The glory of the true church, discovered, as it was in its purity in the primitive time also, a manifestation how and when the apostacy came, and how long it hath continued in the Church of Rome, proved to be in it, because she differs in doctrin & practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes : published for this end, that people may be informed, and their understandings opened to discern of the times and seasons, and see the difference between the lambs wife and the mother of harlots / by one who desires that all may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, and walk in the light of the Lord, Francis Howgill.

CHAP. VIII. Something concerning the ten Persecutions by the Heathen Emperors of Rome. (Book 13)

FOR the first three hundred years after Christ, who was born in the reign of Augustus Cesar then Em∣peror of Rome, and was rejected and crucified by the

Jews in the seventeenth year of the Raign of Tiberius Cesar then Emperor of Rome, who Raigned eight years after Christ was crucified, when Pilate gave sentences against and delivered to the Jews, the said Pilate was banished by the Emperor, and afterwards he killed himself, in which time Stephen the Martyr was stoned to death by the Jews, and the same day Stephen was stoned (Dorothees saith) Nicanor one of the Deacons suffered with two thousand Christians more in his Raign; about this time Paul was con∣verred.

The next Emperor that succeeded Tiberius Cesar was Cesar Caligula, who commanded his Image to be set up in the Temple at Jerusalem to be worshiped as God; Herod who Mocked Christ with his souldiers, and set him at nought, was banished and died mise∣rably; he likewise put forth Caiaphas the High Priest, and afterwards in the fourth year of his Raign, Cali∣gula was slain.

Claudius Nero succeeded him, and Raigned thirteen years, a grievous Tyrant and an hater of all good; by him was James the Son of Zebedee Martryed, and Symon and Pemenius the second of the seven Deacons Martyred, and Thomas who Preached to the Medes and Persians, was slain with a dart in his Raign; about this time Simon Zelotes who Preached in Africa, was crucified, Andrew and Matthew, the one crucified, and the other slain with a spear; Matthias and Philip, the one was crucified, and the other stoned to death.

About the 62. year after Christ, James the Son of Alpheus called the Brother of Christ, was stoned to death with many more, and Mark slain at Alex∣andria.

Domitius Nero began his Raign about the sixty se∣venth year after Christ, he Raigned fourteen years Em∣perour

of Rome, under him was the first of the ten Ro∣mane persecutions, he caused the Christians of all ages, sects and sorts to suffer; he commanded Rome to be set on fire in tewlve places, and to avoid the in∣famy thereof, he accused the Christians with it, and caused them to be persecuted and put to death; and in the latter end of his raign, Paul was put to death for the Testimony of the Faith of Christ. In the year sixty nine, this Nero was afterwards proclaim∣ed by the Senate of Rome, an enemy to all Mankinde, and condemned to be drawn through the City, and to be whipt to death, for fear of which he fled, and afterwards slew himself, and the Church had rest for a season from persecution after him.

In the ninety sixth year began Domitian the Emperor to raign, who began the second persecution, who was a blasphemer against God, and an Idolater; In his dayes was Simon Bishop of Jerusalem crucified, and John the Evangelist Banished into the Isle of Patmos; but after the death of Domitian he was released by Pertinax; this Domitian the Emperor fearing the com∣ing of Christ again, commanded that all that could be found of the stock of David in Jury should be slain, and many false accusations was brought against the Christians, and the Inquisition was this, Swear the truth whether thou art indeed a Christian, and if they confessed, they were condemned and put to death for that alone.

Clement succeeded Anaclatus the Bishop of Rome, and after him Everistus who was Martyred under Trajanus in the 102. year after Christ. In the Raign of Trajanus the Emperor, began the third persecution of the Christians, Simon who was said to be Christs Kins∣man was Bishop of Jerusalem, and Ignatius Bishop of Antioch who suffered Martrydom in the raign of Tra∣janus, in the year 111. with many other of the

Christians who were destroyed in this Persecution; the Church of Rome was not so highly exalted as af∣terwards she usurped Authority; neither were the Officers thereof nor Bishops so corrupt as afterwards they came to be both in Doctrine and Practice.

Marcus Antonius Verus began the fourth Persecution in the year 162. in whose time a great number who professed Christ, suffered cruel deaths in Asia and in France, and other parts, amongst whom was Poli∣carpus the Bishop of Smyrna; this Persecution con∣tinued thirteen years; The Church had some rest under the raign of Lucius Antonius Comodus, and then the Christians began to wrangle and jangle about the celebration of Easter, and about observation of times and Feasts, and run into things outward, and con∣tended about them, and so weakned themselves, and, hurt one another. Alexander Bishop of Rome succeed∣ed Everistus, and Telesphorus succeeded him likewise, and Higinus, and Pius, and Ansatus Soler, and Eluthe∣rius; all these were Bishops of Rome, but many things began to creep in in their time, but being kept under by the Romane Emperors, they did not get much outward power, because they had no outward compelling Laws to force their Institutions in divers things which were contrary unto the former Apostles Practices, yet notwithstanding there was something of Truth, and of the Power of it kept, and they testified against the Idolatry of the Heathen, and so suffered Death.

Severus succeeded in the Empire about the year 195. under whom was the fifth Persecution against the Christians, who Raigned eighteen years; in the begin∣ning of his Raign he was somewhat favourable to the Christians, but afterwards through the malitious sug∣gestions and accusations of wicked men, he was so enraged and incensed against the Christians, that by

proclamation he commanded through the Empire, that no Christians any more should be suffered, where∣by a great number were destroyed and killed, as Euse∣bius saith in his sixth book about the year 205. This Severus the Emperor was slain in Britain about the year 214. and was buried at York.

Aurelius Alexander Severus began his Raign about 224. at this time the Church had gotten some rest from persecution, at this time the Christians had got∣ten some house or place to meet in in this time of rest in Rome, and the Cooks and Tiplers challenged it to belong to them, the matter being brought before the Heathen Emperour Severus, he judged it to be more honest and reasonable, that this place should be con∣tinued to the Christians to Worship God in, then that the Cooks and Victuallers, and Tiplers should enjoy it; by this all may understand that there was no great Ministers, Steeple-houses, or places cal∣led Churches erected in Rome unto this time for the Christians, although there be so much ado in this time about Steeple-houses and Ministers, and Parish Churches, within this latter age, by them that are run into visible things have been so strongly pressed for a House of God, and a Holy Church; so that in this time the Christians had no Mass-houses with steeples, and Crosses, and Bells, and Organs. standing East and West, which are pleaded for to be decent and Holy Institutions, yet notwithstanding the mode∣ration of this Emperor, Calistus and Urbanus Bi∣shops of Rome were put to death, but yet the Bishops of Rome did not arrogate to themselves to be univer∣sal, and these were not called Popes, though divers superstitious things crept in, and were allowed by the said Bishops, and they were declining from the do∣ctrine and practice of the Apostles in the first Century, and this was about the year 226.

Maximinius the next was chosen Emperor rather by the wilfulness of Soldiers, then the will of the Senate, he caused the sixth Persecution, which was great against the Christians, especially against the Leaders and Teachers, hoping that when they were smitten, the Sheep would soon be Scattered, this was in the year 237. Pontianus Bishop of Rome was ba∣nished by his Emperour, and many more Christians suffered under this Emperor, and were put to death, and more its likely would have suffered, but the Lord shortned his dayes and his tyranty, for he Raigned but three years.

The next Emperor was Gordianus in the year two hundred and forty, who was more moderate towards the Christians, so that the sixth Persecution ceased; but after he had Raigned the space of six years, he was slain by Philip the succeeding Emperor.

Philippus who slew Gordianus who was called the first Christian Emperor, who slew Gordianus, & began with Blood, he with his Son Philip governed the Empire seven years; about the year 246. it is said this Philip with his Son and Family was converted by Fabianus and Origen; it is said that both he and his Son was slain by Decius one of his own Captains, and though being the first that brought in Christianity into the Emperial seat, but the name of Christianity would not save him, being out of the nature beginning with Blood, it was required at his hands, and Anthetius Bishop of Rome after Pontanius; Damasus saith, that this Bishop was put to death, because he recorded the deaths of the sufferers, and here was the begin∣ning of that which they call the Legend of Martyrs in the Church of Rome.

The seventh Persecution began by Decius who suc∣ceeded Philippus in the year 250, by whom was mo∣ved a terrible Persecution against the Christians,

which is noted to be the seventh Persecution. Fabi∣anus being a married man, and had a wife, was chosen Bishop of Rome; this Doctrine of Devils forbidding to marry, was not yet brought in, which the Apostle to Timothy Prophesied of, no not in the Church of Rome, not for 250. years after Christ; So the Empe∣ror Decius put him to death, and gave forth a Procla∣mation that all that Prosessed the name of Christ should be put to death. Origen suffered many bonds, Wrackings, Torments for Religion, yet afterwards it is said he sacrificed to Idols, and was excommunicated, yet afterwards Repented; And Nicephorus saith of this Persecution under the Emperor Decius, that it was as easie to number the Sands of the Sea, as them that Suffered under him. Cheremon a Married Bishop fled with his Wife into the Mountain of Arabia, and ne∣ver was seen more; the Prohibition of Ecclesiastical men, or Ministers Marrying was not yet begun, no not in the Church of Rome, although they plead Anti∣quity for their Institutions and Practices; the Emperor Raigned but two years, and was slain by the Barbari∣an; about this time divers Bishops suffered, and others were condemned to the Mettal Mines; Cyprian Bishop of Carthage was Banished; these had no power yet to give forth Laws nor Inquisitions, nor to force things upon People, for they had not the out∣ward Authority then, though divers things which were unfound Crept in by little and little, even amongst them; About the year two hundred and fifty five, Valerianus together with his Son Gallienus came to be Emperors, who Raigned together; at first they were moderate to the Christians for about two or three years, insomuch that in the Emperors Court there were many Christians; but afterwards being moved by an Egyptian, was stirred ••p to Persecution, which was about the year 259. this Emperor was

stirred up to Persecute the Christians, which was the, eighth Persecution, being Instigated by the Egyptian who was great in his Court, telling the Emperor that the Christians was the cause of the evils of famine and plague upon the Empire; divers Bishops and many hundreds were put to death besides; Stephanus suffered with six more which were leading Men, also Lawrence suffered, who was pinched with fire tongues, and laid upon an Iron Grate or Grid-iron red hot, and so broyled to death.

In the sixth year of the Raign of Valerianus Galli∣anus, having laid for the space of three years in Prison with Claudianus and Bossa his Wife, were put to death for being Christians; Likewise Fructuousus Bishop of Tarracona with two Deacons were burned the same year for being Christians; this Valerian the Emperor Raigned seven years, and was taken in the War by the King of Persia, who made him his Block to take Horse on to his dying day; and though the Christians in this time were much Darkened, yet they were much more justiffed in the sight of God then the Heathen Emperors, who came all or most of them to a wo∣ful End for their Cruelty, and Tyranny, and Murther; for the hand of the Lord who distributes Justice equally to every man according to his Works, found them out; and Gallianus the Son of Valerianus who joyned with his Father in Persecution had many earth∣quakes, and thirty rebellions and insurrections raised in his time, in the Empire in nine years time, and this stopt their Persecuting of the Christians some∣what; And after Gallianus the Emperor succeeded Claudius, who Raigned two years, and after him Quin∣tilian••s the Brother of Claudius, who continued only seventeen dayes, about the year 274. in this time the Christians had some rest from Persecution.

The ninth Persecution began under Aurelianus,

who began his Raign mildly, but soon after moves the ninth Persecution, about this time many Christians suf∣fered, and some of the Bishops of Rome, and Sixtus, and Dionysius, and many others in the middle of his Raign, there was a Council of the Christians at Anti∣och, the Emperor seeming not to be against it, nor them, but afterwards he was about to seal an Edict for further Persecutions of the Christians, but he was so terrified with thundering and lightning, that it stopt his tyranny, in the sixth year of his Raign, he was slain about the year 276.

After him succeeded Tacitus, who Raigned but six Months, and Florianus Raigned next, who Raigned but sixty dayes, and after him Raigned Marcus Aurelius Probus, who Raigned six years and four Months, in this time there was no Persecution, but the Christians had rest as in matters of Religion, but he was slain by his souldiers in the year 248.

Carus with his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus suc∣ceeded Probus in the Empire, the Raign of which Emperors continued in all but three years; Carus was slain with lightning, and Numerianus was also slain, and Carinus the other Son Raigned alone in Italy with much Wickedness, who afterwards was slain by the hands of the Tribune at Rome; so that from the latter end of the Raign of Valerianus, unto the Raign of Dio∣clesia, there seeming to be about forty four years, in which there was little Persecution of the Christians, but they had rest and enjoyed their Worship in quiet, and they were kept under sufferings, and the Law, and did not exercise Authority over the consciences of the rest, as afterwards they did, when they came to have Power in their hands, although as I said before, divers things were brought in by the Bishops of Rome in this time, which were much disagreeing from the Apostles dayes, yet they held part of the true Wor∣ship,

and bore a Testimony against the open propha∣ness and cursed Idolatry and Pride of the Heathen Emperors; who killed one another for the Impeiral Seat; and in this Testimony that they bore for God, I Beleive they were accepted, and had peace with God.

The tenth Persecution began under the Raign of Dioclesian, which was in the year 289. this was the last Persecution against the Christians, which was horrible and grievous, that never was any Persecution before or since comparable unto it, for the time which it con∣tinued, which was the space of ten years toge∣ther, though there were more Emperours which had an hand in this Persecution, yet principally it beareth the Name of Dioclesian; This Dioclesian the Emperor took unto himself Maxillianus to be Partner with him in the Empire, those two Em∣perors chose two others to themselves, that is to say, Gallerius and Constantius whom they called Cesars; Gallerius was sent into the East parts against the Chri∣stians, and Constantius to the West to Britain, these two last Raigned moderately and did not Persecute the Christians for about 10. years, so they Prospered in their Wars abroad, but afterwards by reason of their victories were puft up with pride in their hearts, they Ordained a triumph at Rome, after which triumph Dioclesian gave commandment that he himself should be worshiped as God, and said he was Brother to the Sun and Moon, and so commanded the People to kiss his feet, which afterwards when the chief Bishop of Rome got up in∣to pride, and claimed superiority over all the Christian Churches, having got the Authority of the Dragon, commanded the Emperors, and Kings then to kiss his feet, and so in this the Pope hath imitated the Heathen Emperor, who was the greatest Persecutor that ever we read of; But to return to Dioclesian, he began a great and grevious Persecution of the Christi∣ans

which was the nineteenth year of his Raign; in the year of Christ 103. he commanded all the meet∣ing places of the Christians to be spoyled, and the Books of the holy Scriptures to be Burned, he sent out a Proclamation for casting all the Bishops and El∣ders into Prison in his Empire, and constrained them by several torments to Worship Idols, and so great Per∣secution there was among the Christians, and grie∣vous torments they suffered, because they would not offer sacrifice to Idols; one Nobleman at Nicom pluckt down the two Emperors Proclamations against the Christians, not fearing the Emperors who were then in the City, for which act he was put to most bitter death; afterwards they were so mad that they sought to destroy all the Christians in the World, it can hard∣ly be expressed with words what numbers suffered, and what Blood was shed throughout all the Regions, and they cast the Christians among the Lions, Bears, and Leopards who were kept Hungry for that purpose, and them that the wild Beast would not Devour, they, slew them with the Sword, and threw them into the Sea. Cerena the Wife of Dioclesian he killed, because shee was a Christian; two thousand were burnt in one place, many suffered in Phrygia, and were burnt with the whole City in this Persecution; like∣wise in France, Spain and Brittan, so that some Rivers were Coloured with Blood, one thousand slain some∣times in one day, and they slew them by ten, twenty, sixty, and sometimes an hundred Men, Women and Children. Damasus, Beda, Oratius, Honorus, and others do testifie that there was slain in the space of one Month seve••••een thousand Persons; likewise Pe∣ter Bishop of Alexandria, and three hundred more were slain with axes there; Mauritius was slain with 6666. Victor with 360. were slain in the City of Troy; the Christians notwithstanding all this Persecution did in∣crease,

and though a Cloud was over many, and dark∣ness entred in in part, respectively to what had been in the first Century, yet they were the best Witnesses for the Lord in their generations, and the Christians did increase, so that the two Heathen Emperors were tired with Persecuting, and gave up their Empire, and led a Private life, having Raigned one and twenty years, which was in the year 305. these two latter Emperors Maximinius and Constantius who were called Cesars, now became the Emperors of the whole, one in the East, and the other in the West. Maxentius was set up Emperor by the Souldiers, and goes against Maximinius the Emperor, who sent Severus his Son to War against him, which Severus being slain Lycinius Caesar was chosen in the room, so that Maximinius, Constantius and Maxentius continued the tenth Perse∣cution after Dioclesian and his partner had given over, saving Constantius, and esepcially his Son Constantius were kind to the Christians; Constantius Chused those who refused to offer Sacrifice and commit Idolatry to be in his Court, and Banished the Heathen Idolaters as unfit for his service that were Traitors to God, and this was about the year 311. On the other hand. Maxi∣minius the Emperor and his partner was very Wicked in Idolatry and Cruelty, God struck him with a great Plague in the Belly and secret parts, which purrifying broke our with swarms of Lice, which caused such a stink that the Physitian could not endure the same, wherefore he slew the Physitian, and by the anguish of his Disesase, he slacked Persecution, making confes∣sion that his Persecuting of them had brought this up∣on him, and so acknowledged his offence; and the Infidels divers exalted the God of the Christians, yet afterwards being incensed against the Christians, this Emperor set up Decrees afresh, to Persecute the Chri∣stians, whereby many Bishops and others were Mar∣tyred;

here was no titles of Lord Bishops and Arch-Bishops not yet in the first three hundred years, nei∣ther was there any Pope then that did lay claim to supremecy over all the Churches, neither had these Bishops whole Counties and Provinces for their maintenance, neither all Rome, Constantinople, Anti∣och, and Jerusalem, and all People therein for their Dioceses, but them only of the Christians who be∣lieved, in each of those places; but after∣wards in the great Persecution there followed great famine and pestilence on the Heathen, which caused the Persecution to cease, and caused Maximi∣nius to revoke his Decrees, and punished the Inchant∣ers that incensed him against the Christians; Maxilli∣anus who was joyned in the Empire with Dioclesian, who laid down the Goverment of the Empire, en∣deavoured to have slain Constantius the Emperor, that he might have got up again into the Empire, but fail∣ing of his enterprize, was slain of Constantius. Max∣entius this time Reigns wickedly and tyrannically at Rome, which caused the Romans to entreat Costantine to come against Maxentius for his Wickedness, who made War against him, and upon a Bridge made of boats over the River Tyber, he was intraped by Constantine, and drowned in Tyber; and thus the Righteous Judge∣ments of God at last came upon them for their Blood and cruelty, as a recompenence and a reward for their deeds, but Constantine set forth Decrees of favour to the Christians.

Marcellinus was Bishop of Rome about the tenth year of Dioclesian, in the Persecution he sacrificed to Idols, and was excommunicated by three hundred Bishops, but afterwards was killed in the Massacre of Dioclesian. Marcellus succeeded, and one Lucina a rich maid of Rome dying, made Marcellus her heir, and gave him all her substance, and from that time

saith Pollidore lib. 1. the Bishops of Rome were great∣ly enriched, and so began to grow up in earthly ho∣nours higher and higher.

But Constantine the Emperor, about the year 318. caused a Cross to be made of Gold and precious stones, and to be born before his Army instead of a Standard, when he went to fight against Maxentius, Maximinius, and Lucimus, these were the least Persecutors of the Christians in the Romane Monarchy, which this Con∣stantine did vanquish, and set the Christians at liberty who had been Persecuted about three hundred years; and so afterwards this Cross others began to Imitate and set up in their Churches, and became a flat Idol; notwithstanding after this, some Persecution was stirring in the Eastern Counties, yet in Rome and the Western parts, and there was no general Persecu∣tion for many years, and also in the East part he sub∣dued those Tyrants; and we read of no Persecution against the Christians, untill the time that John Wick∣liff suffered, which was when the Spirit of the Heathen was entred into the Bishops of Rome, and Popes, who had retained the name of Christian, but lost the life and the Power; he began with fire to Persecute the Members of Christ.

But long before this time the Wisdom and Power of God was much lost among many of the Bishops of Rome, and also divers others, that the Apostacy was entred in, and they made great contentions about Easter, and about dayes which should be Fasted, and some was for two, and some was for three, and some was for forty dayes, all the Churches of Asia, and their Bi∣shops was for keeping it the fourteenth Moon, as Eu∣sebius saith, lib. 5. For Asia observed the Feast of Easter, and they called a great Council together, and decreed that it should be observed the fourteenth Moon upon what day soever in that week the Moon

fell, and appointed fasting dayes, and Meetings and Synods in all parts met together about this trivial mat∣ter, in the year 199. At Rome likewise there was a Synod gathered together, wherein Victor the four∣teenth Bishop was President. and the Eastern Churches decreed it the day aforesaid, and fastings be∣fore it, and a Western Church decreed it to be the day wherein Christ rose from death to Life; but Victor Bishop of Rome with the adjoyned Congregations, pronounces flatly all the Westren Churches to be ex∣communicated Persons, and gives them up to Sathan, so that it became a Proverb, that the Bishop of Rome must judge all, and be judged of none; this was about the year one hundred ninety nine after Christ, when they had respit from Persecution. And Iraene∣us Bishop of Lyons, he was of Victors mind, that it ought to be celebrated on the Sunday only, yet re∣proved Victor Bishop of Rome, Peters successor as they say, for cutting off all the Churches of God in Asia for such a trivial thing.

And Policarpus and Anisatus contended about trivi∣al things; and although there was much good in them both, yet this weakned the Christians, and led the minds of People out into the observance of outward things, and neglected the life and the Power.

Lucius the two and twentieth Bishop of Rome, about the year 255. and Stephanus who succeeded him, a great contention in their time about baptism; the matter was, whether they that returned from any heresie should be rebaptized or be received in with Prayer, and laying on of hands only; and so here was a great jangling and contention about outward things, which were geting up as Idols; And Cyprian Bi∣shop of Carthage judged that Hereticks had no way to be purged from Error, but by baptism; but Stephanus was greatly offended with Cyprian for this.

After Stephen Xystus succeeded, and Dionysius writes unto him, how that all Cilicia, Cappadocia, Galatia, and the bordering Nations, how great Synods had de∣creed, that they would not communicate with them because they rebaptized Hereticks; and saith further, the greatest Synods of Bishops hath decreed that such as renounce any heresie, should first be instructed, and then Washed and Purged of their impure leaven; and thus they Wrangled and Jangled about things with one another, and brake into Fractions; notwithstanding many of these men Suffered under the merciless Cru∣elty of the Heathen Emperor; likewise they ex∣communicated one another, and called Councils, and censured one another, and hurt the spreadng of Truth amongst them that believed in the Name of Jesus; all this is to shew that they were declining and coming to loss in this time, though so near the Apostles time; and though they suffered under the Emperors, and found peace with the Lord, yet many practices and institutions were made which are not according to the Primitive times, which ought not to be binding to all generations afterwards because of the Antiquity of them, as the now called Church of Rome would have all to receive as Apostolick Doctrine.

But to return to Constantine the Emperor, when peace was established in the Empire, he set forth a general Proclamation or Edict, not constraining there∣in any man fro any Religion, but giving liberty to all men to exercise their Religion, whether Christians or others, which thing was taken well by the Romans and all wise men; this Licinius joyned with Constantine in the Government of the Empire, and seemingly favoured the Christians, and joyned with Constantine in setting forth an edict for the Christians liberty, yet afterwards he had great hatred towards Constantine, and conspired his death, rejecting the Christian Re∣ligion,

and Persecuted them, who said he would become an Enemy to the Christians, for that in their Meetings and Assemblies they prayed not for him but for Constantine; so cast the Christians into Prison, and Persecuted them within his Dominions, and many were put to death, but at length he was slain after several battels between him and Constantine by the souldiers in the year, 324. Constantius the Empe∣ror the Father of Constantine dyed a natural death, and was buried at York, Dioclcesian died at Salena, as some say by his own Poyson in the year 319. he was the chief of the seven Tyrants in the tenth Persecuti∣on. Maximinian the second, who was hanged at Ma∣zilla by Constantine in the year 310. Thirdly Galerius who was plagued with a terrible disease; Severus the fourth was slain by Maximinian the father of Maxenti∣us the wicked Tyrant, who was Banished by Constan∣tine in the year 318. The sixth was Maxentius who dy∣ed not long atfer in the year 320. Lastly, Licinius was overcome by Constantine, and slain about the year 324. And thus the Lord Plagued the cruelty of the Hea∣then Emperors who knew not God, but hated his ap∣pearance, and rewarded them according to their deeds.

The Christians in these three hundred years where∣in was the ten Persecutions, they were sufferers under the Power of the Dragon, who ruled in the Empe∣rors, and then they were not Persecutors, having not the outward power in their hand, but when they had the outward power, then they turned Persecutors, especially the Bishops of Rome, when they had the outward power on their side, then they were worse then Constantine the great, who gave liberty to all Christians and others to Worship God without forcing of any, as their actions following afterwards makes it appear; for being countenanced by the Em∣peror, they grew proud and lordly, and increasing in

power and outward Authority, though set up at first by the Emperor, at last excluded him for having any Authority or Power over the See of Rome. as after a season may be made appear.

In the year 367. Damasus was Bishop of Rome 18. years.

Also in the first three or four hundred years before ever the Bshop of Rome did get so high as to be called universal Bishop, abundance of Darkness spread over, and abundance of Idolatry and superstitious things was invented, and abundance of Orders, as Friars, and Monks, and Monasteries, and Nunneries, where∣in they were diverted from the order of the Gospel, and a great Apostacy came in.

In the year 260. Anthony is called the Father of the Monks, who followed the Example of Paulus born at Thebes in Egypt, who retired himself to a pri∣vate Gave under the foot of a Rock in the seventh Persecution by Decius; And one called Basil is said to be the first that built Monasteries, and ordained vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience; and these are called the Monks of Basils Order, and are bound to abstain from all kinde of Flesh; and here began this Doctrine of Devils, contrary to the Doctrines of the Apostles of Christ. The next who prescribed Or∣ders, was Augustine born in the year 350. this order was called Austin Fryars, they wear a Lethern girdle to distinguish them from the Monks; the first Order of the Eriars was Mendicants; the third that Prescribed Orders was Benedict in the year 472. and out of this Order did spring the Monks of Benedict, and divers other Orders which I have mentioned before in the former part of the Book. The fourth that Prescribed Orders was Francis of Assis, these are called Franciscans or Grey Friars, their rule and order was confirmed by Innocent the third, these are the fourth Order of Fri∣ars Mendicants, or begging Friars, and from this order

sprung Friars, Miniries, and Capouchen Friars; Miniries were ordered by Franciscus de Pola, and Capouchens were ordained by one Matthew Basa of Acona; The Je∣suites were first founded by Ignatius Loyolla born in Navar, they were first confirmed by Paul the third.

The Nuns first Author was one Clare the Daughter of Asses who forsoke her Fathers House, and devised an Order of religious Women who vowed Poverty and Virginity, they were confirmed by Honorius the third; but many of these being mentioned, and their Practices which are contrary to the Primitive time is mentioned before in this Book, and so let them pass, and to return to the Bishops of Rome; but divers con∣tentions and sects began to breake forth, and the Bi∣shops not only of Rome, but of Alexandria and Nico∣media, and Miletus, and one clashing against another, Alexander Bishop of Alexandria, and Eusebins Bishop of Nicomedia, and many Bishops in other places joyn∣ing one to one side, and one to another, and envying one another, insomuch that as Eusebius saith, a man might have seen not only the Presidents and chief Rulers of the Churches envying one against another with spightful approbrious Terms, and also the Multitude severed into parts, that the Christian Religion was openly derided of all Men, and so called Councils and Synods, and condemned one another, and ex∣communicated one another as Hereticks, and so went out of the Long-suffering, and Patience, and forbear∣ance which the Apostle exhorted unto.

And so no less then four hundred years many run wholly out into contention about dayes, and Meats, and Drinks, some Running this way, and some that way, and forging things upon the Apostles and Churches in Asia, saying, that John the Disciple gave them an order to observe Easter the fourteenth day of the Month; And Rome and the Western parts al∣ledge

Peter and Paul for their Author, how they left them this tradition, both alike true, for this came up more by custom, then any injunction from the Apo∣stles, or tradition either; for they condemned such things in their life time, and called them beggarly ru∣diments, such as inhabit at Rome, they began to make fasts, and fasted three weeks before Easter, excepting the Saturday and the Sunday; Illyricum, Greece, and A∣lexandria began their fasting dayes six weeks before Easter, and that they call fourty dayes fasting, or Lent, others begin to fast seven weeks before Easter; Yet in all the while they use abstinency but onely fifteen dayes, and hath intermission amongst those dayes, and yet calls these fourty dayes fasting or Lent; so that they disagreed in the time, disagreed in the months, disagreed in the dayes, and times, and in the abstinence, and contended about these things, or for life and death, and excommunicating one another, and judging one another Hereticks, and at last when they got power, killed one another, and stirred up the Emperours one against another, and this in the 350 or 400 years after Christ.

And all this fasting was but from some meat, as though some had been clean and some unclean, some abstained onely from flesh, and fed onely upon fish, and abstain from all other Creatures, others upon fish and fowls of the Air, affirming their Original is of the water, and so no flesh; and others some fasted till nine of the Clock, and then eat of divers sorts as they pleased; and here was their fast and their Lent, about which all this contention and stir; all which practices are condemned in the Apostles writings, and such ignorance and hypocrisie; for the Kingdom of God stands not in meats and drinks, and yet the Protestants and them that calls themselves reformed will needs presse these things as holy Institutions,

when as it is manifest when the Christians in former dayes began to judge one another about these things, and strive, and bite one another, and devoure one another, and they lost the power, and then Mystery Babylon began to rise, these things became her Mer∣chandize, and these practices became to be called Christianity, which Christ and the Apostles would have been ashamed of.

And about the Sacrament great contention arose, as about the time and the manner, some did receive the bread and wine every Sabbath day, yet Alexan∣dria and Rome do not use it: Yet the Egyptians joyn∣ing to Alexandria, and the Inhabitants of Thebes they had another order, they did receive it when they had banquetted, and filled themselves with delicates, and then received their Communion, and so they judged one another in these things: In Thessalonica, Macedonia, and Hellas in Achaia, they baptize only on the Easter holy dayes: Likewise in Hellas, Jerusalem, and Thessalia, their service they said with Candle-light: likewise in Caesaria, Cappadocia, and at Cyprus the Priests and Bishops expound the Scripture on the Saturdayes and Sundayes by Candle-light, as Socra∣tes saith Lib. 5. In this time it is said the Customes and observations were so many that none was able to find two which did retain one Order of the service. At Caesaria in Cappadocia, they receive not into com∣munion such as sin after Baptism, and even so the Macedonians in Hellespont did the same. The Phrygians allow not of two Marriages: The Original Authors of so great diversity of services, rights, and customes were Bishops which governed their Churches at seve∣ral times, and such as do like of such practices have commended them to posterity for Laws, and such vain and frivolous Contentions did arise in this age, where∣by it is manifest the Apostacy from the life and power

of God was great, and Gods wisdome and the Unity of the Spirit was wanting, and Philosophy and customary practise was their chief Foundation. And one Bishop exiled another, and complained to the Emperors, and banished one another, and so the sheep was made havock of, and starved, and scattered, and the name of Christ and Christian came to be evil spoken of by the many fractions and contentions that were amongst them.

But to return to the Bishops of Rome after the raign of Constantine in which persecution ceased, many Superstitious Injunctions and Idolatrous practices were set up in the first five hundred years, which I shall not much trouble the Reader with further then what is already said; But divers other things were brought in afterwards more gross then the former. Gregory called the Great, the Bishop of Rome, of whom it is said of all that went before him, he was the basest or worst, and of all that came after him, he was the best; It is he that brought in this Title among the Roman Bishops, to be called the servant of Gods servants, but by his practise he proved a Lord over Gods servants, consciences, and over their faith, he made an Act that Priests should not marry a wife, and he ordained a book called the Service or Letany, which goes under the name of Gregories Mass-book to be recived in all Churches.

After the death of him, Fabianus was Bishop, who continued scarce 2. years, he was the last of the Roman Bishops, who had not the Title of universal Bishop or Head of the Church, he was the last of sixty five Bi∣shops before the first Pope, he died in the year six hundred and five.

Palagius, the first was the 69 Bishop of Rome in the year 355. he ordained that Hereticks and Shisma∣ticks should be punished with temporal death; there

was 65 Bishops before Boniface the third, who was the first Pope, and since there hath been 179 Popes.

Boniface the third (who succeeded Fabianus was the first Pope, he reigned but one year, and did more hurt in that year then Gregory could do in many, be∣fore he obtained of the Emperour Phocas that he and his Successors after him in the See of Rome above all other Churches should have the preheminence, and that the Bishop of Rome should be the head of all the Churches of Christ in Christendom; alleadging this frivolous and reasonless reason, that Saint Peter had left to Saint Peter his successors in Rome the Keyes of binding and loosing; for before this Constantinople, Asia and other Churches, their Bishops had some stroak, and divers times many of the Bishops of Rome were reprehended by the rest, but now obtaining this Decree of Phocas, he began to take head over all other Churches, and this Phocas to aspire to the Em∣pire of Rome he murthered his own Master, and Mau∣ritius the Emperour and his Children; so Phocas some∣what fearing and willing to have Boniface his favour, gratifies him and condescends to all his petitions, and grants him to be universal head Bishop over all Chri∣stian Churches, and there was the first rise of the Pope; But Phocas for his murther was justly rewarded, for Heraclius the Emperour cut off his hands and feet and cast him into the Sea; but Rome would not so soon loose her supremacy once given as the giver lost his life, and ever since that time the Popes have holden, defended and maintained the same by all force, pol∣licy and cruelty that possible can be; this was in the year 606. And so the Bishop now became Pope, his rise was not because of his holiness or righteousness, or doctrine or holy practices suitable unto Peter. whom he saith he succeeded for his Doctrine and practice, Peter had condemned the same things before Boniface

was, but his rise was by a Heathen Emperor who had Command over a great party at that time, and so by the force of his edict he claims authority.

Vitilianus, the eleventh Pope in the year 657 he confirmed that practice which was set up before by some other of the Bishops of Rome, that organs should be set up in Churches.

Paschal, in the year 817 was the first that appointed Cardinals to be in number 70.

Adrian the third the 47 Pope in the year 884 or∣dained that the Emperour of Rome from thenceforth should have no more to do with the election or con∣firmation of the Pope, but that it should be left wholly to the Romane Clergy; So now that which first gave the Pope power, to wit the Emperour, he now throws off the yoak, and if the Emperour please not him, hath stirred up the people to mannage war against him, and against divers Princes, as may be seen in the histories of latter ages.

Sergius the third was the first who ordained bearing of Candles in the feast of the purification of Mary, thence called Candlemas day.

Calistine the second in the year 1143 was the first in∣venter of cursing or anathamizing any who received not his Ordinances, with Bell Book and Candle.

Innocent the third 1198 was the first that brought in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, and imposed auricular confession upon the people.

Clement the fifth 1350 was the first that sold indul∣gencies and pardons.

Sixtus the fourth 1471 brought in the beads to be numbred when they prayed, & authorized the Ladies psalter. Leo the tenth in the year 1553 set Indulgencies and pardons on sale in Germany and France, which things caused Luther in Germany and Zunglius amongst the Switzers to write against the Popes Ministers,

and afterwards questioned many points of the Popish Doctrine upon which the Pope burned Luthers wri∣tings and condemned him for an Heretick, and Luther burned the Popes Canon Law at Wittenburg, and de∣clared the Pope to be a persecutor and a very Anti∣christ.

The Inquisition began first in Spain which was set up by the Papists there, to terrifie the Moors who had inhabited Spain for 760 years, and so long Spain was governed by the Emperour of the Moors in Africa until the year 1492. And after this time the inquist∣tion began against the Moors, which was not so cruel at first as afterwards it began to be against the Pro∣testants, and is now accounted the greatest violence and torture, and the greatest Tyranny and severest kind of persecution upon the Earth, insomuch that many papists abhor the very name and mention of it, and to the death withstand the bringing in of this slavery amongst them; the extremity and rigor of this inquisition untill the year 1609. in Philip the third King of Spains time, notwithstanding, though the Moors did make a shew of the Papists Religion because of the Inquisition, yet eleven hundred thousand of them was forced to quit the Country it was so dread∣ful; And all these kind of Ordinances and Institutions before mentioned, compare them with the Scriptures, and the cruelty and severity which hath been exerci∣sed towards them who could not receive them; none who have their eyes open in any measure, but must needs conclude, that all this is in the Apostacy; and so all who prosess reformation flee from these things, and from this Spirit, and from this Church who forces and kills all them that oppose, who are under his power; and why should any plead for the holding up of those practices as good and warrantable when as so many has been killed about them, and so many has been led

from the life and power of godliness while they recei∣ved and practised these humane inventions & vain and customary traditions for the Doctrine of Christ, and for Apostolick Ordinances? and must it not needs be concluded them who would tye people up, and bind men to observe such and such things as is menti∣oned before in this book, and persecute for not ob∣serving, that they are they who draws back to perdi∣tion, and keeps people from laying hold upon eternal life? Many more vain practises and Doctrines which have been brought in since the Apostles dayes might be mentioned, but in that which is said already, the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy both in life, doctrine and practise from the Apostles time downward untill now, & that which is called the Catholick Church in Rome is in it; And likewise diverse of them who are separated from her sticks too much in these things, because of the custom, Tradition and Antiquity of them; In part I have shewn their Antiquiry and their rise, and also shewn that which is more antient then they, from which they have swarved, to the intent that all may come out of Babylon, and drink no more of the cup, nor buy no more of the Merchandize, nor wear no more the harlots cognizance nor the false Churches at tire, but that all may come to see before this heap of dark con∣fusion, and beyond the vain observations which hath been introduced, which maketh no man through the observation thereof more acceptable unto God, but rather twofold more like children of the wicked one, who abode not in the truth.