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.

Of the Ecclesiasticall degrees.

* 1.1There were of olde three Ecclesiasticall degrees; namely, the Bishop, the Priest, and the Deacon, with the Ministers and company of the faithfull. Ambrose in his booke of the Sacer∣dotall dignitie. Hierome to Nepotian saith, that Bishops and Priests were all one, sauing that the Bishop was a name of dig∣nitie, and Priest was a name of age: but in respect of schismes and necessities happening in the Church, there was made a distinction. Ambrose in the aforesaid booke witnesseth, that the ordination is alike; for both are Priests: but the Bishop is the chiefe Priest. Other names, as Subdeacons, Acolites, and Exorcists, came after.

* 1.2The name of Cleargie was receiued in this time, to signi∣fie all Ecclesiasticall offices and dignities. Euseb. Lib. 10. Chap. 2. Hierome to Nepotian yeeldeth this reason of the name. Cleros saith he in Greeke, signifieth Lot in Latine; therefore are Clarkes named,* 1.3 because they are of the lot and of the inheri∣tance of the Lord; or for that the Lord is their Lot, that is to say, their part and heritage. Afterward men called Clarkes such as euery Church nourished at the owne charge, to serue after for the ministerie of the Church.

* 1.4Metropolitanes were so called by reason of the principall and chiefe Townes whereof they were Bishops, and so Zozo∣men. Lib. 3. Cap. 16. He calleth Basile Metropolitane of Cappa∣docea. And the same in Lib. 2. Chap. 8. saith the like of an Arch∣bishops name.

Patriarke was named the Bishop of all the Prouince, Socra∣tes Lib. 5. Chap. 8.* 1.5

The office of a Bishop was to teach the people,* 1.6 as also the Priests. But in the Church of Alexandria, after the poyson of Arrius, the Bishop alone had that charge. Socrates lib. 5. chap. 22.

The ordination of Ministers appertained to the Bishop,* 1.7 which is all the right of preheminence that they had aboue Priests, as S. Ierome saith to Euagrius.

Vicars of Bishops are found in the Canons of the Coun∣cell of Ancyra, Neocesaria and Antioch, Chorepiscopi,* 1.8 and Ba∣sile vseth that name in the Epistle fiftie and foure. Amongst the generall Epistles, there is one found vnder the name of Damasus to Prosper, wherein Damasus beeing asked, an∣swereth, that Vicars called Chorepiscopi, were no more but Priests, and that they could not consecrate Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons, nor Virgines, nor Aultars; neither dedicate Churches, or like things contained in the Epistle, whereof let each man iudge, considering that time wherein Damasus was.

To Priests or Lords it appertained also to take vp de∣bates and controuersies. It appeareth by Epiphanius, Lib. 2. Tom. 2. Heresie 69. that they were also sent Embassadors to Councells to accuse Heretickes, The custodie of Ecclesiasti∣call goods belonged vnto them. Sozomen, Lib. 5. Chap. 8. saith, that Theodoretus a Priest of Antioche, was Gardian of the precious vessells.

Deacons administred onely, and executed Ecclesiasticall charges. They were carried vnto publike disputations to play the Notaries, and gather together the Actes. As appeareth in the example of Athanasius, who came with his Bishop Alexan∣der then an olde man, to the Councell of Nice, and did greatly helpe and aide Alexander to discouer and confute the fallacies of heretickes. Rufin. lib. 1. chap. 14.

The constitutions of Siluester (as is conteined in the 1. Tome of Councells, makes those degrees.* 1.9 A commaunde∣ment of Subdeacons to obey Deacons and Acolites, Subdea∣cons, Exorcistes to obey Acolites: Lectors, Exorcistes:

Porters, Lectors: and to Porters, the Abbot: and to the Ab∣bot, the Monkes. Exorcists after Epiphanius, were such as in∣terpreted one tongue by an other, either at Lectors, or at Collo∣quies.

* 1.10In the Code of Theodosius there are certaine constitutions which make also mention of Diaconesses, which was a ministry of women, for the visitation and inspection of bodies.

Each Towne had his Bishop. Ruffin. lib. 1. cap. 6. saith, that in the 10. Canon of the Councell of Nice, it was forbidden that in any Cities should be two Bishops: to the end that the order of Ecclesiasticall gouernment (as proceeding from one head) might be distributed into diuers actions to Priests and Deacōs, wherof the number was indifferent, although ordinarily it was of seuen, according to the 14. Canon of the Councell of Neo∣cesaria.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bishops Priests.
• * 1.2

  Cleargie.
• * 1.3

  Clarkes.
• * 1.4

  Metropoli∣tanes.
• * 1.5

  Patriarke.
• * 1.6

  The office of a Bishop.
• * 1.7

  Ministers.
• * 1.8

  Vicars or Bishops par∣ticulers.
• * 1.9

  Deacons. New degrees
• * 1.10

  Diaconesses.