The staffe of Christian faith profitable to all Christians, for to arme themselues agaynst the enimies of the Gospell: and also for to knowe the antiquitie of our holy fayth, and of the true Church. Gathered out of the vvorks of the ancient doctors of the church, and of the councels, and many other doctors, vvhose names you shall see here follovving. Translated out of Frenche into English, by Iohn Brooke of Ashe next Sandvviche. With a table to finde out all that which is contayned in the booke.

The Catalogue of the Do∣ctors, and Councels, out of the which we haue gathered togither this present booke, for the approbation of the Articles of our Faith, and to shewe in what time they flourished and were celebrated.

DIonysius Areopagita, a Grecian borne, and iudge in the causes of weight at Athens: was con∣uerted by S. Paule, when he dis∣puted with the Stoikes and Epicures in the same Citie: and constituted byshop there of the faythfull: Afterwarde he went into Fraunce, and was made byshop of Paris, where he was also beheaded by the go∣uernour Fesceninus, in the yeare of our Lorde, as Trithemius reporteth, 96. and Paulus Eberus, Pag. 327. being the ix. daye of October vnder the Emperor Do∣mitian in the seconde persecution. He flou∣rished chiefly vnder the two Vespasians fa∣ther and the sonne. Hee was called the French mens Apostle, and lieth buried in a place in Fraunce, called after his name S. Denis, a little distant from Paris, verye

famous throughe the sepulchres of the Kings of that Countrie, reade Act. 17. Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 4. and lib. 4. cap. 22. Mar∣tinus Polonus in the life of Domitian. Onu∣phrius Panuinus in his Chronologie, Pag. 14. Gregorius Turonicus, pag. 23. Roffin. pag. 365. Pantaleon. pag. 4. Of his iudge∣ment of the Eclipse of the sunne in the passion of our Lorde, reade the annales of Glycas, pag. 306. and in his owne Epistle to Polycarpus the martyr.

Clemens, a Grecian, flourished vnder the two Vespasians, Domitian, and Nerua. He was the Disciple of Paule, called his fel∣low labourer, as he himselfe witnesseth: and as Dorotheus sayth, one of the 70. dis∣ciples. He first preached the Gospell at Metz in Frāce. Pantaleon, pag. 7. Maior, Munster. Afterwards was made Bishop of Sardis now called Triaditza. Dorotheus in the lyues of the 70. Disciples. Lastlye bishop of Rome the 3. in succession, and was martyred vnder Traian, anno. 103. in the thirde persecution, by tying an an∣ker about his necke, and throwne into the sea. He obtayned the dignitie of the seate 9. yeares, 2. monethes, 10. dayes. Marti∣nus

Polonus in his lyfe. Gregorius Turo∣nicus, pag. 21. Platyna in his lyfe.

Ignatius, a Grecian, byshop of Antioch the yeare of our Lorde .99. seconde in suc∣cession after Peter the disciple of S. Iohn the Euangelist and Apostle: flourished chieflye vnder Nerua, and Traian, was martyred, as he testifieth of himselfe at Rome in the thirde persecution: the histo∣rie saith, that as Traian returned from the victorie of his enimies, the yere 109. and threatened death to the Christians, Igna∣tius came towardes him, and confessed himselfe a Christian, wherefore he was straight apprehended and bounde with fetters, and caried to Rome, and deuou∣red with wild beasts. Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 33. shewing his owne Epistle, howe he was bounde and fettered and garded with a great troupe of souldiers, and inclosed with ten Leopardes. Gregorie of Tours, pag. 21. Martin the Polonian in the lyfe of Traian. Pantaleon, pag. 9. Onuphrius Pan∣uinus, pag. 16.

Irenaeus a Latine Doctor, the seconde bishop of Lyons in Fraunce, and successour of Pothynus the disciple of Polycarpus the

martyr bishop of Smyrna. Florished vnder Commodus the yeare .175. Pantaleon, pag. 13. He was sent into France, by the sayde Polycarpus, and was commended by the martyrs there vnto Elutherius the 13. by∣shop of Rome, and confuted there certaine heretikes. Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 4. cap. 18. He reprehended sharplye Victor successor of Elutherius in the sea of Rome, bicause he had excommunicated the Christians of Asia and Greece. Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 23. Hee was martyred at Lyons vnder Seuerus in the v. persecution, or according to Sulpiti∣us Seuerus, the sixt in the yeare. 184. Gre∣gorie of Tours, pag. 22. Martin the Polo∣nian, in the life of Seuerus. He was present in the Councel of Palaestine with Polycar∣pus, Theophilus, Narcissus, and Bacchylus the noble and learned Byshoppes of Asia. Platyna in the lyfe of Victor the first.

Tertullian Priest, a Latine Doctor, by∣shop of Carthage in Aphrica, flourished in the yeare 202. vnder Seuerus and Antoni∣nus. He wrate many learned workes, but at length by reason of a schisme risen of e∣mulation betweene him and the Romane Clergie, he fell from the truth into the

Montane heresie. Hieronymus in cataloge. Nicephorus lib. 4. cap. 34. He wrote an A∣pologie for the Christians alledged by Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 2.

Origen Priest, a Grecian Doctor, flou∣rished in the yeare of our Lorde 235. the Disciple of Clement of Alexandria, whom also he succeeded in the schoole, and in∣structed many in the fayth, which after∣warde became martyrs. In his youth his father was martyred vnder Seuerus, who being in prison, he often visited, and ther∣fore was in great daunger of his person, and woulde haue suffred martyrdome if his mother had not hindered him: being growen in age, he gelded himselfe, to the intent he might the freelyer be at his stu∣die. He wrate many things, of which there are not all extant. Hieronymus in Catalogo. He liued till the time of Gallus and Volusi∣anus Emperors, and died in the 69. yeare of his age, and lyeth buried at Tyrus. Suydas. Euseb. in the whole 6. booke.

Cyprianus, a Grecian, Bishop of Car∣thage, flourished in the yeare of our Lord 355. vnder the reigne of Decius. Pantaleon pag. 21. Hee was a great enimie of the

Arians, and other heretikes. His opinion that he helde of rebaptizing the heretikes, was the occasion of falling at square with Stephan the first bishop of Rome. He was present at the first Councell of Carthage. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 3. Pantaleon, pag. 22.

Eusebius, a Grecian, Bishop of Caesa∣rea in Palaestine, flourished in the yeare of our Lorde 325. vnder the raigne of Con∣stantine the great. Pantaleon, pag. 25. By his familiaritie with Pamphilus the mar∣tyr, he was surnamed Pamphilus. Hee wrate manye workes, of which certayne are extant. Hieronymus in Catalogo. Hee was highly esteemed of the great Constan∣tine, as appeareth by the Epistles which the Emperour wrate vnto him. Socrates, lib. 1. cap. 6.

Lactantius Firmianus, a Latine Rheto∣rician, flourished in the yeare of our Lord 340. vnder the reygne of Constantine the great. He wrate against the Gentiles, and confuted their errors. Hieronym. Pantale∣on, pag. 27.

Athanasius the great, a Grecian, By∣shop of Alexandria, successor of Alexan∣der, flourished in the yeare of our Lorde

340. vnder Constantine the great. He had much adoe with the Arians, and was tho∣row them twyce expelled his Bishoprick: once by Constantine. Socrates lib. 2. cap. 13. Another time by Iulianus. Theodoret, lib. 4. cap. 9. At length he died vnder the reign of Valens Emperour of the East.

Hilarius a Latine, Bishop of Poictiers in Fraunce, flourished in the yeare of our Lorde 345. vnder the reigne of the sonnes of Constantine the great. He was driuen in exyle by the Gouernour. Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 8. He wrate many goodly workes, of the which many are extant. He liued vntill the time of Augustine. Hieronym. Augu∣stin. Epistol. 89.64.

Basile, a Grecian, Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, very familiar with Gregory Nazianzene, flourished in the yere of our Lord 370. vnder the reign of Valentinian and Valens. He was a great enimie of the heretikes, and confuted them in manye workes. Valens after he banished all the true Christians of the East, for his re∣noume spared him, yet he went of his own accorde into exile. Camerar. in Catalogo. Pantaleon, pag. 26.

Gregorie, a Grecian, Bishop of Nazan∣zum, called the diuine, flourished in the yeare 371. vnder Valentinian and Valens, although he was elder thā Basil. Camerar. in catalogo. He wrate many goodly works and was a great Oratour. He liued 90. yeares, a long and quiet lyfe. More of his vertues looke in the aforenamed author.

Epiphanius, a Grecian, Byshop of Cy∣prus, flourished in the yeare 375. vnder the reygne of Valens. He wrate eyght bookes against the heresies, in the Greke tongue. He was great enimie of Origen and Chry∣sostome. He excited the people of Constan∣tinople agaynst the sayde Chrysostome. More, looke Socrates lib. 6. cap. 11. Sozo∣men. lib. 7. cap. 26.

Ambrose, a Latine, Bishop of Millaine, flourished in the yeare 376. vnder the reygnes of Valens in the East, and Grati∣an and Valentinian sonnes of Valentinian in the West. Pantaleon, pag. 31. He was a noble man, and gouernour of the whole prouince of Millaine, and made Bishop after the death of Auxentius. After exiled by Iustina mother of Valentinian, infected with the heresie of Arius. He sustayned

great troubles, and wrate many learned workes for the defence of religion. Socra∣tes lib. 4. cap. 25. lib. 5. cap. 11. Sozomen. lib. 7. cap. 13.

Gregorie, a Grecian, Bishop of Nyssa, brother of Basile before named, flourished in the yeare of our Lorde. 381. vnder the reygne of Gratianus in the West. Hee wrate certayne works, and especially one very learned, De anima, agaynst the Phi∣losophers of the Gentiles. Of Basile his Epistle to him, De differentia essentiae & substantiae, reade the Tripartite in the ende of Theodoret.

Ierome Priest, a Latine, borne at Stri∣donium in Dalmatia, flourished the yeare 390. vnder the reygne of Valentinian the yonger. He liued in Bethlehem in Syria, and was verye famous for his workes. Pantaleon, pag. 31. He dyed the yere 422. the 30. of Septēber. Paulus Eberus. pag. 317. Reade his owne workes.

Augustine, a Latine, disciple of Ierome Bishop of Hippo, now called Bona, within the realme of Tunes in Aphrick, flourished in the yeare 395. vnder Theodosius the el∣der. He is so famous by his workes, that

the reader may plainely see him in them. He died the yeare 433. in the 40. yeare of his Bishops sea, the 28. of August.

Chrysostome, a Grecian, called Iohn of Antioch, but so surnamed of his eloquent speach (that is to say, golden mouth) Bi∣shop of Constantinople, flourished in the yeare 405. vnder the reygne of Arcadius & Honorius. He was the scholer of Libanius the Sophister, afterwardes left him, and was christened by Meletius. Lastly made Bishop of Constantinople, whence he was twyce banished by Eudoxia the Em∣presse, wyfe of Arcadius, by the meanes of Epiphanius. In y^e last time of his exile, being at Cucussa in Armenia, he sickened, and was caried to Potij, and there dyed the yere 410. the 14. of September. His workes are extant, being large and lear∣ned. Tripartit. pag. 422. Glycas. 359. Ebe∣rus, pag. 301.

Cyrillus, a Grecian, Bishop of Alexan∣dria, flourished the yere 432. vnder Theo∣dosius the seconde. Theodorit. lib. 5. pag. 35. Socrates lib. 7. cap. 7. He was a great eni∣mie of the Iewes, and threw them out at Alexandria. Socrates. lib. 7. cap. 13. Reade

of him the whole Tripartite.

Primasius, a Latin, a bishop of Aphrick, and disciple of S. Augustine, flourished the yeare 435. Pantaleon, pag. 35. Reade more of him in Gesner.

Fulgentius. a Latine, Bishop of Ruspa in Aphricke, florished the yeare 456. vnder the reygne of Martian. He wrate certaine workes now extant. But of his actes read his lyfe prefixed to his works. Read Gesn.

Prosper, a Frenchman, flourished in the yeare 456. vnder the reigne of Martia∣nus, read Gennadius in catalogo. He wrate certayne sentences, and a Chronography, read Gesner. Simlerus in catalogo scriptor.

Gelasius, a Latine, borne in Aphricke, first of that name bishop of Rome, flouri∣shed in the time of Zeno and Anastasius Emperors of the East. He wrate manye learned bookes. Read Platyna in his life.

Iustinian the 57. Emperor of Constan∣tinople, sonne of the sister of Iustinus the Emperor, flourished the yeare 527. Hee collected the Codices of the lawe into a short volume for the beginners, and called them his Institutions. He reygned 38. yeares. Reade Iornandes, Pomponius,

Laetus, Ignatius, Constantinus Manasses, pag. 83. Annales Glycae, pag. 371.

Cassiodorus, a senatour of Constantinople. afterwardes made a Monke, flourished the yeare 575. vnder Iustinianus the Em∣peror. But as Pantaleon accounteth 497, before the reygne of Iustinian vnder Ana∣stasius. He wrate being as yet extant, an Historie, and abridged the Tripartite, Reade Diaconus, lib. 1. cap. 11.

Gregorie the first Bishop of Rome, called Gregorie the great, flourished in the yere 605. But according to Pantaleon, 586. vn∣der Mauritius the Emperour. He wrate diuerse things, but especiallye his Mo∣ralles are most excellent. Reade Bedae hi∣stor. Anglosaxon. Platyna in his lyfe.

Theophylactus, a Grecian, constituted Bishop of Antioch, by Marua, chiefe of the Saracenes, flourished the yeare 608. But according to Pantaleon, 761. vnder Constantine. 6. He wrate certayne workes being extant in the Greeke tongue. Gesn. Simlerus. Pantaleon, pag. 61.

Beda, a Latine, borne in Englande, and as it seemeth, about Cambridge. For he calleth himselfe Beda Giruinus, which Gir∣ni

or Giruij were Cambridge shyre men, as appeareth by the towne of Cambridge, called of olde Granta Giruiorum. Leland in Cyenaea cantione. Flourished in the yere 732. But as y^e truer with Pantaleon, 704. vnder Leo the 2. and Iustinian Emperors. His workes extant testifie what the man hath bene. He wrate an historie of the Saxones. Platyna in the lyfe of Iohn the sixt.

Druthmarus, a Latine, Monke of the order of Saint Bennet, flourished the yere 800. vnder Irene the Empresse. He wrate certayne Commentaries vpon the Euan∣gelistes.

The Abbot of Augspurg in Germanie, a Latine, called Saint Vlrike, or Vlda∣rike, flourished the yeare 860. vnder the reygne of Michael the 3. of the East, and Lotharius the first in the West.

Barnard, a Latin, borne in Burgoigne, & the first Abbot of Clarenaux in France, flourished in the yeare 1111. vnder Henrie the Emperour of the West, and Alexius the first Emperour of the East. He wrate moste flourishingly and learnedly. His works are extant in one volume. Irenicus,

lib. 30. cap. 106. Volater. Gulielmus Abbas in his lyfe.

Abbot of Vrsperg in Germanie, a Latin, by name vnknowne, flourished the yeare of our Lorde 1200. vnder Alexius the first Emperour of the East, and Philip Em∣perour of the West. He wrate an historie which is extant, of the Emperors, and o∣ther things most notable, from the begin∣ning of the world to his time, to the which there are added Paraleipomena (or Chro∣nicles not touched) vnto our time. Panta∣leon, pag. 95. Gesner. Pantaleon in his Poso∣pograpie, lib. 2.

Thomas Aquinas, a Latine, borne in I∣talie, Frier of the order of Preachers, and descended of a noble house, of the Lordes of Aquino. He flourished the yere 1271. vnder Michael Palaeologus the 7. Emperour of the East, and Rodolphus the first Earle of Augspurge of the West. He made Commentaries vpon all Aristotle, and likewise in Diuinitie. His works are extant in 14. volumes in Fol. newly im∣printed at Rome. Reade his owne life set forth in a priuate booke.

Xystus the 4. Bishop of Rome, borne at

Cellae in the territorie of Genoa in Italie. named Frier Francis de Rouere, of the or∣der of Minores. He was created Pope the yeare 1414. He lyued vnder Sigismond the Emperor. Onuphrius Panuinus in hys lyfe.

Bishop of Panormus in Sicilie, a great Lawyer, called commonly of his Bishop∣ricke, Panormitan. Flourished the yeare 1415. vnder Sigismunde the Emperor of the West. He wrate very large volumes of the lawe.

Iohn Gerson, a Diuine of France, one of y^e Chancellors of the Vniuersitie of Paris, flourished in the same time with the for∣mer Byshop, and stoutlye resisted the de∣crees of the Counsell of Constance. Peucer. in synodo Constantiensi.

Platyna, an Italian, Secretarie of the sea of Rome, flourished the yeare 1470. vnder Fredericke the first, Emperour. He wrate of the liues of the Popes from Li∣nus vnto Xystus the 4. Sabell. Gesner. Simler.

Sanazarius, an Italian Poet, flourished in the time of Maximilian the first, and A∣lexander the .6. Pope.

Marcus Antonius Coccius Sabellicus, borne in the dominion of Venice, a bishop, flourished the yere 1501. vnder Maximi∣lian Emperour, and Pius the 3. Pope. He wrate a large historie from the creation of the worlde to the yeare 1504. whiche is augmented by Gaspar Hedio. Gesner. Simler.

The order of the Councelles according to Pantaleon.

AT Carthage, once very famous, now ruinous and cleane destroyed, a Ci∣tie in the kingdome of Tunes, vnder the Turkes dominion, were celebrated sixe Councelles. The first, in the yeare, 360. Galienus being Emperor, 32. in successi∣on, and Stephen the first, Pope. The se∣conde, the yere 413. Honorius being Em∣peror. The thirde, in the yeare 429. vn∣der Theodosius the 2. The fourth, fifth, in the yeare 437. vnder the same Emperor. The sixt, by 217. Byshops in the yeare 459. vnder Martianus.

At Anticyra in Galatia, was celebrated a Councell by Vitalis Bishop of Antioche

the yeare 295. Diocletian being Empe∣rour.

At Nice a Citie in Bithynia nowe called Nichea in Asia the lesse, vnder the Turke, were celebrated two Councels. The first against the Arians, the yeare 326. vnder Constantine the great, where was esta∣blished the Nicene Creede. The seconde, the yeare 781. vnder Constantine the sixt.

The Councell of Gangra, nowe called Cangri in Asia the lesse, was celebrated the yeare 333. vnder Constantine the great.

At Elyberis, or Illyberis, nowe called Granado in Spayne, was celebrated a Coū∣sell in the yere 337. vnder Constantine the great, by xix. Bishops.

At Ariminum now called Rimino in the territorie of Flaminia nowe Romandiola in Italie, was celebrated a Councell the yere 362. vnder Iulian the Apostata.

The Councell of Laodicea in Syria, was celebrated the yeare 368. vnder Iulian the Apostata.

At Constantinople in Thrace, sometime called Byzantium, builded by Constantine the great, nowe the chiefe seate of the

Turke, and called in his language Stam∣bola, were celebrated eyght Councelles. The first, the yeare 383. by 180. Bishops vnder Gratian the Emperour. The se∣conde, the yeare 448. vnder Theodosius the seconde. The thirde, in the yere 546. vnder Iustinian the first. The fourth, the yeare 576. vnder Iustine the seconde. The fift, the yeare 681. by 289. Bishops vnder Constantine the v. The sixt, the yeare 695. vnder Iustinian the seconde. The seuenth, the yeare 726. by 330. Byshoppes, vnder Leo the thirde, Emperor. The eyght, the yeare 870. vnder Basilius Macedo Em∣peror of the East, and Lewes the seconde, of the West.

At Toledo in Spayne, were celebrated 13. Councelles. The first, the yeare 393. vnder Arcadius and Honorius, by 18. By∣shops. The seconde, the yeare 470. vnder Leo the first. The thirde, the yeare 615. vnder Heraclius, by 62. Byshoppes. The fourth, the yeare 632. vnder Heraclius. The fifth and sixt, the yeare 639. vnder Constantine the thirde. The seauenth, the yere 680. But according to Phrygio, 640. by 30. Bishoppes vnder Constantine the

fourth. The eyght, the yeare 666. by 59. Bishoppes vnder Constantine the fourth. The ninth and tenth, the yeare 675. by 16. Bishoppes vnder Constantine the fourth. The xi. xii. xiii. the yeare 692. vnder Con∣stantine the fourth.

The Councell Mileuitan, was celebra∣ted at Mileuita in Aphrica against the Pe∣lagians, the yeare 418. vnder Honorius.

The Councell of Ephesus, nowe called Epheso in Ionia in Asia the lesse, was cele∣brated, the yeare 430. by 200. Bishops, agaynst the Pelagians and Nestorians vn∣der Theodosius the 2.

At Orenge in France, but excepted from the dominion of the Frenche Kings, ha∣uing a seuerall Prince, were helde two Councelles. The first, the yeare 451. vnder Theodosius the seconde, and Va∣lentinian. The seconde, the same yere, vn∣der the sayde Emperors.

The Councell of Chalcedon in Bythinia, nowe called by the Turkes Scutari, situa∣ted right ouer against Constantinople, was helde, the yeare 453. agaynst the Eutychi∣ans, Manichees, and Dioscorus, by 600. Byshops, vnder the reygne of Theodosius

the 2. and Valentinian the 3.

At Orleans in Fraunce were helde fiue Councelles. The first, the yeare 518. vn∣der Iustinus the first, by 33. Bishops. The seconde, the yeare 550. vnder Iustinian the great. The thirde, the same yeare vn∣der the same Emperor. The fourth, the yeare 567. vnder Iustinus the second. The 5. the yeare 572. vnder the sayde Empe∣rour.

At Bracara, now called Braga in Spain, were helde three Councelles. The first, the yeare 555. vnder Iustinian the great. The seconde and thirde, the yeare 583. Martianus being Emperor.

The Laterane Councelles were seauen. The first, by Stephan the 3. the yere 767. vnder Leo. The seconde, by Nicolaus the seconde, the yeare 1058. vnder Constantine the 12. of the East, and Henrie the 4. of the West. The thirde, by Innocentius the 2. the yeare 1138. vnder Caloioannes of the East, and Lotharius the 2. of the West, Emperors. The fourth, the yeare 1167. by Alexander the 3. vnder Emanuel of the East, and Frederike of the West. The fift, the yeare 1205. by Innocentius the thirde,

in the presence of 7. Archbishoppes, 412. Bishops. 1300. Prelates, vnder Henrie the 6. of the West, and Balduine the first, of the East. The sixt, the yeare, 1446. by Eugenius the 4. vnder Frederike the 3. The seauenth, the yeare 1510. by Iulius the 3. vnder Maximilian the first.

At Chalons in Fraunce, were helde two Councelles. The first, the yeare 670. vn∣der Constantine the 4. The seconde, the yeare 805. vnder Charles the first, Em∣perour of the West, and Nicephorus of the East.

At Wormes in Germany, were 5. Coun∣celles. The first, the yeare 868. vnder Lewes the seconde of the West, and Basi∣lius of the East, Emperours. The second, the yere 1067. vnder Romanus the second, of the East, and Henrie the fourth, of the West. The thirde, the yeare 1494. vnder Maximilian the first. The fourth, the yere 1520. vnder the sayde Emperour. The fift, the yeare 1536. vnder Charles the fifte.

FINIS.