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THe matter hath been long in controversy, who first began to inhabite VVildernesses, for some (as Saint Jerome witnes∣seth) that have ransacked the uttermost, say that Helias and John Baptist, were Authors of the life solitary: but as the one was more then a Prophet, so the o∣ther was above the state and condition of Monks. Some assign the original of it
to Anthony,* 1.1 others refer it to one Paul a Thebane surnamed Heremite. But (for asmuch as every man may speak his fancy in a thing doubtfull) I think the institution of this Monastical life to have proceeded of the Essees, a Religious brotherhood among the Hebrews, that lived after a greater perfection, then Monks did in their Superstitious and Fantastical Traditions, as appeareth by the Eighth book of Eusebius. De prepa∣ratione Evangelica.
Of their proceedings Anthony, and Paul the Thebane,* 1.2 took example of or∣dering the Rules and Precepts of their Religious Schollers. Albeit, it is right to ascribe the original of it to Anthony, which although he were not the first, yet he did much incourage the indeavours of all other, to lead that life, and Autho∣rised the Discipline of Monks in Aegypt, and afterward Basilius in Greece, and Hilarion in Syria, did much augment and amplify that purpose. For this Hi∣larion a man of great vertue, by calling on the name of Jesus, healed at the City or Gaza, the sons of a Noble Woman: whereupon the brute of him was so noi∣sed, that many out of Syria and Aegypt, repaired unto him, and he founded Ab∣beys
in Palestine, and instructed them with rules of living. As for Anthony he lived in the Wildernesse of Thebais in Egypt, and builded there an Abbey, where he himself, with Sarmatas, Ama∣tas, and Macarius, his Disciples, lived in so earnest contemplation and Prayer, that they lived onely with bread and water, his holinesse was such that Hele∣na, mother of Constantine did commend her self and her son, to his Prayers. He died in the Wildernesse when he was an hundred years old, the year of our Sal∣vation 341, his Disciples Amatas and Macarius increased much the Religi∣on after his death, and Sarmatus was slain by the Saracens. The institution of this state of living came, I grant,* 1.3 of a good zeal to godlinesse, but the De∣vil, perverter of all good things, did so impoyson the hearts of men, that they had more trust in their works, then Faith in Christs bloud, and then every man began new rules of works to be their own Saviours, which was abominable in the sight of God.
IN the year 166, after the death of An∣thony, Bennet an Italian, born at Nur∣si in Vmbria, when he had lived long in solitarinesse, resorted to a City of Italy, named Sabblaque, a City of the Latines, fourty miles from Rome. And because he was greatly delighted with a solitary life, and also the people pressed to see and hear his preachings, he departed thence to Cassine. And in the time of John the first,* 1.4 in the year of our Lord 524, he builded there an Abbey, and as∣sembled the Monks, that were dispersed alone in divers places, into one covent, and ordered them with instructions of manners and rules of living, confirmed with three vows, that is, chastity, will∣full poverty, and obedience, because they should all together mortify their own will and lusts.
These three forenamed Vows,* 1.5 Basili∣us, Bishop of Caesaria did first institute and publish, in the year of our Lord, 383. And also assign the year of pro∣bation
or Trial, that Religious persons had before they were professed.
The Order of Cluniacenses, were or∣dained by one Odon an Abbot at Masti∣cense, a Village of Burgundy. And William Duke of Aquitane gave them an House, the year of our Lord 916. in the time of Sergius the third. Not long after, the Religion of Camaldimenses was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna, in the Mount Apenninus, the year of our Lord 850. They kept perpetual silence, every Wednesday, and Friday they Fast, they eat bread and water, they go bare∣foot, and lye on the ground. In a part of the same Mountain called Vallis Um∣brosa, or the shadowed Valley, in the year of Christs incarnation 1040. under Gregory the sixth, John Gualbert began a new sect of Monks, and named them of the place where the Abbey stood, the Shadowed-Valley Order.
The Monks of Olivet sprung up as a fruit of disorder, the same year that the variance was among the three Bishops, and were instituted by Barnardus Ptolo∣mous, the year of Christ 1407. under Gregory the 12th. The Faction of Gran∣dimoniensers, began by Steven of Avern, in Aquitane or Guyen, the year of our
Lord 1076, under Alexander the se∣cond, and had their Title of the Moun∣tain where their Abbey stood. A little after the same time, Robert Abbot of Molisme, in Cistersium a Forrest in Bur∣gundy, did institute the order of Cister∣cians; albeit, some ascribe this to one Ordingus a Monk, that perswaded Ro∣bert to the same, about the year of our Lord 1098. under Urbane the second; Of this Religion was that great Clerk St. Bernard.
Almost an hundred years after this in the year of our Lord 1166. The order of Humiliates was devised by cer∣tain persons, exiled by Fredericus Bar∣barussa, which when they were restored to their Countrey, apparelled themselves in white, and lived by a kind of Vow, in Prayers, Penury, and working wool, and were admitted by Innocentius the third, and other his successours.
Celestines were founded by Celestinus the fifth of that name, Bishop of Rome, in the year of our Lord, 1198. In En∣gland Saint Gilbert at Tirington, and Sempringham, began an order called after him Gilbertines, in the time of Engenius the fourth, the year of Christs Incarnati∣on 1148.
The Justinians were invented by Lew∣is Barbus, a Re••igious man of Venice, in the Abbey of Saint Justine at Padua, the year of our Salvation 1412, in the dayes of John the 24th. There were al∣so Orders of Nuns devised after the same Rules of Superstition, as the o∣ther be.
HIeronymians had their beginning of Saint Hierome; which leaving his Native Country, went into Jewry, and there not far from Bethlehem, builded him an house, where he lived very de∣voutely, the latter end of his life, in the time of Innocentius the seventh, the year of our Lord, 1405. After his example, other counterfeited a resemblance of perfection, naming themselves Hiero∣nymians, wearing their clothes of white, and a cope plaited above over their Coat, girt with a lether girdle.
There were also certain Hermites
called Hieronymians, of the Foundation of one Charls Granel of Florence, which made himself an Hermite of the same Religion, in the Mountains of Fessulus. Others there be, that say one Redo, Earl of Mount Granel, did institute them in Fessulus, in the time of Gregory the twelfth. Yet there be some that say, that the original of this brother-hood, was instituted of Hierome in a Desart,* 1.6 and that Eusebius of Cremona, with other devout and holy men, which kept conversation with him, did enlarge and augment the family of that professi∣ón.
As concerning the Channons Regu∣ler, there be two opinions: for some say that Augustine by and by, after he was created Bishop, brought his Channons in this rule and form of living, wherein they have been so long trained and nus∣led up: other some brag, and make their vaunt, that it was devised of the Apo∣stles, and of this opinion was Thomas Aquinas. But Augustine was doubt∣lesse, either the inventour of the Sect, or renewer of it, and therefore may be justly taken for an Author of that Facti∣on, and so was he likewise of Augustine. Hermites.
The Channons cloathing was a white Coat, and a linnen rochet under a black cope, with a Scapular to cover their head and shoulders: The Hermites have a contrary vesture, a black coat with a sca∣pular, and another coat of white, and a Lether Girdle. Of these there were di∣vers other orders. As the order of St. Saviour of the Scopettines,* 1.7 which were ordained by Steven and James, two men of Scenes, in the time of Urbane the fifth, the year of Christ, 1370. And Gregory the 11th, by his consent, confirmed them in their Hypocrisy.
The Frisonaries is another Order, which began among the Hetrurians, in the County of Luces, that be otherwise called Lateranenses, by the device of James Brixian, in the time of John the 24th, the year of Christ 1412, and they were amplified and increased by Eugeni∣us the 4th.
The third Order is titled the brethren of St Gregory de Alga. This was ordain∣ed at Venice by Laurence Justinian, in the time of Innocentius the seventh, in the year of our Lord, 1407. with divers o∣ther Orders; which forasmuch as they rose suddenly, I will omit.
Bruno of Collen, that sometime read the Philosophy Lecture at Paris, did institute the Charterhouse Monks, in the Diocesse of Gracionopolis, at a place na∣med Carthusia, in the year of our Lord one thousand and eighty, under Gregory the seventh. Their life was outwardly full of painted holinesse, in forbearing Flesh, Fasting, bread and water every Friday, full of solitarinesse, much si∣lence, ever pinned in, and women were banished out of the house, with other semblable Ceremonies.
The Carmelites or white Friers, were as some say, begun in Mount Carmelus, after the example of Elias the Prophet, which lived there long solitary, that they were first assembled together by Almericus Bishop of Antioch, the year of our Lord, one thousand one hundred and seventy, in the time of Alexander the third, and they were also called our Lady Friers, of a Chappel of our Lady, that was in the Hill Carmelus. Never∣thelesse about four hundred years after, in the time of Innocentius the third, they were reformed by Albertus Bi∣shop of Hierusalem,* 1.8 according to the rule of Basilius and the colour of their coat was turned into white by
Honorius the third, where before it was Russet.
The other of Premonstratenses was instituted in the Diocesse of Laudune, by Northbergus a Priest: and the Pre∣cepts of that covent, were gathered out of St Augustines rules, and admitted for good by Calixtus the second, in the year of our Lord 1120.
The Crouch, or Crosse Friers began about the year of our Lord, 1215. by the device of Syracus Bishop of Jerusalem, which shewed Helen mother of Constan∣tine, where the Crosse lay hid, and in memorial of the Cross, he caused this brotherhood and Colledge of Friers to bear the Cross; and yet they never knew what the Cross weighed in their bodies or in their hearts, and forasmuch as they were sore wasted, Innocentius the third renewed the Religion.
ABout the time of Innocentius the third, arose two famous founders, of two superstitious Sects, I mean Do∣minick the Spaniard, and Francis the Italian, of the Country of Vmbria, Dominick, at the first was a Canon; but because he could not suffer to have a su∣periour, and was also weary of the Cloy∣ster, he invented, a new fraternity, na∣med Dominicans, Black-Fryers, or Fry∣ers-Preachers, because they had the charge to preach the Gospel, without mixture of any Pharisaical leven. The new guise of their Vesture, made inno∣cent Innocentius to wonder.
But Honorius the third by his Bull honourably admitted them,* 1.9 the year of our Lord 1220; and Gregory the 9th put the matter all out of doubt, canoni∣zed Dominick, and by his Bull under Lead, allowed him for a Saint.
Frances, that was first of the Friers Augustines, thinking that sect not to be
sufficiently furnished with Hypocrisie, began a new trade of living, in the Mount Appenninus, in a place named commonly Laverna: doubtless a ground worthy for such a foundation, as was beside the Word of God; it was set up in the time of Honorius aforesaid. They were named Minoribes, of the humility, and lowliness of heart, that they should have; but that was smally regarded, and farthest from their study. Two years after the year of our Lord God, 1229, Francis was sanctified by Gre∣gory,* 1.10 and made a Saint. Francisoans afterward fell at contention for the rules of their profession. They that failed somewhat of the unperfect perfection of them, retained the name of Minorites still; the other entituled themselves Observants, more worthy to be called Obstinate.
The latter fellows were brought in••o England by King Edward the 4th, and were greatly inhanced by the famous Prince, King Henry the 7th.
At the same time was Clara the Vir∣gin, Countrey-woman to Saint Francis, which was a great Foundress of Nuns, of the same Rule that Francis gave his Covent: of them sprung the bastard
Penitencers in the dayes of John the 22, and the year of our Lord 1315.
The Order of the Trinity under In∣nocentius, was begun by John Matta, and Felix Anachorita in France in the County of Meldine. Then also was founded, or else not long after, in the time of Martin the fourth, the Religion of Virgins or Servants, by one Philip of Florencia, a Physitian; and Benedict the 11th, con∣firmed it, in the year of our Lord, 385.
The Order of Brigidians, was institu∣ted by Brigidia a Widow, that was Prin∣cess of Sueta under Vrban the 5th, in the year of our Lord 1370, it was as well of men as women, albeit they dwelt severally by themselves.
The Family of Jesuits, was the In∣vention of Johannes Columbinus, in the City of Senes, in the time of the same Urban, the year of our Lord 1368; they were no Priests, nor consecrated per∣sons, but were men of the lay sort, given and addicted to prayer, and had the name of Jesuits, because that name of Jesus, should be often in their mouth; they be much like to our Beads-men in England.
The Sect of new Hermites began in
Urbin, a City in Italy, in the Countrey of Umbria, where Polidore Virgil was born; and was the device of one Petrus an Hetrurian, and they had in the same City a goodly Hospitall or Guild-Hall.
The Bonhomes were instituted in En∣gland by Edmund son of Richard Earl of Cornwall, which was brother to Henry the third, and was elected King of the Romans, and heir apparent to the Em∣pire, by the principal Electors about the year of our Lord 1257. The speciall head place of that Religion was Astrige, where the noble King Henry the eighth hath now a goodly Palace. This Ed∣mund brought the bloud of our Saviour, as it was said, into the Realm.
WHilest the City of Jerusalem,* 1.11 before our Christian men had conquered it, in the year of our Lord, 1099, was in subjection to the Saracens, the Latine Christians, that li∣ved there tributaries, purchased a licence
to build near unto the Holy Sepulchre dwelling houses, and among other they made an Hospital of our Lady to receive the strange Pilgrims, and appointed a Provost to entertain them.
This was in Silvester the first his time, the year of our Lord three hun∣dred twenty and four; and renewed, the year of Christ one thousand three hun∣dred ninety and seven, in the time of Celestine the third, Bishop of Rome.
After the pattern of this house, was devised a like house of Virgins in me∣morial of Mary Magdalen, to receive the Women that resorted thither. It be∣gan in the 2d Vrbanes dayes, the year of our Lord 1099. Notwithstanding because the multitude of Latine Pil∣grimes waxed very great, they builded three Hospitals of Saint John Baptist, as some say; Albeit, some think it was of John Eleemosinarius, that was the Patri∣arch of Alexandria, in the reign of the Emperour Phocas. This Sect one Ge∣rardus adorned with a white Cross in a black vesture: grand Captain of these Knights was Ramundus, when Clement the fifth had the See of Rome, about the year of our Lord 1310, yet some affirm that the beginning of them was in the
3d Alexanders dayes, the year of Christ one thousand one hundred seventy and nine:* 1.12 and they be called of the order of Saint John, or Knights of the Rhodes, be∣cause they won the Rhodes from the Turks, which afterwards they lost again in January, in the year of our Salvation, one thousand five hundred twenty three, albeit, they did long defend it manful∣ly.
The Temples order was begun in Ge∣lasius the second his dayes,* 1.13 in the year of Christs Incarnation, one thousand one hundred twenty and eight, by Hugo Pa∣ganus, and Gaufridus de sancto Alexan∣dro: they were named Templers, be∣cause they kept in a part of the buildings near to the Temple, they kept Bernardus rule in their living. But Clement the fifth deposed them, partly for that they renounced the Faith, and conspired with the Turks, and partly for other notable crimes.
The order of Teutonicks, or Dutch Lords,* 1.14 began in Jerusalem by a Dutch man whose name is not known; Their office was to fight against the enemies of Christs Cross, it began in the dayes of Clement the third, the year of Christs in∣carnation
1190. Petrus Ferdinandus a Spaniard began the order of Saint James Knights,* 1.15 that lived after St Austins rule, under Alexander the third, and in the year of our Lord, one thousand one hundred and sixty, in the same Bishops dayes.
Sanctius a King, ordained the Faction of Calatranean Knights, which professed the rule of the Cistercienses.
Of the same profession be they of the Order of Jesus Christs Knights, which were instituted by John the 22th Bishop of that name, in Portugall to resist the Sa∣racens.
Alexandrians brotherhood of Knights in the Realm of Castile, that began in Gregory the ninths time, about the year of our Salvation 1240, but who was Author of them is uncertain. James King of Arragon did found two sects of Knights,* 1.16 one named of S. Mary, de Mercede: the office of those was to ran∣some such as were taken Prisoners in wars by the Turks: the other Sect is cal∣led Montastan Knights,* 1.17 and they wear a Red Cross. Both these Orders Gregory the 11th did allow, in the year of our Lord, 1000.
The Order of Minimes or least-bre∣thren, were founded by one Franciscus Poula a Sicilian. after the example of Frauncis his Minorites.
The Apostolike brethren began in the year of our Lord 1260.* 1.18 by the insti∣tution of Gerardus Sagarelus, in the Town named Perma in Lombardy in the time of Alexander the fourth.
The white sect sprung up in the Alps, and descended into Italy, having a Priest for their Captain. But Bonifacius per∣ceiving they should do no good to his honourable estate if they continued, caused their Captain to be beheaded at Viterbium, as attainted of some Heresy, the year of our Lord 1400. They were a great number, and did no other thing but lament the state of Mankind, and be∣wail the sins of the people. There was of this fashion both men and Women, and were called the white sect, because they ware white cloathing.
NO lesse superstition is in the frater∣nity of the Ninivites, although they avant themselves to have received the•••• manner of living from the Apostles: for the end of their doings is to work their own Salvation by deeds satisfactory to God, where in deed they derogate the effect and power of Christs bloud.* 1.19 The Rites be specified with outward holi∣ness: as often assembling to prayer hy∣ring of Chauntry priests, supporting po∣verty, and be cloathed in sackcloath, and scourge one another with whips.
Of this painted pennance they call themselves Ninevites, as though they ap∣peased Gods wrath in the same wise, as they of Nineveh did, where in deed they had hearty contrition for their offences: these have but pretensed holiness and penitence. They began under Clement the third, the year of our Lord, one thou∣sand, 285.
The manner of their whipping came of the Romane sacrifices, and Lupercalia, whereof I spake before; for they used the same custome of a superstitious opinion: or, if a man would be curious in bolting out of the original of their beating, it may appear to have proceeded of an observance of the Egyptians,* 1.20 For the u∣sage was there, that whilest they offered a Cow with many Ceremonies to their great Idol, as Herodotus witnesseth, du∣ring the burning thereof, they should beat one another miserably with wands or rods.
The title of their fraternity came of the Romans, which had divers fellowships, as Sodales Titii, and Fratres Arvales that sacrificed to Ceres, goddess of Corn. A∣nother sort there is, not onely idle, but also theevish, and they be called Assyri∣ans, the same that we name commonly Egyptians. These, as all men have heard, and many have by experience proved, be so light fingered, that they will find two things, before they lose one.
The men by such pilfery,* 1.21 theft, and plain stealing, and Women by Palme∣stry, blessings, with like other sorcery, and witchcraft, furnished with lyes, se∣duce
and deceive a great number of simple people in every Countrey and Region.
And because they should have more liberty to speed their purposes,* 1.22 they say, It is their vow, and penance is given them to go in continual pilgrimage.
The occasion that these vagabonds stray thus abroad, came of an old Idol that they worshipped in their Paganism, named the Goddess of Syria,* 1.23 wherewith they used to gad from place to place to beg money, wine, milk, cheese, corn, and other stuff,* 1.24 as Apuleius writeth.
The same people now they be chri∣stened, play their parts in like manner with sundry subtilties: and what they get by lying, picking, stealing, bribing, they make money of; and so return home, laughing to scorn all those simple per∣sons that they have thus deceived.
Seeing all other superstitions be abo∣lished and rooted up, it is pity that this should take still effect, and be unpunish∣ed. The Antonians were a counterf••i•• of Anthony's perfection; but they dif∣fer as much from his holiness, as white f••om black; they have a T. on their breast, that meaneth Tolle, teaching them
to take what they can get, be it Cow, Ox, Calf, or Pigg; for they offer Swine to him, as they did sacrifice sheep to Bell in Babylon; they were instituted in the year of Christ 324.
The Ceretanes began in Ceretum, a City of Vmbria,* 1.25 and they ever used to go a begging at the latter end of Harvest, when the Barns were stuff'd with corn; and so like drones devour that which other have gotten with the sweat of their browes.
Of these valiant beggers, there be in every place a great many: but I cannot tell what time they were instituted; and how soon they be put down, it skilleth not.
OF all these superstitious Sects be∣fore rehearsed, there is not one so diabolical, as the Sect of Mahometans, as well for the filthiness of all unlawfull lusts, as other outragious naughtinesse, that they occupied daily, to the great endamaging of Christendome, and en∣crease of their own infidelity.
Of this unreverent religion, Maho∣met a Noble-man, born in Arabia, or as some report, in Persia, was authour: his father was an Heathen Idolater, and his Mother an Ismaelite: where∣fore she had more perceivance of the Hebrewes law. This wicked plant, brought up and fostered under his Pa∣rents, and instructed like a mungrell in either of their lawes, became expert, and of a ready wit: And after the death of his father and mother, he was in houshold with one Abdemonaples, an Ismaelite, which put him in trust with his merchandise, and other affairs; and
after his decease, he married his Mi∣stress, a Widow. There he fell in ac∣quaintance with the Monk Sergius, an heretick of Nestorius's sect, that fled from Byzance into Arabia: and by his coun∣sell and advice, this Mahomet, about the year of our Lord five hundred and twenty; and the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperour Heraclius; be∣gan in Arabia to found a new sect, and by seditious Sermons seduced much and many Countries. He conquered by help of the Arabians divers Lands, and subdued them as Tributaries, and compelled them to live after the tradi∣tion of his laws, that he gathered out of the New and Old Testaments, and divers heresies of Nicolaites, Manichees, and Sabellians. He dyed the 40th year of his age, and his body was car∣ried by the Saracens into a City of Per∣sia, called Mecha, and laid in a Coffin of Iron.
Caliphas succeeded Mahomet; but he was deposed for his superstition, and another of the same name was substitu∣ted in his room.
Homar was the third that reigned; and he, after the conquest of the Per∣sians,
wan Hierusalem, and all Syria, the year of our Lord 680, in the time of Agathon Bishop of Rome, and Con∣stantine the 4th, Emperour. This Sect waxeth daily bigger and bigger, partly through the discord of Christian Prin∣ces; and partly by reason of our sinfull living, that daily groweth to greater enormities, that deserve the heavy hand of God over us.
Beginning of Religion.
Paul the Hermite.
Religion hath grown to supersti∣tion.
Bennet buil∣ded an Ab∣bey at Cassi∣num.
Three Vows Basilius or∣dained.
Eusebius of Cremonen••es
The Order of Cannons or Hermites.
Carmelites cloathing is changed.
Dominick is Canoni∣zed.
Francis is made a Saint.
Grave-keepers, or Sepulchre-Knights.
Knights of the Rhodes.
Templer-Knights.
Dutch-Lords.
Knights of St James.
Knights of St Mary de Mercede.
Mountesi∣ans.
Apostolike brethren.
Rites of Ni∣nevites.
An usage of the Egypti∣ans.
Craf••s of the Eygptians.
The Egyp∣tians excuse.
Goddess of Syria.
Libro 8. deasmo au∣reo.
Ceretanes play in Sum∣mer, and beg in Winter.