The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

Fastings and abstinencies.

The varieties and multiplications of Fastings certaine dayes, at this time engendred great disputations and contenti∣ons. Augustine in his Epistle to Casulan, writeth that some men fasted on the Wednesday, because Iesus Christ was solde that day. And on the Fryday, because hee was then on the Crosse. As for fasting on Satterdayes, there was great strife. They of Millain and of the East, maintained that none ought to fast on it, because Iesus Christ rested that day in the Sepul∣chre. And contrary, the Romanes and Affricanes and others fasted it, because Christ was cast euen to the ignominie of the Sepulchre. P. Martir.

Monicha S. Augustines mother,* 1.1 comming from Affrike to Millan, seeing none fast there on the Saterday, maruelled greatly. Augustine her sonne beeing then not yet baptised, came to Ambrose, and prayed him in the name of his mother to expound what were best to be done therein. Doo, answered Ambrose, as I doo. Augustine by this answere thought he should not fast vpon Saterday, because Ambrose fasted not: but hee declared his meaning more plainely in these words. When I am at Rome, I fast on the Saterday because there they fast: but when I am returned to Millan againe, I there fast not.

Men attribute to Melchiades Bishop of Rome, aboue mētioned, the ordinance not to fast on the Sunday nor Thurs∣day, because Christians fastes should bee farre from the fastes of Ethnikes and heretikes. Epiphan: also bringing the reason wherefore wee should fast on the Wednesday, saith:* 1.2 because Christ that day ascended into heauen. And that it is written, when the Spowse shalbe taken away, that then the Apostles shall fast, &c. and this hee affirmeth to bee a tradition of the Apostles.

I leaue other Fastes of Angaria, that is to say, of torment,* 1.3 when some calamitie comes and other differences and absti∣nences

and meates which were after inuented,* 1.4 as these discour∣ses in their place shall shewe.

Superstition hath peruerted the exercises of pietie: despight or negligence hath caused them to be forgottē in the Church, which are two extremities that all the faithfull must shunne.

Theodosius after hee had established peace in the Church, and caused many publike Sinodes to be assembled, died at Millain, of the age of 50. yeares, and raigned 17. that is to say, 6. with Gratian, and 11. after. The same yeare his body was carried to be buried in Constantinople. See Aurel. Vict. Pomp. Laet. Paul. Diac. lib. 12.

Ambrose lamented his death, and made a funerall oration, wherein amongst other things hee said: I loued this Prince who when his soule was ready to depart from his body, had more care of the state of the Church, then of the dolours of his death.

This care for Religion is a singular vertue, worthy of a Chri∣stian Prince.

[ 397] Archadius and Honorius, the children of Theodosius, and of Placille his wife a vertuous Ladie, raigned after their mo∣ther the yeare 397. Arcadius was Emperour of the East, and Honorius of the West. Their father ordained them Tu∣tors before hee died: to Arcadius, Rufin; and to Honorius, Stillico; and Gildo was also Instituted Gouernour of Af∣frike.

Honorius then ruled the Empire at Rome, his brother go∣uerning that of Constantinople. Three yeares after this, Gildo Gouernor of Affrike carried himselfe as Maister and Lord, but afterward he was ouercome by Mascezel his brother, whose children he had slaine.

* 1.5The Westerne Church about this time receiued the fa∣shion to sing. Augustine in his Confessions, the 9. booke saith, it was by the meanes of Ambrose. For in the time of the

Arrian fury, this holy person being constrained by the people to remaine in the Temple, yea euen in the night time, fearing it should haue bene deliuered to the Arrians, accustomed the people to sing Psalmes and Hymnes, to put off griefes, and passe away the time. The East Church from the beginning re∣ceiued singing, as appeares by Plinie to the Emperour Traian, who was at the time that Iohn the Euangelist liued.

But Augustine in the same booke confesseth he failed there∣in, in that hee gaue more attention to the Song then to the words that in it are passed, and accused that sinne,* 1.6 for that the voyce and the Song are made for the word; but not the word for the Sōg. In that place likewise he reciteth the maner of the Church of Alexandria vnder Athanasius. See also Hierome vp∣on the Epistle to the Ephesians.

Whensoeuer you assemble as S. Paul saith; if each one sing Psalmes, or Doctrine, or Reuelation, or Language, or inter∣pretation let all be done to aedification. 1. Cor. 14. f. 26.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Monicha S. Augustines mother.
• * 1.2

  The Papist hold that it was vpon Thursday.
• * 1.3

  Fastes of Angaria.
• * 1.4

  Arcadius Honorius.
• * 1.5

  Singing recei∣ued into the Westerne Church.
• * 1.6

  Singing recei∣ued in assem∣bly from the time of the Apostles.