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.

The Pernitious errour of Pelagius.

In the time of Innocent Pope of Rome, there was in the Coun∣trey of England one called Pelagius,* 1.1 who began to teach that we are not iustified by Gods mercie for Iesus Christes sake without Merite, but that through our owne workes and natu∣rall vertues, we acquire true and perfect righteousnesse before God. Against this Pelagius, many good Doctors of this time writ: but aboue all, Augustine hath shewed, that by faith onely we are Iustified, because by it wee embrace him that iustifieth vs: that is to say, Christ our Lord, with whom it vniteth and ioyneth vs. In such sort, that we are made partakers of him and all the goods he hath; and that frō thence good workes should come; that is from Iesus who is within vs, by the force and free efficacie of whom we begin, to will that which is good,* 1.2 and to employ our selues therein.

Zozimus a Grecian by Nation: hee ordained that on the [ 408] Saterday before Easter waxe should in euery Parish bee bles∣sed. That Deacons shoule hide their windowes with a cloath. And that Clarkes should not publikely drinke. He ruled about two yeares.

The Pelagian heresie was condemned of the Bishops at the Councells of Ephesus, Carthage, and Mitiuitaine.

* 1.3Before Pelagius, England knewe not what superstitious Monkery meant, neither yet learned to preferre by vaine and friuolous allegories, the righteousnes of workes before the me∣rit of Iesus Christ. But this Pelagius begun to broach this pesti∣lent heresie vnder Maximus King of Englande, the yeare of Christ. 390.

The Doctors which were before this Pelagius, vsed in their writings this word Merite, in the signification to obtaine or at∣taine. Peter Martyr.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pelagius the heretike.
• * 1.2

  Iustification of faith.
• * 1.3

  Arcadius Henorius.