with a great Host, and spoiled the Isle of Sh • p • in Kent; Egbert met with them at Carrum, but he was compelled to forsake the Field: but in the next Battle, with a small company, he ouerthr • w a great multitude o • them. The next year they turned again into the Land Westward and joining with the Britain's, did much harm in many places of Egberts Dominions; after that, they a •• added in the Land, so that many of them were married to English women, and many, that now be English men, descended of them.

Ethelwolfus the son of Egbert succeeded him in his reign; he was Bishop of Winchester, and by the dispensation of the Pope, was made King: he being nuzled therein, was always devout to holy Church, he gave th • m the Tythes of all his goods and Lands, and freedom from all ser • age and civil charges. He made his Donation to God, the Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, for remission of our Souls, and sins, and in that we have, in some part, eased the seruitud of the Church, they may the more diligently pour forth their prayers without • easing, to God for us. It is no swall derogation to the merits of Christ thus to set remission of their sins, and remedy of their Souls, in this Donation, and such like deeds.

The • King Ethelwolfe went to Rome with his youngest Son Alfred, and committed him to the bringing up of Pope Leo the 4. and re-edified the English School in Rome, which was founded by King Offa, or king Iue, which in Egberts time was consumed with fire; and, as king Iue had done in his dominions, he gave a penny yearly to be paid for every fire-house throughout the Realm, to the Pope. Also he granted 300. Markes yearly to Rome, to maintain lights in Saint Perters Church 100 Markes, and to maintain lights in Saint Paul's Church 100. Markes, and to the Pope one other 100 Markes: this done, he married Judith, the daughter of Carolus Caluus, the French King, whom he made Queen, contrary to the Laws of the West Saxons, that no Kings wife should have the name, or place of a Queen, because Ethelburge poisoned king Brithericus, her husband.

The king was most ruled by the Counsel of two Bishops, one of them was Swithinus Bishop of Winchester, who had been Scoole-master to the king, the king shown his kind Nature, in that he not o •• y followed the aduertisments of his old School-master but in that he ceased not until he had made him Bishop of Winchester; but as concerning the Miracles which are read in the Church of Winchester, of this Swithinus, them I leave to be read together with the Iliads of Homer, or tales of Robin Hood.

Pope Leo the 3 succeeded Adrian, Stephen the 4. succeeded him, and Gregory the 4. succeeded him, in whose time, by the commandment of Lodouicus the Emperor, a general Synod was commanded at Aquisgrane, where it was decreed that every Church should have sufficient of his own Reuenewes to maintain the Priests thereof, and that none of the Clergy should wear any Uestures of any precious or scarlet color, nor Kings on their fingers, except at Mass time, or in giving Consecra • ions, and that they should not keep great ports or Families, or use great Horses, or use Dice, or Harlots, or use any gold or silver in their shoes slippers, or girdles; by this it may be conjectured what pomp or pride in these days was crept into the Clergy.

After him succeeded Pope Sergius the 2. he first brought up the altering of Popes names, because his name was Os Porci, that is, Swines snoute: he ordained the Agnus twice to be sung in the Mass, and the Host to be divided into three parts.

Pope Leo the 4. succeeded him, it was enacted in a Counsel of his, that no Bishoppe should be condemned under 72. witnesses, as you see in the witnesses of Stephen Gardener, orderly practiced; he ordained the Cross, all set with precious stones, and gold, to be carried before him like a Pope.

Next to him succeeded the Whore of Babylon, who appeared unto the world, not only after the spiritual sense, but after the very letter and right form of a whore indeed. In stead of a man Pope, they chose a Whore, called by name Ione the 8 her proper name was Gi • berta, a Dutch woman of Magunce, who went with an English Monk out of the Abbey of Ful • a, in man's apparel, unto Athens, after through her dexterity of wit and learning, she was promoted unto the Popedom▪ where she sat two years and six Moneths; after, in open Procession, fell in travel of child, and so died.

Pope Benedictus the 3. succeeded her in the whorish sea, he ordained the Dirge to be said for the dead, yet before him▪ Gregorius the 3. had done his part therein.

A • ter him succeeded Pope Nicholas the 1. who enlarged the Popes Decrees with many constitutions▪ equalling the authority of them with the writings of the Apostles. He ordained that no secular Prince▪ nor the Emperor should be present at their Counsels, to the end they might murder such as they Iudged to be Heretics, and that no Lay man should Judge Clergy men▪ or reason upon the Popes power. That no Magistrate should have power over a Prelat, alleging that a Prelat is called God. That all Church service should be in Latin, except with the Sclauonians, and Polonians. Sequences in Mass were by him first allowed, by him Priests began to be •• strained from Marriage; whereof Hulderick Bishop of Aus • rough sent a Letter to the Pope, that his Decrees, concerning single life of the Clergy, were far discrepant from all discretion, I fear how the Members of the Body will do, when the Head is so greatly out of frame. Is not this a violence & tyranny, when a man is compelled by your Decrees, to do that which is against the Institution of the Gospel, and the old Law, as appeareth by many examples; there be many under a false pretence of Continencie, going about to please men more then God, some lie with their fathers wives, some are Sodomites, and play the beasts with brute beasts; wherefore, as Saint Paul saith; Because of Fornication let everyone have his own wife. When the Counsel of Nice went about to establish this Decree, one Paphnutius withstood them, confessing Marriage to be honorable, and called the bed of Matrimony, Chastity, and persuaded the Counsel from making that Law: some take Saint Gregory for their defense in this matter, being ignorantly deceived how dangerous this Decree was, and how Saint Gregory after re •• ked the same, with con • igne fruit of repentance: for as he sent to his Fish pond to have Fish, he see more then 6000. Infants heads, which were taken out of the same Mote, then he confessed his Decree to be the cause of that so lamentable a murder, so he altered his Decree, commending the counsel of the Apostle, which saith; It is better to marry then to burn, What can be more foolish, then when any Bishop, or Archdeacon run themselves headlong into all lust and Adultery, and Incest, and So • omitrie, yet shame not to say, that chaste Marriage of Priests stinks: and they add this filthy and foolish suggestion, that it is more honest privily to have to do with many women, then openly to be bound to one wife.

After this Nicholas succeeded Pope Adrianus the 2. Johannes the 9. Martinus the 20 Adrian the 3. and Stephen the 1. By this Adrian it was decreed, that no Emperor, after that time, should have anything • o do in the election of the Pope, and thus began the Emperors first decay, and the P • pacie to swell▪ and rise alo • t.

About the latter end of the reign of Ethelwolfe, the Danes with 33. ships, arrived about Hampshire, through whose barbarous tyranny much bl • ut shed and murder hapne • here amongst English men. They first overcame Ethelwolfe; and after, he and his Son Ethelbaldus, warring against them in Sou • her • , at Okley, • rave them to the Sea; where they hovering a space, burst in again with horrible cruelty.

Besids the just Judgment of God for their manifold sins, which at this time most plentifully abounded, there was two outward causes of the Danes coming into England; the first was, the death of Lothbroke▪ which was falsely imputed to King Edmond▪ as is ••• ore recited.

The other was given by the means of Osbright, reigning under the King of West Saxons in the North parts, who ravished the wife of Bruer one of his Nobles; wherefore the said Bruer took shipping, and sailed into Denmark • , where he was brought up, and had great friends; and making his mone to Codrinus the King, who being glad of some just quarrel, levied a great Army, and sent them with • ugnar and H • bba, his chief Captains, into England, who first arrived at Holdernesse, and burned up the Contry, and killed, without mercy, men, women and children: and entering towards York, entered battle with Osbright, where he, with the most part of his Army, was slain, so they took possession of York.

Ethelbald, eldest son of Ethelwolfe succeeded his Father in Westsex, and Ethelbright • is second son, in K • nt; they reigned both together 5. years. Ethelbald married Judith his Stepmother, his Fathers wife. After these two, succeeded Æthelred, his third son, he was so encumbered with the Danes, that he and his brother Alfred, fought nine battles with them in one year, and they spoiled and burned the city of York. The Northumberlands likewise rebelled, thinking to recover their Kingdom again, whereby the strength of England was weakened, and the Danes the more prevailed, after he had reigned 5. years in much trouble, he died.

Alfred, otherwise called Alfride, his brother succeeded him; in the second Mon • t • that he was made King, he gave the Danes a battle besides Wilton, but he was put to the worst; yet the Danes did agree with him to depart out of Westsax, and re •• ned from Re • ding to London, and abode there all that winter: the number of the Danes were so increased, as it is written of th • m, that in one day 3000. of them were slain, sho • ty after they increased double as many.

The Danes having the Rule of the North part of England from the Thames▪ wi • h M • rcian London, and Essex, they disda •• ed that Alfride should bear any rule on the other side of the Thames; whereupon three Kings of the Danes▪ with all their strength, made war with him, that King Alfride being ouerset with his e • emi • s, and forsaken of his people, he withdrew himself into a wood Country in Summersetshire, called Etheling, standing in a Marsh, that there is no coming to it without bo • e, where he had nothing to live by, but what he got by hunting, and fishing; there was a Cottage of a poor Swineheard, called Dunwolfus, by whom the King was cheered with such poor fare as he and his wife could make him, for which, the king after set the Swineheard to learning, and made him Bishop of Winchester.

Notwithstanding, the king, in time, was comforted by the providence of God: First, 1300. Danes were slain, as they landed, by an ambushment of King Alfrids men, who lay in Garison for their own safety, then the King shown himself more at large, and men out of Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and Hampshire came to him, until he had a strong company

Then the king appareled himself in the habit of a Minstrel, as he was very skillful in Music, and entered into the Tents of the Danes, lying at Eddingdon, and there espied their Idleness, and heard much of their Counsel, and suddenly, in the nigh, he fell upon the Danes, and slew a great multitude of them; his Subjects bearing of his manly Uictories, drew to him daily, so he won Winchester from the Danes, and diverse other towns, and forced them to sêeke peace, the which was concluded, upon condition that Gutrum their King should be Christened, and that such as would not be Christened should depart the Country.

King Alfride, was king Gutrums Godfather at his Baptism, and named him Athelstan, then he gave Norfolk▪ Suffolk▪ and part of Cambridgeshire, and Northumberland to them that were Christened, those that would not be Christened, though they departed the Realm, they did diverse times return again, and did much spoil in many parts of the Realm, but King Alfride overcame them ever. During the whole time of the Danes, the Land was plagued with wars, pestilence, and murren of beasts: the King always thanked God, what troubles soever happened unto him, and after he had reigned 29. years and six months, he died, and is buried at Winchester. He ever bestowed eight hours in the day in study, there was none in England more quick in understanding, nor more elegant in interpreting then he was. He sent for many learned men out of other Countries, to instruct his people. He was the first that ordained certain Schools of diverse Arts, at Oxford, and Franchised them with great Liberties: he translated many books into the Saxon tongue; all that he could, by fair means and threats, he endeavored to stir up his subjects to learning: he preferred none to any great place, except he were learned; since his time, learning was never extinguished in this Realm, Edward his son succeeded him in his kingdoms.

After Stephen the fist was nine Popes of Rome in nine year. Formosus being Bishop of Porti • ax, had offended Pope • one the 8. which was a woman, as before, and being afraid, fled; and because he would not return, he was excommunicated, and after disgraded, and made to swear he would never claim his Bishopric again, but remain a secular man: but Pope Martin released him of his Oath, and restored him to his Bishopric, and shortly after he obtained the Pap • ci • ; whereupon was a great controversy: some held, because of his degradation and Oath, he could not be Pope; others held the contrary, because he was absolved by Pope Martin from that his perjury and Degradation. He sent to Arnulphus for aid, who marching to Rome, they would not suffer him to enter; and a Hare coming near the City, the Host of Arnulphus followed after with such a main cry, that the valiant Romaines, for very fear cast themselves down from the walls; so that Arnulphus, with a little labor, scaled the walls, and gate the City: thus he obtained the city of Rome, and rescued the Pope, and beheaded his adversaries, whom the Pope to gratify, blessed him, and crowned him for Emperor.

After Formosus succeeded Boniface the sixth, after him Stephen the sixth, which so envied Formosus that he abrogated all his Decrees, and took up his body, and cut off two fingers from his right hand, and threw them into Tiber, and buried the body in a Laymans Sepulcre. Romanus succeeded him, and repealed the Acts of Stephen, against Formosus. Theodorus the second succeeded him; John the tenth succeeded him, who repugned the Romaines, and held a Sinode at Rauenna of 74. Bishops: the French King Eudo, with his Archbishops, being present, where he ratified all the Decrees of Formosus, and the contrary Acts of Stephen the sixth were burned. After him Benedictus the 4. after him Leo the 5. who was with strong hand taken and cast into prison, by one Christopher, his own Household Chaplin, which Christopher being Pope 7. months, was likewise hoysted from his Papal throne by one Sergius, he thrust him into a Monastery, and shore him a Munke; thus in nine years were nine Popes.

This Sergius was rude, unlearned, proud, and cruel; he before was put back from the Popedom by Formosus, wherefore he caused the body of Formosus to be taken up again, disgraded him, beheaded him, and cut off the other three fingers which were left, and threw his body into Iyber; and deposed all such as by Formosus had been consecrated. By this Pope Sergius came up the use to bear about Candles on Candlemasse day, for the purifying of the blessed Virgin, as though the sacred conception of the Son of God were impure, and to be purified by Candlelight.

Pope Anastatius succeeded him, after him Pope Laudo succeeded, which was father of Pope John the 11. Pope John is said to be the Paramour of Theodora, a famous Harlot of Rome, by whom he had a daughter called Marozia, and the aforesaid Pop • Sergius had a son by her, which after was Pope John the 12. After, she married Guido Marquis of Tuscia, by the means of whom, and his friends at Rome, she caused John the 11. to be smothered with a pillow, and John the 12. her son to be made Pope; but the Clergy and people did not agree to his election, therefor • Pope Leo the 6. was set up in his place: after him Pope Stephen succeeded, who being poisoned, the said John the 12. was set up again in the Papacie, where he reigned about 5. years. This strumpet Marozia, married two brothers one after another, she governed all Rome, and the Church at that time. After him succeeded Stephen the 7. After him Leo the 7. After him Stephen the 8. After him, Pope Martin the 3. After him, Pope Agapetus the 2. about whose time began first the Order of Monks called Ordo Cluniensis.

After king Alfride, as before, his son Edward succeeded, surnamed, the Elder; there were three Edwards before the Conquest: the first Edward, the Elder; the second Edward the Martyr; the third, Edward the Confessor. This Edward began his reign in the year 901. The Princedom of Wales, and the Kingdom of Scotland, with Constantine king thereof, w • re subdued unto him, also he recovered Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Northumberland from the Danes. In all hi • wars he had the victory, his men were so inured with continual practices of Feates of War, that when they heard of any enemies coming, they would never tarry for the King, or any of his Dukes, but encountered with them, the assaults of enemies were to the Soldiers but a trifle, and unto the King a ridicle.

Then the King built Chester, twice as big as it was, and built a Castle at Herford in the edge of Wales, and another Castle at the mouth of the water of Auon, and another Castle at Buckingham; and another upon the river of Ouse. He re-edified the towns of Tocester, and Wigmore, upon the river of Trent. He built a new town over against Nottingham, and made a Bridge over the River betwixt the two towns, By the River of Merce he built a new City called Thilwall, and repaired the City of Manchester, and diverse others. His Daughter Edgitha was • aried unto Otho, the first Emperor of the Almaines, when he had reigned 24. years he died.

Adelstan his Son reigned after him, and was Crowned at Kingstone; he was nothing inferior to his Father in renown of Ciuile Government, and in prosperous success in reducing this Realm into subjection of a Monarchy. He expelled the Danes, subdued the Scots, and quieted the Welchmen.

One Elfredus, with seditious persons, conspired against the said King at Winchester, presently after the death of his Father, went about to put his eyes; but, by the help of God, he escaped. Elfred, being accused thereof, fled to Rome to purge himself by his Oath, before the Pope, and swearing, or rather forswearing himself in Saint Peters Church, suddenly, upon his Oath, fell down, and within three days died. The Pope sent to the King to know whether he would have him buried in Christian burial; at length, by persuasion of his kindred, he was buried in Christian burial.

Ater the death of Sythericus King of Northumberland, King Adelstone seized that Province into his hands, and put out his son Alanus, who fled into Scotland, married the daughter of Constantine King of Scots, by whose stirring, gathered a company of Danes, Scots, and others, and entered the North of Humber with a strong Nauie of 615. ships. King Adelstone and his people joined in fight with them at a place called Binford; where fighting with them from morning till night, after a terrible slaughter on both sides, the like hath not been seen in England, King Adelstone had the victory; five under kings were slain in that battle, with Constantine King of Scots, and twelve Dukes, with the most part of the strangers that were there.

Then King Adelstone subdued the Britain's, and forced them to grant to him yearly tribute 20. lib. of gold, 300 lib. of • iluer, 2500. heads of neat, with a certain number of hawks and dogs.

King Adelstone caused his guiltless brother Edwin, through sinister suggestion of his Cup-bearer, to be set in an old rotten bote in the broad sea, only with one Esquire with him, without any tackling; where the tender Prince dismai • e with the • age o • Winds and Flouds, weary of his life, cast himself into the Sea; the Esquire shif • ed for himself, and recovered the body of his master, and brought it to Sandich, were it was buried. The reason the King the more doubled of his brother, was because he was by his mother of a base blood, and begotten before wedlock: for King Edward, his Father, coming into his Nurses house, was ravished with the beauty of one Edwina a beautiful maid, begat that night of her King Adelstone, and afterward married her: after the King was stricken with great repentance for the death of his brother, by the space of seven years, at length the Cup-bearer, his accuser, bearing the Cup unto the King, stumbled with one foot, and recovering himself with the other, saying; Thus one brother helpeth another. These words so moved the king, that forthwith he commanded the false accuser of his brother to be had out to execution; and he built two Monasteries of Middleton and Michlenes, for his brothers Soul. Whereby it appeareth what was the special cause of building of Monasteries, to wit, for releasing of sins for them departed, and them alive, which is contrary to the grace and verity of Christ's Gospel.

He devised diverse good and wholesome laws, as well of the state Ecclesiastical as Seculer, which thou mayest see in the book at large, whereby it is to be understood that the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome did not then extend or derogate from the authority of Christian Princes, but that everyone in • is own Dominion had the doing of all causes▪ whether they were spiritual or temporal, he reigned 16. years, and because he had no Issue, his brother Edmond succeeded him.

This Edmond expelled the Danes, Scots, Normanes, and all foreign enemies out of the Land, and recovered such Cities as were in their hands from them; then the King set his mind to building of Monasteries, and furnishing of Churches with possessions: in his time Monks were dispersed out of the Monastery of Esham, and Canons substituted in their place. At the first, Religious houses were replenished with Priests and Canons, which were Clergy men; after, Monks succeeded, they professed Chastity, that is, to 〈◊〉 unmarried, for so they defined Chastity in those blind days: the Priests and Canons lived more free from Monkish rules and observations, were common • y marie • , and in their life came nearer to secular Christians, so there was great enmity between them, one • uer sought to expel the other.

Thus Monks first began, about the time of this King Edmond, when straitnes of life, with superstition, was had in veneration; which men, either to have public fame with men, or merit of God, gave themselves to lead a strict life. There was a Monastery in France called Floriake, of the rule of Benedict, from whence came our English Monks, for after they were professed there, returning into England, they daily congregated men to their profession, and for their outward holiness and strait life we • e in great admiration, not only with the rude sort, but with Kings and Princes, who founded them Houses, maintained their rules, and enlarged them with possessions.

After King Edmund had reigned 6. years and a half, he was slain, and buried at Glastenbury, leaving bebing him two children, Edwin, and Edgar, but because they were under age, Edred, brother to King Edmund, governed, as Protector, nine years with great moderation and fidelity to the young children.

Edwin, eldest son of King Edmond was crowned at Kingstone; the day of his Coronation he forsook his Nobles, and went into a Chamber to a woman whom he inordinately had retained. Dunstone, Abot of G • astenbury, followed the King into the Chamber, and brought him out by the hand, and accused him to Odo Archbishop, causing him to be separated from her company: for which • act Odo suspended the king out of the Church. The king being displeased, banished Dunstone, who went into Flanders, where he was in the Monastery of A • andus: about that time the order of Benedict Monks, or black Monks, began to multiply in England, so that Priests and Canons were put out in many places and Monks put in their 〈◊〉 , but King Edwin, for the displeasure he bare to Dunstone, so vexed all the Order of the said Monks, that in Malmesbury, Glastenbury, and other places, he thrust out the Monks and set secular Priests in their steed.

Edwin being hated of his Subjects for his misdemeaners was removed from his kingly honor, and his brother Edgar received in his steed: yet one reigned over all on the one side of the Th • mes, and the other on the other side of the Thames: but Edwin after he had reigned 4. years died, leaving no Heir, wherefore all fell to Edgar.

Edgar at the age of 16▪ years began to reign, but was not crowned until 14. years after. He sent for Dunstone home again, whom Edwin had exiled, he was made Bishop of Woster, and after of London; and not long after of Canterbury. By his intre • tie to the King, Oswoldus was made Bishop of Woster; and by his means also Ethelwaldus, Abbot of Abendon, was made Bishoppe of Winchester. By the means of these three Bishops the multitnde of Monks began first to swarm in this Realm of England. By the means of them King Edgar, built 40. Monasteries, and by the instigation of them King Edgar, in diverse great houses, and Cathedral Churches, where Prebends and Priests were before, displaced them, and set in Monks, and many secular Priests, being put to their choice whether they would change their habit or leave their rooms, departed out of their houses. After, Oswaldus was made Archbishop of York, and then they had their mind; and when he by no persuasion could make the Priests and Canons of the Cathedral Church of York become Monks, within the Churchyard he erected another Church of our Lady, replenishing it with Monks, and there he kept his seat, and was ever conversant, whereby the other Church was desolate, and all the people gathered where the Bishop was, so they were fain, for shame and contempt, either to relinquish the house, or become Monks: so did Ethelwolfe drive out the Canons and Priests, out of the Monastery of Hide in Winchester, and placed his Monks so in Oxford and Mildune, and diverse places more secular Priests and their wives were expelled • o give place to Monks.

The Monks of the primitive time did differ from the Monks of the middle time, and from our Monks of the latter age. The name and order of Monks began 300. years after Christ; Basilius Magnus was one of the first institutors and commenders of that Superstition. Cassianus maketh mention of a certain Monastery in Thebaid▪ wherein were 5000. Monks, under the government of one Abbot; and here also in England, mention is made before of Bangor, wherein were 2200. Monks, under one man's ruling, in the year 596. but these were such as either by tyranny of persecution were driven into desert places, or else, of their own de •• tion, joined with Superstition, for the love they had to Spiritual contemplation, and hatred of the wicked world withdrew themselves from all company, having all things common; these were Lay-men leading a stricter kind of life then others, as Saint Augustine, Lerome, and others testify, one thing pertaineth to the Monks, and another thing to the Clergy; the Clergy fed the flock, and the monks are fed. It appeareth also by the forth Canon of the Council of Calcedon, that Monks should not meddle with matters of the Church. And Leo in his 62. Epistle, doth forbid Monks and laymen to be admitted to preach. They differed from the Monks of the middle age in three points; First, they were bound to no strict apparel, or diet, or anything else. Secondly, they were but Lay-men, only being of a stricter life then the rest, and had nothing to do in Ecclesiastical matters, until Pope Boniface the 4. gave them authority. Thirdly, though many of the Monks of the first age lived single from wives, yet some of them were married, and none of them were forbidden from marriage. Athanasius in his Epistle ad Pracontium, saith, he knew Monks and Bishops married men▪ and fathers of children.

Yet though the former Monks were better then the latter, yet amongst them superstition began to creep into the Church, by the subtlety of Satan, and all for the ignorance of free justification by Faith in Christ, as for example; One Abbot Moses testifieth of himself, that he so afflicted himself with fasting, and watching, that he felt no appetite to meat, and could not sleep, that he prayed to God to give him a little sleep some piece of the night. This Cassianus doth testify, Cap. 7. Cola. • . He saith also of an old Hermit that made a vow he would never eat without some guest, sometimes fasted three or four days for lack of guests.

One Mucius, to declare his obedience to the Abbot, did not stick at the commandment of the Abbot, to cast his son into the water, not knowing whetherany were there to save him from drowning, preferring the Abbots commandment before the commandment of God. And Basilius Magnus, and Nazeanzenus, with immoderate austerity, did so pluck down themselves, that when they were called to be Bishops, they were not able to sustain the labor thereof.

After these Monks, followed Monks of the middle Age, who increased both in number and Superstition, from their dens in Wildernesses, the approached to great towns, where they had solemn • Monasteries, founded by Kings, Queens, Kings Daughters, and rich Consuls, for the remedy of their Souls remission, and the redemption of their sins, the good of their Fathers pos • erities, of their Country, and the Honor of our Lady, and lightly it was for some murder, or great sin.

In which monasteries they abounded in wealth and riches, and did swim • e in Superstition and Pharisaical hypocrisy, being yoked, in all their doings, to certain observations, in watching, in sleeping, in rising, in praying, in walking, in talking, in looking, in tasting, in touching, in gestures, and in their Uestures; and the number of their Sects were diverse: some, after