Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

The Land of the CHURCH.

WEst of the Realm of Naples lyeth the LAND OF THE CHURCH, extended North and South from the Adriatick to the Tuscan Seas: bounded on the North-East with the River Trontus, on the South-East with the Axofenus, by which two parted from that Kingdom; as on the North-West by the river Po, and Fiore, by which separated from the State of Venice; and on the South-West with the river Piseo, by which it is divided from the Modern Tuscany, or the State of the Florentine. By this Accompt the Popes dominion taketh up the whole middle of Italie, having in bredth from the one Sea unto the other above one hundred miles, and in the length above three hundred. By which advantages it lieth most fi••ly for the command of all the rest, it being verie easie for the Popes to convey their forces by Sea or Land into what part thereof they please. And were it not, that the Popes commonly are of severall factions, and that the Successor pursueth not the designs of his Predecessors, but hath his own ends to himself, which for the most part are driven on without consideration of increasing the publike Patrimony, it is not possible but that the Pope long before this time had been Lord of all. And this may be conceived the rather, considering the extraordinary ferti∣lity of the soyl, able to spare provisions for the greatest Armies; the multitudes of people which it may afford, in regard they are so seldom consumed by wars; and that the men of this Dominion (but chiefly those of Rome, and the parts adjoyning) are conceived to be the best Souldiers of Italie, as retaining some sparks of their Ancestors valour, together with their gra∣vity, magnificence, and a certain greatness of courage, which seems to be particular to them of this Nation. And they preserve also to this day so much of the antient Roman, as to pre∣fer any kind of life before Trades or Merchandise. For though their Lands be very well til∣led, and their Vines well dressed, and all things done exactly in the way of Husbandry: yet for their Manufactures they are brought from other places, as Venice, Naples, Florence, Genoa. And though they have the Sea on both sides, and the advantage of many fair and commodi∣ous Rivers and Havens, which with little cost might he made very usefull: yet do they no way improve their fortunes, or the publick Patrimony in the way of Traffick; which is the main defect of the Papall Politie, and filleth a rich Countrey full of poor and indigent per∣sons. But to proceed to the description of the Popes estate, it containeth the Provinces of 1. Romandiola, 2. Marca Anconit••na, 3. the Territory of Ferrara, 4. Ducato Spoletano, 5. S. Pe∣ters Patrimony, and 6. Compagna di Roma.

1. ROMANDIOLA extendeth from the Rubicon East, to the Venetians on the West; and from the Apennine on the South, to Padus and the Adriatick on the North. It was called antiently Flaminia, from Flaminius the Roman Consull, who having won it from the Galls, planted Colonies in it, and had the honour (though he pursued this war against the will of the Senate) to have it called by his own name: and for the better passage betwixt Rome and this, made a very large Causey, which for a long time was called Via Flaminia.

The chief Cities of it are, 1. Bononia, (or Boulogne) seated in a spacious plain neer the Apen∣nine hills, a very populous City, of a round form, and a great circuit: the building antick, seeming for the most part to be the work of the Lombards; the foundation of the houses of Free-stone, the rest of Bricks; built with Arched Cloysters towards the street, under which one may walk dry in the greatest rain. A City honoured with many Palaces of the neigh∣bouring Nobles, the chief University of Italy, and the retiring place of the Popes. The Ci∣vill Law is much studied here, insomuch that from hence proceeded the famous Clvilians, Johannes Andreas, Az••, Bartolus, and Socin••s. I believe they have built Castles in the air, which ascribe the founding of this University to Theodosius the 2^d. The Charter of this foun∣dation dated An^o. 423. is an idle and foolish thing. For there it is said, that at the institution there were present Gualter Earl of Poictiers, Embassador for the King of England; and Bald∣win Earl of Flanders, for the King of France: when at that time, neither those Earldoms, or those Kingdoms were in rerum natura. It is fituate on the river Aposa, and was by former Writers called Felsina. Neer unto this Town in a Demy-Iland called Forcelli, was that meeting

between Augustus, Antony, and Lepidus, wherein they agreed on the Triumvirate, dividing the Empire and City of Rome, among themselves: Which combination was confirmed by the en∣suing Proscription; wherein, that they might be revenged on Cicero, Lepidus proscribed his Brother; Antonius, his Uncle. 2. Rimini, antiently called Ariminum, seated on the mouth of the River Rubicon, which in those times divided Italie from Gaule: upon the bank whereof neer unto this Town, there was an old Marble Pillar having on it a Latine Inscription to this purpose, viz. Leave here thy Colours, and lay down thine Arms, and pass not with thy Forces beyond the Rubicon; whosoever goeth against this command, let him be held an Enemy to the people of ROME: Which Rule when Caesar had transgressed, and surprized this City, he so frighted Pompey and his faction, that they abandoned Italie and Rome it self, and withdrew themselves into Epirus. It is said that Caesar dreamed the night before, that he carnally knew his own Mother: whereby the South-sayers gathered, that he should be Lord of Rome, which was the common Mother of them all. Which dream, and severall prodigies happening at the same time with it, did so incourage him in his enterprize, that he is said, at the passing over Rubicon, to have said these words, Eamus, quo nos Div••m monita, &c. Let us go, whether the sins of our Ene∣mies, and the prodigies of the Gods do call us. In memory of which venturous, but fortu∣nate action, he caused a monument to be erected in this City, with his name and Titles. It was antiently a Roman Colony, and in the bustles happening betwixt the Pope and the Empe∣ror, was seized on by the Malatesti, as Bononia was by the Bentivoli, two potent Families of these parts; who held them in defiance of the Powers of Rome, till they were reduced again unto the Church by Pope Julio the second. 3. Cervia, on the Adriatick Sea, where there is made so much Salt, that they furnish therewith all their neighbours of Marca Anconitana, and a great part of Lombardie: the Pope receiving for his Customes of this one commoditie, no less than 60000. Crowns per annum. 4. Furlii, (called of old Forum Livii) one of the Towns belonging properly to the Exarchate of Ravenna, seated in a very pleasant air, and a fruitfull soyl, betwixt two fresh streams; of which the one is called Ronchus, and the other Montonus. 5. Faventia, now called Faenza, on the banks of Anemus, a calm gentle River; an antient Ci∣ty, but well peopled; much benesited by the Flax which groweth in the adjoyning fields, and the Earthen Vessells which they vend to most parts of Italie. It was first given unto the Popes by Desiderius the last King of the Lombards, whom they but sorrily requited for so great a curtesie. 6. Sarsina, an old City, seated at the foot of the Apennine, the birth place of Plautus the Comaedian. 7. Imola, antiently called Forum Cornelii; and 8. Cesena, Cities both of them of no small Antiquity; but this last the fairer built, the better peopled, and the more strong∣ly fortified. 9. Ravenna, once beautified with one of the fairest Havens in the world, and for that cause made the Road of one of the two Navies, which Augustus kept always manned to command the whole Empire of Rome: the other riding at Misenus in Campania. This of Ra∣venna, being in the upper Sea, awed and defended Dalmatia, Greece, Crete, Cyprus, Asia, &c. the other at Misenus, in the lower Sea, protected and kept under France, Spain, Africk, Ae∣gypt, Syria, &c. The walls of this City are said to have been built or repaired by Tiberius Cae∣sar; the whole Citie to have been much beautified by Theodoricus King of the Gothes, who built here a most stately and magnificent Palace, the ruins whereof are still easily discernable. The private buildings are but mean, the publick ones are of a grave, but stately structure. Of which the principall heretofore was the Church of S. Maries the Round, whose roof was of one entire stone, and honoured with the rich Sepulchre of the said King Theodorick: which the souldiers (in the sack of this City by the French) pulled down, together with the Church it self, onely to get the Jewells and Medalls of it. The principall at the present, is the Church of S. Vitalis, the pavement whereof is all of Marble, and the walls all covered with precious stones of many sorts, but unpolished as they were taken out of Mines, which sheweth as well the magnificence as Antiquity of it. The Patriarchs of this City, in regard it was so long the Regall and Imperiall Seat, have heretofore contended for precedency with the Popes them∣selves: this City having been antiently the Metropolis of the Province called Flaminia, after∣wards honoured with the Seat of the Emperor Honorius, and his successors; next of the Gothish Kings; then of the Exarchs; and last of its Patriarchs. And it was chosen for this purpose, be∣cause of the plentifull Territory, since covered with water, and the conveniency of the Ha∣ven, at this day choaked: though lately by expence of a great deal of treasure, the Fens a∣bout the City have been very much drained, and the Bogs in some places turned to fruitfull Fields, to the great benefit hereof both for health and pleasure.

As for the Exarchs, who had their residence in this City, they were no other than the Vice-Roys or Lieutenants of the Eastern Emperors. Concerning which we are to know, that the King∣dom of the Gothes in Italie was no sooner destroyed by Narses, but the Lombards entred. To give a stop to whose successes, and preserve so much unto the Empire as was not already con∣quered by them, it was thought good by Justine the second, to send thither an Imperiall Offi∣cer of principall command and note, whom he honoured with the title of Exarch. His resi∣dence setled at Ravenna, as standing most commodiously to hinder the incursions of the barba∣rous Nations; and withall to receive such aids from the Eastern parts, as his occasions did re∣quire. These Exarchs having divided Italie into many Governments, appointed over each some supreme Commander, dignified with the name of Dukes. And even the City of Rome it

self (so far then was it from being subject to the Pope in Temporall matters) had a chief Offi∣cer of this kinde (accomptable to the Exaro••, and subordinate to him) whose Government was called the Roman Dukedom. They which they kept unto themselves, as their own peculiar, contained the Cities of Ravenna, Rbegium, Mutina, Bononia, Classi, Forli, F••••limpoli, Sarcino, Parma, and Placentia: which ten Cities with the Territories belonging to them, made up that District, which properly was called the Exarchate of Ravenna, much mentioned in the Histo∣ries of the middle times, by reason of the continuall wars which they had with the Lombards; but newly entred when this Magistracy had its first beginning. The names of these Exarchs are as followeth.

The Exarchs of Ravenna.

• A. C.
• 570. 1 Longinus. 21.
• 591. 2 Smaragdus. 4.
• 595. 3 Romanus Patricius.
• 596. 4 Callinicus. 13.
• 609. 5 Smaragdus. 3.
• 612. 6 Joh. Lamigius. 4.
• 616. 7 Elentherius. 5.
• 621. 8 Isaacus Patricius. 24.
• 645. 9 Theod. Calliopa. 10.
• 655. 10 Olympius. 2.
• 657. 11 Theod. Calliopa. II. 30.
• 687. 12 Joh. Plotina. 15.
• 702. 13 Theophilactus. 25.
• 727. 14 Paulus.
• 728. 15 Eutipenus. 12. In the days of this Exarch, Ra∣venna was taken from the Empire, by Luitprandus King of the Lombards, An^o. 740. but regained by Charles the Great, and by him given to the Bishops of Ronne, together with Anconitana and Spoleto: as a requitall for the Kingdom of France, confirmed unto King Pepin his Father by the consent and authority of the Popes. The donation of this Exarchate to the Popes, partly to blot out the memory of the Exarchs, and partly to make the people obedient to those Prelates, changed the name of the Countrey from Flaminia (by which name it was formerly known) to Romad••diola, and now to Romagna. Not∣withstanding which Donation, or Originall Grant, the Popes injoyed not long the possession of it; the Emperors of Germanie, and their Vice-gerents in Italia, wresting it by strong hand out of the possession of the Church, and giving it to such as deserved well of them, and were most likely, or most able to uphold their Faction. And so it stood, till the last Popes conspi∣ring with the French Kings, Lewis the twelfth and Francis the first, brought them into Italie: and by their aids, and by the censures of the Church, so prevailed in fine, that they extorted Ravenna, and some other places out of the hands of the Venetians, erected many petit Princes out of other Cities, which they pretended to belong to S. Peters Patrimony▪ and thereby got possession of all those Territories which lie betwixt the State of Venice, and the Marches of Ancona.

2. The Territory of FERRAARA lieth in the very skirts of Romandiola towards the Ve∣netian, extending one hundred and sixty miles in length, and about fifty in breadth; the soyl thereof exceeding rich, but subject to the overflowings of the River Po, which makes the air in many places to be somewhat unwholesome. And though as well the former Dukes as the Popes who are now Lords hereof, have been at great charge in raising high Banks and Ramparts to keep in the waters; yet could not this resist the violence of the River, falling from so high a Springs, and seconded with so great Land-floods (as sometimes it is) but that it makes many breaches in them, do they what they can. The places of most note herein, are 1. Graffignan in the borders of Tuscany neer the Apennine. 2. Carpi, a place of great importance, sea••ed in the midst of this Dukedom; belonging heretofore to the House of the Pic••, but partly by ex∣change made with Marcus Pieus, partly for one hundred thousand Crowns in ready money, given unto Lionel Pico, once the Lords hereof, it was by Charles the 5^th. incorporated into this estate. 3. Commachia, seated in the Marshes of the Adriatick, from which the Princes of this Family of Este, were at first called only Lords of Commachia; a place which yeelded great pro∣fit to the former Dukes by the fishing of Eels. 4. Saxole, given by Duke Alphonso in exchange for Carpi. Here is also the Territory and Lordship of the Polesine, the cause of so many quar∣rells and contentions between the antient Dukes of Ferrara, and the State of Vonice. But the chief honor of this Dukedom, it in the Capitall City, that which denominates the whole, Fer∣rara; a City of five miles in compass, so called from the Iron Mines which are about it, com∣modiously seated on the River ••o, which by reason of its breadth, depth, and violent swift∣ness of the current, is a sufficient rampart to it on that side; the other fides being fortified with a strong wall, and a spacious mote. In the middle of the City is a fair and spacious Mar∣ket-place, into which do open on all fides about twenty streets, all of them half a mile in length, and all so strait and evenly built, that the furthest end of each of them may be easily seen. Neer to this Market-place is a little Iland, in which the former Dukes had a stately Pa∣lace, called Belvedere, from the fair prospect which it had or gave to the whole City; and on the North side of the City a large Park for pleasure. The other houses are for the most part built of fair Free-stone, not joyning unto one another as in other Cities, but at a pretty di∣stance with neat Gardens between. Ariosto, the Author of that ingenious Poem called Or∣lando Furios••, and Hierome Savaniarolo the Propheticall F••ier, were both of them Natives of this place: of which the first lieth here entombed, the last for preaching against the Pope was burnt at Florence.

In the declining of the power and Empire of the Lombards, this City, together with Faven∣za, was given by Desiderius, their last King, to the Church of Rome, the better to oblige the Popes by so great a benefit. But being taken from them by the Emperors of the House of Schwaben, it was again recovered by the prowess of the Countess Mathildis, An^o. 1107. who took it, with many other Towns in Italie, from the Emperor Henry the 4^th. and at her death conferred the same upon the Church. The Popes once more possessed hereof, and not able to hold it, gave it in Fee for ever unto Azo of the House of Este, a man of great sway in the affairs of Italie, who valiantly had defended it against Ezelinus Vicegerent of Frederick the 2^d. This was the first of this Family who had Ferrara in propriety: His Ancestors being called before the Marquesses of Este, and sometimes Marquesses of Ferrara, (but in title only) as Governors hereof in behalf of the Popes of Rome. Obizo the Grand-child of this first Azo, obtained of Rodolfus the first (who was willing to make what money he could of his lands in Italie) the Cities of Regium and Modena, that Grant confirmed by Guido Legat of Pope Benedict the ninth, with the Popes consent, An^o. 1304. Other improvements there were made by the following Princes, according to the chance of war, but none of the•• ••ontinued constant in their possession, but these three Cities and the Territories adjoyning to them. As for this Family de Esto, (Fa∣milia Atestina it is called in Latine) it took this name from Esto, or Atesto, a small Town in the Signeury of Venice, conferred upon the Ancestors of this Azo, by Charles the Great. And for the chiefs or Princes of it, they have been men of great authority and power in their severall times, commanding sometimes the Venetian Armies, and sometimes the Popes; great favourers of learned men, and advancers of learning, insomuch that the Renaldo's and Rogero's of Este, make up a great part of the Poems of Ariosto and Tasso, two of the greatest wits of Italie; and finally allied to many of the best Houses of Christendom. The Catalogue of whom since they were made the hereditary Lords and Princes of this noble City, I have here subjoyned.

The Dukes and Marquesses of Ferrara.

• 1236. 1 Actius, or Azo de Este, the ninth of that name, but first hereditary Marquess of Ferra∣ra, by the Grant of the Pope.
• 1264. 2 Obizo, the sixt of that name, Grand-sonne to Azo by his sonne Rinaldo, second Marquess of Ferrara.
• 1293. 3 Azo the tenth of Este, and II. of Ferrara, sonne to Obizo.
• 1308. 4 Francisco, brother to Azo the 2^d. after whose death, An^o. 1312. Ferrara for a time was under the command of the Popes.
• 1312. 5 Alobrandinus, brother of Franciscus, who had the Title to, but not the possession of Ferrara.
• 1315. 6 Reinoldo the 3^d. of Este, and the first of Ferrara, recovered Ferrara from the Pope, and cast out his Garrisons. 1317.
• 1335. 7 Obizo II. brother of Reinaldo.
• 1352. 8 Alabrandino II. sonne of Obizo.
• 1361. 9 Nicolao the 2^d. of Este, and first of Ferrara, brother of Alabrandino, whose children be∣ing young, he dispossessed of the Estate.
• 1388. 10 Albertus, brother of Nicolas, the Founder of the University of Ferrara, An^o. 1392.
• 1393. 11 Nicolas II. base sonne of Albertus.
• 1441. 12 Leonellus the base sonne of Nicolas, in the minority of his brother Hercules, begot in lawfull Wedlock, invaded the Estate, and held it.
• 1450. 13 Borsius, another of the base sonnes of Nicolas 2^d. succeeded Leonel in the Estate; who being made Duke of Mutina by Frederick the 3^d. was by Pope Paul created Duke of Ferrara also, An^o. 1470.
• 1471. 14 Hercules, the lawfull sonne of Nicolas the 2^d. made Knight of the Garter by King Edward 4^th.
• 1505. 15 Alphonso, the sonne of Hercules.
• 1534. 16 Hercules II. sonne of Alphonso.
• 1559. 17 Alphonso II. who dying without lawfull issue, An^o. 1595. Pope Clement the 8^th. challenged this Estate in the right of the Church; and partly by force, partly by composition (whereof we shall say more when we come to Modena) united it for e∣ver to the See of Rome.

The yeerly Revenues of this Dukedom were heretofore two hundred and fifty thousand Crowns; now not so much worth unto the Pope, by reason of the Alienation of Modena and Regio; of which more hereafter.

The Arms of these Dukes (which for the honour of this noble and illustrious Family, and for the strangeness of the Coat, I shall here put down) were Palewise of three pieces, 1. Partie per Fesse, in the chief Or, an Eagle displayed Sable, membred, langued, and crowned Gules; and in Base Azure, three Flowers de Lys Or, within a Border indented Or and Gules. 2. Gules, two keys in Saltier, the one Or, the other Argent, charged in Fesse with an Eschocheon of pre∣tence Azure, supporting an Eagle of the third, membred and crowned of the second; over all

in chief a Papall Crown Or, garnished with sundry G••ms Azure and Purple. 3 The third as the first, counter-placed Which Coat upon the failing of the house of Ferrara, doth now belong to that of Modena and Reggio.

2 MARCA ANCONITANA is bounded on the East with the River of Trontus or D••uentus, by which it is parted from Abruzzo; on the West, with the River Isaurus (now Fog∣lio) which divides it from Rom••a••iola; on the South, with the Apennine Hills; on the North, with the Adriatick. It was formerly the dwelling of the Picentes, who possessed all these parts on the coast of the Adriatick, from the River Bubicon on the East, to that of Aufidus on the West. For aiding the Tarentines their Allies, in their war against Romo, they were invaded and subd••ed by the Romans, about five years before the first Punick war, under the conduct of Sempronius; at which time they were so great and multitudinous a nation, that they were num∣bered to amount to 360000, which were then brought under the command and vassilage of the Roman Empire. When Italie was divided into no more than eight Regions, these P••centes on∣ly made up one; so did they also when divided into eleven. Afterwards, in the time of the An∣tonini, they made up one of the sixteen Provinces into which Italie was divided by those Empe∣rours; and the same repute it held in the time of Constantine; Picenum being alwayes one: As∣culum caput gentis, as Florus calls it, which was the head of their Nation, being the Metropolis of the Province. In the declining of the Empire it was first called Marcha F••rmians, from Fir∣nio, once a Roman Colony, and at that time of most importance in the Country; but by trans∣ferring the chief seat from Firmo to Ancona in the time of the Lombards, it came to have the name of Anconitana. The chief Rivers, besides those named already, which are only borderers, are, 1 Chientus, 2 Sentinus, and 3 Potentia; all rising in the Apennine, and passing with a swift course to the Adriatick.

The chief Towns, 1 Ancona, seated on the Hill Cimmerius, shooting into the sea, glorying in giving name to the Province, and in her Haven built by Tra••an the Emperor, one of the fairest in the world, not so much for capacity, as the pleasantness and beauty of it; the descents down unto the water being made of Marble, and very delectable walking on all sides of it. The City it self is begirt with hils, on one of which Pope Clement the seventh built a very strong Castle, An. 1532. under pretence of defending the Town against the Turks, but indeed to keep the people in more full subjection, who till that time did yearly chuse their own Magistrates, and lived accor∣ding to their own Laws like a Commonwealth. 2 Recanati (heretofore Aelia Recina) seated upon the banks of the River Mulsio, renowned for the great concourse of Merchants from all parts of Europe at her Annuall Marts, and a vein of the most excellent Wines. 3 F••••∣mo, surnamed the Strong, in former times of most esteem in all the Province, which was hence called Marca Firmiana, and to this day a place of great strength, and consequence. 4 Macerata, now of most credit, by reason that the Popes Legate keeps his residence there, and with him the Chancery for this Marquisate. 5 Loretto, called in Latin, Lauretana, a little City betwixt Recanati and the Sea; well fortified against the Turkes and other Pirates who once spoy∣led the same, and might be easily tempted thither on the like occasions: The Church here be∣ing admirably rich, and frequented by Pilgrims from all parts, to pay their devotions unto our Lady of Loretto, and behold her Miracles. Concerning the removall of whose Chamber hither, in our description of Palestine, you shall meet with a very proper Legend. 6 Ascoli, surnamed the Fair, seated at the influx of the River Druentus, and on the furthest side of it to∣wards Abruzzo, and so the furthest City Eastwards, of old called Asculum, conquer'd by the Romans, under the conduct of Sempronius, A. V. C. 685. Nigh unto this City, as Florus relateth, was fought the second battell between C. Fabricius and the Romans on the one side, and Pyrchus with the Epirots on the other; wherein the Victory fell to the King, having slain 6000 of his Enemies, yet with such apparencie of valour and vertue in the Romans, that he could not but break forth into this acclamation; O quam facile esset orbem vincere, aut mihi, Romanis militi∣bus; ant me rege, Romanis. This Town also was the seat of the War called Bellum sociale, raised by the people of Italie against the Romans; Popeidius being both Author of the Rebellion, and Captain. They, for a while, sorely shaked the state of Rome; but at last were vanquished, and this Town by Strabo Pompeius forced and spoyled. 7 Adria, now not otherwise famous, than that it gave denomination to the adjoyning Sea, and the Emperor Adrian. 8 Humana, which last Town, together with Ancona, was given to Pope Zachary, by Luit prandus King of the Lom∣bards, about the year 741. The succeeding Popes after the giving of this Inch, took the whole Ell.

Having surveyed the Provinces of the Church along the Adriatick, we must next cross the Apennine, which parts the Marches of Ancona from the D••kedom of SPOLETO (DU∣CATO SPOLETANO the Italians call it.) A Territory taking up the Western part of the Province of Umbria, so called, because being situate under the shade of the Apemine Hils, it was Regio umbrosa. Some give another reason of it, and think that the Inhabitants were call∣ed Umbri, quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as men that had escaped the Deluge; because so antient a people, that no body could tell the originall of them. But whatsoever was the reason of the name, they were a stout and valiant people, and gave the first check to Annibals careere, after his great Victory at Thrasymene, repalsing him with loss and shame from the walls of Spoleto. And for

their Country, which was this Region of Umbria (being one of the eleven into which Italie was divided by Augustus Caesar,) It hath on the East the River of Anio, or Aniene, dividing it from the East parts of Latium; on the West the Tiber; on the North, the Apennine; on the South, a reach or winding of the Tiber, and the main body of Latium. A Country it is of a mix•• na∣ture, equally composed of very rough hils, and yet most delectable vallies; exceeding plen∣tifull of all necessaries, and much commended heretofore for the extraordinary foecunditie of the women. The Wine hereof is much commended by Martial, as the best of Italie.

De Spoletanis quae sunt cariosa lagenis Malueris, quam si musta Falerna bibas.

That is to say.

If with Spoleto bottles once you meet, Say that Falerno Must is no so sweet.

Here are said to have been once three hundred good Towns and Cities, all destroyed by the Tuscans. The principall of those now extant, are 1 Spoletum, built partly on the hill, and part∣ly on the lower ground, the residence heretofore of one of the four Dukes of the Longobardians, who governed as Vice-Roys or Lord Presidents of the remoter parts of that Kingdom, from whence the Country round about it was called Ducato Spoletano. It is still a Town of good e∣steem, populous, and of handsome building, and hath a strong Fortress for defence thereof, built upon the ruins of an old Amphitheatre, to which men pass over a great bridge of stone, up∣held by 24 great pillars, which joyns two Mountains together, having between them a deep Vallie, but narrow and without any water. Theodorick the Goth built a fair Palace in this Ci∣tie, rebuilt by Narses, but since ruined. 2 Eugubium (now called Augubio) seated on the foot of the Apennine, in or near that place where antiently stood that City which Plinie calls Iugini∣um, Ptolomie, Isunium, utterly subverted by the Gothes. A Town well seated in a fruitfull and wealthy soyl, and blessed with an industrious people. 3 Nuceria, in Plinies time called Alfa∣tenia, at the foot also of the Apennine; the people of which in former times much traded in their wooden vessel. 4 Assisium, or Assise, destroyed almost to nothing in the Civill Wars of Italie, and only famous at this time, in being the birth-place of S. Francis, the founder of the Francis∣cans, or Cordeliers, as the French call them; but we in England the Gray Friers. 5 Citta de Ca∣stello, antiently Tiphernum, on the banks of Tiber. 6 Tudertum, now called Todi, seated near the Tiber on the declivitie of a rich and fruitfull hill.

The rest of Umbria towards the East, not being within the compass of the Spoletane Dukedom, but under the command of the Popes of Rome, is by late Writers called SABINIA, because the dwelling in times past of the antient Sabines; but in the division of Italie made by Anto∣ninus, it was called Nursia; and in that made by Constantine, it was contained within the new Province of Valeria, Reate being the Metropolis, or head City of both. A Territory of no great circuit, but abundantly Fruitfull in Oyl or Olives, Vines, and Fig-trees; watered with the Ri∣ver Farfarus, which cutteth thorough the very middest of it, and with the Lake called antiently Lacus Velinus (now Lago di Pedeluco) esteemed to be the Center or Navell of Italie by some an∣tient Writers; the waters of which are of such a nature, that in short time they will cloth a peece of wood with a coat of stone, and yet yeeldeth excellent Trouts, and other good Fish. The Towns and Cities of most note, are, 1 Reate (now called Riete) an antient City, and the Metropolis heretofore of all this Tract, as well when it was called Nursia, as when it passed un∣der the name of Valeria. 2 Nursia, a City no less antient, seated amongst the Hils, which for the most part are covered with snow; from which Town, being heretofore of more reputation, the Province of Nursia, spoken of in the Itinerarie of Antoninus, took denomination. 3 Mag∣liano, a pleasant and well-peopled Town, at this time the principall of this Territory. 4 Ocri∣culum, built amongst many Fruitfull hils, a mile from Tiber. 5 Narnia, the Country and Birth-place of the Emperor Nerva, the first of all the Emperors not born in Rome, as after him there were few born in it. The soyl about it is of so different and strange a nature, that it is said to be made dirty by the Sun and Winds, and dusty by Rain; the City is well-peopled, and a Bishops See, seated upon a very steep and craggy Hill, not far from the River Nar (now Negro) from which perhaps it took the name. A City given unto the Church of Rome by Luitpran∣dus King of the Lombards; of which the Popes of Rome having got possession, never left practi∣sing till they had got into their power all the rest of the Country. Little is famous else in the whole Region of Umbria, but that in the Western part thereof, is the Lake called Lacus Vade∣modius, neer to Ameria, now called Amelia, a town of the Dukedom, where Dolobella overthrew such of the Galls as had escaped the sword of Camillus; Ne quis extaret in ea gente (saith the Historian) qui incensam à se Roman gloriaretur; a former slaughter being made by Camillus on the banks of Aniene, the Eastern limits of these Umbri.

5 S. PETERS PATRIMONIE, properly and specially so called, is that part of Tuscanie, which appertains unto the Church; bounded upon the East with Tiber, which di∣vides it from Latiuns, or Compagna di Roma; on the West, with the River Piseo, which falleth into the Sea near the Mountain of Argentario, and parteth it from the estate of the Duke of Flo∣rence; on the North, with the Apennine; on the South, with the Tuscan or Tyrrhenian Sea. It took this new name presently on the donation of the Countess Mathildis, who gave it for e∣ver unto the Church, An. 110. Paschal the second sitting in the Chair of Rome, to be the Pa∣trimonie

of S. Peter, and his successors in that See. A Country not inferiour unto any in It t∣lie, for the fertility of the soyl; but for the most part of an unhealthy Air, by reason of the frequent overflowings of Tiber, and the thick woods which hinder that the winds cannot purge and clense it.

The principall Cities, and places of most observation, are 1 Periglia, formerly called Peru∣sia; a famous Town, in which Augustus besieged L. Antonius the brother, and Fulvia the wife of M. Antony the Triunivir, who when they had in vain attempted to seduce Rome from his party, repaired to this Citie, which also at the last yeelded to the more fortunate Emperor, who afterwards, having much adorned and beautified it, caused it to be called Augusta; but it re∣turned not long after to its antient name. It is seated very pleasantly on the banks of Tiber, not far from the Apennine, in a very rich and fruitfull soyl, well built both for the publick and private structures; a Bishops See, and made an University An. 1090. In the distractions of I∣talie betwixt the Emperours and the Popes, this City was seized on by the Baillons, who held it as Vicars of the Church. The Oddies, an opposite Faction to them, having got together a strong party of Malecontents, so suddenly entred one night into the City, that the Baillons be∣gan to fly, nor was there any thing to hinder them from being masters of the Palace, but the chain which was drawn cross the gate. One of the souldiers going about to cut this chain, and wanting room to wield his arm, cryed a loud, Give back; which words being heard, but not well understood by those furthest off, put them to their heels, and the foremost, which thought they fled not for nothing, ran-way too. So the City was saved. 2 Orvieto, seated on so high a Rock, that it is no small terrour to look down from the top of it into the vallies beneath; in which there is a Church of a wondrous lightness, and yet the windows of the same (if we may credit Adrianus who reports it) are made of Albaster in stead of Glass. 3 Vite••bo, famous for the long residence of the Popes, at such time as they were affronted by the Roman Senators. 4 Civi∣ta Vecchia (called antiently Centumcellae) the only usefull Haven that belongeth to Rome; which being ruined by the Saracens, was rebuilt by the Popes, new named, and ••ortified with a very strong Castle for the defence of their Shipping. 5 Porto, seated on the mouth of Tiber, over a∣gainst Ostia; but cannot make one good Haven betwixt them both; a Bishops See, and one of the seven Cardinals which is alwaies assistant to the Pope. 6 Farnese, the antient seat and Pa∣trimony of the Farnesis, now Dukes of Parma. 7 Bracciano, which gives the title of a Duke to a branch of the Ursins, a well-known Family of those parts. 8 Baechano, neer the last in sound, although not in site: compassed round about with Hils, in the form of a Theatre, having a fair Lake in the middest, out of which runneth the River Cremera, neer which the Fabii were slain.

Here was in this Country also the City of the Veii, of great wealth and power, in a War a∣gainst which, managed for the most part by the aforesayd Fabii, 306 of them were slain in a day; onely one little child of them being left at home, who restored the House, and was the Ancestor of that Fabius Maximus who preserved Italie in the Wars with Annibal. Of which great slaugh∣ter, thus faith Ovid:—Veientibus Arvis

Ter centum Fabii, ter cecidere duo. On the Veientine plain Three hundred and six Fabii were slain.

This City of the Veii was at last, after a ten years siege, taken by Furius Camillus, and by him levelled with the earth, because he found that the common people of Rome had a mind to leave their own City, and inhabit here. Here is also that fatall River of Allia, nigh unto which Brennus and his Galls, being drawn into Italie by the sweet tast of the Italian wines, slaughte∣red the Romans. The Roman Army consisted of 40000 Souldiers, most of them being raw and unexperienced. The Galls were not more in number, but were naturally of a fierce and ha••∣dy courage, and withall so big-boned, that it seemeth they were born to be the terrour of man∣kind, and the ruin of Cities. Having wonne the day, the Barbarians march towards Rome, for∣saken of its chiefest strength; the Capitoll only being manned by Manlius; which also they had mastered if the geese had not been more vigilant than the Watch. When they had failed of this enterprize, they began a treaty with the Fathers of the Town, agreeing with them for a thou∣sand pound weight of Gold to forsake the City: But before the delivery of this mony, they were assaulted and vanquished by Camillus; who for this is called Romes second Founder. The overthrow at Allia, and the vanquishment of the Fabii, hapned in one day, though in diver, years, which was therefore by the old Romans put among the unfortunate daies; they never on that day attempting any business of importance. The like custom, whether on superstition, or fear of ill luck, is used by many Christians; and especially on Childermas day; wherein Phi∣lip de Comines telleth us, that Lewis the 11. used not to debate any matter; but accounted it a sign of some great misfortune towards him, if any man communed with him of his affairs; and would be marvailously displeased with those that were near him, if they troubled him with any matter whatsoever.

And finally, here is the famous Lake called Thrasymene (now Lago di Peruga, from the neerness of it to that City) where Annibal slew Flaminius the Consul, and 15000 of his Ro∣mans; which sight continued three houres, with so great an eagerness, that the Souldiers percei∣ved not a terrible Earthquake which at that time hapned.

6 COMPAGNA DI ROMA, containeth that part of Italie which antiently was called Latium, the habitation of the Latins, and seat of Rome; so called for that it is adjoyn∣ing to that Famous City, as the more proper Territory, and precinct thereof. It is sometimes also called Campania nova, to difference it from Campania properly so called, the seat and dwel∣ling of the Campans. It is bounded on the East with the said Campania, from which it is parted by the River Axofenus; on the West, with Tiber; on the North, with Umbria, or the new Duca∣to Spoletano, and Sabinta; and on the South with the Tyrrhenian or Tuscan sea: and came unto the Popes by no other Title than as they had the soveraignty and possession of the City of Rome, to which it alwaies did belong.

The chief place of it in old times was the City of Alba, then the Seat-Royall of the Latin, or Silvian Kings, ruined by Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome; in which war Rome and Alba being laid at the stake, the whole action was committed by the Romans to the Horatii, to the Curatii by the Albans, being three Brethren of each side; in which it hapned that two of the Horatii were first slain, and the third counterfeiting a flight severed his Enemies, and so slew them; whereby the Albans ever after became subject to Rome. 2 Lavinium, built by Aeneas in honour of his wife Lavinia. 3 Antium, honoured many times with the seat and retirement of the Emperours; the Country round about affording variety of Recreations. The people once very strong in shipping, till the taking of the Town by Maevius a Roman Consul, who having broke their Forces at sea, brought with him into Rome the Beaks of their ships and other vessels, with which he decked and beautified the Pulpit for Orations (in the common Forum) which have generally ever since been called Rostra. This was the chief City of the antient Volsci, a people very strong in shipping, though without an Haven; afterwards much frequented by the principall Romans in their retirements from the City; so that for pompous and stately buildings it might compare with any other. Out of the ruins of this Town long ago destroyed, sprang the new City called Neptunum, situate on a rock near unto the sea, the steepness of which gives it naturall strength enough, and yet it is Fortified besides with two strong Castles, surveying the sea, and commanding the shore. 4 Ardea, the chief Town of the Lentuli, and seat of Tur∣nus the Rivall and Competitor of Aeneas; afterwards taken by Superbus the last King of the Romans; to which when the Galls had taken Rome, the miserable Citizens were compelled to fly. 5 Gabii, taken also by the same Superbus, whose sonne Sextus counterfeiting some dislike or his Fathers cruelties, fled to the Gabii, by whom improvidently entrusted with the com∣mand of their City, which he betrayed unto the Romans. 6 Ostia, antiently the Port-Town to Rome, built at the mouth of Tiber, by Ancus Martius, the 4^th King of Rome; but the Haven hath been long since dammed up, to stop the passage of the Enemies ships unto the City. The Bishop of this Town useth to consecrate the Pope. 7 Praeneste, first conquered by the Romans under Qu. Cincinnatus the Dictator. Nothing so much endammaged this City as its naturall and artificiall Fortifications; for when the Romans in the times of sedition abandoned the Town, they used to make this place their refuge. Among others, Marius the younger made it the seat of war against L. Sylla, but perceiving the unsuccessfulness of his affairs, here kill∣ed himself; and Sylla entring it as Conqueror, put 12000 of the Citizens to the sword. It hath since been so often sacked, that it is very short now of its former lustre; but still it holds the reputation of a Bishops See. 8 Tibur, an antient City also, and seated in an healthy Air. It is now called Trivolis, where there is a Fountain, which with Artificiall Engines moved with water, representeth the notes of divers Birds. A device very rare (it seemeth) in the time of Adrianus, who reporteth it; but now grown ordinary. In the perfection of which Art, as almost all Civill Nations may pretend a share, so I conceive that the priority herein doth belong of right unto the French, whose Master-pieces in this kind do far exceed the rest of Eu∣rope: For in the Kings house at S^t. Germains, seven miles from Paris (if it be lawfull for me to digress a little on this Argument) one may behold the Statua of a Nymph, sitting before a pair of Organs, whose fingers by the help of water, are taught to manage the Keys in so due an order, and the instrument to yeeld such a Musick to it, as comes exceeding near the Organ, if it be not the same; her head in the mean time jolting from one shoulder to another, like an old Fidlers at a Wake; there being also not far off the counterfeits of divers Mils, who very busily plyed their work till the Musick sounded, and then stood still as if inchanted with the noise. In another place, upon the drawing of a Curtain, one may see two Tritons riding on their Dolphins in a Sea of water, each of them with a shell in his hand, which enterchangably and in turns served in stead of Trumpets: In a third, the story of Perseus and Andromeda most lively acted; and in a fourth, Orpheus in sylvis positus, Orpheus playing on a Violl, the Trees moving, and the wild Beasts dancing in two rings about him, by the artificiall guidance of the waters only; the pret∣tie Birds in every place so chirping out their several and respective notes, that the hearer would conceive himself to be in some pleasant Grove. But it is time to go from Trivoli to 9 Velitri (called antiently Velitrae, and then a City of the Volsci) famous for the birth of the Emperor Augu∣stus, and the dwelling of the Octavian Family; a place most delectably seatedamongst the Vines, which yeeld as rich Wines as most in Italie. 10 Anxur, so called of the Temple which was here dedicated to Jupiter, surnamed Anxurus, that is, Beardless; first built by the Spartans, who fly∣ing from the severity of Lycurgus his Laws, did here seat themselves; after, a Colony of the Volsci, and after of the Romans. But this town being destroyed by the tyrannie of time, there started up

Taracina in the place thereof, seated upon a M••••ntain, but neer the Sea, which it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like a Half Moon (it is now called the Bay of Mola) this City lying on the one horn thereof, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the very extremity of the Popes Dominions; and that of Caseta on the other, which is the first Port-Town of the Realm of Naples. The Country hereabouts hath most pleasant Orchards, of Citrons, Oranges, and Limons; the Oranges having at the same time both ripe and green Fruits, and represents a kind of Summer in the dead of Winter. Such other things as are re∣markable in this Campagna (heretofore called Latium) but more by what they have been, than they are at the present, are 1 Tusculum, a village which belonged to Tullie, who here composed his excellent Book called the Tusculan Questions. 2 Formiae, built by the Laconians, heretofore the delight and solace of the antient Romans, now visible only in its ruins. 3 Pr••vernum, once the chief City of the Volsci, and the seat of Camilla, a noble Amazonian Lady, who aided Turnus the Rutilian in his sharp war against Aeneas and the Tro••ans, where she lost her life. 4 Circe, an old City (in the place whereof now stands S. Felix) the habitation of Circe, that so much celebrated Sorceress, of whom, and her chanting of Ulysses and his companions, there is so much upon re∣cord in the antient Poets. Neer to which is the head-land called the Circaean Promontory, the re∣percussion of the Waves by whose Southern Basit, makes a dreadfull noise, and gave occasion to the fabulous inventions of the roaring of Lyons, ho••ling of Dogs, &c. which were heard about that Witches dwelling.

But the great glory of Latium, and indeed of Italie, was that the famous City of Rome was seated in it, being built on the East side of Tiber, now much inlarged by the increase of 42 le••••er streams or Rivers. It is distant from the sea about 15 miles, first built, as Fryer Leander a great Italian Antiquary is of opinion, by Roma, Daughter or Wife to one of the Latin Kings. But being forsaken and forlorn, by reason of the unwholsom air comming from the Fens, was re∣built by Romulus, much pleased with the naturall strength of the situation, and therefore like to make a good town of war. And this tradition I should rather subscribe unto, than that it was called Rome from Romulus; who had he pleased to challenge the honour to himself, might bet∣ter have caused it to be called Romulea (of which name there was a Town among the Samnites) than to call it Roma. But whatsoever greatness it did after come to, it was small enough (God knows) at first; the City comprehending the Mount Palatine only, and therefore not a m••le in compass; the Territory not extending, as Strabo witnesseth, above six miles from the City; and the Inhabitants thereof at the first generall Muster amounting at the most to 3300 men. So in∣considerable they were as well in quality as numbers, that their neighbours thought it a dispa∣ragement to bestow their daughters on them; and therefore they were fain to get themselves wives by a slight of wit; proclaming solemn Playes and Pastimes to be held in Rome, and ra∣vishing the women which came thither to behold the sports. The Kings succeeding much en∣larged it. Mount Aventine, and the hill Janiculum on the other side of the water being walled and added to it by Ancus Martius; as Quirinalis, Esquilinus, and Viminalis, were by Servius Tul∣lus; Capitolinus and Mount Coelius came not in till afterwards. But at the last it was improved to such an height, that in the flourishing times of that Commonwealth, the men increased to the number of 463000, and the compass of the Town unto 50 miles; there being on and about the walls 740 Turrets. And in this number of 463000 men, I reckon neither servants, women, nor children, but men able to bear Arms, Free Denizens, and such as were inrolled into Cense, or the Subsidie Books. To which if we should adde their wives, children, and servants, we cannot probably conjecture them to have been fewer than three or four Millions: and so Lip∣si••s is of opinion his Tract de Magnitudine Romana. The most memorable buildings of it, were 1 the Capitol, founded by Tarquinius Superbus, and beautified with the spoyles of their conque∣red Neighbours; saved from the fury of the Galls by the cackling of Geese. Tacitus calleth this house, Sedem Jovis optimi maximi, asupicatò à majoribus pignus imperii conditum. It was twice burnt, once in the Civill Wars of Sylla and Marius; and again in the wars of Vespasian and V••tellius. In the third building of it, Vespasian carried the first basket of earth, after him the Nobility did the like, to make the people more forward in the service: and perhaps the custom of laying the first stone in a building, or driving the first nayl in a timber-work, by him whose edifice it is, hath from hence, if not beginning, yet growth. 2 Here was the Tem∣ple of Janus, open in the time of wars, and shut in the time of peace; which, during all their Monarchy, hapned but thrice: namely, during the reign of Augustus, after the Punick war, and in the time of Numa. 3 Here was the Bridge called Pons Sublicius, on which Horatius Cocles resisted the whole Army of King Porsena, Tarquin, and the Tuscans, till the Citizens behind had broken down the bridge, received him swimming to the bank with joyfull acclamations, and saved their City from present ruin. Here lived the famous Warriers, so much renowned in the stories of elder times; here flourished the exact Martiall discipline so memorized by ancient Historiographers; and finally here were layd up the spoyles and Tropheys of all Europe.

ROME, as now it standeth lower on the bank of Tyber, upon Campus Martius, where it was built after the inundation of the Gothes and Vandals, is in compass about eleven miles, with∣in which compass is not a little wast ground. The Inhabitants of all sorts reckoned to amount to 200000, two parts whereof are Clergy-men and Courtiers, that is to say, such as have their dependance on the Court of Rome, either by holding offices and places of employment under the Popes, or by attending on his person, or waiting on the Cardinals and eminent Pre∣lates

who are there abiding; or otherwise being of the retinue of such Forein Ambassadors a•• are alwaies commorant in the City to follow the Negotiations of their severall Masters; all which must needs amount to a very great number. It was first built on the East side of the Ri∣ver, in the Territory of Latium, but now there is little lest of the old City but the goodly ruins, and here and there some Churches and scattered houses (except it be a little on the North-East of the River from the Gate called Del Populo to the Iland of Tiber) the rest, especially to∣wards the South, being taken up with Pastures and sields of Corn. The main body of the City, as now it stands, is on the West side of the water, and the Holy Iland, consisting of three distinct parts or members. Of these the least is that which they call La Isola, but antiently the Holy I∣land; first made an Iland by the Corn, Straw, and other Goods of the Tarquins, which the Se∣nate not vouchsafing to convert to any publick or private use, commanded to be flung into the River, where it sunk and setled to an Iland; and after called the Holy Iland, from a Temple herein built unto Esculapius, brought hither from Epidaurus in the shape of a Serpent. This Iland is not above a quarter of a mile in length, and hardly half so much in bredth, but full of stately Churches and beautifull houses. Next to this is that which they call Trastevere, or Trans-Tiberina, but of old Janiculo, from the mountain of that name included in it; called also Civitas Ravennatium, or the City of the men of Ravenna, of the Souldiers which Augustus kept at Ravenna against Antonius, and after placed in this out-part of the City, which by reason of the unwholsomeness of the air, is inhabited onely by Artizans and poor people, yet compassed about with walls, except on that side next the water, and adorned with many goodly Churches, and some handsome buildings. But the chief glory of the City con∣••isteth in that part of it which is called Il Borgo, lying on the North side of the other, but dis∣joyned from it, compassed about with walls by Pope Leo the 4. and from thence called Civitas L••onina. For in this part there are, 1 the Churcb of S. Peter, which were it once finished, would be one of the rarest buildings in all the World. 2 The Castle of S. Angelo, impregnable un∣less by Famin. 3 The Popes Palace, called Belvidere, which with the Gardens thereof was com∣passed about with a very high wall by Pope Nicolas the fift, and had this name from the fair prospect which it hath; in the same sence as Belvoir Castle here in England, the Barony and Mansion of the Earls of Rutland. A Palace of magnificence and receipt enough. 4 The Library of the hill Vatican, properly called the Palatine, but more commonly the Vatican Library: a Library was founded by Sixtus the 4^th. who not only stored it with the choicest books he could pick out of Europe; but allowed also a large revenue for the perpetuall augmentation of it, Bibliothecam Palatinam in Vaticano, toto terrarum orbe celebrem, advectis ex omni Europa libris construxit; proventusque certos, &c. So Onuphrius. When the Duke of Burbon sacked Rome, An. 1527, it was much defaced and ransacked; but by the succeeding Popes it hath been again re∣covered to its former fame and beauty. Rome is now an University, which was founded by Ur∣ban the fourth, at whose request Thomas Aquinas professed here. Pope Nicholas the fifth was a speciall Benefactor to the same; and after him, Leo the tenth, who revived the Greek learning and language, which were in these parts almost forgotten. And finally to this place are brought all the treasures of those parts of Christendom subject to the Popes authority, partly for the expence of strangers, which do there remain on their severall pleasures or occasions, and part∣ly for the expeditions which are there obtained for the Investitures of Bishopricks, and Buls of Benefices, Indulgences, and other matters of Court-holy-water, and partly in the Pensions which are payd there to the Cardinals and other Ministers of those Kings and Princes which know best how to make their ends of the Popes Ambitions. So that it may be truly sayd, there came not more Tributes into Old Rome from the conquered Provinces, than hath been bronght into the New from the subject Churches, which have submitted to the power of the Roman Prelates; and that they have as great command now under the pretence of Religion, as ever they had formerly by force of Arms. So truly was it sayd by Prosper of Aquitane (if my memory fayl not.)

Roma caput mundi, quicquid non possidit Armis, Religione tenet.—

This is to say.

What Rome subdu'd not with the Sword, She holds by colour of the Word.

But yet there wants the Genius of the antient City, the power and naturall courage of the old In∣habitants, which held the same against the bravery and assaults of all Forein Enemies: this Ci∣ty during the time of the antient Romans, being never took but by the Galls; but since Ponti∣ficall, it hath been made a Prey to all Barbarous Nations, and never was besieged by any that did not take it. In a word, the city of Rome as now it standeth, is but the carcass of the old, of which it retains nothing but the ruins; and the cause of them, her sins.

The Popes much brag of the foundation of their Church, and the authority of S. Peter; whose being there is indeed constantly attested by most antient Writers, insomuch that Calvin, though no friend to the Popes of Rome, yet propter Scriptorum consensum, in regard of the unani∣mous consent of the primitive times, did not think fit to controvert it. The silence of the Scriptures is a Negative Argument, and concludes nothing to the contrary, against so great a Cloud of unquestioned Witnesses, as soberly and positively have affirmed the same. And yet I

would not have it thought by the captious Remanists, that I conceive that it makes any thing at all for the Popes Supremacy, because he si••s in Peters seat; no more than it did make for Vibius Rufus (as Dion doth relate the Story) to attain Tullies eloquence, or Caesars power, because he maried Tullies widow, and bought Caesars chair, though the poor Gentleman did befool himself with this opinion, that he should be Master of them both. Of which see Lib. LVII. And yet the Popes relie so much upon this fancy of being the direct heirs of S. Pe∣ter, and all his preheminences, that all things which they say or do, must be entituled to S. Pe∣ter. Their Throne must be S. Peters Chair, their Church S. Peters Ship, their Lands S. Peters Pa∣trimony, their Tributes and exactions must be called Peter-pence, their Excommunications ••ulmi∣nated in S. Peters name; and all their Buls and Faculties sealed Annulo Piscatoris, with S. Peters Signet. Nay they went so far at the last, that Pope Steven not being contented to be Peters Successor, did take upon him in plain terms to be Peter himself. For being distressed by Astul∣phus King of the Lombards, he sends for aid unto King Pepin in this following stile. Petrus Apo∣stolus JESU CHRISTI, &c. i.e. Peter the Apostle of JESUS CHRIST to you the most illustrious King Pepin, and to all Bishops, Abbots, &c. I the Apostle Peter, whose adopted sonnes you are, admonish you that you presently come and defend this City, &c. And doubt you not, but trust assu∣redly, that I my self, as if I stood before you, do thus exhort you, &c. and that I Peter the Apostle of God, will at the last day yeeld you mutuall kindnesses, and prepare you Tabernacles in the heaven••. Ba∣ronius who records this Letter, An^o 755. numb. 17. was it seems, pretty well perswaded by it, that the Pope and Peter were all one. For in his Exhortation or Paraeneses to the State of Venice, being then upon differences with Pope Paul the fifth, he stileth him in plain terms thus, Pau∣lus idem{que} Petrus vicem Christi agens in terris, i.e. Paul, who is also Peter, and Christs Vicegeren••. But leaving these imaginary clames and challenges of S. Peters privileges, though they did really advance the reputation of that See in the darker times, two things there were which did exceedingly conduce to the improvement of their power in the more knowing and discer∣ning times of Christianity. Of which the principall was the Orthodoxie of the Bishops or Popes of Rome; their eminent and sincere profession of the Faith of Christ, when almost all the other Churches were either torn in pieces by the fury of Schism, or wasted and subverted by the fraud of Heresie. In which regard, Appeals were frequently made to the Church of Rome, as a more competent Judge of the truth of Doctrine; the communion of it much desired by all true Christians; and a repair thither for relief and shelter in the times of trouble, made by the Orthodox Professors under persecution. And of these times, and this condition of that Church, we are to understand such passages of the Antient Writers, as magnifie the Faith of the Church of Rome, and set it above all the batteries and assaults of Heresie. Such is that passage of S. ••y∣prian, Romanos esse ad quos perfidia non potest habere accessum, lib. 1. ep. 3. and that of Hierome, Romanam fidem (i. e. Romanorum fidem) Apostolica voce Laudatam, ejusmodi praestigias non recipere; in Apol. cont. Ruffin. and many others of that kind. Which passages, it were as foolish and ridi∣culous to apply to all following times, the condition of that Church being different from what then it was, as to accommodate all those Eulogies and commendations to the present Citie of Rome, which the Orators and Panegyrists of the elder times have hyperbolically ascribed to old Rome in her greatest glories. The next was the fixation of the Popes in the Metropolis, or Im∣periall City, which drawing to it such a multitude of suters and attendants from all parts the world, could not but add much to the power and reputation of those Prelates, who had the happiness and honour to be resident there: and thereby opportunity to gain more Disci∣ples, to solve more doubts of conscience, and decide more controversies, than any other could expect. And so we are to understand that passage in S. Irenaeus, in which he saith, Ad han•• Ec∣clesiam propter potentiorem Principalitatem necesse est omnem convenire Ecclesiam. i.e. eos qui sunt undi{que} Ecclesias. And so they did as long as Rome enjoyed the honour of a more potent Princi∣pality than other Cities: But when that more potent Principality failed to be at Rome by the removall of the Imperiall See, first to Constantinople, and afterwards unto Ravenna, then did the Bishops of Constantinople and Ravenna dispute with those of Rome for Superiority: the S. at of Religion most commonly following the seat of the Empire. And in this clame the Patriarch or Bishop of Constantinople prevailed so far, that with the permission of Mauritius the Emperor, he took upon him the title of Universall Patriarch. Gregory the Great (of whom it is said that he was the worst Bishop of all that went before him, and the best of all that came after him) was at that time Bishop of Rome: Who sharply inveighed as well against the Emperor, as th•• Patriarch of Constantinople, for this Title; and plainly maintained, that whosoever called himself Universall Bishop, was the fore-runner of Antichrist. As for himself, it is probable that he took the title of Servus servorum Dei, more in opposition to him of Constantinople, than with an intent to be so truly. To which though those of Rome reply, that Gregory did not ab∣solutely condemn this Title, but only blamed John the Constantinoplitan Patriarch, for assuming to himself that attribute, which properly belonged to the See of Rome; yet this cannot be. For then we should either in the old Bulls of the former Popes find mention of this Title; or else Pope Gregory would have assumed it to himself, that the world might take notice whereto of right it did belong. But Boniface, who next but one succeeded Gregory, having further aims, applied himself to Phocas that bloody Tyrant: who having murdered the Emperor Mauritius, his wife and children, and thereby got the generall hatred of all the good Subjects of the Em∣pire,

the better to assure himself of Italie, which he feared was ready to revolt, declared this Bo∣niface to be the Oecumenicall Bishop, and Head of the Church. To such a good beginning, such a gracious Patron, do the Popes stand indebted for that power and Empire, which now they chal∣lenge to themselves over all the Church.

Now as the Bishop of Constantinople and Ravenna did challenge a priority or precedency of the Popes of Rome, by reason that they were respectively honoured with the Seat Imperiall: so were there divers other Bishops, as Antioch, Alexandria, Carthage, Millain, which clamed an equality with them, and would by no means yeeld them any superiority. For triall of whose clame, we must look back on somewhat which hath been said before; where it was shewn, that the Roman Empire was divided into fourteen Dioceses, each Diocese being subdivided into severall Provinces, each Province comprehending many severall Cities: then that in every of those Ci∣••ies, where the Romans had their Defensores, the Christians also had a Bishop; in the Metropolis of each Province, which commonly was the seat of the Roman President, the Christians had their Metropolitan; and that in each principall City of each severall Diocese, wherein the Vicar of that Diocese had fixed his dwelling, there did the Christians place a Primate. And this was done according to that famous Maxim of Optatus, Respublica non est in E••clesia, sed Ecclesia est in Republica, that the Church is in the Common-wealth, and not the Common-wealth in the Church. Upon which foundation the Fathers in the Councill of Chalcedon raised this super∣structure, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. that the honours of the Church should be accommodated unto those in the State. So that according to this Platform the Primates of the Church were of equall power, each of them limited and restrained to his proper Sphere, out of the which if he presumed once to act, he moved irregularly, and in his Excentricks. And for those Pri∣mates, I shall give you once for all this generall Muster, that is to say, the Patriarch or Pope of Rome, for the Diocese or Prefecture of that City, the Primate or Arch-bishop of Millain for the Diocese of Italie, of Sirmium for that of Illyricum, of Lyons for that of France, of York for Britain, of Toledo for Spain, and of Carthage for Africk. Then for the East parts of the Empire, there was the Patriach of Alexandria for the Diocese of Egypt; of Antioch for that of the Orient; the Primate or Arch-bishop of Ephesus for the Diocese of Asia; of Nicomedia for that of Pontus, of Bizantium or Constantinople for that of Thrace, of Thessalonica for the Diocese of Greece, and of Justiniana prima for that of Dacia. Amongst all which was a mutuall corre∣spondence and Co-ordination for the generall Government of the Church, maintained by Let∣ters of intercourse, which they called Literas Format as, and Communicatorias; but no subordi∣nation, and much less subjection, unto one another, as doth appear most evidently by the Canons of the Councill of Nice, assigning to the three great Patriarchs their peculiar bounds, accor∣ding to the custom of the former times. As for the Diocese or Patriarchate of the Popes of Rome, it contained in it those ten Provinces which were immediately subject to the Prefect or Provost of that City (an Officer instituted first by Augustus Caesar) that is to say the Pro∣vinces of Tuscia and Umbria, Picenum Suburbicarium, Campania, Apulia and Calabria, Valeria, Samnium, Lucania and the Brutii, in the main land of Italie; and the three Ilands of Sicilie, Corsica, and Sardinia. In which regard, I mean as to the immediate Government of those Pro∣vinces by the Praefect of the City of Rome, as they are called Regiones Suburbicariae by Ruffinus an Italian Writer; so antiently the Pope himself was called Urbicus or the City-Bishop, as ap∣pears plainly by Optatus, who calleth Pope Zepherinus, Zepherinus Urbicus. But the Popes were not long content with that allotment, growing up daily by a steddy and constant watchfulness upon all occasions, to increase the Grandour of that See, and taking to themselves the honor to be Vindices Canonum, the strict and punctuall preservers of the antient Discipline, which took extremely well with all sorts of people. Till in the end from being Vindices Canonum, they came to be Interpreters, and at last the Rulers, or rather the Over-rulers of the Canons; and from chief Labourers in the Vineyard, they became the Landlords; which was the honor aimed at, and at last obtained by the foresaid Boniface, whom that cruell and butcherly Tyrant Phocas made the Head of the Church, the sixty sixt Bishop and first Pope of Rome: the Latine word Papa coming from the old Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifying a Father. A Title at the first common unto other Bishops; as is evident to any one who hath read the Fathers; but after this appro∣priated unto those of Rome. Of these Popes, their Succession, and times of Government, our Chronologers are very uncertain: not one of them that ever I had the luck to see, agreeing exactly with another. The reasons whereof, as I conceive, are 1. The frequent Vacancies, and 2. the many Schisms which have happened in it, and 3. the Anti-Popes in them created: the Wri∣ters of those times accounting him onely among the Popes, to whose faction they were most de∣voted. This Catalogue ensuing I have collected principally out of the Tables of Helvicus, Freigius, Bellarmine, and Onuphrius, whose differences I have reconciled as well as possibly I could: premonishing the Reader, that where the number of yeers which every Pope is found to sit in the Papall Chair, make not up the full number from his first admission, to the coming in of his Successor, it must be understood of some Schism or Vacancy hapning in the Intervall, by which the tale is to be made up. And for the difficulties which occur amongst the Antients, in the first Succession, some placing of them thus, Linus, Cletus, Clemens; some Linus, Clemens, Cletus; and finally some others putting the Clemens first: I know no better way to compose the same, than to affirm (as many of the Fathers do) that S. Peter and S. Paul were Co-Founders

of the Church in Rome; S. Peter of the Church of the Circumcision, and S. Paul of the Gentiles; each of them being Bishop of the Church of his own foundation: and then to draw down the Succession in this manner following.

The Bishops of Rome.

• ...A. Ch.
• 44 1 S. Peter, Bishop of the Churches of the Circumcision.
• 70 2 Cletus, or Anacletus, Successor to S. Peter in the Churches of the Cir∣cumcision 23
• 59 1 S. Paul, Bishop of the Churches of the Gentiles.
• 70 2 Linus, Successor to S. Paul in the Church of the Gentiles 11.
• 81 3 Clemens, having succeeded Linus first in the Church of the Gentiles, did after, An. 93. succeed Cletus also in the Church of the Jews; reckoned by some the next Successor to S Peter, because the next who after him had the charge of the whole; the Church of the Gentiles not being founded, or not distinguished from the other, till some years after Peters coming.
• 103 4 Anacletus 9
• 112 5 Evaristus 9
• 121 6 Alexander 10 m. 5 d.
• 131 7 Sixtus 10
• 142 8 Telesphorus 12
• 154 9 Hyginus 4
• 158 10 Pius 9
• 167 11 Ancetus 8 m. 9
• 175 12 Soter 4
• 179 13 Eleutherius 15
• 194 14 Victor 9
• 203 15 Zepherinus 18
• 221 16 Calistus 5
• 226 17 Urbanus 6 m. 7 d.
• 233 18 Pontianus 5
• 238 19 Antherus 1
• 239 20 Fabianus 14
• 253 21 Cornelius 2
• 255 22 Lucius 1 m. 8
• 256 23 Stephanus 3 m. 3.
• 260 24 Sixtus, or Xistus II. 2
• 262 25 Dionysius 10
• 272 26 Felix 2 m. 5 d.
• 775 27 Eutychanus 8
• 283 28 Caius 13
• 296 29 Marcellinus 8
• 304 30 Marcellus 5
• 309 31 Eusebius 2
• 311 32 Miltiades 3
• 314 33 Silvester 22
• 336 34 Marcus m. 8
• 337 35 Julius 15 m. 5
• 352 36 Liberius 15, cui vivo Felix suffectus.
• 367 37 Damasus 18
• 385 38 Syricius 13
• 398 39 Anastasius 4
• 402 40 Innocentius 15
• 417 41 Zosimus 1 m. 4
• 419 42 Bonifacius 5
• 424 43 Celestinus 8 m. 5
• 432 44 Sixtus III. 8
• 440 45 Levo magn. 21
• 461 46 Hilarius 6 m. 10
• 468 47 Simplicius 15 m. 5
• 483 48 Felix III. 9
• 492 49 Gelasius 4
• 497 50 Anastasius II. 2
• 499 51 Symmachus 15
• 514 52 Hormisda 9
• 523 53 Jannes 2 m 9. d.
• 526 54 Felix IV. 4
• 530 55 Bonifa••ius II. 1.
• 532 56 Joannes II. 3
• 535 57 Agapetus 1
• 536 58 Silverius 1
• 537 59 Vigilius 18
• 555 60 Pelagius 5
• 560 61 Joannes III. 13
• 573 62 Benedictus 4
• 578 63 Pelagius II. 12
• 590 64 Gregorius Mag. 14
• 609 65 Sabinianus 1, the last of the Roman Bishops, not having that ar∣rogant Title or Uni∣versall Bishop, or head of the Church.

The Popes of Rome challenging a Supremacy over all the Church.

• 606 1 Bonifacius III. 3
• 607 2 Bonifacius IV. 8
• 615 3 Deus-dedit 3
• 618 4 Bonifacius V. 5 m. 10
• 624 5 Honorius 13
• 637 6 Severinus 2
• 639 7 Joannes IV. 2
• 641 8 Theodorus 7 m. 5
• 649 9 Martinus 6
• 654 10 Eugenius 2. m. 9
• 657 11 Vitalianus 14
• 671 12 A-Deo-datus 5
• 677 13 Domnus 1 m. 5 d.
• 679 14 Agatho 4
• 683 15 Leo II. m. 10
• 684 16 Benedictus II. 1
• 685 17 Joannes V. 1
• 686 18 Canon m. II
• 688 19 Sergius 13
• 701 20 Joannes VI. 3
• 704 21 Joannes VII. 3
• 707 22 Sisinnius d. 20
• 707 23 Constantinus 7
• 714 24 Gregorius II. 17
• 731 25 Greg. III. 10 m. 9
• 742 26 Zacharias 10
• 752 27 Stephanus II. d. 4
• 752 28 Stephanus III. 5
• 757 29 Paulus I. 10
• 767 30 Constans II. 1
• 768 31 Stephanus IV. 4
• 772 32 Adriauus I. 23
• 796 33 Leo III. 20
• 816 34 Stephanus V. m. 7
• 817 35 Paschalis 7
• 824 36 Eugenius II. 3
• 827 37 Valentinus d. 4
• 827 38 Gregorius IV. 16
• 843 39 Sergius II. 3
• 846 40 Leo IV. 8
• 854 41 Joannes VIII. vn'gò POPE JOANE 2
• 856 42 Benedictus III. 2
• 858 43 Nicolas 10
• 868 44 Adrianus II. 5
• 873 45 Joannes IX. 10
• 883 46 Martinus II. 1
• 884 47 Adrianus III. 1
• 885 48 Stephanus VI. 6
• 891 49 Formosus 4
• 895 50 Bonifacius VI. d. 15
• 896 51 Stephanus VII. 1
• 897 52 Romanus m. 4
• 897 53 Theodorus II. d. 10
• 897 54 Joannes X. 2
• 899 55 Benedictus IV. 2
• 903 56 Leo V. d. 40
• 903 57 Christophorus m. 7
• 903 58 Sergius III. 7
• 910 59 Anastasius. III. 2
• 912 60 Lando m. 6.
• 912 61 Joannes XI. 15
• 928 62 Leo VI. m. 6
• 929 63 Stephanets VIII. 2
• 931 64 Joannes XII. 5
• 936 65 Leo VII. 4
• 940 66 Stephanus IX. 3
• 943 67 Martinus III. 3
• 946 68 Agapeius II. 9
• 956 69 Joannes XIII. 8
• 964 70 Leo VIII. 1
• 965 71 Benedicta V. 1
• 966 72 Joannes XIV.
• 973 73 Benedictu. VI m ••
• 974 74 Domnus li. 1 m. 3
• 975 75 Bonifa••ius VII. 1
• 976 76 Benedictus VII. 8
• 984 77 Joannes XV. 1
• ...

• 985 78 Joannes XVI. 10
• 995 79 Joannes XVII. m. 4
• 996 80 Gregorius V. 3
• 999 81 Silvester II. dictus Necroma••ticus 4
• 1003 82 Joannes XVIII. m. 5
• 1003 83 Joannes XIX. 6
• 1009 84 Sergius IV. 3
• 1012 85 Benedictus VIII. 12
• 1024 86 Joannes XX. 8 m. 9
• 1033 87 Benedictus IX. 12
• 1045 88 Silvester III. m. 1
• 1045 89 Benodictus X. m. 1
• 1045 90 Gregorius VI. 1 m. 7
• 1047 91 Clemens II. m. 9
• 1047 92 Damasus II. d. 23
• 1049 93 Leo IX. 5
• 1055 94 Victor II. 2
• 1057 95 Stephanus X. 1. m. 6
• 1059 96 Nicolaus II. 2. m. 6
• 1062 97 Alexander II. 11
• 1073 98 Gregorius VII. dictus
• Hildebrandus 12
• 1088 99 Victor III. 1
• 1087 100 Urbanus II. 12
• 1099 101 Paschalis II. 18
• 1118 102 Gelasius II. 1
• 1119 103 Calistus II. 6
• 1125 104 Honorius II. 5
• 1130 105 Innocens II. 13
• 1143 106 Celestin II. m. 5
• 1144 107 Lucius II. m. 11
• 1145 108 Eugenius III. 8
• 1153 109 Anastasius IV. 1
• 1154 110 Adrian IV. 4
• 1159 111 Alexand. III. 22
• 1181 112 Lucius III. 4
• 1185 113 Urban III. 2
• 1187 114 Gregorius VIII. m. 2
• 1188 115 Clemens III. 3
• 1191 116 Celestine III. 6
• 1198 117 Innocent III. 17
• 1216 118 Honorius III. 10
• 1227 119 Gregorius IX. 14
• 1241 120 Celestin IV. d. 17
• 1243 121 Innocent IV. 11
• 1254 122 Alexander IV. 6
• 1261 123 Urbanus IV. 3
• 1265 124 Clemens IV. 3
• 1271 125 Gregorius X. 14
• 1275 126 Innocent V••m. 5
• 1276 127 Adrian V. d. 19
• 1276 128 Joannes XXI. d. 8
• 1277 129 Nicolaus III. 4
• 1281 130 Martinus IV. 4
• 1285 131 Honorius IV. 4
• 1288 132 Nicolaus IV. 4
• 1294 133 Celestin. V. m. 6
• 1295 134 Bonifacius VIII. 8
• 1303 135 Benedictus IX. m. 8
• 1305 136 Clemens V. 9
• 1316 137 Joannes XXII. 18
• 1334 138 Benedict. X. 7
• 1342 139 Clemens VI. 10
• 1352 140 Innocent VI. 10
• 1362 141 Urban V. 8
• 1371 142 Gregorius XI. 7
• 1378 143 Urban. VI. 11
• 1389 144 Boniface IX. 14
• 1404 145 Innocent VII. 2
• 1406 146 Gregorius XII. 2
• 1409 147 Alex. V. m. 10
• 1410 148 Joannes XIII. 5
• 1417 149 Martin V. 13
• 1431 150 Eugenius IV. 16
• 1447 151 Nicolaus V. 8
• 1455 152 Callistus III. 3
• 1458 153 Pius II. antè dictus Aeneas Silvius 6
• 1464 154 Paulus II. 7
• 1471 155 Sixtus IV. 12
• 1484 156 Innocent VIII. 7
• 1492 157 Alexander VI. 11
• 1053 158 Pius III. d. 26
• 1503 159 Julius II. 10
• 1513 160 Leo X. 9
• 1522 161 Adrian VI. 2
• 1524 162 Clemens VII. 10
• 1534 163 Paulus III. 15
• 1550 164 Julius III. 5
• 1555 165 Marcellus II. d. 22
• 1555 166 Paulus IV. 5
• 1560 167 Pius IV. 6
• 1567 168 Pius V. 5
• 1572 169 Gregorius XIII. 13
• 1585 170 Sixtus V. 5
• 1590 171 Urbán VII. d. 12
• 1590 172 Gregorius XIV. m. 9
• 1591 173 Innocent IX m. 1.
• 1592 174 Clement VIII. 13
• 1605 175 Leo XI. d. 26
• 1605 176 Paulus V. 16
• 1621 177 Greg. XV. 2
• 1623 178 Urban VIII. 21
• 1644 179 Innocent X. now

living. To these 179 Popes, adde the 65 Bishops which preceded that arrogant title of Univer∣sall, and they make up the full number of 244. How many are to come, he must be a cunning man that can determine: And yet such cunning men there have been, who have determined positively, but withall Prophetically of the number of Popes; by name S. Malachie, one of the first Apostles of the Irish Nation, very much honoured by that people to this very day. Of whom there is remaining in Massinghams collection of the Irish Saints, a certain number of Mottos, in the Latin tongue, agreeable to the nature or chief accidents of as many Popes successively to one another, according to the order of those severall Mottos; and thereunto this Prophecie an∣nexed, that when so many Popes had sate in S. Peters Chair, either the World should end, or th•• Popedom sail. The Book was shewed to me by the Author when I was at Paris, and the Popes names in order joyned to every Motto, as far as to the time of Urban, who last deceased; which I compared, as well as my memory would serve me, and found the Mottos and the Popes to be very answerable. The Motto for Pope Urban, which I took most notice of, was Lilium & Ro∣sa: a Motto very suitable to the principall Action which was like to happen in his time, being the conjunction of the English Rose, and the French Lilie, in the Mariage of Charles K. of England, and Madam Henrietta Maria the Princess of France, which that Pope earnestly promoted in his spee∣dy and cheerfull granting of the Dispensation. And to take from me all suspition of Imposture, this Massingham shewed me an old Book written by one Wion a Flemming, and printed near 200 years before his Collection; in which the Mottos stood as in his they did; and comparing the Mettos with a printed Catalogue of the Popes, I found the name of Urban, and that Motto to jump even together. From Urban downwards there remained (as I now remember) 36 Mottos more to come; by consequence if this Malachie were as true a Prophet as one Malachie was, just so many Popes, and then the Popedom to be ruined, or the World to end. But I hope God for his Elects sake will abridge those dayes, and not permit the superstitions and corruptions of that Church to endure so long; nor so many Assertors and Defenders of those Roman Hetrodoxiet to be added to the former number: Out of the storyes of all which (pretermitting many things of less consideration) I will only select some particular passages, for the better understanding of their state and story.

1 Pelagius the first, ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks should be punished with tempo∣rall death (which severity continueth still;) and that none should be preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignityes by Gifts and B••ibes, which pious order is long since antiquated.

2 Vital••aruts, first brought Organs into the divine service of the Church of Rome, to be used

with the singing or vocall Musick formerly in use; which afterwards was brought unto more perfection by the Popes succeeding.

3 Constantine, was so generally beloved of all men, that going to Constantinople, Justinian the second kist his feet in sign of honour; which some of the ambitious Popes in times succeeding drew into example, and at last brought into a custom, as it still continueth.

4 Pascal the first, caused the Priests of certain parishes in Rome, by reason of their nearness to his person, their presence at his Election, and to honour them with a more venerable Title, to be called Cardinals. Now mates for Kings, and numbred about 70, but more or fewer at the sole pleasure of the Popes.

5 Eugenius the second took to himself within the Territories of the Church, the Autority of creating Dukes, Earls, and Knights, as the Exarch of Ravenna had used to do.

6 Sergius the second, was the first that changed his name. For, thinking his own name Boc∣ca di Porco, or Swines-mouth, not consonant to his dignity, he caused himself to be called Sergius, which precedent his Successors following, do also vary their names. So that if one be a Cow∣ard, he is called Leo; if a Tyrant, Clemens; if an Atheist, Pius or Innocent; if a Rustick, Urbanus; and so of the rest.

7 John the eighth, is by most men confessed to be a woman, and is usually called Pope Joane. To avoyd the like disgrace, the Porphirie chair was ordained; Ubi ab ultimo diacono, &c. so that both in a literall and mysticall sense, this woman may be called, The Whore of Babylon. The name of this Female Pope, the Romish Chronologers have not inserted into the Catalogue; the reason, as Marianus Scotus giveth it, propter turpitudinem rei, & sexum muliebrem. And from hence it is, that in the common Catalogues these Popes that have called themselves Johns, are so ill ordered, some making that John which succeeded Adrian the second, An^o 872, to be the 8, and others the 9. Platina onely of all the Pontificians reckoneth Pope Joane as the 8 of the Johns, and so forward: in which particular I have followed his authority. And it is probable enough that God might suffer that proud See to fall into such an infamy, the better to humble the ensu∣ing Popes in the times of their greatest ruff and flourish; or to prevent the brag of that conti∣nued Succession, they so much pretend to. More of this Argument, (as to the truth of the story in matter of Fact) he that lists to see, may satisfie himself in M. Cookes Book of Pope Joane, who most industriously hath answered all objections which hath been made against it by those of Rome.

8 Nicolas the first, the better to fasten the Clergy to the See of Rome, and make them the less obnoxious to their naturall Princes; was the first who did by Law restrain them from mariage, saying, that it was the more honest to have to do with many women privately, than openly to keep a wife; and some of his Successors followed it so close, that a Priest of Placent: a being accused to have wife and children, was deprived of his Benefice; but upon proof made, that she was the wife of ano∣ther man, and his Strumpet only, he was again restored unto it.

9 Adrian the third ordained, that the Emperour from thenceforth should have no more to do with the Election or Confirmation of the Pope, but that it should be left wholly to the Ro∣man Clergy.

10 Formosus was so ill beloved, and of such a generall disesteem, that Pope Steven the seventh caused his body to be unbnried, all his Acts reversed, two of his fingers to be cut off, and then the mangled carkass to be again interred among the Luty. And though these Acts of Steven were adjudged illegal both by John the tenth, and Pope Romanus, two of his Successors, and the doings of Formosus justified, yet Sergius the third caused his corrupt and putrified body to be taken once more out of the grave, and his head to be cut off as if still alive. So little did the infallibility of St. Peters Chair preserve these Popes from falling into gross and irreconcilable contradictions.

11 John the 12^th, was the next after Sergius the second that changed his name, a very wicked, cruell, and libidinous man; who comming to that place by his Fathers greatness, cut off the Nose of one Cardinall, and the hand of another, for that they had signified to the Emperour O∣tho the first, what a scandall all the Church did suffer by his detestable life; and finally being ta∣ken in Adultery was slain by the husband of the woman.

12 Gregory the fifth, finding the power of the Emperour, as long as it continued in a way of succession, not likely to be over-born by that of the Church; and being withall incensed against the Romans, who till that time retained some shadow of an Empire; projected the election of the future Emperors by the Princes of Germany, by which the Germans were distracted into Factions, and the Romans weakned, and so a door left open to the Popes of Rome to make their ends upon them both.

13 Steven the tenth brought the Church of Millaine to be under the obedience of the Popes of Rome, which till that time had challenged an equality with them; as before Pope Dom nus had done the Church of Ravenna, which for some time had challenged the precedencie of them.

14 Gregorie the seventh, commonly called Hildebrand, a turbulent and unquiet man, who first adventured to draw the premises layd down by some of his Predecessors into a conclusion, Excommunicating the Emperour Henry the fourth, for medling with the Investitures of Bishops, and causing Rodulph Duke of Suevia to rebell against him. A man much favoured against the

〈◊〉〈◊〉 of her own House by the Countess Mathildis, who is sayd to be so much his friend, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sake she left the company of her husband, and disherited her right heirs, setling 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whole estates in Italie on the See of Rome. And though the Emperour had the better of this Pope, and made him fly out of Rome, and dye in exile, yet he was fain at last to submit himself to Pope Pascal the second, (who had armed his own sonne against him) to attend bare-foot at his door, and cry peccavi.

15 Sergius the third ordained the bearing of Candles in the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, thence called Candlemass day.

16 Sergius the fourth was the first that on Christmass night with divers Ceremonies did con∣secrate Swords, Roses, or the like, to be sent as tokens of love and honour to such Princes as deserved best of them, or whom they desired to oblige. Thus Leo the tenth sent a consecrated Rose to Frederick Duke of Saxonie, requesting him to banish Luther: and Paul the third an hallowed Sword to James the fift of Scotland, to engage him in a war against Henry the 8. who had then withdrawn himself and his Kingdom from the Popes commands.

17 Nicolas the second took from the Roman Clergy the election of Popes, and gave it to the College of Cardinals.

18 Celestine the second, was the Inventer of that mad manner of cursing, or Anathematizing by Bell, Book, and Candle.

19 Alexander the third, pursuing the desperate course of Gregory the seventh, Excommunica∣ted the Emperor Frederick the first; and by raising war against him in every place, brought him to that exigent, that he was fain to prostrate himself at his feet: when the Pope treading on his neck, said aloud, super Aspidem & Basiliscum, &c. prophanely applying those words to the present occasion. And when the Emperour to put the better colour on his disgrace, meekly re∣plyed, Nontibi sed Petro; the Pope not willing to lose his part of so great a glory, subjoyned as angerly, Et mihi & Petro.

20 Innocent the third held a Councell in Rome, in which it was decreed that the Pope should have the correction of all Christian Princes; and that no Emperor should be acknowledged till he had sworn obedience to him. Which bringeth into my mind that jolly humour of the great Cham of Tartary, who when he hath dined, commands his Trumpeters to sound, and make Pro∣clamation, that now all other Kings and Princes may sit down to dinner. He brought in the Doctrin of Transubstantiation, and ordained that there should be a Pix made to cover the conse∣crated (but now transubstantiated) Bread, and a Bell to be rung before it. He is also said to have first imposed Auricular Confession upon the people.

21 Nicolas the third was the first Pope who practised to enrich his kindred, intending to make one of them King of Lombardy, another King of Tuscany, and to raise the rest to great Advancements out of the Lands of the Church. Before which time (as Machiavil very well observeth) as there was no mention of the advancement of any of the Popes kinsfolks or poste∣rity; so afterwards they studied no one thing more than to prefer their own blood; insomuch that they have not only laboured to make them Princes, but if it were possible would procure the Popedom to be made hereditary. So he, with probabilitie enough: For so dearly do they love their Nephews (by which name they use to call their Bastards) that it was very justly said by Pope Alexander the third, The Laws forbid us to get Children, and the Devill hath grven us Ne∣phews in their stead.

22 Boniface the eighth, of whom it is sayd, that he entered like a Fox, reigned like a Lion, and dyed like a Dog, by his generall Bull exempted the Clergy from being chargeable with Ta••es and payments unto Temporall Princes. Which being complyed with by the Clergy of England, King Edward the first put them out of his protection; and so the Popes Bull left roaring here. He caused the Book of the Canon Law called the Decretals to be first set out; and instituted the Feast of Jubilee to be held in Rome every hundredth year; but by Clement the sixt it was brought unto the fiftieth year, and since reduced to the five and twentieth. This is that Boniface, who in that great concourse of people which repaired to Rome to observe his new Feast of Jubilee (to which every one that did repair was to have a plenary remission of all his sins) shewed him∣self one day in the habit of a Pope, and the next day in that of an Emperour; and caused two Swords to be born before him every day, in sign that all power Ecclesiasticall and Temporall did belong unto him.

23 Clement the fift was the first that made Indulgences and Pardons saleable. For seeing (said he) that one drop of our Saviours blood had been enough to have saved all Mankind, and yet that all his blood was shed, the over-plus was left to the Church as a standing Treasure, to be dispo∣sed of by S. Peter and his Successors. And hereunto, to make his Treasure the more inexhau∣sted, he added the Merits of the Virgin Mary, and all other Saints. Being wearied with the in∣solencie•• of the people of Rome, he removed the Papall See to Avignon in France, where it con∣tinued for the space of 70 years.

24 Clemens the sixt had an ill time of it: For in his Papacie the Emperour gave freely all Lands b••••••ng to the Church to such as formerly had usurped them, to be holden by them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Empire. Upon which title the Maltesti became Lords of Rimini, the Ordelaffi of For••, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Camerine, the Bentivolies of Bononia, the Manfredi of Faenza, &c. Which Estates 〈◊〉〈◊〉 recoered to the Church till the time of Pope Julio the second; though conquered

from the present owners in the time of Alexander the sixth, by Caesar Borgias his sonne, who had an aim of setling them, and perhaps the Papacy it self, on the Borgian Family.

25 Gregory the eleventh returned the Papall Chair again to the City of Rome, whither he conveighed himself by Sea, in private, for fear of being withheld by the French; and being come thither found the chief parts of the City so over-grown with briers and bushes, and the principall buildings of it so decayed and ruinous, that a little longer absence would have made it desolate.

26 Paul the second endeavoure to encrease the Majesty of the Popedom by Arms and A∣varice, and exceeded all his Predecessours in pomp and shew, causing his Miter to be enriched with Diamonds, Saphyrs, Emeralds, and other stones of great price; and augmencing the splen∣dour of the Cardinals with a scarlet Gown, whom Innocent the 4. had graced with red Hats be∣fore. He brought the Jubilee from 50 to 25.

27 Sixtus the fourth ordained a constant guard to attend his person. He very much beauti∣fied and repaired the City of Rome, and was the first founder of the Vatican Library. But on the other side, he is sayd by some, to have set all offices and preferments to sale, and to have buil∣ded in Rome Stewes of both sexes, and to bring in Beads, and to authorize our Ladies Psalter.

28 Alexander the sixt, setting aside all modesty, was the first that openly acknowledged his Nephews (as they call their Bastards) to be his sonnes. By one of which, the Caesar Borgias be∣fore named, he recovered Forli, Imola, and many other estates from the present owners, on a design of setling them in his own family, as before is sayd; and to that end called in the French, who after made such fowl work in Italie.

29 Julio the second had more in him of the Souldier than the Prelate, recovering many Towns unto the Church which had been formerly usurped, being taken from the Occupants by Caesar Borgias; and keeping Italie in his time in continuall wars. This is the Pope, who passing over the bridge of Tiber, brandished his Sword, and threw his Keyes into the River, saying, that if Peters Keyes would not serve his turn, then Pauls Sword should do it.

30 Leo the tenth was indeed a great Favourer of Learning, but of great prodigalitie and vast expence. For maintainance whereof he sent his saleable Indulgences into France, and Germany; which business being indiscreetly handled by his Ministers, occasioned Luther in Ger∣many, and Zuinglius amongst the Switzers, first to write against them, and afterwards to que∣stion many points of Popish Doctrin. In pursuance of which quarrell, the Pope of Rome burnt Luthers Books, whom he declared for an Heretick; and Luther did the like at Wittenberg with the Popes Canon Law, whom he declared to be a Persecutor, a Tyrant, and the very Antichrist. Which flame increased so fast, and inlarged so far, that it burnt down a great part of the Papall Monarchy.

31 Pius the fourth continued the Councill formery called at Trent by Pope Paul the third, but interrupted and layd aside from on Pope to another, and having brought it to an end, and there∣by setled and confirmed the Interess of the Church of Rome, caused it to be received as Oecu∣menicall, though the Italian Bishops being most of them the Popes creatures, did more than double the number of all the rest, and yet some of the rest also were but meerly Titulars. He ad∣ded also a new Creed consisting of twelve Articles to be added to that of the Apostles, by all who lived in the Communion of the Church of Rome. But of the words and actions of these Ghostly Fathers we have said enough, if not too much. I will therefore end with that of the Pain∣ter, who being blamed by a Cardinall, for giving to S. Peters picture too much of the red, re∣plyed, that he had made him so, as blushing at the lives of those who were called his Successours.

As for the Temporall power and greatness of the Popes of Rome, there is a pretended Dona∣tion of the Emperor Constantine, by which the City of Rome it self, most part of Italie, and A∣frick, and all the Ilands of those Seas are conferred upon them; the forgery whereof is very learnedly shewn by our learned Cracanthorp in his discourse upon that subject. But that Donation might most justly be suspected of Fraud and Forgery, though no body had took the pains to de∣tect the same; considering how fearfull the Popes are grown to have the truth thereof disputed; insomuch that many leaves are razed out of Guicciardine by the Inquisition, where it had been questioned. For in that place the Historian not only denieth the sayd feigned Donation, but af∣firmes, that divers learned men reported, that Constantine and Silvester (to whom it is sayd to have been made) lived in divers Ages. Then sheweth, how base and obscure the Authority of the Pope was in Rome it self, during the time that the barbarous Nations made havock of Ita∣lie. 2 That in the institution of the Exarchate, the Popes had nothing to do with the Temporall Sword, but lived as subject to the Emperors. 3 They were not very much obeyed in matters Spirituall, by reason of the corruption of their manners. 4 That after the overthrow of the Exarchate, the Emperors now neglecting Italie, the Romans began to be governed by the ad∣vice and power of the Popes. 5 That Popin of France, and his sonne Charles, having overthrown the Kingdom of the Lombards, gave unto the Popes, the Exarchate, Urbine, Ancona, Spoteto, and many other Towns and Territories about Rome. 6 That the Popes in all their Buls and Char∣ters, expressed the date of them in these formall words; Such a one, the Lord our Emperour reign∣ing. 7 That long after the translation of the Empire from France to Germany, the Popes began to make open protestation, that the Pontificiall dignity was rather to give Laws to the Emperors,

than receive any from them. 8. That being thus raised to an earthly power, they forgot the salvation of souls, sanctity of life, and the Commandments of God, propagation of Religi∣on, and Charity towards men: And that to raise arms, to make war against Christians, to in∣vent new devices for getting of money, to prophane sacred things for their own ends, and to inrich their kindred and children, was their only study. And this is the substance of Guicciar∣dine in that place: an Author above all exception. He was a man whom the Popes imployed in many businesses of principall importance; so that no hate to them, but love to the truth, made him write thus much. As for the City of Rome, so unlikely is it to have been given by Constantine, that neither Pepin nor Charles his sonne (though more beholding to the Popes than that Emperor was) could be induced to part with it. Lewis surnamed Pius, is said to have been the first Donor of it, and a Copy of his Donation is found in the third Book of Volaterran, sub∣scribed by the Emperor, his three sonnes, ten Bishops, eight Abbots, fifteen Earls, and the Popes Library-Keeper; yet notwithstanding, it is thought by many very learned and judicious men, that really there was no such matter; but that all this was forged by Anastasius the Popes Bibliothecarian, or Library-Keeper, who is cited as a witness to the Donation. And yet to put the matter further out of question, let us next hear what that great Politician and States-man, the Recorder of Florence, Nic. Machiavel hath observed in this case.

Rome (saith he) was al∣ways subject to the Lords of Italie, till Theodorick King of the Gothes removed his Seat to Ravenna; for thereby the Romans were inforced to submit themselves to the Bishops, An. 430. or thereabouts. And talking of the estate of the Popedom, An. 931. he states it thus. In Rome were elected yeerly out of the Nobility two Consuls, who according to the antient Custom ruled that Citie. Under them was appointed a Judge to minister justice to the people. There was also a Counsell of twelve men, which gave Governors unto the Towns subject to Rome. And for the Pope, he had in Rome more or less Authority, according to the favour which he found with the Emperors, or others then most mighty; but the leaving of Italie by the Ger∣man Emperors, setled the Pope in a more absolute Soveraignty over the City. And yet it seems they were not of such absolute power, but that the Romans tugged hard with them for their Liberties. Concerning which he tells us in another place, That the ambition of the peo∣ple of Rome did at that time (viz. An. 1010.) make much war with the Popes, and that having helped the Pope to drive out the Emperor, and altered the Government of the City as to them seemed good, suddenly they became Enemies to him, and the Popes received more injuries at their hands than at any other Christian Princes; and that even in those days when the Censures of the Popes made all the West of the wold to tremble, yet even then did the people of Rome rebell, and both the Popes and the People studied for nothing so much, as how one of them might overthrow the Authority and Estimation of the other.

But for the method and degrees by which the Popes ascended to their temporall greatness, take here an extract of the Story collected out of the best Authors, by the most reverend Father in God the late Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in his learned and laborious work against Fisher the Jesuit.

The Pope (saith he) being chosen antiently by the Clergie and people of Rome, used always to receive from the Emperors hands a ratification of that choyce: inso∣much that about the yeer 579. when all Italie was on fire with the Lombards, and Pelagius the second constrained through the necessity of the times, to enter upon the Popedom without 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Emperors leave; S. Gregorie then a Deacon, was shortly after sent in an Embassie to ex∣cuse it. But when the Lombards grew so great in Italic, and the Empire was so infested with the Saracens, and such changes happened in all parts of the world, as that neither for the pre∣sent the Homage of the Pope was usefull to the Emperor, nor the Protection of the Emperor a∣vailable for the Pope: by this means was the Bishop of Rome left to play his own game by himself. A thing which as it pleased him well enough, so both he and his Successors made great advantage by it. For being grown to that eminence by the favour of the Emperors, and the greatness of that City and place of his abode; he then found himself the more free, the greater the Tempest was that beat upon the other. And then first he set himself to alie∣nate the hearts of the Italians from the Emperor; in which he did prevail so far, that Theo∣phylact the Exarch coming into Italie, was opposed by the Souldiers, who wished better to the Pope than to the Emperor; and the Emperors own Governor was fain to be defended from his own Souldiers by the power of the Pope, who had gotten interest in them against their own Master. Next he opposed himself against him; and about the yeer 710. Pope Constantine the first did openly affrone Philippicus the Emperor, in defence of Images, as Onu∣phrius telleth us. After him Gregory the 2^d. and 3^d. took up his example, and did the like by Leo Isaurus. By this time the Lombards began to pinch very close, and to vex on all sides not only Italie, but Rome too. This drives the Pope to seek a new Patron, and very fitly he meets with Charles Martel in France, that famous Warrier against the Saracens. Him he im∣ployeth in defence of the Church against the Lombards, and the Address seems very advisedly taken, it proved so fortunate to them both. For in short time it dissolved the Kingdom of the Lombards, having then stood two hundred and four yeers, which was the Popes security: and it brought the Crown of France into the House of Charles, and shortly after the Western Em∣pire. And now began the Popes to be great indeed. For by the bounty of Pepyn, the sonne of Charles, that which was taken by him from the Lombards, was given to the Pope; that is to

say, the Exarchate, and all that lay betwixt the Apennine and the River of Po. So that now he became a Temporall Prince. But when Charles the great had set up the Western Empire, then he resumed the Antient and Originall power, to govern the Church, to call Councills, and to order Papall Elections. And this power continued for a time in his posterity; for Gre∣gory the seventh was confirmed in the Popedom by the sanre Henry the fourth, whom he after∣wards deposed. And it might have continued longer, if the succeeding Emperors had had Abilities enough to secure, or vindicate their own Rights. But the Pope keeping a strong Counsell about him, and meeting with some weak Princes, and those oft-times distracted with great and dangerous wars, grew stronger til he got the better; yet was it carried in succee∣ding times with great changes of fortune, and different success; the Emperor sometimes plucking from the Pope, and the Pope from the Emperor; winning and losing ground, as their spirits, abilities, aids and opportunities were; till at last the Pope setled himself on the grounds laid by Gregory the seventh, in that great power which he now useth in and over these parts of the Christian World. A power first exercised (saith he in another place) by this Pope Gregorie the seventh, and made too good upon the Emperor Henry the fourth, as by Pope Adrian the fourth, Alexander the third, with some others, upon Frederick Barbarossa. And o∣thers of the Emperors were alike served when they did not submit.

And for this I hope his Holiness was not to be blamed. For if the Emperor kept the Pope under for divers yeers to∣gether; against all reason, the Popes as Bellarmine affirms, being never subject to the Emperor, and wanting force to stand on his own Prerogative: I hope the Pope having now got power enough, may keep the Emperors under-foot, and not suffer them any more to start before him.

Having thus a little glanced at the means, by which the great power of the Church of Rome was first obtained, let us next consider of those Policies by which this Papall Monarchy hath been so long upheld in esteem and credit. We may divide them into three heads. 1. Those by which they have insinuated and screwed themselves into the affections and affairs of the grea∣test Princes. 2. Those by which already they have, and by which they will hereafter be able to secure their estate. And 3^ly. those by which they keep the people in obedeence and ignorance.

1. Concerning the first. First the Donation of severall Kingdoms to them which have no right nor title, but by these Grants of the Pope, cannot but bind them fast to uphold that power, without which they could lay no clame to that which they are possessed of. Of which sort was the Confirmation of the Kingdom of France to the House of Pepin; of Naples to the House of Schwaben, and Anjou; of Navarre to the Spaniards. 2. The readiness of their Mi∣nisters to kill such as resist them, cannot but necessitate Princes to seek their friendship, and hold fair with them: especially since by a Writ of Excommunication they can arm the Subjects against their Soveraign; and without the charge of leavying one souldier either destroy him utterly, or bring him to conformity. The frequent wars raised by them against the Emperors of Germany, and that against King John in England, by these Papall fulminations onely; the poi∣soning of the said King John by a Monk of Swinestead; and of King Henry the third of France by Jaques Clement, are full proofs of this. 3. Then followeth their allowance of Mariages pro∣hibited both by God and Nature; the issue of which cannot but uphold the Popes Authority, without which their birth would be illegitimate, and consequently themselves uncapable of the estates they are born unto: And by this means they do more strengthen themselves by the unlawfull Mariages of others, than ever Prince could do by the lawfull Mariage of his own. Nothing more fastened Queen Mary of England to the See of Rome, than the question that was raised about the Mariage of her Mother to King Henry the eight; the lawfulness of which depended chiefly on the dispensation of Pope Julio the second. 4. Then cometh in their dis∣pensing with the Oaths of Princes, when they conceive themselves induced upon reason of State, to flie off from those Leagues, and break off those Treaties, which have been solemnly made and sworn betwix them and their Neighbours. By means whereof, such Princes think themselves not perjured, because dispensed with by the Pope; and commonly get something in advantage, or point of profit, for which they cannot be unthankfull unto the Papacy. Exam∣ples of this kind are obvious in all times and stories. 5. Next comes the chosing of the youn∣ger sonnes of great Princes into the rank of Cardinalls, which obligeth the whole Stock on Fa∣milie to the Papall Throne: that being a means whereby young Princes are preferred without charge to their Fathers, or any diminution of the Regall Patrimony. 6. And as by these courses he holds in with all Christian Princes generally, which are of the Religion of the Church of Rome: so hath he fastned more particularly on the King of Spain; whereof we shall speak fur∣ther when we come to that Countrey.

2. Concerning the second. So it is that their Estate hath the firmest foundation of any, as being built on the consciences of men possessed with an opinion of their Infallibility, and that undoubted power they pretend unto, not only in Heaven and upon Earth, but also over Hell and Purgatory. 2. Then comes the innumerable Preferments at their disposing, for men of all humours, and affections: as having in their power the disposing of almost all the Benefices and Bishopricks in Italie, half of those in Spain, divers in Germany and France, which keepeth the Clergy, and all such as are that way studied, in a perpetuall dependance upon that See; espe∣cially

injoying by it many notable Privileges, which those of the Temporalty are not capable of. 3. Consider next the multitude of Monks and Friers, whose very being depends wholly upon his Authority; every Monastery and Convent being a Garrison (as it were) to defend the Papacy, and train up a Militia of Spirituall Janisaries; men most affectionately devoted to his See and Service. Of these it is conceived that there are no fewer than a Million, one half whereof at least may be fit for action; and all maintained at other mens cost, themselves not disbursing a penny towards it. 4. Their Pardons and Indulgences are a great increase to their Revenue: some of them as unlimited as that of Pope Boniface the eighth, which was for 82000. yeers to all that could say such a Prayer of S. Augustines; and that for every day, Toties, quoties. 5. Their practising on Penitents, whom they perswade in the very agony of their souls, that there is no salvation for them but by giving part of their estates unto the Church. 6. Nor have they found any small advantage to their Power and Patrimony, by the invention of Spirituall Fra∣ternities, which are Appurtenances (as it were) to the Orders of Friers, and may in number perhaps equall them. Into these the Lay-people of all sorts, men and women, maried and single, desire to be inrolled, as hereby injoying the spirituall prerogatives of Indulgences, and a more speedy dispatch out of Purgatory.

3. Concerning the third. 1. They deter the people from reading the Scripture, alleging un∣to them the perills they may incur by mis-interpretation. 2. They breed an Antipathy between the Papists and the Protestants: insomuch that a Papist may not say Amen unto a Protestants Deo Gratias. 3. They debar them from all sound of the Religion, in prohibiting the Books of the Reformed Writers; and hiding their own Treatises, in which the Tenent of the Protestants is recited, only to be confuted; insomuch that in all Italie you shall seldom meet with Bellar∣mines works, or any of the like nature to be sold. 4. They have under pain of Excommunica∣tion, prohibited the Italians from Travell and Traffick with Hereticall Countreys, or such pla∣ces, where those contagious sounds and sights (as they term them) might make them return in∣fected. 5. The Severity, or Tyranny rather, of the Inquisition, (of which we shall speak more at large when we come to Spain) crusheth not onely the beginnings, but the smallest suspitions of being this way addicted. And 6^ly. The people thus restrained from Travell, are taught to believe that the Pritestants are Blasphemers of God and all his Saints; that in Englard Churches are turned to Stables; the people are grown barbarous, and eat young children; that Geneva is a professed Sanctuary of Roguery, and the like. We have yet two later examples of their dea∣ling in this kind. First, the gross slander of the Apostacy (or as they call it, the Reconcilia∣tion) unto their Church, of the Right Reverend Father in God D^r. King, not long since the Lord Bishop of London, a Prelate of too known a faith and zeal, to give occasion for such a calumny. The second, a book by them published, and commonly sold in Italie and France, con∣taining a relation of Gods Judgements, shown on a sort of Protestant Hereticks, by the fall of an house in S^t. Andrews Parish in London, in which they were assembled to hear a Geneva Lecture, Octob. 26. A. D. 1623. By which dealing the simple people are made to believe that to be a judg∣ment on us of the Protestant party, which the Authors of that Pamphlet well know to be a ca∣lumnie in regard of us; and a sad chance (I will not say a judgment) which befell their own, by a fall of a Chamber in Black-Friers, where they were met to hear the Sermon of one Druris, a Popish Priest, and that too on the fift of November in their own accompt, being the 26. of Octo∣ber before mentioned.

The Popedom being thus cunningly and strongly founded, it cannot be, if the Popes had been chosen young, or of the same Family, (so that the Successor had not often crossed the de∣signs of his Predecessor) but that this new Monarchie had been greater and better established, than ever the old Roman Empire was in her greatest glory. And to say truth, I have oft wondred with my self that some of the more active Popes, especially such as were chosen young, and had the happiness to descend of noble Families, did never seek the setling of this Estate in their own Posterity; especially considering the good Precedents which they had before them, both in sacred and in civill stories. The high Priesthood in the Church of Jewry went from Father to Sonne, and why should any man think it inconvenient to follow the example of Almighty God in making the high Priesthood in the Church of Christ to be also herediiary, not elective? The Saracens, who were as great Masters for wit and policy, as any those Ages did produce, pursued that precedent, governed by Hereditary Caliphs many yeers together, untill the Sultans their Vicegerents (ambitiously affecting the Supreme Command) rooted out their races. And if the same Obligation lie on the Masters of Religions or mixt Orders, for preserving the Rules and Statutes of their foundations, as is upon the Pope by the fundamentall Ordinances of the Con∣clave, as it seems to do, why might not the Popes as well dispence with those Constitutions, and turn the Popedom into an Hereditary Estate, as Albert of Brandenbourg, and Gotardus of Denmark, Masters of the Dutch Knights in Prussia and Livonia, in their times have done? Nor can I see, but that such an alteration as I speak of, might be altogether as contenting to the Princes of Christendom, as the like change from an unsetled popular Government to an hereditary Monar∣chy, was formerly unto the Provinces and People of the State of Rome. Of which it is affirm∣ed by that notable Historian and States-man Tacitus, Ne{que} Provinciae illum rerum statum abnue∣bant, suspecto Senatus Populique imperio ob certamina potentium, & avaritiam Magistratuum; in∣valido Legum auxilio, quae vi, ambitu, postremo pecunia turbabantur. The Provinces (saith he) dis∣liked

not the alteration, to whom the Government of the Senate and People had been long di∣stasted, by reason of the factions of the great ones, and covetousness of their Officers: the Laws affording no security at all, as being swayd up and down by force, ambition and corrup∣tion. The Popedom setled in one house, would prove more constant in the preservation of all Leagues and Treaties; more carefull to preserve the interest of their Estate, more usefull to the Confederates and Allies thereof upon all occasions, than it is at present: where the Popes so often change their sides, and shift their factions; the Successor many times esteeming it his greatest glory to rescind all the acts of his Predecessor. And possible enough it is, that Caesar Borgia, the sonne of Alexander the sixt, might have some such ends, when it was convenanted betwixt him and Lewis the twelfth of France, that being declared Generall of the Churches Forces, and giving his helping-hand to that King in the Conquest of Millain, he should be aided by him in recovering all the Lands of the Church, which the Dukes of Urbine and Ca∣merine, the Families of the Malatesti, Baillons, and Bentivogli, with divers others of less note, did possess in Italie. Which having got into his hands, had not his Fathers sudden death, and his own dangerous sicness hapning at the same time, cut off his design, it had been a matter of no great difficulty (if of any at all) to have made himself absolute Master of Rome, and of all the Lands of the Church, and to have left the same established in the Borgian Familie. 'Tis true, that such an alteration would be very distastfull to the ambition of the Cardinals, who by the deaths (naturall or violent, it matters not) of the present Pope, aspire by all means both of love and money to that high dignity. But for my part, I cannot see how all the wit in the Conclave had been able to hinder it, if Alexander, on a purpose to poyson some of that number whom he had invited to a Supper, by a meer mistake of his Cup-bearer, had not poysoned him∣self, (even in the very heat of the business then almost effected) and so made frustrate the device.

But passing by this imagination of an Hereditary Popedom, let us behold it as Elective, and look upon the form and order observed in it. Now the Election of the Pope is made most commonly in this place and manner. In the Popes Palace on the hill Vatican, are among other buildings, sive Halls, two Chappells, and a Gallery seventy foot long. The Gallery is appoin∣ted for conference, one Chappell for the Mass, and for the Election; the other with the Halls, are for the Cardinals lodgings. Every Hall hath two rows of Chambers, which are purposely for the time, made of green or violet cloth. To each Cardinall is allowed four servants, to lie in his chamber. They that are once within, are compelled, unless they be sick, still to con∣tinue there; and such as are once out, are no more permitted to go in: lest by that means, the Cardinals should maintain intelligence with any forrain Princes. To this Conclave (for by this name the place of the Election is called) is but one door, to which belongeth four locks, and as many keys. One key is in the keeping of the Cardinalls; one, of the City-Bishops; one, of the Roman Nobility; and one, of the Master of the Ceremonies: There is in this door a Wicket or Hatch, which is opened only at dinners and suppers, whereof the Master of the Ceremonies keepeth a key. At this hole the Cardinals servants receive their meat; every dish being first diligently searched, lest any Letters should be conveyed in them. As for the lodg∣ings, they have neither holes nor windows to give light; so that there they make day of wax∣candles: And lest the Pope should be made by force, both the City and Conclave are strongly guarded. When the Cardinals are going to Election, the privileges of the Cardinals are reci∣ted, which every one sweareth to observe, in case he be chosen Pope. Then the Master of the Ceremonies ringing a Bell, calleth them all to Mass: which ended, there is brought to every Car∣dinal a Chair, and theren a Scroll of all the Cardinals names. Before the Alter is set a Table, covered with a purple cloth, whereupon is set a Chalice, and a Silver Bell, and about it six stools, on which sit two Cardinal-Bishops, two Cardinal-Priests, and two Cardinal-Deacons. Every Cardinal writeth his voyce in a piece of paper, goeth to the Altar, prayeth God to guide him in the Election, putteth his voyce into the Chalice, and departeth to his seat. The first Bishop taketh out all the papers, and delivereth them to the first Deacon; who unfol∣deth each of them, readeth (without mentioning the name of the Elector) the name of the ele∣lected: and every Cardinal in his particular Scroll, noteth how many voyces every one hath. The accompt being made, the First Priest having the like Scroll, pronounceth who hath most voyces: which done, the Priest ringeth a Silver Bell; at which call the Master of the Ceremo∣nies bringeth in a pan of coles, and burneth all the little papers, wherein the names of the ele∣cted were written. He that hath the most voyces (so that his voyces exceed the proportion of two parts of three) is acknowledged Pope, and adored by the rest of the Cardinals: but if they exceed not this number, they must begin all anew. If any space of thirty days the Ele∣ction be not fully ended, then must the Cardinals be kept from fire, light, and victualls, till they are fully agreed. The wicket which we before mentioned, is called the Golden Gate; at which stand an infinite number of poor people; on whom the new Pope, having opened that gate, be∣stoweth his Fatherly benediction; and remitteth to them all their sins. Then striketh he con∣tinually on the same door with a golden Mallet; which whilst he is doing, workmen without break it open. The chips, stones, dust, and dirt which falleth from the Gate, while it is open∣ing, are gathered and preserved as choicest Reliques; and the Golden Mallet is usually given to that Cardinal who is in most grace with the new Pope.

This is the ordinary way of the Popes Election; but subject to much Faction and Division a∣mongst the Cardinals, and that in times of less deceit than, the present are. Insomuch as after the death of Pope Clement the fourth, the differences amongst them held for two years and more. Which gave occasion to one of them to say in scorn, that they must uncover the roof of the house, to make way for the Holy Ghost to come upon them. And there is now much more cor∣ruption and abuse in it than ever formerly; as buying of Voyces, setting up some for stales, and tearing scrutinies; every Cardinal desiring to have a Pope of his own, or his Princes Fa∣ction. So that we find it written of an old Sicilian Cardinal, who after long absence came to the Election of a Pope, where he expected that incessant prayers, as in times of old, should have procured some fit man to be pointed out to them for the Vicar of Christ; that finding nothing but canvassing, promising rewards, aud threatning for Voices in the choice; ad hunc modum (saith he) fiunt Pontifices Romanis, and so returned into his Countrey, and saw Rome no more▪

The ordinary Temporall Revenue of the Papacy arising out of Land-rents, Imposts uopn Commodities, and sale of Offices, Boterus maketh to be better than two Milliont of Crowns; but the extraordinary and Spirituall to be far beyond. For it is said of Pius Quintus, who sate Po••e six years only, that he got from the Spanish Clergy 14 Millions. And though he was a very great builder, which spent him a great deal of money, yet he so managed his Estate, that he layd up four millions of Crowns in the Castle of S. Angelo Sixtus the fifth took from the Jesuits at one clap 20000 Crowns of yearly rent (because they were too rich for men professing poverty) and having sat but five years, had costered up five Millions of Gold; four of which his successor Gregory the fourteenth spent in less than a year. Out of France they receive no less than a Million of Crowns yearly. Out of England when it was the Popes Puteus inexhaustus, they and their followers extracted no less than 60000 Marks per an. which amounteth to 120000 pounds of our present money; and was more than the Kings standing Revenue did attain unto; Yet was this in the time of K. Henry 3. before their avarice and rapine was at the height. And of late daies, no longer since than the reign of K. Henry the 8. besides their Peter-pence, which was an Annual rent upon every chimny in the Realm, first granted to the Pope by Offa King of the Mer∣••••ans, An^o 730, or thereabouts, and afterwards confirmed by Ethelwolf the second Monarch of England; besides their first Fruits, Tenths, and all other exactions; it was made evident that in some few years then last past, the Popes had received out of England no less than 160000 ^l sterling, for the Confirmation of Episcopall Elections only. By which we may conjecture what vast sums they drew hence on all other occasions. Let other Countries subject to the Popes authority be ac∣cordingly rated, and the totall will amount to a sum incredible. Next adde to this the sums of money they receive from particular persons, for pardons, for dispensations with unlawfull Mariages, the profits arising from Pilgrimages, from the death and funerals of great persons, from the Indulgencies granted to Abbies and Convents, in all which the Popes have a share; and it would puzzel a good Arithmetician to state his Intrad••. So truly was it sayd by Pope Sixtus the fourth, that a Pope could never want money as long as he was able to hold a pen in his hand. Yet notwithstanding, their Treasurie for the most part is but low or empty. For 1. the State they keep, because of that great honour which they have above other Princes, which is to be maintained at a great expence (for the more worship the more cost, as the saying is) is very charge∣able unto them; their ordinary Guards standing them in no less than 30000 Crowns per annum. 2. the large allowances which they are fain to give unto their Legates, Nuncios, and other Ministers, keep their coffers low; the entertainment of their Ordinary Nuncios in the Courts of Christian Princes, amounting to no less than 1200 Crowns a moneth to each. And 3. their greedy desire to enrich their Sonnes or Kinsmen with the treasures of the Church (with which humour Pope Sixtus the fift, being of poor and obscure birth, was never touched) keeps them alwaies bare. Adde unto these the excessive gorgeousness of the Papall vestmen•••• (in which vanitie every one seeketh to excell the other) especially that of their Triple Crown; which must needs put them to great charge, and continuall issues of their treasure. And for an evidence of this last, we find that Clement the fift, who first transferred his See to Avignon, to shew his gallantry to the Fr••uch (probably unacquainted with the like fine sights) had his Crown thick set with Carbuncles and precious stones, one of which being lost by a fall from his horse, was valued at 6000 Ducats.

As for the Forces of the Church, the Pope is able to impres•• as great a number of Land-soul∣diers out of his estate, as any Prince or Common-wealth within the limits of Italie. Paul the 3. sent to the aid of Charles the fifth in the Wars of Germany twelve thousand Foot, and sive hundred horse, and yet raised his own Family to the Dukedom of Parma. Pius the fift sent to the aid of Charles the ninth against the Hugonots 4000 Foot, and 1000 Horse; which Forces they maintained at their own charges. And when Pope Clement undertook the War of Ferrara, he raised out of his estate 20000 Foot, and 2000 Horse in less than a moneth, which was more than most Princes in Europe could possibly have done. And for the valour of his Soul∣diers, and ability of his Commanders, they retain so much (as before was said) of their An∣cesters vertues, that there are thought to be many Familes in the estate of the Church, able to furnish all the Commonwealths and Princes of Christendom with sufficient Captains. What, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how litle he is able to do by Sea, may be best seen out of the aid which he sent to the Ve∣netians

at the famous Battell of Lepanto; wherein he furnished them with no more than twelve Gallies; and those too hired of the Duke of Florence: The Venetians in the Adriatick, and the Florentines in the Tuscan Seas, having all the Trade, and consequently all the power in the seas of Italie. 'Tis true the Pope was bound by the capitulation to bear the fift part of the charge of the war, and with the help of the rest of the Princes of Italie (who were to march under his colours) to set forth 50000 Foot, and 4500 Horse; which is as great an Argument of his riches and power by land, as the other is of his weakness at sea.

Having a purpose in the prosecution of this Work to mention such particular Orders of Knighthood, as most Countries have given beginning to, I will here set down the Orders of such Popish Spirituall Knights or Friers, which his holy benediction hath erected, and ••at allow∣ance doth maintain. And for our better proceeding, we will begin with the originall of a Monasticall life; and then we will make speciall mention of some of the Romish Votaries of both sexes. Know then that under the seventh Persecution raised against the Church by Decius, one Paulus, born at Thebes in Egypt, retired to a private cave under the foot of a Rock, An^o 260. Here he is sayd to have lived one hundred years, and to have been seen of no man but one Antho∣ny, who was at his death. This Anthony was the first that followed the example of Paulus; a man of a noble house, and one that sold all his estate, that he might the more privately injoy himself. He lived an hundred and fifty years, and is called the Father of the Monks. To these beginnings, doth Polydore Virgil refer the originall of the Monks, and religious orders; the name Monk▪ comming from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because of their lonely and solitary lives. Those of the religious orders are called Fratres, and in English Friers, from the French word Frere, which signifieth a Brother; and that, either because of their brotherly cohabitation; or else because they are Fratres in malo, brethren in mischief and design.

The foundation of Monasticall life thus layd by Paulus, and Anthony, the world increased so fast in Monks and Eremites, that it seemed necessary to prescribe them orders. Hereupon Saint Basil gathered them together, living formerly dispersed; and is said to be the first that built them Monasteries. He is also said to have ordained the three Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and O∣bedience; to have instructed them in good Arts, true Religion, and in the service of God, with Hymns, Prayers, and Watching. Of this order there are not many in the Latin Church, but good plenty of them in the Greek. They are bound to abstain from all kind of flesh, and are called Monks of S. Basil, by the name of that Father; amongst the Writings of which Father, the Rules for these Monastick•• are set down at large.

2 The next who prescribed Orders was S. Augustine, born in the year 350, who being thirty years of age, is said to have obtained a Garden without the walls of Hippo for private contem∣plations. Twelve only he assumed into his society, living with them in all integrity, and wear∣ing a leathern Girdle to distinguish them from Monks. Hence came the present Austin Friers, or the Eremites of S. Austin, as others call them. Of such esteem formerly in the Universitie of Oxford, that all who took the degree of a Master of Arts, were to submit themselves to their Oppositions in the publick Schools, and receive approbation from them; from whence the form, in Augustinensibus responderit vel opposuerit, still retained among them. There house in Lon∣don stood in Broadstreat, of which a part of the Church still standeth, converted to a Church for the use of the Dutch; the rest demolished, and in the place thereof a stately Mansion erected by Sir William Pawlet the first Marquess of Winchester, and Lord Treasurer of England. These make the first order of the Friers Mendicants. The first Monastery of them was erected at Paris by William Duke of Guien, An^o 1155: and An^o 1200, they began to flourish in Italie, by the fa∣vour of John Lord of Mantua▪ The other branches of this Tree, are 1 the Monks of S. Hierom, 2 the Carmelites, 3 the Crouched Friers, and 4 the Dominicans.

1 The Monks of Saint Hierom challenge their originall from the worthy Father of the Church so called. They flourish especially in Spain; where there are thirty two Monaste∣ries of them; their chief House being Saint Bartholomews of Lupiena; and have taken unto themselves the Rule of Saint Austin. Their Robe is a white Cassock, under a tawney Cloak.

2 The Carmelites, so called from Mount Carmel in Syria, pretend their original from Elias, and John the Baptist. They onely allowed at first the rule of S. Basil; and were confirmed in Europe by Honorius the third. They are by some called Jacobines, from a Church dedicated to Saint Iames, where they had their first Convent; and by us, the White Friers, from the colour of their habit. Their house in London stood in Fleetstreet, converted since into a dwelling of the Earls of Kent, besides other Tenements. Their Rule was afterwards corrected according to the Rule of Saint Austin; by Donna Eresba (or Teresa) a Spanish woman, who made them also certain Constitutions, confirmed by Pius the fourth, An^o 1565.

3 The Friers of S. Crosse, Crossed, or Crouched Friers, were first ordained by ••••riacus Bishop of Hierusalem, who shewed to Helena the place where the Cross was hidden: hence this Or∣der, which being almost decayed, was restored first by Urban the second, and afterwards by In∣nocent the third, under the rule of Saint Austin. Their Robe is Watchat, and in their hands they carry the figure of the Cross. Their house in London near the Tower, still retains its name.

4 The Dominioans, or Friers Preachers, were instituted by Saint Dominik a Spaniard. He

puts himself in this Order with sixteen of his Disciples under the Rule of Saint Austin, An^o 1206, and had his device confirmed by Honorius the third. Their duty is to preach the Go∣spell in all places unto the farthest parts of the world; which both they did, and their suc∣cessors since have done, not at home only, but in India and America, with great zeal and dili∣gence. They are call'd by us Black Friers, from the colour of their habits, and are the 3. Order of Friers Mendicans. Their house in London stood neer Ludgate, and took up the whole Precinct which is still called Black-Friers, though nothing be remaining of it but the very name.

3 The third that prescribed Orders was S. Benedict, born at Nursia, in the Dutchy of Spoleto, An^o 472. He gathered the Monks of Italie together, gave them a Rule in writing, caused them to be called Benedictines, or Monks of Saint Benedict; and lived till he had seen twelve Monasteries ••illed with them. After his death this Order grew so populous, that there have been of it 29 Popes, 200 ardinals, 1603 Arch-Bishops, 4000 Bishops, and 50000 Canonized Saints. Their habit is a loose Gown of black, reaching down to the ground, with a Hood of the same; an∣under-garment of white woollen, and boots on their legs. The other principall streams of this Fountain are, first, the Monks of Clugnia, secondly of Carthusia, thirdly of Cisteaux, fourthly the Celestines.

1 The Monks of Clugnie, are so called from the Abbey of Clugnie in the County of Bur∣gundy; the Abbot whereof, by name Odo, was the first that reformed the Benedictines then fallen from their former integrity, An^o 913. He obtained of the Popes and Emperors, that all such Abbies as would come under the compass of his Reformations (which were in all about two hundred) should be called the Congregation of Clugni, and that they might call their Chapi∣ters, &c.

2 The Carthusians were first instituted by one Bruno a German Doctor of Divinity at the Town of Carthusia in Daulphine, An^o 1080: His followers, which were at the first but six, have at this day 93 Monasteries. They eat no flesh, live by couples, labour with their hands, watch, pray, and never meet together but on Sundaies. Their house in London by corruption and long tract of time, got the name of the Charter-house (the Monks themselves being corruptly called the Charter-house Monks) now better known by the name of Suttons Hospitall; from the Hospitall of the Foundation of Richard Sutton, a wealthy Citizen of London.

3 The Monks of Cisteaux were first instituted by one Robert, Abbot of Molesme, An^o 1090 or thereabouts; who together with 21 of the most religious of his Covent, retired to Ciste∣aux in Burgundy Dutchy; hence the name. About five years after, one Bernard, a great Lord, became of their Order, who built and repaired for them 160 Abbies. Their Robe is a white Cassock, girt with a Girdle of wooll, the rest black. They were by us called White Monks; and the common Benedictines, Black Monks; both from the colour of their habits.

4 The Celestines ow their originall to Peter de Moron, a Samnite, born An^o 1250; who being afterwards for his sanctity chose Pope, was called Celestine the fift. He reformed the Be∣nedictines, then much degenerated; and had his Order confirmed by Gregory the 11. There are at this present 124 Monasteries of them.

The 4 and last that prescribed new Orders to the Monasticks, was Saint Francis of Assis in the Dutchy of Spoleto. He fell from Merchandize, which was his first profession, unto the study of Religion, going bare-foot, and behaving himself very penitently; whereupon, great store of Disciples following him, he gave them a Rule in writing; by which they are bound to profess absolute beggery, and are not permitted to carry any mony about them, or more victuals than will for the present serve themselves and their Brethren. This they observe punctually in their own persons, but give themselves to have a Boy with them, to do both without scruple. S. Francis desired they should be called Minors, to shew their humility; but they are generally called Franciscans by the name of their Founder: By the French called Cordeliers, because of the knotty Cord which they wear about them instead of a Girdle; by us, the Gray Friers, from the co∣lour of their upper Garment. Their house in London stood near Newgate, of which the Church, the Cloysters, and some other the publick Offices do still stand entire; the whole converted to an Hospitall for poor Children by King Edward the sixt, in the latter end of his reign, now best known by the name of Christ Church. Their Rule and Order was confirmed by Innocent the 3^d, An^o 1212, and is the fourth and last of the Friers mendicants, or begging Friers. The other prin∣cipall Children of this Father, are 1 the Minimies; and 2 the Capouchins.

1 The Friers Minimes, were first founded by Franciscus de Pola, a Neapolitan, An^o 1450 according to a corrected copy of the rule of S. Francis of Assis. His followers keep alwaies a true Lenten fast, unless in case of sickness. Their Robe is a dark tawney, an hood of the same hanging to their girdles.

2 The Capouchins, (so called from their cowle or capouch) were ordained by one Ma∣thew Basci of Ancona. Frier Lewis, his companion, obtained for them of the Pope, the ha∣bit and rule of S. Francis, An. 1526. In the space 42 years they increased to 2240 associates, had 222 Monasteries, and were divided into 15 Provinces. They are bound by their Rule to spend their time in prayer; and are generally thought to be the devoutest of all the Orders Monastical.

I should now speak of the Jesuites, but that I cannot bring them under any rule, as being a peo∣ple

neither simply Lay nor Priests, nor meerly secular, nor regular, but all together. They were founded by Ignatius Loyola, born in Navarre, who being in his youth addicted to the wars, was lamed in one of his legs: after which maim betaking himself to the study of Religion, he framed this order, consisting at the first of ten only. Paul the third did confirm it, An. 1540. confining the number within sixty; which he after inlarged ad infinitum. They are now the greatest Politici∣ans, soundest Scholars, and chiefest upholders of the Romish See: so that the onely way to re∣establish the Romish Religion in any Land, is to plant a College of Jesuites in it. To the three vows of Poverty, Obedience, and Chastitie, common to all other orders, Ignatius at the instituti∣on of this, added the Vow of Mission: whereby his followers are bound to obey their Generall, or the Pope, without demanding any reason, in all dangerous and hazardous attempts whatso∣ever, whether it be undertaking some tedi••••s voyage, for the propagation of the Romish Reli∣gion, or the massacring of any Prince whose life is a hindrance to their proceedings. It is re∣ported, that a Jesuite being in the midst of his Masse, which they call the sacrifice of the Altar, was sent for by Ignatius; to whom leaving off his Mass he went immediately. Ignatius having no business wherein to employ him, told him, he only sent for him to trie his obedience; and withall prophanely added, that Obedience is better than sacrifice: and this is called the blind o∣bedience of the Jesuites. To leave them then as they are, the greatest disturbers of the quiet of Europe, I have heard a worthy Gentleman, now with God, say many times, that till the Je∣suites were taken from the Church of Rome, and the peevish Puritan (or Presbyterian) Preachers out of the Churches of Great Britain, he thought there would never be any peace in Christen∣dom; with what a true presaging spirit, the event hath shewed.

Corrivals with the Jes••ites in power and learning, and almost conaetaneous in point of time, are the Oratorians, founded by Philip Nerio a Florentine, An. 1564, who marking the great sway which the Jesuites began to have, and the danger which the Church might run if that Order were not equally ballanced by some other of as much abilitie, first established this, consisting alto∣gether of Priests; that by their diligence in preaching of the lives of the Saints, and other heads of practical and morall duties, they might divert the torrent of the peoples affection from the brood of Ignatius. The renowned Cardinall Caesar Baronius, Francis Bourdino, afterwards Bishop of Avignon in France, and one Alexander Fidelis, were the three first whom he admitted to his Rule: initiated in S. Hieroms Church at Rome by Pope Pius the fourth with great zeal and cheerfulnes; to whom, as to some of his Predecessors, the power and practices of the Jesuites were become suspitious. They increased speedily (being countenanced on so good grounds) to great num∣bers, and a proportionable Revenue: as much esteemed of for their knowledge in Ecclesiasticall Historie, and Practicall Divinitie, as the others for Philosophy, Tongues, and the study of Con∣troversies; and more accepted of in most places, because not usually intermedling in affairs of State. So evenly looked on by the Popes, that the Jesuites could not obtain the Canonization of their Ignatius, till the Oratorians were grown rich enough to celebrate that of their Nerius also, which hapned in the short Popedom of Gregory the 15. An. 1622.

To conclude this discourse of Monks and Friers, I will say somewhat of the severest kind of Recluse, which is the Anachoret, or Anchoret, so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because they use to live re∣tired from company. They are kept in a close place, where they must dig their graves with their nails; badly clad, and worse dieted, not to be pitied, because their restraint of liberty is voluntary; yet to be sorrowed for in this, that after such an earthly Purgatory, they shall find in∣stead of an Euge bone serve, a Quis quaesivit de manibus vestris.

But concerning these Orders of Monks and Friers, certain it is, that at their first institution they were a People much reverenced for their holy life; as men that for Christs sake had aban∣doned all the Pomps and Vanities of the world. And questionless they were then a People alto∣gether mortified, and who by their very aspects would gain upon the affection of the hardest heart; insomuch that not only mean men, but great personages also did desire to be buried in Friers weeds, as Francis the 2^d, Marquess of Mantua, Albertus Pius another Prince of Italie, and in late times the great Scholar Christopher Longolius. But as Florus saith of the Civill Wars be∣tween Caesar and Pompey, Causa hujus Belli, eadem quae omnium, nimia felicitas; we may say also of these Friers, The greatness of their wealth, which many on a superstitious devotion had bequeathed unto them, brought them first to a neglect of their former devout and religious car∣riage; next to a wretchlesness of their credits, and consequently into contempt: so that there was not a people under heaven that was more infamous in themselves, or more scornfully abu∣sed by others. Hence the vulgar sayings of the people, that Friers wear crosses on their breasts, because they have none in their hearts; and that when a Frier receiveth the Razor, the Devil entreth into him, and the like. Nay, Sir Thomas Moore, who lost his head in the Popes quarrell, sticks not in his Utopia, to call them Errones Maximos; and would have them comprehended within the Statutes of Vagabonds and sturdy Beggers. Now to shew both the humours of Respect and Contempt used severally to these Monks and Friers, as men stood affected; there goeth a Tale, how the Lady Moore, Sir Thomas his wife, finding by chance a Friers Girdle, shewed it to her husband with great joy, saying, Behold, Sir Thomas, a step towards Heaven: whereunto with a scorn∣full laugh he returned this answer, that he feared that step would not bring her a step high∣er. And as for their retiredness and solitary course of life, so it is that many Kings, especially of the Saxons in the time of their Heptarchie, have abandoned their Scepters to enjoy it: And

Barclay in his Argenis, under the person of Anaroestus, hath defended this in such Princes as have cloystered themselves to injoy the solitude of a Covent. Which notwithstanding, Phi∣losophers have defined a man to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Creature principally made for civill conversa∣tion; the Poets say, Nascitur indignè per quem non nascitur alter, that he dyeth indebted to the world who leaves no posterity behind him: and the Jews, which live in great numbers even in Rome it self, abhor this unsociable kind of living, and prefer a civill sociableness much before it; as to Nature more agreeable, to Man more prositable, and consequently to God more accep∣table. And having spoken thus much of the Monks and Friers, descend we now unto the Nuns.

And indeed I should much wrong the Friers, if I should deprive them of the company of their dearest Votaries; and therefore take somewhat of them also. Called antiently Moniales from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from their living alone; whence we also had the names of Monks and Monasteries: in the middle times called Nuns, from Nonna an Aegyptian word, (for Aegypt in old times was not meanly furnished with such Eremites) which also signifieth a solitary and lonely life. A word in some of the barbarous Latines very much in use. Scholastica the Sister of S. Benedict, was the first who collected them into companies, and prescribed them Rules. They are shaved, as Monks are, and vow (as they do) perpetuall poverty and Virginity. Which last how well they keep, let Clemangis testifie; who telleth us, that Puellam velare eadem est ac publicè eam ad scortandum exponere: to veil a Nun, and prostitute her for a common Harlot were terms equivalent. And one Robinson, who lived for a time in the English Nunnery at Lis∣bon, hath told us that he found an hole in their Garden-wall covered over with Morter, in which were hidden the bones of many new-born children, which their unnaturall Mothers had murdered and thrown in there. But of these I will instance only in two Orders, viz. that of S. Clare, as being the strictest; and that of S. Brigit, which injoyeth most liberty.

1. S. Clare was a Knights daughter of Assis, where S. Francis was born, with whom she was co-temporary, and with whose austere life she was so affected, that she forsook her Fathers house, and followed him. Having learned her Lirrie of that Frier-monger, she devised an Order of Re∣ligious women; and had it confirmed by Pope Honorius the third, An^o. 1225. Her followers vow Poverty and Virginity, as before was said, go barefoot, feed meanly, and are more streightned in their course of life, than those of any other Order. By their Foundress, out of a desire to conform the better to the Rule and Order of S. Francis, they were called Minorites, or Minores, and gave name to the place neer the Tower-hill in London, where they had their house, called from them the Minories.

2. S. Brigit was a Queen of Swethland, and coming to Rome on devotion, obtained of Pope Urban the third, An^o. 1370. or thereabouts, that Friers and Nuns might in some places live toge∣ther. For being a Woman and a Widow she knew best (as it seemeth) what was good for both Sexes, and so devised such a Rule as contented both. But little needed this cohabitation or living together under the shelter of the same roof. For they had formerly been joyned in car∣nall affections, though parted by walls; neither were the visitations of the Friers so fruitless, but that the Nuns did fructifie by them. These Friers and Nuns though they lived under the same roof, are prohibited from coming to one another, but on speciall occasions: the Foundress so ordering it, that the Nuns should lie in the upper rooms, and the Friers in the lower. The Confessor also is denied access into their chambers, but shriveth them though an Iron-Grate, by which his lodging is parted from the Lady Abesse's. And herein lyeth the Mystery of Iniquity. For Robinson, whom before I named, tells us, that at the time of his service in the English Nun∣nery at Lisbon, he was shewed a way by which this uncharitable Grate, which seemed to keep the Friers from the company of their female friends, might be, and was on such occasions usually removed, and the access made free and open to each others beds. Which if it be truly said of these, may be suspected also in all the rest of this Order, and in most also of the o∣thers.

And now I return unto my Friers, which besides the maintenance which by their Foun∣ders is allotted for their present subsistence, are kept in a continuall hope and possibility of attaining to the highest honours which that Church can give, if they continue constant in their due obedience. For there is not one of them which hopeth not to be the Prior of his Convent; 2. Provinciall of his Order in that Countrey where he liveth; 3. and then the Ge∣nerall of his Order. Next, none more likely than the Generalls to be chosen Cardinalls, and out of the Cardinalls one of necessity must be chosen, and why not he, as well as any of the pack, to be Pope of Rome? So firm and sweet a Companion of man is Hope, that being the last thing which leaves him, it makes all toyls supportable, all difficulties conquerable.

The Popedom containeth Arch-bishops 3. Bishops 54.

Notes

• Roman∣diola.
• Roman∣diola.
• Ferrara.
• Anconita∣na, & Spoletano
• S. Peters Patrimo∣nie.
• Compagna di Roma.
• Compagna di Roma.
• ROME
• The Papacie.
• The Papacy.
• The Papacie.
• The Papacie.
• The Papacie.