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.

Councells in diuers places.

After the Councell of Nice, Siluester at the commaunde∣ment of Constantine, made assemble a Sinode at Rome of 277. Bishops: wherin there was condemned Arrius, Photinus, Sa∣bellius, with one Calixtus, as the booke of Councels shewes. And againe by a Sinode following, the decrees of the Councell of Nice were confirmed, and the solemnitie of Easter establi∣shed to be obserued on the Sunday from the 14. of the Moone, vntill the 21.

The multitude of Councels and Sinodes, multiplied tra∣ditions vpon traditions, and brought in great errours, and the good and holy constitutions of Nice were soone after by such meanes contradicted.

1. At Neocesaria in Pontus Polemoniake, betwixt Paphlagonia and Armenia, was instituted, that none should be a priest before the age of 30. yeares.

2. At Elebert in Spaine, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Subdeacons, were commaunded to abstaine from theyr wiues, and not to haue children, otherwise that they should bee deposed.

That there should be no Images in the Temples of Chri∣stians. If any broke an Image and were murdered:* 1.1 because it is not written in the Gospell; neither is there read that it hath bene done by any of the Apostles, it pleased the Councell that such a one be not admitted nor receiued into the number of Martyrs.

3. At Rome it was ordained for Churchmen, that none should accuse them, nor draw them into lawe.

4. At Arles the first, counsell was giuen to young people by no meanes to marry againe, if by chance for adulterie they bee seperated from their wiues.

5. At Gangia in Paphalagonia, they excommunicated and [ 323] anathematized, such as condemned them that eate flesh, so that it were not offered vnto Idols, &c. Item, they excommunica∣ted such as iudged a married Priest ought not to excercise

his ministerie because of his marriage: and likewise such as ab∣stained from their ministerie.

At this time vnder the shadowe of chastitie and virginitie, men began to despise marriage; as appeareth by the first, ninth, tenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth Chapter of the said Councell: where all such as blame marriage and leaue their children, or the wife her husband, or the husband his wife, to liue in conti∣nencie, are excommunicated.

[ 326] 6. At Arles the second, was ordained the contrary, that none should be admitted into the Ecclesiasticall estate, vnlesse he promised to renounce the bonds of marriage.

The Iberians were conuerted to the faith (they are of Asia, vnder the climate of Pontus) namely, the King, the Queene, the Nobilitie, and al the people, by the preaching of a woman, a captiue there.

Paul the Hermit the younger, hauing taken his wife in a∣dultry, left her and went into the Desart, and said to the adul∣terer: keepe her for thy selfe. Hist. trip.

Siluester died without martyrdome, hauing 7. times made orders, at which he created 25. Priests, 36. Deacons, and 45. Bishops. He gouerned the Church 23. yeares: or after Maria∣nus, 24. Others giue him but 19.

[ 328] Marcus succeeded him, & gouerned the Romane Church 2. yeares, or 8. moneths after Ierome: Damasus saith he was a Romane. His father was called Priscus.

Some say he gaue to the Bishop of Ostia that priuiledge a∣boue all others to consecrate the Bishop of Rome, and the right of the Archipiscopall pall, called Pallium. And would that the Creed which was made at the Councel of Nice, should be sung by the Cleargie and people, after the reading of the Gospell. Platina, Bergomensis, and Polidorus.

If he builded Temples and adorned them with diuers gifts and presents, let their faith be examined which haue written thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Images chap. 60,